What I'm Reading 2012

Here we are with a new year and an ocean of books on my to read list. My reading dropped off a little in 2011, I somehow only made it through 24 books, but I'm back in the saddle and ready to delve into some literature in 2012! As in the past, please feel to leave comments on books you read, opinions on my "reviews" or suggestions.

The Year in Books 2011
The Year in Books 2010
The Year in Books 2009 

December
Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire (genre: Fiction) Chronicling a dysfunctional college relationship. Grade: B-
 
Daughters for a Time - Jennifer Handford (genre: Fiction) After struggling with infertility, Helen and her husband decide to adopt a child from China. But their happiness is cut short when tragedy strikes their family. Grade: B+
 

Summer of the Mariposas - Guadalupe Garcia McCall (genre: Young Adult) After five sisters discover a dead man floating in their idyllic swimming spot in the Rio Grande River, the girls begin an odyssey to return the man to his family that takes them on an unexpected journey through the myths of Aztec legend. In the process, the bonds that hold the girls together are further cemented and they discover some unpleasant truths about their own missing father.

This book has a number of elements that should have made it a big hit for me: sisters, complicated paternal relationships, ancient mythology; unfortunately it just didn't quite hit the mark. I struggled to get into the adventure because I kept saying to myself "no one would ever do that" whenever one of the girls did something that led them into another harrowing situation. Perhaps if I were more familiar with the legends that were featured in the book, I could have been more invested in the girl's journey but the constant insertion of mythological creatures felt forced and overdone.

I loved McCall's first book, Under the Mesquite, a lyrical story that had me in tears in several places. While I enjoyed this book, it didn't have the emotional punch or connection for me. I suspect a younger audience might find this book quite enjoyable but for me the story felt somewhat flat. Grade: B


The Twelve - Justin Cronin (Science Fiction) The second in the trilogy begun so promisingly with The Passage. Middle books are a troublesome sort. They're a connector, so they don't have the clear cut ending of a standalone novel. Its always hard to tell until you've read the third book just how much was actually needed in the second and how much was fluff. This book was reasonably entertaining but often felt like filler. I guess the third book will tell. Grade: B+

November 
Tell The Wolves I'm Home - Carol Rifka Brunt (genre: Young Adult) It doesn't happen often, but maybe once or twice a year I will read a book that burrows its way down into my psyche, that even after I'm done reading it, I'm still actively ruminating on it. A book that makes me feel so much that it almost becomes a part of my own story. This was one of those books. Such a beautifully written, poignant story about a 14 yo girl who loses her favorite uncle to AIDS and the relationship she develops with his boyfriend as they both try to make peace with his passing. Grade: A+
 
Legend - Marie Lu (genre: Young Adult) In a United States that is now comprised of two warring factions, The Republic and The Colonies, those in the Republic live in a strictly regulated class based society. When June, a 15yo prodigy, begins the hunt for her brother's killer, she has no idea the revelations about her government she will unearth. Grade: B-

Running With Scissors -  Augusten Burroughs (genre: Memoire) This book was painful for me to read. Grade: C-


October 
Where She Went - Gayle Forman (genre: Fiction) The follow-up to If I Stay, the story of a young girl, Mia, who loses her family, and nearly her life, in a car accident. Now, we're following Adam, Mia's high school boyfriend. Now a hugely successful rock singer, he struggles with his newfound fame and with his unresolved feelings for Mia. Predictable, but that's not always a bad thing because this book was still very GOOD. Grade: A-
 
Looking for Alaska - John Green (genre: Young Adult) A 16 year old boy goes off to boarding school and finds the friendships of a lifetime in his roommate and a handful of other students, including the beautiful Alaska, the troubled girl he falls in love with. When tragedy strikes, the friends rally to find answers. Grade: A-
 
Skinny - Donna Cooner (genre: Young Adult) After not especially loving last month's Stone Girl, I was a little nervous coming into another book that dealt with weight issues in teens. But the premise seemed  different enough that I hoped I would enjoy it more. And I did. So much more. This is the story of  Ever, who lost her mother to cancer when she was 10 and began eating to compensate for her grief. Now 15 and 300 pounds, she is miserable within her own body, her worst thoughts and fears voiced by Skinny, the mean girl who taunts her from within. When all other diets have failed, she decides to have gastric bypass surgery. With the support of her best friend, Rat, she faces the challenges of recovering her health and her self-confidence. 

When I read the synopsis, I was afraid this book would focus on the procedure and the more clinical physical aspects. While there was certainly plenty of information about the medical side, it was purely in support of the story. This novel isn't about gastric bypass surgery, it's about a young girl and her struggles with self-esteem.  Overcoming the doubts created by our negative inner monologues and finding self-worth is a common struggle, making Ever very easy to identify with, regardless of whether you've been overweight.

I can't say that I was surprised by any of the plot twists, but I still really enjoyed this book and was rooting for Ever to the end.
Grade: A-

The Center of Everything - Laura Moriarity (genre: Young Adult) Some books hit too close to home for me to enjoy them as much as they should be. This was one of those books for me. Well written but sometimes painful for me to read because I identified in so many ways. I can't see the forest for the trees here, so it's getting a B. I wish I could go higher, because it is a GOOD book. But I just can't. Grade: B
 
Trapeze - Simon Mawer (genre: Historical Fiction) This book follows the experiences of a young woman who becomes a spy for the British in occupied France during World War II. I was deeply interested in the subject, as a francophile and a lover of history, but I feel a little let down by this book. Clever wordsmithing and interesting characters but just not enough meat to the story. Grade: B-

September 
Insurgent - Veronica Roth (genre: Young Adult) Set in a future where society has been broken out into factions that each serve a distinct purpose, those who don't fit into their faction are anathema. Tris is one of these people. As the factions begin to battle, we learn more about how their city came to be.
Insurgent picks up exactly where Divergent left off and answered a few of the questions that lingered from the first book. I actually enjoyed this book more than the first and am excited for the third in the trilogy. Grade: A-
 
Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter -  Seth Grahame-Smith (genre: History/Paranormal) I listened to this in the audiobook format, which I believe was to the detriment of my experience. I fell asleep while listened at least 8 times. There was enough there to keep me going until the end but I really struggled. Maybe someday I'll go back and actually read this book as I've heard so many positive reviews but I doubt it. Grade: C

The Stone Girl - Alyssa Sheinmel (genre: Young Adult) Going into her senior year at a prestigious New York City all girls prep school, Sethie struggles with body image issues. As the year progresses, her emotional state and personal relationships degenerate as she becomes more and more obsessed with her weight and appearance.

When I received this book, I was interested to see how the author demonstrated the hot topic issue of eating disorders. They are not something I have faced personally, but I have seen their devastating effects on friends. I wish I could say that after having read it, I feel I have had a glimpse into the mind of a person who battles these demons, but I really don't.

This book was written in the third person, however we only see Sethie's point of view. I feel this was a serious detriment to my involvement in her story. If ever a story called out for first person narrative, this is it. The bigger issue for me, though, is that this book tried too hard to be too many things. While it's easy to say it's about a girl with an eating disorder, so little of the book is actually spent delving into her thoughts. A considerable amount of time is spent on the three significant relationships in her life, her boyfriend, best friend and mother. However, we still don't see enough of any of these to make a real connection.

I wanted to like this book more because I do feel the author can turn a phrase. She created a believable character in a flawed and interesting world. I definitely saw myself in some of her actions, I was that self-destructive teenager, but I left this book wanting. And not in a good way. Grade: B-

Monument 14 - Emmy Laybourne (genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction) When a series of natural disasters turn their world upside down, 14 children barricade themselves in a big box superstore in an attempt to survive the aftermath. An engrossing read. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Grade: A-

The Selection - Keira Cass (genre: Young Adult) The Selection is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the US has been reorganized into a new group of states and is now ruled by a monarchy. In order to make the "little people" feel like part of the family, whenever there is an eligible prince, they hold a lottery to choose 35 potential brides for him. From there a "Bachelor" style selection process ensues, complete with televised "dates" and eliminations. Sadly, my opinion of this book suffers in that I am so weary of books that needlessly draw out the story to create a trilogy or, ugh, more. I don't know what happens in the following books but I am 100% certain it could all have easily fit into one slightly longer book with some judicious editing. Despite this, an enjoyable read, just wait until they've all come out so you can power through them without having to wait. Grade: B+

August 

The Death Cure - James Dashner (genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction) Oy vey. I really, really wanted the third in the trilogy begun so promisingly with The Maze Runner to bring a satisfying conclusion to the story. I wanted the time that I spent reading the dismal second book, The Scorch Trials, to have been worth it. I wanted to understand how in the sam hell torturing and killing children could possibly provide the information that would find a cure for the zombie virus. Sadly, none of that was the case. I struggled through every one of the 336 pages. Not good. Not good at all. Grade: D- 

The Age of Miracles - Karen Walker (Young Adult/Science Fiction) When the earth's rotation suddenly starts slowing, Julia quite literally finds her world in chaos. While I had a hard time believing the science in this book, I loved the lead character and empathized with her plight. More a coming of age tale than science fiction, this book was lyrical and beautiful. Grade: A-

If I Stay - Gayle Forman (Young Adult/Supernatural) Following a devastating car crash, Mia, a talented cellist, struggles to come to terms with her new situation. At turns heartbreaking and uplifting with occasional humor, I loved this book. Grade: A

Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher (Young Adult) After a girl he had a crush on kills herself, Clay receives a series of tapes that she recorded explaining why she did it. A heartbreaking read about teenage suicide. Grade: A-

Gone Girl - Gillian Glynn (genre: Fiction/Mystery) A real page turner, I was completely hooked from the beginning. The story of a New York couple who after losing their writing jobs moves back to Missouri to help care for the husband's dying mother. But their marriage falters under the strain of their new life and dark questions are raised when the wife disappears on their 5th anniversary. This book kept me guessing right up until the end. Loved. Grade: A+
 
July
Forsaken - Lisa Stasse (genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction) I went into The Forsaken with some dystopia weariness. There has been a dearth of series in this genre in recent years. Many of them really quite good: Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, Divergent; some not quite so fantastic. I quite enjoy the genre, but even fans can find themselves a little tired of the subject from time to time. After stalling a bit starting it, I finally jumped in with both feet.

I wish I could say that I was sucked in immediately, but the first half was slow to catch my interest. The action is fast paced from the beginning, which makes it a page-turner but we don't really get to know Alenna or the supporting characters. Without an emotional connection to the lead, it was hard for me to get involved. I understand that Alenna is supposed to be "everykid" but she's the hero of our tale, so I expect a little more. But as the book progressed, I found myself more engaged and invested in the storyline, so much so that by the time there were major reveals in the second half, I was totally hooked and surprised. There were definitely some great twists!

When I began the book, I found myself constantly comparing plot elements to other books in the genre. But despite some early similarities, The Forsaken took turns that definitively set it apart from its fellows. And while I would like to see a little more character development, it is a unique and well-thought out world. I am excited to see what happens in the next books! Grade: A-

Let's Pretend This Never Happened - Jenny Lawson (genre: Memoire) I've read The Bloggess off and on since I began blogging. She is hilarious but often disconcertingly manic and this book is true to that form. Occasionally laugh out loud funny, this book was interesting but I found myself struggling at times to finish it. It was a good book for the treadmill. Grade: B+

June 
The Unidentified Redhead - Alice Clayton (genre: Romance) When Grace returns to Hollywood at the age of 34, she never expected to begin a romance with the hot, YOUNG new star of an upcoming movie but that's exactly what happens and she's loving every minute of it. Fun, funny book. Less erotica than I was expecting, given this book was recommended as a quality alternative to the 50 Shades books, but enough titilation to keep things interesting. Grade: A- 

Sun of Suns - Karl Shroeder (genre: Science Fiction) In a galaxy comprised of a giant balloon with artificial suns and gravity, Hayden comes to Slipstream with the intention of killing Admiral Chaison Fanning but gets embroiled in a much larger situation that has him questioning his motives and allegiances. Grade: B- 

May 
The Dark and Hollow Places - Carrie Ryan (genre: Horror, Young Adult) The final novel in the trilogy begun with the Forest of Hands and Teeth. In this book, we follow Annah, the twin sister of Abigail (Gabry). Fending for herself in the city, Annah is scarred, scared and alone. But a surprise discovery changes her world and escape seems possible. Grade: B+ 

Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green (genre: Young Adult) In the suburbs of Chicago there are two 16 year old Will Graysons, each facing their own challenges. On one fateful night, the two boys, previously strangers, meet and their lives are changed. I love this book. It very positively portrays young homosexuals and their relationships. Grade: A+
 
The Kitchen House - Kathleen Grissom (genre: Historical Fiction) I am honestly surprised by how many glowing reviews I have seen for this book. It fell completely flat for me. The characters were stereotypes in nearly every way. The dual narrative added nothing. I felt there was a lot of promise to this story. I have not heard much about the lives of indentured white servants during that era. But this book disappointed. Grade: C
 
When You Were Mine - Rebecca Serle (genre: Young Adult) A modern day retelling of the Romeo and Juliet tale, told from the perspective of the jilted Rosaline. Only now it's Rosie, Rob and Juliet. There is the requisite familial chasm and all the teenage snarking and bickering you'd expect from a group of hormonally charged adolescents. 

I really liked Rosie. Probably because I've been Rosie on an occasion or twelve. Falling for someone who seems to fall for you only to have them fall for someone else. And the anguish and hope and betrayal and depression that goes along with that experience. I loved the relationships Rosie had with her two best girl friends and the surprise love interest she developed.  

For the most part I enjoyed this book, but I felt the back story lacked substance. It felt like the author didn't really focus on the plausibility of the rift, only that it is there to set the stage for the current scenario. For such rational, down to earth people as Rosie's parents seemed to be, their past behavior and complete dismissal of her father's only brother seems surprising and out of character. Furthermore, the entire book paints Juliet's family as a bunch of crazies, with Juliet as the most vindictive and hateful of the bunch. We did get a glimpse of a more rational and humane Juliet at the end but by then the die is cast and we all know how it turns out for her. I think this book would have been more enjoyable if the author had veered away from villainous stereotypes (cheating politician! spoiled rotten rich girl!) and introduced believably flawed characters who did bad things. Grade: B+

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern (genre: Fiction) In the late 1800s, two ageless magicians make a wager, pitting two young people with no knowledge of the rules, each other or the price of victory against each other. Set in a magical circus, the competitors battle over the years to a dramatic conclusion. Beautifully detailed and narrated, I really enjoyed this book. Grade: A

Warm Bodies - Isaac Marion (genre: Fiction, Horror) Although I'm getting a little burnt out on the zombie thing, I had heard good things about this book so I thought I'd give it a try. This is the story of R. He's a zombie. He doesn't know what his name was or what he did but he knows that he has a real penchant for human brains. But on a routine human hunting expedition, he unexpectedly finds himself drawn to a human girl, Julie, who he saves and takes back to the airport where he lives. An unlikely friendship develops between the girl and the zombie. I would not have expected to be emotionally invested in this admittedly disgusting relationship, but I was. Grade: A-

April
Dead Reckoning - Charlaine Harris (genre: Fiction, Paranormal) The latest installment in the Sookie Stackhouse saga. As with all of the other books, Dead Reckoning was light fare: entertaining to read but doesn't require much in the way of deep thought. Grade: B-

The Dead - Charles Higson (genre: Young Adult) The prequel to The Enemy, The Dead takes us back to London immediately following the outbreak of the "sickness" that has created zombies out of all humans over the age of 16. We follow a group of schoolchildren as they flee their school in search of a safe haven. While this book was reasonably satisfying, it is clearly the middle of a three book series, so there's a great big question mark at the end. I will definitely read the next book when it comes out, but I'm a little frustrated at the ending. Grade: B+ 

Goodnight Tweetheart - Teresa Medeiros (genre: Fiction) Four years ago, Abby Donovan wrote the great American Novel. Oprah even gave it her stamp of approval. Fast forward to now, and she's stuck on Chapter 5 of her next book. For three years. To appease her publicist, she gets on to Twitter to engage her fans but she makes an unexpected connection. I read this book in about 3 hours. It was clever and fun. Grade: A-  

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats - Jan-Phillip Sendeker (genre: Fiction) After her father's disappearance, Julia goes to Burma to find out what happened to him. Along the way, she discovers there was so much more to her father than she ever expected. This is a beautiful and tragic love story. Grade: A

The Girl in the Park - Mariah Fredericks (genre: Young Adult)
When her former best friend, Wendy, is found murdered in Central Park, Rain starts looking for possible suspects among her fellow students at an elite New York City prep school. Rain was a compelling protagonist. We've all felt different at one point or another and I felt enormous empathy towards her because of her condition. While I often felt she was careless in her behavior, it was believable for someone of her age and experience. I enjoyed discovering more about Wendy through Rain's memories, revealing more of their friendship and Wendy's past as the book progressed. I figured out the killer fairly early in the story, but it was an enjoyable read and kept me entertained through to the end. Grade: A-

March
Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson (genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy) I was a little leery going into this book because it is the first in a series and I have been pretty disappointed in series lately. Too often, the books are not standalone stories that can be read independently of the series. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this. It follows a skaa (peasant) girl who has extraordinary powers that she is only just learning how to use and control. Grade: B+

Getting Over Garrett Delaney - Abby McDonald (genre: Young Adult) Sadie is in love with the boy of her dreams. He's smart, handsome, witty, interesting and completely unaware of her affections. He's also her best friend. When they're separated for the summer while he goes away to literary camp, Sadie embarks on a mission to purge him from her heart. In the process, she discovers she's not the girl she thought she was.

I enjoyed this book. I would call it the quintessential beach read. The story is solid, the characters interesting, if a bit flat, and the pace is quick. But. There just isn't anything that really stands out for me. There were no twists that surprised me, the ending was entirely expected, the dialogue was witty but not too terribly clever, and there were no really outstanding characters, even Sadie herself. This book is the literary equivalent of Chinese food. Thoroughly enjoyable but you're hungry again a couple hours later. Grade: B

February
Born Wicked - Jessica Spotswood (genre: Young Adult/Paranormal/Historical Fiction)

I went in to this with high expectations. I enjoy historical fiction, throw in witches and I'm in heaven. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to my hopes. My primary complaint is that this book does not hold up as a stand alone story. I understand that it is part of a trilogy, but a well paced series allows for each book to be a solid, enjoyable read, one that contains all the required story elements and leads into a continuation. The characters were poorly developed and there was very little focus on the relationships between them. The sisters, the girls and their father, Cate and Sachi/Rory. The love story, or stories, are extremely shallow. I get that she's 16 and impetuous, but deciding to marry Finn? After a few weeks infatuation? When she never noticed him before? How can she so easily dismiss Paul? It strains believability for me.This book didn't hold my attention enough to even want to read the next in the series. Grade: C-

Front Porch Prophet - Raymond Atkins (genre: Fiction) We got this as a Free Friday book on our Nook. We download a lot of these, with the thought that "someday" we'll get around to them. I found myself on the treadmill with no internet and no way to watch Doctor Who, so I browsed through the books on my iPad and this one looked interesting. I might not have read it otherwise, but I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed it. Grade: B+

Maine - J. Courtney Sullivan (genre: Fiction) This was one of my book club books. It was proposed as a "beach read" type book and maybe if I had read it at the beach, my opinion would be better. It is the story of three generations of women in a New England family. This book was so uninteresting that I struggled through every single one of the 385 pages. The characters were roundly unlikable, there wasn't a single one that I could identify with and root for. But the much bigger problem is that there was no story, just a collection of scenes. There was no development, no climax, no resolution. Huge disappointment. Grade: D 

January
The Fault in our Stars - John Green (genre: Young Adult) 16 year old Hazel is a terminal cancer patient. She's spends most of her life in and out of hospitals. She thinks she knows what the rest of her short life will be like, but then she meets Augustus and suddenly a world of possibilities erupts. Beautiful, uplifting, real, heartbreaking, I fell in love with the characters. Grade: A+

Fuzzy Nation - John Scalzi (genre: Science Fiction) My first foray into the world of audio books. I was a sceptic, but I was intrigued by the story premise and I had a few hours to kill. The story begins with Jack Halloway finding a huge deposit of precious jewels on a distant planet, but then he comes into contact with an animal that might be sentient and things get very complicated. Quick, fun read. Grade: A-

Ready Player One - Ernest Cline (genre: Science Fiction) Set in a not too distant future where the planet's fossil fuels have been depleted and people literally live inside a virtual world, OASIS, kids go to school there, people work there, fall in love there. When the creator of OASIS dies, himself a product the 1980s, he leaves his entire wealth to whomever can solve a game he created within the virtual reality. A race ensues. Loved this book! Grade: A

Graffiti Moon - Cath Crowley (genre: Young Adult) Remember when one night could mean everything? When you could chase your dreams, and find them, in the space between sunset and sunrise? In Graffiti Moon, we relive one of those nights.

Graffiti Moon is narrated by three characters: Lucy, Ed and Leo. Lucy, who's greatest desire is to meet Shadow, a graffiti artist with such talent and depth, she has fallen in love with him through his art. Ed, who is, of course, secretly Shadow, but because of a disastrous first, and only, date with Lucy, he keeps that from her. And Leo, the other half of Shadow's graffiti team, the Poet. While the boys kill time leading up to planned late night shenanigans, they help Lucy and her friends in an attempt to track down Shadow that leads them all over Melbourne, Australia.

Beyond the principals, this book was full of real, multi-dimensional characters. Lucy's parents were quirky and unpredictable, Ed's late boss was wise and funny; supporting characters Jazz, Leo, Daisy and Dylan were flawed and believable. In fact, everyone in the book, with the exception of the psycopathic villain, were absolutely relatable.

I loved the he said/she said writing style. Being inside the principal characters' heads allows readers to see both sides of the situation. I felt their longing and their anguish. A beautifully written story. Officially my first book of the year and we're off to a banging start. Grade: A+ 

On Deck:
Prized - Caragh M. Obrien
Bitterblue - Kristin Cashore
City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare
Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
A Little Wanting Song - Cath Crowley 
A Visit From The Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan
Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison:
The Opposite of Me - Sarah Pekkanen
Disquiet - Julia Leigh
Truth - Robin Wasserman
Wake - Lisa McCann
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
Blue Bloods - Melissa De La Cruz
Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
Still Alice - Lisa Genova
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin
Willow - Julia Hoban
Private Life - Jane Smiley
The Domino Men - Jonathan Barnes
Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert

Going forward this post will be updated after I read each book and can be reached by clicking the "What's On The Bookshelf" link at the top right of the page. I pick almost all of my books based on suggestions from friends, so please feel free to leave a comment with a recommendation at any time during the year!

What Am I Reading 2011

I'm a reader. Always have been. There is little I love more than escaping into a good book. And it has been fun keeping track of what I've read the last two years. So into 2011 I go, a universe of literature at my fingertips. As in the past, please feel to leave comments on books you read, opinions on my "reviews" or suggestions.

The Year in Books 2010
The Year in Books 2009 

December 
The Scorch Trials - James Dashner (Genre: Young Adult) The second book in the Maze Runner trilogy, Thomas and his group of maze survivors are now out in the outside world facing a whole new series of trials. I wanted to like this book, I'd heard good things, but it felt like a lot of running around and getting nowhere. I guess I won't be able to say until I've read the third and final book, but I honestly didn't feel this book advanced the story other than to throw the boys (and girls) through more hellish torment for reasons unknown. Grade: B-
 
Probability of Miracles - Wendy Wunder (Genre: Young Adult) When I received this book, my first thought was "a book by Wendy WUNDER called Probability of MIRACLES. Pfft. Can we try a little harder folks?" It is a very good thing that I didn't judge this book by the cover (or the name, in this case), because it is one of the best books I read this year. 

It is the story of Cam, a 16 year old girl with terminal cancer. She's been through every treatment and experimental therapy available and while she doesn't believe in miracles, her mother and 11 year old sister do, and they think they'll find them in the aptly named town of Promise, Maine.

As she pursues her "flamingo list", Cam begins to truly enjoy life. She finds herself, almost unwittingly, a part of a group of friends and involved with a boy who believes in the magic of Promise more than anyone. So despite her grim outlook and determination to stay that way, she unexpectedly finds hope.

My criticism of our last book of the month was that, while good, the dialogue and behavior didn't feel true to teenagers. This book does. The characters were real witty. Their interactions were believable. I loved Cam and her unique family. Everyone should have a nana who has to make herself angry at them so she can let them leave without breaking down.

I sobbed as I finished this book in the locker room at my gym. I just couldn't put it down to wait to finish it at home. It is the first book that has truly captured me in a while. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Wendy Wunder's next book. Grade: A

Sapphique - Catherine Fisher (Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction/Fantasy) The sequel to Incarceron, we follow Finn and Claudia on the outside as they struggle to prove Finn as the rightful prince, and on the inside, Attia and Keiro, who, with the glove of Sapphique, are searching for a way out of Incarceron. This book left me wanting more, in a good way. Grade: B+

November 
Finding Somewhere - Joseph Monninger (Genre: Young Adult)
Most girls go through a horse phase, but Hattie and Delores take theirs to a whole new level. Speed is Hattie's "one" horse. Beloved, he is the one that will be all horses to her ever after. When his owners decide that his time has come, these two unlikely friends make a cross-country trip in search of somewhere to give the dying horse a last taste of freedom.

This book was written from 16 year old Hattie's point of view, and while the descriptors used were beautiful and evocative ("when the moon is full and woodsmoke lips out of the chimneys"), they just didn't ring true to the way a girl her age would think. Going along with that, these two girls were unnaturally self-aware for 16 and 18. Dolores apparently suffers from Bipolar Disorder and both she and Hattie are very attuned to her fluctuating moods, so much so that they would work to head off her depressive phases. As a 37 year old woman with familial and personal histories with this disease myself, I can only say that even now it's really darn hard to see the shifts as their happening and almost impossible, barring medication, to do anything about them. I struggle to believe that a 16 year old would be this perceptive.

Finally, I was frustrated with character development, specifically, Hattie's backstory. Why did she drop out of school and get her GED? Her father is clearly not in the picture, but there is very little in the way of explanation there. The girls had planned a cross-country trip before Speed, so while the horse was the specific impetus for their journey, the idea had already been set in motion before they realized his situation. I don't need comprehensive exposition, but I would have understood her need to make this trip a lot better if I had some of these details.

As a woman who loved horses as a young girl myself, I liked this book, I empathized with Hattie and Delores and I wanted Speed to have his day in the sun as much as they did, but... I needed a little more. Grade: B 

The Power of Six - Pitticus Lore (Genre: Young Adult) The second in the Lorien Legacies, we continue where we left off with John Smith, aka Number Four, as he runs from the the Mogadoriens. He has been joined by Number Six as they search for the remaining five Lorien children. Good action, interrupted by some not at all surprising plot twists. My beef with this book, as with so many lately, is that it does not stand alone. It begins in the middle and ends in the middle. Authors don't waste the energy to make each novel satisfying on their own because it is all about the series. Since this book is written expressly for monetary gain, it shouldn't surprise me, but I'm disappointed nonetheless. Grade: B-

October 
Consider Phlebas - Iain M. Banks (Genre: Science Fiction) A promising opening with an intriguing central character drifts off into a collection of disjointed experiences that left me not really caring about anyone in the book. There was some good action and a well developed universe but it wasn't enough to make this book truly likable. Grade: B-
 
Blood Wounds - Susan Beth Pfeffer (Genre: Young Adult) Part of what seems to be a happily blended family, Willa's life is thrown in to upheaval when the biological father she doesn't remember suddenly becomes a very scary part of her life. I loved Pfeffer's Last Survivor series so I went into this book with quite high expectations and while I had no trouble zipping through it, I never really identified with any of the characters as I did so strongly with the characters in her other books. The characters in this book all felt very stereotypical and two-dimensional: the doting mother with her hidden small town past; the too-perfect stepfather with the evil ex-wife; the stepsisters who get everything while Willa lives on hand-me-downs. Additionally, there were significant areas of the story that didn't ring true for me. I simply can not believe that any mother, let alone Willa's overprotective one, would allow her child to travel on her own following such an unbelievably traumatic event. Moreover, the personal issue that Willa struggles with felt like a forced connection to her father, one that was too quickly and easily resolved in the end. Pfeffer can certainly string words together, but this book fell flat for me. Grade: C+ 

Little Bee - Chris Cleave (Genre: Fiction) This is one of those books that I really want to say I love, but I just don't. The writing was well done, the story interesting and yet. It just didn't capture me. This novel tracks a young Nigerian woman and a thirty-something British couple, and the catastrophic intersection of their lives. Grade: B 

Under the Mesquite - Guadalupe Garcia McCall (Genre: Young Adult) Lupita is the oldest of eight brothers and sisters in her close-knit Mexican-American family. She dreams of pursuing a career in acting but her world is torn apart when her mother is diagnosed with cancer. As her mother undergoes treatment, Lupita struggles to hold her family together while simultaneously traversing the pitfalls of adolescence. Through tragedy, she discovers hope and promise. When I first realized this book was written in free verse, I worried that the form would make the story of  difficult to follow. I am very happy to say my fears were unfounded. Moreover, this captivating book evoked a range of emotions astonishingly complex for such a quick read. McCall's words brought me back to my own difficult teenage years and the complicated relationship between my mother and I. A beautiful but sometimes painful read. I can't say enough good things about this book. Grade: A+

September
Divergent - Veronica Roth (Genre: Young Adult) In a future distopian society located amid the ruins of Chicago, five distinct factions have emerged. Each embodying a necessary element of society, children are required to select their faction at the age of 16. Despite being raised among the peace-loving Amity, Beatrice chooses the Dauntless faction, who are the protectors of their society. As she struggles to complete the initiation, she discovers a plot that will change her world forever. Fast-paced, well written novel. Grade: A

Domestic Affairs - Eileen Goudge (Genre: Fiction) Just another bland novel without much in the way of originality or creativity. The characters were flat and there wasn't a single twist that I didn't see coming from the very beginning. Even the writing was lackluster. The fact it has 4 stars on Amazon completely baffles me. All I can think is that the people rating this book on there must be comparing it to the Twilight novels or your run of the mill Danielle Steele. Grade: D 

August
Judas Unchained - Peter Hamilton (Genre: Science Fiction) I am hesitant to talk about the story because it will give too much away for any who might not have read Pandora's Star. I'll just say that it was a reasonably satisfying conclusion to this epic story. It was a long, long road but I'm happy to have made the trip. Grade: B+ 

July
Pandora's Star - Peter Hamilton (Genre: Science Fiction) In the future, travel by wormhole and rejuvenations that essentially make humans immortal are accepted parts of life. When an entire galaxy is found enclosed within an impenetrable opaque barrier, no one is prepared for what they find within or the implications it will have for the human race. Grade: B+

Room - Emma Donaghue (Genre: Fiction) Told from the viewpoint of a 5 year old boy, Room is the heartbreaking story of a woman and her son and the world they create within four walls. At times painful for me to read, as a mother, it was deeply engrossing. Grade: A 

June
Jellicoe Road - Melina Marchetta (Genre: Young Adult) The story follows the stories of two groups of teenagers, one in the past and one in the present, who are inextricably linked to their predecessors. Grade: B+

May
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake - Aimee Bender (Genre: Young Adult/Supernatural) Ten year old Rose discovers that she has a very unusual skill: she can taste the emotions of the preparer in the foods she eats. The complexities this creates in her relationships with her mother and those around her reveal more than just the usual struggles. I loved this book. Grade: A

Bossypants - Tina Fey (Genre: Memoire) Perhaps I've overdosed on memoires in recent years, but I just didn't love this book like I expected to. I love Tina Fey. It certainly made me laugh. But. There was a cohesiveness that was missing. I don't expect the structure of a novel in these sorts of essay books, but I do expect a broader theme. And I just didn't feel it was there. Having said that, it was definitely an entertaining read and I recommend it for the laughs. Grade: B
 
The Paris Wife - Paula McClain (Genre: Fiction) The story of Ernest Hemingway's marriage to Hadley, told from her viewpoint. In the end, I enjoyed this book, and it was undeniably beautifully written, but it dragged. I struggled through the middle hundred pages but the end was satisfying. Grade: B

April 
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest - Stiegg Larsson (Genre: Fiction) The third, and erstwhile, final book in the The Girl Who... series. A worthy finish to these interesting books. My only complaint was that there were some storylines that were not wrapped up. I won't say which to avoid spoilers but it left me wanting. I hope the rumored fourth book is eventually published and that it addresses these storylines. Grade: B+

The Girl Who Played With Fire - Stiegg Larsson (Genre: Fiction) Following the same characters as the Dragon Tattoo, we get into the search for a mysterious character in the sex trade world that winds up being very key to our heroine. Grade: A- 

The Postmistress - Sarah Blake (Genre: Historical Fiction) Set during World War II, this book follows three women and their experiences in Europe and America as they dealt with the changes the war brought. Well written, but unexpectedly unsatisfying. Grade: B

March
Goblin Quest - Jim C. Hines (Genre: Fantasy) Runty goblin Jig winds up a captive/guide for a group of adventurers, among them a dwarf, fairy and two humans, in search of a treasure at the heart of the mountain that Jig calls home. Their adventure takes twists and turns as they battle the magic of a the dangerous wizard Necromancer. Grade: B

February
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson (Genre: Fiction) After a humiliating public conviction for libel, a financial journalist is hired by an elderly industrialist with a complex family history and a missing person mystery that needs solving. Well paced, interesting read with some great twists and facinating characters. I look forward to the next book. Grade: A-

January
A Reliable Wife - Robert Goolrick (Genre: Historical Fiction) Set in early 1900's Wisconsin, this is the story of an aging businessman and the wife he met through an advertisement. There are a couple of twists but I wasn't terribly surprised by any of them. A well-written book, and the story was solid but I wasn't really taken in. Grade: B

On Deck: 

Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
A Visit From The Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan
Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison:
The Opposite of Me - Sarah Pekkanen
Disquiet - Julia Leigh
Truth - Robin Wasserman
Wake - Lisa McCann
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
Blue Bloods - Melissa De La Cruz
Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
Still Alice - Lisa Genova
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin
Willow - Julia Hoban
Private Life - Jane Smiley
The Domino Men - Jonathan Barnes
Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert

Going forward this post will be updated after I read each book and can be reached by clicking the "What's On The Bookshelf" link at the top right of the page. I pick almost all of my books based on suggestions from friends, so please feel free to leave a comment with a recommendation at any time during the year!

What Am I Reading? - 2010

In 2009, I read more than 60 books. Some took me hours and others took weeks. Some I loved, others left me wanting. One I even quit 100 pages in, it was so bad. Now, with the dawn of a new year, so begins a new journey in literature.


December:
The World From Rough Stones - Malcolm MacDonald (genre: Historical Fiction) I actually quit this book after about 150 pages. I just could not get into it. I renewed it twice at the library. I had it for NINE weeks. Granted I read a couple other books in there, but at least half of that was just that book. MAYBE someday I'll come back to it. Somehow I doubt it.

November:
The Windup Girl - Paolo Bacigalupi (genre: Science Fiction) Set in a future where genetic modifications have nearly destroyed the earth's ecosystems. Many species are extinct, countries have fallen and "calorie" companies rule the world. I liked the premise for this book, and it was certainly beautiful prose, but. There's always a but, isn't there? The store was slow and frankly, I still am not sure exactly what happened. Grade: B- 

I am Number Four - Pitticus Lore(genre: Science Fiction/Young Adult) When their planet was attacked by Mogadorians, John Smith and 9 other young Loric children, along with their guardians, who will help the children develop their gifts while they hide out on earth. But the Mogadorians have followed them there and are systematically hunting them down. Grade: B+

October: 
The Passage - Justin Cronin (genre: Science Fiction) This monster of a book was one of "the" books this summer and most of the reviews I read were glowing. It chronicles the end of days brought about by a military virus that creates vampires and the small band of non-virals that fight for survival. I came away with a generally positive feeling but a couple of beefs. One: This is the first in a trilogy. I am sick to death of series books. So I was chagrined when I read the ending. Two: Length. This tome could probably have lost a few hundred pages and not really been the worse for wear. Ultimately, I enjoyed it, and I will read the next books. Grade: B+
 
My Name is Memory -  Ann Brashares (genre: Fiction) The centuries long love story of Daniel and Sophia. Daniel is one of a very small number of people that remembers in perfect clarity all of his past lives. He met Sophie during his first in the 5th century and has been trying to catch up with her ever since. Grade: B+

September:
Paranormalcy - Kiersten White (genre: Young Adult/Fiction, Supernatural) Since she was a young girl, Evie has worked for the International Paranormal Containment Agency (IPCA) capturing and tagging paranormals. Her special gift is being able to see past the glamours the rest of the world sees, which makes her especially valuable to the IPCA. But when an unusual, even for her, new paranormal shows up in the IPCA headquarters, her world is turned upside down. Grade: B-

The Lonely Polygamist - Brady Udall (genre: Fiction) The story centers on Golden and his four very different wives and their 28 children. It is an unflinching look at polygamy, neither judging nor accepting. I'm of two minds about this book. One one hand, it is so very well written, the narrative and descriptions so complex and full. However, it could have been a couple hundred pages shorter. I found myself ready to give up around 400 pages in. I'm glad I stuck with it and finished it, because the ending is masterful. But it was a struggle at times. Grade: B

The Fire - Katherine Neville (genre: Fiction) Published 20 years after, this is the sequel  to The Eight, a book that blended historical fact with an intriguing fictional narrative. This book follows Alexandra, the daughter of Cat and Solarin, the couple featured in The Eight, as she enters "the game." Grade: B+

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins (genre: Young Adult/Fiction) The final chapter in the Hunger Games trilogy. Katniss takes her place as the "mockingjay" to encourage the rebellion led by the newly revealed district 13. A thoroughly satisfying conclusion to this wonderful story. Grade: A

August:
Birthmarked - Caragh M. O'Brien (genre: Young Adult/Fiction) As an apprentice midwife, Gaia delivers babies. But an unpleasant aspect of her job is to deliver the first three babies born each month to the Enclave. When her parents are arrested, Gaia realizes that things need to change. Grade: A

The Enemy - Charles Higson (genre: Young Adult/Fiction) After a sickness has wiped out the adult population, leaving everyone over the age of 16 either dead or a zombie, children survive by scavenging the streets of London. We follow a ragtag bunch from the relative safety of the grocery store they have inhabited since the sickness over a year before as they make their way to Buckingham Palace and hopefully a better life. I really enjoyed this book and the only reason I'm not giving it an A is because I was not at all satisfied with the ending. This is part of what I guess will be a multi-part series and I understand carrying the story line from one book to the next, but for the love of god, make each book a solid story. Too often I'm reading books lately that just end. No resolution, no ending, just bam done. They are only marginally stand alone books and this one is another. Which is a big disappointment to me because I loved the characters and the action was top notch. My recommendation, wait until all of the books are done and then read them all in a row. May take a couple of years, but far less frustrating. Grade: B+

The Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford (genre: Historical Fiction) Set during WWII, this is the touching story of a young Chinese boy in Seattle and the Japanese girl who catches his heart despite his father's objections. Beautiful book! Grade: A-

July:
Nurtureshock - Po Bronson (genre: non-fiction/family advice) I gave up. There was some interesting information in this book, but it was just too dry and my "to read" list is just too long for me to spend time on books I'm not interested in.

The Eight - Katherine Neville (genre: Suspense) The story of an ancient mystical chess set and the havoc it has wreaked on the lives of all who have come into "the game." Great read. Can't wait to dive into the sequel. Grade: A

Bitter Seeds - Ian Tregillis (genre: Historical Fiction/Sci-Fi) What would happen if one of the mad scientists in the Nazi regime had created super-humans with amazing abilities? Bad things. Written as part of a series, this book doesn't stand on its own well. And that's kind of a peeve of mine. I am happy to read series, but if I don't get satisfying endings in each novel, it really irks me. If I had to say, I would recommend you wait until all of the books come out and then read them all at the same time. Sure you may have to wait 10 years, but its better this way. Grade: B+

Hush Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick (genre: YA) Misunderstood teenage girl with tragic past hooks up with mysterious boy, drama ensues that almost tears them apart, but they overcome it because of the strength of their love. Sound familiar? It is, all too. The dialogue was TERRIBLE and the story was boring and predictable. Grade: D


June:
The Last Colony - John Scalzi (genre: Science Fiction) The third and final in the trilogy begun in Old Man's War. A satisfying resolution to the scheming machinations of the Colonial Union as they wage war against the Enclave. Grade: A-

The Ghost Brigades - John Scalzi (genre: Science Fiction) Sequel to Old Man's War. Set in the future where artificially grown soldiers are the special forces of a Colonial Union that defends the human colonists and interests in the galaxy. When one of the CU's top scientists defects, they must use an unorthodox method to find out what happened to him. Grade: B+

Dead in the Family - Charlaine Harris (genre: Fiction/Supernatural) The latest in the Sookie Stackhouse saga. In this one, she is recovering from the wounds she received during the Fae War as she comes to terms with her more complicated relationship with Eric. Grade: B

The Mysterious Benedict Society - Trenton Lee Stewart (genre: Juvenile/Fiction) A novel in the vein of Lemony Snicket or perhaps Harry Potter, we follow four unique orphans as they save the world from an evil mastermind. This book might be good for a young reader, maybe 10, but it felt too immature for me. And that comes from someone who loves YA fiction. Grade: B-

May:
How to Say Goodbye in Robot - Natalie Standiford (genre: Young Adult/Fiction) Beatrice is new in school, again. Daughter of a professor who follows the grant money, they move regularly, so it's not a new thing for Bea. In her new school, she befriends the weird kid, the one the other kids call Ghost Boy. Together they navigate familiar drama. An interesting and surprising ending. Grade: B+

The Irresistible Henry House - Lisa Grunwald (genre: Fiction) Between the 20s and the 60s the home ec departments at universities across the country "borrowed" babies from orphanages for their students to practice mothering. This is the imagined story of a one of those babies. Lula said it would be a good movie. I completely agree. Grade: B+

The Dead Tossed Waves - Carrie Ryan (genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction) The follow up book to The Forest of Hands and Teeth. This book follows Gabry, the teenage daughter of Mary who is now grown and the lighthousekeeper for a small coastal town. But one night, Gabry sneaks out with a group of friends and inadvertantly sets into motion a series of events that would change all of their lives. Grade: A-

Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater (genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction) As a young girl, Grace was attacked by a pack of wolves. But one wolf in the pack saved her from a certain death. Over the years, she develops a special relationship with that wolf until one day she learns there's something very special about him. Really enjoyed this book but some of the characters were flat, hence the minus. Still, a quick and engrossing read. Grade: A-

Dead and Gone - Charlaine Harris (genre: Fiction/Supernatural) So far, my favorite of this series. Funny how I finally really enjoy it and now I have to wait for the next one to come out. Figures. Anywho, this book heavily featured Sookie's off  again/on again vampire lover Eric, who is awfully appealing, especially when you imagine him as Alexander Skaarsgard. (drool) Grade: B+

The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell (genre: Science Fiction) After a musical broadcast is received from a planet in the next solar system, a group of Jesuit scientists and explorers make the trip to visit the sending planet. Interesting ethical questions raised in this book. An engrossing read. Grade: A-

April:
Hominids - Robert Sawyer (genre: Science Fiction) What would happen if Neanderthals had been the successful species? What would happen if a technologically modern Neanderthal accidentally found his way to our Earth as we know it now? Interesting and well executed concept. Grade: B+

This World We Live In - Susan Beth Pfeffer (genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction) The third in the series that began with Life As We Knew It. More heartbreak. I cried on the treadmill at the gym. Again. Grade: A

Saturn's Children - Charles Stross (genre: Science Fiction) I should have known by the picture on the front and from the fact that it was about a courtesan robot. That this was going to have more than your average sci-fi book's share of sex. There was a LOT of robot sex in this book. Well developed story with a satisfyingly happy ending. (See, I wasn't going to make a sex joke, but I couldn't resist.) Grade: B

From Dead to Worse - Charlaine Harris (genre: Fiction/Supernatural) Eighth in the Sookie Stackhouse series. While I enjoy these books, they are starting to feel less like a series of books and more like big chapters of a giant story. Which is to say, each book is only marginally a complete story. It is a part of the larger story with smaller elements that occur. Without the grander picture, I don't think you could pick one of these later books up and find it a satisfying read. Whatever the case, I really hope that Harris has an endgame in mind for Sookie. Just going on and on like this? Starting to get on my nerves. Grade: B-

The Dead and the Gone - Susan Beth Pfeffer (genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction) Parallel to the novel Life as We Knew It, this book follows Alex and his two sisters and how their New York City lives are drastically altered after the asteroid hits the moon. Compelling read. Grade: A

Incarceron - Catherine Fisher (genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction) Finn is a "child" of Incarceron, the mammoth prison that serves as home to millions of "prisoners." Created generations before to house the worst of the worst, it has now become a world unto itself. Claudia is the priveleged daughter of the warden of Incarceron. She faces a prison of her own, marriage to the churlish son of the queen. She finds Finn through a pair of crystal keys and plots to get him out of Incarceron. Grade: A

March:
The Law of Nines - Terry Goodkind (genre: Fiction/Fantasy) A followup/sequel to the Sword of Truth series, (the Legend of the Seeker tv series is based on these books) all 11 books (each close to 1000 pages, it was a monumental task) of which I read over the course of several years. This book is set in our world and follows Alex as he fights the magic-hating forces of evil. Of course there's a beautiful kick-ass woman at his side. Ending was very anti-climactic. Grade: B-

All Together Dead - Charlaine Harris (genre: Fiction/Supernatural) Seventh in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Sookie goes to a vampire convention in Rhodes, Illinois. Of course, disaster ensues. Sookie continues on her indecision about Quinn vs. Eric. Grade: B-

Definitely Dead - Charlaine Harris (genre: Fiction/Supernatural) Sixth in the Sookie Stackhouse series. More of the same. Still entertaining, new guy, old guy's out. Grade: B

Dead as a Doornail - Charlaine Harris (genre: Fiction/Supernatural) Fifth in the Sookie Stackhouse series. I'm not even sure it's worth continuing to describe each of these books. While they're entertaining, there's so little to them. They're cotton candy. Grade: B

February:
American Gods - Neil Gaiman (genre: Fiction/Supernatural) Gods walk among us. They are the totems and charms that we have worshipped throughout history. Over the years, some are lost and forgotten. As that happens, these immortals fade away to nothingness. In the current era, the new gods: television, radio, media, internet, etc are ambitious and eager to wipe out the old gods. One of these old gods enlists Shadow, a beleaguered ex-con to help as they lead up to the ultimate battle between old and new. As always, Gaiman has a supreme gift for prose, but this book will fall as my least favorite of his books. Just didn't pull me in like most of his others. Having said that, it was still dynamite. A bad Gaiman is still better than most other's authors' best. Grade: B+

The Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood  (genre: Science Fiction) The sequel (sidequel?) to Oryx and Crake, this book follows peripheral characters from O&C along roughly the same timeline, ending in the same time and place. I really enjoyed Oryx and Crake and was looking forward to this one, but this book felt unfocused. I never got emotionally involved with the main characters and the ending had WAY too many convenient and lucky coincidences for me. Overall, I'm glad I read it and if the rumored third book comes about, I will read, but I was not as satisfied with this as Oryx and Crake. Grade: B

Dead to the World - Charlaine Harris (genre: Fiction/Supernatural) Fourth in the Sookie Stackhouse series. In this book, Sookie finds vampire boss Eric on the side of the road, his memory wiped. Thus ensues a mad chase to find the witch who cursed him. Meanwhile, Sookie's brother goes missing. Don't worry, everyone is fine in the end. Surprise. Grade: B-

Ruined - Paula Morris (genre: Young Adult/Fiction/Supernatural) When her dad has to take an extended trip to China for work, Rebecca moves to New Orleans to live with her unusual "aunt." Once there, she feels out of place among the "old line" rich kids at her exclusive private school. She quickly learns that there are unusual forces at work and not is all as it seems. Grade: B

Club Dead - Charlaine Harris (genre: Fiction/Supernatural) Third in the Sookie Stackhouse series, this book follows Sookie on a trip to save Bill from a rival vampire clan. I'll keep reading these books, because they require no critical thought and I can tear through them on the treadmill, but they're decidely redundant. Grade: B-

January:
The Help - Kathryn Stockett (genre: Fiction) Set in the tumultuous early 60s, this novel chronicles one young white woman and two black maids over the course of several years as they write a book about the lives of black maids in white households and the racism they face. Loved this book. Grade: A+

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate - Jacqueline Kelly (genre: Young Adult/Fiction) A year in the life of a twelve year old girl living in turn of the century (that's nineteenth/twentieth century) rural Texas. Amid six brothers and very traditional expectations of the only girl in the family, she discovers a love for science and a friend and fellow scientist in her formerly unapproachable granddaddy. One of those books that nothing happens, but everything happens, know what I mean? Loved it! Grade: A

Living Dead In Dallas - Charlaine Harris (genre: Fiction/Supernatural) The second in the Sookie Stackhouse series, I enjoyed this book a whole lot more than the first. Perhaps because I have seen the first season of True Blood and knew everything that was going to happen, it ruined the first book for me. But I came into this one fresh. This book follows Sookie and Bill when they freelance Sookie's "gift" to a vampire nest in Dallas. While the first book left me uninterested, this one left me wanting more. Grade: B+

Old Man's War - John Scalzi (genre: Science Fiction) Set in a future where humans have mastered intergalactic travel, the challenge now is the competition among sentient beings for planets to colonize. The army that defends these colonies is made up of recruits who can not enlist until they are 75. Great read. Grade: A

Oryx and Crake - Margaret Atwood (genre: Science Fiction) In a post-apocalyptic world, a man named Snowman lives among a primitive tribe of people he calls the Children of Crake. As the novel progresses we learn why. And how their being is related to the world's downfall. Suspenseful and engrossing. Grade: A

Shadowland - Alyson Noel (genre: Fiction/Young Adult/Supernatural) After each book, I say NO MORE. Because these books are b-a-d. But then some time goes by, and I say, well, I've already read one two of these books, I'll just read the next one to see what happens. And then I do, and I regret it after 20 pages. What I'm saying is: don't read these books. They're just not that good. Grade: D


On Deck: 



Disquiet - Julia Leigh
Truth - Robin Wasserman
Wake - Lisa McCann
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
Blue Bloods - Melissa De La Cruz
Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
Goblin Quest - Jim C. Hines
Still Alice - Lisa Genova
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin
Willow - Julia Hoban
Private Life - Jane Smiley
The Domino Men - Jonathan Barnes

Going forward this post will be updated after I read each book and can be reached by clicking the "What's On The Bookshelf" link at the top right of the page. I pick almost all of my books based on suggestions from friends, so please feel free to leave a comment with a recommendation at any time during the year!