Book 27 "Water for Elephants"

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen


A charming story of a young man in search of himself and who finds himself running away with the circus. The story unfolds itself to reveal a circus struggling for survival during the "Great Depression" and every man for himself. The plot thickens further with a love affair and a murder.

I'll be honest. I tried to avoid this book. It was on every bookstore shelf throughout the country and to add to my suspicion it came out in a major motion picture. So, I wasn't sure if I was simply getting caught up in the "hoop-la" or finding mmyself with a brilliant book overtaken by the masses? What I found was a marvelous story woven between adventure, tragedy, comedy, and romance. My recommendation would be to read the book. (Although I've heard the movie follows the book closely).

Between reading Water for Elephants and the Help I have found myself to be wrong on both accounts. I was surprised with this book and highly recommend it.

What really struck me

The brilliance in which Sara Gruen wrote the language between characters. The narrative was genius and the words coming from "old man Jacob" sounded realistic and was perfect. It shed a light on the world of a nursing home and the world of a circus all in one book.

Book 26 "Never Look Away"

Never Look Away By Linwood Barclay

David Harwood is glad to be spending some quality time with his wife and their 4 year old son. But what begins as a pleasant family outing turns into a nightmare after an inexplicable disappearance. A frantic search only leads to an even more shocking turn of events. David dives into his own investigation and into a web of lies and deceit. For every new piece of evidence he uncovers, David finds more questions...and moves ever closer to a shattering truth.

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I read this book. I could not believe where the author took the plot of this book. Amazing! In fact, there was one point where I literally could NOT put down the book and stop reading. I understand now why Stephen King said "This is the best thriller I've read in five years".

It's a wild ride of a book.

Book 25 "Dog On It"

Dog On It By Spencer Quinn



A mystery that doesn't amaze the reader, but a narration that goes beyond amusement. The story is narrated by 'Chet' the dog. Any animal lover will find this book a delightful read. I love how the author could put the reader in places where only dogs would understand. This appears to be a mystery series, so I look forward to adding more of Quinn's books to my reading list.

If you are looking for an easy, enjoyable mystery, look no further than Spencer Quinn. He delivers.

(on a side note: I love the play on words on the title: Dog on it.)

book 24 "Room"

Room By Emma Donoghue

The setting of the book Room is in....well, in a room. We are introduced to the main characters (Jack and Ma) as they try and survive being trapped and isolated in a room over 7 years by a psycho kidnapper named 'Old Nick'.

It's written from the five year old (Jack) perspective and most of the dialogue between Jack and his mother is written to sound like an under-socialized five year old would talk. Very realistic and profoundly sad.

The book (although fiction) sheds a light on the world of neglected children and missing people. In reality, it sheds a BIGGER light on how messed up people can be!! We live in a scary world. The fact that a human being can treat another human being with such indignity and foulness is unbelievable.

A good read. Prepare yourself for a few chapters of depression however....as the main characters plight becomes more and more apparent.

Book 23 "What Good is God?"

What Good is God? By Philip Yancey

For the struggling Christian, or the unbeliever, skeptic, or strong in faith. Philip Yancey is a writer for all. What Good is God? Isn't the first of his books that I've read, but it's one of the most intriguing. The subtitle of the book reads In search of a faith that matters. I think most people are searching, they might not even know WHAT they are searching for? Yancey does an outstanding job laying out Christianity both good and bad in a non-threatening manner.

I appreciate Yancey's style (which was first drawn to my liking in the book What's so Amazing about Grace?). Ironically, even his writing seems to be grace-filled. Anyone can read Yancey and come away with something.

If you are looking for a book outside the realm of fiction. Whether you are looking for a spiritual or non-spiritual non fiction book. I would highly recommend What Good is God? It definitely engages the reader and gets you thinking!!

Book 22 "Crashers"

Crashers

By

Dana Haynes

The authors first attempt at a thriller strikes a big hit and I wouldn't be surprised to see this in a motion picture in upcoming years. The book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and was difficult to put down. The word "intense" sums up the novel.

The book itself centers itself around the team of investigators who investigate plane crashes, a.k.a. "Crashers". The work of the crashers find themselves wrapped into an investigation of a airline crash in Oregon only to find themselves digging into a deeper plot. In fact, a terrorist plot. The team must race quickly to prevent another airline disaster at the hands of the terrorist.

Not a classic by any stretch, but a fast pace read for someone looking for a high adrenaline packed Tom Clancy-like novel.

Used Book Store Adventure

I have quite a little list of books growing on my "Book list to read" I'll have to do another post in the near future regarding the growing list. Many thanks to some of the used book store owners out there that gladly share their own list with me. (By the way...I just finished "Crashers" by Dana Hughes. Fantastic Thriller!)

This brings me to my current thought of the day. "Used Book Stores"

If you haven't visited one today, get out there and visit one! If you don't know of any in your area get out there and go hunting! I will blog in short, it's worth the trip!

My latest used book store hunt brought me to Owatanna, Minnesota. It happened to be "Crazy Days" and I stumbled upon a little book store in the downtown area. Out front along the sidewalk they had purchased a bulk supply of used and older "Library Hardbacks" and were selling them by the pound!!! How cool is that? I've seen meat sold that way, but to see old hardbacks sold that way...well, that was fairly interesting! Interesting enough that I went ahead and bought three new hardbacks at a whopping price of $10 (none of them being newer titles. But...thought they would be good reads).

1. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

2. Blood Oath by Christopher Farmsworth

3. Everything's Eventual by Stephen King

What really struck me (compared to Barnes and Noble) was the hands-on approach of the used book store owners. They were very helpful and struck a good conversation with me about current books, and some popular series.

Want an adventure in reading? Go out there and find a USED book store. It will be worth your time......I promise!!!

Book 21 "Of Love and Evil"

Of Love and Evil By Anne Rice

The 2nd book in her "Angel Time" series. The story of TobyO'Dare continues to unfold as he finds himself leaving a life of crime behind and instead working in the spiritual realm with angels.

Both books were fairly quick and entertaining reads. I find it interesting that Anne Rice's cult following has diminished a tad bit because of abandoning vampire talk and "Gothic horror". How ridiculous is that? Fiction is Fiction (in my opinion). Sometimes the author takes the reader down a path he/she isn't prepared for and the shock value follows. It would be like Stephen King writing a romance novel and leaving the world or horror behind. (My guess is that Stephen King wouldn't lose his followers. Harsh critics? Yes. But a total abandonment from his work? Doubtful).

Anne has a way of drawing the reader in with her sense of writing style. Angel Time is not my favorite series by any stretch of the imagination. However, its still worthy of a read. Personally, I read books for enjoyment, not because the author is atheist, agnostic, christian or buddhist. So, Anne Rice was atheist, and converted to catholic and supposedly renounced catholicism but still believes in God. (Who cares. Again......that's not why I read.) It will be interesting to see where Anne Rice takes this new series.

Book 20 "Angel Time"

Angel Time By Anne Rice

Anne Rice's new series about a guy named Toby O'Dare who finds himself involved in a secret operative agency as a hired assassin known to the CIA, FBI, and others as 'Lucky the Fox'. The story evolves to show Toby's desire to run away from his assassin days and believe in a God that he's only believed in fairy tales. He comes face to face with his guradian angel and is offered an opportunity of a life time to turn away from his evil ways and join the good side of God and the angels as they travel time to fight evil.

Not quite the same series as The Vampire Chronicles but was still an entertaining book. Her newest book in the series just came out and I look forward to adding it to my list and as a followup to Angel Time.