75 Books...More or Less! discussion
Archive (2015 Completed)
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Jan B's 2015 Challenge
41. Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica4 stars
This is a well-written suspenseful tale with compelling characters and excellent pacing that had me listening every chance I got. The audio version has an excellent ensemble cast of narrators. I particularly liked the narrator for Chris. The story is told from 3 POV: Heidi, Chris and Willow. Heidi is a bleeding heart and works for a non-profit. According to Chris, her husband, "every neglected, mistreated, overlooked, ignored, abandoned, forgotten, emaciated, abused, derelict creature on God’s green earth is Heidi's concern”. Chris is a workaholic with a high-pressure job that keeps him away from home for long hours, but his wit and sarcasm provided much-needed comic relief. Willow is a homeless teenager with a 4-month-old baby girl, Ruby. There are some secondary characters, most notably, Zoe, Heidi and Chris’s once-sweet daughter who is now a sullen, prepubescent (i.e. normal) 12 year old.
Heidi sees Willow and her infant lingering at the train station on several occasions and befriends her. Compelled to help, she eventually takes them into her home, much to Chris and Zoe's alarm. The tension builds as Willow’s background story is slowly revealed and the dynamic between Heidi and Willow changes. Heidi herself has a past with a boatload of emotional baggage that helps explain her motives and actions. Meanwhile, Chris’s suspicion grows. His (amusing) forays into social media fails to dig up info on the girl so he hires a PI. There are plenty of secrets to be revealed, all building to a dramatic conclusion. The ending is riveting and suspenseful but there wasn't a major twist, as I'd been led to expect. At least it's not what I consider a twist. I was able to guess at a plot development before it happened, but it didn't take away from the suspense.
The character development was excellent, the multiple POV story line, which, in my opinion, tends to be overdone in current fiction, was expertly done. I didn’t feel pulled out of the story but eagerly awaited each character’s perspective. One minor quibble I have is some of Willow’s actions are incongruent, and a medical plot device involving a pill was unconvincing. I can’t say more without spoilers, but they bugged me. I also found some of Willow's prose rather flowery for a girl with her background.
I think it would make a terrific movie. And now I want to read Kubica’s first book, The Good Girl.
42. Some Tame Gazelle by Barbara Pym3 stars
This was a pleasant easy read, a quiet novel about two spinster sisters, Belinda and Harriet, who live in a quiet English village. Their lives revolve around home, church and the other villagers. We see it all through Belinda's eyes and her thoughts provide much of the gentle humor in the book. She has quite the snarky thoughts but is far too polite to give voice to them, which is rather refreshing.
Written in 1950 this is Pym's first book and she's often been compared to Jane Austen.This type of book is a nice read for when you want to slow down and savor wry observations of life in a quieter, gentler time.
Mod
3.5 stars
This is a quirky and charming book that’s funny, touching, and sad (without being schmaltzy). Elsa is a precocious ..."
I loved this one!
Mod
3 stars
I loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, which Annie Barrows co-wrote. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite live up to my expec..."
I was pretty bored by this one as well. I still want to read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, which you loved. :)
Mod
5 stars
Wow, how can it be that I've never read Wendell Berry until now???
Written from the perspective of 70+ year old Hannah as she reflects on her life in t..."
So funny because I've heard so much about Wendell Berry from listening to Nick Offerman's 2 audiobooks; Paddle Your Own Canoe and especially Gumption. Made me really interested to read some of his works.
43. Euphoria by Lily King3 stars
Inspired by the life of Margaret Mead, this novel explores the lives and love triangle of three anthropologists living in, and studying the culture of New Guinea.
The writing was good and the difficulties and challenges of anthropologists studying another culture was explored. I found the historical significance of the grid theory and how it was used interesting but I would have liked to have read more about the New Guinea people in the 30's, and less about Nell, Fen, and Bankson, characters that failed to capture my interest. I found the love triangle based on adultery repugnant and the sexual details gratuitous. The story deviates quite a bit from the historical facts of Margaret Mead's life. Ultimately, I plodded through to an unsatisfying end.
Elyse wrote: "JanB wrote: "36. Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry5 stars
Wow, how can it be that I've never read Wendell Berry until now???
Written from the perspective of 70+ year old Hannah as she reflects on ..."
Interesting. I haven't read the Offerman books you mentioned but I love his character on Parks and Rec (I assume it's the same Offerman?).
If you've read Kent Haruf's books, I think Berry has a similar style. I love a well-written "contemplative" novel once in a while.
Elyse wrote: "JanB wrote: "33. The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows3 stars
I loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, which Annie Barrows co-wrote. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite live u..."
I think you'll like it much better!
Elyse wrote: "JanB wrote: "25. My Grandmother Asked Me To tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman3.5 stars
This is a quirky and charming book that’s funny, touching, and sad (without being schmaltzy). Elsa is ..."
Have you read Backman's A Man Called Ove? I think it's an even better book.
Mod
3.5 stars
This is a quirky and charming book that’s funny, touching, and sad (without being schmalt..."
I'm on the holds list at the library for A Man Called Ove! I should have it in a few weeks. I'm excited to read it.
Mod
5 stars
Wow, how can it be that I've never read Wendell Berry until now???
Written from the perspective of 70+ year old Hannah as sh..."
Yes, it is the same Offerman. And he is very like his Ron Swanson character. The audiobooks are a treat! I haven't read Haruf yet, he's in my TBR as well as Berry.
44. It's You by Jane Porter3.5 stars
Reeling from two sudden losses, Ali is, at best, going through the motions of living her life. She’s grieving and haunted by unanswerable questions. When her father, who lives in a retirement community in Napa, falls and breaks his wrist, Ali decides to take a leave from her dentistry practice to go and help him. While there, she meets one of his friends, Edie, a prickly 90+ year old. There’s an instant dislike, but soon Ali discovers they have more in common than she thought. From there the story is told in alternating voices between Ali and Edie. Edie's story is told through a diary she wrote during WWII. Through Edie's story Ali begins to heal.
Grief and loss is an overriding theme. I appreciated that the author dealt with it, not by having Ali “move on” or “get over it”, but instead, learn how to live through it and accept that there are some things in life and death that will remain a mystery, but there is healing and hope for the future. I also liked that the ending wasn't predictable and tied up in a neat bow.
However, I'm not a fan of the title, which leads one to think it's a romance novel, when I would consider it women's fiction with a historical fiction side story, a pleasant easy read.
A side note: I don't recommend the audio version. The narrator was annoyingly slow and imbued every sentence with dramatic meaning. I had to speed up the narration just to tolerate her.
45. House of Thieves: A Novel by Charles Belfoure3 stars
As payment for his son's gambling debts, an architect uses insider knowledge to help a gang of thieves pull off heists. Meanwhile his wife and children, unbeknownst to one another, also discover the thrill of a life of crime.
I liked it, but I didn't love it. It was well-written but I didn't like it as well as the author's first book, The Paris Architect. He lost me when I couldn't buy into the premise that independently of one another the entire family would get involved in the criminal underworld. And enjoy it. I didn't find it suspenseful because I wanted them to get caught. But if, unlike me, you can suspend disbelief, it would be a great read that makes the The Gilded Age, with the stark contrast between the have and have-nots, come alive.
46. Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee3 stars
Smart move of the editor who told Harper Lee to write a different book. It's hard to imagine the same author wrote this book and 2 short years later wrote To Kill A Mockingbird. I had to remind myself while reading that it is the unedited manuscript of a novel that was never meant to be published.
In short, it's the story of 26 year old Jean Louise (Scout) who returns to Maycomb for a visit, only to become disillusioned when she finds out her beloved Atticus has feet of clay, and the town of Maycomb is filled with bigots and empty-headed peers. Her childhood heroes are tarnished and her image of them shattered. Pretty typical for the South in the 1950s and Scout herself says some pretty shocking things for a "progressive". But ultimately, Scout represents changing attitudes and the hope for the future.
You can see evidence of brilliant writing, although the story randomly meanders into childhood reminiscences and it is preachy with too many monologues. The famous trial gets only a brief mention. But taken for what it is, it's a worthy read.
47. The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson4 stars
Gripping and suspenseful, this is one of the better psychological thrillers I’ve read, and the kind of book that reminds me how much I love the genre. It’s an addictive page-turner with a villainess temptress and plenty of twists and turns. Cleverly done with the perfect ending! I also loved the literary references. I liked this much better than The Girl on the Train.
Mod
4 stars
Gripping and suspenseful, this is one of the better psychological thrillers I’ve read, and the kind of book that reminds me how much I love the ..."
Sounds really good!
Elyse, it was! Great cast of narrators on the audio too.
48. Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave3.5 stars
A fun light read - best enjoyed with a glass of pinot noir since there's a lot of talk about wine. I read this on a long drive and finished it the same day I started it. One week before her wedding Georgia finds out her fiancée is keeping a huge secret from her. She heads home to her family’s vineyard while she tries to sort things out. When she arrives she finds out it isn’t just her fiancée who is keeping secrets. Her parents and her brothers have secrets and problems of their own.
I loved the setting at a vineyard in Sonoma county and the details of how a winery is run added a fun aspect to the story. I liked Georgia's family, flaws and all. Their love for each other was heartwarming without being cloying. I admired how they avoided telling her what to do, instead allowing her to come to her own conclusions.
Not all of it may have been realistic, but this isn't the genre I turn to for realism :-) I picked up a signed copy at an indy bookstore in SF and I'm glad I did. it made a long drive more pleasant.
49. A God In Ruins by Kate Atkinson5+ stars
So here is my "non-review" review: I've thought about this for several days and I can't write one that does this book justice. Nor does any review or book blurb I've read. I can't say why I found this book so moving without spoilers. So I will just say that Kate Atkinson writes beautifully with fully-developed characters you come to know and love. There are some 'time slips' (but not the same as in Life After Life) but all have a purpose. An example: Teddy's grandchild asks about a stain on an old photograph and he replies that it's a tea stain. Only later when we go back in time to a memory of Teddy's are we told the real story - and it's a heartbreaking one.
Admittedly, there were times I felt the story got bogged down but all was redeemed. The bibleography is evidence of the extensive research the author brought to her book. This story affected me so profoundly that hours after turning the last page I couldn't get through dinner with my husband without crying. And even now, just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. Maybe that says a lot about me and the stage of life I find myself in, but any author who can evoke such emotion and compassion for her characters, as well as for an entire generation, deserves 5+ stars from me.
50. Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center3.5 stars
An enjoyable read, perfect for a day on the beach, which is exactly where I read it. Yes, it's a tad predictable but the humor and heart that the author gives her characters elevates it over a typical chick lit book. It's light, yet with some profound life lessons. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
51. Natchez Burning by Greg Iles3 stars
I enjoyed the story line and the characters, but the plot was convoluted and there was a lot of repetition (re-telling what the readers already know through different characters). This is the first book of a trilogy but I don't have it in me to read two more 800 page books to find out who killed Viola. I'm annoyed that I invested all the time and energy into reading an 800 page book and there was no resolution to the crime. This would have made a riveting 400 page book and I'm sure the planned TV series based on the books will be great.
52. The Good Girl by Mary Kubica3 stars - and I'm being generous
I enjoyed the author's second book, Pretty Baby, so I went to the back list and picked this one up. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much. 20-something Mia is abducted and held in a rural cabin in Minnesota. The story is told from multiple perspectives, which I'm not always a fan of, but in this case it was done well. It was an interesting start and drew me in at the beginning, but then it lost me. The plot was too slow-moving and there was no suspense. I became bored, never a good sign. There are some twists and turns but it was too little, too late, and some made NO sense.
Still, for a debut author it was a good effort - and I know her second book is very good so I'll give her a break on this one.
Mod
3 stars - and I'm being generous
I enjoyed the author's second book, Pretty Baby, so I went to the back list and picked this one up. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy ..."
Pretty Baby is in my TBR. Maybe I'll skip this one.
Elyse wrote: "JanB wrote: "52. The Good Girl by Mary Kubica3 stars - and I'm being generous
I enjoyed the author's second book, Pretty Baby, so I went to the back list and picked this one up. Unfortunately, I ..."
Elyse, we all have different tastes so you may enjoy it more than me. However, if you only have time for one of them, my choice would be Pretty Baby :-)
53. The Wright Brothers by David McCullough4 stars
You know when you read a book by David McCullough it will be meticulously researched and well-told. The only thing that kept this from being a 5 stars read is I thought the first half was a bit slow. The Wright Brothers, for all their brilliance, perseverance, and innovative curiosity, led rather “average” lives. Not a bad thing, but hardly riveting. I'd give 3 stars for the first half, and 5 stars for the second half, averaging an overall 4 stars.
In the second half of the book it was fun to see how they became the rock stars of their day, although initial reports of a successful flight were thought by many to be a hoax. One of the many things I found interesting is the doubt and derision they received, not just from the general public, but from scientists. One memorable quote:….” a distinguished astronomer and professor at Johns Hopkins University, dismissed the dream of flight as no more than a myth. And were such a machine devised, he asked, what useful purpose could it possibly serve?” (ha!) But nothing and no one deterred the brothers from their plan.
Once their dream became a reality, the War Department was extremely interested in the potential it had to change warfare. This caused the brothers much distress….” “We dared to hope we had invented something that would bring lasting peace to the earth. But we were wrong. . . ”
The fearless Wright Brothers were unique men who acted on their intellectual curiosity despite “….the fact that they had had no college education, no formal technical training, no experience working with anyone other than themselves, no friends in high places, no financial backers, no government subsidies, and little money of their own.” Nor was money their primary goal: “All the money anyone needs is just enough to prevent one from being a burden on others.”
Their contribution to science and modern technology is incalculable. Fun fact: Neil Armstrong, carried a piece of muslin from the wing of the Wright bother’s original 1903 flyer when he stepped onto the moon.
If you can put up with a little bit of a slow beginning, this is a good read. Amazing men!
54. Paradise Sky by Joe R. Lansdale4 stars
All reports from the publisher and reviewers calling this a “rollicking” fun novel are true. It’s (very) loosely based on the true story of American cowboy Nat Love, a.k.a. Deadwood Dick, an African-American cowboy and former slave (1854-1921).
It starts out, quite humorously, when he must go on the run to escape a lynch mob after he was caught eyeing the backside of a white man’s wife ("I will admit to a bit of true curiosity as to how that backside of hers was far more attractive than the front...."). What follows is masterful storytelling with wit, humor, action, and snappy dialogue as it follows Nat on his journeys with a colorful cast of characters, both good and bad. I won't go further into the plot, as it's best for the reader to discover it on their own.
A rip-roaring tall tale that provided me with hours of great entertainment….highly recommended! The only thing that kept it from a 5 star read was the end was a bit too drawn out. 400 pages was just a tad too long.
Thanks for the recommendation Alecia!
55. Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas (audio)This is an inspiring book about the end of slavery in the British Empire, and the man who was behind it all. Wilberforce worked tirelessly for decades before he saw the fruits of his efforts. He was an exceptional man who deserves to be more widely known. The (often horrifying) social and political landscape of the times features prominently in the narrative as well.
The purple prose made the read a bit tedious at times, and the author’s voice was too prominent for me to give it 4 stars, but it’s still a worthy read. Just know going into it that this isn't a scholarly bio but a movie tie-in.
56. Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill CleggWow....I love a book that touches me and makes me think. After a devastating explosion that kills 4 people, two of them on the eve of their wedding, we follow multiple characters who are affected or somehow connected to the victims. I was a little confused at first by the many characters, but, with patience, it all comes together. Every one of us alive has a story to tell, and in this book we get a glimpse inside the private lives and thoughts of the characters: their losses, secrets, regrets, and the private burdens they bear.
There's also a mystery to solve, although it isn't a major part of the narrative, When I learned how the explosion occurred, it packed an emotional punch. How quickly people judge or assign blame when they don’t know the whole story…it makes you think.
Despite the subject matter, the beautiful writing doesn’t resort to cheap sentimentality in order to evoke a reaction from the reader. I wasn’t as moved emotionally by the tragedy as much as I was moved by the human condition. Powerful stuff.
This will be on my 'favorites list' and one that I would re-read. The last couple of pages are poignant and hauntingly beautiful (well, all of it is to tell the truth). A favorite quote:
“Rough as life can be, I know in my bones we are supposed to stick around and play our part…. Someone down the line might need to know you got through it. Or maybe someone you won't see coming will need you….And it might be you never know the part you played, what it meant to someone to watch you make your way each day. Maybe someone or something is watching us all make our way. I don't think we get to know why.”
This book touched on all my emotional hot buttons - in a good way!
JanB wrote: "56. Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill CleggWow....I love a book that touches me and makes me think. After a devastating explosion that kills 4 people, two of them on the eve of their wedding, we..."
Great review! I'm adding this title to my TBR list. Thanks Jan!
Annie, some books touch us, while it leaves others cold....who knows why? But if you read it I hope you enjoy it as much as I did :)
57. The Nature of the Beast by Louise PennyThe characters in Three Pines are like old friends and the village feels like a place I’d like to call home. I even admit to a literary crush on Gamache. A new Penny book is usually a treat to savor.
However, and it pains me to say this, I didn’t like this one. Superguns and Project Babylon….at first I thought it was a preposterous idea, but early in my reading I discovered Gerard Bull was a real person who designed the Project Babylon supergun for the Iraquis. Ok, so not so preposterous.
But being true doesn’t necessarily make for great fiction. Taking that nugget of truth and turning it into an implausible story line was bad enough, but throwing in the death (view spoiler), a draft dodger/war criminal, and a serial murderer into the mix made the story line convoluted and silly. I slogged through and by the end I was skimming.
The charm and warmth of the characters and the village of Three Pines were missing. Also, I’m no prude and coarse language is something I can usually overlook, but I found the author’s constant use of g*d damn offensive and unnecessary.
I have high hopes the next book will see a return to what made this such a great series.
58. The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah4 stars
This is usually the type of book I don’t care for….filled with flowery language, clichés, and unlikely coincidences. But in this case, the plot was compelling enough to drive the story and I was able to overlook those things. Vianne and Isabelle were interesting characters, very different from one another, and their plight touched me. I liked seeing the war from a female perspective, the hard choices each sister made, and what each felt compelled to do to survive the war.
This isn’t the definitive book on the Nazi’s occupation of France in WWII, nor is the best book I’ve read on the subject. But it’s a good story, and one that kept me flipping the pages fast enough that I finished it in a short time. The horrors of the war are unflinchingly told, but we also see love, courage, sacrifice, and endurance. For these reasons, and for the strong, powerful ending, I’m giving it 4 stars.
59. Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll3 stars
Ani is a lucky girl… lucky to have come through several major traumas (can’t say more without spoilers), and her “perfect life”…the job, the looks, landing the perfect fiancé. But she’s perfect to outward appearances only if you’re a shallow person. Inside, she’s a mess. As an adult she’s not a likable person or someone I’d want to know.
My feelings on the book are mixed. It was an interesting premise and a look at what I guess was some form of PTSD (and that mother!) but I’m not sure I liked the way events unfolded, with not knowing about a major event in her past until the middle. Then it went on and on and on… it was very hard to listen to!
Also, I have a personal dislike of books that revolve around teen girls, the “teenspeak” and culture. Living through it once in my real life was enough. If I had known that was a major part of the book I would have passed.
Then there’s the ending. I don’t understand why was it written so mysteriously? When the book ended my first thought was that I had missed something: a big revelation or event, a huge secret. So I found a paper copy and re-read the ending. But, no I hadn’t missed anything. What a let-down. I’m glad Ani (or rather TifAni – horrible name) has a brighter future ahead but thought it was too pat and easy for someone with her history.
Still, it did keep me listening so I give it 3 stars.The movie rights have been bought by Reese Witherspoon but I’ll pass. I think I'm the wrong demographic for this story and someone in their 20s or early 30s might like it better.
60. A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan4 stars
I’m more than a few years past the stressful – but joyful – years of raising small children. This book is about the stresses of marriage and parenting while holding down a soul-sucking full-time job, and dealing with a parent’s serious illness. You would think I’m the wrong reader for this book but I loved it! None of the issues presented are new, and have been written about many times. But Ms Egan puts a fresh new spin on it and I loved her voice. Well done!
When Alice’s lawyer husband doesn’t make partner he throws his laptop across the room and quits his job. The plan is to open his own law practice, but until it's up and running Alice must leave her part-time job reviewing books for a magazine and find full-time work. She finds her “dream job” at Scroll, a start-up that plans to open a new type of bookstore with e-book reading lounges for the well-heeled customer. But the dream job turns into a nightmare when the focus changes to something she’s avidly against. Her hipster co-workers and boss, plus the corporate culture and verbiage added humor. Putting the communication in e-mails was entertaining. (Although not if you're living it).
Soon Alice is juggling work, a long commute, 3 young kids who need her, a husband who is developing problems and doesn’t seem to be working all that hard, and a sick parent who needs her. She’s stretched thin and not performing well in any of her roles. Add in her best friend who owns a small indie bookstore and thinks Alice has sold her soul to the devil.
This is an easy, humorous read but with issues that have depth and poignancy. That’s a hard line to walk and I think Ms Egan does it very well. I thought she handled the chapters on (view spoiler) were so accurate I suspect the author has walked that walk.
One of my favorite parts of the novel were the literary references and quotes. How could I not like a book that celebrates books and reading?
This was an excellent debut and I look forward to seeing what the author writes next!
JanB wrote: "60. A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan4 stars
I’m more than a few years past the stressful – but joyful – years of raising small children. This book is about the stresses of marriage and parenting ..."
Jan, Great review! Another to add to my already too long TBR list. Thank you!
Thanks Annie! I think you'd enjoy it and look forward to your thoughts if it makes it to the top of the mountainous tbr list. We all have that problem :)
61. The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz2.5 stars
Lisbeth Salander is one of my all-time favorite characters. Unfortunately, in this book, both she and Blomkvist are pale shadows of the characters I had come to love. They behaved in ways that were against their true characters. I lost count of the times, while reading, I thought Salander would never have done this or said that.
Lisbeth is still a badass super-hacker and she and Blomqvist still fight against evil, but there's no depth, heart, or soul to the characters. The plot involves artificial intelligence, corrupt government agencies, murder, and an autistic boy. It's sufficiently multi-layered to keep the reader interested. It’s an easy, quick read and not a bad book when compared to a typical mystery but when compared to the trilogy written by Steig Larsson, this is a poor imitation. For that I give it 2.5 stars.
I'm feeling grumpy. The author was given the task of re-creating the characters Larsson brought to life on the page and the least he could have done is have them behave in characteristic ways.
JanB wrote: "61. The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz2.5 stars
Lisbeth Salander is one of my all-time favorite characters. Unfortunately, in this book, both she and Blomkvist are pale shadows of..."
I was so disappointed when I heard this book was coming out. I know the Millennium series wasn't meant to end at three books, but it did, and I thought they were great... and I'd rather just leave it there.
Mod
2.5 stars
Lisbeth Salander is one of my all-time favorite characters. Unfortunately, in this book, both she and Blomkvist are pale shadows of..."
Ohhh that's so disappointing!! I'm next in line on the library holds list for it.
Charleen, wise choice :)Elyse, based on reviews you may enjoy it more than I did. As I said, it's not a bad book, but my rating reflects the context of it being part of the series.
62. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George2.5 stars
2.5 stars
What I liked:
-it's a book about the love of books
-the premise of a floating book apothecary is charming
-the setting – Paris and the descriptions of the French countryside - so charming
-really lovely prose....many passages I highlighted as I read
-the delicious-sounding Provencal recipes in the back of the book
-the Emergency Literary Pharmacy book list at the end of the book, complete with the “uses and side effects”, my favorite being a book that is an "antidote to blind faith in iPhones and also cures an addiction to Facebook....."
What I didn't like:
-the story that started with such promise soon becomes saccharine and the promised story line about a traveling literary apothecary was non-existent
-the gorgeous prose was interspersed with saccharine and flowery prose (to be fair, that’s a personal pet peeve of mine)
-the fairy tale, fable-like quality of the story is just not my personal taste
-call me a prude but I don’t enjoy a story that glorifies adultery
-I became bored and began skimming at around 75%
-the cringe-inducing sex scenes with crude slang used for genitalia...so out of character with the tone of the book....and that's all I'll say about that
In the end, although I loved the premise, this book could have been so much more. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys idealized love stories and “lyrical” writing that is more fable than literary.
*I received my e-book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
63. Thirteen Ways of Looking by Colum McCann5 stars!
The characters in this collection are so vividly drawn I felt I knew them, which is quite a feat in short stories. All of them are enduring some type of trauma or hardship.
The one novella is about an elderly man who is suffering the indignities of old age and must endure a son who is a total ass. I loved the scene where they are having lunch and the son can’t get off his cell phone…who can’t relate to being out with THAT person? The ending was powerful and makes you think about how often people pay for the consequences of other people's poor decisions and actions.
After the novella, which is 60% of the book, there’s the short stories. One is about a divorced mom taking care of an adopted son with special needs. There’s a crisis, and the guilt and emotions of the mother are so raw and real. There’s a lot to unpack in this story.
And then there’s the nun who was abducted and brutally raped and tortured 37 years ago who is in the midst of a crisis (PTSD?) and sees her abductor on TV. He’s now a powerful player in a peace agreement. Someone who committed such violence now working for peace? How does she even begin to deal with that? Wow, what a vivid heartbreaking scene at the end!
In another short story an author takes us on a journey of writing a story and all the possible outcomes and possibilities for his character. McCann writes so vividly I was emotionally invested in how things would turn out for her.
I was seduced into reading this book after seeing so many great reviews. I’m glad I did. The writing is simply brilliant.Short stories are not usually my cup of tea, as I like more closure to my stories. Also, I just didn’t get the references to the Wallace Stevens poem, Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, but it didn’t matter. I simply enjoyed the stories for what they were.
It was a joy to immerse myself in such masterful writing!
*As an aside the author tells the story of how, while writing the book, he was brutally attacked after offering help to a young woman who was being assaulted. Some of the stories were written before the attack, and some after,
**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest review.
Mod
5 stars!
The characters in this collection are so vividly drawn I felt I knew them, which is quite a feat in short stories. All of them are enduring some t..."
This sounds fascinating! Adding to my TBR!
Elyse, short stories "stretch" me....but his prose is a beauty to behold. If you get around to reading it I hope you enjoy it as I did!
64. The Brain Fog Fix by Dr Mike Dow4 stars
Loved it! Being a nurse, this kind of stuff is right up my alley. It may win the title of ‘Most Highlighted’ of all the books in my library. Wow, lots of great information! I would post some quotes and studies, but there are so many I highlighted I wouldn’t know where to begin or where to stop.
This is so much more than a brain fog book. Having a mother who has age-related atrophy and slight dementia, the title intrigued me. The author takes a multi-faceted approach to health, integrating the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual. They are all interconnected and one can’t be addressed without addressing the other pieces of the puzzle.
I appreciate that the author isn’t against all traditional medicine but makes a strong case for not popping a pill in an attempt to fix a problem without addressing all facets of health. He cites many studies, complete with footnotes, and makes a compelling case without getting too technical.
After making his case, there is a 21 day program to slowly integrate all these factors, adding in one change at a time: diet, physical exercise, brain exercises, social, and spiritual (not religious). None of them are so stringent that they are undoable. The meditation exercises only require 12 minutes of your time while physical exercise, only 40 or so minutes a day. The toughest part of the plan may be unplugging from electronics, but again, he makes a compelling case for doing so.
Highly readable, easy to understand, and well-written, this book has everything you need to make changes in your life to enhance your health. The workbook and recipes at the end of the book are a nice bonus.
There are two things he said in the book that I'm not sure I agree with: e-book lighting is NOT the same as computer or tv lighting. From what I understand the e-ink used in e-books is completely different. Secondly, I would not recommend canola oil as a viable alternative for inflammatory producing oils.
I would recommend the hardback or paperback book over the e-book. You’ll want to mark passages for later referral and have access to the workbook section at the end of the book. I plan on buying a hard copy.
If I decide to follow the program and see benefits I will come back and edit my rating to 5 stars.
**thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-book in an exchange for an honest review.
65. Playing With Fire by Tess Gerritsen4 stars
I was hooked from the first page and read this in one day. I’ve long been a fan of Ms Gerritsen’s Rizzoli and Isles series but this is a departure from those books. Gerritsen is a woman of many talents: physician, author, and she can now add composer onto her list of accomplishments. In her newly released stand-alone novel, Playing With Fire, the story revolves around a musical piece, Incendio, which was written by Gerritsen herself.
She was halfway through writing this novel when the music came to her in a dream. It took her 6 weeks to finish the composition, and you can hear it here on her website, performed by renowned violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou: http://www.tessgerritsen.com/incendio...
In this book, Julia, a violinist, picks up an obscure piece of music in an antique shop while on a trip to Italy. Once she’s back home, her 3 year old daughter inexplicably goes berserk and commits violent acts whenever she hears her mother play the hauntingly beautiful music. Both her doctor and her husband express doubts and Julia’s sanity is called into question. Julia then goes on a quest to discover the origin of the music and finds herself in danger, both at home and abroad.
The narrative alternates between the present and 1940s Italy. Flashbacks to the past gives us insight into the heartbreaking history of the composition. We learn about Lorenzo, a Jewish musician from Italy who joins with Laura in a musical competition. They develop feelings for one another but his Jewish heritage stands in their way. You might imagine where the story is going but I won’t say more for fear of spoilers. However, I will say that I loved the historical aspect and learning about the Risiera di San Sabbo. Sometimes I think I’ve read too many books set during WWII but then another comes along that surprises me and proves me wrong. There's always something to learn about this time in history that I didn't know.
This was a mixture of psychological suspense and historical fiction that was compelling, beautiful, and heartbreaking. I didn’t find the resolution to Julia’s story entirely satisfying but it’s Lorenzo’s story that will stay with me.
**thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I feel like I need to read this book!
Charleen, it's a quick easy read....although maybe not so quick with a baby ;) If you get around to it I hope you enjoy!
Jan, I caught up on reading several of your reviews this morning. In the past, I've loved the books you've rated highly when I've chosen to read them. So - my "To Read" list grew by 4 this morning! Thanks for sharing your thoughts in such detail. I learn a lot from you about the great stuff out there to read.
3.5 stars
I love how the author explores the struggles of certain populations without preaching. In her first book, The Language of Flowers, it was the foster care system, and in this book it’s immigrants, both legal and illegal. Her characters are realistic and the struggles they face every day can’t fail to tug at your heart.
We follow Letty as she is forced to step up as a parent when her mother, who has been raising her children, unexpectantly returns to Mexico. Letty, now in her 30’s, was an unwed teen-age mom, and she has few skills. How does she navigate the system to find affordable housing, transportation without a car, good schools for her children, and employment without child care, while living in soul-crushing poverty?
In her first book, the author weaves flowers and their meanings into the plot, and in this one she cleverly uses birds and wings. This book deals with some tough topics, and Letty is not always a sympathetic character. She makes mistakes, big mistakes, but like migrating birds who change direction after following the wrong path, so can people. I liked that Letty was realistic in that she didn’t magically change into Mother of the Year. Her changes are slow and she often takes two steps forward, one step back. There were times I wanted to shake her and call social services. However, I really liked her kids, Alex and Luna. Alex was an old soul in a teenage body.
I’m torn between rating this book between 3 and 4 stars. The writing is 4 stars, character development a 4, but some of the plot predictability and the love interests are 3 stars. (view spoiler)[she magically finds a cheap apartment in a high rent district, why and how did a poor Hispanic girl living on the other side of the tracks keep a friend like Sara? Letty's alcoholism angle was dropped, and her love interests happened to be a doctor and a co-worker at the bar turns out to really be a wealthy guy who is rebelling against his dad....really??? (hide spoiler)].
**thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.