Sleepless Nights (I don't have a problem!)

One thing that constantly conspires to give me sleepless night is reading books. Before I got married I would stay up until all hours of the night reading - who cares if I was groggy the next day? I wasn't trying to impress anyone and a few shots of expresso would chase away the fog. Flash forward ten years - maybe it is just because I am older, but it is getting harder and harder to read all night long. The words start to float in front of my eyes and even though I want to continue reading, I have to force myself to put the book down and sleep.

What is keeping me awake right now? S.M. Stirling's The Sunrise Lands:



Depending on how you look at it, it is either the first book in a second trilogy or the first book in a third trilogy (which began with his Nantucket series). Alternative history - speculative fiction - call it what you will, but I love it. Although - Steve - I have to say I take exception to the fact that the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island have been declared a Death Zone. How can Vancouver die and yet Seattle live? (Characters and storylines aside - I'm just speaking of population vs. farmland and resources).

I also just finished reading Ilona Andrew's Magic Bites and thoroughly enjoyed it.



I think the book needs a second read because I have it in my head there were a few character inconsistencies in the beginning. I asked at the bookstore if there was a sequel or it this author
had other books out and was surprised to learn that this is her (actually their - it is a husband and wife writing team) first book and the sequel to this one comes out next spring. People will draw inevitable comparisons to other genre females - but I have to say that Kate (the protagonist), while healthily red-blooded and having some interesting distractions, manages to stick to business. You can read more about Kate's world and the series on the author's website.

I also have some crockpot cookbooks out of the library right now - and I have to ask... why would someone put cinnamon on beef!?!?! Just the thought of that makes my stomach
start heaving. No, Mom, I am not pregnant. It's just gross.