With Christmas only a few days away, the mall is the last place I want to be – no matter that I still have presents to wrap, cookies to make, and last-minute shopping ads to ignore.  I’m in denial – sure it all will get done – in the meantime, I’m using delay tactic 307 to read.

My latest find is Debra Ginsberg’s The Grift – no, I did not say the gift, if holiday giving is on your mind.  Remember the old movie with Angelica Huston and John Cusak – the Grifters?  otherwise known as scam artists – appropriate for this time of year.

The story revolves around Marina, who starts her life as a fortune-teller/money seeker at a fairly young age, thanks to her mother.  She’s a good scam artist, as in talented, savvy, and not a bad person.  The story follows her from Florida to Southern California, developing her character and her vision along the way, with a cast of characters that fit into the Hollywood clime.

I’m not giving anything away when I tell you that it gets a little hokey about half way through when Marina discovers she really is psychic.  But the author works the magic through the characters, and the story is still satisfying.

So, what are you reading?