Books!

Books I have read recently -

And loved!!

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Best book I have read in a long time.  Couldn’t put it down, read it in one sitting, staying up to 1 a.m. to finish!  The premise sounds corny – the story of a man’s life as narrated by his dog Enzo – but instead it was heartfelt and sweet and real.  Enzo’s acceptance of his old age and death brought tears to my eyes, having just gone through it with my ‘forever’ dog. (See july 25, 2008 post!)

The Dirty Secrets Club by Meg Gardiner. 

Excellent find at the ‘just returned’ table at the library.  Mystery/thriller of a forensic psychiatrist performing psychological autopsies (who really does this anyway?) on a string of murder-suicides in San Francisco.  Fast paced with lots of suspects to run through.  Throw in earthquakes and Halloween for an extra twist.  (See July 28, 2008 post)

Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evonovich

Probably the best in the Stephanie Plum “numbers” series in recent memory – and I’ve read them all.  Laugh out loud funny.  Without giving too much away, Stephanie’s car, complete with Tony Stewart bobblehead, mostly survives; Lots of Joe Morelli,  great side story with Lula.  In other words a fun fast read.  My only complaint – the story could use a little more Ranger and his secret company.

When will this series be put on the big screen?  Or, even the little screen?  My vote is for Marisa Tomei as Stephanie in the movie version. Benjamin Bratt as Ranger, but who could play Joe Morelli?  Has to be some hottie but not a pretty boy. Maybe that guy who plays Sawyer on Lost…..

Stalking Susan by Julie Kramer

Quick read, which is always a good start for me.  Fast paced and Interesting murder mystery as told from the point of view of a reporter who quickly becomes part of the story she is reporting on.  Also funny and sweetly sad at the same time.  Very satisfying read.  

Worth Noting -

The Second Objective by Mark Frost.  Historical fiction and a thriller at the same time.

The Writing Class by Jincy Willet.  Unexpectedly funny.

Intent to Kill  by James Grippando. 

Not your usual murder mystery and not one you will figure out before the end.  Throw in a little baseball with a happy ending (happy being relative with a murder mystery!) and you’ve got a good read.

Snoop:  What your Stuff Says About You by Sam Gosling PhD. 

A little too clinical to be light pleasure reading, but good info for the arm chair psychologist and snooper.

 

Just So-S0

My Best Friend’s Girl by Dorothy Koomson. 

The premise of adopting your dead best friends child – a child by your ex-fiance is unique.  But the love triangle between the former fiance coming back into Kamryn’s life and a new boyfriend playing Daddy just doesn’t work.  This author just doesn’t know when or where to end the story – it keeps coming back.

 

And Hated!!

Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

Let me start off by saying that I am a James Patterson fan.  He is the master of the quick read with his trademark short chapters and tight language.  I thought I was getting another Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas- WRONG.  Sundays at Tiffany’s is disappointing on so many levels.  Not eloquent, not believable (even for fiction).  Childish silliness, more for a pre-teen than anything.  Zero stars.

 

Coming up….

Check back…I am always finding something at the library!