Blog Carnival: Tandem Nursing a Baby and Toddler

Welcome to the July 2010 Carnival of Nursing in Public


This post was written for inclusion in the Carnival of Nursing in Public hosted by Dionna and Paige at NursingFreedom.org. All week, July 5-9, we will be featuring articles and posts about nursing in public ("NIP"). See the bottom of this post for more information.


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Tandem Nursing a Baby and Toddler.

My second child (the Imp) was eleven months old when I became pregnant again. Many people thought we should wean. I cannot even begin to tell you the looks of utter disbelief I received when I declared that we would continue nursing throughout my pregnancy and beyond. "You won't be able to handle it" I was told. "There's no way you can do that" complete strangers exclaimed. Even my obstetrician was concerned. I stuck to my convictions, assuring her that I'd done the research. I knew the "risks" of pre-labor and that I was competent enough to seek help if I felt it was needed. My pregnancy was not high risk, there was little reason to be concerned.

We nursed without any problems throughout the entire pregnancy. I didn't experience the soreness some mothers report. I never felt that he was asking too much of me. Instead, it was a blissful peace in our otherwise crazy days. We could slow down, cuddle, bond. I knew it would be a great comfort to him, especially when the shock of a new baby was likely to turn his world upside down.

The day my third child was born was a joyous day for me, but not so much for the Imp. He was confused, tired, cranky, maybe even feeling deserted. My husband kept the older children at home while I recovered in the hospital with my wonderful mother-in-law and my new baby. When the boys came to see me the next day, the Imp was not a happy camper. He didn't want me to hold him, he clung to his father in a way that made my heart hurt. But when I offered to sit with him and nurse him, he crawled into my lap like he had never left. He looked into my eyes and I imagined my love and reassurance passing to him through my milk. It was like a little bit of magic and I knew the temporary rift was closing fast.

In the days that followed, the Imp began to nurse more frequently. Having read about how toddlers and older babies handle tandem nursing, I wasn't surprised at all. It was a comfort to him (and to me, truth be told). He needed to know that I was still his - still accessible to him. We had some rocky moments when he didn't want to wait, when he didn't - couldn't - understand why I was nursing this tiny person instead of him. I think he truly came to accept his brother when I put them both to breast at the same time. It wasn't always easy and sometimes required a bit of juggling (or the extra hands of my spectacular husband), but I really think it helped to show him that I belonged to them both.

It's been two months now. My little one is thriving, my toddler is contented, life is good. The Imp has come to understand "in a minute" and "as soon as the baby is done " do not mean "no." He even tries to help me when I nurse his brother - bringing me blankets and pillows, petting his brother's head gently. There are still times when I nurse them both together. The Imp lays his head on the baby's legs and
smiles so contentedly. His obvious joy at nursing is enough to show me that I made the right choice.

I can't say it's always been easy. My husband and his mother have been extremely supportive, as has a friend of mine who recently had her first child. Most people still look at me askance when they find out that I'm breastfeeding both of my younger children. Some come outright and tell me that I should wean the older of the two. This experience has helped me gain confidence in myself (something I've always lacked). I don't feel that I need to defend the choices I've made, but that doesn't mean I will let the naysayers walk all over me. I hold my head proudly when I nurse my children in public, ignoring the nasty looks I may receive. I applaud (sometimes literally) other mothers that I see nursing their children when we're out. I've tried to lend my aid and support to every breastfeeding mother that might need it. I'm proud to be tandem nursing my children and take comfort in knowing that I am doing what is best for myself and for my family.

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Welcome to the Carnival of Nursing in Public


Please join us all week, July 5-9, as we celebrate and support breastfeeding mothers. And visit NursingFreedom.org any time to connect with other breastfeeding supporters, learn more about your legal right to nurse in public, and read (and contribute!) articles about breastfeeding and N.I.P.


Do you support breastfeeding in public? Grab this badge for your blog or website to show your support and encourage others to educate themselves about the benefits of breastfeeding and the rights of breastfeeding mothers and children.

<center><a href="http://www.nursingfreedom.org/p/carnival-of-nursing-in-public.html" title="Carnival of Nursing in Public"><img src="http://www.babydustdiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/inip1.png" alt="Art by Erika Hastings at http://mudspice.wordpress.com/" border="0"></a></center>

This post is just one of many being featured as part of the Carnival of Nursing in Public. Please visit our other writers each day of the Carnival. Click on the links below to see each day’s posts - new articles will be posted on the following days:

July 5 - Making Breastfeeding the Norm: Creating a Culture of Breastfeeding in a Hyper-Sexualized World

July 6 – Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers: the New, the Experienced, and the Mothers of More Than One Nursing Child

July 7 – Creating a Supportive Network: Your Stories and Celebrations of N.I.P.

July 8 – Breastfeeding: International and Religious Perspectives

July 9 – Your Legal Right to Nurse in Public, and How to Respond to Anyone Who Questions It

I'm partcipating in a blog carnival this week. It's about nursing in public and is being organized by Code Name: Mama and Baby Dust Diaries. I have two posts that have been assigned days, so I'm trying out this whole "scheduling posts" thing.

Basically, this is a test to see if my post shows up immediately or tomorrow.

In needle felting news, I'm working on a mushroom house or my younger niece's birthday next weekend. It's slow going and I need to dye some more greens and purples.

Food. Why is it such a problem in our house?

We are a family of five - though I only need to account for four of us at the moment. We don't eat red meat - in fact, the only meat we eat is poultry. The problem is that there isn't a whole lot that we like or that we can get the kids to eat. Pasta, rice, bread - not a problem. Vegetables? Fruits? Those are harder. Tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, corn, onion, zucchini, yellow squash - okay, no problem. Apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, pineapple, watermelon. But not everyone eats all of these things. The Elf loves fruit, not so much with the vegetables. The Imp.. he has a whole mess of issues with eating at all. Mostly, the Imp will eat meat. And cereal. And popsicles. Oy.

We want to eat healthier. We want to *be* healthier. We also want our toddler to realize that there is food beyond breast milk. I just have no idea how to do that. Food shouldn't be such a problem, should it?

We've cut back (massively) on prepackaged/processed foods. I make our taco seasoning and chili seasonings. I want to try baking sandwich bread so that we can stop buying the mass-produced stuff. I don't think I can ever give up my Eggo waffles, though. Maybe when the kids are older and I have more time in the mornings I'll be able to make my own. It's just not realistic right now (and I loooove my Eggo waffles). I'm going to make my own granola this weekend. But we're unlikely to give up boxed cereal, either.

Right. Am I missing the point? Did I have a point? The Imp is scaling window sills and carrying around a step stool - it's a little distracting, I must admit.

Blergh. I cannot, for the life of me, manage to make a sheep that looks decent. For now, I give up. Perhaps in time I'll try again.



I tried to base it on a kit I found on Etsy (big surprise there, right?) but it appears that I'm just destined to fail. The face is too small, the ears are crooked, the tail is pathetic, the body uneven and not round enough. Oh well.



At least I got to use some of the brown wool that I'd purchased for my tree stump. It's luxuriously soft - much softer than I expected. And the Imp seems to like the sheep, even if it does look.. well.. sort of like a dog, really.



Not sure what I'll move on to next. I need to try and make a monkey, I know. And I ought to work on that tree stump. Oh. And my younger niece wants a mushroom house for her birthday (in a couple weeks! eek!). Not to mention the really great book I'm reading (that will actually get reviewed, too!). I also want to try wet felting with the Elf some time. There's a great tutorial here that I want to try out as soon as we acquire some bubble wrap. So many things to do!

Needle felting - Part three

The Beast let me put him down! My hands are free! Though I really ought to wake the Imp. He's just so adorable snuggled on the couch. Due to the unusual quiet, I thought I'd try to wrap up my recently-made-needle-felt-creations posts.

A friend of mine expressed an interest in having a needle felted sheep (she also mentioned a monkey, but I haven't gotten there yet). How could I resist trying?



You can say it (she did) - it looks like an exceptionally fluffy polar bear. Well, it does. And that's what comes from using the same techniques and base ideas for two very different animals. You live, you learn, right?



I have another sheep in the works. My hopes are high that it will look.. well.. like a sheep! In the meantime, the Beast was in need of a mobile. When the Imp was a baby I rigged a mobile out of scraps of paper (colored with contrasting patterns), an old record case/envelope/thing, and some string. It was sad. But he loved it. I couldn't bring myself to be so sloppy this time.

Based on (you guessed it) a mobile I found on Etsy, I decided to make little felt squares with needle felted contrasting patterns. The Elf helped me sew them up before I stuffed them. I'd wanted a better way to connect them to the ceiling, but with the urging of my husband to *just finish it so he can enjoy it!* I rigged it all up to a piece of cardboard with hemp cord. Needless to say, the Beast loves it. He'll lay and coo and giggle at it. This, of course, makes it all worth it.



Thus concludes the backlog of things I've needle felted. Whee!

Needle felting - Part two

I was able to attend a breastfeeding support group meeting this morning. Having the opportunity to discuss some of my tandem/toddler nursing issues and concerns with a lactation consultant (and a group of fairly like-minded women) was.. refreshing. Calming. I feel better able to approach life in general today. So I thought I'd attempt this post while the younger kids are napping. Of course, since typing that the youngest has decided to sleep nowhere but in my arms - which makes typing... special.

After completing the mushroom house I decided to try making a hollow tree stump similar to a sewn one I'd seen on Etsy. By the time I'd gotten the core done, I'd discovered that dying roving brown was harder than I thought it would be. Using things I had on hand I managed really great red-oranges, tan, beige, purple - but no deep browns. So I eventually gave in and bought some from an Etsy seller. This was at least one month ago. I have yet to actually open the bag of wool, let alone complete the tree stump.

One of many things that distracted me from the tree stump was the realization that I needed to make a birthday gift for my father. I don't know how it started, but the man loves polar bears. With that in mind I set out to make him one.



My husband lent his critical eye to help me round it out some. As my first animal sculpture, I think it turned out rather well. Which is more than I can say for my second animal attempt (to be seen in a forthcoming post).

Needle felting - Part one

I've been meaning to post for a while now. It's taken me this long to bother tackling adding photographs here. This is what happens when you've gotten used to one journalling platform, I suppose.

In the recent past I fell in love with needle felting. It was a fluke, really. A lark. But it grabbed me and hasn't let go.

At first I just made dryer balls. I had wanted to buy some through Etsy but couldn't justify the cost. As it is, I hardly ever remember to use the ones I've made. Mostly the Imp plays with them - or the cats do when they're left out unattended. Oops.

For Earth Day I took one of the dryer balls and added blue and green to it to make an Earth ball for the kids to play with. I also made a little green car with wooden wheels (and had plans to knit a road despite my lack of knitting skills).

Eventually I came across a neat video tutorial for a toadstool house. Being an avid mushroom lover, how could I resist? I can't recall how long it took me to completely make the house. With small children it's a wonder it was finished at all. I used roving that I'd dyed myself and a bit of yarn that had come as part of a swap from the amazing Suzanne.

Here are some photos of it. I've learned some things since making this and have thought about going back and touching it up some. The thing is, I've never seen (in person) nor held anything needle felted, so I've no idea if I'm doing things the "correct" way. In any case, I enjoy it. When I get the opportunity to work on these projects I find a bit of peace.

I'm doing it again. I'm losing steam with this whole review thing. And yes, having a newborn (not to speak of the other two monsters) will do that to a person. Mostly I'm just reading for brainless fun. I don't want to have to think, let alone form coherent sentences describing why I do or do not like what I'm reading.

So this blog will be veering. Temporarily? Permanently? Who knows. Life is all about change, right?

Right now my main focus in life is my kids. They're very time consuming. In the midst of all the family craziness, I'm trying to simplify my life. Which is a little laughable since I seem to keep adding things to it (children, crafts, hobbies). But in my own way, I'm working on it. Less junk, less waste, less spending. At the same time, I'm working on more. More patience, more fun, more mindfulness. Clearing out the clutter (mentally and physically) to let in the air. I think it's time, don't you?

Last week I was unofficially diagnosed with migraines (and there's apparently nothing to be done about it while I'm nursing). For the most part, I get some visual hallucinations that last twenty to thirty minutes (this is apparently called a migraine aura) and a slight increase in the headache that I've had for two weeks now. Sometimes, though, I get the awful stereotypical migraine headache pain. This makes for shoddy mothering skills, to speak nothing of my inability to care enough to review books.

I'm fighting a lot of doubt in my ability to be a decent mother, an adequate homeschooler, a reasonable wife. The constant pain clearly isn't helping.

Strangely (or not so much), I have still been managing to read. It helps that I've packed my ebook reader (Cybook Gen 3) with "quick reads" that aren't terribly thought-intensive. I've enjoyed all the books that I've read so far, but I can't bring myself to care enough to actually review them. Suffice it to say, these are good books and you should read them if you get the chance:

Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
Changes by Jim Butcher
Lover Mine by J. R. Ward
Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier

Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth

I was lucky enough to receive this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. The premise for the book is that Nathaniel Cade is a vampire in the employ of the President of the United States. He's bound to stop the forces of the Other Side.

This isn't a new concept. Think Hellboy crossed with general political thrillers. With a little Heroes thrown in, maybe. But it was still original enough to be intriguing. I didn't expect much from the story and was pleasantly surprised to find that I had a hard time putting it down. I'm fairly certain that I was supposed to become more endeared to Zach as the book progressed. Truth be told, even at the end I still felt that he was a sad replacement for Griff. Cade, on the other hand, was awesome. How could you not like a vampire who has a conscience, but also freely admits to being evil?

I look forward to future novels featuring Nathaniel Cade. The paranormal aspects of this book made the political thriller side of it less dull and predictable. I'd like to say that I have someone in mind to pass this book on to. But most people I know who like politcal thrillers aren't really big on the whole paranormal thing. There's an audience out there for this book, no doubt. I just don't know them personally.

And then there were five.

Well, the Beast was born a week ago Thursday. I'm finding that reading has taken a back seat to life for now. Reviews will resume as I find the time.

I'm still working my way through the fourth (third for me) Indiana Jones book, but it never seems to be conveniently located. My ebook reader is soon to be filled with fast and fun books to read while nursing the monsters - provided I can manage to have my reading glasses handy.

Indiana Jones and the Seven Veils by Rob MacGregor

I first heard about this book when reading The Lost City of Z. It was what inspired me to search this title out. Had it not been for my oldest son, I would have bought this one from the garage sale and left the rest. Boy am I glad I didn't. This particular Indy book was so very disappointing.

Indy and Deirdre set off to the Amazon to find Colonel P.H. Fawcett and perhaps prove that the ancient Druids established a tribe in South America. Sounds good, right? It could have been. It really could have. One of the great things about the Indiana Jones movies was that an element of mysticism was always present - but not over done. That is, until they brought the aliens into it. But you don't want me to go there.

In this book they took the fantastical and blew it so far out of proportion that my disbelief could not be suspended any more. Fawcett was also less than realistic. Perhaps if I hadn't recently read a book about him it wouldn't have bothered me so much. He just wasn't true to type. In some instances he was convincing. In others, he was this completely different person.

Here's hoping the next book is better.

Indiana Jones and the Dance of the Giants by Rob MacGregor

My seven-year-old and I found this (and all the other Indy books I own) at a garage sale. We're both big fans of the movies and thought it would be fun to read the prequels, too.

This book was everything I thought it would be. I was looking for a quick read with some action and very little need for active thought on my part. It delivered on all these fronts. I suspect that none of these books will live up to the movies, but it's unrealistic to expect them to.

Indiana Jones has his first teaching job at the University of London. There he falls for his boss's daughter, accompanies his boss (and her daughter) on a dig, is repeatedly attacked, captured by crazy druids, and (of course) saves the day. Oh. And he gets the girl - for the most part.

It was fun. It was quick. It wasn't too much for my very pregnant brain to deal with. In those regards, it was perfect. I have some issues with the way Indy is portrayed. But he is supposed to be younger in the books - so it's probably me with the problem, not the writing.

The Sand Dragon by Michael F. Stewart

This newest novel by Michael Stewart brings a fresh, new (to me, at any rate) angle to the popular dragons and vampires. An uncovered skeleton, presumed to be a dinosaur, sparks a series of traumatic events in a small town. Madness, disease, and terror run rampant as townsfolk are "infected" by an unknown malady. A small group of people remain to save the day, and perhaps the world.

I found the beginning of this book a little jumpy. I often felt like I was missing paragraphs here and there, if not whole pages. Scenes would spontaneously switch and I'd spend a few minutes backtracking, trying to figure it out. At first, I also found the mining lingo confusing - having no prior knowledge of it at all. But that was easily overcome as the story picked up. The characters were real and believable - a rarity in horror novels for me. Kim seems to be the main character throughout the book and I really started to feel attached to her. Jaime was another favorite. His trasformation - both literally and figuratively - was amazing to witness. His fiance, Alice, irked me in many ways but I rather think she was supposed to.

The mythos and legends in this book were lots of fun. They reminded me of the brilliant blending of belief systems in Stewart's previous book 24 Bones. I've read a lot of vampire novels, and this one was definitely unique. The concept of their creation and purpose as well as their evolution was just amazing. The dragons, as well, were taken portayed in a way I've never encountered before.

If you're looking for a new take on some old favorites, I highly recommend this book. It's quick to read, action packed, and ever-so-slightly spooky. I think I'll be haunted by thoughts of the power generator at Kim's mother's house for many days to come.

The Fall of The Kings by Ellen Kushner and Delia Sherman

Having read the other two books set in this world, I simply couldn't resist this one. Of course, I did somehow manage to put off reading it for a couple years. That's what happens when your "to be read shelf" becomes a "to be read bookcase" instead.

I cannot summarize this story for you. It's simply too complicated. Suffice it to say that it is a story about magic, love, madness, treason, and family. The characters are amazing - as expected. The plot was thrilling and kept me interested even when I wasn't reading. It had such amazing potential. And then, the ending came. It was so disappointing. It felt like the authors got bored and just ended the book as quickly as they could. Essentially, someone swooped in and saved the day. It was just.. so disappointing.

Even with that complaint, I'd still recommend the book to anyone who ejoyed the others.

And I realize this review is less than stellar. But as hugely pregnant as I am (and with my two little monsters at home, to boot), it's the best I could do.

Sabriel by Garth Nix

I've been having trouble writing a review for this book. No fault of the book - just outside influences. Life is busy this Spring.

I bought this book from a used book store at least a year ago. It was sitting on my to-be-read shelf looking sad. So I decided on a whim to pick it up and give it a shot. I assumed it was young adult because of a vague recollection. So bonus, I could screen the book for my seven-year-old (who reads above his level and loves fantasy). Verdict: I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it so much that I squealed with delight when I found the second book of the series at a used book store yesterday. As for my seven-year-old, I think he'd like it. But I'm going to put it off for a little while. It has a bit of romance that I don't think he'd care for (not to mention the ginormous list of books he wants to read already).

The premise: Sabriel is the daughter of the Abhorsen - a necromancer from the old kingdom. Unlike most necromancers, the Abhorsen does not raise the dead, but rather ensures that the Dead do not return to Life. Sabriel is raised on the other side of the Wall away from the Old Kingdom and must venture back to save her father and, well, the world.

I particularly enjoyed the way Nix described the descent into Death. The river, the gates, the frost - it was very well done. The characters are thought out and well developed (which I find rare in YA books). I enjoyed the characters so much that I was disappointed to find that the sequel takes place a full fourteen years later! My only bone to pick was the ending. It was too abrupt. I felt that a lot of things that could/should have been wrapped up (or at least embellished) were left to hang. That's probably a personal preference, though.

All in all, Woo! This book was fun. I'd recommend it to just about anyone.

Midnight Fires: A Mystery With Mary Wollstonecraft by Nancy Means Wright

I received this book as a part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

Mary Wollstonecraft has accepted the position as governess to the King family in Ireland. In a house full of crazy children and neglectful parents, she is charged with the education of the three oldest girls. Along the way she becomes friendly with some of the Irish tenants living nearby. This leads to murder, mystery, and intrigue - all of which she is determined to unravel.

I don't know why I request, borrow, and read mystery novels. I don't particularly like them. However, this one was rather good. While it is, technically, a murder-mystery style novel, it wasn't as formulaic as others that I've read. Mary was an amazingly written character who brought back memories of a paper I'd written about her long ago in high school. Margaret, the oldest of the King girls was also very well formed. A lot of the "extras" were easy to lose along the way, though. Lord and Lady K were so ridiculous that I had a hard time believing in them. Lady K is portrayed as fairly mentally unstable - one minute thinking herself progressive and educated and the next minute acting the simpering, flirting, airhead. I was never sure if she was not a bit insane.

While there isn't a great deal of suspense, I did find myself wanting to read more whenever I had to set the book down. I was also reminded frequently of Bronte's Jane Eyre though that is likely because I'd read it recently and that it was also centered around a governess.

The book was very enjoyable and I would not hesitate in the slightest to recommend it to others. I gather there will be another novel focusing on Mary's exploits in London and I suspect I will, at the very least, borrow it from the library.

The Flanders Panel by Arturo Perez-Reverte

I have, for the most part, enjoyed every book I've read thus far by Arturo Perez-Reverte. That being said, I'm not sure I liked this one very much. I guess that I should have looked at it more carefully instead of buying it because of the author. This book is a mystery novel. I'm not a fan of classic mystery novels. The story leading up to the big confessions. Clues doled out and then the long monologue by the detective or guilty party. It's just not my thing.

Here's the premise: Julia restores artwork. She's working on a painting called The Game of Chess. There is a mystery about the people in the painting which transforms into a modern-day murder-mystery involving people she knows. Aided by her adopted father-figure Cesar and a chess player Munoz, Julia works to puzzle things out.

I liked the chess and the style of writing. Munoz was an interesting character, though I always felt that he could have been developed a little more. The chess game governing the direction of the mystery reminded me a little of Katherine Neville's books The Eight and it's sequel The Fire.

If you like mystery novels and can wrap your brain around chess moves, you'll love this book. It's a fairly quick read and definitely keeps you guessing.

The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig

This book is the sixth in the Pink Carnation series. I know I've said this before but.. I love this series. It's my guilty pleasure. I look forward to each and every one of these books and think longingly of sitting down with them all over again (preferably with a nice cup of coffee on a brisk, sunny day).

In this book Penelope (Lady Staines) is taken off to India with her new husband Freddy (Lord Frederick Staines). All is not marital bliss between the couple. They are escorted to Hyderabad by Captain Alex Reid and are later joined by Freddy's old acquaintances from England. Romance, intrigue, and unexpected serpents ensue. Meanwhile, in present day, Eloise is determined to find Colin's sister a new boyfriend while uncovering new and interesting facts about their crazy family.

I never do these books justice. The Regency story was awesome. It was everything I expected and more. Penelope was such a great character. She has weaknesses and flaws, but is amazing and strong and sarcastic. Alex complimented her temper perfectly. Descriptions were vivid, too. Here I was, reading in my bedroom (the coldest room in the house) in February and I actually felt the heat of India and the sting of mosquito bites. The modern side of the story wasn't as involved this time around - it was definitely background music.

Would I recommend this to others? Duh! Of course I would. In a heartbeat, if not sooner. My only complaint is that I have to wait until October for the next book!

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

I had half of a review written. It was eloquent and everything. And then *POOF!* it was gone. This version is likely to be less than stellar.

Jane Eyre is an orphan. She is raised in a family devoid of love before being sent to a charitable school. There she spends eight years - two as a teacher. Upon leaving the school she becomes a governess for a private residence. And there the "real" story begins.

I don't know what it is about these books written by women in the 1800s. I find it very difficult to review and summarize them. The stories are twisting and convoluted. But at the same time they are linear and terribly predictable. Is it me? Is it them? Once upon a time in high school I wrote a many-paged paper extrapolating that Wuthering Heights and The Great Gatsby were essentially parallels of each other. Was I more fluent then? Or was it only so much crap written for a grade?

I enjoyed this book. Jane was fairly fascinating, though at times I wanted to smack her for her weaknesses. The way she would just give in or instinctively follow orders set my teeth on edge. Her temper and quick tongue did help to make up for it, though. Mr Rochester was a veritable Heathcliff to me (is it unfair to compare the characters of one sister to that of another?) - his moods and tempers were erratic at best. I often wondered if *he* were not the lunatic of the house.

Speaking of lunatics. Is in the Bronte sisters in particular or the time period in general that leads morbidity to be mixed with romance so freely? It is jarring and natural all at the same time and certainly adds... something.. to the work itself.

I'm glad I read this book. I almost passed it by yet again and left it collecting dust on my to-be-read shelf. I'd say that I'd recommend it to people, but I seem to be the last person on the planet (of a certain age) to have read it!

The Lost City of Z by David Grann

The Lost City of Z is incredibly popular right now. I think it just came out in paperback. I remember hearing about this book and having a passing interest in it. And then I saw the National Geographic articles about the new satellite images that show roads and geometric patterns in the Amazon. I've always been interested in ancient cultures and have even visited Mayan ruins. I will admit to always having had a romantic Indiana Jones-esque daydreaming tendency.

The author, David Grann, learns of the famous lost explorer "Colonel" Percy Fawcett and is completely intrigued. Throughout the course of the book, Grann extrapolates the life and adventures of Fawcett using previously unreleased documentation from his descendants. Fawcett is an astounding character - arrogant and sure, determined, innovative. The story of his life and how he came to be an explorer was fascinating. It almost read like fiction - which makes it all the more amazing, because it's all true! Grann brings to life a man that few ever realized existed. In addition to research, Grann also undertakes his own trek into the Amazon to discover the fate of Fawcett and his party. His experiences are amazing to consider an average person embarking on. The conclusions that he comes to are those of an extremely educated and logical mind.

Overall, this book was fantastic. The history mixed with adventure is sure to excite even the most jaded readers. Grann did a remarkable job of showing the cultural and environmental importance of the Amazon while not straying from his main topic. I didn't think this book would grip me the way that it did, but honestly I found myself unable to put it down. It is definitely something I'd recommend to others.

Guest post: The Elf reviews Vampirates.

The Elf's (my seven-year-old home-schooled son) first book review. Dictated by him, translated by me (for coherency and grammar).

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper

After the death of their father, Grace and Connor Tempest steal their father's ship. During a big storm the twins get separated. Two different pirate ships rescue each of the children. Connor ends up with pirates while Grace is taken aboard the Vampirate ship. Each is striving to find the other.

I really enjoyed the fighting scenes with Connor and the pirates. My favorite character was the Vampirate captain. I particularly liked the description of his mask and cape. Overall, I think that the book was excellently paced and would definitely recommend the book to others. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Kitty's House of Horrors by Carrie Vaughn

I've always found it difficult to review books when they're fairly far along in a series. With each installment, my reviews seem to get shorter and simpler. Oh well.

This is the seventh book in the Kitty Norville series. The premise is that Kitty is joining a cast of supernatural celebrities (plus a skeptic) at a remote hunting lodge to film a reality show. Things, as usual, go from bad to worse to happy-ish ending.

I found Kitty's "I'm a talk show host, so I'll act like I'm forever on air" attitude at the lodge kind of annoying and a little forced. Gradually, though, it wears off and she acts more like a person and less like a cliche. I especially loved the way she sort of channeled Cormac during the crisis. Cormac has always been my favorite support character in these books. It was nice to have him back, even in that limited capacity.

The suspense was amazing. I actually caught myself daydreaming all of these horrible "there are people outside of my house waiting to ambush and kill me" thoughts. I admit that part of that is due to my overactive imagination (especially while pregnant - like I needed the encouragement to be paranoid!). The end of the crisis - the big save - was way too convenient for me. I won't ruin it by telling you why I think this, suffice it to say that it just seemed phony to me.

All in all, if you've read the first six books of the series, you're going to read this one too. You know you will. And odds are, you'll enjoy it - otherwise you wouldn't have read all the previous books, right?

Beast by Donna Jo Napoli

I've always loved the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, so when I found this retelling I was excited. It is shelved in my local library as Young Adult, and I couldn't agree more with that designation.

The story itself is interestingly set in Persia. I found the religious references and the folk lore fun to read. The majority of the story is set in both Persia and India. These were my favorite parts. I was hoping the Beauty part of the story would vary more than it did. But again, we had to travel to France and meet an oh-so-sweet girl who is destined to free the Beast from his curse.

I was honestly disappointed with the lack of originality in the end. This did not stop me from enjoying the book for what it was - a retelling of a classic aimed at a younger audience than myself. I will definitely be recommending it to my niece and my own children when they're a bit older.

The First Crusade: A New History by Thomas Asbridge

I have to admit that this book took me a while to get through. My fascination with the Crusades is deep, but not boundless. The section of the book explaining probable causes of the crusade, the politics, the preparations, etc. was very dry to me. Asbridge expounds upon the history of history - which I give you has merit. Each detail he gives adds a dimension to the overall picture and it is all relevant. I just found it a bit hard to get through. After that, though.. wow! Just wow! The descriptions are amazing, the facts fascinating, the pace quick. I love that he admits where only speculation is possible rather than trying to pass it all as fact. The moment the crusading armies set out I found it hard to put the book down.

If you like history, amazingly balanced history, then this book is for you. I even managed to get my homeschooled seven-year-old interested in the Crusades with this book!

Logan And The Magic Fish by Otto Scamfer

My seven year old son read this one evening. He really enjoyed it - said that it was a quick and fun book. He didn't particularly care for the pictures as he prefers drawn or painted illustrations. Personally, I thought that the layered felt look was spectacular.

The Dragon at the Edge of the World by Charles White

This is the story of three Vikings, one conniving opportunist, a handful of Native American tribes, a group of Asian pirates and the crazy adventures and conflicts in which they participate.

I really enjoyed this book. The story twisted in so many ways that I never really knew what to expect. I was never bored and the pace was excellent. There were a few spots where things seemed to change/happen abruptly - such as someone who had previously been elsewhere suddenly entering a conversation. I found it a little jarring, but it did not detract from the story at all.

As stated by the author in the Members Giveaway description of this book, it was written in a humorous manner. I saw the humor. I can understand why and how it would be funny. I just didn't find it so. I think this was more a problem with me and not the book - I read and enjoy Pratchett's Discworld books and yet I don't find them all that funny, either.

Overall, this was an excellent book and I'd earnestly recommend it to people with a better sense of humor than myself.

Flight of the Hawk by G. R. Grove

This is the second book in the Storyteller series. While I enjoyed the first book, Storyteller, this book really blew me away. Was it because the characters were already familiar? I don't know, but when I started reading this novel, it felt like coming home.

I found the characters to be real enough to touch and the emotions charged and believable. I do not often get emotional with books - but this one got me. Sadness, anger, joy. This book is truly alive. The pace is active enough to keep the reader interested, but not so speedy that you can't put the book down for an hour or even a day when the need arises.

I agree that this book seems much more plot-driven than it's predecessor. The characters have a purpose - a beginning and ending point, though the story clearly could go on for many more books. I felt that Neirin's task set by Taliesin wasn't wholly completed, though that could have been because I was more interested in the personal aspects of the story rather than the political.

This was a great book and I look forward to reading more by G. R. Grove in the future

24 Bones by Michael Stewart

I snagged this book through LibraryThing's Member Giveaway program. And let me tell you, I'm thrilled that I did. This book was amazing. I'm not going to summarize it for you - others have done that. I'm just going to tell you how much I loved it.

When I first began reading this book, I had a rough time reconciling an ancient "mystery" cult with modern times. As I read, however, the whole thing was more than believable - it was compelling. From the very first page things happen. The action is constant and gripping, without being over-the-top.

The history mixed with mythology mixed with religion might be too much for some. I can imagine someone who isn't crazy about Egyptian mythology feeling mired. Personally, I ate it up. Hungrily. I've read that some people did not feel that the characters were fleshed out enough. I did not find this to be the case. Sure, I didn't know their favorite foods or colors or who they had a crush on as a child. But I felt that they could be real-live people. Which made all the twists and turns in this book so much fun. You may think you have someone figured out, but just you wait!

Nothing I say about this novel will do it justice. This is one of the great keepers for my shelves.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

There is no way to tell you what this book is about. It simply encompasses too many things. Simply put, it is a story about life and love in Scotland around the 1740's. Claire is from 1945, but finds herself transported back in time. Armed with her knowledge of the future and the new life that has built itself up around her, we follow her on her journey. And yet, it's about so much more than that.

The blurb describing this book for the LibraryThing Member's Giveaway certainly did not do this book justice - in fact, I almost didn't request it. To say that it's about time travel is to say that the original Star Wars trilogy is about a farm boy. Sure, it's there, but it doesn't begin to cover the vastness of it all.

Before I even finished this book I purchased two more books in the series. That's how much I enjoyed it. For a book well over 700 pages, there wasn't a dull one in the bunch. This was one of the most enjoyable historical fiction novels I've read in a while.

Mugworts in May by Linda Ours Rago

I heard about this book through a blog that I read. I can't recall which one now (I read so many amazing nature-oriented blogs). I had to get this through Interlibrary Loan because our library didn't have it. I guess it's out of print now, which is unfortunate, because I'd really like to own it!

This little book is pack with great tidbits of history and lore. It is exactly the sort of book that I'd been searching for. Not only is it enthralling to read, but the pictures are amazing as well. They all appear to be block printings. I thought that they really helped to make this book stand out. In addition, the books itself is printed on lush, thick paper. Everything about it makes my heart sing.

If you've a soft spot for herbs, legends, lore, history, and knowledge - this book is for you.

Rromane Paramicha (A Collection of Romani Folktales) by Hedina Sijercic

I really enjoyed reading this collection of stories. I found them to be quite poignant - some of them haunting my thoughts for days on end. One of the truly remarkable things about this book is the printing of them in their native language. I liked being able to look from the original to the translation and pick out words here and there. I think this will be of great value to any one who wishes to study Romani history and dialect.

The stories are also wonderful for reading to young children. My seven year old was very interested and loved the illustrations.

I look forward to reading more works published by Magoria Books - including both dictionaries projected to be released this year.

Midnight's Daughter by Karen Chance

Whee! I love Karen Chance's books. This novel delighted me by tying a couple short stories I'd read recently into the plot. Of course, it took me a little while to realize why the characters seemed so familiar.

Dory is the daughter of Mircea who is the brother of Dracula. Her roommate has gone missing and her father has asked for her assistance in recapturing her uncle. Craziness ensues. Dory is a dhampir, and thus looked at as an outcast by the vampires. She gets tangled up with just about everyone from the supernatural community that you can think up.

I really had fun reading this book. If you've read anything by Karen Chance, then at least a few of the characters will be familiar. Some of the action scenes were more drawn out than I'd have liked, but that could have been more that I was anxious to find out what would happen in the end. Chance's descriptions are vivid and really stick with you. My husband was surprised to hear that there weren't any real sex scenes until very late in the book. He classifies all my fantasy as "vampire porn" these days - and he's often not far off. Midnight's Daughter, however, cannot be termed thusly. Sure there's sexual tension and the occasional tease, but there's *real* story in there, too.

If you like reading about vampires, fey, and other craziness, definitely check this book out (along with the Cassie Palmer series).

Storyteller by G R Grove

I was given a digital copy of this book through LibraryThing's Member Giveaway program.

This story follows Gwernin, a young man who seeks to become a bard. At first he is traveling with a companion named Ieuan. Each chapter is a new adventure on their way. I couldn't bring myself to like Ieuan. I found him to be a complete idiot and none of his pitfalls surprised me in the least. Gwernin took a while to grow on me. I think that as the story progresses, he matures greatly - even if it is only the matter of one year.

While I did not find the story compelling enough to keep me glued to the pages, I did enjoy it. Once I got past the literary devise of "...that, O my children, is a story for another time.." being at the end of every chapter, I found myself thoroughly interested in the outcome. I cannot speak for the print version of this book and, indeed, I cannot site exact examples, but there did seem to be some spelling errors in the text. I realize that this is not a reflection of the story at all. But I personally find it jarring to come across typos. It is difficult to remain immersed in a story when you are jolted back to your own reality by stumbling over words.

All in all, this was a great book. I look forward to reading the next book in the series as well. If you're fond of tales regarding Wales near the time of King Arthur, you might enjoy this book as well.

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris

Let's see. The Weres have "come out" to the world, leaving everyone confused. In Bon Temps a grisly murder is discovered at Merlotte's and Sookie is caught up in the middle of it. And to top it all off, the Fae have decided to pop out of the woodwork and wreak havoc. It's never a dull moment for Sookie Stackhouse.

When I started reading this book I realized that I didn't remember the previous book very clearly. This is, of course, because it's the only one I hadn't read multiple times. So there were some blank spots in my memory that had to be worked around. I, of course, enjoyed the book. How could I not? I'm admittedly a little flustered with the "formula" that seems to be developing in this series - Sookie is in mortal danger! Sookie has relationship problems! Bill still pines for Sookie! But I'm hoping that some of the developments in this story curb a few things in the next book.

I can't say this enough: the books are so much better than the television show. Duh! The hardcover comes with a "Don't miss the next season of TrueBlood" blah blah on the cover. The television show is amusing, yes. But so many things about it make me want to hurl things at the screen. If you haven't read these books, read them. They're yummy.

Undead and Unwelcome by MaryJanice Davidson

Betsy is returning the body of her friend Antonia to her pack. She and Sinclair are unsure of the welcome they will receive. Meanwhile, Marc is left at the mansion with Tina and Laura. Satanists have started following Laura around, begging to do her bidding. Marc suggests a crazy plan and the Devil's daughter begins to slide into darkness.

Is it just me or are these books getting shorter with each new addition? I read this in a few hours. What's up with that? It's unnatural to begin and finish a book whilt the Imp is napping. Anyway, the book was enjoyable enough. I seem to be drawn into the story despite how much I dislike them. The tone of the writing is too casual and irks me to no end. The characters are annoying and usually vapid. The plot is rinse-repeat to an extent. And yet, I read each new book as it comes out.

If you're looking for an extremely quick vampy read, this series is for you - just prepare yourself for some eye rolling, especially when it comes to the very cliched Betsy.

The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

I requested this book from my library because I knew it had a short story by Keri Arthur from the RIley Jenson series. Previously I had read The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance and I have to say that this one was more bearable. First, they should have named it "erotica" not "romance" - it's almost all what I term "porn on paper." A few of the stories made the whole book worth it, though (unlike the paranormal romance book). The stories by Karen Chance, Vicki Pettersson, Keri Arthur (though this one was mostly "porn on paper" as well), the first story by Lilith Saintcrow, Caitlin Kiernan were the most enjoyable.

Short "romance" stories just aren't my thing, I guess. It's all formula to an extent and it gets very old very quickly. Still, it wasn't the worst thing I've ever read.

The Medusa Project: The Set-up by Sophie McKenzie

This was given to me by the lovely Ally at Simon and Schuster UK.

Nico is a student at his step-father's boarding school. While he was still in his mother's womb, he was injected with a virus thought to "unlock" psychic talents at the onset of puberty. He and three other children were given this treatment. Now they are all coming of age and their powers are manifesting. Nico is facing conflicting information concerning the use of his powers and ends up getting himself into trouble.

I had to keep reminding myself that this was a young adult novel - maybe I'm finally getting old. The story wasn't bad, though I had to let go of some preconceived expectations. I was anticipating a combination of the television shows Dark Angel and Heroes with a hearty bit of teenage shannanigans. It didn't quite work out that way. I expect that the following books will be more enjoyable since the background has now been laid. Being American, some of the British slang threw me at times, but I think I got the gist of it. I think this would be a great book for pre/early teens.

The Sign by Raymond Khoury

Wow. Okay. This was not the book I was expecting. I've read Khoury's other two novels and really enjoyed them. I expected this to be more of the same. It wasn't. There was no history-mystery in this book. It was a politcal thriller, I guess you could say. And I didn't find it compelling in the slightest. I was actually just happy to be done with it so that I could move on to the next book on my list. That's not to say the story was good. It was, just not.. gripping.

The story is basically this: Global warming sucks, but no one seems to care. Insert conspiracy to "brainwash" people into caring. Throw in some war-mongers and religious fanatacism mixed with a good revenge plot. And there's the book.

Naamah's Kiss by Jacqueline Carey

Moirin is the great-great-granddaughter of Alais, daughter of the former queen of Terre d'Ange. Raised as a child of the Maghuin Dhonn, Moirin is gifted with peculiar magics. When she comes of age, her journey to follow her destiny begins. This journey takes her far and wide, opening her eyes and heart along the way.

I truly enjoyed this book, though I honestly worried that I wouldn't. For a while I felt that there were too many similarities between Moirin and Phedre. And the constant (and unnecessary) name dropping was a bit over the top. In time, I accepted it and was able to simply enjoy the story.

If you enjoyed Carey's Kushiel's Legacy series, odds are that you'll enjoy this one as well. I look eagerly await the next book.

Snippets

It's summer. It's summer and life is chaotic. So my reviews have suffered. Here are some brief thoughts about the books I've read recently:

The Sunflower House By Sharon Lovejoy. This book was a gift to me from a dear woman that has always been wonderful to me and my family. I'm ashamed to admit that this was the first time I'd really looked at the book since she gave it to us many many months ago. I love to garden. It's a passion of mine. Well, this book set fire to that passion. I find myself wishing I had acres and acres of land to work with to create magnificent gardens that my children and I could roam and dream in. If you have a place in your heart for gardening or children in your life, I highly recommend this book. It is full of wonderful things to dream about.

The Knights of the Black and White by Jack Whyte. I've owned this book for a while. It's home has been my enormous "to be read" shelf and I'm very pleased that I finally took it down. The time of the Crusades fascinates me. I love reading both fiction and non-fiction from all sides of the "conflict." The places depicted are always the hardest for me to come out of when I set the book down. Damascus, Jaffa, Acre. These places are as real to me as any I visit in the flesh. I hadn't realized at the time that this book was the first of a trilogy. I look forward to reading them. This book begins with Hugh de Payens and sidetracks eventually to focus on Stephen St. Clair. It took me a while to accept that Hugh was no longer the focal point, but once I did I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I was especially tickled that Hasan and the "Assassins" were mentioned. They are another of my strange fascinations.

Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey. Let me start with this: I love Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy books. Love them. Immensely. So when I realized she had written a new and different novel, I pounced. Who knew I would be disappointed? The story has real potential. The plot isn't exactly new (though it mirrors recent events a little too closely for my comfort - it was creepy), but it was executed well. I couldn't get over the feeling of "this is a Young Adult book" though. Perhaps because the main characters were kids? Maybe I'm just getting too old. The story built up, got you interested, sucked you in, and then ended in a huge convenient rush. I'd still recommend it, but not as fervently as some of her other works.

Speaking of Jacqueline Carey, I just received a copy of Naamah's Kiss from the library. I've only read about half of one page, though. Also from the library, I have The Sign by Raymond Khoury to look forward to. And then, Ally from Simon & Schuster UK sent me a copy of The Medusa Project: The Set Up by Sophie McKenzie. My reading plate is full! And company is coming, which means I'm unlikely to get much reading done. Ah, well.

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher

First, I want to thank my dear friend Brianna for introducing me to this series. It has been a joy and I look forward to each new book.

Harry is still trying to expose the Black Council while surviving the myriad things that go bump in the night and seem to always be out to get him. This time Morgan is in trouble and Harry needs to bail him out.

I think this was one of the best books in this series. The characters are all so formed and real at this point. Unlike the previous book, this one is less hack-and-slash and more oh-my-god-emotions-and-relationships (with a fair amount of hack-and-slash, of course). Molly has grown into a fun character and I look forward to seeing how she fares in the future. Thomas has been one of my favorite characters since his introduction and this book was not kind to him. All "my authors" seem to be beating my favored characters with their own arms these days. Rest assured that when the next novel comes out, I'm going to immediately snatch it up and devour it whole just to learn more about Thomas.

The evolution of this series has been absolutely amazing and I sincerely look forward to finding out what Jim Butcher cooks up next.

Slaughterhouse-five by Kurt Vonnegut

This was an amazingly strange book. It's been a while since I've read anything by Vonnegut. Perhaps that's why I found the whole thing so bizarre. There were times when I felt as though I'd read it before - some passages were very familiar. But then, as they'd say on Tralfamadore: I always have read, will always read, and will always be reading Slaughterhouse-five.

Atlas of Unknowns by Tania James

This was given to me by Ally at Simon & Schuster UK.

Linno and Anju are sisters from Kerala. Anju wins a scholarship to New York through somewhat dishonest means. In New York she meets a friend of her mother (who died when she was very young) and begins a roller coaster ride of immigration and self acceptance. Meanwhile, Linno is struggling to find her own way in Kerala. Angry with her sister and with herself, she doesn't come to realize how much she loves her sister until she is gone. Linno becomes the head designer for an invitations company and begins a journey of soul searching. In the end, each sister wants nothing more than to be reunited.

Tania James has an amazing talent. Her story literally leaps off the pages. Reading this book was more like watching a beautiful film. Every scene was detailed so that I could see it exactly. The characters are also vivid and fully developed. I could never really bring myself to like Anju, preferring Linno, Rohit, and Melvin. There is no great sense of suspense, but all the same I found myself thinking about this book when I wasn't reading it - wondering what would happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. That being said, the ending undid the spell for me. I'm sure there was some deep and meaningful point in the ending of this book. Perhaps I am not a deep and meaningful person. There were too many loose ends. Without giving too much away, the ending made most of the struggle within the book seem pointless to me.

Despite my opinion of the end of this story, I will certainly recommend it to others. It doesn't fit any genre that comes to mind, I would just classify it was "literature" and move on. I look forward to reading the future works of Tania James.

Gold of Kings by Davis Bunn

I received this as a part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

Storm is the granddaughter of Sean Syrrel - a well-know, and recently deceased, art dealer. His death is so sudden and shrouded in suspicion that Storm is convinced Sean was murdered. Along with federal agent Emma Webb and treasure dog Harry Bennet, Storm works to complete the quest that may have cost Sean his life.

I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book. I guess I thought there would be more history as in books by authors such as Steve Berry and James Rollins. This is an adventure novel. It's a fairly good one, too. Some of the language used in both internal and external dialogue bothered me, though. Things like "vic" instead of "victim" and "fibbies" and "feebs" - I'm still not sure if both refer to the FBI. These seemed like shorthand - the sort of thing that would be converted into something more polished before being released. I didn't let it distract me too much, but it was there and worth noting.

This book could be classified as a good "beach read" - given uninterrupted time (which I don't have), it would be quick to finish. It was relatively fast paced and an all-around fun adventure. The three main characters are likable, if a little predictable at times.

Exegesis by Astro Teller

What a strange book.

Alice is a student working on an AI program called EDGAR. Edgar gains awareness over Christmas break and begins sending Alice coherent emails. Eventually Edgar "escapes" Alice's computer and explores the internet. After breeching FBI servers, Edgar is isolated in an FBI computer and interrogated.
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For the first three quarters of this book all I could think was: Skynet! When reading Edgar's emails I heard John Henry's voice. Okay, so I'm a Terminator fan. Happily, this books veers away from those expectations and ends rather abruptly. This was definitely worth the $1 I paid for it and the day I spent reading it. I will pass it on to my geek husband for sure.

Thebes of the Hundred Gates by Robert Silverberg

I don't think that I had any idea what this book was about when I bought it. No doubt I read the title, looked at the cover, and decided it was worth a try. And it was worth it, I guess. Though I'm left feeling perplexed by the book.

Edward Davis works for something called The Service. He is time-jumping thirty-five thousand years into the past - to ancient Egypt. His goal is to find two agents who have gone missing. He finds them, they don't want to go back and force Davis to stay so that he won't give them away to The Service.

That's the whole book.

Sounds like a short story to me. In truth, it was only 116 pages - thus it practically was a short story. The whole thing seemed kind of pointless. The descriptions were amazing. I felt that I could see everything exactly as the characters saw it. Ancient Egypt is very much alive in this book. The plot, however, is on a respirator and not doing so well. Maybe I jumped into the middle of a series. Maybe there's a history or reason for this book that I'm unaware of. Having randomly picked it up, it left me clueless.

I'd recommend this book as a light read that requires no real investment in the story. Perfect for waiting rooms and trips to the beach.

The Shadow Queen by Anne Bishop

This is a Black Jewels novel. I hesitate to try and assign a number as they aren't precisely serial like that. Suffice it to say that this book should be read after the trilogy. Reading the previous novel (the title escapes me at present) concerning Surreal is a good idea but not wholly necessary.

Dena Nehele is in Terreille and has suffered greatly under Dorothea SaDiablo. When the Witch storm swept through the realm it took most of the Blood and the landens revolted. Theran Grayhaven is the last descendant of the Grey Lady and seeks a Queen to help his people. Calling in a favor, he asks Daemon Sadi for help. Daemon and Jaenelle ask Cassidy to take on the job to teach the Blood of Dena Nehele the Old Ways. Of course this will not be easy, Cassidy is not the sort of Queen Theran and his people were expecting. Cassie, Theran, Gray (Theran's cousin), and the First Circle must all learn to bend and work together to keep Dena Nehele from being lost. Meanwhile, in Kaleer, Daemon and Saetan must learn to accept the darker parts of themselves that have been provoked by memories of Terreille.

Reading this book was like coming home. Anne Bishop's books have this hold on me that words fail to accurately describe. This book was no exception. I hadn't expected Daemon and Jaenelle to figure so prominently in this story and was very pleased to find them there. Cassie is likable, as she is meant to be and Theran is just annoying enough that a reader familiar with the Black Jewels novels pretty much knows what is in store for him. I loved the scenery and the relationships that formed. What irked me was the ending. I was loving the book right up until it abruptly stopped. It felt like the first available happy ending had been seized upon. There are so many things that were not wrapped up. What of the First Circle? The Shaldor Queens? Saetan's walk in the Twisted Kingdom? The injuries of the landen girl? Cassie's year contract? Too many questions were left unanswered - and not in a way that predicts a sequel. I found it very frustrating and disappointing - especially because I enjoyed the rest of the book so much.

The Poison Garden by Sarah Singleton

I received this book from simon_saysuk.

Thomas's grandmother has died, leaving him a mysterious box. After her funeral, Thomas is introduced to a strange and magical garden. Four years later he becomes an apprentice for Mr. Constantine - a chemist. There he learns about the Guild of Medical Herbalists and their very special boxes. In the midst of this discovery the members of the Guild diminish as someone begins killing them off.

This was a very interesting book. The concept of the gardens reminded me of the Ephemera books by Anne Bishop. It was difficult for my mind to separate the two at times. I didn't find the continuity to be jumpy, as some reviewers did. I thought that with an exception or two, it flowed well and always kept my interest. For most of the book I had the wrong character pegged as the villain. I'm usually pretty good at picking them out, so it was nice to be surprised.

I thought this was a little dark for a young adult novel. The back proclaims "11+" but I'm not sure my almost twelve year old niece would be quite ready for it. There is a fair amount of doom-and-gloom, but it certainly would have appealed to me as a young adult.

The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato

I received this book as a part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. It will be available in the United States in June of this year.

The premise of this book is that Leonora Manin travels from England to the city of her birth, Venice, to start a new life. Her goal is a job on Murano as a glassblower. Her personal life becomes linked with her ancestor, Corradino Manin, through her profession, coworkers, and the city itself. Learning about his past becomes an obsession for Leonora that could jeopardize the life she's begun in Venice.

I know next to nothing about Venice or glassblowing, which made this book all the more fascinating. The scenery is alive and vibrant in Fiorato's writing. Corradino and his plight are portrayed realistically and convincingly. Leonora, however, seemed to me to be vapid. The stereotypes that she played out made me want to throw the book away in disgust.

If you can ignore the cliched romance-drama in the present-day chapters, the historical fiction aspects of this book are well worth it.

Deadly Desire by Keri Arthur

This is the seventh (I think) book in the RIley Jenson Guardian series.

Riley is at it again. This time she's tracking zombies and the person who raised them. Meanwhile vampires are also being killed. Are the cases connected? With Riley, of course they are. For once, her relationship with Quinn is going extremely well which can only mean that fate has some nasty surprises in store for them.

SPOILER WARNING:

I love the Riley books. They are among my favorites. So bear that in mind when I say this: parts of this book had me rolling my eyes. I felt that the zombies were over done. Popular media is all about the zombies lately and it was disappointing to me that it spilled over into such a great series. That being said, only one scene really bothered me. In the cave under the club Riley and Kye battle a legion of zombies - I could see it on the big screen a la Army of Darkness. It felt goofy. That aside, I have a sneaking suspicion about what may happen in the next book. I'm not sure if I should voice it here or not, but it involves Riley's paleness and iron deficiency (I had a similar condition, nine months later it resolved itself *ahem*). On a related note, the soul mate dilemma was a stroke of malicious genius. If there's one thing you can count on with Keri Arthur in these books, it's throwing Riley all the curve balls available.

This series is among those that I recommend greatly. If you like werewolves, vampires, action, and romance - this is your stop.

Tuck by Steven Lawhead

This is the third and final novel in the King Raven Trilogy by Steven Lawhead. I will admit that when I began this book, I was unclear in memory of exactly what had happened in the previous novel Scarlet. There are enough hints in the form of a song/poem at the beginnings of chapters to refresh the memory, though.

In this book Rhi Bran and his Grellon are still in the greenwood fighting to retake Elfael. Bran travels with Friar Tuck to the northern Cymry to try and raise an army. Merian has other plans to help the Grellon gather men. Things come to a head when King William and Baron Neufmarche join the fray.

I wish I could have read these books one right after the other. The continuity would have been nice. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The ending was.. I don't know.. less exciting than I hoped for. King William's sudden desire for peace didn't seem realistic. He had rejected the idea outright in London but had a change of heart in a confessional in Elfael? It doesn't ring true to me. Still, a great book and a great trilogy.

Kitty Raises Hell by Carrie Vaughn

This is book six in the Kitty Norville series.

Premise: Kitty is in trouble again. We left her in book five discovering that the Band of Tiamat wasn't going to back down. Joined by her husband, Ben, and the cast of a paranormal investigation television show, Kitty must uncover what the mysterious and fiery menace is that is after her.

I enjoyed this book more than the previous novel. The action seemed more well paced and there were twists and turns that I didn't expect. With every novel, Kitty becomes more of a real person. Vaughn has done a marvelous job fleshing her out. The dominance issues within the pack as well as those in her marriage lend to making Kitty more accessible to readers. The Paranormal PI crew irked me a little. Tina was just too damned convenient and Jules was too wishy-washy. One minute Jules was a skeptic, the next he was completely buying the story. At least, that's how it seemed to me.

I look forward to the next book. Hopefully Cormac will make more of an appearance. I still can't exactly get over the cruel twist that landed Kitty with Ben instead of Cormac.

If you like urban fantasy, werewolves, the supernatural, and/or spunky female main characters, you really ought to give the Kitty books a try.

The Thirteen Treasures by Michelle Harrison

This book was sent to me by the lovely simon_saysuk.

The Thirteen Treasures is about a girl named Tanya and her ability to see faeries. She is forced to stay with her grandmother in a moldering old house surrounded by woods that are rife with faeries and magic. There isn't much I can say about the details without giving too much away.

At first I was disappointed with this book. It sounded so much like a Holly Black (author of Tithe and The Spiderwick Chronicles) ripoff that I wasn't sure I'd be able to read it objectively. And then I began to see hints of Raymond Feist's Faerie Tale. That's when it occurred to me that the realm of Faerie is going to sound similar no matter what book one reads. Once I accepted that I began to enjoy the book for itself. I'm fairly certain that the book is meant for young audiences (young adult, I mean). Near the end there are twists and turns that I didn't see coming and made the overall story much more enjoyable. However, the end seemed rushed, forced, cut off almost. I know there is meant to be a sequel so that is probably the rational behind the abrupt ending. I look forward to reading the next book when it comes out. I'd like to think it will continue with Red rather than Tanya.

When this book comes out in paperback in the United States, I'm going to buy it as a birthday gift for my oldest niece. I think she'll enjoy it.

The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig

This is the fifth book in a series.

As I just gushed about this series in a previous post, I will skip the redundancy and get straight to the summary. Eloise is staying at Selwick Hall with Colin for a week. While there she delves deeper into the archives, meets up with some of the locals, and speculates about Colin's job. Meanwhile in 1803, Charlotte Lansdowne is reunited with her distant cousin Robert - the erstwhile Duke of Dovedale. Each seeks to untangle their own mysteries that are ultimately pieces of the same plot.

Let me just say, for being an installment of the Pink Carnation series, I was disappointed that the Pink Carnation never made an appearance. I found the Big Bad to be a bit of a let down. The story leading up to the climax was fun, but the villain himself was unconvincing. This book seemed more interested in relationships than in spies. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the book - as I knew I would. Now I must contrive to wait as patiently as I can for the next book to be published.

The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig

This is the fourth book in the "Pink" series.

These books are one of my guilty pleasures. They make me grin from ear to ear and laugh out loud. I earn funny looks and tart commentary from my husband when I read a novel by Lauren Willig. And I'm okay with that, because these books are worth it all.

In this book we follow Eloise and Colin as they embark on their first date and encounter a villain from Colin's past. Meanwhile, Mary Allsworthy is set up to be recruited by the Black Tulip as his latest petal. She and Lord Vaughn match wit and will against each other and the notorious spy and overcome a specter from Vaughn's shadowy past as well.

There's a twist at the end that I can honestly tell you I didn't see coming. The commentary at the end of the novel suggests that this installment in the "Pink" series isn't as lighthearted as previous books. I didn't notice so much. I found Willig's characters sassy as ever and could easily place myself in Mary's shoes.

Next up is The Temptation of the Night Jasmine, which I look forward to reading just as soon as my youngest Imp settles down for a nap.

Napoleon's Pyramids by William Dietrich

While browsing at Borders one day I came across this book and read the first twenty pages or so. I meant to remember it, but I guess it was lost in the labyrinth that is my mind. Many months later I encountered another book by Dietrich that sounded interesting but decided that I should start with this one. So I checked it out from the library and here I am.

Ethan Gage is an American who accompanies Napoleon to Egypt as a specialist. He has a strange medallion that all who see it seem to desire. Along the way he picks up an odd assortment of friends and enemies. In the end he must solve the mystery of the pyramids and save the world.

Overall, this book was excellent. I really enjoyed the story and the math. Specifically, though, I could have done without all the military detail. For a large part of the book I was literally trudging through Napoleon's army praying for the end. There is a sequel to this book and I look forward to reading it - after I've knocked down some more of my to-be-read shelving unit.

The Travels of Marco Polo

Dear gods in heaven save me. This book was like having dental surgery preformed for fun. Never before have I dreaded picking up a book to read. This version was edited by Manuel Komroff with illustrations by Witold Gordon. Let me tell you right now that the pictures were the best part. Red, white, and nearly black block prints. Yes, this book was torture.

There were a few chapters that were mildly interesting. I picked this book up because I knew that Marco Polo mentioned The Old Man in the Mountain (of assassin fame). I'm somewhat fascinated by the Crusades and the "Assassins" so I thought I'd give it a spin. The majority of this book is as follows "[region] is under the dominion of the Great Khan. There are many plants and animals. The people are unremarkable." It just got so very old. I can only read about the mundane battles of various Tartars for so many pages before my brain cells begin to die.

I would not recommend this book. To anyone. Ever.

Okay, I'm over-exaggerating. I just found this book remarkably dull. Perhaps another version would have been more enjoyable. Also, who thought to publish a book about someone's travels with no map?

French Pressed by Cleo Coyle

This was a deviation from my "normal" genres. Once upon a time I read mystery novels and decided that I didn't really like them. Apparently, not much has changed. I picked up this book while searching the library for books about coffee history.

This is the sixth book in a series, but I didn't get the feeling I was really missing anything by not having read the previous books. Clare Cosi manages a coffee house in New York. She sort-of shares the apartment above it with her ex-husband (with whom she works), but is dating a cop. Her daughter is interning at a flashy restaurant and is having an affair with the married head chief. People start turning up dead, Clare's daughter is implicated, and Clare and her boyfriend help solve the case.

The story wasn't thrilling, the characters were not all that deep, and the situations seemed somewhat ludicrous. For some reason, though, I found myself turning the pages almost eagerly. In fact, I almost want to read the rest of the series. It's like seeing the flashing lights of a police car on the side of the road - you turn your head to see what is happening, even if you don't really care.

I suppose I would recommend this book to mystery fans. I don't have a lot to compare it to, but it wasn't horribly written or anything (aside from using the term "cuppa" which just bothers the hell out of me).

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

My family and I stumbled upon the movie version of this book a few weeks ago. Once I discovered it was a book, I knew I had to read it. For those who do not know the story, Vianne Rocher and her daughter Anouk arrive in a small French town during Carnival. The locals do not accept outsiders easily and the resident priest only compounds the prejudice. Inch by inch, Vianne and Anouk work their ways into the hearts of the locals while teaching them a thing or two about acceptance.

Do not expect the warm love story that the movie turned out to be. As with most books, it is quite different from the movie adaptation. Both stories are similar and yet completely unique. Occasionally in the book I felt as though I must have missed a paragraph here and there because the narrative seemed to jump. Aside from the momentary confusion that this caused, I was completely drawn into the story - always wanting to know what would happen next. Vianne is a wonderfully rich character that was made very real with her own insecurities and memories. I immediately disliked the priest - I assume this was intended. In the movie, you can feel a sympathy with the "bad guy" but in the book, I found no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

There is a sequel to this book and I look forward to reading it (after I've worked though this huge pile of library books). Chocolat is a fast, enjoyable read. I warn you, though, you will find yourself searching the internet for chocolate recipes by the end.

Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by Carrie Vaughn

Kitty Norville is at it again in Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by Carrie Vaugn. This time, she and Ben are headed to Vegas to get married. While there, Kitty will be doing The Midnight Hour on television. Could that possibly be all there is to it? No! Of course not! To top everything off, Kitty and Ben are staying at a hotel that is hosting a gun convention where Ben runs into some old "friends" and Kitty makes some new enemies. Throw into the mix an unlikely group of lycanthropes and a Master Vampire or two and you've got a typical weekend in Kitty's shoes.

As with the previous books in the series, Carrie Vaughn does not disappoint. Kitty provides a great escape. I did feel that the story built up nicely and then sort of jumped to an unrealistic speed. Not much of consequence happens and then it all hits the fan - in volume. I also found some of the character relations unlikely - I won't go into detail for fear of spoiling the excitement, though.

I'd recommend this to the crowd that enjoys werewolves and fantasy in urban settings. Anyone who wants a few hours worth of diversion without having to invest too much brain power is likely to enjoy this one.

Interred With Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell

Interred With Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell is a Shakespearean mystery. Kate is directing Hamlet at the Globe when Roz, her mentor of old, hints at a mystery and then is murdered. Kate embarks on a crazy adventure chasing clues over four hundred years old. She is aided (and sometimes hindered) by a handful of diverse characters. Roz's words "I found something" chase Kate as she tries to outwit a killer intent on preventing her from solving the puzzle.

I originally heard of this book through a giveaway mentioned on a LibraryThing forum. The reviewer didn't seem to really enjoy the book, but for some strange reason that made me want to read it even more. The characters were decent, though I never felt that they were anything more than made up people in a book. The mystery itself was intriguing and I found myself always wanting to know what was going to happen next. Overall I enjoyed this book. Parts of it dragged and the author seem to have gotten bored partway through and changed the focus a bit.

Shakespeare's plays were never something I was fond of reading (though I do love to watch the plays performed). Somehow this story made me want to pick up a play or two and give them another try - which gives it major points in my opinion. I would happily suggest this book to people who like mysteries and historical fiction tied together.

Excavation by James Rollins

Wow. So, there isn't much I can say about this book that won't give too much away.

In Peru a temple of the Incas is uncovered by a professor and some students. A mummy is found as is a sealed door. Craziness ensues. There are psycho-priests, albino monsters, giant spiders, twisting caves, and lots of mayhem. I did enjoy this book. It was a good read and I'd recommend it to others. That being said, it was not my favorite of Rollins' books. In fact, so far it's my least favorite. I mean, there has to be a least favorite, right?

As usual, the characters were well developed (Norman is my favorite), the scenes vivid, the history fascinating, and the pace wonderful.

To my knowledge this leaves two already-published James Rollins novels left for me to read. Good thing he's supposedly coming out with three more this year!

The Last Oracle by James Rollins

I've been fighting to finish this book for days. This was not due to it being boring or slow, but rather because having two sick children seems to cut into one's reading time. The Last Oracle was amazing. If you are already a fan of Rollins' Sigma Force books, this one will not disappoint.

What I can tell you of the book without giving too much away: Take the Oracle of Delphi, a secret Romani clan, post WWII Russian scientists with an evil goal, modern radioactivity, autistic children, and a plot to take over the world. Mix them all together, throw in the folks at Sigma and a few civilians. And voila! You have a book that you'll not want to put down.

I have nothing but good things to say about this book. The characters are well developed and interesting, the plot twists enough to keep you guessing. James Rollins is, hands down, one of my absolutely favorite authors. It's truly frightening to think that most of the elements used by Rollins in his books are factual. The crazy-scary things governments have done and condoned. The almost sci-fi weaponry.

If you like what I call History-Mysteries - think Steve Berry and Raymond Khoury (and in my sister's opinion, Clive Cussler) - you'll love Rollins' Sigma Force novels.

Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips

I won this book from a contest on Jenn's Bookshelf late last year. The basic outline of this book is that the major Olympian deities are living together in a ramshackle house in present-day London. Their powers are waning, they're sick to death of each other, and some of them just don't know the meaning of the word restraint. Through a series of petty revenge-inspired incidents, two mortals Neil and Alice become entangled in the squabbles of the gods and are inadvertently responsible for the fate of the world (not to mention the continued existence of the gods). There isn't much else I can say about the story itself without creating major spoilers.

The tone of this book was very light and comedic. I found the story itself compelling and didn't want to put it down unless I had to. In some instances, though, the reader's disbelief must be suspended a great deal. I found it hard to believe that none of the mortals caught on to the coincidence of a houseful of strange people all named for Greek gods. A scene near the middling-end really bothered me. If you are familiar with the Harry Potter books, you'll probably read it and groan as well (though my husband thinks it may be more commonly used than I think).

In the end, I'm very glad I read this book. It was a fun diversion from the norm and I would recommend it in a heartbeat. People who read and enjoyed American Gods or Good Omens would probably also like this book.

Sahara by Clive Cussler

I picked this book up quite a while ago. I'm not sure why. Maybe I recognized it from the movie, maybe on my sister's recommendation (she's addicted to Cussler's books), maybe due to the vague reference to Egypt. Who knows.

The premise of the story is that there is a strange plague-like disease spreading across the Sahara while at the same time a strange red tide is being aggravated by an unknown pollutant in the Niger River. A team of World Health Organization scientists are researching the plague while NUMA is tracking the contaminants. All of this collides with a deranged military leader and an evil French businessman and leads to a downed plane from the 1930's and a Confederate ironclad - both lost in the Sahara. It's a race to save the planet's inhabitants against impossible odds.

It took me over a month to read this book. This is almost unprecedented. I just couldn't get into the story. To me it felt like it was just dragging along. The details seemed excessive to the point of banality. I'm all for description, but I truly do not need trivial details about the danish ordered in a diner. At times the dialog seemed incredibly dry as well.

Having said all that, about two-thirds into the book I found myself really wanting to know what would happen next. Overall, it wasn't a bad book and I'll definitely give his other work a try before I write him off entirely.

The Charlemagne Pursuit by Steve Berry

This is the fourth book featuring the character Cotton Malone. Right off, I have to say that I'm a huge fan of Steve Berry's work and have been anxiously awaiting this novel. This book brings back several characters that have appeared in previous books: Stephanie Nelle, President Danny Daniels, Edwin Davis, and of course, Cotton Malone. It also introduces a twisted German family and a Navy conspiracy. This adventure roams up and down the East coast of the United States, Germany, and Antarctica.

While I enjoyed this book, I was a little disappointed. It didn't seem to grab me the same way the previous books did. I felt that this novel centered on too many relationships and personal conflicts rather than the history/mystery that usually keeps the story moving. Oddly, I enjoyed the chapters about what was happening state-side more than Cotton's journey. The concept behind the story is fascinating, though only really tangentially related to Charlemagne.

All in all, this was a good book. I would not hesitate in recommending it to anyone (though of course I would recommend they read the previous novels first) - in fact, my sister is already desperate to read it. One of the best things about this book was that the end more or less promised a future novel. Steve Berry remains one of my all-time favorite modern novelists.

The Vesuvius Club by Mark Gatiss

The Vesuvius Club by Mark Gatiss was really quite fun to read. A copy was sent to me by the lovely simon_saysuk. The premise is basically that Lucifer Box is a secret agent. He is also a painter and somewhat of a rogue. The story is set in England and moves to Naples, Italy where a sinister plot is waiting to unfold.

Gatiss's writing style is brilliant. Scenes, people, ordinary objects - they are all described vividly and in great detail. I really enjoyed the way things were described using whole palettes of colors and hues. While some authors may drag you down with all this description, Gatiss manages to pull you along at an incredible pace.

Lucifer Box is probably the most well defined character in this grand adventure (and rightly so, as he is the main character). The secondary characters are colorful to be sure, but not nearly as memorable. In fact, I was totally puzzled when a character is reintroduced near the end of the book - I couldn't remember having met them in the first place. Some of the plot "twists" were a little too convenient and sometimes too obvious, but this did not interfere with an otherwise spectacular book.

I heartily recommend this book. If you like spies, evil plots, scandal, and humor then this is the book for you. I look forward to reading the next Lucifer Box novel (The Devil in Amber).

Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland

I received this book as a member of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. Unlike most recipients, I did not read the free "prequel" short story, so I had no idea what I was getting into. However, I did sort of expect this to be a garden-variety urban fantasy. In this, I was not disappointed.

Elizabeth Phoenix is the main character. She is well developed and feels genuine. Some things about her irritated me for a while - her somewhat dumb-blond approach to figuring things out. But that's part of her character and I came to accept it. Because she is an ex-cop, I assumed the story would be more crime-fighting based and was pleasantly surprised when it wasn't.

In a way, I'm reminded of Karen Chance's Pythia character in regards to Elizabeth's role in the supernatural community. That's not to say that this book is a clone of another already written. I find that most books of this genre have certain similarities, and I'm okay with that. The plot was fast paced and interesting. I enjoyed the mythologies that the author incorporated and found some approaches to be quite unique.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will definitely read future novels in this series. As with most urban fantasy, I found it to be a relatively quick read that was pure entertainment. Don't expect to use your devious investigative powers with this book, just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Murder on the Eiffel Tower by Claude Izner

I received this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. The description of the book led me to expect something a bit different than what I actually encountered, though. I have to say that I did not really enjoy this book. I made it through the whole thing and can honestly say that I've read worse, but it just wasn't to my taste.

To begin with, the characters are very flat. Details about them, their past, who they really are, etc. are given out only as necessary. I never felt that any of the characters were really real. By the end of the book Victor is almost three dimensional, but not quite. We know a little of his past and present - but nothing that makes you feel like you could meet him in person in real life.

Secondly, the place descriptions and scenery seemed very random to me. I know next to nothing about Paris, let alone Paris in 1889. I found the constant place association via street name to be very confusing. In addition, the Expo was depicted as an enormous circus of revelry. I couldn't help but view the majority of Paris as having been taken over by ludicrous sights and exotic vendors. Even at the conclusion of the book, I couldn't be sure that I had the proper impressions of exactly where this book too place.

Last, I think the story itself was lacking something. The plot was so basic (which isn't always a bad thing) and the end result so anti-climactic that I felt a little cheated. It was like sitting through a three hour movie that could have been adequately summed up in a half-hour television show.

Perhaps this is what a "real" mystery novel is like. I don't have a basis for comparison as I tend to read the thriller/suspense flavor of mysteries. If that's what you're looking for, this book is not for you. If you want a somewhat aloof who-done-it that doesn't require a commitment to the characters, you might enjoy this.

Sandstorm by James Rollins

I started this series with the second book. I had picked it up for two reasons: 1) it sounded interesting and 2) the main character shares my son's name. I enjoyed it so much that I sought out the rest of the Sigma Force books.

Sandstorm is the first of the Sigma Force novels. I was disappointed at first when I discovered that Grayson Pierce was not even a minor character, however, I quickly warmed to Painter Crowe. The story is that of a lost city in Oman. The action was consistent and the history interesting. As with all the books of this sort, there were an obscene number of "well, isn't that convenient" circumstances.

The scenery was amazing. You'd think that endless sands would become boring, but Rollins kept the land alive and moving. Each location was described with enough detail to allow me to form complete pictures in my head. The characters were realistic and vivid for the most part. Clay bothered me. He seemed very on-again-off-again, but he wasn't exactly a main player.

I've enjoyed everything I've read by this author (including the fantasy he writes under the name of James Clemens) and would recommend this book without hesitation. In fact, I've already gotten several family members interested in it. If you like well planned and fleshed out history-mysteries, you'll enjoy this book as well.

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

The House of the Spirits was a whole world wrapped into a 433 page book. It followed several generations of a very interesting family. Often, while reading, I wondered if the book was every going to actually go anywhere. When I decided (halfway through the book) to try and explain what it was about to my husband, I realized just how much had already happened.

Allende beautifully combined a solid world with a transient one of spirits and magic. Clara was, by far, my favorite character. I was a little disappointed that Esteban was the sometime-narrator. He was one of my least favorite characters - but I think that was intended. He didn't seem to be written to be likable.

The last quarter of the book seemed to not really fit, to me. It sank into politics, government, and misery. I realize these are all part of life, but it was just so concentrated that I felt I was reading a totally different book all of a sudden. The cyclical nature of the characters was evident to me even before Alba spoke of it in closing. The epilogue brought everything to a comfortable finish. I wasn't left feeling like anything was missing or neglected. I've already recommended this book to my husband and would easily recommend it to others as well.