second messiah/ Glenn Meade/ 479 pages

This was an exciting, easy to read book that kept me turning the pages. Meade writes short chapters, but each chapter leaves you hanging for the next detail. I couldn't quit turning the page.

The story involves archaeology, dead sea scrolls, the Vatican, religion, and conspiracy. What's not to like? You also didn't need to know as much as you do for the Da Vinci Code. I liked the characters better too.

The Apprentice/Tess Gerritsen/376 pgs

The second in the Rizzoli & Isles series. We meet Isles for the first time. She is to replace the Medical Examiner from the first novel. Be forewarned: in the book she is called the Queen of the Dead and is almost silent in her opinions. Direct difference from the TV show. Once again there seems to be a serial killer loose in Boston. Rizzoli is back from her confrontation in the last book and hasn't yet recovered from that ordeal. Now she begins seeing parallels from the previous killer to this one and then the FBI shows up and begins withholding information. Her police team thinks she has gone off the deep end and the staff criminal psychologist begins to voice his concerns about a long break. With all this going on around her it is a wonder a string of murders ever gets solved. This one isn't for the faint of heart. What the serial killer does to some of his victims just isn't easy to read. I was disappointed Gerritsen followed up the previous book so soon. I was hoping for something a little different. I think the police deal with more than murder. But yes, I have found the third book to read. Must the writing.

The Surgeon/Tess Gerritsen/359 pgs

I have been aware of this series for a while. I wasn't all that interested to read yet another book about a serial killer and the police who finally track him down. Then I caught an episode of Rizzoli and Isles on TNT. I was intrigued by the snappy writing and the plot that wasn't too predictable. So I decided to take a chance. I have to tell you after finishing this I had to double check all the closets in the house and asked my husband to take a look in the basement. This one got to me. We meet Jane Rizzoli for the first time. She isn't a looker like Angie Harmon is on the show but the book Rizzoli has guts and brains and a giant chip on her shoulder. In some instances there is good reason but sometimes it got a little old. The Surgeon is the name of a man who likes to fantasize about what he would do to women and then acts it out. Rizzoli becomes obsessed with finding this guy and stopping him at all costs. And it nearly does. She loses her partner, she loses her job and is 'benched' and then nearly her life. I couldn't stop reading this. In fact I should have been reading a book club suggestion and almost didn't make it! This is the first book in the ongoing series.

Alice I Have Been / Melanie Benjamin / 351 p.

Alice Liddell will always been known as the basis for the book character "Alice" in Alice in Wonderland.  This book, however, focuses on the "real" Alice and her life story; from her childhood in Oxford where she was friends with Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) to her adult life with her husband and three sons.  Author Melanie Benjamin does an excellent job of creating a fictionalized account of Alice Liddell's real life, especially when she only had a few actual facts to go on.    A quick read through Wikipedia shows that the author covers all of the major events in Alice's life that are historically known.   The author also keeps Alice's and Mr. Dodgson's relationship a bit muddled; was it innocent? inappropriate?  Since the families never discussed it publicly the world will never know; but I think the author does a good job laying out the facts and letting the audience draw their own conclusions.   

Chocolate Chocolate : -- a true story of two sisters, tons of treats, and the little chocolate shop that could/Frances & Ginger Park/274 pgs

The title says it all - this is a story about 2 sisters who decide to live their dream and open a chocolate shop in Washington DC. It goes into the problems they had starting it and a lot about their customers who become friends and part of the family. It also goes into their private lives - their loves and losses. It is a very good book and you will love the names of the chapters - they are all different types of chocolates.

The Dirty Secrets Club/Meg Gardiner/355 pgs

The Dirty Secrets Club was a group of very rich and powerful people who got together and told their deep dark secrets to each other. Now someone is causing them to kill themselves. Forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett has been hired by SFPD to find out if one of the victims really killed herself or was there something else going on. This is the first book in a series starring Jo Beckett and I did enjoy it so will have to add this series to my list to read.

Maine/J. Courtney Sullivan/388 pages

The Kellehers are a lucky lot. They have a beach front house to go to every summer from Boston. Too bad that for the most part, the siblings and their families don't get along. Every one has a different take on every perceived wrong. Told from different viewpoints (only the women, no men), everyone reveals secrets and past indiscretions. When several members of the family end up at the property at one time, the matriarch's final secret is revealed along with some of the others current secrets.

I've spent some time in Maine and have visited several of the towns mentioned. I enjoyed it, and don't let the length fool you. It was a fast read.

The Help/ Kathrynn Stockett/ 530 pages

I read this book in 3 days, because I have a friend in town from FL that suggest we go see it. I did not want to see it before I read it. Now, I'm prepared and eager. It was a fantastic book. One of those where you want to hear more about the characters. But, most people know it's the story of African American maids in Jackson, MI, in the 1960s and what their life was like. But, it is told from the perspective of Aibileen (a reserved maid), Minny (an outspoken maid), and Skeeter, a socialite not content with the way things are in Jackson. There are wonderful characters and characters that you really want to see get whats coming to them. I'd love to say more, but I don't want to give too much away.

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb/ Melanie Benjamin/ 421 pages

This is the fictionalize autobiography of the real Mrs. Tom Thumb--Vinnie Stratton. I had never heard of Mr. & Mrs. Stratton before. But, I have since looked them up on the internet. What a fancinating life--circuses floating on the Mississippi and working with P.T. Barnum. Of course, it's not always a happy story. There are limitations and prejudices with being so small. But, Vinnie is a wonderful and often funny narrator. I love her spunk and her intelligence. I think this is a book to recommend to anyone that liked "Water for Elephants".

The Colorado Kid/ Stephen King/ 184 pages

What I like least about this book is that the cover seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the story. That said, it was a good story. The Colorado Kid was found murdered on a beach in Maine and now 15? years later, two town reporters are still hoping they can be the ones to uncover the secret of who murdered him. There is no new evidence, but they do have a recent graduate joining their team, maybe she can shed some light on the mystery.

The Outsiders/ S.E. Hinton/ 180 pages

This is the story of Ponyboy and his gang and especially, Johnny, who has been kicked around by his father all his life. The story is timeless and sad and wonderful. It has the theme of many books--people from all walks of life are similar. We all see the same sun set. I especially love that this is the favorite book of several of my teens in book club!

American Heiress/ Daisy Goodwin/ 465 pages

I loved this book. I'm not a big romance reader, but this was historical romance. But, this is the story of Cora, an american heiress, going to Englad to find herself a title. The one thing her money can not buy. She meets a duke and marries him quickly--she thinks for love. But, he has secrets... I liked that the story included also the life & love of her maid. I like that you never really know what you want to think about Cora or the Duke. And Cora's mother is quite the firecracker--right from the beginning!

Castle Waiting/ Linda Medley/ 457 pages

My review disappeared!!! But, it was not a great book. I was thrown off by the first chapter--I expected a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but that never happened. I just remember lots of stories with Bearded ladies...

Death Note Vol 6: Give & Take/ Tsugumi Ohba/ 216 pages

Sadly, I read this book about 3 weeks ago and I don't remember much of the details, but I think this is when Light finally zero's in on the bad guy with his "girlfriend's" help. I had thought that I would still keep reading, just to find out if Light ever gets caught or redeems himself, but it's been 3 weeks now and I don't really miss him...

The Sinner/Tess Gerritsen/342 pgs

This is the third title in the Rizzoli and Isles series. Rizzoli and Isles are called to a convent to investigate what looks like a double murder - 2 of the sisters of the convent. Further investigation shows that the younger nun had recently given birth. But nothing is what it seems. Meanwhile, Jane has a problem of her own and is not sure how she is going to handle it. A very good read.

Before I Go To Sleep/S.J. Watson/ 358 pages

Every morning when Christine wakes up, she has no memory of the day or year or decade before. Her husband must remind her who he is and who she is and how she got to be this way. The only truth she knows is what he tells her. A doctor is working with her to help her learn how to live with her disability and maybe even help her regain some of her memory.

This must be the year of the "memory story." Vampires for the teens and young adults and people with impaired memories for us, uh, more mature readers. Overall, I enjoyed this, but I am ready for something different.

Only Mine/Susan Mallery/379 pgs.

This is another addition to Susan Mallery's "Fool's Gold" series. This series is similar in style to Debbie Macomber's--small town, everyone knows everyone, and there's always a budding romance. Mallery's characters are likable, and her books are a light, entertaining read.

Blog Updated!

Hey! Is this dog Freaky or what?!

Hey all, great job this month.  This is just a little note to let you all know that I have posted this month's reading challenge, the final Aug Statistics, and last month's winner. 

Also, I started a little trash talking over at the Missouri Book Challenge Blog; because I really just cannot keep my mouth shut.  ;)

The Light Bringer/ DiGiuseppi & Force/ 323 pgs.

Police officer Alan Crane finds that he is at the scene of people's deaths more than most. He has a definite gift for comforting the survivors. He finds he is recruited by a mysterious Lt. Simmons for a special task force. Just how special forms the plot of this fantasy novel. He is to help people who just died to "go to the light:" In this book, the journey can be long or short depending on the person's life.

It also involves the "other side" where the battle between good and evil continues. Compare this book with other "other side" books or books about heaven.

Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making / Catherynne Valente /247 pages

This is a very special book. It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, Phantom Tollbooth, and fairy tales in general yet the book is unique and supreme in its own right. The language and imagery are sooooo rich, the plot is wondrous, and the characters are real. This would make an awesome book discussion title for upper elementary or middle school. Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland will not appeal to all readers. You need to find the special reader who likes meaty fantasy that they can sink their teeth into.