The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

Title: The Reader

Author: Bernhard Schlink

Publisher: Vintage 1995

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 218

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Back to the Classics -- 20th Century; New Author; Mount TBR; Eclectic -- Translated; Movie

How I Got It: I own it!

When he falls ill on his way home from school, fifteen-year-old Michael Berg is rescued by Hanna, a woman twice his age. In time she becomes his lover—then she inexplicably disappears. When Michael next sees her, he is a young law student, and she is on trial for a hideous crime. As he watches her refuse to defend her innocence, Michael gradually realizes that Hanna may be guarding a secret she considers more shameful than murder.

Hmmm... I heard so many good things about this book, and I'm just not convinced at all. The first part is just awkward. The pseudo relationship between Michael and Hanna just doesn't convince me at all. The second part, the trial, gets more interesting. Questions of morality and ethics invade the writing. I found the philosophical questions intriguing. But the third part, after the trial, didn't interest me at all. I just wasn't that emotionally involved with the book. It didn't speak to me at all. That's not to say it isn't a good book. I'm sure many like it, I just didn't really love it.

Movie version:

Overall, I liked the movie much better than the book. The movie held true to the book, but added a bit more of Michael in the present day. We see him reminiscing about the story of Hanna. Plus, the audience has the good fortune of getting rid of Michael's rambling narration. Kate Winslet is amazing as Hanna. I felt for her more than at any time during the book. WInslet made her more human. And the actor who played Michael lets us into his head much more than the book. A very good movie.

Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson

Title: Thomas Paine

Author: Craig Nelson

Publisher: Penguin Books 2007

Genre: Biography

Pages: 432

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Genre -- Biography; New Author; TBR Pile; Dusty Bookshelf; 52 Books -- W5

How I Got It: I own it!

Despite his being a founder of both the United States and the French Republic, the creator of the phrase "United States of America," and the author of Common Sense, Thomas Paine is the least well known of America's founding fathers. This edifying biography by Craig Nelson traces Paine's path from his years as a London mechanic, through his emergence as the voice of revolutionary fervor on two continents, to his final days in the throes of dementia. By acquainting us as never before with this complex and combative genius, Nelson rescues a giant from obscurity-and gives us a fascinating work of history.

An extensive bio of one of the lost Founding Fathers. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Nelson's account of the life and times of Thomas Paine. However, I do have a few minor issues. First of all, this biography is extensive. I fear that only the most ardent historian can make it to the end of the book. Second, Nelson delves into the background of the Enlightenment to explain Paine's place in history. I love the Enlightenment, but spending over 50 pages on events and people before Paine's time is a bit much even for me. Plus most of that information can be found in the Wikipedia page for the Enlightenment. Third, at times Nelson rambles. I found myself spiraling down in topic and discussion. Even with these few issues, I enjoyed the biography. It was a fascinating read.

The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin

Title: The Wedding Gift (Four Weddings and a Fiasco #1)

Author: Lucy Kevin

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 102

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; What's in a Name -- Party/Celebration; Ebook; Book Bingo -- 4 from TBR

How I Got It: Free Amazon Book

After Julie Delgado’s restaurant closes, she temporarily takes over the catering position at the Rose Chalet, a full-service San Francisco wedding venue. She plans to dazzle the bride and groom so the Chalet’s owner will keep her around, but fate has other plans for her when the bride’s brother shows up for the first food tasting.
Andrew Kyle is not only the Cuisine Channel’s Edgy Eats host and chef, but his recent review of Julie’s restaurant was the final nail in its coffin. Once he meets Julie at the Rose Chalet, he’s certain she’s playing it safe. And he wants nothing more than to be the one to break her guarded passions loose.
But despite the undeniable sparks between Julie and Andrew–and the fact that he seems to believe in her when no one else does–can she afford to be taking risks with her cooking, with her career…or with her heart?

A quick little contemporary romance. In 102 pages, I was sucked into a fun little story with likable and relatable characters. I loved that the story included food trucks (my favorite find since moving to the coast). Of course, the story itself was predictable. But that's what I wanted: a nice fluffy romance for an evening read. Now that I realized that this is Book 1 of a series, I may just have to get the other four (currently all ~$3.00 on Amazon digital).

Four Weddings and a Fiasco

The Wedding Gift
The Wedding Dance
The Wedding Song
The Wedding Dress
The Wedding Kiss

A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock

Title: A Foreign Affair (Liberty Lane #1)

Author: Caro Peacock

Publisher: Avon 2008

Genre: Historical mystery

Pages: 331

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: T4MC -- Historical Mystery; Sub-Genre -- Thriller, Historical; New Authors; TBR Pile

How I Got It: I own it!

The year is 1837. Queen Victoria, barely eighteen, has just ascended to the throne of England, and a young woman named Liberty Lane has just had her first taste of true sorrow. Refusing to accept that her gentle, peace-loving father has been killed fighting a duel, she vows to see justice done. . . .
The trail she follows is a twisting and dangerous one, leading the spirited young Englishwoman into an intricate weave of conspiracy. Contacted by secret agents, she is asked to pose as a governess in order to infiltrate cold, rambling Mandeville Hall and spy on its master, Sir Herbert Mandeville, who is at the center of a treasonous plan.
Nothing at the hall is what it seems, and every turn reveals another deceit, another surprise, another peril, leaving Libby to wonder who to trust and embroiling her in a deadly affair that could destroy the young queen and place Libby herself in mortal peril. . . .

I picked this up at the Omaha Public Library sale almost two years ago. And it's taken me that long to finally pick it up and read it. And then I realized it was the first in a series. Oh well. I still read it and enjoyed it. The story is well crafted. I didn't see all the twists and turns coming. I didn't call the other villan right away. This kept me entertained through the story. The characters were fine. Nothing too exciting, but solid characters. I'll be on the lookout for the other books in the series, but probably won't be going out of my way.

Liberty Lane

#1 A Foreign Affair (Death at Dawn)
#2 A Dangerous Affair (Death of a Dancer)
#3 A Family Affair (A Corpse in Shining Armour)
#4 When the Devil Drives
#5 Keeping Bad Company
#6 The Path of the Wicked
#7 Friends in High Places

Persuasion by Jane Austen

This is a reposted review since I was reading Persuasion for a readalong and my own enjoyment.

Title: Persuasion

Author: Jane Austen

Pages: 333

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: T4MC -- No Copyright (20 points); Jane Austen; Women Authors; Ebook; Book Bingo -- 3 Rereads

How I Got It: Own It!

Book

Say what you want about Elizabeth Bennett, Anne Elliott has always been my favorite Austen heroine. Underneath it all, she's the one that keeps the Elliott household running, even in Bath. She understands who she is and what mistakes she has made in the past. She knows people and how to deal with them. I love this story of growing up and realizing your mistakes. Plus Captain Wentworth is just so dreamy! Definitely my favorite of all of Austen's novels.

Miniseries :

A few years ago I had a short-lived book club with some of my high schoolers. We read Persuasion and then I hosted a movie night to enjoy a viewing. Afterward we went around yelling "Wentworth" all over school. Good times good times.

As to the actual movie, this is my favorite adaptation. The casting perfectly fits the characters. Anthony Stewart Head is imposing as Sir Walter, perfect casting. Amanda Hale is a nervous wreck of a Mary. Rupert Penry-Jones is just dreamy as Captain Wentworth. And Sally Hawkins has those long looks so perfect for playing Anne. My absolute favorite scene is the first time that Anne and the Captain meet again. Their looks convey a huge range of emotions. In that instance, you know that they still love each other even with the betrayals of the past. And I love all the scenes in Bath if for nothing more than the architecture in Bath. Even the deviations from the novel fit with the story and characters. I forgive the filmmakers and still watch it over and over again.

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

Title: A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

Author: Ishmael Beah

Publisher: Sarah Crichton Books 2007

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 232

Rating: 3 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: T4MC -- Bio, Memoir; Nerdy Nonfiction -- Memoir; New Author; Library Loan; 52 Books in 52 Weeks -- Week 4

How I Got It: Library Loan (Book Club Selection)

This is how wars are fought now: by children, hopped-up on drugs and wielding AK-47s. Children have become soldiers of choice. In the more than fifty conflicts going on worldwide, it is estimated that there are some 300,000 child soldiers. Ishmael Beah used to be one of them.

What is war like through the eyes of a child soldier? How does one become a killer? How does one stop? Child soldiers have been profiled by journalists, and novelists have struggled to imagine their lives. But until now, there has not been a first-person account from someone who came through this hell and survived.

In A Long Way Gone, Beah, now twenty-five years old, tells a riveting story: how at the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he'd been picked up by the government army, and Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts.

This was January's book club selection. And I have to say that I did not enjoy it. The story of child soldiers is powerful, an evil we must combat. But I just didn't connect at all to the Beah or any of the other people in the memoir. I just didn't get emotionally wrapped into the story. I stood on the outskirts seeing the story unfold, but not needing to see more. I compare reading this story to reading We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families by Philip Gourevitch about the Rwandan genocide. The way Gourevitch's book was constructed drew me into the story and the people's lives. I felt connected to them. I felt their fear and joy throughout. This just didn't hit me the same way.

The Passage by Justin Cronin

Title: The Passage

Author: Justin Cronin

Publisher: Ballantine 2011

Genre: Vampires

Pages: 784

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Paranormal --Vampires; New Author; TBR Pile; Dusty Bookshelf; Book Bingo -- 1 Everyone has Read but Me

How I Got It: I own it!

An epic and gripping tale of catastrophe and survival,The Passage is the story of Amy—abandoned by her mother at the age of six, pursued and then imprisoned by the shadowy figures behind a government experiment of apocalyptic proportions. But Special Agent Brad Wolgast, the lawman sent to track her down, is disarmed by the curiously quiet girl—and risks everything to save her. As the experiment goes nightmarishly wrong, Wolgast secures her escape—but he can’t stop society’s collapse. And as Amy walks alone, across miles and decades, into a future dark with violence and despair, she is filled with the mysterious and terrifying knowledge that only she has the power to save the ruined world.

This is definitely one of those books that I just had to read after it came out, and yet, it's taken me two years to get around to it. Even with all the waiting, it did not disappoint. This story is terrifying. It reminds me of I am Legend and The Forest of Hands and Teeth and As the World Dies trilogy all wrapped up into one. I realize that two of those are zombie stories, but ultimately they are all stories of survival. The beginning is a bit slow, as in, the characters seem to tell their stories in stream of consciousness. It took a while to get used to, but once I did, I loved the style. We get inside the heads of the characters We see their hopes, joys, and fears. We understand them. This makes the story much easier to follow as we drift from character to character and later skip decades. I loved Alicia and Michael. Those were definitely my favorite characters. They each have their own specialty, but neither one is quite comfortable in their own skin and around other people. The other characters are all great, I just really connected to those two. Initially I thought I would hated the time jump, but the story had to jump in order to stay interesting. I don't need to see the rest of the war and attempted evacuation. The echoes linger even ~90 years in the future. Hopefully, I can pick up the sequel later this year.

Passage

#1 The Passage
#2 The Twelve
#3 The City of Mirrors

Almost America by Steve Tally

Title: Almost America

Author: Steve Tally

Publisher: William Morrow 2000

Genre: U.S. History

Pages: 402

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nerdy Nonfiction -- History; New Authors; Mount TBR; Dusty Reads -- January, Nonfiction

How I Got It: I own it!

American history is full of difficult choices that could have gone the other way. Now Steve Tally sends you back to the most important moments in our nation's history -- and takes the other fork in the road.

I a huge U.S. History geek. So any book about history, I'll read. It's a blessing and a curse. I've had this one lying around for a few years and never seemed to actually read it. This is definitely my type of U.S. History book. It presuposes a certain level of historical knowledge and then builds upon it. I like the play on counterfactual history. It appeals to my sense of whimsy and fantasy. Plus is makes history more of a fun story. What if? I love it.

Chill Factor by Rachel Caine

Title: Chill Factor (Weather Wardens #3)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2005

Genre: Paranormal action adventure

Pages: 352

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Sub Genre -- Thriller, Supernatural; Monthly Reads January -- Cold; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Book Bingo 4 from series

How I Got It: I own it

Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin has protected the human race from monster storms, been killed, reborn as a Djinn, and then restored to her original form. Now she's throwing the dice to stop an infinitely powerful, deeply disturbed kid-who is holed up in a Vegas hotel-from bringing on a new ice age.

I was with the storyline in Ill Wind, I stayed with it through Heat Stroke. But Chill Factor has certainly thrown the curve balls in. I was on the edge of my seat the entire ride, and I do mean ride. The action picks up right where it left off in the previous book and doesn't stop for 352. Even on the last page, we're left with a cliffhanger. I'm sure the next book will start right there. It's a gripping ride through Joanne's ups and downs. I am excited to see where the character goes next. With the big news, I'm sure it's going to be interesting.

Weather Warden:

Ill Wind
Heat Stroke
Chill Factor
Windfall
Fire Storm
Thin Air
Gale Force
Cape Storm
Total Eclipse

Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine

Title: Heat Stroke (Weather Wardens #2)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2004

Genre: Paranormal Action Adeventure

Pages: 352

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Sub-Genre -- Thriller, Action; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Dusty Bookshelf; Book Bingo -- 4 from series

How I Got It: I own it

Mistaken for a murderer, Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin is hunted down and killed by her colleagues. Reborn as a Djinn, she senses something sinister entering earth's atmosphere-something that makes tomorrow's forecast look deadly.

Second volume of Joanne Baldwin's journey and I'm still hooked. Making Joanne a Djinn was a gamble and a hell of an entertaining one. I loved seeing her attempt to master the Djinn powers, and yet retain her human fierceness. It was also a treat to see how she would deal without David to lead her along. I love her independent spirit. And the introduction of a few new characters (Yvette, Kevin, Jonathon) was a nice touch. They kept the series from falling into predictable. On to the next one...

Weather Warden:

Ill Wind
Heat Stroke
Chill Factor
Windfall
Fire Storm
Thin Air
Gale Force
Cape Storm
Total Eclipse

Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

Title: Ill Wind (Weather Wardens #1)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2003

Genre: Paranormal action adventure

Pages: 352

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: T4MC -- First in series; Paranormal -- Other; Women Authors; Mount TBR; Seriously Series

How I Got It: I own it

Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But now, she's trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So, she's resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life...
Her only hope is Lewis, the most powerful warden known. Unfortunately, he's stolen not one but three bottles of Djinn-making him the most wanted man on earth. Still, she's racing hard to find him-before the bad weather closes in fast...

This series has been sitting on my shelf for at least two years. I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. Ill Wind was a great introduction to Joanne and the world of the Weather Wardens. Right away, I knew I would like Joanne's no nonsense outlook and fierce determination. It was refreshing from the damsels in distress women I have read in the past few months. I needed a fierce warrior. Sure she has her vulnerable side, but that's only shown to people she thinks she can trust. (Of course, that doesn't always work out so well). And the world of the Djinns and Weather Warden is just too fun. I love the idea of people helping to control Mother Nature from wiping out us humans. It's a great idea. The side characters are all great, but I especially loved David. I thought something was odd the minute he popped into her life. I didn't realize how odd until much later. I can't wait to read more in the next volume.

Weather Warden:

Ill Wind
Heat Stroke
Chill Factor
Windfall
Fire Storm
Thin Air
Gale Force
Cape Storm
Total Eclipse

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Title: Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Anges Nutter, Witch

Author: Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Publisher: HarperTouch 1990

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 413

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: T4MC -- Name in Title; Neil Gaiman; Ebook; Eclectic -- Humor; 52 Books -- Week 2

The world will end on Saturday. Next Saturday. Just before dinner, according to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies written in 1655. The armies of Good and Evil are amassing and everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except that a somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture. And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist.
Put New York Times bestselling authors Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett together . . . and all Hell breaks loose.

Holy crap on a stick! This was an awesome book. I don't mean a "that was a great read" kind of book. I mean the "I laughed out loud on airplanes" kind of book. The story is awesome, but it's the characters and style that really get me. The characters are all just so lovable, even the demons, even the Four Horseman (I mean Riders) of the Apocalypse. Crowley and Aziraphale are my absolute favorites. Their on-again off-again friendship of enemies is just amazing. I love how each one gets the other to slide just a bit to the other side. Hee hee. And Adam Young is the perfect little Antichrist without even knowing it. He commands attention and devotion and yet has quite a good head on his shoulders. Such fun! And let's talk about the style for just a second. I feel like Pratchett and Gaiman are telling me a story. They are sitting in my living room, drinking (wine probably) and taking turns telling me parts of this ridiculous story they heard. Even the descriptions are a conversation. I love this style. And all the little author's notes are just icing on the cake. (Yum cake!). I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to read this book.

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Title: A Game of Thrones (Song of Fire and Ice #1)

Author: George R.R. Martin

Publisher: Bantam 1996

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Pages: 835

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: T4MC -- Fantasy/Scifi/Steampunk; Genre -- Epic Fantasy; Mount TBR; New Authors; Page to Screen

How I Got It: I own it

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.
Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

I've been meaning to get around to reading this for awhile, but somehow I kept putting it off. Well, I finally starting reading while traveling home to California. And I'm so glad I did. It was unbelievably amazing. Martin has created such an intricate world with a variety of peoples and histories. I wept with Daenerys and raged against the Lannisters (except for Tyrion). I feared with Jon Snow and the Night's Watch and delighted in Arya's swordplay. I speed through all 835 pages in a few days. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Even the changing points of view didn't bother me like they usually do. I have no idea how Martin will wrap any of this up, but I'm definitely reading them all.

Television Series:

I watched the series before reading the book, but no matter. The creators changed little things here and there, but mostly kept right to the storyline. I love the actors, but Peter Dinklage is my absolutely favorite. He is amazing as Tyrion Lannister. And Kit Harrington has an amazing strength as Jon Snow. And Emilia Clarke as Daenerys is just gorgeous. I can't wait to see what happens in season 2.

A Song of Fire and Ice:

A Game of Thrones
A Clash of Kings
A Storm of Swords
A Feast for Crows
A Dance with Dragons
The Winds of Winter

Beauty and the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes

Title: Beauty and the Bitch

Author: Jasmine Haynes

Publisher: 2012

Genre: Erotic fairy tales

Pages: 114

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: T4MC -- Man and Woman on Cover (5 points); Genre -- Erotica; Women Authors; Ebook; Book Bingo -- 3 from TBR

How I Got It: I own it; Ebook form

Reporter Dexter King is about to get the story of a lifetime. Shelby Stewart was the hottest rising star in Hollywood until suddenly, she was cursed. Retreating to her mountain hideaway, far from that fairy tale life, she hasn’t been seen in ten years. Now Dex will ferret out the truth behind her fall from Hollywood grace. But will he find a beauty? Or a bitch?

In truth, I read this because it was free in iBooks and I needed something short to read in between colossal books. I didn't have very high hopes, but I was pleasantly surprised after reading. This is an interesting erotic retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Except in this one the roles are reversed. Dex is a great knight in shining armor and Shelby has a wonderful back and forth nature. I really liked the storyline. It was a nice short read while traveling back home.

Locke and Key Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Title: Locke and Key Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom

Author: Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Publisher: IDW 2011

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 152

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; T4MC -- Cult Classic (20 points); Book Bingo -- 2 from series

Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez's Locke & Key unwinds into its fourth volume in Keys to the Kingdom! With more keys making themselves known, and the depths of the Locke's family's mystery ever-expanding, Dodge's desperation to end his shadowy quest drives the habitants of Keyhouse evercloser to a revealing conclusion.

I had a few issues with this volume. Overall, I am still in love with this series. I love the illustrations. I love the characters. I love the general storyline. My issues came with the pacing of the story and the style. There are many jump cuts in this volume. We get snippets of the action as instead of a complete follow through. The entire first chapter, I was a bit confused by the new style. And we get a ton of new keys with not much explanation of what they do. I would have liked a little less stuffed into this one volume. I like the slower pacing of the first three volumes. Even with my issues, I still love this story and can't wait to read the conclusion. But I'll have to until April since I don't have the next volume... Darn!

Locke and Key:

Welcome to Lovecraft
Head Games
Crown of Shadows
Keys to the Kingdom
Clockworks
Alpha and Omega

Locke and Key Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Title: Locke and Key Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows

Author: Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Publisher: IDW 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 152

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; T4MC -- Christmas Present (20 points); Book Bingo -- 2 from series

The dead plot against the living, the darkness closes in on Keyhouse, and a woman is shattered beyond repair, in the third storyline of the Eisner-nominated series. Dodge continues his relentless quest to find the key to the black door, and raises an army of shadows to wipe out anyone who might get in his way. Surrounded and outnumbered, the Locke children find themselves fighting a desperate battle, all alone, in a world where the night itself has become their enemy.

Intrigue, mystery, and suspense. Oh my! The storyline just keeps getting darker and darker as this series goes on. I am in awe of how good this series is. I imagined a flaky plot with flaky characters. Thankfully I was mistaken. I love Hill's penchant for complex, but realistic characters. Even Dodge is realistic as a malevolent being possibly a puppet for another more malevolent entity. I loved the introduction of Scott and Jamal in this volume. They filled out the story even more. I can't wait to read Volume 4!

Locke and Key:

Locke and Key Vol. 2: Head Games by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Title: Locke and Key Vol. 2: Head Games

Author: Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Publisher: IDW 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 162

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Book Bingo -- 3 from TBR; T4MC -- New Author (5 points)

Following a shocking death that dredges up memories of their father's murder, Kinsey and Tyler Locke are thrown into choppy emotional waters, and turn to their new friend, Zack Wells, for support, little suspecting Zack's dark secret. Meanwhile, six-year-old Bode Locke tries to puzzle out the secret of the head key, and Uncle Duncan is jarred into the past by a disturbingly familiar face. Open your mind - the head games are just getting started!

Another stunning volume. I am really into this series now. I love the colors, the drawings, the characters, and above all the storyline. This volume deepened the mystery surround the house and the creature from the well. Plus we get the appearance of another mysterious key. At the very end, we get a page from an old journal detailing the known keys. I can't wait to see the others in action.

Locke and Key:

Locke and Key Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Title: Locke and Key Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft

Author: Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Publisher: IDW 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 168

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; New Authors; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Book Bingo -- 3 from TBR

Locke & Key tells of Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion, with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them, and home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all! Acclaimed suspense novelist and New York Times best-selling author Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box) creates an all-new story of dark fantasy and wonder, with astounding artwork from Gabriel Rodriguez.

I grabbed this volume because it has appeared on many other book bloggers' lists. And I was definitely not disappointed. This story starts off with a bang and doesn't stop. We follow a damaged family through their pain and eventual opening of new horrors. I loved the style of writing. Hill conveys such emotion through short dialogue bubbles. The story itself is intense and horrifying. I sped through the volume on pins and needles. And was left wanting more... Thank goodness I have Volumes 2-4 just waiting to be read.

Locke and Key:

Welcome to Lovecraft
Head Games
Crown of Shadows
Keys to the Kingdom
Clockworks
Alpha and Omega

Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

Title: Change of Fortune (Ladies of Distinction #1)

Author: Jen Turano

Publisher: Bethany House 2012

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 202

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Sub Genre -- Mystery, Romance; New Authors; Mount TBR; Book Bingo -- 1 from TBR Pile; T4MC -- J Author (5 points)

How I Got It: I won it! An ARC

Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. Her fortune was the last thing she had left after losing her father, her fiance, and her faith. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.
Mr. Hamilton Beckett, much to his chagrin, is the catch of the season, and all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. He has no plans to marry again, especially since his hands are full keeping his business afloat while raising his two children alone.
Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune unexpectedly put her right in Hamilton's path. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces and, before she knows it, Eliza has a whole retinue of people helping her. Eliza's determination not to trust anyone weakens when everyone's antics and bumbling efforts to assist her make her wonder if there might be more important things than her fortune and independence.
When all of Hamilton's and Eliza's best-laid plans fall by the wayside, it will take a riot of complications for them to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.

A good choice to help kick off my new's reads. I won this ARC a few weeks back and decided to throw it in my suitcase for reading on the plane. I didn't read it on the plane but devoured it in just two days before my trip back. The romane, the adventure, and the mystery were all great elements. I loved Eliza's spunk and Hamilton's devotion. The rest of the characters were fun and useful. Zayne and Agatha were by far my favorites. Piper and Ben were the cutest children ever. I really enjoyed read this book. However, I have one issue: the Christian angle. Suddenly about half way through the book more and more characters are bringing up their faith. It felt a bit after the fact to me. I didn't see it as an apparent main theme. In that way, it seemed just a bit disingenuous. If that's the angle taken, I would like to see it incorporated at the start of the book. But even that little issue didn't keep me from enjoying the book. Plus, I started my year off right with a good read.

Ladies of Distinction

#0.5 Gentleman of Her Dreams
#1 A Change of Fortune
#2 A Most Peculiar Circumstance
#3 A Talent for Trouble
#4 A Match of Wits

Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi

Title: Chicken with Plums

Author: Marjane Satrapi

Publisher: Pantheon 2006

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 90

Rating: 3 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Women Author; Mount TBR; Book Bingo -- 2 from TBR; T4MC -- Women Author (15 points)

We are in Tehran in 1958, and Nasser Ali Khan, one of Iran’s most revered tar players, discovers that his beloved instrument is irreparably damaged. Though he tries, he cannot find one to replace it, one whose sound speaks to him with the same power and passion with which his music speaks to others. In despair, he takes to his bed, renouncing the world and all its pleasures, closing the door on the demands and love of his wife and his four children. Over the course of the week that follows, his family and close friends attempt to change his mind, but Nasser Ali slips further and further into his own reveries: flashbacks and flash-forwards (with unexpected appearances by the likes of the Angel of Death and Sophia Loren) from his own childhood through his children’s futures. And as the pieces of his story slowly fall into place, we begin to understand the profundity of his decision to give up life.

Interesting story... I must admit that I liked her Persepolis series much better than this one. But this volume does have some redeeming qualities. I loved the look into the head of Nasser Ali. Instead of a linear story, we get flashbacks and almost stream of consciousness. It's an interesting choice of style. I liked it. And the drawings were amazing as ever. The stark black and white with figures really lends powers to the story.