The Wave

Two giant ships are lost every week in the ocean. As Casey points out, if 747s were disappearing at that rate there would be some considerable hubbub. I know what you're thinking: That's the price we pay for trespassing in the territory of the Great Kraken. Well, get ready to have your mind blown, because it's not giant squids bringing these ships down - it's waves. Water, dawg! And no one knows exactly what causes them or where they're going to appear. Oh, and just in case I haven't melted your brain yet, there are people out there trying to surf these 100+ foot tall monsters. Laird Hamilton, you crazy son of a bitch. This book is a non-stop adrenaline fueled thrill ride.

4 broken surfboards out of 5.

The Living Dead 2

Zombies are best enjoyed in short bursts. There's only so much gore and running and watching a loved one get bit that can happen before you get bored. When the real zombie apocalypse happens am I going to yawn and go back to bed? If guess I only have myself to blame for o.d.'ing on zombie fiction if so. Quality ghouls over quantity! Which is kind of funny when you're talking about zombies.

P.S. This collection does have the distinction of containing the most disgusting story I have ever read. It is about a zombie gigolo. It was entered into a disgusting story competition and did not win. I never want to read the story that did.

2 rotting limbs out of 5.

Mini Shopaholic

There comes a point in this book when the main character (the original shopaholic, now mother of the title "mini") has an inner monologue that goes like this "She's looking like me like I'm crazy. And maybe I am. But I have to keep doing this. I have to." But, you know what crazy lady? You don't. The crazy has ceased to be cute, or funny, or even the slightest bit relatable. In the first book, ok, who hasn't tried to hide their entire wardrobe by shoving it in vacuum bags and shoving it in a closet, only to have it explode everywhere? Uh, no, just me? Anyway - maybe it's the post-recession me, but Becky Bloomwood needs to get her act together. Maybe if there were consequences to her nutbar behavior beyond eye-rolls, she would, but in her reality everyone loves her anyway. Must be nice! Ugh. I'm shopaholic-ed out.

1.5 overdue credit card bills out of 5.