If you are a regular reader of THE HOOK, LINE and STINKER, then you know I am not the best at updating my blog. I try, I really do. And I keep a journal of all my reads so that when an opportunity like this presents itself, I can update effortlessly. With work and life responsibilities, it is not always easy for me to get on here and do what I need to do. But I refuse to give up and become a dead blog. FYI, today I posted 17 books, the entire month of November and December and the last book posted I finished this morning so I am officially caught up! Yay!
I hope to do better for you in 2009. But if I lag behind, please do not give up on me because I am not giving up on this blog. I promise.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
December #8 - IF I AM MISSING OR DEAD
Title: If I am missing or dead: a sister's story of love, murder and liberation
Author: Janine Latus
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7432-9653-3
Series or stand-alone: Stand-alone
Genre: Memoir, True Crime
Setting: Michigan, Missouri, Florida, Tennesee
1st Sentence:
July 9, 2002
Two months ago I left my husband, and now, for the first time in years, I am neither scared nor angry.
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
This book is a true account of one family's cycle of abuse with a tragic ending. Early in her life, Janine suffered several episodes of abuse which influenced her view of what a relationship is, should be and what is "acceptable". This skewed perception only led to more abuse including physical, emotional and psychological abuse. Her younger sister Amy had the same schooling so it was no surprise that she ended up in the dysfunctional relationships that she did and while Janine was encouraging Amy to leave her abusive relationships, she was frightened to do so with her own. When Janine finally gets the courage to leave her husband, Amy goes missing and her relationship with Ron Ball did not have a happy ending. In fact, he strangled her in July of 2002. This book is about abusive relationships and a family's denial that led to far worse things. It is a compelling story that will probably resonate with every woman if they were to look back over their relationships in their lives. You either are one or you know one. And you are not alone.
December #7 - THE PAGAN STONE
Title: The Pagan Stone
Author: Nora Roberts
Publisher: Jove Books
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60751-485-5
Series or stand-alone: #3
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Setting: Hawkins Hollow, MD
1st Sentence:
Prologue
Mazatlan, Mexico
April 2001
Sun streaked pearly pink across the sky, splashed onto blue, blue water that rolled against white sand as Gage Turner walked the beach.
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
Finally I have come to the third book in the trilogy and it did not disappoint. This book focuses on Gage and his relationship with Cybil while the six members of the "team" continue to and ending the fight with the demon, Twisse, of the Pagan Stone. Although the first book started out slowly for me, the last two I sped through and enjoyed tremendously.
December #6 - TRIAL BY JOURNAL
Title: Trial by
Author: Kate Klise
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright: 2001
ISBN: 0-380-81672-5
Series or stand-alone: Stand-alone
Genre: Youth Fiction, mystery
Setting: Tyleville, MO
1st Sentence:
November 3
Mr. & Mrs. Watson
221 Baker Street
Tyleville, Missouri
As of today, your daughter, Lily, has missed six full weeks of school during the first nine-week quarter.
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
Lily Watson, a precocious child, is chosen to sit on the jury of Bob White, a man accused of killing her classmate Perry Keet. Her teacher instructs her to keep a journal about her experience and that is what she does, hoping to use it as a research paper and to avoid attending summer school. Told in journal form, with sidenotes, ticket stubs, newspaper clippings, letters, maps and dry cleaning slips, Lily lays out the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! Upon doing some sleuthing of her own, since she is sequestered and bored, she is bound to find out what really happened.
December #5 - ECLIPSE
Title: Eclipse
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-316-16020-9
Series or stand-alone: #3
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Setting: Forks, WA
1st Sentence:
Preface
All our attempts at subterfuge had been in vain.
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
The third book in this series is a continuation of Bella and Edward's relationship, Bella and Jacob's relationship and Bella's journey to make the choice that is right for her when presented with all of the choices. Good book, I'm looking to the last one written thus far.
December #4 - THE DANGEROUS DAYS OF DANIEL X
Title: The dangerous days of Daniel X
Author: James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-316-00292-9
Series or stand-alone: #1
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Setting: Portland,OR -Los Angeles, CA - Glendale High School - Alpar Nok (Daniel's Home Planet)
1st Sentence:
True Confessions
If this were a movie instead of real life, this would be the part where in a strange, ominous voice I'd say, "Take me to your leader."
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
This book is the first about Daniel X, alien hunter. When Prayer, an alien, kills Daniel X's family when he is three years old, it leaves him to grow up alone and continue his family's work. Daniel has the ability to shape-shift and create things and people just by thinking of them. On the hunt for #6 he is captured and is taken to him home planet where he must fight the big nasty to ensure survival of his people.
Okay, first the good. This is a clean book for teens, the writing is very basic and it is with Patterson's short chapters that make for quick reading. However, I did not like this book at all and judging from the end pages, there are scheduled to be at least 2 more, which I will not be reading. I like several of Patterson's series, but this is not one of them and I really can't explain why...I just didn't like it.
December #3 - THE HOLLOW
Title: The hollow
Author: Nora Roberts
Publisher: Penguin Group
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-7394-9587-2
Series or stand-alone: #2
Genre: Supernatural Romance
Setting: Hawkins Hollow, MD
1st Sentence:
Prologue
Hawkins Hollow
June 1994
On a bright summer morning, a teacup poodle drowned in the Bestlers' backyard swimming pool.
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
This book is the second in a trilogy with the six main characters still fighting the demon of the Pagan Stone. This book focuses more on Fox and Layla's relationship and ends with the knowledge that the story will not be resolved until book #3. That's the thing about known trilogies: you know you won't find out all the answers until the end.
December #2 - KITTY AND THE MIDNIGHT HOUR
Title: Kitty and the Midnight Hour
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Publisher: Warner Books
Copyright: 2005
ISBN: 0-446-61641-9
Series or stand-alone: #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Setting: Denver, CO
1st Sentence:
I tossed my backpack in a corner of the studio and high-fived Rodney on his way out.
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
Kitty Norville works as a DJ for KNOB in Denver. She is also a werewolf. One night, while bored with the playlist, she opens the airwaves to discuss problems that plague the supernatural - and it becomes a huge success! However, there is someone who doesn't want the show, or Kitty, to continue and at the same time she is having struggles with the internal order of her pack. Can't a girl get a break?
This was a fun first book with both werewolves, vampires and a vampire hunter who becomes Kitty's friend and I have already started collecting the rest in the series to read at some time.
December #1 - BLOOD TIES, BOOK FOUR: ALL SOUL'S NIGHT
Title: Blood Ties Book Four: All Soul's Night
Author: Jennifer Armintrout
Publisher: Mira
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-7783-2537-6
Series or stand-alone: #4
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Setting: Grand Rapids, MI
1st Sentence:
Prologue:Daymare
Some days, I dream of the time that I spent in Marianne's soul.
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
This was the final book of the Blood Ties series and I have to admit that I liked it much better than #2 and #3 but I still liked the first book the best. I won't write much because there are a lot of things that could be classified as spoilers, but I will say that if you are a fan of authors like Kelley Armstrong, Charlaine Harris, Mary Janice Davidson and others who write vampire books, these should not be missed. Another thing that I really liked was that the ending of the book does leave it open to continue the story if Armintrout so desires. I've read reviews where the reviewer hated the ending but I found it to be satisfying and complete with just a little out for continuation. I hope there is more but if there is not, I am content.
November #9 - NEW MOON
Title: New Moon
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 978-0-316-02496-9
Series or stand-alone: #2
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Setting: Forks, WA
1st Sentence:
Preface
I felt like I was trapped in one of those terrifying nightmares, the one where you have to run, run till your lungs burst, but you can't make your body move fast enough.
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
Once again, I'm not sure of many people who haven't read or heard about these books. In NEW MOON, Bella's relationship with Jacob Black develops deeper until he alienates her. In addition, Victoria is still hunting Bella from the first book. When a miscommunication happens and Edward thinks Bella has killed herself, he goes to Italy to die. Bella joins up with Alice to save him but promises are made that may be hard to keep. I actually liked this book better than the first one but I think only because I was familiar with the characters and I liked the further development of the relationships. Have you read these books? Are you a fan of Edward or Jacob? There seems to be a very apparent split between readers.
November # 8 - DEAD UNTIL DARK
Title: Dead until dark
Author: Charlaine Harris
Publisher: Ace Books
Copyright: 2001
ISBN: 0-441-00853-4
Series or stand-alone: #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Setting: Bon Temps, LA
1st Sentence:
I'd been waiting for the vampire for years when he walked into the bar.
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
This was a re-read for me after watching the full first season of HBO's TRUE BLOOD, based on this book. I'd forgotten some things and wanted to go back and refresh my memory.
Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress in a bar in Bon Temps. Vampires have become mainstreamed and she is working when she meets Bill Compton, a "newly" local vampire. Sookie is a telepath and she falls and hard for Vampire Bill because she can't "hear" him. However, someone is killing women in Bon Temps who appear to be fangbangers and someone close to Sookie is the main suspect. If you like vampires but in a cozier atmosphere, this is a great series to read. Highly recommended.
November #7 - LAST NIGHT AT THE LOBSTER
Title: Last night at the Lobster
Author: Stewart O'Nan
Publisher: Penguin Books
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-14-311442-0
Series or stand-alone: Stand-alone
Genre: Fiction
Setting: New Britain, CT
1st Sentence:
Mall traffic on a gray winter's day, stalled.
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
A short book, coming in at only 146 pages, this story is set in a Red Lobster in Connecticut on it's last day of business. The manager who is being downgraded to assistant manager at a nearby Olive Garden wants everything to run at status quo -- he doesn't want to lower their standard of service just because it's their last night. However, a blizzard rages outside, customers are few, staff members don't show or leave early and the book is full of reflection and redemption as it shows how the closing of a restaurant affects many. I've only read one other book by O'Nan (THE NIGHT COUNTRY) and I really enjoy his style of writing. It's fluid and clean without much filler and the story gets told. This isn't my typically preferred genre but I think this story would resonate with many, especially with anyone who has worked at one place for a long time and has built relationships with their co-workers only to find that things might change.
November #6 - THE DEAD AND THE GONE
Title: the dead and the gone
Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Publisher: Harcourt Books
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-15-206311-5
Series or stand-alone: #2
Genre: YA
Setting: New York City, NY
1st Sentence:
Wednesday, May 18
At the moment when life as he had known it changed forever, Alex Morales was behind the counter at Joey's Pizza, slicing a spinach pesto pie into eight roughly equal pieces.
Surlygirl's Quick Comments:
Summary from book:
After a meteor hits the moon and sets off a series of horrific climate changes, 17-year-old Alex Morales must take care of his sisters alone in the chaos of NYC.
This is the companion book to Pfeffer's LIFE AS WE KNEW IT.
The storytelling is great and the concept is such a scary premise. I really like Pfeffer's grasp on how teens might handle such a devastating situation and I think she captures the teen psyche well. There is a thing in this book that two of the main characters do called bodyshopping that still chills me to the bone. I would look for other books by this author and would and have definitely recommended these two books by Pfeffer to my tween/teen patrons at the library.
November #5 - TWILIGHT
Title: Twilight
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Copyright: 2005
ISBN: 0-316-16017-2
Series or stand-alone: #1
Setting: Forks, WA and a brief visit to Phoenix, AZ
1st Sentence:
Preface
I'd never given much thought to how I would die - though I'd had reason enough in the last few months - but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this.
Quick Comments:
It's hard to think of something to write about this book that hasn't already been written and since it seems like almost everybody I know has read this book/series it almost seems like it would be redundant. Bella moves to Forks to live with her dad where she meets and quickly falls for Edward Cullen, who just happens to be a vampire. This was a good story and has been all the rave with the teenagers although it's also gotten quite a "mom" following as well. My copy is an Advanced Reader's Copy so I don't know if much changed with the final published book but I did see the movie and it seemed right on track with the book I read. I had one complaint about the book and that was that the status of Edward's vampirism wasn't acknowledged until page 320! I read a lot of vampire books and you always know quite early that the guy (or girl) is a vampire and reading more than 300 pages before finding out was annoying, because although I knew before starting the book, I wanted someone, anyone to just SAY IT! I did however, go on to read books #2 & #3 and I have #4 on reserve at my library.
November #4 - THE DARKER SIDE
Title: The darker side
Author: Cody McFadyen
Publisher: Bantam Books
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-553-80694-6
Series or stand-alone: #3
Setting: Los Angeles, CA - Washington DC area
1st Sentence:
Dying is a lonely thing.
Quick Comments:
Smokey Barrett and her team is called in to investigate the murder of a transgendered son/daughter of a high profile Congressman. The darker side finds that the killer has killed many people and Smokey makes it her goal to stop this one dead in his tracks, may God have mercy on her soul.
If you read my blog regularly you know that Cody McFadyen has become one of my favorite authors and in my opinion, he can't write the Smokey Barrett books fast enough! I do recommend reading the first two in the series first because this book does skimp a little on the backstory. It's not necessary, but recommended. This book is also written in first person present tense, something I typically detest, but I overlook it when it is a great read!
November #3 - COLD PURSUIT
Title: Cold Pursuit
Author: Carla Neggers
Publisher: Mira
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-7783-2553-6
Series or stand-alone: #1
Setting: Black Falls,VT
1st Sentence:
Prologue
Drew Cameron slipped and went down on one knee in the heavy, wet spring snow, but he forced himself back up again, propelled by a sense of urgency he had never known before.
Quick Comments:
I won this romantic suspense from bookreporter.com and enjoyed it. It was a good story with paid assassins, intrigue, a snowy winter location, and a good love interest between the star-crossed Secret Service agent, Jo Harper and wounded war vet, Elijah Cameron - teen loves split apart by parents years ago.
The only thing that I had an issue with was the large amount of characters of which I needed to keep track. I find as I get older, I prefer books with only a few main characters; otherwise, I get lost and start flipping back and forth within the book to remember about whom I'm reading.
November #2 - STALKING SUSAN
Title: Stalking Susan
Author: Julie Kramer
Publisher: Doubleday
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-385-52476-6
Series or stand-alone: #1
Setting: Minneapolis, MN
1st Sentence:
So the deal is this - any cop who tickets me for a moving violation gets an "attaboy" from the chief and a day off duty, off the books.
Quick Comments:
Riley is a reporter for Channel 3 in Minneapolis. When her friend (and news informant) Nick Garnett retires from the PD, he gives her the goods on some missing Susans - women named Susan who are found murdered on the same date in different years. She decides to look into it - and gets more than she bargained for. This book is a debut novel and one that I enjoyed greatly. The writing was good, the suspense taut, and an interesting look into TV news reporting.
November #1 - FOUL PLAY
Title: Foul Play
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: Harper Collins
Copyright: 1989, reprint 2008
ISBN: 978-0-06-169038-9
Series or stand-alone: Stand-alone
Setting: Fairfax, VA
1st Sentence:
Jacob Elliott flipped his left-turn signal on and patiently waited for Mrs. Moyer to pull out of her parking space.
Comments:
Jake sees Amy at the grocery store and falls in love! Amy is in a huff because she lost her job as TV personality Lulu the clown to a chicken! When Dr. Jacob Elliott offers her a job she takes him up on it, only because she needs the money but the chicken who stole her job becomes a patient and goes missing and Amy is the #1 suspect. While she and Jake try to clear her name, they must also fight a growing attraction between them.
This book was one of the "lost 12" before Evanovich started writing the Plum books. It's very easy and quick, not a lot of depth but I like everything Janet writes, just some far better than others.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
October #6 - THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN
Title: The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian
Author: Sherman Alexie
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-316-01368-0
Series or stand-alone: Stand-alone, I think
Setting: Spokane Indian Reservation, Reardan and Wellpinit
1st Sentence:
I was born with water on the brain.
Comments:
Junior leaves the reservation to go to school in nearby (22 miles) farm-town Reardan where the only other Indian is the school mascot. In the process he learns many things - some good and some not so good. This is a great YA story but I had the feeling I was reading one of the top future challenged books. There are racial slurs, bigotry issues and talk of masturbation (the shame, because teenagers don't engage in this activity!)
The book also deals with death, familial relations and drunken Indians - definitely firestarter topics! I think it should be a must-read starting in Jr. High!
October #5 - 14
Title: 14
Author: JT Ellison
Publisher: Mira Books
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-7783-2556-7
Series or stand-alone: #2
Setting: Nashville, TN
1st Sentence:
Prologue
Would the bastard ever call?
Comments:
Back in the mid-1980s, the Snow White Killer was active killing young women with ebony hair and painting their lips ruby red. He killed ten and then stopped. Now, twenty years later and more bodies are turning up bearing his signature and homicide LT. Taylor Jackson and her crew are on the case. Something doesn't add up though, and that could make this one even worse, for everybody involved.
Once again, strong women and good storytelling. How can you possibly go wrong with a combination like that?!? I liked ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS and I liked this one as well. The worst part for me will be waiting for the next book, JUDAS KISS.
October #4 - THE BECOMING
Title: The becoming
Author: Jeanne C. Stein
Publisher: Ace Books
Copyright: 2004
ISBN: 0-441-01456-9
Series or stand-alone: #1
Setting: Mission Beach, CA
1st Sentence:
Forward
My name is Anna Strong.
Comments:
This is book one in another vampire series featuring Anna Strong, a bounty hunter turned vampire. She is taken in by Dr. Grant Avery, a nightwatcher and fellow vampire, to learn the ways of their kind but comes up against secrets and control issues as she tries to find the man who left her for dead and turned her into one of the undead.
I found this to be a successful first book and I'll definitely be looking for the rest. Anna is a strong female character, one of my favorite kind.
October #3 - AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE
Title: Against medical advice
Author: James Patterson and Hal Friedman
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-316-02475-4
Series or stand-alone: Non-fiction
1st Sentence:
I'm seventeen years old and lying like a pathetic, helpless lump in the backseat of our family car, being transported to a place that treats crazy people.
Comments:
This book documents the journey of Cory Friedman, who one day just before turning five had the urge to shake his head, and spent the next decade plus fighting his often debilitating and crippling Tourette's syndrome and OCD. The story was good although the writing was pretty elementary because it's told from Cory's point of view. It moved along at a quick clip and the subject matter is just something you don't find a lot to read about. I was quite thrilled to put a name to my own OCD tendencies. I'm a "checker".
My sister-in-law laughs every time we discuss OCD though, because I saw a bumper sticker that I liked once. It said, "I have CDO. It's the same as OCD, only in alphabetical order the way it SHOULD be. I shared it with her and it cracks us up every time we talk about it.
Back to the book, I was disappointed however, because the only thing James Patterson had to do with this book was lend his name for sales. It's written by Cory, from Cory's point of view, yet his name shows up nowhere on the cover. I wasn't too impressed by that.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
October #2 - SPEAK OF THE DEVIL
Title: Speak of the devil
Author: Shari Shattuck
Publisher: New American Library (Signet)
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-451-22480-4
Series or stand-alone: #2
Setting: Shadow Hills, CA (a suburb of LA)
1st Sentence:
The fierce wind swept across the dusty, faded green sage, bending brittle branches and tugging roots from the parched earth.
Comments:
I read the first book in this series back in November 2007, and while I liked it I thought it was a tad overwritten. Not so much with this book. The overwritten part.
Greer Sands and her son Joshua are living comfortably in their relatively new to them town of Shadow Hills, CA, even with Greer and her long-time psychic abilities and Joshua with his new-found abilities. Joshua is out for a hike one day and meets a boy who is working for the fire camp. Days later he comes across the same kid and notices some bad juju with his aura. He befriends him and gets him a job working for his mom's boyfriend who is doing some landscaping business for some new developments in town, developments that have quite a lot of opposition. And then the fires begin. And it looks like arson. Can it be stopped before the whole town burns to the ground?
Again, a quick and easy read with likeable characters and an easy to grasp psychic line (if you're that kind of person -- which I am.) The only thing that caught my attention in this book was an overabundance of adverbs and I know some readers who are really turned off by that so you may not like this.
But I think other readers who are fans of Kay Hooper or Tina Wainscott would like this series and I'd recommend it to them in my library.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
October #1 - DEWEY: THE SMALL-TOWN LIBRARY CAT WHO TOUCHED THE WORLD
Title: Dewey: The small-town library cat who touched the world
Author: Vicki Myron with Bret Witter
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-446-40741-0
Series or stand-alone: Non-fiction
Setting: Spencer, IA
1st Sentence:
There is a thousand-mile table of land in the middle of the United States, between the Mississippi River on the east and the deserts on the west.
Comments:
This is a charming story about Dewey Readmore Books, a cat who was dumped into a library bookdrop in Spencer, Iowa on the coldest night of the year and was succinctly adopted by the library staff including Library Director Vicki Myron and then by the entire town, and finally the world. He remained the library's cat for eighteen years and this book is about Vicki's life, her life with Dewey, Dewey's life with the town and how he gained world-wide recognition. A sweet story about a local (to me) feline.
Vicki Myron was my Public Library Management instructor and from time to time we'd see Dewey. I am sure that his absence has impacted the town greatly and I am glad that Vicki was able to tell their story.
September #7 - OLIVE'S OCEAN
Title: Olive's Ocean
Author: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 0-096-053543-1
Series or stand-alone: Stand-alone
Setting: Cape Cod
1st Sentence:
A Beginning
"Are you Martha Boyle?"
Comments:
Martha's classmate, Olive, was killed in a hit-and-run bicycle accident and her mother visits Martha to give her a section from Olive's journal. Martha heads out to spend the summer with her family at her grandmother's home on Cape Cod and she will gain perspective on the death of her classmate, her relationship with her grandmother, her feelings about boys and her plans to be a writer.
I read this book during Banned Books Week 2008 because it was one of the most challenged books during 2007 and I'm still not sure why. I thought it was a touching story about growing up and dealing with issues that go along with that.
September #6 - LIFELINES
Title: Lifelines
Author: CJ Lyons
Publisher: Berkley Books
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-425-22082-5
Series or stand-alone: #1
Setting: Pittsburgh, PA, Angels of Mercy Medical Center
1st Sentence:
Monday, July 1, 6:45 P.M.
July 1st. The most dangerous day of the year.
Comments:
From the author's website:
Angels of Mercy Medical Center is a top-flight teaching hospital and trauma center. People come to Angels for the best care anywhere little do they know of the drama behind the scenes.
The lives of four women will intersect as they meet the challenges of saving lives, finding love and developing friendships despite their differences and the secrets they each try to protect.
The bonds these women form surpass mere friendship as they become each other's heroes, helping to save lives, avoid heart ache and face their worst fears.
I thought this was a great debut novel with a lot of grit and realism (it helps that the author herself is a physician). It has strong female characters, great character interaction and a very scary premise (yet another reason not to go to hospitals.) I look forward to more by this author.
UPDATE: CJ's new book WARNING SIGNS comes out January 27, 2009!
September #5 - ARE YOU THERE, VODKA? IT'S ME CHELSEA
Title: Are you there, Vodka? It's me Chelsea
Author: Chelsea Handler
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4169-5412-5
Series or stand-alone: Non-fiction
Setting: Several
1st Sentence:
I was nine years old and walking myself to school one morning when I heard the unfamiliar sound of a prepubescent boy calling my name.
Comments:
Love, love, LOVE Chelsea Handler. After reading her first book MY HORIZONTAL LIFE several years ago, I was in love. And when she got her own late night show (Chelsea Lately), life was even better.
This book is a collection of short stories infused with her raunchy style of humor including one on her arrest for DUI, her dad's bladder stones, dating an orange-head, dining in the dark, massage at an oriental parlor, a boyfriend and dog love, regifting, dieting and getting jumped, her love affair with little nuggets and a trip with her dad to Costa Rica. Fun stuff here.
After Chelsea, my life will never be the same.
September #4 - ASHES TO ASHES
Title: Ashes to ashes
Author: Jennifer Armintrout
Publisher: Mira
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7783-2494-2
Series or stand-alone: #3
Setting: Chicago, IL
1st Sentence:
Prologue
"Hey, Baker! You give her the seven o'clock meds yet?"
Comments:
In this book, the Oracle escapes and is working in tandem with the Soul Eater. Carrie, Nathan, Max and Bella must work together to find the Oracle and stop whatever destruction she has planned.
I'm glad that there are only four books in this series. I really liked the first book which made me buy the rest. The second book made me furious. This book was better but still not as good as book one and I found myself happy, then mad, then sad, then okay again. Not my favorite way to be. I'll have book four read sometime in October or November and then that will be that. I'll miss Carrie Ames, but I'm glad I was introduced to this author because of her.
September #3 - DEATH PERCEPTION
Title: Death Perception
Author: Victoria Laurie
Publisher: New American Library
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-451-22486-6
Series or stand-alone: #6
Setting: Royal Oak, MI and Las Vegas, NV
1st Sentence:
Death has an energy.
Comments:
Typical Abby Cooper psychic mystery. This time she travels to Dutch to help Dutch's cousin and they find themselves in a world of trouble. When Dutch disappears, Abby calls in her friend Candice Fusco and her sister, Cat, to help. Hijinx ensue. These are easy reads and I really like Abby and Dutch so I continue to read them. Mental popcorn, anyone?
September #2 - FRACTURED
Title: Fractured
Author: Karin Slaughter
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-385-34195-0
Series or stand-alone: #2
Setting: Atlanta, GA
1st Sentence:
Prologue
Abigail Campano sat in her car parked on the street outside her own house.
Comments:
This is the second book featuring Will Trent, following the dark and different Triptych (which I loved.) Abigail comes home to her suburb house to find her daughter broken at the top of the stairs and a man standing over her with a knife. A struggle ensues and changes their lives forever. Enter Will Trent with the GBI who is then partnered with Faith Mitchell, a sergeant with the APD. Together they must work together to stop a killer before he kills again.
This was a good book. I didn't like it as much as TRIPTYCH but it did lend more character development to Will and I found myself rooting for him as a good guy. I'm still anxiously awaiting the newest Grant County book by Slaughter, but I'm a big fan; I'll read anything she puts out.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
September #1 - SAY GOODBYE
Title: Say Goodbye
Author: Lisa Gardner
Publisher: Bantam Books
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-553-80433-1
Series or stand-alone: #6
Setting: Sandy Springs, GA
1st Sentence:
He was moaning, a gutteral sound in the back of his throat as his fingers tightened their grip in her hair.
Comments:
A very spooky book about the Burgerman -- a man who steals and corrupts children and Kimberly Quincy is on the case. Pregnant eighteen-year-old Delilah Rose asks for Kimberly's help to investigate the mysterious disappearances of several young women who will not be missed, including runaways, high-risk teens, and prostitutes.
This is probably my favorite book by Gardner so far. Highly recommended.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Socks Rock!
A good friend of mine from high school (more than 20 years ago! Ish!) has an eight-year-old son who wants to change the world one pair of socks at a time, by collecting socks and distributing them to the homeless in the area, the Salvation Army and various Veteran's Associations.
I think it is a fabulous idea and I wanted to pass the information and website on to all of my readers.
The website is very simplistic, but then again, pretty sharp for an 8-yr-old's work! It gets right to the heart of the matter, no fooling around, no difficult navigation.
Way to go Jarrett! Socks rock and so do you!
The website is Socks Rock! Please see how you can help.
Friday, August 29, 2008
August #5 - CANDY APPLE RED
Title: Candy Apple Red
Author: Nancy Bush
Publisher: Kensington
Copyright: 2005
ISBN: 978-0-7582-0906-1
Series or stand-alone: #1
Setting: Lake Chinook, OR
1st Sentence:
If I'd known they were about to find a body at the bottom of Lake Chinook, I never would have gotten myself into the whole mess.
Comments:
This book was just okay for me. I think part of my problem was that it was blurbed by Lisa Jackson, saying "Move over Stephanie Plum, Jane Kelly has arrived!" and I expected more, because I love Janet Evanovich - and it wasn't as funny as a Plum book. Well, that and when I finished it to the back cover and found out that Lisa Jackson is her sister, well, I was a little perturbed by that. It was an okay mystery with some likeable characters and a dog that was my favorite part of the book. Maybe it was too cozy for me. I don't know. I do know that I don't know if I liked it well enough to read #2 and more.
Any thoughts?
August #4 - LIFE AS WE KNEW IT
Title: Life as we knew it
Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Publisher: Harcourt, Inc.
Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 978-0-15-205826-5
Series or stand-alone: #1
Setting:Howell, PA
1st Sentence:
May 7
Lisa is pregnant.
Comments:
This is another favorite read of mine this year. Written in diary entries, sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family's struggles to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Weather goes crazy, gas prices soar, deaths abound and Miranda and her family hope only to survive. A wonderful story.
August #3 - NEPTUNE'S CHILDREN
Title: Neptune's Children
Author: Bonnie Dobkin
Publisher: Walker & Co.
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9734-6
Series or stand-alone: Stand-alone
Setting:Isles of Wonder theme park
1st Sentence:
Prologue
The plague struck like a snake, silent and deadly.
Comments:
When biological terrorism hits, every adult on the Isles of Wonder theme park dies leaving young teens and children to face a world without authority. One teen, Milo, steps forward as King Neptune and together they build a society with the park.
I automatically thought of LORD OF THE FLIES when I read this book - the warring of good versus evil - and I truly enjoyed this book and it's modern day stance.
August #2 - POSSESSION
Title: Possession
Author: Jennifer Armintrout
Publisher: Mira
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-778-324-18-8
Series or stand-alone: #2
Setting:Grand Rapids, MI - Death Valley, CA
1st Sentence:
Prologue
Welcome back
He didn't know how long he'd been dead.
Comments:
The only thing I have to say about this book is that I was so mad by page 2 that I was ready to chuck in the whole series. But I'd already purchased the other two books so I read on. And I was mad again by the end of the book. My girlfriend assures me that I'll like books 3 and 4. We'll see.
And it has nothing to do with the writing...the writing is just fine. It's the choices made by the author regarding characters that had me all spitfire and damnation bound.
Breathe...I'll get over it.
August #1 - THE SCREAMING ROOM
Title: The Screaming Room
Author: Thomas O'Callaghan
Publisher: Pinnacle Books
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7860-1812-3
Series or stand-alone: #2
Setting: New York, NY - Carbondale, PA
1st Sentence:
Prologue
The rain had stopped.
Comments:
Twins Angus and Cassie come from one hell of a childhood and they are doling out their own warped sense of justice on other pervs in the city when Driscoll and his team are called in to investigate. This was a good police procedural - I'd recommend to patrons who like John Sandford and the like.
July #7 - INFECTED
Title: Infected
Author: Scott Sigler
Publisher: Crown Publishers
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-307-40610-1
Series or stand-alone: #1
Setting: Ann Arbor, MI
1st Sentence:
Prologue
This is the place...
Alida Garcia stumbled through the dense winter woods, blood marking her long path, a bright red comet trail against the blazing white snow.
Comments:
I am not really a big fan of science fiction but I have a feeling this book will stay with me for a very long time...it's been over a month since I read it and all I have to do is think of the "triangles" and I get a shiver. People are being "infected" with an unknown agent - triangles that turn them into homicidal psychos. Is it related to Morgellon's disease? Possibly. Biological warfare? Maybe. Perry Dawsey, one of the infected, fights back! Scary stuff! The second book, due out soon is CONTAGIOUS.
July #6 - MY DARLING, MY HAMBURGER
Title: My darling, my hamburger
Author: Paul Zindel
Publisher: Bantam Books
Copyright: 1969
ISBN: 0-553-12741-1
Series or stand-alone: Stand-alone
Setting: A waterfront community but never stated
1st Sentence:
"It was Marie Kazinski who asked how to stop a boy if he wants to go all the way," Maggie whispered.
Comments:
I read this book because a friend of mine said it was her favorite book in Jr High and she remembered reading it and giggly uncontrollably. I think the fact that it was written before I was born had something to do with how I felt about it. Not that it was bad, but ish...really not my cup of tea. Anyone else have an opinion about this book?
July #5 - FUZZY NAVEL
Title: Fuzzy Navel
Author: JA Konrath
Publisher: Hyperion
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4013-0280-1
Series or stand-alone: #5
Setting: Chicago suburbs
1st Sentence:
It's quiet in the suburbs.
Comments:
Things I loved about this book: It's #5, a continuation of Jack Daniel's story, very fast paced (the whole book taking place in just a little over a 24-hour period.)
Things I didn't care for all that much: It's told from the viewpoint of 7 or 8 different characters, sometimes first person POV, sometimes third. Present tense, awkward at times, other times I didn't even notice. And the ending was a cheap shot and I've already spoken my piece with Mr. Konrath about it.
Will I read the next one? Heck, yeah!
Was I satisfied with this one...meh.
July #4 - EXIT STRATEGY
Title: Exit Strategy
Author: Kelly Armstrong
Publisher: Bantam Books
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-553-58819-4
Series or stand-alone: #1
Setting: Ontario, Canada - New York - Las Vegas - West Virginia
1st Sentence:
Mary Lee pushed open the shop door.
Comments:
Nina runs a hunting lodge in Canada. And, she's a hitwoman. "Jack", her mentor, calls her up when the Helter Skelter killer strikes. He's aiming the Feds towards hitmen and that would be really bad for business. Together, along with some other hired assassins, they must hunt the HSK - and find it could be one of their own. This was a great story with fun characters which I started reading coincidentally right after I saw the movie WANTED with Angelina Jolie in the theaters. I'm looking forward to book #2.
July #3 - THE TURNING
Title: The Turning
Author: Jennifer Armintrout
Publisher: Mira
Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 0-7783-2298-X
Series or stand-alone: #1
Setting: Grand Rapids, MI
1st Sentence:
I read a poll in the newspaper once that said the number-one fear of Americans aged eighteen to sixty-five is public speaking.
Comments:
This is the first book in a four-book series featuring Dr. Carrie Ames who is attacked in the hospital and turned into a vampire. She meets Nathan and then her sire who she is blood tied to and he's like one of the most evil vampires on Earth. I loved this book and passed it on to several friends...and then there was book 2. You'll see shortly.
July #2 - LOTTERY
Title: Lottery
Author: Patricia Wood
Publisher: GP Putnam's Sons
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-399-15449-2
Series or stand-alone: Stand-alone
Setting: Everett, WA
1st Sentence:
Prologue
My name is Perry L. Crandall and I am not retarded.
Comments:
Perry's gram taught him everything he needed to survive - how to write things down, how to play the lottery and who to trust. Then she dies, leaving him alone at 31 and he wins the state lottery of 12 million dollars and finds out he has more family than he knows what to do with. The book is about trust, loyalty and what makes us capable. I loved this story; it was one of my top 5 favorites this year. Perry is a wonderful character and it's kind of like reading Forrest Gump - a classic.
July #1 - WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
Title: Where are you now?
Author: Mary Higgins Clark
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4165-6638-0
Series or stand-alone: Stand-alone
Setting: Manhattan, NY
1st Sentence:
It is exactly midnight, which means Mother's Day has just begun.
Comments:
Ten years ago, Carolyn's brother, Mack, disappeared without a trace. Every year since, he calls his mother on Mother's Day. Since his disappearance, women have been disappearing. And one goes missing this year, just after his call. Carolyn will do everything in her power to find her brother and clear his name. This was typical Mary Higgins Clark material. I found the plot predictable, the characters okay although at times shallow. It was an easy read but nothing that made me shout, "hallelujah!"
June #6 - FEARLESS FOURTEEN
Title: Fearless Fourteen
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-312-349-51-6
Series or stand-alone: #14
Setting: The Burg - Trenton, NJ
1st Sentence:
In my mind, my kitchen is filled with crackers and cheese, roast chicken leftovers, farm fresh eggs, and coffee beans ready to grind.
Comments:
Stephanie gets wrangled into playing bodyguard to Brenda, an aging rockstar. She also gets roped into playing babysitter to Zook - the son of a skip who bears an eerie resemblance to Joe Morelli. The usual antics ensue. This book didn't have as much Ranger in it as I'd have liked but maybe 15. Hey, I ain't too proud to beg and I'll read these 'til there are no more so...
June #5 - GOOD GHOULS DO
Title: Good
Author: Julie Kenner
Publisher: Penguin Group
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-425-21703-0
Series or stand-alone: #2
Setting: Austin, TX- Waterloo High
1st Sentence:
Prologue
In case you're wondering, there are at least one or two things worse than getting turned into a vampire against your will.
Comments:
This book is a continuation of Beth's search for a cure and the pressures of being a teenaged vampire. I will read this series as each book comes out; the books are fast and enjoyable. I liked the first book better than the second but that could have been my frame of mind at the time.
June #4 - TEMPTING EVIL
Title: Tempting evil
Author: Allison Brennan
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-345-50272-8
Series or stand-alone: #2 in Prison Break trilogy
Setting: Centennial Valley, MT
1st Sentence:
Prologue
Eighteen months ago
"I should have killed the bitch when I had the chance."
Comments:
Two escapees make their way toward Joanna's - one is obsessed with her, the other is just crazy. Brennan is another favorite author of mine. I worry about the day I can no longer keep up with all of these great authors! How will I ever choose?
June #3 - FEAST OF FOOLS
Title: Feast of fools
Author: Rachel Caine
Publisher: Nal Jam
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-451-22463-7
Series or stand-alone: #4
Setting: Morganville, TX
1st Sentence:
It was hard to imagine how Claire's day - even by Morganville standards - could get any worse...and then the vampires holding her hostage wanted breakfast.
Comments:
Amelie's father, Bishop, comes back to Morganville with revenge on his mind. A party is held in his honor with each vampire bringing a human gift, but when some vampires rebel, all hell breaks loose. This is a good installment in this series and one of my favorite series to read.
June #2 - UNDEAD AND UNEASY
Title: Undead and uneasy
Author: Mary Janice Davidson
Publisher: Jove
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-515-14504-5
Series or stand-alone: #6
Setting: St. Paul, MN
1st Sentence:
Prologue
Once, there was a beautiful queen who was as terrible on the inside as she was glorious on the outside.
Comments:
Betsy is planning her wedding to Sinclair, when out of frustration she wishes every would leave her alone. And they do. But when people are leaving her left and right, who's gonna watch her brother? And who's gonna come to her wedding? If there is one...
Typical Betsy Taylor fare - you don't have to be a rocket scientist to read it but then I'm not sure a rocket scientist would enjoy it! I enjoy them all!
June #1- FIRST DROP
Title: First Drop
Author: Zoe Sharp
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Copyright: 2004
ISBN: 978-0-312-93704-1
Series or stand-alone: #1
Setting: Miami, FL and Daytona Beach, FL
1st Sentence:
For the third time that morning I shut my eyes tight in the absolute and certain knowledge that I was just about to die.
Comments:
Charlie is hired to protect Trey - but it appears there are several people who want them dead. Charlie will do whatever she must to protect him.
This book was first published in the UK and the author is British which caused the only problem I had with this book. There are many British terms throughout the book, and I didn't mind having them come from Charlie, because she is British, but it was off-putting to hear an American teenage boy from Florida using them in casual conversation. The book, however, was great on suspense and kept me reading through to the end. I'll be looking for follow-ups, for sure.
May #7 - BONEYARD
Title: Boneyard
Author: Michelle Gagnon
Publisher: Mira
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-7783-2539-0
Series or stand-alone: ARC from author; #2
Setting: The Berkshires
1st Sentence:
Prologue
Cougar flipped through the trail log.
Comments:
A boneyard is unearthed with the bones of several unsubs. All DNA results point towards a certain group of people. But then, some of the kills are different from some of the others. Are there two killers loose in the woods? A great story, strong in suspense. Michelle has become one of my must-read authors and I was excited to get my hands on this before it was actually published.
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