I MADE IT!

Well, to 50 at least.

50 books in one year. Although I had to reassess my goal, I'm still glad I was able to reach it. Now, when should I start trying again for 100? I think after the wedding ;)

Blog posts still to come for the following books:

#44 - Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
#45 - Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
#46 - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
#47 - Heist Society by Ally Carter
#48 - Sugar and Spice by Lauren Conrad
#49 - Life of Pi by Yann Martel
#50 - Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss

Thanks for following my year long journey. Can't wait to see where the next one takes me!

Book #43 - Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood

Just visualizing Zac Efron as the tortured Charlie St. Cloud made reading this novel that much more enjoyable.

Okay, it wasn't the only thing that made it enjoyable. I'm glad Charlie St. Cloud was made into a movie, because otherwise, I don't know that I'd ever been exposed to it. And that would've been a shame.

This book had all the elements that make a good book, at least in my opinion. I'm not talking about Pulitzer Prize winning literature. Instead, an interesting, heartfelt tale that makes the weekend that much more satisfying because you're curled up with it. It's a love story, with a supernatural twist and a pinch of a mystery, all rolled into one. Like I said, can it get any better?

At times I felt like Nicholas Sparks should've written this novel. The story seemed reminiscent of his many books I've read before. But what made it Sherwood's (and not Sparks') was the supernatural element of Charlie being able to see and communicate with spirits. He meets he younger (dead) brother Sam every day at sunset in the cemetery to play catch because of a promise he made when they were in a terrible accident, which also happened to be the cause of Sam's death. Charlie is paralyzed by his catch date with Sam, and has stopped himself from living his own life in order to keep his promise. He then meets Tess, an accomplished young sailor about to set off on a solo race around the world. Charlie and Tess fall in love but the relationship is not without it's difficulties. Ultimately, Charlie learns that he needs to rejoin the living to set himself free, and that his brother will be with him always, regardless if they meet to play catch every day.

The book really made me think about the balance of life and loss, because it's a delicate line to navigate. You don't want to seem like you're moving on too quickly, but then you can't get stuck in the past without driving yourself mad. But, if you're lucky, like Charlie finally is, you'll be able to figure out the best way to move past the tragedy and loss in your life, and take advantage of the opportunities that are still left for the taking.

Book #42 - The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

I've never read the Sex and the City novel, but I decided to give The Carrie Diaries a try. This book introduces us to Carrie Bradshaw when she's still in high school and her group of teenage friends. Sadly, Carrie wasn't as ground breaking in high school as she tended to be in the SATC series. She's actually quite predictable, and a very different Carrie than the 30-something version I know and love. But, it doesn't mean she can't evolve into that person -- no one wants to be who they were in high school for the rest of their lives, including Carrie Bradshaw, I'm sure.

As a 17-year-old, she already has some of her most famous qualities -- including her adventurous sense of fashion -- and the desire to become a writer. But this Carrie is also very different; she's a virgin, a romantic, a standout on the swim team, and is willing to do what boys want in order to keep them interested in her.

I think the best part (and the worst) of this book is that we know what Carrie's future holds. Not in the sense that we know which boy she'll end up with, or where she'll go to college. But in the sense that we know soon enough, she'll be painting Manhattan red with her faithful companions, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha, regardless of how 1979 turns out.

Book #41 - Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I have mixed feelings about Eat, Pray, Love. And I blame those on the millions of opinions I received about this novel before starting it. Who hated it, who loved it, who thought Gilbert was selfish, who thought she was brilliant... the list goes on and on.

So when I began reading, I tried to do so with an open mind. If anything, I didn't love or hate Liz; I was jealous of her experiences (not the life she was running away from). Honestly, how amazing would it be to travel the world for an entire year!

My favorite section of the book was definitely her time in Italy. Being able to travel aimlessly throughout such a beautiful country and eat whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted, sounds divine. But the part that I was most envious of was her immersion into the culture and ability to learn the language. I've always longed to be bilingual, and one day I will be, but Liz's ability to leave it all behind for a year and simply follow her heart made me wish I could be in her shoes.

I also enjoyed her spiritual journey throughout India and Bali. Since I've not had much exposure to eastern practices, it was hard for to understand what she was trying to accomplish. However, I could relate to her longing for greater relationship with God. It seems she met so many characters along the way - at times I wonder if this was truly non-fiction - and that she truly accomplished what she set out to do when she left her life in NYC for a year of self-discovery.

Book #40 - Harry Potter and Philosophy: If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts edited by David Baggett and Shawn E. Klein

I came across this collection of essays in the bargain book section of Barnes & Noble a couple of years ago. I am a huge Harry Potter fan, and since I can't re-read any books as part of this challenge, I decided to pick up Harry Potter and Philosophy in order to gear myself up for the release of HP7 Part 1 next month.

The only ethics/philosophy class I ever took in college was regarding ethics in journalism, so my knowledge on the subject was somewhat sparse. But the authors of the essays in this collection apply their passion for philosophy to their passion of Harry Potter. It's enlightening and interesting to see these academic interpretations of the themes within my favorites books. Like Hogwarts, the book is divided into four parts, with essays that touch upon the key values of the four houses: Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor.

These essays uncover the deeper meanings within Harry's adventures, as well as the relationships within the first five books (it was published before the completion of the last two novels.) Although I've loved reading every book in this challenge, Harry Potter and Philosophy took me back to the critical reading and thinking I've been lacking since college. Learning about Aristotilean ethics, reading observations on feminism, racial discrimination and morality or just discovering what dementors have to do with happiness in reality, were all scholarly treats found in this collection to satisfy any Potter buff.

The Final Month

I know, I know, I am getting smoked by this reading challenge. Obviously the only way I could read 58 books in the next 25 days would be to develop super powers. However, I've decided to re-evaluate my mission, and I think hitting 50 is a pretty good goal. Besides, no one runs a marathon without running the half first, right?

So be on the lookout as I finish my final books (and posts) in the coming weeks. More to come!

Book #39 - Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch

My friend Jamie and I often spend our lunch hours sitting in silence reading. It's a good way to get away from the craziness at the office and have a little down time. She recommended that I read Time of My Life because she "looooooved it." So I decided to take her advice and pick it up.

This novel follows the standard formula of the main character not liking her current life, and wonders what it would've been like if she married her college boyfriend instead. Jillian is then magically transported back seven years, to the time when she's still living in New York City with her then-boyfriend, Jackson. As Jillian tries to avoid meeting her real husband, Henry, she realizes that her life then maybe wasn't as amazingly perfect as she remembered.

I liked that it was not only about second-guessing your choice about who to marry. But it gives us a glimpse into what it would be like to do things differently with your friends or interacting with your parents in a way that's more beneficial to your personal growth. Jillian finally understands what I think we all know deep down: there is no "perfect" life -- no perfect husband, perfect house, perfect family, perfect job. And only when we stop frantically trying to find or create that scenario, can we truly be happy.

Book #38 - The Last Summer (of You & Me) by Ann Brashares

I have long been a fan of Ann Brashares. I absolutely adored The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants novels and I'd been wanting to read some of her other works for a while. I read a blurb about The Last Summer (of You & Me) in one of the many magazines I receive each month, and I decided to place a hold through CPL.

I am always captivated by a good coming-of-age story, and that's exactly what this book is. It follows two sisters, Alice and Riley, and their very different friendships with their summer neighbor, Paul. The three have been spending the summer together on a fictional island near Manhattan for as long as they can remember. Paul and Riley have always been best friends; Paul and Alice have always wanted to be something more.

At times, I almost felt as if I was reading a Nicholas Spark book (and lord knows I love those, too). There was the perfect mix of love, longing and sadness in The Last Summer (of You & Me) to create a great novel. We watch as Alice and Paul transition into their new relationship, and can sympathize with Riley as she gets left behind. I don't have a sister, but this novel made me truly feel the bond between Riley and Alice, and it made me sad that I could never experience such a special relationship with one.

Book #37 - Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

What? Another Bride Quartet novel, you say? Yes, I can't seem to help myself! When I saw the third installment was available, I knew it wouldn't be long before I headed to Cleveland Public Library and requested it for my reading pleasure.

The third novel follows the story of Laurel, the baker of Icing by Vows, the wedding planning company owned and operated by the four friends. Like its predecessors, Savor the Moment quickly sets up Laurel's happy ending; after years of searching for Mr. Right, she realizes he's been under her nose all along. Actually this story line began in book #2, but I don't really mind. There's just so many feel-good wedding elements crammed into each novel, it makes a bride-to-be like myself automatically interested.

We follow Laurel as she tries to sort through her trust issues (created by her father, surprise, surprise), her new relationship and the constant work that inundates Vows. Like all of the other novels in the series, all ends as you'd expect, which is the good and bad thing about Roberts' work -- we all want the girl to get her guy at the end, but sometimes we also liked to be surprised. As we read more and more about the four friends, Roberts does continue to develop them more and more, making the reader feel like you've become a part of this intimate club.

Book #36 - Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

I don't think I ever read Beezus and Ramona as a child. So to be safe, I decided to pick it up, especially after reading an interview with its iconic author Beverly Cleary about the release of the movie.

One thing that Cleary mentioned in the interview was that she wants the story of Beezus and Ramona to remain a timeless one. That's why in the book (and the movie) they're aren't any indicators of what year or decade it is; discussions of the latest technologies, like TVs or cell phones. Instead, Ramona and Beezus occupy their time reading books, dolls and playing games with each other and friends.

What I found particularly interesting about this book is that like most children's books, it tries to teach the reader a lesson. But what makes it different, is that the lesson doesn't hit you across the head. Instead, you learn something -- like how to be patient with your siblings, or why it's okay to be different -- in a more organic way.

I think Cleary has definitely achieved her goal. The story of these two sisters will remain one that children will read for another 50 years, without feeling dated or irrelevant. It's heartfelt, cute and best of all,Ramona's antics are just as entertaining as any of the latest games and TVs shows out there today.

Book #35 - Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto by Chuck Klosterman

Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs was recommended to me by my boss. Not because she had read it, but because she read about it and its entire chapter devoted to "Saved by the Bell." A whole section on Bayside and Bayside alone? Sign me up.

I like non-fiction books where the chapters are episodic. It's much easier to read, and you don't feel like you need to keep reading because something just got good. I like books like that too, but sometimes it's nice to step away from the paperback.

I felt like I could've read this book in college for a class. Klosterman's observations on mass media and its impact were not only thorough, but they also included sound arguments and insightful comments. And best of all, it was FUNNY. How could a discussion on your hatred of John Cusack (not as a person, but his characters) not be funny? Obviously the SBTB chapter was my favorite, but I also enjoyed his account of traveling with a Guns 'N Roses tribute band.

I think the review on Amazon sums it best: "There's quite a bit of intelligent analysis and thought-provoking insight packed into the pages of Chuck Klosterman's Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, which is a little surprising considering how darn stupid most of Klosterman's subject matter actually is." Pick it up if you want to be intellectually stimulated and entertained at the same time.

Book #34 - Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar

I have been a fan of Gossip Girl the TV series since it first began airing a few years ago. So when I saw that young adult novels were a part of this challenge, I knew I had to read the novel that inspired one of my favorite guilt pleasures.

The book is very different from the show -- the main characters are pretty similar, but their family lives are a little bit different. I was shocked at how graphic and inappropriate the novels were, especially for a young adult book. However, I guess that makes sense, taking into consideration the content on the show.

It was an entertaining, easy read. von Ziegesar creates characters that are as intriguing on the page as they are on the screen. Blair is devious and you hate to love her. Serena is mysterious and you are left wanting to know more and more about her. The male characters fall a little flat in the novel -- Nate, Chuck and Dan are much more interesting on the series, but they still serve their purpose in the book: to cause drama between all of the girls.

I'm looking forward to reading more of the Gossip Girl books. If the characters get into only half of the trouble they do in the series, I'll be in for a good time, for sure. XOXO, you know you love it -- I definitely do.

Book #33 - The Host by Stephanie Meyer

I'm probably like every other Twilight fan in American who read The Host in hopes that it would be similar to the beloved Edward/Bella saga. Although it was nothing like Twilight, I still enjoyed this novel by Stephanie Meyer.

The Host is a novel about aliens taking over civilization, or more specifically, taking over all the human bodies on the planet. Melanie, the main character, is one of the last surviving humans; at the beginning of the novel she's captured and an alien soul is implanted into her body. However, she is what's called a resistant host, and her human mind/soul is not completed erased when Wanderer (the alien soul) takes control. For the first part of the novel, we follow the internal struggle between Melanie and Wanderer; she can't understand why this host is so troublesome, when every other one she's inhabited has never caused such headaches.

While trying to solve her problems with her resistant host, Wanderer is persuaded by Melanie to leave alien civilization to search for a hideout in the dessert that her Uncle Jeb told her about at a child, and what could now be the home to her soul mate Jared and her younger brother Jamie. Once the pair finds the hideout, we follow Wanderer's struggle to be accepted by the remaining humans and to try and coexist with them without getting killed.

The writing of The Host was not much better than the Twilight series. It was still very lengthy with a lot of superfluous information. The book could have been 200 pages shorter and still told the same story. Shoddy writing considered, Meyer did write an entertaining novel. I'm glad I didn't give up on this book after the first 100 pages (because trust me, I thought about it). The plot caused me to think about what life would be like if everyone I loved were gone, but it appeared as if they were still here. The daily emotional torment that Melanie and the remaining humans endured seemed to be too much at times -- hoping that they would be reunited by some stroke of luck or fate.

But like all good pieces of entertainment, I was happy to know that when I put down the book, there would be no aliens and I could go back to my life as it was, after that mini-escape into science fiction.

Book #32 - Atonement by Ian McEwan

I will always remember when I watched the movie Atonement - I had just moved into my first apartment and it was one of the first movies I got from my very own Netflix subscription. I was shocked at how sexual the movie was, and I guess I thought that was Hollywood's interpretation of the novel. I was wrong.

Reading the novel, I quickly discovered that the film closely followed the book (which is rare) and I found it more shocking to read such sexually charged literature than to view it onscreen. The story follows three main characters: 13 year-old Briony Tallis, her sister Cecelia and the servant boy's son, Robbie Turner. Through a series of events, Briony assumes Robbie is a sexual maniac and is targeting her sister; however, in reality, Robbie and Cecelia are both consenting adults who have recently uncovered their love for each other.

One night, Briony accuses Robbie of raping and attacking her cousin, Lola, who is staying with the Tallis family. The events that follow change the Tallis family and Robbie forever.

The novel provides observations on the dangers of writing - whether it's Robbie's initial letter that falls into the wrong hands, Briony's over-active imagination, or the correspondence that sustains Robbie and Cecelia during their long separation, the threat of misinterpretation is always present. Another prevalent theme in Atonement is satisfaction. Every character is looking to satiate their own needs, even if it means blatantly disregarding what's right and wrong in relationship to everyone else.

A compelling read, but long-winded at times, Atonement is probably one of the most critically acclaimed pieces of literature in the last 50 years. It truly forces the reader to think about consequence, in a way that seems abstract and very real at the same time.

Book #31 - Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

I really enjoyed the first book in Nora Roberts' Bride Quartet, so when I saw that the second book was out, I knew it would be my second romance novel for this challenge.

I think it's part of a woman's nature to be fascinated with anything having to do with weddings when you're planning one. Or maybe that's just something I tell myself to make me feel better. Regardless, I can't seem to get enough weddings right now. Like Vision in White, this novel follows another of the Vows partners, this time Emma who's the florist of the group, as she embarks on a new relationship with an old friend. The formula's not exactly reinventing the wheel, as it's the same plot line as the first book. But it's still entertaining to follow the story of Emma and her new, main squeeze Jack.

The friendship of the four women also continues to grow and blossom during this novel, and you can already see hints of the couplings that will likely take place in the last two books. However, I don't like to give up on a series once I've started it - so expect a recap of the third book not long after it's published.

Book #30 - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

I'm going to be honest - the main reason I decided to read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was because it was short, I needed more classics and I'm behind on my book count. However, I'm glad that I did.

Growing up, we've all heard someone referred to as acting like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The major misconception though, is that it's a trait that can't be helped. But in reality and in the novel, Dr. Jekyll was curious what it would feel like to live without consequence and made himself transform into Mr. Hyde. The uncontrollable and nasty personality that emerges is not some curse that Dr. Jekyll has to bear - instead it was desired by him.

The novel follows Mr. Utterson, a lawyer and a friend of Jekyll's, as he tries to uncover who Mr. Hyde is and where he is hiding out. Lo and behold, he discovers that Jekyll and Hyde are one in the same, and tries to do everything in his power to prevent the change from happening. Eventually Jekyll realizes that having his alternate personality isn't all he thought it'd be and tries to take an elixir that stop Hyde from emerging. But it's too late, and the evil personality ends up taking over and erasing Jekyll forever.

This novel touches upon some very real desires of the human condition; to be able to act freely and not have to worry about repercussions. And it also provides a very real lesson as to what happens when you feel above the law - sometimes you're not able to transform back into your better, former self and live within societal norms again. Perhaps it's worth keeping in mind; that sometimes it's better to just be yourself and be happy with the life you have, instead of wishing for something entirely different.

Book #29 - Emma by Jane Austen

I know it's probably hard to believe, but I have never read Emma by Jane Austen. As an English literature major, the only Austen I was ever required to read was Northanger Abbey.

This novel follows Emma, a young, single woman in a small English village who imagines herself to be a gifted matchmaker. She successfully pairs her governess with a local widower, and attempts to make love matches for other young women around town. However, things start to go awry and she convinces her friend Harriett to turn down a proposal from a kind man in order to try and win the affection of a wealthier suitor instead. He ends up being interested in Emma, not Harriett and she is left humiliated.

Emma then begins to fancy Frank Churchill, the son of her governess' husband. But it's uncovered that he is secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax, a newcomer to the village. All's well that end's well, and Emma eventually discovers her feelings for Mr. Knightley, her brother-in-law and they end up happily ever after, as does Harriett to Mr. Martin, when he proposes to her a second time.

Austen is a master at weaving tales of love and intrigue. She suggests that trying to marry too far above your station causes strife and struggle. Thankfully, the class system is something that we don't have to worry about anymore. But every new relationship still carries its own amount of excitement, which is something that hasn't changed from Austen's time.

Book #28 - 7th Heaven by James Patterson

I'm sorry it's been so long since I've updated - the start of summer has definitely affected my reading and posting!

I actually finished reading this book nearly six weeks ago. It is another novel from the Women's Murder Club series. It follows the ladies as they try to solve a series of gruesome murders and arsons, as well as solve the disappearance and perhaps murder, of a politician's son.

There's nothing too groundbreaking about the later books in this series - they follow the same format every time, but for some reason I keep reading them. These books are a quick read and entertaining enough, and when you've read seven books of a series, it's hard to give up and not see it through until the end. I've seen there are at least two more books published in the Women's Murder Club, so be on the lookout for a couple more posts on Mr. Patterson's work.

Book #27 - Becoming Jane Eyre by Shelia Kohler

This was a book I had read about in a magazine and decided to include it as part of my challenge. The novel follows the life of Charlotte Bronte, her sisters and her writing of her most famous novel, Jane Eyre.

I don't know much about any of the Bronte sisters, other than that they were all struggling writers. This novel brings to life the hardship they faced in getting their novels published because they were women. It also uncovers the competitiveness between the sisters, albeit through Kohler's imagination and not facts. The parallels between Charlotte and her famous heroine Jane Eyre are present throughout the entire novel - her suffering, her rejection from her male companion and ultimately her success.

The story spans a period of nine years - the remarkable time during which Charlotte frees herself from obscurity and becomes one of the most celebrated writers of her day. As the reader, we follow her memories of her deadly boarding school; we see her studying and then teaching in Brussels. And we also see her home life and the tensions between her sisters. We witness the delusions of her father and the self-destructiveness of her brother. But as I was reading, I never stopped rooting for her. Despite all of the hardships that befell the Brontes, it's a satisfying moment when Charlotte eventually attains the wealth and domestic happiness she always wanted for both herself and Jane Eyre.

Book #26 - The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan. If I was allowed to re-read books for this challenge, you could bet that those would be seven of my 100. I got this book for Christmas in 2008, and started reading but never finished. Just so you know, I got the Twilight Saga that Christmas, too. Now I think you know why I never finished.

In this collection of wizarding fairy tales, if you will, Rowling entangles as many Harry Potter characters as possible into this collection. Hermione Granger is the editor of the text; notes of Albus Dumbledore's are included with every story; but strangely enough, there are no references to Harry at all.

It's interesting to see how Rowling takes the lessons learned from traditional, muggle fairy tales, and transforms them into stories that are applicable to her famous wizarding world. At first I thought this was just another avenue for her to milk all that's left of Harry Potter's popularity. But I was wrong. Like every other work of Rowling's, The Tales of Beedle the Bard are all meticulously thought out and extremely well-developed. Hopefully she'll continue to find ways to keep the Harry Potter franchise alive and well, long after the last movie has been released to DVD.

Book #25 - The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

This is the second Sparks appearance on the blog, and I have to be honest - I had no desire to read this book. Due to my obsession with celebrity gossip, I remembered all of the hullabaloo when Nicholas Sparks said he was writing a novel with Miley Cyrus in mind for the female lead, and The Last Song was it. But, my mom happened to read it and said it was really good, so on our recent trip to northern Virginia, I hijacked her Kindle and devoured it in less than two days.

The Last Song follows Ronnie, a 17-year-old girl, and the summer she begrudgingly spends with her father in North Carolina. She hasn't spoken to him in three years and does not want to go, but is forced by her mother. Ronnie is also a piano prodigy, who was taught by her former Julliard professor father, Steve, and has refused to play since he and her mother divorced.

Ronnie goes into the summer with a bad attitude and many preconceived notions about why her father left her family. She ultimately falls in with the wrong crowd, and due to some previous indiscretions back home, lands in big trouble with the law. Between being furious with her dad and her teenage rebellion, she manages to meet Will, a handsome volleyball player from the town's richest family. They fall for each other and he helps her to realize that she needs to cut her father a little slack, especially when they receive the crushing news that Steve is terminally ill.

Ultimately, Ronnie re-establishes a relationship with her father and experiences her first love with Will. This book is another lesson in that it's never too late to make amends. It makes you think about any grudges you're holding, and how you'd feel if something happened to that person and all you've been doing is wasting precious time. Even though I wanted to boycott reading The Last Song, I'm glad I didn't. It helped to remind me how powerful young love can be and that you need to live each day as if it could be your (or someone you love's) last.

Book #24 - The Best Wedding Reception Ever by Peter Merry

As the wedding planning continues, naturally so does my desire to read book about planning weddings. I think it's only natural. This book was actually recommended to me by one of the entertainers at the DJ company we booked. He said it was the best book to read when planning a reception and that he gives it as engagement gifts to all of his family and friends. I figured if a wedding-industry professional was pushing it, it had to be worthwhile reading.

The main focus of this book is how to create an exciting, well-planned reception that runs smoothly. What I liked most about his advice was that Merry didn't offer up just one formula for a successful wedding. Instead, he provides a number of different scenarios to complement the type of wedding you're throwing, making it easy and natural to incorporate some of his unforgettable ideas into your special day.

Although Merry thinks that keeping guests engaged during the reception is key, I'm not so sure I agree. I don't think the guests attending my wedding reception will really want to spend the evening playing games and answering bride and groom trivia as if they were at a birthday party.
But don't get me wrong - that's not to say I didn't get any good ideas from reading. Sorry though; I can't give them away now, especially if I want to have the best wedding reception ever. Everything is under lock and key until 5.28.2011.

Book #23 - Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Although I haven't blogged about a Nicholas Sparks book yet, he is one of my favorite authors. I love his books (although they often have a sad ending) and every time I finish one, I want to move to North Carolina. I also have seen enough Sparks movie adaptations to know that the books are always much better and they need to be read prior to viewing. So I knew before I watched Dear John I needed to tackle the novel first.

This isn't your typical summer love story. It begins with John, an Army soldier home on leave, and Savannah, a college student on a mission trip, and the beginning of their brief courtship. They only have a short time to get to know each other before John heads back to where he is stationed in Europe. But during that time, they fall hard for each other and their relationship blossoms. They sustain their connection by writing letters and looking forward to John's next two-week leave and ultimately when he will be finished with his enlistment. But then, September 11th happens, and John feels compelled to re-enlist for his country, and their relationship changes.

As we follow their relationship over the years and how it evolves, it makes the reader realize that sometimes love just isn't enough. Life and things much bigger than ourselves get in the way - love of country, love of family and unforeseen elements like illness - which can throw us off our intended path. John and Savannah must navigate through all of these road blocks throughout the novel, and it's heartbreaking to experience.

In all of his novels, Sparks is able to create characters that you root for and that you can relate to. He makes it easy to love reading his books and Dear John is no exception.

Book #22 - That Extra Half an Inch by Victoria Beckham

I am obsessed with celebrity gossip. I check people.com everyday to stay on top of what's happening in the celebrity world. Needless to say, my interest in Victoria Beckham peaked when she and her family moved to the U.S. a few years ago. Now, don't get me wrong, I have liked her since the Spice Girls - Posh Spice was indeed my favorite. So I knew I would read her book as part of this challenge.

It's not a true "autobiography" but It still tells the tale of her life, just through a different medium - fashion. In addition to providing fashion tips, we get insight into her fashion choices for some of her biggest life moments, including her wedding.

I would recommend knowing someone who is British or keeping google handy while reading - thank goodness for my friend Roxanne. She was able to explain what Beckham meant by "vests" and "jumpers" because it's not what you would usually think of as an American. But she had a lot more practical advice than I would have thought. At the end of the day, behind the stilettos, the make up and the fame, she is just a mom who needs to dress practically for her day, just like the rest of us.

And that's what I like most about following the lives of celebrities: discovering that they are, in fact, just like the rest of us.

Book #21 - For One More Day by Mitch Albom

Like most of America, I've been reading Mitch Albom's books since he wrote Tuesdays with Morrie. This story of his was recommended to me by my friend Jamie, and as I'm a little behind on my 100 books, she said it was a good, quick read. Which is exactly what I need right now.

This book follows the story of a man who's looking to commit suicide after his life has essentially fallen apart, thanks mostly to his alcoholism and failed professional baseball career. He decides to travel back to his childhood home to kill himself, and on his way, gets into a terrible car accident.

The main character, Chick, then sees his mother, who's since passed away. He spends one more day with her, learning from her and discovering how to turn his life around. Once he recovers from the accident, he begins to slowly repair his life and mend his relationships with his family.

This is a good story in teaching us that it's never too late to make amends. Chick is able to have one more day with his mother - to find peace with her passing and to forgive himself for not being there when she died. Albom is good at showcasing through others' experiences that we always have one more opportunity to make things right, and we should never let it pass.

Book #20 - If You Have to Cry Go Outside and Other Things Your Mother Never Told You by Kelly Cutrone

I was first exposed to Kelly Cutrone on The Hills, where she was Lauren and Whitney's boss/mentor at People's Revolution, a fashion PR firm in Los Angeles. Since her appearances on The Hills and then The City were well-received, Kelly then got her own show on Bravo, and ultimately a book deal. As a PR professional myself (although pitching faucets and high fashion are a little bit different) I knew that I'd want to read this memoir as soon as it came out.

The Kelly Cutrone that narrates this book is a little different than the one you might have seen on television. She is much more zen and very spiritual, whereas on camera, she's depicted as solely a no-nonsense, ruthlessly honest person. The other, softer side isn't seen as much and it was refreshing to hear that voice in her book.

Of course, a number of Kelly's stories are outrageous, but what else would you expect from a woman who moved to New York City with little money and a dream? It was great to hear the perspective of someone who has been in the industry for a long time, and from someone totally objective. She wasn't my boss talking to me about my work and her advice wasn't addressed to a specific employee of hers. Instead, it was straight "this is what you need to do to succeed" and I appreciated that. I would definitely recommend this book to any young woman - not just those working in PR.

Book #19 - Vision in White by Nora Roberts

I know it's probably hard to believe, but this is the first Nora Roberts book I've ever read. I'm not sure what kept me from her in the past; maybe because my mom was always thumbing through one, and as a rebellious teen often does, I didn't want to read anything that was enjoyed by my mother. Good news - I've grown up, and as a bride-to-be, Vision in White was a great first Roberts' novel to experience.

This is the first book in her Bride Quartet (I'm not sure if you've picked up on it yet, but I like to read series). It follows four life-long friends who run a wedding business called Vows. Mackensie is the photographer, Emma is the florist, Laurel is the baker and Parker oversees everything else as the traditional wedding planner. They all live and work in the same sprawling Connecticut estate, and we not only learn a little bit about their business, but also about each woman.

Mac is the main character in this first novel. She hasn't yet found Mr. Right, until a man from her teenage years comes back into her life when his sister hires Vows to plan her wedding. Shy, yet surprisingly sexy, professor Carter Maguire is exactly what's missing from Mac's life. They beginning seeing each other, and like in any romance novel, there isn't a happy ending right away. But Mac and Carter's romance is chronicled in a way that showcases Roberts' sharp, clever writing and develops two very real characters that are easy to like and relate to.

Not only is the novel about finding the right guy in unexpected places, but it's also about friendship. It conveys how the four friends love and support each other through thick and thin, and how they manage to respect each other while running a very successful business.

Vision in White was the first romance novel I've ever read, and I'm anxious to read the books that follow in Roberts' Bride Quartet. It was like watching a cute romantic comedy - although at times it's highly predictable, when it's over, you're still really glad with the happily-ever-after.

Book #18 - Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad

As a child who's grown up as part of the MTV generation, it's only natural that I watched Laguna Beach and The Hills. I could relate to the characters' lives and dilemmas as high schoolers and young adults, with the biggest disconnect between us being their super-wealthy lifestyles in Orange County and my normal one in middle America. Nonetheless, I got hooked on following Lauren Conrad and her friends while I was in college and ever since, it's been a guilty pleasure of mine.

When I first heard that Conrad was penning a series of books, I thought "Wow. I guess anyone can get a book deal in Hollywood." But I should bite my tongue. Sweet Little Lies is Conrad's second novel about two friends who agree to star in a reality show that chronicles their lives in Los Angeles. Fiction, right? Although she's not breaking any new literary ground, and I'm still skeptical as to how much writing Conrad actually does, her novels are a quick, entertaining read that provides some perspective into her crazy life.

I don't feel bad for anyone on reality shows like The Hills - when you sign up to be on television, you know what you're getting yourself into. The same is true in this book. The main character, Jane, who is the star of "L.A. Candy" a.k.a the fictional Hills, sees her life unravel as her first scandal hits the tabloids. Her friendship with her lifelong best friend Scarlett, who's also on the show, deteriorates as she tries to look out for Jane and warn her that everyone isn't as nice as they seem. Ultimately Jane discovers who she can and can't trust, what she needs to do in order to survive in Hollywood, and prevails.


This was a great, mindless weekend read, that kept my attention as I raced through the pages. I liked following the lives of Jane and Scarlett in this book even more than following the lives of Lauren and her pals on TV.

Book #17 - The Big White Book of Weddings by David Tutera

I figured that my reading project should help along my wedding planning process. So, for one of my non-fiction reads, I thought it would be a good idea to delve into a wedding book to help my cause.

David Tutera is a wedding planner to the stars, and one of my bridesmaids keeps telling me how much she loves him on the WE network. At the beginning of The Big White Book of Weddings, he clearly states his mission to help any bride have a sophisticated and classy wedding of her dreams.

The book had some great ideas for the little things like favors, centerpieces, etc. and I was glad I read it to get those tips. But as a bride-to-be who is taking wedding planning at a snail's pace, the rest of Tutera's advice utterly freaked me out and made me feel like I'm doing a terribly inadequate job in prepping for the big day.

I think it will help to re-read this book closer to my actual wedding date, so I can double check that I have everything in order. But right now, it was a quick read for some ideas to file away for that perfect day that's yet to come.

Book #16 - The Blind Side by Michael Lewis

I am a sucker for "Awards Season" - the Golden Globes, the SAGs and the big show, the Academy Awards. I will sit and watch for hours as the celebrities arrive on the red carpet and make their acceptance speeches. I'd been wanting to see the movie The Blind Side since it hit theaters, but when Sandra Bullock started winning accolades for her portrayal of Leanne Tuhoy, it peaked my interest in the story of Michael Oher even more.

After finishing, I'm glad I didn't see the movie - as I'm sure you've learned from my blog, I'm a big believer that the book is always better, and therefore, it's always wiser to read it first. It took me a while to make it through this one, as the story was very rich and involved a lot of football history. I learned more about the game and the position of left tackle than I ever thought to know. But the background information Lewis provides is necessary in realizing why Michael Oher was such a hot commodity to college football.

What surprised me about the story is that it took place rather recently - Michael Oher graduated from high school in 2005 and he currently plays in the NFL after a successful college football career with the University of Mississippi. He was taken in by the Tuhoy family shortly after he started at Briarcrest Christian School, where their daughter, Collins, was in the same grade.

Michael had a terrible upbringing and childhood - no father, a drug-addict mother and was often sleeping on the streets and scavenging for food. He didn't go to school regularly, meaning he had a lot to catch up on in the classroom before even going to college could become a reality. This book follows Michael's personal struggles and growth more than his performance on the field.

The Tuhoy family's generosity and commitment to a complete stranger really gives me hope that there still are good-hearted people out there who will do what's right even when they know there is nothing to gain in return. The story of Michael Oher is inspiring to anyone - it demonstrates that with a lot of help and perseverance, anything can be possible.

Book #15 - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

This was another book that was suggested by my cousins Ashleigh and Allison over the holidays. I had never heard of it and I had no idea what to expect, with the exception of the lamentation of my cousins pronouncing "This one is soooo good."

When I looked at the back cover of this novel, one of the reviewers' quotes classified this novel as "A modern day Catcher in the Rye." And I thought, awesome (you all remember how well that one went for me).

However, I was pleasantly surprised by The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. The main character of this novel is Christopher, a British teenage boy with some sort of mental disability. He finds a neighbor's dog murdered in the yard, and he takes on the charge to solve the mystery of the dog's death.

Along the way, Christopher discovers more than he bargains for, and more than he can mentally handle. He lives with his father and his mother is dead and he has an entire list of things he does and doesn't like. For example, he hates anything brown and yellow; he loves anything red. Christopher is also a math genius and the smartest kid in his school and uses his ability with math and numbers to calm him when necessary.

When Christopher discovers that his father isn't the person he thinks he is, he sets off on a journey and achieves things he never thought possible. During this journey, we understand how difficult it is for a mentally disabled individual to do things that seem so simple, like riding a train or reading a map. But throughout the novel, we also realize how gifted Christopher is and how he can visualize and accomplish things that I could only dream of.

Above all else, this novel is a story of survival. Christopher has to survive every day and rise above the challenges his disability presents. And he also survives a realization that most human beings would let cripple them with hatred and distrust, but he teaches us all to rise above.

Book #14 - The Hours by Michael Cunningham

In the novel The Hours, author Michael Cunningham uses the life and work of Virginia Woolf as his inspiration. Through it, he tells the story of a group of contemporary characters, while shedding some light on who Woolf was, as well. If I had one word to describe The Hours, it would be "depressing," as the novel begins with the narration of Woolf's suicide and carries the somber tone throughout the stories of Mrs. Dalloway and Mrs. Brown, as well.

The lives of these three women are woven together to create this novel. As I was reading, I was constantly trying to figure out how the three would collide, and when they did, I wished they never had. However, the way Cunningham reveals the connection is masterful, regardless of how unexpected and heartbreaking it may be.

The three women in this novel are living lives that they are unhappy with. They tolerate them solely to protect others and because they are the only lives they have ever known. There is a general theme of feeling trapped in this novel - trapped in heterosexuality, trapped with depression and even trapped in motherhood.

I haven't seen the movie, nor have I read Mrs. Dalloway, but after finishing this novel, I'm inclined to pick up both. Cunningham's novel sheds light on parts of the female condition that most writers or filmmakers have tried to and failed. We understand these three women; we feel sorry for them and we root for them to break free from the so-called prisons of their everyday lives. In its own way, this novel allows it characters to live and ultimately seek what they deserve out of life.

Book #13 - The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

I'm actually quite surprised that I never read The Lovely Bones. It's been an extremely popular book for the past few years, and I've always had it on my mental "to read" list. However, I finally was compelled to read it over the holidays.

While visiting my family in northern Virginia after Christmas, my cousins Ashleigh and Allison had a stack of books set aside for me that they thought I should read as part of my 100 book quest. One of them was The Lovely Bones.

I started reading this novel, and was a little surprised at how much information was offered up about Susie Salmon and her murder at the very beginning of the story. Once I continued reading, I understood why. As I'm sure you've seen as part of the film's previews, the story follows 14-year-old Susie while she is in the In Between heaven and earth after her death. Through her narration, we are able to see how her family is coping with the tragedy of her murder.

As the reader, we also gain insight about Susie's murderer and his sordid past and chilling behaviors. We see the quest for justice and vindication for the Salmon family and are kept suspensefully on-edge through the many close encounters of their revelation of the killer.

The Lovely Bones was much, much more than the murder/mystery novel I was expecting. Like I said, it's hard to be a mystery when you know who the killer is from page two. Instead, I was delighted to find a novel full of thoughtfully imaginative narrative that provided hope in a tragic situation. Sebold creates characters that you feel sympathetic toward, but who you also cheer forward as they try to move on with a "normal" life. In my opinion, I would have liked the Salmon family to receive the justice they are so longing for, but as a whole, The Lovely Bones definitely does not disappoint.

Book #12 - Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

I was first exposed to the novel Bel Canto while in college, as my advisor was reading it at one point in time, and he suggested I picked it up. Well, nearly four years later, I finally read Bel Canto as a recommendation for this project from one of my supervisors.

The novel is based on the Lima Crisis, and focuses on a group of terrorists who hold high executives and people of high political standing hostage. Set in an unnamed South American country, the story begins at a birthday party thrown at the country's vice presidential home. The party is thrown for Katsumi Hosokawa, the visiting chairman of a large Japanese electronics company called Nansei. Performing is a famous American soprano, Roxane Coss.

Bel Canto explores how the terrorists and hostages cope with living in a house together for several months. Many of the characters form unbreakable bonds of friendship, while some fall in love. What's interesting about this novel, is that the relationships that form are not just between the hostages, but between captor and captive, as well.

The daily activities of the hostages and how they are forced to live for months in a strange place with child terrorists standing guard are described with such detail and care. It almost seems as if nothing really happens in the plot for pages and pages, and within the last few, all of the action takes place.

The novel meticulously reveals the human condition of survival, and allows the reader to get a glimpse of how we could all hope to act if we've found ourselves in a similarly unfortunate situation. It also demonstrates the emotions that can develop if given the chance; in a world where race, language and age aren't the first things we see. Instead, the characters are able to fall in love and appreciate their fellow housemates for who they are and what the believe in, and not based on the color of their skin or the language they speak.

Book #11 - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I decided to read The Great Gatsby because a number of people told me that it was a quick read. When you're trying to read 100 books in a year, and the phrase "quick read" is combined with "classic," you need to jump at the opportunity.

The story follows Nick Carroway, a young Midwestern man who's moved to New York City after college. He then meets Jay Gatsby, his neighbor who is fabulously wealthy and is famous for throwing lavish parties on his sprawling estate. As the novel progresses, we learn that Jay loves Nick's cousin Daisy, whom he met and courted before going off to fight in the war. Daisy is now married to Tom Buchanan, another wealthy man, who cheats on his wife and thinks he is better than those around him.

After an initially awkward reunion, Gatsby and Daisy reestablish their connection and begin an affair. Tom soon becomes suspicious of his wife's relationship with Gatsby and confronts them on a trip to New York City. As they rush back to Long Island when things go awry, the car Daisy is driving accidentally strikes and kills Tom's lover, Myrtle, but Gatsby takes the blame. Myrtle's husband seeks out revenge, and when Tom tells him that Gatsby allegedly killed his wife, he finds and shoots Gatsby in his pool, ending his mysterious and tragic life.

The American lifestyle of the 1920s that The Great Gatsby portrays is eerily similar to the years preceding the recent economy crash of 2008; living in excess, spending beyond our means, wrapped up in questionable morals and a quest for pleasure above all else. Just like Gatsby, Americans no longer value the dreams of discovery, individualism and the pursuit of happiness. Instead, it is about having more money than the next guy, and having better stuff than him, too.

Perhaps we should take Fitzgerald's observations about the changing American Dream to heart. Because look what happened to Gatsby - his desire for money and personal pleasure overtook his more noble goals, and eventually, led to his demise.

Book #10 - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

This book was recommended to me by my Mom, but I had heard about it before she lent it to me to read. The title alone was a somewhat intriguing and it had been popping up on a number of the "Must Read" lists I found online. I'm glad to say that overall, the book did not disappoint either.

At first, it was a little difficult for me to get into the story. This book is set in Sweden, and I often have a hard time relating to stories that take place in a foreign country. Perhaps it's because it takes a little longer for me to create my frame of reference. Just understanding how much items cost is a challenge - how am I supposed to know what the dollar equivalent of a kroner is?

The book tells the story of a journalist, Michael Blomkvist who is commissioned to uncover a mystery within the legendary Vanger family - Sweden's fictitious dynasty family who has fallen from grace as the captain of industry they once were. Blomkvist is asked by the family patriarch to uncover what happened to his niece Harriet. The catch is that the mystery is nearly 40 years old.

As he starts to uncover more pieces to the puzzle, Blomkvist realizes he needs the help of a professional researcher to actually make headway in the case - enter "the girl with the dragon tattoo," Lisbeth Salander. What they discover is a grizzly family secret that changes the family's history forever. I know, I know, you're probably wondering if they find out what's happened to Harriet; to find that out, you're going to have to read the book.

The synopsis I provided is what I think is the best part of the novel. However, in my opinion, the plot was muddied with a number of superfluous story lines - like Blomkvist's recent conviction of libel in an attempt to expose of crooked businessman; or Lisbeth's back story of being raped and a prisoner of the Swedish mental health system. They were somewhat interesting, but I think the heart and the mystery of the story - what happened to Harriet within the twisted web of the Vanger family - is more than capable of standing on its own.

Book #9 - The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich

One of my coworkers read this book a few months ago, so I vowed to keep it on my radar. When I started this challenge, I knew that I needed to read it as one of my non-fiction selections. After finishing, I'm not sure if The Accidental Billionaires should even classify as non-fiction, since I was skeptical as to how much of the story was even true.

The story begins with Eduardo Saverin, who allegedly helped Mark Zuckerburg launch facebook while they were both students at Harvard. You're probably thinking that same thing I was: who in the world is Eduardo Saverin? I've never even heard of him. Then I read that Zuckerburg declined to participate in the writing and research of this book. Big. Red. Flag.

If that wasn't enough, my skepticism kicked into an even higher gear with the tale of the Winklevoss twins, also Harvard students, who claim to have had the idea of facebook before Zuckerburg. They say he stole their program, and The Accidental Billionaires continues to outline the ridiculous measures the Winklevosses take to try and stop Zuckerburg and facebook.

As someone who was in college when facebook was in its infancy, I remember the reasons that made it a success, which are discussed in the book. The privilege you felt by being able to have a facebook account; your university had to be selected by facebook in order to join. There were no high schoolers, no corporations and definitely no parents. I remember a time before the writing on walls and tagging photos. And although it was only a few years ago, to see what facebook has now become, it feels like it's been a lifetime.

If Mark Zuckerburg really did steal others' ideas, shame on him. But more importantly, shame on them for letting him get away with it for five years. I don't think having some third party author write about Zuckerburg's transgressions is the most effective way to tell your story. It didn't make me hate Zuckerburg; heck, it didn't even portray him as the villian in this saga. Instead, The Accidental Billionaires reminded me of a simpler time of social media, before that classification even existed. It made me long for the days in my Denison dorm room, when after the semester's first day of class, you could easily get 50 new facebook friends based on who was in your new set of classes and the voyeuristic feeling was thrilling and new.

Now, it's just part of my daily routine.

Kudos to Mark Zuckerburg, for giving the world the ability, and the social acceptability, to keep tabs on people we actually care about, but more importantly, those we're just nosy to know about.

Book #8 - The 6th Target by James Patterson

I have long been a fan of James Patterson’s novels. This began in high school when my 10th grade English teacher allowed us to select our own books for a reading project, and if I remember correctly, three of my four selections were books by Patterson.

This book, The 6th Target, is the sixth book in the Women’s Murder Club series, which I started reading prior to this 100 book challenge. In the series, a San Francisco police officer, Lindsay Boxer, and her friends – Cindy, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle; Claire, the chief medical examiner, and Yuki, an attorney in the DA’s office – work together to solve murder mysteries in the San Francisco area. I know it’s not groundbreaking literary achievement, but a quick, entertaining read nonetheless.

Patterson has been writing novels with the help of secondary authors for some time, and the quality of his plotlines has noticeably diminished. In this book, there were three crimes that struck the members of the Women’s Murder Club. First, a disturbed homeless man opened fire on a crowded ferry boat, on which Claire happened to be one of his targets. Although she survived, four others were killed, and Yuki took on the case for the DA’s office, trying to prove that the killer was not criminally insane, as his defense was claiming. The second crime focused on the kidnapping and trafficking of wealthy children, which Lindsay worked to resolve and the third involved a crazy tenant living in Cindy’s apartment building who was terrorizing other residents.

In the earlier novels, Patterson would not have muddied the story with so many crimes, unless he was to reveal in the end how they were connected in some interesting, albeit nearly impossible way. But with The 6th Target, I was disappointed that he couldn’t develop one of the crimes enough to make it stand on its own to carry the storyline.

I believe there is a seventh novel in the series, and maybe one day I’ll read it. But for now, I think I’ll try out some new authors and see if they can turn me into a loyal fan, as Patterson once did.