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laurieb755's reviews
759 reviews
Pájaro de medianoche by Alice Hoffman
5.0
Young adult fiction continues to provide some excellent reads! Years ago, and I mean YEARS AGO, I read Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic and was captivated by the spell she wove with her story telling. Apparently, Hoffman has written numerous books that have magic at its core, but I managed to miss them all until now. (Perhaps I was busy rearing children and lacked time to read?) (Not being sarcastic there, just wondering if that's why I didn't read more of her books.)
To quote Lois Lowry's back-of-the-book quote:
When visiting my doctor two days ago for a regular annual checkup, she asked me about the book, as she is often on the look-out for books that her 11-year old daughter might enjoy. I promised to let her know my thoughts upon finishing. Suffice it to say, I just sent her a hearty "YES!"
To quote Lois Lowry's back-of-the-book quote:
Nightbird is like reentering a wonderful dream that you vaguely remember.
When visiting my doctor two days ago for a regular annual checkup, she asked me about the book, as she is often on the look-out for books that her 11-year old daughter might enjoy. I promised to let her know my thoughts upon finishing. Suffice it to say, I just sent her a hearty "YES!"
The Dream Lover: A Novel of George Sand by Elizabeth Berg
5.0
Once I began, the writing was on the wall; I could not put this book down. I am intrigued by Berg's conjuring of George Sand, the life and times of. I am motivated to learn more about Sand's life, partially to know where Berg took her fictional liberties, and equally as much to know more about Sand herself.
This story, or perhaps the words of both Berg and Sand, got in my head and would not leave. They are there still, mulling around, trying to find a part of my life to latch onto. Many years ago my Mom gave me a copy of The Feminine Mystique, a book that influenced and resonated with her greatly. I started it but it did not take hold and I never got more than perhaps one hundred pages in, if that. About ten years later, my older son took several courses on women's studies and read this book. It resonated with him, so he too gave me a copy to read. Again, I tried, and again, I got nowhere.
Standing in the kitchen this evening, just minutes after finishing The Dream Lover, I thought that perhaps it was the equivalent to The Feminine Mystique. If you permit Berg to speak as Sand, then Sand was the Betty Friedan of her time.
This is both an inviting and accessible piece of historical fiction, and a thoughtful and thought provoking book for contemplating love in its various forms along with societal roles for the sexes.
Thank you Elizabeth Berg.
This story, or perhaps the words of both Berg and Sand, got in my head and would not leave. They are there still, mulling around, trying to find a part of my life to latch onto. Many years ago my Mom gave me a copy of The Feminine Mystique, a book that influenced and resonated with her greatly. I started it but it did not take hold and I never got more than perhaps one hundred pages in, if that. About ten years later, my older son took several courses on women's studies and read this book. It resonated with him, so he too gave me a copy to read. Again, I tried, and again, I got nowhere.
Standing in the kitchen this evening, just minutes after finishing The Dream Lover, I thought that perhaps it was the equivalent to The Feminine Mystique. If you permit Berg to speak as Sand, then Sand was the Betty Friedan of her time.
This is both an inviting and accessible piece of historical fiction, and a thoughtful and thought provoking book for contemplating love in its various forms along with societal roles for the sexes.
Thank you Elizabeth Berg.
Survival Lessons by Alice Hoffman
4.0
short. succinct. true. Though "true" depends upon who you are and what you experienced with your own life. Resonated with me as a fellow survivor. Had an urge to buy a copy for each friend who dealt with cancer or some other life-changing event.
good advice, not just for dealing with trauma but for dealing with aging and appreciating that life IS what you make it!
good advice, not just for dealing with trauma but for dealing with aging and appreciating that life IS what you make it!
Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman
3.0
I am on a binge reading of Alice Hoffman's young adult literature and this is number 2 or 3 in the binge. Aquamarine immediately had me thinking of M. Night Shyamalan's movie Lady in the Water. While the movie is a thriller, and the book a comedic romantic story about friendship, I formed the link within the early pages and it has stuck. (By the way, there is also a movie version of Hoffman's book.)
As a result, I found the story a bit predictable and simplistic. Am not entirely sure what age it is geared to but I suspect that younger readers would quite enjoy it. And even with that said, it is a lovely short story about friendship and summer and sharing something special.
As a result, I found the story a bit predictable and simplistic. Am not entirely sure what age it is geared to but I suspect that younger readers would quite enjoy it. And even with that said, it is a lovely short story about friendship and summer and sharing something special.
Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination by J.K. Rowling
4.0
I am an unabashed fan of J.K. Rowling, having read all the Harry Potter novels (mostly aloud to our younger son) and all of her fiction. First saw this book online in video form as her Harvard Commencement speech of 2008. Thought it would be nice to read the actual words and savor Rowling's thoughts.
Watch the video and read the book. Both are worthwhile and, Rowling is a delightful speaker.
Watch the video and read the book. Both are worthwhile and, Rowling is a delightful speaker.
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
4.0
My Mom read this book and then gave it to me. Am writing this in 2015 as I am about to begin Sue Monk Kidd's newest book, The Invention of Wings. The back of that book jacket and author's bio reminded me that I read this book as well as one other, Traveling with Pomegranates.
I remember enjoying this book very much, and am glad to be adding it to my bookshelf.
I remember enjoying this book very much, and am glad to be adding it to my bookshelf.
Traveling With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story by Sue Monk Kidd
3.0
Hmm. I read this book awhile ago, after reading Kidd's The Mermaid Chair, which I enjoyed quite a bit. This, however, fell short. Parts of it felt contrived. And sometimes it felt like a vehicle to launch Kidd's daughter as an author. I don't begrudge either of them that opportunity; I just wasn't hooked by their collaboration.
The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman
5.0
Spine tingling in a good way. Amazing story telling. One character feeds into another's story in the next chapter, while the chapters move forward in time from 1786 to 1986 and a bit beyond.
Hoffman has an astonishing imagination and she weaves a tale of time and place, where people are who they are because of where they are and the families they came from. To quote from Hoffman's website:
All these tales take place in a fictitious town called Blackwell, hidden in the Berkshires. I found that particularly intriguing because of six summers (grades 4-9) I spent at a sleep-away camp in Cheshire, MA, which is in the Berkshires. And because just a few days ago my husband suggested we look at Pittsfield, MA (also in the Berkshires) as a possible place to move when we are ready to give up our day jobs.
I devoured this book in two days. Must say something about how I fell into the story and could't get out!
Hoffman has an astonishing imagination and she weaves a tale of time and place, where people are who they are because of where they are and the families they came from. To quote from Hoffman's website:
The Red Garden, published in 2011, is a collection of linked fictions about a small town in Massachusetts where a garden holds the secrets of many lives.
All these tales take place in a fictitious town called Blackwell, hidden in the Berkshires. I found that particularly intriguing because of six summers (grades 4-9) I spent at a sleep-away camp in Cheshire, MA, which is in the Berkshires. And because just a few days ago my husband suggested we look at Pittsfield, MA (also in the Berkshires) as a possible place to move when we are ready to give up our day jobs.
I devoured this book in two days. Must say something about how I fell into the story and could't get out!
Indigo by Alice Hoffman, Alice Hoffman
4.0
Quick read that had me absorbed start to finish. Hoffman may explore fantasy but also the very real many sides of love and friendship. This is my third Hoffman book in a few days (and my fifth in a month), and it's easy to conclude that she has a strong interest in water and the life it holds, as both YA books - this and Aquamarine - harbor mermaids. As well, The Red Garden, completed just yesterday, included homage to sea life.
Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlen
3.0
I found this book on a list compiled by a Librarian for fans of Downton Abbey. Since I do not watch the show, it was the description of this book as a mystery that appealed to me. Well, it is a mystery, and I did read it quickly, but only to find out the conclusion.
The writing and story telling are simply okay. I might even have opted to rate the book a 2 but since I was curious enough to stick with it, a 3 it is.
What makes it "simply okay" - writing that is uninspired and occasionally predictable. Billed on the book cover as "A treat for fans of Downton Abbey. - Deanna Raybourn" it is understandable that the story might be predictable given the likely intended audience. But that is just the problem - it felt like I was reading a book written expressly to sell to those folks who are DA fans, and made me think the author was glomming on to a craze rather than writing a book to stand on its own terms.
The writing and story telling are simply okay. I might even have opted to rate the book a 2 but since I was curious enough to stick with it, a 3 it is.
What makes it "simply okay" - writing that is uninspired and occasionally predictable. Billed on the book cover as "A treat for fans of Downton Abbey. - Deanna Raybourn" it is understandable that the story might be predictable given the likely intended audience. But that is just the problem - it felt like I was reading a book written expressly to sell to those folks who are DA fans, and made me think the author was glomming on to a craze rather than writing a book to stand on its own terms.