Chile & Easter Island by Carolyn McCarthy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can trust Lonely Planet for useful information about the countries and cities to which I will travel. The information does seem to be lacking about the port areas for cruisers. I would like information about distances from the ports and the best ways to go to the recommended sites from there (walk?, public transportation?, or taxi?)

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Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle: Transform Your Body Forever Using the Secrets of the Leanest People in the World by Tom Venuto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have heard of the reputation of Tom Venuto and I was eager to read the library copy of his book.

I like his four point approach which is expressed as L.E.A.N.: Learn, mental training; Eat, nutrition; Activate, Cardio Training; and New Body, Weight Training. I finished reading the book in time to use his suggestions for my New Year's Resolutions for 2014.

I recommend it for all readers who need help to be healthier and more fit.


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Tiger Eye by Marjorie M. Liu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was free when I downloaded it to my Nook on a Free Friday.

I was surprised I liked the mystery and suspenseful story as much as I did in this paranormal romance for it was an entertaining story.

I recommend it to readers who don't mind a paranormal romance that I would have given a movie rating of R.

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Argentina by Richard A. Crooker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I requested most of the books My library had on the subject of Argentina, and most of them are juvenile books for resources for Social Studies reports. This book seemed to be for a higher grade level for the economic subjects it reported on.

When this book was published in 2004, Argentina's economic problems included massive public debt, 25% unemployment and underemployment, increasing school dropout rate, and a widening gap between its poor and its rich.

I recommend this book for all readers.

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Man Law by Adrienne Giordano
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was free when I downloaded it to my Nook from Barnes & Noble.

The story starts with too many clichés. The suspense action picks up and kept me reading. I would give the book an R rating for sexual scenes and violence.

I recommend it only for readers who prefer this genre.

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Pictures of the Mind: What the New Neuroscience Tells Us About Who We Are by Miriam Boleyn-Fitzgerald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was free when I downloaded it to my Nook from BN.com.

I have a general interest in neuroscience. Fortunately, this author has fifteen years experience writing about scientific research and technology topics for the general public. She does an excellent job of explaining and moving the narrative along.

I recommend it for readers who may have an interest in the subject.

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Griselda Takes Flight: A Novel of Bright's Pond by Joyce Magnin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was free when I downloaded it to my Nook from BN.com.

It is a pleasant book but it dragged on too long.

I recommend it only to fans of the Bright Pond series.

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Argentina by Jean F. Blashfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The series, "Enchantment of the World," is a resource my local library has for information about the countries I plan to visit on my vacation. These books are written for 5-8 grade Social Studies students and teachers.

Finally, this book gives information about popular singers which might be of interest to students who can listen to worldwide music on Pandora. The singer mentioned is Charley Garcia.

I recommend it to all readers.

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Life at the Speed of Light: From the Double Helix to the Dawn of Digital Life by J. Craig Venter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read Life at the Speed of Light: From the Double Helix to the Dawn of the Digital Life after I watched an interview with J. Craig Venter on an episode of Charlie Rose.

I was fascinated by how much has occurred in DNA and genome research, especially in the last three years, so I kept reading even though some of the text gets bogged down when credit is given to the labs and scientists working in the related fields. Reading also got tough when I stumbled over the names of the viruses and bacterias used in the experiments. Venter does his best to frequently summarize and to use analogies to explain things to those readers outside this field. The remaining chapters describe what he thinks will be possible whenever our technology is able to keep pace with the theoretical such as using electromagnetic senders and receivers (life replicators) and some possibilities of applications.

I recommend this to ALL readers.

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Chile: Journey To Freedom by Irene Flum Galvin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I borrowed books from my local library to learn more about the countries I will visit on vacation. This book is written for students and teachers as a resource for Social Studies reports.

The text includes information about what children of Chile might do daily at home or at school I learned they eat apples with a knife and fork instead of from the hand as I would eat it. Knowing the meal times of a country is useful.

I recommend it for all reaaders.

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Blood Ties by Lori G. Armstrong
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Blood Ties was free when I downloaded to my Nook from BN.com.

It is not your usual cozy mystery with a female protagonist for Julie Collins is abrasive and often self-destructive. An interesting mystery is needed to pull the reader along as the reader learns this is more of a noir detective story set in South Dakota than a Nancy Drew cozy mystery.

If this rating system allowed half-stars, it would be 3.5 stars. Readers of the mystery genre might like it, but I can't rate it four stars because I'm unlikely to recommend it to my own friends.

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Chile by Martin Hintz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is another book in the "Enchantment of the World" series that I am reading about the countries I will visit next year. A problem for students and teachers is our library's edition of this excellent resource was written 28 years ago in 1985.
I enjoyed the text and pictures. Discussions about the cities I will visit gave me some suggestions for vacation planning. Twelve pages of mini-facts puts the answers for students in a single location.
I recommend it for all readers.

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Chile by Charles J. Shields
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I like this series, "Discovering South America" for its broad view of information. The series is designed to be a resource for students and teachers. I recommend it for all readers.



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The Habitation of the Blessed by Catherynne M. Valente
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When I downloaded this book to my Nook it was free. I appreciate the opportunity to read new-to-me authors and genres I don't normally read.

The reviews on this website cautioned this used surrealism to tell this fantasy. I kept reading because so many reviewers gave it four or five stars. However I was not a fan at the beginning nor did I become one.



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Uruguay by Charles J. Shields
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm reading all the books my local library system has about the three countries I plan to visit in 2014, even the youth books.

This book did not have as many photos or political history as the last book I read. This book has recipes and suggestions for teachers regarding possible class projects. It is a good resource for class projects.

It is a quick read for readers interested in a broad overview of the subject.

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Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise: A Novel of Bright's Pond by Joyce Magnin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was free when I downloaded it to my Nook from BN.com. I already had books by this author in my Nook collection.

I enjoy the characters Magnin includes in her novels. I want to see what happens next to them as they begin to build a community around their trailer park and softball.

I recommend it to readers who enjoy the novels of Jan Karon and Fannie Flagg.

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Uruguay by Marion Morrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I requested all books from my library's system about the three countries I plan to visit on my next vacation. Some of the books are for youth who need a resource for a Social Studies report. This is such a book. It is well-written and covers just most topics required for such reports. I find myself reverting to a seventh grade student who has to memorize principal rivers, principal crops, and its climate. I enjoy its pictures.

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The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow: A Novel of Bright's Pond by Joyce Magnin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow was free when I downloaded it to my Nook from BN.com. I enjoy the opportunity to read new-to-me authors.

It may be classified as Christian fiction, but I did not find it to be preachy. It is set in a small town in western Pennsylvania where church activities contribute to the social activities of the townspeople. Church is not the only place for social interaction for there is the Full Moon Diner, town hall meetings, and the library.
It is a quick and enjoyable read with two major twists I did not expect.

I recommend this to readers who enjoy the works of Jan Karon and Fannie Flagg.

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The Racketeer by John Grisham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Racketeer is a book that makes a circuit in our family, after Dad reads his gift, Mom reads it, me, and then my daughter, and so on for we all enjoy the books by John Grisham.

Some of have remarked it was hard to get into and it did not have us grabbed by the end of the first chapter. I blame the first person narration that starts this book, and the reader is uncertain how reliable the narrator is. Building trust between the reader and the narrator takes several chapters until the reader can, at least, trust this narrator to spin a good story.

I recommend this book to fans of John Grisham and the legal thriller genre.

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Harlequin Holiday Collection: Four Classic Seasonal Novellas by Debra Webb
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I downloaded this book to my Nook when it was free from BN.com. I like the opportunity to read new-to-me authors. This collection gives me the opportunity to read from four authors.

There are all enjoyable, quick reads. My favorite was "Season of Wonder" by Marta Perry because it was sweet.

I recommend it for fans of the romance genre.



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Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My library request for the fourth book of the Walt Longmire series was not available until after I read #s 5,6,7,and 8. This book could be read by new readers, and they will find a book with excellent pacing and the well-developed character of Walt Longmire.

Yes, this book tells the story, in well-defined flashbacks, of a young Marine inspector in Vietnam while Walt works out the mystery of a murdered Vietnamese woman whose body was dumped in his county.

I recommend this book to all readers.

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The Addicted Brain: Why We Abuse Drugs, Alcohol, and Nicotine by Michael Kuhar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was free from BN.com when I downloaded it to my Nook. I have an interest in neuroscience.

This is an overview of available scientific literature on thirteen topics related to addiction and its treatment plus the fourteenth chapter is a summary of the previous thirteen chapters. This often reads as if it were a class assignment.

I recommend it only to readers who have an interest in the subject.

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Deadly Heat by Richard Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I look forward to the newest Nikki Heat novel, Deadly Heat because I find the novels as entertaining as the TV series. If you are not a fan of the series, this book may take a bit of gettin' used to for it assumes you know the characters from both the book series and the storyline of the TV season on which this novel is based.

I keep reading because I enjoy the lightness and humor of the dialogue and the narration. This is entertaining, and I enjoy it.

I recommend it for fans of both the book series and the TV series.


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Tanequil by Terry Brooks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 26th book I read from the chronological order of Shannara, and it is part of a project to read all the Shannara books in our home library.

Tanequil does the job of a second book of a trilogy: it continues the original quest and it raises the stakes and urgency for the quest's completion.

I recommend it for fans of the series. I recommend new readers start elsewhere, at least start with Jarka Ruus, the beginning of the High Druid of Shannara trilogy.

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Marry Me by Jo Goodman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Marry Me was free when I downloaded it to my Nook. I read it because I enjoy books from the historical Western romance genre. Usually a reader can tell from the cover how descriptive the sexual intimacy scenes will be and this cover did not give me the clue this would be at least a PG-13, possibly R.

I might have given the story more stars for the story and likable main characters. I took away stars for the pacing was uneven, even boring in parts. This made the book feel boring and too long.

I recommend it only to fans of the genre.

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Police: A Harry Hole Novel by Jo Nesbø
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I eagerly anticipated the release of the English translation of Police because I read the other Harry Hole books.

I kept reading because Nesbo is a skilled craftsman who holds his reader in suspense. Sometimes the suspense caused too much anxiety for this reader and the violent tortures were too graphic for this to be an enjoyable and entertaining read, and that is why I dropped my rating to three stars.

I recommend it to fans of the series who want to know what happened next. I don't recommend new readers start with this one.

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Never Go Back by Lee Child
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I eagerly anticipated Never Go Back because I am a Reacher fan. Child keeps me reading quickly through the book because I am eager to find out what happens next.

I was introduced to Jack Reacher when I read 61 Hours so I was gleeful when I read the synopsis telling me Reacher went to Washington, D.C. to invite Major Susan Turner to dinner. Then I kept turning pages all the way through.

I recommend it for fans of the series. For new readers, I recommend you read 61 Hours before you read this one.

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Jarka Ruus by Terry Brooks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A current reading project is reading all the Shannara books my husband has collected for our home library. Jarka Ruus begins the "High Druid of Shannara" trilogy.

Once again, a Dwarf, an Ohmsford, and two Elessedils set off on a journey. This time the goal is to find the magic necessary to rescue a Druid from the Forbidding. Brooks does a great job with the pacing so that the reader continues to turn pages and read his descriptions of the Shannara world as our group trudges through it.

I recommend it to fans of the Shannara world.

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A Serpent's Tooth by Craig Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the most recently published book in the Walt Longmire series, and I looked forward to reading it because I am a fan of the series.

I was intrigued with the beginning investigation of angels who did repairs on the home of an elderly woman. It leads to more questions, and I'm quickly done with the book.

I recommend this to fans of the series. I suggest new readers start with The Cold Dish>.

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Child of the Mist by Kathleen Morgan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Child of the Mist was free when I downloaded it to my Nook.

This book could be shelved under the category of Romance and the subcategory of Highland Romances. It is also historical as it is set in 1563 and 1564. I could give it three stars for being a historical, Highland Romance. Yet, I take away a star for what I consider to be uneven pacing within scenes, especially towards the end. When I find myself talking back to a book, it is the time to drop a star.

I recommend it to only fans of this genre and this author.


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As The Crow Flies by Craig Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm reading the Walt Longmire series, and I look forward to each of them.

I thought this might be lighter as Walt and Henry are trying to help with wedding arrangements and they are in Montana to look for an alternative site to the one we thought was already booked. Walt and Henry witness the death of a young woman from a fall from the cliffs. Her infant son survives the fall. It may be on tribal lands but Walt is curious enough to help the new tribal police. The real mystery is will Walt use this case as an excuse to miss the wedding when he has already missed so many big events in Cady's life due to cases.

I recommend this book to fans of the series because I think the books should be read in order to enjoy the growth of the characters.

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Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm working my way through the Walt Longmire series, and my admiration for Craig Johnson grows with this homage to The Inferno.

Walt sums up his reason for his doggedness in tracking the killer and his hostages with the thought, I would like to know that someone is coming to help me, and the help is coming NOW and not hours from now when others can arrive.

I agree with the other reviewer who suggests first time readers are not to start the series here. This book is for fans of the series.







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The Wrong Girl by Hank Phillippi Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I eagerly anticipated this second book of the Jane Ryland series for I like Ryan's choice of using a female protagonist who excels at investigative reporting instead of the stereotypical amateur. She needs the story and its byline for her career. The ethical standards Jane and Detective Jake Brogan must maintain to keep their jobs and careers prohibit a sexual relationship between the two of them.

New readers can start with this mystery or with the first of the series, The Other Woman.

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Blue by Lou Aronica
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Blue was free when I downloaded it to my Nook.

This book surprised me so its rating went from 3 stars to 4 stars because I can't give half-stars. I thought it was only fantasy and when Aronica spent too much time describing daily life that dropped its rating down from 3 stars to 2 stars. Chapter 20 was a turning point for this reader because it dawned on me that perhaps Aronica was trying for something different from what I previously considered. Perhaps this book should be classified as magical-realism.

I recommend it for both young adults and their parents.

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Awakenings/A Leg to Stand On/The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat/Seeing Voices by Oliver Sacks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book has been in my home library for 23 years before I took the time to completely read it. When I still needed pharmacy continuing education, accredited articles took precedence. I had to wonder why those articles could not be written with a similar narrative style that Sacks uses for his are so much more memorable than required case studies and explanations of mechanisms of actions and drug titrations.

My favorite book in this four book volume was A Leg to Stand on because this personal story conveyed stronger emotions to the reader rather than a more objective viewpoint.

I recommend this book to any reader who has an interest in neurology and neuroscience. While entertaining, Sacks does not write down to the widest general audience. The reader may need the assistance of a dictionary for unfamiliar terms.





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Junkyard Dogs by Craig Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Junkyard Dogs is the 6th book of the Walt Longmire series, and it is the fifth one I read. I can't wait for #4 to show up at my library so I keep reading the ones I can borrow now.

I read this in two days.

I recommend this series for everyone.





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The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wanted to read the Walt Longmire series in chronological order and I inadvertently skipped #4 Another Man's Mocccasins when I placed my request to my local library. I am so eager to read The Daark Horse, I immediately started this book. I could read this without a lack of continuity.

I like the writing of Craig Johnson so much I sometimes find myself laughing out loud or reading passages to whom ever is listening to me.

i highly recommend this book and the series.

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Until Again: The prequel novella to Blue by Lou Aronica
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Until Again was free when I downloaded it.

I wanted to read the prequel before I read Blue because I like to read series in their chronological order. Both stories interested me enough to pull me into both worlds.

I recommend it to readers of fantasy.

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Blood Safari by Deon Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Blood Safari was offered for free when I downloaded it for my Nook.

This was the first book I read that had been translated from Africaans. The location and the setting of the culture of this society became an additional character for this reader. This is not another hard-boiled detective story; this is a bodyguard story as told by Lemmer who has his Laws, such as Lemmer's Law of Small Women: Never Trust Them.

I recommend it to adult readers who enjoy thoughtful, action-mysteries.



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Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kindness Goes Unpunished is the third book in Johnson's Walt Longmire series. I'm reading these in order because they are well-written and entertaining.

When the photo collection Henry has been documenting and annotating has been invited to be displayed in Philadelphia, Walt and Dog ride with Henry in his car Lola to visit Walt's daughter, Cady, and to visit Vic's family. That story line was enough to interest me. Too soon, there is an assault on Cady which leaves her in a coma. I had to quickly read to finish this thrilling story.

I recommend this to all readers of mysteries. Beginners may start here; but I recommend they start with The Cold Dish and savor the Longmire series in order.

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Death Without Company by Craig Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Death without Company is the second book in Johnson's Walt Longmire series, and I intend to read all nine because Johnson spins a great story. I find myself reading parts aloud to my husband. The dialogue and Walt's inner monologue always either develops the characters or moves the story.
I recommend this to all readers.



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A Hearth in Candlewood by Delia Parr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Hearth in Candlewood was free when I downloaded it to my Nook. I shelved it as a Romance but there was little romance. This is more of Community book similar to the way that Jan Karon's Father Tim books are community books. It is entertaining and it is a character-driven book.


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Morgawr by Terry Brooks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Morgawr is the twenty-fourth book I read in my quest to read the Shannara books in our home in their chronological list order.

This book includes good, descriptive battles that had to be resolved from conflicts that started in the first two books of "The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara" trilogy. My three-star rating may indicate a weariness with this project.

I recommend this book to fans of the series. First time readers of the Shannara books by Terry Brooks are recommended to start elsewhere.

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The Book of Rules: The Right Way to Do Everything by Joshua Belter
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was free when I downloaded it for my Nook.

My downgrade to two stars is the result of it not being as funny as I expected it to be.

I recommend it to readers who want to have proof they are right when others are wrong.

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The Poet by Michael Connelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Poet is a thriller. I usually read cozy mysteries so there were about three times I had to find the end of the chapter before I read more because Connelly made me feel anxious and concerned for his characters.

I highly recommend to adult readers who still leave the light on when necessary.

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Curious Folks Ask: 162 Real Answers on Amazing Inventions, Fascinating Products, and Medical Mysteries by Sherry Seethaler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was free when I downloaded it to my Nook. This is the second book I read by this author.

This is the type of general science I enjoy reading. Seethaler explains what I need to known in a concise, easy-to-remember format.

I recommend it for all readers.

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Curses and Blessings for All Occasions by Bradley Trevor Greive
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was free when I downloaded it to my Nook, and I am glad it was free because it was so short.




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Fodor's Germany, 26th Edition by Fodor's Travel Publications Inc.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I chose to pack Fodor's Germanybecause this guide had information about places not mentioned in Rick Steves' Germany 2013.
My husband and I were on Trafalgar Tour's Cost Saver, Highlights of Germany for two weeks plus we visited Speyer on our own. This guide was useful during planning before we left, and it was useful to guide us to attractions instead of shopping or eating during free times.

I used this book every day of our trip. I often tore pages from the book so the information of the day could fit into my pocket.


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Priced to Move by Ginny Aiken
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Priced to Move was free when I downloaded it to my Nook from BN.com.

I read it quickly which may be why I found it entertaining and other reviewers found things they did not like about the book. The Christian aspect worked fine with these characters, without being overdone. The book fits more in the romance genre within a cozy mystery niche than Christian fiction.

It is an entertaining book for readers who prefer their romance with a cozy mystery.

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Emperors' Clothes by Catherine McGuinness
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Emperors' Clothes was free when I downloaded it to my Nook.

This book was written by a former Human Resources person. I recognized some of the neurotic and sociopathic traits she writes about from my own observations of upper management during their corporate regime changes. I think the characters hit too close to home for me to enjoy this book, even as a satire or black comedy.

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