The Uncommon Reader, Alan Bennett

Title: The Uncommon Reader
Author: Alan Bennett
Published: 2006, Faber and Faber
Category: General Fiction/Novella
Rating: 7/10

And now for something completely different. :D I borrowed this one from the library because it was one of Meghan's favorite reads from last year. I'm always interested in bibliophile-type books.

This is short little story about Queen Elizabeth (the current one) that starts one day when her Corgis take off running toward a bookmobile. The Queen follows along and then feels compelled to board the bookmobile and actually check out a book, just to be polite. She's never had much time for books in the past, but now all of a sudden she becomes consumed by reading. Her staff and everyone in the government don't understand at all and are greatly disturbed by it.

There are some really interesting insights about how discovering reading affects such an unusual person. Part of the allure seems to be her desire to forget her unique position: "The appeal of reading, she thought, lay in its indifference: there was something lofty about literature. Books did not care who was reading them and whether one read them are not. All readers were equal, herself included." And reading about the stories of average people is enlightening for someone who has always had such a rarified existence.

Besides the pithy statements about the importance of reading, this book is really quite funny. Understated British humor. At one point the Queen's security detail confiscates the book the Queen is reading because the sniffer dogs think it's a device of some kind. It gets "exploded." I'd be upset by that too. ;)

Fun read. And this isn't important at all, but I have to mention that the book has gorgeous endpapers that look like vintage wallpaper.

Doing Ireland! by Kate Hoffmann

Title: Doing Ireland!
Author: Kate Hoffmann
Published: 2007, Harlequin Blaze
Category: Category Romance
Rating: 4/10

I am still trying to keep an open mind about Harlequin categories. There's been a lot of talk in blogland lately about how if you completely ignore the ridiculous titles and cheesy covers, you can find some good stories in them. I've only read a few and so far have not found much to convince me of this. But I still try. I won a whole bundle of Harlequins from Devon (thanks, Devon!) and I had to read this one first. Because look at that title! That's just funny. And it's from the "Lust in Translation" series. *snicker*

Claire O'Connor gets dumped and loses her job, so what does she do? She jumps on a plane and goes to the Isle of Trall in Ireland to get some water from this spring that (according to legend) will make people fall in love. She thinks she'll bring some water back and make her ex see the error of his ways. But once she arrives at the charming little inn and meets its owner, Will, she's not so excited about going back. Because he is HOT, you see. Then they give each other water from the spring and they just don't know if it's true love or magic. Or lust. Oh noooes!

Okay, I was seriously rolling my eyes through this. It was quite readable (I did finish it) and there was some funny dialogue. But it was all such standard, everyday, cliched romantic fantasy that it just wasn't very interesting. Oooh, you're pretty. Let's make out! Oooh, you're nice too! Let's have sex! The characters were beautiful, rich, funny, confident. I saw no weakness, no quirkiness, nothing unique to make them interesting, and they didn't change or grow in any way. It just all struck me as very vanilla (I don't mean mild as in no sex; there was LOTS of sex, it is a Blaze after all). I just mean that it was all really predictable.

That's my opinion. (I say this because I haven't given this low a grade in a while. I feel mean. Other people might think this is the greatest book evah. This amazon reviewer said it was "FABULOUS!")

And I'm not ready to give up on categories. Not yet, anyway.

New template!

I know it doesn't look much different. I tried some of the other Blogger templates, but I just don't like them as well as this one. I am going to create a new banner (when I have time, so maybe . . . who knows). But otherwise, what do you think? I like the wider pane for the posts.

I finally updated to the new template feature on Blogger. I remember looking at it back when Blogger beta first happened and thinking it was awful. But it's actually pretty cool now. The tools for adding stuff to your sidebar is really nice and easy. If anyone is using Blogger and still hanging on to a classic template (where you have to edit the HTML to make any change), check it out.

Perils of Pleasure

Title: The Perils of Pleasure
Author: Julie Anne Long
Published: 2008, Avon
Category: Historical Romance
Rating: 7/10

Colin Eversea is the devil-may-care youngest son of the infamous Eversea clan, a family celebrated for doing as they please and always getting out of scrapes. As the book opens, however, it looks like Colin may not be as lucky as the rest of his family. He's been charged with murder (the key witness who would have proved his innocence has disappeared) and sentenced to hang. Minutes before he's due to swing he's rescued in an explosive and daring manner by a woman, Madeleine Greenway. Madeleine was hired to rescue Colin, but before she can deliver him and collect her reward, someone tries to kill her. Madeleine and Colin make an uneasy alliance and decide to figure out who wanted Colin alive and Madeleine dead. Their journey takes them through some of the seediest parts of London, where they meet all sorts of characters.

I wasn't completely wowed by this book (AAR gave it DIK status), but I did really enjoy it. Colin especially I thought was a great character -- he's really funny and charming. He's kind of lived his life with the goal of just having a good time, so when he has to deal with these weighty things (um, like dying) he's kind of shocked into introspection for the first time. He finally figures out what he really wants. I wasn't so thrilled with Madeleine. She's a very mysterious character at first, but we finally find out that she has had quite a sad past. And this was my problem with her; she had this tragic past that I never felt was appropriately dealt with. Not that I wanted her to be all mopey and woe-is-me, I just thought she was a bit inconsistent.

But all the crazy things the two uncover during their investigation are a lot of fun. The final revelation was quite surprising, though it was maybe glossed over a bit quickly. I wonder whether we'll hear more about it in the later books in the series. (Book 2, The Dangers of Desire, is due in November.)

Only other thing I have to say about this book is that I think the proofreader was asleep. I don't mean it to reflect on the author, because it's not her fault and it didn't really affect my enjoyment. But come on, Avon.

Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered my meet cute contest! The big winner is:

Rachel!

She correctly identified 5 of the titles. Brava!


And the consolation prize (randomly drawn from everyone who entered) goes to:

Samantha!

Yay! I believe you are both print books people, so an Amazon gift certificate will arrive in your inboxes sometime tomorrow.

And here are the answers:
1. This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart. Lucy Waring thinks Max Gale is trying to shoot the dolphin she's been befriending.
2. Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer. Dominic thinks he's stealing away to France with Sophie Challoner, only to discover that Sophie's sister Mary has taken her place.
3. Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers. Lord Peter Wimsey is determined to prove that Harriet didn't murder her lover.
4. Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase. Daphne Pembroke gets Rupert Carsington out of an Egyptian prison to help her find her kidnapped brother.
5. Faking It by Jennifer Crusie. Tilda and Davy meet in the closet of the house from which they are both trying to steal something.
6. High Noon by Nora Roberts. The only one that nobody got right! And I thought it was an easier one. Phoebe and Duncan meet as she's trying to talk down a suicide jumper who no longer wants to live because Duncan just fired him.
7. Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly. Fletcher thinks the tenant of his house is an old widow with two grown daughters, when in fact it is the young and beautiful Roxanna.
8. The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye. I really didn't think anyone would recognize this one because it's actually a children's book. But Kerry got it! Nice. The Ordinary Princess is given many gifts by fairies at her christening, but then the last one is that she will be ordinary. She runs away from home and has lots of adventures--including making friends with Mr. Pemberthy the squirrel and meeting Perry, the man-of-all-work. The sweetest book ever, with really gorgeous illustrations.

All such great books. :)
Congrats to the winners and thanks again to everyone!

Meme - 6 unimportant things about me.

Jill tagged me for this meme.

Here are the rules:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share six unimportant things about you
4. Tag six random people at the end of your blog entry
5. Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blog.


1. I sometimes daydream about having a lady's maid. Someone who would keep my clothes nice and pick out what I would wear every day. Because I like to look nice, but I hate shopping and there are about a million things I'd rather do than fuss with clothes. As it is, I just can't be bothered and end up wearing jeans and a sweater every day.

2. I've started taking step aerobics classes and I love them. I'd never done it before and it always struck me as an odd, 1980s sort of thing. But it's actually really fun.

3. I have recently rediscovered pears. I decided as a child that I didn't like them (I don't know why), but now I think they're one of my favorite fruits. Even the canned kind is good.

4. I really need a haircut.

5. My brother and sister and I all have this habit (given to us by our father) of being reminded of show tune lyrics in the middle of conversations and proceeding to sing them. An example: Today I met Twin for lunch and I mentioned the Carolina basketball game tonight and how they were going to trounce NC State. She sang, "Pounce him! Trounce him! Pick him up and bounce him!" (From Oliver!) Don't worry, we don't do it in front of strangers.

6. My favorite TV show right now is Psych. It makes me laugh.

I can't remember who hasn't been tagged -- so whoever hasn't done this yet, you're it. :)

Meet Cute Contest -- BIG HINT

Okay, I'm realizing that my contest is kind of hard. So here's a big hint for you:

These are all excerpts from books by my favorite authors. And psst -- I list my favorite authors on my sidebar. :)

Kerry and Samantha--If this changes your guesses, you can resend your answers.

Meet Cute Contest!

Today is the 2nd anniversary of my blog! I can't believe it's been that long. I started blogging sort of on a whim and had no idea how much I would come to enjoy it. But I discovered such a wonderful community of readers here -- lots of really smart women who love books (especially romance) as much as I do. And the great recommendations! Ah! JMC gave me Carla Kelly. Rosario gave me Susanna Kearsley and Eva Ibbotson. Li gave me Sharon Shinn. Wendy gave me Lani Diane Rich. Kristie gave me J.D. Robb. Nath shares my love of Kelley Armstrong and is trying to sell me on manga. Cindy always makes me laugh (and she gave me LORD OF DANGER, too). :D I could go on and on, but I want to send blog hugs (Twin coined the term blugs) to all my fellow readers. Blugs to everyone!

Enough with the mushy stuff, now for the important part. A contest!

I'm giving away 2 gift certificates for Amazon (or whatever ebook retailer the winner wants) each for $25. I'm calling this my meet cute contest. I've listed below 8 excerpts from books. These are the moments in each book where the hero and heroine first meet, usually under unusual circumstances. I've taken out all proper names to make it a little harder. All you have to do is tell me what book each excerpt comes from, and who wrote it.

One gift certificate will go to the person who gets the most correct. And everyone who enters will be put into a drawing for the other. So even if you have no clue, take a stab. You can even just guess an author. Any guess will get you into the drawing for the 2nd gift certificate.

So, again, here are the RULES.

1) Email your answers to me. jenniesbooklog (at) gmail. Do NOT put your answers in the comments.
2) Answer should include each book's title and author.
3) Don't use google, people. Because that's just wrong. You'll go to hell, you will. :p
4) Contest closes at 10 pm (EST) on Thursday, Feb. 21.
5) Anyone and everyone is welcome to enter!

And here are the excerpts:

Number 1:

He said, not aggressively but not politely, "This is private ground, you know. Perhaps you'd be good enough to leave by the way you came? This only takes you up to the terrace, and then more or less through the house."
I got enough breath to speak, and wasted neither time nor words. "Why were you shooting at that dolphin?"
He looked as blank as if I had suddenly slapped his face. "Why was I what?"
"That was you just now, wasn't it, shooting at the dolphin down in the bay?"
"My dear g---" He checked himself, and said, like someone dealing with a lunatic, "Just what are you talking about?"

Number 2:

"Let it be on the instant," [the hero] said, "or I miss the tide."
"My lord, it shall be!" the landlord assured him, and bustled out.
[The heroine] heard the door shut, and turned. [The hero] had thrown down his whip and gloves, and was watching her in some amusement. "Well, Mistress Discretion?" he said. "Do you take off that mask, or must I?"
She put up her hands to the strings, and untied it. "I think it has served its turn," she said composedly, and put back her hood.
The smile was wiped from his face; he stood staring at her. "What the devil---?" he began.

Number 3:

[The hero] sat down and waited, a prey to curious sensations. Presently there was a noise of footsteps, and the prisoner was brought in, attended by a female wardess. She took the chair opposite to [the hero], the wardess withdrew and the door was shut. [The hero], who had risen, cleared his throat.
"Good afternoon," he said unimpressively.
The prisoner looked at him.
"Please sit down," she said, in the curious, deep voice which had attracted him in Court.

Number 4:

Chains clanked. A dark figure rose. A very tall, dark figure. [The heroine] could not make out his features in the gloom. Surrounded by protectors, she had no reason to be alarmed. All the same, her heart picked up speed, her skin prickled, and every nerve ending spring into quivering awareness.
"Mr. Beechey," she said, her voice not as steady as she could wish, "are you sure this is the man I want?"
An impossibly deep voice, most definitely not Mr. Beechey's, answered with a laugh, "That would depend, madam, on what it is you want me for."

Number 5:

She opened the first two doors and shoved the clothes apart to search the back of the closet.
A man stood there.
[The heroine] turned to run, and he slapped his hand over her mouth from behind and yanked her against him. She kicked back and connected with his shin, and he swore and lost his balance and dragged her to the carpet as he fell.
He weighed a ton.
"Okay," he said calmly in her ear, while she struggled under him, trying to pry his hand from her mouth before her lungs collapsed. "Let's not panic."
...
"Because I'm really not this kind of guy," he went on. "There's no criminal intent here. Well, not against you."

Number 6:

The redhead shot into the room like a sleek bullet. She shrugged out of a light jacket while she talked to the captain, then shrugged into a bulletproof vest. All her movements lightning quick.
[The hero] couldn't hear what they were saying. And he couldn't take his eyes off her.
Purpose was the first term that came to his mind. Then energy. Then sexy, though the third was mixed into the first two in equal portions. She shook her head, looked toward [the hero]---long, cool stare with cat-green eyes.
...
She studied the man currently making soothing noises over the subject's weeping. Former employer and landlord, she deduced.
Young for it, she mused. Very cute guy who looked as if he was trying hard not to panic.

Number 7:

He knocked on the door and waited. After a long moment, he heard light footsteps on the stairs.
"Who is it, please?" came a small voice behind the door. She sounded apprehensive, and he couldn't marvel at that, considering the lateness of the hour. The old widow probably didn't have much male company, especially with two spinster daughters.
"I am [hero's name], and I own this property," he said a little louder, in case she should be hard of hearing. "Could I come in? I think Tibbie Winslow was not expecting me so soon."
The key turned in the lock then, and the door opened upon the prettiest woman he had seen in years, perhaps ever. . .

Number 8:

On one of the tables the candles were still burning. And on the edge of the table, swinging his legs and licking strawberry ice cream out of a silver ladle, sat a young man who could only be one of the senior royal pages.
He was a nice-looking young man in a wine-colored velvet doublet with rather tousled hair. [The heroine] stopped just inside the door.
"Hello," said the nice young man.
"Hello," said [the heroine].
They looked at each other in the candlelight, and the nice young man smiled. It was a nice smile that made his eyes crinkle up at the corners, and [the heroine] smiled back. She had a rather nice smile herself, and it wrinkled her freckled nose.
"Were you looking for something?" inquired the young man.
"Nuts," said [the heroine]. "For Mr. Pemberthey," she explained.
The young man looked puzzled. "Mr. Pemberthey?"
"He's only a squirrel," said [the heroine], "but he's a particular friend of mine, and he is extremely fond of nuts."
"Oh, I see," said the nice young man, quite as if he did.

I voted!

I finally voted in AAR's Annual Reader Poll. With a few hours to spare! Voting closes tonight at midnight.

I sat down with my 2007 reading grid and realized that I didn't actually read that many books that were published in 2007. It takes quite a while for most things to filter to the top of my TBR. Often over a year, apparently. I kept thinking of good things to vote for and then realizing that they were pub'd in 2006. I'm so slow.

Anyway, here's my ballot. I only voted in about half the categories.

Favorite funny - Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer
Most-hanky read - Beau Crusoe, Carla Kelly
Most tortured hero - James Trevenen, Beau Crusoe
Strongest heroine - Lilith Milton, Demon Angel, Meljean Brook
Best romance hero - Dag Redwing, The Sharing Knife: Legacy, Lois McMaster Bujold
Best romance couple - Colin and Savi, Demon Moon, Meljean Brook
Best villain - Villiers, Desperate Duchesses, Eloisa James (Maybe I didn't get the point of this one, as Villiers is sort of likable. But he's so well drawn and interesting.)
Author most glommed - Eva Ibbotson (Was this supposed to be an author who published something in 2007? If so, this isn't going to count.)
Best European historical - Not Quite a Lady, Loretta Chase
Best romantic suspense - High Noon, Nora Roberts
Best SF, Fantasy - Demon Moon, Meljean Brook (Can I just say that the whole Fantasy/Paranormal distinction is SUPER confusing? I even read their little definition and still wasn't sure which category to put Demon Moon in. I hope I did it right.)
Best paranormal/time travel - No Humans Involved, Kelley Armstrong
Best chicklit/womens fiction - The Fortune Quilt, Lani Diane Rich
Least believable HEA - Sexiest Man Alive, Diane Holquist
Most disappointing romance - The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes, Crusie/Stuart/Dreyer

Demon Night, Meljean Brook

Title: Demon Night
Author: Meljean Brook
Published: 2008, Berkley
Category: Urban Fantasy Romance (?)
Rating: 9/10

I actually got to read this book in proofs a few months ago (sometimes my job completely rocks). But as soon as it was released I had to buy it and read it again. I think it's the best Guardian book yet.

Charlie Newcombe was an opera singer until a self-destructive phase sent her spiraling into alcoholism. Then she ran her car into a restaurant, ruining her voice. Just when she's finally getting her life back on track, she's attacked by vampires (yeah, her life kind of sucks). But before they can really get to Charlie, they're run off by Guardian Ethan McCabe (also called Drifter). Charlie has to adjust to the idea that vampires and demons exist and that her neighbor, who she's been casually flirting with for weeks, has wings and has been assigned to protect her. Charlie is a target because her sister is a scientist doing research on the healing powers of vampire blood.

Now, I usually do not like paranormal books. I know I'm in the minority among romance readers on that one. It's mostly the violence that turns me off. But I also hate the way some of them seem to meander around, the fantastic elements of the world seeming completely ridiculous or inconsistent or unnecessary--magic stuck in just for the sake of having it rather than being integral to the plot. But this series is such a fully developed, intricate, and interesting world that I just love it. It's pretty complicated, and I recommend people do a quick read-through of the Guardian Primer on Meljean's site. It's a good way to get your head around the larger story arc before diving into this one. And as for violence, it's there (one scene especially was pretty hard to handle) but it's not too graphic, and the action is so exciting that it didn't bother me.

Imo, this book reads much more smoothly than the previous books in the series. There were a few times in Demon Angel and Demon Moon when I felt like the plot shot on ahead of me, leaving me behind, more than a little confused. That was never a problem as I was reading Demon Night. The action sequences were so tight and exciting. I loved hearing so much more about how the Guardians work. Because they're just cool and completely kick-ass.

Charlie and Ethan are such great characters. They both have big backstories -- Ethan, of course, because he's centuries old and we get to hear about how he gave up his life for another in order to become a Guardian. His good-guy, old West charm made me fall for him in a big way (the way he calls her "Miss Charlie"--Eee!). And Charlie's fascinating because she's sort of hit rock bottom and been able to pull herself up again, even when other people didn't think she'd be able to. She's quite different than the incredibly strong-willed Lilith or Savi -- she knows that she's been weak in the past and is therefore desperate not to depend on anyone else, even though circumstances force her to. She's constantly fighting just to get by, which makes her a really admirable character.

And the writing is just great. Beyond the story and characters, there's a real talent here in putting words together in a way that just makes me do a happy sigh. Here's an example I love. It's spoilerish, so I'm whiting it out. Charlie's inside a house watching as Ethan fights a demon outside. She's holding a gun, trying to get in a shot at the demon.

The glass in front of her shattered, and her ears rang painfully. Charlie blinked and staggered forward, stared at the cracks radiating from the neat hole in the center of the window. Blood beaded on the glass like scarlet dew on a spider's web.

Her chest hurt. She couldn't see breathe or see. Then the window collapsed, a shining waterfall of broken glass, and everything was clear again.

Did she shoot the demon?! Did the demon shoot her? You have to read the book to find out. ;)

Okay, this is already long and I feel like I still haven't properly explained why I liked it so much. Really good reviews are hard to write! Anyway, I think this will be a favorite for a long time.

Apparently Jake's story is next (he's another Guardian). Yay!

To Have and To Hold, Patricia Gaffney

Title: To Have and To Hold
Author: Patricia Gaffney
Published: 1995, Topaz (NAL)
Category: Historical Romance
Rating: 8/10

I have completed book 1 of my Classic Romance Challenge! And I knew this was a good idea. These books are classics for good reason. To Have and To Hold is a beautifully written and really emotionally gripping book.

We start with a rake, Sebastian Verlaine, rich, cynical, and selfish. He's just inherited a property, and as part of his new position he must act as magistrate of this little village where his estate is. One of the first cases he hears is that of Rachel Wade, a young woman who is being charged with "indigence and no fixed abode" (sort of appalling that this was a crime back then). Rachel has just been released from prison, where she's been for 10 years since being found guilty of murdering her husband. As a convict, she has been unable to find any work. Something about Rachel intrigues Sebastian, so he surprises the whole court by offering her the position of housekeeper on his estate. Rachel is relieved beyond imagination that she won't have to go back to prison, even though she realizes that Sebastian expects her to also be his mistress. Which he absolutely does.

I have to admit that there were some parts of this book that made me pretty uncomfortable. Because Sebastian really is a bad man at the beginning (no fake rake here)--he hires Rachel because he's bored and intrigued by the idea of having complete power over this rather pathetic woman. And he exerts that power fully--and though it's a bit spoilerish I have to say that the first time they have sex, it is rape. She wants to keep her job; she just doesn't have any other option. Add to that Rachel's tons of emotional baggage from prison and an abusive marriage and you have to wonder how these two could ever move past this inequitable relationship to find mutual understanding and love.

But I totally bought it, and the romance was fantastic. Rachel must take a chance at life again, and Sebastian actually wakes up out of his cynical self-hatred to find that true affection can be a reality. Both characters were really complex and interesting. I think one of the reasons I'd been putting off this book was because these over-the-top dramatic and passionate stories can be too much for me. But this book (especially the second half) was just lovely. A bit sad and heartbreaking in places, but ultimately very warm and satisfying.

This is the second book in the Wyckerley trilogy. To Love and to Cherish is first and Forever and Ever is the last. I'll definitely be reading them at some point. :)

Faro's Daughter, Georgette Heyer

Title: Faro's Daughter
Author: Georgette Heyer
Published: 1941, Dutton
Category: Historical Romance
Rating: 8/10

I'm still making my way through Heyer's Regencies. Because I love them so.

Max Ravenscar, a wealthy gentleman, is called upon by his frantic aunt to disengage her son, Lord Mablethorpe, from an infatuation with "a creature -- oh, a hussy! -- out of a gaming-house!" Miss Deborah Grantham lives with her aunt, whose reduced circumstances have forced them to open her house for card parties and gaming. Though Deb's money troubles are bad, she has no intention of actually marrying Lord Mablethorpe, because he is too young and silly. But when Max tries to buy her off from the supposed engagement, she's totally insulted and decides to teach him a lesson.

I think this is one of my favorite Heyers! It's not actually very romance-ish -- the hero and heroine spend most of the novel fighting with each other. Deb is one of Heyer's older, wiser heroines; she's really feisty, has a terrific temper, and wants more than anything to get the better of Max. "It was not long before a scheme, so dazzlingly diabolical as almost to take her breath away, was born in her mind." Both she and Max are horribly stubborn, and they go to some rather ridiculous extremes to best each other, which makes for some great hijinks.

So definitely not in any way a treacly romance. Deb says to Max, "You are rude, and stupid, and I was never so plagued by anyone in my life!" But their similarities of character do make it believable that they should fall in love. I loved the book for its snappy dialogue and funny situations.

Pardon me, while I talk about politics (gasp!)

So you all know that I never talk about politics here, or anything really except books. But I do want to explain my "Crafters for Obama" button that's over there in the sidebar now. Twin and I both have always steered clear of political debate, though our family is full of political junkies. But she's recently become a very vocal supporter of Barack Obama. And she's certainly got me convinced. I, too, find his message inspiring -- and I had not thought it possible for my cynical self to be inspired by a politician. ;)

You can read Twin's very eloquent words here. Check it out. Crafters for Obama is the fundraising campaign she's started among her circle of crafting bloggers. I'm very proud of her for taking a stand and doing so much for a cause she believes in.

If you're in a state having elections on Tuesday, don't forget to get out and vote!