Secret Lives of the Tsars by Michael Farquhar, 282 pages

I love how Farquhar spices up history by showcasing it through sex and scandals. It brings it alive in a way traditional books don't. I've read all his books so far and enjoyed them all.

My Thomas by Roberta Grimes, 368 pages

A look at Martha Jefferson and her relationship with Thomas Jefferson as told through her journal entries.

Madam by Cari Lynn & Kellie Martin, 326 pages

A historical retelling of a true story based on the creation of the red light district in New Orleans.

The Scientific Sherlock Holmes: Cracking the Case with Science & Forensics by James O'Brien, 175 pages

We have the author of this book coming to the library for a summer reading presentation so I had to read his book of course. I love anything Sherlock related and this was a great nonfiction behind the scenes look at the Holmes canon. I can't wait for the presentation.

The Beach House by Jane Green, 341 pages

This month's book club book. I really didn't want to enjoy it but really did.

Killer by Jonathan Kellerman, 335 pages

The Alex Delaware books are pretty much formulaic but still are good reads.

SVU Take Back the Night by Laurie John, 230 pages

What university would have a sexual assault case open to the public and basically put the victim on trial?

SVU No Means No by Laurie John, 233 pages

Sweet Valley University basically replaces the storyline featuring Lila and her sexual assault but features Jessica this time.

SVU Sorority Scandal by Laurie John, 233 pages

Already up to book 9, only 71 more to go. Whoo hoo!

Dragons Luck by Robert Asprin, 369 pages

This is a great fantasy book by Asprin. I am devastated by the thought that he is dead and there will be no new books from him.

Dragons Deal by Robert Asprin and Jody Lynn Nye, 385 pages

I was sent the first book in this series to read for a review and was hooked. I've read a lot of Asprin's books, including his Phule and Myth series. This was a great read, I especially liked the fact that it is set in our world. I am so craving beignets from Cafe du Monde. Plus, it has be wondering just how many supernaturals are walking around that I don't know about, lol.

SVU, Wanted for Murder by Laurie John, 297 pages

My goal is to finish the Sweet Valley University books this year.

Dolled Up to Die by Lorena McCourtney, 459 pages

Another murder mystery. The first victims are life size child dolls, kind of creepy.

Ma, I'm Gettin Meself a New Mammy by Martha Long, 336 pages

These are the saddest books ever, but I love Martha's determination.

Of Witches and Wind by Shelby Bach, 386 pages

I will read pretty much anything that is fairytale based. It's always nice when it's a well-written juvenile fiction book like this series is.

SVU Home for Christmas by Laurie John, 249 pages

You can tell this is a slightly more adult Sweet Valley since they use shinola and the b word.

The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielsen, 317 pages

This was the final book in the False Prince trilogy. I got hooked on these books when my youngest daughter read the first one and came to me exclaiming, "You HAVE to read this book. I need someone to talk about it with!!" Poor Jaron has been through so much, and each book has kept me on the edge of my seat. You don't say that with many juvenile books but this was an outstanding series.

SVU Good-bye to Love by Laurie John, 231 pages

I'm back to working my way through the Sweet Valley University. I will finish this series before the end of the year.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes & But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes by Anita Loos, 243 pages

I hadn't realized that the Marilyn Monroe movie was actually based on a book. Pretty funny stuff.

Fables: Snow White, Volume 19, 166 pages

I can't believe it's been 19 volumes and I still devour each new graphic novel. This series has gotten darker and darker. While this wasn't as heart wrenching as the last one it was still pretty sad. I finished this on my break and felt like I needed to go home afterwards instead of back to work because I was too traumatized to finish my shift, lol.

The Poioner's Handbook by Deboarh Blum, 319 pages

I'd watched a special on the PBS that dealt with early forensic scientists Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler in New York City and was fascinated. So when I came across this book that covered them as well, it was a given that I'd read it. This covered intentional and accidental poisonings, the government poisoning alcohol during Prohibition and the early days of the FDA. The science and history was great and there was enough murder and death to keep it really page turning.

The Winter Ground by Catriona McPherson, 295 pages

I've become a fan of the Dandy Gilver mysteries. They're set in Scotland after WWII and feature a aristocratic (low level) wife who is willing to go back to her pre-war responsibilities only. After becoming involved in a mystery featuring missing jewels, Dandy is making a name for herself as a woman who investigates discreetly. This newest mystery features a invalid wife, a winter-camped circus, and a girl who might be a member of Russian royalty in hiding. All in all, just another normal mystery to solve.

NYPD Puzzle by Parnell Hall, 258 pages

I read a lot of mysteries, that's all there is to it.

Deck Z: The Titanic by Chris Pauls, 222 pages

Samantha bought this ages ago at a Scholastic Book Fair. I finally got around to reading this and it was kind of a lame zombies on the Titanic mix. Not a great read.

Cemetery Girl by Charlaine Harris and Christopher Golden, 128 pages

Lisa reviewed this earlier and I have to say I agree with her opinion. Not a great graphic novel, luckily it was a fast read.

January Thaw by Jess Lourey, 272 pages

Mira James has found a body a month since moving to Battle Lake in May. If I was on the Chamber of Commerce, I would make her leave the town but until then I will enjoy the mystery books. Light and fluffy with just enough serious to make them really enjoyable.

No Dawn for Men by James LePore and Carlos Davis, 271 pages

One of the oddest books I've read in a while (and I read a lot of odd books.) Ian Fleming (James Bond creator), J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings creator) and Nazis in a race to find an amulet that raises the dead back to life. Why haven't there been more books with this plot!?!
This was almost too odd to be enjoyable, the only saving grace is that I read it really fast and didn't tie up a lot of time on it.

The Secret Warning by Franklin W. Dixon, 176 pages

Book 17 of the Hardy Boys series.

A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony, 344 pages

This is the first Xanth fantasy/magic book. It's hard to believe this came out in 1977. Still a good read and I like all the puns.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Omnibus Edition by Alan Moore & Kevin O'Neill, 380 pages

I enjoyed the regular edition I read years ago much more than this omnibus. I still feel like the creators used Mina Harker as just filler instead of developing the powers and abilities she could have had.

A User's Guide to Neglectful Parenting by Guy Delisle, 191 pages

I'd seen this reviewed on Unshelved and it looked like a book written about and for my husband and myself. A good parent is one who plays practical jokes on their kids. I especially enjoyed the bit about the tooth fairy. I've used that comment myself.

A Figure in Hiding by Franklin W. Dixon, 176 pages

Book 16 in the series. I would move out of Bayport myself, since it seems filled with crooks.

Survival of the Filthiest by Darby Conley, 127 pages

My last Get Fuzzy collection. Boo hoo!

The Sinister Signpost by Franklin W. Dixon, 175 pages

This was a scientifically flawed book and definitely not one of my favorites.

The Mangle Street Murders by M.R.C. Kasasian, 329 pages

This is almost a alternate reality/spoof of Sherlock Holmes featuring Sidney Grice, a personal detective and his young ward March Middleton. It was odd but entertaining, not your normal Sherlock homage. This was a good read and I'm interested to see if there will be another one.