Thanks Oprah, now so have I...

Tell us the title:

She's Come Undone

Who penned this work?:

Wally Lamb

How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?:

I think I saw it recommended in a magazine and then found it at the library

Number of pages:

465

Time passed from start to finish?:

A week or two

Describe the cover:

In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?:

Fiction

Summary of the basic plot:

The story follows the journey of a girl from childhood into adulthood.  Along the way, she encounters many heartbreaking an traumatic situations.  I could go into more detail than that, but there's a summary.

What did you think of it? (your general response, what you liked or didn't like, what you learned, anything else you want to share about it):

I felt about the same emotional overwhelm while reading this as I felt watching the movie Rachel Getting Married.  It totally stressed me out.  Interestingly enough, I was more impacted by contemplating my stress over this than I was by the story itself. 

Which page was your favorite? Share why:

Probably the pages with the whales.  That would be the one in the middle of the story because it felt like a transforming moment.  And at the end of the book because it was nice and then it was over.

If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters?

No idea.

Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why:

Ummmm...I just spent ten minutes trying to figure this out and I do not know.
I shall continue working on this question.

Choose your rating:

 - Changed. My. Life.

     - I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it

    - A definite page-turner
Somewhere Between...

    - Good to check out but don't spend the cash.

and

      - Why did I waste my weekend on this?

     - A disgrace to paper everywhere

Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page. 

"You know anything about tropical fish?"

A boy and his dogs

~ Tell us the title: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
~ Who penned this work?: David Wroblewski
~ Number of pages: 561
~ Time passed from start to finish?: Too long, like 6 weeks
~ Describe the cover: Farm setting, with a boy and a dog walking towards a barn
~ In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?: Fiction
~ Summary of the basic plot: Without giving anything away, it's about a mute boy (he can hear, but uses a made up sign language) and his parents who live on a farm but they raise dogs, and train them to a great extent before selling them.  
~ Background information on the story/author: This was his first book. It takes place in Wisconsin in the 50's, and the author lives in Wisconsin.
~ What did you think of it? He is a great writer, in his phrasing.  He had some excellent thoughts, but holy cow was the ending horrible.  I thought that, then looked online and almost all reviews said the same thing.  He wove a wonderful story, but left so so many of the storylines unfinished.  As one review said, it was almost like he was on a time crunch and just threw an ending together.  It was not satisfying in the least.

~ Which page was your favorite? Share why: I couldn't tell you.  There were a lot. of pages.
~ If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters? Well, since the main character is 14 for most of the book, I don't know many 14 year old male actors.
~ Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why: I'm sorry, I returned the book to the library before doing this.  So I have nothing to tell you.
~ Choose your rating:
- Changed. My. Life.
- I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it
- A definite page-turner
- Good to check out but don't spend the cash.
- Why did I waste my weekend on this?
- A disgrace to paper everywhere
~ Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page. That spring their dog, Violet, who was good but wild-hearted, had dug a hole under the fence when she was in heat and run the streets with romance on her mind. (sorry that is not sentence number 7, because that sentence sucked. but this one was good on that page)

it's simple...

~ Tell us the title: keeping life simple
~ Who penned this work?: Karen Levine
~ Number of pages: 154
~ Time passed from start to finish?: 2 days
~ Describe the cover: Very simple. Paper-bag brown with a green and white daisy illustration, title, author and short description
~ In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?: Not sure actually...probably the gift section or perhaps a self-help(ish) type section.
~ Summary of the basic plot: There is not really a plot. The book contains guidelines, tips and ideas for keeping life simple.
~ Background information on the story/author: Well, the author is a contributing editor to Parents magazine, which I was not surprised to discover once I had finished the book...
~ What did you think of it? I really enjoyed what a light,quick and somewhat inspiring read it was. I also liked how many ideas it shared, however, I was expecting a little more substance. The first chapter contains some great guiding principles and an action step to take towards making those principles a bigger part of your life, but that is where that discussion ends. The rest of the book is a list of tips broken down into different categories. I think one of the biggest things I realized, though, is that the book is written from the perspective of a mother. This was quite obvious to me as I read through the book and I struggled to relate at times. It still contained lots of great ideas, but for me it was a struggle to keep focused.

~ Which page was your favorite? Share why: I don't think I really have a favorite page in this book. I suppose I enjoyed the first several pages the most.
~ If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters? Um, yeah...no. That movie would not make money.
~ Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why: "Remember, you really do have the capacity to make choices. And that is the key to your simpler life." This really stuck out to me because I have been pondering the power of choice lately and I found this to be one of the most simple, yet powerful quotes in the book.
~ Choose your rating:
- Changed. My. Life.
- I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it
- A definite page-turner
- Good to check out but don't spend the cash. (unless you are a mom and want tons of ideas for making your life more simple)
- Why did I waste my weekend on this?
- A disgrace to paper everywhere
~ Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page. Page 222 does not exist and there is a chart on page 22, so here we go: "On the pragmatic level, we hope to help you simplify your life by offering tips and hints for accomplishing tasks and chores more efficiently."

Would the real Jesus Christ please stand up?

~ Tell us the title: Imaginary Jesus
~ Who penned this work?: Matt Mikalatos
~ How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?: My ever-deepening quest for religion...or maybe the librarian conference.
~ Number of pages: 225
~ Time passed from start to finish?: 4 Days
~ Describe the cover: A photo of a man wearing green-framed, star-shaped lensed sun glasses and a hawaiin shirt. He's also got a beard added with marker (think second grade) and a halo drawn with a yellow highlighter.
~ In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?: God, Comedy
~ Summary of the basic plot: Matt, the author sets out to find the real Jesus after discovering that the Jesus he was following was simply his depiction of what he wanted from Jesus.
~ Background information on the story/author: Matt Mikalatos is from somewhere around Portland and goes to Church at Village (not the Korean Presbyterian) church that's in Beaverton.
~ What did you think of it? (your general response, what you liked or didn't like, what you learned, anything else you want to share about it): I wasn't bored, which is more than I expected. Mikalatos actually presents a number of valid points while inserting humor along the way.
~ Which page was your favorite? Share why: Pg. 64, there are no fewer than 5 Jesuses involved in this one scene.
~ If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters? I could see this being an Adam Sandler-ish movie. Something similar to a Bedtime Stories.
~ Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why: American Eagle came over and announced, "You're going to need stitches. Don't wash the blood off. The emergency room serves you faster if you're covered in blood." I like humor...and truth...so
~ Choose your rating:
- Changed. My. Life.
- I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it
- A definite page-turner
- Good to check out but don't spend the cash.
- Why did I waste my weekend on this?
- A disgrace to paper everywhere
~ Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page. I seem to find books that do not fit this criteria...so this is from pg 222. "Krista called me and I turned the grill over to my dad."

Cataldie's Mission

~ Tell us the title:
Coroner's Journal: Forensics and the Art of Stalking Death
~ Who penned this work?:
Louis Cataldie, M.D.
~ How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?:
First trip to Powell's Books and the forensics aspect grabbed me.
~ Number of pages:
336
~ Time passed from start to finish?:
2 weeks
~ Describe the cover:
Black and white, low-angle shot of a sheet-covered body in a forest; title is this color, subtitle is this color.
~ In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?:
Memoirs, Legal/Forensics
~ Summary of the basic plot:
Author tells about his life as a coroner. From duties in pursuing causes of death to cleaning up after Hurricane Katrina to the odd responsibility of committing psychotics to mental institutions.
~ Background information on the story/author:
Louis Cataldie was a General Practitioner when he first finished med school. He was actually drawn to be a coroner by his interest in psychiatry. When he moved to Baton Rouge he found himself working at the coroner's office. He progressed through the ranks and was acting coroner of East Baton Rouge Parish for five years. He finished his career after two years as the Louisiana State Medical Examiner.
~ What did you think of it? (your general response, what you liked or didn't like, what you learned, anything else you want to share about it):
It was an interesting point of view on murders with a few weird accidental deaths thrown in. It wasn't very technical in the biology/forensic science aspect, in fact it definitely could have used more input from the science side. Interesting note...he got sued at one point (case went to trial with Cataldie's side prevailing) by a lawyer that was a member of the Louisiana State Senate. A law that the Senator wrote saved him.
~ Which page was your favorite? Share why:
His description of the days after Hurricane Katrina paid respects to the deceased while providing a small glimpse of the horrors that occurred. In total, ten corpses were recovered from the Louisiana Superdome--contrary to urban legend, not one was a homicide." That revelation was a shock to me...five years later.
~ If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters?
Actually, throw a toupe on Dr. Phil and you've got your guy. Not only the right look, but the personality seems to mesh too.
~ Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why:
In total, ten corpses were recovered from the Louisiana Superdome--contrary to urban legend, not one was a homicide." That revelation was a shock to me...five years later.
~ Choose your rating:
- Changed. My. Life.
- I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it
- A definite page-turner
- Good to check out but don't spend the cash.
- Why did I waste my weekend on this?
- A disgrace to paper everywhere
~ Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page. Not appropriate.

Follow Dekalb Through The City

~ The title:
Monster Island: A Zombie Novel (OoOoo...)
~ Who penned this work?:
David Wellington
~ How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?:
Laura found it at the library book sale
~ Number of pages:
282
~ Time passed from start to finish?:
Total about two weeks. I had to take a break for a week and half in there though because I couldn't read it alone. It was scary and I'm a weenie.
~ Describe the cover:
A greenish shot of NYC with the title in huge red letters
~ In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?:
Fiction. I don't think they have a zombie section.
~ Summary of the basic plot:
Pretty standard for a zombie novel. Some disease appeared, turned people into zombies, they took over, we read the story of some survivors. It differs a bit though in the circumstances of the survivors (searching for drugs at the UN for a military leader in Africa), and twists in the plot line (a man who used medical technology to become a unique kind of zombie with cognition still intact...and an evil agenda).
~ Background information on the story/author:
The story apparently started as a series of online chapters that were then turned into this, the first novel in a trilogy. The author has a masters degree in creative writing and works as an archivist for the UN.
~ What did you think of it? (your general response, what you liked or didn't like, what you learned, anything else you want to share about it):
It was O.K. The story line was a little weird, and quickly turned pretty bizarre. I also hated the way it ended...as the plot unfurled I found myself mentally fighting the direction it took, grudgingly reading page after page. Character development was rather inconsistent, and it seemed that for his level of writing he fleshed out too many characters for him to handle.
~ Which page was your favorite? Share why:
Didn't have a favorite. Maybe the last page, but only because the book was over.
~ If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters?
I don't think the characters were developed well enough for me to answer that.
~ Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why:
I didn't find any as I was reading.
~ Choose your rating:
- Changed. My. Life.
- I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it
- A definite page-turner
- Good to check out but don't spend the cash (thank goodness I only spent 2 bucks)
- Why did I waste my weekend on this?
- A disgrace to paper everywhere
~ Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page.
"As for me, Osman took one look at my slept-in clothes and my haggard face and shook his head."