BASEBALL SEASON!

I LOVE baseball season and I LOVE the Yankees! I am going to a game this weekend, so it was the perfect time to read up on beanballs, sign stealing and bench-clearing brawls of America's favorite pastime. If you are not a Yankees fan, that is okay. If you are a Boston fan, we can no longer be friends.

Now that we got that out of the way. The Baseball Codes by Jason Turbow with Michael Duca is a pretty sweet read. I never thought of baseball being filled with this much drama, but Turbow and Duca have compiled an extensive array of "Code Violations" throughout baseball. Through interviews with players, we, the fans have finally gotten an inside look behind the scenes. One of the most critical parts of the Code is that ballplayers never admit to the existence of the Code. (Fight Club?) Fortunately for us, however, these ballplayers broke down like a bunch of girls and spilled it to Turbow.

You will get riled up for this baseball season, guaranteed.

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fresh novel.

A Murderous Procession is the fourth Mistress of the Art of Death mystery by beloved bestselling author Ariana Franklin. This book is honestly an adventure, the best kind of adventure really, because you do not have to worry about what to pack (ladies). Just sit in your favorite spot and enjoy the old characters you love (or hate) and the new ones you meet along the way.

First of all, I would have never survived the whole Medieval Europe thing, as a woman. I don't really enjoy being told what to do. I am sure many of you can relate. If you have not read the previous books, you probably will have no idea what I am talking about as I explain this story line. Okay, King Henry II sends his daughter Joanna off to Palermo to wed king William II of Sicily. This is historical fact. he sends his mistress of the art of death, and our very own favorite 12th century doctor cum medical examiner, Adelia Aguilar along with her to guarantee her health and well being upon her arrival. This is, obviously, fiction. Adelia doesn't want to go because King Henry is sending Adelia and Bishop Rowley's daughter to stay with his wife, Elanor of Aquitaine. He considers it 'incentive' for Adelia to come back to England because the King finds her services to be quite beneficial to his kingdom.

As the journey and Adelia's adventures take her through not only Norman France but south to Aquitaine and then to the Languedoc, just as the Cathars are beginning to be persecuted for heresy. Confused? Yeah, read the other three books before you pick this one up.

The best part: it leaves you wanting more; the worst: we have to wait patiently for the next installment. Boo.

utlimate book of card games!

Thank you Scott McNeely for creating a book filled with more than 350 card games so that we can occupy ourselves on rainy days, and keep children of all ages busy when they are annoying as hell. From Bridge and Poker to Hearts, The Ultimate Book of Card Games has something for every age, and will bring some fun into your household no matter who you are.

It's a book filled with a variety of card games with easy to read instructions. This is a no brainer guys, seriously. To put it very simply: if you like card games, you will like this book. If you LOVE card games you will LOVE this book, any questions?

On a serious note, with a little creativity you can turn any of these card games into a drinking game. SOLD.

leading writer in vampire fiction.

I love me some vampire fiction and no one (no offense Stephanie Meyer) does it like Laurell K. Hamilton. Her Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series is hugely popular. The eighteenth book in the series Flirt, has delighted fans young and old.

It's a bonus novel, it's very short and kind of like a filler book, so you cannot expect it to be at the same level as the rest. I do believe that Flirt was a good and necessary addition to the Anita Blake series, no question.

This story is intriguing and sensual and will leave you waiting in anticipation for the next installment.

refreshing.

In Marian Keyes' latest novel The Brightest Star in the Sky, the characters (who are neighbors) inhabit a four story building in Dublin, one flat to a floor. Weaving among the many characters, the narrator (who is on the outside, looking in) teases out back-stories and follows them as they go about their lives.

It got a bit dark in spots, but overall it was a very enjoyable read. You cannot help but relate to one of these diverse characters. The newlyweds, Matt and Meave, the career oriented 40-years-old and unmarried Katie, the young and a bit snarky Lydia or Jemima, the elderly phone psychic. I know, kind of random right? Their lives begin to overlap as we learn about each one a little at a time.

Keye's writing is extremely satisfying.

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memoir of a female heart surgeon.

Kathy E. Magliato, MD is one of the few women cardiothoracic surgeon practicing in the world. Her memoir Healing Hearts, gives us a peak inside her life as a women in one of the biggest boys clubs of them all. We hear about how she performs complicated surgeries. We see the ways she fends off sexist doctors. She gives us a glimpse into her exciting life as she goes on frantic helicopter rides to harvest hearts from accident victims.

Dr. Magliato uses this book to increase awareness of heart disease. She takes great pains to emphasize how high the mortality rate is for females suffering from cardiovascular disease. She advises women to meticulously monitor their blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and weight.

Healing Hearts is an interesting look into a real-life surgeon's life.

southern storytelling.

Beth Hoffman has truly amazed even the toughest critics with her debut novel, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. The story may begin with 12-year-old CeeCee's heartbreak over losing her mentally-ill mother, but do not let these first chapters discourage you. This little girl has been through a lot, living a basically friendless life while taking care of her mother. Her absentee father sends her to live with he great Aunt Tootie in Savannah. In this new place her life instantly changes for the better.

This novel is a fun and easy read filled with southern charm.

You cannot help but fall in love with these characters. Guys, I am going to have to be corny here for one second, I am sorry. But honestly, this story will sweep you away.

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