Fail

Of course folks, why should you be surprised? As usual, I have failed to stick to my schedule. The Checklist Manifesto was not the first book I read in 2012, nor was it the second. But I'm going to read it -- I'm on Chapter 5 -- and you WILL see a post on here about it!

So do not lose heart! :)

--Sadie

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Okay, okay, Twilight haters out there, don't freak out. Twilight lovers: listen in! I have found a book to beat even the guile and wisdom of romantic fantasy author Stephenie Meyer.

My good friend Hayleigh recommended this book to me, and gave the forewarning of maybe seeming a little Twilight-ish (this coming from the girl who loves making fun of that series with me; no offense). All forewarning ahead of me, I read it anyway! And I'm really glad I did. I loved this book, and I definitely think you should read it. It gives a practical personality for both Sam and Grace and I couldn't help falling in love with the story. I couldn't put the first book down and I immediately went to Hayleigh for the second one right after I finished it! And now I am in search for the rest of the series.

Anywho, I definitely recommend it to any fantasy or romance lovers out there, or even anyone in search of a new book to read!

Synopsis:

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

http://maggiestiefvater.com/shiver/books/

First book in the series: Shiver
Followed by: Linger
              and Forever

Don't be thrown off by the fact that there are wolves and even possibly werewolves -- it's not one of those weird animals talking romance kind of books I promise. I was a little weird-ed out by the synopsis on the book and the mention of a girl possibly falling in love with a wolf, but it turned out much better than I expected.

So go read it! Let me know what you think.

Peace Like A River,

--Sadie

Rating: 4/5 stars

First Book Scheduled to Finish in 2012:

The first book I'm going to read in 2012 is The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande.

My reason for choosing this book to read first: Physiology.

Now, I was already planning on reading this book. But it became top priority on my list because I need to finish Professional Development for Physiology ASAP -- and this book counts for it. I've started Complications, another book of Gawande's, and I've really enjoyed it so far. So I think I'm going to thoroughly enjoy this one. So hopefully I'll get a post up here soon telling you all what I thought of it!

--Sadie

Kindle

Well, I have officially become hooked to my Kindle.

Now don't hold your breath or scorn me for joining the dark side -- I still love and always will  love an actual, tangible book that I can hold in my hand, smell, and write in -- basically enjoy the way any classic book should be enjoyed.

BUT, I do enjoy my Kindle. It's very handy for taking up hardly any space at all, but being able to hold thousands of words for you to devour anywhere, anytime. I love it! Other readers who have a thirst for a new story, new ideas, new friends, new words, and new authors would love it too! I can take my Kindle to school with me everyday, and it doesn't even take up that much space. It's thin, lightweight, and from all the books I have on there, I wouldn't be able to lug my backpack around with me all day every day with all that reading material. It would be simply disastrous.

So, I'm all for my Kindle. It's not a Kindle Fire, just your basic Kindle that they originally came out with. It's not too complicated and I really enjoy it! I can upload books at any Wi-Fi location, and be reading it a minute later. I don't have to wait a week for my book to come to the mail. Honestly, it's heavenly.

Don't go thinking I've suddenly become an advertisor and promoter for Amazon -- I haven't. But I really do like my Kindle and I'm telling you all I think it's worth a shot. So don't hate on the electronic technology, because it has its advantages.

I hope you are all having a wonderful 2012 so far, and I challenge you all to read as many books as possible before December 21 -- after all, the Mayans said the world is ending this year. ;)

--Sadie

All the Books I Read in 2011:

1. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

2. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
3. Voices in a Haunted Room by Philippa Carr
4. Miracle at St. Bruno's by Philippa Carr
5. Voice of the Heart by Barbara Taylor Bradford
6. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
7. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows
8. Hush, Hush Becca Fitzpatrick
9. The Pact by Jodi Picoult
10. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
11. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
12. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
13. The Golden Spiral by Lisa Mangum
14. Stolen by Lucy Christopher
15. Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
16. Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz
17. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
18. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
19. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
20. Hearts for Rent by Crystal James
21. Arousing Love by M.H. Strom (not really worth your time, it was really weird...)
22. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
23. Envy by Anna Godberson
24. Splendor by Anna Godberson
25. Rumors by Anna Godberson
26. Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz
27. Keys to the Repository by Melissa de la Cruz
28. Sparks Fly by Lucy Kevin
29. Saga of a Middle-Aged Vampire (some free book on my mom's iPad, not really worth your time either)
30. Lovely
31. The Perfect Gift (another weird free book on my mom's iPad; again, not worth your time)
32. Kate & Ben (another weird free book. Don't bother)
33. A Chance in Time Ruth Ann Nordin
34. That Summer by Sarah Dessen
35. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
36. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
37. The Midnight Club by Christopher Pike
38. Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
39. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
40. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
41. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
42. The Princess by Lori Wick
43. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass
44. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
45. A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
46. The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum
47. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
48. We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

49. The Whipping Boy

50. The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman

Well, I only accomplished about half of my goal. :P Oh well, I'll try and do better this year!

--Sadie