by Michael Connelly
Just finished this--it reminded me of my first infatuation with the Grisham books, which we read religiously for one summer and annually every February after that. For a long time, the new Grisham novel was Dave's Valentine's Day present, since that's right when they were released. : ) But I digress . . .
I really liked this one! Loved the character and tone of Mickey Haller and the fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants type of work that he does. Loved the story line, loved the suspense, loved that he looked dowdy in his "best suit," loved that he had the con with the photographer....clever, clever.
And if that wasn't enough for a perfect almost-summer read, it's a movie with my all-time dreamboat, Matthew McConaughey!?! Say no more.
***
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The Stieg Larsson Series
This is The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. At present I have only read the first two, and while they are wildly sexual, with language issues galore, I do enjoy the mystery and the strange characters. They make for really good reading on my iPad while I'm running : )
The Forgotten Garden
by Kate Morton
I LOVED this book! It was a beautiful time-period-switching fiction that reminded me a lot of Secret Garden. The characters were wonderfully human, I loved the tension and the uncertainty of the plot, as well as knowing what might happen . . . I don't remember if I figured it out correctly, but it was fun to try even if I didn't. I would whole-heartedly recommend this one--great reading for anytime!
I LOVED this book! It was a beautiful time-period-switching fiction that reminded me a lot of Secret Garden. The characters were wonderfully human, I loved the tension and the uncertainty of the plot, as well as knowing what might happen . . . I don't remember if I figured it out correctly, but it was fun to try even if I didn't. I would whole-heartedly recommend this one--great reading for anytime!
Three Weeks With My Brother
by Nicholas Sparks
This was a fantastic read--I enjoyed it quite a bit! I loved how he kept switching time periods (seems like that's a common literary technique, but it works), and discovering the characters of him and his brother. I appreciated his candid honesty, and the "real life" qualities and traits that he describes in his family. They had quite a rough time of it growing up, but not realizing it. Being the only two left in the family, Nicholas and Micah are pretty close, and it reminded me of me and my siblings. To go on a trip together, without spouses, parents, or kids, would be so fun! I probably wouldn't want to do the same trip they did, even though it sounds amazing.
I read this right after Dave and I went on our own amazing trip, so I could totally relate to the feelings he had seeing the amazing history of the different cultures.
This was a fantastic read--I enjoyed it quite a bit! I loved how he kept switching time periods (seems like that's a common literary technique, but it works), and discovering the characters of him and his brother. I appreciated his candid honesty, and the "real life" qualities and traits that he describes in his family. They had quite a rough time of it growing up, but not realizing it. Being the only two left in the family, Nicholas and Micah are pretty close, and it reminded me of me and my siblings. To go on a trip together, without spouses, parents, or kids, would be so fun! I probably wouldn't want to do the same trip they did, even though it sounds amazing.
I read this right after Dave and I went on our own amazing trip, so I could totally relate to the feelings he had seeing the amazing history of the different cultures.
Red Scarf Girl
by Ji-Li Jiang
This was a fast read. I found myself grateful for her candid honesty, as well as for the epilogue where she answers the questions I had throughout the book. I really don't get how the adults of the time period allowed this to happen, and even though she describes it, how the children got so caught up in the fervor of Mao and his insanity. I am undereducated in this topic, however, and freely admit that. I am also extremely grateful that I haven't had to live through that.
This was a fast read. I found myself grateful for her candid honesty, as well as for the epilogue where she answers the questions I had throughout the book. I really don't get how the adults of the time period allowed this to happen, and even though she describes it, how the children got so caught up in the fervor of Mao and his insanity. I am undereducated in this topic, however, and freely admit that. I am also extremely grateful that I haven't had to live through that.
Saving Cee-Cee Honeycut
by Beth Hoffman
This was a sweet, refreshing read after a couple of WW II stories. I'd had enough of the drama and the angst, and the craziness involved with that era, so this was wonderful and I completely devoured it! It is a mix between The Help and Secret Life of Bees, with emphasis on the Southern women running the show, genuinely caring for each other, and displaying Southern Hospitality at it's finest. It was a little too sweet at times, and completely predictable, but I didn't care.
This was a sweet, refreshing read after a couple of WW II stories. I'd had enough of the drama and the angst, and the craziness involved with that era, so this was wonderful and I completely devoured it! It is a mix between The Help and Secret Life of Bees, with emphasis on the Southern women running the show, genuinely caring for each other, and displaying Southern Hospitality at it's finest. It was a little too sweet at times, and completely predictable, but I didn't care.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A dearth as of late . . .
I have been without a book to read for too long, so I researched some top seller lists, best recommendations for summer, etc, and find myself with too many now! : ) Ah well, too many books is a good thing! So here's the latest:
First book:
Some Things That Stay, by Sarah Willis
Easy, Juvi/Fic, about a girl whose family moves every spring for her father's work (he is a landscape painter and needs a "new view" to continue stimulating his creativity). The story follows Tamara (think "tomorrow" with an "a" ending) who, at age 15, decides to never move again, no matter what. It's a kind of coming of age novel, and I thought it was pretty accurate from her viewpoint. It's pretty infantile, but was a fun easy read, and I'm not sure I'd ever read it again, . . . nor recommend it. Just not that good. I did cry, but it doesn't take much to get me to cry : ) and there is a scarily detailed scene of when Tamara first . . . gets involved with a boy . . . for lack of better description. I guess this is one of those risks when you take other people's advice about books they loved!
**
Dear John, by Nicholas Sparks
With the movie that just came out, I find I really like to read the book first, then see the movie. I don't think I've ever done it the other way, because it spoils my idea of what the characters look like, the setting, etc etc etc. I loved the story line, and I loved the ending, and yes, I did cry . . . again . . . but isn't that almost a requirement with a Nic Sparks book? I think so. I loved John's character, and Savannah's too, although there were times when I felt Nic was getting a little too caught up in his own descriptions--get on with it already! I appreciated the descriptions of army life, though--I really felt like I understood that a little better after reading this. The description of John's father was awesome too, and his realization about their relationship after Savannah's "diagnosis" was eye-opening and I loved being in his shoes during that time. I really liked their "tradition," although it was a little/lot sappy, I did enjoy this book!
This was a perfect "beach book" and I definitely would recommend it for a fun, easy read. : )
***
On to the next book in the pile!
First book:
Some Things That Stay, by Sarah Willis
Easy, Juvi/Fic, about a girl whose family moves every spring for her father's work (he is a landscape painter and needs a "new view" to continue stimulating his creativity). The story follows Tamara (think "tomorrow" with an "a" ending) who, at age 15, decides to never move again, no matter what. It's a kind of coming of age novel, and I thought it was pretty accurate from her viewpoint. It's pretty infantile, but was a fun easy read, and I'm not sure I'd ever read it again, . . . nor recommend it. Just not that good. I did cry, but it doesn't take much to get me to cry : ) and there is a scarily detailed scene of when Tamara first . . . gets involved with a boy . . . for lack of better description. I guess this is one of those risks when you take other people's advice about books they loved!
**
Dear John, by Nicholas Sparks
With the movie that just came out, I find I really like to read the book first, then see the movie. I don't think I've ever done it the other way, because it spoils my idea of what the characters look like, the setting, etc etc etc. I loved the story line, and I loved the ending, and yes, I did cry . . . again . . . but isn't that almost a requirement with a Nic Sparks book? I think so. I loved John's character, and Savannah's too, although there were times when I felt Nic was getting a little too caught up in his own descriptions--get on with it already! I appreciated the descriptions of army life, though--I really felt like I understood that a little better after reading this. The description of John's father was awesome too, and his realization about their relationship after Savannah's "diagnosis" was eye-opening and I loved being in his shoes during that time. I really liked their "tradition," although it was a little/lot sappy, I did enjoy this book!
This was a perfect "beach book" and I definitely would recommend it for a fun, easy read. : )
***
On to the next book in the pile!
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