Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & the Bookish. It’s awesome. Every Tuesday, the lovely ladies over there give us book bloggers wonderful and fun topics to create our lists! Check out what others have posted by going over there!

http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Books I have read so far this year!

(with a link for a review if one was posted)

(The topic was supposed to be Blogging Confessions, but my biggest one has been that I have been lazy)

1.  The Stand 

by Stephen King

I was always intimidated by the size of this book, but when I read the last page, I was wishing it could go on and on.

2.  The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

by Gabrielle Zevin

LOVED this story about a quirky and ornery bookstore owner on a small New England island.

3.  Left Neglected

by Lisa Genova

Another surprise for me-very well written.

4.  The Green Mile

by Stephen King

I know-another King book.  I am always amazed at how versatile the author is.  A must read.

5.  The Rosie Project

by Graeme

Quirky and adorable.

6.  The Secret Life of Violet Grant

by Beatriz Williams

A perfect summer read!

7.  Sycamore Row

by John Grisham

John Grisham brings us back to the world of Jake Brigance.

8.  Schindler’s List

A difficult read, but well worth it.

9.  Bag of Bones

by Stephen King

A King novel that reads like a love story (a haunted one, but still).

10.  The Divorce Papers

by

A very fun look into the world of divorce attorneys.

How are you celebrating Independence Day?

There are so many ways- are you enjoying a Backyard BBQ, or a sunny beach vacation?

Maybe going to see some fireworks later, or watching Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?

(I watched that ONCE with my kids- couldn’t eat a hot dog for two years)

However you are celebrating, I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday!

I will be away from my blog for the next week and a half (I know it is shameful since I took most of June off.  But it was a crazy time- daughter graduated middle school, family things, etc)

I have scheduled posts, but will not be able to answer any comments.  I look forward to getting back to everyone once I am back.

till then…..

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The Declaration of Independence

1776

The Secret Life of Violet Grant 

by Beatriz Williams

published by Putnam

2014

I received this book from the publisher through Library Thing in exchange for an honest review.

My Review

This is a PERFECT summer read.  It is the story of the beautiful and spirited Vivian Schulyer, who receives a mysterious suitcase.  She discovers it belonged to an aunt that has never been mentioned before.  Vivian works to uncover the mystery of  Violet Grant and is amazed at what she uncovers.  We learn the story of Violet, an aspiring scientist who marries her much older professor right before the outbreak of WWI.  I loved the writing and the way the story unfolded.  I don’t want to give away too much, but I definitely recommend you get this book as soon as you can.  It looks liked the 4th might be a bit of a washout hear on the East Coast- a perfect time to curl up with this great book!  If you must, you can watch the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (shudder), but otherwise, enjoy some great writing!

Summary

Manhattan, 1964. Vivian Schuyler, newly graduated from Bryn Mawr College, has recently defied the privilege of her storied old Fifth Avenue family to do the unthinkable for a budding Kennedy-era socialite: break into the Mad Men world of razor-stylish Metropolitan magazine. But when she receives a bulky overseas parcel in the mail, the unexpected contents draw her inexorably back into her family’s past, and the hushed-over crime passionnel of an aunt she never knew, whose existence has been wiped from the record of history.

Berlin, 1914. Violet Schuyler Grant endures her marriage to the philandering and decades-older scientist Dr. Walter Grant for one reason: for all his faults, he provides the necessary support to her liminal position as a young American female physicist in prewar Germany. The arrival of Dr. Grant’s magnetic former student at the beginning of Europe’s fateful summer interrupts this delicate détente. Lionel Richardson, a captain in the British Army, challenges Violet to escape her husband’s perverse hold, and as the world edges into war and Lionel’s shocking true motives become evident, Violet is tempted to take the ultimate step to set herself free and seek a life of her own conviction with a man whose cause is as audacious as her own.

As the iridescent and fractured Vivian digs deeper into her aunt’s past and the mystery of her ultimate fate, Violet’s story of determination and desire unfolds, shedding light on the darkness of her years abroad . . . and teaching Vivian to reach forward with grace for the ambitious future––and the love––she wants most.

Hello all!!  As we wrap up this month, I decided to try something new- mini reviews of all the books I read for pleasure alone.  I found myself getting weighed down by the sheer number of books I read and feeling the need to review each and every one.  I know there are many bloggers out there that have done this (and done it very well!!) and I decided to give it a try.  So, here are a few books I have read for pleasure (though not all of them were pleasurable).

Tempting Fate by Jane Green

My inters in this book was piqued when She Reads posted an article written by the author postulating why women in their 40s are more prone to affairs than at other ages.   Much of what the author states in the article comes across in this story of  40 something wife and mom, Gabby.  A great book, a little neat package, but very fun!

Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts

Guilty pleasure!!  Witches with great powers, and age old grudge with an evil being, and the beautiful Irish countryside-what else could you ask for in a little escape from reality?  Seriously, this is all good fun- rem ids me of those books I used to read in junior high that I snatched from my mom’s pile.

The All Girls filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg

If you have ever read anything by this author, you know she can deliver very big characters, and that is exactly what she has done here.  Some very interesting ladies, along with some little know facts about female pilots in WWII make this a great read- grab it up as soon s you can!

Schindler’s List by Thomas Keneally

I saw the movie ages ago, and when I saw the book at my library’s book sale, I grabbed it up.  I knew the story and was prepared for a harsh time.  I was surprised at first by the style of the book.  The author chose to write this as a novel, but all dialogue is actually documented.  He took no liberties with dialog or events, therefore this book reads more like non fiction, which it essentially is.  Once passed this, the story is amazing- almost more so for it’s dryness.  The author does not add any emotion, nor is any needed.  I would definite;y recommend reading this book, along with watching the movie, which was wonderful!  I never push a movie over a book, but this might be the one that comes across as more moving.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & the Bookish. It’s awesome. Every Tuesday, the lovely ladies over there give us book bloggers wonderful and fun topics to create our lists! Check out what others have posted by going over there!

http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Books About Friendship

1.  Snow Flower & the Secret Fan

2.  Little Women

3.  The Book Thief

4.  The Kite Runner

5.  The Joy Luck Club

6.  Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

7.  The Secret Garden

8.  Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

9.  The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

10.  The Harry Potter Series

The Reading Group

by Elizabeth Noble

published byHarperCollins

2003

I bought this book at my local library during their semi annual Book Sale!

This was the first time I actually went to the book sale at my library and man was I impressed.  We got there about 45 minutes after it opened and it was packed.  One of the lovely ladies running the sale told me there was a line out the door when they first opened.  And the books!  Oh my goodness it was like Christmas in April!  I walked out of there with a dozen books- only because that was all I could hold in my arms and I really needed the bathroom, otherwise I might still be there.  The Reading Group was one of the books I walked away with, thinking that it would be a fun read in between some of the heavier books I had also picked up, like Schindler’s List and The Count of Monte Cristo.  Well, it was a light read, but I really liked it a lot more than I thought I would.  I loved that the characters were very real, faults and all.  I actually really wanted to go to their monthly meetings, and talk about the books they were reading, and what was going on in their lives.  You should look for this book at your library, or the next time you are in the bookstore.  It was quick, fun , and well written.  I am going to try to pick up another from this author very soon.

Summary

The Reading Group follows the trials and tribulations of a group of women who meet regularly to read and discuss books.Over the course of a year, each of these women become intertwined, both in the books they read and within each other’s lives.

Inspired by a shared desire for conversation, a good book and a glass of wine-Clare, Harriet, Nicole, Polly, and Susan undergo startling revelations and transformations despite their differences in background, age and respective dilemmas.

What starts as a reading group gradually evolves into a forum where the women may express their views through the books they read and grow to become increasingly more open as the bonds of friendship cement.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & the Bookish. It’s awesome. Every Tuesday, the lovely ladies over there give us book bloggers wonderful and fun topics to create our lists! Check out what others have posted by going over there!

http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Books I Almost Put Down, But Didn’t.

1.  The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

I couldn’t make myself care about Blomkvis’s trial.  I actually did put this down-twice-but came back and finally read it.  You just need to get past the 3rd chapter, and then BAM-can’t put it down.

2.  Schindler’s List

I am  just finishing this.  The problem at first was that the author was writing it as a novel, but it kept coming across as more of a history book.  Once I got used to it, it flowed.

3.  We Need To Talk About Kevin

Honestly, I didn’t like Eva, the main character.  It was a little hard to get past that, but about a third of the way through it got much better.

4.  Jane Eyre

I felt so bad for her.  I hate it when people are mean to little kids.  Unless they’re bad kids, of course.

5.  The Silmarillion

This is one of my favorite books in the world, but man- try this as a first line-in a chapter titled “Ainulindale”-

“There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music; and they sang before him, and he was glad.”

It is AMAZING, but a hard entry point.

6.  The Year of Magical Thinking

Tough subject, very  real and very raw.

7.  Love in The Time Of Cholera

Over 600 affairs is a little much for me.  Loved the book-but yuck.

8.  Little Bee

Too much awful in one book.

9.  The End of the Affair

Why did Sarah have an affair with him?  I get that her husband was boring and all, but Bendrix was a bit of an ass.  More than a bit.  I am glad he is heartbroken.

10.  The Hunger Games

Hmm, a book about kids sent to an arena to battle to the death, until there is only one left?  Sounds good!  Even better, let me have my kids read it.

Actually LOVE these books, but a little hard to get excited to read them at first.

What books did you almost put down?