10-9-11 My Friend the Mercenary by James Brabazon - Non-Fiction

3 - This is a real life story about a journalist who ended up in some of the most dangerous situations in Africa and through the experiences befriended a mercenary. Nick used to be in the South African Defense Force and became a freelancer when South Africa began changing after apartheid was thrown out. Brabazon and Nick become involved with the resistance force in Liberia and are threatened with bounties on their heads and death by gunfire and explosives in the field. This book almost reads like a military thriller (it's a little less gripping) with all the ins and outs of politics in Liberia including bribery and propaganda. Brabazon includes a lot of pictures in the book that give faces to the people involved and make the story more real. An inside look at the business of politics that takes place in Africa when the world isn't really watching.

9-14-11 Will to Live by Les Stroud - Non-Fiction

4 - This is a very interesting look at some real life survival situations, some with happy endings, some not so happy, as Les Stroud, also known as Survivorman, reviews what is known and what the people involved did correctly or could have done better. He is never condescending in the reviews and backs up all his suggestions with reason. These stories are about everyday people caught up in extraordinary situations which, in some cases, could have been prevented with a little bit of foresight. An intriguing read for anyone interested in what if scenarios.

9-12-11 - Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris - Fiction

4 - OK, I love Sookie Stackhouse! These stories just keep you interested with all the politics of the vampire, human, fae, and shifter worlds meshing and colliding depending on the day. Sookie gets involved in an investigation after Merlotte's is firebombed and she has a lot on her plate with Eric and Pam trying to figure out a way to get out from under Victor's thumb. Plus you learn more about Sookie's fairy heritage from her grandmother. Oh yeah, so addicting.

9-9-11 Gone for Good by Harlan Coben - Fiction

4 - Harlan Coben just writes a great thriller. Full of twists and turns, Gone for Good will keep you up rushing to get to the end so you can see what the heck is going on. Will's brother was his idol and then he was accused of the murder of a neighbor girl. He disappeared and no one, not the authorities or his family, has seen or heard from him since. Or so Will thought. Eleven years later he finds that nothing is as it seems concerning his brother and goes on the hunt to find out the truth. As always, a real page turner.

9-2-11 Replay by Ken Grimwood - Fiction

5 - Thanks to Inez for recommending this one! What if you could live your life over again? And again. And again. Jeff Winston has a heart attack in his office at age 43 and wakes up 25 again in his college dorm room. He uses some of his future knowledge to make a lot of money and lives out this new life until he has a heart attack at 43. And wakes up a little bit older but still in college. And he does it again each time having a heart attack at 43 and each time waking up a little bit older but still replaying his life. Each time he makes different decisions and discovers along the way that he is not the only one living his life over again. He tries to make sense of the science of what is happening to him and fears where he will end up as he keeps coming back closer and closer to the time of his heart attack. This book picks up and goes and is enthralling.

8-30-11 The Search for Nefertiti by Joann Fletcher - Non-Fiction

4 - Written by an Egyptologist whose main specialty has been hair, dress, and cosmetics, this book makes a very compelling argument for the discovery of Nefertiti's body and her rule as Pharaoh. Easily readable, Fletcher starts at the beginning of her career and lays the path she followed to come to her well founded conclusions. An introduction written by another historian explains that although her theories have not been accepted by the scientific community at large, he believes she will be proven correct with time. This book reads like an adventure story and gives a lot of historical information about the time period of the 'Heretic Pharaoh'. A fascinating read for those who enjoy history or ancient Egypt.

8-26-11 Private Sector by Brian Haig - Fiction

4 - Thanks Dad! This was a great recommendation. A fantastic thriller, Private Sector introduced me to Sean Drummond, a wise ass JAG who gets involved in the murder investigation of one of his coworkers and friends. This book moves and sucks you into the world of corporate law and even though Drummond can be abrasive and a real asshole he is a fabulously likable character. I will definitely be reading more of the Sean Drummond books.