What’s on Your Nightstand – January

I’ve a pretty productive reading month, and it’s not even over yet. I’m hoping to finish off a couple more books before the month ends. The last book I finished was Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain and I’m looking forward to reading the third book as well this coming month.

I have a lot I would still like to get to soon, but it’s been difficult getting past the library books and other reading and actually get to some of the fluffy good stuff.

I read 5 books of my last night stand, 1 is still in progress, and 1 I finally gave up on after having borrowed it for almost 2 years – I thought it was about time I just returned it until I decided I really wanted to read it.

FEBRUARY NIGHTSTAND

• Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain (Early Reviewer)
• Rich Again (Early Reviewer)
• The Killing Circle by Andrew Pyper (Early Reviewer) – IN PROGRESS
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – IN PROGRESS
• Glory in Death by J.D. Robb
• Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
• The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
• 2nd Chance by James Patterson
• Queen of Babble in the Big City by Meg Cabot – IN PROGRESS
• Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates – IN PROGRESS

Another longer list, but I’m hopeful since four are already in progress and the others I am very excited to start reading.

It’s Monday. What are you reading?

It’s Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to list the books completed last week, the books currently being reading, and the books to be finish this week.

Well, I didn’t get too much reading done this past week but I have a lot of books in progress again and did finish 1.

Read Last Week

1. Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain

Reading This Week

1. The Killing Circle by Andrew Pyper
2. Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
3. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Staring Next

1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
2. Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
3. Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain
4. Queen of Bable in the Big City by Meg Cabot

REVIEW: Sweetheart

Title: Sweetheart
Author: Chelsea Cain
Finished: January 23, 2010
Pages: 328
Published: 2008
Format:  hardback

The second book of the Gretchen Lowell series. This time around Archie finds himself searching for a killer or killers who have been targeting or dropping bodies in the forest. Still haunted by his last encounter with Gretchen and having spent a significant amount of time away from her, Archie finds himself still focusing on the first kill – Heather.

Among everything, Archie finds himself forced away from Gretchen – therefore losing any hope of finding out the truth of all the murders. When the impossible happens, Archie begins devising a plan that could  risk everyone’s life and end his life.

I really enjoyed this second book more than the first. Now that I am familiar with the characters it was easier to jump in and follow. I also enjoyed the conclusion of at least a couple mysteries but also the introduction of a whole new problem. I am looking forward to finally reading Evil at Heart, which I have had since before it was released as an Early Reviewer book.

*challenges: countdown challenge, 1010 challenge, support your local library challenge, thriller & suspense challenge, 100+ challenge, 2nds challenge

REVIEW: 1st to Die

Title: 1st to Die
Author: James Patterson
Finished: January 19, 2010
Pages: 471
Published: 2001
Format: paperback

It’s been awhile since I’ve read the beginning of the Women’s Murder Club series, but I’ve been wanting to for quite some time. So my goal this year was to re-read 1-8 before book 9 comes out.

1st to Die is about the bride and groom killer, who targets certain couples and expertly murders them in various ways. At the same time, Lindsay finds herself with a new partner, new feelings, and a serious health problem. With the help of her friends, the women’s murder club is born.

This is another of my favorite series, probably the first I ever read. The character of Lindsay Boxer is so dynamic and full of spunk and heart (when she needs it). She’s human and I love that everyone can relate to her. Now that the TV show has aired, my vision of Lindsay has changed and often times I forget she is a blond in the book, instead of a brunette.

I love her flaws and her strength through heartache. She has always been one of my favorite lead characters and sometimes I forget how much I enjoy these books.

Other Reviews:

• S. Krishna’s Books
• Reading With Tequila

*challenge: women’s murder club challenge, 1010 category challenge, a-z challenge, ryob challenge, thriller & suspense challenge, 100+ challenge, 1st in series challenge, flashback reading challenge

REVIEW: A Touch of Dead

Title: A Touch of Dead
Author: Charlaine Harris
Finished: January 16, 2010
Pages: 192
Published: 2009
Format: first edition

Charlaine Harris’ first short story compilation of all the Sookie Stackhouse short stories. It includes all five of the Sookie centric stories, some of while I had previously read.

“Fairy Dust“
Takes place after Dead to the World. The fairy twins enlist the help of Sookie in finding who killed their sibling. A cute story that gives some insight into the lives of fairies.

“One Word Answer”
Also takes place after Dead to the World. Sookie finds out the fate of her cousin, Hadley, and that she has inherited the estate. She meets the Queen for the first time. I found this story is important to read before reading the next books in the series as you may feel like there is a missing piece.

“Dracula Night”
Takes place after All Together Dead. Sookie is invited to a party of Dracula at Fangtasia by Eric, the only other day aside from Halloween that vampires celebrate. Very fun story that gives a little insight into Eric and Sookie’s relationship.

“Lucky”
Takes place after From Dead to Worse. Sookie is hired by her insurance agent to find out who had been breaking into his office and looking through files. Sookie enlists the help of her roommate Amelia and finds a stranger in town. Not my favorite but cute.

“Gift Wrap”
Also takes place after From Dead to Worse. As Christmas approaches, Sookie finds herself rescuing a member of the supes so is injured in the woods. She soon finds herself the recipient of one of the best presents ever. A cute holiday tale, but not sure it really fits in with the rest of the storyline exactly where it fell.

Other Reviews:

• Whimpulsive
  
• Loving True Blood in Dallas
• Musings of a Bookish Kitty

*challenges: sookie stackhouse challenge, countdown challenge, monthly mixer, mele, series iv challenge, 1010 category challenge, a-z challenge, ryob challenge, 100+ challenge