"Frameshift" by Robert J. Sawyer

I complained about this book a lot while I was reading it, but I have to admit that by the time it was over, I had enjoyed it. I complained because the scenarios were just too staged for the points the author was making, and the lead characters were just too perfect as people. Very contrived and sappy. The man had Huntington's chorea, the woman was telepathic, and an evil scientist impregnated her with a cloned Neanderthal baby. He wasn't the Nazi war criminal, though. That was the head of an evil medical insurance company that started murdering genetically flawed people to help its bottom line. The book's scientific point (I skimmed this part) was that we have timed triggers in our DNA, which will allow huge segments of the population to evolve simultaneously, e.g. for telepathy. According to the book's premise, there is a grand evolutionary scheme. Bullshit, unless we happen to be genetically engineered. Typical Robert Sawyer fare. Good ideas, but weak character development.

"Death of an Expert Witness" by P.D. James

This book pretty well had me riveted, even though I had read the last page, and so knew who the murderer was. It's amazing how old fashioned a crime book from the 1970's can seem. No cell phones, and a distrust of scientific evidence by juries. Definitely pre CSI 'know-it-all' juries. Takes place in a forensics lab.

"Transgressions" edited by Ed McBain

I bought this used book at the Gloucester Public Library when Ray and I were choosing books on tape for our trip to New Brunswick. It contains stories by Sharyn McCrumb, Joyce Carol Oates and Anne Perry. They were well written, but all of them were more serious than I expected, even the story by Sharron McCrumb. It took me longer to read than it should have, because some of the subject matter was uglier than I would have liked. The book did definitely make an impression on me, though, which is always good.

"Neverwhere" by Neil Gaiman

At first I wasn't sure, but I ended up liking this book about the denizens of the London Underground very much. Urban fantasy. Neil Gaiman has a nice light touch to his writing.

"The Magicians" by Lev Grossman

Enjoyable book overall. Focuses a bit too much on the ugly side of human nature for my taste, but that's life I guess.

"The Sisters Brothers" by Patrick deWitt

Another book that I asked for Christmas from Ray. It won the Governor General's award, among other prizes. Well worth the read. Vivid, original, and amusing black humour. I can really picture this book as a movie. It was nice to read a linear narrative for a change. Described the book to Eva in her dental office, while she was tending to Ray.

"Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

This was one of the books I asked Ray to buy me for Christmas. An enjoyable, extremely imaginative book. I didn't love it, but I liked it a lot. I enjoy almost anything that includes an off kilter world.