Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell

"And she heard for the first time, without knowing it, the Rebel yell."

I read Gone With the Wind years ago but was so happy to revisit it as a book club choice. I was surprised by how many people struck up a conversation about it as I carried it with me when I travelled. Imagine writing something that still instigates conversations and connections among strangers who have only this book in common? Love it or hate it, you can't deny the impact it's had.

The first time I read this I was in my early 20's. I fell completely in love with every moment. Over 10 years later I was surprised by how my reactions to the characters changed. I had less tolerance for Scarlett and increased respect for Melanie. I was more affected by the soldiers and less swept up in the romance. I still thought Ashley needed a backbone...

Despite those differences, my love for the characters did not change. My favorite characters are those with flaws. I cannot become completely encompassed by perfection but prefer some characteristics I can love and some I can hate. In that, Gone With the Wind is spot on. I hope I find this book in my hand a third time, another 10 years from now.


You will find an official plot line description at:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/526493.Gone_with_the_Wind.

Drive by Daniel H. Pink

It's hard to imagine really enjoying a book about management but here it is, direct to you from the nerdery, I really enjoyed this book! Daniel Pink explores what motivates people and how managers can shift styles to meet the changing needs of today's workforce. I have referenced this book dozens of times already in the first year of my MBA studies and daily with my work team. I have, and will continue, to recommend this read to anyone looking for a fresh perspective on motivation techniques.

You will find an official description of this book at: 
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6452796-drive 

Flood by Stephen Baxter

I shut it and forgot it! Or I'm trying to. This one isn't for me. It drags on and on. It's an awkward combination of sci-fi/suspense/armageddon and I just couldn't get into it. I don't quit in the middle very often but this time I did. Life is too short... 

You can find an official book description at: 
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/360887391 

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

Upon the recommendation of a new friend, I am giving this series a try. I love to keep a smattering of novels produced by writers like Charlaine Harris, Janet Evanovich, or Lisa Lutz. They prevent my reading list from getting too serious! While this novel certainly fits that express requirement, it didn't regale me with, well, anything really. It wasn't particularly funny, exciting, well-written, or clever. I finished it without forcing my way through it but I didn't log right on to buy the second installment of the series. I am going to try one more and if nothing registers by then I'll move on to funnier vampires and clumsier detectives :0).

You will find an official description of the plot line at:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30264.Dead_Witch_Walking.

11/22/63 by Stephen King

I was enjoying this book immensely and then.... I stumbled across an intriguing review that grabbed my attention and held it-right down to the spoilers. Dang it. Drat the dedicated reviewers who forget to warn about spoilers... After that it was hard for me to get engaged in the plot because I already knew what happened at the end. From that ruinous moment on, I continually tried to figure out how George/Jake got from point A to what I knew was going to happen down the line at point B. Until I knew how the ending was going to present itself, I was completely caught up in the story.  I can't fathom the amount of research that went into this work! That alone is an incredibly impressive authorial feat.
This novel is Stephen King's way of saying that everything happens for a reason. Spoilers be damned, I enjoyed the story and then I enjoyed imagining how things might be different with even the slightest change in the past. It's interesting to contemplate how our lives are built on moments. One second sooner, two minutes later, one inch to the left... All things perfectly timed.


You will find an official description of the plot line at:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10644930-11-22-63.

Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss

This book has come up in conversation or just popped out at me on a shelf multiple times. Finally taking the hint, I read this short volume over a few short days. Despite its fascinating premise, I didn't enjoy it very much. It seemed redundant and a little boring. I'm fascinated by the concept and I'm certainly a believer in the theory of past lives but I couldn't get into this book. There wasn't anything in it that created an attachment to either the author or his patient. It's a little like reading chart notes.

You will find an official description of this book at:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34452.Many_Lives_Many_Masters.