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2017 Reads and Reviews ~ Anything goes
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Fishface
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Mar 21, 2017 12:50PM
Currently reading The New New Rules: A Funny Look At How Everybody But Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass, which is so funny I laughed myself to sleep and even managed to forget for a brief moment that my identity was stolen this month.
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Chestnut Street – Maeve Binchy – 3.5***
Binchy does a great job of giving us a picture of a neighborhood in this collection of short stories. Characters come in contact with one another, interact, leave, and return. Binchy’s characters seem like real people; I recognize many of them though I live in Wisconsin and this is set in Dublin.
LINK to my review
Maria, Daughter of Immigrants – Maria Antonietta Berrizobal – 3.5***
I really enjoyed and was captivated by Maria’s personal journey as she outlines it in the book. But a little more than half-way through the book, it seemed to become more of a history of the politics of the city than Maria’s autobiography. I still found this interesting, because I’m from San Antonio, but I think it detracted from the central story of her own life.
LINK to my review
The New New Rules: A Funny Look At How Everybody But Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass, by Bill Maher5 enthusiastic stars!
This one was so funny that although I borrowed it from the library, I'm going to buy myself a copy. It even made me forget for a couple of hours that someone filed a phony tax return with the IRS this year, using my name. Don't miss this one. It came out a few years ago now, but Maher accurately forecasts all the problems we are having now with the Real Estate Broker In Chief.
Mod
5 enthusiastic stars!
This one was so funny that although I borrowed it from the ..."
The book looks - sorry about your tax problem- hope you get it worked out!
Mod
Maude
Donna Mabry
3.5/5 stars
This is the story of Maude, a woman born in the late 1800s and written by her granddaughter. The reader is taken on a nonstop journey that was Maude's life-from losing her parents early and then her first husband, marrying her second husband because of the social mores at the time and dealing with the major events in her life time from WWI, the flu epidemic, the depression and WWII. Life was hard for Maude but she kept her spirits up and kept going. A fast read and a very interesting look back at a woman's life in the 1900s.
The Bat – Jo Nesbø – 4****
Book #1 in the Inspector Harry Hole series. Nesbø writes a tight, fast-paced thriller with plenty of clues, several red herrings, a flawed but likeable lead detective, and an interesting setting. I’ll definitely read more of this series.
LINK to my review
My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry – Fredrik Backman – 4****
I was charmed by Elsa and her crazy grandmother, as well as by the cast of “not-quite-normal” characters who inhabit the apartment building Elsa calls home. There is plenty of action, some significant danger and distress, and enough humor to ease the tension. If the scenario is not believable, well who cares. I wanted a happily-ever-after ending, and for the most part that what’s I got.
LINK to my review
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My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry
– Fredrik Backman – 4****
I was charmed by Elsa and her crazy grandmother, ..."
I really liked that book.
Mod
Tricky Twenty-Two
Janet Evanovich
3/5 stars
Stephanie, Grandma Mazur, Lulu, Ranger, and Joe are back for another nutty adventure involving a frat and the plague. Loved the first book in the series but after 22 it is starting to get a little old and sections of the book are just repetitive explanations of the characters. However, there is some movement in Stephanie and Joe's relationship in this book.
Julie wrote: "Tricky Twenty-Two
Janet Evanovich
3/5 stars
Stephanie, Grandma Mazur, Lulu, Ranger, and Joe are back for another nutty adventure..."
I tried reading one of these books but they just bored me. Everyone kept telling me they were so funny but I just couldn't get into it. Oh well, there are plenty of books for me to read.
Irish Girls About Town – Maeve Binchy, Marian Keyes, et al – 3.5***
This is a collection of short stories written by Irish female authors. While the stories vary considerably, they are all about love in its many disguises. A few of the stories feature more mature women, but most deal with younger women and the men they love, or hope to love, or love to hate. On the whole, it’s an enjoyable anthology.
LINK to my review
Mod
Gast
Carol Swain
3.5/5 stars
In this graphic novel, a young girl moves into a farm community in Wales and begins to explore the area taking her notebook with her to document her discoveries. When she learns about a neighbor who has died, she goes to his farm and looks for clues about him and the life he lead which helps her to learn more about herself.
Bookmarked For Death – Lorna Barrett – 3***
This is a typical cozy mystery scenario, with an amateur sleuth who cannot keep out of the investigation. The plot stretches credulity, but I like the many references to mystery authors sprinkled throughout.
LINK to my review
Dinner with Edward: A Story of an Unexpected Friendship
by Isabel Vincent, 5*****sI loved this story of friendship between a young 30-something woman, Isabel, and a 90-year-old man, Edward. He is the father of her good friend, Valerie, whose wife has just died. Valerie asks that Isabel visit her father because of his loneliness and grief, hoping a new friendship will keep him from being so depressed after his wife's death.
Edward is an amateur gourmet chef and loves to cook for friends, so Isabel becomes a frequent visitor. The two become close friends, sharing life lessons, histories, sorrows, and dreams. Isabel is going through a stormy time in her married life, and Edward helps her look at her life, as she tries to decide what she wants and what to do next.
It is a short book, very soothingly written with much talk about food: buying it, preparing it, and eating it. It is wonderful! Also, you can tell how they both love New York City and its vibrant hustle and bustle. It is just an amazing book recommended to me by a friend and which I am passing on to a friend. It is definitely a "friend" book :)
This Life I Live: One Man's Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and the Woman Who Changed It Forever by Rory Feek5 stars and a heart and a box of tissues.
If you are not familiar with Joey + Rory they are a husband and wife country music duo. They first came to my attention when they entered a talent contest show on TV called Can You Duet. I followed their music and watched their TV reality show. They seemed like they had a dream life. Then shortly after giving birth to their only child, a daughter, who was born with Down's Syndrome, Joey was diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer. Her husband Rory has so graciously shared their journey with us on his blog. This book is Rory's autobiography and how he came into his faith to face life's hurdles. The story is honest and he's not afraid to tell us his faults. The story flows, almost in a lyrical way, which is not surprising considering this guy is a master songwriter and has written some well-known country songs.
River of Time: My Descent into Depression and How I Emerged with Hope by Naomi Judd5 stars
The author is a well-known country music star who has battled severe depression and anxiety. I think this book would be very helpful to those who want to learn more about depression and anxiety and also for those suffering from these disorders. It doesn't just relate a story but also offers helpful ideas to those with these disorders.
Koren wrote: "This Life I Live: One Man's Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and the Woman Who Changed It Forever by Rory Feek5 stars and a heart and a box of tissues.
If you are not familiar with J..."
I bet this is a good book! My husband and I watched a "country duets" contest show a few years ago on TV and Joey & Rory were on it. They were just adorable together! I was so sorry when I heard that she died :'(
Four to Score – Janet Evanovich – 3.5***
The earlier books in the series are very entertaining, but I lost interest after about book twelve. I re-read this one because it’s fast, enjoyable and fits a challenge.
LINK to my review
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The Girl on the Train
Paula Hawkins
4/5 stars
In a drunken state, Rachel observes something from her window on the train that she takes everyday to view the life that once was hers. Shaken from the event, she seeks to find out what happened, not knowing that she is endangering herself. This was told through the eyes of the three women involved in the story. I had a very hard time putting this down!
I realize I am probably one of the last to have read this but I enjoyed it so much I read it in a couple of days.
A Night to Remember – Walter Lord – 5*****
This is a first-hand account of what the people aboard the Titanic recall of the night she sank. It’s a gripping story, and Lord does a great job of bringing all these people to life. I get a real sense of the confusion and disbelief when the ship first strikes the iceberg. And later, of the chaos and panic when it is clear she will go down.
LINK to my review
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A Night to Remember
– Walter Lord – 5*****
This is a first-hand account of what the people aboard the Titanic recall of the night she sank. It’s a grip..."
I actually have a first edition copy of that book courtesy of my husband's great uncle. It does not have a cover though I'm not sure if it ever had one. But I have read it and I agree it is a great story.
Mod
A Night to Remember
– Walter Lord – 5*****
This is a first-hand account of what the people aboard the Titanic recall of the night..."
I was looking up the original book on line. You can get a first edition for about $3. Think I will keep my copy!
Manna From Hades by Carola DunnI really enjoyed this story. I have read other stories by Carola Dunn and like the way she writes. The main character is Eleanor Trewynn and she is living in a Cornish village after having traveled with her husband around the world working with him. She now volunteers at a local charity shop that is part of her cottage. Out collecting donations for the shop one day while letting her dog have some exercise someone leave at attache case in her car. When she returns and finds it she takes it out of the car for the charity shop and finds jewelry inside. Thinking that it is paste she put it in her safe until she can find out who donated it for a check to make sure it was not done by mistake. All the boxes and bags are put in the storeroom for the day to be gone thru tomorrow. Unfortunately when they open the storeroom the next day there is a body underneath a stack of clothes. And now a mystery begins
I read through Chernobyl: Confessions of a Reporter by Igor Kostin last night after picking it up from the library. Mostly made up of Kostin's photos of the reactor, plus the men who worked to stop the radiation leak and the Forbidden Zone that surrounded it. Kostin also writes a mini-autobiography that does help explain why he felt going back to Chernobyl, again and again for 20 years, was a good decision. When I woke up this morning Kostin's images were still in front of my eyes.5 stars.
Mod
I really enjoyed this story. I have read other stories by Carola Dunn and like the way she writes. The main character is Eleanor Trewynn and she is living in a Co..."
Sounds good and I love the title!
44 Scotland Street – Alexander McCall Smith – 3.5***
I love this kind of ensemble piece. Not much happens, and everything happens: love found, lost and found again, awkward encounters, a hidden masterpiece, a new job and therapy sessions. I want to know more about them, especially Pat and Matthew
LINK to my review
Murder at Honeychurch Hallby Hannah Dennison 4*
This was such a crazy ride. The characters in this book are well thought out but there is so much going on. There is Kat, she was working for a TV show about antiques real and not so real, and had fallen in love with an Art inspector, but she is giving that up to open a shop herself with her mom. Unfortunately he (David) may have left his wife but did not really get divorced, as yet. Then there is Kat's mother. Her husband had died recently and she up and sold her house and bought one in the country. Not bad but the house itself needs a ton of work, and that's an understatement. Of course Kat is horrified at what her mother did since she was planning to open a shop for antiques with mom in London. Mom does not want to live in London, she really hated living there but for the sake of her husband. She also doesn't want anyone now controlling her as to what she wants to do and she has a secret. When Kat finds out she must go to where her mother is and is amazed at where she is living now, an understatement again, she will try to convince her mother to come back to London. From there on we meet the people on the site, Lady Edith, Harry, Lord Rupbert, Lavinia, Vera and a host of others all with secrets. Must say there are some really big laughs but the mystery was interesting.
Gutenberg’s Apprentice – Alix Christie – 3.5***
In her debut novel, Christie explores one of the most momentous events in history: the invention of the printing press. I did find the information about the conflicts between the guilds, the ruling class, and the Church interesting, but it went on for so long that I grew tired of the political and personal intrigue. Still, in this age of digital print, it is all the more wonderful to imagine the creativity, skill and hard work that went into this marvelous invention.
LINK to my review
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On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker
A'Lelia Perry Bundles
4/5 stars
This is fascinating in depth look at the life of the ambitious Madam C.J. Walker, who rose from slave to entrepreneur and philanthropist amid the historical events of the late 1800's and the early 1900's. Bundles who was related to Madam Walker and is a writer and news producer writes of the struggles and triumphs of Madam Walker as she hawks her hair products and employs poor women across the country to demonstrate her products and to help themselves out of poverty.
The Penelopiad – Margaret Atwood – 3***
Atwood takes the story of the faithful Penelope, waiting 20 years for Odysseus to return from the Trojan War, and reimagines it. I liked this intelligent, savvy woman.
LINK to my review
Book Concierge wrote: " The Penelopiad
– Margaret Atwood – 3***
Atwood takes the story of the faithful Penelope, waiting 20 years for Odysseus to return from the Trojan War, and reim..."
I like that concept!
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell – Susanna Clarke – 3.5***
Fantasy is really not my thing, but I did enjoy this book. I liked the play / counter play between the two magicians, and particularly enjoyed the scenes where they are influencing the Napoleonic Wars. That being said, however, this was just way too long. I found my mind wandering as much as the plot did. I certainly understand the popularity of the novel, but I wouldn't go out of my way to read another novel by Clarke.
LINK to my review
Wolf by Wolf – Ryan Graudin – 2.5**
This is interesting speculative fiction dealing with “what might have been” had Germany & Japan won WW2. The plot moves as quickly as the racers bound from Germania to Tokyo. Yael is a strong heroine – resourceful, intelligent, physically and mentally fit for the challenge. I thought there were several holes in this plot, and I think I would have enjoyed this kind of speculative plot without the “skin shifting” aspect. While I recognize the appeal for the target audience, it really wasn’t the book for me.
LINK to my review
The Chicken Who Saved Us: The Remarkable Story of Andrew and Frightful by Kristin Jarvis Adams5 stars
Touching story about a young boy with autism who developed a serious disease and how a chicken helped him through it, as told by the mother. Very interesting.
I take it the chicken's name was Frightful?
The Legend Of Sawney Bean, Ronald Holmes4 stars
The jacket copy on this book is all lies! Far from being the true story of the life and crimes of Sawney Bean, this is a scholarly attempt to clarify whether Sawney and his people-eatin' clan ever existed, and if so where, when and under what circumstances. This was an intriguing read, but I have to say it's far from convincing. After the meticulous, hairsplitting analysis I saw in The Discovery of King Arthur, this book came across as sketchy and incomplete. For instance, after devoting a whole chapter to the subject, Holmes never gives us a clear yes or no as to whether there is a real cave along the Galloway coast that matches the description of the one in the Bean story. I did find the history and anthropology in the story fascinating and Holmes makes me want to know much, much more. I came away feeling the truth was just around the next curve.
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake – Amy E Reichert – 4****
What a deliciously delightful foodie romance! I liked the characters, and was invested in their story from beginning to end. The food descriptions made me hungry, and I loved the way Reichert described the joys of Milwaukee (my home town).
LINK to my review
West With the Night – Beryl Markham – 5*****
Markham was an independent woman who lived life to the fullest, and on her own terms. While there has been significant controversy over whether she actually wrote this memoir (vs her third husband ghost-writing it for her), I still highly recommend it! Full of vivid imagery and really gives a sense of what life was like for the colonialists in Kenya in the early part of the 20th century.
LINK to my review
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Max Perkins: Editor of Genius
A. Scott Berg
5/5 stars
This is the biography of Max Perkins, editor for Scribner's who worked with Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Wolfe, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and many more authors in editing their classics. Berg does a wonderful job in writing this amazing tale of Perkin's life and his close relationships with some of the most influential writers of that time period. I had seen the movie based on this book and wanted to learn more and I was not disappointed. Highly recommended - I did not want this book to end!
Baking Cakes in Kigali – Gaile Parkin – 4****
This is a delightful debut novel. I love Angel – she’s wise, discreet, confident, compassionate, decisive and a great friend and mentor. There are several humorous episodes and several touchingly sad ones, but Angel deals with any situation with aplomb and compassion. Parkin peoples the novel with a wide array of characters who form a community and celebrate together with one of Angel’s excellent cakes.
LINK to my review
The World’s Strongest Librarian – Josh Hanagarne – 4****
I really enjoyed this memoir of one man’s struggles to come to grips with his Tourette’s, and to find balance in his life, his work, his family and his faith. I loved all the literary references!
LINK to my review
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The World’s Strongest Librarian
– Josh Hanagarne – 4****
I really enjoyed this memoir of one man’s struggles to come to grips with his Tou..."
I read this and I don't know how he coped with it so well. Good book!
Mod
A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories
Lucia Berlin
5/5 stars
This is a compilation of short stories written by Lucia Berlin over the years. Berlin uses her experiences to frame her stories about living in hard times and hard places, working through addiction and the prejudices of others. If you are looking for some feel good stories, pick another book but if you are looking for great writing by an amazing author you are in the right place.
Mod
Charlatan: America's Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him, and the Age of Flimflam
Pope Brock
5/5 stars
In this fascinating and outrageous story set in the early 20th century, Pope Brock covers the true life story of Dr. John R. Brinkley, famous doctor, would be politician, businessman and radio innovator who is not all that he seems to be when in fact he is a fake and charlatan taking advantage of his patients and convincing them he could renew their sexual vigor. But instead of healing patients he causes pain and death while being pursued by Morris Fishbein, physician and editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association, who is determined to see Brinkley be punished and removed from harming further patients. One of the best non-fiction books I have ever read.
Julie wrote: "[book:Charlatan: America's Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him, and t..."
I loved that one too!
My Name is Lucy Barton – Elizabeth Strout – 5*****
I love character-driven novels such as this one. Strout writes beautifully, with prose that reveals her characters to the reader with nuance and grace. Lucy’s recollections and probing questions lead her mother to reveal some of the “why” behind how Lucy came to be the woman she is.
LINK to my review
The Route – Gale Sears – 2.5**
This was okay, but I found little substance here and I felt it was predictable. Some of the patrons on Carol’s route were charming, some were irascible. A few needed more help than Carol could provide, and a couple of them helped her more than she helped them.
LINK to my review
The Yonahlossee Riding Camp For Girls – Anton DiSclafani – 3***
The story is told in alternating time frames: the events back home in Florida, and the events at the school during Thea’s year at Yonahlossee. As Thea related what is happening and how she felt, I found myself worried for this emotionally distant girl, who seemed unable to control her impulses or to recognize the potential consequences of her actions.
LINK to my review
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