Did I Expect Angels?

by Kathryn Maughan

When I received this book in the mail, I looked at the cover for a long time and had all sorts of different thoughts and questions - Someone was mad, angry, depressed, hopeless when they scribbled over that angel; Why the head and eyes?; Is the fact that the angel is playing music pertinent?; It looks like a Christmas ornament, will that be meaningful to the story? You get the idea. Anyway, I love when a cover is that engaging. I always hope the book with a great cover will live up to it.

Did I Expect Angels? did live up to the cover. The story moves from the present to the past and from one point of view to another of the two protagonists. Sounds a bit confusing, but Maughan did an expert job of telling their stories and keeping my mind unjumbled.

On several occasions Jennifer has met Henry who is the greeter at the local Discount Store. Henry came to the United States from Costa Rica and appreciates that Jennifer will talk to him briefly in Spanish. That's all there is between these two until one fateful night when Henry becomes a bit intrusive. Jennifer tries to give him the brush-off, but is unsuccessful. That's all I'm going to tell you about the plot. I didn't know that much starting out.

I also didn't know that I was going to be pulled into Henry and Jennifer's lives like I was. Even though I have not personally experienced either of their personal trials, I felt so in tune with some of their feelings. I think Maughan has a strong skill as a writer and I look forward to reading all of her future books.

House of Secrets

by Jeffery S. Savage

"Shandra Covington simply assumed her grandmothers' house was sold after her grandmother hastily moved in with Shandra and her mother two decades ago. Yet, here it was, deeded to Shandra in her grandmother's will.

Shandra, single, aggressive, and an accomplished journalist, has tender memories of the time spent as a young girl in the old house on the hill, and her curiosity and sentimentality lead her to a final visit to the forgotten home. What she discovers shocks Shandra to her very core. Not only is the house still filled with her grandmother's old belongings, but there is also a body, long since dead, and covered with the same thick layer of dust as the rest of the items in the house.

Returning with the sheriff and his handsome deputy, Clay, they find the body missing. In its place is another body—this one dead less than 12 hours. And all evidence points to Shandra.

Desperate to clear her name and uncover the truth behind these troubling mysteries, Shandra puts her journalistic training to use. Between the reluctant townspeople, ominous warnings, and physical threats, Shandra learns the truth, little by little—knowing full well that someone is determined to keep old secrets buried, even it means burying Shandra as well . . ." -Deseret Book description

House of Secrets is part of the Shandra Covington mystery series. I'm not sure if it's book one or two in the series that presently includes four books. I plan to read the others because Savage writes crisp, fresh and cunning mysteries. Lots of surprises and hard to answer situations kept my interest throughout. I've found another new-to-me author than I suspect will become one I return to often.

The Carpet People

by Terry Pratchett

The appeal to me was first, the book was written by Terry Pratchett; second, it was first published when Pratchett was 17-years-old, and third, it was revised by Pratchett, age 43, when the book was re-released.

Pratchett said in 1992 when the book was republished, "I wrote that in the days when I thought fantasy was all about battles and kings. Now I'm inclined to think that the real concerns of fantasy ought to be about not having battles, and doing without kings." That was my final summarizing thought when I finished the book - This book is about battles.

Pratchett's humor is evident and the story was okay, it just wasn't one of my favorite. I can see how it may be interesting for someone in Jr. High.

Lady Killer

by Lisa Scottoline

I have a few authors that I watch for their new books - Lisa Scottoline is one of those. She writes great mystery/suspense novels usually featuring female lawyers and set in Philadelphia.

In Feb I read an excellent review of Lady Killer on Kay's blog, My Random Acts of Reading. She had received it as an ARC and I expressed my jealousy. Kay kindly sent word that she would be happy to send me her ARC. WOW! Isn't she nice? It arrived at my house just days before our trip to Arizona, so I took it along. I only got 50 pages read, but that was a good start. The night we got home I was ready to curl up and read but I couldn't find the book anywhere. I searched high and low, finally calling my sister in Cedar City. Sure enough, I left it at her house just a mere 7 hrs away! There's nothing like being all set to curl up with a good mystery that's just getting really good and not be able to. I was deflated. Next day I went to the library. They had a copy but it was still in processing. So I had to wait, and wait, and wait. Finally, it was available on Monday. It was worth the wait.

Lady Killer features Mary DeNunzio of the all-female law firm of Rosato & Associates. Mary is contacted by a group of girls that she referred to in high school as the "mean team." One of the girls is dating a mob member who she believes will soon kill her. When Trish turns up missing, Mary goes in search of answers. Mary has to face demons from her past as well as problems at work as she tries to uncover what has happened to Trish.

The Collectors

by David Baldacci

I think this is the second book that features the Camel Club and it's leader Oliver Stone. I've thoroughly enjoyed both. I borrowed this audio from my sister and Candleman and I listened to it on our long-loop drive in Arizona. We were both a bit confused after the first CD, what with the plethora of characters and a couple of separate storylines, but we persevered and were duly rewarded.

The Camel Club is a group of four dysfunctional crime solvers headed by ex-Cia assassin Caleb Shaw, who now goes by the name Oliver Stone. When a good friend is murder they take up the hunt to discover the murderer.

In a subplot, a beautiful young woman is planning an ingenious con on a sleazy owner of a Atlantic City casino. I liked wondering how in the world the two plots were going to merge. When they did the plot grew thicker, as they say.

I'm looking forward to the next book featuring the Camel Club.

Listening for Lions

by Gloria Whelan

This book will appeal to reader's ages 8 to adult. It definitely appealed to me. It's a story of courage, honesty, treachery, love and strength.

Thirteen-year-old Rachel Sheridan is left an orphan after influenza take the lives of her missionary parents in British East Africa in 1919. When cruel neighbors take her in, Rachel suspects their intentions may not be honest.

Rachel becomes entangled in a shocking and nefarious plot that takes her away from her beloved Africa on a lonely journey across the ocean. Surrounded by greed and lies, Rachel must rely on her irrepressible spirit and extraordinary wit to weather her adventure. And somewhere along the way, between deception and hope, the truth sets Rachel free and Africa calls her home.

National Book-Award-winning author Gloria Whelan crafts a wickedly delicious story of treachery and triumph, in which one young woman must claim her true identity in order to forge her own future and transform herself from victim to heroine. --from front flap

I look forward to reading Whelan's award-winning book, Homeless Bird.

The Awakening

by Kate Chopin

The title of this book made me think of new beginnings, spring and hope; like awakening from a deep sleep and opening your eyes, seeing what is before you. What I discovered while reading was not an awakening by my definition, but rather a dark and gloomy depression.

I admit to not knowing little about this classic before reading it, but I had the impression it was about a married woman who "awakens" to a new life as she discovers her own independence.

I did not feel this was a story of finding independence - with independence and "freedom" comes feelings of completeness, satisfaction, contentment and energy. Edna, the main character in this book, never exhibits those feelings. I think she was depressed and because she had financial means, is able to indulge in the "luxury" of her depression. She ignores the running of the house, she ignores her children and allows them to go live with the maid and she moves into a little "pigeon-hole" house alone.

So many passages, so many of Edna's behaviors and feelings were characteristic of depression. There was a sadness to her life, a feeling of darkness and despair. Cutting the ties that bond her in her marriage and motherhood did not free Edna of the darkness. If the story was indeed about the smothering effects of marriage and motherhood, why didn't Edna ever feel relief?

I think the author was trying to decry the feelings of many woman, both in the past and still today, who feel like they are nothing more than possessions. I think the argument could have been stronger if the main character was not suffering depression. Was the author herself suffering from clinical depression and with no understanding of it, blaming those feelings on marriage moires.

This would be a good book for a face-to-face book group. I would like to bounce my ideas of others and see if anyone agrees with my feelings about the book or not. There would be many things about this book to discuss. I think I could better express my thoughts about this book in person rather than in a post.

One quote that stood out was something Robert, Edna's lover, said to her towards the end of the book.
"Why do you force me to idiotic subterfuges? I think you cruel. Maybe not intentionally cruel, but you seem to be forcing me into disclosures which can result in nothing. As if you would have me bear a wound for for the pleasure of looking at it, without the intention or power of healing it."

BTW, I made it to TEN books this month for the NaJuReMoNoMo (National Just Read More Novels Month) Wahoo for me!

Ella Enchanted

by Gail Carson Levine

This is a totally enjoyable, clever take-off of the Cinderella story. There are enough twists and turns along with some new story elements to make this a 'new' story, not just a retelling of the same story.

I would have love this book as a youngster. And since I didn't read in my younger days, I'm glad I can still read a youth or YA book and today and experience much the same pleasure.

Ella Enchanted is a Newbery Honor book.

A Spot of Bother

by Mark Haddon

A very appropriate title - I felt this book was pretty much a spot of bother. I just about gave up reading it, but I read someone's review that said to keep reading. Why did I let someone I don't even know tell me to continue reading a book that I wasn't very interested in and parts of it were disgusting. So I did finish it and I actually enjoyed the end immensely and not just because it was over.

Why did I read this? I read his first book An Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and loved it. This was entirely different and different is good, usually.

What did I like? The ending. I liked how it turned out for the characters and I really liked the event that happened at the end.

What I didn't like? I really didn't like the explicit sex scenes between the gay guys. And I didn't really like Jean, the wife. I did like George even though he's a bit crazy. Maybe that's why I liked him - he's old and off his rocker.

If you're planning on reading this, don't let my impressions sway you too much. I may just not have been in the right mood. The storyline was good and the characters were well developed.

Mistress of the Art of Death

by Ariana Franklin

Oh, how I hope that this is the first book in a series. I want to read more by this masterful storyteller and more of the adventures of the mistress of death, Adelia.

In the time of Henry II three children had been hideously tortured and murdered and the murders blamed on the Jews. Henry sends to Italy for a doctor to the dead (forerunner term for forsenic scientist) to help solve the crimes. Little does he realize that the school of doctors would send a woman.

Mistress is a suspense/thriller with a convincing historical feel. The occasional 'laugh-out-loud' moments further endeared me to the story. I enjoyed it immensely - better than The Thirteen Tale.

Just4thehelluvit Challenge

This is the challenge that needed to happen. You know that I love challenges and jump on the band wagon whenever a new comes along. I really do love them. I get excited about choosing the books, making the lists, posting the posts and reading the books. I thrill at crossing a book off the list when I finish reading it. And it's pure satisfaction to write a challenge wrap-up post when I finish the challenge. I've joined many challenges; finished all but one, which broke my heart because it was the Summer Mystery Challenge. Oh, how I hope Liz from Reviewed by Liz will sponsor this challenge again next summer. I can almost guarantee that next summer will NOT include a 36 day trip and a flooded basement. **fingers crossed** I'll be happy to grovel, Liz, if you will promise me...

Anyway, the brilliant Pink Dana at Think Pink came up with a challenge for the times - the times of many book challenges. You'll thinks she's brilliant, too, when you read the rules for this challenge:

The just4thehelluvit challenge is for those of us who just can't seem to read something simply because we want to.

Therefore, this challenge has just one rule: nothing you read for it can cross over to ANY other challenge. You are reading these books JUST4THEHELLUVIT!

I don't care if you read one book or forty-three. I don't care if they won awards or not, if they have literary merit or not, if your Aunt Mathilda's poodle wrote it in a worm medicine induced stupor or not. I just don't care.

Go on and read one for fun! Do it for me! Do it for the hell of it! But please, PLEASE for the love of all that is holy, do not make a list.

One afternoon when a book sounds good, just tickles your fancy for no good reason, go ahead and READ IT WITHOUT GUILT! And consider yourself officially a reading rebel!

The only way I can possibly do this challenge is to sign up for some of those others that will let me make a list! Just kidding! I'm not kidding about signing up for other challenges, though.

Do you love this idea - Reading a book just because it strikes your fancy at the moment? I remember doing that in my past life, before reading challenges. It's going to be fun. Thanks, Dana, for giving us the excuse to read just4thehelluvit.