Book #20 Can You Survive the Zombie Apocalypse? by Max Brallier

Very fun unassuming little book. A choose your own adventure zombie book, the best of both worlds. I thought for sure I was going to make it alive the first or maybe the second try....but no. Its much more complicated then I thought and very subjective. I have read and read and still have not made it without dying. I'm hoping that someone will tell me how.

Very fun and I  highly recommend giving it a try, even just a few minutes in a book store.

Link here!

Book #15- The Lover by Marguerite Duras

HOLY CRAP!!!  This book was very light on "fluff", but at the same time, was so packed with emotion and tension all the way through.  I couldn't put it down.  The story is about an older man, an exotic location, and lots and lots of sex scenes, so could very well be a typical summer beach-read if you took away all the happy parts and added addiction, depression, and an extremely dysfunctional family.  I love the main character, which is none other than the author herself, only as a 15 year old.  This is an autobiographical work, which makes my respect for Duras that much more immense.  I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone, but that's okay, because I'd be just as happy keeping it for myself.
Go Read!

Book #14- The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant

This was the second book that I had read by Anita Diamant, the first one being The Red Tent, which I read twice, and loved twice. 
This is a beautiful work with stories of the residents of "Dogtown" intertwining.  Diamant does a really great job of making you want to cheer on her characters.  Even the "bad guys" are somewhat understandable. 
I checked this one out from the Champaign Public Library, which is just down the street from me (as is, well, everything here).  It's a really nice library- very modern, and they have a ton of reading programs for young and old alike.  Then again, I like all libraries.  Go figure!

Book #13- Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Aaaaahhhh!!!  Annnnd, I'm back!  After moving to a new city (town...okay, town/city), starting a new job, quitting said job and starting another, I am finally settled enough to start updating this beautiful blog again!
Thanks to Lindsay and her wonderful boyfriend Shaun, I was able to watch Neil Gaiman speak at Harold Washington Library with Audrey Niffenegger, who I had seen before.  I thought he was brilliant and so I picked up a signed copy of his book on my way out and LOVED it!  If I wasn't trying to avoid reading two books by the same author this year, I would only be talking about his books from here on out.  Next year, look out, Neil Gaiman will rule you!
This book was absolutely delightful, and the characters were perfect- fun, hopeful, inspiring...  I love a good epic story, and this is one for sure.  Love it!  Thanks Linds!!!