*** 3 stars
It seemed to take me forever to get through this book. I read it only in snippets; the construction of the book supported that approach, as vignettes of folks from this small community are woven into a main story. I liked hearing the history and background of these people.
It's mostly a gentle read. I found the depiction of small-town Minnesota to be charming and familiar. It was easy for me relate to much of life in a small-town with farming setting. Some of the drama felt a bit off to me and the book is clearly a set up for the next one (which I have, too, and will read). There were some very sad bits that seemed somewhat arbitrary but again, I think this is setting the stage for further books. Very faith-based but well-integrated and honest. It didn't feel tacked on but rather felt like authentic character traits with these people. A nice read.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro
*** 3 stars
For quite a while I thought this would be a 4, almost 5 star book for me. I found so much of it utterly charming, the cover, the setting, the time period, Paris, perfume, the 50s. What's not to love? However, it ended up going in a rather melodramatic direction that seemed a little out of character. It really is a minor item but I did find my interest begin to wane as the book neared the conclusion.
I will definitely read other things by this author. I have two other titles from her on my TBR shelf right now.
For quite a while I thought this would be a 4, almost 5 star book for me. I found so much of it utterly charming, the cover, the setting, the time period, Paris, perfume, the 50s. What's not to love? However, it ended up going in a rather melodramatic direction that seemed a little out of character. It really is a minor item but I did find my interest begin to wane as the book neared the conclusion.
I will definitely read other things by this author. I have two other titles from her on my TBR shelf right now.
The Family by David Laskin
0 stars
I recently joined Penguin's First to Read program and this is the first ARC I've won. There was a bit of bother to get the electronic version of the book to my tablet but now that I have, I'm ready for the next ARC offering!
I always feel bad when I don't like an ARC. I guess I feel a certain obligation when a book is provided to me free. Am I afraid of hurting someone's feelings? Perhaps. I know I felt bad once on GR when an author commented on my unflattering review. I think I end up feeling defensive; I'm not really a reviewer. I'm just a reader who reaches an opinion about a book; the value of the book itself is usually only one factor that goes into that opinion. My mood, what else is chair-side, life's distractions and so on certainly color an opinion. I'm also not sure what the publisher and/or author does with a negative review....
So, with all that, I'm going to unburden myself from the obligation to read this. It has all the hallmarks of a book I should like, family history, Jewish culture, folks striving to make a better life, but the writing is just so dry. It's a dull read and I am not compelled to pick it up. I liked this author's The Children's Blizzard but parts of that were a read slog, too. I think he's not an author for me; I don't like his writing style.
I recently joined Penguin's First to Read program and this is the first ARC I've won. There was a bit of bother to get the electronic version of the book to my tablet but now that I have, I'm ready for the next ARC offering!
I always feel bad when I don't like an ARC. I guess I feel a certain obligation when a book is provided to me free. Am I afraid of hurting someone's feelings? Perhaps. I know I felt bad once on GR when an author commented on my unflattering review. I think I end up feeling defensive; I'm not really a reviewer. I'm just a reader who reaches an opinion about a book; the value of the book itself is usually only one factor that goes into that opinion. My mood, what else is chair-side, life's distractions and so on certainly color an opinion. I'm also not sure what the publisher and/or author does with a negative review....
So, with all that, I'm going to unburden myself from the obligation to read this. It has all the hallmarks of a book I should like, family history, Jewish culture, folks striving to make a better life, but the writing is just so dry. It's a dull read and I am not compelled to pick it up. I liked this author's The Children's Blizzard but parts of that were a read slog, too. I think he's not an author for me; I don't like his writing style.
Friday, August 16, 2013
What I Read on My Summer Vacation....and Beyond... (Part 2)
*** 3 stars
Better Than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts
This was a cute and gentle romance in a charming setting. No real surprises, just a fun read. A good choice for a vacation read.
**** 4 stars
The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings
A perfect choice to read in Hawaii. I had seen the movie; this has to be one of the most faithful novel to movie adaptations I've ever seen. A good read; family drama in an unusual setting.
**** 4 stars
Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian
Four stars might be a bit generous but what the heck. I liked this intriguing book. I have since added more Bohjalian titles to my reading plan; I've picked up his books here and there. He's a pretty interesting writer. Diverse books but always pretty interesting. This is the last of my vacation reads.
** 2 stars
Inferno by Dan Brown
Rather disappointing. I had to read this in a bit of rush to return it to the library as it came in just before I left on vacation and I did not want to drag a big hardcover on my trip. I'm glad I didn't bother; I had much better things to read on the trip itself. This was just okay; seemed like a lot of running and chasing and little in the way of mystery or puzzles (which is what I lived about Brown's other books). The motivations behind some characters' actions were a bit hard to swallow.
***3 stars
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Started out quite strong with a lot of powerful emotion but became a little jumbled and disjointed. Lovely writing, though, and I enjoyed it for the most part.
** 2 stars
Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberley McCreight
Not so good; I think I've seen this compared to Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and I hardly see the comparison. I found this to be very readable but the resolution was pretty hokey and hard to buy. Basically, the book just tried too hard to be all twisty-turn-y and it just didn't really work.
Better Than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts
This was a cute and gentle romance in a charming setting. No real surprises, just a fun read. A good choice for a vacation read.
**** 4 stars
The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings
A perfect choice to read in Hawaii. I had seen the movie; this has to be one of the most faithful novel to movie adaptations I've ever seen. A good read; family drama in an unusual setting.
**** 4 stars
Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian
Four stars might be a bit generous but what the heck. I liked this intriguing book. I have since added more Bohjalian titles to my reading plan; I've picked up his books here and there. He's a pretty interesting writer. Diverse books but always pretty interesting. This is the last of my vacation reads.
** 2 stars
Inferno by Dan Brown
Rather disappointing. I had to read this in a bit of rush to return it to the library as it came in just before I left on vacation and I did not want to drag a big hardcover on my trip. I'm glad I didn't bother; I had much better things to read on the trip itself. This was just okay; seemed like a lot of running and chasing and little in the way of mystery or puzzles (which is what I lived about Brown's other books). The motivations behind some characters' actions were a bit hard to swallow.
***3 stars
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Started out quite strong with a lot of powerful emotion but became a little jumbled and disjointed. Lovely writing, though, and I enjoyed it for the most part.
** 2 stars
Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberley McCreight
Not so good; I think I've seen this compared to Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and I hardly see the comparison. I found this to be very readable but the resolution was pretty hokey and hard to buy. Basically, the book just tried too hard to be all twisty-turn-y and it just didn't really work.
What I Read on My Summer Vacation....and Beyond... (Part 1)
Hooo boy! Am I ever behind. Here's a heaping helping of all I've read to date. Our summer vacation was fabulous; it was filled with fun and activities. We saw beautiful things, stayed in beautiful places, we had lots of time for relaxing and playing. And of particular delight to me, I had lots and lots of time to read (long plane rides and one glorious day devoted entirely to reading. Sigh!)
In roughly first to latest read order:
**** 4 stars
The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew
One of two book club choices for July/August. I really enjoyed this book. It had much in common with another book I had just read, Getting the Important Things Right by Padgett Gerler. Similar setting and family drama.
**** 4 stars
The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry
Another excellent book club choice for this summer. Generally, I would say magical realism isn't my favorite type of book (Peach Keeper, I'm looking at you), but for some reason this book charmed me. I thought the portrayal of a young woman with Asperger's was quite touching. Some lovely and gentle surprises in this story. I really enjoyed this one!
** 2 stars
Silken Prey by John Sandford
Oh, such a bitter disappointment from a usual sure-fire author. I generally love Sandford's books and have read them since pretty much the beginning but this one was just dull. Politics is not my favorite topic anyway and the entire plot was pretty much a snore. Bummer.
** 2 stars
Playing Dead by Julia Heaberlin
Another disappointing read but one for which I had no expectations. Picked it out at the bookstore because it sounded good; wasn't even on my "to-read" shelf. Started out pretty strong with an interesting premise but I felt the plot grew quite muddled and confusing. Was glad to finish it so I could move on to something better.
**** 4 stars
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Okay, finally! A compelling read. (This was my single-book-in-one-day read. Nice!) A lovely, poignant coming of age in the 80s story about love and loss and families. I really enjoyed this book.
In roughly first to latest read order:
**** 4 stars
The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew
One of two book club choices for July/August. I really enjoyed this book. It had much in common with another book I had just read, Getting the Important Things Right by Padgett Gerler. Similar setting and family drama.
**** 4 stars
The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry
Another excellent book club choice for this summer. Generally, I would say magical realism isn't my favorite type of book (Peach Keeper, I'm looking at you), but for some reason this book charmed me. I thought the portrayal of a young woman with Asperger's was quite touching. Some lovely and gentle surprises in this story. I really enjoyed this one!
** 2 stars
Silken Prey by John Sandford
Oh, such a bitter disappointment from a usual sure-fire author. I generally love Sandford's books and have read them since pretty much the beginning but this one was just dull. Politics is not my favorite topic anyway and the entire plot was pretty much a snore. Bummer.
** 2 stars
Playing Dead by Julia Heaberlin
Another disappointing read but one for which I had no expectations. Picked it out at the bookstore because it sounded good; wasn't even on my "to-read" shelf. Started out pretty strong with an interesting premise but I felt the plot grew quite muddled and confusing. Was glad to finish it so I could move on to something better.
**** 4 stars
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Okay, finally! A compelling read. (This was my single-book-in-one-day read. Nice!) A lovely, poignant coming of age in the 80s story about love and loss and families. I really enjoyed this book.
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