Book Review

It may not come to a surprise to you that I like to read. I  have a Nook which I do routinely add new books to. The downside is that for some reason with the Nook, I don't hesitate to spend money on a new book. I've made some mistakes (Secretariat and Eat Pray Love) but for the most part I read a sample and then buy the book.

Since moving to Greenville, I've utitilised the library a lot more than I did in Carlisle. Maybe somehow I have more time? Anyway, I've read a bunch of books recently so here are some reviews! Be forwarned there are major spoilers!

Emily and Einstein by Linda Francis Lee--Apparently, this is an Amazon bonus book so I suggest that for $10 you pick it up! This book is about Emily and Einstein, her dog. Einstein is more than a dog though. He is the reincarnation of her dead husband. Her husband intends on divorcing her but dies the night he plans on telling her this-he is pinned between two cars on a snowy night. Einstein (as a stray dog) is killed too. Then there is some 'Its A Wonderful Life' angel/ghost business regarding that if he wants to live, he has to do so as the dog and the dog has to change Emily's life. Emily's life does end up changing and Einstein dies. I cried while reading the first part of the book and Joe made fun of me. It was a good book though.

Recently, I've also got into 'chick lit' because its an easy, fast and fun read. There are some distinct problems with some of the books as I will address as needed.
I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella--So in this book, the main character is planning a huge wedding but loses her engagement ring (a family heirloom) and her cell phone. So she finds an alternative cell phone which happens to belong to a very important company. The cell phone was the former property of a recently quit assistant. The main character ends up causing lots of trouble as she balences the life of man who's assistant used to have the phone. Well, it also turns out that her fiance is horrible, there is a huge scandal at the really important company and ultimately the business man and her start dating. Its a good book.
When In Doubt, Add Butter by Beth Harbison--While I'm not certain it fully fits into the 'chick lit' genre, it was still a good book and an easy read. The main character is a personal chef just outside of DC. She has some pretty drama filled clients. She has a hookup and evenutally realizes that she's pregant. Then one of her clients (a single male lawyer who she never has met) turns out to be the baby's father! Happy ever after!
Something Blue by Emily Giffin--Okay, this is the 'chick lit' book that I have the most problem with. Here's the plot: A woman is planning her wedding and as the date draws near, she realizes that because she has been cheating on her fiance with one of his groomsmen that she should call it off. She goes to do so and he calls it quits. Its all good. Then she goes over to see her best friend who is less than sympathetic because she is sleeping with the former fiance! Approprately, the former bride is pissed. BUT the thing that I haven't told you is that she is the type of person you love to hate. She feels that she should get everything and anything she wants because how she looks and acts. She acts incessantly annoying questions. She wants it her way only. So now she has it all planned that she is going to marry the groomsman especially once she finds out she is pregnant. Originally, he's on board but then breaks up with her. She moves to England with a mutual friend (male), finds out she is having twins, dates the doctor and then ends up marrying the mutual friend. Her attitude luckily has improved by then. But you still sort of root against her.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand-I might have talked about this book before because it was so amazing. I just ordered it on CD to listen to while we went to Missouri for Christmas. Its the hard luck story of a WWII flyer that is shot down over the ocean and then his detention in a Japanese POW camp. His life wasn't easy to begin with but then he becomes a track star before joining the army. Its really an amazing tale of courage. I can't believe how awful the Japanese were to these POWs.

The Eighty Dollar Champion by Elizabeth Betts--This was the most amazing book. I read it entirely on my iPhone after downloading it to my Nook. It is well written in the style of Seabiscuit (by Laura Hillenbrand which might also by why Unbroken is so wonderful.). Even if you're not really a horse person, I suggest checking out this book. Anyway, the book is about an old plow horse that becomes an amazing jumper at the national level.

An Irish Country Doctory by Patrick Taylor--One of the blurbs on the back says "In a style joyously reminiscent of James Harriot...'. Well, that is entirely true because it is the MD version of any James Harriot book. So at first, I was like ugh, this story has been told before but now I'm really into it. There are apparently many books in this series but I think this is the first. I suggest checking it out. The characters are heartwarming and nice.

And finally, the books I love the most: Amish Fiction! Beverly Lewis is the only author whose books I have read. She is considered the founder of this genre. I am reading the Heritage of Lancaster County triliogy right now but its not that good. (It was her first ones.) I really liked Abram's Daughters better, which I wrote about here. I also read the The Seasons of Grace series. (I think.) Regardless, I really like these books. Full of conflict, easy to read, Amish.