2010 Favorite Books at Redlady's Reading Room

It's hard to believe that it is the end of another year. For me, this year wasn't as full of reading as I had expected due to personal issues.  I was surprised when I totaled up my reading list that it was only 52 books. Last year I read 79 books.  I plan on changing that next year and I'm working on some goals to work towards. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite books that I read in 2010. These are 6 books that I can honestly say are my top favorites of 2010.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman: This gem was the beginning of my love of reading Southern Fiction. CeeCee stole my heart and her growth as a young girl surrounded by strong women was wonderful. The caveat was that I got to meet Beth Hoffman at a local author signing and she is a woman full of grace and heart and it was an honor to meet her. She's very supportive of book bloggers which is pretty special in my book. Read my review here.

 Girl In Translation by Jean Kwok is truly a beautiful novel and one that everyone should read, especially those who are interested in culturally based books and coming-of-age novels. Read my review here.

I can't say too much about Henrietta Lacks as I haven't written my review of the book yet. I will be discussing it with my book club next week. I've listened to this on audio book and was fascinated, enthralled, shocked and I learned a lot about cells, research & medical testing and much more. It is a must read and I cannot wait to discuss this book with my book club.

This book is part mystery, romance, Gothic and coming of age story. The writing was beautiful and the story was richly layered and kept my interest throughout the book. I loved the Gothic mystery and darkness that shadowed the story and the richness of the characters. This is definitely a book that one who loves books and literature will enjoy. Read my review here.

Wench is a book that will engage you and touch your soul. You will find yourself turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next. It is a novel that will stay with you and force you to ponder the moral complexities of life, of slavery and humanity. Read my review here.

Out Of The Shadows is told from alternating viewpoints between Clara, a thirty-something professor and Mary Shelley as a young girl and woman prior to her writing Frankenstein. This is a well written novel full of wonderful characters and a storyline that made me think. I have read all of Joanne Rendell's novels and this one is my favorite. Joanne is an author that interacts and connects with book bloggers and it's been an honor for me to read and review her novels. Read my review here.

I have to share a few more favorites that were excellent books and that I highly recommend, in no specific  order (Click on the title to read my review)

On Folly Beach by Karen White

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah 

The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

The Season of Second Chances by Diane Meier

December Book Club & Review: Mermaids in the Basement by Michael Lee West

Title: Mermaids in the Basement

Author: Michael Lee West

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Harper Collins

About (From Harper Collins):

Reeling from the loss of her mother, plagued with a bad case of writer's block (and don't even talk about those extra twenty pounds), Renata DeChavannes feels as though everything is just plain wrong. And that was before the tabloids caught her sweetheart, filmmaker Ferg Lauderdale, sharing an intimate squeeze with Hollywood's hottest young tamale. 

But the granddaughter of the formidable Honora DeChavannes possesses more hell than belle in her backbone—and she's about to reclaim it. Heading south to Honora's home on the Gulf Coast, Renata is determined to stop feeling like a wilted gardenia and emerge as the unstoppable kudzu her beloved grandmother proudly proclaimed she would be. But for that to happen Renata's got to face some not-so-genteel ghosts from her past, discover the truth about the mother she desperately misses, and make peace with the first man who abandoned her and broke her heart: her handsome and distant father.

My Thoughts:

I have fallen in love with Southern Fiction this year and I really wanted to like this book. My book club chose it as our December book club pick as it was a lighter read around the holidays. Much of the story reads like a Hollywood movie or gossip column and there were many subplots to follow. I wish that the author had taken the main character, Renata to a higher level as she learns that her parents aren't what she believed them to be. As Renata retreats to the south at her grandmother Honora's home, she finds a trunk that gives clues to her parents marriage and her mother who died a year previously. I found this part interesting but the story then diverted into many subplots that were often hard to keep straight as the story progressed. I tried to like Renata but she was a rather whiny character. I did adore her grandmother Honora who had more depth to her character. When my book club met to discuss the book, we were split 50/50...2 of us liked it and 2 didn't care for it, I fell in the latter group. One of the things that came up in our discussion is that this book would make a great Hollywood movie. It just wasn't my cup of tea, I expected more and found the book a bit over the top in many parts and predictable.

Source: I borrowed this book from the library. 

January Book Club: I'm excited about our January book club as we'll be discussing The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. I've already listened to this on audio book and was fascinated, enthralled, shocked and I learned a lot about cells, research & medical testing and much more. It is a must read and I canot wait to discuss this book with my book club.

Review: Latte Trouble by Cleo Coyle

Title: Latte Trouble (Book #3 Coffee House Mystery Novels)

Author: Cleo Coyle

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Penguin-Berkly Books

About (From Cleo Coyle CoffeeHouse Mystery Website):

The barista meets the fashionista! For years, fashion designer Lottie Harmon was the toast of New York’s fashion industry until something happened that made her close up shop and leave the city. Now she’s back, making a splash with an ingenious new collection of coffee-inspired accessories. Because Lottie was always a loyal customer of the Village Blend, she chooses Clare’s coffeehouse as the stage for fall Fashion Week insiders to view her new line of “Java Jewelry.” During the launch party, however, Blend barista Tucker Burton unwittingly serves a poisoned latte to one of Lottie’s guests. Chaos ensues as paramedics rush in, and the police arrest Tucker.

     Clare is certain her barista is innocent, and she suspects the real target may have been Lottie herself. Now Clare must protect her thriving business from negative publicity, Lottie from any further danger, and Tucker from murder charges—even if it means jolting the fashion world with some shocking secrets.

 

My Thoughts:

Latte Trouble is the third book in the Coffee House Mystery Novels which features The Village Blend, a coffee house in Greenwich Village, New York. Clare Cosi manages the Blend and lives upstairs. Her ex-husband Matt is the coffee buyer and his mother, Madam is the owner of the Blend. Clare loves the Blend and is close to the Barista's she has trained. The Blend hosts a launch party for a fashion designer during fashion week and someone unwittingly is slipped a poisoned latte and mayhem ensues. One of Clare's Barista's Tucker,  is arrested for murder. Clare is certain Tucker is innocent and finds a way to immerse herself into fashion week to solve the crime.  The Coffee House Mystery series are fun and easy books to read. They combine the cozy atmosphere of the happenings of The Village Blend coffee house with interesting characters and stories that keep you turning the pages to find out the mystery. Ms. Coyle sumptuously describes coffee, various pastries and cookies and you will most likely find yourself craving a latte and muffin while your reading.

Recommend: If you're a cozy mystery lover you will definitely enjoy this series. It is one that should probably be read in order as the stories do connect but I accidentally picked up this third novel before reading book two. I did notice a few references to book two but it didn't impede my following the book or enjoying it any less. Be warned that you will most likely want to drink more coffee while reading this book.

Source: My own personal copy.

Check out this fun Book Trailer from The Coffee House Mystery Website:

Make sure to check out The Coffee House Mystery Website which is chock full of information about the series, recipes, reading group guides, interviews and more.

Mailbox Monday- December 27

~Mailbox Monday~ 
is hosted by Lady Q of Let Them Read Books (December Host)
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

 

 At Home on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball from Paperbackswap

O, The Oprah Magazine gift subscription from my mother-in-law

Review: The Snow Globe by Sheila Roberts

 

Title: The Snow Globe

Author: Sheila Roberts

Genre: Fiction (Christmas Themed)

Publisher: St. Martins Press

About (From St. Martins Press):

On a blustery afternoon, Kylie Gray wanders into an antique shop and buys an enchanting snow globe.  “There’s a story behind that snow globe,” the antique dealer tells her.  The original owner, he explains, was a German toymaker who lost his wife and son right before Christmas.  When the grieving widower received the handcrafted snow globe as a Christmas gift, he saw the image of a beautiful woman beneath the glass—a woman who would come into his life, mend his broken heart and bring him back to the world of the living.  For years, the snow globe has passed from generation to generation, somehow always landing in the hands of a person in special need of a Christmas miracle.  

Kiley could use a miracle herself.  This year, all she wants for Christmas is someone to love.  A hopeful shake leads her on an adventure that makes a believer out of her. When Kylie shares the story of the snow globe with her best friends—two women with problems of their own—they don’t believe it.  But they’re about to discover that at Christmastime, sometimes the impossible becomes possible and miracles really do come true.

My Thoughts:

The Snow Globe is a perfect read for this time of year when you need something light, meaningful and well written. This is a quick read at 166 pages and can easily be read in an afternoon while you sit by the fire sipping a hot chocolate or coffee. This is the story of Christmas hope and miracles and how faith can open up a new world of opportunities. Kylie stumbles upon a beautiful antique snow globe that opens up a new world of happiness to her but the key was to believe. She shared her miracle with her two best friends who are skeptical and Kylie wants to share this miracle of hope with them. This was the first book that I've read by Sheila Roberts and I look forward to reading more of her books.

Recommend: This is a wonderful holiday treat full of warmth, hope and charm. Most of us will relate to the realistic characters and heartfelt emotions and this book will make you wish for your own Snow globe and miracle of hope. 

Source: Thanks to Newman Communications for sending me a copy of this book to review. 

About The Author:

Sheila Roberts is the author of On Strike for Christmas and four previous novels for St. Martin’s Press.  When she’s not speaking to women’s groups or at conferences, she can be found writing about family, friendship and other things near and dear to women’s hearts.  She lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Read an Excerpt of The Snow Globe, here.

Check out Sheila Roberts Website, here.

Giveaway: 2 Copies of Rescue by Anita Shreve (AUDIO BOOK)

I'm a fan of Anita Shreve's writing and I'm looking forward to listening to this book. I'm excited to share this with everyone courtesy of Hachette Book Group, I am able to give away 2 copies of the audio book Rescue by Anita Shreve.

Here's a description of Rescue by Anita Shreve from Hachette:

A rookie paramedic pulls a young woman alive from her totaled car, a first rescue that begins a lifelong tangle of love and wreckage. Sheila Arsenault is a gorgeous enigma--streetwise and tough-talking, with haunted eyes, fierce desires, and a never-look-back determination. Peter Webster, as straight an arrow as they come, falls for her instantly and entirely. Soon Sheila and Peter are embroiled in an intense love affair, married, and parents to a baby daughter. Like the crash that brought them together, it all happened so fast.

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*

Courtesy of Hachette Book Group, I am giving away 2 Audio book copies of Rescue by Anita Shreve. 

To Enter:  All you have to do is leave a comment, make sure to include your email address so that I can contact you if you are a winner. Otherwise, I won't be able to include your name in the drawing. Open to US & Canada only, NO PO Boxes. Books will ship directly to the winners.  

*Please note*: Winners will be subject to the Hachette one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the title in the mail.

Enter by January 15, 2011.

Giveaway: 2 copies of Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff (Audio Book)

I've got a great giveaway for those who enjoy reading Biographies and Historical Fiction. Courtesy of Hachette Book Group, I am able to give away 2 copies of the audio book Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff.

Here's a description of Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff from Hachette Book Group:

Her palace shimmered with gold but was richer still in political and sexual intrigue. Cleopatra, the wealthiest ruler of her time and one of the most powerful women in history, was a canny political strategist, a brilliant manager, a tough negotiator, and the most manipulative of lovers. Although her life spanned fewer than forty years, it reshaped the contours of the ancient world.

At only 18 years old, Cleopatra was already one of history's most remarkable figures: the Queen of Egypt. A lethal political struggle with her brother marked her early adulthood and set the tone for the rest of her life; a relationship with Julius Caesar, forged while under siege in her palace, launched her into a deadly mix of romance and strategy; a pleasure cruise down the Nile followed, a child, and a trip to Rome, which ended in Cleopatra's flight. After Caesar's brutal murder, she began a nine-year affair with Mark Antony, with whom she had three more children. Antony and Cleopatra's alliance and attempt to forge a new empire spelled both their ends.

The subject of gossip and legend, veneration and speculation in her lifetime, Cleopatra fascinated the world right up to her death. In the 2000 years since, myths about the last Queen of Egypt have been fueled by Shakespeare, Dryden, and Shaw, who put words in her mouth, and by Michelangelo, Delacroix, and Elizabeth Taylor, who put a face to her name. In Cleopatra, Pulitzer prize-winning biographer Stacy Schiff accomplishes a feat that has eluded artists and writers for centuries: capturing fully the operatic life of an exceptionally seductive and powerful woman, whose death ushered in a new world order.

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*

Courtesy of Hachette Book Group, I am giving away 2 Audio book copies of Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff . 

To Enter:  All you have to do is leave a comment, make sure to include your email address so that I can contact you if you are a winner. Otherwise, I won't be able to include your name in the drawing. Open to US & Canada only, NO PO Boxes. Books will ship directly to the winners.  

*Please note*: Winners will be subject to the Hachette one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the title in the mail.

Enter by January 15, 2011.

Mailbox Monday- December 20

~Mailbox Monday~ 
is hosted by Lady Q of Let Them Read Books (December Host)
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

• Casting About by Terri DuLong  ARC from the author
• Daily Guideposts 2011 won from Margot at Joyfully Retired
• Shelter Me by Juliette Fay from my Book Club Holiday Book Exchange
• Decaffeinated Corpse by Cleo Coyle from Paperbackswap
• French Pressed by Cleo Coyle from Paperbackswap
• The Snow Globe by Sheila Roberts from Newman communications
• Letters from Home by Kristina Morris  ARC from Author for an upcoming Pump Up Your Book Tour

I received a surprise Goodie Box from Popchips. I blogged about Popchips last year as it's a favorite healthier snack. I was surprised with this great box of assorted individual bags of Popchips. I'm not sure why they sent it although I did fill out an email survey they sent out asking about new flavors. My son loves Popchips and was excited to get the box in the mail last week and immediately picked his favorite bag of Barbeque Popchips for his lunch the next day.