Tag Archives: book

Widow’s Walk by Robert B. Parker

This spring I read Robert Parker’s westerns;  Appaloosa, Resolution, Brimstone and Blue Eyed Devil and very much enjoyed them but I didn’t see what else he had written until just now.
While I usually avoid murder mystery type books I was feeling brave at the library the other day and picked this up. Same sparse wording, quick reading, dry humor, manly men with brawn and guns defending dumb beautiful women, different setting- same feel.

Note this is not  a good choice for anyone looking for a great female characters!

Would I recommend it? I’m thinking he’s looking like a good overall author but I’d recommend Appaloosa before this one.

High Noon by Nora Roberts

I had previously held out on Nora Roberts. I’m not sure why, just a general distrust of following the crowd and doing what people expect of me. I have a tendency to hold off reading the popular books ’till I darn well feel like it, thank you very much. Inconsequential and silly of me,  but still true.

In any case…

The librarian gave me this one when I was searching for a book recommendation and it’s about what I expected.

Romance, mystery, suspense, hostages, exploding bodies, crazy people, shut ins, lottery winners and happy endings.

Well,  maybe I didn’t expect all of that.

Would I recommend it? Well… I wouldn’t not recommend it. Did I think it was the greatest thing since sliced bread? Not so much. Would I rather read an Evanovich book? For sure. Apparently my murder-mystery-romance book fix runs more to the humorous side.

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich

I sat down with a piece of left over Christmas chocolate (alright two pieces) and a Diet Coke (so it was really four pieces)  to read a chapter of the new Janet Evanovich book (but one was a coconut one so you can’t count that) and before I knew it I was immersed in rude monkeys, cupcake obsessions and supernatural events.

Next thing I knew the book was done and Clara was awake.

So much for a productive nap time.

Would I recommend it? Only if you like laughing.

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

Have I ever mentioned that I forgot books almost as soon as I read them? These little reviews I write, I do them immediately. Except for this one. It’s been a few days, and 3/4 of the way through my next book the details of this one are getting fuzzy already, so I’ll make it short.

Philippa Gregory is one of my new favorite authors.

Her books are excellent.

You should read them.

This one had lots of battles, traitors and people with the same name.

Would I recommend it? Yes.  Look here and here for other books I’ve read by her.

The Silent Sea by Clive Cussler

I listened to this on CD starting when we headed out to Kansas.

Then I discovered that it is very difficult to find time to listen to a book that involves a lot of shooting, fighting and killing when you have little girls in the house.

So I just finished this week.

Good one liners, and humor mixed in with a lot of descriptions of crazy weapons, attack strategies and a modern day treasure hunt – I’d call it a boy book fortunately I enjoy a good boy book every now and then!

Would I recommend it? Not good enough writing that I’d straight up recommend it. Good enough plot that I do recommend it if you are looking for a good dry humor blow stuff up book.

Million Little Mistakes by Heather McElhatton

“You win $22 Million. Now What?”

Did you know there were choose your own adventure books written for adults?

I had no idea until this was chosen for our book club this month.

The writing is not great.

The story lines are random and totally wacky.

The book was a blast to read and completely addictive.

I’d say this would be a perfect book for traveling, in just a few minutes you’ll probably be dead and be ready to try again.

I had no idea the lottery was so hazardous to your health but between, money grubbing men, pirates, drug runners, malaria, Clydesdales and the undead it’s a treacherous journey!

Would I recommend it? Yes I really would.  It’s quick, it’s fun, it’s totally crazy (rancher, stripper, voodoo priestess, violin maker, the book is under 500 pages but the options in careers seem endless!) but careful it’s hard to put down. When your remote lodge on Lake Superior doesn’t turn out you just might need to know what would have happened if you had you taken the trip to Sex Island instead!

FYI choosing good moral choices will in no way increase your chances of survival or happiness.

Polly’s Ghost by Abby Frucht

Can something be beautifully written and completely un-captivating all at the same time? If so this is it.  I don’t know why I was so uninterested.  The book looked good and the writing was the kind that wants to roll around in your mouth before it flows off your tongue, but it was a book I could put down, and did…a lot.

Would I recommend it? No. But I’d be curious to know if anyone has read her other books, or liked this one better.

Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas by Jane O’Conner and Robin Preiss Glasser

Oh, Fancy Nancy…

I can’t decide if I despise you and your obnoxious, high falutin, fancy ways…

or if I think your slightly charming and humorous.

I do know that Ivy loves you.

And I loved this page. Would I recommend it? Only every other Friday.

 

I really am still reading books myself though it’s been almost three weeks since I finished a book! That must be some sort of slow reading record for me, you’d think I was traveling all over the place the last few weeks or something!

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman

Making an apple pie is easy, unless the market is closed…

Then it’s off around the world to gather wheat from Italy, a chicken from France (“French chickens lay elegant eggs-and you want only the finest ingredients for your pie.”), kurundu bark from Sri Lanka, a cow from England, (“You’ll know she’s an English cow from her good manners and charming accent.”) seawater, on your way to Jamaica for sugar cane and then to Vermont for the apples.

After that all you have to do is:

This is a book that I suspect would appeal to slightly older kids but since my testers max out at the age of  three years and  ten months I can’t say for certain. What I can say is that Ivy does currently enjoy it, though I suspect it may be the parachuting cow and chicken more than the world travel that gets her attention.

Would I recommend it? Yes. In a world where a surprising number of kids (and adults I had no idea about the cinnamon) are a bit clueless as to how the food makes it onto the shelf at the market I think it’s a great book.

My only issue with it is that I’m certain my chickens lay just as good of eggs as any French chicken!

Watermelon by Marian Keyes

Once you get through the first two chapters of  the main characters cringe worthy views on childbirth and nursing, you can settle into a “fluffy” yet enjoyable book.  That is as long as you don’t mind the adultery, drinking, drugs, depression, a baby thrown in the mix when convenient  and lots of soap operas.

Would I recommend it? It’s all about expectations. If all you are looking for is a mindless yet enjoyable read in the romantic comedy style that may make you laugh out loud and if you can ignore any of the items mentioned above that may offend you, then yes. Otherwise you’d better skip it!