Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

I really did not want to put this one down. Thank you Nancy!!! The book takes place in England and is a sort of coming of age story of Maisie Dobbs. Her mother dies and her father has her go work for a family he knows. This family sees talent in her other than being a house maid of sorts. The way that Winspear lays everything out just makes you want to keep reading. Maisie ends up helping in the war effort and afterwards starts her own business, but how she gets there makes you keep on going. The depth of character and how you are drawn in, wanting more, was wonderful. Winspear had me right to the end and I really can't wait to read more. This is the first book in a series.

Time on Ice by Deborah Shiparo and Rolf Bjelke

Subtitle: A Winter's Voyage to Antarctica -- I am very glad that people take trips and do adventures like these because I really don't think that I ever would. This was a trip they really had planned out and knew they wanted to spend the whole winter in Antarctica. Their boat would freeze into the ice and they would be stuck there. Much planning was done. They built themselves up physically because they were going to be doing a lot of skiing and exploring during their time down there. The boat was outfitted to endure the winter and the rough weather to get there. The food provisioning was amazing. They were going to be out of touch, with no resources around for a long time. They did a wonderful job telling their story, the trials and tribulations and their opinions on where things are today environmentally and such. They are very big into leaving things in their natural state and in telling how things really are not like that in Antarctica. It was an amazing adventure and I am very glad they shared it with us.

The Rapids by Carla Neggers

I really like her style of writing. This book was more mystery, secret service stuff and you always wondered what was going to pop up next. Neggers pulls you in and makes you feel like part of the story. Her character description is excellent and you feel like you know the characters. It was an enjoyable and fun read.

Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides

It was one of those books I picked up in a book exchange and when I started it I was not quite sure what to expect. The story is about an hermaphrodite, not something you would usually read about. This book takes you back to Greece and to the present day. The layering of family history, tragedy and success is well laid out. Eugenides wrote seamlessly and had a very good style about him. I really got involved and wanted to keep going to see what would happen. The ending did work really well for me. I felt led on and then left hanging. For a very different subject matter though, it was pulled off very well.

A Very Eligible Corpse by Annie Griffin

This is the first book in a new series and I can't wait until I can read more. It is about a couple of sisters who live together, seniors, and the oh-so-interesting adventures that occur. They are different as night and day and one truly takes care of the other. Of course, in any mystery, someone dies. The list of possible subjects seems rather large, but only one sister is at the top of the list. Hannah, the one not on the list, is going to save her sister. It was such an enjoyable story. The descriptions were a bit much, but did not take away from the plot line. I think they really gave a good picture of everything going on. I can't say enough and can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

The Widow by Carla Neggars

Another mystery that really had me going until the end. I love it when you read something and you think you figure it out and there is a twist or another layer added. Then you have to re-think everything. That happened to me a few times as I went through this. One thing that did draw me to the book was it taking place on Mt. Desert Island. I could see the places that were being talked about and described. I was really feeling a part of the book. Neggars is a good writer that makes the words flow and has not left me dissatisfied at all. I am looking forward to reading some more of her work.

Ireland by Frank Delaney

A very long book. There were times that I did not think I was going to make it through. At the same time it was enjoyable and I am glad that I stuck it out. It follows a boy and his quest to find the 'Storyteller'. In between him watching him grow up and the emotional growth there are many stories about Ireland history. The stories are very rich and descriptive. I can picture some of them even as I sit here and write this. It was very well written and if you like history with a little myth throw in you will enjoy this book.