Books to the Sky

#102 - North by Northanger by Carrie Bebris

2008-07-04T10:14:00.000-07:00

North by Northanger is another in a series of Mr. & Mrs. Darcy mysteries by Carrie Bebris.

Sometimes Bebris' characterizations of Austen's characters seemed a bit harsh, or forced. Darcy seems a bit mean-spirited at times, and Elizabeth comes off as weak-willed and scared of Darcy's family. I really didn't enjoy this book, although I did enjoy the 2 earlier books. Bebris' Darcy mysteries have always pushed a bit past the line of believability when it comes to the P&P characters, and it was just a bit too far this time.

It's not a bad read, if you can stop yourself from constantly wondering if the characters would actually behave the way they do in the story. Just a bit too contrived, in my opinion.

#101 - Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

2008-07-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

Fool Moon is the 2nd book in the Dresden Files series. Business is still slow for the Chicago based wizard, until a string of incredibly gruesome murders has Dresden helping out the Chicago policeforce.

Could a werewolf be loose in the city??

I enjoy Butcher's books so much! Totally entertaining! It's like Sam Spade + magic = Dresden. Just fun to read!! The television show (short-lived, Thank God!) was hard to watch -- but the books are awesome!

Butcher's stories are a great mix of the old PI style, fantasy and mystery. Definitely worth reading!

Juli

#100 - A Charmed Death by Madelyn Alt

2008-07-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd book in this series. Maggie O'Neill is still working at Enchantments, the mysterious and mystical local antique shop. She is just starting to try out her powers as a new witch when a teenager is murdered after visiting the shop.

Maggie uses her powers and intuition to solve the crime.

This is another fun, cozy read by Alt. It's a fun mix of humor and mystery, with a dash of creepy thrown in for extra fun.

This is a light, fun read -- great for a day at the pool or beach!

#99 - Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

2008-07-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

Imagine the days when the Circus came into town with a big parade and everyone gathered to watch the elephants put up the big tent. This book really gives the reader the feel of the old-time circus. The good feelings -- kids having fun, popcorn, and the excitement of the performances....and the bad side....neglected or mistreated animals, roughnecks, thieves, and the challenges and danger of being a performer.

Gruen's writing pulls you into the circus world and the life of the main character, Jacob Jankowski. Jacob joins the circus after having to leave college without completing his veterinary degree. He's put in charge of the circus menagerie and finds it challenging, especially one elephant named Rosie who just resists being trained to perform.

Most of the time I find myself disappointed when I read a book that came out with as much hype as this one. But, I found myself pleasantly surprised.

Let yourself escape to the Big Top -- read this book!!

Gruen has also written another book about relationships with animals called "Riding Lessons and Flying Changes.''

# 98 - Death Match by Matt Forbeck

2008-07-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

This is the 3rd book in the Blood Bowl series by Matt Forbeck. It's based on a Games Workshop fantasy football game, which we enjoy playing with our friends.

In this book, Dirk 'Dunk' Hoffnung and the rest of the Bad Bay Hackers are playing the game of their lives to prevent the destruction of of their kingdom. It's rough, it's riotous, it's downright dangerous --- it's definitely Blood Bowl!!!

Forbeck delivers another great Blood Bowl story in this book! There's also a 4th book that has come out: Rumble in the Jungle! I haven't read it yet -- but I definitely will!

#95-#97 - The Plantagenet Series 1-3 by Jean Plaidy

2008-07-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

Jean Plaidy is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. The Plantagenet Series has 14 books. These are the first 3 books, spanning the time from Eleanor of Acquitane's marriage to the King of France through the death of Richard the Lionheart.

Plaidy takes history and makes it come alive by portraying her characters as the flawed people that they were. Larger than life historical figures like Eleanor of Acquitane and King Richard often are portrayed as larger than life, rather than as human beings. Plaidy doesn't hide their flaws....she relates their stories without prejudice.

I'm reading Book 4 right now which delves into the treachery of Prince John...it's another enjoyable read!!

# 95 - Pemberly by Emma Tennant

2008-07-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

All I can really say about this continuation of Pride and Prejudice is that is was ok.

Tennant tries to stay true to Austen's characterizations, but the plot pretty much falls flat. The story starts a year after Elizabeth marries Fitzwilliam Darcy. Darcy is upset because they don't have a child yet, and the two families are still grousing over the marriage.

The plot just re-hashed the same problems from the original novel and seemed a bit like a forced sequel.

I've read several continuations of Pride and Prejudice and have yet to find one that I really like, and that seems to be a good re-visit to Austen's characters.

I think my conclusion is really leaning towards the fact that P&P really doesn't need a sequel, and that nobody can really write like Jane Austen.

Some stories just aren't meant to have a Part 2.

#94 - A Killer Stitch by Maggie Sefton

2008-07-03T09:54:00.001-07:00

This is the 4th book in a series by Maggie Sefton. I enjoyed the first 3, and the 4th was no exception! It's definitely a light cozy mystery, but I love to knit so it's an enjoyable romp for me!

Kelly Flynn and the other citizens of Fort Conner, Co are preparing for Christmas when a local alpaca rancher is murdered. There's plenty of knitting thrown in with the sleuthing, plus a pattern and a couple recipes tossed in as well.

There are two more books in this series: Dyer Consequences (just published in June 2008), and Fleece Navidad (coming out in September 2008).

#93 - Will Storr versus the Supernatural by Will Storr

2008-07-03T09:49:00.001-07:00

This is Will Storr's first book. I tried to enjoy it.....I really did. But I found his writing, and the stories in this book, to be....well.......boring.

Basically, Storr did research on ghost stories and legends, and approached his story telling from a neutral stance. But, the stories themselves just aren't really that interesting.

The cover art was great.....but the rest.....ho hum.

If you like ghost stories, then pass on this one. Just my opinion.....

#92 - Seaside Spectres (NC Haunted Hundred) by Daniel Barefoot

2008-07-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

This book is a collection of ghost stories from the coast of North Carolina. I really enjoyed this book because it was neat to read legends and ghost stories from towns and places I recognize.

From civil war history to closer to present day, Daniel Barefoot does a great job of recounting ghostly tales from the coastal counties of NC.

The stories are nothing new, but it's an enjoyable afternoon light read.

#91 - Sex with Kings by Eleanor Herman

2008-07-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

This book was such an enjoyable read! Herman romps through 500 years of royal mistresses, arranged marriages, illegitimate children, greed, lust, jealousy and ambition.

Many famous mistresses such as Madame du Pompadour and Nell Gwynn are listed by name, with information about how they become a royal mistress and how they kept (or didn't keep) their positions. She also talks about what was expected of a royal mistress, and how pride and ambition helped and hurt them.

Being the king's mistress definitely involved a lot of political power, and the lengths the women were willing to go to retain their position were really surprising.

If you're interested in royal history, scandals and "behind the scenes'' drama, this is definitely a fun read!

#83 - #90 - Temperance Brennan Series 1-8 by Kathy Reichs

2008-07-03T09:19:00.000-07:00

Can you tell that I really like this series of books?? :)

Kathy Reichs is a forensic anthropologist who works in Charlotte NC and in Ontario Canada. And the main character in her book series (Temperance Brennan) does exactly the same thing! And yes, the television series Bones is an off-shoot of this book series.

I started reading Reichs' books after seeing the television show. But, the character on television and in the books are very different. They share the same name and are both forensic anthropologists, but they have very little else in common.

I like Reichs' writing style, and her plots are quite suspenseful. The science is definitely there as well since Reichs is definitely writing what she knows.

I enjoyed all of these first 8 books in the series. Grave Secrets was probably my least favorite since it had to do with investigating mass graves and genocide. It isn't that it wasn't well-written, it was just a tough subject to read about. Very graphic and disturbing!

There are 3 more books in this series: Break No Bones (9), Bones to Ashes (10) and coming out in August 2008 will be Devil's Bones (11).

This is definitely a great mystery/forensics/crime series!! If you like Bones, you will love this series!

#82 - Ghosts Among Us - by Leslie Rule

2008-07-03T09:12:00.000-07:00

I've read several ghost story books by Leslie Rule, but I really didn't care for this one.

There was nothing new or different in it. Mostly it was about her visits to supposed haunted places around the country with "first hand account'' stories. Most were really just repackaged ghost stories that we have all heard before, with a bit of a travel channel feel thrown in for good measure.

I love ghost stories, and these just fell flat for me. There are some great black and white photographs in the book though.

Worth a read if you like ghost stories, but don't expect it to be anything new.

#81 - The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt

2008-07-03T09:04:00.001-07:00

This is the first book in a series by Madelyn Alt. The main character, Maggie O'Neill, takes a new job in an antique store, only to discover that her employer is involved in witchcraft.

Magical trouble ensues, of course! The book is an enjoyable mix of mystery and humor. On Maggie's first day of work, her boss Felicity becomes a suspect in the murder of her own sister. Because her shop sells witchcraft related items, everyone in town seems to believe Felicity is a murderer. It's up to Maggie to prove them all wrong!

This is such a fun, enjoyable series. If you need a book to read at the beach, or on a long car trip, this series would definitely be a good choice! Light and fun!

There are 3 other books in this series: A charmed Death, Hex Marks the Spot, and No Rest for the Wiccan.

#80 - The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

2007-11-28T22:10:00.000-08:00

I just couldn't get into this book. To me, it seemed to forced and contrived. I felt like I was reading a book, rather than being immersed in the story.

I know it's listed on several "great books'' lists, but I personally didn't really care for it.

The story line is dark -- the main character is the daughter of a antique books dealer. She is invited to interview a famous author who is a mysterious recluse. Both women have to face their past and the truth about family secrets.

Setterfield's writing is very good. I just didn't really like the story. But lots and lots of other people have enjoyed this book. It's definitely worth a read so that you can form your own opinion.

#79 - Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu by Lee Goldberg

2007-11-28T22:04:00.001-08:00

Yes, you can enjoy the OCD antics of Adrian Monk off the television screen. :) Now there are novels, too!

I really enjoy the Monk television series, and I enjoyed this book as well.

The body of a jogger is discovered in a dog park, missing her left shoe. Soon other murders occur.....is San Francisco dealing with a serial killer?? Add in the fact that the SFPD officers are out on strike, leaving Monk and a crew of mostly crazy former officers to investigate the case.

This was definitely a fun read, with all of the humor of the television show. :)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 59/50 -- Over My Goal!!

#78 - Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson

2007-11-28T21:58:00.000-08:00

Talk about having a bad week. Betsy Taylor gets laid off from her job. She can't get a date. Her stepmother is a pain. And her cat hates her.

Then she gets run over by a car and dies.

The end, right?

Wrong.

Turns out, the group of thugs that mugged her a couple weeks before were....vampires. You guessed it.....Betsy Taylor is Undead and Unwed. Not only that -- she drags herself home from the funeral parlor to find her stepmother has taken all her designer shoes.

Just imagine the look on her Stepmother's face when Betsy shows up to get her shoes back.......

This is the first book in Davidson's Undead series. I loved this book! Humorous and fun, with a splash of the macabre. Very cool! Something fun and different!!

I will definitely be reading more of this series!

50 Book Challenge 2007: 58/50 -- Over My Goal!!

#77 - Bound for Murder by Laura Childs

2007-11-28T21:51:00.000-08:00

The third book in Laura Child's Scrapbooking cozy series was just as enjoyable as the first two.

In this 3rd story, Carmela Bartrand is planning a big wedding party for a friend. Things go astray when the bridegroom is murdered. The bride asks Bertrand to solve the case, so once again she's sleuthing, at the risk of her own life.

Definitely another good book with that New Orleans feel to it. Her husband's family is still portrayed as the totally snobbish, rude wealthy sort. But in this book, Childs' main character finally starts standing up for herself, at least a little bit. I'm looking forward to reading the next book just to see if Carmela gets more bold.

If you like cozy mysteries, this series is definitely enjoyable.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 57/50 -- Over My Goal!!

#76 - Photo Finished by Laura Childs

2007-11-28T21:44:00.002-08:00

This is the second book in Laura Childs Scrapbooking cozy series.

Carmela Bertrand is hosting a "Crop til you Drop'' all night scrapbooking session at her store in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The night is cut short when a nearby store owner is discovered dead in the alley behind Bertrand's shop. He's been stabbed by a scissors (kinda melodramatic isn't it??....lol.) Carmela has to act fast to find out who the killer is....could it be one of her own customers??

This book was an enjoyable read. It's nice to sip hot tea on a crisp fall evening and read a good cozy mystery. No gore. Nothing too scary. Just a murder with some sort of kitsch thrown in for good measure. :)

I still have a real problem with the way the main character lets her estranged husband's family walk all over her. It's like she has great strength for solving murder cases, but she doesn't have enough backbone to stand up to really mean people??? Doesn't make much sense to me...but other than that I'm enjoying this series.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 56/50 -- Over My Goal!!

#75 - Keepsake Crimes by Laura Childs

2007-11-28T21:34:00.001-08:00

Carmela Bertrand owns a popular scrapbook shop in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Recently separated from her upper class husband, she moves into an apartment behind a tourist-trap voodoo shop and busies herself with running her shop. But, of course, her plans are interupted by a murder.

Laura Childs injects this story with a healthy dose of New Orleans spice -- mardi gras, the French quarter, southern hospitality, and southern-style murder.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. Some of the plot points seemed a bit over melodramatic though. For instance, Carmela is a very outspoken, independent woman....but she allows her husband's family to be completely over-the-top rude and nasty to her. At times, it seemed like one of those melodramas where you Boo and Hiss the bad guys and wait for them to tie the poor heroine to the train tracks. To me, someone of Carmela's personality would tell her estranged husband's family to shut their pie holes...lol.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 55/50 -- Over My Goal!!

#74 - Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke

2007-11-28T21:27:00.000-08:00

This is the third book in Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson cozy murder mystery series.

As usual, the book is a fun cozy to read, and also includes several yummy recipes.

In this 3rd book, a rude and obnoxious cooking show host is murdered in Hannah's shop. One of Hannah's close friends is the number one suspect in the case, so Hannah jumps in to clear her friend's name.

This is an enjoyable cozy mystery, but I hope that something happens to enhance the character development in subsequent books in this series. Something exciting has to happen soon, or the books are going to start getting a little stale. Hannah needs to choose between her two love interests, or there needs to be some excitement/changes within the main characters of the stories, or the mystery and the cookie recipes just aren't going to carry along the sweetness of this series any longer. But, that's just my opinion....

50 Book Challenge 2007: 54/50 -- Over My Goal!!

#73 - Ghost of a Chance by Yasmine Galenorn

2007-11-28T21:20:00.000-08:00

This is the first book in Yasmine Galenorn's Chintz n' China cozy series. The main character, Emerald O'Brien, owns a tea room where she serves up tea and tarot readings for her customers. She can communicate with the dead, and ends up being a Private Eye for the Dead.

In this first book, the ghost of an acquaintance shows up at her bedside in the middle of the night asking for help in solving her own murder.

For me, this book was a really cool twist on the cozy genre. I enjoyed the story. The supernatural aspects made it interesting.

I will definitely be reading other books in this series.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 53/50 -- Over My Goal!!

#72 - South Carolina Ghosts from the Coast to the Mountains by Nancy Roberts

2007-11-28T21:15:00.000-08:00

This was another late night read that I really enjoyed. We live about 30 minutes from the SC border, so there were tales in this book from places I know. Kinda cool! :)

This collection by Roberts is a mix of ghost stories and historical lore. It was a light read, and very enjoyable. Nothing really unpredictable....pretty much variations on classic stories, but a fun read!

50 Book Challenge 2007: 52/50 -- Over My Goal!!

#71 - The Cold Cold Hand by James Burchill

2007-11-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

Fall is the perfect season for reading Ghost stories! I curled up with this book on a cold October night with a cup of hot tea, and enjoyed some southern-style ghost stories. :)

The stories were really nothing new....but classic ghost tales never grow old, do they??

Definitely an enjoyable read for anyone who likes a scary ghostie yarn!

50 Book Challenge 2007: 51/50 -- Over My Goal!!

1001 Books to Read Before You Die -- 2008 Challenge

2007-11-28T09:55:00.000-08:00

I surpassed my goal to read 50 books this year by quite a few -- I still have multiple reviews to post before I know the exact total. I'm wayyy behind on posting! But I have until Dec 31st to finalize the 2007 list....still have some time to get it done.

For 2008, my goal is to read books from Dr. Peter Boxall's list "1001 Books to read before you die''. Here's a link to the list.

So far, from the list I've read a few:

93. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden (reviewed on this blog)
180. The Things They Carried - Tim O'Brien
241. Contact by Carl Sagan
274. A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro
293. The Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco
303. The World According to Garp - John Irving
312. The Shining - Stephen King
320. Interview with the Vampire - Anne Rice
379. The Godfather - Mario Puzo
408. In Cold Blood - Truman Capote
456. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
464. Henderson The Rain King - Saul Bellow
494. Lord of the Rings Triology - JRR Tolkein
496. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokav
508. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
520. Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison
521. The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemmingway
522. I, Robot - Isaac Asimov
547. Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell
564. Animal Farm - George Orwell
603. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
610. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkein
619. Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
695. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Agatha Christie
699. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
704. Billy Budd, Foretopman - Herman Melville
781. The Hound of the Baskervilles - Arther Conan Doyle
789. The Turn of the Screw - Henry James
790. War of the Worlds - HG Wells
791. The Invisible Man - HG Wells
794. Dracula - Bram Stoker
820. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Robert Louis Stevenson
821. The Mayor of Casterbridge - Thomas Hardy
825. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain
829. The Death of Ivan Ilych - Leo Tolstoy
831. Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson
853. Middlemarch - George Eliot
863. Little Women - Louisa May Alcott
890. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
895. The House of Seven Gables - Nathaniel Hawthorne
896. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
897. The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne
898. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
902. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
904. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
911. The Pit and the Pendulum - Edgar Allan Poe
913. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
916. The Fall of the House of Usher - Edgar Allan Poe
918. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
931. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
933. Persuasion - Jane Austen
936. Emma - Jane Austen
937. Mansfield Park - Jane Austen
938. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
940. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
983. Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift
987. Robinson Crusoe - Daniel Defoe
991. The Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan
992. Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes
1001. Aesop's Fables

And a few I have on my bookshelf waiting to be read:

19. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – Mark Haddon
72. Cryptonomicon – Neal Stephenson
236. Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
667. All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque
767. The Jungle - Upton Sinclair
880. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
979. Pamela: Or Virtue Rewarded - Samuel Richardson

#70 - The Accidental Florist by Jill Churchill

2007-11-12T04:58:00.000-08:00

This is the 16th book in the Jane Jeffry series by Jill Churchill. I was really looking forward to reading this book as I have enjoyed the rest of the series. But, this book was a disappointment.

The mystery element in this book was nearly non-existent. The writing was poor quality, and the story seemed contrived and trite.

It's almost like Jill Churchill didn't even write this book.

The main portion of the story is about Jane finally marrying her long time fiance, Mel Van Dyne. The mystery takes a back seat to wedding planning, and Jane taking a women's safety course. The story included strangely melodramatic tension with her future MIL, and weird discourses on safety and even a page dedicated to clumping cat litter and how to clean out a cat "bin.''

A very strange, odd and disappointing end (??) to an otherwise great mystery series.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 50/50

#69 - The Machine Crusade by Brian Herbert

2007-10-10T03:16:00.000-07:00

Brian Herbert is the son of famous Dune Author Frank Herbert. After Frank Herbert's death, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson took the story notes and outlines that he had left behind and began to write prequels to the Dune series.

The Machine Crusade is the 2nd book in the Legends of Dune trilogy. The human race is fighting a Jihad against a race of thinking machines that have taken over the known universe, led by a computer evermind called Omnius. This trilogy also gives the beginning background of the major families in the Dune saga, and the development of certain key planets like Arrakis and Corrin.

There are those who don't like Brian Herbert's Dune books because his writing style differs from his father, but I disagree. I like the background information that comes from these prequel books, and I'm eager to read the 3rd book to find out the ultimate fate of some of the key characters. The writing style is different, but I don't mind it. I find Brian Herbert's writing much less tedious than his father's, and the storyline is much less convoluted than the core Dune books.

Following this Jihad Trilogy is another trilogy of Prequel books, the House Trilogy, which gives the history and background of the 3 major families in the Dune Saga: House Atredies, House Harkonnen, and House Corrino. The House trilogy was also written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 49/50

#68 - Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

2007-10-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

Lover Eternal is the 2nd book in J.R. Ward's vampire romance series. The books are well written, but as for subject matter.....well, this is a series that you just have to say, "It is what it is.''

To me, there isn't much that's romantic about vampires. Monsters that attack and suck blood from humans, or even other monsters, aren't exactly at the top of my list of dateable people. But Ward's main characters appear sexy, athletic and available....but they still get into hellacious fights with vampire hunters, kill people, and drink blood.

The sex scenes are graphic. The fight scenes are graphic. The concepts of blood lust, vampirism, erotic torture, etc., are graphic. This book is just.....well, graphic. If you are faint of heart, or one who is easily scared by horror stories, then don't read any of the books in this series when you are home alone, or just before bed.

If you like romance novels, and want to try something just a bit on the edge, then this series would be an enjoyable read for you. I don't usually read romance novels, but since it's October, I felt like reading a good vampire story. Ward didn't let me down. :)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 48/50

#67 - Mountain Ghost Stories and Curious Tales of NC by Randy Russell

2007-10-05T21:09:00.000-07:00

This book really contains more stories involving Cherokee Indian Legends than it does Ghost stories. It was still a very interesting read though.

I live right in the area this book is about. Several places mentioned in the book are just minutes from my house -- Rutherfordton, Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Hickory Nut Gorge. For me, that made the stories more enjoyable because I knew the area it was talking about. But the legends would be interesting even to someone who isn't familiar with Western North Carolina.

The book has 18 short stories, and is well written. But I was a bit disappointed that nearly all of the stories were indian legends when the book title says "Mountain Ghost Stories''. I think a better title would have been Western NC Mountain Legends and Ghost Stories, not the other way around. :)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 47/50

#66 - Yucatan Deep by Tom Morrissey

2007-10-05T21:03:00.001-07:00

If you have any interest in Scuba diving, or Cave diving, or just like a good adventure story -- then you'll love this book!

Mike Bryant is a deep diver -- meaning he scuba dives to depths that are dangerous. One mistake can mean death. And he also enjoys cave diving, one of the most dangerous sports. Bryant wants to set a deep dive record by diving to the bottom of a very deep sinkhole (or cenote), but someone doesn't want him to be successful. Equipment is sabotaged, a diver dies, and things seem to constantly be going wrong. Why is someone so against Bryant seeing what lies on the bottom of the cenote??

I really enjoyed the diving sequences in this book. Morrissey writes very well, and obviously knows about scuba diving and deep water dives. Add in the extra adventure of sabotage and murder, and this is a really enjoyable book. It reminded me a bit of a Clive Cussler novel.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 46/50

#65 - Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke

2007-10-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd book in Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen Mystery Series. The First book in the series "Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder'' is also reviewed on this website.

I'm really enjoying this series. It's lighthearted, contains some yummy recipes, and I like the main character.

Hannah Swensen owns a bakery. In between baking cookies and making coffee, she gets tangled up in some interesting investigations. In "Strawberry Shortcake Murder'', one of the judges for a cooking contest is murdered. The police immediately suspect the man's wife, who happens to be a close friend of Hannah's. So, in order to help her friend, Hannah starts investigating the killing.

There are 7 dessert recipes included in the book, but the one dish mentioned in the story that I really am curious about isn't included because it's not a dessert recipe. Hannah and a friend go to a restaurant and the owner makes a spicy chicken dish that has chocolate in the sauce. It sounds really good!!! I was much more interested in the chicken recipe than the cookie recipes included in the book! I will have to research and find a similar dish and try it out on my family. I won't tell them that there's chocolate in the sauce until after they eat it. :)

This is a fun series! And I'm looking forward to reading the next book "Blueberry Muffin Murder''

50 Book Challenge 2007: 45/50

#64 - One Night Stands with American History by Richard Shenkman

2007-10-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

I enjoy historical anecdotes, especially when they are about little things I was taught were true, that actually aren't. Richard Shenkman has written several collections of historical tidbits, and I really enjoyed this one.

This version of the book has been updated to contain some anecdotes from the last 30 years, including the fact that former President Carter once appalled the British Queen Mother by kissing her on the lips instead of the cheek. It also has a few little bits about the first President Bush and President Clinton, but mostly deals with American history from the 1700's to the 1960's.

Not all of the historical accounts in this book are about politics though. One non-political tidbit is: The ice cream soda was invented by accident in 1874 when Robert M. Green ran out of sweet cream and substituted vanilla ice cream in sodas he was selling at the semicentennial celebration of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. And, the average life expectancy of Americans in 1876 was about 40.

Of course, there are plenty of political anecdotes as well. While president, Grant was arrested for speeding in his horse carriage. The first black man elected to congress was Hiram Nevels from Mississippi. Prior to Nevels, the seat was held by Jefferson Davis.

This book was an enjoyable, quick read.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 44/50

#63 - Storm Front by Jim Butcher

2007-09-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

Storm Front is the first book in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series. There are seven books in the series so far.

And believe me, the books are SO much better than the recent television series.

If you like old style detective novels and sci-fi/fantasy, you would really enjoy this series.

The main character, Harry Dresden, is a Wizard for Hire. He works with the local police department helping solve bizarre cases, and also takes on private clients dealing with supernatural problems.

I really enjoyed the mixing of fantasy/supernatural and crime novel in this book. Although I do like Simon Green's Nightside series better, Storm Front was an enjoyable read. I have the first four books in the series. Hopefully I like the next 3 as well as I liked this first book.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 43/50

# 62 - Loch by Paul Zindel

2007-09-27T12:33:00.001-07:00

This book was a disappointment for me. I found the plot boring, and the writing was bad. Yes, on the one hand, this is a Young Adult book....but I've read some wonderful YA books. This one fell flat. Not at all what I expected from Paul Zindel.

The basic plot revolves around a scientific team doing research at a remove Virginia lake after reported sightings of a lake creature, not unlike the famous Loch Ness Monster. But, suddenly the team is in peril, when the monster decides to start attacking and killing/eating/maiming nearly everyone in sight. This book reminded me of a bad Sci-Fi Channel Original Movie. I could imagine it coming on late at night "Attack of the Lake Monster'' with a really corny plot and terrible CGI monster special effects.

The writing was bad. The plot was just unintelligent, and boring. I was surprised to find out that this book was recommended in 1995 by the NYC library on its List for the Teen Age.

Ugh. Surely there were better books in 1995 to recommend than this one.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 42/50

#61 - The Queen's Man by Sharon Ann Penman

2007-09-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

The year is 1193. A merchant is murdered on the road to London, while carrying an important letter for the Queen of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine. The murder is witnessed by Justin de Quincy. de Quincey takes the letter, and its news of the fate of King Richard, to the queen himself. He is untimately hired by the queen to solve the murder and to discover if the King of France was involved in the plot to intercept the news of her eldest son's fate.

That's the basic storyline for "The Queen's Man'', the first in a series of medieval mystery novels by Sharon Kay Penman.

I really enjoyed this book. The medieval setting made this a new approach to a mystery novel for me. Definitely an escape from formula plots!

There are 4 books in this series: The Queens Man, Cruel as the Grave, Dragon's Lair, and Prince of Darkness. Penman has also written several other novels set in the medieval period.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 41/50

#60 - Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs

2007-09-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

Fatal Voyage is the 4th book in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs. I found out about the book series after watching the television series Bones, which is loosely based on this series. And, when I found out that Reichs is a forensic anthropologist in Charlotte, near where I live, I was even more interested in reading this series.

I have enjoyed the first four books. But, the Brennan character in the books, and on the television show might have the same name, but they have very little else in common. I don't mind it though.....television characters are never the same as in the books they are based on.

Reichs mixes her medical knowledge and her writing skills very well. Her style isn't so bogged down in scientific terminology that it drowns the story. And her storylines aren't trite, like some medical/crime/mystery series can become.

Fatal Voyage centers around an airline crash in NC. Brennan discovers something strange at the accident scene, and suddenly someone is out to ruin her career to get her to stop investigating. The plot is fast paced and quite good!

Definitely another good installment in this series! I've already started book 5 in the series "Grave Secrets''

50 Book Challenge 2007: 40/50

#59 - Legends, Lies and Cherished Myths of World History

2007-09-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

This book was so interesting!! I love history, and I was amazed at how much I thought was true that isn't, and how much I thought I knew that I didn't. :)

If you like anecdotes about history, you would enjoy this book by Richard Shenkman.

Just a few tidbits from the book:

Winston Churchill's famous WWII speech that talks about "our finest hour'' was not actually broadcast by Churchill himself. A radio actor, Norman Shelley, was hired as a standin. That's Shelley's voice on that famous recording we've all heard a thousand times, not Churchill at all.

Columbus did not discover that the world was round. That myth was started by Washington Irving.

Marie Antoinette did not actually ever say "Let them eat cake.''

I really enjoyed this book! :)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 39/50

#58 - Nightingale's Lament by Simon Green

2007-09-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

Nightingale's Lament is the 3rd book in the Nightside series by Simon Green. The first two books are reviewed on this blog. :) I really like this series! It mixes together mystery, sci-fi, horror and humor. Fans of the Dresden books, or the old Nightstalker television show, would love this book series!

In this book, John Taylor is investigating a singer known as the Nightingale. Her voice is hauntingly beautiful, but it causes those around her to commit suicide. The story line was faced paced and interesting. Definitely a good read!

So far there are 8 books in this series: Something from the Nightside, Agents of Light and Darkness, Nightingale's Lament, Hex and the City, Paths not Taken, Sharper than a Serpent's Tooth, Hell to Pay, and The One and Only Unnatural Inquirer.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 38/50

# 57 - Letters from Pemberly by Jane Dawkins

2007-09-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

This book is another continuation of the Pride and Prejudice story by Jane Austen. The book is in letter format. The storyline develops as you read letters written by Jane and Elizabeth Bennett in the year following their marriages.

For me, this book was a bit of a disappointment. The letters gave a bit of insight into the continuing lives of the P & P characters, but so much was left out. I think it was the letter format of the book that I really didn't care for. But, even so, I did enjoy reading it. I just wanted more details. :)

There is a 2nd book by the same author, Jane Dawkins, titled "More Letters from Pemberly.'' I haven't read it yet, so maybe that will answer some of the questions I still had about some of the characters.

I did like some of the plot in Dawkins book - Jane and Elizabeth both have had to send money to help their sister Lydia, Bingley's sister is still a snake, and Mrs. Bennett is still complaining about her nerves. :)

The book is a good read for P&P fans! :)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 37/50

#56 - Presumption by Julia Barrett

2007-09-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

Presumption by Julia Barrett is a continuation of the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. There are many such books, and Barrett's is the first that I read.

All in all, it was an enjoyable story, mostly focusing on Georgiana Darcy finding a husband. I thought Barrett changed a bit too much about a few characters, such as Mary Bennett. In P&P Mary is decidedly different from her other sisters, and doesn't enjoy social gatherings like Balls at all. In Presumption, Mary seems very excited about the social scene, while the P&P Mary seemed more content quoting Fordyce's Sermons or singing badly.

And, quite often, the characters mention people from Austen's other books. After about the 3rd time, this got a bit tedious. It just seemed a bit forced for the P&P characters to meet or mention the Dashwoods from Sense and Sensibility, or some of the main characters from Emma and Persuasion.

But, those two things really weren't a big deal. The book was still an enjoyable read! I definitely recommend it to P&P fans!

50 Book Challenge 2007: 36/50

#55 - North Carolina Ghosts and Legends by Nancy Roberts

2007-09-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

Nancy Roberts has written several books of ghost stories from the South. North Carolina Ghost and Legends is a collection of tales encompassing everything from Blackbeard to civil war legends.

This was a quick and interesting read. Quite a few of the stories were legends from NC history, so the book wasn't exactly what I expected. But it was still enjoyable.

Roberts has written several other similiar books including: Georgia Ghosts, Civil War Ghost Stories and Legends and Blackbeard and Other Pirates of the Atlantic Coast.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 35/50

#54 - Haints of the Hills by Daniel W. Barefoot

2007-09-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy a good ghost story. And if they come from my neck of the woods (western NC), even better!! This book is part of a 3-book collection of ghost stories and tales from each of NC's 100 counties. Haints of the Hills includes tales from the 28 mountain region counties.

Some of the stories seemed to be a re-working of popular urban legends, but that's ok....it seems every state has some place that boasts of a disappearing hitchhiker and the like.

This was a very entertaining, light read. The stories aren't that scary....just scary enough to be enjoyable. :) And I loved reading legends from places I'm familiar with here in NC.

Definitely a fun read if you like ghost stories!

50 Book Challenge 2007: 34/50

#53 - Suspense and Sensibility by Carrie Bebris

2007-09-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

After reading the first Mr & Mrs Darcy mystery by Carrie Bebris, I jumped right in and read the 2nd one! Suspense and Sensibility was an enjoyable story overall.

The Darcys decide to give Elizabeth's younger sister Kitty a season in London, in the hopes she will find a suitable husband. She meets Harry Dashwood, and they become engaged. But soon after the engagement, things go mysteriously wrong.

If you read the books as a lighthearted mix of mystery and a homage to Pride & Prejudice, this book series is an enjoyable read. But don't look for realistic plots, or for the characters to behave exactly as you would expect from P&P. Bebris adds in the mystery, and the characters' actions change accordingly.

All in all, a very enjoyable, quick read. :)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 33/50

#52 - Swords for Hire by Will Allen

2007-08-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

The full title of this book is "Swords for Hire: Two of the Most Unlikely Heroes You Will Ever Meet.'' The book was written in 1978 by Will Allen who gave copies of the story to his family for Christmas that year. Early the next year, he died of cancer.

The book was published in the 80's, and the edition I read had a nice forward by Nancy Cartwright (the voice of Bart Simpson). Cartwright went to college with Will Allen.

The story line is simple.....King Olive has been wrongfully imprisoned by his evil brother Boonder. The two heroes, Sam Hatcher and Rigby Skeet, must come to the aid of their king in order to save the Kingdom.

The book has a lot of witty humor, great plot twists, and is just a fun romp. And the title is true.....they are two of the most unlikely heroes. :)

If you enjoyed "Princess Bride,'' then you'll love this story! :)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 32/50

#51 - Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris

2007-08-30T07:10:00.000-07:00

I love Jane Austen's novel, and Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. So, when I learned about the Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mystery series by Carrie Bebris, I had to try them!

Pride and Prescience is the first book in the series. There are two more, Suspence and Sensibility, and North by Northanger.

Pride and Prescience delves into the marriage of Caroline Bingley to a wealthy American landowner. Caroline begins to act strangely, and Jane suspects a supernatural aspect to her behavior.

While the book is enjoyable, because of the added mystery element, the characters do not necessarily behave like they did in Pride and Prejudice. I think this series would have been better if Bebris had just created her own characters and written a Victorian mystery series. The plot just doesn't seem to work as well using Austens P&P characters.

But, I do have to add that it was an enjoyable read and definitely interesting, and novel approach, to a P&P sequel. But, I think I prefer the Jane Austen Mystery series by Stephanie Barron.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 31/50

#50 - The Queens Fool by Philippa Gregory

2007-08-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

This was not my favorite book by Philippa Gregory.

The basic story line is about Hannah Green, a young Jewish girl, who has had to flee from Spain with her father. They are hiding in England, afraid that they will be revealed as Jews and charged as heretics. Hannah has the "gift of sight'' and gets glimpses into the future, which gets her noticed by the Tudor Court.

Robert Dudley "adopts'' the girl, and brings young Hannah to the Tudor Court to be Queen Mary's "holy fool.' Hannah continues the position into the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

The storyline for me seemed contrived, and just not as good as other novels by Gregory that I have read. Hannah Green is not an actual person, but a character that Gregory made up.

For me, this book was just ok. It just didn't have the flair of "The Other Boleyn Girl'' or "The Virgin's Lover.''

50 Book Challenge 2007: 30/50

#49 - Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

2007-08-30T06:50:00.001-07:00

Imagine taking a walk in the Scottish Highlands one night, and being suddenly whisked back in time to the Jacobite era. That's exactly what happens to Claire Randall in this first book of the Outlander series.

Randall, a former combat nurse in WWII, takes a trip with her husband to Scotland in 1945. The trip is supposed to be a second honeymoon, a chance to bring their marriage together now that the war is over. But Claire takes a moonlit walk among some ancient stones, and finds herself hurled back in time to 1743.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The storyline is interesting, and Gabaldon is a talented writer. The only complaint I have is that I would have preferred a bit more history, and a few less romantic scenes between the 2 main characters. The book was a bit more of a romance than I thought it was going to be. I wanted just a touch more of adventure and the history of the Jacobites, and a bit less instruction on what Scotsmen wear under their kilts. lol. :)

There are six books in this series so far. Outlander is the first book in the series. You can read more about Gabaldon's books on her website at: http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~gatti/gabaldon/gabaldon.html

50 Book Challenge 2007: 29/50

#48 - The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

2007-08-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

Lily lives with the memory of accidentally killing her mother when she was 4. But she doesn't know the whole story. In the summer of 1964, she learns the whole truth, and as the saying goes....the truth shall set you free.

I enjoyed this book. Kidd's writing style is easy to read and her mixture of humor and serious topics keeps this book from being just another trite tome on child abuse and racism in the south.

In the beginning Lily is weak and scared of everything, but by the end of this novel she is a very strong young woman who has learned a lot about the world and her place in it.

This book doesn't leave you with a depressed feeling as some tales of 1960's southern issues do....it leaves the reader with a sense of hope. Kidd weaves her story around facts about bees and beekeepers. Her writing style is light and airy, despite the fact that the story delves into very serious issues.

This book is a quick read, and an enjoyable story with moral and ethical meaning. It has a moral point, without dropping into preachiness or melodrama.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 28/50

#47 - Agents of Light and Darkness by Simon R. Green

2007-08-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

I'm really enjoying this fantasy series! Green's Nightside series delves into the world of the Nightside -- the horrific, supernatural and deadly dark underbelly of London. The main character, supernatural private eye John Taylor, has the power to find anything in the Nightside by using his gift of 2nd sight.

There's a little bit of everything in this book.....everything from angels and demons to gunfights and curses.

Just a great quick read, and a rollercoaster of great modern fantasy.

There are 8 books in this series. Agents of Light and Darkness is Book 2. A review of Book 1, Something From the Nightside, is the 20th review on this blog.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 27/50

#46 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

2007-07-24T14:02:00.001-07:00

Yes, I am done reading my copy already! And yes, I stood in line at Walmart at midnight the day the book came out to get my copy. :) I figured it was the last book, and I might as well be able to say I was part of the hype.

This book is a good closer for the series. It was action-packed from beginning to end, and an enjoyable read. Some well-known and liked characters die in this final Harry Potter book, but that's realistic given the fact that it's an all out war of good versus evil.

I won't give any plot spoilers. It's enough to say that it was worth the money, and the time I spent in line! And, it's kinda cool to think that I was reading the book at the same time as millions of other people.

But, I do think the hype was a bit much.....then again, anything that encourages kids (and adults) to read is a good thing!!!

Would I stand in line ever again to get a book on its publication date???? No, probably not. It was fun to do it once though!

50 Book Challenge 2007: 26/50

#45 - A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro

2007-07-24T13:48:00.001-07:00

Kazuo Ishiguro is a British author of Japanese descent who was born in Nagasaki, Japan. Most of the story in A Pale View of Hills takes place in Nagasaki. A Japanese woman mourns her daughter who committed suicide, as she also remembers life in Nagasaki after the bombing in World War II.

Ishiguro's writing style makes this such a colorful and emotional book. But, he also leaves some of the discovery up to the reader. The plot seems simple, until you've read to the end and discover that the story was much deeper than you thought.

This is an enjoyable and very thought provoking book. It gives a peek into Japanese culture, and the changes Japan has gone through since the end of the war. Some facets of Japanese culture were lost, and older citizens had trouble accepting modern beliefs and culture.

I really enjoyed this book! It's one of those stories that has subtle plot twists that leave you pondering even after you've read the last page. :)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 25/50

#44 - Coast to Coast Ghosts by Leslie Rule

2007-07-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

Leslie Rule is the daughter of famous author Anne Rule. But, she's an author in her own right, publishing several books on ghosts and the paranormal.

Coast to Coast Ghosts is a collection of ghost stories from all over the United States. It's a quick read, but very enjoyable! Rule basically spent some time travelling to different haunted places getting first-hand accounts from those who had experienced ghostly encounters. She also interjects some of her own experiences.

This is a perfect book to curl up with on quiet night with a cup of hot tea, and just enjoy some old fashioned ghost stories!

50 Book Challenge 2007: 24/50

#43 - The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde

2007-07-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

Elisabeth Hyde combines a murder, social/political commentary, and family psychology into her book, The Abortionist's Daughter.

The basics of the plot: famous abortionist doctor is found murdered, husband and daughter go through a myriad of emotions coming to grips with the killing, and a murderer must be found.

This book delves into all sides of the abortion issue. It touches on the struggle between abortion providers and terroristic anti-abortion protest groups. It shows the struggle and emotional decisions faced by teenage unwed mothers and their families. And, it also shows the psychological struggle for family members of abortion doctors.

But, it's also a very good murder mystery.

I had misgivings about this book. The abortion debate can get so heated, and I've heard the argument from both sides. I really didn't know whether this book might be some sort of women's rights diatribe, or a preachy "abortion is murder'' story. It was neither. It showed the affects of abortion not only on the doctors themselves, but on their families, the families of pregnant women, unwed teenage mothers, and abortion protestors.....and, how the killing of a well-known abortionist would be a problem case at best for law enforcement.

Hyde told the story well without being preachy about either side of the issue, and unfolded a very interesting murder case with a great twist at the end.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 23/50

#42 - The Bell Witch: An American Haunting by Brent Monahan

2007-05-29T05:48:00.001-07:00

I love ghost stories, so I decided that this would be a good book to read. I'd heard the story before from melodramatic television documentaries, and I saw the movie a few months ago when it first came out on DVD.

The story goes something like this......wealthy landowner hacks off weird witch woman. Weird witch woman curses wealthy landowner. Ghost comes to haunt landowner's family. Landowner's family and the haunting become a spectacle. Landowner dies. Ghost leaves after having the last word.

Obviously, Monahan took the Bell Witch ghost tale and added more umph to the story -- the spirit talks, interacts with many people, and basically causes all sorts of problems -- to make this a good novel. And then he adds the surprise ending to explain the haunting.

I'll give the book the same comment I gave the movie. "It's ok.'' I felt the ending of the story smacked lightly of Scooby Doo -- it's not a ghost....it's a person. I can't elaborate as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the book or seen the movie adaptation. And, to me, Monahan added a bit too much to the story. The Witch doesn't talk just a little bit.....she talks a lot. She nearly does a tap dance and magic act to draw attention to herself.

The original Bell Witch tale is just a story about the Bell family members being attacked by an unknown force and ends with John Bell finally becoming deathly ill and dying because of the curse. The original tale without all the embellishment to me is more scary than this dressed up version. An unseen force that you can't reason with is much more frightening than a spirit that talks, sings, recites Scripture, interacts with the family, shows kindness, etc.

Too much story......not enough scary. In fact, Monahan's version really isn't scary at all.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 22/50

#41 - The Last Great Dance on Earth by Sandra Gulland

2007-05-29T05:26:00.000-07:00

This is the 3rd, and final, book in Sandra Gulland's trilogy about Josephine Bonaparte. This book outlines Josephine's life from 1799 to her death at 50 in 1814.

This was by far the most emotional of the 3 books in the series. Josephine has been unable to have a child. Napoleon has been named ruler of France for life and must have an heir. As we all know from history, Napoleon divorced Josephine for that reason and married an austrian aristocrat. Josephine was only Empress of France for 5 years, before she lost her crown, her husband, and her social standing when Napoleon divorced her.

In 1812, Napoleon visits Josephine to tell her that he is once again going into battle. They say goodbye. Josephine never saw Napoleon again during her life. She died of a throat infection and respitory problems in 1814, soon after Napoleon's exile to Elba.

Before I read this series, I knew the story of Napoleon and Josephine from studying history, but I never looked at events from her perspective. It must have been heart wrenching for her to give up the husband that she loved so that he could have an heir. Josephine was even involved in the process of choosing who he would marry.

She was definitely a strong woman. While reading about her months in prison during the French Revolution, the horrible fertility treatments she endured, and the constant stress of Napoleon's affairs and the Bonaparte family's plotting against her....I definitely realized that the problems I face in life are quite trivial compared to what Josephine endured during her lifetime. I hope that I face my challenges half so well as she did.

This is a great series of books. I highly recommend them. I enjoyed this series so much I read all 3 books in just 4 days. It was hard to put them down!

50 Book Challenge 2007: 21/50

#40 - Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe by Sandra Gulland

2007-05-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

This is the second book in the Josephine Trilogy by Sandra Gulland. "Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe'' depicts the first four years of the marriage of Josephine and Napoleon Bonaparte (1795-1799).

It is an emotional story partly because of Napoleon's military and political aspirations, but also because of problems within their marriage. Napoleon wants children, and Josephine is afraid she is too old to have more children. The Bonaparte family openly dislikes Josephine. And even though the French Revolution is over, the tension between revolutionists and royalists still exists.

This second book really makes you feel sympathy and also pity for Josephine. She is unsure if she made a good choice in her marriage, and she is constantly worried about producing an heir for Napoleon. His family begins to try to break up their marriage, telling Napoleon that she is unfaithful and too old to have a baby. Not to mention the fact that Napoleon has multiple affairs. Josephine is constantly being told that to be a good wife, a woman has to be blind to her husband's infidelities.

This book is like the first in the series, written like a diary from Josephine's perspective. Gulland obviously did copious research into not only Josephine's life, but the lives of her children, family members and everyone involved with the Bonapartes.

For those who enjoy historical fiction, this series is a great read!

50 Book Challenge 2007: 20/50

#39 - The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland

2007-05-27T12:44:00.001-07:00

This is the first book in a trilogy about Josephine Bonaparte. Sandra Gulland wrote the series after decades of research into Josephine's life.

The first book follows Josephine's life from her childhood in Martinique to the age of 32, when she marries Napoleon in France. The book is written in diary form, and has occasional footnotes about history or background.

I very much enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down and read it in one day. Gulland allows her readers to imagine what it was like for Josephine to have to leave Martinique because of slave revolts, the dangers of living in France during the Revolution, and the hardships she survived during the economic problems in France following the revolution.

There are many books that outline the rise and fall of Napoleon and his marriage to Josephine, but I had never looked into the history from Josephine's point of view. And I didn't know much about her background before she married Napoleon.

If you are interested in the history of Napoleon and Josephine, or of Revolutionary France, then this trilogy is definitely a must-read. Gulland is a skilled writer, and definitely did a lot of research before writing this trilogy.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 19/50

#38 - Emily's Secret by Jill Jones

2007-05-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize this book was a romance novel when I purchased it. The synoposis on the back of the book talked about a researcher discovering new information about the life and death of Emily Bronte.

But soon after starting to read the book, I discovered it was more of a romance novel than a "real'' book. I was really disappointed.

The story line is ok....I can't say much without spoiling the plot for anyone interested in reading it. Let's just say the story line is more about researcher meets female painter who is mysteriously painting haunting pictures linked to Emily Bronte. And add in a pinch more gothic-ness ---- old gypsy curses, the ghost of Emily Bronte and her dog --- and you have a very melodramatic romance novel with a touch of history to it.

And the ending was the most melodramatic bit of all. I can't tell you what is discovered about Bronte's death, but it was definitely a wooden plot twist of romance novel proportions. (note slight sarcasm...lol) It was like reading a soap opera.

I can say that Jones' writing skills are good. The book is well-written. I just don't care for the romance novel genre. And if you strip away the snippets of history about the Bronte sisters, this book is basically a formula romance novel.

I do have to give Jones kudos for writing a bit more "high-brow'' romance novel. But, I won't be reading any more of her books....but only because I really don't care at all for romance novels.

If you enjoy the historical romance genre, give her books a try.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 18/50

#37 - Wicked by Gregory Macguire

2007-05-21T02:07:00.000-07:00

I really really wanted to enjoy this book. I loved the Oz books as a child, and I've seen the movie more times than I can count. And the idea of a book telling a more modern version of the story from the perspective of the witch was intriguing for me.

But for me, it was a let down.

I've read review after review touting the boldness and great storyline of this book....and surely they don't make musicals out of bad books. But, for me, this book was hard to read. I tried several times to get into the book, and ended up putting it aside to read something else. Wicked sat on my shelf for more than 6 months, and I just couldn't make myself finish it. Finally, I picked it up and gave it one last chance.....and I did finish it this time.

I don't see where all the hype comes from, to be honest. I didn't find the political undertones of Oz interesting at all. There were some funny moments, and some of the plot was interesting. But the sex in the book just was a bit too much. I mean....who really wants to know that the witch had an affair with the king of the winkies? That has an Ew factor of about 12. And, the plot plodded along so slowly that after about 100 pages I just didn't care anymore.

What could have been a delightful book was just a badly developed political satire. There were good moments.....but the bad moments and the boredom outnumbered the good. And I'm really sorry to have to say that.....this is one book I really wanted to enjoy. And, I did try to like it. But I can't lie and say that I thought it was great.

I really don't see what all the hype was about. I'm disappointed.

I have Macguire's "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister'' on my shelf waiting to be read. I hope that I like that book better. If it's another let down like this one, I'm not going to force myself to finish it.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 17/50

#36 - You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

2007-05-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

This book was wacky, strange, horrific, funny,unbelievable.....and a delight to read.

In a nutshell, the story line goes something like this....Aisling Grey goes to work for her father's courier company. Her first job is to deliver a priceless dragon statue to Paris. Things go horribly awry.....and she finds out she is actually a Guardian responsible for protecting a portal to hell, calls up a demon named Jim, and bumps into a rather sexy dragon.

MacAlister's sense of humor and writing style make this strange story come to life....it's a fun romp and definitely something different!

I really enjoyed this book! There are 2 more books in the series so far: Fire Me Up and Light My Fire. A 3rd book, Holy Smokes, will be published this November.

She's also written other books including A Girl's Guide to Vampires, The Corset Diaries, and men in Kilts. She writes Young Adult books under the name Katie Maxwell.

I will definitely be reading the other books in this series! And.....a plug for used books....I wasn't familiar with this author until I took a trip to the thriftstore this week. I bought the book for a quarter......in brand new condition....read it, loved it, posted it on PBS (paperbackswap) yesterday, and today I'm sending it out for a book credit. On PBS, everytime you send a book to another member you get a credit good for another book from the site. I just love trading books there! If you're interested in learning more about the site, here's the URL: www.paperbackswap.com

And, if you're interested in learning more about Katie MacAlister/Katie Maxwell, her webpage is located here: http://www.katiemacalister.com/index

50 Book Challenge 2007: 16/50

#35 - Dark Lover: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward

2007-05-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

This definitely is not a book for younger readers, or those who are easily offended by sex, violence, and dark horror.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is about Vampires and their battle against the Lessers....or basically, Vampire Hunters. Throw in some steamy sex, some fangy violence, and a lot of cursing.....and you have a pretty good Vampire tale. It's not especially well written.....and verges on being a sex book with vampires thrown in here and there for ambience, but it's interesting enough to warrant being read.

For those who like Vampire stories, it's an interesting read. Ward puts a different twist on the old blood-sucker theme, so it's not the same old "I vant to suck your blood'' type story.

The sex scenes are graphic, but not completely over the top. Readers who are at all offended by graphic sex scenes probably would not like this book series.

The book isn't without some cheese. The vampires in the Brotherhood all have really fake sounding vampire names like Rhage, Wrath, Zsadist, etc. I can see why she chose to do that....but it verges on almost being funny. At least it seemed awfully cheesy to me anyway.

Looking past the cheese, and the weird steamy vampire sex scenes, the book was worth an afternoon's read.

The book was OK.....I do have the 2nd book in the series and I'll read it. But, if the series doesn't get a bit more complex and less focused on the vampires nether regions, I'll pass on the rest of the series. I wanted to read a horror series, not a romance novel.

Vampire romance novels......who woulda thunk it??

50 Book Challenge 2007: 15/50

#34 - Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

2007-05-13T19:21:00.000-07:00

I enjoy historical fiction, but I was a bit leery of reading this book simply because of the subject matter. The book is about the Plague and its affects on a village in 1665. As a mother of a young child, I have a really hard time reading books that involve the deaths of children. And I knew that this story would include a lot of illness and death.

Brooks' writing caught me by surprise. The book doesn't have a somber, fearful tone at all. The book was serious because of its subject matter, but not overly depressing, morbid or melodramatic.

"Year of Wonders'' is told from the perspective of Anna Frith, a widow who lives through the quarantine of the village and the deaths of many people that she knows and loves, including her two children. The story is very thought provoking and gives a glimpse into the world that was affected by the Plague. So many people died because the people had no clue that fleas from infested rodents caused the plague, and there were no antibiotics to treat the disease. One by one villagers fell ill and died, seemingly at random. Some villagers reacted with violence, paranoia and total despair. Anna immersed herself in the care of others, and managed to survive the plague.

The end of the book seemed a bit contrived and ridiculous to me. I won't go into details as I don't want to spoil the end for anyone. But, all in all, I really enjoyed this book. I must have.....I read it in one day!

For those interested in historical fiction, this is definitely a good read. :)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 14/50

#33 - Deadly Yarn by Maggie Sefton

2007-05-13T19:04:00.000-07:00

After reading the first two books in this series, I just had to read the third! The main character is still Kelly Flynn, and the plot encompasses her friends at the local yarn shop: House of Lambspun.

The book is an enjoyable, light cozy mystery....just like the other 2 books in the series. But, in reality, wouldn't local law enforcement get a bit interested in the fact that people surrounding Flynn keep getting murdered? lol. After the 3rd murder, you would think the local police would be eyeing her sideways.... :)

I've enjoyed all 3 books in this series, but don't expect any fancy plot twists or anything spectacular. They are books for taking to the beach, or for relaxation reading. Don't expect anything too in-depth.

I'm a knitter, so I enjoy the little snippets about knitting that Sefton sprinkles into her writing. But....sometimes the knitting jargon and discussions about knitting in the round and different types of yarns, etc., really seem like they were pasted into the story without much thought. At times, the discussion about the sweater Kelly Flynn is knitting gets in the way of the real story line. And, I know if one of my best friends was murdered that I wouldn't be in a knitting shop worried about the stitch count for a novelty yarn scarf.

But....cozy mysteries aren't meant to be realistic. Just enjoy the book for what it is. :)

A fourth book, "A Killer Stitch'' is coming out in hardcover this month.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 13/50

#32 - Needled to Death by Maggie Sefton

2007-05-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

For readers who enjoy "cozy'' mysteries and aren't looking for an in-depth plot, then Maggie Sefton's Knitting Mystery series is a perfect choice. They are great books for a relaxing evening read, or for taking to the beach. A little bit of murder, mixed with some knitting, along with humor and nice characters....it makes for a great cozy mystery!

"Needled to Death'' is the second book in the series, which all feature Kelly Flynn as the main character. The action of the books focuses around Flynn, and her knitting circle friends at the House of Lambspun.

The first book "Knit One, Kill Two'' brought Flynn to Colorado to help solve the murder of her Aunt Helen. In book two, one of Flynn's friends is killed and the knitting group helps authorities figure out "whodunit.''

The third book in the series is titled "A Deadly Yarn.'' A fourth Knitting Mystery book, "A Killer Stitch'' is coming out this year.

Sefton also writes a series of Real Estate agent mysteries.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 12/50

#31 - The Flu by Gina Kolata

2007-05-07T05:23:00.000-07:00

The full title of this book is "The Flu: the Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus that Caused It.''

The Flu pandemic of 1918 killed more than 40 million people world-wide. It wasn't just the weak, old and very young who were dying. The strain was incredibly virulent, killing healthy adults in mere days. In some Alaskan villages, 90% of the population died from the flu in 1918.

Kolata outlines the history behind the flu outbreak, and the history of research to prevent another devastating flu pandemic. Several times scientists have gone in search of the 1918 virus. In 1952, victims of the 1918 outbreak were exhumed in Alaska. Permafrost had preserved the bodies so that lung tissue could be harvested in hopes of creating a vaccine to prevent any future outbreaks of that particular strain of flu, and also to research why it was so devastating. Those initial attempts to replicate the virus were unsuccessful. In more recent years, preserved tissue was tested again. With modern testing equipment, more was learned about the 1918 flu virus than ever before.

The book gives interesting facts about how viruses mutate, how diseases like the flu can be transmitted from humans to pigs and birds, and vice versa. It also delves into more recent history such as the 1976 Swine Flu scare and how the federal immunization program caused more problems than it solved. And Kolata gives information about the flu strain that's being called "bird flu'' and how it can be traced back to the same virus that caused the 1918 flu and Swine Flu.

I don't have a medical background, but this book was still very interesting to me. Kolata definitely did a lot of research for this book, and the information is presented in an easily readable interesting format. It definitely brings to light how much history can be used in combination with medical research and testing to help understand and prevent or contain possible devastating pandemics in the future. The more scientists come to understand the flu virus and how it mutates and resurfaces in different strains, the better chance we have to avoid another catastrophe on the scale of the 1918 flu.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 11/50

#30 - The March by E.L. Doctorow

2007-05-07T04:55:00.000-07:00

The March is a novel about General William Tecumseh Sherman's Civil War march from Atlanta to the sea, and then back through the Carolinas. Northern troops burned and pillaged cities and towns, burned and looted plantations, and plundered military installations on the way.

Doctorow's book depicts the affects of this march on Union troops, southerners who watched their towns burn down around them, and thousands of slaves. More than 25,000 slaves followed the Union Army on the march. Their fate hung in the balance as Sherman's troops marched through the south burning and looting everything in sight, in an attempt to force the south to surrender.

I enjoyed this book. It shows the stress of the march on Sherman, his officers and the troops. And it also realistically depicts the dangers involved, not only to troops on both sides, but civilians and freed slaves caught in the middle.

Sherman is concerned about the large number of slaves following the army. His troops can't feed and protect a group that large, and their fate is still in the balance. Sherman also struggles to keep his troops in line, as Union regiments fall victim to Confederate ambushes and civilian retribution. He doesn't want the army to turn into a frenzied, uncontrolled murdering mob.

If you enjoy Civil War history, then you will enjoy this book!

Other books by E.L. Doctorow include: The Book of Daniel, Ragtime, and City of God.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 10/50

#29 - The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory

2007-05-07T04:37:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd novel I have read by Philippa Gregory, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"The Virgin's Lover'' is about Queen Elizabeth. She has attained the English Throne after the death of Queen Mary, and is facing dire problems....a depleted national treasury, treachery from Catholic Bishops who fear the return of Protestantism, and the threat of her cousin Mary who wants the throne.

Elizabeth finds there are only two people she can trust....her advisor William Cecil and a childhood friend, Robert Dudley. Dudley and Elizabeth become lovers, which angers the English Court, and Dudley's wife, Amy. The relationship is further complicated by gossip, political intrigue, and Court advisors who wish Elizabeth to marry foreign nobility to strengthen her hold on the throne.

The story line is enjoyable, and gives a peek into the life of the Virgin Queen. Gregory takes some historical license, but her assumptions are interesting. For example, she raises the interesting idea that perhaps the death of Amy Dudley was a murder meant to extricate Queen Elizabeth from promises made to Robert Dudley without any harm to her politically.

I enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more historical fiction by Gregory!

50 Book Challenge 2007: 9/50

#28 - The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

2007-05-07T04:24:00.000-07:00

Technically, "The Phantom Tollbooth'' is a children's book.....but since I never got the chance to read it as a kid, I figured now was the time! And I'm glad I did!

This was the most enjoyable, funny, quirky little book I've read in a long time!

The main character is a little boy who is frankly just bored with everything. Then one day a phantom tollbooth appears in his house, and he's off on all sorts of adventures.

The story line thinly veils great educational information on words and sounds, puns, alliteration, etc. Juster was a masterful writer, and the illustrations by Jules Feiffer add so much to the story.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I needed something light and enjoyable that could be read in an afternoon, and this book really fit the order. :)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 8/50

#27 - Dead Ball by Matt Forbeck

2007-05-07T04:09:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd book in Matt Forbeck's trilogy of Blood Bowl mayhem! :) (#21 on this blog is a review of the first book.)

Blood Bowl is a fantasy game based on football. You pick a team, buy metal miniatures, paint them in your team colors, and play against anyone who dares challenge you! Teams range from hard hitting Orcs to less brawny elves who run like the wind. I have a Norse team (the miniatures are Nuns....some with boxing gloves, one with a baseball bat, etc.....I was raised Catholic so the humor was too much for me to resist.)The game has interesting quirks......like fans who enjoy hurting players, cheating, bribing the refs, dead players, and sometimes even footballs with spikes.

The book series is a spin off of the game -- and I was surprised at how much I've enjoyed reading this series so far!

If you're a football fan, you would enjoy these books just because of the football references, jokes and puns. Some player names are puns on real ball players, announcers, etc. It's a fun read! And those who actually play miniature games, or even Warhammer 40K, would enjoy this series. :)

The next book is "Death Match'' -- I'm looking forward to reading it! And Matt Forbeck will be publishing a 4th Blood Bowl book set for publication in late December 2007. The title is "Rumble in the Jungle.''

50 Book Challenge 2007: 7/50

#26 - Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

2007-03-06T04:55:00.000-08:00

"Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder'' is the first Hannah Swenson murder mystery by Joanne Fluke.

I was first drawn to this book by the title. Chocolate Chip Cookies......and murder?? It was a must read for me from the beginning.

This book surprised me. Fluke's writing flows well, and she infuses a great sense of humor into her main character. Hannah Swenson is a down-to-earth character and very likeable. She owns a bakery shop called The Cookie Jar, selling fresh-baked cookies and catering special events.

Chocolate and murder are mixed in this first book of the series when someone decides to kill the local milk man -- while he's eating cookies in his truck, no less! Who kills someone when they're eating chocolate! It's a travesty! :) Swenson's brother in law is with the local police department, so, of course, the cookie baking heroine is drawn into the investigation.

But......Joanne Fluke makes this unlikely plot line work. It's entertaining, and a refreshing read. Nothing intellectual, and the mystery is pretty formula really......but isn't that what reading a cozy mystery is all about?? Where it took me two weeks to plod through "Death By Darjeeling'' by Laura Childs, I crunched through this cookie in 2 days. :)

Not only did I enjoy the book, but there are several yummy recipes scattered throughout the book. Most cozy mysteries have some sort of pull like that --- recipes, craft patterns, tips on tea, cooking, home repairs, etc. And.....most of those "Extras'' are (dare I say it??).....lame. Easy patterns for garter stitch dishcloths, recipes for deviled eggs (who can't make deviled eggs?) and less-than-useful stuff like that. But.....the recipes in this book are for yummy things like chocolate chip crunchy cookies, sugar cookies, and other delectable delights. I'm definitely going to use the recipes. Every cookie recipe that the main character uses during the course of the book is included. I thought that was really a neat touch! :)

This book is just a very cozy, comfort-foody, sweet cozy mystery. :) A great book to curl up on the couch with a hot cup of tea and a cat in your lap and just read for fun. :) I've already started reading the next book in this series! :)

Other books in the series are:

Strawberry Shortcake Murder

Blueberry Muffin Murder

Lemon Meringue Pie Murder

Fudge Cupcake Murder

Sugar Cookie Murder

Peach Cobbler Murder

Cherry Cheesecake Murder

Key Lime Pie Murder (newly published)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 6/50

#25 - Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs

2007-03-06T04:20:00.000-08:00

"Death by Darjeeling'' is the first in a series of Tea Shop cozy mysteries by Laura Childs.

The main character, Theodosia Browning, owns the Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, SC. In this first book, a land developer dies at Browning's shop during a Lamplighter Tour of Old Charleston. Browning jumps in the middle of the murder investigation to stop gossip about her shop and to clear the name of one of her employees.

The book is a light mystery infused with a smattering of Charleston history and a pinch of tea lore.

I enjoyed this book, although the main character did seem a bit stiff to me. I'm not that enthralled by discussions of old money, society and one's place in it, etc....so it took me a bit longer to "get into'' this story.

The bits of history about tea and information on different types of teas I found interesting. There are several types of tea mentioned in the book that I had never heard of before, like Dragon tea. It makes me want to put in an online order and start sipping! :) (Stashtea.com carries lots of interesting teas....including Dragon tea!)

The book also includes some tips for brewing hot tea, and a couple recipes.

Other books in the series are:

Gunpowder Green (2002)

Shades of Earl Grey (2003)

The English Breakfast Murder (2003)

The Jasmine Moon Murder (2004)

Chamomile Mourning (2005)

Blood Orange Brewing (2006)

Dragonwell Dead (coming later in 2007)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 5/50

#24.5 - The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards

2007-03-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

I put this book at 24.5 because I only got through half of it. I was disappointed by this book, mainly because I had read good reviews and expected it to be great.

It wasn't.

For me, the story-line seemed contrived, and over the top melodramatic. The main characters were so flawed that I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in them that made me want to continue reading their story.

The basics (without spoiling the plotline) are this: a woman goes into labor during a blizzard. She has twins, one normal boy and a down's syndrome girl. The husband who is a doctor recognizes that the baby girl is DS, and tells the nurse tending his wife to take the baby away to a home that night. He doesn't let his wife see the baby, and tells her that the baby died. That lie destroys his life, his wife's sanity, and forces his little boy to be raised in a home with a neurotic father and a half-crazy mother. And the nurse raises the retarded little girl herself, with the father sneaking her money, etc.

I would have enjoyed a book about the challenges of raising a DS child --- but the basic premise of this book just made me mad. Her father didn't want to raise a damaged child -- so he made her disappear. What a git.

For me, the basic plot line -- father turns back on DS infant and ruins family, nurse raises retarded child in secret -- seemed contrived and unrealistic. It was like watching a bad overly-emotional unrealistic-to-the-point-of-being-fake movie on the Lifetime Channel. The father is just a totally weak, selfish pig. And the mother was a weak, simpering melba toast of a woman. I found nothing redeeming in either of them.

I did peek ahead at the ending before I put the book down in disgust. Can't tell you what the ending is, since I don't want to spoil it for anyone that wants to plod their way through this emotional mess.....but I will say, it was just as contrived as the rest.

I am just in disbelief at all the reviews I read that called this book "astonishing'' and "deeply moving'' Did those reviewers really read this book??? Or do they just stamp "Deeply moving'' on any book that deals with emotional parenting issues???

"My Sister's Keeper'' was a "deeply moving'' book about serious parenting issues. I don't know what to call "Memory Keepers Daughter'' except maybe "When Weak Gits Parent......''

Maybe the entire "astonishing'' part of this novel was in the last half that I couldn't make myself read. I expect to see a movie version of this book on the Lifetime Channel very soon. Ugh.

# 24 - The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

2007-02-03T17:13:00.000-08:00

I couldn't put this book down! Yes, I read all 600+ pages in one day......

"The Other Boleyn Girl'' is a tale of Tudor England, and the experiences in the Court of King Henry VIII, told from the point of view of Mary Boleyn. Mary is the younger sister of Anne Boleyn.

The story starts when Mary is 13 years old, and her sister Anne returns from being at Court in France. Both girls serve Queen Katherine, Henry's Spanish wife.

The girls are pawns for their family. Their father and uncle use them to gain favor with the King. Mary has two bastard children with the King, before he sets his sights on Anne. We all know the basic story....Henry put aside his wife Katherine because he had no sons. Anne couldn't provide him a son either. So, she was rather rudely separated from her head.

This book fills in the rest of the story. The story ends rather happily for Mary......and completely miserably for Anne. And the tension, drama and plotting are better than any modern day soap opera.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There were some inacuracies....but it's historial fiction. I don't expect it to be a history book popping to life. It gave me some insight into what it was like at Court. Constant jockeying for position. Lying. Cheating. Plotting. Killing. All to gain favor with the King. Family position, entitlements and wealth is everything. And the women are pawns, governed totally by their families.

If you're interested in court intrigue, then this book is a must read. :)

50 Book Challenge 2007: 4/50

#23 - The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

2007-01-30T16:01:00.000-08:00

This book has been on my shelf for several months and I kept putting off reading it. I thought it might be either sappy or depressing...and I wasn't in the mood for either.

Then someone on PBS (Paperbackswap) requested it from my book listing. It's a relatively short book, so I decided I'd read it before mailing it out.

I'm glad I did. The book is neither sappy, nor depressing.

The main character is an 83-year old man who dies trying to save a little girl from being killed in an amusement park accident. He goes to heaven and finds out that the first thing that happens after death is a review of his life with 5 people that were affected by his life and choices.

This is a very powerful book about the importance of forgiveness. The old man needed to learn how to forgive, and also how to ask for forgiveness. And as he looked back over his life, he realized many things about life, and the people around him, that he didn't notice while alive.

I definitely recommend this book! It's an engaging story that is emotional without being too over the top.

2007 50 Book Challenge: 3/50 !!

#22 - Incidents in the Life of a Slavegirl by Linda Brent

2007-01-29T05:43:00.000-08:00

"Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl'' is the autobiographical account of a black woman's life as a slave in North Carolina just before the Civil War. Her name was Harriet Jacobs, but she wrote under the pseudonym Linda Brent.

Harriet Jacobs wrote down the story of her life in her late adult years, after her escape North to New York. The narrative talks about her experiences from the time she first realized she was a slave at age 6, to her life after her escape.

As a mother, I had a difficult time reading this book. Not only was Jacobs removed from her parents' care at an early age, but her children were also subject to sale, abuse and poor treatment at the hands of others. Black women were also frequently forced into sexual relationships with slave owners. When the wives of plantation owners discovered their husbands had fathered children with slaves, the women and children were subject to abuse or faced being auctioned off to other land owners.

If you want a realistic account of what slavery was like for women and children, this book gives a good account. Not only does she tell about the abuse and hard labor, but also talks about how difficult it was to escape. She literally spent years in hiding in the south before being able to escape north.

This book made me really think about the history of North Carolina, where I now live. I grew up in Kansas. I saw a few instances of prejudice over the years....but really very few problems. In NC, racial tension is more prevalent. Even after more than 140 years, there are still major racial issues in the south.

I don't understand how some people can be so ignorant and stupid. There are fools here that display the rebel flag, spout the "N'' word, believe the crap spread by groups like the KKK, and who just generally behave like backwoods morons. I blame lack of education, poor upbringing, and maybe even a bit of inbreeding.

BUT......they are a small portion of people here. The majority of people I have met since moving to North Carolina 3 years ago have not been racially prejudiced. It's just too bad that the reputation of this section of the country can be tainted by a small sliver of the population.

Unfortunately, the racism goes both ways. When we lived in the midwest, my son had lots of friends who were black. Color wasn't a factor in choosing friends. Here in the south, there are many black families who don't want their children having white friends, and vice versa. And while my son would never spout racial insults, he has been on the receiving end of terms like "cracker,'' "whitey,'' "ghost'' and several other racial remarks directed at him by black students. Nobody says a word when kids like my son get called "Cracker,'' but all hell breaks loose if a white student calls a black an "N.'' Aren't both terms just as racially prejudiced??

It was major culture shock for us to move here.....there are unspoken "rules'' about things that seem absolutely ludicrous to those who weren't raised in the south. I am proud to say that my family were all German immigrants that came to the Midwest just before the Civil War -- nobody in my family ever owned slaves, or supported slavery in any way. And in my household, no racial slurs or prejudices are tolerated. Period. In my opinion, that's the way it should be. And anyone who thinks differently is not welcome in my home.

This book was very thought provoking, and although it was disturbing, I think it gave me a greater understanding of what it was like to be a slave. And it made me think a lot about how the history of slavery still affects the culture in the southern states.

I read this book before Christmas, but forgot to write a review of it. So here's the review....but it doesn't count toward my 2007 reading goal. Still at 2! :)

#21 - Bloodbowl by Matt Forbeck

2007-01-27T20:39:00.000-08:00

This book caught me by surprise. It's based on a fantasy football game that my husband and son love to play. Despite the fact that I love watching American Football and even play Bloodbowl on occasion, I really didn't think I would like this book.

But....I loved it!!

Bloodbowl (the game) is a miniatures game where fantasy football teams square off and play a no-holds-barred game. Teams are comprised of all sorts of fantasy characters -- ogres, halflings, elves, dwarves, Amazons, Norse, vampires, giant rats, and even human teams. The name Bloodbowl is very fitting as players can be killed and maimed by other players, or even by the crowd watching the game.

The book "Bloodbowl'' by Matt Forbeck brings the experiences of a Bloodbowl rookie player to life. The main character, Dunk, doesn't know what he's getting into when a halfling agent signs him to a contact to play Bloodbowl. Dunk only knows he's a failure at dragon slaying....so why not try Bloodbowl?? The book follows him through his training, and through his first season as a relief thrower for the Bad Bay Hackers.

The book has a lot of football humor in it, and a lot of great puns and wordplay (like a player whose name is Schlitz "Malty'' Likker). It's just an enjoyable romp of a read!

If you're a football fan and like to read fantasy books, then you would definitely enjoy this book!

Forbeck has written 3 books about Bloodbowl. "Bloodbowl'' is the first in the series. "Dead Ball and Death Match'' are the other two novels. I have been told that a fourth book will be coming out soon. Not sure of the title or the publication date, but I do know that I will be reading it! :)

2007 50 Book Challenge: #2

#20 - Something from the Nightside by Simon R. Green

2007-01-27T20:24:00.000-08:00

This book reminded me a lot of the 1970's Kolchak television show, with a bit more horror sprinkled on top.

The main character is a detective with a dark side. He's a man who frequents the supernatural dark underbelly of London...The Nightside. A place where you can see things and have experiences that are impossible anywhere else. The only place where it's normal to see Victorian ladies and space aliens on the subway. The only place where timeslips and magical powers are run of the mill.

The book reads like an old detective novel...the chatty narative style, with bits of dry humor here and there. Here's an example:

"Private Eyes come in all shapes and sizes, and none of them look like television stars. Some do insurance work, some hang around cheap hotels with cam hoping to get evidence for divorce cases, and damn few ever get to investigate complicated murder mysteries. Some chase things that don't exist, or shouldn't. Me, I find things. Sometimes I'd rather not find them, but that comes with the territory. "

It was a great read! I really enjoyed this book. It was horror without a lot of over-done violence. More psychological than slasher. Just the way I like my horror/fantasy. :)

I'm already looking forward to reading the second book in Green's Nightside series "Agents of Light and Darkness.''

2007 50 Book Challenge Count: #1

2007: Lots to read! :)

2007-01-24T08:20:00.000-08:00

Well, it's a new year......and the holidays are finally over and life is settling down around here.

I started this reading blog in August 2006 as a way to start weening myself off television and start reading more. August through December I read 19 books.....Reviews for all of them are listed on this blog.

In 2007, my goal is to read a minimum of 50 books! I have lots of good books on my shelves just waiting to be read.....let's see if I can meet the goal! Information on the 50 Book Challenge is available online, and on many people's blogs. I'm not going to join a blog group....I'll just post what I read here. :) I'm only going to count books I actually sit down and read....no audio books. And I'm not counting children's books that I read to Joshua. Regular, gotta-read-em-with-my-eyeballs books. :)

I'm reading 3 books right now......I never read just one book at a time. Too many good books on my shelves calling my name for me to read just one. :) Plus I'm making up for lost time!! :) I haven't posted a review since early December!

I'm working my way through "Blood Bowl'' by Matt Forbeck, "Something from the Nightside'' by Simon R. Green, and "Deja Dead'' by Kathy Reichs. I'll post reviews for each when I finish them.

It's good to be reading again!!! I love the holidays.......but I'm also glad once everything gets back to normal, too!!

TTFN

#19 - Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts

2006-12-10T06:33:00.000-08:00

If I'm being honest, I have to say that this book was just OK. It wasn't bad. It wasn't great. It was just so-so.

From the descriptions of this book, I expected more thrills and suspense.....but it's really just a cupcake romance novel with a bit of witchcraft frosting. The storyline seemed watered down -- very little real characterization, and very little happening story-wise. My impression is that the story was drawn out to novel length so that Roberts could have another trilogy. I would also venture that perhaps the 3 books could have been combined into one better written story with more action.

As it is, this book was more of a formula romance novel, and the story line wasn't all that interesting. Very predictable.

The magic of this book fizzled for me. I do have the other 2 books in the series and I will read them to see if the trilogy improves as it goes along.

#18 - My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

2006-12-01T02:34:00.000-08:00

I was surprised by this book. I was all ready for a totally depressing read, but I enjoyed this book so much I couldn't put it down.

Kate Fitzgerald is 16 and has a rare form of leukemia. Her parents planned the birth of her younger sister Anna in order for Kate to have a matching donor for blood and bone marrow. In her 13 years, Anna has undergone multiple procedures to help keep her sister alive. When it comes down to donating a kidney to her weakened and dying sister, Anna draws the line and files a lawsuit for medical emancipation from her family.

The point of view bounces back and forth between family members and others involved as the lawsuit and Kate's illness progresses. But it's not a formula dying child/grieving family story. Picolut's story is a realistic mix of all emotions, and gives a realistic look into the life of a family totally immersed in the illness of a child.

The moral and ethical questions behind genetic planning, using one child to treat another's medical problems, and the medical rights of children really make this a thought provoking book. As a parent, it was hard to think what I might do in the same circumstances. On the one hand, it would be very difficult to have a terminally ill child....but it would also be difficult to justify repeated medical procedures on a healthy younger sibling to prolong the life of the ill child.

It's a very thought provoking book, and an absorbing story. I couldn't put the book down. I read it in a day because I just had to know what happened.

And when it was all over, I closed the book and all I could say was "wow....''

"My Sister's Keeper'' is a great mix of emotions and moral/ethical questions, without being overly melodramatic or depressing, as some similar books are. This is not an Oprahesque book, if you get my meaning. I definitely recommend it.

#17 - Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts

2006-12-01T02:21:00.000-08:00

Blue Dahlia is the first book in Nora Roberts "In the Garden'' Trilogy.

I first heard about Nora Roberts' books on Paperbackswap.com. Many members posted messages with favorable reviews of her suspense/romance flavored writing. After reading the hefty tome that is "The Historian,'' I decided I wanted to enjoy a simple, fast read. So, I thought I'd give this series a chance. I'm not normally a romance novel reader at all. But I do enjoy a good ghost story!

The main character, Stella, loses her husband and starts her life over again in a new city. She takes a job managing a small plant nursery called In the Garden. The estate where she lives with her employer and friend, Roz, is haunted. Add in sexy Logan -- the landscaper and you have a nice simple mix of 1 part suspense, 2 parts romantic tension.

This book was a nice, fast read. Nothing complicated. Nothing depressing. It was a book to curl up with while sipping hot tea and relaxing.

There are 3 main female characters in this series. Stella is the main focus of the first book. Roz gets book 2, and Hayley is featured in book 3.

Definitely formula romance, and nothing new here....but it's an enjoyable read all the same.

#16 - The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

2006-11-01T02:52:00.000-08:00

After all the vampire stories, movies and documentaries that I've read or seen in my life, I didn't think anyone could come up with a new approach. I was wrong.

"The Historian'' by Elizabeth Kostova is an interesting new look at the story of Vlad Tepes, known as Dracula by the horror enthusiast and as Vlad the Impaler by the history buff. Kostova's story involves generations of historians all searching for the real tomb of Dracula, and touches on the possibility that Vlad Tepes may have never actually died.

I really enjoyed this book. Kostova's writing style melded together historical information and the vampire legend. The story reminded me of the old horror style that relied less on gore and violence and more on the fact that sometimes the unseen world is more frightening than more tactile frights.

The downside to the book is the length -- 600+ pages. Now, I'm not saying the book was too long, or boring. It was interesting. But the actual peak of the story was over so quick, I was left wondering "Gee, I read 600 pages only to have the exciting part over in less than 10 pages?'' It was kinda like paying PT Barnum 10 cents to see the mermaid. Big build up....quick let down.

After reading 600 pages, I expected a more exciting denoument. But....from experience, my history professors probably would have sat down to tea with Dracula (a living historical icon!) to pick his brain about history and what it was like to be undead. There wouldn't have been a fight at all. Intellectuals don't really go about brandishing stakes and garlic.

The history lover in me had a wonderful time reading about all the historical documents and places in "olde'' Europe. The horror lover in me enjoyed the story twists about the fact that Vlad Tepes' tomb was factually found to be empty when it was opened in modern times, and that perhaps he could be lurking somewhere with his lackies still doing his bidding after several centuries.

But, I do have to say that he was a disappointment for me when he finally did appear. Big big buildup......then *poof*....it was over before I knew what was happening. Premature termination. Definitely.

#15 - The Butlerian Jihad by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson

2006-09-22T05:49:00.000-07:00

The Butlerian Jihad is the first book in a prequel trilogy to the Dune series. Brian Herbert is the son of Frank Herbert who wrote the original Dune novels.

After hearing good and bad reviews of the Dune novels written by Brian Herbert, I decided to start at the beginning of the Dune series and read through the entire series again to see what I thought about the additions that have been made since Frank Herbert's death.

Many die-hard fans of Dune have complained that Brian Herbert's writing style and story lines are fundamentally different than his father's. But then again, die-hard Sci-Fi fans sometimes get too hung up on over-analyzing everything. Look at the uproar caused by the Star Wars prequel movies....oh my....they are just MOVIES (albeit bad movies...lol)....in the long run, it really doesn't matter. Same here.

I'm not reading Brian Herbert's books looking for differences between him and his father. I'm reading the books with the mind-set that I'm interested in the story line, and glad to see the Dune series continuing.

I really enjoyed this book! Some Dune readers touted it as too simplistic and not nearly as complex as the original Dune series. So far I disagree. I enjoyed the first book -- and have just started the 2nd of the prequel trilogy. The story line was excellent, and the book well-written. Brian Herbert has thousands of pages of his father's notes and story-line ideas, and I am sure that he has written his books with his father's vision in mind.

Anytime someone continues or adds to a well-known book series there are going to be people who say "But it's not the same....''

Where is it written in stone that it has to be the same???

The prequel series is dated 10,000 years before the events that occur in Dune. I'm enjoying being able to read about events that are only hinted at in the original series. The human race has been enslaved by sentient robots, including cymeks that have robotic bodies and human brains. The prequel tells the story of the rebellion and the human fight to regain freedom and destroy the Evermind, the central controlling force of the robot domination.

Sometimes you just have to give new ideas a chance.

1 book down.....12 to go. LOL. This is one project that's going to take me awhile.... :)

#14 - The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

2006-09-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

This book is the fictionalized story of Dinah (pronounced Dee-nah), daughter of Biblical Jacob and the sister of Joseph. The book recounts the story of Dinah from Genesis Chapter 34. In the Bible, the story is told from the perspective of Dinah's brothers. The Red Tent gives Dinah a voice, and tells the story from her perspective and also fleshes out the stories of Jacob's wives and Dinah's life.

At first, I had a hard time getting into the story. The first part of the book seemed mainly about Jacob having sex. Almost to the point of being funny. As in the Bible, Jacob marries 2 sisters and takes 2 others as concubines.....and the discussions of who Jacob was sleeping with and when got a little bit old. But, once the story got past that, and Dinah was telling her life story, the book became very interesting.

This is a fictional account, but it really made me think about what women in that time-period went through on a daily basis. The hardship of life, the dangers of bearing children, and culture that they lived in.

The book has received both praise and censure. Some reviewers touted it as a masterful book giving a voice to the silent female characters in the book of Genesis. But several Orthodox Jewish historians commented that the book gives a false, negative view of the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Anita Diamant has written several other books including:

The Last Days of Dogtown

Pitching My Tent

Good Harbor

The New Jewish Wedding

The New Jewish Baby Book

Living a Jewish Life

Choosing a Jewish Life

Saying Kaddish

Jewish Parent

Bible Baby Names

#13 - Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

2006-09-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed this book. It was a lot different than I expected. I enjoyed a look into the history and background of Geisha. I had some pre-conceived notions that Geisha were merely high-paid Japanese prostitutes, but this book shows that they are much different than that.

Arthur Golden holds a Harvard degree in Japanese Art, and an MA in Japanese history. He also worked in Tokyo for a number of years, and speaks both fluent Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. He did extensive research for this novel, including interviewing several Geisha. After publication of the Japanese version of the book, one of these Geisha, Mineko Iwasaki, sued Golden for breach of contract and defamation of character. Geisha have a code of silence about their clients, and Iwasaki felt that Golden did not do enough to protect her identity. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

The book is a work of fiction and not based on anyone's actual life. Golden says that he created a fictional world as close to the true life of a Geisha as he could.

In 2005, the book was made into a movie. I haven't seen the movie. But I do know the book was an enjoyable read. :)

#12 - Night by Elie Wiesel

2006-09-06T18:24:00.000-07:00

"Night'' is the first book in a trilogy by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. Weisel, at 15, was sent to a concentration camp with his parents and sister. Wiesel was the only one to survive.

"Night'' is his story of being deported to Auschwitz and his later transfer to Buchenwald. Wiesel was 17 when Buchenwald was liberated on April 11, 1945.

His memoir was originally written in Yiddish in 1955, and later translated to English and several other languages to reach a wider audience.

Due to its nature and subject, "Night'' is a dark novel, befitting its title. But it drives home the absolute horror and evil behind the Nazi concentration camps.

The other 2 parts of the trilogy, "Dawn'' and "Day'', present Wiesel's memories of trying to deal with the experience.

"In Night," Wiesel said, "I wanted to show the end, the finality of the event. Everything came to an end — man, history, literature, religion, God. There was nothing left. And yet we begin again with night."

Reading this book was difficult, but the story is compelling. I can't imagine how those people felt being taken from their families, watching their children, parents, and friends die, and not being able to escape. I can't fathom the mind set of the Nazis who spent years murdering millions of innocent and helpless men, women and children. And I wonder how, in the years after the war, former German concentration camp soldiers were able to live with themselves, given the horrific things that they did, or that they allowed to happen.

This is not a book for the faint of heart. It's an open and in-your-face account of what Wiesel lived through. I think it's an important account to read, just to remind us of the events that happened. In today's world where religious prejudice between Muslims, Christians and Jews is still happening, it's important that we remind ourselves that it can go too far.

Christ teaches love, not hatred. Hatred can become so violent, and all encompassing. And it leads good people to do horrific things.

When I finished this book, the first thing I did was hug my 2-year old. Children and family are so precious, but we tend to take them for granted every day as we feel "safe.'' And the second thing I did was to say a prayer for all who died in the Holocaust, all who survived and had to live with their memories, and I prayed for the souls of those who participated in the atrocities that were inflicted on the Jews and other victims in Europe.

It's a very dark book.....but it definitely provokes deep and powerful thoughts.

# 11 - Heavens to Betsy and Other Curious Sayings by Charles Earle Funk

2006-09-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

If you've ever been interested in how certain sayings ended up in the American English language, then this is the book for you! Originally published in the 1950's by Charles Earle Funk, this book lists the origins for all sorts of sayings like "raining cats and dogs'' and "by the skin of my teeth.''

I found the information in this book very entertaining and educational. I was amazed at how long some sayings have been used (some date back to the 1300's or earlier), and how some got started.

The sayings aren't listed in any particular order, but there is an index included in the back of the book.

Funk also wrote several other books:

Thereby Hangs a Tale: Stories of Curious Word Origins
Horsefeathers and Other Curious Words
A Hog on Ice and other Curious Expressions
2107 Curious Word Origins, Sayings and Expressions
What's the Name Please? A guide to correct pronunciation of prominent names

Plus he collaborated on several editions of the Funk and Wagnall's English Dictionary

#10 - The Night Lives On by Walter Lord

2006-09-04T06:04:00.000-07:00

Since April 1912 there have been many mysteries, myths and legends surrounding the sinking of the Titanic. While some of the mysteries can never be solved, Walter Lord researched survivor accounts, hearing testimony, and news accounts of the sinking to write this book.

Lord successfully disproves several popular beliefs about the sinking, and gives interesting insights into the ship itself and the crew. Plus, he discusses the reasons why certain safety precautions were not taken, and why shipping regulations of the day did not require more life boats on such a large ocean liner.

This factual account of the accident was very interesting. It wasn't over-dramatized, and Lord presented facts to back up his theories about the sinking. And, he disproved several myths that I believed to be true. I think the most poignant fact in the book for me was that Captain Smith may not have been qualified to head the crew of the Titanic. Titanic was easily twice the size of any ship he had captained before, and Smith was involved in 2 near collisions with Titanic before setting out to sea. Lord surmizes that easily proves that Smith wasn't that familiar with the stopping and turning capabilities of the ship. With ice warnings out on the night of the accident, perhaps a reduction in speed to reduce the ship's stopping and turning time might have prevented the collision, or made it less damaging.

In the end, it is all assumption.....but Lord does present some very interesting facts.

#9 - The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

2006-08-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

Any true-blue fan of Jane Austen will enjoy this book. The main characters form a book club that meets once a month to discuss Austen's novels. Fowler craftily ties the book club members' past and present lives to Austen's plots and characterizations.

A quote on the back of the book really sums it up. David Kipen of the San Francisco Chronicle said, " The Jane Austen Book Club amounts to a witty meditation on how the books we choose, choose us too.''

"The Jane Austen Book Club'' is an enjoyable read. Fowler's writing is a modern comparison to Austen in wit and subtle humor. The book also has a lot of extra information for those who haven't read Austen's works -- including book synopses , quotes on her work, and suggested discussion questions for reading groups.

Other books by Karen Joy Fowler are:

Sister Noon
Sarah Canary

#8 - Tamsin by Peter Beagle

2006-08-30T05:36:00.000-07:00

"Tamsin'' was originally a story-idea pitched to Disney for a movie. The movie never happened, so Peter Beagle wrote a novel instead. I'm glad he did -- this book is excellent! Some stories are just fun to read, and this book belongs in that category.

13-year old Jenny Gluckstein moves from New York to England. She is unhappy about her mother re-marrying. She's unhappy about the move. She's just unhappy about everything and everyone. But teen angst turns to intrigue when she discovers that the farm they live on is haunted.

What led me to buy this book was the cover art -- it really caught my eye in the store. Then I read the back cover. Who can resist a good haunting? I'm glad I bought the book on impulse....it was an excellent read.

Other books by Peter Beagle include:
The Last Unicorn
A Dance for Emilia
A Fine and Private Place
The Folk of the Air
The Innkeeper's Song
The Unicorn Sonata

#7 - Sour Puss by Rita Mae Brown

2006-08-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

I have read all of the Mrs. Murphy mysteries by Rita Mae Brown. In fact, most of the books in this series are "keepers'' that will be staying on my bookshelf.

But......I was very disappointed in this book. It just wasn't enjoyable to read.

The light-hearted innocence and fun in prior books of this series was absent in this latest book.

Mary Minor "Harry'' Harristeen is still the main character who sleuths and has adventures with her pet cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, and corgi dog Tucker. But this time Brown just interjected too much information that had nothing to do with the mystery plot of the book. Brown seemed to be using the book to voice her political and cultural opinions and interests, and it detracted from the story.

Although it is interesting that Harry is going to start a vinyard on her farm, several chapters delved more into the realm of how to grow grapes and what farming practices to use, rather than furthering the mystery plot. And I realize that Brown is an outspoken proponent of gay and lesbian rights, and is herself a lesbian. But, the sub-plot about two main characters dealing with the possibility of beginning a gay relationship seemed forced, and just didn't interest me.

The light-hearted coziness of this series that I liked so much just isn't in this book. I didn't like it at all. And I've read several other reviews of die-hard Mrs. Murphy fans that have said basically the same thing.

I will happily take this book back to the library.

#6 - Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton

2006-08-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

If you like Cozy mysteries and have a crafty side, you'll enjoy this book!

Knit One, Kill Two is the first book in a Knitting Mystery series by Maggie Sefton. The main character, Kelly Flynn, returns home to Colorado to handle her aunt's estate. Her aunt was murdered, and Flynn discovers that the person arrested for the crime might not be guilty.

The story is interesting, and the knitting/yarn shop angle is enjoyable. The book also contains a yummy cinnamon roll recipe, and two easy knitting patterns.

I wonder if this book series will inspire knitting pattern books like Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street books? I would definitely buy one!

Other books in the series are:

Needled to Death

A Deadly Yarn

Knit One, Kill Two is an excellent book to curl up with on a fall evening with a cup of steaming hot tea and some chocolate. :) Great cozy mystery!

I look forward to reading the other two books. :)

#5 - Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron

2006-08-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

"Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor" is the first of nine novels that portray Jane Austen as a sleuth. The novel is written as if Jane is writing a journal about events surrounding the suspicious death of an Earl. Stephanie Barron superbly mimics Austen's style, and also includes wonderful footnotes that give background information on English titles and estates, the culture and etiquette of the time, and information on Austen herself.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was a bit hesitant to try it at first, having read some lame attempts by other authors at continuing "Pride and Prejudice.'' But, I was pleasantly surprised.

There are a few lines recycled from Austen's works such as "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.'' Barron uses well-known quotes sparingly to add a flavor of authenticity to the book, but the story is not bogged down with excessive recycled wit.

After reading this first book in the series, I will definitely be reading the other 8. The other books in the series are:

Jane and the Man of the Cloth
Jane and the Wandering Eye
Jane and the Genius of the Place
Jane and the Stillroom Maid
Jane and the Prisoner of Wool House
Jane and the Ghosts of Netley
Jane and the Lordship's Legacy
Jane and the Barque of Frailty (Coming out in Nov 2006)

More information on the book series can be found at www.stephaniebarron.com

#4 - The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Neffenegger

2006-08-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

I was totally hooked by this book ..... so much so that I couldn't stop reading it until the last page. It's been years since I spent all day reading a book because I couldn't put it down. What an imaginative and interesting story!

The Time Traveler's Wife is a tale about Henry and Clare. Henry has a genetic disorder that causes him to travel in time unexpectedly. And Clare is the one that's always left behind, waiting on Henry to come back from his time travels. The development of their relationship is just mesmerizing.

I really enjoyed this book. At first, I was a bit skeptical because the basic premise seemed ridiculous. But, the story just sucked me in and I just couldn't stop reading. It's wonderful to read a book that is a totally fresh approach. This story is totally different from anything I've read before, and that's what kept me engrossed today.

The story switches back and forth from Henry to Clare's perspective. Henry is always worried he will disappear in front of people, and stresses about where he will find himself. Clare meets Henry as a child, and gets to know him as a time traveler that pops in and out of her life, and as her future husband once they actually meet up in "real-time'.

This book is definitely worth reading! I can see why it has 60+ people waiting in line for a copy on PaperBackSwap. When I finished it, I listed it right away.....I will definitely send my copy on so that someone else can enjoy the story like I did! :)

#3 - Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman

2006-08-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I finish a book, I'm really not sure at first whether I liked it or not. I have to ponder the storyline for awhile before I can make up my mind. Blackbird House was one of those books for me. When I read the last page, I just shut the book, put it down, and all I could say was "wow.'' I'm still trying to figure out if I enjoyed the book, or whether it was merely a written attack on my female sense of empathy.

Blackbird House is essentially a book of short stories centered around people living on a small Cape Cod farm over a period of more than 100 years. The book started out as a short story the author wrote for a magazine, and she expanded the work into a novel. Hoffman's prose and story building are superb -- she is a very talented author. But, this book has such a grim tone. All of the families, especially the women and children, that inhabit this farm house have very unhappy lives, or have seemingly unrealistic bad things happen to them. Life is filled with pain and suffering, that is true. But everyone's life also has moments of happiness, but those aren't brought out in this book.

Most characters appear in only one chapter. A few are lucky enough to get more story time. For me, the characters were introduced and hit adversity...and then their story was over, and the book moved on. It felt disjointed and without any resolution or hope for most of them. There was no resolution....just the anticipation of what horrible things could possibly happen to the next set of characters.

So, I guess my final opinion would be that the writing itself was very good, but the overall story tone was just too depressing for me. I do have to applaud Hoffman for a unique approach to story writing in this novel. I'm just not a big fan of books that leave me feeling depressed. I just felt emotionally drained as I read the last page.

Hoffman has written several other novels, including Practical Magic and Turtle Moon. She's also written several children's books.

#2 - Cat on a Winning Streak by Lydia Adamson

2006-08-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

This book is part of a 21-book series by Lydia Adamson. "A Cat on a Winning Streak'' is the 10th book in the series. Usually, I like to read a series starting from the beginning, but I found this book at the thriftshop and couldn't pass it up!

The main character in the series is Alice Nestleton, a part-time actress and pet sitter. She has two cats of her own, and in this book she gets a visit from a mystery cat. :)

The plot of "Winning Streak'' centers around a murder at an Atlantic City hotel, and the discovery of a very pretty white and black cat that just might be a key to solving the crime.

I enjoyed Adamson's writing style, and the story was entertaining. She doesn't get too bogged down in background details as some authors do....the story line flowed smoothly with just enough back-story on Atlantic City and casinos to make it interesting. It's a short book -- about 220 pages -- so it's perfect for an evening of light reading, curled up with a nice cup of tea. :)

Here's a list of the books in the series:

A Cat in the Manger (1990)
A Cat of a Different Color (1991)
A Cat in Wolf's Clothing (1991)
A Cat in the Wings (1992)
A Cat by Any Other Name (1992)
A Cat with a Fiddle (1993)
A Cat in a Glass House (1993)
A Cat with No Regrets (1994)
A Cat on the Cutting Edge (1994)
A Cat on a Winning Streak (1995)
A Cat in Fine Style (1995)
A Cat in a Chorus Line (1996)
A Cat Under the Mistletoe (1996)
A Cat on a Beach Blanket (1997)
A Cat on Jingle Bell Rock (1997)
A Cat on Stage Left (1998)
A Cat of One's Own (1999)
A Cat with the Blues (2000)
A Cat with No Clue (2001)
A Cat Named Brat (2002)
A Cat on the Bus (2002)

TTFN!

#1 - Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown

2006-08-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

I enjoy Rita Mae Brown's books -- especially the Mrs. Murphy series co-authored with her cat Sneaky Paws.

For those of you not familiar with the Mrs. Murphy series, Brown's main character, Mary Minor Harristeen (Harry for short) solves mysteries with the help of her Corgi dog and her cats. There was also a movie "Murder she Purred'' based on this book series.

When I started this reading challenge, I new the first book I read had to be a Mrs. Murphy mystery! I chose "Cat's Eyewitness'', since it was one of two in the series I hadn't read yet.

I really enjoyed the book! This one was a bit different than the prior books in the series. There was more commentary on politics, religion, and social issues. But it was not over-done. Brown's books always have social commentary from the characters, both human and furry. This time, it seemed more pronounced, and more serious. For me, the serious tone made the characters seem more human and realistic. Over the course of the series, Brown has done a wonderful job developing the main characters. I enjoy this series so much, and look forward to each new book!

The mystery in this book centers around a statue of the Virgin Mary at a local monastary that starts crying tears of blood. A monk is discovered dead near the statue, and the investigation begins!

I finished the book in record time, and went back to the library today to check out "Sour Puss,'' the latest Mrs. Murphy mystery.

If you like "cozy'' murder mystery books and are an animal lover....give this series a try! There are 14 books in the series. Plus, Rita Mae Brown has written other books about a range of subjects. "Outfoxed'' is another book that animal lovers will enjoy.

Brain Candy

2006-08-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

Books to the Ceiling,

Books to the Sky,

My pile of books is a mile high

How I love them! How I need them!

I'll have a long beard by the time I read them!

~Arnold Lobel~

I have decided to challenge myself to start reading more. At one time, I was an avid reader...I was always in the library picking out new novels to peruse. But then I got married, had children...life got busy....and for a few years, I didn't have much time to read.

I still have a busy life, kids, a husband....but I'm going to MAKE time to expand my horizons and exercise my brain.

My challenge to myself is to:

Read at least half an hour every day
Keep track of the books I read with blog entries
Visit the library at least once a week
Start reading more to my 2-year old
Try new authors and new genres
Re-visit some books I enjoyed as a kid
Cut down on the time I spend watching television

TTFN!