Once Upon a Time...

2012-01-27T17:17:00.001-08:00

It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a HUGE fan of the Lucy Valentine books, I was really excited to get my hands on this one!

And.... I liked it - a lot. But I didn't love it like I love the Lucy Valentine series, so I felt disappointed. And that's really not fair, because this was a very cute book and I really think the series has so much potential. There are great characters, an AWESOME setting, and a really unique take on witchcraft.

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2012-01-18T19:22:00.001-08:00

Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Despite lots of bad reviews, I decided to go ahead and read this, and I'm so glad I did! I actually really enjoyed it.

Basically, three witches (a mother and two daughters) begin to use their magic (they'd been forbidden to practice since the Salem witch trials). At the same time, strange things start to happen in their town, and they work together to solve the mysteries.

True, it could have been better - lots better. The book was definitely short on details - I would have loved to hear more about their past, the ancient goings-on that led to the current situation, etc. But for a short, easy read, it was good.

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2012-01-18T05:19:00.001-08:00

Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

(This is the audio version)

I liked it - didn't love it. The narrator was very good, but the story really dragged in some places. And like others have said, it seemed out of chronological order, making it hard to follow.

Still, the stories were good and it does make you aware of the plight of Afghan women.

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2012-01-15T04:00:00.001-08:00

The Innocent by Taylor Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vanessa Michael Munroe is one of my favorite characters. In The Informationist, she is hired to find a missing daughter. In this book, she's again hired to find and extract a daughter, this time a young girl being hidden by The Chosen, a religious cult operating in Buenos Aires.

Again, she teams up with Miles Bradford and with her friend Logan and two others, travels to South America and infiltrates the cult.

I love the complexity of this character. She grew up with missionaries but ended up living on her own, teaming up with some mercenaries. There, she was trained to be a fighter, and she learned well. She was also tortured on a regular basis by one of the men there - and who she eventually killed. All this creates a fascinating character with unique skills.

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2012-01-04T03:41:00.001-08:00

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very good book. As a retelling of The Scarlet Letter, it can't quite compete with the classic. Still, as a dystopian novel, it definitely has some very good things going for it. It's beautifully written, and Hannah is a haunting character. Yes, some parts are a bit of a stretch but overall it's a good story.

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2012-01-02T05:58:00.001-08:00

The Drop by Michael Connelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another terrific Harry Bosch novel!

I've been a fan of Michael Connelly since his 3rd book - I read the first three Bosch novels in a row and since then I've waited anxiously for each new book. Harry Bosch is one of the best characters written - he's developed over the years, faced some of his own demons, and moved forward. Now he's a single father of a 15 year old daughter, trying to balance work and family.

This book has him working two cases - a open-unsolved case involving the murder of a young girl and he's called in to investigate Irvin Irving's son's death. If you've read the series, you will be familiar with the animosity between Bosch and Irving. Irving has requested Bosch personally for the investigation, and Bosch is now in the middle of political "high jingo" which he doesn't like. And the murder case leads him to a pedophile (and the psychiatrist who works with him). Bosch has to work with both to get to the murderer.

Of course, both cases are solved, but not without some personal torment and loss. Still, Bosch stays true to his convictions, even though he questions them. I think that's why I love this character and these books - there's much more depth than just solving the crime.

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2011-12-29T05:35:00.001-08:00

11/22/63 by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely fantastic!!! Be prepared to be sucked in for a while with this one - it's long and involved, but well-worth the time.

Jake is shown a way to travel to the past and encouraged to do something huge - prevent Kennedy's assassination. Since he can only travel back to 1958, he spends the time between then and 1963 building a life that has more value to him then the one he left. But - here's the rub - he will HAVE to travel back to present time once he stops the assassination to make sure everything's ok. Once he does that, he can't go back.

Stephen King is one of the best wordsmiths there is. While some of his books are definitely better than others, they are all great, in my opinion. This one stands at the top of the list though - one of my favorite King books has always been It (and yay! some It characters make a showing in this book!). 11/22/63 comes close to taking over the top spot (and only doesn't because I just LOVE when King gets truly creepy).

I give this one all 5 stars without hesitation.

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Emory's Gift

2011-12-20T04:30:00.001-08:00

Emory's Gift by W. Bruce Cameron

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is such a gem!! It's heart-warming and thought-provoking. Charlie is an 8th grade boy who has lost his mother, has trouble relating to his father, and is trying to find his social place at school. Things are not happy for him, and then he sees a grizzly bear in the wild - and somehow they connect. The grizzly comes home with him and stays in his barn - and apparently is a reincarnated Civil War soldier with a message.

Like his other book, A Dog's Purpose, Cameron has written a book with an animal as a main character - one who is more than "just" an animal. Even though this book focuses mostly on Charlie, the magic of an animal being "more" is a big part of the novel, and is what makes both books so magical.

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The Hour I First Believed

2011-11-13T15:31:00.001-08:00

The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is another wonderful book by Wally Lamb. I absolutely loved "I Know This Much Is True" but for some reason, I held off reading this for a long time! Finally, I picked it up and was immediately engrossed in it.

In a nutshell:

When high school teacher Caelum Quirk and his wife, Maureen, move to Littleton, Colorado, they both get jobs at Columbine High School. In April 1999, while Caelum is away, Maureen finds herself in the library at Columbine, cowering in a cabinet and expecting to be killed. Miraculously, she survives. But when Caelum and Maureen flee to an illusion of safety on the Quirk family's Connecticut farm, they discover that the effects of chaos are not easily put right.

While Maureen fights to regain her sanity, Caelum discovers five generations' worth of diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings in his family's house. As unimaginable secrets emerge, Caelum grapples with the past and struggles to fashion a future from the ashes of tragedy. His quest for meaning is at once mythic and contemporary, personal and quintessentially American.

Expect to fall in love with the characters, flawed as they are, and expect to cry when you close the book.

This one joins his other books on my keeper shelf!

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Hush by Eishes Chayil

2011-08-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

Hush by Eishes Chayil

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a truly heart-rending story of a young girl living in a Chassidic Jewish community in New York who witnesses the molestation of her best friend at the hands of her friend's older brother. Gittel didn't understand what was happening, couldn't protect her friend, and when her friend, Devory, commits suicide, she is told to forget about her and everything that happened.

Told in alternating narratives from Gittel as a 9 year old and then as a young adult graduating high school and getting married, we see how the experience has haunted her and continues to affect her until she finally speaks out. Again and again and again until people finally start listening, believing, and acting on what she says.

Based on her own experiences, the author (who writes under the pseudonym Eishes Chayil) has shed light on an issue that has been so hushed up and ignored for so long in her community.

Highly recommend.

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Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

2011-07-09T06:33:00.001-07:00

Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this one! I was disappointed with the last two books but I love Stephanie Plum so much, I read this as soon as I could get it - and it was so good! Stephanie is cursed, her and Lula have the usual adventures, and there's still the Ranger/Morelli dilemma - but it seems a bit fresher than it has been in a while. I hope this upswing continues with the next book!

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Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2011-06-08T06:49:00.001-07:00

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

YA seems to be flooded with dystopian novels, just as they were with vampire novels not too long ago! I've read several lately, this one being the latest.

In an undefined time, love is considered a disease, and a procedure exists to give everyone the "cure." It's a mandatory procedure for everyone once they turn 18. Lena is looking forward to it - her mother was never cured and that past haunts her.

As the day moves closer, Lena becomes more aware of the way things "really" are. She discovers that her world may not be exactly what is presented, and as she begins to question her reality, she faces a life-changing dilemma.

This is a very well-written novel that is a definite page-turner, with characters that will stay with you for a while after the book ends.

Delirium is the first book in a planned trilogy, and I will definitely be looking for the next one!

Also... Look for a movie to come out based on this book!

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Where She Went by Gayle Forman

2011-05-22T19:07:00.001-07:00

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is the followup to If I Stay, and begins three years after Mia's accident. Told from Adam's viewpoint, we find out what has happened with him over the years.

When the book starts, he and Mia are NOT together, and haven't been since shortly after she moved away to go to Julliard. He has become a rock star, but isn't close to the rest of the band anymore. He feels very isolated and depressed and is beginning to question whether he wants to continue playing with his band.

The break-up with Mia has left him feeling very lost, and even though he's tried to move on, he is finally realizing that's he's miserable. As he nears the end of his rope, he runs into her - and begins to finally find a way to heal.

While not as good as If I Stay, Where She Went is still very well written and absorbing.

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The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

2011-05-22T09:57:00.001-07:00

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have such mixed feelings about this book. The good: It's an excellent read. The writing is great and I loved the characters. It was a can't-put-down read!

The bad, though: I couldn't help but thinking OMG, how much more cr*p are these people going to have to deal with??? In one book, we have murders, rapes, incest, child molestation, alcoholism, drug abuse, adultery, insanity, stillbirths and miscarriages, and just plain old miscellaneous deaths. It was just too much. Way too much! In fact, it was so much that after just the first quarter of the book, I didn't even feel that emotional about it anymore. Parts of the book that should have been guaranteed tear-jerkers left me feeling emotionally void - I was on overload.

Now, all that said -- I also don't like other authors that are very popular, who I feel play deliberately on emotions (Jodi Picoult comes to mind). So if you are a fan of that type of fiction, then by all means grab this one up - you'll love it! It really is well-written with great characters and a great story.

But if you want more subtlety, you may want to skip this one.

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2011-05-15T19:49:00.000-07:00

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First - this is the 2nd time I've read this book, and it was even better the second time around. For those who don't know, this is a story of a young girl living in Nazi Germany, but it is Death who is telling the story.

This book is absolutely haunting. From the first page to the last, you are drawn in to Death's story of Leisel. He first sees her as a young girl on the way to her foster parents, and he tells her story over the next 4 years or so, as Germany is at war.

Be prepared to cry and laugh, and in some parts of the book, your heart will break. This is not a quick, easy read but one that deserves an intense focus.

By far, this is one of the best books I've ever read.

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Bought Some Books Yesterday!

2011-05-15T06:15:00.000-07:00

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

Product Description

A "heartbreakingly delicious" national bestseller about a chef, her students, and the evocative lessons that food teaches about life

Once a month, eight students gather in Lillian's restaurant for a cooking class. Among them is Claire, a young woman coming to terms with her new identity as a mother; Tom, a lawyer whose life has been overturned by loss; Antonia, an Italian kitchen designer adapting to life in America; and Carl and Helen, a long-married couple whose union contains surprises the rest of the class would never suspect...

The students have come to learn the art behind Lillian's soulful dishes, but it soon becomes clear that each seeks a recipe for something beyond the kitchen. And soon they are transformed by the aromas, flavors, and textures of what they create.

This book is one of my absolute favorites - and even though I've read it before, when I saw it at the thrift store, I grabbed it to keep on my keeper shelf for a reread, and then I'll be sure to share it with someone.

The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood

Book Description
The long-awaited new novel from Margaret Atwood. The Year of the Flood is a dystopic masterpiece and a testament to her visionary power.

The times and species have been changing at a rapid rate, and the social compact is wearing as thin as environmental stability. Adam One, the kindly leader of the God's Gardeners--a religion devoted to the melding of science and religion, as well as the preservation of all plant and animal life--has long predicted a natural disaster that will alter Earth as we know it. Now it has occurred, obliterating most human life. Two women have survived: Ren, a young trapeze dancer locked inside the high-end sex club Scales and Tails, and Toby, a God's Gardener barricaded inside a luxurious spa where many of the treatments are edible.

Have others survived? Ren's bioartist friend Amanda? Zeb, her eco-fighter stepfather? Her onetime lover, Jimmy? Or the murderous Painballers, survivors of the mutual-elimination Painball prison? Not to mention the shadowy, corrupt policing force of the ruling powers...

Meanwhile, gene-spliced life forms are proliferating: the lion/lamb blends, the Mo'hair sheep with human hair, the pigs with human brain tissue. As Adam One and his intrepid hemp-clad band make their way through this strange new world, Ren and Toby will have to decide on their next move. They can't stay locked away...

By turns dark, tender, violent, thoughtful, and uneasily hilarious, The Year of the Flood is Atwood at her most brilliant and inventive.

I haven't read Oryx and Crake yet, but it's on my very short TBR pile. Now that I have this follow-up, I think I'm going to set aside some time to dive in and then I can pass them both along.

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

2011-05-03T19:18:00.001-07:00

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As much as I loved Gudenkauf's first novel, The Weight of Silence, I think this one is so much better.

Told from the perspective of four women whose lives are interwoven. Allison, recently released from prison, is trying to build a life after serving 5 years for the murder of her newborn baby. Brianna, her sister, refuses to speak to her, and is dealing with serious issues of her own. Claire, the adoptive mother of Joshua, owns a bookstore and gives Allison a job there. And Charm, who has befriended Claire, but has ulterior motives for doing so.

As events unfold bringing these four women together, we see the events that led up to Allison's incarceration and the heartbreak that all four women have endured over the years.

The writing is wonderful, making this a book that was so hard to put down. I look forward to more books by this author!

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If I Stay by Gayle Forman

2011-05-02T15:21:00.001-07:00

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a very moving story about a young girl who is hovering on the edge of death, laying in the ICU following a horrible car accident.

As she watches from outside her body, she realizes that she must decide whether to stay or let go. Her family and friends are keeping watch, and praying, and hoping. She watches them, but doesn't know if she can come back to them.

The story goes from the present to the past, offering glimpses into her life with her parents and younger brother, and touching on various defining moments in her young life.

As she struggles with a literal life and death decision, the reader struggles along too. When she finally makes her choice, it is heart-wrenching, but absolutely the right choice for her.

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Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

2011-04-24T19:14:00.001-07:00

Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is such a good series! After reading the first one in the series (The Spellman Files), I've been anxiously waiting to get a chance to read this one. I was NOT disappointed! In fact, I immediately picked up the 3rd one in the series and I'm reading it now.

In this one, Isabel is suspicious of a neighbor, realizes here romantic feelings for a surprising person, and makes a surprising career move. It's lots of fun, with plenty of laugh out loud moments.

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Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens

2011-04-18T16:45:00.001-07:00

Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What happens when you find your birth parents, and they aren't what you had hoped? In Sara's case, she discovers she's the result of a brutal rape - now, her birth mother wants nothing to do with her, and her father is a suspected serial killer.

And because of her search, her birth parents' identities are broadcast online and her birth father (John) contacts her. Working with the police, Sara tries to lure him in so that they can finally apprehend him.

Chevy Stevens writes so well, and the book is such a roller-coaster of a ride, that time just flies by while reading. This is another good one by Ms. Stevens, who also wrote "Still Missing" - another very good book that I highly recommend!

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The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

2011-04-15T07:12:00.001-07:00

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of the things I loved most about Allen's earlier books was the beautiful magic qualities in them (changing wallpaper, trees that throw apples, books that show up out of nowhere, etc.). This book had touches of that magic, but much of it was mentioned briefly and then never explored. I would have loved to have more of that.

Still, this is a lovely book about friendship and learning to accept yourself. It centers around two women, Willa and Paxton. Paxton lives the life she thinks she is supposed to, while Willa lives a life she thinks she wants. They realize that they are missing quite a lot, and by exploring the past and learning about their grandmothers, they come to terms with who they really are and what they truly want.

Allen continues to be one of my favorite writers! Her books flow so well, the characters are just so wonderfully real. I love the world she creates, and am always a little sad when I turn that last page.

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The Reversal by Michael Connelly

2011-04-12T19:02:00.001-07:00

The Reversal by Michael Connelly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There's so much to love about this book! I love Harry Bosch, always have! And after reading The Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller became another favorite character. And this book has them both.

Mickey takes on a case as an independent prosecutor, ex-wife Maggie assists him, and Bosch is their investigator. The case: A man (Jessup) wins an appeal to overturn a 24 year old murder and he's released from prison. The DA's office decides to retry him. They need a guilty verdict; otherwise, they'll be sued in civil court for millions for his imprisonment. Those stakes are high enough, but added to that is the absolute conviction that they all have that Jessup is truly guilty.

I hope that the release of the movie The Lincoln Lawyer will get more people reading these books. Michael Connelly has been a favorite author of mine for many years - since about the time his 3rd book was published! I have not yet been disappointed with any of his books!

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Lover Unleashed by J. R. Ward

2011-04-03T04:42:00.001-07:00

Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward

This was another great addition to the Black Dagger series!!

It picks up quickly after last one ended, with Payne paralyzed after a fight with Wrath. Jane's old boss Manny is brought in to consult and he quickly falls in love with Payne, and she falls right back in love with him.

There's also new players in town fighting the Lessers - Payne and Vischous's father (The Bloodletter) led a group of soldiers many years ago who have carried on after his murder. Now they are in Caldwell killing Lessers - but with ulterior motives! I can't wait for the next book to see how that all plays out.

I love how the books revolve around one couple overall, but still talk a lot about the others. Although I really miss hearing about some of them - so I hope she brings them back up in future books. This one didn't have much of the Brotherhood, and I missed that.

Overall, though, this is definitely a 4 1/2 stars, and it makes me really want to go back and read the series again - which I'm sure I will at some point, which is very unusual for me!

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I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

2011-03-26T08:25:00.001-07:00

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

John Smith (as he's currently called) is Number Four, which is his place in line of the nine children sent to earth from an other planet. A charm in place protects him as long as One through Three are alive; unfortunately, Number Three has just been killed.

I actually really liked the premise - having to keep hiding from the enemy, trying to blend in but never being able to be a part of the community. I liked John and I adored Henri, and I'm intrigued by Six and Bernie.

I'm surprised at how many reviewers really didn't like this book - hated the writing, thought the plot was bad. I thought it was very good. I really liked the writing. It kept me interested, and everything flowed well. And while I admit that I don't read science fiction that much, I thought the plot was great! Now, maybe in the Sci-Fi world, it's overdone but to me, it was exciting.

I haven't seen the movie yet, but will definitely watch it soon! As for the book, I can't wait for the next installment.

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The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde

2010-11-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

I started off listening to the audio version, which I thought was excellent. But once I was just a short way to the end, I grabbed my paperback copy off my bookshelf and finished it.

I thought it was very good. Briefly, it's about the murder of a local doctor who runs an abortion clinic and the investigation. There's the mystery of who could have murdered her - the local Pro-Life minister? The husband? Someone else?

And then there are the issues that the daughter, Megan, must deal with - not only with losing her mother but forging a new kind of relationship with her father.

Maybe it's not the most complex mystery, but I don't think it's supposed to be. I think it's more a character study, dealing with obsessions, convictions, fears, and uncertainties that we all deal with at some point. And a woman whose marriage is flailing and whose relationship with her daughter is rocky. Who has approached middle-age and is re-evaluating her choices and her goals (and unfortunately, her life ends before she comes to any conclusions). Just as Megan finds that with her mother's death, she loses the chance for reconciliation (her last conversation with her mother was an argument).

There's not a lot of resolution, but there is some, and as the book ends, we feel that Megan, her father, and Huck just might be ok.

2010-07-29T20:10:00.001-07:00

Deeply, Desperately by Heather Webber

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was an absolute joy to read! I was beyond excited after I finished the first one (Truly, Madly) and couldn’t stop gushing about it. So of course I’ve been just dying to get my hands on this one – and YAY!!! I got an ARC from Heather (thank you thank you thank you!!) and within a day of getting it, I was devouring it.

And it’s terrific!! Lucy has two main cases in this book – finding the lost love of one client through her company, and helping the police find the body of a missing woman. On top of that, Sean’s ex-fiancee makes an appearance, and Lucy and Marisol try to “help” Em and her love life.

I have to admit that there were times I had tears in my eyes while reading this – and other times when I laughed out loud. Now, how many books can you say that about? Not to mention that I just hated to get to the end of the book and say goodbye to Lucy, Sean, and all the rest of the family and friends. So the countdown has begun – the next book in this series is Absolutely, Positively and has a February2011 publishing date! I can’t wait!!!

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Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

2010-05-20T19:12:00.000-07:00

I think I'm one of the few people who read this book and didn't love it! For some reason, I didn't connect to any of the characters at all. They didn't seem complex or interesting. The story itself seemed to be "told" rather than shown.

The story is about Henry - we first meet him as a 56 year old widower who has recently lost his wife to cancer. He has one son who he has a strained relationship with. One day, he watches as a nearby hotel (The Panama) brings up items which had been hidden in the basement since WWII. These items were family belongings that Japanese citizens left there for safekeeping as they were taken away (relocated to camps). As Henry watches, he begins to remember his childhood and his relationship with a Japanese girl, Keiko.

I get the sentimental aspect of it - the awful truth of how our country treated Japanese citizens during WWII and how anyone of Asian descent was looked at with suspicion. The sadness of being different, and losing someone who you connected with.

I think this book could have been so much more, both in emotion and in history.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

2010-05-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Unfortunately, this book only gets 3 stars from me. On one hand, the writing is great - very readable and compelling. Unfortunately, the plot and story just didn't do it for me.

A small village exists, surrounded by fencing to keep out the "Unconsecrated" - which are zombies that like to feed on the humans. The village is run by the Sisterhood and protected by Guardians. The village has survived for so long that no one really knows why they live this way, why there are the Unconsecrated.

Mary has heard stories of the ocean from her mother all her life, and when the village is breached, she decides to leave and try to find another village and other humans. Together with a few other survivors, they set out.

The story could have been fabulous, but nothing was ever explained. Why are there zombies? Why was the village set up the way it was? How many other villages are there? What about the paths - how and why are they there? Why does no one travel them????

With a bit more work, this book could easily have been a 4 1/2 star book, but as it is, I don't really recommend it.

Pretty In Ink: A Tattoo Shop Mystery by Karen E. Olson

2010-04-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Pretty In Ink: A Tattoo Shop Mystery by Karen E. Olson

This is the 2nd book in the Tattoo Shop series, and is just as good, if not better, than the first!

From Amazon:

Product Description

Murder in the city of sin...

Brett Kavanaugh is a tattoo artist and owner of Vegas's hottest tattoo shop, The Painted Lady. And in her spare time, she does some sleuthing. After Brett and company ink Sin City's newest drag queens, they're invited to opening night at the strip's glamorous Nylon and Tattoos show-which ends in disaster when a stranger with a Queen of Hearts tattoo fatally injures Britney Brassieres with a champagne cork. And when another drag queen is found poisoned, it looks like someone's targeting Vegas's fabulous femmes...

This was such a fun book - how can you go wrong with tattoos, a hot doctor, a scary cop, drag queens, and poison?! This book pulls it all together and keeps you reading and reading. Definitely recommend!!

Official Food, Inc. Movie Site - Hungry For Change? - Sign the Petition

2010-04-27T06:57:00.000-07:00

Official Food, Inc. Movie Site - Hungry For Change? - Sign the Petition

And the Companion Book to the Movie:

Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer-And What You Can Do About It by Participant Media and Karl Weber

If you want to read about this as well, the movie was largely based on these two books:

Th e Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan

Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal (P.S.) by Eric Schlosser

and if you haven't seen the movie:

Food, Inc. ~ Eric Schlosser

I watched it last night on Netflix - it's available on Instant Play - so you can watch it NOW if you have a Netflix account.

I watched Food, Inc. last night, and now I feel like I'm on a mission! Please education yourself on the food you eat, where it comes from, how it gets to us!

2010-04-23T06:44:00.001-07:00

It's Friday! Time for another Book Blogger HOP!!

This is for ALL BOOK BLOGGERS (NEW AND OLD) and READERS! Let's make some new friends and have fun! It's FRIDAY!!!

NOTE: You can snag the linky code and post the Hop links on your site, too! That way someone can start with link #1 and hop around in order to each person's site without having to come back here each time! At the bottom of the linky list, just click on "Get the code here"! Let me know how you like this feature!

ABOUT THE HOP:

In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all book bloggers and readers a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! So, I created this weekly BOOK PARTY where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start PARTYING!!

Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know! Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added! And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!

OPTIONAL TWIST:

On your blog hop post, tell us about some of the other great blogs you've found while Hopping around!

DISCLAIMER:

The Hop isn't just for you to throw your link in there and not visit any other blogs. It's all about networking and finding new blogs that are of interest. So, in the spirit of the Hop, try to make some time to visit other blogs and don't post your link if you are not planning on visiting other blogs in the Hop that week. This is a weekly event, so if you don't have time this week, that's fine! We'll see you next week!

If you sign MckLinky, please share the love and POST ABOUT THE HOP ON YOUR BLOG! How else will anyone else find out about it and come join the party?

Please use the following format when entering your link below (be careful - I don't always have time to go in and edit your link!!):

NAME OF BLOG (How long you've been blogging; what genres you PRIMARILY review)
I know a lot of us read all different genres, but if you had to choose ONE OR TWO genres that you review more often than others, what would they be??

Example:
Crazy-for-Books (21 months; contemporary fiction/mystery)

So, let's do the Hop!

P.S. BEFORE YOU ENTER YOUR LINK - DID YOU READ ALL OF THE RULES ABOVE?? DON'T FORGET TO LIST THE REQUESTED INFORMATION IN YOUR LINK!!!!!

Waiting on Wednesday

2010-04-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday - Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, Bk 5) by Richelle Mead

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a feature for bloggers to swoon over upcoming releases they can't wait to get their hands on.

My pick is

Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, Bk 5) by Richelle Mead - release date 5/18/10

Product Description

Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong...

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's-and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him... forever.

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Razorbill (May 18, 2010)
ISBN: 1595142509 / 978-1595142504

A Good and Happy Child by Justin Evans

2010-04-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

A Good and Happy Child by Justin Evans

Book Description: Thirty-year-old George Davies can't bring himself to hold his newborn son. After months of accepting his lame excuses and strange behavior, his wife has had enough. She demands that he sees a therapist, and George, desperate to save his unraveling marriage and redeem himself as a father and husband, reluctantly agrees.

The book goes back and forth in time between George as an 11 year old who has recently lost his father and adult George who is keeping a notebook for this therapist. The writing is amazing, and for a first-time writer, I'm completely impressed! The story is cohesive, if a bit confusing in places, the characters are well-written.

George as an 11 year old was visited by an invisible "friend" - was it a vision? was it a product of George's imagination? Is George insane or in touch with the supernatural?

The book gives readers quite a bit to think about, but doesn't really give many answers - so if you like books that end with a nice, clean finish then this book may not be for you. But if you like a book that holds you in its grasp, gives you lots of ideas to ponder, and leaves you thinking about it well after you close it up, then I recommend this one.

Recently Read

2010-04-17T18:57:00.000-07:00

Day After Night: A Novel by Anita Diamant

I was disappointed in this book. I thought the premise was fascinating - Jews who were being detained after WWII by the British as they made their way to Israel. There was so much I didn't know about this period of time, and after reading this book I still don't! I think this book could have been much more in-depth, both in the history and in the characters. The characters were almost two-dimensional - I didn't feel connected to any of them - the backgrounds were only a few pages long and scattered around the book. Unlike The Red Tent, which was outstanding, this book just didn't do justice to the story.

Honeymoon by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

I listened to this on audio, and really enjoyed it! The narrators, Hope Davis and Campbell Scott, totally made it interesting. The book itself was good, but a little predictable and in some places, a bit cliched. Still, it's definitely worth listening to.

Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid, Bk 3) :: Richelle Mead

2010-04-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

Another fun addition to this series! Honestly, I think this is the best one yet.

Book Description:

Some days, a girl just can't catch a break... especially when the girl in question is Georgina Kincaid, a shape-shifting succubus who gets her energy from seducing men. First there's her relationship with gorgeous bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, which is unsatisfying on a number of levels. It's not just that they can't have sex in case Georgina inadvertently kills him (generally a turn-off for most guys). Lately, even spending time together is a challenge. Seth's obsessed with finishing his latest novel, and Georgina's under demonic orders to mentor the new (and surprisingly inept) succubus on the block.

Then there are the dreams. Someone, or something, is preying on Georgina at night, draining her energy, and supplying eerie visions of her future. Georgina seeks answers from Dante, a dream interpreter with ties to the underworld, but his flirtatious charm only leaves her more confused -- especially as the situation with Seth reaches crisis point. Now Georgina faces a double challenge -- rein in her out-of-control love life, and go toe-to-toe with an enemy capable of wreaking serious havoc among mankind. Otherwise, Georgina, and the entire mortal world, may never sleep easy again.

Without giving too much away, there's a lot going on in this book - maybe that's why I liked it so much! Between the mentoring of the new succubus, the dreams and energy draining, angels in town, new characters (Dante, Tawny, to name a few) - there was just a lot packed in this one. I'm definitely going to get started on the next one soon.

The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium, Bk 2) by Stieg Larsson

2010-04-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

This book (#2 in a 3 book series) is just fantastic! I loved the first one so much, and was so afraid this wouldn't be as good. I was thrilled to discover this was better! I stayed up late last night, curled up in bed with a swiftly dimming booklight, reading each and every word of this amazing book.

As many know, Mr. Larsson died after writing the three books in this series. While I can't wait to get the 3rd one, it will definitely be bittersweet knowing that it is the very last. A sad thing that such talent is lost to us now - but thank goodness we have these three books to treasure!

From Paperbackswap.com: Lisbeth Salander, the troubled, wise-beyond-her-years genius hacker, is a wanted woman. Two Millennium journalists about to expose the truth about the sex trade in Sweden are brutally murdered, and Salander's prints are on the weapon. Her history of unpredictable and vengeful behaviour makes her an official danger to society -- but no one can find her anywhere.

Meanwhile, Mikael Blomkvist, editor-in-chief of Millennium, will not believe what he hears on the news. Knowing Salander to be fierce when fearful, he is desperate to get to her before she is cornered and alone. As he fits the pieces of the puzzle together, he comes up against some hardened criminals, including the chainsaw-wielding 'blond giant' -- a fearsomely huge thug who can feel no pain.

Digging deeper, Blomkvist also unearths some heart-wrenching facts about Salander's past life. Committed to psychiatric care aged 12, declared legally incompetent at 18, this is a messed-up young woman who is the product of an unjust and corrupt system. Yet Lisbeth is more avenging angel than helpless victim -- descending on those that have hurt her with a righteous anger terrifying in its intensity and truly wonderful in its outcome.

My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers, Bk 2) by Rachel Vincent

2010-04-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

It took me a while to get into this one, but I'm glad I stayed with it - it turned out to be very good! In this 2nd book in the series, Kaylee is living with her dad now and learning more about being a banshee.

She discovers that girls are selling their souls for fame and fortune, and when she finds out what exactly that entails after they die, she's determined to help get a soul or two back for them. With her boyfriend Nash's help, as well as Tod, she travels to the Netherworld.

While not near as good as the first book in the series, this was still pretty entertaining.

The Seventh Witch by Shirley Damsgaard

2010-03-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

This is the latest book in the Ophelia and Abby series (#7!) and the series is going strong!

Abby, Tink, and Ophelia have gone to visit their aunts to celebrate Mary's 100th birthday. While there, Ophelia becomes aware of a feud between her family and another local family, but when no one wants to talk about it, her curiosity gets the better of her! After finding a dead body (again!), she begins to investigate the other family, and in the process, she unearths some dark, ugly secrets.

There isn't as much magick as in previous books, which I kind of missed, but her relationship with Ethan moves forward, and we get more information on her ancestors, especially Abby's mother, Annie, which adds quite a bit to the story.

All in all, it wasn't the best book in the series, but it was still a very good read.

Push: A Novel (Paperback) by Sapphire

2010-03-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

Push: A Novel (Paperback) by Sapphire

As everyone (I think!) knows, this is the book that the movie Push is based on. It is an excellent novel, told from the perspective of Precious Jones, an abused teenager who has been kicked out of school because of her pregnancy (this takes place in the mid 80s).

With a deep-seated need to better herself, Precious begins to take classes at an alternative learning center, where she finally (at age 16-17) learns to read.

The life Precious has led is horrific and heartbreaking, but her spirit is amazing. Still, the story is not a happy one, but rather can be considered deeply inspiring.

The Girl Who Chased the Moon: A Novel by Sarah Addison Allen

2010-03-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

The Girl Who Chased the Moon: A Novel by Sarah Addison Allen

This was an exceptional book. Sarah Addison Allen is quickly becoming an all-time favorite writer. Her writing is just so beautiful, and I love how she incorporates the most amazing magic in her books.

In this novel, Emily has come to her mother's home town to live with her grandfather after her mother's death. She quickly realizes that the mother she knew was completely different from the Dulcie that the town remembers. As she tries to discover what her mother was really like, and why her mother kept so many secrets from her, she finds love, acceptance, family, and magic.

Julia has returned following her father's death - finding that he was in debt, she took over his restaurant with a self-imposed time limit of 2 years before selling the restaurant. As the 2 year anniversary approaches, she must finally deal with the past so that she can live happier in the present.

If you enjoyed The Sugar Queen and Garden Spells, you will love this one.

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

2010-03-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

WOW!! This book is absolutely fantastic!

I had no idea what the book was about when I picked it up - only that it had been made into a movie. So a few days ago, I had started and put down two other books, and then picked this one up. I didn't have high hopes, because I just was in a reading funk - and it grabbed me right away! I didn't get much reading done yesterday, but today, I just kept on going until I finished it.

In a nutshell- Teddy, a U.S. Marshall, lands on Shutter Island to help track down a patient who has escaped from the hospital there - a hospital for the criminally insane. He and his partner quickly realize that they are being lied to at every turn, and are determined to solve the mystery of the hospital, as well as the missing woman. At the same time, Teddy must also face some demons of his own past.

Lots of intrigue, a great mystery, and fascinating characters and setting - this book is a gripping page-turner.

Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon

2010-03-13T05:41:00.000-08:00

After hearing so much about this book, I finally grabbed it and read it in one big gulp. This was a great read! The writing is truly magical.

This is Lil's story - she was Cinderella's fairy godmother and after she failed her duty, she was banished from the fairy world and into the human world.

She works at a bookstore, and lives a quiet life as an old woman. Until she meets Veronica, and comes to believe that the fairies are coming back for her and giving her the chance to redeem herself. If she can find true love for Veronica, maybe she can finally be forgiven and return to her home and family.

There's a lot of sadness, loneliness, and loss in this book - Veronica's first love died, George is divorced, and Lil craves to be reunited with her family and home. But there's beauty too, and hope for redemption - will Veronica and George be able to move away from the past and fall in love? Will Lil be forgiven, most importantly by herself?

This book is both lovely and heartbreaking.

On My Wishlist

2010-03-13T05:37:00.000-08:00

On My Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City, which will be posted every Saturday. It allows us to share the books we haven't bought yet but are waiting to be bought and devoured. If you would like to take part and have your own 'On My Wishlist' post then you can find more info here.

Since my Wishlist is so huge, I'll try to limit my list to books that are actually in the bookstore that I might just have to go buy:

Pretty In Ink (A Tattoo Shop, Bk 2) :: Karen E. Olson
Ghouls Gone Wild (Ghost Hunter, Bk 4) :: Victoria Laurie
Bundle of Trouble :: Diana Orgain
If Books Could Kill (Bibliophile, Bk 2) :: Kate Carlisle
and something that's NOT a cozy! The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks :: Rebecca Skloot

One of My Favorite Blogs + One of My Favorite Writers = Check it Out!

2010-03-12T17:41:00.000-08:00

Check out my friend Jennifer's blog and read Sarah Addison Allen's entry!

Coming soon -

The Girl Who Chased the Moon: A Novel by Sarah Addison Allen

I, for one, can't wait!!!!

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

2010-03-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

It would be easy to say this book is about Ethan and Lena, in love, and dealing with overwhelming obstacles. But that short-changes the book. There's so much more, and with a book that has this much depth, it's hard to know where to start.

Lena is an outsider in more ways than one - she's new to town, which is Gatlin - a small Southern town that never changes. The town, and the school, refuses to accept her - except Ethan can't stay away from her. As he is pulled towards her, he becomes an outsider.

There's magic - Lena is the niece of reclusive Macon, and Ethan discovers that they have powers, as do others in their family. And Lena seems to be more powerful than any of them. As her 16th birthday draws closer, she grows more and more terrified of the future.

There's history - the town of Gatlin has many layers, from the forceful and formidable DAR to the Civil War fanatics who recreate a battle each year.

And there's family - Ethan's mother who died, his father who can't seem to overcome his grief, Amma who is his caregiver. And his friend Linc, who is much like a brother to him and who stays by his side.

This is a wonderfully written book, and well-worth the read.

Reading Now...

2010-03-05T18:18:00.000-08:00

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow

This debut novel tells the story of Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I. who becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy.

With her strict African American grandmother as her new guardian, Rachel moves to a mostly black community, where her light brown skin, blue eyes, and beauty bring mixed attention her way. Growing up in the 1980s, she learns to swallow her overwhelming grief and confronts her identity as a biracial young woman in a world that wants to see her as either black or white.

In the tradition of Jamaica Kincaid's Annie John and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, here is a portrait of a young girl-- and society's ideas of race, class, and beauty. It is the winner of the Bellwether Prize for best fiction manuscript addressing issues of social justice.

The story is not a happy one - it deals with murder, abandonment, loneliness, alcoholism, and of course the bigotry that Rachel must face, while still trying to deal with the loss of her family. But the novel is beautifully written, a nice paradox to the ugliness of the subject.

It's interesting as well to set the story of race in the 80s. The 1960s are such a popular setting, but this works so much better. Twenty years after the Civil Rights movement and we see that much has not changed at all - in fact, as the Grandmother notes, it's gotten worse - with the startling observation that much of the pain is inflicted on the black community by other blacks.

There's the mystery as well - did the mother throw her children from the roof and jump? Or was someone else up there pushing them to their deaths? The truth is shocking, and heartbreaking.

This novel is well-worth the time, and will give readers much to ponder. Highly recommend.

The Red Thread by Ann Hood

2010-02-22T05:57:00.000-08:00

The Red Thread by Ann Hood

An amazing book dealing with Chinese adoption. We meet both the adoptive parents as well as the birth mothers, and their stories are both heartbreaking and hopeful. All this revolves around Maya, the woman who runs the Red Thread agency, who is haunted by her past and terrified of becoming close to anyone again.

Relentless by Dean Koontz

2010-02-20T15:27:00.000-08:00

I listened to the audiobook of this one - and while I thoroughly the narrator, I did not care that much for the story.

The book is a fairly generic mystery/thriller, but then all of a sudden supernatural elements are added - it's jarring.

The son is a 6 year old prodigy - but still, as a parent of a 6 year old, I just don't see it at all. The parents seem to just take it in stride that their child has this amazingly advanced scientific mind - and yet, they aren't teaching him - who is?? We assume he's self-taught... And I don't buy it.

I'm sorry - I love Dean Koontz, but this one just doesn't make sense.

Stitches: A Memoir by David Small

2010-02-10T05:01:00.000-08:00

Stitches: A Memoir by David Small

This was my first graphic novel read! It's a very different experience to read a book that is more pictures than words, but I enjoyed it so much.

The book deals with David's childhood - primarily his experience of having surgery to remove a "cyst" only to wake up unable to speak. He finds out later that the cyst was cancer and that the surgery removed tumor, along with a vocal cord and thyroid. His father, a radiologist, later confirms that the frequent x-rays he subjected David to as a child most likely caused the cancer.

David's experience is tragic, and I think telling it in this format makes it much more "real" than just reading it. He's a very gifted artist, and his drawings were fantastic.

Highly recommend!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, Bk 1) :: Stieg Larsson, Reg Keeland (Translator)

2010-02-09T06:17:00.000-08:00

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

I can understand now why, when I picked up this book, I didn't really know what it was going to be about. This novel defies description - it's a murder mystery, a thriller about financial espionage, a story of a young girl trying to find her way in the world, a man whose principles lead him into a lot of trouble and hurt, and a story of a family who has long buried secrets that finally explode around them.

So not knowing anything about it, I started reading, and couldn't put it down! I loved the story of the Vargar family - the missing 16 year old and how Mikael is hired to try his hand at solving the 40 year old mystery. Also, I loved meeting Lisbeth who is one of the best characters I've read in a long time - she's smart and strong, but also weak and naive in some areas. Mikael is strongly principled, but at the same time, understands that "the right thing" isn't always the right thing.

Highly recommend this fantastic book!

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

2010-02-06T17:27:00.000-08:00

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister.

Finally! I have heard so many wonderful things about this book, and I just never took the time to pick it up and read it. Had I known this beautiful gem of a book was on my shelf, I would have read it long ago.

The book takes us to Lillian's restaurant, where on Monday nights, she gives cooking classes. We meet her and her students, and learn about them, why they are there, what they take from the class.

The writing is absolutely wonderful, simple and elegant, and so descriptive that you can almost feel, smell, and taste the food.

Books this lovely are rare, and well worth the read.

Under the Dome by Stephen King

2010-02-03T06:06:00.001-08:00

Classic Stephen King!! I had forgotten how much I love his writing - but sitting down with this one brought it all back and now I want more more more!

It's a rare writer that can fill up 1000+ pages to cover a time period of less than a week in the lives of the people of Chester Mills without boring their readers to death!

The book on its surface is about a small town that is suddenly encased in an indestructible dome. Obviously, the questions of where the dome came from, why it happened, how to get rid of it, are considered. But there's also the reality of the fact that they are on their own completely - there's no one getting out and no one getting in either. Who is in charge? And why? Are they still part of the U.S.? Or have they seceded? Who can be trusted?

Stephen King is sometimes at his best when he deals with the monsters that really do exist - the evil that lives inside all of us - and that's what this book is ultimately about.

Take a few days (or more) and find a comfortable chair and read this book!

Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

2010-01-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

I just loved this book! It's a blend of chick-lit, cozy mystery, paranormal, and romance all together - and it works beautifully!

The Valentine family has run a successful matchmaking business for generations (turns out, they can see auras!) - but Lucy lost her aura-seeing gift at 14 in an electrical accident. But what she gained was an ability to find lost objects.

When she has to fill in for her father in the matchmaking business while he "vacations," she finds a dead body, a new love, and an appreciation for her family's business and her own special talent.

With a compelling plot and great writing, this book was almost impossible to put down.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

2010-01-12T17:54:00.000-08:00

I have to admit I spent most of the day today finishing this book (shhhh don't tell my husband! I was supposed to be taking the Christmas stuff down!).

I loved it! I loved the writing - kept the pages turning. I loved Thomas and Newt and Teresa, and the others. I loved the concept which is:

Thomas "wakes" up in an elevator type lift and is pulled into the "glade" - a large area surrounded by walls, full of other boys around his age, and all of them suffering memory loss - he has no idea of any of his history, his last name, or why he's there.

What follows is lots of intrigue - why are they there, what is the Maze really?

This is the first book in a trilogy, and I absolutely can't wait for the next one!!

The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate

2010-01-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

Rebecca's life is comfortable but unfulfilling - she doesn't like her job as a paralegal doing divorce mediation and she's more scared than excited about the idea of her boyfriend proposing. But when her father dies after an astounding deathbed confession, her life is profoundly changed.

Her father tells her he had an affair, and that it resulted in a child. Rebecca, realizing that she has a sister, heads out to find her last remaining family member.

Joy has grown up without a father, and isn't as welcoming as Rebecca would like, but Rebecca is determined.

Overall, the book brought up a lot of questions - most specifically "what makes a man cheat?" And what makes a family? And how do you know when a relationship is over or when to try harder?

I really enjoyed this book, and definitely recommend it. Melissa Senate is one of my favorite writers, and I look forward to more from her!

Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster

2010-01-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

Funny, funny, funny!

I have over time become a huge fan of Jen Lancaster. Her humor is definitely sarcastic and may not be for everyone, but it's definitely worth a try.

In this book, she details her life through school and her early jobs - revisiting the 80s - how fun!

Laugh out loud parts? Oh yeah.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

2010-01-06T03:37:00.000-08:00

A haunting novel about a young girl, Grace, who is in love with a werewolf, Sam. As a child, Grace was attacked by wolves and Sam saved her. Over the years, she would watch for "her wolf" in the woods behind her house. Finally, she meets Sam in his human form, and they fall in love - and must try to find a way to keep him from turning back into a wolf forever.

The tension builds as the book progresses - the temperature is dropping, friends are at risk, and time is running out for Sam.

I definitely recommend this book - a notch above some of the usual YA fare.

Watch for the next book in this series - Linger, coming in July 2010!

4 stars

Intertwined (Harlequin Teen) by Gena Showalter

2010-01-03T03:22:00.000-08:00

Normally, I adore Gena Showalter books, but I have to say that I didn't love this one.

The good: Like her other books, this one is extremely readable. Great characters and realistic dialog make it easy to keep reading page after page. The story is intriguing - a boy who has four other souls living inside him. He's lived with this group his whole life, and has some interesting "powers" - time travel, raising the dead, seeing the future.

The bad: Too many pieces to the story. This is a big book - almost 500 pages. And just Aden's history could fill it. Instead, we are introduced to Aden and his history, Mary Ann and hers, Riley and Victoria. Vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches... Time travelers, zombies.

And this is obviously just the first book in a series - it is left with far more hanging than was resolved. And while I'm curious to see how things progress, I'm not sure I'm willing to invest the time and energy into it.

Probably, though, I will - I love Gena Showalter and will most likely get my hands on the next one as soon as it's out - which is September 2010 and it is titled Unraveled.

Book Giveaway - Lori's Reading Corner

2009-10-08T13:38:00.001-07:00

Check out one of my favorite blogs and enter to win a copy of

Book Giveaway ~ Knit The Season by Kate Jacobs ~ ARC

Knit the Season: A Friday Night Knitting Club Novel (Friday Nigh t Knitting Club Novels) by Kate Jacobs

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

I posted last year about this, and I'm here again. Here's what I'm doing this year:

Hosting a shopping swap on my favorite site (paperbackswap.com) where we are all buying gifts for each other from stores/sites that will donate a portion of the proceeds to breast cancer research.

Walking the 5k in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on October 17.

Rewarding anyone I know who gets or schedules a mammogram OR (if they aren't old enough to get need to start) gets their mom, aunt, friend, etc. to go get one.

And here's just one reason why -- this cause is important to me in a big way. My daughter's grandmother, my husband's mother, died from breast cancer, and I'm soooooo angry about that. She was one of the most decent, loving women I've ever known. I'm angry that my daughter won't know her grandmother. Won't visit her, cuddle with her, talk to her on the phone, draw her pictures. Won't grow up having another person on this earth love her unconditionally. I'm pissed that Jean won't know her granddaughter - this beautful, amazing girl who looks like her. Who is bright and funny and so full of life, and would love her so much.

Please please please, let there be a cure before my daughter grows up. Let this horrible thing be one less thing she needs to worry about.

2009-09-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

Evernight (Evernight Novels (Hardback)) by Claudia Gray

This is an enjoyable YA read about a young girl who is new to Evernight Academy. Not the typical vampire novel, but unfortunately nothing all that unique here either.

Still, the characters are likeable (or not, in some cases!) and this first installment definitely leaves you wanting more to the story.

2009-09-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

The Missing Ink: A Tattoo Shop Mystery by Karen E. Olson

From Amazon:

From Publishers Weekly
The Painted Lady, a tattoo shop in contemporary Las Vegas, and its owner, artist turned tattooist Brett Kavanaugh, are central to this pleasantly jargon-free themed mystery from Olson (the Annie Seymour mysteries). When a woman requests a devotion tattoo from Brett and then vanishes, her disappearance is quickly linked to a series of murders involving tattooing equipment and rival shop Murder Ink. Brett's police detective brother, Tim, requests her expertise, and a murder at an engagingly excessive fictional hotel leads to Brett meeting its mysteriously handsome manager, Simon Chase, providing a solid base for further sleuthing and romance. Readers need not be conversant with street flash or other industry terms to enjoy the setting and follow Brett down a trail of needles and gloves to the dramatic finale. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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I thought this was a refreshing change from the usual craft, cooking, or paranormal cozies that are so popular lately. While I like those others quite a bit, this one was just so much fun to read! It even made me want to go get a tattoo :)

4 1/2 stars, and will definitely read the next one!!

Black Dagger Brotherhood

2009-09-20T19:35:00.000-07:00

I love this series! I read books 4 and 5 back to back, and have the 6th one coming to me - hopefully it will be here soon!

Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 4) by J.R. Ward

This book in the series features Butch, the human who was a cop that just learned way too much about the vampires and the black dagger brotherhood. Now he lives and fights with them. Still, he feels like an outsider. Especially since he's in love with Marissa - a vampire female who (he believes) does not want anything to do with him.

Lots of surprises in this one, especially about Butch, who has far more to him than meets the eye!!

Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5) by J.R. Ward

Next up is Vishous's story. After a particularly bad fight, he is rushed to a human hospital because of a bullet wound - and meets Jane. He immediately connects with her, which causes all sorts of problems! We also learn about his childhood, the abuse he suffered at his father's hands, and with him, we find out who his mother is.

While the relationship between him and Jane is good, the far more interesting parts of this book deal with his relationship with his mother and with Butch. I wasn't really happy with the way the book dealt with him and Jane, but hopefully during the next book it will become a bit more palatable.

Catching up on Reviews!

2009-09-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

Doom with a View (Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 7) by Victoria Laurie

The FBI has asked Abby for help with a case involving missing teenagers, so she heads to DC with her partner Candice. Unfortunately, she meets some resistance from the head of the task force, and Dutch's boss. But of course, she manages to prove herself!

This was a really good addition to the series. A good, solid mystery with plenty of red herrings thrown in, some intrigue, romance, and a big surprise ending that has me counting down until the next book in the series comes out!!

Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, Book 4) by Richelle Mead

This is by far one of the best YA Vampire series written. I love Rose, tough but tender-hearted, who at the beginning of this book has set out to find and kill Dimitri, who has been turned into a Strigoi. She leaves Lissa behind at the Academy, and is out in the world alone, with no idea where to go or if she'll succeed in her quest.

Of course, both her and Lissa end up in very scary situations and they both learn how strong they really can be.

Succubus on Top (Georgina Kincaid, Book 2) by Richelle Mead

2009-08-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

Succubus on Top (Georgina Kincaid, Book 2) by Richelle Mead

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the first book until I picked up this second one!

Georgina is a succubus - she drains life energy from her sexual partners/victims. And she's in love with a human - which means she can't have sex with him without draining away some of his life. And if that's not enough, now she's dealing with someone dealing "otherworldly" drugs, problems at the bookstore, and on top of that, her friend Bastion (an incubus) comes to town and needs her help.

This book has lots of steaminess, action, and humor - more than enough to keep you reading late into the night!

PaperBack Swap - This is new!

2009-08-21T17:36:00.001-07:00

PaperBack Swap: Discussion Forums for our Book Club members

Shared via AddThis

I just noticed something new at paperbackswap.com! So this is a test...

Prettiest Girl in the World!

2009-08-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

Finally got a picture that doesn't look posed, lol!

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

2009-08-20T07:52:00.001-07:00

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

"How far would you go to save someone you love?"

As a teen novel, this book works on many levels. There's the usual teen angst (trying to fit in, self-discovery, dealing with parents, falling in love). But there's also deeper levels here - what it means to be a human, what is a soul, what is the mind.

Jenna Fox is a 17 year old girl who wakes from a year+ long coma and finds herself in a world that is foreign to her. As her memory slowly returns, and as she begins to uncover some secrets her parents are keeping, she finds that she has found more questions than answers.

Can Jenna accept that sometimes there aren't answers at all?

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

2009-08-17T06:03:00.000-07:00

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins' verse style of writing is growing on me! This is the 2nd book I've read (I listened to Crank on audio).

Burned is about a young Mormon girl who is questioning her beliefs and her place in the LDS community. She begins to experiment with alcohol and exploring her sexuality - which leads to her being sent to her aunt's house for the summer. There, she meets Ethan and falls in love and develops a strong, loving relationship with her aunt as well.

The novel deals with great sensitivity the issues of spousal abuse, alcoholism, and teen sexuality, not to mention the compelling way the Mormon view of women and their place in the church is described.

2009-08-17T05:54:00.000-07:00

The Awakening (Darkest Powers, Book 2) by Kelley Armstrong

I enjoyed the first book in this series, The Summoning (Darkest Powers, Book 1), and thought this sequel was a good follow-up. As with the first, it leaves the ending open for another book in the series.

This book picks up with Chloe being held in the facility she was taken to after running away from Lyle House. Simon and Derek are still on the run, Chloe is trying to deal with her aunt's duplicity as well as her abilities as a necromancer.

I think this series is excellent for YA readers. It's got strong characters and a good storyline, and most teen readers will love it.

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3) by J.R. Ward

2009-08-15T14:52:00.001-07:00

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3) by J.R. Ward

Another great book in this series! This book focuses on Zsadist and Bella, but also brings more lore into the story - we learn a bit about sympaths, trainees, etc.

I have to say, the writing and story is getting so much better, too. This book had me riveted, and there were several times I cried! I am just such a fan of this series. I have the next one on it's way to me, and I'm sure I'll be starting it soon :)

Blue Moon: The Immortals

2009-08-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

Blue Moon: The Immortals

I hate to say, but I didn't like this book. The first one (Evermore: The Immortals by Alyson Noel) showed a lot of promise. It was a great concept (combining immortality and reincarnation), and introduced some solid teen issues for the characters to deal with.

This one, however, was just confusing and rushed. It could have been an excellent book - I enjoy Ms. Noel's writing style and I like the characters - but sadly this one falls short.

A Whole New Look!

2009-08-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

I have changed the look of my blog!!! I have been in love with this guy's artwork (www.vladstudio.com) for a long time, and finally decided to incorporate some of it into my blog.

Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 2) by J.R. Ward

2009-08-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 2) by J.R. Ward

I couldn't help it, I had to pick up the next book in this series! It was as good, if not better, than the first one. This book is about Rhage and Mary, but also continues the storyline of the Lessers and their plans to take down the Brotherhood.

The writing in this book (and the 1st one) is great, and the plot is terrific. I am fighting the urge to go straight to the next one! But I have other books to read and send out :-D

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1) by J.R. Ward

2009-08-06T20:40:00.000-07:00

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1) by J.R. Ward

So.... what does it say that instead of reading the books I needed to read, I bought them new just so that I could read the next book in this series?!

Loved it!!!! Love Beth and Wrath. Love the concept. And I can't wait to read more about this world they live in.

This is one of the best vampire books written. It took a while to start this series, and I'm kicking myself about it - seriously!

Lots of romance, intrigue, and excitement. I give this one a 4 1/2!!! Can't wait to get really into the next one :)

The Wet Nurse's Tale by Erica Eisdorfer

2009-08-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

The Wet Nurse's Tale by Erica Eisdorfer

Set in Victorian England, this is the story of Susan Rose, the daughter of a wet nurse who finds herself taking on the same job.

On the surface, the book describes her journey from single parent to wet nurse, and her struggles along the way with her family, her work, her employers, etc.

But there's also another story being told. It's the story of women from all walks of life and their experiences with motherhood, pregnancy, PPD, etc. We meet women who want to nurse their babies but can't, women who don't want to nurse. Women who must help their husbands or take care of other children and are just too busy. We see women who are helpers to their husbands, who are lovers, and also those that are at the mercy of men who are cruel to them.

And throughout the book is the love Susan has for her child, and the lengths she will go for him. She will risk everything for this child.

I'm not a huge reader of historical fiction, but this one completely captivated me! I highly recommend it - for the story of the women, the historical significance, and the beautiful writing and plot.

Awaken Me Darkly (Alien Huntress, Book 1) by Gena Showalter

2009-07-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

Awaken Me Darkly (Alien Huntress, Book 1) by Gena Showalter

A thorougly enjoyable read! Usually I try to read a series in order, but I've read the two YA books in this series - Red Handed and Black Listed - and enjoyed them, so I finally decided to go back and start the series from the beginning.

This book is definitely NOT Young Adult! There are some pretty steamy sex scenes and a lot of violence, so I think it's very interesting to see a series that mixes genres this way.

In this book, the main character is Mia Snow who works for A.I.R. - a group who is dedicated to hunting aliens who have commited a crime. She's part of a group who is investigating the murder of several men, and during the investigation, she discovers a lot more than just who the murderer is!

I can't wait to read the next one - and luckily I have it here :)

I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder

2009-07-27T06:02:00.000-07:00

I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder

The only complaint I have about this book is that it's really short! Because it's written in verse, it's a really quick read. Still, Ms. Schroeder manages to pack a lot into it.

The book deals with a young girl, Ava, whose boyfriend, Jackson, has died. She is devastated, as she believed him to be her soulmate, and also blames herself for his death. And then he begins to visit her - she can't feel him or see him, but she knows he's there.

As the book progresses, Ava deals with her grief, her guilt, and her confusion about the "haunting." Her inner turmoil is dealt with very well, but that's really all. There's no room for any character development, the death of Jackson is briefly described, and there's really not much of a plot.

Even so, the book succeeds for what it has set out to do, and I definitely recommend it.

Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain

2009-07-27T05:46:00.000-07:00

Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain

Wow!!! I could NOT put this book down - thank you to Lori LORI'S READING CORNER for sharing her ARC with me!!

This is the 3rd book in the series with Archie and Gretchen, and it's a great addition. It picks up 2 months after the 2nd book ends, with Gretchen on the loose and Archie in a mental hospital.

When some bodies are discovered, the police suspect that Gretchen is back to her old ways and Archie is pulled into the investigation, and back into Gretchen's reach.

Definitely a must-read!

Love Stories in This Town

2009-07-25T09:20:00.001-07:00

Love Stories in This Town

This is a beautiful collection of stories. The first half are stand-alone stories of different women at different stages in life. One woman has lost her husband in the 9-11 tragedy. Another woman must choose between the life she knows and the unknown one with her boyfriend.

The 2nd half is a collection of "Lola" stories, and they are wonderful. Each story is like a snapshot of a different time in Lola's life. One story is from her mother-in-law's perspective, which gives a whole new dimension to Lola's story.

I love Amanda Eyre Ward's writing! Her novels How To Be Lost and Forgive Me are two of my favorites, and Sleep Toward Heaven will be moved much farther up my TBR pile!

Secondhand Spirits: A Witchcraft Mystery by Juliet Blackwell

2009-07-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

Secondhand Spirits: A Witchcraft Mystery by Juliet Blackwell

I've been anxiously waiting for this book! I love the Art Lover's Mysteries written by Hailey Lind, who is actually a collaboration between Julie Goodson-Lawes and Carolyn J. Lawes. (BTW, I am absolutely THRILLED to read on their website that there WILL be another addition to this series!!!!!!! Arsenic and Old Paint will apparently be published in 2010.)

Anyway, as for this book... I loved it. It's more paranormal than cozy mystery, but if you're a fan of either genre, you should love this one too. The main character, Lily Ivory, is a witch who has finally settled into a community that she wants to stay in for a while. She has a vintage clothing store (Aunt Clara's Closet), some new friends, and of course, a mystery to solve and a demon to banish.

I can't wait for the next one in this series!

Untamed (House of Night Novels) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast

2009-07-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

Untamed (House of Night Novels) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Book Four in the House of Night series - and another great addition! I think this one, though, is a bit darker than the first three in the series. As Zoey's power grows, it seems her battles get bigger. I love how she finds unusual allies in this book - but I don't want to say too much and give it away!

If you're reading this series, you'll love this one. And if you're not, you should!

2009-07-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

Glass by Ellen Hopkins

I listened to the first book in this series, Crank, and to be honest, I didn't really care for it that much. It could have been the narrator, or just that I'm not as big a fan of audiobooks as I am printed ones :)

Still, I decided to go ahead and read the second. I checked it out from the library, and it sat unread until it was due back. A few weeks later, I checked it out again and this time, I READ it! And I'm so glad I did!!

I really enjoyed it. The "verse" style was a little hard to get used to right at first, but I quickly got used to it, and began to really appreciate it. Very unique and easy to read.

As for the story, it is just heartbreaking - for Kristina, the young girl who is addicted to crank, her mother, her son, her siblings. As someone who has an addict in her family, I know all to well how painful it is to watch someone destroy so much of their life. These books are from Kristina's point of view, and it's hard sometimes to like her when she's doing such horrible things.

I highly recommend this series! And I look forward to the next book in the series!

The Housekeeper and the Professor: A Novel by Yoko Ogawa

2009-07-14T08:47:00.000-07:00

The Housekeeper and the Professor: A Novel by Yoko Ogawa

It's not often that a book moves me the way this one did. After devouring most of it yesterday, even staying up late in the night, I finally finished it this morning, with tears streaming down my face.

This is a beautifully written novel (written by Ms. Ogawa in Japanese and translated by Stephen Snyder). It's a simple story of a woman who is the housekeeper for a mathematical genius - one who survived a tragic accident almost 20 years before leaving him with a short-term memory that lasts only 80 minutes. Each day, she must re-introduce herself when she comes to work. The Professor lives with notes clipped to his clothes, reminders to help him live. When he meets her son, he insists that she bring him with her every day. Nicknamed Root, the son and the Professor develop a fascinating relationship, sharing a love of math and baseball.

I could go on and on describing this book, its loveliness, and its love in every single page. Instead I will just say, please please read this book.

Serendipity: A Novel by Louise Shaffer

2009-07-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

Serendipity: A Novel by Louise Shaffer

From the back of book: Louise Shaffer brings to life three generations of Italian American women in this stunning novel of surprises, secrets, and serendipity. A child of theatrical royalty, Carrie Manning is having a hard time getting her own act together. Thirty-seven, aimless, and having just buried a famous mother she never understood, she is desperate to uncover her family's mysterious past in the hopes that it will help her understand herself.

Review to come...

Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum Novels) by Janet Evanovich

2009-07-08T05:11:00.000-07:00

Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum Novels) by Janet Evanovich

Sadly, this book is not getting the rave reviews that earlier Stephanie Plum books have gotten. When I first started this series, I would laugh out loud, read late into the night, and pass the book along immediately to a friend.

The first thing I noticed about this book is that it's short - oh, it tries to bulk up by using larger print and wider margins, but I read it in one day - and not because I couldn't put it down.

I really really want to love this series as much as ever, and in some ways, I still do. Stephanie and Lula and Grandma are hilarious, Morelli and Ranger are sexy. But the things that had me rolling on the floor just aren't there anymore - or at least not as much. Stephanie's failed attempts to capture her FTA are funny, but sometimes the way she would actually succeed are funnier. The cars getting blown up used to be funny - now it's just recycled. She's breaking up and making up with Morelli and hot for Ranger... Nothing's new, and that's the saddest part of all.

Maybe the next installment will bring new life to Stephanie.

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch

2009-07-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch

From Amazon / Publishers Weekly
An unenthusiastic Southern debutante copes with the cruelties of postcollege New York life in Crouch's amusing debut. Sarah Walters is neither a misfit nor the queen of the Camellia Society cotillion scene growing up in Charleston, S.C. But when she and her fellow Camellias try to make a life in New York City, they find themselves coping in unexpectedly dangerous ways—from standard substance addictions to Sarah's fixation on preppy ex-boyfriend Max, a smooth and sadistic child of wealth. While the formula of young women in the big city seems destined for cliché, Crouch subverts most expectations; Sarah almost purposely misses an opportunity for happiness and stability with the gentle lover she met in Europe, and her ploy to ignite sparks with a college friend goes painfully awry. When Sarah goes back to Charleston and faces a perhaps too over-the-top family crisis (it involves suicide and lesbianism), the reader's left with the hope that the worst is over. Though this feels almost like a collection—each chapter its own story with its own narrative technique—Crouch's portrayal of a young woman's self-sabotage and the pitfalls facing young women in a cold world is wise, wry and heartbreaking. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

I just can decide whether I really loved this book or am annoyed with it! On one hand, I could not put the book down - I had to keep reading to find out what Sarah would do next, what was going on with her friends and family, etc. But the book just jumped around too much - one chapter might be about the summer before college, then the next would be 10 years after college, and then back again to a friend's perspective from during college! I had a hard time keeping track of the timeline throughout the book.

Still... there's no denying that Sarah's story is compelling. And throughout the book, the one connecting thread is that she was a Camellia (the group of women who were debutantes, daughters of debutantes...) and this keeps her grounded and connected in ways she didn't always realize. She may have left home and her Southern roots, but she couldn't escape the Camellias.

Unlike most books, this one doesn't end with everything all wrapped up and tidy. You still don't know how much more Sarah will struggle, but you do at least feel that she's grown and will make more mature decisions with her life - which I guess is all any of us can hope for in our own lives.

Overall, this is a solid 4 stars, possibly even 4 1 /2 for the great writing that kept me reading late in the night.

The Summoning (Darkest Powers, Book 1) by Kelley Armstrong

2009-07-04T05:41:00.000-07:00

The Summoning (Darkest Powers, Book 1) by Kelley Armstrong

Chloe Saunders sees ghosts - and more... After having a terrifying episode in her school, she's sent to Lyle House - a home for troubled teens. While she's there, though, she begins to uncover sinister acts and makes friends with some of the other kids who seem to have other supernatural talents. As they become closer, they realize that they might be in danger.

Chloe and the other characters were well-written, but I'm hoping they will be more fleshed-out in the next book. This book seems to be mostly about setting things up for the rest of the series. I'm not sure how many books are planned - the next one, The Awakening (Darkest Powers, Book 2) by Kelley Armstrong, is available (and I'm very anxious to read it!).

Overall, this was a very good book, just obviously unfinished.

Next up:

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch

2009-06-29T20:01:00.000-07:00

Dark Places: A Novel by Gillian Flynn

I absolutely loved Gillian Flynn's first novel, Sharp Objects, so I was anxiously waiting to get my hands on this one.

In this book, Libby Day is a survivor of a mass murder of her family - and her brother Ben is still serving time for the murders of her mother and two sisters. She lives in almost paralyzing inertia, living off a trust fund that started with donations for her care after the murders. The novel begins 25 years after the murders. Libby's money has run out and she's contacted by a man who wants to pay her for memorabilia and a personal appearance with his "Kill Club" - a group who has been attempting to solve the mystery.

As Libby begins to finally face what happened that night, she begins to question her own memories - as well as her own testimony that her brother had committed the murders.

I highly recommend this book - and if you haven't read Sharp Objects, be sure to pick that one up as well!

Recent Reads

2009-06-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

The Girl She Used to Be by David Cristofano

From Amazon / Booklist
After 20 years in the Federal Witness Protection Program (WITSEC) and eight aliases, Melody Grace McCartney hardly knows who she is. On the run since she and her parents stumbled on a gruesome murder by mobster Tony Bovaro when she was six years old, Grace saw WITSEC’s promised protection fail her mother and father when they were killed 12 years later. Now she feigns personal danger to be relocated just because she’s bored and wants a change. But before her new case officer can move her from suburban Maryland to rural Wisconsin, Tony’s son, Jonathan, tracks her down to present an alternative: protection from his family and a life of more safety and freedom than she has ever known. While federal officials pressure her to stay in WITSEC and show her Jonathan’s violent side, her attraction to him grows, and she must decide a course for the rest of her life. This is a compulsively readable, skillfully constructed first novel with well-drawn characters and a plot that twists and turns to what seems the best possible conclusion, marking Cristofano as a writer to watch. --Michele Leber

I read this book in about a day, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's always a joy to read such a well-crafted novel. I thought it was such an interesting idea of a character who couldn't be herself - literally! Melody hasn't been able to be "Melody" since she was six years old, and when Jonathan calls her by name, she can't resist listening to him and his proposal. It did make me think about how closely tied we are to our name and hometown as a big part of our identity - to have those taken away would make me feel very lost in the world.

I look forward to more books by Mr. Cristofano.

Book Giveaway - Lori's Reading Corner

2009-06-16T16:20:00.000-07:00

Head over there and enter to win:

LORI'S READING CORNER: Book GIveaway - A Fatal Appraisal by J.B. Stanley (Autographed)

and then take a few minutes to browse her blog :)

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

2009-06-13T05:16:00.000-07:00

Vision in White (The Wedding Quartet, Book 1) by Nora Roberts

From Amazon: Two out of three isn’t bad, right? Mackensie “Mac” Elliot had the perfect job and the best friends in the world, Emma, Laurel, and Parker. Together, the four were Vows, Connecticut’s hottest wedding-planning company. So what if Mac hadn’t found her own Mr. Right yet. Then Mac literally bumps into shy, scholarly, yet surprisingly sexy Carter Maguire when he turns up for his sister’s wedding-planning meeting, and Mac quickly discovers exactly what is missing from her up-until-now satisfactory life. After blending paranormal and fantasy elements in her last four romance trilogies, consistently engaging Roberts returns to basics and her literary roots. The result is a thoroughly charming contemporary romance that neatly showcases this reigning romance author’s flair for sharp, clever writing and realistically complicated characters in a compelling celebration of the power of friendship and love. --John Charles

OK - Normally I'm not a big Nora Roberts fan, but I really enjoyed this book! It's not great literature, true, but it's not meant to be. I liked the characters, I liked the story, and I liked reading about wedding details. It's fun chick-lit, and great summer reading.

Like the description says, this book was about Mac - the photographer who meets a great guy. Unfortunately, he's just not her type. Well, of course we all know right away that he's exactly her type, and fortunately she soon realizes it too. There are few surprises in this book, but that's ok - it's a nice comfy sweet ride.

I plan to continue this series - the next one comes out in December!

Shanghai Girls: A Novel by Lisa See

2009-06-05T05:08:00.000-07:00

Shanghai Girls: A Novel by Lisa See

Lisa See has an amazing gift for making the history of Chinese women come alive. Her novel Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is still one of my favorite all-time books.

In Shanghai Girls, we are introduced to Pearl and May, sisters living in Shanghai just before World War II. Through a series of frightening events, they eventually come to America and live in Los Angeles' Chinatown. The novel takes us to the 1950s, when they experience the fear that the communist witch hunts brought about.

I'm normally not a big "historical fiction" reader, but when a book is as well-written as this one, where the history is so expertly woven with the story, I am entranced by it. This is a definite must-read!

Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss by Kyra Davis

2009-05-28T19:55:00.001-07:00

Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss by Kyra Davis

Finished reading this today - and I loved it!!! I think this series is just getting better - this one had a lot of depth, humor, mystery, and hot romance!

Sophie is trying to buy a new home, and the seller is giving her all sorts of crazy restrictions - but she's getting a great deal, so she tries to work it out. But things of course are not what they seem, and before you know it, there's not just one but 2 dead bodies that Sophie finds!

Highly recommend this series if anyone hasn't started them yet!

Too Far Behind

2009-05-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

I've been awful about keeping up with this blog! Part of the problem is that I really haven't read anything lately that I'm just so enthralled with that I have to talk about it.

Right now, I'm reading:

Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss by Kyra Davis

So far, so good, and hopefully I'll finish it soon and write a review!

I've gotten lots of ARCs to review, and will hopefully be getting to those soon.

In the meantime, here are a few of my favorites so far this year:

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum - fantastic!!!

Marked (House of Night, Book 1) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast - great start to a good series - I've also read the 2nd one in this series, and have the 3rd one waiting...

and in getting ready for the movie, if you are one of the very few left who hasn't read Harry Potter - start the series now! Don't worry about it being considered "young adult" - this is an amazing series and well-worth the read.

And now, I have the choice of either reading or putting together an Ikea bookshelf - I think I'm going to read :)

In the Dark by Brian Freeman

2009-05-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

In the Dark by Brian Freeman

What a great book! This is the 4th book in the Jonathan Stride series, and it's awesome.

Jonathan is pulled into an investigation of his late wife's sister's murder when her friend comes to town with plans to write a book about the murder that took place in 1977.

Mr. Freeman does a fantastic job tying the past to the present, and even bringing in a current-day investigation that ties into the murder.

Highly recommend!!

A Night at the Operation (A Double Feature Mystery) by Jeffrey Cohen

2009-05-01T04:55:00.000-07:00

A Night at the Operation (A Double Feature Mystery) by Jeffrey Cohen

From the back cover: Most men wouldn't be terribly upset if their ex-wives suddenly vanished. But then, most men aren't Elliot Freed.

Elliot's ex-wife, Sharon, has disappeared and Elliot of course makes finding her his top priority. This starts a chain of events that leads to murder, disappearing corpses, burglary, blackmail, and all sorts of other fun things!

This is the 3rd book in the series, and I think the best one yet. Like the first two books, it includes lots of great classic movie trivia and hysterical one-liners. But there's also some very touching scenes, as well. Add to that a great mystery and you have a book that is well worth the read.

Easter Greeting!

2009-04-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Kindness of Strangers by Katrina Kittle

2009-03-14T06:05:00.000-07:00

The Kindness of Strangers by Katrina Kittle

Absolutely amazing. I had no idea what the novel was about when I picked it up - I had it on my shelf, and heard so many good things about it, so I picked it up - and once I started reading it, I was so drawn in, I couldn't put it down! The story is completely engrossing, even to the point where I've found myself thinking about it days after I've finished it.

Highly recommend this one!

The Remains of the Dead by Wendy Roberts

2009-02-14T18:27:00.000-08:00

The Remains of the Dead (Ghost Dusters Mysteries, No. 1) by Wendy Roberts

After picking up a few books and putting them back down, I knew this one was going to keep me enthralled after the first few pages! And I was right :)

Everything about this book works great! The characters are terrific - Sadie and Zack are the main characters - Sadie owns a cleaning service that specializes in post-death cleanup (ok - how wonderfully vivid is THAT??!!) and Zack works for her. As an added bonus, Sadie often sees the ghost of the departed.

The mystery in this first book in the series is rock solid. A few red herrings, some intrigue, some danger - and it all adds up to a great story.

PLUS - a special thanks to the author for responding to my email! I just had to let her know how much I was enjoying her book, and she was kind enough to answer!

I'm reading the 2nd book in this series now, and I'm hoping there's a 3rd one in the works!