Phillip Margolin

I wanted to end this blog post with a real bang of a book but found I could not think of any one book that would fit into my definition of light, fun, frivolous reads.  Especially once I picked up Phillip Margolin's new book Woman with a Gun.  But, I guess that title really does fit into "real bang" of a book.  I love Phillip Margolin, his books are such quick reads.  From the beginning of any novel he writes, it just grabs you, stays with you and you won't want to put them down.  He is such a great storyteller.  Although some of his novels can be a little graphic similar to Linda Castillo and Karin Slaughter, my favorite is Sleeping Beauty.  I did not want to read Woman with a Gun, I thought the cover looked cheesy and the storyline dull compared to his others.  But, over the weekend with nothing else to read, I picked it up and was hooked in the first chapter.  I have many questions that can only be answered by reading the rest of the book.  Alas, I had to come to work when I was only on chapter five.  So far so good and it looks like it may be a long night for me when I get home to get my questions answered...at least a couple hours.  Next time you are in the library, check out Phillip Margolin if you like mysteries that are quick reads with fulfilling story lines.

  

We carry Sleeping Beauty in Large Print format, regular print, physical audio CD and downloadable audio.  We carry Woman with a Gun in regular print format only.

Again, thank you for reading frivolously with us for a year!  Happy New Year and happy reading.  

Fools Rush In

I know I have referenced Kristan Higgins before with her Blue Heron series that I absolutely love...but with the holidays I needed a mind break and picked up Fools Rush In by her.  I was hooked and did not put it down until I was finished.  When I went looking for more, I found this one is actually the last of the series of books that are linked together with characters.  I put the rest on hold and we will see how they go.  I liked this one a lot because the main character is very stubborn in what she wants out of life.  She is motivated, does not sway from her decisions, knows what she wants and what will make her happy.  Until...life gets in the way, real emotions and she begins to understand the fairy tale is not exactly real...real life hurts, can be messy and oh so wonderful.

We will be carrying this book in regular paperback format.  At the time I read it, I did not realize we did not have it in our collection so it is being added as I write.  

Next week will be the last posting of Reading in the Clouds.  Thank you for reading frivolously for an entire year with us!  Please check out our new blog Fine Print for reading suggestions as well as Staff Reviews on the website.  

Skipping Christmas

This is such a fun book AND it was made into a movie called Christmas with the Kranks.  It is a nice, light, refreshing step away from the mysteries John Grisham usually writes.  I read it a long time ago but since I am waiting for my copy of Gray Mountain to come in, I thought I would pick it up again.  If you can just imagine a year without shopping, without the stress of finding the perfect gift, without smiling joyfully at an unwanted gift and instead SKIP CHRISTMAS altogether.  Some years that may be just what is needed.  This a fun, quick book that reveals trying to skip Christmas is not as easy as planned.

  

We carry Skipping Christmas in regular book format, physical audio cd and the movie on DVD.

Erin Brockovich

I loved the movie Erin Brockovich but I particularly like her fiction series.  I read, not too long ago Rock Bottom featuring AJ Palladino, environmental activist.  Superb suspense thriller you will not want to put down.  I am in the middle of the next novel Hot Water that is turning out to be just as amazing.  Erin Brockovich, with CJ Lyons is a passionate storyteller where real life experiences are mixed into the storyline that keep you guessing and wondering how it'll end.  I absolutely recommend this melodramatic thriller.  Another quick read but not frivolous.

  

We carry Rock Bottom in regular print format, e-book, MP3 CD, Playaway and downloadable audio.  We carry Hot Water in regular print format only.

Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography

I have read more nonfiction this year than I have in my entire life combined.  But I am still particular about what nonfiction I read.  This time, what can be a more frivolous read than an autobiography of a Hollywood Star?  In this case, Rob Lowe is the main character.  <sigh, whistle, swoon>  I thought this book would get down and dirty about his Hollywood life, his bad boy reputation, the spectacle/spectacular life, etc.  I actually though it was really well written and probably downplayed a lot of his escapades but very informative about how he grew up with other actors (Sean Penn, Charlie Sheen, Emilio Estevez, etc.).  Lowe talks about starting out in acting, the Brat Pack years, being an alcoholic, glamorous romances, his video escape, rehab, Wayne's World, West Wing and family.  It was a very quick read and I felt there could be more to the story (thus a sequel in Love Life?) but it was written with integrity and insightful antecdotes of everyone he came in contact with and molded him into the person he is today.  Try it, read it, love it.

We carry this book in regular print format, physical audio and downloadable audio.

Plain Murder

Here is another Amish mystery not quite as graphic as Linda Castillo but just as interesting.  Plain Murder by Emma Miller is a very quick read and a first in the beginning of a series.  The second installment, Plain Killing, comes out in January.  Booklist said it best:

After being away from her Amish community for many years, Rachel Mast returns home to Stone Mountain, Pennsylvania, with a new plan for running a successful B&B in her old hometown to bring in more tourists and bolster the local economy. Her big ideas get placed on hold, however, when she learns that a local businessman is missing. Things really get complicated when he turns up dead in her uncle’s cow pasture. Although he’s under suspicion, Rachel’s uncle flatly refuses to get a lawyer. So Rachel must take matters in her own hands to help prove his innocence, an adventure that leads to her getting pretty close to Evan Parks, a local police officer. Miller has written an exciting tale of mystery, love, and danger that will have readers turning the pages like crazy, wondering what the next big secret to be revealed will be and how Rachel will handle it.

We carry this book in regular print format.

Linda Castillo

I love reading about the Amish but I am completely obsessed with Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series where Kate used to be Amish and is now the chief of police for the community she used to belong to.  I probably should not write about this series here in this blog for it really goes against the light and fluffy type of reads previously posted but oh boy is this a terrific series.  I will lay it out for you; it is graphic, it is gory, but very quick reads (one element of this blog at least!).  The story lines will always keep you on your toes and when you are finished with one novel, you will run to get the next.  Start with the first, see how you like it.  Linda Castillo is one of the best writer of thriller novels.  Enjoy!

We carry this book in regular print format, physical audio cd, ebook and downloadable audio.