Domino: the book of decorating: a room-by-room guide to creating a home that makes you happy by Deborah Needleman

I look at a lot of decorating and gardening books and wouldn't normally blog them because I basically look at the pictures. However, I read this book straight through. I find beautiful rooms, gardens and architecture inspiring and at the same time relaxing to look at and read. Certainly, the way you chose to live says a lot about you. This book talks a lot about how you want the room to feel or how you want to feel in the room. There are specific examples of rooms and the people show what they already have and what they needed to purchase. These aren't particularly "rich" rooms with a piece of furniture that costs $10,000. There are many rentals (NYC) and real life homes. I can't wait to look up the many websites they list in the back.

Keeping Watch by Laurie R. King

I listened to the audio book narrated by Richard Ferrone. Ferrone has a deep gravelly voice that I love. This book is very compelling but depicts graphic violence so it is not for people who would be bothered by that. It switches back and forth in time from present day to the Vietnam war. It follows the story of Allan Carmichael, a vet, who is injured by the war both physically and psychologically. I don't want to give away the whole premise of the story which is revealed slowly. It is very suspenseful and dramatic and I recommend it highly.

Black Seconds by Karin Fossum

This is the fifth book translated into English by Norweigian author Fossum. It's in the Inspector Sejer series. Fossum is a brilliant writer. You care about the victim and the people who commit the crimes (at least in this one) and Konrad Sejer, the police detective, who is a very compassionate man. This story is about the disappearance of Ida Joner, a lovely 9 year old girl. The tension is taut as you follow Sejer and his younger partner, Jacob Skarre, through the details of the case. I highly recommend this series. I can't wait for the next one.