The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket by Edgar Allen Poe

Started: 9/26/06
Finished: 9/28/06
Year: 1999 (originally written 1838)
Genre: Literature
Grade: B-
Reason for reading: booksfree.com
Blurb (from back cover): "A stowaway aboard the whaling ship Grampus, Arthur Gordon Pym finds himself bound on an extraordinary voyage to the high southern latitudes. Poe's remarkable novel recounts the "incredible adventures and discoveries" of Pym and his companions. There is mutiny, appalling butchery, and the "exquisite horror" of cannibalism; premature burial within an impenetrable seaborne labyrinth; a corpse-ridden ghost ship, gigantic polar bears, and uncharted islands peopled by barbarian hordes.
"It was Poe's unique genius, however, that imbued this Gothic adventure tale with such allegorical richness that readers have been fascinated ever since. In his illuminating introduction and notes to this new edition of Poe's masterpiece, Richard Kopley reveals hidden layers of meaning involving both Poe's family and biblical prophecy."
Opinion: Not one of Poe's best works but certainly still enjoyable. I've always enjoyed reading Poe's works and as Halloween nears, it's only appropriate to read one of them. There is a lot of adventures in this short novel and Poe's descriptions work like always.

Shattered Justice by John Philpin

Started: 9/23/06
Finished: 9/25/06
Year: 2006
Genre: True Crime
Grade: B
Reason for reading: review for MyShelf.com
Blurb (from back cover): "The Crowes' neighbors in the peaceful middle class community in San Diego's North Country were shocked by the savagery of the crime-a young girl murdered, stabbed repeatedly in her own bed in the dead of night. The lack of any evidence of forced entry led the Escondido police to their inevitable conclusion: someone in the family was responsible for 12-year-old Stephanie Crowe's slaying. The investigation quickly zeroed in on the victim's older brother, Michael, and two teenage friends-three loners who enjoyed inhabiting dark fantasy worlds of quests and violence. Through efficient, by-the-book police work, the boys were broken down and ultimately confessed. The only problem was the detectives had gotten everything wrong...
"Shattered Justice is the riveting and disturbing true account of a horrific tragedy and the terrible crime that followed-a nightmare of four innocent lives shattered, one by a killer's blade, three by obession and twisted law."
Opinion: Not of the best true crime books that I've read but worthy none the less. For a more complete review, check out MyShelf.com next month.

A Secret and A Bridal Pledge by Andrea Edwards

Started: 9/19/06
Finished: 9/22/06
Year: 1995
Genre: Romance (Harlequin Special Edition)
Grade: B
Reason for reading: needed something mindless
Blurb (from back cover): "Although in a witness-protection program, Amy Warren fought to keep her independence- a battle that pitted her against U.S. Marshall Mark Miller. His protective instincts warmed Amy's heart and made her think of long-lost dreams. But Mark's steely gaze set Amy's nerves sizzling with defiance-and unleased strange memories of a past love. Somehow she felt she'd known Mark before...Would this be their chance at forever? Or would they spend the rest of their live searching...for a love that could outlast time?"
Opinion: This book started off with a great prologue but was kinda lost and then felt rushed at the end. The passion between Mark and Amy was exciting and only slightly unrealistic. But it did want I wanted it do to-make my mind not focused on the real world.

The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld

Started: 9/15/06
Finished: 9/19/06
Year: 2006
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: B+
Reason for reading: review for MyShelf.com
Blurb (from back cover): "In 1909, Sigmund Freud arrived in New York for what would be his only U.S. visit. Upon return to Vienna, he rarely spoke of the trip, but referred to Americans as "savages" for the rest of his life. What befell the great genius during his journey to these shores?"
"Inspired by this still-debated questions, Jed Rubenfeld has woven an exquisitely plotted novel already drawing international acclaim for its blend of classic crime, historical characters, and tantalizing ingredients ranging from Shakespearean puzzles to psychological mysteries."
Opinion: This was just a great fictional read about Freud's factual trip to New York City. I highly recommend this book to any fans of psychological mysteries. Jed Rubenfeld has added a different look at psychological thrillers by putting the founder of psychoanalysis into a mystery. For a complete review, check out MyShelf.com next month.

Long Time Gone by J. A. Jance

Started: 9/11/06
Finished: 9/15/06
Year: 2006
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Grade: B+
Reason for reading: review for MyShelf.com
Blurb (from back cover): "A former Seattle policeman now working for the Washington State Attorney's Special Homicide Investigation Team, J.P. Beaumont has been hand-picked to lead the investigation into a half-century-old murder. And eyewitness to the crime, a middle-aged nun, has now recalled grisly, forgotten details while undergoing hypnotherapy.
"It's a case as cold as the grave, and it's running headlong into another that's tearing at Beau's heart: the vicious slaying of his former partner's ex-wife. What's worse, his rapidly unraveling friend is the prime suspect.
"Caught in the middle of a lethal conspiracy that spans two generations and a killing that hits too close to home-targeted by a vengeful adversary and tempted by a potential romance that threatens to reawaken his personal demons-Beaumont may suddenly have more on his plate than he can handle, and far too much to survive."
Opinion: I really enjoyed reading this book. It had plenty of conflict and mystery. For a more complete review, check out MyShelf.com next month.

The Chosen by Edward Lee

Started: 9/4/06
Finished: 9/10/06
Year: 1993
Genre: Horror
Grade: C
Reason for reading: Booksfree.com book
Blurb (from back cover): "Restaurant manager Vera Abbot has come to The Inn to embark on the job of her dreams. But from the day she arrives, her dream turns into a harrowing nightmare. She hears strange footsteps, sees faceless figures in the dead of night...and is tormented by erotic dreams in which a hideous stranger makes love to her.
"The past never dies. It only sleeps, waiting to unleash a new cycle of bloodshed and terror. For The Inn is a breeding ground for unspeakable atrocities. And now the time has come for Vera to be initiatied into its secret world of depravity and horror-whether she wants to or not!"
Opinion: Not the best horror book that I've read. Way too much sex even though it played it's part. It was a quick paced read despite how long it took me to read it (been busy with Barnes and Noble University classes). But for a quick horror read it can be enjoyable.

One for One by Madelyn Dohrn

Started: 9/1/06
Finished: 9/3/06
Year: 1990
Genre: Romance (Silhouette Special Edition)
Grade: B+
Reason for reading: grabbed it off the shelf
Blurb (from back cover): "When tiny Tony was suspended from elementary school, single mom, Joanna Parker was sure the man behind the deed-principal Scott Hartman-was a monster. Who else would kick out a kindergartner?
"Breathing fire, Joanna stormed the school...where gentle, gorgeous Mr. Hartman gave the situation his undivided attention. He prompted Joanna to let him befriend Tony, generously providng a much-needed father figure. As for the mother's figure...well, virile Scott promised Joanna the kind of tutoring she'd only imagined in her wildest fantasies!
"Undone by her own heated impulses, fumbling on the quicksand beneath her every expectation, Joanna struggled to gird herself-remembering the last time she'd expected endless love...and been left with lonely loss."
Opinion: Another good romance-predictable but well written. Almost brought me to tears. A believable relationship between Joanna and Scott. Also how Tony adjusts throughout the book is almost dead on. A great quick read.

Make Me a Match by Diana Holquist

Started: 8/30/06
Finished: 9/1/06
Year: 2006
Genre: Romance
Grade: B+
Reason for reading: Review for MyShelf.
Blurb (from back cover): "Cecelia Burns's To Do List
"1. Pick out wedding dress and ignore psychic sister who says I'm marrying the wrong guy.
"2. Really ignore her when she says the right guy is some stranger named Finn Concord, who's dying, and this is my last chance to experience my One True Love of a lifetime. Ever.
"3. Okay, fine. Find this Finn guy, tell him he's dying and split. Quick.
"4. Stop staring at him...even though he does look pretty good for a guy who's on his last legs. Oh god, those unforgettable eyes...those strong arms. And those kissable lips...
"5. Take a deep breath and remember that psychics lie too, just like everyone else.
"6. Then again, maybe there is something to this One True Love business after all. There's only one way to find out..."
Opinion: I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. I had fun reading this book and am looking forward to writing up my review for MyShelf. Enjoyable characters and good story line...if you believe in that type of thing.