Today's book was Steamed by Jessica Park and Susan Conant. I am not giving it a rave review because Jessica mentioned both me and my hot pink Christmas trees in the acknowledgments of one of her books (Flat-Out Love- now available in e-book and paperback formats) or because she is going to take me on a Rick Springfield cruise (call me ). I am giving it a rave review because it is a wonderful mystery, complete with hot food, a hot guy and a lot of laughs along the way.
Chloe Carter dumps her boyfriend Noah when she discovers him getting to know another woman in the biblical sense. She decides to try an on-line dating service, using the name Gourmet-Girl and accepts a date with DinnerDude. Things seem to be looking up for Chloe- a guy who shares her love of food and a date to a nice restaurant that he is looking at investing in. Quickly, she finds DinnerDude is really a dinner dud, a pompous bore who loves nothing more than the sound of his own voice. As if things couldn't get any more awkward on a first date, he ends up murdered on the men's room floor.
Chloe ends up going to the funeral and meets the sexy chef Josh Driscoll. Finally, a man who has it all- good looks, personality and a great cook. Too bad he also has the attention of the police department, who see him as a main suspect in the murder. Chloe is determined not to keep her new man in her kitchen and out of the slammer by clearing his name and finding the real killer.
Chloe is someone you can relate to. I mean who hasn't tried to paint stripes on their walls and ended up with a hot mess? In my defense, I thought duct tape was just as good as painter's tape. And even though her friend Adrianna is drop dead gorgeous, she's too sweet for you to hold it against her. Josh is also instantly likable (the fact that he is hot and cooks doesn't hurt) and it is fun to see the relationships and inner workings of a restaurant kitchen through him.
There are plenty of possible suspects in this one to keep you guessing up to the last chapters. I was certain I knew who the murderer was until the real killer was revealed. Then I wondered how I could miss some of the clues and how soon I could get my hands on the next in the series. I suggest getting all 5 in the series from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ at the same time because once you start in on this delightful series, you won't want to stop.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Better World Books August Book Drive Day 6
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” Helen Keller
"A room without books is like a body without a soul." ~ Cicero
Today's book is Give a Little by Wendy Smith. I have actually read this book before, but chose to re-read it today and then send it on to Better World Books because it is the book that inspired me to undertake this project in the first place.
Give a Little corrects the common misconceptions about giving, shows what a huge impact the smallest of donations can make and gives advice on how to make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your donated buck.
I was shocked to discover that people just like me giving small donations ended up giving $229 billion dollars in 2008. After the 2004 tsunami, it was American citizens (most of whom gave gifts of less than $50), not the government or corporations that donated the most money. We may not be Oprah or Bill Gates, but together our donations make a huge difference. When I first read this book, that served as a huge inspiration for me. I often worried that the little I gave didn't make much of a difference. Now I see that it is the small donations that make the biggest changes in the world. The book goes on to show examples of how small donations have cured diseases in the past (such as dimes for polio) and gives lots of inspiring stories and ideas of where your small donations can change lives now.
This book not only provided me with plenty of new ideas for giving, it also inspired me to try and find ways that I could make small changes in my everyday life. One of these changes was to try and buy from companies that give back and support causes I believe in, such as Better World Books. Donating the books I buy from them back to them so that I would be doing even more for literacy programs seemed like the next logical step.
"A room without books is like a body without a soul." ~ Cicero
Today's book is Give a Little by Wendy Smith. I have actually read this book before, but chose to re-read it today and then send it on to Better World Books because it is the book that inspired me to undertake this project in the first place.
Give a Little corrects the common misconceptions about giving, shows what a huge impact the smallest of donations can make and gives advice on how to make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your donated buck.
I was shocked to discover that people just like me giving small donations ended up giving $229 billion dollars in 2008. After the 2004 tsunami, it was American citizens (most of whom gave gifts of less than $50), not the government or corporations that donated the most money. We may not be Oprah or Bill Gates, but together our donations make a huge difference. When I first read this book, that served as a huge inspiration for me. I often worried that the little I gave didn't make much of a difference. Now I see that it is the small donations that make the biggest changes in the world. The book goes on to show examples of how small donations have cured diseases in the past (such as dimes for polio) and gives lots of inspiring stories and ideas of where your small donations can change lives now.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Better World August Book Drive Day 5
"The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright."
Proverbs 21:8
Today's book choice was The Way of the Guilty by Jennifer Stanley. Cooper Lee seems to have settled into her life repairing copiers and enjoying the company of her Hope Street Church Bible study group. Things are even looking up for her in the romance department as she and Nathan are getting closer.
Things seem downright calm until the night her sister calls her, hysterical. Ashley has just a dead body in the trunk of her loaner car, a car that came from her husband's car lot. Once again Cooper and her friends from Hope Street Church take the investigation into their own hands, to clear Ashley and her husband and make sure that justice is served.
I really love this series. You can not help but fall in love with the characters, from Grammy who has a heart of gold to the wise Savannah, who leads the close-knit study group. Their concern for each other comes across through the pages and you can't help but care for them as well.
I suggest reading the first two books in this series, Stirring up Strife and Path of the Wicked before enjoying The Way of the Guilty. All three of these can be purchased at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ .
Proverbs 21:8
Today's book choice was The Way of the Guilty by Jennifer Stanley. Cooper Lee seems to have settled into her life repairing copiers and enjoying the company of her Hope Street Church Bible study group. Things are even looking up for her in the romance department as she and Nathan are getting closer.
Things seem downright calm until the night her sister calls her, hysterical. Ashley has just a dead body in the trunk of her loaner car, a car that came from her husband's car lot. Once again Cooper and her friends from Hope Street Church take the investigation into their own hands, to clear Ashley and her husband and make sure that justice is served.
I really love this series. You can not help but fall in love with the characters, from Grammy who has a heart of gold to the wise Savannah, who leads the close-knit study group. Their concern for each other comes across through the pages and you can't help but care for them as well.
I suggest reading the first two books in this series, Stirring up Strife and Path of the Wicked before enjoying The Way of the Guilty. All three of these can be purchased at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ .
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Better World Books August Book Drive Day 4
"I'm leaving," said Peach. "I know when I'm not wanted."
"I imagine you've had plenty of opportunities to learn," said the senator.
Kurt Vonnegut- God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
Today's selection dealt once again with family fortune and greed. Eliot Rosewater is a drunk and an eccentric. He is also the president of the Rosewater Foundation, which does not sit well with attorney Norman Mushari or Eliot's relative Fred Rosewater, who seeks to take that title for himself.
Eliot does not do himself any favors by engaging in behavior that seems at times insane- from the strange relationship with his wife, to his wild traveling and finally his philanthropic work. He does not live the life that is expected of him and it may end up costing him dearly.
There are some authors you need to read at least once and decide if they live up to the hype. Kurt Vonnegut is one of these authors. You will probably be left either never wanting to read another book he wrote or rushing to grab every other title by him. But one thing is for sure- you will never forget characters like Kilgore Trout, who has taken on a life of his own through Vonnegut's writing.
Feel like picking up a copy? Head on over to http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ . And don't forget to donate it (and any other books you read) back to Better World Books. Every purchase and donation helps fund libraries and literary projects.
"I imagine you've had plenty of opportunities to learn," said the senator.
Kurt Vonnegut- God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
Today's selection dealt once again with family fortune and greed. Eliot Rosewater is a drunk and an eccentric. He is also the president of the Rosewater Foundation, which does not sit well with attorney Norman Mushari or Eliot's relative Fred Rosewater, who seeks to take that title for himself.
Eliot does not do himself any favors by engaging in behavior that seems at times insane- from the strange relationship with his wife, to his wild traveling and finally his philanthropic work. He does not live the life that is expected of him and it may end up costing him dearly.
There are some authors you need to read at least once and decide if they live up to the hype. Kurt Vonnegut is one of these authors. You will probably be left either never wanting to read another book he wrote or rushing to grab every other title by him. But one thing is for sure- you will never forget characters like Kilgore Trout, who has taken on a life of his own through Vonnegut's writing.
Feel like picking up a copy? Head on over to http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ . And don't forget to donate it (and any other books you read) back to Better World Books. Every purchase and donation helps fund libraries and literary projects.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Better World Books August Book Drive Day 3
"The thirst for knowledge can lead one down so many interesting byways. I've traveled many of them over the years. You might say this library has been my travel agent."
How can you not immediately fall for a character who speaks so eloquently? Those words are spoken by Mr. Delacorte to librarian Charlie Harris in the third book of my August book drive, Classified as Murder by Miranda James.
In the second of the Cat in the Stacks Mystery series (following Murder Past Due), Mr. Delacorte hires Charlie to do an inventory of his rare books, fearing that some of them have been stolen. Shortly after Charlie starts on this project, Mr. Delacorte is found dead, the victim of foul play. With a houseful of greedy relatives, there is no shortage of suspects. When it is discovered that a copy of Poe's Tamerlane is missing and another murder occurs, Charlie and his feline sidekick Diesel race to solve the case before the murderer strikes again.
There is more than enough family secrets and drama in this book, both between the Delacorte family and Charlie and his son, Sean, who shows up without warning at his door. Watching Charlie work through the lies and backbiting to unravel the truth leaves you guessing until the end- which is what a good mystery should do.
Help fund literacy programs by buying your copy from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and don't forget to donate your books to them when you're done reading them.
How can you not immediately fall for a character who speaks so eloquently? Those words are spoken by Mr. Delacorte to librarian Charlie Harris in the third book of my August book drive, Classified as Murder by Miranda James.
In the second of the Cat in the Stacks Mystery series (following Murder Past Due), Mr. Delacorte hires Charlie to do an inventory of his rare books, fearing that some of them have been stolen. Shortly after Charlie starts on this project, Mr. Delacorte is found dead, the victim of foul play. With a houseful of greedy relatives, there is no shortage of suspects. When it is discovered that a copy of Poe's Tamerlane is missing and another murder occurs, Charlie and his feline sidekick Diesel race to solve the case before the murderer strikes again.
There is more than enough family secrets and drama in this book, both between the Delacorte family and Charlie and his son, Sean, who shows up without warning at his door. Watching Charlie work through the lies and backbiting to unravel the truth leaves you guessing until the end- which is what a good mystery should do.
Help fund literacy programs by buying your copy from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and don't forget to donate your books to them when you're done reading them.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Better World Books August Book Drive Day 2
Today's choice was 2030 by Albert Brooks, a story of America in the year 2030 where the life expectancy is growing as is the deficit.
You would think that a cure for cancer would be a good thing. That is until you consider all the baby boomers who are refusing to roll over and die and leaving the younger generations to foot the bill. As more and more miracle drugs hit the shelves, the life expectancy continues to grow, as does the resentment of those younger generations towards the "olds".
Add to that an earthquake which destroys Los Angeles, leaving a government that is teetering on bankruptcy to try and find a way to rebuild it. The president must find a way to heal a major city leveled by a natural disaster and bring together a divided nation that is crippled by a deficit.
I was not sure I was going to enjoy this book when I read the blurb, but Hubby highly recommended it and I am glad that he did. I was hooked from the first chapter right up to the ending. Albert Brooks writing was a pleasure to read, reminding me of a cross between Carl Hiaassen and Dave Barry.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars and am happy to be donating it, along with all the other books I read this month, to Better World Books. If you are interested in reading this book, please head over to http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and order it from them. When you are done reading it, please consider donating it back to them. Each purchase and donation helps fund literacy programs.
You would think that a cure for cancer would be a good thing. That is until you consider all the baby boomers who are refusing to roll over and die and leaving the younger generations to foot the bill. As more and more miracle drugs hit the shelves, the life expectancy continues to grow, as does the resentment of those younger generations towards the "olds".
Add to that an earthquake which destroys Los Angeles, leaving a government that is teetering on bankruptcy to try and find a way to rebuild it. The president must find a way to heal a major city leveled by a natural disaster and bring together a divided nation that is crippled by a deficit.
I was not sure I was going to enjoy this book when I read the blurb, but Hubby highly recommended it and I am glad that he did. I was hooked from the first chapter right up to the ending. Albert Brooks writing was a pleasure to read, reminding me of a cross between Carl Hiaassen and Dave Barry.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars and am happy to be donating it, along with all the other books I read this month, to Better World Books. If you are interested in reading this book, please head over to http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and order it from them. When you are done reading it, please consider donating it back to them. Each purchase and donation helps fund literacy programs.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Better World Books August Book Drive Day 1
If there were a more perfect book to start off my August book drive where I will be donating every book I read to Better World Books, I can't think of it. Not only does this book show the importance reading plays in a child's life and the escape into another world that books can offer, it shows the desire book lovers have to share that pleasure with others.
Lucy Hull is a children's librarian who finds herself being more and more drawn to a young library patron, Ian Drake. First as a mere advisor on what to read, then as a supplier of "objectionable" books his mother has banned from his reading list (everything from Roald Dahl to Harry Potter). Finally, she finds herself in the role of cohort/kidnapper when Ian decides to run away from his parents, who seem more intent on limiting their child's exposure to books and curing his possible homosexuality than in their son's happiness and well-being . The book details their travels, the people who help them and hinder them along the way and Lucy's own struggle with what the right thing to do is when you feel that returning a child to their home may do more harm than good.
Although the book does cover a lot of heavy topics, such as parents feeling that "deprogramming" their gay child is helpful, it also provides a lot of comic relief such as the quirky characters and literary tidbits that make it impossible to put down and reminds us all of the difference books can make in a life.
Kudos to Rebecca Makkai for writing a book that I not only want to read over and over again, but that I can not wait to share with everyone I know. I am happy to make it the first book in my August book drive which will be donated to Better World Books and help promote literacy programs.
If you haven't yet read this book, do so immediately. Purchase it from Better World Books
( www.betterworldbooks.com ) and when your done reading it, donate it back to them. Get more out of your books by promoting literacy with each purchase and donation.
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