The Innocent Man

A very interesting novel. I love the way John Grisham captures his audience with his thrill seeking, page turning writing style. This time, he was writing about a true story that took place in a small town in Oklahoma in the early 70's.

A trouble young man and a friend were found guilty of a crime they did not commit. Ron was found guilty because of his troubled past and tricky police work. His friend Dennis was found guilty because he would occasionally bar hop with Ron, so to the police he must have helped in the murder and rape of a young women in Ada, Oklahoma.

Its fascinating to see how police forge evidence to what they want it to be when they are pressed to find a suspect and convict the person, no matter what the evidence says. Eventually the truth comes out at the end, but not until years have passed and Ron is almost executed for this horrible crime. Both men spend over 15 years in prison and were freed with no apology from the state or police.

This is definitely an interesting page turner and has you thinking at times, did he do it? But, you have to listen to the evidence, no matter how badly you need a conviction!

The #1 Ladies Detective Agency

I finally finished the book. Its not a huge book, just finding the time to read it! Even though it took me some time to get through the novel, it was so nice to take the time and read.

The book was interesting too, but slow. Its about a women who came into some extra money after her father passed away and decided to open a detective agency in her area. She did get some unusual cases to solve, but the major case she solves runs throughout the book.

The area she lives in is simple and wide open in a dry climate in Africa. The novel also touches base with her families history and future.

I think its a nice flowing, easy book to read. I'm not sure if I'll read the other books in the series at this moment, but if I get a chance I will pick up the next one for sure.

The Lost Symbol

This is the 3rd book in the Dan Brown series with Robert Langdon as the main character. This poor guy comes across more situations where he's in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he's the man for the job.

This time, Professor Langdon is on a mission to uncover the secrets of the Masons to assist his long time friend Peter Soloman who has been kidnapped by a lunatic who thinks he should use the hidden powers to make himself a god like creature.

The novel has its far fetched ideas about religion vs. science, but it twists into the plot of the Mason's hidden secrets.

The book was well written, with page turning scenarios with each character, but I felt the story could have ended a little sooner then it had after the villain in the story had found his destiny. But, over all it was a good read!!

Water for Elephants

I finally finished my book! Before Drew arrived, I'd read books weekly, sometimes I might have even read one in a weekends time. But I knew once my little guy arrived, it would be a different story.

But, I had started this novel I believe at the end of March. I wanted to read one more book before Drew arrived. I'd started reading it, but things were just so crazy the weeks before he arrived. Also, the little bugger decided to come two weeks early. So, Water for Elephants sat on my nightstand looking up at me under the baby monitor waiting to be finished. No big deal. I figured I'd get to it someday.

Then, I signed up for museum shifts at the college I work for. After I took the shifts, I realized I can finish my book! Yeah! So, after two Sundays, working in the museum, its now completed.

Yeah, I had to refresh my memory from the earlier chapters since it was 3 months since I had picked the book up, but no problem. I was back in the flow of the story in no time. What a story at that!

The novel was written with such detail, you feel like one of the workers on the back lot of a run down circus who wanted to live up to the hype of the other great circuses back in the day. Yes, the book touched upon what could be considered the dark, behind the scenes of a circus, but it was very entertaining and heart warming at the same time. It gives new meaning to "running away with the circus".

It was a great read!

Reading Challenges

Phew, its taking me awhile to get through my current book "Water for Elephants". Its not that its a bad book, its just so much is going on.

I just want to finish one last book before Drew comes along since I know in the beginning, I won't have time to sit and read. I will continue to add books to my pile to read, but I don't think I'll have time to read them right away.

The book is good, its interesting and written very well, but with our classes (birthing and breastfeeding), the running around, the cleaning, the prepping, I'm tired and at times just wanting to veg out without anything going on other then watching a simple TV show, its hard to pick the book up. I may read a few pages at night before we shut the lights off to go to bed, but once I get into the book and remember where I was in the story, my eyes start to get heavy.

But, I'll get through it! I have a little under 6 weeks until my due date and I should get through the book by then. If not, well I'll finish it when I can!

Belly Laughs

If you don't know who Jenny McCarthy is, well she is an ex-playboy bunny model who isn't ashamed of what she has to say or do. She hosted a MTV show in the 90's and did a few other shows after that, but she is best known for her unpredictable and outrageous vocabulary for the television audience.

So, with that in mind, she wrote a pregnancy book. Its a quick read, but each chapter is directly to the point. She tells things like it is with no fluff around what happened to her during her pregnancy.

Some of the stuff I have experienced, still is and some of it I hope not too (like those hemorrhoids I keep hearing about). She starts off in the book talking about how she found out she was expecting and carries us all through her pregnancy adventures dealing with her husband and specialty doctors with everything else in between until the very end. She also has some advise mixed in there for the fathers-to-be too.

Its a cute, very honest book about what most women experience through pregnancy. So, if your curious, currently pregnant or want to compare notes with what she went through, its a good book to pick up.

Baby 411

I am going to continue with the baby theme this week and tell you about
book I just finished reading. Of course its about baby stuff!

This is the second in a series from these two authors. The first I read a couple months back was Baby Bargains. This is the next book in line and its all about helpful information to prep you starting around your 7th month of pregnancy (that was a coincidence when my mom bought this for me) all the way through the babies first year.

It talks about what to expect coming out of your baby at what stage, what shots/immunizations to expect, sleep tips (for you and the baby), how to clean your baby (like me, having a boy, I have no idea), nutrition, breastfeeding/bottle feeding tips, development, fussy baby tips and anything you can think of withing this precious time.

I'm sure some of it I'll forget, it won't work or I'll adjust to my baby's personality, but its a great guide. It definitely starts to get you in the mood for what to come very shortly.

The authors other books are, Toddler Bargains, Toddler 411 and Bridal Bargains if you are interested. Also, each book has their own website to go along with it. This books website is www.baby411.com, so check it out!

The Mermaid Chair

What a great book! It was hard to put this one down. The story flowed and was well written.

They story is about a women, Jessie who's been married for 20 years and their only child is off at college, when she finds out her mother has severely hurt herself "back home" on an island off of the South Carolina Coast.

Jessie who has an estranged relationship with her mother leaves the next morning to try and help her deal with what ever demons still haunt her from her own life, starting back when her husband (Jessie's father) was killed in a boating accident when Jessie and her brother were kids.

The story walks us through Jessie's growing Independence, a little love story with someone unexpected, learning her mothers deep dark secrets and just learning how to cope with life in general.

Its a great book to curl up on the coach, under a warm blanket with a hot cup of coca and enjoy.

Vampire Stories from NE

I know, its not a holiday season type of book, but it was next in the pile to be read. I bought it sometime ago and actually forgot that I hadn't read it yet.

This book is compiled with short stories about, well, vampires in the New England area. Some of the stories were gripping and when the story ended I felt like it could have gone on and on since it was so well written.

Others, I have to be honest, I skipped since it was hard to follow. Those stories seemed to be written, not in our modern writing style. So, it was hard for me to go from one to the other in the same book. If it was one style all together, it would have been easier for me.

But, I love to read about this subject, no matter if its one story or short stories.

So, if you are interested I'd recommend it but just be aware there may be some stories that may be hard to follow. Just skip 'em like I did! Don't let those stories ruin it for the intriguing ones.

Baby Bargains

What a great reference guide for new parents or even experienced parents looking for replacement equipment for their next baby.

I would say, its a lot of information at once! But its a helpful reference guide for every step from maternity clothes to furniture to safety equipment for the home. The book covers money savers, money wasters and touches base on reliability of companies.

There are websites to check out for recalls, recommended companies for discounts and merchants for a quick reference. Also, it lists ridiculous baby products that are a waste of time, money and are useless.

I'll use this book as a guideline while I research products and get ready for my new bundle of joy. They also have a book for toddlers too!

Thanks Sarah for the recommendation!

Motor Mouth

This author has written several novels. I first was introduced to her with the Stephanie Plum series that she wrote about a female bounty hunter who just keeps getting herself into trouble. Those books were written well and very easy to read.

So, when I noticed this book on the Summer Suggestion Read Table (yeah, I know I'm a little late on the season) I figured I'd pick it up since I liked her writing style.

This novel is about a NASCAR driver and spotter team who find themselves in a heap of trouble with the law and with another NASCAR team.

The main character Alexandra Barnaby has a gut feeling that the team that won the championship was cheating. She decided to conduct an undercover investigation herself (with some friends) and she finds out that the winning team has more of an issue then cheating to win, they are connected to murder. But, as she tries to figure out what to do about the body the crew found, they are faced with multiple counts of grand theft auto.

Its just a easy, action around every corner type of book. You don't have to be a NASCAR fan to read the book either. Definitely a good find!

Secret Diary of a Call Girl

I can't really go into too much detail about this book, but I'm sure you get the idea. The interesting part of the novel and one of the reasons I picked it up was, this was written from Belle's blog.

Yup, straight from her own blog (I'm sure the writing was changed a tad to flow like a novel at some spots) but see what blogs can lead too......book writing (not becoming a call girl silly).


But, the book was set up with daily entry's like a diary/blog which made the content flow easy and be a quick read.


The book covered everything from Belle's job (at times very explicit, just a heads-up) with her customers and the issues with her manager to her personal life and everything in between.


If you don't mind reading about a working girl with a sense of humor, this novel is defiantly something you should check out. Otherwise, try checking out the series on Showtime. I don't have Showtime, but maybe I'll see if Blockbuster online can supply it for me, hmmmm?

An Evening with Stephen King

Well, it wasn't just me and Mr King. The event was a round table discussion with Stephen King, Richard Russo, Joe Donahue (who is radio talent in NY) and an auditorium filled with people. This event was to raise funds for a local food bank in our area and which in turn was able to hand over a sum of over $18,000. Wow!

So, me, my friend Char, her daughter and friend and my mom went to the event. We played musical chairs to find a decent location where we could see the stage. Finally we found our comfy seats in the balcony over looking the venue and settled in for our treat.

The three gentlemen where introduced and when they walked on stage, the whole room was filled with cheers. They sat in fancy high back chairs along the stage, but still able to see each other. Joe was the narrator of the evening, asking the authors questions that would segway into their discussions.

They talked about politics and the recent election, inspirations for past novels, how each of the authors met years ago, tales of how they got to where they are now, novels vs. short stories and anything else you can imagine in an open forum between friends.

Stephen King was actually pretty witty and funny. You would imagine him being dark and spooky with a warped sense of humor, but he was pretty much just had a warped sense of humor and knew how to use it. He was great to listen to and is such a free spirit.

Richard Russo was a down to earth kind of guy who loves to write and definitely feed off of Stephen with the discussions, but in a good light hearted way. I'm actually pretty interested in reading one of his novels now, so I can't wait to get started on his new book "Bridges of Sighs".

It was definitely a great evening out and I can't wait for the next book signing/discussion that we find.

Possible Side Effects

This book was just another memoir for Augusten Burroughs, but in short story form. Some of the stories I had wished they would just give a little bit more information rather then just leaving you hanging and others were just right.

I wish I remembered as much detail as he could from my childhood, adolescence and beyond. Just like his previous novels, he shares in great detail about all of his challenges, adventures and mischief that he comes across in his life time. What I found interesting is the notation of locations he talked about since he grew up in the Northampton/Amherst area (which is right down the road from me) and just to see his interpretation of experiences were intriguing in those areas.

Also, I didn't notice the extra finger on the cover photo until I was half way through the book. Is there something wrong with me?

But, If you like short stories and you are drawn to Augusten's story telling, I'd definitely recommend this book. I really like his writing style regardless if part of his stories are fabricated or not, he makes things interesting.

Marley & Me

This was such a cute, funny and heart wrenching book, all in one. It took me a little longer then normal to read it and it wasn't any fault of the book. I just stalled around the middle of the novel and I just don't know why. Oh well!

But anyway, the book is about a family who adopted a pure breed golden retriever who followed life on his own terms. Some of the mischief Marley created for himself (like jumping through the screen door to go outside) and other times he couldn't help it (like his anxiety for storms).

As you know from a previous post (So funny it made me cry), I laughed at times so hard it made me cry (I still don't know why) and at other times I cried because I felt a connection with the author with the love and tenderness he described about Marley. Also, I'm sure pregnancy hormones don't help!

This book was definitely a heartfelt novel from the author John about his "life and love with the worlds worst dog". If you are an animal lover, you will enjoy this book. I would wait some time though if you just lost your beloved animal since it could be real tough. It was hard at times for me to read and I lost my doggy almost 10 years ago.

But regardless, I can't wait for the movie to come out soon!

So funny, it made me cry!

I usually wait until after I finish a book to talk about it, but I HAVE to share a blurb from my current read, Marley and Me. What I am about to share made me laugh until I cried while reading in bed last night. The book made me laugh out load and I haven't had a book do that in a long time (usually I have the little snicker to myself or the little smile on my face). It took me 4 tries before I could finish the couple of pages.

I want to share with you the funniest part of the book so far-

Background information:

Marley is now an adolescent, golden retriever puppy, who has anxiety and many other issues. He is on his way to get snipped at the vet's office. Marley had no idea what he had in store, but was excited for the car trip regardless.

Author Grogan "He was revved up and and ready to go on whatever excellent adventure I saw fit. Jenny (his wife) drove and I sat in the passenger seat. As was his habit, Marley balanced his front paws on the center console, his nose touching the rear view mirror. Every time Jenny touched the breaks, he went crashing into the windshield, but Marley didn't care. He was riding shotgun with his two best friends. Did life get any better than this?

I cracked my window, and Marley began listing to starboard, leaning against me, trying to catch a whiff of the outdoor smells. Soon he has squirmed his way fully onto my lap and pressed his nose so firmly into the narrow crack of the window that he snorted each time he tried to inhale. Oh why not? I thought. This was his last ride as a fully equipped member of the male gender, the least I could do was give him a little fresh air. I opened the window wide enough for him to stick his snout out. He was enjoying the sensation so much, I opened it farther, and soon his entire head was out the window. His ears flapped behind him in the wind, and his tongue hung out like he was drunk on the ether of the city. God, was he happy.

As we drove down Dixie Highway, I told Jenny how bad I felt about what we were about to put him through. She was beginning to say something no dought totally dismissive of my qualms when I noticed, more with curiosity than alarm, that Marley had hooked both of his front paws over the edge of the half-open window. And now his neck and upper shoulders were hanging out of the car, too. He just needed a pair of goggles and a silk scarf to look like on of those World War I flying aces.

"John he's making me nervous" Jenny said.

"He's fine" I answered. "He just wants a little fresh-"

At that instant he slid his front legs out the window until his armpits were resting on the edge of the glass.

"John, grab him! Grab him!"

Before I could do anything, Marley was off my lap and scrambling out the window of our moving car. His butt was up in the air, his hind legs clawing for a foothold. He was making his break. As his body slithered past me, I lunged for him and managed to grab the end of his tail with my left hand. Jenny was braking hard in heavy traffic. Marley dangled fully outside the moving car, suspended upside down by his tail, which I had in a position that didn't allow me to get my other hand on him. Marley was frantically trotting along with this front paws on the pavement.

Jenny got the car stopped in the outside lane with cars lining up behind us, horns blaring. "Now what?" I yelled. I was stuck. I couldn't pull him back in the window. I couldn't open the door. I couldn't get my other arm out. And I didn't dare let go of him or he would surely dash in the path of one of the angry drivers swerving around us. I held on for dear life, my face, as it were, scrunched against the glass just inches away from his giant flapping scrotum."

What ended up happening was Jenny jumped out of the car and pulled Marley back into the car and needless to say, they didn't feel bad about his upcoming surgery anymore!

That whole little blurb just sent me over the edge laughing hysterically. I don't know why but maybe because I could have visualized this actually happening with my much missed dog Rowdy since he loved to ride with his head out the window or what. But, I just had to share!

Swapping Lives

What a cute book!

This book is about a women, Vicky, from the UK who works at a magazine and isn't happy about her current love life. She breaks down to her editor and accidentally mentions out-load that she wants to swap lives with a married women. Vicky thought that being married with children would solve all of her issues. She just felt desperate.

Vicky is a single women in her mid-thirty's who continues falls for the wrong man. She lives with her cat in a "flat". She loves her job, but things something is missing from her life.

Her editor loved the idea so much, it was now Vicky's job to find a married women with children to swap with her single life. Several women apply all over the UK and one from America. The potential swapee's were narrowed down and a stay-at-home mom from CT was picked, Amber.

Amber is a mother of two children, married, lives in a McMansion, has housekeepers, top of the line clothing and everything at her disposal. She also feels she has to keep up with the "friendly" neighborhood league of women who raise money for charities, but also compete among themselves for popularity. She also feels something is missing from her live.

This book walks us through a few weeks of swapped lives between Amber and Vicky. With each women in the other one's shoes, it helps them realize that each of their lives is a perfect fit for them. They come to realize how much they really do have, but not without some life altering discoveries in the process.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

First, let me start off saying how LONG this book was. Its very intimidating once you see it and even hold it because of the weight. I guess 562 pages would do that to a book!

But after getting past the novels size (and weight) it was a pretty decent book. The entire book has an easy, soft flow to it, even in the exciting parts. This is what made me hold and continue to read during the slow parts since the author has such a uniquely detailed and beautiful writing style.

With such detail, the words grab you and bring your imagination into Edgar's world. I could vividly see the house he grew up in, the barn he trained the dogs in, the area's he would play in and especially all his adventures with the dogs .

I don't want to give to much away from the book but in sorts its a story of a boy, Edgar, born mute (not deaf) who bonds with a special dog, Almondine, who is Edgar's friend and bodyguard. He helps his family breed Sawtelle Dogs in Wisconsin on their farm. It also describes the hardships the family has to struggle through before and after he was born and beyond.

After a family tragedy, Edgar tries to figure out what happened to his father. While Edgar is overcome by grief he continues to try and prove that his Uncle had a hand in the tragedy but fails. Edgar is forced to run away into the wilderness. While he is out there beyond the farm, he learns how to survive on his own and grows up in so many ways. He chooses to return to the farm to face his Uncle and longs to be with the Sawtelle dogs.

I would recommend this book if you have time set aside to invest in such a large book and if you like to read easy paced, detailed orientated novels.

Playing for Pizza

This novel was not the ordinary John Grisham writings, but it was still an interesting read. It was an easy flowing, smooth flowing book reflecting the typical writing style of the author.

The book was about a third string American Quarterback who had blown a playoffs game while his team was in the lead. While he was in the process of losing, he obtained his third concussion which landed him in the hospital.

When he was lying in the hospital bed, in and out of his medicated sleepiness, his agent found an American Football league in Italy for him to play since none of the NFL teams were calling his agent for the next season since his current team obviously let him go after the horrific loss.

The novel walks us through the first awkward moments of his arrival in a new country, learning about his new team to accepting his new surrounding and moving on with his life without giving up his new friendships/team and commitments.

This is a light-hearted, quick read that I would recommend any football fan to pick up. It was definitely a page turner (even if I didn't have my airport challenge to help me along).

look me in the eye

This book is about a man who grew-up knowing he was different, but wasn't sure why. He was diagnosed when he was in his 40's with asperger's. All of his life, doctors and therapists couldn't figure out why he wouldn't look people in the eyes, why he had unusual body language, wasn't able to develop many friendships and he lacked social skills with other kids his age and adults. Professionals just shrugged it off and said he was difficult.

The author, John Elder Robinson, writes his memoir to show what he went through growing up with an un-diagnosed syndrome and how he managed to grow up in a very dysfunctional family and still become "normal" enough to survive. He is the brother of Augusten Burroughs and touches upon how he felt bad leaving him behind while he was growing up, but John had to in order to survive.

It wasn't until a friend discovered a book about aspergers and told John about it. The friend says John "could be the poster boy for this condition" according to all the symptoms in the medical diagnostic book he had showed him. This friend helped open the doors for John to figure out why he was wired the way he was.

This was my first read about asperger's syndrome and I found it very interesting since it came from someone who lives with it and has survived knowing he was different, but not knowing why. I would highly recommend it if you are interested in learning about aspergers from a non-medical perspective.