Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

Kathy Reichs' successful "bones" crime fiction novels made their way into a popular television series. Main character Dr.Temperance Brennan, a brilliant forensic anthropologist, amazes readers and viewers alike with her ability to solve crimes using her vast scientific knowledge.

In "Spider Bones" Tempe makes her way to Hawaii to figure out a comfusing puzzle of identifying veterans supposedly killed in View Nam. While in the Aloha state, she is asked to assist in the identification of a man discovered in the ocean in several parts.

When her life if threatened, law enforcement decides there is much more to these cases than originally thought, and what Tempe discovers leads to a dangerous group of criminals.

Kathy Reichs, like Tempe, is a forensic anthropologist, and fills her novels with a smorgasbord of scientific facts. While most of this technical knowledge is beyond the comprehension of the average reader, it makes for interesting reading.

"Spider Bones" follows a complicated plot, and you will have to pay close attention to recall who is buried in whose coffin. But it is definitely a good pick to fill the hours on a cold winter week-end.

Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan

Terry McMillan has raised African-American fiction to new levels with novels like "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and "Waiting to Exhale". The latter, published in 1992, dealt with the lives of four black women, and their often tumultuous search for love. A well-made, star-studded movie soon followed.

"Getting to Happy" re-introduces us to Savannah, Gloria, Robin, and Bernadine - older and with new life challenges to face.

Successful journalist, Savannah, discovers facts about her husband which cause her to reevaluate the status of her marriage.

Bernadine's methods of dealing with her bitterness may be self-destructive.

Gloria suffers a tremendous loss, and finds it difficult to move on.

Debra endures a unfulfilling career and must seek unorthodox methods to meet new men.

As before, their friendship is the strength they draw upon to live each day and face the future with hope.

Although McMillan has become the standard for black literature, this book transcends racial boundaries to address universal problems and conflicts shared by women world wide. Cleverly written, with each women telling her own story, this book will capture your attention and compassion. All McMillan's book are sparkling jewels and "Getting to Happy" is no exception.




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