I picked this up thinking it was a memoir. It took me a little while to catch on it was a novel, and for some reason I was disappointed that it was fi...moreI picked this up thinking it was a memoir. It took me a little while to catch on it was a novel, and for some reason I was disappointed that it was fiction not fact. That disappointment and shattering of expectation colored my perceptions, I think.
Still, the book takes an interesting premise -- a white, western woman raised as a Muslim. The story careens around to different parts of the world: Morocco, Ethiopia, finally leaving Africa for London. It touches many aspects of life, including political upheaval, rebellion, faith, bigotry, health, tradition, and of course, love. The health care bits, particularly interested me.
Well written, well paced between the present day, and the past, informative, it was an interesting book, even if it wasn't a memoir.(less)
We had a garage/jumble sale today and between customers, I read this little book. Reminded me of my days on LiveJournal, reading snippets of thoughts...moreWe had a garage/jumble sale today and between customers, I read this little book. Reminded me of my days on LiveJournal, reading snippets of thoughts of friends. A nice way to spend the morning. Will release at an OBCZ soon, probably tomorrow. This copy was sent to me by the author.(less)
Paris: City of Light, macarons and perfect baguettes. Transplant a New Yorker to Paris and you get the the juxtaposition of madelein to muffin, gateau...moreParis: City of Light, macarons and perfect baguettes. Transplant a New Yorker to Paris and you get the the juxtaposition of madelein to muffin, gateaux to cupcake. Each has a place in the orbit of the universe (most readily in my tummy.) Amy Thomas takes the reader along as she lives abroad, in what could be viewed as the perfect job, and explores the city of her dreams, one bakery at a time. Yet she also loves New York, and having lived, written, and nibbled there, invites the reader on that journey, too.
The book folds Amy's memoirs into a layered delight with exploration of places to find the most tempting taste treats in both cities. Her own story is the ganache between the two, with a decorative flourish of some of her favorite establishments in each city,capping the end of each chapter like a perfect dark chocolate swirl.
I'll admit it: there were moments when the memoir grabbed me more, others where my stomach lusted for sipping chocolate, or a rich, buttery, flaky croissant. I even put down the book and baked a batch of cookies at one point. But I came away less satisfied, in general, than I thought I would at the beginning of the book. Perhaps if tucked between the pages were tickets to either city? Or perhaps if I had the opportunities to retrace some of the travels? I've never been good at reading guidebooks for places I couldn't visit, so this was a bit frustrating. However, I live in a city of gastronomic wonders, and I have plenty of exploring left to do.(less)
Ran out of books on a trip and picked this one up at a book exchange shelf. So, "How perfect is that?" As to the story, not high on the perfect list....moreRan out of books on a trip and picked this one up at a book exchange shelf. So, "How perfect is that?" As to the story, not high on the perfect list. Couldn't stand the characters, didn't find amusement where I think it might have been intended. Abandoned the book after reading a good hunk of it, grateful to find something else on the shelf at our destination. Don't ask me to rate it, because it wouldn't be fair since I didn't finish it. (less)
I picked this novel up at a Friends of the Library book sale. When it actually came to reading it, I kept putting it off, thinking it would be depress...moreI picked this novel up at a Friends of the Library book sale. When it actually came to reading it, I kept putting it off, thinking it would be depressing and sad. What it turned out to be was actually a study in hope. I like how the tale unfolded: back-story and two separate strands of current day. The story of three sisters, one of whom goes missing at age 5. Fifteen years later, the story starts again. It's also the story of choices and the way our live diverges every time we make one. It was a good book to cozy up with on a day when I really didn't feel like doing much besides reading.(less)
Harlan Coben again sets out a mystery with plenty of twists and turns, reasonable characters who seem to act within their defined personalities, and d...moreHarlan Coben again sets out a mystery with plenty of twists and turns, reasonable characters who seem to act within their defined personalities, and decent writing. I had this on both audio and hard copy and alternated between the two. Crimes against children make my skin crawl, but this primarily delivered the story from the POV of various adults involved. Well done.(less)
The first third of this book interested me, but as the story progressed, my interest faded, even to the point of skim reading ahead to find if there w...moreThe first third of this book interested me, but as the story progressed, my interest faded, even to the point of skim reading ahead to find if there was a famous Bohjalian twist at the end. I just wasn't as enthralled as I have been with some others of his books, though there were aspects that fascinated me (such as the details in the lifestyle of the FERAL folks. Millet hull pillows? Really? I mean, I know they're out there, but never realized that the main market was vegans. ) Glad there was resolution for this shattered family, though.(less)
We both read this. Javaczuk liked it; I liked bits of it, enough to finish the book, but it was slow reading.Interesting historical perspectives, but...moreWe both read this. Javaczuk liked it; I liked bits of it, enough to finish the book, but it was slow reading.Interesting historical perspectives, but rather dry at times. I liked it more when the author focused in on the Holly story, rather than the scripts. But I'm a romantic at heart.
It's an odd thing. I've never been much of a Stephen King fan, because I thought he was mostly a horror writer. I just don't enjoy being jerked around...moreIt's an odd thing. I've never been much of a Stephen King fan, because I thought he was mostly a horror writer. I just don't enjoy being jerked around in books or movies. But now, I've read four Stephen King novels which I've really enjoyed, this being the most recent in that lineup. It's been said elsewhere what the plot is about. What I will add is that I've just started painting as a hobby, and was working on the painting pictured here while listening to the audio version of this book.(less)
In which there is an ax-murderer -- the stuff of horror stories. I thought this Wallander particularly good, as it showed aspects of investigation and...moreIn which there is an ax-murderer -- the stuff of horror stories. I thought this Wallander particularly good, as it showed aspects of investigation and the criminal mind that often are glossed over on those ever famous TV shows. Someone's committing horrific murders, but because Mankell takes the reader into the murderer's mind, we can see he actually is doing this out of love; he thinks he is doing something to help someone. The tedium of putting together the tiniest of clues and hunches is well portrayed (without actually being tedious to the reader.) And then there's the personal interactions: Wallander's growing relationship with his daughter, and with his sweetheart, Biba (once again, entirely by phone, since she lives elsewhere). But the one that clenched its fist around my heart is the relationship with Wallander and his father, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. At one point, in a discussion with a colleague, comes the comment that you never can escape your parents -- though at some point in time, the relationship switches, and you parent them. So very true. And I hope that when the time comes for me, I'm not a troublesome child to my own offspring. (less)
Sent to me by a BookCrosser and I thought I'd give it a read before releasing, despite the mixed reviews it received. Pains me to say that I didn't li...moreSent to me by a BookCrosser and I thought I'd give it a read before releasing, despite the mixed reviews it received. Pains me to say that I didn't listen to reviewers. At first, it had the potential to rise above the ordinary, but alas, never made the leap -- at least not for this reader.(less)
The industry of food production in the US is incredibly awful. I knew that before reading this book, and only feel more certain that the lifestyle cho...moreThe industry of food production in the US is incredibly awful. I knew that before reading this book, and only feel more certain that the lifestyle choices my family and I have made in regards to healthy eating are sound, both for our bodies and for our world. I found it interesting that it was the birth of his son that caused Foer to begin the ruminations that became this book. Something about becoming a parent awakens a protective instinct in many of us. We just want to keep that little one safe any way we can -- even when they're all grown up and out there on their own.
My favorite part of this book, however, were the stories of his grandmother.
If the future finder of this book is interested in reading a bit more on this whole subject, with more offshoots, take a look at Barbara Kingsolvers Animal, Vegetable, Miracle which she co-wrote with her kids and husband. That was a lifechanger for me.
Foer will be in town next week to speak jointly with College of Charleston and the Friends of the Library. It really pains me that I won't be able to attend, because the more I get to know of him, the more interesting I find him to be. Plus I'd like to ask him how much of his wife's first book was influenced by him.(less)
I normally am not a big fan of the art of short stories, but this little book of Ellen Gilchrist's makes me eat my words. Perhaps it was the interrela...moreI normally am not a big fan of the art of short stories, but this little book of Ellen Gilchrist's makes me eat my words. Perhaps it was the interrelated aspect of many of the stories that settled my brain. Normally, it's the abrupt hop from one scenario to another that jars me. This formed a fragmented storyline of a short, introducing me to full fleshed characters and delicious prose. I'd be hard-pressed to pick a favorite, as the flow has gone to almost seamless in my mind, despite a foray of the stories to Mexico. Some of the early stories beautifully called to mind the United States in the middle section of the last century. That's my stomping ground, too, so I was right at home.(less)
There's something about a tale that waves between times which captures my attention. I like the multilayered approach and enjoy how the stories usuall...moreThere's something about a tale that waves between times which captures my attention. I like the multilayered approach and enjoy how the stories usually intertwine. In this book, Howe takes the reader from a baseline of 1915, back in time to events that shaped the lives of the Allston family of Boston, both in the opium dens of Shanghi and Titanic's ill-fated voyage. It managed to cover many topics of the time: spiritualism, women's rights, social taboos and expectations, courtship, opium and morphine addiction. She brought more clearly into focus some of the elements of a woman's life in that time period of which I'd never really thought about, and I appreciated the details.
The stories kept me intrigued, but the afterword from the author really interested me, especially how she drew on some of her own family history. I felt the book was well researched, and taught me a great deal without being pedantic. She directed interested parties to her website for more information on some of the aspects touched upon in the book: www.katherinehowe.com
The day after I checked this out from the library on audio, I received a copy from a friend to BookCross. (less)
Girl from a well-to-do Edinburgh family falls in love with a sailor boy that her family doesn't like. And when she finds herself up the proverbial cre...moreGirl from a well-to-do Edinburgh family falls in love with a sailor boy that her family doesn't like. And when she finds herself up the proverbial creek, and that he's vanished on the very night that they were to run off to Gretna Green, what's a family to do, but ship her off to the country to hide the shame. Only in this case, it's 1814 and the family's trade is building lighthouses, so she's banished to the furthest outpost, a lonely lighthouse on Cape Wrath. There, not only must she contend with her deceitful companion who betrayed her to her parents, and the surly lighthouse keeper, but she's confronted with mysterious letters from a man who may, or may not, know what happened to her sweetheart.
The story mixes some interesting elements, including a ghost or two and maybe a time walker. The setting of the wilds of the highlands, and the rugged, dangerous coast of northern Scotland. Though there's a lot of drama that often accompanies tales of loves betrayed and lost, but I kept reading, mostly to find out what the blazes was going on with the letters. Was it ghosts, time travel, a visit from the T.A.R.D.I.S, or what???
Well, I've finished the book. I can't say that I entirely grasped what the author was trying to do, but that may be because I wasn't reading as carefully toward the end. But, there were moments that I really liked the book. And I loved that a friend of mine (author Bernard Cornwell), who spends part of his year here in Charleston, and his beautiful wife were mentioned in the acknowledgements. So much fun to find folks I know in unexpected places. It was really on that subtle recommendation, as well as the obvious care to details (and the large chunk of the book I'd read before losing steam) that kept me going to the end.
(I was sent this copy in a box of books from a BookCrossing friend.)(less)
I first was introduced to Colin Cotterill via the delightful novel Killed at the Whim of a Hat. What I came away with from that book was an interestin...moreI first was introduced to Colin Cotterill via the delightful novel Killed at the Whim of a Hat. What I came away with from that book was an interesting story, non-transparent mystery, realistic characters, all in a part of the world that I am exceedingly unfamiliar with. There was a gentleness to the story, too -- none of the harshness so often found in many of the mysteries on the market these days. Almost and old world charm. (Were I the type to compare books I could drum up a likeness to at least one series set in a third world country, but since I despise it when people say things like "a cross between 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and the Vish Puri, Indian detective novels" I won't.)
This is a different series, featuring Dr Siri Paiboun, who at 72, instead of being able to relax in life, finds himself appointed national coroner in Laos of 1975. Though he is a physician, he has no training as a coroner, which shouldn't matter, as he is more or less expected to find the cause of death for the bodies presented to him to be pretty much what the newly installed Communist government wants the cause to be. This would be fine, but Siri is not exactly a "play by the rules" kind of guy, and like the Siri familiar to most iPhone owners of today, seeks answers to questions, and often finds them, even if they're not the correct answer. But Siri perseveres to find truths, and that makes the tale that much more interesting. That he is aided by ghosts of the dead, and some interesting side characters fleshes things out a bit.
Anyhow, I truly enjoyed this book, and suspect that any of Coterill's books will be winners for me.
I first heard of this book from a friend who lives in the same area the author does. She gave an enthusiastic review, which intrigued me. She then was...moreI first heard of this book from a friend who lives in the same area the author does. She gave an enthusiastic review, which intrigued me. She then was kind enough to send me a copy of the book, for which I am grateful. I quite often stay clear of self published books, but there have been a few I've read that have been rather good, and a couple of those have been picked up by publishing houses. I wouldn't be surprised if Jodi McIsaac becomes one of those authors as well.
This book with an interesting premise, a little mystery, and a bit of magic thrown all together. I enjoyed the story, and though there were some rough spots in the plot and writing, over all, it was a good read.
Cedar MCleod raised her daughter Eden alone since the disappearance of Eden's father. He left before learning of the pregnancy, leaving Cedar heartbroken, sad, angry, wondering -- all appropriate things for a woman abandoned by the man she thought loved her. Life though, continued on in a normal way, until Eden suddenly developed an unforseen ability: she could open a door which would lead into another place. In her quest to understand what has happened to her child, Cedar seeks out the family of the man who abandoned her. They, too, have secrets and mysteries. And as Cedar tries to understand what is happening, Eden is spirited off by one of her father's clan, taken across the world to be exploited for the power she has developed. Cedar follows Eden, to save her, protect her, and bring her back, through the door, if she can. There's more at stake than just one little girl, though, and the task is anything but simple.
I recently read another book featuring a group of people who may, or may not be descendants of the kin to the family of Eden's father (I'm being careful not to give too much plot away), so it was interesting to see how that was treated in this novel as opposed to the other one. The blending of folklore into a present day novel can be tricky business, but the author did a fine job. In my opinion, one must always trust there is magic in the world. Though she didn't at the start of the book, I'm pretty sure by the end, Cedar believed in magic, too.
This book was sent courtesy of my friend cardmaker (who I know online by two other names and in person by yet one more.) Thank you very much for passing it on to me. I'll be posting a review on my "czuk it" blog as well, for I like to support indie authors when possible.(less)
A book highly recommended by my friend Suzanne in Franklin. It's set in the Asheville area. Javaczuk waded his way through it, and bemoaned the writin...moreA book highly recommended by my friend Suzanne in Franklin. It's set in the Asheville area. Javaczuk waded his way through it, and bemoaned the writing. I wanted to like it, tried reading it, and released it unfinished, via BookCrossing. When the big one drops, I'm probably not gonna survive, anyway, what with my wonky lungs and all.(less)
A friend highly recommended this author to us, as her absolute favorite, ever. Pretty good recommendation. We listened to about 4 disks of an audio ve...moreA friend highly recommended this author to us, as her absolute favorite, ever. Pretty good recommendation. We listened to about 4 disks of an audio version on a recent trip. When All Things Considered came on, we thankfully switched over to NPR to listen to the show. We have both agreed that it'll probably be a long, long time before we come back to this book. Sorry Mr Silva. (Luckily, our friend lives in North Carolina, and has probably forgotten she recommended his books to us.)(less)
Mary Doria Russell has enchanted me with several of her books. When I started this, I was hoping to be enchanted. I actually put it aside for a bit, b...moreMary Doria Russell has enchanted me with several of her books. When I started this, I was hoping to be enchanted. I actually put it aside for a bit, because it wasn't hitting the mark for me. But then, a few days later, the characters kept calling me, so I picked it up again, and was swept into a view of WWII of which I was embarrassingly ignorant. This was a beautifully written story of the plight of those Jews in Italy, either by birth or immigration/escape, and of the patriots who fought against the Nazis. Stories of love, hope , separation, horror, redemption, loss, all interwoven. This book taught me as well as captured me.Not an easy read, but an enlightening one.(less)
To any of my reading buddies, it's no secret that I pretty much loathe the novels of Nicholas Sparks. I have tried them, and nope, not for me. There's...moreTo any of my reading buddies, it's no secret that I pretty much loathe the novels of Nicholas Sparks. I have tried them, and nope, not for me. There's a history and a story there, which I've recorded elsewhere, but the main part of that story is that I do have personal respect for the man, after a chance encounter with him at a Books-A-Million years ago.
A huge crowd of women were fluttering around an author. He was a clean cut, preppie-ish kind of guy (I remember that his blue shirt had an unfortunate white collar.) Normally, I like to meet authors, but when I found out it was Nicholas Sparks, doing a book-signing, I tried to skirt around the crowd. His handler stopped me.
"Don't you want to meet the author?"
"No thanks," I replied.
"But he's rather good. Have you read his books?"
"Umm. Yes, but I'd rather not meet him."
"You've read his books and don't want to meet him? Why not???"
"I'd rather not say," I said, trying to break the iron grip she had on my arm.
"He'll sign one for you."
"No thank you."
At this point, my struggling to get free caught the author's attention. He rose from his signing table, the red sea of women clustering around him parted and he came over to me. He was quite polite, and attentive, and inquired why I was so adamant about not participating in the book signing. Again, I demurred. He insisted. Did I like his book? Well-- no, not exactly. He pushed for details. I'd had enough and let loose with what I thought.
To give him credit, he didn't blanch though his handler did, and I actually heard a hiss from one of the ladies in the crowd. He thanked me for my opinion, and said he would rather have someone who vehemently disliked his book that someone who said it was so-so. At least he'd stirred a strong emotion in me. For a long time, that was the only thing I liked about Nicholas Sparks. Now, there's this book.
Three Weeks With My Brother tells more than the story of two brothers on what would, by any counts, be a fabulous trip. Mr Sparks takes the reader back to the beginning, invites us into his home, warts and all. The Sparks children had a unique upbringing: laissez-faire in some senses, but with certain iron-clad principles and a lot of love, that held the structure together. That the family was financially strapped is somewhat of an understatement. That they were resourceful, is another. In some senses, I was reminded of my husband's childhood in upstate New York. But the bonds in the family were strong, as became apparent when tragedy struck, again and again.
This story, of the Sparks family, interwoven with the brother's story of a round-the-world trip fascinated me. I thought so much of my two brothers finding both similarities and disparities. There's a lot of humor and honesty in the telling. Sparks' faith is evident, as is his strong love for his family. Clearly it was what has carried him through the deaths of the rest of the family and other obstacles that would have felled many others. I can relate to that handing on that combination of love and faith, because it got me through my own periods of grief. And now, like Nicholas Sparks, I am grateful for the love of a phenomenal spouse and the love of the only remaining member of my family, my older brother. I'll probably never take a round the world trip with him, but thanks to this book, I can read of one.
Though it's hard for me to believe, I really liked this book. I still won't read his fiction, even knowing from this narrative where the inspirations were. But remember that respect I felt after our brief encounter in that Books-A-Million? It's skyrocketed. I hope some day to have the chance to tell him that in person -- just as long as I don't have to read The Notebook again to do so.(less)
Prime Suspect was a marvelous BBC production, which starred the amazing Helen Mirrin as Police detective Jane Tennyson, one of the first females to br...morePrime Suspect was a marvelous BBC production, which starred the amazing Helen Mirrin as Police detective Jane Tennyson, one of the first females to break into that peculiar boys club of non-uniformed police back in the day. We loved the series, making me eager to read the book which I supposed the show to have been adapted. That, however, was not meant to be.
The TV show (according to the bit by the autor at the beginning of this edition, or else the acknowledgments -- I don't have the book on front of me so can't check) sprang from a mention at a lunch with the author and some people in the industry. The book, while well written, is an adaptation of a screenplay. As it was an excellent screen play, the book, too, is good. It is very visual, lots of verbal dialogue though little inner introspection, and reads very much, not surprisingly, like a screen play. Very easy to visualize Mirrin speaking and portraying Tennyson. The part suits her.
Though the book was well written, I'll probably give books 2 and 3 a pass. Prime Suspect BBC rolls around occasionally on the Telly (the American version or any other newer ones have no interest for me) and I prefer, in this case, to view my Jane on the television screen, not the viewing screen in my brain.
Rounded up from 3.5 since I liked the screenplay so much. I do not, however, like this cover, which must be based on a later version of the series.(less)
I've been waiting to read this novel for years. A copy finally came my way via a BookCrossing RABCK, for which I am sincerely grateful. I brought it w...moreI've been waiting to read this novel for years. A copy finally came my way via a BookCrossing RABCK, for which I am sincerely grateful. I brought it with me on a trip to our mountain cabin, where I knew I could read it uninterrupted . And I did-- except for the interruptions I fell into all on my own, many having to do with frustration of plot and pace.
A book about a book -- with bits of that missing book, which is said to carry the curse of death for anyone who reads "The End of Mr Y" (which is the title of the cursed book in the story) surely should be as fascinating as the recursiveness of it's title. But I'm alive and well, and, though I hate to say it, less than enthralled. It's not that the writing or plot was bad, for it wasn't exactly. Scarlett Thomas manages to mix a bit of philosophy, science, spirituality, time travel, lust, and even homeopathy together, but the potency, for me was not diluted enough, coming out weak (a bit of homeopathic humor there-- the more dilute a homeopathic remedy is, the stronger it's said to be.) I just didn't find myself engaged enough in any of the story (both the present day or the book within a book) to care about the outcome. The pace did puck up toward the end, scurrying to an abrupt end, leaving me feeling vaguely dissatisfied, as if I had skim read a hunk of the book and jumped to the end to find out what happened.
Whenever I read a book that leaves me feeling lukewarm, and then write a review that reflects that, I feel a little guilty. After all, though I have written a number of things, manuscripts included, I've yet to have more than professional journal articles/ textbook chapters (and some news/magazine articlesof a lighter nature) published. Who am I to criticize? But the bottom line is, I'm a reader, one of those illusive fish authors set their hooks for, hoping to catch. In this case, I nibbled the bait, but did not take the hook. Maybe Scarlett Thomas will catch me next time she goes fishing. Until then, I'll just keep swimming.
2.5 stars, rounded up because of some of the details used and the fact that I really liked the mouse god, Apollo Smintheus. Ithink everyone should be able to play that card at least once in a lifetime. Hooray for Hav-a-heart traps. (less)
I picked this up at the bookstore one day when I was thinking of my sister-in-law and channeling my mother, who had a fondness for this type of book....moreI picked this up at the bookstore one day when I was thinking of my sister-in-law and channeling my mother, who had a fondness for this type of book. She loved a love story, which this was, with a dash of magical realism and cookery thrown into the mix. I did like some of the relationships, wish Holly's Nonna had been around a bit more, liked the growth of the two father/daughter relationships, and sorrowed for Holly's relationship with her mother, and the mother's relationship with her mother. The recipes at the back of the book didn't excite me, though the idea of cooking with wishes and memories did. One slight disappointment: unlike Peak's Island, Maine (which is mentioned in the book, and the setting for two wonderful books by Jacqueline Sheehan), Blue Crab Island is not a real place.(less)
I think I'm in the minority when it comes to Jasper Fforde. I can see the appeal, and he does a great job with mixing pun and nursery rhymes, or class...moreI think I'm in the minority when it comes to Jasper Fforde. I can see the appeal, and he does a great job with mixing pun and nursery rhymes, or classic lit characters, or whatever his schtick is for that particular book, but it just doesn't appeal to me. I always find myself humming that old Billy Joel song, "Just the way you are". It's not that "I don't want clever conversation. I never want to work that hard." Sometimes clever repartee is phenomenal. It's just I don't want to feel I'm probably missing something horribly clever, simply because I'm a dunderhead, or culturally deprived. (less)
I think this is my favorite Harry Hole as a book, though my favorite passage in the series still remains the chapter of Harry's messages to Ellen on h...moreI think this is my favorite Harry Hole as a book, though my favorite passage in the series still remains the chapter of Harry's messages to Ellen on her answering machine way back earlier in the series. The pulling together of so many threads and characters was masterfully treated. And the use of the Gusto as a narrator of his story was masterful. So good, but so sad as well. Can't say more without including a spoiler.(less)
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