September Reads

September Reads:

1.  Touch and Go 5/5 (library book)
2.  Al Capone Does My Homework (YA) 5/5  3rd in series
3.  Longbourn (4/5)
4.  Not Your Ordinary Wolf Girl (YA) (4.5/5)
5.  Letters from Skye (5/5)

79 books read in 2013

Letters from Skye

Book #79 Read in 2013
Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole

This book is told entirely in letters and spans two world war.  It details a love story that survives incredible odds.  Elspeth is a poet and receives a sort of fan letter from Davey.  She is from Scotland and he from America; the two begin a pen pal relationship.  Gradually, through their letters, they fall in love.  Love is never simple and factoring in Elspeth's husband and the physical distance, their love story is no different.  World War 1 begins and Davey enlists.  Years later, when World War 2 is going on, Elspeth is launched back in memories of the first war, and the war-time romance her adult daughter is having with a soldier reminds Elspeth vividly of Davey.  Can these two people ever get together?

I loved this book.  The writing was wonderful and the characters were ones that I cared about immediately.  This book had historical elements to it, great romance and the hook of hoping for a happily ever after ending.  I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a review.

Not Your Ordinary Wolf Girl

Book #78 Read in 2013
Not Your Ordinary Wolf Girl by Emily Pohl-Weary

Sam is a rock star in a girl band.  One night after a show she is attacked and bitten by a large dog.  By the time she gets home, her wound is almost healed.  She goes to the hospital but they think she is having mental issues.  It turns out that her issue is the dog was a werewolf and now Sam is becoming a werewolf too.  She needs to learn how to deal with her bodily changes, how to escape a psychotic werewolf who thinks they are soul mates, and how to deal with her growing feelings for the psychotic werewolf's brother (also a werewolf).

This was a good read.  Sam was a likeable and interesting character...intelligent, funny and brave.  The writing was quick-paced and the plot had good mystery, humor and romantic elements to it.  I enjoyed it a lot.

I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program to review.

Longbourn

Book #77 Read in 2013
Longbourn by Jo Baker

This book revolves around the servants, and their points of view, from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.  Since that is one of my all-time favorite books, this premise intrigued me.  Mrs. Hill, Sara and Polly are main characters in this book with Jane, Elizabeth and Darcy taking second stage.  Readers could track the plot of Austen's books by what the servants were reacting to or overhearing.  This was well written.  I enjoyed it. 

I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine review program.

Al Capone Does My Homework (YA)

Book #76 Read in 2013
Al Capone Does My Homework by Gennifer Choldenko (YA)

This is the third book of this series.  Moose lives on Alcatraz Island, where his father is a prison guard.  In this book, Moose's father is promoted to Assistant Warden and that brings some danger as the cons would like to hurt a prison boss.  As if that is not enough stress, the family's apartment catches on fire and neighbors are blaming Natalie, Moose's special need sister, for it.  Can Moose figure out who really set the fire?

I have enjoyed all three books in this series.  The books are well-written and the characters are interesting and well-developed.  The books have elements of mystery, humor, history and romance.  I recommend this series.

Touch and Go

Book #75 Read in 2013
Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner

This was my first book by this author and I will definitely read more of her books.  In this one, Tessa is a private investigator.  The company she has recently begun to work for contacts her when the company's owner, his wife and teenager daughter are kidnapped.  Surprisingly, there is no contact with a ransom demand.  Tessa works with the FBI and local law enforcement to try to find the family while they are thought to be still alive.

This book had good twists and turns that kept me hooked.  The family had its share of problems and had to put them aside and band together to try to survive this ordeal.  Gardner writes interesting characters.  I enjoyed this book.

August Reads

August Reads:

1.  My Reading Life (4/5) Kindle
2.  Big Girl Panties (3.5/5)
3.  Switch (3/5)
4.  Our Iceberg is Melting (3.5/5)
5.  Portrait in Sepia (4/5) library book
6.  The Mysterious Death of Miss Jane Austen (4/5)
7.  Out of the Easy (YA)  (5/5)
8.  The Ghost and the Femme Fatale (4/5) 4th in series

Year to date:  74 books read