Goodreads.com & some book reviews

So I gave up my People magazine subscription once again and received my husband’s 2nd hand Kindle reader (he upgraded to the latest). I was hesitant at first about switching to the Kindle but it has won me over in one major way… it’s so slim and compact that it fits in my purse better than a paperwork ever would.

I now can always have a book with me & won’t accidentally leave it at home or in the car. Bonus – I can sync it and also read my book on my Android phone. Bonus #2 – if I finish a book while I am out I can download a new one in less than a minute.

With the desire to read more, I signed up for a Goodreads account, set up some lists and have made a point to keep that up-to-date. It’s a good place too to keep of list of books I want to read.

I’ve entered a few short book reviews since signing up that you can read after the jump…

One Day by David Nicholls
Wow. This was a hard story to put down… and not because the story was compelling (it was) but because of the characters. Nicholls brings these characters to life if a way I haven’t seen in a while. I got to know Emma & Dex to their core and their reactions and words really showed how well Nicholls understands human nature and emotions. He truly has a talent for characters.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
A quick read with a formulaic but still very readable story. Characters – especially the dog Enzo who actually narrates the entire story – are very well fleshed out. I think the characters are what makes you keep reading. Story especially pulled my heart strings as it made me ponder what my 17 year old dog may be thinking as her age. Lots of racing references but easily skimmed over if you aren’t into the details.

Finding Manana: A Memoir of a Cuban Exodus by Mirta Ojito
As the child of Cuban immigrants, this was a fascinating read that gave me a better perspective on the history going on during the Mariel boat lift – the well-researched history made it even more compelling.