12 x 12

Here are the 12 9 books I read in 2012. My goal was to make it to 12; however, this is the one place that procrastination has not played off for me. Although I had made it through nine books in 7 months and had completed 5 of them in December, I just wasn't able to make enough time to squeeze in the last three. I probably could have if I didn't work, want to have a life, or, lets be honest, if I hadn't procrastinated so much.

The title links will direct you to Goodreads for a far better description than you will get from me and I have provided links for the authors websites. You can follow me on Goodreads by clicking here.

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner

I picked this book up in the Denver Airport while on a layover. Once I opened the cover, I was hooked. It was almost impossible to put the book down because I was dying to know what would happen next.

"Told with Jennifer Weiner's trademark and with sharp observations, Then Came You is a hilarious, tender, and timely tale that explores themes of class and entitlement, surrogacy and charity, the rights of a parent and the measure of a mother."

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This book was purchased at the local Half Price Book Store and was collecting dust on my book shelf for months. So I dusted it off and started reading it on a Saturday afternoon and found my self not wanting to stop. I carried the book with me to work, read on my lunches and breaks, and often found myself trying to hold my eyes open late at night so I could just read a little more. I read this in about 3-4 days. After I had finished I watch the movie. On a weeknight. Now that's some crazy talk. If this is on your list to read, get to it!

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

The book started out slow for me, so slow that I had originally started to try and read it in August of 2011; however, I believe that was because I had watched the movie first and was waiting for it to align. Which it never did. Surprise. But once I stopped trying to compare the book to the movie, I found myself wrapped up in it. The book, as always, is better. Thinking I might need to read the next book in the series.... wondering what becomes of Rebecca Bloomwood.

The Violet of March by Sarah Jio

I absolutely loved this book. Although the book is relatively small and quick to read, Sarah Jio shows her skills in writing by capturing a story of self-discovery, love, and friendships that is entangled with mystery when she discovers a journal from 1943. I found myself reading the book with a piece of paper trying to figure out the mystery of the journal; to see if I would be right in the end. I loved this book so much, I purchased her next book Blackberry Winter.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

This was off to a slow start and was a bit of a challenge to read between things (like answering the phone at work) due to the time traveling; I had to keep flipping back to see where we were in time because it changed so much. And sometimes the changes and perspective seemed off. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

"An enchanting debut and a spellbinding tale of fate and belief in the bonds of love, The Time Traveler's Wife is destined to captivate readers for years to come."

True Love (and Other Lies) by Whitney Gaskell

This book tells a story of a regular woman learning to take down her wall and let people in. Also one about friendships and making hard choices when you're faced with them. But this couldn't be complete with out the hint of a love story. Ok, so it's more of a hint -- after all, the book is titled "True Love and Other Lies." I completed this charm in four days. And I want a sequel. I just need to know where it all ends! 

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

I first fell in love with Mindy on hit TV show The Office. She has since left the office to start her own show (which she writes, produces, and stars) The Mindy Project.

Anyway, I wasn't really sure what I was getting into with this book but I thought if it was anything like what she does on TV, it would be hilarious. Problem is, my expectations were a little high. While I enjoyed the book and found parts to that reminded me of my life and were down right hilarious; there were also parts that I was confused with. Maybe that was her plan -- to leave some sort of question lingering so when she writes her next book, you nab it up to see if your questions are answered. If that is the case, then she is brilliant. 

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

I watched this movie a long time ago and didn't know that it was based on a book. When I found out there was a book, I had to run out and get it. It was an easy read and hilarious. I couldn't get enough of it. I watched the movie (again) the day that I finished reading the book. In this case -- there were details changed and left out -- but I found the book to be just as entertaining as the book. Granted, the details that were changed would have made it better, but I wasn't as disappointed with this one as some of the other "based on book" movies. I was going to purchase Two for the Dough, the second book in the series, but my local Half Price Book Store didn't have a copy on hand. I decided that I would have to wait and that I had plenty of books on my bookshelf that needed to be read before I purchased anymore.

How to Love an American Man: A True Story by Kristine Gasbarre

I really liked this book. I think every female should read it. It is a story based around a woman who is trying to discover who she is and, really, learning how to accept who she is. Her grandmother has the best advice ever. And if I had a choice, I would want a grandmother like her. Don't get me wrong, I love the grandmothers I was blessed with; however, it makes me wonder if my life choices would be any different if I would have received some of the advice she gives to her granddaughter in this book.


My 2013 goal is to read 24 books. I am currently at a whopping two. I really need to get a move on it. (You
would think I would have learned from last year..) Don't forget to follow me on Goodreads to stay updated on my progress and to check out my bookshelves. You can find me here. :)



Kroger Pick-Me-Up

I picked this book up at our local grocery store, Kroger, while shopping for some food because it was 25% off and I've seen the trailers for the movie and it looks good. Since I am considering going to see the movie, I thought I would read the book while on vacation to help pass the time sitting around in the hotel or driving.

I am not sure if I made a new goal or not in reading books, but I did finish this book that contains just over 400 pages in less than 3 days. I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. I was so engaged in the book that I just wanted to know what happened next. Needless to say, I loved the book. I just saw that the movie is coming out at the end of the month. I can't wait to go see it. I am sure that the movie will not even compare to the book, but it's worth a shot. I guess I'm just waiting for the day that someone will actually stick to the story line of the book. I mean, hello?! If you have that big of an audience that is taking hours of their lives reading it, they don't want to be disappointed when you've changed the story line! I'll update you later on the movie portion. Below you will find the synopsis of the book but you can click here and actually read parts of the book if you want, brought to you by Barnes and Noble. =]

Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.
The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story of love on many levels--first love, love between parents and children -- that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them.

A One Day Read

After I finished reading It's About Your Husband I had to get something else to read to pass the time on the boat while my husband was fishing or while we were driving a couple hours. So I decided I would get another book, so we took a quick trip to Wal-Mart. I was looking for the book Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner but couldn't find it there so we checked Meijer, nothing there either. So I scanned the shelves for something else. I found the book My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, which was turned into a major motion picture. I have not seen the movie yet, so I wanted to read the book first. I thought the movie wasn't coming out until late this month, but I just looked and it seems I've missed it.... bummer... now I have to wait for it to come out on DVD. Anyway, where is a synopsis of the book (and movie).


Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate — a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister — and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves. My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.


I loved, loved, loved this book. I couldn't put it down. In fact, I read for about eight, yes, eight hours today just to finish it. Another amazing notch in my belt that has never been seen nor done by me; ever. I strongly suggest you read this book. I'll give you an update later on the movie and let you know if it does the book justice or not (I have a feeling that it wont).

It's About Your Husband. Yes. Yours!

Kidding. This post is NOT about your husband. But you thought it was about someone's husband didn't you? Just so you know -- this is not gossip about anyone. I just couldn't help myself with that title.

I was on vacation this past week and I guess I was bitten by the reading bug. I say that because I practically read two books this week, which is amazing.

I had purchased It's About Your Husband at my colleges book store for a dollar or so. Once again, like I have said before, I usually purchase books for the cover. I know, lame. But if I don't find the cover to be interesting then I usually don't even pick it up to read the back. Anyway, here is a picture of the book and a synopsis courtesy of Barnes and Noble. (I'm not good at summing up a book with out telling too much!)



WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE BIG APPLE BITES BACK?
San Fernando Valley native Iris Hedge left her husband and traded coasts for the job of a lifetime- only to lose it in a New York minute. Now unattached, unemployed, and broke, she dreads her loneliness and imminent credit card bills - until she's offered an exciting, new gig: spying on a possibly cheating, uptown husband named Steve.
Soon Iris is trading her business wardrobe for the stalker niche of sweatpants and dark eye wear, and navigating the hazards of urban surveillance - Central Park's fascist dog-walking rules, rejection from exclusive boutiques, and a series of unnatural hair colors. But as she steps into uncharted territory, she wonders if her life will ever go back to normal-and whether normal is anything she'll ever be happy with again.



The book was alright. It seemed slow at first but then picked up and the read was more interesting. However, it probably is not one I would read again. I liked it. Not loved it.

Certain Girls are Good in Bed

I'll admit that when it comes to reading, it isn't one of my favorite pastimes. And when it comes to finding a book to read, it's totally based on the cover! Haha. I'm horrible. But so far the cover thing has only turned out bad once.

A few times when I have ran to Kroger on my lunch break to get a frozen dinner, I have passed by the book isle. That is where I picked up "Good in Bed". I read the back of it quickly and thought I would give it a try. I bought it and began to read it.... and read it... and read it. I could barely put the thing down. I loved it. So when I finished "Good in Bed" I found out there was a continuation called "Certain Girls." So I HAD to have it. I bought it and just finished it as well.

Below you will find the over view for the books, courtesy of Barnes and Noble. =]

For twenty-eight years, things have been tripping along nicely for Cannie Shapiro. Sure, her mother has come charging out of the closet, and her father has long since dropped out of her world. But she loves her friends, her rat terrier, Nifkin, and her job as pop culture reporter for The Philadelphia Examiner. She's even made a tenuous peace with her plus-size body.

But the day she opens up a national women's magazine and sees the words "Loving a Larger Woman" above her ex-boyfriend's byline, Cannie is plunged into misery...and the most amazing year of her life. From Philadelphia to Hollywood and back home again, she charts a new course for herself: mourning her losses, facing her past, and figuring out who she is and who she can become.

Readers fell in love with Cannie Shapiro, the smart, sharp-tongued, bighearted heroine of Good in Bed. Now Cannie's back. After her debut novel -- a fictionalized (and highly sexualized) version of her life -- became an overnight bestseller, she dropped out of the public eye and turned to writing science fiction under a pseudonym. She's happily married and has settled into a life that's wonderfully predictable.

As preparations for her daughter Joy's bat mitzvah begin, everything seems right in Cannie's world. Then Joy discovers the novel Cannie wrote years before and suddenly finds herself faced with what she thinks is the truth about her own conception -- the story her mother hid from her all her life. When Cannie's husband surprises her by saying he wants to have a baby, the family is forced to reconsider their history, their future, and what it means to be truly happy.