2 Bodies for the Price of 1 - Stephanie Bond

2 Bodies for the Price of 1 - Stephanie Bond (2007)

Stephanie Bonds hero is Carlotta Wren, who works at Neiman Marcus in Atlanta, and helps move dead bodies in her spare time. Almost 30 and single, but of course all the men in her life are in love with her.

Cheesy cheese, but still I grabbed a few of these books at the library as they seemed to be amusing light reading, which is just what I am in the mood for while having a wee holiday break. Hardly demanding and with a see through plot, I still enjoyed the mindlessness and the wee ending, that did make me want to find out what happens in the next book.

A very harmless 3/5.

Music Monday - Anika Moa - Dreams in My Head

I'm enjoying the tunes of kiwi singer Anika Moa lately. Her voice and sweet tunes evoke summer evenings sitting outside in the sun. Just the thing you need to drag you through the dark and cold winter nights ahead.

Caught - Harlan Coben

Caught - Harlan Coben (2010)

I felt like I was treading on familiar territory with this one, a genre of child molester that is covered in shows like SVU all the time, that the twists didn't really come as a surprise, and the book felt all made up. Like the author had spent too long choosing the names, or describing how hot the moms were.

I don't know, it all felt like a set up for a movie script and I didn't really buy it. The saving grace is that Harlan Cobens style of writing is easy and calm, and you don't have to work too hard to get into one of his books. Normally I like them as they seem clever, and current. This one just felt a bit old and lazy. 2/5

61 Hours - Lee Child

61 Hours - Lee Child (2010)

Jack Reacher is one of my favorite thriller/action characters. Described as 6 foot 5 inches with hands like chickens, he is one ex soldier that is ready for action. The last two books were a bit repetative and dry, where he seemed to walk the same stretches of highway over and over again.

This new book, it built in momentum slowly and with an overwelming sense of impending doom that by the time I got to the ending, I was a bit disapointed with the predictable gun battle, showdown. My sister-in-law told me not to read the last page, which I never do, but that provided another clue to the future of Jack Reacher.

3/5 and I'm hanging out for the next one.

ANZAC Day

Boy

Boy (2010)

Boy is a very Kiwi film. He is 11 years old and wants to show you his interesting world. In 1984, that mainly centres around his father and Michael Jackson. Living on the East coast, and with little money, his world is small but so funny. The first half hour had me, my niece and nephew cracking up, and I just about laughed til I cried.

4/5 - for this little Kiwi classic.

Winter in Wartime

Winter in Wartime (2008)

This one snuck by the film festivals and was played in a little out of the way cinema in Wellington. Unfortunately it was in the far theatre up a top of stairs, which was a shame as the show I attended was full of older Dutch Kiwis.

Set at the end of the second world war, Michel is young teenager whose father is the mayor, and his life is carrying on as normal. However a message from a neighbour after an English airman crashes in the forest, changes their lives forever (a cliche I know).

The bleakness of the harsh winter felt chilling, especially as our day was unnaturally warm for this time of year, and the shelter of the air conditioned shelter was warm. I felt sucked into the time period as on the whole, the acting and direction made a convincing period war drama.

3/5

Music Tuesday - Eddie Vedder - Hard Sun

Oh my gosh, I love this song so much. The weather has been sunny and warm lately and out walking with my ipod, I have this on the highest of rotations. Sometimes you need a raw natural voice, not the pimped out electronically altered screamers who can't really sing that is pumped out all the time lately.

If I Win Lotto...........

............... I'd buy these two beautiful pictures from MistyMawn. I'd put them in my bedroom to help with restful dreams. I'd have a beautiful house full of artwork.

You can find her wonderful ETSY shop here :http://www.etsy.com/shop/MistyMawn

The Power of Half - Kevin Salwen and Hannah Salwen

The Power of Half - Kevin Salwen and Hannah Salwen (2010)

Fourteen year old Hannah Salwen has her lightbulb moment when seeing man in a big flash car drive by the homeless man. Realising that if the car driver had a less costly car, the homeless man could have more. Inspired by this revelation, her family discuss how they could do more to help out.

Realising that they live in an overly large house, they could sell it and use half the money to help others out. So essentially this is the book of that plan, as they attempt to do good.

I enjoyed the fact that the family keep up with current events, are well informed, have discussions about more than American Idol and the latest fashions. Those facts alone are admirable. It is also noteworthy that they see the obsession with materialism that is so prevalent these days, and chose to downsize rather than keep wanting bigger, better, more expensive.

So a 3/5 for this book. I sense a sequel will come, telling us about what happens next. I wish I had had such a good idea at 14!!