What Pam Reads

I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell by Tucker Max

I was on an airplane coming home from NYC and happened to get stuck in the sucky middle seat.   I was sandwiched between my husband (at the time) and a guy reading a book and laughing his ass off.   Finally, I asked him what he was reading and it was this book.

A few weeks ago, I saw it at Borders and picked it up.

This book contains

a series of short stories chronicling his sexcapades and excessive drinking.   It is definitely more a book for guys.  Some of the stories made me throw up in my mouth a little bit while others had me screaming with laughter.   Read at your own risk.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Synopsis:  Teenager, Bella, moves to a remote part of Washington to go to high school and live with her dad.  While there she meets a strange family who turns out to be vampires.  Of course, she falls for the hottie Edward.

Well I’m apparently pretty late to be jumping on this bandwagon.  Especially since my mother has read all of them already.  This book is not very well written and there are some holes in the story but, on the other hand,  I finished the damn thing in 2.5 hours.  Somehow this captivates you and makes you want to keep reading.  

My mom just brought over the 2nd – 4th books.  I know I will read them in one sitting. 

(and go see the movie)

The One Thing You Need to Know by Marcus Buckingham

  Synopsis:  This book explains the difference between managers and leaders and how best to do each.  There isn’t “one” thing…but rather many “one” things that will help you be more effective.

  I got on a management book kick and a friend of mine told me about her company’s experience with Marcus Buckingham.  This book was a fast read for me – quite interesting and had some insights that were relevant to my business.  I will say that after a few weeks, I already need to re-read the book.  I would definitely recommend it.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Synopsis:  A young girl living with an abusive father runs away with her black nanny and ends up living with a beekeeper and her sisters.

I had seen this book around for ages.  I wanted to see the movie but decided to read the book first.   I thought it was great.  The characters are memorable and the story is interesting.

I’ll netflix the movie.

The Cat Who… Series by Lilian Jackson Braun

Another series…

Synopsis:  Qwill is a reporter who is owned by two Siamese cats (Koko and Yum Yum).  He lives in a small town 400 miles north of everything and is the sole heir to an estate worth billions.  He and Koko solve mysteries.

I picked up one of these books and couldn’t put it down.  These are really fun books to read.  The first few pages are basically the same in every one of them - explaining the backstory so you can jump into the series at whatever book sounds interesting.  I have read them completely out of order.  My favorites are the ones after Qwill inherits the billion dollars.

Hamish Macbeth Series by MC Beaton

Again, I forgot to blog each book so this will have to do for the series.

Synopsis:  Hamish Macbeth is a local policeman in the small village of Lochduhb in Northern Scotland.  He enjoys his lazy life but murders keep happening that he feels compelled to investigate. 

This series is very similar to the Agatha Raisin series.  One murder per book but the story of Hamish Macbeth is carried through all the books.  I don’t like this series as well but it is still worth reading.

Agatha Raisin Series by MC Beaton

I didn’t write my reviews after every book - so this review will have to be for the series instead.

Synopsis:  Agatha Raisin has her own PR firm in London.  At the age of 50ish, she takes an early retirement, sells her business and sets up a home in the Cotswolds.  Specifically, the village of Carsely.  It is a rather sleepy village that starts sprouting up murders upon Agatha’s arrival.  Being somewhat bored with village life, she turns amateur detective.

I think I’ve read about 12 of the Agatha Raisin books and I must say they are really charming.  The books themselves are less than 200 pages and can be easily finished in a sitting.  You must read them in order as the characters, love interests and relationships build over the series.  The murders are one per book.   What keeps me coming back is Agatha’s fish out of water experiences - a big city girl in a sleepy village.  Highly Recommend!