Slaughterhouse-Five

Something tells me that most people have already read Slaughterhouse Five in their lifetimes. If not, this is what I thought, here.

Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark

I just finished Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark. I've been wanting to read this book for a very long time and I'm glad I finally got around to it. It was a very good book. It took me a little bit longer to read than I thought it would but I just don't have the time to read like I used to.

One Little Sin by L. Carlyle

Per a recommendation from, someone who I can't remember at the moment, I decided to read Liz Carlyle's One Little Sin. It's the first novel in her Little trilogy and introduces us to Esme & Alasdair. This is the type of novels I was raised on believe it or not, so I actually found it to be quite a good read. Historical romances can be more than trashy novels (unfortunately, they do have that reputation to some people), but they are the perfect getaway for someone who is looking for a happy ever after.

I have a more detailed review posted up at my blog.

Date Me, Baby, One More Time by S. Rowe

For my fourth novel, I read Date Me, Baby, One More Time by Stephanie Rowe. The novel was good, but I definitely liked her second novel, Must Love Dragons more.

We’re introduced to Justine Bennett, the Guardian of the Goblet of Eternal Youth, and Derek LaValle, who is cursed to die on his 32nd birthday. His only solution…kill the guardian and the curse will be lifted.

I have a more detailed review posted up at my blog.

Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger

This is an incredible short story collection, and there are a couple stories in it that I think everyone should read. For a detailed discussion, and links to some of the stories, go to my post.

One Foot in the Grave by J. Frost

One Foot in the Grave had me captivated from the first chapter and it didn't let go until I finished it four hours later. Seriously people, if you haven't read Halfway to the Grave, then go out and get it so you can read this novel. Don't wait for the library to get it in for you, go buy it. NOW! Jeaniene Frost was one of the greatest impulse buys I've ever had and I would fanatically recommend her to anyone else.

Honestly, I love this series. I think I'm going to unpack Halfway to the Grave, just so I can read both of these novels again, back to back.

I have a more detailed review posted up at my blog.

The Fourth Hand by John Irving

Description:

"While reporting a story from India, New York journalist Patrick Wallingford inadvertently becomes his own headline when his left hand is eaten by a lion. In Boston, a renowned surgeon eagerly awaits the opportunity to perform the nation’s first hand transplant. But what if the donor’s widow demands visitation rights with the hand? In answering this unexpected question, John Irving has written a novel that is by turns brilliantly comic and emotionally moving, offering a penetrating look at the power of second chances and the will to change." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

This book started with a touch of quirky humor but over time changed into a serious love story. I liked how Patrick learns about true love and compassion as he tries to win Doris' heart. I also found the insight into television news coverage informative.

Date read: 3/22/2008
No. of pages: 313
Year: 2002
Genre: Fiction

Fahrenheit 451

Have you read it yet?

Here are my thoughts.

Twelve Red Herrings by Jeffrey Archer

Title: Twelve Read Herrings
Author: Jeffrey Archer
ISBN: 0006490484
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers/1994
Pages: 324

At one time, I used to read Jeffrey Archer like crazy. I do like the way he writes. I won't call those masterpieces, nonetheless, his books hold interest.

Twelve Red Herrings is a collection of short stories. As the name suggests, there are twelve stories, each with a read herring. It is left on the reader whether he can find that out opr not. The stories can all go in a numerous way. Archer has given great endings. But the reader can interprete those in his own way too. The last story has four different endings. All to be read in order.


Trial and error has the jury foxed, Cheap at Half Price has a woman getting a diamond necklace fooling two men, Dougie Mortimer's Right Arm is about losing a winning sports for money. Do Not Pass Go is about an Iraqi who is hunted by Sadam Hussain. Chunnel Vision is about novel writing and trying to find a great ending for that. Shoeshine Boy is about a Governer-General and visit by Mountbatten as a dignitary. You'll Never Live to Regret It is about Insurance payout. Never Stop On the Motorway has a suspence which can be called nail-biting. Not for Sale is about a girl who wants to be a well- known artist. Timeo Danaos is a story about a penny pinching banker. An Eye For An Eye is about a woman accused for her husband's murder. One Man's Meat has four different takes, to be read in the order it is given.

I liked all but my favourites are Do Pass Let Go and Never Stop on the Motor Way. This book is worth reading. I did like the stories and had a whale of a time imagining different endings. I could discover few odf the Red Herrings. You go ahead and try finding those!

Short stories are good to read as one can simply pick and choose, not following any particular order. As I am kind of busy packing as I move to a new house next week, this book suited me fine!

FIRST Degree

David Rosenfelt

Genre: Legal Thriller

Published: 2003

Personal Rating: 4/5

Andy Carpenter is back! And, he's back with his girlfriend, PI Laurie Collins. The good news is that Andy's circumstances allow him to pick and choose what clients he wants to represent. The bad news is he has accepted Laurie as his client when she is accused of murder.

This is actually my third encounter with Andy, but First Degree is the second in the series. What I enjoy most is Andy's wit and the courtroom scenes. While there are still murder scenes and maybe a tense scene, here or there, Rosenfelt writes with a flow that makes me feel comfortable and one that has continually pleased. The ending in this one had some spots that were too pat, but still enjoyable. I look forward to Bury the Lead.

One of those hideous books where the mother dies

One of those hideous books where the mother dies by Sonya Sones
4 stars

Reasons for reading: I enjoyed her What My Mother Doesn't Know a few years ago, Numbers Challenge, Triple 8 Challenge

Summary (from Booklist): "After the death of her mother, high-schooler Ruby is sent from Boston to L.A. to live with the father she has never met: "He's such a scumbag / that he divorced my mother / before I was even born." The "scumbag" is Whip Logan, a famous movie actor, but Ruby is too angry to be impressed; at the airport she wonders whether to "ask him for his autograph, / or kick him in the balls." Sones' latest free-verse novel follows Ruby through her first few months in her new home, a mansion where her every desire is granted--except what she longs for most: her best friend, her boyfriend, and of course, her mother."

My thoughts: I'm usually not a verse-novel gal, but Sones is a really good writer. The poems make it really seem like you're right in Ruby's head, feeling such deep grief and anger, and they definitely resonate the way poetry should. But there's humour, as well, such as Airplane Lunch:

They

call

this

chicken?

I liked that Ruby loves to read and that she doesn't want her life to be like one of those hideous books: "I love to read,/ but I can't stand books like that./And I flat out refuse/to have one of those lives/that I wouldn't even want/to read about." I hate those hideous books, too!

This one loses a star only because the truth about Ruby's dad and some of the other events (I won't spoil it) are predictable. But even that doesn't detract much from the greatness of the book, which is a well done cross between a (non-hideous) teen angst book and a fish-out-of-water story.

(Cross-posted on my blog.)

16 Lighthouse Road

Debbie Macomber

Genre: Fiction

Published: 2001

Personal Rating: 2.5/5

Olivia Lockhart, a judge in Cedar Cove, Washington, lives at 16 Lighthouse Road. This book revolves around Olivia and all those in her life including: her mother, her children, her friends, her ex, her new male friend, and the people she presides over on the bench. AND, there are offshoots from the people already mentioned. So, there is a mega amount of characters all sharing the drama in their lives.

This type of book is just not for me. The concept of meeting people in a town and learning about their lives isn't all that bad, but to me this is like knocking on a stranger's door and asking them to share their life with you. I'm assuming that's the point of the book, Welcome to Cedar Cove!, so that may be a very nice compliment, but I have no interest in these people. Don't get me wrong, they are good people, but I can experience this is my daily life. I would rather read something else. Life is too short.