Catch-Up

There have been a few books I have read of late that I want to mention because they were really good. Yes, I have been bitten by the "it made it to the movies, it must be good" bug but I wasn't disappointed by doing so. ***I have lent out some of the following books so I don't have some authors names available, I'm soooooo sorry*****

"The Lovely Bones": very good book, quite an emotional roller coaster so if you cannot handle uncontrollable tears, steer clear. I haven't seen the movie yet, so I cannot compare it.

"Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks: awesome book, more tears but happy ones. Again, haven't seen the movie so I cannot compare. Good ending, just not one I would have chosen.

"My Sister's Keeper" by Jodie Piccoult: I read this thick book in 2 days; it was easy to be in "their shoes" both as a mother and a sibling of a chronically ill sister. It had its funny parts, its interesting parts, and of course the sadness. Well worth the tears! Don't lynch me, but I was semi-happy with the ending. I enjoyed the movie but it WAS NOTHING like the book--almost an entirely new story.

"Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger: once I got used to the time traveling dates--back and forth and back and forth---I really liked this book. Such a sweet and romantic love story. Better than any Prince Charming fairy tale. I did have to flip back and forth to straighten out dates for the first couple of chapters but it was easier to understand once I was familiar with all the characters. I have to be honest: two of my friends had to up and quit reading because the back and forth was too confusing. The movie SUCKED compared to the book; don't waste your time or money watching it.

"The Host" by Stephanie Meyer: I was bitten by the Twilight bug on a dare by my sister--I didn't understand what the craze was about; she said "Read the first 3 chapters of the first book and if you want to quit then that is it". I finished the series in a week. I heard that the author had another book out and I thought I would try it. I loved it. On one hand it seems like science fiction but on the other it is much like reincarnation. Really good book and excellent ending!