The Life You've Imagined

Read December 2010

My Rating 3 / 5

"Is the life you're living all you imagined?

Have you ever asked yourself, "What if??" Here, four women face the decisions of their lifetimes in this stirring and unforgettable novel of love, loss, friendship, and family.

Anna Geneva, a Chicago attorney coping with the death of a cherished friend, returns to her "speck on the map" hometown of Haven to finally come to terms with her mother, the man she left behind, and the road she did not take.

Cami Drayton, Anna's dearest friend from high school, is coming home too, forced by circumstance to move in with her alcoholic father . . . and to confront a dark family secret.

Maeve, Anna's mother, never left Haven, firmly rooted there by her sadness over her abandonment by the husband she desperately loved and the hope that someday he will return to her.

And Amy Rickart—thin, beautiful, and striving for perfection—faces a future with the perfect man . . . but is haunted by the memory of what she used to be.

Kristina Riggle's The Life You've Imagined takes a provocative look at the choices we make—and the courage we must have to change."

My Review: This book was a good read, nothing amazing, but a good read nonetheless. I liked all the characters, and I liked the stories they came with, they were all very realistic. The thing I enjoyed most about this book is how everyone helps each other out, whether they want to or not. Good book to pass the time, I will be looking into some of her other novels.

I haven't forgot about everyone, and haven't forgot about my books!

I have literally been reading The Shack since September... I have had a lot of stuff going on, but my god that book was boring me. I have not yet given up on it, just setting aside to read another. Starting today I will be reading "the life you've imagined" by Kristina Riggle. Hope it gets me out of this reading dry spell!

Her Fearful Symmetry

Read September 2010

My rating - 2.5 out of 5

"When Elspeth Noblin dies of cancer, she leaves her London apartment to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina. These two American girls never met their English aunt, only knew that their mother, too, was a twin, and Elspeth her sister. Julia and Valentina are semi-normal American teenagers--with seemingly little interest in college, finding jobs, or anything outside their cozy home in the suburbs of Chicago, and with an abnormally intense attachment to one another.

The girls move to Elspeth's flat, which borders Highgate Cemetery in London. They come to know the building's other residents. There is Martin, a brilliant and charming crossword puzzle setter suffering from crippling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Marjike, Martin's devoted but trapped wife; and Robert, Elspeth's elusive lover, a scholar of the cemetery. As the girls become embroiled in the fraying lives of their aunt's neighbors, they also discover that much is still alive in Highgate, including--perhaps--their aunt, who can't seem to leave her old apartment and life behind.

Niffenegger weaves a captivating story in Her Fearful Symmetry about love and identity, about secrets and sisterhood, and about the tenacity of life--even after death."

My review: {be warned, this review will contain spoilers} Where to start with this book.... I read the reviews online, and most people were very disappointed with this novel. However most people who read this book, read the Time Traveler's Wife beforehand, and were all comparing the two novels. I think many people who read this book had high expectations because of Time Traveler's Wife, so I decided to give it a shot, as I have not read the Time Traveler's Wife yet. It started off really well, and I was enjoying the story. Most other people claimed that they did not like the characters, and at the beginning of the novel I had liked all the characters, and I liked where the story was going, therefor at the beginning of the novel, my rating most likely would have been a 5. About half way through, I thought it was getting a little strange, as there was a ghost involved, and Robert started dating Valentina, who was not only much too young for him in my opinion, but was also his deceased lover (the ghost's) niece (which later turns out to be her daughter.) So at that point of the novel, my review started going downhill, as I didn't agree with that relationship. I looked past the relationship, and then the ghost got unbelievable. I've read novels with ghosts before and I enjoyed them, but this was getting out of hand. I started to hate all the characters for many different reasons, but in the end, ALL of them were selfish and irritating, and immature. And at the end, I was like, really??? A ghost just killed and took over her daughters body? They stole a body from a grave after a funeral? So unbelievale, and I did not relate to this novel at all. The only part of this novel that I enjoyed, is the character named Martin; Martin lived upstairs and has serious OCD. His story was the only one I enjoyed, reading about him dealing with his disease, and slowly overcoming it for love. I really wasn't sure how to rate this novel, as I enjoyed the writing style more than some of the other novels that I have rated a 3, however I didn't enjoy the story. I wish anyone good luck who reads this novel. I hope that when I read Time Traveler's Wife, I will enjoy it, as everyone else.

I think I have a book buying additction...

They are sooo expensive, but it's an addiction. You walk into a Chapters, and the smell of Starbucks and the smell of new books puts me under a spell, and the $20 tag on the book, no longer deters me from taking out my bank card. I have 10 books piled on my bookshelf in the 'to read' pile, yet I just bought three more books... hope they are good :)

The Language of Trees

Read: September 2010

My rating: 5/5

"Echo O'Connell knows that summer hold its secrets. They are whispered in the rustling trees, in the lush scent of lilacs, in the flurry of the mayflies batting against the screen door, and in the restlessspirits that seem to clamor in the scant breezes on hot evenings. It is in the summer that she returns home to Canadaigua, to confront these spirits, both living and not, and to share a secret with her first love, grant Shongo - a secret that will forever change the loves of many people in the town and put to rest the mysterious disappearance of a little boy more that a decade earlier.

Grant, a descendant of the Seneca Indians who call this place "the chosen spot" has also come back to face his past. After a broken marriage, he has moved into his childhood home, a lake house that has withstood happiness and tragedy. he knows the spirits of the past must be dealt with - that of the little boy who disappeared all those years ago; the boy's sister who never overcame the loss; and the love Grant still has for Echo. But before the healing must come the forgiveness..."

Brianna's Review: I would have to say that of all the books that I have read this year, this is probably my favourite, and for so many different reasons. I could go on and on and on about how much I love this book. The book has amazing reviews. When I was reading the beginning of this book, I can't say I was overly loving it, so I read some more reviews for inspiration,which I'm glad I did, because once I got a few chapters in, the story was just so captivating I couldn't set it down. It was full of secrets, mystery, romance, tears, and surprises. I love how in some way everyone is connected. I can't remember the last time I stayed up past my usual bed time to finish a book, but I just couldn't wait to figure out how it ended. Ilie Ruby is an amazing writer. The way she describes things, makes you really imagine. When one character is giving advice to another, she doesn't come right out and make them say it, they say it in a way that you really have to think about the advice they are giving. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about the story and couldn't wait to sit down and keep reading. There are so many more things I can say that I loved about this book, but I just can't explain it in words (I am clearly not an writer, haha).

A book that made me smile, and I can't even remember what it was about...

I was just going through one of the lists on the Goodreads of what to read next, and came across a book I read sometime around when I was in grade 8ish. Flowers for Algergon by Daniel Keyes. I can't remember what it was about, but just seeing the cover made me smile. All I can remember is that I was young, and even then I knew a good book when I read one. I am very much so putting this on my list of books to read, and the next time I am in a book store, you can bet that I will buy it, because I'm so excited to read this book once again!!!

Without a Backward Glance

Read September 2010

My Rating: 5/5


"On a stifling Christmas Eve in 1967 the lives of the McDonald children - Deborah, Robert, James, and Meredith - changed forever. Their mother Rosemarie, told them she was running out to buy some lights for the tree. She never came back. The children were left with their father, and a gnawing question: Why had their mother abandoned them?

Over the years, the four siblings have become practiced in concealing their pain, remaining close into adulthood, and forming their own families. But long closed wounds are reopened when a chance encounter brings James face to face with Rosemarie after nearly 40 years. Secrets that have each sibling has locked away come to light as they struggle to come to terms with their mothers reappearance, while at the same time their beloved father is progressing into dementia. Veitch's family portrait reveals the joys and sorrows the complexity and ambiguity of family life, and poignantly probes what it means to love and what is means to leave."

Brianna's Review: Wow.... where to start. This again was another book that I bought for only $4.99. From the first page I was so interested in this novel, and stayed interested for the entire thing, reading at every chance I possibly could. The story and the characters, my goodness she did an amazing job at making you understand them and what they are going through. A mother of four children and an amazing husband decides to abandoned her family with no explanation or warning, and on Christmas Eve of all nights. From the beginning of the novel I disliked her, she had an amazing life and yet was unhappy. The author wrote out some of the mothers thoughts, and they were terrible. She genuinely seemed like she hated her children and her husband. So she ups and leaves. The oldest daughter, Deborah is left in the mother role, and the dad has totally shut Rosemary out of their life. Each child has their own characteristic, most likely resulting from the impact of their mother abandoning them at such an early age. One of the children an alcoholic, one with OCD, one an organization and control freak, and one incapable of love. During the novel they meet up with their mother, and their problems slowly are going away or becoming better. This novel reminds me a little of Jodi Picoult as you are really thinking of everyones feelings. I mean I understand if you are unhappy, then leave and make yourself happy, but to just abandon your children? Who does that? And then as the children reconnect with her, you wonder what in the world would make them want to? and to accept her back so quickly? The mother was selfish, and even at the end when her thoughts were still being written out, she still seemed mean (mean.. I know, such a wonderful word to use :) ) This novel just has so much going on, I mean your trying to follow what is going on with each of the children separately, as well as together, with their mother, and ofcourse the beloved Alex, their father with progressing dementia (whom I just loved and felt sadly for.) Its interesting to see how each of the family members react together as well. I just loved loved loved this book! I very much would recommend this to everyone. The only question that I have, and would love for someone to explain to me - WHAT WAS UP WITH THE LAST PARAGRAPH? The entire book was amazing and I was thinking how great it was going to end, and then it just ends so randomly?? I still recommend people to read it, but my goodness I'm left confused with why she put that part in. Definitely a great discussion book as well.

One Thing Led to Another

Read August 2010 * * *

"Tess Jarvis has always been one to wing it, but she's fast realizing that her bank of blag is running out of funds. At 28, is it time to grow up? Maybe having a baby with your best friend isn't the best way to start."

Brianna's Review: I was walking through the book store one day and went to the bargain section, buying this book for $4.99, thinking that when I have no other books to read, I couldn't beat the price. But it was exactly what it was called, a Bargain book, a really good book for a really good price. It is a very quick and simple read, nothing that is going to win any awards or be on the 'top 100 books to read before you die' list, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The main character is cute, and her best friend (father of her child) is the sweetest thing ever. If you get a chance to read this book, or see it on sale somewhere, its worth it!

The Forgotten Garden

Read August * * * * *

"A foundling, an old book of dark fairy tales, a secret garden, an aristocratic family, a love denied, and a mystery. The Forgotten Garden is a captivating, atmospheric and compulsively readable story of the past, secrets, family and memory from the international best-selling author Kate Morton.

Cassandra is lost, alone and grieving. Her much loved grandmother, Nell, has just died and Cassandra, her life already shaken by a tragic accident ten years ago, feels like she has lost everything dear to her. But an unexpected and mysterious bequest from Nell turns Cassandra's life upside down and ends up challenging everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.

Inheriting a book of dark and intriguing fairytales written by Eliza Makepeace - the Victorian authoress who disappeared mysteriously in the early twentieth century - Cassandra takes her courage in both hands to follow in the footsteps of Nell on a quest to find out the truth about their history, their family and their past; little knowing that in the process, she will also discover a new life for herself."

Brianna's Review: This book took me a long time to read, but not because it wasn't good! This book was beautifully written. It is a mystery about a family, starting in the 1900's and ending in 2005. The mystery is good, and as she tells the story in different characters views throughout those years, you get lots of clues, but never know whats going to happen until the very end! I thought for sure I knew how it was going to end, but was quite surprised. It's a story about mystery, love, family, relationships, and how much someone wants to remember the past. The way that the author makes her characters out to be is also really well done. For instance, there is one character in the book (if you read it you will know pretty quickly to whom I am speaking about) who is in all ways like a witch in a fairytale, and the way she writes it makes your imagination grow wild. Another thing I loved about this book is how she incorporates fairy-tales. One of the characters writes fairy tales, and she puts a couple of stories in with the book, and after you read them you can see how they relate to the characters. At the end of the novel when everything comes together, you will be surprised, but happy at the same time that the family mystery is finally solved. This is a book that I would definatley recommend, and if anyone is looking for a book club book, I think this book gives a large amount of topics to discuss.

I'm being pokey!

I am still reading the Forgotten Garden, don't take me wrong, its a very good book, but I have been working crazy hours and had 3 wedding this summer! Can't believe its taking me so long, so hopefully after this weekend I will have a review and will get back in my groove!

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

As someone who reads a lot, I hate not finishing a book. I usually make myself read it no matter how much I dislike it, but this time I can't. Its taken me I don't know how many days to read only 100 pages, its like homework - I had to force myself to read. I got to 100 pages, and decided I could not force myself to read another 230 pages, it would have taken me forever. The writing style is dreadful, and boring, the story is not near as interesting as one would think for it being a book of travelling, and I hate the main character and the story that got her where she was. I have only not finished one book, EVER. This book has just made my second, and I feel guilty doing it. I can't believe people actually recommend this book.

Secret Daughter

Read June 2010 * * * * *

"On the eve of the monsoons, in a remote Indian village, Kavita gives birth to a baby girl. But in a culture that favors sons, the only way for Kavita to save her newborn daughter’s life is to give her away. It is a decision that will haunt her and her husband for the rest of their lives, even after the arrival of their cherished son.

Halfway around the globe, Somer, an American doctor, decides to adopt a child after making the wrenching discovery that she will never have one of her own. When she and her husband, Krishnan, see a photo of the baby with the gold-flecked eyes from a Mumbai orphanage, they are overwhelmed with emotion. Somer knows life will change with the adoption but is convinced that the love they already feel will overcome all obstacles.

Interweaving the stories of Kavita, Somer, and the child that binds both of their destinies, “Secret Daughter” poignantly explores the emotional terrain of motherhood, loss, identity, and love, as witnessed through the lives of two families – one Indian, one American – and the child that indelibly connects them. "

Brianna's Review: This book was amazing in soo many ways. I haven't read very many books involving culture, and Shilpi Somaya Gowda made this novel, based in India, and California a good and easy read. With her descriptions, I was able to imagine India, and she did it without making the story boring. This book is really about family, and how the two families live within the 20 years with the choices they have made. This book made me want to erase the rest of the world, and just sit and read. The ending cleared everything up beautifully. This being her first novel, I can't wait for her next, truly a moving book and I would recommend it to anyone.

'Eat, Pray, Love' Trailer HD

I have been meaning to read this book for quite some time, as I have heard it is good and is on many 'must read' lists. Now that it is becoming a motion picture, I think it's time to take it off my book shelf. As soon as I am done my current book I will be starting it! Hopefully I enjoy the book and eventually get to see the movie!

Summer People

Read June 2010 * * * * *

``Every summer the Newton family retreats to their beloved home on Nantucket for three months of sunshine, cookouts, and bonfires on the beach. But this summer will not be like any other. When Arch Newton, a prominent New York attorney, dies in a plane crash on his way home from a business trip, his beautiful widow, Beth, can barely keep things together. Above all, though, she decides that she must continue the family tradition of going to Nantucket, and at the same time fulfill a promise that Arch made before he died. Beth invites Marcus, the son of Arch`s final and most challenging client, to spend the summer with her and her teenage twins, Winnie and Garrett, who have mixed reactions to sharing their special summer place with this stranger. Always a place of peace before, Nantucket becomes the scene of roiling emotions and turbulent passions as Marcus, Winnie, and Garrett learn about loss, first love, and betrayal. And when they stumble upon a shocking secret from Beth`s past, they must keep it from destroying the family they`ve been trying so hard to heal.``

Brianna's Review: I enjoyed this book even more than I enjoyed the last one. Another quick good read for the summer, and another one making me longing for the days without school and work, where I could just relax at my cottage. At the beginning of this novel, I found myself angry with Beth, the widow, but by the end I got over my anger and just loved the whole book. The nice thing about her endings, is that though they end with everything summarized, and in a good way, but the ending is not always what you may have expected. I loved the characters in this novel, and how close they grow together, it was hard to set down once I really got into it.

The Opposite Of Me

Read June 2010 * * * * *

"Twenty-nine-year-old Lindsey Rose has, for as long as she can remember, lived in the shadow of her ravishingly beautiful fraternal twin sister, Alex. Determined to get noticed, Lindsey is finally on the cusp of being named VP creative director of an elite New York advertising agency, after years of eighty-plus-hour weeks, migraines, and profound loneliness. But during the course of one devastating night, Lindsey’s carefully constructed life implodes. Humiliated, she flees the glitter of Manhattan and retreats to the time warp of her parents’ Maryland home. As her sister plans her lavish wedding to her Prince Charming, Lindsey struggles to maintain her identity as the smart, responsible twin while she furtively tries to piece her career back together. But things get more complicated when a long-held family secret is unleashed that forces both sisters to reconsider who they are and who they are meant to be."

Brianna`s Review: CUTE! Twins, who are clearly not identical, have two completely different personalities and life dreams. As they get older they drift apart, and barely really talk anymore. Then something happens to bring Lindsey home, and she is stuck spending more time with her sister. I thought this book was adorable, funny, and realistic. I loved all the characters, including mom and dad (they were funny). And of course, what you think would be the main part of this story is the sisters, but there is sooo much more. As far as I know, this was her only novel, but if I see another, I will definatley be reading it. This book makes you want to call up your sister, just because.

Crow Lake

Read June 2010 * * * * *

"Mary Lawson's debut novel concerns a young woman, Kate Morrison, a zoologist who is hundreds of miles away from her childhood home of Crow Lake in the isolated regions of northern Ontario. Yet she can't escape the memories of her past, the car accident that killed her parents, her older brother who took her out to the pond to teach her about the wildlife there, and the violence of the neighbors whose lives were intertwined with her family. Embarking on a new love, Kate must come to grips with her past to fashion her own future. This novel has received high praise from almost all reviewers. The Washington Post calls Crow Lake, "the kind of book that keeps you reading well past midnight; you grieve when it's over."

Brianna's Review: this book was beautifully written. I loved this book from the beginning to the end. It was believable, and understandable, and I love how it is written in the characters view mostly when she was around the ages of 7 and 8. A story that really makes you love your family, and cherish everything that you have.

Barefoot

Read June 2010 * * * *

"Three women arrive at the local airport, observed by Josh, a Nantucket native home from college for the summer. Burdened with small children, unwieldy straw hats, and some obvious emotional issues, the women-- two sisters and one friend--make their way to the sisters' tiny cottage, inherited from an aunt. They're all trying to escape from something: Melanie, after seven failed in-vitro attempts, learned her husband was having an affair, and then discovered she's pregnant; Brenda embarked on a passionate affair with an older student that got her fired from her prestigious job as a professor in New York; and her sister Vicki, mother to two small boys, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Soon Josh is part of the chaotic household, acting as babysitter, confidant, and, eventually, lover."

Brianna's Review: Good summer read, really made me want to be up at my cottage! The story is about three women, and a young man named Josh, and they each have their own issues going on, but are all intertwined. I loved all of the characters, and thoroughly liked the ending.

Heart of the Matter

Read June 2010 * * * * *

"Tessa Russo is the mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Despite her mother’s warnings, Tessa has recently given up her career to focus on her family and the pursuit of domestic happiness. From the outside, she seems destined to live a charmed life.

Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie—a boy who has never known his father. After too many disappointments, she has given up on romance—and even, to some degree, friendships—believing that it is always safer not to expect too much.

Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, the two have relatively little in common aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined.

In alternating, pitch-perfect points of view, Emily Giffin creates a moving, luminous story of good people caught in untenable circumstances. Each being tested in ways they never thought possible. Each questioning everything they once believed. And each ultimately discovering what truly matters most.”

Brianna's review: Yet another Emily Giffin book that I love. She only has 5 books, and I can't say a bad thing about any of them. Love and feel for both characters, as the entire book is written in two different characters views. I want one thing to happen, and yet want something totally different to happen the entire time. It was so hard to put down, and I was thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it, which to me is a good sign that I loved the book. Happy with the ending, and she has wonderful choice of wording throughout. Once again, I love Emily Giffin and her writing. Can't wait till I hear about another one of her books!

The Wife's Tale

Read May 2010 * * * * *

“Mary is fat. Not just fat, but morbidly obese. She knows she’s fat (thank you very much) and lives her life in defensive, deflective blame, isolating herself in the small farming town of Leaford, Ontario, the locale of Lori Lansens’ first two novels. Everyone skirts the subject of her weight, the literal elephant in the room. Mary and her husband Gooch have gradually drifted away from each other. On their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, Mary’s husband disappears. Bewildered, Mary abandons her sheltered life in pursuit of him across America, encountering a dazzling array of characters and discovering a boundless supply of human kindness in unexpected places. Runaway children, single mothers, taxi drivers, migrant workers and bitter relatives enter her life in chaotic fashion. Pounds melt away as she walks, runs, swims, drives and flies in momentous steps from claustrophobic Leaford to the freedom of California, hermissing husband a spectre dogging each step. She discovers new worlds in hidden pockets of Los Angeles before she arrives at her final destination, the most unexpected surprise of all.”

Brianna's Review: I loved this book. It was hard to set down once I started reading. The characters are amazing and watching them transform throughout the novel was really believable and inspirational. Very light summer read and I would recommend it for sure.

Phantom Prey

Read May 2010 * * * * 1/2

“A widow comes home to her large house in a wealthy, exclusive suburb to find blood on the walls, no body – and her college-age daughter missing. She’s always known that her daughter ran with a bad bunch. What did she call them – Goths? Freaks is more like it, running around with all that makeup and black clothing, listening to that awful music, so attracted to death. And now this. But the police can’t find the girl, alive or dead, and the widow truly panics. There’s someone she knows, a surgeon named Weather Davenport, whose husband is a big deal with the police, and she implores Weather to get her husband directly involved. Lucas gets in only reluctantly – but then when a second Goth is slashed to death in Minneapolis, he starts working it hard. The clues don’t seem to add up, though. And then there’s the young Goth who keeps appearing and disappearing: Who is she? Where does she come from and, more important, where does she vanish to? And why does Lucas keep getting the sneaking suspicion that there is something else going on here… something very, very bad indeed?”

Brianna's Review: I thought this was a pretty good book. Took me a few chapters to get what was going on but once I was in I couldn't set it down. The author did a great job with his creativity with one character in particular. I haven't read a mystery in a while and I am happy that I read this one.

Best Friends Forever

Read May 2010 * * * * *

“Addie Downs and Valerie Adler will be best friends forever. That’s what Addie believes after Valerie moves across the street when they’re both nine years old. But in the wake of betrayal during their teenage years, Val is swept into the popular crowd, while mousy, sullen Addie becomes her school’s scapegoat.

Flash-forward fifteen years. Valerie Adler has found a measure of fame and fortune working as the weathergirl at the local TV station. Addie Downs lives alone in her parents’ house in their small hometown of Pleasant Ridge, Illinois, caring for a troubled brother and trying to meet Prince Charming on the Internet. She’s just returned from Bad Date #6 when she opens her door to find her long-gone best friend standing there, a terrified look on her face and blood on the sleeve of her coat. “Something horrible has happened,” Val tells Addie, “and you’re the only one who can help.” Best Friends Forever is a grand, hilarious, edge-of-your-seat adventure; a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets. It’s about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it, and the ties that keep best friends together.”

Brianna's Review: I loved this book. Very nice light read, excellent for the summer and sitting out in the sun. I enjoyed her writing and never wanted to set it down. I instantly fell inlove with the characters. I liked this book from first page all the way through to the last. Looking forward to reading more of her books.

The Almost Moon

Read May 2010

My Rating: 2 / 5


"For years Helen Knightly has given her life to others: to her haunted mother, to her enigmatic father, to her husband and grown children. When she finally crosses a terrible boundary, her life comes rushing in at her in a way she never could have imagined.

Unfolding over the next twenty-four hours, this searing, fast-paced audiobook explores the complex ties between mothers and daughters, wives and lovers, the meaning of devotion, and the line between love and hate. It is a challenging, moving, gripping story, written with the fluidity and strength of voice that only Alice Sebold has.”

Brianna's Review: I was very disappointed with this book. The only good thing I can say is that I was never bored. The book is over a span of 24 hours, and she is constantly moving from past to present, leaving you confused. She also has way too many characters, whether it's her daughter, friend, neighbour, etc. It took me till the end of the book to remember which character was which. The actual story itself I was also disappointed in. I mean in the first chapter the main character does something completely crazy and you think that by the end of the book you will find out what her reasons were to lead her to doing what she did, and you never really find that out. The end of the book also leaves you with no answers. I loved the Lovely Bones, and Lucky which are her two other books, so I was definatley disappointed in this book.

The Gargoyle

Read May 2010

My Rating 2/5


“On a dark road in the middle of the night, a car plunges into a ravine. The driver survives the crash, but his injuriesconfine him to a hospital burn unit. There the mysterious Marianne Engel, a sculptress of grotesques, enters his life. She insists they were lovers in medieval Germany, when he was a mercenary and she was a scribe in the monastery of Engelthal. As she spins the story of their past lives together, the man’s disbelief falters; soon, even the impossible can no longer be dismissed.”


Brianna says: This book was different, I can't say I loved it, but I didn't hate it either. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to anyone unless they had nothing else to read. One thing I did like about this book is how the author wrote it as someone telling a story.

Vanishing Acts

Read April 2010 * * * * *

Delia Hopkins has led a charmed life. Raised in rural New Hampshire by her widowed father, Andrew, she now has a young daughter, a handsome fiancé, and her own search-and-rescue bloodhound, which she uses to find missing persons. But as she plans her wedding, she is plagued by flashbacks of a life she can’t recall. And when a policemen arrives to disclose a truth that will upend the world as she knows it, Delia must search through these memories – even when they have the potential to devastate her life, and the lives of those she loves most. Vanishing Acts is a book about the nature and power of memory; about what happens when the past we have been running from catches up to us… and what happens when the memory we thought had vanished returns as a threat.

Brianna says: I loved this book, as I love all of her others. The main story is enough to make you enjoy this book, but she just adds more and more and more, so that you never know which story you want to find out more about. Each character comes with a story, and I love how the book is written in all of their views. Oh Jodi Picoult, I just can't get enough of her books!

How This Works

Hey guys!

So basically if you have read any of the books under "reviews" you can send me a written review and your star level and I will post your reviews under mine. I also will post what I am currently reading on the right hand side of the home page, you are more than welcome to read that too and send me your review. If you have a wish list of books to read you can email that to me, and I will add them to the "wish to read" page, and will read as many of them as I can! My email is bri.beck.19@gmail.com , hope to hear from you guys!

So excited for this book to come out...

Coming out May 11, 2010!

"Tessa Russo is the mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Despite her mother’s warnings, Tessa has recently given up her career to focus on her family and the pursuit of domestic happiness. From the outside, she seems destined to live a charmed life.

Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie---a boy who has never known his father. After too many disappointments, she has given up on romance---and even, to some degree, friendships---believing that it is always safer not to expect too much.

Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, the two have relatively little in common aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined.

In alternating, pitch-perfect points of view, Emily Giffin creates a moving, luminous story of good people caught in untenable circumstances. Each being tested in ways they never thought possible. Each questioning everything they once believed. And each ultimately discovering what truly matters most."

Something Blue

"Darcy Rhone thought she had it all figured out: the more beautiful the girl, the more charmed her life. Never mind substance. Never mind playing by the rules. Never mind karma.

But Darcy's neat, perfect world turns upside down when her best friend, Rachel, the plain-Jane “good girl,” steals her fiancé, while Darcy finds herself completely alone for the first time in her life . . . with a baby on the way.

Darcy tries to recover, fleeing to her childhood friend living in London and resorting to her tried-and-true methods for getting what she wants. But as she attempts to recreate her glamorous life on a new continent, Darcy finds that her rules no longer apply. It is only then that Darcy can begin her journey toward self-awareness, forgiveness, and motherhood.

Something Blue is a novel about one woman's surprising discoveries about the true meaning of friendship, love, and happily-ever-after. It's a novel for anyone who has ever, even secretly, wondered if the last thing you want is really the one thing you need."

Brianna Says: Loved this book, make sure to read "something borrowed" first!

Something Borrowed

"Something Borrowed tells the story of Rachel, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan. Rachel has always been the consummate good girl---until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend, Darcy, throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy's fiancé. Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. As the September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness.Something Borrowed is a phenomenal debut novel that will have you laughing, crying, and calling your best friend."

Brianna says: One of my favourite books! Very good light summer read, after this you should read the connecting novel "something blue"