The Hungry Hungry Writer

Book Addiction 2006

Here are the books that I’m on the verge of, in the middle of, or trying to read… I’ll include a short review when I’m finished. (alpha by author)

The Five People You Meet in Heaven
by Mitch Albom
My Rating: 9/10
The back flap describes this book as: “an astoundingly original story that will change everything you’ve ever thought about the afterlife-and the meaning of our lives here on earth.” This is as accurate as a one-sentence review can be. The book is hard to describe as far as a single adjective. So I’ll just list some of the feelings and emotions that overwhelmed me as I turned each page, cherishing every word and just like some lives on earth, the book ended too soon. (more)

The DiVinci Code
by Dan Brown
My Rating: 8/10
It took a while to get into the book. I picked it up, put it down, slowly trudging through the first couple of chapters. Then, around page 100 or so, I couldn’t put it down. When I did dedicate my concentration to the book, there were parts where I couldn’t stop reading!!! Dan Brown’s writing is very researched and he portrays himself as a very passionate man when it comes to the subject matter. I have yet to read a book that incites more thought and question into the subject and themes: artwork of Da Vinci, the Holy Grail, the life of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. And its not really a religious book but an adventure/mystery that any reader would enjoy. I do suggest you read this book. A great discussion will come from it with other readers. (more)

The Rule of Four
by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason
My Rating: 8/10
Riding on the heels of The Da Vinci Code, The Rule of Four jumped into Fiction’s top ten on many selling lists - including palm books. I was looking forward to reading it as it is told in the first person (my favorite narative form) and focuses around four college buddies and their relationship through their last few weeks in college. The first chapter captured me. Remincent of my college years, choices and PAINTBALL!!! (more)

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
by Susanna Clarke, Portia Rosenberg (Illustrator)
My Rating:
(review pending)

The Ways of the Samurai
by Carol Gaskin & Vince Hawkins
My Rating: 7/10
I read it from start to finish in one sitting. There’s only 800 pages. Just kidding. It’s a short 149 pages with glossery of terms. An easy and informative read. If you want to get a taste of Samurai and their culture this is a good start. (more)

The Broker
by John Grisham
My Rating:
(review pending)

The Summons
by John Grisham
My Rating: 6/10
This was actually a quick book to read – once I actually sat down and read it. It was entertaining but definitely NOT one of Grisham’s best. There were a few holes in the story and questionable character actions. I was able to suspend my disbelief in those actions and flaws and read to enjoy the words. (note: He’s a better writer than previous author of book I read - Dan Brown) If you haven’t read other Grisham novels like his earlier ones, I recommend those over this. Pick up something like “The Firm” or “The Street Lawyer”. You’ll find those more entertaining. (more)

October Sky
by Homer Hickman Jr.
My Rating: 8/10
I saw the movie when it came out. It is called “October Sky”. It was inspirational, emotional and an enjoyable movie to watch. A coming of age film about a young man and his desire to build rockets. I picked up the book several years later and it sat on my bookshelf for another several years. I came across it about a month ago prior to a yard sale and instead of selling it I stuffed it into my over crowded briefcase. I would pull it out every time I went to have Sushi for lunch or even if I sat in my office and ate a sandwich. Soon I was half way through. Soon I was feeling like a teenager in a coal mining town in West Virginia in the 60s. A time and place where a career in football or a career in science was the only way out of a dead-end town. I don’t have a lot of biographies on my book shelf and I’m proud to have this one. (more)

Christ Our Lord
by Anne Lamott
My Rating:
(review pending)

Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith
by Anne Lamott
My Rating:
(review pending)

Traveling Mercies
by Anne Lamott
My Rating: 8/10
finished this book some time in December. I was reading it on my Palm Pilot, which makes short books seem like epics due to the page count… And it did take long to read but was a pleasure. Anne Lamott ALWAYS writes as if she’s sitting there, telling you a story. Reading her books leaves you like you’ve just spent some time with a friend. Her first person storytelling is great - especially when they are autobiographal. I really enjoyed this book. (more)

The Tristan Betrayal
by Robert Ludlum
My Rating: 5/10
Robert Ludlum was one of my favorite authors growing up. The first novel I ever read was a Robert Ludlum novel back in the 6th grade called, The Matarese Circle. That was his best. Even better than the Bourne trilogy (with a fourth book written by Eric Van Lustbader). (more)