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2020 Reads and Reviews ~ Anything goes
Erotic Stories For Punjabi Widows – Balli Kaur Jaswal – 4****
I was expecting something light and breezy and I was pleasantly surprised to find some depth here. Nikki is a wonderful character but I really loved the women in her “creative writing” class. Some of their stories were heartbreaking, but all of them were so willing to be open and honest in their writing. That their subject matter would “shock” their peers was not a deterrent to their need to express themselves. Brava, ladies!
My full review HERE
Book Concierge wrote: "
The Fabulous Bouvier Sisters
– Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger – 4****
The subtitle is all the synopsis anyone needs: The Tragic and Glamor..."
For half a tick I had a wild idea that this would be about Marge Simpson, nee Bouvier, and her sisters. Fond hope, too quickly banish'd.
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Fiasco: A History of Hollywood's Iconic Flops
James Robert Parish
3.5/5 stars
Written in 2006, this book can certainly be updated but as a movie buff, I had seen many of the movies in the book as the author breaks down the reasons each movie failed. There are a couple of movies in the book that I did enjoyed. I liked Paint Your Wagon and Last Action Hero but I definitely agree that Showgirls, Robin William’s Popeye and Ishtar were completely terrible. This book is definitely for movie fans.
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The Family Nobody Wanted
Helen Grigsby Doss
4/5 stars
Set in the 40’s this is the true story of the Doss’s who were unable to have any children. Reaching out to a adoption agency they eventually were able to adopt one child. When they went back to try for another adoption, they were told they could only adopt one white child so Helen reached out to other agencies that had different race or mixed race children. They eventually through sheer determination adopted a total of 12 children. Wonderfully written and so inspirational, I sped through this book.
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Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir
Robin Ha
4/5 stars
Author Robin Ha’s graphic novel is the true story of her coming to America with her mother after being raised in South Korea. Since she only speaks Korean, she has a hard time adapting to the United States, let alone learning an unfamiliar complicated new language and trying to make new friends especially in high school where the students aren’t the friendliest. Well done!
The Cat Who Came For Christmas – Cleveland Amory– 3***
On a snowy Christmas eve, Amory helped to rescue a bedraggled stray cat. This is a memoir of their first year together. Interesting and entertaining for the most part, even for this reader who is not much of an animal lover. Despite the title there’s nothing very “Christmassy” about the book.
My full review HERE
Al Capone Shines My Shoes – Gennifer Choldenko – 3***
Book two in this entertaining middle-school series, set on Alcatraz Island during the Great Depression. Moose Flanagan’s dad is a guard at the maximum security prison, and the family lives in the apartments provided for workers and their families. I was completely charmed by the first book, and certainly interested in this second outing. The relationships between the kids seem real to me. Moose deals with many of the things most 12-year-olds have to face, including bullying, peer pressure, and adults who don’t understand him. But he’s also burdened by a unique relationship with one particular inmate: Al Capone.
My full review HERE
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The Library Book
Susan Orlean
5/5 stars
One of my favorite books was Orlean's book on Rin Tin Tin and so I was excited to read The Library Book and I was not disappointed. This book concentrates on the fire of the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986 and the chief suspect in the case. However, she does not tie herself down to that topic but also talks about the history of libraries and some of the people responsible for building and influencing libraries. Highly recommended!
Wounded: From Battlefield to Blighty, 1914-1918, Emily Mayhew4 stars!
I was so sorry to see this one end. Assembled from personal letters, memoirs and other sources, this is a piecemeal history of the Great War's wounded soldiers and the stretcher bearers, chaplains, nurses, orderlies and doctors who gave their all to help them -- sometimes quite literally. I could almost smell this book as I read. It reduced me to tears over and over, not least because I knew millions of others on all three fronts, from the Allies and the Central Powers, had very similar tales to tell. This book is not to be missed.
The President is Missing – Bill Clinton and James Patterson – 3.5***
This is a fast-paced thriller, with a believable (if somewhat over-the-top) scenario. There were several times when I thought I knew where it was headed but was surprised by a twist in the plot. The basic plot line is something we should all be concerned about and I found myself wondering about our reliance on technology. The last 50 pages were particularly nail-biting.
My full review HERE
Ike And Kay – James MacManus – 3***
In his work of historical fiction, MacManus explores the relationship between General Dwight D Eisenhower and his assigned driver during WWII, Kay Sommersby. Rumor, innuendo and gossip have surrounded their affair for decades. It was interesting to see how the relationship unfolded and to get a glimpse of what they may have meant to one another, especially during the stress of wartime. MacManus gets at least one detail VERY wrong, and it makes me wonder what else he flubbed. Oh well, it’s historical FICTION, and it held my attention.
My full review HERE
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Ike And Kay
– James MacManus – 3***
In his work of historical fiction, MacManus explores the relationship between General Dwight D Eisenhower and his assigned ..."
This sounds interesting. Do you know if there is a non-fiction book on their relationship?
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Me
Elton John
5/5 stars
Elton John relates his amazing career as a song writer, composer, singer, film maker and the incredible ups and downs of his life through childhood to the present. Well written and hard to put down.
The Amish Christmas Kitchen – Kelly Long, Jennifer Beckstrand, and Lisa Jones Baker – 2**
This is a collection of three novellas all focusing on the Amish community and the Christmas season. The stories are tender and clean romances, rather straightforward and predictable. The writing is very simple and repetitious. Not my cup of tea.
My full review HERE
Julie wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: " Ike And Kay
– James MacManus – 3***
In his work of historical fiction, MacManus explores the relationship between General Dwight D Eisenh..."
Kay wrote a book/memoir. Don't know if it's still in print
Riders Of the Purple Sage – Zane Grey – 3***
I hardly know what to write about this classic of the Western genre. It’s full of adventure, violence, strong men and women, tenderness, brutality and an abiding sense of justice. And, of course, there is the landscape, which Grey paints so vividly it is practically a character. I found myself laughing at the ridiculousness of some of the "love" scenes with Grey’s melodramatic, “bodice-heaving” dialogue.
My full review HERE
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Run Silent, Run Deep
Edward L. Beach
3.5/5 stars
Written by an actual Commodore in the Navy during WWII, Beach weaves an interesting fictional tale surrounding the navy adventures of Edward Richardson as he starts to command the submarine USS Walrus. Richardson’s crew encounter many battles but their major battle is against Captain Tateo Nakame ( Bungo Pete) who is sinking ships and subs in the Bungo Channel that is a strait separating the Japanese islands of Kyushu and Shikoku. I thought there was a nice balance between the battle descriptions and the story of Richardson and his crew. Recommended!
I think I read this after graduating from HS. Don't remember much about it but I must have liked it since I kept it on my bookshelf for years.
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It was published in 1955 so it has been around a long time and it was made into a film in 1958 with Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster.
Julie wrote: "Charlene wrote: "I think I read this after graduating from HS. Don't remember much about it but I must have liked it since I kept it on my bookshelf for years."It was published in 1955 so it has ..."
Probably saw it on television when I was a kid (a very long time ago). Now that you mention Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster I think I remember the movie.
Don Quixote – Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra – 4****
I’d read snippets from this work over the years but never experienced the whole thing. I’m sorry I waited so long to do so. It is a marvelous piece of fiction and is widely acknowledged as the first modern-day novel.
My full review HERE
And the main character is a librarian (just saying)....
Jade Dragon Mountain – Elsa Hart – 4****
This historical mystery is set in the town of Dayan, on the Chinese / Tibetan border, in 1708. I loved the history in this book. I had been previously unaware of the role of the Jesuits. I felt that I was a real sense of the time and place from Hart’s descriptions and plot. Li Du is a marvelous detective, and also a skilled politician. I was completely engaged and interested from beginning to end and did NOT guess the perpetrator(s) before they were revealed.
My full review HERE
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In the Great Green Room: The Brilliant and Bold Life of Margaret Wise Brown
Amy Gary
4/5 stars
This is the very interesting biography of the author Margaret Wise Brown. Brown’s life was a whirlwind between writing books, travel and her multiple relationships with men and women. Unfortunately, at the age of 42 she died from a blood clot after having surgery but she has left behind her works which still are being published and loved by readers today.
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The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom
Sławomir Rawicz
3.5/5 stars
During WWII Polish solider Slavomir Rawicz is captured by the Russians and sent to a labor camp in Siberia. Conditions are horrible and Rawicz conspires with six other prisoners to escape to British India. The trek is a long one and several die on the way but when things go bad, they encounter people along the way who help them out even though their lives are also troubled. Though some of the events may be skewed according to Wikipedia, it was nevertheless a very interesting read. This was also made into a film unfortunately I have not been able to find a copy of it yet.
Would Like To Meet – Rachel Winters – 3***
As a reader, I’ve been there, done that, and seen the movie multiple times. It’s a cute rom-com of a novel, but totally predictable. Now … who will be cast in the movie?
My full review HERE
Lab Girl – Hope Jahren – 5*****
Jahren structures the book with alternating chapters; in one she will give a botany lesson, detailing, for example, the functioning of a leaf; in the next chapter she’ll relate a personal story of her journey from childhood to her position as a research scientist. I was fascinated by the science lessons but was completely taken in by her personal story. Jahren writes with humor and strength as she reveals her personal struggles with bi-polar disorder, and with being a woman in a decidedly male-dominated field.
My full review HERE
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The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Treasured Find by Nancy Corrigan1*
The concept could have been developed into something interesting. I kept hoping but was disappointed. Society and characters too brutal for my taste. More about their religion and religious traditions than I cared to know especially when used to excuse behavior I found unacceptable. Too little character development, no fun, a lot of detailed sex scenes but lacking romantic feel. Best thing I can say for having read this, one and done. All the Corrigan books I have take place in this universe I dislike so for the cost of time to read one book I'm able to remove all from my TBR and library wish lists.
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Lab Girl
– Hope Jahren – 5*****
Jahren structures the book with alternating chapters; in one she will give a botany lesson, detailing, for example, the functionin..."
I enjoyed that book.
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I read this quite awhile ago but did enjoy it!
Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston5 stars and a heart
Beautifully written. When I first picked this book up and read that it was a single woman who bought a ranch with no ranching experience I thought it would be a story that had been written hundreds of times about one disaster happening after another but that is not even close. There are many layers to this memoir. Her childhood and how the abuse from her father and neglect from her mother shaped the person she is today. Her love of the environment and the animals that inhabit it. Her professional life and her life at the ranch. I loved how she didnt buy the ranch to make money from the land or from livestock. All the animals were beloved friends and she didnt even raise them for food. She just raised them because she loved them and used her money from teaching and lecturing to support the farm. I needed almost a whole box of tissues when she talked about how humans are ruining the land and another box when she talked about the fire that almost consumed her ranch. Can you tell I just loved this book and by the time I was half way I couldn't put it down.
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The World of Suzie Wong
Richard Mason
3.5/5 stars
Robert, a young artist moves to Hong Kong to concentrate on his painting career. Looking for a cheap place to live and paint, he ends up in a “brothel” where the all occupants pay by the hour except him. Robert gets to know the “girls” as friends but ends up in an up and down relationship with the beautiful Suzie. Written in 1957, it was made into a film with William Holden and Nancy Kwan.
The Wife of the Gods – Kewi Quartey – 4****
First in a series featuring Detective Inspector Darko Dawson of Accra, Ghana. Oh, I am going to like this series! Darko is a principled man, but he has his demons, and he seeks solace in smoking marijuana. He’s also sometimes prone to resorting to his own brand of vigilante justice. But there’s no denying that he’s a talented – and tenacious – detective. There are plenty of suspects and motives and a compelling subplot to keep the reader off balance and guessing.
My full review HERE
Lady ♥ Belleza wrote: "In a moment of frivolity, I asked someone to send me a book they liked. Now that it is here I have to read it, I am surprised at how interested in it I am.The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter..."
Loved that book!
Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service by Gary Sinese 5 stars
What a kind, generous man! This book has personal information, but nothing earth-shattering. He's been married to the same woman for almost 40 years, which makes me think he must not be too hard to live with! I think the only thing I would criticize about this book is that his work with the Steppenwolf theater was a bit long and overly-detailed. I liked reading about Forest Gump and how the movie was made. If only all people with the means to help would do what this man has done the world would be a much better place.
Patsy – Nicole Y. Dennis-Benn – 4****
This novel follows Patsy, a young Jamaican mother of a 5-year-old girl, Tru, as she makes her way to America and tries to find a better life for herself. This story is in turns heartbreaking and inspiring. I applaud Patsy’s determination, courage, inventiveness and work ethic, but have difficulty forgiving her for decisions I just cannot fathom. I loved these characters, even though I didn’t always like them. Despite all the hardship, all the bad decisions and failures to communicate, ultimately there is some triumph and some sense of hope.
My full review HERE
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The Sundial
Shirley Jackson
4/5 stars
The Hallorans’ live in an expensive mansion with an odd assortment of relatives and guests. When Aunt Fanny wanders off, she experiences a vision. Her dead father tells her of an impending disaster in which everyone but her family will be destroyed. Shirley Jackson doesn’t fail with this eerie family tale.
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What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!
Agatha Christie
4/5 stars
Agatha Christie proves herself again as a master mystery writer in this story of Mrs. McGuillicuddy, a woman on a train who witnesses a murder of a woman on a train passing hers. The authorities dismiss her claim as they can find no other witnesses or the body. Mrs. McGuillicuddy, a friend of Mrs. Marple, tells her the strange story of what she witnessed and if she could help. Mrs. Marple, then engages a smart, young woman, Lucy Eyelesbarrow to search the area where the body could have possibly been thrown off the train. Lucy ends up working for the Crackenthorpes who live near the tracks so she can search more for the body, not knowing that the body is hidden on their property. Very enjoyable!
Dear Mrs Bird – A J Pearce – 3***
This had more substance than I originally thought based on the book jacket. Emmy’s heart is in the right place, even if the advice she doles out (under Mrs Bird’s name) isn’t always the best. I wasn’t too interested in the personal drama of young adulthood (“been there, done that, don’t need to read about it again). Still, it’s a fast, entertaining read and I can see why it would be marketed for book clubs.
My full review HERE
The Turn Of the Key – Ruth Ware – 3.5***
My niece loves Ware’s thrillers, so I thought I’d give the author a go. Written in an epistolary style, the book opens with the main character in prison and her desperate letter to a solicitor asking for help. Her letter continues outlining all that happened – how she stumbled upon the job opening and began the position. And how quickly things began going wrong. There are twists and turns and unexplained happenings. In no time at all, Rowan is a sleep-deprived mess. I will say this for Ware, she kept me turning pages and second-guessing, even if I didn’t quite empathize with Rowan. As a suspense thriller it was better than most. I can certainly see why my niece is such a fan.
My full review HERE
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Finding Dorothy
Elizabeth Letts
4/5 stars
Lett’s historical fiction novel relates the life of Maud Baum, wife of Frank L. Baum who wrote The Wizard of Oz books. The novel goes back and forth between Maud’s childhood and her marriage to Frank and then years later to her relationship with the young Judy Garland who is playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. I especially enjoyed reading about the life of Maud and her life with Frank. This makes me want to learn more about their real life relationship. At the end there is an afterword by the author which goes over what was true and what was made up. Interestingly, it was a picture of Maud Baum and Judy Garland on the movie set that inspired Letts to write this book.
The Children’s Blizzard – David Laskin – 4****
On January 12, 1888 a massive cold front brought plummeting temperatures, gale-force winds, and blinding snow to the northern plains. The blizzard caught the people on the prairies totally unaware and unprepared. Children left for school on a bright, sunny, mild day and found themselves either trapped in their school houses or struggling to find their way home in the blinding snow and plummeting temperatures. Hundreds of them died. It’s a gripping tale and told masterfully.
My full review HERE
Indianapolis – Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic – 5*****
The subtitle is all the synopsis anyone needs: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U.S. Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocent Man. The authors did extensive research, including interviews with survivors and their families. The result is a detailed, thorough and still intimately personal story.
My full review HERE
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Indianapolis
– Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic – 5*****
The subtitle is all the synopsis anyone needs: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in..."
Loved this book!
The Sinner by J.R. Ward narrated by Jim Frangione
5*****
I read print. Now doing audio and print together.
Trying to keep this spoiler free.
For those familiar with BDB characters there are some very touching scenes that may not mean as much to those less familiar with what has gone before. Gotta love V when he does sweet things even if they are sometimes weird. There are a couple of scenes that had me giggling so much I had to pause reading but maybe I have odd sense of humor. (view spoiler)
Someone in another discussion asked about violence. There's a rather detailed violent scene early in the book. There are violent scenes later in the book but except for a flashback scene they are more the quick violence common in the war rather than the (view spoiler) which may be there to establish the character for those who haven't read Fallen Angels series.
Locust: The Devastating Rise and Mysterious Disappearance of the Insect that Shaped the American Frontier by Jeffrey Lockwood
3 stars
This was an interesting read about the mysterious disappearance of the most terrifying locust species ever, the Rocky Mountain locust or Melanoplus spretus. Full of great science info like the way a locust can physically transform from a happy little grasshopper into a raging maniac that in every way appears to be a different species, and invite 3.5 trillion of its friends to lunch at your place without warning...then change back into a grasshopper again. The middle of the book spends a lot of space on the lives of the great locust discovery pioneers, which dragged a bit for me, but then we get back to the science. The author walks you down all the lines of enquiry used to explore this unanswered question, which he clearly had a hard time letting go of in a personal level. The trips to, not one, not two, but FOUR frozen wastelands called "Grasshopper Glacier" to find evidence of what happened in the 1850s to wipe them out -- well, that told me something about what ecological science guys have to do to justify their research grants. The conclusions were pretty satisfying.
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The Queens of Animation
Nathalia Holt
4.5/5 stars
This is the amazing true story of the women animators that worked at the Disney studios and who influenced and participated in the filmmaking process of the animated films. They came from all backgrounds and did jobs that the men got paid more for doing but they persevered and were able to make an impact on the films they worked on. Highly recommended!
Paris By the Book – Liam Callanan – 3***
I wanted to love this book. The author is from my home town, the beginning of the book is set in Milwaukee, and then the action moves to a city I love, Paris France. Plus, it’s a book about books. But … While the book has a great premise, some marvelously atmospheric scenes highlighting Paris, and includes MANY book references, it didn’t live up to my expectations.
My full review HERE
Funny, You Don't Look Autistic: A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCreary3 stars
It is not often you find someone on the autism spectrum that does comedy as a career choice. It is also rare to find someone on the spectrum that is able talk about his lack of social skills and make fun of himself like this author does. I did a youtube search to find him in action and I will say it is more interesting watching him and listening to him than reading his material. I would say most of the material in this book is covered in his stand up routine and you have to have his facial expressions and rapid way of talking to get the full effect of the humor. I think this would be a great book for the teenage reader to see inside the head of an Asperger's teen.
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Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know
Malcolm Gladwell
5/5 stars
I am a big fan of Malcolm Gladwell and this book did not disappoint me. Gladwell discusses the differences in how people communicate and what can go wrong when our communication styles don’t match. I thought the chapter on the arrest of Sandra Bland quite disheartening and definitely a case of miscommunication.