2009 ongoing reading list

re-read new moon
angels and demons -- dan brown (****though it took me ages to finish this book, i really enjoyed it. the twists and turns, involving the church and various illuminati references and other symbolism always sucks me in)
the five people you meet in heaven -- mitch albom (*****really loved this thought-provoking look into the idea that who we meet, what we do and how we act really does impact what happens to us)
angels --marian keyes (***typical romance, with an irish cast set in LA)
the middle place -- kelly corrigan + (****loved the way this book drew me in, and while it is about a breast cancer survivor, it was, to me, more about a woman who negotiated her way thru her own life as a mom, a daughter, a wife and a sister, mixing up the lines and somehow making it all work for herself and her family)
good evening mrs craven:the wartime stories of mollie panter-downes (*****fantastic book filled with wartime vignettes written by an english woman during WW2 for the new yorker)
while my sister sleeps -- barbara delinsky (***liked the idea of this, but i shouldn't read books by the same writer in a row, the characters are similar, all strong mothers with daughters who live in the shadow of the stronger woman).)
looking for peyton place -- barbara delinsky (***liked this a lot, a bit of a message in this, good summer read)
the summer i dared -- barbara delinsky (***really enjoyed this, found it an easy summer read)
the blue bistro -- elin hilderbrand (****love this writer, and was thrilled to find this in a reader's digest collection, great story set in cape cod, sort of love story)
destinations south -- elizabeth bevarly (***funny cute romance novel read, typical plot and ending, too quick though)
the lightning thief -- rick riordan (***read this with my middle school son to help discuss it for a summary for school. fun face paced exciting book, perfect for 6th/7th graders)
16 lighthouse road - debbie macomber (**this was a bit more fluff than i was wanting from a macomber novel. not a bad read, but rather more flat that i wanted)
leaving normal -- stef ann holm (***romance, cute story, cute twist at the end, nice story)
the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society --mary ann shaffer & annie barrows + (*****loved this book and can not recommend it anymore than wonderful. told via letters to and from the main character to her various friends old and new, i was drawn in by the characters and their situations).
metro girl -- janet evanovich (****loved this, made me laugh and cry and smile, romance, mystery, intrigue)
force of nature -- suzanne brockmann (** typical romance, typical ending)
lord john grey and the hand of devils -- diana gabaldon (***continued short tales of lord john grey from the outlander series, this one a bit darker and mysterious, less fun to read than the private matter i read earlier. but still a good read, full of interesting facts and facets to the character.
dead until dark -- charlaine harris (****loved this funny sexy vampire novel, the hbo series true blood is based in it although i don't like the series, i loved the book)
my sister's keeper -- jodi picoult (***enjoyed this my first picoult novel, despite the subject matter and sad ending. wasn't as keen on the pov of the teen girl, but it worked to get the point across, am interested to see what the movie is like)
lord john and the private matter -- diana gabaldon (****loved this slightly left of centre view of the english lord john from gabaldon's outlander series, it gave me a better appreciation for a character whom i didn't really like previously)
the senator's wife -- sue miller + (***the first bookclub read that i actually thought was more on the type of books i would have chosen. enjoyed reading this, interesting feel on the subject of extra-marital affairs from the woman's pov, and also the pov of a very new mother)
the madness of love -- katharine davies (***another set in england novel, i liked the way this was written, with chapters divided according to the character's voice/pov. a bit of a surprise at the end.
new moon -- stephenie meyer (****a decent follow up to twilight, what i would consider a filler book, one that links the first to the third with lots of info and details and not as much drama or surprise as the first one)
twilight -- stephenie meyer (****i was dubious about this, with all the hype but i was enthralled and read it in less than 2 days, it is a YA book, but it's a fun read, LOVED it)
loving frank -- nancy horan + (****fantastic story, loved the way it was written and the engaging way the writer led me thru the tale of the affair)
edge of darkness -- cherry adair (*** i expected more from this author, after reading others, a long lead up to the details and then a very quick closure with the ending hanging)
dreams from my father -- barrack obama (****really enjoyed this and feel that it gave a little peek into the younger life of mr obama and his family and where he comes from mentally).
cross bones -- kathy reichs (****loved this partially fictional tale of a forensic scientist who helps solve a murder while trekking thru israel with possible bones from the jesus tomb)
the shack -- wp young +(**i am on the fence over this book, i struggled thru parts of it, but in the end i was anxious to find out how the character dealt with his tragedy. eventhough it is not overtly a book about religion, there are many spiritual facets to it. yes, it’s told in a story form, but in essence, it’s the tale of someone coming to grips with their own spiritual awareness.)
the art of mingling -- jeanne martinet (* i read this out of curiosity, and apparently i have the mingling gene, who knew!)
quentins -- maeve binchly (****loved this book, looking forward to reading another binchly novel)


+ denotes book club read
only completed books are included in this list