6-21-11 Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain - Non-Fiction

5 - I love reading his books. Bourdain really does not mince words and if he doesn't like something he's not shy about saying so. In turn, if he loves or adores or respects something he hands out accolades. As you readers know by now, I love food books and this one was no exception. Bourdain is now older and, perhaps, wiser and has gone a different direction since he wrote Kitchen Confidential. He has traveled the world, eaten incredible dishes, rubbed elbows with the culinary elite, and has entered the realm of television. His stories are entertaining and raw, telling it exactly how he sees it with no apology. And his food porn will make your mouth water and you will almost be able to taste the dish he is describing. And then you'll look at your boxed mac & cheese and go "ugh."

6-19-11 The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai - Fiction

3 - Yes, it's been critically acclaimed and the author has been touted as great but I only kind of enjoyed it. The story bumps around four main characters and a few other side characters and gives the reasons for the final realization that family should be cherished and not put aside for hopes and dreams and attainment of position. Blah. It is set mostly in the Himalayas during a time of revolution and that part of the story is interesting but this just really isn't my kind of book. The story of Biju in America trying to stay a step ahead of INS as he tries to make a living in a better country was very interesting and really highlighted the lives of illegal immigrants, but his story wasn't long enough. If you like Oprah books, you'll probably really like this one.

6-12-11 - Monster by A. Lee Martinez - Fiction

5 - I do love my quirky books! Monster is the main character and he works for the Cryptobiological Containment and Rescue Services, a division of Animal Control, and if you have a problem with yeti or trolls, he's your man. He wakes up a different color every day and each color has its own advantages. His assistant is a paper gnome and his girlfriend is a demon from hell. Really. And when he meets Judy, a clerk at the local Food Plus Mart, his life gets even more difficult. Oh yeah, if you like quirk & humor read this.

6-8-11 The Up and Up by Lee Irby - Fiction

4 - This was a neat look at Miami in the 20's full of gangsters, gambling, guys, and dolls. The Up and Up is a murder mystery featuring Frank Hearn, a man who wants to leave his rough past behind and become legit so he can marry his fiancee with a clean conscience. Unfortunately, he chose the wrong business partner to try to go straight and gets pulled into the middle of a murder investigation involving the corrupt police department, the local mob, and the federal authorities. Throw in Gloria Swanson's arrival just in time for tourist season and this is a crazy and humorous ride. Full of the lingo of the time, The Up and Up paints a very convincing and complete picture of Miami in the 20's and is a really fun read.

6-4-11 Once a Spy by Keith Thomson - Fiction

5 - This has to be the best thriller debut I've ever read! The premise is amusing: What happens when a superspy, who has been privy to intensely classified information, gets Alzheimer's and becomes a national security risk? This story alternates between hilarious and tense as Charlie, a gambling addict with a weakness for the horses, tries to take care of his father, whose moments of lucidity are unpredictable, while being chased by an unknown group of men who seem intent on killing both of them. The story gets going from the very first chapter and only gets better as it goes. I'm interested to see what Thomson will follow up with.

6-1-11 Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton - Fiction

4 - I haven't read this book in years and I had forgotten just how good it really is. Full of great science and action mixed with the very real and scary possibility of what genetic engineering can let loose. If you've only ever seen the movie, I have to urge you to try the book. It has more fascinating information and more tension than the movie was able to portray. Since I figure everyone knows the basic plot of this story, I'm not going to describe any more to you.

5-30-11 Archangel by Sharon Shinn - Fiction

4 - This is what happens when you run out of books from the library on a holiday weekend. I re-read this book again. And I admit I enjoyed it again. Check out my other reviews of this title for more information.