on my bookshelf : winter 2012

LOTS on my bookshelf these days (too many?).  I will leave out my boring grad school textbooks.  These are being read or in my queue!
* * I saved the best for last so make sure you read to the end!! * *

One Hundred Names for Love : : Diane Ackerman
Really interesting - the story of a woman whose husband had a stroke, and his road to recovery (true story).  A little hard to read - because it would be such a sad situation!

The Happiness Project : : Gretchen Rubin
As if I need help being happier! 

Brain Rules for Baby : : John Medina
A follow-up read to the original Brain Rules (remember this post?) which I loved - tons of info about how the brain works....this one has fascinating info about child development and what's good for raising geniuses.

The Book Thief : : Markus Zusak
It wouldn't do much for my credibility to let you know that I only realized this was a young adult book when I was half-way through reading it...but it's true.  It was written in a really interesting way though - the story of a German family hiding/housing two unique individuals during WWII.  Really great book.

The House at Tyneford : : Natasha Solomons
Another book about someone hiding out during WWII.  Also a love story - *swoon* !

The Kitchen House : : Kathleen Grissom
A young girl works in the kitchen house as an indentured servant...her story of trying to find where she belongs as she grows up.

Room : : Emma Donoghue
Just started it!  Don't know much about it!

The Hunger Games : : Suzanne Collins
I actually reread this before seeing the move - I read all three books in the trilogy about a year ago.  Who hasn't?

Half Broke Horses : : Jeannette Walls
Oh. my. gosh. Loved, loved, love love love love love loved this book!  I read it in about one weekend.  The author, Jeannette Walls, is telling the story of her grandmother's life--from the grandmother's perspective.  Reasons why I would put this book on my list of All-Time-Favorites:
1. True Story - huge points here
2. Hilarious Characters - wish they were my relatives
3. Hilarious Scenarios - you will not believe the craziness this woman got up to!
4. Even though it's hilarious, this woman went through some real rough times.  The awesome thing about this book is that at the same time it's not a downer.  The main character is a tough old biddy!

The Glass Castle : : Jeannette Walls
Just started it - same author as above.  This time it's story of the author's own life.  Wish I could shut myself into a room for 24 hours to read it all at once!

Any readers out there have suggestions for me?