Lemon Meringue Pie Murder [Review]

Stats:
#4 in Series
349 Pages [Ebook]
Published Jan 2003


Synopsis:
Every Friday is Pie Day at The Cookie Jar coffee shop and bakery. One such Friday, lemon meringue pie is the featured dish. Hannah, an expert baker and dedicated amateur sleuth, is saddened when one of her luscious pies is left practically untouched. And when her mother -- rooting about for antiques for her own shop -- finds a body in the basement of the house Hannah's boyfriend is knocking down to make room for their dream house, Hannah is devastated to discover that her mostly uneaten meringue was part of the murder victim's last meal. Given the location of the corpse, everyone in town seems to feel that Hannah has a vested interest in the case. Even her sexy ex-boyfriend, a local cop, thinks it's better for Hannah to look into things than to continue allowing her mother to stir things up in his investigation. Struggling against the temptation to cheat on her new diet, Hannah takes the case as a welcome distraction and soon discovers that counterfeit cash and a clandestine affair are just two of the dangerous ingredients she's got to contend with.


My Thoughts:
This one started out a little slower than the other 3, but it was still just as fantastic.

I think I've finally settled on Norman over Mike and I'm hoping that in Book 5, Hannah will finally choose between the two.

I loved the addition of Michelle's character - she is like a young Hannah and I love that :)

Recipes included in this book: Almond Kisses, Cinnamon Crisps, Cottage Cheese Pancakes, Lemon Meringue Pie, Mystery Cookies, Orange Snaps, Pineapple Right-Side-Up Cookie Bars, Praline Charlottes, and Walnuttoes


Previous Review:
Now Playing: Stoner & Spaz II by Ron Koertge [here]





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Now Playing: Stoner & Spaz II [Review]

Stats:
#2 in Series
208 Pages [Hardcover Edition]
Published 9 August 2011

Synopsis:
Beautiful but troubled Colleen Minou is the only girl who ever looked at Ben Bancroft as more than a spaz— more than just that kid with cerebral palsy. Yet the more time Ben spends with her, the more glaring their differences appear. Is what Ben feels for Colleen actual affection, or more like gratitude? Then there’s Amy (aka A.J.), who is everything Colleen isn’t, and everything Ben’s grandma wants for him: clean-cut and upper-class, academically driven, just as obsessed with filmmaking as Ben is. But what does A.J. see when she looks at Ben? CP? Or the person behind the twisted body? In Ron Koertge’s sharp, darkly humorous follow-up to the award-winning Stoner & Spaz, Ben tries to come to terms with his confused feelings toward A.J. and his inimitable connection to Colleen, who is sometimes out of it, sometimes into him, and always exhilarating.


My Thoughts:
Compared to the first, this was very dry. Colleen is a little more cleaned up and there was very little time making movies or hanging with AJ. Little is resolved with the main conflicts that were in the first book and now in this book. I really hope there is another book. This one left me waiting for something to happen.


Previous Review:
Stoner & Spaz by Ron Koertge [here]


[Counts toward my TBR Pile challenge: here]

Stoner & Spaz [Review]

Stats:
#1 in Series
128 Pages [Paperback Edition]
Published 7 Oct 2002

Synopsis:
Colleen Minou is a hard-core stoner, a girl whose motto is, "I'll get high and do anything." Ben Bancroft is a movie-addicted preppie who suffers from cerebral palsy, "the resident spaz, invisible as the sign that says NO RUNNING, the one no one pays attention to." Together, they form the most unlikely couple since Dharma and Greg. He's Brooks Brothers, she's Salvation Army. He's never even smoked a cigarette, she's got 20 different chemicals running through her veins. But when these two lonely teens meet one night at Ben's favorite hang, the Rialto (a classic film theatre that "smells like butter from the Paleozoic"), sparks fly. At least for Ben they do. Maybe it's because Colleen's the first girl to ever really notice him, to have the nerve to tease him about his disability instead of pretend it's not there. For once, Ben is actually more interested in his real life than a movie. Colleen takes him clubbing, lights his first joint, even challenges him to direct his own movie. But when Ben, in turn, dares her to stay straight, Colleen admits that, despite his devotion, she still needs the drugs to "smooth out the edges." Is Ben capable of convincing her otherwise? If not, how will he ever be cured of his Colleen addiction?


My Thoughts:
When I first read the synopsis, I didn't think that I would like the book. I did a little prejudging. I figured it'd be a cliche. One of those really weak books with a plot that has been told a billion times.

I'm almost glad that I set myself up to not like this book...because I ended up loving it. The story is told in the boy with Cerebral Palsy, Ben's point-of-view. Koertge made it incredibly easy to get sucked into the story and I could easily see this turning into a movie at some point. It would definitely be something I'd watch. It was dark and honest. The "about author" actually says that Koertge's wife worked with a humorous boy with CP and one of Koertge's students had been in rehab for substance abuse. I'm going to start the 2nd book immediately. I want to know so much more about Ben's world and what happens with Colleen.


Previous Review:
Crossed by Ally Condie [here]


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Crossed [Review]

Stats:
#2 in Series
367 Pages [Kindle Edition]
Published 1 Nov 2011


Synopsis:
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever. 


My Thoughts:
** spoiler alert ** I can't really say that I liked this book more than the first, but I also can't say that it wasn't what most second installments are in trilogies. It's kind of that filler in between the big stuff. I am incredibly excited for the third book though because I know it's going to be epic.

This book starts off where the first left off, Cassia is sent to a work camp. One night she boards an air ship that she isn't supposed to be on and ends up getting sent to war with the Rising/farmers. Basi...more 

I can't really say that I liked this book more than the first, but I also can't say that it wasn't what most second installments are in trilogies. It's kind of that filler in between the big stuff. I am incredibly excited for the third book though because I know it's going to be epic.

This book starts off where the first left off, Cassia is sent to a work camp. One night she boards an air ship that she isn't supposed to be on and ends up getting sent to war with the Rising/farmers. Basically sent to die. Her new "friend" is Indie. Overall, I don't think she is trustworthy, but I still kind of like her. Meanwhile, Ky is also in the middle of the war. He makes "friends" with a guy, Vick. Vick is much like Indie, in the sense that you know he isn't trustworthy, but you can't help but like him. Up until the halfway mark, you are waiting for Ky & Cassia to meet up.

I do like how Condie paved the way for the big conclusion. There are many more elements of mysteriousness added in: the tubes, Xander's secret, the Rising. At this point, I am pro-Team Xansia. I think Cassia is going to end up with Xander.


Currently Reading:



Previous Review:
Matched by Ally Condie [here]

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2012 Resolutions

I am FINALLY getting my "resolutions" up. I'm not really sure if I want to call these resolutions - I think that psychs me out and then I don't do them. Do you all remember the goals I did for deployment? I'm going to pretty much do that. Each month I'll revisit my goals and hope that I am making progress.

So some of my personal goals:

• Eat more fruit
• Drink more water
• Exercise 5x a week
• Get organized
• Stay on schedule (I'm hoping to manage my time better)
• Read A LOT
• Keep track of finances and save lots of money

Blogging Goals for this year:

• I want to blog more - regular blog stuff. Just talking about whatever. Less fluff.
• Book blog more - I actually am transitioning to where my blog is at least 1/3 books. I think that will make me happy.

I may add goals throughout the year, but for now. These are the big ones.

Matched [Review]

Stats:
#1 in Series
384 Pages [Kindle Edition]
Published 30 Nov 2010


Synopsis:
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
 


My Thoughts:
I love the style in which the plot was delivered. I like that there are still many questions and how the book ends on such a high excitement point that you just want to get your hands on the next installment immediately.

I'm hoping Crossed will give more elaboration as to why the society ended up that way and more into what happened the time they took the red pill...and more about the inner workings of the Officials/Society.

The story itself was incredible. It was able to be full without giving away too much. I really love Cassia. I'm torn between Xander and Ky. Terribly torn. I cannot wait for Crossed.


Currently Reading:



Previous Review:
Cell by Stephen King [here]

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Cell [Review]

Stats:
368 Pages [Hardcover edition]
Published 24 Jan 2006

Synopsis:
In Cell King taps into readers fears of technological warfare and terrorism. Mobile phones deliver the apocalypse to millions of unsuspecting humans by wiping their brains of any humanity, leaving only aggressive and destructive impulses behind. Those without cell phones, like illustrator Clayton Riddell and his small band of "normies," must fight for survival, and their journey to find Clayton's estranged wife and young son rockets the book toward resolution.

My Thoughts:
This book happened to be two firsts for me. 1) My first Stephen King novel; and 2) My first audio book.

Now as far as audio books go, it was alright. I had the Kindle version also pulled up so I could keep track of how far through the book I was. Turns out I read faster than the narrator reads, so I think I will stick to actually reading books for now.

As far as Stephen King, BLECH! How does he have such a huge fan base? I mean I've seen a couple movies based on his books: Carrie, It, The Green Mile, and they were all good stories, but his actual writing?? My gawsh. I can't stand the onomatopoeia. Why does he have to describe everything, but in such simple terms, like "the man wore a brown uniform, they always wore brown uniforms"? I can't stand the weird, awkward one liners: ex) "but couldn't deny that was what he was [an animal]: oxygen and food in, carbon dioxide and shit out, pop goes the weasel." What on earth is that? I don't like how nothing was really explained as to whodunit. I really dislike that suddenly the zombies were transmitting, telepathic, could levitate. What? Just what? There is an episode of Family Guy where Stephen King is pitching a new novel and that is the perfect explanation for this book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc7ZaZz4C... (Not sure as to why it's titled something mean about Stephanie Meyer, but watch the video.) 

Currently Reading:


Previous Review:
Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth [here]

[January read for Clamhouse Book Club]

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Divergent [Review]

Stats:
#1 in series
487 pages [Kindle edition]
Published 3 May 2011


Synopsis:
Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.


My Thoughts:
May cannot get here soon enough!!!! This book was epic and unforgettable.

It reminded me a bit of Hunger Games, but more legendary and awesome. The storyline and the characters were so interesting and I couldn't put it down.

Tris is by far one of the coolest heroines of all the books I've ever read. Four was mysterious and dark. I normally hate cliffhangers, but Roth did this book right! I want to know what happens with Four's father and the Candor jerk. I want to know more about Divergence. I want to know more about everything!


Currently Reading:
 
Previous Review:
Blueberry Muffin Murder (Hannah Swenson #3) by Joanne Fluke [here]

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Books or Bust #3

So I have to make up for not doing my BoB last week :)

I visited a local used bookstore and bought...

1. Liberty Defined - Ron Paul

2. Tantalize - Cynthia Leitich Smith

3. Thirst No. 2 - Christopher Pike

4. Thirst No. 3 - Christopher Pike

5. Eragon - Christopher Paolini

6. Eldest - Christopher Paolini

7. The Awakening & The Struggle - L.J. Smith

 8. Leviathan - Scott Westerfield

9. Books 1-4 of Confessions of Georgia Nicholson series - Louise Rennison

I was gifted...

I won a signed copy of Inheritance from Jessica @ Books: A true story

And I purchased these for my Kindle:

As I Wake - Elizabeth Scott

Ashes - Ilsa J. Bick