The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory

About the book: Two women competing for a man’s heart…
Two queens fighting to the death for dominance…
The untold story of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Fleeing rebels in Scotland on Queen Elizabeth’s false promise of sanctuary, Mary, Queen of Scots, finds herself imprisoned as the “guest” of George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and his indomitable wife, Bess of Hardwick. Soon the newly married couple’s home becomes the center of intrigue and rebellion against Elizabeth, and their loyalty to each other and to their sovereign comes into question. If Mary succeeds in seducing the earl into her own web of treason, or if the great spymaster William Cecil links them to the growing conspiracy to free Mary from her illegal imprisonment, they will all face the headsman. Using new research and her passion for historical accuracy, Gregory places the doomed queen into a completely new tale of suspense, passion, and political intrigue.

First Line: "Every woman should marry for her own advantage since her husband will represent her, as visible as her front door, for the rest of his life. "

My Thoughts: This, the third of this author's books I have read lately, covered the years Mary was held captive in England. Though it wasn't quite as fast moving as the others for me, I found it interesting since I'm not very well versed in this time period. It is told in turn by three of the characters: Mary herself, the man placed in charge of her, George Talbot, the Earl of Shrewsbury, and his wife Bess of Hardwick. By far the most interesting and sympathetic character was Bess. I could feel for her as she bore the financial burden of hosting a Queen, the worry of the danger to her household if any of Mary's plots could be traced there, and the drawing away of her husband as he fell in love with Mary. I enjoyed getting to know a little more about these people, maybe get a peek into the way they thought.

It is interesting but it drags. If you are knowledgeable about this time period it might not be for you. If you are a fan of Gregory's work you might like this one.

Rating: B-

Quote: "I can hardly believe that this nightmare goes on, goes on and on, and we never achieve victory and we never achieve peace."

Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag

About the book: California, 1985-Four children and young teacher Anne Navarre make a gruesome discovery: a partially buried female body, her eyes and mouth glued shut. A serial killer is at large, and the very bonds that hold their idyllic town together are about to be tested. Tasked with finding the killer, FBI investigator Vince Leone employs a new and controversial FBI technique called "profiling", which plunges him into the lives of the four children-and the young teacher whose need to uncover the truth is as intense as his own. But as new victims are found, Vince and Anne find themselves circling the same small group of local suspects, blissfully unaware that someone very near to them is a murderous psychopath...

Pub. Date: October 2010
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Format: Paperback , 560pp
Sales Rank: 5,966
ISBN-13: 9780451230539
ISBN: 0451230531

First Line: My hero is my dad.

My thoughts: For an over 500 page book this one sure went fast! To begin with I thought it was interesting that the action takes place in the mid-eighties. That means that the law enforcement community did not have the databases, DNA profiling, or other modern forensic techniques that we have today. The details and wishes of the police for these things at times may have felt a little awkward or contrived but for me it just added to the atmosphere, reminded me of where the story was. The title, Deeper Than the Dead, refers to the location of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit in its early days. It is in the basement so it is "deeper than the dead." That was an interesting little tidbit.

This was a pretty dark story with vivid descriptions of the murder victims, so beware. There was the occasional bit of dry humor but not much. I felt sorry for the kids in this book...wow....each one was traumatized in some way. If not for the treatment of the children, my rating would be higher. With that said, I still couldn't put it down. I've already got the next one, Secrets to the Grave, ready to go.

Rating:

Hell's Corner by David Baldacci

Synopsis: Oliver Stone and the Camel Club return in #1 bestselling author David Baldacci's most stunning adventure yet. An attack on the heart of power . . . In sight of the White House . . . At a place known as . . . HELL'S CORNER

John Carr, aka Oliver Stone-once the most skilled assassin his country ever had-stands in Lafayette Park in front of the White House, perhaps for the last time. The president has personally requested that Stone serve his country again on a high-risk, covert mission. Though he's fought for decades to leave his past career behind, Stone has no choice but to say yes. Then Stone's mission changes drastically before it even begins. It's the night of a state dinner honoring the British prime minister. As he watches the prime minister's motorcade leave the White House that evening, a bomb is detonated in Lafayette Park, an apparent terrorist attack against both leaders. It's in the chaotic aftermath that Stone takes on a new, more urgent assignment: find those responsible for the bombing. British MI-6 agent Mary Chapman becomes Stone's partner in the search for the unknown attackers. But their opponents are elusive, capable, and increasingly lethal; worst of all, it seems that the park bombing may just have been the opening salvo in their plan. With nowhere else to turn, Stone enlists the help of the only people he knows he can trust: the Camel Club. Yet that may be a big mistake. In the shadowy worlds of politics and intelligence, there is no one you can really trust. Nothing is really what it seems to be. And Hell's Corner truly lives up to its name. This may be Oliver Stone's and the Camel Club's last stand.

First line: Oliver Stone was counting seconds, an exercise that had always calmed him.

My thoughts: This is the 5th Camel Club book. Up to now Divine Justice has been my favorite of the series. This one is running a close second, and will probably remain second because the Camel Club wasn't in evidence as much, even though they did help out and run into danger. I really got to know the members of the club in Divine and liked them all. This book was a thrilling read, fast placed, great escape.....a real page turner. I had to suspend belief at times but that doesn't bother me. The mystery was good. There were a couple of twists, one that REALLY surprised me.

Rating:

The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke

About the book: James Lee Burke’s eagerly awaited new novel finds Detective Dave Robicheaux back in New Iberia, Louisiana, and embroiled in the most harrowing and dangerous case of his career. Seven young women in neighboring Jefferson Davis Parish have been brutally murdered. While the crimes have all the telltale signs of a serial killer, the death of Bernadette Latiolais, a high school honor student, doesn’t fit: she is not the kind of hapless and marginalized victim psychopaths usually prey upon. Robicheaux and his best friend, Clete Purcel, confront Herman Stanga, a notorious pimp and crack dealer whom both men despise. When Stanga turns up dead shortly after a fierce beating by Purcel, in front of numerous witnesses, the case takes a nasty turn, and Clete’s career and life are hanging by threads over the abyss.

Adding to Robicheaux’s troubles is the matter of his daughter, Alafair, on leave from Stanford Law to put the finishing touches on her novel. Her literary pursuit has led her into the arms of Kermit Abelard, celebrated novelist and scion of a once prominent Louisiana family whose fortunes are slowly sinking into the corruption of Louisiana’s subculture. Abelard’s association with bestselling ex-convict author Robert Weingart, a man who uses and discards people like Kleenex, causes Robicheaux to fear that Alafair might be destroyed by the man she loves. As his daughter seems to drift away from him, he wonders if he has become a victim of his own paranoia. But as usual, Robicheaux’s instincts are proven correct and he finds himself dealing with a level of evil that is greater than any enemy he has confronted in the past.

First line: The room I had rented in an old part of Natchez seemed more reflective of new Orleans than a river town in Mississippi.

My thoughts: This is the newest in James Lee Burke's series featuring the New Iberia, Louisiana detective Dave Robicheaux, one of my favorite series. It is a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Mystery and Thriller (2010). Being the Burke fan I am, I knew I would not be disappointed in this book. Boy was I right! Dave and Clete shined in this one as did Alafair. I wish there had been a little more on Molly but I got to know Helen a little better. As I've come to expect in the Dave Robicheaux novels, it is good vs. evil. Dave, who sees things in black and white, must find out who killed several young women. His unfailing compassion for the victims drives him. This was a great mystery, I didn't want to put it down. Dave had several obstacles to overcome as his personal and professional lives became entangled, placing those he loves in the line of fire. The end of this one was different, though. I was left hanging...the story ended...but it didn't. No epilogue either. Now I can't wait to see the next one.

I also enjoy the insight into the history, culture, and politics of Louisiana. Burke is a native of Louisiana and he tells it like it is. His descriptions of the scenery are to be savored. I reread these often.

If you haven't read any of the books in this series I would suggest you start with some of the earlier ones. One of my favorites was In The Electric Mist With the Confederate Dead. Purple Cane Road was another. In Electric Mist more than any of the others, you get to read about Dave's connection to his private world, things he doesn't share. You see, Dave sees dead people. He says that the dead are with us. I find his glimpses interesting. In Glass Rainbow he sees an old paddle wheeler and the people on it beckon to him. Mystery lovers will like this series.

Rating:



Quote: "I sometimes subscribe to the belief that all historical events occur simultaneously, like a dream in the mind of God. Perhaps it is only man who views time sequentially and tries to impose a solar calendar upon it. What if other people, both dead and unborn, are living out their lives in the same space we occupy, without our knowledge or consent?"

Jolie Blon's Bounce by James Lee Burke

Description: When a beautiful teenage girl is killed, the victim of a particularly savage rape, New Iberia, Louisiana police detective Dave Robicheaux senses from the very start of the investigation that the most likely suspect, Tee Bobby Hulin, is not the actual killer. Though a drug addict and general ne'er-do-well, Hulin just doesn't fit the profile for this kind of brutal crime.
But when another murder occurs -- this victim a drugged-out prostitute who happens to be the daughter of one of the local mafia bigwigs -- all clues once again point to Tee Bobby Hulin, and the cries for arrest become too loud to ignore. The dead girl's father, however, prefers to take matters in his own hands and sets out to find -- and punish -- the killer himself.
But before Robicheaux can solve these crimes and bring the killer or killers to justice, he is forced to battle his own inner demons, including a painkiller addiction, a habit that begins as the result of a brutal and humiliating beating he suffers at the hands of the mysterious and diabolical character known as Legion. A fixture in the area for years, Legion was once the overseer on a local sugarcane plantation and now gets by doing odd jobs. In temperament, however, he's still the malicious and malevolent bully he always was, a man defined by evil and seemingly possessed with supernatural skills of survival.
Added to the mix, and on the good guy side of the balance sheet, is Clete Purcel, a longtime buddy of Robicheaux's and a confirmed boozer and womanizer. Clete comes to New Iberia for a visit and is quickly drawn into the struggle between the various forces of evil in the town, including Jimmy Dean Styles, a black man intent on maintaining his empire of corruption; Joe Zeroski, a trailer park mafioso with palatial aspirations -- and of course, Legion Guidry, the devil incarnate, in whom Robicheaux finds himself facing a challenge and an enemy unlike any he has ever known. And soon, what began as a duel of wits has turned into a dance of death.

First line: Growing up during the 1940s in New Iberis I never doubted how the world worked.

My Thoughts: I am a big fan of this series so when I found Jolie Blon's Bounce as an audio book at a used book sale I jumped on it. In fact I purchased two James Lee Burke audio books that day. As I've come to expect from Burke, his ability to write a sense of place and make you feel it in your heart is wonderful. His characters are flawed and and so they are absolutly believable. Dave is a troubled and at times violent soul that is fighting himself as well as the evil in his world. The evil in this book comes at him on several fronts as he strains to remain sober and find the answers. Clete Purcel, his friend and partner (at times) is troubled in his own way but always there for Dave. This book was a page turner, the suspense is maintained and kept me looking for reasons to drive somewhere so I could listen to more of it. The narrator, Will Patton, does an excellent job with the voices and accents. All in all a great "listen."

Rating:

Quote: "It was dark where we stood under the trees, the molded pecan husks and blackened leaves soft under our feet, the air tannic, like water that has stood for a long time in a wooden cistern. The dying light was gold on the tops of the cypresses in the swamp, and the snow egrets were rising into the light, their wings feathering in the wind."

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley

....a cup of ale without a wench, why alas,

'tis like an egg without salt or a red herring

without mustard.

Thomas Lodge and Robert Greene

A Looking Glasse for London and Englande (1592)

About the book: Award-winning author Alan Bradley returns with another beguiling novel starring the insidiously clever and unflappable eleven-year-old sleuth Flavia de Luce. The precocious chemist with a passion for poisons uncovers a fresh slew of misdeeds in the hamlet of Bishop’s Lacey—mysteries involving a missing tot, a fortune-teller, and a corpse in Flavia’s own backyard.
Flavia had asked the old Gypsy woman to tell her fortune, but never expected to stumble across the poor soul, bludgeoned in the wee hours in her own caravan. Was this an act of retribution by those convinced that the soothsayer had abducted a local child years ago? Certainly Flavia understands the bliss of settling scores; revenge is a delightful pastime when one has two odious older sisters. But how could this crime be connected to the missing baby? Had it something to do with the weird sect who met at the river to practice their secret rites? While still pondering the possibilities, Flavia stumbles upon another corpse—that of a notorious layabout who had been caught prowling about the de Luce’s drawing room.
Pedaling Gladys, her faithful bicycle, across the countryside in search of clues to both crimes, Flavia uncovers some odd new twists. Most intriguing is her introduction to an elegant artist with a very special object in her possession—a portrait that sheds light on the biggest mystery of all: Who is Flavia?
As the red herrings pile up, Flavia must sort through clues fishy and foul to untangle dark deeds and dangerous secrets.

First Line: "You frighten me," the Gypsy said. "Never have I seen my crystal ball so filled with darkness."

My Thoughts: I love the imaginative titles Alan Bradley comes up with for this series. Ever since I read the first one, Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, I've been hooked on these stories. This was another fun romp around the 1950s English country side with Flavia and her faithful bike Gladys (an adventurous female with Dunlop tires, three speeds and a forgiving disposition) as she seeks clues, gets into trouble and "helps" the local police. As the title suggests there are indeed red herrings, many of them, to be found.

Flavia is a precocious, self aware eleven year old who has a GREAT interest in all things chemical. It helps that the family home is equipped with a chemical laboratory that a great uncle established. She has claimed it as her own. For all her intelligence and talent, Flavia is still a typical eleven year old when it comes to dealing with family problems, sibling rivalry and other mundane bits of life. I think you'll like this charming book! Get it and read it.

Rating:

A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer

About the book: If Danny Cartwright had proposed to Beth Wilson the day before, or the day after, he would not have been arrested and charged with the murder of his best friend. And when the four prosecution witnesses are a barrister, a popular actor, an aristocrat and the youngest partner in an established firm's history, who is going to believe his side of the story?
Danny is sentenced to 22 years and sent to Belmarsh prison, the highest security jail in the land, from where no inmate has ever escaped. But Spencer Craig, Lawrence Davenport, Gerald Payne and Toby Mortimer all underestimate Danny's determination to seek revenge and Beth's relentless quest to win justice, which forces all four protagonists to fight for their lives.

First line: "Yes'" said Beth. She tried to look surprised, but wasn't all that convincing as she had already decided that they were going to be married in secondary school.

My Thoughts: There is a possibility that this book will end up on my favorites list for the year. I was quite interested when I learned that this novel was a modernised version of Alexander Dumas' book The Count of Monte Cristo. I liked the way this book flowed, it was straight forward starting at the beginning and going on from there with a couple of twists especially at the end. The courtroom scenes were long but intense, there was a little sweet romance (not graphic,) switched identities, financial intrigue, forging, stamp collecting, and..... well more. Had I been reading this I might have found it to drag in the middle, however I listened to the unabridged version and thought that the person who read it, Roger Allam, did a fantastic job. I'm going to recommend this book to you, I think you'll enjoy it.

Rating:

Quote: "No, Mr Redmayne, not my tears. Although I've read that letter every day for the past eight months, those tears were not shed by me, but by the man who wrote them. He knew how much I loved him. We would have made a life together even if we could only spend one day a month with each other. I'd have been happy to wait twenty years, more, in the hope that I would eventually be allowed to spend the rest of my life with the only man I'll ever love. I adored Danny from the day I met him, and no one will ever take his place."

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

About the book: Seventeen year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father… until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story about love in its myriad forms – first love, the love between parents and children – that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that deeply felt relationships can break our hearts… and heal them.

First line: Ronnie slouched in the front seat of the car, wondering why on earth her mom and dad hated her so much.

My thoughts: This is the fourth and final book for my Nicholas Sparks 2011 reading challenge. It is my least favorite of the 4, I had a hard time getting into it. The story, I read somewhere, was developed initially for a screen play written especially for Miley Cyrus. So the book was based on the screenplay. For most of the book I did not care at all for the main character, Ronnie. However by the end she had grown, matured, and changed into a likable young woman. My favorite character was her father. He was the kind of dad that we all want, the perfect foil to Ronnie's hatefulness. His story was the the best, and saddest part of this book. The end of the story had me crying. I knew that, this being a Nicholas Sparks book, someone would die. This book was very slow in places, I'll admit to skimming along a couple of times. This coming of age novel feels like it is especially written for the YA set. I will read more of Sparks books, but not soon. I've cried enough this month over books to last me a while!

Why this book? For the Nicholas Sparks Reading Challenge

Rating:

Quote: Life, he realized, was much like a song. In the beginning there is mystery, in the end there is confirmation, but it’s in the middle where all the emotion resides to make the whole thing worthwhile.

Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb

About the book: When the newly promoted captain of the NYPSD and his wife return a day early from their vacation, they were looking forward to spending time with their bright and vivacious sixteen-year-old daughter who had stayed behind.

Not even their worst nightmares could have prepared them for the crime scene that awaited them instead. Brutally murdered in her bedroom, Deena's body showed signs of trauma that horrified even the toughest of cops; including our own Lieutenant Eve Dallas, who was specifically requested by the captain to investigate.

My Thoughts: This is the 29th book in the In Death series and the 4th or 5th that I've read. I haven't found a bad one yet and will continue to read them, probably out of order. This page turner was a quick, entertaining read. The Story line was engaging, pulling me along to read more. The stories are set slightly in the future, 2060, with a complement of futuristic gadgets and language. It is not so futuristic that it seems like a sci-fi read. It is a good, solid police procedural. I have enjoyed each mystery and especially liked watching Eve & Roarke's relationship grow.

Quote: Galahad’s bicolored eyes glittered, perhaps in amusement, before he scrambled off the bed.
Eve programmed the kibble, and since it was a holiday, a side of tuna. When the cat pounced on it like the starving, she programmed two mugs of coffee, strong and black.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

About the book: This beautifully written, heartfelt memoir touched a nerve among both readers and reviewers. Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali. By turns rapturous and rueful, this wise and funny author (whom Booklist calls “Anne Lamott’s hip, yoga- practicing, footloose younger sister”) is poised to garner yet more adoring fans.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed several things about this book. I loved visiting different countries and cultures through the eyes of this author. The way the author talks about her experiences makes you feel like you are there. While on her year long journey of self discovery she meets some colorful and interesting characters. My favorite person from her travels would have to be Richard from Texas. He sounded like a fun person to know. She made me laugh several times and shake my head in wonder many times. With that being said I could not identify with this author. Just think about being paid to travel for a year (the advance on the book,) meet so many interesting people, make so many friends and at the same time dwell on how hard your life is and how alone you are. It did not compute for me. I'm glad she found a way out of her depression and at the end of her trip found love. I hope she is still happy.

My rating:





Quote: My husband was sleeping in our bed. I was hiding in the bathroom for something like the forty-seventh consecutive night, and—just as during all those nights before—I was sobbing. Sobbing so hard, in fact, that a great lake of tears and snot was spreading before me on the bathroom tiles, a veritable Lake Inferior (if you will) of all my shame and fear and confusion and grief.

I don't want to be married anymore.

I was trying so hard not to know this, but the truth kept insisting itself to me.

I don't want to be married anymore. I don't want to live in this big house. I don't want to have a baby.

Links:
About the author

Richard form Texas

Void Moon by Michael Connelly

About the book: In L.A. Cassie Black is another eautiful woman in a Porche: except Cassie just did 6 years in prison and still has "ourlaw juice' flowing through her veins. Now Cassie is returning to her otl profession, taking down a money man in Vegas. But the perfect heist goes wrong, and suddenly Cassie is on the run - with a near psychotic Vegas "fixer" killing everyone who knew about the job. Between Cassie and the man hunting her there are a few last secrets: like who really set the job up, why Cassie had to take the chance, and how, in the end, it might all be a matter fo the moon....

Quote: After she hung up Cassie's eyes traveled up the wall next to the door. Her eyes held on the poster taped on the wall and facing her. It showed a woman in a string bikini walking on a sun-drenched beach. The word TAHITI! was scrawled in the sand behind her, just out of reach of the surf's wash. "To the place where the desert is ocean.she said out loud.

Why this book?: Because I won it from J. Kaye!

My thoughts:
I loved it, what a page turner. While none of the characters in this were "good" guys, I found myself rooting for Cassie. She was a strong well written character. The story flowed well, just a little back and forth to have to deal with. The ending was satisfying! The paperback of this book was published in 2001 ans I am hoping there is another one to follow Cassie Black. I enjoyed the voice of L.J. Ganser, it was easy to listen to. I reccomend this to anyone.

Links:
Preview the book

Interview with the author about the book

Challenges:

100+ Reading Challenge

Audiobook Challenge

Monthly Mixer Mele

Hours in 2010:

This book - 11 hours

total - 97hrs & 45 min.

The Gate House by Nelson DeMille

About the book: When John Sutter's aristocratic wife killed her Mafia don lover, John left America and set out in his sailboat on a three-year journey around the world, eventually settling in London. Now, ten years later, he has come home to the Gold Coast, that stretch of land on the North Shore of Long Island that

once held the greatest concentration of wealth and power in America, to attend the imminent funeral of an old family servant. Taking up temporary residence in the gatehouse of Stanhope Hall, John finds himself living only a quarter of a mile from Susan who has also returned to Long Island. But susan isn't the only person from John's past who has reemerged. Though Frank Bellarosa, infamous Mafia don and Susan's ex-lover, is long dead, his son, Anthony, is alive and well, and intent on two missions: drawing John back into the violent world of the Bellarosa family, and exacting revenge on his father's murderer - Susan Sutter. At the same time, John and Susan's mutual attraction resurfaces and old passions begin to reignite, and John finds himself pulled deeper into a familiar web of seduction and betrayal. In The Gate House, acclaimed author Nelson DeMille brings us back to that fabled spot on the North Shore, a place where past, present, and future collides with often unexpected results.

Quote: The reason I've returned to America has to do with the former residents of this gatehouse, George and Ethel Allard, who had been old Stanhope family retainers. George, a good man, had died a decade ago, and his wife, Ethel, who is not so nice, is in hospice care and about to join her husband, unless George has already had a word with St. Peter, the ultimate gatekeeper. "Wasn't I promised eternal rest and peace?Can't she go someplace else? She always liked hot weather." In any case, I am the attorney for Ethel's estate and so I needed to take care of that and attend her funeral.

Why this book? I got this book from iTunes at a sale price. It was, I thought, too good to pass up.

My Thoughts: I have read several of DeMille's books and liked them all. A lot. However this book was only ok for me. The characters, for the most part were unlikable. The main character, John, went out of his way to be rude to people who only showed up in the book for him to be rude to. He was so flip in other parts of the book (and at all times) that when he declared his undying love for his ex-wife I didn't believe it. The ex, Susan, was fairly unlikable too. How can she desperately love her husband but have an affair then kill her lover because he won't take her away with him, then go back to desperately loving her husband? I didn't get her at all. Scenes seemed to go on and on. I think that much of the middle of the book could have been pared down. It didn't get really good till near the end of the book at the funeral of Ethel Allen. Things went uphill from there, story wise.

I did like the history woven through the book. Learning about the Gold Coast on Long Island was interesting. Some of John's remarks were funny, however the asides to Miss Manners (or whoever) wore thin after awhile. The ending was exciting and scary. I liked John's mother. She was a quirky character and I would have liked to read more scenes with her. All in all it wasn't a great read for me.

Links:
Nelson DeMille

You Tube (hear about The Gate House and tour a 1919 Gold Coast mansion)

Challenges:
100+Reading Challenge
Audiobook Challenge
Monthly Mixer Mele
Colorful Reading Challenge

Time:
This book-21 hours & 5 min.
Total - 86 hrs & 45 min

And Another Thing by Eoin Colfer

About the book: Arthur Dent's accidental association with that wholly remarkable book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has not been entirely without incident. Arthur has finally made it home to Earth, but that does not mean he has escaped his fate.
Arthur's chances of getting his hands on a decent cuppa have evaporated rapidly, along with all the world's oceans. For no sooner has he touched down on the planet Earth than he finds out that it is about to be blown up ... again.
And Another Thing... is the rather unexpected, but very welcome, sixth installment of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. It features a pantheon of unemployed gods, everyone's favorite renegade Galactic President, a lovestruck green alien, an irritating computer, and at least one very large slab of cheese.

Quote: Wowbagger's mood shifted from polite boredom to impolite boredom.

"You tried to pick up a friend of mine."
"Pick up? Whit kind of pick up?"
"You know the kind where you lift something off the ground?"
"Yes."
"Well, not that kind."

Why this book: I loved all the Hitchhiker books so I couldn't resist getting this one.

My Thoughts: Colfer did a great job with Adam's characters. The story was outlandish and amusing. I did think that there were too many footnotes, but some of the most amusing lines were found there. I'm glad I read (listened to) it, but if you haven't read any of the Hitchhiker books, I think you would be better off reading them first. I liked Simon Jones performance, I think hearing his characterizations added a lot to my enjoyment.

Links:
At Wikipedia
Review & 2 YouTube video interviews of the author.

Challenges:
100+ Reading Challenge
Audiobook Challenge 2010
Monthly Mixer Mele

Hours listened in 2010:
This CD - 10 1/2 hours
Total - 65 hrs & 40 min.

Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett

Publisher Comments: One enemy spy knows the secret if the Allies' greatest deception, a brilliant aristocrat and ruthless assassin--code name: "The Needle"--who holds the key to the ultimate Nazi victory.
Only one person stands in his way: a lonely Englishwoman on an isolated island, who is coming to love the killer who has mysteriously entered her life.
Ken Follett's unsurpassed and unforgettable masterwork of suspense, intrigue, and dangerous machinations of the human heart.

Quote:
He had the flashlight in his left hand, the stiletto loose in his sleeve and his right. right hand free. He switched on the flashlight and grabbed the sleeping man's throat in a strangling grip.

Why this book you might ask:I read this book some 25 years ago and found it recently on iTunes. I wanted to reread it and needed a book for the Flashback Challenge. Perfect.

My Thoughts: I found this to be just as good to me as it was years ago. This tale of a German spy who found out the D-Day plans and and the hunt go find him before he is able to get back to Germany to warn the High Command was very suspenseful. The way Follett wrote the spy's part was interesting in that I couldn't find it in me to totally hate him. What a great anti-hero. There were no big twists or turns, just a straight forward story. Besides the strong spy story there was a little sizzle and some romance to round it off nicely. At the end I was really emotional for Lucy Rose. She was a strong character who had to go through a lot. A great read.

Links:
Excerpt
Wikipedia

MP3 CD
Publisher: Brilliance Audio on MP3-CD; MP3 Una edition (June 10, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1593352786
ISBN-13: 978-1593352783

Challenges:
100+ Reading Challenge
Totally British Challenge
Flashback Challenge
5x4 Challenge
Decades Challenge
Audio Book challenge
Monthly Mixer Mele
NaJuReMoNoMo

Audio Hours 2010:
This book - 9hrs. 17mts.
Total - 40hrs 42mts

Gone for Good by Harlan Coben

About the book: On October 17, eleven years ago, Julie Miller was found brutally strangled in the basement of her house in the township of Livingston, New Jersey. On that day, Will's brother, Ken Klein, became the subject of an international manhunt accused of the crime. He has not been seen since. Will has tried to get on with his life in the intervening years. He has a beautiful new girlfriend, Sheila, and a job working with the homeless. But when his mother reveals, on her deathbed, that Ken is still alive, and shortly afterwards Sheila disappears, the cracks start to show in his landscape again. But it is only when he finds that Sheila herself is wanted for a savage double murder that his life actually starts to fall apart...

Quote: Three days before her death, my mother told me - these weren't her last words, but they were pretty close - that my brother was still alive.

Why this book you may ask: I recently discovered Harlan Coben for myself so when looking for books on CD in my favorite local used book store this book was there calling my name.

My thoughts: I found this book to be thoroughly entertaining & suspenseful. It kept me wondering and listening right up to what I thought was the end. At that point, I was confused, questions were not answered. A actually thought "what the..." But not to worry, in what I thought would be merely short wrap up there were more twists and turns than a roller coaster. After navigating this ending my questions were answered and all was well with the world! I would not hesitate to recommend this book to mystery readers!

Links:
Official Coben website.

Preview it here.

Audio CD
Publisher: Random House Audio; Abridged edition (April 30, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0553712985
ISBN-13: 978-0553712988

Challenges:
100+ Reading Challenge
Audiobook Challenge
NaJuReMoNoMo

Audio time 2010:
This book - 5 hrs.
Total - 31 hrs. 25 mts.

Sandstorm by James Rollins

Product Description: An inexplicable explosion rocks the antiquities collection of a London museum, setting off alarms in clandestine organizations around the world. And now the search for answers is leading Lady Kara Kensington; her friend Safia al-Maaz, the gallery's brilliant and beautiful curator; and their guide, the international adventurer Omaha Dunn, into a world they never dreamed existed: a lost city buried beneath the Arabian desert. But others are being drawn there as well, some with dark and sinister purposes. And the many perils of a death-defying trek deep into the savage heart of the Arabian Peninsula pale before the nightmare waiting to be unearthed at journey's end: an ageless and awesome power that could create a utopia . . . or destroy everything humankind has built over countless millennia.

Quote: The image stopped, shuddering slightly on the monitor. The iron artifact could be seen clearly in its glass display. In fact, too clearly. It appeared to shine with a light of its own.

Why this book you might ask: I was looking in the used book store for a book on CD and found this. I like James Rollins books so I got it, about half price. A book I would probably like at a bargin price!
My thoughts: Even though the first half or so was a little slow this was a fairly fun read. I find the idea of a lost city under the Arabian desert fascinating. Rollins usually has a hook, linked to something in the past. This audio got a C instead of a B because I had trouble keeping up with the convoluted trail the adventure took. I think some of it could have been left out. I'm sure listening to it instead of reading it didn't help. I liked this book but it wasn't among my favorites of Rollins' works.

Links:
James Rollins at Wikipedia.
James Rollins official website.
Excerpt from Sandstorm.

Audio CD
Publisher: HarperAudio; Abridged edition (July 26, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060874694
ISBN-13: 978-0060874698

Challenges:
100+ Reading Challenge 2010
Monthly Mixer Mele
Audio Book Challenge 2010
NaJuReMoNoMo

Time:
This audio - 6 hours
Total time - 6 hours

Texas Bound II

About the stories: Here is a new selection of stories from the sellout "Texas Bound" segment of the "Arts and Letters Live" literary series at the Dallas Museum of Art. Among the eight stories—which range from poignant to uproarious —are Matt Clark's surprise-packed fantasy, "The West Texas Sprouting of Loman Happenstance," read by Brent Spiner (aka Lt. Cmdr. Data of Star Trek); Miles Wilson's classic tale of a has-been poet on the downward track, "On Tour with Max," read by John Benjamin Hickey; Mary Flatten's bittersweet other-woman story, "Old Enough," read by Julie White (Nadine in television's Grace Under Fire); and Janet Peery's haunting domestic tragedy, "What the Thunder Said," read by Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates.

Quote from the West Texas Sprouting of Loman Happenstance: “The skies over the low mountains around him, egg-carton blue purpling up into squid-inky blackness, were nonplussed to witness the steamy demise of a once-regal highway yacht.”

Why this book you may ask: Hey, it's written by Texas authors and read by Texas actors. It had to be good, didn't it?

My Thoughts: I don't read a lot of short stories and I'm not sure why. Maybe because I want to know more. But here I am with two books of short stories going, this one and the Sookie Stackhouse book of short stories.

I liked this selection of stories, they covered a wide range of genres. My very favorite was The West Texas Sprouting of Loman Happenstance. It was indeed a fantasy, uniquely written and funny. I enjoyed listening to Brent Spiner reading it. Coming in second was another funny, but darker story that took place in east Texas, my stomping ground. It is Something Went with Daddy. The voice of the reader just made this story. I've heard people with the same deep east Texas accent he uses here. The saddest was Kris/Crack/Kyle by Hermine Pinson in which a man/son/brother comes back from the war and unable to cope falls into a life of drugs and homelessness. The family tries to help him but to no avail.

Links:
Texas Monthly Magazine

Audio Cassette
Publisher: Southern Methodist University Press (February 1, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0870743945
ISBN-13: 978-0870743948

short stories, Texas, Texana, Dallas Museum of Art

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Publisher Comments: The international literary bestseller — more than one million copies sold worldwide.
Barcelona, 1945 — just after the war, a great world city lies in shadow, nursing its wounds, and a boy named Daniel awakes on his eleventh birthday to find that he can no longer remember his mother's face. To console his only child, Daniel's widowed father, an antiquarian book dealer, initiates him into the secret of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a library tended by Barcelona's guild of rare-book dealers as a repository for books forgotten by the world, waiting for someone who will care about them again. Daniel's father coaxes him to choose a volume from the spiraling labyrinth of shelves, one that, it is said, will have a special meaning for him. And Daniel so loves the novel he selects, The Shadow of the Wind by one Julian Carax, that he sets out to find the rest of Carax's work. To his shock, he discovers that someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book this author has written. In fact, he may have the last one in existence. Before Daniel knows it his seemingly innocent quest has opened a door into one of Barcelona's darkest secrets, an epic story of murder, magic, madness and doomed love. And before long he realizes that if he doesn't find out the truth about Julian Carax, he and those closest to him will suffer horribly.

Quotes:
1.“Books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside you.”
2. "The white marble was scored with black tears of dampness that looked like blood dripping out of the clefts left by the engraver's chisel. They lay side by side, like chained maledictions."

My thoughts: I listened to this book and is seemed to take a long time. This was a mystery story but it was much more. It was a coming of age story that included several love stories, sacrifice, revenge, madness.... It was a complicated story with many twists and turns and lots of characters. The story Daniel was trying to piece together was told to him piece by piece by several people, each time leaving me puzzled and wanting to know the whole story. I read in one review that this story "unfolds in layers, as if the novel were a Russian nesting doll." Which pretty well sums it up. My favorite character was Fermín Romero de Torres. He had a lot of personality and his story was very touching, even as it wove in and out of the edges of the story Daniel was seeking. I also liked Nuria a lot. Through her the story is finally pieced together. The character I felt the worst for was Miquel Moliner. In the end I was left with a very positive feeling about it.

It was translated from Spanish by Lucia Graves, who in my opinion did a great job. I could picture the places, laugh at the humor and feel the atmosphere created by the author. I also enjoyed listing to the narration of Johnathan Davis.

SOTW is the winner of Awards—Edebe Children's Literary Award, Best Novel, 1993

Links:
The author's website.
SOTW Walk in Barcelona.

Paperback: 487 pages
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Later Printing edition (January 25, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0143034901
ISBN-13: 978-0143034902

mystery, love, coming of age, murder, revenge, books about books, Spain

Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich

About the book: Take an exit off the Jersey Turnpike to the irresistible world of Stephanie Plum, America's favorite bounty hunter, where she gets into more trouble than ever. This time, she faces a notorious gang in Trenton who wants her dead. Morelli warns that she's in too deep, and Stephanie more than agrees. But the gang won't let her bow out. With Ranger missing in action, Stephanie has to go into hiding--and stumbles on to the secret location of Ranger's "bat cave." Is it the perfect place to disappear? Or will she get into more trouble than she knows by delving into his private world? The tenth Stephanie Plum novel is filled with Evanovich's trademark high stakes, high adventure, high wit, and sly comedy.

Quote: "I'm Stephanie Plum. My mother says that I'm famous and have to set a good example. She's right, but I'm from Jersey and truth is, I have a hard time getting a grip on the good example thing."

Why this book you might ask: Because it is funny and I found the book on CD cheap.

My Thoughts: This is a reread for me. I have enjoyed all the Stephanie Plumb books at least one time each. I never read these expecting to find great works of literature, I read them for fun and a few laughs. I was not disappointed. This series is full of fun & nonsense. With all the serious stuff going on in our world, I could use a break.

I do wish there was a little more to Ranger, he has such potential. I enjoyed Sally Sweet and his attempts to quit cursing. Not much happened here to grow the relationship between Morelli and Stephanie. The scene where Stephanie, Lula and Connie tried to be tough and smack a gang member around just cracked me up. All in all it was a fun, fast read.

Links:
Janet Evanovich
Interview with Janet (YouTube)
Ten Big Ones at Wikipedia.

Audio CD
Publisher: Macmillan Audio; Unabridged edition (June 22, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402581882
ISBN-13: 978-1559277846
ASIN: 155927784X

Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter, mystery, gangs, funny mystery

Dakota by Martha Grines

Book Description: In this stunning sequel to Grimes's beloved Biting the Moon, young Andi Oliver is an amnesiac and drifter who awoke in a Santa Fe bed and breakfast with a man's belongings tossed about the room. Adopting a name from the initials on her backpack, Andi moves from one waitress job to the next, from Idaho to North Dakota. It is in Dakota that she is hired at Klavan's, a massive pig farming facility that specializes in the dark art of modern livestock management. As Andi begins to uncover the truth about Klavan's and a slaughterhouse called Big Sun, two men are on her trail, one a gunman hired to kill her, another who has followed her across three states demanding something from her forgotten past. Dakota signals the return of one of Martha Grimes's most indelible heroines, a smart and troubled young woman who, though she doesn't know her own identity, knows right from wrong. Set against the breathtakingly expansive backdrop of the American plains, Dakota will reward Grimes's legion of fans as well as attracting new readers.

Quote from the book: "Before you hate something you should try to understand it."

Why this book, you might ask: I was in one of the used book stores I frequent looking for a book on CD. I found this one, it looked nearly new and sounded good so I got it.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed listening to this book on CD. The voice of Renee Raudman is easy on the ear. Having said that the main point of this novel very depressing. It exposes how the meat-handling businesses are run. Graphically in places. (I've read about this and it is awful, something should be done about the way the animals are treated. The truth is hardly touched upon in this book.) I had empathy for Andi until she stated that the meat industry is more abhorrent than the holocaust. As the author is a long time Vegan (as is my father) and animal rights advocate I had to wonder if this is how she feels. I will be looking into this just for my own information. I had trouble with Andi after that.

I wondered and kept on wondering "who is Andi?" Very few clues to this question were given.
This story ended as it had begun with Audi walking down the road. This wasn't listed as a YA novel but it felt like one at times.

Mixed feelings again. I want to know who Andi is, but I don't agree with her on some things. I have already ordered the first book in this series, so I will read it.

Links:
Martha Grimes website.

Audio CD
Publisher: Penguin Audio; Unabridged edition (February 12, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0143143018
ISBN-13: 978-0143143017

animal welfare, mystery