Book #96 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett

During teacher inservice, the movie "The Help" opened on theaters, and all of my girlfriends at school were crazy about going to see it. I had seen the book at Target, Walmart, etc, but for whatever reason, I assumed (due to the title) that it was a spiritual self-help book. Since everyone was raving about it, I decided to pick up a copy and give it a go. Boy was I wrong. This was one of the most incredibly moving books I've read during this 19 month venture. This one touched me so much, and I've told our English teachers that I think it should become required reading for junior or senior English. The writer not only tells a heartbreaking and moving story, but she does it incredibly by allowing us to change perspective between the three leading ladies in the book. I can just see classroom discussion about what the time before the civil rights movement was like and then discussing how much has changed (or not changed) in that time. What a phenomenal story of unconditional love these "maids" tell when raising the white womens' children, and they do this knowing that one day, those children will grow up to be their bosses. This was a true jewel of a book, and I anxiously await another by Kathryn Stockett.

Book #95 - Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

So if you are a person that actually follows this blog, you are probably wondering why I've published 4 blogs today. No, I didn't read them all today. I had actually given up on this blog....grown weary for lack of a better word. This blog had become a chore rather than simply a way to express my love of books. But what I now realize is that the problem was not the blog, it was what I was reading. I had not read anything in a month or so that inspired me to write. Obviously, you now get it. This book has inspired me to share...even if it reaches just one curious person. My father gave me this book a few weeks ago with the disclaimer that I wouldn't want to put it down. Just looking at the cover and reading the jacket did not convince me that was the case, but the large type and fairly shortness of it inspired me to get started on it last week. I found that as I got into this book I became invested in it. I deeply cared for the main character...my heart broke with his and also soared with his. The author told the story of a child facing life...it's ups and downs...the struggles with family, friends, and school...and the difficulty of finding one's passions and talents. Mr. Schmidt utilizes a writing style which keeps the reader entertained and always wanting more. The first person perspective made the story all the more compelling. I personally cannot wait to see my father again and grab a couple of Mr. Schmidt's other books. This is the best book I've read in quite awhile. I have only one complaint...I wanted an epilogue. I was dying to know where the characters wind up. I've spent time in the last few days imagining how I wanted their story to end...perhaps that is why he did not include an epilogue...so we would have to finish the story.

Book #94 - Whiplash by Catherine Coulter

This is another author where I was deeply disappointed by his/her last book in the series. I almost didn't purchase and read this one. Had it not been for the cover imagery, I don't think I would have. This one had a very interesting story woven about a drug company trying to rig the market so they could make more money. Great thriller that again, I wanted to skip to the end to see who the bad guy was. This book was much better than her last, but I have to say I enjoyed the early books in Catherine Coulter's FBI series far more.

Book #93 - Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

If you recall from the blog about the 16th in this series which I wrote a year ago, I had really lost interest in this series of books. I thought that book was terrible and the storyline was forced. However, I think Janet found her way back with this one. I was thoroughly entertained the entire time, and I was tempted several times to flip to the end to see if I had correctly guessed the villain (which I had). There were several of her characteristic "laugh out loud" moments, and plenty of adult content to keep you reading. Though year after year, we experience Stephanie Plum trying to take down skips and every book having a car of hers explode, this book had a fresh feel to it. It must be very difficult to keep it new and exciting when you are on the seventeenth version of a very similar writing style. By the end of the 16th book, I was so tired of the love triangle (Stephanie, Ranger, and Morelli), but I rather enjoyed the way in which that played out in this book. Definitely an easy and fun summer read.

Book #92 - The Devil Colony by James Rollins

If you like thrillers and you like science, then James Rollins is the writer. He is exciting to read, and he's always flipping between story lines to keep you on your toes. This is another edition starring the Sigma Force, and after 9 or so of these books, I am in love with these characters. I have invested time and energy into each of them, and I'm always wondering when the day will come that one of them won't survive a mission. This one had tied into it the founding fathers of the United States, and it adds a whole new dimension to his adventures. I highly recommend any book by this offer.

Book #91 - The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry

I felt like this was one of the best of Steve Berry's recent books. Perhaps the reason I feel this way is because this one was full of American History and intrigue. I love the conspiracy and folklore that was infiltrating this book. The characters were compelling and this was a major page turner. If you've never read a book by Steve Berry, he writes in a style that hops between several subplots. I kept finding each time he changed subplots that I was left hanging and wanting more. Excellent ending that leaves me waiting for his next book! He is truly a fantastic writer and his plots are always different and interesting.

Book #90 - Theodore Boone: The Abduction by John Grisham

I actually finished this book almost two weeks ago, but I've debated whether I wanted to continue this blog or quit. As you can see, I decided to continue it. Today is my son Samuel's 6 week birthday. So, as you can imagine, my reading has declined drastically in the last few months since trying to compete for time between a three year old and a 6 week old takes up my entire life. However, this book came at just the right time. I've decided (with nothing to back my theories up) that John Grisham is bored with doing the "adult lawyer" books. I think that's why the plots in those books have been overdone and not as fresh as his first few. But, I think he's bored with it, and Theodore Boone is his outlet to be creative. I'm sure Grisham grew up on the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew (if he'd admit to reading her), and he's created a character to rival them in Theodore Boone. I loved this book. It's easy language and enticing plot were just what I needed. I look forward to the next installment!!!