BookCrossing

Have you heard of BookCrossing?  BookCrossing members "release" books to other members or leave in the wild for the books to be found.  The books are tracked through journal entries from all over the world. 

I've been a member since 2014 when we found our first book at a local restaurant.  I've been an active member since 2016.  Or I should say we, as my boys will allow me to release some of their books when they are finished with them.  You can check out our shelf HERE.

As part of this community, I appreciate that others will enjoy the books that we do.  I also appreciate that the books end up in the hands of someone who wants them versus being donated to the local thrift store where they may or may not end up out on the shelves. 

Interested in joining?  It's really easy to sign up and then watch your book's journey as you'll receive updates when someone journals them.  It's easy to do!  Just follow the steps on the site!

What book will you pass along to a friend?

The Secret History of Elizabeth Tudor Vampire Slayer

Title: The Secret History of Elizabeth Tudor Vampire Slayer Author: Lucy Weston Genre:  Science Fiction Length: 303 pages (paperback) Sensitive Content:  Sexual Rating:  2 out of 5

On the eve of her coronation, Elizabeth I learns of a greater evil threatening England than the leaders of France, Spain, etc.  At first she doesn't believe her advisors, but reality sets in very quickly.

During the time of King Arthur, his bastard son Mordred sacrificed his humanity to save England.  However, in doing so, it cost him everything including his greatest love.

Morgain, a vampire slayer form her time, did not succeed in slaying Mordred.  However, Elizabeth is a descendant of her line.  Her advisors believe she is to become the next slayer.

The story is told mostly from Elizabeth's point of view, with Mordred's periodically thrown in.  It was easy to follow the train of thought.  However, the story itself (even though sci-fi) was quite unbelievable.  I definitely won't pick it back up.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Author: Stieg Larsson Genre: Mystery, Thriller Length: 590 pages (paperback) Sensitive Content: Sexual Rating:  4 out of 5

Mikael Blomkvist is a financial journalist who, after receiving information from an anonymous source, was recently convicted of libel.  He steps down as publisher of the Millenium magazine and debates about selling his apartment.  He accepts an assignment from Henrik Vanger to write a story about the Vanger family.  However, his secret assignment is to uncover Harriet Vanger's murderer from roughly forty years ago.

Mikael begins to read through the information that Henrik collected over the years.  He also spends time with the family members who are still in the area.  He ensures that his cover about the family story is kept in tact.

When he returns from his short prison stay, he is visited by his daughter.  Upon her departure, she triggers a thought that sends him down a path to look at the information a little differently.  Mikael asks for an assistant, Lisbeth Salander...the girl with the dragon tattoo.

The first few chapters of the book were difficult to get into.  However, based on all of the hype, I trudged on and I'm glad I did!  The book quickly became fast paced and I couldn't wait to see what would be uncovered next.

The characters were well developed and I felt that I was part of the story trying to uncover what happened.  It honestly took several turns that I did not expect, which I view as a great book!