Reading in 2011

I remember going to Hastings one time with some "gift" money. I was shopping for books. Some new reading material that could be used for Book Club and just some good reading for me. I hit the jackpot. I purchased around five books. I hadn't read reviews, I just searched the shelves until I found some books I thought I would enjoy reading.

I love my Kindle and the convenience of it. But there is just something special about spending 2 to 3 hours browsing the shelves in a bookstore. - Of course, to do that, you need to have a wad of money in your pockets!

Let's see, the day I hit the jackpot, I purchased "Still Alice"  (review here)    "The Jane Austin Book Club"  (which I just discovered I never reviewed on my blog... go figure. I loved that book) anyway, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" (review here)  "American Wife" (I was SURE I had reviewed this one!!) and I believe  the last book was "The 19th Wife"  
(review here)  - or wait - No, it was "The Zookeeper's Wife" (review here)  ( I know it was another one with the word "wife" in the title!!)

I liked all the books I purchased that day, as I said I felt as if I had hit the jackpot!! However, I have not had that much luck since.  :(  

It seems as if it has been f.o.r.e.v.e.r. since I have read a really good book. I've read some good ones. Just not any REALLY good ones. I read 2 about BTK (true crime books that were based here in Wichita) but lets face it, If I hadn't just moved to Wichita, I probably wouldn't have liked them. 

I've read Evanovich and Grisham - which were both very good - but nothing unusual in their story lines. 

I've read a Christmas book and I've tried reading a couple of other books that I didn't even finish... Which is very unusual for me.

So, I have got to get serious about my book search. I need to read some quality books with interesting story lines.

I want to pick up reviewing books and to do that, I'm just going to have to find something worth reading! So....

For 2012, I hope to give you some reviews to help you choose some good reading material. 

Happy Reading, Friends.

Trading Christmas by Debbie Maccomber

I enjoy reading a Christmas book during this wonderful season. I got a free one on my Kindle, it was a two for one - "Trading Christmas" and "The Forgetful Bride". I read the first one. I'm not really a fan of "romance." - (However, I do enjoy Rosamund Pilcher!) -

I do think Debbie Maccomber must be a very nice person. I've read a few of  her books before and I always have the feeling I could be friends with her.

It was a fast read, it was an okay book. Do you remember the stories "Good Housekeeping" used to have in each issue? My mom always subscribed to Good Housekeeping and I really enjoyed the stories. This book reminded me of a Good Housekeeping story!

Trading Christmas is about a lady and a man that trade houses for the holidays. - And no, they don't fall in love with each other!! It was light reading, it was a feel good story and so if you want a book that leaves you relaxed and feeling good - this one is a great one.

So, for romance fans - a good read.

The rest of you, probably not!

Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich

*****

I have collected Evanovich books since I first read One For the Money. I don't really enjoy the other books she writes but the Stephanie Plum books make me laugh out loud.

Stephanie works for her cousin that owns a bail bonds office. She became a bounty hunter when she got laid off from the lingerie factory and needed rent money. Her side kick is Lula - a "large" woman!!

Explosive Eighteen is much like the first 17 books. Lots of innuendos, lots of "keystone kop" activity, lots of fried chicken - shooting and tasering. But more importantly Lots of Laughs!

There was one thing missing from this book. Stephanie didn't blow up a car!

For more information about Janet Evanovich, I have blogged about her before. You can check that blog out HERE.

The Litigators by John Grisham

*****

Ever since I was a young girl, I have loved watching TV shows about lawyers. I remember as a young girl, when Perry Mason would come on I would get my small suitcase - which became a rather dignified briefcase! mounds of paper, a card table and would become a lawyer while helping him with his case. I'm not sure he would have ever won without me in Oklahoma helping him along. 

So, when John Grisham started publishing his books about lawyers, I was hooked. I scoff at critics who say if you've read one Grisham - you've read them all.  NOT SO. Each case is individual, each case is important! And I enjoy a world where the good guy always wins! - another proof of "fiction".

November, Grisham came out with his 25+ book, The Litigators. Several of his books aren't about lawyers - I've enjoyed those, too, but my favorites are the ones where Grisham weaves a case and I get to watch the lawyers battle it out.

The Litigators did not disappoint me. David Zinc quickly became one of my favorite Grisham characters. -  The good guy winning.

David, a young but already burned-out attorney, walks away from his fast-track career at a fancy downtown firm, goes on a serious bender, and finds himself literally at the doorstep of Finley and Figg. 

Finley and Figg, Attorneys of Law, often refer to themselves as “a boutique law firm.” Boutique, as in chic, selective, and prosperous. They are, of course, none of these things. What they are is a two-bit operation always in search of their big break, ambulance chasers who’ve been in the trenches much too long making way too little. Their specialties, so to speak, are quickie divorces and DUIs, with the occasional jackpot of an actual car wreck thrown in. 

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a typical Grisham novel but if you enjoy reading about lawyers as much as I do - it's a winner!

Handbags What Every Woman Should Know by Stephanie Pedersen

*****

 (but only if you like handbags!!) 

We decided to order some books about handbags. I've been making bags and selling them on etsy and Randy suggested we learn more about "handbags" to be able to speak with knowledge about what we sell.

Well, hmmm, books - bags.... WOW! Who am I to argue with my husband?? He hit 2 of my very favorite things with his suggestion and he didn't have to tell me more than once to start searching for some "books"!!!

The first book we got is "Handbags, What Every Woman Should Know". First, let me tell you that this is a beautiful hardback about 7" X 7". Stephanie Pedersen, the author has presented examples from Handbags of "Yore" and of bags from 1901 to 2006. This book includes history of the handbag and beautiful photography. She covers many of the most desirable handbags by  designers Fendi, Dior, Gucci - the season's must have. 


It reminds me of a coffee table book - only in miniature. The photography is that good. Pederson has done a great job with this bit of fashion.

I have been known to say that I would go barefoot if it meant getting a new bag!!! Looking at these bags just made my passion for bags worse!! - or better, depending on who you ask!


It's a very fast read. I went through it in about 2 hours. But if you love bags - there are some gorgeous ones in this fashion book. There is also some very interesting bits of history, too!