Books
Daniel and I read a lot of books. We don’t read as many as 52 in a year (like a certain friend I know), but we get to read a few. We are going to list them out as we go along and give the book a grade based on how we liked the book. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you would like it, because we did. This is just our opinion.
Amanda’s List
The end of 2009
1.What Difference Do It Make? by Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent – This is a sequel to “Same Kind of Different as Me.” This is more of a How To guide to reaching the homeless. Worth the read, but definitely a little more raw than the first book. B
2. Julie and Julia by Julie Powell – I did not find the main character endearing at all. I also had a problem with all the cussing in the book and her attitude towards marriage, Republicans, and Jimmy Fallon. The parts about Julia Childs and Julie’s cooking were interesting and it ended decently. Although, I couldn’t wait for the book to end so I could be done with it. I would probably hate the book more if the characters were fiction and not real people. C
3. A Christmas Passage by David Saperstein, George Samerjan -A fun and cheesy Christmas story about a group of strangers traveling together. It is like watching a Hallmark movie that you are glad you watched. I nice story for Christmas. B-
4. Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham – While driving home for Christmas Melody accidentally hits a man dressed in Revolutionary War clothes. The story unfolds when she decides to bring him home. A far-fetched romance story with some dumb underlying themes. Light read for those who like a simple love story. B-
~~~ Books in 2010 ~~~
1. Shopaholic & Baby by Sophia Kinsella – A fun finish to a 5 book series following Becky. I stayed up until 4 a.m. finishing the book. The whole series is predictable and light, but I enjoy the clean mindlessness of the books. B+
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – A young adult dystopian novel about teenagers that are forced to compete in a gladiator-like game called, “The Hunger Games.” America is now a country called Panem and is divided into 12 districts. The story follows Katniss a 16 year old girl who hunts to keep her family fed in the poorest district, District 12. The book is violent and tense, but wonderfully told. Katniss is a very likeable character. It is a real page tuner. A
3. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury - Written in the 1950s this book is a series of stories that follows the story of humans invading Mars and a what happens to earth. Each story was told from a different perspective, but they still told a cohesive story. Some of the book is a social commentary on science, racism, censorship, and war. Once you got into the book it is an easy and entertaining read. A good companion book to watching Avatar. I really liked it. B+
4. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley – Set in 1950 England the story follows a spunky 12 year old named Flavia who loves Chemistry. She finds a dead man in the garden and works on solving the mystery. It’s a fun mystery book and really picks up about halfway through the book. This is the first of a new series following Flavia De Luce. B
5. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins – In this sequel to “The Hunger Games” we continue to follow of Katniss and life in Panem after winning the Games. It was a little slow at the start and the end felt rushed, but I loved every minute of the book. A great series. I can’t wait for the third book of this trilogy in August! A
6. Very, Valentine
7. The Help
8. Brava, Valentine
Daniel’s List
1. The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferris – I didn’t ‘get’ the book the first time I read it, and it took two more readings to really understand what he was proposing. It made much more sense after I had already quit my corporate job and started my own company. I enjoy the thoughts and explanations on lifestyle design more than I do the “outsource your life” stuff. Life’s too short to live the 9-5 rat race and Tim gives some unique and usable tools along with motivation for those that are looking for a way to strike out on their own. First reading – C. Third reading – A.
