Books books books...and movies!
Two movies recently, and more probably since last I reviewed anything but these are the only two that come to mind: 50/50 and Another Earth. In completely different ways, both are extremely good films. 50/50 is a comedy about cancer; yup, you read that right. It also made me say a prayer of thanksgiving that when I had cancer, I didn't have to go through chemo/radiation. Yes, I am extremely lucky and I know it. Another Earth is a marvelously psychological sci-fi film, with no aliens and no actual space travel...and I need to see it again before I can discuss it more. :)
First, the eh...
Delilah Doolittle and the Purloined Pooch by Patricia Guiver. It was ok, but nothing to write home about. Won't be getting more.
A Crafty Killing by Lorraine Bartlett. It was ok, and I haven't decided about getting more, which is good as this is the first book in a new series. It seemed VERY similar to another series I've read recently, in which a reluctant heir ends up running a crafty location; the other involved a candle store. I like a lot of books that are very similar, but this one felt a little too familiar.
Next, the yep I like 'em and will read more...
Best in Show, A Pedigree to Die For, Raining Cats & Dogs, Dog Eat Dog, Once Bitten, Hot Dog, and Underdog. Whew! That's a doggone lot of book titles! LOL! These books, all by Laurien Berenson, are set in the dog world, specifically starring dog shows and standard poodles. The central heroine gets gifted with a standard poodle puppy by her aunt, who is a breeder, and also gets caught up in multiple mysteries, which she doggedly manages to solve. :) Entertaining...
Bone Appetit by Carolyn Haines. Another fun Sarah Booth Delaney mystery, this time showcasing the seedy underbelly of the pageant world. Not model behavior on the part of several characters.
The Giveaway is a Burn Notice novel by Tod Goldberg; thank goodness for the Burn Notice creative team for allowing someone to write books; Goldberg gets the feel of the characters really right and could almost be writing episodes. (That's a good thing.)
Naked Heat by Richard Castle...reminiscent of the TV show in many many good ways, and always a hilarious thought to be reading a book by a fictional author. Someone's doing a good job writing the things. Funny, dramatic, pulpy; nice light reading.
An object of Beauty by Steve Martin. Steve Martin is scary. He's funny; he's a pretty good banjo player; he's also an exceptionally smart writer. It's a novel where the central character has very few likable characteristics, but I couldn't stop reading. I suppose that at some point I was waiting for her to get her comeuppance, which she did, but probably not soon enough to make an impact on the character's personality. Smart, funny, and thought-provoking writing on the part of Martin.
A Plague of Poison, Murder for Christ's Mass, Death of a Squire, and The Alehouse Murders. Maureen Ash writes a very good medieval mystery; I have several medieval series I like very much, and this fits in nicely without feeling repetitive.
First, the eh...
Delilah Doolittle and the Purloined Pooch by Patricia Guiver. It was ok, but nothing to write home about. Won't be getting more.
A Crafty Killing by Lorraine Bartlett. It was ok, and I haven't decided about getting more, which is good as this is the first book in a new series. It seemed VERY similar to another series I've read recently, in which a reluctant heir ends up running a crafty location; the other involved a candle store. I like a lot of books that are very similar, but this one felt a little too familiar.
Next, the yep I like 'em and will read more...
Best in Show, A Pedigree to Die For, Raining Cats & Dogs, Dog Eat Dog, Once Bitten, Hot Dog, and Underdog. Whew! That's a doggone lot of book titles! LOL! These books, all by Laurien Berenson, are set in the dog world, specifically starring dog shows and standard poodles. The central heroine gets gifted with a standard poodle puppy by her aunt, who is a breeder, and also gets caught up in multiple mysteries, which she doggedly manages to solve. :) Entertaining...
Bone Appetit by Carolyn Haines. Another fun Sarah Booth Delaney mystery, this time showcasing the seedy underbelly of the pageant world. Not model behavior on the part of several characters.
The Giveaway is a Burn Notice novel by Tod Goldberg; thank goodness for the Burn Notice creative team for allowing someone to write books; Goldberg gets the feel of the characters really right and could almost be writing episodes. (That's a good thing.)
Naked Heat by Richard Castle...reminiscent of the TV show in many many good ways, and always a hilarious thought to be reading a book by a fictional author. Someone's doing a good job writing the things. Funny, dramatic, pulpy; nice light reading.
An object of Beauty by Steve Martin. Steve Martin is scary. He's funny; he's a pretty good banjo player; he's also an exceptionally smart writer. It's a novel where the central character has very few likable characteristics, but I couldn't stop reading. I suppose that at some point I was waiting for her to get her comeuppance, which she did, but probably not soon enough to make an impact on the character's personality. Smart, funny, and thought-provoking writing on the part of Martin.
A Plague of Poison, Murder for Christ's Mass, Death of a Squire, and The Alehouse Murders. Maureen Ash writes a very good medieval mystery; I have several medieval series I like very much, and this fits in nicely without feeling repetitive.