Julie Loves Books

Twelve Sharp

2007-07-31T17:38:00.000-06:00

It's been a while, so I have a stack of books to review. In memory of my mother-in-law who introduced me to so many great reads, the next few reviews will be authors from her stash. Thank you, Jo. I will miss your gentle wisdom!

Twelve Sharp is another winner from Evanovich. Ranger's jealous wife is after Stephanie. The bail bond's office is short-handed, Stephanie is working overtime to clear up the backlog of fugitives from justice, and Ranger's daughter has been kidnapped. And speaking of Ranger, where the heck is he? As Stephanie works desperately to find Ranger's daughter, she learns much about this man of mystery. Still she's torn between Joe and Ranger. The whole gang is here, Grandma, Sally, Lula, and Connie, along with some new additions. More laugh-out-loud humor. Four out of four bookworms.

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

2007-07-05T08:56:00.000-06:00

A can't-put-down read, this is my first Philippa Gregory book, but I can't wait to read more. Through the eyes of Mary Bolelyn, Gregory tells the story of Anne Boleyn's rise and fall. We know how it ends, but getting there is fascinating. Siblings Mary, Anne, and George Boleyn are pawns in the Howard family quest for power. George is already a courtier in King Henry's court when his sister, Mary, catches the king's eye. Never mind that she is married. In fact, that's a plus since any pregnancies resulting from the affaire can be pawned off on her husband who must forgo intimate relations with his wife in the meantime. Since Mary's husband is one of Henry's courtiers, he must watch and encourage the affaire. The Howard family and Mary's husband benefit from the liaison with titles, positions, and land awards. Anne coaxes her sister through the affaire and fills in for Mary when she is indisposed because of her pregnancies. After Mary loses the king's interest, Anne finds herself in the king's favor, but she won't be content with an illicit affaire. She will settle for nothing less than replacing Katherine of Aragon as Queen of England. Roles are reversed as Mary now advises Anne on how to win and keep the king. Anne will stop at nothing, not even murder and incest, to achieve her goal. While this sounds like a soap opera, all the political and religious machinations are dealt with as well as a woman's place in the world during that time period.

It's the characters that make history interesting. Unfortunately, when I was in high school, the teachers didn't seem to understand that. It wasn't until I got to college and took history classes from professors who were passionate about history and the people who made history that I developed a love of history. Gregory understands this as well. This book is all about the characters, what makes them who they are and what motivates them--everything behind the dates and places and events that you had to memorize in high school without learning why they happened. This is Tudor historical fiction at its best. Four out of four bookworms.

Certain Prey by John Sandford

2007-06-24T20:25:00.000-06:00

My second John Sandford read was another fast-paced adventure. Clara Rinker is a successful hit woman. Carmel Loan is a successful criminal defense lawyer. Carmel has fallen for a married man. Enter Clara, whom Carmel hires to dispense with the wife. One hit leads to another and another and another and another and another and another. (There may be more, but I lost count.) Will they ever clean up the mess they’ve made, or will Lucas Davenport stop them before dying himself . . . of boredom while serving on the Equality Commission?

I hate to say this, but Sandford makes murder sooo satisfying. I loved Clara, despised Carmel. My only problem was that Clara was so smart up to her involvement with Carmel. She got stupid and sloppy with Carmel. Still, the relationship that developed between the two women intrigued me. This Lucas Davenport story centers more on Clara and Carmel than Lucas. Fast-paced and fun. Three out of four bookworms.

Kell’s Creative Musings

2007-06-24T20:18:00.000-06:00

I have a good friend who is absolutely the most talented person I know. Kelley has just started her own blog—Kell’s Creative Musings—which showcases her artwork and discusses inspiration, perspiration, and technique. Just when I think Kelley can’t surprise me anymore with her talent, she begins designing jewelry. I’m not even a jewelry person, but she’s hooked me. My daughter, who is a jewelry person, loves her work as much as I do.

Kelley is also a fabulous writer, as you’ll see from her blog. Learn more about her books and works-in-progress at Kell’s Creations.

Thomas Jefferson

2007-06-24T20:16:00.000-06:00

Anyone know of a good book on Thomas Jefferson? I’m looking for something dealing with his beliefs and how they impacted his work on the constitution and his presidency. Something not too dry. There’s so much out there on him that I don’t know where to start.

Any direction would be welcomed!

Back to the Bedroom by Janet Evanovich

2007-06-24T20:13:00.000-06:00

Before Stephanie Plum, Janet Evanovich wrote romances for the now defunct Loveswept line. None were as successful as the Plum series, but they’ve been recently reprinted by HarperTorch to take advantage of Evanovich’s fame and to give demanding Evanovich fans more Evanovich to read.

In Back to the Bedroom, divorcée Kate Finn and her new neighbor, David Dodd, meet when part of a helicopter falls through the roof of Kate’s house. Fortunately, David is an unemployed, nurturing, take charge kind of guy who not only puts Kate’s house back together, but her life as well. Back to the Bedroom is a fun read, showing flashes of the quirky characters and humor which Evanovich perfected in the Plum series--Finn’s new boarder, Elsie, and Plum’s grandma have a lot in common. The plot is simple, the conflict easily and quickly resolved as befits a short category romance, but the writing lifts it above the simple plot. Three out of four bookworms.

Shadow Prey by John Sandford

2007-06-21T11:54:00.000-06:00

Thanks to my mother-in-law, I have discovered John Sandford’s Lucas Davenport series. My mother-in-law reads different types of books than I do, so reading her cast-offs is a great way for me to learn about authors I normally wouldn’t read. She introduced me to Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, which I love.

Shadow Prey is apparently the second Davenport book. Men across the United States are dying in what looks like ritual slayings. As Davenport soon learns, these killings are a statement. Two Mdewakanton Sioux, Aaron and Sam Crow, are protesting the treatment of Native Americans in the United States by ordering the killings of men known to prey on Native Americans. Their goal is to lure in bigger prey, a prominent politician with a penchant for underage girls. However, the Crows soon lose control of the protest when their son decides to help things along. Davenport loses control as well when the FBI becomes involved and really screws things up. In the end, law enforcement never truly understands what was going on, even after the killings stop. Fortunately, the reader gets both sides of the story. For this reason, I found myself rooting for the “villains” in this novel. I don’t know if I was supposed to root for them. Maybe this is a Sandford trademark. I suppose I’ll find out after reading more of his books. All in all, a fascinating read. Four out of four bookworms.

Stephanie Plum Rides Again

2007-06-20T09:31:00.000-06:00

Can’t wait for the paperback release of Lean Mean Thirteen? Can’t wait until it hits the used book store? Can’t wait until your name pops up on the waiting list at your local library? Yesterday, I picked up the hardback at Target for $20.00 ($19.56) AND received a $5.00 Target gift card with my purchase, effectively bringing the price down to $15.00 ($14.56). Amazon.com has Lean Mean Thirteen for $16.77, a good deal if you buy enough ($25.00 in qualified purchases) to qualify for free shipping, but if you have to pay for shipping . . . . I also picked up the paperback of Twelve Sharp for $5.99, a two dollar discount. I’m sure that longtime Plum fans have already read the hardback of Twelve Sharp. But if you’ve just recently discovered this tenacious bond enforcement agent, this is a good deal on a new book.

I haven't read either, yet. I'm trying to save them for vacation. I love summer!!!

Hot Dish by Connie Brockway

2007-06-08T11:23:00.000-06:00

Connie Brockway's first contemporary romance has a promising start. Jennifer Hallesby desperately wants to win the title of Buttercup Queen so she can get out of small town Fawn Creek, Minnesota and back to her home state of North Carolina to go to college. Unfortunately, a technicality brought to light by one of her high school rivals gets her disqualified. Still she must have her likeness sculpted in butter by Steve Jaax, an up and coming artist currently hiding from the law. The law catches up with Steve just as he hides the key to his best work (hidden in a mausoleum to escape the clutches of his soon-to-be ex-wife) in the butter sculpture of Jennifer. Steve goes to prison, gets out, and becomes a famous artist. Jennifer becomes even more determined to get out of Fawn Creek. Twenty years later, all of her dreams are coming true. She is set to become the next Martha Stewert when she is forced to return to Fawn Creek’s sesquicentennial celebration where she once again runs into Steve Jaax. Steve wants to retrieve the key from the butterhead which he thought had been destroyed 20 years ago. Jennifer just wants to get in and out of Fawn Creek with all of her secrets in tact. The story becomes a Keystone Cops plot of people trying to take possession of the butterhead anyway they can.

As with all Connie Brockway novels, I was immediately drawn into the story. However, with all of the back story, my interest waned as I read. Other than her writing style, I love the sensuous romance in Brockway’s novels. I found that sensuousness missing in this novel. I didn’t feel any connection or sexual tension with Jennifer and Steve. Their romance seemed incidental to the story. I also had some problems with the plot. At the end of the story, Jennifer is playing Texas Hold ‘Em in a poker tournament. We are aware that there are five kings in play, yet we don’t know who is cheating—Jennifer or her opponent. I assumed it was her opponent, but I don’t know for sure. Jennifer knows there are five kings in play, but we don’t get any indication from her that this is even an anomaly. Of course, everyone lives happily ever after, but I really didn’t care. I finished the book, but will stick with Connie Brockway’s historical romances from here on out. I hope she keeps writing them. I hate it when my favorite historical romance writers abandon historical romance for contemporary mainstream! Two out of four bookworms.

The Taming of the Duke by Eloisa James

2007-06-04T11:15:00.000-06:00

Yes, I’ve been reading a lot of romance lately. I’ve been in the mood. The Taming of the Duke is another Essex sister romance, one I’ve been wanting to read so I could find out what happened to the Essex sisters' guardian, the Duke of Holbrook.

Imogen, Lady Maitland, has decided that she has mourned the death of her husband long enough. She is determined to have a very brief, very discreet affaire. She finds the perfect man in her guardian’s illegitimate brother, Gabe Spenser. Gabe has other ideas. So does Imogen’s guardian who has secretly carried a torch for Imogen since he first met her just weeks before she eloped with Draven Maitland. A comedy of disguised identities ensues. I like Eloisa James’s sensuous writing style and quick dialogue. Although I enjoyed this book, I had some problems with it. I found it difficult to believe that Imogen, the heroine, couldn’t tell the difference between Rafe (the Duke) and his brother, Gabe, when they decide to switch places. After several passionate encounters with the Duke posing as Gabe, she still doesn’t get hot and bothered by the Duke when he is himself. Wouldn’t she still feel the sexual attraction? The writing, as always, is excellent and James includes a secondary romance, two for the price of one. Three out of four bookworms.

The Prince Kidnaps a Bride by Christina Dodd

2007-05-29T12:03:00.000-06:00

The last book in The Lost Princesses series doesn’t disappoint. Dodd once again brings sexy and funny to the table with a hero who isn’t afraid to let a woman “do a man’s work.” Prince Rainger trusts no one, with good reason. Those reasons are revealed a little too late in the story for my tastes—my only complaint. Princess Sorcha trusts everyone. Her intelligence and openness charm not only the prince, but the reader. Can they overcome their differences, fall in love, and save their country? Of course, but with all of Dodd’s romances, getting there is all the fun! A nice ending to the trilogy. Four out of four bookworms.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

2007-05-26T11:32:00.000-06:00

My daughter and I recently read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, a Newberry Medal winner. Set in 1687 in the Connecticut Colony, this is the story of Kit Tyler who has come from Barbados to live with her aunt and uncle after her grandfather’s death. After a life of education and freedom in Barbados, Kit is woefully unprepared for the restricted lifestyle of early Puritan settlers. Predictably, her freethinking ways result in accusations of witchcraft. Fortunately, this book isn’t just about witchcraft, but of colonists first uprisings against British rule, the very beginning of the American Revolution. Speare wraps a compelling story in interesting lessons of early American history, the harsh lifestyle of early colonists, tolerance for those with different values and backgrounds, and adaptability. Full of adventure and sweet romance. My daughter couldn’t put it down. Four out of four bookworms.

One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

2007-05-13T10:37:00.000-06:00

One of my husband’s coworkers loaned me this book when she learned that I like historical fiction. The premise intrigued me. History notes that the Cheyenne Chief Little Wolf asked the United States government to send 1000 women to marry Cheyenne men and teach them how to live in the white world. The United States government declined. In One Thousand White Women, Jim Fergus poses the question, “What if the government declined publicly, but secretly sent 1000 women to marry Cheyenne men?” Thus begins an exploration of cultures. Through May Dodd, one of the white women who volunteered to marry an unknown Cheyenne man, we live the atrocities committed by Cheyenne and white, men and women, rich and poor. We also live their compassion. Although I had trouble accepting the premise, I eventually released my doubts about white men sending their white women to mate with “animals.” Those doubts were never overcome, but I became so engrossed in the story that I simply didn’t care any longer. Other than that, I only had one problem with the novel. Midway through the story, the white women are kidnapped by an enemy tribe. They are raped before their husbands rescue them. During the rescue the women kill and scalp their kidnappers and glory in their revenge. Fair enough. But later, the white preacher, sent with the women to help “civilize” the Cheyenne, rapes a Cheyenne boy. The boy’s family beats the preacher. The white women feel pity for the preacher, tend his wounds, and try to comfort him. When they were raped they wanted revenge, but when a child was raped they didn’t. This happens after the women have come to see the Cheyenne as people and not animals. Their sympathy for the preacher isn’t logical. If anything, the women would have been more outraged at the child’s rape than their own. Three out of four bookworms.

Disclaimer: My great great grandmother was Cherokee. I wear a t-shirt with a photo of Geronimo and company that says “The Original Department of Homeland Security: Fighting Terrorists since 1492.” No, I didn't design it, but you can get your own. Just click on the t-shirt at the left.

The Chinese in America by Iris Chang

2007-04-23T14:46:00.000-06:00

This narrative history of Chinese Americans is fascinating. Why did Chinese citizens leave China? Why did they come to America? How did their experience with Anglo-Americans differ from that of other minorities? Did you know that many Chinese men married Irish women? I didn’t. Ms. Chang covers a lot of territory in this book. The newest Chinese immigrants—boys and girls adopted from China—got short shrift, only six pages for thirty plus years of history, while Wen Ho Lee got six pages for his two years in the news. I would have liked as much depth with the adoption issue as we got with the Wen Ho Lee issue. I liked that Ms. Chang went into quite a bit of depth regarding the attitudes and conflicting cultures of Chinese American children and teen-agers. Ms. Chang also addresses the racial limbo of Chinese Americans—in some instances regarded as white, in other instances regarded as people of color. Americans have a history of discriminating against people of color because of the conduct of the citizens in their country of origin. Japanese Americans were imprisoned in WWII while German Americans remained free. Chinese American citizens and immigrants have at different times in American history been imprisoned or sent to China depending on the whim of our government. I see the same thing happening with Hispanic and Arab Americans. Ms. Chang also discusses racism among different ethnicities in China. Four out of four bookworms.

Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James

2007-04-10T14:46:00.000-06:00

I don’t know exactly how or when I stumbled across Eloisa James. I know that I found her a couple of years ago, and that’s it. I also know that I love her romances. The characters are intelligent, (as intelligent as characters in love can be) and her stories are fun, funny, and sensuous. Pleasure for Pleasure is no exception. This is the last novel in the “Four Sisters” series. I must admit to not having read the middle two novels, yet, but the first in the series, Much Ado About You, was my introduction to Eloisa James. I will read the other two, probably sooner than later.

The year is 1818, and Josie, the youngest Essex sister, has made a less than successful debut. A spurned suitor has labeled her “The Scottish Sausage.” Consequently, she spends a lot of balls dancing with her sisters’ husbands’ friends. I’m not going to tell you who the hero is in this novel because half the fun of the plot is waiting (in my case not so patiently) to find out who Josie will end up with. Unlike other authors, Ms. James often doesn't reveal who the heroine will end up with until well into the novel. My only complaint is the cover of the book. I like for the characters on the cover to look like the characters the author describes in the book. Neither the hero nor the heroine on the cover looks even remotely like Ms. James’ descriptions. The hero’s hair is the wrong color, and the heroine is way to thin. To all of you publishers out there, “Read the friggin’ book! Heck, you don’t even have to read the book, just the character descriptions. Give me a break.”

Thank you Ms. James for giving us two romances for the price of one. The Essex sisters’ chaperone, Griselda, finally finds the love of her life, and her story is every bit as compelling as Josie’s. Four out of four bookworms.

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi

2007-04-02T11:08:00.000-06:00

Once again Avi gives us a compelling historical novel for young adults which adults will enjoy as well. Crispin has just buried his mother, but his grief is compounded when he is proclaimed a “wolf’s head.” Anyone may kill him and receive a reward. As Crispin runs for his life, he learns that all is not as it seems—with his life or with the world around him. This novel is reminiscent of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle in that a stranger who Crispin initially distrusts opens Crispin’s eyes to the truths of how people treat each other. Avi gives us a lesson in English medieval history wrapped in an exciting story that will leave readers breathless and ready for the sequel. Four out of four bookworms.

Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich

2007-03-26T16:10:00.000-06:00

Okay, so it was a really bad week, and I couldn’t stop at just one Stephanie Plum novel. I read right into Eleven on Top. I’m glad I did. Stephanie quits her job as a fugitive apprehension agent--much to her mother’s delight. Joe’s happy about it, too. Stephanie figures once she finds a normal job, people will stop trying to kill her. Yeah, right! Can Stephanie survive Kan Klean Dry Cleaners and Cluck-in-a-Bucket? More accurately, can those stellar businesses survive Stephanie? Can her relationship with Joe survive her job with Ranger? This is another fast-paced winner from Janet Evanovich. Now, I can get some work done because Twelve Sharp isn’t on my bookshelf, yet, and likely won’t be until it comes out in paperback. Four out of four bookworms.

Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich

2007-03-22T16:12:00.000-06:00

Last week was a really bad week. First, it was my oldest daughter’s birthday. She would have been 13 years old, but she died when she was five. Every year we celebrate her birthday. I don’t know if that’s considered morbid or not. Every year, I ask my kids if they still want to celebrate her birthday, and every year they say yes. So I make her favorite cake and prepare her favorite meal. I’d just gotten the pizza in the oven when I heard a pop and an “Uh oh!” I figured my son had electrocuted himself. He’s always playing with electricity.
I yelled, “What happened?”
He said, “This can’t be good.”
I yelled again, “What happened,” and started for the computer room.
My son made it to the kitchen before I got to the computer room. He was holding a very bloody thumb. I ran water over it to check the depth of the cut. He needed stitches. So we headed for the ER where he spent the next seven and a half hours—most of that time in the waiting area. Sooo, we didn’t celebrate my daughter’s birthday until the following day.
After such a lousy week, I needed some fun. I needed Stephanie Plum. I got just what I needed in Ten Big Ones. This time, Stephanie is standing outside the local deli with Lula when trouble finds her in the form of the notorious Red Devil robber. Her life is seriously on the line, and the only place she feels safe is Ranger’s bat cave. Yes, folks, we finally get a peek inside Ranger’s private life. One of my favorite characters, Sally Sweet, returns, so you know this is gonna be good. Four out of four bookworms.

Every Breath You Take by Judith McNaught

2007-03-12T13:13:00.000-06:00

I love Judith McNaught. Her historical romances are my favorites. I’m always reluctant to read her contemporaries. I don’t know why. I always enjoy them. Every Breath You Take was no exception. McNaught understands that sexual tension does not arise from the characters having sex. It arises from the characters not having sex. Unlike many contemporary romance authors, she does not throw her hero and heroine into bed immediately. They get to know each other first. They don’t bicker. They have real problems and real obstacles to romantic happiness. Such is the case with Kate Donovan and Mitchell Wyatt. They meet while Kate is waiting for her boyfriend to join her on the island of Anguilla. In fact, Kate has just finished a list of pros and cons to help her decide whether to break off the four-year relationship. The attraction is instant. The sex isn’t, much to Mitchell’s disappointment. Unfortunately, Kate’s boyfriend shows up, and Kate trusts him more than she does Mitchell. She believes her boyfriend’s lies about Mitchell over what her heart tells her. I have to admit, the boyfriend is convincing—he is, after all, a very skilled lawyer. Three years later, a kidnapping brings Kate and Mitchell together again. But is it too late? Four out of four bookworms.

The Marcelli Princess by Susan Mallery

2007-03-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

I loved the first four Marcelli books: The Sparkling One, The Sassy One, The Seductive One, and The Marcelli Bride. So when The Marcelli Princess came out, I picked up a copy with confidence. I knew I would enjoy this book. Unfortunately, I didn’t. As I’ve said before, I'm not real big on royalty in contemporary romances. However, that wasn’t my biggest problem with this book. My biggest problem was the hero planning to steal the heroine’s son. The only reason he didn’t get away with it was because he got caught. I’m sorry, but there are too many men out there stealing children and hiding them in countries where Mom will never find them. As far as I’m concerned, it’s an unforgivable offense unless the mother is abusing the child. That was clearly not the case here. I can’t imagine ever trusting such a man again, much less desiring him physically. However, Mia Marcelli doesn’t seem to have the same problem that I do. This man has lied to her twice—first when he lets her believe he is dead and again five years later when he tells her he loves her and wants to marry her. And she still wants to have sex with him, and she still loves him. It’s like a woman who still loves and desires the man who beats her or her children. It doesn’t work for me. How do you trust a man like that? Sure, he’s sorry, and he’s charming and kind and considerate and loving for a day or two, maybe even longer, but who knows when Mr. Hyde will strike again? With my child at stake, I wouldn’t want to find out. I finished the book because I wanted to know if Ms. Mallery could wrap things up to my satisfaction. She didn’t, and in truth, I don’t think there’s any way she could have. Yes, this is fantasy. But too many women live with abusive men whom they believe have changed or will change, only to be beaten again. Romances should not perpetuate that fantasy. One out of four bookworms.

Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia by Jean Sasson

2007-03-06T13:33:00.000-07:00

Sultana (not her real name) is a member of the royal family in Saudi Arabia. This is the horror of her “privileged” life and the lives of women in a country that our U.S. government calls friend. How fathers can treat their daughters this way escapes me. That my government can claim friendship with a country that treats its women this way infuriates me--executions for perceived wrongs, purdah (solitary confinement for the rest of a woman’s or girl’s life), arranged marriages to abusive husbands, allowing men and boys to rape young girls and women then stoning these women to death. Sultana’s constant battles against her trivialization as a human being simply because she is a female are beyond frustrating. I wonder how she continues to fight. Or has she given up? Four out of four bookworms.

To the Nines by Janet Evanovich

2007-03-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

I needed a fun book for a road trip last weekend, so picked up To the Nines. Stephanie Plum never disappoints me. This book was no exception. When Stephanie tries to track down a visa bond violator, she becomes the target in a deadly game. Even Ranger’s tough guys can’t keep her safe. In fact, they can’t even keep themselves safe. A little slow to start, but soon I was riding the Stephanie Plum roller coaster at full speed. And I enjoyed the change of scenery when Stephanie and the gang headed to Vegas. Three out of four bookworms.

Trouble in High Heels by Christina Dodd

2007-03-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

Christina Dodd's historicals are my favorites, but I also read her contemporaries when I’m in the mood. Trouble in High Heels was my car book for the past week. I was so hooked at the beginning that I took my car book inside the house and read. I know. That’s cheating, but I couldn’t help it. About two-thirds of the way through, I took it back to the car and finished it there. I liked Brandi Michaels, for the most part. She becomes a little ditzoid around jewelry. In fact, she gets so ditzoid at a pawn shop that she doesn’t realize the salesman is in big trouble. It was so obvious that I was a little put out with the author at that point, but I got over it. (It is a fantasy, after all.) The hero, Count Roberto Bartolini, didn’t do a lot for me. Firstly, I’m not into royalty. Secondly, he was something of a door mat. No matter how bitchy and unreasonable Brandi got, he just smiled indulgently. (Yes, it is a fantasy.) Thirdly, we didn’t really get to know him. Still, the story was fast-paced, especially in the beginning. It didn’t keep me up all night, but it did keep me reading. Three out of four bookworms.

The BFG by Roald Dahl

2007-02-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I loved this book. The BFG is the Big Friendly Giant who kidnaps Sophie from an orphanage. Turns out, he’s not so big compared to other giants, but he is very friendly. Now, he must protect Sophie from these other giants who would love to eat her. These giants roam the world every night gorging themselves on the different flavors of human beans. BFG doesn’t eat human beans, only snozzcumbers, so Sophie is safe with him. The language in this novel is delightful--human beans, whiffsquiddler, frobscottle, trogglehumper and more. Want to know what they mean? Read the book. You won’t be sorry! Four out of four bookworms.

Bertie and the Seven Bodies by Peter Lovesey

2007-02-15T17:25:00.000-07:00

This has been my “car book” for the last two months. Why did it take me so long to finish it? Because I really didn’t care if I finished it or not. Spoiler!!! The plot is reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, even down to planting a child’s nursery rhyme with the victims. However, Lovesey’s characters are shallow and obnoxious, so I really didn’t care if they all died. In fact, I prayed they would and quickly! Bertie is the Prince of Wales who fancies himself a brilliant detective. When guests at a country shooting party begin dying, he tries to solve the mystery himself and puts everyone at risk by not calling in the proper authorities. If you want to read a good mystery, read or reread And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Skip Bertie and the Seven Bodies. One out of four bookworms.

Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish

2007-02-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine loaned me this book. It’s not one that I would have picked up for myself. While the cover looks fun, the title looks sad. And as I’ve said before, life is sad enough. I don’t need to read about it. It took me several months to get through it—not because it was a bad book but because it was a sad book. I could only read a few pages at a time before I was sobbing uncontrollably. So I’d put it down for a few days until I felt strong enough to continue. Now comes my “full disclosure.” My daughter died when she was five, so I’m probably more weepy than most. These women’s feelings about the loss of their friend struck a chord with me. About three-fourths of the way through the book, I finally stopped crying. I finally got tired of all the sadness. If fact, I got tired of them rehashing the same feelings and thoughts over and over again. I’m the only one allowed to do that, and I do it in the privacy of my own mind. Yes, I found the book interesting enough and compelling enough to finish it through my tears. And Radish has a new book out that I think I might read—The Sunday List of Dreams—because she is obviously a gifted writer. Three out of four bookworms.

Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich

2007-02-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

I needed some fun this week, so I picked up Hard Eight. Of course, once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Stephanie agrees to do a favor for her mother’s neighbor and track down the neighbor’s daughter who has run off with the granddaughter. It looks like a case of child abduction, but looks can be deceiving. Stephanie runs into big trouble—this time in the form of Eddie Abruzzi—and soon finds herself running for her life. The rest of the gang is there to help—Ranger, Joe, Lula, and Grandma Mazur. Even Vinnie and Stephanie’s mom get in on the act. Some reviews say this book isn’t as funny as the rest of the series, but it sure tickled my funny bone. A fast read and a good time. My only complaint is that the ending was a little abrupt. Four out of four bookworms.

Lady Sophia’s Lover by Lisa Kleypas

2007-02-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

I’m a big Lisa Kleypas fan. All of her books are fun, emotional, and sexy. Lady Sophia’s Lover is one of my favorites. Lady Sophia and Ross Cannon are mature characters who have some life experience behind them. I love that! Their conflicts do not arise from misunderstandings. They are so sensible and rational that you wouldn’t think they would make for much of a book. But they do. Sexual tension crackles from their first meeting . . . and it never lets up. They have real problems to solve, and they solve them together. This one kept me up all night. Four out of four bookworms.

The Double Life of Pocahontas by Jean Fritz

2007-02-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

This past summer, my daughter began to study American History at home to see how we would do together with homeschooling. When we got to the settlement of Jamestown, I felt the need to explain to her that Pocahontas wasn’t like the Pocahontas in the Disney movie. My daughter asked if there was something we could watch or read that told the true story of Pocahontas. So I began looking for a biography. I contacted Riva at a local used book store, Title Wave Books, for some suggestions. One of the books she recommended was The Double Life of Pocahontas by Jean Fritz. My daughter and I both found the book interesting. In fact, we were reading the book together, but my daughter stayed up late reading ahead of me because we weren’t moving fast enough. Fritz gives us a fascinating read while not leaving out the important historical details about John Smith, Jamestown, the Powhatan, Pocahontas’ marriage to John Rolfe, her time in England, and her death. A few weeks after reading this book, we visited the recreated settlement of Jamestown Fort and a Powhatan Indian village. A lot of what we saw there confirmed the facts in this biography. We were able to turn to each other and say, “I remember that from the book!” Fritz is an award-winning author who has a way of making history relevant and alive. Four out of four bookworms.

Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

2007-01-31T09:31:00.000-07:00

This Stephanie Plum novel felt more serious to me than the others. Is it the pressure that Ranger and Joe are putting on Stephanie? Is it Stephanie’s childhood memories of her Grandma Mazur providing a haven? Is it Stephanie’s mom’s revelation and her surprising decision at the end of the book? I have to admit, that while I read this series because of Stephanie, I probably relate better to her mom, and in this book, Evanovich really develops her character beyond the two-dimensional caricature.

Yes, this book is still funny—not as funny as the previous six. It’s different—more thoughtful, more poignant. I’m anxious to get started on Hard Eight to see where Evanovich is going with the series and to find out if Ranger called in his debt.

Four out of four bookworms.

Hot Six by Janet Evanovich

2007-01-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

I just finished a two-day Stephanie Plum indulge-myself marathon. I read Hot Six and Seven Up. Nothing gets done when I’m reading about the world’s most innocent bounty hunter. Well, almost nothing. I get my daughter to school, and I eat . . . a little. Just when I think Evanovich can’t get any funnier, she proves me wrong. Hot Six is the funniest Plum novel, yet. I laughed until I cried. Grandma Mazur moves in with Stephanie. Stephanie tries to help Ranger clear his name. Morelli’s on the case, too. There’s even a Star Trek convention! Most importantly, we find out whether Joe or Ranger was about to get invited into Stephanie’s bedroom at the end of High Five. I have to say, that revelation disappointed me. Four out of four bookworms.

Tomorrow: Seven Up

How to Get Kids to Read - Part 3

2007-01-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

So how do you find a book that your child will enjoy? Start with his interests. Does he like sports? Find a novel in which the sport he enjoys is important to the plot. Matt Christopherwrites novels about kids and all kinds of sports for girls and boys. Does she want to be a princess when she grows up? There are all kinds of princess novels out there. I know because my daughter read them all when she was younger. Try The Jewel Princesses series by Jahnna N. Malcolm and Neal McPheeters. Does your child like gross humor? Try Dear Dumb Diary #1: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jim Benton or Adventures Of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey. Do you have a young historian? Try the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne and Sal Murdocca. A budding scientist? Try Animorphs by K. A. Applegate or the Magic School Bus series by Joanna Cole. An animal lover? Animal Ark Pets Series is popular with younger kids. Hank the Cowdog books by John Erickson combine animals and a mystery. The whole family will love reading them. Bill Wallace writes some wonderful animal books. Try Snot Stew to start. Kids love the title! What movies or TV shows does you child enjoy? Is there a comic book or series of books published in conjunction with the show, such as Cheetah Girls , Lizzie Mcguire, or Spider-Man?

Still stumped? School librarians can make great suggestions. Independent bookstores may also have someone on staff who can recommend a good book for your child. I've found a local used bookseller who can give me recommendations. Or you can ask me. If I can't come up with something, I'll bet I know someone who can.

Now, get thee to a library or your favorite bookstore.

How to Get Kids to Read - Part 2

2007-01-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

Another way to get kids to read is to let them see you reading. I still remember watching my parents read. My dad sometimes read over my mom’s shoulder. We adopted my daughter from China when she was seven years old. She didn’t speak English, didn’t read or write Chinese or English. But from the time she met us, she watched us read newspapers, books, magazines, even cereal boxes. Young children want to be like their parents. They want to do what their parents do. Take advantage of that while they’re young. Let them see you read, so they will realize how important it is to you.

Does my daughter like to read? You bet! Give her a Goosebumps Series book or a Dear Dumb Diary book, and I have to force her to put it down and go to sleep at night. She loves comic books, and I encourage her to read them as well as the funnies in the paper. She’s reading, and that’s what’s important! I do the same with her assigned reading that I did with my son. I read with her to get started. I always finish the assigned reading, but she usually finishes before I do. Right now, she’s reading Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi. We started together, but she got tired of waiting for me to read with her, so she’s way ahead of me. But I’m going to finish it. It’s a great story.

Do I let my children read anything? No. It has to be age appropriate. Even so, it might not be right for them. In first grade, my son was determined to read a Goosebumps book. I finally broke down and let him read it, knowing it would be too scary for him. Sure enough, he read only one chapter before he got so scared he couldn’t read anymore. He hasn’t read a horror novel since then.

Tomorrow, suggestions on how to find a book your child will enjoy.

How to Get Kids to Read--Part 1

2007-01-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

What’s the best way to teach a kid (not the baby goat, but the human child) to enjoy reading? Why is it important for a child to enjoy reading? Is it ever too late to get a kid hooked on reading?

Too late? My husband was 25 when he and I married. He hated reading. It only took me two months to get him hooked. It’s never too late.

Why is it important? If a child enjoys reading, he’ll read more. If he reads more, he expands his vocabulary and his knowledge base. In short, he expands his world. Want a more concrete reason? Children who enjoy reading get better grades.

“But how do I get him to enjoy reading? He hates his school textbooks!”

Heck, can you blame him? I hate textbooks, too. In fact, I hated history in school because we learned about it through textbooks. It wasn’t until my last year of college, when I discovered that you could learn about history from sources other than textbooks, that I learned to love it. Textbooks should be outlawed! What an awful way to teach a child to read. What an awful way to teach a child anything! My children didn’t like reading textbooks. They still don’t. Fortunately, that wasn’t their first experience with reading. I read to them from the time they were born. When they were infants, I chose books with bright, interesting pictures. As toddlers and preschoolers, I added stories that were interesting and easy for them to follow, like Where's My Teddy? and Miss Spider's Tea Party . As they got older and developed their own interests, I chose books that I thought they would enjoy. I didn’t care if it was an award-winning book. In fact, most of the Caldecott books I’ve seen haven’t done a thing for me. The Newberry books usually have a pretty good story, but they often take a while for my child to “get in to.” For instance, my son read Johnny Tremain , a Newberry winner, in 5th grade. I’d remembered reading this book when I was in 5th grade. I loved it then and was excited that I could share this with my son. But Johnny Tremain is slow to start, and my son was having trouble getting in to it. So, I sat down with him, and we took turns reading the first few chapters out loud—no more than one chapter a day. After a few chapters, he didn’t want to quit reading, so he took the book to his room and continued on his own. We did this with many of the assigned books for his elementary and middle school English classes. He’s a senior in high school now, and while we don’t read aloud to each other, I will sometimes read one of his assigned novels, so I can discuss it with him.

Books he selected on his own or books I selected for him have often kept him up all night. Science fiction, action adventure, mysteries. Animorphs, a series of science fiction novels for young adults, isn’t the most literary of works out there. But my son loved that series, and it got him to read. He consumed them in one sitting.

That’s all for today. More tips tomorrow.

The Knight Miscellany Series by Gaelen Foley

2007-01-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

Ms. Foley’s novels are as rich in history and detail as they are sensuous and suspenseful. There are seven books in the Knight Miscellany series. While you can read them out of order without being lost, it’s best to start at the beginning. Of course, I didn’t. I began with the third book, Lord of Ice, then read the second, Lord of Fire, then went to the beginning with The Duke. She hooked me from the beginning with Lord of Ice, the story of Damien Knight, one of the brothers in the Hawkscliffe clan of brothers and sisters sired by different fathers to the same mother while she was married to the Duke of Hawkscliffe. Damien suffers from PTSD (although not called that during the Regency setting of this novel), and only Miranda FitzHubert can help him overcome the demons that have driven him to solitude. Emotional, sexy, and fun, as are all of the books in this series. Four out of four bookworms.

Inside the Kingdom: My Life in Saudi Arabia by Carmen Bin Ladin

2007-01-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

How does an intelligent, Western woman find herself married to a man who abhors her intelligence and Western ways? Carmen Bin Ladin tells us how she met, fell in love with, and married Islamic fundamentalist Yeslam Bin Ladin, Osama Bin Ladin’s brother. We see her try (and fail) to adapt to life as a Saudi woman. We learn why Saudi Arabia is such a threat to the United States. When you finish this book, you may wonder why President Bush attacked Iraq as opposed to Saudi Arabia. Carmen lived with the Bin Ladin clan, making her insight into Saudi Arabia fascinating as well as educational. Four out of four bookworms.

Mayada: Daughter of Iraq: One Woman’s Survival Under Saddam Hussein by Jean Sasson

2007-01-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

Jean Sasson writes revealing accounts of women’s lives in the Middle East. This factual story of Mayada Al-Askari, a member of a prominent Iraqi family will convince you that Saddam Hussein was pure evil. It will also leave questions in your mind about whether Saddam Hussein was indeed involved with Osama Bin Ladin and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Mayada attracts Saddam’s attention as a journalist. What begins as Saddam’s favorable interest in her journalistic skills becomes imprisonment and torture on his orders. The stories of the women with whom she shares a cell are as compelling as her own. Four out of four bookworms.

Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life, by Queen Noor

2007-01-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

Imagine growing up in a fairly typical, albeit wealthy, American family, then falling in love with and marrying a king. Not the King of Monaco, but the King of Jordan. Sound like a work of fiction? A fairy tale, maybe? This is Queen Noor’s life. Her autobiography gives us an insider’s view of Middle Eastern politics, government, culture, and religion from the perspective of a woman born and raised in the United States. It is also a love story—between a woman and a man, and a woman and her adopted country. Queen Noor’s autobiography reads like a novel, compelling to the end. Four out of four bookworms.

The Night Remembers by Kathleen Eagle

2007-01-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

I don’t read Kathleen Eagle much, but when I do, I always wonder why I don’t read her more. Her characters have a depth that you don’t find in most romances. Her plots are gripping, her settings rich. And so it is with The Night Remembers, a contemporary romance. Angela Prescott is hiding from an abusive boyfriend. Jesse Brown Wolf is hiding from a tragic accident. Together, they learn to deal with their past and love and trust again. Sounds like a typical romance, but this novel is anything but typical. For one thing, it’s set in the blight of urban Minneapolis. The author shows us despair as well as hope in this inner city setting. She doesn’t sugar-coat anything. For another, neither the hero, nor the heroine has a glamorous job. This is not corporate America. No fancy clothes, no fancy cars, no fancy coffee—just two people who fall in love, even though they have every reason not to. Four out of four bookworms.

Frightful’s Mountain by Jean Craighead George

2007-01-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

This is the third book in the series beginning with My Side of the Mountain and On the Far Side of the Mountain. I haven’t read the first two, so I can’t compare them to Frightful’s Mountain. However, my daughter and I enjoyed this book so much that we plan on reading the original two books.

Frightful is a peregrine falcon raised illegally since she was a hatchling by a boy, Sam Gribley. As the novel begins, Frightful has been stolen from Sam by poachers. Frightful manages to escape which begins her adventure to find home, aka Sam. While trying to find her way back to Sam, she must learn to be a peregrine. George expertly weaves her meticulous research through the story, so children don’t know they’re learning while reading. Frightful’s encounters with poachers, animals, power lines, and a construction project keep this story suspenseful until the end. Three out of four bookworms.

What I’m Reading Now

2007-01-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago, a friend asked me if I read more than one book at a time. My answer was a definite “Yes!” I typically have at least two books going. More often, I’m reading around five—a book for every mood, you might say. Currently, I’ve got Peter Lovesey’s Bertie and the Seven Bodies (Prince of Wales Mysteries)in the car. This book keeps me entertained while I’m waiting for kids and appointments and while exercising. On my bed stand, I’ve got The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle and The Chinese in America: A Narrative History by Iris Chang. Tolle is helping me find my way back to me after the death of my oldest daughter almost eight years ago. Chang’s book fills my love of history. With my youngest daughter, I’m reading Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi. And my guilty pleasure book is Kathleen Eagle’s The Night Remembers. It replaced Beauty Like the Night by Liz Carlisle, which I gave up on. Usually, I really enjoy Liz Carlisle’s books, but this one just wasn’t holding my attention—too much character introspection.

There was a time when I couldn’t understand how people read more than one book at a time. It’s something I’ve worked into over many years. I may eventually work myself out of it again, but for now multiple books works for me.

High Five by Janet Evanovich

2007-01-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

High Five is the fifth novel in the Stephanie Plum series. Just when I think this series can’t get any funnier, it does! This book had me laughing so much, my husband couldn’t concentrate on his book. Stephanie’s Uncle Fred is missing, and Stephanie is determined to find him. As usual, her clues have her crossing paths with Joe Morelli. Things are finally heating up with Ranger, and I say it’s about time. Joe definitely needs a wake-up call. Of course, there are the usual exploding cars and some new quirky characters. I couldn’t put this one down. Four our of four bookworms!

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

2007-01-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

Imagine my surprise when I learned, shortly after reading Eragon, that the author was only fifteen years old when he started writing it. This book is pure fantasy. I’ll admit it’s a book that I normally wouldn’t have picked up because I don’t like fantasy. But, I have a student pen pal in my daughter’s class who loved this book, so I read it to give us something to discuss in our letters.

Eragon is a fairly fast-paced novel about a boy, Eragon, who finds a dragon egg which he believes to be a pretty rock. The egg hatches, and life, as Eragon knows it, is never the same. Eragon resists the change, as most of us would. His resistance elevates this book to more than fantasy. It becomes a life lesson as well. The novel was a little too gory in spots for the elementary school crowd, but it’s a good book for middle school students. Keep in mind that I’m a little stricter in what my children read and watch than most parents. No PG-13 until they’re eleven, unless I watch and approve it first. No R until they’re in high school. Some reviewers have trashed this book and said the editor who bought it should be fired. I disagree. I’m for just about anything that will get children to read—magazines, comic books, and genre fiction—as long as it is age appropriate.

A little bit of trivia. My son pointed out that “Eragon” is “Dragon” with the “D” changed to an “E”. Interesting.

What do I think of the movie? Sorry, haven’t seen it. When I like a book, I stay away from the movie because it never lives up to the book. And I liked this book. Three out of four bookworms.

What Do I Know by Kathy Flake

2007-01-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know. This blog is supposed to cover books, not blogs. Too bad. That’s the nice thing about having your own blog, you can write about whatever you want to write about. Maybe my subtitle should be “Find a good read” not “Find a good book.”

I’m not much of a blog reader, but I do enjoy Kathy Flake’s What Do I Know. Kathy is an American ex-pat living in the UK. She writes about politics, food, dogs, life, and observations on the UK from an enlightened American’s point of view. Check out the Blueberry and Almond Crisp recipe. Delish! Or read The Story of How I Don’t Exist. It’ll give you a chuckle. Kathy has some interesting photographs as well. Check out these signs .

Warning: Reading What Do I Know can be addictive!

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

2007-01-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

This historical novel is a little slow to start, but stick with it because it will soon take you on a rollicking, high seas adventure. Charlotte Doyle boards the Seahawk believing she will be chaperoned by not one, but two suitable families. That is just one of her firmly held, prim and proper misconceptions to be shattered during her voyage across the Atlantic. Adventure, mystery, tension, and surprises await the reader with every page. My eleven-year-old daughter and I read this book together, and we both enjoyed it. A Newberry Honor Book. Four out of four bookworms.

Jan Karon’s Mitford Year Novels

2007-01-09T13:28:00.000-07:00

When I first began this series with At Home in Mitford, I thought it was a cozy mystery. A friend had loaned it to me, and it sat on my shelf for a year before I finally decided to read it. As I read, I kept wondering, “Where’s the mystery?” About halfway through, I finally realized, “This isn’t a mystery, although it is cozy. It’s a darned good book!” Karon creates characters I want to spend time with, from compelling to quirky. I want to live in Mitford with these characters. I want the warm, flawed character of Father Tim as my rector. I want to sit in the park and scratch Barnabas behind the ears. I want to enjoy Cynthia’s humor as we visit across our backyards. This is one of those rare books that I didn’t want to end. Fortunately, there are eight more in the series. Karon has created a warm and engaging world you won’t want to leave. Four out of four bookworms.

Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum Series

2007-01-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

I’ve only read the first four books in the Stephanie Plum series, but I’m looking forward to the next eight. These books are laugh-out-loud funny. This is another series that I didn’t start with the first book. I started with the fourth, then the third, then the first and second. Don’t do what I did! Start with the first book, One for the Money! Evanovich’s strength is her wacky characters and the equally wacky situations in which they find themselves. The mystery is good, but the characters keep me coming back. Four out of four bookworms for the first four books in the series.

One for the Money
Two for the Dough
Three to Get Deadly
Four to Score

I’ve tried reading some of Evanovich’s other books, as well as a couple penned with her sometime-writing-partner Charlotte Hughes, but none worth recommending.

Where’s My Teddy by Jez Alborough

2007-01-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

Eddie has lost his teddy. Where he finds it will surprise everyone!

This is my all-time favorite read-aloud book for children. My kids loved it as well. Playfully suspenseful, with a surprise ending. The expressions on the characters faces are priceless and add to the suspenseful yet fun tone of the book. Four out of four bookworms.

Sun Kissed by Catherine Anderson

2007-01-06T17:09:00.000-07:00

I’ve waited a long time for the last Coulter man to find love! As with all the other Coulter men, Tucker Coulter is the perfect man. Handsome, hardworking, sexy, funny, and not turned off by a successful, independent woman. Samantha Harrigan is the wounded heroine he falls in love with. Anderson wastes no time with introductions, but gets right to the action—one reason I love her books. And she wastes no time with misunderstandings. Samantha’s internal conflict provides all the problems these two characters need to keep them apart. Throw in a deadly mystery to solve, and they have their hands full. Fast-paced and emotional. It kept me up way past my bedtime.

With the introduction of Samantha Harrigan’s four brothers in this book, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a new series of heroes as perfect as the Coulter men. I’m keeping my fingers crossed! Three out of four bookworms.

Romance Favorites

2007-01-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

Catherine Anderson’s Kendrick/Coulter series

For some reason, I always pick up a book in the middle of a series, read it, then go back to the first book in the series. Such was the case with the Kendrick/Coulter series. I started with My Sunshine. Loved it so much that I picked up the next one I could find in the bookstore, Phantom Waltz. I suggest reading them in order, if possible. Start with Baby Love, then Phantom Waltz (my favorite), and go from there. Real people with real problems, not misunderstandings. Sexy, funny, smart. Men the way we want them to be.

Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton Series

Another series that I started in the middle with When He Was Wicked. Start with the first book, The Duke and I. I haven’t been able to get excited about any of Julia Quinn’s other books, but the Bridgerton Series is funny and sexy.

Connie Brockway

Everything this author writes is gold. My favorite, My Dearest Enemy. Funny, passionate, sexy. Or maybe, My Pleasure. Tense, sexy, smart. Reading Connie Brockway is like eating Lay’s potato chips. You can’t read just one.

Keep checking back for more favorites.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

2006-12-31T16:19:00.000-07:00

I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I must admit that I was reluctant to read it. Why? Well, to start with, it’s on the bestseller lists. The last time I picked up a book on the bestseller lists (Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian), I struggled through half the book before finally deciding that life is too short. Secondly, a friend who read it said that she cried. I don’t want to cry when I read a book! I want to laugh! Life provides enough tears! So, why did I pick up a copy? Same friend said she couldn’t put it down, and my son wanted to read it for his English class. Occasionally, I like to read something that my kids are reading, so we can discuss it. This gives me some insight into their weird little brains. And, honestly, most of the classics they read in school are sooo boring.

Niffenegger instantly draws the reader into Clare and Henry’s story. She simply, yet brilliantly handles what could be a confusing timeline by using dates as well as Clare and Henry’s ages to let us know when we are and when the characters are. Another author might have bristled at the straightforward simplicity of this technique and left the reader to struggle over when the characters are. But Niffenegger is a storyteller, and as such, she allows nothing to get in the way of the story, not even an author’s ego.

No, I couldn’t put it down—at least not until end when I had to put it down to deal with the overwhelming emotion Niffenegger wrung out of me. It’s one of those books that haunts you long after you finish it. Kudos to Niffenegger for effectively using two points of view, Clare’s and Henry’s, in first person. I’m not a real fan of first-person point-of-view, but when an author does it well, as Niffenegger does, I love it.

So, would I recommend this book? Yep. I give it four out of four bookworms.

Finding the Right Book

2006-12-31T15:42:00.000-07:00

I have always loved books. Remember the order forms for books that teachers sent home with us in elementary school? I always ordered a stack of books from those forms. The other kids looked at me as if I was a freak. I didn't let that stop me. Fortunately, my parents never limited my purchases! I still remember my dad reading to us at bedtime.

Once a week during summer vacation, my mom took us to the library. Again, I came home with a stack of books and read them all by the next week's return trip. In high school and college, I didn't have time to read for pleasure during the school year, but you can bet I read during every Christmas, Easter and summer break.

When I married my husband, I couldn't understand why he didn't love books. The idea was so foreign to me that I wouldn't accept it. For his birthday, two months after our wedding, I bought him one gift—a book, 2010: Odyssey Two. It was the book sequel to his all-time favorite movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey. He took it with him the next day when he flew to D.C. on a business trip. He missed his return flight home because he stayed up all night reading. That's what I'm talkin' about! He is now an avid reader. It's all about finding the right book.

That’s what this blog is about—finding the right book. I’m not going to waste my time reviewing books I don’t like because I won’t finish them. I may mention one in passing. If you don’t agree, that’s fine. Different strokes . . . . You will probably want to find another book review blog or read the ones I don’t like.