The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

I read The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan about two months ago and it really made me think about how I eat. No, it doesn't wax poetic on all the reasons you should go vegetarian, but makes you think about how to eat ethically and environmentally friendly. I learned a lot, and full disclosure, didn't realize I was reading the kid's version until I was about 100 pages in and realized how many diagrams there were.

Overall, a great read. Highly recommend to anyone who eats. 352 pages.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery: This book focuses mainly on two characters: a short, ugly and plump concierge of a chic Parisian apartment building who is secretly an art and literature connoisseur, and 12-year-old Paloma, who lives in the building and is secretly quite smart and planning to kill herself before she turns 13 because people are not worth it.

It was another book club choice and totally enjoyable. I recommend it for the ineresting weaving of characters and the frequent literary references. Courtney, I think you'll especially enjoy this one.

336 pages.

If You Have to Cry, Go Outside by Kelly Cutrone

The world's toughest fashion publicist wrote a book. And it's awesome. If You Have to Cry, Go Outside chronicles the rise of Kelly Cutrone from outsider to fashion week queen, as well as giving advice on how to make your career work for you, and advice targeted at the young woman working to become a "power bitch." Kelly advocates being true to yourself over everything, and making your individual talents propel your career. She also peppers it with some of her religious beliefs, which are interesting on their own. Overall, brothers, none of you will like this book, but sisters, you might enjoy it!

208 pages.

4: LA Candy by Lauren Conrad

Yes, I read this. For real. It was mind candy.

It was about young Jane Roberts' move to LA and how she and her best friend Scarlett somewhat accidentally end up with their own reality show.

Really a stretch for the author.

3: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

My friend Betsy and I pooled our friend resources and started a book club. Our first meeting was on Sunday and Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout was our first read.

Overall, it was extremely well-written (I mean, it did win the Pulitzer Prize last year), but I don't know if I would recommend it. The book is comprised of short stories surrounding a small town in Maine, which is the only thread besides the character the book is named for. It was certainly an interesting way to arrange vignettes, and a new format to be sure. Ms. Strout also has an incredible way with words, but I didn't really walk away with any real feeling about the book.

1: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

This wonderful work of fiction was my first book 0f 2010 about Oskar Schell, an 8-year-old boy who loses his beloved father in the September 11th attacks. He finds a key his father left behind - and no lock. He traipses around all five boroughs of New York to find the answer and deal with his grief - with just one clue.

It's very sad. But very well done.

368 pages.

2: The Learners by Chip Kidd

For any of my siblings who may wonder about what a) graphic design is or b) what a graphic design student experience is, Chip Kidd's "The Learners" is a great start. Well, technically, the first book "Cheese Monkeys" is better, though that was my last book of 2009.

In "The Learners," we meet the recent grad in his first job experience at an agency in New Haven, CT. Alert: psychological experiments play a heavy role in the book.

Extra: Chip Kidd is a legendary book cover designer for such authors as David Sedaris and Michael Crichton. You can see his work here. To some extent, graphic design is a character in the book - with clever layouts to emphasize emotion, etc.

A novel in 288 pages.