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!