Finished up

I didn't get my last few (sort of got behind on the blogging part) on here but here they are....

I read 1 through 7 of the Women's Murder Mystery Series by James Patterson in addition to the previously mentioned Three Cups of Tea.

The last one on the list was Two in the Far North by Margaret Murie. I am moving to Fairbanks, AK in a month and this was part of my purchases when I was up there in June. It's the amazing story and journals of Margaret Murie, one of the women pioneer's in the world of conserving the great outdoors for all to enjoy. She moved to Fairbanks when she was 9 and spent a large portion of her life in Alaska before moving to Wyoming where she and her husband continued to work for the national conservatory group.

Two in the Far North tells the tale of Murie's young years growing up but also her travels with her naturalist/biologist husband through the then unchartered lands of Alaska, tracking caribou and geese. They even took their newborn son on one said research trip. Truly an amazing adventure capturing the heart and soul of Alaska.

4th of July

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pub. Date: June 2006
ISBN-13: 9780446613361
Sales Rank: 270
448pp
Series: Women's Murder Club Series, #4
Edition Description: Reprint

I continue to work my way through the Women's Murder Club books. This one was fun to finish as I was in San Francisco at the time. I was able to wander some of the streets. My goal was to walk the route Inspector Boxer takes every Saturday morning but I just didn't have time. Once again, Lindsay and her crew forged through a mess of a case but this time it was to defend Lindsay after a young girl and her brother are shot during a police altercation. In spite of a manditory R&R Lindsay and the gals get wrapped up in a serial murder case as she awaits her fate. Next time I go to California I'll have to check out Inspector Boxer's Half Moon Bay retreat!

Three Cups of Tea, anyone?

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Pub. Date: January 2007
ISBN-13: 9780143038252
Sales Rank: 12
368pp
Edition Description: Reprint

If only my friends had told me Greg was from Montana....I would have read this book much sooner! If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it. For anyone who has said, why should I vote, what can one person do or for anyone who has wondered what can one person do; this book is for you. With little to no "how to" knowledge this one man set out to make a difference simply by relying on those who had helped him. The result has been an education for hundreds of children in the remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Even with national recognition Greg can be found in his basement in Bozeman, MT when he really needs to think through things inspite of having a "real" office after many years of being a grass roots operation.

By treating individuals of different cultures and faiths with a neutral, mutual respect, Greg Mortenson has literally built bridges, not to mention schools in some very remote places. If you are struggling with your "role" in society or your place in your community, read Three Cups of Tea for a bit of encouragement. Enjoy!

3rd Degree by James Patterson

• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Pub. Date: January 2005
• ISBN-13: 9780446614832
• Sales Rank: 188
• 368pp
• Series: Women's Murder Club Series, #3
• Numbers Challenge

I always hesitate to start a new series when I'm several books behind. With book #7 hitting the best seller list this past month, I was a bit hesitant to dive into this. But I have caught a few reruns of the Women's Murder Club during this endless writer's strike and liked the foundation. I'm now three books into the series. They have all been "easy" reads and I have finished them quickly. I like to have books like this on my shelf to pick up in between those "heavy" reads. I had just finished Deep Survival, a nonfiction book about near death situations, and was in need of a switch.

Murder, dead bodies, conspiracy are my usual choice of mindless reading. So this story of Detective Boxer and her female colleagues was just what I needed. This time the group underwent some big changes and a lot of stress. They prevailed in the end, just what you want from your favorite heroes. I'll pick up the fourth one in a book or two, reading a little deeper subject right now.

2nd Chance

• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Pub. Date: January 2003
• ISBN-13: 9780446612791
• Sales Rank: 190
• 432pp
• Series: Women's Murder Club Series, #2
• Numbers Challenge: 2 of the required 5.
  

I was hooked with the first one and enjoyed the second one as well. Lindsay Boxer is the type of woman I want to be...maybe minus being shot at and such. I also need a group of women like Jill, Claire, and Cindy to be able to meet up with for margaritas when I need a collective thinking effort. Since I don't have all that I'll make do with the book. Poor Lindsay has to deal with her father's past in this one but comes out shining, albeit a little black and blue.

I'm half way through 3rd Degree and have Three Cups of Tea in my bag. The next review shouldn't be long to follow.