Across The Universe...Short Book Talk...And It Is Really Snowing Here...

Just a few thoughts about this book…I am not sure whether or not to be brilly or frexing over this book…and I still am not quite sure what a chutz is although I think I have an idea. But I loved this book. This is one of those books that has the capability to carry you away and allow you to get lost in this unbelievable centuries long story of life on the spaceship Godspeed.  Being frozen for three hundred and one years...the process involved in being frozen...the author's description of being frozen...so unbelievably nightmarish and yet so fascinating.  
It is a totally captivating story that also has the ability to make you stop and think about what we value and what we are doing to our world. 

 Elder...student of Eldest and next to rule Godspeed... lived in a world of monoethnic people. He has spent his entire 16 years on Godspeed and was being prepared to take over from Eldest when Eldest died...at the ripe old age of fiftysomething.  He has been told distortions about the past history of our Earth or what is known as SolEearth.  Amy…another main character who was formerly frozen…was different…the only person on board who had red hair and green eyes and a questioning attitude. The story is exciting and believable and mysterious and deadly. It was one of those books that I always begin to read in a relaxed manner…allowing myself time to get used to the characters, the oddness, the weird reality…and by the time I was halfway through…I had to speed read to finish it. I just couldn’t stop…it was that good. And now that I am finished with it…I miss it…I want more.

Thank goodness it is a trilogy.

I Love Mail...Real And Virtual...

 This past week brought these lovely books into my home and library.

This came from Lucille Rettino at Simon And Schuster.

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

The Unfinished by Tara Maya...this was a delightful gift from the author.

 Next...these sort of magically appeared on my Kindle...thank you Patty's virtual credit card...quite a reading range!!!

I have to bump this up my list...I have read quite amazing things about it.

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

 I just saw the movie trailer for this...it was provocative to say the least.

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

 This just sounded like a total package fantasy.


13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison

 This is the U.S. cover version...I love the U.K. cover so much better but I still am excited to read this book.
The Children Of The Lost by David Whitley

This is the U.K. cover...isn't it just more appealing?

There you have it...I have these books tucked away neatly and ready for me...I am not sure where my reading mood will take me next but I am definitely ready for a snowstorm!!!  I have an avalanche of books ready to read. 

So...have you thought about this at all...if you were housebound for a while...snow...rain...whatever...how long would it be before you needed to buy a new book? 

Yummy Chocolate, Brownies And A Book Signed By The Author...It's A Contest!!!

Don't forget to sign up for a signed copy of A Pointed Death by Kath Russell and brownie mix and chocolates!!!

See previous post for details!!!

Cable Cars, Fog, Irish Coffee, Ghirardelli Chocolate...And One More San Francisco Treat!!!

A review and a fab prize from Kath Russell...an autographed copy of this great fun book!!!

SYNOPSIS...from the book...

Set against a wild and wacky backdrop of San Francisco, the epicenter of the biotech industry, A Pointed Death tells a smart funny and chilling story of espionage and modern love. Techno whiz Nola Billingsley finds her former employee, an amoral creep who stole secrets from startups, murdered. She begins a flirtation with the inspector assigned to the case and counts Skootch...her dog...to watch her back as she is hurled into a world of danger and deceit.

This book is the first in the Pointer Mystery Series.

MY THOUGHTS...

I was not sure how I was going to feel about this book...the biotech stuff is totally not my thing...but I have to admit that this book took me by surprise. I loved the main character...Nola...totally loved Skootch...who is full of mischief and a huge personality...other than one teeny little minor off putting bodily function. This you will have to read about on your own...it is definitely in the realm of bathroom humor but so much fun. I totally loved Nola's mom...Janie Belle, who is an 80 year old church going whiskey drinking straight talking Southern Mama.

This book opens up quite dramatically. Nola finds someone who worked for her...sort of lifeless...to say the least. Of course, Nola is caught up in all of the events that lead to this death. The victim...Roger...cheated her company, had a mysterious companion, had a mysterious past and had access to a mysterious natural herb...which Skootch somehow manages to devour. This event also turns into another humorous event involving lovable adorable Skootch.

Nola is a realistic and sympathetic heroine. She has flaws that Spanx cannot always fix. She enjoys food and friends, puts up with her mom and yearns to be in love. Some of her yearnings and needs are met by a special investigator on temporary assignment in San Francisco...another problem for Nola. Their relationship develops as Nola gets involved in the mysteries of this crime. Despite being "wacky" Nola is smart and savvy and seemingly in charge of her life until the events of this crime sort of lead her into a one adventurous mishap after another as she works to find out what happened and why it happened to Roger.

I loved the San Francisco setting. We lived in San Francisco for about three years so it was exciting to read about places and areas and even restaurants that were known to me. I loved all of those references. I could almost smell this city. The entire book was a wild romp and a well told mystery at the same time. I was able to take Nola and her circumstances seriously while having tons of fun reading about her antics...and of course those of Scootch and Janie Belle. I was caught up in the story. It was well told. I had a delightful time reading A Pointed Death. The author made sure we knew that Nola was a woman...with flaws and concerns and doubts about herself while dealing with this major upset in her life. Nola never had anything to wear, she covered up spots on her shirt with a scarf, and she had an appetite for sex and food. She was fun and witty and sarcastic and real. I was reminded a bit of Lillian Jackson Braun's Siamese cat mysteries and also of Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Bear Culinary mysteries. Kath Russell can hold her own with any of these authors. She has written a fun and exciting mystery with a totally new twist.

I am going to look forward to the next book in this series with great anticipation!!!

One teeny little comment and your email address enters you in my second amazing giveaway. 

I am adding some Ghirardelli chocolates and their amazing brownie mix to this prize!!!  Their brownie mix is just one of the best out there...almost better than homemade.

 

Contest ends on Janurary 27th.

And The Winner Is...

I am happy to announce that the winner of my very first giveaway...the winner of the amazing Amazon Gift Card for $25.00...practically my entire allowance... is Angela from Library Girl Reads!!!

Congratulations!!!

I painstakingly numbered all of the entries and then used a random number generator...I amaze myself sometimes...and this was the result.

Angela loves Amazon...so I am very happy for her!!!

Angela has been notified!!!  Angela has responded.  She is very happy!!!