Secrets of Surrender / Madeline Hunter / 372 p.

Roselyn's reputation is trashed by her brother's scandalous behavior and now has no money and no decent prospects for marriage.  Kyle Bradwell, worked his way up from the coal mines to successful architect. The two meet at a dinner party where Kyle saves Roselyn from being humiliated by the host.  After that Kyle tries to woo and convince Roselyn to marry him and bring her reputation back into decent society.  The storyline is pretty straightforward, I'm not sure why it took me so long to read this.  I would put the Romance in this book in the steamy category.  (ps. I put this book in the Historical romance category, but there is not much historical detail). 

I beat the odds/Michael Oher/246 pages

Memoir of Michael Oher, the professional football player who was the subject of the book and movie "The Blind Side". He writes of his childhood years; a harrowing tale of homelessness and a drug-addicted mother with 12 children by several different fathers. He himself met his father only a couple of times. This tells the story of his life before he met the Touhys, the family that eventually took him in and "adopted" him. Written with Don Yaeger, the book was interesting and Michael Oher comes off as thoughtful, intelligent, and very fortunate. Good read.

Middleworld (The Jaguar Stones Book One) / J & P Voelkel / 415 pages

Great, timely adventure story, relating to the end of the Mayan Calendar.  14-year-old Max Murphy is spoiled, lazy, and selfish, and seems to only be interested in playing video games.  When his archaeologist Mom and Dad leave hurriedly for a dig and cancel the family vacation to Italy, Max is angry beyond expression.  When his mysterious housekeeper, Zia, gives him a plane ticket to San Xavier where his parents are working, Max is still angry, but also delighted to finally be invited to one of their digs.  Unfortunately, Max's parents did not invite him and have, in fact, disappeared.  Max's uncle is involved in nefarious business and the Mayan girl, Lola is somewhat enigmatic.  Much is learned about the Ancient Mayas, as we follow Max on his journey to rescue his parents, become a decent person, and experience, and be, a true friend. ... Did I mention talking howler monkeys who are inhabited by an Ancient Mayan king and his mother?...

The Seven Spiritual Laws of success/Deepak Chopra/116 pages

Vintage 1994 Deepak Chopra. 'Nuf said.

Mara and Dann/Doris Lessing/407pages

This story is set far into our future (15,000 A.D.?) after our civilization has long since disappeared under a new Ice Age. It takes place in Africa (the only habitable place on Earth, along with South America) and follows a brother and sister in their journey to "the North". They encounter all the hardships and dangers you would expect in a primitive, struggling society and some you wouldn't. I have not read much of this prolific author; this book was written in a dreamy, languid voice as one would use in reciting a myth or legend. I love the post-apocalyptic genre, and enjoyed reading this title.

Moon Over Manifest / Clare Vanderpool / 351 pages

Abilene Tucker's dad sends her to the town of Manifest, Kansas.  He is a railroad  man who, like most of America, has hit hard times during the Great Depression.  Her recent accident has caused him to send her to the town featured in many of his butterscotch stories.  Abilene finds a cigar box filled with mementos and, as she works to repay Miss Sadie, a diviner, for a flower pot broken as she attempts to retrieve her father's compass, she is told stories giving each of the mementos meaning.  She also finds old newspaper columns by Hattie Mae Harper (1918) which lend credibility to Miss Sadie's stories.  Abilene and her friends attempt to solve the mystery of The Rattler, discovering "Memories are like sunshine.  They warmed you up and left a pleasant glow, but you couldn't hold them,"  and "The Lord Himself knew the power of a good story, how it can reach out and wrap around a person like a warm blanket." 
Moon Over Manifest alternates between events that occurred in 1918 - including World War I, the Spanish Flu Epidemic, and prohibition, and happenings in 1936 - the Depression, telling of Abilene's search to find some trace of her father in Manifest.  The reader rejoices with her success and the courage of the people of Manifest, both in 1918 and 1936, in this bittersweet work of historical fiction.

The Crazy Horse Electric Game / Chris Crutcher / 215 pages

The Crazy Horse Electric Game is realistic fiction at its best.  Although the reader anticipates "happily ever after" as Willie comes to terms with, and rises above, his sports-related handicap, this would have been too easy and somewhat disappointing.  Instead, the reader realizes that bad things happen to good people; that expectations are, as often as no,t left unfulfilled; and that regardless of what happens we must deal with it.
This books deals with many difficult topics:  Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; abuse; gangs;  runaways; teenage prostitution, etc...

ALA Best Book for Young Adults

King of the Mild Frontier, an Ill-advised Autobiography / Chris Crutcher / 256 pages

In this autobiography, Chris Crutcher describes the forces in his life that molded and encouraged him to become a writer.  We learn many interesting, often humorous, events that provided characters, scenes, and themes that would appear later in his books.  He tells us why and how he writes for teens.  "Humans of any generation are more similar they are different...But all teens, then and now, are becoming and that is the connector.  They're watching and considering and wondering what happens next, finding their place in the universe, entertaining beliefs that will become guideposts for their thoughts and actions for the rest of their lives."  YA literature is often written to set examples for young people to follow.  Mr. Crutcher believes that the author should tell the truth as the author sees it. ' Language used should describe the world and make the characters real.  The reader should be treated with respect and the author must be willing to tell about the ruggedness of lives.  Anything less is far more disrespectful than the use of those really meaningless words in print."

Full Dark, No Stars/ Stephen King/ 368 pages

I love Stephen King and he did not disappoint! This book contains 4 stories all about the darker side of human nature. In all of the stories the main characters have a self they show to the public and even those they love and trust and a darker self. Sometimes that darker self is terrible and sometimes that darker self is just and merely surviving. I also like that in his afterward, King says that overall he believes that most people are essentially good. I'd like to believe that too, but his stories gotta make you wonder about those that aren't.

The Sooner the Better/Debbie Macomber/296 pgs.

This is a re-released paperback book of Debbie Macomber's which was originally published in 1998 as Moon Over Water. I can only say that I like Macomber's newer works much better. The main character, Lorraine Dancy, finds out that the father she thought was dead all these years, is alive and living in El Mirador. Suffice it to say, she reunites with him, gets involved (unintentionally) with an artifact robbery, is saved by Jack (an ex-mercenary), and eventually has her "happy" (or should I say "sappy") ending. In between there's conflict with her father, her fiance (not Jack), etc. I should have stopped after the first 20 pages, but, like a train wreck waiting to happen, I had to see it to its conclusion!

The Reckless Bride/Stephanie Laurens/449 pgs.

Stephanie Laurens is one of my favorite historical romance authors. The Reckless Bride is the 4th entry in the "Black Cobra Quartet." You really need to read the other 3 first! It takes place in the 1820s and goes from India to the final meeting place in England. The goal is to take down the "Black Cobra" who is wreaking havoc throughout the world. One of 4 officers has incriminating information against the Black Cobra; the other 3 are decoys. Through adventure, courage, romance, etc., The Reckless Bride satisfactorily concludes this quartet.

March is Here!

Everything is updated!  Congratulations to our February winners (Sandy G, Sarah H, Darol B, & Karen B).  Don't forget to check out March's reading challenge under the "bonus points" tab.

Mistress of the Revolution/Catherine Delors/451 Pages

Forced to marry an abusive Baron instead of the man she loves, Gabrielle de Montserrat finds herself widowed and with a young daughter before she is seventeen.  Moving to Paris, she finds herself involved in the French Revolution and must escape death an imprisonment many times as a ci-devant Baroness.  She finds protection in her former lover, now a powerful judge in the new republic, and loses many friends and family members in the war. Catherine Delors does a magnificent job of portraying first a decadent and then a turbulent Paris in the late-1700's.  The characters are well-developed and very real.  The story is fast-paced and grabs you from the start. It is a very good read and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good historical read.

Into Thin Air/Jon Krakauer/397 pages

Jon Krakauer tells the harrowing true story of the trek to the peak of Mt. Everest in the spring of 1996 when 11 climbers lost their lives and others were injured seriously. He was doing a story for Outside magazine on a guided ascent to Mt. Everest, ironically three of the men who lost their lives were in fact guides themselves.

Jon Krakauer writes a descriptive account of his trek to Everest in the face of bad weather. You can actually almost feel what it was like- the howl of the wind, the blazing sun, the frigid landscape and the beauty of the highest mountain peaks in the world. Only to have it end in terrible tragedy when the worst cast scenario happens and many fingers are pointed.

I couldn't imagine what would drive anyone to want to risk their life and go through horrible altitude sickness, belowing freezing temperatures, windchills and treacherous climbs just to reach the top of a mountain.

Of Mice and Men/John Steinbeck/107 pages

This year our reading program included reading an oldie/classic selection. My freshman son was reading Of Mice and Men for his Comm Arts class. Since I read everything he does, this was a perfect fit! Or was it? I have to admit that I did not enjoy this book when I read it as a young teen. News flash: I still don't. My co-workers and I discussed whether or not a book had to be depressing to be a classic. That being said, this is the story of George and Lenny, two drifter ranch hands, and their dream of building a better life for themselves.

Urban Affairs/Elaine Viets/206 pages

Elaine Viets, formerly of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, published this compilation of her columns over twenty years ago. Even though she abandoned her hometown for shadier (Washington D.C.) and ultimately warmer (Fort Lauderdale) climates, she's still one of my favorites. Her insights on St. Louisians (city and county residents alike) are still surprisingly valid. I admit I had one than a couple Laugh Out Loud moments. This blast from the past proves plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

A Decadent Way to Die/McKevett/290 pages

This is the latest adventure of curvy private investigator, Savannah Reid. She runs the Magnolia Detective Agency in California. She brings her Southern charm and love of good cooking to every mystery. This one centers on who would want to kill a world-renowned doll designer Helene Strauss (think Madame Alexander over Marie Osmond.) The mystery almost takes a back seat to a situation concerning Savannah's assistant and friend, the ever-cheerful Tammy. For fans of the series, be prepared for some surprises and changes for the regulars of the novels.

The Mephisto Club / Terri Gerritsen / 468 KB

I don't remember the number of pages . . . how about KB. I love my ebook reader! (although limited on the titles).

Scary, does evil exist in the form of demons amongst us? You decide.

Arkadians / Lloyd Alexander 272 p.

Lucian runs to escape the wrath of the king when he discovers corruption in the palace. He commandeers a mule, Fronto, who once was a poet. He joins with a young girl named Joy-in-the-Dance who infuriates and attracts him, in turn. They meet people and hear their stories as they roam around the country. Joy-in-the-Dance uses her mystical powers to save the group as they get entangled with the conflict between the Bear Clan and the followers of mother goddess. The quest for a cure for Fronto takes them on many adventures.

1996 ALA Notable Children's Books

1995 Parents' Choice Awards - Story Books

Thursdays at Eight / Debbie Macomber 298 p.

Four friends, each in a different phase of her life, meet every Thurs at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast. Clare has been through a devastating divorce, Elizabeth is a widow in her late fifties, Karen is in her twenties looking to grow a career in acting, and Julia is turning forty. Friends share their ups and downs, from love to death to unexpected pregnancy and everything in between like sisters, family, mothers, and relationships. Debbie Macomber has morphed her genre from romance to women’s lives and relationships.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes / Chris Crutcher / 216 pages

Heroism - that's what this book is about!  How seeming misfits rise above taunts, bullying, insensitive - and sometimes even cruel - adults, to become caring, self-sacrificing, belief-driven individuals.  Dealing with such issues as abortion, abuse, overweight kids, suicide, and abandonment, Staying for Fat for Sarah Byrnes, captures and holds the reader's interest as we wait for Sarah to emerge from her catatonic state, and as we witness swimmer Eric Calhoune's attempts to help her.  We learn that "most tough problems in the world run into each other. ...Our points of view - the way we perceive things - are inexplicably linked to our beliefs...Our beliefs color what we see."

ALA Best Book for YA

The Sledding Hill / Chris Crutcher / 230 pages

Eddie Proffitt is "not talking because it's one of the few things he can control when everything else is out of control..."  He lost both his father and his best friend, Billy Bartholomew within months of each other and was the person to discover both of their bodies.  Uniquely told from first person point of view, from the voice of the dead Billy Bartholomew, the book deals with censorship, misguided organized religion and the importance of freedom, including the right to read.  The librarian in the book teaches one class in high school- Really Modern Literature.  She requires that each student read 15 novels by living authors during the course and record at least one line from each book that is personally meaningful to the student.  One book is required, Warren Peece, by Chris Crutcher, and this is the book that raised a storm of controversy.  Great read!

A Turn in the Road/Debbie Macomber/ 400 p

In this latest installment of the Blossom Street series, Bethanne Hamlin is facing a difficult decision. Bethanne was introduced in the second book in the series, "A Good Yarn", when she enrolled in a knitting class to help get through a devastating divorce. Six years later, her ex-husband is divorced again and looking to reconcile with Bethanne. Despite encouragement from her family and the apparent remorse of her ex-husband, she is not sure what to do. When an opportunity arises to drive across the country with her mother-in-law and daughter, she thinks it will be a great time to think about what she wants. But the trip only complicates her choices when she meets someone who understands the pain of loss.

Fans of Macomber will cheer on Bethanne, Ruth and Annie as they deal with the unexpected turns their lives have taken.

The King of Attolia / Megan Whalen Turner / 385 pages

This is the 3rd book in the series about the fantasy kingdoms of Sounis, Eddis and Attolia. In this book, the thief Eugenides marries the woman he loves (the Queen of Attolia) but struggles because he does not want the responsibility of being king and fights against it. He does not have the respect or the loyalty of the Attolians who feel he is the puppet of the Queen. He survives several assassination attempts by members of the court. In the end Eugenides being the clever plotter that he is, strengthens the kingdom, wins the respect and loyalty of his subjects, and accepts his role as King. The characters are enthralling and you really care about them warts and all. The plot is complex and intriguing. The book gives a good view of what it is like to be royal and that's certainly not is all it's cracked up to be. It's stressful and lonely. My highest praise is reserved for books that are satisfying and leave the reader wanting more and that's exactly what these books do. Highly recommended for grades 5 & up.

How to Ruin a Summer Vacation/ by Simone Elkeles/ 234 pages

In this book, a 16 year old girl from Chicago is forced to go on a summer trip to her father's home country of Israel. She already resents her father because he and her mother never got married and she only sees him once a year. She really resents him when she feels forced into this trip. She meets her grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as some of their friends, and she experiences a completely different way of life.

Overall, I felt this book had a weak plot....too much predictability and unrealistic relationships formed over the course of only several weeks. I also felt like the author was intent on making a point about Israel/U.S. relations, which made parts of the story very didactic. I don't think I'll be recommending this one anytime soon.

Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have/ by Allen Zadoff/ 311 pages

This humorous YA novel is about an overweight high school boy. It chronicles the beginning of his sophomore year. He's dubbed himself the "second fattest kid" in his school, and he feels like his weight makes him invisible. His freshman year was spent on the Mock United Nations team, but he decides to try out for varsity football this year instead. In the process, he makes some new friends, loses his old best friend, learns a lot about the girl he has a crush on, and eventually realizes he likes neither the United Nations team nor the football team.

I really liked this story because it brought up real-life issues without being super-intense about any of them. The main character deals with friendships, relationships, and his parents' divorce, but all with a healthy dose of self-reflection and self-deprecation.

Ice Cold / Tess Gerrisen 322 p.

Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli searches for Maura Isles, a medical examiner and friend. On the spur of the moment, Maura joins a group going on a ski trip. When their SUV stalls during a snow storm, they end up isolated and stranded. The group finds refuge in the remote Kingdom Come, where something mysterious has occurred: meals are left on tables, cars still parked in garages, and no sign of residents. Footprints reveal someone is around, watching. Jane receives the news that Maura’s body has been found in a car crash. Jane, her FBI agent husband, Gabriel Dean; and Fr. Daniel Brophy, Maura’s lover, travel to Wyoming to conduct their own investigation. A local social worker clues Jane into the actual doings at Kingdom Come. The story alternates between what is happening to Maura and to Jane. Many plot twists, vivid depictions make this a story for the stout of heart.

What Happens in London / Julia Quinn 450 p.

Lady Olivia Bevelstoke spies on her new neighbor from her bedroom window after she learns that he may have killed his fiancée. The intriguing man is up to something. Who can spend all his time in a room. Sir Harry Valentine works as a translator for the War Office. She piques his interest -- who wouldn’t with a beautiful blond watching. When the Russian prince becomes interested in Lady Olivia, the War Office gives him an assignment, watch her… the spy spies on the spy! Sir Harry finds himself falling for her.

2010 RITA Winner for Best Regency

2010 Reading List (RUSA)

One Scream Away / Kate Brady 443 p.

Seven years ago Beth Denison’s testimony puts serial killer Chevy Bankes away. Bankes is out and using dead women’s phones to call and taunt her, driven by his psychotic need to hear her scream. Ex-FBI agent Neil Sheridan investigates this chain of murders that similar to a troubling case from his past. Neil is sure Beth is keeping a secret tantamount to the case – a secret she will do anything to keep. Bankes heinous crimes escalate as he moves in closer and closer. Neil and Beth’s romance is slow to develop. Bankes twisted psychology and the tension of the interplay between Bankes, Beth and Neil, overshadow the romance. Thriller readers will love this one.

2010 RITA Winner for Best First Book

Too Good to Be True / Kristan Higgins 379 p.

Grace Emerson, high school history teacher, manufacturers the perfect boyfriend to keep everyone from fixating on her love life especial since her ex-fiancé starts dating her sister. But what about a real Mr. Right? She tries an on-line dating service and attends a class on meeting how to meet Mr. Right. He can’t be the guy next door, ex-con, carpenter, who happens to have a great sense of humor and good-looking to boot. Told with humor and wit.

2010 RITA Winner for Best Contemporary Single Title