Once Upon Stilettos

Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


4.5 stars, really

I read the first book in this series, Enchanted, Inc., a couple of years ago, immediately put the rest of the series on my to-read list, and then forgot about them until last week. I'm so glad I ran across them in my list because they are such fun! It's hard to categorize this series because it's got mystery without any murder, romance without sex (at least so far), magic that hovers between "magical realism" and "fantasy," and humor without overt slapstick, etc. They are just FUN. And hard to put down. This one kept me up until after midnight on a work night.

Katie Chandler is a nonmagical person living in New York City, working for a magical company as a Verifier...because she is immune to magic and can see through illusions, survive magical fireballs, and so on. Her boss is Merlin (yep, that one), and she has a major crush on a wizard coworker but is dating a lawyer who is also an Immune. Strange things are an everyday occurrence for Katie, but things get even stranger when she's tasked with finding the corporate spy while dealing with her parents' visit, a sudden loss of magical immunity, and a just-as-sudden spike in popularity amongst the opposite sex.

For readers' advisors: story and character doorways, as well as setting (weird things are the norm in Times Square, right?)



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Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I haven't read many of Lisa Kleypas' books thus far, but I think I may have to change that. I really enjoyed this one, and not just because it was set in NW Washington, although that was definitely a bonus. I read this one in one sitting. I liked that there were no "bad guys" in the story--no awful exes or nasty people at all. Just lonely people with baggage trying to do the best they can.

For readers' advisors: story and character doorways, plus setting for those of us who've traveled to or lived in NW Washington. Oh, and only one short sex scene, almost at the end, and it's not very explicit.



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The Future of Us

The Future of Us by Jay Asher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It's difficult to know how to categorize this book. Is it Time Travel? Magical Realism? Paranormal? Exactly what box should I check to describe a book in which an AOL CD-ROM in 1996 opens an internet portal to Facebook 15 years in the characters' futures?

Since the characters themselves never time travel, and no one has psychic abilities of any kind, I'm electing to put it under "magical realism." Close enough, I suppose.

Josh & Emma have been best friends since they were little kids, but their friendship has been strained most of this school year due to some misread signals in November. Now it's May, and Emma's father has sent her a new computer, for which Josh's mother has given her an AOL CD-ROM. But when Emma boots it up, a strange thing happens: her computer displays this weird website called "Facebook." Is it an elaborate prank? Why are there photos of Emma looking older? And how much DO you really want to know about your future self?

For Readers' Advisors: story and character doorways. Plenty of teen angst. Some swearing. And the audiobook alternates between a male and female narrator reading chapters from Josh and Emma's perspectives.


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A Place Called Home

A Place Called Home by Jo Goodman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Thea Wyndham and Mitch Baker never imagined when they agreed to be guardians for their friends' three children that they would actually have to fulfill those roles. Now these virtual strangers are struggling to figure out how to parent through grief. Thea and Mitch are both in relationships with other people, neither of whom want children permanently in their lives. And Thea's history throws a wrench in the works for everyone.

This one has more character development than the average romance novel, which I appreciated.

For Readers' Advisors: character and story doorways, but be aware that there are some fairly detailed & steamy sex scenes in this one.



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It Takes a Witch

It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Darcy and Harper Merriweather grew up not knowing they were actually Wishcrafters--witches who grant wishes. Now they live with their Aunt Velma and are learning the family business, only things get a little tense when Aunt Ve's beau is accused of using Ve's scarf to murder a wannabe witch in an alley.

I love finding a fun new series to read! This one fills that bill and promises hints of romance and complications to come.

For Readers' Advisors: story and character doorways are primary



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The Last Dragonslayer

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Fifteen-year-old Jennifer Strange is a foundling, raised by the Sisterhood (officially "The Blessed Ladies of the Lobster") and serving out her indentured servitude as the acting manager of Kazam Mystical Arts Management, an organization of kooky wizards who do magic for hire. Magic has been steadily fading lately, however, and business is bad. And then one day there is a widespread premonition that Maltcassion, the last dragon, will be killed by the last Dragonslayer on Sunday at noon. Big Magic is coming, war is imminent...and Jennifer is right at the center of it.

Fans of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series will recognize his wacky sense of humor--just dive right in and go with it! The setting is again an alternate reality Britain, albeit a different version this time. Great fun for both teens and adults.

For readers' advisors: Setting and story doorways



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The Four Agreements: A practical guide to personal freedom, a Toltec wisdom book

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book by Miguel Ruiz

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A very perceptive friend gave me this book as a Christmas present because she thought it might speak to where I was in my life, and she was (as usual) correct! It's not the most well-written book. The author talks in circles much of the time, and the result is frequently muddled and repetitive. But the core of what he says is good, and for me right now, very useful as a new way of thinking and perceiving. I think I will try and find the companion book to see if it contains practical examples of how to put the agreements into practice.

Basically the premise of the book is about how to break free of the thousands of ingrained beliefs we are raised with and change our perceptions as well as our behaviors to become better, kinder, happier people.

I read the book a couple of weeks ago, and I think I will re-read it soon.


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