Away Laughing on a Fast Camel: Even More Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison

Rennison is hilarious. I read the previous four books in this series ages, ago and some how everything just seems funnier.

Georgia the main character is spunky, young and amusing. Her story is told in a journal format. It rages from her life at home including her crazy cats to her life at school.

You will simply fall in love with Georgia and all her antics. Expect to laugh aloud. Quite enjoyable and easy to read. You'll never quite sure what Georgia will do next.


Grade: A

The 8th Confession James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

The 8th Confession is the 8th novel in the Women's Murder Club Series.

In typical Patterson style this book if formulaic. This novel is no different from the others, the villain is revealed early and the story unfolds.

The read is quick and if you have already invested time in this series you simply have to read this book.

Don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed. You will be moderately entertained.


Grade: C++

Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series #1) by Laurell K. Hamilton

Guilty Pleasures is a sinful read. You will be compelled to stay up through the night and devour each page.

The plot is exciting and fast paced. The main character is a strong willed female who can easily be a friend or foe depending on who you are.

This novel is much more than just another story about vampires. You will be hooked ( I, Know I am) and left craving more from this exciting series.

A grown up series for adult, Buffy Fans.

Grade: A

While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky

You will most definitely be engrossed in this novel.

It is thought provoking and tackles controversial issues and ethics related to life support. As the novel progresses characters evolve and complex relationships unfold. This book is an expression of love and about letting go. It's also about realizing that you never fully know a person despite how close your relationship is to them. 

  Grade: A-

Synopsis

Molly and Robin Snow are sisters in the prime of life. So when Molly receives the news that Robin has suffered a massive heart attack, the news couldn't be more shocking. At the hospital, the Snow family receives a grim prognosis: Robin may never regain consciousness. Feelings of guilt and jealousy flare up as Robin's family struggles to cope. It's up to Molly to make the tough decisions, and she soon makes discoveries that shatter some of her most cherished beliefs about the sister she thought she knew.

From Dead to Worse [Southern Vampire Mysteries, No. 8] by Charlaine Harris

From Dead to Worse is an excellent novel in the southern vampire series. It lacks romance (which is a nice change of pace) and is filled with action, entertainment and danger. The read can drag at times but then when it picks up, you find yourself completely absorbed. You must read this series in order! 

  Grade: B

Synopsis After the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina, and the manmade horror of the explosion at the vampire summit, Sookie Stackhouse is safe but dazed, yearning for things to get back to normal. But her boyfriend Quinn is among the missing. And things are changing, whether the weres and vamps in her corner of Louisiana like it or not. In the ensuing battles, Sookie faces danger, death...and once more, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood ceases flowing, her world will be forever altered.

Hunted [House of Night, Book 5] by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Hunted is a nice addition to the House of Night Series. It is fast-paced and equally thrilling as the other novels in this series. Overall I was intrigued but could not get past the stereo-typical portrayal on minorities. I was disappointed and disgusted that these popular authors would write minority characters in a borderline offensive manner. The stereotyping adds to the ignorance we see in society towards minorities. Had it not been for this poor addition to this book it would rate much higher, in fact I would have rated it as the best book in the series. You will be entertained until the very last page.

Grade: C+

Synopsis What if the hottest guy in the world was hiding a nameless evil, and all he wanted was you? At the start of this heart-pounding new installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey’s friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren’t Neferet’s secrets any longer. But an unexpected danger has emerged. Neferet guards her powerful new consort, Kalona, and no one at the House of Night seems to understand the threat he poses. Kalona looks gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life shows Zoey secrets she doesn’t want to hear and truths she can’t face? On the run and holed up in Tulsa’s Prohibition-era tunnels, Zoey and her gang must discover a way to deal with something that might bring them all down. Meanwhile, Zoey has a few other little problems. The red fledglings have cleaned up well – they’ve even managed to make the dark, creepy tunnels feel more like home – but are they really as friendly as they seem? On the boyfriend front, Zoey has a chance to make things right with super-hot ex-, Eric, but she can’t stop thinking about Stark, the archer who died in her arms after one unforgettable night, and she is driven to try to save him from Neferet’s sinister influence at all costs. Will anyone believe the power evil has to hide among us?

Flight #116 Is Down by Caroline B. Cooney

Flight #116 is Down does not focus on just one main character, it tells the story of many characters. Those whom play large and small roles.

It is obviously about a plane crash and how it has an effect on those in the plane and on the ground. It is about heroes, strength and courage.

The story itself is "ok", there isn't anything really special about this book. I was neither captivated or bored.

Grade: C

The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl by Shauna Reid

The Amazing Adventured of Dietgirl is a memoir about one woman's journey in the battle of the bulge.

Shauna's story is well written, honest and courageous. She lays it all out there, her weight, her poor eating habits and the ups and downs in losing weight, gaining weight and losing it again.

Don't expect it just to be about weight loss because it really is more about personal discovery and loving yourself.

The author is critical of her body and has poor body image but her own harsh words make you realized that no matter what size we are, we are our own harshest critics.

An inspiration read!


Grade: B-

Synopsis
At just twenty-three years old, Shauna Reid weighed 351 pounds. Spurred into action by the sight of her enormous white knickers billowing on the clothesline, she created the hugely successful blog "The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl." Hiding behind her Lycra-clad, roly-poly alter-ego, her transformation from couch potato to svelte goddess began.
Today, eight thousand miles, seven years, and 175 pounds later, the gloriously gorgeous Shauna is literally half the woman she used to be. Hysterically funny and heart-wrenchingly honest, The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl includes travel tales from Australia to Paris to Red Square, plus romance when she meets the man of her dreams in a Scottish pub. This is the uplifting true story of a young woman who defeated her demons and conquered her cravings to become a real-life superhero to inspire us all.

Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, Book 3) by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss is my favorite book in this series. The characters grow tremendously and each change causes a reaction, not necessarily a good one.

The plot was much more intricate and suspenseful which kept me not only interested but emotionally invested. The story line progresses wonderfully and as relationships expand both happiness and darkness weave in and out of these relationships.

The ending is a bit unexpected and I feel that Mead is going to use this end to build up into a amazing 4th book.


Grade: A

Synopsis
Is Rose's fate to kill the person she loves most? It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since Mason's death, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She has dark flashbacks in the middle of practice, can't concentrate in class, and has terrifying dreams about Lissa. But Rose has an even bigger secret . . . .She's in love with Dimitri. And this time, it's way more than a crush.
Then Strigoi target the academy in the deadliest attack in Moroi history, and Dimitri is taken. Rose must protect Lissa at all costs, but keeping her best friend safe could mean losing Dimitri forever . . .

Frostbite (Vampire Academy, Book 2) by Richelle Mead

Frostbite is an amazing follow up to Vampire Academy.

Mead uses her written skills to revisit and expand the roles of strong female leaders (Think, Buffy Summers). She hooks you in and makes her world of make believe, believable.

The characters are strong and developed yet continue to grow and expand in a way that seems natural and real.

You will be entertained and easily fall into this series.

If you have missed watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer kick butt, this book will bring back a bit of that nostalgia and nearly fill up that Buffy void.


Grade: A

Synopsis
Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose...
It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians—including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if handto- hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks....This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.
But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price...

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, Book 1) by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy puts a new spin on the entire vampire stories we've come to know and love. This is not to say there isn't a mix of the old but the ideas are mixed to create something fresh, fun and exciting.

Mead creates characters that are unique, stimulating and believable. This book is nearly impossible to put down!

The friendship bond is sweet, loving and intense and easy to understand. You will be sucked into the world of Vampire Academy.

I am really looking forward to the second book in this series.


Grade: A

Synopsis
St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school—it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's—the very place where they're most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

ps. Sorry fo the lag in updates. I am in the process of buying a new home and it is a huge hassel!!!

This should return to normal in a month or so (I hope).