Hard Eight (A Stephanie Plum Novel)
Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum is at it again, in true Jersey style. Lula, Ranger, Joe Morelli, and the rest of the crazy cast all return along with some new characters, such as a lawyer named Klaughn (sounds like Clown) who is dating Stephanie's sister and trying to be her partner in the bail bondsman business.

This is the first I read OUT of order - something I try to avoid, though I can think of some series that I first encountered out of sequence (G is for Gumshoe, Brothers in Arms). I think it is more fun to stick with the way the stories were written to see how the author develops her setting and characters - still if a good author like Evanovich (or Grafton and Bujold) gives you enough background in the story, and artfully avoids spoiling the earlier ones... it can work.

Now I'll step backwards to "Seven UP".

Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith
Anne Lamott

A chronicle of faith and spirituality that is at once tough, personal, affectionate, wise, and very funny. Anne Lamott claims the best two prayers she knows are "Help me, help me, help me" and "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

This was a very charming book. Not a typical "gutter to God" story; Lamott is a faithful and thoughtful Christian - one whose story has had more than its share of rough spots - and she has come through with a wonderful testimony. I don't expect she's going to be on Pat Robertsons top ten anytime soon. But should be. Her witness, and her honesty, shine like gold.

Hot Six (A Stephanie Plum Mystery)

Janet Evanovich

In this, her sixth Stephanie Plum adventure, listeners will follow Stephanie on her biggest quest yet: Ranger, the super bounty hunter, is on the lam, and Stephanie has to team up with vice cop Joe Morelli to find him.

More fun! More wacky old people with guns! Stephanie in danger (and triumphant - or at least as close as she ever gets....).

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A Study in Scarlet

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

This was great! I recenlty joined Audible.com, and am using my "free" mp3 player for listening to the Bible (my first month's book), Scientific American (first month's magazine).... BUT there are all sorts of other sources for audio books. Project Gutenberg has tons of stuff, as well as AudioBooksForFree.com (where I got the copy I listened to). There are also other Bible translations, and classic books at places like www.ebible.org, www.ccel.org. This is pretty neat stuff!


This book was well read, and unabridged - a real classic! Amazing to listen to Holmes and Watson and realize this book is the archetype - so few have invented anything new!