The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold

This is one of my favorite books. Ever. Though it is by no means cheery. I think it's because of how humbled I feel reading it. I have never been hurt the way Susie was. Nor have I had any of my loved ones be hurt like that.

I remember the first time I read it, I had to put it down in the first chapter and walk away for a couple minutes. Susie recounting the tale of her murder was one thing. To read about a fourteen year old girl being raped by her neighbor, murdered, and then cut into pieces was another. Over time, I think it has effected me because I am a woman. I do not know if a man would react differently than I would to that portion of the book. I found that in reading it this time, I still had to put it down in places. The events with her family and friends feel quite raw, very "chewy." I took those opportunities to refill my coffee cup.

I think I feel worst for her father. I think his struggle with loosing his oldest child is the most painful. Knowing your daughter's killer is living two houses down from yourself is bad. Knowing he lives two houses down from your remaining two children has to be excruciating. I found myself feeling less sorry for her mother, but I suppose that everyone deals with their grief in different ways.

As far as Mr. Harvey goes, I recall being disappointed in his death the first time I read it. It was so insignificant. But this time around, I laughed. A serial killer, who psychologically probably wanted to get caught, dies because he was attempting another murder, but instead gets bonked on the head with an icicle and falls into the ravine that he was going to hide the body in. I love that kind of dramatic irony.

One of my favorite parts of the book is the last little blurb. Where a construction worker finds the rest of her bracelet and brings it home to his wife. They are completely unaware of little Susie Salmon and her brutal death. And he says that the little girl is probably all grown up by now. I think it was a phenomenal way to portray that time has moved on, as it should after the mess that happened in that neighborhood.

I think The Lovely Bones touches me in a way, on a very personal level. After loosing a loved one, I tend to brood a little. Wondering if they're with me. I like the idea that those I love can look after me once they are gone. I'm probably like Buckley in that sense. I like to think that when I speak to my grandparents that they listen. And that they're talking back to me. That they could create a miracle of a garden that is not neatly separated.

The Revenge of Dracula, Peter Tremayne

A book inherited from my aunt on one of the many "clean out" sessions. I have to admit that the book initially grabbed my attention quite well. However, because of a few things, I was left feeling that I should put it down before it was thrown across the room and left a dent in my wall (the copy being hardcover and all). In the Introduction, Tremayne sets up the book. Stating that he had received a manuscript from a psychiatrist who with a letter of his own, had included the writings of a person in a mental hospital who had "delusions" of Dracula. And thus, they have been published by Tremayne, supposedly unabridged.

My concern with the book is the facts. If it is indeed unaltered by Tremayne, then I am irritated with the original writer's facts. Mostly with the discrepancies in the history of ancient Egypt. Although the book presents an interesting tale.

I did have to chuckle with the explanation of the psychologist. That vampirism and werewolf-ism is a product of sexual repression on the part of the individual experiencing it.

Overall, it wasn't bad. It did not leave me feeling frustrated. Although I was not overly enthusiastic about it. I doubt that I'll read it again. & I doubt that I'll hand it to someone else to read it.

Finding the Dream, Nora Roberts

Laura's story. I find that this is the one I anticipate every time I read this series. Her story begins in Margo's book as far as I'm concerned and follows through until her own.

I spent a majority of the time when reading this series the first time wondering what Laura was going through. Really going through, not the front she put up. And I think Roberts really delivers when writing Laura's story.

By far, Michael and Laura have the hottest sex scenes in the series. But I think that's to be expected with the bad ass Michael Fury. My favorite part of the book is when Laura is drunk for the first time.

My only complaint with this series is how it leaves me feeling at the end of it. Like I'm not quite passified with my desire to know how Laura ends up. The reader gets to see glimpses of Margo and Josh's life with the baby. And also with Kate and Byron and their soon to be child. You don't quite get any of that with Michael and Laura. She hints at their future, but it's not really enough for me personally.

If on the off chance that in the future, Ms. Roberts revisits these fine women, I'll be in line for the book because they're so easy to relate to. I fully expect this to be a well read, and worn out book by the time I'm done with it.

Holding the Dream, Nora Roberts

Kate is my favorite of the three women. Perhaps because I can relate to living on coffee because of my hectic schedule. Also because my reaction to men is approximately the same.

I love that she finds her Southern Gentleman/Prince Charming in Byron. I think it's even more adorable that he makes it his personal goal to take care of her and teach her to take care of herself rather than hit McDonalds on the way home and eat Tums like candy.

As for her embezzlement plot line. I think in the long run it was good for her. Eye opening.

Daring to Dream, Nora Roberts

So I had initially began reading a book that has been flung to the half read pile. I was just too irritated. So why pick up the Ladies in the Lovers & Dreamers series? because I've already read it. And I know I like it. It's just a series that I can rely on when my book pile is just not producing the way it should be.

I've pretty much covered the first book in one day. I read until I came to my favorite part with Josh and his reaction to Peter cheating on Laura. It's priceless and I laugh every time.

I think Margo is quirky and fun. And her store sounds like somewhere fun to go if to do nothing but wish I could afford the items filling it.

Not my favorite of the series, but enjoyable all the same.