BOOK 52: A Town Like Alice, by Nevil Shute

Rating: 5 stars

Cover synopsis: A tale of love and war, follows its enterprising heroine from the Malayan jungle during World War II to the rugged Australian outback.

I love when I can find a good, clean, feel-good novel that's not boring! A Town Like Alice follows Jean Paget from a death march in Malaya during WWII, to post-war London, to the Australian outback. She's a wonderful character -- strong, independent and level-headed, but still generous and feminine.

This book's got it all: drama, romance, history, adventure...my only (minor) complaint was that the novel seemed to hit its climax 2/3 of the way through the book. And the main twist in the story is revealed on the back cover. (Who writes those things?!!!) The last part of the book was neatly wrapped up, but there weren't any more surprises. You knew exactly how it was going to end. But I didn't mind too much, because it ended exactly how I, as a reader who cared about these characters, wanted it to end.

BOOK 51: Riopelle Grands Formats, published by Acquavella

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: Exhibition September 17 - October 23, 2009. The Prat essay is in French and English; the Riopelle essay is only in French. 4to, pictorial paper-covered boards. 69 pp, 11 color plates + 9 text photographs and portraits, chronology

I saw a painting of Riopelle's in a book, and I've been dying to learn more. He was a lesser-known Canadian abstract expressionism artist whose colors, movement and sense of nature fascinate me. I could stare at "Forestine" all day. Seriously.

Some other favorites: Festin, Le Lac du Nord-Est, Quinze Chevaux Citroen, Untitled 1964, and Dark Background With White Squares.

The only reason I give this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that one of the essays is entirely in French -- with no English translation. I'd love to know what it says. But as far as the artwork goes, 5 stars! Someday I'll have to visit the Pierre Matisse Gallery in NYC and see his work firsthand.

BOOK 50: Persuasion, by Jane Austen

Rating: 5 stars

Cover synopsis: 27-year-old Anne Elliot is Austen's most adult heroine. Eight years before the story proper begins, she is happily betrothed to a naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement when persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that such a match is unworthy. The breakup produces in Anne a deep and long-lasting regret. When later Wentworth returns from sea a rich and successful captain, he and Anne's paths cross again.

This is one of my favorite Jane Austen novels. It's about forgiveness, second chances and the power of persuasion. It's a very simple plot, yet it's a complex personal and emotional journey. Anne loses the love of her life, only for him to come back and rub it in her face. Yet Austen doesn't make the reader hate Wentworth. Rather, we feel equally sorry for him as we do for Anne.

BOOK 49: North And South, by Elizabeth Gaskell

Rating: 5 stars

Cover synopsis: When her father leaves the Church in a crisis of conscience, Margaret Hale is uprooted from her comfortable home in Hampshire to move with her family to the north of England. Initially repulsed by the ugliness of her new surroundings in the industrial town of Milton, Margaret becomes aware of the poverty and suffering of the local mill workers and develops a passionate sense of social justice. This is intensified by her tempestuous relationship with the mill-owner and self-made man, John Thornton, as their fierce opposition over his treatment of his employees masks a deeper attraction.

I had to pick up this novel after watching the BBC movie. I loved the movie and have been recommending it to everyone with a pulse. I loved the book too, though there are quite a few differences. I liked the nice mix of romance with social awareness. I enjoyed watching Margaret grow as a character, as well as Mr. Thornton. And, of course, I enjoyed watching them grow together. :)

BOOK 48: A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes #1), by Arthur Conan Doyle

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: A murder that takes place in the shadowy outskirts of London, in a locked room where the haunting word Rache is written upon the wall. Quickly picking up the "scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life," Holmes does not fail at finding the truth -- and making literary history.

I was excited to read this book, because I've been watching the British Sherlock Holmes miniseries on Netflix, and I've enjoyed it immensely. It takes Doyle's actual stories of Sherlock Holmes, and transplants them into the 21st Century. The acting is wonderful and the writing is smart.

However, I found this book tough to rate. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the characters of Sherlock Holmes and Watson. They are a fascinating pair, comical yet brilliant. But the book has a 5-chapter flashback to the killer's background which reveals Doyle's ignorance on Mormonism. He perpetrate falsehoods on the religion -- my religion. And it made me very uncomfortable!

And I'm not sure the Utah interlude added a whole lot to the story.

So. If you excise the lies in those 5 chapters, this would border on a 5-star book. The characters are vivid, fully fleshed, and a pleasure for the reader to decipher. But for Doyle's part in spreading anti-Mormon sentiment, I was sorely disappointed. (Thankfully, the mini-series adaptation of this story had nothing to do with Mormons!)

BOOK 47: The People of Sparks, by Jeanne DuPrau

Rating: 2 stars

Cover synopsis: The people of Ember are above ground, and they come across a town where they are welcomed, fed, and given places to sleep. But the town’s resources are limited and it isn’t long before resentment begins to grow between the two groups. When anonymous acts of vandalism push them toward violence, it’s up to Lina and Doon to discover who’s behind the vandalism and why, before it’s too late.

This is the 2nd book in the City of Ember series. And I just didn't enjoy it as much as the first. I thought the premise was interesting: How does a small town handle a population doubling overnight, and how will the people of Ember adjust to life above ground. But the execution of the premise was off.

The writing was flat. The foreshadowing was insultingly obvious. I didn't like or care about any of the characters -- even Lina and Doon became even more cardboard-cutout than they had been in the last book. And I found the storyline contrived and unlikely. I felt like the author came into this with a theme -- War Is Bad -- and twisted the characters around her moral to make them fit, instead of letting the characters take the story in a more natural direction. She created conflict and strife where it felt unnatural and contrived.

I probably won't venture on with the series.

BOOK 46: The Accidental Tourist, by Anne Tyler

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: Macon Leary is a travel writer who hates both travel and anything out of the ordinary. He is grounded by loneliness and an unwillingness to compromise his creature comforts when he meets Muriel, a deliciously peculiar dog-obedience trainer who up-ends Macon’s insular world–and thrusts him headlong into a remarkable engagement with life.

I waffled back and forth on what to rate this book. On the one hand, I found it depressing, and I didn't agree with many of the choices the characters made. I also found it predictable -- sad lonely stick-in-the-mud is taught how to live by a crazy vivacious woman! However, I did find the character development fascinating, the story well-written, and many situations that made me stop and think about how I would handle that situation.

I read this for my book club. One person has already told me she LOVES this book. Another one told me she DETESTED the book. Should be a pretty interesting discussion next week!

BOOK 45: Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: An intriguing tale of revenge in which the main characters are controlled by consuming passions. A tormented foundling falls in love with the daughter of his benefactor, and the violence and misery result from their thwarted longing for each other.

I'm a sucker for a good classic. I love dissecting the characters and the author's motives. And there's plenty to examine in Wuthering Heights. It's a different sort of book, where the reader hates the characters. They are truly detestable beings. Yet, I could sympathize with them to some extent. I found Bronte's choice of characters fascinating and bold.

Still, it was hard to read a book where you don't really care about what happens to the characters. It took me about 3 weeks to plow through the book -- which is a really long time for me! I also wasn't terribly fond of Bronte's writing style. The devise of telling the story through the maid Nelly was cumbersome and didn't add much to the story -- if anything.

It seems unfair to compare Emily to her sister Charlotte Bronte, but what can I say? Wuthering Heights was interesting enough, but it was no Jane Eyre!

BOOK 44: My Name is Asher Lev, by Chaim Potok

Rating: 5 stars

Cover synopsis: Asher Lev is a religious boy with an overwhelming need to draw, to paint, to render the world he knows and the pain he feels on canvas. He must learn to master his skill without shaming his people or relinquishing any part of his deeply felt Judaism.

Wow. This was a fabulous piece of literature. Well-written and deeply insightful, it is a story that has been haunting my thoughts all week. Add this to the pile of favorites.

BOOK 43: The City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she's sure it holds a secret that will save the city. She and her friend Doon must decipher the message before the lights go out on Ember forever.

This was a fun and quick read with an interesting premise. The only reason it didn't earn 5 stars is that it is what it is. I kept hoping there would be an underlying theme or some richer layers to the story (a la Harry Potter), but I never found any. I also wished the author would have given us more character development beyond the main two characters.

Still, it was a fast-paced engrossing book, and I enjoyed it a lot. Can't wait to read the sequel.

BOOK 42: Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: One cruel night, Meggie's father reads aloud from "Inkheart," and an evil ruler named Capricorn escapes the boundaries of the book, landing in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie's in the middle of the kind of adventure she thought only took place in fairy tales. Can she change the course of the story that has changed her life forever?

Great premise, interesting characters...but for some reason I had a hard time plowing through it. Perhaps I ruined it for myself by seeing the movie first? Or perhaps at 534 pages, it's just too long and could use a good editor?

Still, it was enjoyable, and I'd have no problem recommending it to young adults. It was imaginative and the characters were memorable and well developed. I went back and forth with the idea of awarding it 3 or 4 stars. So in many places, it is quite good! It just fell a tad flat for me overall.

BOOK 41: Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Is Ender Wiggin the general Earth so desperately needs? The only way to find out is to throw him into ever-harsher training at Battle School, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when his training begins. He will grow up fast.

I keep insisting I'm not much of a sci-fi fan, but then my friend keeps giving me sci-fi books to read and keep liking them. Not loving them, but enjoying them enough to give them 3- and 4-star ratings. So perhaps I need to change my assessment of myself...

Anyway, Ender's Game is THE sci-fi book. Every sci-fi fan has read it. It recently made NPR's top 3 list of science fiction and fantasy novels. And for many people I talk to, it's the book they read as a kid that turned them on to the genre. And I can see why.

This is a fascinating look into the mind of a soldier, Pair it with mind-blowing video games, contests, and worlds, and it's a pretty awesome read. I had a hard time visualizing some of the games, though I most enjoyed the political backstory and character psychology. Looking forward to a deep discussion at my book group this week.

BOOK 40: Same Kind of Different As Me, by Ron Hall & Denver Moore

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: Meet Denver, a man raised under plantation-style slavery in Louisiana in the 1960s; a man who escaped, hopping a train to wander, homeless, for eighteen years on the streets of Dallas, Texas. No longer a slave, Denver's life was still hopeless-until God moved. First came a godly woman who prayed, listened, and obeyed. And then came her husband, Ron, an international arts dealer at home in a world of Armani-suited millionaires. And then they all came together.


This is a true story about the power of service, friendship and God. And a nice reminder of what's really important in life.

Warning: It's a tear-jerker. I read this on a cross-country flight, and I was sniveling like a baby. I'm sure my seat mates loved that!

BOOK 39: The House at Riverton, by Kate Morton

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: A novel set in England between the wars. It is the story of an aristocratic family, a house, a mysterious death and a vanishing way of life, told by a woman who witnessed it all and kept a secret for a very long time.

Grace went to work at Riverton house as a servant when she was 14 years old, and becomes attached to the Hartford family, particularly the daughters, Emmeline and Hannah. The story is told from Grace's point of view, decades later, as she is nearing her death in a nursing home. She wants to tell the true story of the house, it's secrets, and it's infamous downfall to her grandson, who is an author.

The story was compelling and the characters were interesting -- although I disagreed with practically every decision they made. Still, I cared about what happened to them and their little world. The book was a bit too slow-moving for my taste and I figured out the main secrets early into the book. But I still wanted to find out how they would play out. There were a few surprises along the way (and a lot of head-banging d'oh! moments as I watched these characters' lives self-destruct). Yet I enjoyed it, and all it's complex layers.

Not as good as Morton's "The Forgotten Garden," but still a pretty good read.

BOOK 38: The Slippery Slope (#10 in A Series of Unfortunate Events), by Lemony Snicket

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: The 10th book in this outrageous publishing effort features snow gnats, an organised troupe of youngsters, an evil villain with a dastardly plan, a secret headquarters and some dangerous antics you should not try at home.

The series continues...this one had some nice plot differences, showing that Snicket is finally thinking about tying this thing up. And it continues, of course, to be one of the wittiest series out there. Still, I'm struggling to keep my interest. But I'm determined to finish this thing. Eventually.

BOOK 37: American on Purpose, by Craig Ferguson

Rating: 2 stars

Cover synopsis: In American on Purpose, Craig Ferguson delivers a memoir of living the American dream as he journeys from the mean streets of Glasgow, Scotland, to the comedic promised land of Hollywood.

I love Craig Ferguson. I think he's one of the funniest people on television, and the best interviewer, hands down.

So I was pretty disappointed by his book. It just wasn't that funny! Of course there were moments (like his description of hosting the White House Correspondents Dinner), but overall, this was a self-indulgent trip down memory lane, full of drugs, alcohol and infidelity. He comes off as a real jerk!

I know his point was that he had to overcome a pretty crappy life to get to where he is today. But he spent 95% of the book reveling in that crappy life, and only 5% talking about the good stuff. A typical Hollywood memoir. I was hoping for better from Craig!

BOOK 36: West With the Night, by Beryl Markham

Rating: 5 stars

Cover synopsis: The story of Beryl Markham--aviator, racehorse trainer, beauty--and her life in the Kenya of the 1920s and '30s.

This is the sort of book that I wanted to read quickly so I could find out what happened on Markham's many adventures, but I also wanted to read it slowly to savor the beautiful writing. I found myself stopping to re-read sentences and paragraphs outloud, just to hear the prose roll off my tongue.

This book is a delicious bit of time travel, to an era when the world was ripe for discovery. Both on the African and aviation front.

I enjoyed reading about a strong-willed woman in such a peculiar setting and interesting time. I was left with the impression that my life is dreadfully boring! Truly a fascinating woman and a beautiful book.

BOOK 35: The Best of Colored Pencil III, by the CPSA

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: Showcases over 200 illustrations in full-color by the best colored pencil artists in the country.

Beautiful drawings. But this book is just a showcase. It gives no details on technique or inspiration, like books IV and V in the series give us. Still, a lovely book to flip through for ideas.

BOOK 34: The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: Bradbury presents himself as a nameless narrator who meets the Illustrated Man--a wanderer whose entire body is a living canvas of exotic tattoos. What's even more remarkable, and increasingly disturbing, is that the illustrations are themselves magically alive, and each proceeds to unfold its own story.

This is a wonderful collection of short stories by Ray Bradbury. I've never considered myself a great fan of science fiction, but I find that the more I read of it, the more I can find to like in it. These stories, for instance, although they were mostly written in the 1940s and 1950s, are just as timely today as ever.

Although the stories take place in different worlds, different times, and with much different technologies, they still ring true to me -- a housewife and mom. They speak to the human condition, touching on themes of love, religion and loyalty, as well as the dangers of our dependence on technology, as well as the error of pride.

Some of my favorites: The Veldt (virtual reality gone awry), The Other Foot (a poignant examination of race and forgiveness), The Rocket Man (a tale of a father who's real love is space), The Fire Balloons (religion on Mars), Fox and the Forest (an interesting take on time travel), Zero Hour (the Martians find impressionable allies on Earth), and The Rocket (a father goes above and beyond to create a happy memory for his children).

BOOK 33: Of Mice And Men, by John Steinbeck

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: The tragic story of the complex bond between two migrant laborers in Central California. They are George Milton and Lennie Small, itinerant ranch hands who dream of one day owning a small farm. George acts as a father figure to Lennie, who is a very large, simple-minded man, calming him and helping to reign in his immense physical strength.

Somehow, I made it through school without ever having to read this book. But....Wow. Wish I had read it sooner. It's a well-crafted story that definitely makes you think.

Had to dock it a star for language, though. Dang it, Steinbeck! You can have colorful characters without stooping that level.

BOOK 32: Crossing to Safety, by Wallace Stegner

Rating: 2 stars

Cover synopsis: Tracing the lives, loves and aspirations of two couples who move between Vermont and Wisconsin, it is a work of quiet majesty, deep compassion, and powerful insight into the alchemy of friendship and marriage.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I can see why others like it -- it's well-written and insightful. And I admire the premise of writing a novel that focuses on two quiet ordinary lives. But unfortunately, it just didn't click with me. I didn't care about the characters or what happened to them. Which is fine, I suppose, since nothing really interesting does happen.

I enjoyed the book more in the first half, and I jotted down a few insights on friendship that I liked. But then it just seemed to drag. This could have been a much better novel at half the size. Now, onto something more exciting!

BOOK 31: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: Upon setting up shop in a small storefront in Gaborone, Mma Ramotswe is hired to track down a missing husband, uncover a con man, and follow a wayward daughter. But the case that tugs at her heart is that of a missing 11-year-old boy who may have been snatched by witch doctors.

This was a pleasant read, and somewhat interesting, but it wasn't very compelling. I kept waiting for it to draw me in, but the simplistic writing style and rambling organization never quite got me into its clutches. The mysteries were all resolved in single chapters. As a collection of vignettes or short stories, this is quite good. As a novel: meh.

I did enjoy the main character, though. I liked her insights into life, and I liked the setting in Botswana. I don't think I've ever read a story set there before.

BOOK 30: The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, by Kelly O'Connor McNees

Rating: 2 stars

Cover synopsis: A mix of fact and fiction as the author imagines a summer lost to history, a summer that would inspire the story of love and heartbreak between Jo and Laurie in Little Women.

The premise was intriguing to me -- a love story about Louisa May Alcott that she didn't want anyone to know about so she destroyed all evidence of it from letters and her journal.

The book started off well enough, and I enjoyed learning more about Alcott's family, particularly her father and sisters. But the writing was lackluster and too sappy for my taste. I would have given the book 3 stars were it not for the author taking such outrageous liberties with Louisa's character, making her do something entirely unbelievable. Sigh.

BOOK 29: Murder on the Orient Express, by Agatha Christie

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: Detective Hercule Poirot has booked passage on the Orient Express. One of the passengers is found dead of multiple stab wounds in the night. By dawn, thirteen travelers, each bearing a secret, will find themselves suspect in the most ingenious crime Poirot has ever solved.

This is my first Agatha Christie, and it was good. The writing was a bit methodical for my taste, but so was the detective, so I'm just going to chalk it up to his personal style. The story was interesting, the characters colorful, the outcome surprising, and the moral thought-provoking.

BOOK 28: Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: All the teenage girls from the mountain village must attend an academy to learn how to be a princess. Miri soon finds herself confronted with a harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own conflicting desires to be chosen.

This was an interesting spin on a princess book -- Miri comes from a world that is the opposite of frilly and fancy. She grows up in a mining town, where everything is rock and dirt. She hunts rabbits and keeps house for her father and sister, who work in the mines. She is then sent to the academy to get an education and to refine her manners.

I liked the book, the plot, the idea...but for some reason, I didn't really connect with this book. I can see how some people would love it -- it's a New York Times Bestseller -- but it didn't really speak to me on any other level. It was an enjoyable read, but not much more.

BOOK 27: Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

Rating: 2 stars

Cover synopsis: When 28 year old Lexi wakes up in a London hospital, her teeth are perfect, her body is toned, she's rich, and married. Having survived a car accident, she lost 3 years of her memory, and her life couldn't be more different. It turns out her new life comes complete with secrets, schemes, and intrigue. How on earth did all this happen?

I found this book in a used book store in Buxton, NC, while vacationing at the beach. The back cover sounds intriguing, and it was. This book was definitely a page turner as you try to figure out what happened in Lexi's life over the past 3 years, to turn her into the person she wakes up as in the hospital. Funny and interesting, I finished it in a day and a half.

However, I was severely disappointed in the language of the book, and the questionable morals. Why do authors feel like they have to sprinkle so much garbage into a book to make their main character seem hip and cool? Ugh. This is why I rarely just pick up a book and read it without doing any research on it, or getting people's opinions. If it weren't for the trashy aspect, this could have been a 4-star book. As it is, I give it 2.

BOOK 26: Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine

Rating: 5 stars

Cover synopsis: At birth, Ella was given a foolish fairy's gift -- the gift of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not tamely accept her fate. She is determined to break the curse and live happily ever after.

This was such a cute book! It's a clever retelling of the classic Cinderella story. Ella is a spunky girl with a strong personality (a wonderful change after recently reading "Countdown"). Yet she's someone that everyone can relate too. She has to make tough choices (which is ironic since she often doesn't have a choice in many matters due to her curse), and she handles sticky situations with hilarity and wisdom. Love this character, love the storyline, love the ending.

BOOK 25: Countdown, by Deborah Wiles

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: It's 1962 and it seems everyone is living in fear. 12-year-old Franny lives near Washington, D.C. during the Cuban Missile Crisis. For Franny and all Americans, it will be a formative year.

I enjoy historical fiction, so I thought I'd give this young-adult novel a go. It was OK. Not as spectacular as I was expecting. The story about Franny is fairly dull -- a lot of "my best friend's mad at me!" "The new kid is so cute!" "Mom's going to kill me if I don't do my chores!" Oh, and "we have bomb drills."

The layout of the book was a bit different...but gimmicky. It included a lot of pictures, advertisements, and song lyrics from 1962. While some of it was interesting, I thought the author overdid it. She'd make her point, drive it home, and overkill it. Then overkill it MORE.

Still, it was an educational experience for me. I didn't know much about the Cuban Missile Crisis, and to see from the eyes of a 12 year old girl was a fine idea. This would be a great book for kids ages 11+. But I wish Franny had more going on in her head to keep it interesting for us grown-ups who didn't grow up in the 60s.

BOOK 24: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, by Amy Chua

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: Chinese parenting is one of the most difficult things I can think of. You have to be hated by someone you love. It's a never-ending uphill battle, requiring a 24-7 time commitment, resilience and guile.

Such an interesting book, thought-provoking and fun to read. While I disagree with the severity of Chua's parenting tactics (name-calling, shaming, yelling), I found myself agreeing with more of her sentiments than I thought I would.

For instance, I really liked the point she made about assuming strength not fragility in your children. Chua also says, "one of the worst things you can do for your child's self esteem is to let them give up. On the flip side, there's nothing better for building confidence than learning you can do something you thought you couldn't." So true.

She also talks a lot about how parenting is hard work. Educating your children is hard work. Making sure your kids find time for what's important is hard work. Teaching them to be focused and appreciative is hard work. You don't become a strict parent out of selfishness, but love.

Now, what I'd really like to know is her husband's side of this story?

BOOK 23: The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte, by Syrie James

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Cover synopsis: In the pages of this diary, Charlotte exposes her deepest feelings and desires -- and the truth about her life, its triumphs and shattering disappointments, her family, the inspiration behind her work, and her dramatic relationship with Arthur Bell Nicholls.

This book blends historical fact and fiction to create a portrait of Charlotte Bronte. And I found it very compelling. (Of course, it helps that I love Jane Eyre!) I was fascinated to learn about how much of her novels are autobiographical. The story of her relationship with her sisters, and their adventures in writing and publishing, was wonderful. And, of course, the story behind her marriage to Mr. Nicholls -- a story which spans eight years -- was lovely. Her life, simply put, is as fascinating as any of her novels.

Reading this, I knew it wasn't a true biography. But it was fun anyway. I looked at it like a screenplay adaptation of Bronte's life. Dialogue and other situations must be added to increase dramatic suspense, but the overall feeling and storyline are true.

Up until about chapter 20, I would have happily given the book 5 stars. But the last 70 pages were the weakest part of the book -- I felt it was overweighted with fiction and the author took too many liberties with the material. The writing also seemed to peter out toward the end, with much of it sounding rote or cliche. That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book as a whole!

BOOK 22: The Carnivorous Carnival, by Lemony Snicket

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: The orphans must confront a terrible lie, a lion untamer, an ambidextrous person, a caravan, and Chabo the wolf baby.

Thankfully, the formula was slightly different in this book: This time, it's the Baudelaires who have to disguise themselves instead of Count Olaf. And there was a tiny clue to the overarching plot. But, of course, we don't get any real information, their only ally is incapable of change and the Baudelaires have been re-captured by Count Olaf in the end.

As always, an enjoyable read, but way too predictable.

BOOK 21: The Best Short Stories of O. Henry, by O. Henry

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: These stories are gems of their kind; mellow, humorous, ironic, ingenious, and shot through with that eminently salable quality known as "human interest."

This was a fun read! O. Henry stories are full of wit, humor, colorful characters and ironic twists.

Among my favorites were "Squaring the Circle" (wonderfully written and insightful), "The Last Leaf" (beautiful and tragic), "Transients in Arcadia" (interesting tale of anonymity in a big city), "The Ranson of Red Chief" (hilarious story about a pair of thugs who are bested by a small rambunctious boy), "Roads of Destiny" (insightful tale of life's pathways), and "Mammon and the Archer" (in which we learn that money really can buy time).

BOOK 20: Hamlet, by William Shakespeare

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, is urged by his father's ghost to avenge his murder by his brother who has siezed the throne.

I'm not a huge Shakespeare fan. Sure, I admire him, and I think he was pretty brilliant. And I appreciate his influence on our culture today. But reading his plays always feels like work to me -- not pleasure. I have to spend a lot of time curled up with the text, picking it apart just to make out the major plot points, let alone the deeper significance. I find it challenging to read a play and discern the emotions and actions of what's happening on stage -- due to Shakespeares lack of stage directions.

Now, I haven't read any Shakespeare since I was 16. And I wasn't quite sure what to expect after picking up this book. But I'd always felt like I was missing out on major cultural references by having never read Hamlet. This edition from the Folger Shakespeare Library was a godsend. It gives some helpful tips at the beginning about how to decode Shakespearean language. Then once you start the play, it includes an overview of the plot before each scene, and defines all those confusing words and phrases that trip me up.

It was still work to read this, because on every-other line I had to glance at the opposite page for a definition or a clarification. I'm not afraid of a challenge. But I feel like I put a lot more into reading this than I got out. However, I did like it. Perhaps I'll like it more upon further reflection. Or a second reading. I should get around to it within the next 16 years.

BOOK 19: The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: Mary Lennox, a plain, spoiled, bad-tempered little girl is sent to live with her uncle on his huge estate. There she meets the master's ailing son Colin, and her maid's brother Dickon. She discovers a secret garden, shut up for 10 years since the death of her uncle's wife. She shares her discover with Dickon and Colin and together the children make the garden grow and bloom once more.

This book starts out slow for me. I remember starting to read it as a child, but never finishing it. In fact, when I pulled it off the shelf the other day, my bookmark was still in place on page 84. And this time around, it took me beyond that point to really get into it. But it was worth sticking with, to watch these children blossom and bloom along with their garden.

I love the themes in here: The healing powers of nature, laughter, friendship and exercise. The importance of letting kids be kids. The power of thoughts over the body, both good thoughts and evil ones. And the value of having a sense of purpose -- something to look forward to when you wake up in the morning.

BOOK 18: The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster

Rating: 5 stars

Cover synopsis: For Milo, everything's a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he's got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things are different. He learns about time from a ticking watchdog, and embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Along the way, Milo realizes life is far from dull.

Delightful. Absolutely delightful. I loved this book as a kid, and I love it even more as an adult.

This is a sort of "Alice in Wonderland" trip of words. Everything is a play on words, and it's outrageously clever and insightful. The one-liners were wonderful -- I wanted to highlight every-other sentence. It's jam-packed with morals and cautionary tales, but the overarching theme of wisdom, knowledge and intellectual exploration are priceless -- and timeless.

Here are a handful of my favorite lines from the book:

"You often learn more by being wrong for the right reasons than you do by being right for the wrong reasons."

"Expect everything, I always say, and the unexpected never happens."

"The only thing you can do easily is be wrong, and that's hardly worth the effort."

"What you CAN do is often simply a matter of what you WILL do."

And of course:

"Brevity is the soul of wit."

BOOK 17: Simple Steps, by Karen Miller

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: Over 300 activities (and hundreds of variations) based on the developmental needs of infants, toddlers and 2-year-olds.

I borrowed this book from my 2-year-old's preschool. And I wish I had it with my first child! It is chock-full of fun ideas of how to play with your child, help him/her learn new skills, and encourage him/her to try new things that are developmentally appropriate.

Each activity has a suggested age, from newborns, through age 2+. And I found that I could adjust some of the ideas to include my 6-year-old in the fun, too. The activities are broken down into different categories: social-emotional, language, fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, music & movement, sensory, creative and dramatic play development, as well as a section on outdoor and nature appreciation.

I ended up flagging about 3 dozen activities to try. This will definitely come in handy as I try to pack more fun and learning into my kids' day.

BOOK 16: I Am the Messenger, by Markus Zusak

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: Ed Kennedy's life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence utnil he inadvertently stops a banik robbery. That's when the first ace arrives in the mail. Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who's behind Ed's mission?

The premise of this book intrigued me. Unfortunately, that premise became more and more contrived as the story went on. And the ending was incredibly unsatisfying and unbelievable. Not to mention Zusak's infatuation with profanity gets old really quick.

But still, I appreciated the message of the book: That by losing yourself in service to others, you find yourself.

BOOK 15: Queen Victoria, by Elizabeth Longford

Rating: 2 stars

Cover synopsis: Queen Victoria is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Her decendants were to suceed to most of the thrones in Europe.

Some members in my book group saw the movie, "The Young Victoria" and decided they'd like to learn more. But this was not the right book for the job. I just feel even more confused!

The book's main redeeming quality: It's short. Only 118 pages. But it took me about 2 weeks to read it because it was mind-numbingly boring. I felt like I was reading a history textbook. It was all names and dates, and the author would refer to people by their nicknames, their given names and their titles interchangably so I couldn't keep them straight. She also started using initials for political posts -- and since I am not knowledgable about English politics or history, I had no idea what what going on most of the time.

The author would occasionally bring up interesting tidbits, but would merely reference them -- giving no clue as to what happened in the situation. Anecdotes! Give me anecdotes!

If I had some English background, or a strong interest in Queen Victoria, this book might have been more interesting. But as it is, I was relieved to finally finish it. Not sure how much I'll be able to add to my book group's discussion, though...

BOOK 14: East of Eden, by John Steinbeck

Rating: 5 stars

Cover synopsis: Set in the rich farmland of California's Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel.

This novel is Epic with a capital "E." Incredibly well-written and mind-blowingly insightful. I tried to boil it down into one main theme, but that was impossible! This novel is about love, jealousy, agency, inheritance, good, evil, race, guilt, forgiveness, ambition, America, and character -- just to name a few.

I struggled with whether to award this book 4 or 5 stars. The first half of the book moved rather slow for me, and although it was interesting, I had a hard time relating to the characters. But the second half made up for it, and tied everything together from the first half. And I must admit, that the more time that passes after my completion of the book, I like it more and more. There's so much to think about.

I'd love to discuss this in my book group! But when I casually mentioned that I was reading Steinbeck, I got a lot of groans and averted eyes that said, "please, don't make me read it!" I can see how he's an acquired taste, but this book was well worth any effort.

BOOK 13: The Hostile Hospital, by Lemony Snicket

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: Within these pages are such burdensome details as a suspicious shopkeeper, unnecessary surgery, an intercom system, anesthesia, heart-shaped balloons, and some very startling news about a fire.

I have been growing weary of this series for a while, and this book fanned the embers of my interest a bit more.

Of course, it followed the formula, but it had some differences, such as the absence of Mr. Poe, and the way the book ends. Plus, there were some intriguing clues to the overarching mystery...though Snicket has done his job in leaving me no hope that things will turn out the way it is being hinted at. Still, I'm actually anxious to pick up the next book to see what happens next.

BOOK 12: The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin

I'll dispense with the rating and synopsis on this one. I read this book last year in May, and really enjoyed it (rated it 4 stars). And I re-read it this month for my book group and really enjoyed it again.

This is a great book for discussion, and for getting to know the members of my book group better. It was interesting to see what areas each of us feel we are doing OK in, and other areas in which we feel we could improve.

This re-read came on the tail of two extremely trying months in my job as a mother, and it served as a good reminder of what I want out of my life -- and the lives of my family -- and some practical strategies for making it happen.

BOOK 11: The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton

Rating: 5 stars

Cover synopsis: A tiny girl is abandoned on a ship headed for Australia in 1913. She arrives completely alone with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a single book -- a beautiful volume of fairy tales. She is taken in by the dockmaster and his wife and raised as their own. On her 21st birthday, they tell her the truth and she begins a quest to find her real identity.

This was a fascinating geneological mystery, spanning four generations. It was beautifully written, and I loved the fairy tales that were woven in.

The pace of this story is slower with a lot of emphasis on character development. But that's not to say it was boring, or that it wasn't a page turner! In nearly every chapter, some layer to the mystery would be peeled back, keeping me intrigued, curious and moving forward.

I don't usually gravitate to mystery books because oftentimes I feel manipulated -- strung along, or teased with the promise of enlightenment, only to have it yanked from me time and again. But I didn't get that impression at all from this book. I didn't always agree with the actions and motivations of the characters, but I could understand why they did what they did, for better or worse.

BOOK 10: The Art Book, by Phaidon Press

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: With a full-color plate representing each artist, this book is an alphabetical reference to 500 of the world's greatest painters and sculptors, from antiquity to the present.

I've always wanted to learn more about art and art history, and this was a good sampling. It takes 500 different artists and shows one work from each of them. It was a nice introduction to some artists I hadn't heard of before, and it gave a brief synopsis of the work and the artist.

An in-depth exploration this isn't. It often left me wanting more. But it gave me a good taste of art from the 1200s to 1990s. And I flagged dozens of pages that I'm interested in researching further -- for instance, Riopelle, Turner, Marc, Grimshaw and Copely, to name a few. I should note that, being an art book, there is a bit of nudity in here. Some of it is artful and appropriate, but there were some that I felt the artist used only for shock value, and that I wouldn't want my children to stumble across. But that's an entirely different debate...

Overall, though, this was a nice coffee-table book. (Note: there are two versions of this book: A large coffee-table sized one published in 1994, and a smaller pocket-sized one published in 2005.)

BOOK 9: NurtureShock, by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: NutureShock provides a revolutionary perspective on childhood that upends a library's worth of conventional wisdom. It gets to the core of how we grow, learn, and live.

This was a fascinating book. It looks at the conventional wisdom about children and how they act, learn and grow, and stacked it against science. As it turns out, the way we think is best to raise our children may actually be backfiring.

For instance, you shouldn't tell your children that they are "smart," you should praise their effort. You shouldn't expect baby videos to enhance your child's language -- in fact they can hinder it because they use a disembodied voice and your baby never sees the face of the person talking. If your teenager is arguing with you, that's a good sign! And letting your kids stay up even an extra 15 minutes has large ramifications.

I appreciated the scientific approach. Some of the chapters are purely geared toward social programs or policy makers. On the ones that are most applicable to parents, however, I would have appreciated more detail about how I can make the most of this research in raising my own kids. I felt like I had to read between the lines to get the takeaway points. All in all, though, an interesting read!

BOOK 8: The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events #7), by Lemony Snicket

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: I can think of no single reason why anyone would want to open a book containing such unpleasant matters as migrating crows, an angry mob, a newspaper headline, the arrest of innocent people, the Deluxe Cell, and some very strange hats.

This book is incredibly clever, witty, and formulaic. I've really enjoyed reading A Series of Unfortunate Events, but I'm starting to get rather bored with the formula.

And the fact that each book teases you with the possibility of finally divulging some clue as to the deeper plot issues, but stopping short EVERY TIME. It's getting old. Snicket needs to shake things up! I really hope the ending is worth my sticking with this...

BOOK 7: The $64 Tomato, by William Alexander

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: How one man nearly lost his sanity, spent a fortune, and endured an existential crisis in the quest for the perfect garden.

This is a humorous account of one man's obsession with his garden. Anyone who loves to garden will relate to it and laugh right along. As will the women (or men) who married such madness, in my case. As I was reading, I kept saying, "this sounds like my husband wrote this!"

It drives me crazy when I read news articles about saving money that advise gardening. Because anyone who has actually gardened knows that you don't save ANY money with a garden. In fact, you'll spend at least ten times as much money as you would have at the grocery store, and a hundred times the vegetables' worth in hard labor. And Alexander drives home this point well. But where he really excells is in his psychological self-evaluation. Why he gardens, what drives him to garden, and why, no matter what challenges get in his way, he simply cannot stop. A fun read.

BOOK 6: Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: In 1943, Army Air Force bomber Louis Zamperini crashed into the Pacific Ocean and survived. Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharkes, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity and suffering with hope, resolve and humor.

This was a stunning story of one man's ordeal in World War II. It was quite the page turner and I found myself crying, cringing and laughing throughout. Hillenbrand did such an extraordinary job of researching and writing this tale, that the characters came to life for me.

But I had to keep reminding myself that the "characters" were real people. I have no doubt that this is a true story, but I still felt like the author was manipulating my emotions. She played up certain scenes and exaggerated people's characteristics to fit them into a mold, that it felt like I was reading a fictional movie script.

Still, I don't think you could read this story, recognize that it really happened, and not be moved in some way. An incredible read.

BOOK 5: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: You can stop fighting with your children! This book gives you the know-how you need to be more effective with your children and more supportive of yourself.

We all have those moments as parents where we feel that we have become the worst version of ourselves. And what huge force drove us to the edge? A 2-year-old.

I've felt like I've had an especially short fuse lately, and I decided I needed to regroup. This book came highly recommended, so I gave it a try. And I enjoyed it. I particularly liked that it wasn't so much about how to manipulate your children to do what you want (like so many parenting books out there). This book is all about treating your kids with more RESPECT, and they'll respond to you more favorably. For instance, if your boss at worked talked to you like you talk to your kids, you'd probably rebel too!

I enjoyed the numerous examples, funny cartoons and worksheets that came with this book. I felt like I was taking a hands-on course as I read instead of simply reading about the authors' philosophies. I tried a couple of the techniques and they had good success. But I'm still on the fence about the "no punishment" rule, and I still have no idea what to do about my 4 year old who refuses to go to bed... Sigh.

BOOK 4: Still Alice, by Lisa Genova

Rating: 5 stars

Cover synopsis: Alice Howland is an accomplished woman who slowly loses her thoughts and memories to a harrowing disease -- only to discover that each day brings a new way of living and loving.

Alice is a Harvard professor and a world-renowned linguistics expert. She's married to a brilliant man, also a Harvard professor, and has three grown children. She's a runner and feels like her body is at its physical peak. But her mind begins slipping. She becomes disoriented and increasingly forgetful. She suspects it's menopause, but the diagnosis is even more tragic: Early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

I found this book mesmerizing, perhaps because my grandmother had Alzheimers and lived with my family when I was a teenager. I've witnessed the ravaging effects the disease first hand. But "Still Alice" doesn't look at Alzheimers from the perspective of family members or caregivers. Instead, we see it from Alice's point of view. We see this smart woman trying to come to terms with the fact that she can't leave the house unaccompanied, has to rely on others to remember the simplest things, and ultimately must give up her career.

I finished the book two days ago, but I can't stop thinking about it, or talking about it with anyone who will listen. Truly a fascinating -- and heartbreaking -- read.

BOOK 3: Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: A crisis strangely linking past and future strands time-traveling historian Kivrin in the 1300s, as her fellows try desperately to rescue her. In a time of superstition and fear, Kivrin finds she has become an unlikely angel of hope during one of history's darkest hours.

Connie Willis is a science fiction writer, but this book is more historical fiction. It's set in the future, (2054, I believe), and historians time travel back to periods in time to learn more about how life really was. Kivrin plans to travel back to 1320, but something goes wrong and she ends up in 1348 -- when the black plague hit England.

Simultaneously, her team back in 2054 is experiencing an unusual outbreak of disease. The parallel is well written. And I found Kivrin's descriptions of life in the 1300s fascinating and suspenseful. As Collin, a character in the story would say, this is "apocalyptic!" My only beef with the book is that the author seems too preoccupied with tiny details (in both time periods) that slow the narrative down. I think she probably could have shaved at least 150 pages of text without hurting the story at all.

This book certainly opened my eyes to the importance of being prepared for disasters. If I had to be quarantined in my house for a month, could I survive? Time to assess my food storage...