The Baroness of Books

The Millennium Trilogy

2010-05-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard of these books, you are seriously missing out. Stieg Larsson is a Swedish author and journalist who became most famous outside his native Sweden via the posthumous publication of his Millennium Trilogy. The trilogy introduces us to Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist with a passion for exposes and Lisbeth Salander, punk hacker extraordinaire with a chip on her shoulder. In the first book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the two team up to solve the mystery of the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, who vanished from her island home 40 years ago. I don't want to give too much away so let's just say that this odd couple teams up to solve the case and we discover a lot about the Vanger's and about these two characters throughout the course of the novel. The second novel, The Girl Who Played with Fire, delves more deeply into Salander's history and we learn more about her. This novel involves Blomkvist teaming up with investigative journalists to bring to light a sex trafficking ring involving high ranking Swedish politicians. Salander has, meanwhile, cut off all contact with Mikael after the completion of their previous case, the Harriet Vanger disappearance. The final book, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, picks up right where the last one left off. Because of that, I'm not going to give any details, I do not want to spoil the books for anyone. But know this, these novels are amazing - the depth that Larsson gives to his characters makes them real, you feel their every emotion. I cannot more highly recommend these and have done so to anyone and everyone looking for a book. And without a doubt, all have agreed that they're phenomenal. The real tragedy is Larsson's premature death; apparently his original goal was to publish 10 novels. We can at least be glad he finished three before he died.

Oh and if you're interested, these books have been made into movies in Sweden and are making the rounds in the US (subtitled in English of course). Please see them if they come to your city!

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

2010-03-18T15:28:00.001-07:00

So you all know that I love reading about the Tudor’s so of course, when I heard about Wolf Hall, I had to check it out. This book takes a slightly different approach – instead of focusing on Anne Boleyn or King Henry VIII or even Queen Elizabeth I, this one focuses on Thomas Cromwell, a man who was an advisor to King Henry. Cromwell’s rise to power was interesting, to say the least. He came to the Kings attention because of his role as advisor to Cardinal Wolsey. Once Wolsey was killed as a traitor, yhou would expect that anyone he was protecting, or anyone who was loyal to him, would be taken down as well. But somehow Cromwell made himself ever more useful to the King and Court. This book covers a point in time from when Henry is first thinking of divorcing Katherine, to right after Anne’s first miscarriage. We never see her downfall, or Cromwell’s, for that matter. But that doesn’t make this book any less interesting and intriguing.

The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry

2010-03-15T05:03:00.000-07:00

Cotton Malone strikes again! I love these Steve Berry books because they’re easy to read, there’s always a bit of history woven in, so I feel like I’m learning something without having to try, and they’re entertaining to boot. The Paris Vendetta was no different; this time Cotton and Henrik Thorvaldsen, his Danish billionaire friend, uncover a plot to disrupt the world’s financial systems. At the same time, Henrik has discovered exactly who was responsible for his son’s murder, two years earlier. At the same time, we learn about a quest to discover the treasure Napoleon supposedly smuggled out of his island prison on St. Helena and which was discovered and subsequently lost by the Nazi’s during WWII. These books are relatively fast paces and always entertaining.

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y. K. Lee

2010-02-15T07:03:00.001-08:00

This was our book club pick for January and it was another great find. The Piano Teacher is set in two separate time periods that are intertwined and trade off the narrative as the story progresses. The title character is Claire Pendleton, a newly married Englishwoman who relocates with her husband, Martin, to Hong Kong in 1952. There, after taking a job as a piano teacher to a wealthy Chinese family, the Chen’s, she meets Will Truesdale, their chauffer. As she and Will become closer, parts of Will’s past start to come out and it becomes evident that there is more to Will than meets the eye. It is Will who is the focus of the story told in 1941. There, also fresh off the boat to Hong Kong, he meets Trudy Liang, a beautiful and wealthy girl of mixed race, she’s half Portuguese and half Chinese. These two characters make for an interesting juxtaposition; mixed race people are usually looked down upon and slighted, however Trudy’s wealth allows her entrance into many places she would not otherwise be welcome. This was a tumultuous time, World War 2 was underway and everyone was impacted, especially Hong Kong, which came under Japanese rule. I love historical fiction in general, so I really enjoyed this book. It moves at a good clip and the stories, while not perfect, are intertwined nicely.

Been Here a Thousand Years by Venezia Mariolina

2010-02-08T16:45:00.001-08:00

Been Here a Thousand Years follows the Falcone family over several generations. We are first introducted to Don Francesco Falcone, a powerful man who has six daughters with his mistress, Concetta, before she finally bears him a son. These women and their children are really the heart of this story. This story is mostly told through Gioia, the fifth-gernation Falcone through stories she heard over and over again as a child. Venezia paints a vivid picture of the Italian countryside and also deftly interweaves bits of Italian history into the story. This book was originally published in Italy and this is a translation; obviously I didn’t read the original but I do not feel like anything was lost in translation. It’s a powerful and moving story.

Amazon Kindle

2010-02-03T16:43:00.001-08:00

This won’t be my typical book write up review, instead I’ve decided to review my new Kindle. This is the type of device that I would swear was invented with me in mind. I love to read, and I read fact. Because of that, I always take several books with me on vacation so I won’t run out of good reading material. Unfortunately, that leads to a lot of extra weight in my baggage, especially for a long trip. Enter the Kindle – I got it for Christmas and while it won’t replace the library for everyday reading, it’s already making my life easier for travel. I can take 10 books along with me in the same space as just one! That to me is just amazing. The Kindle isn’t perfect though, it can take up to ½ second to turn the page; not a lot of time, no, but still noticable. Also you can’t share books on the Kindle, which is, in my opinoin, the biggest downside. From what I understand of the competition, the Nook from B&N allows lending of books – while you lend it out, you cannot read it. That is an acceptable compromise to me, sicne if I lent out a real book, I couldn’t read it either. I am really hopefully that Amazon will jump on that bandwagon sooner rather than later. That said, I don’t know if I’d buy one for myself – I love it, don’t get me wrong, but it’s still pretty pricey at $259. which is why I’m happy mine was a gift – all the goodness, none of the guilt. If you’re like me, definitely consider the investment, or get someone to invest in one for you.

The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King

2010-01-15T20:37:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to read this series for awhile now, and kept putting it off. Finally I got the first book, The Gunslinger, from the library and read it. And wow, I was blown away and definitely wanted to keep going. So I got the rest of the books from the library and spent five days over the long weekend reading the next six books in the series. And these are not small books, but they are just so engaging, that I couldn’t put them down. I read while I worked out, while I ate, while I watched football, while I did practically everything. A quick synopsis is all I can give you since these books are so detailed, but I’ll do my best to get you hooked. These books are the story of Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger of Gilead. Gilead is in Mid-World, which calls to mind the Old West with a bit of magic thrown in. Mid-World was once inhabited by the “Old People” whose knowledge allowed for technological advances, but that knowledge has since been lost. Roland’s lifelong quest is to find the Dark Tower, to stop the rest of the universes from coming undone and ending all life. Throughout his journey, Roland picks up a band of misfits who become his ka-tet, a group of people bound together by a shared destiny. This group consists of Eddie Dean, a former heroin addict, Susannah Dean, a woman who lost her legs in a NYC Subway accident, Jake Chambers, an 11-year old from New York, and Oy, a bumbler from Mid-World. As I stated before, these books are complicated and I won’t try to synopsize every last detail; just know this, if you liked Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, you will love this series. Even if you’re not a Stephen King fan, this isn’t like his horror novels, this is more along the lines of the Green Mile or The Stand.

For a bit of history – Stephen King wrote the Gunslinger in 1970, although it wasn’t published until 1984. The last book in the series, The Dark Tower, came out in 2004. Part of his motivation for finally finishing the series was the car accident in Maine in June of 1999 that nearly killed him. If you pick up the paperbacks of these novels, you will be able to read all about it yourself, as King has provided a foreword and afterward for each novel, describing his thought process.

Book 1 - The Gunslinger

Book 2 - The Drawing of the Three

Book 3 - The Waste Lands

Book 4 - Wizard and Glass

Book 5 - Wolves of the Calla

Book 6 - Song of Susannah

Book 7 - The Dark Tower

Pursuit of Honor by Vince Flynn

2010-01-13T17:12:00.001-08:00

I won’t spend a lot of time on Pursuit of Honor, it’s another Mitch Rapp novel and this time picks up where Flynn’s last novel left off. Terrorists have struck the United States again, and it’s up to Rapp to find them and bring them to justice. Or maybe subject them to his own form of justice. These books aren’t literary greats, but are decent thrillers. If you want to kill a couple hours with a decent book that won’t tax your brain overmuch, this should fit the bill. If you want something deep and satisfying, look elsewhere.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2010-01-08T05:03:00.001-08:00

The Help was our book club selection for January and was definitely one of the best books we’ve picked since we’ve started. It’s really a story about writing a story; about the guilt southern whites have for exploiting the black people who made their lives so much simpler. Specifically, this is the story of Skeeter Phelan, an Ole Miss graduate who moves back in with her parents. She and her friends spend their days playing bridge, and joining the Junior League. When one of her friends, Hilly, makes a huge to-do over the ‘help’ using the same toilets as their employers, Skeeter is suddenly struck by the unfairness of life for a black person in Mississippi in 1962. She decides to write a book, with the help of the maids of Jackson, Mississippi, talking about their experiences. But these are dangerous times for anyone to challenge the status quo, black or white, and while Skeeter is able to get one maid to help out, Aibileen, she is at first unable to convince any others to tell their tales. It finally takes the death of some high profile civil rights figures to get the rest of the maids to agree. While some of the tales are disheartening, some are also uplifting, and Skeeter ends up knowing so much about the people who make up her community. This book tackles some heavy topics but doesn’t leave you feeling down. It’s also a definite page turner and I have a feeling if you pick it up, you’ll have a hard time putting it down.

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

2010-01-04T15:15:00.001-08:00

I’d been looking forward to this book ever since I heard it was coming out; as someone who loved The Time Traveler’s Wife, I couldn’t wait to see what else Niffenegger had in store for me. But Her Fearful Symmetry was a surprise – it’s nothing like TTW and I still can’t say whether or not I liked it. this is at it’s heart, a ghost story that also tries to be a love story. When Elspeth Noblin dies, in a final act of spite against her estranged twin sister Edie, she leaves everything to her 20-year old twin nieces, Valentina and Julia. The twins decide to move to London, to their new flat outside Highgate Cemetery in a building that is also occupied by two other tenants – Robert, Elspeth’s lover, and Martin, a man suffering from extreme OCD. But the twins aren’t that interested in London, they’re more interested in getting to know Elspeth, who is now haunting her old apartment. And Elspeth notes with interest that Robert is bcoming more and more attracted to her young niece, Valentina. While Valentina starts to pull away from her twin, Julia becomes jealous and disapproving, leading Valentina to come up with a plan to allow her to live her own life. Of course, this plan goes south, as these things often do, and the outcome is a weird twist that you will probably see coming. I don’t know if I should recommend this book or not, there’s just something so weird about it. I think anyone who reads this after having read and loved Time Traveler’s Wife will be sorely disappointed.

The Lost Hours by Karen White

2009-12-24T13:27:00.001-08:00

This was my book club’s choice for October and while it was entertaining, it definitely wasn’t a great book club choice, in my opinion. In The Lost Hours we meet Piper Mills, an ex-equestrian champion who is nursing her near fatal injuries at her grandparent’s house. Her grandfather has recently died and her grandmother is living in a home and suffering from Alzheimer’s. As she pokes around the home she’s inherited, she discovers a key to a room that doesn’t exist. That leads her to discover a hidden room in the attic and she remembers watching her grandfather bury a box in the backyard when she was 12. When she digs up the box, she finds pages from a scrapbook, a charm necklace and a newspaper article from 1939. The scrapbook tells the story of three friends growing up in the 1930’s and each charm on the necklace has its own story. After Piper’s grandmother dies, she struggles to understand her story and she reaches out to the only one of the three friends who is still living. But Piper is afraid to ask questions as herself and instead goes to Asphodel Meadows under her “real” name, which is unknown and gets to know the family. There she finds more answers than she knew she was looking for and finally begins to heal, both in body and in spirit. This is a decent book and worth a few hours of your time.

Vision in White and Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

2009-12-20T19:19:00.001-08:00

These are the first two novels in Roberts’ new Bride Quartet and are her traditional fare – boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy screws up, boy apologizes and boy and girl live happily ever after. This is the pattern Nora Roberts books usually follow and these are no exception. These are the story of four friends who grew up together and as adults started Vows, a full service wedding service. Mackenzie, the focus of Vision in White, is the company photographer; Emmaline, the star of Bed of Roses, manages the floral arrangements. Laurel, the celebrity pastry chef, will be the subject of the next book and Parker, the coordinator extraordinaire, will finish the quartet. These aren’t meant to be heavy reading but if you like a little fluff in your day, check these out.

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

2009-12-15T06:31:00.001-08:00

This book certainly packs a punch and if you read it, you’ll be quickly drawn into the story and will have a hard time putting it down. The Weight of Silence takes place in Willow Creek, Iowa, where one morning, 7-year-old Calli and her best friend Petra both go missing on the same morning. The challenge is that Calli hasn’t spoken a word in over three years, ever since the day her mother miscarried. A manhunt is quickly launched and Calli’s brother, Ben is pulled into the search, which focuses on the woods behind Calli’s house. The stories of the missing girls is interwoven with the story of the search, which is being led by the local sherrif, Loras Louis, who is still in love with Calli’s mother. This isn’t a happy novel and covers some serious topics but would be a great book club pick, as it offers you a lot to discuss. And even though the subject matter is heavy, the author does a good job of keeping things from becoming overly emotional.

True Blue by David Baldacci

2009-12-11T05:01:00.000-08:00

True Blue is Baldacci’s latest and this time he introduces us to some new characters, instead of those we’ve come to know in love in previous novels. Mason, or Mace, Perry has just gotten out of a two-year stint in jail, where she served time for a series of armed robberies around Washington. Her sister, Beth, is DC’s chief of police and is willing to risk everything to help Mace clear her name and be reinstated to the police force. When a series of murders throughout DC, including a US attorney and a powerful lawyer occur, Mace views it as her big case to break her way back onto the force. Baldacci’s novels are always entertaining but often stretch the boundaries of the imagination. But that’s why I read them, they’re entertaining and intricate enough that you don’t know the outcome the minute you start the novel.

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

2009-12-08T16:34:00.002-08:00

OK Nicholas Sparks, you finally did it, you drove me away. Things started out so promisingly, first there was The Notebook and Message in a Bottle. They were slightly sappy but still had a good story and made me believe in the characters. But slowly, your books have just gotten more and more blech. I don’t even have a better word for it – they’re treacley, overtly religious and don’t even have a good plot, which can overcome a lot. So to all of you out there reading, please save yourself the trouble of reading The Last Song.

I Apologize!

2009-12-08T16:34:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the loooong delay between postings. I have no excuse, I was on vacation for a bit but then just got lazy. I am back at it though!

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

2009-10-18T14:52:00.001-07:00

Now this is what one would call fiction-lite; nothing too strenuous, extremely entertaining and you manage to learn a little bit about history without having to think too hard. The White Queen of the title is Elizabeth Woodville, wife to Edward IV; the story covers the infamous war of the roses between the red roses of Lancaster and the white roses of York. The sudden marriage between Edward and Elizabeth leads to rumors and gossip at court and causes trouble down the road. George, Edward’s brother, tries to take his power from him and leads to a war pitting brother against brother. Unfortunately, not a lot is known about the specifics of this time period, but Gregory does an excellent job of filling in the blanks with plausible scenarios and she writes a hell of a story to keep you entertained along the way. Plus, as a bit of an Elizabeth I buff, it is always interesting for me to learn more about the history leading up to her reign.

A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve

2009-10-09T15:12:00.001-07:00

In A Change In Altitude, we meet Margaret and Patrick, a married couple who are off on a year-long adventure living in Kenya. Shortly after their arrival, they meet a British couple who invites them to move into the guest cottage on their property. A quasi-friendship develops and the two couples make the decision to climb Mount Kenya. But during their ascent, a terrible accident occurs and Margaret and Patrick marriage struggle to overcome the tragedy and keep their marriage intact. One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the picture it gave me of life in Kenya, both for the expatriates and the local people. The differences are just striking and really make you think about the injustices that so many people must endure.

No Time to Wave Goodbye by Jacquelyn Mitchard

2009-10-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

No Time to Wave Goodbye is the sequel to Jacquelyn Mitchard’s 1999 hit, The Deep End of the Ocean and picks up with the Cappadora family 22 years after son Ben was abducted. Miraculously, Ben was found nine years later and while the family struggled to adjust to a new normal, Ben, now known as Sam, has never felt truly at ease with his family. Now that the family is grown, Vincent, the struggling oldest son, has become a filmmaker. His second film is a documentary called “No Time to Wave Goodbye” and focuses on five families whose children have been abducted; but whose outcomes are not as happy as the Cappadora family. For these families don’t have closure – their children were never found, dead or alive. So the exist in a sort of limbo. The film is a success but just as they begin to celebrate, a tragedy strikes their family. A tragedy that they lived through once and barely survived. This is a very moving story and I highly recommend it, although man oh man does Mitchard like torturing this poor family. It will pull on your heartstrings and may even make you cry. It’s a relatively short book and if you’re like me, you’ll have a hard time putting it down.

The Street by Ann Petry

2009-10-02T04:43:00.000-07:00

The Street was my book club’s pick for September; the host had decided on a New York theme and had given us several options to choose from and this one won. After finishing this book, I can’t decide if I liked it or not. I definitely liked it up until the end, but found the end vastly unsatisfying. But that may have been Petry’s point; and it’s definitely a good choice for a book club pick since there is a lot to discuss here. Since this book was published in 1946, and is set in 1944, I assume that it speaks the truth about the conditions in Harlem and life for African Americans during that time period. And while I shouldn’t be surprised by some of it, I still kind of was. This is the story of Lutie, a single African American woman struggling to raise her son in Harlem. She is separated from her husband because he cheated on her and the only jobs she can get are menial and pay just enough for her to support her son but with no padding; they can barely save enough to go to the movies occasionally. And Lutie wants more for herself and more importantly, for her son and she’s fighting against a system that is bound and determined to not let her succeed. As I said before, the ending left me cold, it didn’t feel true to the rest of the story, although I won’t spoil it here. That said, it’s a powerful novel and will definitely make you think about injustices that still exist in America today.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

2009-09-28T16:35:00.000-07:00

Oh Robert Langdon, how I’ve missed you over these years since Da Vinci Code came out! And now you’re back and once again at the center of a controversy. At least this time you didn’t have to trek all the way to Europe for it, you only had to head down to Washington D.C. So, first and foremost, is The Lost Symbol good as The Da Vinci Code? Yes, I think so. Not quite as good, in my opinion, as Angels & Demons, but still quite respectable. It’s a genuine Dan Brown thriller; full of symbolism, mysterious meanings, crazy theories and of course, a mysterious bad guy running the show behind the scenes. If you like Dan Brown in general, you’ll enjoy The Lost Symbol and you’ll tear through it very quickly. The entire book takes place over 12 hours, which has to be one of the longest, strangest days Robert Langdon has ever experienced. But for the reader, it’ll only take you a few hours and is simply an excellent way to kill some time.

An offer you can’t refuse…

2009-09-24T04:57:00.001-07:00

I finally got around to reading The Godfather by Mario Puzo and was amazed by how similar it is to the movie. It’s not often that a movie is so dedicated to remaining true to the book but this is definitely the exception. I won’t bore you all with too many details, since there probably aren’t very many people who haven’t seen The Godfather, but this is the story of Vito Corleone, his family, and his rise from Olive Oil salesman to Mafia Don. It’s a quick read, primarily because the story is so familiar, but even knowing what was going to happen didn’t lessen the enjoyment I got out of this book. Plus, it introduced me to Puzo, and I’m going to try to check out some of his other works. I suggest you start with The Godfather and then do the same.

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

2009-09-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, the first two books in this series by Suzanne Collins and I am completely and utterly wowed. The story itself is extremely disturbing and kind of makes me question the “Young Adult” label but this woman certainly has an imagination! These novels take place in a future version of the United States, now called Panem, a country divided into 12 districts and the Capitol. Apparently sometime in the past, these districts rose up against the Capitol and were summarily squashed back into submission. Now, in order to never forget their treasonous ways, each district is required to provide 2 tributes a year (one female, one male) to the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a no-holds barred all out brawl where only one child, only those ages 12-18 are eligible to be drawn, can win and by win, I mean outlive the other tributes. And to make it worse, in the Capitol, the Games are the ultimate in entertainment with Sponsors vying to send “gifts” to the tributes and everyone glued to their TVs to see who will be the ultimate winner. Although there are 24 tributes, the two we really follow are Katniss and Peeta, from District 12. Katniss is a volunteer tribute; after her sister Prim’s name was drawn, she volunteered to take her place. Katniss is a definite contender; she has the skills, and mentality to potentially survive. I won’t get into too many details here about the two books since I don’t want to spoil the element of surprise. But I will say this, once I started reading these books, I was fascinated and horrified at the same time. And I could not put the books down and I am eagerly awaiting the third book in this series.

City of Thieves by David Benioff

2009-09-03T16:49:00.001-07:00

I’ve mentioned before how much I like reading about WWII history and this is no exception. In fact, it’s a really quick read and covers the story from the Russian point of view, which is a nice twist. City of Thieves is the author’s grandfather’s story of his time in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) during the siege. When he is caught looting a German paratrooper’s body, Lev is certain he is going to be summarily executed, but instead wins a reprieve when a Colonel offers him his freedom in exchange for a dozen eggs. Now coming up with a dozen eggs in wartime is harder than it sounds; eggs hadn’t been seen in months and the majority of the country was slowly starving to death during the long Soviet winter. But Lev, and his new comrade in arms, Kolya, an accused deserter, take on the challenge and the next week, which the novel covers, is one adventure after another. For not only do Lev and Kolya decide to find the eggs, but they also decide to kill the leader of the local occupying German forces. This book is not very long and is an extremely engaging and quick read. The pages just fly by as you wonder what will happen next.

The Devil’s Punchbowl by Greg Iles

2009-08-31T16:49:00.001-07:00

So in general, I enjoy reading Greg Iles, which I think I’ve stated on this blog before. His stories are usually engaging and while not the highest caliber fiction, they’re not the trash that other writers put out either. However, since Iles has chosen to base most of his stories around Penn Cage, the lawyer-turned-author and his hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, I can’t help but think that Natchez has got to be one of the worst places to live, ever. I mean, with everything bad that happens there, it’s a wonder the entire town doesn’t move out! Quick synopsis: The Devil's Punchbowl is the story of the corrupt managing partner of a floating casino and the lengths he’ll go to provide bigger and better action to his constituents. A huge portion of the novel focuses on dog fighting, which I found especially topical in the light of Michael Vick’s recent release from prison. This was another of Iles’ traditional murder mystery with a hint of social justice thrown in. Not his best work, but I did enjoy having some other familiar characters show up.

The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk

2009-08-25T04:58:00.001-07:00

I had put off reading The Caine Mutiny because as much as I enjoy WW2 history, I was afraid it would be heavy handed, but I was so pleasantly surprised when I started reading this past weekend! This book is so well written and really flows well. This is the story of Willie Keith, a rich Long Islander who is assigned to the USS Caine, and how he matures and grows over the course of the book. But what this story is most known for is the notorious Captain Francis Queeg, who becomes so obsessed with minor infractions and petty issues that the safety of his crew and ship are put in danger. Some of the other characters, which help make this such an interesting story, include Lieutenant Tom Keefer, a cynic in the midst of writing his great American novel, and Lietuenant Steve Maryk, who in the midst of a typhoon, relieves Capt. Queeg of his command, citing Navy regulations. The subsequent Caine Mutiny trial and its aftermath are almost an afterthought after the build up of the story but I really enjoyed every minute. It isn’t a short book but I flew through it in less than a weekend. This is definitely one to check out, and soon!

A Song of Ice and Fire - Review of First Four Books

2009-08-19T16:25:00.000-07:00

As I’ve mentioned many times, I’ve spent the last several weeks ensconced in the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series by George R. R. Martin. This series currently consists of four books, A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords and A Feast for Crows. These books are very reminiscent of other significant fantasy series including the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Harry Potter series. I highly recommend them and will try to give a quick synopsis of the series overall, without delving too deeply in to each book.

These stories primarily take place throughout the Seven Kingdoms on a continent known as Westeros. The story is told through alternating third person narratives. The majority of the characters are human although as the series progresses, we are introduced to non-humans as well, including dragons and the Others, a mysterious and menacing people from the North.

These narratives follow three distinct stories that, as time progresses, becoming increasingly intertwined. The first story line chronicles the struggle for the Iron Throne, and for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, after the death of King Robert. While the throne is claimed by Joffrey, Robert’s son, Eddard Stark, the King’s Hand, claims that Joffrey is illegitimate and that the throne should pass to Robert’s brother Stannis. Robert’s younger brother, Renly, also lays claim to the throne, and Eddard’s son, Rob, is proclaimed King of the North. The second story line takes place in the far north of Westeros, along the Wall, which was built over 8,000 years ago to defend Westeros from The Others, a race of icy creatures who are difficult to kill. The Wall is 300 miles long and 700 feet tall and is defended by the Night’s Watch. Jon Snow, Eddard Stark’s bastard, joins the Watch and this narrative follows him on his trip north and his subsequent years with the Watch. The final storyline is set in Essos, another continent, and follows Daenerys Targaryen, the daughter of the old King, who was killed by King Robert’s followers. Dany has her own claim to the Iron Throne and that claim grows stronger as she ages and becomes an extremely powerful ruler; in part, due to the fact that she owns the only known living dragons. Her goal in life is to return to Westeros and take back the throne.

That is the series in a nutshell but I would highly recommend you go out and get them yourself. The story is so engrossing, that I had a hard time putting the books down! I even dreamed about the storylines, I was so enthralled. I can only hope that the author is still working hard on the rest of the series, and that the last three books, A Dance with Dragons, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring will be out soon.

A Song of Ice and Fire

2009-07-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

I'm currently reading the second book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin. The books currently published are A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords and A Feast for Crows. The ones still to be published are A Dance with Dragons, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. They're definitely in the fantasy genre but more Lord of the Rings than Harry Potter. But Martin isn't quite as cerebral as Tolkein so they're a little easier to read. They're really keeping my attention so far and I'm really enjoying reading them. They're definitely hefty tomes but if you liked LOTR or Harry Potter, definitely look these up.

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld

2009-07-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

American Wife is based, very loosely, on the life of former first lady, Laura Bush, although the protagonist in this story is named Alice Lindgren. The beginning of the book is probably the best, where we first meet Alice and see her growing up in Riley, Wisconsin with her parents and grandmother. Alice is very likable and the book flows nicely through her childhood and teenage years, when she is in a car accident that results in the death of her first crush. After meeting Charlie Blackwell at a party, the two quickly hit it off and become a couple. Charlie bears more than a little resemblance to our previous president; he drinks, he parties, he flaunts his Ivy League education and flubs even the most basic off the cuff comments. The Blackwell’s are essentially Wisconsin royalty; his mother is nicknamed Maj (short for Majesty), his father is the former governor, and one of his brothers is a Congressman. We follow the couple as Charlie gets sober, gets religion and gets himself elected to the White House. The end of the book feels forced, although it’s based on true events, I feel like she was trying to show what a bad president George W. Bush was, through Charlie Blackwell. And we lost some of Alice at the end, and she was the best part of the book. Once you finish, you’ll be left with the question of how much is real and how much is artistic license?

Immortal by Traci L. Slatton

2009-07-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

Immortal is the story of Luca Bastardo, a boy who is abandoned to the streets of Florence at a young age and is forced to steal in order to survive. What makes it worse is that one day he is betrayed by his friend and sold to an extremely cruel brothel owner. There Luca’s mind escapes to the frescoes at Santa Croce, while his body is forced to endure horrible things. It is also here that Luca first discovers his secret – he doesn’t age like normal people. It is only when the Black Death comes to Florence that Luca is able to engineer his escape. Once out of the brothel, Luca befriends artists and politicians alike, from Giotto and Leonardo da Vinci to the Medici’s. He also is always striving for information, both about alchemy and his parentage. However, Luca is always in danger from the family of the brothel owner and from his own ageless beauty, which draws attention to him at the height of the Inquisition. This historical fiction novel is fairly entertaining and it’s kind of neat to see all of these main historical figures in one place. That said, it’s not the best book I’ve ever read and is a bit obvious from time to time, but still was a decent way to pass an afternoon.

Replay by Ken Grimwood

2009-06-09T17:46:00.000-07:00

Doc Jensen, over at EW.com, suggested this book in one of his last Lost columns of the year, to help those of us who are obsessed with Lost pass the time until the new season starts in January. And since I’ve almost never met a book I didn’t like, I figured I’d check it out. Replay is the story of Jeff Winston, a radio journalist who dies of a heart attack at 43. that is, until he wakes up in his 18-year-old body and remembers everything that happened to him, up to, and including, his death. I know what you’re thinking – isn’t this Groundhog Day in book form? Well, yes and no. Yes, that’s the premise of the novel, but this allows Jeff to rediscover his life, to take advantage of his knowledge and try to change the future. I thought it was pretty enjoyable and I was able to read it pretty quickly. It’s not too sci-fi, there is a decent amount of character development and it’s a great way to spend a weekend.

Broken For You by Stephanie Kallos

2009-06-04T05:09:00.000-07:00

When I first saw the write up for this book, I wasn’t sure I would like it; it seemed like it would be too weird. But once I actually started reading Broken For You, I really enjoyed it. Margaret Hughes is diagnosed with a brain tumor and promptly sets out to change her life. She begins by taking in a boarder into her mansion, a young woman named Wanda Schultz, a stage manager who has secretly followed her ex-boyfriend to Seattle, after he left her. Wanda, ignorant of the tumor, finds Margaret odd, yet interesting, and even happily participates in a champagne-drinking, antique-breaking party. But there is a sinister history to the houseful of antiques; Margaret’s father was dealer who, through arrangements with the Nazis, was able to cheaply acquire the antiques previously owned by European Jews. There’s a sub story that deals with Wanda’s father, who deserted her as a child, and how he comes to terms with this actions. And throughout it all, the ghost of Margaret’s mother lounges around the house and offers commentary and criticism that, of course, only Margaret can hear. The beginning of this book was truly extraordinary but as it progressed, it kind of started to annoy me because of all the “coincidences.” I understand that this is a novel and some of that is to be expected, but it just seemed to wrap itself up in a bow just a little too neatly. That said, I still enjoyed the story overall and would still recommend it, though maybe not highly.

The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

2009-05-30T06:47:00.000-07:00

I literally flew through this book – I picked it up last night and finished it early this morning, and yes, I did take a break to go to bed. It’s a very easy, quick read with vibrant, easy to like characters. The Wednesday Sisters is about a group of young moms who meet, every Wednesday, at a park near their homes. Over time, they grow to become friends more than sisters, sharing everything about their lives. These women are so different, with such diverse backgrounds, and yet in the late 1960’s, they were essentially all housewives. Linda is bossy and speaks her mind and is extremely passionate about her causes, especially women’s progress. Kath is a former Southern belle who doesn’t quite know who she is outside of her marriage. Brett is extremely intelligent and dreamt of being an astronaut in the days before women regularly finished college. Ally is struggling to have a child in a society that views her interracial marriage as a curiosity at best, and an abomination at worst. And finally, Frankie, our narrator, is a Chicago transplant who has always wanted to be a writer. They begin writing at their Wednesday get togethers and we see their growth in both their writings and themselves over time. It is also interesting to see how these women view themselves and how that changes over time as the way society views them also changes. It’s a great book and kind of in the chick lit genre, but definitely something worth picking up at the library.

May Bookclub Pick: Leeway Cottage by Beth Gutcheon

2009-05-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

Our book club pick for May was Leeway Cottage, a story of a family before, during and after World War 2. Annabelle Sydney Brant grew up summering in Dundee, Maine and was a privileged child. When her father dies, she is left with only her mother, a woman who is overbearing and impossible to please. When she turns 18, Sydney runs away to Manhattan to pursue a singing career and it is there that she meets the famous Danish pianist, Laurus Moss. The two fall in love and are married but before they can settle too completely into married life, the world is upended by WW2. Feeling impotent and fearing for his family, Laurus leaves the US to help lead the Danish resistance from London. During the separation, Sydney gives birth to their first child, Eleanor, and continues to live her life, partying with friends, summering in Dundee and increasingly indifferent to the war, while in Europe, Laurus’ family escapes Denmark for Sweden. Despite their differences, the time apart doesn’t seem to estrange Laurus and Sydney; their relationship survives and even flourishes. Post war, their lives pick back up where they left off – wintering in Manhattan and summering in Dundee. I enjoyed seeing the progression of Sydney’s character throughout the book; she matures from the young, pampered Annabee, to the hippie Sydney, to the young mother; and all the while, clashing with her mother, Candice. Yet, perhaps not surprisingly, as Sydney ages, she becomes more and more like her mother and seems unable to stop herself. This novel also explores deeply the Danish resitstance to the Nazi occupation and I, for one, was amazed at what they were able to accomplish; due to their actions, the Danish people were able to save all but 500 of the Jews living in Denmark during the war.

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

2009-05-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

Sarah's Key is the story of the Vel d’Hiv roundup in Paris, in which thousands of Jewish families were arrested and held at the Velodrome d’Hiver before being transported to Auschwitz by, and this is the most important piece of the puzzle, the French police. This was not done by the Germans or the SS or anything like that, this was perpetrated by the French, on the French. The saddest thing about the Vel d’Hiv roundup is that the majority of those taken were children; and of all of those sent to Auschwitz, none survived. This story is historical fiction – the Vel d’Hiv roundup did occur, however, the characters in this novel are the creation of the author. The main characters in this story are two women in two different time periods. Sarah Starzynski is a 10-year old at the time of the roundup and is taken with her mother and father to Vel d’Hiv, and then to a holding camp outside Paris. Shortly thereafter, the children are separated from their parents and left at the camp, while the adults are sent to Auschwitz. Julia Jarmond is an American writer who lives in Paris and is assigned to write an article commemorating the 60^th anniversary of Vel d’Hiv and becomes consumed by it as she delves deeper into the event. She also uncovers the shocking history of the apartment owned by her husband’s family. As her own life becomes more complicated she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to Sarah. This is a decent WWII novel; nothing amazing, but nothing bad. I did enjoy reading about Vel d’Hiv, which I had never heard of before, but I also felt some of it was a bit much. And I enjoyed Sarah’s story more than Julia’s, but perhaps that’s because I just love historical fiction so much.

Come Back: A Mother and Daughter’s Journey Through Hell and Back by Claire and Mia Fontaine

2009-05-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

Claire Fontaine has great life; a successful career as a screenwriter, a wonderfully supportive husband, Paul, and a bright happy 15 year old, Mia. Until the day Mia ran away with a Wiccan friend, leaving a note telling her parents not to worry, “I have a Swiss army knife and mace.” Mia is quickly found but has spiraled quickly downward, becoming addicted to drugs and self mutilation. Sent to live with Claire’s sister in Indiana, her spiral continues and her drug use intensifies. Finally, her parents make the decision to send her to Morava Academy in the Czech Republic, a quasi-military institution where the teens aren’t allowed to speak and are strictly monitored. There, Mia finally begins to come to terms with the abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of her biological father. Back home, Claire and Paul undergo their own transformation, participating in their own form of group therapy to learn how to deal with Mia when she gets out. This story is told in alternating narratives from both Claire and Mia’s perspectives and is both uplifting and depressing. You feel for both Mia and Claire and understand how a parent can be driven to do this to their own child; yet when you see the outcome, you can’t help but realize it was for the best. I believe I read somewhere that the two were forced to write under a pseudonym for privacy reasons – the biological father is a New England blueblood – but you can feel how real this story is. I literally couldn’t put it down. For more info, click here.

The Associate by John Grisham

2009-05-12T18:40:00.001-07:00

I wasn’t eagerly looking forward to John Grisham’s newest novel but I also usually enjoy him so when The Associate came into the library, I grabbed it for a weekend read. It is typical Grisham and semi-formulaic, but still enjoyable. This is the story of Yale Law student named Kyle McAvoy who dreams of going into public service until he is blackmailed over a 5-year old rape charge. The blackmailers pressure Kyle into giving up his public service job and into joining a prestigious law firm. This is all so he can steal secrets related to a large lawsuit, and turn them over to the rival firm, or so he’s told. Most of the law stuff rings true, although since I’m not a lawyer, I can’t vouch for it completely, although there are a few exceptions; most notably, that the file room for the case would be locked from 10:00 pm – 6:00 am. But while this isn’t Grisham’s finest, it will keep you entertained for a few hours; and you’ll be glad you didn’t suffer through being an associate yourself.

Looking forward to September

2009-05-05T04:50:00.000-07:00

Big news on the new release front - two good authors have books coming out in September. I realize it's still four months away but that's OK, it's still nice to have something to look forward to!

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon: This will be book 7 in her Outlander series and should be setting up the next, and final, book. This book takes place in 1777 and while Jamie and Claire know that the Americans will win the Revolutionary War, they don't know what the cost to their family will be. And knowing the outcome doesn't guarantee survival.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown: This is the eagerly anticipated follow up novel to The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons. Robert Langdon is back again and apparently the entire course of this novel takes place in 12 hours. No other details are available yet but I am sure that will change as we get close to September.

The Baroness is Away

2009-04-10T06:42:00.001-07:00

I'm on vacation for the next two weeks so there will be no reviews. Look for more the last week in April. Until then - happy reading!

The Given Day by Dennis Lehane

2009-04-06T16:41:00.001-07:00

The Given Day was my first Dennis Lehane book – I saw Mystic River when they made it into a movie, but hadn’t read any of his books, despite the great word of mouth. But I happened to pick this one up from the library the other day and I have to say I really enjoyed it. It’s historical fiction, which probably added to my enjoyment, and takes place during the end of WWI. Most of the book is set in Boston and Lehane successfully interweaves the stories of Babe Ruth, before he was traded to the Yankees; Luther Lawrence, a black man who finds himself in trouble wherever he is, yet still manages to beat Babe at baseball and befriend a white cop; and Danny Coughlin, a beat cop and son of a Captain in the Boston PD, who gets involved with unionizing the BPD. The narrative is told in distinct parts that slowly interweave and become increasingly important to each other. One of the things that amazed me the most was the deplorable working conditions that the BPD were forced to endure – they were paid below the poverty level for years and when they tried to unionize to get a fair wage, they were systematically suspended or fired for being “Bolsheviks.” It’s both interesting to see how far we’ve come as a country, and depressing to see how some things will never change. This is a big book, clocking in at 720 pages, but definitely worth the time.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

2009-03-23T18:07:00.001-07:00

Thirteen Reasons Why is VERY good but kind of disturbing since it’s mostly narrated by Hannah Baker, a girl who recently committed suicide. We listen along with Clay Jensen, one of thirteen people who will receive Hannah’s story, told in 13 cassette tapes, detailing what drove her to kill herself. Along with Clay, we follow the map to the places Hannah highlights and listen as she tells of the betrayals, the lies, the secrets that show just how big of an impact a small action can have. It’s a short novel, and should be required reading for all middle and high schoolers, as well as the parents of anyone that age. It really demonstrates how important it is to treat each person with respect and how the littlest things can snowball out of control. Pick it up when you have time to read because you’ll have a hard time putting it down.

The Red Scarf by Kate Furnivall

2009-03-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to like this book, and I did, right up until the end, when it took a turn and couldn’t recover, at least in my mind. The Red Scarf is the story of Anna and Sophia and their friendship and struggles in a 1930’s Soviet prison camp. The two women have a very close bond and literally are keeping each other alive; Sophia physically helps Anna and Anna emotionally supports Sophia. This is especially true of the stories Anna tells of her childhood, and her friend, Vasily. When Sophia escapes, she promises Anna that she will come back for her after finding Vasily. Sophia walks for months to get to Tivil, the last place Vasily was known to live and is taken in and cared for by a gypsy, Rafik, and his daughter. There she slowly earns the trust of the town and becomes a force to be reckoned with. with the help of Mikhail Pashin, the handsome factory director, she helps the town fight the corruption that is Soviet Russia, most often embodied by Alexsei Fomenko. Sophia struggles to uncover Vasily’s identity and get help for Anna, before it’s too late. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the story, especially the brainwashing and community policing of life in Stalinist Russia. I didn’t enjoy the mystical tendencies that stemmed from the gypsy family – I felt like it went a little too far and while I don’t expect a novel to be 100% historically accurate, I felt like this was just too ridiculous to overlook. But I will leave it up to you to decide whether or not to read it.

The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies

2009-03-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

As a WWII buff, I am always intrigued by new books on the subject, which is what prompted me to pick up The Welsh Girl in the first place. This is the story of a POW camp in Wales and how the life of one of the German prisoners, Karsten, interweaves with one of the local girls, Esther. The POW camp is built by the British near D-Day and the camp is an affront to the Welsh community, after all, it is the British who have denied the Welsh people their language and culture. And the entire town struggles with this conundrum; who is their enemy, the British or the Germans? And is the enemy of my enemy my friend? Esther yearns for more in life than her small town in Wales and rejects the young men of her community. She takes up with a member of the British army only to have things end badly. When the POW’s arrive, Esther strikes up an unusual relationship with Karsten, one of the only prisoners who can speak English. There’s also a subplot to this novel, the story of Rotheram, an interrogator in the British armed forces who grew up in Germany but was forced to emigrate during the Nazi party’s rise to power, since his father was Jewish. I wasn’t really thrilled with this sub story – I felt it was just filler to make the book a little longer. The main story, though, was kind of charming. It is a short novel so it was a quick read, and I enjoyed the characters. It’s not a must read, by any means, but not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

2009-03-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

I really, really like Jodi Picoult as an author; it probably stems from the frist book of hers I ever read, My Sister’s Keeper, but every novel of hers is so well researched and well written that I can’t help but be drawn in. Handle with Care is no different – it is the story of Willow O’Keefe, a girl born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as Brittle Bone Disease. When Willow is born she has 7 healing fractures, and breaks 4 more bones just during the process of the C-Section. She can break a bone by turning over in bed wrong, being hugged too hard by her sister, Amelia, or any manner of similar, simple things. And over the course of her life, she will break hundreds of bones. Because her disease keeps her from doing anything remotely physical (despite her desire to ice skate like her sister), she throws herself into books and becomes a walking encyclopedia; her sister even nicknames her Wiki. But the heart of this novel is when Charlotte, Willow’s mother, decides to file a Wrongful Birth suit against her OBGYN, Piper, who incidentally, is also her best friend. A Wrongful Birth suit is exactly what it sounds like – Charlotte is saying that if she had known about Willow’s illness earlier, she would have terminated the pregnancy and Willow would have never been born. How can a mother say that, in court, in front of an extremely bright child, who can understand exactly what you are saying? And is this the truth? That’s one of the things Charlotte wrestles with throughout this novel and I have to give credit to the author here – you really feel for Charlotte. Even as someone who isn’t a parent, I felt her struggles to do what was best for Willow. Because if she won, she would have enough money to care for Willow for the rest of her life, whether Charlotte and Sean are there to take care of her or not. And while money can't buy happiness, it could solve a lot of the problems in this family - it's expensive having a child with Brittle Bone Disease and insurance only covers so much. Sean O’Keefe, Willow’s father, rejects his wife’s lawsuit and the ensuing familial struggle made my heart ache for this family. Willow, who perhaps can understand, but maybe not comprehend why her mother is doing this. Amelia, who has always felt second rate to Willow and finds her own ways to self soothe. And Sean and Charlotte, who love Willow, more than anything, and can’t imagine life without their funny, engaging, bright, wonderful daughter. Definitely a must read – for me, this ranks high on my Jodi list, up there with My Sister’s Keeper and Nineteen Minutes.

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum

2009-03-06T05:18:00.000-08:00

I started, and finished, Those Who Save Us in one day because I couldn’t put it down. The subject matter was so compelling and also touching. I am a huge fan of WW2 historical novels to begin with, which was the primary reason for requesting it from the library to begin with. This book alternates with between Trudy, in present day Minnesota, and Anna in 1940’s Weimar, Germany. Trudy, a history professor, is working to collect the oral histories of WW2 survivors, but with a twist. While her partner Ruth, is focused on Jewish survivors, Trudy wants to talk to the Germans who survived and find out how and why they did what they did. Surprisingly, many of these immigrants display blatant anti-Semitism, which shakes Trudy’s belief in what she’s doing; yet she is driven by her own history as a child born in Germany during the war. Her mother, Anna, is strangely drawn to Trudy’s project, but refuses to divulge her own history to her daughter. Anna is a young woman during the start of the war who must hide her love affair with an older Jewish doctor, Max Stern. When Max is arrested and interned in Buchenwald, a pregnant Anna flees her father and moves in what a baker who is aiding the resistance. Anna helps smuggle food to the prisoners until Mathilde, the baker, is found and executed. Anna manages to escape punishment for herself and Trudy by catching the eye of the Obersturmführer, a high ranking officer at Buchenwald. He coerces her into an affair that is often abusive, yet she maintains the relationship to ensure her survival. The past and present flash back and forth and the story is so compelling; you feel rage, sadness, compassion, the whole gamut of emotions as you live through this horrible point in history. Definitely a must read if you like historical fiction. Also, on a side note, I discovered after the fact that Blum actually worked for Shoah Foundation, which probably inspired Trudy’s project in the novel.

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows

2009-03-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a fabulous novel and a quick read. It’s completely told in letters between several of the main characters and delves into the history of the Guernsey Islands during WW2 while they were occupied by the Germans. The primary letter writer is Juliet Ashton (pen name Izzy Bickerstaff), a writer who quickly tires of covering the war, even in her uniquely upbeat manner. She tells Sidney, her editor, that she wants to write something of importance. When Dawsey Adams of Guernsey finds Juliet’s name in a used book and begins a correspondence about a mutual favorite author, he intrigues her with the name of his literary society and their correspondence flourishes from there. Juliet is drawn into the stories from Guernsey and encourages the entire society to write to her with their observations on literature and life. The sudden jumps in narration can be a little confusing at times, but overall the story holds up well and is very touching. Despite it’s somber subject matter, this is an uplifting story and should not be missed.

Book Club Pick - The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

2009-02-24T04:48:00.000-08:00

The Elegance of the Hedgehog was our book club pick for this month and it was a nice change from our previous book club pick, which was a bad chick-lit novel. This one was definitely more serious and book-clubby but still wasn’t one of my favorites. This story is told by two narrators, Madame Michel, a 50-something concierge of an upscale apartment building in Paris, and Paloma, a 12 year old genius who lives in one of the apartments in the building. Madame Michel is a contradiction – outwardly to the residents of the building, she is slovenly and dull. But the “real” her reads Marx and Kant, loves Mozart and Opera and can perform a Japanese Tea Ceremony. Paloma, intelligent beyond her years, is disgusted with her coddled existence, her spoiled sister and family and thus decides to kill herself on her 13^th birthday. The book alternates between the two narrators and I have to say, I enjoyed the pieces narrated by Paloma more. She was fresh, authentic, witty, etc. all the things you want to read in a novel. Madame Michel, on the other hand, really started to annoy me with her attitude. She assumed that no one in her building could comprehend that a woman who is “only a concierge” could appreciate art, literature or philosophy and because of it, spends her entire life hiding who she truly is for fear of being discovered. And she is so condescending about it – she is more of a reverse snob than anyone in her building could ever seem to be. Overall, I enjoyed the novel and the peripheral characters were quite entertaining. I would recommend it, especially as a book club pick, since there are so many things to discuss.

The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb

2009-02-20T18:43:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy reading Wally Lamb, from his first, She's Come Undone, to his most recent, The Hour I First Believed. They're always so well written and despite the length, I always finish them quickly, probably because they're hard to put down. The Hour I First Believed is the story of Caelum and Maureen Quirk, who have recently relocated from Connecticut to Colorado to start over after Maureen's infidelity. Although they both get jobs at the same school, their struggles have only just begun; in April of 1999, Caelum returns to Connecticut after his aunt has a stroke only to just miss the Columbine shootings. While Maureen somehow survives the massacre, she is unable to recover from the traumatic experience and suffers from PTSD. This time they flee Colorado for the safety of the Quirk family farm in Connecticut. A change of scenery, however, can't undo the damage that has been done and more is on the way. While Maureen struggles to come to grips with the event, Caelum discovers boxes full of old diaries, letters and newspaper clippings throughout the house. Not only do these reveal the Quirk family history, but they also unearth some secrets, long buried. And Caelum struggles to come to terms with this past while struggling with his future. This book is extraordinary - the way he interweaves actual fact with fiction makes you feel that every word could be true. I highly recommend that everyone read this book. If you like this, please try some of his other books, especially I Know This Much Is True.

Jennifer Weiner

2009-02-12T16:54:00.001-08:00

I was first introduced to Jennifer Weiner a few years ago when my mom got me In Her Shoes for some random holiday. Anyway, this was years before the movie came out, and so I had no idea what to expect. But man was I pleasantly surprised! Sure, she writes what most would categorize as "chick lit" but it's more than that; her stories have a brain and cover more than just shoes, shopping and sex – they delve into race, class, gender, workplace dynamics, etc. And has Jennifer's life has changed, so have the novels. Her first two, Good in Bed and In Her Shoes deal with dating, breakups, family and all the frustrations that go along with them. By Little Earthquakes and Goodnight Nobody, she's dealing with young parenthood and miscarriages and the emotional turmoil associated with those. Certain Girls brings back the heroine from Good in Bed but this time, she has a teenage daughter to contend with. It's kind of a nice progression and while I can't confess to have gone through the issues in some of the later books, I also don't feel like I can't relate to the characters.

The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

2009-02-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

The Salem witch trials are a subject we've all heard about, read about, learned about but this story gives us a new twist. The Heretic's Daughter is the story of Sarah Carrier, a 10-year old growing up in Andover, Massachusetts before, and during the hysteria that became the Salem witch trials. After her brother comes down with smallpox, Sarah and her younger sister, Hannah, are shuttled off to her mother's sister in the hopes that they will avoid the disease. While there, Sarah and her cousin Margaret become best friends and Sarah hopes that she can stay with her aunt and uncle forever. But of course the day comes when she must be reunited with her family and once back, becomes aware of the dispute between her mother and her uncle about their land. The fight blossoms into something much more terrifying when the hysteria around the "supernatural" activity in Salem turns into mass chaos and her uncle claims her mother, Martha, is a witch. When Martha refuses to confess, her children, including young Sarah, are imprisoned with the hopes of breaking her. Sarah's narrative provides some much needed insight into these sham trials, forced confessions and ridiculous sentencing rules and restrictions. Overall, I enjoyed this book, although I will say that although I felt the sub-story about Sarah's father's history before coming to Massachusetts was a bit ridiculous, I still think it's worth a read. On a side note, the author's grand mother nine generations back, was hanged as a witch in 1692 which really emphasizes the point that history is something that happens to all of us.

Belong to Me by Marissa De Los Santos

2009-02-03T04:45:00.000-08:00

This book is told from three points of view; the first is Cornelia Brown, an urbanite who surprises everyone when she and her husband, Teo, up and move to the suburbs. The second is Dev, an extremely bright teenager whose missing father occupies most of his thoughts, and whose mother, Lake, has befriended Cornelia. And the third is Piper, Cornelia's neighbor and reigning queen bee of the neighborhood. Cornelia, struggling with her own fertility issues, finds it difficult to acclimate to the domestic dramas of suburban life and struggles to find her place in a community that emphasizes children. Teo seems blissfully unaware, happily bumbling through his life. The burgeoning
friendships between Cornelia and Lake, Cornelia and Piper, The Browns and Dev, etc. make for an intriguing read. The three story lines work well individually but don't always overlap as neatly as they should. Also, the plot was predictable, especially toward the end, however, Belong to Me is well written and worth a few hours of your time.

Getting Warmer by Carol Snow

2009-01-27T19:12:00.000-08:00

OK so normally I like a good chick lit book as much as the next girl, in the same way I like a good chick flick; it's good to kind of zone out and enjoy without having to think too much. Unfortunately, this is not a good chick lit book - it's dull and predictable and completely unoriginal. Sadly, my book club picked Getting Warmer as our pick for December, with the best of intentions. We wanted something lighter than our usual fare and thought this would fit the bill. This is no Bridget Jones' Diary or even anything by Jennifer Weiner. This is the story of Natalie Quackenbush, an almost 30-year-old teacher living with her parents in Scottsdale, AZ. Natalie is a liar - she lies to men at bars and invents insane information about herself. Until the day she lies to a guy she actually likes, which cues the predictable chain reaction of events. There are no surprises here and if you are in the mood for something light, try something else on for size.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

2009-01-22T17:28:00.000-08:00

I am not a religious person and when someone first recommended this book, I'll admit I was skeptical. But despite the fact that this is based on characters from the bible, the story itself is only loosely related to the ones in the Old Testament. This is the story of Jacob and Leah's daughter, Dinah, who is only briefly mentioned in Genesis. Dinah tells us her story, in her own words, and begins with her childhood in Mesopotamia, where she was raised by her four mothers - Leah, her birth mother, and Rachel, Zilpah and Bilhah, the additional wives of Jacob. The title of this book, The Red Tent, is based on the place where women gathered during menstruation, birth and illness and where young Dinah is first initiated into the religious and sexual practices of the tribe. Her story continues through her doomed relationship with Shalem and her later life in Egypt and Canaan, where she becomes a well known and often requested midwife. As I said before, this is loosely based on the stories of Jacob in the Bible, but you do not need to be religious in order to enjoy this story, the characters are that memorable.

Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell

2009-01-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

I just finished Patricia Cornwell's latest novel, Scarpetta, which of course follows Dr. Kay Scarpetta and Dr. Benton Wesley on yet another case. I must say, after The Book of the Dead, I was about ready to give up on this series. The novels had steadily deteriorated in my opinion, with Cornwell's narrative style getting terser and I think she even changed the point of view in the books. Anyway, I was not even planning on reading this one but a friend in England read it and said it was good, so I figured I'd give it a chance. While not up to the standards of some of the earlier books in the series, like The Body Farm or From Potter's Field, I still enjoyed this story. And I felt it was more realistic, in that there was definitely death, after all she is an ME, but with a slightly more believable story line than in the past. Plus it was nice to see that she and Benton had finally gotten married, after all the crap their relationship has been through. While not a home run, it was worth the time to read it. If you haven't read any of these books before, I would definitely suggest you start at the beginning of the series.

Thrillers

2009-01-12T15:14:00.000-08:00

If you’re looking for something entertaining but not too brain-heavy, try one of these novels on for size. They’ll keep you entertained, will kill a few hours, and won’t overtax you. And most of these authors have recurring characters so you get to know them which makes it that much more interesting.

What Jason Bourne was to the Cold War, Scot Harvath is to the War on Terror. Brad Thor has created "the perfect all-American hero for the post September 11 world" (Nelson DeMille). Scot’s also a counterterrorism expert and one thing I like about Brad Thor’s books is that I feel like I learn a lot, especially about Islam, while reading them. Scot is featured in the following books: The Lions of Lucerne, Path of the Assassin, State of the Union, Blowback, Takedown, The First Commandment and The Last Patriot

Vince Flynn writes about Mitch Rapp, a covert CIA operative and member of the Orion Team. Mitch is basically a badass who can “shoot, stab, blow things up, and even kill with his bare hands.” Mitch is featured in ten books: Term Limits, Transfer of Power, The Third Option, Separation of Power, Executive Power, Memorial Day, Consent to Kill, Act of Treason, Protect and Defend and Extreme Measures.

David Baldacci’s latest novels follow the Camel Club, a curious band of friends who gather weekly to discuss and uncover political conspiracies. Their leader, who has taken the name Oliver Stone, has a bone to pick with the government and is not shy about expressing that. With the help of Secret Service Agent Alex Ford, the friends are thrust headfirst into one conspiracy after another. Camel Club Series: The Camel Club, The Collectors, Stone Cold, Divine Justice

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson

2009-01-08T04:52:00.000-08:00

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo will suck you in from the first page - which of course starts with a decades old murder mystery. Mikael Blomkvist is hired to investigate the murder of Harriet Vanger, after his career takes a downward spiral after being convicted of libel. He is hired for one year to investigate exactly what happened the day Harriet disappeared and determine which member of the Vanger family killed her. In the course of his investigation, he hires the girl with the dragon tattoo, Lisbeth Salander, a world class hacker, as a research assistant. Lisbeth is a 24 year old who is still a guardian of the state and is perceived to have mental issues, despite the fact that she's a near genius when it comes to technology. But years of mistreatment by the state have made Lisbeth someone you do NOT mess with. I really enjoyed this story and couldn't put it down - I read it in one day. I wasn't too thrilled with the very end, but I just discovered that this is the first book in a trilogy, so hopefully the second one, The Girl Who Played with Fire, will pick up where this left off.

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

2009-01-05T05:02:00.000-08:00

Someone at the library recommended this book to me and at first, I was skeptical, I had never heard of it and it seemed to be a bit odd. I could not have been more wrong - well it is a bit odd, but in a good way. The Gargoyle is narrated by a former porn actor who is in a horrible car crash that results in severe burns over the majority of his body. When he wakes up in the burn ward, his first thoughts are of the ways he will kill himself when he gets out. But then one day he is visited by Marianne Engel, a beautiful, if slightly disturbed woman who sculpts gargoyles and grotesques. Marianne insists that they were lovers long ago in medieval Germany, where she nursed him back to health at the monastery in Engelthal. She is a master storyteller, and helps pass the rehabilitation time with the story of their past, as well as stories of love from Japan to Iceland to Italy and England. As his body heals, so does his mind and soul, under the careful care of Marianne. This is a great, great, book, although if you have a weak stomach at all, just be prepared for a rough couple chapters detailing with the burns and care of the burns. It's very graphic but please don't let that deter you from reading this book.

Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bojalian

2009-01-04T08:06:00.000-08:00

I have enjoyed everything I've ever read by Chris Bojalian, so when I saw this one, I had to grab it from the library; and I have to say, I think this was one of my favorites. Before You Know Kindness is the story of a family in extraordinary circumstances. It starts with Spencer McCullough, an extreme animal rights activist, who has just been shot by a bullet from a hunting rifle owned by his brother in law and fired by his 12 year old daughter, Charlotte. The ensuing lawsuit and media circus that is spearheaded by FERAL (Federation for Animal Liberation), his employer, tears the family apart in many ways. Willow, Charlotte's 10 year old cousin, fights to tell the truth about the events of that night, despite Charlotte's pleas to the contrary. Willow, despite her young age, is the moral compass of this story, always trying to do the right thing, despite the consequences. Although Bojalian takes his mocking of the animal rights movement to an extreme, the story is still extremely engaging and he has a unique insight into how to describe the disappointments, tragedies, hopes, and triumphs of a family.

The Gate House by Nelson DeMille

2008-12-18T20:12:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-15T16:45:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-07T07:15:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-04T05:20:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-01T17:15:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-20T04:25:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

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

2008-10-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-21T17:33:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-04T16:06:00.001-07:00

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

2008-09-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-23T18:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-15T16:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-12T17:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-04T18:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-08-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-12T17:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-09T11:02:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-08T18:17:00.000-07:00

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'

2008-08-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-06T04:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

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!