THE BOOKS... As long as I can remember, I have loved to read, a passion instilled by my mother, a fellow bookworm. One of my fondest childhood memories were the annual trips to the local used bookstore, a week or so before we left for Hilton Head for the summer. I would trade in all the books I had collected during the school year and get a stack that would be my summer reading. Everything from mysteries (Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell) to historicals (John Jakes) to classics (Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters) to children's and young adult authors (Roald Dahl, Julie Edwards). I could never get enough. Occasionally, I would sneak in something that was probably a little too old for me... there is a picture of me, age ten, sitting on the beach, my face obscured by a well-worn paperback: Jaws.

One of the best things about finally graduating from law school and getting the bar exam out of the way is that I can once again stack books on the table beside my bed, and get that squishy feeling of anticipation, looking at all the words waiting for my eyes. Inspired by Melissa, I will be keeping a book journal here, listing not only what I have already read this month, but also what's on the bedside table, waiting for me. (I'll also give brief comments when I feel like it, to let you know if I really liked something, or hated it, or whatever.)

Past reads:

May
Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie (typical beach reading - fluffy and fun)
These High Green Hills by Jan Karon

April
Protect and Defend by Richard North Patterson thanks Athena!
Until the Real Thing Comes Along by Elizabeth Berg
The River King by Alice Hoffman

March
Dating Big Bird by Laura Zigman
Open House by Elizabeth Berg thanks Jessica!

February
The Pleasing Hour by Lily King
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (cute, but Bridget Jones-y)

January
(Apparently I didn't finish anything in January)

December
The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George
This Year It Will Be Different (short stories) by Maeve Binchy
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

November
Sacred Sins by Nora Roberts (not recommended)
A Light in the Window by Jan Karon

October
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
The Pact by Jodi Picoult (highly recommended)
If I'd Killed Him When I Met Him... by Sharyn McCrumb (not recommended)
Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg