Crazy4reading's 50 book goal cont'd.

Since my other thread was getting long I wanted to help those with dial up on the load time of the page. Thanks for visiting my thread. This list is going to start at number 28. You can see the first 27 books here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/54236&newpost=1#top




Here is the link to my 999 challenge thread:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/55041

I am currently reading:

28. The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie
29. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
30. Die Struwwelliese by Cilly Schmitt-Teichmann
31. Postern of Fate by Agatha Christie
32. Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie
33. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
34. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barabara Ehrenreich
35. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
36. The Outlander by Gil Adamson
37. Act Like a Gentleman, Think Like a Woman by Maria Bustillos
38. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
39. Die Smart by Kathy Lane
40. Testimony by Anita Shreve
41. Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna by Robert Slentz-Kesler
42. ttyl by Lauren Myracle
43. Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man by Wendelin Van Draanen
44. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
45. Here's to you, Rachel Robinson by Judy Blume
46. It Happened One Wedding Night by Karen Hughes
47. Truly Madly: A Novel by Heather Webber
48. Look Great, Live Green by Deborah Burnes
49. Highland Hearts by Virginia Brown

I'm here *waves* :D

*waves* Hi GUG!! Nice to see some has followed my thread. Well I finished another book today. Yes I have been reading this week end really trying to catch up on my reading.

28. The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie

This is my first Agatha Christie book. I have been informed by many people that I would love Agatha Christie's books. I admit that is true. I started The Body in the Library this morning. Every free moment I had I was reading the book.

How would you react to finding a body in your library? I don't know if I would be as calm as the woman in this book. Mrs. Bantry was thrilled with finding a body in her library. This was her chance to be a sleuth. That is what she was eager for.

The Body in the Library is a Miss Marple Mystery. Miss Marple is the sleuth in the village of St. Mary Mead. Mrs. Bantry calls Miss Marple up to the house when the body is found.

I enjoyed the book except for the parts that were written in French. Since I have never taken French some of the jokes were lost on me. Ms. Christie's writing style is one that is new to me. The book was a nice easy week end read.

5 stars since I didn't know until the very end who the murderer was..

Agatha Christie is great! I used to love her but for some reason, stopped reading her books for a while. I've recently been trying to get back into it and bought my first Miss Marple book last month, I've only read the Poirot books until now. If you want some more Christie and would be interested in the Poirot stories, I'd highly recommend Murder on the Orient Express. That was my first one and it's classic Christie.

Oh I have heard of Murder on the Orient Express. I will have to look for that at the library on Friday. Thanks so much for that recommendation. I have always wanted to read Agatha Christie so I am glad to have accomplished that and at least read one of her books.

I can also recommend And Then There Were None by Christie, also called Ten Little Negroes or Ten Little Indians.

I bought Murder on the Orient Express today. I looked for And Then There Were None and I couldn't find it. It turned out my son had the last copy in his hands because he has to read it for summer reading. I will hopefully get it later.

29. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Well the main reason I decided to read Dead Until Dark was because of the True Blood series on HBO, plus it was recommended to me by people from here and a few sites I belong to. I think I put off reading the book because I thought I wasn't in the mood for any more Vampires. This book is nothing like what I expected, which is a good thing. I found myself laughing out loud or having to stop myself from laughing to loud since I was reading it at work.

Dead Until Dark is the first book in a series by Charlaine Harris. I do not know exactly how many books there are going to be. I believe there are about 7 books in the series right now. The main character of the book is Sookie Stackhouse who is a small time cocktail waitress in a small town in Louisiana. She has a 'disability' that does frighten some people of Bon Temp. Sookis is able to read minds. Her disability makes it hard for her to have a relationship with men until she meets Bill one night at the bar that she works. Bill is a vampire and she is able to drop her guard when she is around him which she loves because of all the silence.

One of Sookie's co-workers is murdered and people think it is Sookie's vampire doing all the killing because the first girl that is murdered has old bite marks. Sookie fears she is the next one on the murderers list.

I found myself not wanting to stop reading the book. I would finish a chapter and find myself starting the next one right away. I enjoyed reading this book and seeing the vampires portrayed in a different way then what I read in the Twilight books. No sparkly vampires in this book.

5 stars

I'm here too! I don't read many mysteries anymore, but Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None forever changed how I read mysteries. It probably won't have the same WOW effect on anybody now, but it was amazing at the time. Happy reading!

Hi Bonnie,

Sorry for such a late reply. My son actually has to read And Then There Were None for his Honors British Lit class. I will borrow it from him when he is done with it. I am reading some more Agatha Christie books.

Now on to my next review.

30. Die Struwwelliese by Cilly Schmitt-Teichmann

I won this book through the Member Giveaway program. Even though I have never taken German as a language I know my sister has and figured she could read it to her children. I decided to read it prior to letting her borrow it. Die Struwwelliese is a very cute book and story. I had to use a translator since I don't know too much German. The story is interesting even in translation.

My son's friend who is living with us does know German so he started to read it. He told me about the book Die Struwwelpeter (forgive me if I am wrong) that Die Struwwelliese is most likely based on.

I gave the book 4 stars.

A children's book in German? That's probably what I should be reading. Instead, I just started reading a German translation of Cold Mountain yesterday. Even with the English version and my translator on my computer, it still took me an hour to read a few pages. Gonna have to change the way I'm reading if I'm going to get through that book in less than a year. Happy reading, Happy 4th!

Hi Bonnie,

Sorry for the late reply. I hope you had a great 4th of July. I still can't believe that I read a book written in German. I am part German but never took German in my life. My sister will probably enjoy the book but I won't let her keep it. I want it just because my son loves to learn different languages and I never know if I meet some one that can read German that might want to read it.

I have Cold Mountain on my TBR piles and it is in English, at least I believe it is. I really need to organize my books into better piles or something. Any ideas on how to do that would be greatly appreciated.

Have a great day!!

Another one down. I think I will be able to reach this goal and maybe read even more then 50!!

31. Postern of Fate by Agatha Christie

I just finished this book late last night. I enjoyed the book. The main characters are Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. They are an elderly couple that have solved mysteries in the past. This is the first book I have read by Agatha Christie with Tommy and Tuppence.

I found the couple very entertaining with the style of speech and the way they interacted with each other. Some times they were able to finish each others thoughts or were confused by what the other was saying. That made me think of most elderly couples even if they haven't been a couple for long.

Tommy and Tuppence have purchased a house. The house is very old and has had many names such as: The Laurels and The Swallows Nest.

Tuppence is organizing books that they purchased along with the house. The books are old and she fondly remembers reading some of them when she was a youngster.

As she is looking through one of the books she comes across a cryptic message that was left in the book. The message is left by certain letters being underlined in the book. The message read: Mary Jordan did not die naturally. It was one of us. I think I know which one. That starts the ball rolling on this wonderfully entertaining story.

I found myself trying to figure out who had done it from the beginning even though most of the people from that time period were most likely dead. I enjoyed learning about the people that had owned the house before plus those that had lived in the neighborhood before.

4 stars out of 5

Now I am going to try and finish another Agatha Christie book tonight.

Ooh! A mystery in which a book is involved! That's cool! I read a lot of mysteries when I was younger, don't remember if I read that one. AG is usually a good read, though, isn't she?

Regarding the organization of your books, I'm naturally disorganized and know I would never have the patience to keep my books in alphabetical order, so I keep my books in groups mostly by category--but my own weird categories. For example all my short stories are in one place, favorite novels in another, but then I have two bookcases full of books that are good writing, but which I don't mind giving away to my son when he comes visiting (he's always raiding my books). More normal (?) categories are: socio-political books, books about the brain/medicine/health, poetry, women studies, art/architecture, Christmas books, multicultural themes, sign language books...it goes on. By grouping this way, I can usually find a book fairly quickly. Plus, I'm a teacher so I have shelves full of math books, books about teaching reading or writing, and then three huge bookcases filled with children's books which are also grouped by category or reading levels.

I think it's important to know yourself, and organize accordingly. It's your life, make your organization work for you!

I know that was what attracted me to the book in the first place. I love when a book is involved in the story.

I am still trying to figure out how to organize my books. As some one said to me, I need more shelves and shelves that my books actually fit on. My husband was nice enough to add 4 shelves to one wall but they aren't the type that have walls to hold the books upright. I know exactly the type of shelves I want and I am thinking about trying to build them myself. If I can find the picture on here that I had seen I will place the link.

Look for a review to be posted soon for another book I finished this weekend. Since the HP movie has been released I am now able to focus again on my reading. The book I read was Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie

32. Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie

I am on an Agatha Christie run right now. This book is a Hercule Poirot mystery. This is a story of a woman,Mrs. Ariadne Oliver, that is approached while at a literary luncheon by some one unknown to her, Mrs. Burton-Cox, about Mrs. Oliver's goddaughter's parents deaths fifteen years earlier. Mrs. Burton-Cox is curious to learn the truth about the murder/suicide of Celia Ravenscroft's parents.

This was a different type of mystery that was interesting to follow. You already know who the victims are you are just trying to learn who was killed first. Who was the actual person to murder and then commit suicide. Mrs. Burton-Cox is concerned because her son and Celia are planning to get married. She doesn't want her son marrying some one who may decide to kill her son. As the story progresses you start to feel that there is an underlying reason for Mrs. Burton-Cox's true concerns.

4 out of 5 stars

Yeah I finished another book. It took me awhile to read the book due to some personal problems. Look for a review soon.

The book I finished was:

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

33. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

I have been wanting to read Sue Grafton for awhile but I kept putting it off because my father didn't care for her books. I didn't love the book yet I didn't hate the book either. A is for Alibi was an enjoyable read. I will try her books again.

This story is about a PI, Kinsey Millhone, who is hired by a woman, Nikki Fife, who was found guilty of murdering her husband. Nikki hires Kinsey to prove that she was innocent. As Kinsey starts looking at everyone that knew Nikki's husband back then I had a gut feeling that I knew who had killed Mr. Fife. I just had that feeling from the way the person interacted with Kinsey. That made the book a little boring because I just wanted to know if I was right.

The book got suspenseful when I had about 3 chapters left to read. The ending of the story was different from what I am used to when reading a mystery. I was glad to see that I was right about who had committed the murder.

Since the book took me awhile to read I gave the book 3 1/2 stars.

I know I haven't posted in awhile and that is due to some personal problems in my life. I am trying to get back to a normal life for myself. I am finally posting a review for a book I just finished. Hopefully I will be able to read more books soon. I don't know if I will be able to finish my challenges I am just glad to have tried them even if I don't finish them. God Bless and happy reading all!! :)

34. Nickel and Dimed: On (not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich

I finally finished this book. I am not one that usually enjoys books of this nature but since I am going through some rough patches right now I needed to read this book.

The author Barbara Ehrenreich decides to see how the low income people survive on the pay that they receive. As I read this book it really made me realize how much the rich seem to get richer and the poor get poorer. I borrowed this book from my son's friend and I am glad I did. It took me awhile to read the book because it is only 3 chapters long and I would stop reading and then not pick the book up in a long time and have to go back just to refresh my memory.

In this book Barb travels to different parts of the United States and gives herself a limited amount of money when she first moves to a new place to look for a low wage job. She first decides to find a job in Key West, Florida as a waitress. Her next stop is in Maine in the Portland Area as a maid, and her last stop is in Minnesota in sales.

Barb first starts off with looking for a place to live when she first arrives in Florida, Maine and Minnesota. As she is looking for housing she also looks for jobs by looking in the want ads or just seeing signs posted in stores, restaraunts etc. The interesting thing about the book is that the pay wages are so different in each area and also in the types of jobs she accuires. Her first job as a waitress only pays $2.43 an hr. plus tips. So depending on the type of waitress she is and the establishment can make the job a good or bad one. Plus the waitresses have to split the tips with the busboys. It is interesting to see how she handles the job and also the customers. Some of the customers are so rude and expect everything to be ready when they want it.

Her next stop is in Maine. Barb hunts again for both a place to live and a job. She finally finds one place to live which isn't the nicest but at least it is a roof over her head. The job she finds is in maid service. Her pay will be $6.65 an hour and if she misses a day her pay will go down to $6.00 for 2 weeks. She has to go through training to learn the correct way to dust, vacuum, and clean. Who would think you need to be trained on how to clean.

Her last stop is in Minnesota. She actually starts out with possibly two jobs, one at Menards and the other at Walmart. She doesn't think she can handle working two jobs so she decides to take just one. She decides to take the job at Walmart in sales. All I have to say is that I was very shocked by what I learned about Walmart and some of there practices. Since I have worked in retail before I know the pay isnt't always the greatest but usually the benefits help out.

I found Nickel and Dimed very informative and opened my eyes to the problems that our government seem to just push under the rug or try to convince us that we don't know what we are talking about and see with our own eyes.

I read this book do to the fact that I may be going through something like this soon. I just wanted to get an idea of what it is like do live in poverty by reading this book. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

5 stars

Good review. I found this a compelling book as well. I sure hope that your last few thoughts don't turn out to be true. Wishing you the best!

Thanks bonnie. I hope the last thoughts don't come true. I am now reading The Secret by Rhonda Byrne from a recommendation from a friend from a different site. Thanks!!

35. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

The Secret was recommended to me by a friend on Facebook because of something very difficult I am going through. He just kept going on how the book changed his life and that how what you are thinking and feeling is what will happen. I went into reading the book with skepticism. The basis of the book is the Secret to living a wonderful life and being able to receive everything you want and deserve.

As I was reading the book I noticed how my emotions were influencing the things around me. I started to tune into my feelings and try to think positive thoughts. I noticed myself starting to feel better and getting happier as I read the book. I know that I will use this book as a reference when ever I feel negative feelings or thoughts. I am not going to try and persuade anyone that this book is the meaning to life. I will tell you that The Secret is a great book to help you find the real you and to discover the positive energy from with in you. So I would recommend reading The Secret for some great soul searching and healing.

4 out of 5 stars

Skepticism is healthy. Especially in the case of self-help books I find I am even more skeptical than usual. But sometimes they just work for you. Whether they work as a Placebo because you tell yourself that they will help or whether they are actually well-researched and well-written, it doesn't really matter. I had the same thing with Alan Carr's How to Quit Smoking about two years ago. I had already decided to stop and I did. Right after reading the book. I can't say that I wouldn't have stopped without it and that it "changed my life" because I had already made the decision in my head. But it certainly helped reinforce it. Rant over. And glad you enjoyed your book! :)

Yes skepticism is healthy I am realizing that now. Glad to hear that you quit smoking and maybe that book did help you in quitting.

I finally finished another book. Look for a review soon.

The book I finished is The Outlander by Gil Adamson

Now I am reading 3 books at once:

Die Smart by Kathy Lane
Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna by Robert Slentz-Kesler
Act Like a Gentleman, Think Like a Woman by Maria Bustillos

Plus I am still reading Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

If I can finish all of these books in the next couple of weeks I will only need 10 more to finish this challange. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Have a great day all and happy reading. :)

My Review:

36. The Outlander by Gil Adamson

It took me a long time to read this book just because I went through a rough patch in July and Aug. I had borrowed the book from the library in the beginning of July and was really enjoying it when my life took a turn for the worse. I just couldn't read any books with out crying or not knowing what I was reading. I finally had to return the book and waited a few months before I borrowed it again. I am glad I waited and didn't try to read it or just gave up on it.

I really enjoyed the book. The Outlander is the story of a woman in the early 1900's. The story starts with her running from her brother-in-laws. She goes through all these changes as she is on the run. The woman is Mary Boulton. She is a widow.

On her journey she meets many interesting people and really discovers things about herself that she didn't know before. I found myself as I read this book wanting things to work out for her. I was pleased with most of the book except for the end. I felt a little bit was missing. I don't know what it was. I just know I wanted to know what happened with the brother-in-laws, otherwise it was a good book and well worth the time to read.

I started reading Act Like a Gentleman, Think Like a Woman last night and I am quite enjoying it. Since the book is not very thick I hope to finish the book quickly.

Finished book number 37. Look for review soon. I am now reading The Book Thief for the library book club I just joined. Plus I am still reading the other 3 books too.

37. Act like a Gentleman, Think like a woman by Maria Bustillos

Well this was a fantastic book!! I won the book in the Library Thing Member Giveaway program and was looking forward to reading it. I have yet to read Steve Harvey's book that this book is written in response to. I will be reading Steve Harvey's book soon. Act like a Gentleman, Think like a Woman was a very entertaining read even though I am a woman. I could see myself in some of the descriptions of the different types of woman she talks about. I know I am not a Patsy, the name she gives to the woman that every man wants.

Maria writes that Steve's book is talking about how all women want is to get the ring from the guy. She counters with the fact that all men want is to get laid. I found myself laughing while reading the book, because of the things she revealed about woman and saying how we love to hear how beautiful we are and that it should be all about us. I have to agree and disagree with that. It is great when a guy praises you and flatters you but sometimes it can get very annoying if it is the only thing that they talk about. I realized that when my hubby says things like that, that I do get turned on. It is nice to hear, we sometimes need to be praised to continue to be happy. At least that is what I noticed in myself while reading this book.

I don't know if everything will work in this book for a guy to find that Patsy so that he can get laid. I will say if you find the girl she describes then you should have no problem with getting what you want.

5 stars

I am now reading The Book Thief for my book club. Plus I will also be reading some other books at the same time.

>26 crazy4reading: Very interesting! I think I requested that book but didn't get it. It sounds like it would be an intruiging read.

Yeah! I'll raise my hand and admit that I'm going to go sit at Barnes and Noble and read this--though not really sure why at age 60 I'm interested. Just enjoy books like this. Steve Harvey, though. I both laugh and get irritated at his remarks.

Spacepotatoes: I was surprised when I won the book. I hadn't won a book for a long time and then I won 3 in a row. I found it a very fun and intriguing read.

Bonnie: I know what you mean about Steve Harvey.

Now on to my next review:

38. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief is an excellent book. I read the book in a week and I just didn't want to stop reading. The story is well executed and written. I read this book for a book club I just joined and was thrilled to finally have the chance to buy the book and read it.

As I read the story I found myself getting more and more drawn into the characters and their interactions with everything going on around them. The story is about a girl named Liesel who steals a book and discovers the power of the written word. I was drawn to the fact that she did not know how to read very well at first and yet she was very eager to learn.

The setting takes place in Germany during Hitler's reign. A young girl of 12 years is given to a foster home because her mother can not take care of her anymore. On the way to the new foster home her brother dies on the train and sets the stage for her to steal her first book. At first Liesel isn't happy about moving to a new home and having new parents. The Hubbermann's are her mama and papa. Mrs. Hubbermann is a very unique character and I actually started to like her as I read the book. Mr. Hubbermann is a fantastic papa to Liesel. All three have a wonderful relationship that changes and grows throughout the book.

I found myself crying as I read the last part of the book. When I was reading the book I knew I would shed a tear or two, I shed more then that. I had tears of sorrow and joy as I read The Book Thief. I highly recommend The Book Thief and encourage you to pick up a copy and take the time to read the story.

5 stars

But wasn't it strangely comforting to share Death's "above it all" point of view?

Yes it was strangely comforting. I loved that most about the book.

39. Die Smart by Kathy Lane

I won this book through Library Things Member Giveaway program. Not that I am planning to die any time soon I just thought it was a good book to try and win because it looked very helpful. I found the book filled with a lot of information. Some of the information was confusing yet helpful. To discover that even if you have a will doesn't guarantee your estate will be divided properly or that you will avoid probate court which would delay your beneficiaries from acquiring your assets.

Die Smart has made me want to start talking to a lawyer about creating a will and trusts, etc. just to make sure that my beneficiaries earn the most out of my estate and retirement funds. This is a great book to read prior to going through the death of a family member. I have to say that when my mother died I knew none of this and my dad is still alive so my sister and I didn't have any involvement in her estate. Now I actually want to talk to my father about what he has done to see if he is prepared so that my sister and I don't have to go to court or delay thing with probate.

I recommend Die Smart for a great reference book. Take it with you when you go to see a lawyer about your will or trusts, etc. Don't wait until it is too late and make it hard on your family.

5 stars because it is a great source of information

40. Testimony by Anita Shreve

Testimony started out a little slow for me. After about 3 chapters I started to enjoy the story. Testimony is about private school in Vermont. The school is Avery Academy. There is an incident among a 14 year old girl and 3 boys ranging in the ages of 18 and 19.

When light of the incident becomes the knowledge of the headmaster, Mr. Bordwin, he tries to keep everything in house. He questions the involved students one by one. After he speaks to the girl the girl decides to call her parents and cry about what happened. Her father tells her to call the police because she was raped.

I did not care for the girl in this story because I felt that she was a manipulator and instigator of the whole incident, even though she was only 14. Just by the way her character was written gave me that impression.

I would give this book a rating of 4 stars.

#41. Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna by Robert Slentz-Kesler

Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna is a novel about a man named Gerard who is in his last year of college and not sure what he wants to do with his life. His fiance, Sylvia, keeps harping on him to decide on a job after they graduate. One day Gerard finds letters addressed to Sylvia from a guy she had an affair with. This sets up the decision Gerard finally makes.

Gerard decides to enlist in the army. This is when all the fun starts in this novel. I am not familiar with military life so I found the story very interesting and funny. The language is very colorful yet I can see why it would be. Seeing how the men are treated by the drill sergeants and other enlisted men I can see how they would talk like they do.

I enjoyed the story even though I felt that in some parts it dragged a little and I would have to push my way through the story. The book did get very interesting towards the end just before the men graduated from the infantry. If you are one that does not like colorful language and vulgarities then this is not a book for you.

I read another book after I finished #41.

#42. ttyl by Lauren Myracle

I decided to read this book for a bit of light easy reading and that is exactly what I got. I enjoyed the book. ttyl is written as IMing among friends. The book was a nice read. It was interesting to see how when something is written it can be interpreted in many different ways.

4 stars

I finished another book. I am really on a roll. Ha ha, actually I am working on my 999 challenge and I am reading YA/kids books for one of my categories. Here is the review for my most recent book:

#43. Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man by Wendelin Van Draanen

This was a very cute book. I enjoyed the story line. My daughter read this book when she was in middle school.

The story starts out on Halloween. Sammy, Marissa and Dot are getting ready for trick or treat. Sammy's Gram thinks she is too old for dressing up. The girls decide to knock on a house that is considered scary. As the girls are on there way to the house they are run down by a man in a skeleton costume.

That is the set up for a very adventurous story. There are more teenage going ons in the book that just added to the humor of the book.

This is a nice easy read for anyone that just wants an afternoon of relaxation.

5 stars

Only 6 more books to go before I am done this challenge. I think I can make it. I am currently reading a book by Judy Blume Here's to you, Rachel Robinson along with 2 other books.

#44. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Very cute story of a girl who lives life to the fullest. Stargirl is a story about a high school girl who is very different then most teenagers. She is always happy and giving to others. Stargirl sings happy birthday to people in the lunch room while playing her ukulele. The other students just look at her and just talk about how unique she is compared to others.

Stargirl goes to a football game and is the best entertainment that has been seen at the football games in a long time. While the marching band of about a dozen members marches and plays their instruments Stargirl is in the background dancing and just having fun. The teams come back out on the field and start to warm up and Stargirl warms up with them. The ref has to chase her off the field so that they can finish the game. After her performance at that game people started to attend just waiting to see her.

I would read this book again just for fun.

5 stars

Another book down. Here is my review of:

#45. Here's to You, Rachel Robinson by Judy Blume

This is a very nice easy read for young pre-teens. I read the book just because I wanted a nice light easy read. I found myself laughing at the girls in the book as I remembered acting sometimes like them.

Rachel Robinson is a 13 year old girl who is highly intelligent and loves to learn. She is the youngest of the children in her family. She has an older brother who she finds annoying. I am sure many sisters would agree that their brother would be annoying too.

Rachel has two friends who she shares almost everything with. Her friends find her brother cute and interesting which makes her mad at them sometimes.

4 1/2 stars

Look for a review soon on my 46th book: It Happened One Wedding Night by Karen Hughes.

#46. It Happened One Wedding Night by Karen Hughes

A story of a woman, Daisy Harding, who feels her biological clock is ticking away so she decides to loose her virginity to a sexy rodeo guy, Ryder Redstone, at her sister's wedding. When she finds out that she is with child she decides that the father doesn't need to know. She works as a school teacher at and they are not happy when they learn she is with child and is not married. She quits her job and goes to visit her sister and brother-in-law. Unbeknownst to Daisy, Ryder is helping at her sister's farm. You can tell that Daisy and Ryder are drawn to each other but both are afraid to admit it. Her sister and brother-in-law can tell the attraction is there and do try to get them to admit it.

4 1/2 stars

#47. Truly, Madly: A Novel by Heather Webber

Truly, Madly is an awesome book. I hated to put the book down. The story of Lucy Valentine and her family business. She has an unique ability that only her family knows about. Her family has a secret for their matchmaking business success which Lucy looses after an electrical storm. Even though she looses the family ability to see auras Lucy develops a new ability that she is unsure of how to handle.

Lucy has to take over the family business while her father recovers from a heart attack. She is reluctant because she doesn't feel she has the ability to be a successful matchmaker. Truly Madly is an entertaining, enjoyable read as there is mystery, romance, suspense and humor all in one book. Lucy meets a sexy ex-firefighter that just sends sparks through her. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

5 stars

#48. Look great, live green by Deborah Burnes

When I first started this book I thought it was just going to be someone trying to tell me how I should be using certain types of personal care products and pushing their own products on me. I was truly mistaken. Look Great, Live Green is a book that teaches and informs you of the misconceptions we have been raised to believe. I found the book well written and easy to follow while reading.

If you are trying to figure out why your skin keeps looking older, dryer or just not what you are use it is most likely due to the so called 'natural' products you are currently using. Most of the cosmetics out there are not as natural as you may think. I learned that some of the products that I have now are not as natural as I thought. Anyone that is interested in saving money, time, their skin, and the environment should take a look at this book.

Deborah Burnes has her own line of personal care products that are natural. She did not force her products on you as you read the book. Deborah rates products from, Good, Better and Best. Some categories do just have Better or Best because she felt that was adequate. She also tells you not to try and change everything at once, you need to find your comfort zone and the products that are right for you.

There is a chapter on recipes to create your own natural products which I hope to try sometime. The end of the book lists resources to do research on your own. There is also a section that lists the natural products and there benefits plus a list of toxic ingredients and the cautions on how to handle them, if they are accidentally ingested or make contact with certain parts of the body and some diseases they are linked to. Now just reading those sections makes me not want to use the non natural products just out of fear of really causing severe injuries.

5 stars

#49. Highland Hearts by Virgina Brown

I finally finished this book. This book took me awhile to get into the characters and just the story itself. This book started off slow for me with not much action or love interest. Once the story got interesting I was able to read the book without feeling like a chore.

This is the story of a Scottish Lass named Lianna. She is a proper lass and educated, she is just a naive young lady about life, relationships and the such. Lianna and her cousin Mary are watching these soldiers march into Glencoe when Lianna falls into the arms of a very handsome Scottish fellow, Cameron. Right from that moment you know that they have feelings for each other but it felt so boring.

Once the massacre happens at Glencoe is when the love and romance really start to show and bloom. Lianna and Cameron are trying to survive in the highlands while a blizzard is happening. This is when the story moved for me, most of the time. I skipped a lot of the little descriptions about their surroundings because it felt very boring and not interesting at all.

2 1/2 stars

Now I only need one more book to read tonight and then I will have completed this challenge. I am hoping to do 50 books again in 2010 so I will be here. I am not ready to move up to 75 or more, not just yet.

Happy New Year Everyone!! (I still have about 7 hours before the New Year starts for me. Off to find an easy YA/Childrens book to read.)

#50. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

I probably read this book when I was younger if I didn't then shame on me. I love this story a lot. I enjoyed the talking animals and the interaction of them with each other. The goose and gander are so charming with their talk, talk, talk.

This is a must read for all children when they are growing up. If you never read the book just take an afternoon to read this story. It will only take a few hours if you read slower then most.

5 stars

I finished this book at 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve so I am glad to say I read 50 books this year.

Happy New Year Everyone!!