I began keeping a reading journal several years before I began blogging. I find it interesting to sift through my thoughts of books that I read back then. My reviews were often brief and contained little substance, but I thought it'd be fun to document them here on my blog as well as share them with you. Here are a few from June 2005:
Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
Bantam, 2004; Fantasy, 414 pgs
Written from the perspective of witch Paige Winterbourne, Dime Store Magic picks up the story of Savannah Levine, the young witch who is just beginning to reach her full potential, as her father, a powerful sorcerer attempts to gain custody of her with the help an old enemy of Savannah’s and Paige’s. Paige is determined to protect her young charge, despite the lack of help from her coven. I had a lot of fun reading this book and getting to know Paige’s character better. Ms. Armstrong knows how to write a good page-turner.
Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock
Mira, 2005; Fiction 298 pg
Me & Emma is one of those rare books that made me say, "Wow" when I read that last page. I thought the author did an excellent job of capturing the voice of her 8-year-old narrator and in describing her feelings, thoughts and reactions, to the terrible childhood she had to endure. This definitely was not an easy book to read based on the subject matter. That box of Kleenex by my side came in handy throughout the book. I do not read many books like this one, about child abuse and neglect, because I see, hear and read enough about it every day by way of my profession, but occasionally I pick up such a book when it comes highly recommended or if it catches my fancy. This is one book I'm glad I decided to give a try.
Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong
Bantam, 2004; Fantasy, 528 pgs
Cabal teens are being murdered right and left. The Cortez Cabal enlists the help of Paige and Lucas, joined by their supernatural friends, to help find and stop the murderer, knowing that Cabal politics would only get in the way. As usual, I quite enjoyed Kelley Armstrong’s paranormal fantasy world. I especially like the strong female characters she has created in her Women of the Otherworld series. It was great to see some of my old favorites back, Elena and Jaime (who actually is in the fifth book in the series, Haunted). This is a fun and entertaining series that keeps me up too late at night because I can’t stop reading.
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich
St. Martin's Press, 2005; Crime Fiction, 310 pgs (2005)
There are some books I just can’t wait to dive into, and a Stephanie Plum novel is at the top of my list. Janet Evanovich takes readers on a hilarious and suspenseful ride in the 11th installment of her bounty hunter series. Stephanie’s decided to give up bounty hunting, hoping to lead a less dangerous life. Unfortunately, she has a lot of enemies and one has decided to make her a target. Eleven on Top is full of laugh out loud moments. The characters are as wacky as ever. This is a fun and entertaining book, well worth rushing to the store to buy on release day. [Note: I no longer rush out to buy these novels on release day. I still enjoy the series, but I fell behind somewhere along the way and have no desire to collect all the books in hardcover.]
Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
Bantam, 2004; Fantasy, 414 pgs
Written from the perspective of witch Paige Winterbourne, Dime Store Magic picks up the story of Savannah Levine, the young witch who is just beginning to reach her full potential, as her father, a powerful sorcerer attempts to gain custody of her with the help an old enemy of Savannah’s and Paige’s. Paige is determined to protect her young charge, despite the lack of help from her coven. I had a lot of fun reading this book and getting to know Paige’s character better. Ms. Armstrong knows how to write a good page-turner.
Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock
Mira, 2005; Fiction 298 pg
Me & Emma is one of those rare books that made me say, "Wow" when I read that last page. I thought the author did an excellent job of capturing the voice of her 8-year-old narrator and in describing her feelings, thoughts and reactions, to the terrible childhood she had to endure. This definitely was not an easy book to read based on the subject matter. That box of Kleenex by my side came in handy throughout the book. I do not read many books like this one, about child abuse and neglect, because I see, hear and read enough about it every day by way of my profession, but occasionally I pick up such a book when it comes highly recommended or if it catches my fancy. This is one book I'm glad I decided to give a try.
Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong
Bantam, 2004; Fantasy, 528 pgs
Cabal teens are being murdered right and left. The Cortez Cabal enlists the help of Paige and Lucas, joined by their supernatural friends, to help find and stop the murderer, knowing that Cabal politics would only get in the way. As usual, I quite enjoyed Kelley Armstrong’s paranormal fantasy world. I especially like the strong female characters she has created in her Women of the Otherworld series. It was great to see some of my old favorites back, Elena and Jaime (who actually is in the fifth book in the series, Haunted). This is a fun and entertaining series that keeps me up too late at night because I can’t stop reading.
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich
St. Martin's Press, 2005; Crime Fiction, 310 pgs (2005)
There are some books I just can’t wait to dive into, and a Stephanie Plum novel is at the top of my list. Janet Evanovich takes readers on a hilarious and suspenseful ride in the 11th installment of her bounty hunter series. Stephanie’s decided to give up bounty hunting, hoping to lead a less dangerous life. Unfortunately, she has a lot of enemies and one has decided to make her a target. Eleven on Top is full of laugh out loud moments. The characters are as wacky as ever. This is a fun and entertaining book, well worth rushing to the store to buy on release day. [Note: I no longer rush out to buy these novels on release day. I still enjoy the series, but I fell behind somewhere along the way and have no desire to collect all the books in hardcover.]
© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I agree with you about the Plum series. I still enjoy them but am in no hurry to buy. They've gotten kind of formulaic but I still love Grandma Masur!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a big fan of Dime Store Magic, but I enjoyed the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteEmma and Me sounds like a really interesting book, but also rather sad. I hadn't heard of it before, but now I think I am going to have to dig a little deeper. Thanks for these great mini reviews!
ReplyDeleteIt has been awhile since I've read an Evanovich book. I need to grab one when I go to the library next. I'm only on like the 4th book but they are a fun diversion especially when I am going through a reading slump. I still remember shaking the bed with laughter when I read the first book :)
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of Emma and Me, too! Glad you posted this.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these but they do sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteLinda - I agree. There's so much the same about them. Grandma Masur is my favorite character. :-) I never tire of reading about her antics!
ReplyDeleteKelly - I've enjoyed what I've read of the Women of the Otherworld series so far. Now that my books are finally unpacked, I may be able to catch up--eventually. :-)
Heather - Me and Emma is definitely a sad book, but also well worth reading.
Samantha - The Evanovich books are fun! Definitely for those times when you need something light and not too thought worthy. :-)
Marie - LOL Both you and Heather switched the title of Me and Emma up. I kept wanting to do that too. :-) It comes naturally, doesn't it? Wanting to be grammatically correct.
Kathleen - Most of those titles were fun books to read. :-)
I love the Women of The Otherword series - Paige/Lucas are one of my all time favourite fictional relationships :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a good series!
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