The Last Chunk

The last chunk of books I read in 2009.

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon - 4

I absolutely love this series. Any writer who can hold my attention locked for 1000 pages and then seven subsequent books of the same size deserves cookies. She's got humor, action, romance, history, fantasy...all of it. This one was a little annoying just because of the cliff-hanger ending. The next one isn't even written yet!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - 5

Yes, a rare 5. I read this book in Germany. Let me tell you, I've read a lot of holocaust books but reading one while living here was unsettling. The narrator of this book is Death. It is a must read.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - 5

Anyone disagree with this number 5? Sadly, it was the first time I read it. But it will not be the last.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner - 2

This was greatly intriguing until the end. It felt like a cop out. Not the ending I was expecting, besides the fact that the book had me so scared and then ended like cotton candy, all fluff.

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - 3

This one bored me. I kept wanting to scream at Fanny to stand up for herself, or just say something.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - 3

Not nearly as good as the first one but worth the read. I didn't think the story could go any further, but she kept me hooked and wanting more.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit - 3

Cute. Better than the movie. Strong morals hidden inside.

1984 by George Orwell - 3

Political junk is usually too tedious for me, but I liked this one.

The Apple by Michel Faber - 2

Liked it, didn't love it. But you should still read it. He's wonderful with words, really paints pictures.

A Recipe for Bees by Gail Anderson-Dargatz - 2

Reminiscent of Alice Hoffman. A good story, not one I would read again.

The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier - 2

I had to push my way through this fantasy and another of her books. I was desperate for books when we first came to Germany. They were good, but not amazing.

Wolfskin by Juliet Marillier - 2

Artemis Fowl the Graphic Novel - 4

My first graphic novel and a great one. We found it hiding under a bed in our temp apartment.

A little disclaimer: these are all my opinion. I don't think I have the right to say whether these books should be best sellers or not. But if they are above a 3 I would highly recommend them to you. And even if they are a 2 or a 1, you should read them anyways just to broaden your horizons. Books open your mind.