4-14-06 Dirty Job by Christopher Moore - Fiction

5 - This is my favorite Christopher Moore book. It's about the job of being Death. If you've never read Moore, that should begin to give you an idea of his quirkiness. Let me just add, this book has squirrel people and Minty Fresh. If you can read a book in public and not be embarrassed when you break out in hysterical, tears in your eyes laughter, this is the book for you.

4-2-06 Renno by Donald Clayton Porter - Fiction

4 - The fourth in the series, the Iroquois League and the peace with the English is threatened by treachery.

4-1-06 War Chief by Donald Clayton Porter - Fiction

4 - This is the third in the 'White Indian' series by Porter. In this book, Renno (the white Indian) has been made a war chief and finds a suitable bride. This entire series is out of print and is very hard to find.

3-28-06 What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson - Fiction

5 - What a beautiful book! Matheson is very much of the theory you make your own Heaven...or Hell. The emotional impact of this book surpasses that of the movie.

3-29-06 The Truth Teller's Tale by Sharon Shinn - Fiction

4 - The second book in her teen trilogy is a sequel in the same vein as her Samaria novels: Much time has passed in the world, but the previous books' characters make an appearance or are referenced.

3-29-06 The Safekeeper's Secret by Sharon Shinn - Fiction

4 - The first in a teen trilogy, Shinn writes with the same flair for great characters that she uses in her adult fiction. She also creates a setting so normal that the fantasy aspect of the story is believable.

3-26-06 Quietus by Vivian Schilling - Fiction

3 - This book was little too much "Final Destination" for me. Once you've seen/read it, the premise gets old. However, the research into history that she did for this book made it enjoyable.

3-21-06 Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - Fiction

5 - What a great vampire story! A teen discovers and befriends a family of vampires who live in her town. Meyer makes her vampires so different from the typical stories. Yes, they still drink blood, but this family is unusual to say the least. This is a teen book and it is bent more toward a female reader, but trust me - you will love this. Recently, as the Harry Potter phenomenon has grown, there have been a lot of excellent teen and young reader fantasy books emerging and this is one you don't want to miss!

3-13-06 The Fulfillment by LaVyrle Spencer - Fiction

3 - Not one of my favorites, but a nice fluff read with interesting historical points.

3-11-06 The Thirteenth House by Sharon Shinn - Fiction

4 - This is the second book in Shinn's Twelve Houses series. What will make this series interesting is that each book will continue the story through another character's eyes. The first book was Senneth, this book is Kira. Shinn always forms strong characters, but this is an exceptional way of adding depth and perspective to the books.

3-7-06 Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn - Fiction

5 - This is the first in a new series. Shinn has a knack for creating characters that you want to learn more about. She also does well wielding the politics of royal succession to help move the story.

2-16-06 The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp - Non-Fiction

3 - Only the 1st 126 pages (about 1/2 the book) are the time period covered in the movie. (1965 the Sound of Music dir by Robert Wise - UR) The story continues as they tour through the United States. This family led an incredible life. And they are so religious!

2-10-06 Dance of Death by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - Fiction

5 - This book literally leaves you screaming for more. This is their best yet, pulling all major characters from every book except 'Riptide'. Absolutely stupendous!

2-6-06 Brimstone by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - Fiction

4 - There are interesting characters and a great story that leads you in the totally wrong direction making the outcome much more startling. Pendergast is an intriguing character, but it is just as interesting to see how the other characters, especially the regulars, interact with him and their opinions of him as their relationships progress.

1-30-06 Still Life with Crows by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - Fiction

5 - This story moves Pendergast out of New York City and introduces a new character that I think will pop up in future books.

1-26-06 The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - Fiction

5 - And Pendergast appears again! This book has a great push into Pendergast's past and continues the pull of already familiar characters into new combinations and stories.

1-19-06 The Ice Limit by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - Fiction

4 - This book has an interesting premise and story, but it is not one of their best. It's my least favorite after 'Reliquary.' What ruined it was the ending. The ending is sooo bad!

1-13-06 Thunderhead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - Fiction

5 - This is a fascinating story of archeology and Anasazi Indians. Their research is so extensive, but never dull. Still not a Pendergast novel, but this is where the character crossovers begin.

1-9-06 Riptide by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - Fiction

4 - This is a good story about pirate treasure, but it is not a Pendergast novel. Don't skip it because of that though; I've learned that every book they write, Pendergast story or not, ends up getting referenced somewhere along the way. And anyway, they research every book so well that they are fascinating in their own right.

1-3-06 Reliquary by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - Fiction

3 - This is a pretty good follow up, but it doesn't have quite the thrill of the first. However, the character build is important.

12-29-05 The Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - Fiction

5 - The mix of science and supernatural in their books is astounding and believable. This is the first of the Pendergast novels and is a wonderful beginning. If you want to avoid this book because you thought the movie (1997 The Relic dir by Peter Hyams) was junk, think again. I don't think the movie was that horrendous, but nothing can compare to the tension and suspense of the book.

12-22-05 The Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan - Fiction

5 - This is an excellent beginning to a fantasy series. It is the story of a young boy worried about not belonging anywhere who is chosen to apprentice a mysterious and feared ranger. You will find this book in the young reader or young adult/teen section of your bookstore, but don't let that stop you from reading it. Flanagan writes a story as good a you will find in the adult fantasy section.

12-7-05 The Raven King by Alice Borchardt - Fiction

4 - The second in the Arthur/Gueneviere tale, it is as fascinating as the first. Borchardt creates a very unique twist to the Lancelot, Gueneviere, Arthur triangle. I'm waiting eagerly for the third book.

11-24-05 The Dragon Queen by Alice Borchardt - Fiction

4 - A fresh retelling of the Arthur/Gueneviere tale full of magic, and not just on the part of Merlin. Borchardt can be a little too descriptive at times, but this is a thrilling story. Point of note: Alice Borchardt is Anne Rice's sister. Even if you don't like Anne Rice's writing style (which don't), you should try Borchardt.

11-2-05 The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie King - Fiction

5 - You know, I always loved the stories of Sherlock Holmes and how he cleverly deduced everything, but I always found the books too dry. King brings the interest and cleverness of the original Holmes stories but adds a smart female character and a little more action to counteract the potential dryness. The premise: a girl befriends a retired Holmes and they begin to work together. This book is very well written.

10-27-05 The Hand that Rocks the Ladle by Tamar Myers - Fiction

3 - Not one of her better books, but still amusing. You do find our about the start of Magdalina's relationship with Gabe. And if you read the first book I reviewed by Myers, you will notice I did not read these in order.

10-22-05 Smoke Screen by Kyle Mills - Fiction

4 - An easy read as usual. Mills' books just pick up and go with the story. In this book, Mills takes an interesting tour through the cigarette industry with the usual "what could happen next?" feel.

10-11-05 The Science of Criminal Profiling by Wayne Patrick - Non-Fiction

4 - An interesting read that examines not only the good, but also the bad of criminal profiling. What I particularly like is that Patrick quotes real cases to backup his points.

10-4-05 Warriors of Medieval Japan by Stephen Turnbull - Non-Fiction

4 - This is a fascinating look at Samurai, Ashigaro, Ninja, and warrior monks from 1100-1600. Turnbull studies the people that made up each group, some of the mythologies surrounding them, and their various parts in the tumultuous times of medieval Japan. It is a little wordy at times, but a good read.

9-20-05 Desert Places by Blake Crouch - Fiction

2 - Not much to say on this one. It started out interesting, then went to crap. Kinda interesting middle, then crap again.

9-13-05 The Poisoned Serpent by Joan Wolf - Fiction

4 - I still love the characters in this book. The main character is calculating yet compassionate. This mystery is also well written with the same forward motion of her previous book.

9-9-05 No Dark Place by Joan Wolf - Fiction

4 - A really good middle ages mystery. Wolf develops her characters very well even though the mystery is partially who one of the characters is. The story continually moves forward, pulling you in all the way to the end.

9-7-05 A Stir of Echoes by Richard Matheson - Fiction

4 - Matheson writes an interesting story. He focuses on the human element of a man having trouble dealing with his new ability. It is an easy read and reminiscent of Stephen King.

9-5-05 Creepers by David Morrell - Fiction

4 - Great thriller. This is not as military oriented as his previous books, but has an excellent story and great suspense. Morrell opens up the world of "creepers", urban explorers who technically break into abandoned buildings of historical note to explore and view a setting of life as it was. They follow the same rules as hikers should - take nothing, leave nothing behind.

8-31-05 Battle Royale by Koushun Takami - Fiction

5 - Reminiscent of "The Long Walk" by Richard Bachman, aka Stephen King, but bloodier. The characters are built well, slowly revealed through memories and flashbacks. A little difficult to keep track of who's who because of the combination of the foreign names and use of numbers (Girl 1, Boy 1, Girl 2, etc.) but there is a character list in the front that includes each character's name and number.

8-19-05 The Reckoning by Thomas F. Monteleone - Fiction

3 - Very interesting plot, great religious dogma, but you never really get into the "bad guy's" character and he's the whole subject of the book! He's just a shell and that ruins any impact Monteleone was going for.

8-13-05 Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling - Fiction

5 - Still fabulous. Still made me cry.

8-11-05 Countdown: January by David Parker - Fiction

5 - This is an apocalyptic series peopled by teens. It is out of date (and out of print) because it deals with the turn of the century - 1999-2000. Even so, it is a great series and well written. You can't figure it out easily. In the first book (there is one for each month) you meet the players.

8-9-05 Custard's Last Stand by Tamar Myers - Fiction

4 - A nice light read. Probably the only people who will find it humorous are people familiar with the Amish and Mennonite cultures. As I'm originally from Pennsylvania, I find it hysterical. A good mystery with quirky characters and one big snake.

8-5-05 Freedom's Ransom by Anne McCaffrey - Fiction

3 - This was my least favorite of this series. It almost seems like an afterthought. It does have a plot, but not the urgency of the previous books.

8-2-05 Freedom's Challenge by Anne McCaffrey - Fiction

4 - Great end of a trilogy. You end up loving the characters and you hope for the best for them. A satisfying set.

7-31-05 Freedom's Choice by Anne McCaffrey - Fiction

4 - A fabulous middle book. The colonists of Botany really start to show their innovation and humanity.

7-30-05 Freedom's Landing by Anne McCaffrey - Fiction

4 - This is a great science fiction series, very light. A nice intro to science fiction for women who refuse to read it. The series contains very universal themes: survival, romance, espionage. It is only a science fiction book because it takes place on another planet and does have aliens, but the majority of characters are from modern day Earth.

7-29-05 The Hole by Guy Burt - Fiction

3 - This is a pretty good book, but probably would have been better if I hadn't seen the movie first. (1991, dir by Nick Hamm - R. Good twisted movie by the way. And, if you're interested, you get to see Keira Knightley's boobs if I remember correctly) It's a psychological thriller with unexpected twists. You'll probably have to order this one into a store.

7-25-05 Vows by LaVyrle Spencer - Fiction

4 - This is a great fluff read (translation: palate cleanser. I know it has a happy ending and it doesn't take much thought to get there.). Spencer adds nice historical references to the happy fluffy story.

7-21-05 Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling - Fiction

5 - A very grim book, slower moving than the previous books of the series. However, it's full of information that I bet will play out in the final story. A feeling of disaster slowly creeps over you as you go along and you'll end up melancholy by the end. If you've become involved with the characters at all through this series, you will cry. This is the best book yet.

7-18-05 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling - Fiction

5 - The first true battle of the war happens at the end of this book. More is revealed about how Harry became "The Boy Who Lived." His circle of friends grows larger, but sticks tight. The dark bend of the previous book continues and deepens.

7-13-05 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling - Fiction

5 - Each book gets progressively better. Harry finally starts to grow up and has to deal with more adult problems as well as more dangers. The return of Lord Voldemort begins the dark turn of this series.

7-11-05 Harry potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling - Fiction

5 - This is a great story revealing some of Harry's past and family. It also sets up for the return of Voldemort in full. New evils and new players are brought in to spice things up as well.

7-9-05 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling - Fiction

4 - This is my least favorite of the series, but it continues the forward motion and sets up a lot for the future books. A key to her books: reread in order and you will continually pick up hints and references you missed the first, second, and even third time around.

7-6-05 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling - Fiction

5 - This is a fabulous first novel. Rowling has created a whole new world that exists beside ours. The blend is wonderful and the characters enjoyable. You will find that I have reread this series often and note (or tried to) different aspects each time.

7-4-05 Dead Beat by Jim Butcher - Fiction

1 - For his seventh novel, it sure reads like a first. Written in high school. I only finished it out of obligation and a little curiosity about what would happen to the dinosaur. I'll admit, I have considered the possibility of trying the first book in this series since it made its way to TV, but this one was so bad, I don't think I could stomach it.

6-28-05 Dance of Death by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child - Fiction

5 - Each book by these two just gets better! The reuniting of all their characters was a fabulous move and the ending makes you curse until you can get the next book. Keep an eye on this blog: I read these all in order starting in December of 2005.

6-24-05 Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About by Kevin Trudeax - Non-Fiction

3 - An interesting look at the toxins that we put in our bodies from food and water and his ideas on how to get rid of those toxins. Personally, I'm not doing a "flush" and magnets are only on my fridge, but I do agree with cutting back or cutting out prepared foods.

6-14-05 An Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton - Fiction

3 - A good retelling of an English fairy tale. Very light reading but full of historical facts of the period. This is a teen/young reader book.

6-9-05 The Loch by Steve Alten - Fiction

4 - In the spirit of "Meg", Alten explores the Loch Ness monster and includes enough scientific fact to make one question the monster's existence. All his books are well researched and pull from that research to make believable, in incredible, stories.

06-05 The Purple Cow by Seth Godin - Non-fiction

5 - This is a fabulous marketing book showing how every company needs a purple cow in this day and age to survive the ever more competitive market. It's an easy read and very enjoyable even if you are not in the business of marketing.

05-05 Panther in the Sky by James Alexander Thom - Fiction

5 - This is a historical novel focusing on the life of Tecumseh, the Shawnee leader who continued to fight for the tribe even after defeat was assured. Thom does extensive research for all his books and this one gives a fascinating lesson on the conquering of the Mississippi Valley by the Americans.

05-05 The Fifth Profession by David Morrell - Fiction

5 - I still see this as his best novel. The twists and turns of politics and espionage are tight and precise. Admittedly, there is a slightly outdated feel since the cold war is a memory in history books now, but you can't ignore the plot and characters that pull you into the story.

05-05 Roswell: No Good Deed by Dean Wesley Smith & Kristine Kathryn Rusch - Fiction

4 - This one follows the timeline and cast of characters much better than the previous book. Max & Michael are being hunted because of the good deed Max performed at the children's hospital on Christmas. Also, I believe, out of print.

05-05 Roswell: Loose Ends by Greg Cox - Fiction

4 - Ok, so sometimes I forget to note exactly when I finished a book. This book adds nice filler to the TV series and ties in fairly well with the timeline on the show except for 2 large exceptions: Tess is not in the book or mentioned, but Alex is. This story takes place mostly in Carlsbad, NM and ties into the pilot for the show by reintroducing the man who fired the gun at the Crashdown. I believe this is now out of print.