1. The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry - this was recommended to me by my Mother. She loved it - I did not. It has a lot of Chinese history which I loved but the story - not so much. I think it is highly regarded so what do I know - I just didn't love it and stopped reading about 3/4 of the way through.
2. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival by Laura Hillenbrand - Amazing book! Loved it. I love World War II history - thank my 12th grade history teacher - great story.
3. Life from Scratch by Melissa Ford - a food blogger going through a divorce. Funny at times, sad at times, overall a decent read. I did think that this was a real blogger - turns out it was fiction.
4. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly - I really enjoyed this book - so much so that I read another one of Michael Connelly's novels immediately afterward - see below
5. The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly - a good read but once done, I decided I was done with the characters - I think there is 100 more books with them in it! They weren't bad, just done with it.
6. Still Alice by Lisa Genova - Enjoyed this one. It's about a Harvard professor who is diagnosed with early-onset alzheimer's in her early 40's. Very interesting, sad glimpse into this disease and its impact on a younger family. Naturally I think I have it now too!
7. Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman - I enjoy a "slice of life" book and that is what this one was. Poor Cee Cee is having a rough time of things, including her Mom being hit by an ice cream truck - then she moves in with her father's aunt in the deep south and everything changes - for the better.
8. Bossypants by Tina Fey - one word - Hilarious!
9. Dreams of Joy by Lisa See I love Lisa See and her depiction of China. This is a sequel to Shang-hai Girls - another great story.
10. Lord of the Flies by William Golding - Christian had to read this for summer reading and I hadn't read it in oh - 150 years - so I got it on my kindle and gave it another go. I remember not enjoying this in high school. It is a very thought provoking story of course and I certainly appreciated it now more than in my teens. I think it is a bit heavy for a 14 year old but we all had to suffer through it so why should things change - right?
11. The Stand by Stephen King - One of the BEST books I read this year. Another one that I had read - oh about at least 20 years ago! It was great getting to know these characters again and I loved the fact that Stephen King went back and added 400 pages to the original tale. I had forgotten a lot of the details so it was almost reading it again for the first time. It was interesting reading this after Lord of the Flies as they both deal with the idea of society as we know it being wiped out. What happens to the people who survive? Will there be laws, governance, anarchy? Another thought provoker with the idea of God vs. Satan thrown in for good measure. Read this one again - you won't regret it.
12. Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan - another "slice of life" book. This time it's a dysfunctional clan who have vacationed in the same house in Maine for years. Lots going on in this family - as in all families. A good read. Enjoyed it so much decided to read another by the same author - Commencement.
13. Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan - Slice of Life book about college girlfiriends. Didn't like this one as much as Maine but again, a decent read that made it past the "3 chapter rule!"
14. Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson - Fascinating book about a blind man and his guide dog and their experience on 9-11 escaping the North Tower. I learned a lot about the blind as well as the guide dog process. Very interesting.
15. Zombie, Ohio by Scottt Kenemore - this was a $1.99 book on Amazon for Kindle. I have to admit - I'm obsessed with the notion of a zombie apocalypse! I've watched all the movies so when this book offer came across my computer I thought - what the heck! Very interesting take on the moral implications of being a zombie - the main character is a zombie who doesn't realize it at first. I did stop reading after his first kill though - not gory - but disturbing. I might go back to it later.
16. The Giver by Lois Lowry - this was a school book review book for Christian. i like to read what he reads so I can be a good "editor" for him! Great, great book. Aimed at teens but a great book for everyone. Imagine a world where everything in life is mapped out for you from your spouse to your children. It is all picked for you - no decisions - no mistakes - no memories of when things were not perfect. Unless you are the "receiver" - who gets all the good and bad memories of mankind. Read this one - it will make you think.
17. As Hot as it was you Ought to Thank Me by Nanci Kincaid Just finished this slice of life book. Kept me interested. Interesting characters, funny southern town, mystery, intrigue - and some disturbing scenes with men on a chain-gang. I enjoyed it - I will probably think about some of the characters for some time.
So there you have it - my reading list for 2011. I can't wait to read some really great books this year. I am starting with a group read of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. My friend Leisa and I are going to read 2 a week and discuss. Looking forward to it!
What's on your reading list?
