Chocolat

by Joanne Harris

I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. I am a huge fan of reading books that make great movies, and normally I enjoy the books more, but not in this case. Maybe it is Johnny Depp and Judi Dench that seal the deal for me. Either way, this is a book blog, so to tell you a little bit about this book.

Vianne is an amazing character. My favorite part about the book is the beauty and life she brings to the village. Her relationship with her daughter and how that relationship then correlates with the way she felt about her mother speaks to any and all who have ever had a moment in time when that particular area of our life did not go as planned. This is also true for the relationship between Armande and Caroline. Joanne Harris makes it apparent that we need to take chances and be free, which I applaud, but overall this was a good, not great book. My vote, watch the movie. Roux is goregous!

I am the Messenger

by Markus Zusak

I finished reading this book last night. I thought to put books from last year on first, but this one is fresh in my mind, so it gets the top spot.

Ed Kennedy, the loveable and pitiable hero of this novel makes you want to keep reading. After an unlikely bank robbery goes wrong, Ed begins to get Aces out of a deck of cards that force him into helping (and sometimes hurting) those he comes in contact with. I wanted Ed to succeed, and to find the things that make him better. He reminds me of people in my life that I have seen not living up to their potential, and his failures and triumphs are very real. Every page brings a new challenge for Ed, and leaves the reader anticipating the next Ace. Markus Zusak brings love, anticipation, anger, frustrations, sadness and success to his characters in a beautiful way.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. Mr Zusak has given me insight into life and this is the second of his novels that I have read and been impressed with. (You WILL see his name again...)I would recommend this book for many reasons: it is inventive, creative, true to life, sad, joyous, and I loved it!! Enjoy!! (I sure did)

get to reading!

If you know me...you know that I absolutely love reading. I mean, I will read and read and read..it is one of my favorite things to do. I love the journey it takes you on. As much as I love movies, which is a lot, I truly enjoy the movie that happens in my head when I read a book. The characters come to life, and my imagination takes them places. With a good book in my hand, sleep, food and basically life is not important until the journey has come to an end. There are so many books I read last year, and it is such a shame that I only thought to make a blog now. So I may have to retroactively add some fantastic books I read last year, and then continue on with the great books I have yet to read. I hope you enjoy. I welcome thoughts and ops. Just to start I will list a few of my favorite books that I did not read for the first timelast year, but that are spectacular and have brought me joy: (I think most speak for themselves, but if you want to know more about one, please ask)
*Pride and Prejudice
*To Kill a Mockingbird
*Harry Potter Series (5-7 are my faves)
*The Book of Mormon
*No Doubt About It (by Sheri Dew)
*Standing for Something (Gordon B. Hinckley)
*The Scarlet Pimpernel

This list is in no way all-inclusive, but these are books that I think need no further accolades from me. I love them. They are great. The end. :) Well, I am on to blogging about books I love, and maybe ones I don't. Read on.