Don't Sing at the Table...

This was Trigiani's first book of Nonfiction. I have read many other books by this author and have loved her writing style. I was hoping that some of the same storytelling would shine through in this book, and I was not disappointed.
Trigiani wrote this book in homage to her Grandmothers and the lessons that she learned through her family. We learn about two women who are alike in many ways yet lived different lives and helped shaped the authors life. As a person who is very close to my grandparents I found this book to be well written and interesting. In some ways I think this book could be defined as a "how to" for women. There is emphasis on manners, entertaining and being a strong independent loving woman. All things that shine through in the fiction works for Trigiani.
I liked this book. It was something unexpected from one of my favorite authors.
Read February 2011

First Reading List of 2011

I like to make list of books that I would like to read. Over the past year I have listed over 50 books and did not make a dent in those list what so ever. Below is a mini list. Just under 30 books that I would like to read. Some are series others are just single titles.

1. House Rules - Jodi Picoult
2. The Secret History - Donna Tartt
3. The Harry Potter Series - J.K Rowling (rest of series - 4 more books)
4. True Blood Series - Charlene Harris (rest of series - 8 additional books)
5. Second Chance - Jane Green
6. My Fair Lazy - Jen Lancaster
7. Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea - Chelsea Handler
8. Winter Garden - Kristin Hannah
9. Friday Night Knitting Club - Kate Jacobs
10. Fly Away Home - J. Weiner
11. The Shack - W.P Young
12. The Other Woman - J. Green
13. Queen of Babble Series- M. Cabot (rest of series - 2 more books)
14. Three Cups of Tea - G. Mortenson
15. Memory Keepers Daughter - K. Edwards

Queen of Babble

Lizzie is a girl who just doesn't know how to keep quiet or mind her own business. Lizzie loves fashion and loves the idea of being in love.
This book is pure chick lit. It is mindless fluff that will keep you turning the page but at the same time anticipating what is coming next. The book is centered on a trip in Europe visiting 2 countries in and out of love. Lizzie finds her way from London to Paris and meets a stranger from America on the train. They travel and talk and wind up going to the same location! (surprise surprise!)
I found the characters interesting and the description of the vintage clothes and wine beautiful.The book for the most part is centered around events leading to a wedding at a Parisian winery.
I enjoyed this book. It was a fast read and was entertaining. Great for a quick read and for getting away from heavier subjects.

Dead to the World

This is the book 4 in the Sookie Stackhouse series or for those who watch the HBO "True Blood". If you are reading the series you know that these books are nothing more than a guilty pleasure. However, having Eric be the main star of this book and Bill out of the book from the first chapter made me LOVE this book!
I think that the books are getting better and better. This book brought the reader into the world of witches and other shape-shifters. This book was a really good read. There are some great romance scenes with Sookie and Eric and Alcide my favorite werewolf was around too! Great read and I am looking forward to the next one!
Read January 2011

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

After being a fan of the Twilight saga I had to read this spin off book. Bree was a character briefly mentioned in a fight scene. The readers know her fate and why she is killed. However, we never know where she came from or why she was a part of another Vampire coven.
Bree is a young vampire, at 3 months old. She would have been a 16 year old girl who was making poor choices in her life. She was changed to a vampire un-willingly and was just getting into the 'grove' of being a vamp. Bree was part of a coven that she didn't trust and ultimately wanted out of.
I enjoyed the writing style of this book. It still had Meyers signature in the wording yet it was such a jump from the pouting Bella and Edward story. This was a short and good read. I would suggest it to anyone who has read the Twilight Saga.
Read January 2011