2008 (continued)

Monday, August 11, 2008

LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH (Emily Giffin)
This book has been on the best seller list for several weeks and I was anxious to read it because I have liked Giffin's previous novels. I liked this one, also, but I'm not madly in love with it, just somewhat infatuated. This novel is the story of Ellen Dempsey, a talented New York City photographer who is married to Andy Graham, her college roommate's brother. Their relationship began about 2 years after Ellen's break-up with Leo, who may have been the love of her life. The problem is that Ellen never had true closure to her relationship with Leo and still wonders "what if." Would she and Leo have lived happily ever after if he hadn't dumped her? Would she have loved him more than she loves her husband? Did she "settle" for second best when she married Andy? A chance encounter with Leo brings back all of the feelings and memories from their relationship and she agrees to do a photo shoot in California for an article that Leo is writing. She doesn't tell Andy that Leo is connected with the shoot or that she and Leo have been in touch. This novel is about love and about choices. It is about recognizing what is right for you vs. just what is right and about the importance of laying ghosts from the past to rest before you can truely commit yourself to a future. I liked the character of Ellen, with all of her uncertainties and doubts about her choices, and I liked Andy for his willingness to be vulnerable. All in all, I would recommend "Love the One You're With."
Posted by eileenp at 8/11/2008 10:56:00 AM

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

THE CONSTANT PRINCESS (Philippa Gregory)
If you like well-researched historical fiction, you will definitely enjoy "The Constant Princess", the story of Katherine of Aragon's long road to the throne of England. Catalina, youngest daughter of Ferdinand and Isabel of Spain, is betrothed to Arthur, the Prince of Wales, at the age of 3. The betrothal is politically expedient and Catalina's upbringing is focused on her future as Princess of Wales and eventual queen of England. At 16 she travels to England and finally meets her groom. After their marriage the young couple falls deeply in love. They spend happy hours making love and planning for their future as rulers of England. This is the portion of Catalina's life story with which Gregory takes the most liberties, since the official story is that Catalina and Arthur never consumated their marriage, thus allowing Catalina (later called Katherine) to marry her brother-in-law, Henry VIII, in 1509. Before Arthur dies 5 months into their marriage he extracts a promise from Katherine, that she will marry Henry and fulfill her destiny to rule England. It takes 7 long years of patience, frustration, humiliation, and poverty, but Katherine finally achieves her goal and enjoys a reasonably happy marriage to Henry VIII until he realizes that he will need to look elsewhere for a male heir.The character of Catalina/Katherine is fascinating. Her singleminded pursuit of her rightful place as queen is awe-inspiring, mainly because her goal was NEVER self-promotion or self-aggrandizement; she simply believed that it was the will of God that she rule England and she did everything in her power to make that come to pass. She was, if Gregory's novel is historically accurate, an excellent ruler and probably responsible for any success that Henry VIII enjoyed as a king, at least in the early years of his reign. One of the most interesting sub-plots of the book is Katherine's gradual turning from her mother's singleminded quest, to eradicate all infidels (Moors and Jews) from Spain and from the world, to the realization that these non-Christians had achieved intellectual heights (in medical skills, scientific knowledge, and literature) that were unmatched by any other culture of the time.If Philippa Gregory's other historical novels are as interesting as this one, she has found a new fan in me!
Posted by eileenp at 8/06/2008 02:54:00 PM

Sunday, July 27, 2008

BEACH HOUSE (Jane Green)
One thing that especially tickled my fancy about "Beach House" were the little British expressions that crept into the dialogue of the American characters a couple of times. Jane Green is British author living in CT and my daughter and are are big fans of British fiction, especially chick-lit and mysteries. As I was reading along I noticed that Nan's son, Michael, responded to a question about his relationship with a woman by noting that it was still "early days" and in another part of the novel someone was described as "lovely". I love these expressions (my daughter refers to the stuff that you use to hang poster on dorm walls as 'blue tac" instead of whatever name it is sold under here in the U.S. and no one knows what she is talking about!), but they aren't usually a part of American English.Well, to get back to the novel.... "Beach House" is a bit of a departure for Jane Green because it is most definitely not chick-lit. It reminded a bit of something by Nancy Thayer that I read years ago, but that may be mostly due to the setting. "Beach House" is women's fiction, with the romantic element and the changing and building of relationships among the characters that are typical of the genre. What is a little different about "Beach House" is that Green also explores issues from a male perspective and I think that she does this very well. The most impressive aspect of this novel is the development of the character of Daniel and his gradual realization of the fact that he is gay. His thoughts and actions strike me as very realistic based on things that the gay people in my life have communicated. What is least impressive is a somewhat contrived resolution to the disappearance of Nan's husband more than 30 years ago, but I still enjoyed that part of the story. I think that overall this was a relaxing, interesting book to read, especially for a summer vacation.
Posted by eileenp at 7/27/2008 01:31:00 PM

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

PRACTICALLY PERFECT (Katie Fforde)
Those of you who have read previous entries in this blog know that I love Katie Fforde. This summer quite a few of my other favorite authors for "escape" reading have published new novels that are just perfect for summertime relaxation, so I have been in a reading frenzy over the past couple of months. Practically Perfect isn't exactly new; it's been around since 2006, but sometimes it's hard for American librarians like me to keep up with what is being published in what country when! I have seen reviews of Katie Fforde's novels in professional publications, though, and several of our area libraries have them, so there is a good supply of her other wonderful books out there for those of you who like this one.Something was nagging at me after I finished this very enjoyable book and, suddenly, the characters of Lizzie Bennett and Mr. Darcy popped into my head. The similarities are there, but are subtle. Anna, who is an interior designer restoring a historic cottage from the floorboards up, reluctantly acquires a rescued greyhound. When the dog escapes at an outdoor market, Anna meets with the immediate disapproval of Rob Hunter, who happens to catch the animal. He is, as it turns out, involved both with the Greyhound Trust and the rehoming office (granting approval for structural changes to listed buildings). He is, of course, immediately attracted to her, though disapproving of seemingly everything she does. Anna, on the other hand, finds him to be obnoxious and intimidating, but attractive. As the story progresses Rob's house becomes a focus of Anna's interest (think about when Lizzie realized she was in love with Mr. Darcy - when she saw his house!) and things develop from there.Fforde's (I can never help pronouncing BOTH f's in my head!) novels are obviously romances, but the setting and chosen occupation of the female protagonist add a wonderful touch in the development of both the characters and the storyline. Picture yourself at a country inn or on a quiet beach...this book should be in your hand!
Posted by eileenp at 7/23/2008 10:18:00 AM

Monday, July 21, 2008

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS (Madeleine Wickham)
One of the things I like best about Madeleine Wickham is her characters, both the fact that they are flawed and that they are entertaining. One thing I don't like about this particular novel is the cover, which screams chick-lit. Under the name Sophie Kinsella, Wickham is the VERY successful author of the popular Shopaholic chick-lit series, but as Madeleine Wickham (her real name), she writes fiction that is decidedly more grown-up, throwing togther groups of people and seeing what transpires. Obviously the "chick-lit" style cover is meant to draw in the Shopaholic fans!In Sleeping Arrangements two couples, Chloe & Philip and Hugh & Amanda, arrive with assorted children for a week's holiday at a Spanish villa lent to them separately by mutual friend Gerard. Each couple hopes for a relaxing respite from the stress of their usual lives and is dismayed to discover that they will be sharing the villa with people that they intially presume to be strangers. The reader discovers early on that two of the people involved have a history that could complicate their holiday and, later on, another unexpected connection surfaces. The title is a bit misleading, I think. It implies a more frivolous, lighthearted story than the one that we find between the covers of this book. There is a lot of humor here, but the underlying premise is that relationships require commitment and hard work. Many of Kinsella's fans will also enjoy Wickham's work, but she defintely appeals to a broader audience than just chick-lit fans.
Posted by eileenp at 7/21/2008 02:10:00 PM

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

DOMESTIC AFFAIRS (Eileen Goudge)
Sixteen-year-old Abigail's mother is housekeeper to the wealthy Meriwhether family until she is set up and fired for stealing by Mrs. Meriwhether, an alcoholic who apparently discovered the relationship between her husband and her housekeeper. Abigail and her mother are banished from the Meriwhether estate and forced to live with relatives. In just one day Abigail loses her lifelong home and her extended family (twins Lila and Vaughn Meriwhether) and embarks on a new life of sorrow, abuse, and hardship. One of the greatest losses in Abigail's life is the support and love of her best friend, Lila, who shuts Abigail out while her brother Vaughn, Abigail's first love, provides a lifeline of friendship through his years of globe-trotting.Twenty five years later fortunes are reversed: Abigail is a successful business woman a la Martha Stewart, but as her empire expands her personal life and her family are crumbling; Lila, without financial resources and in disgrace due to her husband's criminal conviction and subsequent suicide, seeks employment with her former friend; Vaughn, a successful international photojournalist, returns home for an extended stay that include dealing with medical issues and the rekindling of old relationships.Domestic Affairs is a satisfying book in terms of the progression of the storyline and the eventual outcomes. The development of the new relationship between Lila and Abigail is well-paced and realistic and the characters themselves are well-developed. The lifestyles, rich and poor, depicted in the novel are a bit stereotypical, but nonetheless, the story is good and will hold your interest. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less of Eileen Goudge!
Posted by eileenp at 7/15/2008 03:12:00 PM

Friday, July 11, 2008

COMFORT FOOD (Kate Jacobs)
Fifty-year-old Gus Simpson is a widow with 2 grown, but needy, daughters. She is also the host of a long-running cooking show, Cooking with Gusto. When a network executive decides to pair her on air with former Miss Spain (and culinary school graduate) Carmen Vega, her life begins to unravel. The new show, Eat, Drink, and Be, is a success, thanks in part to the addition of Gus's family, friends, and her new assistant, Oliver. This is an enjoyable book, though in many ways typical women's fiction. I've noticed that culinary themes seem to be getting more and more popular in fiction lately, perhaps because of the Food Network. If you are looking for something to read over the weekend or to take your mind off of the economy, this might be the book!
Posted by eileenp at 7/11/2008 10:33:00 AM

Monday, June 30, 2008

KEEPSAKE CRIMES (Laura Childs)
Laura Childs writes three mystery series, one set in a tea shop and another in a scrapbooking shop, Memory Mine. Her new series, called the Cackleberry Club Mysteries, prominently features eggs! Keepsake Crimes is the first of the scrapbooking mysteries, part of a cozy series set in New Orleans. The heroine, Carmela Bertrand, is a woman whose soon-to-be-ex, Shamus Meechum, is a member of one of New Orleans wealthy and influential families and is still very much involved in Carmela's life. Carmela's shop is in the heart of the French Quarter and, as Mardi Gras begins, a murder victim literally falls at her feet. I found the characters a bit confusing at first, but I believe that is just a function of being unfamiliar with the series and all of the Southern names. What I especially like about this novel is how well the scrapbooking business is integrated into the mystery. In fact, the clue that helps Carmela solve the murder is directly related to her business activities. There is also a great "action scene" near the end of the book that really adds to the reader's enjoyment. When I read Fool's Puzzle by Earlene Fowler I loved the story and the characters, but I was disappointed by the small role that quilts and quilting actually played in the mystery. If you enjoy scrapbooking or the idea of it, try this series by Laura Childs for a full immersion experience!
Posted by eileenp at 6/30/2008 03:04:00 PM

Friday, June 27, 2008

THINGS I WANT MY DAUGHTERS TO KNOW (Elizabeth Noble)
This is, perhaps, not the best book to read when you have just lost a parent, but I'm glad that I did. The novel begins with Barbara, terminally ill with cancer, trying to tie up loose ends with her daughters, Lisa, Jennifer, Amanda, and Hannah, by writing each of them a letter to be read after her death. She also keeps a journal throughout her illness, writing down thoughts and observations that she thinks will help her daughters and her husband, Mark, cope with both her loss and their future lives. From beyond the grave Barbara manages both to agitate and to sooth. Noble does an excellent job of portraying how each of the five characters deals with the various stages of their grief. I will admit that this is a "happy ending" book in many ways, which many readers may view as unrealistic. I, however, am an optimist. I like to look forward to the happy endings in life and they DO happen, so why dwell on the negative? Everyone works through grief in their own individual way and, inevitably, life keeps happening throughout the process. I like Noble's characters and I like the way that they resolve their life issues in the midst of missing Barbara, who, despite her death, is a central influence on everyone's lives and decisions.
Posted by eileenp at 6/27/2008 03:40:00 PM


WHERE ARE YOU NOW? (Mary Higgins Clark)
Mary Higgins Clark comes through again in this enjoyable, though somewhat formulaic, novel. It has all of the elements of a great weekend read: a long-missing brother who calls once a year, a serial killer, a vulnerable yet strong heroine, stubborn policemen, a private detective who can't let go of an unsolved crime, good friends gone bad, old crushes revived, and an exciting ending. This book would make a great Lifetime movie (and probably will someday!). It is a nice thriller and all of the pieces add up neatly at the end. If you are heading out on vacation and want something entertaining to read, take this one with you!
Posted by eileenp at 6/27/2008 03:39:00 PM


THE SECRET BETWEEN US (Barbara Delinsky)
This is an interesting premise. A mother picks her daughter up from a friend's house and allows the daughter, who has a learner's permit, to drive to their somewhat remote home. It begins raining heavily and as they pass through a wooded area a man appears out of nowhere, runs in front of the car, and is hit. The mother, a physician, determines that the man has no life-threatening injuries, but he is uncommunicative and does not respond to any questions. The police assume that the mother was the driver and she does not correct them, wishing to protect her daughter from scrutiny. When the man dies, an investigation ensues and the lie snowballs out of control, throwing their lives into a tailspin. The daughter becomes increasingly disturbed over her "secret" and begins to act out in negative ways.As parents our primary instinct is to protect our children. I can understand this mother's momentary lapse in judgement, her decision to allow assumptions to go unchallenged because of the relatively minor nature of the man's injuries. As usual, Delinsky does a great job of taking an event that could happen to any of us and challenging us to think about what WE would do in similar circumstances. It's a tough call. I think that this novel portrays very well what can happen as the result of one inadvertent lie and how the truth is usually the best option in the long run.
Posted by eileenp at 6/27/2008 03:39:00 PM

Sunday, June 22, 2008

LITTLE LADY AGENCY AND THE PRINCE (Hester Browne)
I can't help it! I love Browne's main character, Melissa Romney-Jones. She is level-headed, organized, unselfish, caring, empathetic, and possesses just the right amount of hopeless romantic sensibilities. I actually wish I were her sometimes! If I were concerned about people's opinions of my reading tastes I would, of course, have just finished something that all of the reading groups out there (mine included) are clamoring for. I'm sure I will, in fact, be reading something more along those lines soon. Right now though, having been through a recent personal loss, Hester Browne is just what I needed to escape from the sadness that life brings to all of us at one time or another. I think that reading should be for enjoyment. Personal edification is fine and I often read for that reason, too, but pure enjoyment is should be everyone's goal at least part of the time when it comes to choosing what to read. Betty Rosenberg, one of the original gurus of readers' advisory, once said that no one should ever apologize for their reading tastes. I agree wholeheartedly. Whether your goal is to escape, to learn, to vicariously experience new things, to think, or to laugh out loud, never be afraid to hold your head up high and share what you are reading with the world. You'd be surprised how many people share your taste!
Posted by eileenp at 6/22/2008 10:12:00 PM

Friday, May 30, 2008

FRIDAY NIGHTS (Joanna Trollope)
Lindsey, Paula, and Eleanor are single women with little in common. Eleanor, a retiree in her 70's, invites Paula, a single mother, and Lindsey, a young widow with one child, to visit with her one Friday evening. Soon the group expands to include Blais, a successful young entrepreneur, and Karen, Blais's married business partner, as well as Lindsey's quirky DJ sister, Jules. The group bonds and continues to meet for years until Paula begins a relationship with a man who systematically insinuates himself into the lives of each of the women, disrupting trust and causing alienation among several of the friends. This is a story about female friendships. The characters are well-developed and interesting, but this is not my favorite of Joanna Trollope's books. I enjoyed Second Honeymoon much more, perhaps because I could relate to it more easily. I would, however, recommend this novel to Trollope's fans.
Posted by eileenp at 5/30/2008 03:10:00 PM

Friday, May 23, 2008

SIZE 12 IS NOT FAT (Meg Cabot)
Most of us know Meg Cabot as the author of The Princess Diaries, but she also writes the Heather Wells mystery series starring - you guessed it - Heather Wells, a size-12 former teen pop sensation who is now working as the assistant director of a college residence hall and living platonically with her former fiancé's older brother, private investigator Cooper Cartwright (although the relationship is platonic, Heather has frequent fantasies about tearing Cooper's clothes off with her teeth and of the 3 children that she hopes someday to have with him). I was initially mildly annoyed by Heather's personality and her tendency to constantly refer to the "dorm, I mean residence hall" at which she is employed. She definitely grew on me, though, and by the end of this quirky mystery I was looking forward to reading another. The mystery revolves around the supposedly accidental deaths of 2 college girls that Heather believes were murdered. Since everyone else, including the police and Cooper, believe that the untimely deaths were the result of a foolish and dangerous game called "elevator surfing", Heather investigates on her own and, after a few false starts, turns out to be a pretty good detective (but not particularly sensible in many cases). This is light reading, very relaxing and funny, but the clues come together well to a reasonable conclusion. Heather is very human and very likeable. This looks promising to me!
Posted by eileenp at 5/23/2008 07:23:00 PM

Sunday, May 18, 2008

CERTAIN GIRLS (Jennifer Weiner)
Wow! Too say that I just enjoyed this book would be too polite and low-key. Maybe I was just in the mood for Jennifer Weiner, but once I got used to the alternating mother/daughter chapters I couldn't put the novel down. When you read primarily for enjoyment (if I am not self-actualized by now there is no hope for me, so why try to improve myself through literature at this stage in my life?) you can sometimes manage to immerse yourself a little bit too deeply in cozies and chick-lit, and when you come up for air you discover that you are in the mood for something a little more "real". You are probably thinking (correctly) that Jennifer Weiner falls into the category of "chick-lit" (in http://www.authorsontheweb.com/ Weiner describes chick-lit as "sort of late-stage coming-of-age stories"), but rather than being light and frothy her novels deal humorously with serious life issues and relationships to which most women can relate.Certain Girls is about Cannie Shapiro Krushelevansky and her daughter, Joy. Cannie is happily married to Peter, a doctor, and savors both each day of motherhood with 12-year-old Joy and her career as the pseudonymous author of a popular science fiction series . Joy, on the verge of womanhood and of celebrating her bat mitzvah, reads the best-selling novel that her mother wrote during Joy's infancy. The novel repesented to Cannie a purging of the rage and angst caused by her contemptuous estranged father and Bruce, the lover who abandoned her and their newborn baby. Replete with sexual situations and references to the heroine's weight, the novel appears to Joy to hold previously unsuspected truths about her relationships with her mother and birth father and serves as a launching point for both Joy's and Cannie's journeys of discovery about themselves and the bond between parent and child. There is much more to this novel than I can say here without spoiling the story for you. Read it yourself! You won't regret it!
Posted by eileenp at 5/18/2008 03:54:00 PM

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

FOOL'S PUZZLE (Earlene Fowler)
It is official - I LOVE Benni (Albenia) Harper! As this cozy series begins Benni is the 34-year-old widow of rancher Jack Harper, who died in a drunk driving accident 9 months before. She has left her in-law's California ranch to live in San Celina and work as the manager of a museum and artist's co-op. When her friend Marla is found murdered after hours at the museum, Benni is drawn into the investigation, crossing paths over and over again with the immensely appealing and protective temporary sheriff, Gabe Ortiz. The budding relationship between Benni and renaissance man Gabe is actually the most appealing aspect of this particular novel. The mystery itself was fine. I actually suspected the wrong person, but I was close! I did expect a little more involvement with quilts, but most of the quilt references were limited to the festival being held at the museum. Most crafting mysteries feature characters who are creatively involved in the craft, but this one was mainly concerned with potters and ranchers. For those of you who are not familiar with Earlene Fowler or with quilting, all of the entries in this cozy series are named after quilt patterns. It will be interesting to read more of the series to find out if the art of quilting comes more to the forefront or remains as a colorful backdrop for these charming characters. Either way, I suspect I will enjoy reading more.
Posted by eileenp at 5/14/2008 08:35:00 AM

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

MAD DASH (Patricia Gaffney)
I have been meaning to mention Patricia Gaffney's latest book, which I finished a few weeks ago. The heroine, Dash (instead of "Dot", short for her given name, Dorothy), is a married empty-nester in her mid-forties who makes an unusual decision when confronted with a choice between her allergy-prone professor husband and a stray puppy. She moves into her family's vacation cottage for several months along with the dog to think about herself, her marriage, and her ultimate goals in life. This is an enjoyable book. It is relevant for many of us who have reached that stage of life where we suddenly realize that our choices, right or wrong, have been made and now must be lived with for the long term or revised before it is too late. The author writes from the point of view of both Dash and her husband and presents an excellent picture of the angst and uncertainty that can occur in a long-term, happy, but far from perfect marriage. I always recommend Gaffney's books and this one was no exception.
Posted by eileenp at 5/07/2008 09:07:00 AM


THE KNOWN WORLD (Edward P. Jones)
For most of us the American concept of "slavery" is pretty straightforward: white southern plantation owners owned black people until the practice was abolished during the Civil War. Most of us also learned as we grew older that some of the American slaves were sold from their native African lands by people of their own race. The Known World is a further eye-opener. Jones' historical novel reveals that there were black families in the antebellum South who actually owned slaves as well!The Known World is a difficult book to read, but well worth the effort. I would venture to say that 2 readings are actually necessary in order to absorb all of the ideas and nuances that Jones puts forth. One member of my book club described Jones' style as "braiding together" the various stories and characters in the book and I believe that this is an apt description. The novel is written from many points of view and jumps back and forth among different time periods, which can be very confusing in the early stages of the novel. At the hub of the story is Henry Townsend, a former slave whose freedom was purchased by his father, Augustus. Henry, an accomplished shoemaker, is taken under the wing of William Robbins, his former owner, and eventually builds up his own estate complete with land, wife, and slaves of his own. Henry actually dies at the beginning of the novel, but Jones takes us back in time to Henry's childhood, the struggles of his parents, and Robbins' own family life. He also continues the story in the aftermath of Henry's death (from causes unknown to the reader), examining the issue of slavery from the point of view of slaves, former slaves, light-skinned non-slave blacks, white landowners, northerners, drifters, and local law enforcers. This is one of those books that will remain with you for a long time after reading it. It is a challenging book, but one of those rare novels that truely introduces new ideas and previously unexamined viewpoints into the reader's life. Jones, an award-winning author, has written a novel that should be widely read and discussed for years to come.
Posted by eileenp at 5/07/2008 08:42:00 AM

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

DEEP DISH (Mary Kay Andrews)
A reality TV show called "Food Fight", two attractive and talented southern chefs (one man and one woman) competing for a national TV show...Guess what happens? It doesn't matter if we can figure out how this story is going to end. It's not a mystery, after all, it's Mary Kay Andrews! Andrews has a talent for creating great escapist stories that always leave you with a happy feeling. One of the greatest things about them is that the characters are always interesting and the writing is always fresh and enjoyable. Some equate "chick-lit" with fluffy romance novels, but the good writers of the genre (Andrews, Kinsella, Helen Fielding, Katie Fforde, etc.) produce work that is well-written, humorous, and just a pleasure to read. This one is no exception. If the stress of your job is getting to you or you feel like you will never get caught up on the housework, take a break and read this book. It will make you feel better!
Posted by eileenp at 4/02/2008 08:41:00 AM


A SHORT HISTORY OF TRACTORS IN UKRANIAN (Marina Lewycka)
I have to admit that I never would have picked this book up to read despite that fact that it was nominated for the Man Booker Prize (not usually my type of book). We chose it for the First Tuesday Book Club and it turned out to be one of those novels that you are glad you read. The central characters are estranged sisters Nadia and Vera and their 84-year-old father Nikolai, who announces one day that he intends to marry Valentina, a 36-year-old blonde bimbo from the old country (Ukraine) with "superior breasts". The sisters, who have not spoken since their mother's funeral 2 years before, are horrified and tentatively call a truce in order to protect their father from a gold-digger who appears to be looking for a way to stay permanently in England.This is an interesting novel. My husband picked it up and thought it was actually a history of tractors! It is actually several stories in one: an examination of sisterly and parent-child dynamics and family love, a glimpse into the experiences of immigrants, specifically from the Ukraine, and an actual history of tractors, which the father writes in Ukrainian and translates into English. Nikolai, an engineer and a sort of free spirit who wants to make the most of his final years, delights in indulging his new family while aggravating his old one. It is his daughters who ultimately save him from himself in this poignant and very amusing novel. Lewycka is an author to keep your eye out for in the future. Her second novel is already in our library!
Posted by eileenp at <4/02/2008 08:22:00 AM


REMEMBER ME? (Sophie Kinsella)
I don't have too much time this morning, so I will be brief. This novel is a great weekend read. It reminds me a bit of the TV show "Samantha Who?", which, interestingly enough, is the brainchild of popular Irish novelist Cecilia Ahern. The basic premise of "Remember Me?" is that Lexi, after an evening of clubbing with her "mates" on the eve of her ne'er-do-well father's funeral, falls down a flight of stairs. She wakes up in hospital and discovers that it is 3 years later. In the interim she has had her teeth fixed, slimmed down, become a wildly successful (and despised) business woman, and married a rich, successful Greek God of a man named Eric. The novel follows her efforts to overcome her amnesia and put the pieces of her life during the past 3 years back together. Lexi is a thoroughly likeable character as she embarks on her journey of discovery and tries to reconnect with her old (former) friends and her new husband. Naturally there are complications, but, in the expected chick-lit tradition, Lexi ends up just where we know in our hearts she should.
Posted by eileenp at 4/02/2008 08:10:00 AM

Saturday, March 15, 2008

THE FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB (Kate Jacobs)
I was surprised to read Publishers Weekly's somewhat mediocre review of Kate Jacobs' first novel, although the reviewer did admit that the book eventually comes together enough to please the reader. I loved "The Friday Night Knitting Club"with no reservations whatsoever. Although not a knitter, I am a crocheter who loves anything connected with yarn, so the setting, Georgia Walker's yarn store, immediaitely appealed to me. The story is wonderful and the characters, who could easily have become stereotypical in the hands of a less skilled writer, are unique yet very, very real. Ranging in age from 12 to 72, the women of the Friday night knitting club feel like friends. I think I heard that Julia Roberts is going to make a movie out of this novel. I hope so! If you are wondering how this book would be classified, it's hard to pinpoint. It is definitely women's fiction and it certainly includes both romance and tragedy. There are several very different characterizations of marriage and equally as many examinations of mother/child dynamics. Oh, and there is a lot of knitting and discussion of the craft. Why not read it and decide for yourself? You don't have to be a knitter to appreciate a great story.
Posted by eileenp at 3/15/2008 08:53:00 PM

Saturday, March 08, 2008

TEMPLE OF MUSIC (Jonathan Lowy)
This historical novel was this month's selection for the First Tuesday Book Club. At first one of the disconcerting things about "Temple of Music" is the structure of the book. It is written from various points of view and each chapter takes place at a different time and place so it is difficult to follow the story. At the novel's beginning we witness the execution of Leon Czolgosz, assassin of president William McKinley, then we move to the excesses of gilded age, the political climate, and the life of William McKinley in various short, non-sequential chapters. Despite the intital confusion, somehow the book manages to become a novel that you can't put down. This is fine historical fiction. Lowy's research and excellent grasp of the political machinations and the society of the late 19th century makes this a great alternative for anyone who wants to absorb all of the nuances of this period of history without sitting down to read a textbook. By the way, if you were frustrated by the "trickle-down" theory of economics promoted by the Republican party in the U.S. during the Reagan era, you will be interested to hear that the same theory was alive and well in the 1890's! Read the book!
Posted by eileenp at 3/08/2008 03:37:00 PM


THE FIRST PATIENT (Michael Palmer)
Michael Palmer is an expert at imagining the most dire consequences of medical and scientific advances in the hands of the power-hungry and conscience-challeged. In this novel our hero, country doctor Gabe Singleton, is asked to serve as temporary personal physician to Andrew Stoddard, college friend and President of the United States. The president's previous physician has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Gabe soon discovers that his old friend is suffering from episodes that could indicate the onset of mental illness, just as the re-election campaign is moving into high gear. I can't say too much more without giving away the plot, but nanotechnology figures prominently in the plot. If you enjoyed Michael Crichton's Prey you won't be able to put this one down.
Posted by eileenp at 3/08/2008 03:26:00 PM


KEEPING THE HOUSE (Ellen Baker)
This book, Ellen Baker's first novel, is 530 pages long, which may seem daunting. However, every page is worth reading. It is the story of three generations of the Mickelson family and of Dolly Magnusen, a young homemaker in 1950. It is also the story of the Mickelson house and its "curse". The novel moves back and forth through time, starting in 1898 with the marriage of Wilma and John Mickelson and eventually ending in 1950 with resolutions to both Dolly's and the Mickelson family's stories. Barker uses short chapters, each labeled with a date and setting, to help the reader keep track as she traces the events and emotions, at various points in time, that shape the lives of the characters. Eventually all of the intertwined storylines converge into one point in time. The characters are rich and complex and will leave the reader thinking long after the book ends. Fans of HGTV and the Food Channel will be especially interested in the 1950-era homemaker's tips that precede each of Dolly's chapter.I can honestly say that reading this book was was a unique experience. Baker combines history, societal constrictions, psychological suspense, romance, marital discord, and family dynamics in one beautiful, well-written package. It would be well-worth reading more than once!
Posted by eileenp at 3/08/2008 03:02:00 PM

Monday, February 11, 2008

DEATH OF A GENTLE LADY (M.C. Beaton)
If you have read my previous posts, you know that I am a big fan of both of M.C. Beaton's mystery series. This latest Hamish Macbeth mystery is the best so far! Beaton manages to bring in both of Hamish's major love interests, Elspeth Grant and Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, as well as several other potential lovers. Hamish's love life is always a matter of great frustration to him and a source of great amusement to the reader. As always, though, he manages to avoid marriage, keep his beloved Lochdubh police station open despite the best efforts of his nemesis, Blair, and solve the various crimes that stymie his superiors. This short (244 pages) cozy manages to include 4 murders, several attempted murders, one near marriage, a kidnapping, an attempted bombing, and a horrifying storm that playes a major role in the resolution of many of the crimes. What makes this story stand out among all of Beaton's Hamish Macbeth mysteries, aside from the fast paced action, is Inspector Blair's over-the-top attempt to get Hamish out of his hair once and for all and Hamish's brilliant revenge against the despicable Blair. You'll have to read this one to find out more!
Posted by eileenp at 2/11/2008 11:16:00 AM

Monday, February 04, 2008

LEEWAY COTTAGE (Beth Gutcheon)
Beth Gutcheon is one of the most talented writers of our generation, in my opinion. "Leeway Cottage" is an incredible book and, really, one that offers something for almost every reader. It is a family saga spanning over 100 years, but it is also a wonderful historical novel, presenting a gripping depiction of Denmark's successful rescue of 7,000 Jews during World War II. Gutcheon also offers an interesting glimpse into the class system that existed in the U.S. during the days when the rich and privileged summered in places like fictional Dundee, Maine, employing the locals or, in some cases, the "coloreds" to take care of their needs while they attended to the important business of maintaining their position of the social ladder. We are also treated to a fascinating study of marriage and how it can change over time, as well as the univeral struggle between mothers and daughters. If it sounds like Gutcheon managed to squeeze quite a lot into one novel, she did, and successfully at that. Sometimes I think that the real test of a great novel is whether or not it leaves you wanting more, and this one certainly does, not because it is incomplete but because it raises so many questions and starts so many ideas fermenting in the mind of the reader. Gutcheon could write another complete novel about Annabelle Sydney Brandt Moss or about Laurus or Nina. There is so much more that I want to know about each of them and what motivates them. I have a feeling that this book will be in my thoughts for some time to come.
Posted by eileenp at 2/04/2008 10:40:00 AM


PAST SECRETS (Cathy Kelly)
Irish author Cathy Kelly's most recent book involves three women at different stages of life who are neighbors on Summer Street in Dublin. Recent significant events in each of their lives force them to reexamine past secrets that have profoundly affected the lives that they now live and the relationships that are most important to them. Art teacher Christie Devlin, age 60, is a happily married grandmother whose comfortable marriage is threatened by the return of a man who was important to her 25 years ago during a difficult patch in her life. Staid businesswoman and mother Faye Reid looks forward to her daughter Amber's future as a successful and talented artist, but Amber's plans more closely mirror the path that young Faye chose, regretted, and has hidden for the past 18 years. Librarian Maggie Maguire, 30 and stung by her lover's infidelity, returns home from Galway to care for her mother, who has broken her leg. Maggie, the victim of bullying throughout her teen years, come to realize that her whole sense of self-worth has been compromised by the events of her past. The three women become friends and each of them comes to the realization that honesty about their pasts is the only way that they can move forward into the future, even if the honesty means taking a chance on losing what is most dear to them.This is an excellent book. The characters are thoughtful and realistically portrayed, although Kelly could be accused of relying just a bit on formulas in her depictions of Maggie and Faye. Neverthless, I would recommend this to any fan of "hen lit" or women's fiction, especially those who enjoy and Irish flair in their reading.
Posted by eileenp at 2/04/2008 10:20:00 AM

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

THE MALTESE FALCON (Dashiell Hammett)
Windsor Locks Public Library will be participating in the BIG READ this year. The National Endowment for the Arts has made a grant available to the Hartford Public Library, which is sponsoring the event for this geographic area.Dashiell Hammett set the standard for the modern day "hard-boiled" detective story with The Maltese Falcon. Detective Sam Spade and his partner, Miles Archer, accept a case from a beautiful woman who claims that her younger sister ran away with a man. She has traced them to San Francisco and has asked Spade and Archer to track the couple down so she can take her sister back east before their parents find out. As the story progresses with shootings, beatings, druggings, fires, quirky characters, and all sorts of unexpected twists and turns, the reader discovers that a valuable and mysterious artifact, the Maltese Falcon, is the actual object of interest to main characters in the novel. The surprises continue through to the last page. If you have seen the original movie version of this book (which is, by the way, very true to the novel in most respects) you will agree that Humphrey Bogart's portrayal of Sam Spade is right on the mark.The Windsor Locks Public Library will be hosting a discussion of The Maltese Falcon led by local mystery author Carole Shmurak on April 16 at 7 PM. If you haven't read the book yet we have extra copies available for loan. Plan to join us!
Posted by eileenp at 1/30/2008 08:37:00 AM

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

THE BODY IN THE BOUILLON (Katherine Hall Page)
Katherine Hall Page's Faith Fairchild books are always a guaranteed source of enjoyment for me. Faith is a caterer, former owner of "Have Faith", her own successful New York City business She is now married to a Massachusetts minister, Tom Fairchild, and, in this novel (the 3rd in the series), the mother of active toddler Ben. Their small fictional town of Aleford, MA provides the perfect setting for an American cozy series. The best friend next door, various church and community members, and relatives that rotate in and out of the books all combine with Page's excellent writing to create an appealing series. This particular story takes place at the Hubbard House, a posh retirement facility near Aleford that Faith's Aunt Charity has asked her to investigate after a close friend and new Hubbard House resident, now deceased (of natural causes), mentions that he has suspicions about some of the goings-on at his new home. As usual, when Faith investigates, more bodies begin turning up! This is a great series if you want to relax and get away from the stress of the real world. The New England settings are always enjoyable, too. I think that in 40 years or so Faith will be taking over for Jessica Fletcher as New England's favorite female golden-aged detective!
Posted by eileenp at 1/01/2008 05:12:00 PM


THE FARADAY GIRLS (Monica McInerney)
One of the things that struck me most about this novel was the intricate and very satisfying development of each of the characters. Spanning more than 25 years and 3 continents, this is the story of a family of 5 sisters, their widowed, eccentric father, Leo, and their mother, Tessa, who died 8 years before we join the Faraday's story. The two main focuses in the story are Maggie, the daughter-grandaughter-niece whose birth changes all of their lives, some in unimaginable ways, and Tessa's diary. The diary is a cherished memory of his wife for Leo, who claims to have burned the 9 volumes in accordance with his wife's wishes. It is also a source of fear for him, and it is because of the fear of what its pages may reveal about his wife and family that Leo has lied to his daughters about fate of the diary and has never read it himself. For the Faraday girls the diary represents a lost opportunity to reconnect with their mother or, in the case of the younger girls, to know how she felt about life, marriage, and motherhood. Two of the girls, daughter Sadie and grandaughter Maggie, eventually have the opportunity to read Tessa's words. For Sadie, her secret foray into her mother's thoughts has far-reaching consequences that affect the entire family; for Maggie, reading 20 years later, it is both a revelation and an opportunity to set her grandfather's mind at ease.Throughout the course of this novel we see the Faraday girls, Juliet, Miranda, Eliza, Sadie, and Clementine, grow from girls to women while their relationships with each other and their father shift and change very realistically. There is no "happily ever after" here overall, which surprised me to some extent. While the ending was satisfying, it was not picture perfect. The interrelationships within the Faraday family, including the dead mother, developed as relationships do in real families, with real problems and stresses, competitition and hurt feeling. This is a book that will hold the interest of fans of family sagas, quality chick-lit, mysteries, and literature alike.
Posted by eileenp at 1/01/2008 04:38:00 PM