false 176 661 195 true 5652906 read 2 true 3231065 currently-reading 463 true 3231064 to-read 10 false 3862510 reference http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78840945 Thursday Night Widows (Paperback) by Claudia Piñeiro
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]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78784133 In the Beginning: The Art of Genesis: A Pop-Up Book (Hardcover) by Chuck Fischer
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78784034 Chocolate: A Love Story: 65 Chocolate Dessert Recipes from Max Brenner's Private Collection (Hardcover) by Max Brenner
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78737311 The Wrong Mother: A Novel (Paperback) by Sophie Hannah
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]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77587712 to: Wishin' and Hopin': A Christmas Story (Hardcover) by Wally Lamb
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/58322099 to: Witch & Wizard (Hardcover) by James Patterson
Wisty and Whit are pretty typical teen-agers when their world is turned upside down. Their home is invaded and they are arrested by the New Order. It seems that they have magical powers they’re not aware of. The New Order is a frightening system of government -

The New Order is a bright new future. It is a future that replaces the corrupting and illusory freedoms of so-called democracies and replaces them with a higher discipline. It has taken many, many years of planning, strategic political postings, scientific polling, demographic research, precise messaging and carefully monitored elections

In prison, Whit and Wisty discover and hone their magical abilities and realize it’s up to them to make a difference in the fight against the New Order.

Witch & Wizard by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet is a YA novel that seems to be trying to cash in on the popularity of the Harry Potter series. It’s not nearly as captivating, though. I’m not sure if it’s because the concept’s old or if it’s because the relationships aren’t explored as deeply. The story alternates between Wisty’s and Whit’s viewpoints and I found this confusing at times – the chapter’s are short and I’d just get used to one narrator when the viewpoint would change.

This book was just okay for me. The action wasn’t exciting enough and the characters just didn’t draw me in. I think Witch & Wizard is aimed at the young male, reluctant reader market, which I am definitely not a part of – hopefully it will appeal to them more than it did to me. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/63499074 to: New Tricks (Hardcover) by David Rosenfelt
When wealthy businessman and scientist Walter Timmerman is murdered, his son, Steven and wife (Steven’s step-mother) fight over custody of his Bernese mountain dog puppy, Waggy. The court has appointed lawyer Andy Carpenter to resolve the dispute, and to retain custody of the dog until that happens.

Andy heads to the Timmerman home to take possession of Waggy. Steven is just leaving after arguing with his step-mother. Andy picks up the dog, and as he’s getting back in his car, an explosion rocks the house, killing Steven’s stepmother. Steven is arrested for the murder, and Andy finds himself representing both Steven and Waggy.

NEW TRICKS by David Rosenfelt was my first Andy Carpenter book (it’s the seventh in the series) but it definitely won’t be my last. This book can certainly stand on its own, but I’d like to read the series from the beginning. The book has it all – a solid mystery, a little romance and witty banter. I love Andy – he’s sarcastic, dedicated, a little bit lazy and crazy about dogs. He’s a great guy who struggles with showing his emotions. He’s in love with his long distance girlfriend and determined to solve the mystery and do right by Waggy. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining book and recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries and/or dogs.

David Rosenfelt is the former President of Marketing for Tri-Star Pictures. He and his wife operate The Tara Foundation, a dog rescue organization. They’ve rescued over 4,000 dogs and take home the ones that are too old or ill to be adoptable. I suspect Andy Carpenter is based on him. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73028728 to: A Christmas Ride: The Miracle of Lights (Hardcover) by Edie Hand
Robert and Meg Warner were a pretty typical couple. They stayed busy with their jobs so there wasn’t much time to spend with their children, Tim and Julie. They made it a point to set aside the time to spend Christmas in Breckenridge, Colorado, but that didn’t always go well either. It seems that the kids were always whining or Robert’s cell phone was ringing with a business call.

One year, Tim snuck away and took a horseback ride up a mountain. What he saw there was so stunning, he decided he had to share it with Julie the next year. When the two of them made the trip the next year, they were so amazed they knew they needed to make more of an effort to get along and appreciate their family. They vowed to show their parents the next year. Things change, and by the next year, Julie and Tim found themselves struggling to save their family.

A Christmas Ride: The Miracle of Lights by Edie Hand with Jeffery Addison is a story of love, family and hope. It will make you reflect on what’s really important in your life. This sweet novella is just the kind of story I like this time of year to put me in a holiday mood. It left me with tears in my eyes and a smile in my heart. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73030404 to: The Christmas Cookie Club: A Novel (Hardcover) by Ann Pearlman
Marnie is the organizer of The Christmas Cookie Club - a group of twelve women who gather once a year to ring in the holiday season and exchange cookies. Everyone brings thirteen dozen cookies – a dozen for each of them and a dozen for a charity. The club has been meeting for sixteen years and has some strict rules:

1. No chocolate chip cookies.
2. No cookie bars.
3. No paper plates covered in saran wrap.
4. No more than twelve in the group.
5. You can’t miss a year.
6. You have tenure after five years.
7. It’s always on the first Monday in December.
8. Bring copies of the recipe for everyone.

Since Marnie is the organizer, she is the common bond between all of the women and knows everyone’s secrets. For the most part, these women are supportive of each other through life’s ups and downs, and boy, do they do they have their fair share of struggles.

The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman takes place during one of the club’s meetings. A little bit of each character’s back story is filled in so the reader learns how they’re connected to Marnie and how they came to be a member of the club. I enjoyed spending an evening with the ladies of the club. Most of the women in this character driven novel have had their share of adversities and have become stronger because of them. It was a pleasure getting to know them and reading about how their friendships helped them survive the tough times. This book did tug at my heart strings at times and I became teary-eyed at more than one point while reading it.

For me, The Christmas Cookie Club isn’t really a Christmas story at all – it just happens to take place during the holiday season. Instead, it’s a story about the strength of women and the importance of friendship. After finishing the book, I reflected on how lucky I’ve been to know some remarkable women over the years.

The Christmas Cookie Club also includes recipes and interesting information about cookie ingredients such as vanilla and sugar. I found that information fascinating and learned a few new things! ]]>