My Book Report

Earlier in the year Liam had written about a few books that he had read and his intent for others he wanted to get to.  I realized years had passed me by without reading a single book.  The computer and TV had taken over as my entertainment sources and books just never got my time.  So I decided to incorporate some reading into my life and promised on Liam's blog that I would read 3 books this year.  Not soo impressive but a big leap from none at all.

Usually my book reading is limited to vacation time and since I don't go on winter vacations every year my reading has been limited.  I think part of it is I am a huge multi-tasker.  My mind is always in overdrive and it takes a lounge chair, a beach and a boozy beverage for me to actually settle down long enough to focus on a book.  Once I do I can read like no body's business and get into the zone. 
The beach books are often quick reads of sudo trashy fiction.  Why not read about Lucky Santangelo and her ball busting ways as she runs her corporate empire.  Spice it with some mafia murders and sex and you have yourself a party!

So now back at home I needed to have a tad more content to keep me interested.  None of these are classics by any means but I have really enjoyed them.  Here is my list to date.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy
I had heard a lot of good things about the book and the movie was due to come out so I thought I would give it a try.  I really like Stiegg Larsson's writing style, although a few times he went off on a bit too much historical background for my taste.  Actually, the first book was just as much about writer Mikael Blomkvist as it was about Lisbeth Salander. 

Even though the first book was a bit more stand alone, the second and third in the series were not.  As soon as I finished the last page of The Girl who played with Fire, I had to start The Girl who kicked the Hornets' Nest to find out what happened to Lisbeth.  


Hunger Games Trilogy
After reading this series I was talking to James who was into the Hunger Games trilogy.  He really liked it and brought me over the books when he came for a games night.  Even though the main character is 16, the books had a much more adult feel and of course the topic was a bit grittier, with the whole killing of kids in the games and all. 


Divergent / Insurgent
I was reading some reviews that said if you like the hunger games you may like Divergent and it's follow up Insurgent.  The main character was also 16 but this story was about Factions.  When you turn 16 you have a choosing ceremony and can either stay with your own faction or you can go to another.  Each faction has qualities and roles the world.  If you choose a different faction you must go through an intense initiation that you may not survive and you may also no longer see your family.  Being a Divergent is a dangerous thing and you would have to read the book to understand why.  These were a good couple of quick reads and I liked the main character a bit more than Katniss of the Hunger Games.

Gone Girl
This book is about a woman that goes missing and her husband is the suspect.  It is written from both of their perspectives.  I usually like mysteries but this one is just not working for me yet.  When I take a few weeks just to go through a few chapters that is telling.  I have abandoned it for now and may go back to it.....but it wasn't grabbing my attention quickly enough.  (this one doesn't count in my read total)

New Spring
One of the fellows in our Guild recommended this book to me.  When I mentioned it to Chad he said that Liam and Cliff had read some of these books written by Robert Jordan. It sounds like there are a LOT of books in the series, but it was suggested I start with this one.  I really like it and I am almost done.  The first part was a bit slower as it was about the whole process of going from Accepted to Aes Sedai, the teachings, the politics, the pecking order of the White Tower.  The focus is on a young Accepted named Moiraine who become Aes Sedai and wants to find the Dragonmount Reborn.  There is also an intriguing character named Lan who is just now getting more focus in the book.  They have now met and are just trying to figure each other out.  I should be done reading this one in just a few days and will likely be moving on to the next one in the series.

So that is my book report and I am happy to say that I have exceeded my 3 book pledge.  I have read...drum roll please....NINE books this year!  My very own personal best and I hope to finish a few more before the year is done.

(Challenge Post Day #2)