I am so glad that I read Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture". This 47-year-old professor at Carnegie Mellon University is dying of pancreatic cancer. He was invited to give a lecture last fall. Clips were shown on "Good Morning America" and Charlie Gibson named him as his person of the week. This uplifting book covers Randy's approach to life, the lessons he wants to teach his students, the things he hopes that his young children might learn and the importance of pursing your dreams. I plan to bribe my kids to read this book as I feel it is written in such a way that anyone who reads it and thinks about the wisdom it contains, can't help but change their perspective on life in general.
Rating - 5 stars
Sunday, June 22, 2008
THIS PEN FOR HIRE
Jaine Austen is a freelance writer. She writes letters for clients, prepares resumes and makes business brochures. She's never had a client ask her to do what Howard Murdoch wants - a letter to convince a beautiful aerobics instructor to go out with him. Much to Howard - and Jaine's - surprise, she agrees. When Howard goes to pick her up, she's been clubbed to death with a Thigh Master and Howard is the prime suspect. Jaine can't believe that nerdy Howard is capable of killing anything, so she decides to investigate. Posing as a writer for the New York Times, a policewoman and a lawyer, Jaine manages to solve the case, but it isn't easy!
I have been hearing that Laura Levine's Jaine Austen series is a fun lighthearted series and I agree. It certainly isn't serious literature but it is a nice diversion. Jaine was a likable character even is she is pretty ditzy and her other characters were amusing. I didn't have the murderer pegged until the end. I'll probably read another in the series, but I think I would need to break them up or they might become rather tedious and dull.
Rating - 4 stars
I have been hearing that Laura Levine's Jaine Austen series is a fun lighthearted series and I agree. It certainly isn't serious literature but it is a nice diversion. Jaine was a likable character even is she is pretty ditzy and her other characters were amusing. I didn't have the murderer pegged until the end. I'll probably read another in the series, but I think I would need to break them up or they might become rather tedious and dull.
Rating - 4 stars
FREE FALL
Jennifer Sheridan approaches Elvis Cole to find out why her fiance, a policeman, has been acting distant and strange for the past couple of months. As soon as Jennifer leaves Cole's office, Mark Thurman, her boyfriend shows up and tells Cole there is nothing to investigate. He says he is involved with another woman and he will tell Jennifer on his own. Elvis can't help but think this is his easiest case ever - solved within ten minutes. Jennifer insists there is more to the story and in the meantime, Elvis discovers that his office has been searched by pros who know what they are doing. The search for the truth involves Thurman's police unit and soon, Elvis feels that he needs to uncover the truth, not just for Jennifer but for another family and himself.
This is the first Robert Crais book that I have read and I loved it. I'm not sure why I put off reading this author but Elvis Cole is as good of a protagnist as others have said that he was. He reminds me of Coban's Myron Bolitar as far as being laid-back, wisecracking, but still with a heart and a conscience. I will definitely be reading more from Robert Crais.
Rating - 4.5 stars
This is the first Robert Crais book that I have read and I loved it. I'm not sure why I put off reading this author but Elvis Cole is as good of a protagnist as others have said that he was. He reminds me of Coban's Myron Bolitar as far as being laid-back, wisecracking, but still with a heart and a conscience. I will definitely be reading more from Robert Crais.
Rating - 4.5 stars
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
MURDER IS BINDING
Tricia has her dream job. She has come to this small town filled with bookstores to run the store that she has always dreamed of. Her bookstore, Haven't Got a Clue, features classic mysteries. All seems to be going well, until her sister shows up unexpectedly, and mostly unwelcome, with plans to move and stay. Then, Tricia find her neighbor and owner of the cookbook store next door, dead. Even more disturbing is that the local law enforcement seem quite happy to pin the whole thing on Tricia and she is afraid that her dream of running a bookstore will end if she is in jail!
I had been hearing that this new cozy series by Lorna Barrett was a winner and I wasn't disappointed. I love the description of a cozy New England town whose main street is filled with bookstores of all kinds. What could be more wonderful? Although I would classify this book as a cozy, it was a good read with quite a few twists and turns in the plot and great characters. I will definitely put the next book in the series on my TBR list!
Rating - 5 stars.
I had been hearing that this new cozy series by Lorna Barrett was a winner and I wasn't disappointed. I love the description of a cozy New England town whose main street is filled with bookstores of all kinds. What could be more wonderful? Although I would classify this book as a cozy, it was a good read with quite a few twists and turns in the plot and great characters. I will definitely put the next book in the series on my TBR list!
Rating - 5 stars.
Corpse Suzette
The owner of a posh new spa in San Carmelita has gone missing. Tammy's cousin has won a makeover sweepstakes at the spa - and she's not too thrilled about it. She's also not the most wonderful house guest that Savannah has ever had, but that's the way it goes. Savannah and Dirk are back at sleuthing and trying to figure out who is responsible for the woman's disappearance. Is she really dead or just missing? What about her slimy husband? Did he have a hand in this?
I haven't read any of the J.A. McKevett series for awhile. I got tired of Savannah's decadence and Dirk's dirty comments. I decided to try another and although it wasn't a great book, it was better than I remembered the series being. Savannah and Dirk actually seem to have something more of a relationship than their previous wisecracking one. The book was a pretty fast read and maybe I'll try the next one. No hurry, though!
Rating - 3 stars
I haven't read any of the J.A. McKevett series for awhile. I got tired of Savannah's decadence and Dirk's dirty comments. I decided to try another and although it wasn't a great book, it was better than I remembered the series being. Savannah and Dirk actually seem to have something more of a relationship than their previous wisecracking one. The book was a pretty fast read and maybe I'll try the next one. No hurry, though!
Rating - 3 stars
MISS JULIA:S SCHOOL OF BEAUTY
Well, Sam and Julia did it. They snuck off to a chapel in Dollywood and got married. At least they think they did, until a news story of a country western singing star suggests that the preacher might have been a fake. Miss Julia is totally undone. Have she and Sam been living in sin? As usual, she is appalled by what people might think. As if she didn't have enough on her mind, Hazel Marie has been asked to put on a beauty pageant for the local sheriff's department and of course, Miss Julia's help is needed. When Julia isn't trying to figure out if her marriage is for real or if Sam is really having second thoughts, she is trying to help the young ladies with good grooming and poise. Oh, and if that weren't enough, her house is being remodeled and Sam's cook and hers are in the midst of a cold war!
Once again, Miss Julia is delightful. This was an audio book and at times, I could have gladly shook Miss Julia as she continued to worry and doubt her way through the book. I want to tell her to get over herself, but of course, the best part of the story is watching Miss Julia decide how to handle her dilemma and even help one of the beauty pageant contestants find her own voice in the world.
Once again, Miss Julia is delightful. This was an audio book and at times, I could have gladly shook Miss Julia as she continued to worry and doubt her way through the book. I want to tell her to get over herself, but of course, the best part of the story is watching Miss Julia decide how to handle her dilemma and even help one of the beauty pageant contestants find her own voice in the world.
MISS JULIA THROWS A WEDDING
Binkie and Coleman announce that they have decided to go to the courthouse next weekend and get married. Miss Julia is so happy and relieved - she thinks it's about time they quit living in sin! Just a simple wedding with the justice of the peace won't do and she suggests that they let her plan a wedding for them. Needless to say, there are a few trials to overcome, like the bride and groom getting cold feet, the construction of the church center across the street with all the people coming and going, not to mention Hazel Marie's skimpy bridesmaid dress. Well, the chaos only adds to the fun, especially when Miss Julia is in charge.
As usual, Ann Ross keeps things light and fun with her prim and proper Miss Julia. Just about the time when I am sick and tired of Miss Julia being so worried about how things will look and doing the right thing according to the rules of etiquette, she figures out what is really important and does things her own distinctive way. The characters in this book were delightful and it is so easy to picture them all - by the end, they all seem like old friends. Miss Julia is truly a colorful character and I get a kick out of her!
Rating - 4 stars
As usual, Ann Ross keeps things light and fun with her prim and proper Miss Julia. Just about the time when I am sick and tired of Miss Julia being so worried about how things will look and doing the right thing according to the rules of etiquette, she figures out what is really important and does things her own distinctive way. The characters in this book were delightful and it is so easy to picture them all - by the end, they all seem like old friends. Miss Julia is truly a colorful character and I get a kick out of her!
Rating - 4 stars
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
PHANTOM PREY
Lucas Davenport is in the midst of a confusing case. A wealthy friend of his wife asks Lucas to investigate the disappearance of her daughter. The daughter has been frequenting Goth nightclubs and another Goth has been murdered. As usual, Lucas is involved in other police work. including a long-term stake-out, but he is intrigued by this case. It seems that the more Lucas investigates, the more confusing the entire case becomes.
This is John Sanford and Lucas Davenport at their best. Lucas has long been one of my favorite crime solvers and this is one of the best from John Sanford in several years. The book also took a look at multiple personality disorder and I found this interesting but spooky. It was amazing to see a person who appeared to function so well and be in such control struggling with other personalities and finally be torn apart. I hope that John Sanford keeps us entertained with many more of his books featuring Lucas Davenport.
Rating - 5 stars
This is John Sanford and Lucas Davenport at their best. Lucas has long been one of my favorite crime solvers and this is one of the best from John Sanford in several years. The book also took a look at multiple personality disorder and I found this interesting but spooky. It was amazing to see a person who appeared to function so well and be in such control struggling with other personalities and finally be torn apart. I hope that John Sanford keeps us entertained with many more of his books featuring Lucas Davenport.
Rating - 5 stars
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