One For the Money

I like uplifting stories. I really enjoy stories that make me think and look at things from a new perspective. I love stories that make me smile, or giggle or laugh out loud.

But then there are times when I just read filler books. I read all of Meg Cabot's books because they are mental cotton candy that make me laugh a lot. I am a firm believer that while it is delicious and fun to eat, cotton candy probably shouldn't be the main staple of my diet.

Meg hasn't come out with anything recently, so I needed to borrow someone else's cotton candy. Janet Evanovich was recommended to me as "candy bar reading". I can go with that. A little more substance than cotton candy, but with similar nutritional break down.

That said, I enjoy Evanovich's writing style. It's just enough that you don't feel stupid for reading it, but not so much that it can't be enjoyed while lounging on a beach somewhere...or in my comfy green wingback chair.

I should warn you, fellow compulsive I-can-not-read-only-one-in-a-series, that there are 14 books in the Stephanie Plum series.

I should also say that this first book is set in Trenton, NJ. And she gets that part right. Trenton is gross and disgusting and depressing. (I'm sure there are lovely parts, I just never saw them. I went to college in a suburb of Trenton and even the gorgeous old mansions were all crumbly and surrounded by ickiness. Right downtown isn't bad, but everything else is not so nice.) This series is about a woman from Trenton who becomes a bounty hunter for her sleazy cousin, Vinny. It's not quite what she expects, but she survives the hard knocks.

Not bad for some summer reading, Broads. Or in between stuff, either. And yes, I will be reading the other 13 in the series. I promise I'll seek help someday for this bizarre compulsion. No, really. I will. Someday....

Queen of Swords

Just so everyone knows that there isn't some strange book club blog stalker out there with an odd title name, I am RicRacSally, AKA Dena--my sister and I (these days, I must confess, it is mostly my sister) write another blog with this title, so all blogs that I am involved in would have the same name!

Just finished "Queen of Swords" by Sara Donati. 'Tis part four of an ongoing saga, much like Jamie and Claire, about an early american family growing up in the forests of New York State. If you liked the Outlander series, this is a nice filler while waiting for Diana to hit us with her next 15 pounder.

The Miracle At Speedy Motors

I just finished this, the ninth book of "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency". The first one is still by far my favorite. I was amazed that a man could write such a wonderfully believable female character. Alexander McCall Smith has become one of my favorite authors because his books calm me and transport me to wherever the characters are. It is always a slower paced place with time for reflection and enjoyment of one's fellow people and surroundings. His books are wonderful to read if you are looking for something to take in while you have a few minutes of quiet in your day or want to enjoy a chuckle before bed. They won't keep you up at night, but they will make you smile often.

Pillars of the Earth

Pillars of the Earth is a huge book but well worth it. I never thought I would enjoy a book about priests, monks, and building cathedrals, but it was fantastic. There is susupense, action, and romance--what more could you want? I highly recommend it. Enjoy!
Linda

Hi all. I've just finished the first three books in the Saxon Chronicles (starts with Lords of the North) by Bernard Cornwell and thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of swordplay and pillaging during the reign of Alfred the Great. I'm in a medieval historical fiction rut and loving it.

Also, in a medieval fantasy vein, the new George R. R. Martin Song of Fire and Ice book, Dance with Dragons, is supposed to come out in September, so there's plenty of time to read the first four books in that series in anticipation. :)

Happy reading....I miss you all.
Amy

These Is My Words

This was the selection for April's meeting. It seemed to be universally enjoyed and appreciated (Though that could have just been us moaning over the deliciousness of Dee's cookies and lemonade. Mmmmm....cookies.)

"These Is My Words" is a story about a young woman in the Arizona Territories in the late 1800s. It's written in diary form and is actually based on some of the diaries of author Nancy Turner's great Grandmother.

We broads are from all over the U.S. (with a token Irishwoman) and we all thoroughly enjoyed this story of wagon trains, homesteading, building up a city, and a woman's life in general.