Book 28 (2011): deep down true

I picked up this book because of the pretty cover and in the end, I was glad I did, even though it's a sort of romance type of stuff that I wouldn't normally read. Fay 's book was funny and serious all at the same time, with a nice blend of focus on post divorce life and her "romance" blended together so I didn't feel like I was just reading a romance novel, straight up.

The main character, Dana, is recently divorced and she finds out she has to go back to work, which she does, par time, at her dentist office. Her middle school age daughter is struggling with her recently divorced parents and with middle school. Dana starts dating her son's football coach and her stray nice shows up and moves in. She also has an ex-husband who is living with the woman with whom he was having an affair.

It sounds like a lot of "schtick" but it's well written and funny, upbeat, and of course serious when necessary but not dragging out the serious to the point where it becomes depressive. The ending is cliched, but I don't think happy endings have to be a bad thing. (432 pages)

B

Book 27 (2011): Mourning Gloria

China Bayles the herbalist from Pecan Springs, Texas has returned and is following a possible missing person/ kidnapping in relation to an arson that happened near her house. She follows the leads and hunts for the bad guy. McQuaid, her husband is on a case out of town and Brian is away working at a camp so it's just China and her newly adopted daughter Caitlin who are home, watching the house and China watches for the bad guys.

Good story and since China is one of my favorite series, it was nice to have her back. Though there are many books in the series, this one felt fresh and fun and I'm certainly not tired of her or the entire Pecan Springs crew! (301 pages)

A

Book 26 (2011): Tick Tock

Tick Tock is the latest in the Micheal Bennett series, by James Patterson.

It's a super quick read and follows Irish- American detective Bennett, a NYC Cop and widowered father of 10 children, on his latest case: hunting a serial killer who likes to copy other famous serial killers. And in his personal life, the doting dad is juggling his new found feelings for the live in nanny Mary Catherine and those for an FBI agent, Emily. And, of course, his 10 kids and his Irish Catholic Priest grandfather is there in the middle of it all.

A quick beach read, and one of the better Patterson books of late. (448 pages)

B-

Book 25 (2011): Rescue

Rescue is a novel by Anita Shreve, and it's one I thoroughly enjoyed. I have no idea why, through the years, I thought I disliked Shreve's writing but I was certainly wrong. This is the second book of her's I've read this year and I'm even more impressed.

(On a personal note, I think it's ironic, for those of you who are familiar with my personal life will understand this, that the 2 books of her's I've read focus on father/ daughter relationships.)

This story tells, in flashback, how Webster met Shelia and their brief life together in small town Vermont. Then forward to now, and we have the story of Webster and his daughter Rowan, her senior year of high school.

This is a great book. I like the characters and the story. I like the setting as well. It feels "real"; Shreve captures the voice of the father and the daughter perfectly.

An excellent read. And for some reason, I find Shreve a quick read, too. Maybe it's just the novels I'm selecting or maybe it's her writing style or my own mood, but whatever the reason I just seem to fly through her books, usually about 4-5 hours and I'm done!

Great read! (288 pages)

A-

Book 24 (2011): Mothers & Other Liars

I liked this book. I have a feeling once I think about this story for a few days, it will become a book I could add to a favorite list. AND this is certainly one of the best books I've read this year.

Mothers & Other Liars (written by Amy Bourret) is the unpredictable story of Ruby and her daughter Lark. When Ruby was 19 and wandering aimlessly through Oklahoma when she finds an abandoned baby in a trash can. Now Lark is 9 years old and something happens and the story starts spilling out, legal charges, the media, lawyers... and in the middle are Lark and Ruby, loving each other worried about being ripped apart. There are also several twists and turns to the story but no spoilers here.

I love the characters. They are so strong and detailed. Their voices are smart and powerful. This story of motherhood and choices is compassionate. I love this story. (288 pages)

A+

Book 23 (2011): The Smoke Jumper

The Smoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans is on of my favorite books of all time; I consider it to be one of my top 10 favorites. It was a joy to re-read it.

And since I've lived in the Wild West, this book means even more to me.

Click here to read my review! (576 pages)

A+

Book 22 (2011): Shiver

From the cover of the book, to the last page, I thoroughly enjoyed this young adult/ teen novel written by Maggie Stiefvater.

When Grace was a little girl she was attacked by a pack of wolves, but lived to tell the tale. Fast forward about 10 years and Grace still watches the pack of wolves, entranced, fascinated, with the wolves who live in the woods behind her house.

And one wolf in particular attracts her attention, always has, and always will, because he is the wolf, she thinks, who saved her as a child all those years ago.

Then the fall of her senior year of high school, something changes. Her wolf is human and he has a name- Sam. But as Grace and Sam's love grows, bad things start happening in town and the secret of the wolves- the werewolves- which was so carefully guarded, is in danger.

This is a great novel. I loved the voice of the characters. I love the author's voice and tone. I was actually shivering with cold in some of the winter scenes. The love story is beautiful and just a touch enough, without over kill (I am so not one for a romantic story...) that it was sweet and wonderful, exactly what a teenage girl would want it to be.

There's enough suspense as well, to keep the reader turning pages. And just when I thought there could be a slow spot in the book, there was a great twist.

Excellent read! (390 pages)

A

Book 21 (2011): The Chosen One

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams is a young adult, fictional novel set in a cult.

Kyra is 14 and the oldest of many. She lives in a trailer in the desert with her mother and her siblings. All her other mothers and siblings live in trailers next door. Her father lives with them all. They live in a compound with the other members of the cult, The Chosen, and they are led by Prophet Childs.

As the story unfolds, Kyra learns she's to wed her 60 year old Uncle and she becomes defiant, because she doesn't want to.

After witnessing repeated violence brought upon her family and those in her "community", claiming it's the way of God, she has to make a choice to be broken and live that life, or leave.

This was an interesting novel and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I think because I'm an adult I wanted it to be longer and for the author to dig a little deeper, for it to be more detailed. I'm sure for teen readers, this is probably "just enough". It was an interesting story and Kyra, the protagonist, was unique enough to keep me reading but I'd like to know more, to have more character development and then more story. I'd also like to know some more backstory- what brought people to this cult and what made them stay.

I'll be interested to see what my high school readers think as this book circulates. (213 pages)

B-

Book 20 (2011): The Deadly Sister

This is one of the worst books I have ever read. I had the entire thing solved by page 40. By page 100 I was so frustrated with the lame story, the poor dialogue, the repetitiousness of everything, and I'm not a fan of the characters' backstories, nor did I like the author's writing style, that I did something I never do. I honestly can't remember a time I did this: I flipped to the back of the book and read the last chapter. Then I returned it to the library.

Terrible young adult fiction. Just terrible. (310 pages)

F

Book 19 (2011): Bliss Remembered

I loved this book, written by Frank Deford! Such a sweet story and reading it was blissful.

The story is of an older woman- Sidney, in her 80s, who is dying of cancer. She wrote her memoir and then decides to tell her grown son, Teddy, part of her story. She remembers about her trip to the '36 Olympics, in Berlin, of meeting a handsome German, her romance, coming home, the war...

Though this is a fictional story, it feels like it's real. Using the first person narrator and then switching between the voice of mother and son, it's pure delight. The elder Sidney is feisty and fun. Teddy is a charming son.

I loved how Teddy heard part of his mother's story of her past and then called to gossip with his sister about it; that tickled me because it is so real, what real folks would do. He captured all these people perfectly, giving them all so much charm.

Not only are all the characters wonderful, Deford's told a fascinating story, weaving in history to modern times, using flashbacks. And it's a strong story, creative, and several twists, none of which I saw coming because it was so finely told or because I was so enamored with the characters. I didn't want it to end.

This is one novel I strongly recommend! Most people don't often recommend a book to me, so when someone does I really do try and read it. My father strongly encouraged me to rad this one, and I am so happy I did!(351 pages)

A

Book 18 (2011): Everlost

Everlost, a young adult novel by Neal Shusterman, is pretty awesome. As a newly minted librarian in a high school library, I'm diving into teen fiction slowly. I'm thrilled to have stumbled on this novel along the way.

Don't let the fact that I called it a teen novel throw you off because it's worth reading, regardless of your age.

In this story, people die and don't get to heaven. On their journey from the moment of death outward the light, the stumble and end up in a place called Everlost.

Nick and Allie don't survive their respective car crashes and now their souls are stuck between life and death. They have to figure out how to survive in this world, that's only populated by dead children.

It's a place full of magic but also scary and dangerous. They meet a young (Dead) woman who's anointed herself the leader of the dead children and calls herself Mary HighTower. Is she good or is she evil?

There's a ruthless ogre who tries to control Everlost and he's known as The McGill.

I'm amazed at the fascinating take on this idea of ghosts among us, and a ghost/ soul survivors community, how they live, how the move, the rules about haunting. The twists and turns of this story, the use of history to blend in the tale of Allie trying to get back to her family is just amazing.

I don't feel I've done a good job of making this sound enticing to read. I don't want to give away some of the best secrets of the book, so I'm trying to be vague. It's not dreary and morbid as it sounds. It's a unique and super creative twist on the concept of ghosts here on Earth.

My only drawback is that the ending is most certainly left open for a sequel. I hope if Shusterman goes that route, he makes is a trilogy and stops, rather than turning it into a series.(377 pages)

A

Book 17 (2011): Nineteen Minutes

Nineteen Minutes is my favorite Jodi Picoult book. Lots of my students have been reading it lately so I decided to re-read it myself.

The story is about a boy, Peter, who goes into his high school, armed with 4 guns, and kills students and injures others. The story is what led to this tragic, yet fictional, event. The story is told from the voice of Peter, one of the living victims Josie, Josie's mom, Peter's mom, and the police detective in charge of the case.

The characters are strong and their voices powerful. I've worked in education for a long time now and I can see how something like this could happen in real life. Yes, we've seen this story in the headlines, the most memorable being Columbine.

I admire Picoult and she's long been a favorite author who's graced my shelves. (455 pages)

A