on down the list

Good morning(ish) friends!

Let’s check back in with my 2011 book challenge shall we? Last time we talked about this challenge, I had challenged myself to read 12 books in 2011 and I was up to 15 (I miscounted and said 14 last time.)

I bumped up the challenge to 24 books this year after passing my original goal of 12, and I just surpassed that! I’ve bumped myself up again to 36 books.

So just what are the other books I’ve read? Here they are, with a little blurb about my impressions about the book. As always, you can check out my entire 2011 list here on goodreads.

#16: Always Something There to Remind Me by Beth Harbison. As I mentioned last time, I won  this on a goodreads first reads giveaway. This book slightly drove me crazy because it has a lot of pop culture references that felt forced and unnatural. The end of the book was WAY too reflective and boring. But – I didn’t hate it. It was okay.

#17: Scot On The Rocks: How I Survived My Ex-Boyfriend’s Wedding With My Dignity Ever-So Slightly Intact by Brenda Janowitz. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read in my life. If you like chick lit, you should absolutely read this book. If you aren’t a huge fan of chick lit, but like funny books – you should still read this. I laughed out loud for at least half of this book and at points I cried I was laughing so hard. It’s definitely very chick lit, but awesome.

#18: One for the Money (Stephanie Plum #1) by Janet Evanovich. I won’t lie, I was intimidated to read this book. Sarah gave it to me to read and it’s part of a 17 part series. I have an addictive personality and getting hooked to a 17 deep series wouldn’t be good for me. This book starts out a little slow, but I absolutely loved it at the end. I am really excited to read the second soon, though it’s not like I have to read it like right now.

#19 Jack With a Twist: Engaging Your Adversary and Other Things They Don’t Teach You in Law School by Brenda Janowitz. This is the sequel to the Scot on the Rocks book. If you loved the first book, you probably won’t like this as much. If you didn’t like the first, you may like this one. They are really really different from each other. Where the first is hilarious and ridiculous, this is more serious and adult with really embarrassing awkward humor (think the office). Still, if you enjoyed the first it’s worth it to hear how the story finishes. I couldn’t put down either of these books!

#20 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Let me preface this by saying, I don’t like science fiction and I don’t like dystopia scenarios. They leave me feeling bitter and angry. However, this book is FABULOUS. Seriously, if you haven’t started the series, what are you waiting for? I couldn’t put this book down and I’m def #TeamPeeta. Sorry y’all.

#21 The Single Girl’s To Do List by Lindsey Kelk. This was a book club read and I loved it! It’s definitely very chick lit and very British. I feel like so many chick lit books have heroines that are ditsy and delusional and childish. This was such a refreshing change, as the main character is not any of those things. She’s anal, responsible and a list maker. I was able to relate to her so much, which is not common for me with chick lit books!

#22 Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. I originally had no intention of reading this book. It came up for book club and I decided to try the audiobook version, as I’ve began listening to audiobooks in the car because I commute so much. This book took me a MONTH to finish on audiobook, which is ridiculous. It’s really long, too long in fact. But the audio narration was awesome and the writing is beautiful. If you are looking for a book that will transform you inside the words written on the page – this is it. I really enjoyed it, save for how it lasted too long at the end.

#23 Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand. Ehhh, this book left A LOT to be desired. It’s very short and a mystery told from several different people’s perspectives. The ending completely pissed me off, but it was readable. This wasn’t a book I stopped reading, but not a book I’d want to read again.

#24 Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella. This is another audiobook and this was awesome! I don’t know that I would have liked the book as much if not for the amazing narration and different voices for the characters. Plus, it’s all read in a British accent! I really loved this book though and was very pleased with it. The plot is totally strange (it involves a ghost) but somehow, it definitely works! Very chick lit.

What I’m reading right now:

Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky – Almost done, but so far nothing special. This was another book club read – though I already had plucked it off the bookswap because the plot sounded original.

Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin. I started this on audiobook yesterday. I have to admit, I’m SO nervous about this book. I love Emily Giffin and I’ve loved her other books. But I am NOT okay with cheating and it strikes me pretty deeply. I’ve been really nervous to read this book!!

Books I started, but abandoned:

Thyroid Power by Richard Shames and Karilee Shames. I wasn’t sure I would finish this book when I started it and I was right. This book was mostly for someone who thought they had hypothyroidism or someone who was recently diagnosed. For someone like me, who has been suffering for 4 years, there wasn’t much new information here. I even tried one of the dietary changes I read about in this book, which ultimately sent my body into shock and made me feel AWFUL. It could be good for a newbie, but nothing groundbreaking that I read.

Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen. This was a book club read that everyone in my club ranted and raved about. However, I just couldn’t get into the book and didn’t understand the lead character. Basically – this woman’s husband dies for 4 minutes and comes back and wants to change his life completely. There is a LOT of BS going on in their lives, but the wife is less than excited about his changes. I couldn’t relate, at all, to the wife and she infuriated me. I gave it 100 pages before I returned it to the library and called it quits. A lot of people said the ending was fantastic, so if you can stick it out – it seems to be worth the read.

Books coming up I’m excited about: These are on my to-read list and I can’t wait to read them!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. This is next and obviously I’m going into it #TeamPeeta! I just landed Mockingjay off the bookswap, which was a necessity before I started this book because I’ve heard about the epic cliffhanger.

Ugley Business by Kate Johnson. This is the sequel to the I Spy? book I read a few months ago. I have it on the kindle, so I’m excited to read it with the other two books in the series when I go to Philly/NYC. I’m only bringing my kindle so it will give me time to read!

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich. This is the second Stephanie Plum book and I’m super excited to read it soon, once I get it from Sarah.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I’ll be honest, I have seen a lot of people reading this book. I never knew what it was about or was interested in reading it until I saw the movie trailer. I love reading books then seeing the movie, so I’m really excited to read this! I have it on hold at the library right now!

What books are you reading right now? Have you read any of these or have any recommendations of other books I should read?