I was practically born with a book in my hands. An avid reader my entire life, I read about 70-80 books a year. Yep, bona fide book nerd! I mainly read fiction, mysteries, fantasy, and some sci-fi. My favorite book of all time is Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh - read it as a kid and probably 100 times since then. I walked into a library around age 5 and thought I had found heaven, which explains why I am happy as a clam being a public librarian today! My favorite conversation starter: "Read any good books lately?"
I know I just blogged about Diviners by Bray but I am hooked on her books! Just finished Going Bovine and what a wild ride of a read!! Take a kid suffering from Mad Cow disease, a video gaming dwarf buddy, a talking gnome and an angel named Dulcie and you get a road trip where everyone learns more about life.
You may know of Ian McEwan from his novel Atonement which was a bestseller and made into a movie. His most recent book, Sweet Tooth, is set in 1970s Britain where we meet the protagonist Serena Frome. Frome is a young Cambridge student who has been identified as an ideal MI-5 or spy candidate. This book isn't a traditional spy novel but fans of mysteries and thrillers should enjoy the great writing and interesting philosophical Cold War themes.
I really like Libba Bray. Each one of her books is different and takes you to a whole new world. This book is set in 1920's New York where Evie has been banished due to mishap back home in Ohio. There is a rash of occult-related murders and you find that Evie and others have mysterious powers. Between the setting, great plot and engaging characters, I was sad when the book ended!!!
While strictly not a mystery, this book has the feel of a police procedural. Mr. Peanut is a cerebral look into the psychology of modern marriage. David and Alice have been married thirteen years yet now she's dead and he is the prime suspect. He fantasized about her death so in the end, did he do it?
While I'm waiting for the next book in Grafton's mystery series, picked up her new collection of short stories. I got a small Kinsey fix and some great insights into Grafton herself.