Book 99-102
The first two are romances read for my Library Materials for Adults class.
99. Dance Upon the Air(2001) by Nora Roberts (386 pgs)
This is part of the Three Sisters Island trilogy. Basically, I felt like romances are similar to mysteries in that you can always find a setting or type of character that you are interested in. So when I was picking out a romance I picked one set in coastal New England islands, with characters who are witches. This book reminded me a lot of an Alice Hoffman book, and had that magical realism element I usually like, even in fluffier books. This had some elements of a romantic suspense, but I'm not sure where the line is drawn. Now that I think about it, it might actually fit in that category, as the heroine changes her name and runs to this island to escape from an abusive relationship, but the story is more about her discovering her abilities and falling in love.
100. Crazy for You(2001) by Jennifer Crusie (325 pgs)
Woman runs from bad man, man chases her. New man in woman's life helps to save her from bad man. Yep, pretty typical romantic suspense! I did like the characters in this book though and might actually read another Crusie book. Quinn is an art teacher who gets tired of her boring, predictable life. One day she insists on keeping a stray dog, and the next day her life goes into turmoil!
101. How the Irish Saved Civilization(1995) by Thomas Cahill (234 pgs)
This has been on my "to-read" list for quite a while. I particularly enjoyed the chapter about Patrick and Columcille, since they are so directly linked to my favorite island in the world - Iona.
102. Anansi Boys(2005) by Neil Gaiman (336 pgs)
I adore Neil Gaiman so much that I actually caught myself grinning while I was reading this when I glanced in the mirror at the hotel in Lexington. The story is about Fat Charlie, the son of Anansi (one of the characters in American Gods). Charlie discovers that he has a brother and that his father was a god, only after attending his funeral. I wouldn't say this is my favorite, but it isn't his fault. The story revolves around the folklore-heavy concept of the trickster, which I was inundated with during my year as a folklore student so that much of the joy has been taken out of it for me. I thought it was cute how the author thanked the readers of his blog in his acknowledgement section. I'm one of them!
99. Dance Upon the Air(2001) by Nora Roberts (386 pgs)
This is part of the Three Sisters Island trilogy. Basically, I felt like romances are similar to mysteries in that you can always find a setting or type of character that you are interested in. So when I was picking out a romance I picked one set in coastal New England islands, with characters who are witches. This book reminded me a lot of an Alice Hoffman book, and had that magical realism element I usually like, even in fluffier books. This had some elements of a romantic suspense, but I'm not sure where the line is drawn. Now that I think about it, it might actually fit in that category, as the heroine changes her name and runs to this island to escape from an abusive relationship, but the story is more about her discovering her abilities and falling in love.
100. Crazy for You(2001) by Jennifer Crusie (325 pgs)
Woman runs from bad man, man chases her. New man in woman's life helps to save her from bad man. Yep, pretty typical romantic suspense! I did like the characters in this book though and might actually read another Crusie book. Quinn is an art teacher who gets tired of her boring, predictable life. One day she insists on keeping a stray dog, and the next day her life goes into turmoil!
101. How the Irish Saved Civilization(1995) by Thomas Cahill (234 pgs)
This has been on my "to-read" list for quite a while. I particularly enjoyed the chapter about Patrick and Columcille, since they are so directly linked to my favorite island in the world - Iona.
102. Anansi Boys(2005) by Neil Gaiman (336 pgs)
I adore Neil Gaiman so much that I actually caught myself grinning while I was reading this when I glanced in the mirror at the hotel in Lexington. The story is about Fat Charlie, the son of Anansi (one of the characters in American Gods). Charlie discovers that he has a brother and that his father was a god, only after attending his funeral. I wouldn't say this is my favorite, but it isn't his fault. The story revolves around the folklore-heavy concept of the trickster, which I was inundated with during my year as a folklore student so that much of the joy has been taken out of it for me. I thought it was cute how the author thanked the readers of his blog in his acknowledgement section. I'm one of them!