Monday, December 13, 2010

Book Bonanza!

Apparently I haven't learned my lesson about doing these book posts in a timely manner. So, to make this more organized, I'm going to try grouping the books a bit.

Non-Fiction Titles:

Style on a Shoestring by Andy Paige: I don't know if I really learned any money-saving tips from this book, but it includes good information about choosing clothes that fit well and flatter. Also check out the Cents of Style website.
.
Gunn's Golden Rules by Tim Gunn: I love Tim, but the book seemed a little unfocused. Still, it's not long, and he's delightful, so worth checking out of the library.


No Place Like Home: a Memoir in 39 Apartments by Brooke Berman: I grabbed this book because of its cover, but once I read more about it, I didn't expect to like it. Surprise--I liked it quite a bit. There are, perhaps, a few too many references to playwright prizes she's won (ahem), but I like her.
.
Series Mysteries: Tea mysteries, coffee mysteries, herb mysteries. None were standouts, but they are easy, comfy reads when I'm just not sure what I want or can't get into anything else.


Vintage Mysteries: Okay, that's not really a genre, but I'm using it anyway.
.
Pass the Gravy by A. A. Fair: First published in 1960, and boy does it show! Fun to read, just as a period piece.

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman: First published in 1966. This is the first book in the still-popular Mrs. Pollifax series. If you're unfamiliar with Mrs. P, she's a grandmother who is kind of at loose ends, so she goes to the CIA and asks for a job. Due to a mix up, they send her on assignment. Funny book.

Juvenile Titles: Unfortunately, I thought they were both boring and didn't finish either one.

Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now by Lauren Child: I still love Lauren Child's illustrations and Lola is my fashion icon, but this lacked a spark.

A Tugging String: A Novel About Growing Up During the Civil Rights Era by David Greenberg: Just bo-ring. Ugh. Stay away!
.
Everything Else:

Life Sentences by Laura Lipmann: Something was just off about this book. As I was reading it, I kept thinking, "Why am I finishing this?" but I plowed through. Do I get a gold star?
.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne: I read this because it's on one of our school reading lists, and I try to familiarize myself with a few of the titles every year. Like many others, I had a hard time with the naivete of the narrator. I guess it has its place in Holocaust literature, but I expected something stronger.

Mystic River by Dennis Lehane: Once I started reading, I realized I'd read this before. It's a good book (and it was the only unread book I had with me on the trip), so I read it again!
.
Page from a Tennessee Journal by Francine Thomas Howard: Okay, so it's another book about a struggling farm family and race relations, but it's a good one! I really wish this had a better cover, because I think people are skipping over it at the library. Try it!

1022 Evergreen Place by Debbie Macomber: I know, I know, I should be ashamed of myself, but I am completely addicted to the Cedar Cove series.


Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok: I read this a long time ago and could have sworn I'd blogged it, but now I can't find it, so forgive me if I'm repeating myself. While I liked the book, I really wish there had been more to it. I wanted more details, more description. Still worthwhile.

The Rebellion of Jane Clark by Sally Gunning: I didn't do too well with this one. I found it kind of confusing and ponderous, especially at the beginning. If you are into historical fiction, you will probably enjoy it more than I did.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great post! I've just reserved several at the library.

Darling Petunia said...

Cool! I hope you enjoy them! I just had a bit of a reading lull--couldn't get into anything--so I took the chance to get caught up with the book blogging!

Sherry from Alabama said...

Thank you for your book reviews. I always read them and then check with my local library to see if they have any of the books you recommend.

I have just finished reading "Unlocked" by Karen Kingsbury. Have you read it? It is the best book I've read in years, very inspiring! Hope you stay warm and keep reading and blogging!

Sherry @ A Happy Valentine

Darling Petunia said...

Sherry, I haven't read it, but I'll look into it. A bunch of books I've been waiting for came in at the library at the same time, so I need to get at those so they can go to the next person with a hold!

Anonymous said...

Speaking of kids' books, are you familiar with the Warriors series by Erin Hunter and The Guardians of Ga'Hoole by Kathryn Lasky? The first is about cats and the second about owls. Both recommended by grandchildren whose recommendations I take seriously after they introduced me to Percy Jackson last summer. I would say that the cats and owls are excellent examples in developing moral courage and values, especially when compared to many of the inane books, movies, and television shows for young people.

Linda