No stand outs this month, just okay books....
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood 3.5* set in the future, where there is no longer a United States, it’s now the Republic of Gilead. Women are not allowed jobs or money, or any freedom. There are several classes of women : childless Wives, the housekeeping Marthas, and the reproductive Handmaids, who turn their offspring over to the "morally fit" Wives.
Leaving Ireland by Ann Moore 3.5* the continuing story of Grace, this time her travels to America and her life and friends there.
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker 3* Truly is a “little giant” her entire life and suffers for it, while her sister is the complete opposite…..just ehhhh for me, though I know everyone is raving over this book.
Wife Goes On by Leslie Lehr 3* chick lit about a group of divorced women
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie YA 3* the story of a teenage Indian boy who decides to go to the local “white” school instead of the one on the reservation
The Wishbones by Tom Perrotta 3* a man plays in a wedding band and finally asks his girlfriend of 15 years to marry him…then regrets it.
They Did it With Love by Kate Morgenroth 3* chick-lit mystery, The story of 5 rich women in a CT suburb who are members of a mystery book club. One of them is murdered and the rest try to solve who did it.
Perfect Family by Pam Lewis 3* the youngest sister of a “perfect family” is found drowned at the summer home. They find out their family is not as perfect as they all believed. The book starts out strong, but the ending is a tad hokey.
Cost by Roxana Robinson 3* the youngest child of a family is addicted to heroin. It’s the story of the family’s struggle to get him clean.
The Professor’s Wives’ Club by Joanne Rendell 3* chick lit about professor’s wives
Touching Snow by M. Sindy Felin YA 4* a story of abuse told by a young Haitian girl
Two Rivers by T. Greenwood 3* a widower raises his daughter by himself after his wife dies when the baby is born. A train derailment in the town he lives in changes his life when he takes over a black pregnant teenager.
When the Finch Rises by Jack Riggs 4* historical fiction set during the 60’s, revolves around 2 12 yr old boys who are friends and live in a small mill town in NC.
Picturing the Wreck by Dani Shapiro 3* a psychoanalyst has an affair with a patient. His wife leaves him, taking his son. 30 years later he finds his son and makes contact.
The Common Bond by Donigan Merritt (ARC) 3* I received as an ARC a few months ago but had trouble starting it as I had so many other good books in my TBR pile. Once I did finally start it, it was just ehhh. I loved the Hawaiian setting, the people and the culture. The other part was basically a love story between Morgan and Victoria. It’s ill-fated from the start as she was dating his best friend when she cheated on him with Morgan. The book starts when Morgan returns to Hawaii after Victoria’s untimely death, which he blames himself for.
The Air We Breathe by Andrea Barrett 3* set during WWI in a hospital for destitute tuberculosis patients in the Adirondack Mountains in NY. One of the wealthier patients that lived in a nearby house starts a weekly learning group that ends up causing tragedy.
Thousand Pieces of Gold by Ruthanne Lum McCunn 4* biographical fiction of Lalu Nathoy/Polly Bemis. Sold by her father during hard times in China, captured by bandits, sold as a prostitute, she eventually is brought to America where she is bought by an evil Chinese saloon owner. She befriends another saloon owner and her life eventually begins to change for the better. Told during the gold rush years, very interesting look at life during that time.
The Secret River by Kate Grenville 3* William commits a crime in 1806 in England and is sent to Australia to serve his sentence. There he eventually tries to better his life by acquiring land, but the native people are not too happy about his (or the other white settlers) presence. Reminded me a lot of the Native Americans and the white settlers in America.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Jan. 09 reads
Testimony by Anita Shreve 4* a sex scandal at a private school involving 3 male students and one underage female student shows how anyone’s life can change at any time and that there’s always more than one side to a story
Plague Year by Jeff Carlson 4* scientists that are trying to cure cancer release nanotechs into the world that kill people unless they are above a certain elevation. So all survivors are trying to carve out a life in high altitudes.
Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle 4* life after a comet hits earth and lots of countries and big parts of the US are gone. Looting, hoarding, killing. Makes you ashamed of the human race, but then you wonder what you would do to save your family from starvation.
The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt 4* After ruining her reputation in England, May is sent to Maryland to marry a distant cousin she has never met. Later her sister Hannah follows her but when she gets there, May is gone and Hannah falls in love with her sister’s husband.
Dying to Live by Kim Paffenroth 3* life after zombies. Not very detailed or believable, but an okay read, quick and easy
Black Flies by Shannon Burke 4* written by an ex-medic, the story rings very true. It’s a gritty, graphic novel about a new medic in Harlem. You’ll be ashamed how the medics are treated, but then you will be ashamed by how some of the at in return. You won’t be able to put the book down until you are finished. Quick, easy read, I finished in a day.
The Road to Wellville by TC Boyle 2* set in the early 1900’s at a ritzy “health resort” that preaches vegetarianism along with other odd “cures” for ailments, it pokes fun at the health craze…it just wasn’t my type of book. By about page 350 I started skimming somewhat.
December by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop 3* a couple struggles when their 11 yr old daughter stops talking for over 9 months.
Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch 3.5* a woman is transported 7 years in her past, back to a boyfriend she still thinks about and before her marriage and daughter. Will she change her life this time around?
After You’d Gone by Maggie O’Farrell (reread) 4.5* a woman is in a coma and her life is told in flashbacks by her and her family. The narration jumps around a bit much at first, but gets better (or else you get used to it)
Wildwood by Drusilla Campbell 2.5* disappointing as I liked Blood Orange, but this one was too unbelievable, you don’t feel much for the characters. It’s the story of 3 friends bound by something that happened when they are 12. They carry the secret throughout their lives, but it all comes to a head in their 50’s.
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (YA) 4* tragic and horrific, like a train wreck. Once you pick this book up, you won’t be able to put it down until you finish it. Alice is abducted at 10 by a pedophile. He keeps her until the age of 15 when he wants her help to find her replacement. You can’t book the book down until you’ve found out why she doesn’t get help when she has ample opportunities to get away, how he got her in the first place, and why she would help him.
The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing DNF I TRIED to finish this book but just couldn’t. It was bizarre. A young couple has 4 kids they can’t afford so they are supported by his rich father (first irritant). Then they have a 5th child that they think is “different”. They don’t like him thinking he seems like a caveman and their family withdraws their help. There was just nothing I liked about this book, could not finish!
Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey 4* YA 2 interwoven stories, one about a girl who can speak in her mind to animals, and the story of a boy who goes to wizard school. The only disappointment was that the book ended. Can’t wait to read the next in the trilogy!
Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banjerjee Divakaruni 4* short stories about Indian marriages. I don’t usually like short stories but these were all good.
The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright 2* didn’t realize it was Christian fiction when I bought it! An elderly couple dies the same night and their 3 children find the letters their father wrote their mother every year for 40 years. HATED the ending!! Soooo unrealistic!
The Ladies’ Lending Library by Janice Kulyk Keefer 2.5* Story set in Canada during the summer of 1963. Revolves around several Ukrainian families. It just had too many characters, I had trouble keeping track of them all and really didn’t feel any connection with any of them.
Gracelin O’Malley by Ann Moore 3.5* set in Ireland during the 1840’s. Gracelin is a 15 yr old girl whose father marries her off to a wealthy landowner. At first all is well because she gives him the heir he so badly needs, but then things start to go downhill. Also, horrible famine sweeps Ireland affecting everyone.
Safelight by Shannon Burke 3* same writing style as Black Flies, but I just didn’t connect with the characters as much. It revolves around a paramedic that likes taking pictures of the people they go to help. He also becomes involved with a girl who is HIV positive.
The Mammy by Brendan O’Carroll 3* the story of an Irish family. At the beginning of the book the father dies and the mother is left to care for her 6 children. Funny and sad rolled into one.
Plague Year by Jeff Carlson 4* scientists that are trying to cure cancer release nanotechs into the world that kill people unless they are above a certain elevation. So all survivors are trying to carve out a life in high altitudes.
Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle 4* life after a comet hits earth and lots of countries and big parts of the US are gone. Looting, hoarding, killing. Makes you ashamed of the human race, but then you wonder what you would do to save your family from starvation.
The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt 4* After ruining her reputation in England, May is sent to Maryland to marry a distant cousin she has never met. Later her sister Hannah follows her but when she gets there, May is gone and Hannah falls in love with her sister’s husband.
Dying to Live by Kim Paffenroth 3* life after zombies. Not very detailed or believable, but an okay read, quick and easy
Black Flies by Shannon Burke 4* written by an ex-medic, the story rings very true. It’s a gritty, graphic novel about a new medic in Harlem. You’ll be ashamed how the medics are treated, but then you will be ashamed by how some of the at in return. You won’t be able to put the book down until you are finished. Quick, easy read, I finished in a day.
The Road to Wellville by TC Boyle 2* set in the early 1900’s at a ritzy “health resort” that preaches vegetarianism along with other odd “cures” for ailments, it pokes fun at the health craze…it just wasn’t my type of book. By about page 350 I started skimming somewhat.
December by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop 3* a couple struggles when their 11 yr old daughter stops talking for over 9 months.
Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch 3.5* a woman is transported 7 years in her past, back to a boyfriend she still thinks about and before her marriage and daughter. Will she change her life this time around?
After You’d Gone by Maggie O’Farrell (reread) 4.5* a woman is in a coma and her life is told in flashbacks by her and her family. The narration jumps around a bit much at first, but gets better (or else you get used to it)
Wildwood by Drusilla Campbell 2.5* disappointing as I liked Blood Orange, but this one was too unbelievable, you don’t feel much for the characters. It’s the story of 3 friends bound by something that happened when they are 12. They carry the secret throughout their lives, but it all comes to a head in their 50’s.
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (YA) 4* tragic and horrific, like a train wreck. Once you pick this book up, you won’t be able to put it down until you finish it. Alice is abducted at 10 by a pedophile. He keeps her until the age of 15 when he wants her help to find her replacement. You can’t book the book down until you’ve found out why she doesn’t get help when she has ample opportunities to get away, how he got her in the first place, and why she would help him.
The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing DNF I TRIED to finish this book but just couldn’t. It was bizarre. A young couple has 4 kids they can’t afford so they are supported by his rich father (first irritant). Then they have a 5th child that they think is “different”. They don’t like him thinking he seems like a caveman and their family withdraws their help. There was just nothing I liked about this book, could not finish!
Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey 4* YA 2 interwoven stories, one about a girl who can speak in her mind to animals, and the story of a boy who goes to wizard school. The only disappointment was that the book ended. Can’t wait to read the next in the trilogy!
Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banjerjee Divakaruni 4* short stories about Indian marriages. I don’t usually like short stories but these were all good.
The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright 2* didn’t realize it was Christian fiction when I bought it! An elderly couple dies the same night and their 3 children find the letters their father wrote their mother every year for 40 years. HATED the ending!! Soooo unrealistic!
The Ladies’ Lending Library by Janice Kulyk Keefer 2.5* Story set in Canada during the summer of 1963. Revolves around several Ukrainian families. It just had too many characters, I had trouble keeping track of them all and really didn’t feel any connection with any of them.
Gracelin O’Malley by Ann Moore 3.5* set in Ireland during the 1840’s. Gracelin is a 15 yr old girl whose father marries her off to a wealthy landowner. At first all is well because she gives him the heir he so badly needs, but then things start to go downhill. Also, horrible famine sweeps Ireland affecting everyone.
Safelight by Shannon Burke 3* same writing style as Black Flies, but I just didn’t connect with the characters as much. It revolves around a paramedic that likes taking pictures of the people they go to help. He also becomes involved with a girl who is HIV positive.
The Mammy by Brendan O’Carroll 3* the story of an Irish family. At the beginning of the book the father dies and the mother is left to care for her 6 children. Funny and sad rolled into one.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
December reads
Some good ones and some real duds this month!! I read outside of my normal comfort zone, so it was interesting.
So Long at the Fair by Christina Schwarz 4* a finely woven story about a man who is having an affair with his co-worker (who is being stalked by an admirer), the man’s wife and another co-worker also tell their stories. Plus the story of their parents back in 1963. All of it happens over one day. Hated that it ended though, I wanted more!
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins YA SF4.5* my husband saw a review on this book that said it was going to be as big as Harry Potter so of course we had to look into it! My teenage son read it first (loved it) and then I read it. Very good book, set in a fictional world where the US is no longer and is now 13 different districts. Each district has to send 1 boy and 1 girl (randomly drawn) to the hunger games. It’s a fight to the end, and only the last person alive wins. Not my type of book normally, but I found it fascinating and can’t wait for the next in the series (at the end it says “end of book one” so I am assuming she’s planning on more!).
Somebody Else’s Daughter by Elizabeth Brundage 3* 2 drug addicts have a baby girl and give her up for adoption. The father (now off drugs) teaches at a school where the girl now goes as a teenager.
Oxygen by Carol Cassella DNF I wanted to like this book, and I wanted to finish but halfway through I still didn’t care, so I gave up. It’s the story of an anesthesiologist who has a patient die while in her care and is subjected to a lawsuit.
What Was Lost by Catherine O’Flynn 2* barely finished it, just didn’t like the writing. The story of a young girl who disappears, a neighbor boy is accused of the crime.
Impulse by Ellen Hopkins YA 4* didn’t like the way it was written at first (verse) but after a few pages I got into and got used to it. Good teen book, the story of 3 teens who meet at a living facility for suicidal teens after failed attempts.
The Returning by Ann Tatlock 2* ARC as an Atheist I was surprised to find this was Christian lit, so take my review with a grain of salt. I like the concept of the book, a man gets out of prison after 5 years and returns home to his wife and children. Of course there is an adjustment period for all of them. I felt the book could have been so much more than it was. I felt that it was sappy and the ending was unbelievable and trite.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore YA 4* Katsa is “graced” with killing and is being used by her uncle to torture people who disobey him. Her life changes when she meets Po, another graceling.
Phytosphere by Scott Mackay SF 4* aliens put a shield around the earth that blocks the sun, killing off all plant life and leads to total panic and riots due to food hoarding. A scientist on earth and one on the moon work to find a solution before everyone starves. Couldn’t put it down, but found the ending wrapped up way too quickly.
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank 3* the story of survival in a small town in FL after nuclear war in other parts of the country and world
Earth Abides by George R. Stewart 3* the world is devastated by a virus and only a few people are left. Love the premise, but the main character left a lot to be desired (it took him over 24 hours to think of calling around to see if his family was alive).
On the Beach by Nevil Shute 2* the end of the world due to nuclear war. I started skimming about halfway through, felt nothing for the characters and the story was just boring, kept waiting for something to happen….
Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock YA 3* Princess Ben discovers a secret magic room in her castle after her parents are assassinated
Blood Orange by Drusilla Campbell 4* a couple’s daughter is kidnapped and everyone blames it on the husband’s defense of an accused child killer. The wife is shocked and dismayed when she learns it could have been from something she did.
World War Z by Max Brooks 3.5* it’s basically a report after the zombie war is mostly over. It explains how governments and people reacted during the panic and after. It was pretty interesting and outside of my normal range of books.
So Long at the Fair by Christina Schwarz 4* a finely woven story about a man who is having an affair with his co-worker (who is being stalked by an admirer), the man’s wife and another co-worker also tell their stories. Plus the story of their parents back in 1963. All of it happens over one day. Hated that it ended though, I wanted more!
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins YA SF4.5* my husband saw a review on this book that said it was going to be as big as Harry Potter so of course we had to look into it! My teenage son read it first (loved it) and then I read it. Very good book, set in a fictional world where the US is no longer and is now 13 different districts. Each district has to send 1 boy and 1 girl (randomly drawn) to the hunger games. It’s a fight to the end, and only the last person alive wins. Not my type of book normally, but I found it fascinating and can’t wait for the next in the series (at the end it says “end of book one” so I am assuming she’s planning on more!).
Somebody Else’s Daughter by Elizabeth Brundage 3* 2 drug addicts have a baby girl and give her up for adoption. The father (now off drugs) teaches at a school where the girl now goes as a teenager.
Oxygen by Carol Cassella DNF I wanted to like this book, and I wanted to finish but halfway through I still didn’t care, so I gave up. It’s the story of an anesthesiologist who has a patient die while in her care and is subjected to a lawsuit.
What Was Lost by Catherine O’Flynn 2* barely finished it, just didn’t like the writing. The story of a young girl who disappears, a neighbor boy is accused of the crime.
Impulse by Ellen Hopkins YA 4* didn’t like the way it was written at first (verse) but after a few pages I got into and got used to it. Good teen book, the story of 3 teens who meet at a living facility for suicidal teens after failed attempts.
The Returning by Ann Tatlock 2* ARC as an Atheist I was surprised to find this was Christian lit, so take my review with a grain of salt. I like the concept of the book, a man gets out of prison after 5 years and returns home to his wife and children. Of course there is an adjustment period for all of them. I felt the book could have been so much more than it was. I felt that it was sappy and the ending was unbelievable and trite.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore YA 4* Katsa is “graced” with killing and is being used by her uncle to torture people who disobey him. Her life changes when she meets Po, another graceling.
Phytosphere by Scott Mackay SF 4* aliens put a shield around the earth that blocks the sun, killing off all plant life and leads to total panic and riots due to food hoarding. A scientist on earth and one on the moon work to find a solution before everyone starves. Couldn’t put it down, but found the ending wrapped up way too quickly.
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank 3* the story of survival in a small town in FL after nuclear war in other parts of the country and world
Earth Abides by George R. Stewart 3* the world is devastated by a virus and only a few people are left. Love the premise, but the main character left a lot to be desired (it took him over 24 hours to think of calling around to see if his family was alive).
On the Beach by Nevil Shute 2* the end of the world due to nuclear war. I started skimming about halfway through, felt nothing for the characters and the story was just boring, kept waiting for something to happen….
Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock YA 3* Princess Ben discovers a secret magic room in her castle after her parents are assassinated
Blood Orange by Drusilla Campbell 4* a couple’s daughter is kidnapped and everyone blames it on the husband’s defense of an accused child killer. The wife is shocked and dismayed when she learns it could have been from something she did.
World War Z by Max Brooks 3.5* it’s basically a report after the zombie war is mostly over. It explains how governments and people reacted during the panic and after. It was pretty interesting and outside of my normal range of books.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
November Reads
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale 3* the true crime story of the killing of a 3 yr old boy who is murdered in 1860. Interesting look at that time, but boring in places, information overload.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows 5* set in England after WWII, the story is told in a series of letters from a writer to a book group in Guernsey. They share their stories of the war and it’s after-effects. I couldn’t put the book down and read it in less than 24 hours. I hated that it ended! It had parts that made me laugh out loud and parts that made me cry.
Bound by Sally Gunning 3* the story of a 7 year old girl who comes from England with her family, but due to hardships on the crossing her father has to use her to pay his debts by making her an indentured servant. Luckily she is picked by a benevolent family and is well taken care of until the daughter marries. Alice goes with her to the new husband’s house. Things change dramatically there, and Alice has to run away. The story starts out strong but ends a little weak, overall a pretty good read.
The Given Day by Dennis Lehane 3* set in 1919 in Boston The story revolves a round a black man, Luther and a white cop, Danny and their families. While I love historical fiction, I think Lehane was so busy trying to tell the story of the times that the characters fall flat.
The Road Home by Rose Tremain 4* Lev leaves his country in Eastern Europe to find work in London so he can send money back home to his mother and daughter. It was interesting to see what immigrants go through when coming to a new country, and the reasons why they come. I found the ending a tad unbelievable but overall it was an excellent book. I like that she didn’t make Lev perfect since everyone has flaws.
Pioneer Women by Joanna L. Stratton 3* true stories of pioneer women in Kansas, parts of it were fascinating, I just wish she had just compiled all the letters/stories of each woman instead of just putting pieces in.
Not Me by Michael Lavigne 4* a man is taking care of his father who has Alzheimer’s when his father gives him a set of journals. Through the journals he finds out his father isn’t who he always thought, a kind giving Jewish man, but a Nazi war criminal.
She Was by Janis Hallowell 3.5* a 60’s radical has turned her life around and become a wife, mother, and doctor and feels safe when her world comes crashing down with the appearance of an old college friend.
The Wedding Officer by Anthony Capella 2* romance set during WWII in Italy. I love that time but just too romancy for me….
Anybody Any Minute by Julie Mars 3* a woman buys a house in the middle of nowhere during a midlife crisis
After River by Donna Milner 4* a teenage girl’s life changes after an American draft dodger comes to work at her family’s Canadian farm
Soiled Doves, Prostitution in the Early West by Anne Seagraves 3* interesting look at the old West, great pictures, but really no new information to me.
The Rope Walk by Carrie Brown 3* would have been 4* but the story is told by a 10 yr old but the thoughts were just too adult for a child, drove me crazy. Alice becomes friends with a bi-racial child (who is a curiosity in her small Vermont town) and an elderly man with AIDS the summer she turns 10.
The Girls Who Went Away by Ann Fessler 4* true stories told by many woman who gave up their children for adoption in their teens between 1940 to 1960-ish. Hit home for me as my father was an adopted child in the 50’s. The only bad thing was I felt it got a little repetitive by the end.
Women of the West by Cathi Luchetti 3* no new info to me, but great pics and still interesting reading
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher YA(audio) 4* a teenage girls sends out 13 tapes to 13 people she feels that led to her suicide. I think listening to the book as opposed to reading it is the way to go with this story since you get to hear her voice and then the voice of the boy listening.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows 5* set in England after WWII, the story is told in a series of letters from a writer to a book group in Guernsey. They share their stories of the war and it’s after-effects. I couldn’t put the book down and read it in less than 24 hours. I hated that it ended! It had parts that made me laugh out loud and parts that made me cry.
Bound by Sally Gunning 3* the story of a 7 year old girl who comes from England with her family, but due to hardships on the crossing her father has to use her to pay his debts by making her an indentured servant. Luckily she is picked by a benevolent family and is well taken care of until the daughter marries. Alice goes with her to the new husband’s house. Things change dramatically there, and Alice has to run away. The story starts out strong but ends a little weak, overall a pretty good read.
The Given Day by Dennis Lehane 3* set in 1919 in Boston The story revolves a round a black man, Luther and a white cop, Danny and their families. While I love historical fiction, I think Lehane was so busy trying to tell the story of the times that the characters fall flat.
The Road Home by Rose Tremain 4* Lev leaves his country in Eastern Europe to find work in London so he can send money back home to his mother and daughter. It was interesting to see what immigrants go through when coming to a new country, and the reasons why they come. I found the ending a tad unbelievable but overall it was an excellent book. I like that she didn’t make Lev perfect since everyone has flaws.
Pioneer Women by Joanna L. Stratton 3* true stories of pioneer women in Kansas, parts of it were fascinating, I just wish she had just compiled all the letters/stories of each woman instead of just putting pieces in.
Not Me by Michael Lavigne 4* a man is taking care of his father who has Alzheimer’s when his father gives him a set of journals. Through the journals he finds out his father isn’t who he always thought, a kind giving Jewish man, but a Nazi war criminal.
She Was by Janis Hallowell 3.5* a 60’s radical has turned her life around and become a wife, mother, and doctor and feels safe when her world comes crashing down with the appearance of an old college friend.
The Wedding Officer by Anthony Capella 2* romance set during WWII in Italy. I love that time but just too romancy for me….
Anybody Any Minute by Julie Mars 3* a woman buys a house in the middle of nowhere during a midlife crisis
After River by Donna Milner 4* a teenage girl’s life changes after an American draft dodger comes to work at her family’s Canadian farm
Soiled Doves, Prostitution in the Early West by Anne Seagraves 3* interesting look at the old West, great pictures, but really no new information to me.
The Rope Walk by Carrie Brown 3* would have been 4* but the story is told by a 10 yr old but the thoughts were just too adult for a child, drove me crazy. Alice becomes friends with a bi-racial child (who is a curiosity in her small Vermont town) and an elderly man with AIDS the summer she turns 10.
The Girls Who Went Away by Ann Fessler 4* true stories told by many woman who gave up their children for adoption in their teens between 1940 to 1960-ish. Hit home for me as my father was an adopted child in the 50’s. The only bad thing was I felt it got a little repetitive by the end.
Women of the West by Cathi Luchetti 3* no new info to me, but great pics and still interesting reading
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher YA(audio) 4* a teenage girls sends out 13 tapes to 13 people she feels that led to her suicide. I think listening to the book as opposed to reading it is the way to go with this story since you get to hear her voice and then the voice of the boy listening.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sept and Oct reads (yes, I'm a month behind!!)
SEPT
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff 3* two stories about polygamy, one from the 1800’s and one today. It’s labeled a mystery but I don’t really see it as one.
The Condition by Jennifer Haigh 3* the story of a family who has to live with their daughter’s/sister’s “condition”. Everyone is flawed. It was just okay. I didn’t really care about any of the characters and the ending was predictable.
Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich DNF I wanted to like this story after all the rave reviews I read, but I just couldn’t get into it. Too many stories told from too many perspectives. I gave up halfway through.
The Lavender Hour by Anne Leclair 3* a cancer survivor becomes a hospice volunteer where no one knows she once had cancer. She has strong feelings for her patient which leads to a bad ending of course…..
How to be Good by Nick Hornby 3* a doctor’s husband falls under the spell of a “healer” and decides to “be good” which includes giving away their money, having homeless people live with them, etc.
The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper 4* a man returns to his hometown when his father has a heart attack. He is hated by most of the townspeople because of a tell-all book he wrote.
Summer Sisters by Judy Blume 4* The story of 2 “summer sisters” over a 10 year period. One of those books you can’t put down until you are done. She has a way of making you feel the characters.
Leaving Cold Sassy by Olive Ann Burns 3* the continuing story of Cold Sassy, only the author died while writing it and they didn’t finish her story. The story itself was great, but I was disappointed it just ended in the middle of the story and the editor just gave a biography of the author’s life.
October
Lost and Found by Jacqueline Sheehan 3* a woman’s husband dies and she moves to a remote island in Maine to get away from everything. She adopts a dog that teaches her to love again.
The Starter Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer 4* fluff yes, but entertaining Hollywood fluff! Gracie is left by her husband of almost 10 years (10 years being the magic number in pre-nupts) for a way younger woman. She tries to get her life back on track as she stays at a friend’s beach house in Malibu for the summer.
Bufflehead Sisters by Patricia J. Delois 4.5 the story of 2 friends starting at age 5. Janet has always wanted a sister and Sophie fit’s the bill. Janet has a stable and loving home life, while Sophie has an unstable mother and an absent father. The story follows them through childhood and into adulthood. I couldn’t put the book down and read it within 24 hours, even though I had an idea what was going to happen, I needed to know the how and why and where’s!
Lemon Jelly Cake by Madeline Smith 3* historical fiction set in a small town in 1900. Basically small town life seen through the eyes of the town doctor’s daughter.
Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper 3.5* Zack's life starts to unravel when his missing dad shows up. He starts questioning his job, his fiancee, and basically all aspects of his life. His best friend died 2 years ago and his feelings for the widow don't help. There are laugh out loud parts and sad parts.
Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor 4* a Jewish man’s friendship and business partnership goes downhill when his friend goes back to Germany in 1933. Told in a series of letters between the 2 men.
Under the Sabers, The Unwritten Code of Army Wives by Tanya Biank 4* interesting look into the lives of Army Wives. I bought the book because it said the show Army Wives was based on it. I can see some of the characters from the show in the book. The book was more about the murder/suicides at Fort Bragg though. I would have liked a more in depth look into more army wives and to hear THEIR stories more. That being said, it was still a very good book, just not what I was expecting.
The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies 3* a small Welsh town is home to a German POW camp, which of course causes upheaval among the locals
Goldengrove by Francine Prose 3* a teenage girl feels responsible for her older sister’s death and begins an unhealthy relationship with her deceased sister’s boyfriend.
Elleander Morning by Jerry Yulsman 3.5* an odd time travel book that explains nothing about HOW it happened…..interesting story though, a bit confusing in parts. It’s the parallel story of how the world would be if WWII had never happened.
Calligraphy of the Witch by Alicia Gaspar de Alba 3.5* a story about a woman captured by pirates and brought to Boston around the time of the Salem witch trials. She is considered evil because she speaks a foreign language and is Catholic. Great representation of the hysteria of the times. A little predictable though.
Tethered by Amy MacKinnon 3* a mortician is involved in an unsolved murder of a young unidentified girl. The story was predictable and I figured out halfway through who it was.
Helpless by Barbara Gowdy 3* a man kidnaps a little girl that he tells himself is being abused. He’s a pedophile but trying to convince himself he’s not. As the mother of a 10 yr old girl it was hard to have sympathy for him, which is what the book tries to do. Sad sad book all around. You feel bad for the little girl, her mother, for the kidnapper’s girlfriend, for the mother’s landlord (who the police think are involved).
Thank You for All Things by Sandra Kring 3* a woman and her twins go to her childhood home because her father is dying. Too many secrets, too contrived. Not her best….
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff 3* two stories about polygamy, one from the 1800’s and one today. It’s labeled a mystery but I don’t really see it as one.
The Condition by Jennifer Haigh 3* the story of a family who has to live with their daughter’s/sister’s “condition”. Everyone is flawed. It was just okay. I didn’t really care about any of the characters and the ending was predictable.
Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich DNF I wanted to like this story after all the rave reviews I read, but I just couldn’t get into it. Too many stories told from too many perspectives. I gave up halfway through.
The Lavender Hour by Anne Leclair 3* a cancer survivor becomes a hospice volunteer where no one knows she once had cancer. She has strong feelings for her patient which leads to a bad ending of course…..
How to be Good by Nick Hornby 3* a doctor’s husband falls under the spell of a “healer” and decides to “be good” which includes giving away their money, having homeless people live with them, etc.
The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper 4* a man returns to his hometown when his father has a heart attack. He is hated by most of the townspeople because of a tell-all book he wrote.
Summer Sisters by Judy Blume 4* The story of 2 “summer sisters” over a 10 year period. One of those books you can’t put down until you are done. She has a way of making you feel the characters.
Leaving Cold Sassy by Olive Ann Burns 3* the continuing story of Cold Sassy, only the author died while writing it and they didn’t finish her story. The story itself was great, but I was disappointed it just ended in the middle of the story and the editor just gave a biography of the author’s life.
October
Lost and Found by Jacqueline Sheehan 3* a woman’s husband dies and she moves to a remote island in Maine to get away from everything. She adopts a dog that teaches her to love again.
The Starter Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer 4* fluff yes, but entertaining Hollywood fluff! Gracie is left by her husband of almost 10 years (10 years being the magic number in pre-nupts) for a way younger woman. She tries to get her life back on track as she stays at a friend’s beach house in Malibu for the summer.
Bufflehead Sisters by Patricia J. Delois 4.5 the story of 2 friends starting at age 5. Janet has always wanted a sister and Sophie fit’s the bill. Janet has a stable and loving home life, while Sophie has an unstable mother and an absent father. The story follows them through childhood and into adulthood. I couldn’t put the book down and read it within 24 hours, even though I had an idea what was going to happen, I needed to know the how and why and where’s!
Lemon Jelly Cake by Madeline Smith 3* historical fiction set in a small town in 1900. Basically small town life seen through the eyes of the town doctor’s daughter.
Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper 3.5* Zack's life starts to unravel when his missing dad shows up. He starts questioning his job, his fiancee, and basically all aspects of his life. His best friend died 2 years ago and his feelings for the widow don't help. There are laugh out loud parts and sad parts.
Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor 4* a Jewish man’s friendship and business partnership goes downhill when his friend goes back to Germany in 1933. Told in a series of letters between the 2 men.
Under the Sabers, The Unwritten Code of Army Wives by Tanya Biank 4* interesting look into the lives of Army Wives. I bought the book because it said the show Army Wives was based on it. I can see some of the characters from the show in the book. The book was more about the murder/suicides at Fort Bragg though. I would have liked a more in depth look into more army wives and to hear THEIR stories more. That being said, it was still a very good book, just not what I was expecting.
The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies 3* a small Welsh town is home to a German POW camp, which of course causes upheaval among the locals
Goldengrove by Francine Prose 3* a teenage girl feels responsible for her older sister’s death and begins an unhealthy relationship with her deceased sister’s boyfriend.
Elleander Morning by Jerry Yulsman 3.5* an odd time travel book that explains nothing about HOW it happened…..interesting story though, a bit confusing in parts. It’s the parallel story of how the world would be if WWII had never happened.
Calligraphy of the Witch by Alicia Gaspar de Alba 3.5* a story about a woman captured by pirates and brought to Boston around the time of the Salem witch trials. She is considered evil because she speaks a foreign language and is Catholic. Great representation of the hysteria of the times. A little predictable though.
Tethered by Amy MacKinnon 3* a mortician is involved in an unsolved murder of a young unidentified girl. The story was predictable and I figured out halfway through who it was.
Helpless by Barbara Gowdy 3* a man kidnaps a little girl that he tells himself is being abused. He’s a pedophile but trying to convince himself he’s not. As the mother of a 10 yr old girl it was hard to have sympathy for him, which is what the book tries to do. Sad sad book all around. You feel bad for the little girl, her mother, for the kidnapper’s girlfriend, for the mother’s landlord (who the police think are involved).
Thank You for All Things by Sandra Kring 3* a woman and her twins go to her childhood home because her father is dying. Too many secrets, too contrived. Not her best….
Monday, September 1, 2008
August reads
Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalin 4* mixed storylines of German citizens and Jewish people as WWII is ending. Interesting look at the German’s perspective. I don’t think I ever gave it much thought to how it was for them once the war was ending/over.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt 3* 5 college friends matriculate…involves drinking too much, a little studying and murder….
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns 3.5* small town life in 1906, a 14 yr old boy and the town are shocked when his grandfather marries a woman almost half his age only 3 weeks after his wife dies.
A Wicked Snow by Gregg Olsen 2.5* gave it 2.5 only because I DID finish it. supposed to be a thriller, but wasn't very thrilling. a woman tries to come to terms with her mother's serial killing 20 yrs ago, but someone is trying to dig up the past.
How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper 4* the story of a young (late 20’s) widower and how he copes with his teenage stepson, dating, and his family. Has a lot of laugh-out-loud parts, but also sad. Quick, easy read.
The Book of Fred by Abby Bardi 4* a teenage girl, Mary, her parents are a member of a strange religious group that won’t allow medical intervention and 2 of her brothers die due to that conviction. The state takes all of the children to foster care while her parents await trial for child neglect. The story revolves around Mary, her foster mother, her foster mother’s daughter, and foster mother’s brother. They all learn from each other and change in ways they didn’t expect.
Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult 3*, not my favorite from her. The story of a couple’s break up seen through the eyes of the woman’s daughter, brother, lover, husband and herself.
The Garden Of Last Days by Andre Dubus III 3* the story revolves around a stripper who has to bring her daughter to work one night when the lady who watches her is hospitalized. her daughter disappears from the club. The story is told by the stripper, a bouncer that works there, a man who is thrown out for touching one of the strippers, and the babysitter. It’s an okay book, it just wasn’t as emotionally wrenching as The House of Sand and Fog.
About Grace by Anthony Doerr 3* a man dreams parts of the future. He starts falling apart when he dreams his daughter’s death. The writing is like beautiful poetry but the story itself is a little hard to believe, but it does make you keep reading to find out how it ends.
Covered Wagon Women Vol 6 by Kenneth L. Holmes 4*, actual diaries and letters of women on the Oregon Trail. Parts of it were fascinating, but it got a little monotonous in places
Before the Storm by Diane Chamberlain 2.5* too soap opera-ish, a woman has a boy with fetal alcohol syndrome who rescues a bunch of children from a church fire. He is later accused of setting the fire. Too many people sleeping with their friend’s daughter, or their brother-in-law or their best friend’s wife….
Fanny and Sue by Karen Stolz 4* the story of twin sisters born in 1920. At first I was thinking “what is the point of this story???”. By the end of the book I was mad it ended!
Land of a Hundred Wonders by Lesley Kagen 3.5* Gibby is NQR (not quite right) after an automobile accident that killed her parents and “dented” her head. She is an investigative reporter for a newspaper she writes and is writing a big story about the murder of a local man. There were several parts that made me literally laugh out loud.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt 3* 5 college friends matriculate…involves drinking too much, a little studying and murder….
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns 3.5* small town life in 1906, a 14 yr old boy and the town are shocked when his grandfather marries a woman almost half his age only 3 weeks after his wife dies.
A Wicked Snow by Gregg Olsen 2.5* gave it 2.5 only because I DID finish it. supposed to be a thriller, but wasn't very thrilling. a woman tries to come to terms with her mother's serial killing 20 yrs ago, but someone is trying to dig up the past.
How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper 4* the story of a young (late 20’s) widower and how he copes with his teenage stepson, dating, and his family. Has a lot of laugh-out-loud parts, but also sad. Quick, easy read.
The Book of Fred by Abby Bardi 4* a teenage girl, Mary, her parents are a member of a strange religious group that won’t allow medical intervention and 2 of her brothers die due to that conviction. The state takes all of the children to foster care while her parents await trial for child neglect. The story revolves around Mary, her foster mother, her foster mother’s daughter, and foster mother’s brother. They all learn from each other and change in ways they didn’t expect.
Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult 3*, not my favorite from her. The story of a couple’s break up seen through the eyes of the woman’s daughter, brother, lover, husband and herself.
The Garden Of Last Days by Andre Dubus III 3* the story revolves around a stripper who has to bring her daughter to work one night when the lady who watches her is hospitalized. her daughter disappears from the club. The story is told by the stripper, a bouncer that works there, a man who is thrown out for touching one of the strippers, and the babysitter. It’s an okay book, it just wasn’t as emotionally wrenching as The House of Sand and Fog.
About Grace by Anthony Doerr 3* a man dreams parts of the future. He starts falling apart when he dreams his daughter’s death. The writing is like beautiful poetry but the story itself is a little hard to believe, but it does make you keep reading to find out how it ends.
Covered Wagon Women Vol 6 by Kenneth L. Holmes 4*, actual diaries and letters of women on the Oregon Trail. Parts of it were fascinating, but it got a little monotonous in places
Before the Storm by Diane Chamberlain 2.5* too soap opera-ish, a woman has a boy with fetal alcohol syndrome who rescues a bunch of children from a church fire. He is later accused of setting the fire. Too many people sleeping with their friend’s daughter, or their brother-in-law or their best friend’s wife….
Fanny and Sue by Karen Stolz 4* the story of twin sisters born in 1920. At first I was thinking “what is the point of this story???”. By the end of the book I was mad it ended!
Land of a Hundred Wonders by Lesley Kagen 3.5* Gibby is NQR (not quite right) after an automobile accident that killed her parents and “dented” her head. She is an investigative reporter for a newspaper she writes and is writing a big story about the murder of a local man. There were several parts that made me literally laugh out loud.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
July reads
The Nanny Diaries by Emma Kraus and Nicola McLaughlin 3.5* the story of a college student who nannies for a rich Manhattan family, both funny and sad
Sweet Shrub by Jane Roberts Wood 3.5* the continuing story of Lucy Richards, she is now back home and is courted by Josh. There is racial unrest in the new town they move to where Josh has a job as a principal.
Dance a Little Longer by Jane Roberts Wood 3.5* the continuing story of Lucy and Josh now during the depression
Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress 4* starts off with a crazy aunt who chops her husbands head off and carries it across the country in a Tupperware container. Then moves to a town with racial unrest, set during the 60’s.
Tender by Mark Childress 3.5* a story loosely based on the life of Elvis. Follows a young man from his poor beginnings and through his rocket ride to fame and fortune.
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben 3* not his best…the story of a couple who start tracking their son’s online activity when one of his best friend’s commit suicide. They are surprised by what they find.
The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen 4*
We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver 4* I tried to read this book a while back and couldn’t get through it, but kept seeing awesome reviews. I gave it another try and boy am I glad! The heart wrenching story of a mother who can’t seem to bond with her son like she should and as a teenager he kills some of his classmates.
How Not to Look Old by Charla Krupp 4* she explains ways to look 10 years younger. I like that she gives an expensive, medium, and cheap way for each idea. She also gives brand names that work and pictures of the wrong and right way so you can see the difference.
Sweet Shrub by Jane Roberts Wood 3.5* the continuing story of Lucy Richards, she is now back home and is courted by Josh. There is racial unrest in the new town they move to where Josh has a job as a principal.
Dance a Little Longer by Jane Roberts Wood 3.5* the continuing story of Lucy and Josh now during the depression
Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress 4* starts off with a crazy aunt who chops her husbands head off and carries it across the country in a Tupperware container. Then moves to a town with racial unrest, set during the 60’s.
Tender by Mark Childress 3.5* a story loosely based on the life of Elvis. Follows a young man from his poor beginnings and through his rocket ride to fame and fortune.
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben 3* not his best…the story of a couple who start tracking their son’s online activity when one of his best friend’s commit suicide. They are surprised by what they find.
The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen 4*
We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver 4* I tried to read this book a while back and couldn’t get through it, but kept seeing awesome reviews. I gave it another try and boy am I glad! The heart wrenching story of a mother who can’t seem to bond with her son like she should and as a teenager he kills some of his classmates.
How Not to Look Old by Charla Krupp 4* she explains ways to look 10 years younger. I like that she gives an expensive, medium, and cheap way for each idea. She also gives brand names that work and pictures of the wrong and right way so you can see the difference.
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