Shattered Faith

Shattered Faith
By Sheila Rauch Kennedy
0679439951221 p

Finished the book and had to jump online to find out what happened next- the story ends basically as a cliffhanger! But the book- clearly outlines the disturbing practice of annulments being handed out left and right and the psychological damage it does to the children of the marriage/nonmarriage. Emotional. I wonder what Joe's second wife thought of the whole thing.
8/10

The Royals

The Royals: Their Lives, Loves and Secrets
by People magazine
143 p

Heavy on the royals in England, naturally since we have such a fascination with them and they've been on People magazine so much. Gorgeous photos, would expect nothing less from People. Good overview.
8/10

Then + Now

Then + Now
by Stefania and Dominic Perring
0785811168 143 p

I like these books, just a brief overview. Someone should do a series of more indepth ones, like 20+ pabes on each site with numerous painted reconstructions.
8/10

Going All the Way

Going All the Way
By Craig Groeschel
9781590529386 209 p

Full disclosure: I'm a born-again Christian, have been for 12 years, have dated but haven't "gone all the way" in the worldly sense. Dating a non-Christian at the moment.

On to the book, too strict for me in some ways- no flirting? no suggestive comments? What will I do at work all day?? Seriously, everyone at work knows who I am and what I stand for, they certainly don't see me as immoral because of a few comments. It's about walking the walk, flirting is just fun, doesn't mean anything except friendship (of course this is for me, other people are different of course.)

I get what he's saying about no sleepovers, but it's faulty logic that he uses to get there- you shouldn't be in the same bed with someone you're not married to because you wouldn't do that after you married with someone who isn't your spouse. What about kissing? Arm around the waist or shoulder? Dating? You wouldn't do any of those things after you were married to someone who wasn't your spouse (unless you wanted to seriously piss off your spouse), so you can't do them before you're married? Yes, there is a line, but he doesn't use sound reasoning to draw it.

Funny book, many good points. But, and I'm going to sound completely ungodly here, I think he went a little overboard on some of his rules.
7/10

The Christmas Box Miracle

The Christmas Box Miracle
by Richard Paul Evans
0743219422 261 p

I haven't read The Christmas Box, I suppose I should have before reading this. But this was an intriguing book to read anyway. His path, how he learned to listen to that "voice", how he's continued to learn what he's doing wrong. He sounds like a good guy, trying to do the best he can with the crazy rollercoaster he's on.
9/10

How You Do... What You Do

How You Do... What You Do
By Bob Livingston
9780071606127 287p

This book outlines the Service Excellence initiative, how to put it into practice at a company. Much of it focuses on a company called Crossmark, where Mr. Livingston spent 4 years implementing the initiative. Full disclosure: I work for Crossmark, was involved (on the lowest rungs) in the meetings, and was even awarded a service excellence award (the last one given before Crossmark changed their system). So I knew most of what this book was telling to reader, I lived it. But it was still interesting to read, as was the non-Crossmark stuff!
8/10

The Last Battle

The Last Battle
By CS Lewis
0064409414 211p

Wow. Last 2 pages, what a shock. But what of Susan? Amazing end of the series, best ending possible
9/10

The Silver Chair

The Silver Chair
By CS Lewis
0064409457 243 p

(book 6 of the series) The links to Jesus and Christianity weren't as clear to me until the Lady underground with the enchantment that failed. Yet the school in our world should have tipped me off! This book is the closest to our world of the series because of that school, ugh.
8/10

Power to the People

Power to the People
by Laura Ingraham
9781596985162 321 p

Straightforward, though not very specific, on how to put governmental power back where it should be- in the hands of the people. Ordinary people have almost no control in politics, this book shows why that's a bad thing!
8/10

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
By CS Lewis
248 p

(book 5 of the series) I love Reepicheep, he's so funny! Gallant and all that, of course, but also amusing. Aslan, of course = amazing! There's so much more to be told, though. The Voyage of the Kings, the sea people, Ramandu's daughter's story, Eustace afterwards (does he end up back in Narnia? I think yes, 2 more books to find out!)
8/10

Love in the Time of Cholera

Love in the Time of Cholera
By Gabriel Garcia Marquez
97803073871741 348p

I was expecting much more of this, being such a best seller and talked about everywhere. Actually, it was kind of a let down. Weird, too, like Slaughterhouse-Five minus the war plus obsession. Odd book overall.
7/10

The Really Inconvenient Truth

The Really Inconvenient Truth
By Ian Murray
9781596980549

Interesting, very detailed and well-researched.
8/10

Flirting with Pride and Prejudice

Flirting with Pride and Prejudice
edited by Jennifer Crusie
1932100725

Good, not great. Interesting, some more than others. It's hard, because there are sections I would have given a 9 or 10, others deserving of a 5 or 6. Luckily, there were many interesting insights into a favorite author. Pride and Prejudice is also one of my 2 favorites of hers, so I'm a harsh critic of anything related to it (or Emma!). But this book is definitely worth the time for a fan.
8/10

Our Dumb World

Our Dumb World: Atlas of the Planet Earth
By The Onion
9780316018425

Hysterical, for the most part. How many times did they mention "Steve"? I wonder who he is, they seem to put every annoying trait onto him. Only problem was how many times they mentioned rape in a supposedly "sarcastic" or "funny" way. I get that they're basically all guys (one woman writer, 2 artists, 1 copy editor and some interns) but still, rape is just not funny. Once or twice to get a point across, but it got ridiculous how often it was mentioned.
8/10

The Darcy Connection

The Darcy Connection
By Elizabeth Aston
9781416547259

Cute. Again, too many marriages at the end, but at least they were a bit more spread out and those that weren't had a reason for being so close. Cute characters, none overly memorable.
8/10

The Second Mrs. Darcy

The Second Mrs. Darcy
By Elizabeth Aston
1780743297295 300p

I like reading familiar names of people and places. Good, Austen-like characters, as always with Elizabeth Aston's books. Little too tidy at the end, all the proposals within minutes of each other.
8/10

What's so Great about Christianity

What's so Great about Christianity
by Dimesh D'Souza
9781596985179 306 p

Last chapter redeemed this book a little, but on the whole, I didn't enjoy it. Not very convincing. Won't be recommending it to any aetheist friends, that's for sure. Well-researched.
7/10

Dreams from My Father

Dreams from My Father
By Barack Obama
442p

He's crazy. Wow. I'm speechless but I'll try. You can tell a racist very easily, apparently- they're white. That's handy, so you don't have to actually get to know them. Like his grandparents. Who raised him, with his single mother. All racists. Thank goodness he met his father that one time, so he can idolize the deadbeat. Oh, harsh? Deadbeat dad, walks out on his family and doesn't take an interest in his kids. Yeah, that about covers it. Obama idolizes the wrong members of his family, he should be looking up to his amazing single mother and grandparents.
6/10

The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Bible

The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Bible
By Edward P. Moser
0517707896 50p (well, that's all I read before stopping)

Didn't like it at all. I guess the "pc" wars aren't very relevant anymore. Years ago, I read the PC fairy tales and loved them. This book just wasn't funny, I stopped reading 50 pages in.
6/10

A Lost Lady

A Lost Lady
By Willa Cather
174p

Very well-written and moving until the last chapter. It seemed almost a cop-out, a Hollywood ending type move. I was disappointed by it, sadly enough.
7/10

Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn
by Stephenie Meyer
754 p

Awesome end to the series. Intricate, interesting, thrilling. Crazy twist at the end and yet believable, amazingly enough. She should definitely write the next book, the 6 1/2 years later book maybe?
9/10

Night Moves

Night Moves
By Nora Roberts
0373510071 221p

Decent writing and characters, nothing extraordinary this time.
7/10

Cosmopolitanism

Cosmopolitanism
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
0393061558 176p

Okay, came highly recommended, but I found it too disjointed. He rehashed things a few times in the course of a chapter. Just seemed like it could have been shorter. And should have been.
7/10

Angels Fall

Angels Fall
By Nora Roberts
444p

Definitely didn't see the end coming! Surprisingly, I had no idea who the villian was. Good characters, I always like the secondary characters so much- Joanie, Lo, Linda-gail, Serge.
8/10

Eclipse

Eclipse
By Stephenie Meyer
629p

Lots of twists and turns. She's gotten more comfortable writng the kissing scenes. I can't believe Jacob is asking Bella to be his Leah, though. Definitely annoyed at him for that!
8/10

Ten Minutes From Normal

Ten Minutes From Normal
By Karen Hughes
0670033057
335p

Interesting woman with such a different life. She's funny and well-spoken (well-written?). Definitely a good book to read, liked the behind-the-scenes feel of it. Of course, huge West Wing fan here!
8/10

New Moon

New Moon
By Stephenie Meyer
9780316160193 563p

Figured out the Jacob thing pretty quickly. Nice plot twist with the clliff, didn't see that becoming important. Melodramatic but a fun read. Loved the Paris analogy, that was my favorite chapter. Definitely looking forward to the 3rd!
8/10

The US Open

The US Open: Game, Set, Unmatched
By Roger M. Williams
0783552602 185p

Went to the US Open, almost finished this book on time! Some terms in here I didn't understand, obviously meant for people who know tennis. And old-1996. But good, gave me a good background on what I saw Saturday.
8/10

1,001 Things You Always Wanted To Know About The Bible, But Never Thought To Ask

1,001 Things You Always Wanted To Know About The Bible, But Never Thought To Ask
By J. Stephen Lang
0785267921

Interesting. Learned some new things! Wrote down some things to research further.
8/10

Prince Caspian

Prince Caspian
By C.S. Lewis
0064409449

I liked the movie better, surprisingly enough! Doesn't happen often...
8/10

With Open Arms

With Open Arms
By Nora Roberts
0373285043
377p

Two stories:
Song of the West: Good characters, twins are such fun. A bit cliched with all the storms but good- 8/10

Her Mother's Keeper: Really??? She couldn't keep herself from being alone with him when she first thought her mother and he were lovers? Seriously, that's a bit slutty and stupid as well. 7/10
8/10

Family Happiness

Family Happiness: and Other Stories
By Leo Tolstoy
0486330818

Moving stories. Yes, about Russian peasants and others but of course really about all of us. Sad, in ways, as well.
8/10

Rules of Play

Rules of Play
By Nora Roberts
0373285116 425p

2 stories
Opposites Attract- 7/10, fun characters, though the secondary characters weren't very fleshed out. Going to the US Open in a few weeks, wish she had told me what to wear, haha!
The Heart's Victory- 8/10, loved Charlie. Why wasn't he there more?
8/10

Twighlight

Twighlight
By Stephenie Meyer
9780316015844
498p

Good characters, definitely a new story line! First person is the hardest to write and she does it wonderfully. I'm not obsessed with this book, as so many people are, but I will definitely be reading the sequel!
8/10

The Horse and His Boy

The Horse and His Boy
By CS Lewis
0064409406

8/10 but only after Aslan shows up! Nice twist about Shasta's father at the end, though I should have seen it coming. Not sure why I didn't, just had a vague thought that never hardened into an idea.
8/10

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
By Tom Wolfe
0553264915 372p

Amazing! Definitely takes you into the middle of the scene. Don't know how accurately, having never done LSD or been "on the bus" haha! But it felt right, you were right there with the people.
8/10

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
By CS Lewis

Kid's book, of course, but I had to reread the series! Didn't like the idea of who the white witch was- basing her on a tradition instead of the Bible- but good book anyway, of course. Loves the movie, glad it followed the book very closely.
8/10

The Magicians Nephew

The Magicians Nephew
By CS Lewis
202p

Last 2 pages were my favorite, completely setting up the next books!
9/10

What About Christian Rock?

What About Christian Rock?
By Dan Peters, Steve Peters and Cher Merrill
218p

Might have been relevant at it's time, I'll give it that much. But pretty out of date now. I guess they're right in quoting Loyd Boldman "The joke is, if you want something to be okay in Christian circles, just wait ten years, and suddenly it's okay because it's no longer new." I never even knew there was ever an issue with people being against Christian rock.
7/10

Wicked Forest

Wicked Forest
By V.C. Andrews
067103992X

Miguel is not discussed enough. Thatcher is kind of forgotten about so that the revelation about him turns out to not really matter. All around, not that shocking or anything.
And this is the last VC Andrews book I'll be reading. No, I didn't finish all the books, I'm just tired of them. I'm done.
7/10

Bonfire of the Vanities

Bonfire of the Vanities
By Tom Wolfe
0553275976

Interesting. I liked how the seemingly unrelated characters all came together at the end, but I didn't like the abrupt ending.
8/10

Willow

Willow
By V.C. Andrews

Just okay. Interesting story and the first in a series so you can't expect too much! Need some questions to be answered in books 2-4. Thatcher is good though, him I like. I guess we'll see where that ends up.
7/10

Cordina's Royal Family: Bennett and Camilla

Cordina's Royal Family: Bennett and Camilla
By Nora Roberts
0373285329

To books, both the same score:
The Playboy Prince
and
Cordina's Crown Jewel
Good books, solid, interesting characters, normal Nora Roberts stuff.
8/10

The 3 Musketeers

The 3 Musketeers
By Alexandre Dumas
754p

Wow, no pretty or Hollywood endings here. Great story, full of intrigue. A classic, so really what can I say about it that hasn't already been said? But, good characters, lucky guys! Abrupt ending in some ways, which seems silly to say after such a long book!
8/10

Cordina's Royal Family: Gabriella and Alexander

Cordina's Royal Family: Gabriella and Alexander
By Nora Roberts
0373285205
507p

2 books:
Affaire Royale: I figured out who did it halfway through, still a good book. Reeve was fun, the snatches she remembered were good- not just about romance but also about her family, who would have been more important to her than the romance stuff. Very nice. 8/10
Command Performance: Good characters, again. I really like Bennett, can't wait to read his fall-in-love story, which I hope is from his point-of-view. This was from Eve's, which was fine, but being that it was supposed to be about the royal family, I would have been happy if it was from Alex's pov. 8/10
8/10

The Winding Ways Quilt

The Winding Ways Quilt
By Jennifer Chiaverini
310p

I love these characters! I usually listen to her books on CD, so this was different. I think I've only read one other of the series in book form. Goes much faster to read it instead of listening.
8/10

Concerning Famous Women

Concerning Famous Women
By Boccaccio, translated by Guido A. Guarino
251p

Okay. I guess. One thing that shows clearly- he's not a big fan of women having sex! Wow, how many women did he condemn for enjoying sex with their husbands? Or I think he put it as only being acceptable for having children. Was this book taken seriously? It seems to have been. On one hand, first women's biography, yeah! On the other, misogenistic overtones almost invalidate that. I learned yesterday that blatant, disgusting misogeny is still alive and not just in the movies and on tv. It's sickening.
7/10

Honest Illusions

Honest Illusions
By Nora Roberts
492p

Yes, I'm a sucker for the long range stories, covering years as the main characters grow up and fall in love. And magic is always fun to read about, at least the illusion kind! Anyway, cute book, liked the final outcomes on everything.
8/10

Virgin

Virgin: The Untouched History
by Hanne Blank
276 p

Social history of how virginity has been viewed by societies in the past and today. Greek, Roman, Jewish, early Christian, up to today in the US and around the world. Favorite quote, p17: "A woman's sexual choices now include, in ways that have not historically been the case, the option to decline." Definitely should have been a longer book. C'est la vie. As it is, interesting overview of the subject. And I learned from carrying this book around that the word 'virgin' will invariably cause a reaction. Some people will comment and ask questions, while others will ignore. Some of the same people who ask about every other book I read ignored this one once they saw the cover. So it is a relevant topis for us all, even today, not just for a social historian.
9/10

March of the Hooligans: Soccers Bloody Fraternity

March of the Hooligans: Soccers Bloody Fraternity
By Dougie Brimson
9780753512937 194p

Shame this is the only book by Dougie Brimson my library system has. Interesting overview of the Hooligan movement, very short book so it couldn't be more than an overview. I loved Green Street Hooligans, which he wrote (didn't realize that until I read the intro!). I don't see hooliganism taking root in America, though. Soccer will never be as big here. It's hard to large groups of fans to get to away games like they do in Europe. But he could be right, the rivalry between DC United and the Red Bull fans has already led to violence, I know (but luckily have only seen on YouTube!). For now, it is fun, not dangerous. 5 years down the road, who knows? I'll be sticking with the ESC for now, but keeping an eye out, in case Dougie Brimson is right.
8/10

Redeeming Love

Redeeming Love
by Francine Rivers
1576738167 464 p

An okay book, interesting modern take on Hosea. But too much telling and not enough showing. I guess that makes no sense if you've never taken a creative writing class. And it's not as bad in this book as in Danielle Steel. But there was a lot that was straight narrative told instead of shown through actions. Made the characters just what they are- characters in a book. Not living, breathing characters as they could have been. Still, good story, nice tidy ending of course.
7/10

World Without End

World Without End
By Ken Follett
9780525950073 1014p

Great book! I loved hearing the 'end' of Pillars of the Earth and this was a much more interesting way to tell it- a few generations later. So you hear the important facts but don't get tired of the characters since they're dead, of course. 1989 to 2007, long time to wait, glad I only read Pillars a few weeks ago, not 20 years ago!
8/10

Rhett Butler's People

Rhett Butler's People
By Donald McCaig
498p

Good. Not as good as Scarlet. And there are a few liberties taken. Well, 'revisions' maybe is a better word? Melly eavesdropping on a conversation between Scarlet and Rhett, for example. And the letters Melly and Rosemary write to each other! My word, proper ladies didn't talk about those things in those days, did they? I'm pretty sure...
8/10

Finding the Dream

Finding the Dream
By Nora Roberts
0515120871 336p

Okay, 3rd and last in the series. I didn't like Michael as much as Josh, but I did like him more than Bryon. Guess I like the friends turning into more storyline? Also, Josh was just funnier and flirtier than the other two guys!
8/10
4/16/08 12:03 AM

Home

Home
By Julie Andrews
9780786865659 325p

Surprising, genuine, very funny. She must be an amazing person to know. I hope there's a part 2 of this, to cover the next phase in her life! (edit 4/15- just read an article, nope she says there won't be a part 2, everyone already knows the next part of the story!)
9/10

Holding the Dream

Holding the Dream
By Nora Roberts
0515120006 345p

2nd in series. Didn't like Byron that much. Wish there was more of Josh, he's just great! Cute though, Kate is a fun character. You know, I actually hope they don't find the treasure in the 3rd book, just one more coin for Laura.
8/10

The Thirteenth Tale

The Thirteenth Tale
By Diane Setterfield
9780743298025

Spellbinding. Just when you think you may have figured out a piece of the puzzle (for you will never feel like you figured the whole thing out), you turn the page. And just like that, a new name, a new circumstance, a new problem arises. And you are back 3 steps, rearranging what you thought you knew.
9/10

Christine de Pizan: Her Life and Works

Christine de Pizan: Her Life and Works
By Charity Cannon Willard
0892550848 223p

Interesting life, pretty amazing woman. I like the breakdown of it, nice flow, I guess is the word I'm looking for!
8/10

The Pillars of the Earth

The Pillars of the Earth
By Ken Follett
973p

Beautiful. I loved how everything was so weaved together, decades of stories that all came together. Things on page 20 explained on page 920, I love books like that. I did wonder about little things, I would have loved to hear the end for some people- Elizabeth specifically, but also Ellen and Francis. Overall, though, brilliant and moving and, if it doesn't sound too flippant, entertaining.
9/10

Art of the Middle Ages

Art of the Middle Ages
By Michael Batterberry

Didn't have much to do with my thesis until the last 5 pages, but a pleasant book anyway. Very nice and rare to have color pictures, so I was happy about that!
8/10

Girl, Interrupted

Girl, Interrupted
By Susanna Kayson
0679746048

The fragmentation of her memories is so perfect. ven saying that pretentious thing, I know it just happened that way. She didn't plan it. I just can't decide which I like better- the book or the movie.
8/10

Chesapeake Blue

Chesapeake Blue
By Nora Roberts
0515136263

4th in the series, picks up a few years later, with Seth all grown up. Good to see these characters years down the road. Nora Robers is brilliant in her snappy dialogue, I definitely laughed out loud quite a few times during this series.
8/10

Bel Canto

Bel Canto
By Ann Patchett
0060934417

Wow. Amazing, beautiful and literally breathtaking. I honestly forgot to breath a few times! "There was such an incredible logic to kissing, such a metal-to-magnet pull between two people that it was a wonder that they found the strength to prevent themselves from succumbing every second."- there's a sample for you. The characters were amazing and the story was interesting and different. But it was the descriptions that really made it into a masterpiece. A dinner is interrupted by a group of kidnappers. They take everyone hostage and this is what happens next. Loved it, can't say enough good things about this book.
10/10

Inner Harbor

Inner Harbor
By Nora Roberts
0515124214

One of her best ones. The characters, wonderful. And we got enough of the characters from books 1 and 2 to really be invested in what happened. Cam was my favorite, but it's now a tie- Phillip is wonderful too! Great tying of the story and I definitely didn't see the twist coming (odd, since just a few hours ago I was talking to a friend about how predictable romance novels are!)
9/10

The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story

The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story
By Diane Ackerman

Well, I would have smacked the son for being so chauvenistic, but what, he was a product of his time? Animals, adorable, but I really wanted to hear more about the people. How they were hidden, how long, their daily existence. A map of the city and of the zoo would have helped. Overall, interesting book about extraordinary people. Wish we knew more about what Jan did, but then the book isn't called "The Zookeeper", now is it?
8/10

Rising Tides

Rising Tides
By Nora Roberts
05152317X

2nd in the story. Doesn't advance Seth's story much, seems like most 2nd parts of a trilogy- a placeholder. Good characters, just not explosive.
7/10

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Visual Companion

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Visual Companion
By Jude Fisher
0618390979

9 Kings w/ the rings= 9 Nazgul/Ringwraiths... seems so obvious, how did I not know that??
"There may come a day when the courage of men fails... an hour of wolves before the Age of Men comes crashing down- but it will not be this day! This day we fight!"
Glad there is no real picture of Shelob, just her legs. Ugh, spiders!
Odd way to end the book. Good though, wonderful pictures. I loved the 2 pages on Sam the Hero, since he definitely is!
8/10

How Green was my Valley

How Green was my Valley
By Richard Llewellyn

So descriptive about everything from the coal mines to a kiss to a prize fight. The kiss description did surprise me, being that this book was written in 1940. Very erotic, I would think even now. I do wonder, though, about the rest of Huw's life. We only get hints. Although maybe that's better.
9/10

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Visual Companion

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Visual Companion
By Jude Fisher
0618258027

Foreword by Viggo Mortensen, yeah! My favorite! This book told me some things I didn't know, like who Aragorn's horse once belonged to! Not in the movie, as far as I remember, but still little interesting tidbits. The last image, of Helm's Deep, is just beautiful!
8/10

The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl
By Philippa Gregory
9781419329975 (book on cd)

Very powerful. Wonderfully written. The characters are just amazing. And even though you know how it all ends, how it must end being after all part of history, you still hope. At least I did. And yes, I know that Mary Boleyn was probably nothing like this, that history says her life was very different. But that's okay, this was a great "what if?" anyway.
9/10

The Abolition of Man

The Abolition of Man
By CS Lewis
0020867905

"To 'see through' all things is the same as not to see." If everything is transparent, there is nothing to see. So you must know what is a window and what is a landscape. The quotes at the end are great, so many places where the same thing is said in so many ways.
8/10

Atonement

Atonement
By Ian McEwan
0385503954

What??? Okay #1, how in the world do you make this into a movie? Everything takes place in people's heads, well almost everything. #2 the ending. The last 2 pages. (I'll try to be vague for anyone who hasn't read)- so what is truth? And does it matter? Does it matter for a movie more than for a book? I liked the set-up, over all I just wasn't satisfied. Not enough of Robbie to feel for him- especially the section in the London flat.
7/10

Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots
By Lady Antonia Fraser

Very moving portrait of a woman who seemed to have everything but ended with nothing material. The best passage- after her death, her son bows to pressure and calls for mourning, "the earl of Sinclair appeared before him dressed in steel armour in place of black. When James asked whether he had not seen the general order for mourning, Sinclair sternly replied: 'This is the proper mourning for the Queen of Scotland.'"- meaning apparently that they should be at war over her death/murder.
8/10

A Lifetime of Secrets

A Lifetime of Secrets
By Frank Warren
9780061238604

Loved it!! As always, these books are awesome.
Some of my favorites:
"I loved her when I was six. She threw my most valuebull stuff out the window (I sill love her.) and now I'm ten."
A door "I didn't walk you to the door after a 9th grade dance... I have regretted it ever since."
Picture of soldiers "Our nation is spoiled, corrupt, & ignorant... but I would die to protect it."
Mailboxes "When I was younger, I used to write letters to imaginary men ending affairs that never happened. I would address them to 'resident' and mail them out to addresses I picked at random."
Picture of 2 paths in woods "I made the wrong choice."
Sunset "I still wonder how different my life would be if I had taken that sunrise walk with you."
French Unicorn Tapestry "I want things back the way they never were."
10/10

A Preface to Paradise Lost

A Preface to Paradise Lost
By C.S. Lewis
0195003454

I that that he references the Disney movie Snow White and Jane Austen's Emma, among others, to make his points. I haven't read (or not in a long time) Paradise Lost, but this makes me yearn to read it!
9/10

The Everyday Guide to the Bible

The Everyday Guide to the Bible
By Carol Smith
1586604791

Well written, amusing, clearly written. Definitely a great overview of the Bible.
9/10

Timeline

Timeline
By Michael Crichton
(book on CD)

So can you change history or not?? This book wants it both ways. Either is it an "alternate world" or it's not. But good anyway, good story and characters.
8/10

The Problem of Pain

The Problem of Pain
By C.S. Lewis
0020868502

No Latin. Always good. Interesting theories on pain. I like his writing style too, very lecture hall/professor like. (Which makes sense, my point is it's a good style!)
8/10

The Allegory of Love

The Allegory of Love: A Study in Medieval Tradition
By C.S. Lewis

I don't know Latin, which hurt me while reading this. And I don't especially like poetry. And I haven't read Romance of the Rose, Faerie Queene, or anything else he talks about. Romance of the Rose is now on my list, however, I will be reading it (in French) in the next few weeks or months.
7/10

Scarlett

Scarlett
By Alexandra Ripley
0446515078

Very good. The beginning is not- Scarlett, crying at everything? And the end- when has she ever needed someone to protect her? But the middle (which is most of this long book!), is definitely her. And Rhett, oh for a man like him in my life!
9/10

Sea Swept

Sea Swept
By Nora Roberts
0515121843

I always love her dialogue, the amusing things her characters say. Seth is great, glad the next 3 books in this series will still have a lot of him. I'm guessing Cam and Anna will be on the sidelines, barely seen. Nice set up for Ethan for the next book, at least I already know who his love interest will be.
8/10

The Pilgrim's Regress

The Pilgrim's Regress
By C.S. Lewis
0802860184

So I decided after reading all the L.M. Montgomery books, which was fun, I would read all the C.S. Lewis books. At least all the ones my library system has, which seems to be most of them! In chronological order of when he wrote them. This was first. I understood most of it, which was nice! There were some parts where I didn't get the references, although part of that could be that it was written 70 years ago. Overall, I really did like it, can't wait to read all this stuff!
8/10

Charmed and Enchanted

Charmed and Enchanted
By Nora Roberts
0373285027

Two books in this one, Charmed and Enchanted (who'd have guessed?!) Charmed was much better than Enchanted. I loved Jessie, adorable. But Liam annoyed me for the most part, I couldn't really get into the story completely. So Charmed: 9/10 but Enchanted: 7/10
8/10

Gone with the Wind

Gone with the Wind
By Margaret Mitchell

Heartbreaking, of course. Beautiful but so horrible too. And I don't just mean Scarlett, although she is all of that as well. I really read this book because I had an urge to reread the sequel Scarlett and it seemed silly to read it without reading the first book first. Does that make sense? I'm glad for the sequel, since of course the ending of this is so heartbreaking, so many heartbreaking things in such a short time. Not the thing to read when you're already in a weepy mood, but too late now for me!
9/10

Math Doesn't Suck

Math Doesn't Suck
By Danica McKellar
9781594630392

Yes, that girl from The Wonder Years. Cute book, she's amusing and smart which are always good qualities to find in a writer. If I really was in middle school, I'm sure this book would have been great. Although I was always good at math, so maybe it wouldn't have mattered to me!
8/10

Entranced

Entranced
By Nora Roberts
0373285019

Good story. And I like this family, they're great. I wish the family had been in it more. But Mel and Donovan were fun together just the two of them too.
8/10

At the Altar

At the Altar: Matrimonial Tales
By L.M. Montgomery
0553567489

And I come to the end of the books. I was upset to find out after reading the afterword that Rea Wilmhurst, the woman who found and compiled these stories, died in 1996. Two years after this book was published. There is one more book of collected short stories that she put out after this, but I already read it. I didn't absolutely adore any story in this collection, I guess because they were all about marriage. But I did like The Twins and a Wedding, The Gossip of Valley View, and Aunt Philippa and the Men.
8/10

Captivated

Captivated
By Nora Roberts
0373285000

Cute, fun. Hope we see more of Morgana's family in the net books, they were the best part here!
8/10

Midnight Flight

Midnight Flight
By V.C. Andrews

Good story. Wasn't sure I'd like it when I starte reading, but it ended well. I think there should ahve been more of the 'why' answered- too many questions were left at the end, too many characters and motivations not fully explained.
8/10