#9: Uncle Tom's Cabin

No.  I have NOT finished Uncle Tom's Cabin.  In fact, I am a mere 382 pages into the 1300 page version that lives inside my Nook.  But, I am going to read it.  I am.  I really am.

Here's the story: 

Every year that Rob and the girls and I visit our favorite place, Walt Disney World, we visit The American Adventure show.  And every year I promise myself that I am going to read Uncle Tom's Cabin, as it is mentioned a few times during this performance and somehow I escaped both high school and college without reading this book.  And every year I never do it.  So, knowing that last year I was able to read 52 books, I figured that reading one, very long, very influencial book would be this year's goal.  So, it was the first book I bought in 2011 (in fact I bought it in 2010) and then bought it again for my Nook (for 99 cents, BTW). 

But, here's the problem...I apparently have a hard time reading very long books.  I see the page count at the top of my Nook and get restless.  So, I am going to read Uncle Tom's Cabin throughout 2011.  My goal is to have it done by the end of the year and to read 200 pages or so at a time in between my other books.  I have set the bar high for myself with 52 books again this year and one of them being a very, very long one.  But I must have been crazy to think that I was ever going to read that entire book all at once and that I wasn't going to read any others besides this one this year.  How absurd! 

As for the 300 pages I have read so far...this book is amazing.  The dialogue is sometimes hard to follow but the storyline is fascinating.  I guess after I read my current Western Romance, I will settle back into reading Uncle Tom's Cabin.  Anybody want to read with me? 

#8: Linda Lael Miller's McKettrick's Luck

My dear friend Pam suggested that when I begin a new book I should post it on my blog in case people want to read it with me.  Well Pam, this blog's for you!  I began McKettrick's Luck on Sunday and unfortunately I haven't gotten very far.  I am only on page 31, but am desperately hoping for a snow day from school tomorrow so that I can read, read, read.  McKettrick's Luck is the first in a series that came out on 2007 and I am sure that after I read this one I will want to find the others.  OK--I am off to read! 

#7: The McKettrick Legend by Linda Lael Miller

So, I have already admitted that I don't always read thought provoking books and that I often like to break up the hard-hitters with something lighter.  Well, while I think that some people would read Linda Lael Miller's books and would dismiss them as typical, light, thoughtless Western Romance novels, I would seriously disagree with those readers.  The entire McKettrick series is amazing and, quite honestly, I hate finishing these books.  I know that's a strange thing to say because most people are excited to finish a book and to see how it all turns out, but I typically walk away from these books saddened because the story is over.  Every single one of Miller's characters are so real and so well developed that not only do I feel like I know them, I want to be their neighbors; I want to know them.  I have read her books for a couple of years now and haven't read a single one that I didn't like (most of them I have loved).  They are easy to read and are filled with dialogue, but there's always a strong story line (it isn't all just passion and romance).  And, there's always a reference to an old character, or a new one, which makes me just want to keep reading the books in the series so that I can get to know them, too.  This particular book tells the stories of two McKettrick women: Sierra and Meg.  They are strong, determined characters who have amazing stories to tell.  They are brave and courageous and every word of their stories are worth reading. 

#7: Jennifer Weiner's The Half-Life

This is actually a short story, so I am not sure that I can even count it as an entire book, but it's worth blogging about.  I guess I will need to expand 52 in 52 to 53 in 52 this year.  The Half-Life is exactly half of a story.  I could not believe that it was over almost as fast as it began.  The frustrating part of this story for me was that I was totally into it and was so enjoying reading about these characters and their lives and then BAM, the story was done.  So, Jennifer Weiner, I wonder if you'd consider ever writing the rest of the story for those of us who were intrigued and who want to know how it all turned out?  Consider it, please.  I'd be grateful and would happily buy the rest of the story. 

#6: Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

If The Help is my #1 for 2011, then Brava, Valentine is going to be my #2.  This book is the sequel to Very Valentine, so I recommend reading that one first, if you have not already.  I began reading Trigiani's books years ago when she began her Big Stone Gap trilogy.  Rob grew up in Big Stone Gap and he still has some family there.  Trigiani herself is from Big Stone Gap.  Those stories are wonderful and very worthwhile reads, as are all of her subsequent books. Whenever she has a new book, I go out and spring for the hardcover.  They are so good that I just want to collect them all and proudly display them on my bookshelves.  Brava, Valentine is no different.  This love story is incredible and worth reading slowly, taking in every word between Valentine and Guianluca.  The love story they share extends into the exploration of the love shared and felt between friends and family and reminds us all of how fragile life and love can be.  You've got to grab it when you can and pray it never dies.  The one line of the book that has stuck with me since reading it, and is a line that I think about almost daily as I now quickly approach my 39th birthday (yuck),  loosely quoted is: What will you do with the second half of your life?  Personally, I'd like to make the most of it, but I am not yet sure what that means exactly.  I guess I'll keep reading, exploring life, and see where I end up.  You do the same. 

#5: Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie

So, the truth about me is that while I love to read great literature, sometimes I need something lighter and quicker to read.  Basically, I need to give my brain a break.  Strange Bedpersons definitely fit that bill. I read Jennifer Crusie's Bet Me not too long ago (although it was not part of 2010's 52 in 52) and was delighted by the story, so I know that I can always count on her for a good, light story that gives me a break from the Jodi Picoult and Nicholas Sparks type books that I often find filling my bookshelves.  One of the main characters in this book, Tess, often drove me nuts.  She was judgmental, opinionated, and so liberal at times that I knew that if she was a real person I'd never be able to carry on a conversation with her, let alone be her friend.  She had a good thing staring her in the face (Nick) and why she couldn't see it was beyond me.  Nick's the sort of guy that every girl wants to date and then marry (and who often lives only between the covers of paperback novels).  It was a quick read, too.  Definitely a beach book worth reading.

#4: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I feel quite certain that The Help will be 2011's best read as decided upon by ME!  Last year I picked my favorite book from the 52 that I read (it was Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah) and I am trying to keep an open mind about this year, but The Help has become the ruler by which I am measuring all other books.  The Help is about just that: "The Help" that a group of white women "employ."  I am in awe of the talent of Kathryn Stockett for this is her first novel and a tough one to live up to in future books, but I am sincerely hoping that more are to come from this amazing first-time novelist.  As I read this book, I clearly paid attention to the characters, their loud voices, and the overall plot and sub-plots of the book.  But, the one idea that popped into my head more than once as I was reading was how my generation has not experienced a fight worth fighting for in our lifetime.  We did not survive the great depression, we did not fight in a major war and we have not fought for civil rights or equal rights.  I can vaguely recall the threat of nuclear war being something I feared during high school, but once the wall was down, I knew I was safe and no longer had a fear in the world.  I wonder if this is why my generation is so self-centered?  We have not had a struggle within the boundaries of our own country or even our own city.  It makes me grateful, in a way, but sad in another.  I think we'd be better people if we had a cause, something that made us passionate, something that made us want to fight.  OK--off the soap box I go.  Read The Help.  It will remind you of what's important in life and that sometimes it's OK to risk everything for something you believe in.

#3: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

At times, this book was a struggle for me to read.  I have always loved Nicholas Sparks and have often wondered how a man can get into the head of a woman and always know exactly what she's thinking and feeling (perhaps I am just wondering why my husband can't).  His books are always a good read and they often force readers to confront issues that they don't particularly want to think about.  Safe Haven is no different.  In case you haven't yet read this book, I don't want to give it all away.  Instead, I will tell you that at times I was laughing when I read this book, sometimes I was crying, and sometimes I had to close it and walk away.  Katie and Alex are wonderful characters.  I wonder if they will come to life, along with their fellow characters, someday soon on the big screen.  The only thing I like more than a Nicholas Sparks book is a Nicholas Sparks movie!  However, I am not sure that I was Kevin to come to life.  He doesn't deserve it. 

#2: John Grisham's The Confession

I read The Confession after Pastor Brian recommended it to me.  I have read other John Grisham books before and have loved the mystery, the thoughtful plots, and the characters, so I happily made The Confession my first purchase after receiving my new Nook Color as an anniversary gift (Thank you, Rob).  I was very intrigued by the story line from cover to cover and could completely see how Pastor Brian was moved by this story (one of the main characters is also a Pastor).  Furthermore, while I understand Grisham's vision to write this book in such a way that it forces readers to question their views on the death penalty, I honestly put the death penalty on the back burner and focused more on the racial issues presented in this book.  I couldn't help but wonder if the plot would have unfolded quite in the same way had Donte been white instead of black.  Perhaps the choice of race was an intentional one on the part of Mr. Grisham and he was making a statement about race and the judicial system.  Rob (my husband) read The Confession once I was done and he seems to think that the issue of race and the death penalty go hand in hand.  I'm not so sure.  I just wonder if the events surrounding Donte's arrest and subsequent imprisonment would've happened had he been white.  Clearly, I am way more focused about the racial issue than the death penalty.  I have barely even mentioned it in this blog.  The Confession ended up being Pastor Brian's book choice for his January book club at church, but I did not attend this meeting.  I felt, in a way, that I had completely missed the point of the book, but I can't possibly be the only reader who interpreted the book this way.  Has anyone else read this?  What are your thoughts? 

#1: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

This first book I read this year is actually half of a book, but as any of you other Harry Potter fans know,  half of one of JK Rowling's books is the same as any other entire book (it might even be longer, to be honest).  I just had to re-read the second half of The Deathly Hallows after seeing the first half of the movie.  I simply couldn't remember some of the details and events, so I set off to re-read.  After finishing it for the second time, I could recall the sadness I felt after finishing it the first time.  I hate so much that this series of books is over.  I will miss reading about Ron, Harry, and Hermione.  However, I was so very glad that JK Rowling gave all of us a glimpse into the future lives of these characters that have become part of our lives and culture over the past 10 years.  Knowing what happened to them beyond the series made the disappointment a bit more bearable, but not much.  If you haven't read these books, you really should.  Not just if you are a kid--adults should read them, too.  They are worth every second you will spend reading them.

I have a new blog!

I am so excited to begin a new blog today about my personal 52 in 52 yearly reading challenge.  In 2010, I read an article in the Richmond-Times Dispatch about a woman who wanted to read more and who challenged herself to read 52 books in 52 weeks AND to keep a journal about her reading progress.  I loved the entire idea and while it was already mid-January when I decided to attempt the same goal, I figured I could get it done.  And, as many of you who read my Facebook posts know, I was able to meet my goal of 52 books in 52 weeks in 2010.  So, I have decided to keep right on reading in 2011 and have actually finished 7 books and it's only January 23.  I not only read 52 books last year, but I also kept a journal about each book, recording my thoughts about the books themes, characters, and plot.  I love writing as much as I love reading, so this was a perfect hobby for me.  The catch was that I ended up writing in my journal about the books I read and then commenting about the really great ones on Facebook, per requests from friends.  So, I am thinking that a blog will streamline this entire process.  I can continue to journal and anyone who wants to read about what I am reading, or who wants to comment, now can do that via this blog.  It seems to be the best of both worlds, as well as being very 2011.  So, here it is and it can't come at a better time.  I have finished book #7 and am about to read book #8.  When I am done, you'll know!