The Gate House by Nelson DeMille

I just finished The Gate House, Nelson DeMille’s long awaited sequel to The Gold Coast. It was slower paced than some of his other novels, especially the ones with John Corey in them, but it was still a relatively good story. Honestly I think he probably could have sped things up a bit and made the book a bit shorter (it clocks in at 688 pages) but I never really felt that this story was dragging. Anyway, this book picks up 10 years after John Sutter’s wife, Susan, had killed her Mafioso lover, Frank Bellarosa. After sailing around the world and then moving to London, John returns to Long Island to settle some business for a longtime client and finds himself living in the Gate House of Stanhope Hall and neighbor to his ex-wife. And who else should have moved in nearby but Anthony Bellarosa, Frank’s son, the new head of the Bellarosa crime family. John and Susan begin to explore the thought of reconciling but there are some things in their way. First, Susan’s parents, the Stanhope’s, hate John and will do anything to keep them apart. Second, and perhaps most importantly, Anthony Bellarosa has a score to settle with Susan for killing his father. Like I said before, the plot meanders a bit getting to the violent and somewhat obvious conclusion, but you’ll enjoy the journey.

Beside a Burning Sea by John Shors

After reading Beneath a Marble Sky a few months ago, my book club was very eager to try out John Shors’ new book, Beside a Burning Sea. Unfortunately, it definitely didn’t grab us the way the first book did. This one is also historical fiction, set in the South Pacific during WWII and tells the story of the sinking of the Benevolence, an American hospital ship. Only nine people survive the sinking grueling swim to a nearby island; Annie and Isabelle, sisters and nurses on the ship; Joshua, the captain and Isabelle’s husband; Akira, a wounded Japanese soldier; Roger, Nathan and Jake, crewmembers; and Ratu, an 11-year old stow away. During the swim to the island, Akira risks his life to save Annie to ensure that she and Isabelle make it to shore. Once on shore, the group of stragglers forms a makeshift camp and tries to avoid drawing unfriendly attention. The overall theme of the story is a good one, but it seems to have lost something in the practical application – the ‘bad’ characters are completely evil and the ‘good’ characters are noble and true. Everyone is so one dimensional and the love story between Akira and Annie is too saccharine. I also didn’t like the Haiku’s throughout the story; I felt it was all too contrived. And if my opinion isn’t enough for you, the book club agreed. Pass on this one, but definitely check out his first.

Novels set in Iran

My previous post covered Afghanistan, so I thought this one could cover Iran.

The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer
Isaac Amin, a gem trader, is arrested at work by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards one day in September. His crime? Being Jewish in a country that is becoming more and more fanatically muslim. As Isaac languishes in jail, worried about his family and forced to watch the torture and murder of his fellow prisoners, his wife, Farnaz, struggles to keep their family from going under. Shirin, their young daughter, steals files from a friends home to keep other men out of prison, while in Brooklyn, their sond Parviz struggles to make ends meet and falls in love with the daughter of his Hasidic landlord. The dialogue is a little wooden but the story is nicely told. The end was a little too neatly wrapped up for me, but it didn't take away from the overall plot.

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi.
Azar Nafisi is a brave woman - after resigning from her position as University of Tehran professor, she invited seven of her brightest students to attend a weekly lecture on Western Literature at her home. Only women were invited and since the books they were reading had been banned by the oppressive Iranian government, they were forced to keep their meetings secret and often had to share photocopied pages of the banned books. Through Azar, we come to know her students, not revealed by name so as not to face punishment under Islamic rule. For two years this group met and debated the implications and realities of living under Islamic rule as well as the daily struggle to avoid harassment by the "morality guards." And we also learn a little about each of the novels they chose to read. Some of these are old favorites and you will
enjoy the refresher, others will prompt you to go out and get the book for yourself.

Khaled Hosseini

The Kite Runner
I don't know if there is anyone who hasn't read this book at this point but I'm going to review it, and recommend it, anyway. The Kite Runner is about Amir, the son of a wealthy businessman, and Hassan, the son of their servant. When they two boys are young, they are inseparable; they
spend their time running kites, spinning stories and being children. Until one day when their bond is broken forever by a horrific act. As Afghanistan becomes more and more unstable, Amir and his father flee to America, but Amir is still haunted by his old friend. It is his quest for forgiveness that causes him to seek out his friend, years later, and return to an Afghanistan that is now under Taliban rule. This book is so compelling and the characters so richly developed, that it is sometimes hard to remember that this is not a memoir. It will probably make you cry and will most definitely stay with you.

A Thousand Splendid Suns
From the author of The Kite Runner comes A Thousand Splendid Suns, also set in Afghanistan but this is the story of two women, Mariam and Laila, the wives of Rasheed. Mariam is forced to marry the 40-year old Rasheed when she is only 15 years old; always a cruel man, he becomes more and more vicious as the years pass and she fails to produce an heir. Eighteen years later, he brings home and marries 14-year old Laila, whose parents have been killed by rocket fire. Forced together, Mariam and Laila join forces against Rasheed, whose systematic beatings were
condoned and blessed by Islamic Law. The novel really gives you insight into such an extremely patriarchal society, where women are completely dependent on their fathers, husbands and sons. The story is so sad but also so powerful and while it wont leave you with the most positive view
of Afghanistan, it will help you realize how strong and resilient the Afghani people are.

The Fire - Katherine Neville

I promised a review of The Fire when I reviewed The Eight and here it is! This novel picks up 30 years after The Eight and is told in two narratives, one set in the 1820's and the other in the 1990's. When we first meet Alexandra, Xie, the daughter of Cat Velis and Alexander Solin, she is a 12 year old chess prodigy who lost an extremely important match due to Amaurosis Scacchistica, also known as Chess Blindness. She is given a second chance with a rematch opportunity in Russia but the game never takes place as her father is murdered after a startling discovery. 10 years later, Alexandra is summoned to her estranged mother's place in Colorado for a birthday party. When she arrives, she discovers that not only has her mother vanished but she left behind a complex series of clues, including a chessboard set up to mimic the last game Xie ever played. With the help of a cast of characters including her best friend, Key, her Basque boss, and some old favorites like Dr. Ladislaus Nim and Lily Rad. The story isn't as complex as The Eight, although that may have more to do with the fact that we now know what the Montglane Service is capable of and how dangerous it can be, but it is still enjoyable. It's fast paced and while it helps to have read The Eight, it isn't required. Although I didn't love this novel like I did The Eight, I was still entertained and would encourage you to read it.

Books I Haven't Read

I love to read as is obvious by this entire blog. I thought it might be funny to list the so-called must read books that I haven't tackled yet for one reason or another. Some are due to lack of interest, others lack of time, still others are always just too far down on the list...

Lolita (Nabokov): This is perpetually on my list, I even went so far as to request it from the library but for some reason the copy I ended up getting was in Spanish so back it went.

The Brothers Karamazov (Dostoevsky): After reading and enjoying Anna Karenina, this jumped on to the list, yet though I have the book, it just sits there, unread. Mostly because I know that it will be a commitment to read and I haven't psyched myself up for it yet. All the other Russian novels fall into this category as well - War and Peace, Crime and Punishment, etc.

A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens): I know, I know, how did I not read this in school? I think my class read Great Expectations or Great Gatsby or something else instead. So I still haven't tried this Dickens classic.

Lord of the Flies (Golding): I'm not sure how I missed out on this one but after hearing it discussed ad nauseum, I have no desire to actually read it myself.

Catch-22 (Heller): This is one I do want to read but for one reason or another I never remember that I want to read it! One day I'll remember and actually get it from the library.

Asian Inspiration

I just returned from a vacation in Asia and was inspired to read about the region. All of these are by James Clavell who I have recently rediscovered.

Noble House tells the future of the Straun family, who we were first introduced to in Tai-Pan. Now it is 1963 and Ian Straun is attempting to make one of the biggest deals in his company's history with an American Company, Par Con. Linc Bartlett and his protégé, K.C. Tcholak are the dream team behind Par Con and their arrival in Hong Kong shakes things up. Not only are they working out a deal with Straun, but behind his back, they are working out another deal with his primary competitor and arch-rival. This book is very fast paced, the entire 1000+ page novel takes place over the period of one week and you would almost not believe everything that is crammed into such a tight time frame; espionage, backstabbing, vehicle tampering, mud slides, affairs, the list goes on. The twists and turns never cease and while I didn't read King Rat until after I had read this book, some of the characters make an appearance, which I enjoyed.

King Rat is an interesting novel; it tells the story of a Japanese-run prison camp named Changi on Singapore during WW2. What I didn't realize until after reading this book, was that Clavell himself spent time in that same prison. I am not sure how much of this novel is autobiographical but I am sure some of these things were culled from his experiences at the camp. King Rat is primarily the story of the King of Changi prison, an American corporal who dominates both the captives and the guards of the camp through his courage, insight and American business practices. We also meet Peter Marlowe, a RAF captain who is befriended by the King; their relationship is interesting. At first it seems as if Peter can only be helped by the King but we later realize that they help each other. The King even saves Peter's life and at the end, Peter tries to return the favor. I wont go into any more detail than that because I don't want to give it away. This is a short book compared to Clavell's other novels and it is a quick read since the stories of the prison are so engrossing. It really makes you think - prison is a great equalizer. It doesn't really matter who you were before, but only matters who you are now.

Tai-Pan is the precursor to Noble House and is where we are first introduced to the Straun family. Here is my review.

The Baroness is on Vacation

I apologize for the lack of posts lately, but I've been getting ready for a three week vacation which starts tonight. I will be back to posting when I return. In the interim, please feel free to suggest any books you'd like to see me review.

The Wicked Years

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. If you’ve ever wondered what happened in Oz before Dorothy dropped in, this is the story for you. It tells the story of Elphaba Thropp, a child born with green skin and huge teeth, who will grow up to become the Wicked Witch of the West. But there is so much more to Elphaba than the color of her skin and some would claim she is just misunderstood – after all, before her notoriety rose, she was an animal rights activist, a nun and a nurse in her earlier years. And most importantly perhaps, a sister to Nessarose and Shell; Nessarose you’ll have heard of before – she’s the infamous Wicked Witch of the East whom Dorothy inadvertently killed. Maguire has a wicked imagination and the Oz he brings to life includes talking Animals, Munchkinlanders, Dwarves, various other tribes, and of course, humans. The story is funny and satirical and makes you think about government, religion, free will and good versus evil. And on a semi-related note – if you are a fan of the theater, please, please see Wicked on Broadway. It’s an amazing show and you will enjoy every second.

Son of a Witch. As anyone familiar with The Wizard of Oz knows, the Wicked Witch of the West is killed by Dorothy; but the death of Elphaba raises many questions and many wonder if she left behind two children instead of just her daughter, Nor. When we first meet Liir, he is hiding in the castle at Kiamo Ko, badly beaten and left for dead by his attackers. But Liir is not dead and he has Elphaba’s cape and broom; but can he use them? Is he really her son or just a poor orphan boy she cared for? Thus begin’s Liir’s quest – to determine who he is and to find his half-sister, Nor. From the mountain top castle of Kiamo Ko to Emerald City to the Thousand Year Grasslands to Southstairs, the filthy prison beneath Emerald City, Liir traverses them all to find Nor and his power. Maguire does a good job of showcasing the changes in Oz since Wicked – through several regime changes (from the Ozma’s to the Wizard to Glinda and Scarecrow) without boring those of us who read the previous book, but while still providing enough information to anyone new to the series.

A Lion Among Men. After two books dealing directly with Elphaba and her descendants, this book is a nice change of pace. Instead we meet Brrr, an emissary from Emerald City who is searching for information about the elusive Elphaba Thropp. In his quest for information, he comes across Yackle, an elderly maunt who promises information about Elphaba if Brrr provides her with his own story in return. And so we come to learn the history of the lion we have only known in relation to Dorothy; abandoned as a cub, his earliest memories are filled with loneliness until he meets Jemmsie, a young soldier caught in an animal trap and makes his first “friend.” Since is unable to save the young man, Brrr takes it upon himself to return Jemmsie’s medal of honor to his family. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done for a talking Animal; Brrr stumbles through the Ghost Swamp, inadvertently becomes implicated in the massacre of trolls, gives up on his mission of finding Jemmsie’s family, and struggles to remain free in the midst of laws oppressing talking Animals. In return, Yackle shares some of her knowledge about the Grimmerie, the magic book that vanished when Elphaba died, the Clock of the Time Dragon and Elphaba herself. This book is the ultimate battle of wits and wills and you will be forced to think about preconceived notions and wonder, can we truly change who we are?

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

The House at Riverton was recommended to me by a coworker and what a great suggestion - I actually was so caught up in the book I had to make myself put it down so that I wouldn't finish it all in one sitting. The book is narrated by Grace, and alternates between her modern day life as a 98-year old living in a retirement home, and her memories of her life at Riverton, where she started serving as a housemaid at the age of 14. It was at Riverton that Grace first met the grandchildren of the Master, David, Hannah and Emmeline and where her life becomes intertwined with theirs, especially Hannah's. Grace has kept the secrets of the Ashbury family for her entire life, starting before WW1 and right into the roaring twenties, it is only as she is in the twilight of her life that the memories start flooding back and she is almost overcome by the past. While I enjoyed the story of modern Grace, I really was caught up in the stories of the past - the characters are so well developed that you really feel like you're a part of their lives. I don't want to give too much away because I really think that any reader deserves to be surprised by all the twists and turns, I will say that the final twist at the end felt a little contrived, but overall didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. I read some reviews online and one of the reviewers said that they hoped the book was made into a movie, and I have to say I think that is a great idea, especially if they can remain true to the heart of the story. I would definitely want to see that!

The Lace Reader

I'm not exactly sure how best to describe The Lace Reader - there is so much going on and while I really enjoyed it, I'm not sure I completely understood it! Brunonia Barry's debut novel is about Towner Whitney, who leaves her self-imposed exile in California to return to her hometown of Salem, Massachussets when her favorite aunt Eva is found dead. Generations of Whitney women have a gift for seeing the future in the lace they make, and Eva was one of the best, but her shocking death is just another trauma in Towner's life. Once back in Salem, she is quickly swept up in the disappearance of a young woman who had joined a local cult whose leader was well known for his history of violence against the Whitney women. As they search for the young woman, Towner becomes wrapped up in the investigation and the cop leading it, John Rafferty. And as the story unfolds, we learn more and more about Towner's past and begin to question everything we've read so far. The ending will have you looking back throughout the book and re-reading it with a different frame of mind but whether you understand it completely or not, you'll enjoy every page.

Tai Pan by James Clavell

A while back, I reviewed Clavell's Sho-Gun, and that reiterated my interest in the author. I knew my brother had read some of his other books, so I decided to ask him for a recommendation and this was his top choice. Tai Pan is the story of Hong Kong, just after the British have taken control of the island. The main protagonist, Dirk Straun, is the Tai Pan, or supreme leader, of Noble House and the most powerful trader in China. I think one of the most interesting pieces of the story are the perceptions that each society has about each other - they both consider the other to be barbarians, incapable of understanding anything more than basic conversation and needs. Straun, like the main character in Sho-Gun, not only learns from the Chinese culture, but takes some of the teachings to heart, for example, bathing on a daily basis, which was not the norm in the 1840's. It's kind of funny looking back to see how naïve people were! The story has everything you can want in a good novel - backstabbing, love, freak weather, history, family issues, intrigue, etc. Even if you aren't interested in the time period, and I'll admit I was a little leery going in, you will still be captivated and swept up in the story.

The follow up to this story, Noble House, is one I'm going to try to read as well. It follows Straun's company into the future, and is being run by his descendants.

Overcoming Adversity

Here are a few books that have strong female characters who are struggling to overcome the adversity in their lives. They don't all have happy endings but should all have an impact on you.

The Breakdown Lane by Jacqueline Mitchard
This is the story of Julieanne Gillis, a wife and mother whose seemingly idyllic life is turned upside down almost overnight. First, her husband Leo, decides to take early retirement and move to upstate New York to live in a commune. He essentially disappears and she is left explaining things to her three children and struggling to make ends meet on her meager salary. Second, she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and has to deal with everything that entails. And as if that weren't enough, her kids take off over spring break to try to find their "lost" father. The
story alternates points of view between the characters in the book which is a storytelling technique I personally like. The story is very emotionally moving and while slightly over the top, it will still make you think about your own life and relationship, in a sort of "could this happen to me?" kind of way.

You're Not You by Michelle Wildgen
Wildgen's debut novel will pull you in from page one with the relationship between Bec, a college student drifting through school, and Kate, a young married woman suffering from final stages of ALS. Becca is hired as a caretaker for Kate and over time takes on more and more responsibilities for Kate's care from her husband, Evan. Despite her paralysis and limitations, Kate is spunky, sarcastic and at peace with her life; much more so than Becca who is floating through life, having random affairs with her professors and with no clear idea of where she wants to end up in life. Over their time together, Kate teaches Bec how to cook fancy meals and gets her involved in raising money for ALS research. Bec is forced to move into the house when Kate kicks out her husband after she learns that he's cheating on her. This is almost a taboo subject - what are the moral and ethical responsibilities of family members of the terminally ill. While Wildgen strikes a hard line, and whether or not you agree with her, at the very least it will get you talking.

The Thirteenth Tale

If you enjoy British authors, you should enjoy The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, a prototypical English novel where a plain, bookish girl finds herself in a haunted house where she must uncover the salacious family secrets hidden there. Margaret Lea is a biographer and the daughter of a bookseller. She is contacted, rather out of the blue, by the elusive Vida Winter, an aging author who has decided that it is finally time to tell her life story. A life story which no one has yet uncovered, for Vida has given 19 different versions of her life story to journalists over just the past two years! Margaret agrees and moves to Angelfied to interview the dying author. There is a hint of Jane Eyre to this novel but there are also enough differences that you aren't thinking, 'haven't I already read this?' It will keep you entranced and you will want to know the mystery behind the Thirteenth Tale.

Standing Still

This book, by Kelly Simmons, came to me via a recommendation - from the author no less! She commented on one of my blog posts here and decided that since I liked Anita Shreve, I would also like her debut novel, Standing Still. And since you all know that I rarely say no to a book, I decided to give it a chance. This novel tells the story of Claire Cooper, a forty-year old mother of three who, when encountered with a kidnapper in her daughter's room, asks him to take her instead. Oddly enough, the kidnapper agrees and the majority of the novel takes place during this time period. Claire, however, isn't your typical soccer mom; she suffers from a panic disorder, has an irrational fear of "David" and is constantly assuming that the worst is about to happen. It's ironic that it actually does happen to her but it also felt a bit too contrived. Also a lot is made of Claire's panic disorder, yet she seemed to be relatively calm throughout most of her ordeal, which didn't quite ring true. Although a good first effort, and a semi-enjoyable read, it was only OK. Where the author does a good job, however, is in the gradual transformation of Claire from helpless victim to capable, empowered adult.

Other Favorites

There are several books I've wanted to cover for awhile now and just haven't gotten to it so I thought I'd do a long post and get them all out there. These are all books that I've really enjoyed reading and are always at the top of my list when I am asked to give recommendations.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
At the beginning of this book, we meet Jacob Jankowski, a ninety-something man who lives in a nursing home and hates it. But Jacob has a story - when he was a young man, he literally ran away and joined the circus. Not Ringling Brothers, which was the standard in circuses in depression-era America, but the Benzini Brothers, a poor imitation. The book follows Jacob's life in the Circus, from the brutal to the amazing to the mundane. The animals are abused and underfed and Jacob suddenly finds himself the manager of this menagerie when it is discovered that he has some Veterinary skills. Along with Jacob, we meet some very interesting characters in the Circus from Uncle Al, who bullies people because he can, to August, the paranoid schizophrenic animal trainer, to Marlena, August's wife, whom Jacob falls in love with. It is 0bvious from the onset that Gruen has carefully researched this book; the circus language and lore is all correct and really brings the story to life. The only complaint I have with this book is the end - I felt it was a bit too contrived, although it did fit in with the rest of the story.


The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
This story is told by the two main characters, Henry De Tamble, and his wife Clare, in alternating narratives. Henry is a librarian with "Chrono Displacement" disorder: with no advance warning, he randomly disappears and reappears in either the past or the present, usually to a point in time that is of some importance in his life. When he first meets his wife Clare, she claims she has known him all her life; he, on the other hand, has never seen her before. But then in his 40's, he travels to the past and meets a 6 year old Clare. The author does a great job of describing Clare's feelings of always being the one left behind, as well as Henry's confusion around where and when he'll appear next. It's an unusual premise and while we follow Henry on his jumps through time, we still get a chance to know each of the characters and see how their
relationships develop.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
"My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973." This is how we first come to meet Susie, the narrator of this novel, while she is adjusting to a life in Heaven, where she can have anything she wants except the only thing she wants - to be alive and back with her loved ones. Throughout the next few years, Susie objectively watches while her friends and family come to terms with her death. She is even able to see her murder-rapist and while she wants him caught, she is also fascinated by him. She
watches Ray, the first and only boy to kiss her, be initially blamed for her murder while still coping with losing his first love. While the first chapter is quite graphic, the rest of the novel is really a story of observation and despite it's rather morbid start, will speak to you in many ways. It's not a story about murder, it's a story about love and forgiveness and living life, even when you don't think you can anymore.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
The pivotal moment in this novel happens at the very beginning, when Dr. David Henry is forced to deliver his twins in the midst of a snowstorm in Lexington, KY. When the doctor sees that his daughter was born with Down Syndrome, he asks the nurse, Caroline Gill to take her away. When his wife, Norah, awakens, he tells her that the other twin died during childbirth. Instead of sending Phoebe, the child, to an institution, Caroline moves to Pittsburgh and raises her as her own. David's deception is the driving force behind this novel and propels the story through the next 25 years; David is eaten away by guilt and Norah cannot stop mourning the child she never knew. While the story can get a bit preachy, the overall tone is one of compassion and acceptance and will be one you will definitely enjoy.

The Eight

I first read The Eight when I was in high school - one of my best friends gave it to me. The second time I read it was about 8 or so years ago - I found it at a bookstore and it was cheap so I bought it. The third time I read it was over the past three days - and it's just as entertaining as it has always been. Katherine Neville wrote the story over twenty years ago and has recently decided to publish a sequel, titled The Fire, which will be out in October. Because of the sequel, The Eight is getting some much deserved publicity.

The premise takes two events, in two time periods, the 1970's and 1790's, and weaves the stories together. Both are quests for the mystical Montglane chess set, once a gift to Charlemagne, which was reputedly buried at Montglane Abbey. These two women, in two very different worlds, must match wits against unknown enemies in a deadly game of chess - where the people are the game pieces. The chess set has unknown mystical powers and must be kept safe from those who would use its power for evil.

The main characters are Catherine "Cat" Velis, a 20th century, twenty-something New York City computer whiz; the other Mireille de Remy, a young novice of an 18th century French abbey. But the rest of the characters are where the fun really begins; Neville manages to incorporate some of history's greatest figures - from Catherine the Great of Russia to Napoleon Bonaparte; Muhammar Khaddafi to Voltaire and Wordsworth and Blake and Robespierre. They all come alive in this novel and all play critical roles in what is only referred to as "the game."

Even if you are not a chess fan, you can't help but be drawn into the story; I don't even know how to play chess but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. Neville is a masterful storyteller and I would not be surprised if Dan Brown had read this book before writing The Da Vinci Code since the underlying premise is similar - the quest for the holy grail.

I will definitely review The Fire when it comes out - but until then, you have some time to sit down and enjoy The Eight.

The Book Thief

The reason I originally requested this book from the library is because I came across it while searching for WWII historical fiction. It's classified as a Young Adult novel but as you know, that certainly doesn't stop me from reading something!

The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, follows the story of Liesel, a nine year old girl who is being taken by her mother to a foster family in Molching, Germany. Liesel arrives at her new home, she is clutching a stolen copy of "The Gravediggers Handbook" even though she is unable to read. It is with this book that her foster father teaches her to read and starts Liesel's love affair with books. Throughout the years, Liesel comes to love her new family and collects both more books (mostly stolen of course) and a motley assortment of friends - a Jewish refugee, a blond haired boy who thinks he could be Jesse Owens, the Mayor's wife, and most importantly, her foster father. The book is narrated by death, oddly enough, and it adds a very interesting subtext to the novel. This is a book that will definitely give you something to think about and you will truly care for the characters by the end. I highly recommend it to all and as an added bonus, it would be a great discussion book for any book club.

Breaking Dawn

I promised a review of the last book in the Twilight series once I'd read it and I can finally say I got my hands on a copy of Breaking Dawn. I've been in the library queue since the book first came out and it was such a hot commodity it took that long to get it to me. Anyway, Breaking Dawn picks up the story of Bella and Edward with their marriage soon after graduating high school. I won't get in to all the plot details because I would hate to ruin the story for anyone who hasn't read it, but needless to say, I feel like Stephenie Meyer did a good job wrapping up the series. I did feel like Bella had it a little too easy in the book - especially after all the postponements of marriage and even sex in the first three novels. A few pages into this one, and bam, the two of them are quickly checked off the list. Overall, though, I enjoyed the story, especially Bella coming into her own and the return of the infamous Voltari, Even if Meyer did wrap everything up a bit too neatly, I would still recommend the book to anyone who is reading the series - you have to find out how it ends after all, don't you?

Library - A Book Lover's Best Friend

If I could afford to buy every book I've ever read, I'd have to be a millionaire many times over. And I used to spend an inordinate amount of money on books, but I've gotten smarter as I've gotten older. One of the greatest recommendations I can make is to embrace your local library. I
belong to two where I live - New York Public Library and Queens Public Library. Both allow me to feed my reading addiction without going into debt. There is a branch right near my office and though it is small, they have access to every book in the collection. If it's not on site, I can go online and request it and they'll send it there for me to pick up. It's so easy and most of the time doesn't take that long (popular releases are a different story!). So if you don't currently belong to your local library, go out and join today, it is so worth it!

Carol Goodman

There are a few authors I keep an eye on because I consistently enjoy their books and Carol Goodman is one of them. One of the things I like most about her books is the way she interweaves historical information into them so even though I'm always entertained by the story, I also feel like I learn a little something. Her most recent endeavor, The Night Villa tells the story of UT Professor Sophie Chase who joins an expedition to uncover a villa in Herculaneum that was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. The story has a twist, as do all of her novels, involving a gunman, a sinister cult and an ex-boyfriend, which will leave you entertained and wanting more. If you enjoy this, I would also recommend her other novels, The Sonnet Lover, The Drowning Tree, The Ghost Orchid, The Seduction of Water, and The Lake
of Dead Languages.

I Love History!

History was always one of my favorite subjects in school and that has translated into a love of historical fiction, although I am especially drawn to two periods in history - Elizabeth I and WWII. In that spirit, here are some books that will entertain you, and you just might learn something too.

The first book is one that I read for the first time so long ago and may be what originally started my obsession with Elizabeth I. It's Legacy by Susan Kay and although she takes some liberties mixing history with imagination, it is a very entertaining read. Sensationalistic, yes, but entertaining nonetheless. The second is Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens by Jane Dunn. This novel traces the history and success of two queens who ruled in male dominated societies and although the two cousins never met, their lives were incredibly interconnected. If you want others in this genre, I can also recommend I, Elizabeth (Rosalind Miles), Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles (Margaret George) and The Other Boleyn Girl (Philippa Gregory).

Along the WWII theme, I can recommend several books. The first, Skeletons at the Feast (Chris Bohjalian) tells the story of a Germany family who flees across Germany with a Scottish POW. Along the way they join forces with a Jewish escapee from an Auschwitz-bound train and are hoping to reach the Allied forces before being overtaken by the dreaded Russians. The next is A Thread of Grace (Mary Doria Russell) about a group of Jewish refugees who are escorted into a small Italian town for safe keeping, only to discover that Mussolini has surrendered Italy to Hilter, putting them into danger once again. The story tells us of a little known group of Italian citizens who sheltered over 40,000 Jews from work camps or execution. And some others you may enjoy are The Reader (Bernard Schlink), The Resistance (Anita Shreve) or The Key to Rebecca, Hornet Flight or Jackdaws (Ken Follett).

The rest of these have nothing to do with WWII or Elizabeth I but are great reads in their own right and will introduce you to other places and times. The first is the Into the Wilderness Series by Sara Donati. These are kind of similar to the Outlander series, only these take place primarily in United States post-Revolutionary War. There are several novels in this series and it traces one family, the Bonners, throughout their lives and the lives of their children. The next is James Clavell's Shogun - a story about Japan in the late 16th century and the English "barbarians" who washed ashore one day. The descriptions of the Japanese society and culture of the time are amazing and almost breathtaking; it's really eye opening to read about the differences between the Westerners and the Japanese. The final recommendation is another series - the Earth Children series by Jean M. Auel. There are five books in the series and they tell the story of the dawn of modern humans in Ayla, a cro-magnon girl growing up in the ice age, whose family is lost in an earthquake. She is picked up by a traveling clan of neanderthals looking for a new home and thus her story and struggle begin.

Not Just for Young Adults

I just finished reading the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series and was so pleasantly surprised by the level of writing. While technically classified as Young Adult, I didn't feel like they were written at to a lower reading level at all - in fact the stories were extremely entertaining. It made me think, what other YA series are so good that they transcend the label? Here are a few to get you started:

The Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares: The first book in this series introduces us to Tibby, Bridget, Lena and Carmen, four girls who have been friends since before they were born, and who are about to spend their first ever summer apart. But on the day before they are to scatter, they discover a pair of pants, bought at a vintage store that miraculously fit all of them perfectly, despite their different body types and heights. They determine to send these magic pants to each other throughout the summer to help keep in touch and remain close. The chapters are narrated by the different girls and you get a feel for each of their different voices. This is maintained throughout the rest of the series, through which we get to see the girls grow up both together and apart. Series: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Second Summer of the Sisterhood, Girls in Pants, Forever in Blue.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery: This is an oldie but goodie - and hopefully there aren't many of you out there who haven't already devoured this series. Although technically there are 8 books in the series, the first 6 are the ones most read. They tell the story of Anne (with an E) Shirley, who was recently adopted by the Cuthbert's on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Ann has carrot red hair, is incredibly smart, and talks and dreams way too much. Ann is essentially an every-girl if there is such a thing. The series tracks her from a young girl of 11 throughout her entire life, to when she is a mother herself. If you haven't read them, or haven't in awhile, please do yourself a favor and check them out. Books: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside, Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside

The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud: These are along the same lines of the His Dark Materials or Harry Potter series' in that they definitely have a fantasy slant, but these definitely enough of a difference to make these fresh and interesting. Nathaniel is a boy magician who is apprenticed to Arthur Underwood, an inferior magician, who mostly ignores him. That is until Nathanial insults the famous magician Simon Lovelace, in public no less, and Underwood is too pathetic to help him. Angry and disgusted, Nathaniel throws himself into the task of learning as much magic as possible and summons a very powerful djinni, Bartimaeus, to help exact his revenge. The trilogy continues on from there with Nathaniel making friends and enemies along
the way and ends with an epic showdown between Nathaniel and Lovelace. You'll definitely enjoy the dark humor and will find yourself rooting for and against the various characters. Books: The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, Ptolemy's Gate

And of course, I'll reference again the Harry Potter Series and the Twilight Series.

Philip Roth

Some people are obsessed with Philip Roth, especially Portnoy's Complaint and American Pastoral. I never read the first, but did read the second and really didn't get the attraction. It was an OK novel, I guess, but I struggled to really get into the story, even though my roommate at the time was practically disowning me for not loving the book. However, there is one of his books that I absolutely loved and want you all to read... immediately!

It's The Plot Against America and I first read it back in 2003 right before the election and the eeriness of it all made the hairs on my neck stand up.

The book is the ultimate "what-if" scenario; what if Charles Lindbergh had defeated Franklin Roosevelt for the presidency in 1939? Lindbergh had the sympathy of the public behind him after the kidnapping of his son, and was already popular due to his aviation heroics. However, once in office, Lindbergh exhibited blatant antisemitism and ends up creating nationwide pogroms. The story is narrated by a Jewish boy growing up in Newark, NJ and is both gripping and touching.

You will be captivated from the first page and despite the fact that the novel takes place 70 years ago, there are some scary parallels to today.

A quick read

I just finished reading a cute, short young adult book called The Midnight Twins by Jacqueline Mitchard. It's the story of twin girls, Mally and Merry, who are born on different days in different years, even though they're only minutes apart. They've always been able to read each others thoughts and communicate in "twin talk" but on their 13th birthday their lives change in the midst of a fire and they suddenly have powers beyond anything they'd ever thought possible. It's a pretty short book, I finished it in a couple hours today, and I just found out that it's the first book in a planned trilogy.

Non-Fiction that reads like fiction

I don't often read non-fiction and I'm not quite sure why. Probably because most of the non-fiction titles I see are usually biographies or autobiographies and for the most part, that just doesn't interest me. Which I find kind of interesting since history in general fascinates me. Despite my less than enthusiastic response to the genre, I have found several non-fiction books that I have enjoyed. So for those of you who aren't into fiction, these books should interest you.

The first two are by James Bradley and are both true accounts of the pacific theater in WWII:

Flags of our Fathers tells the story of the historic flag raising on Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. It not only tells us the history of the flag raising itself, but also delves into the back stories of the men who raised it. One of the men who was immortalized in the famous picture, was the author's father, John Bradley. It was only after his father's death that the author discovered the role he'd
played.

Flyboys is about the rise of the US Air Force, and the pivotal role they played in the battles of the pacific theater, specifically the battle of Chichi Jima. Many men were shot down that day; one was rescued by a submarine and went on to become President. Eight others were captured by Japanese troops and until this book came out, the story of what happened to them was never revealed.

Three Cups of Tea tells the story of one man whose failure led to his success. In 1993, Mortenson was trying to climb K2 when he became too ill to continue on. He spent seven weeks recuperating in the tiny Pakistani town of Korphe. In return for their generosity, he pledged to build the first school in the impoverished town. The story tells the tale of the author's struggles to fulfill on that promise and the eventual development of the Central Asia Institute whose mission is to fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and increase access to education, especially for girls.

Night by Elie Weisel is, as one reviewer put it, "the longest short book I've read." Weisel tells his own story of the concentration camps and the survivor's guilt that followed him. It's not a long book but the sparsity of it makes that much more of an impact. I just don't have the words to adequately describe this book so please, read and discover it for yourself.

Ken Follett's Masterpieces

A few years ago, my brother was reading a book and when he finished, he handed it to me, stating that I'd love it. We were on vacation and I started reading it immediately and couldn't put it down the rest of the trip. The book was Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth, first written in 1989; you may not have realized that the book was almost 20 years old since it's had a huge resurgence lately thanks to Oprah's book club. Part of the frenzy was driven by the fact that Follett was about to release a sequel to his popular novel. The original story follows a group of people in Kingsbridge, England and the challenges associated with building a cathedral in medieval England. I decided that in order to follow World Without End, the sequel, I should reread POTE and was honestly a bit apprehensive - would it hold up over time? Would I enjoy it as much this time around? The answer is a resounding YES! And WWE is a worthwhile successor; not a sequel in the traditional sense since it picks up about 200 years after the ends of POTE, but it is still
Kingsbridge, and the characters are the descendants of those we came to know, love, respect and in some instances, hate. While both books are hefty, the story is very engrossing, and you will come to care deeply about these characters.

If you enjoy these two, try also Ildefonso Falcones' Cathedral of the Sea, about a cathedral in Barcelona or John Shors' Beneath a Marble Sky, about building the Taj Mahal.

Big books that are worth the effort

As an extremely fast reader, the size of a book has never intimidated me, but I know that isn't the case with everyone. Because of that, I'd like to recommend some big books that will draw you in and will be totally worth the effort.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova: We've all heard of Vlad the Impaler, more commonly known as Dracula, but how much is truth and how much is conjecture? That's essentially the question that Kostova attempts to answer in this novel. The best way to describe it is to say it's the history of Dracula, if Dracula existed. It's both creepy and and beautiful at the same time and while this is a novel, Kostova intersperses the true atrocities of Vlad the Impaler so well, that sometimes you can't tell what is real and what isn't.

Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon: I won't rehash my previous post but will just reemphasize how much I enjoy this series.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke: Mr. Norrell is a magician in early 1800's England who is attempting to demonstrate England's superiority in the Magical Arts by changing the course of the Napoleanic Wars. But despite his achievements, Norrell is almost forgettable, a fact that is emphasized when he is upstaged by his apprentice, the glamorous Jonathan Strange. It's kind of a mix of fantasy and history and as one reviewer put it, is an echanting, epic tale.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: This one may be a bit more difficult than the others because the slave dialogue can be a bit difficult to follow at first, but the story of Scarlett will draw you in until you are part of the story. If you enjoy it, I recommend Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley, which is an unofficial sequel. If you want the officially sanctioned sequel, read Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig; personally I preferred Scarlett, but that's just me.

The Stand by Stephen King: I'm not usually a King fan, horror scares me too much and since he's so good at it, I prefer to skip his stuff, good though they may be. However, The Stand is a very worthwhile exception to this rule. It's the story of the apocalypse; a mutating flu virus rapidly wipes out over 99% of the world's population. While this also has some scary moments it's because in the back of your mind, you can't help but think, "could this actually happen."

My Favorite Authors

As an avid reader, there are many, many authors that I keep up with to find out when they're releasing something new. But just because I follow him/her, doesn't mean that I consider that author to be one of my favorites. Most of these will sound familiar to you because I've mentioned them before in earlier posts. Here are some that I would recommend to anyone:

John Irving: A Widow for One Year is my favorite of John Irving's novels, but there are so many good ones to choose from that rather than list them all for you here, I will just say, pick any of his book, you're guaranteed to enjoy it. I went to a reading of Until I Find You when it first came out and while I was in line to get my book signed, I chatted with some of the other people in line; what intrigued me is each of us had a different favorite novel, and it was always the first one of his we'd read.

J.K. Rowling: Since I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, I had to include JKR. I'm such a fan that I went to see her read from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at Carnegie Hall last October, and even got a signed copy of the book! Anyway, her imagination just astounds me, the stories will draw you in and they're the epitome of good versus evil.

Diana Gabaldon: Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres, and Diana's research is flawless. You could not get a more accurate description of Jacobite Scotland unless you dropped in there yourself. And the plot is so engrossing, despite the fact that the series is huge and continuing to grow. I eagerly wait for each new book to come out so I can continue the story of Jamie, Claire, Brianna and Roger.

Nelson DeMille: If you like thrillers, you'll really enjoy Nelson DeMille. He's a New York native which makes his novels especially interesting for me because a lot of them take place in the NYC metro area. It's always fun to read about someplace you're familiar with. But if you're not from this area, don't let that deter you from picking up one of his books. Several of his books follow the same character which I enjoy since I always miss characters when the novel is over, but you don't have to read them in order to understand the plot.

Dan Brown: If the only thing you've read by Dan Brown is The DaVinci Code, then you definitely need to grab Angels & Demons. He is another author who does meticulous research, although in his case, I think he tweaks some of it to suit his story, versus the other way around. But despite the controversy surrounding his novels, the man can write and if his new book, which rumor has titled The Soloman Key, ever comes out, I'll be first in line to buy it.

Tear Jerkers

Here are a few books that will probably make you cry. They made me cry, and it takes a lot for me to cry at a book, but these stories will tug at your heartstrings.

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult: I have recommended this book to every single one of my friends, my sister, my mom, etc. It's so good and so sad and the story of two sisters touch anyone, whether you have a sister yourself or not. This is the story of Kate and Anna; Kate has leukemia and Anna was conceived to be a genetic match for her big sister. After one invasive procedure too many, Anna hires a lawyer to sue her parents for the right to make her own decisions about her body. This book raises some really thought-provoking questions, but it also is a great story. I think this is by far Jodi's best book, although I also enjoyed Nineteen Minutes and Vanishing Acts.

All We Know of Heaven by Jacqueline Mitchard: I got this book from the library originally ecause I was intrigued by the premise - I had recently seen something similar on the news and was curious as to whether or not this was a true story. This is another story about two girls, best friends Bridget and Maureen, and the path their lives follow after a tragic car accident that leaves one of them dead and the other in a coma. The aftermath of the accident shatters both families but also has an impact on everyone who was close to the girls. I always enjoy Jacqueline Mitchard's books and some of my other favorites of hers are A Theory of Relativity, The Breakdown Lane, and her most well known, The Deep End of the Ocean.

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving: Owen Meany is a tiny boy with an oddly strange voice who one day accidently kills his best friend's mom when he hits her with a baseball. Oh, and of course, Owen believes he's an instrument of God. The narrator of this book, Johnny, is Owen's best friend and while the novel jumps around between past and present, it never ceases to hold your interest. You'll definitely have a hard time putting it down and you'll never forget it. I love John Irving - I don't think I've ever read a book of his that I haven't really enjoyed and although my favorite is A Widow for One Year, nothing, and I mean nothing, comes close causing to the emotional response you'll have while reading Owen Meany.

Losing Julia by Jonathan Hull: This is a book I never would have found if it weren't for a recommendation from a work colleague and I'm forever grateful. Patrick is an old man, 81, and living in a nursing home in California. This novel is written as Patrick diary and is told in three sections - the end of his life, back to the trenches of WWI and finally to Paris, after the war where he meets Julia. The author doesn't pull any punches and the narrative is both illuminating and heartbreaking. If you enjoy this one, try The Distance from Normandy.

Fabulous Series'

I'm a huge fan of series' - I love the idea that even though I've finished a book, I haven't finished with the characters or their stories. There are so many series I've read that I could never even remember, much less recommend, them all but here are a few that are worth the additional investment.

Harry Potter: I'm sure no one is surprised by this choice, as it's rather obvious, but J.K. Rowling's world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry comes alive throughout the seven books in this series. I won't rehash the plot since I doubt there's anyone on earth who hasn't already heard it all. I will leave you with this - don't think that if you saw the movies, you know the story. It simply isn't true - the books are way too long and full of detail for any movie to completely address. (Titles: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince, Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows)

Lord of the Rings: Another no-brainer although in this case, I feel like the movies are pretty true to the books, so you probably have an idea of what J.R.R. Tolkein was writing about. Any land full of Elves, Hobbits, Ents and Orcs is going to be entertaining, and the trilogy really draws you in. If you aren't sure if you're ready for the entire world of Middle Earth, start small with The Hobbit. If you like it, and I think you will, you'll be ready to join Frodo and Sam on their journey to Mordor. (Titles: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King)

His Dark Materials: Some of you may be familiar with the first book in this trilogy, The Golden Compass, thanks to the recent movie release. Unfortunately for you, the movie kind of ruined the story for me. Philip Pullman tells of worlds superimposed, for lack of a better word, on top of each other. People are living in these words simultaneously but with slight differences, and there are small portals between the worlds. Although technically a young adult series, it has deeper themes addressing religion and friendship, which are applicable to readers of all ages. (Titles: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass)

Twilight: A rather new phenomenon, the Twilight series is the love story of a human and a vampire and all the craziness that that entails. Bella Swan is a high schooler who moves from Arizona to Forks, WA to live with her dad. There she meets Edward and Jacob, the two boys who love her. Unfortunately for them, she can only love one back, despite the concequences. And there are consequences. Stephenie Meyer is considered by some to be the next JKR and the third book in the series, Eclipse, even knocked HP7 off the number one spot at Amazon last summer. The fourth, and final, book in the series just came out and I wish I could say that I liked the ending, but I haven't read it yet. I'll be sure to update this when I do! (Titles: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn)

Outlander: This series was only supposed to be 5 books long. Then six, then seven, now eight! But the story itself is so compelling that I certainly can't fault Diana Gabaldon for continuing the series. Whenever someone asks me about these books, I never know quite how to explain them...are they Historical Fiction or Sci-Fi or Romance? Well, I guess the most honest answer is that they're all three. Claire is a nurse who is on a delayed honeymoon with her husband in Scotland after WWII when she decides to take a morning walk to some standing stones. As she nears the stones, she hears an odd sound; as she gets closer to investigate, she walks under the stone and passes out. When she wakes up, she's still in Scotland, but 18th Century Scotland. There she meets Jamie Fraser - the man she would eventually marry. I won't go into further detail here, but while the original premise is a bit odd, falling through time, it all works within the confines of the novels and though the books are huge, they're so engrossing. (Titles: Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, An Echo in the Bone, Book 8)

My Favorite Book

I get asked this question a lot so I thought I'd get it out of the way early - my all time favorite book is Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With The Wind." I first read it when I was in 6th grade and have read it so many times since then, I've lost count. It's one of those books that I can read anytime, and can open the book to anywhere in the story, and just pick it up from there.

The movie, if that's all you know of the GWTW story, doesn't even come close to doing the story justice. The movie Scarlett is shallow, vain and self-centered and while that is true of the book as well, the book does an excellent job of also showcasing her strengths, which I don't think the movie addresses.

I won't rehash the story since most people know it, but I will encourage everyone to go out and read it. Even though it is a hefty book, it is more than worth the time.

Other info: 1,048 pages, hardcover and paperback versions available

Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro

I decided to start off with a book that really makes you think - "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. Ishiguro also wrote "The Remains of the Day," which if you read the book (or saw the movie) was set at a manor house in post WWII England. With "Never Let Me Go," he returns to England, this time to a boarding school in the mid-90's.

Ruth, Kathy and Tommy were students at Hailsham, a boarding school in the English countryside where the teachers were always reminding the students how special they were. Years later, the three are reunited and begin to realize exactly what made them special, and how it will alter the rest of their lives.

One of my favorite parts about this book is the beginning - it draws you in with what you think is a story about any boarding school in England. It takes you awhile to realize that not all is as it seems.

This would make an excellent pick for any book club as it definitely gives you a lot to think about and discuss.

Other info: 304 pages; paperback and hardback versions available.

Welcome and a little about me

I decided to start this blog to provide book recommendations and reviews to the people who are always asking me for suggestions. And since I somehow have a knack for suggesting books people like, I thought this would be the easiest way to spread the word.

I've been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. One of my best book memories is being curled up on a chair in my family room reading "Gone With The Wind" over a two day span. I was 12 years old. Since then I haven't slowed down; in fact, I can read close to 100 pages an hour. But because of that, I've realized that I can't afford to be too picky when it comes to picking books. So I read anything and everything, from Harry Potter to Anna Karenina.

So welcome one and all, and hopefully you'll find a book here that you can't wait to read!