Week 49 - Book 50 Buy Books for the Holidays

Today is the start of Week 49 in the quest to read 52 books in 52 weeks and should have you starting book # 50. We are winding down the year with 3 weeks left and heading towards our goal of reading 52 books for the year.

And it is two weeks before christmas.   Have you gotten your christmas shopping done yet?  I haven't even started, nor do we have our tree or outside lights up.  We set out to put up our christmas lights and while pulling out the lights, started cleaning up the garage.  We got into a throwing away mode and I'm happy to say we have a clean garage and we can now fit on of the cars inside.  Yippee!!

Speaking of Christmas shopping, I'm in the mood to buy books for the holidays.

Buy Books for the Holidays is the brainchild of several bloggers and is the goal is quite simple.  Buy books, support your local indie bookstores and think about contributing to literacy charities.   At the blog you can find out tons of information including the latest, a wonderful post about books for boys ages 0 to 9, spotlight on independent book stores and profiles on charities.  So give someone you love a book, maybe two or three or more and Buy Books For The Holidays!

CATCH UP ON REVIEWS

To see my complete review you can go to my place, Just Books. Just click on the title of the book and you will go right to that page.



WEEK 45
"The Manufactured Identity" by Heath Sommer



As a psychological thriller "The Manufactured Identity" is a strange tale that will keep you reading the book. From one moment to the next the characters are keeping you on your toes. The first chapter will grab you as soon as you read it. You read about a guy that can't remember who he is and has thousands of dollars on him. Wouldn't you want to know what happened and where all that money came from. As you keep reading and meeting all these people you begin to wonder what they all have in common. But you will have to read the book to find out! Besides that the book cover is really awesome!

WEEK 46
"The Blue Notebook" by James A. Levine



This book is about Child Prostitutes. Although I really wanted to read this book, once I started it I couldn't put it down, but I couldn't read it, it was very disturbing, I had to stop now and then because I couldn't read on. But I had to pick it back up and continue on. I wanted to find out what happened to Batuk. It is a very disturbing book. Knowing that this is going on in the world and no one to help these children. But be warned there is lots of sexual talk that is very frank and to the point. Very descriptive sexual talk.

WEEK 47
"March" by Geraldine Brooks



This is the first book I have read from Geraldine Brooks. I enjoyed her writing very much. As I read Little Women years ago as a child and more recently re-read it again, I often had questions about Mr. March. Little Women doesn't actually tell you anything about the Civil War. Geraldine Brooks goes beyond the book Little Women and answers all those questions with extra thrown in. Mr. March's experiences are not good ones, but then war is not a very good thing to experience. Mr. March's ideas of what it was going to be like and what it really was like was a little naive. But he does come home to his wife and his little women. As to whether he is a whole person after his experience is another question all together.

WEEK 48
"Betrayal in Death" by J. D. Robb




This is my first J. D. Robb book and it won't be my last. I really enjoyed this book. I really like the character of Eve. She's a very through and quick on her feet cop. She is also a very loving wife. In return Roarke, her husband is a millionaire, but is also a very normal down to earth guy. As Eve is searching for clues to Yost's where abouts, Roarke steps in and helps Eve to track down Yost. While in the process they uncover a robbery that is actually the reason for all the murders. A 7 billion dollar robbery! While they are trying to track down who is behind the contracts and what it has to do with Roarke they stumble onto the robbery and links them all together. Do they get Yost? You'll have to read the book to find out.

Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle

 

Holiday Grind

By

Cleo Coyle

Description from Coffee House Mysteries: "Coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi has grown very fond of Alfred Glockner, the part-time comic and genuinely jolly charity Santa who’s been using her Village Blend as a place to warm his mittens. When she finds him brutally gunned down in a nearby alley, a few subtle clues convince her that Alfred’s death was something more than the tragic result of a random mugging—the conclusion of the police.

With Clare’s boyfriend, NYPD Detective Mike Quinn, distracted by a cold case of his own, and ex-husband Matt investigating this year’s holiday lingerie catalogs (an annual event), Clare charges ahead solo and discovers Santa had a list that he was checking twice—and the folks on it were not very nice. Then someone tries to ice Clare, and she really gets steamed.

Between baking delicious holiday goodies and fending off the attentions of a persistent professional elf, Clare sets out to solve Santa’s slaying. But she'd better watch out, because if she fails to stop this stone cold killer, she may just get the biggest chill of her life."

I discovered Cleo Coyle's cozy Coffee House Mysteries a couple years back and love her style, the characters in the story line, the stories and the interesting recipes using coffee. Holiday Grind is Cleo Coyle's Coffee House Mystery # 8 and it includes all the interesting characters who work and live around Village Blend. When her friend and Santa's Elf, Alfred doesn't show up for Clara's Fa-la-la-la latte tasting, she gets worried and goes to look for him.  She finds him dead in an alley way. The police think it is a mugging gone bad, but Clara thinks it is murder. Why? Well you'll just have to read the book to find out why. When she can't convince hard edged detective Emmanuel Franco and his partner Charlie Hong that it was murder, she is determined to prove them wrong. Clara enlists the aid of her her ex husband's mother Madame Dreyfus Aleggro Dubois, who is not only elegant and well off, but a snoop who knows the right people.  Clara ends up in some harrowing positions, putting her life at risk, when the killer decides she is getting too close.

Included with the story are recipes for coffee drinks, coffee syrup, all the fa-la-la-la lattes recipes along with all kinds of holiday recipes.   They all sound interesting and delicious, even for a tea drinker like me.  


Books in the Series

#1 On What Grounds
#2 Through the Grinder
#3 Latte Trouble
#4 Murder Most Frothy
#5 Decaffeinated Corpse
#6 French Pressed
#7 Espresso Shot
#8 Holiday Grind
#9 Roast Mortem - Due out August 2010


Thank you to Cleo Coyle for providing me with an autographed advanced reader copy of Holiday Grind.  I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to review one of the Coffee House Mystery Books. For more information about Cleo Coyle, the Coffee House Mysteries or to read an excerpt, check out her website Virtual Blend


Pages: 384
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover
Released: November 3, 2009
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Other Thoughts:

Lesa of Lesa's Book Critiques:
"If you're looking for holiday reading that isn't all sweetness and light, Holiday Grind offers the perfect combination of Christmas atmosphere, a well-developed cast of characters, and a complicated mystery."


April of Cafe Of Dreams:
"Holiday Grind is filled to the brim with the series' trademark humor, sassiness and mystery. Though number eight in the series, Holiday Grind is so well written that it easily could be read as a stand alone. Perfect for the holiday season, indulge in this rich and frothy mystery and I'll guarantee that if you have not read the other books in this series, that that will quickly change!"


Vickie of Vixen's Daily Reads:
"I am always curious how the author will have the main character get involved in the mystery that needs solving. Sometimes they can be a wee bit awkward, but Cleo Coyle always has Clare getting involved rather seamlessly. It's because it's someone she knows or someone she cares about asks her to get involved."

Week 48 Book 49 - A different challenge on the horizon

 Week 48 Book 49

Today is the start of Week 48 in the quest to read 52 books in 52 weeks and should have you starting book # 49. We are winding down the year with 4 weeks left and heading towards our goal of reading 52 books for the year.

It's been quite busy for everyone as evidenced by the lack of reviews.  I apologize for that.  Hope to have a few reviews up for you the last 4 weeks.   As of December 31st, the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge will be over for 2009.  This blog will be discontinued but kept up in order for folks to refer back to the reviews.  As of January 1st, I will be hosting a new challenge

Mind Voyages Science Fiction Fantasy Reading Challenge 

January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010

Hosted by Robin of My Two Blessings

Science fiction and fantasy books have always been my one true love ever since I read my first sci fi book back in the 70's. Whether it was Edgar Rice Burroughs, Arthur Clark, Ray Bradbury, Larry Niven, Piers Anthony, Anne McCaffrey or Robert Silverberg who captured me first, I don't remember. When I recently came across the Hugo Award Web site, the list of winners made my mouth water and tickled my imagination. All the books on the list looked so good that I decided to read through the list, starting with the oldest. But all those who were nominated looked too good to pass up, so decide okay, will take some side trips and read some of the nominees. Other ideas started popping up in my brain. That's what the sci-fi and fantasy genre does to you - expands your mind and gives you ideas.

There will be various voyages through the galaxy to different planets exploring the Hugo and Nebula winners, with side trips through the different decades reading the nominees, and checking out Philip K. Dick and Robert Heinlein. Plus, since I like a wide variety of books and like to explore, can't possibly imagine a reading challenge without exploring new releases that come out in 2010.

You are all welcome to join in and/or continue following the new challenge.

Week 47 Book 48

Today is the start of Week 47 in the quest to read 52 books in 52 weeks and should have you starting book # 48. We have 5 weeks left in the year and heading towards our goal of reading 52 books for the year.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Week 46 Book 47

Today is the start of Week 46 in the quest to read 52 books in 52 weeks and should have you starting book # 47. We have 6 weeks left in the year and heading towards our goal of reading 52 books for the year.

Author Highlight -- Michelle Moran

Michelle is a history buff and has written three very interesting books with are currently on my wishlist. Hopefully soon to be off my wishlist and in my hot little hands.






Find out all about the books at Michelle's Website, and check out her blog History Buff.

The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel

The Recipe Club

A Tale of Food and Friendship

by

Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel

Front Flap: Loyalty, loss and ties that bind. These are the ingredients of The Recipe Club, a 'novel cookbook' that combines an authentic story of friendship with more than 80 delicious recipes.

Lilly and Val are lifelong friends, united as much by their differences as by their similarities. Lilly, dramatic and confident, lives in the shadow of her beautiful, wayward mother and craves the attention of her distant, disapproving father. Val, shy and idealistic -- and surprisingly ambitious -- struggles with her desire to break free from her demanding housebound mother and a father whose dreams never seem to come true.

In childhood, "lilypad" and ValPal" form an exclusive two person club, writing intimate letters in which they share hopes, fears, deepest secrets--and recipes, from Lilly's "Lovelorn Lasagna" to Valeries "Forgiveness Tapenade." Readers can cook along as the friends travel through time facing the challenges of independence, the joys and heartbreaks of first love, and the emotional complexities of family relationships, identity, mortality, and goals deferred.

The Recipe Club sustains Lilly and Val's bond throughout the decades, regardless of what different paths they take or what misunderstandings threaten to break them apart...until the fateful day when an act of kindness becomes an unforgiveable betrayal.

Now, years later, while trying to recapture the trust they've lost, Lilly and Val reunite once more---only to uncover a shocking secret. Will it destroy their friendship, or bring them even closer?"

In an attempt to expand my reading repertoire, I accepted an offer from Caitlin of FSB Associates to read and Review "The Recipe Club." The premise is very interesting. The Recipe Club uses a unique method of telling a story using emails and letters between lifelong friends Lilly and Val. While the two girls are in elementary school back in 1964 they start writing each other letters and start the Recipe Club in which they exchange recipes with each letter. The story follows them through their high school years as each girl works to establish their own identities, yet find ways to remain friends. When they reach college age in 1973 they have a falling out and don't talk to each other again until 2000 when Val's mom passes away. Val seeks out Lilly again trying to re-establish their friendship and connection, while trying to work out their issues. A secret is discovered that will test their renewed friendship. The story is told mainly through the emails and letters until the later portion when the story unfolds in real time.

Mixed in with all the emails and letters are the recipes with unique titles taken from the story. Recipes such as "Ga-Ga-Gai Pan," "Conspiracy Apple Pie," "Wild Girl Wild Mushroom Salad," "Apple and Pear Friendship Fool" or "Enlightened Peanut Brittle."

The story really captures your attention and emotions and reminded me of friendships from elementary, through junior high and high school to college. How people change and grow apart, then back together. The Recipe Club is very interesting and I'm looking forward to trying out some of the recipes.

Thank you Caitlin for providing me with a courtesy (free) copy of The Recipe Club. Head on over to Written Voices to read an excerpt and check out an article "You are what you say, when you talk about what you eat"

Pages: 363
Publisher: Polhemus Press
Released: October 15, 2009

Other Thoughts:

Cheryl at Cheryl's Book Nook:
"I absolutely fell in love with Lilly, Valerie and the Recipe Club. Authors Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel wrote with such passion."

Margot at Joyfully Retired:
"The remarkable thing about the novel is that it is told almost completely via emails and letters interspersed with their recipes. I say remarkable because I could understand everything that happened just from their letters and emails. This well-written story shows the spirit and character of their lives and the heart of their friendship."

Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews:
"The Recipe Club” is cleverly put together and readers will feel as if they are part of Valerie and Lilly’s world. A very enjoyable book that keeps readers captivated to the end."

*** FTC notice: non compensated, unbiased opinion - book received free of charge from the publisher.

CATCH UP TIME

WEEKS 42, 43, AND 44

You can see my reviews of these books at my place, Just Books. Just click on the name of the book and you will go right to my review.

The Help - Kathryn Stockett



The Bone Garden - Tess Gerritsen



The Last Oracle - James Rollins

Week 45 Book 46

Today is the start of Week 45 in the quest to read 52 books in 52 weeks and should have you starting book # 46. We have 8 weeks left in the year and heading towards our goal of reading 52 books for the year.

Authors Birthday's This Week

November 8, 1932: Benjamin Bova
November 8, 1847: Bram Stoker

November 10,1899: Kate Seredy

November 12,1888: Anne Parish
November 12,1928: Marjorie W. Sharmat

November 13,1915: Nathaniel Benchley
November 13,1850: Robert Louis Stevenson

Worth checking into and reading some books by these authors.

Illuminated by Matt Bronleewe

ILLUMINATED


BY


MATT BRONLEEWE

This was a very interesting, fast paced suspense thriller that held me spellbound for the entire book. The story follows August Adams, his wife April, and his son Charlie. Hidden within the Gutenberg bibles are clues to finding a treasure and two secret organizations want that treasure, but first they must get their hands on the Bibles. They have been following August and know he is transporting one he had just bought and that April works for a museum housing one of the Bibles.

They hold Charlie and his grandmother hostage while forcing August to decipher the hidden messages with the illuminations in the Gutenberg Bible and forcing April to steal the one at the museum.

"According to Amazon “the clock ticks, the suspense mounts, and the body count rises as August pits his knowledge and his love for his family against the clock, secret societies, and even Johannes Gutenberg himself.”

Week 44 - Book 45

Week 44 - Book 45

Today is the start of Week 44 in the quest to read 52 books in 52 weeks and should have you starting book # 45. We have 9 weeks left in the year and heading towards our goal of reading 52 books for the year.


Okay, all my quiet folks who have been lurking and reading. How many books have you read? Are you close? Let me know.

An Apple For Eve

An Apple For Eve
(A+)
Wow. Anything by Kathleen Norris leaves me reeling. She has a way with words and emotions. Her descriptive powers are untouchable. When she describes a hot drive in the car in the middle of August, I find myself sweltering, though it is 40 degrees outside. She leaves me parched and there is actual relief when she mentions a stop at a roadside cafe for a refreshing glass of grapefruit juice clinking in a glass of ice. Like her other books, the story line is emotionally complicated. I'm a happy ending kind of gal, to the core, but these books are ambiguous. Kathleen Norris forces you to look at other sides of a coin. She can convince you to desire the characters to do something you personally would not morally choose. Then, she will swing back and not let you have it. The beauty of home and family is upheld and almost worshiped but it isn't a feel good road to getting there.

I haven't posted for months and finally summed up my list here on my blog.