Great Books to Read

carter06 asked the question, "What books are you reading at the moment, What's on your bedside table?"

In response, I have created this hub and detailed the books that are currently on my bedside table, and included a short synopsis of each. I'm a little late getting to one of them, a Christmas story, but better late than never.

Enjoy!

By: Diana Peterfreund

This book has been turned into a major motion picture starring Rachel McAdams as Becky Fuller, a young TV producer fired from her current job at a local morning show. She remains determined to find her next career in the same field, and uses her determination and skill to nail her next job.

Fuller becomes a part of another television production and faces some tough decisions.

Morning Glory is an easy, but intriguing paperback with comedic dialogue and a great sense of humor throughout. I'm eager to watch the movie upon finishing the book.

By: Janet Evanovich

This is the second Stephanie Plum novel in the series centered around little miss Stephanie Plum. You may be familiar with the film One for the Money, based off of the first Plum novel, which hit theaters January 2011.

In Two for the Dough, Stephanie Plum continues to work for her cousin Vinnie's bond company, and periodically finds herself in more peculiar predicaments involving her locating and physically bringing in criminals to reschedule their court hearings. In this book, she is practicing and improving her craft, and learning the means necessary to survive and succeed at her occupation.

Janet Evanovich has written 18 Plum novels, the Barnaby and Hooker series, the Wicked series, and over a dozen romance novels.

If you're interested in reading a book by Janet Evanovich, you could start at book one of any series, or pick up a random numbered copy, as order doesn't necessarily matter. Evanovich tends to clue the new-reader in on the important tidbits during the duration of each book. The first book that I read by this author was the 12th novel in the Plum series titled Twelve Sharp. After that book, I was hooked. I then decided to locate all of the novels numbers 1 to 11.

By: Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly

I just finished reading this book, and have since returned it to the library.

Gabby is an excellent book co- written by Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and astronaut husband, Mark Kelly, who contributed a lot due to the extent of Gabby's injuries. The book dedicates a chapter to the day of the shooting, but also includes many stories of before the couple met, their long distance relationship, and stories remembered by Mark from when he was a child growing up with his twin brother, Scott.

Gabby's time spent in physical therapy after the incident were emotional and trying for her. A strong, confident woman was seen who had to learn the most basic things, like the sounding and understanding of letters, all over again. Her frustration was seen when she knew what she wanted to do, but didn't have the power to make herself do them.

The book is factual but is not written in a history book way. It's a thick hardcover book, but reads easy and is intriguing to read and learn from.

The book includes pictures of Gabby before the incident, after surgery, and where she was at different years in her career and personal life. The book expresses the gratitude that both Mark and Gabby felt from the many visitors throughout her recovery period, from the president, family, friends and strangers she'd never met before, and their utmost kindness and support.

Although included in parts, this book is not a book assembled entirely to address and discuss political issues. The book shows the real Gabby, the woman who tries so hard to address important, tough issues, in both her career and personal life, and how she will continue to do so upon full recovery.

By: Richard Paul Evans

This book is next to read after the first two mentioned are finished.

Lost December is Richard Paul Evans' yearly Christmas book, with past years including The Christmas Box, The Christmas List, Finding Noel, and Grace. The context of the winter-themed book are sometimes tragic, but include a life defying moment where a character is changed for the better. They find a reason to make their life worthwhile.

Richard Paul Evans' latest creation is the Walk series, which focuses around Alan Christoffersen and his journey to walk from Bellevue, Washington to Key West, Florida. The once successful advertising executive, in book one, found himself without a wife, a home, or a job. When life looked horribly bleak and things were not in his favor, he set off on foot for a walk that could change his life. The second book, Miles to Go, continues Alan's journey.

The third book in the series, The Road to Grace, will be released May 8, 2012.

Once I complete Lost December, I will move on to the books in the photo below - a good many of Janet Evanovich's Plum novels, as well as some of the romance novels.

Summer is coming and I do so much more reading beachside! Grab a paperback, and say hello to summer!