The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Basically, The Secret says to focus on what you want, not what you don't want. You have to feel it, your feelings have to match your thoughts, and you should feel joy and gratitude, too.

Some of it seems silly. Like the part about telling the universe you want more money, than believing you have it. You are supposed to act like you already have it, say that I can afford that, I can afford that, I can buy that, I can buy that, and it seems to me that is a good way to get into debt.

There are three steps: say you want something, believe you can have it, and than receive. She says stuff about quantum mechanics and I will be the first to admit that I don't understand quantum mechanics. I took a class in modern physics; all I got from that is that modern physics and I do not match (in my defense no one else in the class understood either and we only passed because he made the last two tests as easy he could and because he gave everybody like 40 points, which put most of the class in C range.) But it still comparing this to quantum mechanics seems odd to me.

But, still, it is true the placebo pill sometimes works as well as real thing and that works just because you believe it is working. So maybe there is something to this. I just don't know. A little experimentation is in my future, I think.

Infinity (Chronicles of Nick 01) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead.

But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he’s next on the menu.

As if starting high school isn't hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?

Warning: Spoilers

Infinity is Sherrilyn Kenyon’s first YA novel. It takes place in the familiar Dark Hunter universe. I’d forgotten it was coming out until I saw in the store. That doesn’t say a lot for how much I was looking forward to it. Despite that, I finished it in short order, with only a very few unavoidable pauses in between reading sessions.

From the other Dark Hunter books, I knew Nick as a young man, in his early 20’s or thereabouts. In this, like the book summery says, he is 14 and going to a private high school on a scholarship. He worries about bullies, about homework and constantly checks out girls. I wouldn’t say it is necessary to be familiar with the Dark Hunter universe before reading this, but it would be helpful. Nick discovers that world as he goes on and sometimes it is even explained. Not all that often though and someone unfamiliar with the Dark Hunter world might find it confusing. Also, sometimes the transitions between adult Nick and 14 year old Nick were a little jarring.

All in all, Infinity is a pretty good read. I am tempted to say it is too short because of how quickly I finished it, but it feels complete and not really lacking in anyway. The part I liked best was a scene with the adult Nick reflecting on what had gone wrong in his life. Not too much action, but good in other ways. Action-wise, the fight at the end was pretty damn good.

Grade: B

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to deal with-especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community.

And now there's a new player in town-a foe that may be too much for even Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family.

Warning: Spoilers. Lots and lots of spoilers

Magic Bleeds is the fourth Kate Daniels novel. It is pretty good, fast moving, with lots of action. It is also the most romantic book to date.

Magic Bleeds book is a game changer. She moves in with Curran, and tells him and her best friend both who her family is. Considering her issues with him at the beginning of the book and her considerable issues with trust, these are both biggies. And not to be overlooked, she also quits the Order. So, yeah, major changes.

Despite all that drama, there are funny moments. For example, Curran glued her ass to her office chair (mostly in retaliation). This was the best moment in the whole book.

Her aunt shows up and tries to kill her. Her aunt looks just like her, and really, it is just as well her Order boss never got a good look at the aunt. The aunt tries to kill her. She said something about waking up a few years ago, and I have to wonder, what woke her up? Why was she asleep? Maybe these questions will be answered later.

But even if they are not, there is little doubt in my mind that her father will shortly become aware of her presence (if he isn’t already!) and then the shit will hit the fan.

Grade: A-