The Glass Case: A short story by Kristin Hannah

This was a very short story, but her writing was as good as ever.  A mother was dealing with where she was in life and with a loss that occurred earlier in her life when an event made her rethink some things and realize many more.  It is hard to say much about the story because I would give it all away.  If you get a chance to read it, do.  (NOOK)

Dispatches from a Public Librarian by Scott Douglas

This was a trip.  Scott Douglas talks about some of the things that happen to him in the library.  The things that patrons ask and the things he has to deal with are things that I had never thought about.  He also has some interesting insights on the state of libraries and the rolls they play within the public venue.  He had a couple essays in the end that did not do much for me, but the dispatches in the beginning were very funny.  I could not help laughing out loud and knowing that I have seen some forms of the  people of which he spoke in my forays to the library.  If you need a good chuckle, find this book!! (NOOK)

Permed to Death by Nancy J. Cohen

A client in a hair salon dies and the only other person around is the owner, Marla.  Marla is an interesting character and due to some things that happened to her in her past she needed to find out what happened to her client.  The story is laid out well, there is tension in the right places and intrigue that makes it hard to figure out who did it.  There is not a lot of drama, but there is the inter personal conflicts that keep you going.  I figured it out who did it before I reached the end but was very pleased with how the book finished.  It was a great little mystery.

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

I loved this book!!  It is told from the servants point of view and you got a feel for the whole family through them.  It never ceases to amaze me what servants and lady's maids did for their employers and how snooty and uncaring the employers could be.  This took place in the early 1900's.  There was much family tragedy and cover up and also glamor and parties, gossip, cheating and adjusting to changing times.  I know that there is a part of most of us who think the rich have it all and have nothing to worry about.  What I noticed in this book, and can't help but put in place today, it the mental unrest and drama that they live in.  What does this person think, what should I wear to this... things were all critically thought out at the time and I wonder how much fun was actually had.  The book was beautifully written, I laughed and even cried in the end.  I really felt a part of the story and got just as stressed as the characters and servants did.  It was a fascinating time and was portrayed very well through out the novel.

A Daughter of the Snows by Jack London

This was one of his earlier books, written in 1902.  I am not really sure if I have ever made it through any of his books before and now I am looking forward to reading more.  This took place in the late 1800's and focused on a daughter returning to her father in the Yukon.  There are many sub-stories that got confusing to me at times, but in the end all melded together.  I loved his descriptions of the Yukon, the gold-rushers, the scenery and how challenging things were at the time.  It was all quite fascinating.  I laughed outloud and shook my head many a time while reading this.  The world was a rough and tumble place and you  had to be able to stand on your own two feet.  I was truly transported back to this time period and he captured it amazingly well. (NOOK)

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

I have seen this in the movies in a few forms.  I have seen it in play form and was even old Marley myself in grade school.  But I had never read it.  There is something about seeing it in book form that really made me think about what was going on.  I got very wrapped up in the emotion of it all and even though I knew the ending, could not wait to get to the end to see it all played out.  It really is a wonderful book and we should all take time to read the old classics like these. (NOOK)

A Christmas Holiday by Brendan Gerad O'Brien

It is that time of year and I love to read feel good Christmas stories.  I got this one and was very disappointed.  Yes, there was the idea that the guy was going to surprise his wife with a trip, but she was in a bad mood and he did not tell her right away.  Then he goes to the pub and decides to raffle off the tickets and get more money.  In the end there is a little twist, but it was just stupid, in my opinion.  Yes, it was a Christmas story.  Yes, it was a short story.  And yes, it was free...... thank goodness. (NOOK)