#75 Destined by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast

The newest in the House of Night series. I like these books but am starting to get a bit bored. They need to start to wrap them up. I want to know what happens...I don't want more stuff introduced. Even though I'm complaining here I really did enjoy the book....I just want it to get better. :)

and on that note....This is the last book of the year!!!
I plan on keeping this blog active but don't know how I'm going to number them. I'll probably start over. I liked knowing how many I have read.

#74; The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

This trilogy was amazing! I knew I would love them considering all the recommendations I had received and the popular reviews the books had on the news stands but it took me much longer to get to them then it should have!
This one took me a little bit to get involved in. I wasn't expecting that to be the case since the 2nd book was resolved but lead DIRECTLY into the 3rd one. Slow starting or not...it was wonderful. I recommend these books highly.

#73 Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich

The newest in the series. I only had to wait for a couple of weeks, too! I liked this one better than the last couple! Yay! Stephanie Plum is getting MUCH closer to a decision about the men in her life...and the craziness that is her job and family just keeps going. I love it.

#72 The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

Such an exceptional story! Lisbeth Salander continues to hook me. This book really did a lot to explain who she is and WHY! Really good, twisted, plot with lots of turns and character development. I have "Hornets nest", too, and I'll be starting that tonight.

#71 Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Oh, wow! I loved it. Can't wait to start The girl who played with fire!
I started this book more than a year ago but had a traumatic event occur while reading it (MAJOR sunburn) and between the scarred psyche and the tough to read-through Swedish economy and politics I just couldn't do it.
I REALLY want to see the remake of the film when it comes out in a few weeks so I decided I needed to give the book another try. I skimmed past the first 100 pages (because it was familiar) and was almost immediately caught! It got to the point where I didn't want to put it down to eat or run to the bathroom! Needless to say I finished it in an almost completely uninterrupted 10 hours.
Dark material? Well, yeah. Confusing subtext? Sometimes. Creative development? Definitely. Amazing characters? HELL YES!
As I said before...I really am looking forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy.

#70 The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

I found another book blog. She's SUPER creative. This book was on her list. I liked it. Super simple, easy, entertainingly good book.

#69 Goddess of the Rose by PC Cast

I like PC Cast's "Goddess" books. They're fun. This one was based upon Beauty and the Beast where the Beast is the protector of Hecate's rose gardens in the dream realm. It was a creative mix of the story and mythology. I have at least one more of these at home right now...so I suspect it will be on my blog soon.

#68 Real Vampires Have More to Love by Gerry Bartlett

I read another one of the books in this series earlier this year. They're creative and fun with a little (okay a lot) of gratuitous sex. "Glory" the overweight vampire becomes possessed by a demon and has trouble keeping her life together...all while trying to plan a crazy successful bachelorette party that will shame the Siren hosting the Bridal shower. Honestly, this one kind of bored me. I'll probably still read other books in the series, though, if nothing more than I'll forget the details and bump into a familiar title in about a year.

#67 The Bachelorette Party by Karen McCullah Lutz

This book was a lot of fun. After I read it I read the author profile (which I normally do) and found out that this author co-wrote "Legally Blonde" and "10 Things I Hate About You". No wonder I liked it so much! I'm gonna see if she has more.

#66 Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

This was SOOOO good. It's the last story in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants story line. 10 years later the "Septembers" are coming up on their 30th birthdays and are facing their own challenges and the discouraging situation time seems to do to all friendships....it makes them harder to prioritize. The girls are still just as close but they have so much trouble getting together. Almost immediately upon starting the book a major event happens in their joint relationship and the rest of the book is them trying to figure out how they can continue on with their lives, both singularly and collectively. Seriously, EXCELLENT book. I really enjoyed it....even if I was crying from the beginning through the end!

#65 Fitzwilliam Darcy: Rock Star by Heather Lynn Ricaud

I love me some contemporary remakes of the classics. This one, quite obviously, is a new version of Pride & Prejudice. Mr Darcy. *sigh*
As I was reading it (and enjoying it) I realized that although I did not find it in the Young Adults area it was fairly simple writing. Then it happened. About half way through the book the hookups began. I really enjoyed this version of the story (Where Darcy and his cousin and a long time friend are Rock Gods and Lizzie and Jane Bennett along with their close friend Charlotte are the newly signed opening act for the guys) but it was about midpoint when this store took a new turn. Not that I didn't still like the story but, honestly, every few pages the book turned into porn. This is NOT the Elizabeth Bennett that we know! I quickly understood why it wasn't in the Young Adult section.

#64 The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Pretty book covers make me pause. I know the saying but it doesn't matter. I couldn't put this book down. It was pretty good. I have the newly released sequel next but I'm having trouble picking it up. Hmmm. We'll see how long it takes for me to get to it.

#63 Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Oh WOW!! I waited MONTHS to get this book from the library. I finally got it and FLEW through it. I absolutely LOVE these books (even if the writing is pretty simple and even pretty bad at some points) and am both thrilled and sad to know that the next book to be released in the Sookie Stackhouse novels will be the last! This one was better than the last. It's obvious that they're winding down but there are still so many possibilities. I can't wait to find out what is going to happen to Sookie. Will she use the cluviel dor? Will she turn? Oh.my.gosh. I don't want to wait!!

#62 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I read this book from suggestion of a friend it it really caught my interest and kept me wondering until the very end. With that said...I'm not sure I liked it. I think the author did a remarkable job of describing the Scottish Highlands the way I would expect them (including the actual Highlanders) but I think it was a bit more intense and even abusive than I was prepared for. I'm still trying to decide if I'll be reading the rest of the books in the series.

#61 Secrets of a Proper Countess by Lecia Cornwall

YAY CHEESY!! This was a decently creative story with a horribly predictable ending. Exactly what I expect (and want) from these books.

#60 The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan

Interesting twist on the old fantasy. Jacob (It's a coincidence, I'm sure) is the last of his kind. He wants to die. To the point of planning his own suicide. The problem is the 2 groups that are preventing him from doing so. One is the group to save his species. The other is the group that has been slowly killing his kind off. THAT group wants to gift his death to a veteran hunter on the night of the full moon. The concept I loved. The style of writing bored me. I believe Mr Duncan's point was to sound educated, poetic and OLD but I just found it pompous, boring and ineffectual. I guess this means I need to go back to my cheesy preternatural romances. ;)

#59 Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

One of my favorite series of books. Stephanie Plum is such a fun character to follow and the men (both of them---she's trying to figure out which is best for her) in her life are SO easy to read about. She's a "bonds agent" aka Bounty Hunter so there's plenty of mystery and potential drama with adequate action but overall it's very funny. I don't think there's one character I could do without and in some of the books I wish there was more of one character that may have taken a backseat for the story.
I already have #18 on hold at the library. I'm 11th in line and it doesn't come out until November. I waited MONTHS for this one to get to be my turn.

#58 Accidentally Catty by Dakota Cassidy

These "accidentally" books are fun. I'll read more if there are more.

#57 Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith

I liked this one better than the last. It, also, elaborated a bit on the writer's idea for the series. It's common thread or basis for the series is a common "world". A world where vampires, weres and other "entities" exist. This one was about a guardian angel that prevents the death of his human only to leave her in the immediate path of a vampire. I liked the angel twist. Again, I think it would be better if it was an extended version with more twists and development but I did like this one better.

#56 Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

This book/series was recommended by the library as a "You'll probably like" title. It was okay. Simply put...it was a young adult vampire story. Doesn't mean it was a really well written YA vampire story. The story was original and I like that but I don't think this writer put enough into it. It might have been better if it was aimed at an older demographic, too. As in...it would have been better if they would have made it longer, gorier and sexier.

#55 Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer

This was super fun. Witty romantic comedy about a woman who is just trying to make the things she needs to do happen. Unfortunately, there is displaced mob, a crazy wedding and all kinds of weird dog nappers showing up at the weirdest times. It was a creative story with likable characters and fun twists. I vaguely remember reading books by Jennifer Crusie before and even vaguely remember enjoying them. This, seriously, was fun.

#54 Back to the Bedroom by Janet Evanovich

I actually finished this book a week or so ago and just kept forgetting to update the blog. Partially because the name is so heinous. I love Janet E., though. She writes the Stephanie Plum books and I LOVE the Stephanie Plum books! This book was good, too. The whole back to the bedroom idea comes from the fact that the main characters were drawn together after one witnesses a camera falling from an airplane through the roof of a neighbors house into her bedroom. He kinda comes to the rescue. It was good. Lots of Janet E. humor. Mostly....I can't wait for the next Stephanie Plum book. I've been on hold at the library since early May!!! Sheesh.

#53 The Heir by Grace Burrowes

If you can't find anything good then don't look for something good. This was pure trash. :) Loved it.

#52 No Strings Attached by Millie Criswell

I knew pretty early that this wasn't going to be a winner with me. I gave up on my hunt for something with more depth and grabbed a few romances of different sorts and started with this one. The entire flavor of this book was bad. The characters were shallow and even stupid. Not a fan. Sorry Millie. I'm not reading any more of your books.

#51 Mercy by Rebecca Lim

Really interesting new series by Rebecca Lim. Mercy is a fallen angel (except you don't know that because SHE doesn't know that) that wakes up struggling for control of the newest body she has awakened in. Apparently this is a fairly normal thing.
I guess without getting into it too much it would be best to describe it as a quasi "Quantum Leap" like story. I enjoyed it and hope I can find more of this series. I'm nervous that I found this book as it came out though and I've got years to wait before there is any significant library of this series.

#50 Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Yay!!! #50 and I LIKED it!! It's the 1st in a new series about time-traveling and supernatural (kinda) powers and good guys and bad guys and all kinds of fun stuff. I can't wait for the next one!!

#49 The Locket by Stacey Jay

I actually liked this one!! It wasn't top 10 but at least I'm not upset that I took the time to read it. :)
The Locket is a story about a young woman who ends up finding a locket that makes time regress for "do-overs". When she cheats on her boyfriend...time goes back to before she cheated. When a light falls from the sky and kills her rival...time goes back to before the light fell so she can stop it, etc.
It's not rocket science. She figures out that everything happens for a reason pretty quickly. It was an entertaining story at least.

#48 Cupid's Arrow by Isabelle Merlin

I'm on a roll! I need a good book. This was not it.
It was basically a murder mystery with a bit of psychic/premonition dreaming involved. Weird.
Also, it was based in France and there were people obsessed with King Arthur.
I dunno.

#47 The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview

I hated it. It was exactly what I was hoping it would be but, unfortunately that made it horrible.
The Other Mr. Darcy is a new version/continuation of Pride and Prejudice. The idea that THE Mr. Darcy's American cousin came home for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's wedding and had a really awkward encounter with a heartbroken ex of Mr. Darcy's. Does that even make sense? Doesn't matter.
Monica Fairview tried to write this book as if it were an English classic and that pissed me off. She is NO Jane Austen. Like I said...I wanted to read it as if it were a sequel; in the same writing manner. I didn't want an updated trashy romance novel. That IS how it was written. It failed miserably though. Maybe she should have trashed it up.

#46 Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

Meh. You know how it is. I read too many romance novels and even more vampire stories. I'm boooooooooored with them. I keep getting them though!
This was the whole "unexplainable intense chemistry" and "accidental" blood swapping. They didn't mean to swap blood. Just spit.
I have the next two books in this series but I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna read them. Not because it wasn't good...because I read them enough to bore myself!!!

#45 The Jumbee by Pamela Keyes

The back of the book says...
"Thrills.
Chills.
Electric Romance.
A Phantom of the Opera
with a Caribbean twist..."

It was fun.

#44 the Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair

It was cute. I don't really have anything to write about this one.

#43 Player One-What is to become of us by Douglas Coupland

This book fascinated me and I couldn't put it down. Yet...I can't decide if I LIKED it. I think it might make a really good movie.
To describe it, roughly, I would say that it revolves, mostly, around 4 people coincidentally joined in an airport lounge on any other day for whatever reason has brought them there. Today is the day oil prices skyrockets and the end of the world begins, though. It's a story of personal interactions and emotions and survival but not really a survival story. It's kind of difficult to describe. Maybe its more difficult since I can't, honestly, decide if I liked it. I dunno. Maybe you should read it so we can talk it out. I'm not gonna encourage you more than that, though.

#42 Fools for Love by Eloisa James

I like the author. The book was kinda indifferent. I'm in the mood for something GREAT but am at a loss for what that might be. I read this book and Gossip Girl #7 days ago but was so indifferent that I didn't bother updating this blog. Meh.

#41 "GG" Nobody Does it Better by Cecily von Ziegesar

number 7 was just like the other ones. I'm gonna read all available but I am now bored with them.

#40 "GG" You're the one that I want by Cecily von Ziegesar

Still going. Still like them. I went back to the library to get this one plus 2 more. :)

#39 Bram Stoker's Dracula

Sitting at the Dr's office for 3 hours gave me lots of time to read. I made it through half of the book during that time alone.
I liked the book. It wasn't new to me, though. The Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves version of the movie was remarkably close...from what I could remember of the movie anyways. At any rate, I'm pleased that I took the time to read it.

#38 Animal Farm by George Orwell

BRILLIANT! This story is so witty and cunning and BLATANT that it completely tickled me. I have, of course, heard of it but had never read the book. Zakk had to read it for a class. He made a comment about not liking the end. He let me read it when he found out I hadn't. I loved it. Loved it!

#37 "GG" I Like it Like That by Cecily von Ziegesar

fun. :) I want more. I guess it's back to the library tomorrow.

#36 "GG" Because I'm Worth It by Cecily von Ziegesar

They're still good and I have one more here at home...but I realized in this book that I don't like one single character. I don't think you're supposed to but I really don't.

#35 "GG" All I want is everything by Cecily von Ziegesar

Yup. They're still easy to read and super quick. I still like them and I still have 2 more checked out from the library. I'm on a roll.

#34 "GG" You know you love me by Cecily von Ziegesar

Book 2 in the Gossip Girl series. I really like that these books are not very predictable. The characters although simple are realistic. I can't really figure out what's going on in their heads. Guess what book I'm reading next?

#33 Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar

Throw away books. Meaning I can read 2 in a day. I've been interested in reading these for a few years but never committed. I liked it.

#32 The Darkest Secret by Gena Showalter

More supernatural smut. I loved it. :) Gena Showalter is always good for unique characters and story lines even if it is predictable and over the top trash. This is book 8 (or something) in the "Lords of the Underworld" series. I'm not rushing to get the others...but I'm sure I would like them.

#31 When Beauty tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

As far as romance books go this one was good. It was, I think obviously, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast; with a nice little "House; MD" thrown in for fun. This is even Eloisa James' own description.

#30 Early to Death; Early to Rise by Kim Harrison

This is the 2nd book in this series and I really enjoyed it. It's very simple but entertaining. I just found out that the 3rd one should be released in the next few weeks. :)

#29 Goddess of Spring by PC Cast

Gaw. Everything I read has a horrid title. Okay. Not EVERYTHING.

I do love PC Cast and I did enjoy this book. It's a "Rework of Greek Mythology" that involves the Goddess of Spring, Persephone, who is torn between her mother, Demeter, and, Hades, the God of the Underworld. In this story Demeter tricks a mortal, Lina, into a favor and swaps Lina's soul with Persephone's soul. Lina, then, is sent to the Underworld to fulfill Persephone's scheduled time there. Hades doesn't know it's not actually the Goddess, of course, and he eventually falls in love with her. Yawdy yawdy yawda.
As far as mythology goes I learned more from the Percy Jackson Series but there was some fun stuff here, too. I'll read the other books in this "series". The forward said there is a Goddess Undine story (which I've read) An Apollo/Artemis story (where the twins are vacationing in Vegas) and a Beauty and the beast story. Fun!

#28 Jane by April Lindner

Another 1am book update. Another not-so review.
It's easiest to say that Jane is a modern remake of Jane Eyre. It was good. It wasn't great. Maybe I would have really enjoyed it if I hadn't loved Jane Eyre so much.

#27 My Way to Hell by Dakota Cassidy

I've read other books by Dakota Cassidy and enjoyed them so it was an easy choice to borrow this one from the library. They're "Paranormal Romance" books (you know I'm a sucker for 'em) and are usually pretty fun to follow along with. This one is a sequel and I realized too late that I had not, in fact, read the 1st one. It didn't matter. It's easy to pick up.
My Way(..) is about an ex demon turned ghost who is trying to deal with the most recent events in her life, including turning into a ghost, the brother of her best friend (who she saved from Lucifer himself) and an extremely private, torturous past. It's a lot of painful bantering. some blatant sex and even some emotional little moments in it. It wasn't an amazing story but it was easy to read and I was eager to finish it. It didn't take long at all to get through it, which is good considering the ones that take me a long time have generally not been able to keep my interest. I'll read more of Dakota Cassidy's books. :)

#26 Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

It's been 2 years since the last time I read Twilight. I recently tried to find all of my copies of the saga and was unable to find Twilight. It was enough to make me REALLY want to read it. So....I borrowed it from the public library.
Yeah. I know.
I do still love this book though. It might be the 7th time I've read this book but I'm pretty sure I'm safe when I say it's not the final time I'll read it. I make no apologies for this.

#25 Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim harrison

This book was super quick to read. I like that! I previously read "Prom nights from Hell" which was a compilation of short stories by popular young adult authors. This book and it's hero, Madison, was a continuation of one of those short stories.
Madison was killed, exactly as she turned 17, on the night of her prom. The R.E.A.P.E.R. that was supposed to save her was fooled by the one that was trying to kill her. She was able to inadvertently take into her possession an amulet from the one that killed her and therefore got to keep a semblance of her life.
It's a tricky description but it was actually quite good. Solid characters and a good storyline are sometimes difficult to come across. (Especially when I've been reading so many romances and young adult novels!)
I have the 2nd book of this series on hold at the library. I can't wait until it's available to me. This is a unique and interesting series. That makes me happy.

#24 Bittersweet Ecstasy by Janelle Taylor

I finished the book the night before last. I REALLY didn't want to add the title to my blog list, though. Can you blame me? This was one of the 2 romance novels that I read when I was in my early teens and had LOOOOOOOOOOVED so much! Now? Meh.
It's a complex mix of relationships that span over a few generations, and a few separate tribes of the Native Americans, in the early settling days of the United States. It was confusing in storyline and loaded with history that was irrelevant. I have no idea why I loved it so much when I was a kid. Maybe it was the whole native thing. The main tribe it followed is Oglala Sioux which is a close family to some of my own heritage. Maybe I had some kind of elevated Sioux pride at that time of my life. I dunno. It's definitely the last time I will read this book, though.

#23 The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I had been referred to this book by MANY clients. I was always given the same kind of comment, too. "It is the type of book, that when it is done, you want to find out what is going on with the characters. They are your friends."
Well let me tell you...IT IS TRUE!! Ms Stockett is a truly gifted writer. You KNOW who the women are that are sharing their lives and stories with you. You know all of the amazing things that are going to happen to them in the future, too. The best part is you REALLY want to read about those things.
The Help is based in Jackson Mississippi in the early 1960's. It is where the segregation sit-ins were happening, where Medger Eavers was shot down in his own carport and where the KKK was feared almost as much as the polite women of society. This story is told by through 3 separate women's perspectives. Aibilene, colored "help" who is mourning the recent death of her own son and the only real support and love of the white girl she is raising.
Minny, colored "help" who has been fired a record 19 times for not being able to hold her tongue. She is the best cook in the county and an attitude to match the title.
Miss Skeeter is the privileged white woman who sees injustice in the relationships of the coloreds and her own friends. She grew up with a colored woman as her own help and loved her more than she could ever explain. When Constantine, her own help, disappears it brings up many many questions and emotions and starts a project that is both insightful and maybe even deathly dangerous.
This is an amazing story with memorable moments and truly beloved characters. It was easy to picture it in my mind as I was reading it and I am eager for the movie. I'm glad I purchased this book. I'll read it again.

#22 Insatiable by Meg Cabot

This book was a total Double Whammy for me. Not only did I research the most recent author I'd been reading but it's a book about Vampires. Check aaaaand check!
Insatiable is a modern day sequel to Bram Stoker's Dracula. A continuation. I enjoyed it. It was right up my alley. I'm pretty sure I have more Meg Cabot on the upcoming reading list.

#21 Prom Nights from Hell by multi authors

I looked up books by Meg Cabot after reading a couple of her books last week and found this title...and it had short stories by her and 4 other authors, including Twilight's Stephenie Meyer. It seemed obvious that I would read it next.
Although, the title makes it sound like it's going to be stories much like the letters from all the preteen magazines. You know the ones. "I should never have worn white to my prom when my period was due." and "I was showing off at the crowded pool and did an amazing dive while everyone was watching and my ENTIRE swimsuit disintegrated in midair." THOSE letters.
It wasn't like that. :)
Each of the 5 authors told a short story that took place at or around a high school prom. Each of the main characters had some kind of a random connection to a preternatural being. #1. A vampire. #2. A modernized rewrite of "The Monkey's Paw". #3. Reconnaissance Error Acquisitions Personnel. Evaluation and Recovery aka R.E.A.P.E.R. #4. A Prophet and a Super Hero. And finally the #5. by Stephenie Meyer was about a Demon and an Angel.
These stories were fun. I love short stories when I've been having trouble reading. They inspire me. :) I'm ready for the next one. :)

#20 The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Book One in the Kane Chronicles is very similar in theme to Riordan's Percy Jackson series. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE the Percy Jackson series. :)
I read this book simply because of Percy. I liked it for being what it was BUT whereas Percy is about Greek mythology modernized this is Egyptian mythology and simply not as interesting to me. I really liked the back and forth narration of the books between Carter and his sister Sadie. It was a bit different but really fun and easy to read. Riordan, also, did a really good job of fluidly educating the reader about mythology without sounding like a teacher and the story itself was good. I'm positive I will read each of the books in this series as they are release (#2 is due this year) but it just isn't as amazing to me as the other series. I am DEFINITELY prejudiced. This was a good, fun, trick-you-into-learning book. I'm not sure I would read it again but I liked it a lot. :)

#19 Murphey's Law by Lori Foster

Everything a contemporary romance should be. I'm not sure if it's this bug I seem to have caught or if the writing was THAT good but there was even a twist in it that I didn't see coming. I ALWAYS see them coming.
I really liked this book. It is a typical romance. It had all the trash you don't really care about (but secretly do). It had likable characters in familiar patterns.
I'd read it over again if I owned it. I'm gonna be checking out more from this author, too.

#18 Being Nikki by Meg Cabot

Book #2 in the series. Like the 1st one, it was ridiculous. Like the 1st one, I liked it. I'm eager to see if the 3rd one is available yet.

#17 Airhead by Meg Cabot

Another young adult book grabbed while heading to the "to be shelved" carts at the library. Meg Cabot is a familiar writer so I often stop to see what is available by her. (She wrote The Princess Diaries, etc)
Airhead was deceptive. And humorous. VERY.
The front leaf of the book makes it clear that there is a mistaken identity. That's about it.
"Em" doesn't want to take her younger sister "Frida" to the new Super Mall where all the "IT" people of the moment are signing autographs. She's not into that kind of thing.
What I realize before it is FINALLY explained, about half way through the book, is that there was an accident at this mall event and "Em" was smooshed by a giant hanging/falling TV. The hottest of hot super models sees the accident and has an aneurism and dies at the same time. Naturally, they do a full body transplant. Em wakes up barely remembering the accident but is all of a sudden the most beautiful 17 year old in the world.
Sound like every pre-teen's dream? Okay, fine. Every WOMAN'S dream?
It cracked me up because of the blatant "what if I woke up and I was magically transformed into the wealthiest, most popular, beautiful person in the world?". There was no sugar coating here.
I like Meg Cabot. She tends to write about strong women. Or not so strong women that realize they are exceptional just as they are. etc etc etc. I suppose Princess Diaries is the same kind of rags to riches but the brain transplant thing just slays me.
I get ahead of myself, though. Honestly, I liked this book. I even was emotional towards the end when "Em" tries to make a connection with her old best friend (who thinks she's dead). It was sad. It was sweet.
The sequel is next. :)

#16 A mile in my flip flops by Melody Carlson

Let me start by pointing out that my good friend Rachel REALLY does not like flip flops. The fact that I wear them 24/7/365 does not sit well with her. At all. It amuses me.
On that note...
I found this book while searching through the "To be shelved" book carts at the library. The title alone was good enough for me to check it out.
The book was about a woman who decides to flip a house as her own personal therapy. She has become a Ben and Jerry's/HGTV junkie, since she was left at the alter 2 years previous, and thinks it will be a walk in the park considering her thousands of hours of "House Flippers" and similar tv shows.
This is a nice little contemporary romance novel. I don't even really want to call it a contemporary romance but it most definitely a love story. The budding romance between Gretchen and Noah is sweet but honestly the real love story is Gretchen's own. She learns to love herself again after such a miserable break up and extended mourning period.
I like this book. It wasn't exceptional but it was good. Very entertaining.

#15 River Marked by Patricia Briggs

A couple of years ago my older brother, Brian, suggested this series of books to our mom, sister and me. They've all been really fun.
The series follows Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson a TriCities Washington Mechanic/"Walker". Stated simply...she's a shape shifter. She lives in a single wide trailer with her beloved cat on the back property of uber hot Alpha WereWolf Adam. There are also Fae (as in faeries), vampires, witches, ghosts..... I'm sure you get the idea.
River Marked is the 6th book in the series and is a really great newest edition. Briggs does a great job of keeping/progressing a story along and also twisting it up enough that you're not reading the same story 6 times. She "reminds" enough in each new book without boring you with too much information that you probably already read anyways. Mercy is bad ass. She's not invincible. Bad stuff happens to her. The great part is that although bad stuff happens to her she learns to live with it BUT it is still with her. It drives me nuts when someone has a near death experience and a book later seems to have completely forgotten about it. Mercy remembers!!
ANYWAYS!!!!....I carry on...
I liked this book...obviously. I might eventually reread the series.

#14; Fang by James Patterson

I purchased Fang for Zakk's birthday last year and no one read it. It's book 6 in the Maximum Ride series and we had been enjoying all of the previous books. I probably wouldn't have thought much about the book but the 7th (Angel) was just released and a note stating the end of the series was coming in 2012. I thought I should catch up.
These books are about a "flock" of children/teenagers that are a genetic morphing of humans with some other super traits...like the fact that they all have amazing wings. They were raised in lab rat conditions in a lab for many years until they are able to escape. The series of books involves them trying to survive, hide and fight their way to safety. Crazy doctors are always hunting for them, they fight amongst themselves (as any good family will) and they're constantly figuring out new skills they have.
I like James Patterson. I like these books. I'm becoming very bored with them but I won't give up. This one was better than the last one, at least. :)


(I have just reread what I typed and have no good excuse for my grammar and writing. It's late. I'll use that one.)

#13 Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

I am in a rut, so far, this year. I want to read yet I can't bring myself to pick up a book. I had tried another sleazy romance novel and gave up less than half way through it. I ended up with Nightshade the same way I do so many others....I judged a book by it's cover....when walking through the Young Reader's section at the library. Not to disappoint, though, it paid off! I enjoyed this book and even though I've been having trouble motivating myself to read this one only took me a few days to finish. The book follows Calla Tor a "Guardian" aka NOT a werewolf... and her pack. She is an 18 year old high school senior that is part of a super secret society that are to be the protectors of the humans in their community. Calla is an alpha female in her family and she has been pre-arranged to be the mate of the alpha male of a rival pack in the same area.
Calla, however, has defied all rules and conventions by not only saving the life of a human boy who stumbles into sacred territory but she also lets him see both her wolf and human form. Eventually she falls in love with him.
Calla is torn between the lifelong commitment to Ren, the other alpha, and Shay, the human who knows too much.
The big twist/secret of the book was fairly easy to figure out but I enjoyed the journey.
I'm eager for the sequal, Wolfsbane, to come out next June.

oh geez...

So...I have 3 separate blogs that I run from the same page. I accidentally posted a photo of my 8 year old son on this blog. It does not belong on this blog. Since I do not know how to delete the entire entry and felt the empty post looked awkward I thought I should explain myself.
It is not uncommon for me to "goof". :)
On a side note...I decided to add a photo of one of the book cases I have. This is a usual look. Completely random and stuffed full. There are books stacked on top and in front of it. I love books. :)

#12 The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris

Confession time. I was in the mood for trash. Honest to goodness steamy, sexy, pathetic TRASH. This book tricked me. It had all the promise of your good old fashioned Harlequin Romance style "Fabio on the cover" book and it was NOT. It was a cowboys and indians and damsel in distress love story with absolutely nothing hot or heavy involved....in fact, when the hero does kiss the girl...he finds God. In a very direct way. Not the "arms of an angel" sense.
The writing was mediocre to good. The plot was generic and the sex was nonexistent. I'll rate it a good solid "Meh".

#11 Dark Side of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon

I really don't even know what to say about this book or how to describe it. It's fantasy/romance/whatever...
I've read several Sherrilyn Kenyon novels and I like them. She's creative and fun but fairly predictable and not necessarily anything special.
For this book....that's about all. Maybe if I wasn't so sleepy I'd write a better "review".

#10 Room by Emma Donoghue

What an exceptional book!
My sister suggested this one after she had finished it. It was my very first "E-book" story.
Room is through the perspective of a 5 year old boy (Jack) who was born in a captive situation. His mother was abducted when she was 19 and gave birth to him 2 years later so all he knows is "Room". This is an amazing story of love and companionship; Realities and discoveries and boundaries.
Imagine everything you've ever known to be within the boundaries of one single room. Now what would happen if you were shoved out of that space into the whole wide frantic "outside".
The book does a remarkable job of getting a point across and broadening your perceptions but through a very naive way. Jack is not only 5 years old but he's completely oblivious of the world. I love the creativity and honesty of this story. I want EVERYONE to read it.

#9 The Radleys by Matt Haig

Month 2 book 1!!
I love to get recommendations from my favorite authors. The Radleys was on a list written by Stephen King as one of his top 10 favorites of 2010. It is a dark comedy...about vampires. I'm such a sucker for vampires.
The idea is that Peter and Helen are the parents of 17 year old Rowan and 15 year old Clara. What Rowan and Clara don't know is that they are in fact vampires. Peter and Helen made the decision 17 years ago to become "abstainers" and practice healthy human alternatives for their kids sake. The problem? The kids don't realize they should be sticking to a strict "abstainer" lifestyle so they are weak and ill. "Freaks" in their school.
Clara, in an attempt to be accepted by animals that are deathly terrified of her, has moved from a vegetarian lifestyle to vegan. She gets SICK. Then to follow up an already dire situation she is attacked by a boy at a late night party. When he puts his hand over her mouth to silence her screams she bites him....and loves what it does to her.
The rest of the book involves hiding the body she has so savagely attacked, an obsessed uncle, a secret police unit that hunts vampires and all kinds of crazy twisted family relationships. Not to mention the kids trying to come to terms with the very outrageous idea that they are VAMPIRES.
I loved this book. So much fun!!!

#8. Awakened by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Awe! That's more like it! In true form I read a book today. That's right....an ENTIRE book. I've been looking forward to the newest book in the House of Night series and it did NOT disappoint me. I love these stories. Yes, it's yet another vampire saga. No, it's not like any other I've read before. I like how young and fresh and honest these books are. It might be cheesy to have modern romance authors, popular tv shows like Glee and movie blockbusters like Avatar referred to in a book but it's part of the charm of this series. The characters are easy to relate to because they're dealing with familiar things. I, also, love that I might predict one thing that might happen in the book but I'm blind sided by two. The mother/daughter writing team of these books are great. Awakened is book 8 in this series and I've enjoyed each and every one of them. I have trouble waiting to see what our hero, Zoey Redbird, is going to have to deal with next. I have to wait all the way until November for the next part of this series. I hate waiting! It's always worth it though. :)

#7. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Oh wow! It took me a couple of weeks to read this book but WHAT A BOOK! I laughed, I cried, I bragged, I ignored...It was a truly a roller coaster ride of a story. I had never watched any of the movie (and I still have no intention to) and this was my first time to read the story. I was blissfully ignorant about much of the story. I knew of Scarlett, of course, and Rhett, and I had heard that the plantation's name was Tara. I had no idea all of the tremendous twists and turns and misery and triumph that would happen in this book. I hate Scarlett. I love Rhett. I'm livid at the ending....yet it's so perfect!
Ultimately I don't believe I will ever read this again but I am so very happy that I did. What an excellent book and story teller!

#6 The Fledgling Handbook 101 by PC Cast

In the same popular method of selling MORE books in a series such as "Beetle the Bard" a Harry Potter textbook and "The Ultimate Guide" a Percy Jackson supplement, PC Cast has given us this book.
I love The House of Night series. I think Cast is great at continuing and evolving a story with plenty of twists that constantly surprise me. I shouldn't have bothered with this book, though. I'm not really fond of the idea of "between the books" books but I've been trying to wait patiently for the next book in the HON series and it's difficult to do so! This book is told in textbook format. It is the published proof, of a book referred to in the series, to help the newly marked (changed) vampires to understand what is happening to them. Basically, it's everything you've already put together from reading the series or didn't need to know at all. Thankfully it was only 156 pages, much of which were pictures and drawings. I'm not sure I would have read more than that.

#5 Rant by Chuck Palahniuk

...aka...an ORAL BIOGRAPHY of BUSTER CASEY
This book took me waaaay too long to read. Under normal circumstances I would have had all 319 pages done in 2 days. 3 tops.
I did like this book. I LOVE this author. It is, however, one of my least favorite of his novels.
The story is about a man called Rant Casey who becomes THE "superspreader" of a strain of rabies that threatens humanity. Patient #1. It doesn't sound funny but in true "Chuck" form...it is. The most mundane sentences had me laughing aloud and reading to my husband. He didn't get it, of course, but he puts up with me. :)
Sometimes there is no easy way to describe a "Chuck" story so I don't even want to attempt. Even the cover flap doesn't really describe what the story is about. It's easy to say that it's dramatic, it's frightening, it's disgusting and disturbing, it's funny and it's twisted. It's "Chuck".

#4 Real Vampires hate their thighs; by Gerry Bartlett

Adorable. Fairly generic. Amusing. My husband actually found this book while perusing the book shelves at the library. He saw the word "vampires" in the title and called me over to look. ;)
It's at least the 3rd in a series but was easy to pick it up as it was. Fun story about a world where Vampires DO exist, still privately however. Gloriana, or Glory, is a 400 year old vampire who is in a nice little triangle between her ancient sire and her new turned rock star protege. It's a fun contemporary romance with the vampire twist plus some. Glory was a healthy, attractive weight when she was turned into a vampire but over the centuries the preferred image has changed...as we all know. Now her soft belly and round hips (don't forget the big butt) are no longer considered sexy. The men in her life LOVE her as she is but she just wants to fit into the societal standard. Which is difficult considering vampires can't change. You know there's more.
I enjoyed it....but, again, I'm sure I won't reread it.

#3 Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters; by Natalie Standiford

This was a cute book. I found it on top of the shelves in the "young readers" section as I was passing through to the fiction.
The story is told in 3 major parts (1 each for the sisters). The girls EXTREMELY wealthy grandma has threatened to disinherit the entire family if she does not get an apology she feels she deserves. The 3 girls (of 6 grandkids) are the obvious choice for who would need to apologize; so each girl goes about her own way to apologize and explain her actions...for whatever they feel their big crime may have been.
The book is good. I got a bit emotional (as I do) but nothing was truly involving. No regrets reading it but I'm pretty sure it won't go back into rotation.

#2 Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

I LOVED this book! Honestly, I purchased the book a few months ago after hearing that Robert Pattinson was going to be starring in the movie. I'm, since, over my obsession with R. but was still interested in the story.
The novel is about a young man in the Depression Era America. He's a veterinarian student at an Ivy league school and upon learning that his parents have just been killed in a car accident he leaves school without taking his final exams. He's alone, educated yet without his degree and penniless in a wrecked country. Naturally, He joins the circus. The author, as described in my copy of this book, accidentally fell upon some real stories and anecdotes about circus life and it prompted this novel. Many of the plot lines and characters are taken directly from real stories she heard or read.
I love how the author jumps back and forth between today, as experienced by the 90 something year old storyteller, and his memories with a traveling circus. There are so many twists and turns to this story that they even start from the prologue and go right until the very last page. I.LOVE.IT!

#1 The Penalty Box by Deirdre Martin

I'm a little embarrassed. Considering how much I read I thought maybe the 1st book of this new year and therefore the 1st book of this blog would be something a bit...more. Instead, I read a contemporary romance. Don't get me wrong. I liked the book. It's the 5th in a series (and the 4th I've read) but it's no Jane Austen. It's not even Stephenie Meyer.
The series revolves around a fictional NHL team. It's amusing. The romance is touching, the sex is blatant without being "throbbing" and the drama is only mildly emotional. I really don't think I'll get teary in any of these books. It's entertaining. The writer has enough talent to make each of her books unique and fun. THAT I like. I'm sure there will be more from this author, and this series, on my blog list.