Book Reviews & Lists

Some months I read little, some months I read lots…last month was an average one.  Here’s what I read…all were good reads I’d recommend.
 
The Confession by John Grisham (audio)
Another legal thriller from the master, this time death row is the theme.

 Informationist by Taylor Stevens
Along the lines of The Girl Who series by Steig Larsson, but better.  A great twist at the end. 

 Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer (audio)                                                                       
A political thriller with historical conspiracy theories – and it happens at the National Archives….nothing wrong with any of that!

 Live Wire by Harlan Coben  
I love Myron Bolitar and the rest of the team, but wonder if this will be the last we hear from him?
 
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen                                                  
Another great read by the author of Garden Spells.

 Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith
The latest No. 1 Ladies Detective story, always enjoyed.
 
Union Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini                                                                        
Set in the Civil War era as the men go off to fight and the women of Elm Creek Valley support the Union troops.

 The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown                                                           
The story of three sisters finding their way in adulthood.

Ten years ago I read one book at a time, and did not listen to audio at all.  Now, I have multiple books going at all times.  Sometimes plots cross, but now I have a much better chance of reading all the books!
 
Audio in the car 
The forgotten man by Robert Crais.   I’m really liking this series with Elvis Cole & Joe Pike.
 
Audio in the sewing room
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson.  People have told me this is a great book… so far so good.
 
On the Kindle
Little Bee by Chris Cleave.  The story of a young Nigerian immigrant has piqued my interest.
 
Book 1
New Mercies by Sandra Dallas.  I thought I had read all of hers, but missed this one. Set in Natchez, Mississippi, in 1933 a new widow learns of an inheritance from an unknown aunt.
 
Book 2
Clara & Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland.  Started this on audio, but think I’ll do better with the book…it happens sometimes!

I hate reading cookie cutter books, ones that tell the same stories over and over.  These titles serve up a fresh batch of reading enjoyment.
 
School of essential ingredients by Erica Bauermeister is one of my top 10 favorite books.  The stories of those attending Monday night cooking classes are told.  Well written, a great read.
 
Particular sadness of lemon cake by Aimee Bender.  A young girl can taste the emotions of those preparing her food, and struggles with coming to terms with this gift.
 
Joanne Fluke series features Hannah Swenson, owner of The Cookie Jar in Lake Eden, Minnesota.  First book is Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder.  Recipes are included too.
 
Bread alone by Judith Ryan Hendricks.  Wynter Morrison reclaims her life with a move to Seattle and a job at a local bakery.
 
Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray.  A woman copes with all the trials and tribulations of life by baking cakes.
 
Blue bistro by Elin Hilderbrand tells the story of those working at a restaurant on Nantucket.

Obviously, I love books.  I even love reading books about books.  Here are a few of my favorites:
 
Angry housewives eating bon bons by Lorna Landvik follows the lives of members of a book club, their ups and downs over three decades. All her books are great.
 
The Burglar series by Lawrence Block -- Bernie Rhodenbarr is a burglar and bookseller living in New York City.  The first book is Burglars can’t be choosers.
 
The Collectors by David Baldacci (part of the Camel Club series) features a murder at the Library of Congress…good stuff!
 
Grand complication by Allen Kurzweil is the perfect mystery for true bibliophiles, and it features Marie Antoinette too!
 
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke is written for the younger crowd, but enjoyed by many adults.  This may sound familiar, as it was made into a movie.  A young girl discovers that her mother is stuck in a story, great adventures follow.
 
John Dunning writes a great series featuring Cliff Janeway, a cop and rare book expert, in Denver, Colorado.  The first is Booked to die.