My Reading in 2009

For me, it was an exploding year of reading! To my knowledge, it's the very best I've ever done. But perhaps it's because I actually kept track. I've really been enjoying Goodreads for that reason. Anyway, here are some stats (thanks for the idea Lula) of my reading for '09~

Overall count: 49.5 (hehehe, I'm saying the .5 to be funny but technically I did read half of the book at the end of the year but I'll finish it in 2010 and fully count it then.)

Non-fiction:7
Romances:8
Classics:6
Adult Fiction:11
Young Adult:13
Poetry:1
Graphic novels:3
Female authors:26
Male authors:17
Really disliked:4


Top 10 Favorites, in no particular order:

1. The Silenced by James DeVita: This was a very powerful read for me. It is a dystopian novel set in futuristic time but is based on an actual experience of Sophie Scholl who was an activist against Hitler in WWII. Through the eyes of this story, I felt powerfully what it must mean to be courageous. I really felt I took something from this book that will last within me for a long while. It has only grown as now I've read more and researched a bit about Sophie.

2. The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld: These are magnificently written books that are also dystopian. They are true page turner's. It caused me wonder about the meaning of words like ugly and pretty. Yet, I feel the very heart of these books are the intimate elements of friendship.

3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer: This book is told through letters only which caused me to realize the power and the old art of letter-writing. It feels like getting to know or reconnect with old friends again. Heartwarming!

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: Another page turner! This book is also dystopian and isn't actually very pleasant yet I couldn't put it down. I truly felt for this created world and these characters. There is a lot to think or talk about with this book.

5. The Nature of Jade by Deb Calletti: This book will make you fall in love with elephants! Plus. many elements of this story have lasted with me. It was realistic yet vivid, hauntingly subdued and still hopeful.

6. The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck: Fall into the simple life again through the eyes of a Chinese farmer and his family. As Wang-Lung experiences his life, it is poignantly clear even in what you feel through these words that there will be periods of good, challenging and miserable. I realized that perhaps in the beginning stages of our lives we have so much more than we realize. Take nothing for granted in this story and also get to know the character of the earth.

7. Emma by Jane Austen: How I love Emma and her grand intentions! She is so charming, affectionate and satiating. I find it hard to resist this idealistic classic!

8. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott: Reading this was simply horrifying for me yet is a tale that remains quite eye-opening and will not be easily forgotten.

9. The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci: In this graphic novel, the artwork is amazing along with the writing. A lot different and a better experience than I ever expected in reading a graphic novel. In the end, it left me wanting more.

10. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair: Another horrifying, unforgettable book but in a completely different way. In his definite classic, Sinclair has proven the power in the written word. I've been really into books about this time period lately. This book made be thankful that we have an F.D.A. today even if it still may be problematic.

*Remember for more comprehensive reviews on the books I've read this year, please read my book review's on 5-squared.

Image credit: mandj98 - Creative Commons

I finished R.I.P. IV Reading Challenge

I finished reading the book I chose for the R.I.P IV Reading Challenge. It feels good to have fulfilled my commitment. I also wrote up my review on 5-squared too. It was a perfect choice for this year.
Now, I'm going to see if its possible for me to finish one more and review it in time. Besides, I 'd really like to finish New Moon by Stephanie Meyer before the movie comes out so that's what I'll read. I'll let you know how it goes!

What do I WANT NOW? This Wednesday...

I saw this on Bookworm Barista's blog and I thought it was so cute. I decided that I would play along and I hope that it is alright to do so (margo, won't you please let me know if I'm not supposed to). Basically, I tell about a book that I WANT NOW and since that is not hard for me to do I think it will be fun!

Here's what I WANT NOW:

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins

I'm sure some may already have it and have read it too. Although, it's not due to come out until Sept. 1st. I'm trying not to look too hard about this book so that I won't read anything to spoil it when I'm able to read it but I can't wait! Even after it comes out, who knows when I'll be able to get it but I'll try. I did read her first book and it was so well done that I'm looking forward to this one! I'd really like to know what happens next and to continue reading about some of my favorite characters from Book #1 "The Hunger Games" so if you haven't read her first book yet you may want to pick it up soon!

Time for Teaser Tuesdays

Owwh, I almost forget it's time for Teaser Tuesdays!


Introduced to me by Bookworm Barista and Happy 100th post to you!
Hosted by Should be reading - Thanks!

Here's how Teaser Tuesdays work:
Grab what you're currently reading. Open to a random page. Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from anywhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (be sure that what you share doesn't give to much away, you don't want to ruin the book for others.) Share the title & author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR (to be read list).

Here's my teaser:

In the picture, Clare is about eight years old, her hands are lifted to chin-level and open in a way that meant they'd just been cupped, and she's staring upward as though amazed, and her mother is next to her, looking not upward, but at Clare's face and, striking as Viviana is, her expression is the really beautiful thing in the picture. It's that loving.

Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos, pg. 163

Clean Reads

If you're looking for good, clean reading check these sites out:

http://cleanreads.blogspot.com/

http://goodcleanreads.blogspot.com/

I know you might find these sites interesting at least. Have fun!

Don't forget that I post all of my book reviews on 5-squared!

Reading Challenges

I was inspired by all the reading challenges that my friend, Amanda, is doing. I haven't been involved in this before either. So, I searched the web to find some that would fit best with me. I found them, amazingly enough, and I posted them in my side bar as links.

I've decided to join "My Friend Amy's Buy one book and read it!" challenge for 2009! I do love to buy books once in a while because I can't help browsing through the book racks anywhere I go. While I was shopping for some Christmas books to give, I bought Mozart by Peter Gay for myself as a Christmas gift. I've always wanted to learn a bit about Mozart's life so I thought this looked good. I'd like to do that one for the challenge.
I was also interested in the LOST book reading challenge also hosted on Amy's site but it is well-underway, so I'll have to try that another time. Besides, the new LOST season will be starting soon, right?

Another challenge that I joined is called "Read your Name Challenge: 2009" hosted by Victoria (a.k.a. Phantom Inkheart)The basis of this challenge is to read your name in book title first letters an at the end you'll spell out your name. I'm planing on using my first name 'Julie.' Here's the ideas I have for books I'd like to read so far:

J: Jungle, The by Upton Sinclair

U:Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

L: Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos

I: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

E:e by Matt Beaumont

If all goes well with my reading than I should reach my goal this year for 25 books with possibly reaching as many as 3o. I'm going to aim for 25 first! Be sure to read all my reviews on 5-squared. Most of all, I'm going to have fun reading!

Focus on Reading

I've been having a bit of trouble focusing on reading or similar tasks lately. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with having a 5 1/2 month old baby boy, 2 toddlers and 3 school-aged children. Ya think? So, this past week when I started reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and remembering what I've read - I was ecstatic! It takes a bit to get through a chapter because of distraction but I'm glad of it because I'm actually reading.
I've realized that I love to read. I read Jane Eyre a long time ago, in high school, and I remember liking it then but now I'm really enjoying it with my more mature eyes that I have now. Things are different somehow, more rich and expressive to me.
When I read this exchange between Helen and Jane, I could really relate with Helen's daydreaming. I felt like that must have been my cause for not focusing on what I've been reading. Here's the exchange quoted from the text I have, pg. 69:
Jane asks Helen:
"And when Miss Temple teaches you, do your thoughts wander then?"
Helen replies and I love this:
"No, certainly, not often; because Miss Temple has generally something to say which is newer than my own reflections: her language is singularly agreeable to me, and the information she communicates is often just what I wish to gain."
Oh, I'd like to be described as such. I know I have friends that are worthy of this description and I'm grateful for that. I love learning and listening to what others have to say of value.
Well, when I finish reading Jane Eyre, I'll post a book review on 5-squared. If you can't wait until then, feel free to check out Jane Eyre and read it for yourself.