Exceedingly Mundane

Since our website was down (and therefore my blog), I haven’t been able to post any updates on the books I’ve been reading so far in 2009. I have, however, been keeping up at GoodReads, so hopefully most of those who might be interested in what I’ve read or my thoughts on those books are following me over there. In case there are any who aren’t, I thought I’d do a quick rundown on some of the books I’ve been reading lately.

So far this year, I’ve completed 9 books, including 4 for the two reading challenges I am participating in. I’ve read:

1. Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle (cozy mystery, part of a series about murders revolving around the owner of a coffeehouse in New York City)

2. Happily Ever After by Susan May Warren (cute Christian chick-lit/romance book, my first by this author but it won’t be the last, counts toward my Chick-Lit Challenge)

3. Life Support by Tess Gerritsen (medical mystery, second book by this author that I’ve read and liked, counts towards the What’s in a Name challenge, category of medical condition)

4. The Way We Were by Judy Baer (part of the Guidepost series, Tales from the Grace Chapel Inn, easy and enjoyable Christian fiction)

5. Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy (one of hers I had not read, not my favorite of hers, but not bad, counts towards the What’s in a Name Challenge, category of time of day)

6. Booked to Die by John Dunning (first in the Cliff Janeway series, I’m on the fence about continuing with these)

7. Rorey’s Secret by Leisha Kelly (continuing story of the Wortham and Hammond families, wonderful Christian fiction books I’m reading)

8. Whispers of the Bayou by Mindy Starns Clark (Christian mystery, not part of the Million Dollar or Smart Chick mysteries but still a good read)

9. The Broker by John Grisham (one of the many Grisham books we own I have not read, not my favorite but still enjoyable, counts toward the What’s in a Name Challenge, category of profession)

I’m going to include a few of the blurbs I wrote over at GoodReads about a few of these on the extended page, please click on the “Please read more” if you’re interested and want to read them.

For the record, I’ve read 9 books so far in 2009, for a total of 2,884 pages. Up next is the first in the Spa Girls series by Kristin Billerbeck (“She’s All That”). I’ll count all three of these towards my 10 required for the Chick-Lit Challenge.

Happy Reading!

The Way We Were by Judy Baer

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another enjoyable book in the Guidepost series “Tales from Grace Chapel Inn.” I have enjoyed each and every one of these I have read. They’re predictable and light, but good, heartwarming Christian fiction. I know what to expect when I pick up one of these books, and I’m always happy to pore over the pages and see what guests are staying at the inn, what is happening in the village of Acorn Hill, and what values of faith, forgiveness or grace I can glean from the pages. I love all of these books and hope they re-release more from this series in the future, as I think I am current on the ones that are out (and that I own!)

View all my reviews.

Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’ve read quite a few Maeve Binchy books in the past, so I was happy to see this one on the bargain book table at a bookstore. However, this was not my favorite of hers. It took me quite a while to get into it and develop any kind of attachment to the characters, enough to keep reading and find out what story she was weaving. Once I did get into it, though, it was a good book, though not great. I’d have a hard time recommending this one by Binchy – if you want to read one of hers, I’d recommend another one before this one.

I read this for one of the reading challenges this year – What’s in a Name 2. This was my choice for “time of day” in the title.

View all my reviews.

Booked to Die: A Mystery Introducing Cliff Janeway by John Dunning

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I picked this book up a while back at a library sale. I had this on my list to check out of the library, as it is the first in a series of murder mysteries. Denver cop, Cliff Janeway, knows as much about books as he does about being a police officer. A case he is working on escalates and he ends up resigning his police job and opening a bookstore on Denver’s Book Row. The story follows both his progression from one profession to another, as well as the murder mystery we are introduced to in the very beginning (as well as other murders along the way!) I must admit, I didn’t figure all of this one out, so I enjoyed the twists and turns along the way. It took me a bit to “get into” this book and the characters, but I did end up enjoying it. I might look for more in this series in the future, although I’ll use my local library and not purchase them from now on 🙂

View all my reviews.

Whispers of the Bayou by Mindy Starns Clark

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Having read the Smart Chick mysteries (Christian fiction) by Mindy Starns Clark, I was really looking forward to starting this book. I really enjoyed it, but didn’t just love it, if that makes any sense. The plot was good, albeit a bit far fetched, but that doesn’t usually bother me. It definitely held my interest, especially with it being mostly based on Louisiana.

The premise is that Miranda Fairmont Miller, an art restorer in Manhatten, has zero memories of her first five years of her life, when she lived on her family’s home and land in bayou country in South Louisiana. She was raised by her aunt, in New York City, and had never been back. A series of events leads her to return “home” and remember people and places she had totally blocked from her memory. A nice little series of mysteries ensue, and the plot was very engaging for me.

I think she has a new one coming out later this year, Under the Cajun Moon (or so Amazon keeps telling me), and I hope to read that one as well.

View all my reviews.

The Broker by John Grisham

rating: 3 of 5 stars
We own most of John Grisham’s books, with the exception of 2 or 3 of them. While Tim has read most of them, I’ve only read about half. I chose “The Broker” as part of the “What’s in a Name Challenge” for 2009 – this one fulfilling the slot for a book with the profession in the title.

This was not one of my favorite of the Grisham books I’ve read. Tim had read this one before and couldn’t remember the exact plot, but remembered it was not his favorite – and I concur. However, I did enjoy it, I just didn’t think it was on par with The Partner or The Testament or a couple of others. The plot hooked me fairly quickly and kept me reading, which is always a good sign for me. The plot was not what I would have wanted or expected, I felt it was a little scattered and not as solid as some others. However, as I said, I did enjoy it and am glad I read it.

I look forward to working my way through more of our Grisham collection this year 🙂

View all my reviews.