Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Rating: A

The Tall Pine Polka by Lorna Landvik

Rating: C-

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+

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

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

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-

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-

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+

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+

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

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+

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

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

Wild Kat by Karen Kijewski

Book 5 in the series

Rating: C+

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

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

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+

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+

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