Listmania!
Books I Read in 2009 (Part 1)
By an Amazon.com customer
If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie ActorIf Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $3.21
Bruce Campbell is awesome, and so is this book.
Digital Fortress: A ThrillerDigital Fortress: A Thriller by Dan Brown
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $1.89
This was easily the weakest from Dan Brown. It had many of the same elements that his other books have, but it was much less engaging. I should point out that it's his first book, so it's not surprising it's his weakest. I'd highly recommend his other 3 books way before this one.
The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway MethodThe Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway Method by Allen Carr
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $5.99
I started it but it's on hold right now. I suck.
HoneymoonHoneymoon by James Patterson
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
This is my first James Patterson and I really enjoyed it. I know I'm way behind as far as Patterson, so it'll be great to go back and catch up. This one was fast paced, exciting, suspenseful, and kept me into it all the way through.
Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 3)Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 3) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $2.08
This series continues to keep me intrigued with the adventures of Sookie Stackhouse. I like how they've picked up the storyline directly after the last book. I'm on to book four...
Dead to the World (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 4)Dead to the World (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 4) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $2.25
Still pretty good. I get a little bored during long series because there never seems to be an ending, but these are quick reads and generally entertaining. On to book 5...
Dead as a Doornail (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5)Dead as a Doornail (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.75
Not bad. A lot of new characters are introduced and it all moves the story along. After 3 in a row, I think I'll take a break before moving on to the next one.
The AppealThe Appeal by John Grisham
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
This one isn't going to change anyone's mind whether or not they like Grisham, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's still not on par with his classics, but his early books set the bar pretty high.
Love, LucyLove, Lucy by Lucille Ball
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $2.68
This was great! If you're a fan of Lucy or even just a fan of Hollywood during the 30s, 40s, and 50s, this is a real treat.
The AssociateThe Associate by John Grisham
Buy new: $18.45 / Used from: $0.01
Good read, but rather disappointing ending. There really should be a sequel to tie up the many loose ends. Still, mediocre Grisham is still better than most. I bet they change the ending quite a bit for the movie.
Motion to SuppressMotion to Suppress by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Buy used from: $0.01
Had never heard of this author before but with a courtroom picture and a $4.99 price on the cover, it got my attention in the store. Took me about 6 months to finally give it a go, but I'm glad I did. It's a surprisingly good legal mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. Will read more of the series.
Black Order: A Sigma Novel (Sigma Force Novels)Black Order: A Sigma Novel (Sigma Force Novels) by James Rollins
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
This was pretty good although I didn't like it as much as Rollins' previous novel, Map of Bones. The plot is interesting, albeit absurd and overly complicated. Unfortunately it was all one action scene after another, so it's a little busy and repetitive. It surely could have been over 100 pages shorter if some filler was removed. Still, a entertaining conspiracy/action novel.
Invasion of PrivacyInvasion of Privacy by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Buy used from: $0.01
I was excited to read book 2 in the Nina Reilly series and I'm starting to see a pattern here. The characters and dialogue are not particularly well written, but the head-scratching mysteries and courtroom scenes make up for it's otherwise significant flaws. I enjoyed it.
The Catcher in the RyeThe Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Buy new: $9.79 / Used from: $4.78
I had never read this, even though it's so famous I already knew everything about it. It was good though, a pretty quick read. At least now I can feel a little less out of the loop.
Fahrenheit 451Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $0.01
Another classic and not at all disappointed. I really knew nothing of this book before I decided to pick it up one day other than I thought I should read something by Bradbury. Hope to read more of his.
Obstruction of JusticeObstruction of Justice by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
The third in the series and the best so far. It followed the same patterns as the previous books, which include entertaining courtroom action and big whodunits. I'll be moving on to the next book soon.
Transfer of PowerTransfer of Power by Vince Flynn
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $3.99
This was pretty good as far as spy thrillers go. It plays out like a season of 24, with a super CIA agent trying to kill terrorist and save the president (or in this case, the entire White House). It's the first book in a long series featuring Mitch Rapp, and I will probably get around to reading more.
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1)The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
I read this as a kid but didn't remember much and never continued with the series. Well, this is one confusing story. It doesn't make a lot of sense, presumably because the story picks up in the next book, but it was a fast read and the world King creates is interesting. I'll get around to the next book soon.
God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons EverythingGod Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens
Buy new: $10.19 / Used from: $7.49
I've been a fan of Hitchens for awhile and have been eager to read this. It certainly didn't let me down. It's an incredibly intelligent and interesting thesis of why he thinks what he thinks (see book title).
Trump: The Art of the DealTrump: The Art of the Deal by Donald J. Trump
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $2.00
I think Donald Trump is hilarious. It's hard to take him seriously about a lot of (or most) things, but I don't have any doubt he's a great businessman. Glad I decided to grab this, it was a great read. It's a lesson in empire building, especially made easier if you come from a wealthy family already. Still it's a fascinating look at how the Donald does what he does.
Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6)Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $1.82
This was alright, but the series is boring me a bit. It was fun at first...I can dig vampire stories and such...but now there's all these were-shifters, witches, and now even fairies! WTF? Oh well, I'll surely get around to finishing the series since I'm 6 books in already.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Harper Fiction)Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Harper Fiction) by Gregory Maguire
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $1.45
I went into this with no knowledge of the story or the broadway show that is apparently huge. It just sounded interesting to read a new story based in the Wizard of Oz. I found the book quite entertaining, completely immersing the reader in an Oz you never knew existed...and seeing the Wicked Witch in a whole new light.
Scar TissueScar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis
Buy new: $12.79 / Used from: $4.93
I'm only a casual RHCP fan, but I'm always down to read rock star bios and the awesome life they are hell-bent on destroying. That sums up Kiedis' story, lost in drug addiction and continually hurting anyone that cares for them. He talks candidly about the band, his many loves, and drops enough names to keep it entertaining. If you're into this sort of story, it's definitely worth a read.
Devil May Care (Vintage)Devil May Care (Vintage) by Sebastian Faulks
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
I'm on the fence about this one. I've never read any Bond novels, and maybe I should have started with some originals. This is a bit simple and unexciting compared to modern spy thrillers. It was a quick read though and not all that bad...just not all that great.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American DreamFear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream by Hunter S. Thompson
Buy new: $10.08 / Used from: $4.35
What a great book! I've seen the movie a couple times, but after reading some excerpts of this, I found I really enjoyed Thompson's writing. The book is a blast.
Breach of PromiseBreach of Promise by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
This is the fourth Nina Reilly novel and I'm still really enjoying this series. This one has even more courtroom (and even jury room) action, and great twists and turns as usual.
Acts of MaliceActs of Malice by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
Another Nina Reilly and another page turner I couldn't put down. This one has a little less courtroom action, but a bit more emotional depth and shocking developments concerning our heroine and other main characters. I'm moving on to the next in the series.
Move to StrikeMove to Strike by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
The sixth Nina Reilly continues to change things a bit from the earlier books, this time going further into the mystery and scaling back the courtroom happenings. Not the best in the series, but includes some major character developments that keep fans of the series hungry for more.
MortMort by Terry Pratchett
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $3.38
currently reading...
When You Are Engulfed in FlamesWhen You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
Buy new: $9.97 / Used from: $5.80
currently reading...
The Girl with the Dragon TattooThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $2.77
This really impressed me. Although it took a little time to get into it because it has an incredible amount of setup and exhaustive detail, once you hit the halfway point, you won't be able to put it down. I'm jumping into the sequel right away.
The Girl Who Played with FireThe Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
Buy new: $10.00 / Used from: $10.00
This is just fantastic. Picking up where "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" left off, it is as exciting and engrossing as the first. I'm really looking forward to the third and last of the series.
Shadow of BetrayalShadow of Betrayal by Brett Battles
Buy new: $16.50 / Used from: $11.24
I really enjoyed Battles' first 2 Jonathan Quinn adventures but this one was a bit of a letdown. Still worth a read if you're following the series.
The Beckham Experiment: How the World's Most Famous Athlete Tried to Conquer AmericaThe Beckham Experiment: How the World's Most Famous Athlete Tried to Conquer America by Grant Wahl
Buy new: $16.49 / Used from: $15.00
This was a very entertaining behind-the-scenes look at the "Beckham Experiment". Definitely a great read for any soccer fan.
Soccer in a Football World: The Story of America's Forgotten Game (Sporting)Soccer in a Football World: The Story of America's Forgotten Game (Sporting) by David Wangerin
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $10.00
This is like a textbook about the history of American soccer, and reads as such. It contains a huge amount of detail and although not written in a very entertaining way, it was interesting to learn just how much "history" American soccer actually has.
Fever PitchFever Pitch by Nick Hornby
Buy new: $10.20 / Used from: $0.51
reading now...
The Lost SymbolThe Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Buy new: $12.25 / Used from: $11.02
What a let-down. Completely uninteresting and boring despite a few page-turning scenes. The same dialogue is repeated so many times, this book could have been a short story instead of 500 pages. FU Dan Brown for making us wait so long...and then giving us this piece of &$^&!
Writ of ExecutionWrit of Execution by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
After taking a break from Nina Reilly for a while, I'm back with the seventh in the series. It might be my favorite yet, with a well-plotted, great story.
Unfit to PracticeUnfit to Practice by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
The eigth Nina Reilly and this one finds Nina in some serious trouble with the State Bar. These keep getting better.
Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous IdeasChuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas by Chuck Klosterman
Buy new: $10.20 / Used from: $3.93
A friend loaned this to me thinking I would enjoy it even though I've had another Klosterman on my shelf for over a year and hadn't given it a chance. Kudos to my friend because I REALLY enjoyed this! I will now jump into the one on my shelf!