Why am I starting a book blog?




I am an avid reader. I've loved to read since I was a little girl and try to pass that love of reading to others. When I finish a book and love it, I tell everyone I know about it. Then I thought why not have a blog of all the books I read and rate them as I go. Then I can give my blog address out to everyone I know. I hope you come along for the ride. I'm sure we won't always agree on what we like but I hope maybe I can save some people time on what to read. Feel free to write comments after I blog, I would love to hear what you thought of the book. Happy reading!!!



Sunday, October 23, 2011

Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe

I don't read very many biographies but I saw Rob Lowe on Ellen and was curious to read it. He does a great job writing about his experiences while trying to become an actor. I found myself laughing out loud at quite a few things, he writes in a very witty way. It was funny to hear about how he met certain actors while auditioning before they were anyone (Sarah Jessica Parker, Tom Cruise, Darrel Hannah, etc). I thought he did a wonderful job keeping the reader interested. I read the book in two and a half days, couldn't put it down and was so bummed when it was over. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Rating: A+

Saturday, October 8, 2011

The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg

This story takes place in Sweden about Erica Falck, who comes home to deal with her parents death. During this time her childhood friend Alex is found dead and what looks like a suicide. Erica begins looking into it with detective Patrick Hedstrom. As they investigate more and more comes to light about Alex and points to the fact that there's a secret that's trying to be covered up. The book was ok, I think I had higher expectations for it so was kind of disappointed. I will say there was a few twists at the end.

Rating: C

Friday, September 23, 2011

Thorns of Truth by Eileen Goudge

Sequel to first book called Garden of Lies. Two girls Rachel and Rose were switched at birth. All the secrets come out in the this book. I've enjoyed other books by her a lot more than this one.

Rating: C

Monday, September 5, 2011

You've Been Warned by James Patterson

Kristen Burns lives in New York as a nanny for a rich family and on the side takes photographs of everyday life. She has a recurring dream and through the pictures she's taking she begins to unravel a mystery. She's having an affair with a married man who she happens to be the father of the kids she takes care of. As you continue to read the book you wonder if she's just crazy or is there even a point to the whole story. I guessed what the ending was going to be. Not one of his better books. It kept me interested but kind of disappointing and a little too predictable.

Rating: C-

The Tree that Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

This is our book club pick for this month by one of my friends. It takes place in the early 1900's and starts out about a girl named Francine at the age of eleven. It goes on to tell the story of her life as she grows into a young woman and having to deal with the struggles of poverty, her relationship with her family and life in Brooklyn. It was a pretty easy read, nothing overly exciting but at the same time you want to see Francine succeed and wonder how she's going to acheive this.

Rating: B-

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

The book starts out with Christine waking up and not knowing who she is. Her husband Ben says they're married and she suffered an accident that causes her amnesia. This is what happens everyday, anything she remembers she'll lose once she goes to sleep. She gets a call from her doctor telling her that she has a journal that she's been writing in. The first line in it says Don't trust Ben. Through the book you're trying to figure out what really happened and who you can trust. Definitely a page turning, read it in about 4 days. I didn't expect the ending, pretty good twist.

Rating: A-

Friday, August 12, 2011

Mistress of the game by Sidney Sheldon/Tilly Bagshawe

This a sequel to a book called Master of the Game written by Sidney Sheldon years ago. I didn't know that before I read this book but it's not necessary to read in order. It's about the Blackwell family, who are rich and own a huge company. The family is fighting over who should run the company and there lies the main plot of the book. Full of betrayal, love, and suspense this book will take you on a wild ride to the end. A little disappointed by the ending but overall very entertaining.

Rating: B+

Sunday, July 31, 2011

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum is a little short on cash since losing her job and ends up getting a job at her cousin Vinnie's bail bonding company. It just happens that person she's trying to get is Joe Morelli, local cop who's accused of murder. She has to catch him in a week to make 10 grand but of course it's not as easy as it sounds. She has to learn a few things quick and try avoiding getting killed in the mean time. This is the first in a series and I've heard a lot of people talk about these books over the years. I have to say I enjoyed it, I liked the character and found myself laughing out loud at some of the things she'd say or do. I liked her chemistry with Joe Morelli and look forward to seeing how that relationship may develop in the future. I'm definitely going to continue with the series.

Rating: B+

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright

A story about Laurel and Jack who have been married for 39 years and die in each others arms. Their three children Samantha, Matthew and Malcolm are trying to deal with their loss when they come across letters that Jack wrote every Wednesday to Laurel since they've been married. But while reading them, they come across a secret that may change things forever. This book was ok. I was hoping for more letters than were a little more romantic and at times the story could be a little slow. There was a little surprise at the end. I'm just glad it was a library book.

Rating: C

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Firefly Lane by Kristin Lane

A story about two girls, Kate and Tulley who become best friends in the 8th grade and stay friends for three decades. Kate decides to marry and become a mother while Tulley focuses on her career and becomes a news reporter. They go through a lot together until one betrayal tears them apart and may ruin the friendship. I enjoyed the book, at times a little frustrated with Tulley. She was selfish at times and didn't always support Kate the way she deserved. I liked watching their friendship through the years and the way they described the events and styles in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Warning: has a sad ending so you may want some kleenex near by.

Rating: B+

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Amethyst Heart by Penelope J Stokes

One of my customers recommended this book to me and let me borrow her copy. It's starts out with 93 year old Amethyst finding out her only son Conrad what's her to move out of her house called Noble House. She then goes on to tell her rebellious 17 year old great granddaughter Little Am the story of the house dating back to 1853. She's hoping to pass on the family legacy to someone... is it too late for Little Am? At times the story could be a little predictable but overall a good read. I liked how she included actual events through the book. The main character Amethyst was smart, opinionated and very likable. Overall a good read, kept my attention and curious to see how it was all going to come together.

Rating : B

Monday, July 11, 2011

Dreams of Joy by Lisa See

This book is a sequel to Shanghai Girls. It's starts right where it left off... it's 1957 and Joy took off to China to find her real father. Her mother Pearl follows her over to China and tries to find her. As always she does an AMAZING job mixing fiction with historic information. I learned a lot about communism during this time. I liked how she bounced back and forth from both characters and to hear their point of views. I tried not to read it too fast because I didn't want it to end. Definitely read Shanghai Girls first and then pick up this one to continue the adventure of Pearl, Joy and her sister.

Rating: A

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Wild Kat by Karen Kijewski

Book 5 in the series

Rating: C+

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Katie moved to North Carolina to run from her past. She slowly begins to make friends. She spends some time with her neighbor Jo and is drawn to Alex and his two kids. As her and Alex begin to fall in love her secret may come to surface and put everyone in danger. It was a pretty good book, a little surprise at the end. Typical Nicholas Sparks book, easy read.

Rating: B

Sunday, June 12, 2011

A Cup of Friendship by Deborah Rodriguez

Sunny is an American who owns and runs a coffee shop in Afghanistan. It's a story about the people who come in it... Isabel, a British journalist, Jack, an American working in Kabul on business, Candace, another American wanting to make a difference, Halajan who's born and raised there but hiding a romance and her son Ahmet, who can't decide what he should believe in. Then Sunny helps a young Afghan girl named Yazmina but unknown to all she may bring danger to all because of a secret she's keeping. I'm always amazed how different things are in Afghanistan and how terrible the woman are treated there. While I was reading this I thought it reminded me a little of Maeve Binchy's style because of the way the author twisted everyone's story together. Great book, good characters and didn't want to put it down.

Rating: A

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Caught by Harlan Coben

Wendy is a reporter who is trying to bring down sexually predators. Haley is a teenager who goes missing. Dan Mercer is a social worker accused of many things. Somehow all of these things are connected. As usual Harlan Coben did it again... another AWESOME book. How he manages to write such good, suspenseful books full of twists always pleases me. I didn't want to put it down but didn't want to read it too fast because I didn't want it to end. Definitely CHECK IT OUT!

Rating : A+

Monday, June 6, 2011

The Usual Rules by Joyce Maynard

It's about a thirteen year girl Wendy who lives in Brooklyn with her mom, stepdad and little brother. Everything changes when September 11 happens and her mother doesn't come home from work. The book is about how she deals with her loss by moving to California with her real father who she doesn't really know. While living there she makes new friends and slowly deals with her grief. It was pretty good, kept my attention but wasn't necessarily something I'd recommend.

Rating: C+

Monday, May 30, 2011

8th Confession by James Patterson

This is book 8 in the Womans Detective Club series. Two different cases are going on... one is a homeless man is killed and leads to an investigate thanks to reporter Cindy. The other is rich people seem to be dying but can't find the cause. Typical James Patterson book... fast paced and definitely a page turner. I love this series and can't wait for the next one.

Rating: A

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

This is a story that starts with a nun being pregnant by twins. When she dies at child birth and the father disappears, people at the hospital where the worked raise the two boys. It's a story of the two boys as the grow. Both growing up at to be doctors, one staying in Africa where the story takes place and the other moving to America. The story is about love, betrayal and brotherhood. Enjoyed the book once it got past the birth of the boys... that part was a little drawn out and could have been shorten. Very curious to see how it was going to all come together. A little disappointed with the ending but other than that would definitely recommend.

Rating: B+

Saturday, April 23, 2011

T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton

This book is part of the Kinsey Millhone series. Kinsey's older neighbor Gus takes a fall and needs some help until he gets better. Gus' niece comes out for a visit and finally hires a nurse named Solana to take care of him. She of course asks Kinsey to check her out. Kinsey does a little background check on Solana and everything checks out a-ok. But unknown to all, Solana isn't really who she says she is. As usual Sue Grafton spins a great story. A book you can't put down and always wonder as you're reading how Kinsey is going to get out of this mess. I love this series and can't wait to read the next one.

Rating: A

Saturday, April 16, 2011

The Geometry of Sisters by Luanne Rice

The book begins a year after Maura Shaw loses her husband in a storm on a boat and her oldest daughter Carrie runs away. She moves her two other children to Rhode Island where she begins teaching at Newport Academy. Her daughter Beck is lost without her sister and is obsessed with mathematics. Her son Travis is dealing with a long distant relationship but finds himself drawn to another girl at school. Under all this is a secret kept for years and when exposed could change the family forever. It was pretty good, I hadn't read Luanne Rice for a while so it was enjoyable. A good beach read.

Rating: B-

Friday, April 1, 2011

Sugar Skull by Denise Hamilton

This is the first book I've read by this author. It's about a journalist named Eve Diamond who's starts researching a death of a teenager girl and discover other teenagers who hang out in a not so good area. While looking into this she comes across a wealth family and politician who may be involved. Next thing Eve knows the wife is found dead in her pool. Then she asked to research a local Mexican arena where things start getting personal with one of the people she's interviewing. Of course all of these things are linked. I enjoyed the book for the most part, wondered how it was going to all tie together. Would read another book by this author to continue this series. Rating: B

Friday, March 11, 2011

Past Secrets by Cathy Kelly

Summer Street is part of a sweet little Ireland community. Behind each door are people with their own lives... and secrets. Faye has been keeping a secret from her teenage daughter Amber but Amber has her own secret from her mother and has begun to pull away. Maggie comes back to her hometown after dealing with a terrible surprise from her boyfriend and stays to help her mother with an illness while discovering a lot about herself. Christie is a happily married art teacher who is always able to help others but struggles to deal with her own secret. I enjoyed the characters and liked how the author connected everyone's story. This author has a similiar style to Maeve Binchy... made want to walk down Summer Street and meet these likable and fun characters.

Rating: B

Friday, February 25, 2011

Edge of Evil by J.A. Jance

This is a first in a series. The books starts with TV journalist Alison Reynolds losing her job because she's not young enough anymore and then finding out her husband is cheating on her. She heads down to Sedona, AZ to see her parents and finds out her good friend has died by what looks like suicide. She starts her own blog about what it's like to be cut loose and hanging out at her parents restaurant the Sugarloaf Cafe. She starts getting some threatening messages on her blog and realize she may be in danger. For me I felt like the book was too slow. I was waiting for the book to get more interesting. I thought it was going to focus more on what really happened to her friend, not just Alison thinking she didn't believe it was suicide. The threatening messages she received has nothing to do with the death of her friend. The ending just fell flat for me. Very disappointed and not planning on continuing the series.

Rating: D

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Fade to Black by Wendi Corsi Staub

If you like Mary Higgins Clark, you'll enjoy this author too. Mallory Eden was once a famous movie star until she faked her own death to hide from a stalker. She's changed her name to Elizabeth Baxter and lives in a small town in Rhode Island. She keeps to herself and lives a very lonely life. Five years later she receives a letter in the mail that says I know who you are and this starts a whole new nightmare for her. As you read the book it bounces between different people in her life and of course any of them could be the stalker. Leaves you wondering until the end. A easy read, didn't find the romance between her and one of the other characters very believable but for the most part enjoyable.

Rating: B

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

This is about Lucy and Daniel... a love story through out centuries, only Daniel is the only one who has the special gift... the "memory" from each life. In each life that he encounters her, he only gets to spend a short amount of time with her... sometimes she falls in love with him and other times she doesn't remember the past lives. Now they are the same age at the same time and he hopes to be able to spend this lifetime with her. I thought this book sounded interested, kind of made me think of Time Travelers Wife (which I loved!) but nothing like that after finishing the book. I was very disappointed with the story. It sounded so much more interesting then what it was. Near the end I was just trying to speed read it so I could finish and know what happens. The ending of the book didn't really tie up all the loose ends. I read another book by this author called The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants which I enjoyed.. this book isn't even close. I'd say PASS on this one.

Rating: D

Friday, February 4, 2011

Chill of the Night by John Lutz

There's a serial killer on the loose in New York City. They call him the Justice Killer because all of the victims have one thing in common... they served as jurors. He leaves a red "J" after each killing. He doesn't leave any evidence behind and detective Artemis Beam is leading the case, trying to figure out how they're going to catch this killer. It kept my attention but not necessary one of my favorites. I thought the book could have been shortened at one point (it's 478 pages long) because at times a little repetative. Luckily there was a surprise at the end but not jaw dropping.

Rating: C

Saturday, January 22, 2011

The Blessings of the Animals by Katrina Kittle

This is about Cami who's husband announces to her that he's leaving her. As she deals with her divorce, she watches couples all around her and wonders how they make it work... her best friend who just got engaged, her parents about to celebrate their 50 year anniversary and even her daughter dealing with her relationship. Throughout this Cami who's a vet has animals who help her heal including one special horse. I thought it had a great cast of characters that were very relatable and real. Enjoyed the book very much.

Rating: B

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Molokai by Alan Brennert

This was our book club pick for next month. It takes place in 1890's and is about a leper colony. Rachel is only 7 years old when she finds out she has leporsy and is sent to live on Molokai, leaving her family and life behind. On the island she makes new friends and deals with her disease. I don't think I would have necessarily pick up this book if it hadn't been a selection for our book club. I liked the characters and getting to know the town. I felt terrible for Rachel having to leave at such a young age but glad that she had her uncle on the island and made a whole new family. At times the book could be sad but interesting to learn something I didn't really know much about.

Rating: B-

Friday, January 7, 2011

Copy Kat by Karen Kijewski

This is book 4 in a series. Kat is sent to Grass Valley to go undercover as a bartender and tries to figure out who murdered Deidre. Is it her grief stricken husband, her sister who she didn't get along with or her brother in law who also happened to be her ex-lover or was it what it looked like a random robbery/murder. In the meantime she's trying to get over her own nightmares from her last case. As always the book is full of some likable characters and some not so likable and keeps you curious to the end. Also a twist in the end. I love this series and can't wait to get book 5.

Rating: A

Sunday, January 2, 2011

The Wild Zone by Joy Fielding

The book starts at a bar called the Wild Zone where three guys Jeff, Will and Tom make a bet that will change their lives. A beautiful woman sits alone at a corner table. That bet is if one of them can sleep with her. They of course don't know the secrets this woman has and the plan she has in mind. I never know if I'm going to like her books... sometimes I love them and other times very disappointed. I was somewhere in the middle this time. I was definitely intrigued and read the book in four days. I found one of the relationships that developed a little too quickly kind of unbelievable. I'm not sure if I necessarily liked how part of the book ended. There was a twist that I figured out right before it was disclosed in the book. It definitely keep my interest.

Rating: B-