"Tiger Shrimp Tango (Serge Storms, #17)" by Tim Dorsey

I have a new addiction, it's Serge Storm. This is the first Tim Dorsey book I've read but it won't be the last. His characters are sociopaths, drunks, Spillane obsessed detectives and goofballs. I felt right at home. Serge fills the story with scientific methods of offing the bad guys that will fill you with horror and make you want to cheer at the same time; mentos will never look the same again. Did I mention the Tupperware museum? 

Let me just say that by the end of the book you come to know why toilet lids are flying out of five star hotels, meet Johnny Vegas, the Accidental Virgin, and learn more about Florida then that they have alligators strolling down the lanes.

A must read if you love mystery, satire, or just a good belly laugh.

"The Little Bear Book" by Anthony Browne

Little Bear and his magic pencil are strolling through the woods and come across one annoyed creature after another but with his magic pencil he draws just the right thing to get them on their way.

"Milo and Millie" by Jedda Robaard

A wild and exciting adventure on the high seas awaits these two as they take their bath. With a tutorial on how to make your own sea worthy vessel, this is a great way to get reluctant kids into the tub.

"The Frog Who Lost His Underpants" by Juliette MacIver and Cat Chapman

What's froggy to do when he loses his underpants but ask for help. This is a cute book about learning that asking for help is ok and that individuality has nothing to do with the color of your underpants. There has been a run of picture books dealing with underpants in the past couple of weeks and this is a nice addition.

"You Can Date Boys When You're Forty" by Dave Barry

This had me laughing throughout. From his critic on Fifty Shades of Gray, which he read to his repelling down a cliff side in the deserts of Israel, this was a fun read. Pick it up and enjoy.

"The Enchanted" by Rene Denfeld

In a narrow corridor devoid of windows and deprived of any sign of life outside his walls, sits a madman alone,haunted by past deeds and current damnation. He alone sees the truth in the darkness and he alone knows the tapestry that is being weaved, occasionally with flashes of beauty: golden horses with manes of fire running beneath the land, baby blue booties to welcome a newborn, lakes blue and peaceful to cleanse the soul. Yet in this world of ancient stone and dust, they are only a reminder of what has been lost or never obtained. Through books and the enchantment of his prison he sees all and says nothing knowing all things come to those who wait.

"The Buddha in the Attic" by Julie Otsuka

Otsuka is a master of the simple sentence, letting the purity of her words create shining glimpses of the women she introduces us too. They sail from Japan with hopes of a new life and are brutally introduced to the reality of a new world in 1900's California where they will struggle to make a life out of poverty, hardships, racism, and suspicion. As part of a multicultural influx at the time, the Japanese were a crucial part of building a new era in Californian history and were unceremoniously ripped from that fabric with little warning or objection at the time. 

The characters are diverse, human, and will be familiar to anyone who has every faced uncertainty themselves. Beautifully crafted.

"The Winter People" by Jennifer McMahon

So when I got to page 31 of this brand new book by McMahon and I read the words Dirty Birdy, I felt a chill race up my spine. When I read further on and read about the " sleepers ", I knew I'd arrived at thrill central. If you've picked up on what I consider to be salutes to Stephen King then you know where this is headed, right? Wrong. This story is finely crafted from the darkest threads of New England's dark past, in this case a place called West Hall, Vermont. Choices made in the past often stain the present in ways one can't imagine or believe and sometimes are so out of the realm of the possibility that they dwell in a place of their own. Betrayal, murder, death, revenge, and love are the background for this chilling story about a little girl named Gertie and her mother's undying love, and of the terrible burden that love can be. READ this book, New England literary tradition of bleak winters, harsh landscapes, and deeply buried fears are strong and alive in this book and their roots run deep into a past that's as primordial as terror itself.

What would you do?

"Mr. and Mrs. Bunny - Detectives Extraordinaire! (The Bunny's, #1)" by Polly Horvath and Sophie Blackall

This book had some pretty funny scenes in it. When Madeleine's parents are stolen by some foxes cause they can't remember where their code breaking uncle lives, who can she turn too for help, epsecially as her uncle has fallen into a well deserved coma. Why, Mr. and Mrs. Bunny of course. Detectives on the job, or at least, interested parties, they will attempt to recover her parents, and make themselves part of their new town, even if it kills them. From fox poobahs who speak French with finesse, to exploding rubber, and marmots who inhale garlic bread like it's ambrosia this was a wild ride. First of a series.

"I'm Not Cute!" by Jonathan Allen

This is an adorable book. Little owl is convinced he's a swift, savage, predator but everyone he meets thinks he's cute as a button and just so much fun to hug. It takes momma to convince him that hugs are worth the bother. Adorable.

"Number One Sam" by Greg Pizzoli

This is a great story about being considered a winner outside of the obvious ways. Sam loses a race and feels like number two but after a heroic act he realizes his friends always think of him as number one. Lovely moral tale.

"Turtle Island" by Kevin Sherry

Turtle is so large he has to live in the larger ocean, alone. Until a shipwrecked crew lands on him and become best friends. But when they have to leave to return to their families what will turtle do? Really sweet.

"Oh So Brave Dragon" by David Kirk

ROAR!!!!! When Brave Dragon scares himself, he asks his friends to help identify the unknown monster hiding in the woods. Can Dragon and the rest of the gang scare away the monster. Roar by roar they can.

"My Yiddish Vacation" by Ione Skye and Scott Menchin

This is a great little book. The little girl is going to visit her grandparents in Florida and thankfully they speak Yiddish! Learn some favorites and some new as she takes you on a tour of life with Grandma and Grandpa.

"29 Myths on the Swinster Pharmacy" by Lemony Snicket

Great new title in the Lemony Snicket name series. Swinster Pharmacy is full of mystery and suspense or maybe just drugs. This book has 29 myths that are positively, possibly, true. Full of humor and uncommon laughs, great addition to a kids book pile.

"Nasreddine" by Odile Weulersse

This was a great story about not worrying about how others perceive you because no matter what you do someone is always bond to find fault with you. Great illustrations with a great Ali Baba feel.

"Time Cat" by Lloyd Alexander

What a great little book. I have been selling it for years and now that I finally read it I can see why Alexander is still moving from the shelf. If you love cats, read this, it's not just about a cat time travelling, Gareth and Jason come upon the turning point for a bunch of people that we know from history before they become well known. Great blend of history, imagination, and a love of cats.

"Unnatural Creatures" by Neil Gaiman

I was disappointed that I didn't like the stories in this collection more than I did. I would still recommend this as a good compilation for readers but it was definitely not one of my favorites.

"The Secret Ingredient Murders (Eugenia Potter, #6)" by Nancy Pickard

This was nicely developed. Not my taste but it was a good book to choose if you like literature regarding Rhode Island and its particular style of life. A good mystery with a satisfying ending.