Here’s what I read in 2008, organized by category and mostly alphabetical by author within category.
Non-Fiction, General:
Far Appalachia, Noah Adams
This calm and friendly book gave me some context for the places Mr. Karen talks about when he goes kayaking in that region.
The Soul of a Horse, Joe Camp
I am not a horse person, but I really liked this book. I admit that I did speed read the chapters written from a horse’s perspective, as those were less interesting to me.
The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women, Dawn Dais
I picked this up thinking it might motivate me to run longer distances. It struck me as funny in a quick browse in the bookstore, and it was funny (if a bit repetitive), and I did get one new stretch out of it that I’ve added to my pre- and post-run routine, but I was left feeling rather discouraged. The author trained for and completed one marathon, but never seemed to get to a point where she ever liked running, not even for small bits of time. The end of the book says she’s still running, but I have no idea why, given the constant complaints throughout.
Uniforms: Why We Are What We Wear, Paul Fussell
If ever a book needed pictures, it’s this one. I had too Google “Army pink trousers” to see that they weren’t really even remotely what I think of as pink, and maybe it’s my fault my education didn’t cover what a “Sam Browne belt” is, but I was frequently distracted while reading this wishing I could see what the heck he was writing about. I finished it not feeling any more enlightened about “why we are what we wear” than I had been when I started, as the text was more a collection of observations than an analysis that came to a conclusion.
Cooked, Jeff Henderson, read by the author (A)
I liked this for the glimpse into three ways of life I’ll never lead myself: drug dealer, prison inmate, and professional chef.
Everett Kircher: Michigan’s Resort Pioneer, Everett Kircher and others
This was in our hotel room at Big Sky. I think they should consider taking it out, as I was not impressed to learn that the founder of the company which owns the resort has a low opinion of people like me (a non-Republican who skis with her legs not right next to each other and believes children should be allowed to pursue their dreams and not their parents’). In one chapter, Mr. Kircher mentioned how trout he attempted to introduce to Michigan decades ago mostly didn’t survive due to PCBs and other pollutants but that things were much better now thanks to environmental regulations—does he think Republicans made that happen?
Daughter of the Queen of Sheba, Jacki Lyden
I listen to the author on NPR, so I picked up this memoir that focuses on her mentally ill mother. At times the prose left me feeling a bit crazy myself, with metaphors that made no sense to me and sections where the present and the past seemed to be all mixed together.
It’s Hard to Make a Difference When You Can’t Find Your Keys, Marilyn Paul
I got this as part of my never-ending quest to get more organized after seeing it mentioned on someone’s blog (whose? I don’t know—I’m not that organized!) There’s some good information in here, but I had trouble getting into it. The font used is pretty small, so I had to spend a fair bit of energy just concentrating on making out the words (even with my reading glasses on), leaving fewer brain cells available to absorb the content. The subtitle of this is “The Seven-Step Path to Becoming Truly Organized”, and I can’t remember even one of them now, just a day after finishing my reading. I might try re-reading this.
I Should Have Stayed Home, edited by Roger Rapoport and Marguerita Castanera
Overall I enjoyed this collection of travel gone wrong stories. A few were a bit gross, and one was incredibly whiny, but most were at least somewhat entertaining.
Stiff, Mary Roach, read by Sherry Fraser (A)
As one might imagine in a book about cadavers, there is some horror in here. It was the stuff about animal experiments that really got to me.
It’s All Too Much, Peter Walsh
Reading this is part of my keep less, organize more effort. I think I’m going to have to read parts of it again, as I finished it when we were on vacation and the enthusiasm it spurred in me to declutter had mostly burned out by the time we got home.
Slow Fat Triathlete, Jayne Williams
This was recommended by a friend at work. It’s what I was hoping the The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women would be—a motivational book for athletes like me. I was slightly discouraged that the author ran her first 5K faster than I’ve ever done one but felt better when I reminded myself that she’s a lot younger than I am. I was very intrigued to learn that some triathlons have a separate division for women over 150 pounds; I might have a hope of competing in that class.
Non-Fiction, Crafting:
Things I Learned from Knitting, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
A small but nice collection of “read one before bed” essays.
Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair, Laurie Perry
I bought this because I heard the author interviewed on the KnitPicks podcast and remembered how much I liked her website (why I don’t visit it very often I do not know).
The book doesn’t quite capture the charm of the site, but it’s pretty good.
Fiction, General:
Heaven, V. C. Andrews (BC)
Do not read this book. It is awful, and not in an entertaining way.
Border Crossing, Pat Barker, read by Simon Prebble (A)
This had some interesting parts, but the way it just sort of trailed off left me disappointed.
Hunting Season, Nevada Barr, read by Barbara Rosenblat (A)
This was my first exposure to the Anna Pigeon series, and I liked it well enough that I might try some other titles featuring the character.
Death of a Travelling Man, M. C. Beaton, read by Davina Porter (A)
It seemed like it took a long time before the travelling man died and things could really get rolling. Who did it was pretty easy to guess (though it took a while for the how to become clear), as was the fate of the main character’s assistant.
Abigail Raisin and the Quiche of Death, M.C. Beaton, read by Donada Peters (A)
With a title like that, I couldn’t leave it on the shelf at the library. Until fairly recently, despite reading many Agatha Christie books in my youth, I didn’t know books like this were called “cozies”. It’s a fitting term for this pleasant despite the murder story.
Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley, M.C. Beaton, read by Donada Peters (A)
The heroine isn’t necessarily likeable, but I’m still interested in what she’s up to.
Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet, M. C. Beaton
I thought since I’d listened to the first and fourth in the series I should fill in the gaps, but had to read this one in paper because my library doesn’t have the audio. This is the second one in the series and met my expectations based on the others I’ve read.
The Curse of Chalion, Lois McMaster Bujold
I checked this out after reading a “help a bitch out” entry about it over at Smart Bitches (warning: spoilers, though I’d forgotten them by the time I got around to reading). I went back and forth on this while reading; some times I felt really hooked into the story and brought it to work with me so I could read during lunch (and I had a bulky library hardcover), then other times I just wished it would move along already. I didn’t appreciate the bad things happening to animals but that was mercifully limited to a few incidents. I liked it well enough to check out more from this new-to-me author.
The Final Solution, Michael Chabon, read by Michael York (A)
The chapter told from the point of view of the parrot was the best part of this short tale. Michael York did a great job reading it; the character voices were distinct and the narration was lovely to listen to.
When Day Breaks, Mary Jane Clark, read by Isabel Keating (A)
There were plenty of suspects for me to consider in this one. There was also one character who so clearly didn’t do it that I thought for sure she must have. I liked that I didn’t figure it out too early on. I really didn’t like that something bad happened to an animal in the prologue; I almost stopped reading right then, and probably would have if I’d had another book on CD in the car. Also, I’m skeptical that a critical clue could have been created in the few days it appears to have been but I guess some people do work a lot faster than I do.
A Year in the Merde, Stephen Clarke
I devoured this. I found parts of it so funny I was literally shaking with laughter.
The Pearl Harbor Murders, Max Allen Collins, read by Jeff Woodman (A)
I got a little impatient for someone to die already in the beginning. I appreciated the summary at the end sorting what was real from what was fictional.
The Book of Lost Things, John Connolly, read by Steven Crossley (A)
I’m not sure what to make of this book. A lot of it was really gruesome and nightmarish, but it was enough of a fairy tale that there was some distance there and I didn’t feel like abandoning it the way I did the novel about the terrorists. The non-fairy tale parts were mostly rather bleak, too, but I didn’t feel depressed when the end came.
Skeleton Dance, Aaron Elkins, read by George Guidall (A)
I think it would have been better to read this on paper than listen to it, as the name of the wife and the name of the police inspector were so similar as to be confusing when they were both in the same conversation. There were a few funny lines and no characters I wanted to throttle, so I’ll probably look for more in this series.
Lord John and the Private Matter, Diana Gabaldon, read by Jeff Woodman (A)
The back cover copy told me this features a character from the Outlander series, which I’ve never read but heard good things about. I had the idea that the series is sci fi/fantasy, so kept waiting for robots or magic or something otherworldly to appear in this book, which they never did. I liked it nonetheless, though I wished more of what was told in the big reveal in the last few chapters had been discovered throughout the book.
The Tooth of Time, Sue Henry, read by Lee Adams
I liked the premise of an older, independent woman traveling around the country and solving crimes. I liked the descriptions of Taos. I didn’t like all the foreshadowing, though. It’s a murder mystery; I know there will be bad guys and bad stuff happening so don’t need to be told ahead of time. I also was distracted by a couple plot points that didn’t make sense.
Murder on the Iditarod Trail, Sue Henry, read by Mary Peiffer (A)
I think maybe I should have read a non-fiction book about the Iditarod race instead, because those bits were the most interesting to me.
The Shape Shifter, Tony Hillerman, read by George Guidall (A)
I know now that this is a later book in on ongoing series, but I didn’t get that feeling while listening to it. This was my second try listening to this; the first time was too close to having listened to the same reader do a bunch of another series and that was confusing my brain. This was just okay; the mystery was not terribly mysterious but there was one character I really liked (too bad he wasn’t the main one).
Storm Track, Margaret Maron, read by C. J. Critt (A)
This kept me guessing, and I liked it. The wrap up was perhaps a bit too tidy, but that’s a small quibble.
Gilgamesh: A New English Version, Stephen Mitchell, read by George Guidall (A)
I feel a bit less ignorant now that I’ve read this.
You’ve Been Warned, James Patterson & Howard Roughan, read by Ilyana Kadushin (A)
I almost stopped reading this more than once. The heroine, who tells her story in the first person, is whiny and makes bad choices and I just got so tired of listening to her and her craziness. I kept at it hoping she’d die a horrible death or at the very least figure out what was going on so she could explain it to me. I ended up disappointed.
Deceit, James Siegal, read by Phil Sheridan (A)
This went on just a little too long. After a while I didn’t really care if the guy was crazy or if there was a conspiracy or what.
That Camden Summer, LaVyrle Spencer, read by David Dukes
The reader in this audio book reminded me so much of Dick Estelle, the radio reader on WKAR that I used to listen to back when I lived in Lansing; I got rather nostalic listening to him and it felt very comfortable. Wasn’t sure what to make of this book at first–was it a romance? a message novel?–but ended up liking it a lot. There is one very rough scene but I think it was needed.
The Father Hunt, Rex Stout, read by Michael Prichard (A)
The age of this one showed. These days we’ve got DNA tests for this sort of thing. Not the most engaging mystery ever, though maybe I shouldn’t have started with this book in the series—perhaps if I’d already known the characters I would have enjoyed it more.
Goodnight Nobody, Jennifer Weiner, read by Johanna Parker (A)
I so didn’t understand the heroine in this one. She seemed to have the emotional maturity and decision making skills of a high school girl even though she was in her 30s and a married mother of three. The heartbreak? Not buying it. The waffling between her husband and the other man? Nonsensical. The yanking the kids out of their familiar environment just when they would seem to need stability the most? Incomprehensible. Failing to get therapy when it’s clearly needed? Stupid.
Two Dollar Bill, Stuart Woods, read by Tony Roberts (A)
I stopped reading Stone Barrington after the ridiculous and unsexy L. A. Dead, then gave him another try a year later with Dirty Work, which was more of the same. I stayed away almost two years this time. This book was still ridiculous, but with a wink, the author nearly comes right out and says he knows his plots are unbelievable. I’ve given up trying to remember Stone’s history—romantic and otherwise—maybe that helps. (I’m pretty sure I’ve missed several books along the way.) This reader pronounces the name of Stone’s former partner differently than the reader I’ve listened to before; that was slightly distracting.
Elsewhere, Gabrielle Zevin, read by Cassandra Morris (A)
I loved this YA novel. Loved it. It had a great, thought-provoking premise and was sweet and sad and hopeful and I didn’t want it to end. The young narrator on the audio pronounced some words differently than I do and that jangled at times but I adapted.
Fiction, Paranormal:
Kiss of Midnight, Lara Adrian
Oh yes, more like this, please. The vampires in this new-to-me series resemble the Black Dagger Brotherhood in J. R. Ward’s books in some respects, but their names and their villains are easier to accept.
Kiss of Crimson, Lara Adrian
Second book into the series and I’m still liking it quite a bit (of course, I said that about the Black Dagger boys back in the day). I was genuinely surprised at how one of the subplots came out; that was quite refreshing.
Midnight Awakening, Lara Adrian
I’m still loving this series. I especially liked the heroine in this one, and the fact that the females do talk to each other about something other than their mates, and how the plot had both a resolution and the introduction of elements to come in future books.
Midnight Rising, Lara Adrian
This book was like what I imagine crack would be—I wanted it so much I didn’t think critically about it. I stayed up too late reading it. I brought it to work to read during lunch. And it’s the what—fourth?– in the series. Good job, Ms. Adrian.
Bitten, Kelley Armstrong
I had high hopes for this series but having read this first one, I don’t think it’s for me. I liked it better than other not-for-me books, but there was too much horror and violence and first person narration by a character I didn’t connect with.
Dark Needs at Night’s Edge, Kresley Cole
I’m still not so sure about this one—the ghostly heroine, the hero reformed through unclear means, the magik, the ten million dollars, etc.—but there were enough very good scenes in here to keep me reading.
Dark Desires After Dusk, Kresley Cole
Fifth in the series (sixth if you count the short story), and I liked it better than the previous one. This one was good fun, with a heroine who did a lot of her own rescuing. The ending did feel a bit rushed. I’m looking forward to reading the next one when it comes out in a little over a month from now.
Dead Over Heels, MaryJanice Davidson
I think Ms. Davidson and I need to break up. One of these novellas had a couple sweet moments, but mostly I wasn’t engaged by the stories. Looking back at last year’s book log, I was also disappointed in the last two books I read from her before this, so it may be time to give up.
Dead to Worse, Charlaine Harris
I liked this 8th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series better than the last one, as real world events didn’t intrude quite so much on the story. And there was a lot of story—witch stuff and were-animal stuff and vampire stuff and fairy stuff. The pacing seemed a bit odd, as major events were covered quickly while everyday routines got plenty of attention; it didn’t seem as focused as earlier books in the series.
The Vampire Queen’s Servant, Joey W. Hill
Wow, this went some interesting places. I wasn’t entirely comfortable in some of those places, but I’m still very glad I read this. There was a slow section in the middle, but it finished with a bang.
The Mark of the Vampire Queen, Joey W. Hill
I didn’t like this nearly as well as the first book in the series. I especially didn’t like the ending, which seems to set up a third book that almost certainly can’t have any of the things I liked about the first one in it. The relationship dynamic that hooked me has been turned on its head.
Catching Midnight, Emma Holly
Second in the upyr series. I’ve read two short stories in the series which led me to seek out this book. Mostly, I loved it. I did think it dragged a bit near the end, and parts of the world building confused me, but I liked the characters so much I can overlook that stuff.
Hunting Midnight, Emma Holly
Another upyr book, another thumbs up from me.
Fantasy Lover, Sherrilyn Kenyon
I took some time away from books to deal with all the magazines piled up in my house; reading this one made me wonder if I lost my tolerance for romance novels during the break or if this is just not a good one. I’m leaning toward the latter. I just couldn’t get into the premise; I could see the plot points coming and didn’t care for knowing for sure the hero and heroine weren’t going to get really busy until right near the end of the book (I know convention says they usually won’t, but it’s still nice to think they could even if they don’t). Also, all these gods and goddesses around lead to too many deus ex machina moments.
Master of the Night, Angela Knight
I picked this up because I was intrigued by reading some short stories set in this universe over the last couple years. I still like the premise but think this book lacks focus, veering from light humor to raunchiness to magical war. It sparked silly associations in my mind at times, with terms like Mageverse Fever (I think it’s goin’ around ) and Truebond (better than super glue?) sprinkled throughout. Some of the dialog also sounded clunky to my ear. I think I’ll try one more book in the series to see if I can get into it.
Master of the Moon, Angela Knight
I liked this better than Master of the Night. I appreciated the strong werewolf heroine, and the silly stuff that took me out of the story in the other book was much less in evidence here (though the guys with long Easter egg colored hair were a bit much). Yes, the ending was a bit predictable but I was happy with the outcome.
Sunshine, Robin McKinley
I loved this book, in a wanted to marry it and have it with me forever kind of way. On the face of it, I shouldn’t have liked it; the vampires are generally icky and evil, there’s a fair bit of graphic violence and only a very tiny bit of graphic sex, and the ending left many questions unanswered. But I did like it, so very much. Liked the characters, liked the world, liked the plotting, wished so much that this was the first in a series.
Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer
The end of the Twilight saga. I loved the first book so much that I forgave it a lot. I liked the second despite some reservations. I thought the third was okay. This one I wasn’t that crazy about. I did like that a character I thought was getting a raw deal in earlier books got a reward of sorts in this one, though the context was rather icky. But overall, I never engaged with the characters and thought so many things were just too conveniently worked out.
The Accidental Vampire, Lynsay Sands
I definitely haven’t lost my taste for romance novels. I like the world Lynsay Sands has created and the characters she’s populated it with, so I smiled right on through the ridiculous coincidences and credulity-defying plot points.
Vampires Are Forever, Lynsay Sands
Yet another Argeneau vampire fails to pay attention to his need for blood and hijinks ensue. In a baby vampire, that might be acceptable, but our hero is more than 200 years old. I’m losing patience with this family and this series. In this one, the main plot was a mystery that was never really resolved.
Mine to Possess, Nalini Singh
Not my favorite in the Psy-Changeling series, maybe because there wasn’t as much Psy in it as the others, or maybe because I didn’t connect with either partner in the main couple. I really liked the excerpt from the next one; I’m very curious to see how the character I think is the heroine gets out of the situation she’s in as the excerpt ended.
Lover Enshrined, J. R. Ward
I am so glad I got this sixth installment in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series from the library instead of buying it, because it’s sure not a keeper. The last BDB book pissed me off most at the end; this one pissed me off first in chapter three, and continued to annoy me at frequent intervals. (It helped not one bit that the author called the car I drive a “piece of shit” more than once.) I finished it mostly because I’m stubborn. Like the last book, there were too many subplots distracting from the main couple’s journey—even more so this time, I think. This is so far from the paranormal romance I so enjoyed in the first two books that I won’t be rushing to read what comes next.
Fiction, Historicals and Other Romances:
Something Wicked, Jo Beverley
Third in the Malloren series. I found this one oddly paced, with peril, sex, then more peril and sex, then almost nothing going on for a huge long stretch, ending with no peril, no particularly good explanations, and not really any sex either.
Secrets of the Night, Jo Beverley
Back to the Mallorens after I took a bit of break. This started strong but sort of ran out of steam as it went along. I still liked it but wished for more of a bang at the end.
Devilish, Jo Beverley
More Mallorens. I sped through this but had a couple problems with it. One of the perils and its aftermath just squicked me out, and I have no idea how the hero and heroine ended up together. A whole piece of the hero’s internal dialog was either missing or so subtle I missed it, because I didn’t understand his transformation.
Winter Fire, Jo Beverley
Eh. Like the last Malloren I read, the obstacles to the couple getting together were just suddenly gone with no satisfying explanation. The characters from earlier books in the series were more interesting to me than the current couple, too.
A Most Unsuitable Man, Jo Beverley
Definitely not the best in the Malloren series; like its predecessor, Winter Fire, this one features main characters who are less interesting than the supporting cast (by which I mostly mean Rothgar). It all works out a little too neatly, and there’s no real payoff at the end (by which I mean the marriage is consummated offscreen, so the last intimate image we have of the couple is an encounter from chapters and chapters before the end that left the hero, the heroine, and me all wishing it hadn’t happened that way).
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