#16 Book Read in 2012
Crossing the Tracks (YA)
This is a good YA historical fiction book. Iris lost her mother at a young age. Her father is very distant. He sends Iris away to be a housekeeper of sorts for a doctor and his ailing mother. Iris really connects with Dr. and Mrs. Nesbitt and begins to feel like she has finally found a family. But things are never really easy for Iris and this continues throughout the book, though she ends up finding strength that she never knew she had.
This book had great characters. Iris reminded me a bit of Harper Lee's Scout. I loved Dr. and Mrs. Nesbitt. Olive was a great comic character and Marie was the epitome of a loyal canine companion. This book was a good, quick read.
I borrowed this book from the town library.
#15 Book Read in 2012
Dead and Gone
This is the ninth book in the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood series. I love these books. In this book, Sookie's the prize in the fairy war and her great-grandfather's enemy wants to kill her. As usual, Sookie has a host of protectors on her list--Eric, Bill, Alcide and even Bubba. This book also has a decent amount to the Jason/werepanther storyline and Sam's shapeshifter storyline.
These books are fun reads. There is action, romance, humor and just about every type of paranormal being a reader could ask for in these books. I read this book on my Kindle.
#14 Book Read in 2012
Mr. Darcy Forever
Sarah and Mia are sisters who are also Jane Austen addicts. On a vacation to Barton Cottage, the two sisters meet Alec. Both sisters fall in love with them and due to this, they have a falling out. Three years have gone by without the sisters speaking to one another. Both are attending the annual Jane Austen festival in Bath and both have had some interesting developments in their lives since they have last been in contact.
This book has great characters, good romance and humor. Jane Austen addicts will enjoy this book. Connelly writes in a style true to Jane Austen's and weaves Austen's novels into her own work flawlessly. Reading this book makes me want to pull off all of my Austen books from my shelves and read them again, and then follow up the novels by watching the many movie adaptions of the books.
This book comes out in April 2012. I was sent a copy by Sourcebooks to review.
#13 Book Read in 2012
Much Ado About Anne (YA)
This book is the second in the young adult Mother/Daughter Book Club series. In this book, the book club is discussing Anne of Green Gables. Besides the book discussion, there is still drama going on in the lives of the girls. Jess's family may lose their farm. Emma has a crush of Becca's brother. Cassidy is resentful of her mother's romantic relationship with Stanley. But the mothers and the girls learn some life lessons from the book that they are discussing.
This book was a good, quick read. I enjoy this series. I like the book discussion. The characters are well developed and interesting. I read this book on my Kindle.
#12 Book Read of 2012
Deadly (YA)
This book tells the story of Prudence, a girl interested in science and possibly becoming a doctor, which in the early 1900s, is pretty rare. Along with her story, this book details the story of Typhoid Mary, a woman who was a carrier for the typhoid disease, though she herself was healthy. The book is told in journal format from Prudence's point of view. Besides the search for a scientific break through, she also discusses the missing of her father from the war, the loss of her best friend after she moves away, and feelings of romance and angst over trying to figure out her future. This book was well done and would be one I would recommend to middle school and high school girls, especially if they were interested in science.
I borrowed this book from the town library.
#11 Book Read in 2012
Double Booked for Death
This is the first book in a cozy mystery series. Darla inherits a book store from her aunt and moved to New York City to run it. Part of the deal of the store is also inheriting Hamlet, her aunt's cranky big black cat. But Hamlet seems to have a talent for solving mysteries, which comes in handy when an author is killed at Darla's store during a book signing event. Darla and her security expert, Jake, a retired NYC cop, begin their own investigation into the author's death.
This book had great characters, especially Darla, Jake, James and Hamlet. The setting of a book store is one of my favorites for a mystery book. I will definitely continue this series and cannot wait for book #2.
#10 Book Read in 2012
My Brother's Shadow (YA)(
Moritz is trying to keep his life and family somewhat together. His older brother is fighting the war for Germany but Moritz's mother is speaking out and campaigning against the war and Hitler. Moritz tries to provide food for his family and tries to get a job going as a journalist. He falls in with a bad crowd, his brother's old crowd, and struggles to keep to what he thinks is the right thing to do.
This book had action, romance and was a good, quick read. There is a lot of information about the war in this book but the writing style is user friendly and the length (just over 200 pages) will make it a viable reading option for even reluctant readers. I enjoyed this book.
I borrowed this book from our town library.
#9 Book Read in 2012
Paris My Sweet
Amy has been in love with Paris since she visited in college. When she is offered a year contract for a plum job writing ad copy for Louis Vuitton in the Paris office, she decides to not let this opportunity pass her by. This change of locale allows her to indulge in her other hobby--finding the most decadent, delicious treats and chocolates all over Paris. This book has a chick lit, bloggy feel to it, mixed in with such wonderful descriptions of the desserts that I found myself craving to have a serving of what she was describing right in front of me as I read the book. Amy has some moments of trying to decide if this job is right for her, if she will ever find everlasting love and if she wants to have children, but the true focus of this book is her love for the city and its food.
I enjoyed this book a lot. Amy's writing was fresh and modern. I liked her and wanted to her about her trips and sweet discoveries in Paris. I was rooting for her to feel more at home in this city that she loved so. This book was a quick, good read. I recommend it for fans of culinary books and for fans of chick lit.
I received this book to review from Source books.
Current Reads:
Paris My Sweet (review book)
My Brother's Shadow (YA) (library book)
Double Booked for Murder
Bad Dog
Deliver Me From Darkness
#2 book read in 2012
This is the first in a new paranormal series. Roland was once a Paladin Warrior--an angel of the light. He was then turned into a vampire. The Paladins cast him out of his group, except for his friend Logan. Karissa is a girl who turns up in need of Logan's help. She and Roland have an instant connection. Karissa and Logan also are connected but in a different way. As Karissa's powers are revealed both Paladins and vampires want to acquire her. Roland must do all in his power to save the love of his life. This book had decent action and a good romance. I enjoyed this book and would continue this series.
I received a copy of this book for review from Source books.
King of Darkness
Thad Morgan is the vampire king and he is searching for his vampire queen. He does not expect it to be Isabel Anthony. Isabel hides among the humans and does not really subscribe to the vampire lifestyle. Thad and Isabel meet at a club and the chemistry begins. Thad needs to be joined with his soul mate so that he can access his vampire powers. Isabel is not really sure that she wants to be a part of that. This book had action, the paranormal twist and some hot scenes.
I received this book for review from Sourcebooks.
January Reads:
1. Sleight of Paw (5/5) 2nd in series
2. Deliver Me from Darkness (4/5)
3. Vampire Crush (YA) (4.5/5) Kindle
4. Blood Ties (YA) (5/5) 6th in series
5. How Reading Changed My Life (4.5/5)
6. The Baker's Wife (5/5)
7. Emily and Einstein (5/5)
8. Hold Me Closer Necromancer (YA) (4/5) Kindle
Year to date: 8 books in 2012
