by James Patterson
Former cop and current reporter Ben Hawkins travels to Hawaii to report on the disappearance of swimsuit model Kim McDaniels. The murderer soon contacts Ben and wants to tell his story: and Ben has no choice but to agree.
Another not one of my favorites by James Patterson. When murdered Henri contacts Ben, I had hoped we would get a glimpse into the head of a serial killer. But the book seemed to be overflowing with pointless violence and rape. And honestly, I didn't find Ben Hawkins to be a very likable character, which made it hard to hope he survived his interviews with Henri.
Even though this is the second book in a row by Patterson that I haven't enjoyed much, it wouldn't stop me from reading more by him. There are enough other great books by Patterson to keep me going back to the library to give him another shot.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
A young shepherd boy, Santiago, sets off from Spain to travel to the Egyptian Pyramids he saw in a dream. As he follows his Personal Legend, he encounters many people and obstacles, all of whom add to the journey and his life lessons.
I have read this book before and decided to read it again to rid myself of the unpleasantness left in me by "The Shack". "The Alchemist" was more inspiring to me than anything I found in "The Shack", and did not leave me doubting everything I had ever been taught at church. (I know, I know - everyone loves "The Shack". Everyone but me, I suppose.) Santiago moves along on his journey, learning from everyone he meets and more than once, finds himself ready to give up and go home. But he continues on.
The lessons I took from this book are two: 1. That everyone you meet and every obstacle you encounter is there for a reason. and 2. If you don't follow your Personal Legend, you will spend your life wondering what would have happened if you had.
This is a simple story with powerful lessons. Even if you loved "The Shack", you should check this book out and see what it does for you.
A young shepherd boy, Santiago, sets off from Spain to travel to the Egyptian Pyramids he saw in a dream. As he follows his Personal Legend, he encounters many people and obstacles, all of whom add to the journey and his life lessons.
I have read this book before and decided to read it again to rid myself of the unpleasantness left in me by "The Shack". "The Alchemist" was more inspiring to me than anything I found in "The Shack", and did not leave me doubting everything I had ever been taught at church. (I know, I know - everyone loves "The Shack". Everyone but me, I suppose.) Santiago moves along on his journey, learning from everyone he meets and more than once, finds himself ready to give up and go home. But he continues on.
The lessons I took from this book are two: 1. That everyone you meet and every obstacle you encounter is there for a reason. and 2. If you don't follow your Personal Legend, you will spend your life wondering what would have happened if you had.
This is a simple story with powerful lessons. Even if you loved "The Shack", you should check this book out and see what it does for you.
My Favorite Midlife Crisis (Yet)!
by Toby Devens
Gwyneth Berke is still recovering two years after her divorce from her suddenly out-of-the-closet husband. Her best friends Kat and Fleur drag her reluctantly into the dating world again. She meets a few flakes, before happening upon fellow gynecologist Simon at a medical conference. But is he really who he shows himself to be - or does Simon have secrets of his own? Gwyneth will soon find out.
This book is a kick. Even as one who is not at all close to mid-fifties, I could relate to Gwyneth and her friends as they navigate the treacherous dating world in search of men they can trust and are attracted to. More of a "girlfriends" book, than a "dating" book, this book nonetheless assures every woman that even if you have to kiss a lot of frogs, you will eventually find your prince.
I wasn't sure I would like this book - thought maybe I was too young for the demographic - but that was soon proven false. This is a book every woman can enjoy. And more so if you can identify some of your frogs with those in the book!
Gwyneth Berke is still recovering two years after her divorce from her suddenly out-of-the-closet husband. Her best friends Kat and Fleur drag her reluctantly into the dating world again. She meets a few flakes, before happening upon fellow gynecologist Simon at a medical conference. But is he really who he shows himself to be - or does Simon have secrets of his own? Gwyneth will soon find out.
This book is a kick. Even as one who is not at all close to mid-fifties, I could relate to Gwyneth and her friends as they navigate the treacherous dating world in search of men they can trust and are attracted to. More of a "girlfriends" book, than a "dating" book, this book nonetheless assures every woman that even if you have to kiss a lot of frogs, you will eventually find your prince.
I wasn't sure I would like this book - thought maybe I was too young for the demographic - but that was soon proven false. This is a book every woman can enjoy. And more so if you can identify some of your frogs with those in the book!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Hide and Seek
by James Patterson
Maggie Bradford is beautiful, successful and the mother of two adoring children. So why is she on trial for the murder of her second husband? Because she also killed her first husband, in self-defense of course, and her lover in-between husbands also died mysteriously. Is Maggie guilty of nothing more than choosing bad husbands - or something more sinister?
James Patterson can write the hell out of a book. If you don't know that, where have you been? I've read about half of the Alex Cross series and finally printed a list off his website of all his titles so I can work my way through the others. All his books are suspenseful, engaging and realistic. His characters are real, facing situations you wouldn't want to find yourself in, but dealing with it the way you would have to. The chapters are short, so there's the late-night read-a-thons, where one more chapter becomes one more chapter, becomes one more chapter.
I myself am not a huge fan of the Alex Cross series, but really enjoy his other stuff. I know a lot of his readers are the opposite. I also like his Women's Murder Club series, but haven't read too many of those. Now that I have the list in my bookbag however, I know I'll be prowling the stacks at Kalamazoo Public Library for all the titles I haven't check off yet!
Maggie Bradford is beautiful, successful and the mother of two adoring children. So why is she on trial for the murder of her second husband? Because she also killed her first husband, in self-defense of course, and her lover in-between husbands also died mysteriously. Is Maggie guilty of nothing more than choosing bad husbands - or something more sinister?
James Patterson can write the hell out of a book. If you don't know that, where have you been? I've read about half of the Alex Cross series and finally printed a list off his website of all his titles so I can work my way through the others. All his books are suspenseful, engaging and realistic. His characters are real, facing situations you wouldn't want to find yourself in, but dealing with it the way you would have to. The chapters are short, so there's the late-night read-a-thons, where one more chapter becomes one more chapter, becomes one more chapter.
I myself am not a huge fan of the Alex Cross series, but really enjoy his other stuff. I know a lot of his readers are the opposite. I also like his Women's Murder Club series, but haven't read too many of those. Now that I have the list in my bookbag however, I know I'll be prowling the stacks at Kalamazoo Public Library for all the titles I haven't check off yet!
After You
by Julie Buxbaum
When Ellie's best friend Lucy was murdered on the street in front of her eight-year-old daughter Sophie, Ellie flies to London to help her friend's family pick up the pieces. As Sophie and her father Greg begin to heal, Ellie learns things about her best friend that she never knew. And Ellie has to confront the real reason she left her home and husband to travel to London to help Lucy's family.
This is the long-awaited second book from this author. I loved, loved, loved her first book - The Opposite of Love - and couldn't wait to read this. It did not disappoint. Ellie is also a woman who seems to be her own worst enemy when it comes to life choices. But I could totally relate to the way Ellie thought, felt, and dealt with the things thrown at her. What seemed to be decisions made out of grief, soon because habit for Ellie and to fix her marriage and in essence, her entire life, she has to unlearn those habits.
I can't say enough about this author and the women she creates. Even Lucy, although we never met her while she is alive, is a complex and conflicted woman. Ellie's mother is another example. She is seemingly flighty and thoughtless, but we come to see another side of her that I could relate too. It seemed to me that the central question of this book was "What would you give up for love?"
Go read this book and The Opposite of Love. You can thank me later.
When Ellie's best friend Lucy was murdered on the street in front of her eight-year-old daughter Sophie, Ellie flies to London to help her friend's family pick up the pieces. As Sophie and her father Greg begin to heal, Ellie learns things about her best friend that she never knew. And Ellie has to confront the real reason she left her home and husband to travel to London to help Lucy's family.
This is the long-awaited second book from this author. I loved, loved, loved her first book - The Opposite of Love - and couldn't wait to read this. It did not disappoint. Ellie is also a woman who seems to be her own worst enemy when it comes to life choices. But I could totally relate to the way Ellie thought, felt, and dealt with the things thrown at her. What seemed to be decisions made out of grief, soon because habit for Ellie and to fix her marriage and in essence, her entire life, she has to unlearn those habits.
I can't say enough about this author and the women she creates. Even Lucy, although we never met her while she is alive, is a complex and conflicted woman. Ellie's mother is another example. She is seemingly flighty and thoughtless, but we come to see another side of her that I could relate too. It seemed to me that the central question of this book was "What would you give up for love?"
Go read this book and The Opposite of Love. You can thank me later.
The Mushroom Man
by Sophie Powell
Charlotte and her six-year-old daughter Lily go to the country visit her estranged sister Beth, her teenage son and identical triplet daughters. Lily adores the girls, especially after she is told the story of the Mushroom Man, who lives in the nearby forest and builds umbrellas for the fairies. Lily claims to have met him, and when the family wakes up one morning to find Lily gone, they all wonder who it was Lily actually met.
This was a short little book, with enough characters to potentially become confusing, but it really wasn't. It's hard to like Charlotte very much, or her husband Richard either for that matter, but Beth and the children are charming and realistic. The ending is left for the reader to decide, which sometimes bothers me, but in this case, fit with the book perfectly.
Charlotte and her six-year-old daughter Lily go to the country visit her estranged sister Beth, her teenage son and identical triplet daughters. Lily adores the girls, especially after she is told the story of the Mushroom Man, who lives in the nearby forest and builds umbrellas for the fairies. Lily claims to have met him, and when the family wakes up one morning to find Lily gone, they all wonder who it was Lily actually met.
This was a short little book, with enough characters to potentially become confusing, but it really wasn't. It's hard to like Charlotte very much, or her husband Richard either for that matter, but Beth and the children are charming and realistic. The ending is left for the reader to decide, which sometimes bothers me, but in this case, fit with the book perfectly.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Good Luck
by Whitney Gaskell
On the worst day of her life - she is fired from her job and finds her boyfriend cheating on her in her bed - Lucy Parker buys a lottery ticket. When she wins a multi-million dollar jackpot, she soon finds out that all that money can't buy her out of her mess of a life. In fact, it creates more problems - who can she trust and who is she really? Lucy escapes to her friend's house in Palm Beach to hide out and escape the media frenzy, while she puzzles out the answers to those questions.
This book was a quick read and very engaging. The characters are real and complex. The question of "What would you do if you won the lottery?" is asked and answered in a way that made me think. Winning a bunch of money doesn't solve everything. You still have your friends, your family and your past to deal with. And who can you trust? Who still likes you for your and who wants a handout? Lucy is ill-equipped to deal with all these questions, but finds that she must find the answers quickly. And when she meets two men who know nothing of her and her past, what will happen when they find out who she really is? Or when she finds out who they really are? Overall, a fun book. I have read another book by this author before, "Mommy Tracked" and would check out some more of her books.
On the worst day of her life - she is fired from her job and finds her boyfriend cheating on her in her bed - Lucy Parker buys a lottery ticket. When she wins a multi-million dollar jackpot, she soon finds out that all that money can't buy her out of her mess of a life. In fact, it creates more problems - who can she trust and who is she really? Lucy escapes to her friend's house in Palm Beach to hide out and escape the media frenzy, while she puzzles out the answers to those questions.
This book was a quick read and very engaging. The characters are real and complex. The question of "What would you do if you won the lottery?" is asked and answered in a way that made me think. Winning a bunch of money doesn't solve everything. You still have your friends, your family and your past to deal with. And who can you trust? Who still likes you for your and who wants a handout? Lucy is ill-equipped to deal with all these questions, but finds that she must find the answers quickly. And when she meets two men who know nothing of her and her past, what will happen when they find out who she really is? Or when she finds out who they really are? Overall, a fun book. I have read another book by this author before, "Mommy Tracked" and would check out some more of her books.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Death By Panthose
by Laura Levine
Jaine Austen is hired to write jokes for a local feminist comic, Dorcas. When she goes to watch her act, she meets the cast of characters that surround Dorcas and her life. So it is really no surprise when Dorcas' chief rival Vic is found strangled with a pair of Dorcas' signature pantyhose. Jaine is back on the case, trying to find the real murderer.
Another entertaining Jaine Austen mystery. As always, the victim is well-hated by almost everyone who knew him, so Jaine list of possible suspects includes just about everyone. Luckily, she is able to piece it all together in the end.
If you haven't started reading this series yet, hurry up. Summer is almost over and quick and fun reads like this are definite summer reads!
Jaine Austen is hired to write jokes for a local feminist comic, Dorcas. When she goes to watch her act, she meets the cast of characters that surround Dorcas and her life. So it is really no surprise when Dorcas' chief rival Vic is found strangled with a pair of Dorcas' signature pantyhose. Jaine is back on the case, trying to find the real murderer.
Another entertaining Jaine Austen mystery. As always, the victim is well-hated by almost everyone who knew him, so Jaine list of possible suspects includes just about everyone. Luckily, she is able to piece it all together in the end.
If you haven't started reading this series yet, hurry up. Summer is almost over and quick and fun reads like this are definite summer reads!
The Shack
by William Young
Mack Phillips' youngest daughter Missy is abducted and presumed dead while on a family vacation. Four years later, Mack receives a letter inviting him to visit "The Shack", the last place Missy was known to be. Who awaits him there will change his life forever after.
Okay. So this is one of those books that everyone is talking about. "It changed my life", "Profound and moving", all that kind of thing. Mack's weekend with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit was indeed moving and overwhelming for him. It was a very well written story. Young gives us God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in forms we can relate to and even attempts to explain issues that many Christians may struggle with. But overall, it just wasn't the deep spiritual experience I had heard that so many people have had with the book.
Mack works his way through redemption, forgiveness and understanding in the course of a weekend. He is finally able to release his guilt and despair over losing his youngest daughter and see that she is indeed in a better place. That itself made the story worth reading.
But the biggest issue I had is one that was a somewhat minor point of the story. God and Jesus tell Mack that church is not necessary. That God doesn't want people to get together every week to worship and sign hymns and collect money and all that. The sense is that God wants you to live a in a godly way every minute of your life and church is not necessary to do that. And I agree with that. However, as someone who usually gets a great deal out of a church service, it made sitting in church the following Sunday somewhat tedious. In the back of my mind, all I could hear was "God doesn't want you to do this, this isn't want He expects". And that right there, ruined the book for me. Because now I don't know if I can sit through church again without thinking that.
A lot of people found great spiritual hope in the book. I wish I was one of them. However, all that being said, I did enjoy the book for the story of Mack's journey through grief and acceptance. If you read it and find it spiritually moving, I'm glad.
Mack Phillips' youngest daughter Missy is abducted and presumed dead while on a family vacation. Four years later, Mack receives a letter inviting him to visit "The Shack", the last place Missy was known to be. Who awaits him there will change his life forever after.
Okay. So this is one of those books that everyone is talking about. "It changed my life", "Profound and moving", all that kind of thing. Mack's weekend with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit was indeed moving and overwhelming for him. It was a very well written story. Young gives us God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in forms we can relate to and even attempts to explain issues that many Christians may struggle with. But overall, it just wasn't the deep spiritual experience I had heard that so many people have had with the book.
Mack works his way through redemption, forgiveness and understanding in the course of a weekend. He is finally able to release his guilt and despair over losing his youngest daughter and see that she is indeed in a better place. That itself made the story worth reading.
But the biggest issue I had is one that was a somewhat minor point of the story. God and Jesus tell Mack that church is not necessary. That God doesn't want people to get together every week to worship and sign hymns and collect money and all that. The sense is that God wants you to live a in a godly way every minute of your life and church is not necessary to do that. And I agree with that. However, as someone who usually gets a great deal out of a church service, it made sitting in church the following Sunday somewhat tedious. In the back of my mind, all I could hear was "God doesn't want you to do this, this isn't want He expects". And that right there, ruined the book for me. Because now I don't know if I can sit through church again without thinking that.
A lot of people found great spiritual hope in the book. I wish I was one of them. However, all that being said, I did enjoy the book for the story of Mack's journey through grief and acceptance. If you read it and find it spiritually moving, I'm glad.
Friday, August 21, 2009
The PMS Murder
by Laura Levine
Jaine Austen's best friend Kandi is getting married, which means Jaine needs to find a new friend to fill up her days. When she meets Pam, it seems destined that they will be close friends. Pam invites Jaine to her PMS meeting - a group of women who get together for margaritas and guacamole to talk and complain. At the second meeting however, Marybeth drops dead. And Jaine finds herself back in the murder mystery business.
It seems that everywhere poor Jaine goes, someone falls over dead! No, but seriously, this series continues to entertain and interest this reader. There are a few more in this series and I look forward to reading the rest.
Jaine Austen's best friend Kandi is getting married, which means Jaine needs to find a new friend to fill up her days. When she meets Pam, it seems destined that they will be close friends. Pam invites Jaine to her PMS meeting - a group of women who get together for margaritas and guacamole to talk and complain. At the second meeting however, Marybeth drops dead. And Jaine finds herself back in the murder mystery business.
It seems that everywhere poor Jaine goes, someone falls over dead! No, but seriously, this series continues to entertain and interest this reader. There are a few more in this series and I look forward to reading the rest.
Shoes to Die For
by Laura Levine
Our favorite free-lance writer/part-time detective Jaine Austen is back and ready to put this murder stuff behind her. When her neighbor Lance takes her for a make-over to his favorite boutique Passions, she has no idea that she is about to become embroiled in yet another murder.
This time Jaine isn't solving the murder to protect herself or her friends - she is hired by one of the sales clerks Becky, who is a prime suspect. Like all of Jaine's murder mysteries, there are numerous people who would have reason to kill the victim. Sorting through them all and discovering their motives will keep Jaine busy for sure.
Another fast, easy read by Levine, with some of our now familiar and favorite characters popping up for an appearance. Jaine's mother and father continue to be a constant e-mail presence, Mr. Goldman and the writing group, and of course, Prozac, her beloved cat. For a good escape book, I highly recommend this series.
Our favorite free-lance writer/part-time detective Jaine Austen is back and ready to put this murder stuff behind her. When her neighbor Lance takes her for a make-over to his favorite boutique Passions, she has no idea that she is about to become embroiled in yet another murder.
This time Jaine isn't solving the murder to protect herself or her friends - she is hired by one of the sales clerks Becky, who is a prime suspect. Like all of Jaine's murder mysteries, there are numerous people who would have reason to kill the victim. Sorting through them all and discovering their motives will keep Jaine busy for sure.
Another fast, easy read by Levine, with some of our now familiar and favorite characters popping up for an appearance. Jaine's mother and father continue to be a constant e-mail presence, Mr. Goldman and the writing group, and of course, Prozac, her beloved cat. For a good escape book, I highly recommend this series.
True Colors
by Kristin Hannah
The Grey sisters, Winona, Aurora and Vivi Ann, have been close since their mother died when they were young. In their small Washington town, where everyone knows everything about everyone, secrets are hard to keep. But when Vivi Ann starts dating Luke, Winona's long-time secret crush, and wedge is driven between the sisters that will take years to dislodge. The arrival of a mysterious farmhand sets into motion events that no one could have seen coming.
I worried at first that this book would end up being a romance novel. (Which are not really my thing.) But this story really was compelling and emotional. The conflict between the main two sisters, Winona and Vivi Ann, shows how complex family relationships can be. Can we ever, as adults, outgrow the roles we are cast in a children? Winona was always the oldest, the smartest, the sister who had everything under control. Vivi Ann was the youngest, the wildest, the star of the family. Admitting to themselves and the rest of their family that these roles aren't accurate anymore is one of the hardest tasks these sisters face.
I would have liked to know more about Aurora, but it probably would haven't have been important to the plot. I was just curious about her and her life, outside of the constant desire to smooth things over between her sisters.
This was a good book and I would read more by this author.
The Grey sisters, Winona, Aurora and Vivi Ann, have been close since their mother died when they were young. In their small Washington town, where everyone knows everything about everyone, secrets are hard to keep. But when Vivi Ann starts dating Luke, Winona's long-time secret crush, and wedge is driven between the sisters that will take years to dislodge. The arrival of a mysterious farmhand sets into motion events that no one could have seen coming.
I worried at first that this book would end up being a romance novel. (Which are not really my thing.) But this story really was compelling and emotional. The conflict between the main two sisters, Winona and Vivi Ann, shows how complex family relationships can be. Can we ever, as adults, outgrow the roles we are cast in a children? Winona was always the oldest, the smartest, the sister who had everything under control. Vivi Ann was the youngest, the wildest, the star of the family. Admitting to themselves and the rest of their family that these roles aren't accurate anymore is one of the hardest tasks these sisters face.
I would have liked to know more about Aurora, but it probably would haven't have been important to the plot. I was just curious about her and her life, outside of the constant desire to smooth things over between her sisters.
This was a good book and I would read more by this author.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Hurry Down Sunshine
by Michael Greenberg
Michael Greenberg's 15-year-old daughter Sally is suddenly "struck mad". He admits her to a psych ward, where he and the rest of Sally's family is sent head-first into the land of psychologists, medication and the other residents.
In a rare foray into non-fiction for me, I don't recall how this book ended up on my book list. But I needed a non-fiction for my summer reading game card and so I made the unusual trip to the second floor of the Kalamazoo Public Library to find it. I liked this very much. Sally is manic, convinced she knows how to find the genius in everyone, if only someone would stop and listen to her. Her father is lost in knowing how to help her. Her mother is little help. Her stepmother tries to be supportive, but is unsure of her role with Sally's mother around. All in all, Sally's trip to the psych ward serves as an impetus for the adults in her life to figure out what they're doing.
I was a little concerned about this book at first for a lot of personal reasons. It's non-fiction, which I generally struggle with. I have also recently read a book that was supposed to be about someone having a breakdown and it was quite lacking in details. And, I'll admit, I was a little put off at first by the author referring to his daughter being "struck mad" or "having a crack up". But soon I was drawn into Sally's story, and that of her family. Greenberg gives the reader a glimpse into the other residents in the wards and the doctors struggles with finding a medication that will help Sally, yet not render her helpless.
I enjoyed this book. I would give it a high recommendation.
Michael Greenberg's 15-year-old daughter Sally is suddenly "struck mad". He admits her to a psych ward, where he and the rest of Sally's family is sent head-first into the land of psychologists, medication and the other residents.
In a rare foray into non-fiction for me, I don't recall how this book ended up on my book list. But I needed a non-fiction for my summer reading game card and so I made the unusual trip to the second floor of the Kalamazoo Public Library to find it. I liked this very much. Sally is manic, convinced she knows how to find the genius in everyone, if only someone would stop and listen to her. Her father is lost in knowing how to help her. Her mother is little help. Her stepmother tries to be supportive, but is unsure of her role with Sally's mother around. All in all, Sally's trip to the psych ward serves as an impetus for the adults in her life to figure out what they're doing.
I was a little concerned about this book at first for a lot of personal reasons. It's non-fiction, which I generally struggle with. I have also recently read a book that was supposed to be about someone having a breakdown and it was quite lacking in details. And, I'll admit, I was a little put off at first by the author referring to his daughter being "struck mad" or "having a crack up". But soon I was drawn into Sally's story, and that of her family. Greenberg gives the reader a glimpse into the other residents in the wards and the doctors struggles with finding a medication that will help Sally, yet not render her helpless.
I enjoyed this book. I would give it a high recommendation.
Disquiet
by Julia Leigh
Olivia leaves her abusive husband and returns to her mother's home with her two young children. Also in the house are her brother and his wife, Sophie, who have just suffered a stillbirth. Sophie continues to carry the dead baby like a doll, unable to bury her just yet. The family tries to mend past grievances and help Sophie deal with the death of her baby.
This is a very short story and could be easily read in one sitting. The main character is most often referred to as the woman (Olivia). There is little detail describing the trouble the woman and her mother have suffered in the past, other than her mother telling Olivia that she told her not to marry him (her husband). All in all, this is a family coming together to help each other heal old wounds and to help Sophie bury her baby.
Olivia leaves her abusive husband and returns to her mother's home with her two young children. Also in the house are her brother and his wife, Sophie, who have just suffered a stillbirth. Sophie continues to carry the dead baby like a doll, unable to bury her just yet. The family tries to mend past grievances and help Sophie deal with the death of her baby.
This is a very short story and could be easily read in one sitting. The main character is most often referred to as the woman (Olivia). There is little detail describing the trouble the woman and her mother have suffered in the past, other than her mother telling Olivia that she told her not to marry him (her husband). All in all, this is a family coming together to help each other heal old wounds and to help Sophie bury her baby.
Last Writes
by Laura Levine
When Jaine Austen's best friend Kandi gets her a job writing for the sitcom Muffy & Me, Jaine is thrilled to finally have a paying job. Her happiness is short-lived however, when one of the stars of the show is murdered and Kandi is the prime suspect. Jaine puts her detective hat back on and sets out of clear her friend.
Same formula as "This Pen for Hire", Jaine finds herself juggling her e-mail relationship with her parents, her friends and her need to eat in order to get through the day. We are introduced to the entire cast of Muffy & Me (which sounds a bit like Hannah Montana to me), all of whom have reason to want to kill Quinn. Jaine solves her mysteries less by actual detective work than more sure dumb luck. But these stories are entertaining and light-hearted and a nice break if you're reading heavier, more intense books.
When Jaine Austen's best friend Kandi gets her a job writing for the sitcom Muffy & Me, Jaine is thrilled to finally have a paying job. Her happiness is short-lived however, when one of the stars of the show is murdered and Kandi is the prime suspect. Jaine puts her detective hat back on and sets out of clear her friend.
Same formula as "This Pen for Hire", Jaine finds herself juggling her e-mail relationship with her parents, her friends and her need to eat in order to get through the day. We are introduced to the entire cast of Muffy & Me (which sounds a bit like Hannah Montana to me), all of whom have reason to want to kill Quinn. Jaine solves her mysteries less by actual detective work than more sure dumb luck. But these stories are entertaining and light-hearted and a nice break if you're reading heavier, more intense books.
This Pen for Hire
by Laura Levine
Jaine Austen - no, not Jane Austen - is a freelance writer, barely making ends meet in Los Angeles. She and her cat, Prozac, muddle through everyday single life, not looking for any adventure. In fact, Jaine doesn't even want to date, after her disastrous marriage to her ex, The Blob. But when she is hired to write a love letter to gorgeous fitness instructor Stacy, Jaine has no idea how badly this will all end.
An easy to read mystery without all the gore of the Jack Daniels series, Levine gives us plenty of humor and still finds time to write an intriguing mystery. Jaine doesn't set out to solve a mystery, she has no training and no desire, but when she finds herself concerned about Howard, who had hired her to write the letter, she decides to do a little investigating on her own. Along the way, she meets a cast of characters who are all likely suspects in Stacy's death. Will Jaine solve this mystery in time to get home for a bubble bath and a tub of Ben & Jerry's? This book was good in that it wasn't easy for the reader to solve, yet the murderer wasn't someone who came out of nowhere. I hate that.
I'm reading a few others from this same author in this series at the recommendation of Jenni. Stay tuned.
Jaine Austen - no, not Jane Austen - is a freelance writer, barely making ends meet in Los Angeles. She and her cat, Prozac, muddle through everyday single life, not looking for any adventure. In fact, Jaine doesn't even want to date, after her disastrous marriage to her ex, The Blob. But when she is hired to write a love letter to gorgeous fitness instructor Stacy, Jaine has no idea how badly this will all end.
An easy to read mystery without all the gore of the Jack Daniels series, Levine gives us plenty of humor and still finds time to write an intriguing mystery. Jaine doesn't set out to solve a mystery, she has no training and no desire, but when she finds herself concerned about Howard, who had hired her to write the letter, she decides to do a little investigating on her own. Along the way, she meets a cast of characters who are all likely suspects in Stacy's death. Will Jaine solve this mystery in time to get home for a bubble bath and a tub of Ben & Jerry's? This book was good in that it wasn't easy for the reader to solve, yet the murderer wasn't someone who came out of nowhere. I hate that.
I'm reading a few others from this same author in this series at the recommendation of Jenni. Stay tuned.
Cherry Bomb
by J.A. Konrath
In the latest installment of the Lt. Jack Daniels mysteries, the book starts with a funeral, tying in with the ending of "Fuzzy Navel". At the funeral, Jack's cell phone rings, bringing her right back into the world of Alex Kork and her psychotic games.
Jack's grief at her loss (no, I won't tell you who!) turns to anger as she dives into finding Alex again. Officially banned from the case for being too closely involved - really?! - everyone knows Jack won't be able to stay away. The FBI agents from previous books return and there is a new character, Slappy. Slappy gives the reader some much needed humor during what is otherwise a dark book.
I enjoyed this book as much as the others in this series. I hope there will be more to follow and I suspect there will be, since there are so many more crazy murderers out there for Jack to stop.
In the latest installment of the Lt. Jack Daniels mysteries, the book starts with a funeral, tying in with the ending of "Fuzzy Navel". At the funeral, Jack's cell phone rings, bringing her right back into the world of Alex Kork and her psychotic games.
Jack's grief at her loss (no, I won't tell you who!) turns to anger as she dives into finding Alex again. Officially banned from the case for being too closely involved - really?! - everyone knows Jack won't be able to stay away. The FBI agents from previous books return and there is a new character, Slappy. Slappy gives the reader some much needed humor during what is otherwise a dark book.
I enjoyed this book as much as the others in this series. I hope there will be more to follow and I suspect there will be, since there are so many more crazy murderers out there for Jack to stop.
The Crying Tree
by Naseem Rakha
Irene and Nate Stanley move their kids, Shep and Bliss, from Southern Illinois to Oregon. They are away from their family, their friends and everything they've ever known. As they are getting settled into their new lives, 15-year-old Shep is shot and killed by a young man who is caught breaking into their home. Years later, Irene receives a letter that the murderer is going to be executed, and Irene finds she cannot let him die without making peace with what happened. Her attempt to reach out to Robbins sets off a chain reaction that no one can stop.
This book was very clever. It started off as a story that I thought would be about Irene and Robbins connection and the Stanley family coming to terms with Shep's murder. But there soon came to light that there may have been more to Shep's death than anyone suspected. Why doesn't Robbins want to file any further appeals? Can Irene forgive Robbins for what happened? And what really happened that afternoon so many years ago when Shep was killed? And when she lays it all out for the reader, there were a few times when I went back and reread earlier parts of the book, wondering how I missed it.
This is not a book advocating or critcizing the death penalty. All sides of the story are shown, the Stanley family, Robbins, and the prison warden who is responsible for making Robbins' death happen. This book is more about forgiveness and truth. I recommend it.
Irene and Nate Stanley move their kids, Shep and Bliss, from Southern Illinois to Oregon. They are away from their family, their friends and everything they've ever known. As they are getting settled into their new lives, 15-year-old Shep is shot and killed by a young man who is caught breaking into their home. Years later, Irene receives a letter that the murderer is going to be executed, and Irene finds she cannot let him die without making peace with what happened. Her attempt to reach out to Robbins sets off a chain reaction that no one can stop.
This book was very clever. It started off as a story that I thought would be about Irene and Robbins connection and the Stanley family coming to terms with Shep's murder. But there soon came to light that there may have been more to Shep's death than anyone suspected. Why doesn't Robbins want to file any further appeals? Can Irene forgive Robbins for what happened? And what really happened that afternoon so many years ago when Shep was killed? And when she lays it all out for the reader, there were a few times when I went back and reread earlier parts of the book, wondering how I missed it.
This is not a book advocating or critcizing the death penalty. All sides of the story are shown, the Stanley family, Robbins, and the prison warden who is responsible for making Robbins' death happen. This book is more about forgiveness and truth. I recommend it.
Fuzzy Navel
by J.A. Konrath
Lt. Jack Daniels finally has things in order. She's engaged to Latham, her mother is living with her and safe, and there are no psychotic murderers on the loose. Oh wait, maybe we spoke too soon about that. When Jack receives news that Alex Kork, the psychotic murderer to beat all psychotic murderers, killed herself while in prison, she also receives a call from her mother asking her to come home. And when she gets home, she finds that everything is not as it seems at all.
This book is action through and through. Everyone close to Jack that we've met in the past shows up for this book. The ending leaves the reader dangling, and while some people may hate that, it didn't bother me much. That's probably because I already had the next and most recent book on reserve at the library, so I knew I wouldn't have to wait long. Now if I had to wait until next summer, I might be a little less forgiving.
All in all, another great Jack Daniels mystery. Will she ever get a chance to breathe and be happy? Well, if she did, why would we want to read THAT book?
Lt. Jack Daniels finally has things in order. She's engaged to Latham, her mother is living with her and safe, and there are no psychotic murderers on the loose. Oh wait, maybe we spoke too soon about that. When Jack receives news that Alex Kork, the psychotic murderer to beat all psychotic murderers, killed herself while in prison, she also receives a call from her mother asking her to come home. And when she gets home, she finds that everything is not as it seems at all.
This book is action through and through. Everyone close to Jack that we've met in the past shows up for this book. The ending leaves the reader dangling, and while some people may hate that, it didn't bother me much. That's probably because I already had the next and most recent book on reserve at the library, so I knew I wouldn't have to wait long. Now if I had to wait until next summer, I might be a little less forgiving.
All in all, another great Jack Daniels mystery. Will she ever get a chance to breathe and be happy? Well, if she did, why would we want to read THAT book?
Dirty Martini
by J.A. Konrath
Lt. Jack Daniels must stop a poisoner who calls himself "The Chemist" from killing hundreds of people in the City of Chicago. And on top of that, her so-called personal life is a disaster: her partner Herb has put in for a transfer, her boyfriend Latham was to get married, and her long-dead father may not be dead after all. Can Jack stop The Chemist amid all this chaos?
Well, of course she can. She's Lt. Jack Daniels and she hasn't let us down yet. I especially like this book in the way we are inside The Chemist's head without definitively revealing his identity. This book also had a lot of "No, don't open that door!" moments, where I just wasn't sure how Jack or anyone else was going to survive until the end. Gripping, and a nice break from the Gingerbread Man and his psychotic family.
If I haven't convinced you to check out this series yet, don't worry. There are two more books in this series for me to tell you about! I'll make a believer out of you yet!
Lt. Jack Daniels must stop a poisoner who calls himself "The Chemist" from killing hundreds of people in the City of Chicago. And on top of that, her so-called personal life is a disaster: her partner Herb has put in for a transfer, her boyfriend Latham was to get married, and her long-dead father may not be dead after all. Can Jack stop The Chemist amid all this chaos?
Well, of course she can. She's Lt. Jack Daniels and she hasn't let us down yet. I especially like this book in the way we are inside The Chemist's head without definitively revealing his identity. This book also had a lot of "No, don't open that door!" moments, where I just wasn't sure how Jack or anyone else was going to survive until the end. Gripping, and a nice break from the Gingerbread Man and his psychotic family.
If I haven't convinced you to check out this series yet, don't worry. There are two more books in this series for me to tell you about! I'll make a believer out of you yet!
Rusty Nail
by J. A. Konrath
Lt. Jack Daniels is back and her nemesis, The Gingerbread Man, has found a way to terrorize the City of Chicago yet again. Jack receives a copy of snuff video that appears to be the classic work of the Gingerbread Man. Her partner Herb is hospitalized and unable to help, so Jack sets off on her own to discover that the Gingerbread Man was the least of his family's sick members.
Konrath's third Jack Daniels mystery was as entertaining as the first two. The regular cast of characters is back to help, or hurt, Jack. As always, for anyone looking for a Stephanie Plum mystery, be warned that this is more Kay Scarpetta medical detail than Stephanie Plum. But the humor and characters who surround Jack give it a lighter air that makes the books less intense and an easier read. I can't say enough about this series.
Lt. Jack Daniels is back and her nemesis, The Gingerbread Man, has found a way to terrorize the City of Chicago yet again. Jack receives a copy of snuff video that appears to be the classic work of the Gingerbread Man. Her partner Herb is hospitalized and unable to help, so Jack sets off on her own to discover that the Gingerbread Man was the least of his family's sick members.
Konrath's third Jack Daniels mystery was as entertaining as the first two. The regular cast of characters is back to help, or hurt, Jack. As always, for anyone looking for a Stephanie Plum mystery, be warned that this is more Kay Scarpetta medical detail than Stephanie Plum. But the humor and characters who surround Jack give it a lighter air that makes the books less intense and an easier read. I can't say enough about this series.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Bloody Mary
by J. A Konrath
Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels is back. When random body parts start turning up that link back to her, Jack must not only find the murderer, but find a way to ensure he ends up in prison where he belongs. Along the way, both Jack's mother and her ex-husband show up, making her already complicated life a little more complicated.
This is book 2 of the Jack Daniels mystery series and I enjoyed this one as well. It's a little more gory than the Stephanie Plum series, but that's not a problem for me. There were some laugh out loud moments and some "Ewww" moments. But it all ties together nicely. Jack's mess of a personal life comes into play as well, lending to a shocker of an ending.
I started the next book in this series, Rusty Nail, right after finishing Bloody Mary, so I think it's safe to assume that I enjoyed these books. They are easy to read and thoroughly entertaining. Maybe not for the weak-stomached, but if you think you can handle it, give them a try.
Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels is back. When random body parts start turning up that link back to her, Jack must not only find the murderer, but find a way to ensure he ends up in prison where he belongs. Along the way, both Jack's mother and her ex-husband show up, making her already complicated life a little more complicated.
This is book 2 of the Jack Daniels mystery series and I enjoyed this one as well. It's a little more gory than the Stephanie Plum series, but that's not a problem for me. There were some laugh out loud moments and some "Ewww" moments. But it all ties together nicely. Jack's mess of a personal life comes into play as well, lending to a shocker of an ending.
I started the next book in this series, Rusty Nail, right after finishing Bloody Mary, so I think it's safe to assume that I enjoyed these books. They are easy to read and thoroughly entertaining. Maybe not for the weak-stomached, but if you think you can handle it, give them a try.
Gone Too Far
by Suzanne Brockmann
Navy SEAL Sam Starrett heads to Florida to finalize his divorce from his estranged wife Mary Lou. When he arrives however, he finds a dead body in the kitchen and no trace of his baby daughter. When it comes to light that Mary Lou may have unwittingly become involved with a terrorist plot to assassinate the President a few months earlier, Sam engages in a race against time to find Mary Lou and his daughter before the bad guys.
Apparently, this is part of a series, but each book stands on its own. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. There were several other characters, some of whose stories are told in earlier books and some whose stories will hopefully be told later. Someone on my Facebook recommended this author to me and I was very glad they did. I think I fell a little bit in love with sad Sam Starrett and his unpleasant past.
Navy SEAL Sam Starrett heads to Florida to finalize his divorce from his estranged wife Mary Lou. When he arrives however, he finds a dead body in the kitchen and no trace of his baby daughter. When it comes to light that Mary Lou may have unwittingly become involved with a terrorist plot to assassinate the President a few months earlier, Sam engages in a race against time to find Mary Lou and his daughter before the bad guys.
Apparently, this is part of a series, but each book stands on its own. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. There were several other characters, some of whose stories are told in earlier books and some whose stories will hopefully be told later. Someone on my Facebook recommended this author to me and I was very glad they did. I think I fell a little bit in love with sad Sam Starrett and his unpleasant past.
False Pretenses
by Catherine Coulter
On trial for her husband's murder, young Elizabeth Carleton is acquitted based on the testimony of a surprise witness that gives her an alibi. The problem? Elizabeth had never seen nor heard of the man until he appeared on the stand. At odds with her husband's wealthy family, Elizabeth strives to run his financial empire. As a trio of men move in and out of her life, Elizabeth must determine who she can trust and who is out to get her.
This book left some huge holes. At the beginning, Elizabeth is a scared, wimpy widow on trial for murder. Once she is acquitted, she runs off to Paris to lick her wounds and recover. There she meets a man who helps her get over this trauma. When she finds out he is working for her in-laws, all of a sudden, she morphs into Super-Business woman. She suddenly knows everything about business and sets out to destroy everyone that stands in her way. And even some that don't. Apparently, she just wants to destroy them for fun.
I didn't care much for this book. I liked Elizabeth a lot in the beginning and by the middle, I was hoping someone would come along and kill her. Unfortunately, no one did. Then I was left trying to figure out how a perfectly nice guy fell in love with her and made her change back into a likeable character.
On trial for her husband's murder, young Elizabeth Carleton is acquitted based on the testimony of a surprise witness that gives her an alibi. The problem? Elizabeth had never seen nor heard of the man until he appeared on the stand. At odds with her husband's wealthy family, Elizabeth strives to run his financial empire. As a trio of men move in and out of her life, Elizabeth must determine who she can trust and who is out to get her.
This book left some huge holes. At the beginning, Elizabeth is a scared, wimpy widow on trial for murder. Once she is acquitted, she runs off to Paris to lick her wounds and recover. There she meets a man who helps her get over this trauma. When she finds out he is working for her in-laws, all of a sudden, she morphs into Super-Business woman. She suddenly knows everything about business and sets out to destroy everyone that stands in her way. And even some that don't. Apparently, she just wants to destroy them for fun.
I didn't care much for this book. I liked Elizabeth a lot in the beginning and by the middle, I was hoping someone would come along and kill her. Unfortunately, no one did. Then I was left trying to figure out how a perfectly nice guy fell in love with her and made her change back into a likeable character.
Girl With a Pearl Earring
by Tracy Chevalier
In 17th-century Holland, sixteen-year-old Griet is sent to work for the painter Johannes Vermeer and his family. As she works in the kitchen and at the laundry, she finds herself drawn to the painter and his work. Soon, she finds herself as his assistant and in way over her head.
This was a quick read - I think I finished it in an afternoon. I'm generally not much of a historical fiction fan but this was easy enough, probably because I didn't have much knowledge of the actual history to compare it to. Griet seems at once mature for her age and helplessly naive. When her life quickly spirals beyond her control, she finds that she is not at all prepared to deal with the fallout. Perhaps this is how it was for girls then - expected to take over the running of the household, yet sheltered from any idea of sex and attraction.
I don't think I'd read much more of this kind. This is not a reflection on this book or the author. It's simply because this genre is not of much interest to me.
In 17th-century Holland, sixteen-year-old Griet is sent to work for the painter Johannes Vermeer and his family. As she works in the kitchen and at the laundry, she finds herself drawn to the painter and his work. Soon, she finds herself as his assistant and in way over her head.
This was a quick read - I think I finished it in an afternoon. I'm generally not much of a historical fiction fan but this was easy enough, probably because I didn't have much knowledge of the actual history to compare it to. Griet seems at once mature for her age and helplessly naive. When her life quickly spirals beyond her control, she finds that she is not at all prepared to deal with the fallout. Perhaps this is how it was for girls then - expected to take over the running of the household, yet sheltered from any idea of sex and attraction.
I don't think I'd read much more of this kind. This is not a reflection on this book or the author. It's simply because this genre is not of much interest to me.
Hadrian's Walls
by Robert Draper
After serving 15 years in prison on a murder charge, Hadrian Coleman escapes and lives the next several years on the run. When his best childhood friend and current prison director Sonny Hope secures a pardon for Hadrian, he returns home to face his past. But coming home means reuniting with Sonny and Hadrian soon learns that his pardon comes with strings attached.
The premise of this book was good. Hadrian's troubled past, along with Sonny's golden life, provide an interesting conflict. In a small Texas town where everyone either works for the prison or is in the prison, there isn't much chance for big dreams. There was always this question in the back of my head: Once he got his pardon, why didn't Hadrian just leave Shepherdsville, Texas and make a life for himself somewhere else? The answer: Because then there would be no story.
Because Hadrian was 15 when he went into prison, maybe it never occurred to him that he had choices and could leave. He had an entire lifetime of being told what to do and when to do it. I think that's the key to this whole book. Until Hadrian really learns what freedom is, and how to use it, he would be trapped in Shepherdsville and under Sonny's thumb forever.
After serving 15 years in prison on a murder charge, Hadrian Coleman escapes and lives the next several years on the run. When his best childhood friend and current prison director Sonny Hope secures a pardon for Hadrian, he returns home to face his past. But coming home means reuniting with Sonny and Hadrian soon learns that his pardon comes with strings attached.
The premise of this book was good. Hadrian's troubled past, along with Sonny's golden life, provide an interesting conflict. In a small Texas town where everyone either works for the prison or is in the prison, there isn't much chance for big dreams. There was always this question in the back of my head: Once he got his pardon, why didn't Hadrian just leave Shepherdsville, Texas and make a life for himself somewhere else? The answer: Because then there would be no story.
Because Hadrian was 15 when he went into prison, maybe it never occurred to him that he had choices and could leave. He had an entire lifetime of being told what to do and when to do it. I think that's the key to this whole book. Until Hadrian really learns what freedom is, and how to use it, he would be trapped in Shepherdsville and under Sonny's thumb forever.
A Painted House
by John Grisham
Seven-year-old Luke Chandler lives and farms with his family in 1952 Arkansas. When his family hires 10 Mexicans and a family of "Hill People" to help them bring in the cotton that fall, no one knew what troubles would unfold for everyone involved or how they would change Luke's life forever.
This is not a John Grisham legal thriller. It is a simple story told by a simple narrator. But I think I'd have to put it down as one of my favorites of his. There are a host of characters in this book, but surprisingly, not hard to keep everyone straight. Perhaps because each is drawn out so it is easy to keep track. Even the absent Uncle Ricky, who is in Korea, feels like a true character. The best part is that everyone is seen through the eyes of Luke, who is often overlooked by the other characters because of his age.
As his family struggles to bring in the cotton, they are faced with various issues that make a difficult everyday life even more difficult. The Mexicans and Hill People don't get along, the Latcher neighbors release a troubling secret and the weather is not cooperating. But through it all, seven-year-old Luke longs for the fall to pass so he can return to his beloved baseball and the family life that he adores.
Give this a read. You won't be sorry.
Seven-year-old Luke Chandler lives and farms with his family in 1952 Arkansas. When his family hires 10 Mexicans and a family of "Hill People" to help them bring in the cotton that fall, no one knew what troubles would unfold for everyone involved or how they would change Luke's life forever.
This is not a John Grisham legal thriller. It is a simple story told by a simple narrator. But I think I'd have to put it down as one of my favorites of his. There are a host of characters in this book, but surprisingly, not hard to keep everyone straight. Perhaps because each is drawn out so it is easy to keep track. Even the absent Uncle Ricky, who is in Korea, feels like a true character. The best part is that everyone is seen through the eyes of Luke, who is often overlooked by the other characters because of his age.
As his family struggles to bring in the cotton, they are faced with various issues that make a difficult everyday life even more difficult. The Mexicans and Hill People don't get along, the Latcher neighbors release a troubling secret and the weather is not cooperating. But through it all, seven-year-old Luke longs for the fall to pass so he can return to his beloved baseball and the family life that he adores.
Give this a read. You won't be sorry.
Moon Music
by Faye Kellerman
In the desert of Las Vegas, the mutilated corpse of a young woman is found. Detective Sergeant Romulus Poe is leading up the investigation. What he finds however, links his closest childhood friend and her husband to the continuing deaths. In a story that takes the reader from glitzy Las Vegas to atomic bomb testing Nevada Test Site, Poe follows a trail that leads him to his past and the killer.
I don't think I've ever read anything by Faye Kellerman before. The reviews on Amazon say that her other books - which is apparently a series - are much better. I didn't think that was bad at all. I had some trouble keeping the characters straight at the beginning. Kellerman let us see inside the heads of most of the main characters and until I got into it and figured out who was who, it was a little confusing. In fact, I thought maybe this was a series book and I had missed the first couple that would have helped me keep everything straight. But if it is, I didn't see that anywhere.
What seemed to be a straight-forward murder mystery evolved to include a supernatural element that I quite liked. But that of course is my thing. (You don't read everything Stephen King has ever written and NOT enjoy supernatural elements.)
I would give Faye Kellerman another try. I read a book by her son Jesse that I also enjoyed and would give her books another shot just for that reason alone. Maybe I'll try that series a lot of folks on Amazon seemed to like.
In the desert of Las Vegas, the mutilated corpse of a young woman is found. Detective Sergeant Romulus Poe is leading up the investigation. What he finds however, links his closest childhood friend and her husband to the continuing deaths. In a story that takes the reader from glitzy Las Vegas to atomic bomb testing Nevada Test Site, Poe follows a trail that leads him to his past and the killer.
I don't think I've ever read anything by Faye Kellerman before. The reviews on Amazon say that her other books - which is apparently a series - are much better. I didn't think that was bad at all. I had some trouble keeping the characters straight at the beginning. Kellerman let us see inside the heads of most of the main characters and until I got into it and figured out who was who, it was a little confusing. In fact, I thought maybe this was a series book and I had missed the first couple that would have helped me keep everything straight. But if it is, I didn't see that anywhere.
What seemed to be a straight-forward murder mystery evolved to include a supernatural element that I quite liked. But that of course is my thing. (You don't read everything Stephen King has ever written and NOT enjoy supernatural elements.)
I would give Faye Kellerman another try. I read a book by her son Jesse that I also enjoyed and would give her books another shot just for that reason alone. Maybe I'll try that series a lot of folks on Amazon seemed to like.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A Perfect Divorce
by Avery Corman
Karen and Rob Burrows are a text-book perfect divorced couple. They have no long-standing resentment and share custody and parenting of their teenaged son Tommy. Each has poured themselves back into their careers and their son. So when Tommy, never a great student, drops out of college after one semester and seems content to move through life with no great plan, they are shocked. Is it possible that their "perfect divorce" had some adverse affects on Tommy anyway?
This book, by the author of "Kramer vs. Kramer", shows the reader the flip side to that famous divorce tale. Karen and Rob have such an easy time of the divorce that it is seems an affront to them that Tommy didn't find it as easy. I found this to be a fairly accurate portrayal of a nice divorce couple and their kid. While I wasn't wild about Tommy's luck at the end of the book that gave everyone the happy ending we've come to expect, overall I enjoyed this book.
Karen and Rob Burrows are a text-book perfect divorced couple. They have no long-standing resentment and share custody and parenting of their teenaged son Tommy. Each has poured themselves back into their careers and their son. So when Tommy, never a great student, drops out of college after one semester and seems content to move through life with no great plan, they are shocked. Is it possible that their "perfect divorce" had some adverse affects on Tommy anyway?
This book, by the author of "Kramer vs. Kramer", shows the reader the flip side to that famous divorce tale. Karen and Rob have such an easy time of the divorce that it is seems an affront to them that Tommy didn't find it as easy. I found this to be a fairly accurate portrayal of a nice divorce couple and their kid. While I wasn't wild about Tommy's luck at the end of the book that gave everyone the happy ending we've come to expect, overall I enjoyed this book.
Still Life
by Joy Fielding
Casey Marshall is living the wonderful life: wonderful husband, wonderful marriage, wonderful career, wonderful friends. Until she is hit by a car and left in a coma. While she cannot move, speak or see, she can hear everything that happens around her. And Casey soon finds out that some of the wonderful people in her life aren't so wonderful after all.
This book was interesting for the simple fact that it gives the reader a main character who cannot in any way interact with the other supporting characters. Casey is completely helpless, at the mercy of those around her, and unable to protect herself from those trying to do her great harm. For every person who has wondered if a person in a coma can hear, this book boldly presents a "Maybe they can" argument.
This is the first book I've read by this author, but she was recommended to me by others. I would like to try some of her other books.
Casey Marshall is living the wonderful life: wonderful husband, wonderful marriage, wonderful career, wonderful friends. Until she is hit by a car and left in a coma. While she cannot move, speak or see, she can hear everything that happens around her. And Casey soon finds out that some of the wonderful people in her life aren't so wonderful after all.
This book was interesting for the simple fact that it gives the reader a main character who cannot in any way interact with the other supporting characters. Casey is completely helpless, at the mercy of those around her, and unable to protect herself from those trying to do her great harm. For every person who has wondered if a person in a coma can hear, this book boldly presents a "Maybe they can" argument.
This is the first book I've read by this author, but she was recommended to me by others. I would like to try some of her other books.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Dead Until Dark
by Charlaine Harris
Sookie Stackhouse - a mind-reading Southern waitress - has been waiting to meet a vampire since they "came out of the coffin" four years earlier and became a legal part of society. So when Bill Compton comes into the bar where she works, her life changes significantly.
The first in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and the basis for the HBO series "True Blood", it was really only a matter of time until I read this. I liked it well enough, but it was a bit more romance novelly than I had expected. Sookie has a solid cast of supporting characters around her as well, to keep things interesting - her brother Jason, boss Sam, fellow waitress Arlene, and vampire Eric. I have never seen the HBO show, since I don't have HBO, but I hear great things about it. Maybe I'll rent it.
I expect that I'll read at least a few more in this series. They are on a waiting list at the library, so that makes it a little slower to get through. And I can wait, because I didn't really have the "Oh my gosh, I have to read the rest of these!" desire that one can get with other series books. But I think they'll grow on me.
Sookie Stackhouse - a mind-reading Southern waitress - has been waiting to meet a vampire since they "came out of the coffin" four years earlier and became a legal part of society. So when Bill Compton comes into the bar where she works, her life changes significantly.
The first in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and the basis for the HBO series "True Blood", it was really only a matter of time until I read this. I liked it well enough, but it was a bit more romance novelly than I had expected. Sookie has a solid cast of supporting characters around her as well, to keep things interesting - her brother Jason, boss Sam, fellow waitress Arlene, and vampire Eric. I have never seen the HBO show, since I don't have HBO, but I hear great things about it. Maybe I'll rent it.
I expect that I'll read at least a few more in this series. They are on a waiting list at the library, so that makes it a little slower to get through. And I can wait, because I didn't really have the "Oh my gosh, I have to read the rest of these!" desire that one can get with other series books. But I think they'll grow on me.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Whiskey Sour
by J.A. Konrath
Chicago Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels must find a killer who calls himself "The Gingerbread Man", who is mutilating and dumping women in her district. When The Gingerbread Man focuses his attention on her, the need to find him gets more intense.
I picked up this book because the inside covered said "For fans of Kay Scarpetta, Kinsey Milhone, and Stephanie Plum". With an endorsement like that, I couldn't resist. I was hoping for more of lean toward Stephanie Plum, but there was enough gore to satisfy bring back memories of Kay Scarpetta. There was humor and I loved the glimpses into Jack's mess of a personal life.
There is an entire series, all with the drink theme: Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Fuzzy Navel and Cherry Bomb. I will be picking up the rest of these when I return from vacation. It took me a day to read Whiskey Sour - it was engaging and funny and not too deep or icky to leave me freaked out (a common problem I had with the Kay Scarpetta books). Having only read one, I highly recommend this series.
Chicago Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels must find a killer who calls himself "The Gingerbread Man", who is mutilating and dumping women in her district. When The Gingerbread Man focuses his attention on her, the need to find him gets more intense.
I picked up this book because the inside covered said "For fans of Kay Scarpetta, Kinsey Milhone, and Stephanie Plum". With an endorsement like that, I couldn't resist. I was hoping for more of lean toward Stephanie Plum, but there was enough gore to satisfy bring back memories of Kay Scarpetta. There was humor and I loved the glimpses into Jack's mess of a personal life.
There is an entire series, all with the drink theme: Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Fuzzy Navel and Cherry Bomb. I will be picking up the rest of these when I return from vacation. It took me a day to read Whiskey Sour - it was engaging and funny and not too deep or icky to leave me freaked out (a common problem I had with the Kay Scarpetta books). Having only read one, I highly recommend this series.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Precious
by Sandra Novack
In the summer of 1978, sisters Eva and Sissy Kisch are struggling to deal with the confusion left after their mother Natalia runs off to Italy with her boss, when Sissy's friend Vicky disappears. While the Eva deals with her pain by starting an affair with her high-school teacher, Sissy spends her days dreaming up scenarios where she finds both her mother and her friend. When Natalia returns to her family, it is more disruptive than when she left.
This story started off strong, though I felt like it lost momentum nearly the end. Eva's affair with her teacher had potential that fizzled out I thought. At the end, when the unexpected happens to the Kisch family, I didn't really understand why it happened. Maybe I wasn't reading closely enough by then, but honestly, I had lost interest. I really just wanted to find out what had happened to Vicky and how Natalia and her husband Frank dealt with her return.
That being said, I think it is important to mention that I had started and abandoned 2 other books before Precious. I don't know if I'm too scattered these days to stay with a story or what, but it's entirely possible that if I went back and read this again later, I might find it more intriguing. It's hard to get into a story when you're reading in the bleachers before a baseball game or in the 20 minutes you have at work. I feel like I should have liked this more, since I can't really explain where it went south for me. I read several reviews on Amazon.com that were very positive, so I have to wonder if it was just me.
In the summer of 1978, sisters Eva and Sissy Kisch are struggling to deal with the confusion left after their mother Natalia runs off to Italy with her boss, when Sissy's friend Vicky disappears. While the Eva deals with her pain by starting an affair with her high-school teacher, Sissy spends her days dreaming up scenarios where she finds both her mother and her friend. When Natalia returns to her family, it is more disruptive than when she left.
This story started off strong, though I felt like it lost momentum nearly the end. Eva's affair with her teacher had potential that fizzled out I thought. At the end, when the unexpected happens to the Kisch family, I didn't really understand why it happened. Maybe I wasn't reading closely enough by then, but honestly, I had lost interest. I really just wanted to find out what had happened to Vicky and how Natalia and her husband Frank dealt with her return.
That being said, I think it is important to mention that I had started and abandoned 2 other books before Precious. I don't know if I'm too scattered these days to stay with a story or what, but it's entirely possible that if I went back and read this again later, I might find it more intriguing. It's hard to get into a story when you're reading in the bleachers before a baseball game or in the 20 minutes you have at work. I feel like I should have liked this more, since I can't really explain where it went south for me. I read several reviews on Amazon.com that were very positive, so I have to wonder if it was just me.
Monday, July 6, 2009
S if for Silence
By Sue Grafton
Another in the Kinsey Millhone series. Kinsey is hired by Daisy Sullivan, whose mother Violet disappear thirty-four years ago without a trace. Where she went and how she got there is the mystery Kinsey must solve in order to bring closure to a woman who has been waiting for her mother since she was seven years old.
You really can't go wrong with this series. My only complaint for this one was there were a lot of characters and sometimes it got hard to keep them all straight. But the story was compelling and the ending was logical. I hate when mysteries end with those "we didn't mention this part, but this explains it all" endings. Grafton lays all the clues out for the reader and at the end, ties it all up neatly. I never feel like I was kept in the dark with these books, which I love.
Another in the Kinsey Millhone series. Kinsey is hired by Daisy Sullivan, whose mother Violet disappear thirty-four years ago without a trace. Where she went and how she got there is the mystery Kinsey must solve in order to bring closure to a woman who has been waiting for her mother since she was seven years old.
You really can't go wrong with this series. My only complaint for this one was there were a lot of characters and sometimes it got hard to keep them all straight. But the story was compelling and the ending was logical. I hate when mysteries end with those "we didn't mention this part, but this explains it all" endings. Grafton lays all the clues out for the reader and at the end, ties it all up neatly. I never feel like I was kept in the dark with these books, which I love.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
American Wife
by Curtis Sittenfeld
This is the story of Alice Linden Blackwell, First Lady of the United States, and how she got there. Loosely based on the life of Laura Bush, the reader follows Alice from her early childhood to her husband's second term in office. Along the way, Alice faces a teenage tragedy that shapes the following decade of her life. While married to the more powerful man in the country, if not the world, we see that Alice is indeed her own person, with her own ideas and opinions.
I did not think I would like this book. But I did. In fact, I read it in about 2 days. The novel focuses on Alice's early life - the First Lady part probably only takes up the last 50-75 pages. And there were so many times when I thought "I could see that happening to ME". Who among us doesn't have skeletons in our closet? And what would happen if by some odd chance we ended up being married to someone who decides to run for public office? I, for one, have MANY things in my closet that would be horrifying to have uncovered and publicized. How to explain them, and then have to reconcile your past with your life today, or worse yet, your husband's strong stances on abortion or war, would be humiliating.
Alice does her best to live her best life. She makes some mistakes along the way, but who hasn't? She tries to remain true to herself, without drawing attention to herself or embarrassing her husband and his administration. It's an interesting take on the path to the White House.
This is the story of Alice Linden Blackwell, First Lady of the United States, and how she got there. Loosely based on the life of Laura Bush, the reader follows Alice from her early childhood to her husband's second term in office. Along the way, Alice faces a teenage tragedy that shapes the following decade of her life. While married to the more powerful man in the country, if not the world, we see that Alice is indeed her own person, with her own ideas and opinions.
I did not think I would like this book. But I did. In fact, I read it in about 2 days. The novel focuses on Alice's early life - the First Lady part probably only takes up the last 50-75 pages. And there were so many times when I thought "I could see that happening to ME". Who among us doesn't have skeletons in our closet? And what would happen if by some odd chance we ended up being married to someone who decides to run for public office? I, for one, have MANY things in my closet that would be horrifying to have uncovered and publicized. How to explain them, and then have to reconcile your past with your life today, or worse yet, your husband's strong stances on abortion or war, would be humiliating.
Alice does her best to live her best life. She makes some mistakes along the way, but who hasn't? She tries to remain true to herself, without drawing attention to herself or embarrassing her husband and his administration. It's an interesting take on the path to the White House.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Finger Lickin' Fifteen
by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum returns as bounty-hunter extraordinaire, along with her zany group of friends, Lula, Morelli, Ranger, Rex, and Grandma. This time, Lula sees a man beheaded and now the killers are after her. They enter a barbecue cook-off and when they aren't being chased by crazy killers, they are perfecting their barbecue recipe. Stephanie is working for Ranger, trying to find out who is breaking into his accounts. And Joyce is back, sniffing around Morelli, now that he and Stephanie have broken up again.
It was last summer that I read Evanovich's other Stephanie Plum books and it seemed like forever while we waited for this one. It did not disappoint. The tension between Stephanie and Ranger was there, stronger than ever, especially since she and Morelli are having one of their off periods of their on-again, off-again relationship. And especially since Stephanie ends up living at Ranger's apartment after another mishap at hers. It's a well-known formula to Stephanie Plum fans, but it's definitely what keeps us all coming back. Morelli or Ranger? Ranger or Morelli? The suspense is killing us!
This is another fast paced, easy read. I succeeded in not reading it in one day, but just barely.
Stephanie Plum returns as bounty-hunter extraordinaire, along with her zany group of friends, Lula, Morelli, Ranger, Rex, and Grandma. This time, Lula sees a man beheaded and now the killers are after her. They enter a barbecue cook-off and when they aren't being chased by crazy killers, they are perfecting their barbecue recipe. Stephanie is working for Ranger, trying to find out who is breaking into his accounts. And Joyce is back, sniffing around Morelli, now that he and Stephanie have broken up again.
It was last summer that I read Evanovich's other Stephanie Plum books and it seemed like forever while we waited for this one. It did not disappoint. The tension between Stephanie and Ranger was there, stronger than ever, especially since she and Morelli are having one of their off periods of their on-again, off-again relationship. And especially since Stephanie ends up living at Ranger's apartment after another mishap at hers. It's a well-known formula to Stephanie Plum fans, but it's definitely what keeps us all coming back. Morelli or Ranger? Ranger or Morelli? The suspense is killing us!
This is another fast paced, easy read. I succeeded in not reading it in one day, but just barely.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sing Them Home
by Stephanie Kallos
In 1978, the mother of Larkin, Gaelan and Bonnie Jones disappears during a tornado. Years later, Hope's children come back to Emlyn Springs, Nebraska to bury their father and come to terms with the disappearance that shaped their lives.
This book took me by surprise. It seemed to start off slowly and for the first 100-150 pages, I doubted that I'd even get through all 500+ pages. But somewhere after page 150, I realized that I couldn't put it down. I was intrigued by the adult lives of the children whose mother "went up" and never came back down. And I wanted so much to find out what happened to Hope.
This is also the story of their physician father and his long-time girlfriend and mistress Viney. Their long and complicated relationship reminds us that parents have lives outside their children. And that even as adults, children will not always know everything there is to know about their parents.
While Larkin overeats to fill the void left in her lift, Gaelan body-builds to keep himself strong, and Bonnie scours the landscape for clues to the past, the reader gets a glimpse into the past through Hope's diaries.
This book took a little longer to grab me than most, but once it did, it didn't let go.
In 1978, the mother of Larkin, Gaelan and Bonnie Jones disappears during a tornado. Years later, Hope's children come back to Emlyn Springs, Nebraska to bury their father and come to terms with the disappearance that shaped their lives.
This book took me by surprise. It seemed to start off slowly and for the first 100-150 pages, I doubted that I'd even get through all 500+ pages. But somewhere after page 150, I realized that I couldn't put it down. I was intrigued by the adult lives of the children whose mother "went up" and never came back down. And I wanted so much to find out what happened to Hope.
This is also the story of their physician father and his long-time girlfriend and mistress Viney. Their long and complicated relationship reminds us that parents have lives outside their children. And that even as adults, children will not always know everything there is to know about their parents.
While Larkin overeats to fill the void left in her lift, Gaelan body-builds to keep himself strong, and Bonnie scours the landscape for clues to the past, the reader gets a glimpse into the past through Hope's diaries.
This book took a little longer to grab me than most, but once it did, it didn't let go.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Redemption of Sarah Cain
By Beverly Lewis
When Sarah Cain's sister Ivy dies, leaving behind 5 orphaned children, Sarah is surprised to find herself named legal guardian. She and Ivy had never been close, even as children, and to think that Ivy would have wanted her children raised by Sarah is unthinkable. To complicate matters even further, Ivy and her family were Amish, where Sarah is not.
Every once in a while, I succumb to societal pressure and read a book I never would have considered before. I watched the first 5 minutes of this book as a Lifetime TV movie retitled "Saving Sarah Cain" and thought I'd give it a shot. It was an intriguing story, though I think the ending wouldn't really surprise anyone. But I never really felt like I understood why Ivy and Sarah had such trouble getting along as children, except for a typical sibling rivalry thing.
This book wasn't really my style, but it was something I wouldn't mind reading every once in a while.
When Sarah Cain's sister Ivy dies, leaving behind 5 orphaned children, Sarah is surprised to find herself named legal guardian. She and Ivy had never been close, even as children, and to think that Ivy would have wanted her children raised by Sarah is unthinkable. To complicate matters even further, Ivy and her family were Amish, where Sarah is not.
Every once in a while, I succumb to societal pressure and read a book I never would have considered before. I watched the first 5 minutes of this book as a Lifetime TV movie retitled "Saving Sarah Cain" and thought I'd give it a shot. It was an intriguing story, though I think the ending wouldn't really surprise anyone. But I never really felt like I understood why Ivy and Sarah had such trouble getting along as children, except for a typical sibling rivalry thing.
This book wasn't really my style, but it was something I wouldn't mind reading every once in a while.
Friday, June 19, 2009
R is for Ricochet
By Sue Grafton
The next episode in Grafton's Alphabet Series finds Kinsey Millhone tasked with picked up Reba Lafferty from Women's Prison and helping her to get settled. Unfortunately, nothing ever goes that easily for Kinsey and she soon finds herself swept up in the drama of Reba's past.
As always, Grafton delivers a fast-paced story, laced with the old familiar characters of Kinsey's life. Her landlord Henry, Rosie the bar owner, and a new love interest give us brief respites from the frenzy of Kinsey's job with Reba.
The next episode in Grafton's Alphabet Series finds Kinsey Millhone tasked with picked up Reba Lafferty from Women's Prison and helping her to get settled. Unfortunately, nothing ever goes that easily for Kinsey and she soon finds herself swept up in the drama of Reba's past.
As always, Grafton delivers a fast-paced story, laced with the old familiar characters of Kinsey's life. Her landlord Henry, Rosie the bar owner, and a new love interest give us brief respites from the frenzy of Kinsey's job with Reba.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Beach House
by James Patterson
When the body of Jack Mullen's brother Peter washes up on shore, Jack knows he didn't drown like the police and the rich residents of the Hamptons want him to believe. He knows that his brother was murdered and sets out of discover the why and who of Peter's death.
Like most of James Patterson's books, this is another great read. The chapters are short and engaging and before you know it, you have finished the book.
Jack must come to terms with his working-class background in a town of ultra-wealthy residents, as well as use his recently acquired law degree to his advantage. His old school friends come back to help him as well as a new love interest from his law firm. Together, they all find out what no one wanted them to know. And then they use it to obtain justice for Peter.
When the body of Jack Mullen's brother Peter washes up on shore, Jack knows he didn't drown like the police and the rich residents of the Hamptons want him to believe. He knows that his brother was murdered and sets out of discover the why and who of Peter's death.
Like most of James Patterson's books, this is another great read. The chapters are short and engaging and before you know it, you have finished the book.
Jack must come to terms with his working-class background in a town of ultra-wealthy residents, as well as use his recently acquired law degree to his advantage. His old school friends come back to help him as well as a new love interest from his law firm. Together, they all find out what no one wanted them to know. And then they use it to obtain justice for Peter.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Love and Other Natural Disasters
by Holly Shumas
When Eve finds her husband Jon talking on the phone to another woman on Thanksgiving Day, she knows he is having an affair. But is it still an affair if they never had sex? As Eve wades through the mess that has become her life, she must determine what constitutes a betrayal.
This is an interesting question. Is sharing all the details of your life with someone other than your spouse a betrayal? Is a deep emotional connection with another person an affair? And where is the line that separates just friends from something more? This book asks a lot of questions that don't have any clear cut answers. As they navigate through this terrain, Eve and Jon try to determine where the fault lies. Their journey is made more difficult by the fact that they have a 5-year-old and are expecting a baby any minute.
Jon's "affair" is conducted solely through e-mail and phone calls, as his "girlfriend" lives in another state. But let's face it: there's a reason people have affairs with co-workers. You spend 8+ hours a day with these people. The slightest attraction can become magnified simply by virtue of proximity. (Of course, there is the argument that spending too much time with these people can easily kill a slight attraction.) The term I've heard recently is "work spouse". You know each other's habits and how they will react in certain situations. But what are they like at home? And which is the true person?
This is a good book. I was hoping for a less expected ending, but overall, I liked it. I read it in one day here at work.
When Eve finds her husband Jon talking on the phone to another woman on Thanksgiving Day, she knows he is having an affair. But is it still an affair if they never had sex? As Eve wades through the mess that has become her life, she must determine what constitutes a betrayal.
This is an interesting question. Is sharing all the details of your life with someone other than your spouse a betrayal? Is a deep emotional connection with another person an affair? And where is the line that separates just friends from something more? This book asks a lot of questions that don't have any clear cut answers. As they navigate through this terrain, Eve and Jon try to determine where the fault lies. Their journey is made more difficult by the fact that they have a 5-year-old and are expecting a baby any minute.
Jon's "affair" is conducted solely through e-mail and phone calls, as his "girlfriend" lives in another state. But let's face it: there's a reason people have affairs with co-workers. You spend 8+ hours a day with these people. The slightest attraction can become magnified simply by virtue of proximity. (Of course, there is the argument that spending too much time with these people can easily kill a slight attraction.) The term I've heard recently is "work spouse". You know each other's habits and how they will react in certain situations. But what are they like at home? And which is the true person?
This is a good book. I was hoping for a less expected ending, but overall, I liked it. I read it in one day here at work.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Order of Things
by Lynne Hinton
Andy is a university librarian who one summer, checks herself into a psychiatric facility. On her last night there, she finds herself drawn into a conversation with Lathin, the patient in the room next to hers, who is also a prison inmate. Through the course of their evening, Andy finds herself able to find her way out of her despair.
This story has the air of a two-way confessional. Neither Lathin nor Andy can see each other, they speak exclusively through the air vent near the floor of their adjoining rooms. And not being able to see each other makes it easier for both to tell their deepest fears and secrets. Which is of course very true.
It's a good story. We do find out the big issue of Andy's life, but like real life, it doesn't really answer everything. (For instance, the big issue happened to Andy at age 13. But if that was what caused her this despair, how does that explain what happened to her when she was 4? What other thing(s) happened that Andy hasn't confessed yet?) The reader is left at the end wondering what happened to Lathin. Did he find a way to escape? Did he have help? Had he ever really been there at all? While Andy believes that her life is back in order at the end, I personally felt that she was just beginning to put the pieces back together.
Andy is a university librarian who one summer, checks herself into a psychiatric facility. On her last night there, she finds herself drawn into a conversation with Lathin, the patient in the room next to hers, who is also a prison inmate. Through the course of their evening, Andy finds herself able to find her way out of her despair.
This story has the air of a two-way confessional. Neither Lathin nor Andy can see each other, they speak exclusively through the air vent near the floor of their adjoining rooms. And not being able to see each other makes it easier for both to tell their deepest fears and secrets. Which is of course very true.
It's a good story. We do find out the big issue of Andy's life, but like real life, it doesn't really answer everything. (For instance, the big issue happened to Andy at age 13. But if that was what caused her this despair, how does that explain what happened to her when she was 4? What other thing(s) happened that Andy hasn't confessed yet?) The reader is left at the end wondering what happened to Lathin. Did he find a way to escape? Did he have help? Had he ever really been there at all? While Andy believes that her life is back in order at the end, I personally felt that she was just beginning to put the pieces back together.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Ordinary Life
by Elizabeth Berg
A collection of short stories, mostly focusing on relationships.
I always enjoy Elizabeth Berg's work, Open House, being on of the most recent that I enjoyed. Her short stories in this book are like looking into someone else's diary. You get a quick, in-depth view of the characters and are left wondering what will happen to them. I mean that in a good way. "Caretaking" tells of a woman's realization that her mother cannot continue to live alone. She goes back and forth between the woman's childhood memories of her mother taking care of her to today, where she struggles to know what to do for her mother. "What Stays" is a story of a young girl whose mother is sent to an institution and her fierce loyalty to the lessons her mother taught her. The title story "Ordinary Life" shows us Mavis, who locks herself in the bathroom for a vacation and some time to think.
The thing I like best about these stories is that they are real. I see myself in each of the stories and see how I could easily be in these situations. And her characters are real. They make mistakes, they say the wrong things, they wish for things that they shouldn't. They often find themselves wondering how they got where they are today. They are all living, quite honestly, ordinary lives.
A collection of short stories, mostly focusing on relationships.
I always enjoy Elizabeth Berg's work, Open House, being on of the most recent that I enjoyed. Her short stories in this book are like looking into someone else's diary. You get a quick, in-depth view of the characters and are left wondering what will happen to them. I mean that in a good way. "Caretaking" tells of a woman's realization that her mother cannot continue to live alone. She goes back and forth between the woman's childhood memories of her mother taking care of her to today, where she struggles to know what to do for her mother. "What Stays" is a story of a young girl whose mother is sent to an institution and her fierce loyalty to the lessons her mother taught her. The title story "Ordinary Life" shows us Mavis, who locks herself in the bathroom for a vacation and some time to think.
The thing I like best about these stories is that they are real. I see myself in each of the stories and see how I could easily be in these situations. And her characters are real. They make mistakes, they say the wrong things, they wish for things that they shouldn't. They often find themselves wondering how they got where they are today. They are all living, quite honestly, ordinary lives.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Time of My Life
by Allison Winn Scotch
This book explores the questions: What if I had stayed with the one who got away? and What if I could go back? Jillian wakes up one morning to find herself seven years in the past, lying next to the boyfriend she had before she met her husband. As she navigates through her life seven years ago, Jillian makes different decisions and adjusts to the consequences of those decisions. The biggest decisions of her life were made during this time period and every choice she makes now changes the way her life will end up.
This book was very interesting. Who hasn't looked back and thought "What if I hadn't done that? What if I had done that? What would my life be if I had stayed with that one?" What would you do if you had the chance to go back and do it all again? Jillian finds that life is challenging no matter what choices you make. I forced myself not to read the end (as I often do!) to find out if she ended up with Jack or Henry.
When things are hard, it's easy to think life would be better if you'd just made on different decision. But this book shows the truth: Life is hard no matter what choices you make. You wouldn't be dealing with the same issues you have now, but there would be issues nonetheless. Marriage and motherhood is a bumpy road and you always think it could be better. And maybe it could. But maybe the problem isn't the spouse or the kids: maybe it's you. Jillian found that while turning herself into the mother she had hoped to have, she failed to let Henry and Katie (and herself) see who she really was. And by going back, and trying to make things work out differently with Jack, Jillian discovers that in order for that relationship to work, she had to become someone she didn't want to be either.
This book explores the questions: What if I had stayed with the one who got away? and What if I could go back? Jillian wakes up one morning to find herself seven years in the past, lying next to the boyfriend she had before she met her husband. As she navigates through her life seven years ago, Jillian makes different decisions and adjusts to the consequences of those decisions. The biggest decisions of her life were made during this time period and every choice she makes now changes the way her life will end up.
This book was very interesting. Who hasn't looked back and thought "What if I hadn't done that? What if I had done that? What would my life be if I had stayed with that one?" What would you do if you had the chance to go back and do it all again? Jillian finds that life is challenging no matter what choices you make. I forced myself not to read the end (as I often do!) to find out if she ended up with Jack or Henry.
When things are hard, it's easy to think life would be better if you'd just made on different decision. But this book shows the truth: Life is hard no matter what choices you make. You wouldn't be dealing with the same issues you have now, but there would be issues nonetheless. Marriage and motherhood is a bumpy road and you always think it could be better. And maybe it could. But maybe the problem isn't the spouse or the kids: maybe it's you. Jillian found that while turning herself into the mother she had hoped to have, she failed to let Henry and Katie (and herself) see who she really was. And by going back, and trying to make things work out differently with Jack, Jillian discovers that in order for that relationship to work, she had to become someone she didn't want to be either.
Friday, May 29, 2009
It Sucked and Then I Cried
by Heather B. Armstrong
The subtitle says it all: How I Had a Baby, A Breakdown and A Much-Needed Margarita.
I will confess: I read her blog. It's on the list of blogs that I read every morning when I get to work (when, in all reality, I should really be starting my WORK!). I ended up at her blog after reading about her on other people's blogs and finding that she was both admired and hated by a good number of people in the blogging community. And I have to say that, while not my favorite blog out there, I do continue to read her and she doesn't elicit strong emotions from me one way or the other. I find her amusing and her pictures are fabulous.
So I expected her book to be much of the same stuff I've been reading from her for the last year or so. Or at least, I expected a long look into the drama of postpartum depression and her "hospitalization" for such. But it didn't really seem to be that way. It was almost like she was trying to play down the depression and hospitalization, which was not at all how I had perceived her personality. And not why I wanted to read the book.
She spent a lot of time discussing common baby stuff that anyone who has had a child can recognize. I failed to see how her situation or experience was unique. Babies need attention, don't sleep well, and sometimes don't eat right. Most parents will nod and say "Yeah, been there" with most of the stuff she described. I would like to have known more about the depression that led her to check herself into a mental hospital. All she really says is that she cried, made her husband came home from work early and had a habit of throwing things at his head. And of her hospitalization? She claims to have gotten her medication squared away and slept for most of her 4 days in residence. Not really the "here-I-am-in-your-face" stuff I had come to expect from her.
The subtitle says it all: How I Had a Baby, A Breakdown and A Much-Needed Margarita.
I will confess: I read her blog. It's on the list of blogs that I read every morning when I get to work (when, in all reality, I should really be starting my WORK!). I ended up at her blog after reading about her on other people's blogs and finding that she was both admired and hated by a good number of people in the blogging community. And I have to say that, while not my favorite blog out there, I do continue to read her and she doesn't elicit strong emotions from me one way or the other. I find her amusing and her pictures are fabulous.
So I expected her book to be much of the same stuff I've been reading from her for the last year or so. Or at least, I expected a long look into the drama of postpartum depression and her "hospitalization" for such. But it didn't really seem to be that way. It was almost like she was trying to play down the depression and hospitalization, which was not at all how I had perceived her personality. And not why I wanted to read the book.
She spent a lot of time discussing common baby stuff that anyone who has had a child can recognize. I failed to see how her situation or experience was unique. Babies need attention, don't sleep well, and sometimes don't eat right. Most parents will nod and say "Yeah, been there" with most of the stuff she described. I would like to have known more about the depression that led her to check herself into a mental hospital. All she really says is that she cried, made her husband came home from work early and had a habit of throwing things at his head. And of her hospitalization? She claims to have gotten her medication squared away and slept for most of her 4 days in residence. Not really the "here-I-am-in-your-face" stuff I had come to expect from her.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Don't You Forget About Me
by Jancee Dunn
At thirty-eight, Lillian Curtis thinks she has a great life: great husband, fantastic job, wonderful apartment. Until she comes home one day to hear her husband say he wants a divorce. Distraught, she heads home to her parents, returning to her bedroom that has stayed the same since her high-school days. And with her 20-year high-school reunion looming, Lillian finds herself with a chance to find out - What if her high-school boyfriend was the one?
Having just come off a 20-year high-school reunion, this book said out loud a lot of the things I had been thinking at that time. I especially liked the realization that back with our high-school friends, we revert to our high-school roles. The popular kids are still popular, the smart kids are still smart, the jocks are still jocky, and the rest of us still don't know where we stand with all of them. Why isn't it possible, after 20 years, to see them as they are now, as opposed to who we knew them to be back then? If you met these people today for the first time, would they be your friends? What were the people who are your friends today like in high school? Would that have made a difference?
Lillian's friend Dawn seemed the most aware of these issues. She tells Lillian at one point that she spent a lot of time getting over high school and likes who she is today. Seeing Lillian and all the other people from high school brought her right back to those days and she didn't like it one bit. I can understand that emotion. I've never been a "high school was the greatest time of my life" type of person. Who on earth would want to go back to that time - the insecurity, the lack of confidence, the judgemental audience we were faced with on a daily basis? The boys you crushed on that never looked twice at you?
Eventually, Lillian realizes that you can't go back. You can't pick up where you left off with your high-school boyfriend. Maybe the reason you don't talk to a lot of people you went to high school with is because you now have nothing to say to each other. Can you talk to those people as the person you are today without reverting to high school roles and attitudes? Do you want to? Or do you just want to show them how much better you are now than you were then? Are you still trying to impress those people and get in with the "in-crowd"? Do you want them to turn to you and say "Wow! I'm sorry we didn't see how fabulous you were then!" Because, let's face it, that's not going to happen. Because they are dealing with exactly the same thing. No one feels confident and secure in high school. And we're all just trying to recover from the nightmares that high school put in all of us.
And maybe sometimes, there's a reason those people are part of your past. So you can move on and make a future for yourself. Without all that baggage.
At thirty-eight, Lillian Curtis thinks she has a great life: great husband, fantastic job, wonderful apartment. Until she comes home one day to hear her husband say he wants a divorce. Distraught, she heads home to her parents, returning to her bedroom that has stayed the same since her high-school days. And with her 20-year high-school reunion looming, Lillian finds herself with a chance to find out - What if her high-school boyfriend was the one?
Having just come off a 20-year high-school reunion, this book said out loud a lot of the things I had been thinking at that time. I especially liked the realization that back with our high-school friends, we revert to our high-school roles. The popular kids are still popular, the smart kids are still smart, the jocks are still jocky, and the rest of us still don't know where we stand with all of them. Why isn't it possible, after 20 years, to see them as they are now, as opposed to who we knew them to be back then? If you met these people today for the first time, would they be your friends? What were the people who are your friends today like in high school? Would that have made a difference?
Lillian's friend Dawn seemed the most aware of these issues. She tells Lillian at one point that she spent a lot of time getting over high school and likes who she is today. Seeing Lillian and all the other people from high school brought her right back to those days and she didn't like it one bit. I can understand that emotion. I've never been a "high school was the greatest time of my life" type of person. Who on earth would want to go back to that time - the insecurity, the lack of confidence, the judgemental audience we were faced with on a daily basis? The boys you crushed on that never looked twice at you?
Eventually, Lillian realizes that you can't go back. You can't pick up where you left off with your high-school boyfriend. Maybe the reason you don't talk to a lot of people you went to high school with is because you now have nothing to say to each other. Can you talk to those people as the person you are today without reverting to high school roles and attitudes? Do you want to? Or do you just want to show them how much better you are now than you were then? Are you still trying to impress those people and get in with the "in-crowd"? Do you want them to turn to you and say "Wow! I'm sorry we didn't see how fabulous you were then!" Because, let's face it, that's not going to happen. Because they are dealing with exactly the same thing. No one feels confident and secure in high school. And we're all just trying to recover from the nightmares that high school put in all of us.
And maybe sometimes, there's a reason those people are part of your past. So you can move on and make a future for yourself. Without all that baggage.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Daniel Isn't Talking
by Marti Leimbach
Melanie Marsh knows something isn't right with her son. As an American living in England, she has the perfect life: great husband, great daughter, and an adorable son. But as Daniel's behavior deteriorates, Melanie learns that Daniel has autism. And in dealing with Daniel's autism, Melanie discovers more about the people around her than she had expected.
For a book about a woman dealing with her son's autism, this book is less about autism than I expected. Using autism as a sort of background noise, I found that this book spoke to the classic theme of finding out who you can count on when the chips are down. Melanie's husband Stephen can't hack it and leaves. She spends a good portion of the story trying to get him back, only to find out that she doesn't really need him. I loved the part at the end of the book when Melanie tells Stephen, "If something had happened to you, Stephen, if something had happened to you instead of Daniel, I want you to know that I would have fought just as hard. And for as long as it took." And after a moment of thinking, she says "But I don't think you'd fight for me," It's that moment that Melanie realizes that she's capable of standing on her own. That she has been all along.
It's funny, isn't it, how the oftentimes, the person you think you NEED in your life, isn't that person at all? It reminds me of a somewhat dysfunctional relationship I was in at one point. I was so focused on getting this guy that I couldn't even see what he was really like. I would have gone to the ends of the earth for him, done anything he asked. I needed him in my life (for whatever reason!) and took all manner of crap from him in order to be with him. And then one day, I said "I'm not calling him today" and when he called me two days later, I said "I'm not calling him back" and like that he was gone from my life.
And I never missed him at all.
I like to think that maybe he realized what he lost. I like to think that he wished it hadn't gone that way. But the reality is, I don't think he did. He wasn't a bad guy, really. Like Melanie and Stephen, we were good together for a time. But on his terms. And when Melanie needed Stephen to be something for her, when the tables turned, Melanie discovered that he wasn't going to be able to be that someone. And she could move on and help her son.
Melanie Marsh knows something isn't right with her son. As an American living in England, she has the perfect life: great husband, great daughter, and an adorable son. But as Daniel's behavior deteriorates, Melanie learns that Daniel has autism. And in dealing with Daniel's autism, Melanie discovers more about the people around her than she had expected.
For a book about a woman dealing with her son's autism, this book is less about autism than I expected. Using autism as a sort of background noise, I found that this book spoke to the classic theme of finding out who you can count on when the chips are down. Melanie's husband Stephen can't hack it and leaves. She spends a good portion of the story trying to get him back, only to find out that she doesn't really need him. I loved the part at the end of the book when Melanie tells Stephen, "If something had happened to you, Stephen, if something had happened to you instead of Daniel, I want you to know that I would have fought just as hard. And for as long as it took." And after a moment of thinking, she says "But I don't think you'd fight for me," It's that moment that Melanie realizes that she's capable of standing on her own. That she has been all along.
It's funny, isn't it, how the oftentimes, the person you think you NEED in your life, isn't that person at all? It reminds me of a somewhat dysfunctional relationship I was in at one point. I was so focused on getting this guy that I couldn't even see what he was really like. I would have gone to the ends of the earth for him, done anything he asked. I needed him in my life (for whatever reason!) and took all manner of crap from him in order to be with him. And then one day, I said "I'm not calling him today" and when he called me two days later, I said "I'm not calling him back" and like that he was gone from my life.
And I never missed him at all.
I like to think that maybe he realized what he lost. I like to think that he wished it hadn't gone that way. But the reality is, I don't think he did. He wasn't a bad guy, really. Like Melanie and Stephen, we were good together for a time. But on his terms. And when Melanie needed Stephen to be something for her, when the tables turned, Melanie discovered that he wasn't going to be able to be that someone. And she could move on and help her son.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Condition
by Jennifer Haigh
The story of the McKotch family, from the time of the daughter Gwen's diagnosis with Turner's Syndrome to 20 years after. Each family member has secrets that they have kept, and as they come to realize the price of keeping those secrets, they see each other in a different light.
I thought this story would take a decidedly different track - in that I expected it to be the story of Gwen and her diagnosis and the affect it has on the whole family. What I found, however, was a story of a family, like any other family, where everyone has their own issues and the affect that that has on the family. By seeing each family member separately, it allowed me to see how they were together and understand each one.
But it made me think - how do the labels you adopt in childhood come to shape your entire life? If you are known in the family as the level-headed one, is that how you act, even if it isn't how you feel anymore? And what happens with someone like Gwen, who is the one who will never grow up, when she is ready to grow up? Even the mother Paulette continues in her role as the keeper of the family traditions, long after her parents are gone and her brother and sister have moved on. By continuing these roles into adulthood, are you doing what is expected of you, at the cost of letting your family see who you really are? The McKotches realize this eventually, but I suspect that many families never do.
The story of the McKotch family, from the time of the daughter Gwen's diagnosis with Turner's Syndrome to 20 years after. Each family member has secrets that they have kept, and as they come to realize the price of keeping those secrets, they see each other in a different light.
I thought this story would take a decidedly different track - in that I expected it to be the story of Gwen and her diagnosis and the affect it has on the whole family. What I found, however, was a story of a family, like any other family, where everyone has their own issues and the affect that that has on the family. By seeing each family member separately, it allowed me to see how they were together and understand each one.
But it made me think - how do the labels you adopt in childhood come to shape your entire life? If you are known in the family as the level-headed one, is that how you act, even if it isn't how you feel anymore? And what happens with someone like Gwen, who is the one who will never grow up, when she is ready to grow up? Even the mother Paulette continues in her role as the keeper of the family traditions, long after her parents are gone and her brother and sister have moved on. By continuing these roles into adulthood, are you doing what is expected of you, at the cost of letting your family see who you really are? The McKotches realize this eventually, but I suspect that many families never do.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
More Than It Hurts You
by: Darin Strauss
When their baby is rushed to the hospital twice for an illness no one can identify, Dr. Darlene Stokes suspects baby Zack's mother, Dori, of Munchausen syndrome. Father Josh refuses to believe. As the legal wrangling unfolds, we get a glimpse into the lives of everyone involved: Dori and Josh, Darlene, Darlene's recently-released from prison father, the parents' lawyer, and even Zack.
Good book. I finished it last night. I started out wanting clear-cut black and white right and wrong. But as I read, it quickly became apparent that wasn't going to happen. Everyone was right and everyone was wrong. Is Dori hurting her baby? Has Dr. Stokes gone over the line? What is Josh's culpability in all of this? This is a book where you don't have the biggest question answered until the final page.
When their baby is rushed to the hospital twice for an illness no one can identify, Dr. Darlene Stokes suspects baby Zack's mother, Dori, of Munchausen syndrome. Father Josh refuses to believe. As the legal wrangling unfolds, we get a glimpse into the lives of everyone involved: Dori and Josh, Darlene, Darlene's recently-released from prison father, the parents' lawyer, and even Zack.
Good book. I finished it last night. I started out wanting clear-cut black and white right and wrong. But as I read, it quickly became apparent that wasn't going to happen. Everyone was right and everyone was wrong. Is Dori hurting her baby? Has Dr. Stokes gone over the line? What is Josh's culpability in all of this? This is a book where you don't have the biggest question answered until the final page.
Um, hi. I read a lot.
So I read a lot of books. Almost exclusively fiction. Occasionally, I've been known to read a biography or memoir. I keep a notepad in my purse where I write down books I've read about in magazines (usually Time or People) that I want to read. Yes, I am a nerd. But I also roam the stacks at the Kalamazoo Public Library and will bring home anything that seems interesting. Sometimes I find a dud. But mostly not.
I average about a book a week. Sometimes more, depending on the author and the time I have to read. On my yearly vacation to Wisconsin with my family and parents, I generally read a book a day. My kids are in sports, so I spend a lot of time waiting for practice or games to be over. Prime reading time there too.
I almost never quit a book before finishing. I used to never quit a book, over some displaced sense of guilt, but over the last few years I've found that there is no shame in deciding a book is not my cup of tea. That being said, it's probably only fair that I tell you that I have a terrible habit of reading the ending once I get about halfway through a book. But I will still finish the book. I'm trying to stop reading the ending before I get there, but it's tough. I can't wait to find out how it ends!
I get the majority of my books from the Kalamazoo Public Library. They are fabulous. If you live in Kalamazoo and don't go there, you're missing out. I will buy books at the Friends of the Library sale and garage sales. Thrift shops are great too. When I'm done, I donate them back to the thrift shop or pass them on to friends. The only exception is Stephen King. I buy all of his books in hardcover when they come out. Though I have not read his "Dark Tower" series. I should do that.
A few of my favorite authors include Stephen King, Janet Evanovich, James Patterson, and Jodi Piccoult. I have read all the Twilight books. I welcome recommendations.
I average about a book a week. Sometimes more, depending on the author and the time I have to read. On my yearly vacation to Wisconsin with my family and parents, I generally read a book a day. My kids are in sports, so I spend a lot of time waiting for practice or games to be over. Prime reading time there too.
I almost never quit a book before finishing. I used to never quit a book, over some displaced sense of guilt, but over the last few years I've found that there is no shame in deciding a book is not my cup of tea. That being said, it's probably only fair that I tell you that I have a terrible habit of reading the ending once I get about halfway through a book. But I will still finish the book. I'm trying to stop reading the ending before I get there, but it's tough. I can't wait to find out how it ends!
I get the majority of my books from the Kalamazoo Public Library. They are fabulous. If you live in Kalamazoo and don't go there, you're missing out. I will buy books at the Friends of the Library sale and garage sales. Thrift shops are great too. When I'm done, I donate them back to the thrift shop or pass them on to friends. The only exception is Stephen King. I buy all of his books in hardcover when they come out. Though I have not read his "Dark Tower" series. I should do that.
A few of my favorite authors include Stephen King, Janet Evanovich, James Patterson, and Jodi Piccoult. I have read all the Twilight books. I welcome recommendations.
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