Wordy Wednesday: Summer Books of 2009

Since I've already contributed my Wordless Wednesday post for the day, I thought I would now share a Wordy Wednesday post. I have been reading a LOT lately... I mean, really, what else is there to do when it's so godforsaken hot that you sweat just sitting still? In front of a fan? With no clothes on?

I won't bore you all with lengthy reviews of all the titles I've devoured lately ( at least I'll try not to... I tend to get a little, well, wordy when talking books,, LOL!). I thought I would just do a quick little bulletpoint list and share a few brief thoughts and opinions of each.

Let's the bookishness begin!

• Austenland by Shannon Hale: I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but I have never even read Pride & Prejudice (or any other of Jane Austen's works). I've just never felt that compulsion, which is odd, since I do rather enjoy an occasional historical romance, and P&P has oft been touted as the best one ever. I have a friend who absolutely adores all things Austen, so I thought I would read this one, based on her high recommendation. I'm pleased to say that I wasn't disappointed. A very small book, which I easily read in two evenings of leisure on the porch, I was especially happy with the ending. And I'm now not only looking forward to Shannon Hale's newest release, The Actor and the Housewife, but I'm also contemplating diving into P&P!
• Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner: I first encountered this book probably a year and a half ago while browsing at Borders, but totally forgot to ever check and see if the library had it in stock. This past Monday I went to my favorite new place on earth (Half Price Books) and stumbled across it there for a mere $2.00. Knowing that I was going to be spending a couple hours waiting on hubby to go thru surgery the next morning, I went ahead and picked it up. And if I must be honest, I haven't put it down since. Except to go to work today. And even that was painful. I desperately wanted to be reading, which to me, is a sign that I am truly enjoying a book. Light-hearted, but still well written, Julie Kenner has taken a genre of books that seems to be really overdone these days and done the unexpected-- made it fresh & fun. I highly recommended this one, and can't wait to read the next installment in the series.
• With a Twist by Deirdre Martin: The first in her new Wild Hart saga, I loved how it combined food & romance. Two of my favorite things. I discovered Deirdre Martin a few months ago by reading a recommendation of another series of hers on Sassymonkey Reads. Looking forward to the next in this series as well.
• Not Becoming My Mother by Ruth Reichl: Simply put, I adore Ruth Reichl. I want to be her when I grow up. A huge thank you to my best friend Heather for giving me a RR book for Christmas many years ago, or else I would have likely never encountered the greatness that is Ruth's food writing. This small volume (and I literally mean small, it is tiny) was not what I expected. It veers very far away from her normal writing, and is instead a tribute to her mother. A beautiful, moving tribute to a mother that she strived her entire life to be nothing like-- I can't imagine a single woman reading this and not being struck with the urgent need to call their own mother and thank them for all their sacrifices.
• The Bookman's Promise by John Dunning: If you have not read the Cliff Janeway novels by John Dunning--- go. Go RIGHT now and buy Booked to Die, the first in the series. Set in the world of antiquarian and collectible books, they are a must for any lover of books. Add an insanely well written mystery plot line, and John Dunning can do no wrong. I'm currently re-reading the series, although I can find no hints or clues anywhere that a new one is in the works:( Boo.

Whew. There it is -- a brief sampling of what I've been up to... when I've not been blogging. Or cleaning. Or balancing my checkbook. (You get the drift:)). So now... what about you? I'd love to hear what you've been reading!