No Crying Allowed

I love to read. And when I read a good one, I typically read it more than once. Let's take a Dan Brown book for example, Angels and Demons. I think I've read that book 4 or 5 times. Why? Well, if I haven't made it to Borders, or the Mesa Library, I'll re-read something I already have. And it seems like every single time I read it, I pick up something new, or notice something that I didn't the last time I read it. (Something tells me that I... a)either need to slow down and savor the reading more, or...b)not fall asleep reading every night). In the last couple of weeks, I've finished a couple of books.

A friend of mine from work is in a book club, so I like to ask her about books she's read. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult is the first one that I've read that she recommended. I didn't have a true understanding of what the story was about going into it, but I trusted her judgement. OMG. What a great read! Since finishing this book, I've recommended it to anyone and everyone who will listen. The subject is controversial, and I really connected with all of the characters, in some way or another. I picked this one up at the library, but I will definitely be adding this one to my permanent bookshelf.

Last year I read the Kite Runner. If memory serves me correctly, it's the first book I read that made me cry (My Sister's Keeper had me sobbing uncontrollably). I remember I was on a plane flying from Ft. Lauderdale back to Phoenix, the only open seat on the whole plane was between me and a guy with some headphones. I knew that the author had another book out, and I was dang sure I was going to read it! I don't know that I was necessarily looking for another cry with A Thousand Splendid Suns, but I found one. I finished the book today and, even though I may not read this one again, I'm glad I read it.

So two books in a row had me in tears. Kyle recommended I read a series that he read last year when he was at Linn Mar. Now here's the irony.... If you remember, a few weekends back we had that little staycation at the Kierland Westin. Now, my two friends were talking about these books that they were both reading about vampires. I was already in another book, so I didn't involve myself with what they were talking about. A couple of days later, Kyle tells me about the series that he read that he thinks I would like. He said it was about vampires, kinda romantic, but good. I put two and two together and voila.... realized that the series he was talking about was (is) one and the same that my two friends are reading. What's even more is that every time I turn around, I see someone else reading one of these books. The first book in the series is called Twilight. Maybe you've heard of it? I still don't know a lot about it, but I'm going to start on it tonight. What I think is really fascinating is how popular these books are.. and don't let me forget the author: Stephenie Meyer. And she lives right here in the Valley. I told Kyle that I better not cry when I read these books. I'm ready for something a little different. We'll see what happens, though.