Multiple layers of mystery and romance, Southern sensibilities, and dark family secrets combine to make Summer in the South one of those novels that you don't want to put down. On the surface the story sounds deceivingly typical: disenchanted aspiring writer Ava Dabrowski is at a personal and career crossroads when old college friend Will Fraser invites her to abandon her job in Chicago and spend the summer living and writing a novel at his family home in Woodburn, Tennessee. Ava, who has recently lost her free-spirited mother, Clotilde, and ended a stressful romance, agrees to the arrangement, quits her job in Chicago, and drives to Tennessee with Clotilde's ashes strapped into the front passenger seat of her car.
Will's great aunts, Fanny and Josephine, and Fanny's husband, Maitland Sinclair, welcome Ava to their home and community. Sweet tea, a friendly flirtation with Will, daily 5 o'clock "toddy time," and breakfasts with her amiable hosts lull Ava into a relaxing routine, but her muse remains elusive and her novel unwritten until she is inspired by the story of the mysterious death of Fanny's first husband, Charlie Woodburn. A recurrence of her childhood sleep paralysis (complete with a ghostly presence in her room) and access to old family journals inspire Ava to spend her nights writing the fictionalized story of Charlie's mysterious life and death. Ava is intrigued by past and present family secrets and by ostracized cousin Jake Woodburn, but none of these are things that the Woodburn family wants to discuss. Complicating Ava's summer are new revelations regarding her nomadic childhood with Clotilde, Will's obvious desire to move their relationship in a different direction, and her friendship with Jake.
Holton has created a quirky small-town atmosphere and intriguing and endearing characters, combining wonderful references to the 1920's and to more recent past. Multi-layered and mysterious, this one is a winner. I would recommend it!
BIBLIOPHILY
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
REAP WHAT YOU SEW (Elizabeth Lynn Casey)
Hollywood comes to Sweet Briar, SC when the town is chosen as the set for a movie starring Anita Belise, a notoriously difficult actress with an allergy to nuts. Leona Elkin, 60-something vamp and one of the Southern Sewing Circle group (except that she doesn't actually sew) sets her sights on the movie's famous director, Warren Shoemaker. The only thing standing in the way of her romance with Warren is Anita, whose sudden death from anaphylactic shock sends waves of shock, suspicion, and relief through the movie's crew and the townspeople. Unfortunately, Anita's "death by brownie" can be directly linked to a batch of nut-filled goodies baked by Leona' sister, Mary Louise, after Tori facetiously suggests that nuts would be a good way to get Anita out of Leona's way. As usual, Tori and the Sewing Circle are now persons of interest in the investigation into Anita's murder. Could Leona actually be guilty? If so, could Tori and Mary Louise be implicated? Tori pulls out all the stops to investigate the movie's crew to discover who may have killed the difficult actress before he police zero in local suspects. Another winner!
DANGEROUS ALTERATIONS (Elizabeth Lynn Casey)
Tori's ex-fiance Jeff (the one who cheated on her with a close friend at their engagement party!) shows up in Sweet Briar after the sudden death of his Aunt Vera. No love is lost between Jeff, Vera's heir, and his cousin Garret, Vera's step-son, an abusive husband who expected to inherit her estate. When healthy, athletic Jeff drops dead during a jog through town it is assumed that he suffered a heart attack. Will forensic evidence point to foul play? Naturally, Tori, the jilted lover, will be one of the main suspects, but it appears that there are many other people with more compelling motives.
Casey delves just a little bit deeper into her characters and their pasts with each book in this series, and with each one the reader becomes more entrenched in the lives of the ladies of the Sweet Briar Southern Sewing Circle. I enjoyed this one even more than the previous books because I know and love the characters better with each book. I'm looking forward to the new one and to Casey's visit to our library in September!
Casey delves just a little bit deeper into her characters and their pasts with each book in this series, and with each one the reader becomes more entrenched in the lives of the ladies of the Sweet Briar Southern Sewing Circle. I enjoyed this one even more than the previous books because I know and love the characters better with each book. I'm looking forward to the new one and to Casey's visit to our library in September!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
TYME OF NOW (Michael Walsh)
In today's hi-tech environment there is little opportunity for teens to exercise their imaginations. The Internet, Smart phones, and video games provide instantaneous 24/7 access to entertainment and social networking, a veritable kaleidoscope of ideas, colors and sounds, all available at the push of a button or the flick of a switch. Sometimes it seems like technology has eradicated any need for personal creativity, which brings me to what I consider to be the strongest element of Mike Walsh's latest fantasy, Tyme of Now: room for imagination.
Mike's writing style is clean and precise, not excessively embellished. The tone is gentle and the story is character-driven. He provides basic descriptions of his characters: age, hair and eye color, height, and build and establishes relationships and necessary background information while clearly defining who is good (Nathan, Tyme, Clara), who is bad (Clarence, Corwin), and what motivates his characters. We kind of know (or hope) early on who is going to win in the end because of their innate goodness, but that's OK because we immediately care about Mike's characters and we WANT good to triumph over evil. From the first page the reader understands that there is trouble brewing, that old conflicts between the Kingdoms of Now and Gorin are going to be resolved very soon, and that it might be bloody. If this were a feature film we could just sit back and relax waiting to be bombarded with glorious battle scenes, gore, and special effects, with perhaps a love scene or two thrown in for effect, but I think we might miss the point.
Here, of course, there ARE the requisite menacing bad guys, exciting super powers, a grueling training regimen for wizards called the Gauntlet, and a few scary fireballs thrown in the heat of battle, all the stuff you'd wish for in a decent fantasy (especially those fireballs!). One of the best examples of how Mike nurtures the reader's imagination is during the Gauntlet sequence. All we know about this sequence of challenges is that every time a trainee fails they emerge soaked with water. The point is not to showcase the physical challenges of the course or to focus on competition among the trainees, but to illustrate the loyalty, discipline, and common goals of the participants. Of course I did find myself wondering what they were doing (scaling rock walls? target shooting?), but I think that focusing on "what" instead of "why" would have detracted from the characters. This section reminded me a bit of the author's autobiographical "Eddie's Method," an exercise in character-building.
As I also observed in reviewing one of Mike's earlier novels, a lot of the action takes place between the lines. The reader is given the opportunity to imagine, to see the story unfold in their mind's eye instead of being slapped in the face with a plethora of details. I have nothing against richly embellished prose; in fact, I often love it, but there is something very positive to be said about a more minimal approach. When it comes to fantasy, an author has a choice of making a work exclusively his own or allowing his readers to share in developing some aspects of the story through their own imaginations. Mike Walsh provides an opportunity for his readers to share in the creative process with him by creating a group of intriguing, well-defined characters in an appealing setting, making us care about them, and letting us fill in some of the details on our own. Interactive reading helps to build imagination and creativity. This is a great thing!
Mike's writing style is clean and precise, not excessively embellished. The tone is gentle and the story is character-driven. He provides basic descriptions of his characters: age, hair and eye color, height, and build and establishes relationships and necessary background information while clearly defining who is good (Nathan, Tyme, Clara), who is bad (Clarence, Corwin), and what motivates his characters. We kind of know (or hope) early on who is going to win in the end because of their innate goodness, but that's OK because we immediately care about Mike's characters and we WANT good to triumph over evil. From the first page the reader understands that there is trouble brewing, that old conflicts between the Kingdoms of Now and Gorin are going to be resolved very soon, and that it might be bloody. If this were a feature film we could just sit back and relax waiting to be bombarded with glorious battle scenes, gore, and special effects, with perhaps a love scene or two thrown in for effect, but I think we might miss the point.
Here, of course, there ARE the requisite menacing bad guys, exciting super powers, a grueling training regimen for wizards called the Gauntlet, and a few scary fireballs thrown in the heat of battle, all the stuff you'd wish for in a decent fantasy (especially those fireballs!). One of the best examples of how Mike nurtures the reader's imagination is during the Gauntlet sequence. All we know about this sequence of challenges is that every time a trainee fails they emerge soaked with water. The point is not to showcase the physical challenges of the course or to focus on competition among the trainees, but to illustrate the loyalty, discipline, and common goals of the participants. Of course I did find myself wondering what they were doing (scaling rock walls? target shooting?), but I think that focusing on "what" instead of "why" would have detracted from the characters. This section reminded me a bit of the author's autobiographical "Eddie's Method," an exercise in character-building.
As I also observed in reviewing one of Mike's earlier novels, a lot of the action takes place between the lines. The reader is given the opportunity to imagine, to see the story unfold in their mind's eye instead of being slapped in the face with a plethora of details. I have nothing against richly embellished prose; in fact, I often love it, but there is something very positive to be said about a more minimal approach. When it comes to fantasy, an author has a choice of making a work exclusively his own or allowing his readers to share in developing some aspects of the story through their own imaginations. Mike Walsh provides an opportunity for his readers to share in the creative process with him by creating a group of intriguing, well-defined characters in an appealing setting, making us care about them, and letting us fill in some of the details on our own. Interactive reading helps to build imagination and creativity. This is a great thing!
DEATH THREADS / PINNED FOR MURDER / DEADLY NOTIONS (Elizabeth Lynn Casey)
I'm reviewing the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th books in Casey's Southern Sewing Circle series together because, in an unusual step for me, I read them one after the other! I love the characters in this delightful series, but I usually need to wait a while before reading the next book in any series. Since the author (real name: Laura Bradford) will be at our library for a third visit in September, I realized that I have been quite lax, just coveting and enjoying immensely the wonderful cover art and clever titles lined up on a shelf in my kitchen but neglecting to actually read the rest of the books. If you are reading this, Laura, I apologize and pledge to have them all read by the time I see you again, especially because I'm having a great time! Tori Sinclair and her Southern Sewing Circle friends become more endearing with each novel.
Tori, small-town librarian and amateur sleuth, investigates the disappearance of best-selling author Colby Calhoun in "Death Threads." After revealing the true story behind the legend of Sweet Briar's Civil War era destruction by fire and rebirth from the ashes, Colby disappears, leaving a trail of blood and a community that feels he may have gotten what he deserved. Anxious to solve the apparent murder of friend Debbie's husband, the ladies of the sewing circle leave no seam unsewn in their quest to solve Colby's disappearance.
In "Pinned for Murder," wealthy, mean Martha Jane is found dead, strangled with a piece of rope. The murder victim is the next-door neighbor of sewing circle member Rose and the prime suspect is Rose's former student, Kenny, a developmentally disabled young man with a temper. Rose is convinced of Kenny's innocence and Tori does her best to prove that someone else committed the crime.
"Deadly Notion"s features fashion designer Ashley Lawson, the helicopter mother from Hell. In her quest to make sure that her daughter Penelope is the center of attention at all times she wreaks havoc with nearly everyone in town, so when she is found murdered there are plenty of suspects, even members of the Tori's sewing Circle, many of whom were overheard at a library event suggesting that strangling Ashley would be a good idea. To add to the stress, Milo Wentworth's high-school flame Bethany has returned to town hell-bent on rekindling her romance with Tori's boyfriend. This series just gets better and better and the ending is spectacular. Don't peek!
Tori, small-town librarian and amateur sleuth, investigates the disappearance of best-selling author Colby Calhoun in "Death Threads." After revealing the true story behind the legend of Sweet Briar's Civil War era destruction by fire and rebirth from the ashes, Colby disappears, leaving a trail of blood and a community that feels he may have gotten what he deserved. Anxious to solve the apparent murder of friend Debbie's husband, the ladies of the sewing circle leave no seam unsewn in their quest to solve Colby's disappearance.
In "Pinned for Murder," wealthy, mean Martha Jane is found dead, strangled with a piece of rope. The murder victim is the next-door neighbor of sewing circle member Rose and the prime suspect is Rose's former student, Kenny, a developmentally disabled young man with a temper. Rose is convinced of Kenny's innocence and Tori does her best to prove that someone else committed the crime.
"Deadly Notion"s features fashion designer Ashley Lawson, the helicopter mother from Hell. In her quest to make sure that her daughter Penelope is the center of attention at all times she wreaks havoc with nearly everyone in town, so when she is found murdered there are plenty of suspects, even members of the Tori's sewing Circle, many of whom were overheard at a library event suggesting that strangling Ashley would be a good idea. To add to the stress, Milo Wentworth's high-school flame Bethany has returned to town hell-bent on rekindling her romance with Tori's boyfriend. This series just gets better and better and the ending is spectacular. Don't peek!
Saturday, June 22, 2013
OUT OF WARRANTY (Haywood Smith)
Recently widowed Cassie Jones is coping with grief and lifelong disabling health issues, including multiple joint replacements. Her late and much-loved husband's life insurance money is disappearing much too quickly into a well of medical bills not covered by her very expensive insurance. She is beginning to wonder if she will ever feel better, physically or emotionally. When her holistic physician (not covered under her insurance) refers her to a doctor specializing in the treatment of fungal allergies (also not covered by her insurance plan), Cassie finally has a diagnosis of fungal arthritis, a rare genetic condition, and a very expensive course of treatment and medications (none of which are covered by her insurance). She also needs to completely free her home of mold, a process not covered by her homeowner's insurance, of course.
At her new doctor's office Cassie meets Jack Wilson, a grubby, one-legged curmudgeon with COPD who is undergoing the same course of treatment as Cassie. She initially believes him to be an uneducated mechanic and he assumes she is a pampered, wealthy housewife. As the novel progresses Cassie and Jack, whose appointments coincide, develop a very tentative friendship colored with frustration and a deepening understanding of each other's feeling about life and loss. While Cassie wonders if she can even afford to grow older, Jack wonders if it's worth it to even try, yet during the course of helping each other cope with their treatments they discover a mutual love of literature and common frustration with parents and children. One very interesting thing about this very entertaining book is that author Haywood Smith suffers from the same genetic form of arthritis as Cassie Jones.
I have to say that I enjoyed every moment of this wonderful novel. Watching Cassie and Jack's relationship evolve into unexpected (i.e. not your typical romance!) territory, suffering along with them while they each try to cope with loss of "things" that they thought were important, and their very practical solution to most of their problems was a total delight. If this were a movie and I were a critic I would give it 2 thumbs up without question! By the way, anyone who has ever for a moment worried about the state of health care in America should read this novel. In some ways it's an eye-opener!
At her new doctor's office Cassie meets Jack Wilson, a grubby, one-legged curmudgeon with COPD who is undergoing the same course of treatment as Cassie. She initially believes him to be an uneducated mechanic and he assumes she is a pampered, wealthy housewife. As the novel progresses Cassie and Jack, whose appointments coincide, develop a very tentative friendship colored with frustration and a deepening understanding of each other's feeling about life and loss. While Cassie wonders if she can even afford to grow older, Jack wonders if it's worth it to even try, yet during the course of helping each other cope with their treatments they discover a mutual love of literature and common frustration with parents and children. One very interesting thing about this very entertaining book is that author Haywood Smith suffers from the same genetic form of arthritis as Cassie Jones.
I have to say that I enjoyed every moment of this wonderful novel. Watching Cassie and Jack's relationship evolve into unexpected (i.e. not your typical romance!) territory, suffering along with them while they each try to cope with loss of "things" that they thought were important, and their very practical solution to most of their problems was a total delight. If this were a movie and I were a critic I would give it 2 thumbs up without question! By the way, anyone who has ever for a moment worried about the state of health care in America should read this novel. In some ways it's an eye-opener!
DEATH OF AN IRISH SINNER (Bartholomew Gill)
Here are the plusses of Death of an Irish Sinner:
1. Detective Peter McGarr is a realistic and appealing character. His personality and his loving relationship with his wife and daughter make him identifiable to most readers.
2. Gill was a very literate writer. I have a definite admiration for any author that compels me to run for the dictionary several times during a novel.
3. I enjoyed the bonding and obvious friendship among the various police officers.
The minuses:
1. Much grittier than the mysteries I usually enjoy.
2. A lot of confusion trying to keep track of the various characters and their inter-relationships.
3. Too many words that I actually had never heard before (very odd!).
4 Dissatisfying ending.
Overall, I would have to say that this was not my favorite book ever. Far from it, in fact. However, I would not NOT recommend it. Rather, I would recommend it for those who enjoy gritty literary mysteries and are good at keeping track of multiple characters and interrelated plotlines. Gill was a very good writer, just not my style.
1. Detective Peter McGarr is a realistic and appealing character. His personality and his loving relationship with his wife and daughter make him identifiable to most readers.
2. Gill was a very literate writer. I have a definite admiration for any author that compels me to run for the dictionary several times during a novel.
3. I enjoyed the bonding and obvious friendship among the various police officers.
The minuses:
1. Much grittier than the mysteries I usually enjoy.
2. A lot of confusion trying to keep track of the various characters and their inter-relationships.
3. Too many words that I actually had never heard before (very odd!).
4 Dissatisfying ending.
Overall, I would have to say that this was not my favorite book ever. Far from it, in fact. However, I would not NOT recommend it. Rather, I would recommend it for those who enjoy gritty literary mysteries and are good at keeping track of multiple characters and interrelated plotlines. Gill was a very good writer, just not my style.
Friday, June 14, 2013
THE FIREBIRD (Susanna Kearsley)
I can't believe that I am back in Connecticut, sitting in front of my computer with one of my cats sitting nearby. Just a few minutes ago I was in St. Petersburg, and before that Calais and Ypres and Scotland, hovering back and forth between the present time and 1715. Author Susanna Kearsley has once again produced a literary work of art, an irresistible combination of wonderful historical research, romance, and the fascinating phenomenon of psychometry, the ability to sense information about an object or people who have been associated with it through touch or proximity.
Nicola Marter has a gift that she has kept hidden for most of her life out of shame and fear: she is able to see the history of an object just by touching it. When she holds a small wooden bird owned by a woman quietly desperate for money, Nicola sees Empress Catherine of Russia giving the carving to Anna, the woman's many-times-great grandmother. But how to prove it? Her quest to help the woman takes Nicola, along with old friend and former love Robbie McMorran (seen previously as a psychic 10-year-old boy in "The Shadowy Horses) from Scotland to France and Belgium and, finally, to imperial Russia.
As usual, Kearsley's characters are both fascinating and endearing. She draws her readers completely into the story, present and past, and her historical research seems impeccable. As always with Susanna Kearsley's novel, I recommend this one HIGHLY. Be prepared to be enchanted!
Nicola Marter has a gift that she has kept hidden for most of her life out of shame and fear: she is able to see the history of an object just by touching it. When she holds a small wooden bird owned by a woman quietly desperate for money, Nicola sees Empress Catherine of Russia giving the carving to Anna, the woman's many-times-great grandmother. But how to prove it? Her quest to help the woman takes Nicola, along with old friend and former love Robbie McMorran (seen previously as a psychic 10-year-old boy in "The Shadowy Horses) from Scotland to France and Belgium and, finally, to imperial Russia.
As usual, Kearsley's characters are both fascinating and endearing. She draws her readers completely into the story, present and past, and her historical research seems impeccable. As always with Susanna Kearsley's novel, I recommend this one HIGHLY. Be prepared to be enchanted!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
SPEAKING FROM AMONG THE BONES (Alan Bradley)
Eleven-year-old amateur detective Flavia de Luce is thrilled when plans are made to exhume the bones of Saint Tancred, the "bishop" of Bishop's Lacy, from his tomb in the local church on the 500th anniversary of his death. When the tomb is opened, however, Flavia stumbles upon the body of the handsome Mr. Collicut, the much admired church organist who has been missing for several weeks. This is not just an ordinary murder case, though. How did Mr. Collicut end up in the tomb, why is he wearing a gas mask, and how does the legend of St. Tancred's bejeweled staff, supposedly buried with his body, figure into Collicut's death? Despite being worried about her father's preoccupation and the possible sale of her crumbling family estate, Flavia uses her considerable investigative skills and her talent as a chemist to narrow down the list of suspects and, as usual, trump the local constabulary to solve the crime in this hilarious mystery full of twists, turns, and all the undiminished charm of Flavia's past adventures. Warning: Do NOT look at the last page ahead of time!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
OSCAR WILDE AND THE MURDERS AT READING GAOL (Gyles Brandreth)
Gyles Brandreth is a genius! Throughout this wonderful mystery I had to keep reminding myself that Oscar Wilde was not actually sharing his own story. I have long been a fan of Wilde. In fact, here is a recording of the man himself reciting a portion of The Ballad of Reading Gaol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoJLjWlJng. It send chills up my spine!
As any Oscar Wilde aficionado knows, the man was tried, convicted, and sentenced to 2 years of hard labor in punishment for gross indecency as a result of his homosexual affair with Lord Alfred Douglas. While imprisoned he suffered a serious injury to his eardrum that is believed to have contributed to his death in 1900 at age 46. Brandreth seamlessly incorporates significant biographical details of Wilde's life, such as this one, into his story, making it difficult to discern where reality leaves off and imagination takes over. This incredible mystery is set primarily during Wilde's two year stint in prison. Brandreth's research of the inner workings of the English prison system in the 1890s is meticulous and his graphic depictions of an inmate's life transport the reader right into the heart and soul (or lack thereof) of Reading Gaol. Wilde's relationship with Arthur Conan Doyle is referred to frequently throughout, adding an extra touch of personality and authenticity to the story. The concept of Oscar Wilde as detective is in and of itself fascinating, but the incredible twists and turns, threats and deaths, and Wilde's observations and conclusions make this an outstanding mystery. There are several untimely deaths in Oscar Wilde and the Murders at Reading Gaol, but it is not until the final pages that the reader discovers the true depth and breadth of Wilde's powers of observation and, at the same time, Brandreth's own genius. I highly recommend this series!
As any Oscar Wilde aficionado knows, the man was tried, convicted, and sentenced to 2 years of hard labor in punishment for gross indecency as a result of his homosexual affair with Lord Alfred Douglas. While imprisoned he suffered a serious injury to his eardrum that is believed to have contributed to his death in 1900 at age 46. Brandreth seamlessly incorporates significant biographical details of Wilde's life, such as this one, into his story, making it difficult to discern where reality leaves off and imagination takes over. This incredible mystery is set primarily during Wilde's two year stint in prison. Brandreth's research of the inner workings of the English prison system in the 1890s is meticulous and his graphic depictions of an inmate's life transport the reader right into the heart and soul (or lack thereof) of Reading Gaol. Wilde's relationship with Arthur Conan Doyle is referred to frequently throughout, adding an extra touch of personality and authenticity to the story. The concept of Oscar Wilde as detective is in and of itself fascinating, but the incredible twists and turns, threats and deaths, and Wilde's observations and conclusions make this an outstanding mystery. There are several untimely deaths in Oscar Wilde and the Murders at Reading Gaol, but it is not until the final pages that the reader discovers the true depth and breadth of Wilde's powers of observation and, at the same time, Brandreth's own genius. I highly recommend this series!
Monday, May 20, 2013
KNITTING (Ann Bartlett)
Knitting was not what I expected. It was darker, sadder, and more complex than the usual novels I've read on the subject. Knitting is about 2 very different women, both widowed, middle-aged, and childless, one who knits and one who studies textiles.
Martha, the knitter, lost her young husband years ago, a few months after their marriage. She is soft and caring, an immensely talented knitter who occasionally relapses toward the mental and emotional breakdown she suffered after her husband's death. She obsessively carries 3 bags of knitting with her wherever she goes. Sandra is an efficient college professor who has recently lost her husband to cancer. She is focused and efficient, but bereft at the loss of her spouse and best friend. Sandra is an intellectual, not a crafter, and she has a hard edge and ambition (to help her forget her loneliness) that often results in a lack of empathy and inability to connect emotionally. The two women meet when Cliff, a homeless man, suffers a seizure on the street and they rush to his aid. Martha and Cliff form a close bond (but not as close as Cliff would like) while Sandra prefers to distance herself from any further contact. When Sandra discovers that Martha is a creative and expert knitter, she enlists her help in reproducing historical knitted garments for an exhibition designed to showcase the progression of knitting as a utility and an art during the 20th century. Martha agrees to help and their friendship develops, but Sandra fails to realize that she has piled so much responsibility on to Martha's shoulders that the joy of knitting that has defined Martha's life is now in danger of being destroyed.
Knitting is an interesting study of two women whose broken lives begin to heal through knitting. What makes this novel unique is the way that knitting is approached, not as a traditional healing and bonding activity, but more as an untangling and ordering of two lives connected with knitting in very different ways. This is not your typical novel about a group of women finding friendship, happiness, and a measure of contentment through knitting. It's more about 2 women together learning how to be alone and to forgive themselves for not always being perfect. It's definitely worth reading.
Martha, the knitter, lost her young husband years ago, a few months after their marriage. She is soft and caring, an immensely talented knitter who occasionally relapses toward the mental and emotional breakdown she suffered after her husband's death. She obsessively carries 3 bags of knitting with her wherever she goes. Sandra is an efficient college professor who has recently lost her husband to cancer. She is focused and efficient, but bereft at the loss of her spouse and best friend. Sandra is an intellectual, not a crafter, and she has a hard edge and ambition (to help her forget her loneliness) that often results in a lack of empathy and inability to connect emotionally. The two women meet when Cliff, a homeless man, suffers a seizure on the street and they rush to his aid. Martha and Cliff form a close bond (but not as close as Cliff would like) while Sandra prefers to distance herself from any further contact. When Sandra discovers that Martha is a creative and expert knitter, she enlists her help in reproducing historical knitted garments for an exhibition designed to showcase the progression of knitting as a utility and an art during the 20th century. Martha agrees to help and their friendship develops, but Sandra fails to realize that she has piled so much responsibility on to Martha's shoulders that the joy of knitting that has defined Martha's life is now in danger of being destroyed.
Knitting is an interesting study of two women whose broken lives begin to heal through knitting. What makes this novel unique is the way that knitting is approached, not as a traditional healing and bonding activity, but more as an untangling and ordering of two lives connected with knitting in very different ways. This is not your typical novel about a group of women finding friendship, happiness, and a measure of contentment through knitting. It's more about 2 women together learning how to be alone and to forgive themselves for not always being perfect. It's definitely worth reading.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
OBSESSED (Mika Brzezinski)
This book left me with an uneasy feeling, for some reason. I found the facts on the American diet to be horrifying, but not necessarily surprising. I agree with Mika's assessment of changes needed to our diet and exercise routines and I do believe that a large number of people are destroying their health with their dietary choices. I myself need to lose at least 10 pounds and I know that willpower is difficult to maintain with the media's constant barrage of misleading invitations, packaged in mouthwatering TV ads, billboards, and store displays, to consume fats, sugars, and other basically unhealthy foods. I am, however, a great believer in all things in moderation rather than deprivation and dieting. This is the way to maintain good health, as Mika points out.
I especially enjoyed Diane Smith's story of her ongoing journey from obesity, which was having a detrimental effect on both her mobility and her career, to a healthy weight through nutrition and exercise. I also appreciated the statistics and first-person commentary by experts and people who had conquered difficult weight problems, as well as Mika's admission that her own eating and exercise habits have for years been geared toward appearance rather than good health. "Obsessed" is a valuable collection of facts and insights into the health issues associated with obesity. I think the thing that bothered me about this book, though, was the constant undertone of thinner (not just thin enough) being better. I remember at one point her stating that 135 was a healthy weight for a woman 5'7" or 5' 8" (she was referring to a couple of people other than herself). While this is certainly true (you can't argue with a BMI of 20 or 21), a weight of 150 is also healthy for that height range, with a BMI of around 23 and well within the guidelines for healthy weights, but Mika was rather absolute in her assessment of what is healthy. She did mention Gayle King, who is over 5'10" tall, being happy with her weight of 162 (again, a BMI in the 22-23 range), but the tone implied not that Gayle was fit and healthy but, rather, that it was nice that Gayle was psychologically able to accept herself at this weight. Maybe I'm just reading too much into Mika's observations because I am obsessed with my waistline (or lack thereof). I appreciate her willingness to admit and take action on her own weight issues and I agree completely that the American diet needs an overhaul. Maybe she could lighten up a little bit, though, for all the people who are actually at a healthy BMI, but not at the lower end. I do believe that this is a book worth reading and I would recommend it, but unless you are either at a BMI of 20 (you probably are if you are 16 years old - I know I was!) or vigorously working out and eating healthy all the time, be prepared to feel a little bit defensive.
I especially enjoyed Diane Smith's story of her ongoing journey from obesity, which was having a detrimental effect on both her mobility and her career, to a healthy weight through nutrition and exercise. I also appreciated the statistics and first-person commentary by experts and people who had conquered difficult weight problems, as well as Mika's admission that her own eating and exercise habits have for years been geared toward appearance rather than good health. "Obsessed" is a valuable collection of facts and insights into the health issues associated with obesity. I think the thing that bothered me about this book, though, was the constant undertone of thinner (not just thin enough) being better. I remember at one point her stating that 135 was a healthy weight for a woman 5'7" or 5' 8" (she was referring to a couple of people other than herself). While this is certainly true (you can't argue with a BMI of 20 or 21), a weight of 150 is also healthy for that height range, with a BMI of around 23 and well within the guidelines for healthy weights, but Mika was rather absolute in her assessment of what is healthy. She did mention Gayle King, who is over 5'10" tall, being happy with her weight of 162 (again, a BMI in the 22-23 range), but the tone implied not that Gayle was fit and healthy but, rather, that it was nice that Gayle was psychologically able to accept herself at this weight. Maybe I'm just reading too much into Mika's observations because I am obsessed with my waistline (or lack thereof). I appreciate her willingness to admit and take action on her own weight issues and I agree completely that the American diet needs an overhaul. Maybe she could lighten up a little bit, though, for all the people who are actually at a healthy BMI, but not at the lower end. I do believe that this is a book worth reading and I would recommend it, but unless you are either at a BMI of 20 (you probably are if you are 16 years old - I know I was!) or vigorously working out and eating healthy all the time, be prepared to feel a little bit defensive.
WEDDING NIGHT (Sophie Kinsella)
Kinsella's latest is a hilarious comedy of missed cues and opportunities, wrong choices, family interference, and sexual tension. Lottie is hungry for marriage and a family and feels that she has finally found the right man in Richard until the "question" that he takes out to dinner to ask turns out to be about air miles instead of the proposal she expected. Devastated and angry, she breaks up with Richard and embarks on another of what her older sister Fliss refers to as her "unfortunate choices, " deciding on the spur of the moment to marry Ben Parr, who seeks her out 15 years after their gap-year romance on the island of Ikonos, Greece. Can a man and a woman find true love and fulfillment in a marriage based on a powerful physical attraction and starry-eyed memories of a youthful fling? Not if big sister Fliss can help it!
As editor of a travel magazine, Fliss has enough connections in the industry to block all of Lottie and Ben's attempts to consummate their marriage, leaving the way open for the annulment that Fliss is sure should follow the hasty marriage. Joined by her 7-year-old son Noah, Ben's business partner (and Fliss's recent fling) Lorcan, and, eventually, a contrite Richard, Fliss battles air delays, communication problems, and her own marital issues to save her sister from her latest "unfortunate choice." It's certainly not rocket science, and you're not going to learn anything that improve your mind or your health, but if you are looking for a relaxing and hilarious escape from real life, Kinsella has just the ticket!
As editor of a travel magazine, Fliss has enough connections in the industry to block all of Lottie and Ben's attempts to consummate their marriage, leaving the way open for the annulment that Fliss is sure should follow the hasty marriage. Joined by her 7-year-old son Noah, Ben's business partner (and Fliss's recent fling) Lorcan, and, eventually, a contrite Richard, Fliss battles air delays, communication problems, and her own marital issues to save her sister from her latest "unfortunate choice." It's certainly not rocket science, and you're not going to learn anything that improve your mind or your health, but if you are looking for a relaxing and hilarious escape from real life, Kinsella has just the ticket!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
KNIGHTS OF FOREVER (Mike Walsh)
To start with, I have to say that I am not normally a reader of speculative fiction of any kind. My taste runs more towards historical fiction and cozy mysteries, perhaps with a touch of romance, and I have to say that it surprises me (pleasantly) that there are many elements of these genres in "Knights of Forever."
Rod Serling supposedly said that "science fiction is the improbable made possible." Mike Walsh has created a story that takes the improbable, time travel, and makes it look and feel like something that will naturally evolve as science and technology develop. He draws the reader into the story from the first page, when we are introduced to the mysterious man in black walking in the autumn sunshine. We have the sense that we are in a rural, pre-industrial-era setting, but we could just as easily be in some sort of post apocalyptic world where humanity is struggling to start from scratch technologically. Though quite spare in his descriptions, the author manages to convey a great sense of the personalities of his characters. They are starkly good or evil and there is no mistaking who is the villain here. The intrigue comes not from trying to figure out motivations of the various characters or who will emerge victorious in the end, but from the undercurrents, the sense of family and hope for the future that are mostly implied yet come through loud and clear in the relationships among the various characters. Nick is a wonderful young man, an innocent and loving son who, despite his gentle upbringing, is capable of killing reflexively for love and honor of family.
Mike Walsh packs a lot into 78 short pages. I think that what I enjoyed most about this novel is not so much what I read on the pages, but what I read between the lines. This author can convey in a brief phrase what another writer might take three pages to say. Thinking about what you have read is one thing, but thinking BEYOND the pages of a novel is quite another. I am intrigued by the idea of time travel, by the possibility of knowing the future or of deliberately or accidentally influencing historical events. I would consider any book that keeps you thinking after the fact to be successful, and this one fits into that category.
Rod Serling supposedly said that "science fiction is the improbable made possible." Mike Walsh has created a story that takes the improbable, time travel, and makes it look and feel like something that will naturally evolve as science and technology develop. He draws the reader into the story from the first page, when we are introduced to the mysterious man in black walking in the autumn sunshine. We have the sense that we are in a rural, pre-industrial-era setting, but we could just as easily be in some sort of post apocalyptic world where humanity is struggling to start from scratch technologically. Though quite spare in his descriptions, the author manages to convey a great sense of the personalities of his characters. They are starkly good or evil and there is no mistaking who is the villain here. The intrigue comes not from trying to figure out motivations of the various characters or who will emerge victorious in the end, but from the undercurrents, the sense of family and hope for the future that are mostly implied yet come through loud and clear in the relationships among the various characters. Nick is a wonderful young man, an innocent and loving son who, despite his gentle upbringing, is capable of killing reflexively for love and honor of family.
Mike Walsh packs a lot into 78 short pages. I think that what I enjoyed most about this novel is not so much what I read on the pages, but what I read between the lines. This author can convey in a brief phrase what another writer might take three pages to say. Thinking about what you have read is one thing, but thinking BEYOND the pages of a novel is quite another. I am intrigued by the idea of time travel, by the possibility of knowing the future or of deliberately or accidentally influencing historical events. I would consider any book that keeps you thinking after the fact to be successful, and this one fits into that category.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
THE COLD LIGHT OF MOURNING (Elizabeth J. Duncan)
My friend Korina, a fellow mystery buff, recommended "The Cold Light Of Mourning." I knew I could trust her judgment!
Penny Brannigan, a single 50-something Canadian ex-pat living in Llanelan, Wales, loses her dearest friend just before the wedding of the son of the village's most prominent citizen. When the bride, Meg Wynn Thompson, disappears on the morning of her big day, everyone naturally suspects a case of cold feet. However, Penny notices something odd about the grave at her friend's funeral. Soon the groom is one of the prime suspects in Meg Wynn's murder. With a number of potential suspects in addition to the groom, including Meg Wynn's abusive father, and the involvement of a very attractive member of the local constabulary, Penny can't help but to get involved in the investigation. The appealing characters and cozy village setting make this a good choice for any fan of lighter mysteries set in the UK.
Penny Brannigan, a single 50-something Canadian ex-pat living in Llanelan, Wales, loses her dearest friend just before the wedding of the son of the village's most prominent citizen. When the bride, Meg Wynn Thompson, disappears on the morning of her big day, everyone naturally suspects a case of cold feet. However, Penny notices something odd about the grave at her friend's funeral. Soon the groom is one of the prime suspects in Meg Wynn's murder. With a number of potential suspects in addition to the groom, including Meg Wynn's abusive father, and the involvement of a very attractive member of the local constabulary, Penny can't help but to get involved in the investigation. The appealing characters and cozy village setting make this a good choice for any fan of lighter mysteries set in the UK.
THE MIDDLESTEINS (Jamie Attenberg)
Edie Middlestein is
grossly overweight and, as a result, in poor health, and after 30 years her
husband Richard, a pharmacist, has had enough of married life. He leaves her for greener pastures, much to
the disgust of his school-teacher daughter, Robyn, and his son and daughter-in-law, Benny and
Rachelle. Robyn is furious at her father
and feels that he is to blame for the disintegration of their family. Rachelle is determined to help Edie lose
weight and regain her health and equally determined to shut Richard out of the family. Benny,
often in a pot-induced state of mellowness, is inexplicably losing his
hair. Edie, in the meantime, continues
to gorge herself, stuffing in as much food as possible as often as possible.
Both Edie and Richard are sympathetic characters. Edie has had issues with
food throughout her life and chose Richard as a suitable husband without a
great deal of thought. One of the most delightful and prescient passages
in the novel refers to the day that Edie and Richard marry, describing
Richard as not knowing that he would never again be as happy. The
Middlesteins are in many ways a typical, middle-class Jewish family that is
coming apart at the seams. Interestingly,
despite the anger of their children and disruption to all their lives, Richard
and Edie seem happier apart. I’m still thinking
about this novel, but I’d recommend it without reservation.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
THE TRUTH ABOUT STYLE (Stacy London)
I originally picked up this book (OK, I also ordered it for the library) because I'm a fan of "What Not to Wear" and I was interested in how Stacy would make over the 8 women chosen to be featured here. London, it turns out, is not just an attractive woman with a talent for figuring out what looks good on other people; she is a insightful and sympathetic person with many issues of her own. She doesn't just dress a person, suggesting colors and styles that complement shape and lifestyle. She gets to the heart of WHY they have failed to develop their own fashion sense and in the course of doing so she reveals in each chapter her own vulnerabilities and mistakes. Stacy London suffered very badly from psoriasis during her adolescence and still carries scars from the steroid cream the finally gave her relief but nearly destroyed her skin in the process. As a college student at Vassar she struggled with eating disorders, her weight fluctuating between 90 and 180 pounds during her first year working at a fashion magazine. She describes herself as not very good at relationships and has never been married or had children.
In addition to the surprising insights into herself and her own life, London also offers the reader an interesting analysis of each of the eight women she transforms. They include a wide range of "types:" a 48-year-old divorced mother who would like to start dating, a petite but curvy young career woman, a very tall newlywed who feels that her shape (narrow shoulders, long legs, thick waist) is impossible to dress, a successful, fifty-something Silicon valley career woman who wants to look youthful without looking like she is trying to look younger, and more.
I enjoyed The Truth About Style thoroughly. I thought I would flip through it , look at the pictures, and read a few paragraphs here and there, but I ended up reading the whole book over the weekend. I feel like I have a whole new perspective on how and why to dress, as well as new insight into Stacy London. She's very interesting, and she's really nice (not that I had thought otherwise)! I guess the truth about personal style is that it has nothing to do with the latest trends, how much money you invest in your wardrobe, or how much you weigh. It has to do with feeling good about who you are and expressing that through the way you dress. By projecting your love of color, your artistic sensibilities, your professional confidence, etc. to the world through your choice of clothing instead of focusing on and trying to disguise your real or imagined physical flaws, you let the real you shine through. What could be better than that?
In addition to the surprising insights into herself and her own life, London also offers the reader an interesting analysis of each of the eight women she transforms. They include a wide range of "types:" a 48-year-old divorced mother who would like to start dating, a petite but curvy young career woman, a very tall newlywed who feels that her shape (narrow shoulders, long legs, thick waist) is impossible to dress, a successful, fifty-something Silicon valley career woman who wants to look youthful without looking like she is trying to look younger, and more.
I enjoyed The Truth About Style thoroughly. I thought I would flip through it , look at the pictures, and read a few paragraphs here and there, but I ended up reading the whole book over the weekend. I feel like I have a whole new perspective on how and why to dress, as well as new insight into Stacy London. She's very interesting, and she's really nice (not that I had thought otherwise)! I guess the truth about personal style is that it has nothing to do with the latest trends, how much money you invest in your wardrobe, or how much you weigh. It has to do with feeling good about who you are and expressing that through the way you dress. By projecting your love of color, your artistic sensibilities, your professional confidence, etc. to the world through your choice of clothing instead of focusing on and trying to disguise your real or imagined physical flaws, you let the real you shine through. What could be better than that?
Thursday, April 25, 2013
DEATH OF A SCHOOLGIRL (Joanna Campbell Slan)
Slan's portrayal of Jane Eyre as amateur detective is quite successful, to say the least, and I expect this to be a very interesting series. After Thornhill burns, Jane and Mr. Edward Rochester reunite and marry. Edward Thornhill's ward, Adele Varens, now 10 years old, has been sent to a prestigious boarding school and, due to the birth of son Ned, Jane and Edward have been unable to visit the girl. When a strange note arrives indicating that Adele may be under some sort of threat at the school, it is decided that Jane will travel to London on her own to investigate since Mr. Rochester has been ordered to rest at the moment to avoid endangering damaged eyesight. During her trip to London Jane is beaten and robbed at a coach stop and on arrival at the school she is confronted with the sight of a corpse being transported from the building. In a lucky coincidence, the school is temporarily short a teacher and Jane, concerned about the well-being of both Adele and the other students, decides to take the job and investigate the death of their classmate. Slan manages to combine some humorous slapstick with sharp detective work for a very satisfying conclusion to this mystery. Jane and Edward's devotion and Jane's intelligence and feistiness make for appealing characters that you will want to know better. I can't speak to the comparisons between Slan's writing and Bronte's because if I did read Jane Eyre it was many, many years ago, but I understand from other comments that her style is very comparable. I'm looking forward to the next in the Jane Eyre Chronicles!
BEING A LIBRARIAN
One of the saddest and most difficult parts of my job as a librarian is "deselection," weeding books from our collection. We weed for a variety of reasons: too many copies after the demand is over, lack of circulation, poor condition, outdated information, etc. I always feel especially bad when I see the hopeful, excited face of a first time author or the confident expression of an established, popular writer looking out at me from the back cover of a novel as I stamp DISCARD on what could be their life's dream. I definitely have an emotional connection to my work!
The fact is that most libraries have space limitations. There have been protests in some areas of the country over libraries dumping books that are no longer needed into the trash, but that doesn't happen very often. We just don't have room to keep every book, no matter how good it is, if no one wants to read it. In our library, we hang on to books with literary or educational merit (there are actually professional resources that identify these for us, so it's not just our personal opinions) for as long as we can, and sometimes they sit on our shelves for 6, 10, or even 15 years with absolutely no one reading them. Eventually the time comes when the shelves could literally be stuffed with books that no one wants to read, so we have to take action! When we weed fiction and nonfiction, we consider writing quality, how long it has been since the book was checked out, if it is part of a series, how many times it has been borrowed, publication year, whether a blockbuster movie is likely to be based on the book, its condition (ugly, dirty, REALLY old-looking) and whether the information in it is outdated or even dangerous (like really old health resources or legal forms).
We always weed reluctantly. I hate getting rid of great literature or really interesting pop culture books, but sometimes it is necessary. When we weed, our discards go into our book sale and, if not sold, are donated to charity or sold as a lot. Books that are simply useless because they are outdated may be thrown out so there is no chance of people accessing incorrect information. Books that are old and ugly may be thrown out, too, but don't worry. If they are classics we usually have multiple copies already or have ordered a replacement.
If you are concerned about the library discarding great books the solution is simple: Check them out! Libraries, including ours, have all sorts of resources to help you find wonderful materials that have stood the test of time. Be sure to go beyond the NEW area and into the stacks. There are all sorts of treasures there, but if no one looks for them they may eventually be gone.
The fact is that most libraries have space limitations. There have been protests in some areas of the country over libraries dumping books that are no longer needed into the trash, but that doesn't happen very often. We just don't have room to keep every book, no matter how good it is, if no one wants to read it. In our library, we hang on to books with literary or educational merit (there are actually professional resources that identify these for us, so it's not just our personal opinions) for as long as we can, and sometimes they sit on our shelves for 6, 10, or even 15 years with absolutely no one reading them. Eventually the time comes when the shelves could literally be stuffed with books that no one wants to read, so we have to take action! When we weed fiction and nonfiction, we consider writing quality, how long it has been since the book was checked out, if it is part of a series, how many times it has been borrowed, publication year, whether a blockbuster movie is likely to be based on the book, its condition (ugly, dirty, REALLY old-looking) and whether the information in it is outdated or even dangerous (like really old health resources or legal forms).
We always weed reluctantly. I hate getting rid of great literature or really interesting pop culture books, but sometimes it is necessary. When we weed, our discards go into our book sale and, if not sold, are donated to charity or sold as a lot. Books that are simply useless because they are outdated may be thrown out so there is no chance of people accessing incorrect information. Books that are old and ugly may be thrown out, too, but don't worry. If they are classics we usually have multiple copies already or have ordered a replacement.
If you are concerned about the library discarding great books the solution is simple: Check them out! Libraries, including ours, have all sorts of resources to help you find wonderful materials that have stood the test of time. Be sure to go beyond the NEW area and into the stacks. There are all sorts of treasures there, but if no one looks for them they may eventually be gone.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
DEATH OF A PERFECT WIFE (M.C. BEATON)
I can't believe that I haven't written this review yet! This is an older Hamish MacBeth mystery (1989). The thing about M.C. Beaton is that only the little details (Hamish's current dog, the current state of his relationship with Priscilla, Blair's marital status) give the reader a good idea of where we are in the series. Beaton's writing is nothing if not consistent! It is always entertaining.
When Trixie Thomas and her henpecked husband arrive in Lochdubh to open a bed & breakfast, the atmosphere of the little village in the Scottish highlands changes dramatically. Trixie is a perfect housewife who devotes herself to improving the women of Lochdubh and general rabble-rousing. Poor Dr. Brodie finds his wife and his home transformed and unrecognizable, a local farmer finds an angry crowd of environmentalists protesting his plan to demolish an old building, everyone is serving healthy meals, all thanks to Troxie's influence. Trixie is accumulating bits and pieces of "old," unused furniture from everyone in town under the guise of getting off the dole and setting up a successful business. When Trixie is found murdered there are a plethora of suspects. Hamish is quickly on the trail of killer, but, as usual, Inspector Blair is anxious to sideline him and bask in whatever glory he can. Hamish, despite being preoccupied with matters of the heart, continues his investigation under the radar, as usual.
This is the 4th in the Hamish MacBeth series. It was just as good the second time around!
When Trixie Thomas and her henpecked husband arrive in Lochdubh to open a bed & breakfast, the atmosphere of the little village in the Scottish highlands changes dramatically. Trixie is a perfect housewife who devotes herself to improving the women of Lochdubh and general rabble-rousing. Poor Dr. Brodie finds his wife and his home transformed and unrecognizable, a local farmer finds an angry crowd of environmentalists protesting his plan to demolish an old building, everyone is serving healthy meals, all thanks to Troxie's influence. Trixie is accumulating bits and pieces of "old," unused furniture from everyone in town under the guise of getting off the dole and setting up a successful business. When Trixie is found murdered there are a plethora of suspects. Hamish is quickly on the trail of killer, but, as usual, Inspector Blair is anxious to sideline him and bask in whatever glory he can. Hamish, despite being preoccupied with matters of the heart, continues his investigation under the radar, as usual.
This is the 4th in the Hamish MacBeth series. It was just as good the second time around!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
MURDER AT THE CASTLE (Jeanne M. Dams)
I just love Dorothy Martin. She is so real, aging gracefully, enjoying a comfortable, affectionate relationship with he husband, Alan Nesbitt, and wearing all sorts of wonderful hats just because she likes them. I always picture her as a normal, slightly younger and much more likable version of Hyacinth Bucket (Patricia Routledge).
Alan and Dorothy are invited by young friends Inga and Nigel to attend a week-long classical music festival in Wales. The festival will benefit the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Nigel is one of the singers and famed conductor Sir John Warner, who suffered the loss of his young wife, Delia, 10 years before on a tragic cruise, is in charge of the music. During a boat excursion for tourists one of the singers from the festival "accidentally" plunges overboard when the passengers crowd the sides of the boat to take pictures from an aqueduct and later, Graciosa de la Rosa, the festival's universally disliked diva, takes a fatal fall from a balcony during rehearsal. Are the two incidents really accidents or is there a connection? Dorothy and Alan are suspicious, especially when the true identity of Graciosa is revealed.
Dames takes her readers on a tour of the Welsh countryside alongside Dorothy and Alan who, as always, team up to get to the bottom of things. You'll enjoy the experience!
Alan and Dorothy are invited by young friends Inga and Nigel to attend a week-long classical music festival in Wales. The festival will benefit the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Nigel is one of the singers and famed conductor Sir John Warner, who suffered the loss of his young wife, Delia, 10 years before on a tragic cruise, is in charge of the music. During a boat excursion for tourists one of the singers from the festival "accidentally" plunges overboard when the passengers crowd the sides of the boat to take pictures from an aqueduct and later, Graciosa de la Rosa, the festival's universally disliked diva, takes a fatal fall from a balcony during rehearsal. Are the two incidents really accidents or is there a connection? Dorothy and Alan are suspicious, especially when the true identity of Graciosa is revealed.
Dames takes her readers on a tour of the Welsh countryside alongside Dorothy and Alan who, as always, team up to get to the bottom of things. You'll enjoy the experience!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
DEATH OF YESTERDAY (M.C. Beaton)
Hamish MacBeth will never change, but do we really want him to? Any one who is a fan knows that he is tall, red-haired, lazy, a brilliant investigator, and unlucky in love and always will be. Here, as usual, Hamish is constantly thwarted by the nasty (and stupid) Inspector Blair and the publicity-loving Daviot, Blair's superior, as he attempts to investigate the murder of an artist whose body is found in a bale of t-shirts. Who was the father of her unborn baby? Why was she killed and what did it have to do with the clothing factory where she worked? Why did Hamish, overcome by the stunning beauty of a suspect's visiting sister, not bother to notice that she was boring and superficial before he hopped into bed with her? As Hamish unravels the clues, sneaking behind his superiors' backs to do so, more deaths occur.
What makes Hamish so appealing is the fact that he is more interested in solving the case than getting the credit, and he is SO good at solving those cases. You won't be disappointed in his latest adventure. I do wish his love life would improve, though!
What makes Hamish so appealing is the fact that he is more interested in solving the case than getting the credit, and he is SO good at solving those cases. You won't be disappointed in his latest adventure. I do wish his love life would improve, though!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
THE ENGLISH AMERICAN (Alison Larkin)
Pippa Dunn was adopted in America soon after her birth 28 years ago and raised in the UK along with her sister Charlotte, her parents' natural daughter. Despite the mutual love between Pippa and her parents and her close relationship with her younger sister Charlotte, something has always been missing from Pippa's life: the security of knowing who she really is and where she came from. As a result of this insecurity, she is unable to commit to any romantic relationship, always leaving first before she can be left. After finally tracking down her birth parents, Pippa is delighted to finally see herself reflected in someone else's mannerisms and looks, but after she moves to America to get to know her new found family, some cracks appear in the facade of her wonderful new relationships. Larkin writes with a wonderful combination of pathos and hilarity in this novel, which is based in part on her own life experience as an adoptee. For her sake I hope it was just the basic premise and not actual people that inspired many of her characters!
Pippa's adoptive British parents are understanding and supportive of her decisions to seek out the people who gave her up and there is no hint of drama or discord in her relationship with them. Birth mother Billie, who is in the business of representing up and coming artists of all types, comes from a family supposedly riddled with "mental illness' and nearly every relative that Pippa meets or hears mention of suffers from some form of depression, bi-polar disorder, alcoholism, ADHD, or criminal insanity (or could they all just be so narcissistic and self-involved that they appear "crazy" to normal, functional people?). Her father has a career and family life that are cloaked in mystery.
Pippa is not looking for a world where the grass is greener, where all her problems and self-doubts will disappear. She just wants to know where and who she came from. She gets more than she bargained for during the process, and I enjoyed every step of her journey. I was surprised by the number of people on Goodreads that didn't particularly enjoy this novel. I found it witty and very humorous an I would recommend it.
Pippa's adoptive British parents are understanding and supportive of her decisions to seek out the people who gave her up and there is no hint of drama or discord in her relationship with them. Birth mother Billie, who is in the business of representing up and coming artists of all types, comes from a family supposedly riddled with "mental illness' and nearly every relative that Pippa meets or hears mention of suffers from some form of depression, bi-polar disorder, alcoholism, ADHD, or criminal insanity (or could they all just be so narcissistic and self-involved that they appear "crazy" to normal, functional people?). Her father has a career and family life that are cloaked in mystery.
Pippa is not looking for a world where the grass is greener, where all her problems and self-doubts will disappear. She just wants to know where and who she came from. She gets more than she bargained for during the process, and I enjoyed every step of her journey. I was surprised by the number of people on Goodreads that didn't particularly enjoy this novel. I found it witty and very humorous an I would recommend it.
Friday, March 22, 2013
EDDIE'S METHOD (Michael Walsh)
Eddie's Fournier's method was simple: "Do it until you can't do it wrong." This mantra, drilled into author Mike Walsh's head during his years with the Whip City Drum Corps, became the theme of his life. Feeling like a round peg in a square hole as a young teen, Mike sought attention by rebelling in school, fighting with his older brother (a high achiever to whom he was often compared), and getting involved with questionable friends. Despite the obvious love of his parents and extended family, something, some purpose or ambition, seemed to be missing from Mike's life. He reminisces about his decision to approach school by ignoring homework and class participation while focusing on passing tests to achieve the necessary 70% grade to pass (since tests were worth 75% of his grade this gave him a little wiggle room). Mike went to the same school I did, St. Mary's in Westfield, MA. His natural intelligence became apparent when he achieved one of the highest scores in his class on the PSAT's, only to be accused by the principal of cheating since his school work did not reflect the test results.
One day an acquaintance invited Mike to try out for the Whip City Drum Corps and he made the cut, changing his life forever. Leader Ed Fournier taught his trainees that working until you get it right was not good enough. You needed to train and perfect your drill until there was absolutely no way that you could get it wrong. Out of this philosophy was born a group of young men who understood that respect, humility, and a willingness to share your talents was the true road to success. Mike was continually astounded during those first months in the Drum Corps by the level of teamwork, mutual respect, and willingness to work hard, all fostered by Eddie. The group won 17 consecutive Northeast Championships, with Mike himself winning several individual awards during his years of involvement with the Corps.
Eddie's Method is the story of a kid who needed a push to get on the right track and found it through a spur-of-the-moment decision to try something new. He even went on to train the Whip City Drum Corps after he served in the U.S. Army, and his two younger brothers participated in the Corps as well. There were a lot of losses and heartbreak along the way, with the untimely deaths of several people close to Mike and his older brother's breakdown, but he continued to live by Eddie's advice. This would make a great book for young adults! I admire Mike for writing down his story and sharing it with the world.
One day an acquaintance invited Mike to try out for the Whip City Drum Corps and he made the cut, changing his life forever. Leader Ed Fournier taught his trainees that working until you get it right was not good enough. You needed to train and perfect your drill until there was absolutely no way that you could get it wrong. Out of this philosophy was born a group of young men who understood that respect, humility, and a willingness to share your talents was the true road to success. Mike was continually astounded during those first months in the Drum Corps by the level of teamwork, mutual respect, and willingness to work hard, all fostered by Eddie. The group won 17 consecutive Northeast Championships, with Mike himself winning several individual awards during his years of involvement with the Corps.
Eddie's Method is the story of a kid who needed a push to get on the right track and found it through a spur-of-the-moment decision to try something new. He even went on to train the Whip City Drum Corps after he served in the U.S. Army, and his two younger brothers participated in the Corps as well. There were a lot of losses and heartbreak along the way, with the untimely deaths of several people close to Mike and his older brother's breakdown, but he continued to live by Eddie's advice. This would make a great book for young adults! I admire Mike for writing down his story and sharing it with the world.
WHAT ALICE FORGOT (Liane Moriarty)
One of my absolute favorite Christmas movies is "Comfort & Joy," starring Nancy McKeon and Steve Eckholdt. Jane Berry (McKeon), an ambitious, materialistic young professional woman, skids and hits a light pole while on the way to her boss's suburban Christmas party, knocking herself out. She regains consciousness and discovers that it is now 10 years later and she is a fashion-challenged housewife and mother of two, married to a man (Eckholdt) who runs a homeless shelter. She also has no memory of the past 10 years. I was very excited to discover that Moriarty's "What Alice Forgot" has a similar theme.
In 2008 Alice Love is injured during a spin class at a her local gym, hitting her head as the result of a fall. She wakes up thinking it is 1998 and discovers that she is ten years older, thinner, the mother of three children that she can't recall ever seeing, and separated from her beloved husband and soul mate, Nick. Alice is shocked to discover the woman that she has become and she isn't sure that she likes herself. She also has no memory of what events led to the breakup of her marriage or how her relationships with her sister, mother, and friends have evolved over the past 10 years. Apparently a mysterious woman named Gina was her best friend until her death a year before and Nick has become a sarcastic workaholic. As she works to regain her memory Alice also struggles to understand how and why her life and marriage have changed so drastically from the dreams she held in 1998.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could revisit our younger selves and experience again the dreams and ambitions and hopes for the future that defined us then? For Alice, her amnesia is a gift that enables her to re-evaluate her life and the decisions that led to where she is in 2008. Having to get to know everyone, either as their 10-years-older selves or, as in the case of her children, from scratch, to peel away the layers of time and try to make sense of where everything stands today, to be dropped suddenly 10 years into your own future...what an idea! Moriarty makes it work. You'll love watching Alice's past unfold before her eyes and enjoy the inevitable comic moments that come with forgetting 10 years of a life and the technology that had developed during that time (what is "texting" and why is everyone driving vehicles as big as tanks?). I waited a few weeks to get this book because a book club was reading it. It was well worth the wait!
In 2008 Alice Love is injured during a spin class at a her local gym, hitting her head as the result of a fall. She wakes up thinking it is 1998 and discovers that she is ten years older, thinner, the mother of three children that she can't recall ever seeing, and separated from her beloved husband and soul mate, Nick. Alice is shocked to discover the woman that she has become and she isn't sure that she likes herself. She also has no memory of what events led to the breakup of her marriage or how her relationships with her sister, mother, and friends have evolved over the past 10 years. Apparently a mysterious woman named Gina was her best friend until her death a year before and Nick has become a sarcastic workaholic. As she works to regain her memory Alice also struggles to understand how and why her life and marriage have changed so drastically from the dreams she held in 1998.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could revisit our younger selves and experience again the dreams and ambitions and hopes for the future that defined us then? For Alice, her amnesia is a gift that enables her to re-evaluate her life and the decisions that led to where she is in 2008. Having to get to know everyone, either as their 10-years-older selves or, as in the case of her children, from scratch, to peel away the layers of time and try to make sense of where everything stands today, to be dropped suddenly 10 years into your own future...what an idea! Moriarty makes it work. You'll love watching Alice's past unfold before her eyes and enjoy the inevitable comic moments that come with forgetting 10 years of a life and the technology that had developed during that time (what is "texting" and why is everyone driving vehicles as big as tanks?). I waited a few weeks to get this book because a book club was reading it. It was well worth the wait!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
GONE GIRL (Gillian Flynn)
When I started reading the eagerly anticipated "Gone Girl" (after working my way through a hold list of 14 people!) I was a little disappointed. While it seemed like a pretty good run-of-the-mill thriller (an ideal couple is set to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary when the wife mysteriously disappears without a trace and mounting evidence naturally points towards the husband), I didn't see the WOW factor that everyone is talking about. Then I got to the middle of the book and things started to become more complicated. Flynn is an absolute master of character and plot development. I can just imagine the notes and graphs she must have had to keep track of psychological action in this novel!
Amy Elliott Dunne and her husband Nick started out as a beautiful couple with a seemingly charmed life. Amy is a 38-year-old New York trust-fund girl, the daughter of two renowned psychologists who have earned a fortune with their "Amazing Amy" children's book series by using events in their daughter's life as plot catalysts. Nick is 4 years younger than Amy, the handsome son of divorced parents, a writer who is downsized from his magazine job just around the time that Amy loses HER job. At the same time Nick's mother is diagnosed with cancer and the couple decides to make the move to Nick's Missouri hometown to help care for his mother and his father, who suffers from Alzheimer's. After Amy purchases a business, a bar called "The Bar," for Nick and his twin sister Margo (known as "Go") with part of her trust fund, her parents request a loan of $650,000 (essentially all of her remaining money) to avoid financial ruin after some bad investments threaten to ruin them.
Each year on their July 5 anniversary Amy presents Nick with a complicated quiz composed of a series of clues that will ultimately lead him to his gift, a tradition that has become increasingly annoying to Nick with each passing year. Before Nick has the chance to even buy Amy's 5-year gift, he receives a call from a neighbor in his half-deserted McMansion neighborhood (they rent) that the Dunne's front door is wide open and Amy's indoor cat is outside on the stoop. When Nick arrives home he discovers that Amy is missing and there are signs of some sort of struggle in the living room.
The story alternates between Nick's experiences in the aftermath of Amy's disappearance and Amy's diary entries for the past 5 years, which detail an initially loving partnership that has deteriorated into a stressful and complicated love-hate relationship punctuated by fear on Amy's part. As Nick begins following Amy's anniversary clues the reader comes to the realization that all is not as it seems. The police are beginning to doubt Nick's devotion to his wife, the press have convicted him as a wife-killer, and he is being hounded mercilessly from all sides. Even Amy's loving parents begin to doubt his sincerity.
I can't say any more about how the story unfolds without ruining the plot for you. My advice is to read it. The complicated, multi-layered plot and the constantly evolving characters will shock and delight you. Might I say that you will be well and truly thrilled by it all?
Amy Elliott Dunne and her husband Nick started out as a beautiful couple with a seemingly charmed life. Amy is a 38-year-old New York trust-fund girl, the daughter of two renowned psychologists who have earned a fortune with their "Amazing Amy" children's book series by using events in their daughter's life as plot catalysts. Nick is 4 years younger than Amy, the handsome son of divorced parents, a writer who is downsized from his magazine job just around the time that Amy loses HER job. At the same time Nick's mother is diagnosed with cancer and the couple decides to make the move to Nick's Missouri hometown to help care for his mother and his father, who suffers from Alzheimer's. After Amy purchases a business, a bar called "The Bar," for Nick and his twin sister Margo (known as "Go") with part of her trust fund, her parents request a loan of $650,000 (essentially all of her remaining money) to avoid financial ruin after some bad investments threaten to ruin them.
Each year on their July 5 anniversary Amy presents Nick with a complicated quiz composed of a series of clues that will ultimately lead him to his gift, a tradition that has become increasingly annoying to Nick with each passing year. Before Nick has the chance to even buy Amy's 5-year gift, he receives a call from a neighbor in his half-deserted McMansion neighborhood (they rent) that the Dunne's front door is wide open and Amy's indoor cat is outside on the stoop. When Nick arrives home he discovers that Amy is missing and there are signs of some sort of struggle in the living room.
The story alternates between Nick's experiences in the aftermath of Amy's disappearance and Amy's diary entries for the past 5 years, which detail an initially loving partnership that has deteriorated into a stressful and complicated love-hate relationship punctuated by fear on Amy's part. As Nick begins following Amy's anniversary clues the reader comes to the realization that all is not as it seems. The police are beginning to doubt Nick's devotion to his wife, the press have convicted him as a wife-killer, and he is being hounded mercilessly from all sides. Even Amy's loving parents begin to doubt his sincerity.
I can't say any more about how the story unfolds without ruining the plot for you. My advice is to read it. The complicated, multi-layered plot and the constantly evolving characters will shock and delight you. Might I say that you will be well and truly thrilled by it all?
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
JUST SOME OLD MAN (Michael Walsh)
Reading Just Some Old Man was a unique experience for me. Author Michael Walsh is my cousin, the second son of my mother's only brother, and we recently reconnected on Facebook.
Mike's coming-of-age story probably doesn't sound all that unusual. Feeling out of place and overshadowed by his three brothers, he internalizes his pain and experiences a series of events that shape his life and attitudes. In some respects it almost seems as if Mike's life has been defined by death. In 1961, at age 13, he witnesses the death of 2 six-month-old infants from smoke inhalation during a neighborhood house fire and wonders if he could have done something to save them. Over the years he loses three close friends to murder. Mike himself has had several personal brushes with death, each time emerging confused, yet relatively unscathed, and asking himself, "Why am I still here?" From a difficult stint in the army through an unhappy early marriage, Mike continued to ask, "Why am I still here?" until, at the age of 29, he was nearly felled by a life-threatening cardiac virus. This short book is the story of Mike's journey towards becoming the man he is today, of the decisions and choices that led him to finally understand why he is still here and how love and family can transform a life into something precious. It takes courage to be so frank about such deeply personal issues, to allow the world to read your private diary. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to know my cousin better. He is an ordinary man with an inspirational story to tell. I would recommend that you read it if you have the opportunity!
Mike's coming-of-age story probably doesn't sound all that unusual. Feeling out of place and overshadowed by his three brothers, he internalizes his pain and experiences a series of events that shape his life and attitudes. In some respects it almost seems as if Mike's life has been defined by death. In 1961, at age 13, he witnesses the death of 2 six-month-old infants from smoke inhalation during a neighborhood house fire and wonders if he could have done something to save them. Over the years he loses three close friends to murder. Mike himself has had several personal brushes with death, each time emerging confused, yet relatively unscathed, and asking himself, "Why am I still here?" From a difficult stint in the army through an unhappy early marriage, Mike continued to ask, "Why am I still here?" until, at the age of 29, he was nearly felled by a life-threatening cardiac virus. This short book is the story of Mike's journey towards becoming the man he is today, of the decisions and choices that led him to finally understand why he is still here and how love and family can transform a life into something precious. It takes courage to be so frank about such deeply personal issues, to allow the world to read your private diary. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to know my cousin better. He is an ordinary man with an inspirational story to tell. I would recommend that you read it if you have the opportunity!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
MARK OF THE LION (Suzanne Arruda)
I am not a fan of big game. I have never enjoyed circuses or zoos and I just hate it when I come across one of those nature shows where lions hunt down innocent antelope and tear them to shreds before our eyes. Once, while riding the commuter bus to Hartford, I looked up from my book and was stunned to see a TIGER looking back at me from the circus truck in the next lane. Our eyes actually met! That's an experience that has stayed with me all my life. Predators scare me. I wonder if that tiger remembers the look on my face?
That being said, I have a definite love/hate relationship with this book. You already know what I hated: the throat-tearing, flesh-eating, growling lions and hyenas, the stampeding, bone crushing elephants and rhinos AND the fact that humans pursue them for sport. The thing about Arruda's novel, though, is that the writing is so compelling that I could, for the most part, overlook the distasteful aspects of life and tourism in Kenya. Set in 1919, Arruda incorporates many subtle but detailed references to the fashion, manners, and attitudes of the post WWI era that sets the stage for development of relationships among the various characters. Her heroine, Jade Del Cameron, is a modern woman on a quest to fulfill her dead love David Worthy's last request: to find his half brother, who is most probably in Kenya. Jade suffers a bit from PTSD after her experiences driving an ambulance in France during the war, but she is a self-sufficient, accomplished sharp-shooting mechanic who is also a talented writer and exotically beautiful. She arrives in Kenya as a reporter for The Traveler, combining her work assignment with her quest to locate the mysterious "Abel" Worthy and to unravel the mystery behind the death of David's father, Gil Worthy, a few years before. During the course of the story, Jade manages to divert a charging rhino by waving a blanket matador style, shoot an attacking hyena dead, repair a carburetor, cut a friend's hair into a modern bob with a pocket knife, and solve the problem of a dry radiator by suggesting that the men in the safari party "relieve themselves" into the radiator in order to avert a dangerous and time-consuming trip to the river for water. Enough said!
No matter how distasteful I found the details of life among the wild beasts of Africa and the safari, I cannot deny the absolute beauty of the African wilderness. Arruda brings the continent to life with her descriptions of Mount Kilimanjaro, lions lurking in the high grasses, the blue African sky, and more. I wouldn't even attempt to do justice to her verbal illustrations of the beauty of this untamed land and its people or to her character development, which is intriguing as well. I've said before that one of the marks of a truly good book is that it stays with you after you have finished the last page. That is certainly true here. I feel as if I have been on safari myself and the memories will stay with me for a while.
That being said, I have a definite love/hate relationship with this book. You already know what I hated: the throat-tearing, flesh-eating, growling lions and hyenas, the stampeding, bone crushing elephants and rhinos AND the fact that humans pursue them for sport. The thing about Arruda's novel, though, is that the writing is so compelling that I could, for the most part, overlook the distasteful aspects of life and tourism in Kenya. Set in 1919, Arruda incorporates many subtle but detailed references to the fashion, manners, and attitudes of the post WWI era that sets the stage for development of relationships among the various characters. Her heroine, Jade Del Cameron, is a modern woman on a quest to fulfill her dead love David Worthy's last request: to find his half brother, who is most probably in Kenya. Jade suffers a bit from PTSD after her experiences driving an ambulance in France during the war, but she is a self-sufficient, accomplished sharp-shooting mechanic who is also a talented writer and exotically beautiful. She arrives in Kenya as a reporter for The Traveler, combining her work assignment with her quest to locate the mysterious "Abel" Worthy and to unravel the mystery behind the death of David's father, Gil Worthy, a few years before. During the course of the story, Jade manages to divert a charging rhino by waving a blanket matador style, shoot an attacking hyena dead, repair a carburetor, cut a friend's hair into a modern bob with a pocket knife, and solve the problem of a dry radiator by suggesting that the men in the safari party "relieve themselves" into the radiator in order to avert a dangerous and time-consuming trip to the river for water. Enough said!
No matter how distasteful I found the details of life among the wild beasts of Africa and the safari, I cannot deny the absolute beauty of the African wilderness. Arruda brings the continent to life with her descriptions of Mount Kilimanjaro, lions lurking in the high grasses, the blue African sky, and more. I wouldn't even attempt to do justice to her verbal illustrations of the beauty of this untamed land and its people or to her character development, which is intriguing as well. I've said before that one of the marks of a truly good book is that it stays with you after you have finished the last page. That is certainly true here. I feel as if I have been on safari myself and the memories will stay with me for a while.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
A VIOLET SEASON (Kathy Leonard Czepiel)
If you ever have the opportunity to travel through time, take my advice and don't choose to go back to 1898 as a housewife in a financially challenged household! Ida Fletcher, mother, wife, wet nurse, worker on the family violet farm,and household drudge is, despite her sad lot in life, a wonderful character. She is intelligent and dedicated to her family and home in the Rhinebeck area of New York state. Ida's husband, Frank, is the black sheep of the Fletcher family, having stolen and lost his share of the family "fortune" as a young man. As a result, he lives with Ida and his children as an employee in a tenant rental on the family violet farm while his two brothers occupy stately homes and shower the best things in life on their families. The deal is that Frank can take his rightful place in their lives when he repays his debt. Ida works as a wet nurse to help make ends meet.
The reader garners little insight into Frank and his motivations as the story is told from Ida's and her daughter Alice's point of views. What we do know is that he is a bitter man obsessed with money to the extent that he would feel no remorse at selling his daughter or burdening his wife with an exhausting schedule of nursing and laboring on the farm, treating them as commodities rather than human beings. Ida, isolated and without resources, finally takes matters into her own hands to save her family.
This book attracted me initially because I have a special place in my heart for violets. My grandmother always had pots of African violets in her picture window and loved to wear purple, so I always associate the flower and the color with her. "A Violet Season" is the story of a resourceful, hard-working woman who loves her family fiercely and is willing to sacrifice all for them. I admire Ida and I think you will, too!
The reader garners little insight into Frank and his motivations as the story is told from Ida's and her daughter Alice's point of views. What we do know is that he is a bitter man obsessed with money to the extent that he would feel no remorse at selling his daughter or burdening his wife with an exhausting schedule of nursing and laboring on the farm, treating them as commodities rather than human beings. Ida, isolated and without resources, finally takes matters into her own hands to save her family.
This book attracted me initially because I have a special place in my heart for violets. My grandmother always had pots of African violets in her picture window and loved to wear purple, so I always associate the flower and the color with her. "A Violet Season" is the story of a resourceful, hard-working woman who loves her family fiercely and is willing to sacrifice all for them. I admire Ida and I think you will, too!
Sunday, February 17, 2013
MR. TEA AND THE TRAVELING TEACUP (Leslie Matthews Stansfield)
Two thumbs up to author Leslie! I understand that Leslie has a deal for at least a couple of more of these Madeline's Tea House mysteries, and I am looking forward to the next installment. This is her first foray into mysteries (her last published work, I believe, was an Images of America book on Windsor Locks, where we both live), and while I could suggest a couple of small refinements (fewer references to flatulence, perhaps!), I thought that overall the novel was well worth reading, the characters appealing, and the story well thought out.
The Sutter sisters, Terry, a forty-year-old single art teacher, and Karen, a recently divorced accountant, have moved back to their childhood home in Maine after the death of their mother, Madeline. Mom's sister Rose, and her husband, Uncle Henry, are energetic, nurturing septuagenarians who happen to live next door, as do the Dindles, a mother and daughter who are old friends of the Sutter family. The sisters have transformed the house into a charming tea room that has become very popular in the community. The mystery here revolves not around a recent murder, but rather mysterious poltergeist-like occurrences in the tea room that might be connected to the years-ago shooting death of the dysfunctional son of a prominent family, the mysterious disappearance of two elderly sisters, or a series of unsolved bank robberies in Connecticut. When tea cups start flying off the shelf in the middle of the night, Terry and Karen are, to say the least, freaked out. With the help of friends (especially police officer Greg, Terry's high school crush), the sisters try to get to the bottom of what is happening in their tea house. Along the way they acquire an intriguingly perceptive macaw named Mr. Tea, who is reputed to be psychic. I have to admit that I was not looking forward to the macaw when I first came across this book, but Mr. Tea turned out to be a wonderful and entertaining addition to the cast of characters. The ending was, perhaps, a bit too easy, but overall I really enjoyed Mr. Tea and the Traveling Teacup and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, light mystery. When the characters stay with you after you have read the last page and you want to know more about what happens to them, you know that it was a book worth reading. I can't wait for the further adventures of Terry, Karen, and Mr. Tea!
The Sutter sisters, Terry, a forty-year-old single art teacher, and Karen, a recently divorced accountant, have moved back to their childhood home in Maine after the death of their mother, Madeline. Mom's sister Rose, and her husband, Uncle Henry, are energetic, nurturing septuagenarians who happen to live next door, as do the Dindles, a mother and daughter who are old friends of the Sutter family. The sisters have transformed the house into a charming tea room that has become very popular in the community. The mystery here revolves not around a recent murder, but rather mysterious poltergeist-like occurrences in the tea room that might be connected to the years-ago shooting death of the dysfunctional son of a prominent family, the mysterious disappearance of two elderly sisters, or a series of unsolved bank robberies in Connecticut. When tea cups start flying off the shelf in the middle of the night, Terry and Karen are, to say the least, freaked out. With the help of friends (especially police officer Greg, Terry's high school crush), the sisters try to get to the bottom of what is happening in their tea house. Along the way they acquire an intriguingly perceptive macaw named Mr. Tea, who is reputed to be psychic. I have to admit that I was not looking forward to the macaw when I first came across this book, but Mr. Tea turned out to be a wonderful and entertaining addition to the cast of characters. The ending was, perhaps, a bit too easy, but overall I really enjoyed Mr. Tea and the Traveling Teacup and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, light mystery. When the characters stay with you after you have read the last page and you want to know more about what happens to them, you know that it was a book worth reading. I can't wait for the further adventures of Terry, Karen, and Mr. Tea!
ANOTHER WOMAN (Penny Vincenzi)
Most of the action in Vincenzi's 1994 novel takes place over the course of 24 hours, revealing all sorts of intriguing liasons and family secrets along the way. The story opens on beautiful Cressida Forrest's much anticipated wedding day. She is seemingly looking forward to her marriage to Oliver Bergin, a handsome young doctor from a very wealthy and controlling family, but as the big day dawns her sister Harriet discovers that Cressida has mysteriously disappeared, taking her wedding dress with her and apparently leaving no clue as to her intentions. What I found most interesting about "Another Woman" is the layer upon layer of intertwined relationships, infidelities, and disfunctions among the various characters that are slowly exposed as the search for Cressida progresses. These families have some really BIG issues!
I did have a problem keeping track of all of the characters most of the way through the novel, so I would recommend making some notes at the start. Gynecologist James Forrest and his uninteresting wife, Maggie, are parents to twenty-something Harriet, a successful clothing designer on the verge of bankruptcy, and bride Cressida, the golden girl who is loved by everyone for her goodness and beauty. Alistair and his wife Susie, who is also James' true love and longtime paramour, are the parents of 4 children, including Rufus, who bears a noticable resemblance to James. Susie is currently going through a health-related crisis and Rufus is in love with super model Ottoline Mills, who shares a hidden connection with James. Mungo, friend to Rufus and Oliver, is the son of James' best friend Theo, a five-times married millionaire (his current wife is called Sasha) with close connections to both Harriet and Cressida. Mungo is in love with an older single mother named Alice. Merlin is a quirky octogenarian, a close family friend who has travled the world, sometimes taking young Harriet on his exotic adventures. Janine is French and is a close family friend, Cressida's goddmother, and an investor in Harriet's failing business. I think that covers most of the major characters!
"Another Woman" will definitely hold your interest from beginning to end (509 pages!) as the web of secrets surrounding James' and Susie's families begins to unravel. The end is not unsatisfying, but, honestly, Vincenzi could have kept on writing a bit more. I'd love find out what happens to the younger generation. I would also like to know more definitively what the title means. I believe that it refers to Cressida and the fact that she is not what she appears to be. She is, in fact, a completely different woman from what everyone who knew her believed her to be.
I did have a problem keeping track of all of the characters most of the way through the novel, so I would recommend making some notes at the start. Gynecologist James Forrest and his uninteresting wife, Maggie, are parents to twenty-something Harriet, a successful clothing designer on the verge of bankruptcy, and bride Cressida, the golden girl who is loved by everyone for her goodness and beauty. Alistair and his wife Susie, who is also James' true love and longtime paramour, are the parents of 4 children, including Rufus, who bears a noticable resemblance to James. Susie is currently going through a health-related crisis and Rufus is in love with super model Ottoline Mills, who shares a hidden connection with James. Mungo, friend to Rufus and Oliver, is the son of James' best friend Theo, a five-times married millionaire (his current wife is called Sasha) with close connections to both Harriet and Cressida. Mungo is in love with an older single mother named Alice. Merlin is a quirky octogenarian, a close family friend who has travled the world, sometimes taking young Harriet on his exotic adventures. Janine is French and is a close family friend, Cressida's goddmother, and an investor in Harriet's failing business. I think that covers most of the major characters!
"Another Woman" will definitely hold your interest from beginning to end (509 pages!) as the web of secrets surrounding James' and Susie's families begins to unravel. The end is not unsatisfying, but, honestly, Vincenzi could have kept on writing a bit more. I'd love find out what happens to the younger generation. I would also like to know more definitively what the title means. I believe that it refers to Cressida and the fact that she is not what she appears to be. She is, in fact, a completely different woman from what everyone who knew her believed her to be.
MAIGRET AND THE FORTUNETELLER (George Simenon)
I understand the appeal of Maigret. He is very like Brunetti and Gamache, with a touch of Adrian Monk thrown in: intuitive, detail-oriented, and not afraid to flout authority if need be. He is happily married to an understanding woman and works for and with people who sometimes tend to get in the way of the investigation rather than furthering it.
I had a very difficult time following the characters in this novel, partly because there were so very many of them and partly because I spent a lot of time wondering how to pronounce things (it's Meh-Gray, by the way), like "Le Cloaguen." Because this novel was published in 1944 the modern reader is treated to a glimpse of the life and values of the past, including public pay phones, psychiatrists who make house calls to evaluate the sanity of murder suspects, and young women who do not live with older, adoptive brothers because it is not considered proper. As for the mystery, the murder of a fortune teller while a man is mysteriously locked in the next room with no key, it is intriguing and the eventual solution makes sense. I think that familiarity with the series would have made reading this one a bit more enjoyable!
I had a very difficult time following the characters in this novel, partly because there were so very many of them and partly because I spent a lot of time wondering how to pronounce things (it's Meh-Gray, by the way), like "Le Cloaguen." Because this novel was published in 1944 the modern reader is treated to a glimpse of the life and values of the past, including public pay phones, psychiatrists who make house calls to evaluate the sanity of murder suspects, and young women who do not live with older, adoptive brothers because it is not considered proper. As for the mystery, the murder of a fortune teller while a man is mysteriously locked in the next room with no key, it is intriguing and the eventual solution makes sense. I think that familiarity with the series would have made reading this one a bit more enjoyable!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
EVERY SECRET THING (Susanna Kearsley)
I'm actually reading this one on my Nook. I really prefer paper books with real pages though, because the Nook makes me feel too removed from the story, for some reason, plus every time I went back to the story it was on the wrong page! Since this particular book was not available in print in the United States, however, I'm glad to have had the opportunity to acquire it electronically.
As usual, Kearsley melds the past and the present into an intriguing story, this one a thriller. The main character, Katie Murray, is a Canadian reporter on assignment at a trial in London. She is approached on the street by Arthur Deacon, an elderly man who has a story to tell her and comments mysteriously that she has her grandmother's eyes. Just after their meeting Arthur is run down in the street and killed, and on her return home to Canada, Katie talks to her grandmother, Amelia (known as Georgie) about the encounter with Arthur and discovers that he and Georgie share a mysterious past relationship. When her grandmother is shot sniper-style in her home Katie narrowly escapes injury herself and begins to realize that someone doesn't want the secrets of the past revealed and is willing to go to any length, even murder, to prevent that happening. So begins Katie's nightmare of trying to elude potential killers while working to discover who she can trust and what secrets are driving her pursuers. Kearsley takes us from Canada to Portugal to England, and back again, alternating between the present and World War II, giving us an inside look into British and American intelligence activities during the war. This one will make your heart beat faster with every page! If you have a Kindle or Nook, consider this one!
As usual, Kearsley melds the past and the present into an intriguing story, this one a thriller. The main character, Katie Murray, is a Canadian reporter on assignment at a trial in London. She is approached on the street by Arthur Deacon, an elderly man who has a story to tell her and comments mysteriously that she has her grandmother's eyes. Just after their meeting Arthur is run down in the street and killed, and on her return home to Canada, Katie talks to her grandmother, Amelia (known as Georgie) about the encounter with Arthur and discovers that he and Georgie share a mysterious past relationship. When her grandmother is shot sniper-style in her home Katie narrowly escapes injury herself and begins to realize that someone doesn't want the secrets of the past revealed and is willing to go to any length, even murder, to prevent that happening. So begins Katie's nightmare of trying to elude potential killers while working to discover who she can trust and what secrets are driving her pursuers. Kearsley takes us from Canada to Portugal to England, and back again, alternating between the present and World War II, giving us an inside look into British and American intelligence activities during the war. This one will make your heart beat faster with every page! If you have a Kindle or Nook, consider this one!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
CALLING INVISIBLE WOMEN (Jeanne Ray)
Jeanne Ray has written a book that should be required reading for women around the world. Calling Invisible Women will resonate loudly with almost any woman, from shy teenage girls and distracted young mothers to devoted wives and retired career women. Nearly all of us, even those of us with happy relationships and fulfilling careers, know what it feels like to be invisible, to be minimized, to have our most loving and caring actions taken for granted and our needs overlooked time and time again because we are always there to clean up the mess and catch our loved ones if they happen to fall.
Clovis Hobart is shocked to wake up one day invisible and shocked even more when she realizes that her family doesn't notice. She continues to cook breakfast and take care of the dry cleaning, discovering that no one takes the time to REALLY look at her. After scaring the wits out of her best (and visible) friend, Gilda, who DOES notice that she is gone, Clovis makes an appointment with her doctor to discuss her condition and is shocked when even HE doesn't notice that he is examining an invisible woman. When she finds a notice in the paper about a support group for invisible women she joins and discovers that she is not alone and that her invisibility is probably the result of interactions between 3 drugs sold by Dexter-White, a major drug manufacturer that refuses to acknowledge a problem with their best-selling medications. Clovis also discovers that invisibility can be both fun and rewarding as she sheds her clothing and embarks on a series of both small and super-hero-like adventures in the name of improving the world.
Clovis is lucky. She has supportive friends, a husband and family who truly love her, and the imagination and drive to make the most of her "condition." This novel is both hilarious and heartbreaking. I wish I could say what Hilma Wolitzer says about it, but she already has, so I'll just quote her:" Jeanne Ray is truly wise and funny about family, friendship, and love--about the ways in which we see (and don't see) each other." I agree completely. I identified with this book and I think that most of the women I know would, too!
Clovis Hobart is shocked to wake up one day invisible and shocked even more when she realizes that her family doesn't notice. She continues to cook breakfast and take care of the dry cleaning, discovering that no one takes the time to REALLY look at her. After scaring the wits out of her best (and visible) friend, Gilda, who DOES notice that she is gone, Clovis makes an appointment with her doctor to discuss her condition and is shocked when even HE doesn't notice that he is examining an invisible woman. When she finds a notice in the paper about a support group for invisible women she joins and discovers that she is not alone and that her invisibility is probably the result of interactions between 3 drugs sold by Dexter-White, a major drug manufacturer that refuses to acknowledge a problem with their best-selling medications. Clovis also discovers that invisibility can be both fun and rewarding as she sheds her clothing and embarks on a series of both small and super-hero-like adventures in the name of improving the world.
Clovis is lucky. She has supportive friends, a husband and family who truly love her, and the imagination and drive to make the most of her "condition." This novel is both hilarious and heartbreaking. I wish I could say what Hilma Wolitzer says about it, but she already has, so I'll just quote her:" Jeanne Ray is truly wise and funny about family, friendship, and love--about the ways in which we see (and don't see) each other." I agree completely. I identified with this book and I think that most of the women I know would, too!
Friday, February 1, 2013
SISTERS (Patricia MacDonald)
If you are looking for a good, traditional (i.e. no vampires, extreme gore, or high-tech effects) suspense novel with a touch of romance, stop right here! Patricia MacDonald has been one of my favorite authors for a few years and I am never disappointed. In Sisters the author introduces us to Alex Woods, a young woman returning to the Boston area to prepare her childhood home for sale after the untimely death of her parents in an auto accident. Alex is shocked to learn from her mother's lawyer (via a letter to be given to her in the event of her mother's death) that she has an older half-sister, most probably the result of a doomed high school romance between her mother, Cathy, and a boy she was tutoring. The baby was given up for adoption by Alex's mother long before her parents met and no one, apparently not even Cathy's brother Brian or her husband, Alex's father, knew about the baby. Alex decides to look for her sibling despite the closed adoption records and is rewarded with the news that her sister, Dory Colson, is alive and currently serving 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to the brutal murder of her sister Lauren, the natural daughter of her adoptive parents. When Alex, after much soul-searching, finally arranges to meet her half-sister, she begins to wonder about Dory's conviction and discovers that her interest in seeking the truth is NOT welcomed by Dory's family despite evidence that Dory may have been coerced into a guilty plea.
It took me 2 days to read Sisters. At just 216 pages, it's a great weekend book and I would recommend it highly. Check out Patricia MacDonald's other novels as well. You'll love them!
It took me 2 days to read Sisters. At just 216 pages, it's a great weekend book and I would recommend it highly. Check out Patricia MacDonald's other novels as well. You'll love them!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
THE HYPNOTIST'S LOVE STORY (Liane Moriarty)
Ellen O'Farrell is a hypnotherapist in her mid-thirties. She lives and works in her little house by the sea in Australia, left to her by her grandparents, and has recently fallen in love with Patrick, who owns his own surveying business and has an 8-year-old son. Patrick lost his beautiful young wife, Colleen, to cancer when Jack was just a baby and has had only one other serious relationship since then, with a woman named Saskia. When Patrick reveals to Ellen that Saskia has been stalking him for several years, since their breakup, she is alternately amused and concerned, especially when she discovers that she herself has an unexpected and possibly dangerous connection with Saskia.
Moriarty's book is part romance and part thriller with a good dose of quirky humor thrown in. The development of Patrick and Ellen's relationship is charming and realistic. The various family members and friends are an interesting mix. Patrick's family and in-laws are kind and accepting of Ellen while her physician mother is rather cold and ultra-practical until she meets up with Ellen's father, a former lover who is now widowed and didn't know about his 35-year-old daughter. Ellen's hypnotherapy practice adds a great deal of additional interest to the story. All in all, this was a great book. I enjoyed the development of the characters and I loved the "real" feeling of Ellen and Patrick's love story. I even liked Saskia, who has been trying unsuccessfully to find closure in her relationship with Patrick and Jack. Liane Moriarty's writing reminds me of a sunny Australian day, somehow, at least that's what keeps coming to mind when I think about this novel. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!
Moriarty's book is part romance and part thriller with a good dose of quirky humor thrown in. The development of Patrick and Ellen's relationship is charming and realistic. The various family members and friends are an interesting mix. Patrick's family and in-laws are kind and accepting of Ellen while her physician mother is rather cold and ultra-practical until she meets up with Ellen's father, a former lover who is now widowed and didn't know about his 35-year-old daughter. Ellen's hypnotherapy practice adds a great deal of additional interest to the story. All in all, this was a great book. I enjoyed the development of the characters and I loved the "real" feeling of Ellen and Patrick's love story. I even liked Saskia, who has been trying unsuccessfully to find closure in her relationship with Patrick and Jack. Liane Moriarty's writing reminds me of a sunny Australian day, somehow, at least that's what keeps coming to mind when I think about this novel. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!
Friday, January 18, 2013
THE UNIVITED GUESTS (Sadie Jones)
This novel was not quite what I expected. One thing that did strike me about it was that I didn't really LIKE any of the characters. except perhaps for the one-armed step-father who is absent for most of the story. The Uninvited Guests reminds me a little of Alan Bradley's Flavia deLuce series, mainly because of the neglected youngest daughter, distracted parents, and crumbling house, but the comparisons stop there.
On the day of Emerald Torrington's 20th birthday party a train wreck occurs nearby and the Torringtons are ordered (?) by the rail line to provide accommodations for an odd assortment of "survivors," including a strange and, I think, very distasteful man from mother Charlotte's past. The whole story, from Imogen (known as Smudge) bringing her pony upstairs into her bedroom to the lone first-class passenger who entices the family into mean parlour games, is just weird. NPR.org describes The Uninvited Guests as "a delicious romp" and worthy of comparison to Agatha Christie's Mousetrap, but I just don't see it. I don't think it was bad, just odd. That's all I have to say!
On the day of Emerald Torrington's 20th birthday party a train wreck occurs nearby and the Torringtons are ordered (?) by the rail line to provide accommodations for an odd assortment of "survivors," including a strange and, I think, very distasteful man from mother Charlotte's past. The whole story, from Imogen (known as Smudge) bringing her pony upstairs into her bedroom to the lone first-class passenger who entices the family into mean parlour games, is just weird. NPR.org describes The Uninvited Guests as "a delicious romp" and worthy of comparison to Agatha Christie's Mousetrap, but I just don't see it. I don't think it was bad, just odd. That's all I have to say!
THE SHADOWY HORSES (Susanna Kearsley)
Wouldn't you love to be in a wild, windy village in Scotland exploring the ancient mysteries of a beautiful estate? Susannah Kearsley can take you there! Kearsley, in this reissued novel from 1999, combines archaeology, history, the paranormal, romantic rivalries, and suspense into one wonderful, atmospheric story. Archaeologist Verity Grey is invited by an old colleague/lover to join an eccentric millionaire on his quest for evidence of an ancient Roman campsite on his property. While physical evidence that the 9th Legion camped there is sparse, the ghostly soldier who patrols the field and the shadowy horses that gallup past Verity's window at night all point to the presence of some sort of ancient Roman presence. As Verity's attraction to handsome fellow archaeologist David Fortune grows, so does her feeling that the ghostly soldier is trying urgently to communicate that something is very wrong at the dig, something that needs to be discovered before disaster strikes. Kearsley's prose, as always, is lovely, and the reader will enjoy a lyrical mix of past and present, suspense and romance, all wrapped up in the lush landscape of Scotland.
Monday, January 7, 2013
NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS (Elizabeth Peters)
Most of my mystery book group enjoyed this Vicky Bliss adventure, but I heard the same complaint from almost everyone: it was too hard to keep track of all the characters at the beginning, but about halfway though, when who's who was sorted out in our minds we enjoyed the story very much. I think that reading previous entries in the series would have helped despite the fact that Peters does a credible job of explaining relationships and various situations from previous novels.
Vicki, who holds a doctorate in medieval art, works at the National Museum in Munich. John Tregarth (alias Smythe) is her art thief lover (it's complicated) and Schmidt is her adorable, overweight boss. When she is asked to identify a potential art thief by posing as an expert on ancient Egyptian art, she is reluctant, but finally agrees and manages to elude Schmidt, who loves to tag along on her adventures. While on the elite Egyptian cruise down the Nile as a guest lecturer, she discovers that her sometimes lover, John, is also here along with his mother and his brand new child bride. Chaos ensues, involving art forgeries, explosions, government conspiracies, high speed chases, kidnappings, torture, revenge, and some adorable relationships. Once you figure out who everyone is and how they are all connected, you'll enjoy it!
Vicki, who holds a doctorate in medieval art, works at the National Museum in Munich. John Tregarth (alias Smythe) is her art thief lover (it's complicated) and Schmidt is her adorable, overweight boss. When she is asked to identify a potential art thief by posing as an expert on ancient Egyptian art, she is reluctant, but finally agrees and manages to elude Schmidt, who loves to tag along on her adventures. While on the elite Egyptian cruise down the Nile as a guest lecturer, she discovers that her sometimes lover, John, is also here along with his mother and his brand new child bride. Chaos ensues, involving art forgeries, explosions, government conspiracies, high speed chases, kidnappings, torture, revenge, and some adorable relationships. Once you figure out who everyone is and how they are all connected, you'll enjoy it!
THE INTROVERT'S WAY (Sophia Dembling)
Every introvert should take the time to read this book, and it would probably be a good idea for extroverts, too! In our society, extroversion is often viewed as preferable, better, something we should all strive for. Dembling does a fantastic job of analyzing introversion and pointing out the positive traits and strengths of the introvert. One of the first points clarified in this book is the most important: introversion does not equal shyness. Many introverts, in fact, are NOT shy. Shyness has to do with fear of social interaction, nervousness at meeting new people, being unable to speak up in a crowd, or breaking out in a cold sweat at the idea of giving a speech. You understand what I mean, especially if you are shy. Introversion, on the other hand, is a preference. The introvert isn't AFRAID to go to a party or have lots of friends, they just prefer not to. I understand this because I am an introvert. I am NOT shy, however.
My daughter, who is working on her doctorate in clinical psychology, complained to me one day that she is tired of being targeted by some of her professors for a perceived lack of participation in class, the assumption being that if she can't jump into a discussion with lightening quick responses she must not be thinking or paying attention, yet her written work has been described as demonstrating great insight and understanding. She is an introvert, and as such needs time to think and process ideas before responding. It's not a flaw, it is simply a different type of brain function. Unfortunately, our society usually values quick response and instant gratification, and the popular, outgoing individual is usually seen as the most desireable and successful whether or not they have any depth or worthwhile ideas! I am NOT discounting extroversion, just saying that sometimes patience and taking the time to think should be seen as valuable assets, too.
I got a lot of insight into myself and others from Dembling's analysis and I think you will, too. Introverts, unite!
My daughter, who is working on her doctorate in clinical psychology, complained to me one day that she is tired of being targeted by some of her professors for a perceived lack of participation in class, the assumption being that if she can't jump into a discussion with lightening quick responses she must not be thinking or paying attention, yet her written work has been described as demonstrating great insight and understanding. She is an introvert, and as such needs time to think and process ideas before responding. It's not a flaw, it is simply a different type of brain function. Unfortunately, our society usually values quick response and instant gratification, and the popular, outgoing individual is usually seen as the most desireable and successful whether or not they have any depth or worthwhile ideas! I am NOT discounting extroversion, just saying that sometimes patience and taking the time to think should be seen as valuable assets, too.
I got a lot of insight into myself and others from Dembling's analysis and I think you will, too. Introverts, unite!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
LEGACY OF LOVE (Joanna Trollope writing as Caroline Harvey))
A couple of weeks ago I was setting up an "endangered books" display in our library. Unfortunately, we are running out of room and have many wonderful novels that are not being read and will need to be removed from our collection to make room for new fiction that is more in-demand. No offense to prolific writers like James Patterson and Danielle Steel, but it makes me sad to see several shelves each devoted to popular but mediocre novels by authors who have, in some respects, become money-making machines,. while some breathtakingly beautiful literature, like Legacy of Love, is consigned to the book sale.
Harvey's novel is really three novellas. The first, set in the 1840's, is about two British sisters, Charlotte and Emily. Charlotte, a strikingly beautiful redhead, craves adventure and longs to escape from her mundane village life with her sister and widowed mother. Opportunity presents itself in the form of wealthy soldier Captain Hugh Connell, who falls in love with the wild, impetuous beauty. Charlotte agrees to marry Hugh, who is being posted to Afghanistan, and it is decided that Emily will accompany them as chaperone since there is no time to marry before their scheduled departure date. Their trip to Afghanistan takes one year and includes uonths traveling by boat, through Egypt and India, and finally through the Kyber Pass to Kabul and many of the locales so familiar to us today because of our current conflicts in the middle east. Written from Emily's point of view, Charlotte's story transports the reader into life in a British outpost in a hostile country and allows us to observe Charlotte's growing love for legendary adventurer Alexander Bewick.
Years later, in 1905, we are introduced to Alexandra Abbott, Charlotte's grandaughter. Trapped in a frustrating exisitence in Scotland with her embittered mother and understanding, tolerant father, Alexandra is invited by her great Aunt Emily, now a childless 84-year-old widow, to visit her at her home in Cornwall. Emily introduces Alexandra to a more genteel way of life and allows her to explore her own interests and friendships. When a prominent local artist, the reclusive Michael Swinton, paints Alexandra, his career is revitalized and she suddenly becomes an object of great interest in the small community. When Aunt Emily dies Alexandra realizes that she has no desire to return to Scotland and her crippled mother's negative attitude.
The third and last part of the novel features Alexandra's daughter, Cara. At the outbreak of World War II, 18-year-old Cara, who is a little spoiled and self-involved, is determined to join the war effort and serve her country along with her brothers, friends, and former classmates. Instead, she is forced by circumstances to remain at home in Cornwall, where she struggles to find her direction in life while laboring on the family farm to provide much needed food for the country. Humiliated by her role in the war effort and feeling bored and unfulfilled, Cara falls in love with childhood friend Alan Langley and looks forward to his return from the war. Naturally, fate intervenes, and Cara is forced to grow up, finding her own calling in the process.
I'm sorry for all of the boring plot description when I should be finding incredible adjectives to describe this novel. I just finished it and can't get it out of my mind. I would highly recommend it to any historical fiction buff. My only complain is that I wish Trollope/Harvey had written 3 full length books so I could still be reading them!
Harvey's novel is really three novellas. The first, set in the 1840's, is about two British sisters, Charlotte and Emily. Charlotte, a strikingly beautiful redhead, craves adventure and longs to escape from her mundane village life with her sister and widowed mother. Opportunity presents itself in the form of wealthy soldier Captain Hugh Connell, who falls in love with the wild, impetuous beauty. Charlotte agrees to marry Hugh, who is being posted to Afghanistan, and it is decided that Emily will accompany them as chaperone since there is no time to marry before their scheduled departure date. Their trip to Afghanistan takes one year and includes uonths traveling by boat, through Egypt and India, and finally through the Kyber Pass to Kabul and many of the locales so familiar to us today because of our current conflicts in the middle east. Written from Emily's point of view, Charlotte's story transports the reader into life in a British outpost in a hostile country and allows us to observe Charlotte's growing love for legendary adventurer Alexander Bewick.
Years later, in 1905, we are introduced to Alexandra Abbott, Charlotte's grandaughter. Trapped in a frustrating exisitence in Scotland with her embittered mother and understanding, tolerant father, Alexandra is invited by her great Aunt Emily, now a childless 84-year-old widow, to visit her at her home in Cornwall. Emily introduces Alexandra to a more genteel way of life and allows her to explore her own interests and friendships. When a prominent local artist, the reclusive Michael Swinton, paints Alexandra, his career is revitalized and she suddenly becomes an object of great interest in the small community. When Aunt Emily dies Alexandra realizes that she has no desire to return to Scotland and her crippled mother's negative attitude.
The third and last part of the novel features Alexandra's daughter, Cara. At the outbreak of World War II, 18-year-old Cara, who is a little spoiled and self-involved, is determined to join the war effort and serve her country along with her brothers, friends, and former classmates. Instead, she is forced by circumstances to remain at home in Cornwall, where she struggles to find her direction in life while laboring on the family farm to provide much needed food for the country. Humiliated by her role in the war effort and feeling bored and unfulfilled, Cara falls in love with childhood friend Alan Langley and looks forward to his return from the war. Naturally, fate intervenes, and Cara is forced to grow up, finding her own calling in the process.
I'm sorry for all of the boring plot description when I should be finding incredible adjectives to describe this novel. I just finished it and can't get it out of my mind. I would highly recommend it to any historical fiction buff. My only complain is that I wish Trollope/Harvey had written 3 full length books so I could still be reading them!
Monday, December 10, 2012
DEATH IN A STRANGE COUNTRY (Donna Leon)
I wish that Comissario Guido Brunetti and Louise Penney's Inspector Armond Gamache could meet. I think they would be best friends and make a formidable crime-solving team!
When a body of Sgt. Michael Foster, an American solider stationed in in nearby Vicenza, is found floating in one of Venice's canals, the official verdict is that he was killed during a random mugging. Brunetti's obtrusive, social-climbing boss, Patti, is content with the finding and orders Guido to drop the case, but Brunetti doesn't feel that things add up and he surreptitiously continues the investigation without Patti's knowledge. Additional murders, cocaine, and additional skullduggery, all seemingly tied in somehow with local poilice and the American military, come to light as Brunetti obediently investigates an art theft. This one is a winner!
When a body of Sgt. Michael Foster, an American solider stationed in in nearby Vicenza, is found floating in one of Venice's canals, the official verdict is that he was killed during a random mugging. Brunetti's obtrusive, social-climbing boss, Patti, is content with the finding and orders Guido to drop the case, but Brunetti doesn't feel that things add up and he surreptitiously continues the investigation without Patti's knowledge. Additional murders, cocaine, and additional skullduggery, all seemingly tied in somehow with local poilice and the American military, come to light as Brunetti obediently investigates an art theft. This one is a winner!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
THE MIDWIFE (Jennifer Worth)
The Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times is on of those books that stays with you for a while. Worth writes about her midwife training in the east end of London in the mid-1950's with such detail and candor that it almost takes your breath away. Now I think I need to watch the BBC series based on the book! The horrible bombed out buildings, lack of sanitation, large families living in tiny apartments, sometimes unheated and without running water, human trafficking, the miracle of birth witnessed over and over again, and the profound poverty - all are brought vividly to life here with humor and empathy. It astounds me that people were living this way when I was born, and probably still are in many places, and I am grateful to Jennifer Worth for telling us her story. Mixing personal anecdotes with detailed descriptions of many of the births and illnesses that she encountered as a nurse and midwife, Worth has produced a richly faceted and inspirational memoir.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
A FATAL WINTER (G.M. Malliet)
November was a long month and one in which I wasn't able to get to reading as much as I would have liked! That being said, I have FINALLY finished A Fatal Winter. Populated with eccentric, entitled heirs, well-meaning townspeople, and handsome Father Max Tudor, MI5 agent turned Anglican priest, Nether Monkslip is again faced with murder, this time at Chedrow Castle in nearby Monkslip Super Mare. A brief Internet investigation has informed me that "Super Mare" comes from the Latin meaning "upon the sea" and is used to distinguish a village located at the water's edge, much like "by-the-sea." I wish I had looked that up before!
As Max travels home from a conference in London on December 13 he shares a train compartment with Lady Leticia Baynard, widowed twin sister of Lord Oscar Footrustle of Chedrow Castle. Later that day, after enjoying an intimate dinner with the lovely Awena Owen, proprietor of Nether Monkslip's new age store, Max learns that both Lord Footrustle and Lady Baynard have died. Oscar has been unceremoniously stabbed, possibly by one of his family, who are gathered at the castle for the holidays at his invitation. Lady Baynard's death appears to be natural. Max is asked by local authorities to visit the castle in his pastoral capacity to comfort the family while surreptitiously using his investigative skills to sort through the various suspects. Who stands to inherit? Who is insane enough and enraged enough to stab an old man multiple times even after he is dead? Could it be his daughter, Jocasta, the flamboyant has-been actress with the much-younger husband? Or could Lester, Leticia's younger son from Australia be desperate for money? What about Lamorna, the ugly adopted granddaughter suffering from religious delusions?
Malliet has produced another excellent murder mystery. I confess that would have enjoyed it more if I had read it a little faster, but the combination of village sensibilities, crazy relatives, a drafty old castle, and, most of all, Max Tudor, make this a highly recommended read. Max is nice guy with all of the characteristics of a good priest. He is caring, compassionate, and intelligent, yet emotionally vulnerable and still feeling guilty over the death of his former MI5 partner. He is also falling in love with Awena, which adds even more dimension and interest to his character. I'm looking forward to the next installment!
As Max travels home from a conference in London on December 13 he shares a train compartment with Lady Leticia Baynard, widowed twin sister of Lord Oscar Footrustle of Chedrow Castle. Later that day, after enjoying an intimate dinner with the lovely Awena Owen, proprietor of Nether Monkslip's new age store, Max learns that both Lord Footrustle and Lady Baynard have died. Oscar has been unceremoniously stabbed, possibly by one of his family, who are gathered at the castle for the holidays at his invitation. Lady Baynard's death appears to be natural. Max is asked by local authorities to visit the castle in his pastoral capacity to comfort the family while surreptitiously using his investigative skills to sort through the various suspects. Who stands to inherit? Who is insane enough and enraged enough to stab an old man multiple times even after he is dead? Could it be his daughter, Jocasta, the flamboyant has-been actress with the much-younger husband? Or could Lester, Leticia's younger son from Australia be desperate for money? What about Lamorna, the ugly adopted granddaughter suffering from religious delusions?
Malliet has produced another excellent murder mystery. I confess that would have enjoyed it more if I had read it a little faster, but the combination of village sensibilities, crazy relatives, a drafty old castle, and, most of all, Max Tudor, make this a highly recommended read. Max is nice guy with all of the characteristics of a good priest. He is caring, compassionate, and intelligent, yet emotionally vulnerable and still feeling guilty over the death of his former MI5 partner. He is also falling in love with Awena, which adds even more dimension and interest to his character. I'm looking forward to the next installment!
BE DIFFERENT (John Elder Robison)
Robison, also the author of "Look Me In the Eye," writes simply and honestly about his struggles growing up with undiagnosed Asperger's, offering advice and encouragement to fellow Aspie's and neuro-typicals alike. I think that the title says it all. Simply put, Asperger's is a neurological condition that typically causes an inability to recognize and process social cues, often resulting in odd behavior and a lack of emotional connection with others. Robison, diagnosed at age 40, has chosen to put a positive spin on his differences, celebrating being different. His book covers 4 major areas of concern for Aspies and their families: Rituals, Manners, & Quirks; Emotions; Getting Along With Others; and Sensitivity to the Nonhuman World. If you know or love anyone with Asperger's, you will recognize many of the feeling and situations experienced by Robison during his childhood and adult years.
The final chapter, Finding Your Gifts, is, I believe the highlight of the book, encouraging those on the autism spectrum to use their atypical characteristics to their advantage, finding a way to turn their "disability" into a strength. It is no secret that some of our greatest scientists and business people, including Albert Einstein and Bill Gates, are believed to have Asperger's. These men (and most are men) have used their neurological differences to accomplish great things, finding ways to turn their "special skills" into successful careers. Robison makes no bones about the need for hard work and focus, but believes that the Aspergian who is able to focus on their interests and apply them to the real world can achieve success.
Robison includes a handy appendix that includes the diagnostic criteria for Asperger's. This is a wonderful resource for anyone dealing with Asperger's in any respect. Robison is personal and insightful.
The final chapter, Finding Your Gifts, is, I believe the highlight of the book, encouraging those on the autism spectrum to use their atypical characteristics to their advantage, finding a way to turn their "disability" into a strength. It is no secret that some of our greatest scientists and business people, including Albert Einstein and Bill Gates, are believed to have Asperger's. These men (and most are men) have used their neurological differences to accomplish great things, finding ways to turn their "special skills" into successful careers. Robison makes no bones about the need for hard work and focus, but believes that the Aspergian who is able to focus on their interests and apply them to the real world can achieve success.
Robison includes a handy appendix that includes the diagnostic criteria for Asperger's. This is a wonderful resource for anyone dealing with Asperger's in any respect. Robison is personal and insightful.
Monday, November 12, 2012
WALLFLOWER IN BLOOM (Claire Cook)
If you are a Dancing with the Stars fan you will enjoy the "insider" insight into the process of preparing to appear on the show, but Cook's real story is that of a late-bloomer who finally finds her own path to happiness. Overshadowed since childhood by her brother Tag's charisma and the public adulation heaped upon him at every turn, Deirdre has for years been the woman behind the image. She works as her brother's personal assistant, juggling reservations and venues and managing his Facebook and Twitter accounts. While Tag wallows in the adoration of the public, Deirdre's life has been on hold for years. She is exhausted and discouraged and tired of Tag getting credit for her hard work. One day she decides to start a campaign, writing as Tag, to get herself voted in as a last-minute replacement on DWTS, taking the place of an actress who has just entered rehab. Learning to dance, dealing with her disgruntled family, and examining her own role in her unhappiness result in some personal revelations for Deirdre. This is a light read, for sure, but the reader becomes invested in Deirdre and her success, not as a dancer, but as a person. Great book for a rainy weekend!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
WIFE 22 (Melanie Gideon)
I loved this book, much more than I expected to! Alice Buckle, who is soon to turn 45 (the age at which her mother died), decides to participate in an online marriage survey, "Marriage in the 21st Century," after receiving an email solicitation. As wife of 20 years to William and mother to 15-year-old Zoe and 12-year-old Peter, Alice is finding it increasing difficult to keep lines of communication open within her family. As "Wife 22," however, she is free to communicate her thoughts and feelings about her marriage and family life anonymously to "Researcher 101." When William loses his advertising job (after apparently revealing personal information about his marital relationship to a focus group) and finances tighten, Alice worries about her part-time job as an elementary school drama teacher. An aspiring playwright in her younger years, she was humiliated by the failure of her first professional production and has been haunted by that setback ever since. Do more failures loom on the horizon? Why is Researcher 101 becoming more and more appealing to her as their correspondence develops? Is son Peter gay? Will Alice serve as matron of honor at her best freind's same-sex marriage ceremony?
This is definitely a novel for the 21st century. The Internet is the true main character of this clever story, with email, Facebook, and You Tube featured prominently. Gideon does a wonderful job of allowing Alice to evolve emotionally. I loved the anonymous survey premise, because aren't all of us more honest and forthright in our opinions when we are safely hidden behind a keboard and monitor?
This is definitely a novel for the 21st century. The Internet is the true main character of this clever story, with email, Facebook, and You Tube featured prominently. Gideon does a wonderful job of allowing Alice to evolve emotionally. I loved the anonymous survey premise, because aren't all of us more honest and forthright in our opinions when we are safely hidden behind a keboard and monitor?
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
THE SPLENDOUR FALLS (Susanna Kearsley)
This is a little different from the other Kearsley novels that I have read in that the main characters are firmly rooted in the present. We are, however, treated to two fascinating stories of the past in Chinon, France, both involving women named Isabelle, one a queen (circa 1205) and the other a chambermaid (circa WWII).
Emily Braden agrees to take a holiday and meet her historian cousin Harry at Chinon, where he plans to research Queen Isabelle. When Harry, not uncharacteristically, fails to arrive as scheduled at the Hotel de France, Emily joins brothers Paul and Simon Lazarus and violinist Neil Grantham, who are also staying at the hotel, for some sightseeing. She discovers a rare King John coin, her cousin's most prized possession, in a donation bowl at a beautiful deserted chapel and begins to wonder what, exactly, has happened to Harry.
Kearsley's novel begins as a pleasant, if a little bit dated, story that transforms into an intriguing and romantic mystery, weaving together the near and distant past with the present day. I didn't love it as much as The Rose Garden or Mariana, but I definitely liked it a lot! I would recommend it. It might be a bit difficult to find, though!
Emily Braden agrees to take a holiday and meet her historian cousin Harry at Chinon, where he plans to research Queen Isabelle. When Harry, not uncharacteristically, fails to arrive as scheduled at the Hotel de France, Emily joins brothers Paul and Simon Lazarus and violinist Neil Grantham, who are also staying at the hotel, for some sightseeing. She discovers a rare King John coin, her cousin's most prized possession, in a donation bowl at a beautiful deserted chapel and begins to wonder what, exactly, has happened to Harry.
Kearsley's novel begins as a pleasant, if a little bit dated, story that transforms into an intriguing and romantic mystery, weaving together the near and distant past with the present day. I didn't love it as much as The Rose Garden or Mariana, but I definitely liked it a lot! I would recommend it. It might be a bit difficult to find, though!
Monday, October 22, 2012
ARTISTIC LICENSE (Katie Fforde)
As usual, Katie Fforde provides an enjoyable romantic adventure with characters that leave you wishing you could keep hanging out with them even after the last page has been turned. This is an older novel (2005), Fforde's second. Thea Orville has left her career as a globetrotting photojournalist after being betrayed personally and professionally by the man in her life. With the help of a convenient inheritance, she has left London, invested in a large house in Cheltenham, and started taking in student lodgers, providing housing and an occasional meal for a group of messy, irresponsible university students. When friend Molly invites her on an unexpected trip to France she decides to accept and get away from it all. During the trip she meets Rory, a breathtakingly attractive Irish artist who has been hired to lecture to the group on Cezanne, and after arriving home to chaos and destruction in her house she decides to take Rory up on his invitation to visit him in Ireland, leaving Cheltenham behind and the mess behind.
Her unplanned visit to the Emerald Isle leaves Thea not with a new romance, as you might have presumed, but a new career as an art gallery owner, plus an Irish wolfhound and several puppies. With the help of Molly and Molly's handsome cousin Ben, Thea decides to find a property and exhibits Rory's beautiful landscapes. Neither the course of true love nor the launching of a new enterprise ever run smoothly and Ffforde treats her readers to nonstop action, including potentially romantic remodeling accidents, a possible kidnapping, a vicious ex-spouse, lots of puppy antics, and some very bad weather. This is fun!
Her unplanned visit to the Emerald Isle leaves Thea not with a new romance, as you might have presumed, but a new career as an art gallery owner, plus an Irish wolfhound and several puppies. With the help of Molly and Molly's handsome cousin Ben, Thea decides to find a property and exhibits Rory's beautiful landscapes. Neither the course of true love nor the launching of a new enterprise ever run smoothly and Ffforde treats her readers to nonstop action, including potentially romantic remodeling accidents, a possible kidnapping, a vicious ex-spouse, lots of puppy antics, and some very bad weather. This is fun!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
150 POUNDS: A NOVEL OF WAISTS AND MEASURES (Kate Rockland)
Shoshana Weiner and Alexis Allbright are successful 20-something bloggers focused on that eternal female obsession, weight. Shoshana, at 215 pounds, writes Fat & Fabulous, a blog for overweight women that focuses on self acceptance. Alexis, on the other hand, weighs 100 pounds writes a blog called Skinny Chick, which extolls diet, extreme exercise, and weight control for good health.
If the truth were to be told (and it is), chubby Shoshana actually leads a healthier lifestyle than Alexis. She enjoys a reasonably healthy, balanced diet (albeit too much food), gets some regular exercise, and accepts herself. She even enjoys finding wardrobe pieces that flatter her zaftig body. As part of an overweight family she grew up in Hoboken surrounded by love and acceptance, but her father's early death from a heart attack a few years before has left her with a nagging sense of worry about the future. Alexis, on the other hand, became estranged from her perfectionist parents after the tragic death of her teenage brother. A disappointment to her lawyer father (Alexis is a law school drop-out) and alcoholic mother, Alexis lives in New York City with her gay best friend Billy, barely making ends meet. She is meticulous about recording every morsel of food she eats, works out religiously, and tries to control every aspect of her life.
Shoshanna and Alexis meet (and do NOT bond) as guests on the Oprah Winfrey Show, invited to talk with Oprah about weight and body image. As fate would have it, circumstances beyond their control eventually conspire to change their thinking, their lifestyles, and their priorities, and a year later they end up together on Oprah's show again, this time each weighing 150 pounds. I'm not going to give you any more details about how this happens, but I will tell you that 150 Pounds is much more than your average chick lit. It's a novel about 2 women who, in the process of advising others about how to live, find their true selves and their own happiness. I enjoyed being invited along for their year of discovery!
If the truth were to be told (and it is), chubby Shoshana actually leads a healthier lifestyle than Alexis. She enjoys a reasonably healthy, balanced diet (albeit too much food), gets some regular exercise, and accepts herself. She even enjoys finding wardrobe pieces that flatter her zaftig body. As part of an overweight family she grew up in Hoboken surrounded by love and acceptance, but her father's early death from a heart attack a few years before has left her with a nagging sense of worry about the future. Alexis, on the other hand, became estranged from her perfectionist parents after the tragic death of her teenage brother. A disappointment to her lawyer father (Alexis is a law school drop-out) and alcoholic mother, Alexis lives in New York City with her gay best friend Billy, barely making ends meet. She is meticulous about recording every morsel of food she eats, works out religiously, and tries to control every aspect of her life.
Shoshanna and Alexis meet (and do NOT bond) as guests on the Oprah Winfrey Show, invited to talk with Oprah about weight and body image. As fate would have it, circumstances beyond their control eventually conspire to change their thinking, their lifestyles, and their priorities, and a year later they end up together on Oprah's show again, this time each weighing 150 pounds. I'm not going to give you any more details about how this happens, but I will tell you that 150 Pounds is much more than your average chick lit. It's a novel about 2 women who, in the process of advising others about how to live, find their true selves and their own happiness. I enjoyed being invited along for their year of discovery!
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