Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Lots of little ones and two big ones!


Nancy Drew Girl Detective: The Demon of River Heights by Stefan Petrcha (Graphic Novel)

This is a modern day version of our old favorite girl detective done in a graphic novel format for the young hip independent-minded girls of today. It was cute and fun to read in this format, but at the same time not super exciting. I guess if I was a 9-12 year old, I would have found it more exciting!!

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

In just nineteen short minutes, the town of Sterling, New Hampshire was changed forever. Peter Houghton, bullied endlessly from day one of first grade on, cannot take the humiliation any longer. He walks into Sterling High shooting. Josie Cormier, beautiful, popular, dating the school's most popular hockey star, is knocked unconscious during the ordeal. Should she protect her status and reputation or help her one-time best friend Peter as his fate is decided through the trial that brings the town of Sterling to a standstill?

I was really engrossed in this book right from the beginning. No shocking ending like I usually get with Picoult (I kind of saw it coming) but enjoyable non-the-less.


The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain

In 1977, an innocent and trusting sixteen year old CeeCee Wilkes falls for an older college boy named Tim Gleason. He comes to the diner where she works everyday and over time, earns her trust, adoration, and loyalty. Many years later, CeeCee no longer exists. She instead lives under an assumed name. The missing Genevieve Russell's body is discovered and the search is on for the missing baby she was carrying. Can CeeCee/Eve keep her secrets buried? Or should she come clean, destroying the idyllic life she has worked so hard to build.

I really liked this book a lot and will definitely try more by this author.


Cassie Binegar by Patricia MacLachlan

I read this book with one of my students about a young girl named Cassie dealing with the death of her father, her first crush on an older man, and the trials and tribulations of discovering just who you are.

The Drinking Gourd by FN Monjo

Wanted Dead or Alive: The True Story of Harriet Tubman by Ann McGovern

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Bone Volume 1

Bone Volume 1: Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith

Saturday, November 14, 2009

All Night Long


All Night Long by Jayne Ann Krentz

When Irene Stinson was a teenager in Dunsley, she came home after curfew one summer night to find her police chief father and mother dead in the kitchen of an apparent murder suicide. Despite what the authorities believed, Irene felt that there was more to the story. Years later, when estranged ex-best friend Pamela Webb contacts Irene saying she has information, Irene, now an investigative journalist, thinks she will finally get to the bottom of what happened to her parents. However, when Irene returns to the small Napa Valley town, she finds Pamela dead and the body count mounting. Luckily she has the handsome and strong Luke Danner to help her find the truth and keep her safe.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Great YA Book

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Frankie Landau-Banks attends the same elite boarding school - Alabaster Academy - as her popular older sister Zada and her secret society member father, leaving her with big shoes to fill on campus. Freshman year goes by without Frankie being noticed much, but returning for sophomore year is a different story after a summer of filling out. Frankie begins dating the co-president of the secret society - The Royal Order of the Bassett Hounds, and ties to infiltrate the male only group by outsmarting them and out pranking them.

Frankie is a great modern-feminist role model. She is smart and beautiful but also cunning, brave, and witty. I really like Lockhart's books and will continue reading her work.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffrey Deaver

The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffrey Deaver

Deputy Brynn McKenzie is off duty when she gets a call asking her to check out a lake front house bordering a large state park in Wisconsin to follow up on a strange 911 call. Upon arriving at the house, Brynn stumbles across two bodies of a city couple and another woman claiming to be their friend, injured and hiding. From there, The Bodies Left Behind quickly turns into a fast paced cat and mouse chase. Who will prevail? The two men hired to kill, or the two women running for their lives?

I really enjoyed this book by Deaver. My first by him but certainly not my last.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Two for October - Slow month so far!!

Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell

The newest in Cornwell's Scarpetta series finds Kay Scarpetta and Benton Weselley, now married, splitting their time between their home base of Boston, Massachusetts and New York City. When little person, Oscar, is brought into Bellevue's Criminal Psychiatric Ward in NY, he asks specifically for Scarpetta. Oscar is being accused of murdering his girlfriend.

In this latest, Scarpetta is fighting a vicious online gossip site bent on destroying her reputation, trying to help solve a case while also bound by patient/doctor confidentiality, and is also faced with a forced reunion with Marino.

I thought the book was good, but a little too long. I didn't really care about the victim(s) so much until closer to the end of the book. However, I am still looking forward to the next in the series to find out where the characters go from there.

You Can Adopt by Susan Coughman

This is a GREAT book on adoption. It covers all of the nuts and bolts. The checklists are beyond helpful. So far, this is the best adoption book I have read.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Two New Books

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsela



Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Overlook by Michael Connelly

The Overlook by Michael Connelly

A Harry Bosch Novel

Harry gets called out to a murder scene on the Overlook in the Hollywood Hills. He begins working the homocide case as he would any other, but things quickly turn chaotic when the case gets taken over by the FBI and then turns into a Homeland Security nightmare when it is discovered that a large batch of cessium is missing and possibly in the hands of a well-known and wanted terrorist.

I always enjoy a Harry Bosch novel.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Eighth Grade Bites: The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod Book 1


Eighth Grade Bites: The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod Book 1 by Heather Brewer

Vladimir Tod is a typical 8th grade boy in that he is shy around girls especially the one he likes and gets bullied by some bigger boys. Vlad also struggles to keep a big secret from everyone except his best friend Henry: he is a vampire. Vlad's life suddenly gets even more complicated when his teacher goes missing and a mysterious, and highly suspicious, Mr. Otis takes over the class. To make matters worse, Vlad fears the girl he likes may in fact like Henry instead of him. To top it off, Vlad is in search for the truth about his parents mysterious deaths.

This is the first in the series, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod. I can't wait to read the next book and bring this first one in to share with my students.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Cold Truth by Mariah Stewart


Cold Truth by Mariah Stewart

Det. Cassie Reilly is assigned to a case involving serial murders in the small ocean side town in New Jersey. Cassie is searching for an elusive serial killer who as left a trail of victims throughout many states, countries, and decades. She is joined by FBI Agents Rick Cisco and Mitch __ and Regan Landry who helped her famous late father pen bestselling true crime books. Can they put a stop to the killings before he sets his sights on Cassie herself?

This is the first Mariah Stewart book I have read, though I have a few on my shelf to be read. I really enjoyed it and am anxious to get to the next Truth book.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell


Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell

The latest Dr. Kay Scarpetta novel takes us to Italy where a famous tennis star, Drew Martin is murdered and back to Charleston, SC where Kay, Marino, and Rose are trying to make a new home and forensics lab. The clues in Martin's murder do not seem to add up and there seems to be a strange connection to deaths in Charleston.

I have been a longtime Cornwell reader and fan, but I found this book confusing, hard to follow, and do not really like where the characters have been going. Geez, I feel bad saying so. I will likely keep reading her books anyway out of loyalty.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Relentless by Dean Koontz


Relentless by Dean Koontz

The Greenwich family is living a good life. Cullen "Cubby" Greenwich is a best selling author busy promoting his newest book. His wife, Penny, is a successful childrens book author and illustrator. Their son, Milo, a six year old genius, is home schooled and destined to change the world someday. Everything seems to be going right for the family until the infamous book reviewer, Shearman Waxx, writes a scathing review of Cubby's latest book. The effects of which set the family on the run, trying to save their own lives.

I have been a long-time fan of Koontz and enjoyed his latest page-turning thriller a lot.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Finished two today

Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

Because I Am Furniture is a YA book about a high school freshman named Anke. Anke's father may put on a perfect front outside the home, but inside the home he is a violent explosive terror, physically and sexually abusing his wife and two other children. Anke vacillates between being horrified at her father's actions and being angry that he doesn't "care enough to abuse her," stating that she is nothing more than a piece of furniture in the house.

This YA, told in verse, packs a powerful punch and could be a good mirror book for young adults dealing with similar nightmares in their own homes.


Swimsuit by James Patterson

There is an international serial killer at work. His varying M.O.'s and brilliant disguises make it nearly impossible to catch the killer. When the beautiful young Kim McDaniel's goes missing while on a photo shoot in Hawaii, ex-cop turned reporter Ben Hawkins gets drawn into the case and into the killer's sights. The killer singles Hawkins out to be the author of his terrifying "tell-all" book.

This is the latest from Patterson and like usual it was fast paced and exciting. There were also a few bits that left me scratching my head and I am still not quite sure what all happened at the end!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Who is really being left behind? The students or the educators?


No Teachers Left Behind by HBF (Hopeful But Frustrated) Teacher

No Teachers Left Behind is a fictional look inside an American middle school. The story, told through emails, poetry, and scenes of dialogue, is a sometimes funny sometimes infuriating examination of some of the public school systems short-falls. Schools top heavy with high paid administrators who are little more than figureheads. Teachers over worked and over scheduled with meetings before, during, and after school, not to mention additional duties such as sporting events and buses. No time for effective lesson planning. The consequences of overlooking behavioral issues in an effort to streamline. The lack of resources. The focus on standardized test scores rather than meaningful lifelong learning.

To some readers this work of fiction may seem an exaggeration of the problems many schools face. But for those of us who teach in the public school system, particularly at the middle school level, No teachers Left Behind is a poignant reminder of the uphill battle educators face every single day.

But in the end, as this book reminds us, we do it for the children. To give the children the skills, tools, hopes and dreams necessary for a brighter future.

I recommend this book to any teacher and any parent with a child in the public school system.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

The NEighbor by Lisa Gardner


The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner

Boston crime reporter, Jason Jones, has a big secret. A past full of skeletons he is trying to keep hidden away. When is wife, Sandy, goes missing suddenly in the middle of the night, Jason becomes Sargent DD Warren's prime suspect. The mysterious and cold Jones seems the obvious choice. That is until the investigation gets muddled by a host of other possibilities.

I have read all of Gardner's books to date and have really liked every one of them. The past few have been different than her earlier romantic suspense and I like it. I think they have become more disturbing.... in a good way! Love this author. I also love that she is a New England-ah!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Dismantled by Jennifer McMahon


Dismantled by Jennifer McMahon

Ten years ago, four art students met at the small and nontraditional Sexton College in Vermont. Suz, Henry, Tess, and Val/Winnie banded together, forming a renegade group of artists known as the Compassionate Dismantlers, believing that Dismantlement=Freedom. In order to truly understand something it must be taken apart.

Under Suz's misguided direction, the group carried out missions that became more dangerous and reckless with each one until one fateful night when it all came to a crashing halt. Years later, married and raising a smart but odd daughter, Emma, Henry and Tess begin coming apart at the seems as the past comes back to haunt them.

I became a fan of McMahon's after reading Promise Not to Tell and Island of Lost Girls. This book has the same feel to it, slightly creepy and ghosty, a bit of mystery, well-written. I found myself drawn in to the story and the characters. Of the three, I still like Promise Not to Tell the best.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

8th Confession by James Patterson

The 8th Confession by James Patterson

Somehow I forgot to add this on here before Just Over the Mountain.

This is the 8th installment of Patterson's Women's Murder Club series. I really enjoy this series and always like catching up with Lindsey, Cindy, Clair, Conklin, and Jacobi.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Just Over the Mountain by Robyn Carr


Just Over the Mountain by Robyn Carr

Just Over the Mountain picks up where Deep in the Valley leaves off. it is the second book in the Grace Valley Trilogy. In this book we catch up with June, her budding romance with undercover officer Jim, the gang at the clinic, and Aunt Myrna has to answer some tough inquiries about the whereabouts of Morton Claypool. I am really enjoying this trilogy and in fact, I think I may have even liked this one more than the first. I enjoy the small town characters and the characteristics of the town itself.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas


The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Bruno is a typical 9 year old boy who loves exploring with his friends and hates being teased by his older sister and her friends. Bruno's father works for "The Fury" and he isn't sure exactly what his father's job entails, but think he must be good at it since he is suddenly promoted to "Commendant." The bad news is, Bruno and his family must leave their lovely five story Berlin home for a far away place Bruno knows only as "Out-With." It is a depressing and strange place. There are no neighbors or boys to play with. There are no markets or cafes busy with people. There is only a large barbed wire fence in the distance, where hundreds of people live in huts and all wear the same odd striped pajamas.

This book is another heartbreaking book about the Holocaust, told through the eyes of 9 year old Bruno. One I will definitely use in the classroom.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Deep in the Valley by Robyn Carr


Deep in the Valley by Robyn Carr

This is the story (the first in a trilogy) about a small town in Northern California known as Grace Valley. Grace Valley only has one doctor, June Hudson, who took over for her father when he retired. As the town doctor, June is replied on for everything and never gets a break. As the town begins to grow, June soon realizes she needs help and hires a talented and handsome young OB/GYN named John Stone. John moves to Grace Valley with his wife Susan and their little girl Sidney.

This story takes you inside the lives of the town's many unique characters. June, her father Elmer, the new doctor John Stone, the eccentric and wealthy aunt Myrna, the Native American police chief Tom, and all of the other regular townsfolk. I probably would not have ever picked this book up on my own but I read it as a buddy read with two friends in May. I have to say, I really enjoyed it. I loved the detailed look into small town lie and the rich host of characters. I will definitely finish the trilogy and hopefully try some of Carr's other books as well.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen


The Bone Garden by Tess Gerrtisen

Following a painful divorce, Julia Hamill takes a chance buying an old dilapidated historic home in a small town outside of Boston. While digging in the garden, Julia finds an old skeleton buried in the yard. She feels compelled to discover who lies in this unmarked grave and together with a relative of the previous owner, digs into family treasures that bring them on a journey back to Boston in the 1830's and tells the story of a city divided by class lines and the fear invoked by a Jack the Ripper style serial killer.

I really enjoyed this one. I was glued to the book from beginning to the end. It wasn't as suspenseful as it could have been, but I was really drawn in by the characters and the developing story being unfolded as Julia and Henry read all of those old letters.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark


Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark

Assistant Prosecutor, Emily Wallace, has landed the trial that will either make or break her career. When famous Broadway star, Natalie Raines, is found murdered, her estranged husband, Gregg Aldrich, becomes the prime suspect but there is not enough evidence to go to trial. Two years later career criminal Jimmy Easton, arrested for burglary, pleads a deal claiming to have information connecting Gregg to Natalie's murder.

Emily, having recently lost her husband to a roadside bomb in Iraq and then recovering from a heart transplant surgery, needs this trial to go her way. Will the jury believe Jimmy Easton's testimony? Is he telling the truth?

I have been a long-time fan of Mary Higgins Clark. In fact I began reading her books when I was in the sixth grade. In the past few years her books just have not been as good as they once were. While I liked this book well enough in the end, I didn't find it all that suspenseful and it was pretty predictable. It felt like there were all of these random things going on (the heart transplant story line, the serial killer next door, the trial, etc) and then it all just came to a quick end in the matter of ten pages. I will continue to be a loyal reader of hers, more out of habit than anything else, but this wasn't one of my favorites.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Rules of Prey and Wintergirls

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Lia's best friend Cassie is found dead in a motel room. Dead and alone. She called Lia 33 times that night, but Lia never answered. Lia keeps this secret while fighting her own demons in her "matchstick body" while her busy and successful parents live their own lives oblivious to what is really going on. Lia's goals are simple: stay in control, eat as little as possible, and get to her goal weight: 0.

I love every single one of Laurie Halse Andersons books. They are so powerful. This one will take your breath away.


Rules of Prey by John Sandford

Lieut. Lucas Davenport is a tough, brilliant, and unstoppable detective with an itchy trigger finger. Davenport is asked to step in and help stop a serial killer preying on dark haired women. But has Davenport met his match with this "maddog" killer who seems to stay one step ahead?

This is the first in the Prey series. I have been meaning to read this series for a while now and am glad I finally got started. Will definitely read through the entire series.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Friday, April 24, 2009

18 Seconds by George D. Shuman


18 Seconds by George D. Shuman

Sherry Moore has a unique gift. Even though she is blind, she is able to see the last 18 seconds of a person's life by grasping the hand of the deceased. For several years, Sherry has used this gift to help many police investigations, archeologists, and more. When a local woman is found murdered in Philadelphia, Sherry sees images that seem familiar.

Meanwhile in New Jersey, Lieutenant Kelly O'Shaughnesey is investigating the disappearances of two young women. She gets a call from a Detective in Philadelphia that seems to connect what is going on in New Jersey to the murder in Philadelphia. Sherry and Det. John Payne travel to New Jersey to join forces with Lieut. O'Shaughnessey landing them all face to face with a vicious psychopath who has nothing to lose.

I really loved this one. It was fast paced and thrilling with an interesting concept. I will definitely read the next two in the series.

Monday, April 20, 2009

When Ghosts Speak by Mary Ann Winkowski


When Ghosts Speak by Mary Ann Winkowski

Mary Ann Winkowski is a consultant for the show The Ghost Whisperer. In this book, Winskowski talks about her childhood, how her grandmother discovered and nurtured her gift, and how her gift works. The book is filled with amazing stories of Winkowski talking to various "earth bound" spirits and how she helped them cross into the light and helped their families cope with the loss by providing information and comfort.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Ghouls Just Haunt to Have Fun by Victoria Laurie


Ghouls Just Haunt to Have Fun by Victoria Laurie

MJ Holliday's business partner, Gil, has worked a deal for MJ to work on the production of a new show that features Mediums connecting to spirits attached to "haunted objects" in San Francisco. Reluctantly, MJ and the team check into the famous and famously haunted Duke Hotel. Upon arrival, MJ connects to the spirit of a murdered young woman, Sophie, in the parking lot and meets Det. MacDonald who is immediately impressed with MJ's abilities.

MJ, Gil, and Stephen along with new firend and fellow medium, Heath, aren't at the Duke long when they become entangled in a web of spirits including a very powerful and evil demonic entity.

This is the third book in the Ghost Hunter series. As with the others, this one is a lot of fun and a little creepy. I really enjoy all of Victoria Laurie's books. Can't wait for #4!!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman

Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews


Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews

BeBe Loudermilk has it all. She is a successful and wealthy Savannah businesswoman, several lucrative real estate investments, a popular Savannah restaurant, and good looks. When BeBe attends a charity ball, she meets a handsome and exciting man named Reddy. Reddy is quick to step in and help out when BeBe becomes over-whelmed with all of her responsibilities but it isn't long before BeBe realizes she has been whiped out by the handsome conman.

Left with nothing but a run-down cheap motel, BeBe must figure out how to survive and formulate a plan to get back what was taken from her dragging her best friend Weezie, her grandfather, and her hot handyman on a wild caper.

To be honest, this is a book I probably would have never picked up at the bookstore. No particular reason, just isn't the type of thing I normally read. But since the car accident I have had a hard time concentrating. So, my mom brought this book over to me. It was just what the doctor ordered. Fun, light, and really cheered me up. I ended up really liking it a lot.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Long Lost by Harlan Coben

Long Lost by Harlan Coben

Long Lost takes Myron and Win on a terrifying international thrill ride. Myron gets a call out of the blue from old flame, Terese Collins, simply telling him to come to Paris. Once there, Myron is quickly thrown into a murder investigation where he and Terese are the lead suspects and targets of a very powerful group of terrorists.

Once I picked up the book, it was impossible to put it down until I turned the last page. I love Myron and Win and enjoyed the heart thumping thrill ride that took them around the world. Coben is the best.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Dancing in the Dark by Mary Jane Clark


Dancing in the Dark by Mary Jane Clark

Diane Mayfield, KEY News Correspondent, had the perfect vacation planned for her and her over-stressed family to the Grand Canyon. Diane and her children are disappointed when Diane's boss at KEY news informs her she is needed on assignment in Ocean Grove, NJ, a small seaside vacation spot. A young girl went missing for three days and when she returned, unharmed, the police suspected the girl had faked her disappearance to get back at the boyfriend who had just dumped her. Diane's story on young women who fabricate kidnappings quickly turns into a murder investigation when another young girl disappears.

This is the third book I have read by Mary Jane Clark and is my favorite of the three. I have a few more of her books here on my shelf to read.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins


Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Three teens meet at a residential facility known as Aspen Springs. All three tried to commit suicide; all three battling their own demons. As the trio grows closer, they are able to help each other through the difficult program and unload their secrets to each other.

So far I have liked all of Ellen Hopkins books. I love the free verse style. They are a bit depressing though.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Multiple Blessings by Jon & Kate Goseelin and Beth Carson


Multiple Blessings

I am a huge fan of the show Jon and Kate Plus 8 so when I saw the book was out, I was curious to go beyond what we see on tv and learn some more of the back story of this intriguing family. I also knew that Kate, like myself, struggles from PCOS and went through the same fertility treatments I went through. I find it helpful to read another person's similar journey through fertility treatments.

I knew going in that there would be a heavy religious component to the book based on what I have seen from the show, but I felt the bible verses were a bit much. Although, I know it is a big part of the Gosselin's personal belief system and experience so I just ignored them as best I could. My only other complaint is how, just like in the documentary, Kate pretty much skips over the whole PCOS issue. It is literally 1 sentence. Which I fine, I guess, I just wish more people would speak out about PCOS and help raise much needed awareness.

All in all I found this book enjoyable. It was fun to follow the Gosselin's on their journey in a more in depth and personal way.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Run for Your Life by James Patterson

Run for Your Life by James Patterson

Det. Michael Bennett is just coming off of a particularly difficult hostage negotiation in Harlem when the Commissioner calls him personally to head up a task force to stop a seemingly connected string of murders targeting the wealthy of New York City. This is the second book featuring Detective Bennett after Step on a Crack. I liked this one more than Step on a Crack and I enjoy the character, his nanny Mary Catherine, his grandfather Seamus, and his brood of ten children.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Force of Nature by Laird Hamilton


Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul, and of course Surfing by Laird Hamilton

I saw Laird Hamilton on Chelsea Lately promoting this new book. It sounded so inspirational, I just had to check it out. The book opens with a quote from Mark Twain that I think sums up the book well:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

This book is written in four parts: Mind, Body, Soul, and Surfing. Each section discusses Laird's philosophy on how to live life to the fullest, how to feed your body, how to excel in every aspect of life, and how to appreciate the world and people around you. I did indeed find it very inspirational. He is an amazing athlete and an amazing person.

In addition to the great advice in this book, the photographs are beautiful. I can't stop looking at them!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Burned by Ellen Hopkins


Burned by Ellen Hopkins

I don't want to talk about it....not yet anyway....

Friday, February 20, 2009

The Dead Room and Coraline


The Dead Room by Heather Graham

Leslie McIntyre has become a famed archaeologist for her uncanny ability to find dead people with ease. When she is asked to return to New York City to work on another historic dig she is anxious to return to the historic home where an explosion killed her husband and nearly ended her own life. Leslie is determined to help the ghosts reaching out to her by finding their burial sites, help her late husbands cousin, Joe (a private eye), discover the truth behind the explosion and also help Joe find a missing heiress and the missing prostitutes she was helping. All seem to be connected in some way, Leslie and Joe just need to fit the pieces together.

It took me a while to read this due to my car accident, but I did enjoy it. There is an interesting twist at the end that I did not see coming. So far, I have enjoyed all of the Heather Graham books I have read.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

While exploring her home out of boredness one day, Coraline discovers a door that leads to another world. This world looks very much like her own and has all of the same people, only it is different. Her "other mother" and "other father" with the button eyes want to keep Coraline. Will she ever find her way back out? To her real home, real mother, and real father? This is a fun and creepy read. I look forward to seeing the movie!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi


The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Graphic Novel

This is the story/memoir of a young Iranian girl growing up through the revolution. I really fell in love with Marjane's strength, independence, free-spirit, and plain old chutzpah. The details about the revolution and what the Iranian people went through was heart wrenching and I feel like I gained a whole new perspective of Iran's history and the Iranian people. I loved this book.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Never Tell A Lie by Hallie Ephron


Never Tell a Lie by Hallie Ephron

Ivy and her high school sweetheart husband, David, buy an old Victorian home in their hometown. At eight months pregnant, with a serious need to "nest," Ivy convinces her husband to help her clear out the previous owners belongings left behind and hold a yard sale. At the yard sale, Melinda White, an old classmate of Ivy and David's shows up looking completely different. Melinda was a strange girl in high school and her odd behavior at the yard sale made Ivy uneasy. When Melinda goes missing immediately following the encounter, Ivy and David become the prime suspects.

I really liked this one. I have never read any books by her but this was a good mystery. Will definitely read more.

Monday, January 19, 2009

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Juliet Ashton becomes famous during WWII writing humorous and "sunny" anecdotes during and after the war under nom de plume, Lizzie Bickerstaff. Juliet receives many letters from readers but one letter, describing the formation of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society from the German occupied island of Guernsey in the English Channel. Juliet begins writing back and forth with members of the society on Guernsey.

Guernsey is written in letter form between Juliet, townspeople on Guernsey, Juliet's editor Sidney and his co-workers as well as her best friend Sophie. This was a wonderful book. I loved the story and loved the characters. I highly recommend it.