2011 Books

The Road--
We read this for book group which surprised Kevin. He had read it before and really liked it. And I really liked it, too. Well, it's hard to 'like' a book that is sad to read. I don't think it was liked by everyone in our book group, but I'd recommend it.

Pathfinder--
So good! I'm an Orson Scott Card fan (well, I've only read a few of his books) and this one did not disappoint.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet-
February's book group book and very, very good. It's a popular book and I can see why.

Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt--
Deborah recommended this to me and I really liked it. It was an easy run read and I thought Cee Cee was a great character.

The Girl in the Green Raincoat--
Book group book for March, would not recommend. It was based on the movie "Rear Window" I believe, but it was just poorly written. I'm thinking it was written for a newspaper and then compiled into book form so maybe that has something to do with it.

Midnight for Charlie Bone--
Fun 'Harry Potter'-ish type book. It's the first in a long series and when I went back to the library to get number 2 it was checked out. I didn't read anymore during the entire year...did I forget about it? It was a fun book though so I'll have to get going!

Miss Julie Speaks Her Mind--
My mother in law really likes this series and I thought it was pretty good. Another southern character which I tend to like. My sister Deborah did not like this book at all but I'd easily pick up another Miss Julie book and read it.

My Name is Asher Lev--
I can't quite figure out why I like this book so much! I've read it before and it left an impression on me so I suggested it for book group. I ended up not being able to host this month but I'm thinking they said the majority of the girls like it! I don't read many books more than once but I liked it the second time around, too!

These is My Words--
This ended up being a book group choice later on in the year and it's very, very good. I had heard good things about this book for awhile but the title didn't interest me. I'm so glad I read it though. Definitely recommend.

Moloka'i--
Book group. I didn't like this as well as some of the other girls but it was still a good book. I think it was kind of hard for me to read since it's a sad situation.

Some Wildflower in My Heart--
I think I saw this as a recommendation to someone else on Facebook. I read this after Tyce was born so I have good memories of reading, holding my little one. It's about an older couple so I couldn't really relate and I remember thinking several times I wanted to read a different book. So it was an ok book. Not one I'd tell people to read.

The Maze Runner--
So good! The first in a trilogy and I'm excited to read the next ones.

Crispin-
Another good book. Easy read. I'd recommend it.

I Capture the Castle--
This book had been talked about several times so I finally checked it out from the library. It's a little strange but I really liked it. I've talked to a few people who weren't as into as me, but I enjoyed it :)

Incarceron--
I wanted to like this book. I think it's a trilogy but one that I won't finish. For me it was confusing and anytime I sat down to read, it would take me awhile to get into the book and figure out what was going on again. Maybe I just read it at the wrong time in my life when I needed an easy read :)

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie--
So good! This character has other mystery books about her and I really want to read some more.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother--
I have such mixed feelings about this book. It was good and I believe in some of her ways of raising children, but as a mother who often feels guilty about my mothering it was so hard to read about her being so mean to her children. Obviously there are times when we have to discipline and be strict but she just went overboard (in my opinion). Of course, we'll see how successful my children end up :) Overall it was a good, interesting book and I'd recommend it just for fun. (I just won't parent my children in the same way :)

The Mansion--
This was a book group option (we ended up reading a different book that I didn't read). It's a super quick read and perfect for Christmas time.

All Is Swell: Trust in Thelma's Way--
I borrowed this from my sister in law and read it over Christmas break and while at the cabin. Super cheesy...almost embarrassing. But I was entertained and I'll probably read the next two. It's about a boy, Trust, who is called to serve his mission in a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere called Thelma's Way. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as a must read, but it was light and required zero thought.