Monday, July 20, 2009

Bowing My Head in Rememberance

I just saw the article that Frank McCourt has died. A man who changed my outlook on reading and non-fiction is gone. Here is the link to the article from the NY Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/books/20mccourt.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1

Thursday, July 16, 2009

A sad day

Frank McCourt, one of my all time favorite authors, is sick. His brother has come out and said they don't expect him to survive. If you'd like to read the full article, here is the link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090716/ap_on_en_ot/us_frank_mccourt

This is one author who I have loved to read since I picked up Angela's Ashes and knowing how impressed he was with the film made it even better! This will be a sad day if he does end up dying. I guess all I can do is watch and pray.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

The Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid Banks


Jan loves being an actress but a tragic accident leaves her with a limp foot and the desire to hide herself. Meeting the doctor Charlie just turns her life up side down. Years later, after having no children, Jan is desperate. Sitting in her garden one day, she sees a fairy. A grown up seeing a fairy is unusual but then Tiki decides to help Jan with having a child. The baby girl is beautiful but underneath it all is a Fairy Queen who is not happy at all. They have a battle ahead of them that even they don't know how to handle.

Ms. Banks creativity shines through on this one. The fairies are real and there are good ones and bad ones which only makes it more true to life. The idea of being granted a fairy baby is so different. The story may be a little short but the detailed descriptions really pull this story. I was so pleased with how well it was written and the ending as well.

Jan may be a spoiled woman in the beginning but her heart shines through for her daughter Bindi. I loved the conversations with the fairy Tiki. Her husband Charlie doesn't believe her at first. Even I would have my doubts about what was said in this story. He never said she was wrong but that he couldn't believe her. I hated to see the story end.

This is one story that I have had for way too long. I'll treasure it forever and may even read it again. It's so beautiful. The battle between good and evil make it an even greater story. It pulls you in and I had to slow myself down so that I wouldn't read too fast. It grips you from the beginning and doesn't let you go till the very end. Having read this author before, I definitely want to see what else she has written.

Lynne Reid Banks/ New Author/ Children's Book/128 pages/ Fairies/ 5 out of 5

I read Maura's Angel by this author sent in Belfast, Northern Ireland so might have to re-read it since it's been years. The cover I'm posting is my favorite. They changed it and it doesn't have the same affect I think.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

The Note by Angela Hunt


Peyton MacGruder works hard for writing her column for the Tampa Times and is single. Yet when she learns her column “The Heart Healer” is ranked last in a reader poll, she is only given two weeks to turn it around. Then the unthinkable happens. PanWorld Flight 848 crashes and bursts into flames. Peyton is given a note in a plastic bag that is washed up onto the shore. This just might be what she is looking for and since there is not a lot of indicators she must search to find the intended for the note. She's determined to give the note to the intended owner. But as the story gains national attention, there is a lot more that Peyton will have to battle besides her emotions.

Ms. Hunt has always been a favorite author of mine. I've had this book for quite some time and was so glad to read another one of her stories. The emotion, the passion, and how she backs everything up with biblical things just blows me away every time. Ms. Hunt gets to the heart of the matter and doesn't let go till your own emotions are pulled to the surface. The characters are not perfect and you just hope to see things get better and that there is some resolution.

Peyton keeps her heart close and rarely reaches out to other people. This note handed to her changes her view of things and she begins to question the decisions she has made for her own life. The voice of reason often comes from her former boss Kingston Bernard. He is there when she truly needs a friend and offers her help with interviewing the possibilities she has for the intended of the note.

This story full of emotions truly showed how reconciliation is important since you never know when something may happen to take away that chance. Ms. Hunt gives you great insight to each characters' view of Peyton that she comes in contact with or works with. I truly appreciated that and never felt that it pulled away from the story itself. It only added a greater depth and insight that I found very helpful. This book may have just become my favorite of the year. Definitely a book to have tissues near by.

Angela Hunt/ Tragedy/ Christian Fiction/ 320 pages/ 5 out of 5

The book was much better than the movie since it was easier to follow in some aspects. It's not a horrible movie but the changes they made to it, I really didn't care for. They pushed some things for dramatic effect or genders that I found unnecessary. All in all, both are well done but pick up the book first if you are able. Sometime this weekend, I plan on picking up a young adult book that I've had for quite some time!

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

One False Move by Harlan Coben


Myron is not the kind of guy who babysits, yet when he gets a call to keep an eye on the pro basketball player Brenda Slaughter, he cannot say no. The case is puzzling and he has known her for a long time. Brenda's mother disappeared twenty years ago, and is now getting calls to try to contact her. She is at a loss since she recently filed a restraining order on her father. The people popping out of the wood work wanting to keep things quiet range from a high society member to a mob boss trying to start a new women's basketball league. Things could get interesting and Myron is struggling in his own life.

Harlan Coben never disappoints me. The characters always come back and bring more depth to the story. As usual, the humor was there and I loved it! Win certainly knows how to move mountains. The man has a reputation and well earned at that. The series moves along nicely at a good pace and I am looking forward to reading the next one.

Myron has a lot on his mind. His relationship with his girl friend just isn't going where he would like at times but doesn't really want to push. Meanwhile Esperanza wants more out of her job than what she currently has. Myron struggles not only with all of it and how to handle it. Win doesn't help him make decisions just shows things to him in a different light. That is why I think they are such good friends is that they can flush things out and discuss without offending one another.

I am curious to see where this goes next and happy I have a few more books left before his latest comes out in paperback. This is one series that I have really grown to love and an author who always has a twist that I don't see coming at the end. Definitely an all time favorite author and I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next!


Harlan Coben/ Myron Bolitar Series/ Mystery/400 pages/Sports/4 out of 5

I am off reading a Christian Fiction book that has been on my shelves for awhile now. Definitely need a break in reading styles.

Monday, July 06, 2009

Dating Games by Leigh Michaels



Rachel Todd is sick of friends wanting to set her up. She would rather stay single. “Crash” McKenna is his family's only client and they want to see him just as happy as they are. Yet if they work together, maybe it will finally get the line of dates off their backs. “Crash” knows their plan isn't all that simple so why is he going along with it?

Ms. Michaels is a fantastic writer. She has this family series that keeps you in stitches. The story moves along at a great pace and the twist at the end is one that I never saw coming. Though I rarely do see them coming in all honesty. She keeps you hoping for the best for the characters even if they are denying it themselves.

Rachel keeps all men at a distance. She knows her career could go somewhere and relationships just aren't her thing. She is a sweetheart but knows something is missing. The thing is the secrets in her past keep her locked away. “Crash” is sick of being fixed up by his family. He longs for his own family but knows that it will come along at the right time. The whole situation he finds himself in isn't how he'd have it happen but he's not about to turn away a gift.

Even though this is the last in the series, I loved it so much! I honestly didn't even know it was part of a series so it had no effect on the book itself. It can certainly be read alone and I'd love to get my hands on the rest of the series eventually. Ms. Michaels writes with such emotion that I had to go back and read the ending a second time cause tears were streaming down my face. The majority of the book was light and had me in stitches. It was nice to know that even older, authors still like to write clean simple romances. So much can be experienced in a simple kiss. I will definitely seek more of this author's work out! I think I found a new favorite author.


Leigh Michaels/New Author/Romance/187 pages/ Family/ Matchmaking/ 5 out of 5

Now off to something different, a Harlan Coben book. :)

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Thursday Next: First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde



Thursday will have quite a situation on her hands. Changes must be made or outlanders will no longer read. In the last fourteen years, readership has dropped. Having to hide her what she does, certainly doesn't make things easier than taking up a laying carpet job as a front. Her sixteen year old son would rather sleep than take up his destiny as leader of the Chronoguard. And having to train a new cadet in the book world is only the beginning. She has to face down her worst enemy, herself.

Mr. Fforde has done it again! It has taken me a long time to pick up this book and boy am I glad I have now! There is so much literature stuff involved in this book that it just makes me very happy. The depth of characters and seeing how the world has changed for Thursday has been enjoyable. There were a few times I wasn't sure how Mr. Fforde would wrap things up but old nemeses coming into play shook up this reader's world. The twists and turns in this plot had me flipping pages over and over again. This is one author who certainly knows how to write good fiction!

Thursday has grown up and has more children with Landon. Landon is still trying to write the great novel and not having a whole lot of luck. Thursday does her best to help him but it still seems to fall short. Not to mention that Thursday is battling the book world issues and trying to make her life better at the same time. Her son Friday just wants to play in a band and forget about the chronoguard even though her father was involved in that. Things cannot seem to get any more messy for Thursday.

I won't give away any of my favorite parts but I thank authors who have allowed Mr. Fforde to pop their characters in. It was seriously too much fun for this reader! I cannot wait for the next Thursday Next book and am curious to read the book he has coming out in December. Hopefully this time, it won't take nearly as long to get to it.

Jasper Fforde/ Thursday Next Series/ 384 pages/Literary/ 4 out of 5

Keep an eye open for a fun post in the next couple of days!

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

My June Stat s and Read

Yes you read that right, it says read. I only read one book but boy it was a big one.

Total Books I Read: 1
New Authors: 1
Fiction:0
Non-fiction: 1
Chunksters: 1
Mystery: 0
Romance: 0
From the Stacks: 1
Books For Review:0
Books I Bought: 0
Total Pages Read: 736 pages

My hours at work went up and down constantly plus being wiped out from the pregnancy hasn't helped much either. I am hoping this month to do much better and get another chunkster in. We'll see!

The Great Shame by Thomas Keneally

This book is full of situations and people that I've known about most of my life. Yet Mr. Keneally puts a new spin on them and gives them more depth than what I've ever read. He never truly paints things black and white in my opinion. He just puts all the information in front of you. This author certainly did his research and I was so impressed with the details that were on every page.

Mr. Keneally researched every aspect so that the span of the book made sense. The 19th century history book was fascinating from all angles. It started before the Potato Famine talking about the convict ships that went to Australia and went through the Civil War. His telling of history in Australia, Ireland, and America was captivating and there were times I couldn't put the book down. There are even times when the book centers on things that happen in Canada since they did land there as well.

The only part that lacked for me was not more about the author's ancestors. I guess I expected more than what I ended up with. The book featured a lot of people that I knew and it was interesting to read about the lives of people and where they ended up at the end. Being a big book can be daunting to most people, but if you keep with it, you will definitely be rewarded. I was sad to see it go but all loose ends were tied up. I am curious to read Schindler's List now since he wrote the book about it. The one thing Mr. Keneally did was make sure to point out where the mistakes were made by both sides yet never actually pointing fingers. This sweeping book of history encompasses so many things that it's difficult to write a review for this one. I am glad I did finally pick up this book cause it was worth every bit of time. I applaud Mr. Keneally for writing such a fantastic book and taking the effort to compile all the information.


Thomas Keneally/ New Author/ Non-Fiction/ History/736 pages/ 5 out of 5

Next up a quick post of my stats for last month.

Monday, June 01, 2009

May Reads and Stats

My reads:
1.Hold Tight by Harlan Coben 05-01-09 through 05-05-09 A+
2.Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon 05-06-09 through5-19-09 A+
3.Unspoken by Angela Hunt 05-21-09 A+
4.A World I never Made by James LePore 05-22-09 through05-25-09 A+
5.Backspin by Harlan Coben 05-27-09 through 05-28-09 A

My stats:
Total Books I Read: 5
New Authors: 2
Fiction: 5
Non-fiction:0
Chunksters:0
Mystery: 3
Romance: 0
From the Stacks: 5
Books for Review: 1
Books I bought: 0
Total Pages Read: 1, 808

So I am feeling good even though I didn't read any chunksters. :) I am working on one right now. :)

Saturday, May 30, 2009

BackSpin by Harlan Coben

Myron Bolitar is over his head. Helping people is what Myron does best. But when the person is a golfer, Myron doesn't understand the game at all. He just knows a golfer's son has been kidnapped but the problem is that he really isn't sure about the kidnapping. The only other problem he has is that Win refuses to help him. This could make the case go horribly wrong.

Mr. Coben does it again! There are definitely some tense moments in this book but I fought to put it down to get things done. Myron is definitely challenged in this book and Mr. Coben shows it on every page. The situations in this book pull at you and even I began to wonder if Myron could solve this case. There were too many unknowns and too many questions. The twist at the end left me speechless. He surprised me yet again. That is why this author is always at the top of my list.

Myron still fought for his relationship with Jessica. Esperanza put some new demands on him but they were completely understandable. It might just change their relationship but hopefully for the better. Just have to wait and see how it plays out. Esperanza doesn't hold back her thoughts or feelings and that's what makes her such a great character. Win wasn't in the book a whole lot but when he was, you could see how much he was fighting the emotions. He wants to help his best friend but situations held him back. Their friendship was seriously tested but even Myron knew when to back off.

This series keeps getting better and better. I am so glad that I have quite a few books left to read especially the latest one. Mr. Coben keeps you guessing and the twists are ones that even I didn't see. The tension is well placed and Mr. Coben deals it out in the right doses. I hope to read the next book soon cause I cannot wait to see what happens next. Hopefully Myron won't be completely out of his element the next time.

Harlan Coben/ Myron Bolitar Series/ Adult Fiction/ Mystery/368 pages/4 out of 5

Off to non-fiction, but at over 700 pages not sure I'll finish by Sunday. :)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

A World I Never Made by James LePore

Patrick Nolan gets a call from Paris, France about his daughter who committed suicide. He shows up to identify the body only to see that it isn't his daughter. Not sure what is going on, he goes along with her story. She must be in trouble and Patrick must find her. Then maybe things will make sense. Megan Nolan has always been carefree about her relationships since being a freelance writer gave her so much freedom. Now she is involved with a man who could threaten her entire world. But he could also give her the big break she needs. But is it worth it?

Mr. LePore has a fantastic thriller on his hands. There is more to this story than I could see just by reading the back of the book. The depth of the feelings of the characters definitely pulls you in and makes you want to read more. The headings with the time frame really moved the story along and helped keep a good handle on which story was being told whether it was Megan's or Patrick's. The minor characters had their place too because without them; the plot would have been very dull.

Patrick sees how he's messed up over the years and wants to help his daughter. But the situation will be more than he can handle. It will test him and put him in way over his head. Yet the main thing he focuses on is his daughter. Megan has always been rather non-chalant about her relationships. The man she meets on the train will show her how much she has to learn.

This was a book that grabbed a hold of me from the beginning. The twists and turns plotted will keep you turning pages. Mr. LePore took a world that is ever present in our minds and showed what it's effects could be on a young woman who is vulnerable but refuses to show it. It sweeps her up and shows her all that she has to learn still. The rules are broken and Patrick Nolan can only hope that it'll be enough.


James LePore/ New Author/ Thriller/272 pages/ Book for Review/ 5 out of 5

This was a great book and I love reading new authors. I don't remember what is next on the pile but I'll sure the review should be up soon! :)

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Unspoken by Angela Hunt

Glee Granger had always loved animals especially gorillas. Her life revolved around Sema, who she had taken care of since Sema was just hours old. They are able to “talk” using sign language. Sema isn't Glee's since she technically belongs to the zoo. Now, they want Sema back and though reluctant Glee agrees. It's the only way to keep working with Sema. One event changes it all and Glee begins to question all that she knows.

Ms. Hunt captivates her readers with such great characters. This author has been one of my favorites for a long time. She expresses in words what may be difficult to understand any place else. The situations described in this book inspired by actual events just blew my mind. Ms. Hunt certainly did her research and expounded on it. It is fiction but starting sooner who knows what we can accomplish in the animal world. Ms. Hunt shows again why she is good not only thinking outside the box but putting feeling behind it as well.

Glee questioned, struggled, and truly wanted the best for Sema. I cheered as she worked through everything and was in awe of the turn around. Glee certainly had a long road ahead of her but Sema was optimistic through it all. The director of the zoo bugged me to no end. I understand that his job is not easy but when it comes to zoos, the animals matter the most. The other minor characters all played their part. I don't want to give anything away.

This is one book that will make you wonder and question. It is very emotional so keep tissues nearby. This is one author who has not let me down ever! I'm throughly impressed and hope there are many more books to come.

Angela Hunt/ Christian Fiction/ Animals/336 pages/ 5 out of 5

This is one book that I didn't mean to read in one day. Opps! lol I'll pick up something else tomorrow. Off to bed I go.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon

The journey Anna Leonowens takes in this book is best known in the musical The King and I. There is quite a bit in the book that is not in the movie. The struggles are not easy and there are quite a few times that Anna wants to give up. She deals with the whim of a spoiled man, the King of Siam. But then that is how it's always been and she has a long way to go to get him to understand how to work with her.

Ms. Landon certainly did her research. She had the privilege of talking to people who knew Anna and that was so amazing!! I was blown away with the knowledge and how she imparted the stories that Anna wrote and put them into the story. There was a lot of culture in this book that you didn't get from the musical. There is only so much time to do much in the musical.

I liked the story even though at times it dragged. There was a lot of background information not only about the king, but included his harem, the Second King, and Anna's life growing up. Such a well rounded picture of a story that I haven't read such like it in a long time. If while reading the story, it seems to go really slow, keep it up! It is worth and the ending is the best! I was blown away not only by what Anna has been able to accomplish but how her influence helped shape a new King for the country of Siam to some extent. This is one story though partially fiction that I won't forget for a long time!

Margaret Landon/Siam/Anna Leonowens/416 pages/ Historical/5 out of 5

With the heat wave today, I was impressed that I finished this. Tomorrow a new book and hopefully this one won't take me so long.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Hold Tight by Harlan Coben

A kid's suicide sets two families on edge. But no one knows it better than the kid's best friend Adam. His parents start noticing a change in him but are at a loss at how to help. They do the only thing that they can think of ... spy on him. Yet what they find leaves more questions than answers.

Mr. Coben spins a tale with twists and turns that will leave you guessing till the end. Or at least that is how it is with me. The connections in the story will leave you scratching your head. How he comes up with this stuff surprises me every time. Being a parent, on the other hand, this book truly made me think. It raised a lot of questions in my mind and I hope that I can do the best possible with my son.

The experiences both Tia and Mike as well as Betsy and Ron went through were heart breaking. They had done their best to raise their sons but one was gone. The struggle they dealt with was one a lot of parents struggle with. Are you raising your kids right?

I really did enjoy this book as much as it scared me at times. It all was affected by how I am a mom too. This book makes you think and Mr. Coben did a fantastic job since he is a parent as well. I definitely cannot wait to see what he comes up with next and I still have to get through the rest of his Myron series.

Harlan Coben/ Fiction/ Thriller/ Families/ 416 pages/ 5 out of 5

Off to another fiction book. :)Its called Anna and the King of Siam. :)

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Teddi Gallo lives a life full of rules. She isn't always sure of them all but she is starting to feel like she is going crazy. The past is creeping up on her and that certainly isn't helping. She must get a handle on things or she may just become her mother. The last thing that she wants in the world. But can she figure out what is making her lose her mind?

Ms. Mittman takes a world full of problems and somehow finds humor in the little things. There were a lot of ups and downs but the friendships found for Teddi kept her going. The situations were interesting and you could really see how important her friends were to Teddi. Now she never over stepped her bounds but she kept them in mind. Always making sure to check on them.

Her children kept me in stitches. My only one isn't as old as any of them but I guess I better be prepared for whatever is in style. Teddi's mother was an interesting woman. She had tragedy in her life but never really seemed to get over it. Now mind you, it wasn't an easy situation either but I felt that there should have been some progress.

Right now, I am not sure I'll pick up the rest of the series. I have too many of my own books I'd like to read. Plus the first one hit a little too close to home. Teddi is well-written and she does learn to stand on her own two feet a little more. Yes, spouses are there for support but when you're alone at home all day, you need to figure out how to do some things on your own. Ms. Mittman definitely has a good series too bad it had to be ended so quickly. I wish her much success in whatever she writes next.

Stevi Mittman/ Chick-lit/ 304 pages/ New Author/ 3.5 out of 5

I am almost done with the book I am currently reading but have a movie to watch today! So we'll see, I might have double reviews posted.

Monday, May 04, 2009

April Stats and Reads

Here are the books I read:
1.The Stamp of Glory by Tim Stafford 03-26-09 through04-03-09 C
2.Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde 04-08-09 through04-27-08 A+
3.Love at First Flight by Elizabeth Strohfus and Cheryl J. Young 04-28-09 A+
4.The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger 04-28-09 through 4-29-09 C+
5.Who Makes the Rules Anyways? By Stevi Mittman 04-29-09 through 04-30-09 B

Stats:
Total Books Read: 5
New Authors: 4
Fiction: 4
Non-Fiction: 1
Chunksters: 1
Romance: 0
Mystery: 1
From the Stacks: 4
Books for Review: 0
Books I Bought: 0
Total Pages Read: 1, 536 pages

Well I'll post my review of Who Makes The Rules Anyway tomorrow. :) Off to get some laundry done.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

Andrea Sachs wants a good job and knows she'll have to work hard to find one. Yet when one drops in her lap, she thinks it's the greatest thing ever. She's going to find out how that is so not true once she meets the most demanding boss ever. It might just take over her life but if she wants to get ahead, she may have to sacrifice a few things.

Ms. Weisberger has a good story on her hands of dedication gone wrong. Now it doesn't help that the boss is a total control freak either. The minor characters really pulled a long this book for me and I am curious to see how things turn out in the movie. Most of the book kind of dragged as I read some of the more outrageous things Andrea was put through.

I truly felt for Andrea when she had to keep sticking up for her job and how after a year things would only get better. Her family, her best friend Lily, and her boyfriend Alex never understood to some extent. They thought she was taking things too far and all Andrea could see was the prize of getting a better job. There were times where she rolled her eyes and didn't want to deal with it but kept reminding herself of the things that could come.

It was a good book for the most part. I have had my horrible bosses in some of my jobs but nothing even close to this. It had funny moments but a lot of it fell flat. The ending is what saved the book in my opinion but well to find out you're going to have to read it yourself. I am definitely curious to see what other books that Ms. Weisberger has written.

Lauren Weisberger/Fashion/ Chick Lit/360 pages/3.5 out of 5

I did have to put the book down yesterday so I didn't finish it in one day. I'm glad I did cause I enjoyed the second half of the book so much better. Off to another chick lit book that I've hung onto way too long.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Love at First Flight: One Woman's Experience as a WASP in World War II by Cheryl J. Young

Elizabeth Strohfus is an amazing woman. She fell in love with flying after her first flight given to her by a local man who hadn't had his pilot's license for very long. After telling him one more time about 10 times, the guy had to land the plane cause he was sick. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was no where near air sick at all. She was a natural. Getting a loan from the bank wasn't easy but Elizabeth managed it so she could take flight lessons. In 1942, she joined the Civil Air Petrol. The rest is history. She sent in her application to join the WASP Organization. There was a lot of hard work ahead of her but it was all worth it in her eyes. She could fly pretty much anything that could go in the air for the most part. Also, she had a lot of training ahead of her whether in class or in the air. She stuck with it through it all!


Ms. Young did a great job painting such a vivid story through songs, pictures, and the words from Mrs. Strohfus' mouth. I am so proud that both women are from Minnesota. I may not have lived here all my life but that is so cool that a local woman had the courage to take on the risks that come along with flying. This is a story that anyone should read whether young or old. You get such a good glimpse into life for women in the military from the beginning. It took forever for them to be recognized but they were! Definitely something worth reading and it won't take a lot of time either. Yet there is so much to learn.

Cheryl J. Young/Elizabeth Strohfus/ Women Pilots/ World War II/ 72 pages/Non-fiction/ 5 out of 5

Monday, April 27, 2009

Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde

Thursday Next is back. This time, she wishes her husband Landon was around but he's been eradicated. So trying to get her life back to normal won't be easy. She has to explain her absence, get her job back, and figure out how to get rid of Yorrick Kane. Not to mention, someone wants her dead. There is a lot on her plate but all she really would like most of all is reliable child care.

Mr. Fforde does it again! I loved this series so far. It is pure genius and full of ideas that I could never come up with. I love how she can jump into books and interact with characters. She has problems to solve and she keeps her head on her shoulders. His characters may be from all sorts of places but they are ones that keep drawing you into the book. Mr. Fforde puts things together that I never would have thought of.

Thursday, being a single mom, deals with life and trying to keep her work at bay. Her family supports her even though her mother is a little bit misguided in her efforts. Joffy is back and being a good brother. She just wishes she could get Landen back for good. She doesn't like being on her own any longer than necessary.

This is one of the best books in the series and I am bummed that there is only one left to read so far. It sounds like there is another one coming in the series which makes me happy since it took me so long to pick up this series. I had heard of this author for his other series but will definitely check that one out in the meantime. Definitely a series for literature nuts and mystery fans a like.

Jasper Fforde/Mystery/Thursday Next series/416 pages/ Chunkster/ 5 out of 5

Never knew how tired I would be with this second pregnancy. I am hoping to read a couple more books yet this month. We'll see.