Garnethill

Garnethill by Denise Mina.

Review:

Maureen wakes up one morning after a night of drinking to find her ex-boyfriend murdered in her apartment. Maureen is a suspect in the case and finds it hard to shake that role when her past involves a psychiatric hospital stay. Many think she's crazy and has poor memory. Maureen knows different and takes matters into her own hands as she sets off on a hunt for the killer.

Go With Me

Go With Me by Castle Freeman Jr.

Review:

This is a relatively short book but it is an adventurous story. Lillian lives in Vermont and the book opens with her in fear for her life scared by a stalker. She goes to the police but they can't help her until the stalker makes his move. Lillian goes to some older and wiser men of the town for help. Two sign up to help her go after the stalker, these men know the stalker won't back down and they will have to follow through if they want the stalking to stop. This book is funny and also suspenseful.

The Sister

The Sister by Poppy Adams.

Review:

Ginny is a woman living alone in her family mansion that she inherited when her mother died and her father moved out. Her sister Vivien couldn't wait to leave home. Ginny became a lepidopterist (a person who studies moths) just like her father, Clive. Her mother, Maud, spent her last years as a secret alcoholic. Ginny's quiet world is about to come undone when Vivien comes home to keep her company. This visit forces Ginny to remember her family's dramatic past and discover a few secrets herself. Something about Ginny is peculiar from the start. As the novel continues Ginny's mind unwinds and we see her true nature.

A Wolf At The Table

A Wolf At The Table by Augusten Burroughs.

Review:

This is the memoir of Burroughs' father. Augusten is constantly seeking his father's attention from childhood to adulthood. His father acts nice one minute, and furious the next. Throughout the book I couldn't help thinking "Okay, your dad is awful, so forget him and grow up to be different". It drags on and on and Augusten just keeps badgering his father even though he knows how awful he can be. It was an interesting view of his family life but I was waiting for things to turn around for Augusten. It's unclear really how bad off the father was. It was unclear if Burroughs was embellishing on facts because of how young he was during the experiences. I know that sounds awful but if you read this, you'll kind of see where I'm coming from. One thing I know for sure about this family: they shouldn't have ever been allowed to own 3 dogs. Burroughs has written more, but I won't be reading.

The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

Review:

Susie Salmon details her death within the first chapter. She was 14 years old when she was lured by a neighbor into an underground trench, raped, and killed. The way Susie describes her death is very interesting, she states it just as facts, without much questioning. She never wonders "why me?" she just knows it happened. She knows her killer, she keeps an eye on him, her friends, and her family from her heaven. The story details the lives of everyone around her and how they were affected by her sudden death. As the years go on, she is thought of less and less but is still ever present. The tone is eerie and I was spooked by it at times, but I have to say it's a new point of view to read from and it really is great.

Tuscan Holiday

Tuscan Holiday, by Holly Chamberlin.

Review:

Elizabeth's Daughter, Marina, graduated from college. She's 21 and engaged to be married to Jothem who is a very controlling man. They've been dating since Marina was 15 years old. Elizabeth and Marina do not have much in common, hence the trip to Italy; meant to be a bonding experience. Marina is very serious and the trip does lighten her up a bit. Elizabeth hopes the trip will allow Marina to let go of home a little and discover herself. Marina meets a man in Italy and falls head over heels instantly. It was a little cliche (love at first sight/fate). Marina ends up learning a lot about herself on the trip; discovering that she tends to be a pushover when it comes to men. Elizabeth faces her own self and demons from her past. She discovers she too has not been living her life to the fullest. Overall a good book and good message.

The Truth About Forever

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen.

Review:

Macy recently lost her father and her mother has taught her to grieve in silence. The two go about their lives as though it was always just the two of them; which is fine for both of them. Macy is hard working, a good student, and never breaks the rules. Her boyfriend, Jason, is a brainiac and is much the same way---perfect. Until Jason goes away to "brain" camp. Macy takes his job at the town library while he's gone and works with two girls who could care less about her (and more about her boyfriend). When Macy stumbles upon Wish Catering Company, she finds her soulmates; the people who wake her up to the life she's been missing. As her ties to Jason dwindle she relies more on her friendship with Wes, a caterer and artist. Macy & her mother face change and learn to talk about the past, and look toward their future.

Mystic River

Mystic River by Dennis Lehane.

Review:

After reading "Shutter Island" I decided to pick up "Mystic River". This was another great thriller. I found it to be a bit too long. I think a lot of things were drawn out. However I liked the cast of characters and the suprise ending. Very good!

Shutter Island

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane.

Review:

I recently saw a preview for the movie "Shutter Island" and I wanted to read the book first. The book was so good! It's about a Federal Marshal named Teddy who is sent to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a patient at a mental institution. That in itself tells you not to trust any of the characters. I don't want to disclose too much information because it is such a great book to read. It's full of mystery and some of the dialogue is funny. I greatly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by Dennis Lehane. I don't know why it's taken me this long to pick up one of his books (with all the success of the screen plays) but now I can't wait to read "Mystic River" and "Gone Baby Gone".

The Doctor's Wife

The Doctor's Wife by Elizabeth Brundage.

Review:

I highly recommend this book. It's about Dr. Knowles who begins to work at a controversial abortion clinic on his days off from his usual role as an OB/GYN. The clinic is harassed by a local religious (cult-like) group. Dr. Knowles has no time for his wife and children. Mrs. Knowles, The Doctor's Wife, drifts towards Simon Haas,a collegue at the college she works at. She begins an affair that Lydia Haas (Simon's wife) quickly catches on to. Lydia Haas has her own story to tell and as you find out, she is pleased to be contributing to her new found religious group that strongly chooses life (and tries to end the lives of those who don't). These characters intertwine in this amazing thriller. Lydia is crazed from the beginning and completely unravels throughout the novel. Brundage does a great job tying these characters together. So good!

I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell

I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell by Tucker Max.

Review:

Tucker Max openly admits that he's an idiot. He tells humiliating stories about girls and even himself that lead you to believe most of the stories could be made up. He deems himself a player but just has disgusting taste in ridiculously easy women. Max declares his awesomeness on every page and girls eat it right up. The dialogue was truly funny; it was made up after the events I'm sure, but funny nonetheless. He's hillarious and seems happy with his life even though he admits he hates himself. So if he's happy being stupid, good for him! Hey, it's the truth...and even Tucker Max says he always tells the truth.

Project 17

Project 17 by Laurie Stolarz.

Review:

This was a really good young adult book. I became interested in Danvers State Hospital after seeing it for the first time. The architecture and history of the building was haunting. I wanted to learn more about the building before it was shut down. I got a good view of it through this book. I wrote to Ms. Stolarz and she kindly replied explaining that she got a tour of the giant building before it was torn down. This was just a fun book that gave a little information on the history of the building and detailed the movie project a group of friends tries to create around it.

Evermore

Evermore by Alyson Noel.

Review:

This book reminded me a whole lot of "Twilight". It pretty much has the same plot and seems to be a copycat trying to fit with the "in" crowd. I lost interest pretty quickly because I knew I had already heard the story before. After reading this, I realized this genre just isn't for me...With the exception of "Twilight" of course!

Me & Emma

Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock.

Review:

I loved this book. When I first picked it up I kept starting and stopping. I couldn't get into the southern language and kept stumbling over it. I quickly got past that as the plot thickened with Caroline, Emma, their mother, and the abusive stepfather. There is such a dramatic twist to the plot that I just can't detail it any further. I took a wild guess as to what the ending would be when I had 100 pages left...read it and let me know if you had a clue too! If not, you're in for a surprise no matter what. I can't say any more, I don't want to ruin it.

The Mercy of Thin Air

The Mercy of Thin Air by Ronlyn Domingue.

Review:

Raziela Nolan is in between worlds. She died tragically and made the choice to roam her old world following Andrew, the love of her life. Raziela haunts the home of a couple and witnesses the ups and downs of their relationship. She slips between the couple's life and her own past. This is a haunting story that is well written. For me, it was not a page turner, but still captured my interest and left me wondering how this book would end. It was a point of view I've never read from before and I liked it.

Twilight

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.

Review:

I'm not in love with Edward Cullen but I thought he was a great character. Have a little fun with your reading. Don't over analyze. This book shows how captivated Isabella and Edward are by each other's worlds. Bella is in love, and yes she is consumed by it. Yeah maybe she shouldn't be so attached to a man, but she's young and she's learning. I think we can all relate to that. Edward is often confident (that's what makes him captivating) and thinks he knows what's best but he always tells Bella the consequences of their relationship; that he won't let her change her world for him the way she wants to.

I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the second. If you want a fun read, this is it. If you want to critique the heck out of it to declare yourself a literary marvel then you might want to read it too. For heaven's sakes just relax and enjoy.

Nineteen Minutes

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult.

Review:

This is the fourth book I have read by Jodi Picoult and I love how she details this story from so many different views. I always wondered what would make anyone want such revenge against other human beings. I still found it hard to sympathize with Peter but I was able to see how much he was tormented and how it put him over the edge. This book makes you open your eyes and think about your words. We never really know how our words affect other people. The relationship between Josie and Matt was particularly interesting. This is a difficult topic to read about but Picoult handled it so well and gave a glimpse into the mind of someone it can be difficult to relate to.

The Tenth Circle

The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult.

Review:

This was not my favorite book by Picoult. It's a sensitive subject and the way the main character twisted her story around so many times got on my nerves. I was also shocked by the activities of the teenagers in the novel. It seemed to come across that all kids acted that way and I know that's not true. I guess I wish Trixie used her own brain but being fourteen I can understand that she was at a confusing age. I liked the setting of Alaska; the details were interesting. I found this to be another quick read, but Salem Falls is still my favorite novel. :)

Plain Truth

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

Review:

This is my second book by Jodi Picoult and I thought it was good. I read Salem Falls and that one was filled with so many twists and I loved it. This book did not have as many twists. It seemed to go in circles for a while but quickly picked up. The ending was great, and I had a feeling about it all along. I will definitely read more books by Jodi Picoult she does a great job describing the setting of her novels. I recommend this book; it gave a great picture of the Amish community.

Salem Falls

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult.

Review:

This is my first Jodi Picoult book. It involves a teacher with a past he's trying to forget and a group of girls who won't let him live it down. Witchcraft is woven through the story and really brings it to life. I loved it and I am going to read more! I was in suspense until the end. Fabulous ending too! Makes you go back and think about what you read. :) Trust me, buy it!

The Edge of Winter

The Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice.

Review:

I have to say I think the good reviews override the cynical reviews here, thank goodness. I too don't understand some of the reviewers of this book because I thought it was lovely. It's about a girl whose friends are changing while her views stay the same. She meets a young man who has similar views as she does. The same happens for her mother and both characters find how important it is to open up to new (and familiar) people. In fact, many of the characters in this book learn that lesson. This world is filled with people who are in a constant rush. This book showed me that there are still people who care about preserving things, and enjoying nature. If you're ready to sit down and take time to read a wonderfully written book, pick this one up.

I am now a fan of Luanne Rice.

The Choice

The Choice by, Nicholas Sparks.

Review:

I didn't want to, but I had to put this book down because my heart was breaking!! The romance between these two characters is so real and so strong. At one point I had to stop reading because I was getting too involved...I picked it back up the next morning and was so glad I did. This is such a romantic book and I really recommend it. Travis is an amazing character and I think a part of me fell in love :) This book will make you think about your own relationships.