Talking God

By Tony Hillerman

While Joe Leaphorn tries to identify a body found murdered in the desert, Jim Chee is arresting an attention hound for desecrating whites' graves.  The man, Henry Hightower, is a Smithsonian curator who wants thousands of Native American bones returned to their tribes.  Somehow, the dead man and Hightower are connected, and Leaphorn and Chee attack the case from their own angles to solve the crimes.

Hightower claimed to have a Navajo grandmother, yet he secretly recorded chants and didn't even know how to dress like a "regular Indian", preferring to copy the Hollywood version.  He also never needed to prove his heritage, which was strange, especially since he was blond.  I never believed the altruistic side of Hightower, which made the story unbelievable. Plus, they threw in this weird story arc about Chilean leftists that was only partially explained.  But I always like when Leaphorn & Chee are working together. Not Hillerman's best, but good.

Anne Frank Remembered: The Story of The Woman Who Helped to Hide the Frank Family

By Miep Gies and Alison Leslie Gold

For more than two years, Miep Gies and her husband Henk helped to hide the Frank family and four others from the Nazis.  Gies worked downstairs with others who were in on the secret, while her husband worked for the Dutch Resistance.  We have Miep to thank for Anne's book, since she gathered her journals after soldiers discovered the annex and sent the hidden away to Auschwitz.

While the story has its problems, it was very interesting.  There are many stories about the suffering of the Jewish people, but I hadn't read a book about general suffering of citizens conquered by the Nazis.  It started out slowly, and I sometimes wished for more details. For example, towards the end, their Jewish landlady returned from hiding.  In the next chapter, there's one line about a minor disagreement and the Gies family found a new apartment.  Really?  They took care of her belongings and home for two years, and that's all the explanation we get as to why they moved? I have heard that a DVD with interviews of Miep is more detailed, and I wanted to hear more about the people in the annex.  How could they not have more to say about people they spoke with and worried over everyday?

At Home: A Short History of Private Life

By Bill Bryson

Bryson takes the reader on a tour of his own English home, with a history of how each area came to be, including inside and outside areas.  While he gets off subject sometimes, including sections on rats, bats, and archaeology, he eventually gets back to why we have dining rooms, indoor plumbing, and gardens.

Very well written -- I even learned something about rats and the plague that I hadn't heard before.  The topic that sticks most in my mind was how so many unique structures were destroyed mainly due to the passage of death taxes.  Also, how Stonehenge was almost torn down by the landowner, then later almost torn down and reassembled in the United States.

Shutter Island

By Dennis Lehane

U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels, along with his new partner, Chuck Aule, are sent to a mental institution on Shutter Island to investigate how patient managed to disappear.  Surrounded by water, guards, and barbed wire, Rachel Solando escaped from her locked cell.  Along the way, Teddy stumbles upon hints of experimental surgeries, and the supposed killer of Teddy's wife.

No spoilers here, but this is one of my favorite movies, and now one of my favorite books.  Despite knowing what was going to happen, I couldn't stop reading this book.  The movie ending is actually sadder than the book's ending, but I loved how the emotions played out.  Man, this is a good story.

The Brain and Emotional Intelligence: New Insights

By Daniel Coleman

Information and research about how certain parts of the brain affect personality and how emotional intelligence might be more important than IQ.  For example, a person might be brilliant, but lack any sorts of communication skills, so they would be almost a hindrance in a work setting.

Interesting book, but pretty deep concerning brain functions.  I especially liked the part about creativity, persistence, and motivation --- the examples included why the founder of Google was more successful than other internet counterparts due to his intelligence combined with his personality traits.

Love Is A Verb: Stories of What Happens When Love Comes Alive

By Gary Chapman

Short vignettes about how to treat others with love.  If you like Chicken Soup stories, you will like this book.  Unfortunately, I don't like Chicken Soup stories. Nuff said.

Desires of the Dead: A Body Finder Novel

By Kimberly Derting

Violet can sense the echoes of those who have been murdered, and the matching imprint that clings to their killers.  Few people are aware of her gift, but the FBI becomes interested in her after she locates the body of a missing boy.  She must decide how much she wants to use her gift, and how much danger she is willing to put herself through while still trying to be a normal teen.

This is the second Body Finder novel, and I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the first one.  Mostly because I found it hard to believe that anyone would want to be friends with her.  Then again, her friends were pretty annoying too.  I enjoyed everything but the personal stuff about Violet... I hope the next one focuses more on the mystery and less on her boyfriend problems.

The Christmas Shoes

By Donna Van Liere

Dual stories of a happy family losing their mother, and a young family falling apart.  Eight year old Nathan's mother, Maggie, is slowly dying from cancer, and the whole family tries to enjoy their last Christmas together.  Meanwhile, Robert has become a workaholic, paying the bills but not paying much attention to his wife and two daughters. Nathan and Robert accidentally meet on Christmas Eve, and learn that small things can change lives.

This is a simple story, and slightly melodramatic, but it is a nice remembrance people should always be important.  I can't say I loved the story, but I did love the sentiment.

Politically Correct Holiday Stories: For An Enlightened Yuletide Season

By James Finn Garner

Garner tackles the need to correct traditions for modern times.  As usual, he pokes fun at the sanity of those who create a "offensive in-offending" holiday season.  Some stories were a bit heavy handed, but others shone. 

The book begins on a high note, with a correction of Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Santa meets a family that doesn't know how to enjoy anything -- no Santa, no presents, no treats, and the children try to "liberate" Santa's reindeer.  I laughed out loud at the last line, " Happy Christmas to all, but get over yourselves!"  The Christmas Carol parody drags a bit, but having Frosty the Persun of Snow march on Washington, and Rudolph forming a reindeer union were clever.

Love As A Way Of Life: Seven Keys to Transforming Every Aspect of Your Life

By Gary Chapman

Chapman carries his thoughts about love and kindness into relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers on the street.  His belief is that love conquers all -- your get what you give.

I'd like to think that love always wins, but I know that forgiveness must be worked in to the solution.  Some people will never react the way you want them to, but if you refuse to let anger and hurt take over your life, your life will be better.  Some say this is all common sense, and it is, but that doesn't mean that we all try to be kind to others.  We need to be reminded that not everyone is out to get you, or hurt you.  It's our reactions to others that make or break relationships... nothing new about that.  Most people that hurt our feelings are oblivious, and the pain is ours alone.  Once we learn to forgive & love others, life falls into place.

A Rare Benedictine: The Advent of Brother Cadfael

By Ellis Peters

A prequel for the Brother Cadfael series, these short stories explain a bit about how Cadfael went from a Crusader to a monk, along with solving a few mysteries and murders along the way.

I like the historical aspect of the Cadfael series.  They are an easy way to learn more about post-Crusade Britain and the feudal system.  Cadfael is also known for his herbal remedies, which is a good reason to always have him wandering where monks are usually scarce.

Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior

By Leonard Mlidinow

The author researches how our unconscious mind/thoughts shade how we feel about the world around us.  Even when we believe we are being open-minded and neutral, our mind is always processing and influencing our relationships and life choices.

This may sound like a deep and slightly confusing subject, and it is --- people don't like to think of themselves as being unconsciously prejudiced against anything.  We float through life believing that we are intelligent human beings, fully capable of making rational choices.  That's what makes this book interesting.  It proves that we are influenced by how people look and what we are told, even when we try to be impartial.

Ageless Face, Ageless Mind

By Nicholas Perricone, M.D.

Dr. Perricone explains how we treat our bodies corresponds with how we look and how we feel.  His discovery of AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products) and stem cell topical treatments are combined with healthy eating to keep a person young & active.

I was disappointed with this book.  Eating habits are given a little space, but his products are pushed hard.  The examples he gives of clients that he has miraculously saved ate an unspecified healthy diet, stopped smoking, exercised, and put his special stem cell cream on their face.  Thanks for nothing...

Set Sail For Murder

By Carolyn Hart

Former newspaper reporter Henrietta O'Dwyer Collins, aka Henrie O, is asked to join an old friend on a Baltic cruise.  Jimmy, who once wanted to marry Henrie O.,  is positive that someone is trying to kill his wife.  He wants Henrie O. to use her reporter's curiosity to find out who is behind the "accidents" that keep happening to his wife.

Thank goodness Hart is good with characters, because her plot lines take a while to build up steam.  Henrie O. is believably clever.  Even though I figured out who the murderer must be, I had no idea how she was going to prove it to anyone else.  It helped that they were on a cruise as well.  I like the light descriptions of wanderings through the Baltic landscape.

Coyote Waits

By Tony Hillerman

Officer Jim Chee waits to have a cup of coffee with Delbert Nez, unaware that the other officer has been killed.  Chee arrives on the scene in time to pull Nez from his burning patrol car, then find an old drunk walking in the road with a bottle and the murder weapon.  Feeling guilty about not helping his fellow officer, Chee investigates the case, trying to find out why the old man would kill Nez.

Lt. Joe Leaphorn is also helping the suspect's family, who thinks the old man is innocent.  But if he didn't kill him, who did?

The only reason I would give for NOT liking this book is that Chee has such bad intuition about romance.  I know he lives out in the middle of nowhere, but why crush on someone that works in the defender's office?  They will always be on opposite sides!  It distracted me from the mystery, because I kept thinking "Here we go again -- another hopeless mess like his last girlfriend."  I guess that's why he's also stupid enough not to provide backup to another officer. 

Plain and Simple: A Woman's Journey to the Amish

By Sue Bender

Bender, a career driven wife and mother from Berkeley, sees an Amish quilt in a store.  She is taken with its simplicity, and becomes obsessed with finding a way to live with the people that create such timeless, uncomplicated designs.  It takes some effort, and a little luck, for Bender to find an Amish family willing to take her in for a few weeks.  During that time, she learns that there's nothing wrong with living day to day, finding joy in ordinary tasks.  While some modern conveniences are creeping in to Amish society,  community spirit and joy in just "being" may be more important than recognition and notoriety.

I don't think I could be friends with a person like the author and her friends -- their whole life is built around accomplishments and self-congratulation.  For example, even though she is An Artist, she creates for recognition, not the love of the craft.  Everything has to Mean Something, and every person has to Be Somebody.  She even struggles with how to introduce herself at a party, and whether to describe herself as a therapist, an artist, etc.  After she returns home, she wants to bake bread, quilt, and be domestic, but where she lives won't allow it -- no one has time.  When she scrubs her vacation home top to bottom, a friend mocks her for becoming too submissive and homey.  Sheesh people, it's not all about you!

Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Got Married

By Gary Chapman

Dr. Chapman takes couples through ordinary yet important matters to discuss before marriage.  Topics include dividing chores, spirituality, and handling money.  At the end of each section there are "Talking It Over" questions & suggestions to help couples discuss & problem solve.

This is a good book before marriage, but is even helpful after marriage.  Dr. Chapman even has examples from already-married couples who needed help solving issues before their marriage deteriorated completely.  This book really makes you think in far-reaching terms, not just the "but we're in love!" attitude that sometimes wipes out logic.

Silas Marner

By George Eliot

Silas Marner is a lonely and bitter country weaver.  He left his hometown after being falsely accused of theft, and losing his fiancee to the real thief.  Fifteen years later, he is robbed of his life savings.  Thankfully, an orphan comes into his life that saves him from absolute defeat.

It's a short story, which is good since the writing style is old-fashioned and difficult to read.  Still, it's a good story.  I felt so sorry for Silas.  He trusted his best friend, who repaid Silas by destroying his reputation and marrying his fiancee.  Then, when Silas became obsessed with counting his money, it was mysteriously stolen from him.  So when Eppie comes into his life, I was afraid someone would take her away and he would be alone again.  I was afraid he wouldn't be able to go on.  And I was afraid that I couldn't take it if he was knocked down again.

Stop The Wedding!

By Stephanie Bond

Annabelle is horrified to learn that her widowed mother, Belle, is about to marry a man she's only known for eight weeks -- Martin, a former movie actor who's already been married six times.  She rushes home to talk some sense into Belle, and meets Clay, Martin's son who is even more opposed to the wedding.

Don't read this book if you want anything more than a silly summer-read book.  It's one of those over the top romance novels, full of misunderstandings and goofiness... which is why I love these books :)

Insatiable

By Meg Cabot

There are two unusual things about Meena Harper: she writes for a soap opera, and she can see how people are going to die.  When her soap bosses want to create a vampire story line, Meena is frustrated, since she is sick of all the supernatural silliness.  Then she meets Lucien, a tall, dark, brooding stranger who is impossible for her to resist.  Of course, he's also a vampire.

This book couldn't decide whether to be sinister or silly, so it settled on uninspired.  Had the author stayed with Meena's odd gift of foretelling death, it would have been unique... instead she is the pawn of a vampire war.  Some characters were just too stupid for words.  How can a vampire be gossipy and chatty and stay alive for hundreds of years?  And don't get me started on how dopey Meena's brother Jon is --- not a surprise that he's unemployed and lazy.  Thank heavens for a determined vampire hunter, and some campy fight scenes.

The Power of Six

By Pittacus Lore

John Smith, aka Number Four, is still running from the Mogs, with the help of his best friend, Sam, and Number Six.  They are also accused of being terrorists after escaping the town of Paradise, Ohio, where the Mogs found them and the resulting battle destroyed the high school and killed 5 innocent people.

Meanwhile, Marina, or Number Seven, is in hiding in a small Spanish convent.  She knows about John and his friends from the internet, and is intent of finding them.  But she also has Mogs chasing her, and has no idea how to get to America, or how to use her "legacy" powers.

I really enjoyed the first book, I Am Number Four, so I was disappointed by this book.  John & his friends just move around randomly, living in abandoned houses and miraculously finding transportation without a lot of effort.  If they are so "wanted", why is it so easy for them to move around?  Also, the whole love triangle was awkward and kind of pointless.  The action towards the end was good... it felt like there was finally some plot line,  and I enjoyed the alternate story-lines between John and Marina.  The ending saved this book.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

By Joanne Fluke

Hannah Swensen finds the dairy man shot in the alley behind her bake shop, The Cookie Jar.  She can't resist helping her brother-in-law, who is hoping for a promotion in the sheriff's department, especially since the murder occurred right outside her shop.  In the meantime, her mother is determined to fix her up with every single male in town, despite Hannah's objections.

I almost liked this book, but the characters were too flaky and Hannah seemed slightly stupid for a successful business owner.  As always, she gives away so many free samples that it's amazing she isn't filing for bankruptcy.  She also spent more time than her brother-in-law tracking down suspects and following leads... at least he's likeable so I didn't mind that he earns a promotion based on her detective skills.

Wish You Were Here

By Rita Mae Brown

"Harry" Haristeen is the postmistress in Crozet, a small, cozy, nosy town in Virginia.  So when people begin receiving anonymous tombstone postcards saying "Wish You Were Here", then ending up dead, Harry realizes that people in Crozet must have a few secrets worth killing for -- and her pet corgi and cat are trying to help by ferreting out their own clues.

This book was not appealing at all.  Probably what bothered me the most, besides Harry's stupid, self-centered almost-ex husband, was the lame banter in between the pets in town.  I cannot figure out why people think these comments are cute & witty! And, of course, the bigoted stuck-up mayor's wife, the Bible-thumping know it all widow... the list of retreaded characters go on forever.  What a waste of my time...

A Little Princess

By Frances Hodgson Burnett

Classic story of Sara Crewe, a young girl sent off to school in London, while her widowed father stays behind in India.  When his fortune is lost, he dies, and Sara becomes a servant at her school.  All the while, she is determined to find the good in life, and behave as only a kind princess would, despite her poverty and hunger.

I read this book so long ago I couldn't remember the plot too well --- I only remembered Sara's father dying, and  her tyrannical schoolmistress taking away everything she owned except for an old black dress & a doll.  I'm glad I read it again as an adult, because the theme of treating people well whatever your own circumstance is a kick in the pants everyone needs.  If you like The Secret Garden, you will enjoy this book.

God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons For Life's Little Detours

By Regina Brett

When Regina Brett turned 50, the newspaper columnist decided to write about her most important 50 life lessons.  As a cancer survivor and a single mom, Brett's life has been full of challenges.  These tough times have helped her remember the gifts of gratitude, laughter, and God's love for His children.

Although Brett doesn't say a lot that's new, she does say it in a refreshing, thoughtful way.  Then again, as always, people need to be reminded of the basic blessings in our lives. Long Live Common Sense!

Some Like It Hawk

By Donna Andrews

Meg is in charge of a huge, loud, days long fundraising event for the town of Caerphilly.  Huge, because the former mayor mortgaged the town & embezzled the money. Loud, because the county clerk is burrowed in the courthouse basement, and they need to smuggle supplies through a creaky trap door.  Days long, to fend off the financial company that now "owns" the town & wants to develop the surrounding land with condos & a golf course.  So of course a financial executive is murdered right by the barricaded entrance to the basement, in order to frame the county clerk & get him out of there.  Meg is once again in the right place & at the right time to hear & see it all... and solve the case.

I enjoyed this book MUCH more than the previous one, if for no other reason than Meg was back to blacksmithing instead of napping.  Plus, I was tired of every story based around their overpopulated household.  Much nicer to have it take place during a fair, where she was surrounded by quirky people for a legitimate reason.  I'm a little sad, though, that her husband will probably not be a major character anymore... seems he's the one who takes over the child care while Meg solves murders.  At least she has the rest of the year to forge iron pokers & chase after their twins.

The Ghostway

By Tony Hillerman

Jim Chee keeps finding, and losing, the granddaughter of a missing man.  She is also wanted by a heartless killer, who wants her dead because of a missing photograph.  Meanwhile, Chee has to decide whether to abandon his heritage in order to stay with Mary Landon, the white schoolteacher in Shiprock.

Not much to this story.  The storyline was sketchy, and never did make a whole lot of sense.  It seemed like it was just a reason for Chee to drive long distances, reliving conversations with his girlfriend.

Mary seems like a shallow white woman who thinks that the Navajo Way is nothing but meaningless rituals.  Chee wants to help his people, and Mary thinks the only way to do that is to civilize them.  All of the old traditions are being lost, and Chee is dedicated enough to want to keep it alive.  But of course he has to forget that & join the FBI to keep Mary happy.  Why is this even an issue?  It just makes her look like a selfish witch... dump her already.

Stork Raving Mad

By Donna Andrews

Meg Lanslow is 8 and 1/2 months pregnant with twins, and is trying to get some rest amid a house full of dispossessed students, various relatives, computer programmers, a Spanish playwright... and a dead body.  Dr. Wright has been poisoned and knocked on the head, and there is no end of suspects.

I wanted to enjoy this book, but things kept popping into my mind: Why does her mother wait until it's total chaos & Meg's due date to redecorate the nursery?  Why can't her mother back off already?  Why is it okay for a heavily pregnant woman to have so much constant commotion that she can't even take a nap? I can't believe that Meg didn't snap & start killing people herself!  And instead of her husband trying to help make things easier, he's practically non-existent... he shows up occasionally to ask someone to find her a chair.  I know Meg's family is supposed to add quirkiness and comic relief, but it's old.  I don't know why I keep reading these books.

Why Him? Why Her? Finding Real Love By Understanding Your Personality Type

By Helen Fisher

Why do we fall in love with certain people?  Why do we stay in love? What drives others away?  Our personality, along with our mate's personality, can determine how & why we are attracted to each other.

Fisher seems to be a very thorough and intelligent person.  She is an anthropologist, not a psychologist, and therefore takes a scientific view of relationships.  However, she says nothing new.  She even admits that her personality test is a modification of the Myers Briggs Test first created in the early 1960's... all she did was change the names to Explorer, Builder, Director, and Negotiator.

In the end, this just seemed like a Match.com ad, especially since they hired her to come up with a compatibility test.  Right there, I lost a little respect for the formula.  If Fisher had included more real life examples, it would have been more interesting.  Instead,  the book rehashes the same traits over & over.  Okay, we get it -- Explorers should stay clear of other Explorers, because someone has to stay home.  Negotiators should be wary of Directors, because they might lose their fun-loving spirit.  At the same time, Fisher never discourages any match... anyone can fall in love!  Then what's the point in reading this book?

The Innocent

By David Baldacci

Will Robie, a government assassin, has been set up.  Fourteen-year-old Julie has just witnessed her parent's murders.  Together, they narrowly escape a blown-up bus, and grudgingly work together to see if somehow their problems are related.

I haven't read a book like this in a long time.  I had a boyfriend in college who got me hooked on Ludlum & Cussler, but that was another lifetime.  My book club chose this story, because one of the members loves this author...  this book reminded me of why I enjoyed those books.  I was a little disappointed in how Robie was occasionally clueless, especially when it came to random women in his building.  For someone who supposedly lived by his wits, his inner alarm was turned off most of the time.  And although I figured out the bad guys about halfway through the story, I still wanted to see how it played out -- that is the sign of a good author.  Just don't expect the plot to be anything than entertainment.

The Child Buyer

By John Hersey

Businessman Wissey Jones comes to town with one aim in mind; to buy ten-year-old Barry Rudd, take him away, and use Barry's remarkable intelligence for the greater good.  The story is written as a senatorial transcript, interviewing the people involved in Barry's life.

I have read other books by Hersey and loved them, but the transcript writing style really hampered the characters.  No action could take place, just testimonies.  Plus, a story about how many people sell their souls for material goods and ambition repulsed me.  I have to admit I finished reading at least 5 other books while trying to slog through this one.

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts

By Gary Chapman

The author explains how different people respond positively to different kinds of love expressions : words, actions, gifts, affection, and time.  We usually try to give what we want, instead of what our mate wants, which causes all sorts of misunderstandings and hurt.  If we focus on our partner, and communicate in a positive way, marriages can succeed beautifully.

When written down, the love languages seem so obvious.  How could this not fail?  Well, it can easily fail when people are selfish, and always waiting for the other person to take the first step.  Marriage is hard work.  In fact, most of the negative reviews were about the simplicity of Chapman's advice, along with his spirituality.  To me, this was the strength of the book.

The one problem I wondered about early on is "What if your partner doesn't want to change?",  or "What if you have problems even telling your mate that you're unhappy?"  Towards the end, the author has an example of a wife wanting to change, her husband being a creep, and her friends telling her to walk away.  But Chapman knows that she wants to give it one last try, and creates monthly goals FOR HER to make a change in her marriage.  He doesn't try to force the husband on board.  That hit me hard.  I can't expect my marriage to improve if I'm not willing to change myself.  I really needed this wake up call, and am going to try with all my heart and soul to get on track.

Six Geese A-Slaying

By Donna Andrews

Meg volunteers to head up this winter's Holiday Parade, mainly to help her husband gain points with the other professors where he teaches drama.  The main event is organized at their farmhouse, so of course that's where someone murders Santa just before the parade begins. And, of course, she can't let the sheriff get on his job, which places Meg square in the murderer's sights.

She says that she's tired of being in charge, but I think she would go stir crazy if she sat back & watched someone else take over. Meg is curious, smart, and nosy.  Even if  murders weren't constantly happening literally in her back yard, she'd be right in the middle of things.  That said, she's also getting more likeable than the last few books.  Meg is finally accepting her family for what they are, which in turn makes her much less cranky.

The Weird Sisters

By Eleanor Brown

What an awful book!  Three sisters who despise each other, a mother dying of cancer, and a father who can only carry on a conversation by quoting Shakespeare. UGH

The Dark Wind

By Tony Hillerman

Sgt. Jim Chee is still a newcomer to the Navajo Tribal Police. So when a corpse is found with skinned hands and feet, and a windmill is continuously damaged, the locals are too distrustful to help.  Then a plane transporting drugs crashes, and although Chee is warned away, he can't help himself from wondering what really happened.

Despite the fact that I figured out all the villains early in the story, I still wanted to see how Chee would tie it all up.  Hillerman has a tendency to quick endings, but even his lesser characters are well-drawn and interesting.  Good, easy mystery.

Under the Dog Star

By Sandra Parshall

Crazy happenings in Mason County, Virginia yet again.  Pet dogs disappearing, rumors of a dog fighting operation, and wild, abandoned dogs roaming the country side in search of livestock.  It all comes to a head when Dr Gordon Hall is killed outside of his home, his throat torn out.  Sheriff's Department investigator Tom Bridger believes that someone was waiting for Hall, and used an attack dog to murder him. Veterinarian Rachel Goddard, meanwhile, is desperately trying to capture and rehabilitate the wild dogs before the locals shoot them.

I like these stories as long as I try to imagine them separately.  Otherwise, it's a crippling blow to rural Virginia tourism, since every story makes you wonder how anyone is still alive.  Thank goodness I like the characters, and I love animals.

Into Thin Air

By Jon Krakauer

The author describes his 1996 Everest climb, in which eight climbers died.  A series of bad weather and small errors could have killed the entire expedition, especially since some of the climbers were not as fit for the climb as they maybe should have been.  The story also includes a rough history of why Everest is still known as "the ultimate climb".

Not really my first choice for reading material, but I was sucked into the humanity of the story.  However, the author is one of the few to survive, so he doesn't have a lot of people around to contradict him.  While it's true that the story demonstrates all the little mistakes that lead to huge consequences, which is typical of real life, I have trouble with him placing all of the blame on one person.  Climbing Everest has turned into a part of people's bucket list, and is not taken as seriously.  Plus, the weather turned bad without warning, so it seems flippant to blame the guides for every mistake.  I've read other books by Krakauer, and while I enjoyed them, I still don't believe everything he writes --- in fact, I rarely agree with his opinions.

Broken Places: A Rachel Goddard Mystery

By Sandra Parshall

Rachel Goddard, the local veterinarian, is once again trapped in the midst of murder.  Her friend, Ben, has recently moved to town.  When she stops by to check on his dog, Ben is arguing with Cam Taylor, the local newspaper editor.  While driving home, Rachel notices Cam's car on the side of the road, hears a shot, and discovers Cam's body in the woods. 

Later that morning, the Deputy Sheriff Tom Bridger drives to Cam's house to inform his widow.  He finds her car out front, and the house on fire.  Later, her body is recovered from the wreckage.  Who would kill both the husband and wife within hours of each other? Rachel refuses to believe that her friend Ben had anything to do with it.  Tom is not so sure, but has plenty of other suspects.

In the meantime Tom's ex-girlfriend, Lindsay, returns to Mason County.  She just happens to be the Taylor's daughter, and will do anything to get Tom back.  How much will she dig up in Rachel's past?  And will it lead to the end of Rachel & Tom's romance?

These stories are turning into a Murder, She Wrote serial, but I still like them.  I'm just glad I don't live in this county.  Lindsay's character is over-the-top crazy, but that's what keeps this story interesting.  I usually get bored with series since I get sick of the same characters (yes, I realize this is weird).  I only wish she didn't become more compassionate at the end.  Lindsay should have stayed crazy.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts In a World That Can't Stop Talking

By Susan Cain

How did society change from valuing integrity & courage to rewarding brashness & self-promotion?  This book researches how organizations like Harvard Business School encourage extroversion at the expense of quiet, rational thought.  The author also explains why "cult of the personality" megachurches, and self help gurus are taking over society.

One third of the population is made up of introverts, so why don't schools and jobs allow for solitary individualism?  Mostly, it's easier for teachers to use group projects to teach, and it's cheaper to have employees brainstorm  and work collectively, but most of the time the loudest are not the smartest.  Plus, while there's nothing wrong with confidence, it's not a comfortable fit for everyone.

The book also explains how to "fake" extroversion in order to deal with life.  Having spent my life doing just that, I was happy to know I'm not the only one pretending that I am upbeat and comfortable in new situations.

People of Darkness

By Tony Hillerman

A missing box of rocks, a truck explodes outside of a hospital, and a dying man is murdered -- Sergeant Jim Chee is caught up in seemingly unrelated mysteries.  Somehow they are all related to a decades old oil well explosion, at least in Chee's opinion.  With an assassin is on his trail, Chee must solve this case quickly before he becomes the next victim.

I like this series.  This story is the first one that focuses on Jim Chee instead of Joe Leaphorn, but still takes place in Navajo territory.  The only quibble I have at all is with the white schoolteacher, Mary.  She keeps cool in an emergency, but she's kind of snotty.  I couldn't tell if she was flirting or just obnoxious.  Chee is also trying to decide whether to join the FBI or stay and study his tribes' traditions.  Will he join the "white man", or stay true to his heritage?

Watched

By Cindy M Hogan

Christy is thrilled to win a scholarship to Washington DC and escape her friendless, bookworm existence.  But when her travel group is witness to a murder, Christy gets more excitement than she bargained for; the FBI watching over her & strangers tracking her every move, all while trying to decide which boy she truly likes.

I'd like to think that if a smart girl just straightened her hair & put on makeup, boys would realize how beautiful she is, but I just can't buy into it.  The other girls are typical stereotypes - a kind roommate, a jealous boy crazy snip, and a witchy, gossipy pain in the rear.  The guys aren't much better. 

The worst of it is that it was truly like reading the mind of a 15 year old girl - and I mean reading every single thought.  Ugh.  Way too much fretting, puzzling, and obsessing.  The book should have been WAY shorter.  Plus, I don't like stories that cop out at the end just because the author wants to sell a sequel.

So many other people loved this book, I was wondering if I read the same novel!

There's No Place Like Here

By Ceclia Ahern

Sandy Shortt's obsession began over 20 years ago, when a classmate went missing.  Ever since, Sandy feels a compulsion to seek out lost things, whether it is a missing sock, a stuffed animal, or her toothbrush.  It's no surprise that she has built her life around solving missing persons' cases, trying to find that missing part of her own life.  Her parents don't understand, and her only friends are those she has tried to help. 

Jack Ruttle is Sandy's latest client.  When she disappears the day they are set to meet, Jack is the only one worried.  Everyone tells him that Sandy disappears for days when she feels too attached or overwhelmed.  But Jack feels that Sandy might be the only person that can help him find his brother, Donal, who has been missing for over a year. 

Meanwhile, Sandy has found herself in another place - one that she cannot escape.  Here she meets some of her "lost" people, along with some of her missing possessions.  Can there really be a place where lost things go?

This story seemed to be a different take on The Wizard of Oz, except that Sandy didn't exactly yearn for home in the beginning.  She was relieved to finally find out where things end up.  I liked Jack - he felt guilty about not caring enough for Donal when he was around, and felt obligated to know what happened to him, even though his family felt he needed to let go.  It was two stories in one, which due to my own short attention span, was perfect.

The Heat of the Moon

By Sarah Parshall

Veterinarian Rachel Goddard has a panicky flashback when a child's dog is injured.  Is she just imagining her sister as a child, crying and terrified during a rainstorm?  Her mother sees no reason to discuss the past, and no reason to talk about their dead father.  When Rachel tries to discover the truth on her own, her manipulative mother does everything she can to stop her.  Only Luke, Rachel's boss, seems to sympathize and support her, which only turns Rachel's mother & sister against him.  But Rachel has no idea what she is about to uncover about her family.

This was kind of a cross between Mommie Dearest meets James Herriot. Weird combination, but it works.  There are the inevitable plot holes, but the characters were interesting and the story suspenseful.  I just kept wondering why she keep her revelations from her sister --- every time she talked to her, she either flipped out, or ran & told their mother.  Rachel could have saved herself a lot of grief by leaving her sister out of the loop.

Secrets

by Liz Schulte

The strange story of Olivia, a photographer who falls for Holden, a mysterious stranger.  What or who is he?  Why do they share dreams?  Who is following her?  Why are people around her killing themselves?

I really can't tell whether I enjoyed this story or not... I enjoyed the chapter being told from different characters, but I didn't understand why Olivia just blindly accepted all the weird things that were happening.  It wasn't bad, just odd.  Suspend your common sense, and read away!

Disturbing the Dead

By Sandra Parshall

Tom Bridger returns to his hometown after a car accident takes the lives of all but himself and his nephew.  He joins the sheriff's department, and is thrown into solving the only case his father couldn't --- the disappearance of a local woman.  Meanwhile, he is falling in love with Rachel Goddard, a local veterinarian who is trying to escape her own past.  After Rachel hires the dead woman's niece, both women become targets.  Tom must solve the murder, unravel old secrets, and protect Rachel.

This is supposedly the second book about Rachel Goddard, but except for it having her in the story, there is no continuity.  This is a stand-alone story about a vet and a deputy sheriff.  That being said, it's a good mystery.  There wasn't much to follow Rachel's story from the first book, including her relationship with her boyfriend.  It was kind of more realistic for him to overprotect her, and for Rachel to want to get away from him and her hometown.

Three Came Home

By Agnes Newton Keith

Published in 1947, Keith tells the story of her family's captivity by the Japanese during World War Two.  She followed her husband, Harry, to Borneo just a few years before the war broke, and decided not to leave him even though it meant that she and her young son would be prisoners.

This book not only tells about the prisoners' deprivation and suffering, it also demonstrates what happens to a human being as a captive and as a captor.  Keith does not hate the Japanese; she understands that their actions are a result of the war.  There are some soldiers that are kind, and some that smuggle food to the children.  But then there are others who enjoy hurting and demoralizing their captives; they believe death is more honorable than captivity.

I had no idea that women and children were taken prisoner during the war.  Keith explains that shouldn't bear leaving her husband behind.  But Harry is sent to the mens camp, so it is up to Agnes to keep herself and her son George alive for over 2 years. 

Agnes is very realistic in her writing, without being too graphic - she doesn't paint herself as a saint.  One part that I thought rang true was when she said that the women she liked before, she grew to love.  The women she felt indifferent to, she grew to hate. And the things she thought were useless - fine clothes and makeup - were lifesavers.  She could trade her clothes for food, and makeup made her feel more human.  I found myself thinking, "What would I do in the same situation?"  Then hoped I would never have to face it.

Bulls Island

by Dorothea Benton Frank

Elizabeth "Betts" McGee returns to her hometown in the Carolina lowcountry to help her former fiance develop untouched Bulls Island.  She left under sad circumstances, and thought she would never go back again.  The secrets she brings with her will shock everyone.

I liked this book, but didn't love it.  Betts seemed too emotional to be a high powered investor, and had frighteningly bad taste in men.  I don't know how she survived and prospered in New York.  Plus, her former flames' theory that Bulls Island would be developed eventually, so it might as well be a Southerner instead of a Yankee making money, was a short-sighted, ridiculous argument.  Why not fight to keep it as a protected sight?  Oh, right, there's no money in it.  For someone who supposedly loves his culture, he comes off as a money-grubbing jerk.

Self Esteem: The Essence of You

by Ida Greene

Supposedly, this book helps you look into your core beliefs and how to boost your self-esteem.  Unfortunately, it was rambling, oddly organized, and mostly talked about spiritual enlightenment.  It also threw in a chapter about controlling anger & communicating more effectively.  Weird book!

I Am Number Four

by Pittacus Lore

The planet Lorien was destroyed by the Mogadorians, but not before nine special children and their protectors escape.  The nine are under constant threat of being found by their enemies, but due to special charms, they must be killed in order.  They have found and killed the first three Lorien children.  John Smith is Number Four, and the Mogadorians are now looking for him.

Fun, fast-paced book.  The characters were realistic, and even though I thought I knew how things would work out, I didn't know how anyone could possibly escape the Mogadorians.  Now I need to watch the movie!

The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible

By A.J. Jacobs

Raised without religion, and being an admitted agnostic, the author nevertheless spends a year trying to discover the Judeo-Christian religion's place in society.  He tries to follow common rules such as the Ten Commandments, but also mixes in some unique suggestions like not wearing clothes made of mixed fibers.

After reading this book, I feel like I rewarded an attention hound.  Jacobs didn't want to seek out any deep meaning, he just wanted to grow an unruly beard, wear white, and whine.  He boasts about his sub-par parenting skills, and his wife is just as bad as he is - he makes his living writing about nothing, and she tries to out-do his self centered attitude.  When he tries to follow the rule about avoiding a woman during "that time of the month", she spends the day sitting on every chair in the house. How mature!  His version of keeping the Sabbath Day holy is to do absolutely nothing, and he has no grasp of basic Judaic laws.  It's hard to see why this book was so popular... it was very poorly researched, and his choices were simplistic and pointless.  I think Jacobs just wanted a way to make a quick buck while rewarding his narcissism.