A Novel Hangover

Lately I've been reading. A lot. In fact I have read five books in the past five weeks. To those who know me well I am sure this comes as no surprise, I have always loved to sit down with a good book and lose myself in the story. Ever since I was in grade school, reading has been a favorite pastime. Over the past few years however I found it increasingly difficult to sit down and read. I found that my mind wandered away from the story and back onto my daily life and all the things I needed to be doing instead. I just couldn't take the time to sit still, read, and enjoy. I am sure having another child may have had something to do with that :) Just a guess. Anyhow, I have resumed my favorite pastime with great enthusiasm. So much so in fact, I read the fifth book on my list in two days. Effectively giving me a novel hangover in which I caught myself so engrossed that I was still awake at 3am trying to finish the book. I promised myself I would not return to the library again until I finished a few work related projects :)

My book choices were all popular fiction novels, three of the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson, and The Help by Kathryn Stockett. 

Why Sookie Stackhouse?

I too am all caught up in the appeal of the vampire novel. I used to read Anne Rice way back when she wrote glorious tales like The Vampire Lestat and Taltos. Jason and I are both also hooked on the HBO series True Blood and if you watch it, then you know the Sookie Stackhouse novels were the inspiration for the series. I wanted to compare the two, the books and the series on TV. So far, the series on TV is about 60% made up and 40% from the books. So I don't plan to quit either since the storylines are both entertaining on their own. 

Why Lisbeth Salander, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo?

Why not? Everyone is reading or has read this book, I had to see what the fuss was about. The novel was riveting in mystery, who-dun-it, suspense and thrill. This book reminded me of the appeal that The DaVinci Code had when I read it. I love these kind of stories and I bet most everyone else does to based on the success of the series. I can't wait to read books two and three, of which it is rumored are better than the first. We shall see, but I do have my hopes up!

Why The Help?

I love a good period piece and being a fan of the ultra hit series on TV Mad Men that is also based in the early 60's, I couldn't pass this one up. This book was heart-warming and shocking at the same time, and who wouldn't carry a cheer for the heroines of the story? I honestly couldn't put this book down and mostly read it all in the span of one afternoon and night. Thank you Mom for the recommendation, I haven't enjoyed a book so much in a really long time. And oh by the way, in case you didn't know, Kathryn Stockett, the author, is a bit of an interesting success story in her own right. Google her and find out how many time she had to actually submit this novel before anyone would agree to publish it!

If you have any recommendation of what I should read next please do not hesitate to leave it in the comments! I plan to make a reading list for the coming winter and would love to hear what you think is good!