"The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it." (James Bryce)

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

LIFE IS SHORT (NO PUN INTENDED) (Jennifer Arnold, MD & Bill Klein)

Whether or not you are a fan of TLC's The Little Couple (a.k.a. Bill Klein and Jennifer Arnold, MD), you will find this tender memoir fascinating.  For those of you who don't know, Bill and Jennifer are little people, both born with skeletal dysplasia.  They married in 2006 and eventually adopted a son and daughter who are also little people, albeit with a different form of dwarfism.  Their story is told in alternating chapters and all of it is eye-opening, from their multiple surgeries to correct the bone deformities caused by their dysplasia, to the wonderful ground-breaking work done by their mutual doctor, Steven Kopits, and their experiences with bullying, friendships, and romances.  They traveled seemingly parallel routes in life.  Both were the only little person in their respective families, both sets of parents eventually divorced (though Jen's would remarry), both were treated by Dr. Kopits at Johns Hopkins, and both started college intending to become doctors (Bill eventually became a successful businessman instead). Bill and Jen actually did meet once at the hospital when Jen was 11 and Bill was 10, and a nurse friend desperately tried unsuccessfully to get them together in their early twenties, but it wasn't until they posted profiles on an online dating site for little people that they actually met at around age 30.  The rest is history!

Today Bill and Jen and their children Will (from Inner Mongolia) and Zoey (from India) allow the world into their lives for few weeks each year through The Little Couple.  Their challenges have included moving to Houston for Jen's medical career, Bill opening a new business, building an accessible house, Jen's bout with cancer, Bill's back surgery, and, of course, traveling halfway around the world twice to meet and adopt their children.  This wonderful book is full of grace, humor, and love.  I am amazed at what this couple has each endured just for a chance at a normal life, and the devotion , love and support of their families throughout.  If you want to be inspired, read it!  I wish I could thank them personally for sharing their stories.

PRAY FOR SILENCE (Linda Castillo)

Well, my worst fears were realized.  Not only was the second book in this series very violent and graphic, but it was also extremely well-written, the plot was well-thought out, the characters are growing on me by leaps and bounds, and the research into the Amish culture and language was meticulous.  I'm nott too sure where I stand now!

The Planks are an Amish family that had recently located to Painter Mill from Lancaster, PA.  Early one morning a neighbor, over to help with the milking, discovers a horrible scene at the Plank farm:  Father Amos and his two sons have been shot inside the house.  It appears that Amos murdered his sons and then took his own life, but appearances can be deceiving.  Formerly Amish police chief Kate Burkholder and her team discover evidence that belies their initial murder/suicide assumption.  They also discover the bodies of Amos' wife and toddler son in the yard and his two daughters in the barn.  The teenage girls appear to have been tortured before being ritualistically murdered in the barn.  Finding the killer and the motive for the slayings before anyone else is killed is Kate's goal.

As the story unfolds we discover that there exists an Amish porn industry (not run by the Amish, but featuring Amish girls) and that 15-year-old Mary Plank, one of the murder victims, is in love with an English (non-Amish man) and had become pregnant with his child.  According to her journal she had confessed all to her family, so Kate believes that the father of her unborn child must be connected with the crime.  John Tomasetti, Kate's lover, has been put on leave from his job at CBI to deal with his post traumati drug and alcohol abuse, so he is available to help out on the sly.

I found this novel both disturbing and compelling.  I couldn't put it down, but the storyline was so disturbing that I didn't want to pick it up, either.  Overall, I would recommend Linda Catillo, especially to anyone who is interested in the Amish.  Just be sure that you have  a strong stomach!

THE SEAFRONT TEA ROOMS (Vanessa Greene)

After reading Greene's sweet Vintage Teacup Club I was anxious to find something else written by her, so I ordered this novel used from England through Amazon.com.  I'm not sure it was really worth it, but it was a pleasant light read.

This is the story of 3 women who literally bond over tea.  Journalist Charlie is up for a big promotion at her London magazine and hopes that her feature on seaside tea rooms in the Scarborough area of Englad will clinch the deal.  She meets Kathryn (Kat), a divorced mother, who convinces her NOT to include the very special Seafront Tea Rooms in her article for fear of drawing tourists and ruining its intimate local atmosphere.  Enter French au pair Seraphine, who is, oddly, spending just several months caring for the daughter of a widowed local businessman while she makes some important decisions about her love life.  The three women become fast friends and visit out of the way tea rooms together and in pairs, Kathryn writing charming vignettes about their visits for Charlie's article.  Of course they all find romance in the end, but there is a surprise twist regarding one of the principle characters.

Some of the reviewers on amazon stated that this was a great light read for travel, and I do agree.  This is a good beach read, not my favorite ever, but not too bad.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

SWORN TO SILENCE (Linda Castillo)

I decided to read this first Kate Burkholder mystery because two of my acquaintances LOVE LOVE LOVE Linda Castillo.  I didn't dislike to book.  I thought that it was well written and that the characters were interesting, especially with their flawed backgrounds (no superheroes here).

This story of a serial killer suddenly reappearing in Painter's Mill, Ohio after a 16 year absence definitely held my interest.  I enjoyed the insights into the Amish culture (Kate was raised Amish) and the interactions between the Amish and English and I was intrigued by the developing relationship between Police Chief Kate and John Tomasetti, a special agent from Columbus plagued by his troubled past (his wife and daughters were murdered in his home) and drowning himself in booze and pills in an effort to forget his losses.  The problem is that the book was just too graphic for me.  I just don't find the graphic details of human slaughter, autopsies, and the minds of psychotic killers that appealing to read about.  Many people do enjoy this type of story, so don't let yourself be discouraged by my opinion.  If you are a fan of CSI or SVU you will LOVE this series.  I am going to read another, partly because Castillo is a terrific writer and partly because I'm hoping that the next one might be less graphic and violent.  We'll see!

PRIMATES OF PARK AVENUE (Wednesday Martin, PhD)

Well, I guess it's about time to get writing since I am way behind and currently reading 3 books, only one of which is listed on this blog thus far!

Primates of Park Avenue is a fascinating sociological/anthropological study/memoir of life on the upper east side of New York City.  It is also a sad commentary on the values of many of the very rich and privileged in America. Martin and her husband decided to move to the Park Avenue area in order to have access to the best public schools in the area for their then-infant son.  Culture-shock ensued as they dealt with snobbish real estate agents and co-op boards in their quest to find a new home.  Eventually they did move, only to discover that the rigid social hierarchy and one-upsmanship were just as prevalent among the parents of preschoolers as in the real estate world.  Getting your child into the right preschool ensured a recommendation for the best elementary school and so on.  In other words, neglecting the quality of your child's education at the age of 3 could result in his or her inability to attend a prestigious college!

One of the most memorable episodes in Martin's memoir was her observation of "charging," not in department stores, but by well-dressed society women.  Proving dominance and self-importance in the world of wealthy trophy wives apparently is accomplished in part by "charging" other, presumably lesser women, on public sidewalks, in effect forcing them to step aside because the dominant female refuses to relinquish any space, even if there is plenty available.  It's pretty pathetic. Another characteristic of the successful and wealthy woman is her Berkin bags, which cost between $10,000 and $150,000!  Check out Google images for "celebrities with Berkin bags" and you'll notice a LOT of Kardashians!

Social researcher Wednesday Martin, who holds a doctorate, has written a fascinating book and has created some controversy among those who live on Park Avenue.  She has stated that she changed the chronology and identifying details in the book despite it being a memoir, but their have been some complaints, apparently.  All I know is that I greatly enjoyed this bit of insight into how the other half lives and the author's commentary relating her observations to various social and anthropological studies of primates in the wild.  Highly recommended!

Monday, August 3, 2015

BEACH TOWN (Mary Kay Andrews)

Nothing can keep me away from a Mary Kay Andrews novel!  She always manages to create a rollicking assortment of quirky characters, vivid settings, and budding relationships that blend together into a wonderful story.  Plus, I never expected to learn so much about scouting for movie locations!

Greer is in Florida looking for locations for a new movie that requires an unknown, undeveloped, old-fashioned beach town.  She is excited when she discovers Cypress Key, the perfect setting for a new movie starring America's most beloved ingenue and a currently hot rapper with no acting experience.  Andrews does of superb job of capturing the ambiance of the town, from the slightly run-down motel to the old casino, and Eb, who is mayor, grocery store owner, motel proprietor, town engineer, and guardian to his teenage niece Allie, is the perfect small town foil for a big-time movie scout.

Aside from the expected roadblocks and protests from the locals, Greer also has to deal with constant demands and changes from the producers and her growing feelings for Eb (did you see that one coming?).  Andrews incorporates a lot of additional family and relationship drama into this fast-paced novel.  It actually has everything except a murder!  The ending is perfect and I am looking forward to Mary Kay Andrews's next novel.  If only I didn't have to wait so long!