Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about New Year reading.

With the New Year here already, do you have any reading resolutions or goals (challenges aside) for 2010? Perhaps a new author? Genre? Want to read more non-fiction? Write more reviews?
My Answer:
  Since I did sign up for the big challenge of 100+ books, my plans for 2010 is definitely read more, less time on the computer and less TV watching.  My TV is usually on even if I am readng.  I find that I can’t read if it is totally quiet so I have on one of the cable News channels with the volume low and will only watch and pay attention if it is a “Breaking News Alert”.

Hosted by J.Kaye’s Book Blog      http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/
     Finished:  Most Likely To Die by Lisa Jackson, Wendy Corsi Staub, Beverly Barton (Rating 5)
                      Review to follow…finished last night
     Currently Reading:  ??  Awaiting for books for revview…so it depends if any arrive today
                       if not, so many books to choose from, so I will update a little later.

BOOK REVIEWS

Most Likely To Die by Lisa Jackson, Wendy Corsi Staub, Beverly Barton (Rating 5)
EBook purchased by me
Twenty years ago at the Valentine’s Dance hosted by an all female small high school, St. Elizabeth’s there was a gruesome murder which was never solved. Since the school will be leveled, a small committee of alumnae are planning for their 20 yr reunion  even though they have never resolved their feelings of that night so long ago but then one by one they are dying, is it an accident or is it personal.
My Opinion:  Once again, Lisa Jackson delivers another fast paced, can’t put down, keep you guessing read.  I originally signed up for 5 books for the Lisa Jackson challenge hosted by J.Kaye Book Blog, and this was my 5th book, I will be reading more of her books because they are enjoyable and are the type of books that I like to read.  If you haven’t read her books and like suspense, this is an author you should read and maybe even sign up for the challenge.

Crossing The Bridge by Michael Baron (Rating–5)
Publisher: The Story Plant
ISBN-13: 978-0-9819568-1-7
At the request of the publisher, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
     Synopsis: Hugh Penders returns to his home in Amber, CT a small town in New England, after 10 years of working various jobs in multiple locations never putting down roots or truly knowing what it is he wants to do. He returns home to work in the family store after his father suffers a heart attack. He plans on staying only long enough for his Dad to get on his feet. Amber holds too many painful memories of his brother Chase, who died August 10th at the age of 18, ten years ago when his car went off Pine River Bridge. He has held a secret within since that fateful day.
     My thoughts: This novel was not my usual read as I tend to gravitate toward fast paced mystery/suspense. However, I was drawn in by the first chapter. This novel is a love story that tugs on your heart from page one. The characters came to life to the point I didn’t want the story to end. The turmoil of Hugh’s emotions of grief, love, confusion, loyalty and pain were felt with the writer’s sensitive words.
     My Opinion and Rating: This was not your typical love story. It was a love story on many levels some being between friends, parents and children, siblings, and mates. The characters took on a real life quality whereas they could have been my family and friends. Being from New England myself, the descriptions of Amber could have been that of where I live. I highly recommend this warm and touching love story and have rated it a Level 5. I will be reading Mr. Baron’s 1st novel “When You Went Away” ASAP and will be anxiously awaiting his next book “The Journey Home” due out May 11, 2010.