*** 3 stars
This book started out strong, faltered a little in the middle and then rallied to a good conclusion. I'm not sure I loved the outcome but it had some interesting things to say about the nature of privacy and journalism. I liked the setting, too, in a grotty British seaside amusement park.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Faith by Jennifer Haigh
*** 3 stars
A good family drama which kept me reading. I find this author to be a little bloodless in her writing but that's not necessarily a criticism. She has a sort of distance in her writing which makes it seem "literary"; I often found that gets in the way of the story but with this author, I have generally very much enjoyed the book.
I much preferred The Condition by this author; I felt there were more surprises and twists with that story, although this one did keep me reading.
A good family drama which kept me reading. I find this author to be a little bloodless in her writing but that's not necessarily a criticism. She has a sort of distance in her writing which makes it seem "literary"; I often found that gets in the way of the story but with this author, I have generally very much enjoyed the book.
I much preferred The Condition by this author; I felt there were more surprises and twists with that story, although this one did keep me reading.
Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth
**** 4 stars
Lovely memoir and, although written before the television series, a great companion piece to watching the show! I am part way through the second season of the show (which I adore) and have found little to "spoil" either the book or the show.
Interestingly, the book does not follow the same trajectory as the show. That's a purely neutral comment as each chapter is essentially self-contained, although there is character development and situations which are reflected along the way.
Both the book and show are fascinating glimpses into the not so very long ago and how much life has changed since the late 1950s. The characters are just delightful and even tragic events are treated with tenderness. Just a lovely book.
Lovely memoir and, although written before the television series, a great companion piece to watching the show! I am part way through the second season of the show (which I adore) and have found little to "spoil" either the book or the show.
Interestingly, the book does not follow the same trajectory as the show. That's a purely neutral comment as each chapter is essentially self-contained, although there is character development and situations which are reflected along the way.
Both the book and show are fascinating glimpses into the not so very long ago and how much life has changed since the late 1950s. The characters are just delightful and even tragic events are treated with tenderness. Just a lovely book.
The Far Side of the Sky by Daniel Kalla
**** 4 stars
A highly readable, thoroughly engaging book about a period in history we all think we know so well. I did not know about the exodus of Jews from Central Europe to Shanghai. Fascinating cultural study with well-drawn characters. This was a book club read and we had a very good discussion around this book. Everyone really liked the book and found much to say about it.
One book club member had discovered that a sequel, Rising Sun, Falling Shadow was published last fall, so I'm sure most of us will be reading this as well. Great read!
A highly readable, thoroughly engaging book about a period in history we all think we know so well. I did not know about the exodus of Jews from Central Europe to Shanghai. Fascinating cultural study with well-drawn characters. This was a book club read and we had a very good discussion around this book. Everyone really liked the book and found much to say about it.
One book club member had discovered that a sequel, Rising Sun, Falling Shadow was published last fall, so I'm sure most of us will be reading this as well. Great read!
Starter House by Sonja Condit
*** 3 stars
This could have been a four star read for me, but it seemed to fall apart a bit near the end. Some genuinely creepy moments. I don't usually seek out scary stuff but this one had enough domestic drama to keep me hooked. Not a perfect book but an entertaining one that I was always happy to pick up.
This could have been a four star read for me, but it seemed to fall apart a bit near the end. Some genuinely creepy moments. I don't usually seek out scary stuff but this one had enough domestic drama to keep me hooked. Not a perfect book but an entertaining one that I was always happy to pick up.
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
*** 3 stars
I generally liked this historical novel with a unique premise and a unique setting. The story is quite interesting. I feel the author did a really good job of exploring the main character and letting her story slowly unfold. By the time we reach the inevitable conclusion, we know her and have much sympathy for her plight. A tragic story.
I generally liked this historical novel with a unique premise and a unique setting. The story is quite interesting. I feel the author did a really good job of exploring the main character and letting her story slowly unfold. By the time we reach the inevitable conclusion, we know her and have much sympathy for her plight. A tragic story.
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
*** 3 stars
I'm very late to the game with regard to Sedaris. Not sure I've read him before; I think I tried to read another of his books long ago. So many people find him hilarious; thought I'd give it another whirl.
This was okay; I did enjoy parts of it and found them quite amusing. Some things were just weird. Not sure I'd go out of my way to read more but if I'm in the mood for reading essays in small bites, another of his books would be a good choice.
I'm very late to the game with regard to Sedaris. Not sure I've read him before; I think I tried to read another of his books long ago. So many people find him hilarious; thought I'd give it another whirl.
This was okay; I did enjoy parts of it and found them quite amusing. Some things were just weird. Not sure I'd go out of my way to read more but if I'm in the mood for reading essays in small bites, another of his books would be a good choice.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Above All Things by Tanis Rideout
*** 3 stars
Three stars is the average, as I had distinctly different opinions of the first half (or so) of this book verses the last half. I found it really slow to get going and seemed a lot of filler. But it did build to an exciting and touching conclusion.
I've been fascinated by Everest stories for a long time now; having read pretty much every bit of popular literature on the subject and watching that crazy Discover channel series. It's clear to me that people bent on conquering the mountain are flat out insane. No offense, but you pretty much would have to be. Mallory is no different and I think the author did a good job of showing the obsession and the rationalization that has to happen for people to try this. Good book!
Three stars is the average, as I had distinctly different opinions of the first half (or so) of this book verses the last half. I found it really slow to get going and seemed a lot of filler. But it did build to an exciting and touching conclusion.
I've been fascinated by Everest stories for a long time now; having read pretty much every bit of popular literature on the subject and watching that crazy Discover channel series. It's clear to me that people bent on conquering the mountain are flat out insane. No offense, but you pretty much would have to be. Mallory is no different and I think the author did a good job of showing the obsession and the rationalization that has to happen for people to try this. Good book!
Dinner with a Vampire by Abigail Gibbs
0 stars
Horrible and retched. Not even sure why I picked this one up; a weak moment, I suppose. The writing is the real horror here; never mind the scary vampires (insert eye roll here). Might be one of the worst-written books actually professionally published.
I tried; I really did. But there's no point to this torture. I got to where I didn't even know who most of the characters were, other than the main one. Who was a whiny, annoying fool. Moving on.....
Horrible and retched. Not even sure why I picked this one up; a weak moment, I suppose. The writing is the real horror here; never mind the scary vampires (insert eye roll here). Might be one of the worst-written books actually professionally published.
I tried; I really did. But there's no point to this torture. I got to where I didn't even know who most of the characters were, other than the main one. Who was a whiny, annoying fool. Moving on.....
Divergent by Veronica Roth
0 stars
Both my teens liked this book (one, quite a lot). I've slogged through the greater portion of it. The second book in the series looms ominously on my to-be-read tower. I'm going to clear this one from the stack and return the books to my daughter. I've dipped into the YA dystopian fiction fad with varying degrees for success but it really is not my cup of tea.
I'll probably do better with the movie. I'm learning that I don't actually like action-y kinds of books very much anyway. The action always impresses me as a bunch of blah-blah-blah. I'm more interested in internal dialog and more relatable (to me) plot points. I know I'm definitely a minority opinion in this regard.
Both my teens liked this book (one, quite a lot). I've slogged through the greater portion of it. The second book in the series looms ominously on my to-be-read tower. I'm going to clear this one from the stack and return the books to my daughter. I've dipped into the YA dystopian fiction fad with varying degrees for success but it really is not my cup of tea.
I'll probably do better with the movie. I'm learning that I don't actually like action-y kinds of books very much anyway. The action always impresses me as a bunch of blah-blah-blah. I'm more interested in internal dialog and more relatable (to me) plot points. I know I'm definitely a minority opinion in this regard.
Letting Go by Pamela Morsi
**** 4 stars
Four stars is a little on the generous side, perhaps, but I know I was generally happy to pick this book up. It's a gentle read with a lot of tenderness but there's a surprising degree of toughness, too. It may have been a bit too simplistic and there was some unlikely coincidence needed to get us to the "happily ever after" but it was nice that a fluffy chick lit book did not hinge on a romance. As a matter of fact, that was a central message, that these three generations of women could find their own way without relying on a man. Nothing wrong with a man; I'm quite a fan of men ;) but it was a refreshing message for this genre.
I will definitely read more by this author. I very much enjoyed her Lovesick Cure last year; she's got a charming, easy way about her and the stories are engaging but not sickly sweet.
Four stars is a little on the generous side, perhaps, but I know I was generally happy to pick this book up. It's a gentle read with a lot of tenderness but there's a surprising degree of toughness, too. It may have been a bit too simplistic and there was some unlikely coincidence needed to get us to the "happily ever after" but it was nice that a fluffy chick lit book did not hinge on a romance. As a matter of fact, that was a central message, that these three generations of women could find their own way without relying on a man. Nothing wrong with a man; I'm quite a fan of men ;) but it was a refreshing message for this genre.
I will definitely read more by this author. I very much enjoyed her Lovesick Cure last year; she's got a charming, easy way about her and the stories are engaging but not sickly sweet.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Several for the "Life is Too Short" List.....
The older I get, the more I am aware of time and how little of it is left for reading. I'm at a stage where I only need to read for enjoyment. I always feel conflicted about letting go of an unsatisfying read. But somehow that concern is eased by taking a look at a fresh book on the to-be-read pile.
Sycamore Row - by John Grisham
John Grisham has been quite inconsistent over the years; several of his books are highly engaging and fun, many are just terrible. I'm not sure I want to say this one was terrible but it was quite dull and repetitive. I wonder if, as authors become popular, does no one edit or review their work anymore? I was not enjoying the book, so I abandoned it about half read.
Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly
This one is just a bitter, bitter defeat for me. Connelly has been a top favorite of mine for many, many years but this book just failed to engage me. I slogged through to the middle and decided enough is enough. I see I am in the minority in this based upon Goodreads opinions but I need to move on.
Perfect by Rachel Joyce
Another one where I'm out of step with the general opinion. I only read the first 25-30 pages, found it to be quite opaque and annoying, so I moved on to a palate cleanser. Sometimes I find if I read something just perfectly ordinary, a generic romance or mystery, it can clear the way for me to be more open after a reading block.
I've picked up Letting Go (which I keep singing in my head to the tune of "Let it Go", because, really, how could you not?) by Pamela Morsi. I read a perfectly charming little romance by Morsi last year or so called The Lovesick Cure. We'll see if Letting Go will let me go of my poor attitude toward my reading selections and get back on track!
Sycamore Row - by John Grisham
John Grisham has been quite inconsistent over the years; several of his books are highly engaging and fun, many are just terrible. I'm not sure I want to say this one was terrible but it was quite dull and repetitive. I wonder if, as authors become popular, does no one edit or review their work anymore? I was not enjoying the book, so I abandoned it about half read.
Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly
This one is just a bitter, bitter defeat for me. Connelly has been a top favorite of mine for many, many years but this book just failed to engage me. I slogged through to the middle and decided enough is enough. I see I am in the minority in this based upon Goodreads opinions but I need to move on.
Perfect by Rachel Joyce
Another one where I'm out of step with the general opinion. I only read the first 25-30 pages, found it to be quite opaque and annoying, so I moved on to a palate cleanser. Sometimes I find if I read something just perfectly ordinary, a generic romance or mystery, it can clear the way for me to be more open after a reading block.
I've picked up Letting Go (which I keep singing in my head to the tune of "Let it Go", because, really, how could you not?) by Pamela Morsi. I read a perfectly charming little romance by Morsi last year or so called The Lovesick Cure. We'll see if Letting Go will let me go of my poor attitude toward my reading selections and get back on track!
Silent Land by Graham Joyce
*** 3 stars
This was one crazy book but I did like it. It was a quick read; a fairly slim book which means I'm happier to be a bit patient with it. It's quite inventive and even if I'm not sure the denouement entirely held up, it was an entertaining read.
This was one crazy book but I did like it. It was a quick read; a fairly slim book which means I'm happier to be a bit patient with it. It's quite inventive and even if I'm not sure the denouement entirely held up, it was an entertaining read.
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