The Book Nook

Hello all, I thought that since the only thing that is any fun to do in the cold is curl up with a book, I decided to start my new little blog series. I have decided to keep track of the books I read this year by putting little tidbits on my blog. I am hoping this accountability will encourage me to read more and (my main problem) read a little more quickly. Here are a the last few I finished up 2009 with.

The Tsarina's Daughter by Carolly Erickson - Mrs. Erickson is one of my favorite historical fiction writers. This is the first book of hers that I have read that deals with Russia however. I have had a fascination for years with the family of the last czar of Russia, Nicholas II, and his family. All of them were murdered in 1918 during the Russian revolution. This book puts forth the idea, what if one of the daughters had survived. Many books have used this idea with Anastasia, but never Alexandria, like this one does. It is very dramatic and exciting with a smidge of romance mixed in. Even though you know how the real story ends, you will still be caught up in the this good read. I give it a strong A

The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith - OMG I discovered these books after I started watching the new tv show that is based on them. The books are SO much better. The show is good in its own right, but the only thing is has in common with the books is the names of the characters. They don't even look the same. Now please don't get me wrong, I adore Twilight and will be forever in love with Edward Cullen, but I must admit that The Vampire Diaries are at least as good and in many ways better. The female characters especially, Elena and her best friends Bonnie and Meredith are very strong brave young women. They are no one's victims and do a very good job of taking care of the drama themselves. Without the girls, none of the boy would stand a chance. This is very different from a weak and danger prone Bella. There are 4 books in the original series, The Awakening, The Struggle, The Fury and Dark Reunion. They are all pretty short quick reads. Recently the author has started a new series that is a continuation with the same characters. The first of these books is call The Return, Nightfall. I have it and it is the next book on my list to read. The second book in the new series comes out sometime in February I think. For all my friends that adored Twilight, these are a must read. A+++

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch - This is the book I chose as our book club selection this month. I don't want to give too much away here before everyone has a chance to read it. It is pretty short and is a super fast read. There are some very memorable characters and it is quite funny at times. Overall I give this one a B-.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe - This is my newest book that I started the other night. So far, I ADORE it. It switches back and forth between a current day Harvard Phd candidate named Connie who is starting her dissertation in history and Deliverance Dane, her ancestor that suffered during the Salem Witch Trials. It is very mysterious and I am totally hooked. I will tell you more about it when I finish. One fun thing I have discovered so far is that mandrakes, like the ones in Harry Potter are very real. They have been used for centuries and are mentioned in great literature throughout history. My new little fact for the week I guess.

I hope everyone is reading something fun too. I would love to hear about what everyone else is reading. Have a super weekend. Let's all try to survive the cold !!!!!