The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom

By Jonathan Haidt

Haidt compares the world's beliefs and philosophies searching for common themes. He compares the way to find a successful life with controlling our inner "elephant" by becoming the in-charge "rider".  Wealth is less important to happiness than close friendships, quiet surroundings, and short commutes.

This book almost has too much to think about, since it covers childhood & parenting, positive psychology, and the author's own philosophical journey.  However, taken in small chunks, it is an informative, interesting book.

Engaged to Die

By Carolyn Hart

On the night of Virginia and Jake's engagement party, Jake goes missing and is later found murdered.  Bookstore owner Annie Darling is drawn into the investigation, since her clerk is also in love with the victim.  But while she's trying to solve the murder, a stalker is watching her every move.

Blech. Maybe it's due to an overload of mysteries, but this book was horribly stupid.  'Nuff said.

The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel

By Anthony Horowitz

Fine art dealer Edward Carstairs visits Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, claiming that a man has followed him back from America and wants to kill him.  Holmes tracks the stranger, who is then found dead.  Unfortunately, this leads to more questions and dangers for Holmes.

This story has updated language, and makes Holmes seem a bit less robotic, which true Sherlock fans will hate.  I have always had trouble finishing the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories, so it was just fine by me... I didn't get lost in the verbiage.  It still has all the constant plot twists that make a Holmes book entertaining.

The Woman in Black: A Ghost Story

By Susan Hill

Arthur Kipps is a young lawyer sent to Crythin Gifford to settle the estate of recently deceased Alice Drablow.  No one will talk about her or her house, Eel House, but Kipps knows that something is horribly wrong.  His routine business trip turns into a nightmare, as Kipps is haunted by a child's cry, strange noises in the fog, and a mysterious woman in black.

Although this story was written in the 1980's, the style is more like a Sherlock Holmes novel.  It lent a nice historical touch, although some may think it's hard to follow.  I knew what was coming at the end, and kept hoping I was wrong.  Then I was disappointed that the author skimped on the details, leaving tension and feeling out when I wanted it the most.

The Real Macaw

By Donna Andrews

The Lanslows are now the proud parents of twins, but still can't keep her family from invading every minute of their lives.  Now Meg's grandfather has "rescued" the animals from the local shelter, and of course has no where to keep them except for Meg and Michael's house.  And of course the man who was supposed to find homes and shelter for the animals is found murdered.  But this time Meg is trying her hardest to stay away from sleuthing, even though everyone assumes she will be her nosy self.  She wants to worry about her twin boys, not a murderer.

I keep saying that I'm done with this series, mostly because I want to throttle Meg's family.  With her parents living on a farm close by, why do they always pick on Meg? So freaking what if her mother doesn't like a mess, they all need to leave the Lanslows alone already, especially now that they have twins. And it's not just her family... Meg now has a foster child when his mother is stationed overseas.  For such a strong person, she is a real doormat.

The Best of Me

By Nicholas Sparks

Twenty five years after their ill-fated teen romance, Dawson and Amanda are brought back together for the funeral of their friend Tuck.  They were his only friends, and Tuck left instructions for them alone to carry out.  Along the way, they learn things about their friend and each other, and ask themselves how their choices affected their lives.

I am officially tired of Nicholas Sparks books... they are so predictable that I could now write one myself.  Starcrossed lovers, secrets, misunderstandings, and the inevitable death of a main character.  But you have to give him credit for writing readable stories, no matter how unsurprising the plot.

The Shape Shifter

By Tony Hillerman

Navajo Tribal Police Lt. Joe Leaphorn is newly retired, and still not ready to give up cases.  An old friend asks for his help finding out about a cursed Navajo story rug supposedly destroyed but recently photographed in a magazine.  The friend disappears shortly afterward, which adds to Leaphorn's curiosity.

This story was pretty convoluted... lots of back and forth, which made it hard to follow.  However, the ending was harder to predict than a usual Hillerman book, which was a pleasant surprise.

Crazy Little Thing

By Tracy Brogan

Sadie Turner, in the midst of a messy divorce, decides to take her children away for the summer and visit her Aunt Dody.  There she meets a man that is everything she dreams of, if she or her family can stop chasing him away with their loopiness.

This book is what it is... a light-hearted summer read.  If you expect more, prepare to be disappointed.  The only part that was a little heavy was how everyone seemed to drink all the time.  Since I don't drink at all, maybe that's how summers with crazy relatives are, & I've been missing out on constantly making a slobbering fool of myself.

Bookmarked For Death

By Lorna Barrett

Tricia Miles, owner of Haven't Got A Clue bookstore, invites local author Zoe Carter for a book signing.  Unfortunately, Zoe is murdered in the store's restroom, and there are plenty of suspects that detested the author.  The sheriff shuts down the bookstore just to spite Tricia, so she feels obligated to narrow the suspects and save her store.

I should have enjoyed this book... I love bookstores and mysteries.  Too bad I don't love whiny, bipolar characters.  Tricia is always losing her appetite, forgetting to eat, and hates sweets... sounds like borderline anorexia.  Her sister, who happens to own a cookbook store next door, is either trying to pick a fight or carping about how she wishes she was a size 8 like Tricia.  (If I have to stop eating to be thinner, it ain't gonna happen.)  Tricia's reporter-boyfriend is no better, since he uses their "dates" to pump Tricia for exclusive information, then gets defensive when she's upset and leaves.  This whine-fest got old quickly.