I picked up Getting In off of my library's shelves. It sounded like a fun read and something I could somewhat relate to since I am in the educational field. It was a good read, even if it was a bit dry at times, and I give it a B.
From Amazon:
Q: What does a parent need to survive the college application process?
A. A sense of humor.B. A therapist on 24-hour call.C. A large bank balance.D. All of the above.
Getting In is the roller-coaster story of five very different Los Angeles families united by a single obsession: acceptance at a top college, preferably one that makes their friends and neighbors green with envy. At an elite private school and a nearby public school, families devote themselves to getting their seniors into the perfect school--even if the odds are stacked against them, even if they can't afford the $50,000 annual price tag, even if the effort requires a level of deceit, and even if the object of all this attention wants to go somewhere else.
Getting In is a delightfully smart comedy of class and entitlement, of love and ambition, set in a world where a fat envelope from a top school matters more than anything . . . almost.
This was a good read, and I think both adults and teenagers would enjoy the book. Anyone who has had to deal with the pressures of the SATs or college applications I am sure could relate to the book. There was a lot of dry, dark humor but sometimes that's my favorite type! I also love to read about the "elite" private schools and the rich to see how the other half lives, so this book was right up my alley. You have to forgive me though, because I actually finished this book quite awhile ago and am having trouble remembering things I wanted to say. Oh well... that's life!
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
94. Riverside Park by Laura Van Wormer
Riverside Park caught my eye will browsing at the library. Set in one of my favorite locations, I thought it would be right up my alley. It was a great book to sneak in a few pages here and there as my schedule allowed it and I enjoyed it. I give Riverside Park a B.
From Amazon:
Along the banks of the Hudson River is one of New York's premier enclaves, Riverside Park, where up-and-comers rub shoulders with those who have already made it.
Once deliriously happy, Amanda and Howard Stewart now teeter on the brink of infidelity—and financial ruin.
Media titan Cassy Cochran's storybook marriage hides the secret at the core of her existence.
Beautiful, privileged Celia Cavanaugh's life is spiraling out of control—and she's taking a naive teenage boy down with her.
Headstrong single mother Rosanne DiSantos struggled for years to better herself…and now realizes she despises the life she worked so hard to achieve.
Proud father Sam Wyatt refuses to see his family destroyed by an act of desperation—and will do anything to preserve their happiness.
The widespread branches of this urban family entwine in a stirring, multifaceted story of love denied, love revealed and love remembered.
Of course when I am about halfway through, if not more, I realize that Riverside Park is part of a series, or at least the characters appear in another story. That irritates me because I love to get the full backstory. Who knows, maybe down the road I will pick up some of the previous books, but now the story is too fresh in my mind. This is just an easy escape read about the lives of tennants in a fantastic building in New York City's Manhattan. I so love NYC and enjoy reading books set there. While nothing Earth shattering or new, it was a great escape when I had 10 minutes blow drying my hair to read.
From Amazon:
Along the banks of the Hudson River is one of New York's premier enclaves, Riverside Park, where up-and-comers rub shoulders with those who have already made it.
Once deliriously happy, Amanda and Howard Stewart now teeter on the brink of infidelity—and financial ruin.
Media titan Cassy Cochran's storybook marriage hides the secret at the core of her existence.
Beautiful, privileged Celia Cavanaugh's life is spiraling out of control—and she's taking a naive teenage boy down with her.
Headstrong single mother Rosanne DiSantos struggled for years to better herself…and now realizes she despises the life she worked so hard to achieve.
Proud father Sam Wyatt refuses to see his family destroyed by an act of desperation—and will do anything to preserve their happiness.
The widespread branches of this urban family entwine in a stirring, multifaceted story of love denied, love revealed and love remembered.
Of course when I am about halfway through, if not more, I realize that Riverside Park is part of a series, or at least the characters appear in another story. That irritates me because I love to get the full backstory. Who knows, maybe down the road I will pick up some of the previous books, but now the story is too fresh in my mind. This is just an easy escape read about the lives of tennants in a fantastic building in New York City's Manhattan. I so love NYC and enjoy reading books set there. While nothing Earth shattering or new, it was a great escape when I had 10 minutes blow drying my hair to read.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
78. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
While browsing at a bookstore, this book caught my eye. Since I am really watching my book budget and only shopping when I have a gift card, I decided against spending the $15 and looking to see if my library had it. I was in luck and immediately placed a hold. What a great discovery! I give The Weight of Silence an A-.
From Amazon:
It happens quietly one August morning. As dawn's shimmering light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families awaken to find their little girls have gone missing in the night.
Seven-year-old Calli Clark is sweet, gentle, a dreamer who suffers from selective mutism brought on by tragedy that pulled her deep into silence as a toddler.
Calli's mother, Antonia, tried to be the best mother she could within the confines of marriage to a mostly absent, often angry husband. Now, though she denies that her husband could be involved in the possible abductions, she fears her decision to stay in her marriage has cost her more than her daughter's voice.
Petra Gregory is Calli's best friend, her soul mate and her voice. But neither Petra nor Calli has been heard from since their disappearance was discovered. Desperate to find his child, Martin Gregory is forced to confront a side of himself he did not know existed beneath his intellectual, professorial demeanor.
Now these families are tied by the question of what happened to their children. And the answer is trapped in the silence of unspoken family secrets.
I loved this book and the way that is was told. We are brought into the lives and heads of four of the characters. That is one of my favorite types and tools that writers use because I love to get inside the heads of people and characters. Sometimes I think I should have gone into psychology or counseling rather than teaching. I loved the characters though, and just wanted to gather Calli, Petra, and Ben and keep them safe. There is a mystery in the story, though I had that figured out pretty quickly, but it didn't remove anything from the story. I hope Ms. Gudenkauf is quickly working on her next book!
From Amazon:
It happens quietly one August morning. As dawn's shimmering light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families awaken to find their little girls have gone missing in the night.
Seven-year-old Calli Clark is sweet, gentle, a dreamer who suffers from selective mutism brought on by tragedy that pulled her deep into silence as a toddler.
Calli's mother, Antonia, tried to be the best mother she could within the confines of marriage to a mostly absent, often angry husband. Now, though she denies that her husband could be involved in the possible abductions, she fears her decision to stay in her marriage has cost her more than her daughter's voice.
Petra Gregory is Calli's best friend, her soul mate and her voice. But neither Petra nor Calli has been heard from since their disappearance was discovered. Desperate to find his child, Martin Gregory is forced to confront a side of himself he did not know existed beneath his intellectual, professorial demeanor.
Now these families are tied by the question of what happened to their children. And the answer is trapped in the silence of unspoken family secrets.
I loved this book and the way that is was told. We are brought into the lives and heads of four of the characters. That is one of my favorite types and tools that writers use because I love to get inside the heads of people and characters. Sometimes I think I should have gone into psychology or counseling rather than teaching. I loved the characters though, and just wanted to gather Calli, Petra, and Ben and keep them safe. There is a mystery in the story, though I had that figured out pretty quickly, but it didn't remove anything from the story. I hope Ms. Gudenkauf is quickly working on her next book!
77. Thank You for All Things by Sandra Kring
Thank You For All Things was a recommendation to me on Amazon, and I really enjoyed it. It was a touching book, and made me sad and reflective. I give it an A-.
From Amazon:
At twelve, Lucy Marie McGowan already knows she’ll be a psychologist when she grows up. And her quirky and conflicted family provides plenty of opportunity for her to practice her calling. Now Lucy, her “profoundly gifted” twin brother, Milo, her commitment-phobic mother, and her New Age grandmother are leaving Chicago for Timber Falls, Wisconsin, to care for her dying grandfather—a complex and difficult man whose failure as a husband and father still painfully echoes down through the years.Lucy believes her time in the rural town where the McGowan story began will provide a key piece to the puzzle of her family’s broken past, and perhaps even reveal the truth about her own missing father. But what she discovers is so much more—a lesson about the paradoxes of love and the grace of forgiveness that the adults around her will need help in remembering if their family is ever to find peace and embrace the future. By turns heart-wrenching and heart-mending, Thank You for All Things is a powerful and poignant novel by a brilliant storyteller who illustrates that when it comes to matters of family and love, often it is the innocent who force others to confront their darkest secrets.
I loved Lucy and her brother Milo. Oma was another great character, and while I didn't fall in love with Lucy and Milo's mom, she was very realistic. I cried at times while reading this and was reminded of my own grandmother and the way she behaved as she was passing away. It is clear that Ms. Kring did her research on hospice and what happens along the way. While there were difficult topics in the book, including child abuse, it was very touching and a great read. It really got me thinking about my own relationships, but in a good way. I will be checking out more by Ms. Kring!
From Amazon:
At twelve, Lucy Marie McGowan already knows she’ll be a psychologist when she grows up. And her quirky and conflicted family provides plenty of opportunity for her to practice her calling. Now Lucy, her “profoundly gifted” twin brother, Milo, her commitment-phobic mother, and her New Age grandmother are leaving Chicago for Timber Falls, Wisconsin, to care for her dying grandfather—a complex and difficult man whose failure as a husband and father still painfully echoes down through the years.Lucy believes her time in the rural town where the McGowan story began will provide a key piece to the puzzle of her family’s broken past, and perhaps even reveal the truth about her own missing father. But what she discovers is so much more—a lesson about the paradoxes of love and the grace of forgiveness that the adults around her will need help in remembering if their family is ever to find peace and embrace the future. By turns heart-wrenching and heart-mending, Thank You for All Things is a powerful and poignant novel by a brilliant storyteller who illustrates that when it comes to matters of family and love, often it is the innocent who force others to confront their darkest secrets.
I loved Lucy and her brother Milo. Oma was another great character, and while I didn't fall in love with Lucy and Milo's mom, she was very realistic. I cried at times while reading this and was reminded of my own grandmother and the way she behaved as she was passing away. It is clear that Ms. Kring did her research on hospice and what happens along the way. While there were difficult topics in the book, including child abuse, it was very touching and a great read. It really got me thinking about my own relationships, but in a good way. I will be checking out more by Ms. Kring!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
56. Body Surfing by Anita Shreve
While I was looking around at my library, I came across many of Ms. Shreve's books. While I've never read any of hers, her name was certainly familiar to me and I decided to give Body Surfing a try. It was a fast read and ok. I give it a B.
From Amazon:
At the age of 29, Sydney has already been once divorced and once widowed. Trying to regain her footing, she has answered an ad to tutor the teenage daughter of a well-to-do couple as they spend a sultry summer in their oceanfront New Hampshire cottage. But when the Edwards's two grown sons, Ben and Jeff, arrive at the beach house, Sydney finds herself caught up in a destructive web of old tensions and bitter divisions. As the brothers vie for her affections, the fragile existence Sydney has rebuilt is threatened. With the subtle wit, lyrical language, and brilliant insight into the human heart that has led her to be called "an author at one with her metier" (Miami Herald), Shreve weaves a novel about marriage, family, and the supreme courage it takes to love.
I really didn't like the setup of the book. There was maybe a paragraph or two and then a page break. It took me awhile to get into that and I have to admit, made the story seem a bit choppy. I felt like I really didn't get to know any of the main characters, which was a shame, and didn't allow me to connect to anyone. The story itself was in intriguing and there were plenty of twists and turns and I didn't understand some of the reactions and motivation of the characters until the end of the story. While I didn't fall in love, I may check out more of Ms. Shreve's books in the future.
From Amazon:
At the age of 29, Sydney has already been once divorced and once widowed. Trying to regain her footing, she has answered an ad to tutor the teenage daughter of a well-to-do couple as they spend a sultry summer in their oceanfront New Hampshire cottage. But when the Edwards's two grown sons, Ben and Jeff, arrive at the beach house, Sydney finds herself caught up in a destructive web of old tensions and bitter divisions. As the brothers vie for her affections, the fragile existence Sydney has rebuilt is threatened. With the subtle wit, lyrical language, and brilliant insight into the human heart that has led her to be called "an author at one with her metier" (Miami Herald), Shreve weaves a novel about marriage, family, and the supreme courage it takes to love.
I really didn't like the setup of the book. There was maybe a paragraph or two and then a page break. It took me awhile to get into that and I have to admit, made the story seem a bit choppy. I felt like I really didn't get to know any of the main characters, which was a shame, and didn't allow me to connect to anyone. The story itself was in intriguing and there were plenty of twists and turns and I didn't understand some of the reactions and motivation of the characters until the end of the story. While I didn't fall in love, I may check out more of Ms. Shreve's books in the future.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
54. The Punch: A Novel by Noah Hawley
I grabbed The Punch from my local library off of the new release shelf. It seemed funny and something different, but perhaps the timing was off a bit. I give it a B-.
From Amazon:
David believes that at heart, people are inherently rotten. Scott, his brother, believes that his life is going to fall apart, and that everyone he loves will leave him. Doris, their mother, believes that she has nothing to lose by revealing a 60-year-old family secret. This hysterically biting and ultimately redeeming novel by Noah Hawley proves them all right and wrong while answering some of life's biggest questions. Like, how did Scott end up with two wonderful wives simultaneously? And why can't David manage to keep even one dysfunctional relationship going? It all comes down to love and families and what you believe in and, maybe, forgiveness.
As I mentioned above, maybe the timing was off with me because the death of my grandma was so fresh and recent. But because of that, I could also see how several of the reactions and thoughts were quite real. My family (aunts and the like) can be quite out there sometimes and hard to handle and that came across in this book. There was some humor involved and it was that dry humor that I love so much. While I probably won't read anything else by Mr. Hawley (at least I won't seek anything out), I wasn't disappointed with this book. It just probably won't stay with me for long.
From Amazon:
David believes that at heart, people are inherently rotten. Scott, his brother, believes that his life is going to fall apart, and that everyone he loves will leave him. Doris, their mother, believes that she has nothing to lose by revealing a 60-year-old family secret. This hysterically biting and ultimately redeeming novel by Noah Hawley proves them all right and wrong while answering some of life's biggest questions. Like, how did Scott end up with two wonderful wives simultaneously? And why can't David manage to keep even one dysfunctional relationship going? It all comes down to love and families and what you believe in and, maybe, forgiveness.
As I mentioned above, maybe the timing was off with me because the death of my grandma was so fresh and recent. But because of that, I could also see how several of the reactions and thoughts were quite real. My family (aunts and the like) can be quite out there sometimes and hard to handle and that came across in this book. There was some humor involved and it was that dry humor that I love so much. While I probably won't read anything else by Mr. Hawley (at least I won't seek anything out), I wasn't disappointed with this book. It just probably won't stay with me for long.
53. Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah
I picked up Magic Hour while browsing. While I am sure I'd heard about Ms. Hannah before, I never read anything by her. I'm glad I gave it a go, it was a warm and touching book, one I needed to read while planning and getting through my beloved grandmother's funeral. I give it an A-.
From Amazon:
Deep in the Pacific Northwest lies the Olympic National Forest– nearly one million acres of impenetrable darkness and impossible beauty. Even in this modern age, much of it remains undiscovered and uncharted. From the heart of this old forest, a six-year-old girl appears. Speechless and alone, she can give no clue as to her identity, no hint of her past. . . .Until recently, Dr. Julia Cates was one of the preeminent child psychiatrists in the country, but a scandal shattered her confidence, ruined her career, and made her a media target. When she gets a desperate call from her estranged sister, Ellie, a police chief in their small western Washington hometown, she jumps at the chance to escape. In Rain Valley, nothing much ever happens–until a girl emerges from the deep woods and walks into town. She is a victim unlike any Julia has ever seen: a child locked in a world of unimaginable fear and isolation. When word spreads of the “wild child” and the infamous doctor who is treating her, the media descend on Julia and once again her competence is challenged. State and federal authorities want to lock the girl away in an institution until an identification can be made.But to Julia, who has come to doubt her own ability, nothing is more important than saving the girl she now calls Alice. To heal this child, Julia will have to understand that she cannot work alone and must look to others–the people in the town she left long ago, the sister she barely knows, and Dr. Max Cerrasin, a handsome, private man with secrets of his own.Then a shocking revelation forces Julia to risk everything to discover the truth about Alice. The ordeal that follows will test the limits of Julia’s faith, forgiveness, and love, as she struggles to ascertain where Alice ultimately belongs.In her most ambitious novel to date, Kristin Hannah delivers an incandescent story about the resilience of the human spirit, the triumph of hope, and the mysterious places in the heart where love lies waiting.
While in some spots a bit predictible, I fell in love with Ellie, Julia, the small twon where the story takes place, and of course Alice. This book was so warm and caring and it was so well written that I felt like I belonged there with the town. While I thought the ending could have been a bit better, I was left feeling happy and sad at the same time and content with reading it. As I mentioned above, while reading it we were planning and then attending my grandmother's funeral and in some ways, the book allowed me to escape but also remember the wonderful things my grandma did. I will definitely be checking out more of Ms. Hannah's backlist (as a matter of fact I already have checked out one of her other books!).
From Amazon:
Deep in the Pacific Northwest lies the Olympic National Forest– nearly one million acres of impenetrable darkness and impossible beauty. Even in this modern age, much of it remains undiscovered and uncharted. From the heart of this old forest, a six-year-old girl appears. Speechless and alone, she can give no clue as to her identity, no hint of her past. . . .Until recently, Dr. Julia Cates was one of the preeminent child psychiatrists in the country, but a scandal shattered her confidence, ruined her career, and made her a media target. When she gets a desperate call from her estranged sister, Ellie, a police chief in their small western Washington hometown, she jumps at the chance to escape. In Rain Valley, nothing much ever happens–until a girl emerges from the deep woods and walks into town. She is a victim unlike any Julia has ever seen: a child locked in a world of unimaginable fear and isolation. When word spreads of the “wild child” and the infamous doctor who is treating her, the media descend on Julia and once again her competence is challenged. State and federal authorities want to lock the girl away in an institution until an identification can be made.But to Julia, who has come to doubt her own ability, nothing is more important than saving the girl she now calls Alice. To heal this child, Julia will have to understand that she cannot work alone and must look to others–the people in the town she left long ago, the sister she barely knows, and Dr. Max Cerrasin, a handsome, private man with secrets of his own.Then a shocking revelation forces Julia to risk everything to discover the truth about Alice. The ordeal that follows will test the limits of Julia’s faith, forgiveness, and love, as she struggles to ascertain where Alice ultimately belongs.In her most ambitious novel to date, Kristin Hannah delivers an incandescent story about the resilience of the human spirit, the triumph of hope, and the mysterious places in the heart where love lies waiting.
While in some spots a bit predictible, I fell in love with Ellie, Julia, the small twon where the story takes place, and of course Alice. This book was so warm and caring and it was so well written that I felt like I belonged there with the town. While I thought the ending could have been a bit better, I was left feeling happy and sad at the same time and content with reading it. As I mentioned above, while reading it we were planning and then attending my grandmother's funeral and in some ways, the book allowed me to escape but also remember the wonderful things my grandma did. I will definitely be checking out more of Ms. Hannah's backlist (as a matter of fact I already have checked out one of her other books!).
Saturday, March 27, 2010
23. The Heights
I am not sure how I heard of The Heights, but I placed a hold at my local library awhile ago. It finally came in and I gobbled it up. I really enjoyed it and give it an A-.
From Amazon:
Tim Welch is a popular history teacher at the Montague Academy, an exclusive private school in Brooklyn Heights. As he says, "I was an odd-looking, gawky kid but I like to think my rocky start forced me to develop empathy, kindness, and a tendency to be enthusiastic. All of this, I'm now convinced, helped in my quest to be worthy of Kate Oliver." Now, Kate is not inherently ordinary. But she aspires to be. She stays home with their two young sons in a modest apartment trying desperately to become the parent she never had. They are seemingly the last middle-class family in the Heights, whose world is turned upside down by Anna Brody, the new neighbor who moves into the most expensive brownstone in Brooklyn, sending the local society into a tailspin. Anna is not only beautiful and wealthy; she's also mysterious. And for reasons Kate doesn't quite understand, even as all the Range Rover- driving moms jockey for invitations into Anna's circle, Anna sets her sights on Kate and Tim and brings them into her world.
My heart broke for Tim. He seemed like such a great guy, albeit a bit confused. I loved the setting (of course I did... it was in New York!) which almost seemed to be a character in the story itself. While Kate was a bit hard to like or sympathize with, she was very real and for that I was thankful. The ending left me a bit disappointed though, and for that the book ended up as an A- instead of an A. I highly recommend this one!
From Amazon:
Tim Welch is a popular history teacher at the Montague Academy, an exclusive private school in Brooklyn Heights. As he says, "I was an odd-looking, gawky kid but I like to think my rocky start forced me to develop empathy, kindness, and a tendency to be enthusiastic. All of this, I'm now convinced, helped in my quest to be worthy of Kate Oliver." Now, Kate is not inherently ordinary. But she aspires to be. She stays home with their two young sons in a modest apartment trying desperately to become the parent she never had. They are seemingly the last middle-class family in the Heights, whose world is turned upside down by Anna Brody, the new neighbor who moves into the most expensive brownstone in Brooklyn, sending the local society into a tailspin. Anna is not only beautiful and wealthy; she's also mysterious. And for reasons Kate doesn't quite understand, even as all the Range Rover- driving moms jockey for invitations into Anna's circle, Anna sets her sights on Kate and Tim and brings them into her world.
My heart broke for Tim. He seemed like such a great guy, albeit a bit confused. I loved the setting (of course I did... it was in New York!) which almost seemed to be a character in the story itself. While Kate was a bit hard to like or sympathize with, she was very real and for that I was thankful. The ending left me a bit disappointed though, and for that the book ended up as an A- instead of an A. I highly recommend this one!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
12. Too Much Money by Domenick Dunne
I am a huge true crime buff and can't get enough of those types of shows on TV. I've been a fan of Domenick Dunne's show on Tru TV and even own a few of his books though I haven't read any. When I read a review of his newest, I decided to place a hold on it through my library. I quickly read it and enjoyed it. I give it a B.
From Amazon:
My name is Gus Bailey…It should be pointed out that it is a regular feature of my life that people whisper things in my ear, very private things, about themselves or others. I have always understood the art of listening. The last two years have been monstrously unpleasant for high-society journalist Gus Bailey. His propensity for gossip has finally gotten him into trouble—$11 million worth. His problems begin when he falls hook, line, and sinker for a fake story from an unreliable source and repeats it on a radio program. As a result of his flip comments, Gus becomes embroiled in a nasty slander suit brought by Kyle Cramden, the powerful congressman he accuses of being involved in the mysterious disappearance of a young woman, and he fears it could mean the end of him. The stress of the lawsuit makes it difficult for Gus to focus on the novel he has been contracted to write, which is based on the suspicious death of billionaire Konstantin Zacharias. It is a story that has dominated the party conversations of Manhattan's chattering classes for more than two years. The convicted murderer is behind bars, but Gus is not convinced that justice was served. There are too many unanswered questions, such as why a paranoid man who was usually accompanied by bodyguards was without protection the very night he perished in a tragic fire. Konstantin's hot-tempered widow, Perla, is obsessed with climbing the social ladder and, as a result, she will do anything to suppress this potentially damaging story. Gus is convinced she is the only thing standing between him and the truth. Dominick Dunne revives the world he first introduced in his mega-bestselling novel People Like Us, and he brings readers up to date on favorite characters such as Ruby and Elias Renthal, Lil Altemus, and, of course, the beloved Gus Bailey. Once again, he invites us to pull up a seat at the most important tables at Swifty's, get past the doormen at esteemed social clubs like The Butterfield, and venture into the innermost chambers of the Upper East Side's most sumptuous mansions.
I so love diving into a juicy story of the rich and famous, and though this book is fiction, I did see a lot of similarities to cases I have heard in the news. Mr. Dunne also adds in real people into the story such as Laura Bush and Prince Charles which helps add to the believeble factor. This story has all of the backstabbing, gossip, and child like behavior of those who are richer than anyone could ever imagine being. With days filled of lunches and then preparing for the party at night, I never get sick of reading about the wealthly. I probably would have graded this book higher, but a lot of useless information was repeated more than once and it grated on my nerves a bit. I also felt like the ending was rushed a bit, but I do know Mr. Dunne died late last year, so I wonder if perhaps his health took a turn for the worse and it impacted the story. All in all, I enjoyed it and am probably going to dust off the other books I have by Mr. Dunne.
Today I went to the library and picked up 6 books, most of them having to do with New York City in one way or another. I feel a binge of NYC books coming up, which is something I tend to do once in awhile. Mid-winter break is next week, so hopefully there will be plenty of time to read and organize and clean around here. I enjoyed my snow day yesterday which is when I finished Too Much Money, but didn't get much done, so I have to make a list of things I want to finish. I hope everyone is enjoying their week! Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
My name is Gus Bailey…It should be pointed out that it is a regular feature of my life that people whisper things in my ear, very private things, about themselves or others. I have always understood the art of listening. The last two years have been monstrously unpleasant for high-society journalist Gus Bailey. His propensity for gossip has finally gotten him into trouble—$11 million worth. His problems begin when he falls hook, line, and sinker for a fake story from an unreliable source and repeats it on a radio program. As a result of his flip comments, Gus becomes embroiled in a nasty slander suit brought by Kyle Cramden, the powerful congressman he accuses of being involved in the mysterious disappearance of a young woman, and he fears it could mean the end of him. The stress of the lawsuit makes it difficult for Gus to focus on the novel he has been contracted to write, which is based on the suspicious death of billionaire Konstantin Zacharias. It is a story that has dominated the party conversations of Manhattan's chattering classes for more than two years. The convicted murderer is behind bars, but Gus is not convinced that justice was served. There are too many unanswered questions, such as why a paranoid man who was usually accompanied by bodyguards was without protection the very night he perished in a tragic fire. Konstantin's hot-tempered widow, Perla, is obsessed with climbing the social ladder and, as a result, she will do anything to suppress this potentially damaging story. Gus is convinced she is the only thing standing between him and the truth. Dominick Dunne revives the world he first introduced in his mega-bestselling novel People Like Us, and he brings readers up to date on favorite characters such as Ruby and Elias Renthal, Lil Altemus, and, of course, the beloved Gus Bailey. Once again, he invites us to pull up a seat at the most important tables at Swifty's, get past the doormen at esteemed social clubs like The Butterfield, and venture into the innermost chambers of the Upper East Side's most sumptuous mansions.
I so love diving into a juicy story of the rich and famous, and though this book is fiction, I did see a lot of similarities to cases I have heard in the news. Mr. Dunne also adds in real people into the story such as Laura Bush and Prince Charles which helps add to the believeble factor. This story has all of the backstabbing, gossip, and child like behavior of those who are richer than anyone could ever imagine being. With days filled of lunches and then preparing for the party at night, I never get sick of reading about the wealthly. I probably would have graded this book higher, but a lot of useless information was repeated more than once and it grated on my nerves a bit. I also felt like the ending was rushed a bit, but I do know Mr. Dunne died late last year, so I wonder if perhaps his health took a turn for the worse and it impacted the story. All in all, I enjoyed it and am probably going to dust off the other books I have by Mr. Dunne.
Today I went to the library and picked up 6 books, most of them having to do with New York City in one way or another. I feel a binge of NYC books coming up, which is something I tend to do once in awhile. Mid-winter break is next week, so hopefully there will be plenty of time to read and organize and clean around here. I enjoyed my snow day yesterday which is when I finished Too Much Money, but didn't get much done, so I have to make a list of things I want to finish. I hope everyone is enjoying their week! Happy Reading!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
8. On the Loose by Andrew Coburn
My reading has been so blah lately and I'm not sure why. I started another book this weekend and was more than halfway through when I decided to give up on it because I couldn't get into it. I picked up On the Loose from my shelves because it was somewhat shorter and I thought I would be able to get into it quickly. It was an interesting read, and a quick one as well, and I give it a B.
Back cover:
By the time he was twelve years old, young Bobby Sawhill had killed two people, brutally and with no remorse. He was tried as a juvenille and sentenced to a youth detention center, where he refused counseling. All he seems to care about is bodybuilding, getting bigger. Stronger. Soon he'll be 21. He'll be released- and then Bobby's coming home. Home to a small town that will live in fear, certain that Bobby will kill again, unable to do anything but wait for him to strike.
I thought that On the Loose would be more of a suspense novel, but it was really a story about a small town and how a brutal and senseless murder affects them all. Told over a span of 9 years, with little explanation of how time is moving on, except small mentions of the seasons changing, it was interesting and different from anything that I've ever read before. Mr. Coburn does an excellent job of delving into everyone's emotions and grabs the reader's heartstrings. I almost found myself feeling sorry for Bobby and wasn't sure what to feel and think. The book, if nothing else, reminds us that there are always more than one side to a story, and sometimes we need to put ourselves in another person's shoes. I will definitely be looking for more books by Mr. Coburn in the future.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. In a rare moment, I have no library books checked out (though I do have a ton on hold that I am sure will come in at the same time) so I am going to grab something off of my shelves. Right now is my busy time, with subbing, tutoring online, and then working at my mom's tax business. Hopefully my reading will not suffer more than it has now. I hope everyone else is getting lots and lots of great reading in and Happy Reading!
Back cover:
By the time he was twelve years old, young Bobby Sawhill had killed two people, brutally and with no remorse. He was tried as a juvenille and sentenced to a youth detention center, where he refused counseling. All he seems to care about is bodybuilding, getting bigger. Stronger. Soon he'll be 21. He'll be released- and then Bobby's coming home. Home to a small town that will live in fear, certain that Bobby will kill again, unable to do anything but wait for him to strike.
I thought that On the Loose would be more of a suspense novel, but it was really a story about a small town and how a brutal and senseless murder affects them all. Told over a span of 9 years, with little explanation of how time is moving on, except small mentions of the seasons changing, it was interesting and different from anything that I've ever read before. Mr. Coburn does an excellent job of delving into everyone's emotions and grabs the reader's heartstrings. I almost found myself feeling sorry for Bobby and wasn't sure what to feel and think. The book, if nothing else, reminds us that there are always more than one side to a story, and sometimes we need to put ourselves in another person's shoes. I will definitely be looking for more books by Mr. Coburn in the future.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. In a rare moment, I have no library books checked out (though I do have a ton on hold that I am sure will come in at the same time) so I am going to grab something off of my shelves. Right now is my busy time, with subbing, tutoring online, and then working at my mom's tax business. Hopefully my reading will not suffer more than it has now. I hope everyone else is getting lots and lots of great reading in and Happy Reading!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Flesh Wounds by Mick Cochrane
I really didn't think I would be able to sneak one more book in before the end of the year, but I was just able to make it. Flesh Wounds was a book I found while at the library and I am so glad I picked it up. I give it an A-.
Inside cover:
When the police come to arrest Hal Lamm, a Minneapolis salesman, for abusing his thirteen-year-old granddaughter, his entire family must come to terms with their secrets and unhealed wounds. Hal's wife, Phyllis, after decades of denial and emotional estrangement, finally confronts him. His daughter, Ellie, herself once abused by Hal, has sought to find strength by moving away, and now discovers it back in the midst of her family. Cal, the youngest son, is a lawyer whose instinct to defend Hal- until he becomes a father himself. Most poignantly of all, the granddaughter Becky, unconsoled by the parties and gifts her parents give her, and suspicious of the therapist she is now required to see, keeps her rage hidden- and nearly tears herself up.
Flesh Wounds was a touch family story, one that grips you and doesn't let go long after you close the book. As I mentioned, I saw the book next to one I was planning on picking up by Harlan Coben and I thought it was a new book. I was surprised when I realized it was written in 1997 and takes place in the early 90s. Even though it's over 10 years old, the story isn't affected and one that is a pleasure to read. The reader gets an inside view of many of the family members nd is taken through a year in the life of the family. We see the characters grow and change as they deal with the aftermath of abuse that has happened for decades. While it is a different type of book that I normally read, it was one I really enjoyed. I started it last night and finished it this afternoon and was just gripped throughout the entire story. I couldn't recommend it more to anyone. I am going to have to check and see if Mr. Cochrane wrote any other books.
Well, all of my Christmas decorations are done, the house is clean, and everything is put away. We had insulation added into our attic and also got that cleaned out this morning. I am still feeling a bit under the weather with a cold, but am looking forward to relaxing and perhaps reading a bit more before I perhaps go to my BIL and SIL's house tonight for a small get together. I ended up falling four books short of my reading goal this year, only reading 131. Next year, I am going to shoot for 135 books again but am not going to join any challenges. I am just not good with following up with them and like the flexibility of reading whatever I like whenever I like. I'm too competetive to just relax and hope to finish the challenges. Good luck to all of you in your challenges and wherever you are ringing in the New Year I hope you have a safe and happy one! Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
When the police come to arrest Hal Lamm, a Minneapolis salesman, for abusing his thirteen-year-old granddaughter, his entire family must come to terms with their secrets and unhealed wounds. Hal's wife, Phyllis, after decades of denial and emotional estrangement, finally confronts him. His daughter, Ellie, herself once abused by Hal, has sought to find strength by moving away, and now discovers it back in the midst of her family. Cal, the youngest son, is a lawyer whose instinct to defend Hal- until he becomes a father himself. Most poignantly of all, the granddaughter Becky, unconsoled by the parties and gifts her parents give her, and suspicious of the therapist she is now required to see, keeps her rage hidden- and nearly tears herself up.
Flesh Wounds was a touch family story, one that grips you and doesn't let go long after you close the book. As I mentioned, I saw the book next to one I was planning on picking up by Harlan Coben and I thought it was a new book. I was surprised when I realized it was written in 1997 and takes place in the early 90s. Even though it's over 10 years old, the story isn't affected and one that is a pleasure to read. The reader gets an inside view of many of the family members nd is taken through a year in the life of the family. We see the characters grow and change as they deal with the aftermath of abuse that has happened for decades. While it is a different type of book that I normally read, it was one I really enjoyed. I started it last night and finished it this afternoon and was just gripped throughout the entire story. I couldn't recommend it more to anyone. I am going to have to check and see if Mr. Cochrane wrote any other books.
Well, all of my Christmas decorations are done, the house is clean, and everything is put away. We had insulation added into our attic and also got that cleaned out this morning. I am still feeling a bit under the weather with a cold, but am looking forward to relaxing and perhaps reading a bit more before I perhaps go to my BIL and SIL's house tonight for a small get together. I ended up falling four books short of my reading goal this year, only reading 131. Next year, I am going to shoot for 135 books again but am not going to join any challenges. I am just not good with following up with them and like the flexibility of reading whatever I like whenever I like. I'm too competetive to just relax and hope to finish the challenges. Good luck to all of you in your challenges and wherever you are ringing in the New Year I hope you have a safe and happy one! Happy Reading!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
A Friend of the Family by Lauren Grodstein
Another book I hear about from the blogosphere, another blog I can't remember! I thought I was going to be better about remembering these things! Whoever it was, thank you for reviewing or highlighting this book. It was so powerful, go sad and so gripping. I give it a B+.
Inside cover:
Pete Dizinoff has spent his whole life working toward an adulthood that would be, by all measures, judged successful. And in nearly every way, he's accomplished just that: A skilled and intuitive internist with a local following of patients, he's build a thriving medical practice in Round Hill, New Jersey. He has a loving and devoted wife, a network of close friends, a comfortable surburban status, an impressive house, a good view from the porch. And most of all, he has a son, for whom he wants only the best. Pete and his wife Elaine, have only one child, and Pete has pinned his hopes on Alec. They've afforded him every opportunity, bailed him out of close calls with the law, and despite Alec's lack of interest, even managed to get him accepted by a good college.
But Pete never counted on the wild card: Laura, his best friend's daughter. Ten years older than Alec, irresistibly beautiful, with a history so shocking that it's never spoken of, Laura sets her sights on Alec, who falls under her spell. And with that, Pete sees his dreams for his son not just unravelling but completely destroyed. With a belief that he has only the best intentions, he sets out to derail the romance. But he could not have foreseen how, in the process, he might shatter his whole life and devastate his family.
I don't know where to start with this story. There is so much going on, so much pain and real life thrown into the mix, and I was just glued to the pages. I felt so much for Pete and could see myself in his shoes, making the same decisions and feeling the same things that he does. It is just so clear that all Pete wants is for his family to be happy and safe and he feels it's his role to make sure that happens. I wanted to jump in the story and hold a major therapy session with all of the characters in the story and just straighten everything out. There were times I was crying and had to stop myself from reading for a minute to regroup and times where I was shaking or nodding my head along with the characters. It's been awhile since a book has hit me so strongly and while parts were difficult to read, I am so glad I read this book. I would forewarn anyone who reads it, though, that there are some graphic parts that are a lot to stomach, but can not recommend the book enough. The only reason why I marked the book down a bit was because the story is not told in a linear fashion, and why that doesn't normally bother me, at times it was a bit difficult to figure out exactly when everything is happening. I can predict this one book that will stay with me for quite awhile.
I hope to get at least 30 or so pages in a new book tonight before bed. I am going to grab something off of my own shelves now since this is the 3rd library book in a row I've read. I am tired and have to get up early tomorrow, but I am on such a good streak right now reading that I want to start something! Stay safe and warm everyone, wherever you are (We had 50+mph winds today! Brrrr.... ) and Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
Pete Dizinoff has spent his whole life working toward an adulthood that would be, by all measures, judged successful. And in nearly every way, he's accomplished just that: A skilled and intuitive internist with a local following of patients, he's build a thriving medical practice in Round Hill, New Jersey. He has a loving and devoted wife, a network of close friends, a comfortable surburban status, an impressive house, a good view from the porch. And most of all, he has a son, for whom he wants only the best. Pete and his wife Elaine, have only one child, and Pete has pinned his hopes on Alec. They've afforded him every opportunity, bailed him out of close calls with the law, and despite Alec's lack of interest, even managed to get him accepted by a good college.
But Pete never counted on the wild card: Laura, his best friend's daughter. Ten years older than Alec, irresistibly beautiful, with a history so shocking that it's never spoken of, Laura sets her sights on Alec, who falls under her spell. And with that, Pete sees his dreams for his son not just unravelling but completely destroyed. With a belief that he has only the best intentions, he sets out to derail the romance. But he could not have foreseen how, in the process, he might shatter his whole life and devastate his family.
I don't know where to start with this story. There is so much going on, so much pain and real life thrown into the mix, and I was just glued to the pages. I felt so much for Pete and could see myself in his shoes, making the same decisions and feeling the same things that he does. It is just so clear that all Pete wants is for his family to be happy and safe and he feels it's his role to make sure that happens. I wanted to jump in the story and hold a major therapy session with all of the characters in the story and just straighten everything out. There were times I was crying and had to stop myself from reading for a minute to regroup and times where I was shaking or nodding my head along with the characters. It's been awhile since a book has hit me so strongly and while parts were difficult to read, I am so glad I read this book. I would forewarn anyone who reads it, though, that there are some graphic parts that are a lot to stomach, but can not recommend the book enough. The only reason why I marked the book down a bit was because the story is not told in a linear fashion, and why that doesn't normally bother me, at times it was a bit difficult to figure out exactly when everything is happening. I can predict this one book that will stay with me for quite awhile.
I hope to get at least 30 or so pages in a new book tonight before bed. I am going to grab something off of my own shelves now since this is the 3rd library book in a row I've read. I am tired and have to get up early tomorrow, but I am on such a good streak right now reading that I want to start something! Stay safe and warm everyone, wherever you are (We had 50+mph winds today! Brrrr.... ) and Happy Reading!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The Promised World by Lisa Tucker
I read about The Promised World on Wendy's blog and the book sounded fantastic. I quickly placed a hold on it through my library and finally got around to it. It was a quick read, and something different. There was a lot of emotion thrown at the reader in 319 pages, but I enjoyed it. I give it a B.
Inside cover:
On a March afternoon, while Lila Cole is working her quiet office, her twin brother Billy points an unoladed rifle out of a hotel window, closing down a city block. "Suicide by police" was obviously Billy's intended result, but the aftermath of his death brings shock after shock for Lila when she discovers that her brilliant but troubled twin- the person she revered and was closer to than anyone in the world- was not only estranged from his wife, but also charged with endangering the life of his middle child and namesake, eight-year-old William.
As Lila struggles to figure out what was truth and what was fiction in her brother's complicated past, her job, her marriage, and even her sanity will be put at risk. And when the hidden meaning behind Billy's stories comes to light, she will have to act before Billy's children are destroyed by the same heartbreaking reality that shattered her protector and twin more than twenty years earlier.
The Promised World is filled with characters that are unlikeable and challenging. I wanted to shake some sense in Lila as she sees her entire life slipping out of her grasp because of her immense grief over her twin's death. Throughout the book, Billy is described as the perfect person, though in my eyes, I saw a lot of faults and dumb pride that hurt him and those he loved. There were quite a few mysteries to be fleshed out throughout the story, and parts of the book were difficult to read. Without spoiling it for anyone, I was appalled by some of the actions of some characters, though it did open my eyes to some of the lesser talked about evils in the world. I will probably be checking out more books by Ms. Tucker in the future.
I am not sure what I will read next though it will be one of my own books. I think I may have my husband grab something for me, or maybe I will use a random generator to pick for me. Big sports day today, and we also have bowling this evening and I always have cleaning and laundry to do, but I hope to get some reading in. Have a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
On a March afternoon, while Lila Cole is working her quiet office, her twin brother Billy points an unoladed rifle out of a hotel window, closing down a city block. "Suicide by police" was obviously Billy's intended result, but the aftermath of his death brings shock after shock for Lila when she discovers that her brilliant but troubled twin- the person she revered and was closer to than anyone in the world- was not only estranged from his wife, but also charged with endangering the life of his middle child and namesake, eight-year-old William.
As Lila struggles to figure out what was truth and what was fiction in her brother's complicated past, her job, her marriage, and even her sanity will be put at risk. And when the hidden meaning behind Billy's stories comes to light, she will have to act before Billy's children are destroyed by the same heartbreaking reality that shattered her protector and twin more than twenty years earlier.
The Promised World is filled with characters that are unlikeable and challenging. I wanted to shake some sense in Lila as she sees her entire life slipping out of her grasp because of her immense grief over her twin's death. Throughout the book, Billy is described as the perfect person, though in my eyes, I saw a lot of faults and dumb pride that hurt him and those he loved. There were quite a few mysteries to be fleshed out throughout the story, and parts of the book were difficult to read. Without spoiling it for anyone, I was appalled by some of the actions of some characters, though it did open my eyes to some of the lesser talked about evils in the world. I will probably be checking out more books by Ms. Tucker in the future.
I am not sure what I will read next though it will be one of my own books. I think I may have my husband grab something for me, or maybe I will use a random generator to pick for me. Big sports day today, and we also have bowling this evening and I always have cleaning and laundry to do, but I hope to get some reading in. Have a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Dismantled by Jennifer McMahon
I read about Dismantled on someone's blog, and as I had read and enjoyed Ms. McMahon's previous novel, I decided to give this one a try. I should have stuck with what the reviewer said, because I didn't really enjoy the book that much. I give it a C.
Inside cover:
Henry, Tess, Winnie and Suz banded together in college to form a group they called the Compassionate Dismantlers. Following the first rule of their manifesto- "To understand the nature of a thing it must be taken apart"- these daring misfits spend the summer after graduation in a remote cabin in the Vermont woods committing acts of meaningful vandalism and plotting elaborate, often dangerous, pranks. But everything changes when one particularly twisted experiment ends in Suz's death and the others decide to cover it up.
Nearly a decade later, Henry and Tess are living just an hour's drive from the old cabin. Each is desperate to move on from the summer of the Dismantlers, but their guilt isn't ready to let them go. When a victim of their past pranks commits suicide- apparently triggered by a mysterious Dismantler style postcard- it sets off a chain of eerie events that threatens to engulf Henry, Tess, and their inquisitive nine-year-old daughter, Emma. Is there someone who wants to reveal their secrets? Is it possible that Suz did not really die- or has somehow found a way back to seek revenge?
I really didn't like any of the characters, so I think that was part of the problem with the story. I didn't care about any of them, except maybe for Emma, and thought that they were all very selfish. There were also paranormal aspects, which we all know is not exactly my cup of tea, so that lowered my rating a bit as well. There was quite a twist at the end of the story which redeemed part of it, but part of the time I was reading I kept asking myself why I was even reading it. I probably should have just moved on but didn't.
Well hate to make this short, but I have a wedding to go to. I really don't want to go, but am sucking it up. Have a great night everyone and Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
Henry, Tess, Winnie and Suz banded together in college to form a group they called the Compassionate Dismantlers. Following the first rule of their manifesto- "To understand the nature of a thing it must be taken apart"- these daring misfits spend the summer after graduation in a remote cabin in the Vermont woods committing acts of meaningful vandalism and plotting elaborate, often dangerous, pranks. But everything changes when one particularly twisted experiment ends in Suz's death and the others decide to cover it up.
Nearly a decade later, Henry and Tess are living just an hour's drive from the old cabin. Each is desperate to move on from the summer of the Dismantlers, but their guilt isn't ready to let them go. When a victim of their past pranks commits suicide- apparently triggered by a mysterious Dismantler style postcard- it sets off a chain of eerie events that threatens to engulf Henry, Tess, and their inquisitive nine-year-old daughter, Emma. Is there someone who wants to reveal their secrets? Is it possible that Suz did not really die- or has somehow found a way back to seek revenge?
I really didn't like any of the characters, so I think that was part of the problem with the story. I didn't care about any of them, except maybe for Emma, and thought that they were all very selfish. There were also paranormal aspects, which we all know is not exactly my cup of tea, so that lowered my rating a bit as well. There was quite a twist at the end of the story which redeemed part of it, but part of the time I was reading I kept asking myself why I was even reading it. I probably should have just moved on but didn't.
Well hate to make this short, but I have a wedding to go to. I really don't want to go, but am sucking it up. Have a great night everyone and Happy Reading!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
I have read/heard about The Chosen One from many different blogs, and though I tend to not read Young Adult books, I had to read this one. I am fascinated with cults, especially those based loosely on the Mormon faith and polygamy. I read The Chosen One in about 2 hours and throughly enjoyed it. I give it a B+.
Inside cover:
Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. That is, without questioning them much- if you don't count her secret visits to the Ironton County Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her.
But when the Prophet decrees that she mush marry her sixty-year-old uncle- who already has six wives- Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever.
As I said, this was a very difficult book to read. Some of the things that Kyra goes through is incredibly disturbing, and it brought me to tears. The fact that things like this really does happen in our world, even in our own country, just makes it that much more troubling. I wanted to jump through the pages and rescue Kyra myself. My hear absolutely breaks for her and you can just feel her helplessness. I loved her passion for reading and the escape and courage that books brings to her, and it helped me remember how precious the freedoms that we have in this country, including the ability to read whatever we want whenever we choose to. I highly recommend this book, even if YA books aren't your thing. They normally are not mine but I still loved this book.
I am not sure what I am going to read next but I am out of library books, so down to my bookshelves I will go. I hope to squeeze in a few more hours of reading tonight. Even though it is quite cloudy out and overcast, I think my front porch is calling my name. If you have a few minutes to spare, please head over to Musing of a Bookish Kitty where the lovely and always wonderful Wendy has spotlighted me and my little blog today. If you haven't alread read her, it really is a must read for everyone as she is such a wonderful blogger and more importantly, a wonderful person. Happy Reading everyone!
Inside cover:
Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. That is, without questioning them much- if you don't count her secret visits to the Ironton County Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her.
But when the Prophet decrees that she mush marry her sixty-year-old uncle- who already has six wives- Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever.
As I said, this was a very difficult book to read. Some of the things that Kyra goes through is incredibly disturbing, and it brought me to tears. The fact that things like this really does happen in our world, even in our own country, just makes it that much more troubling. I wanted to jump through the pages and rescue Kyra myself. My hear absolutely breaks for her and you can just feel her helplessness. I loved her passion for reading and the escape and courage that books brings to her, and it helped me remember how precious the freedoms that we have in this country, including the ability to read whatever we want whenever we choose to. I highly recommend this book, even if YA books aren't your thing. They normally are not mine but I still loved this book.
I am not sure what I am going to read next but I am out of library books, so down to my bookshelves I will go. I hope to squeeze in a few more hours of reading tonight. Even though it is quite cloudy out and overcast, I think my front porch is calling my name. If you have a few minutes to spare, please head over to Musing of a Bookish Kitty where the lovely and always wonderful Wendy has spotlighted me and my little blog today. If you haven't alread read her, it really is a must read for everyone as she is such a wonderful blogger and more importantly, a wonderful person. Happy Reading everyone!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The Practice of Deceit by Elizabeth Benedict
The Practice of Deceit was a book I got from Borders a couple of weeks ago. It was part of their "Bargain Books" and sounded like something I may enjoy, but different from what I normally read. I am glad I did, as I really enjoyed this book and give it a B+.
Back cover:
In this razor-sharp novel of marriage and divorce gone awry, Elizabeth Benedict navigates the turbulent waters of love, power, and vengenace with biting wit and penetrating insight.
When Manhattan psychoterapist Eric Lavender meets the sexy, stylish lawyer Colleen O'Brien Golden, his bachelor life suddenly loses its long-standing appeal. Soon he moves to Scarsdale to join olleen and finds a life of domestic bliss as a husband and father with a new baby and an adorable stepdaughter. But Eric's suburban oasis is threatened when a legal conflict of interest with Colleen turns up disturbing evidence of a hidden past.
This story was quite interesting. At first I thought I may be a bit bored with the story, but giving myself the 50 page rule, I sat down on my porch to read a few pages and the next thing I knew, twilight was setting in and the mosquitoes were coming out to play. Ms. Benedict does a wonderful job of telling the story through the eyes of a man, and shows the other side of divorce. I feel like quite often in books, the man is always made out to be a monster, and it was refreshing to see not every husband is a jerk. Ms. Benedict seems to have an extensive backlist, including one book titled Almost, that was a New York Times notable book, and I do plan on checking out some more in the future.
I do have one more library book to read, but I may pick up one more of my own to read first. I am so happy that it's only early afternoon on Saturday, and even though summer school starts Monday, I have all of my errands finished, cleaning completed, and lesson plans done so I can enjoy the summer weather (finally) while reading some more great books! Happy reading everyone and have a FANTASTIC weekend!
Back cover:
In this razor-sharp novel of marriage and divorce gone awry, Elizabeth Benedict navigates the turbulent waters of love, power, and vengenace with biting wit and penetrating insight.
When Manhattan psychoterapist Eric Lavender meets the sexy, stylish lawyer Colleen O'Brien Golden, his bachelor life suddenly loses its long-standing appeal. Soon he moves to Scarsdale to join olleen and finds a life of domestic bliss as a husband and father with a new baby and an adorable stepdaughter. But Eric's suburban oasis is threatened when a legal conflict of interest with Colleen turns up disturbing evidence of a hidden past.
This story was quite interesting. At first I thought I may be a bit bored with the story, but giving myself the 50 page rule, I sat down on my porch to read a few pages and the next thing I knew, twilight was setting in and the mosquitoes were coming out to play. Ms. Benedict does a wonderful job of telling the story through the eyes of a man, and shows the other side of divorce. I feel like quite often in books, the man is always made out to be a monster, and it was refreshing to see not every husband is a jerk. Ms. Benedict seems to have an extensive backlist, including one book titled Almost, that was a New York Times notable book, and I do plan on checking out some more in the future.
I do have one more library book to read, but I may pick up one more of my own to read first. I am so happy that it's only early afternoon on Saturday, and even though summer school starts Monday, I have all of my errands finished, cleaning completed, and lesson plans done so I can enjoy the summer weather (finally) while reading some more great books! Happy reading everyone and have a FANTASTIC weekend!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Somebody Else's Daughter by Elizabeth Brundage
I first read Elizabeth Brundage's first novel earlier this year and absolutely loved it. When I saw she had another book out, I had to read it. Somebody Else's Daughter was a difficult book to read, at times, but absolutley beautifully written. I give it a B+.
Inside cover:
Two young drifters, Nate and Cat- bottomed out on drugs and living on the margins of San Francisco- are forced by stress and circumstance to give up their infant daughter. Seventeen years later, Nate comes to the idyllic setting of the Berkshires to teach at the elite private Pioneer School- as his daughter's teacher.
Willa Golding, ensconced in a magnificent country home with her parents, has never worried about being adopted. But when the world she's always trusted becomes a foriegn place, she learns that her adoptive parents have not been totally honest with her- nor with others in their privileged circle.
Claire Squire is a visual artist struggling on the outskirts of her profession. It is a lucky break to get her troubled son, Teddy, a backdoor acceptance to Pioneer. But Teddy soon finds it's a precarious place well disguised by preppy ties, plaid skirts, and activities designed to look good on college applications. He sees through it all- but that, too, threatens his slippery grasp on a better future.
Somebody Else's Daughter is a collision of two very differnet fathers- biological and adoptive; a woman whose independence and talent have led her to dead ends in life and love; and a villain whose intentions slowly unfold with the help, witting and unwitting, of all those around him. An electric, suspenseful tale of conflicted characters and the fractured landscape of the American psyche, it scratches the surface of the Berkshire dream- a place where people go to live their ideals, and hide their secrets.
Ms. Brundage has a gift and a beautiful voice and it clearly comes through in this gripping book. I find myself tearing up at times, along with laughing and shaking my head in agreement. The story is told through several of the characters' eyes, and though at times the time period that has past is somewhat difficult to follow, the story holds on to you with a tight grip. There is somewhat of a suspense aspect, but the story is truly about family, and how different lives are behind closed doors. I highly recommend Somebody Else's Daughter if you enjoy reading a good, pleasant fiction read.
Up next is another library book, though I am not sure which one I am going to read. I need to check and see what book is due back next and read that one. I hope to get a few books read this holiday weekend as I have absolutely no plans. I am quite happy about this, and look forward to doing what strikes my fancy. I hope everyone else has a pleasant weekend and 4th of July and Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
Two young drifters, Nate and Cat- bottomed out on drugs and living on the margins of San Francisco- are forced by stress and circumstance to give up their infant daughter. Seventeen years later, Nate comes to the idyllic setting of the Berkshires to teach at the elite private Pioneer School- as his daughter's teacher.
Willa Golding, ensconced in a magnificent country home with her parents, has never worried about being adopted. But when the world she's always trusted becomes a foriegn place, she learns that her adoptive parents have not been totally honest with her- nor with others in their privileged circle.
Claire Squire is a visual artist struggling on the outskirts of her profession. It is a lucky break to get her troubled son, Teddy, a backdoor acceptance to Pioneer. But Teddy soon finds it's a precarious place well disguised by preppy ties, plaid skirts, and activities designed to look good on college applications. He sees through it all- but that, too, threatens his slippery grasp on a better future.
Somebody Else's Daughter is a collision of two very differnet fathers- biological and adoptive; a woman whose independence and talent have led her to dead ends in life and love; and a villain whose intentions slowly unfold with the help, witting and unwitting, of all those around him. An electric, suspenseful tale of conflicted characters and the fractured landscape of the American psyche, it scratches the surface of the Berkshire dream- a place where people go to live their ideals, and hide their secrets.
Ms. Brundage has a gift and a beautiful voice and it clearly comes through in this gripping book. I find myself tearing up at times, along with laughing and shaking my head in agreement. The story is told through several of the characters' eyes, and though at times the time period that has past is somewhat difficult to follow, the story holds on to you with a tight grip. There is somewhat of a suspense aspect, but the story is truly about family, and how different lives are behind closed doors. I highly recommend Somebody Else's Daughter if you enjoy reading a good, pleasant fiction read.
Up next is another library book, though I am not sure which one I am going to read. I need to check and see what book is due back next and read that one. I hope to get a few books read this holiday weekend as I have absolutely no plans. I am quite happy about this, and look forward to doing what strikes my fancy. I hope everyone else has a pleasant weekend and 4th of July and Happy Reading!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Red Leaves by Thomas H. Cook
Red Leaves is another book I heard about from someones blog, though I am not sure whose. I really need to start keeping track of this better, but what I do is just read other peoples' blogs and then go right to my library's website and place it on hold. Anyways, whoever mentioned Red Leaves, thank you so much. I absolutely loved it and give it an A-.
Back cover:
Eric Moore has a stable life in a quiet town. Then, on an ordinary night, his teenage son Keith babysits Amy Giordano, the eight-year-old daughter of a neighboring family. The next morning Amy is missing, and Eric isn't sure his son is innocent. Caught in a vortex of doubt and lies, Eric must find out what happened to Amy Giordano before his- and the community's- suspicions about Keith are proved right.
Mr. Cook has a fantastic voice and I loved reading his words. He does a fantastic job of illustrating a father's pain, emotion, suspicions, and doubts and makes it all seem very real. It was somewhat refreshing to read about a parent who doesn't just take their child's word for gospel (I see this all of the time at work) but doesn't let it stop their love or feelings for them. The book is written in a very realistic way and is such a joy to read. I loved how a lot of themes are weaved through the story and though it is billed as a suspense, it is really so much more than that. The only reason that I marked it down from an A is because I thought the ending was a bit rushed, though the ending was extremely realistic, if not heartbreaking in a way. I highly recommend Red Leaves and plan on checking out more of Mr. Cook's works.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I did pick up a library book today, Hedge Fund Wives, but I think I may sneak in one of my own. I got all of my household duties for the day done, so besides sneaking in a bike ride possibly, I plan on devoting part of the evening to reading. I hope everyone else is having a fantastic day and Happy Reading!
Back cover:
Eric Moore has a stable life in a quiet town. Then, on an ordinary night, his teenage son Keith babysits Amy Giordano, the eight-year-old daughter of a neighboring family. The next morning Amy is missing, and Eric isn't sure his son is innocent. Caught in a vortex of doubt and lies, Eric must find out what happened to Amy Giordano before his- and the community's- suspicions about Keith are proved right.
Mr. Cook has a fantastic voice and I loved reading his words. He does a fantastic job of illustrating a father's pain, emotion, suspicions, and doubts and makes it all seem very real. It was somewhat refreshing to read about a parent who doesn't just take their child's word for gospel (I see this all of the time at work) but doesn't let it stop their love or feelings for them. The book is written in a very realistic way and is such a joy to read. I loved how a lot of themes are weaved through the story and though it is billed as a suspense, it is really so much more than that. The only reason that I marked it down from an A is because I thought the ending was a bit rushed, though the ending was extremely realistic, if not heartbreaking in a way. I highly recommend Red Leaves and plan on checking out more of Mr. Cook's works.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I did pick up a library book today, Hedge Fund Wives, but I think I may sneak in one of my own. I got all of my household duties for the day done, so besides sneaking in a bike ride possibly, I plan on devoting part of the evening to reading. I hope everyone else is having a fantastic day and Happy Reading!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Doctor's Wife by Elizabeth Brundage
I got this book from Border's awhile ago from the discount book section. It was a trade paperback and by an author I never heard of and the premise sounded very interesting. I decided to give it a try, and boy am I glad I did. I give the book an A-.
From Amazon:
"The memory starts here, in my apron pocket, with the gun."
So begins The Doctor’s Wife, a stunning debut novel about four people and the cataclysmic intersection of their lives. Michael is a rising OB/GYN at a prominent private practice in Albany, New York; he also moonlights at a local women’s health clinic. But Annie, his wife, has become tired of her workaholic husband’s absences, and the soccer-mom lifestyle has worn thin. She begins a passionate love affair with bad-boy, fading celebrity painter Simon Haas—an affair that quickly goes awry when Simon’s wife Lydia, who is also the model upon whom he built his career, discovers the truth.
Abortion, local evangelism, marital disenchantment, and the rifts of social class: Brundage takes on the fault lines of our era with a deft hand.
The Doctor's Wife touches on a lot of hot button topics in today's world including abortion, underage sex, affairs, religion, and marriage. I was worried how the book would be just a pro abortion read showing how some right-wing crazies are, but the book was so much more than that. The characters clearly came through the pages and you really get a feel for what each character feels and their motivations. While this book was a psychological suspense, it was so beautifully written and I was disappointed when the book came to an end. I would recommend this book highly and will be looking for more books by this author in the future.
Up next is a library book is called Teaser by Jan Brogran. I placed this on hold awhile ago, and it came in a couple of days ago. I hope my reading mojo has come back because I flew through The Doctor's Wife once I had the time to read. We got the expected ten inches of snow and I had a snow day yesterday where I got a lot of reading in. Today is my hubby's birthday, so I am going to be spending some time with him... but I am sure I can get a few pages in here and there. Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
"The memory starts here, in my apron pocket, with the gun."
So begins The Doctor’s Wife, a stunning debut novel about four people and the cataclysmic intersection of their lives. Michael is a rising OB/GYN at a prominent private practice in Albany, New York; he also moonlights at a local women’s health clinic. But Annie, his wife, has become tired of her workaholic husband’s absences, and the soccer-mom lifestyle has worn thin. She begins a passionate love affair with bad-boy, fading celebrity painter Simon Haas—an affair that quickly goes awry when Simon’s wife Lydia, who is also the model upon whom he built his career, discovers the truth.
Abortion, local evangelism, marital disenchantment, and the rifts of social class: Brundage takes on the fault lines of our era with a deft hand.
The Doctor's Wife touches on a lot of hot button topics in today's world including abortion, underage sex, affairs, religion, and marriage. I was worried how the book would be just a pro abortion read showing how some right-wing crazies are, but the book was so much more than that. The characters clearly came through the pages and you really get a feel for what each character feels and their motivations. While this book was a psychological suspense, it was so beautifully written and I was disappointed when the book came to an end. I would recommend this book highly and will be looking for more books by this author in the future.
Up next is a library book is called Teaser by Jan Brogran. I placed this on hold awhile ago, and it came in a couple of days ago. I hope my reading mojo has come back because I flew through The Doctor's Wife once I had the time to read. We got the expected ten inches of snow and I had a snow day yesterday where I got a lot of reading in. Today is my hubby's birthday, so I am going to be spending some time with him... but I am sure I can get a few pages in here and there. Happy Reading!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Lost Girls by Lin Hendler
I got The Lost Girls from one of the library book sales I went to earlier this year. It sounded interesting and I grabbed it off of my shelves when I was looking for something to read, however, I was pretty disappointed. I give it a C.
From Amazon:
For anyone who's ever felt lost in an angst-filled world, The Lost Girls offers a moving account of several young women estranged from the society around them. Ranging from urban Los Angeles to small-town America to England, the book follows the adolescence of Hannah and Becky, two best friends who must discover themselves amidst high school pressure, drugs, and confusion. The book also chronicles the travails of Laurel and Alexis, two girls who have opulent homes and an upscale high school but still submit to the drug culture that can't be separated from their lives.
I am not sure what to say about this book. If it was any longer, I wouldn't have finished it but it was only 142 pages long so I felt compelled to finish it. I was so confused when reading it, though. It jumped between characters and it was hard to find connections between chapters and I was constantly looking back to determine who was who. It was just a very confusing read and I guess I was just expecting more. I was looking forward to reading it but was very disappointed. I am not even sure how to classify this book.
I am not sure what I am going to read next but I think it will be a good suspense. Happy Reading everyone!
From Amazon:
For anyone who's ever felt lost in an angst-filled world, The Lost Girls offers a moving account of several young women estranged from the society around them. Ranging from urban Los Angeles to small-town America to England, the book follows the adolescence of Hannah and Becky, two best friends who must discover themselves amidst high school pressure, drugs, and confusion. The book also chronicles the travails of Laurel and Alexis, two girls who have opulent homes and an upscale high school but still submit to the drug culture that can't be separated from their lives.
I am not sure what to say about this book. If it was any longer, I wouldn't have finished it but it was only 142 pages long so I felt compelled to finish it. I was so confused when reading it, though. It jumped between characters and it was hard to find connections between chapters and I was constantly looking back to determine who was who. It was just a very confusing read and I guess I was just expecting more. I was looking forward to reading it but was very disappointed. I am not even sure how to classify this book.
I am not sure what I am going to read next but I think it will be a good suspense. Happy Reading everyone!
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