Knee Deep in Paradise by Brett Butler

I think I have to preface this post with the fact that I am currently working as a substance abuse counselor. Reading this book was a chore, but after I started reading, I didn't want to stop. It detailed her tortured childhood and her struggle with alcoholism. She straightened out when she started working the program (AA). I feel like she started writing the book as an assignment while she was in treatment. I have heard the story many times, so I was not shocked or even engaged with her story.

I was incredibly shocked by how smart Brett seems. She has a writing style that is more reflective of someone much smarter than I thought she would be. Read it if you're not a substance abuse counselor, but if you are, steer clear. You've heard it before. It is not unique.

Dead in the Family

I really liked the last lines of the book - something like "I was with family. I was with blood." This book was the last one for a while, as far as I know. I thought it was a fun book, but I am glad to have a break from the series. As you know, from reading my posts, I have been reading about the incidents in Bon Temps for the last several months. I like the books well enough, but I am ready to read about something else, excited I have the chance to read something new.

In the book, Sookie and Eric are still together. There is trouble in the pack and there is still trouble in the ranks of the vampires. Nothing is coming to a resolution, so I see this series stretching out a bit longer than it needs to. I'll keep reading, though.

Stop Dressing your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank and Other Words of Delicate Southern Wisdom

I finished this book several weeks ago. I think the great thing about Celia Rivenbark's books is that you can read a little bit at a time. It is easy to read for five minutes, have a laugh, and then go on. When you come back, you have those few moments. Though I don't relate with this book as much as her previous book, mostly because she focuses so heavily on her child, I did find it funny and clever. I like what I read. I plan to read her other book and I hope to find more books that I can read in the five minutes between patients or when I am not with my animals at home.

My recommendation: Read this book for a dose of humor instead of eating your chocolates and taking that wind down.

From Dead to Worse

The fae are really introduced in this novel. I am not super excited with the addition of fairies in Bon Temps. The weres are in a war in this book and Alcide enters briefly. Sookie's relationship changes again. This was better than the last book, and it really starts to get interesting when she and her newest suitor start talking. Another fun part of the book is the introduction of Sookie to a new family member. This was a good book.

All Together Dead

I finished this book a while ago. What I really remember is that there was a summit. The fellowship had infiltrated the summit, blew up the hotel where everyone was staying. Sookie saved almost everyone. It was okay, but not a super exciting book.

Definitely Dead

I finished reading Definitely Dead the day before yesterday. I thought it was one of the better books in this series. I find the new relationship that Sookie is in to be much more appropriate than those she has engaged in before. I also think that there was more action. There were deaths, of course, but not entirely the hidden deaths that I have come to expect from Harris. I also enjoyed learning a bit about Hadley, Sookie's cousin, who is mentioned throughout the series, but never more than vaguely. I still feel like there are missing pieces, but I have been told that there is a book that contains some short stories that explains more of the missing pieces. All in all, I find that the book was worth reading and I am so intrigued by this new relationship, I will continue reading. My only sadness comes from Sookie being in a relationship with anyone except Alcide.

Dead as a Doornail

I just finished reading Dead as a Doornail. I forgot I had been reading and I tried to figure out when I was watching the show. I read this book quickly as I have been providing myself at least 30 minutes to read each night and I wanted to read this set of books so I could get to the ones that I had borrowed from J. The book was interesting, but it made me think that poor Charlaine has never really had a man love her. It seems that she is constantly bringing men into the picture - men that never really develop a relationship with Sookie. It is sad in a way. Sookie only has this one love, but has a longing for other men, it seems. I think the worst thing in this book is that there is an insinuation that Sookie will owe a male a favor that she will  have to repay with her love. I was involved in the book, did enjoy reading it, even with the themes I didn't quite agree with. I recommend it if you follow the series. It is slightly ridiculous, but what book in this series isn't?