Year of the Flood/ Atwood/ 448 pgs

I have always admired Atwood. In fact, one of my all time favorite books is Alias Grace. I was told that I didn't have to read Oryx and Crake in order to enjoy this one. These books are supposedly in a trilogy and Flood has been described as a companion book. I think I am glad I read this one first as it is told from the women's point of view. Crake is from the men's point of view. We are in a world that has been taken over by mercenary companies and their security forces. It is almost a perfect picture of Stalinist Russia. We have two narrators Toby and Ren (short for Brenda) that have survived the Waterless Flood: both thinking they are the only ones left alive. We see what has brought them to their present situation in alternating chapters. We meet AdamOne (who is important to both women) and his followers, the Gardeners as they try to adjust to living on the fringes and make do with whatever they can scrounge. The tension is slowly ratcheted up as the reader is aware of what will happen. Will the human remnants survive? Only Atwood knows and she is working on the third volume right now.

First Tycoon: Epic Life Cornelius Vanderbilt/ Stiles/ 719 pgs

Beginning with the children of Cornelius Vanderbilt in court trying to break the will and ending with the death of this powerful man, we read in great detail about the beginnings of Vanderbilt and how he became the man he was. We learn of his parents and early industry and how his personality and work ethic were formed. Throughout the book we have great detail about people he met and worked with and people he fought and dueled with. With great primary sources mixed into the narrative, Stiles has put together a very thorough book of Vanderbilt's life and empire. This isn't a quick read and you must travel many tangents before getting back to the central story. The reading is slow and methodical. It isn't meant for light readers. I learned just how much he has influenced today's industry. Very interesting man.

Now You See Her / James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge / 383 pages

Get a snack, suspend belief, and go on another thrill ride with James Patterson. Totally unbelievable but you can't stop reading and thinking what next, how can it get worse, where are the gray areas, how can this be sewn up in such a nice neat happy ever after package? Enough is enough, James, give us stories with protein. Ugh...quick I need a literary transfusion; my brain cells are dying.

The Age of Innocence/ Wharton/ 303 pgs

I read this novel under duress in high school. I didn't remember much so my reading it again seemed like experiencing the novel for the first time. Archer Newland is engaged to May Welland. He is profoundly happy until the appearance of May's cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska. She has thrown scandal on the family by leaving her European husband and joining her family in New York. What follows is an introduction to New York society and its expectations of the 1870's. One can never do and say anything without first thinking how it will affect your spouse/fiance/family. Newland feels he is above that and when he begins to fall in love with Countess Olenska, the reader begins to see he really isn't. The pageantry of that time is truly breathtaking. All the manners to remember, social etiquette, and proper wardrobe is truly staggering. I recommend this novel for the sheer fun of it. The hidden satire of Wharton who lived it is truly satisfying.

Dreamers of the Day: a Novel by Mary Doria Russell - 253 Pages

We are introduced to Agnes, Shanklin, a 5th grade school teacher from Ohio who has inherited a modest amount of money due to being the only member of her family to survive the great influenza epidemic of 1919. She decides to 'go outside the box' and travel to Egypt. There she meets T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), Winston Churchill, and Lady Gertrude Bell as they decide the fate of the Middle East during the 1921 Cairo Peace Conference. We follow her journey through Egypt discovering things about that country and her along the way. A wonderful and easy introduction to the problems that plague the Middle East today.

The novel provides a wide-ranging picture of what was happening politically in Egypt during the 1920's but is a quick read with enough detail that will encourage additional reading. The author does makes assumptions of the reader's knowledge of the historical significance of people and places but not to the point of confusion. The book has short chapters that carry the reader through a lot of material without bogging down and the colorful descriptions of Egypt and its people easily transport the reader to that important time.

The pace is compelling, moving the story at a steady pace. It progresses quickly, almost breezily but the details are extremely important. The tone provides a candid telling of all the players during that time and although the author may be on a soapbox from time to time, that doesn't deter from the pleasure of the story. The special feature of this book is that Agnes Shanklin is the reader -- listening to all sides of the argument and witnessing the decisions. It is left up to the reader to decide if it was right or wrong. What you need to know about this book is that it is a great introduction to one of the biggest pivot points in history. The acknowledgments at the back list books for further reading and the author's sources for the characters.

Similar works might be: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks, The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough, The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, or The Postmistress by Sarah Blake.

skd/MY-MK

Etta: a Novel by Gerald Kolpan - 322 Pages

Etta Place rode with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid but is a complete mystery to history. Kolpan decided to use what little is known and construct a story about who she was and how she came to be riding with the infamous Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. Beginning with the untimely death of her father to her time with the famous Harvey Girls of the Southwest to meeting the Sundance Kid to working with Eleanor Roosevelt and finally her marriage to Ralph Worthington Carr, Kolpan has imagined what possibly could have happened to this flaming haired beauty. This engaging novel is a wonderful romp through history.

This is a light story peppered with references to historical places and people and is a wonderful introduction to the myth of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang spurring the reader to find other material to fill in the pages. This is a very quick and light read and there are chapters interspersed with telegrams, newspaper articles, diary entries, and Pinkerton Detective memoranda. The beginning newspaper obituary sets the tone for the rest of the novel: which is a slow reveal of who Etta was. With minimal detail, Kolpan sets up an engaging story and although some plot points were fairly obvious there is nothing that will detract from the story. There is no strong language even though dealing with "hardened" criminals and the historical places and characters are fun to spot.

The pace is very fast moving with many details to entertain the reader. The tone is dramatic filled with exuberant and thought provoking scenes. A special feature of this book is the added newspaper articles, telegrams, and diary entries which add helpful additional details to the time and place. What you need to know about this novel is that it is a complete fiction. The author used what little he could find about Etta but that is minimal at best. The historical characters are truthful but some have been moved around in time.

Similar works might be: Juliet by Anne Fortier, Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier, The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran, or Mary Doria Russell's next novel, Doc (2011)

skd/MY-MK

The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent - 300 Pages

This is an adventurous Historical Fiction novel with a love story, set on Coastal Massachusetts in 1673. The author fictionalizes one of her ancestors in this story which has well-developed, believable, and sympathetic characters. This book is also a prequel to Kent's previous title, The Heretics Daughter.

Plot Summary: Martha Allen is loaned out to her cousin, who is expecting her third child, to help on the family homestead not far from Salem, Massachusetts in the late 1600's. Thomas Carrier is also working on the land in order to earn a parcel of land owned by Martha's cousin and husband. But Thomas has a former life that must remain secret in order for him to survive and prosper in the New World. There are enemies searching for Thomas in order to return him to England where his story began.

The book gives the reader a view of early American life in the colonies and the hardships that early settlers endured in order to live in a world that is inhabited by marauding wolves and Indians who are not above kidnapping unsuspecting victims. The settlers have brought diseases and are encroaching upon the Indians sacred hunting grounds. The story of Thomas' prior life eventually unfurls and answers questions Martha has about the man she has grown to love. This is a tale of romance and courage.

Similar reads might be: Deceptions: a Jamestown Novel by Marilyn Clay or The Widow's War by Sally Gunning.

cj/MK

City of Lies/ Tanner/ 278 pgs

This is the sequel to Museum of Thieves. Goldie and Toadspit have survived the adventures in the previous book. Goldie is reunited with her parents (not giving anything away) while Toadspit has found his little sister and has returned to the Museum. While Toadspit and Goldie argue about what to do with their lives, Bonnie is kidnapped. The two of them decide to follow the 'child-stealers' to the city of Spoke and its annual Festival of Lies. During this day everything means something else and Goldie has trouble finding answers about her friends. We meet some new friends Pounce and Mouse (with his fortune telling mice) and the meanest bad guy of them all named, Harrow. The adventures are more frantic this time with the end of the Festival and its usefulness. Again for people who liked Hunger Games but also Harry Potter and Maze Runner fans.

Museum of Thieves/ Tanner/ 312 pgs

In the city of Jewel Goldie lives with her small family. It is traditional for children under the age of 12 to wear a silver chain around their wrists and to be connected to an adult. This to keep them safe from any danger. It is Goldie's Separation Day and before the chain is ceremoniously cut, there is a huge explosion and the celebration is cancelled. In desperation Goldie steals the scissors and cuts her chain. Goldie is free but is also now a criminal. In the story that follows, Goldie comes to live in the Museum of Dunt where she discovers she has untested powers. She makes a friend named Toadspit (got to love the names!) and is taught by Sinew, Olga Ciavolga, a dog named Broo and Herro Berg. Is the Museum the safest place for her? Is Broo really a small white dog or something more sinister? Are the City Fathers trying to make the city safe or is there something else going on? Fans of The Hunger Games would like this book.

Hold Still/Nina LaCour/229 pages

Caitlin's best, and only friend, Ingrid commits suicide right before the end of the school year. When school starts the following fall, Caitlin must learn to reconnect with the world while reading the journal that Ingrid left behind for her.

This is a hard read for anyone who has been touched by suicide, especially one of a young person. It makes me glad to not be in high school any more.

2011-2012 Gateway Readers Award

Princess in the Spotlight / Meg Cabot / 192 pages / Movie

The story of Mia Thermopolis continues. Grandmere has arranged a prime time, national interview for her. When the interviewer asked an innocent question relating to Mia's recent miniscule improvement in algebra. Mia misunderstands and tells the whole world that her motber is, in fact, pregnant with her algebra teacher's baby, but that they plan to be married, so all will be well. Grandmere decides to plan the wedding in the best interest of Genovia, the country Mia has recently discovered she is princess of. Add to this palace intrigue, Mia's relationship with her best friend-Lily, a secret admirer, and her crush on Lily's brother - Michael, you have an entertaining, enjoyable read/listen. Anne Hathaway's recording of the audio book is fantastic.

Movie

Breach of Trust / DiAnn Mills / 392 pages / Christ Award 2011

"Librarian Paige Rogers had survived more exciting days dodging bullets to protect her country. Given a choice, she'd rather be battling assassins than collecting overdue fines. For that matter, running down terrorists had a lot more appeal than running down lost books. Oh, the regrets of life...do-overs were impossible, and the adventures of her life were now alphabetically under fiction." Mikaela Olsson gave up her job as a CIA operative when Keary, a fellow CIA operative, threatened to kill her parents. Keary betrayed the African they were supposed to be protecting and was responsible for the bomb that killed him and 2 other operatives. While Mikaela was recovering from extensive injuries from the bomb, Keary filed his report saying that she had suffered a mental breakdown and had in fact caused the operative's deaths. For 7 years Paige has lived ber new life as librarian in a small town in Oklahoma. She is drawn to Miles, the high school football coach with a past of his own, but resists his advances to maintain her low profile and secrets. Keary is now running for governor of Oklahoma, still dabbling in international politics, and still causing death. Paige is pulled back into his web. Great read, especially appealing to librarians.

Christ Awarx 2011

Sixth Man / David Baldacci / 416 pages

Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are back in action. Baldacci always knows how to take his readers on wild adventures with plenty of twists and turns and unexpected elements. He is the master of intrigue and complicated scenarios. You might as well start this book when you are well-rested as there will be no sleeping until it's done!

Who Do I Talk To? / Neta Jackson / 406 pages / Christy Award 2011

"Where do I go?...When there's no one else to turn to?  Who do I talk to...when there's no one else to listen?..."  These lyrics from a CD speak to Gabrielle Fairbanks after her life is torn asunder.  After she returned from North Dakota with her elderly mother and her dog, her husband, Phillip, tossed all her personal belongings out, changed the locks on the penthouse, and sent their sons to stay with his parents in West Virginia.  Gabby had taken a job at a homeless shelter for women, which Phillip hated.  She now lives in the shelter with her Mom and Dandy, the dog.  Gabby realizes the importance of God, friends, and family in this inspirational, heart-warming tale.  You will shed tears of joy and want to read the next book in the Yadda Yadda House of Hope series.

Christy Award 2011

Second Sight/Amanda Quick/390 pgs

This is book number one of the Arcane Society series written by Jayne Ann Krentz (under 3 different names). This one takes place in Victorian England and was a very good book - I will continue to read the series. Venetia is a photographer who goes to Arcane House to photograph some artifacts and while there decides to seduce Gabriel Jones, a member of the Arcane Society. That same night, the home is attacked and Venetia is sent away. She later reads that Gabriel is dead. Months later, he shows up on her doorstep and they are soon working to find out who is trying to kill them. It was an enjoyable story - a little sexy at times but I have been told that is the way she writes. Will have to get the next one started - "White Lies" by Jayne Ann Krentz

Maine/J. Courtney Sullivan/668 pgs

Being originally from New England (New Hampshire but lots of relatives in Maine), I really wanted to like this book. But I didn't - there was just too much woe is me in it. The family is very dysfunctional and add on Catholic guilt and it was just not an interesting read.

The Princess Diaries / Meg Cabot / 238 pages / Movie

Mia Thermopolis is fourteen and has problems.  She is flunking algebra.  Her Mom is dating her algebra teacher.  Her father is prince of Genovia and since he is no longer capable of having children because of cancer, he expects her to fulfill her role as Princess of Genovia by spending summers in Genovia.  Her problematic Grandmere is coming to New York for a visit.  Definitely for YA, this book is an entertaining read...and a great algebra review.  I listened to this book on audio and Anne Hathaway, who played Mia in the movie, did a fantastic job.  Meg Cabot says that this book is based on events that happened in her own life.  Her Dad did have cancer, but was not a prince.  Her Mom did date her teacher.  The movie was made before the book was published.

Movie

The Night Watchman / Mark Mynheir / 339 pages / Christy Award 2011

Ray Quinn is a retired police detective working as a security guard at the Coral Bay Condos in Orlando, Florida.  Eleven months ago he and his partner, Trisha, were gunned down while on police business.  Trisha died and Ray was left with disabling injuries.  The killer was never caught.  One night at work, a distraught woman asks to be buzzed in so that she might check on her brother, a minister, who is not answering his phone or e-mail messages.  Ray accompanies her to her brother's room where they discover that David and an exotic dancer, Jamie, have been shot.  The police rule the deaths a murder/suicide and close the case.  Pam, David's sister, seeks Ray's help.  She believes her brother was murdered.  Ray reluctantly looks at the evidence and agrees to investigate.  Ray shares his apartment with Jim (Beam) and has all 170 movies made by John Wayne, who is his hero.  He also has a Barnie Fife-type side-kick, Crevis.  This mystery/detective story features colorful, descriptive language and a quirky sense of humor.

"Law enforcement is a lot like kindergarten...To start with, you never, ever put anything in your mouth."

Christy Award 2011

Harry Potter and the Socerer's Stone/J.K. Rowling/309 pages

An infant is dropped off on the doorstep of an unsuspecting household after a day of very odd occurrences. And thus begins the story of Harry Potter and his extraordinary life. Ten years later, right before his 11th birthday, Harry, a nearly abused orphan living with an uncaring aunt, uncle and cousin, receives word that he has been accepted into Hogwarts School of Magic. His adventures begin.

I've read the series through twice, and since we just saw the last movie, I decided it was time to begin again. The first book was definitely easier and faster to read then the later ones. I am impressed how she sets up later events in this first novel. People and places will become important later on. I always wondered if she really did have a plan for a complete series or was taken off guard with the success and had to come up with subsequent stories. I believe now she had a plan.

Movie

Angels & Demons / Dan Brown 430 p.

Robert Langdon, Harvard symbologist and art historian, gets a late night call from Maximilian Kohler, director of CERN's Geneva particle-physics research complex. A murdered physicist and a quantity of anti-matter stolen with the only clue, Illuminati, branded on the dead man is the case. With only six hours, Langdon with dead man’s daughter race to neutralize the antimatter before it is destroys the Vatican. Playing with The Illuminati involves lots of cat and mouse games with the lives of four cardinals, all papal candidates, hanging in balance. A fast-paced thriller. Readers of Brown’s Da Vinci Code may enjoy this. Readers who enjoy detail about Vatican, its buildings, fine art, and papal conclave practices may enjoy this, too.

MOVIE

The Silent Governess / Julie Klassen / 442 pages / Christy Award 2011

Olivia Keene flees her home and her position teaching at a girls' school fearing that she has killed her father.  Someone was choking her mother and Olivia knocked him unconscious with a fireplace poker.  Her mother suggested that she go to a school in another town and if possible she will meet her there.  On her way , she is drawn to Brightwell Hall and the excitement of a ball being held there.  She inadvertently eavesdrops on an important secret conservation, is suspected of being a liar among other things, and is arrested for trespassing.  While in goal, she is accosted by another inmate and temperarily loses her speech.  Olivia's parentage is questioned, as is the parentage of Brightwell's heir apparent, Edward.  This is a comforting read as all live happily ever after and the theme of forgiveness is prevalent throughout.

Christy Award 2011

Thirteen Reasons Why/ Jay Asher/ 288 pages

Hannah has sent a box of cassette tapes to pass among 13 people that have lead to her decision to commit suicide. At first I found it a little hard to read her dialogue along with Clay's thoughts, but that problem ended quickly. This was a very engrossing book that I read in 2 days. You can really see this happening in high schools, which is the really scary thing. And there seemed to be all sorts of different opportunities for things to turn out differently for Hannah. Very sad, but very good.

Death Note vol 5 (Whiteout)/ Tsugumi Ohba/ 200 pages

Okay, I wrote a synopsis and then it wouldn't publish. So, let's just say I am continuing to read this series because I am this far in already. Light & Misa are now working with L to figure out who Kira really is. They have forgotten their involvement (per the Death Note rules) and now we need to figure out who gained control.

Silent Girl / Tess Gerritsen / 315 pages

What a smooth storyteller Tess Gerritsen is. This book will not disappoint readers of suspense and police/detective fiction. The plotting is wonderful. The characters engaging. The ending just right. Great read.

Rot & Ruin / Jonathan Maberry / 458p

 Oh man, what a cover.  As one of Yalsa's Best of the Best this year, and with such a fantastic cover, I picked this up with high hopes.  It's a post-apocalyptic zombie story that's not campy (Forest of Hands and Teeth but for dudes).  Benny Imura decided to join the family business - killing zombies.  Joining up with his brother, Tom, Benny goes outside of the fence into the Rot and Ruin and learns so much more about life than just a career in zombie killing.

I will say, that I listened to this one, which almost always makes me not like the book as much as if I read it (unless done really well) and that is the case with this one as well.  Benny was a little too obtuse for my taste (seriously, borderline offensive to teenagers obtuse) and the book was probably about 100 pages longer than it needed to be (there was a lot of description and down time between action).  Also, biggest pet peeve, I found the dialogue quite inauthentic.  However, I think it would still be a sound recommendation for teens just, maybe, older teens that have more patience... but older teens that can overlook murderous villains saying the word "butt" instead of a curse word.  Really, if you are willing to kill and torture, I doubt you watch your language...

That being said, I would consider reading the sequel (coming out pretty soon) I would just make sure to read it instead of listen.

Divergent / Veronica Roth / 487p

 Set in a future Chicago, Beatrice must decide to be a part of one of five factions within the society.  When tested to see what faction she would work best in, she is told that she is divergent - doesn't exactly fit in anywhere - and that she must keep that a secret to protect herself.  This realization is the beginning of Beatrice questioning how truly perfect her society is.

One more dystopian title to add to the YA list (oh Hunger Games, nothing will be as good as you), there's a lot of hype around this one.  I, for one, was not enamored.  Obviously, I'd recommend it to teens interested in continuing on the dystopian path but I would not list it first. (Matched, in my opinion, had a better story with a more realistic romantic side plot.)

The Gathering / Kelley Armstrong / 359p

  Maya lives in a small community on Vancouver Island (Yay for Nanaimo references - I've been there!) under the shadow of a medical facility.  Most people in the town work for the facility, so no one thinks twice about the goings on there.  But Maya soon becomes aware that things might not be as they seem with her community, with the medical facility, or with herself.

A companion series to Armstrong's Darkest Powers Trilogy, this novel should be a hit with the fans of that story line.  It's a great story that teen fans (and adult fans) will enjoy but be careful - a cliffhanger awaits you at the end of this one. Ugh.

P.S. I Love You/Cecelia Ahern/375 pgs

I had watched the movie when it came out and decided I wanted to see how it compared with the book. The book takes place in Ireland and the storyline is basically the same - Holly's husband Gerry dies young from a brain tumor and leaves her 10 envelopes to open - one each month for the rest of the year. Gerry had always joked that he would leave her a list of things that she would need to do if he died because he didn't believe that she would be able to manage without him. In the envelopes, there are things she must do that month and they are all signed P.S. I Love You. Another difference is her family is her support system not her friends but I totally enjoyed the book.

Pacific Interlude / Sloan Wilson 157 p.

Lt. Sylvester Grant of the U.S. Coast Guard is sent in 1944 to the Pacific as a skipper of a gasoline tanker, the Y-18 (a.k.a. the Lucky Eighteen). Facing Japanese bombers, suicide pilots, and the aging, dilapidated Lucky Eighteen itself, Grant works feverishly to keep gasoline flowing to the front as well keep the crew safe. The real story is how personnel labor under extremely dangerous conditions to keep the war effort going. This gives an account of a rarely seen view of war and a new appreciation for tanker personnel who live minute by minute with the fact that one stray spark may cause the tanker to erupt like a volcano.

Mystery:an Alex Delaware Novel/Kellerman, Jonathan/320pgs.

This is your standard Alex Delaware novel. There is murder, plot twists--all neatly wrapped up in the final pages. I like Alex and Milo--not so fond of Alex's significant other, Robin. It's a solid mystery series.

Banker / Dick Francis 126 p.

Banker / Dick Francis 126 p.
Tim Ekaterine with his fellow bankers witness a great run by Sandcastle when he wins at Ascot. They elect to loan a breeder millions when Sandcastle is put to stud. Tim investigates when his progeny are born with defects. A masterful complex plot plus insider look at the workings of an investment bank.

Open Heart / Mary Bringle 134 p

Italian widow Rafaella Leone comes alone to Houston, Texas, for open-heart surgery. Stephen Morrissy, hospital volunteer and filmmaker, assists her—only to fall in love. This love story gives a behind the scenes look at a hospital serving international patients.

Whip / Catherine Cookson 157 p.

Emma Molinero is a seven-year old circus child of a whip and knife performer. Suddenly, Emma is left an orphan plunged into the rugged life of a farm worker in the North Country of England. Bullied, she copes with all life thrown at her except her despicable brother-in-law.

Absolute Power / David Baldacci 469 p.

Luther Whitney’s in a fix. He’s a three-time loser cat burglar. He’s about to complete a heist when he becomes the clandestine observer to the secret service agents killing of a young woman caught defending herself with a letter opener against an attacker—the U.S. President. The Chief of Staff decides to blame a cat burglar and sanitizes the crime scene missing the blood stained letter opener. Whitney just barely escapes with the opener. Just when the president decides to silence Whitney, Whitney learns just how corrupt and amoral is the president. Whitney decides to play games. Fast paced with plenty of side plots. John Grisham readers who like a down-to-earth hero caught in impossible situations with complex multiple plots may enjoy this.
Movie

Beautiful / Cindy Martinusen-Coloma / 270 pages / Christy Award 2011

Ellie's sister, Megan, is the rebel while Ellie is perfect inside and out.  Megan can't wait to turn 18 and get a piercing.  After Ellie's accident leaves Stasia dead and Ellie badly disfigured, piercing loses it attraction.  "As unique as everyone around her wanted to be, they all ended up looking like each other...Everything to shock and show the anger and pain under their skin.  The rebellion that ended up becoming a stereotype."  Ellie must deal with all the pain surgeries, and the realization that her image and her life is forever changed.  This is a truly awesome book!!

Aristotle said, "The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."

Christy Award 2011

A Good Year/Peter Mayle/287 pgs

Max Skinner works in the London's financial district and he likes his job but hates his boss. When his boss steals a very good client from him, he quits his job and is wondering what he is going to do now. He happens to receive a letter from a french lawyer who informs him that he is now the owner of his uncle's vineyard in France, so he decides to go check it now. He ends up meeting a couple of women - one good one not so good and solving a mystery regarding the vineyard. The audio version was very enjoyable especially if you would not know how to pronounce the French - like me. I enjoyed the book and will now have to find the DVD of the movie - starring Russell Crowe!

19th Wife / David Ebershoff 514 p.

This one is a captivating mix of historical fiction and contemporary murder mystery. With a theme of the effects of polygamy running through both story lines, the reader is introduced to Ann Eliza Young, so-called 19th wife of Brigham Young, and her crusade against plural marriage in late 19th century America. The second story is told by the "lost boy" son of a 19th wife, accused of murdering her polygamous husband in a modern-day religiously restricted compound. The audio version of this book is presented by multiple readers. This is a great choice for lovers of history since much supporting primary material is interwoven in the text. I count it as important that I was prompted to do additional research into the subjects of the story.

The Real James Herriot / Jim Wight 371 p.

Here is the story of the best-selling author James Herriot; in real life James Wight. Wight practice veterinary medicine in Yorkshire, England with two brothers just like Herriot described. Only his son could portray his father with such detail and in such loving manner. Now learn the rest of the story—who was Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, Mrs. Pomfrey and Tricky-Woo and all the other characters from his books. A require reading for those who follow the James Herriot books.

Penderwicks / Jeanne Birdsall 262 p.

The Penderwicks, Rosalind, 12; Skye, 11; Jane, 10; and, Batty, 4, are off for a summer vacation in the Berkshire Mountains with their widowed professor father. Their diverse personalities make for excitement and happenings. With their cottage on Arundel comes Jeffrey Tifton, son of “Lady of the Manor”. The portrayal of the children is so charming that one cannot help but fall for them. Children are typical children—disobeying, keeping secrets from dad, first crush, and more. Batty became my favorite with her endearing habit to telling all to Hound, the family dog. This may be used with those who enjoy humorous stories about family like the Ramona books.

Remember me to Harold Square / Paula Danziger 145 p.

Kendra Kaye, fourteen, lives in New York City with her parents and her bratty little brother, Oscar (O.K. is Okay! according to him). Her parent’s big news is that Frank Lee, a fifteen year old boy from a Wisconsin farm is coming for the summer. Their parents invent Serendipity Scavenger Hunt to expose them to all that NYC has to offer like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Theater Museum, New York Public Library (you learn the names of the two lions), Carnegie Hall, Broadway play, and lots more. Along the way, Kendra and Frank learn not only NYC but something about themselves. What fun to read before a trip to NYC!

Vital Signs / Barbara Wood 326 p.

This medical novel begins when three women starting medical school in 1968. Mickey all alone except for a dying widowed mother and psychologically scarred by a huge facial birthmark. Sondra adopted and believes she is part African American, and Ruth who is driven to be number one to gain the approval of her physician father that she craves. Each has experiences that change them. Follows the three friends as they succeed in their fields. Fast paced and better than your run-of-the mill medical novel.

Shiver / Maggie Stiefvater / 392 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011

Grace is pulled off her tire swing by a pack of wolves.  She dreams of the black wolf.  Sam at the bookstore has the same eyes as the wolf.  Jack is also attacked by the wolves and Mercy Falls determines to eradicate the wolves.  Grace gets them to stop and takes Sam who has been shot to the hospital.  Jack bites Grace's friend, Olivia, - when he is human!  Isabell, Jack's siser, asks for help for Jack.  Sam's friend, Beck, brings new wolves from Canada.  Grace tries a meningitis cure for werewolves.  It is supposed to kill the wolf, but allow the human to live.  Jack dies, but Sam survives.  This book is the first in a trilogy.

Gateway Award Nominee 2011-2012

I have now read, and re-read, and posted a blog on all of the 2011-2012 Gateway Award Nominees.

Purple Heart / Patricia McCormick / 198 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011

Eighteen year old Catholic Matt has traumatic brain injury suffered in Iraq.  Matt and his Buddy, Justin, follow an insurgent taxi into an alley and are fired upon.  Matt is pinned down but sees, Ali, an Iraqi boy who loves soccer and follows the troops.  Suddenly Ali is hit and an explosive device goes off near Matt.  He can't remember what happened and he is afraid he killed Ali.  After he is released a backpack bomb is exploded in the market place and two of Matt's friends are killed.  Justin is wounded and tells Matt that he shot Ali because he was a spy.

"Be still and know that I am in you and I do the work."
"This is what war is about...fighting for the guy next to you and knowing that he is fighting for you."

Gateway Award Nominee 2011-12

Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have / Allan Zadof / 311 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011

Andrew Zanzky is fifteen and weighs 307 pounds.  He wants to impress the new girl, April, a Korean American.  (He met her at one of his mom's catering events.) He lies to her about his being a jock.  Soccer in gym class leads to embarrassment.  The kids call him JP for Jurassic Pork.  He loses his shorts and he is transferred to modified gym.  O, a star football player, saves him from a bully and convinces Andy to go out for football instead of model UN.  Andy's parents have recently split so Andy forges the permission slip to play football.  He has an asthma attack during the first game.  His sister, Jessica, calls his mom and the forgery is discovered.  Andy is instrumental in beating Brookline. He has been recruited just to protect O from Everest.  He quits.  Bad language.

"When people believe in you anything is possible.  It's like you suspend disbelief and there's a shift in the universe."
"It's easy to make fun of something when it isn't an option.  When you couldn't get it even if you wanted to."


Gateway Award Nominee 2011-2012

Flash Burnout / L. K. Madigan / 332 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011

Blake takes a photo of Marissa's mother for Photography Class, not knowing her identity.  She is a meth addict who has been missing.  Marissa recognizes her mother in the picture.  Blake, a comedian with a girlfriend, helps Marissa deal with her mother's situation.  Bad language, mature subject matter.

"Sexuality is a powerful force.  Maybe the most powerful urge we have as humans...The thing about being human, though...is we have the ability to reason.  We can choose to do the right thing, even when we don't want to."
"Actions have consequences."

Gateway Award Nominee 2011-2012

King of the Screwups / K. L. Going / 310 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011-2012

Liam Geller's mom is an international model and his dad is a business CEO who has appeared in numerous business magazines.  Liam messes up an interview on TV when he is nervous and remembers that his media specialist told him to just be honest.  Senior year, his dad discovers him partially dressed and drunk on his desk.  Another senior honor roll student is with him, also missing clothes.  His dad throws him out of the house.  His mother arranges to have him stay with his cross-dressing uncle, Aunt Pete, instead of his strict grandparents.  Liam tries to stop being Mr. Popularity.  Instead of meeting Lian for his birthday, Liam's dad sends an army recruiter.  Liam agrees to drop out of school and enter the army - again to please his dad.  He believes he in a total screwup and it doesn't matter.  His uncle convinces him otherwise and his mom agrees.  He stay in Pine Ville.

Gateway Award Nominee 2011-2012

Everlasting / Alyson Noel / 320 pages

Each immortal soul Ever has "sent to the shadowland has tainted and infected Summerland, creating its opposite, its shadow self...a place so dark, so dreary, and so contrary, magick and manifesting cannot exist."  Ever seeks to stop this transformation and to decode the cryptic message delivered by the "crazy old lady", Lotus, who knew Ever's name and all of Damen's names.  Of course, they still search for the antidote that will enable them to truly touch once more.  Traveling back to 1308, when Even was Adelina and Damen was Arlik, heir to the throne, a horrible mistake was made.  Is immortality of body worth mortality of soul?  Can Ever release the tortured souls of Shadowland?  Will she search for and find the Tree of Life? 

"Life is not meant to be an open book test."
"Every living thing, from plants to animals, to the very people who populate the planet, are all connected to each other.  We are all one.  When we harm one another, we also harm ourselves."

The Light Bringer / Chris DiGiuseppi and Mike Force / 323 pages

"You never know when you are going to die.  Death is an invisible pattern.  You have to make things right while you're here."  Alan Crane is a police officer whose task it is to comfort the grieving families of 16 people who will die.  He is also the Light Bringer, waging battle against the forces of darkness.  This excellent book written by the Chief of Police of Lake St. Louis, MO and the Assistant Police Chief deals with the question of why death occurs and of the necessity of being kind, considerate and compassionate.
A supernatural thriller.  1st in a trilogy.

"Mistakes are more often judged by how you remedy them, rather than the act itself."
"In times of great despair, there often comes great clarity."

Lost Mission / Athol Dickson / 350 pages / Christy Award 2011

The forgotten ruins of an 18th century Spanish mission are disturbed and rich and poor alike confront the onslaught of hell on earth.  Caught in the catastrophe are...a humble shopkeeper compelled to leave her tiny village in Mexico to preach in America...a minister wracked with guilt for loving the wrong woman...an unimaginably wealthy man blinded to the consequences of his grand plans...and a devoted husband and father driven to a horrible discovery that changes everything.  Will the evil that destroyed the Mission de Santa Delores rise overwhelm all?

Christy Award 2011

Smokin' Seventeen / Janet Evanovich / 308 pages

The latest entry in the Stephanie Plum series does not disappoint when it comes to visiting old, familiar characters. There's not much to the mystery but who cares when you can read about Stephanie, Ranger, Morelli and Lula. Entertaining and humorous as always. Just wish Evanovich would have done more with the dancing bear... Recommend!

Pumped for Murder/Elaine Viets/292 pages

Helen Hawthorne and her new husband Phil have opened Coronado Investigations. Their landlord and fellow tenant, Margery and Peggy, give them their first two clients: one who wants the case of his brother's death 25 years ago reopened and a wife who wants to find out if her husband is cheating on her. Helen has to go back to her Dead End Job (the name of the series) roots to work at a gym to spy on the husband. She also manages a quick trip to St. Louis to take care of some family business.

The description of the hot Florida summer seems very real right now!

Quinn/Iris Johansen/374 pgs.

This is the second in the Eve/Quinn/Bonnie trilogy. Truthfully, I was disappointed in Johansen's portrayal of Joe Quinn--I had a hard time believing what attracted Eve to Joe in the beginning of their relationship. Also, the almost instant attraction between Catherine Ling and John Gallo is quite a stretch. I'm hoping Bonnie's story will redeem this story line.

Inkheart / Cornelia Funke 534 p.

Young Meggie lives a quiet life with her bookbinding father, Moe. Moe discovers he has a strange power—he can read into life characters from a book and some into the story. And out comes the evil Capricorn from Inkheart. Dustfinger comes too. Both want Moe to read the story aloud. Capricorn wants the powerful Shadow to come to life; Dustfinger longs to return back. Capricorn sets his henchmen to fetch Moe. Meggie, her aunt, Dustfinger, Moe are all set out on an adventure of a lifetime.
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Entwined / Heather Dixon / 472 p.

I picked up this book really because I liked the cover.  I love the girl's dress!!!  This book is a retelling of the Fairy Tale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses".  The 472 pages helps flush out the characters and story, but I found the writing to be dry and long winded.  There is not much action and a lot of descriptions of dancing.  Still, if you are a faster reader than me and enjoy magic and fairy tales, then you should consider reading this book. 

Death Note Vol 4 (Love)/ Tsugummi Ohba/ 204 pages

I'd like to finish this series, but I think it's more because I hear that people love it. I'm getting a little tired of Light (the owner of the death note). He's not very likeable. And I am getting tired of reading why he knows what he know about what he thinks that his oponent (L) is thinking, it is confusing at times. Still, they always leave you with a cliff hanger, so I will continue and hope that I get some more likeable characters in the next books.

Graveminder/ Melissa Marr/ 324 pages

This is an aweseome mystery with supernatural elements. Rebekkah is called home to tend to her Grandmother's funeral. And then is drawn into the mysterious world of the dead. I don't want to give away too much. But, I really liked that this book had supernatural elements but was not super scary. It was a nice blend and there was a small side romance story as well. It's always a good sign, when you are left wanting to read more.

Lucky Stiff / Deborah Coonts / 364 pages

This is a fun, fast read. Thow in some romance and some mystery and shake well with Las Vegas culture and setting and you got the Lucky series by Deborah Coonts. The first book in the series is Wanna Get Lucky? Lucky is the manager of customer relations, her mother owns a brothel in Pahrump, and her father is the owner of the exotic lavish Babylon casino. The book ends with a cliffhanger and I think I'd enjoy the next in the series as well.

When Passion Rules / Johanna Lindsey / 388 p.

Forced to flee Napoleon's rampaging army on the continent, orphaned Alana Farmer and her eccentric guardian make a new home for themselves in London. There, Alana enjoys every privilege a daughter of the nobility could hope for, plus an education fit for a queen. Now, on the eve of her debut into London Society, she learns the shocking secret of her birthright. Can it be true? Is she really the lost princess of the European kingdom of Lubinia? Persuaded by her guardian to return to their homeland to quell a bloody revolt, Alana finds herself in an isolated, mountainous country whose customs strike her as medieval! With controversy and intrigue brewing around the beautiful newcomer, Christoph Becker, the captain of the palace guards, arrests Alana on suspicion that she is either a wily impostor or a seductive spy working for the shadowy figures determined to depose of the king.

As far as Romance novels go this one was pretty tame.  The plot was so predicable that I was able to breeze through it in one night.  It was a fun read, but I was pretty annoyed that the "mystery" was solved in Scooby-Doo fashion in the last 20 pages of the book.  Meaning there were no clues to help the reader solve the mystery and then in the last moment the villain comes out and explains the whole situation. 

I think I spent most of my time while reading this book wondering if all of the royal guards in Lubinia wear such tight pants?!

Pushcart War / Jean Merrill 222 p.

A tongue-in-check look at the war between the pushcarts and the mighty trucks. A historian is writing the definitive story based on research from documents, newspaper accounts, interviews, etc. The roads of New York City are so overcrowded that any movement is slower than even a snail’s pace. The truckers develop a plan to make their life easier and they take on 500 pushcarts first. The truckers seem to have all the advantages a corrupt mayor in their pocket, money, and size. The pushcarts have a secret weapon that brings traffic to a halt. And with each tactic of the truckers comes a counter tactic by the pushcarts. Merrill presents believable methodology of war and how it may affect thousands.

Chihuahua of the Baskervilles/Esri Allbriten/275 pgs

This is a silly little book. It is about a woman in Colorado who owns a dog clothing business. The business is named after her chihuahua, Petey who has died. One night she hears his very distinctive bark and sees his ghost or so she thinks. So she calls Tripping Magazine a magazine that covers travel destinations for believers in the paranormal. It contains the prerequisite murder, dog who speaks out warnings and writes them also in muddy paw prints. But it was an enjoyable light read with no real big surprises.

The Vermeer Interviews / Bob Raczka 32 p.

Bob Raczka uses interviews with Johannes Vermeer’s subjects to explore the richness of this master of light works. From the Milkmaid to the Geographer to the Woman with a Pearl Necklace, each give out details on art techniques, historical context and cultural elements. Maps included are so detailed and accurate that scholars can identify their publishers. Using large reproductions, the subjects easily let the reader see the changes to the paintings that Vermeer made.

After dark, My Sweet / Jim Thompson 133 p.

Ex-boxer William (Kid) Collins drifts. With his diagnosis of mild multiple neuroses and mild criminal tendencies, he is not missed when he escapes from mental hospitals. He meets alcoholic Fay Anderson who convinces him to help fix up her house. There “Uncle Bud”, ex-cop, talks them both into kidnapping a rich boy. “Kid” Collins tells the story in the first person. He gives his take on the happenings. Written showing the dark gritty side of three down and out damaged characters.
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Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Toeshoe Trouble/ Whoopie Goldberg/ 136 pages

This the second in the series and is just as good as the first book. This book focuses on Brenda instead of Al as in the last book. The friends are still all together at the ballet school. The focus of this book is Brenda's cousin Tiffany. Brenda is jealous of her rich cousin and in order to top her, she tells a stupid lie which leads her to make the stupid decision to steal the special autographed ballet slippers of her dance teacher. The book deals with the drama and consequences of stealing and lying. Unlike the Wimpy Kid, this girl has integrity and doesn't justify it or "oh well" it. She knows it is a bad thing, she feels guilt and remorse, and even though she tries to correct the problem without her mom finding out, she does the right thing in the end because she basically has a good moral base and will not even let a stranger take the fall for her. I really like these books as they are funny and entertaining. Now I like them because they also show good values in a day when they seem to be lacking.

Her Daughter's Dream/ Francine Rivers/ 576 pages

This is the second book in the two-book saga of generations of four women. It spans the 50's through current day. Christian writer Francine Rivers want to show how dysfunction passes down to the next generation if there isn't communication. Each daughter grows up with misunderstandings between mother and daughter that could have been resolved with communication. Relationships are important and people are gifts from God. Relationship to God is, of course, supreme and Francine Rivers weaves God and Jesus in throughout the story so that the reader sees it working in the lives of people. Depending on your religious views, you may take issue with some of the views the characters have about God. However, overall, it is quite interesting and the other book should definitely be read first: Her Mother's Hope

Anne of Green Gables / L.M. Montgomery 382 p.

Little does Matthew Cuthbert know how life on Prince Edward Island is going to change when he and his sister, Marilla, adopt Anne Shirley off the Canadian orphanage in spite of them needing a boy to help with the chores. Anne’s talkativeness, optimism, and spirit, charm Matthew. Marilla agrees to give Anne a trial and comes to agree to let her stay. Anne though blessed with gift for fantasy really does her best to follow Marilla’s rules but finds herself embroiled in many escapades that rival Lucille Ball antics. She serves her best friend, Diana Barry red currant wine instead of the nonalcoholic raspberry cordial which sends an intoxicated Diana home to a mother who forbids any more contact with Anne. School brings a rivalry between Anne and Gilbert Blythe and continues through most of the book. Anne’s story is continued by Anne of Avonlea.

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The Chosen One / Carol Lynch Williams / 213 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011

Kyra Leigh Carlson has been chosen by the prophet to wife to her 60-year-old uncle.  She has secretly been seeing Joshua and dreads the prophets choice.  She often seeks escape from the pressures of life in the compound by visiting the Ironton County Mobile Library on Wheels when it visits. Kyra attempts to flee the compound after Joshua and 2 other boys are forced to leave to die in the desert and she is beaten.  The God Squad and Sheriff Felix catch her, run the bookmobile off the road, and kill Patrick, the bookmobile driver.  The bookmobile is left parked near her trailer home.  Patrick had told her there is a spare key and has given her his cell phone.  Kyra escapes yet again - in the bookmobile, gets cell service, and calls 911.  She is rescued and the thugs are arrested.  Kyra is taken to a safe house.
Excellent page-turner.  Inappropriate for immature readers.

Gateway Award Nominee 2011-12

If I Grow Up / Todd Strasser / 222 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011-12

Twelve year old Deshawn lives in the projects amid rival gangs.  He lives with his grandmother and there are bullet holes in the walls and curtains. The nephew of the gang boss, Marcus, fall,s or is pushed, to his death.   Deshawn stops going to school because he thinks it is pointless.  After Marcus is killed by Jamar, he joins two gangs and eventually kills the leader of the Gentrys - Rance.  He was supposed to kill William, the brother of his girlfriend, Tanisha.  The killing is on tape because Rance had made a deal with cops.  Deshawn must face the consequences of his actions and is able to deal with them with help of Sgt. Patterson.

Gateway Award Nominee 2011-12

Call Me Irresistable / Susan Elizabeth Phillips / 307 pages

Lucy Jorik is the oldest (adopted) daughter of a former president of the United States.  She is engaged to Ted Beaudine, a US amateur golf champion and favorite son of Wynette, Texas.  The town treats Lucy as if Ted is marrying down.  Ted bought an abandoned wooden church to save it from demolitions and gave it to Lucy for a wedding present.  He said "Every married woman needs a place of her own to keep her sane."  Unfortunately, Lucy's maid of honor and best friend, Meg, sees that Lucy is very nervous before walking down the aisle.  Meg convinces her to call off the wedding if she is not entirely sure.  Lucy calls off the wedding and disappears.  Broke, Meg, daughter to internationally famous Hollywood people who have cut her off, is left to face the wrath of the town...and a steamy relationship with Ted.

Romance

How Sweet It Is / Alice J. Wisler / 313 pages / Christy Award 2011

Deena Livingston has moved from Atlanta, where her parents own a pig farm and she attended culinary school, to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.  Her world-traveling grandfather Ernest left her his A-frame cabin with the stipulation that she teach cooking at The Center for 6 months to middle schoolers.  She is still recovering from the car accident that left her badly scarred and in constant pain.  Her fiance, Lucas, has been unfaithful.  Journaling, God's word, stories about her grandfather told by her eccentric aunt, the children at The Center, and, of course, Jonas and Zach, set Deena on the road to recovery.

Great, comforting read!

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances." (Martha Washington)
"Life is never what as we expect it.  Life is what we make it."
"The key to happiness is putting your whole hand into God's."

Christy Award 2011

English Tea Murder/Leslie Meier/265 pages

Lucy Stone and her friends, Pam, Sue and Rachel, are on a trip to England with a group from the local college. When the leader of the tour and an adjunct professor at the school is fatally stricken with an allergy attack during the flight, the members of the group go on with their vacation under the supervision of the substitute leader, another professor from the college and an almost fling from Lucy's past. Lucy begins to suspect that the allergy attack was not an unlucky accident.

Since my daughter and I just came home from a trip to England in March, I thoroughly enjoyed the detailed descriptions of London and Bath. I repeatedly read parts of the book out loud to my daughter, and we would say "Hey we did that!" I also enjoyed the bickering and differences of opinion on what constitutes a good vacation between the friends. Just goes to show, great friends don't always make great traveling companions.

My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business/Dick Van Dyke/287 pgs

This is Dick Van Dyke's memoir and I had listened to the audio version - had to once I found out he was reading it himself. This was a very enjoyable book especially if you are a fan. There is no big scandals disclosed - just a story about his beginnings - he was born in West Plains, MO and how he got into show business.

Beezus and Ramona / Beverly Cleary 183 p.

Four year old sister of nine-year old Beezus drives her crazy. Ramona does so many annoying, impulsive, discomforting antics like asking to have the same story read over and over and over until father says he doesn’t want to hear it again; and, when Beezus brings Ramona home from the public library with a new story book Ramona writes her name on every page with crayon; and, then there is Beezus’ birthday where Ramona bakes her rubber doll into the cake. Ramona has some delightful explanations that seem so logical that you can’t help but laugh. This is quite a humorous story. Cleary is right on in her characterizations of the sister.

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Fortytude/Sarah Brokaw/270 pgs

This is a self help book that is aimed to those of us women who have reached their prime - you know 40 plus. It is well written and the author, who just happens to be Tom Brokaw's daughter, tells us that if you have 5 core values you should be able to enjoy the best years of your life. The core values are Grace, Connectedness, Accomplishment, Adventure and Spirituality.

10th Anniversary/James Patterson/395 pages

This is the 10th in the Women's Murder Club series featuring Lindsey, SFPD detective, Claire, medical examiner, Cindy, reporter and Yuki, ADA. There are several cases going on at once: one involving a teenager who has just given birth but can't remember anything, including where her child is, several woman who have been drugged and raped but can't remember anything and a murder trial against a doctor accused of shooting her womanizing husband.

As always, Patterson is a fast read due to almost large print, wide margins and short chapters.

From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler / E. L. Konigsburg 162 p.

Twelve-year-old Claudia Kincaid decides to do something that will demonstrate her value in the family—she’s running away. But it must be someplace comfortable—she’s not into roughing it. She takes her nine-year-old brother Jamie along not for his company but for his bankroll. She plans and plots. And it’s off to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art when they become involved in a mystery involving the Angel which may or may not be by Michelangelo. A delightful humorous story of real and likeable characters.
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Tangled Up in You / Rachel Gibson 364 p.

True crime writer, Maddie Dupree returns to Truly, Wyoming, to investigate a 20 year old double murder and suicide—the result of a love triangle with Mick Hennessey’s parents and her mother. Sparks fly between Maddie and Mick who, initially, is unaware of their connection. May be of interest to true crime readers.

Her Fearful Symmetry / Audrey Niffenegger 406 p.

Identical twins, Julia and Valentina Poole, inherit a flat that borders Highgate Cemetery in London from their mom’s estranged identical twin sister. Elspeth made two provisions for the inheritance: they live there for a year and their parents not enter it. The twins get involved with the neighbors Robert, Elspeth’s younger lover, and Martin, crossword puzzle writer with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Robert seems to be perpetually writing his dissertation telling the history of the Highgate Cemetery where such notables as Karl Marx, Douglas Adams, George Eliot are interred. The twins and Robert discover that their aunt is still living a ghostly life in the apartment. Valentina longs to get out of the shadow of the domineering Julia. Elspeth and Valentina form an surreal attachment. Niffenegger description of OCD seems right on. Her compelling prose keeps the readers attention.

The Bad Queen / Carolyn Meyer / 420 Pages

This is the latest of Carolyn Meyer's Young Royals novels.  In this one, she chronicles the life of Marie Antoinette in a first-person journaling style. In the forward, Ms. Meyer says that she has used only real people and events in this novel, using many journals written from that time as background information.  I found it to be very believable and well-researched, which made it much more enjoyable to read.

A Bride in the Bargain / Deeanne Gist / 365 pages / Christy Award 2011

Joe Denton needs a wife.  He established a logging business and was deeded 640 acres in Washington Territory.  Unfortunately his wife died en route to Seattle and the courthouse that held her death certificate on file burned down and no records were saved.  A single man is only entitled to 320 acres.  Suit has been brought against Joe and he stands to lose one half of his logging concern if he remains single.  Women are scarce in frontier Seattle so Joe sends for a Civil War casualty - a single, unattached woman.  Anna Ivey decides to go west to escape groping hand and to serve as a teacher, governess, or cook.  She has no plans to marry.  Asa Mercer neglected to inform that Joe Denton had contracted for a bride.

"There is no shame in being poor.  Only in doing nothing about it."

Christy Award 2011

Stand-In Groom / Suzanne Brockmann / 155 pages / Christy Award 2011

Chelsea Spencer is mugged at 7 AM in Boston by 3 teen aged hoodlums. They steal her purse including the flash drive that contains all her last night's work. Giovanni Anziano (Johnny) Comes to her rescue, driving a Meals on Wheels truck. Chelsea is about to inherit $250,000 from her grandfather but she must be married to receive it. She had made a deal with an Italian prince to wed her. After she received the money, they would have the wedding annulled. Unfortunately, the prince calls to renege. He is marrying someone else. Johnny agrees to be the "stand-in groom".

I was surprised this was a Christy Award as references to faith were meager and the romance steamy.

Christy Award 2011

The Help/Kathryn Stockett/451 pgs

I had tried to read this book but was not able to get into it. So I decided to see if I could have a better chance listening to it. I am glad I did. This is a excellent story and the audio version is much easier to get into. The story takes place into Jackson Mississippi in the early sixties - a time of turmoil in that area. Skeeter has just returned from college - Old Miss - and wants to be a writer. She has gotten a job writing a column for the local paper on house cleaning - something she knows nothing about. So she asks her best friend's maid, a black woman, for help and they end up deciding to work on a book regarding how it is to be a black maid working in a white household in Jackson Mississippi in secret. I am looking forward to the movie when it comes out

A Discovery of Witches/Deborah Harkness/579 pgs.

Witches and vampires and daemons--oh my! It's a little bit "Harry Potter," "The Da Vinci Code," and "Twilight." It has mystery, suspense, romance--and many twists! I can't wait for the next installment in this projected trilogy!

Land of Painted Caves / Jean Auel / 757 pages

If you like marathon reading and detailed historical fiction, this is the book for you. It's the 6th and final volume in the Earth's Children series set in pre-historic Europe during the Ice Age which the author began in 1980. It is fascinating to speculate what life was like for humans during this period; how they survived; what they believed. A good story and you will enjoy this one even if you haven't read the previous books. Just be careful of which roots you use with the mammoth, bison, red deer, auroch or other meat you carry around for several days before eating. And oh, you ecologists will be thrilled....nothing goes to waste whether wolverine or cattail.

The Horn of Moran / Mark Forman / 376 pages

This is the second book in the Adventurers Wanted series. Alex Taylor, a wizard in training, accepts an adventure - his second. He agrees to meet Bregnest at Mr. Clutter's Adventure Shop. The adventure involves finding the Horn of Moran and returning it to the rightful king of Athanor. Bregnest's friend, thereby securing his throne and avoiding war. Alex has two nagic bags to return which he received on his last adventure;two weddings to attend; and many studies to conclude. To an action-packed adventure, add one magnificent horse - fully attuned to her master and bowling pin-like geebs that deliver messages and you have the makings of an outstanding and captivating read.

"Words are what makes a man."

Fireflies in December / Jennifer Valent 334 pages / Christy Award 2011

13 year old Jessilyn Lassiter's best friend, Jemma, is devastated when a fires caused by a lightning strike destroys her home and kills her Mom and Dad. Nineteen year old Luke and Jess's Dad come to their aid and become Jess's heroes. Her family takes Jemma in, a move frowned upon by racially prejudiced members of the town and the Ku Klux Klan.

"The human heart is fragile and needs constant attention."

Christy Award 2011

The Paris Wife by Paula McClain (320 pages)

The Paris Wife by Paula McClain was an exceptional book about an exceptional period in time. The book told the story of Ernest Hemingway's first wife, Hadley, and marriage from her point of view. While it was a work of fiction, all events were actual and documented. From the expatriates living in Paris to the friendships with Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, and others, I learned so much about life in the 20's and events that made Ernest Hemingway who he was. I would have liked for Hadley to have had more of a spine and Ernest to not be such a egocentric man, but they were products of their time. This book made me want to go and re-read the Hemingway I was forced to read when younger.

Insatiable / Meg Cabot / 454 p.

Meg Cabot the Queen of YA / Chick Lit (The Princess Diaries, Queen of Babble, Avalon High) tries her hand at the Vampire novel marketed towards adult readers.  However, unlike most adult paranormal romances this book is much lighter, cleaner, and contains more descriptions of designer clothing than gratuitous scenes of sex, blood and gore.

The high point of the novel were the bits of humor that Cabot throws in like the main character's dog is named "Jack Bower" after the TV show "24"; and the tough Vampire Hunter affectionately calls his sword "Senior Sticky". 



Hey!!  10 extra "suck-up" points
if you can tell me what movie this
 bad-ass Vamp comes from. :)

 The downside was the author is just too chatty.  I wanted the characters to talk less and get on with the action or storyline.  Also the main character, Meena, who is suppose to be the independent modern women, always ends up needing to be saved by the men in her life.  And the love story is so cliche, right down to the sappy "heart-wrenching" breakup scene with the tortured hero being doused by Rain.   

So if you like your Vampires to be the whiny, eternal suffering goth-boy (aka Edward Cullen); then you'll like this book.  All I can say at least this vampire didn't "Sparkle"!      

We Were Here / Matt de la Pena / 357 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011

Miguel is sentenced to one year in a group home.  Mong, a Chinese resident of the house was shot by his Chinese lawyer father, who had also killed his mother.  He is violent and weird.  Miguel discovers him watching him while he is sleeping - is afraid he is going to kill him and doesn't care.  Mong suggests a plan to runaway to Mexico and get jobs in a fishing resort.  They leave with Rondell, an African American who is low IQ and illiterate.  Miguel steals the petty cash.  Mei-Li takes them north instead of south.  Mong commits suicide.  Miguel and Rondell steal from stores and scam money for a  fake basketball team.  Rondell is an excellent basketball player, but has  an uncontrollable violent streak.  Miguel survives the trip, returns home to Gramp's and does landscaping to repay petty cash.

"Life is 5% what happens to you and 95% how you deal with it."

Gateway Award Nominee 2011-12

Itsy Bitsy & Teeny Weeny / Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen ; illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen. 47 p.

The story of two orphans, a fawn and a lamb, which bond as they grow up. A wonderfully realistic illustrations by Robbyn’s husband. 4th in the Hazel Ridge farm story series.
2011-2012 Show Me Nominee

Twist of Fate / Chris Stuckenschneider ; paintings by Kevin Belford. 30 p.

Twist of Fate tells the miracle of his birth to a mare destine for a meatpacking plant in Illinois. He tells the story of survival for horses and a hinny after a tractor-trailer crash.
2011-2012 Show Me Nominee

Dewey: There’s a Cat in the Library! / Vicki Myron and Bret Witter ; illustrated by Steve James. 32 p.

Dewey Readmore Books returns in a dear picture book. Dewey weaves his magic around the library. Steve James captures the children’s expressions beautifully.
2011-2012 Show Me Nominee

Stars Above Us / Geoffrey Norman ; illustrated by E.B. Lewis. 32 p.

Stars become the tie between a soldier father and his young daughter--stars in her bedroom, stars in the night sky.
2011-2012 Show Me Nominee

Peace Week in Miss Fox’s Class / Eileen Spinelli ; illustrated by Anne Kennedy. 32 p.

Out of desperation Miss Fox creates Peace Week. No more bickering, back biting, squabbling, and bad mouthing each other for a whole week. Wonderful examples of conflict management are performed whole-heartedly by the students.
2011-2012 Show Me Nominee

Desert Rose and Her Highfalutin Hog / Alison Jackson ; illustrated by Keith Graves. 32 p.

Desert Rose sets out to take her biggest-fattest hog to the State Fair in Laredo. Just who is ornery the pig or the whole cast of characters with have a laundry list of excuses for not helping. In my mind’s ear, I could hear Joan Cusack (Toy Story 2 – Jessica the yodeling cowgirl) reading this aloud.
2011-2012 Show Me Nominee

Sisterhood Everlasting/Ann Brashares/349 pages

This is a continuation of the story of Lena, Tibby, Bridget and Carmen aka The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. It is ten years past the last book and the girls have drifted apart. Carmen is a semi-successful actress in New York with an older fiance. Lena is teaching art in Rhode Island while leading a very lonely life. Bridget and her boyfriend Eric live in a succession of apartments in San Francisco while Bridget looks for the place with perfect sunlight. Tibby moved very suddenly to Australia with her boyfriend Brian. When Tibby sends everyone airplane tickets to Greece where Lena's family still owns a house, the girls are giddy with excitement and anticipation of the group coming together once again. Their happiness is short lived when an unexpected event throws them a curve.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The first book of the series was charming and fun. The second paled in comparison, so I skipped the third and fourth books. I'm so glad I read this one.

Very Valentine / Adriana Trigiani / 367 pages

Adriana Trigiani is a wonderful, engaging writer. Her books have humor, pathos, romance, angst, family relations, and inviting storylines. In Very Valentine, we meet the "funny one" daughter Valentine and her wonderful, extended Italian family. This is the first of a trilogy...next book up is Brava Valentine. Very Valentine is a great story that will have you laughing, sighing, and cheering. The descriptions of Italian dishes are very enticing as well...except for the squid ink linguine. I really would like to have a pair of those custom shoes too!

Hold Still / Nina LaCour / 229 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011-12

Ingrid has committed suicide by slashing her wrists and her best friend Caitlin is lost to depression.  Caitlin struggles to come to grips with her loss.  She becomes friends with Dylan - the new girl; Taylor - the most popular boy in school; and Maddy - Dylan's girlfriend.  Caitlin gives portions of Ingrid's journal to concerned persons, including Jason, a runner, and Ingrid's heartthrob.From the journal, Caitlin learns that Ingrid had relations with  2 stranger boys. Caitlin builds a treehouse and make peace with Ms Delani, her photography teacher.  References to Shakespeare.

Gateway Award Nominee 2011-2012

Testing the Ice : a True Story of Jackie Robinson / Sharon Robinson ; illustrated by Kadir Nelson. 40 p.

Sharon tells a true story about her father testing the ice so the family and friends could ice skate including the story of his breaking the color barrier in baseball. This is my favorite because of Nelson’s fabulous, realistic, based on family photographs, illustrations. Don’t miss the conversation between Branch Rickey and Jackie, Jackie sliding into home base—SAFE!, and the children’s faces when he tells his story. This is my favorite of the Show Me Nominees. Nelson is awesome.
2011-2012 Show Me Nominee

Nubs : the true story of a mutt, a Marine & a miracle / Brian Dennis. 41 p.

Nubs, an Iraqi dog of war, lead a pack of wild dogs. A miracle occurred when he bonded to Brian Dennis. Even with a bad wound, Nubs walked with Brian during his watch. This dog-man bond was so strong that when Brian was transferred 70 miles away, Nubs walked it in two days all while still wounded. Brian just had to find a way to save Nubs when the order came down to get rid of him -- so off to America, courtesy of a bevy of friends.
2011-2012 Show Me Nominee

Minnow and Rose : an Oregon Trail story / Judy Young ; illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. 40 p.

Minnow, a young Indian girl, and Rose, a young pioneer girl, meet at the river’s edge as Rose’s wagon train prepares to cross. In the early 1880’s, Native Americans would help the wagon trains cross rivers; exchanging help for tools. When Rose falls into the river, Minnow saves her. Presents relationships between Native Americans and pioneers in a different light.
2011-2012 Show Me Nominee

Finding Lincoln / Ann Malaspina 32 p.

It’s 1951. Louis has to write an essay about President Lincoln. The public library is for White’s only. He cannot even sit and read at the tables. A sympathetic librarian whispers for him to return after hours as she escorts him to the door. He returns and gets just the right book.
2011-2012 Show Me Nominee

Chasing Vermeer / Blue Balliett 254 p.

Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay of get involved in a series of seemingly unrelated events. They tackle the disappearance of Johannes Vermeer painting. Plot twists are interspersed with interesting facts about Vermeer. Puzzles abound and watch for pentominoes. Useful for those readers who enjoy Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Raskin’s The Westing Game. Student packet for grades 5-6 by Linda Herman available. As of July 14, 2011, the New York Times has that this is in production for a movie.

The Science of Staying Young / John E. Morley 254 p.

John E. Morley, M.D., is the founder and director of Saint Louis University’s Division of Geriatric Medicine. He presents 10 simple steps for maintaining the best possible quality of life. Morley’s style is easy to read, understand and follow.

Muchacho / LouAnne Johnson / 197 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011-12

Eddie (Eduardo Corazon) lives in New Mexico, attending an alternative school because of an earlier incident.  He is saved from gangs, violence, drug dealing, and hopelessness by his teachers, his Catholic girlfriend, and books.

"Your thoughts create your intentions and your intentions create your reality."
"If you're really smart, you don't have to go around showing people how smart you are.  You just know it in your heart and it makes you too strong to care about what other people think."
"Always do your best.  Never make assumptions.  Don't take anything personally.  Be impeccable with your word."
"Whenever I felt like I was losing it, I would just read a book."
"You can't change the past...You have to learn your lessons and then let go and stop worrying or it can make you crazy."

Some bad language.  Gateway Award Nominee 2011-2012

June Bug / Chris Fabry / 326 pages / Christy Award Nominee 2011

Nine year old June Bug and "her father", John, are American nomads.  They travel the country in an RV - their home.  Engine trouble strands them in Colorado on a Walmart parking lot.  Sheila, a widow and Walmart employee, "takes to" June Bug, and offers her home and meals to the girl and her father. After watching a news story about a missing girl and the finding of the car from which she supposedly disappeared, John decides he has to return to West Virginia to clear things up.  June suspects that she is that missing girl because she had seen an age-advanced picture on a missing child poster at Walmart that looks just like her.  Who is her Mom?  Who is her Dad?  What happened to her?  This heart-warming story is hard to put down.

"It doesn't matter where you live as long as you're with people you love."
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the things that take your breath away."

Christy Award Nominee 2011

Ulysses Moore: The Isle of Masks / Pierdomenico Baccalario / 211 pages

Julia, Rick, and Jason travel to Venice in search of clockmaker, Peter Dedalus.  He is the key to the magic doors and their access to time travel.  Oblivia Newton is also in search of Peter and the keys.  The Moores and Peter agreed to hide the keys and Kilmore Cove so that it would never become a public spectacle like Disneyland.  Are the Moore's still alive?

If I Stay / Gayle Forman / 199 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011-12

There are few snow days in Oregon, so when school is cancelled Mia's mothers decides to take off work and spend the day with the family.  They pile into the car and discuss what music to play.  Her Dad, who used to have his own band, loves Rock 'n Roll and Mia loves classical.  She is a cello player who has won a scholarship to Julliard.  Her boyfriend, Adam, has his own band which has recorded songs.  The car is broadsided by a truck.  Mia "awakes" in a ditch and sees her father's brains on the road and knows he is dead as well as her Mom.  She goes to find her younger brother, Teddy.  She realizes that the arm sticking up out of the ditch is her own.  She is taken to the hospital intensive care and is in a coma.  Her family comes to visit and Adam and her best friends.  She has to decide to let go or to stay. 

Gateway Award Nominee 2011-2012

Intervention / Terri Blackstock / 470 pages / Christy Award Nominee 2011

Barbara Covington is desperate to help her drug-addicted daughter, Emily.  After her Dad's death from Cancer, 18-year-old Emily turned to drugs and alcohol to ease her grief.  She has been through rehabilitation several times with no success.  Now her Mom has arranged for Trish Massey to come from Atlanta to take Emily to her rehab center.  Tragically, Tish is murdered in the airport garage and kidnapped Emily is accused of the crime.  Her mother's and brother's determination and Detective Kent Harlan's investigations work to clear Emily of charges.  Excellent suspense, faith-dictated thoughts and actions, and love make this book a rewarding read.

Christy Award Nominee 2011

The Morgue and Me / John C. Ford / 313 pages / Gateway Award Nominee 2011-12

Christopher Newell has just graduated Petroskey High as valedictorian and plans to begin Northwest Michigan University in a few weeks.  Unfortunately, he has just killed a man.
 Christopher worked in the morgue cleaning up.  He discovered that Mitch's death, ruled a suicide, was really murder.  He took pictures of the body and discovered money in Dr. Mobley's (the ME) office.  he follows Dr. Mobley who meets Officer Tim for lunch.  Chris and a reporter, Tina, uncover a blackmail scheme involving a crooked judge and a golf course development that ruined the bluffs.

"You feel like a fraud when your dreams come true and you don't want them anymore."

Some bad language mars this book.

Gateway Award Nominee 2011-2012

The House of Mirrors / Pierdomenico Baccalario / 244 pages

This is the 3rd journal of Ulysses Moore. Julia, Jason, and Rick discover a second magic door in Kilmore Cove, in the home of Cleopatra Biggle. Ms. Biggle tells the children that Oblivia Newton visits her from time to time -and she's not sure why! The kids have discovered how Oblivia got to Egypt. References are made to Scooby-Doo, the Flintstones, The Twilight Zone, and Snickers candy bars, as the children continue on their quest to solve the riddle of Ulysses Moore. Oblivia is having the House of Mirrors, and amazing edifice that revolves built by Peter Dedalus, the clockmaker of Kilmore Cove, dismantled.  She is looking for a 3rd door. Nestor reveals more secrets of Kilmore Cove and the door to time. Oblivia wants power. She wants to control Kilmore Cove.

"The future is not frozen. Destiny still remains to be written."
"Death comes to us all. It is not important. What is important is how we live."

Death Note vols 1-3 / Tsugumi Ohba/ 586 pages (3 books)

Death Note is the story of Light who found a Shinigami's Death Note. It's a book that is used to list people and their name and date of their death. There are many complicated rules to the Death Note which Light is figuring out. The Shinigami (death god) who dropped the notebook is following Light around for his own amusement. Light has decided to rid the world of evil by killing criminals, but the power is getting to his head. I thought the story was getting a little long, but at the end of the 3rd volume you learn that there is another Death Note operating and I'm wondering how the 2 will connect.

Jump the Cracks/ Stacy DeKeyser/ 207 pages

Victoria witnesses a little boy being left on the train by himself. To save the boy she finds herself running from the police and being accussed of kidnapping. Did Victoria do the right thing to help the boy? How far would you go to make sure a stranger was safe from harm. This was a fast paced story that really makes you think.

Lost Hero / Rick Riordan / 557 pages

Rick Riordan is a bestselling author of books for kids and after reading this action-filled adventure, you will understand why. Lost Hero is the first book in a new series (Lost Heroes of Olympus) that is a spinoff of Riordan's immensely popular Percy Jackson series. Three teens, Jason Grace, Piper McLean, and Leo Valdez, set off on a quest to save Hera and the world. This book has everything: mythology, heroic actions, likable characters, powerful monsters, humor, action, battles, ingenuity, creativity, loyalty, swords, knives & tools. Riordan's books are all page-turners and this one does not disappoint. He writes books that make kids want to gobble up books and the kids love him for it. Hand this book to any kid...especially the ones who hate reading. They will be begging you for more!

I'd Know You Anywhere / Laura Lippman / 373

In the summer of 1985, when she was fifteen, Eliza was kidnapped by Walter and held hostage for almost six weeks. He had killed at least one girl and Eliza always suspected he had other victims as well. Now on death row in Virginia for the rape and murder of his final victim, Walter seems to be making a heartfelt act of contrition as his execution nears. Though Eliza wants nothing to do with him, she's never forgotten that Walter was most unpredictable when ignored. Desperate to shelter her children from this undisclosed trauma in her past, she cautiously makes contact with Walter. She's always wondered why Walter let her live, and perhaps now he'll tell her—and share the truth about his other victims.

Theodore Boone: The Abduction / John Grisham / 217 Pages

Theodore Boone is back in this second children's novel by John Grisham.  When one of Theo's best friends gets abducted in the middle of the night, Theo must help to save her.  He was the last person to talk to ber before she went missing, and the only person close enough to know all the facts of her messed up family life. Can he save her from whatever has happened?

This book was well-written, and has a good ending.  Children will really enjoy reading it, and adults won't have a problem with it keeping their attention. I enjoyed this book.

Montana Sky/Nora Roberts/440 pgs

Three sisters meet for the first time at their father's funeral. They are told that to inherit the ranch in Montana worth over 20 million dollars they must live there together for 1 year. They decide to do so and have to deal with romance and murder. I had decided to read this after watching the movie during a Nora Roberts movie marathon.

The Scorch Trials/James Dashner/361 pgs

This is the second title in the "Maze Runner" series and I can't say that I enjoyed the story but will continue to read the series to find out what happens. Thomas and his friends from the Glade thought they were saved but little did they know that was only phase 1 of the test and phase 2 - The Scorch Trials - was going to be even worse. They have to travel 100 miles through a very hot and dry wasteland to reach the Safe Haven to receive the cure for the Flash. They also find out that there is a second set of kids - all girls - that is taking these same tests. This story is very violent - hard to imagine at times that this is supposed to be a YA title. And the end leaves you wondering what else they can put these kids through.

One Thousand White Women:The Journals of Mary Dodd/Jim Fergus/304 pgs.

Jim Fergus provides an alternative history of a proposal by a Cheyenne chief, in 1854, requesting 1,000 white women as brides for his warriors. The Cheyennes felt this would be a way to assimilate into the white man's world. This proposal never met fruition, but Fergus provides the reader with a fascinating account of what could have happened had it gone through. A highly interesting story, and a sad commentary on the brutal treatment of Native Americans.

Sarah's Key/Tatiana De Rosnay/293 pages

A young girl and her parents are taken away by French police in July, 1942. The girl hides her four-year-old brother in a secret locked cupboard with the promise that she will be back to get him. She doesn't know that she and thousands of others are being rounded up and sent off to concentration camps by French police.

An American-born journalist, living in Paris with her French husband and daughter, is given the assignment to write about the 60th anniversary of the Vel' d'Hiv', a black eye on the French history of WWII and something of which she has never heard. Her quest for information, explanation and ultimately forgiveness changes her life and the lives around her.

Like Kristin Hannah's Winter Garden, Sarah's Key taught me something new about WWII. As hard as it was to read, I'm glad I did. I'm looking forward to this author's next book.

Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading / Tommy Greenwald / 220 pages

"Never try to cut corners and have someone else do what you're supposed to do." This is the advice that Charlie Joe Jackson gives as a moral in the book he was sentenced to write as punishment over his summer vacation. Charlie is a non-reader and proud of it. It was his schemes to have others do his reading for him that lands Charlie in trouble. This is a most enjoyable book, alternating notebook advice pages with storyline featuring several kid-related themes.

"Reading burns absolutely no calories whatsoever. So the next time you consider picking up a book, you might want to remember what an unhealthy choice you are making."

The Invisible Bridge / Julie Orringer / 602 pages

It is Paris, 1937 and young Andras Levi has just arrived from Hungary on scholarship to study architecture. "The buildings he designed would be the ships on which human beings would sail toward the horizons the twentieth century. Then off into the new millennium." Andras falls in love with a Hungarian ex-patriate, Klara, a dance teacher with secrets and a difficult teenage daughter, and a mother and brother back in Hungary. When Andras's student visa is not renewed, he and Klara return to Hungary. This is a heart-warming story of the atrocities visited upon the Hungarian Jews during and after World War II and their nobility and self-sacrifice in meeting this horrific challenge.

RUSA 2011 I have read & posted to the blog all 8 2011 RUSA nominees.

Guilty As Sin/Tami Hoag/470 pgs

"Guilty As Sin" is the second title in the "Deer Lake" series and finally tells you who is the kidnapper/murderer. It is the story of Ellen North, the prosecutor in Deer Lake who is trying Doctor Wright for the kidnapping. Meanwhile there is another kidnapping and the defense attorney is an old lover. Plus a writer comes to town who is thinking of writing a book regarding the kidnapping and trial and is also interested in Ellen. This was a good book but still seems to drag so not sure that I will try any more of this author's books

Fat Cat / Robin Brande / 330 pages

Cat decides to mimic early man's diet and lifestyle for her science fair project, after she draws a caveman picture.  Healthy eating, no technology, and plenty of exercise, transform her body.  Her best friend Amanda and her boyfriend, Jordan, support her.  She is determined to beat Matt McKinney,who was her best friend until 7th grade when he agreed with unkind things said about her.

"Albert Einstein believed that imagination is more important than knowledge."
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research."  Einstein
"Hatred isn't the opposite of love.  It's just a variation of it."

Gateway Award Nominee 2011

Keep the Change / Steve Dublanica / 306 p.

I'll admit it I do have social anxiety;  I am in constant awe watching others talk and charm their way into strangers' hearts.  Still I live in a social society so I throw myself out there and try hard not to really embarrass myself.  Nothing causes me more agony then having to deal with the service industry and tipping.  I am always wondering "Do I tip this person?", "How much?", "Will they be insulted?", "How do you tip without looking 'showey' or 'superior"?  And, yes trips to Las Vegas are more of a nightmare for me than a getaway. 

So, here comes a book just for me.  Steve Dublanica, who has worked as a waiter for over 30 years, goes on a journey to learn all about tipping.  He writes in a conversational style, detailing his travels and interviews he has with various Service staff.  It is a very quick read and includes some interesting history on how and why tipping started.  Dublanica covers everything from how to tip the Hotel Doorman to tipping Strippers, and everything in between.  So if you are as clueless (or worried) as I am about the unwritten rules of tipping; then check this book out.