What's on Kimberly's Bookshelf this Month?

Kill Me

by: Stephen White

I got about 20% of the way through this book in just a few hours at a coffee shop. Stephen really makes you think. He writes great imagery which causes you to slow down at all the right parts. I'm still confused about the plot, which is fine because it just makes me want to read more!

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

Pandemic

by: Daniel Kalla

I haven't started this book yet but I know I'll love it. It has everything I like in a plot - biological terrorism.

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

Butterfly

by: Kathryn Harvey

Above an exclusive men's store on Rodeo Drive, there is a private club called Butterfly, where women are free to act out their secret erotic fantasies. Only the most beautiful and powerful women in Beverly Hills are invited to join%u2026
But the most mysterious of them all is the woman who created Butterfly. She has changed her name, her accent, even her face to hide her true identity. And now she is about to reveal everything to realize the dream that has driven her since childhood-the secret obsession that will carry her beyond ecstasy, or destroy her and everyone around her!

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

The Cobra Event

by: Richard Preston

Alice Austen, a medical pathologist in the Epidemic Intelligence Service of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, is called in to the autopsy for an unusual and repulsive death which occurred in New York City. More people die as Austen, the CDC, the NYPD, and the FBI try to identify the infectious agent and the person who is purposely testing the spreading of the disease with small "booby traps". The genetically engineered virus is incurable and quickly fatal, and Austen and the others use biological and forensic science to find and stop the perpetrator before catastrophic mass infections begin.

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

Patriot Games (Jack Ryan)

by: Tom Clancy

From England to Ireland to America, an explosive wave of violence sweeps a CIA analyst and his family into the deadliest game of our time: international terrorism. An ultra-left-wing faction fo the IRA has targeted the CIA man for his act of salvation in an assasination attempt. And now he must pay ... with his life.

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

The Horse Whisperer

by: Nicholas Evans

Just to warn you, the endings between the book and the movie are totally different! I saw the movie first, then read the book, and was totally disgusted with the book ending.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

The Green Mile

by: Stephen King

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

In Her Shoes : A Novel

by: Jennifer Weiner

In the movie they cut out some important parts in the middle. I read the book first and rather liked it, though it was interesting to see Hollywood's interpretation of each character.

Amazon Price: $10.80 (as of 12/19/2009)

Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles

by: Anthony Swofford

If you read the book, you'll get a lot more from the charcter than you do out of the movie. Ladies beware, lots of guy speak here.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

A Writer's Book of Days: A Spirited Companion and Lively Muse for the Writing Life

by: Judy Reeves

I love how the assignments are short and open ended, and the author never makes you feel bad about your writing ability.

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 12/19/2009)

Anybody Can Write: A Playful Approach : Ideas for the Aspiring Writer, the Beginner, and the Blocked Writer

by: Roberta Jean Bryant

The author is very honest about writing as a hobby or career, and shares candid experiences and epiphanies about her own writing journey.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life

by: Julia Cameron

This book encourages much more literary writing than the rest, and provides some great examples of showing, not telling.

Amazon Price: $9.86 (as of 12/19/2009)

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

by: Natalie Goldberg

I just bought this, finally, after seeing it as a recommended book EVERYWHERE and it is very good! I'm excited to find out what I'll get out of it.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

Writer’s Little Instruction Book - Craft & Technique (Writer's Little Instruction Book)

by: Paul Martin

This Little Instruction Book gives great ideas for improving your writing. They are short and to the point, and you can implement them on your own terms.

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

The Blue Day Book

by: Bradley Trevor Greive

You just can't stay sad with the hilarious photos in this book.

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

Life's Little Instruction Book: 511 Suggestions, Observations, and Reminders on How to Live a Happy and Rewarding Life

by: H. Jackson Brown Jr.

A long time favorite - there are three versions of the original, plus other spinoffs.

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

The Meaning Of Life

by: Bradley Trevor Greive

Another wonderful photo book from Bradley Trevor Grieve

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

Chicken Soup for the Soul Cookbook: 101 Stories with Recipes from the Heart

by: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Diana von Welanetz Wentworth

This book has awesome recipes and great stories.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

Another Day in the Frontal Lobe: A Brain Surgeon Exposes Life on the Inside

by: Katrina Firlik

This is a fun read if you're interested in medicine or the science of how the brain works.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by: Mary Roach

Flipping through this book I read an interesting exerpt about how broken ribs (those tiny buggers) are the major cause of injury and death in falls because of how they affect internal organs. Makes sense!

Amazon Price: $9.77 (as of 12/19/2009)

Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog

by: John Grogan

After reading it a chapter at a time in Kmart, I finally ordered it through my book club. It's a funny story about a dog with quite the personality.

Amazon Price: $15.80 (as of 12/19/2009)

Burnt Toast: And Other Philosophies of Life

by: Teri Hatcher

Teri Hatcher makes an incredible link between breakfast foods and self-esteem, and encourages you not to take what's leftover. You deserve good stuff too.

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 12/19/2009)

Woman First, Family Always

by: Kathryn Sansone

This woman has 10 kids, bless her soul. (I want her exercise plan!) I don't have any but I do have half a dozen jobs, a 24/7 volunteer commitment, and I take care of my grandmother in my house. Author Kathryn Sansone gives great advice about keeping it all together, without letting your sanity fall through the cracks.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable

by: Seth Godin

I have read this book more times than I can count and it's all marked up with highlighted (highlit?) lines and writing in the margins and Post It flags sticking out at every direction. Every time I start a new project I re-read it and pull out the appropriate tips. I think Seth would be proud.

Amazon Price: $13.62 (as of 12/19/2009)

Awaken the Giant Within : How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny!

by: Anthony Robbins

This is another book that is full of highlighted phrases and writing in the margins. I have an older copy with tiny margins and I might need to start a separate note card file soon.

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 12/19/2009)

Coach Yourself to Success : 101 Tips from a Personal Coach for Reaching Your Goals at Work and in Life

by: Talane Miedaner, Talane Miedaner

This author is a plain and simple genius. I used her tips to get out of debt and create a more effective and efficient business strategy. I've written several reviews about her book.

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 12/19/2009)

The Aladdin Factor

by: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen

One thing I was brought up with is that if you ask a stupid question, you'll get a stupid answer. Of course this infers that there are stupid questions. As a result, I learned that questions were dangerous. Through this book, I've relearned that if you don't ask, you'll never ever ever get what you want. So ask, and keep asking until you get the results you want.

Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 12/19/2009)

The One Minute Millionaire: The Enlightened Way to Wealth

by: Mark Victor Hansen, Robert G. Allen

I bought this on my 23rd birthday and was so into it that I could hardly put it down long enough to enjoy my day of shopping and relaxing. I finished the entire book that night and was so excited that I stayed up all night long creating my million dollar plan.

Amazon Price: $17.25 (as of 12/19/2009)

The Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus

by: Oxford University Press

I take this with me everywhere. It is my writing word reference bible.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

HTML: The Complete Reference

by: Thomas A. Powell

I've used this for years - mine is so worn that pages are falling out of the spine.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

2007 Writer's Market

I actually still have the 2005 edition but it's a great starting point for sending out queries and submissions.

Amazon Price: $16.89 (as of 12/19/2009)

How to Be President: What to Do and Where to Go Once You're in Office

by: Stephen P. Williams

This book is so funny, yet intriguing. I'm all set to be the president. Just show me to the Oval Office.

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/19/2009)

Essentials of Fire Fighting

by: Ifsta Committee

Firefighter 1 and 2 bible - THE manual for all your basic certifications.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)