Unzipped

Title:   Unzipped

Author: Lois Greiman

Series: first in 6

Type of book: Romantic murder mystery and humor

Why did I read it? Like the genre, liked the description in Kindle bookstore

How did I read it?:  Kindle eReader

Level of captivity: Hooked by the end of the first chapter

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)            4.2

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             4.5

What I got from the book: I like the protagonist here, Christy McMullen, as a doctor of Psychology. She has a new twist on the feminine way of thinking and the author’s first person story telling had me giggling a lot throughout this book. I was very pleased that I did not guess the murderer until revealed. I love the unexpected ending and this one has it. Have fun reading this one. I hope to get to the second book really soon.
UnzippedUnpluggedUnscrewedOne Hot Mess

Good in Bed

Good in BedThen Came You: A Novel

Title:   Good in Bed

Author: Jennifer Weiner

Series: No but there is a sequel

Type of book: Romantic Humor, Drama

Why did I read it? Like the description when I came across the title

How did I read it?:  Kindle eReader

Level of captivity:   At about the forth chapter I felt the desire to stay with it until completed.

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much,  5=so much fun I want more.)           3.9

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             3.0

What I got from the book: The main character in this book, Cannie Shapiro (okay a really weird name), is a very real average woman and she has similar feelings and concerns that I suspect are real to all women at least in our culture. Even though the story takes place in the 90s her thoughts and feelings and reactions to her events are as real now as they might have been then. I laughed and cried with Cannie as she told her story. As is my favorite type of narrative, this is written in first person from Cannie’s view. It is easy to read as her story unfolds through her eyes and as a woman, it’s easy to feel like you are in her shoes. At the end there is an interview with the author and it is worth the time to read as well.

I, Spy?, Ugley Business, A is for Apple and Still Waters

Title:   I, Spy? And three more Sophie Green Mysteries

Author: Kate Johnson

Series: There are four and a short prequel

Type of book: Mystery, Romance

Why did I read it? Fell into the genre for a bit and found the books in a Kindle store search. Author was compared and rightfully so to Evanovich.

How did I read it?:  Kindle eReader

Level of captivity: I read all of them back to back. Would love to read more of the series but Johnson did not really leave it hanging much in the fourth novel. The very first chapter pulls you in with action.

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)            4.7

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             4.0

What I got from the book: Sophie Green is accidentally pulled into a new job by a delightfully handsome fellow when she stumbles on his spy activity. In first person, we get inside of Sophie’s head as she figures out the spy game and how to balance every other aspect of her life. Homage is paid to other favored characters in other books I have read and to a beloved 90s TV series throughout all four books. This is most definitely a delightful and humorous series of British spy stories with a female spy as the star. ‘Ugley Business’, ‘A is for Apple’, and ‘Still Waters’ are the titles that round out this series of books.
Ugley Business (Sophie Green Mysteries, No. 2)Still Waters (Sophie Green Mysteries, No. 4)I, Spy? (Sophie Green Mysteries, No. 1)A is for Apple (Sophie Green Mysteries, No. 3)The Twelve Lies of Christmas (Sophie Green Prequel)

Complimentary Colors

Title:   Complimentary Colors

Author: Kate Evans

Series: no

Type of book: Romance

Why did I read it? Sounded interesting as I came across the description during a routine search for something different to read

How did I read it?:  Kindle Reader

Level of captivity: I read this one straight through only stopping to sleep.

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much,  5=so much fun I want more.)           4.1

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             3

What I got from the book: This book speaks to the person who may not exactly be comfortable with his or her own life but does not really know why. Our character Gwen finds herself in a predicament of deciding if and what changes she will make for her life. She has to decide between two paths and between two very different people in very different worlds. The ending feels good to me but may not be pleasing to everyone.
Complementary Colors 

Heads You Lose

Title:   Heads You Lose

Author: Lisa Lutz & David Hayward

Series: no

Type of book: Murder mystery

Why did I read it? Heard about this book on NPR while driving. The authoers were bring interviewed and I felt I needed to check this book out.

How did I read it?:  Kindle Reader

Level of captivity: This was a little slow to get started but persistence paid off in the end with a surprise.

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much,  5=so much fun I want more.)           3.9

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             2

What I got from the book: The story itself was intriguing enough but the overlying story that unfolds between the chapters was most entertaining. Make sure you read the footnotes included. The authors have a kind of duel that goes along with the story and it gives an insight in how a collaborative work can be created. I had fun reading this book and if you want a good old-fashioned who-dun-nit, this is one to read. 

Zombie Fallout series

Title:   Zombie Fallout I, II, and III

Author: Mark Tufo and et.al.

Series: First, second and third in the series

Type of book: Zombie Horror

Why did I read it?  Wanted to read some of this genre when I became enamored with AMC’s The Walking Dead series on TV last winter

How did I read it:  On my Kindle.

Level of captivity: Immediately grabbed my interest right from the start and I read each installment straight through wanting more at the end.

Scale of Fun (1-5 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)       4.1

What I got from these books: So now that you know I do not only read chic books (or Chic Lit as I was recently informed) here is my take on this set of zombie novels. As I seem to find in this genre, first person is the format of storytelling this author uses. And it happens to be my favorite so that is a plus when I am reading. Our storyteller here is a father of two teen sons and a twenty something daughter along with a very patient and long suffering wife that now has come to appreciate many of his quirks as they now are what is keeping them and their friends alive. He has a beloved bulldog named Henry that he actively protects as much as he protects the rest of his family. Along the way he picks up other characters with unusual quirks and a very potent enemy. As the story develops through the three novels it is clear he has much to battle to get his family safe. At the end of the last installment titled ‘The End’ it clearly is not and I cannot wait to read what comes next. So Mr. Tufo if you seeing this know I want more.

The Bitch-Proof Suit

Title:   The Bitch-Proof Suit

Author: De-Ann Black

Series: no

Type of book: Romantic comedy

Why did I read it? I found it when searching the Kindle Store and I could not resist the title.

How did I read it:  On my Kindle.

Level of captivity: This one was a very quick read and I finished it with few breaks

Scale of Fun (1-5 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)       4

What I got from the book: This is the ultimate chic book novel. It is short and sweet and full of laughs and confusion. This is told in first person and the character Blue has a very different take on her world. The title sucked me in and the story kept me going. This is great book for traveling cross-country by air. It gives a good feeling by the time the story gets to the conclusion and you should be at your destination by then.
The BITCH-PROOF SUIT (Romantic Comedy)

Be Careful What You Wish For

Title:   Be Careful What You Wish For

Author: Sibel Hodge

Series: Second in the series

Type of book: Romantic mystery adventure

Why did I read it?  I wanted more after reading the first novel in this series

How did I read it:  On my Kindle.

Level of captivity: I read this one nearly straight through. Had to finish before I could sleep last night.

Scale of Fun (1-5 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)       4.2

What I got from the book: Amber Fox’s decision making process is fully revealed in this first person telling of her latest case to its resolution. I was not a bit disappointed in how everything works out and look forward to another novel about her and her cohorts. I had fun joining along as she worked through twists and turns in an unfamiliar industry to solve her case. As heroines go, she is capable and strong even when confronted with icky situations. Just don’t throw a spider on her………

Two for the Dough

Title:   Two for the Dough

Author: Janet Evanovich

Series: Second in the series

Type of book: Romantic mystery adventure comedy

Why did I read it?  I wanted more after reading the first novel in this series

How did I read it:  On my Kindle.

Level of captivity: I read this one nearly straight through. I could not stop ‘til I got to the conclusion.

Scale of Fun (1-5 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)       4.5

What I got from the book: This second installment of the adventures of Stephanie Plum finds her still a bit running on tenacity rather than skill and is after a new quarry. She is still trying to come to terms with feelings and instinct verses brain. As always told in first person by Stephanie herself we get a delightful inside view of the workings of her thought processes as she figures out what she really wants and if she should actually have it. Full of laugh out loud moments you will not be able to stop reading until you are done. Fortunately there are more of these to move onto and they do not disappoint.
Search Amazon.com for janet evanovich 

The Fashion Police

Title:   The Fashion Police

Author: Sibel Hodge

Series: First in the series

Type of book: Romantic mystery adventure comedy

Why did I read it?  Found when searching the Kindle Store.

How did I read it:  On my Kindle.

Level of captivity: I took a little longer to warm up to this one but was delighted by the middle and cannot wait to start reading the next book in this set.

Scale of Fun (1-5 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)       3.9

What I got from the book: Our protagonist Amber Fox is a thirty something ex-cop with serious romance issues and dilemmas. She is smarter and more attractive than she thinks, but she still manages to be good at what she does and gets the scoop in the end.  With creative tenacity she foils the thugs who are after her and saves the day. I have promised never to give spoilers in any of my reviews and I will not here. I also promise that if you stick with this book you will enjoy it and look forward to more. So I say go for it!

One For the Money

Title:   One for the Money

Author: Janet Evanovich

Series: First in the series

Type of book: Romantic mystery adventure comedy

Why did I read it?  Recommended by friends.

How did I read it:  On my Kindle.

Level of captivity: I was captured within a few page turns and could not put it down until I finished it.

Scale of Fun (1-5 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)       4.5

What I got from the book: This first book in a series of books featuring Stephanie Plum captivated me from the start. I tend to enjoy first person storytelling and this was definitely told well from the viewpoint of Stephanie as she fumbled and mangled her way into a new career. She finds romance confusing and as I was reading I could easily see her confusion as she worked out her dilemmas and felt as if I was her going through everything. This is definitely a Chic book and definitely a high recommend on my list of reading.

My Kindle Addiction

I admit it. I am addicted to reading on my Kindle every available moment I have. For financial reasons we have shut down the cable TV service keeping only the internet and so now I have a lot more time for reading. Problem is, I seem to get started on a book and if I get past the first couple of chapters I can't stop for much of anything until the end of the book. Even eating and snacking take a back seat and if any of you know me that's a really big deal. Another lovely convenience is that when i finish a book all I have to do is download another one and start again. And I read series of books.

So here's the deal. I am going to tell you all about what books I have read but I promise not give away any spoilers. I have a wide variety of interests and I hope you will find some of the books I have read recently enjoyable as I do.