One For the Money: Janet Evanovich

This is the first of the Stephanie Plum series, and I'm hooked. I swear that if laughter is the best medicine, this is a closet full of cure.

Entombed: Linda Fairstein

This was a fun read. My introduction to Alexandra Cooper. Witty and literate, a nice addition to the sleuth series. A fine beach book, as I'm certain any of hers would be.

Tales of the Otori: James Hern

This is a perfectly magical book. Sparsely told, the action unfolds quickly, with a style that is engaging and witty. I look forward to reading the next in the series. I confess taht I had rolld my eyes a bit, figuring it would be fairly formulaic, but Hern creates characters that are wonderful, passionate, and of course at times doomed. A lovely example of the genre, and a fine work. On loan from (and returned to) Ethan.

Postcards: Annie Proulx

This is really quite a fine work. I am wholly impressed by the world Proulx reveals. Existential without the weepy woe-is-me flavour that pervades the genre. A classic at the outset, this novel spans five decades of failed pursuit of the American Dream. A considerable achievement for any author, this is a brilliant work as a debut. Nicely done in every regard.

Howl's Moving Castle:Diana Wynne Jones

Howl's Moving Castle is the best book i have read(aside from Harry Potter). I really like it. There was certainly a lot of magic in this book. I think that was the main reason I liked it so much. contents:

1. magic
2. mystery
3. a witty feeling
4. a total funny bone exercise!

A Case of Need: Michael Crichton

This was published in the late 60's under a pen name, and is a treatise and investigation into abortion and the times as well as being one hell of a good read. My favorite line comes from one of the appendices (and yes, it has footnotes and appendices, but don't let that put you off -- they are witty as well as informative).

I'll be looking to see what else he wrote at this time.

Must Love Dragons: Stephanie Rowe

This saucy little romp is the perfect beach book for dracophiles. Less corse and more fun than the Anita Blake stuff, it features a Satan that you practically root for, a dragon you would die for and a hero that every woman can relate to. I read this after David, and enjoyed being able to quote and quasi-quote from it ("thus again proving that *I* am Satan). Just overall fun.

Chain of Evidence: Ridley Pearson

Another fun ride by Pearson, this one has nice notes of mentorship and our own fallibility to go along with a good old who-done-it let's-catch-em.

The Pied Piper: Ridley Pearson

I just finished this and have to confess that I had never heard of Pearson before. I'm pleased to report that the writing is as engaging as the crime and the sleuthing. Look for more by this author. It's a great summer book.