Wednesday, January 26, 2005

The Butler Did It by Kasey Michaels

A hilarious Regency romance

Recommended
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

An unsuprising expose of the fast food industry, from the restaurants themselves to the farms and factories that provide the food they use.

Highly Recommended
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

When Christopher, a fifteen year-old autistic boy, discovers his neighbors dog killed on the lawn he sets out to investigate it. This book is his written record. Bittersweet and very moving.

Highly Recommended
The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot

A story about mistaken identities, attempted murder and finding love in NYC told through e-mails, voice mails and other communications.

Highly Recommended
Journal of Mortifying Moments by Robyn Harding

A young career woman embarks on a hilarious journey of self discovery when her therapists has her write down all her embarassing moments with men.

Highly recommended
Bare: on women, dancing, sex, & power by Elisabeth Eaves

The author examines the stripping industry from within through her own experiences and those of her co-workers.

Highly Recommended
Confessions of a Back-up Dancer by Tucker Shaw

A fun, well-written romp through the fictional lives of a teenager who gets to be a back-up dancer to a famous pop diva.

Highly Recommended
The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson

Three teenage sisters deal with the death of their father a year later. Very moving and well-written, plus they are Orioles fans.

Highly Recommended
The Long Secret by Louise Fitzhugh

The sequel to Harriet the Spy. Harriet and her friend Beth Ellen become embroiled in a mystery while on vacation.

Recommended
Various DaVinci Code explanation books:

DaVinci Code Decoded by Martin Lunn
DaVinci Deception by Erwin W. Lutzer
Cracking Da Vinci's Code by James L. Garlow and Peter Jones

Very interesting and all biased in their own ways
Going Topless by Megan McAndrew

At first glance it's just another chick lit novel but it turned out to have a bit of substance and plot.
Nickled and Dimed: on not getting by in America by Barbara Ereinreich

A pretty quick read of the author's experiences trying to make a living in three different cities working two low wage jobs.

recommended

Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Catholic Girls edited by Amber Coverdale Sumrall and Patricia Vecchione

A collection of short stories by former Catholic girls about their childhoods/upbringings. Some were funny, all were interesting but mostly it was just depressing. Quite a bit of abuse both of substances and people.
One of those hideous books where the mother dies by Sonya Sones

When Ruby's mother dies of cancer, she is sent to live with her, until now absent, movie star father in LA. She misses her mom, her best friend and her boyfriend and HATES her dad. Told through poetry this is a great story about grieving and learning to forgive.

Highly Recommended
Snakecharm by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

In this sequel to Hawksong, the now married couple try to bring their two cultures together and start a family.

Recommended
Tending to Grace by Kimberly Newton Fusco

A young woman with a stuttering problem finds herself when she goes to live with her great-aunt in rural New England.

Highly recommended.