Making a Change

I've decided that I'm going to stop blogging about my books for awhile. Not because I'm not reading, but because the blogging is starting to be less fun for me than it used to be AND because I have a Goodreads account that keeps up with my reading and I feel like I'm doing it twice.

So, in the effort to work smarter, not harder, I'm going to only post my reviews on Goodreads. These will still be posted to Facebook and Twitter so you can read them, but I'll be using this blog to talk about things besides books. Or maybe books AND other things, since books are kinda my life anyway!

Speaking of books, I was in the Barnes & Noble today with my husband and used the "Read in Store" function on my Nook to read the first few chapters of Lee Child's new book, "The Affair." Now I've got to decide if I want to buy it or fight the library for a copy!

While I'm on the subject of Lee Child....I am NOT happy that they have chosen Tom Cruise to play the part of Reacher in the upcoming movie. Nothing against Tom, but he's NO Reacher!

# 70 -- Pedro and Me

This book by Judd Winick is one graphic novel everyone should read. I was unaware of the title until it was pointed out to me as a GN that is not shelved in the 745.1 section.

The book is a story of two men from totally different backgrounds, their friendship, and the loss one has to live with when his friend dies. You wouldn't believe the power behind this "comic book" story.

Everyone should read it!

I give it 5 penguins....I'm using my iPad to post this so I will have to go back and create my links and add my penguins!

# 69 -- Insatiable

OMG! I LOVE MEG CABOT! Okay, so I'm a late bloomer! I didn't read any of the Princess books, I've not read her kid books either because they were getting popular AFTER I left the elementary library, BUT her Adult books are totally addicting to me! I LOVE THEM!

I got this one on loan from our public digital library and could not put it down! I'm dying to read some of her other adult novels, but I just found out that the sequel to this one is out....Overbite! I may have to break my rule of waiting for the book to hit the library and buy it for my Nook!

This is an adult vampire love story and so much fun to read! If you like the vampire genre, but have outgrown the YA novels, pick this one up! You will not be sorry!

# 68 -- The Black Echo

My father and husband read Michael Connelly, and specifically the Harry Bosch stories. I've not read any of them before and truthfully only picked this one up because Audible was running a special on the first in several series. I'd heard about them from the men in my life and thought I would give it a shot.

I really liked it! I'm ready to read more Bosch and see where his life takes him. I'll be setting up a stack to read through soon.

Harry Bosch is such an interesting character and the twists and turns that this story took me on did not prepare me for the ending! If you haven't read Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch, start with this one!

# 67 -- The Chaos

Rachel Ward is doing an excellent job of writing compelling novels for young adults. When I start one of her books, I can't put it down! It gets in my head and I've just got to finish it. (Click here to read my blog post about Num8ers earlier this year.)

The Chaos is the second in the Num8ers trilogy. The young man in the story, Adam, sees numbers when he looks at people. The numbers are the day the person will die and Adam can even sense how their deaths will come to them. What a burden to carry around with you at the age of 15!

What happens when Adam sees hundreds of people with the same death date? This story will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very last page. I had to tell my husband, "Stop talking to me, I'm almost done!" while getting to the end.

Can't wait to pick up the last in the series, 1nf1n1ty. Thanks to Chicken House for such great publishing!

# 66 -- My Nest isn't Empty, It Just Has More Closet Space

I see Lisa Scottoline's name in the library and in the bookstores where I browse, but I've only read two of her books before this. Interestingly enough, all the books I've "read" have been audio.

This book, My Next Isn't Empty, It Just Has More Closet Space, came to me via Audible. I was looking at books on sale (I think) and saw this one. My daughter is about to go off to college, so it caught my eye and I bought it. It was GREAT!

Scottoline has a wonderful way of writing about her life as if you are sitting and talking to her over a cup of coffee. There were times that I almost had to pull the car over because I was laughing so hard. I plan on reading her other book that is similar to this one (Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog) and her mysteries as well. I'm a total fan now! I feel like we would be "besties" if we ever met! :)

# 65 -- Blessed

I've been reading Cynthia Leitich Smith since I was in school to become a librarian. She is very talented and writes for both children and YA. I enjoy her writing style and look forward to what she's publishing next.

Blessed, is the third in the Tantalize series. I was unaware that this was a series when I read the second book (Eternal) because it didn't have the characters or setting of the first book (Tantalize). Now that I've read this one, I see the connection between the first two.

If you've read the other books a long time ago, I would encourage you to go back and read Tantalize again, or at least skim it. It had been several years since I read it and I was a little lost at the beginning of this book because I couldn't remember where we left of in Austin.

One of the things I like about this storyline is it's setting in Austin, since I used to live there and know the different areas of town Smith refers to. I also like that Smith has woven the classic tale of Bram Stoker's Dracula into this edition of the series. I hope there is more to come from these characters.

# 64 -- Three Weeks to Say Goodbye

If you walk into a public library and see C. J. Box's name, you may be looking at one of his Joe Pickett novels. Most of what's he's written follows this character through Montana and Wyoming.

However, Box also writes some independent novels that still have the mid-western setting, but much different story lines. Three Weeks to Say Goodbye is one of these stories.

Set in Colorado, it is the story of a husband and wife who find out there are problems with the adoption of their baby girl. Things go from bad to worse when everything falls apart.

I love Box's writing and if you like a good suspense/mystery, you'll be hooked!

Whew!

I AM ALL CAUGHT UP!

WooHoo! I can't believe I got all those books finally posted on my blog. I'm so glad it's done so I can go back and just blog about one book at a time. I'll try to remember this the next time I start to get behind! :)

I'm still reading....got two books going now and a stack from my new library to get through as well. Should have no problem getting to 111 by the end of the year!

# 63 -- Buried Prey

I LOVE John Sandford! Okay, actually, I'm in love with his character, Lucas Davenport. Every year when another book comes out, I read it in like two or three days and then I feel sad that Lucas is going away for another year until the next book comes out. I know, it's pathetic!

Buried Prey is the most recent in the Prey series by Sandford. From the beginning this group of characters has sucked me in and made me a huge fan. I would encourage newcomers to go back and read the first (Rules of Prey), not because you can't read them out of order, but because there is so much history between the characters that you don't want to miss.

# 62 -- 9th Judgment

James Patterson is a prolific writer. I have read many of his books, but my favorite is the Women's Murder Club.

Such a powerful group of women in one story, is wonderful to read. I also like that it is set in San Francisco, on of my all-time favorite cities. It's fun to read about places you've visited.

This 9th installment of the Women's Murder Club was hard to read because of the circumstances of the killings. There is also an epilogue at the back that will keep your head spinning after you close the book!

# 61 -- Size 14 Is Not Fat Either

Meg Cabot is AWESOME! I will confess that I have never read anything of her's before the Heather Wells Mysteries, even though I was an elementary librarian. My daughter read some of the Princess Diaries series and some of her older series as well. I listened to what she had to say about it and knew it was good based on her information and the buzz from other girls in my school.

After I heard Meg Cabot speak at the Texas Library Association Conference, I knew I had to read something for myself and was so happy to hear she had a series that was more grown up. I picked up the Size 12 Is Not Fat and listened to it in my car on a trip. Loved it! Then got to listen to this one in my car again...loved it too!

Meg has such a way of capturing how we "girls" feel about certain things and Heather is so funny! Can't wait to keep reading the series. I also plan on reading some of her other "older" books as well!

# 60 -- Think of a Numb3r

I'm not sure I would have picked up Think of a Numb3r by John Verdon, if it hadn't been available from the digital library I was browsing. I had just recently purchased a Nook and wanted to load some books for our trip to Hawaii. I was on the waiting list for several of my favorite authors, but wasn't having much luck finding anything that interested me.

When I came across this title, it reminded me of another couple of books I've read (just because of the number 3 in the middle of the word) and it made me take a second look. It sounded good and it was! Really interesting plot and full of suspense and mystery. I enjoyed it!

By the way, the cover made me get this book, and I'm NOT ashamed to say that I DO judge books by their covers. Sad, but true.