So as anyone who actually reads this knows, I asked for book suggestions awhile back. I have gotten some of the books read, but am running into a tiny problem. A lot of the newer and popular books are not easily available at the library. I know I should want to buy books, but when you make $8.53 an hour and work about 20 hours a week and have to pay for graduate school. You can see where I am going.

My spending habits are nothing like those you remember from our dual income days. I actually debated about spending $10 on a black long sleeve tee to wear under my sweaters. Life is different to say the least.

I have gotten off topic. So anyway, I am trying to buy the books if I can find them at Powell's or Target for a good price or if they are in the library. This puts kinks in the system. But I wanted to update you on my progress because someone (Jamie) did inquire about my status.

The list is as follows: (In green if I have read it and my briefest of reviews)

The Book List

· Books

Atonement by Ian McEwan (Good. Actually made me angry at times. Nice twist at the end)
Amsterdam by Ian McEwan (Okay. Not as good as Atonement. I wasn't as interested in the characters in this one)
About a Boy by Nick Hornby
Barbarians at the Gate by David Wong Louie (Tough to get into. Overall okay.)
Bright Shiny Morning by James Frey
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (One of the best books I have ever read)
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls ( Wonderful book, really engaging)
Never Let Me Go by Ishiguro
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Shack by William P Young
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
The Shipping News by Annie Proulx ( I could not get into this book. I only read about 60 pages then it was due at the library. So I returned it)
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Dedication by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kruas

· Authors

Melissa Nathan
Anne Rice
Isabelle Allende

· Series

Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series ( I love True Blood so I was easily hooked. I think the books get better written as they go on. A few inconsistencies in the first couple. I will say that the writers on the series certainly made the first two a bit more exciting than they were in book form. Overall though, good though not very serious books. I am waiting for the 9th book to come in paperback. Hardcovers cost too much. I got the paperbacks for $5 a piece at Target.)
Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson