Yes, I am a bookworm.

I truly love to read. I grew up reading with my mom but didn't really get into it on my own until...Harry Potter. Which, go ahead, if you're a HP hater, that's fine. But I have nothing but love for it and J.K. Rowling is my hero.

Anyhoo, I was about to go to Europe for 3 weeks when I was 16 and my mom and I went to Borders to find books to help pass the time. The saleswoman recommended HP because it was all the rage and I quickly bought the first two books. Little did I know I would be paying close to $40 for the hardcover Prisoner of Azkaban book in English while in small town Austria! But, I did and I was hooked. I pre-ordered the rest of the series as it came out and have seen every movie in the theater and own each. I have to thank J.K. for making my imagination come back to life and turn me into the reader I am today.



I read as much as I can. I love all kinds of books but I have to say that chick-lit is my favorite with murder mysteries a veryveryclose second. I'm a pretty fast reader so if I'm into the book, forget about it, it's going to be finished before I realize I read it. This can also be a problem because I read so much I forget what I read. Thank goodness for Goodreads!

So I wanted to talk about my favorite books I've read recently.

Must say this because it is my all time favorite and I re-read it about once a year...



To Kill a Mockingbird: Ohhh how original. A lawyer loves this book. Well I wasn't a lawyer when I fell in love with Atticus Finch! Gosh, what a perfect man! He's not only a great dad but he has the best moral compass and respect for others that I've ever seen (well...read) I plan on naming my first dog Atticus...no, seriously. I'm that big of a dork. and secretly want a second dog named Boo Radley...haha





(A catch-all, although Heart of the Matter was recent!) Emily Giffin Books: Girl, you do no wrong. I always fall immediately into her scenes and dialogue. I believe she actually listens to people what? shocking! and therefore her books have a very organic flow which helps to give them a huge feel of authenticity. I loved Something Borrowed and Baby Proof. Heart of the Matter struck a chord with me and I'm not sure, but it wasn't the feeling I normally had at the end of reading one of her books...

Something About You, Julie James. Just discovered Julie while browsing the amazon Kindle shop. Her books are nice and cheap but they are FAB! Again, great conversations, characters, and make you laugh out loud. She has 3 books out and I read all 3 immediately, I absolutely recommend them :) Plus she's from Chicago and 2 of her 3 books were set here. Love it.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson. I have to say I jumped on this bandwagon. But I wasn't sold on the first 180 pages or so. I mean, it took me 1/3 of the book to get into it. That's not my style. I don't like to quit reading books. Except I stopped reading Eat, Pray, Love because I loathed the narrator. I can't believe I just said that out loud because I'm sure people are obsessed with that book. Was it a mood? A funk? I don't know. I am giving it a second try though, so daggers down!!! After I got further into Lisbeth Salander's world, I was HOOKED. I'm currently reading The Girl Who Played With Fire.

The Help, Kathryn Stockett. This book gave me the chills. I was nervous the whole time. I was deeply moved. And so help me god, I wanted to know everyone's secrets!! This is a must read in my opinion and everyone I know agrees. It's been on the NYT's best sellers list now for weeks. It's also my friends' book for our Book Club this month...which by the way is so fun because we eat, drink, gossip, and talk about the book for ohh 20 minutes.

Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen. Another book I felt like I lived in. I could just see the Circus and smell the popcorn. Jacob was such a multifaceted character. I literally couldn't put this book down. Now Robert Pattinson & Reese Witherspoon are making the movie and I have fingers and toes crossed it's decent. I say decent because very FEW movies ever hold a candle to the books.

My Name is Memory, Ann Brashares. This author might be familiar to you all as the writer of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. I can't explain this book except to say I loved the concept and I wanted to know more. And of course it was left at a point where you just sit there and wonder....damn, when is the next book coming out? The idea is that every soul continues to live on after the person dies and some people can recognize their old friends' "souls" in new bodies. Hey, I think it can happen! I also think toys talk when you leave the room...thanks, Pixar.

So I have a big favor to ask...I'm going to Colorado next Tuesday (yippppeeeee!) and I need some books to read. Any new faves? Or old classics you can't get enough of? Please let me know, I absolutely love book recommendations! If you want some from me, just ask!!