Shuyler Van Alen is a girl who just wants to fit in. She lives in New York and attends a private school of elite, rich and spoiled teens. When she turns 15, stranges things start happening to her. She has flashbacks of being at a place hundreds of years prior, her body is undergoing strange changes and she is having unusual food cravings. After attending an exclusive meeting, she finds out that she is apart of an ancient group of vampires called the Blue Bloods. Something is wrong though as the vampires are under attack by someone who wants them dead.
 
Read this first book in a series and enjoy the life of vampires mixed with a social club to die for.

It took me a while to get into this but then it turned out to be very intriguing. Anyone who has traveled the world can relate to the culture shock of the author's trip to China as well as the minute details that become so poignant and extraordinary when you are far away from home. The author is traveling with a friend. They are both fresh out of collage and it is the 80s. The wear and tear that ensues on their friendship will make you say, "I have SO been there" when you have traveled with friends. However, this true story becomes highly amazing and strenuous as the author deals with helping her friend through what she thinks is homesickness.

Riveting and now I know what all the hype is about. This book was an amazing thriller set in Sweden that deftly ties together two characters--Mikael and Lisbeth. They both are "fighting the system" in their own way and seeking justice. Modern day technologies are highlighted and used in spectacular ways. A mystery of a missing person is the nugget of the book. We learn about Sweden and the neo-Nazism that is still present there. This is the first in a trilogy--can't wait to dive into the second one. Tragically, the author died of a heart attack after completion of the third book.

Discovering Linda Fairstein is just as exciting as discovering Harlan Coben! Set in the New York Public Library (what's not to like?) is a mystery involving the elite of New York and the conservators of rare books. The main character, Alex Cooper, is so likable and so knowledgeable, you can't wait for the mystery to be solved. Tightly written, snappy, short chapters made this a wonderful fast read for a busy person. And I learned so much!

Anita Blake is able to raise the dead and a vampire hunter. Vampires now have rights in St. Louis so an execution order is required to kill a vampire to stay legal. Anita stays on the right side of the law, mostly. People want bodies raised for many reasons; to settle a will dispute, forgiveness, even to find out who killed them--as long as their throat wasn't ripped out. Anita is also on the police Spook Squad that is called to investigate murders that may have been committed by vampires or other otherworld characters. She is also involved with Jean Claude, a very old vampire that becomes the Master of the City--kind of like mayor for the vampires in the area. Anita is only 5'3" but armed with her silver bullets and silver knives, she takes on the oldest and most powerful vampires she comes across, usually with a little help from her friends. The books are very graphic in describing the deaths of the victims and zombies Anita raises. The action moves the plot along and there is usually a mystery of "who done it" that gets resolved. This is the first series of Anita Blake books. I have read several and while it would be helpful to read them in order, it's not absolutely necessary. I've enjoyed them and will finish the series.

Ava is a stunning human with otherworld friends. She doesn't understand how her friends are attracted to them and is determined to remain "human". Until, she is walking home from a girls night out and is attacked by a vampire. She swallows some of his blood and now her future involves becoming a vampire. The hero is in town to hunt up a rouge vampiress and comes to her aide, killing the attacker and taking her home to help her through the transition. She and he become involved in love and the scheme to capture the rouge vampiress. The book was an entertaining romance involving the otherworld characters. Easy read.

This is the first of a list of books starring Betsy, the Queen of the Vampires. Betsy is having a really bad week. First, she loses her job, then she is killed in a car accident. Betsy can't seem to stay dead, as she has been turned into a vampire. Her first concern is how she was nearly buried in cheap knock off shoes instead of one of her designer pairs in her closet. There are very funny scenes of her adjusting to her new life. This is Chick Lit meets Vampire.

George Martin reminisces about his pioneering work as a producer in the record industry in England before, during, and after the reign of The Beatles. A fascinating look at the group dynamics and how Martin, along with Brian Epstein, groomed The Beatles for success.

Jane lives in a California beachside home on the Pacific Ocean with her father and beloved dog. Her grandmother invites her to visit Elvie, the Scottish estate of her early childhood. Jane meets up with Sinclair, her close cousin. Jane discovers that Sinclair is no longer the man she once dreamed of marrying. Even though he is charming she can no longer trust him.

Engross yourself in this detailed account of persistence and bravery which took place during the dark days of the Holocaust. Eva and Martin Deutschkron met, fell in love, endured many hardships together, and eventually sailed to the United States. They opened a tailoring business in Madison, Wisconsin but they were forever scarred by the deaths of numerous family members.

Here is a non-fiction young adult book covering the mythology of vampires, descriptions of vampires, vampires in movies, and a glossary of vampire terms. The concept of vampires is closely related to cultural views about death. Some people feel that dead spirits hang around in a netherworld. Discover other interesting theories about vampires.

This is a collection of alternative history short stories. In one of the stories, Theodore Roosevelt is sent to England by President Grover Cleveland to assist investigators in the hunt for Jack the Ripper. The actual “vampire” story in this collection is called, The Roosevelt Dispatches. Roosevelt is in Cuba leading his Rough Riders on a campaign. They encounter a creature that is impervious to bullets and it ingests the blood of its prey.

The book takes place at various lighthouses around Scotland in the late 60's and 70's, during the Vietnam war. You may wonder how the war played into lighthouse keeping but the writer was 20 and concerned about the war and Watergate. It was interesting to read how another country was so taken with both issues. Peter applies to be a summer intern on a whim and is amazed when he is given the chance to work at the lighthouse during his summer break. During the interview, he is asked if he can cook an with a straight face, says yes. His cooking special is a grilled cheese sandwich and going out to eat. Food is very important to the people working on the lighthouse and much of their day revolves around preparing it, he was fortunate to work with an excellent cook and learned to take great notes but the day he was scheduled to make hagis required all his resources. The routine of the keepers is very strict and did vary from lighthouse to lighthouse. While sharing meals and the middle of the night shift change, stories and histories were shared. He writes much of the book in the Scottish dialect so the flavor of the county comes through. An interesting book about a lost profession.

Dr. David Henry, an orthopedic surgeon, delivers his own son when his wife Norah goes into labor in the middle of a blizzard in 1964 and the obstetrician cannot make it to the hospital. David and Caroline, the nurse on duty, keep a secret from Norah for many years. This engrossing story keeps you wondering if the secret will ever be revealed. This is a well-crafted story you won’t want to miss.

Ms. Wall recalls how she fell in love and married a Syrian man, moved to the Middle East, gave birth to a son and daughter, then fled for safety to the United States with her two children. You won’t be able to put this book down due to the heart-breaking suspense.