Book #21 Strangers in Paradise Pocket Book Volume 1 by Terry Moore

This is yet another graphic novel which really hooked me as well. Not only is the story line awesome but the artwork is fabulous. My husband who is a die hard Manga fan read this story and enjoyed it. Shocked the hell out of me. Anyway this is the first novel about Francine and Katchoo. This first story focuses more on Katchoo's past which is quite dark and is something Francine doesn't know too much about. The reason why I am listing these graphic novels is because they are quite thick and took some time for me to get through. As stated previously, the art work is beautiful. Additionally, Mr. Moore has constructed a very complex storyline and has thrown in poetry here and there.

Things I liked about this book:

• The art.
• The poetry.
• The story of Francine and Katchoo.

Things I don't like about this book:

• It's damn near impossible getting Vol 2 at a bookstore b/c this series was done about 10 years ago, according to what the guy at Barnes and Noble told me. So needless to say, had to order it online and waiting for my second installment.
  

Book #20 La Perdida by Jessica Abel

I think this is the first graphic novel that I really fell in love with and that I couldn't put down. La Perdida is about a college aged girl who goes to Mexico. She wants to come to terms with part of her Mexican heritage. Her name escapes me at the moment. But she begins her life living with her white ex-boyfriend. After deciding she wants to immerse herself in the culture, she begins classes at a school and later gets a job there as a teacher. Eventually, she moves out into her own apartment shared with another teacher from the school and her boyfriend. I'm not a very good writer and I can see I'm not doing this story justice, but I could not put this graphic novel down. If anything I realized there is a difference between Manga and graphic novels. I loved this story.

What I like about this book:

• It helped me distinguish what types of graphic novels I enjoy reading.
• The story was phenomenal.
• I'm waiting for my friend to finish it so I can read it again.
  

Book #19- The Observations by Jane Harris

What a fabulous read!!!!! It's about a maid, Bessy, who begins working at Castle Haivers. Arabella, her mistress, wants her to keep a journal and informs her that from time to time, she will be reading what Bessy has wrote. One day when Arabella is away from the house, Bessy sneaks into Arabella's desk and stumbles across a book her mistress has been writing called the Observations. Arabella has been keeping notes and recording bizarre experiments which she has conducted on past maids. In her book, she is trying to discover the qualities which encompass a perfect housemaid. Needless to say, Bessy finds that there are pages about herself in there. Based on what is written, Bessy feels betrayed. This is a page turner! I loved this book!

Things I loved about this book:

• It hooked me in! I love books that do that!
  
• The characters are wonderful. You feel a mixture of emotions as you read about them.
• The story is fabulous and there is not a dull moment at all in the book!

Things I didn't like about this book:

• Nothing. Everything was excellent!!
  

Book #18 Spirited Away by Cindy Miles

I'm still on the fence about this book. It's about a forensic archaeologist, Andi Munroe who goes to this manor to dig up and classify bones. While there, she encounters the knights who haunt the manor. She additionally falls in love with the head knight and lord of the manor, Tristan de Barre. Tristan is a ghost, like his other knights. Let's just say magical mayhem ensues.

Things I liked about this book:

• It was romantic.
• It was a nice love story.

Things I didn't like about this book:

• It was corny in spots!!
• I'm not sure if I buy all the magical stuff that happened in the end.
  

Book #17- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I've never had to read this book in high school or in college for that matter. I've heard many a person reference Jane Austen on several different occasions. She even has her own action figure. So, I decided to read Pride and Prejudice so I could understand who Mr. Darcy was and why t-shirts were printed with "I love Mr. Darcy" on them. The story is about Elizabeth Bennett who is the sensible one in the family. She's like a rebel. She freely speaks her mind about people, especially Mr. Darcy who seems a bit cold and aloof when the reader firsts encounters him in the novel. Over time, we find that Eliza Bennett actually loves Mr. Darcy. Actually, Mr. Darcy is a pretty kick-ass dude, but we don't find that out until much later in the novel. This book took me awhile to read, but I learned new words like "thither". It was a very nice story and I have to say Elizabeth Bennett is probably one of my favorite heroines just because she goes against the grain. She stands up to her overly opinionated mother, she refuses to marry Mr. Collins who is a narcissistic, pompous ass, and she is not intimidated by Lady Catherine who tells her that she is not able to wed Mr. Darcy. All around I'd have to say Jane Austen created one hell of a chick!! No wonder why people like Austen so much.

Things I really enjoyed about this book:

• The characterization!!! I really hated some of the characters in the book- Bingley's sister and Eliza's sister Lydia!! But I adored other characters like Mr. Bennett who was well aware of how annoying his wife was and Jane who saw the best in everyone, and of course Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.
• It was well written, obviously.

Things I did not like about this book:

• It's written in English, but for some reason, it took my brain longer to process the book. Sometimes I had to go back and reread passages which was frustrating, but well worth it.
  

Book #16- Ghostworld by Daniel Clowes

I wasn't sure if I should put this one in as a book really. It's a graphic novel about two girls who recently have graduated high school and they are looking towards their next steps in life. They have random conversations about nothing but everything. Maybe I'm just old.

What I liked about this book:

• I liked the artwork.
• I liked some of the opinions that the girls had, but I also found them cruel at times.
• I liked how quickly I can go through a graphic novel.
  

Book #15- Lady Be Good by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Cute story. It's about an English headmistress, Emma, who comes to Texas to do some historical investigated. Her friend, Francesca, sets her up with Kenny who is supposed to show her around Texas and make her feel welcome for the two weeks she's there. At first, Kenny and Emma do not get along, but shortly after, they get along quite well.

What I liked about this book:

• It was a cute little love story.
• There was a spanking scene in it.
• Opposites attract in this story.

What I didn't like about this story:

• Not enough spanking scenes.
  

Book #14- Invisible by Lorena McCourtney

This story is about a feisty little old lady named Ivy Malone. She's upset because the cemetery in her town is being vandalized. Ivy also is trying to get over the recent death of her friend Thea. Ivy begins to realize that as she is getting older, she's becoming invisible. No one notices her because she's a little old lady (LOL). She uses this to her advantage and begins to stake out the cemetery at night to try and figure out who is vandalizing the cemetery. Another mystery comes about when Kendra, a girl who used to rent property from Thea disappears suddenly. Ivy uses some interesting sleuthing skills to solve two mysteries.

What I liked about this book:

• I love Ivy Malone, I hope I get like her when I'm older. She doesn't just lay around, she does stuff.
• The story keeps the reader engaged and sucked in...

Things I didn't like about this book:

• I could have done with less preaching. Ivy is a strong, Christian character.
  

Book #13 Summer Reading by Hilma Wolitzer

Wow, it's been awhile since I've read this and I lent the book out to a friend. The story revolves around a book club and three women- Angela, Lissy, and Michele. Angela is a retired English professor who runs the book club and selects the classics the ladies will read. Lissy is a newly married woman who basically lives off of her rich husband, shops, hosts the bookclub, and is dyslexic. Reading is a difficult task for her. And Michele who cleans Lissy's house and has her own issues to deal with.

What I liked about this book:

• I really liked Michele and Angela, though at times I was conflicted about them.
• The book moved quickly and I'm glad I bought it. It was well worth the money and I didn't feel like I got jipped.

What I didn't like:

• What the stupid kids do in the end and how Lissy covers it up. It made me cry. I hate when that happens.
  

Book #12- Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman

As I'm sure you have guessed from the cover, Soon I Will Be Invincible is about superheros. I'm not kidding. It's a comic book but without the artwork. This book is told from two perspectives... The first is Doctor Impossible who is in jail and trying to figure a way to get out so he can try and take over the world even though his plans in the past (army of insects, robots, dinosauers, fungus, fish, etc.) have not come to fruition. Hey, you still have to give it to the guy for trying. And the second perspective is from the cyborg Fatale who has just join the New Champions, a group of superheros that have their own powers. Unfortunately, the Champions are missing their leader CoreFire who was supposed to be indestructible and is no where to be found.

What I liked about this book:

• It's different from stuff that I usually read.
• I actually like and feel kind of sorry for Doctor Impossible.
• I liked reading the different backgrounds on the superheroes/villans.
• Makes me want to read comic books.
  

What I didn't like about the book:

• All the different backgrounds became jumbled for me. I started getting names confused and the powers.
• Some artwork thrown in the book here and there would have been nice.
  
• There were parts where I felt like the story was lagging.
  

Book #11 Shelf Life by Suzanne Strempek Shea

After surviving a recent bout with cancer, Suzanne Strempek Shea is just getting along unsure what to do next. One day she receives a call from Janet, her friend and bookstore owner, asking her if she knew anyone who would be interested in working in the store. Suzanne decides to accept the job and chronicles her life in the bookselling business. She shares all aspects of bookselling from ordering books to stocking the shelves to closing the store at night. Throughout the book, Shea shares what it is like being an author and attending book readings and signings in different towns as well as descriptions of some of her favorite bookstores she has been in.

Things I liked about this book:

• The detail of the store life (i.e. the customers, coworkers, and their discussions)
• She goes through the different seasons as far as which merchandise needs to be out
• She discusses dumps and stripping (If you've worked in a bookstore, you should know these terms. If you have no idea what these are, then read the book and find out)

Things I didn't like about this book:

• There were times I felt she talked too much about her reading and signing schedule. I understand why it was important; however, during those times, my eyes just glazed over and I had to go back and reread. I liked hearing about the day in and day out in the Edward's bookstore.
  

Book #10- Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy

I first heard about this book from NPRs site. Little did I know, that this is an older book which has been republished several times. Sally Jay Gorce is the heroine of the story. After several failed attempts at running away, she goes to her uncle who tells her that when she finishes college, he will give her a monthly stipend for a year and she can live wherever she wants. On her 21st birthday, she decides to go to France and live in Paris. All of this takes place during the 1950's. She ends up encountering quirky characters. It's a story of a girl stretching her wings and learning to fly on her own. Even though she falls down now and again, she picks herself up and keeps going.

Things I liked about the book:

• Some of the unusual characters
• The plot twist at the end
  
• She stands up to people with the help of liquid courage

Things I didn't like about the book:

• There were times when it was a bit slow
• Groucho Marx said that he guffawed while reading the book... I didn't guffaw. Sure some parts were funny, but I wouldn't say hilarious.
  

Book #9- The Case of the Missing Books by Ian Sansom

Wannabe Librarian, Israel Armstrong takes a job in a rural county of Ireland. Upon arriving, he realizes that the library he was supposed to be work at has been closed. Furthermore he is going to be in charge of a Mobile Library for which he does not feel qualified. After inspecting the old library, he realizes that it is missing books- about 15,000. The book includes a wide cast of characters including Israel himself. Using his sleuthing skills, he must uncover who stole the 15,000 missing books.

Things I liked about this book:

• It dealt with books. I like to read books that deal with books.

Things I didn't like about this book:

• I thought Israel was a bumbling idiot.
• He was a very wishy washy character who got beat up on a couple of occasions.
• Israel thought he was extremely intelligent; which he was not.
  

Book #8- Girl with Glasses My Optic History by Marissa Walsh

This is a memoir of a a woman who discusses the various aspects of wearing glasses. If you've ever had vision problems, you will be able to relate to this book. Ms. Walsh does not just spend the whole time discussing her eyes, she throws in interesting episodes of her life as well. She goes through all of the different types of glasses and contacts that she has worn in her life. I was surprised that I really enjoyed reading it.

What I liked:

• It was a quick read.
• I could relate to what the author said.
• I liked the websites she provides at the end.

What I didn't like:

• It ended.
  

Book #7- Buenos Aires Broken Hearts Club by Jessica Morrison

I completely related to this book!! Maybe it was because I was in Ecuador while reading this, but I really enjoyed this book. Cassie Moore's life comes to a crashing halt. In one day, she is fired from her job, is being evicted from her apartment, and walks in on her fiance having sex with his ex-girlfriend. So after getting drunk, she begins to search for a new future on the web. In her drunken haze, she rents an apartment in Buenos Aires. She doesn't want to back out of this since she emails everyone she knows that she is going there. But she doesn't want to go because she really is not into traveling. It's a fabulous book and a very quick read! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

What I liked:

• Cassie thinks the same way I do about traveling. Why leave your comfort spot in the first place.
• Cassie also cries a lot at first. Kind of like me in Ecuador.
• Cassie stands out without trying. Boy I totally know that feeling.

What I didn't like:

• I liked it period.
  

Book #6- Blood Price by Tanya Huff

I started watching Blood Ties on Lifetime back in the spring sometime was instantly hooked. Blood Price is the first book in Huff's series about Vickie Nelson private investigator. Although Vickie is not a part of the police anymore, she still uses many of its resources to help her solve a string of murders. Along the way, she meets up with Henry Fitzroy, a vampire. Together they help solve the mysteries of the many deaths.

What I liked:

• I liked that the book gave more of a background about Vickie Nelson.

• I like that Vickie is a strong heroine.

What I didn't like:

• I felt in some places it was too wordy.
• It didn't always hold my attention.
• I didn't like the flashbacks for Henry.
• I hate the fact that Henry is a romance writer.
  

Book #5- Gilda Joyce Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison

I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. It's about a fabulous 13 yr. old named Gilda Joyce who is always interested in something going on in her neighborhood. On the last day of school, she realizes her bf, Wendy Choy is going away to summer camp and she will be all alone in the summer. Gilda writes her long lost uncle who resides in San Francisco a letter inviting herself there for the summer. His assistant writes her back notifying her that she can come to San Francisco.

When she arrives, she realizes that there is a spooky tower on her uncle's property which no one is allowed to go into. Gilda also finds out a few other things: his house is supposedly haunted, his sister jumped off that tower and she has a cousin her own age that lives there.

What I liked about the book:

1. Gilda is an unforgettable heroine! She has so many disguises and costumes. Needless to say, in my opinion, Gilda puts Harriet the Spy to shame. She's extremely witty and very intelligent.
2. There was a hint of the paranormal in the book.
3. She brought her cousin out of her doldrums.

What I disliked about the book:

1. I really can't think of anything I disliked. I'm trying to find something and I really can't.
   

Book #4 Ex-libris by Anne Fadiman

I am a huge fan of reading. I first heard of Anne Fadiman on NPR. She was talking about her newest book of essays. Now I have to stop here and tell you that I'm not a big essay person. Generally, SMUT is what I read and I'm really not ashamed to tell anyone. What I really liked about Fadiman is that her essays are not lofty. When I heard her on NPR, I could actually picture what she was describing and understand what she was talking about. I decided to look into her work and found that she wrote essays on books. Joy!! Rapture!!

Her first essay discusses marrying two libraries. I still keep my husband's library separate from mine. He likes his manga and graphic novels, while I prefer books with no pictures. In another essay, she discusses things you should never do to a book. I also enjoyed You Are There which discusses reading books about certain landscapes within those landscapes. For example, I would read a book describing Ecuador, while I am in Ecuador.

Things I liked:

• I could understand what she wrote. I didn't feel like her ideas went above my head.
• This is easily a book I would want to come back to later in life. It will be a part of my shelf.

Things I didn't like:

• It ended.
  

Book #3- Night Life by Ray Garton

Martin Burgess, horror writer with a lot of money, decides to hire two of the best private investigators to see if vampires actually exist. While Karen Moffett and Gavin Keoph begin their investigation, they uncover information that would best be left alone.

What I liked about this book:

1. It gave a creepy genre to vamps.
2. It creeped me out to the point I couldn't read it before going to bed at night.
3. Places vamps into two categories- vamps and brutals.
4. Tied in with the first book Live Girls.

What I didn't like:

1. I didn't read Live Girls. I wish I would have. Many references were made to the Live Girls book throughout.
2. Did I mention this book creeped me out? Well done Mr. Garton!!
   

Book #2- Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach

This story is about a girl named Hero Netherfield. Her family is quite enamored with Shakespeare so they named her Hero after one of the characters in his play, Much Ado about Nothing. Hero moves into a new neighborhood with her family (mom, dad, and older sis). She meets her neighbor Mrs. Roth who informs her about a secret diamond hidden in Hero's house. In her quest to find the diamond, Hero discovers a lot about Shakespeare and English history in addition to making new friends.
What I liked about this book:

1. It was a page turner from the beginner. I think kids can relate to Hero because she is an outcast. I'm sure many people feel that they have been put in that position.
2. I liked the English history portion.
3. There's really nothing I didn't like.
   

Book #1- Dark Desire by Christine Feehan

Ever since I read some of Laurell K. Hamilton's books last summer, I've been drawn to paranormal fiction. So I continue my love for unlikely heroes in Christine Feehan's Dark Desire. Shea O'Halloran continually feels someone in her thoughts. Each year that passes, the thoughts get stronger and physical feelings are attached with them. Jacques is a Carpathian male on the brink of insanity. He was tortured and buried alive. While it pains him to try and communicate telepathically with Shea, he still does for seven years. Shea finally goes to the mountains, finds where Jacques is buried underground, pulls him up and tries to not only repair his physical wounds, but his mental ones as well. Feehan distinguishes between vampires and Carpathians. From what I gather (which may not be much, I'm not the brightest bulb in the bunch), Carpathians are night walkers (they can walk during dawn), drink blood, live an extremely long time, have emotions, can shape shift, control animals and have one lifemate. If a Carpathian male does not find his lifemate, he will eventually turn into a vampire. Vampires kill just for the thrill of killing, so they can feel something. They walk at night and cannot during dawn. They obviously drink blood and kick around for a long time. What I liked:

1. Feehan roped me in and I couldn't put the book down. I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen.
2. Her twist on how Carpathians differ from vampires.

What I didn't like:

1. Some of the love scenes seemed forced.
2. I didn't always like the way Jacques treated Shea. Half the time, I wondered if Shea was a weak minded woman. I guess it's all personal opinion.

Overall Feehan's writing has intrigued me and I'm interested in reading another one of her books.