Wintergirls

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Another chilling YA title by the author of Speak, this book explores the power of friendship for evil as as well as good, and examines the inexplicable ties that bind girls together even after they've parted ways.

What happens when competition between friends turns deadly? That's exactly what we find out from Lia and Cassie, two teens who make a secret pact to be the "skinner" friend. Lia copes with anorexia while Cassie battles bulemia, all in the quest to be the skinniest. The friends have a falling out and go their own ways and shortly thereafter Cassie dies tragically, alone, in a motel room. Lia's anorexia escalates as she tries to cope with her culpability in Cassie's death. Lia not only is battling her own demons within, but also battling her guilt for not answering Cassie's calls for help on the night of her death.

Half Broke Horses

By Jeanette Walls

I waited with much anticipation for this book by Walls, author of the NYT bestseller Glass Castles. This book is classified as fiction simply because she got her stories from her mother who, as you know if you read Walls' previous book, isn't all that realiable of a source. Since she couldn't verify all the stories about her grandmother, Walls just went with historical fiction and man, does it work. Read as either a story or real-life, Walls once again uses her phenomenal writing skills to spin a story that won't dissappoint even the most critical reader.

The value of hard work, perserverance, and family values are at the forefront of this novel about Lily Casey Smith's life. Raised like a boy, she turns into a trailblazing woman who fends for herself in the Wild West. A factory worker, a rancher, a teacher, and pilot...you name it and Lily did it. From taking on Chicago on her own early on to returning to find her way in the Southwest, we see the development of many new technologies through her eyes. The reader quickly learns that spunk and intelligence will take you far in life.

I've recommended this to several colleagues, all of who have adored it. If you are a strong woman (or aspire to be), you really need to read this book!

A Few Quick Reads - Upon looking back at my own reading notebook I noticed several titles I've read over the past few months but haven't felt passionately enough about to relate them to the world as a whole. I'll just throw out a few tidbits so that you'll see I've not been slacking when it comes to my reading!

1. The Tenth Justice by Brad Meltzer - Legal thriller that is not usually my reading fare. Recommended by a great friend, I was impressed with the insight it gave into the seedier side of the Supreme Court.

2. Eat This, Not That 2010 by David Zinczenko - I always love reading these books. Now I know I should NOT eat that grilled stuffed burrito from Taco Bell. Well, I know I shouldn't, but I probably still will!

3. Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom - I really connected with Albom's previous books (Tuesdays With Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven), so I was anticipating another memorable book. I wasn't dissappointed, either. Albom explores faith and relgion by writing a eulogy for Reb, his Jewish rabbi. Interesting caveat: Reb is still alive.

4. The Runner's Rule Book by Mark Remy - Hilarious but all-too-true rule book for anyone who is a runner or is thinking about taking up the sport. Covers all the basics plus those small things that one may overlook, such as Rule #53: Look behind you before spitting or blowing your nose!

5. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown - In anticipation of my trip to D.C. in June, I couldn't wait to read Brown's new book. Set in Washington, he introduces the reader to the mysteries that were built into our nation's capital by our forefathers and how, if unlocked, can mean the destruction of our nation.

6. An American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld - Loosely based upon the life of Laura Bush, this isn't the type of book I usually read but I enjoyed it all the same. Laura Bush is someone I admire greatly and her life up until the point she meets and marries George eerily parrallels mine. I don't know if this is one I'd recommend, but I'll own up to reading it all the same.

7. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut - I read this as a part of our required reading for this year's English Academic Team. An anti-war novel set during WWII but written during the Vietnam war era, you can easily discern the differences from other WWII novels. Skipping forward and backward in time, from earth to Tralmalfadore, and from fantasy to realistic fiction, the novel is hard to follow but does have memorable passages that relate Vonnegut's disdain for war.

8. A Game Plan for Life by John Wooden - I read nearly everything written by or about the venerable Coach Wooden, and I was elated to see a new book by him. This one focuses on the importance of mentoring, both for the mentor and the mentee. Very inspiring to think of all the people that you can affect throughout your life whether or not you realize it.

9. Bright-Sided by Barbara Ehrenrich - Another non-fiction book by the author of Nickel and Dimed (one of my favorites) which asks the reader to look critically at the world in which we live. This book confronts the idea that society's obsession with positive thinking is over-the-top. Honestly, I believe the premise is correct. There honestly isn't always a bright-side to everything!

10. The Way to Rainy Mountain by M. Scott Mommaday - Another English Academic Team reading, this is a folk legend of the Kiowa Indiana tribe of the southwestern U.S. Told in part legend, part historical narrative, and part personal reflection, this book weaves a story about the Kiowas from the earliest times until their eventual virutal demise from our culture.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - Another faculty book club selection, I honestly wasn't as taken with this book as most of the individuals I've spoken to. I will admit that it probably had to do with the fact that the man was in the midst of dying, spending his last days with his wife and children. I found myself depressed and wondering, "Why bother?" Although he addresses this line of thinking early on, I just never embraced the concept. There were many, many poignant passages and life lessons that one who still has a lot of time to live would benefit from applying to his or her life. Pausch, the eternal "fun guy" takes that attitude as much into his dying as he did into his living. I'd recommend this book to anyone as the lessons will stick with you and, hopefully, enhance the life that's out there for you to live!