The Girl with a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson

Swanson, Peter. The Girl with a Clock for a Heart. New York: HarperCollins, 2014. Hardcover

The Girl with a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

George Foss is 40, living an uneventful life, and has never been able to forget his first love, Liana Decter. When she shows up in his local bar after he hasn't seen her for 20 years, George knows it's a bad idea to get involved with her again, but he is unable to resist. This fast-paced thriller will keep you guessing until the very end. I am really looking forward to Swanson's next novel. Fans of Dennis Lehane are sure to enjoy this.

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Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Asher, Jay. Thirteen Reasons Why. New York: Penguin, 2007. Hardcover.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clay Jensen finds a mysterious package on his porch and discovers that it contains a series of audiotapes from classmate Hannah Baker explaining 13 reasons why she committed suicide. Hannah Baker's voice narrates much of the book, interspersed with Clay's thoughts and interactions with those still living. Gripping account of a teen's feelings of isolation and powerlessness. I couldn't put this book down. Recommended for fans of John Green's Looking for Alaska. This also reminded me of Simon Lelic's A Thousand Cuts, which I loved.

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His Leading Lady by Jean Joachim

Joachim, Jean. His Leading Lady. Smashwords, 2014. nook book.

His Leading Lady by Jean C. Joachim
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Another free nook romance. I kept thinking this book was bad and that I shouldn't keep reading it. The line that made me drop it like a hot potato and laugh until tears ran down my face: "He wandered around like the last kernel in a bag of popcorn" (p. 87).

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Cupid's Chase 5K (Princeton, NJ)

If you are not familiar with the Cupid's Chase, it's a race run in February (weather permitting) to support people with disabilities. This is my fourth year doing the race, and definitely the coldest!! I saw a friend from library school who was doing her first 5K (she finished strong), and another friend who is training for an Ironman triathlon came out to support and photograph me.

This has been an incredibly cold winter for us in NJ so far, and it was 20°F when the race started. Compared to previous years, it was a pretty small turnout, which always means I've got a chance at an Age Group award.

The Cupid's Chase is usually one of my slower 5K races (there is a long incline and the cold...brrrrr). I am happy to report that today I finished in 26:43, which is a course record for me. The results listed me as #2 in my age group (no medal), but I hung around anyway. The first place finisher in my age group was also the first woman overall to finish (go 48-yr-old!!), so imagine my excitement when I got bumped up for a medal!

First place in Age Group (F 45-49)
2014 Results: 26:43.01 (F45-49: 2/15)

Previous results:

• 2011: 27:26.46 (F40-44: 11/38)
• 2012: 27:17.78 (F40-44: 6/26)
• 2013: 27:46.83 (F45-54: 6/41)

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Tartt, Donna. The Goldfinch. New York: Little, Brown, 2013. Hardcover.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a complicated relationship with Donna Tartt's work. I LOVED The Secret History, so much so that I have actually forced friends to read it. I waited and waited for her second novel, The Little Friend, which I found infuriating and unsatisfying. I am happy to report that The Goldfinch is brilliant. I loved every word of this novel. Not sure why the jacket blurb says that Theo Decker "miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother." I am pretty sure that no one would characterize a terrorist bomb as an accident, and there is no ambiguity about her cause of death. I digress... Theo is a fantastically drawn character, and you will find yourself rooting for him as he goes through trial after trial. Readers will be quickly swept into the chaos that is Theo's life and will most likely be white-knuckled throughout the ride. Brilliant.

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The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Moriarty, Liane. The Husband's Secret. New York: Putnam, 2013. Hardcover.

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this novel. Cecilia finds a letter from her husband "to be opened after his death." This presents a dilemma, as she is a "do-the-right-thing" kind of person, and her husband is not dead. Eventually, she opens the letter, discovers the secret, and must decide what to do with the knowledge. The author gives us three different stories and viewpoints, which can occasionally be frustrating as the reader is wondering "What is the secret?!" All three storylines meet, and I often found myself wondering, "What would I do?" All in all, an interesting and thought-provoking novel. I look forward to reading other works by this author.

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Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson

Paulson, Ingrid. Valkyrie Rising. New York: HarperTeen, 2012. nook book.

Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a child, I was obsessed with Norse mythology, and I really enjoyed this modern tale. Ellie is a "normal" teen girl, annoyed by her older brother Graham's protectiveness and confused by her feelings for his best friend, Tuck. All three go to visit Ellie's grandmother in Norway and discover some strange goings-on. Paulson does a nice job of weaving Norse mythology into the story. For those unfamiliar with Norse mythology, all is explained. Great teen read for anyone looking for something supernatural (not necessarily vampire).

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The Solitary House by Lynn Shepherd

Shepherd, Lynn. The Solitary House. New York: Delacorte, 2012. Hardcover.

The Solitary House by Lynn Shepherd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charles Maddox is hired by an attorney to find out who is sending threatening letters to one of the attorney's clients. Lovers of Dickens will thrill to read about London in the 1850's. Shepherd's narrative is clever, often addressing the readers directly and filling them in on details that our hero (Charles) has yet to discover. This is an excellent mystery. If you like this, consider reading Louis Bayard's Mr. Timothy.

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Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

King, Stephen. Doctor Sleep. New York: Scribner, 2013. Hardcover.

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I used to be completely obsessed with Stephen King. Then we broke up. It was me, not him. The Shining was so great, and I always wondered what happened to Danny, so I couldn't resist. I am glad I didn't. This was a great read, and I really loved seeing Danny as an adult. As expected, he's been through some hard times. Just when it finally seems as though he has gotten his life together, a girl named Abra, who has a strong shining, needs his help. The supernatural stuff is great, so imaginative, and I will never look at an RV the same way again. Highly recommend for fans of The Shining (book, not movie).

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Fear of Falling by S.L. Jenkins

Jenkins, S.L. Fear of Falling. North Charleston, SC: CreateSpace, 2013. nook book.

Fear of Falling by S.L. Jennings
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another discount nook purchase. Be advised: "This book deals with sensitive subjects such as domestic violence and sexual abuse. Not intended for readers under 17 years of age."

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The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Valente, Catherynne M. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. New York: Feiwel & Friends, 2011. Hardcover.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love the way this story unfolded. It reminds me of classic fairy tales I read as a child and, more than once, I felt as though I had traveled through the looking glass. September accepts a ride from Nebraska to Fairyland with the Green Wind and his Little Leopard. Once she arrives in Fairyland, there are many rules to follow and adventures to be had before she reaches her final destination. I can't wait to read the next book!

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Dark Legacy by Anna DeStefano

DeStefano, Anna. Dark Legacy. New York: Dorchester, 2009. nook book.

Dark Legacy by Anna DeStefano
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Free nook book from a couple of years ago. I've read worse, but still slightly embarrassed to admit to this one.

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Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich

Evanovich, Janet. Takedown Twenty. (Stephanie Plum Series). New York: Bantam, 2013. Hardcover.

Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Aaaaargh!! I was going to call it quits after 18, but then I read that Janet Evanovich was going to end the series with 20. So I read 19, and now 20. No conclusion. I visit her website and find out she has no plans to end the series. Sigh. This was more of the same. I think I'm out.

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Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Wein, Elizabeth. Rose Under Fire. New York: Hyperion, 2013. Hardcover.

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Code Name Verity is still my favorite of the two, but this novel was excellent. Rose Justice is a non-combat pilot who is captured during a plane delivery and imprisoned in a women's concentration camp. The story is told primarily in Rose's journal after the fact and has the feeling of a memoir. More than once, I was reminded of Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Wein has written another powerful story about a brave and resourceful young woman. Highly recommended.

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Throwing Heat by Jennifer Seasons

Seasons, Jennifer. Throwing Heat. (Diamonds and Dugouts #3). New York: Avon Impulse, 2013. nook book.

Also, I usually don't write detailed reviews of romance novels. I prefer to tell you if I dis/liked it and why.

Throwing Heat by Jennifer Seasons
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The first book in the series is still my favorite, but this was a good one. Interesting characters make for an entertaining read.

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Playing the Field by Jennifer Seasons

Seasons, Jennifer. Playing the Field. (Diamonds and Dugouts #2). New York: Avon Impulse, 2013. nook book.

I mentioned the binge-reading, right? I'm also a romance junkie. Don't judge.

Playing The Field by Jennifer Seasons
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I loved the first book, but this book was only ok, mostly because Sonny (main female character) is annoying.

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The Wicked Lady by Brenda Jernigan

Jernigan, Brenda. The Wicked Lady. New York: Kensington, 2000. nook book.

The Wicked Lady by Brenda Jernigan
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I am a sucker for a $0.99 nook romance deal. I finished this book, mostly because I am a binge reader, and because I keep hoping to discover a new favorite author. Not this time...

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Quote

"It is well known that reading quickens the growth of a heart like nothing else." ~ Catherynne M. Valente, The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making, p. 4.

The Bad Boy Billionaire's Wicked Arrangement by Maya Rodale

Rodale, Maya. The Bad Boy Billionaire's Wicked Arrangement. New York: HarperCollins, 2013. nook book.

The Bad Boy Billionaire's Wicked Arrangement by Maya Rodale
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Fun & entertaining. I like the connection with the historical romance (I'm a Regency junkie). I didn't realize that these were installment novellas. I wish the modern version was a little more different...I feel like I've already read this story.

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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Random House Children's Books, 2006. Hardcover.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a hard book to read. Liesl, the book thief, is an amazingly resilient girl, living in Nazi Germany during World War II. Filled with interesting characters and narrated by weary Death, Zusak captures both the hope and the hopelessness of people living through war. This heartbreaking, uplifting novel will stay with readers long after they have turned the last page.

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Happy New Year! Hamilton Hangover (Hamilton, NJ)

My 2014 is off to a good start! I did the 32nd annual Hamilton Hangover 5 mile run this afternoon. It was COLD, and a snowstorm is threatening, but I finished in 44:05. I also came home with a sweet long-sleeve tech tee.

Official Results

Where is the reading in this blog, you ask? It's not that I haven't been reading, it's that my failure to update my Goodreads account borders on pathological. This year, I'm resolving (gulp) to make note of every single book I read. I should be finished with Markus Zusak's The Book Thief any day now...

Wish me luck!