January Books read

So I started January off with a post about 4 books that I wanted to read plus 1 more that I had not picked.  This post is a summary of the books that a read, not quite from the list I had set out to read but non the less I did finish the below books:

1. The Shack by William P. Young
1. To start off I should say while I do consider myself to be religious and spiritual I am not a regular church goer nor do I preach my thoughts of religion to others.  This book I did find moving.  The number one lesson for me was the importance of forgiveness and even though it is hard that we are not to be judge and jury to other people.  I am not sure if something similar happened to me if I would be able to let go and forgive the someone for causing so much pain and suffering. I did enjoy this book and was glad that I was given a copy for Christmas, otherwise I would not have read it I am sure.
2. Julie and Julia by Julie Powell
1. I am not sure if I would enjoy the movie for this book so I think I will avoid it, but the book itself was a decent read.  I am however drawn to look up Julie's blog and read through some of her previous posts to read about her adventures.  I enjoyed the writing style,  humor and her growth within the story. 
3. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
1. I had read this for my January book club and I really enjoyed it.  All the members of the book club enjoyed this book.
4. Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
1. I borrowed this book as an e-book from the library to have something else to listen to besides the radio while playing with my baby.  I don't listen to e-books often but I did truely enjoy having this going during the days as a change from the radio. I am nearly done this book and I think I may have taken more away from it if I had just read it not listened to it.
5. Invasion by Jon A Lewis
1. This is a book that I received to read and post a review from book sneeze.  See my post on this book here.
6. Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir
1. I am loving this book! not surprising since I love historical fiction type books especially when royalty is the subject. 

So I have completed 4 books and will have the other 2 finished before the end of the month.  I am posting this today because I will not have another chance before the month is up.  Next month I hope to read 4-5 books if anyone has any suggestion I would love to hear them.

review: Invasion by Jon A Lewis

So I received a copy of the book Invasion by Jon A Lewis to review the other day.  Here is a bit about the book from the sites page:

When a drunk driver kills Colt McAllister’s parents, his life is turned upside down… and he had no idea that was only the beginning. Before his journalist mother died, she was about to expose a mind control program run by Trident Industries, one of the world’s largest conglomerates. When an informant inside the company tells Colt that his parents were actually murdered, Colt becomes a target as well.

With nowhere to go, he’s forced to move in with his grandpa in Arizona. Bizarre things start to happen when Trident Industries awakens sleeper cell assassins who don’t realize they’re being used to commit murder. It’s impossible for Colt to know friend from foe.

Then Colt learns that Trident is a front for a group that wants to open a gateway to a world filled with shapeshifting aliens who want to wipe out humanity so they can colonize Earth. With the aid of his friends and a secret organization called CHAOS, Colt joins the fight to save mankind.

This is a book geared toward youth and those that like science fiction; my nephews would really enjoy reading this book.  The book is from the eyes of a 16 year old boy, we get to hear his adventures with the paranormal and that is done quite well.  The book describes a corporation like big brother trying to gain control of the world, only the corporation is run by Aliens looking to exterminate mankind.  With the help of CHOAS Colt and his friends try to stop them from destroying man kind.  What comes in the next chapter of Invasion, we will have to wait and see.

From my adult perspective the book did have enough emotion and in some cases I felt things did not get fully explained.  For example Colt looses his parents and we did not really get much of his feelings during the time of sorrow, but if a young man was reading this they might find that part of the story just right. 

Overall the book is very well written and is suitable for pre teen and teens to read, I didn't really mind it either. I would rate this 3/5

Reading goal for 2011

I am going to set a few goals for myself this year, one of them will be to start reading more books again.  Since having my daughter 7 months ago I have not read very many books as other things need to happen.  Well she is on a better schedule and I do have some free time, so I hope to be able to read 5-6 books a month.  Before having my daughter I was reading at least 6 books a month sometimes as many as 10.  I do miss settling into a good book and losing track of time. 

Any suggestions on what books to read?

My next books to read are going to be:
Innocent Traitor
No 1 ladies detective Agency (for my book club, I am looking forward to this)

Julie and Julia

Blood Promise

 

I hope to be able to read these books this month, and maybe 1 more if I can fit it in.