Freedom - Jonathan Franzen

I think it's taken me about 2 months to read this book - at least.

When I saw that it was an Oprah pick and I heard her rave about it, I thought "What the heck".  (Yes, I really did think that).

 So I bought the book and dug in, but not for long.  I didn't like it.  I couldn't keep track of who anyone was (my deficiency, I'm sure, and not Mr. Franzen's).  I thought it was unnecessarily crude and I couldn't figure out why ANYone would choose this as a book club "pick".

BUT... I trudged on... searching for the nugget that I was obviously missing.

As I trudged along, I ran into one morally bankrupt character after another... except for Walter - at least for a while. I didn't  find most of the characters very interesting.  They were more like cardboard cutouts with no real dimension;  in most cases, based on some stereotype or another.  And by the way, is it necessary to portray all Christians as judgmental and hypocritical?  Really??  (Not that we ran into many of those in this saga of unlikeable wackos)

I didn't quit, though. Not me.  I kept holding on for the nugget. 

Finally... after long hours (that I will never get back....)

:::: drum roll ::::

I finished the book.

Guess what?  No nugget.  Not really.

Well.. that may be harsh.   After I plowed through about 80% of the book, I finally got more involved with the story (in spite of the characters) - loved some of the writing - started to wonder what would  become of Patty and Walter - and I liked the ending. 

Mid-way through the book I would have barely given it one "Good Read", but by the end, I was feeling a little more generous. 

I ended up with a rating of 3 "Good Reads".

Did you read it?  What did you think of it?

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Rainwater - Sandra Brown

I loved the book.  I hated the book.  I loved the book.  I hated the book.

In the first couple of pages I discovered a single mom running a boardinghouse, her son who appears to be severely mentally handicapped, and a boarder who is dieing.  The setting is depression-era Texas.  I should have put the book down.  "Step away from the book."

I'm a fan of the "happy book" and this was obviously not a "happy book".  BUT... it was not a depressing book.  Go figure.

This was a very meaty book (no pun intended) with - an insight into the time period - a rotten villain - a strong hero - lots of great stuff.

Within 10 pages I was hooked.  It was a typically predictable romance novel with some typically predictable elements, but.. so what, ya' know???

I loved it! (I hated it!)  *sigh*

It's a quick read.  I recommend it and give it 3 "Good Reads".

The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown

Wow!  Dan Brown has surely mastered the art of the "page turner".  Every time I put the book down to take a break, I changed my mind within 15 seconds and picked it back up again. 

I read "Angels and Demons" and "The DaVinci Code" and loved them both, but I think I liked this one even more.  That could be because my reading tends to be 'in the moment' and I love whatever I'm reading at the time.  But... maybe not. 

I thought the violence was extreme, but... well... I get it.  It's that kind of book.  Still, I know that when the movie comes out (there WILL be a movie, right?) I'll be sitting there with my eyes covered.   I'll have to take someone with me to let me know when it's okay to look.  (Richard... are you in?)

The twist almost knocked me off the couch.  Maybe I should have seen it coming, but I didn't.  From that point on, there was not even a pretense of putting the book down before I was finished.  I had to get to the end!!!

Did you read it?  What did you think?

I'm giving it 5 "Good Reads"!!  Definitely... if you haven't read it already... read it!

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Have A Little Faith - Mitch Albom

Well, I just finished reading "Have A Little Faith" by Mitch Albom and I loved it!

I love the way Mr. Albom writes.  There is a flow and rhythm to his writing that makes me hate to put the book down.

"Tuesdays With Morrie" is still my favorite Mitch Albom book (didn't like "The Five People You Meet In Heaven") but this one was very good.

I think one of the things I like best about this story (like Morrie) is that it's true. People are amazing - just the way they are.   Two men - of different generations - of different faiths - of different backgrounds - yet how very much alike they were!

The initial point of the book was that Mitch's Rabii asked him to provide the eulogy at the Rabii's eventual funeral.  So, of course, the eulogy was at the end of the book.  But... after all that... it was just okay.  The epilogue was by far better than the eulogy, but maybe that's just because it's always hard to live up to the hype - and the whole book was preparation for the eulogy. 

I don't want to give too much away. I would recommend this one strongly - 4 Good Reads!

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The Secret - Rhonda Byrne

The "Book" area of my blog is way behind. I don't think I can catch up, so I guess I'll start again and go from here, but with a little different format - a posting for each book (hoping for comments and feedback). 

I'm re-reading "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne at the moment.  Have you read it?  What are your thoughts about it?  I've read it, but I have to say I'm struggling with it a little bit.  I think I need to read it again - maybe slower this time. 

It seems to me that there is some validity to the whole "law of attraction" thing but it also seems to me that the book really over reaches.  

3 Good Reads for me.  What do you think?

Killing Bridezilla - Laura Levine

This has been one of "those" weeks. I was so tired and achy today, that I spent the entire day on the couch - naps - watching movies - making a few pieces of jewelry. I need one more day on the weekend (until I get it and then I'll need TWO extra days) - two to rest and one to do something productive. Oh well! Productivity is over-rated anyway. :)

I'm reading "Killing Bridezilla" (a Jane Austen Mystery) by Laura Levine. It's "okay" - not great. I was tired, though of tragic, scarey murders and opted for a murder with humor this time. (insert chuckle) I seem to "genre hop" a lot. The only thing I'm (fairly) consistent about is my lack of interest in Fantasy and Science Fiction. I keep telling myself I'm going to read the Harry Potter series, but it really doesn't interest me. Well! I just solved THAT problem.

2 Good Reads for  Bridezilla.

One of the advantages of being "my age" is that somewhere along the line I've granted myself the right to curmudgeon status. I now have the self-given right to dislike anything I choose without explanation or excuse. What do you think? Will that work???