A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Rating: 4/5

Review: I am so glad that I finally read this Christmas classic! The movies that I have seen certainly do it justice. The book had a little bit more detail, of course, and the particular version I was reading had a few interesting facts on every page to go along with it. I can definitely see why this is such a beloved classic.

Book Description: One of the best-loved and oft-quoted stories of "the man who invented Christmas"--English writer Charles Dickens--A Christmas Carol debuted in 1843 and has touched millions of hearts since. Cruel miser Ebeneezer Scrooge has never met a shilling he doesn't like. . .and hardly a man he does. And he hates Christmas most of all. When Scrooge is visited by his old partner, Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come, he learns eternal lessons of charity, kindness, and goodwill.

Greywalker by Kat Richardson

Rating: 4/5

Review: This was an interesting take on the paranormal genre. I loved the lead character, Harpor Blaine, and the Danzingers (Ben and Mara), who help her figure out what's happening to her. There wasn't a whole lot of suspense, but there was plenty of action. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Book Description: PI Harper Blaine sees a strange shift in clientele in Richardson's dizzy urban fantasy debut. After being dead for two minutes as a result of a clobbering by an angry perp, Harper discovers icky side effects complicate her Seattle life in unexpected ways—she sees ghosts and attracts otherworldly business as she pops in and out of a shadowy overlapping world. Harper seeks the assistance of Ben Danziger, self-proclaimed "ghost guy" and linguistics professor, and his wife, Mara, a witty Irish witch. They educate Harper on the Grey, "a place between our world and the next." Harper tries to maintain a normal life, dating a sexy antiques expert while battling wits with Seattle's vampire king, but being a Greywalker means she can only "pass for human."

In God We Trust; All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd

Rating: 4/5

Review: This was a fun, light, read. There were only a few stories that had actually been featured in the movie, A Christmas Story, however. Yes, there is the famous "you'll shoot your eye out" scene. Shepherd's writing definitely takes the reader back in time to a small Indiana town in the 1930s and 40s. Each childhood tale is filled with humorous nostalgia. I still like the movie better, though, as it has long become a yearly tradition in my family.

Book Description: Shepherd's wildly witty reunion with his Indiana hometown, disproves the adage "You can never go back." Bending the ear of Flick, his childhood-buddy-turned-bartender, Shepherd recalls passionately his genuine Red Ryder BB gun, confesses adolescent failure in the arms of Junie Jo Prewitt, and relives a story of man against fish that not even Hemingway could rival. From pop art to the World's Fair, Shepherd's subjects speak with a universal irony and are deeply and unabashedly grounded in American Midwestern life, together rendering a wonderfully nostalgic impression of a more innocent era when life was good, fun was clean, and station wagons roamed the earth.

Two Books Since last entry

Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb

Rating: 4/5

Review: This book didn't grab quite like the other books in the series did, but I really love the relationship between Dallas and Rourke. They are such a good team. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Book Description: Each murder victim died with a smile on their face. The only one who isn't grinning is Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas-because she's got to find out why.

Dead Sexy by Tate Hallaway

Rating: 4/5

Review: It wasn't nearly as good as the first book, but I plan on continuing the series anyway. I really like the lead character, Garnet, she's such a hoot.

Book Description: Tall, Dark & Dead introduced Garnet Lacey, a bookstore manager/witch who accidentally unleashed the dark goddess Lilith on Vatican assassins. Now she has other things to worry about-like pesky frat boy zombies, a gorgeous FBI agent hot on her trail, love spells gone wrong, and keeping her vampire boyfriend a safe distance from her vampire ex-boyfriend. There's just no rest for this Wiccan...

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

Rating: 4/5

Review: This was an interesting story about a boy who goes on an adventure to a dark and mysterious world. And it is very dark at times, let me tell you. There were a few disturbing moments in the book, but overall it was a good read. I suggest, however, that you not read it while in a down mood, because this story does not induce happiness. In fact, I'm really not sure what made the book so good for me, since it never really had a happy ending. I suppose it was the writing style, the interesting characters, and the determination and wit of an twelve-year-old boy. The book drew me in right away, and I still think about it. I do wonder what kind of childhood this author had, though. Hmmmmm...

Book Description: High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mournsthe death of his mother, with only the books on his shelf forcompany. But those books have begun to whisper to him in thedarkness. Angry and alone, he takes refuge in his imaginationand soon finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. Whilehis family falls apart around him, David is violently propelledinto a world that is a strange reflection of his own -- populatedby heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps hissecrets in a mysterious book, The Book of Lost Things.
Taking readers on a vivid journey through the lossof innocence into adulthood and beyond, New York Timesbestselling author John Connolly tells a dark and compelling talethat reminds us of the enduring power of stories in our lives.

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson

Rating: 5/5

Review: This was a wonderful surprise of a romance. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did, and I thought the premise was going to be silly. It turned out to be a wonderfully sweet romance, and a great story that has a great ending. A woman who has been in the shadow of her mother all of her life, runs into her imaginary friend from her childhood, and they fall in love. Sound hokie to you? Well, it turns out to be quite good, trust me. It's about enduring love, believing in miracles, believeing in yourself, and opening yourself up to possiblities.

Book Description: As a little girl, Jane has no one. Her mother Vivienne Margaux, the powerful head of a major New York theater company has no time for her. But she does have one friend--Michael--and no one can see him but her. But Michael can't stay with Jane forever, and on her eighth birthday, her imaginary friend must leave her. When Jane is in her thirties, working for her mother's company, she is just as alone as she was as a child. Her boyfriend hardly knows she's there and is more interested in what Vivienne can do for his career. Her mother practically treats her as a slave in the office, despite the great success of Jane's first play, "Thank Heaven." Then she finds Michael--handsome, and just the same as she remembers him, only now he's not imaginary. For once in her life, Jane is happy--and has someone who loves her back. But not even Michael knows the reason behind why they've really been reunited.

The Devil You Know by Mike Carey

Rating: 3.5/5

Review: This was interesting, suspensful, and had a good ending. So, why the heck did I have such a hard time trying to finish the book? I'm not quite sure. The main character, Felix, wasn't exactly boring. Perhaps it was just the writing style. I found myself caring about the characters, but too bored to find out what happened next. Of course, I was curious enough to keep returning to the book, but there was never an intense need to get right back to it. I'll only reccomend this one to the die hard paranormal fans who really love a good ghost story and the occasional succubus out for some male libido.

Book Description: Felix Castor used to cast out demons for a living. But in a time when the supernatural realm is in upheaval, his skills are in renewed demand. The one final, well-paying assignment he accepts, however, is rapidly turning into a "who can kill Castor first" competition, with demons, were-beings, and ghosts all keen to claim the big prize.