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Rainwater by Sandra Brown
4.0
I’ve read absolutely nothing by Sandra Brown. Absolutely. Nothing.
I know she’s a prolific writer with dozens of titles to her name, but those are the writers I usually avoid – serial authors (Patterson, Baldacci, et.al) who spew forth a book every 6 months or so. I’m more of a “one book every three years or so-author” reader – I guess I’m kind of a book snob. Not that their literary talent it less than the others, but I like following my own trends.
Under normal circumstances, I probably would not have picked up Rainwater, by Sandra Brown except, my friends over at Reading for Sanity spoke highly of it and are offering a giveaway; I have checked it out for several patrons over the past few weeks; and it looked SHORT, so that was appealing because of my continued reading funk (but I’ve finished TWO books in one week – I’m making progess!).
The great “swooshing” sound you now hear is me getting sucked into this book from page one.
Ella Barron is a working single Mom, who runs a boarding house in Gilead, Texas during the Great Depression. She is also caring for her autistic son without the knowledge that he is, in fact, autistic. Enter handsome David Rainwater, a new boarder who has come to Gilead to seek treatment for terminal cancer from a family doctor. And thus begins the romantic beginnings of this quiet, but socially responsible, novel.
Brown gives life to a period in history that forced many to endure hardships and injustices with dignity and strength. The struggle for survival during drought and economic Depression, as well as the turbulent racial tensions of the time are portrayed with historical accuracy. Her main characters ring true and have a depth and humanity that are endearing. Ella and Mr Rainwater will utterly charm and captivate you. Their qualities of honesty, morality, endurance, compassion and courage are refreshing and motivating at a time when many Americans face similar economic uncertainty. The relationship between Mr Rainwater and Solly, Ella's challenged son, is so believably tender and loving as is the relationship that develops with Solly's mother. Good versus evil is very well defined in this novel as we meet up with the despicable Conrad Ellis and his honchos. She also provides a wonderful bookend to the novel that will surprise you.
For the sensitive reader, there are a few scenes of violence both against animal and man that may cause concern. And the romantic interlude between Ella and Mr. Rainwater is more illusion than explicit. Both done with a soft and temperate hand.
This gentle, tenderhearted novel brings us back to a simpler time when love could be so powerfully displayed by the simple act of drying dishes for a partner or going out for an ice cream cone together. Thank you, Sandra, for giving us this lovely holiday gift.
I know she’s a prolific writer with dozens of titles to her name, but those are the writers I usually avoid – serial authors (Patterson, Baldacci, et.al) who spew forth a book every 6 months or so. I’m more of a “one book every three years or so-author” reader – I guess I’m kind of a book snob. Not that their literary talent it less than the others, but I like following my own trends.
Under normal circumstances, I probably would not have picked up Rainwater, by Sandra Brown except, my friends over at Reading for Sanity spoke highly of it and are offering a giveaway; I have checked it out for several patrons over the past few weeks; and it looked SHORT, so that was appealing because of my continued reading funk (but I’ve finished TWO books in one week – I’m making progess!).
The great “swooshing” sound you now hear is me getting sucked into this book from page one.
Ella Barron is a working single Mom, who runs a boarding house in Gilead, Texas during the Great Depression. She is also caring for her autistic son without the knowledge that he is, in fact, autistic. Enter handsome David Rainwater, a new boarder who has come to Gilead to seek treatment for terminal cancer from a family doctor. And thus begins the romantic beginnings of this quiet, but socially responsible, novel.
Brown gives life to a period in history that forced many to endure hardships and injustices with dignity and strength. The struggle for survival during drought and economic Depression, as well as the turbulent racial tensions of the time are portrayed with historical accuracy. Her main characters ring true and have a depth and humanity that are endearing. Ella and Mr Rainwater will utterly charm and captivate you. Their qualities of honesty, morality, endurance, compassion and courage are refreshing and motivating at a time when many Americans face similar economic uncertainty. The relationship between Mr Rainwater and Solly, Ella's challenged son, is so believably tender and loving as is the relationship that develops with Solly's mother. Good versus evil is very well defined in this novel as we meet up with the despicable Conrad Ellis and his honchos. She also provides a wonderful bookend to the novel that will surprise you.
For the sensitive reader, there are a few scenes of violence both against animal and man that may cause concern. And the romantic interlude between Ella and Mr. Rainwater is more illusion than explicit. Both done with a soft and temperate hand.
This gentle, tenderhearted novel brings us back to a simpler time when love could be so powerfully displayed by the simple act of drying dishes for a partner or going out for an ice cream cone together. Thank you, Sandra, for giving us this lovely holiday gift.
La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexander McCall Smith
4.0
http://gerberadaisydiaries.blogspot.com/2009/12/book-review-las-orchestra-saves-world.html
The cover of La’s Orchestra Saves the World absolutely enchanted me – the blue/green patina background, antique bicycle, and chicken cage – I was ready to jump on the bicycle seat and peddle off into the world of Alexander McCall Smith.
When I did, I ended up in the English countryside, with La Stone, her cottage and garden. La was probably similar to most countryside residents during WWII -- trying her best to help the war effort however best she could, whether it was planting a victory garden, helping her neighbors, or in her case, organizing an orchestra, a social activity that helped distract folks from the ongoing carnage of war and gave them some semblance of normalcy.
La’s (short for Lavender) “road” to country peasant started with the death of her philandering husband, and the sympathy of her now former in-laws, as they bequeathed their country home to her. She meets neighbors and local military men that sustain her during the war effort. One of these is Feliks, a polish refugee who has been assigned to work a neighboring farm. La develops a deep interest in Feliks as he helps a disabled farmer and volunteers to help her with her own garden.
This was a calm, bucolic, novel, in spite of the WWII setting. It was beautifully written, although, at times I thought it was an overly plain book –plain characters that on their own seemed insignificant and ordinary, but when “planted” together they were much like the potatoes they were cultivating – plain in appearance, but nutritionally necessary to the inhabitants and ultimately, to the reader.
As much as this was a novel of survival – it was also a morality tale. Many neighbors were suspicious of Feliks and his polish ancestry – was he indeed a Pole? Or was he a German spy? La finds herself in the middle of unfounded accusations, and the fallout from those actions, suspicions and assumptions prove complicated.
I thought her organizing an orchestra was the stabilizing force for so many during the war– and La was reminded of this when she wanted to “quit and go home.” People needed the memories the music evoked – those of peaceful times when you could enjoy a concert without threat of destruction.
The ending, however, took a rather awkward “turn” with nuclear disarmament, and La becoming an anti-war protester. I thought that was odd, but it did set up the final meeting of Feliks and La and a satisfying conclusion.
In the end, this was a beautiful story of survival, friendship, and hope. A perfect reminder of what we can do when we depend on and help each other.
The cover of La’s Orchestra Saves the World absolutely enchanted me – the blue/green patina background, antique bicycle, and chicken cage – I was ready to jump on the bicycle seat and peddle off into the world of Alexander McCall Smith.
When I did, I ended up in the English countryside, with La Stone, her cottage and garden. La was probably similar to most countryside residents during WWII -- trying her best to help the war effort however best she could, whether it was planting a victory garden, helping her neighbors, or in her case, organizing an orchestra, a social activity that helped distract folks from the ongoing carnage of war and gave them some semblance of normalcy.
La’s (short for Lavender) “road” to country peasant started with the death of her philandering husband, and the sympathy of her now former in-laws, as they bequeathed their country home to her. She meets neighbors and local military men that sustain her during the war effort. One of these is Feliks, a polish refugee who has been assigned to work a neighboring farm. La develops a deep interest in Feliks as he helps a disabled farmer and volunteers to help her with her own garden.
This was a calm, bucolic, novel, in spite of the WWII setting. It was beautifully written, although, at times I thought it was an overly plain book –plain characters that on their own seemed insignificant and ordinary, but when “planted” together they were much like the potatoes they were cultivating – plain in appearance, but nutritionally necessary to the inhabitants and ultimately, to the reader.
As much as this was a novel of survival – it was also a morality tale. Many neighbors were suspicious of Feliks and his polish ancestry – was he indeed a Pole? Or was he a German spy? La finds herself in the middle of unfounded accusations, and the fallout from those actions, suspicions and assumptions prove complicated.
I thought her organizing an orchestra was the stabilizing force for so many during the war– and La was reminded of this when she wanted to “quit and go home.” People needed the memories the music evoked – those of peaceful times when you could enjoy a concert without threat of destruction.
The ending, however, took a rather awkward “turn” with nuclear disarmament, and La becoming an anti-war protester. I thought that was odd, but it did set up the final meeting of Feliks and La and a satisfying conclusion.
In the end, this was a beautiful story of survival, friendship, and hope. A perfect reminder of what we can do when we depend on and help each other.
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
2.0
http://gerberadaisydiaries.blogspot.com/2010/01/book-review-wordy-shipmates.html
The correct title of this book should have been The Wordy, Convoluted, Confusing, Shipmates. I loved Sarah Vowell's previous book, The Assassination Vacation, she has a witty, sharp, writing style, but The Wordy Shipmates was all over the place.
Maybe I was at a disadvantage from my obviously inadequate public school education --but had NO idea going into this book who John Winthrop, Roger Williams, Anne Hutchinson or Mary Dyer were or anything about the Pequot Indian/Mystic Fort massacre – and whether these folks were puritans, separatists or non-separatists. I now know that Winthrop was a Puritan and the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, that Senator John Kerry from MA is a descendant, and that GWB is descendant of Anne Hutchinson. Oh, and the Mystic Massacre – yeah, it was really BAD – those righteous Puritans set fire and killed about 600-700 unarmed Indians. But other than that – I’m still not sure if I am any the wiser or less confused.
I’m disappointed I didn’t like this more, since I’m a fan of Sarah Vowell (she is from Oklahoma after all), but this book didn’t do anything for me.
My friend Heather is an adopted New Englander – I think I will mail it to her to read so she can explain Puritan history me!
The correct title of this book should have been The Wordy, Convoluted, Confusing, Shipmates. I loved Sarah Vowell's previous book, The Assassination Vacation, she has a witty, sharp, writing style, but The Wordy Shipmates was all over the place.
Maybe I was at a disadvantage from my obviously inadequate public school education --but had NO idea going into this book who John Winthrop, Roger Williams, Anne Hutchinson or Mary Dyer were or anything about the Pequot Indian/Mystic Fort massacre – and whether these folks were puritans, separatists or non-separatists. I now know that Winthrop was a Puritan and the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, that Senator John Kerry from MA is a descendant, and that GWB is descendant of Anne Hutchinson. Oh, and the Mystic Massacre – yeah, it was really BAD – those righteous Puritans set fire and killed about 600-700 unarmed Indians. But other than that – I’m still not sure if I am any the wiser or less confused.
I’m disappointed I didn’t like this more, since I’m a fan of Sarah Vowell (she is from Oklahoma after all), but this book didn’t do anything for me.
My friend Heather is an adopted New Englander – I think I will mail it to her to read so she can explain Puritan history me!
Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill by Maud Hart Lovelace
4.0
The Betsy Tacy series has had such a nostalgic effect on me, I am secretly wishing I was 9 years old again and lived at the turn of the century (the 20th century, that is).
Our Mother/Daughter book group meets Tuesday for our third meeting – and our book choice was the 3rd of the Betsy Tacy series – Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill.
I loved this one more than the other two. The first two in the series were essentially nothing more than a series of vignettes linked together. Over the Big Hill was actually a STORY about these precious friends. Betsy, Tacy and Tib have finally turned 10 – don’t you remember how monumental it was to have TWO numbers in your age? They hone their performing abilities, they try to marry themselves off to the future King of Spain, they save a friend from the bullies at school, they quarrel with their sisters and finally, they have a huge “American Royal” celebration.
I so appreciated the moral message Maud Hart Lovelace portrays in this novel – love and protect your friends, family and country – and don’t judge others. I hope my daughter picked up on these ideals! Ms. Lovelace so accurately portrays the frayed feelings little girls/sisters can get when they are at odds with each other. Although I don’t have sisters, I’ve had enough fights with girlfriends, and have now witnessed my daughter’s fallouts with her siblings, that their anxiousness was instantly recognizable and felt.
My daughter said, “I loved it! It was my favorite Bety-Tacy book. It was really funny when they fell in love with the Prince of Spain. And I liked that they all dressed up as Princesses and Queens.”
Sounds like a stamp of approval to me!
Our Mother/Daughter book group meets Tuesday for our third meeting – and our book choice was the 3rd of the Betsy Tacy series – Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill.
I loved this one more than the other two. The first two in the series were essentially nothing more than a series of vignettes linked together. Over the Big Hill was actually a STORY about these precious friends. Betsy, Tacy and Tib have finally turned 10 – don’t you remember how monumental it was to have TWO numbers in your age? They hone their performing abilities, they try to marry themselves off to the future King of Spain, they save a friend from the bullies at school, they quarrel with their sisters and finally, they have a huge “American Royal” celebration.
I so appreciated the moral message Maud Hart Lovelace portrays in this novel – love and protect your friends, family and country – and don’t judge others. I hope my daughter picked up on these ideals! Ms. Lovelace so accurately portrays the frayed feelings little girls/sisters can get when they are at odds with each other. Although I don’t have sisters, I’ve had enough fights with girlfriends, and have now witnessed my daughter’s fallouts with her siblings, that their anxiousness was instantly recognizable and felt.
My daughter said, “I loved it! It was my favorite Bety-Tacy book. It was really funny when they fell in love with the Prince of Spain. And I liked that they all dressed up as Princesses and Queens.”
Sounds like a stamp of approval to me!
Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden
4.0
Pearl has had her heart ripped out after the murder of her daughter; Sugar has had her life ripped apart by choices made for her by others. Neither knows, until Sugar moves next door to Pearl, what life has in store for them both.
In my quest to find the alternative to “The Help” I’m trying to immerse myself in African-American authors, who’s points of view lend more authenticity and credibility to the stories of African-American characters. I hit gold with Bernice L. McFadden’s, Sugar.
Set in the rural town of Bigelow Arkansas during the early 40’s-50’s, this gut wrenching novel hits you square in the jaw from the opening pages. Pearl’s daughter, Jude, has been found brutally murdered and raped on the side of the road. For the next 15 years, she lives in a vacuum left by Jude’s absence, but in the comfort of her stoic husband, Joe. Sugar, abandoned at birth to be raised by 3 sisters who operate a “whore-house,” is raised to become a commodity in the family business – a life no one should be subjected. When Sugar moves to Bigelow, the town is horrified. They ignore her, gossip about her and ultimately want her gone. Pearl takes Sugar under her wing and tries to give her a friend for the first time in her life and to recreate for herself what it would be like to have a daughter. When they both try to learn each other’s histories, they are surprised at what they find. Ultimately, Sugar’s relationship with Pearl and Joe puts her at risk with one of her “tricks”, and the results are devastating.
This novel is not for the faint of heart. It is brutal, graphic and gruesome. Life as a “whore” is ugly, filthy, and humiliating. Sugar’s life is not her own. She is nothing but a shell. But the love and friendship Pearl offers to Sugar, shows that there is a chance she can turn her life around. Ms. McFadden’s characters are multifaceted and alive, even if their circumstances show otherwise.
In the end, this novel will envelop you and break your heart, if only for the fact that I’m sure these experiences were the necessary evil for some women.
For the sensitive reader: No question, I would avoid this book.
Book source: public library
In my quest to find the alternative to “The Help” I’m trying to immerse myself in African-American authors, who’s points of view lend more authenticity and credibility to the stories of African-American characters. I hit gold with Bernice L. McFadden’s, Sugar.
Set in the rural town of Bigelow Arkansas during the early 40’s-50’s, this gut wrenching novel hits you square in the jaw from the opening pages. Pearl’s daughter, Jude, has been found brutally murdered and raped on the side of the road. For the next 15 years, she lives in a vacuum left by Jude’s absence, but in the comfort of her stoic husband, Joe. Sugar, abandoned at birth to be raised by 3 sisters who operate a “whore-house,” is raised to become a commodity in the family business – a life no one should be subjected. When Sugar moves to Bigelow, the town is horrified. They ignore her, gossip about her and ultimately want her gone. Pearl takes Sugar under her wing and tries to give her a friend for the first time in her life and to recreate for herself what it would be like to have a daughter. When they both try to learn each other’s histories, they are surprised at what they find. Ultimately, Sugar’s relationship with Pearl and Joe puts her at risk with one of her “tricks”, and the results are devastating.
This novel is not for the faint of heart. It is brutal, graphic and gruesome. Life as a “whore” is ugly, filthy, and humiliating. Sugar’s life is not her own. She is nothing but a shell. But the love and friendship Pearl offers to Sugar, shows that there is a chance she can turn her life around. Ms. McFadden’s characters are multifaceted and alive, even if their circumstances show otherwise.
In the end, this novel will envelop you and break your heart, if only for the fact that I’m sure these experiences were the necessary evil for some women.
For the sensitive reader: No question, I would avoid this book.
Book source: public library
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
3.0
http://gerberadaisydiaries.blogspot.com/2010/01/book-review-people-of-book.html
Hanna Heath, a brilliant, young, ancient document expert, has been asked by a Bosnian museum to restore an ancient Jewish prayer book, the Sarajevo Haggadah. Through her conservation efforts, Hanna finds five clues to the lost history of this priceless artifact: an animal hair, a butterfly wing, a wine stain, a saltwater stain and a missing binding. Thus begins an intricate, CSI: 15th century, narration told by the brilliant, Geraldine Brooks.
When I read this a year and a half ago I wrote the following: "Geraldine Brooks is a genius when it comes to writing historical fiction. Her fictional account of the history of the Sarajevo Haggadah (Jewish prayer book) was brilliant. However, she was not nearly as successful with the flash-forward/present day narrative. And the Hollywood/Mission Impossible ending was really disappointing. All that said...I still loved the book and all her previous novels as well. She has become my new favorite writer."
Much of my opinion stands firm. I thought her individual stories about each of these various “clues” were outstanding. In fact, each chapter could fully be explored into a book of their own. The detail and research she brought to each time period was flawless – I felt like I was living in the Venice Jewish ghetto, or being persecuted during the Spanish Inquisition. But re-reading it for the second time, took away the magic I felt the first time around. The links between each time period were cloudier than I remember and left me more confused.
Her narrator, Hanna, although a proclaimed, wunderkind, comes off unprofessional when she hooks up with the Bosnia curator after their 1st meeting. The secondary storyline about Hanna, her mother, and her unknown Jewish heritage, just didn’t work for me. Oh, and her mother – what a piece of work! As I said above, Brooks, modern day voice and story line, just wasn’t as convincing or successful. And the ending – without giving away any spoilers – was a copout.
For the sensitive reader: this book was far more graphic than I remember. If you want to know about 19th century venereal disease – this is the book for you! Also the brutality against women is very detailed.
I initially gave this book 4 stars – now, I would give it 3 or 3 ½. I still love Geraldine Brooks (I recommend both Year of Wonders and March) and will read whatever she publishes in the future.
Geraldine Brooks is a genius when it comes to writing historical fiction. Her fictional account of the history of the Sarajevo Haggadah (jewish prayer book) was brilliant. However, she was not nearly as successful with the flash-forward/present day narrative. And the Hollywood/Mission Impossible ending was really disappointing. All that said...I still loved the book and all her previous novels as well. She has become my new favorite writer.
Hanna Heath, a brilliant, young, ancient document expert, has been asked by a Bosnian museum to restore an ancient Jewish prayer book, the Sarajevo Haggadah. Through her conservation efforts, Hanna finds five clues to the lost history of this priceless artifact: an animal hair, a butterfly wing, a wine stain, a saltwater stain and a missing binding. Thus begins an intricate, CSI: 15th century, narration told by the brilliant, Geraldine Brooks.
When I read this a year and a half ago I wrote the following: "Geraldine Brooks is a genius when it comes to writing historical fiction. Her fictional account of the history of the Sarajevo Haggadah (Jewish prayer book) was brilliant. However, she was not nearly as successful with the flash-forward/present day narrative. And the Hollywood/Mission Impossible ending was really disappointing. All that said...I still loved the book and all her previous novels as well. She has become my new favorite writer."
Much of my opinion stands firm. I thought her individual stories about each of these various “clues” were outstanding. In fact, each chapter could fully be explored into a book of their own. The detail and research she brought to each time period was flawless – I felt like I was living in the Venice Jewish ghetto, or being persecuted during the Spanish Inquisition. But re-reading it for the second time, took away the magic I felt the first time around. The links between each time period were cloudier than I remember and left me more confused.
Her narrator, Hanna, although a proclaimed, wunderkind, comes off unprofessional when she hooks up with the Bosnia curator after their 1st meeting. The secondary storyline about Hanna, her mother, and her unknown Jewish heritage, just didn’t work for me. Oh, and her mother – what a piece of work! As I said above, Brooks, modern day voice and story line, just wasn’t as convincing or successful. And the ending – without giving away any spoilers – was a copout.
For the sensitive reader: this book was far more graphic than I remember. If you want to know about 19th century venereal disease – this is the book for you! Also the brutality against women is very detailed.
I initially gave this book 4 stars – now, I would give it 3 or 3 ½. I still love Geraldine Brooks (I recommend both Year of Wonders and March) and will read whatever she publishes in the future.
Geraldine Brooks is a genius when it comes to writing historical fiction. Her fictional account of the history of the Sarajevo Haggadah (jewish prayer book) was brilliant. However, she was not nearly as successful with the flash-forward/present day narrative. And the Hollywood/Mission Impossible ending was really disappointing. All that said...I still loved the book and all her previous novels as well. She has become my new favorite writer.
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
4.0
http://gerberadaisydiaries.blogspot.com/2009/09/book-review-lost-symbol.html
The first thing you will do after finishing The Lost Symbol, is start making your summer vacation plans to Washington DC. Or, in the case of our family, Spring Break! (Seriously, there is a web site to help plan your trip: http://washington.org/visiting/experience-dc/the-lost-symbol).
Dan Brown has once again turned history, legend, symbols, mystery, art, and religion, into an engrossing, pulse-quickening, “can’t put the book down,” best-seller.
Robert Langdon has been summoned by long time mentor, Peter Solomon, to DC as a substitute key note speaker for a gala benefiting the Smithsonian Institution. Once he arrives, it is immediately evident that there is no gala, no key note speech and no Peter Solomon. Well, that’s not entirely true, because a part of Peter Solomon is found, in the middle of the Capitol Rotunda. And thus begins the 24 hour race against a maniacal, tattooed, eunuch (who makes the Albino in The DaVinci Code, look like an altar boy), who is determined to bring down the United States Government.
This story line was a lot more confusing than his previous novel and a lot less WOW compared to The DaVinci Code (how can you top Jesus being married to Mary Magdalene for WOW factor?). I had a hard time keeping track of the Masons, their symbols and rites. But I am biased towards anything set in DC – my home for 5 years and where my husband and I got married. I loved racing through DC with the characters, even when they were in danger – The Capitol, The Library of Congress, The Folger Library, Union Station – I know them all intimately. Even some of the private, “off-limit” places – heck, I was in the basement of the Capitol in a “hideaway” office in January for the Inauguration! So this book hit home.
Symbol is not without a significant layer of evil – Mal’akh – the tattooed, eunuch – he is one freaky, wicked, dude. But his relevance to the story line was one of those, “No way!” moments at the end of the book. Gotta like being stunned (or I was, maybe he was obvious to others). However, I was surprised how much religious doctrine was incorporated into this book that I agreed with: Humans as divine (yep!), group prayers and fasting having positive effects (yep!). Maybe the missionaries need to visit Dan Brown’s house!
The Lost Symbol is exactly what it is marketed to be – an exhilarating, albeit, formulaic, sequel to Angels and Demons and The DaVinci Code. But if he were to write another one, I’d read it too.
The first thing you will do after finishing The Lost Symbol, is start making your summer vacation plans to Washington DC. Or, in the case of our family, Spring Break! (Seriously, there is a web site to help plan your trip: http://washington.org/visiting/experience-dc/the-lost-symbol).
Dan Brown has once again turned history, legend, symbols, mystery, art, and religion, into an engrossing, pulse-quickening, “can’t put the book down,” best-seller.
Robert Langdon has been summoned by long time mentor, Peter Solomon, to DC as a substitute key note speaker for a gala benefiting the Smithsonian Institution. Once he arrives, it is immediately evident that there is no gala, no key note speech and no Peter Solomon. Well, that’s not entirely true, because a part of Peter Solomon is found, in the middle of the Capitol Rotunda. And thus begins the 24 hour race against a maniacal, tattooed, eunuch (who makes the Albino in The DaVinci Code, look like an altar boy), who is determined to bring down the United States Government.
This story line was a lot more confusing than his previous novel and a lot less WOW compared to The DaVinci Code (how can you top Jesus being married to Mary Magdalene for WOW factor?). I had a hard time keeping track of the Masons, their symbols and rites. But I am biased towards anything set in DC – my home for 5 years and where my husband and I got married. I loved racing through DC with the characters, even when they were in danger – The Capitol, The Library of Congress, The Folger Library, Union Station – I know them all intimately. Even some of the private, “off-limit” places – heck, I was in the basement of the Capitol in a “hideaway” office in January for the Inauguration! So this book hit home.
Symbol is not without a significant layer of evil – Mal’akh – the tattooed, eunuch – he is one freaky, wicked, dude. But his relevance to the story line was one of those, “No way!” moments at the end of the book. Gotta like being stunned (or I was, maybe he was obvious to others). However, I was surprised how much religious doctrine was incorporated into this book that I agreed with: Humans as divine (yep!), group prayers and fasting having positive effects (yep!). Maybe the missionaries need to visit Dan Brown’s house!
The Lost Symbol is exactly what it is marketed to be – an exhilarating, albeit, formulaic, sequel to Angels and Demons and The DaVinci Code. But if he were to write another one, I’d read it too.
Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown by Maud Hart Lovelace
4.0
Once again, Betsy and Tacy exceeded expectations!
In what I would call the final installment of the “childhood” portion of this series, “Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown” – the girls are now 12 years old and, according to them, “all grown up.”
Their escapades continue – riding in a horseless carriage (a car!), beguiling their new friend, Winona, going to the theatre, befriending an unexpected companion, acting on stage and discovering a long, lost relative!
So many things to adore in this book! For those who love the theatre (a paramount requirement in our family!) there are several chapters on that theme. Do you enjoy Christmas traditions? A chapter on that. A love of the library and all things literary? Betsy is euphoric when she is allowed to go the library ALONE every other Saturday. She also blossoms into a poet and writer. The relationship between Mrs. Poppy and Betsy is one of particular importance. It shows how mercy and compassion can transcend the difference between age, cultural upbringing and social status. A sweet, sweet book. If you read only one Betsy book this is the one to read.
My daughter’s favorite part: “…acting on stage! I want to do that when I grow up!” She is a closet theatre geek – she’s been going to theatre since she was 4. Her first musical, Annie. I hope she will audition some day!
Our mother/daughter book group meets tomorrow night for our discussion. This is the final Betsy Tacy book for us. We will be picking a new series/author/theme for March.
Any good ideas/recommendations?? And something short? March is Spring Break!
In what I would call the final installment of the “childhood” portion of this series, “Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown” – the girls are now 12 years old and, according to them, “all grown up.”
Their escapades continue – riding in a horseless carriage (a car!), beguiling their new friend, Winona, going to the theatre, befriending an unexpected companion, acting on stage and discovering a long, lost relative!
So many things to adore in this book! For those who love the theatre (a paramount requirement in our family!) there are several chapters on that theme. Do you enjoy Christmas traditions? A chapter on that. A love of the library and all things literary? Betsy is euphoric when she is allowed to go the library ALONE every other Saturday. She also blossoms into a poet and writer. The relationship between Mrs. Poppy and Betsy is one of particular importance. It shows how mercy and compassion can transcend the difference between age, cultural upbringing and social status. A sweet, sweet book. If you read only one Betsy book this is the one to read.
My daughter’s favorite part: “…acting on stage! I want to do that when I grow up!” She is a closet theatre geek – she’s been going to theatre since she was 4. Her first musical, Annie. I hope she will audition some day!
Our mother/daughter book group meets tomorrow night for our discussion. This is the final Betsy Tacy book for us. We will be picking a new series/author/theme for March.
Any good ideas/recommendations?? And something short? March is Spring Break!
Skin and Other Stories by Roald Dahl
3.0
Snakes nursing from cows, husbands whacked by legs of lamb, diamonds found in intestines – you’ll find all of this and more macabre writing in Roald Dahl’s short story collection, Skin and other stories. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book – but it was much more entertaining, in a creepy kind of way, than I thought it would be. I must admit, I skimmed several of the stories, due to my overwhelming work load at the moment. However, his writing left you wanting more of the story and less at the same time. It also proved to be a wonderful book discussion!! I thought, “There is nothing in this book to talk about…” boy was I wrong! I’m not a short story reader, but this format is something I plan on reading again.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
4.0
My earliest memories include twirling around in my front yard in a blue floral dress with a tutu-like skirt. Jeannette Walls’ first memories are of being engulfed in flames at the age of 3, after her tutu catches fire while she is cooking hot dogs (unsupervised) on the stove. Oh how different our lives were.
Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle is a mind-blowing look at her parents, siblings and childhood. Rex and Rose Mary Walls are not your typical parents – they are essentially gypsies, living out of their car and various rental homes in multiple cities as they avoid whatever demons – or most likely, police – are chasing them. Rex is brilliant, but an alcoholic, Rose Mary, is a woman with amazing talent, but can’t overcome her depression battles. Jeannette and her siblings are left to parent themselves – in the desert, on the streets, in homes meant to be condemned. They are often without food, clothing and shelter – living under rubber rafts to keep themselves dry from leaks in the ceiling and eating sticks of margarine in order to survive. Somehow Jeannette and her siblings endure childhood and a rag-tag education to become functioning and successful adults.
Reading this book was like watching a car wreck – so morbid, you need to look away, but ultimately you find yourself staring (or in this case reading) at the dreadfulness of it all. I was amazed at the survival instincts of these siblings – and what made them so different than others who, in similar circumstances, don’t break free from the cycle of poverty, alcoholism and abuse. I was also impressed that this wasn’t a “Mommy Dearest” tell-all. Ms. Walls accepts her parents for who they were – she does not point fingers or assign blame – but a looks at their struggles, addictions and circumstances. Although highly dysfunctional, this was a family who, in their own way, genuinely loved each other.
For the sensitive reader: This book contains some language and sexual situations.
Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle is a mind-blowing look at her parents, siblings and childhood. Rex and Rose Mary Walls are not your typical parents – they are essentially gypsies, living out of their car and various rental homes in multiple cities as they avoid whatever demons – or most likely, police – are chasing them. Rex is brilliant, but an alcoholic, Rose Mary, is a woman with amazing talent, but can’t overcome her depression battles. Jeannette and her siblings are left to parent themselves – in the desert, on the streets, in homes meant to be condemned. They are often without food, clothing and shelter – living under rubber rafts to keep themselves dry from leaks in the ceiling and eating sticks of margarine in order to survive. Somehow Jeannette and her siblings endure childhood and a rag-tag education to become functioning and successful adults.
Reading this book was like watching a car wreck – so morbid, you need to look away, but ultimately you find yourself staring (or in this case reading) at the dreadfulness of it all. I was amazed at the survival instincts of these siblings – and what made them so different than others who, in similar circumstances, don’t break free from the cycle of poverty, alcoholism and abuse. I was also impressed that this wasn’t a “Mommy Dearest” tell-all. Ms. Walls accepts her parents for who they were – she does not point fingers or assign blame – but a looks at their struggles, addictions and circumstances. Although highly dysfunctional, this was a family who, in their own way, genuinely loved each other.
For the sensitive reader: This book contains some language and sexual situations.