It's Not About the Bike by Lance Armstrong

Sub-title: My Journey Back to Life -- I was curious about this book and have always enjoyed reading about athletes and what they go through. He is a really tough guy on many levels. His book was very touching in spots when he was dealing with the cancer, I even teared up a few times. I don't think I could ever work with the man because he is very demanding and very much a perfectionist. If you wanted to know what makes this man tick this was a very good view into him and this part of his life.

All My Patients are Under the Bed by Dr. Louis J. Camuti

Sub-title: Memoirs of a Cat Doctor -- What a fun book. A cat doctor who makes house calls in the New York City area. He found that it was less stressful for the animal if he came to them. All of his little stories and antidotes were fun. I laughed a lot and wish that I could have been a fly on the wall when he was making some of these house calls. A very enjoyable and fun read.

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Enjoyable, yet painful at times. It seemed to jump around a lot from the past to the present and it was not always clear. The story is about two friends who grew up together, had problems fitting in and hurt each other but are brought back together by an accident. They have to work through their differences and do come out ahead in the end. Some of Weiner's other books were much better, but this was a good book when it comes to looking at the dynamics of friendship.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Picoult really has a way to make you think. She gives you situations that can make you uncomfortable and make you question how you would handle the situation. She presents to you a family with a child that has Asperger's. There is also a younger brother and of course the mom. Picoult takes you through each of the characters and brings you into their world. -- There is a murder and the child with Asperger's is under question. Because of his interest in forensics and his relationship with the victim it is even hard for his mom to not think that he had done this. The younger brother has always had to act as the older one and has acted out in his own ways, unknown to his family. Watching Picoult unfold all of the feelings of pain, confusion, anger and love is amazing. She is a master with words and always leaves me wondering and questioning.

At Wick's End by Tim Myers

A murder in a candle store. These always turn out to be so much fun. Harrison Black inherits a candle store and building from his great aunt. Once he gets there he realizes that it was not an accident that killed her, but murder. He does his own investigation and puts his foot in his mouth a few times, but does a good job. By doing some investigating Black learns a lot about the other people in the building and himself. A very fun book with some candle making tips and a couple of recipes. I just wonder what he will be getting into next.

Peony in Love by Lisa See

When I started reading this I was having a hard time getting into it. It was not flowing well for me. But slowly See pulled me in and I could not believe the words that were unfolding in front of me. She has a way of weaving a story that leaves you wanting more. -- I have always enjoyed historical fiction and reading about China and the way things were is totally amazing to me and also hard to believe. How families were set up, how girls were treated, foot binding, arranged marriages, the strictness of behavior. But also the mystical beliefs, rituals that were followed and the fear of the other world is just awing to me. -- This was a story of a girl who experiences love sickness and what it does to her. In turn it affects many people down the line in the way they live and the guilt and regrets they experience. It is a beautiful story.

Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke

What can I say?? Another great book. I always worry with a series that things will start to sound the same and there will not be enough creativity. Fluke is ever coming up with new ideas and situations for Hannah Swenson. Swenson, yet again, finds a body. The situations and predicaments she gets in make me laugh and shake my head. The great thing about this book is that I really did not know who did it until it was revealed. I know that I can be slow sometimes, Terry always figures these things out early on. Fluke gave so many plausible possibilities that I was really shocked when the end came. All I can say is that I can't wait to read the next one!