TERI'S 50 BOOKS READ IN 2012

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Teri, here is your new thread for 2012.

Our Format:

JANUARY

1. Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: March 2008
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review or a Few Words about book: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

Note: I will delete required format post once you get started.

[Teri]

JANUARY

1.
Stephen King
Finish date: January 2, 2012
Genre: Fiction/Horror/Short Story
Rating: A-
Review or a few words about the book: A Stephen King short story reminescent of The Body, Christine, and The Truck. A classic King story that grabs you from the beginning and reminds us that a well written story can be woven in a short space. With the Kindle Singles being popular, I hope we see more short stories and books from many authors and in many genres.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

No problem, wanted you to get off to a great start (smile).

[Teri]

2.
Mark Twain
Finish date: January 11, 2012
Genre: Memoir
Rating: B
Review or a few words about the book: Classic Twain. At times disjointed, and rambling, but overall this book clearly shows true Twain humor that we have loved through the years. I personally enjoyed reading about the area as I grew up in Missouri and am familiar with some of the towns that Twain waxes on about.

[Teri]

3.
Suzanne Collins
Finish date: January 15, 2012
Genre: Fiction/Young Adult
Rating: A
Review or a few words about the book: Everyone told me to read this book right away. I wasn't sure it was going to be my type of book but within a few pages I was hooked and it did not disappoint. It is certainly a book that makes you appreciate what we have in the here and now and ultimately what you would do to survive, especially in a time so very different from our own. You are one of 24 children/teenagers forced by your government to survive in the wild and only one can survive. Game on...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

You are doing well Teri and you are off to a good start for 2012.

[Teri]

Bentley wrote: "You are doing well Teri and you are off to a good start for 2012."

Thanks, Bentley!

[Teri]

4.
Suzanne Collins
Finish date: January 19, 2012
Genre: Fiction/Young Adult
Rating: A
Review or a few words about the book: A wonderful follow up to The Hunger Games, answering the questions that were left unanswered in the first book, but adding new questions to the mix. How far will one go to save their family, and ultimately to save a nation?

[Teri]

5.
Suzanne Collins
Finish date: January 25, 2012
Genre: Fiction/Young Adult
Rating: A
Review or a few words about the book: I thoroughly enjoyed this series. It is a series I normally would not read but found it powerful and engaging, filled with symbolism and thoughtfulness. Listed as a Young Adult series, I felt these books carried adult themes that appeals to a larger audience than was maybe intended. Very well written. I was hooked from the start.

[Teri]

MAY

6.
Sally Bedell Smith
Finish date: May 22, 2012
Genre: Biography
Rating: A
Review or a few words about the book: I started this book months ago and had to set aside while I finished school. Now that I am finished, I am back to reading and was able to easily pick up where I left off. A thorough and comprehensive review of the life of Queen Elizabeth II. I really enjoyed getting a detailed glimpse into the world of the Royal Family. Smith has well researched her subject with insights from key contacts within the royal circle. I have a keener understanding and appreciation for the esteemed monarch.

[Teri]

7.
Ree Drummond
Finish date: May 25, 2012
Genre: Memoir
Rating: A
Review or a few words about the book: I have been a fan of blogger Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, for several years and have wanted to read her memoir for some time. I thoroughly enjoyed getting a glimpse into her life as a cowboy's wife on the plains of Oklahoma with the Marlboro Man. Open, honest, and candid, Drummond recounts her life from the time she left California after college back to her home in Oklahoma and finding herself metamorphose from a young urban woman into an accidental country wife. As a semi-city girl in the process of moving to the frontier of Texas, I can empathize and relate to her feelings, concerns, and excitement of a new life in the country.

[Teri]

8.
E.L. James

Finish date: May 28, 2012
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Rating: F
Review or a few words about the book: I caved to the hype, deciding to read this book to see what all the chatter in the media was about. I felt like it was a complete waste of time, and considered chucking it after the first few chapters. I finished it because "the hype" made me think that at some point it had to get better. I expected the explicit sex scenes, but my anger toward the book was in the lack of a plausible plot, extremely weak female characters (which I loathe), and a completely crap ending. I felt like I was reading Judy Blume's version of Pretty Woman with a sprinkling of Mickey Rourke from 9 1/2 weeks. The media describes E. L. James as a Twilight fan who wrote the trilogy after reading Meyer's series. I didn't care too much for Twilight and I definitely did not care for Fifty Shades of Grey.

[Kathy]

I am so glad that I read your review. I, also, have been thinking about reading this book. Isn't it a trilogy? There are so many good books and so little time . . . I hate to waste it on a popular "loser".

[Teri]

It is a trilogy and I won't be reading the other two books. So many more good meaty books out there to read! ;-)

[Teri]

JUNE

9.
Philippa Gregory

Finish date: June 2, 2012
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review or a few words about the book: This was my first Philippa Gregory novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In the first of a Young Adult series, the story follows four characters during the time of inquisition in 1453 Italy. Full of historical detail, mystery, comedy, and romance, Gregory offers readers a page turning novel and a look into the attitudes and hysterical nature of "God fearing" people of the 15th century and their fight, adjudication, and at times, vindication of those accused of heresy. Gregory promises more characters and more detail into the Order of Darkness. I am now anxious to read some of the author's adult historical fiction.

[Teri]

10.
Blueberry Blues: A Gray Whale Inn Short StoryKaren MacInerney


Finish date: June 3, 2012
Genre: Mystery, Short Story
Rating: B+
Review or a few words about the book: Another excellent story from Karen MacInerney. Blueberry Blues is a quick read at 19 pages, giving the reader a mini-mystery in the continue Gray Whale Inn series. My only negative comments are that it was way too short and that it takes place after the first book and before the second in a current series of four books. I’m anxious for the author to add another full size selection to the series.

[Teri]

Teri wrote: "


10.
[bookcover:Blueberry Blues: A Gray Whale Inn Short Story]Blueberry Blues: A Gray Whale Inn Short Story
Karen MacInerney


Finish date: June 3, 2012
Genre: Myst..."

There was no "jacket cover" for this book so I added a link for the title as well, and the author's picture is a jacket cover for another one of her books.

[Teri]

11.
Stephen King

Finish date: June 14, 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review or a few words about the book: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have been a fan of Stephen King for many years and loved this departure from his usual stuff. This novel is full of researched information surrounding the events leading to the JFK assassination (I have read lots on the JFK assassination and use to live in the DFW area - everything was spot on). King provides many thought-provoking themes leaving the reader to contemplate how one’s actions can affect the future. The central theme involves Jake Epping the ability to go back in time to change the course of events around the JFK assassination. If Jake is able to keep Oswald from taking that fatal shot on 11/22/63, what would happen in the US and around the World? Would we still fight in Vietnam? Would Civil Rights have progressed faster? Or would there be other more disastrous events that would change the World in a much different way. The idea seems simple enough, if time travel back to another age was possible. It is not so simple and one can come to the conclusion that each person’s life, each event is like a string around a ball of yarn that can easily be tangled or become unraveled. Should the past be changed? Does the past WANT to be changed? This is a book that will have me pondering life for some time.

[Jill H.]

Thanks for a great review, Teri. I have heard mixed opinions about this book but your review has me intrigued and I may just read it after all. Years ago I read a book with a similar theme but I have wracked my brain and cannot come up with the title......it related how the changing of one small incident in history totally skewed what came after. A very chilling concept.

[Teri]

If you ever think of that book, let me know! I just became so thoroughly engrossed in this book and it had several overlapping themes to think about. I hope you enjoy it as I did.

Jill wrote: "Thanks for a great review, Teri. I have heard mixed opinions about this book but your review has me intrigued and I may just read it after all. Years ago I read a book with a similar theme but I h..."

[G]

by Jeff Greenfield - no photo.

??? Could this be it?

[Jill H.]

Will do Teri.......but I am certainly drawing a blank at this point. Maybe it will come to me in the middle of the night!!!

[Teri]

This sounds fascinating. It's in my TBR pile now. Thanks.

G wrote: "[bookcover:Then Everything Changed: Stunning Alternate Histories of American Politics: JFK RFK Carter Ford Reagan] by Jeff Greenfield - no photo.

??? Could this be it?"

[Jill H.]

G wrote: "[bookcover:Then Everything Changed: Stunning Alternate Histories of American Politics: JFK RFK Carter Ford Reagan] by Jeff Greenfield - no photo.

??? Could this be it?"

That's not it, G but that one sounds good as well.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Good job Teri trying to get the format correct. We appreciate your efforts.

[Teri]

JULY

12.Diana Gabaldon

Finish date: July 2, 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review or a few words about the book: I have been very impressed with this series. I was skeptical about reading these books, because the series revolves around a character I didn't care for in another series. What I found was a wonder set of mystery stories wrapped in historical fiction. I can't wait to read the other novels I have missed and thoroughly enjoy seeing Lord John as he becomes more of an accidental Sherlock Holmes.

[Teri]

AUGUST

13.Diana Gabaldon


Finish date: August 13, 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review or a few words about the book: Another excellent book from Diana Gabaldon. Although an installment in the Lord John series, I believe The Scottish Prisoner is a must read book for all Outlander fans. This book takes place during the time of Outlander's Voyager and gives the reader perspective into Jamie's life while he was paroled at Helwater. In The Scottish Prisoner, Jamie is torn with helping his captors or staying true to his homeland and the cause the brought him to Helwater in the first place. It is a story of struggle, mystery, and loyalty; and the reader may be surprised at the outcome of Jamie's responses throughout the novel.

This book is another example of how well Gabaldon has done her homework in historical facts. This installment shows how deeply rooted the characters are between the Outlander and Lord John series, rooting them in historical events of Europe in the 1760s. This book can be read as a standalone novel, but is so much richer if you know the backs stories of the two series.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

You are making progress Teri - well done.