Freedom by Johnathan Franzen

I so wanted to love this book. I would give this 2 stars out of 5. I really did not like any of the characters and when I finally thought it was going somewhere it was so predictable and disappointing I just didn't care anymore. Sad to say about a book that has been so highly reviewed in the past few months. If you'll recall Franzen created quite a stir about 10 years ago when he demanded that his book "The Corrections" be taken off of Oprah's book club. He didn't want the publicity. Funny how, 10 years later his book is on the Oprah book club and he's relishing in the publicity. I just wasn't a fan.

The Hammer of Eden by Ken Follett

A good thriller about a group of hippies that live in No. California that threaten the governor with causing earthquakes to happen if he doesn't stop the construction of a power plant in their valley. Meanwhile an FBI agent, Judy, is on the hunt for who exactly are the people who call themselves "The Hammer of Eden." True Follett style--loved it!

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Very good! This is a modern story mixed in with the story of a Jewish girl in France who is taken to the Vel d'Hiv in the July 1942 roundup of the Jews in Paris France. She locks her brother in a cabinet right before she leaves. I won't ruin the story, but it was not only educational for me but a great book.

I like books about WWII and the Holocaust. I never learned about this part of the war in school. It wasn't taught. It's mind blowing to know that there were people on Hitler's side in every country. :/

Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin

What a touching memoir about a rescue doggy. The family thought that this dog was a pit bull but it turns out he is a Dogo. Oogy was used as a bait dog in dog fights when he was a little puppy. It's horrifying that this still happens and Oogy's case is not like many (he was rescued by a family willing to put in the time to rehabilitate him). Many of these dogs are euthanized because they are so aggressive. I will say that reading this book opened my eyes and does point out that pit bulls and other similar dogs have an unfair prejudice against them in many cases. I see that it can be nurture vs. nature now.

I want a puppy!!! :)

Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi

This is Portia de Rossi's autobiography which is largely about her struggles with anorexia and binge eating. It was a quick read, very interesting and at times hard to imagine that she really got down to 85 pounds. There's a very disturbing picture of her with her bones sticking out. Luckily she did get help and managed to overcome this devastating disease.