My Top 10 of 2010

Here are my top 10 reads for this year in no particular order. It was very hard to narrow my list down!

1. The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

2. John Adams by David McCullough

3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

5. The Wolves of Mercy series (Shiver, Linger) by Maggie Stiefvater

6. The Millennium series by Stieg Larsson

7. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

8. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

9. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

10. Under the Dome by Stephen King

The Free Library of Philadelphia – The E-Book Jackpot

After I purchased my nook and realized how lackluster my local library’s e-book selection was, I started digging around online to find other options. One of the best I found is The Free Library of Philadelphia. The have out-of-state library cards for only $15.00 per year with an amazing selection of e-books available for borrowing. I sent off my check and had my library card and online access within a week. I spent about an hour adding books to my wish list and my checkout cart and with each click the value of this library card got bigger and bigger. For the price of 1.5 e-books on Barnes and Noble (possibly even only one for the higher priced e-books) I have already received 3 e-books to read and have a wish list of over 40 books. The selection is vast and up to date, including upcoming releases. The one area that seems to be lacking a bit is the Young Adult genre but I only searched for a handful or two so it could just be my selections rather than the available options.

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Brett, my husband, and I saw this at an original IMAX theater on a recent trip to San Antonio. Yes, you read that right – we saw a movie while we were on a short two day vacation! We took advantage of having our daughter back at home with Grandma and Grandpa! :)

The movie was amazing, seriously emotionally amazing. I started crying about 2 minutes into the movie and continued to wipe my eyes through the ending credits. This movie captured so much of the emotion that flows through the book. The frustration and desperation came through so well I could almost say the movie was as good as the book. I can’t wait to see the last installment of this movie series. We might just have to splurge and see the midnight showing!

Grade: A

Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) by J. K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic
Format: Hardback
Pages: 784
Source: I own

From Goodreads: The heart of Book 7 is a hero's mission--not just in Harry's quest for the Horcruxes, but in his journey from boy to man--and Harry faces more danger than that found in all six books combined, from the direct threat of the Death Eaters and you-know-who, to the subtle perils of losing faith in himself. Attentive readers would do well to remember Dumbledore's warning about making the choice between "what is right and what is easy," and know that Rowling applies the same difficult principle to the conclusion of her series. While fans will find the answers to hotly speculated questions about Dumbledore, Snape, and you-know-who, it is a testament to Rowling's skill as a storyteller that even the most astute and careful reader will be taken by surprise.

My review: This isn’t a full review, just a quick rambling of my re-read. This novel should be required reading for any author writing the last book of a series. It doesn’t matter the genre or target reader, J. K. Rowling wrote the textbook series ending novel with this book. While many of the lose ends were tied together it was done in a fluid manor, in line with the past books and characters. This final installment wasn’t just to bring the story to a close, but to continue with the character’s and the story. Most of all, this book demonstrates the proper way to wind up a series – with real struggles, emotion and an un-pretty ending. This book wasn’t all successes for Harry Potter and he suffered emotionally and physically a great deal in this book. The point of the book wasn’t to finish the Harry Potter journey, but to tell the next book’s story. I love that it was written that way, not with an apparent ending in mind, but with the path the characters take at the forefront.

The cast of characters are once again threatened, challenged and pushed to their limits all in the name of doing what is right. Death, tears, and frustration line the pages of this book creating a whirlwind of emotion in Harry. Many times he stumbles, falters and all but gives up completely. This is the novel where Harry truly becomes a man, but that journey isn’t because of his wizarding skills or scar. He becomes a man by fighting, even when he should be giving up. He takes his emotion, and the memories of those he lost in the battle and uses them to push further than he ever thought he would have to go.

I cried throughout this book, but not just for the usual reasons. I cried also for the growth Hermoine, Harry and Ron had shown through the series and how their gang of students at Hogwarts truly came together for the good. I didn’t feel such a sense of pride during my first read and I think that is because I read them years apart as the last few books were released. This re-read kept the emotions close together and allowed me to witness the character development and growth in a way I didn’t before.

Grade: A

Happy Holidays!!

May all of my readers have a wonderful holiday full of love, laughter and delicious food!
Here is the midwest we are having a white Christmas and it is beautiful!

I hope that everyone takes a moment to make this season possible for someone in need. The feeling that comes with providing a gift or the means to buy one and the resulting smile on a child's face can carry you through the entire next year.

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Format: E-book
Pages: 266

From Goodreads: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

My review: Many of my online friends and bloggers have been raving about this book since the first ARC’s were out so I knew I had to read it. It is adorable, funny, quirky and full of drama. I think what I loved most about this book was Anna. She was not a full-blown beauty nor was she the stereotypical nerd but a hybrid of the two. She has pajamas with strawberries on them and collects banana figurines, both of which could be considered embarrassing but she takes comments in stride. She knows herself enough not too change who she is, but she is still a teenager enough to blush and feel the embarrassment. I love her relationship with Sean, her much younger brother, but I wish there would have been a bit more included about her phone calls with him or letters between them. For her obvious love for him there was little communication between them while she was in Paris.

She isn’t in Paris because she dreamed of living abroad but because her father, who is eerily similar to a real-life published author cough-Nicholas Sparks-cough, thought it would be good for her. She arrives in a foreign country, not speaking the language and has to find a way to fit in. I loved the entire cast of characters because they were different from each other as friends can be, but also realistic high school students. I have no experience with boarding school so I can’t comment on accuracy but I loved the entire premise of boarding school in Paris. Anna grows into a strong individual as she discovers the tourism traps and the hidden gems known only to the locals. St. Clair is a dreamy interest, who has to fight through tough situations, of which make him even cuter. There is one scene that involves arguing over the batman song, the one set to the Jingle Bells. It is hilarious!

This novel has it all – hunky boys, girl fights outside the bathroom, parental oppression, life threatening diseases and a lot of French kissing. The perfect fun young adult book to read!

Grade: A

Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6) by J.K. Rowling,

Publisher: Scholastic
Format: Hardback Book
Pages: 652

From Goodreads: The war against Voldemort is not going well; even Muggle governments are noticing. Ron scans the obituary pages of the Daily Prophet, looking for familiar names. Dumbledore is absent from Hogwarts for long stretches of time, and the Order of the Phoenix has already suffered losses.

And yet...

As in all wars, life goes on. Sixth-year students learn to Apparate -- and lose a few eyebrows in the process. The Weasley twins expand their business. Teenagers flirt and fight and fall in love. Classes are never straightforward, though Harry receives some extraordinary help from the mysterious Half-Blood Prince.

So it's the home front that takes center stage in the multilayered sixth installment of the story of Harry Potter. Here at Hogwarts, Harry will search for the full and complex story of the boy who became Lord Voldemort -- and thereby find what may be his only vulnerability.


My Review: This is less of a review and more of a rambling stream of words from my re-read. Whoa, I knew I would be emotional while reading this but I think I cried over 5 times! I also laughed, very hard in many places. Dumbeldore and Harry’s relationship is the main focus of this novel, which makes the end that much more meaningful and that much more beautiful. The swirling of hate, love and friendship can make a reader dizzy, but hanging on with their fingertips desperate for the next page. I must admit that this re-read has been an overly emotional journey for me, leaving me in a state of almost depression at what will be happening next. I love the series, but it is so heart wrenching that it drains me.

Grade: A

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

Publisher: Scholastic

Format: Hardback Book

Pages: 870

Source: Owned

From Goodreads: When the government of the magic world and authorities at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry refuse to believe in the growing threat of a freshly revived Lord Voldemort, fifteen-year-old Harry Potter finds support from his loyal friends in facing the evil wizard and other new terrors.

My review: This is a short review, more a rambling stream of thoughts than a review of my re-read. Throughout the series it has been obvious that the relationship between Harry and Dumbledore is much more than a student/professor relationship but I don’t think it is until the end of this book that we are shown how deep Dumbledore’s love for Harry goes. Harry begins this book feeling desperately alone, isolated within his own mind and trapped by frequent Lord Voldemort connections but ends the story realizing how un-alone he truly is. His emotions are strong, and his heart is in pain but he has support to face the terrors that are to come.

This book is the turning point in the series for the entire Wizard community but most of all for Harry and his friends. This is the year they took matters into their own hands and become a sort of Order of the Phoenix Generation 2. I love how the reader can really feel and witness these children growing into young adults and into adulthood as the series progresses. This is a testament to J. K. Rowling’s writing and possibly the one aspect that kept readers engaged in the story. I know I have become friends with Harry, Hermione, Neville and the entire Weasley gang.  

There are two things I must say about this book but they have the potential to be spoilerish so I am listing them very briefly to avoid sharing too much.
 

1. I think Umbridge could give Voldemort a run for his money in the EVIL department.
2. Fred and George might be the most hilarious characters I have ever met in a book.
   

Grade: A

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

Publisher: Scholastic

Format: Hardback Book

Pages: 734

Source: Owned

From Goodreads: First, imagine if you will, the sleepy but mysterious village of Little Hangleton, and what happened at the Riddle House. No, the Riddle House is not a place for riddles, but a home where the family died of fright. The man accused of murdering them was eventually released, but when he returns to the Riddle House, he overhears a curious conversation between someone named Wormtail and a terrible, dark presence by the name of Lord Voldemort -- oh, so sorry He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Volde... (oops, almost said it again) He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is one of the most powerful Dark wizards -- and he wants Harry Potter.

When Harry wakes from a particularly vivid dream, the scar on his forehead throbs, and he knows something is up. Harry's been living in a dreadful house on Privet Drive with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and greedy cousin, Dudley. They won't even let him do any wizardry -- you know Muggles, how they can't really handle that kind of stuff.

Harry's uncle and aunt like to let the neighbors think that Harry goes to St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys rather than to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He has to hide his magic -- and even broomsticks aren't a suitable topic of conversation in the Dursley household. But everything is about to change for Harry, beginning with this particular summer vacation.

It starts with a letter from Mrs. Weasley, Harry's friend Ron's mother. She invites him to come spend the rest of the summer with the Weasleys and to go see the Quidditch World Cup. Quidditch is Harry's favorite sport in the world, and it isn't often that the Quidditch World Cup is in Britain. Faster than you can say "Hogwarts," Harry travels by fire to the Burrow, and the dark and threatening adventure begins.

On the way, Harry discovers that his interest in girls is becoming more nerve-wracking -- how is a young wizard to ask a girl to the Yule Ball? And what of the Goblet of Fire itself? And the Triwizard Tournament? And then, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named might be seeking Harry out even now!

My review: This is a short review, more a rambling stream of thoughts than a review of my re-read. The Tri-Wizard Tournament is something that sets out to be a means of connecting with wizards around the world but in fact almost breeds more contentment, at least initially. In the later books it is interesting to see how the friendships that are formed during this time period impact the future.

Professor Snape has always gotten under my skin but it is in this book where I lean more into a hatred for him and his nastiness. He has such a poor spiteful attitude that really makes me want to scream. On the flip side, the best thing about this book is the raging hormones that only young long and teenagers can bring. New students bring opportunities and unknown feelings suddenly appear creating a twister of tears, blushes and jealousy.

Grade: A

Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3) by J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic

Format: Hardback book

Pages: 435

Source: Owned

From Goodreads: For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.

Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts...he's at Hogwarts."

Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of the magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst

My review: This is a short review, more a rambling stream of thoughts than a review of my re-read. This book is when Mr. and Mrs. Weasley really become Harry’s acting parents. They have cared about him deeply in the first two books but it is within the pages of this installment that you really see that they love him. They are deeply worried about him with Sirius Black on the run and not just because their children hang out with Harry. I love the Weasley’s ever expanding family. I think it demonstrates how large their hearts are when Harry receives presents from them and Hermione is as much of a summer staple at their house as Ron is.

Professor Lupin is one of my favorite characters in the series. He has had a hard life, with his unique attributes, but still fights for good and has faith in people. He is still such a fighter for those that he cares for.

Grade: A

Ch-Cha-Changes

With the upcoming new year and my one-year blogiversary I plan on celebrating by rolling out a new look and a new weekly feature. I have struggled with identifying myself as a reader and a blogger this year but finally came to a decision on what I want this blog to be; a digital version of me. I am an eclectic reader so I don’t fit into any real blogger (or reader) mold. Rather than fight against this, I am embracing it and just doing my own thing. This will, hopefully, result in a blog with reviews from genres across the board, fun features and meme’s and random Jennie tidbits.

I am very excited about these changes as they will provide uniqueness to this blog that better reflects me and my love for reading than the blogger basic background I have now. The new feature is one that I hope readers will enjoy, as it is related to another book/reading aspect of my life. Keep your eyes pealed for the changes I anticipate to happen around the first of the year.

Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) by J. K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic

Format: Hardback Book

Pages: 341

From Goodreads: Harry's on summer break after completing his first year at the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, and his aunt, uncle, and cousin are as mean as ever, trying at every turn to keep him from fulfilling his destiny as a wizard. Their efforts to prevent his return to Hogwarts are aided by an unknown force: a mysterious elf who shows up and warns Harry that he must never return to the school. Before departing, the elf performs a bit of mischievous magic that is blamed on Harry. As a result, Harry not only gets a stern warning from Hogwarts for using magic in the "real" world; he is also locked away by his aunt and uncle in a tiny closet beneath the stairs.

Harry is eventually rescued by his classmates and friends, the redheaded Weasleys, but getting back to Hogwarts still proves to be a challenge. When he finally does get there, his troubles quickly multiply. Someone has opened the door to the Chamber of Secrets, releasing a deadly monster with the power to kill. Several classmates turn up petrified, and in addition to trying to puzzle out who the culprit is, Harry finds himself a prime suspect. The truth lies down the end of a trail marked by a magical diary with invisible ink, a ghost who hides inside a toilet, a flying car, a pompous new teacher with a talent for hyperbole, and some ghastly giant spiders. When one of Harry's friends is imprisoned and another is turned to stone, Harry is forced to once again confront his archenemy, the Dark Wizard Voldemort, who has a whole new bag of nasty tricks up his sleeve

My review: This is a short review, more a rambling stream of thoughts than a review of my re-read. 

The Mirror of Erised is one of my favorite Harry moments in the entire series. It is so perfectly placed in this second book when Harry is still trying to adjust to the magical world. It wouldn’t have really fit in the story during the later books. I got chills reading this portion of the book because of the emotion he is feeling. The hope of what could be in seeing his parents combined with his understanding that death is still everlasting, even in the Wizard world.

I had forgotten how Hermione and Ron interacted in the first few books, so much more snippy than in the later books but with the ages they are in the beginning, it seems perfectly appropriate.

Grade: A

111 in '11 Challenge

In the excitement over my personal challenge of reading 111 books in 2011 I created a fancy little badge/icon/thingie. After receiving some comments regarding others joining in on the challenge I thought I would go public with my little creation. Now, don't judge too harsh, I am not very creative!

Ok, there it is...in all its little icon glory! :)

In addition to the fabulous creation, I am also making this post the official launch of the 111 in '11 challenge, hosted here at Life is Short. Read Fast. At the end of each month I will have a post to help us all keep on track or receive motivation for those slow going months. Feel free to save the icon and use it on your blog if you would like. I would have loved to make it a button, but I'm not very skilled like that!

I plan to have a contest for all the readers who cross the finish line come December 31, 2011 including FREE BOOKS! Who doesn't love FREE BOOKS? I'm not sure yet how the prizes will be awarded and what all will be included but I do know that there will be at least one grand prize winner that will receive all of Heather Wardell's novels in e-book format!!! (HUGE thanks to Heather for this prize, she rocks!)

For those wanting to join in, leave a comment on this post and be sure to come back each month for the check in posts. At the end of the year I will have a finally check in to be eligible for the prizes, which will no doubt continue to accumulate throughout the year!

Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) by J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Format: Hardback Book
Pages: 309 Pages

From Goodreads: Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility.

All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley--a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years.

But all of that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry--and anyone who reads about him--will find unforgettable.

For it's there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if Harry can survive the encounter.

My review: I first starting reading this series over 6 years ago I never thought I would become as drawn into a fictional world so deeply. The story is highly detailed and full of twists and turns that keep the reader emotionally connected. One of my favorite aspects of this series is the character development. Each character is as deep and complicated as a real person. Every character has faults, making mistakes and stumbling through life with a future as unclear as mine. I find the support system the students are surrounded with during their time at Hogwarts as the perfect balance between parental, authoritative and comforting. The environment really is a home away from home and this plays out tremendously throughout the entire series. In this first novel of the series the story is written with a younger reader in mind but that doesn’t take away from the magnitude of the story. The emotional reactions from Harry, Hermoine and Ron are age appropriate and build as the story increases in danger and foreboding.

There are so many details that occur during this first novel that flit through the remaining books; some play subtle roles while others play substantial plot changing roles. I still felt chills up my spine in a few key plot points in this re-read and am finding new hints at the future in this re-read. This is exactly why I love re-reading such a great series – each read brings something new to light. I am already kicking myself for waiting so long to start the re-read!

Grade: A

2011 Reading Goals and Challenges

With 2010 rapidly coming to an end (side note – how the HECK did this year go by so fast??) it is time to decide on my 2011 reading goals and challenges. I am very excited for my 2011 reading goals!

~ Read 111 books in '11
~ Read 5 GLBT books for the GLBT Challenge 2011
~ Read 10 books on either modern or classic list for the Rory Gilmore Book Club.

My goals are pretty simple and I am not planning on adding any other challenges to my list because I would like to focus on reading the books I already own! Of course, with my book buying (and e-book buying) addiction, well I may never run out of books on hand to read!

What are your 2011 reading goals?

Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

From Goodreads: BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.

My review: This novel is the perfect blend of genres for me combining young adult fiction and historical fiction. I loved every minute of this story. The characters were real and the story was intriguing. Andi is a complex rich girl lost in deep sense of guilt who reaches out to anyone or anything usually touches drugs or alcohol to numb the pain. Her family is swimming along blindly in their sea of guilt, each one lost so deeply within themselves they can’t find each other. Andi is trying desperately to help her mother back to life but isn’t really succeeding.

One of the things I loved best about the character development is that the characters stay true to who they are through out the book. Of course, they learn lessons and discover ways to find happiness, but they never lose the core of who they are. Andi’s mom is a painter, Andi is a girl guided by music and her father is driven my science and these facts never change. They may ebb and flow with the plot twists but these truths remain. I hate it when a story ends with a character completely starting over, leaving everything even the things that brought them joy behind. The entire cast of characters was well developed. They have quirky differences that provide bright spots in all the bleak darkness.

The historical fiction aspect was unique and addicting. Alexandrine was the caretaker and entertainer of Charles, the son Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. Her involvement turned tragic during the Revolution. Jennifer Donnelly’s writing is so intricate and detailed that the merge between such a time span was woven so tightly I could feel the pain they shared, each torn by grief but clinging to any shred of hope. I was just as interested in Andi’s predicaments as I was in Alexandrine’s regardless of the few centuries in between. Reading Alex’s troubles and heart wrenching attempts to save Charles, the prince locked in the tower, brought Andi’s grief to such a high level she was forced to deal with it. The centuries of time matter not, the only thing that mattered was Alex losing Charles just as Andi lost Truman.

I’m not sure there is a person that could read this book and not feel an admiration for music and those who feel lyrics, notes and tones in their bones. Music is the string that binds Andi to reality but also the string that takes her back to the past. She discovers that past or present, music can heal the wounds of the heart and mind. The writing is musical, allowing the emotion to flow from the page to the reader in strings of sorrow and choruses of hope.

Grade: A

November Wrap-Up

With NaNoWriMo I knew this month wouldn't be high in books read but I didn't realize how low my count would really go. I read only 3 books this month! Hopefully I will be back up to speed in December!

Revolution by Donnelly, Jennifer (review to come soon)
The Almost Archer Sisters by Gabriele, Lisa
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by Rowling, J.K. (re-read, short review to come soon)