City of Ashes

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments Book 2)

What was this book about?

Clary and Jase are still out to stop their evil father Valentine from destroying the world that they know. Clary and Jase are Shadowhunters that fight demons and Valentine has set the demons lose in order to be able to have an army to destroy his enemies.

It isn’t easy for the two – they are fighting an attraction to each other that is not normal for brother and sister. Clary is trying to figure out how to save her mother from the coma she is in. Jase is dealing with everyone around him believing that he will turn traitor only to help his father defeat them. They also are coming to a realization that they are “special” and have unusual gifts. They with the help of their friends Simon (a mundane with no special powers who has boyfriend like feelings for Clary), Alec (who has a secret relationship with warlock Magnus), and Isabella (who is like a sister to Jase) all must figure out how to explain to the adults what is really going on in their world.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I feel like this series is just getting better and better. The first book was interesting with the ruin drawing giving Shadowhunters special powers – but it has moved on to be more about the dynamic of relationships, the struggle for power, and the mystery of their existence.

What genre would you consider this?
Teen Paranormal

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Sundays at Tiffany’s

Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

What was this book about?

Imagine the story you would tell if your invisible friend was real – and just someone only you could see. How that would affect your growing up years until he left. Then to grow older missing the companionship that only he could provide. That is this story.

Jane was a child of a woman who was complicated and a man who was busy with other things in his life. She then met Michael the invisible friend she would never forget. As years pass, he has to leave her, but she never forgets him. When a chance meeting allows him to re-enter her life, neither of them know what is going to happen. It seems to be true love – but how does a producer and a invisible friend form a relationship.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This story makes me feel like it is all possible. Enough true life elements – an overbearing mother, an idiot boyfriend, join with a touch of the supernatural in an invisible friend. While enough is explained to make you interested in that existence, it never is truly explained. Which may be a touch of why it is so interesting.

With every love story there is heartbreak and pain, joy and love, revelations in relationships. This story is the perfect example of that.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

Tailspin

Tailspin by Catherine Coulter (Sherlock and Savich Novel)

What was this book about?

Two mysteries for the price of one. Jackson Crowne, family friend of psychiatrist Dr. Timothy MacLean is brought in because someone is trying to kill the psychiatrist. He has a debilitating disease that affects his brain – and the normal quiet psychiatrist can’t help but spill his prominent client’s secrets. This means that one of his clients wants to stop him before he spills the wrong secret.

Rachel Abbott has finally found her father, and in doing so found danger. Her father is killed, and someone tries to drown her (among many other assassination attempts). She needs to stop the person who is out to get her before she dies.

Jack and Rachel run into each other when Jack’s plane crashes and Rachel is the first to help him and Dr. MacLean out. She can’t keep her secret around FBI agent Jackson – he wants to help.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This book reminds me of many of the others in this series. You get to consistently see Sherlock and Savich (which are great characters) and solve a mystery and get a romance with a new couple. There is even a little whodunit involved as you try to figure out what is going on where.

Was it my favorite book ever? No. Will I keep reading this series? Definitely. It has a good plot, with enough twists and secrets to keep you interested.

What genre would you consider this?
Mystery/ Contemporary Romance

Overall:

Moose: A Memoir of Fat Camp

Moose: A Memoir of Fat Camp by Stephanie Klein

What was this book about?

Stephanie Klein is told by her doctor that the twins she is carrying require her to gain 50 lbs. What the doctor doesn’t know is that Stephanie has a history of weight problems and the thought of gaining all that weight sends her into a tailspin.

It requires her to reevaluate her past – what brought on the poor self confidence and weight problems. How did she overcome it? Did she truly overcome it? She tells her story of the battle of the bulge while living in a society that only persecutes you for being overweight.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This book is written in the same style that Stephenie’s blog is written (Greek Tragedy). You can’t help but cringe when people do cruel things to her, cry when she cries, and laugh when she laughs. She just brings that out in you. She poors our her heart and her story – opening herself up for critiques and you just can’t help but identify with some part of her story. Every woman has felt inferior about something and she opens up about one of her greatest struggles.

While at times it was a little difficult for me to follow along (since she has combined many years of her own experiences into one year). I genuinely enjoyed it and will continue to read her books and her blog for many years to come.

What genre would you consider this?
Memoir

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Friday Night Knitting Club

Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

What was this book about?

They are not just a group of women who get together on Friday Night’s to knit – they are a group of friends. What seems to be a ragtag group of people who all have some reason to be there on Fridays, end up relying on each other for support as they go through the good times and bad.

Georgia has been a single mother for many years, now Dakota, her daughter is starting to have a relationship with her father. For Georgia this relationship is bittersweet – he didn’t want Dakota in the beginning – now her ex seems to be taking over her life. Does she want a relationship with him? Even if it is just as the father of her daughter?

Cat, was Georgia’s best friend in high school but she betrayed her and they haven’t spoken in years. Cat’s bad marriage has made her claim independence. But can she find herself or will she yet again bewhat other’s want her to be?

Anita loves Georgia as if she is a daughter. Since her own husband died years before she has been alone except for this knitting store and Georgia and Dakota. Is there room in her life for another relationship?

This is just the beginning of those that are in the “Friday Night Knitting Club”.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoy this new genre of knitting books talking about women’s relationships with each other and their interaction in their own lives. It is nice to know that something as old fashioned as knitting can bring people together to work through their joy and pain.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

Love the One You’re With

Love the One You’re With by Emily Giffin

What was this book about?

Ellen and Andy have the perfect relationship. She has known his family since college when she met her best friend and roommate – his sister. They fell into love and friendship and seem to moving forward. On the surface it looks like the perfect relationship.

Then one random day Ellen runs into an old flame - Leo. Their relationship was a roller coaster and has been over for years. In fact Ellen was the one that called it off. Yet meeting Leo and having the sparks fly again make her wonder if the comfortable love she has now means she is missing out on the “real” love of her life.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Almost everyone has at least one relationship that they were in and ended in some fashion or another. It can be hard to look past the ups and downs of your own “real” relationship and compare it to this unknown other relationship. I am a firm believer that relationships end for a reason. But over time it is hard to make yourself remember all the bad times and not just the good times. You almost gloss over those things in an effort to figure out if you are truly in the place that you should be.

This book explores those possibilities – for Ellen. She is the only one that can figure out who she is meant to be with. And realizing that no relationship is perfect – but if you can say that you love someone with all your heart – then any sort of imperfection is worth it.


What genre would you consider this?

Overall:

The Third Circle

The Third Circle by Amanda Quick (An Arcane Society Novel)

What was this book about?

Leona Hewitt is desperate to get back the crystal that has been in her family for centuries. She is an expert crystal user and can feel the crystal. It had been stolen when her mother died years before and it has finally cropped up in the most unusual of places.

Meanwhile – Arcane Society member Thaddeus Ware – is also out to get the crystal for the Arcane Society’s treasure cove. When they run into each other and must save each other’s life to escape with the crystal they can’t help but be drawn to each other.

Leona thinks she is finally safe and has the one thing she has been searching for. Thaddeus knows differently and must convince Leona that she is in danger. While he tries to save her, they must also protect the crystal from getting into the wrong hands because it could mean danger to all of them.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This isn’t my favorite Arcane Society book. Leona and Thad’s powers are new to the story – but it seems like the same theme over and over again. Arcane society member and person who hates them must rescue the alchemist’s formula so that nothing bad happens to the members.

Is it a bad story? No. Is it well written? Definitely. The new arrival of the Third Circle as an enemy is interesting. I guess I would like to see more history of the group and its members and just see a totally new twist.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Romance

Overall:

Witch Blood

Witch Blood by Anya Bast (Sequel to Witch Fire)

What was this book about?

Isabelle has only one thing on her mind and that is killing the man responsible for her sister’s killer. She was killed by a demon who was unleashed by a coven of warlocks for the express purpose of hurting people. This demon has been on murder spree killing so many witches that everyone wants him stopped.

Thomas Monahan is the coven’s leader and he is out to get the demon – not just the man responsible for the demon’s existence. He needs to reign Isabelle in so that they can get to the bottom of why the demon is here and why it is killing. But while searching for the demon this earth witch can’t help but be attracted to Isabelle – a water witch.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I read Witch Fire and definitely enjoyed it. The idea that some bad guys have decided that they are going to bring a demon into this world but then lose track of it – isn’t a bad one.

This demon is almost humanized in its need to kill so that he/it can get back to its own people. I can’t even imagine being tossed from everything you know into a world that you just can’t understand and can’t help but hate, if only because it isn’t where you wish you were. But that doesn’t excuse the behavior.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Romance

Overall:

How the Other Half Hamptons

How the Other Half Hamptons by Jasmine Rosemberg



What was this book about?

Friends and twenty something’s Rachel, Jamie and Allison decide to all partake in the “share house” phenomenon in the Hamptons. They have plans for what their summer is going to be like. They have bought themselves beds in an illegal (albeit common) share house – which has as many beds as you can cram into one very nice house and for a cost you get your bed on alternating weekends.

Each girl has their own agenda. Rachel is looking for a man to marry – her sister found her future husband in a share house just like this one and while she never lives up to her sister she is hoping in this case she will find one. Jamie is a party girl, used to the best clubs and the hottest scenes. It will be an adjustment for her to figure out where she fits into this tableau as it isn’t all about her. Allison is used to having relationships and can’t help but want to jump right into one. She and her 5 year boyfriend just broke up and she needs someone to love her as that is the only way she feels fulfilled.

Each girl finds her way, learning more about herself, and learning more about sharing a house with 30 other people.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Have you ever wondered what the Hamptons were all about? Especially for the “normal” people who don’t have millions of dollars and flit from society party to society party. If so this book is for you.

It gives a great description of what it is like to be a 20-something who just wants to get the experience of the Hamptons in a way that they can afford. It means mistakes, immature people, cattiness and letting yourself go in ways that you may have never done before.

This book gives great incite into what it would be to just be there – part of the action. Does it make married old me want to catch a plane and be part of a “share house” – not at all. But I was glad to be able to tag along for the ride in this story.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

Mercy Street

Mercy Street by Mariah Stewart


What was this book about?

Two teens are dead and two are missing. Did the missing teens kill the others? Where are they now and are they ok? Their family and friends are convinced that they are innocent but the fact that they are gone now – makes them look guilty.

Former police detective Mallory Russo is hired by one of the missing teen’s Priest to find out what happened (and save them). Mallory has a history of doing the right thing even if it means her losing her job and he believes that she can figure out what is going on. The police are shorthanded as it is and don’t have the time to dedicate to the case. New detective Charlie Wannamaker wants to help Mallory find the teens and bring whoever did this awful deed to justice.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoyed the story and mystery of the book. It isn’t one of those books that you will figure out what is going on and “solve” the case – but it is riveting.

I was slightly disappointed that the original “missing persons” were not found. But I am hoping that this book is just the first in a series of Charlie and Mallory books so that I can find resolution to all my questions..

What genre would you consider this?
Mystery

Overall:

Bring Down the Sun

Bring Down the Sun by Judith Tarr


What was this book about?

She was born the daughter of a god – destined to do good things. The Mother has decided that she must meet the mate that she has chosen for her and that she will bear a son that will rule all.

Of course things are just not that easy – there are many that want to stop her. Some desire the continuation of the Mother’s rule. They know that this son will destroy the group that continues to worship her. Others want control of this ever powerful soon-to-be born man.

She must work to protect him and fulfill her destiny.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

If you like mythology made to be a little more “realistic” then you will like this book. Time passes quickly and you can predict many of the things that are going to happen (which makes sense considering you probably heard some part of the story at one time or another in some fashion).

In general it is an enjoyable read. I don’t know that it is my style necessarily but others may like it.

What genre would you consider this?
Mythology

Overall:

Girls in Trucks

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch

What was this book about?

Charlestonian Sarah Walters is a part of the very special debutante group the Camilla Society. She meets girls there that she doesn’t realize will impact her life for many years to come.

“Girls in Trucks” follows Sarah and the other Camilla’s throughout the early years of training for their debutante ball until many years later when they are married, and possibly have children.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

There was so much potential here and I just felt really let down. I know that the style was intended to be this way but it bounced from place to place, year to year, person to person so much that it was hard for me to follow what was going on and who people were. It left me wanting to know the details in between to the point where I just felt left out.

There is no reason (that I can think of) that this had to happen. The story of a girl who doesn’t have a perfect life, surrounded by so many others who don’t have the perfect life seems to be a reasonable one. But you can’t like Sarah and the fact that she doesn’t just make mistakes (and realize them) she just keeps making them. She isn’t a nice person or a good person through much of the book. But when you read the description you think this is a nice "debutante" book and it just so isn’t.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

How to Enjoy a Scandal

How to Enjoy a Scandal by Adrienne Basso

What was this book about?

Gwendolyn has been the victim of society’s strict moral code and she will do anything to make sure that her sister’s do not suffer the same fate themselves. So when Viscount Fairhurst shows up in their small country town – every female in a 50 mile radius is ready to show him why they should be his bride – including her sister.

Jason and his twin brother Jasper are aware that their country estate has been having some problems – it looks to be like someone is embezzling funds. They need to stop it. Despite Jasper being the Viscount – he sends younger brother (and twin) Jason to take care of the problem. Jason realizes quickly that pretending to be the Viscount has its benefits and its drawbacks.

Jason needs to solve this mystery and he wants the help of Gwendolyn to do it. Can he stay in character and still get both the girl and the bad guy?

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I didn’t dislike much about this book – it was an easy to read, enjoyable romance novel. There was nothing that screamed “best book ever” and yet nothing that made me want to put it down either.

What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance

Overall: