January Reading Journal

I didn't read much last month, and haven't even finished ONE book so far in February, though I have a stack of novels in the closet that's built into the headboard of our bed. We were going to go to Baja for Valentine's Day, but now we're not, and I'm kind of hoping, with the exception of maybe meeting friends for dinner over the long weekend, that I'll get to curl up and read at least some of that time.

In any case, here's the list:

Jennifer Government, Maxx Barry.
Anyone who's played with NationStates.net knows this book, because the game was created just to market it. Matrix-y in tone. Alternately thought-provoking and hilarious.

Tara Road, Maeve Binchy
I think this was my least favorite Binchy book ever, but I finished it despite not really liking it much. It's an entire book of depressing dysfunctional relationships, and one amazing house.

Body of Intuition, Claire Daniels.
A murder mystery involving a dectective who can read auras, and taking place at a spa. A little too new-agey for me, but not a horrible read.

Breakfast with Scot, Michael Downing
Yes, sometimes I read male authors. And it's not even science fiction, or fantasy :) Scot's a rather odd eleven-year-old who is taken in by Sam and Ed. The tone and rhythm of the book really threw me. Sort of F. Scott Fitzgerald meets James Joyce. Also, I was never quite certain if it was a period piece or not. It had a sort of timelessness that I found confusing more than compelling.

Mr. Maybe, Jane Green
Still in my BritCom phase, this is about a young woman searching for the One, and almost settling for the Nearly-the-One.

For Better or Worse, Carole Matthews
If you have to write divorce comedy, this is what you should right. Entertaining. Light. Total mind candy.

Fishbowl, Sarah Mlynowski
Amusing tale of three young Canadian women sharing an apartment, and becoming friends.

The Eight, Katherine Neville
I couldn't find my own copy of this, so ordered a new one, and the smell of freshly unpacked book made me *have* to read it *right then*. It's a long-time favorite of mine, anyway, and worth reading again.

A Little Help from Above, Saralee Rosenberg
A comedy about relationships, told from the POV of the lead character's dead mother. No, really.