New Year, New System

As I anticipate the arrival of our son in a few months, I am working to streamline all of my to-dos, especially the less significant ones. So, in an effort to maximize time, I will now be recording the books I read on Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/afin/) instead of this blog. A simple picture, a few stars, and that's it. Just a way to remember what I've read for future reference. Feel free to peruse, but no obligation.

In Print is officially, well, out of print.

End of December Book Drop

1. Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett ****

2. Eon: Dragoneye Reborn, by Alison Goodman **

3. The Lake of Dreams, by Kim Edwards ****

4. unPlanned, by Abby Johnson ****

5. Midwives, by Chris Bohjalian ****

End of November Book Drop

1. The Night Strangers, by Chris Bohjalian ****
I love Chris Bohjalian and I was intrigued throughout the novel, but for the first time with one of his books, I have to admit...I hated the ending. Still, a worthwhile read for Bohjalian fans.

2. Hush, by Jacqueline Woodson **
A young adult fiction narrative of a family that is forced to leave their home after witnessing a crime, this book follows the lives of two young girls who are searching for themselves while living under new identities.

End of October Book Drop

1. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, by Tom Franklin ****

2. What Women Fear, by Angie Smith ****

3. Mini Shopaholic, by Sophie Kinsella ***

4. One for the Money, by Janet Evanovich ***

End of September Book Drop

1. Bossypants, by Tina Fey ***
Some places had me giggling out loud, but toward the middle of the book, I got a bit bogged down in the descriptions of Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. Also, on an unrelated note, it took me days to realize that Tina's wearing a hat on the cover; I definitely thought that was part of her hair.

2. Blood Promise, by Richelle Mead ***
Another book in the Vampire Academy series. 3 books to go. I've enjoyed this series and can't stop reading before it's through, but I'm also ready to move on and read some adult fiction again.

3. Anthem, by Ayn Rand **
This is the kind of book I love. It's Brave New World, 1984, and The Giver, except written in the 1930s and in more complex language than the aforementioned books. The plot is essentially the same in this 100-pager, though: there is a problem with the direction this world is in, and we can either pretend we don't see it, or fight against it.

End of August Book Drop

With the beginning of the school year comes a whole set of lifestyle changes. Making meals ahead of time, for instance, because there's no way I'll have the energy to make a full-blown Martha Stewart dinner after work. And...evidently...changing how I update my book blog. I'm lucky if I can read an entire chapter at night now, but having to write about each book after I'm finished? I don't think I can keep that up at the moment. So in an effort to still keep track of all I read, I'll do monthly book drops here, and - when I read a really great book - maybe even a real book review every now and then. I'll even rate them with stars and pretend that's not super subjective and relatively unhelpful.

End of August Reads:
1. Shadow Kiss, by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy book #3) ***

2. Shopaholic & Baby, by Sophie Kinsella (anything Sophie Kinsella is a guilty pleasure of mine) ***

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K. Rowling

In this fourth book of the series, Harry Potter arrives back at Hogwarts to discover that the Triwizard Tournament - a battle of the wits between three wizarding schools -  will be taking place. Although only students seventeen years old and older are allowed to submit their names into the competition, somehow Harry's is submitted (without his knowledge), and he is chosen as one of the three students that will compete. The remainder of the book relays the three challenges these students must undergo, while Harry is left to wonder who submitted his name into the competition, or - in other words - who wants him dead? One thing is sure: not everyone will survive the Triwizard Tournament.