Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup

I was at the library the other day and saw this on the shelf. I hadn't seen the movie so I grabbed it. I always like to read the book before watching the movie. The main character is named Ram and it's start with him being arrested for winning a game show Who Wants to Be a Billionaire. The authorities claim how could someone who grew up in the slums and who is just a waiter know all the answers. Ram then goes on to describe how through different life experiences he knows the things he knows to answer each question. I really enjoyed the book, it was almost like a story within a story. I'm really curious to compare the book to the movie. I was talking to my coworker who has seen the movie and it sounds like there pretty different.

Rating: B+

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

This book was recommended to me by one of my customers at the bank. I've had it on my list for a while and am so glad I read it. This book is told by a dog Enzo, who loves his master Denny, his wife Eve and their little girl Zoe. He tells about their life, Denny's love of racing and some hard struggles in this family. Enzo does all a dog can do to help Denny and Zoe cope with the diffcult times in their life. I loved Enzo and it made me want a dog just like him. I have many friends who have dogs and it made me think of each of their dogs, wondering do they think like Enzo. I highly recommend this book. It's an easy read, full of sweet descriptions and how one should never give up hope.

Rating: A

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

I saw this book in the Costco magazine last year and had it on my list of books I wanted to read. It's about a twelve year old girl named CeeCee Honeycutt who has been taking care of her mother, who has some mental problems. Unfortunately her father travels a lot on business. So when tragedy strikes, it's no surprise that she ends up going to live with her great aunt, Tootie. She moves to Savannah and soon is surrounded by lots of wonderful and at times interesting woman influences. From her Great Aunt Tootie, to her housekeeper Oletta, to two neighbors Violenne Hobbs and Thelma Goodpepper. It was definitely a sweet read, you can't help but feel for CeeCee. I was so glad that she suddenly got so much love from some great woman.

Rating: B

Swimsuit by James Patterson

The thing I love most about James Patterson's books are the chapters are short and the books are always page turners. Swimsuit starts out with a swimsuit model gone missing and her parents receiving a terrifying phone call sending them to Maui to search for their daughter. Reporter Ben Hawkins, ex-cop, gets the assignment and begins the story of a lifetime. Of course lots more murders happen and it leaves you wondering what the killer Henri is really up to. I read the book in about four days. Definitely a page turner but not really satisfied with the ending. Be prepared for some pretty gruesome descriptions, more so than usual for Patterson.

Rating: C+