9. The Witches of Eastwick

The Witches of Eastwick John Updike
May 2010

I really enjoyed this book. At first it was hard to get into Updike's style of writing and I was a bit worried at the beginning. But as the story developed and I began to get to know each of the 3 main characters (witches), it became easier to read.

This is the first Updike book that I have read, and I'm glad that I finally got around to it. I will definitely end up reading The Widows of Eastwick, the more recent sequel to this book.

If you've never read Updike, this is a great place to start!

8. The Help

The Help Kathryn Stockett
May 2010

I absolutely loved this book. I saw so many women reading this while I was on vacation in December. I was going to hold out until it came out in paperback, but my mom was reading it for a book club, so I borrowed it when she was done.

The more I read the more I appreciate unique story lines. The Help is one of those books that is slightly different than anything else you've read before. It reads very easily even though she uses strong southern accents throughout. Maybe even those accents are what made the book fun to read at times. You feel totally immersed in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s. Well written and well worth the read!

7. The Poisonwood Bible

The Poisonwood Bible Barbara Kingsolver

April 2010

Loveddd it! I was a little nervous about reading this since I have heard so many good things. Sometimes I think that puts too much pressure on me to enjoy a certain book. This time the recommendation did not fail.

I think there were a few things that made me really like this book. 1. I have never read anything with even close to the same plot line. This book is incredibly unique in that sense. 2. I tend to like books that are told from multiple perspectives, and Kingsolver does this.

6. The Yiddish Policemen's Union

The Yiddish Policeman's Union Michael Chabon
March 2010

If the length of time it took me to read this book is any indication of how much I enjoyed it, the answer should be obvious. I was really looking forward to reading a Chabon book because of all the great things I have heard, and I must say I was pretty disappointed. Perhaps its just not my favorite style of novel, or maybe it was because between the Olympics, March Madness and the overall lack of reading time I wasn't able to get fully into the book.

This is a detective novel meets extreme character development story line. One note though, I definitely did not hate it enough to never give another Chabon book a try. Perhaps I will give him another go next year.

5. Olive Kitteridge

Olive Kitteridge Elizabeth Strout

February 2010

I'm slightly torn about how I feel towards this book. While I enjoyed Strout's interesting approach to telling a fictional narrative.... she tells us 13 different stories about people in a small Maine town, and each story gives us either a glimiar or a deep understand as to who Olive Kitteridge is... I think that is the only reason why I did enjoy it. Otherwise, most of the stories were quiet depressing and rarely uplifting. Although it seems hard to believe that everyone in the town has sad secrets, it probably isn't all that unlike reality. All-in-all a good book but not a very happy one.

4. Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor Marcus Luttrell
January 2010

This is by far the best book that I have read in a very long time. Its one of those books that I kept passing up in the store for other things, but eventually someone at work recommended it. And I am so glad that they did.

This is the true story of a 4 man Navy SEAL team that is a on a reconnaissance mission in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan and finds themselves battling over 200 highly trained and armed Taliban fighters. It ends up being the largest loss of life for the Navy SEALs in any one combat mission. Luttrell being the only survivor of the mission.

I don't want to give away anything in the book so I'll end the synopsis there. I really recommend it to everyone. It gives you an in depth view into what many of the men and women in our armed forces are doing while in Iraq and Afghanistan. Luttrell also provides a detailed description of the process one undergoes to become a Navy SEAL. I have always had extreme respect and pride for everything that our soldiers do overseas, but some how this book seems to have strengthened those feelings.

3. Dear John

Dear John Nicholas Sparks
January 2010

This was a book that my sister picked up to read during our vacation and I decided to read when she was done. I'm really glad I did. I have obviously read The Notebook, but for one reason or another never read another Sparks book until this one. It added a definite change of pace for me since I never read "love stories," or at least not the kind that Sparks writes.

My only complaint is that throughout the book I began to feel like a completely inadequate person. Sparks can take a character and describe all of their imperfections in a way that make them seem like a completely perfect person. My roommate set me straight we she said, "Please! You canNOT compare yourself to a Nicholas Sparks character!" haha... I guess she's right. Either way great little story, fun read, will definitely read more Sparks books!

2. The Lost Symbol

The Lost Symbol Dan Brown
January 2010

This is the fourth Dan Brown book I have read. The only one that I haven't yet is his first one, Deception Point.

I enjoyed this book simply because it took what Dan Brown always does and put it in the United States (Washington D.C. to be exact). I found it fun to read about our founding fathers and even the landmarks in our nations capitol. My only complaint is that all of his books are starting to feel the same, or at least the ones with Robert Langdon as the main character. I almost wish he would have developed a different character so that it wouldn't feel like more of the same. (FYI Robert Langdon was the main character in Angels and Demons and The da Vinci Code)

Either way, as always expected from Brown it was a fun and entertaining read.

1. The Diary of a Young Girl

The Diary of a Young Girl Anne Frank
January 2010

This is one of the first times that I have ever re-read a book. I know I read this at some point in middle school, though its hard to say exactly when. My parents went to Amsterdam this summer and visited the Annex house and picked up this book while they were there. I figured it wouldn't hurt to read it again.

I'm really glad I did because I didn't remember much about the details within the book so it was virtually like reading it for the first time. I don't remember being all that effected by Anne's attitude towards her family and some of the other people in hiding, but this time around I was slightly shocked by her dislike of so many people! I guess I probably felt a lot of the same things when I was around fourteen years old as well.

35. Lush Life

Lush Life Richard Price
December 2009

Last book of 2009! I cannot believe that I've read 35 books this year, when initially my goal of 20 seemed like a long shot.

I am super glad that I picked this book up. It was on Time Magazines list of top 10 fiction books of 2008, so the cover caught my eye in the store. At first I was nervous about it because more often than not I am disappointed by the "must reads." But this one lived up to its widespread expectations.

I rarely read murder mystery/ detective type novels, so this was a great change of pace for me. Price has written three other books and I assume they will be just as interesting and captivating.

34. The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger
December 2009

Another book that I can't believe I was never required to read growing up. I'm glad I finally did though, so at least I can hold my own if it comes up in a conversation. I'm still undecided on if I liked it or not. It kind of felt like it was just constaint complainsts about everything in his life. Though I guess Saslinger addressed that with the final conversation that Holdan had with his sister. I think Pheobe, the sister, is supposed to be everyone's favorite character, because she was certainly mine.

Rumor has it that Salinger has written another book and it will be released upon his death. I hope its true and I will read it for sure!

33. The Road

The Road Cormac McCarthy
December 2009

This was a recommendation by several friends and I'm really glad I got to read it while on vacation... actually on the way to vacation (I read it in approximately 2 hours!)

Some people are concerned about it being depressing but really if you keep the underlying story line in mind, I think it can be quite inspirational. McCarthy's style is not what many are used to, but it is still a very easy read for anyone and really a heartwarming story at the core. Definitely recommend it!

32. The Tippint Point

The Tipping Point Malcolm Gladwell
December 2009

I'm excited I finally got to read one of Gladwell's books. I figured I should start at the beginning, though I think I will end up reading all of his.

I really liked how Gladwell introduced different aspects of his theory on why things spread throughout a population (whether a fad, an epidemic or an improvement in culture). He gives concrete examples when discussing each and he reintroduces those examples in later chapters. It creates a clear fluid line throughout all of his ideas. I think many authors who write non-fiction struggle to do this.

I believe that Outliers is next... either that or Blink... I'm not sure which one. Either way... Can't Wait!

31. Twilight

Twilight Stephenie Meyer
December 2009

Ah! I can't believe I finally read it. I ended up watching the movie about a month ago, so I think that is what lead me to pick up the book. I'm a huge fan of HBO's TrueBlood (though I've never read the Sookie Stackhouse novels)... so I pretty much knew I would enjoy this series as well. It was just a matter of breaking down and reading them.

I definitely enjoyed the read. It was super quick and very much a "page turner." I'm sure I will read all four.... in good time.

30. Hard Times

Hard Times Charles Dickens
December 2009

Awhile back my parents gave me several of their old books from college, etc. (Most of which were required reading) I am slowly trying to incorporate them into my reading, this being one such book.

When I read Tale of Two Cities in high school, I loved it and do intend to read it again sometime. I was hoping that Hard Times would capture my attention just as easily, but it sort of fell flat for me. There were moments where the novel truly became a page turner and I enjoyed the story, but there were other time where I simply struggled through it. Its one of Dickens's shorter novels so I think it was worth the time.

29. The Unbearable Lightness of Being

The Unbearable Lightness of Being Milan Kundera
November 2009

I've been asked several times if I have read this book in the past and I was slightly embarrassed to say that I haven't. In some's opinion it is a must read for young adults and professionals.

I was slightly nervous when I began reading it, because I saw potential for a very dry novel. However, Kundera is very unique in the way he portrays his message. The book switches back and forth between straight prose from Kundera and the story which he uses to portray his points. It actually ends up being quite interesting and very unique.

As far as the message he is trying to leave the reader with... its definitely an interesting one. I think I walked away with a sense that no matter how hard you try to rid yourself of responsibility or connections with people, it never will truly happen. It is best to accept your situation in life, embrace it, and live it to the fullest. The characters that seem to do that are the ones that are the happiest throughout. The ones that are constantly trying to either rid themselves of responsibility or change their current situation are the ones that seem the least happy. I'm not sure if that was what Kundera wanted us to take, but I think its a good message nonetheless.

28. Digital Fortress

Digital Fortress Dan Brown
October 2009

After reading Love in the Time of Cholera I needed to read something with a controlling plot line and a little suspense. Where else would I turn besides Dan Brown?

I have only read Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, so I was excited to try something else of his. It was just as exciting and thrilling as I anticipated. I'm glad I went back to the basics because my reading was getting a little monotonous. Whenever in need... turn to Dan Brown.

27. Love in the Time of Cholera

Love in the Time of Cholera Gabriel Garcia Marquez
October 2009

Okay. Wow. That took me a while to read. Granted I've started grad school and just become a lot more busy all around, but still, a month!

Not only did my schedule contribute to the long reading time, but also this book! I really wanted to read this because its on all of the "must read" lists and so many friends have said that its their favorite books. Good Lord I hope they are lying. Marquez barely tells a story here. The book is almost entirely character development. Sure there's a pretty interesting underlying story throughout the novel, but in the end I felt that I knew characters but little about what happened with them. There was no build to a climax, it was just a slow and steady narrative the whole book.

I get why people liked it and I think I understand why its a "must read." But One Hundred Years of Solitude is also on all the lists and I'm going to have to build up the courage to start that one.

26. Angela's Ashes

Angela's Ashes Frank McCourt
September 2009

At first I struggled reading this book, simply because of the strong Irish accent that it is written in. However as the memoir progressed, this became part of the charm. It has been a while since I read a true memoir (even though they used to be what I read exclusively) so I forgot what it was like to read something without a true climax and story line. Although, in the end, I remembered why I loved reading them.

Memoirs give you the ability to learn about people from another place and time. You literally get to step into their lives and explore what it would have been like to live right along side of them. Here we get to go to Limerick, Ireland during the great depression and the first World War and live with a family struggling to survive. McCourt has a sequel which I'm hoping follows him once he's made his trip from Ireland to America. I will probably pick it up next year. He has me hooked!

25. The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture Randy Pausch
September 2009

I wasn't originally going to write an entry for this book. But on second thought, I figured that, in the event that someone who might actually read this blog didn't know about it, I would be doing them a disservice. I have read the transcript of Pausch's actual lecture, but this is the first time I have read his entire book. It is essentially the background behind the lecture... why he decided to give the lectures.... why he decided to talk about certain things... and what was going on in his life around the time of the lecture.

Pausch was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and informed that he had approximately six months to live. At CMU it is common for professors to give a "last lecture" upon retirement, which gives them a chance to essentially "teach" whatever they want. Pausch's lecture was entitled "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams."

Both the book and his lecture are more worth your time than probably anything you've ever read. Literally they both brought me to tears and made me laugh, inspired me and challenged me.