Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood

This is a good adventure.  I enjoyed reading this book.  Two negatives:  the language isn't always the best and there are parts I felt like "closing my eyes" on.

I really like the things brought up by this story.  It makes one really wonder what the afterlife is like.

This book is about two brothers and one isn't necessarily living.  It is also about a girl that becomes part of the mix.  I do recommend this book and really enjoyed reading it. 

Mrs. Mike by Benedict & Nancy Freedman

I have my friend Brittney to thank for lending this book to me.  Her copy looks like the biggest image in this blog.  I was happy to see it is still available and you can find it to buy.  Also, our library has group copies for book groups and such.  Who would've knew?  And I'd never even heard of it. 

This is a beautiful story based on the real life of Katherine Mary Flannigan.  Katherine goes to Canada to help with her pleurisy.  I had to look that word up.  Here is the definition given:

"inflammation of the pleura that is typically characterized by sudden onset, painful and difficult respiration, and exudation of fluid or fibrinous material into the pleural cavity"

While Katherine is there she meets Mike.  This is book is about what follows.  It is romantic and serious.  I saw a review that said that this story isn't flashy but it stays with you a long time.  I'd have to agree with that.  It touches and inspires.  It is a beautiful book.

312 pages

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

This book is amazing. At about half way through, I stopped a while and thought about it. I really liked this book, but it seemed so much had already happened and how can there be that much more of the book to read? I was enjoying it thoroughly but didn’t know it could get any better.

Becky Jack is a housewife and she is perfectly happy with her life. One day she meets her favorite star. His name is Felix Callahan and finds it interesting to converse with Felix. Before they know it Becky and Felix are talking all the time and call each other best friends.

I found myself experiencing many emotions during this book and couldn’t conceal a giggle or two here and there. Shannon Hale does a great job with helping me to feel great range of emotion.

This book has amazing twists and turns and things I didn’t expect and can’t mention without spoiling the book.

It really was a top notched book!

Austenland by Shannon Hale

If you think I am on a Shannon Hale kick, you are ABSOLUTELY right!

First, I have a caution with this book. I would not want my 16 year old son to read this book. There are some details between boy and girl that I don’t want him to dwell on. I think that this book is for an older audience than that. I would classify this as an adult book as most others do also. She handles situations very respectful, well, and tactful.

I couldn't put the book down, which probably doesn't surprise you with a book from Shannon Hale. Most of her books I would read more than once though, and this one I probably will just read once, but who knows.

Jane loves "Pride and Prejudice" especially on DVD with Colin Firth. It is the secret that she feels guilty about. She hides her DVDs because of that guilt.

Her great aunt, Carolyn comes to visit. She notices the hidden DVDs and when she passes away she leaves Jane a vacation to Austenland. In Austenland, they recreate the time period of Jane Austen's books. They dress like, talk like and act like this time period.

Jane decides to do it go there and has quite the adventure.

I really enjoyed this story. I do recommend this book and getting caught away in a fun bit of romance and men. I think there are many things about it to get caught up in too.

Happy reading to yah!