10. The Key

This one was the third book in the Rachel Benjamin series. A cross between chick lit and a murder mystery, I didn't like this one as much as the prior to - The Pact & The Jinx, but it wasn't a bad read.

Here's the B&N description:

Ever wished your boss would drop dead?

Of course not. Well, not really. And neither had Rachel Benjamin—until she finds herself working for Wall Street terror Glenn Gallagher on his latest pet project. Rachel thinks the deal—and Glenn—are more than a little shady, but she has a promotion at stake. It's either keep her lips sealed or kiss her partnership goodbye. Or kill Glenn. (Just kidding!)

At least she has Peter. Rachel's too-good-to-be-true fiance has moved in, and while his stuff is everywhere and he's strangely jealous of her friendly new coworker, she's confident they'll figure things out. It would help if Glenn's killer schedule didn't have Rachel working around the clock. Really, the man must be stopped.

Rachel's jokes about killing her boss don't seem so funny when Glenn is murdered. And it's even less laughable when she becomes the prime suspect. With the police hot on her very stylish heels, and the threat of an unflattering orange jumpsuit in her future, Rachel's learning the hard way to be careful what you wish for. She needs to catch the true killer quickly, before the killer catches her.

9. Hard Judicial Choices

This one was for class so I'm sure no one browsing this list will choose to read it, which I totally understand. But, while it had it's boring moments it also had some pretty enlighting ones as well.

Here's the description:

In controversial court cases involving civil rights, schools and housing, prison reform, and other social issues, federal district court judges are often called upon to make some of the most difficult judicial decisions. How do these cases arise? How are they prosecuted and remedies fashioned when federally protected rights are violated? How can relations between federal judges and state and local officials be improved?

This book--the first to attempt to look at such cases from the judge's point of view--examines some of these questions through five comparative case studies involving open housing in a Cleveland suburb, school desegregation in Detroit, mental health reform in Alabama, prison conditions in Ohio, and alleged police misconduct in Philadelphia. Cooper presents a clear overview of the remedial decree process and prefaces each of the case studies with a full chapter that sets the case in its legal, administrative, and political context.

Taking a close look at the interactions between federal district court judges and state and local officials, this volume produces a model of remedial decree litigation that challenges widely held assumptions about the role of district court judges in such controversial cases.

8. Table for Five

This one was fairly predictable, but a good read nonetheless. I learned a lot about golf too, which seems like useful knowledge to have I guess. :)

Here's the B&N description:

A gifted teacher, Lily Robinson adores her students, but fiercely guards her independent lifestyle. Deep inside, she is afraid of loving too deeply for fear of getting hurt. Only her best friend, Crystal, has ever been able to get close. Now an unthinkable tragedy has drawn Lily into the shattered lives of Crystal's family — a family that suddenly needs her.

Sean McGuire is a rolling stone used to living in the shadow of his famous brother, Derek. He's made his own way in life, playing by his own rules. Then one April night everything changes when a fatal car crash orphans Derek and Crystal's three children. In an instant, Sean finds himself in the role of guardian.

Sean and Lily are brought together by tragedy, joined in their grief and their mutual love for these children. But raising three kids is a monumental job, and Sean realizes he's in over his head. And though Lily has been the unofficial aunt to these children since they were born, planting emotional roots means taking risks — and Lily's not sure she can.

The ups and downs of love and family life can be a roller-coaster ride — thrilling, unpredictable and downright terrifying, yet filled with incredible delight. and Sean and Lily are about to discover the possibilities that make everything seem worthwhile — a future filled with hope, happiness and the certainty that trusting love is the best choice of all.

7. Friday Night Cocktails

This one was fairly predictable chick lit. Not bad, but not the best either. I've read another book by Rushby that I really liked (It's Not You It's Me) but this one wasn't quite as good. Anyway, here's the description from B&N:

Two best friends, one killer hangover, and a whole world of badly behaved men. Let the games begin...

Gemma Barton, here -- single girl and website creator. Okay, so I’m not here to decry all men as commitment-phobes and complete dogs, but you know, sometimes they are. After one more date with Mr. Oh-I-Didn’t-Tell-You-I-Was-Already-Engaged and a round of giant margaritas, my friend Sarah and I decided to make "the list": a chronicle of all the guys who’ve ever lied, cheated, or tried to have a threesome with your best friend.

Well, our little revenge website seemed like a brilliant idea at the time -- and soon disgruntled women all over the world were chiming in. It was great. Suddenly Sarah and I were stars, I had a male personal assistant, and all was right with the world. Or so I thought, until big trouble started brewing on my computer. There’s someone out there in cyberspace who’s just made me see the error of my ways. Maybe the male of the species aren’t out to get me after all. Could it be time to stop listening to my inner rage queen and start listening to my heart...?