Title: The 101 Dalmatians
Classification: Children's
Author: Dodie Smith
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: The book far surpasses any movie version, and
I'm a Disney fan. Perfect chapter book for dog lovers fifth grade and
on up. Pongo and Missis search for their fifteen kidnapped pups, and find
a few extra.
Title: Anne of Green Gables
Classification: Teens
Author: L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc.
Copyright: 1908
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Don’t miss this classic series about Anne, an imaginative, talkative orphan sent to live with a brother and sister who originally intended to adopt a boy as a farmhand. Anne is a sensitive, spirited, hot-tempered redhead whose misadventures will delight readers of all ages.
Title: Aunt
Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea
Classification: Mystery
Author: Nancy Atherton
Publisher: Penguin
Copyright: 2006
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: This is #11 in the series which began with "Aunt Dimity's Death." Main character Lori
Shepherd and her 5-year old twin sons, Will and Rob, are sent to stay
with a rich friend of the family on an island off the coast of Scotland
when "Abaddon" --a lunatic, obviously--threatens her husband
Bill. This is about as tame as it gets in a modern mystery series, so
if you like that, as I do, you'll enjoy this story. Aunt Dimity is a ghost
friend who communicates with Lori through a journal, but she doesn't figure
into this particular story very much.
Title: Bark
M for Murder
Classification: Mystery
Author: J.A. Jance, Virginia Lanier, Chassie West, and Lee Charles
Kelley
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins
Copyright: March 2006
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: This collection of 4 short stories was enjoyable,
but nothing to write home about. Short stories are rarely as fun to read
as a full-length novel, so part of the handicap is the format. For die-hard
dog lovers, this will be a must-read. All others can probably take a pass.
The short stories are: 1)Red Shirt and
Black Jacket by Virginia Lanier; 2) Nightmare in
Nowhere by Chassie West; 3) The French
Poodle Connection by Lee Charles Kelley; and 4) The Case of
the London Cabbie by J.A. Jance. Lanier and Kelley
are dog lover's mystery series authors; for Jance and West, this is their
first foray into this area. I particularly enjoyed Maddy Watkins with
her golden retrievers, featured in the Jance story. Maddy's old but spunky
and full of life. I hope to see more of her.
Title: Beautiful
Joe
Classification: Children's
Author: Marshall Saunders
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: I would guess the reading level of this chapter
book to be about sixth grade, but still very enjoyable for adults to read.
This is the "Black Beauty" of dog novels. Told from the point
of view of the dog, Beautiful Joe has his ears and tail cut off as a puppy
by a cruel owner, and fortunately is rescued to live in a clergyman's
home. The theme of the novel is the importance of kindness to all animals.
Title: The Black Stallion
Classification: Children's
Author: Walter Farley
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Copyright: 1941
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The beginning of an excellent series featuring a boy and the wild horse who loves him. Shipwrecked together, the pair later become famous at the racetrack for the Black's incredible speed and spirit. A perfect read for boys or girls who love horses.
Title: Blue
Shoes and Happiness
Classification: Mystery
Author: Alexander McCall Smith
Publisher: Pantheon Books/Random House Inc.
Copyright: 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This 7th entry in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective
Agency series is
a delight from start to finish. As always, it is less a mystery than a
peek into Precious Ramotswe's life in Botswana. Simple, charming, refreshing.
Title: The
Book of Fred
Classification: Fiction
Author: Abby Bardi
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is a great book to provide discussion for
reading groups. The main character, teenage Mary Fred, is removed from
her parents due to their participation in a detrimental mind-control cult
(her siblings die from lack of medical attention). This is the story of
her life once placed with a foster family: how she affects them and how
they affect her. The book starts out telling the story from Mary Fred's
perspective, and then switches to the foster mother, the foster sister,
the foster uncle, and then back to Mary Fred again. Very interesting as
the story progresses told from the perspectives of different characters.
We don't all live in the same world, in a sense, and this book illustrates
that.
Title: Cat
Breaking Free
Classification: Mystery
Author: Shirley Rousseau Murphy
Publisher: Harper Collins
Copyright: 2005
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This cat lover's mystery is #11 in the Joe Grey
series that began with "Cat on the Edge". This series continues
to be delightful, as the feline sleuths are pawing for the truth once
again. Mysteriously gifted with human intellects and the ability to speak
to humans (although they only choose to converse with a select few), Joe
Grey, Dulcie, and Kit encounter some wild domestic cats who are their
equals, and some beastly humans who have bad plans for them.
Title: Champion
Dog: Prince Tom
Classification: Children's
Author: Jean Fritz and Tom Clute
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In this chapter book (about fourth grade reading
level), we meet Prince Tom, a golden cocker spaniel who excelled at obedience,
tricks, and hunting competitions. A novelization of the true story of
Tom Clute's champion dog. Very enjoyable read for young dog lovers.
Title: Chow Down
Classification: Mystery
Author: Laurien Berenson
Publisher: Kensington Books
Copyright: September 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Another good read in this dog-lover's mystery series. Newly married Melanie Travis finds herself--or rather, her standard poodle, Faith--a finalist in a dog food contest they didn't enter. (Young children should not have unsupervised access to the Internet. See what can happen?) There is fierce competition for the $100 thousand grand contract as official "spokesdog." When one of the human competitors falls to his death, Melanie is suspicious and starts asking questions. This series usually is centered around the conformation dog show world, so a new main context helps to keep it fresh, although the story still features dog shows so devotees won't be disappointed. Laurien Berenson is a very good author in this sub-genre.
Title: Church
Folk
Classification: Fiction
Author: Michele Andrea Bowen
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is the story of a Southern African American
woman in the early 60s who falls in love with, and eventually marries,
a Christian pastor. Life as a pastor's wife is far from smooth sailing,
sometimes hilariously so. Don't expect a stained-glass depiction: this
novel is usually shelved in regular fiction instead of religious fiction.
It has blunt speech and plenty of references to sexuality. This book was
a #1 Essence bestseller.(Click here to check out other reviews for this title)
Title: The
Clan of the Cave Bear
Classification: Fiction
Author: Jean Auel
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Never judge a book by its movie. The book is
one of my all-time favorite reads; the movie is an abomination. Ayla is
a prehistoric child rescued by a separate race of humans destined to die
out. She struggles to fit in with a culture that doesn't suit her intrinsic
nature, as they struggle to accept her. As Ayla grows up, she discovers
an inner strength that transcends her environment. This first book in
the Earth's Children series is the best of all of them.
Title: Clean
& Green: The Complete Guide to Nontoxic and Environmentally Safe Housekeeping
Classification: Self-help
Author: Annie Berthold-Bond
Publisher: Ceres Press
Copyright: 1990
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: If you care about the environment, your health,
and/or your wallet, this book is for you. It details a multitude of safe,
natural cleaning solutions and applications, so you'll never again have
to use the harmful, expensive cleaners found in stores.
Title: Confessions From An Honest Wife
Classification: Religion & Philosophy
Author: Sarah Zacharias Davis
Publisher: Revell/Baker
Copyright: 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This book is well suited for use in stimulating
discussion in premarital counseling or marriage studies. Anyone planning
on getting married or those already married would benefit from reading
it, although it is all from a woman's point of view so it will probably
hold more appeal for women to pick up. The author is the daughter of Ravi
Zacharias, in case you are familiar with his books. This book is put together
from interviews with several anonymous Christian women. Each chapter is
a different woman's voice candidly expressing what she has struggled with
and learned in her own marriage. The only thing I really didn't care for
was one of the last chapters in which a woman justified what sounded to
me like an unjustifiable divorce. Of course, I don't have the full story
to know for sure, and one of the things she complains about are how hard
Christians frequently are on those who are going through the pain of divorce.
Hmmm...I better think about that one. So even though I don't agree with
her viewpoints on this issue, the book is still good; the point of the
book is not to necessarily find agreement with everything you read, but
to stir up discussion in groups so people can learn from listening to
other perspectives.
Title: Confessions
of an Ugly Stepsister
Classification: Fiction
Author: Gregory Maguire
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: Very loose retelling of the Cinderella fairy
tale. The author wrote "Wicked", which became a hit Broadway
musical, but this stand-alone novel did absolutely nothing for me. The
premise sounded good but the story itself was a big disappointment. I
kept hoping it would get better, but I didn't enjoy it at all. Phooey!
Title: Crewel Lye
Classification: Fantasy
Author: Piers Anthony
Publisher: Ballantine
Copyright: 1984
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is my favorite book in the Xanth series; it's one of the few books I have literally read to pieces and had to re-purchase. Great literature it's not, but it is great fun. A not-too-bright barbarian heads out on a quest with mixed-up magic to "help" him, and the object he seeks is more than he bargained for. It's a good thing his magical talent is healing himself, because he gets killed and maimed on a regular basis. But death shall not deter him from his quest...or will it? Jordan the ghost recounts the story.
Title: Dating Can Be Murder
Classification: Mystery
Author: Jennifer Apodaca
Publisher: Kensington Books
Copyright: May 2002
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: #1 in the
Samantha Shaw series. This fun,
light mystery is a good read to pass the time while you're waiting for
another Evanovich. This author isn't on the same level, of course, but
with her own style provides elements of humor, romance, and adventure,
starring a single mom with two sons and a dating service business that
serves up more trouble than bliss. Add in a mom who disapproves of everything
her daughter does, a grandpa who enjoys life, and a couple of romantic
interests (which will she choose?), not to mention a dog with a drinking
problem, and you have a very enjoyable read. Unfortunately, this is
out of print at the time of this review (9/06), so look for it in libraries
or at used bookstores.
Title: Dead
Days of Summer
Classification: Mystery
Author: Carolyn Hart
Publisher: William Morrow/HarperCollins
Copyright: 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This 17th book in the Death on Demand series offers a new twist: Annie's Max has been set up to look like a philandering
murderer. Could it be true? Of course not, with their true love! I love
the depiction of their stable marriage and enjoyed this new plot in this
series. Annie and her friends must prove Max's innocence before he is
convicted, and before the murderer gets away forever.
Title: The Dealer
Classification: Teens
Author: Robert Muchamore
Publisher: Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster
Copyright: October 2005
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This second book in the Cherub series was only okay, but not as good as the first one. This series is designed especially for teenage boys who like action adventure. The main character, James Adams, is recruited into a secret agent organization that uses children as operatives. As an adult, this story was an alright read, but I wasn't thrilled with the mixed messages sent to teens in this story about drugs. James goes undercover as an illegal drug delivery person in a sting designed to catch a rather sympathetically portrayed drug lord.
Title: Dear Mr. Henshaw
Classification: Children's
Author: Beverly Cleary
Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell
Copyright: 1983
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: By writing to his favorite author and eventually keeping a journal, a young boy expresses his feelings about life after his parents’ divorce. A decent read for kids.
Title: Death
on Demand
Classification: Mystery
Author: Carolyn G. Hart
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is the first in the Death on Demand series starring Annie, who owns her own mystery bookstore, and her handsome,
wealthy boyfriend Max. This well-written series is a good pick for those
who prefer mysteries which don't make you feel like you're watching the
news or a horror movie. Somewhat suspenseful but not enough to make you
afraid to be alone in the house on a dark night.
Title: The Decoy Princess
Classification: Fantasy
Author: Dawn Cook
Publisher: Ace Books/Berkley/Penguin Books (USA) Inc.
Copyright: December 2005
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: Good storyline of a princess who discovers she’s just a security stand-in for the real princess—quite a shock! Life gets more interesting as enemies make their moves, and even friends can be more than they seem. This story did make me laugh occasionally, but overall it was not well done. The author kept throwing in odd, jarring elements. Like sour notes that don’t flow well with a melody, the cumulative effect was of a good song badly played.
Title: Dogged Pursuit
Classification: Mystery
Author: Lee Charles Kelley
Publisher: Avon Books/HarperCollins Publishers
Copyright: July 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: #5 in the Jack Field dog mystery series. I don't agree with the main character's views on just about anything, but the stories and characters are interesting and distinctive. In this story, Jack, kennel owner, dog trainer, and former cop, interviews a man accused of being a serial killer, which I found particularly interesting. Jack & Jamie are preparing for their wedding, but their lives get more complicated with a killer on the loose and one of their employees missing. The sixth book in the series is due out March 2007.
Title: Double Identity
Classification: Children's
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 2005
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: An entirely too predictable “thriller” about a 12 year old girl, Bethany, who searches for the truth about her identity after her parents inexplicably leave her at a stranger’s house and then send thousands of dollars along with four different birth certificates for her with four different names. 2 ½. Perhaps an okay one-time read for the younger set, but rather slow-paced and hardly mysterious. A lot more could have been done with this topic, but perhaps that would have made it too adult for its preteen audience. Overall a disappointing and rather pointless story.
Title: Eliminate Chaos
Classification: Self-help
Author: Laura Leist
Publisher: Sasquatch Books
Copyright: 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The book's subtitle is: "The 10-Step Process to Organize Your Home & Life." Perfectly decent but unexceptional book on organizing. The author walks you through organizing different areas of your home, using some photos of rooms in people's homes she worked on as a professional organizer. This book is adequate and will work fine if you're just looking for the basics, but if you devour "domestic goddess" books by the handful, don't expect to learn much of anything new. Plus this book does not delve much into the psychology of clutter. I found it really very plain vanilla. Fine, but far from fantastic.
Title: English
Roses
Classification: Children's
Author: Madonna
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Juvenile picture book. In this story I find
that Madonna has nothing meaningful to impart to children. What a surprise!
Your time and money are better spent elsewhere.
Title: Every Woman’s Marriage: Igniting the Joy & Passion You Both Desire
Classification: Religion & Philosophy
Author: Shannon and Greg Ethridge
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Copyright: 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A well-balanced guide for the Christian wife on how she can relate more lovingly toward her husband and help build a better marriage relationship.
Title: Faith
is Not a Feeling: Choosing to Take God at His Word
Classification: Religion & Philosophy
Author: Ney Bailey
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Told in first person, the author provides her
own real life examples of how to apply the Bible in a world that often
doesn't make sense. In the first chapter she relates how, although she
herself and some others survived, seven of her friends died in a flood
that hit while they were attending a Christian women's retreat. She is
very honest about her struggles and mistakes. This book is encouraging,
informative, and thought-provoking. A twelve week Bible study guide is
included in the back of the book.
Title: Follow
My Leader
Classification: Children's
Author: James B. Garfield
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In this chapter book (about fourth grade reading
level), Jimmy is eleven years old when he loses his sight in an accident.
He learns to read Braille, walk with a cane, and goes to a special school
to get his guide dog, a German Shepherd named Leader, and learn how to
work with him properly. In addition to coping with his new way of life,
Jimmy must learn to cope with his feelings towards the boy who threw the
firecracker in his face.
Title: The Forgotten Door
Classification: Children's
Author: Alexander Key
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: 1965
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Jon fell through a gateway from his world to ours. This telepathic boy with a love for animals suffers from amnesia and is unable to recall much about his world other than that it is a peaceful place. He finds a good family to help him, but faces enemies in the community who aren't inclined to tolerance for anyone different. An excellent and gentle science fiction story on a fifth grade reading level.
Title: Gaits of Heaven
Classification: Mystery
Author: Susan Conant
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Copyright: November 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: My favorite dog mystery author is on her way to becoming a former favorite. There is no other mystery author who so immerses her stories in all things dog (which is a big plus as far as I’m concerned) and this book is no exception. However, like the preceding novel in the series, “Bride & Groom,” the great dogginess of the story is not enough to redeem it from its overshadowing negative qualities. One mistake was to have the main character narrate events that take place without her by imagining in her mind’s eye what happened, using the present tense. Unnecessarily wordy sentences, probably intended to convey originality, prove ponderous instead and bog down the flow. The story struggles along in need of fresh batteries. Finally, I disliked the ending of both books. Sad to say, overall it’s a poor showing.
Title: Gift
of Gold
Classification: Teens
Author: Beverly Butler
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In this sequel to "Light a Single Candle",
Cathy, now a college student, faces more difficulties as a blind person
with a desire to become a speech therapist. In addition to trying to find
her place in the world, she's trying to decide which man she'll let find
a place in her heart.
Title: Give
It Up! My Year of Learning to Live Better With Less
Classification: Self-help
Author: Mary Carlomagno
Publisher: William Morrow
Copyright: 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Sounds good, right? Don't waste your time. This
wealthy socialite toys with the novelty of giving up such vital necessities
as alcohol, cell phone usage, and taxi cabs. She plays at each deprivation
for a month, then is relieved to pretty much return to her previous lifestyle.
It seems to me that when she tries to come up with "something deep
and meaningful to say," it's only an attempt to make the book have
enough of a point to get published, not because she actually gained real
insight. Wow. I didn't know people could really have that shallow of an
existence. She's kidding, right? Am I on Candid Camera?
Title: Guilty
Pleasures
Classification: Vampires, Horror & Other Creatures
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: First in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter fantasy series. I read
this book because I know many people who like this author and this series,
but it isn't surprising that I hated it because I don't like vampires!
What was I thinking? To me, Vampires + Erotica = Yuck.
Title: Gunpowder Plot
Classification: Mystery
Author: Carola Dunn
Publisher: St. Martin's
Copyright: September 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: No. 15 in the Daisy Dalrymple series. Set in the 1920s, this novel won’t have you enthralled to find out what happens next, but neither will you be afraid to turn out the lights while home alone. A likeable, tame mystery without gore, language or sex.
Title: Hope for the Flowers
Classification: Religion & Philosophy
Author: Trina Paulus
Publisher: Paulist Press
Copyright: 1972
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is a picture book for adults which depicts the lives of 2 caterpillars on their way to becoming butterflies. A nonreligious, inspirational story about there being more to life than climbing to the top of the heap no matter what the cost, and about learning to value the beauty in oneself and others.
Title: How Come I'm Always Luigi? A FoxTrot Collection
Classification: Self-help
Author: Bill Amend
Publisher: Andrews McMeel
Copyright: 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Humor/comic strip. If you love FoxTrot, you'll
love this book as much as all the previous ones. I'm mainly including
mention of it here so you will know there is a new book out, because it
either suits your sense of humor or it doesn't. I love it and it makes
me laugh. One of the top comic strips in my opinion.
Title: I Got You, Babe
Classification: Romance
Author: Jane Graves
Publisher: Ivy/Ballantine Books
Copyright: September 2001
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: For some irrational reason, a book that can be purchased for a bargain price holds more appeal than a book that can be read for free at the library. That is my explanation for why I subjected myself to reading this awkwardly written contemporary romance. Having finished it, my verdict is: I want my 34 cents back. The plot revolves around Renee Esterhaus, innocent fugitive, versus John DeMarco, vacationing cop. The author had a promising premise but her execution of the story killed it.
Title: Indemnity Only
Classification: Mystery
Author: Sara Paretsky
Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell
Copyright: 1982
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: First in the V.I. Warshawski series. Anyone who enjoys Kinsey Millhone’s adventures by Sue Grafton will not want to miss this comparable series. V.I. is a tough, independent, female P.I. with tenacity for solving cases. Just please promise me you won’t see the horrible movie, which butchers the books completely. Kathleen Turner was great as Joan Wilder and Jessica Rabbit, but she does not begin to resemble V.I. What were they thinking? Even if they’d picked the right actress, the movie would still have been a disaster. Don’t let that put you off the books, though—the books are great!
Title: Jane’s Warlord
Classification: Romance
Author: Angela Knight
Publisher: Berkley Sensation/Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Copyright: June 2004
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The plot sounds like a “Terminator” movie: a present-day woman is targeted for assassination, and a fighter from the future is sent back to protect her. Actually reading the novel brings to mind a different movie title: “Earth Girls Are Easy.” It doesn’t take Jane long AT ALL to adjust—ahem—to a not-quite-human man with glowing eyes and super-strength, along with his talking wolf, holding her hostage for her own protection against a time-traveling Jack the Ripper. This gal’s sex drive is like the postal service: regardless of adverse circumstances, the male goes through. I give the author points for attempting to create a plot beyond the typical “loves me/loves me not,” but the realm to which she transports the reader isn’t magical, merely ridiculous. The crude language used also detracts from the story. Final verdict: don’t waste your time traveling through this book. I’ll always clap for Tinkerbell to live, but there are limits even to make-believe.
Title: Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace
Classification: Teens
Author: MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin
Copyright: August 2005
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Teen fantasy series. Move over, "teenage werewolf,"
here comes "I was a teenage weredragon." Great read. I definitely
look forward to reading more of Jennifer's adventures. She's got the attitude,
AND she breathes fire! Look out, world, this sassy shapeshifter is just
getting started! (Click here to check out other reviews for this title)
Title: Jennifer Scales and the Messenger of Light
Classification: Teens
Author: MaryJanice Davidson & Anthony Alongi
Publisher: Berkley Jam Books
Copyright: June 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The second in the Jennifer Scales series is also a very good read. At first I found the somewhat soap-opera-ish plot to be a bit much even for a fantasy, but once I accepted the drama I thoroughly enjoyed it. This series is marketed for teens but is a good read for adults as well. Jennifer is being trained in her mother's heritage and struggling with friend and family relationships, while trying to avoid being killed. Who says teenagers have it easy?! Especially half-weredragon teenagers facing a lot of secrets. I look forward to the third book! (Click here to check out other reviews for this title)
Title: Jumper
Classification: Science Fiction
Author: Steven Gould
Publisher: Starscape/Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
Copyright: 1992
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Sci fi fans take note: this will be appearing as a movie in 2007, so read it now and avoid the rush. This compelling story of a boy who discovers he has the ability to teleport makes a good read for older teens and adults. Sadly, I've seen it marketed for elementary school age children, which is totally inappropriate in light of a scene in which a gang of truckers attempt to rape Davey while he's on the run from his alcoholic father. This is a growing-up story of self-discovery, survival, adventure and learning to love. The sequel is titled "Reflex."
Title: Light
a Single Candle
Classification: Teens
Author: Beverly Butler
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This story is about Cathy, a 14 year old who
goes blind and must learn how to adjust. After awhile, she gets a German
Shepherd guide dog, Trudy, and attends public high school. The author
of this novel was blind herself and therefore well able to express the
friendship difficulties that Cathy experiences. There is a sequel, "Gift
of Gold."
Title: Lightning
Classification: Fiction
Author: Dean Koontz
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Koontz usually writes horror, but this is more
science fiction. This is one of my favorite books of all time. I can't
imagine why this fantastic story, with its elements of action, romance,
and suspense, hasn't yet been made into a blockbuster movie. Nothing will
ever beat the book, though: Grow up with Laura Shane and wonder, as she
does, who her guardian angel is, and what could be his purpose, as he
unpredictably appears and disappears throughout her life, yet never changes...
Title: Little Wizard Stories of Oz
Classification: Children's
Author: L. Frank Baum
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Copyright: 1913
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This book in the Wizard of Oz series was written for a younger reading level than all the rest. I didn't read this one as a child (the only one I missed), but from an adult perspective this book is not that great. The best of the stories were only okay. Compared to the rest of the Oz books, this one lacks magic. It is probably due to being written for younger readers and because it is a collection of six short stories, which are rarely as good as a full-length novel. This book isn't worth reading; the other books are much better.
Title: Lost
and Found
Classification: Science Fiction
Author: Alan Dean Foster
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A man and dog are kidnapped by aliens. This
story has a talking dog in it, and I still didn't like it. That's bad.
I didn't like the development of the plot, the characters, or the author's
writing style (too pompous). I know he can write better than this. What
happened? Needless to say, I won't be reading the sequel.
Title: Mammoth
Hunters
Classification: Fiction
Author: Jean Auel
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In this third book in the Earth's Children series,
Ayla and Jondalar stay with a group of people who hunt mammoth. The sex
scenes in this book become a bit overbearing; it's more of the same, yada
yada yada, let's get back to the plot. However, Ayla wins my heart again
as the larger-than-life, innovative heroine, still triumphing over adversity
and fighting against prejudice. Lots of cultural conflict to spice up
the plot.
Title: Maximum Security
Classification: Teens
Author: Robert Muchamore
Publisher: Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster
Copyright: June 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: #3 in the Cherub series. This time young teen James Adams goes undercover in a juvenile prison to engineer a prison break for the son of a most-wanted criminal, as bait for the big fish. His sister Lauren, also an agent, joins him for the first time on this mission. This story had a more exciting and intense plot than the 2nd one, but still I feel my enthusiasm for this series dimming. The violence and harshness encountered by the children as part of their missions bothers me because children shouldn't be expected to deal with adult complexities. The fact that "survival of the fittest and toughest" is presented as admirable and necessary is also disturbing to me. I just don't think these stories send the best messages to kids. However, this story might help to "scare straight" anybody on a cross course with the law: the depiction of the juvenile prison should make anyone reconsider ending up there. Okay one-time read overall, but definitely not a favorite.
Title: "Me
and My Big Mouth!" Your Answer is Right Under Your Nose
Classification: Religion & Philosophy
Author: Joyce Meyer
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is an excellent Christian book about the
importance of our words from a spiritual perspective. Filled with practical
advice. Worth re-reading on a regular basis.
Title: Misery
Moms: Living on One Income in a Two Income Economy
Classification: Self-help
Author: Joni McCoy
Publisher: Bethany House
Copyright: 1994, revised 2001
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Even those of us who aren't parents can appreciate
the thrifty advice in this book. For more recipes, see her cookbook, "Misery
Meals: Healthy, Tasty Recipes Under 75 Cents per Serving", published
2002.
Title: Motor Mouth
Classification: Mystery
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Copyright: 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: I care zip about car racing, but I still laughed my way through this book. Mechanic Alexandra Barnaby, more commonly known as Barney, and racecar driver Sam Hooker start out to help a friend and end up on the run from the bad guys, with hilarious results. This sequel to Metro Girl is much better than the original, in which 'NASCAR Guy' talked about himself in the third person and was as appealing as Jar Jar Binks. Thankfully, the authors have divested him of that habit in this second appearance. The crack-up character Lula from the Stephanie Plum series does not appear in the Barnaby books, but I felt that her spirit was there in the pages of it. (Click here to check out other reviews for this title)
Title: Moving Is Murder
Classification: Mystery
Author: Sara Rosett
Publisher: Kensington Books
Copyright: April 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: #1 in the new Mom Zone series. A decent read about a woman, newly "mommed," who is married to an Air Force pilot. The story takes place after their move to a new home, so although the plot does not center around the actual experience of moving, the family is unpacking and settling into their new neighborhood. With a murderer on the loose, of course. The author gives a few moving tips at the ends of chapters. The main character may develop a home organizing business in future books. So, military, new motherhood, organizing for a move--if any of these topics hold appeal for you, you may enjoy the themes in this mystery.
Title: Mr.
Monk Goes to the Firehouse
Classification: Mystery
Author: Lee Goldberg
Publisher: Signet
Copyright: 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: If you like the TV show "Monk", featuring
a brilliant detective who is crippled by extreme obsessive-compulsive
disorder, you'll enjoy this paperback novel by one of the show's writers.
In June 2006, Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii. I can't wait!!
Title: Mrs. Jeffries Appeals the Verdict
Classification: Mystery
Author: Emily Brightwell
Publisher: Berkely/Penguin
Copyright: May 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: #21 in the Mrs. Jeffries series.
I typically enjoy this light Victorian mystery series featuring an Inspector
whose detective work is helped out considerably by his household staff.
However, this one did not particularly engage me, probably because I so
recently read the previous book in the series, and the stories are too
much alike after awhile to read one right after another.
Title: Mrs.
Jeffries and the Silent Knight
Classification: Mystery
Author: Emily Brightwell
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin
Copyright: October 2005
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Inspector Witherspoon is a gifted homicide detective:
gifted in having a household staff, headed by housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries,
accompanied by a few friends, who enjoy secretly helping him catch murderers
and thus enhance his reputation. In this 20th entry in the series begun
by "The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries", set in Victorian England,
Witherspoon continues to be charmingly puzzled by "his" brilliant
ideas. If you like your mysteries tame, without extensive blood/gore/unwelcome
insights into the twisted minds of psychotic killers, you'll be safe with
this entertaining series.
Title: Mrs.
Mike
Classification: Fiction
Author: Benedict & Nancy Freedman
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Historical fiction set in the early 1900s, about
an Irish woman from Boston who marries a Canadian Mounty and travels to
live in the wilderness with him. This character (based on a real life
person) battles astonishing hardship, and I felt ashamed for ever having
complained about something as trivial as the weather. Not my usual type
of read, but very worthwhile and still in print as of 2006.
Title: Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii
Classification: Mystery
Author: Lee Goldberg
Publisher: Signet/Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Copyright: July 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This second book in the Monk series is sure to delight the fans of the t.v. show. Full of depictions of Monk's obsessive-compulsive habits, this story had me laughing out loud. My one complaint is that the mystery was too easy. If I could figure it out, a genius like Monk certainly should have caught on sooner. But I found it very enjoyable just the same. Now we have to wait until Jan. 2007 for the "Blue Flu" to be released. I'm getting my order in early!
Title: Murder On A Girl’s Night Out
Classification: Mystery
Author: Anne George
Publisher: Avon/Hearst
Copyright: 1996
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: First in the Southern Sisters series. A mildly entertaining story about two very different sisters who become involved in a murder case when the former owner of a Country Western bar is murdered right after one sister buys it from him. (Click here to check out other reviews for this title)
Title: Murder Unleashed
Classification: Mystery
Author: Elaine Viets
Publisher: New American Library/Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Copyright: May 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: #5 in the Dead-End Job Mystery series. Main
character Helen
Hawthorne works at the Barker Brothers Pampered Pet Boutique in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida. This is not a typical dog-lover's mystery: the main character
does not have a dog, and the dogs as individual characters are not central
to the plot. However, the animal-centered setting is very central, and
its originality (a pet store catering to the extreme rich) makes this
an appealing, inviting read for dog-lovers regardless. The story weaves
together a lot of interesting elements that make for an entertaining,
fun, fresh read. The primary focus of the story is pets, humor and adventure,
but please note that there is a sexual element that makes this story unsuitable
for young people.
Title: A
New Leash on Death
Classification: Mystery
Author: Susan Conant
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is the first book in my favorite dog lover's
mystery series. The unofficial sleuth, Holly Winter, is a writer of dog
articles who shows Alaskan malamutes in competition. Her dogs are real
dogs and act like it: they misbehave, even though they are well trained.
Fun! Plus I learned tons about the dog show world.
Title: Not a Girl Detective
Classification: Mystery
Author: Susan Kandel
Publisher: William Morrow/HarperCollins
Copyright: 2005
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: I collect all the
hardcover reprints by Applewood Press of the original Nancy Drew stories,
so I hoped to enjoy this contemporary mystery with its Nancy Drew theme.
Sadly, this book is not worth reading unless you struggle with insomnia.
I don't know how the author manages to turn such interesting topics into
dull, tedious, mind-numbing, "is-it-over-yet-please" stories. I only finished
reading it because I wanted to give the book a fair shake for its review
by reading it all the way through. I dreaded the chore and celebrated
when I finally finished reading this extremely boring story. I felt the
same way about the author's first book, "I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason,"
and I LOVE the Perry Mason mysteries. Two strikes and this author's out.
The boring-ness of her first book was not a fluke; it's a trend. I will
not read Susan Kandel again. On the other hand, it's cheaper than sleeping
pills.
Title: A
Pedigree To Die For
Classification: Mystery
Author: Laurien Berenson
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Dog lover's mystery. First in the amateur sleuth
Melanie Travis series.
She's a single mom who enters the world of show Poodles and discovers
an aptitude for solving crimes.
Title: The
Plains of Passage
Classification: Fiction
Author: Jean Auel
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This fourth one is the absolute worst book in
the entire Earth's Children series.
Ayla and Jondalar travel on and on...and on...and ON...and by the time
they reach their destination, it's the end of the book. What a gyp! Here's
the plot: they travel. They have sex. They watch animals have sex. Shall
I ever recover from reading the mammoths' sex scene? I may be in therapy
for years. I should sue. Plus there's a rather nasty exploration of a
group of women's abusive domination of men. Ick. Jean Auel, why did you
put us through the "Pains" of Passage?
Title: Plum Lovin’
Classification: Mystery
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Copyright: January 2007
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: 3 ½. An entertaining novelette along the lines of “Visions of Sugar Plums” with a holiday theme and a supernatural element. Stephanie Plum is called upon by Diesel to handle five case files for the “Cupid” of Valentine’s Day, a woman named Annie Hart whom Stephanie wants to apprehend for skipping out on bail for armed robbery. I dislike it extremely when fiction or mystery writers jump genres within an otherwise straightforward book or series, although I have no problem with urban fantasy that actually admits to being such from the get-go. So my first inclination as I started reading was to rate the book as a 2. However, my own laughter as the outlandish plot proceeded convinced me to bump the rating up a notch—I certainly liked the book. Stephanie meets some very interesting characters, along with regular entertainers such as Grandma Mazur and Lula. Steph’s sister Valerie’s love life is also impacted in this story, as it was in “Visions,” which might be a bit puzzling if you skip ahead to the next “official” full-length story without reading this one. The book packs a lot of fun in a slim volume, but some people may prefer to get it out of the library or wait for paperback instead of paying hardcover price due to its thin size. (Click here to check out other reviews for this title)
Title: The
Power of a Positive Wife
Classification: Religion & Philosophy
Author: Karol Ladd
Publisher: Howard Publishing Co.
Copyright: 2003
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This sounds like a fluffy, easy read, but in
my life I have never read a more challenging marriage book than this one.
Guess being positive doesn't always come easy. You Christians out there
will know what I'm talking about when I say this book made me mad in a
good way. When God puts His finger on something in my heart that shouldn't
be there, I tend to get sulky; I got plenty sulky reading this. It took
me a long time to get through because I kept getting mad and saying, "I'm
not reading this any more!" But it's good medicine and of course,
I kept coming back to it. If you want an easy read, this isn't it. But
if you want God to change your heart, this is an excellent tool. Read
with prayer.
Title: The Princess and the Goblin
Classification: Children's
Author: George MacDonald
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Copyright: 1911
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A gentle fantasy by a Christian author featuring a brave princess, her great grandmother, a miner boy, and some ill-intentioned goblins (are there any other kind?). One of my absolute favorite reads. The sequel, also excellent, is "The Princess and Curdie."
Title: Reflex
Classification: Science Fiction
Author: Steven Gould
Publisher: Tor/Tom Dohertry Associates, LLC
Copyright: 2004
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This sequel to "Jumper" was disappointing. Of course, anytime one enjoys a novel, it's interesting to see what happens next to its characters. In this case, "Jumper" is a stand-alone read, so it isn't necessary to read "Reflex" as a follow-up if you don't care to. On the whole I thought "Reflex" was rather boring and pointless. It will probably also be made into a movie at some point, so if you prefer to read the books first, you may still want to pick this one up just so you can compare the film version to its original.
Title: Resenting
the Hero
Classification: Fantasy
Author: Moira J. Moore
Publisher: Ace Books/Berkley/Penguin
Copyright: March 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The cover is misleading; I'm happy to say that
the woman never, ever has to shine the man's boots. Because of the cover
picture, I expected this book to be silly camp with exaggerated characters
and humor, but it's more just regular fantasy. I stayed up until 3 a.m.
to finish reading it. This is the first in what looks to be a future series.
Character driven, not a lot of action, but very interesting. I very much
enjoyed the portrayal of the villain and/or villainess (don't want to
give anything away). This is mostly a story of a man and a woman who have
to learn to work as a team although they are not much alike. The woman
is a "Shield" who protects the man's life (who is a "Source")
when he magically deflects natural disasters. I look forward to reading
the sequel.
Title: Second Sunday
Classification: Fiction
Author: Michele Andrea Bowen
Publisher: Walk Worthy Press/Warner Books
Copyright: June 2003
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Romance, faith, struggle, sorrow and joy--these
elements combine to portray a sense of real people making their way through
real life. This novel features the lives of church members in an African
American Baptist Church in 1975 St. Louis. There are those in the church
with their own agendas which might endanger the church as a whole as its
centennial anniversary approaches. This second novel by Ms. Bowen, although
definitely humorous in parts, didn't make me laugh out loud as much as
when I read her first book, "Church Folk". But I liked the storyline
of this one better. It is not necessary to read "Church Folk"
first, although there are a few references to characters and events from
the first book. Very good read. Again, be aware this contains blunt speech
and sexual references.
Title: SERIES - Apprentice Adept
Classification: Fantasy
Author: Piers Anthony
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Two worlds co-exist: Proton, where everything
relies on logic and science, and Phaze, a fantasy world governed by magic
where science doesn’t exist. Unnecessarily graphic scenes in some
of the books marred my enjoyment of this series, but it has an interesting
story line.
Title: SERIES - Dark Is Rising
Classification: Children's
Author: Susan Cooper
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 1970s
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This fantasy series begins when Simon, Jane
& Barney Drew discover an ancient map in the attic of their vacation
home. Soon they are on the search for the Grail. The five books that make
up the sequence see the children battle between the Dark and the Light
in a world full of Arthurian and Celtic mystical settings. Very popular
and well-known series, but didn’t do anything for me. Of course,
I’m not a big fan of this type of setting. Ages 12 and up.
Title: SERIES - The Deptford Mice Trilogy
Classification: Fantasy
Author: Robin Jarvis
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A great read for kids who liked The Secret of
Nimh or the Redwall series (the talking animals). This series features
mice vs. rats. Ages 9 and up.
Title: SERIES - Kinsey Millhone Mysteries
Classification: Mystery
Author: Sue Grafton
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Kinsey is a tough, independent female private
eye. If you like this series, also try Sara Paretsky.
Title: SERIES - The Land of Oz
Classification: Children's
Author: L. Frank Baum
Publisher: Various
Copyright: 1900
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: There are fifteen books that visit the Land
of Oz in L. Frank Baum’s 1900 modern fairy tales of the adventures
of Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Woodsman, the Scarecrow and others. This classic
children’s fantasy series has a timeless message for all children
about friendship, compassion, courage and wisdom. All fifteen stories
can be found in one volume called, 15 Books In 1: L. Frank Baum’s
Original “Oz” Series (2005) Shoes & Ships & Sealing
Wax, Ltd. Publishers. My personal favorite is Ozma of Oz. Ages 8 and up.
Title: SERIES - The Mars Diaries
Classification: Teens
Author: Sigumund Brouwer
Publisher: Tyndale Kids
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In the year 2039, Tyce Sanders, a 14-year-old
virtual reality specialist and atheist, finds life at the experimental
Mars community difficult. As he explores his strange surroundings, he
finds the mysteries of the red planet point to his greatest discovery-a
relationship with God. This series is a Christian science fiction for
teens.
Title: SERIES - Melanie Travis Mysteries
Classification: Mystery
Author: Laurien Berenson
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A dog lover’s mystery series featuring
standard poodles and Melanie Travis, thirty-something single mother and
Connecticut teacher.
Title: SERIES - Miss Silver Mysteries
Classification: Mystery
Author: Patricia Wentworth
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: If you like the kind of mysteries that won’t
give you nightmares, this is a thoroughly enjoyable series. The series
debuted before Agatha Christie started writing. Dora Amy Elles Dillon
Turnbull (a.k.a. Patricia Wentworth, 1876-1961) introduced elderly spinster
sleuth, Miss Maud Silver, in 1929. Maud is a retired governess, who loves
to knit and read the Bible and Tennyson. Nobody beats Agatha Christie,
but these are great reads if you like mysteries on the genteel side, as
I do. It is not necessary to read in orders, which is helpful because
most, if not all, are out of print.
Title: SERIES - Mrs. Jeffries
Classification: Mystery
Author: Emily Brightwell (aka Sarah Temple)
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The mysteries aren’t hard to figure out,
but I enjoy the characters and the gentleness of the series (not gory,
graphic, or intense). Inspector Witherspoon is not nearly as talented
at detecting as his housekeeping staff, but I won’t tell if you
won’t.
Title: SERIES - Norby Chronicles
Classification: Teens
Author: Janet Asimov & Isaac Asimov
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A series of short science fiction novels for
young teens. These are the delightful adventures of fourteen years old
Jeff Wells, a Space Academy cadet and Norby, his second-hand robot with
unusual abilities. Enjoyable reads for preteens on up to adults. Fun!
Title: SERIES - The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
Classification: Mystery
Author: Alexander McCall Smith
Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is a gentle and enjoyable series, really
more fiction than mystery. A woman, Precious Ramotswe, sets up her own
detective agency in Botswana. This series is a lot about her life, her
relationships with people and her relationship with the land. It’s
very interesting to hear the different perspective from another country,
and hard to believe the author is a man.
Title: SERIES - Regeneration
Classification: Teens
Author: L. J. Singleton
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A series about five teens created in a secret
cloning experiment on a mysterious yacht. Something went wrong and now
one of the doctors is trying to kill off each clone. An enjoyable read
but never really given a satisfactory ending. Written for young teens.
Title: SERIES - The Sunday Philosophy Club
Classification: Mystery
Author: Alexander McCall Smith
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Amateur sleuth Isabel Dalhousie is a philosopher,
Editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, and host of The Sunday Philosophers'
Club at her house in Edinburgh. Not nearly as good as The No. 1 Ladies’
Detective Agency series.
Title: SERIES - Warhorse of Esdragon
Classification: Fantasy
Author: Susan Dexter
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: First, the remarkable adventures of Leith, Prince
of the Isles and his amazing black stallion, Valadan. Next comes the story
of Leith’s descendants, Druyan. The final book has Titch, a reluctant
knight. These are stand alone books with a common thread, Valadan, the
magical Warhorse of Esdragon. I love these stories all the way through.
Title: SERIES - The Winter King’s War
Classification: Fantasy
Author: Susan Dexter
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Tristan, a wizard’s apprentice, a princess
caught in enchanted sleep, a wonder horse, a guardian dragon and lots
of adventures. I really loved the first two books, but the ending was
a bit weak.
Title: Shattering the Two-Income Myth: Daily Secrets for Living Well on One Income
Classification: Self-help
Author: Andy Dappen
Publisher: Brier Books
Copyright: 1997
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This excellent guide provides inspiration on thrift for every day of the year. It’s particularly helpful for couples who want to enable one partner to stay at home through better money management. The author explains the hidden costs of having both partners work outside the home and gives practical ideas for cutting expenses.
Title: The
Shelters of Stone
Classification: Fiction
Author: Jean Auel
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The good news is that the fifth book in the
Earth's Children series is
better than the fourth. Instead of being offensively bad, it's just boring.
We waited ten years for this? I was reluctant to be disappointed;
I wanted so much to love it. But it's anticlimactic. Ayla and Jondalar
FINALLY reach his home, and have a very lovely life together. Lovely to
live, but boring to read. Nothing much happens. Apparently the author
couldn't think of an exciting plot. She should have asked her fans for
ideas during her decade of writing this book. Is her imagination tuckered
out? It seems that Ayla's story is over; Jean Auel might do better inventing
something entirely new, and taking a refresher writing course. Give us
a new legend!
Title: Sink Reflections
Classification: Self-help
Author: Marla Cilley
Publisher: FlyLady Press Inc.
Copyright: March 2002
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This book is very encouraging for everyone who struggles with CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). The FlyLady website is also very helpful (FLY means Finally Loving Yourself). This inspirational guide to uncluttering and cleaning house offers practical and motivational help for those of us apparently born without "the clean gene." We are not alone, and we are not hopeless. Change is possible! I've read about every book there is on housecleaning and uncluttering, and this is one of the best.
Title: Smoky Mountain Tracks
Classification: Mystery
Author: Donna Ball
Publisher: Signet/Penguin
Copyright: March 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Raine Stockton dog mystery series #1. The main
character is a dog trainer, Raine Stockton, who participates in a search
and rescue operation for a missing child and mother, with unexpected repercussions.
Her golden retriever, Cisco, is young and inexperienced, but the other
SAR dog teams are hours away, and every minute counts when there are lives
at stake. An animal psychic friend adds an unusual element to the story.
I liked it well enough that I plan to read the sequel (currently scheduled
for release Dec. 2006) but it isn't as good as dog mysteries by Laurien
Berenson, Susan Conant, and Virginia Lanier. I rate this one a 3 1/2.
Title: Sofie
Metropolis
Classification: Mystery
Author: Tori Carrington (pen name of Lori & Tony Karayianni)
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Copyright: June 2005
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: I might have enjoyed this more if it weren't
so obviously a Stephanie Plum wannabe. I'd be more willing to overlook
its lack of originality if it had made up for it by providing sufficient
humor. It was interesting to learn a bit about Greek American culture.
While waiting for another Plum mystery, I'll probably read the next Sofie
("Dirty Laundry" due out May 2006) but it will be like eating
a diet cookie.
Title: Some
Danger Involved
Classification: Mystery
Author: Will Thomas
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The first novel featuring Thomas Llewelyn, assistant
to detective Cyrus Barker. Set in Victorian London, it has very much of
a Sherlock Holmes feel to it, without actually being a Holmes mystery.
Llewelyn is a type of "Watson" who accepts the job only because
he's at the end of his rope. The employment ad which warns, "Some
Danger Involved", of course turns out to be a vast understatement.
This is a bit more intense, graphic, and violent that I ordinarily like,
but the story is well done.
Title: Steamed
Classification: Mystery
Author: Jessica Conant Park and Susan Conant
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin
Copyright: March 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: First book in the new Gourmet Girl series. The
main character, Chloe Carter, is a college student whose blind date (from
an Internet dating service) is murdered during their first meeting. Then
she dates the main suspect, chef Josh. The first half of the book is hilarious;
I laughed out loud. The second half became a bit more predictable and
run-of-the-mill, losing that fabulous humor. Susan Conant was never this
funny in her own wonderful dog mystery series, so I think the great humor
comes from her daughter's writing. I look forward to the next book and
hope to see that humor throughout the next time. These gals could definitely
give Evanovich a run for her money if the humor makes a more consistent
appearance in their future novels.
Title: Streams in the Desert: 366 Daily Devotional Readings
Classification: Religion & Philosophy
Author: L.B. Cowman; edited by James Reimann
Publisher: Zondervan
Copyright: original 1925; updated 1997
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is my favorite Christian daily devotional, excellent especially for encouragement during times of suffering. I recommend the "Updated Edition in Today's Language" edited by James Reimann, who did an excellent job in making this classic clearer and more understandable for the modern reader. The isbn for the edition I have is 0-310-21006-2. Get one for yourself and one to give away.
Title: TekWar
Classification: Science Fiction
Author: William Shatner
Publisher: Ace Books/Berkley
Copyright: October 1989
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: William Shatner can’t write as well as he can act. That should scare you. I read the first several books in this series. It only gets worse. I don’t hold the ghostwriter responsible for how Mr. Shatner butchers his own storyline. I only hold myself responsible for wasting my time hoping the books would get better. Save yourself!
Title: "Tell
Them I Love Them": A Message Bringing Revelation of God's Love For
You
Classification: Religion & Philosophy
Author: Joyce Meyer
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This Christian booklet expounds on the personal
love of God for every person, including you. A simple and profound message
about the basis for spiritual growth: a personal, ever deepening understanding
of God's love.
Title: This
Dame For Hire
Classification: Mystery
Author: Sandra Scoppetone
Publisher: Ballantine Books/Random House
Copyright: 2005
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This hard-boiled dick is a woman, Faye Quick,
who is left in charge of A Detective Agency (that's its name) when her
boss goes to fight in World War II. An interesting spin and an okay one-time
read, but not particularly noteworthy. Psychic friend Anne has a bit part
in cracking the case.
Title: To
Kingdom Come
Classification: Mystery
Author: Will Thomas
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In this sequel to "Some Danger Involved",
Barker and Llewelyn go undercover as bomb-makers in an effort to stop
a terrorist group from blowing up London. It may be that this was simply
the wrong book at the wrong time for me. I unfortunately was reading it
when London was bombed for real, and it was too close to the news for
me to enjoy it as entertainment.
Title: The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving
Classification: Religion & Philosophy
Author: Randy Alcorn
Publisher: Multnomah Publishers
Copyright: 2001
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is a bite-sized hardcover, one of those
slender, quick little reads. It challenges the Christian to examine his
or her heart towards giving, and encourages an eternal perspective.
Title: ttyl
Classification: Teens
Author: Lauren Myracle
Publisher: Amulet Books/Harry Abrams, Inc.
Copyright: 2004
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: If they were giving an award for shallow stories,
this book should win. Three teenage girls instant message each other,
which in this case makes for the kind of reading that kills off brain
cells. Recommended only for masochists and "blondes."
Title: Twelve Sharp
Classification: Mystery
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Copyright: June 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: I was a bit disappointed by this latest in the Stephanie Plum series. Don't get me wrong: it was a fast, enjoyable read; but I expected more humor. I laughed less with this book than with any of the previous ones (excepting the weird holiday story "Visions of SugarPlums"). Long live Grandma Mazur, who was in fine form as usual. But Stephanie seemed too serious and straightforward to me. Not enough zany high jinks. Perhaps it is because of the plot: a missing child is no laughing matter. But I missed laughing all the way through the book as I usually do with the Plum series. I have very high expectations for this series which were not met in this book. I'm still giving it a 4 because I enjoyed it enough to zip through it very fast, staying up until the wee hours of the morning to finish it. (Click here to check out other reviews for this title)
Title: Valley
of the Horses
Classification: Fiction
Author: Jean Auel
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In this second entry in the Earth's Children series, Ayla meets Jondalar,
who becomes her lover. The first book is still the best of the best, but
the sequel is still wonderful, although slower-paced.
Title: Watchers
Classification: Fiction
Author: Dean Koontz
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is my second favorite Koontz book, and
a great read for dog lovers. I could do without the twisted evil killer,
but the brilliant, charming dog makes the story worthwhile. Einstein is
an escaped military experiment, a genius dog running for his life from
another experimental soldier, an unreasonable baboon. (Click here to check out other reviews for this title)
Title: Women
Who Make the World Worse
Classification: Social, World & Cultural Studies
Author: Kate O'Beirne
Publisher: Sentinel/Penguin
Copyright: 2006
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Secular conservative political book. The author
is the Washington editor of National Review Magazine. The subtitle is:
"And How Their Radical Feminist Assault is Ruining Our Schools, Families,
Military, and Sports". In addition to these topics, she talks about
day care, wages, the gender gap in politics, and abortion. Her basic argument
is that it is harmful to deny the existence of general differences between
men's and women's abilities and interests.
Meet Mariah
I enjoyed working at the bookstore from May 1995 to January 2006, when the store closed forever. I have been married since 1993 to Joe, also a reader (visit Joe's page to meet him). I have 3 cats and an Australian Shepherd dog. I've been a book lover all my life; it's in my blood and the air I breathe. Central to my life is my personal relationship with Jesus, which I entered into by acknowledging that I am not able by any effort of my own to live a good enough life to please God, and accepting Jesus' perfect sacrifice in my stead, through which I am made right with God. Being a born again Christian means I accept the one triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) as my King on His terms. God is good!!!
Personal Trivia
Favorite Bible verse: 1 Peter 4:8Favorite
Cartoon Character - Snoopy
Favorite Color - BlueFavorite
Comic Strip - Calvin and Hobbes
Favorite Movies - The Pirates of Penzance & Arsenic and Old Lace
Favorite Radio Station: 104.9 FM The River WCVO (contemporary Christian music)
Favorite TV Shows - America's Funniest Home Videos; The Andy Griffith Show; the new Battlestar Galactica; The Dick Van Dyke Show; Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer; Extreme Makeover: Home Edition; Firefly; I Love Lucy; Monk; Moonlighting; Quantum Leap; Star Trek: The Next Generation; Wonder Woman; and Zorro
Drop
Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still small voice of calm!
-- John Greenleaf Whittier
1807-1892
