BOOK #77

By now, you must know I love occult romance novels. Werewolves, warlocks, witches, vampires, soul-less creatures - love it all. Vicki Lewis Thompson has numerous series of books but this is my second favorite series. Her characters are all vibrant and funny and bigger than life. This book was no exception.

Using only her imagination, the heroine of the story is an author who writes about werewolves. And very well, apparently. So well that the REAL werewolves of NY are a wee bit concerned about her. And of course, they send in their best werewolf to check it all out. And it so happens he's handsome and the knight in shining armor type. And the story follows the course you expect it to be. Fall in love, get married and very carefully she continues to write about werewolves.

But it's the way Ms. Thompson writes that I enjoy. It's just a rollicking good ride. She also has written the entire 'love and nerds' series which tickles me to no end as well.

With summer coming up, she's perfect for the beach bag.

BOOK #76

Another book in my reading quest about turning 50. Most of have been inspiring and uplifting. Not this one. I didn't find it particularly funny or even amusing. Well, of course, fifty is NOT the new thirty. Thirty-five, maybe.

Perhaps, I didn't like this because it was a little more truthful than the other books. Once you hit this age, in order to stay vibrant and alive, it becomes a battle. Everyday I have to fight the urge to want to work less but get paid more. Who doesn't?

This author insists on having a career after a career. Umm.....why? Not for me actually. I'm looking forward to living in a retirement community filled with vibrant men my age that can play tennis and golf and still wine and dine me.

That's my future. I see it all so clearly now. Even if my glasses are rose colored.

BOOK #75

The 'over hyped book' jinx kicked in for this one. All the previews I had read of this book led me to really believe it was gonna be something else. Sadly, it was not. It was even a pick for book club and ironically, almost everyone felt the same way with the book.

Started out good. Was interesting reading. And then I waited. Waited for the magical underworld part to kick in. It didn't. The story just went south into a very weird dark territory. The writing wasn't bad, it was actually entertaining. I'm just not thrilled with a book promising one thing and being something altogether different. Somehow that's not fair.

This is a common reader's dilemma. With each new book, you're never QUITE sure. Of where the book will take you. Of how you will react. And therein lies the adventure.

BOOK #74

I keep lists. A to read list of books. I had four or five them floating around out there. I have now consolidated them all into one list. And every now and then, I go to the list and then to Paperbackswap.com to find any of them. During the holidays, I got lucky and found 13. And of course, they are all sitting in a pile. Except this one. Somehow, this got stuck on my desk and it just sat there.

I picked it up last week because I had heard it was a book that you read slower and slower as you go along. And I thought that was kind of nuts. But that's exactly what happened. Robinson is such a delicate, exquisite writer that I did indeed slow down to catch each word. Absolutely beautiful. For the amount of crap I do read, it was a pleasure to find a real wordsmith still out there.

Here's what some of the reviewers said:

"Housekeeping is a haunting dream of a story told in a language as sharp and clear as light and air and water."

"Housekeeping is sensuous, funny and mythic, as penetrating as the chilly wind off a glacial lake."

"Housekeeping is extraordinary."

I gave it five stars.

BOOK #73

Most people know I like reading books about health and healthy attitudes, any of the 'ology' books, and inventive ideas. For a few months, I read that everyone and their mother was reading this book. So, I bought it. It sat in my iPad for a couple of months. During the holidays, I decided to see what it was all about.

Basically, the author, Gretchen Rubin, decided to spend a year of her life being happier. Each month was assigned a particular way to be happy. It takes a lot of effort and work to try and right what's wrong in your world and your perspective on a daily basis. I really enjoyed reading about how she went about it each month. After finishing the book, I have to say that alot of her ideas have stuck with me. I even shared a few with Meredith and she agreed that some of it made sense.

And to top that off, I've decided to start another Meetup Group based on this book. To help people bring more happiness into their lives and to help them examine maybe why they aren't happy. Happiness is definitely a state of mind.

On my work computer desktop, I have a large stickie that simply says 'ACT HAPPY'. And each day, I see that and it helps me maintain a good attitude. Even when things get thick and ugly and everyone is pissing me off, I stare at it to right myself. I have even walked into empty closets when I'm pissed to count to 10, bring it back together and remember to 'ACT HAPPY' and it works. Talking myself down off of a ledge is new for me. Trust me.

So do I recommend this? Yes. It's not a particularly well written book but you get the gist of it. Or join my meetup club!

BOOK #72

A big hit for our first book of book club 2011! I was thrilled. I was a little shaky on the pick because I had never heard of this author but then remembered that was the point of book club. The reason I maintain my right to pick the books for book club is because I can take the rejections and the animosity when a book goes wrong. We used to try it where individuals picked the book but if the book went south, more often than not, the picker got her feelings hurt. I have no feelings so it only makes laugh harder when they hate it. But they read it! And to be honest, sometimes I pick books they might hate just to get the conversation going.

This book was an enjoyable fictional romp thru the underground world of Seattle during the Civil War years. Very steampunk. Lots of action. One memorable character named Swakhammer! I was a tad surprised that there wasn't even one hint of romance at any portion. That shows great restraint on the author's part since it's a very easy trap to fall into.

I will definitely get back to read more of Cherie Priest. If I ever get through the stacks in my house, my iPad and Kindle.

BOOK #71

Technically, with it being 2011, our 2010 Book Pledge is over. Fortunately, most did pretty well. We all fell off but still made a dent in our stacks so that's progress. Unfortunately, I seemed to have added a large amount of new books to the stack. "The Imperfectionists" included.

I bought this book shortly after it came out. It was highly trumpeted and I liked the idea of each chapter about one character. And then how they are all tangled up together at the end. I have no idea why it took me a whole year to pick it up.

I chose this book as my favorite book for 2010. Easy to read, interesting to read, each chapter so different than the previous and how amazingly the author put it all together at the end. Again, pleasantly surprised that a hyped up book delivered on its promise. My luck may be turning!

I highly recommend this as a 'must read' for EVERYONE.