Book 17-The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

This book kept popping up on lists of books to read this year.  Man, am I glad I read it.  It is truly the story of a circus that only opens at night.  The premise is that there is real magic going on in the circus and the performers are tasked with making it seem non-magical to protect their secret.  There is also a challenge/battle between two illusionists on the stage of the circus.  Sounds pretty complicated.  Maybe I'm not the best summarizer (I probably would have failed that section of the state standardized tests nowadays). 

I have to say, I finished this book two or three days ago and I am still wanting more!  I wish there was more story to read and that the book wasn't over.  After the humdrum books I've been reading lately, it feels so good to be left wanting more instead of semi-relieved to be done with a book.  I would recommend this book, for sure!

Book 16-I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb

Another huge book!  A little over 900 pages, but well worth the journey.  This is the story of twin brothers told through the eyes of the "lucky" brother.  The other twin has schizophrenia and the book is almost like a transcript of his counseling sessions with his shrink.  He explores his past, his grandfather's past, his feelings, and his misconceptions of life throughout the book. 

I've also read the author's other books, She's Come Undone and The Hour I First Believed.  I don't remember liking She's Come Undone too much, but The Hour I First Believed was a good Columbine story told from the point of view of two adults who worked in the school.

If you've got some time, I think there is a good message in this book: that of forgiveness.  And can't we all use a little reminder of how important that is?

Book 15-Fear by Michael Grant

This is the 5th book in the Gone series and is a great continuation of the story.  There will be one more book to finish out the series, which I'm very glad for since I'm not sure how many characters they can kill off and still have people to continue the plots.  Since this is a series and you have to read the other books to follow the story, I will not offer a summary.  But I would recommend the series!

Book 14-Under the Dome by Stephen King

I listened to this 30 disc book the last month of school and I really loved it.  It was very similar to the YA Gone series that I've read, but at warp speed.  In this book, an invisible barrier suddenly separates a small town from the rest of the United States.  Within a day, there is an evil bully pulling strings to manipulate the townspeople for his own gain.  Within two days, the town starts to get warmer, despite it being fall in Maine.  It is fascinating to "watch" the degenerization of humanity as they feel trapped and panicked. 

I really do love a good Stephen King novel!

Book 13-1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

I got this book because it kept popping up in magazines, newspapers and online.  At over 900 pages, this monstrosity was a disappointment.  People kept asking me if I liked it and what it was about while I was readig it and I didn't really have an answer for them.  Finally, I realized that this is an anime book.  If you like anime and the weird "little people" and "spirits" that abound in anime books and movies, then you will like this book.  I was not a big fan. 

The basic premise of the book (if I can even summarize it...) is that there are two realities or two dimensions to the world.  In our normal world, things putter along peacefully.  However, the female lead is led down a path to the alternate world where two moons light the night sky and little people work to try and...well, I'm not sure I know what their purpose is.  The male lead is drawn into this alternate reality by ghost-writing a novel for a girl who has intimate knowledge of the little people and her story is the truth of the little people concealed as fiction.  Oh, and the male and female lead were in 2nd grade together and have been secretly saving themselves for each other.  The story is much more complicated than this short paragrah, but if you are interested, then you have to take the long, long, long journey that I did.

Book 12: This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

I got this book on CD because I didn't have anything else lined up and I wanted something light. At first, I hated it...seemed like the typical chick lit where the girl loves shopping, gets dumped by a boy, and her life is absolutely destroyed (by her inability to pull her head out of her ass and get back to life). But, with nothing else to listen to, I muddled through and actually ended up enjoying the book quite a lot. There is definitely more to it than the sad story of a shopaholic.

Book 11: Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly

I read this book as part of a church book study with three other women. We met once a week to discuss the history of the church, why we are catholics, how we can better people, Christians, and Catholics... It was a very good experience.

I think in today's world, Catholics are ashamed to say "I am Catholic" because of the abuse scandels or a fear of defending "worshipping" the saints and Mary or a fear of answering questions about birth control...or any number of other things. Kelly does a good job of reminding us of all the wonderful things Catholics do and have done for the world: Catholics began educating all people, regardless of wealth or status; Catholics serve millions of meals to the needy each day; and so much more.

We also talked about why Catholics believe what we believe. We don't "worship" the saints or Mary, but we ask them, as fellow humans, to petition God and Jesus on our behalf. Much like asking your neighbor to pray for you if you need extra help.

Kelly makes things very simple, but still brings up complicated issues like the future of the Catholic church. I would recommend this book (especially if you can read it with others) to any Catholic. I think there is something in there for everyone, regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey.