Such a Pretty Face

By Cathy Lamb...after a slow start...I started reading this in September...I finished it last night, from page 163 to the end...in one sitting.  Yes, it was that good...and I just HAD to know what happened.  Not for the weak of heart...this is a family drama, with a lot of skeletons, a lot of bad things...but good endings none the less!  Addresses issues of overeating, undereating, bullying and much more.  The story goes back and forth between present day and the main character Stevie's past.  I loved it, I teared up at the end!  I am asking myself why didn't I finish this sooner?

Water for Elephants

By Sara Gruen...after anticipating this novel...I have finally finished.  Again, with school, reading wasn't an option, so I listened to the book.  We chose the book for book club at the Library.  This book has had both people who LOVED it and people who were disturbed by it.  Of course I was intrigued.  It has taken me awhile to finish...but what a ride.  Learning about the circus, the hierarchy, the animals, the people and of course a love story.  Surrounded by odds that seem insurmountable, this story speaks of hope and perseverance.  Right before finishing I discovered that there will be a movie made of this book.  I am definitely interested in seeing how they do....but for now...I loved the book and would recommend it with a caution that there are things in the story that are disturbing.

Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey #4: Guardian)

By Kate MacAlister...while assisting a library patron in downloading the audio version of this book, we discussed the book, its characters and her fascination with the way in which the book was written.  I decided that I wanted to try it out.  I was sucked in immediately.  The writing was witty and humorous, though I wasn't too keen on the supernatural and fantasy...I loved the characters.  I haven't read any of the other books in the series.  I am interested in reading more.  Dragons, demons, prince of hell....all in a humorous setting and all with a wedding and a pregnancy.  It was fun!  The story itself was okay...but the dialogue and characters really helped keep me reading.

Gone Tomorrow (a Jack Reacher Novel)

By Lee Child...I listened to a podcast where Stephen King mentions loving Lee Child...and I decided to check it out.  The book was another listen...on CD.  Suspense, intrigue, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right up to the very end.  Starts with a lady on a subway that is wired with a bomb...she shoots herself in front of Jack Reacher...and the rest of the novel is finding out who she was, why she did it, and it reminded me a lot of a Bourne novel with all of the different possibilities.  Kept me wishing I could be in the car more often for sure!

Playing Catch Up - Girl in Hyacinth Blue

By Susan Vreeland....I listened to this end of October to the beginning of November.  What a great story.  Starts in a more modern day...and traces the story of a painting.  This book was recommended to me this summer by a library patron.  I picked it up to read...and never got into it.  I noticed we had it on CD and started listening to it.  I was sucked in immediately!  Each part of the story has a different voice.  You meet people from all walks of life and with all sorts of stories.  It is amazing the lives that are touched by this painting.  I highly recommend!

Reading will continue...

I am nearly done with my school quarter.  I have been doing a lot of reading...but it just hasn't been books. I have spent a lot of time on Google Books and the Google News Archive.  Want to read some old newspapers?  Old magazines?  I was reading a Good Housekeeping from 1886, some Spokane Daily Chronicle from 1902 to 1919 and some old Spokesman Review from 1902 to 1924.  It is very fascinating the things you find on Google.  I am doing research on the Campbell House in Spokane for a project.  It has lead me to some neat things online!  If you are interested, let me know, I can show you how to get there.  Did you know there are tons of free books online?  Anyway, I am nearly done listening to Water for Elephants...and I plan to finish reading another book I started earlier in the quarter...and I plan to read A LOT over the Christmas break!  Let's see if I can average 3 books a week!  I have quite the stack I want to get through.  In the meantime...let me know what you are reading.  Any recommendations?