In Jack the Giant Killer, the first of two novels in this collection, Jacky Rowan has just realized that her life is not going where she wants it to go. She drifts along, refusing to take care of her life and just staying at home doing nothing. She decides to change her life after a Continue Reading…
A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin: Book Review
Picking up where the first book left off, the Seven Kingdoms are in chaos. There are now three claimants to the Iron Throne and the North has declared something of a war of independence on the rest of the country. This book has almost everything. Treachery, loyalty, conspiracies, conspiracies within conspiracies, turncoats, power plays, twists, Continue Reading…
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan: Book Review
Something is wrong at Camp Half-Blood. Can Percy fix it? I loved the first in the series, and I really, really liked this one. But I would have preferred to have an original story within the framework of Greek mythology in the modern world rather than have a re-telling of The Odyssey, no matter how Continue Reading…
Three To Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich: Book Review
In bounty hunter Stephanie Plum’s latest escapade, she’s sent to bring in “Uncle Mo,” the local candy store owner who has to appear in court for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. Everybody in Trenton does it, Mo was just the one who got caught. But Uncle Mo doesn’t want to come in. And Continue Reading…
Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich: Book Review
Stephanie Plum is back and this time she’s trying to hunt down Kenny Mancuso. Kenny shot one of his best friends in the knee and then returned later to finish the job. With the help of Morelli, Ranger, and the ever-loveable Grandma Mazur, maybe Stephanie can catch Kenny before Kenny catches her. This book is Continue Reading…
Stiff by Mary Roach: Book Review
Chalk this up to a win for the GoodReads friends. I would never have picked this up on my own. A book about cadavers? How morbid can you be? Not to mention the heebie-jeebies that would be sure to haunt me throughout the book. But so many people have read this and raved about it Continue Reading…
Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières: Book Review
Pelagia is a beautiful 17-year-old girl living on the Greek island of Cephallonia when World War II breaks out. The Italians eventually occupy the island and that’s when she meets Captain Antonio Corelli, a man who joined the Army because he thought it would give him plenty of time to practice his mandolin. There were Continue Reading…
Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith: Guest Book Review
I must admit that I have not read any literary mash-ups. I own Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Dawn of the Dreadfuls, thanks to Misty at Book Rat, but I haven’t gotten to them yet. Not for lack of interest, it’s just a matter of too many books and not enough time. My younger Continue Reading…
The Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji: Book Review
Pasha Shahed and his best friend Ahmed are 17 years old. Life might not be perfect, but they’re happy. Ahmed is in love with Faheemeh, a beautiful girl from another neighborhood. Pasha is secretly in love with Zari, who has been engaged to Pasha’s mentor/friend, Doctor, since birth. It’s 1973 and Iran is ripe for Continue Reading…
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell: Book Review
Margaret Hale is the daughter of a slightly-impoverished parson. She’s been living as a companion to her wealthy cousin, but when that cousin gets married, she goes back to live with her parents. Shortly after the transition, her father announces that his beliefs have changed and he can no longer be a parson. He moves Continue Reading…
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle: Book Review
Peter Mayle and his wife finally decide to say goodbye to dreary British weather and move to sunny Provence in France. This book tells about their experiences living in Provence, from the colorful locals to the excellent food to the workmen who come and go like forces of nature. This book had me ready to Continue Reading…