#0042A Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane

I started reading this book and right away when I mentioned to people that I was reading it, I got a lot of "oh...you're reading that?" Of course this was just people's reaction because of the movie. I've gotten mixed reviews of the movie, but the book is usually always better. I've only come across one movie that was better than the book (in my opinion). Anyway, I pushed through it and I'm still not sure of what to think.

Many books written by Dennis Lehane have turned into movies. Usually they turn out pretty good, er well, to be honest I have not seen any of those, nor read any of his books before this one. I can honestly say that after reading the book, that I don't really want to see the movie. The book was pretty predictable, enough that I completely figured out the book entirely before I read through half of it. You hear about this particular story that the character is living, or has lived or whatever and then they go back over it at the end, in more detail, and now I probably won't be able to sleep because of all the horribleness of murder and craziness.

Lehane's writing was straight forward and full of profanity and seriously was quite an easy read. I did not have to think too much because it was so predictable. I don't think I was disappointed with the book. It kept my attention the entire time, it was just mediocre I guess is the correct word. 3 stars

#0041A A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson

Finally finished this one. I think I was on it for at least a month. I did, however, stop to read something else right while I was in the middle of this one. I just had to. I had an overload of information.

Another non-fiction read for me. I really did love the story part of the book. Bryson and his overweight friend Stephen Katz decide to hike the entire Appalachian Trail which is from Georgia to Maine. They would have to hike 2,100+ miles through many states to reach their goal. When he talked about their hiking, I was completely enthralled with the book. He does some sort of a sense of humor, but not as much as everyone told me. I don't think I laughed at loud once through the book, so I was a bit disappointed. The other half of the book was about historical facts of the AT and other stories of how people came across bears, or died different ways hiking through different parts of the trail. I did find a bit of the book to be boring since most of the book was historical facts, but if anything this book made me want to hike more than I do. I would not ever try to hike the AT, just because I can't lift heavy things without hurting myself.

I followed Bryson quite well so his writing was pretty straight forwards and easy to read. I guess I'm getting more and more picky of what I like when it comes to books, but I'm still open to read all different kinds. Anyway, 3 stars for this one too.

#0040A Furies of Calderon - Jim Butcher

I was half way through one book and had to put it down because I grew tired of it and I was handed this one, so I started it right away. I've heard good reviews of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files (which he is known for) and when I looked up his Codex Alera series I got mixed reviews. Since I haven't read any of his books, I could not expect anything with this series and see what I thought about Butcher without any prior knowledge.

I really enjoyed the storyline of Tavi, the only boy of his kind, without a fury (poor kid) and Amara, the girl Cursor. I found myself getting excited to find out that the next chapter was about one of those characters. There were some good fighting scenes and a lot of character development (many had names that started with B). I got to one extremely good chapter, involving Tavi and the Keepers (around chapter 30). Sadly that was the only portion of the book where I couldn't put it down. I guess I'm not into books that deal with politics and war.

I liked the way Butcher used magic in this book and you grow to love certian characters over others. I didn't like that one guy basically died twice and then was brought back to life both times. Even though I liked that particular character, I thought it would have been okay to let one of the main characters die (since this book has 10, and that's probably exaggerating a bit). Just the fact that there is so much going on and nothing terrible happens to anyone is a bit unbelieveable even if it is a fantasy. Butcher also liked to discribe everything completely. He seemed to want you to have no say in what his world is like. That is okay, really. Some authors do not want you "messing up" with how their characters/surroundings look. Audrey Niffenegger is like that as well and I enjoyed her books. And with that, I give it eh, a 2.7-3 stars. I really wished the whole book was more like that one chapter, then it wouldn't have taken me 3 weeks to read this.

#0039A The LIghtning Thief - Rick Riordan

I read this one a few months ago. I haven't gotten around to posting it just because of a life changing decision, but all is well now and I can finally get back to what I love doing. You know me, I love books for 12 year olds. If only there could be this much action in adult books then maybe I would enjoy them more. I choose not to see this in theaters just because of the reviews and really since the book was good I just don't want to ruin it. I really hate that many children don't like reading, especially young boys. I can almost guarantee that any 10-12 year old boy would love this book. There is plenty of excitement, good friendships, and epic battles to make them want to read the rest of the series. 4 stars

#0036-38A - Lemony Snicket

I've decided that I just post more when I finish the series. Finished book the fourth a few days ago. There are 13 books so I'll be reading other books in between the series or I'll get burned out on them, like I did with Harry Potter. Anyway here's an update. The books do seem a bit repetitive with how they jump from relative to relative (I totally agree, Hannah), but each book has some fun adventure. Anyway I'll save more for the end when I dig deeper into the books. (although the book I'm reading now is not in the series.)

Also I side note. I did hear that Lemony Snicket is writing a new book. Don't know if that's totally true, but when I was working in a bookstore that was a rumor. Okay kids, get excited!

#0035A Tuesdays With Morrie - Mitch Albom

This was my first Mitch Albom book. It might be my last though. I knew what I was getting into. Everyone knows Morrie dies at the end. I'm not one for sad stories. To make matters worse is it was a true story. It does have a few good lessons in it. I'm not saying it was a bad book. It was very good. I like how Morrie was portrayed and how you saw how he was even though his body was decaying right before your eyes. Morrie had a great spirit to the end. Maybe I just don't like the kind of "self-help" books. Would this even be in the self-help section? I can see how it could help people take their lives into consideration and change it. This reminded me of the book "The Last Lecture" except Morrie didn't write this. I wonder how it would have been different if Morrie wrote a book about his Tuesdays with Mitch.

Wow, I'm a scatterbrain today. 4 stars

#0034A The Bad Beginning - Lemony Snicket

I was always interested in reading this series. The books are very short and very easy to read...yep a children book. Good stories should not be saved for adults. Even yesterday when I was at a used bookstore I was browsing the teen/kid section and a young girl came up to me and said "uh...you have a kid eh?" Nope, I sure don't, but she was just so utterly shocked that I read "kid" books. Anyway, I've seen the movie and didn't really enjoy it, but I got the entire series for really really cheap and everyone knows that the book is better than the movie.

The Bad Beginning was well written and I love how Lemony Snicket warns you throughout the book that there is no happiness within this book. Although, just the children being able to keep their new "father" away from their money is a good ending in itself. And then there are still 12 more books to the series. I just hope the rest are as good as the first. 4 stars