Xmas was good for books!

Since I haven't had time to read anything longer than a magazine article in the last two weeks, I'll give you a view of what books I'll be reading in the future:

Received for Xmas:
Darkfall - Dean Koontz (Just started this)
Eva Luna and Zorro - Isabel Allende
Autobiography of a Face - Lucy Grealy
A Long Way Down - Nick Hornby
A Peace to End All Peace - David Fromkin

Book Club for the next few months:
Assassination Vacation - Sarah Vowell
Ragtime - E.L. Doctorow
Salt: A World History - Mark Kurlansky

Books acquired at book club's book exchange:
The Broker - John Grisham
African Nights - Kuki Gallmann
The Invisible Circus - Jennifer Egan
Punished by Rewards - Kohn

Been sitting on the shelf waiting for the right mood (in no particular order):
The Call of the Wild and White Fang - Jack London
The Christmas Box -Richard Paul Evans
Bite - CJ Tosh
Adam Bede - George Elliot
The Cloister Walk, Dakota and Amazing Grace - Kathleen Norris
Under the Banner of Heaven - Jon Krakauer
East is East - TC Boyle
The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2004
The Prince of Tides - Pat Conroy
Selected Fiction - Henry James
The Time of Our Singing - Richard Powers
The Twins of Tribeca - Rachel Pine
Revelation - L Christian Bailing
Heat from Another Sun - David L Lindsey
The Winter of Our Discontent - John Steinbeck
Affinity - Sarah Waters
Secret Love - Bart Schneider
Stolen Lives - Malika Oufkin
Dearest Friend, A life of Abigail Adams - Lynne Withey
Africans in America, America's Journey through Slavery
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert M Pirsig
The End of the Dream - Ann Rule
Killer Smile - Lisa Scottoline
The King of Torts - John Grisham
Skinny Dip - Carl Hiaasan
One True Thing - Anna Quindlen
Time to be in Earnest - PD James
Love Frustration - RM Johnson
Sappho's Leap - Erica Jong
A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
Sixth Precinct - Christopher Newman
Protect and Defend - Richard North Patterson
Family Orchard - Nomi Eve
PG County - Connie Briscoe
Blood Memory and The Footprints of God - Greg Iles
Five Quarters of the Orange - Joanne Harris
Reign of the Rat - Gil Smolin
Fool's Errand - Robin Hobb
Shadowmarch - Tad Williams
The Innocent - Harlan Coben

Take the Canolli - Sarah Vowell

This book accompanied me to my Aunt Marcella's funeral, as well. I heard her on NPR a few years ago and she was cracking me up, so I looked up some of her books. People had left good reviews, so I ordered Take the Canolli. Then it sat on my shelf while other books caught my attention. Needing something light for the trip, I packed it along.

One morning, I found myself hanging out in Starbucks, waiting for my Aunt Joyce to wake up for our morning walk on the beach. Seated between some professors and a sleeping student, I listened to dance music and found myself laughing out loud. I didn't even mind the stares. The beginning of this book was laugh out loud funny. I found myself talking it up to complete strangers (as well as my family). As the book progressed, it turned to more grin and amusement from its laugh out loud origins. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Vowell.

This will be staying in the library (and for that matter, I sent it as a Christmas gift). We are reading Assassination Vacation for book club in January, I can't wait.

Havana Heat - Carolina Garcia-Aguilera

I took this book when I traveled for my aunt's funeral. I wanted something silly and lighthearted. It delivered on that expectation. A Cuban PI living in Florida - who of course needs to sneak into Cuba and back. It was predictable, but enjoyable. It's part of a series and I think I am a few books out of order. I would probably read other ones if I find them used, but I won't buy them new.

This will be passed on and will not remain on the shelf.

Brother Odd - Dean R. Koontz

I love Dean Koontz books and this book reminded me why. It was funny and scary, with twists and turns, I found myself racing toward the end. In between, I was pausing to laugh out loud or read a passage to Higgy. It's the return of Odd Thomas - and while I like Koontz's non-series books, I am glad he finally wrote a series. It's nice to have a familiar character to go with all the strange happenings.

It'll go on the shelf after I get it back from Mom (Happy b-day Mom!).