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2016 Reads and Reviews(Part 1) ~ Anything goes
Book Concierge wrote: "
The Diva Takes the Cake – Krista Davis– 1.5*
Book two in the Domestic Diva series has event planner Sophie Wilson in charge of her sister, Hannah’s, w..."
Well they can't all be good. Hopefully the next one will be much better. I can cross this off my list, oh it wasn't on it. LOL!
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A Constellation of Vital Phenomena
Anthony Marra
3.5/5 stars
This is the story of a young girl, Havaa in Chechnya living through wars and hard times. Her father is removed from their home and their neighbor and friend Akhmed finds her in the forest and takes her to the hospital where she is given refuge by Sonja, the only doctor left practicing in the war torn hospital. The story weaves between the years and the lives of Sonja, her sister, Akhmed and his wife and Havaa and her father Dokka. Well written and compelling though at times I did have a hard time following some of the story lines.
Not My Father’s Son by Alan Cumming – 4**** In general I am not a big fan of celebrity memoirs, but Cumming’s memoir of a childhood living with an abusive father, and how he came to terms with the abuse, faced his past and overcame it is well worth reading.
Full Review HERE
The Double Bind – Chris Bohjalian– 4****
Seven years ago Laurel survived a vicious attack in the Vermont woods. Now, in her work at a homeless shelter, she is looking through a box of photographs left by a deceased client, when she discovers a photo that convinces her they contain clues to a hidden family secret. Bohjalian crafts a compelling and intricate scenario with layer upon layer of complexity. I loved the way he drew me in, made me believe in Laurel – and Bobbie – and then forced me to reconsider the veracity of their claims. I’m left breathless and drained at the end. And … wanting to start over again to see what clues Bohjalian left that I missed the first time around.
Full Review HERE
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Murder in Belleville by Cara Black – 2.5** This is the second book in the series, and I find that I like the premise of the series, better than I like the books so far. Aimée Leduc is a strong, intelligent, capable woman who doesn’t rely on a convenient strong man to help her (most of the time). But Black seems to get lost in her intricate plots. There are so many threads to follow, so many suspects, so many different dangerous situations, and somehow they don’t really mesh well. Still, I see promise, and I’d be willing to read another.
Full Review HERE
A Fatal Grace – Cara Black – 3*** How could CC de Poitiers have been electrocuted in the midst of a curling match in Three Pines – and without anyone seeing a thing? Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has his work cut out for him solving this mystery, and I love the quiet, efficient way he investigates. I figured out the murderer pretty early, but still enjoyed watching how Gamache arrived at the conclusion. I’ll definitely keep reading this series.
Full Review HERE
Mary Lincoln: Southern Girl, Northern Woman by Stacy Pratt McDermott
This is a wonderfully written and very well researched telling of Mary Todd Lincoln's story. We always hear about Abraham Lincoln and, usually, of Mary in correlation to him. But it was nice to know about her childhood, young adulthood, and of her as wife and mother. This telling also dispels and explains some of the negative stories that are told about Mary. I enjoyed it very much and highly recommend it!
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Mary Lincoln: Southern Girl, Northern Woman by Stacy Pratt McDermott
This is a wonderfully written and very well researched telling ..."
Sounds very interesting and you are very right- Mary Lincoln has always (at least to me) portrayed in a bad light.
One Bad Apple by Sheila Connolly – 3*** This is a strong opening for a cozy mystery series. I like Meg; she’s intelligent, relatively self-sufficient, and not easily intimidated. I figured out the culprit long before Meg or the police, and I thought the ending was a little less than satisfying. Still, I like the way Connolly is developing Meg’s relationships with the town’s residents, and there are some delicious recipes featuring apples at the end.
Full Review HERE
Well anything with recipes is good.
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The Dating Game Killer: The True Story of a TV Dating Show, a Violent Sociopath, and a Series of Brutal Murders
Stella Sands
4/5 stars
Stella Sands weaves a horrifying tale of the true story of photographer Rodney Alcala, sociopath and sadistic murderer of girls and women across the country and who still sits in prison today. Terrifying and sad.
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I Am a Cat
Natsume Sōseki
3/5 stars
This satirical novel was written by the Japanese author Natsume Soseki between 1905 and 1906. A stray cat is the narrator of the book as he observes the lives and overhears the conversations of his master Mr. Sneaze, a teacher and his band of irritating, buffoonish friends. There is a story line that follows through the whole book of Sneaze's friend Coldmoon and his possibility of his marrying but the book consists mostly of the conversations of Sneaze's friends on all different topics, sometimes going on ad nauseum. It was an interesting book in that it made me realize no matter what time period you've lived in or what country you reside, that people pretty much act the same. Originally published in ten installments, this book contains all of the installments.
La’s Orchestra Saves the World – Alexander McCall Smith – 4**** Alexander McCall Smith has a gentle way of introducing the reader to his characters. La and the other residents of the town go about their business in this small Suffolk village during WW2; they worry, rejoice, are fearful, find love, relish friendships, enjoy simple pleasures and take action when they can. I applauded La’s resilience and her ability to maintain her faith in the basic goodness of others. Her scope of influence may have been small, but she was a treasure to those within that circle.
Full Review HERE
Chasing Cezanne – Peter Mayle – 3*** This is a fun romp of a crime caper, featuring the rich and famous, a couple of big-time art thieves, a curious (but legitimate) art dealer, and an art forger who is ready to make a change. Of course, there’s also a lovely young lady to brighten the landscape. And who could argue against the delights and magic of Paris and Provence? It reminds me of the Cary Grant movies of the 1940s and 1950s.
Full Review HERE
The Strain, by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan5 stars!
Normally I have little use for vampire stories, but this is really a plague story, the kind that's right up my alley. Believable characters find themselves in an unbelievable situation. It starts with a wonderful sort of locked-room mystery. What's happened to that incoming flight? Just THE END OF THE WORLD, that's all. A real page turner. Can't wait to see the next installment.
The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah – 3*** It’s a compelling story, and I really liked having the action take place within the lives of these two women. However, at about the midpoint of the narrative, it took a turn towards a romantic melodrama that just really irritated me. And I thought the flashback “mystery” was entirely unnecessary and manipulative. Good but not great.
Full Review HERE
A Deadly Cliché
– Ellery Adams – 3*** I like this series. I like Olivia’s independence and “get on with it” attitude. Her relationships with the town’s residents are developing nicely in this second installment. She is definitely beginning to open up to the possibility of love and affection in her life. I thought the reveal was a little over-the-top, but I was still sufficiently entertained. I’ll keep reading this series.
Full Review HERE
Deck the Halls
– Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark– 3***
Mary Higgins Clark and her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, combine their talents in a new mystery series featuring the collaboration of the two writers’ lead characters. This is an interesting and fun mystery. Of course, the reader always knows who the culprit is, but it’s fun to watch the police, Regan and Alvirah arrive at the solution. I’ve never read anything by either of these authors before, so the characters were completely new to me, but I never felt lost and the way they come together seemed plausible. All told, this is a quick, entertaining cozy with a satisfying ending.
Full Review HERE
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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Susan Cain
Stop everything and read this book now! Whether you are a extrovert or a introvert or somewhere in between, this book can help you understand yourself, your family and the people you meet and work with. I was blown away by this book and I think this should be required reading for everyone.
Once Upon a River
– Bonnie Jo Campbell – 3*** I hardly know what to write about this novel. Very early on I was disturbed by Margo and the adults around her. I wanted to hug her and keep her safe and warm. And then I wanted to shake her till her teeth rattled. And yet … she is a compelling character and I couldn’t just turn away from her. Still, this is no Huckleberry Finn. Twain’s central character had a certain innocence about him, which Margo seems to lack.
Full Review HERE
Mothers, Tell Your Daughters
– Bonnie Jo Campbell – 2.5** I think it was a mistake to read/listen to Campbell’s novel (Once Upon a River) back-to-back with this collection of short stories. I can take only so much distress, so much sexual tension and acting out, so much of watching women make bad choice after bad choice after even worse choice. There were a few stories that were humorous or touching, but most were distressingly dismal and depressing.
Full Review HERE
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, 5*****s
This is a YA novel & I LOVED it! It is a very touching story of 10-year-old Ada, and her younger brother, Jamie, who live in the slums of London at the beginning of WWII. Ada was born with a clubfoot and her mother chose not to have it fixed when Ada was born. Now she won't let Ada leave their apartment for any reason because she is so ashamed of her. So Ada has not gone to school, she hasn't even seen grass! But she's smart. And when her brother comes home from school talking about many of the children of London being evacuated to the English countryside for safety, Ada figures out a way for them to leave their horrible mother and the London slums. But will they like it there, and if they do, can they figure out a way to stay? And therein lies the beginning of what becomes a very touching and exciting story. It is recommended for Grades 4-6, but I really liked it and highly recommend it for all ages!
Terris wrote: "The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, 5*****s
This is a YA novel & I LOVED it! It is a very touching story of 10-year-old Ada, and..."
That sounds like a great story. Have to see if my library has this.
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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
by Henry Farrell
4/5 stars
Author Henry Farrell is best known as author of two stories that became famous, iconic suspense films. This book which is titled for one of the films also contains three short stories, one of which was the basis for Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte but originally called What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte. Even having seen the films I was gripped by the suspense of the tales and his writing. The book also has a wonderful forward that gives the background of the author and a little history of how the films came to be made. Great read!
Isla and the Happily Ever After
– Stephanie Perkins – 2** It’s Paris (and Barcelona), it’s young love, what’s not to like? Teen-age angst on steroids, that what. I confess that I am way past this stage in life, but I definitely see the appeal for the target YA audience. It was a fast read and satisfied several challenges, so it wasn’t a total waste.
Full Review HERE
The Island of Dr Moreau
– H.G. Wells – 4**** “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature!” I cannot think of a more succinct way to describe the basic theme of this book. And yet, it is so much more – a strong, philosophical and ethical argument both for and against vivisection and experimentation. A moral tale of one man’s descent as a result of his ego, and how he is able to draw others into his twisted way of thinking.
Full Review HERE
Reading now:Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
The Big Sleep by Ramond Chandler
Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs (audiobook)
Latte Trouble
– Cleo Coyle – 3*** Book three in the Coffee House series is fast, entertaining, and enjoyable. I figured out the culprit way before Clare (or the police), but it was still fun watching them work through the clues. As always, Coyle includes some interesting tidbits about coffee, which I liked (even though these segues detracted from the plot).
Full Review HERE
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Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
The Big Sleep by Ramond Chandler
Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs (audiob..."
Lawson's book is good!
Relish: My Life in the Kitchen
– Lucy Knisley – 3*** This is a delightful graphic memoir. Knisley is the daughter of a chef, and has had a close relationship with food since early childhood. She enjoys experiencing new tastes, textures, and smells, and considers food not just as sustenance but a central enjoyment in her life.
Full Review HERE
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, 5*****s
LOVED this one!!! By the title, I thought it was going to be an Indian story, but it was not. It was about a 13-year-old girl finding her way through difficulties in her life, with many interesting characters along the way (her grandparents being two of the main ones -- they are a hoot!). It is light, funny, sad, sweet, and overall a very nice read. Recommended for Grades 6-9 -- I would recommend it for all ages!
Book Concierge wrote: " The Island of Dr Moreau
– H.G. Wells – 4****
“It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature!” I cannot think of a more succinct way to describe the basic theme..."
Only saw the movie and didn't like it
Sept 11 - Currently ReadingTEXT:
Death by Darjeeling / Laura ChildsAUDIO in the car:
The Geography of Genius / Eric WeinerPortable AUDIO:
The Art of Racing in the Rain / Garth Stein
The Mirror Crack’d From Side To Side
– Agatha Christie – 3.5*** Miss Marple is showing her age but she’s really not so frail as people think, and she can still out-detect the most experienced Scotland Yard inspector. Christie really kept me guessing on this one. There are plenty of suspects, and lots of red herrings. Miss Marple is at her best in using her knowledge of human behavior and deducing the truth.
Full Review HERE
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari, 4****s
I really enjoyed this book about romance and dating in today's world. I haven't dated in many years so had no idea what today's young people are through with all the technology and many different expectations than I went through. I also enjoy Aziz as a comedian, so I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
¡Ask a Mexican!
– Gustavo Arellano – 2** “¡Ask a Mexican!” is the title of Arellano’s regular column in the OC Weekly, in which he tries to answer questions on the culture of America’s rapidly growing minority. This is a collection of those columns. Like most such satirical / humorous columns, they are best taken once a week. Reading all of them at once was a bit much. I was bored by much of it and didn’t find it very funny, though I did like the descriptions of food.
Full Review HERE
For Your Love
– Beverly Jenkins – 3*** This is the sixth book in the Blessings series, which follows the residents of Henry Adams, Kansas, a small town originally founded by freed slaves. I liked that things don’t always go smoothly, but that – for the most part – the characters react realistically. And then there’s Astrid Wiggins; she is a caricature, so evil and unreasonable in her hatred and vindictiveness that she’s totally unbelievable. On the whole, however, it was an enjoyable, quick read. It reminded me of both the Miss Julia series by Ann B Ross, and the Harmony series by Philip Gulley.
Full Review HERE
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Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love
Dava Sobel
3/5 stars
This was a very interesting book on Galileo and his relationship with his daughter Virginia, later changed to Suor Maria Celeste when she entered the convent at the age of 13 with her sister. Galileo and his daughter were very close and her letters to him had been saved and make up part of this book. They remained loyal to each other throughout his trials with the church.
The book did discuss his work and the problems that caused with the church. The only problem I had with the book was that reading about his work took a lot of concentration but I did enjoy his daughter's letters and the non-science subjects broached. His letters to her were never found or had been destroyed.
It is a fascinating look back at that time period and Suor Maria Celeste shed a light on what it was like living in a convent in that time period. Had she been born in modern ages, I could see her working with her father in his area since she comes across as very intuitive and smart.
The Art of Racing In the Rain
– Garth Stein – 5***** and a ❤The story could be maudlin but it isn’t. Enzo is a philosophical narrator, and also a fair one. (Though he does have a thing for the zebra demon.) There are moments of laugh-out-loud humor, sing-out-loud joy, and sigh-out-loud sadness. I listened to the CD for this re-reading. The audio is performed perfectly by Christopher Evan Welch. Have a hankie ready for the last few chapters.
Full Review HERE
The Geography of Genius
– Eric Weiner – 3*** The subtitle is all the synopsis you need: A Search for the World’s Most Creative Places, from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley. Weiner explores the culture of various cities and eras that resulted in an environment that fostered genius. It’s an interesting book, but not a particularly compelling one, and there were times when I just zoned out. Still, I learned a little about a variety of subjects.
Full Review HERE
The Bloody White Baron: The Extraordinary Story of the Russian Nobleman Who Became the Last Khan of Mongolia4 stars
A remarkable read about one of history's most bizarre characters -- a Russian nobleman from Estonia with a Jewish name who was apparently a Buddhist religious fanatic, seen as a reincarnation of Genghis Khan and, most startlingly, bulletproof. The author, who apparently hangs out pretty close to where this story unfolded, pulls together a tremendous number of sources written in different languages and with different levels of attention to accuracy, and puts it all in one place for you. Curiously, he didn't give that much attention to the main character's cruelties or the other odd features of his personality; he focuses more of the legends that spun off from the reality. Written in a light, ironic tone that continues to the last page of endnotes, which are worth reading -- not quite as funny as Will Cuppy's, but close. Large bibliography in the back makes me want to read everything listed in it.
Death by Darjeeling
– Laura Childs – 3*** This is a good cozy mystery. I like how Childs took time to build the relationships among the tea shop’s employees, and other characters. There are plenty of suspects, and a couple of red herrings to keep the reader guessing. I’ll keep reading this series.
Full Review HERE
Sept 18 – currently readingTEXT –
The Boy Kings of Texas: A Memoir by Domingo MartinezAUDIO in the car –
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina BivaldPortable AUDIO –
The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman
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The Annotated Alice: 150th Anniversary Deluxe Editionby Lewis Carroll, Martin Gardner (Editor), John Tenniel
4/5 stars
I never quite truly understood the Alice books and so they never appealed to me and now I know why. They aren't truly children's books. In this version of the famous stories, certain lines are annotated and are explained on the side of the page. This technique really helped explain what was going on in the books and made me truly appreciate them. Another nice thing about this book is that they include the art work of a lot of the artists that ever drew Alice and the many characters in the book.
The Girl in the Green Raincoat
– Laura Lippman – 4**** In a plot reminiscent of Hitchcock’s Rear Window, Baltimore PI Tess Monaghan is bed-bound and bored, so she takes to watching the people in the park across the way. When she notices a woman in a green raincoat, and then the woman’s “disappearance,” her curiosity gets the better of her, and Tess gets her boyfriend, BFF, and assistant to help her find the truth. The plot moved quickly, there were several twists and turns that kept me guessing, and the reveal was a surprise.
Full Review HERE
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Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid's Memoir That Inspired "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "Downton Abbey"
Margaret Powell
3/5 stars
This is an enjoyable true story about the life of a kitchen maid in England. She lends a nice perspective regarding that time period.
Library Lovers
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TEXT –
AUDIO in the car –
Portable AUDIO –