by: Dalia Jurgensen

2009; 288 pages

rating: 4.5

I'm not usually a lover of non-fiction. But I definitely loved Spiced. Now, to be fair, I love baking and cooking and all things associated with it. So, I was probably a little bit biased in favor of "Spiced" to begin with.

It was really fun for me to read about how a woman wanting to be a chef became a pastry chef, and all the trials that come along with a life in the kitchen. There were definitely aspects of that life that I never though of before.

The story was well told and engaging. It wasn't over the top or far-fetched. I really enjoyed reading it. You should read it to if you enjoy spending any amount of time in the kitchen.

By: Harper Lee

1960; 323 pages

Rating: 5

Can you believe that I made it through a bachelor's degree in English without having read "To Kill a Mockingbird"? I cannot believe that it took me so long to finally read this book. It's not like I avoided reading it, I just never thought to pick it up and read it until my younger sister assigned it to me (since it's her favorite book of all time).

I absolutely loved it. There's a reason that "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic and should be read by all people. The writing is amazing, the story is fantastic, and the social lessons we learn are important as well. It is also a very succinct glimpse into the U.S. during the 1950s and 60s (at least I think so...I wasn't alive then to know how realistic it is or isn't).

Anyway, I highly recommend that you read "To Kill a Mockingbird" at your earliest convenience. Actually, no. Not at your convenience. I'm assigning it to you.

by: Junot Diaz

2007; 368 pages,

rating: 1

I really didn't care for "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao". It was recommended to me, and I ran across a free copy, so I decided to pick it up. I just felt like the story wasn't going anywhere. Also, I didn't appreciate the language. Sometimes I don't mind obscene language when it is "necessary" to the story, but I just did not think it was in this case.

The narration style was the best part of the novel I think, and even that was a bit off for my taste. And I never felt any connection or concern really for the characters. I felt told about the characters rather than invited to share in a glimpse of their lives.

However, the saddest part for me is that I didn't learn enough about the Dominican Republic. I was really hoping to learn more about the culture and the customs of the DR, but didn't feel as if "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" accomplished that for me.

By: Lois Lowry

1993; 208 pages

Rating: 5

I absolutely loved "The Giver". I thought it was fantastically written, and gave a really interesting perspective on that which could be. As I was reading it, I was definitely thinking a lot about where we are today and what could happen in the future.

"The Giver" is a young adult novel, so it is a very quick read. But, I really think that it's a book everyone should read. You'll be surprised at what goes into, and what you'll get out of this Newberry Award Winner.

It's hard not to say more without giving too much away.

By: Bernhard Schlink

1995; 218 pages

Rating: 3.5

"The Reader" is the book I chose for my local book club this month. I thought it would be fun to watch the movie together and then discuss the book. It was.

However, when I started reading the book, I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. And I was pretty concerned that I had bought the book for my 18 year old sister-in-law to read as well. For those who don't know already, the first half of the book is pretty graphic and uncomfortable (at least to me). The story of a sexual relationship with any 15 year old makes me uncomfortable.

Anyway, the second half while still slightly unnerving, was very interesting. I loved discussing with the group how the two halves came together and what actions were influenced by what.

As far as how it is as a book, it is very German. What I mean is it's direct, to the point, without much (if any) fluff. And the ending is what you make of it. It is up to interpretation rather than being entirely spelled out for you.

The Reader is definitely a great book for discussion. But, make sure it's an adult crowd first. It definitely provided some good food-for-thought.

By: Greg Mortenson

2006; 349 pages

Rating: 3

"Three Cups of Tea" was recommended to me by several people, of all different backgrounds and interests. I decided to read it, and choose it for my sisterly book club. (It's just the three of us sisters, and we use it as an excuse to see each other 6 times a year more than we would otherwise.)

I have to admit that I was rather disappointed in "Three Cups of Tea". I found the story itself to be a rather remarkable story, but I did not care for the narration style. It felt very much like I was reading a text book, and that's something I don't want to have to do again for a very long time. I know that Mortenson team wrote the book with David Oliver Relin, so my guess is that it was the team effort that made it sound so text-booky.

I think Mortenson's story and goal are both incredible. In fact, I'd love to go to Pakistan / Afganistan and volunteer my time to help him build schools for girls. I just didn't care for how the book was written.

However, I do think the story is one everybody should know. So, maybe google Greg Mortenson and read the wiki article about him. At least that way, you know you're reading an "encyclopedia".

By: David Wroblewski

2008; 564 pages

Rating: 2.5

I've read this story before. I've studied this story in very minute detail before. The only trouble is, I didn't know that The Story of Edgar Sawtelle was really a re-telling of Shakespeare's Hamlet until I was about half way through it. Up until then, I was really enjoying the book. But once I realized that I was reading a modern Hamlet, I didn't like it as much.

Wroblewski is a great writer. His words and images are amazing as they dance across the page and into the mind's eye. I would have just liked to have read a more unique story line. Don't get me wrong; I love Hamlet. I think it's one of Shakespeare's best. I just really don't like it when an author completely rips off the storyline of another author.

I enjoyed reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. However, I knew how everything was going to end. I hate knowing how something is going to end before I get to the end. So, I guess, if you don't mind that, or are not as familiar with Hamlet as I am, you'll probably like it better than I did.