Reading Round Up

As most of my long time readers have come to realize, I am a voracious reader. I don't confine my love of the written word to one genre either. I read sci-fi, fantasy, romance, mysteries, non-fiction, and just about whatever else you can think of. While books that expand your mind and make you think definitely have their value, reading for pure escapism can't be beat. I've read a few really good books lately and want to tell you about them so you can check them out too.

First, for pure escapism and entertainment, check out Roslyn Hardy Holcomb's Rock Star. Its been a long time since I've enjoyed a contemporary romance so much. The characters truly come to life through Roslyn's words and you find yourself completely sucked into their story. The heroine is a smart, strong, independent woman that we can all identify with. I started reading it late one evening after the kids went to bed and, at 1 am, I forced myself to put it down and go to bed. If you enjoy romances, you'll love Rock Star. And, if you want more when you are done, Roslyn has a short story sequel to Rock Star available as a free download. Also, Roslyn's personal blog is every bit as well written and entertaining as her novels. Check out her blog.

Also, each and every one of you should check out The Lost Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini. This is the 14th book in her Elm Creek Quilts series. Even if you aren't a quilter or crafty type, these books are worth checking out. Chiaverini's series explores all aspects of human behavior and interaction by telling the story of a fabulous group of women artists. I can't explain how wonderful these books are any better than the people at Booklist and Historical Fiction Review do when they reviewed The Lost Quilter...

Clues unearthed from styles of quilting and fabrics used in different quilts help Sylvia and her friends track down what really happened during a remote period in history and help drive home Chiaverini’s point that women’s history adds a vital layer to our understanding of the past. This is an outstanding series of novels about a fascinating craft. Quilting, in the hands of Chiaverini, allows us to explore human relationships in all their complexity." —Booklist

"The Lost Quilter transcends an objectified view of slavery; it’s a tribute to a terrible historical period and the noble, all-too-human beings attempting to fulfill promises and dreams. Readers will be swept into this heart-rending, beautiful story, a fine example of great historical fiction, and will definitely remember the cost of precious freedom." —Historical Fiction Review

If you pick up either of these books, let me know what you think of them. And, if you love reading as much as I do, its not too late to join in the 2009 Book Challenge. Sign up by guesstimating how many books you'll read this year and add a comment to that original post. And, since these question have come up...

1. Rereading books count.
2. Young adult/Juvenile Fiction books count.
3. Audio books count as 1/2 a book.