Books...

Review by Ju
First, I'd like to say sorry for being a blogging slack. Second, I'm not really liking the new Blogger interface. WTH -- I know icons are fancy and all but STOP. It's painful.   Okay. Books. You like books? I like books. I've been reading a lot more lately and knitting a LOT less. What I've been reading...

• Silent Girl by Tess Gerritsen -- Rizzoli and Isles book. There books are seriously unlike the TNT series. I like the series but the books are rather different than the show -- the characters especially. It's rather strange how different. I really enjoyed this installment in the series; centers around Chinatown in Boston. Very interesting.
• The Passage by Justin Cronin -- this book, I'm still processing. Odd and overly long. It's about a virus that sweeps the world creating an apocalyptic type civilization with weird vampire-like beings. It's hard to explain. If Cronin had a much better editor, I'd have like the book better. I know back story is important but not that important. The sequel comes out in October but I'm not sure I am anxious to read it. It's 600 pages. Eeek.
• I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak -- I did enjoy this book. It is categorized as a YA book but I'm not so sure about that(language alone is pretty sketchy) but I can see that teens might enjoy it. This book is about discovering yourself and realizing everyone has secrets, desires and dreams. Make a choice, live a life, be something -- we all have the capacity to do great things. Neat book; great story, intriguing characters. He wrote The Book Thief also. Loved that book.
• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand -- all 1168 pages of it. I started reading it over a year ago and kept putting it down because, at first, it is written in a strange way. Once you get past that, you can really pick up steam. It's an intriguing cultural and economic philosophy book disguised as a novel. Who is John Galt? He's the man that can stop the world. And he does, and it's a beautiful thing to see. You have to read the book to find out why. That's the "fun" in it.

Currently I'm also reading Righteous Indignation by Andrew Breitbart, An American Son by Marco Rubio, and Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly.

How about you? Reading anything good?

Books and music, music and books

Review by: Do

So today I received a gift from my husband. A gift that I am very appreciative of and that I will use until the day it dies. Yes folks, I am the proud owner of a brand new, shiny blue, small compact laptop!! My former laptop was faithful up until the day it decided to just go black on me. I thank my former laptop for its semi-reliability, and I think it would be happy to know it has been donated to science to further our knowledge of its inner workings (aka, my son is tearing it apart to see if he can make it run after a real live tech said it was beyond repair). I would like to blame the fact I haven't blogged on my dead laptop, but I don't like to talk ill of the dead (and it would be a lie anyway).

Books I have finished since my last blog:

I recently finished reading "The Forgotten Garden", by Kate Morton. Recommended to me by my sister, Ju, this book was very enjoyable. A well written combination of my favorites; mystery, touch of romance, and interwoven time periods. The author made you wait for tid bits of information from the past, making you wonder and speculate before you are given the answer to what actually happened. I was left guessing until the very end.

Prior to that I finished book#9 of the Dresden Files; "White Night" by Jim Butcher. I like to throw one of these in every once in a while. I really get into this series, but after all the magic, and killing, and vampires, and death...I need to take a break. Yes some of the actions are unbelievable and outrageous, but that's what makes it so much fun to read. And now that Harry has found a family member that he has to take into consideration, it makes things a bit more complex; he can't run into situations all gung ho and rambo-like...he has to think first, act second, which is hard for him. He also has an apprentice now and I am digging his new role as "master".

Current music adventures:

Amaryllis by Shinedown is a great follow-up to their "Sound of Madness" album. Although not as heavy, in my opinion, I think it is a very strong compilation of songs. Of course, with any album, there are some songs I don't care for and skip over without hesitation, but for the most part this album rocks. I have been a fan of Shinedown since their SOM album, and I even caught a glimpse of them at the Great NYS Fair. They are touring this summer with the Uproar Festival, coming to the Great NYS Fair this August, and my husband and I are in discussions on whether or not we are going to that event. We already have 2 concerts set for this summer, and the Uproar Festival is an all day event, which we may just be too old for. We shall see.

Oddly enough, I also borrowed the cd soundtrack to the movie "Burlesque" from the local library recently. This movie you will recall, or probably not, starred Cher and Christina Aguilera. I heard 1 song from this album (Show me how you burlesque) at a dance recital and decided to see what the rest sounded like. Unfortunately that 1 song is the ONLY song I like from the album. The rest of the tracks range from "ok" to "omg bad". The last song on the album threw me for a loop...it samples "Beautiful People" by Marilyn Manson...in a burlesque song? Really? In the immortal words of Florian Bellanger, "it dinn't work for me".

Happy 4th of July!

:)

Arcadia Falls

Review by: Do

Wow it has been a while! I apologize for my absence. Not that I haven't done anything interesting to write about...maybe I just had too many interesting things going on to find the time to write about them...yeah, we'll go with that.

Any way, I finished a book last night that was a pretty good read. It's called Arcadia Falls, and it was written by Carol Goodman.

This book revolves around a Meg Rosenthal and the new life she is forced to create for herself, and her daughter, after the death of her husband. Meg's daughter Sally is a rude and rebellious teenager, and I didn't like the way she treated her mother at all. I sure hope all teenagers aren't like this character because the thought of that scares me a little.

Meg has taken a teaching position at a boarding school in Arcadia Falls, which is in upstate NY. There they become surrounded by many interesting people and some very strange school traditions. While trying to mend their own strained relationship, they are thrown into murder, mystery, some artsy stuff, a lot of snow (good ol' upstate NY), and a little bit of romance.

Intermingled with Meg and Sally, there is also another story going on at the same time. This story starts in 1927 and is about the life of Vera and Lily, the founders of the Arcadia School. You learn how they met, how and why the school was formed, and why the focus of the school is on art. This story is just as interesting, and at times I found myself skipping over Meg to read more about Lily.

Other than the occasional imagery overkill...the scenery is beautiful, I get it...I thought the book was very good. It contains a lot of things I found that I could relate to; upstate NY landscape, snow fall, fairy tales, and it also included plenty of art references. I would definitely recommend this book if you like any of the above mentioned items, and even if you don't, it's a well written historical fiction story that I think all will enjoy.

Books, books

I've been reading a bit over the last few months. These are the books I've finished. Now I'm reading the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Have y'all read it yet?

This book was recommended to me and, all-in-all, I liked it. Nothing too earth shattering, but it was an interesting take on the "grass is greener" concept. Tessa King, an attorney in London, starts the book by returning from a five week vacation in India. Due to a mental breakdown of her boss, being stalked and harassed, she needed to get away. She's back and ready to be a part of her rather large group of friends and godchildren.

Tessa's godchildren -- Caspar, Cora and twins, Bobby and Tommy -- are different ages of different parents (all of whom are her friends). Each set of friends is married; Tessa is the only single person. She's not sure what she wants to do or how to live but she wants to have children and a life. There is a LOT of angst, self-doubt, anger, bad feelings and drama in this book -- some self-generated, some thrust upon Tessa.

One would think that once you get to a certain age, you would stop behaving badly. Not so in real life, not so in this book. At times I think Tessa is a good person who means well and tries very hard to be a good friend and godmother, but there are times when she is so self-consumed that she cannot see past what she wants.

It's chick lit, if you are wanting to read chick lit book. The big bow at the end kind of bugged me, as it does with most chick lit, but that's the genre. (3 stars)


This book is an invented journal written by Marie Antoinette, the queen of France who was sent to the guillotine during the French Revolution in 1793. The book starts out with her childhood as Austrian Archduchess Maria Antonia -- her royal family, the death of her sister and her ultimate betrothal to Louis XVI. Once Marie Antoinette arrives in France and is crowned queen, you see through her eyes the daily bombardment of rules, luxury and excess. Louis is simple, unwilling to make decisions, and weak. She becomes fond of Louis, becoming his friend and confidant throughout their marriage. Marie Antoinette also an affair and falls in love with Swedish nobleman Axel Fersen.

Various events and happenings, fictional and real, are woven together to give a glimpse at what Marie Antoinette's life could have been like. She had four children, only two survived. She was unilaterally hated by the French people for her excess and lavish lifestyle. She was made a scapegoat for a way of life, and was ultimately executed for being who she was.

The book was interesting, well paced and generally on track. Too many outlandish tales could have lead this book astray, but Carolly Erickson managed to keep the tall tales to a minimum. The book is definitely sympathetic to Marie Antoinette. She was not the villain she was made out to be by the peasantry of France. She was a victim of circumstance – she was condemned because she was born to royalty. She was neither a saint nor evil.

I enjoyed this book. It made me want to learn more about her as a person, though the fictionalized areas of the book were frustrating at times. (3 stars)


Katniss Everdeen is a citizen of District 12 in the land of Panem. Panem is what is left of the US after the multiple revolutions. The Capitol runs the country with 12 districts to control and supply it. In order to keep the districts in line, they have an annual event called the Hunger Games.

Each district must choose a 2 children, ages 12-18 -- one boy, one girl -- to participate in this battle to the death. Normally the children are selected at random but Katniss volunteers when her 12 year old sister is chosen. This story is about Katniss and what she endures to try and survive the Games.

This books if fascinating. Suzanne Collins can write characters and plot extremely well. The story is fast paced, well coordinated and quite engrossing. It's hard to put down. (4 stars)


Jane Green needs to find a new genre. While I enjoy a good chick lit book every now and then, this one is just like all her other books. I know they sell well but it is getting old. Green is a good writer with great character development but when she writes the same vapid, perfectionist character each time...done.

I've read three of her other books. Jemima J was the first -- I read it at least ten years ago when I less cynical. It was good, I'd give it 3.5 stars. Then I read Mr. Maybe and Babyville. Same books, different names. Bleh. 2 stars each.

This book is about cancer and families and figuring it all out. Sorry but I wasn't impressed. (2 stars)

The Bone Garden

Review by Do:

I read my first book by the well known author, Tess Gerritsen, and I must say that I really enjoyed it.

The Bone Garden is a great mystery (possibly romantic mystery) that weaves a tale from 1830 in with the present day life of Julia Hamill. Having just gone through a divorce, Julia embarks on a new life for herself in an old rundown house. While digging up the flower garden, Julia finds a skeleton buried on her property, and soon learns that the person was most likely murdered. She feels drawn to finding out who the person was, and why they were buried there in such a manner.

The storyline from the 1830's follows (4) Boston Medical students and the conditions they faced in learning how to become a doctor. One student is accused of crimes he did not commit and must prove himself innocent.

How these two very different sets of circumstances become entwined is very cleverly done. One minute you think you know who the killer is, but really, you have no idea. Although this may be a tale of murder, it is also an unexpected love story that, in the end, inspires Julia to think that she could actually love again.

Tess Gerritsen has written numerous books dating back to 1985. I am very happy that I chose this to be my first book by her. I love mysteries so I cruised through this book in just a couple weeks. The medical circumstances were very interesting and very well researched, and yet not too disturbing. I borrowed this from my mom not knowing that, coincidentally, this is the same author of the new Rizzoli and Isles TV series that debuted on TNT this summer. Since I am also enjoying that show, it is a definite possibility that I may embark on a new Tess Gerritsen novel in the near future.

Relentless

Review by: Do

Title: Relentless
Author: Dean Koontz
Copyright: 2009


Any Dean Koontz fans out there? I started reading his fantastic thrillers when I was still in my teens, and have been a fan ever since. As always, some better than others, but always entertaining.

I borrowed 2 books from my mom recently. 'The Gargoyle', by Andrew Davidson, and 'Relentless', by Dean Koontz. I started 'The Gargoyle', which is advertised as a "New York Times Bestseller", and in which my mom insisted "gets better" - but after numerous chapters I just lost interest. That book was a bit too graphic for me, and I started to get tired of reading about how the pool fella was going to kill himself...get on with it already then! I decided to take a little break from that book and just give a little peek to 'Relentless'.

Let me tell you, I was hooked right in the first chapter. He always knows how to grab your attention right at the beginning and he doesn't let go. He makes you want to finish because you have to know what happens! This particular book centers around a family of 3 who have their every day lives turned upside down by sadistic & cruel idealists who wish to shape their own society. Cubby & Penny have a 6 year old son Milo who is, by all accounts, a genius, but still a child at heart. Also a part of their family is their adopted dog Lassie who plays a very important roll in their lives and in this book. (SPOILER ALERT: For those of you, like me, who hate to see an animal harmed in any way, shape, or form in books, movies, and/or in real life, it is my duty to let you know that no Lassie was harmed in the making of this book). Moving on....

At first , I tried to read this book at night after my family had gone to bed, which is sometimes my only real free time. But this book was so convincing in its malicious nature that I found myself deciding that is was much too scary to read at that point in time. I never noticed how dark and scary my house could be so late at night!

This book was very well written, as usual. A great thriller, fairly gory, somewhat sad, and even a bit funny. I enjoyed this book immensely, and it's one of the better D.K. books I have read in a long time. I am actually hoping he brings the remaining characters out of hiding and writes another exciting story about them...or would that be impossible with how the story ended?? I guess you'll just have to read it and find out.

Book reviews

Two books and a giveaway!

Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Author: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Tags: World War II, Guernsey Island, London, historical fiction, letters

This book follows Juliet Ashton, a writer in London in 1946. Life on the island of Guernsey was not good under Nazi occupation during WWII and Juliet becomes enthralled with their history after becoming acquainted with some of the islanders. The letters written to, from and about her from various individuals in her life comprise the text of this novel. Tales of good and bad under the German occupation and what the war did to common people comprise the bulk of the story here. It is a nice little book that reads fast but it is rather predictable. (3 stars)

Title: Those Who Save Us
Author: Jenna Blum
Tags: World War II, historical fiction, Jews, German Resistance, Weimar Germany, Nazis, families, mothers and daughters, Minnesota, Buchenwald, Holocaust

This story follows a mother and daughter through World War II and beyond, from Germany to Minnesota 50 years later. It is a tale of sadness, terror, survival, heroism and understanding. Anna, a young German woman, falls in love and hides an older Jewish doctor who works for the German Resistance trying to get information out about Buchenwald concentration camp. They fall in love, he is arrested and she is pregnant.

The story follows Anna's tale of love, hardship and survival trying to keep daughter and herself alive when her employer and friend is murdered. Anna's daughter Trudy does not understand her mother and does not know her story. It is best left dead and in the past according to Anna. Trudy has never known who her father is and struggles to understand how people could let the Holocaust occur. It is that mission that leads Trudy to discover the truth of her existence and the horrors of what happened in Germany 50 years before.

This book is honest and horrifying. It is well written and progresses in ways that keep you guessing and turning pages. Overall, the key to this book is to subtly ask the question, "What would I have done in that time and place?" It is a soul-searching question. (4 stars)

Are you interested in reading either book? If so, leave a comment by April 7 and they might be yours.

- Ju

Disappointing

Title: Echo in the Bone
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Tags: American Revolution, historical fiction, 18th Century, Scotland, Outlander series

I had great expectations for this book. I re-read the entire series (all six previous books!) so I could pick up where we left off with A Breath of Smoke and Ashes. I was very excited to start this book. What a waste of time and effort. Echo in the Bone is a meandering, disjointed, badly edited book. Jumping from story to story is bad enough but all the side stories that contribute nothing to the plot are a waste of time.

Brianna's character is horrid. She's a snide, nasty, self-righteous person; much more so than Claire, which is saying a lot. Can't take it. I wish Roger would toss her over and find someone pleasant. The William/Lord John chapters do not fit in this book. I thought that is why Ms. Gabaldon wrote all those Lord John books. That is where all these stories belong, not here. What was the editor thinking? Since she can sell books, let her write exactly what she wants?

I don't know why this book has gone so far off-track. I refuse to finish reading this book. I'm one-third of the way through and have been sadly disappointed by almost each chapter. I don't care what happens now. I'm very confounded by this book -- 800 pages of wandering stories. For instance, when Ian takes the two "boys" to brothel. Why include that story? It means nothing to the plot line other than to include Arch Bug. These characters will never be seen again unless she sticks them in later in some other book. And will they be remembered? Doubtful.

To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. Read at your own risk. Can I give the book one star?