The Book List Continues

This year I have read 57 books! I had plans to finish one more by Thursday night, but now it's not looking likely. And yes, I am bragging.
Here is what I have been reading since the last Book List Post:

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe - September Book Club Selection. It was fun to read a classic and I'm glad I did because there are a lot of other books and other situations in which this book is referred to, so now I can always know what is being talked about. But I have to say I struggled through it most of the time because it is incredibly repetitive.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - This is my second time reading this and it totally reminds me of all different kinds of people from my high school. It was also a fun book to discuss with some ladies in my neighborhood.

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klaus - I read this for the other neighborhood book club. It's a werewolf book so it's a good book if you like to read about dogs and their mating habits.

Wild Wood Dancing by Juliet Marillier - This is a familiar story with a little more detail than we are used to and pretty predictable, but I enjoyed it anyway.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie - October Book Club Selection. This was a fun and spooky book to read in October. It's a "Who done it" mystery, so we waited until Book Club met to read the end and reveal the end. But before we did we shared our guesses for who we thought the culprit was. Good times.

The Outlandish Adventures of Liberty Aimes by Kelly Easton - I checked this book out from the library to read to Emmy, but it only held her attention for a few pages at a time. So after checking it out twice I eventually just finished it on my own and took it back. It's a fun little book that helps teach social cues and the proper way to expect people, including grown ups, to treat you.

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - I totally enjoyed this book and I recommend it; however, all I could remember was that I liked it but not what is was about. I went to Amazon, read the front flap and now recall the story. It's a great book.

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - The first two books in a series. THESE ARE MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR! I'm not giving anything away though. There is something to be gained by learning what the story is about the way the author lays it out. GET YOUR HANDS ON THESE BOOKS AND READ THEM!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - This is by the author of StarDust (which I haven't read). It was a strange book, like nothing I have read before. It started out exciting, got weird and a bit confusing in the middle and all came together for a satisfactory ending. I'll be honest, I almost quit on this book but I guess I'm glad I know it was all worth it in the end.

Follow the River by James Alexander Thom - November Book Club Selection. I read this book several times as a teenager. In fact, I borrowed it from one of my leaders at Girl's Camp and read it and read it and a year later she had to ask for it back. So, I suggested it for my Book Club and was surprised by some of the content. So violent. And it seemed very Harlequin -y to me this time around. This made me sad because it's based on a real woman and real events, so I felt like it cheapened her story. But I still recommend it.

The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton - I really enjoyed this book. I could see myself in several of the characters and some of my friends in them as well. Also, it's about women who get together and write, something I want to do someday. So that was fun to read about. There was a little bit of sexual content that I could have done without.

Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton - December Book Club Selection. I LOVED THIS BOOK! I wasn't looking forward to reading it because I thought it would be hard. It was wonderful and I can't stop thinking about it.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell - I bought this at D.I. earlier this year and finally got around to reading it. I enjoyed it a lot. It's a quick read so it's a good book to take on a trip with you or to read in a day when your sick and taking it easy or something.

The Bodacious Book of Succulence by SARK - This book is a fun, non-fiction, self-help type of book that is hilarious and helpful at the same time. At least, it was for me. One of my friends loaned it to me to help me get out of my funk. Super fun.

Doll in the Garden by Mary Downing Hahn - Becky and I read this book so many times when we were kids, I am surprised the thing hasn't fallen apart. Over the summer while walking with my friend Melissa, we passed a house that is old and on a sort of estate like property. It reminded me of this book, and I came up with a great idea for a business that could revolve around this book - if I was ever able to own that house... I told Becky about my great idea and she found the book and sent it to me. But before she did, she re read it and wrote her thoughts in it for me to enjoy while I read. HILARIOUS!!! Also, I'm really surprised we liked that book so much because it has A LOT OF CAT IN IT!

The Forgotten Carols by Michael Mclean - It's a Christmas tradition and we read it together a few days before Christmas.

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale - This is one of her two books for adults. Wait, that made it sound like it's part of a series. It's not. Most of her books fall in the Young Adult category. I liked it a lot. It was hard to tell where she was going with it, which was good and bad. There were times where I feared I wouldn't like it by the end and then even if she went where I feared with the plot it turned out right in the end.

As usual, if you have read any of these leave me a comment with your thoughts. I'm always interested to hear what others think of the books and who has read what.

One last thing, I know that book titles are supposed to be underlined, but Blogger doesn't give me that option. Does Blogger give you the option? And if not, how do you underline without the option? Is there a secret command that only people who go to college get to know? Help me!