30. Storm Front by Jim Butcher – The main character of this book (the first in an ongoing series) is Harry Dresden, a good wizard familiar to many because of the TV show (short-lived, more’s the pity) based on him. The show was called The Dresden Files and I liked it very much. I confess now that I liked this first book even better, and I look forward to reading them all. (finished 6/3)
31. Fool Moon by Jim Butscher – I liked this volume (no. 2) in the Dresden series even more than the first… and that’s sayin’ something! Butcher added werewolves (several varieties) to the supernatural mix and the result is exciting, bloody, intense. Highly recommended. (finished 6/6)
32. Grave Peril by Jim Butcher – Even better than book 2 of the Dresden Files. I whipped through this volume, book 3, in a day or so and loved it! Thank you, Matt, for turning me on to a worthy series and an excellent writer. (finished 6/9/09 )
33. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris – This novel, the latest in the Sookie Stackhouse series, was a good read. I’d seen some reviews by other readers who thought it was too dark, that poor Sookie could never catch a break or enjoy a good day, that Harris should lighten up, but I disagree. Now, this book has its share of blood and gore and suffering, but it’s not overloaded with the made-up politics of other species (although we do get a pretty long look at recent power struggles within the world of the fairies). And it’s set close to Sookie’s home, which I find appealing. I zipped through the novel in less than 2 days, around work/sleep/life, and am eager for the next volume in the series to hit the shelves. That said, I would definitely recommend readers start with book 1 in the series, or they may be lost. (finished 6/13)
34. Strange Candy by Laurell K Hamilton – A collection of short stories of varying lengths, subjects, settings, etc., I found this book to be a good way to sample some of Hamilton’s non-Anita Blake work. She’s a capable writer and I enjoyed the collection. A quick read and a great way to dabble. (finished 6/16)
35. Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern – I love this book! It’s warm and sad and funny and just weird enough (if based on an impossible premise) to be a real winner. I love Ahern’s writing. She’s great at creating layer upon layer of emotional truth, personal history, historical minutiae, quirky-but-utterly-believable characters, all leading to heartwarming and life-affirming conclusions. Ah, to write like that… impossible to imagine. Yet, Ahern is only in her 20s. Just think how many more great books she’ll write! (finished 6/19 )
36. Jane’s Warlord by Angel Knight – This time-travel suspense and romance novel was a fun read, with some steamy sex (which did start to sound familiar after the second round or so, so Knight could introduce a ilttle variety there) to take it out of the PG13-rating category. Don’t look for deep insights into the human condition here and you won’t be disappointed when you don’t find them. (finished 6/22)
37. Greywalker by Kat Richardson – Another new series for moi! When I picked up this paperback, I didn’t realize it was the first in a series (of which there are 3 volumes, with a 4th due out in August). While generally reluctant to dive into another in-progress series (despite my reading lists’ evidence to the contrary), I am eager to read book 2. The premise is intriguing, the heroine engagingly flawed and (albeit decreasingly) human, the plot twists unpredictable. Some of the description of the Grey is heavy-handed and difficult to picture, but the story carries the weight well. (finished 6/25)
38. A Red Hot New Year by Cynthia Eden, Diana Mercury, Virginia Reede and Denise Rossetti – Oh, my! (finished 6/27)
39. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher – Summer Knight is the name of book 4 in the Dresden Files, Butcher’s excellent supernatural series. It’s also the title of the murdered character whose death precipitates the action of this volume. The book hits all the right notes, with pathos and pain and humor and weirdness and then more of the same. I loved it. (finished 6/29 )
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