Fun facts about my 2008 reads

I've read:

22 male authors
36 female authors

4 non fiction
76 fiction

40 new authors

47 childrens/young adult
3 science fiction/fantasy
5 mystery

I've visited (that I can remember) Arkansas, New York City, California, Boston, Greece, London, Florida, Iowa, Alaska, England, New York state, Oregon, Los Angeles, Washington state, Washington D.C., Paris, Illinois, Iceland, the center of the earth, Minnesota and Long Island in books I have read this year.

Top 10 of 2008

in no particular order except for #1

1. World Without by Ken Follett
2. Five Children and It by E. Nesbit
3. Dooms Day Book by Connie Willis
4. The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe
5. The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
6. Carney's House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace
7. Five Dolls and the Monkey by Helen Clare
8. A Painted House by John Grisham
9. Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
10. Who Censored Roger Rabbit? Gary Wolfe

2008 reads

It's that time again! I can't believe it's the end of 2008 already. I love going through and seeing what I've read and my favorites.

January
1. The Tangle Box by Terry Brooks
2. Frankie Murphy’s Kiss List
3.A Painted House by John Grisham
4. The Diary of Melanie Martin by Carol Weston
5. Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson
6. Heartburn by Nora Ephron
7. Princess Diaries II: Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot
8. Princess Diaries III: Princess in Love by Meg Cabot
9. Princess Diaries IV: Princess in Waiting by Meg Cabot
10. Secret Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

February
11. Princess Diaries V: Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot
12. What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman
13. Night of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy
14. 24/7 by Jim Brown
15. Style by Maggie Sweet by Judith Stacey
16. Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown
17. Princess Lessons by Meg Cabot
18. Marrying Mom by Olivia Goldsmith
19. Dork on the Run by Carol Gorman

March
20. A Midsummer Night's Dork by Carol Gorman
21. The Mennyms by Sylvia Waugh
22. The Mennyms in the Wilderness by Sylvia Waugh
23. Princess Diaries VI: Princess in Training by Meg Cabot
24. The Mennyms under Siege by Sylvia Waugh
25. The Mennyms Alone by Sylvia Waugh
26. Five Children and It by E. Nesbit
27. Time for Andrew by Mary Downing Hahn
28. Harry's Mad by Dick King Smith
29. Dooms Day Book by Connie Willis

April
30. The Romanovs: The Final Chapter by Robert Massie
31. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
32. Heads or Tails: Stories from the Sixth Grade by Jack Gantos
33. Party Princess by Meg Cabot
34. Mennyms Alive by Sylvia Waugh
35. The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright

May
36. The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe
37. Rumspringa by Tom Shactman
38. The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
39. The Wish Giver by Bill Brittain
40. Princess Present by Meg Cabot
41. The Moon Stops Here by James Bennett

June
42. The Grown Ups by Victoria Glennding
43. The Royal Treatment by MaryJanice Davidson
44. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
45. On the Other Hand, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison

July
46. World Without End by Ken Follett
47. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
48. Knocked Out by My Nunga Nungas by Louise Rennison
49. The Daydreamer by Ian McEwan

August
50. The Wild Shore by Kim Stanley Robinson
51. Castaways on Long Ago by Edward Ormonyroyd
52. The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright
53. The Year of Yes by Maria Headley

September
54. After Caroline by Kay Hooper
55. Then There Were Five by Elizabeth Enright
56. The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson
57. Spiderweb for Two by Elizabeth Enright
58.A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
59. The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Carlson
60. The Magic Tunnel by Caroline Emerson
61. Cradle and All by James Patterson

October
62. Sons of the Profit by William Speidel
63. Who Censored Roger Rabbit by Gary Wolf
64. Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
65. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
66. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit
67. The Wednesday Wizard by Sherryl Jordan
68. Return to Gone-Away by Elizabeth Enright

November
69. The Seventh Sinner by Elizabeth Peters
70. The Hideaway Cave by Ruth Chew
71. Murder in Foggy Bottom by Margaret Truman
72. Tunnel Through Time by Lester del Ray

December
73. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
74. The Brethren by John Grisham
75. All Through the Night by Mary Higgins Clark
76. The Tales of the Beetle Bard by J. K. Rowling
77. Carney's House Party by Maud Lovelace
78. Danny Dunn and the Smallifying Machine by Jay Williams and Raymond Abrashkin
79. Five Dolls and a Monkey by Helen Clare
80. The Summer of Sassy Jo by J.P. Reading

The Summer of Sassy Jo

Title and author of book: The Summer of Sassy Jo by J. P. Reading

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? fiction, young adult

What led you to pick up this book? The title, really. I found it at a used book sale and there was not a plot sypnosis on the back so I picked it up on title alone.

Plot summary: 14 year old Sara Jo visits her recovering alcoholic mother for the summer who left her when she was 5.

What did you like most about the book? The character of Sara Jo, as did all the characters, seemed real and I liked how everything wasn't perfect. The relationship between her and her mother was very real too. This book surprised me. I wasn't expecting much out of it and it turned out to be a very good book.

What did you like least? Sara's attitude towards her mother and towards her life in general

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? no

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating? yes, 4.5/5

Five Dolls and A Monkey

Title and author of book: Five Dolls and The Monkey by Helen Clare

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? fiction, children's

What led you to pick up this book? I will read any books about dolls and dolls' houses

Plot summary: Elizabeth shrinks herself and visits her 5 dolls (and the monkey who lives on the roof) in their doll house.

What did you like most about the book? Really, the monkey was quite funny. The dolls' reactions to his antics are funny. I also loved the adventures of the dolls.

What did you like least? nothing

What did you think of the writing style? funny

Which of your readers are most likely to enjoy this book? Why? those who like books about dolls

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? This is the first one. There are others in this series about these dolls that I would like to read if I could find them; the books were written in the 50s and I just happened upon this one at a library sale.

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating? yes, 4.5/5

Danny Dunn and the Smallifying Machine

Title and author of book: Danny Dunn and the Smallifying Machine by Jay Williams and Raymond Abrashkin

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? fiction, young adult

What led you to pick up this book? It sounded interesting. I'm always interested in fantasy kids books.

Plot summary: Danny and his friends are accidentally shrunk by a shrinking machine.

What did you like most about the book? I liked that there was actually science behind how the body might work if it was shrunk. The book reminded me a little of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.

What did you like least? Some of the stuff that happened after they were shrunk. They wanted to get rescued immediately yet they ventured outside for food and water when they knew help would be coming near the shrinking machine. But then it wouldn't be much of a story, would it?

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? None. There are apparently a bunch of Danny Dunn books but I doubt that I will read them unless I happen to come across another and it looks interesting.

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating? yes, 3.5/5

Carney's House Party

Title and author of book: Carney's House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? fiction

Setting: Deep Valley, Minnesota, summer of 1911

What led you to pick up this book? I love all the Betsy-Tacy books so I wanted to read this one about their friend Carney

Plot summary: Carney is home for the summer from college and has her house full of guests, hence the title house party. (My first thought of the term house party is a wild party with young adults without their parents but of course this isn't the meaning here) Carney's boyfriend who she hasn't seen for 4 years is coming to visit and everyone is excited to see if he proposes.

What did you like most about the book? I love books taking place in this ear. I love how all the fashions are described and how different times were back then especially dating and friendship. It was fun to see the same characters from the Betsy-Tacy books showing up even Betsy herself.

What did you like least? Sometimes Carney's attitude bothered me.

What did you think of the writing style? love it!

Which of your readers are most likely to enjoy this book? Why? Those who like young adult books, nostalgia, and books set in this era

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? yes, I loved the Betsy-Tacy series; only discovered them a few years ago and wish I read them sooner!

Share a favorite scene from the book: I'm trying to think of one but most of it was great.

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating? yes, 4.5/5

The Tales of Beetle the Bard

Title and author of book: The Tales of Beetle the Bard by J. K. Rowling (I always want to say Tales of the Beetle Bard for some reason)

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? fiction, fantasy

What led you to pick up this book? I'm a Harry Potter nut so of course I had to read this one.

Plot summary: A collection of short wizarding fables with commentary by Dumbledore

What did you like most about the book? It was fun to read some more about the wizard world after Book 7. I liked the commentary by Dumbledore.

What did you like least? I don't think this book really needed to be written but it was fun.

Which of your readers are most likely to enjoy this book? Why? Harry Potter fans, of course!

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? yes, all of them and loved them. However, I probably won't read this one again but add it to my Harry Potter book collection.

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating? yes, 4/5

All Through the Night

Title and author of book: All Through the Night by Mary Higgins Clark

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? fiction, mystery

Setting: New York City, present times

What led you to pick up this book? I used to read a lot of Mary Higgins Clark books but not really so much anymore. I picked this book to read in December since it was a Christmas story.

Plot summary: Seven years ago a chalice is stolen from a church and on the same night a baby is left on the church steps. Years later, the mother tries to find her child. (just one of the plots)

What did you like most about the book? short and sweet

What did you like least? easy to figure out what was going to happen

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? I've read a lot of her books but nothing really recent. I enjoyed them at the time, but to be honest, I don't remember much about them.

What did you think of the ending? It wraps up everything nicely

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating? yes, quick to read and fluff, 3/5

The Brethren

Title and author of book: The Brethren by John Grisham

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? fiction

What led you to pick up this book? I like John Grisham's books.

Plot summary: Three judges in a federal prison pull off a blackmail scheme that affects some very important people.

What did you like most about the book? Quick paced, a page turner, interesting story

What did you like least? nothing

What did you think of the writing style? Typical Grisham. It may not be the best writing but it keeps me interested. It took me only 5 days to read this in comparision to the 2 weeks it took me to finish the Jules Verne book.

Which of your readers are most likely to enjoy this book? Why? Those who like John Grisham's writing; want something to read that is quick and fun

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? I've read most of his other books. My favorites are The Firm, A Time to Kill and The Chamber.

What did you think of the ending? I was hoping for a little more

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating? yes, 4/5

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Title and author of book: Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? science fiction

What led you to pick up this book?/where I got this book: I've always wanted to read Jules Verne; picked it up at a library book sale.

Plot summary: Harry and his uncle, following an ancient note, attempt to journey to the center of the earth.

What did you like most about the book? Parts of the journey, reading a book set in the late 1800s

What did you like least? Some of the sci fi stuff was boring. Some descriptions were too technical or too factual. I had the same problem when I read a lot of H.G. Wells books a few years ago. Maybe these first sci fi authors aren't for me.

What did you think of the writing style? Very detailed, very sci fi

Which of your readers are most likely to enjoy this book? Why? those who like science fiction or old books

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? nope, I will probably try a few others though

If this book has been made into a movie, and if you’ve seen the movie, compare the book to the movie.:I think there's been several movie versions; I have the latest one on my Netflix list

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating? yes, 3/5

Books for Christmas

I got a few books for Christmas this year.


L.M. Montgomery is my favorite author and I am a big Anne fan. Yet I hadn't gotten around to getting this book yet so I'm glad I got it for Christmas. I am going to start it after I finish the book. I am reading now.






Another L.M. Montgomery book. This one is a collection of essays and I know a few of the writers from a L.M Montgomery email list I belong to.












I have two other books of short story collections by Sholom Aleichem. His short stories are the basis for Fiddler on the Roof, my favorite musical so I am interested in reading the collections, none of which I have read yet.













I developed a passion for space history after reading Andrew Chaikin's A Man on the Moon. Into That Silent Sea focuses on the Mercury and Gemini era along with the Russian space race too.

Reading retrospective

I found this idea on Literary Feline's blog and decided to copy it too.

I started keeping a list of what I read in January 2000. Starting next month, I am going to go back 5 years and reminisce on what I read in January 2004. 9 years is a little far to go back and I don't have many notes from back then so 5 years it will be.

Life test

found this on Sandi's blog...bold the ones you've done

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee Jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill.
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Been transported in an ambulance
46. Walked on a beach by moonlight
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had Chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

41 of 100

Why I've been busy the past month

Quinn Joseph, born on November 2 8 lbs 11 oz, 21 inches

So, a lot less reading time for me this month although I did manage to read 4 books. I do read a lot when I am nursing him though. What I don't get to do is read in bed at night because I am usually going to sleep when he does.

Tunnel Through Time

Title and author of book: Tunnel Through Time by Lester Del Rey

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? fiction, young adult

What led you to pick up this book? I am a sucker for any time travel book.

Plot summary: Bob's father invents a time machine and Bob must go into the past to help find his father's colleague, the first time traveler.

What did you like most about the book? The time travel aspect and how it worked

What did you like least? Some parts in the past were boring to read

What did you think of the writing style? To me, this seemed like a book written for boys. That's not bad but very male focused.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? no

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating? yes, 3/5

Murder in Foggy Bottom

Title and author of book: Murder in Foggy Bottom by Margaret Truman

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? fiction, mystery

What led you to pick up this book? I live near D.C. and have read a lot of Truman's Murder In... books. I went to grad school in Foggy Bottom so that's why I picked this one up although it wasn't really set in Foggy Bottom

Plot summary:3 American planes have been shot down by missiles. Who did it?

What did you like most about the book? finding out who did it

What did you like least? Some of things that happened didn't seem true and way too conveinent for the plot.

What did you think of the writing style? One thing I notice about all Margaret Truman's books is how she describes what people eat in detail.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? I've read maybe half a dozen of her murder in DC mystery series. This one wasn't my favorite but I still mainly enjoyed it.

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating? yes, 3/5

The Hidden Cave

Title and author of book: The Hidden Cave by Ruth Chew

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? fiction, children's

What led you to pick up this book? looked interesting

Plot summary: Alice and Tom find a wizard in a cave and have some fabulous adventures

What did you like most about the book? The magical element to it

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? no, but I think I have a few of her books in my TBR pile

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating yes, 3.5/5

The Seventh Sinner

Title and author of book: The Seventh Sinner by Elizabeth Peters

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? fiction, mystery

What led you to pick up this book? I read Naked Once More a while back where the main character is Jacqueline Kirby who I loved. I discovered she is also in a few other of Peters' books so I picked this one up.

Setting: Rome

Plot summary: A student witnesses a murder and one of her friends, the so called Seven Sinners, may be the murderer. Jacqueline Kirby helps to solve the mystery.

What did you like most about the book? the setting in Rome, history and archaeology

What did you like least? I was pretty much disappointed by this book. How the main character runs into Jacqueline Kirby and how they become friends is unbelieveable to me. I didn't like the Seven Sinners; the whole idea of the group seemed very smug to me. The who done it part was ok but when the murderer was revealed it wasn't very interesting to me.

Which of your readers are most likely to enjoy this book? Why? fans of Elizabeth Peters and the Jacqueline Kirby character

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? I read Naked Once More featuring Jacqueline Kirby and one of the Amelia Peabody mysteries, which I can't recall the title right now

Do you recommend this book? If you use a rating system, what’s your rating? 2/5