Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Three teens meet at a residential facility known as Aspen Springs. All three tried to commit suicide; all three battling their own demons. As the trio grows closer, they are able to help each other through the difficult program and unload their secrets to each other.

So far I have liked all of Ellen Hopkins books. I love the free verse style. They are a bit depressing though.

Multiple Blessings by Jon & Kate Goseelin and Beth Carson

Multiple Blessings

I am a huge fan of the show Jon and Kate Plus 8 so when I saw the book was out, I was curious to go beyond what we see on tv and learn some more of the back story of this intriguing family. I also knew that Kate, like myself, struggles from PCOS and went through the same fertility treatments I went through. I find it helpful to read another person's similar journey through fertility treatments.

I knew going in that there would be a heavy religious component to the book based on what I have seen from the show, but I felt the bible verses were a bit much. Although, I know it is a big part of the Gosselin's personal belief system and experience so I just ignored them as best I could. My only other complaint is how, just like in the documentary, Kate pretty much skips over the whole PCOS issue. It is literally 1 sentence. Which I fine, I guess, I just wish more people would speak out about PCOS and help raise much needed awareness.

All in all I found this book enjoyable. It was fun to follow the Gosselin's on their journey in a more in depth and personal way.

Run for Your Life by James Patterson

Run for Your Life by James Patterson

Det. Michael Bennett is just coming off of a particularly difficult hostage negotiation in Harlem when the Commissioner calls him personally to head up a task force to stop a seemingly connected string of murders targeting the wealthy of New York City. This is the second book featuring Detective Bennett after Step on a Crack. I liked this one more than Step on a Crack and I enjoy the character, his nanny Mary Catherine, his grandfather Seamus, and his brood of ten children.

Force of Nature by Laird Hamilton

Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul, and of course Surfing by Laird Hamilton

I saw Laird Hamilton on Chelsea Lately promoting this new book. It sounded so inspirational, I just had to check it out. The book opens with a quote from Mark Twain that I think sums up the book well:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

This book is written in four parts: Mind, Body, Soul, and Surfing. Each section discusses Laird's philosophy on how to live life to the fullest, how to feed your body, how to excel in every aspect of life, and how to appreciate the world and people around you. I did indeed find it very inspirational. He is an amazing athlete and an amazing person.

In addition to the great advice in this book, the photographs are beautiful. I can't stop looking at them!

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

I don't want to talk about it....not yet anyway....

The Dead Room and Coraline

The Dead Room by Heather Graham

Leslie McIntyre has become a famed archaeologist for her uncanny ability to find dead people with ease. When she is asked to return to New York City to work on another historic dig she is anxious to return to the historic home where an explosion killed her husband and nearly ended her own life. Leslie is determined to help the ghosts reaching out to her by finding their burial sites, help her late husbands cousin, Joe (a private eye), discover the truth behind the explosion and also help Joe find a missing heiress and the missing prostitutes she was helping. All seem to be connected in some way, Leslie and Joe just need to fit the pieces together.

It took me a while to read this due to my car accident, but I did enjoy it. There is an interesting twist at the end that I did not see coming. So far, I have enjoyed all of the Heather Graham books I have read.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

While exploring her home out of boredness one day, Coraline discovers a door that leads to another world. This world looks very much like her own and has all of the same people, only it is different. Her "other mother" and "other father" with the button eyes want to keep Coraline. Will she ever find her way back out? To her real home, real mother, and real father? This is a fun and creepy read. I look forward to seeing the movie!

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Graphic Novel

This is the story/memoir of a young Iranian girl growing up through the revolution. I really fell in love with Marjane's strength, independence, free-spirit, and plain old chutzpah. The details about the revolution and what the Iranian people went through was heart wrenching and I feel like I gained a whole new perspective of Iran's history and the Iranian people. I loved this book.