The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

The first book I read by David Baldacci was Wish You Well. I was an instant fan. However...David Baldacci writes more than one genre of books (that I'm aware of). I have yet to read his "typical" genre. But the books I have read, I have enjoyed greatly. I also read One Summer, which I also LOVED so much. I highly recommend both books just mentioned.

So, since it's December and the Christmas season, I decided to read The Christmas Train next.  I'm currently a bit over halfway through. So far, it hasn't grabbed my attention quite like the other two did. But it's not bad.

But definitely check out the two others of his I mentioned!

...and I'm Back!

It's only been three years - oops!

I think I only had one follower/reader/commenter last time around. Thanks Joni :)

I was skimming through old posts. To be honest, some of my reviews/ratings have changed. In the spirit of starting over, I want to set some ground rules.

1) I will only rate on a five point scale. Unless a book is really good - then I reserve the right to rate it as high as I want.
2) I will give my opinion. You don't have to agree. I will also continue to post on Goodreads. If you're a member, we should be friends. I'm really good at keeping updated on that website.
3) If you have requests/recommendations, I'll take them!

That's it. Those are the "rules"

I've recently moved - I finally realized how much I miss being in a book club. I used to be in two. Now I'm in none...yet. But I have big plans for future book clubs. BIG plans.

Plan A: My mom, sisters, and I are starting a "virtual" book club. Meaning, some of us may meet in person and we will Skype with the rest. If you want to join in, the book we'll be reading in January is called Two Kisses for Maddy a Memoir of Loss and Love by Matthew Logelin. I read about this book on Goodreads. I had to check out the author's blog, reading about the devastating loss of his wife. I sat here reading his blog and crying.I don't know why I do that to myself. But I've heard wonderful things about this book.

My current book is The Christmas Train by David Baldacci.

 

 

And on the radar for next week is Lost December by Richard Paul Evans.

I really love reading Christmas books at Christmas time.

And last but not least...my previous book club is reading The Orphan Sister by Gwendolen Gross in January. So I will too!

So. If you don't have a library card, get out there and get one! You won't regret it. If you have a Kindle, I often read the free books on mine. So you can download free books from the top 100 list and know that sometimes I will pull from those lists.

And now for my 2012 goal. Last year I set a goal to read 65 books in 2011. During 2011, I had a baby, quit my career, and moved across the country (to name a few...). But surprisingly, I met my goal! I am currently on track to finish two or three more before the end of the year. So - for 2012, I want to up my goal to 70. What's your reading goal for 2012?

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

My friend 'Domino' is a reader like I am. In fact, he was my first friend on Goodreads.com. Goodreads is a website where you can keep track of what you're reading and rate books. You can share your opinion and write a book review. It's also fun to find friends who are on it. I've come across many a good book to read through my friends on Goodreads.

Back to Domino...he originally mentioned this book to me. It's one of his favorites. I trust my friends to recommend the cream-of-the-crop books to me. So far, I'm not disappointed.

The book is about a boy who finds a remarkable book in a place called the Cemetary of the Forgotten Books. He devours the story and it leaves him yearning to learn all he can about the author and to find more of his work. This leads him to discover a mysterious life surrounding the author. Through the course of events, the boy also comes in contact with a man attempting to obtain and burn all of the work by this particular author.

My favorite part about the book thus far (besides the story) is the rich vocabulary used. I read with my dictionary sitting next to me :) I enjoy looking up a word or two every few pages to get the full meaning of what's happening.

It keeps the story interesting when more characters are introduced and their lives inexplicably intertwined - how they're related and what experiences they share, I'm not yet privy to. But I'll keep reading.

What a Pig!

My friend 'Ham' (ha ha, I'm so funny...) mentioned liking the last page the best in the entire book. My favorite part is the very last line in the book. Hence my pig-o-meter:







The book is about a bunch of farm animals revolting and taking over a farm. They change its name from Manor Farm to Animal Farm. It's astounding all that animals can accomplish.

Eventually the pigs take on the leadership role and even associate with humans in order to accumulate materials necessary for making a windmill and other farm equipment-esque materials. Throughout the book, the pigs develop more and more human characteristics...and unfortunately, they aren't very flattering characteristics.

It's a good story, and it makes you stop and think about the human race. How civilized is the human race really?

It was pretty good. I'm interested in where the topic of Animal Farm will take us during book club in a few weeks.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

You know how you were required to read certain classics in high school? Apparently this is a pretty common one. Not when I went to high school...or should I say, not where I went to high school. Not sure which is more accurate. But in all honesty, I don't think I'd even heard of this book until a week ago.

'Kit-Kat' participates in a book club once a month. I'm not currently attending a book club though I'd like to be! Kit-Kat mentioned that I might like going to hers and they're reading Animal Farm for September. In her words, it's a quick read and it's pretty good.

In talking with other friends, many had to read it in high school. I may be a few years late, but better late than never :)

The book is about the animals on a farm who decide to rebel against the farmer and take over the farm. Guess who's in charge once the rebellion happens? The pigs - most clever of all the farm animals. The catch-phrase is "Four legs good. Two legs bad."

The farm animals divide up the work according to who is capable of doing what. I can see the potential for disaster and I'm just in chapter five - then again, the book is only 10 chapters long :) So I'm halfway through!

Where Are You Now? By Mary Higgins Clark

I am a Mary Higgins Clark fan. She writes mystery novels. Her latest is Where Are You Now?

It's about a woman whose older brother mysteriously went missing 10 years previously. He calls her and her mother every Mother's Day just to tell them he's well. The assumption is that he disappeared purposely.

Then a young woman goes missing and between the most recent phone call from Mack to his family and her disappearance, the cases merge and re-open as a myriad of characters play into the plot.

I know her writing style well enough at this point to try to figure out who did it and coming closer than I used to when I first started reading Mary Higgins Clark :) I have to admit that this time, I was right-on the money! Well, pretty close anyway. I had one person pegged because it seems that someone close to the main characters and not suspected is often the culprit.

My final rating is four wrecking-balls. When you read it, you'll know why I chose wrecking-balls for my rating. It was good (as all her books are) but I wasn't super enthralled. It did keep me interested and keep me guessing. I just wasn't compelled to keep reading for chapters on end each night.

It's a good book and an easy read, once you keep all the characters straight :)

I Love Ian

I finished "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer the other day. I don't know why people originally didn't care for it. I admit it didn't capture my attention quickly like Twilight did.

But I really liked the book! I love Wanda, and I have to admit, if there were teams (like Team Edward and Team Jacob) I am a Team Ian girl myself :)

Yes it's sci-fi...but in the best way possible! Don't let that deter you from giving it a shot. I liked this book better than "New Moon" and quite possibly better than "Breaking Dawn" (shhhh!).

Final rating: seven caves. I can't give it any less. I got close to the end and thought I would hate it (I do love a happy ending...). Luckily I kept reading and loved the end!