One eyed stuffed bunny and ...

Eternal on the Water

2010-01-26T10:25:00.004-05:00

This book started off with the ending and captured my interest immediately. Although we know what is going to happen, there is still a little mystery. Namely, the why, how and when. The story centers on the relationship between Mary and Cobb. Specifically, love at first sight. We witness these characters living life to its’ fullest in the face of inevitable tragedy. The story has an upbeat tempo … only a minor briefing of Mary’s illness, Huntington’s disease, is presented and we see only a few instances where the symptoms of the disease directly interfere with the lives of Mary and Cobb. I would have liked the characters of Mary and Cobb to have a little more realism associated with them. At times, they seemed too good to be true. Yes, there are truly selfless people in the world but here it seemed like it was everyone.

The story flowed easily and was a joy to read. The characters and the locations were beautifully described. Each character brought a little something to the stage … very interesting. I found it easy to remember them all. What will you come away with after reading this novel? A feeling of sadness, a zest for life, a desire to help others, a …. You will need to read the novel to find out.

Read-it-First: The Pursuit of Other Interests

2009-11-08T10:40:00.003-05:00

Last week, St. Martin's Read-it-First program allowed us to preview The Pursuit of Other Interests, by Jim Kokoris. The book jacket describes this book as a reluctant journey of self-discovery by the main character, Charlie Baker, a neurotic workaholic who loses his job.

The preview starts off with a description of Charlie's morning activities. I did not find this interesting – in fact, it left a highly negative impression of Charlie that I could not shake throughout the seventeen pages of the preview. I found the writing to be a bit bland – there were moments where Charlie's stress and anxiety were depicted; however, they did not evoke a response from me. Could this lack of response be blamed on my initial impression of Charlie? Yes, but I have enjoyed other books where I did not like the main character.

The road to self-discovery had yet to be traveled in the preview. The journey may make the book more enjoyable and be worth taking; however, I will not be taking it with Charlie.

Looking forward to the upcoming preview!

Read-it-First: Christmas Miracles

2009-11-01T15:52:00.002-05:00

Last week, St. Martin's Read-it-First program allowed us to preview Christmas Miracles, by Cecil Murphey and Marley Gibson. A collection of real-life Christmas miracle stories.

The preview starts with a forward by Don Piper. It may be just me but, I don't believe that this introduction was necessary. I would have preferred several more pages from the book as this forward took up one full installment.

This book is filled with stories about people of faith. If you are not a fan of Christian literature, you will probably not enjoy this book; however, for those of you who enjoy hearing anecdotal stories where people truly believe that some type of miracle has occurred then this is a book for you.

Looking forward to the upcoming preview!

Read-it-First: Breaking the Rules

2009-11-01T15:51:00.002-05:00

Two weeks ago, St. Martin's Read-it-First program allowed us to preview Breaking the Rules, by Barbara Taylor Bradford. A story about a psychopath determined to destroy the life of a top supermodel.

This is not the usual type of book that I read. That being said, the preview moved along quite well. The prologue will certainly grab one's attention – a botched murder attempt. The first chapter changes direction and the reader is introduced to M, a New York fashion model, and her friend Dax. A comfortable relationship exists between the two and we witness a quiet friendly evening together. There is some obvious inner turmoil that M is suppressing. Suspicions are that this anxiety relates back to the prologue.

The writing was fine and M is a mystery to be solved. I do believe that I will give this book a second look. I will pick it up in the store and make a final decision to read or not to read.

Looking forward to the upcoming preview!

Read-it-First: Gorgeous East

2009-10-25T18:39:00.004-04:00

St. Martin's Read-it-First program allowed recently us to preview Gorgeous East, by Robert Girardi. A novel about the French Foreign Legion. At first I thought this was going to be an interesting read. An older gentleman, a legionnaire, notices a young woman and instantly deduces that she is suicidal. His deduction is correct and he goes to incredible lengths to save her; however, the aftermath of this event is a bit too unrealistic for me – girl sleeps with man. There is not much more to the preview than this.

I didn't find the characters to be interesting or likable. I felt as though things were being rushed and forced. On a positive note, the descriptions were beautifully written and I did enjoy the sprinkling of phrases written in other languages. Unfortunately, this is not a book that I will be picking up.

Looking forward to the next preview!

Read-it-First: The Christmas Secret

2009-10-25T17:53:00.001-04:00

Several weeks ago, St. Martin's Read-it-First program allowed us to preview The Christmas Secret, by Donna VanLiere. A novel where not only the characters but also the reader will experience the true meaning of love, hope, family and sacrifice. In this installment, we are first introduced to Angela Christine as a child. This is done via a flashback to a Christmas from her past, an intriguing introduction. It brought back a lot of childhood memories, although mostly sad ones. The preview also gives us a peak into the adult life of Angela Christine. Presently, it is not a happy one. She is the mother of two children, has a deadbeat ex-husband and is on the verge of losing another job. We are also introduced to Jason, an out of work accountant with a chip on his shoulders – he thinks that he is above working in the family business, a department store. Will the paths of these two individuals cross? I'd say yes, if you want to believe the writeup on the book jacket.

The writing was fine and the characters likable. This is a book that I would like to know more about.

Looking forward to the next preview!

Read-it-Frist: There Goes the Bride

2009-10-07T14:35:00.002-04:00

Last week, St. Martin's Read-it-First program allowed us to preview There Goes the Bride, the twentieth installment in the Agatha Raisin series, by M.C. Beaton. Agatha has gone from being an amateur to a professional detective in this series. In this installment, Agatha is dreading the upcoming marriage of her ex-husband, James Lacey. Try as she might to move on, she can't seem to stay out of her ex-husband's life. When James' fiance is murdered moments before the wedding, Agatha becomes the prime suspect. Will she be cleared? I have no doubt.

The preview had some incidents that I found amusing and some that I found painful (for the lovelorn Agatha). The writing was fine. The pages provided for this cozy mystery brought us to the day before the wedding. No mysteries or puzzles could be found. I love a good mystery; however, I don't believe that I will be reading anymore of this story. Unfortunately, the book, characters and I just did not click. I didn't like Agatha.

Looking forward to this week's preview!

Read-it-First: Ladies of the Lake

2009-10-07T13:31:00.001-04:00

Several weeks ago, St. Martin's Read-it-First program allowed us to preview Ladies of the Lake, by Haywood Smith. It is a story about four sisters forced to confront both their past and present relationships with one another. In the preview, we are introduced to the sisters, as children, and get a snapshot of the family dynamic. Two of the sisters are portrayed as natural enemies and are constantly at odds with one another. The preview then jumps to the present - the sisters are now adults and have grown children of their own. Allusions are made that lead me to believe that the aforementioned contentious behavior still exists. Towards the end of the preview, the sisters' grandmother dies. Is this the catalyst to reunite the sisters and send them on their journey to confront the past? I think so.

The preview pages are well written. Ms. Haywood was able to capture my interest from the start. How? There is a promise made to reveal some family secrets to the reader. I want to know what those secrets are. The sisters have quickly become part of my world due to Ms. Haywood's character development. I like them – even the ones that are cantankerous. I have a clear sense of who they are.

Several more previews to review!

Read-it-First: The Brutal telling

2009-09-24T19:49:00.005-04:00

Last week, St. Martin's Read-it-First program allowed us to preview The Brutal Telling, the fifth installment in the Chief Inspector Gamache series, written by Louise Penny. The mystery takes place in a small village outside of Montreal – Three Pines. It is a quaint, cozy, little village where everyone knows everyone else. You could almost hear someone shout out your name as you walked into the local bistro. But, at the start of the story, the only thing that you hear are hushed whispers and sighs of relief that the murdered man was unknown. How could this be? And, how did he end up in the bistro? These are just a few pieces of the puzzle to solve.

The preview pages are well written. Ms. Penny does a wonderful job with description. I could picture/feel everything – the glowing embers in the fireplace, the log cabin, the terrifying trek through the dark forest, etc.... The descriptions do not feel heavy handed and I believe that they will add to the enjoyment of the story. There was also enough character development, in the small number of pages that we were given, to give me a sense of the characters. I like several and found them to be refreshing. There is some humor and a sense of closeness. I believe that I will be taking several trips to the small village of Three Pines.

Looking forward to this week's preview!

Read-it-First: The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots

2009-09-24T14:02:00.002-04:00

During the week of September 6, 2009, St. Martin's Read-it-First program allowed us to preview The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots by Carolly Erickson. The preview started with the beheading of Mary. Neither a shock nor an attention grabber. I continued to trudge on through the week's installments. Sadly, there was nothing offered in the preview that could hold my interest. The writing was choppy at times and I found myself re-reading passages to make sure that I understood it correctly. Not something I particularly enjoy. But, did I read enough to make a decision? Yes. I will not be purchasing this book.

The next week has come and gone. There was another preview which, as always, I looked forward to reading!

Who Loves You Baby Award

2009-09-09T08:29:00.007-04:00

Missy from Missy's Book Nook has given me the Who Loves You Baby award! Thanks, Missy!

This award is designed with one purpose in mind: Pass it on to other bloggers who have awarded you in the past.

I would love to pass this award on to:

Suko at Suko's Notebook
Melissa at Scuffed slippers and wormy books...
Sheila at Book Journey
Jemima at The Reading Journey
Natalie at The Book Inn
Jennifer at Just Jennifer Reading

Read-it-First: You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start In the Morning

2009-09-06T20:02:00.007-04:00

Last week, St. Martin's Read-it-First program allowed us to preview You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start In the Morning by Celia Rivenbark. This book is a collection of essays about the South and just about anything else that Ms. Rivenbark fancied. The topics range from perfect school attendance to action figure Jesus. I was hooked from the beginning. Was it the topics or the writing? A little of both. The first essay is entitled TB or not TB: Perfect Attendance Nuts Don't Care. As a working parent of three, this essay strongly resonated with me. I cannot count the number of times that my children became sick because some other parent sent their sick child to school. Of course, my kids didn't get sick at the same time – it was one after the other; therefore, I missed work three times more than I should have. My husband and I joking refer to this phenomenon as the army of the 12 monkeys. I found this essay to be quite humorous and had to endure the looks from family as I read (and laughed). Two other essays were presented for the preview. The first of the two is Poseable Jesus Meets Poser Ken. Where would one find a poseable Jesus doll? Walmart, of course. According to Ms. Rivenbark, he will probably be found near the Bratz dolls. And, the second is Let's Go See "Gobbler" Up at the Funeral Home. In this essay, Ms. Rivenbark explores the eccentricities of Southerners and small town living. Ms. Rivenbark did not fail in either of these essay. They were both enjoyable and funny.

The writing had a sarcastic bite which I found refreshing. At times, I felt as though I was listening in on someone's private thoughts. You know, the things that are not meant to be said out load – the things you wish you could say. Overall, I found the preview to be both interesting and entertaining. This is a book I would definitely pick up.

Looking forward to the next preview!

Your Blog Rocks Award

2009-09-05T08:36:00.007-04:00

Missy from Missy's Book Nook has awarded me with the "Your Blog Rocks Award". Thank you so much Missy!

I want to pass this award on to some other blogs that I think ROCK!

Tutu's Two Cents
Coconut Library
The Magic Lasso

Zombie Chicken Award

2009-09-02T19:47:00.005-04:00

Thanks to Suko at Suko's Notebook for this award.

I bet you are all wondering what is the meaning of this award? See below for the explanation.

"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken-- excellence, grace, and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all."

In order to avoid the wrath of the zombie chickens, I bestow this award on the following bloggers:

Heather at Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World
Linda at BOOKVISIONS
Jennifer at (Semi) Intellectual Blathering
Cheli Cheli's Shelves
Sherrie JUST BOOKS

ABC meme

2009-09-02T18:12:00.004-04:00

Natalie of The Book Inn tagged me this ABC meme!

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Share your ABC’s.
3. Tag three people at the end by linking to their blogs.
4. Let the three tagged people know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
5. Do not tag the same person repeatedly but try to tag different people, so there is a big network of bloggers doing this tag.

Available or single? married
Best Friend? my husband
Cake or Pie? mousse cake
Drink of choice? water
Essential item for every day use? glasses
Favorite color? dusty rose
Google? yes
Hometown? canton
Indulgences? books, dvds
January or February? neither
Kids and their names? laura, marissa, benjamin
Life is incomplete without…? my family
Marriage date? occurred
Number of siblings? 1
Oranges or apples? apples
Phobias and fears? snakes, anesthesia
Quote for the day?
"dance as though no one is watching you, love as though you have never been hurt before, sing as though no one can hear you, live as though heaven is on earth" - souza

Reason to smile? my family
Season? spring
Tag 3 people?
Michael @ A Few Minutes With Michael
Cindy @ Cindy's Love of Books
Gwendolyn @ A Sea of Books
And anyone else who would like to play!

Unknown fact about me? wanted to be a lawyer
Vegetable you hate? bok choy
Worst habit? over planning
X-rays you’ve had? back, knee, hips
Your fave food? ???
Zodiac sign? cancer

Read-it-First: The Concubine's Daughter

2009-08-30T19:58:00.001-04:00

Last week, the St. Martin's Read-it-First selection was The Concubine's Daughter, the debut novel, by Pai Kit Fai. Myths, fairy tales and superstition are evident in the first twenty pages that were offered during the preview week. I guess this is par for the course for life in China during the early twentieth century. A time and place where females were considered worthless and treated as property. At the start of the novel, Yik-Munn, a farmer, listens to his concubine scream as she gives birth to an expected son. When a daughter is born instead, there is only one thing he can do – kill the child. Fear of the fox fairy prevents him from doing so. Is the daughter destined to follow in her mother's footsteps or can she escape? This is the saga that unfolds throughout the pages of this novel.

The writing was colorful and descriptive. The pace of the early pages was a little slow but not enough to deter me from finishing the preview. The pages that I read were a bit predictable; however, I have enjoyed reading similar books. Not sure if I will be purchasing this book – need to take a second look.

Looking forward to the next preview!

Under This Unbroken Sky

2009-08-23T17:51:00.004-04:00

They say that a picture speaks a thousand words but what do you see when the description is presented first? Shandi Mitchell's first novel, Under This Unbroken Sky, tackles this question head on. The novel starts with the description of a 1933, black-and-white photograph of a family. Although there are specifics listed (how each member of the family looks), the reader is free to draw his/her own conclusions about what type of life they have and what brought them to this time/place. Additionally, there is some foreshadowing that states what will become of them. Specifically, that one amongst them will die and two others (not seen) will be murdered. This alone will hook most readers and compel them to take an adventure Under This Unbroken Sky.

The story centers around an immigrant Ukrainian family and chronicles their struggles to survive the harsh Canadian prairie. The land and weather are not the only obstacles that must be faced. At the start of the novel, Teodor Mykolayenko has just finished serving a two year prison sentence and is determined to build a better life for his family. Teo not only supports his family but also supports his sister and her children. He clears his land, builds a house and plants his crops. Just when things start to look hopeful, tragedy – in the form of mother nature – strikes. They are confronted with fire, dust storms and snow. And, each time they survive; however, the real battles occur when Teo's brother-in-law, Stefan, returns. Saying anymore would be giving too much away.

The story was nicely paced and the descriptions were well done. You could clearly picture the environment and feel as though you were witnessing the events first hand. You will come to care for most of the characters and not want to see any of them die. Could you predict who dies? One death may be foreseeable but, for this reader, not the others. This is not a happy go lucky story. It is one of survival. We witness both the broken and the unbroken spirit of a human being trying to survive against all odds – physical and emotional.

I recommend to those interested in discovering a new voice.

Read-it-First: Swan for the Money

2009-08-21T21:52:00.003-04:00

This week, St. Martin's Read-it-First program allowed us to preview Swan for the Money, the eleventh installment in the Meg Langslow series, by Donna Andrews. The preview starts off with a bang - the deaths of Matilda and Adelaide. Who is responsible for these murders? Well, there were no murders. Matilda and Adelaide are rose bushes. Nonetheless, foul play is suspected. Meg Langslow finds herself embroiled in the middle of this rose mystery. Supporting her eccentric parents new hobby, growing roses and entering them in highly competitive rose shows, Meg is the coordinator for the upcoming local rose show and feels compelled to solve any issue that comes up – including murder. Yes, there is a real murder.

The story is written as a traditional whodunit and doesn't have an overly complicated plot. I found the characters to be warm, funny and just a tad sarcastic. There is a good deal of amusing, playful banter between them. This seems to be a lighthearted series – I am not sure if the books in the series are stand alone or if it is necessary to start at the beginning. I think I may pick up the first in the series and see how it goes.

Looking forward to the next preview!

B-I-N-G-O Award

2009-08-21T18:14:00.007-04:00

Thanks to Melissa at Scuffed slippers and wormy books.... for this award.

This award means that this blog is:

Five blogs that fit these criteria:

Reading My Life Away

Rhapsodyinbook's Weblog

Suko's Notebook

Cindy's Love Of Books

Chick with Books

Read-it-First: The Husband Habit

2009-08-16T18:51:00.004-04:00

Last week, the St. Martin's Read-it-First selection was The Husband Habit, by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez.

Vanessa Duran, the heroine of the novel (I only refer to her as such since that is the word used to describe her in the first paragraph), a chef in New Mexico, has a sad habit of unwittingly falling for married men. At the start of the novel, she is accosted by the wife of her current soul mate. Embarrassed and unsure of herself, she throws herself into her work. This is pure chic lit and from what I previewed, it seems like it would be a light read. The cover of the book references Paul – supposedly her final paramour in the dating game; however, he was not introduced in the pages I read. Will he make the book better?

I must say that I was instantly put off by this book and by the fifth paragraph, I decided that I didn't want to read it; however, I did read the full twenty five page preview – hoping things would improve. They did not. The author has a habit of heavily peppering the story with fragmented and one word sentences. I am sure that this was done intentionally; however, I found it bothersome. Putting this aside, I did not like Vanessa and found the descriptions to be … not sure how to say it – blech – they just rubbed me the wrong way. The following excerpt is an example.

Vanessa, mind clear as a drink of water, steps into the bathroom, gets slapped in the forcibly peaceful face by the foul hand of fetidness. Like a woolly mammoth took a dump in here, and died promptly after. Metaphor, dear universe? She takes the symbolism and twists it through her body. Bad things coming. Cement. Excrement. Experiment. Disillusionment. Wonders what is meant. Wonders what she has gotten herself into. Wonders why hope, of all things, has, so far, smelled so rancid. Reminds herself to stop. "Stop." Overthinking. Every. Little. Thing. Jesus. Walks across the curiously wet and rotted tiles of the bathroom floor, hopes the "eau du" dead mammoth will not stick to her shoes like toilet paper.

Looking forward to the next preview!

Await Your Reply

2009-08-13T14:05:00.004-04:00

Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon … what can I say? It is an unusual novel. It is both a mystery and a psychological study of identity. The novel is divided into three stories with the chapters cycling between them. A common thread – identity and who you are – binds the stories together and is clearly evident. In one story, Miles Chesire, wanting to get on with his life, has received a letter from his twin brother, Hayden, pulling him back into a global game of hide and seek. Another story centers around, Ryan, a college drop out, whose hand has been severed under mysterious circumstances. And in the final story, we have Lucy, a recent high school graduate who leaves town with her high school teacher. Each of these individual is searching for something but what is that something. Is it love, a sense of belonging, closure, etc...? In their search, these individuals will need to come to terms with who and what they are.

While reading, I had a gnawing sense of familiarity and definitely saw strong parallels between two of the stories. Is there a connection between all the stories? This question will keep you reading (and thinking). I found Mr. Chaon to be quite adept at describing the little details – from a neglected motel in an abandoned US town to a hotel in Africa and a quaint little town in Ecuador – you feel as though you are there and witnessing everything. The stories were well paced and the characters well developed. Some may find the interweaving of chapters a bit disconcerting; however, the book is a page turner (I read it in one sitting). Some may not even like the characters as they are dark and strange – I only found one to be likable. Mr. Chaon's characters could be someone you know – they are ordinary people just trying to find themselves; however, some of the means taken to do so are questionable and may leave you wondering how well/if you know someone. I have always felt that you can never really know someone – you can only know what they allow you to see – truth or not.

I highly recommend.

Thank you to Random House for this ARE.

Tuesday Teaser: Saffron Dreams

2009-08-11T18:51:00.002-04:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) "teaser"; sentences from somewhere on that page (BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I stopped by a toy store, its shutters down, occupants fast asleep. As I pressed my nose against the window, I marveled at the simple joys of childhood. My breath came in short waves and misted the window, creating tiny smoky bubbles of all sizes and shapes.

-Saffron Dreams by Shaila Abdullah, p 1-2

Read-it-First: A Crack in the Lens

2009-08-09T16:32:00.002-04:00

Last week, the St. Martin's Read-it-First selection was A Crack in the Lens, the fourth book in the series, Holmes on the Range, by Steve Hockensmith. The Amlingmeyer brothers – Otto and Gustav - pay homage to the great Sherlock Holmes. Believing that they themselves are detectives of Holmes' caliber, they set off on yet another case – the murder of Gustav's fiance. Holmes and Watson, they are not; however, one does see elements from that detective team. While Gustav, “Old Red”, takes the lead detective role, Otto, “Big Red”, serves as the Watson of the duo. Otto's narration of the story is both sarcastic and witty. The story is fast paced and laced with an amusing undertone. At times, I found myself quietly laughing out loud and at other times tinged with sadness for Gustav. I anticipated the arrival of each daily installment.

I was intrigued by this excerpt and will be looking into the series – I need to start from the beginning.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

The Last Dickens

2009-08-05T18:10:00.004-04:00

The Last Dickens, the latest novel by Matthew Pearl, focuses on Charles Dickens’s final, unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. With the death of Mr. Dickens, what will become of his final manuscript? Is it really unfinished? If yes, did Dickens leave behind any clues as to how the novel would end? If no, where are the remaining pages? These are a few of the questions that arise at the start of the novel. When James Osgood, Dickens’ American publisher, fails to obtain the first installment of Drood, he travels to London to see if these questions can be answered. This sounds like a simple task; however, I don’t believe that simple is a word in Mr. Pearl’s vocabulary. He creates an air of mystery surrounding these missing pages. Peppered with actual events, thievery, drugs and murder, the novel takes the reader on a journey of speculation – one plausible scenario regarding the fate of Drood – if curious, you must read for yourself. The story was broken down into three distinct story lines. Two of which complimented one another: Dickens’s first American tour and the aftermath of Dickens’s death. The third revolved around the life of Dickens’ son in India. I enjoyed the plot and the writing; however, the obscure connection of this last story line to the rest of the novel, left me wanting.

I recommend to those who have read other works by Matthew Pearl and/or those who enjoy historical fiction, Dickens or the publishing world. I also recommend to those of you who have not read Matthew Pearl.

Other novels by Matthew Pearl: The Dante Club, Poe’s Shadow. My favorite was The Dante Club.

Tuesday Teaser - Mercury In Retrograde

2009-08-04T17:16:00.002-04:00

The elevator came to a stop, the doors opened, and Penelope stepped out into her own personal Fallujah. The noise was almost deafening. It was lunchtime for the 150 reporters and editors and so, in addition to the constant ringing of phones, the screaming for "copy!" and the news blaring from five television sets hanging over the main news edit desk, there was an undercurrent of munching and the cackling of fast-food wrappers.

-Mercury In Retrograde by Paula Froelich, p 38

Read-it-First: Secret Keepers

2009-08-01T10:39:00.003-04:00

This week, the St. Martin's Read-it-First selection was Secret Keepers by Mindy Friddle. I was able to preview the first twenty one pages of this book. From the beginning, it is apparent that this is a story about a dysfunctional family. We are first introduced to Emma Hanley who is seventy two and anticipating the journey of a lifetime, a cruise to Europe. Unfortunately, she has to contend with her husband, Harold, his fickle nature and their schizophrenic son, Bobby. Is Harold a faithful husband? Does he still love Emma? I'm not sure if they're still in love or if they've just become part of each others routine. Foreshadowing at the end of the first chapter leaves us wondering whether or not Emma's dream of traveling will be realized. Additionally, we meet Dora, the born-again Christian daughter, who teaches an exercise class in the middle of a mall! I found this to be quite comical – exercising in a health club is the most exposure I would want. The writing was enjoyable and I felt that I was getting to know each member of the Hanley family. They seemed very realistic and entertaining. I hope the character development continues over the course of the book and that the secrets being kept are just as intriguing and quirky as the characters. At this point in the story, we have no idea what those secrets could be.

I believe a second look is needed.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

Tuesday Teaser - Await Your Reply

2009-07-28T16:25:00.003-04:00

Ryan is still aware enough that his father's words come in through the edges, like sunlight on the borders of a window shade. His eyes are shut tight and his body is shaking and he is trying to hold up his left arm, to keep it elevated.

-Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon, p 3

Read-it-First: Concord, Virginia: A Southern Town in Eleven Stories

2009-07-26T20:27:00.002-04:00

Last week, the St. Martin's Read-it-First selection was Concord, Virginia: A Southern Town in Eleven Stories, a debut by Peter Neofotis. This is a collection of short stories that tells a story. What type of story? Each short takes place in Concord and offers a little piece of history of its inhabitants. Twenty one pages were offered and amongst those pages, there was one complete story and one partial story. In the complete story, The Vultures, we meet a man who accidentally killed his wife. We watch him struggle between nature and keeping a promise to his dead wife. Does he come to terms with things? Can he find meaning in his life after his tragic loss? The story does offer an answer to these questions; however, I am not sure that I agree – it has kept me thinking. In the partial story, The Snake Man, we are introduced to two characters, Sammy and Rachel. Rachel, a reporter for the local paper, wants to interview Sammy, a veteran of the Korean war, about his experiences in order to prepare those going off to Vietnam. Sammy, reluctant to speak of his experiences, goes to great lengths to avoid her. When last we see them, they are swimming in the river while poisonous snakes approach. What will happen next?

I do not read many short story collections; however, this one did intrigue me. I enjoyed the writing style – it was quite descriptive, presenting a clear picture of the surroundings in both stories. The stories were a bit odd but, I would like to read more. Is there more than the locale that ties these stories together? I hope so.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

East of the Sun

2009-07-25T10:23:00.002-04:00

East of the Sun, by Julia Gregson, revolves around the lives of three young Englishwomen bound for India. Each is traveling with a different purpose: Viva, the young inexperienced chaperone, projects an air of mystery and hopes to retrieve personal effects belonging to her deceased parents; Rose, naïve and caring, is engaged to marry a man she met only a handful of times; and, Victoria, bridesmaid to Rose, is just running away - she cannot stand her current environment and wants out - she is looking for a husband, a magic panacea for all her woes. They are considered to be part of the fishing fleet – a term used to describe the Englishwomen who come searching for a husband, unsure of what they will find in this distant land. In addition to the two women, Viva has a third charge, Guy – a loose cannon to say the least – who is returning home after being expelled from school.

The characters were interesting and likable. Each chapter is dedicated to one character and we slowly learn more and more about them. Transitioning between characters from chapter to chapter was seamless and done well. The format and short chapter lengths were just right. At the end of each chapter, I would look at the length of the next to see if I had time to read another (and another and another and …). I wanted to know what would happen to these characters and had to have things wrapped up before I stopped reading. We see the personal growth of each character. They all reach some pivotal dark turning point in their lives and come out on the other side – the reader must decide for themselves whether or not it was for better or worse.

Overall, I liked the novel and recommend to those who enjoy historical fiction and/or romance style novels. This is a long book; however, it is a quick read – which you will enjoy.

Heartfelt Award

2009-07-19T18:48:00.005-04:00

Thanks to Sheila at Book Journey for this award.

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when you’re relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family & friends? You know that feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea ~ or a hot toddy? That is what the Heartfelt award is all about feeling warm inside.

1) Put the logo on your blog/post.
2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside.
3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog.
5) Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

I would like to pass this award on to the following blogs:

A Few Minutes with Michael
Rhapsodyinbook's Weblog
Bookvisions

Blog Awards

2009-07-18T10:44:00.007-04:00

Awarded by Jennifer at Just Jennifer Reading!

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Awarded by Natalie at The Book Inn!

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Awarded by from Jemima at The Reading Journey

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Awarded by Sheila at Book Journey.

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Awarded by Melissa at Scuffed slippers and wormy books.....

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Awarded by Suko at Suko's Notebook.

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Awarded by Missy at Missy's Book Nook.

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Read-it-First: The Bird Catcher

2009-07-18T09:59:00.009-04:00

The Bird Catcher by Laura Jacobs is the story of a woman dealing with one of life's tragedies. With New York's art world as its background, Margret Snow pursues a strange hobby involving dead birds.

During this past week, I received and read approximately twenty seven pages of this St. Martin's Read-it-First selection. Well, let me amend that previous statement, I glossed over a good portion of these pages on days two and three. At first, I was interested but, the detailed descriptions of the mundane did not hook me - this is odd as I do like descriptive writing. I do believe that it was well written; however, I did not find the characters to be realistic or appealing. In fact, they bored me. Granted, we have only been directly introduced to two characters (Margret - boring and Emily - self-centered) at this point in the novel but, the point of this program is to give one the opportunity to preview a book and then decide whether or not one wants to continue reading. With that in mind, the characters, plot, descriptions, etc... need to hook one pretty early - they did not do this. Also, I could find no evidence of the plot in this excerpt - not sure how far into the book one will need to read to find it.

Unfortunately, I will not be adding this book to my to be read list.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

Read-it-First: Last Known Address

2009-07-11T17:11:00.003-04:00

The Last Known Address by Theresa Schwegel is the latest selection from the St. Martin's Read-it-First program. This story features Detective Sloane Pearson, recently transferred to the sex crimes unit. Her latest case is to find a serial rapist. Ms. Schwegel introduces us to several characters. Amongst them are the rapist, several cops and Pearson. We get a glimpse into the malevolence of the rapist as we witness an attack and see the contrast between the stereotypical behavior of the male cops and Pearson. Pearson is depicted as a smart, tough and someone who does not care for the bull**** that people spout. She is an interesting character that I could read about. Although the portion of the book that I have read (the first twenty five pages) was well written and easy to read, I don't think that I am up to reading another book about violence towards women at this point in time.

I will keep this book on my to read someday list.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

Kreativ Blogger Award

2009-07-08T17:40:00.004-04:00

Thanks to The Reading Journey for sending my way the Kreativ Blogger Award. In order to accept it I am supposed to list my seven favorite things and send it on to my seven favorite bloggers.

Favorite Things:

1. my family
2. books
3. La Femme Nikita
4. chocolate mousse
5. tomatoes from my garden
6. a good workout on my LifeCycle
7. dried fruit

Favorite Bloggers (that I don't believe have received this award lately)

1. Find Your Next Book Here
2. Missy's Book Nook
3. The Book Inn
4. Suko's Notebook
5. Kittling: Boooks
6. A Sea of Books
7. Joyfully Retired

Tuesday Teaser - Chamomile Mourning

2009-07-07T14:31:00.002-04:00

And then, as if to answer the question in everyone's mind, a fluttering shadow suddenly appeared directly in front of Poe's twenty-foot-high image. A body falling from the balcony!

-Chamomile Mourning by Laura Childs, p 22-23

Read-it-First: There's Something About St. Tropez

2009-07-05T14:59:00.010-04:00

There's Something About St. Tropez by Elizabeth Adler was last week's St. Martin's Read-it-First selection. This book is one in a series that follows the adventures of PI Mac Reilly, the star of TV's Mac Reilly's Malibu Mysteries, and his fiancée, Sunny Alvarez. Sunny and Mac are looking forward to an extended vacation in a rented villa in ST. Tropez. Of course, the best laid plans .... They along with several others have been scammed - no fancy villa for them. At the end of the twenty one page installment, Sunny is last seen running from the villa after being scared by a man with a sword raised over his head. The scam seems to be the beginning of this international iceberg.

I believe that this will be a light, entertaining read. Most likely, I will purchase it. I like the occasional light read.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

The Woman in White

2009-07-02T13:43:00.003-04:00

The Woman in White is a Victorian mystery that is considered to be one of the best mysteries ever written. Written in 1859, it takes the form of an early detective novel with an amateur sleuth. The plot (man marries woman and schemes to get her money), albeit predictable by today's standards, is plausible, entertaining and, at times, slightly suspenseful. I attribute this slightness to the Victorian language itself. I'm not a fan of that style of speaking and found myself frustrated at times and thinking just get on with it all ready, stop dragging things out. The story is told from the viewpoints of several characters – much like a legal deposition where each character relates what he/she knows about certain events.

The characters were interesting and memorable; however, I was disappointed in the characterization/treatment of women – weak and inferior. Was this an accurate portrayal for the times? I don't know. I have read other Victorian novels and didn't come away with the same feeling. Because of his portrayal of women, Mr. Collins didn't do justice to Marion Halcombe, one of the more memorable characters in the novel. A greater role would have been appreciated more by today's society but, in 1859, who knows. Creating a lead woman character who 'out thinks' a man may have been taboo. The other memorable character was Count Fosco, the mastermind behind everything evil in the world. I am being a bit facetious; however, the character was so full of himself that I couldn't help but inflate his imaginary ego a little more. His character was fully developed – I didn't like him and found him frustrating – once again this could be attributed to the Victorian language.

Overall, I did like the novel; however, the above issues prevent me from giving it more than three stars. I recommend to those who enjoy Victorian literature and those who would like to read one of the first mystery novels. This is a long book and not a quick read – you will be in it for the long haul – which you will enjoy.

Humane Award

2009-06-28T18:54:00.005-04:00

I received the Humane Award from Natalie at The Book Inn! Thank you so much!!

"The Humane Award is in order to honor certain bloggers that I feel are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn’t for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendships through the blog world.”

I nominate the following blogs:

Books and Such
Find Your Next Book Here
Julie's Jewels
Just Jennifer Reading
Missy's Book Nook
One Literature Nut
The Reading Journey
Tender Graces
Scuffed slippers and wormy books
Starting Fresh

Read-it-First: Strange Nervous Laughter

2009-06-28T16:11:00.003-04:00

This week, the St. Martin's Read-it-First selection was Strange Nervous Laughter by up-and-coming novelist Bridget McNulty. This is a novel about what love does to us. Told by the all-knowing narrator, it contains moments of magical realism - not something that I usually read; however, the few instances that surfaced in the first fifteen pages were OK. There are also touches of black humor.

The story follows six individuals during the summer months in Durban, a large city in South Africa. They are total strangers who are brought together during a grocery store robbery. At first, we are treated to a cursory glance of all six characters during the robbery. The next two chapters start to delve into the characters of Beth and Pravesh. Ms. McNulty is able to vividly convey the human nature of these individuals. We know what they are thinking. Better still, we are given explanations as to why they think the way they do and why they behave in a certain way - allowing the reader to catch a glimpse of himself/herself or someone they know.

I was intrigued by this book. Possibly more by the characters than by the plot. I will pick it up in the store and see where it goes from there.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

Tuesday Teaser - East of the Sun

2009-06-23T20:46:00.002-04:00

At the beginning of November, all the children started to get excited because the full moon would soon be in Kartika, and that meant their biggest festival of all had come: the Festival of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. Held on the darkest night of the year, it marked the arrival of winter, the return of the Hindu divinities, Sita and Ram, a time for celebrating light over the forces of darkness.

-East of the Sun by Julia Gregson, p 432

Of Bees and Mist

2009-06-22T17:00:00.001-04:00

Of Bees and Mist, a debut novel by Erick Setiawan, has been labeled as a fable that chronicles the lives of three generations of woman under one family tree. A fable it is. There are magical elements peppered throughout the novel – staircases that grow and shrink depending on the emotional state of the climber, mirrors that reflect one's true self, etc.... Additionally, there is symbolism galore. The two major symbolic elements being the bees and the mist. At first, this is a unique twist to the same old story – unloved girl meets boy, falls in love, gets married, clashes with mother-in-law, etc... - ; however, as the novel progress, the incessant droning of the bees became too much for me.

At the core of this novel lies a severely dysfunctional family. Love is either non-existent or couched in falseness. Yes, there is first love and the attempt to really love but, I think it falls flat and is not really accomplished.

I was also disappointed in the ending. Namely, with regards to one of the recurring characters. I do not feel that we, the readers, truly understand what she was meant to represent. I was fortunate to read an advance copy of this book through the Barnes and Noble First Look program and participate in an on-line discussion with the author. From that discussion, I expected an outcome to this loose end. Sadly, I didn't get it.

On a positive note, Mr. Setiawan provides vivid descriptions of each locale and develops several of the characters to some extent. I say several because, as in real life, some things never change. His use of imagery is nice.

If you enjoy magical realism or are interested in discovering a new voice in the literary world, you may want to read this novel; otherwise, go away from the mist.

Sacred Hearts

2009-06-21T18:14:00.001-04:00

Sacred Hearts is the latest novel by Sarah Dunant. Set in a convent in Renaissance Italy, Ms. Dunant paints a revealing picture of a nun's life during the latter half of the sixteenth century. In a time when young women were subject to the will of their fathers, one's options were limited. Either you married who was selected for you or you joined a convent – neither choice is very appealing.

The novel revolves around Serafina, a defiant young lady who is forced into religious servitude, and Suora Zuana, the dispensary mistress who was also an unwilling addition to convent life. From the start of Serafina's incarceration, the relationship that develops between these two women is one of trust, betrayal and survival. We watch as they navigate through religious dogma and convent politics. Ms. Dunant has brought them to life – we cannot help but feel for them through their struggles and triumphs, when their hopes are dashed, when they give up their dreams, when they accept their fate, .... I know that I am grateful that I did not live in during that time period.

The writing kept me interested and the plot is filled with drama and intrigue. I was hooked from the beginning and wanted to know what would happen next to these two women. I highly recommend to those who have read previous works of Sarah Dunant and to those who like historical fiction.

Thank you to LibraryThing and Random House for this ARE.

Read-it-First: Beverly Hills Adjacent

2009-06-20T09:32:00.003-04:00

This week, the St. Martin's Read-it-First selection was Beverly Hills Adjacent. A debut novel by Jennifer Steinhauer and Jessica Hendra. The story is intended to be a satirical view of the entertainment industry in L.A.; however, I did not find any satire in the sixteen pages that I received. The story starts with a network party. Real actors/writers names are thrown in, no doubt for realism, but it just feels like name-dropping and does not add any reality to the story. The main characters are Mitch Gold and June Dietz, a husband and wife who really just face the normal struggles of married life. Although not in the pages I received but alluded to in the blurb, there will be the affair. Do I care? I think not. The characters are not interesting. Maybe I am a bit biased as I do not find the life and struggles of actors to be any more important/interesting than the average Joe. They have been elevated to some state of superiority that I do not feel is warranted. Stepping off the soap box now.

Unfortunately, I do not want to read anymore of this book and will not be purchasing it.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

Saving Fish From Drowning

2009-06-17T08:45:00.003-04:00

The report was a terrible thing to read: “The body of Bibi Chen, 63, retail maven, socialite, and board member of the Asian Art Museum, was found yesterday in the display window of her Union Square store, The Immortals, famed for its chinoiserie ….” - p 2.

A terrible end to Bibi Chen and the strange beginning to Saving Fish From Drowning, a novel by Amy Tan.

Bibi Chen, a San Francisco art patron, had planned the journey of a lifetime for herself and eleven of her friends. Death was not going to deprive her of this adventure. Her incorporeal spirit accompanies her friends on a prearranged tour through China and Burma. If only her friends had followed her original itinerary, they would not have gone missing.

The story is narrated by Bibi Chen. This is an interesting start to the novel; however, it soon becomes tedious as the character seems to drone on and on about everything. The remaining characters were very real, each having several flaws; however, they were overdeveloped to the point that one did not really care about them. Bibi's spirit interacting with the real world was not an aspect that I enjoyed. The mystical fantasy was too much for me and the story lost its' charm; however, the novel was pure Amy Tan, delving into the pot of human nature, discovering our basic insecurities and strengths, and examining our relationships with one another.

This would not be my favorite Amy Tan novel. I prefer The Joy Luck Club; however, I would recommend to those who have read Ms. Tan's other novels to judge for themselves.

Tuesday Teaser - The Last Dickens

2009-06-16T15:47:00.002-04:00

The house, in fact, was being drained of it before their eyes. Some workmen were removing paintings and sculptures from the walls and tables; other somber-faced intruders in silk vests and linen suits were examining the furniture and prodding each object and fixture. The atmosphere was completed by a melancholy rendition of Chopin on piano floating on the air.

-The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl, p 138

Read-it-First: The Wedding Girl

2009-06-12T12:47:00.002-04:00

Twenty one pages, that is all it took for me to form my opinion on the current St. Martin's Read-it-First selection, The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham (Shopaholic series author Sophie Kinsella's alter ego). Can I say anything more than it is a total chick-lit book? I probably should. This is a story about a young woman set to embark on her new life and marry the perfect man. Of course there is drama, you know, the best laid plans ... when she is confronted with her secret past shortly before the wedding.

The characters, that I have been introduced to, are not deep but they are pleasant. Although the book is not for me, I don't read a lot from this genre, I would recommend to those who enjoy Sophie Kinsella. A light read - perfect for the beach!

Looking forward to next week's preview!

Tuesday Teaser - The Woman in White

2009-06-09T09:34:00.002-04:00

No house was near; no one was passing whom I could consult; and no earthly right existed on my part to give me a power of control over her, even if I had known how to exercise it. I trace these lines, self-distrustfully, with the shadows of after-events darkening the very paper I write on; and still I say, what could I do?

-The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, p 26

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2009-06-07T10:50:00.004-04:00

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first novel in a trilogy written by Stieg Larsson. Unfortunately, the author passed away in 2004 and the public will see no more (beyond the trilogy) from this talented author.

This novel is part financial intrigue, part family saga, and part murder mystery. The three parts are woven together to form a complex, thinking man's thriller. With the exception of approximately the first fifty pages, providing an inordinate amount of financial jargon and detail, the novel is a page turner. And, most of the remainder of the novel is necessary and adds to the story; however, there were one or two scenes that I could have done without. Not because of their graphic nature – as there is a good deal of that in the novel – but rather because they were not required. Why do so many authors throw in these predictable and highly unnecessary scenes?

Although the translation is not seamless, it is not too bad. I enjoyed the touches of Sweedish that pepper the story as it adds to the atmosphere, helping me experience Sweden for myself. The plot was interesting but not really unpredictable for me as I have the tendency to figure out every movie, television show, etc... within the first five minutes. The characters were well developed to the point where you wanted to know what would happen next to them.

Let Mikael Blomkvist, a financial journalist, and Lisbeth Salander, the girl with the dragon tattoo and a genius computer hacker, take you on a journey to solve the mystery of Harriet Vanger, a girl who disappeared forty years ago.

I recommend to those who like mystery/thrillers. I think you will like this novel. I am looking forward to the sequel, The Girl Who Played with Fire.

Read-it-First: Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs

2009-06-05T10:12:00.004-04:00

This week I received and read approximately twenty three pages for the current St. Martin's Read-it-First selection, Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs by Michael J. Collins, M.D.. A memoir of the author's journey from construction worker to medical student.

Although the topic may be of interest to some people, it did not grab my attention. There are too many people in this world who have altered their life's course, going from one career to another, and I did not read anything compelling in the excerpts provided that would convince me to buy this book. I actually found it a chore to read. This may have to do with the first day's reading. There were seventeen two to three line paragraphs that stated two plus two doesn't always equal four along with a variation of the comment: It didn't for me, and I guess that's a good thing. One set was more than enough. I found this to be annoying and it certainly determined whether or not I wanted to read anymore.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

Tuesday Teaser - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2009-06-02T10:51:00.003-04:00

The strange story of the flowers had never been reported in the press; only a very few people knew of it. Thirty years ago the regular arrival of the flower was the object of much scrutiny - at the National Forensic Laboratory, among fingerprint experts, graphologists, criminal investigators, and one or two relatives and friends of the recipient. Now the actors in the drama were but three: the elderly birthday boy, the retired police detective, and the person who had posted the flower.

-The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, p 5

Read-it-First: Sworn to Silence

2009-05-29T16:23:00.004-04:00

This week I received and read approximately seventeen pages for the current St. Martin's Read-it-First selection, Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo. A thriller/mystery centering around the possible return of a serial killer and set in the world of the Amish. Kate Burkholder, who grew up Amish and left the fold, is currently the chief of police in Painter's Mill, Ohio, her hometown. She knows these murders. She has seen them before. Is she hiding a secret that could possibly lead to the capture of the murderer? One of the mysteries to find out.

Although some of the descriptions were quite graphic, I was intrigued with the story from the start. I couldn't wait until the next day's installment. It is certainly a page turner. Sworn to Silence is a breakthrough novel for Ms. Castillo. She takes a giant leap out of her comfort zone, romance novels, and lands smack dab in the middle of the suspense thriller genre. A successful landing.

This is a book that I will have to purchase and read!

Looking forward to next week's preview!

The Crying Tree

2009-05-29T15:05:00.003-04:00

Imagine yourself in the early 1970's. A time when bell bottoms, mini skirts and platform shoes ruled the fashion world. The birth of Aerosmith, Kiss and the Ramones took center stage in the music world. A time of political awakening. Now imagine yourself knowing nothing about this and living in an isolated town in Oregon. You are living what appears to be the American dream – married, two kids (one boy, one girl), etc.... But, then tragedy strikes and what you love most in the world is taken from you. Your only son is brutally murdered in your home.

How do you cope? How do you go on living? What kind of a life do you have? Can there be justice? In The Crying Tree, we are witness to one family's struggle to survive. We share their grief and feel their desperation. We observe as they become bitter and frustrated with one another - they become strangers. There is forgiveness. There are secrets. There are sins of commission and sins of omission. When these are brought to the forefront, we see the unbreakable bonds of family surface.

Ms. Rakha is a wonderful story teller. She was able to hold my attention until the end. I wanted to know how things would work out. The characters were sympathetic including the murderer. This is a tragic novel; however, it is also one of love, forgiveness and redemption. I recommend to those searching for a new voice. A good book for book clubs.

Thank you Shelf Awareness and Random House for this copy.

Teaser Tuesday - The Crying Tree

2009-05-26T16:15:00.006-04:00

There are sins of commission, things that maybe shouldn't have been done, or possibly just done differently, and Nate believed he could justify those. But then there are sins of omission. The things never done, not given nor said.

-The Crying Tree by Naseem Rakha, p 155

Rooftops of Tehran

2009-05-25T20:56:00.009-04:00

I tried to write my review for this novel as soon as I finished reading; however, I was unable to do so. Whether it was from writer's block or from fear of writing an inadequate review, I do not know. I am leaning toward the latter. I considered stringing together a set of adjectives: brilliant, funny, original, haunting. Although they could all be used to describe this novel, it would not have been enough. Instead, I started off with the following: Rooftops of Tehran, a debut novel by Mahbod Seraji, is a wonderfully written coming of age story of young love. After that I just stared at the page for quite some time and gave up. How could I do justice to Mr. Seraji's masterful prose?

From the rooftop of his home, Pasha and his friends talk about life - sharing their dreams, hopes, and fears. But where are the rooftops? New York, London, Paris. Could be but, no, they are in Iran. Not a place nor a people that most Westerners know much about. Through his vivid characterizations and descriptions, Mr. Seraji is able to transport us to Iran and give us a glimpse into this ancient world. I could clearly picture the homes, alleyways, streets and rooftops. He breathed so much life into these characters that they will not be forgotten. I laughed when Pasha's father was unwittingly the perpetrator in ding dong ditch. I felt compassion for Grandma and was awed that the entire neighborhood looked after her – not something that is commonplace here in America. I felt for the characters when tragedy struck and I rooted for them in their moments of rebellion. In short, his characters had That – they had honor, treasured friendship, prized love, had courage and strength to stand up for what they believed in.

Rooftops of Tehran is much more than a love story. It is a an affirmation of shared human experiences. We all dream, love, laugh and cry. We have fears and and want good things for our children. Mr. Seraji has given us a glimpse into the unknown and it is up to us to recognize that regardless of religion or culture we are more alike than some would like us to believe.

At times, this novel is funny and at other times tragic. It is certainly unforgettable. I highly recommend to those wishing to broaden their horizons and learn more about the Persian people and culture. Mahbod Seraji is an author to watch. I know I will be looking and waiting for his next novel.

Read-it-First: Finding Grace

2009-05-22T20:19:00.003-04:00

St. Martin's Read-it-First program presented us with Finding Grace by Donna VanLiere.

This week I received and read approximately twenty six pages – the most that I've received for any Read-it-First selection – granted this was only my fourth week participating. This was also the first non-fiction selection. Ms. VanLiere shares her story about losing her way in life only to find it again at some later point. She shares her reflections about her childhood expectations of life and how things blindside you and change the course of your life. The pain and abuse that she experienced during childhood is heartbreaking. The writing is both beautiful and sensitive. Finding Grace is an inspirational story.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

People of the Book

2009-05-20T21:43:00.006-04:00

In People of the Book, we follow Hanna Heath, a rare book expert, as she uncovers the mysteries surrounding a beautifully illuminated Hebrew manuscript, the famed Sarajevo Haggadah. As Hanna examines the Haggadah, she uncovers various artifacts from the past that lead her to investigate how the book survived the Inquisitions, the Nazis and several other acts of violence. The rarity of this Haggadah stems not only from its' age but also from the illuminations it contains. Why are they there? Who created them? Another mystery since these types of illuminations are not usually associated with Hebrew texts.

The Sarajevo Haggadah is quite real; however, the story told in this novel is one of fiction. Ms. Brooks has created a wonderful account of the Haggadah's survival for the last 500 years. In it we see not only the events that took place but also the people who were either involved in the creation of the Haggadah or in its' protection, regardless of their religious beliefs. As each artifact is researched in the 'present', Ms. Brooks presents us with a flashback account of how that artifact came to be in the book. These flashbacks are accomplished via alternating the chapters between the 'present' and the past. They start with the more recent past and move backwards in time. I thought that this was nicely done.

I thought that the novel was well researched/written and I enjoyed reading about the history surrounding the Haggadah. Was their an underlying message? Possibly. One in which Jews, Christians and Muslims can coexist in peace as they once did. I recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction, mysteries or Geraldine Brooks.

Lemonade Award

2009-05-20T17:56:00.010-04:00

I received the Lemonade Award from Jennifer at Just Jennifer Reading! Thank you so much!!

Please pass this award on to ten others! The Rules:

1) Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post.
2) Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.
3) Link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let the nominees know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5) Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

I nominate the following blogs:

Tutu's two cents
Cindy's Love of Books
Missy's Book Nook
Find Your Next Book Here
Bookopolis
Starting Fresh
Chick with Books
A Sea of Books
One Literature Nut
Scuffed slippers and wormy books

Shakespeare's Kitchen

2009-05-16T20:16:00.004-04:00

Shakespeare's Kitchen is a collection of thirteen interconnected short stories. The theme that runs throughout the collection is one of human need. A need to be loved, to have friendships and to belong to someone or something. Is there a plot? No, not really. At times, I felt as though I was watching a bad episode of Seinfeld. I did not enjoy the protagonist, Ilka Weisz, and did not see much in her emotional growth. My main turnoff to Ilka come fairly early in the book. In the second short story, An Absence of Cousins, we clearly see her loneliness and her need to belong; however, she is rude and dismissive of secondary character, Gertie Gruner, who is just looking for the same. The secondary characters were just that. I could find no relevance for their inclusion in the stories and would have preferred them to be absent altogether.

Ms. Segal's writing style was okay. There were several times where I felt that the writing faltered – sentences just did not 'roll' off the tip of my tongue and I found the banter (intellectual or not) that occurred between the characters irritating. She did have some insights about how one navigates through life; however, not enough to hold my interest.

I would recommend to those who have read Lore Segal in the past.

Read-it-First: The Last Child

2009-05-15T14:25:00.004-04:00

During my third week of participation in the St. Martin's Read-it-First program, we previewed The Last Child by John Hart. A thriller about a child's search for his missing twin sister and the terrible truths he discovers in a small North Carolina town.

This week I received and read approximately sixteen pages - slightly less than I've received for the past Read-it-First selections; however, it was enough. Obviously, the third time was a charm, I am hooked. At this point in the novel, we have only met Johnny, a thirteen year old boy. Mr. Hart has done such a wonderful job with character development that I feel as though I know Johnny. My heart breaks for him. Both the writing and the storyline kept me interested and on my toes. I found it to be an intriguing read and could not wait until the next day's installment.

This book has made it onto my to be purchased and read list.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

The Angel's Game

2009-05-14T17:58:00.005-04:00

In The Angel's Game, I was transported to Barcelona, albeit the Barcelona of the 1920s. Through Mr. Zafon's descriptive prose, Barcelona was brought to life. I got a chill reading about the Pueblo Nuevo Cemetery with its 'forest of angels and crosses' and the scenes that took place within its walls. I could hear footsteps echoing in the alleyways, smell the putrid stench of decay, feel the neglect of buildings abandoned long ago, and see 'the whole of Barcelona stretched out …' (pg 50) before me. Mr. Zafon has also created several memorable characters: David Martin, the tortured narrator; Andreas Corelli, angel or demon; Isabella, a kind and generous soul; etc.... These characters stayed with me long after I finished reading. They seemed to inhabit my dreams.

Mr. Zafon's novel centers around a young writer who unwittingly makes a pact with the devil. Yes, a Faustian bargain; however, there is more to the novel, namely, there is an underlying mystery that will have you guessing/thinking throughout the novel. The story moves quickly. I found myself repeatedly saying I have time for just one more chapter. I read the book in three days – because life interrupted and I needed sleep. It is a book that you will not want to put down.

People have commented that this book is one in a series and a prequel to The Shadow of the Wind. I have yet to read that book and did not find myself at a disadvantage. I believe that this book stands on its own quite well and highly recommend to those that have read previous works of Zafon or those who like mystery/thrillers.

The Commoner

2009-05-11T20:05:00.006-04:00

The Commoner is a beautifully written and well researched novel. Mr. Schwartz has given us a glimpse into the world of the Japanese royal family. He has chosen a woman, Haruko, as his narrator and does a remarkable job depicting her thoughts and feelings as she transitions from life as a commoner to that of the Empress of Japan. We are witness to her most private and painful moments. After all she has experienced, some of Haruko's actions are questionable. Although an attempt at redemption is made towards the end of the novel, there can be none.

One cannot help but feel pity for these characters whose every action is choreographed. Is life as a royal worth the price of one's freedom?

This was an enjoyable book and I recommend to those interested in historical fiction or Japanese culture.

Read-it-First: Liars Anonymous

2009-05-08T18:37:00.007-04:00

During my second week of participation in the St. Martin's Read-it-First program, we previewed Liars Anonymous by Louise Ure. A crime novel featuring a roadside assistance operator who believes she has overheard a murder during a late night assistance call.

Once again, I received and read approximately twenty pages. Unlike the last Read-it-First novel, I believe that I did read enough of the story to determine whether or not I would purchase the book. Sadly, this is not a book for me. I did not care for the protagonist, Jessie. Additionally, neither the crime nor the background mystery involving Jessie was enough to draw me into the story. I did not find that the writing flowed easily. It felt a bit forced and choppy at times that I found myself having to reread sentences and transitions between several paragraphs.

Looking forward to next week's preview!

The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana

2009-05-03T13:20:00.005-04:00

Imagine waking up and not remembering your life. Admittedly, this is something that I worry about all the time so I was intrigued when I read the back cover of The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana and found it to be the premise of the novel.

The main character, Yambo, finds himself unable to remember anything about his life and attempts to piece together his past - a mystery of sorts. Throughout the novel, the reader is treated to an endless barrage of list upon list of songs, cartoon characters, magazines, books, works of art, etc…. I found this to be quite exasperating; however, I did finish the book. Why? I was hoping the book would become more interesting and I wanted to know what happened to Yambo. Mr. Eco was able to create a likable character floundering in a sea of minutiae. Sadly, this book was not for me; however, I will give Mr. Eco another read.

I recommend his book for those who are nostalgic about Italian culture during World War II, the influence of propaganda, and interested in psychology.

Read-it-First: Everything Asian

2009-05-01T15:03:00.012-04:00

It is the end of my first week participating in the St. Martin's Read-it-First program. This week's book was Everything Asian by Sung J. Woo. A coming of age novel about a twelve year old Korean boy who moves from Korea to America. Specifically, New Jersey.

I received a total of twenty pages through e-mail. There were no gitches. In fact, I joined mid-week and was provided with a link to read the days that I had missed.
Obviously, I did not read enough of the book to provide a review. But, did I read enough to entice me into buying the book? Eventhough, the writing is pleasant and the story seems like it is going to be a light read, the jury is going to have to say no. Since this is a debut novel, I would have liked to have read just a little bit more before making that decision. I will have to pick it up in the store, read a little and then make my decision.

All in all, I think that I will continue to enjoy the Read-it-First program and it will convince me, on occassion, to purchase a book.

Ahab's Wife

2009-04-29T18:19:00.015-04:00

I finished reading this novel in March; however, with two Barnes & Noble First Look Books to read, I put off the review until now.

I enjoyed this novel. At times, I found certain scenes/chapters to be a bit tedious; however, for the most part, it was quite enjoyable. Ms. Naslund was able to create a memorable character and story that can stand on their own. Moby Dick, what is that? Well, there did need to be the slightest mention of a wife in the original classic in order for this novel to be believable. The idea was original and the plot held true to the events of Moby Dick. I found it satisfying to hear about the events from a woman's perspective. Any lengthy discription of whaling would have put me to sleep instantly. This is a beautifully written novel and would be perfect for a book club discussion. I recommend this book for those who like historical fiction (whether or not they have read Moby Dick).

Book groups and cataloguing

2009-04-28T16:07:00.002-04:00

Over the past year, I have discovered several book sites that allow you to catalogue your books, interact with fellow readers/bloggers, swap books, participate in reading challenges, preview advanced copies of books, and much more.

One of these book sites is LibraryThing. I joined LibraryThing almost a year ago. I was so excited that I had a place to store my books. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I was not able to do much with it. In fact, I think I was only able to catalogue one book and write a single review. Well, here we are one year later and I have made much progress. I have catalogued 165 books (only those that have been read during the last few years) and added two more reviews - I do hope to be able to fill in a review of all the books but, memory being what it is, I may have to re-read some of them.

After cataloguing my books, I then looked around LibraryThing. I read reviews by several other readers, joined a group or two and finalized my profile (nothing is ever final). This is where I found the capability of listing my homepage. Well, let me see ... what did I do with that information? I created my on blog page. My initial intent was to only put book reviews on this site. I may end up doing that but, I didn't want to lose any momentum so, I have posted non-book review items. I will try to keep all posts book related though.

Since the cataloguing went well on LibraryThing, I downloaded the free version of Libra 0.9.2 in order to have a private catalogue of my books on my own computer. I was able to export the LibraryThing catalogue and then import it into Libra. Looks okay.

I am a frequent participant in the Barnes & Noble First Look Program. This program provides Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) to many B&N book club participants. I cannot tell you the number of individuals as B&N has never divulged this information. Needless to say, it seems to be a fairly large number. At the start, B&N provided the ARCs on a first come first receive basis, moderated topic discussions, and ultimately an on-line discussion with group members, the book editor, and the author. I have a feeling that the way the books are distributed is changing and will be based upon participation - posting during the discussion and possibly writing a review. This is a fantastic program!

I joined the Harper Collins First Look Program several years ago. This is also a program that provides ARCs. Their selection criterion is different that B&N. They require you to write a blurb indicating your reason for wanting to read the book in question. This write-up must be submitted by a certain deadline (each book is different). I also think that the number of books is substantially less than the number provided during a B&N First Look; however, I have never seen the number of books available. I have NEVER received one of these ARCs and I have been participating for over two years. Recently, they sent a survey to the First Lookers implying the possibility of revamping their First Look program.

I am also considering joining the St. Martin's Read-it-First e-mail book club. Each weekday morning they will send samples from the current week's selected book. By the end of the week, they promise that I will have read approximately several chapters from said book.

Be sure to check out some of the blogs I have decided to follow and let me know of any others that spark your interest.

Just Bunny

2009-04-26T20:46:00.000-04:00

It was early evening and the brilliant red and orange hues of the recently set sun were still visible on the horizon. Standing in front of a wire mesh window screen, I felt a cool wind. I shivered slightly from the chill in the night air, sighed, closed my eyes and took a slow deep breathe. As I exhaled, I sat down, leaned into the window and rested my elbows atop the paint chipped window sill. Staring out into the trees that marked the edge of the property, a feeling of overpowering sadness swept through me. I was saying goodbye.

I carefully took one last look around the room. Something familiar caught in the corner of my eye. I walked towards it and slowly bent to pick it up. “Ahhh! It’s you – my best friend.” I gave you a hug as we sat down on the edge of my bed. Together we looked out the window, as we had done so many times in the past. You were always there for me when I needed a friend. We would talk for hours into the night. Actually, I talked and you listened. You were more of the silent type. Everything seems different now. Still, off in the distance are those magic trees. Their magic was in the laughter that they brought to a small child and her best friend. Oh how we laughed as they changed shaped. With each gust of wind they became an elephant in a hot air balloon, a panda bouncing on the clouds and much, much more. Sitting with you and looking out at the trees always took my troubles away. Now, ….

I place you in your favorite spot on the bed. Oh, how tattered and worn you have become. When did that happen? I remember everything so clearly – the sadness, the laughter, and most of all, your adventures. I was there when you tried to fly. You were off to a great start. Slowly, you swung yourself back and forth over the headboard but then you lost control. You knocked out the window screen and flew into the darkness of night. You appeared to hover in midair for several minutes before landing in the grass two floors below. Even though you lost an ear during that adventure, your zest for life never diminished. You lost your other ear to an angry sibling. How did you lose your eye? I don’t know. Maybe it was the time you decided to run alongside my bike or maybe it was the time you decided to parachute jump off the couch. Oh well, I’m sure that I will eventually remember that misadventure.

Let me take a closer look. No, you are not tattered and worn, just loved. Slowly I get up, straighten my clothing and turn to leave for the last time; you ask “Will you miss me?” “Always”, I answer. “Will you forget me?”, “Never!” is my reply. I begin my trek down the upstairs hallway, the floorboards groaning with each step. Each groan a reflection of your tears.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

2009-04-24T19:51:00.003-04:00

A fabulous debut novel! Through the use of descriptive language, Ms. Howe is able to create an atmosphere where the reader can see, hear, smell and feel as if he/she were witnessing events, people and places of both the past and the 'current' times. The shifting between time periods flows seamlessly and the events/emotions of each time parallel one another. The Physicks Book of Deliverance Dane is both a mystery and a story of a young woman discovering herself. This is a unique story about a graduate student who is sidetracked by a mystery involving the Salem witch trials while preparing for her dissertation. Ms. Howe, a descendant of two women involved in these trials, presents a fresh view on this topic. It is a great read for those who like historical fiction and/or mysteries. I was fortunate to read an advance copy of this book through the Barnes and Noble First Look program and participate in an on-line discussion with the author. I highly recommend this book to others.

This book would be a great summertime read! If you can't wait for the release date, June 9th, 2009, check out The Physick Book page.