Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

So I just started this book today on my lunch break.  I only have a half hour lunch from now until Christmas so I can book some time off over the holidays, so I only read the first two chapters.  One of my co-workers lent me this to read, and so far it's very descriptive so I can picture exactly what's happening.  It's the kind of book that is good right from the beginning, so it jumps right into what's happening instead of having all the crap leading up to it.  It set in the 1880's so it'll be interesting just by the things that were going on back then.  Like already her husband has died and it's talking about her going into mourning so she must wear nothing but black clothes and the whole house has to be transformed into black everything, even her handkerchiefs must be outlined in black.  I like it so far.  Hopefully it keeps my interest.  :)


Ok.  So on Wednesday night I finally finished this book that I started in November and haven't had much time to read.  Not the time it deserved.  Had I picked it up at a less busy time of the year I know I would have had this finished in two weeks.  It was wonderful.  I absolutely love reading this type of time, how they talk, and have servants in the house for everything.  Being called "my lady."  Sigh* What a time.  It had a very unexpected twisted ending.  Quick summary, Julia, quickly a widow in the beginning of the book, discovers that her husband may have been murdered.  She spends the bulk of the novel trying to piece together the events leading up to her husbands death and who the murderer is.  I think I shall have to read the second book as there are embers to a potential romance that do not amount to anything in this book, and I'm a sucker for romance.  I'd hope the embers would turn into flame in the second book.  When I get to it (it will be months for sure, I have a lot of books to read!) I'll be sure to let you know how it went.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Ok.  So I just finished this book on Monday.  I'd like to say that I didn't even realize I was nearing the end of the book, because I expected so much more to happen.  I'd also say that the end was a bit disappointing.  It had the outcome I suspected, but I felt like it left me hanging.  And I do NOT like that.  For this reason, it doesn't top the favorites list by Jodi.  It will stay at number three.

However, it was still an amazing book, given that I was so absorbed I didn't even realize how close to the end of the book I was!  I also love the way she writes for Jacob.  How he thinks and his reason behind things is so interesting.  It makes one stop and think about things we say that seem so natural to us.  But Jacob being in a literal world doesn't get them.  He explains them well, if you read the book, you'll understand.  It's difficult to put into words.  It's also very interesting to read about his routine being SO important and if it's disrupted he doesn't have the skills to cope.  Like every day of the week has a different color and on that day all the food is that color and his clothes are that color.  And trying to get clothes on Jacob that don't match the color of the corresponding day, makes him have an outburst. 

That's all I will say.  I think if you find that little blurb interesting, you should read the book.  It seems large but it goes by SO quickly.  Especially if you have more time to read than I do these days.  Anyway, I liked the book so much that in the middle of it I decided to put it on our book club list for my next turn (which won't be until March). 

If you read this book I want to know what you think of it, comment! 

Happy reading.  =)