Harry Potter Series

This book lover has been caught hook, line and sinker for the Harry Potter series! I read and reread the books from time to time. I own all the Harry Potter films on DVD and our family has Harry marathons where we view them in order from beginning to the end. The books are better than the films, naturally. I confess, I am a die-hard Harry Potter fan! For any of you extremely rare species of people who don't read or watch films, Harry Potter is a young orphan boy who does not know he is a wizard. He lives in England with his hateful aunt and uncle, Vernon and Petunia Dursley. Dudley is their spoiled son, who is also mean to Harry. When Harry turns eleven, he receives a letter inviting him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There he befriends Hermione and Ron, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, many colorful Hogwarts teachers, and fellow students. Harry finds out he is famous because as a baby, he unwittingly defeated Lord Voldemort, the evil wizard who killed many people including Harry's parents. Voldemort's spell backfired on him, which vaporized him, and only left Harry with a lightning shaped scar on his face. No one has seen Voldemort all these years, but all wonder if he is still out there and planning to come back. Each book in the series represents a new year Harry spends at Hogwarts, and clever plots where Harry and his friends try to foil the evil plans of Voldemort's followers to bring back the Dark Lord. Eventually, Voldemort comes back, and Harry, with the help of his closest friends, must find a way to get rid of him for good. These books can be classified as childrens or teen books, but adults love them too! Which Harry Potter novel and film is your ultimate favorite? Let this book lover know!

Thrills, Spills, and Chills = Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is the undisputed king (in my book!) of thrilling, sometimes supernatural government conspiracy, or just plain suspenseful books. One of his novels, Intensity, has been made into a made for TV movie. He has many novels, some better than others, that are wonderful reads. Relentless is the fictional yet thrilling story of a bestselling novelist Cubby Greenwich, who unwisely approaches a critic, the reclusive Shearman Waxx, who dissed his latest book in his column. Unbeknownst to Cubby, Waxx is a sociopath who relentlessly terrorizes any writer that dares to disagree with his critique. Almost all of the authors who dared to approach Waxx have disappeared or ended up dead. Waxx carries out an elaborate campaign of terror on the author and his family. Read Relentless to find out what happens to Cubby and his family, and let this book lover know how you rated the book?

Stephanie Plum Series

Calling all book lovers! If you like a mystery that provides laugh-out-loud humor, steamy hot romance, and hilariously quirky characters, you have to read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Stephanie Plum, former lingerie saleswoman, is now employed by her cousin Vinnie as a bond enforcer AKA bounty hunter. Lula, a former 'ho, rides shotgun for Stephanie on stakeouts. Stephanie's Grandma Mazur, who likes to pack heat and considers funerals social events, even if she doesn't know the deceased, provides belly laughs too. Detective Joe Morelli, tall, dark, and sexy is Stephanie's off and on boyfriend, and Ranger, the sexy, mysterious, hunky part-time bounty hunter helps Stephanie out of tight spots. The characters are well developed, the plots are fun and engaging, and the who-will-she-choose-romance hook will keep you coming back for more. Who do you think Stephanie should end up with, Morelli or Ranger?

Sarah Palin's Going Rogue

Whether you love her or hate her, Sarah Palin's new book Going Rogue was a well done and satisfying read. My husband gave it to me for Christmas, and I had it completely read by December 27th. This book was on the best seller list two months before the release date! The New York Times Book Review gave it a positive review. I learned a lot about Alaska, politics, and what really happened in the 2008 McCain/Palin campaign. I am not usually the type to pick up a biography since I am a typical fiction lover, but I was glad I did. It was worth my time. I donated my copy to the local library when I was finished with it, so others can read it too.

For fans of Stephanie Meyers...

If you are fans of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Saga, you will love, love, love Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games, and its new sequel Catching Fire. This series is a mixture of several genres including futuristic science fiction, suspense, and horror. Katniss lives in a future North America called Panem where the people are divided into twelve districts. The rulers of Panem control the people by forcing them to participate in an annual televised game called the Hunger Games. One boy and one girl from each district are chosen, and they fight other young people from each of the districts in a battle to the death. The families are forced to watch their loved one die on TV. The winner of the Hunger Games ensures their district will not go hungry for a whole year. Sixteen year old Katniss is horrified when her little sister is chosen for the games, and so she volunteers to take her sister's place. Katniss does not want to kill the other Hunger Games contestants, but she must in order to win and make it home to take care of her family and see her boyfriend Gale again. The sequel, Catching Fire, was so good I could not put it down! A must read!

Twilight Saga

Breaking Dawn is the fourth and final book in the Twilight Saga. It is personally my favorite of all four books. I love how the author made everything turn out, and I am dying to see it on the big screen. Which book is your favorite?

Twilight

In the Twilight Saga, this is my favorite book. The last book, Breaking Dawn, reveals how Edward and Bella's love story plays out. I will not spoil the ending for you, I promise! One aspect of the book that I really enjoy are the Volturi, and the threat of their arrival and the final scene with the Volturi is awesome! What an awesome ending to a great series. Go Team Edward!