Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Luiz Zafron

Just finished this for my book club online (pickwickreaders.blogspot.com) and I was a little late to the party. It took me a while to get through it, but here is my Goodreads review:

Oh boy. What DID I think of this novel? SO many things, I thought. The writing is BREATHTAKING. Looking at my copy, you'd think this was a textbook with all the underlining and stars. It is phenomenal to think that this is a translation. It is beautiful. It is kind of spooky. It is very mysterious. And I have some complaints.
1) Without spoiling, I would just like to say, the end came too quick and was too tidy. I felt like he got bored with writing halfway through and the mystery was just kind of...resolved. Not ...........almostresolved......still not....then resolved. If you get what I'm screamin'.
2) I felt like Daniel's dad was WAY underdeveloped, and I loved him as a character.
3) I didn't finish it and then want to start at the beginning again. That would have earned five stars. But I was secretly just relieved when I finished.

2010 In Review

I kept track of all of the books I read in 2010 and I even met this goal. I was pleased. In wrapping up 2010, here is a list of my favorite books that I read during the year.

Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
The Hunger Games (the whole series really) by Suzanne Collins
Too Much to Carry Alone by Camille Fronk Olson
The Screwtape Letters C.S. Lewis
Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
In A Heartbeat by Leigh Ann & Sean Touhy
Juliet by Anne Fortier
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
Roses by Leila Meacham
Lacemakers of Glenmara by Heather Barbieri
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Now I am compiling my list of what to read in 2011. Anyone have any recommendations?

Spoken from the Heart by Laura Bush

I have always thought that Laura Bush was very classy and intelligent. I found her charming when she was the First Lady and I felt like she always showed her strength, even when the world was criticizing her husband. I really enjoyed her biography, Spoken from the Heart, and I felt like it was a great start to my book reading of 2011.

This book told the other side to so many stories that we all saw in the press and it was fascinating. In my opinion, regardless of politics and what decisions a president makes, he and the first lady are still people and deserve to be treated fairly. I think that President and Mrs. Bush showed class and I especially think it is great to see a strong couple that always had each other's back. Laura Bush comforted President Bush through a significantly hard period in our country's history. They faced 9/11 together, they faced war together, they faced Katrina together, and they faced an onslaught of public hatred towards President Bush and his decisions. Bottom line, I think she is an incredibly strong woman who provides an amazing example of a supportive and loving wife.

I also learned all sorts of random facts that I didn't know. For instance, did you know that the president and first lady have to pay for all of their personal expenses while they are in office? They are sent a bill for their food, dry cleaning, clothing, and all their personal expenses. They are also billed for any guests that they have at the White House or Camp David. They don't have a mortgage or utilities but they don't live free either. Never knew that!

I really enjoyed the stories she told as well as her devotion to her husband, her beliefs and First Lady priorities, and her family. I am thoroughly impressed. If you want a good biography, I wholeheartedly recommend it.