The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

I finished this a few days ago and needless to say I have not been able to stop thinking about it. In the beginning I was not sure what was happening and which way things were going. I had to take it real slow. I was not sure how things were going to fit in with each other. The way that Larsson layered the plot and history and small stories within the bigger one was very intriguing. His character description and depth really let you get to know the characters. It is hard to explain the story line because there are so many going on at the same time, you just need to read it. Once I finished the book and was talking to my husband about it we looked up the author. When you learn more about him it helps to explain some of the events and things that occurred in the story. It seemed that this was very cathartic for him and he was truly writing for himself. I am looking forward to reading his other books, but I need to finish processing this one first.

Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin

Subtitle: A no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous! -- Not what I expected, at all. It started out quite funny and making sense. Truthfully the whole book makes sense, but I am not sure I like the in your face approach. They definitely had an agenda -vegan-ism. They are totally against the meat/dairy industry and for organics. I don't think that is a bad thing, and if half of the things they say are true (I did not double check their end notes) that it is all quite disgusting. There are many chemicals, antibiotics and poisons put into our foods. I have gone back and forth about being a vegetarian. I have a husband that loves meat, so it does get challenging. I know I could do it and I know that aside from feeling better about it I know that I don't like how animals are treated. In the end the one thing that I truly take away from the book is to 'use your head'. Read about the foods you are eating, figure out what is best for you and don't always believe all of the hype out there. You are the only one who can make yourself feel better and look the way you want. Yes, I think a more plant based diet is better for you, but I know it is not for everyone and we all need to do what we are comfortable with.

Maybe (maybe not) by Robert Fulghum

Subtitle: Second Thoughts from a Secret Life -- What a fun little book of short snippets of what has gone on in his life and things he thinks about. You want to cry sometimes and at other times laugh out loud. Fulghum has a way of making you think about things that you never really want to put down on paper and he had the nerve to. Terry read this first and shared some of the things he really enjoyed, so I just had to read to whole thing. Some things that stick out in my mind -- a girl that has to sell candy for soccer, conducting an orchestra, a gentleman trying to participate in church and how that really goes, things he has and has not done with his family over the years. It was an easy read, but a must read at the same time. Pick it up and see what you think.

The Vendetta Defense by Lisa Scottoline

A very interesting book. It takes you into an Italian community and how over decades forgiveness was never given, grudges held and a vendetta that needed to be upheld. The story takes place in Philadelphia but really starts in Italy. There is a family that followed the Fascists and had their own agenda. Then there is a family of simple farmers who just wanted to live their life. One man wins a woman over another and that is really where the story begins. Scottoline did a wonderful job with the characters and I just wanted to jump in a hug some of these guys. She really made me feel a part of the story and wishing for certain outcomes. I wasn't sure at first about this book, it is not something I gravitate towards, but I am very glad I picked it up and will continue to seek out her books.

Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs

A good old easy to read chick book. After some of the books I had been reading I needed a little break. You have a single mother who lost her job and her son who can be challenging. Then enters a homeless girl who has her own interesting story and a sexy next door neighbor that is just as challenging to figure out. Some things that happened were very predictable yet others did surprise me. Wiggs did a good job with the characters and making them work well together. I have enjoyed her books in the past and look forward to finding more of them to get lost in.