18-20

The Enemy Within by Noel Hynd. The trouble with not blogging right away is I don't remember much by the time I do blog. This one was billed as a cross between Alias and 24. It was. Good beach read.

To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee. WHY did I not read this 20 years ago? Or more? My life could have taken an entirely different turn. Instead of emulating Anne Shirley all these years, I could have been Scout.

The Birthday Present by Barabara Vine. Good.

16 & 17

I do most of my library-ing online. For one thing, it's a lot less overwhelming than wandering book aisles and trying to pick a book based on whether the cover appeals or not. And of course, I almost always go to the library with David and Elisabeth. If I pre-order my books online, all I have to do is pick them up and then I can hang out in the kids' section with them.

I recently signed up to get the library newsletters. They have some that review books every month and you can sign up by genre to receive these. I don't always read the newsletters, but they offer a snippet into a few books and so far they've all been for new-to-me authors.

Which is how I found Book 16. I don't have the newsletter on hand, but Sarah's Key (by Tatiana de Rosnay) was described as a book about World War Two. It sounded interesting.

And it was. Especially the first half. I'd stop reading so many times to exclaim, "this is such a good book!" The first half alternated between Sarah's story (set in Paris and a prison camp in France during World War II) and Julia's story, set in almost present day Paris and New York. I found Sarah's story the more interesting of the two, so when the second half of the book was all told from Julia's point of view I was a bit disappointed. But only a little bit.

The other book I've read recently is The Sad Truth About Happiness by Anne Giardini. And as far as I can remember, I did choose this one because I liked the title and the cover. This one was set almost entirely in Vancouver - and in parts of Vancouver I know and love. And to me, it resembled a Marian Keyes novel, but there were enough literary references and philosophical overtures to make me feel like I wasn't reading brainless fluff. Although, I'm pretty sure it was along the lines of fluffy chick lit. Good thing our next book club read is a classic...

13 - 15

1000 Splendid Suns
Aftermath
The Lost Symbol

11 - 12

Drop Dead Gorgeous by Kim Ericson

All the Colours of Darkness by Peter Robinson.

Most of my favorite authors I've stumbled upon in that little gift and book store in Harrison. Robinson and Rollins and Browne. Considering they only sell about 12 books at a time, that's pretty good odds.

8-10

8. Alter of Eden by James Rollins
9. Doomsday Key by James Rollins
10. The Monster in the Box by Ruth Rendell

...I've read an awful lot of James Rollins lately and though I've complained an awful lot about his writing in the past (too formulaic) this time things felt different. I didn't read the JR books in any particular order (more in order of when they were due back at the library!) and each one seemed better than the last.

I love how he takes real scientific fact and builds these insanely crazy stories. If people ask, I always describe Rollins as a hybrid of Dan Brown and Michael Crichton.

I thought I was going to discontinue blogging about books, but I'm just finding it so useful for my own reference that I'm going to try and catch up with what I've read so far this year:

1. A compilation of British Mysteries from my mum. I'll have to find the title and update here.
2. Silver Birches by Adrian Plass
3. Not in the Flesh by Ruth Rendell
4. The Kite Runner
5. Deep Fathom by James Rollins
6. Friend of the Devil by James Robinson
7. Map of Bones by James Rollins

66-67

Shred of Truth was the follow up to The Best of Evil and I read it too long ago. I started three books in between finishing Truth and starting The Book of Negroes.

Book of Negroes is my January book club read and given my track record with not finishing/losing books before our meeting I thought I'd better start it. I have had this book on my shelf since early last spring and I can't believe I haven't read it till now. Quite possibly my favorite of 2009, definitely in the top 5.

It's a huge door stop of a book and that is mostly what intimidated me. But I devoured all 486 pages in a few days (3?) When I wasn't reading, I was wishing I was. The story was that absorbing. It was a tough read, but not a depressing one. And the more books like this I read, the more I want to do a History degree one day. Seriously, I feel like I've missed out on so much good stuff.

I have 3 weeks till our meeting. I might have to read this again.