Ehh...not that crazy about this book

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. "A true-crime murder story and hugely entertaining and deliciously perverse travelogue." Maybe I'm like my nephew who is also struggling with Southern literature. It did make me want to visit Savannah, but I wasn't excited about reading it (meaning, it didn't make me stay up too late).

Also finished Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins which will be coming out in March 2010. Sophie Mercer, a witch, gets sent off to Hex Hall for a prom-night spell that doesn't go exactly as planned (but it's pretty funny). Mmmmm...not in love with this one either. Am sending off to my niece for review - she's a tougher critic than me.

Wine and Murder

I haven't read any of Ellen Crosby's books yet, but she's now on the list. How could I not want to read books that combine some of my favorite vices - wine and mystery books. With titles like:
The Chardonnay Charade
The Bordeaux Betrayal
The Merlot Murders

I'm ready to open a bottle of wine and crack open a book (and she's from Northern VA, so maybe I can get her to come to the store for a reading and wine tasting!).

Cate Blanchett in Arlington

Yes, she and her kids were visiting Aladdin's Lamp, the children's indie bookstore right across the street from my house.

You already knew this about friends...

but it's always good to have confirmation. In her NY Times article, What Are Friends for? A Longer Life”, Tara Parker Pope, notes that people "overlook a powerful weapon that could help them fight illness and depression, speed recovery, slow aging and prolong life: their friends." Thanks, guys!!!!

Still reading...more on the mystery binge:
Corpus Christmas by Margaret Maron - look, a holiday murder book.
Friends in High Places by one of my favorites, Donna Leon. I enjoy settling into the grey area that is Venice (and I mean that in the best of all possible ways).

Two of my favorite things - together!

"The American Booksellers Association and NPR will join forces beginning November 13 'to provide thoughtful bestsellers and unique book coverage to readers, both on NPR.org and IndieBound.org,' Bookselling This Week reported. NPR Books will publish four weekly bestseller lists--hardcover fiction, hardcover nonfiction, paperback fiction and paperback nonfiction--using the Indie Bestseller List feeds"(from Shelf Awareness, 11/6/09).

What we all should want for the holidays (besides world peace)

Books, books and more books...

Not sure what to get? Check out the Indiebound NEXT List for November 2009.