100+ Books in 2025 discussion

Having met (and exceeded) my goal in 2015, welcoming in 2016 with the following books.

1. Man Hunting by Jennifer Crusie
The first of the Jennifer Crusie novels I have had the pleasure of reading...this one is the romance of Kate and Jake. Kate goes to a resort with a plan to find a man who fits her criteria. Along the way she discovers love from friendship as one date after another are disasters, but her easy friendship with the 'lazy handyman' Jake turns to love. 3.5 stars.

2. Love in a Small Town by Zoe York
A second-chance romance between a divorced couple. The Minellis are divorced, but they still have strong feelings for each other. Rafe is too involved in his two jobs as a police officer in Pine Harbour and an Army reservist; Olivia has a new job that may take her away from the area, but can he convince her to stay? Can he prove to her that he is willing to change?

The more things change for them, the more they stay the same, but is it enough?

3. The Sweetest Thing by Lilian Darcy
Returning home to Marietta, Montana, Tully has to deal with her past...with Sugar, who is dying of cancer, and with Ren, her prom date that she stood up many years ago.
She has issues with both, but can she learn to forgive and develop deeper relationships with them?
What about Sugar herself? Has she truly changed, or is she still the messed up 'sister' that Tully remembers?
And Ren...can they reconnect or has too much time passed?

This is a romance that is more than just a romance...there is dysfunctional family dynamics; there is redemption; there is forgiveness, and so much more.

One complaint...the author apparently thought her readers would not remember that the event of the prom as it was mentioned over and over again...ah, to have a nickel for every time she used the word, prom. I should have counted them, alas. She could have tried a synonym like dance

4. Knowing His Secret by K.C. Falls
A contemporary erotic novella (part 1 of 3) featuring 20-something college graduate Raina, and a billionaire stock broker/community theater actor, Tristan King.

With a summer job as a stage manager, Raina meets Tristan and the sparks fly between them. Bouncing from cool reserve to hot sex and back again, Raina doesn't quite what to think about Tristan and his announcement that she should have no 'expectations' about him even as the time spent during play rehearsals are sometimes passionate.

Added to the spicy parts is some suspenseful moments with her parents being the target of some nefarious men connected with the union.

What next for the pair as they jet off into the wild blue yonder as the novella ends? And her parents?

The author's condom conundrum post-novella was insightful as she just laid it out there for readers to add to the story, or not, according to their own particular dictates.

5. The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
2.5 stars actually as I have mixed feelings about this novel (somethings I liked, others things not so much).

Willie Upton returns to her home town of Templeton on the same day as the monster of Lake Glimmerglass comes ashore dead. Glimmey (reminiscent of Lake Erie's Lemmy or the Loch Ness monster) feeds the summer frenzy that is Templeton.

Willie is running away...from trouble, from friends, from herself...fleeing from all that she has become (or hopes to). Once home, her mother, Vi, now a religious zealot, puts her onto a quest: to discover who her 'real' father is. The mysterious father may not be the man Vi originally described, and the archives of the local library may feed her archaeological bent as she immerses herself in local lore.

Told from various perspectives including Willie's, the story is part mystery, part history, and part literary fiction. Templeton is a fictionalized Cooperstown, New York, and the author uses her knowledge of her own home town as the scenes unfold.

Will Willie solve the mystery of her father? Will she return to her real life?

Not all monsters reside in lakes; some take the form of humans.

6. The New Neighbor by Leah Stewart
Margaret, a ninety-year-old woman, has a new neighbor across the pond. She loves reading and solving mysteries is one of her last pleasures, and Jennifer Young and her four-year-old son Milo is her current focus.

As a ruse, she convinces Jennifer that she needs her services as a massage therapist. From there, Maggie starts telling Jennifer her story in the war in order to figure out Jennifer's story. Jennifer is tight-lipped not only to Margaret, but also to her new friend Megan.

Solving the mystery of Jennifer may just destroy them both, and all who are connected to them. Overall, a psychological thriller.

7. Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
NBO
When Victoria (Vix) was chosen to be a friend by Caitlin Somers, her world was changed forever. That year she went to stay with Caitlin's family on Martha's Vineyard, and the two became 'Summer Sisters.'

Year after year, summer after summer, they grew up together, sharing experiences of boys and more. Caitlin's family became a surrogate family for Vix, practically adopting her as one of their own, and giving her opportunities she wouldn't have had otherwise.

Years later, despite their fading friendship and time, they meet again...for Caitlin's wedding.
This story is about friendship, betrayal, redemption, first loves, and so much more. Vix's journey and Caitlin's journey are one and the same...to never be ordinary.

8. I Take You by Eliza Kennedy
3.5 stars actually...for this chick-lit novel of a thirty-something lawyer named Lily who is engaged to Will, a hot archaeologist. With a week to go before the big event, there is doubt in Lily's mind...she likes him, but does she love him? They've only known each other about six months, and have been engaged for five of them. The one thing in common between them is they both love their respective work.

The problem: Lily loves sex and infidelity seems to be inbred in her. Despite her deep affection for Will, she regularly indulges herself, when so inclined, with men she meets, especially in bars. And she spends a good deal of time drinking with her best friend Freddy (her maid of honor).

Her parents try to talk her out of marrying him so quickly...because they know her past, her proclivities, but that only makes her more determined to marry Will. She knows she can change her ways, but can she?

Will, too, has concerns...how well does she really know him? He loves her madly, but... And then there are his parents, especially his mother, who are against the marriage to Lily once they meet her.

Working out these issues (and some others), in the week prior to the wedding that is to take place in her home town of Key West, may undo Lily and Will. Add to that, she is has a full plate of activities. She is still working with a client on a huge case, all the while working out the details of the wedding with the wedding planner.

This story is full of twists, full of sexual come-ons, and full of laughs (if rampant promiscuity is funny). Will they marry or will they part?

9. Smoke by Catherine McKenzie
Where there is smoke, there's fire. Two women (Elizabeth and Mindy), two former friends are on opposite sides in a fire. Elizabeth is a firefighter/investigator; Mindy is a mother who fears that one of her children started the fire.

Elizabeth's marriage to Ben is falling apart; Mindy's family is teetering on the edge. Will either survive the fire that may destroy more than their homes, town, and lives?

10. Elusive Obsession by Judy Kentrus
a contemporary romance about widowed mother Julie Keaton and rich engineer Scott Landis

11. Scratch by Paul Janson (Jeffrey Boragine)
2½ stars actually--Onyx, a black cat with magical powers, is the heroine of this cute YA novel. Onyx's scratches change people...by sending them to the hospital, by changing attitudes, and by saving lives.

Owned by two young girls, Bridgette and Renee, Onyx knows all and sees all, but has a face that is inscrutable, giving away nothing. They know their cat is special, but they never realized how special until they were the ones in trouble and only he could save them.

Overall, a cute read that has some mystery, some magic, and lots of pizza and time off from school.

A few little niggling things: The dialog between characters is a bit stiff (too formal), and the vocabulary could be, at times, overwhelming to younger readers. In particular, the medical language...which makes perfect sense to those in the medical field...might be off-putting to those who aren't.

11.5 A Mother's Day (a short story) by Kaira Rouda
Three woman, all mothers, experience the same tragic event (a suicide), and all are transformed by it

12. The Sea Keeper's Daughters by Lisa Wingate
Mystery, history, intrigue, and even romance are all intertwined in this novel, that has Whitney returning to her roots near Roanoke Island in order to save her restaurant in Michigan from a hostile takeover.

The Excelsior, now a rundown, historic hotel, was where Whitney spent her summers working for her grandmother. With her mother's death, she has inherited it, but has always avoided claiming it. Until now when she needs to clear it out and sell it to raise needed funds...but there are people who have their own plans for the hotel including her estranged stepfather Clyde.

Once she is there, cleaning out her grandmother's stuff, she discovers a mystery to be solved, history she was unaware of, and so much more. What to do with what she is discovering wars with her growing frustration to save her restaurants.

What will she choose? What does she learn? And will it matter in the long run if she loses herself?

Complex characters, lush descriptions, and historic import are all seen in this novel, making this a compelling read. Overall, 4.5 stars. (and a few what-the-trends seen, but they were minor).

13. Fantomas by Marcel Allain
M. Juve', a detective, is hunting down the elusive criminal, Fantomas (there should be a diacritical mark, a caret over the O, but unsure how to do it, but I digress). He is responsible for murders, thefts, and other various criminal activities. From the murder of an English lord to a French aristocratic woman to thefts of jewels and money, there is no seeming connection between them EXCEPT to Juve' .

Who is Fantomas? Is he a phantom? Is he a figment of Juve's imagination? Or is he real?

This is a mystery thriller with more questions than answers, and a cast of characters straight out of the early 20th century Parisian culture. The language is superb for expanding one's vocabulary and will have readers (or at least this reader) reaching for their dictionaries. This may be the value of reading older literature...to reawaken vocabularies and rediscover fine wordsmiths

14. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
4.5 stars actually--First love, lasting love, a forever love that transcends time...all the elements that make this novel worth reading.

Clare has known Henry since she was six years old, but he doesn't truly meet her until she is twenty and he, twenty-eight. Implausible sounding, but this is the novelty of time travel as it is told in this story of the art student and librarian respectively. When they meet in real time, it is magical.

At times a bit confusing (reading the segment headings definitely help), Henry and Clare's love story is told both forwards and backwards, from either Henry's or Clare's perspective, letting the reader in on the surprises for the other character along the way.

15. Locked by Maya Cross
3½ stars actually...the first in an erotic romance trilogy with Sebastian Lock and Sophia Pearce...he meets her at a party she crashes, and like Cinderella she flees when caught (even leaving her shoes), then he finds her again.

16. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
Like rowing, this story of the nine young men who made it to the 1936 Berlin Olympics had a slow start, but with Don Hume at stroke and Bobby Moch as coxswain and the rest of them, particularly Joe Rantz, the stroke rate continued upwards until the final race in Berlin.

Reminiscent of the hockey team who took the gold in Lake Placid (1980), this was a group of guys who gelled in their racing skull from the time they met as freshman at the University of Washington.

On and off the water, the story is told, and it is compelling. From the quotes from George Yeoman Pocock at the beginning of every chapter to the final seconds of the race to the epilogue, the battle to become Olympic champions is truly epic especially as the events in Germany unfold.

17. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
A quirky YA romance told from the alternate perspectives of the two main characters, Eleanor and Park.

Eleanor, the new girl in school, ends up sitting on the bus with Park, the half-Korean boy. At first, they ignore each other, but over time, they bond over comics and music (and keeping their heads down to avoid bullies). They become friends, then better friends, and a first love occurs.

A sweet romance set during high school about two misfits, who are a perfect fit for each other (if they can learn to share their their feelings with the other).

17.5. Appalachian Serenade by Sarah Loudin Thomas
A romance novella with Christian overtones between a widowed woman returning to her roots in Wise, West Virginia post-WWII.

Rather than wallow in self-pity of broken dreams (she desperately wants children), Delilah takes a job at the local general store and works for Robert. Robert, too, wants a wife and children, but his dreams also seem out of the question because of a previous illness.

Can Delilah and Robert get over their lost dreams? Will they forge new ones?

18. My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem tells about her life on the road...as an organizer, mainly, but she, in a somewhat rather random fashion, tells of her experiences with people she has met...from the taxi cab drivers (who are often philosophical) to the politicians, to the activists, and to everyone in between.

Her wide-ranging experiences are sometimes humorous, sometimes frustrating, and sometimes heartbreaking. Whether she is with new friends or old, she experiences life to the fullest and makes the most of what she wants to do and be. Known as a feminist, she is really a humanist...meeting everyone with respect and dignity.

Overall, a recommended read for everyone.

19. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
A beautifully written coming-of-age novel that features Lilly Owens, a fourteen-year-old white girl, and her relationship with her black nanny ("stand-in-mother"), Rosaleen, as well as the black beekeeping Boatwright sisters, May, June, and August.

Through these women, Lily discovers her mother through the love of these women...and also forgiveness and redemption.

Lyrical passages and lovely prose grace this novel, making for a wonderful read.

20. The Lovers' Tango by Mark Rubinstein
A novel within a novel within a novel may sum up Mark Rubinstein's tale of love, suspense, and murder. Or is it murder?

Told through the perspective of the protagonist, author Bill Shaw, it is his story of his intense love for actress Nora Reyes (from the moment they met) until her death. Accused of murder, and fighting for his own life in court, Bill tells the tale of the courtroom drama playing out against his own memories of the life he led with his beloved wife.

Will he be convicted of his wife's murder? Will his manuscript of his 'Assassin's Lullaby' be evidence of his murderous intent...making him guilty?

Suspenseful action, mesmerizing dialogue, and a compelling love story makes for an intense (can't-put-it-down) read.

21. Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg
A new fantasy novel from the author of the 'The Paper Magician' trilogy finds her taking on a story of magic and romance. Smitha, a spoiled, selfish, arrogant seventeen-year-old girl, has hurt plenty of young men in her village, but when she does it to the wrong man, Mordan, she pays dearly for it. For Mordan is a wizard from the outer regions, and he curses her for being an arrogant, cold hearted person.

From that time forward, she is followed by cold and frost, destroying everything in her path. Including herself as her body and soul are as frozen as the land around her. The only person who is willing to spend time with her is Saldriel, AKA Death, who wishes to take her to his realm.

When she meets men from the drought-stricken south, things change for Smitha, but will she ever break the curse? Will she ever feel warmth again? Or will she succumb to Death's offer? Is there a happily ever after for Smitha?

22. Bad Boys in Black Tie by Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, and Morgan Leigh
Three very different contemporary erotic romance novellas are found in this anthology written by authors Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, and Morgan Leigh

23. The Lost Tiki Palaces of Detroit by Michael Zadoriaan
2.5 stars actually, this short story collection has diverse stories, all of them set in Detroit. Written in a literary style, some of the stories were clever, some were sad, and some were just bizarre. It is obvious that the author knows the city inside and out as he addresses all sorts of areas of the city and their residents.

Particularly loved the story about the junk man, Modell, though. A man who learns customer service through the possibility of being hated.

24. Once Upon a Summertime by Melody Carlson
4.5 stars, a sweet, chaste romance of Anna and Sean re-discovering each other in New York

25. The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian
a historical novel about the Armenian genocide through the eyes of Elizabeth Endicott and Armen Petrosian

26. The Bishop and the Three Kings by Andrew M. Greeley
Half-mystery novel, half romance novel, author Andrew Greeley, has his characters of Bishop Blackie Ryan along with his nephew (nefoo) Peter Murphy, and Cindasue McCloud of the Yewnited States Coast Guard solve the locked-room mystery of the stolen shrine of the Three Kings (AKA Magi) in Germany.

Patently and arguably, besides finding the missing shrine, there is a love story that involves Peter and Cindasue.

Greeley shows his characteristic humor in this one, but also adds in a bit of theology along the way...actually teaching what the cultural truth of the Gospels as opposed to the street version. He also goes between Standard English to Appalachian hill talk (note the use of nefoo and Yewnited above) to a bit of German and back again.

27. Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
4.5 stars actually for this suspenseful thriller full of twists and turns that asks the question: how well do you ever know anyone?

For Claire Scott, who has recently lost her husband, Paul, in a robbery gone badly, this is especially true. Claire has always lived under the cloud of having her sister Julia disappear, never to be seen again. Her family has been ripped apart by this event for years. Now another young woman has disappeared in a similar way, and it brings it all back.

But with his death, every day brings new surprises, and not all of them are good. Calling on her estranged sister Lydia for help, Claire and Lydia must work together to discover the truth about Julia and her late husband Paul.

Graphic and disturbing in content, this thriller looks at the dark side of what can happen to "pretty girls" and yet, also shows the resilience of these same girls.

28. The Secrets of Lake Road by Karen Katchur
Secrets will out, or does the truth really set you free? That is the premise behind this novel that covers two generations of Lake Road summer residents. One generation has covered up and ignored the truth behind the drowning death of a teen; the other is just coming-of-age as another drowning brings the past to the forefront.

Jo has been hiding the truth about her role in the drowning death of her boyfriend, and her daughter Caroline feels guilt over the drowning of Sara. These two drownings set in motion the events of this novel.

Family dynamics, long-held secrets, and more keeps the reader enthralled as the novel moves along to a heartbreaking conclusion.

29. Parnormal Nights, Volume 1 by various authors
Nine paranormal romance tales, most with some suspense. Each one is very different with paranormal (para) or supernatural (supe) like vampires, werewolves, shades, etc.

30. Key of Light by Nora Roberts
An epic quest...a strange invitation which leads to Rowena and Pitte asking her to find a key within a month (new moon to new moon). That is the quest that Malory with new friends Zoe and Dana has. That she has just lost her job (and so have they for that matter) helps the trio decide to attempt it. If she succeeds, the quest will revert to one of her new friends. If not, well...better not think on it.

In this first book of a trilogy, Roberts sets the stage for the three women who must solve the mystery of the painting at Warrior's Peak and perhaps even save some Celtic demigods. Add to that romance with a handsome man, and this has all the makings of a suspenseful and fun read.

31. Birdman by Mo Hayder
Creepy and complex, this is a debut suspense thriller about a serial killer who also happens to be a necrophiliac. Five bodies are discovered, and Jack Caffery and the British AMIP are out to solve the murders by a criminal with the nickname Birdman.

There are twists and turns, and as the back cover says...some crimes shock, some crimes horrify, and some defy the imagination. This novel is all this and more.

32. What Once Was Perfect by Zoe York
An on-again, off-again contemporary romance between a couple separated by time and opportunity. Laney has had her heart broken and vows never to have it happen again (particularly by Kyle, her first love).

Kyle feels the same way. In his opinion, she broke his heart. What is a couple to do when they see each other again? Pretend to not notice the other or have a short fling? Especially when the sex is so good? But they live 500 kilometers apart, and neither wants to talk about their issues. Will they? Won't they? Work it out?
And hey, it is set in Ontario, Canada, too.

33. The Ribs and Thigh Bones of Desire by Sandra Hutchinson
This is a unique coming-of-age novel set in 1977. Dr. David Asken has lost his wife and child in an airplane crash; his daughter's babysitter Molly becomes his housekeeper while he recuperates. Their unexpected connection and friendship during this difficult year helps both of them grieve and deal with the aftermath of suicide attempts and teenage angst.

But will anyone else like her mother, her neighbors, her friends understand their connection?

This is a thoughtful and provocative story.

34. Cowboy & Wills: A Love Story by Monica Holloway
With compassion born of a mother's love for her son, this is a memoir of a remarkable little boy, Wills, and his puppy, Cowboy, who helped him through his struggles with his autism.

Upon Wills's diagnosis, Monica's home became a menagerie. Each pet helped, but it was when the family added Cowboy, a golden retriever puppy, to the family did Wills have some breakthroughs in his schooling. Because of this dog, Wills was able to overcome so much including developing friendships.

35. Ethereal (Celestra #1) by Addison Moore
YA romance-fantasy

36. Spin by Catherine McKenzie
mainstream novel about celebrities and non-celebrity meltdowns and rehab

37. Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith
a suspense-thriller about a serial killer vs. C. Strike/R. Ellacott

37.5 Cat Tales by Friends of a Roman Sanctuary
short stories of rescued cats

38. Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie
the second light and breezy romance from Crusie, This one features two polar opposites, Nick and Tess

39. The Brethren by John Grisham
a legal thriller that involves three convicted judges calling themselves the Brethren running a scam from prison.

40. Only with You by Sylvia Day
3.5 stars actually...this final novel in the Crossfire series finds the couple, Eva Trammel and Gideon Cross, newly married and having some issues. Too soon, too fast a relationship that spirals out of control with too many unresolved issues and too many people seeking revenge.

Yes, the sex and the bond between them is strong (off the charts even), but will outside events spoil what they have now? Will old hurts destroy, or will those only bring them closer?

In the end, basically all the ends are tied up for the pair as they bond even more through their shared pain and love, leaving them to live and love happily ever after.

Like the previous four, the romance is erotic and steamy, and the sex and language is graphic; however, for an erotic romance series, the Crossfire series ranks right at the top (despite every What-the-tuck trend being prominently used throughout them all).

41. Cocoa and Chanel by Donna Jo Usher
2.5 stars actually as it is a cute story about Chanel Smith, who is a hairdresser turned police officer to avoid her boss's husband's amorous overtures

Making this abrupt decision to become a police officer, Chanel's adventures begin. First, training adventures, then first assignment adventures as she manages to irritate all the wrong people including a serial killer. On the other hand, she befriends drag queens and prostitutes as well as discovers a different side to her Mum.

Will she survive her probationary period and become a full-time officer? Or will she get bounced out for infractions? Or worse yet, will she get the serial killer before he gets her?

Set in Australia, there are quite a few terms that seem particular to that land (or so this reader presumes). Several other books in the series are available.

One nit-picky thing: Viagra neither comes in a capsule (tablet only), nor does it work immediately. It takes at least thirty to sixty minutes to be effective and ONLY if there is a reason for arousal so the scene with Martine mistaking it for Imodium was totally bogus.

42. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
3.5 stars actually...Well researched, overly explained and annotated story of the life of Theodore Roosevelt from birth until the time of his ascension to the position of the President.

Interesting man with many sides to him...writer, outdoors-man, politician, etc. (frankly too many to mention them all).

Impressive body of work this book is, but overwhelming at times. This reader must admit to skimming through the book to complete it.

Recommendation: to appreciate the whole book, read over months as there is almost too much information on the man, politics (which hasn't really changed much over the years, by the way), and life in the late 1800s.

43. The Wrong Man by Kate White
Beginning with the first sentence, the stage is set on the suspense-thriller that pits good-girl-who-wants-shake-up-her-life-with-doing-something-dangerous Kit Finn against some people who wish her harm.

The question is: Who, and why?

Kit's decision to become briefly involved with a man, Matt Healy, whom she meets on her vacation turns deadly when she finds out he is not who he thinks he is. Now, she is back home trying to keep her decorating business together as she tries to piece together what went wrong and why she is being targeted.

Who to trust becomes a large issue as more information comes to light, but even as she learns more she is the focus of those who wish her dead.

Heart pounding action, double crosses, and more invaded this reader's dreams as the pages were quickly consumed. Moreover, the story wasn't predictable, leaving reasons for doubt about the truthfulness of Matt Healy (known as X to Kit) to the last page.

44. Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep
The second book in the Elemental Assassin series, which features Gin Blanco, AKA the Spider, a ruthless, magical assassin. This one she battles dwarves and giants to save the granddaughter of Fletcher's old friend, Warren Fox.

45. Exalted by Tara Elizabeth
A YA dystopian novel, the first in a trilogy, that features teens Mena and Ethan training to become protectors of the United Republic Society, a section of the United States still surviving after a devastating nuclear war. These two (and other teens like Val, Az, Kinah, and Chason) are part of the Exalted class and are being controlled by the Pump, an emotion-reducing supplement.

When Mena is guarding one of the walls of the city from marauders and other undesirables, she meets Ryker, a former Exalted who now lives outside of the URS. From him, Mena learns to throw off the yoke of the Pump.

Will she risk leaving family and friends to survive outside of the controlling society, or will she continue to train to become United with the mate based on her strength training and the all- important Trials? Will her new found emotions help or hinder her?

With a cliffhanger ending, this dystopian novel explores system wide drug use to control the masses and the desire to be ranked as the best. It also includes a romantic triangle of Mena, Ethan, and Ryker. What next for Mena, her parents, and her friends, both old and new?

Quite a few typos throughout (wrong words, missing words) cost a star.

What-the-tuck trends seen throughout, too.

46. #hashtagged by Kimberly Hix Trant
A cautionary science fiction tale of an AIB named IT who takes over the world via computer usage by humans through social media memes, hashtags, and more.

47. Stalked by Lorraine Taylor
1½ stars...The stalker becomes the stalked in this thriller novel. Danny had a horrible childhood, has a skanky girlfriend, and has to deal with a cat who torments him. In other words, his life generally sucks. Add to it, a murderer who begins to torture him and he melts down (Danny is not a sympathetic character because of how often he whines).

Will he survive his own stalker? Will he be jailed for a murder? Will he ever make friends with his neighbor's cat Samson?

Overall, not a great read especially because of all the typos (wrong words, extraneous apostrophes, etc.) and editing issues. The lack of pagination is another issue. Definitely, this author needs to find someone to look over the manuscript before publishing as even the two chapter excerpt at the end showed the same issues. No green-eyed characters though...it may be a first!

48. The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
A biographical novel of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, the wife of Charles (Lucky) Lindbergh. She was relegated to the roles of wife and mother, but she was so much more. Based on her diaries and her published writings, this story tells of their marriage from her point of view.

Somewhat sad, but utterly compelling reading of her life as as ambassador's daughter and then as Lindbergh's wife and co-pilot, and her own exploits as an aviatrix in her own right.

49. The Mystery of 31 New Inn by R. Austin Freeman
A classic English mystery with the detective, Dr. Thorndyke, solving what appears to be two disparate mysteries. One is an apparent suicide with a disputed will; the other is one of his sidekick's (Dr. Jervis) odd case of an apparent poisoning. Despite the twists and turns, the mysteries are solved.

Language is precise and complex, which made this reader check the dictionary repeatedly; the story line not unlike that of Sherlock Holmes and Watson; and the setting is typical for the time.

Originally published in 1912, this mystery has been re-released under Mysterious Press.com through Open Road. They select classic mysteries, crime, and suspense books, bringing them back into print, thus allowing readers to discover them again, for the first time.

50. Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep
A fitting ending to this YA trilogy which finds Lila Merriweather battling the head of the Draconis Family, Victor. This series mixes magic and mob families battling for control of the "most magical city in the United States" as a thief becomes the heroine of the series.

This trilogy, like other series by Estep, has her characteristic humor (example of the monster called the lochness) and allusions to her other works (example of the The Pork Pit t-shirts that Deah and Lila wore). There is also some romance between Lila and Devon, but the main story is that of a young woman proving herself over and over again and in the process finding family.

51. The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
4.5 stars on this story of two separate, but eventually intertwined love stories. One is a lifelong love between Ira and Ruth; the other is a new love between Sophia and Luke.

Told from the alternating perspectives of 91-year-old Ira, college student Sophia, and rancher Luke, the story also mixes 20th century art with the realities of competitive bull riding, and it works. It may sound like an unlikely combination, yet the author pulls it off.

There are some moments that bring tears as well as moments that brings smiles (it wouldn't be a Sparks' novel without the necessity of grabbing a tissue or two). Always a poignant read.

52. Bad Dog (A Love Story) by Martin Kihn
A memoir of a high-functioning alcoholic who loses just about everything he holds dear except one out-of-control Bernese Mountain dog named Hola. This is his story of reclaiming his life (and maybe even his wife) by becoming involved with competitive dog training.

Trying every method known, Marty works with the dog. In between, he goes to AA meetings and stays busy. At times, it seems as if he is trading one addiction (alcohol) for another (obsession with training Hola).

Can Hola learn? Can Martin? Will the pair manage to achieve the Canine Good Citizen award?