57. Peeps by Scott Westerfeld – This YA novel was published in 2005, before his “Uglies” series, and is set in the near future or perhaps even the present. It’s full of interesting (and sometimes icky) info about parasites, interspersed in the story. The story itself involves a new, kinda cool twist on vampirism. The action is not at all predictable and the characters are interesting and sympathetic. There’s a sequel, which I have to find soon, so I can read it before I forget what happened to whom in this book. (finished 10/3)
58. The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld – Yay, I found the sequel to Peeps right away! It was a lucky find, in the clearance at my local BAM store. The story begun in Peeps wraps up here, but not without introducing interesting new characters and cool complications to the plot. Fun stuff, in a gross sort of way. (finished 10/6)
59. Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs – This is the 5th Temperance Brennan book, but it’s definitely not a Bones book. The characters are so different from the TV ones that you really will drive yourself crazy if you engage in comparisons between the two. I suggest you do what I do: enjoy them individually. This was a really good read and I recommend it highly. (finished 10/14)
60. Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs – Bare Bones is book 6 in the Temperance Brennan series and it’s a pretty good read. It was engaging and interesting and complex, with escalating intrigue and danger… right up to the last 2 chapters. Then Reichs took the easy out, by having Brennan pass out and be rescued while she was unconscious. Now, admittedly, she did do quite a bit to save herself, but the man-saving-the-snakebit-damsel-in-distress bit? That felt like a cheat, especially since Reichs had the rescue happen “offstage,” so to speak, then merely recounting it to us in the wrap-up chapter. I like the novel, but it’s not Reichs’ strongest. (finished 10/18 )
61. Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs – This book is Reich’s 7th Temperance Brennan novel and it is a doozy! I really liked it and did not find the ending to be a copout (see my review of Bare Bones). It was well written and the heroine got to save herself and her best friend this time, using sheer grit and determination. A great read. (finished 10/23)
62. Finger-Lickin’ Fifteen by Janet Evanovich – This newest Stephanie Plum novel is a hoot! If you can read this without giggling out loud (at the very least), you are probably dead. Or humorless. (Which is, in my opinion, worse.) I devoured this novel and loved the reminder of why Evanovich is a best-selling author. Read it! IMHO, even just the scene in which Stephanie, Lula and Granny attempt to apprehend the flasher at the funeral parlor is worth the price of admission. (finished 10/26)
63. Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs – When I realized the plotline of this Temperance Brennan novel was going to deal with a possible conspiracy by folks in the Catholic and/or Muslim faiths to cover up lies at the basis of both religions (à la The Da Vinci Code), I thought this might be the one that “jumps the shark”. I had a lot of difficulty suspending my disbelief on this one. It was just too much, too big, too unprovable. While well-written, Cross Bones didn’t do it for me. (finished 10/29)
