Romancing Miss Brontë by Juliet Gael

I am not sure exactly why it took me so long to get hooked on to this book. I think that is was due to that fact that I have been reading too fast. I was unable to put this book down once I got about fifty pages in...despite the fact that it took me about a week to read those fifty pages! And now I can say that I read late in to the night and found that I am going to have to re-read Charlotte Brontë's works.

I have a great fascination for historical fictions, and this book did not disappoint in any way. The lives of the Brontë sisters and family are so tragic that you cannot help falling in love with the manner in which they choose to live. I had never really read a biography of any of the Brontë sisters, so I found this book to be all the more intriguing. I heartily recommend it to everyone. It is a powerful book about their lives and human understanding and disposition at the point in time.

The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

Now I understand why this series seems to have caught on like wildfire. I was not sure how the author was going to transition from the previous book and change the storyline. But he did, and it is amazing! I was afraid it would be all about Zalachenko. It was a great ending to the series, especially after knowing so little about Lisbeth in the first two books.

I think my only problem is that the ending seemed to drag on a bit too much. It was almost anti-climactic. So much happens, the trial ends and then there is still about three more chapters. I still loved the books, so it wasn't that bad...I just prefer books with clear-cut ending, even abrupt endings.

However, this series is definitely going on to my must-buy-list, as well as the must-reread-list. I am also recommending it to everyone I come across...so read it!

The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

WOW!! I am afraid I read this book way too fast. I truly enjoyed it and wished it was longer. I will be taking my time with the last one (maybe)...it's hard to stop reading. It is interesting to get to know more about Lisbeth and why she is the way she is. Especially why she was given such a harsh psychological review. Really incredible storyline!!

And the new characters that are introduced in to this book. Especially Zala and the blond giant. It is really hard to write about this without giving anything away...so I am going to stop and suggest you go and read it!!

Both ways is the only way I want it by Maile Meloy

I picked up this book because it was on Oprah's list and so far the books I have read from her suggestions have been really good (My Name is Mary Sutter and The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott). This book however was one of my least favorite. They are a bunch of short stories that must have some underlying meaning that I am totally missing. I have always like short stories, mostly those of Garcia Marquez...but this book was beyond me.

I found the stories to be about very strange topics, the only thing they seemed to have in common was that they took place in the middle of nowhere. That and the fact that I hated all of the endings, if you can call them an ending. It almost seems like the author was writing down her dreams and then forget what the rest of the dream was and end the story. Obviously not my kind of book.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

I am so glad that I read this series, even if it was after watching the movies. They are worth reading. The movies did a good job, but there are still huge parts that are left out. And characters that are changed, especially Faramir. I liked his character in the book so much better. Also Eowyn, she is so much more complex and twisted in the books.

This book is especially different because the ending has so much more to it than the movies. If anything people should read the last few chapters because they are not even hinted towards in the movies. It gives more depth to the war, and the reach and power of Saruman. It also shows the strength of the Hobbits despite their size.