The Last Dance of a Black Widow by Bradley Convissar

read: December 31, 2011

read in 30 minutes

pages; very short

Completely eerie and haunting, well written. Quick fast read. Nice free short story from Amazon.

101 Tips for Travelling with a Vampire by Joleene Naylor

Read: December 30, 2011

read in 45 minutes

pages: approximately 20

Ok yes, this was incredibly short and some of the "tips" were more common sense when travelling in general but there were a few that were pretty funny. I even laughed out loud on a couple....like making the joke to you vampire friend that rabbits are "fast food" and that they just might not find this joke funny. Sorry I did find that funny.

Anyways it was free and I'd recommend the short book to anyone hooked on the vampire craze at the moment, just because if you are reading the novels chances are you might get a laugh out of these tips.

Added bonus there is a sneak peek of book two of Legacy of Ghosts by Joleene Naylor. So you could check that out and maybe read more of her books. I admit I did not read further because I'd rather start with book one not book two.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Read: October 17- December 28, 2011

read in too long!!

pages: 272

This too far too long to read. Not a bad read at all I just think I wasn't really in the mood to be reading Sedaris at the time. And quite possible like the last of his books I read I must have stopped in the middle of one particular essay that may not have been the best or the funniest and I had a hard time getting back into the swing of reading him.

Glad to mark it as read even though it was on my goal list for LAST year! I will continue with more of his books when my co worker brings me the next in the collection because he is good for a laugh with his ridiculous family stories, life experiences and view of the world. For my reading pace sake I'm hoping I am not handed another Sedaris for a few months at the earliest.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Read: November 26-December 27, 2011

read in a month

pages: 387

I'm still working on my thoughts for this book. I liked it. I didn't really dislike anything about the book. I wish it hadn't taken so long to read. It took getting past the first 150 pages just to feel invested in the characters and for the plot to start taking shape and things moving the direction they should be moving. At that point I didn't want to put it down. I kept getting lost up to that point because it felt like there was so much going on that I couldn't keep up with everything. I think part of is was there was too much going on in my life at the time to stay focused when I was reading, and I had far too long of stretches.

I liked the characters, and how things ended. I won't give anything away. I'll admit that yes this may take a bit to read but its not a bad story once you get into it. I'm not the only person who noticed it took a while to read. I mentioned reading it to a couple co-workers who also remarked the same thing....its a time consuming read, but worth it in the end. One mentioned that it seemed like there was an agenda to her story. I follow the author on twitter and asked her and she responded (!!!!) what did I mean by an agenda? And that if she needed to ask then its probably just a story. I take away from it that its a story and there wasn't a certain message meant to be taken from it though someone could easily make one if they so chose too.

I'd like to come back to this and write a proper review because this does not properly do so, but at I still can't figure out what I want to say about the book aside from there were some beautiful characters.

The Amersham Rubies by Rhys Bowen

Read: November 27, 2011

read in 30 minutes

pages ?

Just a sad excuse for a short teaser story and an introduction to the Molly Murphy series. The young girl makes these ridiculous jumps to conclusions that the reader can't even begin to understand due to the lack of evidence. How the character made her assumptions, that she believed to be right and to solve the "mystery" is not made very clear. And given the mediocre writing, I'm not sure had it been much longer of a story that the writer could have accomplished showing how the character made her leaps in the first place.

Although there was a teaser chapter included with the free download, I didn't bother. This was supposed to be set in the late 19th century but it does not read as such whether in the way the characters speak, nor in the attitude of the characters. It appears that aside from a pretty cover this story did little to encourage further reading. Thank goodness it was a freebie for the kindle!

Retro Demonology by Jana Oliver

Read: November 27, 2011

read in an hour

pages: ?

This is a very short story that introduces the Demon Trapper series and includes a bonus of the first two chapters of Forsaken. Setting is 2018, Atlanta, GA. A time where demons terrorize the city. These are no ordinary demons, but demons hell bent on destroying books. These are some foul mouthed little creatures, at least the ones introduced in this story and the beginning of book one, who flip the bird and pee on the trapper and other victims. There are 5 grades of demon, and given that the main character is just starting out, she is only confronting grade one. In order to stun the little suckers you read to them. Weapon of choice for main character Riley, the 17 year old the series follows, is Moby Dick. Apparently romance novels do nothing but piss them off even more so you go for the meatier denser type stuff. After reading a few sentences the demon begins to pass out and the trapper then captures the demon in a little sippy cup. Crazy concept, but from the short intro the story is interesting enough that I could give the first book a read and see whether I'd care to read the rest.

From what I get from the story the "retro" part of the title comes from the characters being able to opt for a particular decade and stick permanently within that era. Stereotypical though in the characteristics of each era that is described to be honest. The couple in the short story were sixties hippy childs who worshiped Jim Morrison to the point of having a large altar in the room that the demon was causing havoc in.

It seems that there is alot going on in the story and I am interested in whether the author can successfully wrap it all together nicely. The society seems to have broken down economically and has little stability. I remember thinking hey this sounds a little familiar when for instance the author mentions the rocketing gas prices causing people to use any mode of transport other than car.

Overall not a terrible read for a free purchase on my kindle.

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne (Steampunk Chronicles 0.5) by Kady Cross

Read: November 25, 2011

read in approximately 2.5-3 hours

pages: 78

This was a super quick read. An excellent introduction to the Steampunk Chronicles series! I'm looking forward to reading more by the author both in this series and anything else she has written. This snippet includes many elements I really enjoy like the historical aspect of being set in the Victorian era, the manners of the time and a strong female lead.

I'd highly recommend the book and potentially the Steampunk Chronicles series if you enjoyed Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices - very much in the same vein. Fast paced and action packed with genuinely great characters! AND a kick ass heroine to boot!!

Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast

Read: November 23-25, 2011

read in 3 days

pages: 306

This has been on my potenial to-read list for quite sometime. I remembering it being checked out a lot when I was working at the library. It always made me wonder how good it was. The cover is attractive so that could be why some kids were picking it up. And it doesn't hurt that it is about some vampires. Wait let me correct my spelling its not "vampires" it is vampyres". Like changing the spelling makes THIS series different and somehow more special than the others out there right now.

I have to say if you read the Twilight series and were at all annoyed by how irritating Bella Swan was, well prepare yourself there is another character that makes Bella seem an interesting character. No joke. Bella is am improvement over this character. This book is following the thought process of 16 year old Zoey who has been Marked to be a vampyre fledgling. She is not a vampyre yet, but after this finishing school, and the education she isaquiring, provided she survives the change, she will be a vampyre. She honestly has the mental capacity of a little child. The use of the word "boobies" and "poopie" was too much for me. I couldn't take the character remotely serious when she mentioned the word "boobies" and then "laughed" to herself in her head with "hee hee". UGH. As if another example was needed of her lack of maturity, it was glaringly obvious with her comparison to her arch enemy Aphrodite, that she had boobies too so she too was not a child. Aside from the physical attributes that make a girl a woman is boobies, but sheesh this does not equal maturity. The novel reads like what it sounds like watching a movie with the commentary turned on. Yes like that only with a whiny, snarky teenage who laughs at words like "boobies".

While the name dropping of figures from popular culture may have impressed other readers, it reminded me of the Gossip Girl series with the constant references to designers. It didn't add to the story, but give it ten years and it will seriously date the book when the references made are no longer relevant.

I'm not fully versed in vampire lore and will not keep away from vampire books but some of the "lore" this book spouts is just ridiculous. A "physiological response to hormones"? THIS is apparently what signifies the change in teens to become potential vampyres. Hmm and scientists have been working to find the link that leads to the change.

There is an entire series that continues likely in this fashion by this mother/daughter writing team. I'm sorry to know this is the kind of junk that is being peddled to teens as "goodreads". I'm not sorry I read it because I was interested in what the hoopla was. I'm going to chalk it up to they just don't know any better. HIGHLY UNRECOMMENDED. Do not kill your brain cells unnecessarily.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Read: November 16-20, 2011

read in 4 days

pages: 498

Yet another WOW. I know I'm overusing that word, but at this moment I don't care. I really really really enjoyed this book and CAN NOT wait to get the book once it is released. I was incredibly happy to have won the book as part of the First Reads giveaway and thankful that after having read the first novel I was able to continue the story so quickly by diving right into Clockwork Prince.

Cassandra Clare has done it AGAIN! I couldn't but this book down much like the last two of hers I read. I have literally read them back to back and was not disappointed! It has been a GREAT November for GOODREADS!!

Aside from the expected mistakes being in the advanced reader copy that has yet to be completely edited for those types of mistakes, I was EXTREMELY happy with the story. Although Clockwork Angel felt lacking for me in terms of action, Clockwork Prince DID NOT DISAPPOINT! The series seems more revolving around the characters rather than strictly focusing on what they are set out to accomplish. Much less action I would say then the Mortal Instruments series, but this is not a downfall to this series. For me I'm loving this set up, and the characters are great. I was so ecstatic to see how things worked out for Jem!!!! I LOVE this character and was happy to see the side-kick win the girl! Best played move EVER and I'm so glad Clare did not break Jem into pieces and side with the expected Will. This for me made the novel the best read. I could not stop smiling when I read the section, and was so afraid waiting for that knock on the door that was going to inevitably prevent the triumph. Incredible moment. One of my top three favorite moments! I was sorry to see Will so broken after finding out about his personal demons, and hope to see him happy before the series comes to a close.

Once again a plot twist in the end, thanks for the cliffhanger! It is killing me too now to know this is an advanced reader, THIS novel has yet to be released meaning the NEXT novel is YET to be released as well. What? When? I don't want to wait. I want to know what this twist in the end means???!!!! And most importantly I want to see this triumph come to the conclusion it DESERVES!

I would recommend this book. I do recommend it highly to any fan of the series. If you were on the fence after having read Clockwork Angel.....DO NOT HESITATE TO READ CLOCKWORK PRINCE!!!

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Read November 12-15, 2011

read in 3 days

pages: 476

Wow. Okay what is it with this author and writing cliff hangers lately? I just finished City of Fallen Angles prior to reading this one and now this one is the same way! Two cliff hangers in a row. I'm not liking it since I hate to wait so long for the NEXT books!! Well actually with this series luckily I won the ARC a few weeks ago and was able to start that one the next day.

I'm not sure what kept me reading this book other than the Shadowhunter world. I'm drawn into it and fascinated. I'm not entirely sure why. The action was lacking up til the end, which of course as I said does leave you hanging, though not quite as bad as it was in City of Fallen Angels. I liked the characters through this book though and I guess that is part of the reason I kept reading. I really love Jem. Seems like a great guy. Very sweet and kind and quite a contrast to Will. Tessa she is tolerable, though nothing too fabulous either as far as heroines go. Will was a straight up jerk through the majority of this book. Sure there are flashes where you think maybe, just maybe he will change, but no he doesn't. From what I can tell in this next book, Clockwork Prince, its a front thank goodness and he at least has reason for acting the way he does. May not be the best way to go about it but he is only 17 and this is the only way he can come up with dealing with it. So I'll cut him some slack at that.`That being said I'm liking Will alot more now with Clockwork Prince. But I'm stll digging Jem more!!!

I'm interested enough to see how things turn out despite being annoyed with the cliff hanger. Proof positive that the cliff hanger maneuver will work! Not sure if the series is meant to be strictly a trilogy that mysteriously becomes a six part series or what. Knowing Clare she will have something up her sleeve to through everything all out of whack again. Leaving me wanting more!

My recommendation is if you enjoyed the Mortal Instruments series, then give this one a shot. I don't agree with what I've read that this is pretty much the Mortal Instruments series all over again but in 1800's London. Honestly it doesn't feel that way to me. I can see the possibility of a love triangle though like that in the Mortal Instruments series, so thats a similarity beyond the Shadowhunter/werewolf/vampire/faerie/warlock world.

Battle Royale Volume 2 by Koushun Takami, Masayuki Taguchi

Read November 5-12, 2011

read in a week

pages: 656

The only reason this took a week was because I literally did not pick it up once this week. I started this late last Saturday night and read up to page 558 all on Sunday. It doesn't take all that long to read, but it does take a toll. This story is incredible intense and I sit tensed up the entire time I'm reading. Even after I read I need a little time to recover once I'm done for the evening so I've stayed away from reading it all week. I focused on my other reading and knew I'd finish this the next time I picked it up. And I did. I'm looking forward to reading more in the series. Glad a friend shared this with me despite the violence involved in it.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Read November 5-12, 2011

read in a week

pages: 424

Wow. Well I hate that I put off reading this as long as I did because after all I was not disappointed. I was a bit worried after I had read a few reviews. I hate that I read the reviews because sometimes they can sway my opinion without my meaning to let them. I was going into this a little frustrated with the author in the first place because she went ahead and signed on to write three more additional books to a series that was great as a trilogy and was only intended to be a trilogy. I remember reading the third book, City of Glass, thinking surely she could write more because Clary in the end is just getting exposed to this whole new world of the Shadowhunters and she really has no idea what it is all about or what it means to know she is a Shadwhunter. It would be perfect to explore that in additional books. Not to mention it would give the relationship between Clary and Jace the much deserved attention the trilogy could not give them. It drove me crazy the whole trilogy just waiting to see if the two would ever have their chance together or not.

Anyways, so it took me a while to start the book. Even as I sat down to read I couldn't really get into the book at first. I was still a bit standoffish about it really worried what would happen with the story. At first it felt that the new point of view, that now became the trio of Simon, Clary and Jace, was throwing things off because the trilogy was strictly Clary. The characters did not seem the same which given that things were from Clary's point of view originally the reader never really gets to know the other characters but in relation to her until this book. It opened things up a bit more now that we are actually in Simon's and Jace's head to where as before we really only saw them through Clary's eyes. After I commited one evening of hardcore reading to it and had gotten about 150 pages in THEN I was getting more interested. With another 50 pages I was HOOKED!! I did not want to put the book down much like I was with the first three books.

In the end the book did not disappoint me, it did intrigue me and I'm very curious to see where in the world the author is going to go now. I was worried that something might happen to one of the main characters and I honestly would have stopped with this series had that been the case. I really like these characters and had one been killed I'd have been upset with that. I won't give anything else away, I'll just say if you really enjoyed the first three and you really liked the characters then at least give this one a try. Hopefully you'll be nicely surprised as well. Unfortunately the fifth book will not be released until May 2012, and I am going to hate the wait!!

Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant

Read: November 1-5, 2011

read in 5 days

pages: 112

Well I read this so that I would have something to compare the movie too. I'm looking forward now to see Robert Pattinson in this role. It should be interesting. The book was not bad I liked it. Didn't like putting it down, so I'd say it kept my attention.

The character Bel Ami is a down right scoundrel. He is fickle and has no sincere feelings for anyone but himself at any point in the novel. I'd say he progresses over time as in he becomes more and more self-involved and more concerned for his own ego than anything else. But honestly he starts that way within the first few paragraphs of the novel. His concern is for nothing but money and position, and who can he use to get there. The triangle and what later becomes four women in this novel mean nothing to him they are mere conquests. I'm surprised he was married to Madeline as long as he was. The women are strong, with the exception of Suzanne and to an extent her mother who was involved with Bel Ami first, and while they take the crap he gives a few have conquests of their own. For example Madeline's affair works out well for her. When she makes her stipulations concerning the marriage to Bel Ami, the reader is not too surprised of the affair, and we find neither is he. What disappointed me about the affair however was that it gives him an out. He can easily get out of the marriage with Madeline to be free to be with Suzanne.

As I said I'll be really interested to see how the movie plays out, how the characters are portrayed and by how well the actors do with the roles. I've read a few interviews with Robert about the film and it seems weird that he characterizes the love scenes as disturbing and from what I gather he insinuated that the women are the ones using sex as a weapon, when from what I've read of the novel, this is very much Bel Ami's personal expertise. So we shall see what the screen writer has done with the story and how many liberties they have taken.

Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore

Read: October 22-31, 2011

read in 10 days

pages: 293

I was hoping to be more wow'd by this book, as it was a very cute cover and a clever title I thought, and was pretty happy to have stumbled upon it at the library when I was literally browsing every shelf for a random book to read. Turns out it was just ok. I was not wow'd and while the title of another of her books sounds good as well I'm not thinking of reading it after this one let me down.

I did like the southern down home feel. I liked the country phrases and while the characters were religious to an extent, I did not feel as though I were being hit over the head with the religion. So yay, big plus there.

What didn't work for me was while I understand the reason for the bok being split into four parts because there was some stuff Catherine Grace dealt with in each of the sections. What didn't work for me was the third section how it seemed to lack any form. I don't mind a novel throwing in some epistolary sections, in fact I tend to enjoy them, but this felt incredibly disjointed, which if the author was going for that feel then kudos it worked, however it seems more like a happy accident. The section revolves around Catherine Grace being away from home and maybe that was the need for the disjointed feel. Makes sense to me if I try to rationalize it that way.

Anyways a two star book. It was kind of funny that I stumbled across the book that deals with a young girl in Georgia as she grows up. AND IT WAS IN THE ADULT FICTION SECTION! So here I am reading an "adult" book and I'm still reading about teens. Probably why I liked it at all.

Whaaaaat!!!

Ok so Saturday morning I get an email informing me of a new Twitter follower. It is MJ Rose the author of The Reincarnationist and The Memorist. I've read The Reincarnationist and was a little let down as I really expected the novel to be good. It had an awesome premise and I thought it would be similar to Dan Brown's Davini Code.....turns out it was but not far enough away to be a great story on its own. Disappointment to say the least. But it is cool that she is following me, little ol' random me on Twitter. All my Twitter posts are for the most part are my Goodreads updates. Still cool either way. I will say this: while I didn't particularly enjoy it, I will one day be picking up another one of her novels to give her another chance.

We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson

Read: October 21-27, 2011

read in 6 days

pages: 214

This story was just all kinds of strange. The characters were weird. You could tell when reading it that the family was just a little off. Not that that gave the town any reason to treat them as they did, however it sure explains alot. I liked the sisters. I found the uncle to be very strange and I really disliked the cousin that shows up on their doorstep. And I'm a little happy to find his stuff destroyed in the fire thanks to little sis and happy to see he is displaced from the home!

I was a bit let down that the tragic event that took place is never replayed as things happened in the moment. Things are recounted a few times over the course of the novel through the uncle's memories and the sisters at one point, but given the distance of the retelling it had little chill effect aside from the nonchalance with which the sisters and uncle speak of the event as though it were not too horrible.

The book was not fantastic but its wasn't bad either. Nothing I'm likely to re-read, and not really sure I could recommend it to anyone because I'm not sure who would really enjoy it. What I liked was reading something else by Shirley Jackson. I remember reading her short story The Lottery in high school and I liked it. So this was a nice addition to being a little more familiar with the author. I would like to read another one of her novels like The Haunting of Hill House. One day. Not likely one I'll read too soon though.

Battle Royale Volume 1 by Koushun Takami, Masayuki Taguchi

Read: October 16-20, 2011

read in 4 days

pages: 672

I'm still not sure what I should rate this book. I didn't hate Battle Royale, it is tolerable in a very twisted and sick way. While it is incredibly violent and reminds me very much of the The Crimson Labyrinth which I had a hard time with I was not as opposed to this as I was the novel. I'm not sure why the novel version of a similar idea of "survival of the fittest" bothered me more than this manga/graphic novel did. I'd think that seeing the images drawn out for me would have been worse. Course I'm not saying the images are tame by ANY MEANS and that it didn't bother me cause it did. This is incredibly graphic and could turn the stomach of some sensitive readers. While it didn't bother my stomach, it does make my heart race and makes me very tense. I'm literally jumpy as I sit here and type this. Crazy? Maybe but that's the honest to goodness truth.

The first night I read a chunk of this, and it reads super quick given the format and the intensity of which is pulls you in. It keeps you reading to see what will happen next, who will be the next victim and I found that I HAD to read a different book, something much lighter AND watch a half hour comedy sitcom before I felt calm enough to turn the lights out and go to sleep. That said I am definitely giving myself a breather between the first book and the second book.

I'd recommend the book to anyone curious about the concept of "survival of the fittest", anyone not weak of heart or stomach. I think this is the kind of book that will stick with you. It will not be easily left behind. If you are not interested in feeling anything as you read, well by all means by pass this one.

The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty

Read: October 15-16, 2011

Read in a day

pages: 180

Not terrible. Not great or amazing though either. Literally a weekend book. In fact depending on your speed you could finish this is in a day.

Young woman meets her father and step mother who is only 40 years old, which makes her younger than herself, in New Orleans to find out her father is losing his eye sight similar to the way her mother also lost hers years before. She returns to her childhood home with her step mother and her father in a coffin due to his death after surgery. Not sure exactly why he died, he did linger three weeks after his surgery though and the Dr did not believe it was the eye surgery that was the culprit. Either way Laurel returns to her childhood home and learns a little about herself, her parents and their relationship with one another and the true personality of the childish step mother she has. In the end Laurel finds that objects are not what she needs to cling to but the memories that she has of the loved ones she has lost.

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Read: October 10-14, 2011

Read for 4 days - ABANDONED not finished

pages read: 78

This reads very much like a text book. I have given up and will not be finishing the book. I just can't get through the book. The characters are incredibly flat. This is not so much a young adult book as it is a grade school book. It is educational in terms of one young girls experiences during the plaque that took over PA, and would be a great historical introduction for the younger crowd it is intended for.

I do have intentions on reading her novel "Speak" however to see if the hype over it is true and whether it really is that great of a novel or not.

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

Read: October 7-10, 2011

read in 3 days

pages: 396

Much much better than Revolution. I'm amazed really that this was written by the same author. This novel has much better characters and while there is SO MUCH going on in terms of issues the author touches on I was able to make a connection with the main character Mattie. Course it helps that she LOVES books and words as much as I do. Her thirst for knowledge is a characteristic I really enjoyed. It is inspiring as well. At one point she describes her teacher Miss Wilcox's library as though she has stumbled upon "Ali Baba's cave" and that she was "breathless, close to tears and positively dizzy with greed."

There is the issue of race with the Weaver as the only black boy in Eagle Bay. His mom is working and saving all her money to get him into college. The character is interesting but there is not a lot covered on him other than his father was killed in front of him and his mom for not having moved from the side walk when three white men told him to. Weaver experiences a similar incident and shows that he follows in the same temper and refuses to take crap from anyone. Unfortunately this is still 1906, and while he does seem to get some retribution when the men who beat him are arrested, the retribution is short lived as his mother and home is attacked and burnt and his college fund is taken.

Feminism is explored as well as it is introduced to Mattie thanks to Miss Wilcox. Mattie finds that the poems Miss Wilcox lets her borrow make her think in ways she has never thought of before. That women can be more than she ever knew possible. She finds that Miss Wilcox is actually Miss Emily Baxter: the writer of the poetry! So she exposes her to the idea and encourages her to get her education, get her diploma and also to pursue her writing into college and become a writer who makes people care about Eagle Bay and real people like herself.

Mattie also struggles with poverty. She knows she is poor but she also sees those around her like Emmie Hubbard who are worse off. She begins working at the hotel and is exposed to people who take vacations. To her "tourists are a race of people who have enough money to go on vacation for a week or two, sometimes a month or even the whole summer." Mattie can't imagine going a day without working. Its is the only way of life she has ever known. This hit home for me thanks to the current economy we live in. I can relate a bit to her thinking in this, as some people just don't know how the other half live.

Mattie does in the end decide rather than live the life that Royal is offering, one that is not a life based on love but on convenience, she decides she would much rather lead a life of her own. I was really surprised to see her leave in the end. I did not expect it. It was a nice surprise. I think what helped Mattie form her decision was being exposed to the strong willed, independent woman in Miss Wilcox.

The added twist to the novel was that there was a murder mystery element. Mattie was faced with whether or not she should uphold the promise of destroying the letters Grace had entrusted her with. She wrestled with promise keeping throughout the novel, and she realizes in the end that Grace has a story that deserves to be told rather than snuffed out after the letters are burnt.

Just a great story. I really enjoyed it. I'd recommend it to teens, it may not be up to speed for adults. But it was really good for being a teen novel. I'm not sure how accurate the historical aspects were, but for me what was there worked. I don't go back and fact check I tend to trust the author has done the leg work involved.

To Read List and Such

I'm nearly done reading A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly, and will likely have a posting for that tomorrow afternoon. Wow. I'm having a hard time putting it down when I pick it up. (I only set it down this time because its a tough moment for Mattie and I couldn't get my own emotions in check, so I'm going to pick it up again before bed.)

What a great story though. There is a lot going on and the book tries to tackle a lot of things. I'm enjoying the characters MUCH more than her novel Revolution. I could start reviewing it now although I have less than a hundred pages left. I'll wait though because I have a few quotes that I want to mention that caught me.

On another book related note, I ordered a copy of the book The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern from Amazon.com and I can't wait to get it in my hands. I heard about it a few weeks back on NPR when they had interviewed her. From the sounds of it the premise of a circus that only starts after dark I was intrigued, and then when she described the look of the book I knew I needed to see it first-hand. I'm sure it could be one of those false misleading books that have BEAUTIFUL covers and really not be too great to read, but since I was able to pay NOTHING for it thanks to my rewards on my Amazon card I thought why not?!

I've compiled a to-read list for the next few weeks, likely to last this month and quite possibly take me into next month as well. Its not set in stone or anything just a potential direction for my reading habit. I like a goal so.....and a portion of the list is......in no particular order........

I'm also at some point going to be reading Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant because I have every intention of seeing the film because well.............