12.29.2010

And One More for Good Measure

#101-12.27.10
The Elegance of the Hedgehog-by Muriel Barbery---This book had words upon words in it that I didn't know. I liked the feeling of being back in Honors Lit in college when I did my reading with my trusty American Heritage College Dictionary at my side. I was just getting really involved in the storyline when it abruptly ended with a twist I did not care for. Although, I am still thinking about the twist two days later, so perhaps it was better to have ended in a way that I didn't like than with the cliche happy ending I was hoping for.

12.24.2010

#100! 12 24 10

Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi--Ellen and Portia are one of my favorite Hollywood couples so I knew I had to read Portia's book when I heard Ellen talking about it on her show. It was heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. The story of battling her weight and struggling with being gay in Hollywood was intense and I am impressed with her ability to tell the most private of struggles with so much detail and honesty. I buy very few hardback books; this one is a keeper.

Getting to 100 books in 2010 has made me realize that I read for more than just the simple love of reading. It is a form of escapism and has helped me get through some of the parts of 2010 that I don't care to relive, namely my ever-present struggle with infertility. Here's to hoping 2011 doesn't require so much reading material.

12.21.2010

#99 12 21 10

The Face of Deception by Iris Johansen--another Eve Duncan book; might actually be the original Eve Duncan. I can see how the character has developed and will have to find some of the middle books to figure out how Joe got rid of his wife and finally got Eve to commit. One more...

12.20.2010

#98 12 20 10

Quicksand by Iris Johansen--another Eve Duncan forensics thriller, this one better than Stalemate. I do wish they had titles that were a better match for the actual story. This one had precious little quicksand in it. Two more to go and more than a week left in 2o1o!

#97 12 19 10

Ford County Stories by John Grisham--I usually hate short story collections because they read too fast and each story seems to lack development. These stories were better-than-average and there was also a quick visit from Harry Rex, one of my favorite Grisham characters.

12.18.2010

#9612 16 10

Stalemate by Iris Johansen--Love Eve Duncan, although Colombian drug lord storyline was a tad farfetched.

12.15.2010

#95 12.15.10

New York by Edward Rutherfurd--860 pages of yummy historical fiction. This book, although fictional, could be the textbook for teaching a US History class through the lens of the most American of cities. I loved every bit of it!

12.12.2010

#94 12 12 10

Body of Lies by Iris Johansen--I've accidentally stumbled upon a romance/thriller series with the same basic set of central characters. I have a bit of a literary crush on Sean Galen. I'll be going promptly to the library in the morning to get the rest of them.

12.11.2010

#93 12 11 10

Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant--I've been fascinated lately with Renaissance Era nuns and the women that became nuns for a variety of reasons, especially those that were sent to convents against their will. This actually took me a while to read, but was very worthwhile. I'll probably find Dunant's other Renaissance books to read.

12.10.2010

#92 12 10 10

Dead Aim by Iris Johansen--I'm a sucker for the Grade B kind of romance/suspense hybrids.. This one had some pseudo science explanation for thermal vents and creating weapons of mass destruction using the power of the earth. Not real believable, but good characters who predictably fall in love under stressful circumstances.

12.06.2010

#91 12-6-10

Transforming School Culture by Anthony Muhammad--the district's read for this year. It's a quick, easy read. While I agree with his observations, I wish it had more of the practical suggestions that I've heard him make in training sessions and have heard second-hand from people who have heard him in person.

#90 12-6-10

When Kids Can't Read by Kylene Beers--this has been our faculty book study at school and I've actually read it front-to-back twice this year. I love how practical it is and how well it fits the students I've taught.

#89 12-6-10

Marley & Me by John Grogan---I laughed and cried. I saw myself and my puppy in this book. I avoided reading it only because it was so popular and I thought it would have to be trite. It was actually well-written and funny. Now I'll probably watch the movie, right after I watch Eat Love Pray.

12.05.2010

#88 12.5.10

The Queen's Soprano by Carol Dines--kinda like a knock-off version of The Girl with the Pearl Earring, enough said.

Elsie Louise Mroch

Elsie Louise Mroch
the puppy who changed my mind