Booked

I've always been an avid reader, but have gone through phases.  If I'm very busy with work or school, I don't have much time to leisurely read.  I would usually wait till the summers and then read non-stop.  When I became a stay-at-home mom, I realized I had more time to read than ever before.  At first, I would read while feeding Marco... mostly in the middle of the night because I didn't want to make noise with other forms of entertainment.  If I would turn on the TV, the bright lights and noise would stimulate him too much and then it took me even longer to get back to bed.

 

Since I was on a reading high, I decided to be motivated and give myself a 2010 goal.  I declared that I would read 50 books during the course of 2010, so roughly one book per week.  I'm sad to say, I'm going to fail.  I did not foresee the fact that once Marco stopped feeding at night and dropped down to one nap a day, I just wouldn't have the time to read the way I used to.  But, I haven't given up.  I'm just going to try and read as many books as possible... even though I wont make my 50, it'll still be more than I've ever done in the past.  

I'm on book 26 right now, and to commemorate my half-way mark, I thought I'd write a little book review. Here are my TOP 5 picks of 2010.  

#5:  Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

Usually it's safe to say that the book will always be better than the movie, but in this case, I felt that they were both pretty equal.  The movie was incredibly true to the book.  So, if you haven't seen the movie, pick up the book first.  And, if you're not a reader, then just watch the movie... it's really great!

#4:  The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I really loved this story.  It's told from three different women's points of view, and each one is written so dynamically that it's easy to visualize their circumstances.  This book made me laugh out loud, and cry.  It is a real page turner and gives you a good insight into the lives of black maids in the South during a segregated time.  

#3:  Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Another great story, about a traveling circus in the 1930's.   There's suspense, violence, love and loss.  I was crying from the very first chapter, but it's not a sappy story.  The story is told by the perspective of the circus' veterinarian, who is recalling from where he is in present day; a 90 year old nursing home patient.  Beautiful story.  And, the movie should be coming out sometime next year, starring none other than hottie, Robert Pattinson.  Looks like a winner to me. 

#2:  The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

This is the first Young Adult (YA) fiction I write about.  I love YA and often read it, but usually it comes across as slightly shallow, although fun.  YA just isn't always something that hangs with you... that you remember weeks, months and years later.  But this story does!  The Book Thief takes place in Nazi Germany, and singles out the life of a girl who lives with an anti-Nazi family.  It helps us to remember that not ALL Germans were sucked into the propaganda, and sheds light on the danger they faced on a daily basis.  Because, what's worse than a Jew?... a German loving Jew.  The story is most interestingly told by the perspective of Death, (not the Grim-Reaper), who takes a harmless interest in this girls life and keeps a watchful eye on her.  This story is funny, heavy, beautiful an heart-breaking at once.  

#1:  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The truth is, this is a trilogy.  You WILL NOT be able to just read the first installment.  But, lucky for you, all 3 have already been released, so you wont have to wait.  I think all 3 parts of this trilogy are worthy to be on my TOP 5, however, I didn't want to leave out my other choices.  

This is another YA Fiction, but it's simply brilliant!  It's set in the future of America... where the USA no longer exists, but another country has taken it's place, Panem.  It's a dictatorship, where the Capitol exercises their control by keeping the people under their thumb.  Most of the population lives in poverty and are governed under strict authority.  Each year, the Capitol selects one boy and one girl from each district to take part in a "fight-to-the-death", called The Hunger Games.  These books will shock you.  This is definitely a story that will be admired and read for years to come.    

So, there you have it... my TOP 5 of 2010... so far.  I intend on updating my blog with 5 book reviews at a time.  If you're interested in reading any more of my reviews of the other 20 books I've read this year... the good, the bad and the horrific... become my friend on GoodReads.