"The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold

Pages: 328
Genre: Fiction

Back Cover Synopsis: "'My name is Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.' So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without her--her friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her killer trying to cover his tracks, her grief-stricken family unraveling."

Review: This book is sad, uplifting, heart-wrenching, and devastating. I wouldn't recommend it for the weak of heart or spirit. The murder scene could be considered a little detailed for some. So, if you shy away from those types of things, you might want to pick another book. With that said, I thought the book was completely and wholly interesting. I was enthralled. The concept is such a new idea, at least for me. I had never read a book from the point of view of a murder victim in heaven. It was very interesting to see her take on the life that was happening without her.

If you are looking for a well-written work of fiction that is not only interesting, but encourages you to think about your own life and loved ones, pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.

"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Pages: 498
Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Back Cover Synopsis: "When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret."

Review: I first heard about this book in 2007. I had just moved to a new state and started a new job. My new coworker told me that her daughter absolutely loved this book. Once she mentioned vampires, I was immediately turned off from it. Vampires? Really? No, thank you. She insisted that I "just had to read it". I politely declined. A few months later, my aunt tried to force it on me. I gave in. I was entranced from the first page. I loved learning about and getting to know the characters--all while trying to figure out the mystery that is Edward Cullen. I adore this book! I adore the entire series.

I think it is a fun read. It is more of escapist literature rather than the deeper, analytical-type, but it was very enjoyable--and I found it worthwhile.

Give it a try and let me know what you think/though about it!

"501 French Verbs" by Christopher and Theodore Kendris

Pages: 688
Genre: Reference

Synopsis: "...fully conjugated in all the tenses in a new easy to learn format alphabetically arranged."

Review: Obviously, this isn't fiction. It doesn't have a story. Nor is there any pull from a plot. But, this is one heck of a reference book for anyone learning or trying to maintain their French language skills. It fully conjugates every verb in French--making it an incredible quick reference book that will save you a lot of headaches. I used this book almost non-stop in college!

"Juliet Dove, Queen of Love" by Bruce Coville

Pages: 190
Genre: Children's Fictional Chapter Book

Back Cover Synopsis: Rats! Juliet Dove's worst nightmare is about to come true: People are going to start noticing her. For anyone else, that'd be no big deal, but Juliet Dove isn't like anyone else. Whenever she's teased, shy Juliet defends herself...by saying the sorts of mean things that should never be said. It is Juliet's vicious mouth that sends her feeling to Mr. Elives' magic shop, but it is her tender heart that causes her to leave with a beautiful amulet. The ancient bauble casts a powerful spell on every boy she meets: each falls hopelessly in love with her. Worse still, Juliet can't take the amulet off...and its power seems to be increasing."

Review: This is one of my all-time favorite books. Even though it is meant for ages 8-13ish, I laughed the whole way through. The mystery is intriguing, as well as the magical aspects of what exactly is going on with Juliet Dove. Her reactions to all the attention are priceless. It is an easy read, and is great for a medium-level reader, or for anyone else that just wants to enjoy a fun story.

"Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn" by Donald Spoto

Pages: 316
Genre: Biographical Non-Fiction

Back Cover Synopsis: "Her name is synonymous with elegance, style, and grace. Over the course of her extraordinary life and career, Audrey Hepburn captured hearts around the world and created a public image that stands as one of the most recognizable and beloved in recent memory. But despite her international fame and her tireless efforts on behalf of UNICEF, Audrey was also known for her intense privacy. With unprecedented access to studio archives, friends and colleagues who knew and loved Audrey, bestselling author Donald Spoto provides an intimate and moving account of this beautiful, elusive, and talented woman."

Review: Because I adore Audrey Hepburn, I was ecstatic to come across this book. I expected it to be intriguing the entire way through. I found that maybe half the time, I couldn't get enough of Spoto's Audrey information, and the other half, I tried not to fall asleep. Some of the book felt a little heavy--difficult to get through. But on the other hand, I had never known some of the information included (her relationships with her husbands, her insecurities with her acting and her appearance).

All in all, I would recommend this book to die-hard Audrey Hepburn fans, but I think there are probably "lighter", easier to read books available about our beloved Audrey.

"Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

Pages: 534
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Fiction

Back Cover Synopsis: "One cruel night, Meggie's father reads aloud from Inkheart, and an evil ruler named Capricorn escapes the boundaries of the book, landing in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie's in the middle of the kind of adventure she thought only took place in fairy tales. Somehow she must master the magic that has conjured up this nightmare. Can she change the course of the story that has changed her life forever?"

Review: I've read a lot of fantasy fiction, but this type of story line is completely new to me. I've never read anything like it before. I found it incredibly intriguing and entertaining. The characters were believable and they held their own throughout the story--which was fantastic!

Because of how unique this book is, I couldn't put it down. From the first page, the mystery begins when Meggie sees a strange man standing outside her window in the rain--staring at the house. And that was just the first mystery and strange encounter that Meggie and the reader get to encounter and try to figure out.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read a good adventure, with a splash of fairytale, or to someone who loves reading books of a series. The Inkheart series is comprised of 3 books total.

***Side note: While the movie with Brenden Frasier was entertaining, the book was a lot more intensive and engaging (which is often the case with book turned movie, right?!)