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Fearless Fourteen (Stephanie Plum, Bk 14) Author: Janet Evanovich Subject: Mystery & Thrillers Book Type: Hardcover

I totally wasted my money buying this the day of release...

Even though I've loved this series, something about this one was just... well... missing. I got my laughs (light as they were), but the story seemed weak. Maybe I'm getting too picky as a reader, or maybe the author just rushed this one. I know I've found the earlier ones far more enjoyable than this one, though. They also seemed longer. The book I had looked like I had bought a large print edition and so I got through it extremely quickly (which was okay, because it was less painful this way).

The characters were seriously lacking and Stephanie really needs to stop pulling the chains on Ranger and Joe and just freaking pick one already! It also seemed like Evanovich brought back Mooner just because he's a favorite and she needed to do a little more writing because she was lazy with the story. I've read the series because I loved laughing so hard I was crying, but all I really got out of this was a few chuckles. Lula was good, but I still expected more out of her character as well.

It really reminds me of her earlier books (some of which should never have been re-released but apparently publishers decided to take advantage of how well this series was doing...)

Overall, I won't be running to the store when the next one comes out. There are other authors out there that deserve my hard-earned cash.

Pandora's Daughter Author: Iris Johansen Subject: Literature & Fiction Book Type: Mass Market Paperback

I had somehow managed to miss this title, until I read QUICKSAND, Iris Johansen's newest release featuring Eve Duncan. Megan Blair plays a small role in that book, so I searched out PANDORA'S DAUGHTER to get her story. I'm glad I did.

Megan is a doctor who feels empathy for her patients that's beyond normal. When she finds out that a real bad guy named Molino is after her, her world comes crashing down. There are revelations about her Uncle Phillip, memories of her mother's death, and the arrival of Neal Grady, a man who may hold the key to the powers that Megan has.

This was a good, quick read that I really enjoyed. I also like stories that revolve around the paranormal, so this fit right in. I'd love to see more books featuring Megan and Grady (who is a force to be reckoned with!), along with Jed Harley and Renata, two other characters introduced in PANDORA'S DAUGHTER.

The Notebook Author: Nicholas Sparks Subject: Literature & Fiction Book Type: Mass Market Paperback

This is an older book, but if you read one great book this year-let this be the one. Good things come in small packages. A short novel of excellent quality. This was made into a movie-but as always, the book is better. A celebration of passion. An enduring love. This one will make you cry. A book you will not forget.....ever. This is one of those books that you must read before you die. Don't be fooled into thinking this is a standard romance, because it is not. A must read for everyone, regardless of what type of book you enjoy.

Murder On Monday Author: Ann Purser Subject: Mystery & Thrillers Book Type: Paperback

A lovely mystery! This is a quick read with enough twists and subplots to keep you guessing. I like that the author adds so much of the family detail to the story. It makes the characters rounder and more appealing. I would definitely recommend this book to people who enjoy British cozies. It reminds me a bit of M.C.Beaton's Hamish or Agatha series' with a bit less humor and a bit more detail.

A Girl's Guide to Vampires (Dark Ones, Bk 1) Author: Katie MacAlister Subject: Romance Book Type: Mass Market Paperback

Stupid. So far, I've read only a couple of books by this author and they are just "ok" - some better than others, but the real downfall of the series is that its basically the same story over and over again. Really silly trying-too-hard-to-be-funny dialogue...but hey, that's just my opinion.

Want to see the funny vampire novel done decently? Try Mary Janice Davidson's Undead and Unwed series (just the first few, they get weaker as they go) or Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Series.

Water for Elephants Author: Sara Gruen Subject: Literature & Fiction Book Type: Paperback

Excellent book. It kept my interest from cover to cover. However, I found the discriptions of animal abuse very disturbing... especially the abuse of Rosie the elephant. Even though this book was a work of fiction, I know that much of it was based on fact. The characters were all very well developed and did bring some humor to the dismal lives of so many on the circus train.

Breaking Dawn (Twilight, Bk 4) Author: Stephenie Meyer Subject: Teens Book Type: Hardcover

I found this a gratifying ending to the series. I'd recommend it to anyone who liked the others. Contrary to some other reviewers, I have no complaints!

Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young Patient, and the Past-Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives Author: Brian L. Weiss Subject: Health, Mind & Body, Religion & Spirituality Book Type: Paperback

I found it fascinating that the therapist-patient relationship could transcend their traditional roles. While reincarnation may not be easy for most people brought up in certain religions to accept (including me), the basic messages that underline the points that Catherine, through her many lives, brings to light are universal and left me feeling more emotionally aware and at peace. I also thought it was cool that a therapist with these credentials would go on a limb and talk about these experiences. For me, a quick and consciousness-raising read.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider (Nursery Rhyme) Author: Iza Trapani Book Type: Hardcover

ISBN 1879085771 - If you're foolish enough to take on generations-old childrens' songs, you'd better do a very good job or expect to be tarred and feathered! I was, honestly, all set to hate this book... but Trapani did a fantastic job.

You know the story, you don't really need a recap. Spider, spout, rain, etc. Trapani, however, has added 5 new verses, giving our spider friend several new things to climb and obstacles to overcome. A fun way to add new life to a song you're likely to sing a million times before you're done!

I was unimpressed by the illustrations at first. They're nice, pleasant, okay... but then, I tilted the book and got a very happy surprise. In each illustration, there are areas that have a high gloss, making them appear to shine. Not the entire image, which would be overkill, but specific things. For example, when the rain washes the spider out, only the spider and some of the water has the gloss. It's a very minor but attractive little detail that transforms the images by giving them a little something extra. The music on the last page is another detail I really liked. Kudos to Trapani, may I stumble upon more of her work!

ISBN 1580890148 (board book) - I hadn't anticipated re-visiting this review but came across the board book edition today and felt compelled to add these couple notes: The board book lacks the glossy highlights in the illustrations, but does make up for it in another way. Rather than have the additional verses all tucked away in the back, they are all part of the text. This makes the book (therefore, the reading of the book by Mom or Dad) a bit longer and certainly that makes it more enjoyable! Even without the highlights, budding readers will love the illustrations, and the thicker pages make page-turning a little easier for small fingers. I stand by Kudos to Trapani, 100%!

The Sound of Us Author: Sarah Willis Subject: Literature & Fiction Book Type: Hardcover

Alice Marlowe is realizing, at the age of 48, that there's more to life than having a comfortable home, a fulfilling career, and parents and friends that love her. When she's awakened in the middle of the night by a wrong number, Alice 's world is tilted on its axis--and the tilting may very well save her sanity.

A little girl, barely six years old, has called Alice by mistake, missing a phone number by a couple of digits. Larissa, the girl on the other end of the line, is looking for her Auntie Teya--and her mother. As Alice struggles to awake from her deep sleep, she realizes that this child is at home alone, with no one to feed her, bathe her, clothe her, or watch out for her. Doing something she's never before done in all of her life--take the iniative to do something impulsive--Alice ends up leaving the comfort of her home and going to Larissa's apartment, ostensibly to wait for the child's mother to return.

What follows is an emotional rollercoaster so superbly written that I was unable to put the book down once I began reading. Alice is forced to call the police when Larissa's mother doesn't return after several hours. Soon the Department of Children and Family Services is involved, with all the red tape, runarounds, and rigamarole that one would expect from an agency who operates with only so much funding and so many hours in the day.

As Larissa is placed in temporary foster care, Alice realizes that she wants to become a foster parent herself, to take care of Larissa if and until her mother can get her back. The journey that follows is an emotional one--Larissa is resentful, hurt, and angry, as only a child can be; Alice is apalled to realize how hidden she has made herself from the world, and how prejudiced she appears to be; Michelle, Larissa's mother, is alternately sorry for her brief abandonment and intolerable of criticism.

THE SOUND OF US is a rich novel on so many levels. Alice is already dealing with the loss of her twin brother the previous year, and the fact that her parents are getting older. She realizes that although she loves her job, being an interpreter for the deaf, she can't rely on it to be the sole basis for a fulfilling life.

Kudos to Ms. Willis for such an emotionally moving book. This is the first book I've read by her, but I've now added all of her previous releases to my reading list. You won't be disappointed by picking up a copy of this magnificent story.

Tribute Author: Nora Roberts Subject: Romance Book Type: Hardcover

I loved TRIBUTE so much that I stayed up late two nights in a row to finish it. Then I was depressed that I had finished it so quickly!

This latest offering from Nora Roberts really does have everything I've come to love in her writing: mystery, romance, great character development, and a truly interesting storyline.

With the added fun additions of flipping houses, hosts of HGTV shows, graphic novelists, actresses and screen legends, and high school English teachers, all branches of career and life are covered.

This really is a book for your keeper shelf. You'll fall in love with Cilla and Ford, you'll agonize over the dual mystery of Janet Hardy's death and the current terror that the main character is facing, and you'll laugh-out-loud at the wonderful chemistry and dialogue between the hero and heroine. I would really like to read more about this couple in the future -- they're just really down-to-earth people that you come to respect and admire by the end of TRIBUTE.

Maybe we can get an update on their lives when Ms. Roberts writes Steve and Shanna's story? (Hint, hint!)

The Namesake Author: Jhumpa Lahiri Subject: Literature & Fiction Book Type: Paperback

very touching. read it in two days. extremely atmospheric. made me want to put on some ravi shankar, drink indian tea, and eat chicken masala all day long. :)

Death Angel Author: Linda Howard Subject: Mystery & Thrillers Book Type: Hardcover

WARNING: Do not start this book unless you have sometime, because it's a book you could sit down and read in one sitting it's so good. This book captured my attention from Chapter 1- It's HARD for a book to do that, but Linda Howard does accomplishes this in her latest book, Death Angel. I couldn't get through the pages quick enough. It's definitely a different story, and one that's a great read. She's given so much detail about Drea, that you feel really connected to her, which, sometimes you never get this close to the heroine. Bewareâ€"in this book, the H/H do not spend a huge amount of time together, and for some that's a problem, but I enjoyed the story so much, I didn't see it as a problem!

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan Author: Lisa See Subject: Literature & Fiction Book Type: Paperback

A beautiful and eloquent tale of life in China. Detail about foot binding and the socio economic status of the different classes. A tale of relationships and what the lack of honesty can do. This is one of my all time favorites!

Almost French: Love And A New Life In Paris Author: Sarah Turnbull Subject: Biographies & Memoirs, Travel Book Type: Paperback

Loved this true story. It provides insite about how French people think and behave, why they seem snobby to English speakers in particular. Very entertaining story of culture clashes.

Mother of Pearl Author: Melinda Haynes Subject: Literature & Fiction Book Type: Paperback

I want to recommend a serious novel: MOTHER OF PEARL. This was an Oprah Club book and I really enjoyed it. A bit out of normal realm for me, but I highly recommend it. The setting is small town Mississippi in the 1950's. If you are familiar with the Southern lifestyle you will get into the book right away. I have talked to others who weren't so accustomed to the way we do things "down South" and they thought the book was a little odd. (not bad-just odd) But trust me, this book rings pretty true. This is a story about judgements, persecution and prejudice. The two main characters are Even Grade, a 28 year old black man who grew up an orphan in a segregated small southern town and Valuable Korner, a fifteen year old girl, considered poor white trash, a daughter of a whore (father unknown). These two unlikely people develop a genuine friendship. The book is full of outrageous, believable characters who help these two try to create a life they never had as children. The author is Melinda Haynes. She is a great writer and this book really kept me turning pages as the mystery unfolded. Multiple plots lead up to a shattering tragedy. Great book.

Alien Overnight Author: Robin L. Rotham Book Type: Paperback

A good sci fi romance. Monica grew up physically underdeveloped, not know that she is part alien. Then her development begins very fast. Knowing what is happening before anyone else, the Alien Office Kellan claims her before anyone else, and Monica has no recourse. Now, everyone wants her and she doesn't want to be claimed. This is an entertaining story, with likeable characters.

Breaking Dawn (Twilight, Bk 4) Author: Stephenie Meyer Subject: Teens Book Type: Hardcover

I've seen a good mix of reviews for this book and while I see most of the points, I personally LOVED it. It was good closure for me. I liked how everything tied together, and everything made sense in the end.
I thought it was GREAT!

Breaking Dawn (Twilight, Bk 4) Author: Stephenie Meyer Subject: Teens Book Type: Hardcover

Breathtaking!!! Romantic with a happy ending. You will never know what hit you........BEAUTIFUL........

American Gods Author: Neil Gaiman Subject: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror, Substores Book Type: Paperback

Gaiman is at the top of his game. an excellent book!

Breaking Dawn (Twilight, Bk 4) Author: Stephenie Meyer Subject: Teens Book Type: Hardcover

This book was very very good. I don't want to give anything away, but the end gave me closure. A captivating end to an amazing series.

Darkling (Sisters of the Moon, Bk 3) Author: Yasmine Galenorn Subject: Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Type: Paperback

I am a HUGE fan of Galenorn's "Sisters of the Moon" series- Menolly was never my favorite character in the last two books so I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this one as much as the first two. Thankfully, I was wrong and this one ended up being my favorite! Menolly's story is darker in tone, we found out exactly what kind of sexual and violent torture she endured at Dredge's hands and it is horrific. She deals with her attraction to a new woman in her life while dealing with her scars (both physical and emotional) from her turning on top of their battle against Shadow Wing.

The highlight of the book to me was we FINALLY get to go into the other world! The descriptions were absolutely mesmerzing, and I wished I could have spent the rest of the book there. This novel was satisfying on its own but also set up the next book, Dragon Wytch, well. We're now very familiar with all the sisters, so the story has started to really kick into gear with the coming war. Highly recommended and remember- it's urban fantasy- NOT paranormal romance! (Why the publishers labeled it that I'll never know...)

Thief of Hearts Author: Victoria Taylor Murray Subject: Mystery & Thrillers Book Type: Paperback

My Amazon.com review: It hurts me to think of someone spending a credit on this trainwreck of a book. I knew I was in for a rough ride when "hot, silky bubble bath" and "hot, silky water" were both used within a paragraph of each other on the very first page. That was a sign that this is a very amateurish writer, which Murray did prove herself to be. Horrible spelling and punctation, elementary writing style, dialouge that sounds like it is coming out of the mouths of teenagers from the 80s, and shallow characters that the author did nothing to endear to me. It truly is the worst book I have ever read.

Water for Elephants Author: Sara Gruen Subject: Literature & Fiction Book Type: Paperback

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!!!! I, too, wasn't quite sure what to expect... it's not the normal type of book I usually read, but once I started reading it, I got so caught up that I didn't want to put it down. When I finished it, I immediately went to a friend at work to tell her that she HAD to read it and she said "OMG! I read it about 4 months ago. Isn't it amazing?!"

I highly recommend this book and it's definitely on my top favorite list of all time favorite books! :)

A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father Author: Augusten Burroughs Subject: Biographies & Memoirs Book Type: Hardcover

Can I give it a negative star?

Disclaimer: A. If I hadn't had to review this, I never would have picked it up. I've only ever thrown 2 books in the dumpster and "Running With Scissors" was one of them. B. As a mental health professional, I'm biased in my interpretation of this work.

Often when I review a book I find myself typing "great story, just poorly written." Well, this is the opposite. It is well written. Self-serving load of crap. But well written. Two hundred and fifty pages of self-indulgent, that can't possibly be true, garbage.

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