Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

I love the Sookie series, LOVE IT.  I was laid up last year with pneumonia and read all the novels back to back and fell in love.  I was so shocked to see this new book at the library I almost screamed out "yes".  I needed a little Sookie, which was prefect timing for this book. 

The books are funny, sharp, full of sex, adult vampires, werewolves and hot fairies.  In other words perfection.  Sookie is a telepathic waitress who just happens to be in love with a vampire god, friends with the local were pack and her brother became a panther after a freak encounter.  She is also part fairy due to some extra curricular activities on her grandmother's part.  The novels are the inspiration for the TrueBlood series on HBO (which I have sadly never watched but really need to)

This book examines the relationship with Eric that was just starting to take shape in the previous novels.  It also deals with her healing after the horrible events that happened during the fae war, where she was captured and abused.  Of course there are a few dead bodies along the way and not so much sex but it was still a great read. 

I always look forward to the recent Harris novel, she is a fun writer and it shows in her works.

I should really know better

I finally researched The Passage and discovered that it is a three part series.  Which means there are two more books.  I cannot wait and I hope that Mr. Cronin is a fast writer and it doesn't take 6 years to get the next installment.

I love a new series.

The Passage by Justin Cronin

The Passage is all it is hyped up to be and more.  I was skeptical about reading this book just for the simple fact that everyone loved it.  Usually I dislike books that everyone loves (case in point The Davinci Code) but my library has a copy and I have nothing better to do so I gave it a chance.  I was so happy that I did (see I can step out of my little bubble)

The book takes place sometime in the future, it has a very I Am Legend feel to it.  Only instead of zombies the virus made vampires.  The book spans 100 years starting with the beginning of the outbreak and 100 years after the outbreak with small colonies living behind walls with lights to keep the vamps out.  The virus wipes out civilazation as we know it.  The main characters live in fear of the vamps and yet are hopeful that they will overcome them. 

The book is suspenseful and kept me reading well past my bedtime most nights.  I didn't rush through it (which I usually do) because the author really keeps the adrenaline up and the slow parts to a minimum.  Cronin does not waste space with useless filler words, but still managed to write an original deep story about relationships, love and killer vampires.  Honestly what more could you want in a book?

The ending was a shocker.  I did not expect it at all and now I am left wondering if it is a cliffhanger or if that indeed is the end.  I would like there to be another book just because I loved this one so much but if that is how the book ends,  wow just wow.

My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster

Jen Lancaster is hilarious.  She writes memoirs and is a self proclaimed asshole who constantly puts her very expensive shoes in her very big mouth.  With her latest book she decides to have a soul makeover.  She calls it her "Jenaissance" and proceeds to brighten her horizons by trying new things and stepping out of her box.  The result is a hilarious account of her trying new foods, going to the theater and even taking a few wine classes.  Mrs. Lancaster is fresh and honest.  I was practically crying trying not to laugh and wake up my husband while reading the part about the Turkish restaurant.  I loved this book and really wish my library had her other titles. 

Sadly, I feel the same way as Jen some days.  Living in a small town with a very uncultured husband and two small children most days are spent with the same routine over and over again.  I think there are opportunities to try different things but frankly I cannot afford or have the free time to experience them.  I would love to have the time, money and energy that Jen does to take on my own Jenaissance.  The only culture I get is from the local library.  I might try to branch out and read more books that are out of my comfort zone.  I tend to skip over chic lit, anything that has to do with mopey females pining over their "Ashley" (on a side note Gone With The Wind is one of my all time favorite books, go figure), and books that have no point.  The kind that are like one big 500 page version of "lost in translation".  I need to stop being so picky and read books that I would normally never ever consider, maybe even a Nicholas Sparks novel.

God that made me shudder just thinking about it.

Now where to start....

Updates

I recently read The Bronze Horseman and Tatiana and Alexander: A Novel but just found out there is a third novel in the series, which is not being released in the US until Feb 2011.  I can't decided if I want to wait until it comes out or just order the UK version from Ebay.  But I do not want to talk about the books until I have read all three.  This series is intense, full of action, war and a lot of love.  I am not a fan of love stories, but this series has me hook line and sinker.  I cannot wait for the next installment.

I also finished the 6th book in the Ranger's Apprentice series.  I enjoy each book in this series more and more.

Now I am reading My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black, or, a Culture-Up Manifesto, it looks funny and after diving headfirst into Mrs. Simons tombs I need a funny, silly book.

The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard

The Scent of Rain and Lightning is a simple novel, set in a small town in Kansas whose major income is cattle ranching.  The family involved is the richest family in town and they share a devastating past.  23 years ago the oldest  son in the family was killed, his young and pretty wife went missing which left a 3 year old daughter an orphan.  That little girl is now 26 and has just learned that the man who was tried and convicted of murdering her dad is being set free.  Which causes her a lot of pain and agony, but it also opens the doors for a few family secrets to come out.

I really liked this novel, it was short and a simple read.  The characters were complex but the author didn't really bog you down with a ton of inconsequential descriptions.  I will admit that I almost stopped reading half way through because I had "figured" out the mystery.  I was glad that I didn't because while I had the general idea down I was wrong and the way it ended was even better than I had imagined.  I am going to check out another book by his author because I really liked her writing style.