A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers (#24, Nonfiction)

When I saw that this was our bookclub pick I got pretty excited. I have been meaning to read Dave Eggers for some time now, and I have heard from more than one person that this book is great--maybe even their favorite book of all time.

I immediately loved his random banter-type writing. You feel like he is talking to you, not writing a book. I really enjoyed his story-telling and style for the first 200 pages, but then it turned a little too random and stream of consciousness for my liking towards the end.

Dave Eggers is definitely a unique writer and story teller, I don't think he is for everyone, but he is definitely worth checking out. Even though I may not have loved his style throughout, his story is certainly out there and one worth telling.

He is one of those writers that you want to meet in person. He has had a crazy life, and yet he comes off as so normal in the book--no addictions, a good role model to his younger brother... but you wonder, is he a little quirky or totally messed up?

Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon (#23, Fiction)

Book #4 of the Outlander series. I can't believe I have made it this far. Although, I feel quite content with my place in the world of Jamie and Claire.

In the past I have either been vehemently against continuing the series, or almost Twilight-esque sure of reading the next book. At this point I feel quite apathetic about it--I may, I may not. Right now I'm leaning towards no, but who knows, I could be at the book store or library in search of that easy, absorbing book where you know EXACTLY what to expect. And that is when Outlander #5 could come into play. (yeah, I don't even know the title of the next one)

Side Note: I introduced this series to my old roommate Liz. I felt that I gave her the appropriate warnings and had been exposed to enough of her reading habits, and her open mind to books, that there was a chance she could enjoy it. Apparently, her sister saw her reading it, and said, "You are reading Dirty Diana!" Yes, apparently she had been accosted on the beach for reading a book by the author known as: Dirty Diana.

Echo Park by Michael Connelly (#22, Fiction)

Can you imagine how many books I would read in a year if all I read was murder/mystery series? Seriously. Even though the book is over 400 pages, I can still breeze though it in three days max. I could read over 100 books in a year!

But alas, quality over quantity. I really haven't got much to say about this book. For it's genre it fits the bill and didn't make me feel like I was slumming it. (I just came up with that--book slumming it. Steph-- it's our new phrase! I love it!)

The main character is likeable and the writing is not terrible. The story was interesting with a nice little twist at the end.

It passes my guilty pleasure standards.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (#21, Fiction)

Normally I am hesitant about bestsellers. I will read a bestseller but I will go into it with low expectations. I had heard so many positive reviews about Water for Elephants from people I trusted that my expectations were way higher than normal.

Happily, it was a success! I think Sara Gruen can write a lovely story--it was simple, but well done. She also did her homework. Although the book is fiction she takes many factual accounts and stories and weaves them into a story of her own.

My two favorite parts about the book are the twist that works out so well, and the love of animals that many of the main characters have.

I am entirely satisfied with this as a bestseller and will happily read Gruen in the future.

Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction by David Sheff (#20, Nonfiction)

Truth really is stranger than fiction. Or maybe just sadder and more heartbreaking. Beautiful Boy is a tale that all parents hope to never call their own.

Nic Sheff grows up in a fairly typical fashion, loved by two parents who end up getting divorced when he is young. He is happy, athletic, smart, friendly, curious, and a great big brother until drugs take over his life.

David Sheff, his father, shares the story of Nic's addiction to drugs and alcohol--mainly methamphetamine--from high school through his mid-20s.

The worst part about the book is that it doesn't end. There is no magical cure. Even after two to three year stints at a time of being clean, Nic always returns to drugs. Just when you think he finally has his life in order and has overcome his addiction, he relapses. No low seems low enough to stop him from going back. David candidly shares his thoughts, frustrations, and the blame he places on himself for his son's path, as well as the toll it has taken on his personal and professional life.

Nic, also a talented writer, has published the story of his addiction--Tweak. As someone who never exceeds recommended dosages, dislikes prescriptions, and would rather have terrible allergies than take a daily pill, I am interested to read from Nic's perspective. I just hope that someday I will find out that he is still clean and has been for years, but after reading disappointment after disappointment in Beautiful Boy, I know the odds of that are not good.