Jane

Jane vs. Jane Eyre


I read April Lindner's JANE very quickly. It was fast moving and easy to read. I found it enjoyable too - the story of Jane Eyre, written in modern time. This Jane is working as a nanny for a handsome rock star. Of course there is a mystery in the mansion, and those who know the story of Jane Eyre know what that is! This book does not change Jane Eyre's story, so no surprises if you have read Charlotte Bronte's original. The author is an English professor and she commented at the end that if her book encourages anyone to read Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, she would be happy about that. So, I am!

I am 10 chapters into Jane Eyre and it is so much more satisfying than Jane! What an amazing novel. If you haven't read it for a long time, or ever -- pick up a copy and get reading! But keep a dictionary handy - she uses some interesting vocabulary!

The Story Sisters

Another Alice Hoffman book! This book made me cry more times than any other book I've read. So much trauma, death, problems. But, it had its high points too. Now that I've finished it, I would say it was a great read and I'm glad I read it. During the reading, it was so sad in places, like what else can go wrong, that I felt like putting it aside for some lighter reading. If you're an Alice Hoffman fan, its a must-read. If you are not, you might like to choose something else.

The Red Garden

I have always loved reading Alice Hoffman stories, but I had kind of forgotten about her, since she wasn't publishing as often as I liked. So, for several years I didn't even check to see what she had been writing. My "patience" has paid off and I found several Hoffman's that I wasn't aware of, and they are old enough to find cheap on Amazon, used.

THE RED GARDEN is a story about a town in Massachusetts, spanning 250 years. Each chapter could stand alone as a short story, but they are all indeed linked to this small town in America, starting in 1750, and ending in the present. You felt time passing by her use of actual historical events, Johnny Appleseed, World War 2, Viet Nam War. Also, the characters in the next chapter were usually the children or grandchildren of the characters in the previous chapter. One of the things I especially like about Alice Hoffman's writing is how she sprinkles it with a little "magic". Not real magic, but everyday love kind of magic. The Red Garden is no exception.

Three Maids for a Crown

by Ella March Chase

This is a book I kind of randomly picked from the new books section at the library. I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. I have read a lot of historical novels about the Tudors. My first interest was Nora Lofts Books - I devoured them! Then, I discovered the Philippa Gregory novels - I have read every one. So, I felt a little snobbish starting this one, but I was surprised when it really kept my interest.

This was the story of THE GREY SISTERS, Jane Grey, Katherine Grey, and Mary Grey. They each spent some time in the TOWER, for different reasons, and different outcomes. It really focused on the intrigue and drama of life as one of the ladies of the queen. The author really brought these three women to life with her writing. I always enjoy it when a book includes at the end the "real" history and where they may have strayed from the truth in the novel. Entertaining. I might look for her other book: The Virgin Queen's Daughter.

What I want to know is why do these kind of novels always picture women in lovely gowns, with the tops of their heads cut off? Does it indicate a genre or just a lack of imagination?

The Orchard

The Orchard is one of the books I borrowed from the library a few days ago. It turned out to be pretty much a romance novel. Not that I have anything against a good romance, but it was kind of predictable. The interesting part about the book though that kept me going, was the background topic of the world of fragrance. It gave me a little peek into the world of chemistry and figuring out the scents and tastes that sell the products we buy. There was a very fragrant apple intertwined in the story too. I enjoyed all the descriptions of the clothes the main character wore, the foods she ate, how she noticed the fragrance of everything around her. You might like it too. I read it in less than 24 hours.

I have almost finished reading The Pleasure Palace by Kate Emerson. It's interesting, along the lines of the Phillipa Gregory novels I enjoy so much, just not as good.

Body Surfing

By Anita Shreve

I finished this book this weekend. A good fast read about relationships and it does not disappoint. This book takes place in the same area as her FORTUNE ROCKS and SEA GLASS. Shreve has a wonderful way with words and BODY SURFING is no exception.

I've just ordered two books from Amazon: JANE, by April Lindler, and THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG, by Muriel Barbery. I have found a couple of interesting book review blogs, in my searches for book cover images, that are sending me in some new directions in my search for great reads. Meanwhile, I've started a fun read loaned to me by a friend: "Pleasure Palace, Secrets of the Tudor Court" by Kate Emerson. You know the type - History, love, lust, power, ambitions...

Tears of Pearl

By Tasha Alexander

Catching up on posting my recent reads - Tears of Pearl is the 4th in a series of Victorian era detective novels by Tasha Alexander. It was pretty good. The detecting takes place in a harem in Constantinople. Not my favorite of the series, but definitely readable.

Sacred Hearts and Cannibals

Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant

Sacred Hearts was written by a familiar author to me - Sarah Dunant. I have also read her books: "The Birth of Venus", "Birth Marks", "Mapping the Edge". This novel was an interesting peek into the life in a convent in Italy in 1570. This was a time when girls without prospects, or girls of wealthy families could only afford a dowry for one of their daughters - the rest would go to the convent. One of the elements I enjoyed was one of the senior sisters was a dispensary mistress, who tended to the ill within the convent in a rather modern manner. I didn't finish this book feeling like it was exciting and new, but it was interesting and kept me engaged to the end.

The Sex Lives of Cannibals was given to me by a friend. It is not about cannibals or sex. It's a travel documentary of several years spent on an atoll in the pacific. At times it drug on commenting on politics and environmental issues, but I did enjoy the adventures and struggles he shared in a pretty amusing way. If I ran across one of his other travelogues of his adventures in Fiji or China, I might be tempted to pick it up and read it.

My Name is Asher Lev

By Chaim Potok

I read this book on the airplane to and from Minnesota. I read some reviews of it that sounded interesting so I ordered it used on Amazon. I've never read anything by Chaim Potok before, but I think I will give some of the other titles a try. The thing I really liked about this book was it really put you inside the head of an artist who cannot deny his gift. That was really interesting to me. It is nothing like what I usually like to read, but I recommend it.

Remarkable Creatures

By Tracy Chevalier

This is a book I really enjoyed. I've read most of her other books, (Girl with a Pearl Earring, Falling Angels, The Lady and the Unicorn, Burning Bright, The Virgin Blue) and she relies on interesting historical figures to build her stories around. This one was about Mary Anning, a real life fossil hunter. I don't know what it was about this book. It wasn't dramatic or thrilling, just a good read with a glimpse into the life of young woman in the early 1800's.

The story was told from two points of view: that of Mary Anning, and her spinster friend, Elizabeth. Some people don't like that kind of book. I really do.

I would have to say I savored this book, trying to make it last. If you are interested, go to http://www.tchevalier.com Then go to BOOKS, then Remarkable Creatures. So many interesting historical facts to go along with the book, book club guide, etc.

Also, I don't want you to think I haven't been reading anything since last July when I last posted! I have read dozens of books. I'm just getting lazy. I went through a big Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine obsession this summer. I love her books that don't have the (snooze) Detective slogging his way through a case. The ones I like are psychological thrillers! I have also read THE RED QUEEN by Philippa Gregory. There is a new book out too, which I am patiently waiting to come out used on Amazon.

The Other Side of You

THE OTHER SIDE OF YOU by Salley Vickers

I devoured this book in about 24 hours. What a relief after slogging through two books at once that really, why did I waste my time??? Not even interesting enough to review here on my blog.


But, back to The Other Side of You. I have read several of Vickers' other novels: Mr. Golightly's Holiday, Instances of the Number 3, and Miss Garnet's Angel. They were very good reads. So, when I saw this one in the Tumwater Library, I wanted to read it.

Salley Vickers always includes some lessons in Art History in her books, and in this one I learned a lot about psychology as well. The story is from the point of view of a psychiatrist, centering around his work, a patient, his home life.


...an excerpt from an on-line review...

"There is something rare and very special about Vickers as a novelist. In exploring the connections between faith and imagination, art and redemption, religion and science in an intelligent, unusual but very readable way, she manages to touch something buried deep in all of us. It gives her work a quietly compelling quality."

East of the Sun

EAST OF THE SUN by Julia Gregson

"Autumn 1928. Three young women are on their way to India, each with a new life in mind. Rose, a beautiful but naïve bride-to-be, is anxious about leaving her family and marrying a man she hardly knows. Victoria, her bridesmaid couldn t be happier to get away from her overbearing mother, and is determined to find herself a husband. And Viva, their inexperienced chaperone, is in search of the India of her childhood, ghosts from the past and freedom. "

A great tale. I enjoyed it immensely.

Angels, Divorcee's and Commoners...

I've been stacking up books I have read and want to share:

FALLING ANGELS

FALLING ANGELS by Tracy Chevalier.


I have read several other books by this author: The Girl with One Pearl Earring, and The Girl and the Unicorn. These were both interesting novels written around a specific piece of real art. Falling Angels was somewhat different, but an enjoyable read.

"Falling Angels chronicles the lives of two girls whose families own adjacent plots in a London cemetery—one decorated with a sentimental angel, the other with an elaborate urn. During a ceremonial stroll through the graveyard grounds, an act of mourning for the recently deceased Queen Victoria, Maude Coleman and Lavinia Waterhouse meet, forging a fast friendship."

This story focuses on Women's Suffrage in London in the early 1900's. I think the author's portrayal of the role of women during this time was accurate and interesting.

THE DEBUTANTE DIVORCEE

By Plum Sykes

This book is the color of cotton candy and read like a large box of chocolates. It was very fun to read and described as a "Jane Austen-like romantic comedy of errors". If you ever wanted to examine the lives of the rich and frivolous, this is the place to go. The author is a contributing editor at Vogue and writes for Vanity Fair and knows her material!


THE COMMONER

By John Burnham Schwartz

I did not realize until I did some research that this book is based on a true story...

"The true story on which the novel is based is well known. In 1957, the Japanese crown prince, Akihito, met a beautiful young woman, Michiko Shoda, on a tennis court. She became the first commoner to marry into the imperial family. Despised by her mother-in-law as an upstart and interloper, Michiko eventually succumbed to a depression so intense that she temporarily lost the ability to speak. A generation later, her eldest son, Prince Naruhito, also fell in love with a commoner — again with dreadful results. "

This was an interesting story, but after reading all the Phillipa Gregory and Nora Lofts novels about the Queens of England, it was sadly lacking in detail and court intrigue.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

I know I haven't posted any books in a while. But, I have been reading quite a few. I just finished a book called "Little Bee". On the back cover it says: "Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens. The magic is in how the story unfolds".

So, I'm not going to tell you much about it, except that it raises awareness of a political situation, and tells a story about two women. I really liked it. I think you will too.

Some parts are disturbing and hard to read, but actually told in a very matter of fact way. I've seen the book around, but at a Memorial Day barbeque a friend recommended it to me, and a few days later I found it in a thrift store and decided to try it. By the way, she didn't tell me much about it - just that she couldn't wait to get back to reading it!

e-books and tea bags

A peek into my library. Everyone I know is getting Kindles and e-books.

I do like my hands-on paper books,

but I am beginning to see the possible benefit of utilizing BOTH!

.

I wonder if my feelings are similar to what the British thought of tea bags when they were first introduced.

My Latest Grievance

My Latest "Lipman"

Another Lipman! Copyright 2006. Maybe there's another one since! I have enjoyed all the Elinor Lipman books. Some more than others. This one is at the top of my list! Maybe part of it is it takes place on a college campus, and I have a special interest and insights into life on a college campus at this time. But, I think this quote from Newsday expresses my feelings best:


"Elinor Lipman's ninth book has all its author's trademark strengths: astringent wit laced through with tenderness; wildly flawed characters who defy us to resist them; a flinty, clear-eyed gaze at bigotry and other human foibles; expertly calibrated tension between the comic and the profound; and a deceptively simple plot that spirals into brilliantly orchestrated farce." —

The Family Man

By Elinor Lipman

This might be my favorite Lipman novel yet. Her characters are so interesting and funny. She wraps up her story at the end sweetly with everyone happily where they should be. I loved it. It does have some contemporary issues handled in a very lighthearted way. I read it in 24 hours. I really couldn't put it down.

The Whole World Over

by Julia Glass This was a complex book, the kind I like, with many stories and characters interwoven and eventually connected to each other. It is a contemporary kind of story, complete with gays, adoptions by singles, nine eleven, and Bush bashing included. But, the stories were interesting and felt pretty real. Lots of moral dilemmas explored. I've come a cross quite a few 911 events in books over the past five years, and this one was the most interesting by far. The view is more from a little distance, but close enough to feel impact. I also read Three Junes by this author.

Not Buying It

For a change, I read a non-fiction book. It was on an end cap at the library and I just couldn't resist it. Its not like I plan to spend a year without shopping myself, but I was curious to see what the journey was like for someone else. I did enjoy the writing style for the most part. Judith Levine told her story in an interesting daily journal type manner. She had lots of side information on what makes us buy what we do, and why we "need" so much stuff. She and her husband decided to spend one year not purchasing things that were not "necessities". So, they gave up movies, theater, bookstore purchases, makeup, new clothes, that kind of thing. They did manage to pay off a $7,000 credit card bill during that year.

Her lifestyle is quite different from mine. She did have TOO MUCH! She wasn't afraid to reveal that she had 8 pairs of boots and that she once didn't go skiing because she couldn't find her special "ski" socks. That was interesting. There were whole sections that were way too much about politics for me, that I just skimmed very quickly through. All in all though, it did open my eyes to some of my own spending habits and actually has made me not purchase a couple of things since, that I would normally have. I don't know how long it will last, but I think the self-awareness was worth reading it. It was a library book, I'm glad to report, so I didn't BUY it!

A Foreign Affair (or Death at Dawn)

A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock. What a great read! I think I read this book in 24 hours, not because it's short or easy but because it was just so good. This is another book I bought just because the back cover made it sound interesting. I would call it a gothic mystery. The main character was interesting, the mystery was tricky, and the writing was good. I discovered she has written two more books: Death of a Dancer and A Corpse in Shining Armor. (same heroine)
. . .
One thing I have learned recently (the hard way) is that sometimes when a book is published first in England, it is published under a different name than the book is published under in the U.S. Unfair! I was excited recently to receive a book I had been looking for -- only to discover I had already read it - under a different title!

Best Friends by Martha Moody

Best Friends,by Martha Moody is a book I randomly picked up. I forget where I got it - probably the used paperback store (buy two get third one free! or Goodwill). I often give a book a try that is labeled "NATIONAL BESTSELLER". I figure there is a good chance I'll like it too. This story starts with two young women away at college. I liked the peek into college life and the choices they made along the way. It continues through their adulthood, the two women remaining close friends through many emotional times, moral dilemmas, marriages and children, issues with parents and siblings. It took a rather "gritty" turn at one point that caught me by surprise, but it was still an interesting book that kept me picking it up for "just one more chapter" many times throughout the day. I googled the author and she has written two more books, which I will look for now.

a slob in the kitchen

I didn't know I was going to review cookbooks - but here I am! I've been looking for easy recipes to share with W, for when he is cooking for himself. I found this one at the library, and in spite of the name, it looked like a great easy cookbook - with plenty of helpful hints. She claims "All the tricky, bland and laborious stuff has been sifted out." and "It is not a road map to mastering the gastronomic arts, but then, you are not the Queen of England, are you?"

I confess I read it like a novel. Its pages are pre-stained with blobs, blots and coffee cup rings. She uses all different fonts and italics so it is not too intimidating to read through a recipe.

Here is one recipe:

"shoe-leather marinade"

I make this often, My friend Beautiful Jenny named it "Shoe Leather Marinade," because an old boot would taste great if you marinated it in this mixture for an hour.

1 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup oil
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1 Tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger

In a large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients until well combined.

I think I need to return this book to the library and buy one for Walker's cookbook shelf.

Two at Once!

Last night I finished TWO books! FALLEN SKIES by Philippa Gregory and SISTERCHICKS ON THE LOOSE by Robin Jones Gunn.

There could hardly be two different books! But I'm glad I read them simultaneously. Fallen Skies was very serious, even grim. Sisterchicks on the Loose was very uplifting and humorous.
I was really looking forward to Fallen Skies. I am a huge Philippa Gregory fan and I was excited to read another book of hers. My sister gave me the sisterchicks book, with the review "its a really quick read, and you might like it".

...

So, I read a bit of Fallen Skies, and then when it got too depressing I'd read Sisterchicks. But I still wanted to see what was going to happen in Fallen Skies, so I'd read more. I didn't really plan to finish Fallen Skies in the evening, and then finish reading Sisterchicks that same night, but it happened that way, perfectly!

...

Fallen Skies was a WWI Story, taking place in England. If you ever thought about what is going on in the mind of a seriously disturbed war veteran who appeared normal on the outside, this is the book for you. I did want to finish it and see how it ended. It was like watching a movie you wished you had not gone to, but you wanted to find out how it ended. It did have a basically happy ending, for most of the characters. Not the "Queens of England" histories that I have enjoyed in the past, but still well written.

....

More Lipman Novels

I finished two more Elinor Lipman novels. I feel like an addict that wants to stop, but can't. I think I might be satisfied for a while...
...
First, I read The Ladies' Man. This is probably my least favorite of her novels I've read before. If I had read it first, I probably wouldn't be on this particular "binge". But, it was interesting, and when you read so many novels by one author, you start to 'notice' things in her characters and style that you might not have noticed before. This was a story about three sisters, all impacted by the same man. He was a charming heel, and eventually they all moved on with their lives and he more or less got his reward. But this one! I really enjoyed Then She Found Me a lot. It had all my favorite elements of a Lipman story: interesting characters, a unique story line, funny events, and a happy ending.

Highly recommended. A movie was made of this one with Helen Hunt and Bette Midler. I don't usually like the movie version of a book I have enjoyed, but if it comes on cable, I might give it a try.

Never Let Me Go

NEVER LET ME GO

by

Kazuo Ishiguro

I have read several other books by this author: The Remains of the Day and When we were orphans. I really enjoyed his writing style in those books. This book is totally different. It was an amazing story, futuristic, maybe even sci-fi. I don't want to reveal the story line. He reveals the story slowly as the story progresses, which makes the reader experience the dawning knowledge in a similar way to which the narrator is experiencing it. I would call it a moral wake-up call. Food for thought and I highly recommend it.

Another Lipman

The Pursuit of Alice Thrift

By

Elinor Lipman

This is the third book I've read by Elinor Lipman in a couple of weeks. This was just as engaging as the others. I'm starting to see a pattern in the author's writing. The main character is usually somewhat socially inept and grows through getting to know new and gregarious friends. There is usually an unusual and pretty happy ending, at least a hopeful one. This book had quite a bit of "funny business" but not in horrible taste. I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next one waiting in line: The Ladies' Man. I might read something else in between. Then again...

Book hunts...

Today I went to Amazon.com to look for the book "Book Lover" by Jennifer Kaufman. I've been watching for it, but haven't seen it ever. They had 15 or so used copies, but they all would be shipped from England! Maybe it hasn't come out in the U.S. yet. Very mysterious. But, on second look, the first book on the list was $4 and was shipped from the U.S. I tried to use a $5 promotional code I have to use up before February 7, but I guess since it was used I couldn't. For some reason they didn't charge shipping, so I have my rare book coming in a week for only $4. Sweet!

Also, as I dug around in Goodwill for other things, I decided to take a quick swing by the book section, and somehow I spotted an Elinor Lipman book! Its called THEN SHE FOUND ME. It is apparently a movie! With Matthew Broderick, Colin Firth, Helen Hunt and Bette Midler. I've never heard of it.

I think I'll hold off on reading it though and read my library books first. I should try to read something else in between...maybe.

Elinor Lipman, my new best friend...

Isabel's Bed

by

Elinor Lipman

I just finished my second Elinor Lipman book (this morning with my coffee). I loved it! It is like a great chick flick, with lots of humor, surprises, relationships, and on and on. I don't really like to reveal too much of the story so if you want to know exactly what its about, you could go to Amazon and read some real reviews. Suffice it to say this would be a great "beach read" or the book you keep in your car to read while waiting for your kids. (but you won't want to put it down). Lipman has "her own uniquely irresistible voice". This book is 'no calorie chocolate' - just a little more, just a little more. Yum.

I have TWO more of her novels waiting for me at the library.
Rats, the library isn't open on Sunday.

The Inn at Lake Devine

By Elinor Lipman. I found this book at the used paperback store, completely randomly.

If you buy the larger trade size, you buy two ($3 each) and get one free.

I needed to find my free book.

The cover appealed to me and on the cover it said

"Delightful . . . [a] witty romantic comedy."

That sounded like something I would like.

. . .
I really enjoyed this book. So much so that I went back to the store before I even finished it, to see what else they had by Elinor Lipman. I found ISABEL'S BED. Of course I had to pick two more books, to get one free!
. . .
Here is a quote from the book that appealed to me:
. . .
"If ever a Jew wished that Christmas were a secular holiday, it was me at vespers on the eve of Robin's wedding. The choir, dressed as Edwardian carolers, entered from the back of the chapel., singing softly, their individual voices distinct as they passed me, then back to a blended whole. I saw white-gloved bell ringers in black evening gowns and tails. I fell in love with an entire brass ensemble of handsome men. Most beautiful and moving in a repertoire of beautiful and moving carols was "Silent Night," in German and English, by candlelight."
. . .
This was such a fun story to read. Here is another review comment: "a punchy little comedy of manners . . .Think Jane Austen in the Catskills." This one is a keeper to read again someday. I think you'll like it too. coincidentally, this was another cooking book!
...
She has at least five more novels, and I can't wait to read them all.

The Food of Love

The Food of Love

By Anthony Capella This was a very different kind of book. It was kind of a sleazy love story, but with a twist. It has a lot of Italian slang in it, with footnotes, as to what the translation is (rated X), and recipes in the back. The ladies in the plot were all pretty shallow - two dimensional characters. You just knew a guy wrote it! The food descriptions however, were exquisite! Even food I would never taste sounded beautiful. When I was looking for a picture of the book online, I discovered Anthony Capella's books all appear to center around FOOD! This one was his first Novel.

. . .

Read at your own risk!

A trip to King's Books

On Sunday, we took a rare trip to King's Books in Tacoma. Well, first we went to THE HUB, a nearby restaurant/pub for their delicious breakfasts! Then, once we were stuffed - we went book browsing. King's is a smallish used bookstore. They do have rare books. Walker enjoys looking in their foreign and classical section. They have lots of ordinary used books too. I went with my list, but only found one book to buy - not on my list of course.

One thing we enjoy there is their bookstore cats. They are the friendliest cats! Big and healthy too. Why do bookstores have cats? mice or ambiance?

King's is worth a drive once in a while. They don't open until 11:00 a.m. They buy books too. The Hub is fun (Bicycle theme and always new art on the walls + tvs and sports going in every room). There is an Irish Pub next door we have never tried but looks worth a try.

the other family

I have read other books by Joanna Trollope: The Rector's Wife, Marrying the Mistress. When I saw The Other Family at the used paperback store, (buy two get one free) I decided to give it a try.

Joanna Trollope's books are usually stories of domestic drama. They are stories of messy lives and human frailties. I felt like it could be a story from the Hallmark Channel when I was reading it.

I think I read this book in 24 hours. It is always fascinating to read British Literature: the girls call each other things like "stupid cow" and they eat "digestive biscuits". They refer to drugs that sound very exotic, but I suspect are Tylenol or sudafed. This story was a little depressing in places, the women were all so scattered and obnoxious to each other it was somewhat disturbing. But, in the end everyone sorted out their lives and several of them seemed to be on their way to happy endings.

The White Queen

The White Queen

by Philippa Gregory I finished this book last night, much to the detriment of my other projects at hand. Its been a while since I've read a new Philippa Gregory book, and this was not a disappointment.

...

The main character is called the White Queen, because she is of the House of York, whose symbol is a white rose. This is the first part of "the cousins war", "the war of the roses". So much intrigue, scrambling for position, switching of sides. The White Queen was told in first person, totally from the viewpoint of Elizabeth, the White Queen. Some reviews I read didn't like that viewpoint, but I thought it was perfect for this story.

...

One thing I really liked was the main characters had seven children and really loved them all. So many stories of that era portray servants raising the children and having little or no relationship with them. This is not to say that the children are not pawns - they definitely are useful for making alliances and making friends of enemies!

...

At the end of the book, the author explains what was fact and what was fiction, what was general theory and what was the author's idea of what happened. I learned quite a bit of history - putting the pieces together in the proper order!

...
I am looking forward to The Red Queen, which is the next book in this series. I don't have it yet, but I will find it soon I'm sure.
...
I have a lovely stack of books to choose my next read from. Its like having a box of Godiva Chocolates, and having to decide which one to try next! Yum.

More new books for my library

I got rid of a bunch of books I have had here and never read (tried, but not engaging enough). So, I gave them to Goodwill. Now I seem to have an empty place that needs to be filled! I found one book at the Seattle Children's Thrift Store, and three at the paperback store. I'm always on the lookout for new favorite authors. Maybe there is a treasure in this stack.
...

The Philippa Gregory book is one of her older ones, republished after the success of her History of the Queens of England books. I have read many of them, not quite as good as her more recent stuff, but still interesting.

Olive Kitteridge

I just finished reading Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout.

I have mixed feelings about the book, although I feel like I read it in record time so obviously it was interesting. It was basically a book of short stories about relationships with one character (Olive Kitteridge) having a minor role in each story. The characters were all from the same little town in Maine. Their relationships were sticky and complex. In the back of the book was an interview with Olive (fictional character) and the author which was interesting and different.

I really liked Elizabeth Strout's writing style and I am going to look for her books AMY AND ISABELLE and ABIDE WITH ME.

January 7th 2011

Four New Treasures!

My story starts yesterday. I went to Lassley's paperback shop because I estimated I had about 12 minutes before I needed to go pick Tori up after school. I dashed into the store and Eureka! I found THE WHITE QUEEN by Philippa Gregory (on my list!). I looked around for anything else on my list but no luck. Suddenly, a group of three little old ladies (like me) gathered around the checkout - they had never been there before and needed the process explained to them!

tick tick tick.

I looked around a bit more - POW two more people got in line with big stacks of books! That store isn't usually that busy! I had to interrupt, "would you mind holding these for me until tomorrow morning? I can't wait now?" whew, the nice lady said ok.

So, I went in this morning and got The White Queen (Philippa Gregory's first historical novel of the War of the Roses), A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock, maybe a gothic mystery. I looked it up on Amazon and saw good reviews for it; The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe, another mystery, taking place in two different eras; and The Food of Love by Anthony Capella, also well reviewed as a light read of love and food in Italy. I got these all for $10. They are the larger paperback style. I feel very wealthy today with all this reading material waiting for me.

a version of the truth

a Version of the truth by Jennifer Kaufman

and

Karen Mack

Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack are my new favorite authors! They've only written three books though! I have to say they are rated PG 18, including some rather steamy love scenes. I love the writing style, so easy to read, unexpected and with a beautifully included background of great books to read. A version of the truth, is a story of a "late bloomer" who makes it good. Nature Magazine says "It's The Devil Wears Prada meets Walden Pond."
I also read literacy and longing in L.A. by the same authors (I read this one first). This book had extensive LIST in the back of all the books mentioned in the novel! It covers many pages! They have written one other book to date "Book Lover", which I haven't found yet. It may be too new to be in my favorite (cheap) haunts.

Sarah's Key

January 3, 2011

I read SARAH'S KEY by Tatiana de Rosney. I had heard of the book and found it at the Children's Hospital Thrift Store a few days ago. I read it in two days. It had a format of a chapter from 1942 and a chapter in present day France, with the two stories moving together towards the finale. A suspenseful story of the great Veledrome d'Hiver roundup of Jewish families. Highly recommended. The theme is "Never forget" and this is an unforgetable story.