2011 Book List

I know that there are lots of bloggers doing the same thing.  I decided that this was really my best route to keep my list and get some recommendations, sorry for the repeats.

As I said before, I love my Kindle and now I got 2 gift cards for Christmas that I am itching to use.  I still have 2 books that I mentioned before and I simply cannot get into them enough to finish them.  I hate forcing myself to finish something so I won't but I am going to keep them in mind to finish when my gift cards have run out.  Here's my plan for 2011 (not including pregnancy books)!

Hope in a Jar  by Beth Harbison	Mini Shopaholic  by Sophie Kinsella	Safe Haven  by Nicholas Sparks
Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisburger	Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisburger	The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson	The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson	The Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen	My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult	The House on First Street by Julia Reed

That's my list!  I'm excited about it.  I've got one of the books in my bookshelf already and hopefully this weekend I'll go through and make a list of the books in my bookshelf that I haven't read.  I'd like to get those on a reading list as well.

Read any great books that you'd recommend?  Let me know!

Book Reviews

A lot of people asked about Eat, Pray, Love, so I thought I would do a quick recap of the last few books that I've read.  I'm not going to giveaway any details, no worries, just a few thoughts.


The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes

This is the book for the Book Beginnings and Bookends book club and I had heard a recommendation for it before so I thought I'd give it a try.  I started reading it on Sunday night and I finished it yesterday.  I read it during lunch, every night before bed, I couldn't put it down.  I absolutely loved it!  The story was captivating and the fact that the first part of it was set in an area that I know rather well, I loved reading about streets and places I knew.  I would definitely recommend it!


Eat, Pray, Love

My main motivation for reading this book is that I wanted to see the movie and I wanted to read the book beforehand to compare the two.  I'm not sure if it was just me, but it took me a long time to read this book, it really just didn't hold my interest.  I forced myself to sit down and finish it.  I think that it was interesting to read about the places and the different things she did, but there was something about it that just kinda felt a little boring to me.  With that said I still want to go see the movie to compare.


Heart of the Matter

I loved all of the prior Emily Griffin books so this was on the top of my list to read when it came out.  I have mixed feelings about the book.  It's definitely not my favorite one of her books to read, but I do enjoy her writing, I would say that the first two were the best.  The storyline was a little controversial to me, but I also know that it is something that does happen and to see how people handle this type of situation despite how upsetting it was to see people struggle in their marriages. 


Good Things

I read this book on a whim.  I had just finished Heart of the Matter and thought that it looked pretty good.  It was a pretty easy read and was similar to most 'chick-lit' but I liked it, and would recommend it.  It was a fairly quick read and was funny too.


The Help

When I saw this going around the web I was a little skeptical.  This was just not my kind of book to read.  A co-worker lent it to me and I was so grateful that I read it.  It took me the first Chapter or 2 to get into it but after that I loved it and couldn't put it down.  To hear about what it was like living in that Era was a real eye-opener and I anticipate that if I come across similar types of books, I will read them.


I read Nanny Returns and The Last Song as well earlier in the year.  And liked

I've had these 2 different books started for some time now and I just can't seem to get through them.  I'm going to make myself finish them and hopefully I will start to like them better.


I've been keeping track of other books I've read in an Amazon wishlist so I don't repeat.  So far I'm right on with my goal for the year I think.  If I can get somewhere with the 2 I'm reading, I'll be ahead.


So now the question is, what do I read next.  I've seen a suggestion for the Time Travelers Wife, but I didn't like the movie, is the book different?  What's on your nightstand?   Did you like any of the ones I've read or can you recommend any?  Have you read:   Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison or Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah?


*All images from Amazon*

Hurry up and get here already

There's so much going on in the next month or so that I feel like I'm sitting around waiting for the days to get here and things to happen.  Maybe if I get it our of my system it won't feel so far away!

1.  Heart of the Matter comes out in 7 days and I really need something new to read!  

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2.  Mom and Dad are driving down today and tomorrow to move my sister out of our house and into her apartment.  I haven't seen them since Christmas!

3.  Tuesday is two-fer Tuesday at Coldstone!  Buy 1 Kids (Ice Cream + 1 Mix-in) and get 1 free.  So we get 2 ice creams for $2.39!!  We've made it a ritual to go with another couple every week.  Who can pass up on that offer!

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4.  There are lots of movies coming out in May that I'm looking forward to seeing.

 

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5.  Our first anniversary is less than 2 weeks away and I can't wait to go on vacation with KC to Savannah to celebrate.  I need to plan what we're going to do and where we should try to eat.

6.  In June we're going to NYC for another short trip.  While there we will see my cousin and her husband, hopefully take in a NYY game at the new stadium, a Broadway show and I'm not sure what else (any suggestions?).

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7.  I've made it through 2 weeks of my 10K training only 5 more to go. I just want to be able to run the whole thing already!

8.  I won VIP tickets to see 'The Color Purple' at a local performing arts center at the end of May and I'm really excited to go!

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9.  My Birthday is less than a month away so 2 things.  I'm fearing up for a free burrito, free ice cream and free burger.  Plus, for the first time I actually want something (ok 2 things) for my birthday.  I usually have no clue when people ask me what I want!

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10. I will be running in the Komen Race for the Cure in June (about 1 week after my 10K) and I'm really looking forward to it!  (I just wish the other people would join my team and that I had the personality to solicit ppl for donations better)

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For now I will sit back and patiently wait for things to happen and enjoy today.  What are you looking forward to?  Have a great day!

Reading List

For my birthday last year my wonderful husband bought me an Amazon Kindle.  I have to say, I wasn't sure at first because of the price (yes, he bought it before the price dropped and missed the cutoff), but now, I can say that I love it and it was entirely worth it!  Maybe sometime, I'll do a review of the Kindle and a comparison to some of the new readers that are out.

One thing I love about the Kindle is the option to create a reading list and store it online and on the Kindle.  This allows me to go to Amazon and add things to my reading list and then see them when I am on my Kindle and vice versa.  I added so many books to my wish list off recommendations from Amazon, that I was getting lost.  I'm trying to pare down this list a little a add items based on personal recommendations.

I am setting a personal goal for myself of 1 book per month, so I'm hoping to add some recommendations to my list.  Here's what I have so far, let me know if you have any recommendations.

Currently Reading (February):

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
I pretty much love every Nicholas Sparks book that I have ever read, this one slipped by me as I usually read them right when they are released.  So far it's a great read.

Wish List:

Heart of the Matter by Emily Griffin
Released in May, I have loved all of her previous books.  I would recommend them if you haven't read them already.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Recommended by Blue-Eyed Bride

Nanny Returns - Emma McLaughlin
I loved the Nanny Diaries and some of her other books, I'm hoping this one is just as good.

Twenties Girl - Sophie Kinsella
I have read all of the books in the Shop-a-holic series and loved them.

These are the top 4 on my list.  I have a few others that I've seen on lists as well.  I might go back to Blue-Eyed Bride's list and add a few more to my reading list that I haven't read before.

• Good Things by Mia King


• Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison


• Firefly Lane by Kristin hannah

Here's what I've got so far:

• January - I finished one in January but the name escapes me right now, I'll update later with the info!


• February - The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks


• March - The Help by Kathryn Stockett


• April - Nanny Returns - Emma McLaughlin


• May -Twenties Girl - Sophie Kinsella


• June - Heart of the Matter by Emily Griffin


• July -


• August -


• September


• October -


• November -


• December -

Suggestions/Recommendations encouraged!  :-)   (Oh and yes I've read Twilight and loved them!) I have a stack in my book case at home that I've read that I liked, someday I'll pull together an all inclusive list.

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