City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster, 359 pages

Nisha was left at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls at the age of six. The City has been founded as a result of the Kingdom's 2-children limit, as a place for the girl babies that families don't want. The girls are raised by the different Houses to become musicians, courtesans, healers, soldiers, and such. Nisha serves as the eyes and ears of the city's Matron. When suspicious deaths start striking among the young women, Nisha must try to find the killer if she wants any chance of escaping slavery and having a chance of a life of freedom.
This was a different read, kind of Chinese like, but with talking cats, magic, and intrigue. It was interesting and kept me engaged through the very end.

Love, Lies, and Jessica Wakefield by Laurie John, 231 pages

This one was shocking in that Jessica actually has S-E-X, oh my goodness.

The Calvin and Hobbes Lazy Sunday Book by Bill Watterson, 127 pages

I've found that relaxing with a comic collection before going to bed helps me relax. These have been a nice end to the day.

There's Treasure Everywhere by Bill Watterson, 175 pages

Reading these just remind me of how glad I am that I had daughters and not sons.

Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat by Bill Watterson, 175 pages

Still just as funny now as when they first came out.

The Authoritative Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson, 253 pages

Rereading these collections has reminded me how much I miss Calvin and Hobbes in the daily newspaper.

Eighty Days by Matthew Goodman, 449 pages

This book covered Nellie Bly's (famous 1800's girl reporter) attempt to travel around the world in 75 days or less, beating Jules Verne's 80 days trip. What made it even more fascinating is the fact that just hours after Nellie set off, a second female writer was sent to try in the opposite direction. This book covered both of their trips, the reaction of the American people, and the hype stirred up by Nellie's newspaper, The World. I've read about Nellie Bly before, but this was a well-done coverage of one of her most famous publicity stunts, and it gave me a new longing to re-read 'Around the World in 80 Days' by Verne. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

College Girls by Laurie John, 235 pages

Just when you thought my Sweet Valley High addiction was over, it's time for Sweet Valley University. I haven't come this close to reading them all to stop now. This one has been a little painful in that Elizabeth is not the beautiful, popular, well-adjusted twin now that they're at college. But still as much hokey and fluffy fun as always.

The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin, 163 pages

This was an odd read that I wouldn't have picked up normally on my own, but I'm not upset that I read it. While it reminded me very much of Steve Martin, while I was reading it I completely forgot that he wrote it and become engrossed in the story. My only faults with the book is that it took a little too long to become invested in the story at the beginning and the ending was almost too neatly wrapped up.

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber, 835 pages

This was a really outstanding read following Sugar, a prostitute in 1870s London. It was compelling, rich in detail and full of character development, my only problem was the ending left me a little flat. This is a light, fluffy short read for the faint of heart.

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris, 338 pages

It's hard to believe that this is the final Sookie Stackhouse book. I've been there since the very beginning. I'm not going to say anything about this book because I know other people are planning on reading it and don't want any spoilers.

Aunt Dimity & the Lost Prince by Nancy Atherton, 246 pages

The Aunt Dimity books are just a nice, feel good, sort of mystery. This is the 18th in the series, and while I don't recommend this as a stand alone book, it's a nice entry in the series.

Seducing the Highlander by Michele Sinclair, 392 pages

This is the last of the romance books Night Owl Review sent me to review in the last batch. I'm not a huge fan of Scottish historical romances, but this wasn't half bad.

Zom-B Underground by Darren Shan, 180 pages

This is the sequel to one of the oddest and most captivating zombie series I've read in a while. B has waken up (SPOILER ALERT) after having her heart ripped out by a zombie. But B is not alive in the normal sense of the word. In a world that equates B and B's revitalized zombies with the mindless, brain-eating zombies, is B able to make a stand for what is right?
This is a teen book that had me eagerly turning pages, and now anticipating the next one coming into the library.

The Days Are Just Packed by Bill Watterson, 175 pages

Another Calvin and Hobbes collection that instead of helping me fall asleep at night, kept me up late reading. Dang you, Bill Watterson!!!

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, 127 pages

I'd realized that it had been a while since I'd read any Calvin and Hobbes. I really miss seeing the comic in the newspaper everyday, but I guess that is better than cartoonists who refuse to let their comic die, even when it's no longer even close to funny or entertaining (yes I mean you Prince Valiant.)

Abs of Steel, Buns of Cinnamon by Cathy Guisewite, 128 pages

My very last Cathy collection, they've helped me unwind before falling asleep.

I'd Scream Except I Look So Fabulous by Cathy Guisewite, 128 pages

Another really funny Cathy collection. She's still as enjoyable as always.

The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, 255 pages

My family has been working our way through Calvin and Hobbes again. It's one of our favorites, so much so, that my husband was kind of hopefully that our last daughter was going to be twin boys just so he could name them Calvin and Hobbes.

Queen Anne: The Politics of Passion by Anne Somerset, 636 pages

Queen Anne, the often overlooked and negated ruler of England at the beginning of the 1700s, is best known for her passionate female friendships, especially with the tempestuous Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. But she was a strong woman who led England through trying times, with the country emerging as the world power. The author does an outstanding job of exploring this fascinating woman, with her troubled family, the overthrow of her father, her strong and long-lasting marriage, and struggles to try to keep the throne above the bickering and power plays of political parties. Anne’s friendship with Sarah is explored, from its early roots to the fiery and ugly end. While I’ve never read about Queen Anne before, considering her a boring woman, I now look forward to finding out more about this quiet and determined history maker.

Sweet 18 by Francine Pascal, 184 pages

This was a bittersweet book because I was excited to come to the end of Jessica and Elizabeth's high school years (over 190 books in the series) but sad to see them end. I'm going to follow them through college but it was a turning point.

Stolen Charms by Adele Ashworth, 371 pages

A historical romance sent to me by Night Owl Reviews that was a little campy and unbelievable, even for a bodice ripper.

To Tempt the Devil by C.J. Archer, 291 pages

This was an advance readers copy sent to me by Night Owl Reviews. Not one I would have picked out on my own, and not my favorite historical romance.

Missouri's Wicked Route 66 by Lisa Livingston-Martin, 127 pages

I enjoyed Lisa's other two books, but this is my definite favorite out of all three. It explores the gangsters and outlaws along Missouri's home stretch of Route 66, including a little bit of Oklahoma and Kansas. One of the shocking ones was the link to Jack the Ripper. I knew there were theories to an American 'doctor' possibly being Jack the Ripper, but I didn't realize he had ties to St. Louis. I also enjoyed reading about the Lemp Family, Frank & Jesse James, and the Stefflebeck Bordello in Galena, Kansas. This was a really fascinating look at some of the crimes that have been committed along one of America's most famous highways. I look forward to Lisa's presentation at the library in July, and I even put this book on hold for my husband because I know he'll enjoy it as well.

Dead, White, and Blue by Carolyn Hart, 270 pages

This was the latest Max and Annie murder mystery, and while it was still very entertaining, the series seems to be losing its sizzle. I feel like plots are becoming a little predictable and the characters somewhat of a cliche.

Game by Barry Lyga, 520 pages

This is the sequel to "I Hunt Killers" and it's been a long wait for it to come out. This book features Jasper called to New York City to help track down a serial killer while dealing with his father's escape from prison. This book is filled with lots of action, suspense, and relatively little blood and gore for a book featuring serial killers. Barry Lyga has created an amazing teen series that has proven to be a must read for adults. Now it's another long wait until the next book comes out.