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laurieb755's Reviews (784)
Yessss! I believed in every word and every character in this book. I know Ariel Lawhon imagined the conversations and scenarios, but she chose her words well, and contrived the situations and flow with such authenticity, that I came to believe that this is exactly how events transpired. Of course, my logical self knows that this is a work of fiction based upon the available facts, but what a doozy of a possible explanation for the disappearance of Judge Joseph Crater!
I have not yet scoped out Ariel's site http://www.shereads.org but suspect I'll wind up there on a rainy afternoon in the not too-distant future…
I have not yet scoped out Ariel's site http://www.shereads.org but suspect I'll wind up there on a rainy afternoon in the not too-distant future…
I continually had to remind myself that this is a true story written by a man who would eventually be elected President of the United States. Barack Obama knows how to tell a story, how to paint a picture with words, how to make the reader feel present for the telling. I both voted for Obama and spent Election Day in another state helping to get out the vote for him. This book helped me to better understand Obama, though it also raised questions for which I doubt I will ever find answers. Among those questions - for a man who can be such an evocative and strong story teller, why didn't he do more sharing of stories during his first term, as a way to help paint a picture of what could be and sway public opinion into more active support for his policies? Next up - The Audacity of Hope.
PS March 25, 2014 - In February I started The Audacity of Hope but did not get very far because it seemed like I was reading a political book rather than a personal story. Perhaps one day I'll take it up again, but for now it has long since been returned to the library. Just wanted to update this review.
PS March 25, 2014 - In February I started The Audacity of Hope but did not get very far because it seemed like I was reading a political book rather than a personal story. Perhaps one day I'll take it up again, but for now it has long since been returned to the library. Just wanted to update this review.
I have been a Doris Kearns Goodwin fan for many years, beginning with her book about FDR and followed by Team of Rivals, so was predisposed to enjoy this newest history tale. Goodwin knows how to flow words and string stories that do not impede the very rich telling by the characters themselves. Her words simply help propel the characters lives along.
The Bully Pulpit shines light on the friendship of TR and Taft against the backdrop of the Republican Party, the Guilded Age, and the Muckrakers of writing. If you read this book sooner rather than later, you may be struck by the many similarities between their time and ours.
I am also keen on the history of this period, and besides Goodwin's books have also read Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris and a book about J.P. Morgan.
The Bully Pulpit shines light on the friendship of TR and Taft against the backdrop of the Republican Party, the Guilded Age, and the Muckrakers of writing. If you read this book sooner rather than later, you may be struck by the many similarities between their time and ours.
I am also keen on the history of this period, and besides Goodwin's books have also read Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris and a book about J.P. Morgan.
Delightful steam-punk romp. Suspend belief in the possible and just sit back and enjoy the heat! Am sufficiently hooked, so next book in the series, here I come!
This is what I had to say about Book 1 in this series:
Delightful steam-punk romp. Suspend belief in the possible and just sit back and enjoy the heat! Am sufficiently hooked, so next book in the series, here I come!
And all I can say is DITTO for this book. And guess what, there is another book soon to be published and, since my local library does not have it, I have ordered it on Amazon. (The first two books came not from our library but via mail from my younger brother-in-law, who is a fan of science fiction and science fantasy. The books appealed equally to my husband and me, so we both eagerly await the arrival of Book 3!)
Delightful steam-punk romp. Suspend belief in the possible and just sit back and enjoy the heat! Am sufficiently hooked, so next book in the series, here I come!
And all I can say is DITTO for this book. And guess what, there is another book soon to be published and, since my local library does not have it, I have ordered it on Amazon. (The first two books came not from our library but via mail from my younger brother-in-law, who is a fan of science fiction and science fantasy. The books appealed equally to my husband and me, so we both eagerly await the arrival of Book 3!)
I liked this as much as Louise Penny's first in this series, Still Life. However, because I wouldn't put this book down for long, I read the story up till bedtime last night and wound up having dreams that woke me three separate times! I finished the book this morning and am now ready to place a hold at the library on book number three - The Cruelest Month. Lesson learned - no reading of Penny's books before bedtime!
This series reminds me slightly of the Art History Mystery series of Iain Pears. Each of his books in that series dealt with an individual mystery, but sprinkled throughout all of the series was one additional mystery, resolved in the last book. So it appears to be the case with the Gamache series. And as with both series, the opportunity to truly get to know the characters and delve into their personas is quite satisfying. My next-door-neighbor, in discussing the Gamache books, noted how she has read several mystery series that have caused her to want to wander the same paths and visit the same towns as are noted in the mysteries.
This series reminds me slightly of the Art History Mystery series of Iain Pears. Each of his books in that series dealt with an individual mystery, but sprinkled throughout all of the series was one additional mystery, resolved in the last book. So it appears to be the case with the Gamache series. And as with both series, the opportunity to truly get to know the characters and delve into their personas is quite satisfying. My next-door-neighbor, in discussing the Gamache books, noted how she has read several mystery series that have caused her to want to wander the same paths and visit the same towns as are noted in the mysteries.
On top of everything else that I enjoy about Louise Penny's Gamache mysteries - making me feel as if I am actually there and that I know each and every one of the residents of Three Pines - I find myself sitting down at each read with a plateful of something yummy (and healthy) because of her descriptions of the scrumptious meals at Gabri's and Ovlvier's B&B. Ah, to be a guest there for a long weekend…
Smitten with these stories, I have just reserved a copy of #4, A Rule Against Murder!
Smitten with these stories, I have just reserved a copy of #4, A Rule Against Murder!
I never read any of Dashiell Hammett's or Lillian Hellman's writings, nor have I ever seen a Hellman play or movie. But I was a huge fan of Humphrey Bogart, making me a big fan of The Maltese Falcon, which led to The Thin Man. This is why I read Toperoff's book (and because my brother-in-law had it on his list of suggested books.)
Glad I read the book, though not entirely sure how I feel about it. Most of the time it read as I imagine a Dashiell Hammett novel would read. At first I found it entertaining. Then I found it sad. Then I found myself doing research about some of the topics. Sheesh, I believed that Waxman (Julius?) existed and truly was murdered. (Had to look that one up, only to discover it was a piece of fiction.)
Toperoff's "fictional biography" (his description) has banter reminiscent of the best of The Philadelphia Story. And the lives of both Hammett and Hellman were certainly filled with adventure. But I am not so sure I liked either of them as people. And because Toperoff crafts such a believable story, I wound up taking this as the official fictional truth. Definitely not a reliable source, but as good a fake one as they come!
Glad I read the book, though not entirely sure how I feel about it. Most of the time it read as I imagine a Dashiell Hammett novel would read. At first I found it entertaining. Then I found it sad. Then I found myself doing research about some of the topics. Sheesh, I believed that Waxman (Julius?) existed and truly was murdered. (Had to look that one up, only to discover it was a piece of fiction.)
Toperoff's "fictional biography" (his description) has banter reminiscent of the best of The Philadelphia Story. And the lives of both Hammett and Hellman were certainly filled with adventure. But I am not so sure I liked either of them as people. And because Toperoff crafts such a believable story, I wound up taking this as the official fictional truth. Definitely not a reliable source, but as good a fake one as they come!
Louise Penny continues her string of Gamache mysteries, vivid with descriptions of place (and food!) and people and human feelings. Thought I even figured out the "how" only to discover I was heading in the right direction but not close enough. Not entirely sure why I rated this 4 stars and not 5; perhaps because I'm miffed it wasn't longer!
Stopped by the library this afternoon hoping to pick up the next book, only to discover it was not in the stacks, so home I headed to reserve a copy online. I am addicted to the Gamache stories, but a tad wary of what I will learn next. You see, on Louise Penny's site there is a brief synopsis of each book. I am anxious on behalf of Inspector Gamache for what the future holds. Though suppose I can breath a sigh of relief, because while there are still four or five novels for me for read, a new one is due out at the end of this coming August!
Stopped by the library this afternoon hoping to pick up the next book, only to discover it was not in the stacks, so home I headed to reserve a copy online. I am addicted to the Gamache stories, but a tad wary of what I will learn next. You see, on Louise Penny's site there is a brief synopsis of each book. I am anxious on behalf of Inspector Gamache for what the future holds. Though suppose I can breath a sigh of relief, because while there are still four or five novels for me for read, a new one is due out at the end of this coming August!
Whoa. My breath was taken away. Till the very last moment I did not believe it could be "he". (Am avoiding being a spoiler!) But it isn't just the mystery that takes my breath away. It is the story behind the story. And the word "conscience".
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Okay, so my comments may seem meaningless or insufficiently descriptive. Just know that I have come to have a fondness for the residents of Three Pines, and I shudder to see their lives impacted by murders. The tiny village in the middle of nowhere, not far from Vermont, over the Canadian border, does seem to attract an unusual number of murders, especially considering how small the population the village has an unusual proportion of residents to people-dead-by-murder.
With this tale Louise Penny was passing along a moral or two. You'll have to read the book to discover what those morals are, for you.
--
Okay, so my comments may seem meaningless or insufficiently descriptive. Just know that I have come to have a fondness for the residents of Three Pines, and I shudder to see their lives impacted by murders. The tiny village in the middle of nowhere, not far from Vermont, over the Canadian border, does seem to attract an unusual number of murders, especially considering how small the population the village has an unusual proportion of residents to people-dead-by-murder.
With this tale Louise Penny was passing along a moral or two. You'll have to read the book to discover what those morals are, for you.