Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay was a very good read. I probably shouldn't talk about it yet as it was our book club pick & we haven't met yet but......here it goes any way.
Sarah's Key is written in two parts, one in the voice of a 10 year old girl who lived during a terrible time in our world history & the other the voice of a modern day journalist. Each chapter flips back and forth between 1942 and 2002. I loved this writing style for this book for two reasons. First because it really made you want to keep reading, you needed to know what happened in the next chapter. Secondly, because sometime you needed a break from reading some of the things that were too hard to think about.
The story is of Sarah, a young, Jewish girl, growning up in France during the war and Julia, an American journalist living in Paris 60 years later and how their lives are touched by a common bond. Julia is unable to go back to life as she knew it once she starts researching for a story and finds her connection to Sarah.
As a lover of history I always enjoy these types of books. A refresher course in things we should never forget. It is still sometimes hard for me to imagine that something so horrific as the Holocaust happened less than 70 years ago. That in my Grandparents life time we allowed something like this to happen is really hard for me to think about.
These two intertwining stories are beautifully written and easily join together in the end to bring resolution to the story. Although there are still a few things I personally would have liked more completed, over all I thought it ended with satisfaction and closure.
I highly recommend reading this book. It won't take you more than a few chapters to be sucked in. It is my hope that it will take you longer to forget it.
In the words of Sarah.
Zakhor. Al Tichkah.
Remember. Never forget.
4 out of 5 stars
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Scarpetta Factor
I recently finished The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell. I have long been a follower of the Kay Scarpetta series. I suppose I have read her books for 20 years. (Guess I moved on to the adult Nancy Drew version). I'm not sure when it happened but somewhere in the last 5 to 7 years something has changed with her books. The Scarpetta Factor was really no exception.
I really enjoyed her earlier books; The Body Farm, Cruel & Unusual, All That Remains. They were all intense and interesting. I liked the main characters a lot. I have images of them in my head as I read. (Marino looks a lot like Sipowicz from NYPD Blue) I love Kay's house in Richmond. I could imagine myself there eating one of her famous big Italian meals.
Somewhere in the last few years, I think it's really ever since she (Kay Scarpetta) left Richmond that I have found the books lacking. It's almost as if someone else is writing them, Kay has lost her voice and the other characters, such as Lucy and Marino, have become so dark.
For those of you who don't follow the series Kay Scarpetta is a powerful forensic psychologist. (not to mention a Chief Medical Examiner) She is a strong female character that the feminist in me admires. She is single, successful, came from humble beginnings & she (almost) always gets her man!
Somewhere over the last few years I've stopped admiring her and I positively hate what has happened to Marino. I would really love it if Ms. Cornwell would go back to the old Kay & write something gritty & a little less whiny.
All in all The Scarpetta Factor was a quick easy read. Time spent with familiar people. The story line jumps around a lot and I think she tried to tie too many things together. It ended up being a little predictable. There is nothing really wrong with the book other than it leaves me feeling nastalgic. I miss the old gang.
2 1/2 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed her earlier books; The Body Farm, Cruel & Unusual, All That Remains. They were all intense and interesting. I liked the main characters a lot. I have images of them in my head as I read. (Marino looks a lot like Sipowicz from NYPD Blue) I love Kay's house in Richmond. I could imagine myself there eating one of her famous big Italian meals.
Somewhere in the last few years, I think it's really ever since she (Kay Scarpetta) left Richmond that I have found the books lacking. It's almost as if someone else is writing them, Kay has lost her voice and the other characters, such as Lucy and Marino, have become so dark.
For those of you who don't follow the series Kay Scarpetta is a powerful forensic psychologist. (not to mention a Chief Medical Examiner) She is a strong female character that the feminist in me admires. She is single, successful, came from humble beginnings & she (almost) always gets her man!
Somewhere over the last few years I've stopped admiring her and I positively hate what has happened to Marino. I would really love it if Ms. Cornwell would go back to the old Kay & write something gritty & a little less whiny.
All in all The Scarpetta Factor was a quick easy read. Time spent with familiar people. The story line jumps around a lot and I think she tried to tie too many things together. It ended up being a little predictable. There is nothing really wrong with the book other than it leaves me feeling nastalgic. I miss the old gang.
2 1/2 out of 5 stars
Monday, January 18, 2010
The problem is.....
Okay, I admit it. I have a problem. My friend Barb recently told me that there might need to be an intervention. You see, I buy a lot of books.....
I am always on the look out for a new author to follow or picking up a book that will "be perfect for book club". I buy books on line, I buy books in stores, I get books from friends that don't want them any more, boxes of books from auction sales - heck, I've even picked them up at garage sales. (probably the only thing I've ever bought at a garage sale) Everywhere I look there is a book that is still needing to be read.
I'm not selfish with my books. I'm happy to loan them out to people as long as I know they will be returned in the shape they left me in. I can't stand to loan to people who break the spine of my books or dog ear them or GOD FORBID highlight passages. Please be respectful or buy your own.
I am sitting here now, typing away, trying to ignore the ever growing pile by my computer that need to be read. I mean, where do I start? They all look good or I wouldn't have purchased them in the first place! Do I go with the current thriller? Maybe a good, solid classic is in order? Or there is the one I picked up that won the Pulitzer or that series my sister has been tearing through.......oh, the endless possibilities!
Does any one have a suggestion? Here is what I'm considering:
Her Perfect Symmetry
Olive Kitteridge
Ford County
Anna Karenina
Alex Cross's Trial
Five Quarters of the Orange
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet
Of Bee's and Mist
Twilight
You see the problem is not that I buy too many books, it's that I have to work to support my habit and run out of time to read them!! What were you thinking my problem was? (Actually, don't answer that)
I am always on the look out for a new author to follow or picking up a book that will "be perfect for book club". I buy books on line, I buy books in stores, I get books from friends that don't want them any more, boxes of books from auction sales - heck, I've even picked them up at garage sales. (probably the only thing I've ever bought at a garage sale) Everywhere I look there is a book that is still needing to be read.
I'm not selfish with my books. I'm happy to loan them out to people as long as I know they will be returned in the shape they left me in. I can't stand to loan to people who break the spine of my books or dog ear them or GOD FORBID highlight passages. Please be respectful or buy your own.
I am sitting here now, typing away, trying to ignore the ever growing pile by my computer that need to be read. I mean, where do I start? They all look good or I wouldn't have purchased them in the first place! Do I go with the current thriller? Maybe a good, solid classic is in order? Or there is the one I picked up that won the Pulitzer or that series my sister has been tearing through.......oh, the endless possibilities!
Does any one have a suggestion? Here is what I'm considering:
Her Perfect Symmetry
Olive Kitteridge
Ford County
Anna Karenina
Alex Cross's Trial
Five Quarters of the Orange
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet
Of Bee's and Mist
Twilight
You see the problem is not that I buy too many books, it's that I have to work to support my habit and run out of time to read them!! What were you thinking my problem was? (Actually, don't answer that)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
I feel like a traitor
Well, I've finally done it. I swore I never would.
I have always loved books. Ever since I was a baby I have loved them. I remember well my dad reading the Little House on the Prairie series to me every night before I went to bed. I remember getting lost in the story of the young girl living in a time I could only imagine. Wondering about the drawings that accompanied the chapters. We once even took a trip to Desmet, South Dakota to take in a the Laurie Ingalls Wilder play.
I left Laura and moved on to Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I couldn't wait to go to a "big town" so that I could get the next book in the series. I never asked for toys or candy when we on a shopping trip. I always asked for a book. I couldn't wait to get into the car for the drive home and bury my face in chapter one.
I think of myself as a pretty accomplished reader. I've ventured off into many genres. I love the touch and feel of books. I prefer hard cover to paperbacks. If I have to buy the paperback I would rather get the trade paper size then the traditional. I have been lost for days in Barnes and Noble, Borders or B. Dalton. It has been a life long dream of mine to have a library room in my house.
So.....it came as a great surprise to me when I decided to buy an electronic reader. I'm not sure if I'll be able to adapt but I see the writing on the wall. As much as I love paper books I also love technology. E-readers are the way of the future. My Nook will be shipped to me February 12th.
The techie in me is excited for this new adventure but the little girl in me is a little sad. I'm glad I got to be that little girl who was read to from real books. I'm glad I grew up then because I think being read to from a e-reader may have taken a little of the fun out of it. It's some how not quite as dreamy.
.....and I still feel a little like a traitor.
http://nook.com
I have always loved books. Ever since I was a baby I have loved them. I remember well my dad reading the Little House on the Prairie series to me every night before I went to bed. I remember getting lost in the story of the young girl living in a time I could only imagine. Wondering about the drawings that accompanied the chapters. We once even took a trip to Desmet, South Dakota to take in a the Laurie Ingalls Wilder play.
I left Laura and moved on to Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I couldn't wait to go to a "big town" so that I could get the next book in the series. I never asked for toys or candy when we on a shopping trip. I always asked for a book. I couldn't wait to get into the car for the drive home and bury my face in chapter one.
I think of myself as a pretty accomplished reader. I've ventured off into many genres. I love the touch and feel of books. I prefer hard cover to paperbacks. If I have to buy the paperback I would rather get the trade paper size then the traditional. I have been lost for days in Barnes and Noble, Borders or B. Dalton. It has been a life long dream of mine to have a library room in my house.
So.....it came as a great surprise to me when I decided to buy an electronic reader. I'm not sure if I'll be able to adapt but I see the writing on the wall. As much as I love paper books I also love technology. E-readers are the way of the future. My Nook will be shipped to me February 12th.
The techie in me is excited for this new adventure but the little girl in me is a little sad. I'm glad I got to be that little girl who was read to from real books. I'm glad I grew up then because I think being read to from a e-reader may have taken a little of the fun out of it. It's some how not quite as dreamy.
.....and I still feel a little like a traitor.
http://nook.com
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
I've created a monster!
I told my friend Liz that she really needed to read the book Loving Frank. I knew she'd love it and would have a lot to say about the book.
She finished it Sunday morning at 12:09am and I've been hearing about it ever since! :)
I thought that I had done some research after I'd read the book but Liz has found a number of issues that I didn't discover.
For those of you who haven't read the book it is about Frank Lloyd Write and him long time love, not is wife, Mamah Borthwick Cheney. The story is fiction but based on factual events and letters that were collected over time. I found it very easy to get caught up in their story & found it amazing everything they went through. It was all very scandalous for the times and we certainly had a interesting discussion in book club over the events. I loved this book and it was my favorite read in 2008.
WARNING! If you haven't read the book, don't read the rest of the blog as I'm going to ask questions to things that you don't want to know happen.
In doing research Liz found that they people in the community where Frank and Mamah built their house, it was widely thought that Frank set up the tragedy that happened. Do you think this possible?
What do you think of the fact that Frank got remarried twice after losing Mamah?
When Frank died he was laid to rest by Mamah, when Olga died, she had him exhumed and creamated, their ashes combined and burried together. What do you think of this?
If you've read this book I would love to know your thoughts and opinions!
Are there other questions you've been asking?
Liz, I expect complete answers from you! :)
http://lovingfrank.com/
She finished it Sunday morning at 12:09am and I've been hearing about it ever since! :)
I thought that I had done some research after I'd read the book but Liz has found a number of issues that I didn't discover.
For those of you who haven't read the book it is about Frank Lloyd Write and him long time love, not is wife, Mamah Borthwick Cheney. The story is fiction but based on factual events and letters that were collected over time. I found it very easy to get caught up in their story & found it amazing everything they went through. It was all very scandalous for the times and we certainly had a interesting discussion in book club over the events. I loved this book and it was my favorite read in 2008.
WARNING! If you haven't read the book, don't read the rest of the blog as I'm going to ask questions to things that you don't want to know happen.
In doing research Liz found that they people in the community where Frank and Mamah built their house, it was widely thought that Frank set up the tragedy that happened. Do you think this possible?
What do you think of the fact that Frank got remarried twice after losing Mamah?
When Frank died he was laid to rest by Mamah, when Olga died, she had him exhumed and creamated, their ashes combined and burried together. What do you think of this?
If you've read this book I would love to know your thoughts and opinions!
Are there other questions you've been asking?
Liz, I expect complete answers from you! :)
http://lovingfrank.com/
Sunday, January 3, 2010
It's all about the girl.....
I got sucked into a series a while back. I'm 2/3 of the way through it. It's with mixed emotions I await May when the 3rd and final book will come out. I will most likely find myself waiting at Barnes and Noble in the middle of the night to be the first one to buy the final book in the Millennium series.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo took me on a journey to another land. Admittedly, I struggled to get into it. There were so many characters and I kept trying to "see" the area in which the book took place, never mind the fact that I've never been to Sweden. However, after I set my mind to just reading it and stop trying to figure out all the towns and scenery, I couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to read the next part - but wait I did, a whole year!!!
The Girl Who Played with Fire finally came out this past summer. I read it in about 2 days. No wading through names and places like the last time, just hit the ground running and don't look back! What a ride it's been so far.
The journey will end this spring and because of the early death of the author The Girl Who Kicked a Hornet's Nest will be the 3rd and final book. This is why I have such mixed emotions. I want desperately to know how it all ends but at the same time want there to be more. The main characters in this book have me hooked. They will stay with me for a long time I am sure.
These books have been a smash hit in Europe for a while. It took us awhile in the US to catch on to this new trend of Scandinavian Mysteries. My cousin and his wife have read the last installment and offered to send it too me.....We've joked about how the story would lose a bit in translation if I have to try to learn French at the same time. They've assured me the final book is every bit as interesting as the first two.
Steig Larrson, the author of the series, died shortly after he delivered the 3 manuscripts that would become the Millennium Series. He never got to revel in his success. There has been a lot of speculation about his death in the years since. In Novembers issue of Vanity Fair there was a particularly good article on Mr. Larrson & it appears some foundation to the theory of these books being more than fiction. It seems many people got quite nervous about some of the accusations made in the book. Of course this bit of salaciousness does tend to add to the intrigue of the books, doesn't it? Maybe his death was just plain luck for the publisher. It certainly makes for excellent marketing!
If any of it is true of not, I may never know. What I do know is these books have been an excellent read and a incredibly interesting escape. They are a quite graffic and not for everyone but if you like a good political thriller or just to read about another country, give them a try. I have not been dissapointed.
Lisbeth Salander I am pulling for you girl!
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo took me on a journey to another land. Admittedly, I struggled to get into it. There were so many characters and I kept trying to "see" the area in which the book took place, never mind the fact that I've never been to Sweden. However, after I set my mind to just reading it and stop trying to figure out all the towns and scenery, I couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to read the next part - but wait I did, a whole year!!!
The Girl Who Played with Fire finally came out this past summer. I read it in about 2 days. No wading through names and places like the last time, just hit the ground running and don't look back! What a ride it's been so far.
The journey will end this spring and because of the early death of the author The Girl Who Kicked a Hornet's Nest will be the 3rd and final book. This is why I have such mixed emotions. I want desperately to know how it all ends but at the same time want there to be more. The main characters in this book have me hooked. They will stay with me for a long time I am sure.
These books have been a smash hit in Europe for a while. It took us awhile in the US to catch on to this new trend of Scandinavian Mysteries. My cousin and his wife have read the last installment and offered to send it too me.....We've joked about how the story would lose a bit in translation if I have to try to learn French at the same time. They've assured me the final book is every bit as interesting as the first two.
Steig Larrson, the author of the series, died shortly after he delivered the 3 manuscripts that would become the Millennium Series. He never got to revel in his success. There has been a lot of speculation about his death in the years since. In Novembers issue of Vanity Fair there was a particularly good article on Mr. Larrson & it appears some foundation to the theory of these books being more than fiction. It seems many people got quite nervous about some of the accusations made in the book. Of course this bit of salaciousness does tend to add to the intrigue of the books, doesn't it? Maybe his death was just plain luck for the publisher. It certainly makes for excellent marketing!
If any of it is true of not, I may never know. What I do know is these books have been an excellent read and a incredibly interesting escape. They are a quite graffic and not for everyone but if you like a good political thriller or just to read about another country, give them a try. I have not been dissapointed.
Lisbeth Salander I am pulling for you girl!
Recap
My book club is made up of a group of amazing ladies. The common connection, in the beginning , was me but I think after all we've shared and talked about this year I'd venture to say we'd call each other friends. I always find it interesting how 7 other people can read the same book and get something completely different out of it. That is the beauty of book club....you go in with one opinion and leave with 7 new ones!
Here is a recap of what we've read in the past year.
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Annie Freeman's Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
The Color of Light by Karen White
The Wednesday Letters by Jason Write
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Anne Barrows
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini
Emma by Jane Austin
After Anne by Roxanne Henke
We did a little poll recently and top favorites of the year were Loving Frank, The Wednesday Letters and the Guernsey book. It seemed that the main reason these books were picked was because there were characters in each that we couldn't let go of.
Have you ever had that happen to you? Have you been done with a book and yet found yourself wanting to know what happened next? Where would so and so be now? There are books that have haunted me. Followed me around for years! Loving Frank was one of them. The Poisonwood Bible, White Oleander, I Know This Much is True and East of Eden are all in the running as well.
What are your books that you didn't want to end or that you keep thinking about?
Here is a recap of what we've read in the past year.
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Annie Freeman's Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
The Color of Light by Karen White
The Wednesday Letters by Jason Write
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Anne Barrows
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini
Emma by Jane Austin
After Anne by Roxanne Henke
We did a little poll recently and top favorites of the year were Loving Frank, The Wednesday Letters and the Guernsey book. It seemed that the main reason these books were picked was because there were characters in each that we couldn't let go of.
Have you ever had that happen to you? Have you been done with a book and yet found yourself wanting to know what happened next? Where would so and so be now? There are books that have haunted me. Followed me around for years! Loving Frank was one of them. The Poisonwood Bible, White Oleander, I Know This Much is True and East of Eden are all in the running as well.
What are your books that you didn't want to end or that you keep thinking about?
Saturday, January 2, 2010
It's been a while
I have to admit, I'd kind of given up on blogging. Recently, however, I had a little brain storm....
I was watching Julie & Julia & found inspiration that she blogged about what she loved. Since she already took cooking I decided on another love.....reading.
My book club recently celebrated it's first year together. It has been an absolute joy for me. Even though I haven't loved all of the books I have always loved the getting together part. The joy of the written word and how it can be interpreted so differently.
The book club was a little scary at first....there were times when there were only 4 of us at a meeting but as the year closed we were 8 solid people strong with two more joining next month. I am excited for what the next year can bring.
I decided if I had that much fun talking about books once a month....why not a little more often??!!
I hope that some people will read my blog. Even more, I hope that someone will join me in discussions about what they've read, want to read or whats just collecting dust on the bed side table.
Speaking of that....I have two books going right now, one for book club and one for pleasure. Current reads: Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay & The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell but the pile by my night stand is many, many books deep. It's kinda scary!
What's on your night stand?
I was watching Julie & Julia & found inspiration that she blogged about what she loved. Since she already took cooking I decided on another love.....reading.
My book club recently celebrated it's first year together. It has been an absolute joy for me. Even though I haven't loved all of the books I have always loved the getting together part. The joy of the written word and how it can be interpreted so differently.
The book club was a little scary at first....there were times when there were only 4 of us at a meeting but as the year closed we were 8 solid people strong with two more joining next month. I am excited for what the next year can bring.
I decided if I had that much fun talking about books once a month....why not a little more often??!!
I hope that some people will read my blog. Even more, I hope that someone will join me in discussions about what they've read, want to read or whats just collecting dust on the bed side table.
Speaking of that....I have two books going right now, one for book club and one for pleasure. Current reads: Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay & The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell but the pile by my night stand is many, many books deep. It's kinda scary!
What's on your night stand?
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