Pegasus by Robin McKinley

About the book: I rarely read YA fiction and decided to read some this year. At the Library I browsed and was attracted initally to the cover of this book, then decided to read it after the blurb sounded interesting. I enjoyed this book and the author's imagning of the pegasi and their world. However I did not realize this was only the beginning. After reading the last pages of the book and realizing that the story ended, well, mid-story I went online to search for the sequal only to find there wasn't one.

First line: Because she was a princess she had a pegasus.

My thoughts: I rarely read YA fiction and decided to read some this year. At the Library I browsed and was attracted initally to the cover of this book, then decided to read it after the blurb sounded interesting. I enjoyed this book and the author's imagning of the pegasi and their world. However I did not realize this was only the beginning. After reading the last pages of the book and realizing that the story ended, well, mid-story I went online to search for the sequal only to find there wasn't one. I sincerly hope there will be one but this was out in 2010......

Zoo by James Patterson

About the book: All over the world, brutal attacks are crippling entire cities. Jackson Oz, a young biologist, watches the escalating events with an increasing sense of dread. When he witnesses a coordinated lion ambush in Africa, the enormity of the violence to come becomes terrifyingly clear.

With the help of ecologist Chloe Tousignant, Oz races to warn world leaders before it's too late. The attacks are growing in ferocity, cunning, and planning, and soon there will be no place left for humans to hide. With wildly inventive imagination and white-knuckle suspense that rivals Stephen King at his very best, James Patterson's ZOO is an epic, non-stop thrill-ride from "One of the best of the best."

First line:

 My thoughts : I got this book because I thought this was an interesting idea for a  story line. This novel takes place over a decade of time, with 5 of those years skipped.  It kept me turning pages but also had a few things I wondered about. For instance the main character keeps a chimpanze in his apartment even though he is tracking HAC....Human Animal Conflict. That made no sence to me. Some of the death scenes of both humans and animals were pretty graphic so be warned. It was a quick read, a page turner but not one of the best of Patterson's career in my opinion.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

About the book: A voyage to the very ends of the world. NARNIA . . . where a dragon awakens . . . where stars walk the earth . . . where anything can happen.

A king and some unexpected companions embark on a voyage that will take them beyond all known lands. As they sail farther and farther from charted waters, they discover that their quest is more than they imagined and that the world’s end is only the beginning.

First Line: "There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it." (I love this first line!)

My Thoughts: I have enjoyed reading C.S. Lewis in the past but had never read this children's series of his. I think that God blessed him with his writing. This was a well written fantasy series with little life lessons in each of the books.  I believe they targeted the 4th-6th grade market but I seen no reason adults would not enjoy them. 

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

The second book in the classic childrens fantasy series, or is it? Not sure. It did flow well fron TLWW. I'll be listening to the rest of the series so we shall see. I did not like this one as well as the first but I can see how it would catch the imagination of children and hold it.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

I've finally read the clasic children's christian fantasy. I liked this one and will be reading, or listening to, the rest of the series.

Two Graves by Preston and Child

About the book: For twelve years, he believed she died in an accident. Then, he was told she'd been murdered. Now, FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast discovers that his beloved wife Helen is alive. But their reunion is cut short when Helen is brazenly abducted before his eyes. And Pendergast is forced to embark on a furious cross-country chase to rescue her.

But all this turns out to be mere prologue to a far larger plot: one that unleashes a chillingly-almost supernaturally-adept serial killer on New York City. And Helen has one more surprise in store for Pendergast: a piece of their shared past that makes him the one man most suited to hunting down the killer.

His pursuit of the murderer will take Pendergast deep into the trackless forests of South America, to a hidden place where the evil that has blighted both his and Helen's lives lies in wait . . . a place where he will learn all too well the truth of the ancient proverb:

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.

First line: The woman with the violet eyes walked slowly beneath the trees of Central Park, hands deep in the pockets of her trench coat.

My Thoughts: As a fan of this series I was not disappointed. In this book we learn about Helen's past and the people who wanted her dead. I've been woundering about this for several books now but this one sums it all up and gives us closure to the marriage and its secrets. Within the pages of Helen's story were two seperate stories, one concerning Constance Greene and one concerning Corrie Swanson, both adding more depth to their lives and more pages to the book. :) There were a couple of twists which, I expect, will be used nicely in the next addition to the series. I'll be waiting!

 

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

About the book:Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it. 

 First Line: Gestures are all that I have; sometimes they must be grand in nature. And while I occasionally step over the line and into the world of the melodramatic, it is what I must do in order to communicate clearly and effectively. 

 My thoughts: I love this book. This is the second time I've read it and I rarely reread a book. I recommend it to anyone. Read it. 

 Quote: 'My nose-- yes, my little black nose that is leathery and cute-- could smell the disease in Eve's brain long before even she knew it was there. But I hadn't a facile tongue. So all I could do was watch and feel empty inside; Eve had assigned me to protect Zoe no matter what, but no one had been assigned to protect Eve. And there was nothing I could do to help her.'

Last Man Standing by David Balducci

White Death by Clive Cussler

Cold Days by Jim Butcher

About the book: After being murdered by a mystery assailant, navigating his way through the realm between life and death, and being brought back to the mortal world, Harry realizes that maybe death wasn’t all that bad. Because he is no longer Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard.

He is now Harry Dresden, Winter Knight to Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness. After Harry had no choice but to swear his fealty, Mab wasn’t about to let something as petty as death steal away the prize she had sought for so long. And now, her word is his command, no matter what she wants him to do, no matter where she wants him to go, and no matter who she wants him to kill.

Guess which Mab wants first?

Of course, it won’t be an ordinary, everyday assassination. Mab wants her newest minion to pull off the impossible: kill an immortal. No problem there, right? And to make matters worse, there exists a growing threat to an unfathomable source of magic that could land Harry in the sort of trouble that will make death look like a holiday.

Beset by enemies new and old, Harry must gather his friends and allies, prevent the annihilation of countless innocents, and find a way out of his eternal subservience before his newfound powers claim the only thing he has left to call his own…His soul.  

First line: Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, has unique ideas regarding physical therapy. 

 My Thoughts: I love this series but was a tiny bit disapointed in Ghost Story,however it was a great set up for this book. In this story I can see the direction of the series changing. I fear for Harry, though. I've always liked him, his smart mouth answers, his pop culture references, his good guyness and his moral character. I hope that the mantle of Winter Knight does not change him as it seems to be doing. If you are a fan of the series I think you'll like it....alot. This is not a good one to start with if you haven't read any of this series before.

Gome Tomorrow by Lee Child

About the Book: Reacher takes the subway late at night, and routinely checks his fellow passengers. Four are okay, but the fifth is not. Checking against his mental list for suicide bombers, he comes to the conclusion that the fifth is one too. He is puzzled with her choice of timing and place, as it is not crowded; on the contrary the subway was exceedingly empty. He reasons with her, but she shoots herself. He is determined to discover why she killed herself and soon uncovers a massive conspiracy stretching from California to New York City to even Afghanistan.

My thoughts:I am a fan of this series and I think this was an exciting, satisfying read, a good addition to the series.  This was a page turner, especially the second half of the book. Read this, enjoy it and don't expect all scenes to be totally realistic. I like the bits humor that Child includes in these books: Reacher's rubber gardening clogs and some of his macho posturing gave me a chuckle. I like Reacher, he is a good guy and good to have on your side! 

81 Books

Well, this has been a very interesting year for us. The kids lived with us for 8 months, which was quite a life changing event but one I wouldn't change for anything. My husband and I have both had medical issues this year as well which slowed me down. And now my 87 year old father is in need of care for a broken arm. But God is good and he is seeing us through. God willing dad will gain his strength back and achieve his goal of returning home.

Even with all this I managed to read 81 books this year, quite a few short of my goal of 100 but many more than I thought I'd get to.

I did not post them here and I won't go back and try to put them in. However I kept track of them at Goodreads on my 2012 shelf. If you would like to view the list this is the link:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/668747-sharon?format=html&shelf=2012

I will make plans for next year and hope to meet my goals! Happy reading!

Life Happens

I haven't been here in a cuple of months and have only posted short comments for a while. Last Feb. my great-niece and two great-nephews ( ages 2, 4, 5) were placed in our home. Talk about a life changing event! I don't think I'll make my goal of 100 books this year----LOL. Pray for us!

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

About the book: After eighteen years as a political prisoner in the Bastille, the ageing Doctor Manette is finally released and reunited with his daughter in England. There the lives of two very different men, Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disreputable but brilliant English lawyer, become enmeshed through their love for Lucie Manette. From the tranquil roads of London, they are drawn against their will to the vengeful, bloodstained streets of Paris at the height of the Reign of Terror, and they soon fall under the lethal shadow of La Guillotine.


My Thoughts: Oh, my. I can't believe I've waited all this time to read this book. I've never seen the movie either, so it was all new to me.  I enjoyed the setting, the historical backdrop as well as the story of the characters. Dickens broke my heart a couple of times here, what wonderful writing. However, it seemed that the characters lost out a bit to the descriptions of the times. Highly recommened.

Quote: It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to than I have ever known.

The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo

About the book: Detective Harry Hole embarrassed the force, and for his sins he's been reassigned to mundane surveillance tasks. But while monitoring neo-Nazi activities in Oslo, Hole is inadvertently drawn into a mystery with deep roots in Norway's dark past, when members of the government willingly collaborated with Nazi Germany. More than sixty years later, this black mark won't wash away--and disgraced old soldiers who once survived a brutal Russian winter are being murdered, one by one. Now, with only a stained and guilty conscience to guide him, an angry, alcoholic, error-prone policeman must make his way safely past the traps and mirrors of a twisted criminal mind. For a conspiracy is taking rapid and hideous shape around Hole . . . and Norway's darkest hour may be still to come.

My thoughts: Great read, solid mystery with interesting twists. I recommend it.

Dead Waters by Anton Strout

About the book: Simon Canderous, of the Department of Extraordinary Affairs, is used to fighting vampires and zombies. But the strange murder of a professor has everyone stumped. And it's making some people crazy. Literally.

My Thoughts: Dead Waters is the 4th book in the Simon Canderous series and I enjoyed it almost as much as the other three.  One of the things I enjoy so much is the way the author makes fun of bureaucratic red tape using the Department of Extraordinary Affairs (DEA.) I find the names of the various workshops they have to attend funny as well. The characters are well written as is the world.

Quote:
"Are you, like the Men in Black"....

"No, they're fictional. You know that, don't you... Because they have a huge budget and unlimited resources."

Elvis and the Memphis Mambo Murders by

About the book:

    Callie Valentine Jones and her cousin Lovie really have their work cut out for them this time. Callie’s mama Ruby Nell has gone and entered herself—and her hunk-a-geriatric-love dance partner—in a Memphis mambo contest, hoping to shake, rattle and roll her way to stardom. And if the past is any indication, she’ll need at least two chaperones.
     But someone at the competition is determined to step on a lot of blue suede shoes. First, a serial monogamist in a bright pink gown does a fatal swan dive from the top of the hotel. Then Callie finds an overdressed diva floating in a famous fountain. Now there can be no question: A murderer is loose in Memphis, and he’s got a lot of killing to do.
        With help from Jack, the mysteriously reappearing ex Callie just can’t get over and her delusional dog Elvis, Callie and Lovie are going to have to track down some answers before mayhem strikes again. And with Ruby Nell in the killer’s sights, they’ll need a little less conversation and a lot more action if they want their family waltzing home in one piece…

My Thoughts: This is my favorite cozy seeries since The Southern Sisters by Anne George. I love Elvis the bassett, the quirky cousins are cute and full of personality and Jack the ex and Uncle Charlie are mysterious. This was a quick, fun read that I would recommend to any one.

The River of Doubt by Candice Millard

About the book

Ape House by Sara Gruen

About the book:Sam, Bonzi, Lola, Mbongo, Jelani, and Makena are no ordinary apes. These bonobos, like others of their species, are capable of reason and carrying on deep relationships—but unlike most bonobos, they also know American Sign Language.

Isabel Duncan, a scientist at the Great Ape Language Lab, doesn't understand people, but animals she gets—especially the bonobos. Isabel feels more comfortable in their world than she's ever felt among humans ... until she meets John Thigpen, a very married reporter who braves the ever-present animal rights protesters outside the lab to see what's really going on inside.

When an explosion rocks the lab, severely injuring Isabel and "liberating" the apes, John's human interest piece turns into the story of a lifetime, one he'll risk his career and his marriage to follow. Then a reality TV show featuring the missing apes debuts under mysterious circumstances, and it immediately becomes the biggest—and unlikeliest—phenomenon in the history of modern media. Millions of fans are glued to their screens watching the apes order greasy take-out, have generous amounts of sex, and sign for Isabel to come get them. Now, to save her family of apes from this parody of human life, Isabel must connect with her own kind, including John, a green-haired vegan, and a retired porn star with her own agenda.

My thoughts:  I truly enjoyed this book. I have, unfortunately, not read Water for Elephants yet but I will rectify that soon. The story of the apes was at times joyful and at times I was scared for them. I found the bonobos fascinating and enjoyed learning about these interesting great apes. The author described their appearance and behaviors, and gave each one a personality.I enjoyed the characters, esp the quirky ones, like the Russian hooker. I particularly liked the unexpected funny parts. I will recommend this book to you.

Challenges:
100+

Atlantis Revelation by Thomas Greanias

About the book: Beneath the city of God,  a centuries-old secret awaits.  And every power on earth wants it.

The adventure begins with the wreckage of a sunken Nazi submarine and a shocking legacy of Hitler's quest for Atlantis. Archaeologist Conrad Yeats discovers in the ruins of the Third Reich the key to an ancient conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of every major government. Suddenly Yeats is plunged into a deadly race across the Mediterranean, hunted by the assassins of an international organization that will stop at nothing to ignite global Armageddon and revive an empire. And only Serena Serghetti, the beautiful Vatican linguist he loved and lost, can help him save the world from the Atlantis Revelation.

First line: Conrad Yeats started having second thoughts as soon as they anchored over the discovery.


My Thoughts: I'm usually a sucker for this kind of action adventure story but for me this one was ...... just ok. I never became invested in the characters or the plot. Scott Brick was the narrator for this book.  I've always enjoyed his narration and have listened to him read many books. He did a great job here.