Book Meme

My friend tagged me in this Book Meme. It came at a perfect time because it's been almost a month since my 2011 goal to expand my reading into different genres. Looking at this list, I think it's pretty scattered across the literary board!

Here are the rules:

1. Take a picture of the books you are reading currently and add to your post.
2. Describe the books and if you are enjoying them or not. Why?
3. For every book you are reading you have to tag one person.
4. Leave the person a comment letting them know you tagged them.

Now, I'm not so good at following rules. I never read more than 1 book at a time and almost all my books come from the library and are returned when they're finished. SO...I'm changing this up at bit!

Here are the books I've read so far in January:
Bass Ackwards and Belly Up by Elizabeth Craft4.5 stars out of 5. Super fun, light read. Yes, it's technically a Young Adult book. Don't judge me! I needed something light to read about finishing The Book of Negroes!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson4.5 stars out of 5. This was the 4th time I took this book out from the library. The first time I only made it through a handful of chapters and gave up because I found it so dull. I kept hearing how fabulous it was and how you had to push through the beginning. So, I kept taking it out...but always had it at the bottom of my library stack and it never failed that it would have to be returned before I got to it. Until now...and I have to say I'm glad I pushed through. While the beginning is dry and hard to get through (SO much back information and many characters introduced), it really does it better and becomes really hard to put down. I will definitely be continuing on to the 2nd of the series.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris4 stars out of 5. This was REALLY funny. It made me laugh out loud many, many times. I even had to read parts aloud to my husband. The only downside is that they're short stories/essays which are not my preferred type of reading.

The Atlas of Love by Laurie Frankel3 stars out of 5. It's a heartwarming story of 2 friends who help a 3rd friend raise her baby when her boyfriend deserts her. Most of this book was very sweet and enjoyable. And then I wanted to burn it because one character becomes so despicably hateful that if she were in my kitchen I would bash her with a frying pan. The ending was kind of pathetic. I'm not saying it's not worth reading...mainly because I want someone else I know to read it and sympathize with me on wanting to hit that character with a frying pan.

Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King4 stars out of 5. This book is comprised of 4 short stories (more like novellas as they were longer than typical short stories). The stories were so dark and disturbing. At the end Stephen King says they are harsh and should be hard to read as they were hard to write. Definitely not bedtime reading material but very good...a return to the quality of his earlier work.

How To Bake A Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal3 stars out of 5. Cute chick lit book...enjoyed the different characters and the descriptions of yummy breads throughout. Made me ALMOST think I could successfully bake bread!

Running Room's Book On Running by John Stanton5 stars out of 5. I'm just getting back into running and this caught my eye at the library. I didn't read the entire thing, just browsed through the sections that were applicable to me (NO, I do NOT have time to train for a marathon!). Super informative.


Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon KrakauerI thought this book was really well written...but I didn't enjoy it that much. I really had to force myself to finish it...mainly because there were so many details about football (couldn't care less) and the war (including weapons, training, etc.). I think it's an important story to be told though...could the US government get any more corrupt?? Wait...I know the answer to that one.

I'm supposed to tag people but this post took me ages to write as it is. SO...if you're a reader and are reading this post and want to join in, feel free! And if you're a reader, you should check out Goodreads, it's great!