The Spellman Files Series

The Spellman Files Series by Lisa Lutz

There is no better beach blanket reading!

These books are funny, endearing, and completely entertaining!

The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I loved loved loved this book. It's unique, it's entertaining, and it's just downright enchanting.

The Geogrpher's Library

The Geographer's Library by Jon Fasman was a random impulse buy at Barnes and Noble. I found it in the bargain fiction section and was intrigued by the dust jacket synopsis.

Once again, I was delighted to have found a diamond in the rough so to speak. Or maybe it is needle in the haystack.

A pleasant surprise, I LOVED this book. The characters were wonderful. The story was fascinating. The plot twists were unexpected and fantastic.

Way of the Wolf

Way of the Wolf by E. E. Knight was given to me by a co-worker. He likes the author and really enjoys the fact that the two series that the author writes are completely different in story and style.

Way of the Wolf if book one in his Vampire Earth series.

Set in the near future it tells the tale of a post apocalyptic earth.

This book has it all, monsters, aliens, war, famine, slavery and of course, every day people with a will to survive.

From the first page I fell in love with the author's writing style. I also enjoyed the fact that the books are set in the Midwest. Minnesota is where the stories hero is from.

I read this book in only a few days and I can't begin to tell you what a fun ride it was. This is not the typical vampire story. Not even close. These characters are more liken to the Wraith from Stargate Atlantis. Alien beings that survive not by feeding on human blood but rather by taking in their victim's life essence.

Simply put, the characters are lovable or hateable depending on what side they fall. The action is intense and fun. And the story telling is superb.

Brisingr

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini is book three in the Inheritance Cyle.

This young man is really coming into his own. His own voice, his own style. And what a treat!

If this young man will only get better at writing with age we are in for many years of exceptional books.

The Man with the Golden Torc

The Man with the Golden Torc by Simon R. Green

This is the first book in Simon Green's newest series "Secret Histories". I love anything this man writes.

I have been saving this book for a special occasion. And I decided that my trip to Florida for Tink's wedding didn't get any more special.

Did I mention that I love this man's writing style?

Funny, easy to read, creative as hell. Mr. Green is king when it comes to fun Sci Fi reading.

The Little Book

The Little Book by Selden Edwards

Dad read this one and told me it was a must read.

And, as usual, he was right. This was a good one.

I think, in all honesty, he liked this more than I did. But, I really did enjoy it. And I'm glad I read it. No regrets.

He would put this on his top 5 list. I would put this in my top 50. Which, given how many books I have read is not a bad placing.............

The Lies of Locke Lamora

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

I picked this book up while wandering around Borders. They had a section in their SciFi shelves for "If you Liked this: You'll like these:"

And, this was one of them. I had actually flagged this as a possible series to read so I figured why not give it a try.

What a great story.

Rather than the usual hero adventure this is the story of a band of thieves.

It's fun, exciting, a page turner, and the characters are well developed.

And nothing expected happens. Who lives and dies keeps you guessing from start to finish.

And that makes for a fun read.

I look forward to continuing this series.

Blood Rites

Blood Rites by Jim Butcher is book 6 in the Dresden series.

I fell in love with the Sci fi series The Dresden Files. When I found out the show was based on the books I had to read them.

It's always interesting to watch an author grow into his style, his characters, and into his own voice. Blood Rites is certainly the book in which Mr. Butcher found his voice.

I loved all the stories. Basically even though the series is canceled I can still enjoy the characters and the wonderful adventures. And this book was his best and most eloquent. I'm not sure what it was about this story but I felt like we had taken a literary leap. A little bit more poetic. A little bit deeper.

I guess I have to confess. I'm in love with a wizard. He's tall, dark, and very very handsome.

And these books give me a little bit of romance every day.

Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grill

Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grill by Steven Brust is a wild ride. I wouldn't say this was a book for everyone. It has it's slow moments. But I love the author and had this one on my list to read.

Basically Cowboy Feng's bar can hop time and space. And it tends to do it at the very moment nuclear weapons go off.

It's not until the 4th occurrence though that the regulars in Feng's start to wonder why this happens.

Like I said, it's an interesting story. But it is true Brust. Reads almost like a comic book, light on the brain. And just basically beach blanket entertainment.

The Gargoyle

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson was an impulse buy after seeing So many reviews and write ups of it. Costco had it for a really good price and I was planning to spend the weekend up at the cabin relaxing and reading, so, it all seemed to come together perfectly.

First I want to say that the first 50 pages of this book are VERY hard to read. If anyone you have ever loved has ever been burned or in a bad accident I am not sure this is the book for you.

I was burned when I was young. I really struggled with the first part of the book. But at the same time it was a little bit healing and a lot bit educational for me. A lot of things I went through made more sense after I read this book. I can't even compare what happened to me with what the character in this book experienced. Not even close. But still.........

Anywhoodle. It's a beautiful story. Very well written. And when those last sentences passed by my eyes I was sad, lonely, and I suffered literary withdrawal.

That's the best kind of book.

It is also unique, creative, and imaginative.

Leonardo's Swans

Leonardo's Swans by Karen Essex is a marvelous historical novel. I love books written about the Renaissance. And when the main characters include the artists of that time I love the book even more.

The characters in the story all lived. And from what I could see this story was researched to the finest details.

If you love art, the renaissance, and stories of court intrigue, you will love this book.

I am the Messenger

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak -

Just read it!

That's all I have to say.

Ok, one more thing: I'm very happy that Mr. Zusak is a young guy. I can only hope that means many many more years of wonderful novels from him. He's simply amazing. He also wrote the heartwrenchingly beautiful novel "The Book Thief" which is on the short list of my favorite books of all time.

Twilight and New Moon

Twilight and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer are the first two books in her 4 book Twilight Saga.

For anyone that has read the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton, this is a must read.

It's an entertaining vampire/werewolves story without the constant porn.

Much more innocent. Much more focused on the story and the characters. This is young adult so the reading is fast and easy. But no so easy and young that any age can't enjoy them.

I look forward to the other two books.

Borderkind

Borderkind by Christopher Golden is book 2 in his Veil Series.

I loved the first one. Was enthralled by the second one. And look forward to number three.

Great characters, story, and scenery.

Simply put: I love this series.

Myth Hunters (take 2)

Myth Hunters by Christopher Golden was a re-read in order to be prepared to read the second book in the series, Borderkind.

Second time around I loved it just as much. This is a creative and fun story. And a pretty fast read.

Oliver Bascombe is sitting in his living room contemplating his pending wedding that is to take place the next morning. When a snow storm kicks up into high gear. And through a window comes an ice man in desperate need of help. So Oliver throws on a coat and helps Frost to the edge of the ocean cliffs. Much to Olivers surprise the ice man plunges over the cliff taking Oliver with him. And as Oliver prepares for his death he is shocked to find himself falling into a lake, the sky is blue, the trees are green, and Oliver isn't in Kansas anymore..................

The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas has been sitting by my bed for months. And I have been reading it off and on. It's 1488 pages. Give me some slack.

But this was the second go around for me. I think I might have originally read the abridged version. So I picked up the unabridged and decided to give it a second read.

And even the second time around I loved this book.

I had one of the guys at work stop in mid sentence when he noticed it sitting on my desk. And he said I was reading his all time favorite book.

My dad LOVED it as well. He decided to read it because I had mentioned it was my favorite classical piece of literature and so had his friend at the coffee shop.

It's an amazing story. Even the second time around.

Hell to Pay by Simon R Green is #7 in his Nightside series.

I have had this sitting on my bookshelf for over a year because I was saving it for a very special occasion. Mainly the release of the next Nightside book. I don't know what I would do if he stopped writing these.

Fun, creative, and a wild ride. I LOVE this author. I love his humor, his style, and his amazingly creative mind.

Putting it simply, his books to me are perfect escapism.

People of the Book

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks was a story my parents picked up and really enjoyed. So when we got together a few weeks back they gave it to me to read. And I'm glad they did.

The story is really cool. It takes place in modern times and in the distant past.

A Hebrew prayer book has been found and is lovingly preserved by Hannah. With each sample she takes from the book of stains, hair, and even a butterfly wing she tried to put together where the book has been in it's long life. And with each piece of evidence we are taken back in time to find out how those bits of evidence got to be a part of the book. As well as how the book in and of itself came to be.

It's a wonderful story. Fun to read, and beautifully written.

The Witch of Portobello

The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho was one of those grabs at the airport book store. I loved The Alchemist and this sounded irresistible. I was intrigued from the first page.

Ultimately, I'm not sure I loved this book. It was beautifully written and had some fantastic moments. And beautiful passages. But I feel a little empty. I didn't grow to care about the main character as much as I probably should have. She remained a little distant to me.

But, I'm not sad I read it. And I don't feel like it was a waste of time. It was a good story, just not a life changing great story.