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.

The Help Kathryn Stockett

In 1950's Mississippi, Minny, Skeeter and Aibeleen share something that most white and black people dont. Aibeleen and Minny both are housemaid, taking care of white womens children...rasinging them until their just like their own mothers, ordering the maid that had once been more like a mother then their own. Skeeter, a younge enexpirienced journalist wants to uncover the story of what its like to live under these conditions; having a seperate bathroom, raising someone elses child, and even agreeing with a white womens comments in hope theyll see their paycheck. I really enjoyed this book because learning about this point in history doesn't seem tangable in a textbook or classroom. Its easier to connect to these people by reading about chracters like them. Inside their heads, their opinions, views, and way of life. They have their own seperate world and it's amazing how different things are now. Although their still issues today concering racial issues- it seems so far away from what used to be going on. I would highley recomment this book to anyone, it was a great medium read.

The Villa by Nora Roberts

A surprising murder mystery, Sophia and her long line of Gambelli family are doing their best to protect their wine buisness as competition and old ties try to ruin everything they have. Because at the time I was working on a art project with wine and one of my teachers just recently told us about their secret passion for wine tasting I decided a book about wine would only be appropiate. It amazes me how much work goes into producing and marketing wine; alot of issues Sophie and her family come across through the course of the book. As the murderer gets anxious and more risky one of the first issues that erupts is the production of tainted bottles. Just a few in a case doesnt seem like it will affect a buisness; the poisen not even strong enough to kill, but even this small problem brings the buiness to ruins. They loes sponsers, buisness, money to make sure all products are checked and returned, and liability. Sophie has to work nonstop to make sure she keeps the name Gambialli respected--something that is alot harder to do then it seems to be. Aside from the whole mystery and plot capturing interest, The Villa really taught me alot about wine. Acidity affects, soil types, and how greatly weather can change the whole taste of the grapes that are essentially the wine. Running a buisness purley on chance that the end product is just as great as it was inticipated to be seems entirley impossible, but their are so many great vinyards and owners that go through these issues and buisness everyday. I believe this is really a great book and can open new interests to anyone.