I finished The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares with book #4, Forever in Blue.
About the book:
Product Description
Some friends just fit together.
With unraveled embroidery and fraying hems, the Traveling Pants are back for one last, glorious summer.
Join Ann Brashares’s beloved sisterhood once again in a dazzling, fearless novel about a summer that will forever change the lives of Lena, Carmen, Bee, and Tibby, here and now, past and future, together and apart.
My thoughts: I loved these girls and I especially love series. Books that have individual stories intertwining always keep me turning pages (or in this case, listening) because I always want to get back to a particular storyline so it’s hard to put it down. I will miss the girls and really liked this coming of age book. We’ve seen the girls grow from teens to college women and it was a great ride. This final book, more than any other showed what was going on inside their heads. I wish there were many more, but everything has it’s time.
Rating 4.5/5
I love Avi, historical fiction, and series so reading Crispin: At the Edge of the World, the sequel to Newbery Medal winner Crispin: Cross of Lead was thoroughly enjoyable.
About the book: The more I came to know of the world, the more I knew I knew it not.
He was a nameless orphan, marked for death by his masters for an unknown crime. Discovering his name— Crispin—only intensified the mystery. Then Crispin met Bear, who helped him learn the secret of his full identity. And in Bear—the enormous, red-bearded juggler, sometime spy, and everyday philosopher—Crispin also found a new father and a new world.
Now Crispin and Bear have set off to live their lives as free men. But they don’t get far before their past catches up with them: Bear is being pursued by members of the secret brotherhood who believe he is an informer. When Bear is badly wounded, it is up to Crispin to make decisions about their future—where to go, whom to trust. Along the way they become entangled with an extraordinary range of people, each of whom affects Crispin and Bear’s journey in unexpected ways. To find freedom and safety, they may have to travel to the edge of the world—even if it means confronting death itself.
My thoughts: I loved this sequel and look forward to more. Whenever I read Avi, it’s like watching a movie in my mind. This one was no different. Who can help but pull for Crispin and cheer him on? Avi definitely ended the book with the promise of more adventures to come.
Rating 4.5/5
In this riveting sequel to the Newbery-Award winning Crispin: The Cross of Lead—the second book in a planned trilogy—Avi explores themes of war, religion, and family as he continues the adventures of Crispin and Bear.
While awaiting the release of newest Stephanie Plum novel I grabbed Plum Lovin, a between the numbers novel by Janet Evanovich.
About the book:
Mysterious men have a way of showing up in Stephanie Plum’s apartment. When the shadowy Diesel appears, he has a task for Stephanie—and he’s not taking no for an answer.
Annie Hart is a “relationship expert” who is wanted for armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Stephanie needs to find her, fast. Diesel knows where she is. So they make a deal: He’ll help her get Annie if Stephanie plays matchmaker to several of Annie’s most difficult clients.
But someone wants to find Annie even more than Diesel and Stephanie. Someone with a nasty temper. And someone with “unmentionable” skills.
My thoughts: This was just as good as the regular numbered Stephanie Plum books. I’m glad that there are a few filler books since I’m waiting for
Sizzlin Sixteen to arrive. The extra novels gives us a chance to meet new characters and visit some old faves. Not enough Grandma Mazur for me though… she’s always my fave!
Rating 3.5/5
I’m back on track with posting and just finished Clear and Convincing Proof by Kate Wilhelm, part of the Barbara Holloway series.
About the book: The Kelso/McIvey rehab center is a place of hope and healing for its patients — and for the dedicated staff who volunteer there. For lonely newcomer Erica Castle, its’ a place to make new friends. For brilliant physical therapist Darren Halvord, it’s a chance to showcase his unusual gift. For beautiful Annie McIvey it’s a sanctuary from a cruel husband. And for directors Naomi and Greg Boardman, it’s a lifelong dram about to be destroyed if Annie’s husband, David, has his way. A brilliant surgeon, an implacable misogynist, a man whose ego rivals his skill with a scalpel, David McIvey now has controlling shares in what has always been a non profit clinic. His plan to close the clinic and replace it with a massive new surgery center — with himself at the helm — means that the rehab center, with all its good work and good people, will be forced to close its doors. MORE HERE
My thoughts: I love the Barbara Holloway series and especially get a bang out of her dad, Frank… “Christ-on-a-mountain,- Bobby!” LOL.. I listened on audio and I’m used having the same reader for the series. This one took awhile for Barbara to get involved and I had to double check to make sure that it was one of the series of books. Once she did, she brought along her usual cast of characters and in true form, kept the reader guessing right up until the very end.
Rating 4/5
Ok, here’s the scoop: I’ve been so busy READING and being outside that I’m barely online these days. Since I’m so behind on summaries and reviews that I’ll likely never catch up, I’m just going to move forward and do the equivalent of a Google Reader “mark all read’ to get out of this hole. Here’s what I’ve read that I failed to review. I’ll be in much better shape to keep up when I don’t have a mountain to climb.
Since I’m feeling better and the weather has been outstanding, I’ve been “plugged in” and read mostly audio books while exercising, working in the yard or just being on the go: Fearless Fourteen, Kira Kira, Susannah’s Garden, Catching Fire, All in One Piece, The Golden Compass, Finger Lickin Fifteen, The Black Ice, Crispin, Cross of Lead, and A Single Shard.
Arcadia Falls and The Reptile Room were paper books.
Three of the books were Newbery Medal winners: Kira-Kira, Crispin, and A Single Shard. Catching Fire, The Golden Compass and The Reptile Room were also YA/Children’s Literature selections.
Stories that were part of series were Fearless Fourteen, Finger Lickin Fifteen, (Stephanie Plum Series), Susannah’s Garden (Blossom Street Series), Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series), The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials Series), Black Ice (Harry Bosch Series)and the Reptile Room (Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events).
I’m cranking out the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich and the latest was Lean, Mean Thirteen.
About the book:
New secrets, old flames, and hidden agendas are about to send bounty hunter Stephanie Plum on her most outrageous adventure yet!
MISTAKE #1
Dickie Orr. Stephanie was married to him for about fifteen minutes before she caught him cheating on her with her arch-nemesis Joyce Barnhardt. Another fifteen minutes after that Stephanie filed for divorce, hoping to never see either one of them again.
MISTAKE #2
Doing favors for super bounty hunter Carlos Manoso (a.k.a. Ranger). Ranger needs her to meet with Dickie and find out if he’s doing something shady. Turns out, he is. Turns out, he’s also back to doing Joyce Barnhardt. And it turns out Ranger’s favors always come with a price…
MISTAKE #3 More Here!
My thoughts: We really get to see a different side of Stephanie and her past in this book. I always wonder where Janet will take her next and in this one, we got to see what came before. Lula is enjoying a bigger role in each book lately which I like.
Rating 3.5/5
As part of the Stephanie Plum challenge, I read Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich.
About the book:
FIRST A STRANGER APPEARS
While chasing down the usual cast of miscreants and weirdos Stephanie discovers that a crazed woman is stalking her.
THEN, THE STRANGER REVEALS HER SECRETS
The woman dresses in black, carries a 9mm GLOCK, has a bad attitude and a mysterious connection to dark and dangerous Carlos Manoso… street name, Ranger.
NEXT, SOMEBODY DIES
The action turns deadly serious, and Stephanie goes from hunting skips to hunting a murderer.
My thoughts: If you are a Ranger fan, this book is for you. It’s heavy Stephanie/Ranger and as always, it’s a fun, LOL, read. Stephanie’s antics are up to par and Lula is also a star.
Rating 3.5/5
Continuing with Debbie Macomber‘s Cedar Cove series, I just finished 8 Sandpiper Way.
About the book: When a wife finds a strange earring in her husband’s pocket, what’s a woman to think?
Emily Flemming can think of only two explanations—an affair or sticky fingers—but neither sounds like the husband she knows and loves. Still, Pastor Dave did regularly visit the elderly woman whose jewelry has been turning up missing, and he does refuse to tell Emily where he’s been when he comes home so late. He may be a good man, but he sure looks guilty—even to his wife.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Troy Davis’s long-ago love has moved to town, and there’s news aplenty from newcomers and old-timers alike in Cedar Cove. MORE HERE.
My thoughts: The Cedar Cove series books are always my feel good, quick read, go-to books. Never anything earth shattering but always enjoyable and give me the feeling like I’m visiting old friends.
Rating 3.5/5
I always wanted to read the Lemony Snicket books but never got around to it so I finally started the series with The Bad Beginning ( A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1)
About the book:
Dear Listener,
I’m sorry to say that the audiobook you arc holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very beginning of this Program when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on to the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune. In this short audiobook alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast. It is my sad duty to tell these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from turning off this audio and listening to something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket
I loved this book and it was especially a great listening experience being read by
Tim Curry. This will likely be a series that I will read quickly as I’ll either do the audio books or will read the paper copies.. just the right size to carry around as a purse book. It’s got that fantasy feel and colorful characters. Just reading the product description gives you a feel for the writing style.
Rating 4/5
I started a new mystery series, The Regina Cutter Mysteries, with Now You See Her by Cecelia Tishy.
About the book:
A suddenly psychic 40-something divorcee uses her newly acquired ability in this thrilling new series by the author of the popular Kate Banning mystery series.
Regina Cutter is the mother of two grown children and the victim of her husband’s midlife crisis. Out of a marriage, an income, and a place to live, she has relocated to Boston’s Back Bay where her psychic aunt bequeathed her a townhouse–and some paranormal ability. Adjusting to her new middle-class life and taking on a new job as a police psychic, Reggie is called upon to help prove the false imprisonment of a drug felon and end the possible haunting of a recently renovated townhouse. It’s quite a long way from bemoaning a broken marriage, and newly minted psychic Regina Cutter is just getting started.
My thoughts: Being a New Englander, I always like to read books that are set here, finding familiarity in the locations mentioned in the story. This audio book caught my eye because of its cover and also because it was the first book in the series. It was able to hold my attention, Reggie was a likable character and it was a quick read. I liked the historical components of the story as well.
Rating 3.5/5
Counts towards: Library Challenge, 100 Book Challenge, Audio Book Challenge
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In the Book Nook
Planned books:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasi by Chantal Sicile-Kira
- Teacher Miracles: Inspirational True Stories from the Classroom (Miracles) by Unknown
- Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives by Dan Millman
- Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan
- While I Was Gone (Oprah’s Book Club) by Sue Miller
Current books:
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Suze Orman’s Action Plan: New Rules for New Times by Suze Orman
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Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs
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The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping: Insider Tips, Helpful Hints, Hip Shops by Melody Fortier
Recent books:
- The Love of Her Life by Harriet Evans
- Dogplay: The Canine Guide to Being Happy by Kim Levin, Christine Montaquila
- The Barn by Avi
- A Beginning, a Muddle, and an End: The Right Way to Write Writing by Avi
- Amber Spyglass #3 His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
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