From the Bookshelf

If I continue to bore you all with my thoughts on various books maybe I should come up with some kind of rating system. Hmmm, I'll think about that one.

For now I have two books to share. First...

Okay, I know a lot of people loved this book, and a lot of people didn't love the movie, so I gave it a shot. If you haven't read it, it follows the self-discovery journey of a woman experiencing a mid-life crisis of sorts. She decides to take a year off and travel, spending four months in Italy to indulge (eat), four months in India to learn from her spiritual guru (pray), and then four moths in Bali to practice the art of balancing the two (love). 

This book had some amusing parts and I enjoyed her commentary of the various countries, but I found it hard to relate a lot of the time - and I feel if I am going to be spending my time reading about one person and their opinions and experiences I should at least be able to relate. I could relate to her time in Italy (if you know me you know I love to eat) and somewhat to her time in India (different religions and all), but once she got to Bali I was completely separated from her. Maybe I would have liked it more if I was a thirty-something professional in the middle of a divorce with money to burn...but I'm not. Either way, I am glad she found her happiness.

Then...

I thought this book was really fun. I mean, who doesn't like the circus (even though I realized as I was reading this that I have never been to a circus before). This book tells the story of a young man who ran away and joined a circus during the depression as he is remembering/dreaming about it many years later. It jumps back and forth between his circus life and his current life at an assisted living facility. I think I liked his current life more than most would because I work with men just like him at an assisted living facility. It was fun to make comparisons. Anyway, the description of life as a circus worker was very entertaining. The story kept me captivated and I felt attached to the characters. I haven't seen the movie yet and I don't know if I want to...I like the way the story looks in my head (I just can't picture a vampire as the main character...and yes Robert Pattinson will always be a vampire to me, sorry). Regardless, I definitely recommend this one.

Up next...a book lent to me by my aunt.

From the Bookshelf

One thing I have been doing a lot more of is reading. I forgot how much I enjoy reading...and I have loved jumping back into it.

First up...

I really enjoyed these crime thriller books. They are definitely for a more mature audience and have some racy parts, so be prepared if you decide to read them. Unfortunately, when they made the movie for the first book they exploited those parts and it is rated R. Sad. Anyway, the first two were my favorites. The third one was a good wrap-up, but not as good as the first two. 

Next...

Oh my goodness I cannot wait until the movie for The Hunger Games comes out. All of these books were amazing. I think the first one was my favorite, but they were all really, really good. And quick, easy reads too. I highly recommend these books to anyone who hasn't read them (but my guess is most of you have already read them and I am way behind the curve on this one).

Then...

I know, another one you have all probably read - I have a lot of catching up to do. So I really wanted to read this book before I saw the movie, but I was put on a waiting list at the library (number 141...go me!). It turns out that waiting list took months (yeah, I would rather wait months than pay what...$10 for the book...ha) so I ended up seeing the movie first. The movie was amazing and when I eventually read the book I found it followed it really well. This book isn't action and adventure like the two series above, but I was never bored with it. I loved the serious topic of fighting to fix racial inequalities. I especially like that it was written by a woman who grew up in the south with "help" of her own. 

And...

I have this thing about getting bored with listening to music all the time. I love music and all, but hearing the same songs all of the time gets old. So, instead of listening to music on my walk to school, I like to listen to audiobooks. Nerdy, I know. I decided to try a nonfiction book because I really like learning through nonfiction books, but I tend to fall asleep as I read since they are usually a little slower. But, it is kind of hard to fall asleep while walking. Perfect solution. This book took me the whole semester to finish, but it was worth it. My dad actually recommended it to me. While my mom and I have similar tastes in fiction, my dad and I have similar tastes in nonfiction. The Ghost Map is all about the cholera epidemic in London. I liked it because of the medical aspect of cholera and the in-depth description of a city I love - London (plus the tangents the author went on were really interesting too). If you like history, medicine, London (or cholera) I think you would really enjoy this book. 

Up next...

And on audiobook...

Happy reading!

From the Bookshelf

I recently finished this book.

The biography of our church's prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. 

I really enjoyed this book. I loved reading stories from President Monson's childhood and learning about all of the work he has done for the church. I feel so much closer to him after reading this and so blessed to have him as the president of our church. I know that he was divinely chosen for this time and that he leads us through inspiration from God. 

If you haven't read this book yet I highly recommend it. 

Up next...

I know...totally not even in the same literary category.

From the Bookshelf

With school on a little break for a few months, I have revisited my love for reading. I started with this book.

I knew this book was really popular in the business world, I had heard it was life changing, and I read the teenage version (written by Stephen Covey's son) when I was in high school, so I decided to give this book a try. 

Verdict: I loved it. I know it is cliche to say that a book changed your life or something, but this book really did influence me and has changed me. This book is one of those that I plan on reading every summer or something because I know I can get so much more out of it. I know that if I apply the principles taught in this book I can live a fulfilling and successful life. This book is not just for business people (even though it has a lot of that in it) but it is for families and individuals. Anyone can apply the principles in it.

My recommendation...read this book. Open your mind to it and just try it. If you don't agree with the author, it will at least make you think. But maybe it will influence your life in the positive way it has influenced mine. 

Next on the list...

Stay tuned for what I thought (if you care...ha!)