Ultraviolet by Nancy Bush

This is the third book in a series which I did not realize when I picked it up.  It isn't bad as a stand alone, but there is some background information that I would like to know.  This was a female detective story where Jane Kelly gets herself into some interesting spots.  The two investigations dealt with a murder of the father of the bride and a teen party get together that was up to no good.  This was not overly exciting and at times I really felt it was a trudge getting through.  I am curious of some of the back story though, so I may seek out the first couple of books to  see where this all started.

Travels with my Chicken by Martin Gurdon

Subtitle: Amazon Man and his Companion Take to the Road -- Gurdon wrote a book about chickens and went on a book tour around England.  He took one of his chickens along for the ride.  He has some interesting adventures, gets lost a lot and is always asked if he eats his chickens.  He is a bit scatter brained in his writing style but it was enjoyable.

Shoutin' Into the Fog by Thomas Hanna

Subtitle: Growing up on Maine's Ragged Edge -- Hanna grew up on Georgetown Island dirt poor.   He was the second of eight children who had to become the 'man of the family' at a very young age.  There were times that he had fun and adventures were had, but there was a lot of nothing most of the time.  Ending up in the Navy was a good turn of events for him and shaped the rest of his life.  I know that life isn't easy for many, but when I read about someone growing up in a home that has cardboard for insulation on the walls and the floor is frozen in the winter time it changes how you look at things.

Riddle of the Ice by Myron Arms

Subtitle: A Scientific  Adventure into the Artic -- This was an interesting look into climate change and what is happening with ice flows,  pack ice and glaciers.  There was a lot of scientific things discussed and much flew over my head but some was rather intriguing.   The trip by sailboat into this artic region, the weather that had to be watched and the floating ice that had to be maneuvered through can leave you on the edge of your seat.  This was Arms' second attempt and he was not disappointed.   If you even want a glimpse into what is happening with how the climate is changing and what scientists are thinking this is a great jumping off point.

Quiver by Peter Leonard

This book was just okay.  I picked it up in the captain's lounge while we were in Punta Gorda to fulfill part of my alphabet challenge.  Kate becomes a widow when her son accidentally kills her husband while they were hunting.  Some people from both her and her husband's past come into the picture in hopes to make some money.  They kidnap her son and demand ransom.  There really was not anything overly exciting or demanding in this story and I was glad when I had finished it.  This was Leonard's  first book, so there is room for improvement.

A Pearl in the Storm by Tori Murden McClure

Subtitle: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean -- What an amazing thing to try to accomplish.  She was going to row across the Atlantic Ocean in a small row boat taking the northern route.  It was not all fun and games.  There were days of good rowing and others of terrible storm after terrible storm.  She was physically, mentally, and emotionally beaten by the sea.  It was hard coming back and assimilating into everyday life.  It was a very gripping story that I read in one day.  The way that she described events and her emotions, you were right there with her.

Oral History by Lee Smith

An interesting story about a girl who goes to find out more about her family from Appalachia.  Smith tells the colorful life full of love, murder, suicide, death and family lines.  It is not a lifestyle that many people can relate to and Smith was very descriptive and well versed in telling the story.

Now, Where Were We by Roy Blount, Jr.

So I fell in love with this man's voice on Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me.  I didn't fall in love with his writing.  The book is a little dated, written in the 80's with a bunch of essays about Reagan.   There are other essays about kids, diet, exercise and some other very random things. For me it was a trudge to get through and I will stick to listening to him from now on.