Watcha Reading in January/February

[Michelle, Overrun By Pets]

I finished Claus: Legend of the Fat Man. I'm so glad I read this around the holiday season. It was a perfect choice for an end-of-year read. Although some of the story, and particularly the end pertaining to Mr. Santa's destiny, was predictable there was almost always a bit of a twist to liven up the plot. The landscape of the story was familiar enough to be comforting, with enough nouveau additions to keep me interested in what was coming next on this rowdy roller coaster of a sleigh ride. One of my favorite quotes comes from Nog, one of the many elves in the story, having a discussion with a human about a technologically advanced instrument "Magic is what you call something you don't understand. This is science, dear. Nothing magic about it." There were all kinds of wondrous scientific inventions that explain the mystique of Santa, the elves, and even the reindeer. I look forward to reading more Tony Bertauski in the future.

I started Shirley Link and the Hot Comic. I quite enjoyed the first installment and am looking forward to Shirley's continued adventures. I have been playing the Marvel Superheroes Lego video game with my hubby - so the topic of this book fits right in.

I started The Ultimate Guide to Vegetarian Cooking: 169 Delicious and Nutritious Vegetarian Recipes For All Occasions That You'll Love and Actually Use and am hoping for some healthy veggie inspirations to begin my new year!

I am about 30 percent through Lucifer's Hammer for this month's book club selection. Easy reading so far - I can't wait for the comet to hit!

[Andrew, Wound Up]

My reading has been slow paced. I finished Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly and thought it was pretty good. It had a confusing chronology and I felt that Bourdain embellished in parts.

I'm finally finishing The Goldfinch... a couple months late. I've got 10% left as of today and unfortunately I think the last bit is dropping it from five stars to less.

And I've actually kept pace in Lucifer's Hammer. I've got 1/3rd left and I think that it is struggling - it may be one of those books that ages poorly.

[Michelle, Overrun By Pets]

I'm two-thirds done with Lucifer's Hammer. The comet has struck, and humanity is struggling.

I'm almost half-way through Vegetarian Cookbook: 169 Delicious and Nutritious Vegetarian Recipes For All Occasions That You'll Love and Actually Use. We tried the Guacamole Taco recipe. It was light, fresh, tasty and I didn't even miss the meat or cheese.

I finished Shirley Link and the Hot Comic. It was a solid sequel. I like the new character Jacob and hope he sticks around. I think Jacob is just what Shirley needs as she so eloquently puts it: "Would I have been better off with Jacob as an arch-enemy?" Shirley is an interesting gal, she is overconfident and a bit brash, but still young enough to have respect and adoration for her mom - a nice mix.

[Andrew, Wound Up]

I read the first story in Suddenly, a Knock on the Door, next month's book selection. Basically I'm trying to get an idea of what type of questions we'll be dealing with. For a micro story it packed a lot of content into a little space, without feeling overtly dense.

[Michelle, Overrun By Pets]

I am done with Lucifer's Hammer and I'm glad. This was not my favorite read of the year, but the GREAT news is I have most of 2014 to recover, seek redemption and read other literary feats which are amazing.

I am nearly done with Suddenly, a Knock on the Door. If you haven't picked up this book, you should do so right away. It is intriguing and complex. There is something for everyone in this group of short stories. It reads with the pace of a Reader's Digest, but has a heft and weight and makes your neurons start firing - it is FANTASTIC. I'm still pondering some of the stories days after reading them.

[Sarah]

I have started Suddenly, A Knock On The Door. Several of Etgar's stories have left me deep in thought concerning the topic presented. My girls and I are enjoying Escape from Lemoncello's library. The imagery presented makes us feel like we are in the story and the advanced technology leaves us wanting the gadgets in our lives.

[Michelle, Overrun By Pets]

I finished Suddenly, a Knock on the Door and really loved it. I will definitely be reading more books by Etgar Keret.

Andrew read the first 12 chapters of 1Q84 aloud. I am enjoying it, but am polarized by really liking one major character and really disliking the other. I really hope I like both of them by the end of the book.

I'm now a bit over halfway through The Ultimate Guide to Vegetarian Cooking: 169 Delicious and Nutritious Vegetarian Recipes For All Occasions That You'll Love and Actually Use. I'm somewhat distracted by typographical and formatting errors, but I'm still planning on trying a few more recipes from this book.

[Andrew, Wound Up]

I zoomed through Diplomatic Immunity and loved it. It wasn't my favorite Vorkosigan novel but the series as a whole has moved in some fascinating directions. The protagonist of this long series has entered middle age which makes for adventures with more wisdom and less derring-do.

I started The Book of the Dun Cow but I'm not far enough in to make much comment. I have no idea where it's headed.

I also finished up Suddenly and am about 1/7 of the way through 1Q84 for the book club.