3. Helen Keller: Her Life in Pictures by George Sullivan

This is the book for the mother-daughter book club this month. It is a collection of photographs that chronicle Helen Keller's life. The story is very interesting. I really didn't know much about Helen Keller besides what you see in the movie "The Miracle Worker", so it was very interesting to see all the other things she did in her life. The pictures are beautiful and the writing is informative and easy to read. I read it in about a half an hour. I would highly recommend it.

2. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

I honestly feel a little silly reading this book. But I have to admit that the first time I saw this book in the BYU Bookstore I laughed hysterically. Something about it struck me as the funniest thing ever. I know. I'm weird that way. I think I even called John on my cell phone to tell him about it (which I never do). But after reading the book, the whole idea still makes me giggle. And it IS funny even if it is a little gory and zombieish at times. But, it actually is like a guy took Pride and Prejudice and juiced it up with a few beheadings, some ninja battles and a lot of zombie fighting in all the mushiest or most important parts of the book. It really is hilarious, maybe the best rewriting of P&P yet. If you don't mind the gore, I would highly recommend it. The novel is really pretty well written, (and I don't even like zombies). It's definitely worth a few good laughs and I haven't laughed so much in a long time.

1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

As my first book of the new year I chose the Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I was a little hesitant at first because it is the second in a trilogy and I didn't want to die waiting for the third one to come out. I also was a little nervous because of all the hype. But this is actually the second time I've gotten it from the library, after being on 100+ person waiting list. And one of our friends went on and on about how jealous he was that I had the book. I kind of felt like I should read it. So I did. And it is great in a quirky, addictive sort of way. It's got romance, social unrest, and action. I also have to say that it is super unpredictable, which I only have the highest respect for. It takes talent to write a story that is unpredictable and hers is so much so that it kept me up a whole night just marveling at the twists and turns the story takes. Her characters are also really likeable. I would highly recommend it, especially if you like sci-fi, or even just adventure.