Wednesday, December 31, 2014

The Tiger Queens by Stephanie Thornton, 486 pages

I'm such a fan of Stephanie Thornton now, her historical fiction books about overlooked women in history are always a pleasure to read. The worst thing about each book is then having to wait for the next one. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history, especially anyone who wants a deeper look at the Mongols.

Monday, December 29, 2014

The Quest for the Trilogy by Mel Odom, 462 pages

This is the final entry in the Rover series. While it started off reminding a lot of the Lord of the Rings, it has become a great series that stands on its own merits. I'm so very sad that there aren't any more books featuring Wick and Juhg.

No Vacancies by Kevin McClintock, 197 pages

Very dark and creepy short stories, I didn't want to be reading these before bedtime. Always interesting to read something by a local author who references things you recognize.

A Deadly Measure of Brimstone by Catriona McPherson, 291 pages

I really appreciate the character development in these books over the series. I learn a little bit more about Scotland and it's history each book, and they're just good mysteries. Keep them coming Catriona!

Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris, 294 pages

I'm a fan of Choose Your Own Adventures and Neil Patrick Harris, so what's not to love about this book!?! It was funny and a neat twist to jump around his life. I did have to go back through page by page just to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Monday, December 22, 2014

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce, 295 pages

My book club, Readers Without Borders, read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and we all loved it. When I got a chance to read an advance copy of the sequel, I jumped at the chance but was hesitant because a sequel can so often fall short. This one not only measured up, but may be even better. I had to put the book down a few times because it was just so touching and I had to stop and savor where I was before moving on. The ending left me sad but it was a good and perfect ending.

Robert Asprin's Dragons Run by Jody Lynn Nye, 406 pages

I'm hooked on this series but this one was a little disjointed and especially at the beginning I felt like I was missing part of the story. Still a good read, just not one of the better ones.

An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham, 330 pages

All I can say is I only finished it because it was for book club. Ugghh.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

The Lodger by Louisa Treger, 262 pages

A fictionalized look at Dorothy Richardson, a writer from the early 1900s who had an affair with H.G. Wells. Not one of my favorite books.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories by Washington Irving, 368 pages

Did you know that Washing Irving is considered one of the main forces of popularizing doughnuts as a New York treat and is responsible for Knickerbocker being a popular nickname for New York as well? I didn't know that until I read this collection featuring some of his short stories. This was a really interesting read and I enjoyed getting to know more about this forgotten and overlooked early American author.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The Agincourt Bride by Joanna Hickson, 578 pages

I was sent this to review for Night Owl Reviews. I'd read almost nothing of Catherine de Valois, sister of Charles VI, who married Henry V of England. This was wonderful, and a great treat for history buffs.

The Art of the English Murder by Lucy Worsley, 312 pages

I'd seen this when a patron checked it out and have been eagerly awaiting its return. It examines England's fascination with murder, especially in the written word. Starting with the broadsides that dealt in murders, trials and the hangings, through souvenirs for famous murders, and up to the introduction of the detective into literature. This was filled with lots and lots of interesting trivia and details, a great read for any mystery-loving Anglophile.

Monday, December 1, 2014

As You Wish by Cary Elwes, 259 pages

This is a behind the scenes look at the making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes, who played Westley. I really love this movie and the book, so it was really great to see what went into the making of bringing this wonderful book alive. Cary Elwes just comes across as a class act, and this movie seems like it was so much fun to make.

Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan, 340 pages

Jim Gaffigan is one of my favorite comedians, I find myself quoting him at inappropriate times. I'd loved his first book, "Dad is Fat", so I was sure this would be just as funny. This was even better. Jim feels the same way I do about food and eating, and looks at our obsession with food with his usual, slightly twisted, viewpoint. Well worth picking up!