#20: The Walk--Richard Paul Evans

It took me 3 weeks to read Guernsey and it took me 2 days to read The Walk (all 305 pages).  I could not put this one down.  It also reads fast, which I think accounts for part of the quickness in reading this book.  I was also reading in a quiet hotel room with a husband who wanted to nap.  During his 2 hour nap, I read more than half of this amazing book.  So, at dinner last night, I shared the highlights with Rob, who had actually heard of this book (imagine my surprise) and shared with me that he thought it was one of a series of books.  Upon hearing this I began to panic.  I am a fan of sequels, but I generally am not a fan of waiting for the sequel.  I had not heard anything about this story other than that it was amazing and that I had to read it.  So, again, I bought it and started to read it.  I guess I should've realized that a man's walk from Washington State to Key West Florida couldn't really be covered in 305 pages.  Especially when he only began his walk on page 155.  But, I naively assumed that the story would be wrapped up by page 305 and then I could read another romance novel.  How wrong I was.  The Walk tells the story of Alan's walk through Washington State ONLY and is, in fact, one in a series of books.  So, when I got to the end of page 305 this afternoon, I downloaded the next book in the series Miles to Go and am already reading it. 

I am hesitant to relate any of the specifics of the book, because they really are crucial to the story and I feel like telling you even one small part of the plot might give things away.  But, suffice to say, The Walk is about one man's journey when he feels that all he has left in the world is his ability to walk.  His voice is clear (I would like to know Alan, too), he is a kind and gentle soul with a heart bigger than most, and he has been hurt in a way I hope I never know.  The book, at times, is like a train wreck--you want to look away, but you can't help but watch.  This book is also unfinished and is, therefore, my worst nightmare.  But, since it has been out for so long, the second part is already on the shelves so I was able to access it in less than 5 minutes (I do so love my Nook!).

I am hoping that as Alan walks, his stories of the real people of the world will continue and as a result, I will learn from them.  I have already been reminded that things aren't always what they seem, that most people in the world are generally good, and that love is the real reason why the world continues to go around and around.  Alan also reminded me that I really should get back into the habit of keeping a journal.  His mother gave him his first journal when he was 8 and told him that "it doesn't matter what [he] write[s] and if [he]waits to write just the important things then [he'll] probably never write anything, because important things just look like everything else except when you look back on them."  I think this is why I stopped keeping a journal.  Life just didn't seem too terribly important.  And, in the 16 years since I stopped writing, look at what has happened---marriage, 2 houses, 2 kids, and a career where I've met some pretty cool people along the way.  It all could be documented, but I didn't do it because I didn't think life was important enough.  I think that tomorrow, after I sit and wait for my car to be serviced, I am finding a new journal and will begin to write again. 

Read The Walk, and then read Miles to Go, and then we can chat about how mad we are that we have to wait for the 3rd book to be released. 

#19: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I can't believe how long it took me to read this book.  It makes no sense to me at all that a book 274 pages in length could take me 3 weeks to read.  The only reason I can come up with is that because of the way the story was told--in letter form--lended itself to reading a few pages and then being bookmarked.  Unfortunately, I also read this book during the weeks leading up to Spring Break, which meant all sorts of chaos in my house and little time to read.  But, I was able to finish it this weekend while visiting The Greenbrier (in between gambling and eating) and am so glad that I took the 3 weeks to read this book.

I have been told for about 2 years now that this is a book I should read.  But, honestly, the subject of WW2 and the Occupation did not seem like something I wanted to read about.  But, in the historical spirit of reading Uncle Tom's Cabin, I picked the book up for a steal at Costco and read it.  Am I so glad that I did!  Not only do I want to be part of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, I want to know these people.  Rob always laughs at me when I say things like that and then gently reminds me that I was reading a book and the characters (not people) aren't real.  He can be a real bummer sometimes.

When I first starting reading this book, I would post some of my favorite quotes on Facebook, but then I became overwhelmed by all of the great lines from this book and quit keeping track.  I guess I can look them up if I am ever so inclined.  As I am with many books, this one made me want to know more and I so hope that these two amazing authors continue the story.  I want to know what happens next.  It's no surprise that I am a HUGE fan of sequels.  

Anyway, to all of my friends out there who told me that I just HAD to read this book, you were right!  And, to anyone out there who hasn't read it yet--you just HAVE to read this book.  It is sad in parts, but hopeful in ways that outnumber the sadness.  Do yourself a favor and read it.  You will not be disappointed if you do!

#18: Born in a Small Town

This book is actually a collection of three stories from two different authors: Debbie Macomber, Janice Kay Johnson, and Judith Bowen.  I bought this book for my Nook because I love reading books by Debbie Macomber.  But, I did not realize that I had already read the story of hers that was included in this collection.  This did not stop me, however, from reading the other two stories.  They were good, short reads and very worth my time.

I have to admit that Debbie Macomber's story which is included in this book is a bit over-the-top far fetched.  Honestly, a small town in Alaska that is short on women adverstises for them in the paper and actually gets women to move there?  Really?  I wouldn't go.  The story was funny and, believe it or not, there's an entire collection of these Hard Luck Alaska stories.  And, yes, I have read them all. 

The Glory Girl is the second story and it's about Jack and Hannah.  I could TOTALLY relate to Hannah--the good girl no one elver really wants to date who loves her job as a librarian (my DREAM) and who thinks that no one could possibly love her or be attracted to her.  It sounds like high school and college all over again!  The story turns out well and is, as I said, a good, short read.

Promise Me Picket Fences by Janice Kay Johnson was my favorite story in the collection.  I just loved the characters of Kevin and Melanie.  Their story was a sweet one.  I do so love when men open their hearts and spill out their thoughts.  It only seems to happen in books, so I take it when I can get it! 

This is the PERFECT book to take to the pool or to the beach.  Too bad I can't loan you my copy. 

#17 The Calhouns by Nora Roberts

I just love Nora Roberts' books.  I love how she can make a romance story an interesting one to read, where something else is going on other than events in the bedroom.  Honestly, I would even venture out on a limb to say that this book was more of a mystery novel at times than a romance.  In fact, I am still on the edge of my seat as I await the second book in this installment to arrive so that I can finally figure out where the missing Calhoun emeralds are hidden!  It's making me crazy that I don't know AND that I have to wait several weeks for the new book to arrive (but I have laready pre-ordered it so that I don't have to wait quite as long). 

The Calhouns was a fairly long book (571 pages), containing three "stories" that Nora Roberts had actually published back in 1991: Courting Catherine, A Man for Amanda, and For the Love of Lilah.  Each story tells not only a love story, but tells the story of The Towers--the impressive childhood home of the sisters--and the original owners, Fergus and Biana Calhoun (the sister's grandparents).  Again, I loved that there was more to the story than just sex (and even when there was, it was demure, respectful, and left a lot to the imagination) and am finding it harder than I thought to wait for the new book to arrive.  The second part of the story (and I think the final part but I can't quite recall that detail) tells the stories of the final sister, Suzanna, and Megan, the sister of one of the new brother-in-laws.  And, it better tell me the details of the emeralds or I will be horribly disappointed! 

I can't believe that I have already read 17 books.  I am way ahead of schedule, and that's a good thing.  I needed to have read 16 books by the middle/end of April.  I am well on my way to 52! 

#16: The Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg

I picked up this book at Costco because the cover caught my eye.  I am a girl and prety things impress me and the cover of this book is very cool.  After I read the back cover, I was so interested in the book that I actually wrote down the title and came home and bought it in the Nook version.  The story is about the events before, during, and after a 40th High School reunion.  This year marks the 20th reunion for my high school class and perhaps that is what initially drew me to the story.  In fact, as I was reading, I kept picturing people my age, not people who were 58 years old. But, even if this is not a reunion year for you, this book very well could be a good book for you to read.  I think anyone who graduated from high school would identify with this story.  You know what?  I bet anyone who went to high school for any length of time would identify with this book because everyone from high school plays a part in the story somehow: the nerdy boy, the nerdy girl, the ones who were on the edge but who were never quite part of the popular group, the cheerleader, and the golden boy.  It's no big surprise, the kids who turned out best--good, steady job, kind to others--were the nerdy kids in school.  The cheerleader isn't satisfied with her life, neither is the golden boy, and they all return to their reunion to straighen things out and to look for second chances. 

It mades me wonder what might happen at my reunion this year.  I will not be attending.  I will be at Walt Disney World sweating in the August heat.  But, I wonder...will there be people there who are hoping to start a relationship that they always dreamed of, but could never quite get?  Are there people there who are there only to prove that they made something of themselves?  And, are there people there who just want to find one person who is worse off than they are?  I bet there will be.  I hope that there's not a death table, like in the book.  A table with a bouquet of flowers tied with a black ribbon in honor of those classmates who have died.  That part made me cry.  I am not sure that I could walk past a table like that and still have fun for the rest of the evening.  Honestly, I would love to see a handful of classmates and would love to sit and have a conversation--a real conversation--with them like we used to 20 years ago.  A conversation that isn't filled with what our kids are doing and how proud of them we are, but a conversation about what we think about our lives and how they turned out.  These are the people we dreamed with.  It seems only fitting that these are the people with whom we could analyze our lives to see how well we did. I just don't think we are brave enough to do it. 

This book begs the question--are you happy with your life and how it turned out?  Do you have regrets?  It certainly makes you think.  Well, it made me think.  But then again, this is what I do when I read.  I rarely can read a book without relating it to my life in some way.  This one was no different. 

#15: Falling for Gracie by Susan Mallery

I found this book at my local Borders during its going out of business sale and bought it because I like Susan Mallery's books and had never read it.  Falling for Gracie was a great read and made me realize that Susan Mallery is one of my favorite Romance writers.  I will admit, there are scenes in this book that are quite steamy, so if this sort of thing does not appeal to you, you should steer clear of this book (and perhaps all of Susan Mallery's books).  But, the story line is so good that the 2-3 steamy sections did not seem to be all for show (or all in the name of a Romance novel) and fit right in to the plot.  I think this is why I continue to come back to Susan Mallery's books.  Hers are not typical Romance novels that you can predict the ending of in the first chapter.  She throws in so many twists and turns that you are kept on your toes, are required to pay close attention, and are never disappointed.  Falling for Gracie is no exception!  I have to admit that I loved Gracie's character, but her sisters made me crazy.  I furthermore loved Riley's character, but want to know where all of the 98 million dollar millionaires are in real life?  Especially one who is depicted to be as hunky as Riley!  I guess that's the whole point of a Romance book.  They are not supposed to mirror real-life. They take real life and turn it into what we'd prefer it to be!  And that, my friends, is why I keep reading them. 

#14: We Are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg

Sometimes I pick a book to read because it was recommended by a friend (The Help).  Sometimes I pick a book to read because I think I should (Uncle Tom's Cabin).  And, sometimes I pick a book because it's on sale big-time at Barnes and Noble.  This is how I chose We Are All Welcome Here and it was worth every penny of the $4.99 hard-cover sale price I paid for it and then some.  This book reminded me at times of The Help.  Perhaps because it is set in 1964 in Tupelo, Mississipppi, the home of Elvis Presley (maybe this is why I bought it in the first place--I do love The King!).  Perhaps its because the main characters, while not black, struggle with life (you'll have to read to discover how).  In fact, I think this second reason is exactly why it reminds me of The Help.  This is another book that reminded me that I am a very lucky lady, indeed.  I have lived a life filled with tragedy from the beginning--death of a parent, manic-depressive step-father, death of all grandparents, death of cousin who was too young to die--but have never given in to it.  My life and all of its events, for better or for worse, have made me who I am.  I could've given in and given up, but I didn't and look at me now.  Married, job, two great girls, live in a nice house, most certainly happy on most days and most certainly lucky.  Well, Paige, Diana, or Peacie did not give up or give in either and Lord knows they had reason to.  These 3 amazingly strong women could've given up but they didn't.  And, from the story that unfolded in this book, they had a fairly decent life, struggles and all.  My favorite line of the book came from Paige, "It's funny, it seems like people need obstacles to bring out their finest qualities." I couldn't agree more.  Now, do I want people's lives filled with tragedy and sorrow?  No--absolutely not.  But, if you find yourself in the middle of something that's not ideal, you can bet that you'll come out better for it on the other side.  This is what my mother always called "the silver lining in the cloud."  And, you can be certain that we had more than our share of cloudy days when I was little.  Read this book.  It's not the least but sad or depressing.  In fact, I feel uplifted and thankful for my life--all of it.  #14 was a great read!  I'm sensing a #2 fave for 2011 in this one.