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By:  Lisa Jackson (apparently her website is down or I'd provide a link)

I read this book because it was available on Kindle for $.79, but unfortunately it's back up to regular price.  I've always really enjoyed Lisa Jackson and this one didn't let me down either.  To be honest, the first third of the book was kinda boring and I was wondering where it was gonna go.  I stuck with it though and I'm glad I did.  About half way through it started getting really interesting and ended with a bang.  I loved the characters, particularly Annabelle.  It amused me that the dog's name was Bella, I wondered if that was a dis on Twilight's Bella.  Anyway, the ending was a great surprise and kinda different and twisty. 

In honor of Waiting on Wednesday and Lisa Jackson my pick this week would be:

Live to Tell (July 13, 2010)

Horns

by Joe Hill


I loved this book.  I even love the cover of the book, it's so perfect for the story inside. The basic premise is that the main character becomes a devil. In a drunken fit of grief over his murdered girlfriend he “invokes” a devil into him. As he interacts with those around him they can’t help themselves in the faces of the power of the horns and they end up confessing their deep dark secrets to him. A lot of reviews focus on how funny this book is and yes, it is laugh out loud hilarious in parts. It was a very dark book and definitely not for the faint of heart. There was a lot in that book that could spur some theological discussion about God vs. Satan and good vs. evil. It’s one of those stories that I find myself thinking about from time to time. I very much enjoy the writing style of Joe Hill. I read Heart Shaped Box and really liked that book as well. I look forward to future work by this talented writer.  (He's Stephen King's son!)  Oh, and I did listen to this on audiobook.  The reader, Fred Berman, did a good job.  It was well acted with different voices for the characters and he captured the humor in the story very well...he could deliver the lines with the right kind of dead pan expression that was required.

Victim Six

by Gregg Olsen


I wanted to like this book, I really did. I have little scraps of paper with book titles and authors scattered all over the place as reminders to look for those books when I’m out and about. I’ve had that one written down for quite a few months and I finally got a copy of it from the library. There was nothing wrong with the book. Strong characters, decent writing, a good plot, etc. For some reason though, I just couldn’t get into the book. I think I got to Victim 2 and I just didn’t really care what happened to her or the next 4 victims. Back to the library it went. I would give Mr. Olsen another shot. Most of his books are true crime which isn’t my thing, but he’s got at least one other fiction book out.

If I Stay

by Gayle Forman


I read this book in about a day, which is a shame because I got it from interlibrary loan and I had to wait weeks for it. I didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t read anything about it beforehand. I saw an ad for it in Entertainment Weekly and decided I needed to read it. My first impression was that it was a “Lovely Bones” wannabe. It wasn’t bad though, it’s not a bad thing to aspire to be such a grand book. It’s classified as YA and that seems appropriate, but I think the story could appeal to adults. I appreciated the author’s ability to keep it fast paced and not languishing too much in the details. Would I tell everyone to run out and buy it? Maybe, if you had teenagers in the house that would read it as well. Definitely get it from the library, it’s worth the read. It’ll make you think.

The Luxe Series

by Anna Godbersen

Turn of the Century catty girls and fabulous dresses is the 2 second version of the 4 book series. I finally finished up the 4th book recently. The order, by the way, is The Luxe, Rumors, Envy, and Splendor. The whole time I was reading them it seemed to me that it would make a great show on The CW...probably not one I'd watch, but that type of teen melodrama doesn't exactly appeal to me. The books are classified as Young Adult which is right on target. Even though they're fairly long they're very easy to read and not complicated. Parents of teens need not worry there's no cussing and any sex is glossed over. My favorite thing about these books were the etiquette tips from the 1900s scattered throughout...my my how far we've come.  Overall I thought they were a fun, light read...perfect read for the beach.

Deeper Than the Dead

by Tami Hoag


Lately I started listening to audiobooks in the car as I run all my errands. This is the most recent audio book I listened to and I'm very glad I did (as opposed to reading the actual book). Kirsten Potter did an excellent job bringing the characters to life and her overall tone of voice was quite suited for audiobooks. The story itself was quite good, but a little predictable. I suspect that may have been the author's intent though, to make the reader feel smarter. I found myself drawn to the characters particularly Tommy, although at a few spots I wish there would have been a little more information. I wondered why this one did that? Or where did this one go? There were several references to Janet's childhood, but there was never any explanation as to what went on. And what happened to Dennis?? These, however, are minor little details that aren't really important in the end. The story was well written and well read and so engaging that at times I hated getting to my destination. I would end up sitting in my car listening to the story to see what would happen next! I think a present day sequel would be fun...find out where everyone ended up and everyone's seemingly perfect lives are turned upside down by the return of the creepy Dennis Farman (sp? I never saw it spelled out!!) or is it just a coincidence?? There's you an idea Tami Hoag! :)