Classic Crave: House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Gripping. Easy to read and fun to read. Loved it. A definite recommend.

This is the empire of Matteo Alacran, a feudal drug lord in the country of Opium, which lies between the United States and Aztlan, formerly Mexico. Field work, or any menial tasks, are done by “eejits,” humans in whose brains computer chips have been installed to insure docility. Alacran, or El Patron, has lived 140 years with the help of transplants from a series of clones, a common practice among rich men in this world. The intelligence of clones is usually destroyed at birth, but Matt, the latest of Alacran’s doubles, has been spared because he belongs to El Patron. He grows up in the family’s mansion, alternately caged and despised as an animal and pampered and educated as El Patron’s favorite. Gradually he realizes the fate that is in store for him, and with the help of Tam Lin, his bluff and kind Scottish bodyguard, he escapes to Aztlan. There he and other “lost children” are trapped in a more subtle kind of slavery before Matt can return to Opium to take his rightful place and transform his country.

Classic Crave: In the Company of Liars by David Ellis

A woman accused of murder is caught in a tortuous psychological maze that leaves her only one escape–suicide. Or does it? Told in reverse chronological order, from its enigmatic end to its brilliant beginning.

An excellent book. A little hard to get into at first, but the tight plotting, especially as what you thought you knew begins to unravel, it’s gripping. Almost had to re-read back to front.

Classic Crave: Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson

When Arlene Fleet headed off to college in Chicago, she made three promises to God: She would never again lie, never fornicate outside marriage, and never, ever go back to her tiny hometown of Possett, Alabama. All God had to do in exchange was to make sure the body of high school quarterback Jim Beverly was never found. Ten years later, Arlene has kept her promises, but an old schoolmate has recently turned up asking questions. And now Arlene’s African American beau has given her a tough ultimatum: introduce him to her family, or he’s gone. As she prepares to confront guilt, discrimination, and a decade of deception, Arlene is about to discover just how far she will go to find redemption and love.
Very good. Quick. Good plot – not too many twists, but enough to keep you interested. Nice resolution and believable characters.

Classic Crave brings back reviews of some of my favorite books, read before 2008.

Classic Crave: Sofie Metropolis by Tori Carrington

Sofie Metropolis should be married. But when she caught her groom and her maid of honor carrying on with each other in the church, Sofie canceled the wedding. She took the honeymoon by herself, and she kept all the presents, including a small apartment building filled with just the sort of quirky tenants you’d expect in an old Queens neighborhood like Astoria. Sofie should be waiting tables-her father and grandfather have competing restaurants on opposite corners. Instead, she’s a juniorvery junior-private investigator at her Uncle Spyros’s detective agency. Which means she finds missing pets and takes photos of people’s spouses doing things they shouldn’t.Sofie’s life takes another unexpected turn when her latest cheating spouse case turns into attempted murder-of Sofie-and she’s rescued by a dashing Australian bounty hunter. And there’s a missing “vampire” to find, not to mention Sofie’s mother’s best friend’s lost dog . . . .

Good read. Nicely developed characters. Some similar elements to Stephanie Plum series. Not really a mystery, but quick and easy to read.

Classic Crave: Cinderella Pact by Sarah Stroymeyer

NOLA DEVLIN HAS A SECRET IDENTITY. By day she is an overweight, frumpy, and overlooked editor at Sass! (the “celebrity magazine with an edge!”), but by night she slips behind her keyboard and into her alter-ego: Belinda Apple. Belinda is thin, gorgeous, British and the author of a trendy advice column— she is, in effect, the latest Carrie Bradshaw. Not even her two best friends or her self-absorbed sister (who worships Belinda as the “sister she never had”) know her secret.

Good Beach read in the same vein as Jennifer Weiner’s “Good in Bed”
Also very funny that Bubbles – the character from her mystery books – makes a guest appearance. So does Harley Jane Kozack. Too Funny. Loved the characters.

Classic Crave: A Confidential Source by Jan Brogan

Investigative reporter Hallie Ahernused to work in Boston, but now is covering school board meetings in a tiny bureau office in Rhode Island. One night the local convenience store clerk is shot while Hallie is in the store. Some suggest it’s not just a robbery – this story is Hallie’s chance to make it on to the Providence Chronicle’s investigative team.

This novel had good fast plotting and I liked the character of Hallie.  This turned out to be the start of a new mystery series.

Classic Crave: Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston

I enjoyed this author’s first book Good Grief so I picked this up when it was new in August 2006.

After two years of infertility treatments Elinor and Ted aren’t conceiving. Elinor is depressed and withdrawn. Ted joins a gym and begins an affair with Gina. Elinor finds out. They separate. Then Gina’s son moves in with her and becomes attached to Ted, who begins tutoring him in math. Now what will happen between Elinor and Ted and Ted and Gina?

I think Lolly Winston writes real characters and I thought Elinor’s friendship with her neighbor was well depicted and rang true. The point of view shifts in each chapter. The ending has a sense of hope and ties up most of the loose ends.

Classic Crave: The Love Season by Elin Hilderbrand

This was the first Elin Hilderbrand novel I read, and if you’re a regular reader you know this summer I read more by her. She’s always great for a vacation read.

Renata, 19, wants to learn about her mother, who died 14 years earlier. Marguerite, a former chef of a culinary hotspot on Nantucket, is Renata’s godmother and was her mother’s best friend and holds the answers Renata seeks.

As Marguerite prepares for the meal – meeting old friends and reminicing about her life before Candace’s death – Renata goes about her day -making decisions which will alter her future.

This is a quick enjoyable read with believable characters. There is suspense about why Marguerite feels responsible for Candace’s death that keeps the reader interested.  It’s also a sad, bittersweet tale and shocking when you discover why Marguerite can’t taste. And the last line is quite haunting.

Classic Crave: My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

We read this in July 2006 for book group.

Anna was born as a genetic match to Kate, who has leukemia. Anna’s cord blood puts Kate into remission for six years, then the doctors do a bone marrow transplant and Kate is in remission again. However, now 16, Kate has kidney failure and Anna hires Campbell to legally have her medically emancipated so she can refuse to be Kate’s donor again. The story takes place during one week, with flashbacks provided by their mom and chapters are told from alternating points of view.

I love Jodi Picoult and this was the first book I read by her and I still think it’s her best. This is an excellent book, well-written, but be prepared with a box of tissues when you read it as it’s sad. And with all Jodi Picoult books, there’s an ending twist you don’t see coming.

Classic Crave: 52 Fights: a newlywed’s confession by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson

Newlywed’s Jennifer and Matt really love each other, but who knew that in his family Saturday’s were for tackling chores, while in her family Saturdays were for sleeping late? Week by week Jennifer chronicles the disagreements and negotiations that occur during this first year. She also explores how a single gal, who rejects the housewife stereotype, reconciles her feelings, attitudes and behavior about being a wife.

I really enjoyed this book because I could relate to it. I liked the short “vignette” style chapters, and how each one included good advice for conducting yourself in a marriage. (or really in any relationship where you’re living together.)