Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

I really enjoyed this ya science fiction novel.

It’s well-written and an interesting premise. Four high school students are taken in to custody by the Department of Homeland Security after terrorist attacks in San Francisco. Marcus is interrogated and then returned home after four days, determined to get revenge upon the DHS. Since all communication is being monitored (via the Internet, cameras on the street, people’s Fast Track passes) he creates Xnet using an Xbox.

The author did a great job of creating/updating really a 1984-esqe drama that readers will relate with. Also, I really appreciated the way he gave back story about a particular piece of technology (such as cryptology or the DNS). The book ends with two afterwards – one from a security network and the other from the guy who hacked Xbox. Finally the author lists resources for more information. Very cool stuff.

Classic Crave: The Promise of a Lie by Harold Roughan

Dr. David Remler, a psychologist, is set up by his mysterious patient, Sam Kent, to take the fall for a crime. This novel had tons of plot twists, but everything has a resolution. The courtroom scenes were fabulous. I found it to be a very enjoyable and engaging read.

Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead by Saralee Rosenberg

I picked this new book up looking for a light read and got much more. Mindy Sherman’s been feuding for years with her perfect neighbor Beth Diamond. However, when an IM conversation goes viral, suddenly Beth needs a new friend and turns to Mindy for help. Mindy is dealing with her husband’s first son coming back, her in-laws possible break up and now Beth. Will Mindy finally develop a backbone?

This is not typical chick lit, and I enjoyed it. It’s deeper than a fluffy neighbor feud. Mindy was real feisty character, who saw that appearances didn’t matter and are often decieving. Also, there’s a neat family connection between Beth and Mindy. And a few surprises along the way.

Zombie Blondes by Brian James

Not quite sure what to say about this YA novel. Just didn’t give me quite enough. Not sure if it’s horror or romance or what. Hannah and her dad arrive in another small town – trying to escape their past. This town is empty and there’s something creepy about the cheerleaders with their perfect blonde hair, blue eyes and pale skin. The football team is known as the death squad and everyone in town seems under their spell. Lukas tries to worn Hannah, but the lure of popularity is too strong. The ending climax came suddenly and the ending leaves many unanswered questions yet it does leave room for a sequel.

Classic Crave: Sammy’s Hill by Kristin Gore

Yes, this is a book by the daughter of Al & Tipper Gore.

Samantha Joyce is a health care specialist for a senator. Sammy has many adventures including a cheating boyfriend, emailing a racy reply to a mass email of Washington hopefuls, thwarting a filibuster and then a vice-presidential campaign. Through these adventures she never loses her idealism.

This was laugh out loud funny and interesting social commentary on DC life. Sammy’s voice is quite unusual.

Multiple Blessings by Kate Gosselin

Subtitled: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets

I’m a huge of TLC’s reality show Jon and Kate Plus Eightso of course I was going to read the book. And I wasn’t disappointed. This slim book (only 150 pages) primarily covers the part of the Gosselin we’re not familiar – the early years of Jon & Kate, the twins and the entire sextuplet pregnancy experience. And that first stressful year. It pretty much ends with the email from the producers of the first hour special.

Kate’s voice rings true throughout this book even though it seems it was co-authored by Beth Carson. Also since it was published by Zondervan, a Christian book publisher, Bible verses are sprinkled throughout and Kate talks extensively about her faith and the Bible verses which helped her cope during her extended stay in the hospital.

Not sure if people not familiar with the tv show would enjoy this as much as I did.

Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan

I enjoy scrapbooking. I enjoy mysteries. So when this crossed my desk, well it was a no brainer with the subtitle: A Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft mystery.

Kiki lives in a wealthy St. Louis suburb and when her husband is found dead, naked, in a hotel room, she loses her comfortable life and sets out to find her husband’s killer. Hunky detective Chad Lowenstein helps her.

I was pleased with this book – it incorprates some good scrapbooking tips and it was a good mystery. The ending sets up what I hope is going to be a series.

Kiki is likable and there’s a great quirky cast of secondary characters. My only trouble was with sequencing- sometimes it was hard to know what day it was and when stuff had happened.

All in all an enjoyable read and I look forward to Kiki’s next adventure.

The Smart Cookie’s Guide to Making More Dough

Subtitled: How five young women got smart, formed a money group and took control of their finances.

I’d seen the Smart Cookies last year when they were on Oprah and I’d heard an interview with them on Jean Chatzky’s satellite radio show (before programming changes moved it from 5pm (darn XM). So when this came across my desk I grabbed it. I’m all about women, financial information, and empowerment. And this book offers all three in high doses.

I’ve read a lot of money management books and what makes this book different is the perspective of the “smart cookies.” They augment their practical information with their personal stories of how they actually did it, and this makes the book more powerful and real than some written by the “experts.” (nothing against them – I love my personal finances gurus – Suze, Jean, Dave). The other unique thing is the practical guide in the last chapter to forming your own money group.

All in all I’d highly recommend this to any young woman in her 20′s or 30′s – in fact a few of my cousins might receive it as a gift this year! Visit the authors web site for more information.

QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller

Subtitled: What to Really Ask Yourself to Eliminate Blame, Complaining, and Procrastination

The cover also says: “practicing personal acountability at work and in life.”

I read this because Dave Ramsey mentioned it on his radio show. It’s a slim volume packed with realistic wisdom on taking responsibility and making things happen.

The QBQ has three parts – your question begins with “What” or “How”, contains “I” and focuses on action. It is the opposite of blaming, shaming and energy sucking “Why” questions.

I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to those looking for a quick thought provoking business read.

Classic Crave: Vegan Virgin Valentine by Carolyn Macker

“A” student and anal retentive Mara needs to loosen up. Enter her niece, V. Mara falls in love with her older boss at the coffeeshop and learns grades aren’t the only important part of life.

This YA novel was very funny with clever lines. I also found it uplifting. There are some mature situations so this should only be recommended to older teens.