The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah

Honestly, I try to stay away from World War II books.  I'm a wuss - and I don't like sad books, which 99% of the time, WWII books are.  I guess it was too much Schindler's List in Senior Religion class.  Anyway, the book club I just joined was reading this book, so yeah, peer pressure.  

So now, I'm telling you - RUN and get this book.  Yes, it's a heart wrenching story, but it also is filled with all kinds of different characters, suspense, mystery and heroism.  I read half of it on the way home for Easter, and was 10 pages from the end.  I stayed up past midnight finishing it.  Yes, you will cry, but ah! the story is so worth it!

Year 1- 30 Before 30

So...I haven't been diligent in posting book by book, but I've finished the first 10 books so I'd thought I'd write it down to keep myself accountable and let you know I haven't given up - yet!!

Here it goes:

#1: Persuasion
#2: The Year of Magical Thinking
#3: In Persuasion Nation
#4: The Corrections
#5: The Bluest Eye
#6: White Teeth
#7:Everything I Never Told You
#8: Midnight's Children
#9: Sense of an Ending
*#10: To the Lighthouse
*#11: Americanah

*I started these two book, but couldn't get through the first couple of pages.  There are so many books I want to read and that are on my list that I just can't waste time (and valuable alone time) reading books that are making me miserable!

My favorites: Midnight's Children, Everything I Never Told You, The Corrections

Least Favorites: The Year of Magical Thinking, In Persuasion Nation

Honestly, there is not one book on this list that I would be like, "OMG you HAVE to read this!" but they were pretty good and most of them definitely got me out of my reading comfort zone.

Now I have 13 months to read another 10!

Katie

What I've Been Reading Lately

I can't believe I'm so behind - the days keep getting away from me!  Here's a list of a few of the books I've been reading!

This has been one of my favorite Grisham books so far - which is saying a lot.  The main character is quite the unorthodox defense lawyer - only taking on basically hopeless cases of murderers other lawyers wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.  He works out of his van with his driver/assistant/PI/bodyguard  and finances an ultimate fighting champ on Friday nights.  Outside of typical Grisham style, the book features several cases, intertwining through the story line, which keeps it interesting.  Loved it!!

American Heiress was a fun read.  Cora Cash is heir to one of the largest American fortunes and her mother is determined to marry her off to an English title.  Quite by accident, Cora literally falls into the arms of a Duke, marrying him and becoming a Duchess.  But with her new Double Duchess mother-in-law, a meddling "friend," money issues, and a husband who isn't who she thought, Cora isn't sure she's cut out for this life.  It was a good book and an easy read, but the characters' attitudes and overall demeanors changed too abruptly for me.  Cora, for instance, comes across as a defiant, spoiled girl, but then becomes self conscious and unsure of herself in an almost pathetic way.  But, like I said, it was a fun, easy read.f

I guess between the move and having a 1 year old, I had no idea there was another Robert Galbraith book out.  I saw it on Amazon (and got 15% off :)) and immediately ordered it.  I finished it last night and it was a page turner!!  There is a modern day Jack the Ripper on the loose - and he's after Cormoran Strike's secretary-turned-partner Robin.  Oh - it's so good I won't spoil ANYTHING but you need to read these books if you haven't already!  There are 2 Cormoran Strike books before this one, and while they aren't a "series," they reference previous books.  Again, I will read anything Rowling writes (but I haven't read her non-fiction).  But it's amazing and a definite page turner that will have you looking over your shoulder everywhere you go!!!!

-khl

#3 The Year of Magical Thinking

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion was book #3 of my 30 before 30 challenge.  It's Joan's narrative of her husband's sudden death and the year that follows.

A year full of her daughter's almost fatal illness, grief, and memories of her husband.  The book was also full of stories of the amazing life Joan and her husband lived together - traveling events, people they met, etc. It was definitely a depressing book to me, but it also made me realize just how short life is, and that we should be grateful for every moment we spend with our loved ones.

I know that was a short post about that book, but I really didn't enjoy it that much.  It was definitely a thought provoking book.  Here's a good review from the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/09/books/review/the-year-of-magical-thinking-goodbye-to-all-that.html?_r=0

Frog Music by Emma Donohue

A few years ago, I read Emma Donoghue's novel Room.  It was disturbing and intense and a really great read.  Definitely something different - more psychological than plot-driven.  I've had Frog Music on my list for a while, and finally picked it up at the library last week.  This second book (that I've read) did not disappoint!

Set in San Francisco in 1876, Blanche Beunon is also known as Blanche la Danseuse.  Blanche, a former circus equestrienne, works as a burlesque dancer and high priced prostitute and lives with her "mac" Arthur and his former trapeze partner Ernest.  She and Arthur have a son, P'tit, who they have sent to live on a farm outside the city.  Blanche supports the men's gambling habits and owns the building they live in in Chinatown.   When the free spirited, pants wearing, frog catching, singer of random songs Jenny Bonnet runs into Blanche with her high wheeled bicycle, Blanche's life changes drastically.  Jenny beings to make Blanche question everything about her life - most importantly, where P'tit is being held.  Before, Blanche, in all her self-centeredness,  never questioned where she sent her son, and only visits him when the nurse brings him to her.  When she arrives at the "farm," only blocks from her own apartment, she finds rows and rows of cribs with piled with babies.  P'tit is starved and drastically underdeveloped for a one year old child.  Blanche takes him home although she has no idea how to care for him - only the obligation to do so in response for her previous abandonment.  

So begins the problems with Arthur and Ernest, who are not too thrilled with her quitting her very lucrative job.  One night, the men attack Blanche and she flees - realizing too late she has left P'tit with the men.  She runs away with Jenny for safety, but Jenny ends up being shot dead in their lodging room. Blanche spends the rest of the book searching for P'tit and seeking justice for Jenny.  I won't spoil all the details!

I really enjoyed this book.  Again, it was a time period/setting I haven't read much about and the relationship between Jenny and Blanche was so strange yet compelling.  Jenny was so free spirited with wild stories and random songs, never revealing anything personal about herself but always butting her nose into other people's business.  Blanche is so clueless and naive, but at the same time, very wily and determined.  Oh, and I didn't mention that this is historical fiction!  All but a few of the characters actually existed, as did the murder of Jenny Bonnet.  

Definitely recommend this one!  I stayed up late last night finishing it, which is always a good sign.  Next up, John Grisham's Rogue Lawyer.

Book #2 The Bluest Eye

Toni Morrison has a way with words.  No doubt about it.  First impression of this book is that it is absolutely beautifully written.  The way the words flow and describe people, places, and events is wonderful.

The story mainly centers around three young African American girls and tells of their struggle with poverty, molestation by family members, segregation and racism.  Pecola is raped by her father and becomes pregnant.  She is looked upon with pity by the community and even her friends feel awkward being around her.  These girls live under these circumstances and watch Shirley Temple on TV and read about her in magazines.  They want to be her  - have blue eyes because they associate that with beauty and a comfortable life.

I'm almost done with the book - I couldn't keep my eyes open to finish it last night, but I should be done tonight - so I'll update tomorrow on my final thoughts!

I finished the book last night.  It was a sad book about horrible circumstances.  But, the theme crosses time and generations.  These little girls looked to movie stars and lusted after their lifestyles because they were "perfect."  Having blue eyes would make these girls happy.  But would it?  Isn't that the way we feel today?  Having the prefect body or hair or makeup or house or car would make us happy. But does it?

The Fate of Ten

There are very few authors whose books I wait for on pins and needles when their latest release comes out.  This is for the sake of my house not being overrun by books, my bank account, and the lack of room on my bookshelves.  John Grisham and JK Rowling are on that list.  As is Pittacus Lore.  The I Am Number Four series is absolutely addictive.  I've probably talked about it on here before.  Every August, a new book comes out to continue the story the author left hanging (sometimes literally).  I don't know why I do this to myself - I should just wait until the series is finished, go away for the weekend, and binge read.  But, that's just not my style.

So, the premise behind the series is that Lorien children, "The Garde" came to Earth with their Cepans (handlers and trainers) when their planet Lorien was destroyed.  They have lived on Earth in anticipation of the Mogadorian invasion soon to come.  Setrakus Ra, the leader of the "Mogs" is after the Garde but the catch is they have to be killed in order - 1 through 9.  1, 2, and 3 are dead.  I am Number Four is the first book where we meet John Smith, his Cepan, Henry, and his dog/alien pet Bernie Kosar.  John meets and joins forces with the other surviving Garde as Setrakus Ra and his Mogs invade Earth.  They even find a tenth Garde, Ella, they didn't know existed.  Setrakus Ra, Ella's great grandfather, has captured her and is using her to defeat the Loriens.

In the latest book, "the Fate of Ten," the world is at war with the Mogs.  Half of the Garde is in Mexico at a sacred Lorien site and half of them are in New York City fighting Setrakus Ra.  Then Setrakus Ra heads to Mexico to steal the Lorien powers and must be stopped in order to save Earth.

Now, SciFi is not generally my genre of choice.  But these books - oh my gosh - they're so good!  There's so much action that is easy to follow.  They definitely have to be read in order - the story builds and builds and builds.  I thought this book was going to be the last one, but it better not be the way it ended!!!!  But no spoilers from me!

-khl