Simply Love by Mary Balough
This one is SO good! It brings back a really kind of tragic character from one of her other books, Sydnam Butler who was horribly tortured and scarred in the Napoleonic Wars and whose older brother is the hero in another book and they are estranged and then they reconcile and it is great and happy. Now he gets his own book! It also brings back a character from one of the Slightly series books, Anne Jewel who used to be the governess of the cousins of one of the heros who is an "unwed mother". And now she gets her own book too! And of course it all ends up happy and wonderful. I love it when characters you get invested in and start to care about get their stories resolved and have a happy life. It is so neat and tidy!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
No. 22: Simply Magic
Simply Magic by Mary Balough
This one is just as good as the last in her series. I had to stay up late to finish it. Stupid Mary Balough making her books to awesome to stop reading! She is seriously a great author. I try and stop between chapters but there is always something exciting happening or about to happen so I have to read one more chapter to see what happens and then one more and one more and then it is 1:00 in the morning and I am exhausted but happily finished with another great book!
This one is just as good as the last in her series. I had to stay up late to finish it. Stupid Mary Balough making her books to awesome to stop reading! She is seriously a great author. I try and stop between chapters but there is always something exciting happening or about to happen so I have to read one more chapter to see what happens and then one more and one more and then it is 1:00 in the morning and I am exhausted but happily finished with another great book!
No. 21: Simply Magic
Simply Magic by Mary Balough
This is in the "Simply" series of books - set in regency era England (again!). I have read them all before but Mary Balough is one of my very favorite authors and once I read one of her books I usually end up reading them all again. Her newer stuff though - not a fan of some of her older more traditional regencies. This series is about a group of teachers at a girls school in Bath. They are all fantastic - and there is one more still to come out! Yeah! One of the greatest things about Mary Balough is that she brings in characters from her other series - the "Slightly" series and a few other books, which are all AWESOME! So you get to catch up with old characters and see that they are still fantastically happy. Love it!
This is in the "Simply" series of books - set in regency era England (again!). I have read them all before but Mary Balough is one of my very favorite authors and once I read one of her books I usually end up reading them all again. Her newer stuff though - not a fan of some of her older more traditional regencies. This series is about a group of teachers at a girls school in Bath. They are all fantastic - and there is one more still to come out! Yeah! One of the greatest things about Mary Balough is that she brings in characters from her other series - the "Slightly" series and a few other books, which are all AWESOME! So you get to catch up with old characters and see that they are still fantastically happy. Love it!
No. 20: Brief Encounters With Che Guevara
Brief Encounters With Che Guevara by Ben Fountain
I borrowed this book from a friend when I was in desperate need of something to read for the plane ride back from Juneau. It is a collection of short stories. First of all, I am not a huge fan of short stories. Secondly, I like my pleasure reading to be really entertaining and fun and kind of mindless - I get plenty of the other kind of reading at work. I didn't find this book to be particularly entertaining, certainly not fun or mindless. It was well written, and some of the stories were interesting, but it was not my thing. I think it is back to romance novels for me!
I borrowed this book from a friend when I was in desperate need of something to read for the plane ride back from Juneau. It is a collection of short stories. First of all, I am not a huge fan of short stories. Secondly, I like my pleasure reading to be really entertaining and fun and kind of mindless - I get plenty of the other kind of reading at work. I didn't find this book to be particularly entertaining, certainly not fun or mindless. It was well written, and some of the stories were interesting, but it was not my thing. I think it is back to romance novels for me!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
No. 19: The Street Lawyer
The Street Lawyer by John Grisham
This was a good book. The main character is a lawyer at a big law firm and he decides to give it all up to work at a public interest firm working with homeless clients. It kind of cracked me up because he was talking about the small salary and all the times he went to do intake and meet clients at homeless shelters - kind of like my life :) Only I haven't had any multi-million dollar law suits lately (or ever).
This was a good book. The main character is a lawyer at a big law firm and he decides to give it all up to work at a public interest firm working with homeless clients. It kind of cracked me up because he was talking about the small salary and all the times he went to do intake and meet clients at homeless shelters - kind of like my life :) Only I haven't had any multi-million dollar law suits lately (or ever).
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
No. 18: Ella Enchanted
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
We got this book when Ella was born and I read it around that time. I must have been seriously sleep deprived because I didn't remember much about the book this time around. I really really like it - much better than the movie although I liked that too! I can't wait until Ella is a little older so we can read it to her, or she can read it to herself!
We got this book when Ella was born and I read it around that time. I must have been seriously sleep deprived because I didn't remember much about the book this time around. I really really like it - much better than the movie although I liked that too! I can't wait until Ella is a little older so we can read it to her, or she can read it to herself!
No. 17: The Perils of Pursuing a Prince
The Perils of Pursuing a Prince by Julia London
This is the second in the Desperate Debutantes series. I read the other two earlier this year. I really liked it, even though I didn't really understand why the characters did what they did sometimes. They over reacted to almost everything, but it didn't irritate me as much as it usually does. It was good, although, I am getting over the Regeicies (I know I have said this like 10 times) I am going to have to find something else to read, maybe a mystery.
This is the second in the Desperate Debutantes series. I read the other two earlier this year. I really liked it, even though I didn't really understand why the characters did what they did sometimes. They over reacted to almost everything, but it didn't irritate me as much as it usually does. It was good, although, I am getting over the Regeicies (I know I have said this like 10 times) I am going to have to find something else to read, maybe a mystery.
Monday, January 21, 2008
No.16: The McKettrick Way
The McKettrick Way by Linda Lael Miller
This is the latest in the McKettrick series (I told you I love a series!) there are 4 set in the 1800s (brothers) and 4 or 5 set in modern times (their descendants). They are all pretty good, I like the older ones better though.
This is the latest in the McKettrick series (I told you I love a series!) there are 4 set in the 1800s (brothers) and 4 or 5 set in modern times (their descendants). They are all pretty good, I like the older ones better though.
No. 15: The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
I lied when I said I was done reading regencies - I found this book in my nightstand and I either had never read it before, or I totally forgot everything about it. So that was nice - like a new book! It was pretty good - I liked the heroine but the hero was a little too tortured-I-can't-love-anymore-because-of-a-tragic-past for my tastes. It was still funny though. Maybe now I am ready for a new type of book. We'll see what else I can find!
I lied when I said I was done reading regencies - I found this book in my nightstand and I either had never read it before, or I totally forgot everything about it. So that was nice - like a new book! It was pretty good - I liked the heroine but the hero was a little too tortured-I-can't-love-anymore-because-of-a-tragic-past for my tastes. It was still funny though. Maybe now I am ready for a new type of book. We'll see what else I can find!
No. 14: On the Way to the Wedding
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
The last in the Bridgerton series - the youngest son Geoffry. It was good, unusual in that the hero actually wanted to fall in love and get married, usually they don't believe in love or marriage or something. So that was a nice change. I don't know if I am going to get the remaining books in the series, I think there are at least 2 that I have not read recently. I might be a little Regency Era-ed Out, but we will see. I do love a good series!
The last in the Bridgerton series - the youngest son Geoffry. It was good, unusual in that the hero actually wanted to fall in love and get married, usually they don't believe in love or marriage or something. So that was a nice change. I don't know if I am going to get the remaining books in the series, I think there are at least 2 that I have not read recently. I might be a little Regency Era-ed Out, but we will see. I do love a good series!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Too Busy Rocking to Read
All weekend we have been playing Rock Band on the Xbox 360 and I have been so busy rocking out that I have not read all weekend. Good think I have a holiday on Monday so I can get back to reading (or sewing, or movie watching, or napping - lots of fun ways to spend a holiday!)
Friday, January 18, 2008
No. 13: The Viscount Who Loved Me
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
Another Bridgerton book - the second in the series. Another great one - very funny! The FMC is just the kind of heroine I like, she is a little outspoken and smart.
Another Bridgerton book - the second in the series. Another great one - very funny! The FMC is just the kind of heroine I like, she is a little outspoken and smart.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
No. 12: The Duke and I
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
I figured I might as well start the Bridgerton Family series at the begining - so this is the first one. It is about the oldest daughter Dauphne and, obviously, a Duke. It is so cute and funny and sad and good. I really like this series and I really like Julia Quinn!
I figured I might as well start the Bridgerton Family series at the begining - so this is the first one. It is about the oldest daughter Dauphne and, obviously, a Duke. It is so cute and funny and sad and good. I really like this series and I really like Julia Quinn!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
No. 11: It's In His Kiss
It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn
This is another in the Bridgerton Family series. It was great, just like the others. Hyacinth has been a favorite of mine through the whole series. I have a feeling I am going to be reading the rest of these books in the near future!
This is another in the Bridgerton Family series. It was great, just like the others. Hyacinth has been a favorite of mine through the whole series. I have a feeling I am going to be reading the rest of these books in the near future!
No. 10: Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
This is in the middle of the Bridgerton Family series set in regency era England. So good!!! I love all of the books in this series but this is one of my favorites because I really liked Penelope and Colin in the books that came before and I love it when characters I like have happy endings. And no that isn't a spoiler - romance novels always have happy endings! That is why they are so great.
This is in the middle of the Bridgerton Family series set in regency era England. So good!!! I love all of the books in this series but this is one of my favorites because I really liked Penelope and Colin in the books that came before and I love it when characters I like have happy endings. And no that isn't a spoiler - romance novels always have happy endings! That is why they are so great.
Monday, January 14, 2008
No. 9: The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount
The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount by Julia London
This is the third in the Desperate Debutantes series and the second one I have read. I really liked it, it was funny but still interesting and the circumstances of how the two main characters met was pretty unique. I am going to have to find the second in this series to see if I like it as much as the other two.
This is the third in the Desperate Debutantes series and the second one I have read. I really liked it, it was funny but still interesting and the circumstances of how the two main characters met was pretty unique. I am going to have to find the second in this series to see if I like it as much as the other two.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
No. 8: Plum Lucky
Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
This is a between the numbers book in the Stephanie Plum series - there are a couple other holiday ones, a Valentines Day and a Christmas one. Janet Evanovich might be my favorite author and her books always crack me up. Even though this one was really short, it was still funny. I can't wait for the Number 14 book to come out this summer!
This is a between the numbers book in the Stephanie Plum series - there are a couple other holiday ones, a Valentines Day and a Christmas one. Janet Evanovich might be my favorite author and her books always crack me up. Even though this one was really short, it was still funny. I can't wait for the Number 14 book to come out this summer!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
No. 7: Hot Ice
Hot Ice by Nora Roberts
This is an older book, and I definitely like her newer stuff better, but it had been so long since I read it last I had no idea how it ended. Except for the obvious they fall in love stuff! I do like books about stealing stuff though, so that was good.
This is an older book, and I definitely like her newer stuff better, but it had been so long since I read it last I had no idea how it ended. Except for the obvious they fall in love stuff! I do like books about stealing stuff though, so that was good.
No. 6: The Hazards of Hunting a Duke
The Hazards of Hunting a Duke by Julia London
I have read this book before but I was desperate for something to read last night after Ella finally went to bed. Of course I didn't start it until 9:00 so I had to stay up to finish it and didn't get to bed until almost midnight. In retrospect, seems kind of silly to stay up all night (midnight is all night to me) to read a book I have already read. It is pretty good, there are two more in this series - The Desperate Debutantes - but I have not read them yet. I might have to make a trip to Barnes today.
I have read this book before but I was desperate for something to read last night after Ella finally went to bed. Of course I didn't start it until 9:00 so I had to stay up to finish it and didn't get to bed until almost midnight. In retrospect, seems kind of silly to stay up all night (midnight is all night to me) to read a book I have already read. It is pretty good, there are two more in this series - The Desperate Debutantes - but I have not read them yet. I might have to make a trip to Barnes today.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
No. 5: All Through the Night
All Through the Night by Suzanne Brockmann
This is in her Troubleshooters/Navy SEALs series. Jules Cassidy and Robin are the main characters and it is about their wedding but Sam and Alyssa are in it as are other old characters. It was good, very funny but still with some action.
This is in her Troubleshooters/Navy SEALs series. Jules Cassidy and Robin are the main characters and it is about their wedding but Sam and Alyssa are in it as are other old characters. It was good, very funny but still with some action.
No. 4: Magic Hour
Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah
This is a book I got for Christmas - I had never read anything by this author before but I loved the book. I cried so hard at the ending Aaron was worried that something was wrong :) It is a really interesting story about a little girl who had been living alone in the woods and what happened when she came into town. The main female character is a child psychiatrist who helps the little girl. AND, the little girl was living with a wolf puppy. Very interesting if you ask me!
This is a book I got for Christmas - I had never read anything by this author before but I loved the book. I cried so hard at the ending Aaron was worried that something was wrong :) It is a really interesting story about a little girl who had been living alone in the woods and what happened when she came into town. The main female character is a child psychiatrist who helps the little girl. AND, the little girl was living with a wolf puppy. Very interesting if you ask me!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
No. 3: Shadow Music
Shadow Music by Julie Garwood
I think Julie Garwood has finally heard my prayers and has one back to her historical/scottish romance roots! She got caught up in the contemporary/serial killer thing for awhile, and they were good books, don't get me wrong, but her old stuff was much better. Shadow Music was good, maybe not quite as good as some of the older ones, but good. She brought back some old characters - Broderick and Gillian Buchanan - and that was a nice touch!
I think Julie Garwood has finally heard my prayers and has one back to her historical/scottish romance roots! She got caught up in the contemporary/serial killer thing for awhile, and they were good books, don't get me wrong, but her old stuff was much better. Shadow Music was good, maybe not quite as good as some of the older ones, but good. She brought back some old characters - Broderick and Gillian Buchanan - and that was a nice touch!
No. 2: Forbidden
Forbidden by Suzanne Brockman
This is a reissue of an older Suzanne Brockmann book. I thought it was great. Although that isn't surprising because I like almost everything she writes! A good addition to my Brockmann collection!
This is a reissue of an older Suzanne Brockmann book. I thought it was great. Although that isn't surprising because I like almost everything she writes! A good addition to my Brockmann collection!
No. 1: The Devil's Web
The Devil's Web by Mary Balough
The third book in the "Web" series - I have read the other two, Web of Love and The Gilded Web. All are set in regency England. I really liked this book, it was a little more sad and depressing than the previous two books, but it fit the characters. I have read almost all of Mary Balough's books - this one fell somewhere in the middle for me.
The third book in the "Web" series - I have read the other two, Web of Love and The Gilded Web. All are set in regency England. I really liked this book, it was a little more sad and depressing than the previous two books, but it fit the characters. I have read almost all of Mary Balough's books - this one fell somewhere in the middle for me.
A Year of Books!!!
One of my New Year's resolutions is to write down every book I read for a whole year. I have no idea how many books I really read, but I have a feeling it is a lot! So, here we are 6 days into 2008 and I have a few books to list. I want to try and use the same format for each book with the Title, Author and a quick review with a new post for each book to make it easier for me to look back through at the end of the year. We'll see how that works out!
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