My Reading Log for 2005

Title-Author (Rating)
1 To Dance With the White Dog- Terry Kay (8)
2 Milk Glass Moon- Adriana Trigiani (10)
3 Naked as Death- J.D. Robb (9)
4 16 Lighthouse Road- Debbie Macomber (8)
5 The Winter of Our Discontent- John Steinbeck (8)
6 Birthright- Nora Roberts (10)
7 Atlantis Found- Clive Cussler (10)
8 Chesapeake Blue- Nora Roberts (10)
9 Finding Ruth- Roxanne Henke (10)
10 All He Ever Wanted- Anita Shreve (5)
11 Body Double- Tess Gerritsen (7)
12 Cyclops- Clive Cussler (10)
13 Lucia Lucia- Adriana Trigiani (10)
14 Blue Dahlia- Nora Roberts (10)
15 Lolita- Vladimir Nabokov (1)
16 Forever- Jude Deveraux (8)
17 Native Son- Richard Wright (9)
18 Deep Six- Clive Cussler (10)
19 A Paper Life- Tatum O'Neal (6)
20 The Known World- Edward P. Jones (6)
21 Queen of the South- Arturo Perez-Reverte 10
22 Sweet Revenge- Nora Roberts (10)
23 Lucky- Alice Sebold (7)
24 Night Fall- Nelson Demille (10)
25 Remember When- Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb (9)
26 Sahara- Clive Cussler (8)
27 The Kite Runner- Khaled Hosseini (8)
28 How To Be Lost- Amanda Eyre Ward (8)
29 Tuesdays With Morrie- Mitch Albom (10)
30 Eat Cake- Jeanne Ray (6)
31 Cashelmara- Susan Howatch
32 Always and Forever- Jude Deveraux (9)
33 The Surgeon- Tess Gerritsen (8)
34 Wolves of the Calla- Stephen King (10)
35 Always- Jude Deveraux (9)
36 One Tuesday Morning- Karen Kingsbury (10)
37 Exclusive- Sandra Brown (7)
38 The Lost Mother- Mary McGarry Morris (8)
39 The Perfect Summer- Luanne Rice (9)
40 Me and Emma- Elizabeth Flock (10)
41 Don't Look Back- Karin Fossum (7)
42 Glory In Death- J.D. Robb (9)
43 Beyond Tuesday Morning- Karen Kingsbury (10)
44 Black Rose- Nora Roberts (10)
45 Song of Susannah- Stephen King (10)
46 Middlesex- Jeffrey Euginides (9)
47 Amy and Isabelle- Elizabeth Strout (7)
48 Three To Get Deadly- Janet Evanovich (10)
49 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince- J. K. Rowling (10)
50 The Dark Tower VII- Stephen King (10)
51 Moment of Truth- Lisa Scottoline (7)
52 Redemption- Karen Kingsbury (10)
53 Come Spring- Tim LaHaye/Gregory Dinallo (9)
54 Nights of Rain and Stars- Maeve Binchy (10)
55 Welcome To the World, Baby Girl- Fannie Flagg (9)
56 Demon Rumm- Sandra Brown (10)
57 Girls in Pants:The Third Summer of the Sisterhood- Ann Brashares (10)
58 Chill Factor- Sandra Brown (10)
59 First to Die- James Patterson (7)
60 Vanishing Acts- Jodi Picoult (10)
61 Hotel Riviera- Elizabeth Adler (7)
62 An Angel for Emily- Jude Deveraux (7)
63 Rococo- Adriana Trigiani (10)
64 Stella In Heaven:Almost a Novel- Art Buchwald (8)
65 True Blue- Luanne Rice (9)
66 Outlander- Diana Gabaldon (10)
67 Led Astray- Sandra Brown (9)
68 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing- Judy Blume (7)
69 Speak Softly, She Can Hear- Pam Lewis (8)
70 Friendship Cake- J. Lynne Hinton (9)
71 Confessions of a Shopaholic- Sophie Kinsella (8)
72 Envy Sandra Brown 8
73 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe- C.S. Lewis (9)
74 The Mermaid Chair- Sue Monk Kidd (8)
75 Impulse- Nora Roberts (7)
76 The Best Mistake- Nora Roberts (9)
77 Life Expectancy- Dean Koontz (10)
78 True Believer- Nicholas Sparks (9)
79 Ordinary People- Judith Guest (7)
80 Blue Smoke- Nora Roberts (10)
81 Deenie -Judy Blume (9)
82 Anastasia Krupnik- Lois Lowry (9)
83 Mao's Last Dancer- Li Cunxin (10+++)
84 Hemlock Bay- Catherine Coulter (8)
85 Hissy Fit- Mary Kay Andrews (9)
86 Eleventh Hour- Catherine Coulter (8)
87 Belly Laughs- Jenny McCarthy (10)
88 The Smoke Jumper- Nicholas Evans (9)
89 Operating Instructions- Anne Lamott (10)
90 The Countess- Catherine Coulter (8)
91 Uncommon Grounds- Sandra Balzo (9)
92 The Christmas Blessing- Donna VanLiere (10)
93 Red Lily- Nora Roberts (10)
94 The Christmas Hope- Donna VanLiere 910)
95 The Ivy Chronicles- Karen Quinn (8)
96 Match Me if You Can Susan- Elizabeth Phillips (9)
97 The Constant Princess- Philippa Gregory (10)

Match Me if you Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

From Publishers Weekly
Phillips's latest captivating romance (Ain't She Sweet; Breathing Room) follows a pair of reluctant lovers from their combative first acquaintance to a happily ever after. Perpetually discombobulated but adorable Annabelle Granger inherits her grandmother's matchmaking business, renames it Perfect for You and targets Chicago's super-rich, super-aggressive sports agent Heath Champion, better known as the Python, as her first client. Intrigued by this spunky, determined upstart, Heath—who is dead set on finding the ultimate trophy wife by age 35—agrees to give Annabelle a chance despite his contract with Portia Powers of Power Match. Soon Annabelle is introducing him to the Windy City's most extraordinary women, none of whom seem to meet Heath's discriminating standards. Could it be because chemistry has sparked between the matchmaker and her client? From trading barbs the two progress to exchanging kisses—and more. But when Heath finally meets his should-be dream girl and Annabelle's business threatens to go bellyup, they each must face their deepest feelings and make some difficult decisions in the name of love. Phillips has once again created a delightful page-turner.

My Thoughts:
I loved this story! It was funny, witty, and heartwarming. The characters really grab at you and don't let you go, even when you are done with the story. I listened to this one on CD, so I am not sure how anything is spelled. Annabelle was a wonderful character, as was Heath! Their last scene was the best.

The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn

Book Description When turbocharged Park Avenue mom Ivy Ames finds that she’s been downsized from her platinum-card corporate job and her marriage, she swiftly realizes that she’s going to need a whole new way to support herself and her two private-school daughters. So she dreams up a new business—helping upscale New Yorkers get their little darlings into the most exclusive kindergartens in the city. What begins as one woman’s bid to earn a living becomes an everywoman’s tale of midlife reinvention and unexpected romance, set in a looking-glass world where even tots have résumés.

My thoughts
This book was pretty good. I wouldn't give it a *great* rating only because I got too aggravated with Ivy at times. She was being exactly like she was criticizing others for. Thankfully, Ivy changed her ways at the end and realized that she didn't *need* the lifestyle she thought she did. I was also very pleased with what she did with the money she got from Buck McCall.

"The Christmas Hope" by Donna VanLiere

Book Description
Perennial New York Times bestsellers and Audie Award finalists The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing have become inspirational holiday classics, and THE CHRISTMAS HOPE is poised to become a seasonal favorite in its own right. Patricia and Mark Addison have long given up the hope of having a meaningful Christmas. But this year, Patricia’s job as a social worker will lead her to a very special five-year-old. Against her better judgment, Patricia bends the rules and takes the little girl to her own home. Through the presence of Emily in their house, and her penetrating questions about heaven, the Addisons learn that there is no sorrow so great that faith cannot help you find your way through. And Christmas will once more be a time of joy in their home. THE CHRISTMAS HOPE is a story of love in the face of loss, joy when all seems hopeless, and how light can shine into the darkest places.

My thoughts
This wasn't as moving as The Christmas Blessing, at least for me. It was still awesome though. It gave me that warm, happy feeling that is so welcome this time of year. I did get a bit frustrated with Patti, the main character, at times because she couldn't (or wouldn't) open her eyes to the world around her. It was neat how the people in the past 2 books in the Christmas Hope series fit into this one. A nice series of *coincidences* that will make you grin. I highly recommend this book, but only if you've read the first two.

"Red Lily" by Nora Roberts

Book Description
Three women learn that the heart of their historic home holds a mystery of years gone by, as number-one bestselling author Nora Roberts brings her In the Garden trilogy to a captivating conclusion, following Blue Dahlia and Black Rose. A Harper has always lived at Harper House, the centuries-old mansion just outside of Memphis. And for as long as anyone alive remembers, the ghostly Harper Bride has walked the halls, singing lullabies at night... Hayley Phillips came to Memphis hoping for a new start, for herself and her unborn child. She wasn't looking for a handout from her distant cousin Roz, just a job at her thriving In the Garden nursery. What she found was a home surrounded by beauty and the best friends she's ever had-including Roz's son Harper. To Hayley's delight, her new daughter Lily has really taken to him. To Hayley's chagrin, she has begun to dream about Harper-as much more than a friend... If Hayley gives in to her desire, she's afraid the foundation she's built with Harper will come tumbling down. Especially since she's begun to suspect that her feelings are no longer completely her own. Flashes of the past and erratic behavior make Hayley believe that the Harper Bride has found a way inside of her mind and body. It's time to put the Bride to rest once and for all, so Hayley can know her own heart again-and whether she's willing to risk it...

My thoughts
It was the best one in the series. I never get tired of Nora Roberts's books. It was great!!!

"The Christmas Blessing" by Donna VanLiere

Book Description
In The Christmas Shoes, young Nathan Andrews was a child who lost his mother to cancer. Now his deepest wish is to become a doctor. When a stranger named Robert gave him the money to buy his mother a pair of shoes for her last Christmas, both Robert and Nathan learned the deepest lessons of love and giving. Now a medical student in his third year, Nathan realizes there are still things to be learned about faith, blessings, and sacrifice. Lessons he will learn from Meghan Sullivan-a young woman born with a hole in her heart that has not kept her from becoming a champion runner. And lessons learned from a young boy named Charlie, who teaches how to live a life of true courage. Together, they will help guide Nathan through the darkest period in his life. The Christmas Blessing is an inspiring about hope existing in the darkest places, and love is always the greatest gift of all.

My Thoughts
This book was wonderful! It is a perfect story to read at Christmastime. It was heart-wrenching and good for the soul at the same time. Keep the Kleenex handy!!

"Uncommon Grounds" by Sandra Balzo

Book Description
Patricia Harper is dead, killed in Uncommon Grounds, her gourmet coffee store. Maggy Thorsen wants to know who killed one of her partners. She joins forces with Sarah Kingstown, Particia's closet friend to investigate the killing. Together, they uncover unsavory samll-town politics, bribes, kickbacks, and rampant infidelity. Before she's through, Maggie's sense of right and wrong will be shaken to its foundations. For once in her life she is forced to draw her own line in the sand, and be prepared to defend it.

My thoughts
I loved this book. It was funny and kept me engrossed. The ending was a real twist, and I honestly did not guess who it was until I got near the end.

"Operating Instructions" by Anne Lamott

I read this one right after *Baby Laughs* and it was a great follow-up. This was the story of Anne Lamott's son's first year. She has several published novels and talks about the hardships of raising her son as a single parent, but one with a lot of love and support from friends and family.

Lamott is honest in her thoughts in the journal, and I really enjoyed the witty way she phrased things. I could often actually see what she was describing her son doing.

I gave this book a 10 out of 10.

"The Countess" by Catherine Coulter

"The Countess" is a re-write of Coulter's first novel. It was only the second I read by her. I actually listened to this on CD from the library. I do that often with my books, since my commute is about 2 hours a day, roundtrip.

The heroine, Andrea *Andy* Jameson, marries an older Earl to avoid marrying a younger man who would want intimacy. Due to her father's infidelity against her mother, Andy is afraid of any relationship that has to do with love or intimacy.

Once Andy gets to Devbridge Manor (spellings may be off because I listened to this, so feel free to correct me!), she realizes that someone is trying to kill her off. In the meantime, she has fallen for the Earl's nephew, and is very afraid of her affections for him. Read to find out who's out to get Andy!

I really enjoyed this story. I gave it an 8 out of 10.

"Belly Laughs" by Jenny McCarthy

This was a hilarious book!!! It was the WHOLE truth about what it's like to be pregnant. It was a book to laugh out loud with and cry with. I really enjoyed the "escape" from reality this book gave me.

When Jenny was pregnant, she was miserable. She felt the same feelings most women have but never say. She hated what was happening to her body, and felt as if an alien life form had taken over. That's pretty much what happens when you are pregnant, too! I can hardly wait to read the follow-up: "Baby Laughs" about her son's first year.

My own daughter is the same age as her son, so it was cool knowing she was pregnant then too! I was just as miserable as she was, and if I had known my health would never be better again, I would have tried to enjoy it more, LOL!

Welcome to my book journal!

I *borrowed* this idea from a fellow member of GoodHousekeeping's Book Club Board. It's a great way to keep track of what I read and my thoughts on each story. Thanks, Vicky!!