Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin

Life Without Summer has gained a lot of attention from various bloggers, as well as some magazines where I have read reviews for it. It sounded like a good read, and something different from the usual mystery and thriller books I read. I decided to place it on hold from my library and am glad I did. I pretty much read it one sitting this morning/afternoon and enjoyed it. Life Without Summer receives a B+ from me.

Inside cover:
Tessa Gray's life changes forever when she loses her four-year-old daughter, Abby, in a hit-and-run accident outside her preschool. Once a vivacious, joyful mother and wife, Tessa now spends her days holed up in Abby's room, sleeping in her bed, clutching Abby's Tootsie Rabbit stuffed animal- anything to keep her memories close. As Tessa graples with her terrible grief, made worse by the police's insistence that the case is unsolvable, she finds solace in Celia Reed, the therapist her husband has pushed her to see, and in the journal she's keeping, where she compulsively counts the "days without Abby" and maps out her plan for catching the driver who tore her family apart.
As Celia struggles to keep Tessa from getting caught up in a bleak crusade for answers, she finds that their sessions open the door to emotions she's spend years ignoring, forcing her to face the rising tensions in her life- her troubled teenage son, her alcoholic ex-husband, and her fragile new marriage. Celia begins to realize that she must come to terms with the tragic mistakes of her past and the choices that have led her family to their own brink of destruction.

Life Without Summer is told through Tessa's journal and Celia's, who begins to start one after suggesting to Tessa to help sort out her thoughts and feelings. I thought Ms. Griffin did a great job of writing about Tessa's grief and confusion of losing her daughter is such a senseless way (though as I write that, is there a way that makes sense when a little child's life is lost) and the reactions of those surrounding her. I was more drawn, however, to Celia's story, perhaps because it wasn't as painful Tessa's. I have to admit, I really disliked Celia's husband and wanted to jump into the pages and beat him over the head. Actually, the more I think about it, I wanted to jump into the pages and beat most of the characters over the head at one time or another, though I think that just goes to show how raw and realistic the characters are in this story. It was a difficult book to read at times, and I did shed a few tears. It was a good book, but definitely not the type of story one can read too many of.

Reading this story pulled a lot of raw emotions out of me. After being married for nearly five years and deciding to try and start a family, things are not happening as quickly as I would like. Every day I am surrounded by people who should not have children or can't seem to be bothered with their children, and I get so frustrated that I am having such a difficult time fulfilling this desire of mine. Then I read this book and am further reminded that bad things happen to good people all of the time and it does depress me a bit. Right now in my neck of the woods, a little 5 year old girl has gone missing. She disappeared on Sunday after her mother allowed her to play outside without any adult supervision. This mother, who was just released from prison herself, surrounded her and her daughter with convicted sex offenders and two are in custody right now on other charges and are being called "persons of interest". It causes me so much anger on how some people can be so dumb, or I guess I should say, so selfish. The mother has said that she knew these two men are sex offenders though she seems to think nothing of letting them be around her child. Are there really women that desperate for a man that they make these stupid decisions, or are they just so selfish? I don't understand, but I will say I hope something happens to her. Neglect charges or something, because unfortunely, as each day passes, the hope that little Neveah is found safe and unharmed is dwindling. Anyways, all of this has been on my mind and reading Life Without Summer had me examining my feelings a bit more.

Well I am going to try and keep my mind focused on happier thoughts. The Wings start tonight, and I am going to find a less depressing book to start reading now. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!

The Woods by Harlan Coben

I started reading The Woods Monday evening and finished it last night. I have heard wonderful things about Mr. Coben, and after reading Hold Tight and not being incredibly impressed, I wanted to give another book a chance. I enjoyed Hold Tight and thought it was a good read, but nothing that had me racing to pick up the book. I give it a B.

From Amazon:
Twenty years ago summer camp, Paul Copeland's sister died in the woods, the alleged victim of a serial killer. Now Paul is the prosecutor of Essex County, New Jersey, immersed in the biggest case of his career- a case that will change everything he believes about the past... and the truth.

Perhaps one of the reasons why I didn't love this book is because it is classified as a legal thriller, and I would have to agree. Legal thrillers are not my favorite type of thrillers, and sometimes they bore me a bit. It's funny though, because probably my favorite part of the book was the case that Paul was trying. It is a rape case, and one that reminds me somewhat of the Duke Lacrosse case. I enjoy when author's pull events out of real life and weave them into their story. Part of the problem I had with this story was that some of the parts just seemed to be a bit unbelievable and that so many things happened at once. It seemed like in the end, there were just too many people and things to keep together and it was just a bit hard to understand how all of it could come together. The ending also left me hanging a bit, which I admit, sometimes I enjoy. While I like everything to be tied up neatly, sometimes it is nice to be left wondering. While I won't be giving up on Mr. Coben, I probably won't be buying anymore of his books but will read those I still have.

Up next is a book I read about on someone's blog, though I am not sure whose. It is titled Life Without Summer and it seems to be something different. I plan on getting some reading done tonight, though I have a horrible headache right now. I took something and am hoping it will take care of it, but right now I am not too hopeful. In the wonderful world of the NHL, my wonderful Wings start in the Stanley Cup Finals tomorrow night to crush the Penguins yet again, just like last year. They also play Sunday, so my weekend will be full of red and cheer! GO WINGS!!! I hope everyone is enjoying their own reads and has a wonderful weekend! Happy Reading!

Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster

I've loved Jen Lancaster since I discovered her blog and then read her three subsequent books. Her first book, Bright Lights, Big Ass was probably my favorite and I was excited to read her newest which was just released. I got it from my library and finished it this afternoon while enjoying the sunlight and mild temperatures. It was a good read, but not as funny as the others. I give it a B.

From Amazon:
In Pretty in Plaid, Jen Lancaster reveals how she developed her hubris that perpettually gets her in trouble. Using fashion icons of her youth to tell her hilarious and insightful stories, readers will meet the girl she used to be.
Think Jen Lancaster was always "like David Sedaris with pearls and a super cute handbag?" (Jennifer Coburn) Think again. She was a badge hungry Girl Scout with a knack for extortion, an aspiring sorority girl who didn't know her Coach from her Louis Vuitton, and a budding executive who found herself bewildered by her first encounter with a fax machine. In this humorous and touching memoir, Jen Lancaster looks back on her life- and wardrobe- before bitter was the new black and shows us a young woman not so very different than the rest of us.
The author who shows us what it is like to wait in line at the unemployment office with a Prada bag, how living in the city can actually suck, and that losing weight can be fun with a trainer named Barbie and enough Ambien is ready to take you on a hilarious and heartwarming trip down memory lane in her shoes (and very pretty ones at that).

I enjoy reading memoirs, and I believe Jen Lancaster was the one who got me hooked on them. Memoirs are a good way to break up from reading all of the thrillers and dark stories I read sometimes. While Pretty In Plaid was enjoyable, I didn't like it as much as some of Ms. Lancaster's other books. I did like, however, the many different footnotes that she adds to the story but missed some of the emails and other things she used to break apart other stories. I guess because the story is broke apart by decades, specifically the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and email wasn't around then but I wish she had added more letters or something. It just seems like strayed a bit from her previous formats that I loved so much. While I enjoyed the book, I am glad I didn't buy the book, especially since it was in hardcover and that I read it so fast.

As always, I am not sure what I am going to read next. I still have two library books to read, but as I have been looking over them a bit more, they may be going back unread. I feel like maybe reading something off of my own shelves but who knows. Right now I plan on catching up on some tv shows and movies I have recorded and maybe giving my eyes a break. I probably will have tomorrow off from work since teachers do not get paid for the holiday if they call in the day after, so I will have some time tomorrow to get some reading in as well. I am so happy I was able to get so many books in this weekend as my monthly total was looking pretty grim. Well I am off to pay some bills! Happy Reading everyone!

Killer Cruise by Laura Levine

I always enjoy Laura Levine's cozy mystery series about lovable author Jaine Austen (no... not that Jane Austin). I always used to buy the books, but awhile ago the publisher began to publish it in hardcover, so I now get the books from the library. This was another good addition to the series, and a pleasant quick read on this Memorial Weekend. I give it a B.



From Amazon:

Things are already off to a rocky start when Jaine discovers a stowaway amisdt her luggage- her persnickety cat, Prozac. To make matters worse, Prozac is also spotted by the ship's steward, an aspiring writer who quickly uses his advantage to blackmail Jaine into editing his massive handwriten manuscript. So much for sun, fun, and relaxation... Jaine's sinking sensation grows stronger at dinner, where she meets chatty Emily Pritchard, a wealthy seventy-year-old who's traveling with her bossy personal secretary, Ms. Nesbitt, and her nephews, arrogant investment banker Kyle, and his ruggedly handsome brother Robbie. Janie can't help but noticing the tension among them, especially when the cruise's charming- and sleazy- British dancer, Graham, whisks Emily on the dance floor and keeps her there for the rest of the evening. Soon Emily is accepting Graham's invitations to every social event on the ship even though her nephews and Ms. Nesbitt clearly don't approve. And when the bubbly couple announce their engagement just two nights later, no one is more surprised than Graham's long time girlfriend Cookie. But the news is quickly overshadowed the next morning by the discovery of Graham's body with an ice pick protuding from his chest...
The captain is quick to accuse Cookie, but Jaine suspects there are more sharks in the water. Was money-hungry Kyle protecting his inhertience? Perhaps Ms. Nesbitt was attempting to regain control over Emily? Or could the notorious lothario have fallen to one of his many paramours? And what about Robbie? Although Jaine finds herself falling for him, she can't help but wonder if he's been completely honest with her. Between hiding a furry fugitive, flirting with Robbie, and baiting the hook for a clever murderer, Jaine is about to dive into her most dangerous case yet...

I always enjoy reading about Jaine and her antics. The situations she finds herself in is always comical, and how she reacts is always good for a few chuckles. I also always enjoy the communication via email with her parents who are always funny and make me smile. I think this book provided more clues towards who the killer was than there were in some of her previous books, which was a pleasure. I like that Jaine is "real" woman, someone who is not concerned about what name brand her shoes are or how she is always dressed, but does sometimes over-indulge into an extra chocolate brownie. If you enjoy a quick, light-hearted cozy mystery, I highly recommend you pick up this book or any other book by Laura Levine. This is not a series that needs to be read in order, as there is no carryover whatsoever.

I am not sure what I am going to read next. Still have more library books to choose from, but I will probably not get to one until later today. The Red Wings start in half an hour and my husband wants me to go to his parents later today. I may beg off of that, but I will get some reading in tonight. I am so happy that all of my cleaning and laundry is done and tomorrow is just filled with enjoying the weather, my day off, and reading a good book. Happy Reading everyone!

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

I was excited when I got the email from library stating that Dark Places was in for me. I loved Sharp Objects so much and had been thinking about it, so I was anxious to start reading Ms. Flynn's newest. This was another winner, and I give it another A.

Inside cover:
Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in "The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas". As her family lay dying, little Libby fled their tiny farmhouse into the freezing January snow. She lost some fingers and toes, but she survived- and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, Ben sits in prison, and troubled Libby lives off the dregs of a trust created by well-wishers who've long forgotten her.
The Kill Club is a macabre secret society obsessed with notorious crimes. When they locate Libby and pump her for details- proof they hope may free Ben- Libby hatches a plan to profit off her tragic history. For a fee, she'll reconnect the players from that night and report her findings to the club... and maybe she'll admit her testimony wasn't so solid after all.
As Libby's search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the narrative flashes back to January 2, 1985. The events of that day are relayed through Libby's doomed family members- including Ben, a loner who's rage over his shiftless father and their failing farm have driven him into a disturbing friendship with the new girl in town. Piece by piece, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started from-on the run from a killer.

I love the way Ms. Flynn creates dark characters who you find yourself rooting for. She expertly drops hints and clues that helps you try to solve the mystery, but you really need to be paying close attention. I admit, though I thought I knew some of it, I was surprised. Once I was reflecting back on it, I realized that I had missed some clues, but it was a pleasant surprise. I really came to love Libby and felt her pain, though I couldn't even begin to imagine how someone would survive all that happened to her. There were some tough parts to read in the story, but I really enjoyed it, and again, they were part of the story not meant to shock or disgust, but to add value to the story. I only have two wishes; one, I wish I would know a bit more of what happens in the future, and two, that Ms. Flynn would write faster. I need to read more of her books! Ms Flynn, if you happen to come across this, please get working and work fast... I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! (OK, I am more composed now... I just had to get that off of my chest!)

I am not sure what I am going to read next. I have four more books checked out from the library, so I will get to those first. Today we finished a project on the house and now that everything is clean and organized and back to normal, I plan on spending the evening relaxing, doing laundry and reading. I hope everyone is having a safe and enjoyable Memorial Weekend and Happy Reading!

Behind Closed Doors by Natalie Collins

Behind Closed Doors is a book I have had on my bookshelf for far too long, years probably. I read Ms. Collins' blog for awhile, especially because she writes and focuses on Mormon life a bit. I am not sure why, but I do find Mormon life and history fascinating. Behind Closed Doors focuses on an ex-Mormon and the mystery that surrounds her missing friend. I give it a B.

For twenty years, they had been closer than sisters, sharing girlhood secrets, their hopes and dreams for the future- and a soul-searing promise. Melissa was the only one who knew what had really happened to Jannie beyond the sacred walls of the Mormon Temple the night that changed her life forever...
Now Melissa has gone missing, just days after entrusting Jannie with a mysterious box that someone would kill to possess. And someone has- leaving in their murderous wake an innocent victim and a trail of blood that leads to the heart of Jannie's hidden burden. Desperate to protect her secret, and to find out what has happened to Melissa, Jannie trusts no one. Not the stranger whose piercing green eyes have already seen too much, nor the family and friends whose familiar fold may be shielding a cold-blooded killer who is lurking Behind Closed Doors.

Behind Closed Doors reminds me a lot of the Mark Hastings case, which was a big story that happened right after the Scott and Laci Peterson case occurred. I believe I read on one for Ms. Collins' blog entries that she did get the idea for the book from this story. I enjoyed learning more about the Mormon tradition and rites that those in the Mormon faith go through in preparation of marriage, however, I thought the suspense was a little lacking. I had the mystery solved pretty early on in the story and I didn't really care for Jannie. She got on my nerves a bit, and she carried a bunch of baggage with her for way too long in my opinion. Maybe it was more my mood while reading the story, but it did grate me a little bit. I will be checking out more of Ms. Collins' books and am pretty sure I have a couple more by her on my shelves.

Up next is Gillian Flynn's latest book. It came in at the library a couple of days ago, and I am anxious to jump right in to it. My Red Wings are playing awesome right now, going further and further on in the rounds and I am loving it. It seems like the weather has finally decided to stay nice for a bit, and today I took the day off to get some stuff done around the house. I finally got all of my plants and flowers planted and now just have to get through two more days of work. I am so looking forward to this long weekend and the end of the school year. Happy Reading everyone!

Last Breath by Michael Prescott

I read a book by Mr. Prescott awhile back and picked up Last Breath from a used library book sale. I started reading it last Monday, but only now just finished it late last night. It wasn't the book that took forever but me and not making the time to read it. It was a good book, one I enjoyed and I give it a B.

From Amazon:
Tormented since the age of ten by memories of a stalker who escaped after nearly killing her, LAPD officer Caitlin Jean Osborn hides her insecurities behind a facade of fearlessness. Her bravado has even earned her the nickname "Killer" as well as the admiration of the SWAT team's raffish Rick Tanner. The everyday perils that C.J. faces on the job are trivial, however, compared to the danger she faces when she is re-targeted by her childhood stalker and hounded by her adulterous, emotionally disturbed ex-husband. Meanwhile, FBI computer experts race to locate a webmaster who manages a site that illegally broadcasts the private lives of a select number of women over the Internet; unbeknownst to the agents, C.J. is one of those unsuspecting victims. When she is abducted, detectives are unsure whether she's been nabbed by her disgruntled ex or by a chameleon serial killer who uses the Net to spy on his quarry.

I thought that this book could have had a bit more suspense and less action. I am not sure if that makes sense, but throughout most of the book, the reader knows who the bad guy is and C.J. is in danger from about the first 1/3 of the book. There is not a lot of chase and C.J. is grabbed fairly early in the book. It wasn't a bad plot, just not what I was in the mood for, I guess. I tend to like more cat and mouse in my thriller book and that was lacking. I liked the characters and thought that they really came to life on the pages. While this book wasn't as enjoyable as the first Mr. Prescott book I read, I will continue to read more of his as I come across them.

Tomorrow I have a job interview for a summer school position at 3:45. I work until 3:25, so it is going to be a mad dash to the interview and I need to make sure I am fully prepared with everything tonight. Since I am such an anxious person, this is going to require a lot of double checking today, and along with my Red Wing game to watch, it should be another packed full day. I hope everyone is reading wonderful books and Happy Reading!!!

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

I have heard a ton about Gillian Flynn's newest novel that was just recently released through different blogs and magazines, so I decided to check out her previous book through my library. Man on man, am I ever glad I did! I absolutely LOVED THIS BOOK and have to give it an A.

From Amazon:
WICKED above her hipbone, GIRL across her heart Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.NASTY on her kneecap, BABYDOLL on her legSince she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.HARMFUL on her wrist, WHORE on her ankleAs Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Clues keep leading to dead ends, forcing Camille to unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past to get at the story. Dogged by her own demons, Camille will have to confront what happened to her years before if she wants to survive this homecoming.

This was such a good, gripping mystery but it was also deeply disturbing. Camille has a lot of problems and comes from a long list of people with deep, severe emotional problems. At times I had difficulties reading the book, but it was in a good way. Everything that was in the book that was disturbing had a place and a reason for it. Ms. Flynn was not just trying to shock her readers... it really had a reason and a meaning behind it. I haven't read a book this powerful in a long time or gotten lost in such a story like this. I highly recommend this mystery, but not for those who tend to enjoy more of the cozy mysteries and not the emotional, disturbing type. I can't wait for her next one!

Up next is an old book off of my shelves. I really need to start reading more of my own books, especially for the Read Your Own Books Challenge. I hope everyone else is having a great week and had a FANTASTIC Mother's Day! Happy Reading!

The 37th Hour by Jodi Compton

I can't remember where I heard about The 37th Hour, though I suspect it may have been through a book blog or perhaps The Mystery Scene magazine. The premise grabbed me, though, and I found it at my local library. It was a quick read, and a good one, and I give it a B+.

From Amazon:
On a chilly Minnesota morning, Sarah comes home to the house she shares with her husband and fellow cop, Michael Shiloh. Shiloh was supposed to be in Virginia, starting his training with the FBI. A seasoned missing-persons investigator, Sarah is used to anxious calls from wives and parents. She used to innocent explanations that resolve so many of her cases. But from the moment she learns that he never arrived in Quantico, she feels a terrible foreboding. Now, beneath the bed in which they make love, Sarah finds Shiloh's neatly packed bag. And in that instant the cop in her knows: Her husband has disappeared.
Suddenly Sarah finds herself at the beginning of the kind of investigation she has made so often. The kind that she and her ex-partner, Genevive, solved routinely-- until a brutal crime stole Genevieve's daughter and ended her career. The kind that pries open family secrets and hidden lives. For Sarah this investigation will mean going back to the beginning, to Shiloh's religion-steeped childhood in Utah, the rift that separated him from his family-- and the one horrifying case that struck too close to home for them both. As Sarah turns over more and more unknown ground in her husband's past, she sees her lover and friend change before her eyes. And as she moves further down a trail of shocking surprises and bitter revelations, Sarah is about to discover that her worst fear---that Shiloh is dead--- maybe less painful than what she is going to learn next...

There were a lot of different storylines running through the book and at first, I was a bit confused and thought that maybe I was missing something. However, as the story continued to develop, you can see how all of the pieces begin to fit together. I really enjoyed Sarah and was rooting for her. She was a good character who, despite her faults, was likeable and easy to relate to. The mystery was a good one and it kept me turning the pages. The reason why I marked the book down a bit was because the ending really, really left me hanging. I assume there will be a follow up to this book and I am now going to have to be on the lookout for it. I should warn you, though, that this book is dark and doesn't have many laughs, but it is still a great read.

I am not sure what I am going to read next, though I know it will probably be another library book. I have a stack to choose from but I do plan on jumping right back in to another one. I have all of my weekend cleaning and errands finished so tonight is going to be some reading time! Brunch with my mom tomorrow and then the Red Wings at 5:00! I hope everyone is enjoying what they are reading and Happy Reading!

Until It's Over by Nicci French

I love Nicci French and have read almost all of her books. Color me surprised when a new one was released and it wasn't on my radar! I promptly searched for it through my local library and luckily, was able to get it fairly quickly. This was a great book, one that I give an A- to.

From Amazon:
Astrid Bell has known most of her housemates for years, but while they have a tangled history together—romantic pairings, one-night stands, friendships—each of them also has a past.Astrid is on her way home one day when her neighbor accidentally knocks her off her bike. Bruised but not broken, her roommates help her home. The next day, they learn that same neighbor was beaten to death only hours after the accident. Each of them tells the police what little they know and are dismissed—until Astrid stumbles over another body. Two brutal murders in less than a week is more than just bad luck.As the difference between friend and stranger grows harder to judge, and as the line between attraction and danger thins, the housemates—unsure if there’s a killer in their midst—guard against becoming his next victim in this steamy and suspenseful thriller from internationally bestselling author Nicci French.

This book reminded me a bit of Tana French's The Likeness, basically because of the premise, where there were roommates living together and they are keeping secrets from each other. The pages continued to turn and there was no shortage of suspects to try and decide who was killing the people that had bothered Astrid. I loved how the story was told, where about halfway through, the reader discovers who the killer is and is explained why he or she is doing the things that they are. The only problem I had with the book was that it felt like the ending was a bit rushed. There wasn't a good explanination... but I don't want to go into further details than that because it could be a potential spoiler. If you haven't discovered Nicci French, I think this would be a great start.

Up next is another library book called The 37th Hour. I read about it somewhere, and of course can't remember where. I hope it turns out to be another winner, though, because I had such fun getting so into a story like I did with Until It's Over. Happy Reading everyone!

Dead Before Dark by Wendy Corsi Staub

Ms. Staub is hands down one of my favorite authors, and each year I eagerly anticipate her newest suspense book. I got Dead Before Dark last week and started reading it last week and just now finished it. I really enjoyed it and give it an A-.

Back cover:
The Night Watchman is ready to kill- again. After thirty-five years in prision, he is free to commit the same twisted atrocities that once made him as notorious as the Zodiac Killer and Jack the Ripper. Now at last, his moment has come...
For renowned psychic Lucinda Sloan, fame is a double edged sword. Through her television apperances, she helps police capture America's most elusive serial killers. Unfortunately, she also catches the eye of the Night Watchman. Once this madman learns that Lucinda "sees" murders after they're committed, it's time to play...
The first victim is someone she knows- a personal shock that brings Lucinda closer to her ex-lover, Detective Randall Barakat. Then a second murder in Chicago, and a third in Denver, makes her realize that the Night Watchman is toying with her. Each victim wears a wristwatch...each watch bears a message... and each message is a warning for Lucinda that her time is up and soon she'll be the next to die...

I will be the first to admit that I am not the biggest fan of paranormal books, including those about psychics, so I was a bit worried that Dead Before Dark might not be that great. This wasn't a problem, though, because while Lucinda's psychic powers play a small part in the book, it isn't all the book is about. The killer was quite creepy, and the clues he leaves only add to the suspense. It was also nice to catch up with Cam and her family, who were the center of Ms. Staub's previous suspense novel. All in all, this was just a pleasure to read and one that keeps the reader engaged.

I read this book so slowly, and I am not sure why. My reading has just slowed way down. Today is my birthday, so I took the day off from work and made time to read. I think a big problem is that I get distracted with the computer or something on t.v. so I just need to make a point of it that I keep them both off. I have some great books that I just picked up from the library along with some great ones I got from the library used book sale, so I definitely need to get back on the ball. I hope everyone else is having a wonderful week and Happy Reading!