TWILIGHT by Stephanie Meyer

So, I finished it. I started it Saturday night and finished it Monday morning. I have to admit, people said it was better than Harry Potter, but I don't agree on that one. But it was really good. I love how she writes the main characters feelings because I feel them too. It was the first book in a long time that made my heart pound when reading it. And sometimes I would catch myself holding my breath. So, for someone that is not into Vampires, it was great. And a little scary too. And I like how the characters are in High School, that part reminds me of Harry Potter. I am excited to read the other three in the series, and to see the movie in November.

A LONG WAY GONE by Ishmael Beah

This is about a young boy from Sierra Leone, who is recruited into the army at like 12 years old to fight the rebels. It takes you on his story about survival. I thought it would be better than it was. Not that I like gruesome stuff, but a lot of the book was his background, and a lot of his rehabilitation. But he was only soldier for a short time, not the whole book. It is really sad and it does give me a history lesson since I always hear about the horrible living conditions and way of life over there, but never really got it. The best part of the book is when he is in NYC for the first time and his description of everything is great. He has no idea what an elevator is, he is awestruck at the city and the lights and the people. And he had no idea what snow is or even the term winter. That is what hit me the most of this book is the things we take for granted.

LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH by Emily Griffin

I am a big fan of hers and this is her new book that just came out. My friend calls these books Brain Candy, but they are books that make you laugh. This book is about a girl that just got married and her ex-boyfriend comes back into the picture. Then she is on a roller-coaster of emotions wondering if she married the right guy. Did she choose the safe route, or should she have gone the other more dangerous route and life would not have been as predictable. Great writing at the ending - the author really knows how to make you hate the girl, then love the girl for the decisions she makes. Other good books from her are Something Borrowed (about a girl and her wedding) and Something Blue a continuation of Something Borrowed.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen

The title really does not capture you in, does it? I had to read this book for a book club, and it did not sound that great. It is based in the time when the circus just started and how people actually made a living (if you could call it that) with the traveling circus. It is about a boy that just graduated and is supposed to be a dentist and decides to hop on a train and travel with the circus instead. It is really a good book, something so different from normal books and the author really did her research, so even though she made up most of the story, it is based on her research. It is filled with crazy characters and you really root for the guy in this one. If you are sick of reading the same types of book, this one will be good.

MY SISTER'S KEEPER by Jodi Piccoult

This book is about a family that has a daughter that has leukemia and so they have another daughter born to hope she is a donor for bone marrow. She is a match and so it takes you through their young lives, one daughter that has the disease and another that's life is taken over because she is the only one that can save her sister. They are making a movie about this book, so read it before it comes out so it doesn't get ruined by Cameron Diaz.

LONE SURVIVOR by Marcus Luttrell

I think at this point this is my all time favorite book. I am really not a big fan of non-fiction, I usually like to be taken away from reality when I read, but this book is a true story based on a Navy Seal who was sent on a mission to capture some bad guy in Iraq and the mission went bad. He was the only survivor and he is hunted for days and survives after being shot and finally rescued. This book will make you 100% believe in what we are doing over there and it will make you cry really be thankful for our soldiers and what they do and have done for us. I know I would never want to be in his shoes. I recommend this to anyone and everyone you needs a little dose of I love the USA.

KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini

This is by the same author as Splendid Suns and it is good too. There is a movie out now, so that may have ruined it for people that have not read the book. I have not seen the movie because I don't want it to ruin it. This is also based in Iraq and it is about two young boys and their friendship and where their choices lead them. It can be pretty graphic at points, but I guess that is how life is over there. Another really good book, if you need a book to take on an airplane or something like that to keep your mind occupied, it is prefect for that.