Too Much Information by Gene Ambaum & Bill Barnes, 127 pages

Each one of these Unshelved collections just makes me even more excited about the creators visit next year. Yippee!

When We're in Public, Pretend You Don't Know Me by Susan Borowitz, 274 pages

My mom had picked this book up for me as a funny guide for surviving Renee's teen years. I actually had to take this book away from Renee a few times to finish it. I'm glad to say that I'm an "uncool" mom instead of a "best buds" or "clueless" mom. I picked up a few tips that I will be using over the next few year as Renee goes through her teen years and Sammi enters them.

VWars edited by Jonathan Maberry, 406 pages

This was a fantastic new take on the vampire story. What if vampirism was caused by a virus awakening dormant dna? What if there were different types of vampires throughout the world based on your genetic makeup, explaining the variety of vampires throughout history and around the world? I especially enjoyed how there was a variety of writers, but the story itself stayed very coherent. This is probably one of the most outstanding vampire books I've ever read.

Death Makes the Cut by Janice Hamrick, 322 pages

This was the much awaited sequel to Death on Tour, which was Janice Hamrick's first mystery. I was a big fan of Death on Tour, so I was unsure whether or not the author would be a one hit wonder. Well, I must say I enjoyed this book just as much even though it took place in Texas instead of Egypt, and I'm not really a fan of books set in Texas. Jocelyn Shore is back home and ready to start a new school year, when she stumbles over the dead body of a fellow teacher. She quickly becomes involved in trying to help solve the crime, and becomes a target herself. Throw in a distant boyfriend in a long-distance relationship, and much too attractive police detective, an over-the-top drama teacher, and the craziness of her cousin, and it all adds up to what may be this teacher's final exam.

Fables: Super Team, 148 pages

Completely caught up with all the ones we own. I'm really sad now.

Night Watch by Linda Fairstein, 402 pages

This wasn't my favorite in the series, kind of felt like it left me hanging and unsatisfied.

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, 197 pages

Our August Readers Without Borders book. I really enjoyed it.

Fables: Rose Red, 245 pages

This is the next to last graphic novel published so far in this series. I hate that I'm so close to being caught up because this has been one of the best graphic novel series I've ever read. Each one keeps getting better and better.

Bagpipes, Brides, and Homicides by Kaitlyn Dunnett, 278 pages

Another murder mystery but with a Scottish theme.

Not So Funny When It Happens edited by Tim Cahill, 207 pages

One of the drawbacks of doing the pull list for all the holds each morning is coming across books that catch my interest. This one looked interesting. It's a collection of travel mishaps, which are always a lot funnier when it happens to others.

Frequently Asked Questions by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum, 135 pages

I love this comic strip. I'm just counting down till we get to see Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum next year. Yippee!

The Highly Effective Detective by Richard Yancey, 294 pages

Teddy Ruzak was a security guard, who due to an insurance inheritance, decides to start a detective agency. He doesn't have a license or training, but he does have a lot of enthusiasm. His first case is investigating a hit and run involving a gaggle of baby geese. Just how far can determination and enthusiasm carry you?

This was a different detective, he kind of reminded me of Barney Fife. It was really a good read.

21st Century Dead edited by Christopher Golden, 338 pages

This was a collection of never-before-published zombie stories by some outstanding writers. There were some that will stay with me for a while because they were just that creepy. I especially liked the thought of just how far will a mom go for her baby, even when it's dead.

Picture-Perfect Prom by Kate William, 197 pages

Junior year is coming to a close, and there's only one thing on Jessica Wakefield's mind-snagging the hottest prom date in Sweet Valley. But who could be worthy of the most devastatingly gorgeous girl at SVH? Jessica and her best friend, Lila Fowler, are determined to find out-by rating all the guys in school. But when their list of who's hot and who's not gets out, the guys seek revenge! Elizabeth Wakefield needs to make a decision fast. She told both of her ex-boyfriends, devoted Todd Wilkins and sexy Devon Whitelaw, that she needed time to stand on her own. But now she's totally alone-without a prom date! Will she be able to figure out who her dream guy is-before he asks someone else?

Fables: Witches, 184 pages

This had one of the best lines I've ever read in a book. The magic mirror is dealing with Baba Yaga (one of the scariest witches ever in fairytales) and is telling her that she will be dead soon. Baba Yaga asks why, and the Magic Mirror tells her that she was dead the moment Bufkin (one of the Flying Monkeys from the Wizard of the Oz) decided she needed to go. Bufkin is considered kind of a bumpkin by the fairytales so Baba Yaga is shocked by this. She asks why and the Magic Mirror replies, "He reads. He reads everything." That is my all time favorite line. That would be my superpower. I may even have it put on my grave, "She read. She read everything."

Library Mascot Cage Match by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum, 120 pages

We are just about 8 months away from Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum coming to the Joplin Public Library. I will be rereading all of their collections between now and then in anxious anticipation.

I'm Not Anti-Business, I'm Anti-Idiot by Scott Adams, 128 pages

I'm rereading the Dilbert collections as a nice way to unwind before going to sleep.

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus, 302 pages

What if in the 1870s the government tried a secret ploy to bring the Indians into white civilization by sending 1000 white women to be brides and mothers and civilize the wild "Red Man"? To fill the ranks of the women needed, the government would pull women from prisons, the streets, and the madhouses. The story is told through the journal entries of May Dodd, a woman consigned to a mad house by her wealthy family for daring to fall in love with a man below their station. She is sent across the country to marry an Indian and help change their way of thinking. But instead, she may find her outlook completely changed.                   This book was wonderfully done, with the plot coming across as believable. The characters grabbed the reader, and the storyline left me very upset and sad, as a good story often will. Fans of Dances With Wolves would most likely enjoy this book.  A wonderful read that I totally recommend.

Invictus by JorDanielle Cashion, 181 pages

This is the book by the author we have coming to the library on Saturday. Since I'm going to be talking about it I wanted to refamiliarize myself with the book. Bad vampires, good vampires, demons, vampire fighters, and a forbidden romance, everything a vampire book needs. 

Still Pumped From Using the Mouse by Scott Adams, 128 pages

Another Dilbert collection to help soothe me off the sleep.

Casual Day Has Gone Too Far by Scott Adams, 128 pages

Since I like to read something light a lot of nights just before I fall asleep, I've starting picking up comic collections to read. I've read Dilbert from almost day one, and it was entertaining to go back and reread some of the earlier comics. Seeing how new and amazing the Internet was considered was funny.

Fables: The Dark Ages, 177 pages

This was one of the saddest books so far, I was tearing up a little through it. I've gotten really attached to some of the characters. If you like the dark and creepy fairytales, you'll want to pick up this series. But I wholeheartedly recommend starting at the beginning. The artwork and storylines are amazing.

The Great Fables Crossover, 231 pages

I've been waiting forever to be able to read this one. Someone had lost volume 12 and I had to wait for it to be reordered. This series is outstanding, but this was probably the oddest of all of them. I have to say I'm not a fan of Jack Horner at all.

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith, 387 pages

This was definitely my favorite book so far in this series. Clovis Anderson, writer of the detective handbook that Precious Ramotswe depends on for running her No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency has shown up by a wonderful fluke. And Mma Ramotswe could use his help more than ever. Mma Potokwane has been dismissed as matron for the orphanage farm and one of the apprentices for the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors is in trouble with the law. I have to admit I was a little teary eyed when I finished this book.

Becoming Laura Ingalls Wilder by John E. Miller, 306 pages

This is a nonfiction look at the woman who became a part of literary greatness, known as Laura Ingalls Wilder. Her books have been thrilling not only children but also adults since they first came out, and with the television, the Ingalls family are known worldwide. But who was the woman behind these books? The author explores Laura's life, the struggles she went through, and the tulmutuous relationship she had with her only daughter, Rose Wilder Lane. Rose was responsible for editing the Little House books, but Laura left few letters behind to show just how much was her and how much was Rose. While at times this book shattered some of my beloved misconceptions about Laura, I still admire this spunky woman who traveled the prairies as a child in a covered wagon and crossed the country by plane as a senior citizen. This book was well-written and very detailed, and gave an incredible look at not only Laura's life but also her famous daughter, Rose.

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, 329 pages

Cari listed this as her favorite book and it looked interesting so I thought I would give it a try. Sophie lived in a small town and was the oldest of three, which everyone knows, according to all the stories, is the first to fail. She is resigned to a life of making hats until the Witch of the Waste comes in, and displeased with Sophie's hats, curses her to be an old lady. Sophie sets off on her own immediately and ends up at the moving castle of Howl, a horrible wizard known for eating young girls' hearts. But since Sophie isn't young anymore, she should be safe. But, will Howl be safe from her?                                     This was an interesting fantasy book, reminding me of the books I read in high school, loving this time of fantasy. It was well-crafted and entertaining, and I think I will be looking for the movie.  

Earthquake by Kate William, 227 pages

Twin sisters Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield have been ripped apart in the chaos following a devastating earthquake. Through the agony, fear, and despair, they must dig through the rubble to find each other again, hoping against hope that they haven't been separated for good. But as they search, tragedy surrounds them. Enid Rollins clings to life by a thread as her friends work to save her. Steven Wakefield, the twins' brother, risks his life to help his one true love. Most frightening of all, Todd Wilkins, Lila Fowler, Ken Matthews, and Olivia Davidson are missing and presumed dead. Can their friends find them before it's too late?

The Queen's Vow by C. W. Gortner, 382 pages

I reviewed this for Night Owl Reviews so I don't want to say too much here, but this was an outstanding book. The author did a great job of showing Isabella of Castile in a much more sympathetic light. Fans of Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory and such will want to read this book.

Passion and Pretense by Susan Gee Heino, 344 pages

This was a review book for Night Owl Reviews, so my review will be officially posted on their site. But I enjoyed this regency romance, it was a nice fluffy read with an Egyptian twist.

Peculiar People: The Story of My Life Augustus Hare, edited by Anita Miller and James Papp, 303 pages

Augustus Hare was a travel writer in the late 1800s in England, who had a horrendous childhood, very emotional cold family members, and a fondness for collecting stories. He lived during a time that if one was well-dressed and pulled up in a carriage, with somewhat of a family connection, no matter how obscure, one could be assured of an invitation to dine.This features stories from his books condensed down into a more manageable read, fans of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and such will probably find this a treat. I especially enjoyed the old ghost stories.

Death Comes Silently by Carolyn Hart, 402 pages

This is the latest book in the Death on Demand series, featuring Annie and Max. I've been a fan since almost the very beginning, and getting to meet the author when she came to the library was a treat. This one is just as good, the books always keep me entertained and are too bloody or fluffy. 

Dilbert-Excuse Me While I Wag by Scott Adams, 128 pages

I like reading a comic book collection a lot of nights before I go to bed, it helps me unwind. Dilbert has been a favorite for many years, and I plan on being part of Dogbert's ruling class.

Last Wish by Kate William, 231 pages

Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield are turning seventeen, and you're invited to the biggest party in Sweet Valley history! But when tragedy strikes, be prepared. One of your favorite characters may be lost forever, and the Sweet Valley High you know and love will never be the same again. 

Big Nate in a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce, 214 pages

This is the first book in the series that my kids have been fighting over and got me hooked on. I really like the mix of pictures in the story, making it seem like a kid's journal with all the doodles and such. Nate is not a kid I would want to have, but would have been great to be friends with.

The Big Night by Kate William, 198 pages

Elizabeth Wakefield is walking on air. She can't wait to attend the prom on the arm of her sexy date, Devon Whitelaw. But when her ex-boyfriend, Todd Wilkins, wants to be alone with her one last time, will Elizabeth be swept away by a flood of romantic memories?

Jessica Wakefield, Sweet Valleys most infamous party girl, is in no mood to celebrate. She's been ditched by her prom date and pegged as a loser on the biggest night of the year! Will Jessica be forced to spend the night by herself, or will true romance blossom when she least expects it?

Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves, 343 pages

Lisa reviewed this book already so I won't go into the plot really. I will just say that I totally agreed with Lisa about this being totally improbable. No young lady of social standing would be allowed to volunteer at the Whitechapel Hospital, run around by herself, and go to dinners as the only young lady with a bunch of men, even if they were doctors and gentlemen. I spent the whole book upset over the plot flaws, rather than enjoying the story.

Lethal Outlook by Victoria Laurie, 353 pages

I'm really hooked on these Psychic Eye mysteries. This one really laid some good groundwork for the next book.

The Inquisitor's Key by Jefferson Bass, 353 pages

Dr. Bill Brockton has been called to France to help his assistant, Miranda Lovelady, identify the bones found in a chest discovered a chamber in the Palace of Popes. The writing on the chest has a stunning claim, it contains the bones of Jesus of Nazareth. It seems that Dr. Brockton is not the only one trying to figure out the mystery, there seems to a deadly chase to gain possession of these bones. Will Miranda and Dr. Bill survive long enough to figure just whose bones these are?

This was a pretty good book in the series, with a lot of early papal history. Enjoyable on it's own, but I really recommend reading these in order.

Please Forgive Me by Kate William, 199 pages

Elizabeth Wakefield's heart is being ripped to shreds. The rivalry between her longtime boyfriend, Todd Wilkins, and the mysterious Devon Whitelaw has erupted into violence. Forget choosing between them-a disgusted Elizabeth ditches them both. Unless they grow up, she'll never speak to either one of them again!

Horrified and guilty that he flew off the handle, Todd understands why Elizabeth won't have anything to do with him. But he's not about to give up that easily. When a party Elizabeth and her twin sister, Jessica, are organizing doesn't go according to plan, Todd seizes the opportunity to prove how far he'll go to earn her forgiveness. But will his desperate efforts push him over the edge?