A Shortcut in Time by Charles Dickinson
Type: Fiction, Time Travel
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I love time travel stories. I found this book pulled from circulation from my local library, perhaps never been read.
What I liked about it: I grew up fascinated by the capabilities of the flux capacitor in Back To The Future. It was many years later that I learned that plutonium cannot create enough energy to make time travel possible. This book definitely has the possibility of being a 5-star. However, my all-time favorite time travel story is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, which is being turned into a movie to be released in August 2009.
Book 20
The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin
Type: Nonfiction, Business, Money & Banking
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I have been searching for a clear explanation of what the exact purpose of the central bank in the United States (the Federal Reserve) is and why we need it.
What I liked about it: It is worth noting that the Federal Reserve System is our nation's fourth central bank. The previous three collapsed. It is also worth noting that having a central bank is the fifth criteria in Carl Marx's Communist Manifesto. The first third and last third of Creature are absolutely fascinating stuff written like a mystery novel. The middle third includes a lot of history, which got a little tiring for me, but I understood why it needed to be included. When things are done in secret, you know that something is going on that someone doesn't want you to know about. The Fed was created in 1913 following a secret meeting a few years earlier on Jekyll Island off the coast of Georgia (ironically 1913 was the same year the income tax started, which interestingly is the second criteria of the Communist Manifesto). Today the Fed operates in secrecy and is not subject to audit. This book exposes the Fed for what it is and demonstrates the devastating effect the Fed has on debasing our currency and reducing our purchasing power. Three other books on this subject that are worth reading, all written by Murray N. Rothbard, include: The Mystery of Banking, What Has the Government Done to Our Money, and The Case Against the Fed.
Type: Nonfiction, Business, Money & Banking
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I have been searching for a clear explanation of what the exact purpose of the central bank in the United States (the Federal Reserve) is and why we need it.
What I liked about it: It is worth noting that the Federal Reserve System is our nation's fourth central bank. The previous three collapsed. It is also worth noting that having a central bank is the fifth criteria in Carl Marx's Communist Manifesto. The first third and last third of Creature are absolutely fascinating stuff written like a mystery novel. The middle third includes a lot of history, which got a little tiring for me, but I understood why it needed to be included. When things are done in secret, you know that something is going on that someone doesn't want you to know about. The Fed was created in 1913 following a secret meeting a few years earlier on Jekyll Island off the coast of Georgia (ironically 1913 was the same year the income tax started, which interestingly is the second criteria of the Communist Manifesto). Today the Fed operates in secrecy and is not subject to audit. This book exposes the Fed for what it is and demonstrates the devastating effect the Fed has on debasing our currency and reducing our purchasing power. Three other books on this subject that are worth reading, all written by Murray N. Rothbard, include: The Mystery of Banking, What Has the Government Done to Our Money, and The Case Against the Fed.
Book 19
Between Friends by Debbie Macomber
Type: Fiction, Chick Lit
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I came across this author on the Facebook profile of a friend from high school. I choose this particular book because it was written in the epistolary, or scrapbook, form which uses letters, newspaper clippings, diary entries and e-mails to tell the story. The Color Purple by Alice Walker was a very popular book written in this form.
What I liked about it: The author created and developed two characters throughout the novel that you really felt like you got to know and understand. You wanted to know what happened next in their lives and didn't want the book to end.
Type: Fiction, Chick Lit
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I came across this author on the Facebook profile of a friend from high school. I choose this particular book because it was written in the epistolary, or scrapbook, form which uses letters, newspaper clippings, diary entries and e-mails to tell the story. The Color Purple by Alice Walker was a very popular book written in this form.
What I liked about it: The author created and developed two characters throughout the novel that you really felt like you got to know and understand. You wanted to know what happened next in their lives and didn't want the book to end.
Book 18
Against Medical Advice by James Patterson, Hal Friedman, and Cory Friedman
Type: Nonfiction, Medical
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This is James Patterson's first nonfiction book. The story follows Cory Friedman through his childhood as he is treating like a guinea pig by multiple doctors who give multiple diagnoses with multiple treatments and lots and lots of drugs.
What I liked about it: This is a fascinating, but sad, true story about the doctors who "practiced" medicine on this kid until he finally said enough is enough.
Type: Nonfiction, Medical
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This is James Patterson's first nonfiction book. The story follows Cory Friedman through his childhood as he is treating like a guinea pig by multiple doctors who give multiple diagnoses with multiple treatments and lots and lots of drugs.
What I liked about it: This is a fascinating, but sad, true story about the doctors who "practiced" medicine on this kid until he finally said enough is enough.
Book 17
She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom Of Cassie Bernall by Misty Bernall
Type: Nonfiction, Religion and Spirituality
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: The 10th anniversary of the tragedy at Columbine was on April 20, 2009. The topic of school shootings is one that intrigues me. I wonder what happens to kids that can make them want to kill other kids.
What I liked about it: This was the story of one of the girls who died that day. Unbelievably, years earlier, Cassie Bernall, wrote notes back and forth to a friend about killing her own parents. In a recently released book about Columbine, one of the reporters who researched the Columbine story for the past 10 years discovered that story behind the name of this book (that Cassie was murdered because she was asked by her killer if she believed in God and was shot in the head when she said "yes") did not actually happen, but was one of the myths that sprung up after the shootings. Irregardless, this is a sad story about a senseless killing.
Type: Nonfiction, Religion and Spirituality
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: The 10th anniversary of the tragedy at Columbine was on April 20, 2009. The topic of school shootings is one that intrigues me. I wonder what happens to kids that can make them want to kill other kids.
What I liked about it: This was the story of one of the girls who died that day. Unbelievably, years earlier, Cassie Bernall, wrote notes back and forth to a friend about killing her own parents. In a recently released book about Columbine, one of the reporters who researched the Columbine story for the past 10 years discovered that story behind the name of this book (that Cassie was murdered because she was asked by her killer if she believed in God and was shot in the head when she said "yes") did not actually happen, but was one of the myths that sprung up after the shootings. Irregardless, this is a sad story about a senseless killing.
Book 16
Pacific Avenue by Anne Watson
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This was another published author giving her work away for free on the Kindle. This book caught my attention because the author employs a writing style that I enjoy, which is to have the story told from alternating perspectives.
What I liked about it: The story took place in the 1970s and explored thought-provoking topics such an interracial relationships and injured veterans returning from Vietnam. The author created interesting characters, places and events that made the story enjoyable.
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This was another published author giving her work away for free on the Kindle. This book caught my attention because the author employs a writing style that I enjoy, which is to have the story told from alternating perspectives.
What I liked about it: The story took place in the 1970s and explored thought-provoking topics such an interracial relationships and injured veterans returning from Vietnam. The author created interesting characters, places and events that made the story enjoyable.
Book 15
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Type: Fiction
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I noticed that someone in my friends network on Facebook commented about how they couldn't finish this book because it "freaked" them out. I am intrigued by someone who can put into words something which has the ability to hit an emotional chord with its reader.
What I liked about it: The story is about a girl who dies and goes to heaven and then watches as her family continues on with their lives. This is definitely a pager-tuner. It is part crime story, part ghost story, part family drama. This had the makings of a 5-star book until the last 25% after which, without giving away the plot, it took a bit of a turn and contained a few hokey events. This book is being made into a movie to be released in December 2009. While I generally do not like movies that are adapted from books (the exception being The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, which I thought stayed very true to the book), I think that this could turn out to be a really good movie.
Type: Fiction
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I noticed that someone in my friends network on Facebook commented about how they couldn't finish this book because it "freaked" them out. I am intrigued by someone who can put into words something which has the ability to hit an emotional chord with its reader.
What I liked about it: The story is about a girl who dies and goes to heaven and then watches as her family continues on with their lives. This is definitely a pager-tuner. It is part crime story, part ghost story, part family drama. This had the makings of a 5-star book until the last 25% after which, without giving away the plot, it took a bit of a turn and contained a few hokey events. This book is being made into a movie to be released in December 2009. While I generally do not like movies that are adapted from books (the exception being The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, which I thought stayed very true to the book), I think that this could turn out to be a really good movie.
Book 14
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Type: Fiction, Religion and Spirituality
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This book was recommended by a special friend who reminds me of me. He is on a journey, both physically and spiritually. He left the secure confines of home about 2 months ago with just a backpack and an open mind. You can follow his travels on his blog at: http://peregrine13.wordpress.com/
What I liked about it: I think I spent more time reading the words than absorbing the meaning. This goes back in the to-be-read-again pile. I think there is more for me to extract from this book.
Type: Fiction, Religion and Spirituality
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This book was recommended by a special friend who reminds me of me. He is on a journey, both physically and spiritually. He left the secure confines of home about 2 months ago with just a backpack and an open mind. You can follow his travels on his blog at: http://peregrine13.wordpress.com/
What I liked about it: I think I spent more time reading the words than absorbing the meaning. This goes back in the to-be-read-again pile. I think there is more for me to extract from this book.
Book 13
Caught Stealing by Charlie Huston
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This was another free Kindle book but this was from a published author who, in this case I think, gave away his book for free in hopes to attract a new audience. This was his debut novel and is part of a trilogy along with Six Bad Things and A Dangerous Man.
What I liked about it: The story is very fast-paced with a "what's going to happen next" feel like the television show 24. Lots of killing and swearing. Not a lot of big words. This novel will never make it on a Books That Changed the World list but it was a fun read and I may even check out the next book in the series.
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This was another free Kindle book but this was from a published author who, in this case I think, gave away his book for free in hopes to attract a new audience. This was his debut novel and is part of a trilogy along with Six Bad Things and A Dangerous Man.
What I liked about it: The story is very fast-paced with a "what's going to happen next" feel like the television show 24. Lots of killing and swearing. Not a lot of big words. This novel will never make it on a Books That Changed the World list but it was a fun read and I may even check out the next book in the series.
Thanks, Mom!
Around the end of February (or beginning of March) my Mom asked me what number book I was on. She was also reading and tracking her books in 2009 and the last time we discussed she was beating me by a book, or two. I believe she was on number 9 and I was on number 7. When I told her I was on number 12 she asked, "Are you reading little books?" In my mind this translated as "I'm not buying what you're selling. Prove it." I think my Mom occasionally wonders how I got the way I got. I truly thank her for always challenging me! I went back to the 20 books I read through mid-April and the pages totaled more than 6,500, or about 325 pages per book, which I would characterize as an average-size book length. I hope my Mom doesn't think those are "little" books. Otherwise, I may need to step up my game!
Book 12
Surviving the Fog by Stan Morris
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I picked this up as a free Kindle book from an unpublished author. The story was about what would happen to a group of kids at a summer camp if the adults left and they had to fend for themselves.
What I liked about it: I read this book at the very end of February and my notes say that I ranked it a 3-star although I specifically recall staying up later than usual each night to continue reading it, which is my typical gauge as to whether I like a book...does it keep me up at night? I guess I would give it a very strong 3-star and would probably read something else from this author in the future. The story had a Lord of the Flies feel to it. It had a nice plot and overall was an enjoyable read.
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I picked this up as a free Kindle book from an unpublished author. The story was about what would happen to a group of kids at a summer camp if the adults left and they had to fend for themselves.
What I liked about it: I read this book at the very end of February and my notes say that I ranked it a 3-star although I specifically recall staying up later than usual each night to continue reading it, which is my typical gauge as to whether I like a book...does it keep me up at night? I guess I would give it a very strong 3-star and would probably read something else from this author in the future. The story had a Lord of the Flies feel to it. It had a nice plot and overall was an enjoyable read.
Grading System
I rate each book I read with the following very simplistic scale of 1-5 stars:
5 star- Must read (these are books that I generally recommend to others)
4 star- Worth reading
3 star- Good enough
2 star- Not good enough
1 star- Waste of time
I was curious as to how my ratings break-down by each category so I went back and reviewed the ratings I gave to the last 150 books I read. Only 15% received the highest 5-star rating, about 39% were rated 4-star, 37% rated 3-star, 6% rated 2-star and 3% were rated just 1-star.
I used to feel as though I had to finish each book I started but realized that some just are not worth the trouble. If I were to read 50 books a year for the next 50 years, I would only be able to read 2,500 books. With the limited amount of books that I will ever be able to read, I occasionally have to put aside that one book that just isn't worth the time. The last such book that I did not finish was The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King.
5 star- Must read (these are books that I generally recommend to others)
4 star- Worth reading
3 star- Good enough
2 star- Not good enough
1 star- Waste of time
I was curious as to how my ratings break-down by each category so I went back and reviewed the ratings I gave to the last 150 books I read. Only 15% received the highest 5-star rating, about 39% were rated 4-star, 37% rated 3-star, 6% rated 2-star and 3% were rated just 1-star.
I used to feel as though I had to finish each book I started but realized that some just are not worth the trouble. If I were to read 50 books a year for the next 50 years, I would only be able to read 2,500 books. With the limited amount of books that I will ever be able to read, I occasionally have to put aside that one book that just isn't worth the time. The last such book that I did not finish was The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King.
Book 11
Summer's Path by Scott Blum
Type: Fiction, Spirituality
My rating: 2 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: It looked like it was going to be an interesting story about a guy who was going to die and someone (an angel?) who was sent to make his transition easier.
What I liked about it: This was the first book I read on an Amazon Kindle 2. I have since read 5 books and downloaded over 100 free books. Lots of the classics are free and many authors give away their works for free either because they want the reader to like and buy more of their works or because they were never published and want to gain recognition. The cost of the device is pretty steep at $359 but overall I give the Kindle two thumbs up. The e-ink technology makes it appear as though you are reading an actual piece of paper. There is no back-light (you can't read in the dark with it) so there is no eye strain and less battery drain. The battery last for almost a week of reading. You can store over 1,000 books on the device and it weighs only 10 ounces so it's super easy to read from and carry with you anywhere. It comes with free wireless so you can surf the internet anywhere, anytime. It can also read any book back to you with its "text-to-speech" technology but the voices are a little creepy (especially the male voice). There are rumors that Amazon is already working on a Kindle 3 with a large screen.
Type: Fiction, Spirituality
My rating: 2 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: It looked like it was going to be an interesting story about a guy who was going to die and someone (an angel?) who was sent to make his transition easier.
What I liked about it: This was the first book I read on an Amazon Kindle 2. I have since read 5 books and downloaded over 100 free books. Lots of the classics are free and many authors give away their works for free either because they want the reader to like and buy more of their works or because they were never published and want to gain recognition. The cost of the device is pretty steep at $359 but overall I give the Kindle two thumbs up. The e-ink technology makes it appear as though you are reading an actual piece of paper. There is no back-light (you can't read in the dark with it) so there is no eye strain and less battery drain. The battery last for almost a week of reading. You can store over 1,000 books on the device and it weighs only 10 ounces so it's super easy to read from and carry with you anywhere. It comes with free wireless so you can surf the internet anywhere, anytime. It can also read any book back to you with its "text-to-speech" technology but the voices are a little creepy (especially the male voice). There are rumors that Amazon is already working on a Kindle 3 with a large screen.
Book 10
Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer
Type: Fiction, Science Fiction
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: Robert Sawyer is one of my favorite science fiction writers.
What I liked about it: Another 5-Star! I really enjoyed the premise of the book in which Neanderthals have develop a completely different civilization in a parallel Earth universe and then crossed over into our universe. If you have never read Robert Sawyer this would be a great one to start with although I think Mindscan (4-star) and Flash Forward (4-star) are very well written books as well.
Type: Fiction, Science Fiction
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: Robert Sawyer is one of my favorite science fiction writers.
What I liked about it: Another 5-Star! I really enjoyed the premise of the book in which Neanderthals have develop a completely different civilization in a parallel Earth universe and then crossed over into our universe. If you have never read Robert Sawyer this would be a great one to start with although I think Mindscan (4-star) and Flash Forward (4-star) are very well written books as well.
Book 9
Meltdown: A Free-Market Look at Why the Stock Market Collapsed, the Economy Tanked, and Government Bailouts Will Make Things Worse by Thomas E. Woods
Type: Business, Economics
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: Tom Woods is a senior fellow at the Ludwig von Mises Institute, which is the research and educational center of classical liberalism, libertarian political theory, and the Austrian School of economics. I have a passionate interest in Austrian economics.
What I liked about it: 5-Star book alert! I am a very tough grader and will typically only rate about 10% of the books I read each year as a 5-Star. This book is an excellent read about what caused today's economic collapse, what the Federal Reserve's role was in it, and why the bailouts will make things worse. It is written in very plain English that the average person can read and understand. I would highly recommend this if you are looking for a book to help you understand just what exactly happened and what could continue to happen if real change is not soon undertaken.
Type: Business, Economics
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: Tom Woods is a senior fellow at the Ludwig von Mises Institute, which is the research and educational center of classical liberalism, libertarian political theory, and the Austrian School of economics. I have a passionate interest in Austrian economics.
What I liked about it: 5-Star book alert! I am a very tough grader and will typically only rate about 10% of the books I read each year as a 5-Star. This book is an excellent read about what caused today's economic collapse, what the Federal Reserve's role was in it, and why the bailouts will make things worse. It is written in very plain English that the average person can read and understand. I would highly recommend this if you are looking for a book to help you understand just what exactly happened and what could continue to happen if real change is not soon undertaken.
Book 8
The Great Housing Bubble: Why Did House Prices Fall by Lawrence Roberts
Type: Nonfiction
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I wanted to see what this guy's opinion was as to why he thought house prices fell.
What I liked about it: This is a great book if you are interesting in getting a tutorial on the basics of how house prices are (or should be) determined. I found it extremely interesting that a product was sold at the height of the bubble called an Option ARM. This product gives the borrower three different payment options each month: (1) fully amortizing payment (i.e. like your typical 30-year mortgage where each payment contains a portion toward interest and a portion toward principal), (2) interest-only payment (meaning your principal never decreases), and (3) a negative amortization payment. The last one was a surprise to me! It means that the payment you make is not enough to cover the interest owed so the principal balance increases each month. Someone forgot the "common sense" test when devising this "innovative" lending product. The author says that studies have shown that when borrowers were given these choices, 85% of them chose option #3. Amazing!
Type: Nonfiction
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I wanted to see what this guy's opinion was as to why he thought house prices fell.
What I liked about it: This is a great book if you are interesting in getting a tutorial on the basics of how house prices are (or should be) determined. I found it extremely interesting that a product was sold at the height of the bubble called an Option ARM. This product gives the borrower three different payment options each month: (1) fully amortizing payment (i.e. like your typical 30-year mortgage where each payment contains a portion toward interest and a portion toward principal), (2) interest-only payment (meaning your principal never decreases), and (3) a negative amortization payment. The last one was a surprise to me! It means that the payment you make is not enough to cover the interest owed so the principal balance increases each month. Someone forgot the "common sense" test when devising this "innovative" lending product. The author says that studies have shown that when borrowers were given these choices, 85% of them chose option #3. Amazing!
Book 7
Smoke Screen by Kyle Mills
Type: Fiction, Mystery
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: The book had an interesting premise. The tobacco industry was about to lose its largest class action lawsuit, which would permanently bankrupt all the tobacco companies. Before that happens, the industry shuts down all plants and recalls all products until they are provided with immunity from all such future lawsuits.
What I liked about it: The plot was just good enough to make this an enjoyable read. There was some interesting references to the history of the tobacco industry.
Type: Fiction, Mystery
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: The book had an interesting premise. The tobacco industry was about to lose its largest class action lawsuit, which would permanently bankrupt all the tobacco companies. Before that happens, the industry shuts down all plants and recalls all products until they are provided with immunity from all such future lawsuits.
What I liked about it: The plot was just good enough to make this an enjoyable read. There was some interesting references to the history of the tobacco industry.
Suggestions Welcome!
I am open to hearing about your favorite book. I love being introduced to new authors. If you feel so compelled, drop me a comment and let me know your favorite book or favorite author.
Books 4-6
Book 4
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Type: Nonfiction, Religion and Spirituality
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This book was mentioned in a program I was watching and I recall that I had read it back in high school. I think it was required reading in a Theology class.
What I liked about it: A good part of the book describes Frankl's imprisonment in Auschwitz and other concentration camps. I found it very humbling to consider what this one man went through. This book can really take you to a very basic level and have you consider what is really important in your life and what it is that defines you.
Book 5
The Quickie by James Patterson
Type: Fiction, Mystery
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: After that last read, I needed something a little less complex.
What I liked about it: This is true Patterson. Fast paced. Interesting plot with lots of twist and turns. A good page turner. For anyone who hasn't read Patterson, this would be a good one to start with although my all-time favorite by Patterson is Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas.
Book 6
Sail by James Patterson
Type: Fiction, Mystery
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: Since the last book took about 3 days to read, I figured I'd get ahead of the curve a little by knocking out another quickly.
What I liked about it: This barely registers a 4 star. It's not as good as The Quickie but somehow I found myself flipping pages and staying awake a little longer each night to see what would happen next.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Type: Nonfiction, Religion and Spirituality
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This book was mentioned in a program I was watching and I recall that I had read it back in high school. I think it was required reading in a Theology class.
What I liked about it: A good part of the book describes Frankl's imprisonment in Auschwitz and other concentration camps. I found it very humbling to consider what this one man went through. This book can really take you to a very basic level and have you consider what is really important in your life and what it is that defines you.
Book 5
The Quickie by James Patterson
Type: Fiction, Mystery
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: After that last read, I needed something a little less complex.
What I liked about it: This is true Patterson. Fast paced. Interesting plot with lots of twist and turns. A good page turner. For anyone who hasn't read Patterson, this would be a good one to start with although my all-time favorite by Patterson is Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas.
Book 6
Sail by James Patterson
Type: Fiction, Mystery
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: Since the last book took about 3 days to read, I figured I'd get ahead of the curve a little by knocking out another quickly.
What I liked about it: This barely registers a 4 star. It's not as good as The Quickie but somehow I found myself flipping pages and staying awake a little longer each night to see what would happen next.
Books 1-3
Through mid-April I have completed 20 books. Therefore, over the course of the next few posts I will get caught up to date. Without further ado I present to you books 1-3:
Book 1
Playing for Pizza by John Grisham
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I don't read much Grisham but this one seemed like an intriguing premise. A down and out ex-NFL football quarterback is offered the starting spot on an Italian football team for a very small salary.
What I liked about it: I liked the references to places in Italy and a few of the scenes which focused on the detail surrounding the meals (the wines, the meats, the cheeses) which are an important aspect of the Italian culture. Overall it's a nice football story woven around what is meaningful in life.
Book 2
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Type: Fiction
My rating: 2 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This book was recommended to me by a business associate. Over luch one day he raved about how this was the best book ever.
What I liked about it: It was not the best book ever. However, about 50% of the reviews on Amazon give this book their highest rating so maybe it was just me. Perhaps if you go into reading it without thinking it will be the best book ever, your experience will be better.
Book 3
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Type: Fiction
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I think the first book in the series, Twilight, was recommended to me by a co-worker. Twilight was my first vampire novel. I give Twilight a 5-star rating.
What I liked about it: I liked it better than New Moon (book 2) but not as much as Twilight. The final chapter, Breaking Dawn, sits in my library. I want to know the ending and yet I don't what to know the ending. Don't tell me. I really enjoyed reading my second vampire book, I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, which was written in 1954.
Book 1
Playing for Pizza by John Grisham
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I don't read much Grisham but this one seemed like an intriguing premise. A down and out ex-NFL football quarterback is offered the starting spot on an Italian football team for a very small salary.
What I liked about it: I liked the references to places in Italy and a few of the scenes which focused on the detail surrounding the meals (the wines, the meats, the cheeses) which are an important aspect of the Italian culture. Overall it's a nice football story woven around what is meaningful in life.
Book 2
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Type: Fiction
My rating: 2 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This book was recommended to me by a business associate. Over luch one day he raved about how this was the best book ever.
What I liked about it: It was not the best book ever. However, about 50% of the reviews on Amazon give this book their highest rating so maybe it was just me. Perhaps if you go into reading it without thinking it will be the best book ever, your experience will be better.
Book 3
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Type: Fiction
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I think the first book in the series, Twilight, was recommended to me by a co-worker. Twilight was my first vampire novel. I give Twilight a 5-star rating.
What I liked about it: I liked it better than New Moon (book 2) but not as much as Twilight. The final chapter, Breaking Dawn, sits in my library. I want to know the ending and yet I don't what to know the ending. Don't tell me. I really enjoyed reading my second vampire book, I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, which was written in 1954.
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