#40 Disclosure by Michael Crichton

This book has long been touted as the definitive role reversal novel, exposing "reverse" sex discrimination as a problem in the modern workplace.  I had to giggle most of the way through this book.  Written in 1994, the tech firm outlined in Disclosure was manufacturing the groundbreaking technology of **insert appropriate ta-da sound effect here** CD ROM drives!  "In the future, all data will be stored on discs" Oh Michael - if you only knew what the future would hold.

So outmoded technology aside, I had the standard Michael Crichton reaction to this book.  The premise was cool, the conspiracy plot was well fleshed out but man-oh-man, I could have done without the intricate specifications of all of the technology that they were researching and manufacturing, especially because it had NOTHING to do with the plot at all.

Goodreads rating: 2.5 stars rounded up

On deck (audio): Origin in Death by JD Robb

In Progress: The Silver Linings Playbook

#39 - Tell The Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

This was one of those books.  You know the ones that I'm talking about, its the one that is perfect anyway but its made even more perfect by knowing that a friend had a personal connection to the story.

All throughout this book I oscillated between being outraged by the treatment of the AIDS infected characters from back in the late 1980's and hopeful about the future by seeing how far we have come in the past several decades.  Growing up in the time period where HIV was a true mystery, I could relate to the misconceptions and fear associated with the advent of a new disease.

The friendships that are illustrated throughout Tell The Wolves I'm Home are vivid and extremely believable.  The main character is only 14 years old in the book, Rifka-Brunt was able to paint her with the appropriate blend of childishness, budding maturity, and headstrong attitude.

I was so worried to read the last 20 pages, I knew it would be sad but I really wanted it to end as genuinely as the rest of it was written.  Luckily I wasn't disappointed and I turned the last page with a satisfied sigh.  Go read this book.

Goodreads Rating: 5 twinkling stars

In Progress: (audio) Disclosure by Michael Crichton

#38 - The Confession by John Grisham

There seems to be a theme in the last couple of books that I have been through - quite by accident.  The Storyteller talked about the cleansing quality of confessing past sins in the hope of absolution whereas The Confession by John Grisham conveys a twofold version of confession. One being a false, coerced confession of Dante Drum for a murder he did not commit, the other the confession of the true killer to a pastor.

Unlike some of the Grisham novels I have listened to, the characters in this book are fully fleshed out, I felt for the participants in this macabre series of events and hated the villains and, in contrast with "The Chamber" the other novel involving the death penalty, the issues at hand of guilt and innocence and the "right to kill" were more clearly thought through and specific.

The introduction of religion in conjunction with Keith was an interesting twist on the discussion.  I admired the resolve the pastor showed to do the right thing even if it meant bending laws and risking personal and professional discomfort to do the right thing.  All in all one of the better of the Grisham series.

Goodreads rating 3.5 stars

In progress (audio): Disclosure by Michael Crichton
(paper): Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt --- can't put it down so far!!!
(ebook): Ending by Hilma Wolitzer

#37 - The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

Thank goodness this book was good.  After being left with a sour taste following Lone Wolf and the Tenth Circle, I was just about to write off Jodi Picoult as just another author who pumps out her one book a year and collects her huge paycheck.

Enter "The Storyteller" finally here was a beautifully woven tale set on the backdrop of the most horrendous time periods in history.  Picoult asks the tough questions about the nature of forgiveness.  Can people really change no matter what atrocities they have committed?  Who is responsible for the absolution of a soul?

A note to potential readers: Do NOT read this book before you fall asleep - you will not like the resulting fitful sleep!  No matter how numb we have become to the imagery from the holocaust, Jodi pulls something that makes this non-crying reader to shivers.

I gave this book a 4.5 rating but since there is no half star on Goodreads, I rounded down to 4 but ONLY because of the final twist in the last 10 pages was completely unnecessary.  Otherwise I highly recommend this latest offering from Jodi Picoult.

Goodreads rating: 4.5 stars
In Progress: The Confession by John Grisham (audio)
Ending by Hilma Wolitzer (nook)
On Deck: Tell the Wolves I'm Home (paper)

#36 - A Sight to Behold by Greta Bryan

For years I have heard the stories about Aunt Greta and Uncle Hal's adventures of performing free eye surgeries to the people of Kenya and Sierra Leone and Haiti but it was wonderful to see these poignant stories all gathered into this book.  Reading about the people that Dr Bryan served over there really makes you look at yourself, what we have, what is really important, and what can we be doing to make a bigger impact in the world.  Maybe we can't literally restore sight to people but, in some small way, we can help to ease suffering and provide comfort (even something as small as a red bike) to those in need.

Rating witheld due to proud niece bias.

In progress: The Confession by John Grisham (audio)
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult (nook)

#35 - Drift by Rachel Maddow

This is one of those books that makes you shake your head and go - - really? Is this REALLY what we are doing in this country? I am not anti-military but I am PRO transparency into what our American Tax Dollars are doing.  Critics will say that Maddow is only telling a portion of the story but even if that's the case, there is no doubt that there is enough waste uncovered to make just about anyone uncomfortable and wanting to dig more into where our largest budget item in the federal budget is being spent. Hooray for mental and political gymnastics!

I did a hybrid audio/paper read on this one just because I found out that Rachel Maddow reads her own book for the audio version and I couldn't just let that opportunity pass me by.  

Please read this book!  Rachel's voice is extremely readable so if you generally shy away from politico due to the tendency for it to be a bit crusty and boring - give it a shot - you won't be disappointed.

Goodreads rating: 5 stars

In Progress: The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
On Deck: A Sight to Behold by Greta Bryan

#34 - Weight by Jeanette Winterson

I picked up "Weight" at the Dollar Tree but I have read Jeanette Winterson before and I enjoy her writing style.  This book didn't disappoint as far as literary merit and

All in all I enjoyed the retelling of this classic story of the Greek gods Atlas and Heracles.  It gives the reader some insight into what it might feel like to literally carry the weight of the world.  Even the gods had so much conflict and deception going on that Winterson weaves into a more modern tale.

It's a quick simple little book that I was able to whittle my way through it while waiting for the end of Tae Kwon Do class.  I feel like I got more than my money's worth for my $1.00 investment.

Goodreads rating: 3 stars

In progress: Drift by Rachel Maddow
On Deck: **gulp**I'm not sure yet......

#33 - I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

BIG thank you to Posse member Mandi for letting me borrow your book - its making the rounds on Thursday :)  Read her thoughts here.

Um...Yeah - Markus Zusak is going down on my list of favorite authors of all time. I love his words, his way of making thoughts into full conversations and his unique storytelling ability. 

Ed Kennedy is an amazing character and I LOVED watching him go from "the epitome of ordinary" to being an extraordinary force for the world, just by trusting the journey and being observant and tuned in to the needs of other people.  I wish I could say that, if I had received the Ace of Diamonds in my letter box, that I would have done the same things that Ed did, but I don't know if I could have.

Yeah yeah - the last 20 pages wasn't the apex that we were all wanting but I'm not letting that get in the way of my general feeling of awe at the marvelous story and premise of the previous 300 pages. 

Read this book.  It will make you feel something.

"Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are."

Goodreads rating: A glittering 5 stars (despite the ending)

In Progress: Drift by Rachel Maddow
Weight by Jeanette Winterson

#32 - Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

What a beautifully written story! Some parts, yes, were predictable, but the characters were so vivid that I really didn't care. This was one of those books that kept me up past my bedtime saying "just one more chapter"

I adored the character of Louisa, she reminded me a lot of my self when I was younger in her uniqueness and inability to shut up. The element of family both on the part of the Clarks and the Traynors felt very genuine and well thought out.  

I could have done without some of the "insert" chapters in a voice other than Louisa's, some were very nice, some seemed a little bit superfluous.  

I knew the ending would be sad as soon as I was introduced to Will's character, but it was such a peaceful conclusion that I found myself not feeling "sad" per se. I mainly felt satisfied that, stepping out in faith, out of your comfort zone, and daring to love can be the most beautiful thing that ever happens to you.

Goodreads rating: 4.5 rounded up to 5

In progress: (fiction) Weight by Jeanette Winterson
(non-fiction)Drift by Rachel Maddow

#31 - Holy Shit by Melissa Mohr

Thank you to Netgalley - Melissa Mohr and Oxford University Press for the advanced copy of this book!

The literary geek in me really enjoyed hearing about the evolution of what we consider "naughty words" I have always wondered how one word become worse than another? Holy Sh*t delves into the roots of those words starting all the way back to ancient greek and follows them into todays vernacular to see where vulgarity has its beginning.  

The title Holy Shit is wholly appropriate as there seems to be a division between words that are considered "oaths" which would be the Holy and words that deal with bodily functions (sex and excrement) thus the Shit part.  It's truly fascinating to pick our curse words apart!  In the process I have picked up some Olde English insults to add to my vocabulary ;)

Note to readers, if you are easily offended by foul language - obviously - considering the title, this isn't one you would pick up off the shelf but I did not find the swearing unnecessary and it is all in context.  

Goodreads rating: 4 stars

In Progress: (paper) Weight by Jeanette Winterson
(nook) Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
(Non Fiction) Drift by Rachel Maddow

#30 - The Chamber by John Grisham

Are you kidding me?  You are going to end this VERY long book like THAT?  Seriously????

That last sentence pretty much sums up my experience with this novel.  I listened to this on audio and I'm glad I wasn't in the car as I might have fallen asleep.  You could cut about 150 pages out of the middle of this book and not missed a darn thing.  I'm not sure if Grisham meant for us to be sympathetic to Sam's death row visit but it didn't work.  The story of redemption through contact with his long lost family fell short.  The legal maneuvering dragged on and on and by the end of the book I really didn't care if they send the guy to the gas chamber or granted him a stay of execution.

I won't give away the ending...needless to say I wasn't pleased with the result, but let me say this, if Sam were to get a stay of execution I would have been mad for the book being cliche and unrealistic, if Sam had gets the gas chamber I would have been mad at the book for wasting pages of back story just to kill him off.  You can decide which one would piss me off more, but neither ending would have made me feel like the hours spent listening to this novel were worth it.

***Rant Over***

Goodreads rating: 2 stars

In Progress: (fiction) Me before you by Jojo Moyes
(non-fiction) Holy Shit by Melissa Moher