The Books I Read in June

The Sherlockian, by Graham Moore

This is a novel for true Holmes enthusiasts. It alternates chapters between present-day and Arthur Conan Doyle's time, the years following his killing off of Sherlock Holmes. I would have a read a whole book with just the Arthur Conan Doyle chapters. I didn't need the frame story in the present day. The end was kind of a letdown, and the excessive cussing in the last part got on my nerves. Otherwise, it was a good read.

Favorite Quote: "Murder was so trivial in the stories Harold loved. Dead bodies were plot points, puzzles to be reasoned out. They weren't brothers. Plot points didn't leave behind grieving sisters who couldn't find their shoes."

13 Little Blue Envelopes, by Maureen Johnson

Contemporary YA fiction with a twist. I really enjoyed the realism of it, surprisingly. The MC's dead aunt sends her on a modern-day quest of sorts, and nothing goes as expected. The idea of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants trip across Europe is cool. I think it's a sign of my age, though, that I totally crushed on the uncle and got skeeved out by the love interest. :P

Favorite Quote: "She was standing in the airport of Copenhagen, staring at a doorway, trying to figure out if it was (a) a bathroom and (b) what kind of bathroom it was. The door merely said H. Was she an H? Was H 'hers'? It could just as easily be 'his.' Or 'Helicopter Room: Not a Bathroom at All.'"

The Summoner, by Gail Z. Martin

Long but good high fantasy novel, the first in a trilogy. The romance felt obvious and contrived. And rushed. And at one point, it felt like there were way too many characters. But I did enjoy it, even though high fantasy isn't my favorite. The magic was cool.

Death of a Chimney Sweep, by M.C. Beaton

Normally I love these short little mysteries about Scottish highland constable Hamish Macbeth. But this wasn't my favorite. It just kind of felt like a retread. The plot was compelling enough, but everything stays the same. Hamish saves the day, lets others take the credit, and screws things up with both of the women in his life. Nothing really changed.

Magic Study, by Maria V. Snyder

I liked this one, but not as much as the first one because there wasn't enough Valek. Good story, plenty of twists. Yelena visits the land where she was born and begins her training to control her magic. I really liked the setting in the jungle trees and the interaction between Yelena and her horse.

Favorite Quote: "'Living is a risk,' I snapped at him. 'Every decision, every interaction, every step, every time you get out of bed in the morning, you take a risk. To survive is to know you're taking that risk and to not get out of bed clutching illusions of safety.'"

Suite Scarlett, by Maureen Johnson

I think this chick might be one of my new favorite YA authors. Even the dedication was hilarious. The tone is reminiscent of Meg Cabot, but the writing is better. I though the MC was a little older-sounding than someone who just turned fifteen, but otherwise this was really fun. The MC lives in a crumbling NYC hotel with her family, and all the complications that go along with that.

Favorite Quote: "Every time you flirt with her, a puppy dies."

Making the Perfect Pitch, edited by Katharine Sands

This book of 40 essays by agents and publishing peeps about how to write an eye-catching query was good. But after the first ten or so, the information became redundant or flat-out contradictory. It does make me determined to find out absolutely everything I can about an agent so I can get as close as I can to giving her exactly what she wants.

Dead Reckoning, by Charlaine Harris

I never thought I'd come to a point where I went back to preferring Bill over Eric, but I have. Eric became boring and unpredictable, just as Bill did at one point. This book did seem to improve upon the others, plot-wise. I don't think it will blend in my mind with the others. But we'll see.