This memoir, by Hungarian author Ferenc Mate, written in 1998 is based on the experience of living in Tuscany, buying a home with his wife & settling down after having lived on a sailboat for 2 years.  The subtitle is "A New Life in an Old Land".  I picked up this book at the library donation table, having also collected 2 other true memoirs on Tuscany and the south of France.  I  want to live these lives vicariously and secretly have a desire to one day make a home "under the Tuscan sun" even though I still haven't traveled to Italy, but will one day soon.  Having recently returned from a trip down the Amazon with my husband, I am still in "travel mode" and enjoy reading about others' experiences regarding same, especially when one is so daring as to move out of their country into foreign lands and make a completely new life for oneself.

Ferenc's wife is an artist and says "I want to settle down; a tiny house, some fruit trees, a vege garden", not implying that she wants to necessarily leave the country.  He suggests "how 'bout here" (as they were vacationing in Tuscany at the time) and she is shocked, but obviously goes along w/the idea.  So we dive into their glorious story of searching for the perfect home outside Montepulciano, shopping for antique furniture and making new friends along the way with their pastoral neighbors.  Of course, no proper memoir of Italy would be complete without discussion of food and wine and my mouth watered reading about the pastas, cheeses, olives, etc. of the surrounding area.  It was simply a dream to read this book and I now, more than ever, want to take that trip to Italy, especially Tuscany and Umbria.

This read is for true Italophiles and anyone who likes a good Italian memoir.  It covers the local landscape in great detail, paying special attention to the botanical surroundings, weather, nature, flavors of the local people and tantalizing Tuscan food.  Yummy.  It nourishes the soul both mentally and physically.  I envy people who can uproot their lives and be daring enough to fulfill their dream.  As the saying goes, the question is not "why?" but "Why Not??"

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Precious, based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire, is a hard-core realistic, gritty and very very raw book about a teenage girl living in Harlem who is sexually and emotionally abused by both her parents.  If this turns you off, it's ok.  It is an extremely hard subject matter, yet it is immensely important that this prevalent reality is made more aware so as to prevent more of these horrendous situations.

I have been on a wait list at the library to check out "Push" the original novel published in 1996 but there were over 200 ahead of me!  The book has had a sudden reemergence in popularity due to the surprisingly phenomenal success of the movie Precious.  And with the recent accolades going to Mo'Nique, the actress who portrays Precious' mother, both the book and movie are gaining even more popularity.  I was in the library last week and happened to find the above-cited book, titled Precious and was confused thinking it was a book based on the movie, based on the original book, Push.  Following me?  Confused?  In reading the beginning pages and the copywright info, I surmised that this is indeed the novel Push.

In any event, it is a very fast read; I read it in just one day.  It is hard to read due to the nature of the story and also hard in that it's written in first person by the heroine, Precious, who is illiterate and has a thick Harlem dialect.

Yet, good does come out of the story. Precious transfers to a new smaller school where she finds solace and love from an incredible, patient, and gifted teacher and meets other students who have their own terrible stories to share.  The book is a message of overcoming the shittiest childhood no matter what and believing in oneself and finding love within yourself.  It's poignant, disturbing, beautiful, sorrowful and full of hope because our beloved heroine finally (with lots of help from non-family) can see potential in herself and sees that she is a worthwhile person.  It is such a touching story and I am anxious to see the film.

Yes, I know it's been way too long since my last review.  I, of course, have read literally dozens of books since then (but can't post a review on every one; then it would feel like homework and not a pleasure).  So I pick and choose my reviews. 

This novel was written by Rebecca Wells of "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisters" fame (a fantastic book by the way).  Calla (I will call it to abbreviate the lenghty title) is a girlie book written in first person narrative by the heroine herself, Miss Calla Lily Ponder (great name, huh?).  She was named from her parents' favorite flower, the lovely calla lillies.  It takes place in Louisiana in a small fictitious river town called La Luna along the banks of the Luna River and everything there, naturally, is moon-themed.  A reverberating theme throughout the entire novel is the Moon Lady herself who is a "spirit" that envelopes Calla and is her protector working in mysterious ways through Calla's mother and other such ladies who stand in for her mother when she loses her to breast cancer at just 16.  Calla suffers tragedies such as this, but grows up to be the sweetest, kindest most loving woman one could imagine.  She pursues her dream to move to New Orleans and attend cosmetology school, makes new friends, falls in love and marries the man of her dreams, only to have that dream shattered when he dies in an off-shore boat explosion at work. 

After 10 years, she moves back to her quaint and lovely little town and realizes her true dream by opening up her very own hair salon.  It is through this salon where Calla's healing powers come through via her hands on her clients' heads as she gently massages them and washes away all of their cares and unhappiness. 

The  books is beautifully written, poetic, lyrical and very sweet.  It makes me think that there are never limits to how much one can love others and love life itself.  Calla is a spirited, ambitious character whom I admire.  So she didn't go to an academic university and become a "professional career woman" in the usual sense (i.e., doctor lawyer, CPA...).  But she stuck to her dream and her passion and established her own business which she pours her entire heart and soul into.  During the journey there, real life of course happens with all of its tragedies (alcoholism, disease, death, lies and betrayals).  Yet, she finds love again (first love from high school) and all is good and serene with the world again.  Ahhhhh, peace, tranquility, heaven.  These things I think of in the end.  It is simply one of the sweetest books I've read and I sighed aloud when it was over. 

Keeping up with my former monthly reviews, here's my July's blog.

This novel is brand new, having just been published this year by Arabic female author, Randa Jarrar.  It was on the "new books out" shelf at my local library.  I really enjoyed it but have to categorize it in the "female niche" section.  It is filled with humor and honesty.  It's an easy, fast read about a young girl born in the States, moves to Kuwait with her family (she's "mixed race"; her dad is Palestinian and her mom is Egyptian/Greco), escapes when the Persian Gulf War breaks out, goes to Egypt and finally she and her family land back in the U.S. in Texas by the time she is 14. 

Nidali (the narrator/heroine) wants to write and is quite a rebellious kid who always pisses off her nasty-tempered father who wants her to avoid boys at all costs.  He smacks her all the time and dictates her life, telling her to study and get her Ph.D. one day.  All she wants to do is write, write, write and dad finally acquiesces and "allows" her to finally escape the prison of her family when she's 17 whereupon she chooses to go away to college in Boston which is where the story ends. 

It's very amusing and witty.  Though I'm not Arabic, I can relate to this young girl who feels not whole, but half, and is confused and undergoing puberty, all the while living in the Middle East during war time. 

A four star read.

#1 Nat'l bestseller, I'm sure the majority of you have heard of this book since it was made into a fantastic motion picture by the Weinsten Bros. (Kate Winslett had the starring role and won her 1st ever Oscar for that title role this year).  The novel was published in '97 and written by German author Bernhard Schlink, originally in German, translated to English.  I saw the film first, then read the book (reverse of what I prefer), so I knew exactly what was going to happen in the story.  The film basically stuck to the book except for one bit part at the end.

It's a short, easy to read novel written in first person and narrated by the Ralph Fiennes character from his entire point of view.  He (Michael) is the Reader, but we find out that Hanna (Winslett's character) has had many "readers" throughout her life since she is illiterate and this is the huge explosive secret that is her final undoing.  It is a Holocaust-themed story, though most of it occurs after the war and during Hanna's trial (she was a guard in a women's prison camp) and the years subsequently following.  The book is gripping and harrowing as it makes me question morality and has philosophical issues.  The reader (in this case - me, the audience reading this book, and Michael ) is in a quandary as to how a human can reconcile himself with a life-saving question:  Do I reveal a life-long kept secret of Hanna's that I know but she doesn't know I know?  It's obvious how sacred and important this secret is to her and she will undergo an unfair trial, signing documents that she can't even read, resulting in a sacrifice of her freedom.  I (Michael) can see that this is her decision to make and perhaps it's her way of making atonement for being a willing participant in the Nazi machine.

The novel is so compelling and extremely worthwhile to read.  I have no other choice but to give it what it rightfully deserves, a five-star rating.

Brand new novel, written by Esteban Martin and Andrew Carranza that just came out this year. 

Maria is the heroine and her boyfriend, Miguel is a mathematician; together they succeed in solving a long- kept secret of Christianity and have to search for an ancient relic that Maria's grandfather had in his possession passed down to him by world class architect Grandmaster Antonio Gaudi.   

This book is very similar to The Da Vinci Code, replacing the city of Paris with the Spanish city of Barcelona.  I picked up the hardback novel at the local library and what sparked my interest was the similiarity to Dan Brown's "Code" and the fact that it takes place in beautiful Barcelona.  I loved Da Vinci Code and have also traveled to Barcelona so it all had a sense of familiarity.  It is a puzzle and treasure hunt through all of master architect Gaudi's great buildings and park, many of which I toured through.  It's translated from the Catalan language of the Catalonian region of Northwestern Spain where Barcelona is situated. 

It's a fast read and really moves.  I feel the two collaborating authors were highly influenced by Brown and it's obvious they were.  If you like riddles and mysteries and have an afffinity for Gaudi's architecture (i.e., the famous yet still incomplete La Sagrada Familia church, Park Guell, Casa Batlo (all fascinating and awe-inspiring), then you'd enjoy this book. 

I rate this 4 stars

This novel, written by RiCHARD YATES, was nominated for the National Book Award in 1961.  Of course, it was made into an academy-honored film this past year which I saw.  I prefer reading the book before the film, but this time I saw the film first.  The book was excellent, portraying a young suburban couple whose dreams are shattered by the ennui of living in the suburbs. It is an honest, accurate story about how married life and the hopes and dreams of an exciting future can get shattered as everyday life sets in and the possibility of REALLY LIVING becomes second rank. 

The book was turned into this fantastic film whose screenplay was taken almost verbatim from the novel.  In the book, the lead male character, Frank Wheeler, comes across as much nicer and more sympathetic than in the movie.  April Wheeler, his spouse, is the selfish wife who we still feel sorry for. The story was written well before its time and though it takes place in the early 60s, it could have been an example of present day.  The emotions are so raw, gripping, human and true to life.  It has a tragic ending and parts of it reminded me of my own marriage; not necessarily saying I'm unhappy, but that all marriages go through boredom and we get settled into reality and everyday living. 

I highly recomend this very well written novel.  Yates simply "gets it" and is to be commended in his fine writing skills.  It's classic, timeless, and FORCES one to think about sacrificing their dreams for the good of the family.  

by Phillip Margolin, published this year. 

A new book by a new author (for me).  This is a very fast, speedy read, along the lines ala Baldacci.  Jeff read it in a matter of 2 days.  I took a bit longer.  It's about the abuse of government power at the highest level; a modern day president gets taken down and loses the election to a female candidate due to his indiscretions and unfaithfulness. (Clintonesque, shall we say?). 

But the surprise twist here (SPOILER ALERT.....!!!) is that the first lady is a jealous power-hungry malicious killer who visciously murders each of the 3 young women whom the Prez has dalliances with.  This isn't revealed until about the very end of the novel but all along, we think it's the Prez' sidekick, Mr. Hawkins, a close confidante and old friend, who is the murdering bastard.  In fact, he eventually confesses to the crimes (it's at this point in the book that I'm doubtful of his sins since he confesses so readily).  Turns out, he's protecting the 1st lady (he was in love w/her back in college). 

It's a relatively good, simple read, a good story.  It keeps you going with plot development and twists.  It's a "go-go-go" kind of read. 

Nevertheless, it's nothing out of the ordinary, quite formulaic and some of the writing tends to be somewhat old-fashioned and not necessarily smart or witty.  Rather, it's dry and soap-opera like. 

This one can only be rated a two-star in my book. 

This novel, published in 2001 by British author Ian McEwan, was the first book I read by him. As many of you may know, this novel was made into an epic-sweeping saga film from 2007. It garnered academy award nominations and stars James McAvoy and the lovely Keira Knightly. I haven’t seen the movie, but will look for it on cable.

This novel takes place in 1935 London, before WWII and continues into the beginning of the War. The epilogue jumps all the way to the end of the century, as the main character (who surprisingly is the young sister of the Knightly character Cecilia) grows into an accomplished old woman. I say surprisingly because from the film’s previews, it’s suggested that Cecilia is the star and she, in fact, is on the book’s jacket. Yet, it is her younger sister, Briony, who is the instigator in the whole premise of the story, who lets her creative and overindulgent imagination blind her into seeing the truth and destroying the love between Cecilia and Robbie (the biggest victim in all of this).

It was hard for me to get enthusiastic about the book at the beginning (perhaps a slow start or the subtle nuances of the British way of speaking), but once the story took a turn for the worse and Robbie was accused of a horrendous crime which he did not commit, then things really started to "rock and roll" and I was hooked.

Atonement stands for the literal atonement Briony attempts to make happen. She desperately struggles in atoning for her "sins" and sacrifices her dreams of becoming a novelist (or at least puts them on hold during her young adult years) as she instead takes a career in nursing and becomes a nun. As a nurse in training, she sees the horrors of the war manifest in the hospital and McEwan writes these chapters in such clarity and detail that we can practically feel, smell and taste the gross injuries the soldiers sustained. MckEwan did research the War, of course, and utilized actual war documents.

Overall, the book was intriguing, eloquently written, mesmerizing and captivating. Lots of heartbreak, anguish, sadness and drama.

I give this book 4 Stars

Bill Bryson

Author; published in '98. 

I actually completed this read in October, but have been backed up in my reviews.  So here goes:  I have to first preface this by saying that Janet commented (when we had a girls' night out on Friday with Kathy at the Sagebrush for margaritas) that all my books are given 5-star ratings.  Well, that's simply not true.  If you look back in the archives, you'll see that there have been some 1s, 2s, and an occasional 3.  It's simply that I choose to read high quality, entertaining books (why waste a perfectly good hour or 2 on a weekend reading crap).  So I choose to spend my leisure time reading "good stuff".  We were commenting on this and Kathy, noting my last review on "The Appeal" said "Karin, I just can't imagine a Grisham book ever being 5*".  I countered her and said that it was his 1st work of nonfiction and, IN MY OPINION, which is what reviews are all about, it was that good of a book.  So there.  She obviously didn't read my whole review and said "mmmm, ok didn't know it was non-fiction."

Anyway, back to Bryson's novel....

This was my 2nd time reading this hilarious travel writer.  If you haven't read him before, he's really quite wonderful.  His books are full of sarcasm and are delightful.  I also read his "In a Sunburned Country".  "A Walk in the Woods" is about his attempt to walk the entire Appalachian Trail.  Glenn would love this read, being an avid walker.  Bryson convinces a friend to join him, an out of shape and alcoholic friend named Katz (I think of him as Bryson's sidekick) whom he hasn't seen in years.  This makes for some rather amusing and hysterical anecdotes.  Jeff read this book, too.  If you love the great outdoors and have a strong sense of humor, you will get a kick out of this highly entertaining read. 

 I think Greg gave us this book but don't know if he's read it. If not, he should.  Bryson recalls his adventures on this famous trail with pure honesty.  He writes with a sense of abandon, leaving nothing to the imagination.  All the juicy, gritty, dirty parts are there (bad intestinal experiences, freezing cold nights sleeping on hard ground, and practically starving after all the food that's left for that day is an old candy bar).  I wished he would've completed the entire trail (a super duper amazing feat, being that it's an astounding 2,100 MILES from Georgia to Main), but he certainly tackles a very respectable portion.  He stops for a while, takes a restful hiatus, and then gets back on the trail after that well-deserved break.  Bill runs into a grizzly and a host of colorful characters of the human persuasion (yet his encounters with them are few in number as the trail is a lonely place in the springtime when he decides to hike it).  Most of the time, it's just Bill and Katz, speaking very few words, listening to the sounds of nature and utter silence along the trail, and listening to his thoughts as he is introspective in such solitude and silence.  He has bouts of loneliness, yet at other times, simply relegates in his happiness in being alone in the wilderness.

This was a NY Times bestseller and I highly recommend this most amusing of all the travel memoirs I've read.

Alas, living up to my reputation, I have to (without any reservation) rate this:

by John Grisham, published in 2006

Greg was nicely "pestering me" to review my latest.  I still have 3 more, been backed up.  So this work of nonfiction (Grisham's 1st ever nonfiction book; the guy has written 20 novels!) was given to Jeff recently by Greg in the book exchange.  Don't know if you've read it, Greg, but I highly recommend it.  Jeff read it and finished it up on our recent vacation to Kona.  I've read the majority of Grisham's books and have loved them all.  This particular hardback takes a very political stance... Grisham has been leaning more towards politicizing his beliefs and standing up for societal issues in his latter books.  Coincidentally, just after finishing this, I happened to tune into Bill Moyer's "Journal" on PBS last week and his guest was Grisham discussing his life's influences on his writing and particularly, this latest book. 

I don't recall this particular true story, but it's about a wrongful conviction against a man accused of a brutal rape and murder in small town Ada, Oklahoma in the 1980s.  When Jeff read the book, he commented that he kept on waiting for the lawyer to appear (as all of Grisham's novels deal with lawyering) and that it took over 100 pages for that to finally happen.  Then low and behold, Jeff got to the middle of the book where he saw genuine photos of real people and realized at that point that this was no fiction.  So I knew right away when I began reading that this was indeed a very tragic, true work of nonfiction.  It exposes small town justice in its ugliest form; how an innocent man can get sentenced to the electric chair based on jail house snitches, an arrogant and overzealous prosecutor, a public that demands a conviction at any cost, political pressure, shoddy police work, not exact science, hair comparisons and bite marks on the victim (the bite marks never even matched Ron's or his friend's (Dennis Fritz).  Of course, Ron's DNA was never found on or inside the victim.  And it took 5 years for the so-called hair analysis to conclude.  No DNA and Ron was still convicted!

Thank G-D for the Innocent Project founded by Barry Scheck (of OJ Simpson fame) who tediously helped in getting Ron Williamson's conviction overturned.  Yet in the interim, this poor guy had to spend 12 hellish years on death row along with a buddy of his who also was wrongly convicted. 

Grisham painstakingly reveals the details beginning from the childhood years of Ronnie, through his life on death row and the appeals and outcome afterwards.  This book will make you angry as it did me.  It may turn you against the death penalty if you formerly believed in it. 

Ron's story made national and international headlines when he was finally released from custody.  The entire book was amazingly fascinating to read and never boring, despite the fact that it was so meticulously detailed.  The facts are so harrowing and unbelievable; makes you sick to your stomach to know that this has been going on and continues to occur in towns across America where innocent men are sent to prison all the time for crimes they never committed.  Of course, most guys who are imprisoned actually are the real perpetrators.  But there are always a few who should never be there.  Yet they are, and the real murderer is living free while a poor soul is suffering needlessly in his place and eventually put to death!

Grisham has a new book out now, "The Appeal" which was just reviewed in today's LA Times.  I'm very much interested in getting my hands on it.

Of course, by JK Rowling. 

The 7th and final book in this fantastic series, published this year.  Jeff & I both read all of these books and now it has sadly come to a conclusion.  Harry is in the 7th and final year of his school, a 17 year-old.  It's another long one, 759 pages, but as all her books read, it moves fast and has fairly large print.  I read it in just a week (would have finished sooner, but the damn job gets in the way).

I had much anticipation in this one due to all the hype in the media and marketing about it being the last one and a major character is going to die.  Disclaimer, spoiler alert for those who haven't read it yet, stop reading now/here.  I was under the assumption that it would be either Harry, Hermione or Ron that would die, but it wasn't any of them.  Yes, someone dies, but certainly no one of significance.  Yet, if you read it another way, I guess one could say that it is true afterall... Harry briefly meets his death towards the end and then miraculously and magically comes back to life.  So in essence, the most major character of all does indeed die (albeit ever so briefly).

This is the 1st time in all of the books that the plot mostly takes place outside of the famed Hogwarts School of Wizardry.  Instead, we find ourselves immersed in and around London and other towns of England.  Past confusion is explained and revelations astound my mind.  I enjoyed learning in depth about Dumbledore's youth and sensational secrets in his past.

I was let down, not so much in the quality of the novel (excellent, exciting, a sure thrill ride as always), but more in knowing that this was to be the final story.  Alas, no more books on Potter and his wild, dangerous, magical adventures.  This chapter in Harry's life concludes the story telling and we see him years later all grown up with children of his own.  Like all the books, good conquers evil in the end.  As it should be.

Now Rowling has a recently published manuscript of fairytales.  You probably read about them and the fact that only 7 were printed.  One of those was just auctioned off for a hefty fee. This author continues to astound and amaze me in her creativity and wonderful writing.  She's just my age but is worth more than the queen herself. 

As always, can't wait to see this movie.  Still haven't seen the 5th one.

Jane Fonda's autobiography published in 2005. 

I got this book from Janet who recently gave me a few books to choose from.  I haven't read an autobiography in a rather long time.  This hardback is very lenghty, almost 600 pages, but the chapters read very fast.  A very interesting, long, busy life deserves a lengthy review.

In her memoir, this woman writes utterly candidly and we conclude that she has lead an outstanding, amazing, interesting, fulfilling life.  Those of you who are old enough to remember (I am not) the Viet Nam war may be a non-fan of Jane, recalling her "Hanoi Jane" days in North Nam.  Yet, she does a damn good justification for why she visited the North (to help end the useless war).  Growing up, I always heard from my uncle how much he detested Jane for this.  But now I have a better understanding of why she went there. Her explanation makes sense.

Her life is richly divided in the book in 3 sections, the 3 thirds of her life.  Hence the title, ...So Far; she started writing this just after she turned 60 (five years in the making) and believes she will live to a ripe old age of 90.  So now she's in her last 1/3.  The 1st third is her troubled childhood and early sex kitten days w/her marriage to the French director, Vadim.  2nd third is her marriage to Tom Hayden and her political activism.  This middle act concludes w/the marriage to Ted Turner and her lady-like, dutiful spouse persona.

Ms. Fonda wrote this entirely on her own, unlike some who utilize a ghostwriter.  There's so much self disclosure in this book.  I quote Janet who commented that "usually biographies are more revealing" but this autobiograpy reveals everything.  Even her private sex life, telling the reader that she had threesomes w/her first husband and some lesbian relations while married to him, for the sake of pleasing him.  Her life so far I found to be simply FASCINATING.  She comes across as a very intelligent woman.  Janet thought the book was revealing, too, up until Turner came along, perhaps she thought Ms. Fonda was protecting him and his kids? I thought Fonda opened up during this time.  Why would she try to protect them when she wrote a hell of a lot of juice when describing her marriage to Tom Hayden who is still alive, too.  Speaking of Mr. Hayden, during my university days I took a Radicalism in America class and Tom was our guest professor (about 10 years after the Viet Nam war ended).  At this time, he was also state assemblyman.  She has high praise for Tom, as she does for all her husbands, but points out her unhappiness w/them, too.  She gives credit where it's due yet on the other hand, she writes the flaws in each of them as well as her own (and she had a lot as she admits).  Each chapter is prefaced by a quote which describes the subject of that chapter.  The quotes are usually by poets and playwrites.  I very much respect and admire Ms. Fonda for her humanity, inspiration, honesty and zest for life.

Jane discuses her bulimia that lasted from her teens till her early 40s; it was always that shadow in her life, always there. Yet she presented in a way that no one ever knew.  She always showed up and cleaned up for the public.  In this most open of nonfictions, this strong woman was a model in her younger years, a movie star, became an activist, and in the third act of her life has become a philanthropist, environmentalist, spiritualist and finally a whole being.  I truly admire her for her brutal honesty and feeling as if she held nothing back in writing this.  It inspired me to want to become a better person myself and to try and make a difference on this planet.  She is a role model for feminists everywhere and has a passion for life and empathy for abused woman and girls.  She found the Georgia Campaign for adolescent girls to prevent teen pregnancy.  We see her blossom from an insecure unloved girl (Henry Fonda was cold and unloving; her mother committed suicide when Jane was a young girl) to a whole-hearted confident and wise woman in her later life.  In between, she seeks to please each of her three husbands, morphing into what they expect her to be and losing herself on the way.  Now she approaches 70 and is content being on her own and still leads a very fulfilling life.  Not sure if Fonda enemies would want to read this, or men in general, to be truthful. But anyone who's female would benefit from this.  Fonda hopes that in writing her memoir she can "provide a lens through which others can see their lives and how they can live them a little differently."

I have to say that after reading this, I am now "fond of Fonda!"

A novel by Kim Edwards published in 2005. 

This gripping book tells the story of a doctor who rushes to get his wife to the clinic in a blizzard where she gives birth (after she passes out) to twins, one of which is a "mongoloid" (what they were called at the time).  The doctor, believing that he's saving his wife & family from grief, tells her that the baby died and tells his nurse to deliver it to the institution.  The nurse decides to keep the baby girl and raise it as her own, never telling Dr. Henry.  The doctor's secret slowly through the years, backfires and destroys the family (his wife and son, the twin who thought his sister died at birth). 

My mom gave me this book and in her recent travels to Kyoto, it's still a bestseller there, 2 yrs later.  It's poignant and beautifully written.  It was so well written and amazingly is the author's 1st novel.  I hope to read a lot more of her work. 

Dr. David Henry's choice is life-altering, affecting all those around him.  The book intermingles between parallel lives, (1) the life of the nurse and the memory keeper's daughter and (2) the doctor's and his family's lives.  Dr. Henry is referred to as the memory keeper because of his photography. 

After half a century, David finally meets his daughter for the 1st time.  The book was on the verge of bringing me to tears.  It's a tale of regret and redemption... of characters haunted by their past.  Crafted with language so lovely. 

It was captivating... simply a beautiful story.

By David Farren. 

This novel was originally written in 1979 and re-published just this year. 

David Farren is actually the pseudonym of my very own stepfather, Douglass McFerran.  Yes, that's him on the cover with a friend.  This was Doug's first novel.  I actually am related (albeit via marriage) to a published author.  In fact, I have a few blood-related relatives who are published authors.  I first read this book in high school and did my senior book report on it. I read the report in class and prefaced it proudly by saying that it was authored by my stepdad. 

The novel is of the horror genre and is a quick, short read.  I got the impression that the main character (a college professor living in Saugus) was loosely based on Doug.  I saw many similarities between this professor's life and Doug's (Doug, too, is a college professor).  I pointed this out to Doug when I recently re-read the book, but he said it wasn't deliberate.  Okay, it was written that way subconsciously.  After all, we tend to write about what we know best, what is familiar to us. 

So, Mendaga is a devil of a beast, a monster who comes back from the past to possess a young girl (the professor's daughter, Jennifer).  It's lustily written and involves the occult, witchcraft, possession and demons. Again, writing about what's familiar, Doug was involved in the Occult for many years.  In fact, when he came into my and my mother's life, he was indeed a "warlock"; no joke!  Doug has since (actually a couple of decades ago) relinquished this part of his past.  But he was heavily involved in the Occult for many years throughout the 1970s and 80s. 

The book certainly never became a bestseller, but Doug did tell me that it was considered at one time for a movie script!  Not bad! 

Though I love my stepdad and respect his intelligence and creativity, in this case I will not be biased or show favoritism. 

I have to honestly rate the book a mere two stars. 

By  Kathleen Tessaro, author of Elegance.
Published 2005.

"Love.  The greatest temptation of all", so it says on the cover jacket.  This hardback was given to me by Janet.  I've never read her before. 

It's a very fast read and entertaining.  Truly a "chic book" for sure, for sure.  It's about a young girl who travels to London to study & finds her life there along w/an eclectic, wild best friend.  The friend tragically dies a few years later but continues to haunt Evie (the main character).  It's a coming-of-age story, very well written and life-altering.  Evie grows into herself and matures, has a baby, becomes a drama teacher and chooses to permanently stay in England where she's established roots with good friends.  Ms. Tessoro writes with passion, humor, wisdom and grace.  I really enjoyed this book.  But I don't think the male species would appreciate it as much as females.  I think I identified with the writing because the author is my age. 

I rate it: 

by Dean Koontz

Published May 30, 2006

NY Times #1 bestseller written just last year; my 1st time reading this exciting author. I'm sure many of you have read him being that he's so unbelievably popular. It's a thriller, for sure.  A very, very fast-paced paperback novel about good versus evil. 

This time, the hero is just a typical everyday guy who's a gardener (landscape architect) by trade.  He is asked to put up a ransom of two million dollars in cash to save his wife's life.  He's very much in love with Holly and discovers that he will go to great lengths, even kill, to get his wife back home and into his heart again.  He turns into a total kick-ass fighter. It's amazing what adrenaline and pressure do to one when push comes to shove.  All in the name of love.

The book is stimulating and very exciting to read. It's a page turner, no doubt.  Lots of gardening and landscaping themes come to play (Mitch still finds the beauty in all of nature: the trees, flowers, sky, grasses, etc., despite the fact that he's being pressured by sadistic, money-hungry bastards). 

Yet, some of the scenes that transpire are quite unrealistic.  It's another case of "only in the movies" or, "only in Hollywood" that this would actually happen.  But sure makes for fun reading.  It's still a thrill to read.

by Alice Sebold
Published in 2002

The Lovely Bones is a book I've been wanting to read ever since it came out.  I especially was anxious to get my hands on it now that I learned that it will be made into a movie.  I read it pretty fast.  I have to say it's more a "girlie" book, though don't be mislead by it's gruesome topic:  a young teenager is brutally raped and murdered and looks down from heaven into the life that she's left behind. 

It's gripping, poignant, funny at times, sad, painful and beautiful, all at once.  The young 14-yr old girl, Susie, is the narrator and we read her story from her point of view.  She is saddened, naturally, to have died so young and to have left her family and school friends behind.  The writer gets into the head of those that are close in her life (her sister, little brother, mom, dad, a boy she had a crush on, girlfriends, etc).  We read about how her death and loss affect all of those people and how they must survive in a world without her and she without them.  It was very easy to read and bittersweet. 

I really loved this book and its power of healing and grieving and learning how to go on when someone dies.  Never before have I read a book that's narrated by a dead person, but the formula works. 

It's a 5-star rating in my opinion.

Been a while since my last book review (St. Pat's Day), and Greg was reminding me to post. 

So here goes....

You actually get a "deal" this time, 3 for the price of one. Hence the name; yes it 's a trifecta, 3 reviews in one.  I finished reading 3 books since March. 

The 1st is...

The Lincoln Lawyer

by Michael Connelly, Published 2005

My 1st time reading this author of many novels. 

It was a very enjoyable read; witty, smart, entertaining, exciting.  The title represents the fact that the lawyer actually practices law in his Lincoln towncar! He hires a full-time driver and conducts about all of his business in his vehicle; what a riot!  He's always on the road and has tight connections with a bail bondsman who supplies him with the latest thug on his way to jail.  This time, the lawyer (Mick) gets a nasty case of defending a supposedly kosher real estate agent who's on rap for murder one.  This seemingly upstanding, wealthy law-abiding character has some very hidden dark secrets and reveals his unscrupulous, evil self and challenges Mick's ethical decency. 

Jeff read this one before I did and we both enjoyed it. 

It's a 3-star.

My 2nd read...

RIPTIDE

by Preston/Childs, Published 1999

Yes, Greg has been pushing me for a long time to read these 2 guys and I finally did.  Don't know what took me so long & I'm sorry I did because it was a fantastic book!  I can't compare it to any other books they've written, obviously, so in my opinion I found it to be clever, exciting, thrilling and engaging.  It's about centuries old pirates and lots of ancient "bling", gold coins, dazzling jewels, in fact an entire treasure chest that's been hidden deep in the bowels of a pit on an island in New England.  For centuries, treasure seekers have been risking life & limb to get to the treasure but no one's succeeded 'til now, present day.  This is when they finally have modern technology to make the most successful dig yet to capture the multi-million dollar treasure.  But it's cursed and lives are lost and greed takes over.  There's a storm and all chaos reigns supreme as people start slowly dying off in the quest for riches.  The hero (the one who owns the island) is the only sane one with intelligence and isn't interested in the treasure at all.  He's a likeable guy and wins the heart of a French archeologist who's hired by the mission overseer (a greedy guy who gets what he deserves in the end) to help in the quest. 

It was a thrill to read and is worth of 3.5 stars

THE STOLEN CHILD

by Keith Donohue

Published May 9, 2006

This was absolutely my favorite of the 3 for sure.  Amazingly, it was this man's 1st novel which makes it even more remarkable.  It was published just last year and was on loan to me from my mom & step-dad who both read it & loved it, for good reason.  It's based on a myth and children's fairytale and interweaves reality and fantasy. If you saw the incredible film "Pan's Labyrinth" last year (which I loved), then you would like this book a lot.  The Stolen Child is about lost, disillusioned unhappy children who are stolen by fairies who live in the woods.  The fairy, once he/she steals a child, is actually a "changeling", meaning he changes into the child.  He becomes that child, inhabits his life in all ways except their mind/soul.  He looks like the child, moves like the child and speaks like the child.  But he never thinks or emotes like the child.  The stolen child is taken to live amongst the other lost children/fairies in the dark, harsh wood for eons, sometimes for eternity.  He may live that way for centuries until it is his turn to "change" back into a real child whence he steals another child's life.

This particular novel focuses on one child, Henry Day, who is stolen and becomes "Aniday" of the forest and is replaced by a changling who was originally born in the 19th century in Germany and was a child prodigy of the piano.  The new Henry Day grows up and marries and has a child of his own and one day the fake "Henry Day" and Aniday end up meeting very briefly, but only once.  Aniday forever spends his life not as his former human self, but struggling to survive in a perpetual state of childhood (in body only, for his spirit and soul do mature) which makes it torturous for him to see his mind maturing but seeing his physical being permanently in a state of eight years old.  It's magical, sad and illuminating.  This is an adult fairytale and would make a fantastic film. 

Five stars without a doubt.

This is Crichton's (MC) latest novel, published in 2006. 

I've read and reviewed some of his other books (see my review on State of Fear).  But to my dismay, this one doesn't rank as high as others.  However, like Jurassic Park, it explodes with scenarios that become more crucial and devastating as they story rolls on!

It's about genetic engineering, eugenics, transgenics.  Science reigns supreme in this suspenseful, extremely quick-paced book.  Jeff read it before I did.  In the book, a man develops cancer and beats it w/his own cancer-fighting cells which a biogenetic company "buys" from him (yes, they own his cell line).  They are supposed to be Amgen in Westlake and they own their right to his cell line.  He escapes and they hire bounty hunters to track down his daughter & grandson, feeling that his descendants' cell lines are in effect their (the company's) property.  It's a game of cat and mouse to see if they will succeed in extracting blood from the boy or will the boy get away?  MC clearly takes a position of being against genetic therapy, especially the idea of genetic patenting which is the main premise of this read.  It's a very easy read; most of the chapters are only 2 or 3 pages, at most! 

There's many stories in the book which all are related and come together at the end.  The title refers to the buildup... that if we allow this to happen, then the "next" thing to happen will result in this and that.  There are consequences to scientifically testing the intermingling of genes especially when you transpose human genes into animals (i.e., a "humaneeze" is born which is a combo of human/chimpanzee).  This humaneeze is named Dave who's adoptive human family introduces him to their neighbors and sends him to their son's school as their other "hairy son" who has a horrible disease.  A talking parrot who thinks like a person and repeats classic movie lines and who doesn't even know he is a bird ranks high on the characters in this book.  This book is cutting edge, modern sci-fi.  It was on the bestseller list, like so many other MC books. 

There are funny moments in the book, usually in between chapters where he cites a hilarious article from an internet source (e.g., "Blondes to die out in 200 yrs" BBC News Sept. 2002)

Perhaps MC has been writing for so long and has been so utterly successful that he feels he's earned a break and can write a not so heavy novel.  Don't get me wrong; the subject matter is indeed heavy and controversial.  MC always writes about controversial, scientific, breaking the boundaries kind of books.  Makes you think about ethics, morals, humanity, and how far we can really go before it becomes totally out of control. 

I do agree with his belief that genes cannot be patented and that we own our own cells, tissue and body. 

I rate it just three stars

due to MC disappointing me in his style of writing.  I like the premise (who really owns one's genes; can they be patented and marketed?)  Just though it could've been a bit more thought out.  Didn't like the way too brief chapters, made it choppy and almost like a children's book.  I thought MC put more thought into his author's note at the end where he gives his own conclusions and opens up debate on the cons of gene research, gene selling/owning and use of human tissue.  As typical of an MC book, there's a healthy sized bibliography at the end where he based much of his facts and research.

Written in 1990 by bestselling author Nelson DeMille. 

It's a bit dated (mobile car phones, no e-mailing yet), but soooooo well written.  I've read this wonderful writer before (he's had many published books).  I read "The General's Daughter" made into a movie, and the excellent "Up Country" about Vietnam.  This guy can write.  The Gold Coast refers to Long Island Sound and the old world wealthy, well-established folks who've lived there for decades in their mansions on enormous estates.  The story takes place during a turning point when new money (i.e., the Iranians, Japanese, mobsters) encroaches on the turf and developers anxiously wait to subdevelop and obliterate the beautiful and stately grounds of the past. 

I must say, it's refreshing to read a great novel after having recently finished a few "not so good" books.  Jeff's dad, (who just died) simultaneously was reading this book, too.  I felt a connection as I was reading it.  Unfortunately, Chuck never had a chance to finish it. 

I describe it as The Sopranos meets Old World $.  It's wickedly humorous and sarcastic.  It's ala Goodfellas.  Very fun and entertaining to read.  Though it could be called long (at 626 pgs), it's so good that you don't want it to end.  It reads fast. 

Written in first person narrative from the point of view of a Manhattan attorney who lives in the guesthouse w/his wife on the estate of her parents.  They get a new neighbor, the famous Italian mob kingpin, Frank Bellarosa, and his naive wife.  The foursome forge a friendship and it even goes so far as adultery.  Frank convinces the protagonist, John Sutter, to do him a huge favor: beat a murder rap that goes all the way to the state supreme court.  This is not what Sutter has in mind and unwillingly accepts the proposition.  The book would make a great film (Scorcese in mind to direct). It's filled with rich Italian Naples and Napolean dialect. 

I know Jeff will be reading it soon (he just started another DeMille book).  The interplay between the attorney and the mobster is like watching a tennis match.  Frank comes into John's life and forever changes it. 

Of course, you get the sexy, scintillating sex scenes, too (John & his gorgeous wife have an unusual "fantasy" sex life").   

Five stars for sure. 

by Carol Goodman

As described on the glossy red cover, "An atmospheric thriller, but a smart one with a racing story line".  This is my 1st time reading this author.  My step-dad read and gave me this novel.  It was pretty good, not great.  Forgettable. 

In fact, I actually finished it about a month ago and wasn't anxious to review it.  But I decided, it's a new year and we need updated blogs, per Greg's request.  Now I have to think back on the book because it really didn't quite make an imprint on my mind, obviously.  I do describe it as a good, easy summer read.  It's a recently published book, 2004.  Takes place in the Appalachian Catskills at an old, secluded hotel where the narrator (written in first person) finds herself going back to this hotel where she lived as a child.  She uncovers the secrets of her dead mother's past.  Both are authors and her mother was a somewhat famous author of children's Irish fairy tales.  Each chapter begins with a folklore.  There is murder, jewelry thievery, affairs, scandals. 

I have to give it a rating of just three stars, however, because it simply didn't hold my interest, although I did finish it.

Wow, another totally awesome book.  Greg read this one, as did Jeff.  It's my first time reading the scintillating "foodie documentary" of this great chef written in 2000.  I only heard of Bourdain about a year ago, not being a regular Food Network viewer.  I missed his "Bourdain in Beirut" show, but want to see it.  He's written two other books which I'd be interested in.  This one's a classic.  It's so humorous, nasty, juicy and fun to read.  It's filled with unsavory mob-like characters who are actually real people, as this IS a true book, no novel here. 

It's just soo entertaining.  As the cover suggests, it delves into the "underbelly" of the restaurant business and especially the life of a chef.  Bourdain writes his book as part autobiography, part documentary of his life as a 2-star chef working in Manhattan.  Goodfellas meets Food Channel is how I classify this!  We also learn about many of the best dining establishments in NYC.  Simply a fun, crass, rude, raw read with plenty of foul language.  My favorite chapter was 'A Day in the Life'; it was dizzying and frenetic, mindblowing, racing through time.  Wore me out.  I've never read Hunter Thomas, but from what I know about him, this is comparable.  The best part is you don't have to have any knowledge whatsoever (i.e. myself for one) about cooking.  Anyone would enjoy this.  It's an "open your eyes", shocking account; a revelation, an in-your-face macho, not for the weak at heart or squeamish, prudish, naive type.  Otherwise, you will be offended.  If you like South Park humor, you'll like this.  Bourdain is incredibly hilarious. 

I think: shit, does this stuff actually really happen as he portrays it?  And then I say, why yes, people are indeed rude, offensive, and impolite but also loyal, talented and dedicated.  Bourdain is all these things and more.  I find it miraculous that he's managed to stay married to one lady all these years, since his chef's career dominates most of his waking hours.  He bags Emeril Lagasse, referring to him in not so subtle inuendos as the celebrity sell-out type of chef.  If you haven't read Kitchen Confidential, you're in for a very good time. It reads fast and you will be laughing often. 

Sorry Greg, but you have to agree that this book rates 5 stars. 

Wow!  I just finished this utterly fantastic read by author Eric Blehm published this year. If you liked "The Perfect Storm" or "Into the Wild" (both of which I read & loved), you will certainly want to to read this.  It's a hybrid of "Into the Wild" meets "Grizzly Man".  Written as a documentary, it's the story of backcountry seasonal ranger, Randy Morgenson, who spent 28 summer seasons patrolling the backcountry of the High Sierras (specifically, the Sequoia and Kings Canyons National Parks).  It is a full-on nature themed book, yet at the same time it has rich character development as the reader learns so much detail on the life and tragic, lonely death of Randy.  He and the Sierras are the main characters and he embraces those mountains, meadows, animals, etc. with all his heart.  The backcountry is his life, his blood, his soul, his passion and his love.  Ironically it is this very thing that unfortunately takes his life (along with combined factors such as depression, absent mindedness, perhaps, which we assume may have been a factor in his "carelessness" while on patrol the final day of his life). 

Teamwork/team effort come to play as the entire Nat'l Park service in this area plans an intense search in a huge area of 80 square miles.  But to no avail, as the outcome is tragic.  A search & rescue dog was just yards away where Randy met his death; the dog slipped into icy water, was injured and there was never any follow up on that area.  So much postulating, theorizing, analyzing, on a scientific level, about what could have happened to Randy. 

Familiar places to me are in this book:  the High Sierras, Yosemite, John Muir Trail, Sedona.  It's philosophical; Randy was a philosopher in his own right.  He philosophizes in his copious logbook accounts on life, nature, animals, the wind....  He was an artist (photographed the Sierra country), a loner (even though he was married) who was happiest during those summers when he was alone with "his mountains".  The book has a moral which Randy proselytizes:  Don't rush through life.  Stop and smell the flowers.  See the forest through the trees (or the trees through the forest).  Tread lightly.  Leave no imprints.  Randy became so much more in death than in life, to the point where the term "Morgensonia" was coined among his fellow rangers and park service people. His death remains a mystery to this day (he died 10 years ago) and we can only speculate as to what actually happened.

This book is heartbreaking, but so much more.  Randy was a true fighter in the preservation, and restoration of the backcountry land.

 Glenn & Eric should read this. I have to give this 5 stars because it really deserves it.

National Bestseller "The House of the Spirits" by author Isabel Allende is one of the best books I've ever read.  This was the Chilean author's debut novel and spans 3 generations. 

It was made into a movie starring Jeremy Irons (great pic).  Jeff's sister, KT, is a fan of this author & I bought her books penned by Allende, so now I finally had a chance to read one of them.  It's about the politics of Chile taking place from WWI - present day (early 80s when the book was published.  The patriarch "El Patron" of the family is a conservative powerful senator who marries a mystical young lady, years his junior, who sees into the future.  She sees spirits in the palacial home (hence the name of the book). 

An epic story with heroes, lust, passion, power.  This book has it all.  After the conservatives lose to the socialists, there's a military coup and the country is then run by a militaristic dictatorship.  All hell breaks loose and the family is torn apart.  Tragedy enfolds.  So many rich, engrossing, fascinating characters.  It's one powerful family and the times they live through and it all leads up to a brighter future as the 3rd generation (Patron's granddaughter) relinquishes the hate of the past to find tolerance and forgiveness in the future. 

I'm going to rent the movie again now that I've finished the book.  Saw the film many years ago.  This book is to be compared with Gone With the Wind.  Kudos to Allende for her first novel.  She is the niece of assassinated President Salvador Allende. 

I recommend this book to all in a heartbeat and have to give it 5 stars!

"The Tree of Hands", a mystery by British author Ruth Rendell, is a fast, short novel.  I read one of her other books, "The Killing Doll" a while ago.  That book was better, in my opinion. 

This book started out very good, but 1/2 way into it, I got lost, a bit confused, and just basically had a lack of interest.  However, I did learn much re: London and it's streets and neighborhoods.  The novel starts off w/ a successful writer who loses her little boy to a freak illness.  Her psychotic mother tries to alleviate the situation by kidnapping another toddler and "giving" him to her daughter as a replacement! The boyfriend of the kidnapped kid's mom is accused of murdering that kid.  There's another intertwined story about a guy who leaches off of wealthy older women & he impersonates a dead man in order to sell the deceased's home & collect the $$.  3 stories, intertwined.  I wanted more of the writer/mom's plot line developed, as that was my favorite storyline (she showed great love in deciding to keep this stolen boy and wrestled w/guilt in keeping him.  She saw signs of abuse on his body and thought she could provide a better home for him)  Her crazy mother returns to her home in Spain and escapes punishment; it's never revealed that the boy was kidnapped; all think he was murdered. 

This author, Rendell, is very successful, but this particular book was fair, at best. 

Therefore, I rate it 3 stars.

This debut novel #1 NY Times bestseller by Wally Lamb is a huge winner! 

Written in '92, this author writes like a woman. Hard to believe that a man actually wrote it.  And he's not even gay. It's a coming of age story about tragic heroine Delores Price, an obese teen who gets raped, loses her mother at a young age, has a negligent father, and a disastrous 1st marriage, among other things. 

This book spans over 30 yrs & is a bit "Forrest Gump-esque" in that it covers important historical, pop-cultural accounts in U.S. history. I really loved this one, truly enjoyed it. It's a "can't put down", goes by way too fast, quick-paced, easy, entertaining read. It's poignant, bittersweet, hysterically funny. Delores has big attitude & an even bigger mouth (literally & figuratively). It was an Oprah's Book Club book. It's a tear-jerker about losing everything, hitting rock bottom, crashing into the abyss, but finding your way back up, being born again (not in the religious sense), making peace with yourself & accepting the family you've been born into-not the family you desire. Ms. Price triumphs in the face of adversity.

I feel as if she is a genuine person; she's so raw, so authentic & the writing is simply amazing. It's wrenching, realistic, & I highly recommend it.  You know when you witness an awful car accident on the freeway... you don't want to watch, but you can't help it.....  she (Delores) is best described, allegorically speaking, as that accident. 

Best book I've read in a long time. 

This one really is 5+ stars. 

by Maya Angelou

First time reading this disntinguished poet/author. She penned this autobiography in 1981 but it takes place in late 50s- early 60s. It's 3rd in a series of autobiographys. Ms. Angelou recently spoke at her good friend, Coretta Scott King's funeral; she's still very much an active voice. She's been on Oprah. Yeah, I guess you can say it's a "chick book", but it's not light. The title says it all. I got into Maya's heart, and a tough one it is. She meets a drunken Billie Holiday at the beginning, meets MLK & becomes an active member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference chapter in NYC. She married a South African freedom fighter who was a member of the Pan African Committee. I find her to be a very strong writer, a strong, very passionate woman. She writes poetically (hell, she is a poet afterall) and intelligently.  Much female empowerment in this book. She had a tough upbringing and as a young mother, moved her & her son around frequently. In only 3 years or so, she moved from San Francisco to NY to Cairo to Ghana! I was touched by her strong relationship w/her son. She came across as a very maternal, devoted mother who finally has to release her boy into the world once he begins college.

February is Black History month; coincidentally I finished this book in Feb. The book delves into her own experiences with racism and mysogynism. Basically, it's Maya, a strong-willed force to be reckoned with; an independent-minded black woman who doesn't take shit from anyone.

I rate it:

1st time reading this author, Arthur Golden. 

You'd think it was written by a female.  It was a bday gift to Jeff from another male and they both read it (so it's not just a chic book). Janet read it, too.

Takes place in Kyoto, Japan, during the Great Depression & WWII.  It's a Cinderella story about a young girl growing up poor in a seaside village who's father sells her into slavery and the life of a geisha in training, an apprentice.  She withstands all the odds against her, including an evil, beautiful nemesis who trys to thwart Sayuri's (the heroine) every move.  Destiny & fate are common themes running throughout.  The book is beautifully written in a metaphorical, allegorical, lyrical prose.  It's a first person narrative and was painstakingly translated from Japanese into English over a period of months.  The ending will blow you away.  I was shocked & a bit disappointed at how the author totally twisted the story at the very end.  Hope this encourages you to find out for yourself what the hell I'm talking about. 

Golden came across as being clever with this move.  One Halloween in college I dressed as a geisha, complete with temporarily dyed black hair wrapped up in a twisted bun, my face painted white, and a kimono. I didn't even know what a geisha was at that time.  This book delves into the Japanese culture and human nature in general.  It's breathtakingly beautiful in that one gets the pictoral sense of actually seeing the nature scenes (envisioning the cherry blossoms, the streams and bridges).

Just finished it in time to see the film that's out in theatres now. However, the film's reviews aren't nearly as good as the book; typical.  The book is filled with metaphors, as Sayuri describes her many thoughts as such; almost written poetically. 

Really lovely.  

I rate it:

#1 NY Times bestseller by Lance Armstrong is a terrific, engaging book. I believe it's Lance's 1st time writing a book; he's gifted in writing, though there is a co-author, but all the emotions are pure Lance. The title reflects on his ordeal w/cancer & is a metaphor of his life; it's his journey back to health & how he became a better person and evolved into a more passionate, caring, compassionate man. I bought this book for Jeff's bday but I read it before him. We're both huge fans of this miracle boy, especially me. It covers his childhood growing up without a dad, his early days of racing, the cancer & subsequent treatment, battle for survival, meeting his wife, infertility, racing again & living/surviving.

I have intense respect for this amazing athlete, respect & admiration for him as a father, a spokesperson & a human being. He's given so much back to the cancer community. Greg, you must read this book. I proudly wear my Livestrong band. One doesn't need to have experienced cancer or be a bike race fan to appreciate & enjoy this book. I'm one of those. Yes, my dad did die of cancer (pancreatic like Greg's dad) & yes, I've followed Lance's wins since '99, But before then, I never watched bike races. This book is for anyone who simply likes poignant, inspirational writing. It's autobiographical, raw, brutally honest nonfiction writing & basically amazed me. Published in '01, it's "pre Cheryl Crow" & ends when he's still happily married to his supportive wife, Kik.

There are great photos, thrilling synopses of the Tour de France that get the adrenaline pumping, and moving portraits of Lance in true form. This is a true story of 1 man's evolution from a cocky, arrogant overconfident young athlete to a mature, wise beyond his years, loving person. His illness & how he took it in a positive direction had a profound effect on me. His most telling statement is when he says he's glad he had cancer, for it made him a better person and he wouldn't have won the Tours without it. Whether you're fan or not of Armstrong, just read it. You won't be disappointed, trust me.

I rate it:

The 6th book authored by J.K. Rowling in this 7-book series is my 2nd favorite.  Jeff & I both have read every book in sequence.  The Sorcerer's Stone is my all time favorite, but this one definitely ranks second.  This is my 1st review of a "children's book", though it certainly isn't limited to kids.  As everyone is aware, the Harry Potter books are insanely popular and read by almost as many adults as children.  This is a very lengthy book, but goes by very fast.  In typical fashion, Rowling amazes us with her tales of excitement, bewilderment, fascination, danger, love, friendship, etc.  There is a sad note to this particular book, someone dies & I certainly won't mention who.  I would never want to be called a spoiler.  Each chapter reads like an amusement park ride, closing always with a cliffhanger that smoothly leads into the subsequent chapter.  Like all the Potter books, it's magical.  If you haven't read these books, you should. You won't be disappointed.  They're pure fun and enchanting.  But I recommend you read them in order & read ALL of them.  Of course, you can see the movies, but with all books turned into films, the book is always better & more detailed.

I give this a 5-star on a star scale of 1-5.

by Khaled Hosseini, a first time novelist.  This man just has to write more, he's an incredibly gifted writer.  Very impressive for a first book.  It takes place in Afghanistan (where he's from) and covers Pakistan and San Francisco, as well.  It's about a strong childhood friendship between 2 boys (1 named Amir who narrates in 1st person) growing up in 1970s Afghanistan during peacetime and follows through into the Russian invasion in the 80s and finally the Taliban in the 90s.  Relationships are a strong presence in the book (Amir and his father, Amir and his dad's best friend).  The ties that bind are indeed strong.  We see the disintegration of a once lovely, peaceful existence in pre-war Afghanistan into a war-torn, fractured, violent country.  The afghanis are victims of invaders, getting slaughtered by the Taliban for reasons as trivial as not having a beard!  Hosseini's book is semi-autobiographical, as noted in a recent NPR interview he did.  The story is a tragedy; yet beautifully written. It's bittersweet.  Our tragi-hero is guilt-ridden, but finds redemption in the end.  The book is currently #1 on the LA Times paperback bestseller list.  Written post 9/11, it's apropos to what's still going on now (don't forget, we are still fighting in Afghanistan, though it's overshadowed by Iraq).  I highly encourage everyone to read this.  It's a unisex book (both Jeff & I read it and loved it).  It was given to us by a traveler on our recent trip to Spain.  One learns much regarding Afghani culture and how peaceful-loving the people are.  It's a before & after story about the detrimental effects of war & oppression on a society.  It covers sociology, geography, history, psychology.  Every page is gripping and harrowing.  I really loved this one.  Khaled writes with such poignancy and raw realism that I sometimes forgot it is just a novel because it could easily be considered a work of nonfiction. For those who want to learn more about this fascinating culture and have an affinity for close relations, this is a must read.  

Don't let the title fool you:  Harvest is not about autumn and food.  "Harvest", by Tess Gerritsen is a medical thriller along the same premise as "Coma" by Crichton.  My first read by this author, who has a complete medical background (she was an internist turned author), but won't be my last.  Harvest delves into harvesting hearts on the black market from defenseless, healthy boys to the highest bidder.  The heroine, Abby, is a young resident surgeon in Boston who falls upon dark, deadly, suspicious secrets regarding organ donations, specifically hearts.  She works at a Boston hospital where a web of secrets has been in place among a small group of incredibly wealthy doctors who have millions of $$ in their bank accounts, which doesn't make sense. The Russian Mafia is behind the murderous, criminal behavior.  Young, orphaned boys are shipped across the ocean to America with dreams of a better life. They are misled into believing they will be adopted into warm, loving homes.  One boy is smarter than the rest and is always suspicious.  Turns out, these victims are murdered for their hearts which are in turn sold at astronomical prices for sick, dying people who are waiting for transplants.  And who says money can't buy everything?  In this story, those who have the financial resources (and lack character), but are willing to pay any price to save their loved one (to move the ill person to the top of the transplant list), will get the prize of life.  Corrupt doctors at the hospital keep their secret hidden for years until our main character, Abby, uncovers the sickening, deadly plot of organs for sale to the highest bidder. It's a fast, easy read & is scary. Written in '96. Full of suspense. Learned much re medical terminology, surgical techniques.  The Russian scandal is insane but justice is served in the end. If you like this subject, you'd like the film "Dirty Pretty Things" (from last year). Unfortunately, the fact that organs are for sale is true and does occur in this world.  It's a must read!

Yes, it's another Carl Hiaasen book.  This one was one of his earlier ones, written in 1986, and it's obviously dated:  typewriters, Lacoste shirts, Jane Fonda workouts!  Alas, mucho memories of my college days!  Like my last Hiaasen review (Sick Puppy), this, too, follows the environmental terrorism theme in a crime novel fashion.  However, unlike Sick Puppy, this read is not nearly as humerous.  In fact, there just isn't much to laugh about at all.  Perhaps the author developed his sense of humor over time. I simply didn't enjoy it as much as the latter.  I guess I should've read this first (keeping in chronological order). I found myself comparing it to Sick Puppy.  Nevertheless, this second review of another Hiaasen was still good, just not great.  It's a bit formula, not deep, and a very light, fast read. It took me a while to get into it, but once I did, it flowed & got more suspenseful. I did laugh at the 80s Miami (which wasn't intentionally written for humor, but reading it 19 years later puts a funny perspective on the times) i.e.: very gay and pink, as opposed to what Miami has now become: a hot, trendy, "in" place to party and be seen.  No ex-gov Skink in this book, he's not invented yet.  Each of the terrorists here has a personal agenda, wanting to instill violence for his own reasons. This book dabbles in a bit of politico; i.e., 1 terrorist is an anti-communist, anti-Castro wannabe Cuban revolutionary, but he's very pathetic and is a loser and fumbler in his scare tactics.  The book also highlights Floridian journalism (recall that Hiaasen is a columnist at the Miami Herald). Hence, another character is a columnist-turned terrorist.  The hero, too, is a journalist-turned private eye.  Surprisingly, the ending was a bit poignant and somewhat sad.  I know of at least 3 other bar members who've read this: Glenn, Alan and Jeff. So I welcome your comments, as always.  I may read Basket Case next, and then take a "Hiaasen Hiatus" for a while!

Finally a "chic" book for those lovely ladies of the Bar (though guys can certainly read it too)! Warning:  it is a downer. My first read by author Alice Hoffman (a well-renowned writer). This is the fastest I've ever posted a review (my last one was only posted a week ago) and also this is the fastest I ever read a book (2 afternoons this weekend). AIDS strikes upon a young girl via a blood transfusion and it affects the entire small Massachusetts town in 1988 (when AIDS was still in its infancy). The reader sees into the mind of each family member; one has empathy for the mother, father & little brother. You know their fears, their individual suffering that is unique to each of them.  I sympathized with the whole family.  Each endures their own pain (including, of course, the victim).  They are all victims.  It's touching, very sad, and brings to mind my own sadness that I endured during my cousin Rachel's own illness and subsequent death from cancer at a tender, young age. Disease is simply not suppose to touch kids, but unfortunately it does. The book is written in the still early days of research and education. The characters have prejudices and unsubstantiated fears of the disease being contagious, which consequently results in a breakdown of relations.  In my copy of the book (which I borrowed from work), there's a dedication handwritten by the original owners to their "courageous niece". One has to wonder if this niece, too, suffered from a terminal illness and is she still alive? The book conjures up images of Ryan White, the kid who was befriended by Elton John and died of AIDS years ago.  The syndrome brings out the best and worst in this town; fear and ugliness reveal themselves in full force. Yet some of the townsfolk remain compassionate, especially a quirky channeler/medium. The sickness touches everyone's lives in this town; no one is immune (no pun intended).  It reverberates throughout, like the domino theory.  It's a very fast read.  According to my mom, this is Hoffman's only sad book, most are just weird.  This book reeks with poignancy and melancholy; it's bittersweet, depressing, raw and real.  Sad to say, but as we know, it's also all to familiar.  AIDS is still killing millions, more than 20 years after first being diagnosed.  It's a painful, agonizing, heart-wrenching book.  Though it's very sad, (I cried), it IS a good book. You may be thinking, "Ugh, why would I want to subject myself to reading such misery?" Well, disease is a fact of life.  You can't whitewash it. Death is a part of life, and emotions you feel are coping mechanisms. There are some sweet parts. But you can't escape dying. Can't put rosy-colored glasses on.  You'll read it and weep, but you may learn something about yourself in the process.

One in a series of books by Carl Hiaasen, this novel screams with humor. First time reading this author, who was recently featured on 60 Minutes regarding his outlandish books. My stepdad is a fan & has given us many of the books, all of which Jeff has read. So I thought, my turn.  As you may recall, two reviews ago, I critiqued Crichton's State of Fear, which was about the present state of the environment. This book, too, also has a plot regarding environmentalism, but it's a whole different ballgame; a satirical, humerous view of the environment.  Like State of Fear, the subject book has environmental terrorists.  But it's funny as hell, a light, easy, fast read.Though it's over 500 pgs, it goes by swiftly.  I sympathize w/the main character, Mr. Twee (he has respect towards the ecology). But of course, I don't agree with his methods; they're utter madness! It's cynical; cynacism flows throughout. The book is making a mockery of Floridian folk.  All of Hiaasen's books occur in Florida (where he resides). There are plenty of classic, hysterical characters who are supposedly and loosely based on actual shady, seedy people. Yes, this is the first light read that I've reviewed, compared to the more serious, dramatic books. Yet this doesn't take away from the true serious, meaningful message of preserving ecology; it's just written in an extremely entertaining, funny fashion. It's simply a rollickin' good time. . . nothing too serious (except for the minor fact of the destruction of natural Florida).  The forests, flora, fauna, etc. all are subject to the bulldozer, making way for more concrete jungles and the omnipresent condos and golf courses.

The 2 heroes are not particularly kosher, upstanding citizens themselves (just like the rest of the clowns) and, like the other seedy folk, they, too, have their own history of crime!  Young Twilly Spree is the main hero, but the other, Florida's ex gov Mr.Tyree, has a recurring role in the other books. So I'll look forward to reading more and see how (and if) Tyree evolves. The title of the book is a double entendre that I figured out right away. You'll just have to figure it out on your own, too, if you chose to read this. And I suggest you do so. The book totally gets into the head of a Labrador dog (for you animal lovers out there), who also is a main character of sorts.  And the delicious part is the poetic justice in the end! 

This book has to be one of the most poignant I've read in a long time.  It's written by Jamling Tenzing Norgay, son of the famous Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, who was the 1st to summit Mt. Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary. I've always been fascinated with Everest (Chomolungma in Sherpa language). I read "Into Thin Air" by John Krakauer (another Everest book that's a winner). Krakauer does the forward in the subject book. So I'm finally reviewing a nature-themed book, and a 1st nonfiction, though it reads like a novel. I learned much about Buddhism; Eastern Asian influences; Tibeten/Sherpa culture. The book is the point of view of one Sherpa's journey to the summit. Norgay joined the IMAX team during the fatal '96 season that killed a dozen. Though many books have been written on Everest, this is the 1st (to my knowledge) written by a Sherpa. He has profound respect for the mountain. This is contrasted with (I hate to say) a materialistic, arrogant Western civilization, especially the USA. The timing of reading this is apropo, since the climbing season is approaching as I type this. Norgay recalls past, forgotten, not well-known climbs of the 1930s and 50s (note Everest was closed to climbing during WWII). Karma runs through the lives of the climbers. In the early days of Everest mountaineering, the climbers were in awe and full of respect. Since then, many mountaineers have become egotistical, feeling they have to capture the trophy and conquer the mountain. Sad, too, to see how commercial it's become. The book is a read in religious, philosophical and spiritual content. It's mind-altering and thought-provoking. You see the juxtaposition of the father/son climbs. Both experiences run parallel, simultaneously, almost erasing 40+ years in between the 2 life-altering climbs. Jamling the son actually inhabits his father's thoughts and experiences while he (Jamling) climbs Everest. It's almost  like an autobiography by  Tenzing (father), but written through Jamling's eyes. I just finished today (Sunday) in the peace and quiet of my home and found it very hard to put down. It's a 10+ in my book!

I'm finally reviewing a current book, so new that it's still only in hardback!  Michael Crichton's latest novel, a "techno-thriller", ponders the idea of eco-terrorists and environmental terrorism.  Crichton, one of my favorite authors, once again researches incessantly to establish a science-based book.  If you've never read a Crichton book, I suggest you do, for it's always a learning experience, not to mention exciting! Jeff & I are fans.  The ELF (Environmental Liberation Front) is a terrorist organization seeking to prove a point that Global Warming is actually happening. There's a method to their madness and they take no prisoners, sacrificing humans for the sake of proving their point. But as the author opines, I agree: "I have more respect for people who change their views after acquiring new info than those who cling to views they held 30 yrs ago. The world changes. Ideologues & zealots don't"; this sums up the premise of this story. I bought the book for Jeff (who also reads Crichton). Until I read this book, I was a firm believer in the THEORY of global warming, hoping the U.S. would sign the Kyoto treaty. But in reading this, Crichton (hereonafter referred to as "C") gives a different perspective, that environmental terrorists (i.e., remember the college kid who, last year, vandalized an SUV lot?) are out there. The whole world, esp. the U.S., is in a "State of Fear", ranging from fear of environmental cancers to 'are your kids safe?' As usual, "C" has done extensive, thorough research (note the bibliography; it's huge! & the numerous footnotes and appendix). I question why this book hasn't sparked the controvery like Da Vinci Code has. The antagonists are evil, murderous environmental terrorists, pitted against science and fact-based, logical, reasonable people. And the kicker is the hero, a lawyer! How unique & ironic! Yes, it's good v. evil. It all comes together starting on pg. 450 (you'll just have to read it so see what I mean). It's not just an entertaining read, but thought-provoking; finally a viewpoint that all isn't just what the media wants us to see; maybe the planet isn't in such a bad state afterall. Paranoia will destroya! "C" gives 2 very strong, valid views, but 1 overwhelmingly wins (his). It's argumentative, the dialogue is almost like reading a debate. 1 view is research/fact-based; the other- based on only what people have heard (what media/government want us to believe). It all comes 2gether in high drama, spanning the globe. I especially liked the Antarctica chapters. Everything I was "programmed" to believe, that I thought was true, ingrained in my brain over the years, it's all wrong. It's eye-opening! Yes, it's slightly textbookish, but it's still a novel written in dramatic fashion w/plausible characters. I'm not saying one should take this as gospel, but it is refreshing to read something beyond the status quo. The ending is almost foretelling (though purely coincidental) as it covers a tsunami. How apropros (the book was published right before the tsunami in S/E Asia. This act of nature could've backfired on everything "C" is trying to say, but remember that the tsunami was caused by an earthquake and NOT global warming. "C" doesn't just entertain, he lays out a thoughful plan for all mankind to consider. I wish humanity would take heed of this very sensible, reasonable, logical plan!         

Reviewed by K.R. Gerber

I rate this a 9+ (highly recommend). It's been on the market since Dec. & was on the LA Times bestseller since then; just dropped from the list last week.

Written in '03 by Robert Harris, this novel has a Michener style which I love: "historical fiction", combined w/accurate geological description of the volcanic events.  This coincides w/quite realistic characters; the ancient Romans during the reign of Cesar.  Jeff read this, too, so I hope he'll post a comment.  Discovery TV recently aired a "docudrama" called Pompeii which I saw prior to reading the book.  Ever since my folks went to Pompeii, I've been fascinated w/this lost city and it's enduring quality and preservation by the ash.  As the title suggests, it's obviously about the destruction/demise of the ancient city.  Like my previous review, apparently I'm into ancient, obsolete cities (i.e., Babylon) for my reading pleasure these days.  I find it intriguing how each chapter builds in anticipation (as the volcano builds in intensity, so does the plot), eventually leading to a simultaneous climax of both the volcanic eruption and the revelation of the corrupt society.  Rather erotic, yes? Guess I've been reading too many romance novels using this analogy of the dual climaxes!  I love the geology/science of volcanology.  It's a learning lesson in Latin, too, as well as ancient Roman history; and the aqueducts that these pioneers of their time had built were remarkable feats of accompli, withstanding centuries.  The hero, aqueduct engineer Attilius, is a sympathetic and likable character.  The book delves into slavery (the viciousness of punishment, horrible deaths), a corruptive society, deceipt, hierarchy . . . . . . basically, all the drama that makes a great read.  This book will make you want to visit this place. I certainly want to.  I know Kathy, being an Italian, will love the book, as will all members.     

My vote:  highly recommend this one.

Authored by Nelson DeMille (who also wrote "Up Country", which I read; that one is fantastic, a MUST read).  The subject book, although written in '78, is certainly not dated in the least. In fact, it retains it's exhilarating tone and appeals to the modern age.  It's about members of the United Nations boarding 2 Concorde jets from Tel Aviv, en route to New York on a peace mission.  However, Palestinians have placed bombs in both tails of the jets.  One of the jets must crash land in Iraq.  Turns out they land in the ancient, obsolete city of Babylon, Mesopotania.  They're held in "captivity in Babylon" by the Palestinians who seek to thwart the peace mission.  It's a fight to the death between the Arabs & the Israelis.  With what's going on in today's Middle East, this book is right on cue.  Alas, nothing has changed, unfortunately, and the occurrences of 1970s mid east are equal to today.  It's a thrilling  read. Don't know if it was made into a film, but should have been.  This author is great; as mentioned above, I read another of his books.

Mystic River, which was made into an incredible film. 1st time I read this author. Fast reading, took me 6 days. Riveting, gripping. Yes, it's sad but worth it. The writing is raw & realistic w/true to life dialogue. Surprise ending that blows you away.

My 1st time reading a "horse story". Incredible book by first time author (impressive on that merit alone) Laura Hillebrand. What a beautiful writer. She delves into the 3 characters (owner, trainer, jockey) & you grow to love each of them & REALLY feel like you know them. Well, I didn't "love" the trainer, but what an intriguing character! And of course, the 4th hero, Seabiscuit, is almost humanized. You feel as if you can read his thoughts during the races. It was exhilarating & the best book I've read in a year. I read it entirely during my recent trip to Hawaii. I highly recommend it for both horse nuts & non-horse nuts alike (i.e., me).