Pretty Little Mistakes by Heather McElhatton

 

I was so looking forward to this book.... but was greatly disappointed. It's set up like those pick your own adventure books we all loved as kids... but for adults! My journey took barely anymore than 10 minutes and I thought I had made the right choices when it came to going to college and not being a part of vandalizing... which let to rape, etc. So not a fan. Bummed out over this one for sure.

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Edwards

Just another read aloud book for my third graders. Great read for make believe creatures. And just a side note... it's written by the lady who played Mary Poppins!

Glory in Death by J.D. Robb

 

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

One of my coworkers had suggest reading her favorite series for quite some time now, I finally listened, and I'm glad I did. It went right along with some of my favorite type of books that involve solving murders and crimes. At first I was a bit confused, but as I was reading a realized that these books are actually set in the future. It isn't too far off though, which is good thing since I'm not a fan of a book gone too sci-fi. The main character of this series is Eve Dallas who is a New York police lieutenant. Of course along the way she finds a hunky love interest, even though she is extremely closed off the the idea of romance due to her childhood. The love interest, Roarke, also just happens to be a suspect in the murder investigation involving prostitutes. This was a quick read and I can appreciate that there isn't a whole lot of fluff, unlike the other series by Patricia Cornwell I finally gave up on.



Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Swan Song by Robert McCammon

Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson

The very latest of James Patterson's Alex Cross series. It was just further proof that one of my favorite authors has gotten even more lazy and his fame is carrying him more than his craft. It started out decent with a hostage situation by an angered man with his ex-wife, their children, and her new husband. After Cross solves that problem he goes home to his family only to be called out to another FBI problem regarding terrorists in the train station. This story was very disconnected and judging by other Patterson readers, I'm not the only disappointed one. I wish he would realize quality is better than quantity!

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan

I believe I first saw this book on someone else's list for the year. When I looked it up, the first review said that it was a modern day Scarlet Letter. I was sold right then and there. When I began reading it I was amazed that it was in fact written much like Scarlet Letter, but in the future. So much so that the main character's name is Hannah Payne, instead of Hester Prynne. At the beginning of the story Hannah is devoted to her church and family but finds herself committing adultery with the well-known pastor of her church. When she figures out she is pregnant Hannah secretly chooses to have an abortion, which is now considered murder. She also refuses to give up the identity of the father. Because of the overflowing jails the government has now instated melachroming, which mean your skin is genetically altered to appear the color associated with your crime, given specific rules to follow, and returned to society to survive if possible. Hannah is a Red for the murder of her unborn child. The rest of the story is Hannah's journey to freedom while she finds who she truly is, fighting her guilt and expectations she once held for herself. I really enjoyed this book, even though the ending was not one that I was satisfied with! Definitely would recommend this one, especially if you were a fan of the classic novel, The Scarlet Letter.

Every Day by David Levithan

The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

Fifty Shades Freed by EL James

Choke by Chuck Palahniuk

Total Forgiveness by RT Kendall

Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

50 Shades Darker by EL James

I am J

50 Shades of Gray by EL James

Sickened by Julia Gregory

Out of My Mind

Overkill by Linda Castillo

Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell

Why Men Love Bitches

Mango Shaped Space

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

The Last Precinct by Patricia Cornwell

The Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten

The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition by Gary D. Chapman

Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch

The 11th Hour by James Patterson

There's Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder

No Regrets by Sarah Ivens

10th Anniversary by James Patterson

The 9th Judgement by James Patterson

Control the Crazy by Vinny Guadagnino

Defending Jacob by William Landay

I had found this book on Amazon and then on my favorite author's eNewsletter I saw that she was reading it and so I was sold. It was much like Jodi Picoult's own style of writing: gets you attached to the main character and their struggle, they win their battle, and in the last 5 pages... BAM, comes an incoming car! (<---- Name this Picoult book) Defending Jacob is keeps you locked into the courtroom drama revolving around a district attornery's son who has been accused of killing a classmate. His dad seems to be the only one who believes in his innocence the entire time. It also discusses an interesting concept called "the Murder Gene." Is it possible that the capacity for committing murder is inherited? Very good book!

The 8th Confession by James Patterson

What Came First

7th Heaven by James Patterson

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

This is the second book in Stieg Larsson's trilogy and this may be the first time I can actually say that the second book is better than the first! There was much less government conspiracy issues in this book. The main characters, Mikael and Lisbeth are back in this book, however they are not together. It begins with the magazine wanting to issue articles about Sweden's sex trafficking business as well as publish a book on the topic in more detail. However, the couple that had been researching the "johns" in the trading were found dead in their apartment. Salander's fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, which is the gun of her sick and twisted guardian, who is also found dead. The police are trying to hunt Lisbeth down, while Blomkvist tries to clear her name and find out what really happened. Throughout the book you find out more about Lisbeth's life and what happened in her youth that has turned her into the unique individual she is. The ending is a shocker and you just can't wait to pick up the next book!



The Total Money Makeover Workbook by Dave Ramsey

My grandmother gave me this book because she thought I could learn a lot about handling money. Now, this is the first book that haven't totally completed that I included for my list. I did like some of the ideas he had, like paying in cash, and his step by step program. I am trying to put those steps to use, and come back to the later ones when I'm ready. You start off with having $1000 in an emergency fund, then you pay off debts excluding your mortgage (I also like his Snowball Effect Idea) and then you go back to your emergency fund until it has enough for 6 months of your pay in case something would happen to your job. To me, this will take a loooong time, and then I was just lost after the fact with all the talk of retirement money and saving for your children. I know I will be concerned about it later but not now. I also wish it would go more in depth because I am a rookie when it comes to a lot of money issues like investments and assets. 

Sold by Patricia McCormick

This was a quick Young Adult read that was written in free verse on a very controversial topic. In Nepal, there is a 13-year-old girl named Lakshmi that lives the life of my girls where she lives. Here days are spent going to school and thinking about the boy she has been told she will marry. ife in Nepal, going to school and thinking of the boy she is to marry. Then her gambling-addicted stepfather sells her into prostitution in India, but tells her that she will be a house maid. Once she figures out what is going on and why she is in nice clothes instead of cleaning, she chooses to be beaten and starved before letting her guard down. She has been told that once she works off her family's debt she can leave, but soon realizes with all the expenses of food, clothes, bills, and medicine this may be an impossible feat. Along the way a young boy teaches her how to read, and another brings her tea and other small gifts. Once Americans come into the picture, she gets hopeful that she will get home to her mom and brother soon. Although it is horrifying and sometimes difficult to read into what the young girl has to say, I am thankful that it is not very detailed during the harsh times. Sadly, these types of stories are not very far from the truth. Through the interviews, research, and traveling of the author she tells the reader in an author's note that twelve thousand girls are sold purposefully, as well as unknowingly, into prostitution each year by their families. 

The 6th Target by James Patterson

Officially over halfway through with the Women's Murder Club after finishing this book. Another lady from the club is struck personally by a killer that Lindsay Boxer must fight to find and put behind bars. An insane man all of a sudden shoots a handful of people on a ferry, including Claire the coroner from the group. The killer blames it all on voices in his head. At the same time, Lindsay is trying to find the kidnapper who is plucking children with their nannies off the street. But for some reason they aren't demanding any ransom. They figure out that there is a connection to the nanny service and the people who run the business. Of course there is Lindsay's personal life too. She is still involved and in love with Joe, but finds herself attracted ot her parter. Five more in this series to go!

The Fame Game by Lauren Conrad

This is Lauren Conrad's newest book in her series that seems very familiar, almost like her own life. The couple of the characters from the series move on from the show L.A. Candy after some drama boiling over. They become the stars of a similar reality show called The Fame Game that focuses on trying to find a name for themselves in Hollywood. Madison thinks that she will be the star of the new show with no questions asked. However, with some good old fashion family drama with her dad coming out of the wood work. To make it even more difficult, one of the new cast members is an aspring actress, Carmen Price. She is also the daughter of Hollywood royalty. It was a super easy, breezy read as always and from what I can tell by the ending there should be another installment in this series to come.

Black Notice by Patricia Cornwell

Another Kay Scarpetta novel that seemed to drag on a little bit, but still a good read by the end of it. This book is about the murders commited by a French serial killer or "Loup-Garou," a werewolf. He actually has the hereditary condition of where he has long hair all over his body, making him looking like a werewolf. The mutilation killings in Virginia are connected to international killings. Both Kay and Marino are being set up by their new boss, who is also dirty, to be forced out of their jobs. That is, until their boss is murdered by the killer as well. Once again Kay comes face to face with the murderer, and prevails. Of course throughout the book there is more drama with Lucy and her new partner Jo, as well as a new love interest while Kay still deals with the heartbreak of losing Benton. I have a feeling the new guy will be carried over to the next book. I have finally made it half-way through this series (10 books), seeing as she will be releasing a new one later this year. I can do this... on to the next.

The 5th Horseman by James Patterson

This is the 5th book in the Women's Murder Club series. The newest member, attorney Yuki Castellano, loses her mother to the killer within the Municipal Hospital. Lieutenant Boxer and the rest of the Club come together to try and solve the mystery of the death of many ER patients. They find buttons on the dead patients' eyes that have the medical symbol on them. These small pieces of evidence have been hidden from the press, but soon help to link the murders to a person who works at the hospital. Of course there are other murders intertwined in the story, called the Car Girls. Young escorts are murdered and placed in fancy clothing within even more luxurious cars. Somehow they solve them all. This wasn't the best of his books but it goes right along with the series. I'm about halfway done with the series!

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

This Young Adult novel was a very good read with an even better message. Caitlin is a fifth grader that has Asperger's, and everything is black and white to her. She takes everything very literal and does not understand emotions at all. Her brother Devon has just been killed in a shooting a middle school in Virginia. Devon had helped her to understand other people and was always supportive of her. Her father is also a widower whose grief takes over his life. Caitlin's school counselor is trying to help her with social skills and find "closure" with the death of Devon. This book is very enlightening in the way it lets you inside the head of a person with Asperger's. I think it would be a great way to help kids understand how people can be different.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

I really enjoyed the controversial Young Adult novel, Unwind. I know there are some people that would not be a fan of the concepts in the book at all, but I found it was very interesting. Unwind takes place in the future, after the end of the second civil war which is fought over abortion. Both pro-choice and pro-life can not agree, so they come up with a compromise to end abortion and creates the alternative of "unwinding." Between the ages of 13 and 17, parents or guardians can choose to have their children unwound, or harvested, to be "donated" to other people. Every single body part will be given a new use so they try and say that the person never died. This book follows the life of three kids who have been chosen to be unwound and are on their way to the harvest camps. Fifteen-year-old Connor's parents can no longer control him. Lev, a tithe, was raised by religious parents with 10 children and his whole purpose of being born was to be unwound. Risa, a ward of the state, is a victim of shrinking budgets since she is not a talented enough musician to be kept alive. The Bill of Life also allows for "storking," where if a mother does not want their baby they can drop it off at any doorway and that baby then belongs to the family that lives there. Definitely controversial in regards to abortion, organ donation, and religion, but well worth the read and very intriguing!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Finally finished the first book in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series! Probably one of the longest books I ever read, especially since I listened to most of it on audio book. The bad news is that the next two just get longer and longer than the one before. Overall, I thought it was a good read but probably not as good as all the hype has been. I'm not really one for government and techonology conspiracies and this book is full of them. There's so much with the plotline that I honestly don't know where to start. There's the crumble of the career of Mikael Blomkvist, his new assignment to find Harriet who disappeared years before, Lisbeth the investigator/hacker and girl with the tattoos, finding sadistic murders in the Vanger family, and releasing all the investigations in reports. Just as a warning: usually I am not bothered by much but this book has some sadistic scenes that were almost too much to handle. So bad, that I don't know that I will be able to see the movie... which takes a lot for me! Guess we will see what happens in the next two.

Save Karyn by Karyn Bosnak

This is a light-hearted memoir about a young lady that finds herself in over $20,000 in credit card debt. Yes, somehow she finds humor out of an issue that most of us would find utterly depressing. How did she get into the hole so bad? After moving from the midwest to New York City, Karyn goes on a shopping binge and becomes addicted to the finer things, AKA name brand items. On top of all of it, she loses her job and finds herself desperate. Unable to get it together, she puts together an internet site (savekaryn.com) and asks people to just donate a dollar to get out of debt. Much to her surprise it works! Slowly at first, but then radio shows, newspapers, and eventually TV shows get ahold of her story which draws more people in. Not only does she take donations through PayPal and the mail, she sells her big items on eBay. Although Karyn's storyline has very serious undertones and consequences, it was still an enjoyable read and it was entertaining to hear how she makes fun of herself in a dire situation. I've been pleasantly surprised with both of her books (20 Times and Lady is the other) and look forward to any future writing she does.

Point of Origin by Patricia Cornwell

This is the next book in the Kay Scarpetta series. It was kind of hard to get into first but it picked up the pace along the way. The murders in this book are connected by arson and beautiful people like actresses and models. Along the way Carrie, Lucy's ex, escapes from being incarcerated in a psychiatric facility and becomes involved with the murder, who is also connected to her last book. In order to get to Kay and Lucy, Carrie goes after Kay's lover, Benton Wesley, and kills him as well. Although the bodies have been set on fire, they murderers have taken their faces and at the end they find them within the house along with all the other paraphernalia belonging to the murderer. The book ends with a helicopter chase and saying goodbye to Benton.

4th of July by James Patterson

The fourth book in the Women's Murder Club series was another quick read. In this one, Lt. Lindsay Boxer finds herself in legal trouble after a car chase with two teenagers. After being fired upon by the 13 and 15 year olds, she fires her weapon in self-defense killing the girl and paralyzing the boy from the neck down. While dealing with her trial for murder and police brutality, Lindsay is still trying to solve the brutal murders and flogging of couples taking place in Half Moon Bay. There are interesting characters like a grease monkey, former porn star, and woman running a shelter for troubled/orphaned kids. She solves the case with another shocking ending like all the rest. Six more in the series to go!

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

I finally got the chance to get started on Jodi Picoult's book from last year the night before I met her in person! Like always, this book delivers her controversial issues intertwined with amazing story weaving. The book starts out with Zoe, a music therapist, struggling to have a baby after many years. After what they think is a successful round of IVF, at 28 weeks the baby dies and Zoe must deliver him. This was just so heart-breaking, and brought me to tears. Just can't imagine going through that. Her husband, Max, decides that he can't go on in their marriage because Zoe cares more having a baby than her husband. After divorce, Zoe finds herself a new best friend in Vanessa and Max finds Jesus. Zoe figures out that Vanessa is more than a friend, they fall in love and get married. Vanessa and Zoe want to take the unused embryos from Zoe's previous marriage to have their own baby. Max does not want his kids raised in the "unpure, sinful household" provided by a lesbian relationship. He would like the embryos to go to his brother, Reid, and his wife, Libby, who have their own fertility issues. Then comes the court case and Max's struggle when he acts on his feelings towards Libby.This book also has an accompanying CD that flows with the plot. At the book signing it was exciting that Ellen Degeneres has bought the rights for this movie. Can't wait to see what happens with that!   

High Voltage Tattoo by Kat Von D

I really enjoyed this book from Kat Von D. It is set up like her tattoo journals that you would see her writing in on her show LA Ink, which I'm a big fan of. It was interesting to hear more about her background, inspiration, and love for her profession. Not only does she share the story about her tattoos, she goes into detail about some of her bigger pieces and other tattoo artists she admires. To some tattoos are still taboo, but society seems to accept them more and to me it is an intriguing art that few can do. She also had some good advice about how to prepare for your own tattoo, finding your tattoo artist, and how to take care of a new tattoo... which I will keep in mind in case I decide to go through with my tattoo idea if I lose the weight.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Well, I'm finally finished with the Hunger Games trilogy! They were all really good, but the first one way surpassed the other two. I enjoyed the last one, Mockingjay, but I wish it were more like the first two, with the Arena. The storyline focuses on rebelling against the Capitol and trying to assassinate President Snow. Katniss becomes the "mockingjay" and is the face for propaganda against the Capitol. Many of the key players in the series are hurt or killed off in this book, and yes, there are some violent parts that are a bit more disturbing this time around. I did enjoy the very ending though that shows Katniss and the guy she chooses (Gale or Peeta) in the life they decide to lead with the Capitol overthrown. Counting down for the Hunger Games movie!

Unnatural Exposure by Patricia Cornwell

This is the new book in the Kay Scarpetta series and I did enjoy it better than the last. I have always been fascinated with viruses and the stories behind exposures, much like the book Hot Zone. It begins the book with Kay in a foreign country trying to solve the international case of a murder who decapitates all limbs, and just leaves the trunk of a body to be found. In a landfill in Virginia the trunk of an old woman is found, but there are inconsistencies that make the detectives think that her murderer was just making it look like the previous murders. Even more shocking, the body is infected with some sort of smallpox. Then comes the web of events that people are becoming exposed to the deadly epidemic that the FBI must help to control. With the help of her niece Lucy, they try to track down the killer that has been corresponding with Kay via chat room and e-mail under the screen name "deadoc." Kay also deals with the emotions of Benton Wesley wanted to marry her, and still being hung up on her dead lover Mark, who she finds out devastating information about at the end of the book. Can't wait to see what happens next!

The Ten Best Days of My Life by Adena Halpern

I have enjoyed all of Adena Halpern's books and this is her first novel. This was another quick and enjoyable read. At first the main character was so superficial that it was annoying but throughout the course of events she grows into a more likable character. In the book 29-year-old Alex and her dog, Peaches, are ran over by a MINI Cooper and wind up at the gates of heaven. All your dreams literally do come true, at least if you are in Seventh Heaven, the top plane of heaven. And to top everything of she is reunited with her grandparents and uncle and even meets a dreamy guy. Then comes the problem: In order to stay in the seventh plane of Heaven she must pass an essay exam about the 10 best days of her life. If she fails she will be demoted to the fourth level where she would have to live in a condo, have old clothes, lose her dog and her new love interest. With the essay she has to prove she led a worthwhile, purposeful, and fulfilling life. It was a very cutesy chick-lit read and looks like there may be a movie in the works, we shall see.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

This is the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy. It was just as shocking as the first one, but as usual I probably would say the first one is better. The last fourth of the book was a little confusing and I felt like maybe I was missing something, but the gaps were filled in the last three pages. I don't want to say too much and give the whole series away... but here goes: The Hunger Games continues for the 75th year, and each 25 year anniversary is called the Quarter Quell. Each Quarter Quell has a twist in the rules. For example, the previous one sent in twice as many people into the arena to fight to the death. And the change for the third Quarter Quell is both shocking and devastating to the main characters we have come to love. It seems as though President Snow and the Capitol are trying to take control over Katniss and her act of rebellion at the end of the last novel, especially when Districts are now starting an uprising. Not only is there the epic battle in the arena, but Katniss struggles with her loyalty to Peeta and her love for Gale. Can't wait to see what the third installment has in store!

The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

It took me a while to get into this book, but by the end of it I was totally hook and involved with the characters and their love and loss journeys. It starts in 1968 where Lynnie, a young white woman with a developmental disability, and Homan, an African American deaf man, are locked away in an institution, the School for the Incurable and Feebleminded. They have been long forgotten by their families. But they have fallen in love and manage to escape the school. They find refuge in the farmhouse of Martha, a retired schoolteacher and widow. But the couple is not alone, Lynnie has just had a baby girl. The baby is not Homan's but a result from a horrible night caused by School officials. The police have caught up with them, Lynnie is caught and Homan goes on the run. Before leaving Lynnie manages to get out the words, "Hide her." So this is exactly what Martha does. The rest of the book is a 40-year journey of Lynnie, Homan, Martha, and baby Julia to figure out where the paths of love and loss cross.

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

This was my second audio book, which was very enjoyable. It had you giggling one minute and tearing up the next as it told the story of a dog that essential reincarnated until he had fully served his purpose. It is the dog that tells the story and in his first life he is named Toby. He was rescued by a woman that did not have a license so sadly he is taken away by animal control. In his second life he is a golden retriever from a puppy mill. After he is rescued he is named Bailey and falls in love with his boy, Ethan. Even though he thinks he has served his purpose with Ethan, he is born yet again as a female German shepherd named Ellie. After getting used to the idea of being a girl she is used as a police search and rescue dog. Once again he feels he has done his job, so is very surprised to be reborn again as a black lab named Buddy. It is in this life he finds his true purpose when he is able to connect to the one person he truly loved. By the end of this book I was a blubbering mess, and I would recommend it to any animal lover.

White Girl Problems by Babe Walker

I added this book to my book list because it had some great reviews for being a new release. I have to agree that it was a humorous read, but it kind of dragged on for me. It went on and on about her diet problems, and spending problems, and fashion problems.... aka White Girl Problems. It was funny at first, but then it was over the top annoying at times too. It was this way especially during parts about fashion designers that I am not familiar with, and have no desire to be either. I doubt that this is actually a memoir as it states, but if it is they definitely have problems because they spent over $250,000 during a meltdown in Barneys. I would say this is GossipGirl, meets Celebrity Rehab, meets Chelsea Handler... so if you're into that kind of thing, go for it.

P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

I have read other books by Cecelia Ahern and this was by far the best one yet. Her other books have more of a fantasy feel mixed in with the romantic plot. I read this book because it has been on my shelf for a while, and I also LOVED the movie. Unlike most movie and books, I can't really say one is better than the other because they have some big differences. The movie has obviously been Americanized as both of the characters are from the Europe in the book. The main characters are still Holly and Gerry and it's a story of their love. Gerry gets a fatal brain tumor and leaves 10 notes for Holly to read throughout the rest of the year, all signed "PS, I Love You." She goes on a roller coaster ride of emotions as her friends continue on with life and she struggles to live her own with out Gerry by her side. I loved this book, and it makes you wonder if we all have a guardian angel guiding us through life.

Seriously... I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres

This was probably my first book by a comedian this year that was actually funny. Just reading the back of it you know Ellen is going to deliver her usual spunk. I love watching her show because of her humor and quick wit, and this book is full of it. When you get past the funny parts, it basically tells you how to enjoy life and be happy. Some of the parts were a little reduntant like explaining why I'm writing the chapter." If you like Ellen you will enjoy this book, but otherwise it was just an okay quick read.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

After hearing all the hype about this book from my kids from this year and last year, I finally gave this book a chance. I was not disappointed. It was so enthralling to me that I sat down and read it for a few hours straight. It takes place in the future and the United States has collapsed from disasters like war and famine. It has been replaced by Panem, which is a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year every district must choose a boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the Hunger Games. This is basically where the 24 unlucky ones literally fight to the death until a winner is left standing, while being televised for entertainment. The main character is Katniss, and she actually fills the spot for her younger sister. During the course of events there are changes in the rules, alliances are formed, and some chances for romance. This book was amazing, and I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy as well as see the movie when it come out in March.

Cause of Death by Patricia Cornwell

The seventh book in the Kay Scarpetta series was about solving the murder of an Associated Press reporter who was killed while scubadiving in an abandoned navy yard. Throughout the course of the novel Scarpetta becomes a target as well. There was a cult causing terrorism, and technology, which I was not a big fan of. It was still a quick read however for me, just so I can make it through to the next part of the series. I hope the next one is better.

The Chose One by Carol Lynch Williams

This young adult novel was so enlightening and interesting to read that I sat down and read it in one morning. I'm not sure how much of it is based on true facts, but it a story about Kyra, a 13-year-old born into an isolated polygamist cult. Here, Kyra is bored with life and sneaks behind the adult's backs to read books, which have been forbidden. (Loved that part!) She also has fallen in love with a boy from the compound, but is heart broken when she is told by the Prophet that she is to marry her 60-year-old uncle as his seventh wife. Yes, uncle. Young boys are being chased off the compound so the extremely young girls can be given to the elderly men. (We've heard of this really happening in the news). To leave the rest a mystery, she does not like this idea and acts upon it. I learned a lot from this novel, if in fact it is true. For example, they believe that men can not get into heaven unless they have at least three wives. They also do not let babies survive that are born with developmental diseases. It was a quick read that I quickly got lost in, and I would recommend this to anyone looking for something a little different from the norm!

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

 

I saw the Night Circus on a best reads list for last year and so I gave it chance even though it was not on my reading list for this year. It is definitely mystifying, I've never read another book like this. It is about a circus that only opens at night, and it shows up in places unannounced. It is the stage for performers with real talents, making it have an atmosphere of fantasy to it as well. The circus is used for a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood just for its purpose. They find out as they go only one of the illusionists can be left standing, which creates a catastrophic problem as the two fall in love.  The must find a way to beat the fate they have been cursed with, or leave one with a broken heart. It feels like you are actually there in the circus experiencing the acts with them. Great read!

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

I have always been a fan of biology and cells. This is a non-fiction science book about a woman named Henrietta Lacks. Her cells, called HeLa by scientists, were taken without her knowledge and have been one of the most important tools in medicine. They were the first "immortal" human cells to continue growing in culture and are still alive today although she died from cancer sixty years ago.  In fact, if you could pile all HeLa cells ever grown onto a scale, they’d weigh more than 50 million metric tons. HeLa cells were used for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb’s effects. It also helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping. I was amazed by the history in this book. During the time Henrietta was alive it was not uncommon for blacks to be kidnapped off the streets to be used for experiemental testing. They would also inject "voluteers" and prisoners with diseases like syphillis without telling them there was a cure. The book compared these events to being much like the experimentation that was done to Jews during the Holocaust. Most of the book was about the family's struggle to understand why they had been lied to about thier mother's cells and how they could be sold without their knowledge. The writer of the book was actually a reporter that was the first to earn the trust from the Lacks family. This was my first audio book, which may seem boring to some but it was great to hear different voices used to understand how people spoke.

Radiance by Alyson Noel

I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell by Tucker Max

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner

Sliding into Home by Kendra Wilkinson

Stay by Allie Larkin

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Lousie Murphy

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey

When I ordered this book by Steve Harvey, I thought that since he was a comedian it would be a comical book. Although there were funny parts here and there, it was more of a self-help or how to control a man type of book. Those things aside, I thought it was still a good read. Steve made extremely good points that we women tend to try to ignore, look past, and say that we can change the way a man looks at things. My favorite two points he made include that in order for men to be ready for any relationship they have to know who they are, what they do, and what they make (money), also how men show you they love you is through professing (how he introduces you), providing, and protecting. This book is a light read and I did enjoyed it.