29 Gifts (Cami Walker)

Not really sure how to describe this book. Its part memoir, part challenge, part new-agey weirdness. The author, Cami Walker, was diagnosed with MS a few weeks after she got married. She had several bad episodes with MS, throwing her into depression and challenging her new marriage. Then her friend (a new-agey healer) challenged her to give a gift to someone every day for 29 days. The book chronicles her experience with the challenge and how her outlook on life changed.

The overall idea of giving a gift everyday - whether its giving money to a homeless person or buying your friend a cup of coffee - is good. Giving helps you focus on other people and not just yourself.

Be warned that the book has a lot of new-agey stuff about religion, healing, etc. And you have to buy it in the Self-Help Section of the bookstore. But the overall message is good and I did learn a lot about MS.

Vision in White (Nora Roberts)

Cheesey girly romance novel centered around a wedding planning business? Yes. But a very enjoyable cheesey girly romance novel. And what girl doesn't secretly want to work in the wedding industry? This book is the first in a quartet that centers around four best friends who start a wedding business together. This one is about the photographer (hence the name - Vision in White) and how she finds love.

The next one is about the florist - Bed of Roses.

If you're in the market for a quick, fun, girly book, then I recommend this book!

Added bonus - I got this one at the library. But the second book has a loooooong wait list, so it might be awhile!

The Help (Kathryn Stockett)

I. Loved. This. Book. It was so good! I listened to it on CD from the library, which really helped bring the characters to life. Either way, this is a must read. The story is told through the perspective of three women in Mississippi in the 1960s - two black maids and one young white woman. They weave together stories of what its like to be a maid in a white household in the Sixties. The characters really grip you. I didn't want it to end! Sometimes I would sit in the parking garage for an extra few minutes because I couldn't turn it off. I highly recommend.

The White Queen (Philippa Gregory)

Another British historical fiction, but I loved it! This is set during the War of the Roses (before the Tudors) and I didn't know anything about this time period. It was really interesting to learn about a different dynasty. The main character, Elizabeth, is a noblewoman who marries the victorious prince in a war for the English throne. They are crowned King and Queen, but must continuously defend their throne. If you like historical fiction, this is a good book!

Length: 400 pages

Time: November 2009

Bonus: This was a library book!

the one with 12

One of my resolutions this year is to read at least one book every month. Usually I am pretty good about this, but sort of slacked at the end of 2009.

Here's the list for 2010 so far:

• 29 Gifts (for book club!) ~ Cami Walker
• The Lost Symbol ~ Dan Brown
• My Life in France ~ Julia Child
• Cleaving ~ Julie Powell
• Her Fearful Symmetry ~ Audrey Niffenger
• Vision in White ~ Nora Roberts

I feel like there are more books on my list, but I can't remember now. What's on your list?