Summer Book Club Challenge

Each season, my online book club The Nest Book Club holds a reading challenge. Challenge tasks are designated at 5, 10, 15, or 25 points. The idea is to read a book meeting each task and rack up the points. The first 5 people to finish the challenge get to pick the 25 point tasks for the next challenge. I've participated in a few but have never finished. Actually, I'm not sure I will ever finish a challenge. I basically use the challenges as a way to pick books to read. Based on the tasks, I pick books from my shelves at home. It's been a great way to finally read books that I've owned for ages. The Summer Book Challenge (SuBC) will be over September 30. The Fall Book Challenge (FBC) starts October 1. I haven't gotten very far, but here's what I've done so far.


5 Point Tasks

Book set in a place you never want to visit: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Book with one word title: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Dystopian/Utopian: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Book you haven't read yet by a favorite author: Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult


10 Point Tasks

Book where the title or author's name starts with "J," "A," or "S": Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster

Memoir, Biography, or Autobiography: Me of Little Faith by Lewis Black


15 Point Tasks

Book with a ghost or character with psychic powers: Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison

Read a book and watch the movie/TV show: Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

Book about the paranormal: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Book you keep looking at and putting down: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong


25 Point Tasks

Read a book and contact the author: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Start a series you haven't read yet: Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs



So far I have 150 points out of 425. I still have a few more books that I'll probably finish before the end of the month.

Linger

When I downloaded Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater to my Nook, I downloaded its sequel, Linger. I figured if I loved Shiver I would probably want to start Linger right away. That's exactly what I did. Now, I liked Shiver but wasn't exactly head over heels in love with it. I can honestly say, though, that I fell hard for Linger. When I finished it today, I was heartbroken. I need to know what happens next!

From Goodreads:


Their eyes, human eyes in wolf skulls, remind me of water: the clear blue of water reflecting the spring sky, the brown of a brook churning with rainfall, the green of the lake in summer as the algae begins to bloom, the gray of a snow-choked river. It used to be only Sam's yellow eyes that watched me from between the rain-soaked birches, but no, I feel the weight of the entire pack's gaze. The weight of things known, things unsaid.



Sam, who spent most of his life as a werewolf, has undergone an unlikely cure and no longer transitions between fur and skin as the temperature changes from cold to hot. This should be a happy time for Sam and true-love Grace, but just as he begins to trust his new human life, Grace feels her humanity slipping away. Sam's focus is split between worry for Grace and his role as caretaker of the werewolf pack, which for the first time in years includes new members.




Cover: Like the Shiver cover, the Linger cover was so pretty. For me, the greens symbolized the warmth and life of the spring season and when the wolves shed their furry pelts for a less hairy appearance.

Characters: Sam and Grace are still crazy about each other. Sam's insecurities seem to be exposed a bit more in this book. I was surprised at how friendly Isabel and Grace became. Cole was a nice addition to the story. His growth throughout the story was touching.

Writing: Stiefvater does such a nice job of telling the story from the various perspectives. I'm a sucker for this style of writing. I also like how she adds Sam's lyrics and poems that Sam is fond of. Her writing in this story really pulled me in. I found myself hanging on the last word of every page, just waiting for what would come next.

Plot: I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I will say that I enjoyed the way Shiver tied in with Linger. What's the saying? When one door closes, another one opens. That's exactly what happened in this book. Just when you thought Sam and Grace would live happily ever after, something else pops up.

Overall: 5/5 I LOVED this book! I can't wait until the next book in the series is released.

Thursday 13 (3)

This week's Thursday 13 is a list of books from my eBook Wish List for my Nook.




Siren by Tricia Rayburn

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

13 to Life by Shannon Delany

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Fallen by Lauren Kate

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Wake by Lisa McMann

Glass Houses (Morganville Vampire Series) by Rachel Caine

Book of Shadows by Alexandra Sokoloff

The Unseen by Alexandra Sokoloff

Pretty in Plaid

I picked up the audio version of Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster at a local bookstore.  I love audiobooks.  They're great for my lengthy commute to school and my short trip to work.  I've read another book by Lancaster, Bright Lights, Big Ass.  I really liked it and was looking forward to reading/listening to Pretty in Plaid.
 
Cover: The cover is super cute! There's a pair of legs wearing long argyle socks in pastel pink and green. I love them!


Characters: The main character is the author, Jen Lancaster. I have to admit that in the beginning when she was telling stories of her childhood I thought to myself, "Please don't let my children be like this." I found her to be a total brat when she was younger. She seemed to be very superficial and overly concerned with how other people saw her. She became more bearable as she got older. Lancaster seemed to be a mature and responsible teenager but then turned into a wild child in college. She always showed, though, that when she wanted something she went for it. Lancaster never let anybody stop her. I like that about her. She is outspoken, as well, which is another quality I admire.

Writing: Lancaster's writing makes me feel as if I'm simply having a conversation with her. I like that it's not extremely structured like some books. It seems to be free flowing. She's also extremely witty and a smart ass, which is awesome. I like smart asses. She does such a great job at telling these stories and conveying her reactions and feelings at the time.

Plot: This book was a collection of stories about events from Lancaster's life from childhood to adulthood. In addition to the chapter title, she also used a piece of clothing or a fashion accessory as the staple of that chapter. I really liked this. It was very unique. Writing the book in this way allowed Lancaster to show how she grew as a person and also as a fashion lover. She always had a knack for looking great but went from shopping at your typical department stores (TJ Maxx, Marshall's, etc.) to shopping at the more expensive stores (Nordstrom, Tiffany's, etc.).

Overall: 3/5 I liked this book. I didn't find it as funny as Bright Lights, Big Ass, though. It did, however, provide more background for me after reading Bright Lights, Big Ass.

Why Just One? (3)

On Wednesdays, I try to share a series I've been wanting to read. My Goodreads TBR list has many for me to choose from, and I'm always finding more thanks to all the awesome book blogs out there. So far, I've mentioned the Sookie Stackhouse series and the Temperance Brennan series. This week, I'm talking about a series that I'm sure everyone is familiar with and will probably be wondering why I haven't read it yet. So, here's this week's series...


Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Yes, I have not read any of the Harry Potter books. It seems like everyone and their grandma have already read this series and then waited anxiously for the movies. I tried to read the first book back in high school but just couldn't get into it. I've seen a few of the movies and thought they were okay. But I'm ready to try the books again.

Just yesterday, a client of mine was talking about the Harry Potter series. She was saying how much she loved the series but wasn't happy about the way it ended. Of course, this made me curious. So now I'm adding the Harry Potter books to my list of series I want to tackle.


Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Shiver

After seeing tons of good things about this book on Twitter and my online book board, I decided I had to read Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.  I'd been sticking with books that I already owned but was getting itchy to read a book on my new Nook.  This was my opportunity. 

From Goodreads:
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again.


Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.
Cover:  The cover is gorgeous.  I love the twisting branches and little hearts hanging down from them.  The colors give it a "winter feel" with the cools blues.

Characters:  Sam and Grace are the main characters in Shiver.  There are other characters involved, but I feel like these two are the main players.  Sam seems to be an insecure, sensitive young man.  He's probably one of those guys who would be mysterious and catch all kinds of attention from girls but not know what to do with it.  Grace is a mature, independent teenager.  She plays the parent role in her family, while her parents are living their dreams.  Sam and Grace compliment each other.  Sam's insecurity is paired with Grace's confidence.  Sam's hopelessness is paired with Grace's hopefulness.  Together, they're a sweet couple who just seem made for each other.

Writing:  Stiefvater wrote beautifully in describing the relationship between Sam and Grace.  I like that she wrote from both of their perspectives.  The connection she described between the two lovers was much deeper than a physical one. 

Plot:  It was refreshing to read about werewolves.  I haven't read anything involving them before, so this was new to me.  Sam is a werewolf with a connection to a girl, Grace.  They've shared a bond for six years as werewolf and girl until a chance encounter allows Sam's human form to meet her.  Their love is strong, and they fight for a way to stay together, knowing that if Sam changes back to his wolf form he'll never change back again.  I found myself engulfed in the hope that Sam and Grace would find a way to stay together.  My thoughts went like this: "They're going to find a way to stay together."  "It's not going to happen."  "OMG!  They are going to do it!"  "Dammit!  I thought it was going to work."  I won't share my last thought at the end of the book.  I'm pretty sure one simple sentence would give away the ending. :-)

Overall:  4/5  I really liked this book.  I think I now know what all the hype was about.  I'm also really glad I bought Linger at the same time I bought Shiver.  As soon as I read the last line my head screamed, "I have to read Linger!"

What I'm Reading (2)

I don't usually read more than one book at a time, but I'm making an exception this time around. Now that I have a Nook, I'm trying to read and get rid of a lot of my paperback/hardcover books. My Nook is new, and I found myself reading most of the books I already had rather than playing with my fantastic new toy. So, I decided to read both. I'm going to keep a regular book in my purse/bag for when I'm slow at work or waiting somewhere. My Nook is for reading at home. It's still too new for me to be comfortable just toting it around with me all the time. Here's what I'm reading now:

Paperback

Living Dead in Dallas (Sookie Stackhouse Series) by Charlaine Harris

I read the first book in the series and have watched the first two seasons of True Blood. I'm addicted through and through. I saw the second season before reading this book, and I've already found some differences between the show and book. I'm eager to see what the rest of the book holds in store and how it compares to the show.





Nook

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

I've seen lots of people on Twitter and in several blogs posting about the awesomesauce that is this series by Maggie Stiefvater. I decided to check it out. I'm about halfway through Shiver, and I'm liking it. I can't say I'm crazy about it or that it's been keeping me up late, but I'm enjoying it.




Audio

Pretty in Plaid by Jennifer Lancaster

I've also been listening to Pretty in Plaid by Jennifer Lancaster.  It's the second book by her that I've read, and so far I like it.  I'm only about halfway through it.

Thursday 13 (2)

I have tons of books on my To Be Read list on Goodreads. Here's 13 that have been on the list the longest.




1. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins

2. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

3. The Da Vinci Code by Dan brown

4. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

5. A Time to Kill by John Grisham

6. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

7. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

8. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

9. Dry by Augusten Burroughs

10. Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs

11. Sellevision by Augusten Burroughs

12. A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs

13. Beautiful Child by Torey Hayden

Why Just One? (2)

I've had my eye on a series by Kathy Reichs for a few months. I stumbled upon it through another blog (sorry, I can't remember which one) and discovered it was about the character Temperance Brennan from Bones. I love watching Bones and figured the books are probably pretty good, too. I've gotten most of them through Paperbackswap, but I don't know if I'll read the series straight through. So, here it is!




Deja Dead

Death du Jour

Deadly Decisions

Fatal Voyage

Grave Secrets

Bare Bones

Monday Mourning

Cross Bones

Break No Bones

Bones to Ashes

Devil Bones

206 Bones



Those are the books I have listed on my Goodreads TBR. I'm not quite sure if there are more or not. Actually, I'm going to check that out now. :-)

Handle with Care

Awhile ago, I started a personal reading marathon.  It was the first one I created for myself, and I decided to begin with books by Jodi Picoult.  I had a few that had been on my shelf for a good while.  I finally finished the last Picoult book I had, which was Handle with Care.

From Goodreads:

Every expectant parent will tell you that they don't want a perfect baby, just a healthy one. Charlotte and Sean O'Keefe would have asked for a healthy baby, too, if they'd been given the choice. Instead, their lives are made up of sleepless nights, mounting bills, the pitying stares of "luckier" parents, and maybe worst of all, the what-ifs. What if their child had been born healthy? But it's all worth it because Willow is, well, funny as it seems, perfect. She's smart as a whip, on her way to being as pretty as her mother, kind, brave, and for a five-year-old an unexpectedly deep source of wisdom. Willow is Willow, in sickness and in health." Everything changes, though, after a series of events forces Charlotte and her husband to confront the most serious what-ifs of all. What if Charlotte should have known earlier of Willow's illness? What if things could have been different? What if their beloved Willow had never been born? To do Willow justice, Charlotte must ask herself these questions and one more. What constitutes a valuable life?

Cover: The Handle with Care cover is sweet.  It's different from the types of covers my other Jodi Picoult books have had.  It makes more sense once you've read some of the book.

Characters:  Picoult always does a great job developing her characters.  Willow was my favorite.  She was such a unique character, and there actually wasn't much written from her point of view.  Despite this, her feelings and thoughts were still expressed clearly.  Picoult did this through the interactions Willow had with the other characters. 

Writing:  Picoult always does an excellent job at telling stories.  I always talk about how I enjoy her stories being told from different perspectives.  It's also always clear that she does her research before writing her books.  I really like that about her writing, too. 

Plot:  Picoult's books usually have a major topic that pushes people's buttons.  She approaches these things in a way that makes them less scary, though.  For example, this book raised the question of whether it's better to have a baby knowing he/she will have disabilities or aborting the baby once learning of this.  Like all major issues, there are going to be people who fall on either side.  This particular family was split because of how they felt regarding the issue.  I was also shocked at how the book ended.  The last book I read was My Sister's Keeper, and I was shocked by that ending, too.  Picoult has really mastered the concept of "surprise twist."

Overall: 4/5  I really enjoyed this book.  I love how she makes readers think about things they would normally avoid and question their own choices.  I was also really impressed with the twist at the end.

My Sister's Keeper

I saw the movie for My Sister's Keeper back in January.  After seeing it, I was hesitant to read the book.  I had heard the endings for each were different, so I figured I'd give it a shot.  After finishing the book, I'm SO happy I decided to read it.  I also think it's safe to say I liked the book much better than the movie.

Cover: I love Picoult's simple yet expressive covers. After reading multiple books from her in a row, I definitely see a pattern. What I love most about the cover choices is that the images don't give everything away. There's enough there to convey a message but enough missing to allow the reader to form their own expectations and thoughts.


Characters: The characters in this story were well-developed. Each member of a family has his or her own roles, and these roles can become even more clearly defined when families experience difficulties like chronic illness. Picoult did a wonderful job illustrating how each member of the Fitzgerald clan expected certain behaviors and responses from each other. Sara was expected to be the glue holding everything and everyone together. Brian went through the actions but wasn't as devoted as Sara. Kate was expected to get better, to beat the odds. Anna was expected to give everything she had to make sure her sister lived. Jesse was expected to stay behind the scenes and under the radar. This was how the family operated for years, and when part of their machine started working differently, they found themselves in unfamiliar territory.

Writing: I always enjoy how Picoult writes from the characters' differing perspectives. I think this gives so much more depth to the story. We all see things differently and have different ideas for what leads to certain circumstances. It only seems right that a good story would address these multiple views.

Plot: I've mentioned before how much I enjoy the way Picoult takes a topic that may be difficult to chew and twists it into a story that humanizes it and makes it much more palatable for the general public. Her books make me think. She makes me put myself into the characters' shoes and question my own courses of action. Would I have done the same things as Sara Fitzgerald in trying to save my child, or would I have recognized my child's need to make a decision? Ultimately, I think the story is not about Anna's right to choose what medical procedures she has. I think the story is about Kate's right to choose. She endured so much in her short time and all at the urging of her mother.  Picoult did an amazing job with the genius plot twist at the end of the book.  I definitely was not expecting the book to end that way.

Overall: 5/5  Picoult never disappoints me!  This was one of my favorite books by her.

Second Glance

Second Glance by Jodi Picoult was another book in my personal reading marathon.  I considered it to be a page turner.

Cover:  This cover didn't really convey any feelings in me or inspire any musings. 

Characters:  The characters were fascinating people who all seemed to be missing something.  There were several characters who played significant parts in the story, so I won't take the time to discuss all of them.  Each character was unique in their own way, but they all seemed to need or want something they didn't have.  For most of them, I believe it was love.

Writing:  Picoult always does a fantastic job writing.  She kept me in suspense throughout the entire book.  I especially liked how she used a chunk of the book to tell Lia's story from her perspective.

Plot:  The plot of the story was great.  It was unique but used the "ghost story" angle that catches people's attention.  I love reading ghost stories and trying to learn more about who that ghost used to be and what might have happened to them.  Picoult told a wonderful ghost story.  I also liked how she linked all of the characters together.  I'm starting to see that love and the great lengths we go for love are major themes in Picoult's work.

Overall:  4/5  This was a great story about how far some people will go to protect someone they love or to never have to be away from them.  Some people will even try to cross the fine line between life and death.

Mercy

It's been a few weeks since I finished this book, but I'm just now getting around to posting a review.  As mentioned in an earlier post, I've been reading all of my Jodi Picoult books as a personal reading marathon. 

Mercy by Jodi Picoult is the story of two couples and the power of love.  I know it sounds cheesey, but it's the best way I can think of to describe the story.  Jamie finds himself at the center of a trial after he admits to killing his terminally ill wife.  Allie and Cam find their own familiar love tested when a stranger blows into town.  Love makes people do crazy things, things they might not do in other circumstances.  This book is a great exploration of just that.

Cover:  Yet another simple but powerful Picoult book.  A man and woman embracing each other.  It's not clear which couple from the book is portrayed in this image, but that's what I like.  It could be anyone.

Characters:  The main characters were Cam and Allie MacDonald, Jamie and Maggie MacDonald, and Mia Townsend.  I despised Cam.  I don't want to share any spoilers, so I'll just say his behaviors angered me.  I felt sorry for both Allie and Jamie.  They both loved their spouse with every ounce of their being despite not getting the same love back.  I was also proud of Allie for the transformation she made.  Mia was simply a big mistake. 

Writing:  I thought the writing was wonderful.  The love Jamie felt for Maggie was so easily conveyed.  The same goes for Allie's love for Cam.

Plot:  I really liked the main story about Jamie killing his terminally ill wife out of love.  It raised a lot of questions.  It made me wonder if that was something I could do.  The subplot of Cam and Allie's relationship drew my attention away at times.  I found myself eager to find out what would happen between them.

Overall: 4/5  Another great story that makes me think.  I love that Picoult's books make my brain work.

Teaser Tuesday (6)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme held by Miz B at Should Be Reading.  It's a great way to share what you're reading or what you're planning on reading.  Here's how it works.  Grab a book, open to a random page, and share two teaser sentences.  Be sure to avoid posting spoilers and include the book's title and author.

This week's Teaser Tuesday is from My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.

Zanne shows up the night before we are due to go to the hospital to begin Kate's preparatory transplant regimen.  She lets Jesse help her set up her portable office, takes a phone call from Australia, and then comes into the kitchen so that Brian and I can catch her up on daily routines.-p.227

What's your Teaser Tuesday?

Why Just One? (1)

I didn't always read fiction.  For the longest time, I only read non-fiction books.  Most of these had something to do with psychology, which was related to me wanting to be a psychologist.  I loved reading about psychological disorders and true crime cases.

Eventually, I started reading more fiction books as an escape from work.  I deal with some pretty heavy issues at work and needed to let my mind wander.  In addition to reading more fiction in general, I also began reading books in series.  There are plenty I want to read.  So starting today, I'm going to be sharing the many series I'd like to read. 

This week is:  The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris.

Dead Until Dark (read)
Living Dead in Dallas
Club Dead
Dead to the World
Dead as a Doornail
Definitely Dead
All Together Dead
From Dead to Worse
Dead and Gone
Dead in the Family

Teaser Tuesday (5)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme held by MizB over at Should Be Reading. Grab a book and play along!


Open your book up to a random page and share 2 teaser sentences. Be sure to not give anything too juicy away. You don't want to spoil the book for anyone else! Also, remember to share the title and author. You know. In case your teaser is just so good we want to read the book!

This week's Teaser Tuesday comes from Second Glance by Jodi Picoult.  It's part of my own personal reading marathon. 

I will carry her tight against my chest; I will keep her warm.  On the way to Canada, I will tell her of the sights we pass--the cows marooned in fields, the violet fireweed exploding along the road, the mountains that curve like the line of a woman's body. p. 216

What's your Teaser Tuesday this week?

Keeping Faith

I've had Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult sitting on my bookshelf for awhile.  As I was reading it, I decided to have my own personal reading marathon and read the rest of the Jodi Picoult books I own.  I thought this would be a good way to plow through the books I own but haven't read yet.

Keeping Faith is the story of  Mariah and Faith White.  Mariah's marriage ends after she discovers her husband's affair.  As if coping with this wasn't bad enough, Faith begins exhibiting strange behaviors, like saying God talks to her. 

  Cover: The cover of Keeping Faith was quite beautiful. It was simple, and yet I felt it conveyed a lot of emotion. My edition had an image of a young child wrapped up in someone's arms. Without being able to see the other person's face, it made me wonder who was holding that child. Once I began reading the book, I found more meaning in this cover. Was the child being held by her mother, father, or God?




Characters: The main characters were Mariah White, Faith White, Colin White, Millie Epstein, and Ian Fletcher. Mariah is a weak woman who has been broken by her husband's antics but still seeks out his approval and love. I felt she measured her self-worth through the approval of others and craved routines and perfection. Faith White is a typical child who is suddenly put between her parents and develops a special gift. Throughout it all, though, she maintains the innocence of a child. Colin White is Faith's father and Mariah's husband (ex-husband). He has been the catalyst for problems in Mariah's life, and one might argue, set off the gift that Faith develops. Millie Epstein is Mariah's mother. She's a strong, outspoken woman who cares for her daughter and granddaughter deeply. Ian Fletcher is a teleatheist ( I know, it sounds weird). He makes a living trying to get others to accept that God doesn't exist. He has some sneaky qualities but shows some endearing ones later on.



Writing: I thought Picoult's writing was lovely. She did such an amazing job at conveying Mariah's feelings, whether they were regarding her husband, daughter, or herself. It was easy to imagine what she was going through. I also thought she did a wonderful job expressing what Faith was experiencing, feeling, and thinking. At times, there was some dialogue from Faith that I thought sounded a little old for a 7 year old. But from working with kids, I know it's possible.



Plot: The plot of the story had a general predictability to it. Husband cheats and leaves his wife. Family falls apart. Child has some sort of difficulty. What I liked about this story, though, was that Faith's difficulty was unique. It wasn't the typical behaviors one might see in a child whose parents have divorced. I also liked the way Mariah changed from the beginning of the book. I don't want to give too much away, but her growth was different than what I'd expected. I've always enjoyed that Picoult's books have a main topic that is typically one that causes debates. In this book, it was the existence of God. As an atheist myself, I found it extremely interesting to read about all of the different viewpoints regarding God. There were many characters that believed and many that didn't. I also liked that a simple answer was never given. It's still left up to the reader to have his or her own beliefs.



Overall: 4/5 I really liked this book. It kept me interested all along the way and also caused me to think about things in new ways. The characters were easy to care about, especially little Faith. Once again, another tough topic tackled in a unique and clever way.

Reading Marathon (1)

You know how exciting it can be when your favorite TV show is running a marathon? I definitely squee when Law and Order:SVU or Bones is running a marathon. What could be better than a TV marathon? A reading marathon with some of my favorite authors. I've decided that to help me tackle my TBR list and bookcase stacked with books, I'll have some reading marathons involving authors that I've loved or have stumbled upon. To start with, I'm going to have a Jodi Picoult reading marathon. I chose her mostly because I'm reading Keeping Faith right now and have a ton of her books on my shelves at home.




So after I finish Keeping Faith, here's what I will be working on.



Mercy


Second Glance


Handle with Care


My Sister's Keeper



This should keep me busy for awhile. I can't wait to read all of these!
 
What author would you choose for a reading marathon?

Teaser Tuesday (4)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme held by MizB over at Should Be Reading. Grab a book and play along!

Open your book up to a random page and share 2 teaser sentences.  Be sure to not give anything too juicy away.  You don't want to spoil the book for anyone else!  Also, remember to share the title and author.  You know.  In case your teaser is just so good we want to read the book!

My Teaser Tuesday is from Mercy by Jodi Picoult.


Allie touched her finger to the spot on Maggie's cheek that Jamie was kissing, then touched her own mouth.  Feeling slightly guilty, she pulled the photo from its clip and tucked it into the pocket of her chamois shirt.     p. 138

What's your Teaser Tuesday?

Somebody Else's Kids

Awhile ago, I wrote about a book I was reading in the hopes that it would get me out of my work funk.  That book was Somebody Else's Kids by Torey Hayden.

Cover:  The cover was rather plain.  There was a small picture of 4 real live children portraying the children of the story.  I was impressed by how the children in the picture resembled the descriptions in the book.

Characters:  The main character was the author, Torey Hayden.  I find her extremely inspirational.  She comes across as a devoted teacher and someone who genuinely cares about her students.  The four children she worked with were Boo, Lori, Tomaso, and Claudia.  Boo is a low-functioning autistic child.  Lori suffered severe physical abuse when she was much younger and developed brain damage that prevents her from learning to read or write.  Tomaso is a foster child with severe behavioral problems.  Claudia is a pregnant 12 year old from a good family and parochial school.  These kids may be considered to be "throw away" children.  No one else wanted to be bothered with them, so they sent them to be hidden away in Torey's classroom.

Writing:  Hayden does an excellent job of getting beyond the surface of the children.  She doesn't just write about their problems but spotlights their strengths.  That's one reason I love reading Hayden's books.  She does such a great job at pulling out their strengths and helping them build on them.  The book was easy to read and written to create an interest in what comes next.

Plot:  Hayden's books are all similar in the sense that she is given children who seem to be a lost cause.  Sometimes Hayden makes great progress, and sometimes the obstacles are just too great.  The plot of this story was predictable in general.  There were, however, some surprises along the way.  I personally enjoy that Hayden tells her story in a chronological manner.  The changes that occur are best understood that way.

Overall: 5/5  I love Hayden's books!  I always develop a soft spot in my heart for her kids.  Her books also motivate me to not give up on the kids I work with, even if everyone else has.