Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

Change of Heart does not measure up to novels in the past by Picoult. This book has ideas taken from, The Green Mile and Shawshank Redemption. Usually her writing is unique and the story lines are intriguing but this one fails on all accounts.

This book is quite predictable however the much controversial topic of the death penalty was carried out well in this novel. You also grow to like some of the characters in the novel since they are well developed, such as Maggie and Michael.

The story line had the potential to be thought provoking and moving. I was anticipating the release of this book if you love Picoult's books from the past, wait until this one comes out in paperback or you check it out from the library because this is one you won't want to reread.

The book is average at best and since I've grown to expect excellent from Picoult, I as a reader am disappointed. We also see story lines from her previous books, organ donation, religion, death penalty and "miracles".

Grade: C

He's Just Not That into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys

He's Just Not That into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys, is not all that great. I don't understand the excitement around this book because intuition lets one know when someone just isn't' into them. The book is overgeneralized and a bit boring. This book is a bit hard on men, all men don't fall into the same category. It is my opinion that this book is counter-productive and will only feed the mistrust among the sexes.

One size does not fit all, some men are jerks, some are sweet, some are shy and some are etc...
Men are not all made from the same mold nor do they all follow the same scripted story lines. My fellow women, don't pay attention to this book, listen to your intuition and needs. Reading and actually listening to this book will set the women's movement behind. Throw it out!



Grade: D

She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall by Misty Bernall

She said yes, is a beautiful and heartfelt written novel. Misty does a great job of letting us into the family life before and after the Columbine tragedy. At times the honesty is a bit much to handle and it's easy to criticize the parenting techniques until you realize what they did worked for their family.

Cassie was among the many who were murdered on that fateful day in Columbine and while the book does not necessarily detail the events it gives those whom read it an insight into the life of a young woman who's life was cut short. It details the events of childhood, troubled youth and then finding God.

This book is NOT about her final moments it's about her life ...

Like many books written about loved one's and those unfamiliar with the unknown there are biases. As a society we need to stop blaming music, TV shows and put blame on the person's who took the actions... Enough said.

This book is worth the read and the e-book version can be shared. So ask a friend who has it to let you read it and if you're my friend and want to read it, email me!


Grade: A

BrainChild by John Saul

Years ago many people recommended that I read, "BrainChild" I put it off until a copy fell into my hands and I thought what the hell... This book is a well crafted thriller and I'm glad that I finally took the time to read it. The plot is interesting and mixed in with some scary sci-fi. However it does involve the actions of child which can make the book a bit gruesome for the faint of heart. My only issue with this book was the last chapter, had it not been added the book would have been much better. The last chapter takes away from the intensity and "power" of the book. If I were you I'd skip the last chapter and read it later... 

Grade: B+

a most uncommon degree of popularity by kathleen gilles seidel

A most uncommon degree of popularity was a perfect beach read! The characters are well developed and quite enjoyable. It is a delight to read and quite a page turner. This book does a good job of capturing the turmoil of middle school aged children and the relationships they have with there parents and friends. This book is written from the mothers perspective however it easily transitions into the relationships she has with her friends and husband.

Grade: A-

Synopsis:

Her on daughter...one of the popular girls?
On the first day of middle school, Lydia Meadows, a former lawyer turned full-time mother, is startled to discover that her daughter Erin is one of the popular girls, a tight foursome whose mothers are also great friends. Lydia has always thought of popular girls as ambitious little manipulators who enjoy being cruel. But Erin is kind and well-adjusted. Maybe this popularity thing won’t be so bad after all. Then a new student ruthlessly targets Erin to boost her own popularity, and Lydia helplessly wonders what to do when her daughter’s phone stops ringing. And the uneasiness among the girls begins to affect the friendship of the mothers—even though they are all grown women who should know better. Has their driven energy, once directed toward their careers, turned into an obsession with the social lives of their daughters?A Most Uncommon Degree of Popularity is a delightful novel of manners, an unabashed chronicle of the rules, rituals, and pitfalls of raising a daughter.

Missing White Girl By Jeffrey J. Mariotte

It's baseball season which means my husband monopolizes the TV's (yes I do mean more than one TV). Which means much more reading for me. Today I, started and finished " Missing White Girl". This book was so easy to read. I finished it in just a couple of hours. At times the book is a bit on the boring side and has much more information in it than I cared to read, it was sorta like, blah, blah, blah get to the point.

This book is a bit of a disappointment since you don't necessarily find out everything you want to. It seems as though the book was written out quickly despite this it is a good read if you have a couple of hours to waste. If you don't like character jumping, which doesn't bother me in the least, this book might drive your a bit mad and isn't necessarily for you.

The book isn't what I thought it was going to be which means that as a reader I felt mislead which in my opinion was the authors point. If you enjoy picking up a book and finding out that is much different than what you anticipated you'll enjoy this novel.


Grade: B-

All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

Yet, another amazing novel by McCarthy.

All The Pretty Horses is extremely descriptive and beautifully written. McCarthy's love for the southwest shows in his writing. The story follows the adventures, travels and hardships of two young men. McCarthy captures the beauty, sadness, sights, sounds and smells. The novel does contain many Spanish phrases and if you are not familiar with spanish or have a handy spanish to english dictionary you will lose aspects of the story.

You are completely drawn into the story and can't wait to see what transpires next. Be forewarned like many of McCarthy's other novels his unique writing style, such as lack of punctuation which makes reading a bit tedious is rampant but worth the read. After pages of reading you fall into his unique writing style.



Grade: A-

Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

Yet another fantastic book by Koontz. The characters are intelligent, charismatic and worth getting to know. The character, Odd Thomas is lovable, engaging and endearing. He is possibly the most memorable character you'll ever get to know in a novel. I stumbled across this novel and had no idea that it's a series. I look forward to getting my hands and devouring each novel in the Odd Thomas series.

This novel is a true page turner and leaves you wishing the book was longer than its 464 pages. Not only is Odd Thomas intriguing so are the monks, nuns, children and spirits that leaving you wanting to know more.

Grade: A

Forgive Me by Amanda Eyre Ward

Forgive me, is average at best. I've read How to be Lost by Ward and the books don't even compare in quality. Forgive me, is a bit on the boring, long winded side and while I suppose it's suppose to teach me something about South African History all, it taught me was to turn the pages faster so I could finish the book sooner. This "novel" is more like four books crammed into one I would have preferred the journal portion the most.

The storyline is great concept and the middle of the book is the best part. I was left wanting to know more about the young man who was murdered and all his murderers rather than Nadine's (the reporter) life. If given the choice I'd pick up another one of her books and leave this one on the self.


Grade: C-

House by Frank Pereth & Ted Dekker

This novel was spooky, exciting and a good read. I have never read anything before by Pereth or Dekker nor did I know this book falls into the "christian" category. This book, unlike other Christian novels that have mistakenly fallen into my hands was good and was worth the read. It is not preachy and I am looking forward to watching the movie.

It is suspenseful and have several twists in the plot...




Grade: B

Along Came A Spider by James Patterson

Along Came A Spider is the first novel in the Alex Cross series. It is quick paced for the first half of the novel and then slows down however this does not take from the story itself. There is some unpredictable elements but this novel is not spectacular by any means. The villain is creepy and insane which adds exciting elements to this novel. This book is not as great as Patterson's other Cross novels however it is worth the read if your going to read other novels in the Cross series since it gives such insight into his private family life.




Grade: B-