An Untamed State (Book 52)

An Untamed State
By 
Roxane Gay

Not my most favorite book on the Reading Blitz. It just seemed like and endless book on the abuse of the main character during a kidnapping in Haiti. (And I know that was precisely the point of the book. Just got old after 370 pages of it).

Not to take away from the rave reviews from other sites on Roxane Gay's work. She clearly is a good writer. It was more the fact that the main character (Mireille Duval Jameson) drove me crazy. None the less, for those that like an intense read this book could be for you. You just have to get over the blood and abuse quickly, because every page is filled with it. 

The Enchanted (Book 51)

The Enchanted

By

Rene Denfeld

Let me start this posting by saying that Rene Denfeld's debut novel blew me away. It wasn't a complicated read, yet it was delicate and precise in every word written. Her attention to detail and the mystery of the story drew you in as a reader and the only escape was the fact that the book was 233 pages long! 

The genius of her writing was the natural ability to let the story end where it needed to end. Sometimes, I feel that certain authors will write endless paragraphs (only for the sake of making a thicker book). Denfeld was brilliant. B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T

I would recommend this book to anyone...regardless if you like the topic of a death row in a high security prison.

Christmas and Dickens (Books 48,49,50)

I felt it was appropriate to include Charles Dickens on this Reading Blitz. Since I was in the merry month of December..Dickens fit nicely with a Christmas theme. The Christmas stories weren't as big as some of his other titles (Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, Tale of Two Cities) but they were deeply rich words from a classic hand.

Book 48, A Christmas Carol

Book 49, Holiday Romance

Book 50, Christmas Stories

A Christmas Carol was largely the most popular (thanks to Hollywood) and read beautifully. The others were a little more time compressed with Old English language, but were still classic Dickens!

I believe I will try to add another classic Dickens novel this year. We will see! However, I would recommend Dickens. His work has lasted the test of time for a reason!

Kaleb (Book 4 and 5)

A Dog Called Kitty                                                     I Survived Pompeii
By Bill Wallace                                                            By Lauren Tarshis

Kaleb finished book  4 and 5 on his reading blitz...it is noted that Lauren Tarshis "I survived" series is a popular one with grade school kids. I know it's a personal favorite of both boys!

Kaleb was gifted a ton of new books from Grandma, so we will start to see those books creep into the reading blitz picture!

Kadyn (book 7,8,9)

Kadyn has been on a roll! He's been reading a few Gary Paulsen books for school, along with a reading project about Hurricane Katrina. The Hunger Games took him a little longer to chew through, but he is getting ready to start the second of the trilogy! Nine books (thus far) on his reading blitz! Not Bad!

Chronicle of a Death Foretold (Book 47)

Chronicle of a Death Foretold

By

Gabiel Garcia Marquez

I have to be honest in this blog and admit that the soul reason I read Marquez was to make up for my failure to read it in my World Literature class in college. Frankly, I skimmed it and lazily tried to convince my professor that I had read the pages.

Years later I return to this little gem of a book and glad that I made up for lost time by pausing and going back to wonders from the past. How many of us can admit doing this? I would suggest going back to the Moby Dicks, Great Expectations, and the Grapes of Wrath of our past. Whatever classic book we skipped over or whatever Cliff Notes we decided to help us skate by and avoid soaking in the message of thicker fiction.

Every time I go back and take on one of these skipped books, my literary heart gets rewarded! 

And so....Chronicle of a Death Foretold is added to the reading blitz.

Dry Bones In The Valley (Book 46)

Dry Bones In The Valley

By

Tom Bouman

Every once in a while I'll pick up one of those books that grab me. This is one of those books...its fast moving and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you might lose interest the plot takes a turn and the action takes off! Good Stuff! I wouldn't place it on the 'earth changing' literature section of my reading shelf, however; it's worth a quick twenty-four hour read. Honestly, it worked perfect for a reading blitz!

The Immortal Life of HELA (Book 45)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

By

Rebecca Skloot

I'm not a huge Non-Fiction fan. In fact, I typically try and avoid too much Non-Fiction so I can stay trapped into my little fantasy world. 

However, Skloot had my world tipped upside down, screaming FOUL, FOUL, FOUL!!!!! It was like a version of Dateline entrapped in the pages of a book. 

This book will blow your mind and open your world of conspiracy theory to all new levels! Only...it wasn't a theory! Henrietta Lacks was a real person. 

The research was well done and the writing was right there with it! Great book for #45!

Gone Girl (Book 44)

Gone Girl

 By

Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn has grown quite a cult following thanks to this little gem of a book (now a movie on the big screen) and it goes to show what good writing can do for Hollywood.

I like suspense and thrillers and Flynn didn't disappoint. I would highly recommend reading her books.

(Side note...I have been trying for months to read Sharp Objects and Dark Places and have placed my name on the beloved waiting list at the public library) If that isn't a clue on how wide her popularity has grown? 

I went to the book store twice and had her paper back version in my hand ready to buy and patience has overcome me. So...I wait, wait, wait all the live long day! 

My suggestion to anyone pondering if they should read her books? Just do it! Join the discussion at least (even if you dislike the common suspense novel).

The Marriage Plot (Book 43)

"The Marriage Plot"

By

Jeffrey Eugenides

I originally planned on reading Middlesex by Eugenides. However, when I was waltzing around Barnes and Noble I encountered his latest book and felt the urge to read it. 

I hear it's no comparison to his earlier work, but I wouldn't know. So, I attacked book number 43 in the blitz and the pages melted in my hand. (Hey, I got in touch with my feminine side. So what.) It has a decent love story to it (along with the wicked love triangle) and kept my interest peaked. (Not bad considering I usually go running for cover in the Science Fiction section of the Library! 

It made for a faster read as I am reading The Bourne Trilogy side by side with my other books. I blame my ADD. What? Huh? Squirrel! 

I liked Eugenides. He's worth a read over a nice warm cup of Joe!

House of Small Shadows (Book 42)

The House of Small Shadows

By

Adam Nevill

 

 

My first book by Nevill and without disappointment! Nevill has earned a reputation as a "Horror Genius" and has won countless awards around the genre.

Adding his latest book to my reading blitz was a creepy delight. The book is twisted (to say the least) and to make this a simple blog post I will keep it to a one word description.

"Creepy"

Between dolls and puppets, I don't know what creeps me out more!??

Unbroken (Book 41)

UNBROKEN
by
Laura Hillenbrand

Soon to be a break out film about former American Olympic Track star, WWII Vet and Japanese P.O.W. survivor, Louis Zamperini. 

The story has a wow factor simply from it being a true story! The story is unbelievable and yet TRUE. It's worth a read and hold on to the end! My gut has a feeling that director Angelina Jolie is going to hold to the original story as closely as possible! (Not to forget mentioning that Jolie and Zamperini were neighbors for years WITHOUT knowing each other!) Crazy!

Do yourself a favor and read the book before going to the movie!