Sign Of The Cross
Chris Kuzneski
422 pages
/11/22/06                   

Wow, I loved this one !!!  If you like Davinci Code- you'll love it,  it keeps you going,  a page turner of the highest order.  The characters in the book -Payne & Jones-are fabulous and great fun  This would make a helluva movie.  An archeaologist makes a discovery that could change Christianity forever.  Villians try to get to the "discovery"and the reader is taken on a fast paced adventurous, thrill ride.  Do I need to say more?  Check this one out.

The Thirteenth Tale
Diane Setterfield
406 pages
11/06

Ok, this was a captivating book. The word that comes to mind is "lovely" but that doesn't quite describe it.  The 4 bones says it best -how much I enjoyed it, but you 've got to try it out.  A famous author "Vida Winter" hires "Margaret" to write her biography.  What follows is a riveting story, one that will keep you guessing and keep you coming back for more.  The author  manages to write in a way that has you absolutely right there,  in the midst of the story.  You will become mesmerized while reading this.  Somewhat gothic, and truly one of the best books I've read in a while.

Alison's Automotive Repair Manual
Brad Barkley
274 pages
11/06

This book started out as a "3 bones", but slowly worked its way into a "2".  I admit, I think I purchased this book because of the title. I thought it was going to be interesting...Alison, a widow in her mid 30's, lives with her sister & brother-in-law while trying to move on with her life.  She decides to redo a 1976 Corvette that is sitting in the garage, rusting away. When she is finished, she figures she will be able to get on with her life, and put her grief behind her.  I never got to the point of caring about the characters.  She meets someone, and starts the rebuild and the story moves forward (slowly).  Just wasn't in the proper mood, perhaps. Maybe some people don't have to care about the characters?

The Shadow of the Wind
Carlos Ruiz Zafon
487 pages  
 10/06

This book was pure pleasure !  The setting is in a bookstore, and the story itself revolves around Daniel, as a boy and throughout his growing up into a man.  Daniel's search for books by the fictional author of "The Shadow of the Wind" takes him on all types of adventures. The story has some mystery, some romance and a bit of suspense thrown in.  I cared about what happened to the characters, which I base a lot of my enjoyment of a story on (nothing worse than characters you just  don't care about).  This book is a tribute to the love of books.  Truly unforgettable and great from beginning to end.  A terrific warm and fuzzy read. 


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The Book of Bright Ideas

Sandra King
307 pages          

Its 1961 and Evelyn (Button) is nine, when Winnalee and her older sister Freeda move to town. They become fast friends Button is entranced with the two sisters and her mom is less than thrilled. Winnalee keeps a diary of everything important shes learned in case she should need to remember it some day, called " Thhe Book of Bright Ideas". When a secret is revealed-no one will be the same again. A gem of a book, about friendship and family and two young girls who embark on a path no one could have predicted.

 The Book of Bright Ideas  

The Cotton Queen
 Pamela Morsi
 344 pages          

What a pleasant surprise!  A story of mothers and daughters, love and strength. This one kept me interested the entire time, which sometimes is hard for me to find. Laney, Rachel and Babs are or have been participants in the Cotton Queen contest in their hometown during  their school years.  Each chapter focuses on one of the women during a particular period of their life. Really a very good story about mother daughter relations, thorougly entertaining, enjoyable and satisfying.

The Space Between Us
Thrity Umrigar
321 pages

Set in India, this book is about two woman, one who works for the other.  Through the years they have become friends of a sort. One is upper class, the other lives in the slums.  The book draws you in, and shows the similarities and yet vast differences in their lives.  The writing is exceptionally vivid, allowing the reader to transport to India, and know exactly what the author is describing.  A different read for me, but quite good nevertheless, describing a lifestyle very different from ours here in America. The story is amazing because it makes you, the reader, realize that no matter where you live, or your social status, life can be very similar.  

The Girls: A Novel

Lori Lansens

345 pages



What an unusual yet remarkable book!   This book is about Ruby and Rose, conjoined twins, who are linked at the side of the head.  They each have a brain and a separate body.  Left at birth by their teen aged mother, they were taken in by "Aunt Lovey" who was the nurse who refused to treat them any differently than two little babies.   Rose at 29 is a bookworm and decides to write an autobiography of their life and so begins this book.  The story is one of the girls childhood, puberty and entering adult hood while always together, yet trying to maintain individuality.   About Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash.  Ruby intercedes with chapters of her own (against her better judgment).  And what follows is a story about the love they have for each other, you've never read anything like it - guaranteed.  Not soon forgotten. 

Intuition
Allegra Goodman
344 pgs

I know your thinking- "Wow, 1 bone--Taz never gives out 1 bone".  Well here it is. Its not that i didn't like it, more like I didn't care one way or another what happened.  I couldn't get into the petri dishes, and really didn't even like the characters.  Very scientific.  Maybe people who enjoy intellectual books or science would enjoy this one more.  The premise of a team of scientists working on a possible cure for cancer sounded pretty good and things were supposed to happen --but I have to be honest I didn't stick around to see what it was. I found myself putting it down more than picking it up.  

Quality Paperback Books Pets & Animals

The Call to Shakabaz
Amy Wachspress
260 pages     

Wow- this is my first "juvenile fantasy/adventure" review !  The author actually contacted me with a request to read it,  I was apprehensive at first, but now I'm just sooooooo happy she did.   A great, great terrific book. Definitely not just for young adults.  Would be perfect for a family read or to read to a group of youngsters.   The story is an adventure of sorts, of four children, recently orphaned,  ages in range from 14 to 10 and their parrot.  The kids are sent on a journey after learning that their family holds secrets.  They're sent to a faraway land -Faracadar, to find the Staff of Shakabaz. The story displays the growth of all four children, who each have a special gift that helps others. It's spiritual, yet also offers humor, all the while, showing us that everyone has gifts that can be used to help others, as well as solve problems without violence.  The authors writing style was so descriptive and wonderful that you'll feel as if you're on the journey too.  Any story that has violet colored people, talking parrots, and tigers you can ride has to be excellent- try it I'm sure you'll agree.

Book lovers never go to bed alone.~Anonymous