L #9- True Colors

Well, I just couldn't resist another Kristin Hannah book. This one is about the 3 Grey sisters. They have relied on each other since their mother passed away. Their father doesn't care for them. This book follows their lives and what happens to their relationships when secrets and crime enter the picture. I hope this one is as good as Winter Garden was.

Finished book 8- Sundays at Tiffany's

Well, about all I can say is that it was a quick read. It had the potential to be an endearing story. But for some reason, I could never quite get past the creepiness factor of falling in love with your childhood imaginary friend. It also felt like it was thrown together hastily, without any real substance to the story. It was upbeat, and easy to read. But I wasn't in love with this story.

There were 309 pages, with very large font and tons of breaks in the pages.

L #8- Sundays at Tiffany's

I am right on track with my reading. Being the dork that I am, I marked the calendar with all the weeks in the year. And this Friday marks 7 weeks into the year. Since I just finished my 7th book, I'm a tiny bit ahead of schedule! I'm still amazed I have this much time to read with how busy I've been. But I digress.

This book is written by James Patterson. I'm not normally a fan of his. I find most of his books to be boring and overly predictable. But after 3 heavy, albeit, fantastic reads, I was just looking for something light and breezy. This one's about a girl, Jane, who has a friend only she can see as a child. When she turns 9, her friend tells her he will no longer appear and that she will soon forget him. But as a woman, she finds a man that she remembers. Her friend from childhood.

I'm curious how this book will work. And hopeful that I'll enjoy it.

Finished #7!!

I have finished the Codex Alera series and am sad to step out if the world that Jim Butcher created. This one of the best series that I have read. Every book stands out on it's own yet the story truly unfolds across them all. One of the best parts about Butcher's style is the way he concludes the series. The heroes prevail yet the world has become a broken and devastated place in the aftermath of the war with the Vord. It actually leaves the door open to revisit the world of Alera if the author chooses, yet I did not feel as though the conclusion was lacking.

I will absolutely read more from this author.

M #7 - First Lord's Fury

I am starting my seventh book, and the final book in the Codex Alera series.

Finished #6

Sadly I let myself get lazy and I am a bit past due on one or four posts.....I sincerely apologize to my avid reader (the singular was intentional).

I finished the sixth book in this series and once again it was fantastic. In this book most of the plot lines come to a head to set the stage for the final book in the series. Tavi begins to grow into his own power and heritage. The war with the Vord starts to reach it's apex and tough decisions are made to determine the survival of Alera.

I continue to be thoroughly impressed by Jim Butcher.

On to the next!

Finished book 7- Winter Garden

I am on a roll with very good books.

This one was a very sad and intriguing story. It was a tale woven between two times. Modern day sisters and their mother, coupled with flashbacks on their mother's life during the Siege of Leningrad. I found the flashbacks, told in a story-like narrative, to be the most interesting parts of the book. It was heartbreaking, and in that sense, difficult to read. But it was also interesting to learn of the strength someone can have in times of hardship.

I did think that certain parts of the modern day story were long and drawn out. While reading the modern things, I kept thinking "hurry up and get back to Leningrad!" But it was necessary to see how the sisters interacted with their mother, in order to understand how the story of her life changed them. I'd definitely recommend this one.

It had 391 pages.

L #7- Winter Garden

This book, written by Kristin Hannah, is about 2 sisters and their mother. While their father is on his deathbed, he makes them promise to hear the story of their mother's life. Their mother has always seemed cold and withdrawn. The only time they connected with her, was when she told a Russian fairy tale. Now, she will tell them this tale to the end. The tale of her life in Leningrad.

Finished 6- The Forgotten Garden

This book was amazing. Seriously, wonderful. The story takes place between 1900 & 2005. It skips back and forth between different time periods, and different characters. It dips in and out of story lines, effortlessly. And what you end up with, in the end, is an entire history of how everyone is connected. I fell in love with certain characters and didn't want the book to end. The overall premise is a bit sad, but the basic undertone of the book is one of love and longing to belong.

I don't often keep books. I prefer to pass them along so they can be enjoyed by many others. But I'm not getting rid of this one. I just can't. It feels like a beloved friend, someone I've known my whole life. I am adding other Kate Morton books to my wishlist in the hopes that they are similarly written and will be equally loved.

This one had 549 pages.