#0033A I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

I was so completely surprised. I Am Legend is absolutely nothing like the movie. I mean you have the same dry plot of some undead creature is out to kill the last human. That is it. That is the only similarity. I seriously could not put the book down. I'm not one for horror books, but this one wasn't really scary. I mean I do confess that in one part of the book Robert was getting chased and my phone rang and I jumped pretty violently, but that's it. This book caught me from the beginning and I knew I wouldn't be able to get any of my schooling done before I finished.

I really don't want to talk about it too much, but just know that the movie does not do this book justice. Even if the movie had the amazing Will Smith in it. This is one of the few books that after I finished it I just sat there in awe thinking about the book as a whole. This is the best vampire book out there. Forget Twilight. This is how vampires are suppose to be. 5 stars

#0032A Ellen Foster - Kaye Gibbons

First book of the new year. It literally took me a month and a half to read it. It was only 126 pages. Add a new online class, moving, and not wanting to really read it to begin with in the picture and that's why it took a month and a half. I was told this book was amazing.....eh. I found out that I don't like "southern" books. Even though I am "southern" it is still hard for me to keep up. I don't like being reminded about the southern stereotypes and whatnot.

I guess I don't like sad book either unless I am in need of a good cry, in this case I wasn't. It was sad and hopeful, I would guess. Ellen is a young child whose mother killed herself and her father beat her and drank himself to death. She was passed around like an old toy and no one seemed to like her. I, on the other hand, liked Ellen. I liked her spunk and personality. She was usually optimistic about things even through all the crap she was dealing with. That's probably the only thing I liked. I just kept thinking about what else could possibly happen to little ol' Ellen. I can't remember what I originally gave this book, in terms of stars, so I'll give it a solid 3 stars just because it wasn't an awful book, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

#0031 The Mysterious Benedict Society - Trenton Lee Stewart

No matter what age I am, I will always enjoy children books.

Reynie is a very bright child that is living in an orphanage. One day during this study time with a special tutor he finds an ad in the paper saying "ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD LOOKING FOR SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES?" He ends up seeking the ad out and children from all over are asked to take ridiculous exams. Only four make it through. The four children are asked by Mr. Benedict to go on a wild adventure and stop Mr. Curtain, who is ahead of a extremely unusual school, before he destroys the world. You can follow the children through all the obstacles they go through and even help them out solving all the different mysteries!

Mr. Benedict's Society is hilarious and it's packed with so much adventure. This series is flying off the shelves at work. All kinds of kids are eating the books up. Amazing start for new author Trenton Lee Stewart! I can't wait until I read the 2nd book of the series! 5 stars

#0030A Push - Sapphire

Precious is an illiterate, 16 year old girl who is trying to gain more of herself and her life. Her mother beats her, her father rapes her and she is pregnant with his 2nd child. The principal calls her out and expels her from school because she is pregnant. That was the best thing that could have happened to her. She signs herself up to take classes so she can finish her GED. Her teacher, Blue, has them write about anything they want in a notebook everyday so they can get better at reading and writing. Precious has so much drive and she really inspired me. Even though all the crap that was going on in her life she kept pushing on to one day make it better for herself and her son.

I loved the writing style. The book starts out where you know that Precious is thinking. Later on in the book when she is learning to write you get broken words and sentences and you can see how she progresses in school by the further you read. It was a great book, horrible circumstances, but well written. 4 stars

#0029A New Moon - Stephenie Meyer

I know, I know. I'm embarrassed to say I like them.

All Stephenie Meyer's books are easy to read and easy to fall into. This is the second time I've read this book, only because the movie comes out and blah. I am; however, glad that I reread this book. The first time I felt like I skimmed it more than read it just because I knew what happened and I was just waiting for Edward to come back into the story. That's like half the book being skimmed. I told myself this time to slow down and read everything and not to get ahead of myself. I got every detail in this time. And I didn't really see that much of a relationship between Bella and Jacob. I mean, yeah he's a good friend or whatever, but their connection is really not as strong as the movie looks like it will be.

I only plan to reread those books when the movies are about to come out. So, beware.

#0028A Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney

Oh me. I just had to read this book. Every kid that walked into the store that I work at goes straight over to Diary of a Wimpy Kid display. They are reading all these books up like candy. I just read this while I was on my break at work.

Greg is in middle school and is definitely not in the "popular crowd" At least he has his best pal Rowley, even though he thinks Rowley is quite dumb. This book is just like a diary of a young boy with pictures on every page. It grabs his thoughts about halloween, the school play, and a big stinky piece of cheese that sits outside on the basketball court that seems to never leave.

I thought this book was really cute. Whatever gets the kids to read, I'm down with. Greg sometimes has a bad attitude, but then when doesn't a middle schooler have that? This is for kids around the ages 8-12 and perfect for both boys and girls. I've always liked kid's books :) 5 stars

#0027A Waiter Rant - Steve Dublancia

I was just handed this book and told to read it. Since I used to be a waiter I was definitely interested. I have loads of stories about horrible customers and about some coworkers in the food business. I connected with Steve like I never had with an author. I felt his pain and worry throughout the whole book. It could have been me writing.

Steve became a waiter just as a temporary job while he was trying to get back on his feet. It turned out to be a long six year, tormented career. He explains through all of the different sides of a restaurant business and adding the customers into the mix. He does explain a few stories: dealing with drunken slobs who bring in a different stripper a week to meeting the famous. He talks about how to leave a correct tip, and how not to act in a restaurant. I wish that I had not waited tables so I could get the whole feel for the book. It would have definitely opened my eyes to see what exactly goes on in a restaurant business.

By the end of the book, I got quite annoyed at him. Taking the last rush of people and sitting them in his section because the other servers are a little more busy than him. He thought he was helping them out, but really he was stealing money from the other servers. That is like rule #1 in waiting tables. There is a rotation for a reason. I also hoped that there would be more stories about the difficult/happy times while serving. But I guess I just have to go to his blog for that. 4 stars