The End: 50 Apocalyptic Visions From Pop Culture That You Should Know About...Before It's Too Late by Laura Barcella

There are some days where it seems like the end of the world could happen at any time. Global warming, terrorism, zombies: the end is near...at least in the movies. Films, books, plays, and art show some of the ways that people have expressed their views on the end of the world. In The End, 50 different visions of the apocalypse are explored in detail, examining how the world ends (and how likely it is to happen in real life).

There was something oddly reassuring about reading this book. Almost every scenario, whether it included viruses or zombies or the flooding of the entire earth, was said to be extremely unlikely to happen in real life - or, if it did, to have very different results than are shown in pop culture. I knew that I was going to like this book when one of the first things Laura Barcella talked about was the scarcity of women in strong, leading roles during "the end." Why is the apocalypse such a male-dominated event? Where are women while the world is ending? I also love serious explorations of popular culture; while this book maintains a light, often humorous tone, it does believe that there is something to be gained from examining how authors, directors, and artists have positioned the end of the world. Like many of Zest Books' other titles, this just screams "high interest" and is worth considering for inclusion in a library's non-fiction collection.

Check out Laura Barcella's website.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Zest books.

Find it at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's website.

Read it with:
The Stand by Stephen King
How to Fight, Lie, and Cry Your Way to Popularity (And a Prom Date) by Nikki Roddy
Reel Culture by Mimi O'Connor
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien 

Murder, She Wrote: Trouble at High Tide by Donald Bain

Jessica Fletcher, world-famous mystery novelist and occasional real-life mystery solver, is ready for a bit of vacation. She accepts the invitation of a high powered judge (someone who shares her publisher) to spend some time at his Bermuda estate. Sun, sand, and solitude - that's just what Jessica is looking forward to. But she's barely been there 24 hours before a murder is discovered: the judge's beloved niece. Even worse, Bermuda is experiencing a wave of Jack the Ripper-inspired murders. Could the same killer have attacked the judge's niece? Or is the murderer much closer at hand?

After a long week at work, I was so ready to curl up with the latest Murder, She Wrote novel. I slipped quickly into the pages and surrounded myself with Jessica Fletcher's gentle judgement and moral compass. The murder came quickly and a number of people were reasonable suspects with believable motives. I liked learning about the details of life in Bermuda (like families are only allowed to have one car), although I did pause at the mention of "Wikipedia" in the resource acknowledgements. As an added bonus Jessica's frequent investigative partner and sometime beau Chief Inspector George Sullivan of Soctland Yard makes an appearance in this book (tied into the Jack the Ripper investigation aspect). I enjoy him, and a part of me hopes that in an upcoming book he and Jessica will finally take a step forward with their circling romance.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Murder, She Wrote: The Fine Art of Murder by Donald Bain
Murder, She Wrote: Majoring in Murder by Donald Bain
Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire by Donald Bain

Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper and Brian Bellmont

Crissy dolls. Encyclopedia Brown. Choco-diles. Seven Up Bar. The 70s and 80s had a particular flavour that is instantly identifiable. Some of the items that were so popular then continue to this day; others have been revamped and revised, and some have been discontinued altogether. They went quietly from the shelves, confusing loyal fans who have spent years trying to replicate tastes, sounds, and appearances. This book asks the question that has been on a generation's mind: whatever happened to Pudding Pops?

As a pop culture enthusiast, resisting this book was a futile effort. I eagerly paged through the book, thinking back at things I'd experienced in my own life (Connect Four, Choose Your Own Adventure, TV theme songs) and things that I've seen covered in other nostalgia-based works. Owing both to a slightly different age bracket as well as a different country of origin (Canada, which has its own lost tastes, toys, and trends), there were many things here that I was learning about for the first time (Zoom, O'Boisies, the Hal Needham stunt set). One of the limitations of reading this book was that, as a paper book, it was entirely self-contained. At many times I wished I was reading it with my laptop so I could do Google image searches, look up unknown names on IMDB, and (the biggest wish) check out old commercials on YouTube. My longing for web connections also had me thinking about my own era and if we will continue to have the same time of "What happened to...?" or "Remember the..." publications that have come before. When so many things are catalogued online and details are just a wikipedia click away, will we ever have to wonder what happened to a forgotten memory? I'm not so young that I don't remember a time before the internet, so I know the difference that finding online evidence can make in validating a childhood memory (there are still a few that I can't anyone else remembering). At any rate, Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops is a fun look back at a 'simpler time' and the stuff that has captured the imaginations of a generation of people.

Check out the blog that spawned the book, GenXtinct.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Sunshine by Norma Klein
The Official Preppy Handbook edited by Lisa Birbach
Just Can't Get Enough: Toys, Games, and Other Stuff from the 80s that Rocked by Matthew Robinson and Jensen Karp
From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century by David Mansour
Totally Tubular 80s Toys by Mark Bellomo

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

In the mid-2000s, actress and writer Mindy Kaling was hired as a writer for an NBC mid-season replacement based on a hit British sitcom. That show was The Office, which became one of NBC's biggest shows. In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), she writes about her childhood, her early auditions and successes, behind-the-scenes stories of Hollywood, and, best of all, her opinions on almost anything.

In a year of strong writing and performances by very funny women (Bossypants, "Bridesmaids"), Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? easily sits alongside the best. Mindy Kaling is funny and smart and conversational in a great way. The pieces are short and precise and have both humour and heart. It's been awhile since I've thought "Man, that celebrity and I could be such great friends!" but I kind of think that about Mindy Kaling. There are some times where I would roll my eyes and be like, "Whatever, Mindy" (like the piece in here about how indignant she got when a cupcake store approached her about promotional tweeting) but then we would watch a Will Farrell movie and go get some donuts and talk about awkward dates. I listened to the audiobook, and the chatty, breezy tone of the book contributed to this thinking. I've heard that the audiobook of Bossypants was like inviting Tina Fey to your bookclub; listening to Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? was like riding the bus with Mindy Kaling and being confident that you were the funniest people on board.

Want more? Mindy Kaling had a website!

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Matt and Ben by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Seriously, I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres
Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler

Degrassi Junior High: Shane by Susin Nielsen

Shane has never been the kind of guy who stood out in a crowd. He was never all that popular or the best at anything. That's why he was so surprised when he started dating Spike. She was so confident and popular; everything seemed pretty great. Then Spike got pregnant and Shane's world turned inside out. He tried avoiding her (and the pregnancy) for awhile, but that didn't change anything. His deeply religious parents  barely speak to him, Spike doesn't want anything to do with him, and he has no friends to turn to. Shane feels like his life is out of control. Is there anything he can do to get back on track?

In many ways, Shane is a companion book to Spike, another book in the Degrassi series. Shane starts after Spike is pregnant and opens with him finally telling his parents what's going on. There are some continuity errors and inconsistencies between the two books (and a bit with the TV series), but nothing that really changes anything too much. Shane's story, though, isn't singly defined by his teenager fatherhood. After his daughter is born (when he's only fourteen), Shane gets a job to make more money and makes a new friend who's the classic definition of a bad influence. Shane lies to his parents, blows of his parental responsibilities, and starts experimenting with drugs and alcohol. While Spike has more of a hopeful optimism, Shane reads a bit more like a cautionary tale. Also, I find it very interesting to read about attitudes towards teen fathers and parenthood; more than one person, including adults, tell Shane that it's best for him to just forget about his child, to act like she doesn't exist and move on with his life, and that he's not responsible for any decision Spike makes because that's her life. I love exploring these concepts and how they're presented in books for teens.

Find it at Amazon.

Read it with:
Degrassi Junior High: Spike by Loretta Castellarin and Ken Roberts
Degrassi Junior High: Snake by Susin Nielsen
Word Nerd by Susin Nielsen

Degrassi Junior High: Spike by Loretta Castellarin and Ken Roberts

Spike is used to people looking at her because of her hair, but now people are starting to look at her for a different reason: she's pregnant. Only fourteen years old, she and her boyfriend Shane got carried away in a dark bedroom at a friend's party. Now she must deal with her changing body, classmates' reactions, an unsupportive boyfriend, and a disappointed mother. Will she be able to figure out what the best decision is for herself and the baby?

I remember the original Degrassi (Junior High and High) airing on CBC while I was growing up, but I didn't really get into it until I watched reruns after school in 10th grade. I love the drama of it all and the way that serious storylines, like teen pregnancy, are woven in with storylines about sexy dreams or walking naked through the cafeteria. Anyway. Spike picks up after Spike and Shane "did it" at Lucy's party and early on she discovers she's pregnant; it ends just after the birth of her child. Much of the book, certainly the main storyline, sticks very closely with the TV series; it's been awhile since I watched my Degrassi Junior High DVDs, but I think even whole bits of dialogue are straight from the TV scripts. Does the book stand alone if you haven't seen the TV show? Probably, although it definitely would be a different reading. What I like about this book is that it fills in a bit of background information that doesn't come through in the show, mostly about Spike's relationship with her mother. These books were out of print for a long time but then recently were available again, so if you have a fond memory for Degrassi or are curious about the series, give these books a look.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Degrassi Junior High: Shane by Susin Nielsen
Star in the Middle by Carol Larese Millward
Butterflies in May by Karen Hart
Degrassi Generations: The Official 411 by Kathryn Ellis

Murder She Wrote: Skating on Thin Ice by Donald Bain

Winter sports are popular in Cabot Cove, Maine, and that’s what the owner of the local skating area is banking on. After renovating the facilities, the new arenas have attracted a top coach and one of the most buzzed about pairs in the country. They’ve only recently started skating together: she’s originally from out West, and he was one-half of a popular Russian pairs team. Whispers of rumours and scandal surround them – even in the quiet Maine town. While Jessica learns more about the inside world of skating, she gets to know more about this team and other locals who also have an interest in the arena. But there's more going on than just death spirals; a dead body is discovered and everyone is a suspect.

I love figure skating, and I love Murder, She Wrote, so I was hoping that this would be the equivalent of two great tastes that taste great together. I did enjoy it, but it wasn’t as delicious as I hoped it would be. My first hurdle was getting past the idea of a first-class internationally popular ice skating rink being built in Cabot Cove, but hey – this is the MSW world where anything is possible (and, to be fair, they did show it to be struggling). Rather than reading about senior skaters – quite a bit of time is devoted to Jessica getting back on the ice, to varying results – I would have preferred reading about cut-throat senior-division skaters; couldn’t Jessica have taken a trip to Colorado Springs, California, or Detroit? But, really, the mystery moved right along and thanks to consultations with Dick Button, the skating information was largely accurate. There might not be enough to satisfy people who pick it up because of the skating angle, but fans of MSW and gentle mysteries should enjoy it.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Murder She Wrote: Nashville Noir by Donald Bain
Murder She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels by Donald Bain
Death Drop by Alina Adams
Axel of Evil by Alina Adams
Skate Crime by Alina Adams

Murder, She Wrote: Majoring in Murder by Donald Bain

When mystery novelist Jessica Fletcher accepted a position as a sessional instructor at a small college, she had no idea that her life would be threatened by a tornado! Luckily, she's led to safety by others - but not everyone was so lucky. When the dust and debris is settled, one professor is discovered to have been killed. Everyone wonders why he didn't seek shelter, but only Jessica really believes that it was because he wasn't killed by the storm but instead by another person. As she tries to prove this theory, she runs into resistance from the college's Dean, who has her own motives for making sure the truth stays hidden. Will Jessica's quest for justice put her own life in danger?

As far as Murder, She Wrote books go, this one wasn't one of my favourites. The dramatic action (including the murder) happen very early on in the story before I had a chance to bond with or understand many of the characters (and yes, I know that in a recent review, I said that I liked that the murder happened early in another book, but this one just felt too early). The setting, the college, had none of the Cabot Cove regulars, which isn't necessarily a bad thing as there are other books that don't have them that I do like, but it also didn't have the fun place descriptions like other books set in London, San Francisco, or New York. There were scenes that seemed to have giant red arrows pointing at them that said "THIS IS A CLUE," and the solution to the mystery was reminiscent of Encyclopedia Brown. So, ultimately, not one of my favourites of the MSW series (but don't worry, there will be more Murder She Wrote reviews coming up!).

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
The Sixes by Kate White
Murder, She Wrote: You Bet Your Life by Donald Bain
Murder, She Wrote: The Maine Mutiny by Donald Bain

Murder She Wrote: A Palette for Murder by Donald Bain

After a grueling schedule of writing and teaching, famed mystery writer Jessica Fletcher is looking forward to nothing but rest and relaxation in the Hamptons. But she's barely been there for twenty-four hours before someone dies right in front of her! While indulging in her secret passion for art, the model -by all appearances, a healthy young woman- in Jessica's class silently passes away from an apparent heart attack while modeling. Compounding the mystery is that a year ago a promising young artist also died of a heart attack. Two identical deaths in two years is strange, but as Jessica discovers more about the circumstances, could she have uncovered some murders?

A Palette for Murder, first published in the mid-90s, has a quaint datedness about it. Jessica is worried about the media getting a hold of the information that she is participating in art classes with - gasp! - nude models. Would that be shocking these days? I can see it maybe appearing on something like TMZ, but then it would be quickly overtaken with an actual sex scandal or something. Also, she disguises herself with sunglasses and a turban, and in the days before camera phones, it kind of works. Anyway, the actual story was pretty enjoyable. Unlike other MSW novels, the murder takes place fairly quickly, so there are lots of pages for the twists and turns to fall out. And when Jessica is making an indignant speech on the first page, you know there will be more where that came from.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Murder She Wrote: You Bet Your Life by Donald Bain
Murder She Wrote: The Highland Fling Murders by Donald Bain
Murder She Wrote: Destination Murder by Donald Bain
Murder She Wrote: Provence - To Die For by Donald Bain
Murder She Wrote: The Fine Art of Murder by Donald Bain

Murder She Wrote: You Bet Your Life by Donald Bain

The first time Jessica Fletcher traveled to Las Vegas to visit her friend Martha, it was a happy occasion; she was there to celebrate Martha's wedding to a rich businessman that she'd met and fallen in love with. The second time Jessica traveled to Las Vegas to see Martha, it was under less than perfect circumstances. Martha's husband was dead - murdered - and Martha was in jail, accused of the crime. Jessica is sure of Martha's innocence, but it will take more than Las Vegas luck to convince the jury.

As I've said basically every time I've written about a Murder She Wrote novel, these are like comfort food for me. I don't read them expecting great plotlines or sparkling writing; I read them because I have a soft spot for Maine's mystery writer-turned-crime solver Jessica Fletcher. As far as MSW novels go, this one was quite enjoyable. Jessica does seem to make some stupid moves (like getting into a limo with a man that she knows is dangerous, without letting anyone know where she is or who she's with) that aren't so characteristically her, but she also comes through with some brilliant deductions. There are a couple of red herrings that disappear as the plot moves along, but there was enough happening with the story that I barely even noticed that they went nowhere. A solid Jessica Fletcher mystery.

Also, I'm not that familiar with Las Vegas: is that supposed to be a skull in the background, or is it just something that's cropped weirdly?

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Murder, She Wrote: Coffee, Tea, or Murder? by Donald Bain
Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire by Donald Bain
Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown

Murder, She Wrote: Coffee, Tea, or Murder? by Donald Bain

World-famous mystery writer J.B. Fletcher is on the move again - and this time, to London! She and several other Cabot Cove locals have the opportunity to fly in a fancy luxury aircraft on its first cross-Atlantic voyage, courtesy of the owner, a former Cabot Cove resident. But the trip proves to be more work than pleasure for Jessica; they've barely landed in England before the body of the owner is discovered. His wife, crew, and business partners all have motives for wanting him dead - but who was the one who killed him? And are the rest of the passengers at risk? While in many ways a standard Murder She Wrote novel, Coffee, Tea, or Murder? has many things going for it. There's old favourites from Cabot Cove, an exotic location, and, most exciting for me, an appearance by Jessica's Scotland Yard beau, Inspector George Sullivan.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Nashville Noir by Donald Bain
Murder Never Takes a Holiday by Donald Bain
Panning for Murder by Donald Bain
Dying to Retire by Donald Bain
The Maine Mutiny by Donald Bain

Murder She Wrote: Dying to Retire by Donald Bain

The funeral of an old friend brings Jessica Fletcher, mystery writer extraordinaire, to Florida. It's a sad occasion, but Jessica and her friends from Cabot Cove also plan to enjoy some sun and sand in the Sunshine State. But her friend's death turns out to have many strange details involved, and Jessica can't shake the feeling that foul play was involved. And before you know it, faster than you can say "Has there been a murder?" Jessica Fletcher is on the case.

With these books, you know exactly what you're getting when you start reading, and I like that comfort. (I suppose this is true of many series books, but the TV-tie-in factor at play here heightens this for me). This one features not only an exotic location but also some of the Cabot Cover regulars, which is a nice bonus. If you've read any of the Murder She Wrote books, it shouldn't be hard to figure out who the murderer is, but the book is really about journey.

America's Next Top Model: Strike a Pose by Taryn Bell

In the conclusion of the four-book America's Next Top Model series, only one girl can win the prestigious title and all that comes with it. Will it be Chloe, the girl who was born for this competition? Lindsay, who is on the verge of re-starting the career she had years ago? Alexis, the small-town girl who has had a glimpse of the big-time? Shiva-Rose, who has fallen in love with New York City? Or one of the other girls in the competition? All will be revealed in Strike a Pose.

While I liked how all of the storylines were wrapped up in satisfying ways, there were some parts of this one that just didn't make any sense to me. Lindsay, for instance, seemed to have no trouble finding a way to get back on TV, although the rest of the series had been about how the modeling competition was her only chance to get her foot in the door. But that's not really the point, is it? There are big modeling shoots and dramatic conversations and that's what the series is really about.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Skin Deep by Taryn Bell
Face Value by Taryn Bell
Eye Candy by Taryn Bell
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
America's Next Top Model Fierce Guide to Life by J.E. Bright

America's Next Top Model: Eye Candy by Taryn Bell

The four roommates at Top Model Prep are back in the second volume of the four-book series. Eye Candy picks up just after Alexis has been busted for shoplifting. Although the girls (namely Chloe, the wealthy daughter of a famous model) bailed her out, they're still worried about her and want her to get some help. Instead, though, she gets closer to a male model acquaintance who just happens to have a giant billboard looming over the city. The other girls are all dealing with other issues, too: Chloe is torn between her boyfriend, Liam, and a new guy she meets in New York, and she's still trying to deal with the pressure that her mother puts on her; Lindsay is trying to deal with Liam romancing her while working toward re-energizing her acting career; Shiva-Rose misses home and struggles with the commercial filming, but she might have other talents to show off. The drama comes to a head at an industry party and an intense commercial shoot where every girl is in danger of going home.

I read this book after I had read the other three, out of minor curiosity to find out how book one got to book three. It happened pretty much like I thought it might, although the fact that Alexis' shoplifting wasn't really addressed was surprising because it's really not brought up again in the rest of the series (that I can remember). It's a series that's definitely written for a tween audience because there's not quite enough bite, sex, or intrigue for an older audience.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Skin Deep by Taryn Bell
Face Value by Taryn Bell
Strike a Pose by Taryn Bell
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
America's Next Top Model Fierce Guide to Life by J.E. Bright

Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad

Sweet Little Lies picks up five days after L.A. Candy left off. Jane Roberts, the star of L.A. Candy and would-be America's Sweetheart, was outed as having cheated on her boyfriend with his best friend. Pictures of the two of them ended up in the tabloids and ignited a media circus. Jane has turned to her new friend and co-star Madison for help, unaware that Madison is the one who orchestrated the photographs. Her friendship with Madison has driven a wedge between her and her long-time best friend Scarlett, who is fed up with the show and all that goes with it. With the cameras still rolling, will Jane ever find out the truth about Madison? Will Madison stay one step ahead of the anonymous tipster who threatens to share her deepest secrets? And will Scarlett figure out how to balance her TV life and her real life - and her friendship with Jane?

One of the thrills of reading these books is to think "So...did that happen in real life?" While "Jane Roberts" doesn't always match up 100% with Lauren Conrad, there are so many similarities, especially around the 'scandalous pictures' storyline (in real life, it was rumours of a sex tape - that was allegedly announced by Spencer Pratt, her then-friend Heidi's then-boyfriend). In trying to make her likeable, Jane comes off as a bit dim at times, especially when it comes to boys or the media. Scarlett grows as a character but even she makes questionable decisions for the sake of the plot. The end sets up the storyline for a third book, likely to be centred on Madison and her past.


Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
Skin Deep by Taryn Bell
Little Blog on the Prairie by Cathleen Davitt Bell
The Carries Diaries by Candace Bushnell

America's Next Top Model: Skin Deep by Taryn Bell

The America's Next Top Model series continues with Skin Deep, the third book in the series (I wasn't able to find the second book, but I was able to pick up the thread pretty quickly). The competition is narrowing down and heating up. Alexis is getting close to a hot male model. Lindsay decides to break the rules to restart her career. Chloe deals with her mother's interference and Shiva-Rose has distractions (in the form of a guy) from back home. Plus, the rivalry with another model almost reaches a boiling point. The competition all hinges on an historical shoot with vintage costumes - and this time, one of the girls will be eliminated from the competition.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Face Value by Taryn Bell
Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Zigesar
America's Next Top Model Fierce Guide to Life by J.E. Bright
The Interns: Fashionistas by Chloe Walsh
Poseur by Rachel Maude

America's Next Top Model: Face Value by Taryn Bell

Get ready for Top Model Prep, the most prestigious modeling camp in the country. Forty girls have been chosen to compete for prizes, photo shoots, and the chance to join the Top Model agency. Four young women are convinced that they have the looks, the attitude, and the drive to take it all the way to the top: Alexis, a middle-American beauty who is also has kleptomania; Chloe, the daughter of a supermodel who knows she could win the competition but wonders if she wants to; Lindsay, a former child actor who is looking for a chance to get back into the limelight (and is willing to do anything it takes); and Shiva-Rose, an Israeli stunner whose sensitive romantic side might be her downfall. These girls think they're ready for anything, but that's before they've checked into Top Model Prep.

Why did I not know there was an America's Next Top Model teen novel series? How did I not know this? These books are pretty much like the TV show: house drama, clash of personalities, name-dropping, photo shoots, challenges, and eliminations. I think of them like a food you just want to curl up with: they're cheesy in a delicious way, a bit sugary, and light like cotton candy. Just like when I watch the TV show, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next one.

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

Detective Nikki Heat is one of New York's finest cops - she's smart, tough, fearless, and she always gets her man. Jameson Rook is a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer looking for background for a new article. When he's assigned to Heat's squad for an extended ride-along, tempers (and egos) will flare. And when a local businessman is thrown from his balcony, can they work together to find the culprit - or will all of the sexual tension get in the way?

I enjoy ABC's TV show Castle (I'm both an episodic mystery and Nathan Fillion fan), and I think it's such a smart idea to have a tie-in real-life mystery novel. I often wish that fake things on shows or movies were real, and a Nikki Heat book certainly qualifies. I'm not a huge mystery reader, so while I enjoyed the twists and turns, I was more into reading between the lines based on the TV show. I'd love to hear what a big mystery fan thought of the book, but as a fan of the original source, I definitely enjoyed it.


Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Madison Avenue Shoot by Donald Bain
Glee: The Beginning by Sophia Lowell
I, Alex Cross by James Patterson
The Prostitute's Ball by Stephen J. Cannell

Murder She Wrote: Madison Avenue Shoot by Donald Bain

Jessica Fletcher is back, in book form. This time she's off to Madison Avenue to shoot a credit card commercial. She hadn't counted on running into...murder! And with her nephew Grady and his son accidentally part of the investigation, she will have her hands full trying to solve the murder while reading her lines.

If you like either Murder, She Wrote the TV series or low-impact mysteries, these are excellent choices. And I have to admit, one of my favourite things about the books are the way that they just stick Angela Lansbury's head on different bodies on the cover...no matter what she faces, she's still smiling away!


Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Nashville Noir by Donald Bain
Murder Never Takes a Holiday by Donald Bain
Panning for Murder by Donald Bain

Murder, She Wrote: A Fatal Feast by Donald Bain

It's Thanksgiving in Cabot Cove, Maine, and Jessica Fletcher is hoping to show her Scottish friend George Sutherland an old-fashioned American holiday. She hadn't counted on being swept into a murder investigation! When a body is discovered near her home, and she has ties to the victim and the murder weapon, Jessica and George try to figure out exactly who the murderer is, and why the man was killed.

I am a big fan of Murder, She Wrote, the TV show, and I recently discovered this series of mystery novels. They aren't based on the TV shows exactly - they aren't novelizations of the shows - but they do feature the same main character, supporting characters, and settings. Jessica, as usual, comes off like she might be one of your elderly relatives (she sometimes breaks into her narrative to give her opinions on things like social assistance, manners, gossip, food, or anything else). The mystery in this one is fairly predictable; I was expecting there to be at least one more twist and turn. The murder didn't come until more than halfway through the book, and there was one subplot that was more idiotic than compelling. Having said all that, though, I have already put more MSW novels on hold at the library, because these books are like a warm blanket or chicken soup - perfect to curl up with on a rainy afternoon.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Madison Avenue Shoot by Donald Bain
Murder on Parade by Donald Bain
Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark
The Murder, She Wrote Cookbook edited by Tom Culver and Nancy Goodman Iland
Mystery! A Celebration : Stalking Public Television's Greatest Sleuths by Ron Miller