Books

In January, I read two books.  TWO. 

The problem was that I had started too many books.  When I read more than one (or two) at a time, I don’t ever finish any. 

So I settled down and so far in February (we’re, what?, nine days in?) I’ve read five books.   FIVE.  Granted, some have been YA which tend to read faster but still.  I’m on a roll!

Here’s what I’ve read and what I thought of them:

The Kalahari Typing School For Men by Alexander McCall Smith – This book is the fourth (fifth?) in the No. 1 Ladie’s Detective Agency series.  I have enjoyed most of the books.  Mma Ramotswe is such an enjoyable character.  I’ll admit though that I am tiring of the series.  And if Mma Ramotswe and her love don’t get married soon, I’m going to quit reading them. 

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin – This book is about Gretchen Rubin’s journey to be more happy.  She isn’t sad – but feels like her life could be happier.  I loved this book.  In the beginning.  And then (the chapters are done by month) June came around and I got tired of it.  Honestly, I think Rubin tired of it around here as well.  Perhaps, I got overwhelmed by all the information she was giving.  Really, it was inspiring.  I feel like she had a lot of really good ideas and I took notes so I can refer back to it.  If you’re interested in the book, I might wait until it’s in paperback and mark it up.  Take your time with it.  My favorite line from the book was this: The opposite of happiness is unhappiness not depression. (I don’t really know why I liked that line so much, but I did.)

Wolves, Boys & Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler – This book is a Whitney Award nominee.  I had it on hold before I knew that though.  A friend I went to HS with put it on Goodreads.  One of her dad’s students wrote it.  Her dad was my teacher in HS too so I was interested.  It’s a YA book about a girl that lives in a small town outside of Yellowstone National Park.  The girl becomes interested in the wolf reintroduction program and the book explores both sides of the issue.  Very interesting read. 

So Not Happening by Jennie B. Jones – This is a Christian YA novel about a girl that has everything in New York and gets moved to the sticks when her mom remarries.  It kind of reminded me of the Princess Diaries – similar type book – and I enjoyed it.  It was just a light, happy book.  It was a fun read and I look forward to reading others in the series. 

Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams – Williams wrote one of my favorite books from last year (The Chosen One) so when I saw that she had a new book out, I added it to my list.  It was a very interesting format.  Not like a typical novel. Verse format – poetry, I guess.  On the first page of the book, Hope walks in on her sister, Lizzie, holding a gun.  It’s a sad, heartbreaking, hopeful book.  It was also a very quick read.  It’s a YA read, but I’d be careful with younger girls reading it.  I’d say 15-16+. 

Up next: I’m trying to get through Eve and the Choice Made in Eden by Beverly Campbell.  It’s very good so far, but pretty heavy.  These days, I’m reading one book upstairs and one downstairs so I’m also reading Water For Elephants. I’ve just started it so I don’t have an opinion yet.

What’s on your night stand to read right now?