Reading Reports by Lisa

I started reading The Black Banners: The Inside Story of 9/11 and the War Against al-Qaeda by Ali H. Soufan a few days ago, but after reading a few chapters I couldn't get into it. So, I'm going to put it aside for now. I don't know if I will try reading it again, but for now I am going to read books that I can get into and enjoy. 

The biggest problem that I was having with the book was how much information that was being thrown out that I wasn't familiar with. I am thinking that if I read a few more books about the middle east, al-Qaeda, and Islam and then come back to this book I will enjoy it a lot more. So, in an effort to do this I have put The Looming Tower Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright on my list and I'm searching for other books like this. If you have read and enjoyed a book about these topics then I would love to hear about it. 

I hate giving up on a book, but I think that if I learn more then this book could be very enjoyable. If this book still doesn't capture my attention, then I will at least have learned more than I had known before. 

Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History by Antonio Mendez and Matt Baglio has everything you need for a great book; drama, suspense, excellent writing, and a great plot. Then add spies, and the fact that it is true and you take it from amazing to the newest edition to my favorite shelf. 

I read this book in less than 24 hours partially because I read fast, but mostly because Antonio Mendez and Matt Baglio are amazing writers. They kept the story moving, without skimping on the details which can be a tough trick to pull off. They also peppered the book with funny stories that added comical relief to what could have been a very tense book. 

I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially those that like thrillers and action/adventure novels, even if you don't normally venture into the non-fiction section. I would also recommend this book for those that are interested in US history or the history of the Middle East. This book gives a little insight into the relationship with Iran and the US throughout the 70's that you may find interesting. For those of you that like audio books you guys are also in luck the audio book is well produced and the reader is very easy on the ears. 

I just ran across a summery of The Black Banners: The Inside Story of 9/11 and the War Against al-Qaeda by Ali H. Soufan and it sounded like a really interesting book so I thought I would read it while I wait for books to be available at the library.

I have always enjoyed fiction books that center around the FBI or CIA, but I haven't read that many non-fiction books on the FBI or CIA so I am excited about this book. I also have put my name on the waiting list for the book Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History by Antonio Mendez.

As I have gotten older I have tried to read more non-fiction books now that I am no longer in college as a way to make sure that I am always learning something new. I am thinking about next year making a new years resolution to read an equal number or more non-fiction books as fiction books or I might just set a numerical goal, but either way I want to make sure I never stop learning. I have learned lots of things from fiction books, but I enjoy reading non-fiction books especially those about space, biology, the criminal justice system, and politics.

My name is Lisa DeGraaf, I'm married, 27 years old and I live in Ypsilanti, Michigan. I have been in love with reading since I was 4 years old. I don't have a favorite genre, as you can tell by checking out my favorite books I just read whatever I think looks good or what others have recommended. I haven't put all the books that I have ever read on my bookshelf, mostly because I can't remember everything that I have read. Instead, I have picked out the books that have jumped out at me and then everything that I read in 2012 through the present (In January of 2012 I started keeping track of every book that I read). Besides reading, I also enjoy photography, sewing, knitting and Minecraft. 

Currently, I'm reading James Patterson's Women's Mystery Club series and have made it to book 7, 7th Heaven, in just over a week. His writing style is easy to read quickly and I have been getting them as MP3's, so that I can listen to them while doing other things.

I have also recently read Step on a Crack (book 1 of the Michael Bennett series) by James Patterson and really enjoyed it. Now, I am waiting on the second book in the series to become available at the library.  I know that I have also read a few books in the Alex Cross series starting with Along Came a Spider, but it has been a few years so I am planning on starting that series over again. 

Feel free to comment and introduce yourself I always enjoy meeting new people.