Great Call of China by Cynthea Liu

Great Call of China by Cynthea Liu

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I say this every time, but I really like the S.A.S.S. series because they feature better teenage female protagonists than so many other books out there. It's great to feel good about recommending this series to teen girls. :) Having said that, I must confess this wasn't my favorite installment. The program attendees did not have the diversity I've come to expect. Usually, the students come from a variety of backgrounds and I like that. This one, however, dealt with Chinese people almost exclusively. I found that bothersome and a touch unrealistic. Yes, the program was set in China and the main character chose that program partially because of her Chinese heritage. However, I thought it was odd that almost every character was Chinese. In real life, these kind of programs should promote diversity and choose students to represent that, so I was a touch disappointed when the book didn't depict that. Overall, however, I liked CeCe's story and the way it all worked out. At the end of the day, I look forward to reading more of this series in the future as well. :)

Dead Man Talking by Casey Daniels.

Dead Man Talking by Casey Daniels

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Honestly, I had a hard time suspending my disbelief at times. However, it had nothing to do with the paranormal aspects of the story. I can accept that Pepper is a private investigator for the dead. I had a much harder time with some of the other plot points. For example, I don't believe you could be signed up to do a reality TV series and NOT know about it until the camera crew shows up. Also, it seemed odd to me that the community service people weren't escorted by anyone "official", especially considering Pepper didn't know she was going to be supervising them until they showed up. Additionally, I had a bit of a hard time suspending disbelief for how the ending went down. It just seemed a little fantastical to me. Overall, however, it wasn't a bad story. I just felt like certain parts weren't ringing true for me and it took me out of the book a bit.

Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley

Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Like so many others, I was drawn to this book because of the packaging. I thought it was cute and the concept sounded like fun. Also, like so many others, I was a bit disappointed in the end. The concept had a lot of promise but the author didn't quite deliver. I feel the author didn't follow the mythology very well. I'm a little confused about the ending. It happened so fast and so abruptly that it didn't really work for me. In fact, the action was very uneven throughout and some of the descriptions were quite boring. All that said, however, it wasn't the worst book I've ever read and I will consider reading another one before giving it up completely.

Dying for Dinner by Miranda Bliss

Dying for Dinner by Miranda Bliss

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Even though I figured out who the bad guy was very early on, I didn't know his motive or other very important details until much later. I feel bad for Jacques because that character has been squeezed for more story lines than I would have thought possible. Yet, I still like the series. I really like Annie, Jim, and Eve overall. I was a little disappointed with how Eve was portrayed during one scene at the end, but it wasn't enough to affect my overall impression. If I could talk to the author, however, I would encourage her to be a little more careful with Eve in the future. Otherwise, the stories have all been quite good and I'm loving the progression. Keep it up and I'll keep reading! :)

Possible spoiler! I didn't care for how Eve reacted to the motel clerk. I just don't think a grown woman would really worry that much about a stranger carrying out the wishes of another stranger, even at a no tell motel. Seriously, Eve? He pops out for a ciggie and you're worried about your life? Not so sure I agree with that portrayal. Just saying.

Technical Hitch by Jane Sigaloff

Technical Hitch by Jane Sigaloff

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book was not very well written, but even worse, it was very poorly edited. It was so bad, that I had to check if the book was an ARC or not. (Sadly, it isn't). The conversations were awkward at times, the story lines didn't do much for me, and the errors really took me out of the story. A few examples of errors that made me want to burn this book include:

Page 61: "Absently he absently licked the sweat...."

Page 155: "Maybe he thinks he makes it look him less accessible and therefore more desirable".

Page 178: Emma's name is replaced with Jess's on the same page, even though we're clearly only following Emma at this point in the story.

There were a few other errors, but these were the ones that made me want to throw the book against the wall. If I could give this book an even lower rating, I would. It's books like this that make me question my need to finish nearly every book I start.

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

The Talented Mr Ripley by Phyllis Nagy

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Normally, I try to read the novel before seeing the movie. However, it was the movie that encouraged me to read this book. I thought the movie was interesting and it made me want to delve deeper into Tom's story. Particularly, I was curious about some of the relationships between characters and aspects of Tom's personality. Well, the book is actually quite different from the movie. Some parts are dead on and exactly how they read while others weren't even close. So, would I rate the movie or the book higher? I'm not sure. They are more different than I expected and it's hard to compare them. In fact, I don't want to compare them. If you like the book, the movie might confuse you and vice versa. However, this is one time I am glad I watched the movie before reading the book. I think if I'd read it first, I would have been a bit disappointed with the changes.

Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton

Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Romance isn't my favorite genre, but this one had knitting and magic to help keep my interest. The knitting references were very good, in particular. I loved the use of specific brands of yarn and things like that. The magic was big Hollywood type magic, so the novel stayed light and just a bit fluffy. Overall, I liked it more than I thought I would based on the romance label.

Up and Out by Ariella Papa

Up & Out by Ariella Papa

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this book well enough, but I would have liked it more a few years ago. Just a few years ago, I would have been able to really identify with the main character and her situation. I've been through that time when your friendships can get weird and I know how it feels to think they are all falling apart. But, I wouldn't say I'm still in that place, so the book didn't hit me the same way it would have if I had read it sooner. If you are in that place, that quarter-life crisis time, then this book will probably speak to you more. If you are just shy of the quarter-life crisis, then you will probably like this book a lot too because you'll feel normal if/when it happens to you. If, however, you are over that hump, you might only be reminded of that rocky time and find yourself not enjoying it very much.

In Murder We Trust by Eleanor Hyde

In Murder We Trust by Eleanor Hyde

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
At first, I was a little confused by the cast of characters. But, eventually, I figured out the people and how they were connected. I thought the ending was well thought out and smart. I couldn't believe the dog's name is Columbo- my parents have a basset hound with the same name! Too funny! Overall, it was a little dry at times, but smart enough to keep me interested.

Heart and Salsa by Suzanne Nelson

Heart and Salsa by Suzanne Nelson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think this might be my new favorite book in the series. I really liked Cat's journey and the maturity she developed by the end. So much of it rang true! When you move away, friendships can change in ways you don't expect. When a friend has a creep for a boyfriend, she won't always believe you. And most importantly, no matter how much you plan on life going in a certain direction, it can always surprise you in ways you never planned. All of these themes help to create a fascinating character on a wonderful journey. Loved it! :) I think Spanish students would particularly enjoy this installment since it takes place in Mexico and has many Spanish words and phrases throughout. Again, these are the kinds of books I feel good about sharing with teen girls. I love the positive messages they bring and diverse characters and settings. So good. :)

When Irish Guys Are Smiling by Suzanne Supplee

When Irish Guys Are Smiling by Suzanne Supplee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really like this series because they tend to feature strong and smart female protagonists that learn a lot about themselves while traveling and studying abroad. I love that I can share these books with my young teenage cousins and feel good about it. This is another great installment that I will happily pass along to young female readers. This particular installment follows Delk, a young girl trying to escape all of the changes in her life following the death of her mother. She goes to Ireland for a semester and learns just as much about herself as she does about the country. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to any teenage female, particularly one interested in studying abroad or travel. If you're a parent of a teen girl, this is the kind of series I would recommend you give to her. While Twilight might break the ice and get a girl into reading (if she's reluctant in the first place), this is the kind of series you want her to read ultimately. Teen girls should have positive and strong female characters to look up to and emulate and these books almost always deliver that.

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure by Sarah Macdonald

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure by Sarah Macdonald

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I was excited to read this book because I love to travel and would like to go to India someday. It started off decent, but definitely hit a snag partway through and I lost interest. It did pick back up near the end, save for when she visits her husband in Pakistan. That was a verbose chapter to get to a point, in my opinion. In fact, that was often a problem for the author. I could see what she was wanting to get to, but she would take the long way to get there. I am a sucker for alliteration and the author does have some rather excellent alliteration sprinkled throughout. But, it wasn't always necessary. I think this book would have been much better if had been condensed a bit. It needs some of the superfluous content cut and it would be much more enjoyable.

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Another Day In Paradise by Carol Bergman

Another Day in Paradise: International Humanitarian Workers Tell Their Stories by Carol Bergman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really liked this book. I've been fascinated by humanitarian work for many years. I've read more about the Peace Corps than most people I know. This book was written for people like me. :)

The stories aren't candy coated. They are gritty and real and cover the horror as well as the beauty of the work. Some people would read this book and feel turned off from humanitarian work. But, when I read it, it deepens my understanding of what it takes and I feel encouraged to explore my humanitarian side more deeply. I want to know the stories more intimately and have one to share. Truly a fascinating book and I'm very glad I was able to read it.

Devil May Ride by Wendy Roberts

Devil May Ride by Wendy Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Satanism, a motorcycle gang, and ghosts galore! Seriously, this woman is fast becoming my new favorite author. This series is so up my alley! They characters talk like my friends talk and I just love that. The main mystery is seedy and fascinating. We learn some really interesting back story and it seems to fit in well. Sometimes, when an author goes back to explain things, they can stop following their own rules or it will stick out in some way. That did NOT happen for me at all. I felt it was all very smart and it totally worked for me. I can't wait for more in this series. :)

Push by Sapphire

Push by Sapphire

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I imagine this book will become required reading in many college lit classes. It has some great themes and a unique voice. But, even without analyzing it, it's still a great book. It's hard and raw and feels more real than not.

You know what book I would compare it to? The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. That one left a similar impression on me. It's another book with a strong and unique voice and of course, it has sadness. The subject matter is totally different, but it left a huge emotional impression.

That is the strength of Push, for me. The emotional impression is really key. I've read several Jodi Picoult books and while they are well crafted, I have trouble connecting to the characters emotionally. Push allowed me to emotionally connect with Precious. She didn't hide the emotions and I don't believe she focused on them too much, either. It's just a really fascinating book to me.

While My Pretty One Knits by Anne Canadeo

While My Pretty One Knits by Anne Canadeo

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Overall, I was a little disappointed because the mystery was so easy to figure out. I knew who did it and the motive long before the reveal. So, it was a little difficult for me to give it a higher star rating when I felt annoyed at how simple the mystery was to solve. But, that being said, I still finished the book and enjoyed it well enough. I will give the next book in the series a shot because I'm a knitter that loves to read knitting related mystery novels. What can I say? I'm a total sucker. lol! :)

The Chris Farley Show by Thomas Farley Jr.

The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts by Thomas Farley Jr.

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
An emotional book for me. I adored Chris Farley and loved getting to know him throughout this book. Of course, the story is heart breaking in the end and it's hard not to get a little teary eyed while reading. I liked that not everyone agreed on certain points, but that they were still represented. I have more empathy for David Spade than ever before. I can't imagine what that time was like for him. Overall, it was much more than I thought it would be. It was more emotional, more honest, and more brutal than I expected from a biography written by friends and family. There are a lot of great pictures included too. I loved being able to put a face to the few names that I didn't recognize.

Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell

Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Well, it was different than what I was expecting. There were excellent and realistic depictions of witchcraft mixed with the more fantastical Hollywood depictions of it. I felt conflicted by this throughout the entire book. I guess I don't understand why the author chose to mix realism with fantasy as much as she did. Weird. I enjoyed the store and the cast of characters quite a bit. I liked the setting, the action, and most aspects of the story. I just didn't like the real versus Hollywood versions of magic. It was just so inconsistent for me that it took away some of my enjoyment. I would be willing to give the next book in the series a try though. There were definitely enough positives for me to go into the next one with an open mind.

You Are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay

You Are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Not bad. There were a few editing problems that I noticed and that always takes me out of the story. I was a little disappointed with some aspects of the plot and entertained by others. For example, I was a little disappointed by who was behind the RC attacks and the motive. However, I loved all the zombies and the job of the Settlers. I'm not sure all of the explanations of Settlers work together, but it was an interesting concept and I enjoyed it overall. For instance, the author said zombies are attracted to Settlers in their age range and that adult Settlers that have children lose their Settler abilities. I would think more adult Settlers would be needed because so many adults have children at some point. Plus, she mentioned many older (childless) Settlers work in Settler Affairs and I wasn't clear if they still deal with zombies at that level. And then there are adults that go into Enforcement, so it's a little more confusing figuring out who deals with the adult zombies. A little nit-picky, but these are the details that distract me while reading a book. I might read a sequel, but I wouldn't run out and buy it right away either.

Poisoned by Gilt by Leslie Caine

Poisoned by Gilt by Leslie Caine

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is the first book I've read in this series and it is okay. I would not say it is poorly written, but I did not fall in love with the main characters. It is almost too realistic at times with Erin's inner thoughts. But, she's much more girly than I am so I did not really connect with her. I don't know that I want to go back and read this series from the beginning. I fear that it's a Stephanie Plum-like scenario where Gilbert and Sullivan are "made for each other" but that their romance has trouble getting off the ground and never really gets anywhere. In fact, that is a strong reason I may have disconnected from the story in the first place. It's just something that doesn't work for me. I'm not really sure what to say about the mystery. It was a little odd and the reveal seemed a little uneven. It felt delayed and rushed all at the same time. Very odd to me. Oh well. The book didn't suck, but I'm not sure I'm going to read any others in this series.

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I'll be honest. I had a hard time getting through the beginning of this book. It was written with a bit more formality than I expected. It just didn't grab me right from the start, so it felt like a chore to read. However, that view quickly changed once I got into the meat of the story. The action of the second half is fast paced and exciting. By the end of the book, I really liked Mrs. Pollifax and would gladly read more of her adventures. She showed that she is smart and resourceful, and I didn't feel that I needed to suspend as much disbelief as I thought I would when I read the description. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I'm glad I stuck it out until the end.

Leftover Dead by Jimmie Ruth Evans

Leftover Dead by Jimmie Ruth Evans

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Overall, I really liked it. I like that they were investigating an unsolved crime because it feels somewhat unrealistic for a small town setting to host so many murders throughout a series. It's especially difficult to suspend my disbelief that one character would find herself connected to every murder, in such a setting. Additionally, the main characters leave town to follow up on some leads and I really liked that. I guess I just need to see some changes of scenery, even in a book series. Miranda and Mayrene were pushed to the side quite a bit in this book, which was surprising to me. They were really only mentioned in passing. The author really focused on Wanda Nell and Jack's relationship, as well as the unsolved crime, of course. I was put off by a few small plot points, but not enough to stop reading the series. In fact, I am really looking forward to reading the next installment soon. :)

Dyer Consequences by Maggie Sefton

Dyer Consequences by Maggie Sefton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A bit of a spoiler in this review! Beware if you are one of those that hates a spoiler!

I loved this series when it first started, but I did not love this installment. The plot seemed a little unusual by the end. I had a million and 4 ideas as to why the victim was killed and they were all very wrong. But, in the end, I liked my possibilities more than the what the author gave me. There was one thing in the book that really got to me. Kelly has a moment where she thinks she's figured out who is behind every thing and even thinks she might be falling into a trap, but she stubbornly ignores that thought and proceeds recklessly. I understand that she's impatient and impulsive to a degree, but it just didn't feel genuine. If one thought they might be walking in to a trap of some kind, even for a second, how could they proceed without finding a way to inform someone just to be safe? It's one thing to walk in on a killer unwittingly in a mystery novel, it's another to recognize it may be a trap but proceed without a safety net. I thought it was a little sloppy because the author showed me that Kelly wasn't blind to the possibility of walking into a killer's trap. But, no, instead she ignores her internal warnings, with the handicap of a broken ankle no less. With all of that said, however, I look forward to reading the next book in the series. But, if I'm unhappy when I finish that one, I can't say for certain I will continue with future installments. :(

Dying to Be Thin by Kathryn Lilley

Dying to Be Thin by Kathryn Lilley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have been on a cozy mystery kick for a few years now and this one caught my eye as something new to try. Overall, I enjoyed it. Often when I start a new series, I'm disappointed with the first installment. Happily, that did not happen this time. I think this was a very strong start to a series. It is a little seedier than I was expecting, but that doesn't bother me at all. :) Also, I must confess that I figured out who was behind everything rather early on and I deduced a big part of the motive as well before the reveal. I don't think it was obviously written, but it is easy enough if you don't fall for all of the red herrings and other misdirections. I will definitely read more in this series.

Drink, Play, F@#k by Andrew Gottlieb

Drink, Play, F@#k: One Man's Search for Anything Across Ireland, Las Vegas, and Thailand by Andrew Gottlieb

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I couldn't decide if this book was fiction or non-fiction in the beginning. By the end, I felt like it was actually a mix of the two. I just don't think the entire thing was made up. Anyway, the section on Ireland was my favorite. It was fast to read and most of it rang very true to me. The Las Vegas section was overall pretty good too. I experienced Vegas for the first time not that long ago and many parts of the story rang true, as well. The Thailand section is sort of where he lost me. Now, I've never been to Thailand so I didn't have any first hand knowledge to work with while reading. But, most of that section did not have the organic feel of the first 2 sections. Maybe I was just expected to suspend too much disbelief. I'm not sure, but I know I didn't love the last section of the book and it affected how I felt about the book as a whole.

Divine by Choice by P.C. Cast

Divine by Choice by P.C. Cast

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What can I say? I really like this installment in the series. I love getting to see a little bit of how Rhiannon handles the modern world especially. I enjoy Shannon, but I'm also very curious about the story from the opposite point of view. I'm just drawn to hearing both sides of it all, I guess.

I am a little sad about some of the events in the book, particularly the death of a character. It feels a little weird and possibly unnecessary. There is another death centric scene that was quite a bit disturbing and I wasn't in love with it. However, there are other parts I really enjoy. For example, I love the name of ClanFintan's mirror in Oklahoma. I find it highly entertaining for some reason. I also enjoy the plot for the most point. I look forward to reading the next installment soon. :)

Divine by Mistake by P.C. Cast

Divine by Mistake by P.C. Cast>

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am glad my cousin recommended this book to me because it is a really fun read. When I returned this one to her, I asked to borrow the rest of the series. Admittedly, I wasn't sure what to think when I read the back. But after I started, I found I was having a great time and enjoying the ride. I like the world the author created and how the main character handles it. Part of me is curious about Rhiannon's experiences with Oklahoma, but that is not addressed, at least not in this installment. (I just started book 2, so I don't know if that will change or not). I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

1984 by George Orwell

1984 by George Orwell

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Surprisingly, I was never given this book as an assignment for a class. I took it upon myself to read it because it is a book that is found on every "must read" book list. I'm glad I read it, even though it did not do a lot for me. When I read Fahrenheit 451, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and On the Road, I immediately understood why these books are considered classics and on "must read" book lists. They intrigued me and stayed with me long after I put them down. Will 1984 have that same impact? Probably not. I am glad I read it and I did enjoy the freaky parallels between Orwell's dystopian future and our present. But, for some reason, the story didn't move me the way I anticipated. It felt like a chore to read and I was secretly pleased I'd never had to read it for a class. I was even more pleased that I didn't have to write a paper on it! :)