by Alicia Rasley
When a young man with a birth certificate naming her as his mother appears at her church, Ellen O'Connor's life becomes a mystery she never saw coming. Because while it is quite clear that the boy's father is indeed Ellen's husband, who his mother is is less clear. Returning to her childhood home, Ellen and her sisters discover even more secrets lie in their family.
I have to admit that I went into this book with low expectations. It was a free book on Amazon, so I skeptical. But it wasn't Christian fiction (as most of them are) so I downloaded it. I was surprised at how quickly I was pulled into Ellen's story, only to find that as answers started to come to light, the point of view shifted to one of her sisters. It was disorienting at first, but I soon enjoyed the difference.
Although the premise of all these secrets in one family was a bit much for me to swallow, I found I couldn't stop reading this book. I know that if it was a print book, I would have skipped to the end to find out what happened, because I just couldn't wait. Maybe this e-book thing will finally cure me of that. I'm glad I got this book.
On another note, this was the first book I read on my Kindle. I wasn't sure I was going to like the format, but I really did. It wasn't at all like reading off a computer screen, which is what I feared. It really did seem like reading an actual book.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Basket Case
by Carl Hiaasen
Jack Tagger is an obituary writer for a South Florida newspaper, plotting to revive his byline career and obsessing about whether he will die before his next birthday. When the lead singer of band from his youth turns up dead, Jack goes from writing the obituary to investigating the death. It may be the kick his career needs, but it also may be the thing that causes him to kick the bucket.
I've seen this author's name over and over again and found this book at the library book sale. It was funny and interesting. There were a lot of characters to try to keep straight: the band members, Jack's ex and his daughter, fellow reporters at the paper, but there didn't seem to be any characters that didn't need to be there. Jack was a funny, likeable character and even his neurotic obsession with his own death was laughable.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Jack Tagger is an obituary writer for a South Florida newspaper, plotting to revive his byline career and obsessing about whether he will die before his next birthday. When the lead singer of band from his youth turns up dead, Jack goes from writing the obituary to investigating the death. It may be the kick his career needs, but it also may be the thing that causes him to kick the bucket.
I've seen this author's name over and over again and found this book at the library book sale. It was funny and interesting. There were a lot of characters to try to keep straight: the band members, Jack's ex and his daughter, fellow reporters at the paper, but there didn't seem to be any characters that didn't need to be there. Jack was a funny, likeable character and even his neurotic obsession with his own death was laughable.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom
by Julie Kenner
Kate Connor is your typical suburban mom: driving carpool, throwing dinner parties, parenting a teenager and a toddler. Except before she was a soccer mom, she was a demon-hunter. And when a demon crashes through her kitchen window hours before her husband's important dinner party, she is thrown back into the trade.
Whimsical and fast-paced, this book is an easy read. At times I found the humor a little forced, but strangely, the story was so well-written it didn't seem as unbelievable as it should have. This is a series and I've downloaded the next one. I'm anxious to see if her style remains the same. I suspect she will only get better.
Kate Connor is your typical suburban mom: driving carpool, throwing dinner parties, parenting a teenager and a toddler. Except before she was a soccer mom, she was a demon-hunter. And when a demon crashes through her kitchen window hours before her husband's important dinner party, she is thrown back into the trade.
Whimsical and fast-paced, this book is an easy read. At times I found the humor a little forced, but strangely, the story was so well-written it didn't seem as unbelievable as it should have. This is a series and I've downloaded the next one. I'm anxious to see if her style remains the same. I suspect she will only get better.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Belong to Me
by Marisa de los Santos
From the city, Cornelia Brown moves to the suburbs and a totally different way of life. There she encounters a wide variety of characters, from her snooty neighbor Piper and her cancer-stricken friend Elizabeth, to her new friend Lake and her son Dev. They all come together to share a secret that threatens the friendships of everyone.
I started reading this in the emergency room with Mitch one night and finished all half before he was discharged. Not that he was there a long time, but because once I started it, I really couldn't put it down. Piper, who starts off as the woman you love to hate, becomes a well-drawn character that eventually you come to understand. Cornelia is easy to relate to as the new girl in town, with all her insecurities and fumbles through the neighborhood hierarchy. And Lake is a woman with secrets that even she isn't sure what to do with.
This was a good read and I really enjoyed it. It's been sitting on my shelf for a while and I'm glad I grabbed it on the way to the hospital.
From the city, Cornelia Brown moves to the suburbs and a totally different way of life. There she encounters a wide variety of characters, from her snooty neighbor Piper and her cancer-stricken friend Elizabeth, to her new friend Lake and her son Dev. They all come together to share a secret that threatens the friendships of everyone.
I started reading this in the emergency room with Mitch one night and finished all half before he was discharged. Not that he was there a long time, but because once I started it, I really couldn't put it down. Piper, who starts off as the woman you love to hate, becomes a well-drawn character that eventually you come to understand. Cornelia is easy to relate to as the new girl in town, with all her insecurities and fumbles through the neighborhood hierarchy. And Lake is a woman with secrets that even she isn't sure what to do with.
This was a good read and I really enjoyed it. It's been sitting on my shelf for a while and I'm glad I grabbed it on the way to the hospital.
Shattered
by Dean Koontz
Doyle and Colin start a move from Philadelphia to San Francisco to start a new life. Early in the drive, they realize they are being followed by a man in a van. Nothing they do loses him. The longer he follows them, the more worried they become. And rightly so, because the longer HE follows them, the more unhinged he becomes.
An oldie from Dean Koontz, originally published in 1973 and again in 1985. It's funny to read this book, where the main characters today could easily head off their troubles by using their cell phones or laptops to get help or change hotels or their route. One thing that stuck out was that Doyle had written letters and mailed deposits to all the hotels they were going to stay at. I can barely remember a time when you didn't reserve a hotel room online with your credit card.
But those things aside, this was a good story. A Dean Koontz story is always fantastic and this is no exception.
Doyle and Colin start a move from Philadelphia to San Francisco to start a new life. Early in the drive, they realize they are being followed by a man in a van. Nothing they do loses him. The longer he follows them, the more worried they become. And rightly so, because the longer HE follows them, the more unhinged he becomes.
An oldie from Dean Koontz, originally published in 1973 and again in 1985. It's funny to read this book, where the main characters today could easily head off their troubles by using their cell phones or laptops to get help or change hotels or their route. One thing that stuck out was that Doyle had written letters and mailed deposits to all the hotels they were going to stay at. I can barely remember a time when you didn't reserve a hotel room online with your credit card.
But those things aside, this was a good story. A Dean Koontz story is always fantastic and this is no exception.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Best Friends Forever
by Jennifer Weiner
Addie and Valerie were best friends through childhood. But once they hit high school, Val is swept into a popular crowd and Addie finds herself betrayed and left behind. On the night of their 15th high school reunion, Val shows up at Addie's house, scared and with blood on the sleeve of her coat, begging for Addie's help.
For anyone who had a best friend in high school who dumped them for a more popular crowd, Addie and Val's relationship will ring true. While the two come together to help Val, they also get a second chance to best best friends again. Forever.
Anything by Jennifer Weiner is worth reading. Characters you can relate too, real dialog, and short chapters that keep the story moving. Another winner by Weiner. (I know, but I couldn't resist.)
Addie and Valerie were best friends through childhood. But once they hit high school, Val is swept into a popular crowd and Addie finds herself betrayed and left behind. On the night of their 15th high school reunion, Val shows up at Addie's house, scared and with blood on the sleeve of her coat, begging for Addie's help.
For anyone who had a best friend in high school who dumped them for a more popular crowd, Addie and Val's relationship will ring true. While the two come together to help Val, they also get a second chance to best best friends again. Forever.
Anything by Jennifer Weiner is worth reading. Characters you can relate too, real dialog, and short chapters that keep the story moving. Another winner by Weiner. (I know, but I couldn't resist.)
Promise Not to Tell
by Jennifer McMahon
49-year-old Kate returns home to Vermont to decide on the best care for her Alzheimer's afflicted mother. On her first night, a young girl is murdered - a crime that mirrors the death of Kate's best childhood friend, Del. As Kate revisits her childhood and Del's murder, she finds that the past and present combine in terrifying ways.
This book kept me riveted from beginning to end. Who murdered Del, and who murdered the most recent victim, leads the reader on a long trail of suspects that all turn up innocent. It's only when Kate stops and revisits what really happened to her friend Del that the truth can come out.
"Promise Not to Tell" stared out at me from the Target shelf for several weeks before I finally bought it. The cover is intriguing and really pulled me in. You all know by now that I don't buy many books brand new at full price, but in this case, I'm very glad I did. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more by this author, either when the library here opens or at Target. Do yourself a favor and get this book.
49-year-old Kate returns home to Vermont to decide on the best care for her Alzheimer's afflicted mother. On her first night, a young girl is murdered - a crime that mirrors the death of Kate's best childhood friend, Del. As Kate revisits her childhood and Del's murder, she finds that the past and present combine in terrifying ways.
This book kept me riveted from beginning to end. Who murdered Del, and who murdered the most recent victim, leads the reader on a long trail of suspects that all turn up innocent. It's only when Kate stops and revisits what really happened to her friend Del that the truth can come out.
"Promise Not to Tell" stared out at me from the Target shelf for several weeks before I finally bought it. The cover is intriguing and really pulled me in. You all know by now that I don't buy many books brand new at full price, but in this case, I'm very glad I did. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more by this author, either when the library here opens or at Target. Do yourself a favor and get this book.
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