The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright, 326 pages

I've been wanting to read this book for ages since it's such an old classic (1907) and a standard in Branson. It was definitely a reflection of it's time and is filled with a good, solid, Christian message. I can't see my children or husband reading it but it wasn't bad.

Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses by Ron Koertge, 87 pages

Cari had reviewed this retelling of updated and slightly twisted fairytales and it sounded intriguing. I'm glad I picked it up, these were a lot of fun and different.

A Catered Christmas Cookie Exchange by Isis Crawford, 312 pages

While these cooking themed mysteries are somewhat far-fetched at times, they are still enjoyable.

Duck the Halls by Donna Andrews, 310 pages

Another mystery featuring Meg Langslow and her wacky and kind of crazy family. I would have to say that I would seriously consider moving away from this town considering how many people end up dead. This is a funny and light-hearted series though, and always entertaining.

My Reading Life by Pat Conroy, 337 pages

This was the Readers Without Borders book club book for this month. It's basically a collection of essays covering people who have introduced him to great books or writers, and the books that have touched him and/or changed his life. I really liked the passion the author has for the written word, he talks about how some words just fascinate him, wanting to be rolled around in the mouth and enjoyed. I finished this book with a list of authors and books I wanted to try. I've avoided 'War and Peace' up to this moment, considering it a dry, overblown, never-ending dull book, but I now am seriously contemplating picking it up.

The Shore Road Mystery by Franklin Dixon, 178 pages

Another Hardy Boys book since I'm working my way through some of the early ones again. It's amazing how much stuff they have considering the time period the books were written in.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, 549 pages

This had been read and reviewed by numerous staff members, so it's been on my read list for a while. I always start to feel bad for the books that sit there on the list, just waiting for their turn, some of them for years.
Ismae has always been an outcast, marked by scars that show her as a daughter of Death. Given in marriage to a crude pig farmer by her abusive father, Ismae manages to escape her wedding night and make her way to the convent of St. Mortain, where she is trained to become a handmaiden of Death, handing out his will. She becomes an avid student, ready to show her devotion. As a final test before her final vows, Ismae must go to court and help look for a traitor. To do so Ismae must pose as the mistress of Gavriel Duval, who quickly starts to gain a place in heart. Ismae must decide which is more important, her heart or her devotion to Death?

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black, 419 pages

This was a darkly delicious vampire story, featuring a world with vampires exist in walled off cities, with humans allowed to enter but never leave. Tana rescues an ex-boyfriend, a chained up vampire, and possibly herself in the start of what promises to be a life-changing event.
Holly Black has created a new twist on the vampire story, that is sure to sink it's teeth into readers.

Dancing Barefoot by Wil Wheaton, 115 pages

I've been a fan of Wil Wheaton since he was Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Then when he started showing up on The Big Bang Theory, I kind of fell in love with him again. This collection of 4 short stories is kind of an insight into the person behind the characters, and is funny and quirky.

Peekaboo Planet by Pat Brady, 128 pages

My very last comic collection until I discover another series. Bedtime won't be as sweet for awhile.

The Declaration by Gemma Malley, 301 pages

Imagine a future where you can live forever, but to keep the world from overflowing, people aren't allowed to have children anymore unless they opt out of eternal life. The worse crime would be having children that weren't allowed. Those children born are considered surplus, unable to take longevity drugs and trained to become servants to the "legals" as a means of giving their life some meaning. Anna is one of these surplus children, never daring to think of herself as anything else. That is until a new boy shows up and tells her of another life, if she is willing to reach for it.
This book was reviewed by other staff people who really loved it, so it's been on my read list for almost a year. I'm glad I finally picked it up. It reminded me a lot of some of Vonnegut's work.

This Might Not Be Pretty by Jan Eliot, 191 pages

This hits really close to home at times with our two daughters. Very hilarious!

Not Just Another Sweetheart Deal by Pat Brady, 128 pages

One of our last collections, I'm not sure what I'll read before falling asleep now.

Rose is Rose: Running on Alter Ego by Pat Brady, 128 pages

I don't think my alter ego looks like Rose's, lol.

Enchanting Rose by Pat Brady, 128 pages

A great way to fall asleep.

High-Spirited Rose is Rose by Pat Brady, 128 pages

My whole family has enjoyed these collections.

Peace of Mind is a Blanket That Purrs by Pat Brady, 128 pages

Another cute book.

It Takes Two to Tickle by Pat Brady, 128 pages

This features some of the earliest strips.

Desperate Households by Jan Eliot, 128 pages

One of my last Stone Soup collections. It's been interesting to see how the characters have changed and developed over the years.

The Bride Wore Size 12 by Meg Cabot, 392 pages

This is just a fun murder mystery series featuring dorm supervisor Heather Wells. It's been a long haul, but her and her fiance', Cooper, are about to tie the knot. That is if Heather can stay alive long enough to walk down the aisle. This funny series is best read starting at the beginning.

Red Carpet Rose by Pat Brady, 128 pages

One of the last collections I have checked out. Makes me a little sad.

The Irresistible Rose is Rose by Pat Brady, 128 pages

Another great comic collection to fall asleep to.

Rose is Rose: Right on the Lips by Pat Brady, 128 pages

Always funny and sweet.

Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan, 274 pages

I'm a fan of Jim Gaffigan's standup, so I was interested in reading his book. He definitely has an irreverent look at parenthood that I appreciate.

Five Little Peppers Midway by Margaret Sidney, 176 pages

I hadn't known there were more books in the Little Peppers series. I'm going to enjoy reading these newly discovered classics.

Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney, 164 pages

I have to go back sometimes and reread childhood favorites. This is one that I really liked because it reminds me of Little Women and so many people have never heard of it.

Another Scandal in Bohemia by Carole Nelson Douglas, 465 pages

I LOVE the Irene Adler series by Carole Nelson Douglas, it brings a new new side to the Holmes canon. I've read this book more than once, have a ton of other books I need to read, and still had to pick this one up. If you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes literature and haven't read any of this series, you're missing out on a serious treat.

You Can't Say Boobs on Sunday by Jan Eliot, 189 pages

Another totally hilarious comic collection featuring the characters of Stone Soup.

Lenore, Purple Nurples by Roman Dirge, 111 pages

Sometimes I get to review totally awesome for Night Owl, and this is one of those items. Somehow we came across these comics by Roman Dirge and my whole family is now totally hooked. They are completely creepy, sometimes downright gross, and have a tendency to make us laugh at completely inappropriate stuff. So how could we not love them.

We'll Be REally Careful! by Jan Eliot, 191 pages

Stone Soup comics have a tendency to result in my husband and me turning to each other and saying, "You've got to read this! Isn't this our family?" It's been fun to see how my youngest has gone from being a lot like Alix to becoming more and more like the hormonally challenged Holly. This comic at least gives me hope that I'm not alone.

100% Whole Grin Rose is Rose by Pat Brady, 128 pages

I like comics, what can I say.

Rose is Rose in Loving Color by Pat Brady, 128 pages

I have like Rose is Rose since I lived in Jefferson City and took the St. Louis newspaper, mainly for the huge comic page. Glad to revisit an old friend.

Rose is Rose 15th Anniversary Collection by Pat Brady, 128 pages

I especially like the family based comics, they hit closer to home. There really is nothing more relaxing than reading a nice comic collection before falling asleep to help you have pleasant dreams.

Brace Yourself by Jan Eliot, 191 pages

This Stone Soup collection features the newest addition to the Stone clan, Joan and Wally's baby. I'd started following this comic after this, so it was interesting to get this back story. Still one of the funniest comics I've read, especially with two teen daughters myself.

A Soul of Steel by Carole Nelson Douglas, 395 pages

The best recommendation I can make for this book is that I had a huge pile of books to read, including library and review books, and I still picked up this book I've read before to enjoy. Nell Huxleigh continues to narrate her life with Irene Adler and her dashing husband Godfrey Norton, enjoying their new life in France. A figure from Nell's past stumbles into her arms, propelling Nell and Irene into what could be their deadliest mystery to date. And what's a mystery without Sherlock Holmes showing up?

A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George, 413 pages

I'd had this book on my want to read list for about a year and finally got around to it. I don't remember what put it on my list, but I can't say I would have been upset to have missed it. It was an extremely dark and depressing, and didn't wrap as happily and nicely as I like.

When the Maquess Met His Match by Laura Lee Ghurke, 374 pages

I'm a fan of Regency romances, so I'm always glad to get a new one from Night Owl. This was pretty well-written and funny, a combination I always like in a book.

The Knight's Temptress by Amanda Scott, 386 pages

Another romance sent to me by Night Owl Reviews. I'm not a huge fan of Scottish romances, so while this wasn't bad, it wasn't my favorite.