A Certain Chemistry

Fiction by Mil Millington.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

This was a funny book.

I mean it. Like, I actually read passages out loud to family members in the room after snorting to myself about them.

I had to edit out the cuss words though. It's set in Scotland, and you know how those British writers are with their potty mouths.

So not for everyone. But I liked this book a lot.

The Outlander

Fiction by Diana Gabaldon.



http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Pretty good, but I don't know if I want to commit to the series. (There are seven books so far.)

I may have had too much of a build-up on this one (TWO different people recommended it highly) but I didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd have liked.

It had a slow start and a lot of, um, erotica. Also not enough actual fantasy, for a story in the fantasy genre.

Maybe one thumb up and one thumb down?

Defending Jacob

Fiction by William Landay.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Great legal thriller. Really really good.

The premise: What happens if the prosecutor's son is accused of murder?

 I knew there would be a twist at the end, and I was still surprised! Very cool.

Raising a Soul Surfer

Nonfiction by Cheri Hamilton.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

A good memoir.

I am interested in the story of Bethany Hamilton since I live in the state of Hawaii, although not on Kauai. Also I really enjoyed the movie Soul Surfer.

Despite the title, this is not a parenting book, so don't expect that. It's mostly a story and then some spiritual reflections.

The Magician's Assistant

Fiction by Ann Patchett.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Really good book. Good characters with believable relationships.

This is about a woman who discovers a secret about her husband after his death, but not in a The Pilot's Wife  kind of way at all. (Read that one --by Anita Shreve-- if you can.)

First off, the magician husband in question is gay, but the wife is not exactly a beard either. It's more complicated than that.

Definitely worth reading.

The Prisoner of Heaven

Fiction by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com

This book was okay, but I think it suffered in translation.

Also the author stole too much of the plot from classics like Les Miserables and The Count of Monte Cristo, some of which he acklowleged openly that he borrowed.

But there's a point where you're borrowing too much and it slides into stealing. Like when it's more than two key plot elements.

Anyways, maybe it was better in Spanish.

While I'm Falling

Fiction by Laura Moriarty.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

Really good book.

Laura Moriarty can write characters you really care about. There are parents getting a divorce and their two daughters, one grown and one in college. I can believe and identify with each one of the characters and see her/his point of view. Particularly the women, of course, but she doesn't descend into "men are pigs" mode.

The copy I read from the library had a better cover, though. See? ^

I know, I harp too much on book covers.

But really, isn't the old one better?

(Second image from https://www.betterworldbooks.com)