The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck (7 out of 10)

This book was originally published in 1978, so it's not exactly a hot new release. However this book was recommended by a friend and I thought it sounded like an appropriate topic given some of the changes taking place in my life. Overall I found it to be an incredibly insightful book. I think the description could read "Emotional intelligence meets nontraditional sprituality."

1. Interest - 8
2. Understandablity - 6 (A little bit wordy at times)
3. Applicability - 7 (A must read for people facing role changes such as midlife, job change or divorce)

Fish: A Novel by L. S. Matthews (7 out of 10)

I experienced this story in audio book format while on a car trip with my daughters. Fish tells the story of a young child and her parent's journey through a war torn country to safety. The intended audience for this book is upper elementary aged children but I found the story refreshing. It brings up ethical decisions that face all parents, such as how much of ourselves do we put forth to make the world a better place and what if our altruism places our children at risk? The fish in the story is a good metaphor for human adaptability.

The audio book, experienced with younger ones lead to some great discussion.

originality-7
characters
Themes-7

The Librarian by Larry Beinhart. (6 out of 10)

"The librarian" is a middle aged man and head of an academic library. He has a dull life until he gets talked in to moonlighting for a rich, right wing developer who wants to preserve his legacy. This book contains a lot of action but with the librarian maintaining his identity as a thinker. For those in the library field there are fun jabs at the Patriot Act and Homeland security. This book would make a great movie but apparently TNT already did a movie with the same title. All in all it is a bit of fluff but fun anyway.

Originality- 6

characters- 8

Themes- 4

A Nonfiction Rating System

Here are some guidelines that I will be using to evaluate the nonfiction books that I will be reading:

1. Interest- Although this rating will reflect my tastes, I believe it can also provide some indication of the author's skill in handling the subject.

2. Understandability- How much work does it require to figure out what the author is trying to say.?

3. Applicability- Even books that are not intended for practical use can be useful in the way they make us look at the world in a different way.

Again I will rate each category on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best.

Thanks Adrienne, Ellen and Wendy for your input!

Fortune Cookie by Joanne Meyer (2 out of 10)

This book merits little discussion,- maybe one sentence.

A psychic legal assistant uses her special abilities to solve a mystery and finds a little romance.

Originality- 4, but I haven't read many romances since junior high.
Characters-2
Themes- O

Lady Chatterly's Lover by DH Lawrence

Again since this novel is a "classic" I will not presume to rate it. However I would like to give you my take on why D.H Lawrence has something to say to the women of today.

1. Lady Chatterly not only goes after what she wants but doesn't seem to have any problem with upsetting the status quo.
2. LC discusses her crises (orgasms) in detail. I mean the technical details. She recognizes that this is important and does not accept the b.s. that is fed to her about the "life of the mind"
3. Despite her feminist leanings Connie is comfortable using her wiles to get what she wants.

Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli (7 out of 10)

Another Young Adult book!

This particular story by award winning, Spinelli tells the story of Star Girl, a Jesus like character. Set in an Arizona high school, the title character is at different times an object of derision and worship. The narrator is a typical teenage boy who comes to admire Star Girl's values but must confront his own need to fit in.

This book really explores the value of individuality, which is a hard issue for most teens.

Originality- 7
Characters-7
Themes-7

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff (8 out of 10)

I found this young adult story most unusual. It has aspects of a coming of age story but features forbidden love, wartime hardship and an examination of values. It manages to pull off these ambitious undertakings in a gripping manner. The love story in this book is somewhat controversial as the lovers are related. This book puts me in mind of Margaret Atwood.

Originality-9
Characters-8
Themes-7

Alibi by Joseph Kanon (7 out of 10)

Alibi is set in post WWW Venice. This setting enhances the story, which is dark and full of plot twists. Nothing is as it seems. The protagonist is a recently released American officer who had hunted war criminals in Germany. He travels to Venice to stay with his wealthy, widowed mother. He meets a mysterious young Jewish woman and falls in love. The hero wants to protect the women in his life but misjudges their vulnerability. He ultimately finds that survival makes all men and women do things which seem repugnant during times of peace. Judgment is impossible. This book was upredictable and very dark.

Originality-8

Characters-7

Themes- 6

Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination by Helen Fielding (7 out of 10)

Some books should be read just for fun and this is one of them. Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination was penned by the author of the Bridget Jones books. While the character is new, the self conscious and self improved heroine still finds herself in many farcical adventures which help the reader put their own petty problems in perspective. I especially enjoyed the "rules for life" bits. For those wanting to recommend this to a younger audience, there is a lot less sex and man chasing than the Bridget Jones stories. It is the kind of book that could lead young women to dream big.

Originality- 7

Characters-7

Themes-7

A Risk Worth Taking by Robin Pilcher (5 1/3 out of 10)

A Risk Worth Taking is the story of a middle aged business man, who in the wake of 9-11, reexamines his values. His family relationships suffer as he puts time with his family over his role as a financial supporter and changes occur. He inadvertently ends up meeting another quite different family and taking a different direction with his life. While not everything in this book ends happily, I am not convinced of the protagonist's growth to recommend this book. It was enjoyable but forgettable

Originality-4
Characters- 7
Themes-5

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling (8 of 10)

I read HP and the Order of the Phoenix when it first came out but reread it in honor of the anticipated release of HP and the Half Blood Prince. As with the other Harry Potter books this is an enjoyable read, even for an adult. For those who think the Harry Potter series is just about magic, you need to actually read one of these books to find out what they are really about. What JK Rowling does so well is explore the issues of childhood and adolescence in an exciting and entertaining manner. HP tells the classic story of the outsider/orphan. In this last book (the fifth) the issues of identity, popularity, reality testing and emotional control are explored. Even though the plot has a conclusion of sorts, it isn't an entirely happy or neat package (which is a plus in my book.)
originality-8
characters-7
themes-9