3-24-12 Bar Flower by Lea Jacobson - Non-Fiction

4 - Lea Jacobson gives the reader a look inside ukiyo, "the floating world" of Japan. Ukiyo is the entertainment industry mainly focused around sex and Jacobson was part of the highest rungs of that society, a bar hostess. Ironically, a bar hostess, even though the occupation is considered part of the sex trade, involves no sex and barely even any touching. The modern equivalent of a geisha, a hostess is meant to fawn over men. make them feel important, and convince them to part with the better part of their bank account to purchase drinks from the establishment they are patronizing. In Japan, many of the hostesses are foreign born and don't necessarily even have to speak Japanese. In this, the reader is lucky because Jacobson speaks Japanese fluently and studied Japanese culture before travelling to Japan to begin her work as an English teacher. This book is her memoir of her time in Japan and introduces the reader to how an American English teacher becomes a bar hostess and explains many of the cultural differences and beliefs of the Japanese people. A really good read and very entertaining.

3-18-12 Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison - Fiction

4 - Well, Rachel has been shunned, the Coven of Moral and Ethical Standards is after her, Al keeps trying to snatch people she knows, and then there's Trent. A fun adventure that keeps the world of the Hallows alive and kicking. Rachel keeps learning more about what she, as a survivor of the Rosewood syndrome, can do and keeps being surprised by the expanse of her abilities. Aaand, a main and loved character dies in this book. Yes, I cried. Only one more book in this series until the brand new book. I can't wait!

3-14-12 Lost in Shangra-La by Mitchell Zuckoff - Non-Fiction

4 - This is a little known adventure that occurred toward the end of WWII after the European surrender but while the Pacific theater was still in full swing. A sightseeing plane full of army personnel went down in New Guinea in a hidden valley nicknamed Shangra-La by the local soldiers. The survivors had to deal with very limited supplies, potentially fatal injuries, and unknown local tribes rumored to be headhunters and cannibals. Zuckoff gives the background of each of the players and gathered his information from this book from army records, interviews with the tribes, and interviews with some of the people involved and their families. It was a nice little history lesson about some of the people and places that tend to be overlooked in the movies and books about WWII, including the WAC's, the Women's Army Corps. Interested in history or WWII? Check this book out.

3-8-12 White Witch, Black Curse - Fiction

4 - Another fabulous entry in the Rachel Morgan series. Rachel is still struggling to remember the events from her last night with Kisten and discovers that she has a ghost in the church. Not just any ghost but Pierce, a ghost she summoned accidentally when she was 18. Unfortunately, Al grabs Pierce before she can really speak with him. So while she helps the FIB catch a banshee, Rachel tries to get Al to pay attention to her and agree to some ground rules. It's always fun visiting the Hallows.

3-4-12 Blind Rage by Terri Persons - Fiction

4 - This is the second book with agent Bernadette Saint Clare and Persons is really opening up the character. She not only can see killers in action with her sort of psychic ability, but she also has a new partner: agent Creed who died on vacation but used to share office. Even if you're not into the supernatural, if you like a good crime thriller I highly recommend these books. The plot moves on normal investigation techniques and the supernatural blends in when needed. Seriously, give these a try.

3-1-12 The Outlaw Demon Wails - Fiction

5 - Another one of my favorite Rachel Morgan books! Rachel learns a lot more about herself and witches in general in this one as well as a lot more about demons. Plus, a gargoyle moves into the belfry of the church and Rachel starts to find out about the link between gargoyles and witches. This one also has a lot of action here and in the ever after. Another bonus: but it in paperback and you'll get the bonus short story that explains how Ceri became a demon familiar. Awesome!

2-26-12 Still Life With Husband by Lauren Fox - Fiction

3 - This was a funny look at a woman in her 30's who has a midlife crisis and has an affair. I know, it doesn't sound like it should be funny. But it is because of the way Fox writes it. Emily is married to her college sweetheart and he's a stable, sensitive kind of guy. As her pushes for kids and the white picket fence, Emily starts to really question where she wants to go in her life right now. Then she meets David. This is a light read even though it touches on heavier subjects and would probably be a pretty good beach read.

2-24-12 For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison - Fiction

3 - This is one of my least favorite Rachel Morgan books. It's not that it's bad, but it just doesn't have quite the oomph that most of the other books do. The focus isn't quite in hiding anymore and Rachel is caught in the middle of the beginning power struggle in Cincinnati. Not to mention she's having demon problems again and Ivy is starting to act a little weird. But I still do love this series! One bonus though...if you buy the paperback edition of this book you get an additional short story featuring Kisten & Rachel, the events of which are mentioned in the next book.

2-20-12 Charlie Chan by Yunte Huang - Non-Fiction

4 - This was a very interesting look at the history not only of the Charlie Chan character, but also the history of Hawaii. Huang introduces the reader to the real life Charlie Chan, Chang Apana, a police officer in the soon to be state of Hawaii. He also looks at the people who portrayed Charlie Chan in the incredibly popular movies and at the author himself and his life. This book is full of history and information that has almost been lost on a period and area in American history that is often overshadowed by the gold rush. A fascinating read for history buffs.