The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

Started: 12/26/06
Finished: 12/28/06
Year: This edition 1978-originally published in 1951
Genre: Sci-fi short stories
Grade: B+
Reason for reading: grabbed it off the TBR shelf, wanting to catch up on some books that people consider classics
Blurb (from back cover): "At the furthest limits of the imagination, in words upon worlds of time and space, and on the green hills of future earth, these are tales to set you shivering, gasping, gaping with terror and with wonder...Nineteen incomparable stories that blend weird fantasy and chilling truth in the magic manner of a master."
Opinion: I had read one of these short stories in high school and loved it. I was happy to read it again in this collection. I'm not a huge fan of science fiction but since these are short stories, it didn't deter me for reading these stories quickly. Well worth picking up.

Cloud Nine by Luanne Rice

Started: 12/22/06
Finished: 12/26/06
Year: 2006-this edition, originally 1999
Genre: fiction
Grade: A
Reason for reading: booksfree.com book
Blurb (from back cover): "Sarah Talbot surely thought she'd never live to see another birthday. but against all odds, she beat the disease that threatened her life and she reopened her bedding shop, Cloud Nine. It is a new beginning for Sarah-a fresh start at life that few are give. And Sarah is determined to take advantage of her newfound opportunity. On her first adventure-a ride in a small charted plane-comes a chance meeting with a man who will change the course of her life.
"These two fellow travelers find in each other a kindred spirit and a bond that will give them the courage to confront the past and have faith in the future...no matter how uncertain.
"Shimmering with emotion, grace, and beauty, Cloud Nine is the kind of novel you will cherish and want to share with the most important people in your life."
Opinion: This is one of the most touching and emotional stories that I have read in a long time. I've read other Luanne Rice books and have enjoyed them. I'll now have to find the ones that I haven't read.

A Proper Wife by Sandra Marton

Started: 12/22/06
Finished: 12/22/06
Year: 1997
Genre: Romance (Harlequin Presents)
Grade: B-
Reason for reading: grabbed it off the TBR shelf
Blurb (from back cover): "Ryan Kincaid doesn't like being told what to do. When his grandfather pressures him to marry and introduces him to a suitable bride, Ryan is furious. Devon Franklin is the most argumentative, grasping female he's ever met! So what if she's gorgeous and he can't stop thinking about her?
"Devon is perfectly capable of running her own life. She doesn't need a husband and certainly not one like Ryan-disgustingly rich, dangerously handsome, infuriatingly smug...! Who cares if his kisses turn her knees to jelly?
"Perhaps the solution is a whirlwind wedding...and an equally quick divorce?"
Opinion: Unrealistic but still fun to read.

A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve

Started: 12/19/06
Finished: 12/22/06
Year: 2006
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B-
Reason for reading: booksfree.com
blurb (from back cover): "At an inn in the Berkshire Mountains, seven former schoolmates gather to celebrate a wedding-a reunion that becomes the occasion of astonishing revelations as the friends collectively recall a long-ago night that indelibly marked each of their lives."
Opinion: Not as good as The Pilot Wife but certainly still well worth it to read. Kinda tears at the heartstrings and causes the reader to think about what if.

Saddled with Trouble by Michele Scott

Started: 12/17/06
Finished: 12/19/06
Year: 2006
Genre: Mystery
Grade: B
Reason for reading: review for MyShelf.com
Blurb (from back cover): "Horse trainer Michaela Bancroft's husband is divorcing her for a twenty-two-year-old beauty queen. Stunned, Michaela is trying to rein in her life when she finds her Uncle Lou murdered in his prize stallion's stall. As she fends off debt collectors-and her ex-husband's renewed interest in her-Michaela begins to suspect that the killer may be someone close to her. When she's nearly run off the road the night after her uncle's funeral, Michaela is convinced she's on the fast track to becoming the next victim..."
Opinion: A fairly good mystery with plenty of suspects and action. For a complete review, check out MyShelf next month.

Private Reasons by Justine Davis

Started: 12/15/06
Finished: 12/17/06
Year: 1994
Genre: Romance (Silohouette Desire)
Grade: B
Reason for reading: grabbed it off the TBR shelf
Blurb (from back cover): "Riding instructor Kylie Rainwood had been getting on Tyler West's nerves. His teenage daughter chattered about Kylie morning, noon, and night, so why shouldn't Ty resent the woman who'd stolen his child's affections-even as he grew more out of touch?"
"The moment Ty confronted Kylie, she knew she was in trouble. Every inch of his masculine body was taut with anger and frustration...all directed at her.
"The painful past might have taught Ty to bottle his feelings, but for his daughter's sake, Kylie was determined to help him open up. She never bargained on uncovering his dark, long-buried secrets...or unleashing the torrent of raw passion that swiftly engulfed them both..."
Opinion: A fairly predictable but enjoyable book-a little twist at the end that one wouldn't necessary expect.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Started: 12/13/06
Finished: 12/15/06
Year: 2004 (this edition), originally published 1920
Genre: Classic literature
Grade: B
Reason for reading: booksfree.com, trying to catch up on some classics
Blurb (from back cover): "This is Newland Archer's world as he prepares to marry the beautiful but conventional May Welland. But when the mysterious Countess Ellen Olenska returns to New York after a disastrous marriage in Europe, Archer falls deeply in love with her. Torn between duty and passion, Archer struggles to make a decision that will courageously define his life-or mercilessly destroy it.
Opinion: I enjoyed Edith Frome when I read it back in high school so I was looking forward to reading this classic. It didn't disappoint. Well worth the time that I took in reading it. I can see why a lot of people have named this as one of their favorites.

Don't Blame Eve: A guide to live your life your way by Jovanka Ciares

Started: 12/12/06
Finished: DNF
Year: 2007
Genre: Self-help, women
Grade: F
Reason for reading: review for MyShelf
Blurb (from back cover): "Don't Blame Eve is a wonderful guide to empower, help and transform the lives of women of all colors, countries and cultures. It gives young women different perspective on the issues that affect them and helps them find all the tools necessary to achieve their dreams.
"Every women, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, rich and poor will have the opporutnity to see for herself that a life of peace, happiness, success and gratitude is available to them if they so desire. Jovanka Ciares covers every aspect of a young woman's life in an easy to read, no-nonsense way and inspires readers with practical advice that helps them:
"Open their minds to a better present and a greater future
"Take responsibility for their lives and change their conditioning
"Get organized and maximize their time
"Overcome body image issues and learn to love themselves first
"Be an independent thinker
"Have more fulfilling and long lasting relationships
"Become a more complete and better paid professional
"Maximize their finances and other resources
"Find a way to get what they want
"Eliminate roadblocks
"Remind them of the unlimited power that lies withing each of them...and so much more!"
Opinion: This book could have been so much better if it didn't seem preachy with several references to God and the such. Very frustrating to read.

Houses of Stone by Barbara Michaels

Started: 12/10/06
Finished: 12/12/06
Year: 1993
Genre: Suspense
Grade: C
Reason for reading: grabbed it off the TBR shelf
Blurb (from back cover): "It was a career-making discovery for English professor Karen Holloway: a battered, faded manuscript, the lost masterpiece of a 19th-century poet called Ismene. Almost obessively, Karen delves into her research to unmask the woman behind the mysterious name. But the clues she seeks are hidden in the poet's own words-as a ghost story unfolds before her, a tormented voice from the past..."
Opinion: great concept and overall nicely done. Wish that it had focused more on the mysterious going-ons at the place where Karen was doing her research.

Kim by Rudyard Kipling

Stared: 12/8/06
Finished: 12/10/06
Year: 1987 (this edition), originally 1901
Genre: Classic fiction
Grade: C
Reason for reading: booksfree.com
Blurb (from back cover): "Two men-a boy who grows into early manhood and an old ascetic priest, the lama-are at the centre of the novel. A quest faces them both. Born in India, Kim is nevertheless white, a sahib. While he wants to play the Great Game of Imperialism, he is also spiritually bound to the lama. His aim, as he moves chameleon-like through the two cultures, is to reconcile these opposing strands, while the lama searches for redemption from the Wheel of Life.
"A celebration of their friendship in a beautiful but often hostile environment, Kim captures the opulence of India's exotic landscape, overlaid by the uneasy presence of British Raj."
Opinion: Well, I'm glad that I was never forced to reading this back in high school. My mind was very easily wandering throughout this book. What I find so interesting is why do some people claim that they know what authors are thinking when they wrote the book? I just find that so frustrating. Can I see why this is a classic? Not really. Am I going to attempt this one again? Probably not-too many other books out there for me to read.

Acts of Violets by Kate Collins

Started: 12/6/06
Finished: 12/7/06
Year: 2007
Genre: Mystery
Grade: C+
Reason for reading: review for MyShelf
Blurb (from back cover): "Abby has been dating Marco-ex-cop, bartender, and all-around hunk-for several months when the Pickle Fest starts. But he's still a mystery to her. And after he disappears for a day, she's stunned to read in the paper: Ex-cop Questioned in Man's Death. It seems the authorities have found Snuggles the Clown pushing up water-spurting daisies-and Marco was the last person seen leaving Snuggle's house. Abby knows in her bones that he's innocent. But why, when his life is on the line, is Marco being so secretive with her? And who is the attractive woman he escorted to the Pickle Fest? To do the legwork, she'll have to delve into the eerie clown underworld, where the smiles are fake and everyone has a trick up his sleeve..."
Opinion: Abby appears to be a young 20-year old something who's new to relationships. Getting past that slight immaturity, the mystery is a fun read. For a more complete review, check out MyShelf next year.

An Indecent Purposal by Sandra Marton

Started: 12/5/06
Finished: 12/6/06
Year: 1996
Genre: Romance (Harlequin Presents)
Grade: C
Reason for reading: grabbed it off the TBR shelf
Blurb (from back cover): "Cade Landon tells his story: "When I heard that my father wanted me to sort out Gordon Oil, I thought that Angelica Gordon would be a pushover. Shows how wrong a man can be! Angelica's different to any other women I've met, and I just can't get enough of her. That doesn't mean I'm in love with her...of course it doesn't. I'm an independent guy, and I don't need any woman as a permanent fixture in my life. So why, when it comes to saving her beloved oil company, do I find myself making all sorts of proposals just to keep this particular "Angel" happy?"
Opinion: Way too fast paced to be realistic. A couple of laugh out loud moments due to the stubborness of both characters.

Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King

Started: 11/28/06
Finished: 12/4/06
Year: 2003
Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Grade: B-
Reason for reading: booksfree.com-continuing with the series
Blurb: The 5th edition of the Dark Tower Series.
Opinion: I like this better than the last one but not as good as some of the other books. What I did like about this one was the traveling between Roland's world and New York-living in NY, I can picture where the characters were and what they were looking at. I did get a chuckle at how Stephen King put himself in the book.