Wow.. one book!

R is for Ricochet - Sue Grafton
I think this is my favorite Kinsey Millhone novel so far. There were a few there that I wasn't too fond of the plot or the writing. They had became kind of lackluster. But this one was much improved.

No excuses this time

I'm just laaazzyy.

Judith Van Gieson - Land of Burning Heat and The Shadow of Venus
The more I read of Judith Van Gieson, the more I like her. I love books where you can be entertained and learn things at the same time. And this series of full of history, art and the character of humans.

The Second Assistant: A tale from the bottom of the Hollywood ladder. - Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare
This was another one of those lucky finds. I absolutely loved this book.

Flashpoint - Suzanne Brockmann
This was good reading. The situation was a little unbelievable, but was still a good story.

Bergdorf Blondes - Plum Sykes
I had read some bad press about this book so I was very interested in reading it. Usually the worse things I hear about something, the more I like it. At first, I thought that they were all right and it was not going to be that great, but after a few chapters it really got going and I loved it.

Pad Parties: The Guide to Ultra-Entertaining - Matt Maranian
I was looking for his first book, Pad: The Guide to Ultra-Living but this was all our library had. Fabu!

Pilates for Wimps - Jennifer DeLuca
My new favorite book. I've already check this out for the library like three times, and I've considered telling them I've lost it and just paying for it so I can keep it. I love Pilates and this is the best how-to book I've found so far.

I've been on an interior decorating book kick really bad lately. Here are a few of them I've read. All good, but the style is only to some people's liking. I like a mix of vintage, country and modern.
Country Chic - Country Living
Southern Accents on Color
Flea Market Finds: Before & After Home Decorating with Makeover Miracles (another one I want to "lose")

There seems to be a recurring theme here

As I was getting ready to post this I realized that most of the books I have read lately seem to have a common theme. Death. It certainly wasn't planned that way. And with the recent death of my grandmother and a few other deaths in the family, I think I've had enough of this theme. Good books, but not something I want to be reading about constantly.

The Color of Death - Elizabeth Lowell
Lowell delivers another gem of a book. (ha, I'm so punny)

On A Night Like This - Ellen Sussman
This was a great book, if a little farfetched for my tastes.

Finally

This is turning into like the monthly update blog. Ugh. I had to go back home unexpectedly (well, not so much unexpectedly as expected just not knowing when) when my Mom called and said my Mamaw was dying. She's been in poor health for quite some time, and it rapidly declined over about a week and a half. So, when she called, I threw everything in the car and hauled it up there. So, what being with her until she passed on, the funeral, and all the stuff after the funeral I was there over a week. And needless to say, I didn't get much reading done. I've been too tired to do that much more reading since I've been home. But, a bunch of the books I've really been looking forward to came in while I was gone, so I've been doing some. So, enough with the story, on with the books.

Vanishing Point and Confidence Woman - Judith van Gieson
These are the second and third novels in the Claire Reynier mystery series. The Stolen Blue was the first, which I read a few years ago and then forgot about. I'm glad I remembered it and went searching for any following novels. Van Gieson has a great style. I'm on the hold list for the other two. Will post when I read them.

How to Meet Cute Boys - Deanna Kizis I just happened to spot this on the new books shelf while in the checkout at the library and added it to the pile. I'm glad I did. Very entertaining "chick lit".

Tallulahland - Lynn Messina
It was really hard to read this book and not think "Lady, just STOP!". I was kind of tired of her attitude towards her father by the end of the book, but I finally forgave her. All in all, it was a fair read.

Ten Big Ones - Janet Evanovich
#10 (duh) in the Stephanie Plum series, and fabulous as always. It's hard to believe Steph's been at it for 10 books now. And, of course!, the ending leaves you waiting for the next installment. Hurry up, already!

The Goodbye Summer - Patricia Gaffney
I just finished this one, and it hit pretty close to home in many ways. There were also a few of those "Lady, come on!" moments in this one, but this is a great novel.