Into the Wild Thursday, May 31 2007 

Non-fiction bookblog2006 11:28 am

Into the Wild
by John Krakauer

Why did I read it?

This book came in a “lot” of books I bought on E-bay, and I threw it in my bag for our trip to Michigan last weekend in case I finished the book I was planning on reading, “Plain Truth.” Well, turns out I didn’t even start “Plain Truth,” and on the way home when I felt like reading, I pulled this out and started it. It caught my interest so I kept on reading and finished it the next day.

What’s it about?

This is the true story of Chris McCandless, a 24 year old college grad who gave away all of his money and (most of his) possesions and went to live in the Alaskan wilderness, where his decomposed body was found four months later. The author, Krakauer, traced McCandless’ route and talked to many of those who met and befriended him prior to his journey. He talks with Chris’ family and we learn of what Chris’ life was like. He also tells of others who have made similar journeys (and had similar fates) as Chris, including an experience of his own.

Did I like it?

I did, more than I expected. I can’t say that I found Chris quite the martyr or brave genius that the author (and some others) say he was, but he was a very interesting person. I enjoyed reading about his wild, vagabond life, and although I knew the end of his story, it was still intriguing and interesting.

Rating:

B

 

You Made Me Love You Tuesday, May 29 2007 

Chick Lit and Favorites and Fiction bookblog2006 10:41 am

You Made Me Love You
by Joanna Goodman

Why did I read it?

The other day I was at Borders picking up the new Star Wars book that just came out in paperback for Steve, and I was just about to leave when I spotted a big sign hanging at the center of the store – “Bargain Book Sale” Piper was beginning to fuss, and I was trying to leave without looking too much for myself (a hard task) but I couldn’t pass that up. Turns out there were 3 or 4 bins of books for $1 each! I saw a few books I’ve already read and liked, but I ended up getting a hardcover copy of “This Is How We Do It: The Working Mother’s Manifesto” a book I’d been planning on reading anyway, and this book, “You Made Me Love You” just because it looked like a good story.

What’s it about?

This is the story of the Zarr family. There’s Lilly, the boisterous Jewish mother and her husband, the former singing star Milton, Dorothy, the all-knowing grandma, and the three daughters, Estelle, a misfit aspiring movie editor, Jessie, the obsessive-compulsive working mother of two, and Erica, the flighty student living with her professor. The writing is third person, but each chapter concentrates on a specific character’s story – which all revolve around love and just life in general.

Did I like it?

I really liked it! I can’t believe I got this book for $1, it’s one of my favorites! My description really doesn’t do it justice – it’s just such an enjoyable read, with such likeable, realistic characters, and a wonderful writing style. This book would make a wonderful chick flick!

Rating:
A

 

Lucky Saturday, May 26 2007 

Favorites and Memoir and Non-fiction bookblog2006 8:47 am

Lucky
by Alice Sebold

Why did I read it?

This is a book that came in a “lot” of books I bought on E-bay. I’d read, and really enjoyed, the author’s novel The Lovely Bones a few years ago, and although the subject matter of this memoir seemed pretty disturbing, it also sounded interesting and this book got great reviews on amazon.

What’s it about?

This is the author’s memoir about her experiences being raped and beaten during her freshman year at Syracuse University and the aftermath, from the legal proceedings to her changed relationships with her friends and family. It opens the night of her rape (with the incident itself, actually) and continues through several years, to the author’s graduation from college and beyond.

Did I like it?

I really liked it, alot more than I expected to! Like I said, I was worried because the subject matter was a bit depressing, but this was one of the best memoirs I’ve read. It was part survivor story, part legal drama, part addiction memoir, and more. The author wrote in a straightforward, honest style, and the “characters” aren’t made into cliches, they’re flawed but for the most part, empathized with. I’m so glad I read this book!

Rating:
A

 

Pretty Little Mistakes Wednesday, May 23 2007 

Fiction bookblog2006 7:12 pm

Pretty Little Mistakes: A Do-Over Novel
by Heather McElhatton

Why did I read it?

I heard about this book on the nest book boards, and it sounded intriguing. I loved the Choose Your Own Adventure books as kids, and this is an adult version. I picked it up at the library when I went there to get the CLE Study Manual last night.

What’s it about?

Well, it’s about “you.” It starts with your high school graduating and after reading the first page you need to decide if you want to go to college or travel, each choice directing you to a different page. From there, you’ll make other choices every few pages until your story ends. I’ve already made several runs through the book (resulting in endings from being poisoned to my favorite, running a shelter for homeless cats) and will probably make several more before returning it.

Did I like it?

I do like it, it’s such a fun concept. Some (most) of the storylines are really out there (and even risque), I wouldn’t say it’s realistic at all, but it’s an enjoyable read.

Rating:
B+

 

Confessions of Super Mom Monday, May 21 2007 

Chick Lit and Fiction bookblog2006 3:52 pm

Confessions of Super Mom
by Melanie Lynne Hauser

Why did I read it?

The author’s husband commented on one of my previous posts (talking about my book-buying addition) and offered to send me a free copy of the book. I checked the reviews on amazon, which were positive, and I was in the mood for something a little more lighthearted after Vanishing Acts.

What’s it about?

It’s about Birdie, a divorced mother of two, who one day after suffering a “Horrible Swiffer Accident” begins to have superhero, “Mom” powers – like shooting cleaning fluid from her hand and sensing kids in danger. Of course, every superhero needs an adversary, and Birdie finds hers in Lex, CEO of “New Cosmos,” the town’s largest employer and everybody’s favorite corporation. When Birdie discovers a dirty secret about their beloved “Patriot Pops” it’s up to her to save the town’s children and earn admission to the prestigious Justice League (of Super Heroes.)

Did I like it?

It was a cute story. I liked the author’s writing, and she seems to have a knack for inventing a nice plot. However, I guess I’m just not into the whole superhero thing. I found myself rolling my eyes several times during the book (like when SuperMan does Super Mom a favor.) Parts of the story were pretty corny, and overall it was a tad predictible. However, I think that anyone who enjoys superheroe stories should really give this book a chance.

Rating:
B-

 

Vanishing Acts Thursday, May 17 2007 

Fiction bookblog2006 9:23 am

Vanishing Acts
by Jodi Picoult

Why did I read it?

Well, after reading and loving My Sister’s Keeper, I was anxious to read more Jodi Picoult. I won a lot of her books on e-bay (see post below) and when they came, the premise of Vanishing Acts sounded interesting, so I chose to read it first.

What’s it about?

Delia Hopkins lives a happy live in suburban New Hampshire with her beloved father, precious daughter, and loving fiance. She earns a living finding missing people with her bloodhound, Greta. However, her world is forever changed when the police show up at her door one day and arrest her father for kidnapping – kidnapping her, that is, when she was 5 years old. Delia learns that her mother is not dead, as she once thought, and her name isn’t even really Delia. Her fiancee Eric, at attorney, represents her father at his kidnapping trial in Arizona, where Delia travels to follow the trial and meet her mother. Also along for the ride is her life-long friend, Fitz, who secretly harbors an intense crush on Delia. Like many of Picoult’s books, each chapter is from a different perspective, rotating between Delia, Eric, Fitz, Andrew (her father) and Elise (her mother.) Along with the main storyline, we follow Andrew’s life in prison and learn about Native American folklore through a storyline involving Delia’s neighbor in Arizona, RuthAnne.

Did I like it?

It was OK. It was nowhere near as good as My Sister’s Keeper. There were almost too many (irrelevant) subplots, and I really didn’t like the ending. I still love Jodi Picoult though and can’t wait to read more by her.

Rating:

B

 

What A Deal! Tuesday, May 15 2007 

Uncategorized bookblog2006 6:18 pm

I haven’t e-bayed much since I’ve been on maternity leave, but when I got a couple birthday checks I popped on and did a “Picoult lot” search for old times sake (after reading, and loving, My Sister’s Keeper I want to read more Jodi Picoult, but her books are usually heavily bid upon.) I came up with an auction for five of her books, all paperback (I hate hardcover) in new condition. No one was bidding on it and it was ending in just over a day. Shipping was a very reasonable $6. I went ahead on a whim and bid $10.01. I wasn’t planning on buying more books, but what could it hurt. Fat chance an auction like that would go that cheap. Well, you guessed it – it did! I outbid the second bidder by .01. See, that trick really works! I can’t believe I got five brand new Jodi Picoult books for the cost of one in the store!

 

The Happiest Baby on the Block Sunday, May 13 2007 

Baby/Parenting and Instructional/Self-Help and Non-fiction bookblog2006 3:42 pm

The Happiest Baby on the Block
by Harvey Karp, M.D.

Why did I read it?

I’ve heard great things about Dr. Karp’s methods for calming fussy babies, and on my birthday Steve and I watched the Happiest Baby DVD, which was very helpful. I wanted to read the book also, and Steve got it for me on mother’s day.

What’s it about?

Dr. Karp believes he has uncovered the secret to calming crying babies, and it revolves around the concept of the “missing fourth trimester.” Essentially, your baby is basically an overgrown fetus for the first three months of his/her life, and replicating the conditions in the womb can do wonders for stopping crying and calming baby. Dr. Karp not only explains his “5 S’s,” which are the five steps you take to calm your baby, but provides a great deal of background and explanation for each step.

Did I like it?

I did, but there was alot of filler. You could pretty much get the just of the “5 S’s” from the DVD, and although some of the extra explanation was helpful, so much of the background information was unneccesary – but I did find it interesting.

Rating:

B

 

Heiress for Hire Friday, May 11 2007 

Chick Lit and Fiction bookblog2006 6:41 pm

Heiress for Hire
by Erin McCarthy

Why did I read it?

This book came in a lot of books I bought off of e-bay. It got 4 1/2 stars on amazon and I was in the mood for some chick lit, so I grabbed it off the shelf.

What’s it about?

A Paris Hilton type heiress, Amanda, wanting a break from her fast-paced life in Chicago decides to spend her summer in Cuttersville, Ohio where she rents a house haunted by a crying woman. There, she meets the local young farmer, Danny, and his newly discovered daughter, Piper. Danny hires Amanda to be Piper’s nanny, and of course sparks fly between the two of them.

Did I like it?

I really can’t believe that this got such good ratings on amazon. I mean, I enjoy chick lit and don’t expect literary greatness or anything, but this book just didn’t do it for me. The plot was entirely predictible, the characters not extremely likeable, and the writing was just cheesy, sometimes reading like a Harlequin romance (actual sentence: “He had a woody rivaling the size of his corn silos.”) The whole ghost thing was just stupid and there were some entirely uneccesary characters and plot lines.

Rating:

C

 

Baby Laughs Friday, May 11 2007 

Baby/Parenting and Instructional/Self-Help and Memoir and Non-fiction bookblog2006 6:40 pm

Baby Laughs
by Jenny McCarthy

Why did I read it?

Well, Steve got me this book as part of my birthday/mother’s day present.

What’s it about?

Baby Laughs is Jenny McCarthy’s take on the first year of motherhood, written after the birth of her son, Evan. It’s light, easy reading. Each short chapter is dedicated to a specific subject, be it baby poop or clipping fingernails. As you’d expect, Jenny is no-holds-barred in her perspectives. Although this isn’t meant to be a “how to” guide or a memoir, it has hints of both.

Did I like it?

I actually did like it, which surprised me because I wasn’t a big fan of her first book, Belly Laughs. This one was written in much the same style, but was alot less negative, which was the main reason I didn’t care for Belly Laughs. Jenny says repeatedly how great and wonderful motherhood was, where the tone of Belly Laughs seemed to be just “pregnancy sucks.”

Rating:

A-

 

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