1-26-10 The Merlot Murders by Ellen Crosby – Fiction

5 – This is the first in Crosby’s Wine Country series and is a great debut for the series.  The characters are introduced in such a way that the reader has hints that, perhaps, there is much more depth to each person and the reader is rewarded with extremely well rounded characters that continually grow through the series.  (Yes, I cheated by reading a book further along in series first)  The big bonus for me is all the information Crosby throws in about running a winery and wine making.  It is just fascinating to me, a huge wine drinker, and helps to explain some of the subtleties in taste and region  Plus, the mystery is good.  All in all a well rounded story with something for mystery lovers as well as wine lovers.

1-23-10 Erak’s Ransom by John Flanagan – Fiction

5 – This is an interesting entry in the Ranger’s Apprentice series.  Erak’s Ransom covers the missing time between the 4th and 5th books giving the reader a new adventure with Will, Halt, Horace, and Evanlyn.  Obviously, Skandians are also involved and Flanagan takes the characters to a brand new land full of unfamiliar customs and wily adversaries.  The fights and intrigue are technical in their planning and the banter between the characters is easy and humorous as always.  A wonderful adventure that more than satisfies the curiosity of the reader as to what happened to Will right before he became a full Ranger.

1-20-10 Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde – Fiction

4 – I do love the Thursday Next books. They are perfect for literary lovers like myself. Thursday has to deal with the Minotaur Norman Johnson, Kaine (a fictional character out in the real world who’s bent on world domination), the uneradication of her husband, getting Swindon to win the Superhoop, and a two-year-old Friday. And, just for fun, Fforde also threw in a resurrected saint and a very confused Hamlet. As usual, this book is a terribly fun romp through Fforde’s alternate reality where dodos can be genetically reborn in your kitchen and characters in books actually do come alive.

1-8-10 Quantico by Greg Bear – Fiction

4 – You’ll probably find this in the Sci-Fi section but it is a fabulous bioterrorism thriller.  Set in the near future, Quantico follows the FBI as they attempt to track down a potential global anthrax threat.  This book is fast paced and follows two investigations with converging storylines combining veteran FBI agents with rookies and some very interesting technology.  A very scary and very possible story turned into a very enjoyable thriller.

1-1-10 Dead Until Dark by Charlene Harris – Fiction

5 – Yes, I saw the show before I read the book.  And, yes, I was pleasantly surprised that the show followed the book so faithfully.  The book itself is so enjoyable I could almost read it again right now.  Harris has created such wonderful characters.  And, in case you have seen the show and haven’t read the book yet, Tara was created for the show (or at least she hasn’t shown up in this book) but you don’t necessarily miss her.  The book focuses pretty much exclusively on Sookie and you can see where all the side stories for the show came from.  Plus Harris shows more of her humor by including a character that wasn’t in the show: Bubba.  He’s a vampire and you’ll just have to read the book to find out how amusing he is.  I’m so reading the rest of the Sookie Stackhouse series.

12-31-09 Crusader by Edward Bloor – Fiction

3 – This is a bit of a slow mover where you are waiting for the jacket description to start.  Wellll…..it doesn’t really.  The jacket description is a little misleading because the catalyst for the story isn’t the “Crusader” virtual reality game; that just arrives at the beginning of the story.  The book is a pretty heavy young reader/teen book full of racism that follows through with how misconceptions and stereotypes can bring out the worst in people and ruin lives.  It also shows how people can improve once they see through all the bull.  Watching Roberta’s (the main character) progression from a fairly naive teen to a shrewd young woman is subtle and fascinating.  This isn’t the best book dealing with racism but it does inspire hope about the next generation.