What's next?

A new web site has caught my eye and now that I have given it a test drive or two I feel I am ready to hand it over.

It's called, What Should I Read Next? You are asked to type in the title, or author of a book you like, then click and voila! You get a list of books similar to the flavor of your entered information.

Bound to be a great tool in fighting those book reading lulls, especially if they keep adding to it over time.

I'd love to read comments from anyone who has used the site.

Happy Reading!!

Crossroads Indeed

Crossroads Cafe by Deborah Smith


My rating






My summary

Two wrongs don't make a right, or so the saying goes. In this case two people who have been wronged by tragedy find a way to pick up the pieces to make a new life.


My take

This was wonderful middle-of-the-road read in that it wasn't overly emotionally wrenching, that's not to say I didn't find my eyes moist from time to time, or that I didn't care about the characters. The writing framed the more dramatic parts in a way that took some of the sting out of the tragedies, I really appreciated that. If you are a sucker for happy endings this book provides a very nice one.   

Bookish Confessions

I've seen similar features on other book blogs and enjoyed them so much I thought I would give it a go here. These are a few random facts about my book reading life.


I tend to go on book buying binges at times when life gets so busy and I have little or no time for actual reading. I guess I just need that connection to books no matter how I go about it.

I love the look of dust jackets on hardback books but find I am not coordinated enough to read a book with one on. So I would take the jacket off, store it in a safe place and put a book sock on the book to keep it protected until I was finished and could reunite book and jacket.

For a period of about 15 years I chose to read nothing but non-fiction. Then a few years ago at a co-workers suggestion I read my first fiction book in a very long time...and I have never looked back. Now most of my reading is fiction and I couldn't be happier!

I was in the midst of a really, really good book, the kind that is almost impossible to put down. I was also scheduled to go into a monthly meeting for a hour or two where I was expected to sit and listen to the same things I heard last month. Since I wasn't going to get any real work done I figured I would be productive in my own way. I copied several pages out of my book and during that meeting I referred to my "notes" often. Best meeting ever!!

I was 13 when I stopped reading kids books because I thought I was too grown for them. It was just a few years ago that I realized I was just the right age to start reading them again.

My hubby had wanted to get get me an e-reader for years and each time I declined. Then last year Barnes & Noble came out with one that I did have an interest in. Even as he purchased it I worried that this was going to be something I would not use often and that maybe he was wasting his money. I could not have been more wrong or more shocked that not only do I love reading digitally, and read more/faster digitally, but that I did not missed bound books at all. 

The oddest reading spot I ever had was in a shower/locker room. Long ago I worked for a company that rented out a former grade school. As we had no designated break room I would spend my breaks reading in the entrance to the shower facility. It was unused, clean, quiet, and no one would bother me there!

My favorite fiction author, Diana Gabaldon, was in my town for a writers conference. I looked into the cost to attend the conference but it was far too expensive. I did however get the bright idea of emailing her "people" and asking if she planned any other public appearances while in the area. I got an answer quickly that yes, she was going to make a last minute stop with a few other authors from the conference at a local Barnes & Noble. I met a few co-workers there where we mingled like giggley school girls with all the other fans. The night was amazing! Diana read from future works, did a question and answer session, and then signed all the books we had as well as take pictures with anyone who asked. This all happened many years ago and she has not been back to my area since, so I'm very thankful I was able to experience that wonderful night. 

Just kind of right

Wrong Bed, Right Guy by Katee Robert



My rating


      AND 1/2       


 
My summary

After numerous hints, a gallery worker decides the best way to get the attention of her boss is the direct approach, via sneaking into his bed while he sleeps hoping seduction would work where the hints haven't.

My take

There was some definite sweetness in this book, that's why I didn't leave the rating hanging at just two skulls, however I could not give it a full three because at times I wanted to give the female lead a good shake and ask her what the heck was wrong with her. I would have also liked to know more about the secondary characters who were interesting in their own right. 

Good Bargain

The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst



My rating:




My summary: Man needs to marry to fulfill a clause in a will, woman needs money to save her parents home. The pair used to be friends and equal parts tormentors in childhood and now that time is of the essence for both, a marriage bargain is struck.

My take: I'm  not sure why, but I tried not to like this one. I was in "you can't impress me" mode. But it did not impress me, instead it was sweet and charmed my socks off. I would have loved more story though! This is book one of a series so maybe I will get my wish after all.

As if I were

If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones

My rating:



My summary: An unassuming school teacher is given the key to a storage locker that has been left unpaid. Inside is the belongings of another woman's life and the mystery of where this woman is takes her places that she never expected to be.

My take: I will say the first several pages weren't great and I wondered if the tone was set for the rest of the book, happily it was not and I found I very much enjoyed the remaining story. This is book one of a trilogy and I will look forward to read book 2 and 3. I will say the end totally caught me off guard, I have read my fair share of books with cliff hangers but this one takes the prize for highest cliff.  

Spy Craft

The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva

My rating:


My summary: Ex-Massod operative Gabriel Allon gets pulled back into the espionage world when an old rival turns up to commit one last act of terrorism.

My take: The book started out well and I really liked the main character Gabriel, but somewhere near the middle to the three quarters mark of the book the spark seemed to leave, however the ending was solid and answered all my questions. I also liked the flow of the writing, this author did not spoon feed me endless information but rather paced the reveals nicely.