This Year (so far) In Books

I read a lot. Always have. It’s no big surprise since my mom was a reading teacher. She and I have always had books in common. And now I love how Miss M will say, “Am I allowed to read (insert adult book here)?” Unless the book has like steamy sex or lots of drug usage I normally say yes.

I am not a literature snob. Much like the fact that I will drink cheap wine and watch reality t.v., I read stuff like James Patterson. Does it give me a headache? Sometimes. But it sure does feel good when I’m doing it. I also read classics (rarely) and books with heavier material. I also like nonfiction (mostly memoirs) and books written by celebrities as I have a rather large obsession with celebrity gossip. Please. You know you like it too.

The other day I was talking with a friend about books and what we had read lately that we enjoyed. I knew I had read lots since I had spoken with her, but I actually had to go pull up my Kindle to look and see what I should recommend. I tried to start a Shelfari account, but that’s just one more thing to update. And since the only thing I’m really committed to is this here blog, I decided I would make this year’s books (so far) into a post.

I’ve decided I’ll rank the books on a five star rating. With one being the worst and five being the best. Duh. As I said before, I am not a book snob. But for a frame of reference, Stephen King’s The Stand is my favorite book with Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife a close second.

Other than the rating, I may give a few comments about the book. I may not. Sometimes I like a book, but don’t really have much to say about it. Sometimes I hate a book but have lots to say about it. I’ll do another post at the end of December or the beginning of January, catching up on the second half of 2011.

So far this year, I’ve read:

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen – 3.5/5 stars
This was a very well written book about a whole bunch of assholes. Seriously. Every character was unlikable. But like I said, very well written.

The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall 1.5/5 stars. I read this book because my sisterbitch Jana and I were (for a time) obsessed with TLC’s Sister Wives. But this book was long. And slow. And depressing.

Tick Tock by James Patterson 3/5 stars

Don’t Blink by James Patterson and Howard Roughan 3/5 stars (even though I don’t even remember this book or anything that happened in it)

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese 5/5 stars. Easily the best book I’ve read this year. So so good.

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman 3/5 stars.

Skippy Dies by Paul Murray 3.5/5 stars.

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult 4/5 stars. I think this is my favorite Jodi Picoult book since My Sister’s Keeper

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 4.5/5 stars. Devoured this series. Devoured. Can’t wait for the movies.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 4/5 stars.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 4/5 stars. I cried when they were over. *Tear*

Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy 3/5 stars. I used to love her. I remember staying up all night to finish Circle of Friends. Now? Not so much.

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin 3/5 stars. I read the book after I saw the previews for the movie. I liked it. Easy read.

Something Blue by Emily Giffin 3.5/5 stars. I actually liked this one a bit better. Since the horrible, terrible bitch from the first book redeems herself somewhat.

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova 3.5/5 stars.

A Scattered Life by Karen McQuestion 3/5 stars.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson 4/5 stars. These book was an easy read and really made me laugh a lot. That’s always a win in my book.

Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe 2/5 stars. If you love Rob Lowe like I do? Don’t read this book. Seriously. Do. Not. Do. It.

Alone by Lisa Gardner 3.5/5 stars.

The Final Testament of the Holy Bible by James Frey. 4.5/5 stars. If you like to throw around words like ‘blasphemous’ and ‘sacrilegious’, I don’t recommend this book. If you can handle it, and you like James Frey’s writing as I happen to, you should read it. Now.

Unbearable Lightness by Portia De Rossi 3.5/5 stars. I really liked this book. I was a huge Ally McBeal fan and the bulk of the book takes place during that time. I never liked Portia’s character on the show, so didn’t really like her. Just the opposite of Rob Lowe’s book. Made me like her more.

Room by Emma Donoghue 3/5 stars. Other people raved about this book. I thought it was kind of, simplistic. For lack of a better word.

Kindred Spirits by Sarah Stohmeyer 4/5 stars. Great beach read.

Now You See Her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge 4/5 stars. The best Patterson (and other) I’ve read in a while.

Bossypants by Tina Fey 4.5/5 stars. This book made me giggle. And snort. And giggle snort. Tina Fey is my comedic goddess.

Silver Girl by Elin Hildebrand 3.5/5 stars. Another great beach read.

*The Hangman’s Daughter by Oliver Potzsch 3.5/5 stars Can’t believe I forgot this one. It was really good. I heart Historical Fiction.

*So that’s it. Twenty six TWENTY SEVEN books so far this year. Not bad, eh.

As always, I would LOVE to hear what you are reading and get your recommendations. And, thanks to my fancy new comment system I installed, I can actually discuss them with you!

I would also love to have some discussions about any of the books on my list.

Discuss! Discuss!