Book #54 - A Will and a Way by Nora Roberts

I've been reading a couple of books at the same time, and I happened to pick this one up the day before yesterday because I thought it would be a good finish to my summer vacation reading. This one is a mystery that is similar to the movie "Clue" and a book I read as a young girl called "The Westing Game." The plot draws you right in when at the reading of Uncle Jolly's will, all of the relatives but two are cut out. Those two will inherit 150 million dollars if they are willing to live for 6 months at his house together. In the mean time, there is a plot to prevent this from happening so all other family members can get their cut. Exciting and a fun, easy read. Interestingly, the main character, Pandora is a jewelry maker. Like my sister, she refuses to make cookie-cutter pieces just because. All of her pieces are unique and very non-mainstream. Kind of neat to see the artists perspective, thoughts, and creativity and how those are utilized to create beautiful works of art.

Book #53 - Opposites Attract by Nora Roberts

This book was originally released by Nora Roberts in 1984 and then re-released in 2008 in conjunction with another book. The book was about two tennis stars who were once in love, and rekindled there love three years after a devestating break up. The resounding lesson of this book is how communication, the lack of, or miscommunication can ruin relationships. If you stop and think about it, I bet 80-90% of all broken relationships are due to poor or non-existent communication. Why is it we as humans are afraid to say how we feel and just lay it out there with honesty and certainty? Another great love story, and as usual with Nora Roberts the ending was happy. Great summer read.

Book #52 - The Collectors by David Baldacci

This is the 4th or 5th book by Baldacci that I have read, but it is the first involving the four old guys in the "Camel Club". I have to say that by far this is the best I've read (although I really liked the Christmas Train). Not only was there great adventure, but for the first time in one of his books, I really liked and felt engaged with the characters. Interestingly, the first 200 pages had 2 very different very exciting plots going on simultaneously. It wasn't until page 205 that the link between the stories was divulged. There was great artistry in the story telling as well as a enticing plot. I have to say, I'm excited to pick up copies of the other Baldacci books starring the famous foursome: Oliver, Milton, Caleb, and Reuben. This one I'm sending to my brother who will devour it in 8 hours or so...

Book #51 - The Apostle by Brad Thor

This was the best of the Brad Thor books I've read. I literally could not put it down yesterday. This is the story of a female, American doctor who is kidnapped and held ransom by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Harvath, the main character of all of his books, is a retired Navy Seal, Special Ops, Secret Service guy who is sent in to get her. Not only was the action incredible, but the description of life in Afghanistan for the Afghan people was breathtaking. The locals are depicted as a beautiful tribal culture who believe that honor and respect are the utmost qualities you can have. Unfortunately, it is these very people caught in the wake of the Taliban's crusade. I cannot imagine what it is like day to day for the people of Afghanistan, and it is incredible the sacrifice and risk charitable organizations make just to go and help the natives of the country. Fascinating look into local customs, like offering tea to guests, and the social repercussions of refusing that offer. The action in the book was excellent, and I highly recommend this to someone who likes a fast paced thriller.

Book #50 - Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

For those of us who grew up with "Superfudge" and "Are you there God, it's Me Margaret?", I say, yes, this is the very same Judy Blume. Last week when my sister-in-law and I walked into the used bookstore, she asked if I had read any by Judy Blume. I said no, but asked if it was the same Judy Blume from my childhood. She said yes, and her books are great. Great was an understatement. First, I must say this is a chick book, so be warned of that. However, I started it today at noon and finished this evening. The review on the front of the book called it "compulsively readable." It was an incredible look at human nature and relationships. Sad in parts and uplifting in parts, but ended just right. The story had depth to it as well as a lightness that made it addicting. So here's to Judy Blume, you've still got it.

On a personal note, I have reached the half way point and am surprisingly still on track to pull off 100 books in one year. Looking forward to what I learn in the next 50 books.

Book #49 - The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson

I found this book at Costco in a pile with similar books like "Life of Pi" and thought it might be a winner. The start of the book gives a "History of Elephant" and is really the story of an Elephant, Jenny, brought off a ship in England in the 1700's and Tom, its keeper. This is a beautiful story of dedication and love between man and animal. I loved the description of Jenny, her personality, and her skill. However, mid-book, I began wishing it was over. There were some good parts sprinkled in there, but overall, the author bored me with endless, sad details of Tom's life. Definitely not as good as some of the others I've read this year. I'm just glad I get to move on to something else more captivating.

Book #48 - Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

This was book three in the bride quartet and is the story of Laurel, the pastry chef. I have to admit that all of the talk of cakes almost made me run to the store to get ingredients to make my own. Needless to say, I was able to resist. This book was fabulous, and it left me feeling happy because Laurel got her dream guy. Funny that today I finished a paper on Romeo and Juliet (for my Mom's Humanities class), and I was thinking how pure and naive their love was and especially sad how it ended. "Savor the Moment" was another story of star crossed lovers that ended beautifully with nothing but happily ever after in their future. You would think it would get old to read Nora Roberts' books where they always end happy, but really it doesn't. I never grow tired of knowing it will end happy, and maybe that is why I go back to her. I know in the end I will be uplifted and satisfied. Not to dismiss those Nicholas Sparks books that end the way they should rather than always the way I want...there is a need for reality in love stories as well. But, as I said, they are feel good, and it is like coming back to a comfortable place. In case you are wondering, you will have to wait for the last installment of this series of books because it isn't released until November. Going to be painful, but I guess I'll make it.

Book #47 - The Devil's Queen by Jeanne Kalogridis

This book was the story of the life of Catherine de Medici the Italian born princess who became Queen of France. Fascinating insight to what live as a royal is really like. Cutthroat, conniving, and more political than even we American's can fathom. There were parts of this book that we so despicable that I could barely stomach it. It has been recorded that in real life, Catherine was involved in astrology and dark magic, and in this book, she used the darkest possible magic to help conceive her children. However, each one of her children had either physical or mental deformities. All of her sons were evil to their core, and she gave her life and soul to care for each of them. The other very interesting part of the book was how much constant war the Italians, French, and Spanish were involved in, and for the most part, they were about territory or religion. The book ended with a massive massacre of the French Protestants by the French Catholics. Gruesome. Again, if you like history but get bogged down by the dryness of nonfiction, these novels about real historical people are the way to go.