Another gift in a book exchange, I almost stopped reading this. The writing was only so-so (lots of exclamation points--never a good thing). But the story kept me going--it's about the immediate aftermath of the Civil War in the heart of Atlanta. Not a usual topic for a young adult book, and definitely deals with the mess that was Reconstruction.

The latest from the author of some other excellent works of popular history. It was okay--he does a lot of foreshadowing and phrases like "little did they know how important this would be. . ." which I find annoying. Of course they didn't know! But it's a great story of the development of wireless and how the world's new connectivity led to one of the first really big murder cases of the new age. I still don't feel like I really understand how wireless works though. . .

Ohmigod, I loved this book. Probably one of the best fiction books I've read in years. Young, smart woman setting out on her own--in the late 1920s and in the shadow of WWI. Well written, excellent historical fiction (about a period and a subject which people should just know more about!), and just a darn good read. Highly recommended, especially if you have an ongoing obsession with the 1920s an 1930s like I do.

A slight little book that was better than I thought it would be. Great depiction of a young woman trying to find herself. Movie has been added to my netflix queue, though it's pretty far down my list.

My prize for winning the maud oscars pool. A very dangerous book--I purposefully read it far away from my computer and my netflix queue. So many movies to see and movies to watch again! Wouldn't a movie and book vacation be fabulous? Pure fluff, but really fun fluff.

A young adult book which I loved. Great Victorian story of an orphan--but with a twist. The twist wasn't at all what I expected, which made me love it even more. The ending, while somewhat predictable was held out long enough that I almost though that the predictable thing wouldn't happen--another plus. Highly recommended.

Another historical fiction which I kept expecting to descend into stereotype, but never quite fell over that cliff. The heroine had one night of passion and came up with a nasty VD. But the issue is really when this happened--during WWI, when many women, both prostitutes and others, were rounded up and placed in detention camps. Frieda is a wonderful character, and her reactions to her situation ring true. And it doesn't end completely perfectly (though for a while signs were pointing to a fairy tale ending)--which was exactly right.

The second in the Percy Jackson series, a YA series that is adding additional chapters to the myths. A great read, that had me constantly wanting to refresh my memory of mythology. But that would have required putting the book down. Really enjoyable stuff and a wonderful cliffhanger of an ending.

Many people who I love and trust (at least when it comes to books) have raved about this series. I listened to the audio books on my way to Austin and finished it while cooking. Not really a fan--too slow, and I just wasn't captured. Not terrible, but not worth reading the rest of his stuff. I've tried one other McCall Smith and wasn't impressed by it either, so I think I'll be crossing this author off my to read list. I've never trusted people that produce books as quickly as he does anyway--though he does have a delightful accent (I heard him in Austin a few years ago).

Part of his Cliff Janeway series, in which a book seller solves mysteries. This was an audio book that I split over two road trips. I enjoyed the bits about the books more than the murders, and I did figure out the killer (go me!). Fluff, but not a bad way to pass the miles. Especially fun for book collectors.