Fiction

The Dead Cat Bounce

2008, Books in Bed, Fiction, Mystery, Women /

Ha. The Dead Cat Bounce is the first book in the “Home Repair is Homicide Mystery Series”. This is another of those fluffy series’ that TW reads a ton of but I never manage to read any of – because she reads a lot faster than I do. I’m attempting to read at least ONE of each of the weird series’ she picks up from the library, particularly if she happens to pick up the first one – first. Which she did with this one.

Totally amusing. I’m guessing the ones that come later will be even more amusing, with more home repair issues tossed in for fun. I probably won’t ever read any of them but at least I can think about reading them and smile a little.

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Skellig

1 Comment / 2008, Books in Bed, Children's Literature, Favorites, Fiction, Printz Award Challenge, Young Adult /

When I opened the beat up cover of Skellig pretty much the first thing I saw was the list of awards the books has won. I wish those lists were in the back of the book, not the front. I think the list turns off kids because they’ve been forced to read an awful lot of really bad books that have won (or been short listed) for all of those awards.

It would be a shame if a kid put Skellig aside without getting passed the list of awards. It’s also a shame that Skellig didn’t actually win the Printz award. I haven’t read Monster yet but I can’t imagine it is better than a book with homeschooling vs public education and a man/owl/angel. It’s also a very quick read, which I think is a plus for young adult books.

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Bleeding Out

1 Comment / 2008, Books in Bed, Favorites, Fiction, From the Stacks Challenge, Mystery, Queer /

TW picked up Bleeding Out during a quick trip we made to Wild Iris, in search of a couple of laptop stickers for Michelle and Prince J for Christmas. We didn’t really find the stickers we wanted but we did find books. As usual. Heh.

TW picked up Bleeding Out and never put it down. That doesn’t always mean it’s a great book but she has probably said “that was really good” a dozen times since she finished it. And after a really slow start, I would have to agree. It was a really good lesbian cop novel.

I’m not sure I like having a character named “Lawless” and Frank felt a little too Kate Delafield for me at times – but overall, I was happy with it and I liked the characters. Let’s see if we can find the next one in the series and let’s see if it is just as good.

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The Winter Knights

2008, Books in Bed, Children's Literature, Favorites, Fiction, Sci Fi and Fantasy /

Shiver. It’s pretty cold here in Florida right about now but not nearly as cold as it was in Sanctaphrax in The Edge Chronicles 8: The Winter Knights. Good thing that old Hall Master passed on his knowledge in time for the young knights to warm things up.

I liked this one better than some of the others ahead of it. I wonder what #9 will bring. Hopefully Quint and Maris are still young and primary characters.

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Nature Girl

2 Comments / 2007, A to Z Challenge, Books in Bed, Fiction /

We started listening to Nature Girl on audio, a couple of weeks ago, and right as we’re about to enter chapter 2, the CD went crazy. Huge, deep gash. Bah! I returned it to the library and reserved the print copy, picked it back up again late last week and another book on my A to Z challenge list is in the can!

You should know I’m not really a Carl Hiaasen fan. I like him well enough but I prefer Chris Moore – it’s the zombie and vampire factor. Since not everyone can include zombies and sequined love nuns in their books, I don’t mind reading the occasional Hiaasen and Nature Girl was a good one. (Though errr, I was always waiting for the zombies to show up. Or a talking fruit bat. Or something.)

I like Honey. I also liked Euginie and Tigertail. Good characters. They should return to another book some day. (I see Tigertail is a relative of an “older” character”. Interesting. I haven’t read enough Hiaasen to have known that.)

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Upstate

2 Comments / 2007, A to Z Challenge, Books in Bed, Favorites, Fiction /

When I was creating my A to Z list, back in January, and looking for a book for the letter “U”, I found Upstate. I’m not sure how I found it, but I did – it might have been on someone else’s A to Z list, it might have been in the NY Times Book pages or blog. No idea how but it is one of the five best books, so far, on my A to Z list.

Get it on audio… it’s worth it for this one.

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Agnes & the Hitman

1 Comment / 2007, Books in Bed, Chick Lit, Favorites, Fiction, Women /

Agnes & the Hitman was hysterical. No, wait. It was HYSTERICAL! I loved it and not just because of the flamingos. Best Jennifer Crusie book so far. I want to be cranky Agnes when I grow up, without the hitman – though he definitely had his charm.

And an OMG I had no idea moment… Jennifer Crusie wrote Coffee at Luke’s. I need that book. Who has not bought my Christmas gift yet? Whoever it is, you can send this – NOW.

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Endymion Spring

2 Comments / 2007, A to Z Challenge, Books in Bed, Children's Literature, Favorites, Fiction, Sci Fi and Fantasy, Young Adult /

Look! Another YA book! And, another book I own but have never read! And, another book I meant to read a year ago! I’m so glad I put Endymion Spring on my A to Z list. And extra glad that I’m making a final last ditch attempt to finish the A to Z list. Otherwise, I might never have found time for Endymion Spring and it would have sat quietly unobserved on RJ’s book shelf where it’s been for a year. Heh.

It was good. I wee bit of a slow start but right about the time (chapter 3) that I mentioned it was starting slow, it picked up and didn’t quit til the end.

Awesome. And I’m so glad I knew who the “shadow” was. I like it when I’m right – which is always, ya know.

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