Fifty Shades Freed

Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The third book in this trilogy is a nice capping stone. The writing didn't improve much, but at least there was more of a plot. Finally, the reasons behind why Christian Grey is who is was explained in the last book. But, it was a given that everything is always explained in these type of books.
The third book was best of the three. The sex scenes got tedious starting on the 2nd book. I was looking forward to the interaction between the different characters and why they are who they are more than the sex, again.
The nice bonus in the 3rd book was the very last chapter, after the epilogue. They were the scenes where Ana and Christian first met, written from Christian's perspective. Very cute.




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Gathering Blue

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The second book in "The Givier" trilogy was a disapointment. It has no link with "The Giver". The dystopia world described in "Gathering Blue" doesn't seem to have any relationship with the dystopia world described in "The Giver". I was told by others that the third book in the trilogy will tie the first 2 books together and the characters will come-together. I guess I will have to read the third book.

"Gathering Blue" by itself lacks the engaging characters and environment. The dystopian world was more like a village in the European Dark-Ages. I was defintely hoping for more after reading "The Giver".



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Fifty Shades of Grey

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got hooked. Fifty Shades is definitely addictive after the initial few chapters. All the adjectives and descriptors used by the media to describe this romance/erotica novel are apt. "Mommy porn" and "Twilight for adults" pretty much describe it entirely.
I enjoyed Fifty Shades as much as I can enjoy a giant bowl of ice cream. I know it's not the healthiest and enriching thing I can consume, but darn it, it just so much fun.
I also read others trying to justify the popularity of this book by comparing Anastasia Steele with Victorian lit heroines such as Elisabeth Bennett and Jane Eyre Why bother with that? By doing so, I would just be trying to balance the fact that I've read Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre with the fact that I just read a fluffiest book since Twilight.



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A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1)

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Two words, epic-ly awesome!
I was wondering what the big hoopla was when HBO made this into an original series and everyone was talking about it. So, I started reading it thinking it's going to be similar to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. After taking more than a month to finish, I completely understand all the high praises heaped on this tome.
The world created by Mr. Martin was thorough and enriching. All the characters are so well developed that I was completely invested in everyone. I love and hate the characters deeply. It has been a long time since I've found a book so well done.
Now, I must watch the HBO series and read the rest of the series.



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Only Time Will Tell

Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book had so much promise. I like the writing style, the tone, and the overlapping timeline from chapter to chapter and from person to person to paint a full picture of how events unfolded. It also gave a well-rounded perspective from all the main characters. I was beginning to care about Harry and Emma.
However, the last 50 pages or so felt rushed. Mr. Archer spent so much time and energy describing the emotion and details of the events in the preceding chapters. The last 5 chapters felt like he just wanted to end the book and start on the next one.
Also, I felt manipulated by the way the book ended. It was worst then seeing the "...to be continued" words on the TV after watching an hour long drama show. I guess Mr. Archer thinks that I've already spent time reading the 400+ words novel, I will seek out the next book. But, I have no inclination to do so. It's not that I don't want to find out what happened, I just don't want to be manipulated into doing so.



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The Lucky One

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Lucky One satisfied the romantic in me. There's the handsome ex-Marine searching for a beautiful woman. The beautiful lonely woman is fits into the damsel in distress mold pretty well. All in all, it a fun fluffy book that I can easily read and finish in couple of sittings.
And as with other Nicholas Sparks books, it's sappy and a potential tear-jerker. The Lucky One is no exception. So, if you are not expecting a literary masterpiece, but just an entertaining escape, this will be perfect.



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The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Hunger Games definitely lived up to its hype. I finished the book in a couple of days and I wanted to read books #2 and #3. It's has all the right hooks, plot lines, and characters. I enjoyed it because it's just so much fun to read. I was able to turn off my mind and just enjoy the book.
I wouldn't say Ms. Collins took the trouble to really create something entirely new. The idea of end of a civilization, game to the death, love triangle, etc. have been done before in previous books and movies. Granted, these concepts were woven nicely in the Hunger Games.



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Across Many Mountains: A Tibetan Family's Epic Journey from Oppression to Freedom

Across Many Mountains: A Tibetan Family's Epic Journey from Oppression to Freedom by Yangzom Brauen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Across Many Mountains is enlightening. I was educated about part of the world that was so close to where I came from yet I had no clue about the people and their tragedies. My caricatures of a Tibetan monk, a Tibetan nun, a Tibetan family were shattered after reading this book. The strong female characters were awe-inspiring. Just the thought of taking my little girl across the world's highest mountain range makes my heart ache. And it makes me think if I'm even strong enough of a woman or mother to do it. But, Kunsang, the grandmother, the matriarch, did just that.
This is a book that people in the West should read to learn about the country on top of the world. It is definitely a book for people of the East to learn about how dictatorship and propaganda can destroy a culture and a people.



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Stealing Mona Lisa: A Mystery

Stealing Mona Lisa: A Mystery by Carson Morton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was happily surprised that how much I enjoyed this book. This period novel built around the events surrounding the theft of the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. Some of the events and personalities in the novel were directly from the true event. Other characters were made up for artistic enhancements. The author also move other events in that time period to create drama in the novel.
I'm willing to give the author's artistic liberty because the plot works. It was entertaining and still somewhat educational. I didn't know that the Mona Lisa was ever stolen or that there was a great flood in Paris in the early 1900s. "Stealing Mona Lisa" was a entertaining read.



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The Man of Numbers: Fibonacci's Arithmetic Revolution

The Man of Numbers: Fibonacci's Arithmetic Revolution by Keith J. Devlin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was definitely an interesting read. At 150 pages, it was just the right length to learn about the man who introduced the Hindu-Arabic number system to the western world. Without his practical instructions, the advances in the western civilization definitely would have been delayed.
This was also a very educational read. I learned many facts about Fibonacci that I didn't know or wouldn't know to ask. Such as Fibonacci is not his real name, it's Leonardo (another talented Italian Leonardo). Or that he's from Pisa (just like Galileo Galilei). Or that this Lenardo didn't invent anything per se, but made a new and difficult concept palatable for the masses. Many of these facts are trivial, but someone who loves random knowledge, it is a worthwhile read.
I wished the book delve more into his famous numbers sequence, but the book is titled The Man of Numbers. I will have to go read up on the Fibonacci sequence in another book.



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Iron House

Iron House by John Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm glad that I won John Hart's Iron House and discovered this exciting author and book.
Iron House follows the events surrounding Michael in his search for his brother and the truth. The action and body count starts early and does not stop. John Hart was skillful in weaving different plot lines and creating memorable characters. I was able to create vivid images of all the characters just with Mr. Hart's words. I can practically feel myself walking inside the Iron House and the mansion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a rare book that I can label as a true page turner. Completely entertaining.



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Miss Alice Merriwether's Long Lost Cakes & Further Arcane Inducements to Wonder

Miss Alice Merriwether's Long Lost Cakes & Further Arcane Inducements to Wonder by Barry Aitchison
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Odd, very strange book. The plot is cute, but it is just such a strange book. I can identify the merit why others enjoy the book. But, my literary taste doesn't fall in line with the strange humor Mr. Aitchison laid out in this book.



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Sh*t My Dad Says

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this book. But I thought I would like it more. I was expecting a laugh out loud kind of book. I didn't laugh out loud. Maybe a little giggle. The stories were fun and entertaining. But, I didn't really get anything out of it other than basic entertainment for a couple of hours.



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Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Water for Elephants" is a beautifully written book. I was totally immersed in the time period. Felt and smelled the dirty and disgusting environment the main characters experiencing. I haven't seen the movie but hope I went do, I won't be disappointed. Ms. Gruen painted such a vivid and lush story, the movie that played in my head while I was reading the book was immensely enjoyable.



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The Oak Leaves

The Oak Leaves by Maureen Lang
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed "The Oak Leaves". It's a sad premise and story. I enjoyed the smooth transition between the current and the past. The past helped explain the present and gave the story more depth. I think I enjoyed the section of the book that talks about the past. It reminds me of Jane Austen's book.
However, the religious undertone was overwhelming at times. I didn't know it was a religious book, but it worked for the theme.



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Rules of Betrayal

Rules of Betrayal by Christopher Reich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Rules of Betrayal" is a fun summer read. It is fast-paced and entertaining. Mr. Reich incorporated enough news headlines into his plot line to make the story realistic and believable. The main characters are easy to root for. I look forward to reading the previous installments of the series.



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French Lessons

French Lessons by Ellen Sussman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"French Lessons" made me want to hop on a plane to Paris and wander the street of the enchanting city just like the characters. This is a lovely book written beautifully. I was fully transformed into the characters and the setting starting on the first page. The six main characters are touching and realistic. Loved the "French Lessons".



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Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It

Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It by Gary Taubes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very interesting theory on why we are getting fact. This book debunk the calorie in calorie out theory. Instead of eating too much or not exercising enough, the thesis proposes that it's the carbohydrates that is making us fat.

I enjoyed the logical progression of Mr. Taubes thesis. Propose a theory, use examples and anecdote to prove or disprove the theory. I was able the follow each step of this logic and understand his logic.

The book is also very fun read, and educational too.



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Shutter Island

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Shutter Island the book is just like Shutter Island the movie. Since I saw the movie before reading the book, I was over prepared for the plot's twists and turns. Since the movie was an exact representation of the book, there was nothing new that I found in the book. And, throughout my reading, I saw all the actors' faces. The movie took away the need for my imagination while reading the book. Therefore, Shutter Island the book wasn't as enjoyable as if I didn't watch the movie.
The story is still extremely thought provoking. Mr. Lehane did a great job painting the despair and fear felt by the main character on the island house the dangerous mental patients.



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The Meowmorphosis

The Meowmorphosis by Cook Coleridge
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Meowmorphosis is an interesting enough rewrite of Kafka's classic. All the plot points remained intact. I can almost replace the word "kitten" with "insect" and get the original book. This cuter version doesn't have as much impact as the original version. The image of a ugly giant issue living amongst the bland family is more shocking than a cute kitten. However, the cute factor did make me giggle a little while reading it.
The Meowmorphosis is fun. It makes me want to read Kafka's version again.



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