Heaven

Ever wonder what heaven would be like? Fannie Flagg's latest book Can't Wait to get to Heaven takes a stab at describing what it would be like. Elner Shimfissle is the matriarch of Elmwood Springs, Missouri. People in the town seek her our for advice and good conversation. So when word gets out that Elner has died, due to being stung by a nest full of wasps causing her to fall off the ladder she was using to pick figs with, the town feels lost. The population of Elmwood Springs begins the process of saying goodbye to a dear friend. Elner does indeed go to heaven and while she is sharing some cake with her old friend she is told that she needs to go back. Disappointed Elner comes back to life. Needless to say there is a lot of confusion over this, as well as some near heartattacks by the doctor and family members who were standing around her when this happened.

Fannie Flagg, who is also the author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (which was also developed into a movie), describes heaven as being more than just a white light. It is the place you call home. The streets and houses look the same and all of your friends who have passed on before you are there to greet you.

Ms Flagg's Elmwood Springs could be any small town. What makes it different are the cast of characters that live there. I enjoyed this book. Having grown up in a small town I can relate to how things are done. If you are in the mood to spend an easy easy spring day with the folks of Elmwood Springs, stop by your local library and pick up a copy of this book.

Murder Beneath the Covers

This mystery book (which is part of a series) was a hoot. Helen is a woman on the run. Once an executive in a large company she is now working only dead end jobs that pay under the table. Why? Her ex husband is looking for her because he wants his alimony. Yep you got it he was a stay at home house husband who got caught with the "other woman" but still insisted that he should be entitled to half of her salary. So half of nothing is still half right?

In this book Helen is working in a bookstore named Page Turners bookstore. The bookstore has its' regulars (almost like the TV show Cheers). The owner of the bookstore Page Turner III is not the best business man and the store is faltering. Besides being lousy at business he is also not a nice person. So when he turns up dead the list of suspects is longer than Santa's nice list. What ensues next is murder and mayhem. If you would like a nice fast moving book you should try this one. Elaine Viets is the author and if you like this character there are more books in the series to consider.

New Years Resolution

I am not going to lie I love reading. Books have always been my magic place. Getting lost in a good book (or even a mediocre one) is my favorite thing to do. There is one problem with this, however and that is we live in a small apartment and well I think you can understand my problem. So this year I have decided to make a New Years resolution. I will have to read 2 books before I will be able to buy another book. Lets see how long I can keep this resolution before I cave in.

If you have not yet visited the "Dear Reader" site, that has a link on my blog, you should try it out. I have found several new authors that I probably never would have known about. Take a chance and see what you can find.

Can it really be 2007

I can't believe that it is 2007! Where has the time gone? Since my last post I have continued to read, but just been a little (a lot) lax in posting information. From Thanksgiving to New Years I usually dig into my Christmas collections. I am a real sucker for everything Christmas.

One book this season in particular"Slay Ride" by Chris Grabenstein was almost more than I could take. Several times I decided I couldn't continue to read it but curiosity got the best of me and I kept going. An ex KGB killer, Nicoli was on the loose in New Jersey and out to get revenge on anyone that he thought might be out to get him (which was just about everyone).

The hero of our story was a FBI agent, nicknamed St. Chris, who was trying to track the killer down. Through many hair raising chases and near misses we really hope that Chris will arrive before it is too late. The body count in this novel is high and the suspense is sometimes unbearable. I would recommend that if you want to read a novel that will keep you interested this one should be on your list.

Happy New Year!!