Joy For Beginners by Erica Bauermeister

At an intimate, festive dinner party in Seattle, six women gather to celebrate their friend Kate's recovery from cancer. Wineglass in hand, Kate strikes a bargain with them.  To celebrate her new lease on life, she'll do the one thing that's always terrified her: white-water rafting.  But if she goes, all of them will also do something they always swore they'd never do-and Kate is going to choose their adventures. 

Hardcover, 288 pages

Expected publication: June 9th 2011 by Putnam Adult

ISBN

0399157123 (ISBN13: 9780399157127)

This beautifully written book tells several lovely short stories that are all interrelated.  The main character is Kate, a cancer survivor. In Kate, the author Erica Bauermeister,  skillfully captures that nameless quality that exists in people who have had battled cancer and won.  Kate seems to know and understand her friends better than they know themselves.  I found myself wishing that Kate was my friend so I could benefit from her loving wisdom.  In fact, I was wishing that all the women in the story were my friends!


I tried to pick which chapter/story was my favorite, but each has something special to offer the reader.  I couldn't pick just one.  Read it and see if you can.


This is a perfect book for a summer vacation.  it's not too long and the end of each chapter is a perfect place to stop reading and go for a swim.  If you can stop reading...


One last comment, I absolutely love the picture of Erica on the back cover.  She has a wonderful smile and I found myself wishing she was my friend!


P.S. I'm not really that lonely...I really do have some very good friends that resemble some of the characters in this book. : )


Special thanks to Putnam Books and the Penguin Group for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

The Mistress's Revenge by Tamar Cohen

Paperback, 224 pages

Fatal Attraction set in the era of Facebook: fiery, passionate, engrossing, unsettling, manipulative, and graphic...a debut novel written as one woman’s letter to the married man who has just dumped her—upon whom she exacts a teriffic revenge.

Expected publication: June 7th 2011 by Free Press

The "Mistress" begins a journal when her therapist  encourages her to write down her feelings after a traumatic break up with her married lover.  This book becomes a one sided conversation by the Mistress with her ex-lover.  It is an account of what she does to the ex-lover and what she is thinking as she carries out her plans to get him back.  

As the book continues, the Mistress becomes more and more obsessed with her ex-lover and his family.  She is bold and unrelenting in her pursuit of this married man.

We all know a woman that has been through a similar break up.  However, as book progressed, this mistress went beyond any resemblance to my friends.  She dives head first into mental illness.   Her only goal is to get this man back in her life.  She is willing to sacrifice anything, including her relationship with her children and their Father.  

At the mid-point in the book I became a bit uncomfortable.  It was like watching a car crash.  You really don't want to see it, but you can't make yourself look away.  So, I kept reading....

I will admit that I had to re-read the last few pages.  I was so sure that I knew what would happen, that I was surprised by the ending.  

I found this book easy to read.  It flowed well and the writing style was very "reader friendly".  It really was like reading someone's diary.  The middle of the book seemed to drag just a bit, but the paced picked up again near the end.  

While I didn't hate the book, I didn't love it either.  I have been trying to pinpoint the reason why for the last week.  I think it is because I never really felt empathy for any of the characters.  I just didn't relate to them or have any kind of connection with them.  It is entirely possible that someone who has been involved with a similar situation would feel differently.

Thanks to Free press at Simon and Schuster for proving me with an advance copy and the opportunity to review The Mistress's Revenge by Tamar Cohen.

The Sisters Brothers: A Novel by Patrick deWitt

Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: May 1st 2011 by Ecco

Let me start by saying that I am not so sure how useful this review will be to anyone.  I just didn't get the humor or point of this book.  From the cover art to the last page, I felt confused.  I read the reviews of others that have loved this book, but I really didn't care for it.  

The book is set in the old west during the gold rush.  It follows two brothers who are paid killers.  They also murder other characters in the book that they just don't like.  I found the conversational between the two brothers bizarre.  They had huge vocabularies and spoke as well as a Harvard educated professors.  I assume that this is part of the humor that others enjoyed, but as I said, I just didn't get it.  I kept reading, expecting  more, but it didn't deliver.  I guess my sense of humor is not sophisticated enough to enjoy this book.

Thanks to Ecco publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.

SPYCATCHER by Matthew Dunn

Spycatcher: A Novel

by Matthew Dunn

Hardcover, 432 pages

Expected publication: August 1st 2011 by William Morrow

ISBN

0062037676 (ISBN13: 9780062037671)

Will Cochrane is HOT! This  main character is an MI6 agent and he's on a mission to kill a very powerful and elusive bad guy.  Will is an expert at his job.  He is emotionally scarred.  He doesn't play by the rules.  He has a good heart (for a man that kills for a living).  No obstacle is too much for him.  He always gets his man!  What more could you ask for in a main character?  All the women will want him and all the men will wish they could be him!

The plot of this book is a bit slow to start off, but it picks up speed and doesn't stop until the very last page.  It has some unpredictable twists and turns, with lots of ruthlessness, carnage and action along the way.  Will Cochrane even finds the time for a little romance! 

While comparisons to James Bond are inevitable, I really don't think they are warranted.  James Bond is one dimensional and unrealistic next to Will Cochrane. 

As you come to the end of the novel, you get the feeling that there is still so much you don't know about Will.  And you will want to know!  The author, Matthew Dunn, has created a character that comes alive on the pages of this book and leaves you wanting more.

Matthew Dunn is lauded as a former MI6 agent.  This gives the novel credibility and a feeling authenticity.  Dunn's second career as an author is off to a great start.  I am already craving more from him.  I am also pretty sure that he is as hot as Will Cochrane!

Thanks to William Morrow publishers for allowing me an opportunity to read and review this novel.

Dreams of Joy by Lisa See

Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: May 31st 2011 by Random House

ISBN

140006712X (ISBN13: 9781400067121)

Dreams of joy is the sequel to Shanghai Girls, which I have not yet read.  Normally, I avoid reading sequels or series of books out of order.  I always feel like I came in to a movie late and missed the beginning!  I did not feel that way about this book.  It stands alone and does not rely heavily on the story told in Shanghai Girls.

Dreams of Joy is set in Red China in 1957.  Not a popular setting for most novels.  I didn't know anything about that period of time in China.  I found this refreshing and educational in an entirely entertaining manner.  I have found some "historical" novels to be dry and boring.  I tend to skip over the history lesson or quit reading the book.  Again, I didn't find this to be true.  Lisa See's description of China in the midst of "The Great leap Forward" bought history to life in a colorful and painless way!

The book alternates between first person accounts by Joy and her Mother, Pearl.  I had to flip back to the start of the chapter at times, to remember which person was speaking.   Joy's adolescent rebellion has life changing consequences and Peal must sacrifice all that she has worked for in America to return to a dysfunctional and corrupt China  in order to rescue her daughter.

This novel went a long way in helping me to understand  how and why the people of China tolerated their government's Communist Agenda.  The characters in this book displayed a manner of thinking and dealing with issues that never would occur to most mid western American citizens. This story enlightened me and  allowed me to begin to understand how the people of China endured a terrible time in their country's history. I would recommend this book as reading material for any students studying this time period in China. But don't let that scare you away from this book!  This is an interesting story that offers a change of pace from the usual subjects and characters.  Once you start reading it, you will find it hard to put down!

I plan to read Shanghai Girls in the near future!
Thank You to Random House for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this interesting book.

Dominance by Will Lavender ISBN:978-4516-1729-0

Advance review : coming in July 2011 from Simon & Schuster




My advance copy came by UPS in the middle of a snow storm. The poor UPS driver got stuck in our driveway and had to be towed!  It worth all the trouble to get this book  into my hands...

Dominance is a "who dun it" murder mystery.  Complete with a cast of interesting characters called together in an old mansion. That is where the comparison to the formula murder mystery ends.  This book is a quick paced easy read with unexpected plot twists.  Just when you think you have it all figured out, the author reveals information that changes everything!


The book bounces between present day and 1994 when the cast of characters were in undergraduate school and part a unique class.  I have to admit that I kept getting the students in the class confused.  Just about the time I was reaching frustration, Will Lavender thoughtfully included a summary of all the students in chapter 18!

After reaching the end of this book I have the urge to re-read the whole book now that I know "Who Dun It".  I never did have it all figured out.  I think it would be an entirely different read know the ending!  I loved that this book kept me guessing to the very end.  That is the mark of a  great  mystery! I am looking forward to the next Will Lavender book.

Bright of the Sky by Kay Kenyon Prometheus Books (2008) - ISBN 1591026016

The first book of the Entire and the Rose series and the first book I read on a kindle....and it was free!
Here's the amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Book-Entire-Rose-ebook/dp/B003N7MYQK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1300649688&sr=1-1

Titus Quinn , his wife Johanna and 9 year old daughter Sydney are stranded in a parallel universe.  That is where the similarities to other books I have read end.

The Setting:   The new universe, called the "Entire"is described in vivid detail.  The book flips back and forth between a future day earth and the parallel universe.  The Entire is described in vivid detail and it allowed my imagination to take over and form a three dimensional planet as I read.

I found some of the more "scientific" explanations beyond my grasp, but it did not distract me too much from the actual story.  Some will find these explanations interesting and supportive details necessary to the book.   I'm just not one of them.

The Characters:  Titus Quinn is a wonderfully flawed hero.  His character and many of the others seemed to walk right off the page.  The reader get incite into all aspects of his personality and his character as it changes throughout the book.

The other characters are just as engaging.  The different species and variety of sentient beings   that walk in and out of the storyline are odd and interesting in ways that are sometimes surprising.  They add to the texture of the Entire, giving it life.

What I liked:  Obviously, the characters and the world of the Entire.  There are many under lying themes within this book.  It would be an interesting book club selection.  The topic of discussion range from religion to ethics.  For those of you that prefer not to look to deeply and just want to be entertained, this book will satisfy!


The writing flowed well, with the exception of one part in the middle of the book.  The fact that it is meant to be a series and the book left several plots unfinished.  I love that I can look forward to reading more about this intriguing new universe and these interesting characters!

What I did not like:  As I mentioned the more detailed technical explanations seemed to distract me from the plot.  The writer was very cognizant of this fact and kindly repeated many of the details so I didn't have to back track to remember what a certain term meant.  As I said, many will find that this adds to the story.  Don't let this scare you away from this book...it is a journey worth taking!

Carousel Tides by Sharon Lee

Urban Fantasy…

Hummm, This is the first book of this genre that I have read.

Here’s the blurb from the back of the book:

“Carousel Tides pulls you into the chill foggy reality of peeling-paint sand-grit coastal Maine outside of tourist season and then hands you something else — the hidden world lurking in shadows or under the land’s surface or just offshore, where Black Dogs hunt the night and selkies toss unpleasant truths over their shoulders before diving into the next wave.  In the center of this, Kate Archer tends and guards one of the spookiest carousels this side of Ray Bradbury and wonders what has happened to her grandmother.  The old woman sent her a letter, left papers deeding over the carousel and old house and the Land (meaning much more than property), and vanished, telling the spirits of the land and sea that she expected to be back before the turning of the year.

“Now March has come and gone and Kate must return from self-exile to take up powers and responsibilities she has renounced, or dying will be the least of her problems . . .

“Sharon Lee weaves fantasy into reality so deftly that you scarcely notice when you slip across the edge.  And once you’re there, the story’s own magic won’t let you turn back from the strong characters, deep mysteries, and even deeper danger.”

—James A. Hetley, author of Dragon’s Eye, Dragon’s Teeth, and Dragon’s Bones.

As the book begins you find that Kate is ill or dying and she has left home for some unknown reason.  Her Grandmother is missing.  She is responsible for a carousel in an amusement park and also some land, that is more than land…

A great beginning with tons of mystery.  It captured my imagination, especially the carousel.  Borgan a new man in Kate’s hometown is an interesting character and I would have liked to know more about him. (Maybe in a sequel??)

There is some sexual chemistry between Kate and Borgan and I would have liked to have seen that explored more.  As the story progresses you find that Kate has been the victim of sexual abuse.  The abuse is described in a subtle manner and I felt it was handled quite tastefully (if that is possible).  I had difficulty with Kate accepting Borgan’s advances without considering her history of abuse.  Her character didn’t appear to be affected by the abuse.  Other reviews have criticized the character development of Kate and I have to agree.  She just didn’t have much dimension.  I wanted to care about her more than I did.

I did love the idea and fantasy of the carousel characters, especially the Batwing horse!   The descriptions of Maine made me want to visit the area.

The plot was interesting and overall I liked this book.  I would give it to a friend to read.  I think I will continue to investigate the “urban fantasy” books in the future.

My other complaint, which I find happens all to often with books I have read recently, is that the climax and ending seemed to rush to the conclusion.  I wanted more.  More Borgan, more about her Mother and Grandmother and Mr. Ignat.

Maybe that is a call for a sequel!?

Virgin Blogger

This blog is a place to record my thought about the books I read
To recommend books to my friends and family
and to try out a new avenue for communication....

I like many types of books
I have books stacked on my beside table
in my car
in my office
and on my phone

I want an e-reader some day

I can spend half a day in a book store
I hate to get rid of books, unless I am passing them on to another passionate reader

I love recommending books to my friends' children
I think reading is the best way to escape

I have stayed up all night reading

When I started reading I thought that books should be read from right to left
I sometimes still read the ending of a book first

I used to climb a tree and read to escape my siblings

I read when I should be doing other things
I usually  don't like the movie based on a book...my imagination is always better

I am proud that both of my children are "readers"

Of all  my senses, I would hate to lose my vision...I hope it's the last thing to go