What Are You Reading / Reviews - June 2016

[Marti]

A Thousand Naked Strangers A Paramedic’s Wild Ride to the Edge and Back by Kevin Hazzard three and a half stars.

I preface this by saying I have a medical background, so this topic interested me. This is a memoir (btw, there is a difference between a memoir and an autobiography) written by paramedic Kevin Hazzard. He worked at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, one of the busiest trauma centers in the U.S. Being a trauma center, they see the worst of the worst. The EMTs and paramedics run calls requiring the most precise treatments that they are taught, often accompanied by unstable situations like an active shooter or out of control drug addicts. Kevin not only tells his tales of calls that are hardly believable, but the effect of these calls on his psyche and body. He finds out that few medics actually make a long term career at Grady, instead becoming complacent, lazy, afraid, or burned out.

This book is not for everyone. The descriptions of some of the things the medics see and do can be graphic and unpleasant to read. Some of it is funny, some is incredibly sad, and all of it fascinated me.

[Beverly]

House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski
3 stars

I can certainly understand why this book would be included on the 1001 list...it is simply unlike anything else I've ever read. The sheer scope of this author's imagination for a first novel is amazing. I have to admit that the story of the Navidson family and their documentary was much more interesting to me than the portions that pertained to Johnny Truant. I also really enjoyed the constantly changing format and I have to say that man handling this huge book was almost a daily workout in itself. After listing all of the pluses, my 2 disappointments were: 1. I was not horrified, scared or even creeped out at any time during the read (well, maybe a little creeped out by some of Johnny's sexual exploits) and I was so hoping to be. 2. Although I appreciated the complexity and the originality of this ambitious first novel, I just didn't appreciate the novel as a whole. I know that ultimately we're supposed to go along for the ride as Johnny Truant descends into obsession and eventually madness, I just didn't care about the character and so I felt like I was being dragged along just to get through the book rather than turning pages to see what was going to happen next. I don't believe I would ever recommend this to anyone else.

[Beverly]

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
3 stars

Once again, as seems to happen frequently with the 1001 list, I'm glad I read this book but am sure I didn't appreciate it or understand it as thoroughly as I should. The story's narrator, Jonah (or John, as his parent's called him) tells the story of the Hoenikker family and what the 3 grown Hoenikker children remember from the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, the development of ice-nine and the religion of Bokonon . The book starts when Jonah attempts to contact Newt, a midget and the youngest of the Hoenikker children, to ask him about his memories of the day Hiroshima was attacked, with the intention of writing a book about the event more from the human side of the experience. Eventually Jonah ends up on an island with the 3 and learns about the island's covert religion and the invention of a weapon that can instantaneously freeze liquids, effectively bringing about the end of the world. I need to read something else by Mr. Vonnegut and hope that I enjoy it more.

[Beverly]

B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton
3 stars

Took me awhile to get around to this second book in the series. I liked this offering better than the first one and will move on to the third book. I'm hoping these get even better, it seems like others really like them. Again I listened to the audio read by Mary Peiffer and again I thought she did a fine job. In this second book, Beverly Danziger is looking for her sister, Elaine, and can't seem to locate her. She needs her signature on some legal documents before a will can be settled, so she hires Kinsey Millhone to find her. Turns out, Elaine had been headed to Boca Raton with her cat Mingus and her lynx coat. None of them ever arrived but someone else is staying in her apartment. When Kinsey raises the issue of something sinister happening to Beverly's sister, Beverly fires her. This was suspicious enough but then Aubrey, Beverly's husband, shows up spouting some wild accusations regarding his wife and Kinsey discovers that Elaine's next door neighbor was murdered just a few days before Elaine disappeared. She really just can't, in good conscience, stop the investigation. Again, the ending surprised me. I really have to start realizing that things are not always what they seem!

[Beverly]

Cherry Bomb by J. A. Konrath
2 stars

I read this just to fill a challenge...a book with the word "cherry" in the title and this was the only book I had on my Kindle that fit the bill. This was just not really my kind of book but it was a fairly quick read (in spite of taking almost 2 weeks to read it). I read it on my Kindle app on my phone and only worked on it while my husband and I were on the motorcycle. It turns out this is the 6th book in the series and it's unusual for me to read out of order and there is a slight possibility I may have enjoyed it more if I'd read the previous books but I doubt it. Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels is a cop and in the previous book, her fiancee has been killed by a serial killer by the name of Alex. Alex has some incredible scars on her face, thanks to Jack and the plastic surgeons in the prison system and now that she's out, she wants to punish Jack as much as possible and then kill her. This book is basically about that attempt, every single gritty page of it. There is quite a bit of sex, even more horrific murdering and a stomach churning description of a masturbating, shit throwing monkey. Just not a fun time in my estimation. But, as I said, this is the 6th book in the series so there's obviously a market for it out there. Try it at your own peril!

[James]

Jonathan Franzen, Purity [2015] 563 pages

I liked this novel much more than I expected to. It is very complex, and I think it is easy with a book like this to isolate one thread and treat it as if it is what the book is really about; whether the political aspects (my usual tendency), the sexual/relationship dynamics (which most of the reviews I've read focus on), or the literary allusions.

To begin with the last, this is obviously based on Dickens' Great Expectations; not only in the main character's nickname "Pip" and the few direct references, but in the structure of many of the episodes. It's not one-to-one in any sense, and this is not a simple pastiche; Pip is obviously Pip but also a blend with Estella, as Penelope is Miss Havisham, but also as Anabel Joe's sister or Mrs. Pocket in relation to Tom. The criminal as father/benefactor shows up as Andreas, Andreas' father(s), and Anabel's father. It was interesting tracing the Dickensian themes as they are mixed and distorted in Franzen. At times he even tries to write like Dickens, but he never manages to be quite that bad. I was relieved that Pip's recruitment wasn't a coincidence as it would probably have been in Dickens. (By the way, I can't stand Dickens.)

Some of the reviews I read describe the novel as anti-feminist or even misogynist, but if so that's also taken from Dickens -- in both novels we have marriages which are disasters because the husband doesn't take control over his wife, but weakly gives in to her craziness; Tom and Anabel, and Tom's parents, both reminded me of Joe and Pip's sister or the Pockets (Clelia's conservatism and feeling betrayed because Chuck wasn't as rich as she expected compared with Mrs. Pocket's obsession with her being "cheated" out of a title). If anything, Franzen is more nuanced, and makes the wives' behavior seem more justified, although Tom and Anabel's marriage is depicted at much greater length from Tom's point of view (as many people have noted, this chapter is disproportionately long in any case). One might say it is Dickens after Freud and feminism.

The political theme of Purity vs. Compromise is somewhat underplayed, but definitely present; this is obviously an important subject (I see it discussed in about half the posts of my facebook friends, in one aspect or another -- should people vote for a left candidate like Alyson Kennedy or Jeff Mackler, or compromise on Jill Stein? Or vote in the Democratic primary for Bernie Sanders? Or go all the way and vote for Hillary Clinton to stop Trump? How much purity is sectarianism, and how much compromise is selling out?) In the novel, the question is whether Anabel is too pure, when she rejects her father's money; whether Leila is too pure when she attacks the Sunshine Project; and of course the whole question of purity and corruption in East Germany. There is a lot to think about and discuss in this novel, and if the answers are not always the ones I would agree with the questions are worth discussing, which as Lukacs says is the real test of a worthwhile novel.

[Linda C]

Garden of Lies - Amanda Quick (4 stars) 6/26/16

When one of Ursula Kern's secretaries dies under suspicious circumstances, she decides to investigate. Informing Slater Roxton that she will have to take time off as his secretary to do the investigation gets his interest and participation. Their research leads them to a private men's club and a drug named Ambrosia. As they proceed they are drawn closer, learning more about each other's past secrets and deepening their mutual attraction.

I like Quick's plots because these secrets get revealed and get dealt with rather than having a big misunderstanding hanging over the whole book. The H/h work together and each has their own contributions. Often problems dealing with estranged friends and relatives are sorted out and feuds ended. Also there is plenty of action and romance along the way.

[Book Concierge]

The Rope Walk by Carrie Brown – 3***
As summer begins, ten-year-old Alice meets two extraordinary people: a bi-racial boy visiting his grandparents for the summer, and a middle-aged artist with AIDS who has come to live with his sister. This coming-of-age novel brought back many fond memories of the summers spent doing “nothing” and “everything." One of the difficulties with choosing a child narrator, however, is that the adult reader will clearly see certain plot elements coming long before the less-experienced child. Still, I thought Brown did a good job of revealing the plot elements, and the changing relationships.
Full Review HERE

[Beverly]

In the Tall Grass by Stephen King and Joe Hill
3 stars

I really only liked this, I think, because Stephen King and his son Joe Hill were the co-authors. I was looking through my Kindle carousel just wanting to find something short to read as a surprise to myself (I know, weird...but I know what I mean) and saw this Kindle short. I have thought to myself several times lately that Mr. King has mellowed a bit in his old age but this short story is a throwback to the gross out style that King lovers know and love. A brother and sister make a stop during a road trip. As they stretch their legs, they hear a call for help from the grassy meadow next to the parking lot. The grass is tall and lush and they cannot see the young boy calling them but they can't drive off leaving a child stranded, so into the grass they go. It's Stephen King...you can imagine!!! :)

[Beverly]

The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes
4 stars

I read this for one of my F2F book clubs this month and really enjoyed it. I had not previously been aware of this particular book by Ms. Moyes. I had read "The Last Letter from Your Lover" and liked it and I've been trying to get to "Me Before You", especially since I saw the movie. I've decided I like her books. This tells the story of Australian war brides that are being taken by ship to their husbands who are in England now that the war is over. But as many of the more luxurious liners are full and there are many women anxious to go, the story of the women in this book are sailing on a crowded air craft carrier. With 600 plus women who have been separated from their husbands and a crew of young men who are no longer fighting a war--not to mention the close quarters, the 6 week trip is fraught with every aspect of human nature. The 4 women highlighted, a very pregnant country girl, a socialite, a high spirited 16 year old and a quiet nurse with a number of secrets, make up a strange grouping and one of them sneaks their dog on board. All in all, I thought this was an interesting read and once again I've learned about an historical incident that I knew nothing about.

[Linda C]

Absolutely, Positively (Lucy Valentine, #3) - Heather Webber (3 stars) 6/28/16

Lucy Valentine uses her psychic ability to locate missing persons with the assistance of her partner Sean Donohue, private investigator. In this third installment they are hired to locate a young ex-con. His teenage girlfriend is trying to reconnect. They are also looking for an artist who has disappeared. He had no known enemies but some pressing personal concerns. Throw in a masked character known as the Lone Ranger who throws away money in a crowd and vanishes before being identified and amorous problems involving several couples and you have a complicated plot. Nothing deep here; I figured out most of the mystery but still a fun read.

[Terris]

Beverly wrote: "
The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes
4 stars

I read this for one of my F2F book clubs this month and really enjoyed it. I had not previously been aware of this ..."

This looks very interesting! I'm adding it to "the list!" I sent Nancy your review too -- I think she'd like this one :)

[Terris]

Beverly wrote: "
In the Tall Grass by Stephen King and Joe Hill
3 stars

I really only liked this, I think, because Stephen King and his son Joe Hill were the co-authors. I wa..."

I love that you "surprised" yourself! I know exactly what you mean :)

[Beverly]

Terris wrote: "Beverly wrote: "
The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes
4 stars

I read this for one of my F2F book clubs this month and really enjoyed it. I had not previously bee..."

Hope you and Nancy both enjoy it, we had a really great discussion about it at our book club today. We were all pretty much agreed that overall it was an interesting book--since none of us knew much about the Australian War Brides. There were just a couple of common "questions" but I'll just wait and see if you 2 raise the same ones. Don't worry, I don't expect you to read it immediately!! By the way, my friend has read all 4 of the books starting with My Brilliant Friend and she really enjoyed them. I trust her judgement, so go for it!!! :)

[Beverly]

Terris wrote: "Beverly wrote: "
In the Tall Grass by Stephen King and Joe Hill
3 stars

I really only liked this, I think, because Stephen King and his son Joe Hill were the ..."

Whew!! Thank you Terri, it makes me feel better to know that someone understands!!

[Terris]

Beverly wrote: "Terris wrote: "Beverly wrote: "
The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes
4 stars

I read this for one of my F2F book clubs this month and really enjoyed it. I had not..."

I'll let you know when we get to this book. Like you, the Australian War Brides part interests me.
Thanks for the info on My Brilliant Friend. I don't know exactly when I'll get to it, but I think I'll keep it on the list :)

[Beverly]

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
3 stars

This story begins with the description of a happy, carefree wedding party. The joy of this occasion contrasts sharply with the rest of the book as it follows an immigrant family of Lithuanians as they settle in Chicago and begin working in the slaughterhouses there. The horrors of the slaughtering process and the working conditions are presented in harsh detail, so easily upset readers be warned. Every time I thought that the family was finally getting ahead, another crisis would arise. It was almost unbelievable to me that these and many other naive people from many other countries were treated so poorly, constantly being taken advantage of with little hope of becoming self-sustaining. At some point toward the end of the book, the story itself seems to come to an abrupt stop and the rest of the book becomes a rallying cry for socialism. Although I'm glad that I read this book and I look forward to our book discussion regarding it, learning about the atrocities that took place in both the industry and the private lives of the workers was difficult and apt to stay with me for a long time.

ADDENDUM: And yet it didn't...stay with me for a long time that is. I did remember that the working conditions were horrific and that the families struggled constantly to make ends meet but I had certainly forgotten the particulars and so was horrified all over again. Other than that comment, I stand by my original review.

[Terris]

Beverly wrote: "
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
3 stars

This story begins with the description of a happy, carefree wedding party. The joy of this occasion contrasts sharply with the re..."

I'm moving this up on my list. It's a classic I've been meaning to get to for a long time. I even have the paperback sitting here on my book shelf!!

[Beverly]

Terris wrote: "Beverly wrote: "
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
3 stars

This story begins with the description of a happy, carefree wedding party. The joy of this occasion contrasts sha..."

Just be warned...again...it's not an easy read!

[Terris]

Beverly wrote: "Terris wrote: "Beverly wrote: "
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
3 stars

This story begins with the description of a happy, carefree wedding party. The joy of this occasio..."

OK - thanks!!

[Beverly]

Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey
4 stars

This book was recommended to me by a friend who said it was one of the best books she read last year. I'm hoping that my review and rating will encourage others it read it because this one will creep right into your heart. To me this was a heart-breaking story of an elderly woman who has already suffered an horrendous loss in her life and is now succumbing to the ravages of Alzheimer's. The story is told from her point of view so the reader is constantly confused right along with her. She attempts to remember what an object is called and from her descriptions, the reader is trying to determine what she's talking about...sometimes easy and sometimes not so much. There is one thing she seems to be very certain of and that is that her friend Elizabeth is missing. She asks everyone about her, repeatedly, even going to the police station at regular intervals. All of these folk know as well as the reader that this woman's memory is unreliable so it seems that no one is trying to help her find Elizabeth. She keeps various handwritten notes with her but by the time she reads them, she can't remember what she meant. As her life continues to spin out of control, she moves in with her daughter and granddaughter, intensifying her confusion. Along the way, she remembers bits and pieces of when her married sister Sukey disappeared years ago and the inability of the police to ever solve the case. How might her friend's disappearance finally close this older missing person's case? This audio was read by Davina Porter, who did a wonderful job. I always like her narrations.

[Beverly]

Death in Venice by Thomas Mann
3 stars

This was an amazingly quick read. I thought the writing was very descriptive but I had a difficult time feeling anything for the protagonist. I really enjoyed the introduction written by Michael Cunningham and feel glad that I read this particular translation by Michael Henry Heim. Cunningham seems to think that this is better book because of this translation which makes Aschenbach much more "human" and subject to human foibles. Basically, Aschenbach travels alone to Venice for vacation. During his travels, his attention is caught by a Polish family consisting of 4 daughters and a son, who, to Aschenbach, is exquisitely beautiful and he becomes obsessed with the boy, Tadzio. Soon, without actually making any acquaintance with the boy, Aschenbach realizes that he is in love with him.

[Terris]

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, 4****s
I enjoyed this sad tale of two Afghani women living in Kabul. The story begins in 1975 and ends in the early 2000's and tells how these two women's lives become intertwined, the events that lead them together, and how they come to love each other as mother and daughter. I learned about what was going on from the people of Afghanistan's point of view during that time, and found it very interesting. It was sad, but I would recommend it!

[Book Concierge]

Mrs. Jeffries Takes Stock by Emily Brightwell – 2.5**
I like this cozy mystery series featuring Mrs Jeffries and other servants in the Inspector’s Victorian household, who work together to lead their boss to the solution of the mystery. However, I think I’ve read too many recently and the plots are getting formulaic and thin. Still, it’s a fast read, and an occasional cozy never hurt anyone.
Full Review HERE

[Book Concierge]

Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian – 3.5***
Emily Shepard is a troubled teen. Totally understandable, given that she’s been orphaned by a nuclear plant disaster where both her parents worked, she’s homeless, and she’s one of the most reviled people in Vermont, if not all of America. The novel is told as a series of journal entries, and Emily’s recollections are not linear. Often, I was irritated with her, but I grew to like her and root for her. She was intelligent, resilient, tried to be responsible, and very vulnerable. Grace Blewer does a fine job narrating the audio version. Blewer is Bohjalian’s daughter, and she helped him with the slang and cadence of speech so that he could write in a more-believably-teen-aged voice.
Full Review HERE

[Book Concierge]

Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian – 3.5***
Emily Shepard is a troubled teen. Totally understandable, given that she’s been orphaned by a nuclear plant disaster where both her parents worked, she’s homeless, and she’s one of the most reviled people in Vermont, if not all of America. The novel is told as a series of journal entries, and Emily’s recollections are not linear. Often, I was irritated with her, but I grew to like her and root for her. She was intelligent, resilient, tried to be responsible, and very vulnerable. Grace Blewer does a fine job narrating the audio version. Blewer is Bohjalian’s daughter, and she helped him with the slang and cadence of speech so that he could write in a more-believably-teen-aged voice.
Full Review HERE