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.