Week 2

Week 2- Assignment 1: Read the NoveList article on Appeal factors- DONE

Week 2- Assignment 2: Choosing just two books that I've read recently and enjoyed was the hardest part about this assignment!

The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry- Number seven in the Cotton Malone series, this book is a fast-paced thriller that throws in a lot of extras that keep you turning the page to find out more. There's a presidential assassination plot, an old secret society of pirates, a centuries old cipher that's still not been cracked, and enough well-researched US history woven in to make you think. There are a lot of characters and the fast pacing can cause some confusion (I wound up going back a couple of pages a few times to make sure I had the right characters in mind), but it in no way detracts from the story. Unlike some of the other Cotton Malone books, this one takes place only in the US and was fun to read because I have actually been to some of the places in this book.

The Restorer by Amanda Stevens- The best way to describe this book is a paranormal mystery a generous helping of serial killer with just a dash of romance. The main character is a graveyard restorer who sees ghosts and unfortunately, the graveyard that she is currently restoring is turning up bodies that were not originally interred there and some bodies are newer than they should be in a historic cemetery. Set in Charleston, the story is light enough that I didn't stay up all night checking out the window and under the bed, but still creepy enough to keep me hooked until the end. Throw in a complicated, brooding love interest that is literally being haunted by his wife and daughter and you have The Restorer. Oh! And I learned a new word from the book taphophile: someone who has a passion for and enjoys cemeteries. Can't go wrong with a book that teaches you something! :-)


Week 2- Assignment 3: To be continued...