Cecilia's comments (member since Feb 20, 2008)

Cecilia's comments from the 50 Books A Year group.

Just Finished: Haven't Updated in awhile

# 53 Still Alice by Lisa Genova

This was a very sad story. It is hard to imagine that your life can be robbed from you by your own mind. I now forever am thinking I have EOAD. This book haunts my everyday.

# 54 All Souls by Christine Schutt

FINISHED FINALLY!

Took forever and only my own stubbornness forced me to finish this book at all.

It seemed to me that the author had a story in her head and just could not get it down on paper. The characters were not fully developed, I wanted to know so much more. I wanted to understand the relationships better. I wanted to understand motivations. Not one of the characters touched me, made me think, or even made me have an approving or disapproving opinion about them.

#55 The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

I saw the movie first and was so upset I threw up. I really hate to admit this, but what really had me most upset was my reaction. The Holocaust is history. I knew before opened the book what was going to happen to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I accepted it. I did not expect anything to happen to Bruno. I cried not for both children but for one. I felt the pain of the wrong family. I was disgusted with myself for it. I ordered the book from the library the next day, and glad I did.

...more I saw the movie first and was so upset I threw up. I really hate to admit this, but what really had me most upset was my reaction. The Holocaust is history. I knew before opened the book what was going to happen to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I accepted it. I did not expect anything to happen to Bruno. I cried not for both children but for one. I felt the pain of the wrong family. I was disgusted with myself for it. I ordered the book from the library the next day, and glad I did.

The book focused on the Bruno, and not his family. His naive view of the fence and Schumel's life beyond was due to his family's ability to simply ignore what they knew was wrong. So much that they ignored the obvious when Bruno himself disappeared.

The book did not spark the same emotions as I had from the movie, who knows maybe I was braced for it. The book did make me open my eyes wider and not just accept history, but to constantly remind myself that what happened was horrible and it can never happen again. Sadly it does.

Currently Reading:

# 56 Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo

Just Finished:

#51 Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

The first part of this book was very compelling, but then it just started to lose momentum for me and though the author tried to get it back, she got too caught up in the character of Julia, and she was not as compelling as Sarah. I would love to give this one more star for the story content, but that too was not maintained through to the end.

#52 The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

I really liked the style of the story, simple and compelling. The main character naivete was so refreshing, even though he tried so hard to hide it in his storytelling to Wen Jiabao, that even though he describe horrible situations I found it hard to suppress more than a few giggles.

Currently Reading:

# 53 Still Alice by Lisa Genova

I have reached my initial goal of 50 books, now I am going to try to reach my next goal of 70, two more books than I read last year. :-)

January
1. Testimony by Anita Shreve
2. Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson
3. New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) by Stephenie Meyer
4. Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3) by Stephenie Meyer
5. Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) by Stephenie Meyer
6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
7. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
8. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

February
9. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
10. People of the Book: A Novel by Geraldine Brooks
11. Mistress Shakespeare by Karen Harper
12. The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory

March
13. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson, Gabrielle Charbonnet
14. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
15. American Wife: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld
16. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
17. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
18. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
19. The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

April
20. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
21. Nefertiti: A Novel by Michelle Moran
22. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
23. Tara Road by Maeve Binchy

May
24. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
25. Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas
26. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
27. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
28. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

June
29. The Sweet By and By by Todd Johnson
30. The Forest of Hands and Teethe Carrie Ryan

July
31. Stone's Fall: A Novel by Iain Pears
32. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
33. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith, Jane Austen
34. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, Alison Anderson (Translator)
35. Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss (Sophie Katz, Book 4) by Kyra Davis]
36. Olive Kitteridge: A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout
37. While I Was Gone by Sue Miller
38. My Life in France by Julia Child, Alex Prud'Homme
39. Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell
40. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)by J.K. Rowling
41. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) J.K. Rowling

August
42. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3) by J.K. Rowling
43. The Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg
44. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)by J.K. Rowling
45. Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo
46. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) by J.K. Rowling
47. Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern

September
48. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
49. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
50. Everything Matters!: A Novel by Ron Currie Jr.

Still Reading! <3

Just Finished:

#49 The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

I love this series, I cannot wait for October to read the final book. The story is very well written and continues to accelerate and tangle you up right to the cliffhanger ending.

#50 Everything Matters!: A Novel by Ron Currie Jr.

So sad that it is this book I reached my goal with. I hated almost all of the characters except the father and the brother. The story line was choppy and and strange. For a book that was suppose to make you live your life to the fullest and take nothing for granted no matter what, it just made me feel YUCKY from start to finish.

Currently Reading:

# 51 Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Just Finished:

#48 The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

An amazing story filled with adventure, mystery and great imagination.

Believable, no, which is why it is not quite as wonderful as Shadow of the Wind, but it one that I would just as readily recommend to everyone who loves a great story from start to finish.

Currently Reading:

#49 The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

So excited to start this book!

Just Finished:

#47 Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern

This was such a sweet story. I loved how this impossible premise was brought to life and made believable by the beautiful character, Joyce. Her relationships with friends and her most lovable father will prove that she is the one who actually saves lives in the end. Be prepared to cry both from some very sad moments and moments of hysterical laughter. I will add this book to my list of favorites.

Currently Reading:

#48 The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Just Finished:

#46 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) by J.K. Rowling

Currently Reading:

#47 Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern

Just Finished:

#44 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)by J.K. Rowling

#45 Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo

A quick fun read for a lover of everything Austen. Nice book to spend a Saturday afternoon with. I love the idea of making your own happy beginnings and to stop hoping for endings.

Currently Reading:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) by J.K. Rowling

Just Finished:

#43 The Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg

About 4 years ago I sort of ran away from home just like Nan. It was such a wonder time of self discovery for me, so this book just hit so many cords in me.

It was absolutely wonderful, and has inspired me to run away again... I think every woman needs to. If you don't believe me, read this book, and then pass it along to your Mother!

Currently Reading:

#44 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)by J.K. Rowling

Just Finished:

#37 While I Was Gone by Sue Miller
#38 My Life in France by Julia Child, Alex Prud'Homme
#39 Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell
#40 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)by J.K. Rowling
#41 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) J.K. Rowling
#42 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3) by J.K. Rowling

Currently Reading:

#43 The Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg
#44 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)by J.K. Rowling

Just Finished:

#36 Olive Kitteridge: A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout

Olive Kiteridge is a book written from the heart. It is made up of several short stories about the lives of different people living in a small town in Maine. All of the stories stir up the muck of these peoples lives, it tells of their insecurities, their fears, losses and disappointments. It seems so very sad at times, but like life in general it is peppered with moments that have you laughing in spite of yourself.

I truly enjoyed this book, and loved Olive most of all.

Currently Reading:

#37 While I Was Gone by Sue Miller

If I eat while I am reading it some kind of snack food. Fruit, popcorn, trail mix. I always have something to drink. Coffee or tea in the morning. Wine or iced tea in the afternoon and evening.

Just Finished:

#35 Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss (Sophie Katz, Book 4) by Kyra Davis

Marisa was away all day yesterday so I took the day off and read my fun book. I love Sophie Katz, and in this book we learn a little bit more about her.

This book was not as much as a mystery thrill as the past 3, but it was still full of mystery, comedy and silly twist. Laughed out loud many many times!

Currently Reading:

#36 Olive Kitteridge: A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout

Just Finished:

#34 The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, Alison Anderson (Translator)

I am giving this book 3 1/2 stars.

It some moments were I wondered if I could get through it, but in the end the over all message was wonderful. I cried.

Currently Reading:

#35 Olive Kitteridge: A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout

Kristine wrote: "Cecilia - I am so glad you liked The House at Riverton! My book club is reading it for August. I can't want to hear how every one like it."

"The House at Riverton" reminded me very much of "A Season in Purgatory" by Dominick Dunne, one of my favorite books of all time. The only difference between the two was that the family of Riverton had my sympathies.

Forgot to add: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
by Seth Grahame-Smith, Jane Austen (#33)

Still reading: The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, Alison Anderson (Translator) (#34)

Just Finished:

#32 The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

What a great story of secrets! I wish I could say more, but giving away any part of this would only take away from the beauty of book.

Currently Reading:

#33 The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, Alison Anderson (Translator)

Just Finished:

#31 Stone's Fall: A Novel by Iain Pears

This book is amazing! I wish it was structured differently, the first part was hard to get through, the second part was captivating, the third part was wonderful and the finish.... OMG! Wonderful. I was going to give this book 3 stars, but the ending earned the story one more.

Currently Reading:

#32 The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
#33 The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, Alison Anderson (Translator)

Took awhile to get through the last book. Summer Reading and the new Pulitzer to read, I better get busy!

Just Finished:

#29 The Sweet By and By by Todd Johnson
#30 The Forest of Hands and Teethe Carrie Ryan

Currently Reading:

#31 Stone's Fall: A Novel by Iain Pears

Got a little busy with the last couple of days of the school year. Now that I have time, I should start stepping up my reading.

Just Finished:

#28 The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton


Currently Reading:

#29 The Sweet By and By by Todd Johnson