nursenblack

This sounds awesome! I hope I won't have to wait too long for it to show in the U.S.

Bit behind again! Have to play catch up. #16 Paper Towns by John Green (YA) This is my second favorite John Green novel. It has the same tone and teenage angst as the others I have read, but I found it pretty unique. Enjoyable read. I'm anxious to see how the movie turns out. (4/5) #17 The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins I really enjoyed this suspenseful and dark novel. Never quite sure what would happen because the narrator was perfectly unreliable (love those). Also, there are a lot of comparisons to Gone Girl, but I don't see that at all. (4/5) #18 Five Days At Memorial by Sheri Fink (nonfiction) Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a huge reader of nonfiction, but after hearing some reviews, I knew I had to read this. This is the story of a New Orleans hospital, its staff and patients, during Hurricane Katrina, and the life altering decisions that were made in a world that felt nothing short of apocalyptic. Memorial reads like a heart pounding thriller, but is all devastatingly true. My only fault with it is it tends to veer off a bit a times. (4.5/5) #19 Someone Else's Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson. This novel got my interest pretty early on and I thoroughly appreciated the twists and turns. I really need to pick up more of Jackson's novels. (4/5) #20 Sugar by Deirdre Riordan Hall (YA) Sugar was a heartbreaking and also an uplifting novel for young adults and adults alike. It reminded me a lot of Push, but not nearly as disturbing and much more positive. The story grabbed me from the beginning and I had to root for Sugar right away. I could identify with Sugar's insane craving for sweets and her need to self comfort. One of the most valuable YA novels I've read in a long time. (4.5/5)

Oh, I'm glad you liked Gray Mountain, it's on my wishlist. I think I've only read one Grisham novel before, but this one is set close to the area I live, so pretty neat.

This looks like a good series. I'm adding it to my wishlist.

Well just trying to catch up again. #11 Little Bee by Chris Cleave. I really enjoyed this sad and beautiful novel. Chapters alternate between Little Bee and Rachel, two very different characters, each telling their separate but very connected story. An inspiring and heartbreaking novel that doesn't shy away from inhumanity. (5/5) #12 The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury. This is not my usual read, but it was a book club pick, so there you go. The story was an inspirational, quick read with an extremely cliche plot and characters. The only character I believed was the store owner, Charlie because he was the only one with any human flaw. There was one scene toward the end that saved this story from birdcage liner status. (2/5) #13 The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell. I really enjoyed this psychological, debut novel- I love debuts! It's definitely a slow burn, but the narrator draws you into her world with expertise and keeps you guessing. (4/5) #14 Sailing to Capri by Elizabeth Adler. I found this romance-mystery to be purely an escapism read. Everything was just a little too perfect: the perfect friendship, the perfect and convent list of suspects, the perfect cruise to find the killer. Sure the mystery was interesting at times, but the romance was lacking. If you're ready for an easy, rainy day, perfectly laid out mystery, then this is it. (2/5) #15 Wolf In White Van by John Darnielle. I read this after hearing about it on a podcast and I'm glad I did. Sean, a video game developer, reflects on his life before and after an incident that leaves his face disfigured. I don't want to reveal much else about the plot, but the writing is beautiful and sad. This is a quick and engrossing read that I think will stick with me for a while. If your looking for something different and profound, give it a try. (4/5)

Love this idea. I'm sure I've thought about it before, especially when I was younger. I would choose one year in Avonlea from Anne of Green Gables, six months at Hogwarts School, and three months in Wonderland.

Exactly! Besides I really haven't watched much this season and frankly, I stopped caring. I think the show really went down hill after season four. I used to be in love with this show, especially after season one and two, but I'm just sick of all the repetitiveness, and the romance just isn't as good. Maybe I'll give the Originals a try instead

Oh, that's crappy! Not even for the Kindle? It was recommended by Nancy Pearl, the author of Book Lust, and she wrote the Introduction. I figured anything she recommended would be available almost everywhere. Well keep your eye out, you never know.

Gees, I can't believe how behind I have gotten AGAIN, but this is me I'm talking about. Anyway, here are some of the books I've read with short reviews. 7# Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews . This was an easy, fun Christmas mystery. A perfect snowy day read if your in the mood for a mash-up of those two elements. (3/5) #8 Splintered by A.G. Howard- Besides the cool cover, I really loved this dark and modern take on Alice In Wonderland. I thought the idea of Alice having descendants that also go down the rabbit hole was a unique and well done concept. Splintered defies the traditional Wonderland by warping it and the characters. I need to get my hands on the second book in the series. (4/5) #9 Wreckage by Emily Bleeker. I was pleasantly surprised by this debut novel about a small group of strangers who wind up on a deserted island after their plane crashes. The chapters switch between Lillian and Dave, each one revealing their life before, during, and after the crash.The secrets they hide kept me turning the page, and I found myself involved and invested in these characters. Definitely one of the best books I've read so far this year, and I highly recommend it. (5/5) #10 The Man in the Window by Jon Cohen. I really enjoyed this tale about the odd friendship of a man disfigured from a fire, who never leaves his home, and frumpy nurse who works at a local hospital. I absolutely loved the characters and the exceptional way the story unfolds. I can't say a lot plot twists and turns happen, but what does happen is a beautiful and sometimes sad look at human nature. (4/5) A few more reviews to come, but The Walking Dead is about to start in a few minutes. I will try to finish catching up tomorrow,

Paper Towns is my next on the John Green to-do-list. Well, the Kindle Library Loan is only one book per month, I think, for being a Prime member. I have one checked out right now. But this book was a kindle loan through the library where I live, and there is no limit per month, only 10 at once limit.

There are only four novels I can think of right now (there my be a couple more) that I have read more than once: To Kill A Mockingbird, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and Dandelion Wine. I reread Jane Eyre about 18 years after the first read! I did reread some of my children's chapter books as a child, though. There are many books that I would like to read again someday, but I have so many that I haven't read and want to read that it seems like a time restraint issue.

I put the Ice Twins on my wishlist, it sounds interesting. Too bad it doesn't release here until mid May.

Finished Feb. 6th #6 An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (via Kindle per library loan) synopsis from goodreads.com When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type is girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact. On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral hog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun - but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge Dumpees everywhere, and finally win him the girl. my review John Green's novels are infectious, and I definitely mean that in a good way. An Abundance of Katherines meets all the standards of a great YA story, friendship, romance, and a self-discovery road trip. But Green weaves this tale it in such a weird and unique way that I felt like I hadn't read this formula before. Speaking of formulas, I'm not a math person at all, but I wasn't bothered by all the math and formulas because it revealed how Colin's mind works. Colin was, however, my least favorite character. His obliviousness annoyed me, but I get that that was the point. I did absolutely love Hassan and thought that he was the ultimate scene stealer. (4/5)

I think the scariest place I've ever been in fiction is the post-apocalyptic world in The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Particularly a certain house the father and son go to, and those who've read it will know exactly which scene I'm talking about.

Well I binged-watched Game of Thrones from season one to four over my Christmas break, and when I was finished I really missed the characters. I checked out the book on the kindle within a couple of days after that. Surprisingly, I kinda loved knowing what the characters were going to say and do, and that made me appreciate how true to the book the TV series is.

Finished Jan 20th #5 Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (via Kindle per library loan) synopsis from amazon.com Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and 'persons of dubious parentage', who come together in a time of grim omens. Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones. my review Game of Thrones is a huge and epic novel that is the first of a series, and has yet to be concluded in almost 20 years. I am absolutely in love with the HBO TV series and was pleasantly surprised to see that the first season follows this novel pretty much exactly. Sometimes, I wonder if I liked it more because I could envision the characters so clearly already. I did find some chapters a bit boring and admit to skimming some parts. The dialog is wonderful though, especially Tyrion's. I'm not sure if I'll read anymore of the series due to their huge size and the fact that I already know what will happen for a few books. I know that makes me sound like a horrible reader, but I'm just being honest. (4/5)

Finished Jan 19th #4 The Burglar On the Prowl by Lawrence Block (library-loan, library book talks book) synopsis from amazon.com A philosophical yet practical gentleman, Bernie Rhodenbarr possesses many admirable qualities: charm, intelligence, sparkling wit, and unwavering loyalty. Of course, he also has this special talent and a taste for life's finer things. So he's more than willing to perform some vengeful larceny for a friend -- ripping off a smarmy, particularly deserving plastic surgeon -- for fun and a very tidy profit. But during a practice run at another address, Bernie's forced to hide under a bed when the lady of the house returns unexpectedly with the worst kind of blind date in tow. In no time, Bernie's up to his burgling neck in big trouble. Again. And this time it includes his arrest, no less than four murders, and more outrageous coincidences than any self-preserving felon should ever be required to tie together. my review The Burglar on the Prowl is the 10th book in a series about Bernie Rhodenbarr, a burglar who solves crimes. I had never read any of this series before, but evidently they can be read as standalone. I normally enjoy comedic who-done-its, and did a little, but there were a few places that were absoulte turn offs. Particularly one creepy scene that ruined the whole thing. There were humorous parts in the story and an overall ridiculousness that I guess is the shtick, but the effect was just lost on me. Also the ending was so confusing that even the characters where confused and had to ask for clarification. Talk about a mystery! (2/5)

I definitely agree that To Kill A Mockingbird would be an excellent choice. I'm thinking for fiction, I would either go with that or Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I think that it has stood the test of time and is very spot-on with it's descriptions of the future. For nonfiction, I'm going with a practical reference rather than creative, and that would be Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self-Sufficiency by Alison Candlin. It would come in super hand in case of, let's say, a zombie apocalypse or the like. You never know when your survival might depend on knowing how to gather mushrooms and raise chickens.

I like the sound of that. Do you like it?

"We should start back," Gared urged as the woods began to grow dark around them. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Yes, I really loved the movie.

Good to see you chaliepud! I haven't read Paper Towns, but I like John Green. It's going on my wishlist. The movie is coming out in the summer.

Finished Jan 7th #3 Born of Illusion by Terri Brown YA 373 pages synopsis from amazon.com For fans of Libba Bray and Anna Godbersen, this thrilling historical suspense novel is the story of a budding magician who has spent her life playing sidekick to her faux-medium mother—and trying to hide the fact that she possesses magnificent powers. As the illegitimate daughter of Harry Houdini—or so her mother claims—gifted illusionist Anna Van Housen easily navigates the underground world of magicians and mediums in 1920s New York, though the real trick is keeping her true gifts secret from her opportunistic mother. But as Anna's powers intensify, she experiences frightening visions that lead her to explore the powers she's tried so long to hide. Lovers of historical fiction and stories filled with romance and intrigue will fall for Born of Illusion and its whip-smart, savvy protagonist. my review I had Born of Illusion on my wishlist and when it became available at my library, I snatched it up. So glad I did. I loved the idea of Houdini having an illegitimate daughter, who is also a magician, and maybe something else as well. Anna Ban Housen is easy to route for, and her love of performing is perhaps an inherited trait... So, the ending may have been a bit predictable, but I didn't even care because at that point I was too invested in the characters. This is the first of what I assume is a trilogy and I'm looking forward to the next one, Born of Deception. (4/5)

Finished Jan 4th #2 Murder on Sugar Creek by Michelle Goff 148 pages synopsis from Goodreads.com Mac Honaker begins his morning with an Iced Honey Bun, a cup of coffee, and a fatal shot to the chest. Mac’s murder stuns Sugar Creek, a small community nestled in the hills and hollows of eastern Kentucky. It also fuels Sugar Creek resident Maggie Morgan’s enthusiasm for true crime, but her interest turns personal when her brother’s childhood friend is arrested for the murder. Maggie dedicates herself to proving his innocence, which puts her in contact with her ex-fiancé the police detective just as she starts a new romance. As Maggie pieces the clues together, an unflattering picture of Mac emerges and she comes to the realization that her brother’s friend might not be so innocent after all. my review Murder on Sugar Creek is a quick and easy, cozy mystery set in a fictional town of eastern Kentucky. The pace picks up half way through, and I found myself really wanting to find out who did it. The story is dialog driven and it gets a little unnatural at times making it hard to focus, but that was my only qualm. I enjoyed Maggie Morgan and her little quirks, and would like to see more of her. Good rainy or snowy day read. (3.5/5) I don't know why, but love bite-size mysteries in the cold months.

Thank you! I've really enjoyed Gillian Flynn's work so far. I'm looking forward to Dark Places too. Thanks! I hope this year is better than last, reading wise and otherwise.