Life as I Know It by Melanie Rose

The cover of this book did not appeal to me very much. That seems silly, but if I am not familiar with the author this is what makes me open the book to read more about it. It looked a bit too much like chick lit which is not usually my favorite. After some heavy (as far as mood and emotion) books, I liked the idea of something lighter. Besides there was a woman and her terrier in the book - I had to love that part. I started the book after I left work yesterday at 1 and finished it before I came to work tonight. So I did like it and wanted to know how it would end! Jessie Taylor is walking her cute little terrier when a big black lab comes up to her. And behind the black lab is a really cute guy! Then as luck would have it, Jessie gets hit by lightning - the real thing from up above. Next thing she knows she is waking up in a hospital being called by the name Lauren. That's what this man Grant calls her. The four kids? well they call her mom. Is this a realistic book? No. But there are certain aspects of it that make you think......what if? I liked it for a very entertaining read.

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

I listened to this book and became so involved in the story that I watched the Olympics with the sound off so that I could continue listening! It started out a little slow but then the mystery grew and grew. Andrew Marlow is a psychiatrist who is also an artist outside of his day job. A colleague refers a patient named Robert Oliver. Oliver was arrested at the National Gallery for trying to slash a painting. Because Oliver is a renowned artist, it is thought that perhaps Marlow will have better luck with him. Oliver talks briefly on his first day at the clinic but then becomes totally mute. Marlow brings in art supplies to Oliver in an attempt to reach him. Oliver sketches and paints the same woman over and over. To unravel the mystery of this woman, Marlow becomes involved (and crosses a few professional lines!) in Oliver's life - meeting with his ex-wife and his ex-lover. The story ping pongs back and forth between the present and late 19th century France. It was a bit long but I really enjoyed it. Several times I thought I had the story figured out..... actually I think some of my ideas were pretty good for a mystery book!
Probably not a book for a lot of people, but if you like a long book with lots of intersecting stories, check it out!

Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich

I have tried to read other books by Erdrich and didn't get very far. When I read the premise of this book I was hooked. Irene is married to a temperamental artist Gil and they have three children. Gil is always suspicious and jealous when it comes to Irene, who is the subject of most of his art. One night when Gil is talking to one of his children he makes a comment that makes Irene realize he has read her diary. Instead of confronting him, she comes up with a devious plan. She moves her real diary to a safety deposit box and visits the bank to write in it! In the meantime she has another diary hidden in the place her husband discovered. She writes things in it to drive her husband crazy - and he was already pretty close!
Although I liked this idea, the reality of the book was less likable! It was a very depressing book as I followed the story of this dysfunctional family. I wanted to know what happened, so I kept reading. I doubt that I will read the next book she writes.

Vanished Smile: The Mysterious Theft of Mona Lisa by R.A. Scotti

One of the most recognized paintings in the world is that of Mona Lisa. The woman with that subtle smile has been seducing men for centuries - and she doesn't even have eyebrows! Fewer people know that she was stolen in 1911 and remained missing for two years. It was interesting to hear (I listened to the audio book!) how the press and the country of France went crazy. It knocked rumblings of a war right off of the front page! Humorists wondered if the Eiffel Tower would be the next target of thieves. I think the Italians were probably snickering a bit since in their reality Mona Lisa was stolen from their country.
So the book begins with the abduction. Security was a bit lax back then. If you do not like French history you might want to skip this book. I happen to love it. The book covers everything from suspects in the heist (Picasso and Apollinaire) to the story of Da Vinci. It tells about the kings and emperors who kept her in their bedrooms. What does that woman have that I don't have????
At the end of the book is the triumphal return of the painting to the Louvre. Not a book for everyone but it covered many of my interests, so I enjoyed it!

Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog by Lisa Scottoline 921Sco

Lisa Scottoline is a successful author of legal thrillers which are filled with strong female role models. Besides writing novels, she also has written a column and that is where this book originated. She covers a wide variety of topics (Spanx, Thanksgivings, pets and so many more). I loved the stories about her mother. I could relate to many of the stories. Others were a bit foreign to me (I've never had a husband - only dogs!) but I still enjoyed the humor. A great book to read when you are distracted by other things because there are short chapters! I definitely think women would enjoy this more than men!

The Red Door by Charles Todd

This is an Ian Rutledge Mystery. Rutledge is an inspector who is still fighting the emotional and psychological demons of World War I. This mystery begins with the disappearance of a missionary, Walter Teller. Teller had become ill and was taken to a London hospital. When his wife finally took a break from his bedside, he got dressed and walked away. Rutledge questions the Teller siblings, including brother Peter Teller. Walter shows up again. Case resolved. Then Rutledge is brought in on the murder of a Florence Teller who had been married to a Peter Teller. Her husband had gone off to war and as she waited for him to return, she painted the front door red as a welcome sign for him. But he never returns.
This is a typical English mystery. There are lots of red herrings and we never know where the story is going to lead. The characters are well-defined and interesting, if not particularly likable.
I listened to the audio book (which was very well done) but we also own the book. If you are a fan of this genre you will like it a lot. If you aren't - find something else to read and you will be happier!

The Unbearable Lightness of Scones by Alexander McCall Smith

This is another installment of the series called 44 Scotland Street, set in Edinburgh. I have never read any of the print books - just listened to the audio versions, and the reader does a terrific job with the different voices. These books are a bit like a soap opera. There is a cast of characters whose lives we follow. My favorite is precocious 6 year old Bertie with his overbearing mother and spineless father. Of course I also love Cyril ( in the last book he was involved in an unplanned pregnancy). In this book Cyril's owner, Angus, is trying to find homes for all the puppies. Mathew has gotten married and is trying to get used to having a partner that impacts his daily life. I find these books to be a wonderful escape from the heavier books I usually read.
If this sounds like something you would enjoy, I highly recommend that you start at the beginning of the series and read them in order. I am not usually rigid in reading books in order, but you really need to in order to follow the adventures of all of the characters.

Trade-Off: Why Some Things Catch On and Other's Don't by Kevin Maney 338 Man

Although not everyone's taste, I love this type of book! I read it because it is interesting but I think it would be invaluable to anyone in business. He explains that everything comes down to fidelity (ego stuff!) and convenience (how easy it is to get or use the product or service). Maney uses a lot of examples with which are all familiar. When Starbucks became famous it had fidelity. People were happy to spend lots of money on fancy coffee when they could name-drop Starbucks or silently carry the easily recognizable cup around. Starbucks became so successful that there seemed to be a Starbucks on every corner in every city. Now everyone has access to it - and its fidelity factor has plummeted. People don't go to McDonald's for fidelity. You won't find anyone over the age of 5 who is impressed that you ate at Mickey D's last night! People eat there because it is easy to eat there. In this case it is good that there are lots of golden arches!
He covers lots of subjects - Kindles, Ivy League colleges, fashion, newspapers. Failures such as New Coke (worse decision ever- why didn't they ask me first????) and some Apple products I don't even remember are discussed.
I think we can all learn some life lessons from this book! Wouldn't it be nice to know that our friends spent time with us because of fidelity instead of convenience!

The Murderer's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers

This one is a great debut novel. The book spans about 3 decades. Lulu is looking forward to her tenth birthday. She is watching over her five year old sister while her mom rests. A pounding at the door send fear into Lulu. It is her father - and he's been drinking. His wife had kicked him out and he wants to come back. Lulu's mother had warned her not to let her father in if he showed up. But she is only a child and it's her father who is telling her that it is okay to open the door. If you paid attention to the title you know what happens next. The story is about these two sister and the fallout of that fateful day. The characters have a lot of depth and were interesting. I found the psychological aspects of the book fascinating. Once you start this book you won't want to put it down. I look forward to more novels by this author.

The Truth about Psychics by Sylvia Browne 133.8 Bro

That I am blogging about two psychic books in one sitting is merely a coincidence! And the truth is - I didn't really read this one from cover to cover. I only read the parts that appealed to me. She covers different religious beliefs from around the world, different types of readings (numerology, tea leaves, etc), Spirit Guides, how to tell a fake psychic and how to develop your own psychic abilities to a higher level. Again - this isn't a book for everyone, but if you are a Sylvia Browne fan I thought you would want to know that there is a new one.

The Orphaned Adult by Alexander Levy 155.937 Lev

Another book bought by Hospice. This one has no psychics in it! I became an orphan at the age of 59. There are many things in the book that I had already noticed or had thought about. It made me feel better to know that I was "normal" and like many other orphans. There were many lines in the book that really caught my attention. "Perhaps death of parents in adulthood is the midlife crisis" "Perhaps only after parents have died can people find out what they are going to be when they grow up." There are many stories in the book to illustrate his ideas. This is not at all a dry textbook type publication. It reads very easily - I just couldn't sit down and read it straight through like a mystery! These books do not appeal to everyone. But if you are in this position and want some insight into the situation, this is a good one.

Healing Grief by James Van Praagh 155.937

We received a generous amount of money from Hospice to purchase some new books dealing with end-of-life issues and grieving. I think I have read all of Van Praagh's other books, so I had to have a look at this one too. If you don't know who Van Praagh is, let me tell you that he is a famous psychic medium. That should give you a hint as to whether or not you would like the book. I am a believer in the afterlife and in the mediums that communicate with those who have passed over - so I really liked the book. He combines some concrete ideas on how to grieve with stories of readings he has done. I find it comforting! If you are not fascinated with this type of thing you will not like this book!