One More Book Post

I've decided to try and make my blog a bit more family-centric and less random. But I just HAD to post about this because today is such a good day in the world of book releases.

Two of my favorite authors have new books out today. Charlaine Harris released "Dead and Gone", book 9 in the Southern Vampire Series about Sookie Stackhouse and all of her supernatural friends in Bon Temps, Louisiana. I reviewed these a little while ago and while they are a little dirty (just warning you all so nobody will come after me later!), I've gotten a kick out of reading them. I am so excited to find out if Sookie's going to hook up with Eric, or Sam, or maybe Bill. Two vampires and a shapeshifter - wait ... why does that sound so familiar ........

The second book is "Pretty in Plaid" by Jen Lancaster, one of the funniest women - EVER. I read her book "Bitter is the New Black" last summer and absolutely loved it! I have rarely lauged out loud so often while reading a book (which was especially embarrassing since I read the majority of it on a plane and people looked at me like I might be a little "off"). She writes biographical books about everything in her life from loosing her six-figure power job and becoming the white trash neighbors, to being told by her doctor to loose weight and her subsequent journey with a trainer named Barbie and a large bottle of Ambien. I am serious when I tell everyone to go read these books, I still laugh when I think of them and the footnotes - oh the footnotes! If you trust my book judgment (which you all SHOULD) go read one, you won't be sorry. Her website, jensylvania.com, is equally entertaining, check it out if you need a good laugh. I especially enjoyed the post "A List of Every Animal That Has Ever Bitten Me" and the drunken Twitter messages.

And a special props to Cori who is going to go to one of Jen's signings in Chicago and get my book signed so I can add it to my slowly growing collection of autographed books.

Also out today is "Wings" by Aprilynne Pike. She's a local author (whose hubby went to law school with Brad) and I am all for supporting local authors so check this one out as well. Stephenie Meyer blurbed the books as a "remarkable debut" and I reviewed it a little below (not that I'm comparing my opinion to Stephenie Meyer's but it's there). It is a very fun twist on the whole concept of faeries and other myths and legends and I am excited to see where she takes it throughout the series. And I'm going to put this out there, I'm Team Tamani. Go fictional creatures!

One more local author to watch for is Carol Lynch William's new book "The Chosen One", out next week on May 12. It's about a girl in a polygamous sect and is getting RAVE reviews. I haven't been able to get my hands on an ARC (not for lack of trying), but others who have say it is amazing and sticks with you long after you've read it.

So there you go. And I promise that from now on I'm going to work to make the blog more about us and less about my random thoughts and obsessions. But you never know... :)