A Reader Is Me!

It looks like I have a lot of catching up to do. I've done lots of reading, not so much reviewing...


Title: The Scarpetta Factor (Scarpetta Series #17)
Author: Patricia Cornwell
Number of Pages: 512
Genre: Mystery/Forensic Thriller
Book Number/Goal: 59/75 in 2009

Review: Not the best one of the series, but certainly not one of the worst. It was an enjoyable read. It was nice to get another installment into the character's lives. The plot was definitely secondary, in my opinion. I just wonder how long I'll have to wait for another one.

( ***SPOILERS*** )


Title: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen Series #1)
Author: Joanne Fluke
Number of Pages: 304
Genre: Mystery
Book Number/Goal: 58/75 in 2009

Review: I'm definitely hooked on this series. Hannah is an extremely likable main character, as are the supporting characters. She's sweet, she's smart, and she seems very "real".

I wasn't sure how convoluted this mystery was going to be (though I should have guessed not very based on the genre) so I couldn't quite figure out whodunnit. I was hoping throughout the whole book that it wasn't X, Y, or Z because I just liked them too much.

In addition to just being a fun and entertaining read, you really can't go wrong with a book that has cookie recipes included every few chapters!

Title: Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera Book One)
Author: Jim Butcher
Number of Pages: 512
Genre: Fantasy
Book Number/Goal: 57/75 in 2009

Review: FANTASTIC!!! Epic-fantasy done so very right.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I literally couldn't read it fast enough. It's like LOTR on speed. It's simply amazing. Butcher is a fantastic writer, and it really comes through right out of the gate. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I wouldn't normally pick up a fantasy novel, but I decided to give it a try since I'm such a fan of Butcher's Dresden Files series. While nothing like DF, I'm so glad I gave it a chance!

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (Wimpy Kid Series #4)
Author: Jeff Kinney
Number of Pages: 224
Genre: Fiction/Humor
Book Number/Goal: 56/75 in 2009

Review: Another good installment of the Wimpy Kid series. The original is still my favorite, but this was an enjoyable read.

Title: Small Favor (Book 10/11 in the Dresden Files series)
Author: Jim Butcher
Number of Pages: 432
Genre: Mystery/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Book Number/Goal: 43/50 in 2009

Review: I'm just going to cut right to spoilers here. This one really caught me off guard.

( spoilers )

Title: Backup (Novelette in the Dresden Files series)
Author: Jim Butcher
Number of Pages: 72 pages
Genre: Mystery/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Book Number/Goal: 44/50 in 2009 (I'm going to lump this novelette in with the 5 other DF shorts that I've already read - plus the one after TC that is waiting to be read - in to one "book")

Review: The book is from Thomas Raith's POV and it was quite interesting to see Harry through the eyes of another character. The (brief) plot held my attention, but was almost secondary to the humor and perspective on Harry. Quite a nice little "bonus" in the series.

Additionally, I tried to read the graphic novel "Welcome to the Jungle" but I find that I can't get into the comic format. I have a difficult time reading the panels. My husband, on the other hand, who has been reading comics for almost 30 years, found it quite enjoyable. I think I can get him in to the series via the comics. Yay!

Title: Proven Guilty (Book 8/11 in the Dresden Files series)
Author: Jim Butcher
Number of Pages: 406
Genre: Mystery/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Book Number/Goal: 40/50 in 2009

Review: Another enjoyable read! There were a lot of interesting plot developments that will have serious implications for quite some time. It really seems that the series is taking on an entirely new direction.

( SPOILERS )

Title: Blood Rites (Book 6/11 in the Dresden Files series)
Author: Jim Butcher
Number of Pages: 372
Genre: Mystery/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Book Number/Goal: 36/50 in 2009

Review: I think this is probably my favorite one yet.

( Spoilers - Note: This review is more of a squee-fest than me actually reflecting upon the book (mostly). )

Title: Summer Knight (Book 4/11 in the Dresden Files series)
Author: Jim Butcher
Number of Pages: 371
Genre: Mystery/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Book Number/Goal: 34/50 in 2009

Review: I was slightly disappointed with this one.

( Spoilers )

Title: Storm Front (Book 1/11 in the Dresden Files series)
Author: Jim Butcher
Number of Pages: 308
Genre: Mystery/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Book Number/Goal: 30/50 in 2009

Review: This wasn't quite what I expected, but once I made the adjustment, I found it quite entertaining. I think a friend of mine put it best when she said it was Harry Potter meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I'm a big fan of the dry wit/sarcasm, and even found the old cliches funny. I really liked the dynamic between Dresden and Murphy. I'm hoping that relationship continues to develop. I have a feeling I'm going to start shipping them, though I'd be happy with just a stable friendship.

I have not seen the TV series, but I hear that it's quite a bit different from the books, so I'm not quite sure I want to watch. I definitely want to keep reading the series though.