OTHER books part 1

Here is a list of other books I have read since last summer. A few of these I have read before then, but most have been within the past year. I'm trying to remember more. Eventually (probably when I'm bored at work) I'll write a little blurb on each of these.

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn - Betty Smith

This is one of my favorite books of all time. I recommend this one to everyone. I started it on my own when I was about 13 and it was a little hard to get into (I was 13!) but once I started reading more, I instantly fell in love. It's a great story of a young girl growing up in the slums of Brooklyn at the start of the 20th century. I could easily relate to the deepness of her character, her inner dialogue and the way she ponders, disects and reacts to the world around her.

All Souls: A Family Story from Southie - Michael Patrick Macdonald

My friend, Beth loaned me this book. It's a true story of the author's tragic family growing up in Southie during the 1960s and 70s race riots and gang wars. Coming from a large family myself (though not quite as large as his) I related to the closeness he felt with his family, no matter how sick, strange, damaged or hopeless they were. Macdonald is an inspiration for what he has overcome and made of his life.

And Then There Were None - Agatha Christi

This is another book I randomly picked up to read when I was fairly young (um, do you know of any other 12 year olds who choose Agatha Christi for some leisure reading? I AM WEIRD). It's a mystery of 10 strangers who are invited to an island by a mysterious host. Once on the island, there guests are each accused of murder and can not leave the island. As the guests try to solve the murder amongst themselves, each of their ugly secrets are revealed and one by one, the guests begin to disappear. It's also published under the title Ten Little Indians.

Angels and Demons - Dan Brown

I borrowed this from Tim's mom much after the fad had started to sizzle (I am usually turned off by a large following of books like this...don't know why). I read this one before The DaVinci Code like she suggested because she said it would make more sense. Honestly, I thought this book was better than The DaVinci Code. However, I did not like Brown's style of writing. While I thought the subject matter was fascinating, his style seemed...surface level, too 'telly' rather than 'showy' and sort of...juvenile? I wasn't as impressed as I had hoped, considering all of the rave reviews on Brown's books.

Catcher In The Rye - J.D. Salinger

One of my all time favorites, I'm sad that we never had this assigned to read in high school. I loved the main character, Holden, he had me cracking up at his youthful wit and "I've got the world figured out" attitude. I loved his frequent use of the phrase "It killed me..." in such a mocking yet affectionate tone. Love this book. Everyone should read this one.