Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey #4: Guardian)

By Kate MacAlister...while assisting a library patron in downloading the audio version of this book, we discussed the book, its characters and her fascination with the way in which the book was written.  I decided that I wanted to try it out.  I was sucked in immediately.  The writing was witty and humorous, though I wasn't too keen on the supernatural and fantasy...I loved the characters.  I haven't read any of the other books in the series.  I am interested in reading more.  Dragons, demons, prince of hell....all in a humorous setting and all with a wedding and a pregnancy.  It was fun!  The story itself was okay...but the dialogue and characters really helped keep me reading.

Gone Tomorrow (a Jack Reacher Novel)

By Lee Child...I listened to a podcast where Stephen King mentions loving Lee Child...and I decided to check it out.  The book was another listen...on CD.  Suspense, intrigue, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right up to the very end.  Starts with a lady on a subway that is wired with a bomb...she shoots herself in front of Jack Reacher...and the rest of the novel is finding out who she was, why she did it, and it reminded me a lot of a Bourne novel with all of the different possibilities.  Kept me wishing I could be in the car more often for sure!

Playing Catch Up - Girl in Hyacinth Blue

By Susan Vreeland....I listened to this end of October to the beginning of November.  What a great story.  Starts in a more modern day...and traces the story of a painting.  This book was recommended to me this summer by a library patron.  I picked it up to read...and never got into it.  I noticed we had it on CD and started listening to it.  I was sucked in immediately!  Each part of the story has a different voice.  You meet people from all walks of life and with all sorts of stories.  It is amazing the lives that are touched by this painting.  I highly recommend!

Reading will continue...

I am nearly done with my school quarter.  I have been doing a lot of reading...but it just hasn't been books. I have spent a lot of time on Google Books and the Google News Archive.  Want to read some old newspapers?  Old magazines?  I was reading a Good Housekeeping from 1886, some Spokane Daily Chronicle from 1902 to 1919 and some old Spokesman Review from 1902 to 1924.  It is very fascinating the things you find on Google.  I am doing research on the Campbell House in Spokane for a project.  It has lead me to some neat things online!  If you are interested, let me know, I can show you how to get there.  Did you know there are tons of free books online?  Anyway, I am nearly done listening to Water for Elephants...and I plan to finish reading another book I started earlier in the quarter...and I plan to read A LOT over the Christmas break!  Let's see if I can average 3 books a week!  I have quite the stack I want to get through.  In the meantime...let me know what you are reading.  Any recommendations?

Weedflower

By Cynthia Kadohata...what a great read!  I actually listened to this book.  The subject matter was about a period in American History that is not taught about as much as it should.  Now, it seems we are thinking about something like this time again...which saddens me.  We get to see how a pre-teen, teen growing up just after World War 2 starts...she is Japanese.  Her parents have died and she is being raised by her aunt and uncle on their flower farm.  But...Pearl Harbor happens...and Sumiko and her family is moved...first to an assembly center at a racetrack, and then to an internment camp in Arizona.  I highly recommend this book to any reader!  Lots of great information and the story is catching.

Deciding what to read...

In my job, I am asked about what to read.  Here are a few of the ways I pick something to read...I have to say that over the years I have changed my methodology.  I used to just read what I liked.  How did I know that?  Well I would take about 20 books home, read the first couple chapters...if it didn't grab me, I would put it down and try another one.  I used to pick only a couple different genres...mystery, suspense, romance, westerns, science fiction, horror...I went through several phases.  Now, this is how I decide...

1. Does it look interesting?
2. Does the story grab me?
3. Did someone recommend it?
4. What is the subject matter?
5. Have I read about it somewhere?
6. Is it a genre I enjoy?

I have also expanded what I will read.  I read things that are out of my comfort zone...and have been pleasantly surprised!  So, try something new and different, you never know what gems you will find!

Native Seattle

Histories from the Crossing-Over Place by Coll Thrush...this was something I had to read for school.  I am taking a course called Hometown History.  Most of what I have read for this class I have enjoyed and this book wasn't any different.  I was impressed by the intertwining of Native American History and Seattle's History.  I loved the way the author intertwined stories from Seattle's past and present.  Many issues about how the city was formed, how the indigenous people where treated, and how the land was altered to form the city that is there today.  After reading this book I wanted to return to Seattle to check out some of the places mentioned.  I think someone from Seattle, someone who has lived in Seattle or someone who visits Seattle a lot would enjoy this book.  That being said...this is a history book.  It isn't dry...in fact it is interesting!  I recommend!