Four myths about sorority women exposed | USA TODAY College

Four myths about sorority women exposed USA TODAY College

As an active alumna of my sorority, this was for the most part entertaining.

Books read in 2010 (that I can remember)

The following books were ones I read throughout last year, and by no means in any actual order. I highly enjoy reading for personal pleasure, regardless of what schoolwork I may have had to do in the past or now with my masters degree classwork. I'm also pretty excited I have Kindle for my iPhone now, as when I travel, I usually look like a teenager going to school with the backpack full of books to read on the plane and vacations. Look for a follow-up with anticipated reads for this month (and year) coming soon.

1) American Wife: A Novel (New York Times Notable Books)


Supposedly loosely based on Laura Welch Bush, but even the author mentions in a foreward note that that idea is simply coincidence. It's a pretty interesting read with a few twists in the storyline I wasn't expecting at first.


2) Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)

I'm a fan of Nora Roberts. Did I ever mention that I've met her? She lives in western Maryland and has seasonal book signings in the town that she calls home: Boonsboro, MD (near the Antietam Battlefield). I enjoy almost every single one of her storylines and series. This series is written with her pen name and is set in the future (when they don't even have real coffee, people!) It's written around a police detective and eventually her husband. Eve and Roarke and their friends make for some pretty light and entertaining reading.

3) Masters classes textbooks
   

and many, many others . . .

4) Glory in Death (In Death, Book 2)




See my above statements on Nora Roberts/ J.D. Robb.

5) Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously



This was an entertaining read. I did happen to see the movie before I read the book (which, I almost never do). It was a little difficult to keep reading this one, as I already knew the outcome of most of bigger cooking attempts.
6) Savor the Moment (The Bride Quartet, Book 3)



I again point to my previous mentioning of Nora Roberts. This series of books however began when I was getting married, and it was entertaining to read about 4 women who grew up and became their childhood dream. They used to play "wedding day" for fun and now they are one of the top places in the Northeast to host weddings and special events. Laurel is the baker of the group, Emma makes the flowers, Mac handles photography, and Parker is the coordinator that runs everything with a stopwatch, a phone, and a plan. From the title, I hope you can guess which character's story this is.

7) Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office


Hilarious! and at the same time, not so much. She does lose her job as the title mentions, but goes on to have an epiphany about how to better her life and outlook upon it. I'm a new fan of Lancaster's writing and have since also listed another of her books on my reading list.
8) Memory in Death - J.D. Robb/ Nora Roberts



I read this one several months ago, and I believe this one is about someone from Eve's past that brings back memories that were mostly bad, and yet helped her on her life path. It was enjoyable to see the plot twists throughout the story.

9) The Last Wife of Henry VIII: A Novel - Carrolly Erickson



This book made me a fan of Ms. Erickson. As you will see when I update my readinglist for 2011, I found other books pf hers. I love the way she takes history, and yet adds a bit of fiction to make the storyline just that more entertaining. This one was a page-turner, and kept me entertained throughout.

10) Private - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro



I'm also a pretty big fan of James Patterson (which is clearly obvious if anyone actually looks at our bookshelves in our living room). I have several of his books, and continue to go out and find all his new ones to read. The man sends A LOT of books to the publishers each year, so it can be a task to read all the current offerings. You might have guessed I enjoy reading mystery fiction and biographies by now, yes?

11) Dead of Night- J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Ruth Ryan Langan, Mary Kay McComas



Great book if you enjoy vampire stories! My copy was bought at one of the seasonal booksignings at Nora Roberts stores, and it includes signatures of both Ms. Roberts and Ms. Langan. They were a pleasure to meet in real life, and I enjoy reading their books as well. All the stories here have to do with some version of up at night, vampire, or other dark creature stories. Robb's is of course about  Lieutenant Eve Dallas and a futuristic crime story.

12) The 9th Judgment (Women's Murder Club) - James Patterson



The WMC was how I came to know and enjoy Patterson's writing. This is also about a group of women that play different parts in solving murders around the city of San Francisco. The reporter, the M.E. the detective, the D.A., etc.

13) Paradise Lost (Private, Book 9) - Kate Brian




You'll find this one in the teenage section. Yes, I occasionally read children and young adult literature, and not just for class (ha!) This is a series about a girl who gets a soccer (one of my many loves and a sport I still play with adult leagues) scholarship to a ritzy private school in Pennsylvania. Goes through at least the four years of high school and is an easy and mostly enjoyable read. There's also a murder mystery involved in the storyline of the series as well.

14) A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini



I read this last spring, and if you haven't read and/or at least heard of this author or title: run, do not walk to the nearest bookstore to pick it up to read! I liked this book better than the Kite Runner, to be honest. This one is about the women of Afghanistan and what they have gone through the last 20+ years of warfare. Great book of growing up and finding out about inner strength within women and our ability to come together through difficult times.

15) Alex Cross's TRIAL - James Patterson




Pretty sure the title speaks for itself, although the book is not about who you think it is about. Once again, James Patterson is able to delight his readers with his style and entertaining ability to meld fiction and mystery.
What have you read recently, or are planning to read?

Happy January

Hi! Happy New Year!  I hope you noticed my change in design around here. I especially wanted to point out the new songs on my MixPod. Two in particular are written and played by Marshall Styler. He and his family happen to be family friends of mine and R's. If you enjoy his music as much as I do, please visit his website! You see, his beautiful and wonderful wife recently lost her long and embattled 11 year battle with cancer. Kate was a wonderful lady and friend who was almost always smiling whenever I saw her. They attended our wedding in Fredericksburg, TX in 2009. May the Lord Bless and keep you during this New Year and may you have a healthy and happy 2011!