The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It really felt like it took me forever to read this book. Despite the length of time that it took me, I would say it was worth it, although I was disappointed by the ending.
As I read other reviews online, I supposedly missed the concept of Art and how it affects people in certain ways. I would be interested in seeing the Goldfinch painting someday. I was disturbed by Theo and Kitsy's relationship. I was continually rooting for Theo to do the right thing, but was sadly disappointed. I found Kitsy's character to be self-centered and laughable.
All in all I thought it was a good read, but long. I disagree with the reviewers that state that is literary genius, but read it for yourself and let me know what you think.

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Orphan Train

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the first page of this book to the last, I was hooked and couldn't put it down! I enjoyed this book so much and I read it one day.
I thoroughly enjoyed reliving Niamh's journey from Ireland, to becoming Dorothy and then her life as Vivian. The addition of Molly's character gives Vivian's story a voice that it might not have had if they had not met. Molly's own sad tale of being orphaned and bouncing from home to home giving her a unique perspective on the world. I found the story unique and am curious on doing some more reading about the orphan trains.
Well done.

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The Rosie Project

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a great book.
The quirky and often blunt Don Tillman is such a love able character despite is generalized social problems. His analytical view of the world gives the reader a glimpse into the life of the person with Aspberger's. His search for love is so odd to the outsider, but makes complete sense to him. A simple questionnaire would find him the love of his life and it was called the "Wife Project". Don's quest to find love and partnership, is complicated by the "Rosie Project".
The underlying story of Don's compassion of a sorts to help Rosie find her biological father lead him to make a few discoveries about himself, love and life. I championed Don to find someone and was gripped by his relationship with Rosie.

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When I Found you

When I Found You by Catherine Ryan Hyde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have this terrible condition that leads me to not be able to put a book down once I start reading it. I started this book last night and finished it this morning. This book got me thinking about what would happen if I found a child like this? It seems like a divine intervention that just happened to have Nathan and Sadie (his dog), stumble upon a nearly lifeless newborn in the woods. This connection that Nathan felt for this baby was undeniable and as life brought changes to Nathan's life, he couldn't shake this feeling/connection.
I will never wash my hands of you, we a phrase that was echoed throughout the story. This story brought some very common problems that human emotion brings out into us everyday. One of the most powerful messages that has gotten me thinking is how when we don't like something about a person or situation, we look to place fault on the situation or the person and forget to look at ourselves and examine why we feel the way we do. I found Nathan to be very insightful to the human condition. I really wanted him to find utter happiness and felt like he was somehow incomplete.
I struggled with Nat's negatively and general disdain for acting "civil". He was a typical chip on his shoulder type of kid who goes through so much and finally realizes his mistakes in the end, despite Nathan's insights and teachings.
All in all it was good read.


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The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was recommended by a friend of mine, whom has the same Cancer background as I do. I found this a delightful read and a little close to home.

Hazel is a teenage struggling with finding herself amongst her peers and life, while battling Cancer. She meets Augustus who seems normal, despite his fake leg. He is full of life and antecdotes. Hazel is mesemerized and smitten. He is the one to bring her out of her "funk" and back into reality.

The background story of this book shows the difficulty in parenting a child with Cancer. I really appreciated the light that was shed from a parenting perspective on a child with Cancer and it made me appreciate my own parent's strength (in hindsight) even more.

I thought that the book was well written and the the teenagers were forced to grow up way too soon!

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2014 Plans

Ever since I got a kindle, which was years ago, I find the ease of purchasing books and storing them so easy. I do however miss the feel of a good book between my fingers and the old smell of a library book. That being said, I am going to try and read 50 books this year and start with some that are already on my kindle. I have already read 3 this year, so I need to pick up the pace. 1. Divergent by Veronica Roth 2. The Husband's Secret by Laine Moriarty 3. The Rosie Project 4. When I found you 5. The Book Theif 6. The orphan train 7. The house girl 8. The goldfinch 9. Mr. Penumbra's 24 hour bookstore 10. Invention of Wings 11. The Fault in Our Stars Its a good start, next up the Rosie project! Happy reading everyone.

Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In a society where you are defined by a set of norm's being different is hard. Beatrice or "Tris", is trying to find her place. Similar to the Hunger Games, this book has a nerve wracking choice for teens to make, stay with your families or change your course and go out on your own, with the clause of not ever being able to come back. The choice is tough, I don't think my 16 year old self could have ever left my family.
The virtues of the factions of society were also interesting choices. Imagining a world in which you are defined by your virtue is difficult. I imagine that I too am a divergent, but it would be much harder to keep my secret. Everyone has a secret.

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The Husband's Secret

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have a bit of a difficult time keeping multiple stoylines of characters together for too long before they interwine, this story sort of did that for me. Accompanied by the flashback scenes with new characters, I was a little confused.

The book did end up coming together and the "husband's secret", was not what I expected. I am not sure what would have happened if Cecilia had found the letter after John Paul's death and read the contents, but that would also make an interesting story.

I really enjoyed the epilogue and imagined all of the "what if's", that the author had considered.


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Julie and Julia

Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book.

It was such a quick read and inspired me to get into the kitchen and find my inner julia or betty crocker.




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Bisty Bait and BBQ

Bitsy's Bait & BBQ by Pamela Morsi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, I guess reading the fine print is really something we all should do. Buying a B&B should be something exciting and full of promise, but not for these ladies. Not realizing that their sight unseen B&B, is actually a Bait and BBQ, do they realize the challenges that lie ahead for them.

The 2 sisters, Emma and Katy are learning about family and the ties that bind them together as they struggle to run a business.




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A year on Ladybug Farm

A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love getting wrapped up in a good book that I cannot put down, well this is one of them.

The story of a Year on Ladybug Farm was a quick read with a few surprises that I didn't see coming. The intertwined lives of Cici, Bridget and Lindsay all come together as one on Ladybug Farm. A hatched plan of dreams and ambition keep them together in their 1st year on the farm. Their relationships with each other are tested to the limit when everything that could go wrong, likely does. I felt sorry for them and want to go help them out!

The three women all friends, couldn't be more opposite in terms of their personalities and passions. Life has handed them all their fair share of heartbreak and struggle.

I'd definitely recommend this book for women, dreamers and those seeking something unusual.

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The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So I couldn't sleep the other night and I realized that I had this book on my Kindle and I hadn't read it yet! First off, let me say, I couldn't put it down! I read the entire book in one sitting, minus one bathroom break!

While I know that this book was intended for young adults, I thought it was just brilliant. I had a hard time at first imagining a futuristic world, but then it all came together. The storyline of the background of the Hunger Games is very disturbing to me, but then I had to remember, this is just fictional.

Katniss had just the amount of spunk, arrogance, bravery and sulking teenager in her to make you love her character and feel bad for her at the same time. I always enjoying reading a story about the underdog and the trials they have to endure and this book fits that to a T.

This is definitely a quick and good read and I recommend it to anyone looking to escape for a few hours.


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Grayson

Grayson by Lynne Cox


My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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I just finished this book last weekend. When I picked it up, I flied through it in the beginning, I was hooked, but then it completely fizzled for me. It was long and drawn out and could have ended in 80 pages

Wanderlust

Wanderlust by Chris Dyer


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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A cute quick read that would qualify was "chick lit". The storylines were interwoven and I cheered for Bogie even though she had/has questionable choices. I was intrigued by the book because I have always wanted to be travel writer. It was quick read that had no "real" dialogue, but a series of emails going back and forth between the heroine and all of the other characters. It was amusing to read.

The Namesake

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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I completely and throughly enjoyed this book. I loved the multiple story lines and rooted for Gogol througout the book. I empathized with his struggle and have gained more understanding into Indian culture.
I can't imagine having a prearranged marriage or how it feels to try and find myself in a foreign land. I appreciated the stories and couldn't put it down.

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book.



While I thought it a bit disturbing in the beginning the book grew on it and I couldn't put it down.



Bod (Nobody) was a lovable character that was trying to fit in, in both a world of humans and of the afterlife.



I know that this book won a Newberry award and is found in the children's section of the bookstore...I am suprised though, because it starts out with murder in some, but not overly explict detail which I found a little too much for a child.



I'd recommend this to everyone.


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Unaccustomed Earth

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have been wanting to read this book for a while now and I am SO glad that I did.



I love to feel like I have been educated in some way when I read a book and this book did that for me in a way. I feel like I have a better understanding of Indian culture. It put together pieces for me in how other cultures live here in america. She showed us how some people change and some don't and how it affects their families.



It was great book with separate storylines that all seemed woven together in a very loose way.



I would recommend this book to everyone.


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The girl's guide to hunting and fishing

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
So I picked this book up in the bargain bin at my local library and read it about a day.



It was a quick read, kind of cutsy, kind of strange. The poor girl in the story had some strange relationships which were hard to relate to.



I am not sure if I would recommend it unless you like chick lit types of books.


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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I wish I would have waited for this book to come out in softcover, like I saw at Target today, but I am glad I read and purchased it none the less.

I have to admit was a bit of a skeptic when I first purchased this book. A book of letters...I was like ugh, how am I going to like this. But it was absolutly brilliant! I loved every minute of this book. Admittedly, I am not a very visual person and I could picture in my mind what Dawson, Eben, Amelia, Isola, Kit, Sidney and Juliet all looked like. I was able to imagine Guernsey Island and how it must have felt before, after and during the War.

I was so excited when Juliet finally decided to make a visit to the Island and made it much for picturesque and vivid. It gave me a great feel for what it was like during the occupation of the war. The stories were all sad, but showed the capabilities of the human spirit. I was so happy when Juliet found a voice for her book in the end.

It was great book. I'd recommend it to everyone.


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Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a difference the story makes when written from a different perspective. I absolutly loved that Ms. Meyer decided to give us readers a twist by writing a section of the book from Jacob's perspective. It made things much more clear and made me love his character even more. I am amazed at the length's he'd go for Bella, who wouldn't return the love he for her. I think that makes him a stand up guy, to step aside and let Edward have her, even though he was pining for her. I am glad to see the story end as and in a happy way as it had.




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