Reading Habits

I thought I'd share with you a couple of my reading habits. Granted, these are only the tip of my odd ice burg. I didn't want to overwhelm you, so I thought I'd do a couple at a time.

When you're reading a book, do you ever check to see how many pages the books is? I do that- every time. I'm one of those people who likes to know how long the book I'm reading is. And then, as I read the book, I keep track of how many pages I have left before I finish the book. For the most part, I'm not a fan of long books.

I don't just stop there. Nope, I have gotten into the habit of counting the number of pages in the individual chapters as well. I love shorter chapters. Being a person who ofter has to steal time to read, short chapters are wonderful. 10 pages,or less, are perfect to me. I've noticed that over the years, I've started seeing how long the chapter is that I'm about to begin. I don't really know why this is, but I do.

Funny how these were habits that formed over the last 5 years, or so. Growing up I don't remember being concerned with how long a book was, nor a chapter. Oh well. Things change as you get older. It does make me wonder what new habits I'll develop over the next few years. We shall see.

Murder Is Binding (Mystery Month)

Murder Is Binding
By: Lorna Barrett
271 Pages

Summary:
When she moved to Stoneham, city slicker Tricia Miles met nothing but friendly faces. And when she opened her mystery bookstore, she met friendly competition. But when she finds Doris Gleason dead in her own cookbook store, killed by a carving knife, the atmosphere seems more cutthroat than cordial. Someone wanted to get their hands on the rare cookbook that Doris had recently purchased-and the locals think that someone is Tricia. To clear her name, Tricia will have to take a page out of one of her own mysteries-and hunt down someone who isn't killing by the book.  ---bn.com

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. If I could, I would move to Stoneham, New Hampshire. However, it's a fictional place, so there goes that. I loved the idea of an entire street being devoted to different bookshops. I loved that this street was reviving the town's economy. I loved reading about it.

The plot was a little slow moving in areas, but  I didn't care because the book's setting kept me engrossed. The mystery itself was good. There were several times I thought I had it figured out, but I didn't. The plot twist was one I've only seen in soap operas. The characters were fun to meet and get to know.

For readers who enjoy light mystery without the blood, guts, and gore, this book may be one to try. If you love the book world, you will definitely like this book. This book is the first of the series and I look forward to reading the others.

Rating: Buy It

Eggs In Purgatory (Mystery Month)

Eggs In Purgatory
By: Laura Childs
280 Pages

Summary:
Suzanne, Toni, and Petra lose their husbands but find independence when they open the Cackleberry Club. Then their cozy cafe becomes the scene of a crime when a lawyer dies with a secret on his lips and egg on his face. What this all has to do with a religious cult and Suzanne's past could put her own life on the line. --bn.com

This was the first book I've read from Laura Childs, and I'm sorry to say I didn't like it. My Mom loved it, but I couldn't finish. While things happened right away, the plot slowed down very soon after. For me, this book took off from the gate, but couldn't keep up with the pace. Normally, in cases like these, I can hang on if the characters or environment the author has created it good. This was not true in this book.

I loved the idea of these women coming together and opening their own business, but I wasn't captivated by any of them. I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I couldn't keep myself focused on the book. Laura Childs has a few different mystery series she writes about, so I'm going to try a different one. I'm hoping I have better luck with that.

Rating: Borrow From Library

Blogspot Problems!!

I want to let you guys know that I've been running into problems with Blogspot lately. For some reason it hasn't let me leave comments in response to any you leave me. This has been an off and on problem for awhile, but I was able to work around it before. For some reason, that's no longer the case. I deeply apologize for this as I enjoy responding to what you guys have to say.

The other problem I'm having is Blogpsot not letting me insert pictures in my posts. I'm going to keep trying, so hopefully this problem is only a short term one. As of right now, I have one post that is being withheld due to this issue.

Thank you for your patience. I look forward to everything being worked out so I can get back to my postings & responses.

Love, Jen

Mystery Month!!

Since I've been reading a lot of mysteries lately, I thought I'd embrace it. So I'm turning the month of June into Mystery Month. I'm going to be compiling my list so I can jump right in on the 1st. You are welcome to read the books along with me.

The Shop On Blossom Street

The Shop On Blossom Street

By: Debbie MaComber

395 Pages

Summary: Lydia is a 2 time cancer survivor. Throwing caution to the wind, she rolls the dice and opens her own store. A Good Yarn is her dream come true. The store brings her 3 new friends, and 1 love. But when another cancer scare arrives, will let all of that go? Jacqueline doesn't like the woman her son married. When she learns they will be having a baby she's out to prove how good a Grandmother she will be. But, can she and her husband rekindle the love they once had? Alix had a rotten childhood. Hiding in a closet when her parents would fight, she would imagine the "perfect" Mother. One thing this mother did was knit. When Alix checks out the new yarn store on the street this memory locks her into a knitting class. Hey, if it counts towards her community service hours, better still. Carol and her husband have spent years thinking they had all the time in the world to conceive. However, once they began to try they learned they may never be able to. When Carol sees the knitting class's first project is to knit a baby blanket, Carol thinks it's a sign.

I loved this book! For awhile now my Mom has been telling me how good Debbie MaComber is. Well, she was right! This book was remarkable! I loved every minute of it. This book dealt with serious issues, but didn't drag you down by them. You got to see how the characters grew and slowly changed throughout the obstacles each had to endure. From cancer, to infertility, to scarring childhoods, jealousy, and loneliness. Debbie MaComber tackled them all through her characters.

My mom described this book- and author, for that matter- best when she said it was cozy and it was like a chocolate chip cookie. Thoroughly enjoyable, warm, and delightful.

Rating: Buy It/ Borrow From The Library

Invitation To Provence

Invitation To Provence

By: Elizabeth Adler

321 Pages

Summary:

Franny Marten is expecting to have dinner with her boyfriend. Instead, she meets the wife she didn't know he had. The two women become friends. Both go to Provence when an invitation for a family reunion is sent to Franny. Both are thinking they need to get away. Both find more than they thought they would when they arrive.

Franny knows things are about to end with her boyfriend, Marcus. She doesn't expect Marcus' wife, Clare, to be the one to end things for him. That surprise is followed by the two hitting it off. Soon after, Franny receives an invitation from France. A relative she didn't know about is hosting a family reunion and wants her to go- all expenses paid. Franny decides to go and asks Clare to go with her.

A handsome man brings his dog into Franny's veterinary office. What she doesn't know is that Jake Bronson is on a fact-finding mission of sorts. Neither of them expected to feel so much, so soon. However, things are a little bumpy.

I enjoyed this book. I had never read a book by Elizabeth Adler, but I will be reading more of her work. I loved the descriptions of France. I loved meeting and getting to know a village of people. I loved the characters, both the good ones and the not so good ones. This was one of the books I didn't want to put down.

Rafeala, Franny's Aunt, has a story that was amazing all on it's own. Rafeala herself was amazing. In fact, all of the book's secondary characters are fun to read. From Rafeala's two sons to her long lost best friend. From the butler, to the villagers- I loved them all. I hated to see the book come to an end.

Rating: Borrow From The Library/Buy It