Beezus and Ramona

By Beverly Cleary...I decided to take a trip down memory lane and re-read some of the Ramona books.  A movie was released today based on some of the books and I wanted to read and see if they were as great as I remembered them as a kid.  They were.  I was laughing out loud at much of the book and I remember feeling like Beezus a lot!  Read them to your kids, read them with your kids, have your kids read them...they are so timeless and still really funny!

Skeletons at the Feast

By Chris Bohjalian...I am a HUGE fan of WW2 novels.  This one sucked me right in.  I was listening to it on audio when finally I just couldn't take it anymore...I needed to find out how it ended...I got the book and read the last two chapters!  I loved this book.  I loved the characters, I loved the descriptions, I loved everything about the book.  Warning to those who are queasy...there are some parts that aren't pretty.  But, I think it followed with the theme and direction of the book.  I cared for the characters...felt cold as we trudged through the Winter...and I cried.  Highly recommend!

Hard Laughter

By Anne Lamott...I have read her essays.  I read this book for book club.  I have to say I wasn't immediately drawn in, nor can I walk away and say I loved it or enjoyed it.  There were funny parts.  I loved the 10 year old character in the novel...but I left the book thinking what is all of the fuss?  She is a good author...and I have heard good things about her books and essays.  But, I just wasn't hooked into the story and therefore...maybe not as enthralled as I might have been.  The book club felt this book was great and they can't wait to read more by her.  Maybe I will have to try her again sometime!

I Am The Messenger

By Markus Zusak...recommended to me by a local teen that frequents the Library.  I decided to take this book on vacation with me and read it before the place reaches 10,000 feet so I could read my Kindle.  Well, the plot and characters sucked me in enough that I kind of forgot that I was reading anything on my Kindle.  Ed Kennedy is 19 (but has lied to get a job as a taxi driver and said he is 20).  He lives in a shack with a big smelly dog.  He plays cards with his friends and he is in love with one of his friends...but after a bank robbery he starts receiving cards in the mail with cryptic instructions...who is sending these cards?  Why are they sending them?  And...some of these tasks aren't so easy.  What does it all mean?  That is all I will say!  I would recommend for adults and older teens...there is some questionable materials...though that is not the focus of the story!

Still Alice

By Lisa Genova...I have had about 5 library patrons ask me to read this book.  I finally checked it out and realized I had inadvertently skipped someone on the wait list...so I returned it.  I ended up loading it on my Kindle and read it.  WOW, what a book.  This book addresses Alzheimer's disease.  Alice Howland is a Harvard Professor.  She is 50 years old and at the top of her game.  She starts to forget things...and finds out she is the early stage of Alzheimer's.  This book is from the point of view of Alice...but reactions from family members are there as well.  Many people have told me it is a depressing book...but the last person who recommended it to me said she saw it as inspiring...I would have to agree with her.  You will definitely need your tissue box in places...but overall I believe the message is a positive one and coming from a fiction novel...that is so refreshing! 

Catching Fire (The Second book of the Hunger Games)

By Suzanne Collins...I want to review this book...but I fear I will give away something as I do it.  This book I waited to read because I didn't want too much time to pass between this book and the release in August of the final book of the series.  I could not put this book down and I am awaiting the third book with great anticipation.  I love the characters, I love the moral dilemma, I love the excitement.  She writes in a way that gets you involved and thinking what would you do?  This book is more about sacrifice than survival (which is the word I would give the first book).  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

By Stieg Larsson...I was anxious to start this last book...I wasn't sure what I would find at the other end.  I was worried that I would be left hanging as this book was supposed to be part of a 10 book series.  I also didn't want the series to end.  I also wondered after all of my anxiety over what will happen next if this third book could keep up the momentum.  It does.  It can.  It was suspense, drama, a little romance, mystery, and intrigue all rolled into a package that I could not put down.  I will say of the series book two was the one I had the hardest time walking away from...but this one did not disappoint either!  HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

David Sedaris

I have re-listened to two of his books over the last couple of weeks.  I chose ME TALK PRETTY ONE DAY (because my sister had never heard him before and I thought this would be the way to introduce him to her) and DRESS YOUR FAMILY IN CORDUROY AND DENIM because of the story about his brother (which first time hearing it caused me to drive off the road).  I have been fortunate to see him THREE times live.  I highly recommend!  The latest was here in Spokane!  I have read and listened to all of his books at least once...and I find myself recommending his books to people.  He is dark...he has a dark sense of humor and often people may find it disturbing.  I LOVE it!  He also has a way of telling stories about his family and relationships that makes you think he could be talking about someone you know.   I am waiting anxiously for the release of his new book in October of this year...although he said it may not be him reading the audio...and he is the reason that often you find yourself avoiding the edge of the road while laughing so hard you are crying.  It was asked in one of the more recent concerts I attended if any of his material is suitable for children...IT IS NOT!  He writes for adults.  And for those adults who have child's ears...this isn't for you either!  For the rest of you dark and twisted souls...this is an author you need to pick up and LISTEN to...it is his delivery that makes you laugh!  Although reading his stuff yourself is also funny!