Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving

Someone told me this was the best book they've ever read so I thought it was worth trying. Although I have heard of John Irving, I have no read any of his books until now. I really like Irvings writting style and the characters are really fun and interesting. There adventures as a family remind me of the stories we heard as kids but obviously more 'adult' written. He points things out really bluntly (or rather the characters do) and I like that he doesn't care what kind of language he uses. Its not careful. It's also cool how he incoorprates animals (bears, dogs) and the role they play as part of the family. It was a great read and I may try another Irving book.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Because two of my friends insited on me reading Water for Elephants I decided it was better that I read the book before the movie came out. Often I find it hard to read books after seeing movies because the characters you picture and scences are usually based on what you've seen in the movie. I found the book to be really well written and interesting. I never knew about this kind of life style that exsisted and still exsist (in a less harsh environment) today. The complications of paying people and even 'red lighting' on the train. Gruen's characters are all so different and have their own stories that tie together to make a really great book. I also really liked the way she would switch between the past and the present; the main characters would be in the hospital then be dreaming about working in the circus. It keeps you interested and draws you more into what going on and what will happen in both 'worlds'. I would suggest this book to anyone really because it's not a hard read and gender neutral.

The Hobbit JRR Tolkien

When my friend suggested that I read the hobbit I was very skeptical because I had never even seen Lord of the Rings, or considered seeing it. But I'm glad I decided to read it because I found it really interesting and fun. It almost remind me of Harry Potter where, when reading it, your envisioning this entirley different universe with odd creatures and ominous trails. Even though The Hobbit was not the first book published, I began with it because it gives the background to the other series which I also plan on reading them in the future. Recently, I watched Lord of the Rings; the Fellowship of the Ring; and information from the Hobbit was quite relevant and useful in better understanding the movie.

Along Came A Spider James Patterson

My friend told me if I were to read any James Patterson book, it should be "Along Came A Spider" and since I really liked "Mary Mary" I decided to try this one. I think because this book came before the other book, Patterson mentions much more descriptiong of Cross and the other characters. It completly changed the way I imagined Cross in my head. Its like when you read a book before the movie comes out and the actor they cast it completly different than how you pictures, except I had justed missed the vital details Patterson lets on. Like that Cross is over 6 feet tall, a characteristic thats hard not to imclude when I picture him now. I also came to the realization that the 'grandma' that lives with Alex isn't his kinds grandma, his mother, but his actual grandma. I often reread books because there the little things that people tend to scan over and things just make so much more sence when the whole picture is finally put together.

Twenties Girl Sophie Kinsella

I have read other Sophie Kinsella books and really enjoyed them. Although their quick reads, Kinsella's books always have humor and I like to see the vocabulary difference since she is a British author and majority of her books take place in the UK. Her characters are always sassy and fun to keep up with. In this particular book there were two characters that really got alot of attention and humor. There two attitudes reflected off eachother and it was amusing to watch their relationship grow between themselves and others in the book. Because one of the characters, Laras great aunt, was from the times of flapper girls and where dancing was practically required to get around, I actually learned alot about the twenties and basically what is was like to grow up in that time period. It was a easy read and suggest it to anyone who likes a laugh.

Mary, Mary James Patterson

This is the first James Patterson book Ive read, and I really like it. Unlike thriller movies and other books I have read before, the perspective of the book switches from the killer and to Agent Cross. Its interesting to see how the two stories overlap and how you want clues to fit in, but your not sure where there leading; its fun to try and put it all together and discover whats going on. Like in this story, a screen play writer basically loeses his mind and becomes apart of his stories, a story of killing. Until the point where he's no longer himself but the character hes trying to create. Cross seems to come across this idea through the emails the killer leaves, he also determined to defy the authority on there elimination of a male killer. Cross is a intriging character and Im sure ill end up reading another Patterosn book in the future.

The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti

I really enojy Caletti books becuase even though shes well beyond her teen years she writes like she actually is the character. Her conversations throughout the book aren't over abstract and could actually hear in real life. In this book Indigo, a struggling waitress tips a stranger on her opinions on cigaretts. Taken aback by Indigos care, he (a multimillioniar) write her a tip for 2 milliosn dollars. At first she tries to give it back, thinking it to be a mistake, but later he refuses to take it bake because hes given up his old job to travel and see the world as a common man. It's funny how the saying 'money isnt everything' is so underrated. Its so easy to say and so hard to do once you posses it all. Indigo goes through this phase when she realizes that money wont make her any different and has to use it to support her family and spend it wisley because it wont last forever. I enjoyed this book and it would be a great summer read.