Miracle on the 17th Green: A Novel about Life, Love, Family, Miracles ... and Golf by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge
Type: Fiction, Sports
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I feel like I've been in a reading slump for the past 5 weeks so I was looking for a light, quick read to jump start my reading engine.
What I liked about it: This is a makes-you-feel-good type of book. The story is about a down-and-out guy in a dead-end job with a failing marriage that discovers that he is playing the best golf of his life and tries to qualify for the PGA Senior Tour. The book left a little smile on my face when I finished.
Book 33
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Type: Fiction
My rating: 2 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This is the fourth and final book in the Twilight series.
What I liked about it: I liked very little about this book. I read the first book in the series, Twilight, in very early 2008 and thought it was a very good 4-star read. I didn't care for the second book (3-star) or third book (surprising, I rated it 4-star) very much and, therefore, I held out reading this last chapter of the saga. When asked why I had not yet read the final book, my response had been that "I wasn't sure I wanted to know how it all ended" but I knew the more appropriate answer was "I didn't want to be disappointed yet again and further forget that the original Twilight story was actually very good." The story line was very thin, the book dragged on and on, and the ending was predictable. I almost gave up on the book completely a few times but stuck it out and finished it. Good riddance. I am very happy that this series struck a chord with so many young readers as I am always thrilled to see kids and adults who are excited about reading. I would definitely encourage anyone to read the first book in the series. (It was my first vampire novel ever.) After that I leave it up to the reader to decide to continue on, or move on.
Type: Fiction
My rating: 2 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This is the fourth and final book in the Twilight series.
What I liked about it: I liked very little about this book. I read the first book in the series, Twilight, in very early 2008 and thought it was a very good 4-star read. I didn't care for the second book (3-star) or third book (surprising, I rated it 4-star) very much and, therefore, I held out reading this last chapter of the saga. When asked why I had not yet read the final book, my response had been that "I wasn't sure I wanted to know how it all ended" but I knew the more appropriate answer was "I didn't want to be disappointed yet again and further forget that the original Twilight story was actually very good." The story line was very thin, the book dragged on and on, and the ending was predictable. I almost gave up on the book completely a few times but stuck it out and finished it. Good riddance. I am very happy that this series struck a chord with so many young readers as I am always thrilled to see kids and adults who are excited about reading. I would definitely encourage anyone to read the first book in the series. (It was my first vampire novel ever.) After that I leave it up to the reader to decide to continue on, or move on.
Love Story Trilogy
I was reminded the other day of probably the best three books I have ever read in a row. I think of them as the "Love Story Trilogy" although they have nothing to do with each other except for the common theme. In my opinion these are each 5-star books but when combined and read back-to-back-to-back it was truly an amazing experience. The books are, in the order that I read them, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson and The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller. All of these books have been made into movies. Even if you have seen the movies (I have seen them all) or have previously read any of the books, I would highly suggest taking the time (they are all fairly quick reads) to read these books in this order. They each explore in a different way the many profound and deep forms that love takes including mental, physical, emotional, intellectual and everlasting. I hesitate to share any more details for fear of giving away the stories. There is no doubt that I will re-read these books again soon.
Book 32
See Jane Run by Joy Fielding
Type: Fiction, Mystery
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This book was recommended to me by a very special friend.
What I liked about it: See the posting for Book 31 related to the date June 22. To my surprise in chapter 27 along comes the following sentence, "Hadn't the school calendar listed Friday, June 22 as parent interview day?" Weird. This was the first time I have read Joy Fielding, a Canadian author who published her first book almost 30 years ago. I liked, but didn't love, the book. However, on Amazon over 75% of the approximate 50 reviews rated the book a 5-star. I liked the premise of the story and there were a couple of interesting twists but the middle third of the book dragged a bit for me. I do anticipate giving this author another read.
Type: Fiction, Mystery
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This book was recommended to me by a very special friend.
What I liked about it: See the posting for Book 31 related to the date June 22. To my surprise in chapter 27 along comes the following sentence, "Hadn't the school calendar listed Friday, June 22 as parent interview day?" Weird. This was the first time I have read Joy Fielding, a Canadian author who published her first book almost 30 years ago. I liked, but didn't love, the book. However, on Amazon over 75% of the approximate 50 reviews rated the book a 5-star. I liked the premise of the story and there were a couple of interesting twists but the middle third of the book dragged a bit for me. I do anticipate giving this author another read.
Book 31
The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond
Type: Fiction
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: There was a blurb on the cover of this book that caught my attention. It read: Highly recommended for fans of authors like Jodi Picoult and Jacquelyn Mitchard.
What I liked about it: There are no coincidences. I chose this book to take with me on vacation. Before leaving for vacation I bought a new pair of Oakley sunglasses. The glasses I chose were from the Stephen Murray "Stay Strong" collection. Stephen Murray was a BMX rider who crashed on June 22, 2007 while attempting a double back flip. He crushed and shattered vertebrae and is paralyzed from the shoulders down. Before leaving for vacation I realized that the flight was going to be on June 22, 2009, exactly two years after Stephen crashed. So that was weird. However, near the end of this book the main character is getting ready to return home after a very exhausting trip and says, "Tomorrow is the twenty-second of June. Tomorrow I'm go home." Hmmm. Very strange. I believe everything happens for a reason. All our life experiences, no matter how small or inconsequential they might seem, are clues to the bigger puzzle.
The book was really good. The story is about a 6-year old girl that goes missing while walking along a beach one day with an adult friend. The friend engages in a crusade to find out what happened to her. The book was very well written and, while I have yet to read Jacquelyn Mitchard, the story telling and tough subject matter is very similar to Jodi Picoult's style of writing.
Type: Fiction
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: There was a blurb on the cover of this book that caught my attention. It read: Highly recommended for fans of authors like Jodi Picoult and Jacquelyn Mitchard.
What I liked about it: There are no coincidences. I chose this book to take with me on vacation. Before leaving for vacation I bought a new pair of Oakley sunglasses. The glasses I chose were from the Stephen Murray "Stay Strong" collection. Stephen Murray was a BMX rider who crashed on June 22, 2007 while attempting a double back flip. He crushed and shattered vertebrae and is paralyzed from the shoulders down. Before leaving for vacation I realized that the flight was going to be on June 22, 2009, exactly two years after Stephen crashed. So that was weird. However, near the end of this book the main character is getting ready to return home after a very exhausting trip and says, "Tomorrow is the twenty-second of June. Tomorrow I'm go home." Hmmm. Very strange. I believe everything happens for a reason. All our life experiences, no matter how small or inconsequential they might seem, are clues to the bigger puzzle.
The book was really good. The story is about a 6-year old girl that goes missing while walking along a beach one day with an adult friend. The friend engages in a crusade to find out what happened to her. The book was very well written and, while I have yet to read Jacquelyn Mitchard, the story telling and tough subject matter is very similar to Jodi Picoult's style of writing.
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