A World I Never Made by: James LePore

Review: There is a reason this book was free on my Kindle. Boring! The author writes no emotion at all. The dialogue is just alternating lines with quotes, 99% of the time not even clarifying who is speaking.  If there are two people its just back and forth but throw in a third person and you can't follow it.  Plus just no emotional description of the conversation? Really? Am I supposed to just guess how the character feels? I let my imagination just run with it at times but for the most part it sounded like a monotone converstation in my head.  The only reason I finished it was because the dialogue was so separated that it was a short read, I wont say quicker because it was so boring it took me like a week, but it was physically shorter which made me just suck it up.   I did watch a lot of TV while trying to get through it though.

Synopsis:  A man is in Paris and find out his daughter has killed herself, however when he goes to ID the body, it is not his daughter.  Pat Nolan realizes his daughter has faked her sucide, but why?  Pat goes along with it and begins the search for his daughter.  Soon he is aided by a French policewoman who breaks away from the police who she suspects is involved.  They discover the involvement of a possible Arab terrorist but do not know the connection to his daughter.  Could his daughter be a terrorist?  No, shes not, and this synopsis sounds way more exciting than the book. Be done with it now.

Rating: 0

Water for Elephants by: Sara Gruen

          Review: This storyline is unique and captivating as well as romantic.  Gruen paints a beautiful and vivid picture of the 1930's and of the circus.  The class system created between the roustabouts and the performers is perfectly executed down to the vernacular.  The segregation between the working class and the unemployed is prominent as well.  These two class distinctions make the reader associate well with Jacob and connect with his thought process.  The circus is an exciting yet highly dangerous place to be in this story.  The ending is fantastic and to me a complete surprise (the movie was great as well, although slightly different of course, still a good book to movie translation).

          Synopsis:  Jacob Jankowski is about to sit for his final exams to graduate from college and become a veterinarian when he receives news that shatters his world.  Escaping from his reality Jacob hops a train only to find that its the Benzini Brothers Circus. Jacob lucks out and gets himself a job with the circus during the Depression.  Soon Jacob is in over his head with all different characters that make up this circus and it is not all fun and games like it appears.  With his role as the circus' vet Jacob is in with the elite August and his wife Marlena.  In this circus August runs the show and when he hits it big by purchasing Rosie the bull elephant things begin to change. 

Rating: 9

Little Women by: Louisa May Alcott

Review:  It's a classic for a reason, this is a heartwarming story that easily stands the test of time.  I'm so glad I read this novel; once it was over I was filled with many positive emotions.  All of the characters are extremely unique and well developed.  The story line never slows down while you take on the emotions of the characters.  It felt like I was growing up with the March girls as I read.

Synopsis:  The four March daughters are not wealthy with money, but they are rich with love from close family and friends.  As they grow up together they share many life lessons through joys and tragedies. These lessons help the girls as the mature and go from childhood to adulthood.

Rating: 9

The Hunger Games Series by: Suzanne Collins

Review (SPOILERS):  Let me get right into it, the first two books were great, the second in particular was addictive, however the third book is an utter disappointment.

       The concept for this YA fiction series is quite original.  The scenarios and games are complex and well thought out. Anything can happen. 

       It starts with such a strong female lead. However the further into the books the slightly more annoying Katniss becomes.  She is physically strong and quick on her feet but she is so obtuse to the social politics being played in all three books. 

       By the end of Mockingjay, Katniss has been completely destroyed mentally.  She in no way resembles the character in the first book, and while I love character development that is not what this is.  Collins take a well developed character and breaks her. Then in the epilogue she tries to mend her, but she is still not the same.  This was not what I expected for a book written for young adults.

       Additionally, the first two books build up this revolution and in the third book they finally seize control. However Katniss soon learns that the rebels are not as wonderful as they appear.  I would like to see exactly how the rebels changed the society post war. Instead it just ends with broken Katniss and broken Peeta back in District 12. Seriously?

Synopsis:  Panem is broken into 12 Districts, spread out of the former North America.  There used to be 13 districts but when there was a rebellion against the Captiol, District 13 was destroyed.  Each District provides something of importance to the elite Capitol residents. And  as punishment for the District's rebellions every year 2 children are picked from each District and forced to take part in the Hunger Games.  A cruel game in a massive outdoor arena set with futuristic traps where the kids must fight to the death where only one will walk away.  Katniss Everdeen volunteers for her younger sister and she unwittingly sets in motion another rebellion to take down the Capitol.

Review: 8  (the first two really make it worth the read but, just know, the ending will let you down)

The Room-Mating Season by: Rona Jaffe

Review: An overall enjoyable read, and almost enlightening.  Seeing these very different women, in their twenties, all sharing a one bedroom in New York City in the sixties was captivating.  The differences between then and now is eye opening.  It was a great look into the past and really made me appreciate the present. The author brings the characters through the decades so the reader can watch them develop.  

       Although they all grow and mature one of the roommates story line is just sad and repetitive.  It was nice when she got her happy ending although it was long over due and she was in her golden years when it happened.  Personally, I felt that was a life lesson to be learned and hopefully other female readers will learn from her mistakes. It was hard to imagine that this girl would not take any control over her life.  It was enraging at times. 

Synopsis:  Its the sixties and four single women in their twenties all move in together. They are all so different yet all looking for the same thing, a man.  They each search for love in different ways with extremely different results.  After a tragedy pulls them together they stay friends for the rest of their lives. 

Rating: 7

The Beach House by: James Patterson

Review:  This James Patterson novel takes a different approach to the traditional crime story.  The victim's family and friends team up to deal out justice to the people responsible for more cruel acts than just murder. In this novel there are only minor twists as the main character researches what really happened to his brother. The scheme launched near the end makes this story mild compared to Patterson's other work but still unique.  The characters you can relate to and really appreciate overall make this book a quick exciting read.  

Synopsis: When Jack Mullen hears that his brother drowned while working valet service for a rich beach party he realizes something isn't right.  He teams up with his old friends from high school and charismatic grandfather to find out the truth.  When Jack and his friends start to get close is when the threats begin and Jack knows that his brother didn't simply drown.  Jack soon realizes that money can cover up just about anything.  However the Mullen's and their friends won't be silenced; they take matters into their own hands and decide to deal out justice regardless of the consequences.

Rating: 7

Live to Tell by: Lisa Gardner

Review:  Another fast paced thriller, with an original idea involving psychotic children.  Every story line in this mystery were chilling.  This was not her scariest work, but it was a little unnerving right before bed.  DD Warren is not my favorite character but the detailed stories make her bearable.  The characters pull you in and make you experience their fear and anguish, everyone except DD that is.

Synopsis:  An entire family is found massacred; it looks like a straightforward case until another family meets the same fate.  One thing ties these murders together, and it's lead detective DD Warren's job to find out.  

   Danielle, an RN on pediatric psych ward finds herself reliving her own tragic family nightmare. 

   Victoria is a single mom raising a very disturbed child.  One day 8 year old Evan is a happy, lovable child next he is a soulless, brutal monster set on attacking his mother.  

Rating: 8

Along Came A Spider by: James Patterson

Review:  Suspenseful and shocking.  I thought that I had predicted the whole book but there were lots of twists.  Once the murderer/kidnapper is caught there is still so much more to the mystery.  I appreciated that the time line in the book was more realistic, it didn't just start with a kidnapping and end a few weeks later with an exciting finish and the kidnapper gets justice.  It took place over a  two year period and the kidnapper being put in prison was only part way through his master plan.  This book keeps the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.

Synopsis:  Two children, with high profile parents, are kidnapped from a private school in Washington, DC.  Detective Alex Cross teams up with FBI agent Jezzie Flannigan as they attempt to find this intense psychopath who is out for fame by committing the crime of the century.  After one child turns up dead the media goes crazy.  Once the kidnapper is caught more mysteries between what really happened begin to surface.  Cross seems to be the only person out for the truth.

Rating: 7

P.S. I Love You by: Cecelia Ahern

Review: This book made me mist up at almost every chapter.  Every letter Holly opened was a trip into the pain she was feeling and also the love that she had experienced.  I don't think I've ever welled up so much while reading.  Her pain is so tangible and real, however the book is fairly predictable.  Overall it is a pleasant read that makes takes you through not only a coping process but through all emotions.

Synopsis:  Holly Kennedy is almost 30 and recently widowed.  Life has stopped for her yet the rest of the world is moving on without her.  A couple months after his death she comes across a large folder filled with envelopes labeled for each month until the end of the year.  Each letter from Gerry brings him back to life for Holly.  He leaves specific instructions to help Holly come and move on with her new life without him.

Rating: 7

One for the Money by: Janet Evanovich

Review:  This book was more of a joke than a criminal mystery.   Nothing about this drab storyline caught my attention or made me want to continue with the series.  The lead role  is utterly unbelievable as any kind of bounty hunter.  Basically, she has a lot of luck when it comes right down to it.  I am still surprised that this series is a best seller.  Its mild violence and mediocre mystery.  Absolutely anyone could write like this, the plot was not well thought out at all.  The only reason I finished it was because it was such an easy read and I held on to the hope that it would get better.

Synopsis:  Stephanie Plum is having some money trouble, and what better way to make some quick cash than by becoming a bounty hunter.  Plum begins working on PG cases and then has to track down an alleged murderer who just so happens to be an attractive ex cop who took her virginity.

Rating: 3

House Rules by: Jodi Picoult

Review:   This book gave many different perspectives into the sudden death a grad student who was tutoring a young man with Aspergers.  I couldn't help but skip ahead to the end;  I just couldn't tell if Jacob killed his tutor Jess or if someone else did.  Picoult puts the answer in front of your eyes but its all the perspective changes that make the answer so hard to see.  Once you start its hard to put down.  The characters are all wonderfully written and well thought out, and each point of view is addicting.

    There is also the added ingenuity of having a murder suspect with an autistic disorder.  Asperger's separates Jacob from other murder suspects with his tics and lack of emotional response.  He is also a genius when it comes to forensic science and knows more than most of the police department.  Its an eye opener for readers who are unfamiliar with the disorder.

Synopsis:  When the body of Jess Oglivy is discovered near her house the prime suspect ends up being Jacob, an eighteen year old boy with Asperger's.  Jacob can't make eye contact with people, can't express emotion, and hates the color orange.  Forensic science is his passion and he will have a meltdown if he misses the 4:30 showing of Crimebusters. He finds himself on trial for this murder, yet he never quite grasps that his future is on the line.  Jacob is the key to this mystery, but its up to his family, lawyer, and the police to piece together what really happened to Jess.

Rating: 8

Safe Haven by: Nicholas Sparks

Review:  Of course this book is predictable, just like the majority of Spark's novels.  This plot, however, has more suspense in it, along the lines of The Guardian by Sparks.  The ending was change from his usual writing; Spark's skips the lovesick tragedy and goes for a thrilling edge of your seat ending. Safe Haven was a fast and captivating read. It was refreshing reading something more dangerous from such a romantic writer.  Although it is still a mild violence but after all it is Nicholas Sparks and not Lisa Gardner writing the story.

Synopsis:  A woman moves to a small town to escape her past.  After slowly adjusting to life in a quiet town she begins to feel safe and let her guard down.  She becomes friends with the widowed shop owner who quickly pieces together her secret.  An abusive husband still desperate to track his wife down and prevent her from ever leaving him again.  Soon things begin to unravel as the psychotic husband learns her whereabouts.

Rating: 8

Assholes Finish First by: Tucker Max

Review:  Max's first book was hilarity from beginning to end (see review for I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell), maybe it was high expectations, but I was disappointed.  Tucker Max is still the sex crazed, arrogant, binge drinker but this collection of his stories just didn't do it.  I re-read his first book earlier this year and still was laughing so hard I nearly wet myself, but not with this new book.

     Basically, Tucker Max is 35 now and his stories of debauchery are hysterical, but when  performed by someone in their 20's.  At 35 I find his shallow life style sad and pathetic.  I am 25 and I love to go out but I don't still do the things I did when I was in college. Most of my friends are settling down and getting married and think I'm an alcoholic. 

     Also another probable reason for the lack of laughs may be due to the fact that his first book was so funny yet this new book did have stories from before the first book was published.  So basically, these stories did not make the cut for his first book, so he saved them for his second? There was clearly good reasons for not putting them in the first book.  Although with that book being a best seller who wouldn't want to write #2 knowing people would buy it because the first one was so awesome. 

     I did enjoy that Max took the time to write about two different relationships he was in.  It was surprising to see this different side of him.  Also I did appreciate the end where he realizes that he is being used for sex.  I made this connection very early on and wondered if Max ever would admit it.  Because of these two parts I am glad I finished the book. Plus its a simple read and didn't take much time.

Synopsis: Check out my review of his first book, I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell.  Its pretty much the same except the stories are not nearly as ridiculous (except the TuckerFest story because that is crazy).

Rating: 5

Confessions of an Ugly Step Sister by: Gregory Maguire

Review: This is not the enchanting story that Cinderella fans may be hoping to find.  Magic is very slight and only near the end.  However, the twisted take on this classic fairy tale is welcome.  A refreshing story through the point of view someone painted as the villain for ages is insightful.

     While reading this novel I kept thinking, this really could have happened.  Which tended to slow the book down a bit, at parts it was more like reading a historical bio than this revamped children tale that the world is very familiar with.  

Synopsis: The story of Cinderella but through the eyes of her step-sister (just in case the title did not give it away).

  

Review: 7

The Lost Symbol by: Dan Brown

Review:  Unlike Brown's other novels, this one both starts and ends slow.  Slow to the point where I can't believe I powered through it.  Brown rambles on and on at the end.  After all is said and done and the bad guy is dead there is still like 60 pages left where they go into depth about this 'lost symbol.'  Waste of time, why don't we just wrap it up in 10 pages or less once the adventure is over. Thanks Dan Brown. 

     Maybe it was high expectations from reading his other fast paced and exciting novels.  In this book though, I was unimpressed.  The Lost Symbol just does not pick up the momentum like the other Langdon novels.

Synopsis:  Robert Langdon is suddenly finds his old friend murdered.  This mystery pulls him into secret world surrounding the Masons.  Clues, puzzles, and the Lost Symbol are themes in this story.  And to be honest, I forget the rest.  I remember being bored and hoping for suspense. 

Rating: 2

The Devil Wears Prada by: Lauren Weisberger

Review:  A light quick read.  Very entertaining and hysterical.  Personally, I drew lots of parallels between Miranda and someone I work with, so it sucked me in a bit more.  To be far, no one is nearly as bad as Miranda.  At some points I was just awe struck that someone could be so selfish and inconsiderate.  It was amazing that just because this one woman was a genius fashion editor everyone else had to spend their time catering to her.  I can't believe any company would allow such a waste of company funds and resources would be spent just to appease this woman; that was the fictional part.  

Synopsis:  A young aspiring writer fresh from college, Andrea, stumbles across the 'dream' job assisting Miranda Priestly the chief editor of Runway.  Unfortunately for Andrea, Miranda is beyond impossible to please.  Miranda never gives enough information to accomplish any task, criticizes everything, and she demands the world. However, after one year with Miranda she can get you a job in any publication you want.  Andrea tries to stick out the job for her one year sentence, but the job immediately consumes her life and destroys her relationships.  One year begins to feel like a life sentence. 

Rating: 8

The Dead Room by: Heather Graham

Review: This is a different kind of ghost story, the spirits in this novel actually help the heroine.  The ghosts lead the archaeologist Leslie, to grave-sites and  even try to warn her or stop harm from befalling her. Also Leslie is not afraid at all of ghosts, she has learned to help them.  All very different concepts when you open a book you know will be suspenseful. 

     Overall, I would have to say that this book is only a mild suspense/mystery.  There is minimal danger and description of it.  I did think that I had predicted the entire book, but it was nice to be wrong.  I was surprised by the villian, and at how the book ended.  A good read for someone who doesn't want anything too scary or messy.

Review:  Leslie is an archeologist who's fiance was tragically killed in an accidental explosion, one that nearly killed Leslie as well.  She returns to the scene a year later and with a new ability to communicate with ghosts. Leslie begins working with Joe (the cousin of her dead fiance) on a case to help find prostitutes that have gone missing, in addition to working on a large dig near the place of the explosion.

     Leslie is desperate to connect with her lost love, Matt, and he is trying just as hard to break through to her as well. Strange 'accidents' begin to happen around Leslie and she struggles to find clues to lead her to the missing women. Matt is trying to help in his own way, and Joe feels the strong need to protect Leslie and find the missing girls.  With the help of some spirits the story unravels.

Rating: 7

I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell by: Tucker Max

Review: Beyond hysterical, sometimes horrible but laugh out loud funny nonetheless. There are several stories where I actually came close to peeing myself. I find a lot of Tucker Max's story a bit absurd and have trouble believing that he isn't embellishing.  Either way Tucker Max's writing style brought me back to my college days; I'd even picture my favorite bars and match up my friends with the characters in Tucker Max's life.

  Tucker Max is a self-admitted asshole and he isn't embellishing there.  Tucker Max and his friends sole focus is alcohol and sex, yet each story is remarkably different.  His sense of humor is the same as the vast majority of college students, he just takes it to the next level.  His drinking and sexcapades will leave you breathless.  Also, the reader will be left unable to put the book down.  I read it in less than a day and immediately went out and bought more copies to give to friends who I knew would love it.

Synopsis:  Tucker Max tells the different stories of his out of control boozing and crazy man-whore ways.   Not even Tucker Max can predict where he will end up next.  One day he is trying to out drink himself with the breathalyzer he bought and another day he is crapping his pants in a hotel lobby.  These are the true adventures of an asshole.

Rating: 10

Shutter Island by: Dennis Lehane

Review: Absolutely gripping! This was one of the only times that I had seen the movie before reading the book.  After reading this story I was shocked by just how closely the movie did follow the book.  Both were incredibly suspenseful and entertaining. 

    Shutter Island is a fast paced read that you don't want to put down.  The twist in this psychological thriller keeps you guessing right up until the end and even after that.  But everyone's mind is going to interpret it as they will (the movie will leave less to the imagination).  In this case I recommend both the movie and the book, but if you don't like spoilers check out the book first. 

Synopsis:  Teddy Daniels is a detective sent to Shutter Island to search for a missing patient who vanished from the asylum and it would seem, off the island itself.  A storm maroons Daniels and his partner for longer than he originally thought.  He begins to unearth some strange stories from the patients about illegal experiments and other disappearances. Soon Daniels realizes that if he doesn't escape it could be him next.

Rating: 8

The Mortal Instruments Series by: Cassandra Clare

Review: Fairly creative, and quite predictable.  All three books are quick, captivating reads.  Once again I find myself reading a story with a heroine who is an uncoordinated idiot.  And once again she has two guys that are in love with her.  It was discouraging for me when I first started reading it, but I got over it. The character development is limited but enough that the heroine is not nearly so pathetic come the end of the series.

     Clare does create an interesting world involving warlocks, vampires, shadowhunters, and many others.  However, her story line is quite predictable.  At the end of the first book a "twist" is revealed, however it is made quite clear what the real story is.  The main characters are just to blind to see the truth until the end of the third book.  This is also frustrating, because the truth is painfully obvious.

Synopsis: Clary Fray is at a dance club in Manhattan when she witnesses a strange murder.  She suddenly becomes sucked into a world that exists within our own, hidden by 'glamour.'  Her mother has been kidnapped and Clary and her new shadowhunter friends are out to get her back.  Her best friend Simon, who is a mundane, comes along for the ride and in the middle gets turned into a vampire.  Clary finds herself attracted to the shadowhunter Jace and the feelings are mutual.  She also discovers her uncle is a werewolf.  

     The most shocking discovery for Clary was that her mother was a shadowhunter who was married to Valentine, a shadowhunter bent on destroying all the downworlders, and those who sided with them.  Valentine died in an uprising, or did he? The mortal instruments are being stolen and each holds dangerous powers that can be manipulated by the beholder.

Rating: 7