LIVE BY NIGHT OR IS IT THE GODFATHER? (10/02/2012)

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Dennis Lehane has a new novel...maybe not so new in subject matter but a colorful, complex Prohibition era chronicle. It's the second part of a trilogy, the first being THE GIVEN DAY. 

A blog reader, BF who is a Lehane fan raved about LIVE BY NIGHT. (Can a Lehane fan be objective?)

BF said it reminded him of the Godfather, but so what...It's a sprawling saga about a petty crook, Joe Coghlin, the son of the Assistant Chief Superintendent of the Boston Police Department. LIVE BY NIGHT picks up where The Given Day left off but the book soon leaves Boston..and BF won't reveal anymore.

The book is a departure for Lehane. It has all the elements of a good mystery but BF said it's more of an exciting, magnetic epic as opposed to a mystery.  

If you liked the Coghlin family in The Given Day, the focus on Joe Coghlin during Prohibition will keep you rivited. Film rights have already been sold...another bestseller and box office sucess, for Dennis Lehane.

WHO IS THIS AUTHOR?

Dennis Lehane has written several award winning novels including Mystic River which was made into an Academy Award winning film. Another novel, Gone Baby Gone, was also adapted into an Academy Award nominated film.

Lehane was born and raised in Dorchester, MA and continues to live in the Boston area. He teaches fiction writing at two Boston colleges. 

Little Known Fact:

Lehane appears occasionally as himself on the ABC comedy/drama TV series Castle.   

EVERYTHING BOOKISH AND A SEARCH BOX TOO! (10/01/2012)

On the sidebar I now have categories rather than an endless list of the 200 plus books reviewed on this blog. It's not perfect, but you should be able to find what you want in EVERYTHING BOOKISH on the sidebar or.......just use the new SEARCH BOX!!
Yes, an actual SEARCH BOX at the top of the page.. so everything on the blog is a clickety click away.

Check out the sidebar for these spiffy new additions.

Do you like this change? Do you care? Did you even notice??

Let me know...

ANOTHER HOT NEW ONE (09/27/2012)

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I'm usually not a fan of Louise Erdrich, but her novel titled THE ROUND HOUSE (debuting October 2nd) is a devastating tale of a hate crime and the ramifications that follow. It sounds more than intriguing...

Reviewers have compared it to To Kill A Mockingbird and have called it "moving, complex, and surprisingly uplifting."

Without revealing much, a woman living on an Indian
reservation in North Dakota is attacked. Totally traumatized, she refuses to reveal the circumstances. Her son takes it upon himself to find answers and is thrust into an unfamiliar world.

Reviewers are calling THE ROUND HOUSE  a "brilliant and entertaining novel about injustice..."

Sound Familar?  Injustice and hate crimes..happening everyday in our world.


WHO IS THIS AUTHOR?

Louise Erdrich lives in Minnesota and owns an independent book store. She was a finalist for the Pulitzer and the National Book Awards and is the author of thirteen novels, children's books, and a memoir of early motherhood. Her most recent novel, THE PLAGUE OF DOVES was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

FRIVOLOUS OR FABULOUS. (09/27/2012)

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There's so much hype about new books debuting this Fall. Soon there will be hype about books debuting this December..and so it goes in the book world...Hype and more hype. I need a break..So here's a suggestion for a quiet read, released with no fanfare and a recipient of decent reviews.

A blog reader highly recommended TIGERS IN RED WEATHER by Liza Klaussmann. It's classified as a mystery, but it's much more. The time is 1946 to 1964 and the story is told from five points of view.

Basically TIGERS IN RED WEATHER focuses on the lives of two women, both slightly dysfunctional..and there are secrets! The characters are complex and the storyline provocative. The reader is snapped back in time.

TIGERS IN RED WEATHER reminded me of a Great Gatsby kind of read. If you like  drinking, boating, historical settings, and lives of the rich and famous...this book is for you. And yes, it's well written and has a great storyline. Frivolous Read or Book Group Worthy? It hovers between the two...



                                 Who Is This Author? 

This is a first novel for Liza Klaussmann. She worked for the New York Times as a jounalist for over a decade. Klaussmann lives in London where she recently completed with distinction an MA in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway.

She is the great-great-great granddaughter of Herman Melville.

A SAD CHAPTER

Alan Bressler reviews books on this blog. We kayaked on Monday and he died on Thursday. I am totally shocked and saddened.

Many of you do not know him, but I wanted to acknowledge the wonderful legacy he left. He was a a philanthropist, a devoted family man, an innovative businessman and a booklover.

He gave so much to his community, to the music world and to
those in need...but most of all he was my friend... on the water and off...I'll miss you, Alan.


THe following books were reviewed by Alan Bressler:
In One Person by John Irving
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

FINALLY... THE CASUAL VACANCY (09/24/2012)

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I'm not a Harry Potter fan.. Yes, I know I'm in the minority. But now J.K. Rowling has come out with an adult novel titled The Casual Vacancy. It's 510 pages of storytelling...Everyone is very tight-lipped about the plot details.

Thursday September 27th is the big release day. The worst that can happen is she'll disappoint her fans..but she'll still make millions and can rest on her Harry Potter laurels.

What's it about, you ask?  A little town in England is left in shock when the town councilman ups and dies. The town is a Peyton Place on steroids and all hell breaks lose. There's corruption, duplicity, passion and well seasoned prose. It sounds like a black comedy but I can't tell anymore..sworn to secrecy.... 

Stay tuned for more at a later date.


10/04/12   Casual Vacancy Update

I have read about 75 pages and am still not hooked...Very slow moving...I think the reason they were so secretive about the plot is that it's a big bore! Please get better.....

WOULD YOU CALL IT AN AFFAIR? (09/19/2012)

I'm having a long term relationship with my Kindle.. I even use the Kindle App on my Ipad. I have no complaints and I'll be faithful until something better comes along.

The following Wall Street Journal article was sent to me by my son. He thought I would appreciate it...I do, but can't relate at all.

See what you think!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443324404577593661495361578.html

REMINDER:
All books on this blog can be bought in any form directly from the Amazon Search Box located in the Sidebar.

I PROBABLY WON'T READ THIS BUT YOU SHOULD (09/18/2012)

I've read the majority of books on this blog and I have a coterie of blog readers and reviewers who have read the rest. Although the following books are appealing, I know I personally won't get to them for awhile and at 600 pages my reviewers might pause as well..

So it's up to you...

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THE MALICE OF FORTUNE by Michael Ennis

If you're a history buff, The Malice of Fortune is a hefty novel about the politics of 16th century Italy and reviewers said "it reads like a mystery." A cast of characters that includes Leonardo Da Vinci, Niccolo Machiavelli and so many more contribute to this novel of Renaissance intrigue.

Machiavelli and Da Vinci come together to unmask a serial killer and in their quest, they enter a world of "supersticion and erotic obsession."

Michael Ennis is a history professor and the author of two historical novels.

To Order Click on Amazon Search Box

JOSEPH ANTON: A MEMOIR by Salman Rushdie

I watched an interview with Salman Rushdie this morning. He's sexy, provocative and honest and his memoir sounds equally compelling. It's over 600 pages of great storytelling mixed with the grim realities of living a life in hiding for nine years.

Reviewers call the book "exceptionally frank and of vital importance."

An interesting note is that Joseph Anton was his alias used by the police and guards. Rushdie chose the name of two authors he loved, Conrad and Chekhov.

Many reviewers have said this reads likes a novel. I'm looking forward to it....but 600 pages?....

I'M READY FOR A "SUSAN ISAACS" (09/15/2012)



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You ask, what's a "Susan Isaacs"? It's like a good martini..you take the first sip and can't wait to take another! You feel happy afterwards and smirk in between....



I hate everything I've been reading. (That's a bit of an exageration, not everything). However, lately I have books I've abandoned mid stream, some I'm plodding through, and some I hope will improve.  

Anyway, a Susan Isaacs book always makes me smile. This new novel may not be the answer to my angst, but it's usually a mood changer.

Isaacs previous novels include Compromising Positions, Close Relations, As Husbands Go and many more. She's a prizewinner and chairperson of the board of Poets and Writers. Her new book titled Goldberg Variations is getting great advance reviews. (October 2nd is the due date.)

WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

A reviewer said "Imagine King Lear as a comedy..."  

 A nasty tycoon wants to bequeath her wealth to her grandchildren, one who she barely knows. Why do they reject her "kingdom?" 

Goldberg Variations by Susan Isaacs  is a surprising novel. Another witty and deeply moving story of family, love and dysfunction.  A great combo, just what I'm in the mood for...

Stay tuned for more reviews and comments.

THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE (09/13/12)

If an author wants to become wealthy fast, winning the Man Booker Prize will do it. Of course it's not all about money.. this award is for the best contemporary fiction of the year, a coveted prize. 

First there is the Longlist announcement in July, then the Shortlist in September, and finally the winner in October.

Here's the 2012 Shortlist and a very brief description:

• Umbrella by Will Self    (A dark story of WW1)
• Narcopolis by Jeet Thayil    (A poetic journey into Bombay)
• Swimming Home by Deborah Levy  (Click on the title listed in the Book Index on the Sidebar.)
• The Garden of Evening Mists by T. T. Eng   (A magic, misty read)
• The Lighthouse by Alison Moore  (Reads like a very dark comedy)
•  Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel (More Cromwell or click on the title in the Book Index on the Sidebar.)

My bet is on Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel ( again..). What about you?
(If I'm wrong I can always delete this....I have no shame.)

 

NEED A QUICK FIX? (09/12/12)

Looking for memorable characters and a good plot? Want something you can sink your teeth into..(other than cake)...If you can wait until September 17, this is it....

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A book debuting this month is creating a lot of hype.  Do you believe everything you read? In this case, I do...Here's the latest rant.

T. C. Boyle's new book titled San Miguel is a historical novel about two families living on a desolate California island.  Set in 1888 and 1930 three women start new lives and pursue their dreams. It's perilous and pleasurable at the same time, a mix of great characters and dramatic details. 

What do reviewers say?
"A richly, rewarding saga..extraordinary story full of hope and struggle... haunting new novel"

Read more about T. C. Boyle at: http://www.tcboyle.com
(The website is full of great info about the author. Check it out.)



                                          

WHAT'S UP WITH NW? (09/10/12)

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I just started NW by Zadie Smith and I'm not convinced I'm going to like it. The prose is unconventional and sentences are sometimes incomplete. The dialogue has no quotation marks and one passage is written in free-form poetry. There's a reason for all this, the author says and I certainly hope so.

The two main characters, Leah and Natalie are childhood friends who grew up in northwest London, a multi-racial working class neighborhood. Reviewers called NW "a portrayal of thirty-somethings and an exploration of money, morals, class and authenticity."

The narrative meanders in time and space through decades of Natalie and Leah's friendship. Hopefully it will all make some sense in the end. I enjoyed WHITE TEETH and ON BEAUTY by Zadie Smith and am wondering if NW will live up to her previous successes. Keep tuned...... 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Zadie Smith was born in Northwest (NW) London. She has published four novels, short stories and magazine articles and is currently a tenured professor of English at New York University.

For more information on Zadie Smith check out this website; 
http://literature.britishcouncil.org/zadie-smith

OLD BUT STLL GOOD (09/08/12)

Often a blog reader recommends a book they have really enjoyed. BG of West Hartford recently suggested PLAINSONG by Kent Haruf.

Written in 2000, it was a finalist for the National Book Award. I read PLAINSONG many years ago and recall it being a powerful, character-driven novel. (Really?..I can barely remember what I read last week!!)

BG writes:

I have just completed reading a jewel of a book, PLAINSONG by Kent Haruf. The story is simple; the setting is the Denver plains; the character's are perfectly drawn, humane and vulnerable. There is love, generosity, pain and resolution--- a very satisfying read!


PLAINSONG by Kent Haruf is available on Amazon in paperback or e-book.







NOT SO OLD...BUT GOOD

Another blog reader, FL from Ohio enthusiastically recommended IN THE KINGDOM OF MEN by Kim Barnes. Released in May, this historical novel is an untraditional mystery taking place in Saudi Arabia. Reviewers have called this novel "an ambitious combination of sexism, racism, clash culture and loss." 

Kim Barnes is an award winning author. Her last book In the Wilderness was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

To Order Click on Amazon Search Box

                                                        

HOT OFF THE PRESS (09/06/12)

Lots of new releases debuting in the next few weeks. Everything from J. K. Rowling, Ken Follett, Mitch Albom, Dennis Lehane, Zadie Smith, John Grisham and many more. For actual release dates, check Look What's Trending on the Navigation Bar at the top of this page. Be sure to watch for upcoming reviews.

Remember you can buy anything from Amazon directly from this blog. The Amazon Search Box is located on the Sidebar.

WHO WANTS TO BE GOOD! (09/04/12)

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I'm reposting the review of BE GOOD by Randy Cohen. My non-fiction reviewer, Gary S. spent an hour on the phone with Randy and you'll see the conversation below....but first a little intro.    

Randy Cohen is the original New York Times Magazine's "The Ethicist." He's witty and engaging on paper and in person. For twelve years I've looked forward to his weekly column and now he's written a book.

It's equally amusing and you'll find it on bookshelves and in Ebooks now.  BE GOOD is a Q and A format with line illustrations. It will guide and help readers respond when faced with everyday problems....like sex, religion, technology, and other moral and immoral challenges.....like sex, affairs, technology, deceit etc....

Randy Cohen always had an answer for everything. And yes, as a long time writer on the David Letterman Show, he invented the Top Ten List. He is also an author and playwright. His column, "The Ethicist" appeared in the NY Times Magazine from 1999 to 2011. He is the author of several books and plays and is the host of the public radio show Person Place Thing.

EXCERPTS FROM A CONVERSATION WITH RANDY COHEN AND 
GARY S.

Were you always ethically inclined, or did you evolve into an ethical expert?

It was definitely the latter. The column originated in house at the New York Times and Randy actually had to audition for 'The Ethicist'. There were about 10-12 people who were asked to audition in 1999.


Was there anyone in your life or childhood that made an impact on your career or who you are today?

"Yes!"
Randy credits his mother, Irma as being the funniest person in his family. Irma rarely disagreed with anything Randy said...and she even had a nickname 'ICY' (pronounced ice-ey). Randy was born in Charlestown SC and the family eventually moved to Reading PA.


What was it like writing for the David Letterman show?

"It was unbelievable!"

The job was an amazing experience in that his work was valued, everyone was treated with respect and he greatly admired the work of his colleagues. Most of all it was a lot of fun! I expected to hear there were writers sitting around a table, but Randy says it was more spontaneous with creative meetings and last minute segments. Everyone was asked to contribute to the Top Ten List with Dave picking the ones he liked best.

Do you see yourself returning to writing comedy?

"Yes"
Randy loves writing comedy and would definitely do it again, although he prefers his independence these days. A few years ago he wrote a play called the "Punishing Blow" about a British boxer named Daniel Mendoza. Randy has a new play that is currently in  development. The story is about "what happens in love and work" and we hope to hear more soon.


I was a little dissappointed to hear that many readers of 'The Ethicist' would make a game out of it and read the questions out loud at the family table. I thought my family invented that game! What other feedback did you get from writing the column?

As it turns out, Randy attempted to capitalize on this phenomenon by creating a board game that families could play at home. The idea was pitched to Milton Bradley and there was a lot of interest in moving it forward, but the company ultimately chose not to proceed. There could be a market with online gaming, so that is still a possibility.


Since politics and government policy ultimately have a lot to do with what's right and fair, have you ever considered writing commentary or op-Ed opinion?

"Yes. I've considered it and done it"

Randy wrote a weekly article for the online edition of the New York Times called 'The Moral Of the Story'. He took regular news and spun it through an ethical filter.

(At this point Gary S. handed me the phone and I took over with a very important question...really important... )

I know you're single...Would you consider doing a Jewish Mother a favor and  let me introduce you to my wonderful daughter? (Just kidding...not really!)

To be continued...I'm not one to give up..(I hope my daughter isn't reading this!!)

TAKE A DEEP BREATH (09/04/12)




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We all experience anxiety...some more than others. This book was recommended to me by my daughter.. I guess she thinks I'm an anxious person...like she's not?..... whatever...Moving on..

MONKEY MIND by Daniel Smith is a memoir of living with severe anxiety, an illness that paralyzed his life for years. 

In an NPR interview the author said that it was imperative that his approach to anxiety be comic and in MONKEY MIND he accomplishes that feat. Smith states "Anxiety is the only funny mental illness in existence. You can't joke about depression or schizophrenia, but anxiety is so absurd that it lends itself to humor."

MONKEY MIND is a brave and insightful book.  It's brutally honest, painfully funny and promotes an accurate understanding of chronic anxiety.

By the way, I love my daughter...I check her Facebook Page, her Website, Linkedin, Pinterest, IM......ok...I'm the anxious one!

WHO IS DANIEL SMITH?

Daniel Smith began his career as a staff editor of the Atlantic Monthly. He has published articles, essays and reviews for many magazines and newspapers.

He is the author of two books: Muses, Madmen, and Prophets and Monkey Mind:A Memoir of Anxiety. Smith holds an endowed chair in English at The College of New Rochelle.

TELEGRAPH AVENUE. (08/28/12)

Get ready for a new best seller...a must read book....a NY Times Number One...Really?  Let's hope.....



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TELEGRAPH AVENUE by Michael Chabon will be released early September. This Pulitzer Prizewinning author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and other noteworthy novels has written "an intimate epic." 

A blog reader called this "a saga and a cross-cultural tale of suspense and humor." I'm sure it's debut will be a huge literary event. Hopefully Chabon will live up to his reputation.

TELEGRAPH HILL is a story of two long time friends who own a small record company about to be swallowed up by a megastore. Their wives are involved in an unusual battle of their own and many quirky characters mingle in a complex and exciting mix.

Without revealing too much, this  blog reader thought TELEGRAPH AVENUE was Michael Chabon's best book ever. We shall see....

Michael Chabon

m

BOOK GROUP NEWS (08/26/2012)



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BG of West Hartford, CT. is an avid reader. She leads my summer book group and is also actively involved in a Connecticut book group. Her comments are always right on target.
See below:


"Our West Hartford book club discussed the sequel to Hillary Mantel's WOLF HALL, BRINGING UP THE BODIES.  It is historical fiction with the emphasis on the latter.  

Ms Mantel takes much license describing the many characters whose conversations are both fascinating and believable, despite the fact that there is not a lot of  hard historical facts for the fascinating interchanges between them.  Lord Cromwell's dexterity  in both destroying  Anne Bolyn's credibility as a faithful queen and at the same time cleverly guiding the men in the court to betray themselves is skillfully devious..  

Although the reader knows the ending, Mantel's prose and imagery is well worth the commitment to reading about this rich period of English history."


Check out the BOOK INDEX on the sidebar to access an earlier post on BRINGING UP THE BODIES.

Share what your book group is reading. Leave a comment, send an email, tweet ..you know what to do!

THE MAP OF LOST MEMORIES (08/ 24/12)




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This title sounds like my general state of mind..

THE MAP OF LOST MEMORIES by Kim Fay is an historical/adventure fiction with a mix of great characters, drama, and personal discovery. Set in 1925, this is a sophisticated adventure that takes place in Shanghai and Cambodia.

The author draws the reader into an exotic universe as the search for lost treasure in Cambodia becomes an exciting tale of a female curator venturing into a man's world. Everyone in this part of the world has something to hide and she and her companions make startling discoveries.

The blog reader who recommended THE MAP OF LOST MEMORIES said "This is a book about the characters as well as an adventure. Tense and exciting until the very end."

If you're looking for adventure where suspense and secrets collide, THE MAP OF LOST MEMORIES is for you.


WHO IS THIS AUTHOR?

Kim Fay is a former independent bookseller and winner of the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards' Best Asian Cuisine Book in the US. She is also the creator of the To Asia With Love guidebook series.

Born in Seattle, Fay lived in Vietnam for many years and still travels to Southeast Asia frequently.

LET THE BUYER BEWARE (08/20/12)

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Ken Perenyi admits he is a liar and a cheat and his new memoir, CAVEAT EMPTOR: The Secret Life of an American Art Forger is an exciting  and entertaining romp.

A graduate of a New Jersey Technical school and a draft dodger, he fell in with a band of artistic New Yorkers and started imitating old masters. He quickly earned the reputation as a talented art forger. His forgeries fooled art houses like Christies, Sotheby's and many experts all over the world....and so it goes.

It's hard not to like this entertaining memoir and its many facets. Perenyi writes in detail how he pulled it off and became "America's first and only great art forger." (He probably should get some credit for his unusual talent as an artist)

Fast paced and on the wild side, CAVEAT EMPTOR gives an inside view of an  uneducated artist who was able to fool the art world for decades. He may sound glib at times, but Perenyi gives the reader a fascinating peek into his dubious career and especially those that looked the other way.

There are 32 pages of color illustrations and photographs..a definite plus. 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ken Perenyi was born in 1949 in Hoboken, New Jersey and is a self-taught artist. Having discovered an ability to imitate the Masters he became a professional art forger. This career lasted thirty years.

Today he operates his own studio in Madeira Beach, Florida. His website is www.kenperenyi.com

BOOK ALERT (08/18/2012)

Recently I read a review written by BA, a friend on the Goodreads Site. Her comments about GOLD by Chris Cleave got my attention as I had reviewed GOLD several weeks ago.  (Click on the Book Index to locate my review.)

Here's  BA'S take on GOLD by Chris CLeave 

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"This book quite literally explodes with metaphor, narrative, and fascinating, technical information. There isn't a reason in the world not to read this, unless you are (a) have ever been a parent; or (b) you are currently under the care of a cardiologist .

What the hell. Take a chance. Push yourself. Read it"

Enough said....

JUST HEARSAY (08/17/2012)

On the beach, in a kayak, between tennis points.... everyone I know talks books or just likes to talk.....so here's the latest "hearsay"....

THE CHAPERONE by Laura Moriarty

As I paddled by SE in my kayak yesterday, she remarked "Similar to Rules of Civility by Amor Towles." This comment got my attention! 

SE was referring to THE CHAPERONE by Laura Moriarty....(Books are always a topic of discussion when we kayak, along with everything else...thus the name of our group, Kay-Yakkers )

THE CHAPERONE is the story of two women and how the relationship changed their lives. It's historically detailed and takes place in 1922.... A film star and her chaperone and a "journey of discovery"...... 

"So far, so good" SE said...(Referring to The Chaperone, not the kayaking..Kayaking always gets good reviews.)

IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN by Vaddey Ratner

"This reads like a novel but is actually a memoir"

CC said between points on the tennis court.

It tells the vivid story of a Cambodian girl (the author) and her struggle to survive during a reign of terror.  A difficult novel to read, but this moving, historical tale fortunately leaves the reader with a message of hope..."Not for the faint of heart, but I loved it" CC said before smashing the ball into the net!

The New York Times Book Review section gave IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN a favorable review on 08/13/12. To order both books, click on the Amazon Search Box.

REAR WINDOW REVISITED (08/14/2012)

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If you can wait until September 4th, TRUST YOUR EYES by Linwood Barclay will debut..and I'm told it's worth the wait.

A "contemporary Rear Window," Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay would make Alfred Hitchcock proud. 

The story revolves around a  house-bound map-obsessed schizophrenic who sees the world through a computer program. He's memorized every street in the entire country. One day he spots a murder taking place on one of his "street shots" (similar to Google Earth) and from that event a riviting tale unfolds.

This is a pretty impressive thriller according to a blog reader...who doesn't impress easily. The characters are unique and what follows is a complex conspiracy that starts with a vision from a window and leads to a gripping and convoluted thriller that is sometimes humorous and always suspenseful. 

Reviewers have called this "Barclay's best book to date, almost impossible to put down."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linwood Barclay is a Canadian-American author and former columnist. He is a writer of fiction and non-fiction and is the bestselling author of nine mystery novels, one which was optioned for film. He resides near Toronto.

OVER BOOKED (08/11/2012)

         OVER BOOKED OR BOOK INDEX


There are over 150 books mentioned on this blog...some with good comments and some with not so good comments. Every title is listed alphabetically in the BOOK INDEX on the sidebar (No easy feat)...or click on Fiction or Non-Fiction in the Book Index and magically titles will also appear along with blog comments.

TO SIMPLIFY...Click on the Book Index..you'll find what you want.

(Thankyou New Yorker Magazine for the above illustration)

BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES REVIVED (08/09/2012)



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A friend and blog reader, FLM belongs to a book group in Florida. One of the books on her list for winter discussion is THE BARBARIAN NURSERIES by Hector Tobar. Her facilitator labeled this book as an homage to Tom Wolfe, T C Boyle and Charles Dickens. (What a combo!)

THE BARBARIAN NURSERIES was selected as a New York Times Notable Book in 2011 and is a panoramic social novel of Los Angeles..a west coast Bonfire of the Vanities, if you will.

This is a tale about conspicuously consuming Americans and their servants. A Mexican servant becomes responsible for two little boys whose parents become unreachable. She begins a journey through the sprawling city in search of their paternal grandfather.

The well-intentioned  trip creates cultural misunderstandings and miscommunication. Reviewers called this a "dark, poignant and hilarious tale" of a family maid in Southern California (get it?) who tries to keep everything together as a marriage disintegrates.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hector Tobar is a  Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, successful novelist and a native of Los Angeles. He's quoted as saying "I write a weekly column for the LA Times, my hometown newspaper. My father used to deliver it"

IT'S A MAN'S WORLD (08/06/2012)

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Jonathan Tropper is a best selling author and a favorite of mine. This week he will be debuting a new novel titled ONE LAST THING BEFORE I GO, an intriguing novel about men, "their lust, rage and sweetness."

Tropper has created a middle aged, kind of a lost soul character who readers will love.  Drew Silver has made a lot of mistakes in life so when he's told he requires life threatening surgery, he refuses, choosing instead to repair his relationships, become a better person and live in the moment.

Reviewers have said that "Tropper gets men and entertainingly examines the angst of middle-age masculinity." This book actually gives an inciteful peek into family life and Tropper has the ability to express it with humor and pathos combined.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jonathan Tropper has written five successful best selling novels. His most recent is THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU. He is a screenwriter and the co-creator and executive producer of the HBO/Cinemax television show Banshee, premiering in 2013.

SWIMMING HOME... A HEAD'S UP (08/02/2012)

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A friend of mine on Goodreads included SWIMMING HOME by Deborah Levy on his "to be read" list. I'm familiar with this author..she writes fiction and plays and her books receive excellent reviews. I haven't read SWIMMING HOME but it's on my list..

Depression is the culprit in SWIMMING HOME and how it can affect stable, everyday people. The story is set in a villa on the French Riviera, taking place over a single week in which a group of tourists come apart at the seams.

It's a story laced with psychology, humor and a subtle darkness. Reviewers called this book "a short novel that will linger in your memory.

WHAT'S GOODREADS? (Just to refresh your memory...)

See what your friends are reading, organize books into a virtual bookshelf, keep track of every book you've read...that's Goodreads. It's basically a free website for book lovers.

GONE GIRL TO DARK PLACES (08/01/2012)

Alan Bressler often reviews books on this blog. His last review, Fifty Shades of Grey inspired lots of comments. He is an  entrepreneur, avid reader, businessman, philanthropist and kayaker.

We both recently read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and agreed it had great characters, unexpected twists and a compelling plot. I couldn't put it down...and now an earlier book by Flynn titled DARK PLACES (according to Alan's review) is another must read.


Alan Bressler says:

I would like to recommend a mystery/whodunit whose title embodies the book in a very apt manner- “Dark Places” by Gillian Flynn, the author of “Gone Girl”.

No detective heroes, neither alcoholic, drug addicted brilliant poet or otherwise lead us on an interesting trip of discovery. I was so impressed by Gone Girl that I googled the author and came up with DARK PLACES. Firstly, you must understand that the title is not an exageration and to get into this book you must be willing and able to derive enjoyment from a story well told.

 Libby Day, the sole survivor of a bloody massacre of her family when she was only seven, is now 34, a troubled young woman who has never been able to get past the fact that her testimony led to the conviction of her brother as the perpetrator of this massacre. Down to her last money, (that came from a trust set up for her by public donations at the time of the trial), Libby is contacted by a “kill group”, a wierd fringe group whose activities are centered around delving into gruesome murders that they believe have been poorly investigated by the police.

When offered money to contact people who were involved in the case and whom the group believed to be possible alternatives to her brother’s guilt, Libby sets out upon a journey of discovery that leads her back to the town where the events took place.

Moving back and forth between 1985, when the crime took place, to the present where Libby’s current inquiries take shape, we are led to a day by day retelling of the events leading up to the crime itself as seen from her brother Ben’s eyes as well as the views of others.

Make no mistake, IT IS DARK, but a really good story, well constructed and gripping as you click or (for those who like to feel the book) turn pages. The book escalates to the final act with the appropriate twists and turns necessary to a good mystery.

About Gillian Flynn

DARK PLACES is Flynn's second novel and in 2009 was selected by the New York Review as Reviewer's Favorite. Publisher's Weekly selected DARK PLACES as the Best Book of 2009.

Flynn's work has been published in 28 countries. She lives with her family in Chicago and is working on a third novel... hopefully.

REMINDER: Click on the Amazon Search Box in the sidebar to order anything on Amazon.

LET'S PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED (07/29/2012)

Blog reader and friend Marlene P. recently recommended LET'S PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED by Jenny Lawson.

She said "I just finished reading one of the most hysterically funny books ever! It takes dysfunction to a new level! A must, must read!"
Ok..I just downloaded it..love dysfunction..the funny kind.


To Order Click on the Amazon Search Box

 This book is labeled "a mostly true memoir" and the author, Jenny Lawson is a legend on Twitter. Her blog, http://www.thebloggess.com/ has between 2 and 3 million page views (and I was excited with 12,000..)

LET'S PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED unveils a quirky Texas childhood, a husband, and a life filled with sometimes harsh but curious and funny events. If you're easily offended don't buy this book.. Check her blog to see if the writing appeals to you.

And by the way, there's illustrations...
One reviewer said "Jenny Lawson is hilarious, snarky,witty, totally inappropriate, and like Mother Theresa, only better."

QUICHES, KUGELS, AND COUSCOUS (07/29/2012)

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Once in awhile I like to review a cookbook. Coincidently, Joan Nathan, a cookbook author, is a member of my kayak group. The group is called the MV Kay-Yakkers because we yak as much as we paddle.

Joan fits right in, and her recent book called QUICHES, KUGELS, and COUSCOUS demonstrates her gift for gab as well as a wonderful combination of stories interlaced with innovative recipes. 

Joan is the author of numerous cookbooks, two of which won the James Beard Award and the IACP Award. She was the host of a nationally syndicated PBS television series and is a frequent contributor to the New York Times and other publications.

This latest collection of recipes and stories is more than just couscous and kugel. It combines history, cooking tips, culture, and photography resulting in  a recipe for good reading.




QUICHES, KUGELS, AND COUSCOUS by Joan Nathan

What is Jewish cooking in France?

That is the question that has  haunted Joan Nathan over the years and driven her to unearth the secrets of this hidden cuisine.

Now she gives us the fruits of her quest in her latest extraordinary book, Quiches, Kugels, and Couscous: My Search for Jewish Cooking in France, a treasure trove of delectable kosher recipes and the often moving stories behind them, interlaced with the tumultuous two-thousand-year history of the Jewish presence in France.

In her search, Nathan takes us into kitchens in Paris, Alsace,
and the Loire Valley; she visits the bustling Belleville market in
Little Tunis in Paris; she breaks bread around the observance of the
Sabbath and the celebration of special holidays.

All across France she finds that Jewish cooking is more alive than ever. Traditional dishes are honored, yet many have acquired a French finesse and reflect regional differences.

The influx of Jewish immigrants from North Africa following Algerian independence has brought exciting new flavors and techniques that have infiltrated contemporary French cooking, and the Sephardic influence is more pronounced throughout France today.

This book is for cooks and non cooks. Beautiful photographs, great recipes and lots of stories mixed together make this a fun read. (You don't have to be Jewish or like to cook either...)