I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells

John Wayne Cleaver is an unusual teenager who feels he is destined to be a serial killer. He lives by a strict set of rules in order to avoid the behavior that he fears will lead him down the path of evil. When a real serial killer strikes his small town, John is both fascinated and terrified. And may be the only one who can stop the killer.

I enjoyed this book immensely. The "hero" is unusual and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to like him, but I was definitely rooting for him by the end of the story.

This book is the first of a projected trilogy. I look forward to the next installment!

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

After her mother Dulcie Shelby died, 17 year old Emily Benedict left Boston for Mullaby, N. Caroline to live with the 'giant' grandfather she never knew. She was hoping to learn more about her mother's life. Befriending Dulcie's high school classmate, Julia, who was making cakes and deserts for her father's restaurant, Emily found out more about her mother and fell in love with Win Coffey, whose uncle shared a past with her mother. There were secrets to be discovered, and lessons to be learned. Allen has weaved a web of interesting characters for the readers to explore. This is a magical and enjoyable read!

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo

A serial killer is murdering young women in the small town of Painters Mill, Ohio. Kate Burkholder, the chief of police, is trying to catch the killer while keeping her own secrets hidden. This is a great page-turner!

Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson

Jenna Fox wakes from a year long coma with no memory, in a different house and a noticeable difference in the way she relates to her grandmother and parents. As the book progresses, Jenna's memory starts to come back in small pieces. Not only is this a great book for teenagers, but I have also recommend it from parents. At the end of the book you will ask yourself how far you will go to keep your children or loved one alive. Adoration of Jenna Fox is on the Iowa Teen Award Book List for 2010-2011.

Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat by David Dosa, M.D.

I was looking forward to reading this book as I learned of Oscar's uncanny ability to detect the "sweet smell of death" from the July 2007 New England Journal of Medicine article by the author. I wanted to understand Oscar better, but instead ended up learning more about dementia and Alzheimer's debilitating effects on patients and their families.
Oscar, one of the six resident cats, was adopted as a kitten by staff members and lives on the 3rd floor of Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island, where Dr. Dosa cares for his advanced dementia patients. When Oscar senses that a resident is facing imminent death, he will jump on the patient's bed and stay with her. This in turn alerts the nurse to contact the patient's family. Sometimes Oscar is the only companion for the dying patient...
This is an informative and touching story about a gifted cat and the heartaches one grapples with when caring for loved ones with dementia. It also reminds me of the comforting presence of our pets.

Caught by Harlan Coben

A missing high school girl, an accused pedophile who may be innocent, and a reporter who wants to get the story right are all pieces in what adds up to be a great thriller. The characters are interesting, the twists are believable, and this is classic Coben. I loved it!

Deep Shadow by Randy Wayne White

Doc Ford and friends are back in a new thriller by Randy Wayne White. Doc, Tomlinson and Will Chaser are treasure hunting in a Florida lake when an underwater avalanche traps Tomlinson and Will with a limited supply of air. Doc works to rescue them while also battling two on-the-run convicts who want in on the treasure. Oh, and there may be a huge alligator or some other sort of lake-dwelling monster that wants to eat them all. It's great stuff!