READING

Currently Reading:

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I enjoyed reading in my school age years.  I remember going to the public library, I also remember picking out ghost stories or books about ponies and horses while going to elementary school.  I remember reading books at my Grandma’s house, and I remember snagging the books my sister finished and reading those, too.  Even out of school I continued to read….then life happened and I simply didn’t have the time.  I tried bringing books to read on airplanes or while on vacation as a way to relax, but could never really get into them.  Or, I’d get into them but not have the time to finish them once I got home. So I just stopped reading.  That was probably 1997.

Several years ago Jim and I went to see the movie Twilight because it was filmed in Portland and there was a ton of hype surrounding it and we wanted to see what the hype was all about.  When the movie ended I found myself wanting to know what happens next, badly.  I’d heard that the movie was based on a book series, and thus my reading hobbyy was reborn.  I read all four books in a matter of just a few weeks.  I borrowed the first one from a neighbor, the second one from the same neighbor, then went and bought the set so I could read them all, and read them again before the each movie came out.

When that saga was all finished, I had the reading bug again.  I found myself wanting to read another series.  So I read the eleven books that make up the Sookie Stackhouse Series, after watching the first season of True Blood from HBO- again, because I wanted to know what happened next.  Although the Sookie Stackhouse series really doesn’t follow along with the True Blood show (or vice versa I suppose).

Finishing both series, I found that I was hungry for more!  Reading makes for a great distraction and escape from reality when I have a crazy busy day.  I can usually read for an hour or so during quiet time, and sometimes I find time late in the evening (especially the nights with soccer or gymnastics!)….and I often have time first thing in the morning before the chaos of school and work ensues.  I’m one of those who prefers to read the entire book in as few sittings as possible- dedicating any spare moment I can find.  I can read fast, too, so that helps!  A typical 150 page book can be read in just a few hours.

So here’s my list….. the books I’ve read, the books I’d like to read, and the books I’m currently reading (if there is one). 

My Past Reads (most recent first):

Shakespeare’s Landlord: Lily Bard Mystery Series, Book 1 by Charlaine Harris
Seems like most of Charlaine Harris’ books are the same….a young woman suffering from a negative past encountering “trouble” and there’s always a mystery to be solved.  Whether it’s the Aurora Teagarden Series or the Harper Connolly series….or in this case the Lily Bard series.  Nonetheless, I enjoy reading her books.  They provide a good distraction and I’m genuinely interested in reading the story and usually can’t put the book down.  Looking forward to Book 2!

The Giver by Lois Lowry
Trevor asked me to read this book, it’s part of a 4-book series and they’d read (or listened to) the book in his Language Arts class and he really enjoyed it.  There’s a subsequent book that we’re on a waiting list to borrow.  The basic story is that this boy lives in a society where everything is controlled and “perfect” creating a life of sameness for everyone.  There is no color, no choices to make, everything that happens is intended and controlled. 

The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Hmmm….not at all written like the Twilight series!  I had a really hard time grasping the concept of this book and fully understanding what was happening, I had to re-read the first 20 or so pages about three times to really get it.   But once I got into it and the story got going (about 50 pages in) I couldn’t put the book down!  Read the whole thing in about a day and a half!  I’d like there to be a sequel/continuation of the story.

Bad Boys in Black Ties by Lori Foster
This was actually three mini stories by different authors, which I didn’t understand was the case until the first story finished.  And I felt shorted! I want to know what happens to that first set of characters!  This really isn’t my type of book, though, felt like mini Harlequin romances and those aren’t my thing. 

Have Mother, Will Travel by Claire Fontaine
I borrowed this e-book for a 21-day period and sadly didn’t finish it within that time frame.  Although I found the beginning quite interesting and looked forward to reading it, I eventually reached a point (before half way) where there really wasn’t much of a story and I was losing interest. And when I found time to read, I’d fall asleep.

Slave Runners by Morgan Rice
Very similar in concept to the Hunger Games, but not nearly as well written.  I enjoy the Morgan Rice books because they are super fast reads and not as “deep” as ‘grown-up’ books!  Ha!  This book was the first in it’s series, although the other books haven’t been written yet and I’m finding myself impatient to see what happens next, guess I’ll have to wait a long time!

Vampire Journal Series by Morgan Rice
This is a pre-story for the Vampire Legacy series.  So far I’ve only read the first book.

Turned
Loved
Betrayed
Destined* (*need to read)
Desired*
Betrothed*
Vowed*
Found*

Vampire Legacy Series by Morgan Rice
It’s a teenie bopper series, easy read, good story, a lot of drawn out parts that can be skimmed though- super fast read. Books average 150 pages. 

Resurrected
Craved

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
This was an entertaining read, following a young woman as she furthers herself into debt and lies and covers up all her financial problems all the while digging herself into a bigger hole.  And then she gets married, and her shopping habits continue to cause more lies and debt.  Then she has a baby. She finally admits she MIGHT have a problem with shopping, and lying, but continues to do both!  It’s a fairly quick read- I’m enjoying the train-wreck of a character!

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Shopaholic Takes Manhatten
Shopaholic and Sister
Shopaholic and Baby
Mini Shopaholic

I Just Want You to Know…by Kate Gosselin
I only read this because I found it at the dollar store one day.  I used to be a fan of the Jon & Kate Plus Eight show, for the first couple seasons, then it got really old with her bitchiness and OCD stuff, but that kind of is what drew us to like her, right?  Anyway, the book gets boring pretty quick because it becomes redundant and it’s piecey and frankly I didn’t read any of the letters to her kids beyond the first two.  I dunno.  I wouldn’t have read it if it wasn’t a buck.

The Office of Desire by Martha Moody
I do not recommend this book, it was very hard to follow and frankly not very interesting!

Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger
This was one of those books that I really couldn’t put down because so much was happening and so fast and I wanted to know what was going to happen next.  The only thing I wish the author would have done was use more “real” actor names instead of fake names that we were supposed to see as superstars- my imagination isn’t that great- lol.  I really wonder if this story is what it would really be like when someone hits it big….the requirements for the red carpet, etc. Craziness!

Aurora Teagarden Mystery Series by Charlaine Harris
I wasn’t so impressed with the first book but decided to read the 2nd book and enjoyed this one much better.  It was a “cuter” story, although the dating of this woman’s outfits just cracks me up. I always have to keep in mind that this series was written in the early 90’s.  References to cell phones and skorts and high waisted pants, large frame tortoiseshell glasses….it’s hilarious.  Not that it has anything to do with the storyline, but the author always describes the outfits and I’m sure they were quite stylin’ back then!

Real Murders
A Bone to Pick
Three Bedrooms, One Corpse* (*need to read)
The Julius House*
Dead Over Heels*
A Fool and His Honey*
Last Scene Alive*
Poppy Done to Death*

Night’s Edge by Charlaine Harris
This book wasn’t quite what I thought it would be.  It was several short stories in a single book.  I found myself really interested in the first storyline then it abruptly ended and I wanted to know what was going to happen next.  The next story wasn’t quite as fascinating, and frankly I only got part way through the third story and decided I didn’t really care to finish the book!

The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski
This was a story about a 16-year old girl with a passion for decorating cakes, living with her ultra-busy father who owns a restaurant and spending a lot of her time in her grandmother’s bakery. The two side-stories are her wanting to find her mother, who left when she was a young girl, and also finding her first boyfriend.  Cute story, definitely a young adult book- like early teens.

The Harper Connelly Series by Charlaine Harris
This series is about a young woman who can “read” dead bodies and is often hired out to find out what the cause of death was for a known deceased, or to seek out a body for someone who is missing and presumed dead.

Grave Sight
Grave Surprise (still need to read)
An Ice Cold Grave
Grave Secret 

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
This was about a girl from China who comes to America with her mother and works in a clothing factory for practically nothing and wants to live a “normal” life.  I enjoyed it.

The Choice by Nathan Sparks
I like the movies that are created from Nathan Sparks books, so was excited to read one.  Sadly, I was disappointed in this one.  The first half was great, other than some of the narratives were too drawn out.  But the second half felt so rushed and switchy-switchy back and forth that I had a hard time keeping up and because of the drawn out narratives I found myself skimming pages looking for the information I needed to finish the book.  I’m not sure if I want to read another Nathan Sparks book after reading this one, but I’ll give it a shot.

The Life List by Chrissy Anderson
I was introduced to this book by Facebook- one of my friends knows the author and a comment she made on the author’s page alerted me to this book and after looking it up I had to read it.  It’s another one of those “finding your true love” books, but I really enjoyed the read and can’t wait for the next book to be published!  Go Chrissy!!

Fifty Shades of Grey Series by E.L. James
Um, wow.  That’s all I can really say….wow.  At least that was my thought as I read the first book, but the story is quite captivating and leaves you wanting to read the next book.  I read all three books in about 5 days.   I really enjoyed the first two books, but the third book was too “pieced together” and after a while a bunch of the “adventures” get a little annoying… I do like how they ended the series. 

Fifty Shades of Grey
Fifty Shades Darker
Fifty Shades Freed

The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as The Noticer but it was still a worthwhile read.  It basically explains the seven daily decisions everyone should live by in order to make the right “choices” in life.    It was a quick read – under 2 days.

The Noticer by Andy Andrews
This book gives you “perspective” and shows you how to look at situations differently.  There were some great takeaways.  See this post for the impact it made on my life.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
I have yet to see the movie but really enjoyed the trilogy.

The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay

A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris
Some random filler stories that relate to the Sookie Stackhouse series.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I haven’t seen this movie either!  But I did enjoy the book.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
I really had a hard time getting into this book and found myself skimming through the second half just to get to the conclusion!  I don’t like how the book is constantly flipping from present day to past, nor do I care how the book was written.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Enjoyable reading- I was always looking for opportunities to read this book!

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
It was hard for me to get into at first, but then I enjoyed it and found myself looking for opportunities to read more!

Here’s The Deal by Howie Mandel
A bit repetetive and some of the stories get a little old, but it was still enjoyable reading

The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris:

Dead Until Dark
Living Dead in Dallas
Club Dead
Dead to the World
Dead as a Doornail
Definitely Dead
All Together Dead
From Dead to Worse
Dead And Gone
Dead in the Family
Dead Reckoning

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer:

Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn