25. At First Sight

I say this with clinched teeth and rolling eyes: Nicholas Sparks is a guilty pleasure. But I still hate him. As long as he keeps writing, I'll keep reading but that doesn't mean I have to like it! I'm making it positively clear that just because I liked one book does not mean he's my favorite author. I'm that serious y'all. This is a one time thing.

Okay, you know those books that make you tear up on the final page and you close the book with a smile on your face and with a satisfied feeling in your heart go eat a brownie? This isn't one of those books. I cried. Girl. I CRIED. Deep sobs came out of me. I wasn't expecting that to happen. Who knew I had a heart?!?!

I know I rant all the time about Mr. Sparks' poor sentence structure and his ridiculously cliche story lines (why rehash?) but this book is very different. I didn't see that twist coming by a long shot and by the time it happened- I was so invested in the characters that my heart hurt for them! It really hurt. I felt like I broke up with somebody... or at the very least got snubbed at the Oscars.

This was a good one. It should come with this warning though: Do not read this book if you are pregnant, want to become pregnant, are on on the pill or have a weak heart.

I'm serious about the wanting to become pregnant part. I'm not sure I have the stomach to be pregnant for 9 months knowing what all can go wrong. Ugh... I need to go write about another book now. This one cut me deep.

Oh, and the sentence structure was way better. I felt like I was reading Nicholas Sparks For Grown-ups.

25/52 Books (Currently 14 behind... Oops!)
6857 Pages Read + 1 Mystery Book

24. Shop Girl

"Every party has a pooper that's why we invited you, George Banks! George Banks!"

455 cool points if you can name the movie. 2 more if you can tell me who George Banks is. If you have no idea, you need a serious weekend with some Cherry Garcia ice cream and the Father of the Bride movies. Seriously. Like Dirty Dancing and the Bring It On movies, and A Cinderella Story with Hillary Duff - I can watch Annie Banks get married and her father freak out over and over and over again. Why is this important? Because Steve Martin write books.

What? You didn't know? It's okay. I didn't either- but in my obsessive need to carry out my New Years Resolution (because, well, I never have) I decided to look for the shortest book on my self and it happened to be written by non other than Mr. Martin himself.

So how is he as an author? A little lewd, but it's 2010 and who isn't? But other than that - he's fantastic! He voices something that has been going through my mind over and over these past few weeks - the fact that Men are from Pluto and Women are from Earth.

Martin does an incredible job of dissecting the way the human mind works and the differences between the thought processes of men and women. We've all be then there- a member of the opposite sex tells us one thing and we choose to believe something completely different, all while they firmly believe we see their point exactly like they do. And then the world explodes. It really isn't one gender's fault, or the other's- but it certainly leads to awkward moments and sometimes intense embarrassment. Admit it. You've been there. The only girl who's world is perfect is Barbie's and her arms don't bend.

But what I absolutely love is this: Martin has a keen and honest way of letting us know that no matter how embarrassed or awkward or painful or desperate we are- every chapter ends and new ones begin and ultimately- everything ends up okay - even if life does throw you a few curves and creeps along the way.

This is also a movie. Have you seen it?

24/52 Books (Currently 15 behind... Oops!)
6580 Pages Read + 1 Mystery Book

23. ??????

I started a new job the end of August... I also started a new book during that time and while it was a great read, I cannot remember what the book was, nor what it was about. I had placed it aside with The Secret of the Lonely Grave to review when I had some spare time and it has disappeared off my night stand.

I will keep searching and when it is found- I will review it. I have no doubts it will turn up as soon as I stop searching, but in the mean time- you get a lame post about how I lose stuff and I have A.D.D. which strongly overpowers my O.C.D. and I'm scatterbrained and I can't remember what I read even though it probably was several hundred pages worth.

I wanna say it was about a lake, or a beach, or a vacation... Water? Maybe? It could be it was about a beach house, but there is no telling. Or maybe I just want to go to there. (30 Rock anyone?!?!) For all I know I read about the Ninja Turtles. Leonardo is my favorite by the way... Our names start with the same letter.

23/52 Books (Currently 16 behind... Oops!)
6450 Pages Read + 1 Mystery Book

22. The Secret Of The Lonely Grave

I get it, it's been quite some time since I posted, but I promise- I've been reading! (When I can anyway!) A few weeks back I grabbed a random book off my shelf and to my surprise it was set in Cadiz, Kentucky- a town I drive through when I travel the 90 miles between my current city of residence and my hometown.

I'll admit Cadiz is NOT my favorite place. Reason 1.) He's an ex and he's from there. What better reason do I need? But alas, there is another. Reason 2.) The first and only time (Knock on Wood) I ever got pulled over was right on 68-80. Thanks Mr. Policeman for the warning. I promise, I'll drive 54 through town from now on. Oh, and then there is the pesky problem of rarely having any cell phone service, but that's hardly a reason not to like a city. Is it?

Despite my dislike for the town - I still think there are quaint and adorable aspects to the area- especially as you near Lake Barkley- and I found it pretty cool that an author would pick this touristy little hot spot as the setting for his Civil War-based mystery. The Secret of the Lonely Grave wasn't all that long so it didn't take much time to skip through this cute little novel. In fact, it was incredibly suspenseful, and VERY believable and that made it a fantastic read.

Unlike the Lurlene McDaniel book I reviewed a while back that was very tacky and filled with sexual innuendos, this book would be great for the middle school crowd. I found it so educational that, at 25, I learned things about the Civil War that I didn't know or understand! The author went through great lengths to not only explain the underground railroad but also give a modern voice to those who faced it's horrors.

Having discussed history in depths today with a fellow history buff, I find it not only interesting but essential to keep an eye on the past. How else will we know where we are going if we don't know where we have been?

P.S. The Secrets of the Lonely Grave was written by Albert A. Bell Jr. and looks to be published by a private company, Claystone Books, so you might have to search to find it- but I highly recommend that you do! (It is listed on Amazon!)

22/52 Books (Currently 17 behind... Oops!)
6450 Pages Read.

21. Love In The Time Of Cholera

"Let me stay here" he said "there was soap."

I keep trying to find words worthy of this novel. Rich, handsome, elegant, unrivaled, pure... they don't even begin to scratch the surface. I feel like nothing I say could begin to tell you how this story affected me, how it made me feel.

Many novels I have read this year have had the central theme of love- stories that take modern twists on fairy tales, stories of jilted lovers, crazy love triangles and desperate women fighting to keep their men... this story, so elegantly crafted by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, is unlike any of those I've previously written about. It is the story of a man so in love with a woman he spends his life in preparation for his chance to love her.

Letter exchanged between Florentino and Fermina create a deep connection between the two young people and over the years this connection creates a deep longing that soon turns to love and the promise of marriage, but like so many women throughout history, Fermina believed in a fairy tale. She was looking for a love that was enchanting and when the fairy dust settled and the enchantment faded, she denied the first man she ever truely loved.

The lifetime of pain they feel while they lead their seperate but entertwinced lives is a beautiful tale of true love. It was difficult. It was raw and it was real.

She sees him from afar, but is married to someone else. Her youthful love for him never quite leaving her alone. She sees him in the streets, she feels his presence in Mass, she thinks about him when her marriage feels so far removed from her that she sees herself an outsider looking in. She hates both her husband and Florentino because she loves them both. She wants to be the faithful wife to her husband. She submits to his whims, she lives her life dutifully at his side- yet... something is missing.

Fermina Daza stopped smoking in order not to let go of the hand that was still in hers. She was lost in her longing to understand. She could not conceive of a husband better than hers had been, and yet when she recalled their life she found more difficulties than pleasures, too many mutual misunderstandings, useless arguments, unresolved angers. Suddenly she sighed: "Its incredible how one can be happy for so many years in the midst of so many squabbles, so many problems, damn it, and not really know if it was love or not.

Florentino Azazi spends his nights seeking solace in the beds of other women- finding ways to push Fermina from his mind when her memory burns him at the core. He spends his days fighting for a place in the world- making a name for himself- just so she will notice. Each step he takes is deliberate. Each moment is for her.

And they are both secretly waiting for the moment her husband, who she also cares for deeply passes away... and when he does- fifty-one years, nine months, and four days after Florentino Aziza first declares his love for Fermina Daza- he does so again.

This love story is epic and beautiful and wonderful. I took two weeks to finish it because I honestly didn't want it to end. And at first, I didn't understand the title, but slowly I began to realized the love these two shared infected each other, it infected those around them - each person throughout their lives- each person they touched and made part of their love story. Their love ate at them, it made them feverish, it made them act in a way they never would have acted if the love was not consuming their hearts and minds. Their love was an epidimic- just like cholera.

21/52 Books (Currently 12 behind... Oops!)
6299 Pages Read.

20. The Four Temperaments

A friend and I were recently discussing that when a relationship is forced to an end- there are much worse things than being cheated on. Now, if you've never experienced such things than I hope you never do... but for those of you who have had a betrayal worse than unfaithfulness you know exactly what I'm talking about.

When I picked up The Four Temperaments by Yona Zeldis McDonough recently, I purchased it for one reason: The plot called for a mother's extreme measures to retaliate against the unfaithful behavior of both her husband and her son... with the same woman. Whether or not its a classy thing to admit- sometimes it just feels good to see people get what is coming to them. The teaser didn't tell me whether or not the revenge was against one of the men in her life, or the girl they'd managed to fall for but I thought maybe she kidnapped the woman, or maybe even killed her...

Turns out this book was way better than the twisted plot of a modern day soap opera... only it wasn't that dramatic. There were very few tense moments when a spouse lingers out side a door while sins are taking place on the other side. There were no moments when parties fear they may be found out. There was no insane climactic moment when all involved realize what is going on- instead this story was very... real.

This story didn't just center around the cheating and the nasty details of who said and did what, instead it very thoroughly explored what I was talking about earlier- that betrayal that is worse than cheating... that feeling that your family is falling apart at the hand of someone else and everything you've ever done in your life is truly in vain.

It felt as if I was talking to a friend who was experiencing this horrible twist of fate... only her husband and her son were confiding in me also, as was her daughter-in-law and the mistress! All five subjects faced and handled the infidelity differently and throughout the entire book I kept trying to place the blame... yes the father seems rational because he was the one who first brought the woman into his home- but he was just being nice and offering a new co-worker a hot meal with his family. The son also seems logical to hate and distrust because he knowingly and willingly cheated on his wife in his parent's home. Penelope, the daughter-in-law also offers incredibly undesirable qualities that leave you angry and frustrated but then there is that underlying sadness you feel for her as well, learning about her past and then the moment she realizes she is going to change and win her husband back. And you certainly want to hate the mistress.... but I could NEVER bring myself to dislike her. Yes, she knew full and well what she was doing. Yes she understood the complications and the implications of her actions..and she still never stopped. However, I did sense this insane longing to belong, this feeling you learn she's had since childhood to understand why she is the way she is and this need to fill a hole she isn't even sure exists in her heart.

This book offered a glimpse into the unfortunate world of cheating in a way that I'd never thought of before- in most cases- everyone plays their parts. They offer reasons to be distrusted or disliked or allow themselves to become pawns in a game. While I don't believe everyone woman is guilty of such things- I know in my case I believed what I wanted to believed and now looking back, it doesn't shock me one bit that it happened. I can't blame him any more than I can blame myself.

I think this novel is certainly one worth reading - not only is the storyline intricate and beautiful but the setting of the New York Ballet offers an even more delicate and dangerous undertone to this story. You guys remember that movie Center Stage that came out several years ago? This story, in a way, made me remember the simplicity and the air of mystery that film produced. (Don't make fun of me, yes it was a low budget flick... but its still one of my favorites!)

This is a novel you should add to your list!


20/52 Books (Currently 11 behind... Oops!)
5951 Pages Read.

19. My Secret Boyfriend

Who doesn't love a little trip down memory lane? Today during a trip to a local book store (read my last post) I came across a book by Lurlene McDaniel. No joke, I seriously think I read every one of her books that I could get my hands on in middle school. If you don't remember who she is- this might help; EVERY book I ever read by her centered around a teenager with a medical issue. Some of the main characters had debilitating illnesses while other stories focused on families that were dealing with a terminal illness or the loss of a loved one. They sound incredibly depressing but I assure you they were not! Unlike other books that were popular during that time: Baby sitters club, Saddle Club etc... they focused on the fact that life isn't always perfect and doesn't always turn out like you want. I think her books taught me some valuable lessons during my early teen years.

I came across this book My Secret Boyfriend while my friend Mark and I were discussing the fact that the Twilight series and other popular books are way too mature for the age groups reading them. It really bothers me that the themes of these and other novels are so sexual in content and the authors, readers and reviewers are so nonchalant about it. Little kids are reading these things and getting who knows what ideas in their heads! During this conversation my eyes landed on this McDaniel novel and I scooped it off the shelf. "These books are good." I told him "Nothing wrong here!" I wanted to enjoy a little book while I was sipping my coffee, and since this one was over 100 pages I considered it fair game to add to my blog, so I jumped in.

Boy, have my tastes in literature changed in the last decade! First of all, this book was about a girl in the 8th grade... and while it was spot on for 8th grade drama it was still shocking to realize how silly we all were back then! Basically the gist of the story is this: A girl comes back to school after summer vacation to find everyone has boyfriends except for her, so she lies and says she has one too. She uses a picture of a boy her mom knows as proof of his existence... but ironically his parents divorce and he and his mother move in with the girl's family while they get back on their feet. Not only does she have to keep the lie of their relationship from him, but she must also deal with the fact she really doesn't like him all that much. Cute premise right?

It was an interesting story with all the right characters: the supportive best friend, the annoying little brother and the gossiping boyfriend stealer.... but this book had something that shocked the socks off me. It was something that I was certainly wasn't expecting.... Brace yourselves Lurlene McDaniel lovers, mothers of 'tweens and people who want to protect your children from the likes of Twilight and all things mature: This book was BRIMMING with sexual innuendos! On several occasions I stopped and made Mark read what I'd just read as proof that I wasn't going crazy. Were these innuendos in her writing all along? Was I just too naive to notice? What happened to the feel good stories that filled my life in middle school and made me feel like the world was going to be alright??!?! What is the world coming to?!?!?!

Lurlene McDaniel, I am shocked at your behavior! Here I was defending you and saying how much better your books were for young people today and here you go and disappoint me! I'm totally bummed! This was like the day I found out Ann M. Martin was just a name given to all the people who actually wrote for Baby Sitter's Club. I feel robbed of my childhood.

You're going to go reread all her books now aren't you?

19/52 Books (Currently 11 behind... Oops!)
5644 Pages Read.