Fallen, by Lauren Kate

Book one in the Fallen Trilogy. Book three got great reviews, so I figured I should start from the beginning. This is a pretty typical YA novel, similar in outline to the dreaded Twilight books, but "starring" angels instead of vampires, et al. Lucinda transfers to a reform school after she is involved in a tragic and deadly event at her former boarding school. Sword and Cross is not a typical prep/reform school: untidy, ugly, weird-but-not-criminal kids, and apparently lots of very hot guys, one of whom is quite charming and attentive, another of which seems to hate her on sight.

Of course, she is drawn more to the latter boy, who ends up being more attentive than he seems while Mr. Charming turns out to be a...well, demon.

War breaks out, her best friend turns out to be mortal after all, and the librarian, while not at all stereotypical, is definitely a villain.

Book Two awaits!!

Winter's Child, by Margaret Maron (on CD)

I think one of the main reasons I like listening to this series is the reader (C.J. Critt). She may not get the accents or voices right, but she certainly nails the tone.

This one is about the death of Dwight's first wife.

Love is a Mix Tape: Life & Loss, One Song at a Time, by Rob Sheffield

Recommended to me by a friend. A lovely, sad book about how music gets inside of us in ways that are hard to understand. The result is that music can be joyous and yet turn to pain when the memories attached to it are painful.

This is a really wonderful elegy to the author's wife as well. I only wish I knew more of the songs he mentions--though I got a huge laugh out of the brief reference to Andy Gibb. He is just enough younger than me that I only recognize several bands by their names, not their songs.

I would also recommend this book.

Blanche on the Lam, by Barbara Neely

Fun. Eye-opening.