#28: Read 100 Books

I love to read, but I have a hard time picking books for myself. I usually read based on recommendations. These recommendations can come from anywhere. I believe this one came from Amazon based on past purchases and searches.

This time I read The Lion, the lamb, the hunted.

A journalist investigates the 30-year-old kidnapping and murder of a kid. And of course there are twists and turns along the way. I liked this book, but I thought the end was predictable. Usually when I think I have figured out how a book will end there is a curve ball in there that I was not expecting. But that did not happen here, which was a little disappointing. It was still a good read, but I think it could have been better.

#27 and #28: Books

I recently read a non-crime book and a crime book. Balance. I will read books based on recommendations from strangers, internet friends, co-workers (except I will not be reading 50 shades of porn), anyone. The Night Circus was one of those recommendations. When I first read the insert, I thought it was going to be the Hunger Games set in a circus. Not at all. This is a fantastical, magical book about two young magicians dueling with the circus at as their setting. But they don't know who each other is and they don't know how a winner is determined. The description and settings and details make this a very enjoyable read.

While reading The Night Circus, I was also reading The Consultant, book two of the Barry/McCall series by Claude Bouchard. You definitely must read The Vigilante first. And I have said repeatedly how I love a series, especially when it is good.

#27: Read 50 Non-Crime Books

I have been away from this blog for a while. I have had a lot going on. Mostly bad, but I am trying to turn a new leaf. I have been reading though. I read 4 non-crime related books in a row. That is big for me.

First I read Shantaram. This book was recommended several times by several different people. And sorry, now I can remember none of those people specifically. But I am definitely one to try a book that has several recommendations. Even if it is not in the genre I normally read. And again, I am glad I did. Shantaram is the story of an escaped convict from Australia that flees to India in an attempt to recreate his life. I read this book on my Kindle and just recently found out this book is over 900 pages. I was wondering what was taking me so long to finish it. If you read the reviews on this book they are all over the place. Some people, like the ones that recommended it to me, say its the best book they have ever read or at least the best book they read last year. Others hated it. I loved the descriptions of India and Mumbai and other travelled places. It definitely makes me want to travel there. But I could have done without about 300 pages of this book...and it would still have been a long book. This is a memoir written like a novel. I definitely was wrapped up in all the characters and their lives as I read this one.

After finishing this book I decided to read something a little different. Something I could hopefully breeze through. I was skeptical about whether or not I would like this next book. I thought maybe I would put it down after the first page. I read my first young adult book as an adult. And I liked it. Loved it. I read The Hunger Games.

I don't really think I need to give this book any explanation. If you have not heard of this book I think you have been living under a rock. But much to my surprise this book was a surprise. I actually read it in a day. Yes, one day. I was home on a weekend doing nothing and decided to start reading it. And I could not put it down. It was so good that as soon as I finished I instantly downloaded Book 2, Catching Fire, on my Kindle and started reading that. And then after reading that, I went straight to Book 3, The Mockingjay. I read the entire series in 5 days. I don't think I have ever done that before. If you have not read these books, I strongly recommend. I even got the Hubs to go see the movie and even without reading the books he really enjoyed it and wanted to know what happened in the rest of the series.

#27 and #28: Read Books

I have not updated my 101 in 1001 in a while. But that does not mean that I haven't been doing anything. I HAVE been reading. And I love getting suggestions from people on a book to read in a genre I have never read before and absolutely loving that book. This has happened to me recently. I know want to read more...Historical Fiction. Didn't even know this was a type of book. Crazy I know.

Anywho, here is what I have been reading lately.

In September, an online book club I am in decided to read a book related to September 11 given that is was the 10 year anniversary. 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers was selected.

The story was written from the perspective of people inside the towers. This account was taken from survivors, 911 calls, cell phone calls to loved ones. While this was not the best book ever written, I am really glad I read it. It was definitely hard to get through and very sad, but well worth it.

After reading this I needed something light. Well, light for me anyway. So I read the latest from one of my go to authors Kathy Reichs, Temperance Brennan novels. Flash and Bones is the 14th book in the series. It was not my favorite, but was an easy read. It was also sans the love interest that I like so that was a bit of a let down. However, I know I will read the next book when it comes out.

Then I went on to another favorite, the Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben. Live Wire is book #10. I know I have mentioned before that I love a series. A lot from past books is tied together here. I think there is going to be a spin-off or there may already be one. It was ok, but I think sometimes people lose their edge in a book series.

Off of recommendations from some internet friends I read the next two books. I thoroughly enjoyed each.

Still Alice is the story of a Harvard professor who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. This story was so engulfing. I could not put it down. I was reading this book long after I should have gone to bed for the night. There were some touching moments in this book. You couldn't help but relate it to your own life.

Next I read Empress Orchid. I loved this book. This is the historical fiction I mentioned before and as much as I am not a history fan, I loved this. It is a wonderful story of one of the minor concubines of the Emperor of China. If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, you will like this as well. I cannot wait to read another book in this genre.

So since September I have read 5 books. I have a long list of others I cannot wait to get through. Thank God for the library.

#27: Read 50 Non-Crime Books

With Death as a narrator, this book was wonderful, dark, and moving. Set in Germany during the Nazi regime, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel a nine-year-old girl during the time. You follow her as she lives and steals. It really was a great book.

#27: Read 50 Non-crime books

Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mom by Amy Chua

I first heard of this book on a message board I frequent. There was an article in the New York Times (I think?) comparing Chinese mothers to Western (American) mothers and child rearing. I have no children, but the Hubs and I often discuss how we would raise our hypothetical children. You know how it is. You see a child doing something you would never let your child do or watching/listening to something you would never let child. Yep, we are those people.

The Hubs and I are also have a lot of criticisms of how we see children raised today. The "everyone gets a trophy" mentality makes me want to puke. The sense of entitlement. Well, despite how I think I would be with my kids, I am no Amy Chua. To quote a friend, "that woman is a beast." It all starts on the first page as she lists the things that her daughters could not do.

I will admit I got some pointers and I saw some sides of crazy I don't think I would want to venture to. But it was a good read.

#23: Take an activity class not related to Grad School

The Hubs and I needed to restart Date Night. When you are married, you can get into a routine and sometimes you need to remind yourself that a good marriage takes a little effort. So I was on a quest to find something fun for us to do. I mean, I love going to dinner, but I wanted something a little different.

What did I find...A couples cooking class.

We went to Culinaire and had so much fun. It was a seafood class and we got to make 3 different seafood dishes that we had never had before AND we did it together. We both had a great time and we got to take the recipes home.

Chilled Thai Crab Salad in Endive

Seafood Stew with Garlic Toast

Salmon En Papillotte with Creamed Leeks and Couscous