Dark Lover

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

Description from Amazon:
"In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing their enemies-the lessers-more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed, leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate, Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams."

 

My thoughts:

I was determined not to get sucked into the vampire craze. It took me a long time to make myself read Twilight. The fact that I liked it, shocked me. I was hesitant to read any more of the vampire stuff. But then this book came up on my reading list. I thought I would hate it, but I ended up enjoying it. Weird vampire stuff aside, it was dark, sensual and dramatic. I plan to continue reading this series!

The Four Agreements

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz

Don Miguel Ruiz is a Shamanic teacher and healer. In this book he imparts simple advice on how to live a life full of peace and love. Based on the Toltec wisdom of his ancestors the four agreements are simple, yet thought provoking. Living a life of grace really can be that simple. This book is short and sweet. Many spiritual based books are complex and take a lot of time to read and digest. I enjoyed that this was more simple. Filled with good reminders, I would recommend this to anyone who wants to live a peaceful life!

How to Bake the Perfect Life

How to Bake the Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal

This was a good read. Following the life of a woman and how she grows and finds strength through challenges. I enjoyed the plot--creating something from nothing (in baking, mothering, self awareness). I did find it a bit long, but I am a pretty demanding reader when it comes to pace. Overall, I would recommend for those who like books that span a character's life.

Take the Stairs

Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success by Rory Vaden

Vaden's premise is that to be successful you do it in a focused, disciplined manner. He urges the reader to avoid "quick fixes" and work hard to reach goals.

From my perspective, this book was all just common sense. His 7 steps are: sacrifice, commitment, focus, integrity, schedule, faith and action. Again, all common sense. A lot of talking about how these steps help you become successful. In some cases I actually disagreed with the author.

The book was OK. I didn't find it groundbreaking or particularly motivational, but perhaps for a young person, just building a career it might be more applicable.

The Spirit Catches You

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman

This book explores the clash of two cultures--Hmong and American. Lia Lee, a Hmong child is very ill. The Californian doctors diagnose her with epilepsy. Her parents don't understand American medicine. Tragedy ensues as the cultures clash on what is best for Lia. The American doctors want to heal her using Western medicine, the parents want to care for her using their own customs. Both people want what they think is best for the child.

The part where Lia is taken away from her parents was heartbreaking for me. I cannot imagine the pain that she was in being separated from her very loving family. And my heart was with her Mother. I cannot fathom having a sick child ripped away from me.

This was my first introduction to the Hmong. The author does a good job of explaining their history in Laos and the reasons for their immigration to America. At times it felt as if she were generalizing an entire group of people, as I'm sure not all Hmong are identical to the Lees. Overall I think her depiction is balanced.

Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Another YA novel made it onto my reading list. Not sure who the recommend came from. I was ambivalent about this one. It is a dystopian novel, with a pretty unique voice, but I wasn't really engaged. A good book for the teen reader who enjoys dystopia, though.

Betrayal in Death

Betrayal in Death by JD Robb

Still loving this series...

Each book retains the characters I have grown to love and creates a new, suspenseful story.

If you enjoy suspense/crime fiction with female leads, definitely add this series to your list.

Under the Bridge

Under the Bridge by Rebecca Godfrey

For the those who like to read true crime, this one is intriguing. In a small Canadian community seemingly ordinary teenagers turn into murderers. Teenage girls plot to beat up 14-year old Reena Virk. The plan goes terribly awry when it turns into a heartless murder. These kids then keep this a secret for over a week.

Rebecca Godfrey brings this tragic murder to the page in a gripping and moving way. She conducts interviews with the people directly involved and the story unfolds from multiple perspectives. She attempts to give the reader an understanding of each of the key players in what happened. This is especially true of Warren, one of the convicted murderers. She attempts to show the human side of him and the psychology of how one very wrong decision alters so many lives. At times I even felt Reena Virk was minimized in the recount, as it leaned more toward the psychology of her killers.

I am not terribly familiar with the way the Canadian justice systems works. After finishing this book I did more research on what has happened to the people convicted of this murder. This was the first time I read about restorative justice and the role it plays in Canada. Warren is already out of prison. Kelly, the other defendant, was still wrapped up in appeals. She is the one that is clearly disturbed. T

his led me to question if restorative justice works and how it works. More research for me.

 When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

I enjoy a good historical romance. I didn't love this one, but didn't hate it either.

The part I liked: The honesty of the characters. I thought they were well developed and had some realistic flaws.

The part I didn't like: The story line is a bit shallow, that was hard to get over. The language was also a bit hard at times.

Overall this is a good book for the historical romance fan. Not making my favorites list, but I did read to the end!

The Killing Game

The Killing Game by Iris Johansen

Continuing the Eve Duncan series. I loved this one! It is intense. There is suspense, intrigue, bonding and a little emotion! Eve Duncan is a complex character that I find myself engaging strongly with. This is the type of suspense I love...I think I know who the killer is…no I’m wrong…wait I’m right! Kept me on the edge until the very end.

If you love suspense or crime fiction with female leads you should definitely start this series!

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

I find Chinese history and culture to be fascinating; particularly the societal roles of women. This novel is set in nineteenth-century China. The main character is Lily. Her life unfolds vividly, beginning when she is just a child. The main plot is regarding the secret lives of women, friendship and emotional survival.

I found the emphasis on foot-binding particularly of interest. I honestly had no idea how barbaric this practice really is.

Emotional and riveting, I highly recommend this for history buffs or any fan of dramatic literature.

 

Proposed Roads to Freedom

Proposed Roads to Freedom by Bertrand Russell

My fascination with politics and world governments led me to this book. It is pretty limited in scope and classic (written in 1918). But overall, Russell gives valuable insight on the roots of Socialism, Anarchism and Syndicalism. He compares these ideas and lists both good and bad points.

Sure to challenge your intellect, this is a must-read for those interested in politics, philosophy of government or mass psychology. I will be re-reading this book in the future, for sure!

On a side note, this is of particular interest in America, as the word "Socialism" is thrown about quite freely. It would be interesting to poll people using the word to see just how many actually know any real facts about the socialist movement.

The House of the Scorpion

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Description from Amazon:

"MATTEO ALACRáN WAS NOT BORN; HE WAS HARVESTED. His DNA came from El Patrón, lord of a country called Opium -- a strip of poppy fields lying between the United States and what was once called Mexico. Matt's first cell split and divided inside a petri dish. Then he was placed in the womb of a cow, where he continued the miraculous journey from embryo to fetus to baby. He is a boy now, but most consider him a monster -- except for El Patrón. El Patrón loves Matt as he loves himself, because Matt is himself. As Matt struggles to understand his existence, he is threatened by a sinister cast of characters, including El Patrón's power-hungry family, and he is surrounded by a dangerous army of bodyguards. Escape is the only chance Matt has to survive. But escape from the Alacrán Estate is no guarantee of freedom, because Matt is marked by his difference in ways he doesn't even suspect."
My thoughts:
Super weird, but yet quite engaging YA novel. I actually enjoyed it to the very end! I might have to stop stating that I don't like YA or Sci-Fi. Seems I just might...

I Love Yous Are For White People

I Love Yous Are For White People: A Memoir by Lac Su

Lac Su's memoir details his family's escape from the Communist regime in Vietnam. They immigrates to Los Angeles,where they try to find the "American Dream," but find poverty and struggle instead.

Living in a bad area, with a culture that is hard to blend, Lac Su struggles to belong. His Father is very strict (to the point of abusive) which forces Lac Su to find unhealthy ways to rise above the fear he feels at home. He goes through many ordeals, including turning to a gang for the sense of belonging he so desires.

I was sad for him, sad for his childhood. I really enjoyed the honesty of his memoir. He brings to the page the difficulty of blending cultures.

 

Edge of Sight

Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire

New romantic suspense series alert! I picked up this title and really liked it. Found it is part of a series--the Guardian Angelinos series.

Zach is an alpha male with the wounds to heal. Emotional, action packed and steamy!

Adding this series to my list.

Cleo

Cleo: The Cat Who Mended a Family by Helen Brown

Description from Amazon:

"We're just going to." Helen Brown had no intention of adopting a pet when she brought her sons, Sam and Rob, to visit a friend's new kittens. But the runt of the litter was irresistible, with her overlarge ears and dainty chin.When Cleo was delivered weeks later, she had no way of knowing that her new family had just been hit by a tragedy. Helen was sure she couldn't keep her-until she saw something she thought had vanished from the earth forever: her son's smile The reckless, rambunctious kitten stayed. Through happiness and heartbreak, changes and new beginnings, Cleo turned out to be the unlikely glue the affectionately held Helen's family together. Rich in wisdom, wit, heart, and healing, here is the story of a cat with an extraordinary gift for knowing just where she was needed the most."

My thoughts:

Absolutely heart-breaking. This book is more about Helen Brown overcoming a grief of unimaginable magnitude, than about Cleo the cat. Brown lived through every parent's worst nightmare: the loss of her son. Every person's grief takes a different path and Helen shares her private path in this beautifully crafted story.

Sweet Return

Sweet Return by Anna Jeffrey

For the contemporary romance reader, this is a sweet and light read. Jeffrey crafted multi-faceted, realistic characters with a writing style that kept me reading.

You Might As Well Laugh

You Might As Well Laugh: A Working Mother's #1 Rule by Sandi Kahn Shelton

This book is a collection of humorous articles geared toward working Moms. Sometimes life seems so hectic that all you really can do is laugh.

Easy reading with portions that every Mother can relate to on some level.

A Long Way Gone

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ismael Beah

Riveting and heartbreaking, this memoir really impacted me. The plight of child soldiers is one I honestly hadn't considered. Beah's story opened my eyes to this issue. I read that an estimated 300K children are serving as soldiers around the world.

Beah recounts his life. At 13 he is forced into war, given drugs, given guns and trained to be a killer. The magnitude of taking lives is so large, what does that do to a child?

This book was quite painful to read, but worth it. Beah was fortunate to get out, I hope he is successful in getting more children out of this dreadful existence.

No One You Know

No One You Know by Michelle Richmond

I honestly can’t remember the details of  this one, so it’s obviously not memorable. But I did rate it on Goodreads.com. Let me know if you’ve read it and what you thought!

Just Let Me Lie Down

Just Let Me Lie Down: Necessary Terms for the Half Insane Working Mom by Kristin van Ogtrop

Being a Mom is always challenging. Adding a full time career inserts some unique difficulties. Sometimes it feels like a huge juggling act. When the stress is high, humor helps!

In this book the author shares funny stories/anecdotes about being a working Mom. There was a lot I could relate to.

I would love to write my own book on this subject!

Run for Your Life

Run for Your Life by James Patterson

I usually enjoy Patterson novels. I find his stories flow smoothly and are quick to read.

In this novel, Michael Bennett struggles with his personal life, including caring for 10 kids. At the same time, he is hunting a killer that calls himself “The Teacher.” This is a light, easy to read suspense/thriller.

After reading I discovered that this title is part of a series; so now I will need to go back and start at the beginning!

Malice

Malice by Lisa Jackson

This wasn’t the best book I’ve read by Lisa Jackson, but it was pretty good. The plot is slightly ridiculous, which made it hard to get into. It was also a bit too long, a lot could have been cut out.

Regardless of the issues I had with the book, I would still recommend this one to those who enjoy thrillers.

Seeing Red

Seeing Red by Susan Crandall

Description from Amazon:

“Ellis Greene remembers very little about the night of her cousin Laura's murder, but she does recall the face of the murderer. Ellis was the key witness to the crime, and her testimony helped put Hollis Alexander in jail for a long time. With Hollis behind bars, Ellis should feel safe, but the memory of that awful night still haunts her. Determined to free herself from the fear of being attacked like her cousin, Ellis has become an expert in self defense. However, when Ellis hears that Hollis has been paroled, she feels like a helpless teenager again--and she isn't the only one who notices that he's free. Laura's boyfriend Nate was one of the prime suspects for her murder. After the court case, many still believed that Nate was guilty and he left town to reinvent himself. Now, fifteen years later, he has returned to protect Ellis from suffering the same fate as her cousin. As soon as Ellis and Nate see one another, sparks fly. But Ellis hasn't let herself fall for a man in a long time, and she isn't sure whether she can trust Nate. As Laura's murderer zeroes in on Ellis as his next target, she must fight to stay alive while she finally discovers her true feelings about Nate.”

My thoughts:

A great read for the romantic suspense enthusiast. I really engaged with Ellis’s character and found the plot compelling to the end.

Life Without Summer

Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin

As a Mother, this book really hit me emotionally.Tessa's life is forever changed when her 4-year old daughter is killed in an accident outside her preschool. The grief is palpable, as Tessa tries to make sense of her new life. Every Mother's fear is to lose a child. Just reading about this character's loss was painful. I cannot imagine the feelings that would come from losing one of my babies.

 

Tessa spends time with her grief counselor, Celia, who is also struggling with a loss from her past and current family problems.  Both women are keeping journals of their struggles and their voices are honest and emotional. I liked the plot of dysfunction and unexpected events. Life is not perfect and this book shows that.

 

While I liked this book, overall, there were a few things I didn't like. Each woman had enough character to fill her own book. I would rather have read a book about only Tessa or only Cecelia. I also didn't love the ending.

Running with Scissors

Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

Description from Amazon:

"Running with Scissors is the true story of a boy whose mother (a poet with delusions of Anne Sexton) gave him away to be raised by her unorthodox psychiatrist who bore a striking resemblance to Santa Claus. So at the age of twelve, Burroughs found himself amidst Victorian squalor living with the doctor’s bizarre family, and befriending a pedophile who resided in the backyard shed. The story of an outlaw childhood where rules were unheard of, and the Christmas tree stayed up all year round, where Valium was consumed like candy, and if things got dull an electroshock- therapy machine could provide entertainment. The funny, harrowing and bestselling account of an ordinary boy’s survival under the most extraordinary circumstances."

 

My thoughts:

A definite recommend for the memoir enthusiast. Burroughs story is both witty and heartbreaking. This was a quick read for me, as I followed Burroughs through his sad childhood. In the end, I love that he is able to go on and have a successful life after the setbacks of his childhood. 

Disciplined Dreaming

Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity by Josh Linkner

 

I enjoy books that urge me to new creative heights. This one was good, however I've read better.

 

Linkner encourages dreaming, but with a focus on discipline and process. This is more apt to a corporate setting, rather than entrepreneurship.It makes a good argument for why corporations need creativity in today's business environment. For that reason, I would recommend this to the corporate reader, but not necessarily to the person focused on building their own business or brand.

 

The best section of this book is the questions posed to open the mind to new possibilities and the case studies. I enjoyed the exercises and gained some new insights.

Love Me to Death

Love Me to Death by Allison Brennan

Description from Amazon:

"Six years ago, Lucy Kincaid was attacked and nearly killed by an online predator. She survived. Her attacker did not. Now Lucy’s goal is to join the FBI and fight cyber-crime, but in the meantime, she’s volunteering with a victim’s rights group, surfing the Web undercover to lure sex offenders into the hands of the law. But when the predators she hunts start turning up as murder victims, the FBI takes a whole new interest in Lucy.With her future and possibly even her freedom suddenly in jeopardy, Lucy discovers she’s a pawn in someone’s twisted plot to mete out vigilante justice. She joins forces with security expert and daredevil Sean Rogan, and together they track their elusive quarry from anonymous online chat rooms onto the mean streets of Washington, D.C. But someone else is shadowing them: A merciless stalker has his savage eye on Lucy. The only way for her to escape his brutality may be another fight to the death."

 

My thoughts:

This was my first experience with Allison Brennan and I will definitely read more! If you enjoy romantic suspense, give this one a try. It is packed with action, strong characters and suspense.

Whisper No Lies

Whisper No Lies by Cindy Gerard

I am loving Gerard's Black Ops series! I just finished book three. Fast moving, intense and sexy this book kept me enthralled to the end. Gerard builds strong characters and is able to invoke strong emotion.

So far in the series:

Show No Mercy
Take No Prisoners
Whisper No Lies

On to the next!

Scared to Death

Scared to Death by Wendy Corsi Staub

I really don't have anything positive to say about this book. The characters are one dimensional, and the suspense is sorely lacking.

This is part of a trilogy...and I think I have read one other in this series. I was having flashbacks to a different book (also with a ridiculous plot). Reading this one as a stand alone is not a good idea, the reader would be completely lost. I was completely lost and I had read the previous book!

In the end, I just couldn't get past the weak character development.

The First Love Cookie Club

The First Love Cookie Club by Lori Wilde

Description from Amazon:

"The top rules of the First Love Cookie Club: No men. No kids. No store-bought. No gossip! And no one is going to keep rule #4 now that local-gal-made-good Sarah Collier has reluctantly returned to Twilight, Texas. The once-awkward teenager has become a big-time success with her bestselling kids’ books. Now she’s come back home to grant one child a very special wish, even though her own heart was once broken by the little girl’s father, Travis Walker. This all makes Sarah wonder, even though you can go home again—should you? Every time she turns the corner, the memory of who she was hits her square in the face, and it isn’t pretty. But there’s magic in Twilight, Texas—the magic of friendship and the magic of love, if only Sarah would open her heart to it. . . . "

My thoughts:
I found this book to be terribly dull. The plot is utterly unrealistic. Then, if you can get over that, the characters are poorly constructed. I didn't care for Sarah at all. And Travis is only marginally interesting. Usually, an author can pull me in with a good child character, but this book seems to sideline the kid completely.

Basically, I give this book a big yawn...

The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Lowry's dystopian fiction has won awards and also been challenged, even banned by schools. Perfect combination--when a book is controversial, it is usually worth reading!

Aimed at the YA crowd, "The Giver" follows 12-year old Jonas through his assignment to an important community position. Jonas lives in a society with no crime, no poverty, no unemployment--a seeming Utopia. However, as he delves into the history of the society, troubling issues arise. What must a community give up in order to create this level of conformity and sameness?

The controversies of this book include themes of euthanasia, infanticide and suicide. In my opinion, as a YA book, all of these ethical issues are valid to explore. I would prefer young adults read books with substance and thought provoking material.

Overall, this book is beautifully told. It is part of a series, but I have only read this first novel.

The Stepmother

The Stepmother by Carrie Adams

Description from Amazon:
"Bea Frazier hoped she'd rediscover her incredible self after divorcing Jimmy. But being home alone with three daughters brings her demons back with a vengeance. The only solution is to reunite her family. The trouble is, her ex is about to marry someone else. Tessa King has finally found true love, but her knight in shining armor comes with three sullen daughters and an ex who doesn't seem nearly "ex" enough. After years of singledom, what does Tessa have to do to finally live happily ever after? As the two women negotiate carpools, puberty, and family loyalties, each finds it almost impossible not to fall into the old cliche of the bitter first wife and the wicked stepmother. But if Bea and Tessa are brave enough, they just may find a friend where they once saw an enemy. . . . "

My thoughts:
I was torn on this one. While there were some things I really enjoyed, there were also some disappointments.

I enjoyed the plot--Becoming a single Mom after so many years of being married, trying to find yourself after being lost for so long.

I was often disappointed in the character development--Bea cannot seem to let go of the past and move toward a future. Her character was almost too raw, and she became one-dimensional. The "other" woman, Tessa, also lacks substance. Having a man be the center of their universe, to the exclusion of all else, is just not very realistic. And Jimmy, the center of all the drama, is also a hard character to like. I found myself mostly on Bea's side, but felt pretty ambivalent about all the characters. I was mostly engaged with the children. As in real life, they were the ones suffering the most from the dissolution of their family.

While I didn't always like the characters or the way things played out, I would still recommend this as a decent read.

The Red Tent

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

Description from Amazon:
"Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis that tell of her father, Jacob, and his twelve sons.Told in Dinah's voice, Anita Diamant imagines the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood--the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of the mothers--Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah--the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that sustain her through childhood, a calling to midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. Dinah's story reaches out from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate connection with the past."

My thoughts:
I loved the imagery and richness of this book. Diamant brings the story of Dinah to life in an honest and compelling way. While Dinah's character is based on a Biblical story, this plot is not focused on religion. Instead the focus is on the history of women, of mothers and daughters and their struggles and triumphs. In reverence of women, this is a masterpiece.

I recommend for those of you who enjoy historic fiction and also for women who enjoy reading about the journeys of past women.

Peace is Like a River

Peace is Like a River by Leif Enger

Enger's debut novel is amazing. Themes include miracles, fate, family values and spirituality. Told in an honest, compelling voice, this novel is both heart warming and thought provoking.

Enger sets himself apart with this beautifully crafted debut.

Marrying Daisy Bellamy

Marrying Daisy Bellamy by Susan Wiggs

Daisy is a single mother. She is torn between two men. Charlie's Dad, Logan wants to be part of her life and she does have feeling for him. But her heart cannot forget her teen love, Julian.

This wasn't an enjoyable read for me. After reading it I discovered it is part of a series. Maybe if I had read the previous books I would have been interested in the characters more. As a stand-alone I wouldn't recommend it.

In my opinion, there were too many characters to keep track of ,and while the writing was decent, I felt the emotion was superficial. Overall I felt this book was depressing!

Gabby

Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience by Gabrielle Giffords & Mark Kelly

Description from Amazon:

"Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly’s story is a reminder of the power of true grit, the patience needed to navigate unimaginable obstacles, and the transcendence of love. Their arrival in the world spotlight came under the worst of circumstances. On January 8, 2011, while meeting with her constituents in Tucson, Arizona, Gabby was the victim of an assassination attempt that left six people dead and thirteen wounded. Gabby was shot in the head; doctors called her survival “miraculous.” As the nation grieved and sought to understand the attack, Gabby remained in private, focused on her against all- odds recovery. Intimate, inspiring, and unforgettably moving, Gabby provides an unflinching look at the overwhelming challenges of brain injury, the painstaking process of learning to communicate again, and the responsibilities that fall to a loving spouse who wants the best possible treatment for his wife. Told in Mark’s voice and from Gabby’s heart, the book also chronicles the lives that brought these two extraordinary people together—their humor, their ambitions, their sense of duty, their long distance marriage, and their desire for family. A new, moving final chapter brings Gabby’s story up to date, including the state of her health and her announcement that she would leave the House of Representatives."

My Thoughts:
I highly recommend this book. It is one of the best I have read recently. I was moved and inspired by this woman.

When Giffords was shot I saw the story, but didn't know a lot about her. This book goes through her life, with a minimal focus on the attack she suffered. The political climate in America today makes me so sad. Gabby, the staff and the spectators that were killed are American Heroes. They lost their lives supporting and loving Democracy. The photo in the middle of the book with President Obama holding Giffords hand while she was in a coma brought tears to my eyes.

Reading about Giffords ambition and passion made me even prouder to be an American. This book really put a personal face on a person who genuinely has a passion for America and making it a better place to live. The love between Kelly and Gifford is also expressed as a beautiful thing. I can't say enough about this book!!

One Fine Cowboy

One Fine Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

Cowboy theme...not my favorite. However, this was a very sweet romance. A bit long, in my opinion, but one of those mindless reads for a rainy day.

The male character, Nate, is not my usual favorite--alpha male. For those of you that enjoy a more vulnerable male lead, this one is for you!

Look Again

Look Again by Lisa Scottoline

Description from Amazon:
"When reporter Ellen Gleeson gets a “Have You Seen This Child?” flyer in the mail, she almost throws it away. But something about it makes her look again, and her heart stops—the child in the photo is identical to her adopted son, Will. Her every instinct tells her to deny the similarity between the boys, because she knows her adoption was lawful. But she’s a journalist and won’t be able to stop thinking about the photo until she figures out the truth. And she can’t shake the question: if Will rightfully belongs to someone else, should she keep him or give him up? She investigates, uncovering clues no one was meant to discover, and when she digs too deep, she risks losing her own life—and that of the son she loves.

Lisa Scottoline breaks new ground in Look Again, a thriller that’s both heart-stopping and heart-breaking, and sure to have new fans and book clubs buzzing."

 

My thoughts:

A decent thriller. As a mother, I engaged with Ellen's character. This book moves at a fast pace and keeps the suspense high. A definite read for the suspense enthusiast.

The Innocent Man

The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham

Description from Amazon:
"In the town of Ada, Oklahoma, Ron Williamson was going to be the next Mickey Mantle. But on his way to the Big Leagues, Ron stumbled, his dreams broken by drinking, drugs, and women. Then, on a winter night in 1982, not far from Ron’s home, a young cocktail waitress named Debra Sue Carter was savagely murdered. The investigation led nowhere. Until, on the flimsiest evidence, it led to Ron Williamson. The washed-up small-town hero was charged, tried, and sentenced to death—in a trial littered with lying witnesses and tainted evidence that would shatter a man’s already broken life, and let a true killer go free.
Impeccably researched, grippingly told, filled with eleventh-hour drama, John Grisham’s first work of nonfiction reads like a page-turning legal thriller. It is a book that will terrify anyone who believes in the presumption of innocence—a book no American can afford to miss."

 

My thoughts:

I was excited to read this nonfiction piece by Grisham. I was impressed by the research that went into this book. However, all of the details made it hard to get into. It was slow to start and hard to read in some places. Overall thought, the story of Ron Williamson is one that is unbelievable and truly concerning. I did further research after finishing the book. A recommend for fans of true crime, memoirs and/or justice themes.

No One Heard Her Scream

No One Heard Her Scream by Jordan Dane

This is a chilling debut by Jordan Dane. The main character is a detective whose sister has been abducted. The case is not clear cut and more college women go missing. Detective Montgomery finds a partner and also a love interest while following the twists of this case. A remarkable thriller, with a small side of romance, this is a definite recommend.

A Farewell to Arms

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Fellow readers often criticize Hemingway. I believe his style is misunderstood among many. His style is meant to be bleak, and he promises (and offers) no happy endings.

A Farewell to Arms is beautifully crafted. Set in WWI, an American ambulance driver is serving in Italy. While there, he begins a love affair with an English nurse.

The imagery is profound, the plot unnerving. Hemingway explores love and war, and grips the reader in the difficult characters.

I love this one!

Genesis

Genesis by Bernard Beckett

Description from Amazon:

“What does it mean to be human?” The answer lies within the mystery of Genesis. Set in a postapocalyptic future, the novel takes the form of an examination undergone by young Anaximander as she prepares to enter an enigmatic institution known simply as The Academy. For her subject she has chosen the life of the philosopher-soldier Adam Forde, her long-dead hero. It is through Anax’s presentation and her answers to persistent questioning by her examiners that we learn the history of her island Republic, along with the rules and beliefs of their society. At the completion of the examination, when everything has been laid bare, Anax must confront the Republic’s last great secret, her own surprising link to Adam Forde, and the horrifying truth about her world. Like the great writers Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick, Bernard Beckett explores the relationship between humans and technology in a brilliantly rendered novel that will keep readers guessing until the final page."

 

What I thought:

While I am usually not enthralled by either YA novels, or futuristic ones, "Genesis" was superb. Beckett's style moves quickly, hooking the reader from beginning to end. This is a short read, one I finished in one sitting. I found the prose to be rare in it's originality and descriptiveness. The philosophic nature of this book is what kept me intrigued. Beckett inserts thought provoking issues about the nature of the world and humans. I don't want to give away too much, but this is a book I would recommend to almost any reader.

All I Ever Wanted

All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins

Description from Amazon:

"One Happily-Ever-After Rocking Chair... and no sign of any forthcoming babies to rock in ol' Georgebury, Vermont. For Callie Grey, turning thirty means coming to grips with the fact that her boss (and five-week fling) is way overdue in his marriage proposal. And way off track because Mark has suddenly announced his engagement to the company's new Miss Perfect. If that isn't bad enough, her mom decides to throw her a three-oh birthday bash in the family funeral home. Bad goes to worse when she stirs up a crazy relationship with the town's not so warm and fuzzy veterinarian, Ian McFarland, in order to flag Mark's attention. So Ian is more comfortable with animals.... So he's formal, orderly and just a bit tense. The ever-friendly, fun-loving and spontaneous Callie decides it's time for Ian to get a personality makeover. But dang, if he doesn't shock the heck out of her, she might actually fall for Vermont's unlikeliest eligible bachelor...."

 

My thoughts:

When it comes to light romantic comedy, Higgins is one my favorites. She crafts characters that are strong, funny, vulnerable and realistic. Callie's character was no exception. Love to read the happy endings!

Vanish

Vanish by Tess Gerritsen

I recently finished book five in this series. Gerritsen again brings an ultimate thriller to the page. I was hooked by her first book. I recently read that she is a retired internist. That must be why her detail is so vivid.

Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles both continue to be developed into complex characters. On to book six!

Here is the list so far,

The Surgeon
The Apprentice
The Sinner
Body Double
Vanish

Old School

Old School by Tobias Wolff

I love to write. Although I have not published a novel, I still consider myself a writer. I am at my happiest when I am reading or writing.

My love for the written word led to my love of this book. Wolff writes a detailed, descriptive narrative. The main character is a nameless boy, attending a prep school in the 1960's. This boy is an outsider, trying to blend into this surroundings. He wants to be a writer and to get there he has to truly know himself. Literature is the center of his world.

The theme of this book is gripping. Anyone with a love for literature should read this. I found insight into my own feelings through the struggles of this character.

Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Another blast from the past.

This book is a personal nightmare of mine. Based in the future it portrays a society that outlaws reading, Bradbury paints a scary picture of what could someday become reality. What happens when people are happy to drift through life, only having trivial knowledge?

I see people like this every day! Non-thinkers, who believe that ignorance truly is bliss. Instead of reading the book, they want to watch the movie. Instead of taking a stance on difficult issues, they want to pretend the issue doesn't exist. Instead of pursuing education and excellence, they are satisfied with mediocrity.

Intellect is not always appreciated, and this book shows what can happen in a world of non-thinkers. Scary stuff!!

CEO of Me

CEO of Me: Creating a Life That Works in the Flexible Job Age by Ellen Kossek

I admit that, at times, I struggle with work/life balance. If you are in the same boat, this is a good read. It contains some great advice and helpful scenarios. One of my favorite sayings is, "If you don't have a plan, you are part of someone else's plan." This book helps me remember that I have my own plans and I am in total control of those plans!

Damaged

Damaged: The Heartbreaking True Story of a Forgotten Child by Cathy Glass

This is the story of an 8-year old little girl who is stuck in the foster care system. With my intense feelings about abused children, this was a difficult read.

Jodie is violent and hard to love. By the time she comes to live with Cathy Glass she has already been through several other foster families. Both her Mother and Father, along with several others, were all sexually abusing Jodie. Years of constant abuse made this little girl into someone who was unable to trust and unsure of how to act in normal circumstances.

Cathy tells her story is a straight forward, honest way. She does not minimize the difficulties in taking care of a damaged child, but instead gives hope that there are people who devote their lives to helping children in these situations.

The only thing that bothered me about this, is that I felt Jodie should be the one telling her story, if and when she is able to do so. I wasn't sure it was Glass's place to recount the horrors of Jodie's childhood. On the flip side, I admire Glass for giving this little girl a life, and also spreading the word about children in need of good foster parents.

A recommend for those that are involved with abused children, or for people who love children.

Then Came You

Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas

Another endearing novel by Lisa Kleypas. Her romances are intensely character driven. I have yet to read a Kleypas book that I didn't appreciate.

Add this one to your list if you love emotional romances....

Last Night at Chauteau Marmont

Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger

If you are looking for a light read, check this one out! It is witty, funny and cute.

Half Broke Horses

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Walls authored her own life story in "The Glass Castle." In "Half Broke Horses" she tells the story of her Grandmother Lily's life. Reminiscent of "Little House on the Prairie," but for adults, this novel paints a moving picture of an outspoken woman surviving life's tragedies.

I recommend this to those who enjoy memoirs.

Half the Sky

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof

Passionately written, a plea to take notice of oppression of women and girls around the world. Kristof, writing with Sheryl WuDunn, takes the reader from Africa and Asia and introduces women who struggle to survive. From sex slaves, to lack of health care, to harrowing discrimination.

This book made me both sad and angry. It helped to reignite my goals of helping others. Yes, I'm just one person, but I can do small things that make a big difference in so many lives.

I am so thankful to be born into a country where, as a woman, I am free to be what I want to be. Putting myself in the place of the women in these stories is painful. But I also see the goodness of the human spirit, in both the writers, and in the women who survive these atrocities and still hang onto hope.

 

 

Toward the Setting Sun

Toward the Setting Sun: John Ross, the Cherokees and the Trail of Tears by Brian Hicks

I appreciate true American history. The story of what happened to our Native American ancestors maintains a low profile in most history books. What children learn in school is shallow and often inaccurate. It is a period that can be learned from, but is often ignored. Hicks tells the tragedy of the Cherokee people in a detailed, rich manner. The sad history of this proud people is given the respect it deserves.

Throughout the book you can see how the Cherokees tried to adapt to the changes happening around them, but sometimes adapting is not enough. Everything was stripped from these people.

Could something like this happen again in America? It happens every day in different areas of the world. And the way some people believe that their morals and ideals are superior to others is what creates a tragedy like this. Something to think about with the current political climate.

Moving, educational and insightful.

Lost Voices from the Titanic

Lost Voices from the Titanic by Nick Barratt

So moving. As a child I had a vivid dream about being on the Titanic. I still remember the dream in great detail. The dream created strong feelings for me about the victims and survivors. Since, I have been in awe of this tragedy.

I appreciate this book, as Barratt gives first account descriptions from the survivors. Putting myself in the position of the survivors, as I read their tales...that is what a good book allows you to do.

Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia by Julie Powell

This is Julie Powell's story of how she turned a blogging project into a writing career. She gives herself a challenge to complete 524 recipes by Julia Child in "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and blog about them--in just one year.The book is okay.I liked how Julie grows throughout the memoir, but, honesty I was bored through a lot of the book.

Whitney, My Love

Whitney, My Love—Judith McNaught

Judith McNaught is one of my favorite romantic authors. This was not one of my favorite McNaught books, although I liked it. The main problem was that it is simply too long. And also quite unbelievable. One misunderstanding that could not be cleared up by a two minute conversation is okay, but not several. It is still worth reading, if you are a McNaught fan.

Lead Me On

Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl

Any other Victoria Dahl fans out there. This is one I really enjoyed. The “good girl" and the “bad boy.” A theme I always like. This one is pretty hot!

Maybe This Time

Maybe this Time by Jennifer Crusie

Another romantic comedy by Crusie. In this book, Andie is ready to marry her fiance and forget her ex-husband. But then the ex asks her for a favor and she is unable to resist. North (the ex) asks her to help with two children he inherited. The kids are surly and also convinced the house they are living in is haunted.  Andie continues to resist her feeling for North, as she grows closer to the children. But this new family may just be meant to be. Adorable!

Kiss an Angel

Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Amazon Description:
“How did pretty, flighty Daisy Devreaux find herself in this fix? She can either go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has chosen for her. Alex Markov, however, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little featherhead with champagne tastes. As humorless as he is deadly handsome, he drags the irrepressible Daisy away from her uptown life and sets out to tame her.
Except it won't be as easy as he thinks. This man without a soul has met a woman who's nothing but heart. Will vows spoken in haste shatter . . . or offer the promise of love everlasting?”

My thoughts:
Another emotional novel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. The plot starts out seeming rather ridiculous, however I soon found myself pulled into the characters. I ended up absolutely loving it, as I do all Phillips novels.

Running the Books

Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian by Avi Steinberg

In this memoir, Steinberg tells the story of how he found his place in the world. There was a depth to his story that I really appreciate. Steinberg is expected to be a certain person, but instead he chooses to find himself and follow his own path.

Really liked this one.

The Memory Palace

The Memory Palace by Mira Bartok

A Mother with Schizophrenia struggles to have a relationship and her daughters. Children cannot understand mental illness and the girls in this book grow up scared and unsure. When they reach adulthood, they cut off all contact with their mother, but are brought back to her side, years later, as she dies.

The language is beautiful, the relationship between a mother and daughter, beautiful. Not an easy read, but enjoyable.

UnPlanned

UnPlanned by Abby Johnson

Description from Amazon:

"Abby Johnson quit her job in October 2009. That simple act became a national news story because Abby was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas who, after participating in an actual abortion procedure for the first time, walked down the street to join the Coalition for Life. Unplanned is a heart-stopping personal drama of life-and-death encounters, a courtroom battle, and spiritual transformation that speaks hope and compassion into the political controversy that surrounds this issue. Telling Abby's story from both sides of the abortion clinic property line, this book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the life versus rights debate and helping women who face crisis pregnancies."

My Thoughts:

It is hard to write a review centered on such an explosive subject. I want to state, up front, that this is not an issue that I am going to divulge my personal beliefs about. I tend to be "in the gray" on this one, and I won't dwell on that here.

As for the book, I like to read things from both sides of hot button issues. This particular book comes from the anti-abortion point of view and was highly recommended.

My feeling on this book are hard to define But, for the most part, negative.

1. The beginning of the book is very emotional. The description Johnson gives of an abortion brought me to tears. If I had left myself with that initial perspective, I may have had more respect for the author. However, as I am prone to do, I did some thinking and some researching. The scenario she gives at the beginning is simply not supported by fact as something that  actually happened. Johnson wants the reader to believe that she works at Planned Parenthood for 8 years (in an admin role) and then, out of the blue, a doctor asks her to assist on a medical procedure that she has never assisted on before. Even though there is a qualified nurse in the room assisting. Crazily enough (sarcasm intended), no records support this. She lost credibility with me after that.

2. I found Abby Johnson to be quite self-centered, sanctimonious and disingenuous. In the beginning she complains that her church was not supportive of her working at Planned Parenthood. Then later in the book she complains that another church wasn't comfortable with her taking such an active stance on pro-life. This mentality screams out for attention and validation from others. In both circumstances she seems unsure of standing on her own beliefs. This impression only deepened after reading her blog after finishing the book.

3. This quote from the book really got me, she says: "I admit, I'm not much of a follower. Never have been. I like to lead." This was the worst quote. No doubt about it, she is a follower. Throughout the book she continuously whines about what others think about her and repeatedly claims to be a victim. She expects the reader to believe that Planned Parenthood tricked her, for 8 years, into believing they were helping women. She makes it seem like there is a grand plot to seduce her into working for them, against her own will. This simply makes her seem naive and honestly, unintelligent. She does a complete flip to the other side; going from "being fine" with abortion to fighting against even a choice for women. Flipping, literally over a few weeks, from one view to the polar opposite. I found this to be strange and disturbing, like there are not valid concerns on both sides of the issue.

4. I might have respected her opinion more if she had come to the conclusion that abortion is wrong after having 2 abortions of her own (which she states in the book didn't affect her emotionally). Or if it hadn't taken her eight years to decide she believed the total opposite. The way she tries to place the blame on Planned Parenthood is just not something I can respect. They are upfront about what they do. She was not a victim. In fact, she had not one, but two abortions and wants to now take the right to choose away from everyone else. I found this to be hypocritical in the extreme.  She is one of the people that says "so many people would want that baby!" The only people that should say that are people who have adopted/fostered children. I can't respect someone who wants to end abortion but doesn't want people to use birth control or who want to end abortion, but stop caring about what happens to the child as soon as it's born.

Overall, I clearly didn't like this book. I didn't like the tone of it, or the implied judgment. I would rather have read a book on someone's personal feelings and why they came to have an anti-abortion view. I didn't feel that this book was fair or accurate. I felt like Johnson was only pushing an agenda and I wasn't buying it.  

Baby Proof

Baby Proof by Emily Giffin—

Description from Amazon:

“A novel that explores the question: Is there ever a deal-breaker when it comes to true love? Claudia Parr has everything going for her. A successful editor at a publishing house in Manhattan, she's also a devoted sister, aunt, and friend. Yet she's never wanted to become a mother--which she discovers is a major hurdle to marriage, something she desperately wants. Then she meets her soul mate Ben who, miraculously, feels the same way about parenthood. The two fall in love and marry, committed to one another and their life of adventure and discovery. All's well until one of them has a change of heart. Someone wants a baby after all.This is the witty, heartfelt story about what happens to the perfect couple when they suddenly want different things and there is no compromise. It's about deciding what is most important in life and wagering everything to get it. And most of all, it's about the things we will--and won't--do for love.”

My thoughts: I don’t have a lot to say about this book. I thought it would be emotionally engaging, but instead I found it to be quite bland. Claudia is not a very likable character. In fact, she was so shallow it was hard to care what happened to her. Ben was marginally interesting but I lost interest well before the end.

The Fates Will Find Their Way

The Fates Will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard

I was disappointed in this one. The story is vague and seemingly without a plot. I barely made it through.

Any differing opinions?

Villette

Villette by Charlotte Bronte

Who doesn’t love a book by one of the Bronte sisters? This is one of my favorites. Angry, witty and honest, this is an amazing example of feminist literature. Lucy Snow is in the role of a 19^th century woman, repressed and irrelevant to society. Bronte writes of her adventures in life. This book is reported to be somewhat autobiographical.  I wonder how I would have felt in these shoes. It had to be so frustrating to be a woman during this time in history.

A beautifully crafted story with a complex character. Not to be missed!

Before I Fall

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

This is a strange book. What if you only had one day to live? What would you do in that day? What if you could change fate and save your own life? This book asks those questions through the life of a teenage girl. She lives the last day of her life seven days in a row. In reliving the same day she is given the opportunity to appreciate her blessings, find value in her life and a reason for her death.

I was torn between really liking this book and being annoyed by it. A great concept, not sure how well that concept comes across. Honestly, it’s pretty depressing.

Back Roads

Back Roads by Susan Crandall

Any Susan Crandall fans out there? This is Crandall’s first book. In my opinion, it is not the best one, but I did like it. It is a sweet romance. I like Crandall's writing style.

Ape House

Ape House by Sara Gruen

This book follows a woman who has pledged her life to the study and care of chimpanzees. She runs a lab, teaching chimpanzees how to communicate with humans. How far will she go to protect those animals? How strong can a human/animal bond be?

As an animal lover, I enjoyed the theme of this book. I wasn’t crazy about Gruen’s execution, but thought it was a decent read. I wish she had stuck more to the relationship between the humans/chimps, instead of veering off in several directions, sometimes directions that didn't make much sense.

However, this definitely had me thinking about how animals are used and abused in our society.

Manhunting

Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie

So far, I have read several books by Crusie and have enjoyed each one. This one is just adorable. Kate is a successful woman with a plan. After numerous failed engagements, she believes she knows just the type of man she needs. Enter Jake…the country cowboy she meets on a trip to an exclusive resort, while hunting for a husband. Jake is not in the plan…but Kate comes away with a new plan and gets to know herself in the process.

Crusie is talented at writing the perfect blend of romance and comedy.

Don't Cry

Don’t Cry by Beverly Barton

This is a good read for the thriller enthusiast. And, as a bonus, there is a small bit of romance built in :)

A serial killer is on the loose, as bodies turn up with long-dead baby skeletons in their arms. Relationships are built and relationships fall apart.

I enjoyed the twists in this one and plan to read more by Barton.

See Jane Score

See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson

I wasn’t’ very happy with the last Gibson novel on my list. However, this one redeemed. It is a steamy, quick love story with the happy ending I love. Taming of the bad boy, a theme I enjoy!

Never Look Away

Never Look Away: A Thriller by Linwood Barclay

In “Never Look Away” Barclay gives a tense page turner, full of unexpected twists. With strong character development, deep plot and subplots this is a must-read thriller. When the main characters wife disappears he is thrust into an unbelievable mystery. Does he really know his wife? I recommend this one to the thriller crowd.

Last Snow

Last Snow by Eric van Lustbader

Description from Amazon:

"Jack McClure, Special Advisor and closest friend to the new President of the United States, interprets the world very differently from the rest of us. It’s his greatest liability, and his greatest asset.An American senator, supposedly on a political trip to the Ukraine, turns up dead on the island of Capri. When the President asks him to find out how and why, Jack sets out from Moscow across Eastern Europe, following a perilous trail of diplomats, criminals, and corrupt politicians. Thrust into the midst of a global jigsaw puzzle, Jack’s unique dyslexic mind allows him to put together the pieces that others can’t even see. Still unreconciled to the recent death of his daughter and the dissolution of his marriage, Jack takes on a personal mission along with his official one: keeping safe from harm his two unlikely, unexpected, and incompatible companions—Annika Dementieva, a rogue Russian FSB agent, and Alli Carson, the President’s daughter. As he struggles to keep both young women safe and unearth the answers he seeks, hunted by everyone from the Russian mafia to the Ukrainian police to his own NSA, Jack learns just how far up the American and Russian political ladders corruption and treachery has reached."

My thoughts: This was the first Eric Van Lustbader for me. I found that I enjoy his style. I remained engaged in the mystery and I was on pins and needles. He is now added to my list to read more!

Run to Me

Run to Me by Christy Reece

Another author to add to my series list! This was the first I had picked up, but happened to be the 3^rd in a series.

From the beginning Reece pulls you in with action, mystery and intensity. The characters are engaging and the chemistry is sizzling. This is similar to books by Cindy Gerard. Action packed and steamy!

Violets Are Blue

Violets are Blue by James Patterson

I read a book in the middle of the Alex Cross series (can't remember which one!) and I liked it. That led me to start at the beginning. I loved the first several books. However, at this point I have become quite ambivalent. In fact, I'm on the edge of deserting the series all together. I will try at least one more...

This particular book continues into the strange realm the previous book jumped into. It feels like a totally new series, with drastically changed characters. I’m willing to give the next one a chance and see where it goes, but I was pretty disappointed in this one.

The Murderer's Daughters

The Murderer’s Daughters by Randy Myers

Description from Amazon: “Lulu and Merry's childhood was never ideal, but on the day before Lulu's tenth birthday their father drives them into a nightmare. He's always hungered for the love of the girls’ self-obsessed mother; after she throws him out, their troubles turn deadly. Lulu had been warned to never to let her father in, but when he shows up drunk, he's impossible to ignore. He bullies his way past Lulu, who then listens in horror as her parents struggle. She runs for help, but discovers upon her return that he's murdered her mother, stabbed her five-year-old sister, and tried, unsuccessfully, to kill himself. Lulu and Merry are effectively orphaned by their mother’s death and father’s imprisonment, but the girls’ relatives refuse to care for them and abandon them to a terrifying group home. Even as they plot to be taken in by a well-to-do family, they come to learn they’ll never really belong anywhere or to anyone—that all they have to hold onto is each other. For thirty years, the sisters try to make sense of what happened. Their imprisoned father is a specter in both their lives, shadowing every choice they make. One spends her life pretending he's dead, while the other feels compelled, by fear, by duty, to keep him close. Both dread the day his attempts to win parole may meet success.”

What I Thought: In this debut, Myers spins a powerful tale about family. It is emotional and well written. The story of how each girl is affected by this tragedy reels you in. I associated most strongly with Lulu, who copes by exerting control over the things she can and shutting out what she cannot. I recommend this to those who like dramatic family tales. Not a light read.

Married by Morning

Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas

Book 4 in the Hathaway series, just as impressive as it's predecessors. This is Leo's story. I loved it, as I love all Kleypas books.

Day After Night

Day After Night by Anita Diamant

Description on Amazon:
"Just as she gave voice to the silent women of the Hebrew Bible in The Red Tent, Anita Diamant creates a cast of breathtakingly vivid characters—young women who escaped to Israel from Nazi Europe—in this intensely dramatic novel. Day After Night is based on the extraordinary true story of the October 1945 rescue of more than two hundred prisoners from the Atlit internment camp, a prison for “illegal” immigrants run by the British military near the Mediterranean coast south of Haifa. The story is told through the eyes of four young women at the camp who survived the Holocaust: Shayndel, a Polish Zionist; Leonie, a Parisian beauty; Tedi, a hidden Dutch Jew; and Zorah, a concentration camp survivor. Haunted by unspeakable memories and losses, afraid to hope, the four of them find salvation in the bonds of friendship and shared experience even as they confront the challenge of re-creating themselves in a strange new country. Diamant’s triumphant novel is an unforgettable story of tragedy and redemption that remains a singular moment in history with stunning eloquence."

 

My Thoughts:

Diamant is a gifted story teller. I appreciate novels based on Jewish history, especially surrounding the Holocaust. The four women, finding life after being in the concentration camps,  raised many emotions within me. Haunting and beautifully crafted, Day After Night is a treasure. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is a must read.

A Journal for Jordan

A Journal for Jordan: A Story of Love and Honor by Dana Canedy

An amazing work out of love. Canedy gives us passages from a journal, written by First Sergeant Charles Monroe King. He wrote for his son, in case he never made it home from Iraq.  And this fear was realized, he didn’t make it home. Sadly, he was killed by a roadside bomb when his son, Jordan, was just seven months old.

Dana Canedy, Jordan’s mother, writes this book for her son, about his lost Father. She includes parts of the journal—a Father’s advice to his son.  Canedy also tells her love story with the man she lost to the war. Emotional and touching, I loved this book. What a tribute to a great military man and such a special gift for a lucky little boy.

Lord of Scoundrels

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

Description from amazon:

“Tough minded Jessica Trent's sole intention is to free her nitwit brother from the destructive influence of Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Daine. She never expects to desire the arrogant, amoral cad. And When Daine's reciprocal passion places them in a scandalously compromising, and public, position, Jessica is left with no choice but to seek satisfaction... Damn the minx for tempting him, kissing him...and then for forcing him to salvage reputation! Lord Daine can't wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place -- and in some amorous position. And if this means marriage, so be it -- though Sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remain aloof...and steal his heart to the sensuous, head strong lady's considerable charms.”

My thoughts:

Another romance with a “bad boy” character. Heaven knows I love the taming of the bad boy!! This book has it all—chemistry, tension, sensuality, sexiness, humor and strong emotion. A must read for the romance lover!

The Shack

The Shack by William Young

Has anyone read this book? I would be interested in hearing any thoughts! I had read some rave reviews, but I personally didn’t like it. I give it a few points for originality, but it was hard to follow and just really unbelievable. There were a few portions that made me think about my religious beliefs and a few valuable lessons to think about. Overall, though, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this one.

A strange thing--every few paragraphs I felt like I had already read this book. I am pretty sure there is a book out there that is very similar to this one!

The Bride Collector

The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker

Dekker gives us FBI agent Brad Raines, on the hunt for a serial killer. Raines utilizes people from a psychiatric facility to aid the FBI in solving the case.

There were a few things I didn’t particularly like about this book: knowing who the killer is the entire time, the relationship Raines builds with a patient and the ending. But overall, I enjoyed it. It is fast paced, while lacking some of the thrill factor. I would still recommend it and plan to read more by Dekker.

Bet Me

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

Description from Amazon:

“Minerva Dobbs knows all about risk management, which is why it’s such a shock when David, her extremely logical choice for a boyfriend, dumps her three weeks before her perfect sister’s wedding: David was not supposed to be a wild card. So when Min overhears David make a bet with his old nemesis—the gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey—that Cal can’t get Min into bed in a month, she decides that fate has just handed her a stacked deck: she can make Cal sweat his sex appeal and get a date to the wedding, if she plays along and doesn’t fold. What follows is a novel of destiny, chaos theory, Krispy Kreme donuts, the spirit of Elvis, Chicken Marsala, and a gamble for the highest stake of all: true love.”

What I thought:

This was the first book I had read by Jennifer Crusie. She draws strong characters and I was pulled into the storyline. The plot moves quickly and is light, fun and heart warming. Min, the main character is an average woman and this makes her inherently lovable.

Some of the scenes are a little too cutesy for me, but hey, I’m a sucker for a love story with a happy ending.  I plan to read more by Crusie.

God Bless You Mr. Rosewater

God Bless You Mr Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut

Ah…satire. This is one of my favorites. Filled with absurdity as only Vonnegut can create. Focusing on the state of society, this satire had me thinking, laughing, re-reading and re-thinking!

If you enjoy satire be sure you pick this one up!

Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life

Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Armstrong

Description from Amazon:

“In this important and thought-provoking work, Karen Armstrong—one of the most original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern world—provides an impassioned and practical guide to helping us make the world a more compassionate place.The twelve steps she suggests begin with “Learn About Compassion,” and close with “Love Your Enemies.” In between, she takes up self-love, mindfulness, suffering, sympathetic joy, the limits of our knowledge of others, and “concern for everybody.” She shares concrete methods to help us cultivate and expand our capacity for compassion, and provides a reading list to encourage us to “hear one another’s narratives.” Armstrong teaches us that becoming a compassionate human being is a lifelong project and a journey filled with rewards.”

What I thought: 

Loved this book! I am so grateful when I find a book that speaks to the way I try to live my life. Daily, I see so many things that could be solved by more compassion in the world. These things sadden me. The things Armstrong talks about should be part of every person’s moral base.

This book helped me put into perspective the lessons I’m trying to learn and the differences I want to make for others. I highly recommend it to the spiritually oriented.

Memoirs of a Geisha

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Golden crafts an eloquent story following the life of Sayuri. Her life journey leads her to train as a geisha. She gives her recollection of her past,  growing up in the early 1900’s. This time in Japanese cultural was driven by wealthy and powerful men. The life of the geisha was one of service and obedience. How does a woman accept this fate? I was deeply moved by the idea.

I found this to be honest, touching and unique. I highly recommend it!

My Horizontal Life

My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands by Chelsea Handler

Description from Amazon:

“In this raucous collection of true-life stories, actress and comedian Chelsea Handler recounts her time spent in the social trenches with that wild, strange, irresistible, and often gratifying beast: the one-night stand. Encouraged by her motley collection of friends (aka: her partners in crime) but challenged by her family members (who at times find themselves a surprise part of the encounter), Chelsea hits bottom and bounces back, unafraid to share the gritty details. My Horizontal Life is one guilty pleasure you won't be ashamed to talk about in the morning."

What I thought:

I admit that I love Chelsea Handler. I love that she is an outspoken woman, making her success in a mostly male-driven career. I have read and enjoyed all of her books.

In this one, Handler tells short stories regarding her past sexual experiences. Are they all true? Who knows! But they are, at times, laugh out loud funny.

Critics of Handler say she is narcissistic, glamorizes drinking, is racist, is disrespectful, and is prone to stereotyping. All of these are, perhaps, a bit true. However, in my opinion, she is just honest and that means not always being politically correct. That is something that I happen to find refreshing!

People who are over-sensitive should not read this book. Oh, how I would love to write a tell all like this!!!

The Black Lyon

The Black Lyon by Jude Devereaux

This is Devereaux's second novel, the first in the Montgomery clan series. Strong characters, emotional story, this is has both. I was pulled in by the strong female and the alpha male. Devereaux is hit and miss for me, but this is one I enjoyed.

100 Unforgettable Dresses

100 Unforgettable Dresses by Hal Rubenstein

For the fashion lovers out there, pick up "100 Unforgettable Dresses" by Hal Rubenstein. Fun for a gift or just light reading, Rubenstein delivers images of dresses and stories to go with them.

Deep Down True

Deep Down True by Juliette Fay

Description from Amazon: Newly divorced Dana Stellgarten has always been unfailingly nice- even to telemarketers-but now her temper is wearing thin. Money is tight, her kids are reeling from their dad's departure, and her Goth teenage niece has just landed on her doorstep. As she enters the slipstream of post-divorce romance and is befriended by the town queen bee, Dana finds that the tension between being true to yourself and being liked doesn't end in middle school... and that sometimes it takes a real friend to help you embrace adulthood in all its flawed complexity.

My thoughts: I discovered Juliette Fay with her debut “Shelter Me.” She is a gem! I love her style. In Deep Down True Fay creates complex, realistic characters with the perfect blend of emotion and humor. While Shelter Me is still my favorite, I enjoyed this one, too.

The Divine Life of Animals

“The Divine Life of Animals: One Man’s Quest to Discover Whether the Souls of Animals Live On” by Ptolemy Tompkins

In this book Ptolemy Tompkins shares his impressive research and theories of animal divinity. I enjoyed exploring the spiritual philosophies and ancient religious beliefs about the animal soul. I found Tompkins both passionate and eloquent. This is not a quick read, but is quite thought-provoking. I have always loved animals and even though I hadn't given it much thought, have always believed that they have souls. Definitely an interesting read.

Nowhere to Hide

 “Nowhere to Hide” by Carlene Thompson

Description from Amazon:

"Marissa Gray’s world was shattered when her best friend, Gretchen, was brutally murdered. Back then, Marissa tried to convince authorities that Dillon Archer was the killer. But her eyewitness statement wasn’t enough—and Dillon disappeared. Now a successful journalist, Marissa is back to help her family during a time of need. After years away from Aurora Falls, she finally feels the past is safe behind her. Until a terrifying hooded figure causes Marissa’s car to swerve off a snow-slick road, nearly killing her.Once again, no one wants to believe Marissa’s story—not her sensible sister Catherine, and certainly not her ex-fiancé Eric, who happens to be the town’s deputy chief of police. But other strange happenings are afoot…and a terrifying sequence emerges in which old friends of Gretchen’s start turning up dead. As Marissa desperately races to uncover Aurora Falls’s secret history, someone is two steps ahead, concealed in every taunting clue—and waiting to silence one inconvenient witness forever…"

My thoughts: As a suspense, this was a dud. The action was lacking reality, the characters lacking substance and the writing style, especially dialogue, simplistic. I stuck with the story, to get ot the end…and was even more disappointed. I recommend skipping this one.

Throw Out Fifty Things

Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life by Gail Blanke

Blanke is a motivational speaker. The premise of this book is her motto “If you want to grow, you gotta let go.”  Going from room to room in your home and through your daily thought processes, Blanke urges you to eliminate both physical and emotional clutter.

Overall, there were no “ah-ha” moments for me here, everything was pretty generalized. I did find some of the emotional clutter-clearing advice motivational. Worth a read, but not excellent.