10 Hours, 1 minute.
This book explores the effect on her family and friends when Kimberly Larson, 18, goes missing. Sad story, nicely handled.
4 stars.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Book #27 in 2011
'Tis the Season! by Lorna Landvik.
Cute little Christmas story told almost entirely in the form of emails to and from the various characters.
Heiress Carolyn Dixon finds sobriety and friendship with some of those she'd previously alienated or left behind.
3 stars.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Book #26 in 2011
All Wound Up, the yarn harlot writes for a spin by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.
Knitting humor, if there is such a thing. Not as good as some of her previous books, but not as bad as others.
4 stars for fan-girls
3 stars for non-fan-girl knitters
I can't imagine anyone else reading this.
Knitting humor, if there is such a thing. Not as good as some of her previous books, but not as bad as others.
4 stars for fan-girls
3 stars for non-fan-girl knitters
I can't imagine anyone else reading this.
Book #25 in 2011 (Audio)
While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky. Read by Cassandra Campbell.
10 Hours, 10 minutes.
Interesting story about how a family reacts when one of the (grown) children has a heart attack and is ultimately declared brain dead. We really only get to know this sister through brief journal entries and how the other characters talk and feel about her. I think the author makes the mom too much of a bitch in the beginning. It is hard to have any sympathy for her.
3.5 stars as chick lit.
10 Hours, 10 minutes.
Interesting story about how a family reacts when one of the (grown) children has a heart attack and is ultimately declared brain dead. We really only get to know this sister through brief journal entries and how the other characters talk and feel about her. I think the author makes the mom too much of a bitch in the beginning. It is hard to have any sympathy for her.
3.5 stars as chick lit.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Book #24 in 2011 (Audio)
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Med Cabot. Read by Justine Eyre.
9 hours, 22 minutes.
OMG, what a whiny heroine. This story was vaguely interesting despite the annoyingly whiny Lizzie Nichols main character. This story doesn't even rate commenting on. It might have been somewhat better in print.
2 star rating for chick lit.
9 hours, 22 minutes.
OMG, what a whiny heroine. This story was vaguely interesting despite the annoyingly whiny Lizzie Nichols main character. This story doesn't even rate commenting on. It might have been somewhat better in print.
2 star rating for chick lit.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Book #23 in 2011 (Audio)
Size 14 is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot. Read by Kristin Kairos.
9 hours, 9 minutes.
I really enjoyed this novel and the reader did an excellent job. Normally, I don't care for Average Citizen detective stories, but I liked Heather Wells and her companions. It was not inconceivable that an adult would underestimate some college kids and that kept me from screaming every time she started questioning suspects, etc. I also like the New York College she made up and the drug dealer, Reggie.
I look forward to reading another book by Ms. Cabot. And I hope to listen to Ms. Kairos narrate more books in the future.
4 stars.
9 hours, 9 minutes.
I really enjoyed this novel and the reader did an excellent job. Normally, I don't care for Average Citizen detective stories, but I liked Heather Wells and her companions. It was not inconceivable that an adult would underestimate some college kids and that kept me from screaming every time she started questioning suspects, etc. I also like the New York College she made up and the drug dealer, Reggie.
I look forward to reading another book by Ms. Cabot. And I hope to listen to Ms. Kairos narrate more books in the future.
4 stars.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Book #22 in 2011 (Audio)
More Than Friends by Barbara Delinsky. Read by Barbara Rosenblat.
14.5 hours.
Interesting novel about the downfall of the family-like relationship of two families - the Popes and the Maxwells. Good characterization and great voices by the reader. Book was interesting enough to listen to in the car, even though most of the trips were short. I was able to be right back in the story each time I had a chance to listen.
4 stars.
14.5 hours.
Interesting novel about the downfall of the family-like relationship of two families - the Popes and the Maxwells. Good characterization and great voices by the reader. Book was interesting enough to listen to in the car, even though most of the trips were short. I was able to be right back in the story each time I had a chance to listen.
4 stars.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Book #21 in 2011
The Girl's Guide to Homelessness, a memoir by Brianna Karp.
The author may have been through some hard times, but it appears that many of the adult ones may have been of her own making. Buying jewelry and international plane tickets while complaining about not having enough money for a place to live? Leaving the warmth and safety of a B&B to wait at the train station in the snow and cold for an undependable fiance? I hope that she gets some professional money managing help for dealing with any proceeds from her book sale.
This amazon.com review snipet sums it up:
I thought this book should have been entitled "The Girls Guide to Bad Choices." It really has very little to do with the realities of being homeless, and frankly I'm not sure that choosing an alternative living arrangement is tantamount to being homeless. Plenty of people choose to RV full time; they generally don't consider themselves "homeless." I've known people who camped on the beach for months who didn't consider themselves homeless.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book, but if someone is interested in the topic, it is an ok read.
2.5 stars
The author may have been through some hard times, but it appears that many of the adult ones may have been of her own making. Buying jewelry and international plane tickets while complaining about not having enough money for a place to live? Leaving the warmth and safety of a B&B to wait at the train station in the snow and cold for an undependable fiance? I hope that she gets some professional money managing help for dealing with any proceeds from her book sale.
This amazon.com review snipet sums it up:
I thought this book should have been entitled "The Girls Guide to Bad Choices." It really has very little to do with the realities of being homeless, and frankly I'm not sure that choosing an alternative living arrangement is tantamount to being homeless. Plenty of people choose to RV full time; they generally don't consider themselves "homeless." I've known people who camped on the beach for months who didn't consider themselves homeless.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book, but if someone is interested in the topic, it is an ok read.
2.5 stars
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Book #20 in 2011
Now You See Her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge.
This was the worst book I've read in years. A ridiculous plot full of coincidences and boring characters. The predictable ending was the final nail in this coffin of a book.
Clearly, Mr. Patterson has gotten so big, that no one Little, Brown & Company dares to do any substantial editing or tell him that "his" book stink. His collaborative books are truly the worse junk he shovels out. He should go back to writing his own material and stop trying to just churn out as many books as possible.
Maybe he'll stop counting his money long enough to read my blog and take my advice. LOL.
1 star.
This was the worst book I've read in years. A ridiculous plot full of coincidences and boring characters. The predictable ending was the final nail in this coffin of a book.
Clearly, Mr. Patterson has gotten so big, that no one Little, Brown & Company dares to do any substantial editing or tell him that "his" book stink. His collaborative books are truly the worse junk he shovels out. He should go back to writing his own material and stop trying to just churn out as many books as possible.
Maybe he'll stop counting his money long enough to read my blog and take my advice. LOL.
1 star.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Book #19 in 2011
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult.
I finished this book in only a few days, all 466 pages of it. Maybe not a feat for some, but I've been pretty meh about reading this year.
I have new info on people going through IVF and all they endure financially and physically, although I still don't understand that crazed "I've got to have a baby and it has to be biologically mine".
I also have a new understanding about how seeming normal people can be drawn into those crazy, bible-thumping churches. Who wouldn't want a big group of people behind them? Sort of a surrogate extended family. Along with that, I got a peek into the lesbian relationship and it's not really any different than the hetero one, except for all the intolerance from the outside. I can't imagine how annoying and hurtful it must be to have to hide your partner from a large section of the world.
So, midway, I thought I'd be heading for a 5 star review, then came the weird Max-Liddy encounter, so maybe 4.5 stars. Except, once again, I feel like Ms. Picoult wrapped things up too quickly and tidily. 400+ pages of build-up deserve a bit more explanation for the ending. So I subtracted another half a star.
4 stars
I finished this book in only a few days, all 466 pages of it. Maybe not a feat for some, but I've been pretty meh about reading this year.
I have new info on people going through IVF and all they endure financially and physically, although I still don't understand that crazed "I've got to have a baby and it has to be biologically mine".
I also have a new understanding about how seeming normal people can be drawn into those crazy, bible-thumping churches. Who wouldn't want a big group of people behind them? Sort of a surrogate extended family. Along with that, I got a peek into the lesbian relationship and it's not really any different than the hetero one, except for all the intolerance from the outside. I can't imagine how annoying and hurtful it must be to have to hide your partner from a large section of the world.
So, midway, I thought I'd be heading for a 5 star review, then came the weird Max-Liddy encounter, so maybe 4.5 stars. Except, once again, I feel like Ms. Picoult wrapped things up too quickly and tidily. 400+ pages of build-up deserve a bit more explanation for the ending. So I subtracted another half a star.
4 stars
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Book #18 in 2011
Photo Snap Shot, A Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-n-Craft Mystery by Joanna Campbell Slan.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the last one I read in the series. Kiki is again on the trail of a killer after her daughter discovers a dead body at her school. I'm not quite sure why I didn't like it as much. Maybe I read it too soon after the other? I had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight.
3 stars.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the last one I read in the series. Kiki is again on the trail of a killer after her daughter discovers a dead body at her school. I'm not quite sure why I didn't like it as much. Maybe I read it too soon after the other? I had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight.
3 stars.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Book #17 in 2011 (Audio)
Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky. Read by Susan Ericksen.
17 hours.
I don't remember why I picked this book. Maybe it was on a display shelf, or perhaps I searched by narrator. Either way, I put off listening to it for quite some time, and I'm sorry I did. It was much better than I ever expected.
Plot centers on the Grelier family and their neighbors in a Kansas valley where farming is the way of life. A wiccan moves into a distant family member's abandoned home next door and sets off a series of events which may change the valley forever.
A disturbing look at religious fundamentalism and an eye-opening look at what the life of American farmers is like.
From scanning the Amazon.com reviews, it seems this novel may be a departure from Ms. Paretsky's usual style of writing. That's a shame. I'd like to see more books like this.
4 stars.
17 hours.
I don't remember why I picked this book. Maybe it was on a display shelf, or perhaps I searched by narrator. Either way, I put off listening to it for quite some time, and I'm sorry I did. It was much better than I ever expected.
Plot centers on the Grelier family and their neighbors in a Kansas valley where farming is the way of life. A wiccan moves into a distant family member's abandoned home next door and sets off a series of events which may change the valley forever.
A disturbing look at religious fundamentalism and an eye-opening look at what the life of American farmers is like.
From scanning the Amazon.com reviews, it seems this novel may be a departure from Ms. Paretsky's usual style of writing. That's a shame. I'd like to see more books like this.
4 stars.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Book #16 in 2011
Make Take Murder by Joanna Campbell Slan.
Latest book in the Scrap-n-Craft Mystery series.
I wasn't expecting to really enjoy this book. A character named Kiki Lowenstein? Scrapbooking store as a setting? But I was surprised when I was drawn into the story, almost from page 1. Kiki is searching in the dumpster behind her store for a lost paycheck. Instead, she finds a severed leg. The rest of the book is, of course, solving the mystery, with several interesting sub-plots along the way.
I give this book 4 stars, with the caveat that it is clearly chick-lit. You can even add a half a star if you're into scrapbooking. (It made me want to head over the the local scrapping store.)
Latest book in the Scrap-n-Craft Mystery series.
I wasn't expecting to really enjoy this book. A character named Kiki Lowenstein? Scrapbooking store as a setting? But I was surprised when I was drawn into the story, almost from page 1. Kiki is searching in the dumpster behind her store for a lost paycheck. Instead, she finds a severed leg. The rest of the book is, of course, solving the mystery, with several interesting sub-plots along the way.
I give this book 4 stars, with the caveat that it is clearly chick-lit. You can even add a half a star if you're into scrapbooking. (It made me want to head over the the local scrapping store.)
Monday, May 30, 2011
Book #15 in 2011
Love You More by Lisa Gardner.
Detective story featuring D.D. Warren. She is not my favorite recurring character, so I was happy the story contained little of her personal life and instead focused on the murder of Brian Darby and the disappearance of six year old Sophie.
Gardner weaves an interesting tale that keeps you guessing throughout the novel. My only criticism is that the ultimate "bad guy" kind of comes out of nowhere. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
4.5 stars.
Detective story featuring D.D. Warren. She is not my favorite recurring character, so I was happy the story contained little of her personal life and instead focused on the murder of Brian Darby and the disappearance of six year old Sophie.
Gardner weaves an interesting tale that keeps you guessing throughout the novel. My only criticism is that the ultimate "bad guy" kind of comes out of nowhere. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
4.5 stars.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Book #14 in 2011
10th Anniversary by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro.
The 10th novel featuring the Women's Murder Club contains the usual Patterson fare of short, page-turning chapters. I can't remember any of the plots of the previous nine books in the series, but this isn't the kind of book you read for mental challenge or to change your life. It was just an enjoyable, quick read.
4 stars, for what it is.
The 10th novel featuring the Women's Murder Club contains the usual Patterson fare of short, page-turning chapters. I can't remember any of the plots of the previous nine books in the series, but this isn't the kind of book you read for mental challenge or to change your life. It was just an enjoyable, quick read.
4 stars, for what it is.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Book #13 in 2011 (Audio Book)
The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews. Read by Isabel Keating.
Enjoyable, light reading. This is an okay novel, for what it is. It will never be mistaken for fine literature, but was fun to listen to in the car. Ms. Keating is a reader I haven't heard before. She has a nice voice and did a fine job with the different characters. I especially enjoyed her rendition of the old curmudgeon, Ella Kate.
Dempsey Killebrew is a young lobbyist working in Washington, DC, until her boss sets her up to take the fall in a congressional bribery scheme. Broke and unemployed, Dempsey heads off to a small town in Georgia to prepare an old, family home for sale.
4 stars, as chick lit.
Enjoyable, light reading. This is an okay novel, for what it is. It will never be mistaken for fine literature, but was fun to listen to in the car. Ms. Keating is a reader I haven't heard before. She has a nice voice and did a fine job with the different characters. I especially enjoyed her rendition of the old curmudgeon, Ella Kate.
Dempsey Killebrew is a young lobbyist working in Washington, DC, until her boss sets her up to take the fall in a congressional bribery scheme. Broke and unemployed, Dempsey heads off to a small town in Georgia to prepare an old, family home for sale.
4 stars, as chick lit.
Book #12 in 2011
A Child Call "It" by Dave Pelzer.
Disturbing memoir of a child abuse victim. Although there is excruciating details on his abuse, there is no explanation of what changed his mother from a loving parent to a crazed abuser. The book felt fake and unbelievable without that information.
Also, I found absolutely nothing inspirational about this story.
2 stars.
Disturbing memoir of a child abuse victim. Although there is excruciating details on his abuse, there is no explanation of what changed his mother from a loving parent to a crazed abuser. The book felt fake and unbelievable without that information.
Also, I found absolutely nothing inspirational about this story.
2 stars.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Book #11 in 2011
Once Upon a Time, There Was You by Elizabeth Berg.
What a disappointment! This could have, should have, been a great book. The first few chapters gave a great characterization of the parents. Sadly, the "tragedy" that befalls Sadie seemed to be a silly dumbing-down of what the reader was expecting. After that, Sadie's reaction is also ridiculous.
I am a big fan of EB's, so this novel was especially disappointing. I would never recommend this book to anyone.
2 stars.
What a disappointment! This could have, should have, been a great book. The first few chapters gave a great characterization of the parents. Sadly, the "tragedy" that befalls Sadie seemed to be a silly dumbing-down of what the reader was expecting. After that, Sadie's reaction is also ridiculous.
I am a big fan of EB's, so this novel was especially disappointing. I would never recommend this book to anyone.
2 stars.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Book #10 in 2011
Save as Draft by Cavanaugh Lee.
Written as a series of emails, with an occasional tweet or text message thrown in. Enjoyable story of Izzy's search for true love.
The format of the writing, with email to/from/date/time/re: eats up lots of page space, making this a really quick read. I finished it in two sittings.
4 stars as chick-lit. Can't imagine anyone else reading it, so it stays as 4 stars.
Written as a series of emails, with an occasional tweet or text message thrown in. Enjoyable story of Izzy's search for true love.
The format of the writing, with email to/from/date/time/re: eats up lots of page space, making this a really quick read. I finished it in two sittings.
4 stars as chick-lit. Can't imagine anyone else reading it, so it stays as 4 stars.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Book #9 in 2011
The Source of All Things by Tracy Ross.
I was disappointed in this book after all the rave reviews I read. While Ms. Ross suffered abuse at the hands of her step-father, she clearly enjoys wearing her victimhood like a crown. She also never clearly explains why she remains in relatively close contact with this man despite what he did. She does have a nice writing style though, which is really the only reason I finished reading it.
2.5 stars.
I was disappointed in this book after all the rave reviews I read. While Ms. Ross suffered abuse at the hands of her step-father, she clearly enjoys wearing her victimhood like a crown. She also never clearly explains why she remains in relatively close contact with this man despite what he did. She does have a nice writing style though, which is really the only reason I finished reading it.
2.5 stars.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Book #8 in 2011
Tick Tock by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge.
Another novel featuring Detective Michael Bennett. This was one of the better Patterson books I've read lately. While I dislike all the stuff about "my wacky family!", I do enjoy the NYC setting. Also, Patterson created an antagonist who is more than just evil. There was a bit of me that was hoping Berger/Carl would escape with the money.
3.5 stars. Would have been 4 without all the family stuff.
Another novel featuring Detective Michael Bennett. This was one of the better Patterson books I've read lately. While I dislike all the stuff about "my wacky family!", I do enjoy the NYC setting. Also, Patterson created an antagonist who is more than just evil. There was a bit of me that was hoping Berger/Carl would escape with the money.
3.5 stars. Would have been 4 without all the family stuff.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Book #7 in 2011
The Confession by John Grisham.
Excellent novel about a (wrongly) convicted man on death row and the people who try to save him. Has caused me to reconsider my pro death-penalty stance.
4.5 stars.
Excellent novel about a (wrongly) convicted man on death row and the people who try to save him. Has caused me to reconsider my pro death-penalty stance.
4.5 stars.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Book #6 in 2011 (Audio)
No Second Chance by Harlan Coben. Read by Scott Brick.
13 Hours.
Someone shoots a doctor and his wife and kidnaps their daughter. The wife dies, but the doctor recovers and starts off on a journey to find his little girl, with the help of his ex-girlfriend sho also happens to be an ex-FBI agent, who left the Bureau under murky circumstances.
This book took too many twists and turns for my liking and the narration was a touch too dramatic. I think if it was about 9 hours, it would have been much better.
3 stars.
13 Hours.
Someone shoots a doctor and his wife and kidnaps their daughter. The wife dies, but the doctor recovers and starts off on a journey to find his little girl, with the help of his ex-girlfriend sho also happens to be an ex-FBI agent, who left the Bureau under murky circumstances.
This book took too many twists and turns for my liking and the narration was a touch too dramatic. I think if it was about 9 hours, it would have been much better.
3 stars.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Book #5 in 2011
Needles and Pearls by Gil McNeil.
Follow-up to The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club. More about Jo, her boys, her gran and the folks in Broadgate. Ok story with some interesting twists.
3.5 stars for readers who knit.
Follow-up to The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club. More about Jo, her boys, her gran and the folks in Broadgate. Ok story with some interesting twists.
3.5 stars for readers who knit.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Book #4 in 2011
Something Borrowed, Something Bleu by Cricket McRae.
Fourth book in the Home Crafting Mystery series. Sophie Mae tries to make sense of her brother's suicide 18 years ago by returning to her home town while also learning how to make cheese. Some interesting twists.
3.5 stars.
Fourth book in the Home Crafting Mystery series. Sophie Mae tries to make sense of her brother's suicide 18 years ago by returning to her home town while also learning how to make cheese. Some interesting twists.
3.5 stars.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Book #3 in 2011
Cross Fire by James Patterson.
I think this is the worst Patterson book to date. I am feeling generous today, so 2.5 stars instead of 2, and that's only because I managed to finish it.
Kyle Craig is back, but where is the tension? Yawn. Also, Mr. Smith is back? Really? Any other characters going to be resurrected.
I think this is the worst Patterson book to date. I am feeling generous today, so 2.5 stars instead of 2, and that's only because I managed to finish it.
Kyle Craig is back, but where is the tension? Yawn. Also, Mr. Smith is back? Really? Any other characters going to be resurrected.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Book #2 in 2011 (Audio)
Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner. Read by Judith Light.
14 hours, 30 minutes.
When a married senator gets caught cheating, how does it effect the other members of his family? Told from the viewpoints of the wife and each of the 2 daughters. I was somewhat disappointed by Sylvie's choice at the end of the book.
Had some trouble with Judith Light as the reader at first - kept hearing of Angela Bower from Who's the Boss? - but after settling in, I enjoyed her narration.
4 stars, as chick-lit.
14 hours, 30 minutes.
When a married senator gets caught cheating, how does it effect the other members of his family? Told from the viewpoints of the wife and each of the 2 daughters. I was somewhat disappointed by Sylvie's choice at the end of the book.
Had some trouble with Judith Light as the reader at first - kept hearing of Angela Bower from Who's the Boss? - but after settling in, I enjoyed her narration.
4 stars, as chick-lit.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Book #1 in 2011 (Audio)
The Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg. Read by the author.
Old classmates return home for their 40th, and final, high school reunion. Classic Berg.
4 stars.
Old classmates return home for their 40th, and final, high school reunion. Classic Berg.
4 stars.
Results for 2010
I finished only 39 books in 2010. That is a success rate of 75%, or a failure rate of 25%, I suppose. Surprisingly, this is the same number of books completed for 2009. Hmmm.
I have not made a goal of 52 books read in 2011, but will continue to keep track of them anyway. I wonder if this will effect my results.
I have not made a goal of 52 books read in 2011, but will continue to keep track of them anyway. I wonder if this will effect my results.
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