#40.

I could have you guess what the number stands for as the title of today's post.  Debating about whether I should do that or not.  But, I'm impatient and want to go ahead and share with you.

That's the number of books I've read since I came to Ukraine almost one year ago exactly (official year anniversary is Thursday!).  In somewhat chronological order, they are:

1. Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone, by JK Rowling  
2. HP & the Chamber of Secrets, by JK Rowling
3. HP & the Prisoner of Azkaban, by JK Rowling
4. HP & the Goblet of Fire, by JK Rowling
5. HP & the Order of the Phoenix, by JK Rowling
6. HP & the Half-Blood Prince, by JK Rowling
7. HP & the Deathly Hallows, by JK Rowling
8. Safe Haven, by Nicholas Sparks
9. The Scarlet Thread, by Francine Rivers
10. Lost in Shangri-La, by Mitchell Zuckoff 
11. The Kind Diet, by Alicia Silverstone
12. 35 Miles from Shore, by Emilio Corsetti
13. Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen
14. Choosing to See, by Mary Beth Chapman
15. Heaven is for Real, by Todd Burpo
16. 13 Little Blue Envelopes, by Maureen Johnson
17. Come Back to Me, by Melissa Foster 
18. High School Football--the Temptation, by Paul Swearingen
19. My Horizontal Life, by Chelsea Handler
20. At All Costs, by John Gilstrap
21. Blindsight, by Chris Colin
22. Dangerous Grounds, by Shelli Stevens 
23. Unsinkable: A Young Woman's Courageous Battle on the High Seas, by Abby Sunderland 
24. The Sum of My Parts, by James Sanford
25. Wife by Wednesday, by Catherine Bybee
26. Flat-Out Love, by Jessica Park
27. All She Ever Wanted, by Barbara Freethy
28. Thunder Dog, by Michael Hingson
29. Half-Assed, by Jennette Fulda
30. The Path Home, by Caedem Marquez
31. Life From Scratch, by Melissa Ford
32. The Help, by Kathryn Stockett
33. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
34. Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins
35. Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins
36. Chasing Harry Winston, by Lauren Weisberger (one of two real books, not Kindle editions)
37. Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer (still need to read the others in the series)
38. Breakfast at Tiffany's, by Truman Capote
39. Marley and Me, by John Grogan (the other real book, not Kindle edition)
40. Unfinished Business, by Nora Roberts 

I tend to buy books on the Kindle that are either on sale (there is a monthly list of 100 books that go on sale, and also a book a day that are usually $1 or less) and strike my interest, or find books that others are talking about and I want to know what all the hype is.  Of course, I love good chick lit (Nicholas Sparks, eat your heart out), but I also enjoy stories of survival and edge-of-your-seat page turners.  I've also found that since being in Ukraine and becoming a vegetarian, I've downloaded books about eating healthier and the way food affects our bodies.  I have some cookbooks downloaded on my Kindle too but I don't think those count as actual reads for my list :)  Let's not forget that my reading would be dwindling if it weren't for my wonderful gift of a Kindle by the Crow fam.  I love it so so much and tell all of the new PC peeps to bring one over here.  Top 3 items I brought with me.  

Sidenote:  I need to make a public apology for forgetting Mitchell's birthday.  However, in my defense, his birthday fell on the day that I was traveling from Kiev to K-grad and was so exhausted and crabby that I just needed to get home.  I didn't even check email that day.  So, HAPPY {late} BIRTHDAY MITCHY POO :)

I started Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Foer, a week or so ago when I was in the hospital.  But, it's a weird read and I wanted something light and airy, so I switched to the Nora Roberts book (the first one I've ever read by her).   

Some of the other books that I plan on reading while I'm here in Ukraine:

1. Eating Animals, by Jonathan Foer
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larson 
3. The Girl who Played with Fire, by Stieg Larson
4. The Girl who Kicked the Hornets' nest, by Stieg Larson
5. New Moon, by Stephanie Meyer
6. Eclipse, by Stephanie Meyer
7. Breaking Dawn, by Stephanie Meyer 
8. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
9. Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
10. Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson 

I would like to read more classics that I've neglected to read my whole life...but we'll see if they ever happen :)  And some Bill Bryson books, because he's one heck of a funny author.  In fact, I may start reading a Bill Bryson book now.  My brother informed me he was currently reading one (Notes From a Small Island) and I can guess that it's a laugh out loud funny kind of book.  

Feeling better on the sick front as things go.  Went out yesterday for the first time and was exhausted by the time I lugged my groceries home.  So, looks like I'll be spending most of my week in my apartment reading and watching Desperate Housewives...per docs orders (the resting part, not the Desperate Housewives part).  Might treat myself to making queso to last me for the week :)  

Hope the McFarlin kiddos are enjoying themselves on the first day at their worksites.  Stay tuned for another great way-back-Wednesday post this week :)  Happy Monday!