The Jane Austen Book Club

Most of us have all heard of the book and movie with the title The Jane Austen Book Club, but few of us have ever actually been a part of one. I'm proposing a blogger group called the Jane Austen Book Club where we can read the books in the same order they read in the movie and at the end of the month post our thoughts and have a "book club" by commenting on a blog. Here is a link to that blog and if you are interested and have little, lots, or no experience reading Austen come on and join me because it's open to all. :) the first book will be Emma by: Jane Austen. More details on the site. Just don't get lost in Austen :)

50 States Challenge

So, I've encountered a reading challenge that I've decided to take on. I have to read books that take place in each of the 50 states for at least the majority of the book. Re-reads count (at least in my rule book). Anyone interested in taking a road trip around the USA (through books) I highly encourage to try this out. Please post any comments or if you're interested please link your progress. Deadline: December 31, 2011. So far I've already knocked off 4: Washington, Maine, Minnesota, and South Carolina....only 46 left! (and i'm counting books that i've read since the start of this blog which was pretty close to the start of the year anyway. http://book-obsessed.blogspot.com/2010/11/50-states-reading-challenge-2011-sign.html
Happy Reading :)

4) The Cinderella Society

Ok ok I realize it's been an insane amount of time since I actually read this book, but I've been busy and haven't had time to write a review. Let me just say-it was amazing, but at parts it kind of dragged on and on, which is why it only got 4 instead of 5 stars. I felt like the concept was exceptional, but the execution was a tiny bit off. However, overall very good. It's about friendship, fitting in, and destroying evil. Jess Parker is used to moving constantly, but still hasnt made any friends after moving to Mt. Sterling, the town where her grandmother lives and works. Jess and her mom are currently living in Mrs. Parker's childhood home and there is a strong basis of family (especially with Jess's grandmother) which I really enjoyed. The only thing that has gotten her through all these moves is cheerleading. Jess has always been exceptional at cheering and has made it on the varsity squad at most schools, including Mt. Sterling High. However, when she swoops in and steals the spot of the meanest girl in school, Lexy, she's in for it. One day, she discovers a purple envelope in her bag that invites her to the Grind, the local coffeeshop and IT crowd hangout, that afternoon. The instructions are clear that she is to wear the little silver pin in the shape of a shoe that was also in the envelope. She soon gets initiated into the Cinderella Society who's goal is to help the Reggies (regular people) defend themselves against the Wickeds (Lexy's group of people). However, it's not all glitz, glam, and makeovers for the Cindys-they are in for an all out war...

Note:

Just so you know, I'm not reviewing Icing on the Lake even though it got 4 stars. It was a great book and I def. suggest it, but to be honest, I dont really have time to review it. This was my second time reading it and I've loved it both times. However, I've found that I like it so much better when it's cold outside (late fall/winter) because then you can really relate to the characters more. Just my opinion...

3) Stormbreaker

Ok so I know what you're thinking: Stormbreaker is kind of a younger book (like middle school not high school), but I've heard for a long time that it's a good book and have seen several reading it so I finally gave it a shot and was very pleased. It recieved a 5star rating bc it was truly the most interesting and captivating book I've read in a very long time. All 192 pages kept my interest (which is pretty hard to do) and I rushed home to finish the last 30 or 40 pages before doing anything else (such as what I needed to do: hw). I had a friend tell me the fate of one of the characters as I was reading it and it was so far-fetched that I told him there was no way that actually happens. Well, it did. Now I have to face him tomorrow and admit that he was right...which isn't always easy. Oh well, back to the book. It's about a 14-year-old boy, Alex Rider, who's uncle just died in a car incident. However, Alex soon discovers that his uncle wasn't a banker, but a top secret agent for M16. When his uncle dies and his boss discovers Alex's potential, he is "convinced" to finish what his uncle started. He is to figure out what's going on with a new kind of computer called a Stormbreaker that is to be released to all the schoolchildren in England at once in a few weeks. Can Alex keep himself away from all the dangers of the spy-life? I would HIGHLY reccommend this book. It's especially great for a short read (like if you have to do a last-minute book report or want to finish a book in a day or less). Anyway, so after I finished reading the book and then read the teaser for the second book, I am anxiously awaiting the notification to come that will tell me that the second book is in at the library. Until then, I will keep Alex and his story in my mind until I can have some more questions answered in the next book, Point Blank. Feel free to leave comments if you have read/heard of/want to read/have opinions about this book or whatever. Enjoy your lives. :)

2) The Secret Life of Bees

I had some free time over vacation and was able to finally finish this book today. It is my first review of the new year and I'm hoping that I will be able to continue posting at a consistent rate all year long...we'll see how that goes. Anyway, The Secret Life of Bees was quite amazing. It was the story of Lily Owens who is haunted by the death of her mother and the abuse of her father. She and her African-American friend, Rosaleen, break out of jail and find the home of the Boatwright sisters by tracing their unique Black Madonna Honey. Lily and Rosaleen are introduced to the Daughters of Mary and learn a lot about life, love, happiness, regret, and forgiveness. The characters were so lovable, it had a perfect ending and it conveys the message that you really should live your life to the fullest. A great read that I recommend for anyone in search of a good book. Happy New Year :)