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What Are You Reading / Reviews - March 2017
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Henry & Leo by Pamela Zagarenski
5 stars
Catching up on this year's Mock Caldecott candidates. I loved the bold, bright colors of these mixed media illustrations. A young boy was given a stuffed lion for his second birthday and considers the lion his best friend, even though everyone else in the family tells him the lion isn't real. One day while he and his family are walking in the woods, his lion is lost. His parents assure him that everything will be fine and they will recover his beloved lion the next day. Overnight, the forest animals gather around the little lost lion and take him home so that when the boy awakes the next morning, his friend is waiting for him right outside the house. A lovely book and story. My favorite part was the fact that the boy, his family and all the forest animals were shown with golden crowns floating above their heads, like the illustrator was depicting them as "good guys".
Alphonse de Lamartine,
Raphaël: pages de la vingtième année
[1849] 132 pages [in French]Written at the same time as Graziella -- I'm not actually certain whether this was also part of Les Confidences or not -- this short episode was loosely based on Lamartine's relationship with Julie Charles. The book is probably the purest example of early Romanticism in its most obnoxious form (even worse than Graziella and his poetry), and has all the stereotypes that make me dislike that style of literature. A young man visits a friend, who conveniently dies the next day after giving him the manuscript of his relationship with Julie. Naturally, we know from the beginning that she is going to die; of course they fall in love and spend the next hundred or so pages in passionately obsessed conversations about love, death, and God. We are reassured from the beginning that nothing interesting will happen, as they vow not to profane their ethereal love with anything coarse or material (read: no sex), and in fact they never even kiss, just occasionally hold hands. And she faints every once in a while. She is also married, but not to worry: her elderly scientist husband (the real Julie was married to the Charles of Charles' law in physics) considers himself her surrogate father -- naturally, she was raised in an orphanage -- and also does not have marital relations with her. He's also dying throughout the book, and the young man has a friend whose wife has just died young, and a boy's dog dies, and a couple of birds die, and the whole thing is full of pathos. Meanwhile, the young man's mother is selling off her land and personal possessions to support him, because he would never actually work at anything except writing poems which he burns when they're turned down by a publisher. The climax of the book comes just before they are separated for the last time, when she suddenly rejects the "rational" deistic religion of her teachers and husband and exclaims "Yes, there is a God" which she knows because she's in love; and they then conclude that they aren't in love with each other but in love with God through each other.
Alphonse de Lamartine, Jeanne d'Arc [1852] 135 pages [in French]
My last book by Lamartine, this is a short biography which appeared first in a collection of edifying biographies call La Civilisateur in 1852 and was published separately in 1863. It's about what you would expect from Lamartine, a romanticized, patriotic piece which casts no actual light on Jeanne or the period. He rationalizes her visions as psychological phenomena caused by patriotism, but fudges on whether they are also actually "inspired" by God; he suggests that her inspiration ended when her mission was accomplished with the coronation at Rheims, and that after that she was just mistakenly thinking that she was still inspired, which suggests that her earlier visions and voices were in fact of supernatural origin. I just have a biography of Lamartine on my list, and then I will move on to the hopefully more interesting figures of de Vigny and Balzac.
[Decided to skip the biography after the first five pages said that in 1788 his father was 36, 26, and 38 years old.]
The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman
4 stars
Even though I enjoyed this book, I was disappointed in it. The hype about the book was so intriguing and then when I read the book I figured the secret out very early on. I kept thinking that...well, I'm being over confident and they'll throw a twist in here and really surprise me...but no, I had really figured it out...and I rarely figure things out early. If I hadn't been expecting a shocking reveal the book would have been fine. There was so much character development and I really enjoyed watching what happened to the 2 families throughout the years. So, read it, enjoy it but don't expect some deep, dark secret that you haven't already figured out!!
The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffiths
4 stars
I really enjoyed this book. We read this for my Mystery Book Club and I'd never heard of this author so I'm glad we did. During the war, a group of men who considered themselves magicians were brought together into a squad called The Magic Men. Their officers hoped that they would be able to build realistic mock ups of tanks and ships which would hopefully fool the enemy into believing that we had more artillery than we really did. Now the war is over and everyone has gone their own ways. Edgar became a policeman. The latest murder case he's investigating reminds him of one of the magic acts they used to perform and it soon becomes apparent that not only is his hunch right but everyone involved in The Magic Men is in danger. There are some scenes in the book that I questioned...they didn't quite follow logically but I chose to suspend my disbelief and just enjoy the show! I will definitely be reading the 2nd book in the series.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
3 stars
Not a huge Shakespeare fan but we're reading this for my Page Turners book group this month and then seeing the play at the University of Evansville theater next month. At least I learned my lesson after trying to read Richard the Third last year and went with the audio version instead...it seems easier to follow. I was amazed at the number of phrases that were in this play that we use in everyday conversation (I should have kept a list). I am looking forward to watching the play, the production last year was stunning.
The Golden Ass by Apuleius
4 stars
Believe it or not, I actually kind of enjoyed this. I had to overlook some of the raunchier parts (and from what I read, this version was nothing like some of the translations) but I just kept thinking this was like an early fantasy novel. A man is accidentally changed into a donkey by his lover and he has to eat roses to reverse the spell. The story relates the adventures he has as the luckless donkey. My favorite parts were the stories that were interspersed without and told as moral tales.
Strangers on a Train
by Patricia Highsmith, 3.5*sIt is about two gentlemen who meet on a train, they discuss murder, the excitement and mystery of it, and some people they might like to be rid of. One the the gentlemen takes the situation into his own hands, and the other man gets dragged along (making many poor decisions along the way, IMO!). The book has an interesting ending. However, since it is a 1951 Alfred Hitchcock movie, I'm thinking the movie may have a more climactic and exciting ending. I think I'll watch it soon and compare the book to the movie version to see which I like best.
I was also interested to know that the author, Patricia Highsmith, also wrote "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999, Matt Damon) and "Carol" (2015, Cate Blanchett). I may have to look into more of hers :)
White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America
by Nancy Isenberg, 4****sThis nonfiction book on the history of Class in America was very interesting! It was a little like reading ("listening to" in my case) a history book. But I'll say I sure learned a lot! And it was a lot different than what I learned in school! It was a little long, but worth it in the end. If you are interested in history, I would highly recommend this book.
Scythe by Neal Schusterman
5 stars
As disturbing as this book was, I loved it. The world has come to a point where no one dies. Disease, war and famine have been conquered and even if you become "deadish" through an accident or for any reason...you are whisked off to a healing center and within 3 or 4 days...good as new. To keep the population under control, a certain number of individuals have been trained as scythes. They become adept at killing people and each scythe has a quota that must be fulfilled on a regular basis. Each scythe uses his or her own discretion on the selection of their next victim. When someone is gleaned (put to death), their immediate family is granted immunity from the scythes for a year. Citra and Rowan are the 2 newest trainees for Scythe Faraday. Neither of them aspired to be a scythe but knowing that their families would be safe from gleaning if they become one finally convinced them both to try. The goal of a scythe is to kill with compassion and efficiency and to offer the remaining family members as much temporary support as possible. However, as with everything, there is always a faction that desires to become more powerful and ignore the moral views. Some of the new era of scythes enjoy the killing a little too much and this is causing some extreme reactions within the scythe community. I just found this to be such an original story line and could barely stop reading. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next book which is not even published yet!!
Beverly wrote: "The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman
4 stars
Even though I enjoyed this book, I was disappointed in it. The hype about the book was so intriguing a..."
I really liked this one! I'm thinking of suggesting it for our library book club.
Beverly wrote: "Scythe by Neal Schusterman
5 stars
As disturbing as this book was, I loved it. The world has come to a point where no one dies. Disease, war and famine have been conque..."
Oh, that sounds interesting! Reminds me a little of "The Lottery" and "The Hunger Games" where people know they may get chosen to die -- such anticipation!
Terris wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Scythe by Neal Schusterman
5 stars
As disturbing as this book was, I loved it. The world has come to a point where no one dies. Disease, war and famine ..."
I was certainly taken with it.
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TEXT -
Irish Girls about Town by Maeve Binchy (and other Irish female authors)AUDIO in the car -
Four to Score by Janet EvanovichMP3 Player AUDIO -
Bookmarked For Death by Lorna Barrett
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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
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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, 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
Book Concierge wrote: "My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry
– Fredrik Backman – 4****
I was charmed by Elsa and her crazy grandmother, ..."
Glad you enjoyed it!
Club Dead by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #3)
4 ★
Things between cocktail waitress Sookie and her vampire boyfriend Bill seem to be going excellently (apart from the small matter of him being undead) until he leaves town for a while. A long while. Bill's sinister boss Eric has an idea of where to find him, whisking her off to Jackson, Mississippi to mingle with the under-underworld at Club Dead. When she finally catches up with the errant vampire, he is in big trouble and caught in an act of serious betrayal. This raises serious doubts as to whether she should save him or start sharpening a few stakes of her own ..
My Thoughts
Bill has disappeared and Sookie heads to Jackson Mississippi to find him. Sookie's travel companion is Alcide Herveaux, a very hot werewolf. I really liked him. He was very protective of Sookie and very kind. The kind of werewolf anyone could love. We also meet the King of Mississippi: Russell Edgington. He seems like a nice guy, but there is something about him that can't be trusted. Eric is also along for the ride as well as Bubba. Bubba is a great character that I wish hadn't been left out of the TV series. The Queen of Louisiana is mentioned, but we don't get to meet her yet. Sookie, as usual, is hurt many times throughout the book: staked, beat up... She has become a stronger person though and that's a good thing. She's finally starting to see that her life has shifted a bit too much for her. I look forward to continuing with this series.
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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
On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
5 stars
I've read this twice so here's my original review and the addendum:
Read this for a library book discussion group later this month--just one more time that I'm thankful I started these discussion groups. I'd heard of this book but had no idea what it was about. It was on my TBR list but who knows when I would have finally decided to read it! Wonderful story about what happened to the Japanese during WWII and the one repercussion that affected the lives of a young Japanese girl and a young Chinese boy.
ADDENDUM: After rereading this book for our One Book One Community book this year, I will stick with my rating. I was amazed at how much I had forgotten about this book and so I was actually glad that I reread it before Mr. Ford comes to speak in September. A further incentive to reread was watching George Takei in Allegiance. We have been inundated with WWII literature but not nearly as much about the concentration camps that the Japanese were herded into during the war. This was a particularly touching story as the central event was the luggage from 30 some Japanese families which was stored in the basement of the Panama Hotel in Seattle. In reality, the reader can visit the hotel and see a display of the items which were never reclaimed.
The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg
5 stars
A friend in my Mystery Book Club recommended this author to me. It seems like I almost always like Nordic writers and this book was absolutely no exception. A wonderful mystery that, as always, I never figured out with its fair share of red herrings, twists and turns. The body of a young woman, Alex, is found frozen in the bathtub in her home. The body is discovered by the gentleman who makes sure the house is ready for her frequent visits and another young woman who was a close friend to Alex when they were children. As the story continues, we meet more individuals from the town of Fjallbacka whose lives are intrinsically entwined with each other. Many of these folks have been keeping secrets about themselves and their families and friends for years but Alex's death will lead to discovering these secrets and so to solving the crime. This is a great mystery and I would highly recommend it to mystery lovers. Hopefully I'll be able to get to the next book in the series soon!!
Beverly wrote: "On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
5 stars
I've read this twice so here's my original review and the addendum:
Read this f..."
I liked this too :)
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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 :)
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by Isabel Vincent, 5*****sI loved this story of ..."
This sounds wonderful. On the TBR mountain it goes!
The Lusitania Murders by Max Allan Collins
3 stars
This was just OK for me. I hesitated with this being the 4th book in a series but thought that since each one was written about a specific event it would be OK. I, of course, don't know it reading the first 3 would have impacted my thoughts on this but my opinion is that it could only be in relationship to a couple of the characters. Making passage on the Lusitania are a number of wealthy passengers. They are each traveling with valuable luggage. With the threat of torpedoes, German spies and theft..no one is actually relaxing on this voyage. When murder gets thrown into the mix, it's "all hands on deck"! What I did enjoy about the book was the detail the author used in describing clothing and settings. I also really liked the idea of the Pinkerton agent on the ship being a female. Over and above that, I just wasn't bowled over by the actual "mystery". I will probably try one more by this author to see if this book represents the norm.
The Singing Bones by Shaun Tan
5 stars
Read to finish up with my Mock Caldecott reviews for 2016. I loved this book. The author used sculpted images he made that reminded him of various tales from the Brothers Grimm. So each open page showed a photo of the sculpture on the right and a short story based on the tale on the right. At the end of the book there is a brief description of each story for those who are unfamiliar with the Brothers Grimm. Certainly not a picture book for young children but beautiful and unusual plates that would appeal to adults and older children.
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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
Paging All Bookworms!
Books mentioned in this topic
Four to Score (other topics)The Singing Bones: Inspired by Grimms' Fairy Tales (other topics)
The Lusitania Murders (other topics)
Dinner with Edward: A Story of an Unexpected Friendship (other topics)
Dinner with Edward: A Story of an Unexpected Friendship (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Maeve Binchy (other topics)Janet Evanovich (other topics)
Lorna Barrett (other topics)
Maria Antonietta Berriozabal (other topics)
Fredrik Backman (other topics)
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Ghost Story by Jim Butcher
(The Dresden Files #13)
4 ★
When we last left the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden, he wasn't doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin.
But being dead doesn't stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has no body, and no magic to help him. And there are also several dark spirits roaming the Chicago shadows who owe Harry some payback of their own.
To save his friends—and his own soul—Harry will have to pull off the ultimate trick without any magic...
My Thoughts
After Harry is killed he finds himself back in Chicago in ghost form. He is told that he must find his killer. I enjoyed this one because Harry has a lot of time to think and starts to reevaluate his life. While alive he never really thinks before he acts and he starts to realize this. We also meet some very interesting characters. I found the communication difficulties pretty funny as well. Harry can only communicate through Bob, who is now in the care of Butters, and Morty the Ectomancer. Molly has evolved quite a bit as well, and not for the better. The surprise ending really shocked me. It was not what I would have thought at all. This is the first Dresden book that made me cry though. When Harry goes to say goodbye to his daughter you finally get him and why he does what he does.