Week #21 - #33.

While I didn't quite make it to 52, I did make it to 33.  That is 33 more books than I have read since I graduated High School...in 1999.  Since I didn't have the time or internet ability to blog all of the books as I went, this will be a simple list of the remaining books and who wrote them.

21. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey

22. Piercing the Darkness by Frank Perretti

23. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

24. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

25. Born Standing Up by Steve Martin

26. I'm With Fatty: Losing 50 Miserable Pounds in 50 Miserable Weeks by Edward Ugel

27. Everything and a Kite by Ray Romano

28. Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined by Drew Carey

29. Chelsea Chelsea, Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler

30. Shopgirl by Steve Martin

31. Here I Go Again by Betty White

32. Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

33. Alone: Orphaned on the Ocean (I forget who it's by but it's a true story)

#20 The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall

This book was chosen because of my friend Sara.  She was helping me research books for this project and she said "look, this is suppose to be THE book of 2009"  Let me tell you, I can't see that.  I can, however, say that I would NEVER, EVER, NEVER be able to be ONE of the wives to A singular husband.  Couldn't do it. Wouldn't want to.  I have never studied the topic of polygamy, although I would be living in a rock if I didn't know what it was, but I imagine the author catptured a very true nature of the lifestyle.  One man, 4 wives, 26 children and a mistress.  I mean, good gracious who would want THAT life?  The book was a 4 out of 5 as it kept my interest.

#19 Dear American Airlines by Jonathan Miles

I chose this book on the suggestion of an email my friend Diane sent me.  I was not disappointed.  The entire novel is an open letter to American Airlines from a gentleman that is just wanting a second chance.  The book chronicles his thought process of being "delayed" for his daughters wedding.  4.75 out of 5.

#18 The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck

I wasn't expecting that Glenn Beck could write a novel and get away with it.  I opened this book up, got sucked in and didn't put it down until 4 hours later, when I was finished reading it. I'm pretty sure I was holding my breath from Chapter 3 on.  5 out of 5 and if you haven't read it yet, I suggest you do!  Now!

#17 The Buzzard. Inside the Glory Days of Cleveland and Rock Radio by John Gorman

You have to be a Cleveland person to appreciate this book.  Either that, or you had to be tuned in, which, as I read, was not an easy task.  As I read this book, I remember hearing some of the old programming that my father listened to when we drove to Fell Lake.  Funny, when I told my parents I read this book they BOTH started shooting out old sayings from all the old DJs. This was a 5 out of 5 for me.  But again, I grew up in Cleveland!

#16 Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage

A follow-up of sorts to Eat. Pray. Love.  It chronicles Elizabeth's life with her Brazilian lover, who is now her Brazilian husband.  This book was a slow read for me. 3 out of 5.

#15 Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher = Princess Leia.  Wishful Drinking is such a mess I could hardly follow it.  This book took me forever to read.  Apparently, Carrie Fisher has had shock therapy and can't remember 85% of her past.  She has a hard time forming a coherent sentence.  She will be in the middle of telling a story and just totally go off on a rabbit trail and talk about something else.  The frustrating part...she never finishes the first story.  I am surprised that the person or persons that edited this book let her get away with publishing it as is.  This is by far the worst of the worst so far and only gets a 1 out of 5.