You by Caroline Kepnes.
Terrifying look inside the mind of stalker, Joe Goldberg.
5 stars.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Book #35 in 2014
Stuffology 101: Get Your Mind Out of the Clutter by Brenda Avadian and Eric Riddle.
Self-helpy decluttering book. A bit campy at times, but very helpful. I especially liked the idea of "temporal" clutter: those thoughts and distractions that keep you from focusing on and achieving your goals.
I would like to re-read this in the future.
4 stars.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Book #34 in 2014
Burn by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge.
Detective Michael Bennett, et al are back in New York City. The usual Patterson. Not sure why I finished it or why I even pick up his books anymore. This one had the added benefit of a disgusting cannibalism plot.
3 stars.
Detective Michael Bennett, et al are back in New York City. The usual Patterson. Not sure why I finished it or why I even pick up his books anymore. This one had the added benefit of a disgusting cannibalism plot.
3 stars.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Book #33 in 2014 (Audio)
The Girls' Guide to Love and Supper Clubs by Dana Bate. Read by Meredith Mitchell.
Kind of a rambling story about the life of Hannah Sugarman as she moves from a career in economics (that she hates) to cooking (which her parents think is silly).
I liked the story and the characters and the reader's voice.
4 stars.
Kind of a rambling story about the life of Hannah Sugarman as she moves from a career in economics (that she hates) to cooking (which her parents think is silly).
I liked the story and the characters and the reader's voice.
4 stars.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Book #32 in 2014
Pawing Through the Past by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown.
Someone is killing off members of the Crozet High class of 1980, just as the 20th reunion is coming up.
Book was ok and the mystery was kind of a surprise, but as usual, there were so many characters, I get confused. My favorite part is always the talk among the animals.
3 stars. It might have been higher if I wasn't reading the books out of order.
Someone is killing off members of the Crozet High class of 1980, just as the 20th reunion is coming up.
Book was ok and the mystery was kind of a surprise, but as usual, there were so many characters, I get confused. My favorite part is always the talk among the animals.
3 stars. It might have been higher if I wasn't reading the books out of order.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Book #31 in 2014
Tempting Fate by Jane Green.
Will a wife's emotional (and once physical) affair ruin her 20 year marriage? Yawn. Who really cares?
3 stars.
Will a wife's emotional (and once physical) affair ruin her 20 year marriage? Yawn. Who really cares?
3 stars.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Book #30 in 2014 (Audio)
The Gilly Salt Sisters by Tiffany Baker. Read by Angela Brazil.
The story of two sisters on the Massachusetts coast. Claire and Jo grow up on the family salt farm, but only Jo embraces the life as an adult. After much floundering, Claire eventually returns to the farm.
I was disappointed in this after reading Mercy Snow, which I thought was excellent. I never really got attached to any of the characters in the story.
3 stars.
The story of two sisters on the Massachusetts coast. Claire and Jo grow up on the family salt farm, but only Jo embraces the life as an adult. After much floundering, Claire eventually returns to the farm.
I was disappointed in this after reading Mercy Snow, which I thought was excellent. I never really got attached to any of the characters in the story.
3 stars.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Book #29 in 2014
The Street Lawyer by John Grisham.
Michael Brock, WASPy big law firm associate, has a chance encounter with a homeless man and upends his life to become a lawyer for the homeless people of Washington, DC.
A little preachy at times, but I enjoyed the fantasy of someone changing so completely. Old title from 1999, not sure how I missed it when it came out.
4 stars.
Michael Brock, WASPy big law firm associate, has a chance encounter with a homeless man and upends his life to become a lawyer for the homeless people of Washington, DC.
A little preachy at times, but I enjoyed the fantasy of someone changing so completely. Old title from 1999, not sure how I missed it when it came out.
4 stars.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Book #28 in 2014
Unlucky 13 by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro.
Latest inWomen's Murder Club series. Not a big fan of this one, it was like 3 plot lines competing instead of working together.
1. The Belly Bomber (I could not take this name seriously even for a second)
2. Yuki's honeymoon (Pirates in Alaska! And never fully developed or explained why they took over the boat)
3. Cindy vs. Morales (because local reporters are way better investigators than the FBI)
Since I finished it, I'll give it 3 stars, but I'm feeling generous.
Latest inWomen's Murder Club series. Not a big fan of this one, it was like 3 plot lines competing instead of working together.
1. The Belly Bomber (I could not take this name seriously even for a second)
2. Yuki's honeymoon (Pirates in Alaska! And never fully developed or explained why they took over the boat)
3. Cindy vs. Morales (because local reporters are way better investigators than the FBI)
Since I finished it, I'll give it 3 stars, but I'm feeling generous.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Book #27 in 2014 (Audio)
The 60 Second Procrastinator by Jeff Davidson.
No run time given, but it was pretty short, only 2 CDs.
Lots of good tips for beating procrastination. I've notice an uptick in my productivity while I've been listening to this in the car. When I get home, I jump right into a task. Maybe I need a permanent loop of this playing in my life.
4 stars because it actually helped me. Nothing new under the sun here, but a nice compilation.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Book #26 in 2014
Invisible by James Patterson and David Ellis.
FBI research analyst Emmy Dockery is the only one who believes her sister's death is a fire wasn't accidental, but murder. Spoiler alert: turns out to be a serial killer.
Fast moving mystery, more like the Patterson of the old days. I would have added another half a star if the killer's identity didn't feel a little gimmicky.
4 stars.
FBI research analyst Emmy Dockery is the only one who believes her sister's death is a fire wasn't accidental, but murder. Spoiler alert: turns out to be a serial killer.
Fast moving mystery, more like the Patterson of the old days. I would have added another half a star if the killer's identity didn't feel a little gimmicky.
4 stars.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Book #25 in 2014
Nine Lives to Die by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown.
Harry Haristeen once again gets involved in the latest crimes in Crozet, VA. Are the deaths of two prominent men related to the old skeleton unearthed by a fallen tree? What about the missing church checks? Coincidence?
As usual, the pets (Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker) and the other animals are the stars of the book, at least for me. I don't think I'd continue reading these books if the pet chatter was eliminated.
3 stars.
Harry Haristeen once again gets involved in the latest crimes in Crozet, VA. Are the deaths of two prominent men related to the old skeleton unearthed by a fallen tree? What about the missing church checks? Coincidence?
As usual, the pets (Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker) and the other animals are the stars of the book, at least for me. I don't think I'd continue reading these books if the pet chatter was eliminated.
3 stars.
Book #24 in 2014 (Audio)
Mercy Snow by Tiffany Baker. Read by Christine Lakin.
11.5 hours.
Beautifully written and delightfully narrated. The story of two families, the McAllisters and the Snows, and how their lives intersect in the small mill town of Titan Falls, New Hampshire.
5 stars.
11.5 hours.
Beautifully written and delightfully narrated. The story of two families, the McAllisters and the Snows, and how their lives intersect in the small mill town of Titan Falls, New Hampshire.
5 stars.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Book #23 in 2014
Her Last Breath by Linda Castillo.
Latest in the Amish murder series, and my least favorite.
Three members of an Amish family are killed when their buggy is hit by a car, in a hit and run.
The story was quite good, but the murders' identities really came out of left field. It was unbelievable, to me anyway.
3 stars, but would have been higher but for the resolution.
Latest in the Amish murder series, and my least favorite.
Three members of an Amish family are killed when their buggy is hit by a car, in a hit and run.
The story was quite good, but the murders' identities really came out of left field. It was unbelievable, to me anyway.
3 stars, but would have been higher but for the resolution.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Book #22 in 2014
One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf.
A small school in Iowa is taken over by a man with a gun.
Fast-moving, interesting and keeps you guessing until the end. What's not to like?
5 stars
A small school in Iowa is taken over by a man with a gun.
Fast-moving, interesting and keeps you guessing until the end. What's not to like?
5 stars
Book #21 in 2014 (Audio)
The Uncoupling by Meg Wolitzer. Read by Angela Brazil.
7 hours, 30 minutes.
Once I let go of reality, the book was quite enjoyable to listen to. A spell overtakes a suburban New Jersey town leaving the women feeling no desire for their mates. Is the new drama teacher, who is putting on a production of Lysistrata behind it? (Spoiler alert: yes)
4 stars.
7 hours, 30 minutes.
Once I let go of reality, the book was quite enjoyable to listen to. A spell overtakes a suburban New Jersey town leaving the women feeling no desire for their mates. Is the new drama teacher, who is putting on a production of Lysistrata behind it? (Spoiler alert: yes)
4 stars.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Book #20 in 2014
Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf.
Veteran social worker who works with abused children, suddenly finds herself on the other side of The System when she accidentally causes her youngest child great harm.
I enjoyed this book and would probably have given it 5 stars if not for how quickly the investigation against Ellen is wrapped up.
4.5 stars.
Veteran social worker who works with abused children, suddenly finds herself on the other side of The System when she accidentally causes her youngest child great harm.
I enjoyed this book and would probably have given it 5 stars if not for how quickly the investigation against Ellen is wrapped up.
4.5 stars.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Book #19 in 2014
Best Kept Secret by Amy Hatvany.
I think the secret here is how such a good writer wrote such a boring book.
The main character was whiny and unsympathetic. I couldn't figure out if the author was pro-alcoholic or anti. Plus Cadee's remarkable recovery seemed to make light of how difficult a struggle this disease must be.
1 star.
I think the secret here is how such a good writer wrote such a boring book.
The main character was whiny and unsympathetic. I couldn't figure out if the author was pro-alcoholic or anti. Plus Cadee's remarkable recovery seemed to make light of how difficult a struggle this disease must be.
1 star.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Book #18 in 2014 (Audio)
The Ten Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer. Read by Alyssa Bresnahan.
I wasn't sure I was going to like listening to this when I first heard the narrator's voice, but it grew on me. I really enjoyed and related to the story about Amy Lam and her friends and how they struggle to rejoin "real life" after being home with the kids.
4 stars.
I wasn't sure I was going to like listening to this when I first heard the narrator's voice, but it grew on me. I really enjoyed and related to the story about Amy Lam and her friends and how they struggle to rejoin "real life" after being home with the kids.
4 stars.
Book #17 in 2014
NYPD Red 2 by James Patterson and Marshall Karp.
Reads more like the old Patterson style. I liked it. The Red Squad tracks down The Hazmat Killer.
I finished this a week or so ago and forgot to log it in, so I'm a little sketchy on the details.
4 stars.
Reads more like the old Patterson style. I liked it. The Red Squad tracks down The Hazmat Killer.
I finished this a week or so ago and forgot to log it in, so I'm a little sketchy on the details.
4 stars.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Book #16 in 2014
Blossom Street Brides by Debbie Macomber.
Latest installment of the happenings on Blossom Street, loosely centered on the local yarn shop, A Good Yarn. Sickeningly sweet romance, but not so bad I didn't read it in just a few sittings.
4 stars for what it is: chick-lit romance.
Latest installment of the happenings on Blossom Street, loosely centered on the local yarn shop, A Good Yarn. Sickeningly sweet romance, but not so bad I didn't read it in just a few sittings.
4 stars for what it is: chick-lit romance.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Book #15 in 2014
Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo.
Chief Kate Burkeholder investigates the murder of an entire Amish family and learns more than she wanted to.
4 stars.
Chief Kate Burkeholder investigates the murder of an entire Amish family and learns more than she wanted to.
4 stars.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Book #14 in 2014
Gone Missing by Linda Castillo.
Amish teenage girls in Ohio are disappearing. Can Police Chief Kate Burkholder, once Amish herself, help solve the case? (Spoiler: yes)
This book is apparently part of a series. I will probably go back and read the rest at some point.
4 stars.
Amish teenage girls in Ohio are disappearing. Can Police Chief Kate Burkholder, once Amish herself, help solve the case? (Spoiler: yes)
This book is apparently part of a series. I will probably go back and read the rest at some point.
4 stars.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Book #13 in 2014 (Audio)
The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer. Read by Jen Tullock.
15 hours, 43 minutes.
An interesting look at 6 teens who meet at a summer camp for artists in the 1970s. The book follows their lives for the next 40 years, as two of the friends rise to fame and fortune while the others do not. Can their friendship sustain envy, resentment, secrets and loss?
Excellent character development by the author and great narration by Ms. Tullock. I was sad when the book ended.
4.5 stars.
15 hours, 43 minutes.
An interesting look at 6 teens who meet at a summer camp for artists in the 1970s. The book follows their lives for the next 40 years, as two of the friends rise to fame and fortune while the others do not. Can their friendship sustain envy, resentment, secrets and loss?
Excellent character development by the author and great narration by Ms. Tullock. I was sad when the book ended.
4.5 stars.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Book #12 in 2014
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty.
A husband guiltily writes a letter for his wife to open upon his death. Wife finds the letter while husband is very much alive, opens it, and is unprepared for how her life will change.
I really enjoyed this book. Specifically, the aspect of what would have happened if.... and how one decision can change the life of so many people.
5 stars.
A husband guiltily writes a letter for his wife to open upon his death. Wife finds the letter while husband is very much alive, opens it, and is unprepared for how her life will change.
I really enjoyed this book. Specifically, the aspect of what would have happened if.... and how one decision can change the life of so many people.
5 stars.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Book #11 in 2014
Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister.
At her cancer victory party, Kate gives each of her friends a challenge to perform that will changes their lives.
Good writing and characterization, but not much action. Definitely "chick lit". No murders or car chases.
4 stars.
At her cancer victory party, Kate gives each of her friends a challenge to perform that will changes their lives.
Good writing and characterization, but not much action. Definitely "chick lit". No murders or car chases.
4 stars.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Book #10 in 2014
Safe with Me by Amy Hatvany.
The story of Olivia and Hannah who are linked by their daughters when Hannah's daughter dies in a car crash and Olivia's daughter receives her liver in a much-needed transplant.
I thought the way the characters met was rather coincidental, although explained away deftly by the author. Otherwise, good characterization and interesting (enough) story. I finished this in a few days. Easy reading.
4 stars.
The story of Olivia and Hannah who are linked by their daughters when Hannah's daughter dies in a car crash and Olivia's daughter receives her liver in a much-needed transplant.
I thought the way the characters met was rather coincidental, although explained away deftly by the author. Otherwise, good characterization and interesting (enough) story. I finished this in a few days. Easy reading.
4 stars.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Book #9 in 2014 (Audio)
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. Read by Caroline Lee.
20 hours, 48 minutes.
Love, love, loved this! I was so sorry to see it end. The reader did an excellent job and the story was excellent. The story centers around Nell who is seeking to learn of her biological family, after he father tells her she was found , at age 4, lost and alone on the dock and he brought her home to his depressed wife and the couple "adopted" her.
5 stars.
20 hours, 48 minutes.
Love, love, loved this! I was so sorry to see it end. The reader did an excellent job and the story was excellent. The story centers around Nell who is seeking to learn of her biological family, after he father tells her she was found , at age 4, lost and alone on the dock and he brought her home to his depressed wife and the couple "adopted" her.
5 stars.
Book #8 in 2014
Private L.A. by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan.
First book I've read in this series and I will probably try another. The characters were interesting and of course the book is heavy on plot. I did think the two parallel stories ended rather abruptly. The No Prisoners ending was kind of hard to swallow, and I never much cared about the Harlows, the missing Hollywood couple. Hmm. Maybe I didn't like it as much as I thought?
3.5 stars.
First book I've read in this series and I will probably try another. The characters were interesting and of course the book is heavy on plot. I did think the two parallel stories ended rather abruptly. The No Prisoners ending was kind of hard to swallow, and I never much cared about the Harlows, the missing Hollywood couple. Hmm. Maybe I didn't like it as much as I thought?
3.5 stars.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Book #7 in 2014
Picture Perfect Corpse by Joanna Campbell Slan.
The latest installment of the Kiki Lowenstein adventures. Pregnant Kiki and all those around her are shocked when her fiancee is arrested for the murder of his estranged wife, Brenda. Despite admonishments from Chad's attorney, Kiki pokes around trying to clear the case. All this takes place right after the end of the last novel, in which she shoots Bill Ballard, who has been hunting her.
The story was okay, but I kept getting Kiki mixed up with Sophie Mae from the other crafters series.
Also, it wrapped up so quickly it was like a deadline loomed and she quick finished it off.
3.5 stars
The latest installment of the Kiki Lowenstein adventures. Pregnant Kiki and all those around her are shocked when her fiancee is arrested for the murder of his estranged wife, Brenda. Despite admonishments from Chad's attorney, Kiki pokes around trying to clear the case. All this takes place right after the end of the last novel, in which she shoots Bill Ballard, who has been hunting her.
The story was okay, but I kept getting Kiki mixed up with Sophie Mae from the other crafters series.
Also, it wrapped up so quickly it was like a deadline loomed and she quick finished it off.
3.5 stars
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Book #6 in 2014
Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight.
Kate receives a call at work demanding her daughter be picked up from school immediately, but by the time she arrives (late, as usual), Amanda is dead. Initially, Amanda's death is ruled a suicide, but then Kate receives some anonymous text messages that suggest Amanda didn't jump off the school roof, she was pushed. Kate then launches into a new investigation of Amanda's death, discovering things about her daughter that seem unthinkable to Kate.
4.5 stars. The book was excellent, and almost a 5 star, except for some coincidences at the end which were unbelievable.
Kate receives a call at work demanding her daughter be picked up from school immediately, but by the time she arrives (late, as usual), Amanda is dead. Initially, Amanda's death is ruled a suicide, but then Kate receives some anonymous text messages that suggest Amanda didn't jump off the school roof, she was pushed. Kate then launches into a new investigation of Amanda's death, discovering things about her daughter that seem unthinkable to Kate.
4.5 stars. The book was excellent, and almost a 5 star, except for some coincidences at the end which were unbelievable.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Book #5 in 2014
A Dark and Stormy Knit by Anne Canadeo.
Is the murder of a local co-ed related to the Knit Kats, a group of anonymous yarn graffiti artists? Maggie Messina and her Black Sheep Knitters are on the case, along with the local cops, of course.
4 stars for chick-knit-lit. Subtract one for the non-crafty.
Is the murder of a local co-ed related to the Knit Kats, a group of anonymous yarn graffiti artists? Maggie Messina and her Black Sheep Knitters are on the case, along with the local cops, of course.
4 stars for chick-knit-lit. Subtract one for the non-crafty.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Book #4 in 2014
Fear Nothing by Lisa Gardner.
Despite an injury that has her on medical leave, Detective D.D. Warren helps the team catch The Rose Killer, who is copying a 40-year old serial killer, Harry Day. Are the killings somehow related to Harry, or perhaps to his daughter Shana Day, a killer in her own right, but who is currently serving a life sentence? Where does younger daughter, Dr. Adeline Glen, a psychiatrist with a rare condition that prevents her from feeling pain, fit in?
4 stars.
Despite an injury that has her on medical leave, Detective D.D. Warren helps the team catch The Rose Killer, who is copying a 40-year old serial killer, Harry Day. Are the killings somehow related to Harry, or perhaps to his daughter Shana Day, a killer in her own right, but who is currently serving a life sentence? Where does younger daughter, Dr. Adeline Glen, a psychiatrist with a rare condition that prevents her from feeling pain, fit in?
4 stars.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Book #3 in 2014
Cross My Heart by James Patterson.
Alex Cross must find out who is killing prostitutes, while his wife investigates who is kidnapping babies. Could the two cases be linked? Meanwhile, another madman is stalking the Cross family, planning his own assault.
This could have been a 4 star book, except it's really only half a book. The stalker case is not resolved and is left hanging for the next book. After Ava rises from the dead, I never once believed that the whole family is truly dead. Please, authors, if you kill someone off, let them rest in peace.
Since it's half a book, I can only offer a 2-star rating. The author did this recently in the Michael Bennett series, too. I really hope this is not a new trend, because I don't like it.
2 stars.
Alex Cross must find out who is killing prostitutes, while his wife investigates who is kidnapping babies. Could the two cases be linked? Meanwhile, another madman is stalking the Cross family, planning his own assault.
This could have been a 4 star book, except it's really only half a book. The stalker case is not resolved and is left hanging for the next book. After Ava rises from the dead, I never once believed that the whole family is truly dead. Please, authors, if you kill someone off, let them rest in peace.
Since it's half a book, I can only offer a 2-star rating. The author did this recently in the Michael Bennett series, too. I really hope this is not a new trend, because I don't like it.
2 stars.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Book #2 in 2014
The Litter of the Law by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown.
The latest Mrs. Murphy mystery by RMB and SPB. What's behind the murders in Crozet at Halloween time? Will the haunted hayride be more than the residents bargained for? I couldn't get into this book for some reason and had to force myself to finish reading it. Maybe the animals weren't in it enough? And the whole Indian history stuff re: land rights was confusing, and kind of boring.
2 stars.
The latest Mrs. Murphy mystery by RMB and SPB. What's behind the murders in Crozet at Halloween time? Will the haunted hayride be more than the residents bargained for? I couldn't get into this book for some reason and had to force myself to finish reading it. Maybe the animals weren't in it enough? And the whole Indian history stuff re: land rights was confusing, and kind of boring.
2 stars.
Book #1 in 2014
Simplify Your Christmas by Elaine St. James.
Since this was written 15 years ago, it's not surprising that some of the information is rather dated. However, the main idea, that Christmas has become too commercial and overwhelming, remains intact, if not more relevant than ever. Sure, some of the 100 tips aren't current, but most of them are, sadly, still very much current. I checked this out of the library, but really need to buy a copy to have on hand for when the "Christmas season" starts next September, or will it be August?
I hope the author comes out with an updated version some day.
4 stars.
Since this was written 15 years ago, it's not surprising that some of the information is rather dated. However, the main idea, that Christmas has become too commercial and overwhelming, remains intact, if not more relevant than ever. Sure, some of the 100 tips aren't current, but most of them are, sadly, still very much current. I checked this out of the library, but really need to buy a copy to have on hand for when the "Christmas season" starts next September, or will it be August?
I hope the author comes out with an updated version some day.
4 stars.
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