High Heel Series by Gemma Halliday

L.A. shoe designer, Maddie Springer, lives her life by three rules: Fashion. Fashion. Fashion. But when she stumbles upon the work of a brutal killer, her life takes an unexpected turn from Manolos to murder. And things only get worse when her boyfriend disappears - along with $20 million in embezzled funds - and her every move is suddenly under scrutiny by the LAPD's sexiest cop. With the help of her post-menopausal bridezilla of a mother, a 300 pound psychic and one seriously oversexed best friend, Maddie finds herself stepping out of her stilettos and onto the trail of a murderer. But can she catch a killer before the killer catches up to her...

These books are along the same lines as the Janet Evonovich books. Fun, quick, and silly. I got the first one free on my Kindle and read the rest in the same weekend. There is a little bit of language and some not to detailed love scenes.

Inspector Lynley Series by Elizabeth George

I love a good mystery novel. A good one. And I love a good mystery series even better. And I really got into this series. I picked up my first Inspector Lynley novel several years ago at my Mom's urging. And I have to confess, although I thoroughly enjoyed the books from the start, the writing has improved as Elizabeth George has continued her story of Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sargent Barbara Havers. You may have seen this series televised (butchered, in my not so humble opinion) on PBS Mystery over the last few years. Some of the things I love best about these: they take me all over England, and I like the way she writes her mysteries. Much less contrived than some. The overarching storyline is as intriguing as each mystery. The last one, This Body Of Death, in my opinion is her best so far. It reminded me of Prime Suspect (I think maybe she based a character on Jane Tennyson). Anyway if you want some books to keep you hooked these are they. Not perfect, but enjoyable.

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

Maisie Dobbs entered domestic service in 1910 at thirteen, working for Lady Rowan Compton. When her remarkable intelligence is discovered by her employer, Maisie becomes the pupil of Maurice Blanche, a learned friend of the Comptons. In 1929, following an apprenticeship with Blanche, Maisie hangs out her shingle: M. DOBBS, TRADE AND PERSONAL INVESTIGATIONS. She soon becomes enmeshed in a mystery surrounding The Retreat, a reclusive community of wounded WWI veterans. At first, Maisie only suspects foul play, but she must act quickly when Lady Rowan's son decides to sign away his fortune and take refuge there. Maisie hurriedly investigates, uncovering a disturbing mystery, which, in an astonishing denouement, gives Maisie the courage to confront a ghost that has haunted her for years.

I loved this book. I thought it was a fun and interesting read. It did however break my heart to think of all those poor men who fought in WWI. If they came home, none of them came home the same!

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall begins from and eventually returns to the point of view of gentle Gilbert Markham as he endures what he thinks is an unrequited love of the mysterious and independent Helen Graham. But as the story progresses, a far more interesting tale emerges from the pages of Helen's own journal. In this novel within a novel, we learn of Helen's painful past as the devoted, devout, and often tortured wife of the handsome, alcoholic scoundrel she unwisely chose to marry. ( from http://muruch.blogspot.com/2008/10/anne-bronte-tenant-of-wildfell-hall.html )

It has been a long time since I read this, but, I was thinking about it again and thought it needed a post. I love this book. I thought it was an interesting and well told story! I also love the movie if you get a chance to see it, do!

Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris

I remembered this book yesterday when I heard the author interviewed on The Diane Rheam show on NPR.  This is a twisty, turny, crazy book.  It is about an old, well established boys school in England and how it is sabotaged.  It is dark at times and will surprise you several times.  The author also wrote Chocolat which I would love to read.  My sister hated the book, but I found it intriguing, so I guess it isn't for everyone.

Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl

From the jacket: "Blue van Meer; a brainy, deadpan, and preternaturally erudite girl who, after traveling from one remote academic outpost to another with her professor father (see"Gareth van Meer"), has head crammed full of literary, philosophical, and scientific knowledge. (She is also a film buff and can recite pi out to sixy-five decimal places.) When she is sixteen, due to certain nuclear events, her previously dull life is forever transformed.
The Flying Demoiselle: an archaic means of hanging someone, populear in the South between 1829-1860. It is also, in all likelihood, how Hannah Schneider died..."
I picked this book up from the library last week because it sounded interesting. I loved it. It is the story of Blue Van Meer, daughter of a nomadic political science professor. Blue can't help but be a precocious intellectual, after all her father is the academic erudite, Gareth van Meer. Anyway, they end up (coincidentally?) in a small town in the South for her senior year of high school. The film teacher at her new, exclusive school, Hannah Schneider, takes her under her wing. Hannah is a compelling, eerie, fascinating, person. Hannah has a little group of prodigies, all interesting characters, called the Bluebloods who also take Blue under their wing. Anyway, why would a teacher be so interested in a bunch of high school students? Why does she seem so familiar to Blue? What is the big secret Hannah seems to be protecting? Why is Hannah's personality so erratic? What is going on? Blue finds out and it is quite a tale. Blue is the wordy (she can't help it) narrator and her tale is a good one.

Stephanie Plum Series

Okay, I told my sister about these books and she wanted me to post about them.  Sorry to be a blog hog, here, but hey, the more books the better.  Anyway, these are not high brow literature by any stretch of the imagination, but the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich are good mindless escape literature.  They are about a bounty hunter (yup, told you this wasn't high brow) in New Jersey, complete with big hair,  blue eye shadow, the local neighborhood mobsters, and plenty of lycra.  She gets into trouble, there are explosions, and moms making meatloaf, and crazy Italian neighbors, and a bit of suspense. They are entertaining.  There isn't much more to them than that, but if you want a mindless, funny read, these will do the trick.  Janet Evanovich is a good writer (unlike other low-brow authors I can think of...Nicholas Sparks comes to mind) There is some language and some racy bits, so they aren't for everyone.  I did get tired of them after a while (basically every book follows about the same formula) and haven't finished the series yet, but plan to, next time I am in the mood for quick and easy reading.   So, for light reading try these.