The Host

This was easy reading and very interesting. This is a story about after the aliens take over. Only a few humans are left, and are in hiding.

The aliens are like parasites; they take over the human body and live off it. They over take planets when they feel they can change it for the better.

The story is told from the perspective of the alien. When the alien takes over her host body, the host doesn't leave. Having someone elses mind in her own shows her a lot about humans and more importantly the memories of the guy the human was in love with who is still in hiding. So the alien and human escape from the rest of the aliens in search of the guy they are both in love with.

Sounds cheesy and dumb? Try describing Twilight. Stephanie Meyer has a good way of making simple stories/plots amazing. This is a story that lingers in your mind when you're done, not because it was deep, but because it's this adventure story about castaways in the desert on an alien inhibited planet. She makes it fun to imagine and think about.

This is a modern tale of the story of Cain and Abel. It wasn't easy reading. I had to force myself to read it, but by the end of the book is was worth it.

The story is about a man and his relationship with his twin sons. The mother was psycho and left after they were born. The father takes years to overcome his grief and even longer to want to love his sons. Throughout the book the story of Cain and Abel is disected, mostly by his chinese servant, and how the story is relevant to him and his sons. The whole theme of the book is about choices. We have the choice to choose. I read it over a month ago and I still can't stop thinking about the story. A very meditative read.

Time Traveler's Wife

I read The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Simply put, I hated it. Which is weird because it would appear to have everything I would like, a unique plot, thoughtful and educated characters, many references to art and literature, and a sweet love story. In spite of all of these good things there was a crassness to the book that disgusted me. A lot of vulgar language which included frequent references to sex as f***ing. Could you repulse me any more? And even though the characters are "educated" they seemed to have very bohemian attitudes toward morals, healthy relationships and just plain happiness. These themes were underlying and subtle but came through more and more as I got into the book and became kind of an ethical turn-off for me. There was also way too much graphic sex for my taste and, like I said, a lot of dirty language. By the end of the book I had to make myself finish it. 2 thumbs down.

French Women Don't Get Fat

I just finished this book and I loved it. It was less of a diet/nutrition book and more about enjoying life, having balance, having a routine, and appreciating the seasons, not only with food, but the seasons of life. She explains why french women don't understand why a woman would go to a gym, go on a diet, etc. She shows you a different approach to life, love and of course, food. Amazing recipes in the book as well.

Angels & Demons

The first book in the "Robert Langdon" series (Da Vinci Code being it's sequal). Robert Langdon is called to CERN (some big nuclear science place in Switzerland) in the middle of the night to shed some light on a symbol burned into the chest of one of their top scientists corps, murdered only hours before. The symbol is of an ancient group, The Illuminati, that has it out for the catholic church. Robert Langdon is skeptical but by the time he's in Vatican City and more things come into play he's risking his life to stop The Illuminati from a series of murders (the top 4 cardinals) that are occuring on the hour, every hour until midnight, when a final blow will threaten to destroy the entire country. One thing is for certain, The Illuminati has people working closely in Vatican City. Who, how many, and why are the questions you'll be asking yourself the entire book. Even if you think you know, you don't. Unless you saw the movie already. Along the way you learn about symbols, art, history, and other random facts in a very entertaining way, and you also get some good discussions on religion vs. intellectualism. It's a fast action book from start to finish. Hard to put down!

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Well, I don't know if I would have read the book if it wasn't the only book at the grocery store that didn't look like a perverted romance novel. It was really cheap and since I can't afford or have the time to go to the movies, nothing to do at work, and I'm going crazy without my husband, I bought it.

I'm only halfway through and so far there doesn't seem like any really good plot line, but I feel like I'm watching a movie when I'm reading. It's such a light read and I think it's really funny. I will definitely finish it tonight. Again, I can't decide if it's boredom or really, REALLY good. So far, there are a ton of OMG in there which REALLY bothers me reading it more than hearing it, and 2 f-words which doesn't bother me as much reading it as it would hearing it. Don't ask me why that is. Reading about her debt kind of stresses me out about my own... but the main character isn't ditzy or stupid at all, except about money, and is pretty relatable. I REALLY want to see the movie now, but I'm scared it just won't add up to the book. If you want to read a romantic-comedy this is the book. I'll let you all know if I still feel the same when I'm done.

Ender's Game

I read Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card last month.  I was surprised at how much I liked it, I'm not usually into reading science fiction.  It's the story of a little boy named Ender who has essentially been genetically engineered to save the world from another invasion by aliens.  His 2 siblings were rejected because one was too nice and one was too mean.  Ender goes to Battle School with other genius candidate children and ultimately saves the world.  Bored yet?  The surprising part was how much this book focuses on symbolic imagery and psychological challenges.  It has more to do with people and their motivations than about aliens and spaceships.  It delves into Ender's fears and thoughts, his relationships with his siblings and others.  The ending was amazingly beautiful and peaceful, with lots of twists (some you see coming and some you don't).  I'm dying to talk to somebody about it.