Library Loot-September 30

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.
We share what we each picked up at the library during the week.

I have to admit that now school is back in session and life is in full swing, my reading time has seriously suffered. So last Saturday I decided to "GET REAL" and returned a bunch of books that I knew I would never have time to get to. I was so proud of myself after unloading all of those books because I only brought home one instead of letting the impulsive side of me start loading up on more books that I will not have enough time to read before they're due!! So here's the lovely little book that made its way to my book bag!


A Thread of Truth by Marie Bostwick
The greatest thing about being involved in the book blogging community is how much more aware of authors/books I've become. Now as I am looking at books in the library or bookstores, I'll see a book and think to myself, "I read about that one and the reader really loved it, maybe I should buy it or check it out." Everyone has a big influence on what I choose to read now and honestly this year has been the best year of reading I've ever experienced!! So I want to say THANK YOU to Bonnie for introducing me to the above title, she's the reason why I grabbed it from the shelves!! Read her review on this one here.

Synopsis:
At twenty-seven, having fled an abusive marriage with little more than her kids and the clothes on her back, Ivy Peterman figures she has nowhere to go but up. Quaint, historic New Bern, Connecticut, seems as good a place as any to start fresh. With a part-time job at the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop and budding friendships, Ivy feels hopeful for the first time in ages. But when a popular quilting TV show is taped at the quilt shop, Ivy's unwitting appearance in an on-air promo alerts her ex-husband to her whereabouts. Suddenly, Ivy is facing the fight of her life - one that forces her to face her deepest fears as a woman and a mother. This time, however, she's got a sisterhood behind her: companions as complex, strong, and lasting as the quilts they stitch.


Books Read in 2009 to date: 142
Number of Books Checked out from the library:12
Book Blogger Buddies Recommendations TBR List: 260 last week 261this week

Teaser Tuesdays and It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

Fone Bone: "an' you know what else? I think that dragon is followin' me around!"
Thorn: "Fone Bone! We've been over this a hundred times!"

Fone Bone: "But I'm tellin' ya, I saw one! He had a goatee 'n' a cigarette, 'n' big ol' hairy ears like this!"
Thorn: "Dragons are make-believe! You were seeing things!"

p.56 from Bone: Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith


__________________________________________________

It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

My two cousins and I have been kicked out of Boneville. Now I've been separated from them and have found myself in a strange and mysterious forest. There are these two crazy monsters that want to make me into a quiche, but luckily for me a big Dragon who has a goatee and smokes cigars save me from being dinner. I've survived winter and have just found a new friend named Thorn, who will hopefully help me find my way out and reunite me with my cousins.
~ Out From Boneville

Mailbox Monday-September 28

Mailbox Monday
is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

Two Guys Read Jane Austen
** I won this from JoAnn when she had a contest on her blog. I did a big Snoopy happy dance when I found out that I was going to be getting this book!!!
Synopsis: Follow their wild and often hilarious exchanges as they fly through Pride and Prejudice and the darker, more complex Mansfield Park. Often veering off into the worlds of music, sports, and history, both of these accomplished writers draw upon their lifelong friendships and shared childhood memories to give dimension to their deeply personal responses to Jane Austen's writing.

What came in your mailbox last week???

Six Sentence Saturday

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Glad I read but no big deal
2 of Hearts- Why did I finish this?
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)


City of Thieves by David Benioff
The two main characters of this novel are brought together under extreme circumstances and are given the mission of bringing a dozen eggs back to the colonel, who basically holds their lives in his hand. Experiencing so much death, Kolya makes love with many different women along the way. What better way to show that you're alive but through making love? Along the way Lev and Kolya learn how to trust each other, have to face the cold reality of death and war, and in the end forge a friendship that will last a lifetime. If you're looking for an original premise and some quirky characters, and are wanting to learn more about the Siege of Leningrad during WWII, then this just may be the book for you!
My Rating:






The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith
Sometimes books come along that just fall flat with me and this is one of them. I wanted to love it because I adore Precious from the No. 1 First Ladies Detective Agency. It wasn't that I didn't like the characters in this one. I found it too wordy and very boring in spots, so much so that my interest began to wane. I skipped half of it and read the last chapter so I could find out who the killer was. Will I try this series again.......doubt it.

My Rating:

Book Review: Gym Candy

Gym Candy in short was a book that tackled the feelings that you have as a football player and the feelings that you have as a teen. I know, I'm both. Mick Johnson is a young running back for his high school team, the Shilshole Raiders. He has desire and talent, but the varsity coach refuses to play freshmen. At first he works hard through every practice and every drill and spends time in the weight room. After gaining the starting position from the junior year player Matt Dragger, they face a team that's just as good as them. In the final seconds of the game, the fate of the team is put in Mick's hands. Five yards from the end zone, the ball is snapped and Mick's best friend and quarterback pitches him the ball. He falls short two inches from the endzone. Torn up from the loss to Foothill, the other team, Mick spends even more time in the weight room. His dad later introduces him to a real gym called Popeye's. This is where his life slowly falls off track. After introduction to the steroid Dyanabol from his personal trainer, Mick starts to feel stronger and more confident. But, along with those feelings come the feelings of anger and dangerous depression that commonly go with steroid use. I don't want to ruin the whole story so I'll just conclude with my feelings. This book, no matter how hard you try, will get to you. You will feel the lows that Mick feels and you will feel the highs. If not, you should check for a pulse =]. I would recommend this to any one who just wanted to read a straight up good book.

~written by Marc (that's him on the left)


I would like to thank my son for writing the above review of Gym Candy. He brought this home last week from the high school library and loved it. Somehow I was able to convince him to sit down and post his thoughts on this!! I'm sure that I will have to buy him one of those Brownie Melts at McDonald's!!

Library Loot-September 23

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.
We share what we each picked up at the library during the week.

My sickness is still with me...I only brought home 2 new books this week!! But the real problem is that now I'm back to work and my son is playing sports, I'm finding my time to read books and blogs has suffered!! Oh, how I long for those summer days where I could read to my heart's content!!!


Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
** no blame to pass on this one. I absolutely love this author and gobble up each new one that she releases!!
Synopsis:
Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two boys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives as best they can, but all searching...for freedom, safety, community, family, love. What they don't expect, though, is that they can have all of these things when those powerful little words "I love you" are said for all the wrong reasons. Five moving stories remain seperate at first, then interweave to tell a larger, powerful story- a story about making choices, taking leaps of faith, falling down, and growing up.

White Queen by Philippa Gregory
** This book is the fault of Teddyree from The Eclectic Reader. Her fantastic review made me want to read this book and you would be amazed at how much power she has over me in regards to this book! This is my first time reading Gregory...can't wait!!





Books Read in 2009 to date: 138
Number of Books Checked out from the library:116
Book Blogger Buddies Recommendations TBR List: 260 last week 259 this week

Teaser Tuesdays and It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

Isabel rose to shake hands with the young man. The palm of his hand was warm, and slight moist, and she thought: He's been in the shower. That was why he had been dashing naked across the hall.
p.95 from The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith
_________________________________________________________

It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

I am currently in Edinburgh, Scotland. I have just attended a symphony and witnessed a young man fall to his death. Did he fall or was there something more sinister behind this "accident?"
~ The Sunday Philosophy Club

Mailbox Monday-September 21

Mailbox Monday
is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

Here's what came for me last week!!

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo
** Thanks to Marcia and Read It Forward
In the sleepy rural town of Painters Mill, Ohio, the Amish and “English” residents have lived side by side for two centuries. But sixteen years ago, a series of brutal murders shattered the peaceful farming community. In the aftermath of the violence, the town was left with a sense of fragility, a loss of innocence. Kate Burkholder, a young Amish girl, survived the terror of the Slaughterhouse Killer but came away from its brutality with the realization that she no longer belonged with the Amish. Now, a wealth of experience later, Kate has been asked to return to Painters Mill as Chief of Police. Her Amish roots and big city law enforcement background make her the perfect candidate. She’s certain she’s come to terms with her past—until the first body is discovered in a snowy field. Kate vows to stop the killer before he strikes again. But to do so, she must betray both her family and her Amish past—and expose a dark secret that could destroy her.


The Cutting by James Hayman
** for a Pump Up Your Book Tour on November 10th.
Detective Sergeant Michael McCabe moved from New York City to Portland, Maine, to escape a dark past: both the ex-wife who’d left him for an investment banker, and the tragic death of his brother, a hero cop gone bad. He sought to raise his young daughter away from the violence of the big city . . . so he’s unprepared for the horrific killer he discovers, whose bloody trail may lead to Portland’s social elite.

What came in the mail for you?

Six Sentence Saturday

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Glad I read but no big deal
2 of Hearts- Why did I finish this?
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)



While I Was Falling by Laura Moriarty
This book started out a little slow for me so I was scared that I wasn't going to enjoy it. I'm glad that wasn't the case. I really liked how the author turned the tables on the adult children in this book. All their lives they were used to their parents being there and taking care of every little thing for them. Now their parents are divorced and only one has truly moved on, and the other is in desperate need of help. This is a well-written family drama and one that could happen to any of us.

My rating:








Labor Day by Joyce Maynard
This book touched my heartstrings for sure. I loved Henry, the 13 year-old main character, and I wanted to make everything in his world good for him. This is a story of trust, faith, forgiveness, growing-up, second chances.....you name it. This is a quiet story that will have you engaged before you realize it and trust me you won't want it to end. Yes, there is a tender love story between two lost souls encapsulated in the pages, but there is also a love story between Henry and Frank, a man he looks to as a father-figure. Read this one for sure....you won't be sorry!!

** Recommended to me by Diane at Bibliophile By The Sea.
My Rating:

Help Needed!!!

Say What William Shakespeare?

I've always wanted to be able to read and UNDERSTAND Shakespeare, but alas that just hasn't happened. Someone left The Sonnets in my drop box at school and I thought it was lovely so I brought it home. The only problem......I'm not sure what Will is trying to say!! So I thought it would be fun to post a Sonnet a few times a month and to ask YOU to help explain them to me.

Sonnet 1

From fairest creatures we desire increase,
That thereby beauty's rose might never die,
But as the riper should by time decrease,
His tender heir might bear his memory:
But thou, contracted to thine own bright eyes,
Feed'st thy light's flame with self-substantial fuel,
Making a famine where abundance lies,
Thyself thy foe, to they sweet self too cruel.
Thou that art now the world's fresh ornament
And only herald to the gaudy spring,
Within thine own bud buriest thy content
And, tender churl, mak'st waste in niggarding.
Pity the world, or else this glutton be,
To east the world's due, by the grave and thee.


So fellow friends what did he just say?

Review: Woman Strangled News at Ten

Title and Author of book: Woman Strangled News At Ten by Laurie Moore
Fiction or non-fiction: Adult Fiction
Genre: Mystery
Where did I get the book: My public Library


Who recommended this book to me? I was browsing the new book section and spotted this title on the spine and thought it sounded pretty cool.

Summarize the plot but don't give away the ending!

Aspen Wicklow, a University of North Texas journalism grad down to her last $75, lucks out and lands a plum job on WBFD-TV's Public Defender in Fort Worth, Tex. Tig Welder, a hotshot gunning for an anchor spot, reminds Investigative Reporter Barbie never to try scooping him, while station manager J. Gordon Pfeiffer warns her never to become part of the story. Following either tip isn't easy after Aspen meets ruggedly handsome Spike Granger, a Johnson County sheriff who's on a rampage about prison overcrowding. Even more alarming is researching a missing person report on Candy Drummond, who pledged at the same sorority as Aspen. Candy later turns up a strangled corpse.


What did you like most about this book? I connected with Aspen Wicklow. I haven't liked a mystery book character as much as I liked her since my first Kinsey Millhone book!! She's a very likeable character and to me she was written in a very realistic manner. I really enjoyed the romantic interest that the author created for Aspen. Aspen gets to really KNOW him and realizes just how much she enjoys being around him. No bed hopping in this book!! I also really liked the story being set in and around the news business. The extra cast of characters were great and really fleshed out so I felt like I got to know each one of them and that they weren't just people sitting on the sidelines.

What did you like least? The mystery was really easy to solve. I pretty much figured out who the bad guy was partway into the story. But the rest of the story made up for this easily!

Have you read any other books by this author? I haven't but after visiting her website I have found out that she's written two other series.


What about the ending? I actually liked the ending because it set it up perfectly for the next book.

Some of the reviews of this book has compared this to Evanovich and I would have to disagree with them. The main character in this book isn't ditzy or always losing her bond skips. The humor in Evanovich's books is a bit better than in this one. There isn't any sexual tension in this series while in Stephanie Plum's life it is never resolved. Aspen's parents are very similar to Granny Mazur in their escapades, but beyond that this series isn't remotely like Evanovich. It did remind me a bit of Kinsey Millhone and J.A. Jance's Joanna Brady Mysteries. So if you enjoy either one of those series/authors then I really do think you would enjoy this new series by Laurie Moore.

Library Loot- September 16

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.
We share what we each picked up at the library during the week.

Someone call the doctor!!! I only checked out 1 book this week.....there must be something seriously wrong with me!!! But I'm so glad it was this book because I've been waiting to read this one for a while!!



The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
When a fortuneteller's tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortuneteller's mysterious answer (an elephant! An elephant will lead him there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that you will hardly dare to believe it’s true.


Doesn't it sound wonderful? And I can't wait to look at the beautiful drawings that go along with the story!






Books Read in 2009 to date: 135
Number of Books Checked out from the library:17
Book Blogger Buddies Recommendations TBR List: 250 last week 259 this week

Teaser Tuesdays....It's Tuesday..Where Are You?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

Dreamfever #4 in the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning

My generation has an incurable, bottomless obsession with the undead. The heavily romanticized version, of course: the defanged fangbanger, not the real deal, which is really dead and really kills you.
p.164




____________________________________________________

It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

My name is MacKayla, and I'm a sidhe-seer, which is someone who can see the Fae and Unseelies of the Underworld. Dublin at night is a very scary place, but I'm determined to find out who killed my sister and make them pay. It doesn't hurt that I have some very strong and oh so sexy men in my life trying to help me...but there is one man that I want to extinguish-Lord Master. He has unleashed insatiable sexual cravings that are consuming my every thought. Am I strong enough to conquer this?
~Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning

Mailbox Monday-September 14th

Mailbox Monday
is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley

I fell in love with the cover and the synopsis of this story grabbed me. Based on a true story of a rebellious woman who earned a controversial place in history. This book is a vibrant reimagining of a thrilling life--a historical epic of palace intrigue, sexual manipulation, and international espionage. Sounds thrilling!!
** courtesy of Bloomsbury



A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar

“Jarrar's sparkling debut about an audacious Muslim girl growing up in Kuwait, Egypt and Texas is intimate, perceptive and very, very funny…Jarrar explores familiar adolescent ground–stifling parental expectations, precarious friendships, sensuality and first love–but her exhilarating voice and flawless timing make this a standout.”

I thought this sounded very interesting!!!
**courtesy of Penguin Publishing

What great books made their way to your house????

Six Sentence Saturday

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Glad I read but no big deal
2 of Hearts- Why did I finish this?
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)



Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
** This book was flat out fun!! I loved being able to take a step into Austen's world by way of Courtney. Seeing it through her 21st century eyes was the best part of this book. Those of us that are addicted to Austen probably wished we were Courtney....I know I did. I would like to role-play at being an Austen character for maybe a week because I love the modern conveniences like electricity and flushing toilets too much to stay in Austen's world for too long. The ending left me wanting to grab up this next book!!

My Rating:







Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict
** I liked this book, but not as much as Confessions. When Jane opens her eyes and finally realizes that she's not in England but rather new America she is really discombobulated! Could you imagine being used to horses and carriages, very little noise and then find yourself in current day Los Angeles???? The best part for me was the way Jane started to feel about Wes and how she finally figured out how to use the Blackberry. The ending left me a little upset ,but I'm hoping for a third book!!

My Rating:






Pride and Prejudice Marvel Comic Book Series Volumes 1-5
** I almost didn't add this because I thought it would make me seem like a geek. But you know what? I am one!! I loved the drawings and the way the writer took the story and made it concise enough to be done in 5 comic books. This was pure escapism and total fun!!!


My Rating:






NOTE: a few bloggers have emailed me asking if they could use this post on their blogs and I'm like, "Heck YA!!" I never thought of this as a meme but if you want to use the concept then by all means please do. I would love it if you left me a comment about your post in my comment section so I could check out your Six Sentence reviews!!!!

Review: Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall

Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall

Fiction or non-fiction Fiction
Genre: Adult Literature
Where did I get the book: Random House Publishing
Reason for reading: Review Copy

Synopsis:
Olivia Harker Cross owns a strip of mountain in Pope County, Kentucky, a land where whites and blacks eke out a living in separate, tattered kingdoms and where silver-faced wolves howl in the night. But someone is killing the wolves of Big Foley Mountain—and Olivia is beginning to realize how much of her own bitter history she’s never understood: Her mother’s madness, building toward a fiery crescendo. Her daughter’s flight to California, leaving her to raise Will’m, her beloved grandson. And most of all, her town’s fear, for Olivia has real and dangerous enemies. Now this proud, lonely woman will face her mother and daughter, her neighbors and the wolf hunters of Big Foley Mountain. And when she does, she’ll ignite a conflict that will embroil an entire community—and change her own life in the most astonishing of ways.

My Thoughts:

This is a book that I would have loved to read to my Grandpa Bill. He was born and raised in Kentucky and I grew up listening to his stories all my life. One of my favorite tales that he shared with us was about running shine for his grandfather while driving a Model A truck. He was all of thirteen! He would've loved the cadence of the speech which set the tone of this book. Olivia is one of the best written characters ever!! When author Lansdale compared Walls writing to Harper Lee's, he hit the nail on the head. I was drawn into this book immediately and the pages wouldn't give up their death grip on my eyes. Every free moment found me reading . These people with their conflicts, loves, hates, pains, happiness, anger.....they came alive inside of my mind. This is a well-constructed novel with an ending that is utterly superb. This is easily one of the BEST books I've read this year, maybe ever, and I don't hesitate to recommend this to anyone looking for a fantastic read!!

I leave you with one of many favorite passages:

The one great disappointment is that I have not found Pap's doctoring books. I realize now that those books have become my personal crusade. I recall watching him make notes on the pages. Maybe it's his handwriting I need most--something to tell me he was really here.
p.154

Other reviews:
Wendy-Musings of a Bookish Kitty

If you reviewed this book please leave me your link in the comment section and I'll add it!!

Book Review: Living in the Rear View Mirror: From Substance Abuse to a Life of Substance

What is the consequence of allowing the pain of your past to create your life today? This compelling story is a case study in how our thoughts affect our reality. It shows how miracles happen when we embrace our own worth and become who we are meant to be.


Fiction or non-fiction Non-fiction
Genre: Memoir
Where did I get the book: Westwind Communications
Proudly supporting a Michigan based Marketing Firm!!! Yay!
Reason for reading: Review Copy


My thoughts:

I think Kim is a pretty brave lady. She's dealt with a lot over her lifetime and I couldn't help but be moved by her story. At times, in her adult years I found myself getting mad at her. I wanted to yell "BREAK THE CYCLE, QUIT DRINKING AND TAKING PRESCRIPTION PILLS!!" But unfortunately that doesn't happen until much later in her life. The one thing that I took from this book was how easy it is for young kids and teens to fall into the trappings of getting drunk or getting high. After reading Kim's story I totally understand how blessed I was with parents that gave me attention, validation, and unconditional love. Those children that don't receive those precious gifts from their parents are more susceptible to fall between the cracks and to check out. Kim tells her story with unflinching honesty and she never gives herself a pass on any of her past behaviors. This story could have turned out really, really bad, but lucky for her and for us, Kim was able to overcome her addictions and make her life into something worthwhile.

Quotes from book:

"Kim," Evelyn said, "it seems to me that your bad relationships lasted two to three years at a pop. Do you realize that after that amount of time you cross over from a victim to a volunteer?"
That was a good point.
p.221

Here's what I learned. The world owes me nothing because of what I've been through. I am a product of those experiences, and I have the choice to either make those lessons count for something or let them destroy my life. Each dy that I choose to dwell in the story of my past, I can't see the beauty of the day I'm in. Today, instead of looking for the slights that others perpetrate on me, I look for the kindness they give me. And I always find them. What you seek, you shall find. p.244

About Kim Vazquez:
Kim is a mortgage broker and former business owner who found her true calling in helping others tune into their spiritual guidance. Although it took 24 years from her first angel sighting for her to embrace her spiritual gifts, she now derives the greatest joy from using these abilities to improve the quality of others' lives. She conducts Angel Readings through her practice, works as a spiritual counselor, and offers workshops and seminars in Placer County, California where she lives with her husband. She can be reached at www.kimvazquez.com or www.journeywithangels.com

Library Loot-September 9

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.
We share what we each picked up at the library during the week.

The Blame Game is back on!!! and then a few that I have to take responsibility for!!


Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning
** All my fault. I love this paranormal/romance series. Can't wait to see what MacKayla is up to!








A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch
** I spotted this book at Barnes & Noble and noted that it was a Victorian English mystery that had been nominated for an Agatha Award. And for some reason I'm on a bit of a mystery kick!






The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie
Blame goes to Kay @ the Infinite Shelf. Read her fantastic review here!







Hate List by Jennifer Brown
I heard about this one over at Presenting Lenore and it sounded like a YA book that I would really enjoy! Especially that we had a hate list problem 2 years ago at my middle school!!





The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley
** Another one to blame on Lenore!! She doesn't mind at all. Look at that cover isn't it gorgeous? Plus the story is really awesome sounding:When her adoptive mother dies, Katherine Bab takes the chance she has been waiting for her whole life: she moves from her country village to London, to uncover the secret of who she really is. Before long, Kat has become a favorite of Queen Elizabeth herself, and rumors are swirling - could fiery-haired Kat be the secret daughter of the Virgin Queen?

Empire Falls by Richard Russo
** Realistically I could blame this on just about every blogger out there that has read and reviewed That Old Cape Magic. (Diana, JoAnn, Rebecca)I fell in love with each blogger's post and the more I read, the more I was convinced that I had to read this author. So I decided to start with Empire Falls!!




Books Read in 2009 to date: 134
Number of Books Checked out from the library:19
Book Blogger Buddies Recommendations TBR List: 238 last week 250 this week