45.
Author(s): Victoria Thompson
Title: Murder on Lexington Avenue
Publication: Kindle
Pages:
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Acquisition:
Date Completed: May 29, 2011
Rating: ****

When an avid supporter of the movement against ASL (and of eugenics) is found dead in his business office, Malloy has no shortage of suspects; his partner makes it immediately clear that no one who knew him liked him, his (deaf) daughter expresses satisfaction at the news, and countless motives begin to surface - including an unknown pregnancy, which brings Sarah Brandt into the picture.

As the series continues I believe it must be increasingly difficult for Thompson to conceive of situations in which a reputable midwife can find herself involved in a murder investigation, but I found this particular situation to be successful. Likewise, I enjoy the personal developments with which Thompson peppers his stories, although I maintain that she is a terrible terrible tease.

44.
Author(s): Kresley Cole
Title: Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Publication: Kindle
Pages:
Genre: Romance
Acquisition:
Date Completed: May 19, 2011
Rating: **1/2

This one had a plot twist that made it very difficult for me to accept the ending - namely, the male protagonist literally and excruciatingly tortures the female protagonist, and a number of her friends and loved ones. Redemption and "love" come far too quickly and easily, even with the understanding of what drives him to commit these acts in the first place. Cole's female characters are very quick to understand and forgive in the first place, but the extreme circumstances that lead to this union just give me the creeps.

43.
Author(s): Kresley Cole
Title: Demon from the Dark
Publication: Kindle
Pages:
Genre: Romance
Acquisition:
Date Completed: May 15, 2011
Rating: ****

42.
Author(s): Kresley Cole
Title:Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Publication: Kindle
Pages:
Genre: Romance
Acquisition:
Date Completed: May 12, 2011
Rating: ***1/2

41.
Author(s): Shannon Hale
Title: Book of a Thousand Days
Publication: Paperback
Pages: 336
Genre: Young Adult
Acquisition: Work Text, 8th Grade
Date Completed: May 7, 2011
Rating: ****

Shannon Hale's Book of a Thousand Days takes the reader into a fantastic Mongolia, where a young mucker girl finds herself bound to a young lady in more ways than one. First agreeing to seven years confinement in a stone tower, and then struggling to find her way (and her lady's) after their escape, Dashti's adventures span years of struggles, hope, and growth. Through her journal the reader learns of Dashti's past and present, and gains a sense of hope for her future. Originally borrowed from a Grimm fairy tale, Book of a Thousand Days presents a fascinating look at a colorful and intriguing culture, while drawing the reader into a narrative that can evoke a wide range of emotions.

40.
Author(s): H. G. Wells
Title: The Island of Doctor Moreau
Publication: Paperback
Pages: 131
Genre: Scientific Romance (according to the original publishers, of course)
Acquisition: Work Text
Date Completed: April 30, 2011
Rating: *****

By sheer dumb luck Edward Prendick survives the sinking of the Lady Vain, and again by dumb luck manages to lose his two lifeboat companions, increasing his chances for survival with his limited supplies. Luck once again intervenes when, after several days without water, Prendick is pulled back from the point of death by a strange dark face and an eternally blond doctor, and these figures again save his rather hopeless existence when the captain of the savior boat casts Prendick overboard.

In the coming months Prendick comes to doubt that luck, however, as he finds himself isolated on an isolated island with the white Moreau, his scalpel, and the unfortunate results of eleven years of experimental vivisection.

Although authors such as Jules Verne predate Wells by decades, the creator of The Time Machine, The Island of Doctor Moreau, and countless other famous tales is often credited with being the father of the science fiction genre. Originally called "scientific romance" for its emphasis on scientific theories and the fantastic, the genre was immediately successful, and Wells right along with it, despite a number of challenges for its occasionally questionable content.

The introduction to the Penguin Classics edition by Margaret Atwood provides a fantastic guide to moving through the work. As part of her introduction, Atwood introduces "Ten Ways of Looking at The Island of Doctor Moreau," which include everything from Darwinism, to religious implications, to an exploration of the New Woman, racism, and literary allusions. Her explanations are well-developed without being overly assertive, allowing the reader to make up his own mind as opposed to the validity of each argument. The introduction is particularly useful as I introduce Wells' novel in our introductory course, and I look forward to seeing how they respond once we open up the dialog.