About this book - from Amazon.com
The pseudonymous Coyle's strong 9th coffeehouse mystery (after 2009's Holiday Grind) pays tribute to New York City firefighters. Clare Cosi, the head barista at Village Blend; Blend owner Madame Dreyfus Allegro Dubois (who's Clare's ex-mother-in-law); and Blend employee Dante Silva narrowly escape death in the bomb-activated blaze that destroys Enzo Testa's Caffe Lucia in Queens and seriously injures Enzo. Clare informs the irritating, overly flirtatious FDNY captain, Michael Quinn, a cousin of her NYPD detective boyfriend, Mike Quinn, that she suspects arson. As fire marshal Stuart Rossi swings into action, Clare is eager to help catch the firebug (aka the Coffee Shop Arsonist), but Rossi is less than enthusiastic about her getting involved. Later, the arsonist torches a Long Island coffeehouse, killing a firefighter, as a warning. While the media worry that a terrorist is loose, new, even more horrible crimes surface. Coyle (the wife-husband writing team of Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini) provides an appendix of useful tips and tempting recipes.
One thing I like about this series is that it starts off with the crime. It starts off with the "villain" and their mind frame. This is a bit different and refreshing.
It's been so long since I've read this book that I can't even remember what it's about. What I can give is the impression the book has left.
I wasn't as crazy about this book as I was the others in the series. Just the introduction of possible corrupt firefighters left a bad taste in my mouth. And Matteo with whom there is always great dialogue doesn't make much of an appearance in this book.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Unwed and Unemployed by Mary Janice Davidson
About this book
Queen Elizabeth I, aka Betsy Taylor, is adjusting to life after death as a vampire, but she still needs a job. To satisfy her lust for sexy shoes, she lands one in Macy's, but one night she is attacked by zit-remedy-scented slayers who are targeting female vampires. While trying to find out who is behind the plot, she befriends an adolescent gang called the Blade Warriors and the kindly priest who leads them. Betsy's unwanted consort, sexy Eric Sinclair, king of the vampires, doesn't know how to deal with a vampire queen who sneezes at holy water and wears a cross around her neck, and a charming subplot involving a mysterious five-year-old girl in saddle shoes adds poignancy to this wickedly clever and amusing romp. Davidson's witty dialogue, fast pacing, smart plotting, laugh-out-loud humor, and sexy relationships make this a joy to read. And Betsy's second adventure, following her debut in Undead and Unwed, will have readers begging for more.
Another funny, quick read from the Queen Betsy vampire chick lit series. Betsy is a vampire queen who doesn't want to be one. In this second book in the series, Betsy lands herself a coveted - in her opinion - job in the shoe department of Macy's after showing her expertise.
Meanwhile someone or someones are killing vampires. It's up to Betsy to help figure it out. She is the Queen after all. She quickly meets the group of vigilantes who is headed by a priest and is funded by someone unknown. The vampires and the vigilantes come to an agreement and stop the killing. In fact, one of the members develops a crush on Betsy, although it could be her newfound ability to be very desirable to others.
And as if she doesn't have her hands enough going on, there is a little girl who keeps popping up in her bedroom. Betsy has to wonder why her parents are working such long hours and always leaving her at the house. It takes a while, but eventually it dawns on Betsy that the little girl is a ghost. Who happens to be the daughter of a newcomer vampire who doesn't care for Betsy. And the only way for the mother and daughter to be together again is in the afterlife.
Betsy unwillingly complies to the mother vampire's wish to be staked and dead forever.
At the end of the day, Betsy loses her lovely job at Macy's even though she is most suited for it. Her manager fires her because she cannot be counted on the work when she is supposed to. And because her manager is a sheep. Eric's sheep.
Queen Elizabeth I, aka Betsy Taylor, is adjusting to life after death as a vampire, but she still needs a job. To satisfy her lust for sexy shoes, she lands one in Macy's, but one night she is attacked by zit-remedy-scented slayers who are targeting female vampires. While trying to find out who is behind the plot, she befriends an adolescent gang called the Blade Warriors and the kindly priest who leads them. Betsy's unwanted consort, sexy Eric Sinclair, king of the vampires, doesn't know how to deal with a vampire queen who sneezes at holy water and wears a cross around her neck, and a charming subplot involving a mysterious five-year-old girl in saddle shoes adds poignancy to this wickedly clever and amusing romp. Davidson's witty dialogue, fast pacing, smart plotting, laugh-out-loud humor, and sexy relationships make this a joy to read. And Betsy's second adventure, following her debut in Undead and Unwed, will have readers begging for more.
Another funny, quick read from the Queen Betsy vampire chick lit series. Betsy is a vampire queen who doesn't want to be one. In this second book in the series, Betsy lands herself a coveted - in her opinion - job in the shoe department of Macy's after showing her expertise.
Meanwhile someone or someones are killing vampires. It's up to Betsy to help figure it out. She is the Queen after all. She quickly meets the group of vigilantes who is headed by a priest and is funded by someone unknown. The vampires and the vigilantes come to an agreement and stop the killing. In fact, one of the members develops a crush on Betsy, although it could be her newfound ability to be very desirable to others.
And as if she doesn't have her hands enough going on, there is a little girl who keeps popping up in her bedroom. Betsy has to wonder why her parents are working such long hours and always leaving her at the house. It takes a while, but eventually it dawns on Betsy that the little girl is a ghost. Who happens to be the daughter of a newcomer vampire who doesn't care for Betsy. And the only way for the mother and daughter to be together again is in the afterlife.
Betsy unwillingly complies to the mother vampire's wish to be staked and dead forever.
At the end of the day, Betsy loses her lovely job at Macy's even though she is most suited for it. Her manager fires her because she cannot be counted on the work when she is supposed to. And because her manager is a sheep. Eric's sheep.
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
About this book - From Amazon.com
Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story of love on many levels--first love, love between parents and children -- that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them.
I liked reading The Last Song well enough. It was a nice start to the new year. It was a very typical Nicholas Sparks book which is why I wanted to read it. It is a feel good book with a twist and usually with a "happy" ending. I have happy in quotations because happy is in the eye of the beholder. Let's just say there is usually a definitive ending to Nicholas Sparks' books. You generally know what to expect and that is why you read his books, at least that's why I do.
Throughout the book, I had it in the back of my mind that The Last Song was a Miley Cyrus vehicle. Not being a fan of Miley Cyrus, I'm sure that colored my opinion of the book. Maybe I would have liked it more? I don't know.
I had trouble understanding Ronnie's anger at everyone. I do get the impression that that is how it can be in divorced families especially when one parent disappears. And as a teenager, it can be just triple fold.
I do look forward to watching the movie, The Last Song, as a part of my Page to Screen reading challenge. I cannot wait to compare the book to the movie.
Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story of love on many levels--first love, love between parents and children -- that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them.
I liked reading The Last Song well enough. It was a nice start to the new year. It was a very typical Nicholas Sparks book which is why I wanted to read it. It is a feel good book with a twist and usually with a "happy" ending. I have happy in quotations because happy is in the eye of the beholder. Let's just say there is usually a definitive ending to Nicholas Sparks' books. You generally know what to expect and that is why you read his books, at least that's why I do.
Throughout the book, I had it in the back of my mind that The Last Song was a Miley Cyrus vehicle. Not being a fan of Miley Cyrus, I'm sure that colored my opinion of the book. Maybe I would have liked it more? I don't know.
I had trouble understanding Ronnie's anger at everyone. I do get the impression that that is how it can be in divorced families especially when one parent disappears. And as a teenager, it can be just triple fold.
I do look forward to watching the movie, The Last Song, as a part of my Page to Screen reading challenge. I cannot wait to compare the book to the movie.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
2011 Audio Book Challenge
You won't believe this but I've signed up for ANOTHER challenge. Before anyone gets up at arms, wait until you hear about it first. It is an AUDIOBOOK challenge. That makes a difference, doesn't it?
Teresa's Reading Corner is hosting the 2011 Audio Book Challenge.
The 2011 Audio Book Challenge will run from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.
I'm going to go ahead and continue with the same levels that were previously established:
Curious: 3 Audio Books
Fascinated: 6 Audio Books
Addicted: 12 Audio Books
Obsessed: 20 Audio Books
Choose your level of participation and add your name. Over the course of the year I'm going to try to put together some fun things. If you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know.
Right now, I'm going to lowball it because I don't know how much audiobook time I'm really going to get. Audiobooks might be the only reading I get this year or maybe I won't even have time at all. It remains to be seen once the baby arrives in the next week or so. So for now I will shoot for the Fascinated level. I already have 2 audiobooks borrowed from the library, so I have a headstart. I hope that these will not be the only audiobooks that I get to this year! I know listening to the audiobooks should be easy. I agree. It's the getting to the library to get more audiobooks that will be the hard part. But like I've already mentioned, at least I have 2 audiobooks from the library, so I've got a decent headstart!
1 - Something borrowed by Emily Giffin
2 - Something blue by Emily Giffin
3 - Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
4 - Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
5 - Room by Emma Donoghue
6 - Now You See Her - listening
Teresa's Reading Corner is hosting the 2011 Audio Book Challenge.
The 2011 Audio Book Challenge will run from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.
I'm going to go ahead and continue with the same levels that were previously established:
Curious: 3 Audio Books
Fascinated: 6 Audio Books
Addicted: 12 Audio Books
Obsessed: 20 Audio Books
Choose your level of participation and add your name. Over the course of the year I'm going to try to put together some fun things. If you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know.
Right now, I'm going to lowball it because I don't know how much audiobook time I'm really going to get. Audiobooks might be the only reading I get this year or maybe I won't even have time at all. It remains to be seen once the baby arrives in the next week or so. So for now I will shoot for the Fascinated level. I already have 2 audiobooks borrowed from the library, so I have a headstart. I hope that these will not be the only audiobooks that I get to this year! I know listening to the audiobooks should be easy. I agree. It's the getting to the library to get more audiobooks that will be the hard part. But like I've already mentioned, at least I have 2 audiobooks from the library, so I've got a decent headstart!
1 - Something borrowed by Emily Giffin
2 - Something blue by Emily Giffin
3 - Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
4 - Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
5 - Room by Emma Donoghue
6 - Now You See Her - listening
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2011 Reading Challenges
So continuing our annual reading challenge tradition, my reading buddy and I decided to take it easy this year. We're skipping the specifics and just going with a simple TBR challenge. We will also log the number of pages read. Simple and easy!
And of course, I can never leave well enough alone. I went looking for other reading challenges.
I've committed myself to a few other challenges:
- Book Chick City is hosting the Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2011! Mysteries are my first love, so this challenge won't be too much of a stretch.
- Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2011 hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews is another challenge that piqued my interest. Cozies are right up my alley! So this challenge will be a complete cheat. It's not even fair to call it a challenge since given a choice, cozies is what I would read.
- And then for fun, I decided to also join in on the Page to Screen Reading Challenge hosted by Reading Extensively. Yes, I know, normally I am not a fan of books to movies. But I'm prepared to have a less than stellar reading year with the arrival of the new baby in a couple of weeks. So I thought why not have fun with it. I could spend my many sleepless nights watching movies/shows based on books. Kill two birds with one stone!
And of course, I can never leave well enough alone. I went looking for other reading challenges.
I've committed myself to a few other challenges:
- Book Chick City is hosting the Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2011! Mysteries are my first love, so this challenge won't be too much of a stretch.
- Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2011 hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews is another challenge that piqued my interest. Cozies are right up my alley! So this challenge will be a complete cheat. It's not even fair to call it a challenge since given a choice, cozies is what I would read.
- And then for fun, I decided to also join in on the Page to Screen Reading Challenge hosted by Reading Extensively. Yes, I know, normally I am not a fan of books to movies. But I'm prepared to have a less than stellar reading year with the arrival of the new baby in a couple of weeks. So I thought why not have fun with it. I could spend my many sleepless nights watching movies/shows based on books. Kill two birds with one stone!
Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2011
Oh boy! Just browsing what kind of reading challenges are out there and this one just popped out at me. I know I really don't need any more reading challenges, but how can I refuse a cozy!
Okay, this isn't really going to be a challenge because cozies are my go to books. Given a choice, I would probably read a cozy over any other book. So this should be an easy, fun challenge.
Socrates' Book Reviews is hosting Cruisin' through the Cozies Reading Challenge 2011. This challenge is definitely calling my name!
Here is what Socrates' Book Reviews says about the challenge:
I know I wasn't going to host another reading challenge, but I couldn't help myself :) I love cozy mysteries and I want to read more of them this year. To find out exactly what a cozy mystery is, check out Cozy-Mystery.com. This site is dedicated to cozy mysteries and does a great job of defining them as well as giving a list of cozy mysteries. This challenge is NOT restricted to what is on their list, it's just to be used as a guideline in case you need some hints on what to read.
So, here are the rules...
1. Choose the level you wish to participate:
Level 1 - Snoop - Read 1-6 books
Level 2 - Investigator - Reading 7-12 books
Level 3 - Super Sleuth - Read 13 or more books
2. The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 and ends December 31, 2011.
3. You don't have to choose your books in advance. If you do, you can change your list at any time during the year. Books can overlap with other challenges.
4. Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebooks...it all counts!
5. You don't have to post a review, but I'm sure others would love to know about the books you are reading and may even want to add it to their reading lists.
6. Take the button above, put it on your blog and post about the challenge. Then add your name to Mr. Linky below...Please use the link of challenge post, not the link to your home page.
Have fun!
NOTE: If you don't have a blog and want to participate, that's fine. You don't have to have a blog, just post in the comments section as you finish books.
I am going to aim high and shoot for Level 3 - Super Sleuth, and read 13 or more.
Okay, this isn't really going to be a challenge because cozies are my go to books. Given a choice, I would probably read a cozy over any other book. So this should be an easy, fun challenge.
Socrates' Book Reviews is hosting Cruisin' through the Cozies Reading Challenge 2011. This challenge is definitely calling my name!
Here is what Socrates' Book Reviews says about the challenge:
I know I wasn't going to host another reading challenge, but I couldn't help myself :) I love cozy mysteries and I want to read more of them this year. To find out exactly what a cozy mystery is, check out Cozy-Mystery.com. This site is dedicated to cozy mysteries and does a great job of defining them as well as giving a list of cozy mysteries. This challenge is NOT restricted to what is on their list, it's just to be used as a guideline in case you need some hints on what to read.
So, here are the rules...
1. Choose the level you wish to participate:
Level 1 - Snoop - Read 1-6 books
Level 2 - Investigator - Reading 7-12 books
Level 3 - Super Sleuth - Read 13 or more books
2. The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 and ends December 31, 2011.
3. You don't have to choose your books in advance. If you do, you can change your list at any time during the year. Books can overlap with other challenges.
4. Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebooks...it all counts!
5. You don't have to post a review, but I'm sure others would love to know about the books you are reading and may even want to add it to their reading lists.
6. Take the button above, put it on your blog and post about the challenge. Then add your name to Mr. Linky below...Please use the link of challenge post, not the link to your home page.
Have fun!
NOTE: If you don't have a blog and want to participate, that's fine. You don't have to have a blog, just post in the comments section as you finish books.
I am going to aim high and shoot for Level 3 - Super Sleuth, and read 13 or more.
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 Reading Challenges - Complete!
The constant reading overachiever that I am, means that I read way, way more than I was willing to blog about. While I did complete the reading challenges I had set up for myself (ahead of schedule, I might add), I did read less books than I did in previous years. And this is reading books beyond the ones in my challenge, 12 outside of my self imposed challenges. I read a total of 95 books. I believe my numbers for the previous two year was 101.
I started off with the 52 book challenge with a friend. We agreed to continue the different genre books and supplementing that with banned books, Pulitzer/Booker prize nominated books, name books and number books. The most challenging part of the challenge (pun intended!) were the prize books. They were not the usual easy reads. While I may not ever read a Pulitzer or Booker prize again, I am proud to have read some. I'm going to be bold and say it was the prize books that slowed down my reading. They required a little bit more thinking than my usual books.
I will admit that I am a bit burned out by the challenges. I think I am going to take a break from such specific reading challenges. But as always, I look forward to another great year of reading!
2010 Genre Challenge
* Biography/Memoir - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future by Michael J Fox 2010
* Biography/Memoir - My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster 2010
* Chick Lit - Big Boned by Meg Cabot
* Chick Lit - She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot
* Classic - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
* Classic - Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
* General Fiction - Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
* General Fiction - Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell
* Historical Fiction - Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin 2010
* Historical Fiction - Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon
* Horror - Lisey's Story by Stephen King
* Horror - The Passage by Justin Cronin 2010
* Humor/Comedy - Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
* Humor/Comedy - Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster
* Mystery/Thriller - Blood Game by Iris Johansen
* Mystery/Thriller - Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke
* Nonfiction - Bright Lights, Big Ass by Jen Lancaster
* Nonfiction - Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster
* Romance - Full Blast by Janet Evanovich
* Romance - The Grand Finale by Janet Evanovich
* SciFi/Fantasy - Stork Naked by Piers Anthony
* SciFi/Fantasy - Jumper Cable by Piers Anthony
* Young Adult - Princess In Love by Meg Cabot
* Young Adult - Princess in Waiting by Meg Cabot
2010 Banned Books Challenge
* 1 The Giver by Lois Lowry
* 2 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
* 3 Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
* 4 The Witches by Roald Dahl
* 5 Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
* 6 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
* 7 Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
2010 Booker/Pulitizer Prize Challenge
* 1 - Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler
* 2 - What Was She Thinking by Zoe Heller
* 3 - Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
* 4 - Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
* 5 - The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
* 6 - The Clothes on Their Back by Linda Grant
* 7 - The Accidental by Ali Smith
2010 Read Your Doppleganger Challenge
* 1 - Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson
* 2 - Things I Want My Daughter to Know by Elizabeth Noble
* 3 - Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
* 4 - Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner 2010
* 5 - Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay 2010
* 6 - Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie
* 7 - Crazy for you by Jennifer Crusie
2010 Number Challenge
* 1 - The 9th Judgment by James Patterson
* 2 - Eight Days to Live by Iris Johansen
* 3 - Sizzlin' Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
* 4 - Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
* 5 - One Day by David Nicholls
* 6 - Size 14 isn't Fat Either by Meg Cabot
* 7 - The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
2010 Published Challenge
* 1 - Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke
* 2 - Mistress of the Game by Tilly Bagshawe
* 3 - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
* 4 - Oolong Dead by Laura Childs
* 5 - Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke
* 6 - Swimsuit by James Patterson
* 7 - The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
* 8 - The Teaberry Strangler by Laura Childs
* 9 - The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
* 10 - Vixen by Jill Larkin
2010 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge
1. Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
4. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
5. Teen Idol by Meg Cabot
6. Shadowland by Meg Cabot
7. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
8. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
9. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
10. Unwed and Undead by Mary Janice Davidson
2010 TBR Challenge
1 - The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
2 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3 - Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
4 - The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
5 - The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
6 - Her Fearful Symmetry by Audry Niffenegger
7 - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
8 - Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult
9 - The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
10 - Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian
11 - The Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver
12 - Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
Misc Book List
* Dashing through the Snow by Mary Higgins Clark & Carolyn Higgins Clark
* Death Swatch by Laura Childs
* Eggs Benedict Arnold by Laura Childs
* Eggs in Purgatory by Laura Childs
* Fatally Flaky by Diane Mott Davidson
* Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell - reread
* Look Again by Lisa Scottoline
* Motif for Murder by Laura Childs
* Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
* Quickie by James Patterson
* Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark
* Turn Up the Heat by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant
I started off with the 52 book challenge with a friend. We agreed to continue the different genre books and supplementing that with banned books, Pulitzer/Booker prize nominated books, name books and number books. The most challenging part of the challenge (pun intended!) were the prize books. They were not the usual easy reads. While I may not ever read a Pulitzer or Booker prize again, I am proud to have read some. I'm going to be bold and say it was the prize books that slowed down my reading. They required a little bit more thinking than my usual books.
I will admit that I am a bit burned out by the challenges. I think I am going to take a break from such specific reading challenges. But as always, I look forward to another great year of reading!
2010 Genre Challenge
* Biography/Memoir - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future by Michael J Fox 2010
* Biography/Memoir - My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster 2010
* Chick Lit - Big Boned by Meg Cabot
* Chick Lit - She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot
* Classic - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
* Classic - Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
* General Fiction - Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
* General Fiction - Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell
* Historical Fiction - Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin 2010
* Historical Fiction - Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon
* Horror - Lisey's Story by Stephen King
* Horror - The Passage by Justin Cronin 2010
* Humor/Comedy - Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
* Humor/Comedy - Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster
* Mystery/Thriller - Blood Game by Iris Johansen
* Mystery/Thriller - Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke
* Nonfiction - Bright Lights, Big Ass by Jen Lancaster
* Nonfiction - Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster
* Romance - Full Blast by Janet Evanovich
* Romance - The Grand Finale by Janet Evanovich
* SciFi/Fantasy - Stork Naked by Piers Anthony
* SciFi/Fantasy - Jumper Cable by Piers Anthony
* Young Adult - Princess In Love by Meg Cabot
* Young Adult - Princess in Waiting by Meg Cabot
2010 Banned Books Challenge
* 1 The Giver by Lois Lowry
* 2 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
* 3 Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
* 4 The Witches by Roald Dahl
* 5 Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
* 6 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
* 7 Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
2010 Booker/Pulitizer Prize Challenge
* 1 - Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler
* 2 - What Was She Thinking by Zoe Heller
* 3 - Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
* 4 - Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
* 5 - The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
* 6 - The Clothes on Their Back by Linda Grant
* 7 - The Accidental by Ali Smith
2010 Read Your Doppleganger Challenge
* 1 - Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson
* 2 - Things I Want My Daughter to Know by Elizabeth Noble
* 3 - Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
* 4 - Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner 2010
* 5 - Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay 2010
* 6 - Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie
* 7 - Crazy for you by Jennifer Crusie
2010 Number Challenge
* 1 - The 9th Judgment by James Patterson
* 2 - Eight Days to Live by Iris Johansen
* 3 - Sizzlin' Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
* 4 - Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
* 5 - One Day by David Nicholls
* 6 - Size 14 isn't Fat Either by Meg Cabot
* 7 - The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
2010 Published Challenge
* 1 - Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke
* 2 - Mistress of the Game by Tilly Bagshawe
* 3 - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
* 4 - Oolong Dead by Laura Childs
* 5 - Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke
* 6 - Swimsuit by James Patterson
* 7 - The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
* 8 - The Teaberry Strangler by Laura Childs
* 9 - The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
* 10 - Vixen by Jill Larkin
2010 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge
1. Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
4. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
5. Teen Idol by Meg Cabot
6. Shadowland by Meg Cabot
7. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
8. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
9. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
10. Unwed and Undead by Mary Janice Davidson
2010 TBR Challenge
1 - The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
2 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3 - Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
4 - The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
5 - The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
6 - Her Fearful Symmetry by Audry Niffenegger
7 - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
8 - Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult
9 - The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
10 - Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian
11 - The Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver
12 - Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
Misc Book List
* Dashing through the Snow by Mary Higgins Clark & Carolyn Higgins Clark
* Death Swatch by Laura Childs
* Eggs Benedict Arnold by Laura Childs
* Eggs in Purgatory by Laura Childs
* Fatally Flaky by Diane Mott Davidson
* Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell - reread
* Look Again by Lisa Scottoline
* Motif for Murder by Laura Childs
* Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
* Quickie by James Patterson
* Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark
* Turn Up the Heat by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant
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