My impromptu New Year’s resolution of ‘10 was to try to read 100 books in a year.  Actually, I’m lying.  It was never my New Year’s resolution to read that many books, but it was definitely a goal.  So here I stand…er, blog, before you today with my tally of 57 books.  Sure, I was short of my wishful goal, but nevertheless, I’m pretty darn proud of myself.  New Year’s resolution for ‘11 you ask?  Maybe something a bit ambitious and potentially more obtainable.  Like sit in Stephen Colbert’s lap?  Yes please!

24. “From Dead to Worse” (Sookie Stackhouse, #8); finished Jul. 2; 2 stars

25. “Dead and Gone” (Sookie Stackhouse, #9); finished Jul. 13; 4 stars

26.  “Murder on the Orient Express”; finished Jul. 17; 4 stars

27.  “Dead in the Family” (Sookie Stackhouse, #10); finished Jul. 20; 3.5 stars

28.  “The Body in the Library”; finished Jul. 22; 4 stars

29.  “Death on the Nile”; finished Jul. 26; 5 stars

30.  “A Caribbean Mystery”; finished Jul. 28; 3 stars

31.  “Hallowe’en Party”; finished Aug. 4; 3 stars

32.  “4:50 From Paddington”; finished Aug. 8; 4 stars

33.  “My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding”; finished Aug. 11; 4 stars

34.  “Strange Brew”; finished Aug. 11; 3 stars

35.  “Crimes By Moonlight”; finished Aug. 11; 3 stars

36.  “Death in the Clouds”; finished Aug. 14; 4 stars

37.  “Death’s Excellent Vacation”; finished Aug. 28; 4 stars

38.  “Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History”; finished Sept. 2; 4 stars

39.  “Changeless” (The Parasol Protectorate, #2); finished Sept. 8; 4.5 stars

40.  “Blameless” (The Parasol Protectorate, #3); finished Sept. 15; 4 stars

41.  “Murder in Mesopotamia”; finished Sept. 30; 4 stars

42.  “The Big Four”; finished Oct. 3; 3 stars

43.  “The Johnstown Flood”; finished Oct. 11; 4 stars

44.  “The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories”; finished Oct. 13; 4 stars

45.  “After the Funeral”; finished Oct. 17; 4 stars

46.  “The Mystery of the Blue Train”; finished Oct. 19; 4 stars

47.  “Poirot Investigates”; finished Oct. 24; 4 stars

48.  “Miss Marple the Complete Short Stories”; finished Oct. 26; 4 stars

49.  “The Devil in the White City”; finished Nov. 1; 4 stars

50.  “Gingerbread Cookie Murder” (Hannah Swensen, #16); finished Nov. 8; 3 stars

51.  “Double Sin and Other Stories”; finished Nov. 11; 4 stars

52.  “Her Royal Spyness” (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #1); finished Nov. 16; 3 stars

53.  “Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror”; finished Nov. 23; 4 stars

54.  “Red Dragon”; finished Nov. 28; 4 stars

55.  “The Silence of the Lambs”; finished Dec. 9; 4 stars

56.  “Tales of Terror from the Black Ship”; finished Dec. 14; 3 stars

57.  “Hannibal”; finished Dec. 28; 3 stars

Books 1-23 can be found here.

‘Twas the 41^st night before Christmas, when all through house-row,
Not a creature was stirring, not even Papa Poirot;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Dame Christie soon would be there;
The kitties were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of murderous gingerbread men danced in their heads
And Miss Marple in her ‘kerchief, and Moishe in his cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
Jaine sprang from her bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window she flew (while Prozac hemmed and hawed) like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to her wondering eyes should materialize,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny dolls with rolling eyes
With a little old driver, so quick and lively,
Jaine knew in a moment it must be Dame Christie,
More rapid than eagles her dollies they came,
And she whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now ‘Mystery of the Baghdad Chest’! now, ‘How Does Your Garden Grow’! now, ‘Yellow Iris’ and ‘The Adventure of ‘The Western Star’!
On ‘The Dressmaker’s Doll’!  on ‘The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge’! on, ‘The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim’ and ‘The Tragedy at Marsdon Man…or’!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the dollies they flew,
With the sleigh full of stories, and Dame Christie too.
And then, in a twinkling, Jaine heard on the roof
The prancing and dancing of each little dolly’s boot.
As Jaine drew in her head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Dame Christie came with a bound.
She was dressed all in fur, from her head to her foot,
And her clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of stories she had flung on her back,
And she looked like a writer just opening her sack.
Her eyes – how they tinkled! her dimples how merry!
Her cheeks were like roses, her nose like a cherry!
Her droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the skin of her chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a cig she held tight in her teeth,
And the smoke it encircled her head like a wreath;
She had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when she laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
She was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And Jaine laughed when she saw her, in spite of herself;
A wink of her eye and a twist of her head,
Soon gave Jaine to know she had nothing to dread;
She spoke not a word, but went straight to her work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying her finger aside of her nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney she rose;
She sprang to her sleigh, to her team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard her exclaim, ere she drove out of sight,
“Don’t read ‘Gingerbread Cookie Murder,’ it’s quite a fright!”

“The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories”: 4 stars
“Poirot Investigates”: 4.5 stars
“Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories”: 4 stars
“Double Sin and Other Stories”: 4 stars
“Gingerbread Cookie Murder”: 3 stars

I’ve always wanted to be part of a book club but never really had the opportunity…until recently.  Whilst walking to the elevators (at work) I noticed that there was a sign with a book on it.  Being intrigued for obvious reasons (it had a book on the flyer!), I strolled over to it and found that we had a “Disaster Book Club.”  Now let me explain something about myself.  I work for a government agency whose job it is to respond to disasters (can you guess which agency for which I work?).  Anyway, so our book club is tied closely to the agency’s mission.  At first, though excited to find that I work with individuals who have a love of books like I do, I was a bit apprehensive.  Who would enjoy only reading books about disasters?  But my desire to be part of a book club outweighed my fear of the subject matter and I’ve been to the past two meetings (hurray!).  And so far, not so bad.  We meet every 6 to 8 weeks, so you know that I’m a bit late on writing these reviews…hush up!

“Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History” by Erik Larson

An intriguing tale recounting the stories of Isaac Cline and the US Weather Bureau and how the hubris of the two played a significant role in the destruction of  Galveston, Texas during the Galveston Hurricane of 1900.  Of course, an almost direct hit from the Category 4 Hurricane probably was a large reason for the destruction of the booming beach resort and could-have-been-Houston city, but ultimately, the author shows that there were many factors that contributed to the Texas shore not being prepared for the huge-ass storm.

All in all, I thought Larson did a good job in depicting the hubris of the time and describing the culture in which the Bureau and Cline thrived.  I also enjoyed how he introduced various Galvestonians’ stories about the storm and the efforts they took in order to survive the massive waves and flood.  However, while Larson is a great writer and someone who is definitely gifted in keeping his audience’s attention, I was a bit skeptical and curious about the resources he used.  The book also had more of a large newspaper article feel than a history book, which always leaves me feeling dubious especially when the story is advertised as one that is 100% true.

“The Johnstown Flood” by David McCullough

I actually met David McCullough when I was in undergrad.  I vaguely remember his speech (I took notes in a book that’s currently buried somewhere on my bookshelf), but what I do clearly remember is that he is a cute old man who had a private jet.

Anyway, prior to his well-known fame for “John Adams,” McCullough was making a name for himself in the historical realm.  One book for which he is known, or maybe it’s just a PA thing, is “The Johnstown Flood.”  On May 31, 1889, the newly thriving town of Johnstown was hit by a tremendous wave of debris and water when the South Fork Dam, which was situated 14 miles from the town, broke.  Due to men’s carelessness, the dam deteriorated over the years and was never properly fixed.  And after a period of heavy rain, the ongoing joke that the dam would break finally came true, leaving in its path destruction that cut down the mountainside.  In the end, the flood would claim the lives of over 2,000 individuals, though a final count was never really issued.

While the beginning of the story was a bit slow, it definitely picked up speed toward mid-book (wow, talk about a horrible analogy all things considering).  McCullough did an excellent job at keeping his audience attentive even when bogging them down with what seemed like unnecessary names.  And like Larson, McCullough also included stories of how the locals were able to survive and rebuild post-flood.  In the end, I would definitely recommend this book to those who like historical non-fiction and especially to those who are interested in PA history.

My work book club is taking a bit of a hiatus due to the upcoming holiday season.  Nevertheless, our book for the next meeting has already been picked: “Disaster: Hurricane Katrina and the Failure of Homeland Security.”  What can I say?  We’re a glutton for self-punishment.

Murder in Mesopotamia:

“A woman who doesn’t lie is a woman without imagination and without sympathy.”

On par with “Death on the Nile” and “Murder on the Orient Express,” “Murder in Mesopotamia” was a refreshing read from the Hercule Poirot collection.  Set in Iraq, the plot takes us to an archeological dig where the lead archeologist’s wife suffers from the delusion that her dead ex-husband’s spirit is back to haunt her.  But when Nurse Leatheran comes to the dig to help calm Mrs. Leidner’s nerves, the nurse discovers that there is more to this story than what was initially revealed.

Unlike a lot of Christie’s other stories, which are told in the third person narrative, the plot of “Murder in Mesopotamia” is revealed to its readers through the eyes of Nurse Leatheran.  Another interesting factoid is that Poirot isn’t introduced to the story until a good 90 pages in.  But it’s not like his presence is really missed since he lets the nurse do most of the investigating for him and we hardly see our beloved mustached detective.  Nevertheless, even with an MIA Poirot, the story is intriguing and the narrator does a great job at keeping her reader’s interest.  I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is in search of a mystery that takes place in a desert climate – it truly is a good story and is not just for those who are fans of Dame C.

Big Four:

“It was a near thing that!  But clumsy, all the same – for I had no suspicion – at least hardly any suspicion.  Yes, but for my quick eyes, the eyes of a cat, Hercule Poirot might now be crushed out of existence – a terrible calamity for the world.  And you, too, mon ami – though that would not be such a national catastrophe.”

Now to the heart of the matter.  Christie has admitted in interviews that she modeled her stories, at times, after the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved Sherlock Holmes, and this fact isn’t any more apparent than in “Big Four.”

• Poirot as Sherlock Holmes: Poirot, like Holmes, likes to use his brain when solving matters.  However, unlike Holmes, Poirot generally hates to dress up.  But!  Wouldn’t you know it, in this story our little mustached fellow does don the “cap and robe” in order to trick his enemies.  Also in this story we find that Poirot has a twin “brother” who, like Mycroft Holmes, would be a far better detective than his brother if he only decided to take up the profession.   And!  In part of the story, the reader is led to believe that Poirot has died at the hands of his fatal enemies.  Seriously…

• Hastings as Watson:  Hastings is, surprise surprise, Poirot’s faithful sidekick.  In fact, Hastings used to live with Poirot but moved upon getting married.  In this particular story, Hastings comes to visit his old flat-mate and extends his trip when he becomes enveloped in the Big Four mystery.  Like Watson, Hastings is the narrator to the story and at times, is a bit daft.  But overall, he is a loveable character and is truly devoted to Poirot even when the latter is overly pompous.

• Japp as Lestast:  Both are semi-smart detectives who rely on Poirot/Holmes when the going gets tough.

• Big Four as Moriarty:  Both are especially smart individuals whose power influences a large portion of crimes in the world.

If this doesn’t convince you that “Big Four” pretty much mirrors the Holmes anthology, then maybe this last fact will.  Poirot chases the Big Four across the European continent, much like how Holmes chased/was chased by Moriarty.

Moral of the story: if the wheel isn’t broke, don’t fix it.

I was spellbound by “Soulless.”  So spellbound that I hurried off to the bookstore as soon as I could and bought “Changeless.”  However, by the time I sat down to read the second book in the Parasol Protectorate series, I noticed that the enchantment wore off.  In fact, the book remained on my bookshelf until recently when I realized I was in another one of my “book funks.”  Hoping that this was the remedy for my bit of book depression, I dove into “Changeless,” and it was just what the doctor ordered.  Hurray!

“Changeless” begins with Alexia in bed with an un-happy Lord Maccon conversing with a ghost.  In true Lord Maccon style, he bounds out of the room without letting his wife know what was going on – with either the hordes of military men encamped outside their manor or with the fact that his former werewolf pack was having a bout of changelessness.  Nevertheless, Lady Maccon, with her keen sense and supplied gossip from Lord Akeldama and his merry band of men, figures out that not all is right in Scotland.  Armed with a charge from the Queen herself and a trusty parasol—ordered by her husband and designed by scientist, cross-dresser Madame Lafoux—Alexia sets off after her husband to find out what the deuce is causing changelessness amongst the supernatural folk.  Per usual with Alexia, peril follows her aboard the dirigible bound for Scotland and continues to haunt her at her husband’s former Scottish abode.  But also in true Alexia-style, Lady Maccon is able to figure out the cause behind the plague without destroying too much of her wardrobe, which definitely cannot be said in “Blameless,” and saves the day…to an extent.  At the end of the novel, Miss Carriger leaves us with a cliff-hanger.  Are you ready?  (You can most likely figure it out…)  Alexia is pregnant!  Now, for most of us, who have a sound mind, this wouldn’t be a huge deal.  Alexia is soulless.  Her touch causes the supernatural to become human.  So obviously, while in contact with her husband when they perform their matrimonial “duties” (wink wink), one would assume that impregnation could occur.  But Lord Maccon is too thickheaded to believe it, and the end of the novel leaves us with an Alexia, fleeing from the Scottish manor, fate unknown.

So guess who then ran to the store and bought “Blameless”?  I did!

“Blameless” begins with Alexia in bed at her former abode – with her mother, step-father, and intolerable sisters.  Unfortunately, due to a bout of loose-tongue, Alexia’s brat of a sister lets it slip that Alexia is pregnant and the scandal lights us the London newspapers.  Forced out of her home, Alexia tries to take refuge with Lord Akeldama, but alas, he has disappeared and left her with a cryptic message to avoid Italian men who embroider.  With nowhere else to turn, Alexia gathers her faithful friends and embarks for Italy, in hopes of finding out more about her preternatural nature and about the demon spawn that is inside her.  OK, so she doesn’t call it a demon spawn – it’s an “infant inconvenience.”  Anyway, after encountering some harrowing near misses (there are vampires who want her dead), Alexia makes her way to Italy and comes under the keep of the Templars.  It is under their “care” that Lady Maccon finds out the true nature of her unborn child: it will be soulless but will also have the ability to steal a supernatural’s power for a day (basically, if it touches a vampire or werewolf, it has the ability to become a vampire/werewolf (respectively) for a day, leaving the touched supernatural powerless).  Pretty cool if I do say so myself.  Once the Templars realize she is pregnant, they decide they want to keep her.   Of course, Alexia has other plans and is able to make an escape with the help of her wallowing husband, who through most of the book has been drinking formaldehyde.

Overall, I’m enchanted with the series.  Miss Carriger has definitely improved her art of writing, and I found the books to have smoother transitions than “Soulless,” thank God!  Here’s hoping that I’ll remain enchanted with the series until the next book, “Heartless,” is released in July 2011.  Or else it might be bought but remain untouched on my shelf until I reach another book funk.

“Changeless” receives 4.5 stars; “Blameless,” 4 stars.

So…I have something to admit.  I miss Sookie!  After plowing through Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Series and at times, questioning my better judgment, I’ve actually grown to like the characters.  Maybe it has a lot to do with the fact that Sookie became real to me in “Dead in the Family.”  Whatever the reason, I miss her.  So this unexpected somewhat-of-a-fan (I refuse to characterize myself as a “true” fan) decided that she might try her hand at reading all the Southern Vampire related short stories that Harris has scattered in a smattering of books.

To date, Harris has written: “Fairy Dust,” “Dancers in the Dark,” “One Word Answer,” “Tacky,” “Dracula Night,” “Gift Wrap,” “Lucky,” “Bacon,” “The Britlingens Go to Hell,” and “Two Blondes.”  Luckily for us readers who don’t want to go around and hunt down these short stories, five can be found in one book, “A Touch of Dead,” which includes: Fairy Dust, One Word Answer, Dracula Night, Lucky, and Gift Wrap.  The rest, unfortunately, you’ll have to find in their respective anthologies.  You can find Dancers in the Dark in “Night’s Edge”; Tacky in “My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding”; Bacon in “Strange Brew”; The Britlingens Go to Hell in “Must Love Hellhounds”; Dahlia Underground in “Crimes by Moonlight”; and Two Blondes in “Death’s Excellent Vacation.”

In my quest to hunt down these short stories, I was able to find all but two at my local library.  Yes, while I could buy the books, I find it a bit silly to buy a book for a short story from a series that I am lukewarm toward.  Now, if we were talking about Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, then that’s a completely different story… Anyway, on with the review!

• Fairy Dust:  Sookie is used by her fae cousins in order to find the murderer of Claudette – did you know Claudine and Claude are triplets?  One good thing about this story is you get to learn a bit more about fae culture (so to speak), but it was a bit weird to see Sookie exploited by faes instead of weres and vamps, which are the per usual.  It sucks to be a telepath.
• One Word Answer:  An essential for anyone who follows the Sookie Stackhouse series.  This story introduces us to Hadley and the New Orleans vamps., and explains what happened to her (Hadley) prior to “Definitely Dead.”  Definitely helps fill in the blanks.
• Dracula Night:  Cute story about Eric.  In the vamp world, Dracula Night is the celebration of Dracula’s birthday.  Rumor has it that if you’re a lucky vampire, Dracula will come visit you.  The story definitely reminded me of Linus and the Great Pumpkin.  Remember, Eric, there’s always next year…
• Lucky:  This story made me miss Amelia, the New Orleans witch.  Amelia and Sookie do a favor for the local wizard, Greg, and figure out that 1) his daughter has been pall-ing around with a teenage-looking vampire and 2) he (Greg) has been using up all the luck in town, causing others to take some drastic measures.
• Gift Wrap:  For someone who claims she’s somewhat of a prude, this story is definitely out of character for Sookie.  After finding a hurt “were” in the woods around Christmas, Sookie takes him in and hides him from a rival pack.  In return for her nice gesture, the “were” gives Sookie a Christmas Eve to remember.
• Tacky:  Our first introduction to were on vamp love.  Super cute story where Dahlia, a vampire, falls in love with a were during the wedding of her vamp friend to a were.  It was a bit refreshing to have a story in Sookie-dom that involved others within the world.
• Bacon:  Never f*ck with vamps.  Super sad story where we find out that Dahlia’s husband has been killed, but at least she gets her revenge in maybe the best way possible.
• Dahlia Underground:  Takes place post-“All Together Dead.”  Dahlia is saved by humans (fire fighters) after the explosion at the hotel.  In return, she saves the local fire station when Fellowship of the Sun radicals try to blow it up.
• Two Blondes:  Eric sends Pam and Sookie on a mission/vacation to find out if Michael, vampire owner of the strip club Blondes, truly wants to defect to Louisiana.  Of course, the deal goes south and Pam and Sookie find themselves in a very tricky (wink wink) situation.  In this story, we’re introduced to a half-Elf, who is a new mythical character in Sookie-dom.  It’ll be interesting to see how elves are depicted in the next book.  As of now, we know they have sharp teeth and that their blood causes vampires to become intoxicated.

What’s next in the Southern Vampires series, you ask?  Well, it seems as though Charlaine Harris will be releasing a “Sookie Stackhouse Companion,” which will include a new novella (Sookie is supposed to accompany Sam to his brother’s wedding), interviews, FAQs, recipes (?), and more.  It’ll be coming to a book store near you in February 2011.  That’s not too long of a wait, yeah?  I think I’ll find a way to survive.

As of recent, I’ve noticed that I’m not entirely satisfied until I read a large portion of books in an author’s repertoire.  It all began when, after reading 3 and waiting for the publication of another book from Augustine Burroughs, I decided it would be *so* cool to read all of his books.  Well, that didn’t happen; I have yet to read “Sellevision,” “Dry,” and his most recent Christmas-based short stories.  I think I hit the proverbial wall when I went to read “Dry” but heard the book was a bit depressing.  Also, since I don’t have an alcohol problem and didn’t want to make myself feel bad about those one to two (OK maybe 6) drinks I have when I finally have time to “let loose,” I decided to abandon my desire to read all of Burroughs’ books.  Nevertheless, the drive is still there.  It lurks in the dark recesses of my mind and bobs to the surface when I find an author who I enjoy.  Who’s my lucky new obsession, you ask?  Well, none other than Dame Agatha Christie.  (She’s a f*cking Dame!)

Within the past month and few weeks (mid-July to now), I’ve read: “Murder on the Orient Express,” “The Body in the Library,” “Death on the Nile,” “A Caribbean Mystery,” “Hallowe’en Party,” “4:50 from Paddington” (aka “What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw”), “Death in the Clouds” and “The Tuesday Club Murders”  (aka “The Thirteen Problems”).  Yes, you may now marvel at my lack of blogging.  I’ve been awful (::sad face::).  But don’t fret blogsters!  I’m returning to a feature you’ve seen on this site before at which I’m incredibly good.  Welcome to my compressed blog entry about Christie!

Hercule Poirot: Belgian, retired detective who relocated to London, England.  Known to be cocky (I have yet to find him annoying though Dame Christie grew tired of him due to his arrogant nature) and for his great mustaches (did you know that mustache can be written in its plural form even when talking about one man with one mustache?)

• Murder on the Orient Express: Absolutely loved the structure of the book though some might find it a bit repetitive and dauntingly structured.  I’m incredibly grateful to the book gods that this is the book that first introduced me to Agatha Christie because if I had read another, then I might not have continued reading books in her repertoire.  4 stars.
• Death on the Nile: Great story where the culprit is who you think it is from the beginning even though none of the evidence points in their direction.  Bear with the first section’s brevity; it’s def. worth reading even if you don’t see the purpose of the revealed scenes.   5 stars.
• Hallowe’en Party:  I was really excited to read this book because it dealt with my favorite holiday, Halloween.  And the book def. delivers on the creepy factor.  For one thing, the story revolves around the death of a child (drowned in a “bobbing for apples” tub).  Child deaths in stories are creepy as is, but Dame Christie further adds onto the creepy factor by including the inevitable frustrations of her era.  The story encompasses the darkness that comes from those who don’t understand the changing of the times.  And you definitely get this feeling especially when everyone in the book has their own diatribe on the new philosophies that were evolving during the mid-20^th century regarding psychology and the processes and functioning of a murderous mind.  The story also has a bit of spiritualism twisted throughout the chapters.  Even though “Hallowe’en Party” had tons of creepy appeal, I still wasn’t overly impressed with its pace.  Slow throughout until the last few chapters when all is sped up in order to reveal the murderer’s intent doesn’t get a high rating from me.  Sooo 3 stars.
• Death in the Clouds: Was a bit disappointed that unlike “Murder on the Orient Express,” the detective solving wasn’t conducted in the mode of transportation (here, the airplane, while in Orient Express, a train).  In fact, most of the detective work was done off-plane.  Not as much Poirot activity – in fact, a lot of the sleuthing was conducted by potential suspects.  But, nevertheless, an interesting read.  Culprit is not who you think it is, and the murder seems a bit fantastical, but I guess that’s what you get when someone dies in a small plane at the hands of a poisoned dart.  4 stars.

Miss Marple:  An octogenarian who may be an old pussy to others, but has a very keen, sharp mind.  She also loves to gossip – def. a woman after my own heart!

• The Body in the Library: Wow, what a ride.  The story begins with, well, a body in a stranger’s library.  (Could you imagine waking up and finding a person, who you’ve never seen before, dead in your house?  And the negative implications that “the event” would have upon you and your family?  Scaries!)  But then ends at a hotel resort and a missing dancer.  Very strange connection but it works in the end.  4 stars.
• A Caribbean Mystery: What a perfect setting!  For someone who loves the beach but has yet to be there this summer, this gave my heart an ache.  Nevertheless, even though based in a Caribbean paradise, I felt that the story fell short compared to her others.  Miss Marple is a doll per usual and the plot was interesting, but after a certain point, it becomes quite obvious who the culprit is.  It seriously took me only a few chapters before I had Miss Marple beat.  Funny enough, when the story was first published, everyone thought it was the return of/a mighty triumph for Agatha Christie.  Either I missed the amazingness of this story or the stories published before this one sucked balls.  Here’s hoping it’s the former.  3 stars.
• 4:50 from Paddington: After reading “Murder on the Orient Express,” I was super excited to read another book based on a murder that happens on a train.  The book’s summary (on the back) was super titillating as well – a woman happens to glance out of her train’s window and sees a man strangling a woman in the train next to her.  Wtf!  When does that ever happen!  Anyway, Christie, again, asks her readers to travel down a rabbit hole in order to find the culprit hiding at the bottom in an unlikely place.  And as always, it’s definitely worth the journey.  4 stars.
• The Tuesday Club Murders: Great book for those who like short stories and compact mysteries.  Miss Marple and company, which is composed of random dinner guests, decide it might be fun to have others solve mysteries that they had experienced/witnessed at one point in their lives.  Of course, Miss Marple creepily has all the answers and is able to explain each situation while everyone else is left dumbfounded.  While the stories are quite entertaining, I will say that I find it highly improbable that every single person at the dinners all faced a mystery in their lives that was intriguing.  That or I lead a boring life, which unfortunately might be the case.  New Year’s resolution for 2011?  Find myself in situations where I need to solve a murder mystery….or not!  5 stars.

After reading these eight books, I think it’s safe to say that Miss Christie has found a new follower.  Now, I’m off to read “Isaac’s Storm” for a new book club I joined at work…hopefully it’s interesting…Either way, you’ll def. find out shortly!

Sookie: “A year ago, I said, “you wouldn’t have asked this of me.”
Alcide: “A year ago,” he answered, “you wouldn’t have hesitated to drink.”

I’ve done it!  I’ve officially finished – well caught up – with Sookie!  Hurrays!  Thoughts on the 10^th book you ask?  Well, I’ve got to admit.  This is the first time I’ve actually thought Sookie was kick-ass.  She was hardcore, a bit more jaded, and finally not as stupid/naive about vampire/were affairs.  And you know who else grew up?  Jason.  I KNOW!  The Stackhouse family is finally beginning to feel and act like real people.  I guess it just took the death of their grandmother, Crystal and her baby, and tons of vampires, weres, and faeries; a huge ass explosion in Rhodes; multiple potential rape sequences; and being tortured and beaten numerous times for the Stackhouse family to let it sink into their heads that maybe their outlook on life could use some readjustment…just, maybe.

What else…Claude was sweet, in his cocky way; Vampire Bill was Vampire Bill (do I sense a bit of jealousy Sookie?  Hmm?); Alcide was way too alpha-male for my taste – he’s def. not the charming Southern Alcide to whom we were introduced in book 3; Sam STILL dates the weirdest people ever; and Eric was…meh – very un-like Eric.  I’ve noticed I don’t really like powerless, emotional Eric.  Give me the hardass Eric any day of the week.

Long story short, I really don’t know where Ms. Harris is taking this series.  Rumor has it that she is signed on to write 3 more books and that Sookie has yet to meet her “soul mate.”  So what does this all mean?  As of now, Sookie is officially blood-bonded to Eric and will not be able to date any other vampires since she’s vampire-married to him.  But based on Harris’ hints, it seems as though Sookie and Eric are not meant to be, and in order for her to actually move on and meet her soul mate, either Eric has to die or the blood-bond needs to be dissolved.  And now a collective scream erupts from the female population.  Everyone seems to want Sookie and Eric to work out.  Personally, I’m in agreement with Ms. Harris: Sookie has yet to meet the man of her dreams.  But can Harris effectively relay a plot-line where Sookie genuinely and convincing falls for that mysterious tall, dark, and handsome man?  It took Harris 10 books to finally have Sookie and Eric fall in love.  Based on her past time-lines, I’m going to have to answer “no” to my question.  It seems like Sookie will be here well past the next allotment of 3 books.  So Sookie-lovers, please feel free to breathe a sigh of relief.

All in all, I give this book 3.5 stars.

I learned an important life lesson recently – I get incredibly (and I mean incredibly) sick when reading while on a moving vehicle and with an empty tummy.  Give me a stuffy metro bus or train with a full tummy any day over an air conditioned car with a tummy on “E.”  What sparked this revelation you ask?  Well boys and girls of the internet realm, I officially started a new job in the city!  Hurrays!  Yes, I miss my old job and coworkers with a passion, but I’m super excited about the new employment opportunity and being a part of the “rat race” – I know, I’m weird…

However, one down side to my new job: no hour lunch break, which means not as much time to read during the day other than while in transit.  And it has been a bit of a challenge to learn the much-needed skill of reading while trying to hang on to a pole on a forward tunneling metro while sandwiched between two sweating suited men.  Needless to say, this chick will never become a stripper.  ANYWAY…while it took me some time to do it, I was able to find a peaceful place of Zen which allows me to read while on the metro – thank God because I missed reading – and I finally finished “Dead and Gone,” the “ninth” book in the Sookie Stackhouse or Southern Vampire Mystery series.

Thoughts on the book?  Well, as I said before, I wouldn’t classify these books as “mysteries” anymore.  They’ve officially evolved into the soap opera genre, and “Dead and Gone” def. does not disappoint its new label.  From the get-go, the weres/shifters announce their existence to the world, Jason’s pregnant wife (Crystal) is crucified, and the faeries are officially on the prowl.  And all that only happens in the first few chapters!  Geez!  Thanks Miss Harris for making this a “light” read.  And if you thought the story would get any better, well, you’re dead wrong; it all goes downhill from there.  Main characters are killed (Claudine) or fatally injured (vampire Bill) and the world changes – with time, I believe we’ll find out whether it was for better or worse.  One positive thing though is that Sookie and her womanizing brother – his wife is crucified and he’s already dating someone new by the middle of the book, therefore, I think it’s safe for me to use the “w” word – may have finally evolved into more likable characters…may being the operative word.

I’ll let you know if my hunch is right once I’m done with “Dead in the Family,” which I finally was able to find at my local library ::semi-squeal::

All in all, I give this book the usual 3 stars – it was nothing spectacular.

Remember during the 2008 elections when people made fun of Palin’s “bridge to nowhere”?  Now I don’t know the specifics behind the story, nor do I want to delve into my dislike of the self-proclaimed pitbull with lipstick, but the term is one that stuck with me.  As you can imagine, a bridge to nowhere is generally a bridge (sometimes proposed and other times actually built) which leads to a remote place that either isn’t heavily populated or wouldn’t be somewhere that most people would want to go.  “From Dead to Worse” is Charlaine Harris’ bridge to nowhere.

I don’t even know what to say about it.  The book is pretty much three short stories that are intertwined via flimsy plot devices.  First, we have the were “war” – basically a Katrina-refugee pack wants to take over the Shreveport pack and causes a 15 minute fight to take place.  Ok.  Next, we have the vampire “take over” – Nevada vamps kill toe-less Sophie and make Eric pledge allegiance to them.  Ok, sure, why not.  And then we find out Sookie has a great-grandfather who’s a fae. prince.  Ok….  And then that’s it.  Seriously?  Yep!  Sure, there are small other side-stories: Jason’s wife is a ho – no surprise there; Sookie breaks up with Quinn – again, who didn’t see that coming; and Eric regains his memory (remember he had amnesia throughout most of book four) – Harris had to do this in order to add more complication to the Sookie/Eric relationship.  But that’s about it.  No super huge mysteries.  No super huge “who-dun-its.”  Nothing.  This book totally does not deserve to be in the “mystery” section of any book store/library.  I seriously want back the time I spent reading this book.

Obviously, I give this book 2 stars.  There were two scenes that made me want to bump the score up a bit, but in the end, my utter hatred for the book won over.