Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Slayer, Seth Graham Smith

Really terrific; we listened to this in the car on the way to Pasadena. I liked it better than Pride and Prejudice. I love the way he weaves real historical facts with the vampires; makes you wonder-explanations seem really plausible.

I still Dream About You, Fannie Flagg

I first saw Fannie Flagg as a comedian, on I think Alan Funts hidden camera show, not that she isn't funny in this novel. Like Fried Green Tomatoes, it takes place in the South, and has a murder/mystery, and strong women; it gives you a real sensory look at life in Birmingham Alabama-current day, and recent past. I loved it.

Body Work, Sara Paretsky

The first time I read any of this prolific authors books, it was because my then eight-grade daughter was assigned one in an English class. I think the theme was strong women, and V.I. certainly is. I like the writing, the mystery, and of course the setting of this one, because it takes place in Chicago. Maybe formulaic, but I really enjoyed this one.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot

This is the story of an African American woman in the early 1950's, whose cancerous cells were taken from her without her permission, shortly before her death. The cells multiplied, and were used by scientists for research in a number of different areas-but her family never received any notice, or remuneration; in fact her descendants couldn't get health coverage of their own. The author becomes involved with the family, as she tells the story of the 'colored ward' at Johns Hopkins, and details life for black Americans in the 50's. The review I read says it is the story of

"the beauty and drama of scientific discovery, and its human consequences." The book is factual, and scientific, but also very hard to put down, as it tells the story of the descendants of Henrietta Lacks.