The Magic Lasso

The Magic Lasso has moved!

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:33:44 GMT

Hi everyone!

I have decided to move my blog to Wordpress. I hope you'll come by and visit me there!

The new address: http://mrstreme.wordpress.com/

Please update your feed readers and blog rolls. Thanks for your support!

Best,
Jill =)

The Gendarme by Mark T. Mustian

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:06:54 GMT

The Gendarme
By Mark T. Mustian
Completed September 14, 2010

The Gendarme is the debut novel by Mark T. Mustian and features a little-known aspect of World War I history - the genocide of Armenian people living in Turkey. For me, when a writer casts a spotlight on an aspect of history worth knowing about, I give him my fullest accolades. I walked away from The Gendarme with new knowledge and appreciation for what the Armenians endured in the early 1900's.

The story is narrated by 92-year-old Emmet, who is suffering from a brain tumor that results in vivid dreams from his youth. Interestingly, he dreams in chronological order, so each time he sleeps, Emmett remembers another nugget from his past. He realizes he was a "gendarme" - a Turkish guard who escorted Armenian refugees out of Turkey into Syria. The conditions of the march were horrible with many Armenians dying along the way. He becomes entranced by an Armenian girl, and as they spend more time together, they begin a friendship and eventually fall in love.

The flashback/dream stories were well told and vivid with detail. Emmet was not perfect, and Mustian made no attempt to make him into a hero. The modern aspects of Emmet's life, though, felt very contrived and unbelievable to me. The story may have been better as a reflection of Emmet's past without the complications of his modern life. The ending especially was unrealistic and left me dissatisfied. Sometimes, it's better to not end a story with a pretty bow on it.

With that said, I would recommend The Gendarme for its historical research and storyline. Mustain wrote well and kept my interest. I will be curious to read what others think about his debut book. ( )

Away by Amy Bloom

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:45:36 GMT

Away
By Amy Bloom
Completed August 12, 2010

The back cover of Away by Amy Bloom called the book’s main character, Lillian, an “unexpected heroine.” I raised an eyebrow about that description – aren’t most literary heroines unexpected? – and looked for the great acts of heroism throughout the book. I didn’t find any. What I did find was a heck of a plucky character who tried to defy the odds – all in the name of love.

Lillian was a Russian immigrant, escaping her motherland after Christians murdered her family and other Jewish neighbors. Believing her toddler, Sophie, had died in the massacre, Lillian came to the United States. She squeaked a decent life for herself as the lover of a man and his son. Then, Lillian learned that Sophie was alive. She shed her life of comfort and began an embattled journey to Alaska, en route to Siberia, to find her daughter.

Lillian would do just about anything to complete this journey. She slept in train broom closets, performed oral sex, helped a prostitute and spent time in a female work camp. From trains to boats to walking, Lillian never swayed from her goal: to reunite with Sophie. It was this resolve that got her through some tough situations.

It was these tough situations, though, that weighed the novel down. I’ll be the first to say that women can endure a lot, but the obstacles were frequent and treacherous. They made for good stories but hard-to-believe road stops.

Where Amy Bloom shines is with short stories, and you can tell with Away. She has an uncanny ability to take readers down short side streets, introducing them to colorful characters, and leaving them with the feeling of closure before moving on with the story. It works for short stories but harder to pull off in a novel. Overall, I would say Bloom was successful in putting her story together, though some readers might find this style clunky.

Away was a good story with some flaws. I would recommend it to readers who are interested in the plight of immigrant women in the early 20th century. However, a word of caution: this book has many graphic sex scenes, and if you repulsed or not interested in reading them, then stay far away from Away. ( )

A Death in the Family by James Agee

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:38:25 GMT

A Death in the Family
By James Agee
Completed August 8, 2010

James Agee’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, A Death in the Family, captured the initial moments of grief with beautiful clarity. The shock, anger and sadness that inflicted each character was so realistically drawn, it was near flawless. Won posthumously in 1957, the edition of A Death in the Family that I read contained only minor changes to Agee’s writing, plus two sections that were not placed formally into the story by the author. To think that Agee wrote this masterpiece without the benefit of an editor shows you the caliber of his writing. Like his character development, this story was close to perfect.

Jay Follett was a husband and father with a slightly mysterious past, who was called to his father’s bedside in the middle of the night. On his trip home, his car experienced mechanical failure, resulting in Jay’s instantaneous death. He left behind his wife, Mary and his two children, Rufus and Catherine.

The mysterious aspects of Jay’s life enthralled me. You get the impression that he was an alcoholic – perhaps on the wagon at the time of his death – who pulled himself out of nothing into a productive life. As Mary’s family learned of Jay’s death, you discovered they were not supportive of Mary and Jay’s marriage initially, but as time evolved, they grew to love him. Without a doubt, he held a tight bond with his son, Rufus. For most of the book, you witnessed the emotional roller coaster that the family experiences as they deal with Jay’s death. From wanting to know the details of the accident to trying to sleep and eat, death and daily living were juxtaposed for the readers to consider: How would you deal with the sudden death of a loved one?

The book ends on the day of the funeral, leaving you curious about how the family would cope so early in their grief. How would Mary survive without her husband’s financial support? How would the children learn to live without their father? Agee leaves many questions unanswered, but made one thing clear: grief is a force to be reckoned with. It ebbs and flows throughout a person’s lifetime; always there – sometimes in the distance, sometimes very close. A Death in the Family was a wonderful tribute to this raw human emotion. ( )

The News Where You Are by Catherine O'Flynn

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 22:25:35 GMT

The News Where You Are
By Catherine O'Flynn
Completed August 1, 2010

Frank, the main character of Catherine O’Flynn’s latest book, The News Where You Are, is a 40-something newscaster who is facing numerous crises. For example, the buildings created by his father, a renowned post-war architect, were being demolished because they didn’t adequately meet the needs of the residents (though Frank’s father meticulously designed each one with “the future” in mind). As Frank mourns the loss of his father’s architecture, he also mourns the lost relationship between them.

Frank is also dealing with the death of his friend and mentor, Phil – a popular national newscaster who had a Dick Clarkian way of non-aging. Phil was killed in a hit-and-run accident one evening, and his sudden death left a big void in Frank’s life.

While mourning the loss of his friend, Frank became interested (borderline obsessed) with news stories about people who died alone. For Frank, this is the worst way to go, and he begins to investigate one death in particular – that of Michael Church. Frank soon discovers that Michael was Phil’s childhood friend, and he begins to piece together an incredible story of friendship and secrets.

The News Where You Are is a small book but packed with many complex themes – the young and the old; the popular and the lonely; the past and the future. Each character, from Frank and his cranky mother to Frank’s spirited daughter and his practical wife, are developed with the precision of an artist. As Frank uncovers the past life of Phil and Michael, he explores his own childhood and begins to rectify the relationship with his parents. Ultimately, it’s his daughter Mo who offers Frank the best counseling, reminding him that it’s not the past or future that’s important – but the present with the people you love. In essence, the news is – quite simply – exactly where you are. ( )

Far Bright Star by Robert Olmstead

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:58:51 GMT

Far Bright Star
By Robert Olmstead
Completed July 31, 2010

The 1916 search for Pancho Villa marked an important transition in American military tactic. The days of cavalrymen and their noble steeds were coming to an end, soon to be replaced by machine guns and gas-powered vehicles. At the cusp of this transition were Napoleon Childs, an aging cavalryman, and his brother, Xenophone, in charge of taking care of the Army’s horses. The men sensed that change was afoot, but like many military men, they had more immediate concerns – the battles in front of them. And this is the center of the short but powerful tale, Far Bright Star by Robert Olmstead.

Napoleon led a group of misfits into the desert one day – partly to search for the elusive Pancho Villa but also to find cattle for their camp – when they came under attack by a renegade group of Mexican soldiers. Napoleon was uneasy about this mission from the first moment, and the inescapable situation he and his men fell under only confirmed what Napoleon dreaded. One by one, Napoleon lost his men and horses. He was preparing for his death in a canyon in the Mexican desert.

However, it wasn’t Napoleon’s turn to die, but his survival made him wish he did. After watching the senseless murder of the men who served under him, he was tortured by his captors, and perhaps worse, forced to watch the slow death of his last man. Once Napoleon was rescued by his brother, he underwent a physical and emotional reaction that we would now call post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Olmstead is a master of the verse, his writing reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy or Howard Bahr. His sparse but lyrical writing style juxtaposes against the atrocities about which he is writing. Make no mistake: while the language is pretty, the scenes are not. However, Olmstead honors his characters, most especially the horses, and transports his readers to the hot desert with just a few sentences. I doubt Far Bright Star could be enjoyed but rather consumed. If sparse writing or military fiction suits your tastes, then this is the book for you. ( )

The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:24:11 GMT

The White Woman on the Green Bicycle
By Monique Roffey
Did Not Finish

Sometimes, I can get hung up on a part of a story – to the point where it plagues my entire reading experience. This is what happened while reading The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey.

The book is divided into chronological sections, starting with 2006 and then going back to 1956, 1963 and 1970. So, when Roffey introduces us to the main characters, George and Sabine, we are meeting their 75-year-old versions (with most of their lives’ experiences behind them). For the first 189 pages, it was difficult to like George and Sabine. George was a lifelong philanderer – selfish and egotistical. Sabine drank and smoked excessively, and liked to pick fights with George and their daughter. As I muddled through these pages, reminding myself that the book will reveal more about these characters, something happens. Sabine beats her family dog. The scene was only a few paragraphs long but affected me tremendously. So tremendously that as I moved to the earlier years of the characters’ lives, I could not forget what Sabine did.

120 pages from the end, I couldn’t bear reading about Sabine anymore. I was done with her. I placed my bookmark in front of the next chapter, put the book aside and thought about what to do next. Ultimately, I decided to walk away from The White Woman on the Green Bicycle.

Despite my abandonment of this book, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Roffey’s writing talent and her fascinating exploration into Trinidad’s history. Indeed, many aspects of The White Woman on the Green Bicycle were appealing. Perhaps I can come back to it once I let go of my distaste for Sabine. Until then, The White Woman on the Green Bicycle will sit on my shelf; my bookmark marking the spot where I said no more.

The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:14:10 GMT

The Septembers of Shiraz
By Dalia Sofer
Completed July 18, 2010

Dalia Sofer’s debut novel, The Septembers of Shiraz, shows how detrimental the Iranian Revolution was for many of Iran’s citizens. Isaac Amin was a rare gem dealer who was arrested by the Revolutionary Guards in September 1981. Isaac was Jewish and had prospered well under the Shah, which made him suspicious in the eyes of the new regime. He was transported to prison where he was questioned, tortured and accused of being a Zionist spy.

The story shifts from Isaac’s point of view to that of his wife, Farnaz; his young daughter, Shirin; and his son, Parviz, a college student living in New York. The alternating viewpoints showed how each family member dealt with the sudden disappearance of Isaac. With emotions ranging from fear to courage, the Amin family tried to manage their day-to-day lives without the presence of their patriarch.

I found The Septembers of Shiraz to be a captivating read. The Iranian Revolution is an unfamiliar topic for me, and the rigid conditions of this time make me wonder how anyone escaped arrest and execution. I rooted for each member of the Amin family as they struggled with Isaac’s imprisonment. Sofer’s writing style was lyrical yet approachable, drawing her readers into the story. If you are a fan of historical fiction, I would recommend this amazing story. I look forward to more books by this talented young author. ( )

Small Wars by Sadie Jones

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:10:41 GMT

Small Wars
By Sadie Jones
Completed July 14, 2010

In Small Wars, the second novel by Sadie Jones, explores the impact of “small wars” on countries, citizens, servicemen and their loved ones. When you read a novel by Jones, you expect an intensive read. Small Wars is exactly that – a novel that keeps you thinking about its characters long after finishing the book.

Hal Treherne is a young major in the British Army. He comes from a family whose men held distinguished careers in the army, fighting in great English wars throughout history. Hal has no war to fight, until he is stationed in Cyprus, a nation whose interest to England becomes exceedingly higher as the conflict in the Suez Canal erupts in nearby Egypt. Cyprus had a small war of its own, trying to break free of British rule. The country’s desire for independence resulted in terrorist activity, and Hal finally gets the war he’s been trained for. However, it’s not the war of his father or grandfather. There are no trenches, fronts or battlefields. Instead, it’s house-to-house searches, land mines and torture. Hal learns that he’s not emotionally equipped for this type of warfare and begins to question his service in the army.

Meanwhile, Hal’s wife Clara arrives in Cyprus with their twin daughters, and tries to create a life in this tumultuous country. At the beginning of the book, you sense a deep love between the couple. However, as conditions sour in Cyprus and Hal becomes traumatized by its events, you watch as this marriage crumbles. They fail to talk to each other, and Hal takes out the atrocities of the war on his wife. He eventually arranges for Clara’s departure to a “safer” part of Cyprus, but in a country involved in a small war, there are no safe havens. Eventually, Clara and Hal face an enormous tragedy that will make or break their marriage.

I was unaware of this portion of British history, and I found that Jones’ research about Cyprus during the 1950’s to be enlightening. I couldn’t help but draw parallels from the small war in Cyprus to those being fought in countries throughout the world today. The places have changed, but the lessons have not. I applaud Jones for tackling this sensitive subject and for doing so in such a provocative way. I would recommend Small Wars to those readers who enjoy reading intense fiction or books focused on military history. It’s a book that will leave its fingerprint on me for a long time. ( )

The Accidental by Ali Smith

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 23:31:10 GMT

The Accidental
By Ali Smith
Completed July 10, 2010

Truth be told, I don’t know how to fairly review The Accidental by Ali Smith. It’s a story that follows the dysfunctional lives of the Smart family and the emergence of Amber, a young woman who crashes the Smart’s summer home one evening. Amber’s presence helps members of the family deal with their individual grief, though the reader never quite learned why Amber was there.

The four Smart family members take turns narrating a chapter. My favorite chapters were told by Astrid, a young girl who likes to videotape everything. With a director’s eye and a stream of consciousness that James Joyce would appreciate, Astrid’s perspective matched her age: big ideas, rambling thoughts and a curiosity about life. Also interesting was her brother’s narrative: Magnus was depressed about the suicide of a fellow classmate and felt at blame for the girl’s death. Smith’s strength is not character development – you never get a full picture of each character – but the snippets she showed of the kids were insightful and captivating.

Smith’s writing style takes a while to get used to. You’re dropped into the middle of each character’s thoughts, and you might need several chapters (as I did) to get into the writing style. Admittedly, it’s not my favorite way of storytelling, and I felt it put up barriers around the characters and their stories. Additionally, the ending was disappointing, and after trudging through this book, I was hoping for something a little more gratifying.

It’s hard to recommend The Accidental because it was a “meh” book for me. I encourage future readers to look at other reviews before deciding on this book. I think it’s a book you either like or don’t; I hate to say that I am in the latter group. ( )

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 23:35:04 GMT

Bel Canto
By Ann Patchett
Completed July 4, 2010

Imagine being held hostage for more than four months in a luxurious mansion in a South American country. Negotiations are at a stalemate, and the terrorists holding you are nothing more than a gang of armed teenagers led by three generals. You outnumber your captors, and they are pretty lax with their rules. Despite the odds, you never try to escape. Why? Because your life as a hostage allows you to become a new person – a person that you couldn’t be in your real life. It’s this theme that is the cornerstone to Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.

The group was assembled to celebrate the birthday of a Japanese industrialist, Mr. Hosokawa. They were foreign dignitaries, priests and government officials – and the character that tied them all together was Roxane Coss, the American soprano who was the evening’s entertainment. Once the terrorists invaded the mansion, it was Roxane who called the shots. She used her lovely voice as collateral and was able to negotiate shampoo, food and other amenities for her fellow captives. In turn, she sang for the terrorists and hostages – and they all fell under the spell of Roxane’s music.

Spending months together blurred the lines between the terrorists and hostages. Together, they played chess, took reading lessons, cooked and made love. The hostages, mostly older men, showed fatherly affection to some of the terrorists. With this attention, the teens began to blossom. A boy could sing, a girl could read, another could play chess. They transformed from being jungle children to individuals with hearts and souls – all wanting love and approval.

Bel Canto runs at a slow pace, which probably won’t suit many readers. However, if you love character-driven stories, this is the perfect book for you. My only complaint was the epilogue, which tied together some unnecessary loose strings. Sometimes, stories just need to end on its tragic note – because that’s what happens in real life. Other than this small flaw, I enjoyed Bel Canto and look forward to reading more fiction by the talented Ann Patchett. ( )

The Quickening by Michelle Hoover

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:15:06 GMT

The Quickening
By Michelle Hoover
Completed June 25, 2010

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

The Quickening is the debut novel by Michelle Hoover – a story of two women who live on neighboring farms in the Midwest during the Great Depression. Mary, on the surface, was uppity and conniving, but as the story emerged, the reader saw the lonely side of Mary. She was abused by her husband and not respected by her three sons. Her only solace was playing piano at the local church under the encouragement of her pastor. Eddie was Mary’s neighbor – a more down-to-earth soul who was troubled by her inability to have children (though she eventually had twins) and struggling to keep her farm afloat with her husband.

It would be hard to characterize Mary and Eddie as friends. As neighbors, they spoke to each other often, their children played together and their husbands helped each other out. Whatever friendship existed between them, though, was completely destroyed by the time of the “accident” – something mentioned over and over again but not revealed until the end of the book.

Each character takes turns narrating a chapter, which sometimes was a reflection of 1930’s farm life and other times was told from their perspectives as older women (probably during the 1950’s). The changing time lines within the chapters were confusing at first, but once you find the rhythm, it moves nicely. Each chapter uncovers a little more about each woman, finally climaxing to the “accident” that changed their lives forever.

Hoover is a promising young writer, and The Quickening proves to be a noteworthy debut. Her renderings of Mary and Eddie, as well as her descriptive writing style, resemble the work of a more experienced writer. If you like being transported to this time in American history, I would recommend The Quickening to you. ( )

The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:11:28 GMT

The Invisible Bridge
By Julie Orringer
Completed June 21, 2010

As one reads more and more about the atrocities of World War II, it’s really a wonder that war is still part of any country’s foreign policy. Here is a war, no that long ago, that ravished several continents and left millions of people dead. This was a war against people, buildings, cultures and a way of life. Many authors, including Julie Orringer and her The Invisible Bridge, have seized this opportunity to remind us again of the devastation of World War II, by creating stories about how war affects us all.

In The Invisible Bridge, the reader follows young Andras Levi, who was leaving his native Hungary to pursue an architectural degree in Paris. The first half of Orringer’s tome was devoted to Andras’ time in Paris – his struggle to afford tuition, his romantic entanglements with Claire and the affects of anti-Semitism in school. He and his friends – all Jewish – watched with an anxious eye as Hitler began his conquering of Europe. Eventually, Andras must return home, facing the reality that his homeland will enter war with him in it.

Being in a Budapest was one of the safest places for European Jews during World War II. Hungary was not keen on Hitler’s “Final Solution” policies, and while Jews were economically and politically repressed, it wasn’t until the end of the war that they faced the fates of their European neighbors. While you read about Andras’ struggles serving in the Hungarian labor force, you kept waiting for the other shoe to drop: when Andras would be killed, when his family would be “evacuated,” when senseless killing would begin. It was a weird sense of dread, knowing the inevitable would occur.

The Invisible Bridge is Orringer’s first novel, and she should be applauded for tackling such a tremendous subject. Admittedly, the second half of the novel – when Andras was back in Hungary – was the most engaging part of the story for me. The amount of pages spent of his time in Paris seemed a bit excessive, compared to his plight once Andras returned home. Nonetheless, I would recommend The Invisible Bridge to fans of World War II fiction – the story of Hungarian Jews was a different side to this war – and one readers might find educational and provocative. ( )

Orange Prize Survey results are in!

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:59:33 GMT

Thank you to the 37 respondents who participated in the Orange Prize Survey! It was a tough match! Check out the results!

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:25:54 GMT

The Lacuna
By Barbara Kingsolver
Completed June 6, 2010

In The Lacuna, Barbara Kingsolver assembles a moving story about a character who becomes a victim of his times. Harrison Shepherd could never find a place to call home. An American boy living in Mexico, Harrison survived through his ability to cook good Mexican food and gift for writing. His youth was spent among Communists – namely Mexican painters Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo, and displaced Russian revolutionary Lev Trotsky. While politically ambiguous, Harrison was loyal to his employers – typing letters, mixing plaster and cooking dinners. After Trotsky’s murder, Harrison felt alienated by the country he called home and decided to head north to the country of his birth.

Unfortunately, Harrison’s time in the United States was equally disillusioning. Embracing the wartime hopefulness of Americans, he began a successful career as a novelist writing about ancient Mexico. Harrison had a few years of peace and happiness, until the U.S. government began investigating citizens for communist loyalty. Harrison’s time in Mexico made him an easy target, and he fell victim to McCarthyism – alienated once again from a country he tried to turn into home.

Lucky for Harrison, he had a loyal and intuitive stenographer, Violet Brown, who helped him navigate these murky waters. She typed his letters, fed his creative soul and counseled him on how to deal with the claims of anti-Americanism. She saw grace and talent in her employer, and Violet did everything she could to protect him (mostly from himself).

The Lacuna has troubling similarities to modern America. Kingsolver exposes the injustices and paranoia that can grip a nation. Her book could serve as a warning to people about what happens when fear overrules reason: Innocent people are tossed aside, personal justice is stepped on, and people become suspicious of their neighbors, co-workers and friends. For a person like Harrison Shepherd, it becomes a hole that one cannot emerge from.

Told with beautiful language and witty dialogue, The Lacuna is Kingsolver at her finest. This book is highly recommended to readers of “serious” fiction – who enjoy stories full of symbolism, foreshadowing and politcal thought. ( )

Vote now for your 2010 Orange Prize pick

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 22:54:03 GMT

On Thursday, June 9, the winner of the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction will be announced in London. But if you were one of the Orange Prize judges, who would you pick for the winner?

Cast your vote in the 2010 Orange Prize Winner Survey and let your voice be heard!

The survey is open until midnight EST, Monday, June 6, and the responses will be announced on my Examiner page on Tuesday, June 7. And check back there for the Orange Prize Winner announcement.

Take The Orange Prize Survey

Getting Ready for Orange July 2010

Mon, 31 May 2010 00:11:22 GMT

I am very excited about this year's Orange July, and I hope you all will join the fun. As a reminder, Orange July is when you commit to read at least one book that has won or been nominated for the Orange Prize.

As you think about what books to read, here are some helpful links:

Past Orange Prize Winners and Nominees
2010 Orange Prize Long List
2010 Orange Prize Short List
Orange Prize Project Blog
Orange January/July Facebook page
Orange Prize on Twitter
Orange January/July on Twitter

Hashtags:
#opf2010 - if you tweet about Orange Prize 2010
#ojj - if you tweet about Orange July

Are you planning on participating in Orange July? Make sure to leave a comment to let us know - and please spread the word on your blog, Facebook page or Twitter profile!

The Very Thought of You by Rosie Alison

Sun, 23 May 2010 12:58:09 GMT

The Very Thought of You
By Rosie Alison
Completed May 21, 2010

Before being shortlisted for the 2010 Orange Prize, The Very Thought of You by Rosie Alison had not been reviewed by a major literary critic. Now, many reviewers and book lovers are catching up, and reviews are coming in about this dark horse in the Orange Prize race.

The Very Thought of You begins right before England declares war on Germany during the Second World War. Eight-year-old Anna Sands is beginning her journey as a refugee to the English countryside, dispatched by her mother who feared London would be bombed during the war. Anna arrives at the estate owned by a childless couple, Thomas and Elizabeth Ashton. There, Anna assimiliates to a new routine with school, friends and country life. She witnesses, though, conflicts of love and lust that are well beyond her years.

Alison’s depiction of England and the child refugee’s life was eluminating. It’s amazing the sacrifices the English made during this time. Despite the atrocities of war, “regular” life trudged on – a poetry assignment, the purchase of blankets, a daily prayer.

While the historical aspects of The Very Thought of You were interesting, the numerous love issues of the adult characters were troubling. Three marriages were in shambles, with couples cheating on each other, and a general sense of selfishness was abound. It was adultery overkill. Alison should have focused on the demise of one couple, Thomas and Elizabeth Ashton, who presented the most interesting case of why a marriage could fail. The rest of the love affairs distracted from the story.

Despite this, I was enamored by Alison’s characters, especially Anna, and intrigued by the historic setting of the story. Alison’s writing style was swift and moving. I would recommend The Very Thought of You to anyone interested in the lives of those on the British homefront during World War II. ( )

Molly Fox's Birthday by Deirdre Madden

Sat, 15 May 2010 17:16:13 GMT

Molly Fox's Birthday
By Deirdre Madden
Completed May 13, 2010

How well do you know your friends? In Molly Fox’s Birthday by Deirdre Madden, the unnamed narrator, who is a successful playwright, examines the friendships of her two friends, Molly and Andrew.

The narrator is staying in Molly’s home while Molly is on holiday. Facing fierce writer’s block, the narrator begins to reminisce about how she met Molly, who was now a highly acclaimed stage actress, and their mutual friend, Andrew, who was an art historian. As the narrator goes through her day, little things remind her of each friend. She begins to realize that she may not know her friends as well as she hoped. Each had sides to their lives that were closed – the mourning of a murdered brother, the abandonment by a mother.

The narrator doesn’t dwell in these facts, but gets captivated in its wonderment. In essence, she accepts that you could be friends with people for a long time, but there are still layers that remain unrevealed. The idea of friendship is to not focus on what you don’t know about a person but revel in what you do.

An enchanting tribute to friendship, Molly Fox’s Birthday would be enjoyed by readers who relish in the cerebral. Admittedly, the story has some contrived transitions between the narrator’s present life and her memories. Overall, though, it was a lovely tale about the power of friendship, mutual respect and acceptance. ( )

Remember Me by Trezza Azzopardi

Sun, 09 May 2010 21:10:38 GMT

Remember Me
By Trezza Azzopardi
Completed May 8, 2010

As I finished Remember Me by Trezza Azzopardi, I was left with a feeling of mystery about the story’s narrator. After more than 260 pages, what did I learn about her? Even her name was a moving target – was it Patsy or Lillian or Winnie? Told by such an unreliable narrator, Remember Me is one of those books that falls together hours after completion. Azzopardi drops clues about Winnie like breadcrumbs, helping the reader find her way through Winnie’s story after much reflection.

Remember Me shifts from Winnie’s past to her present life as an older woman living on the streets. She carries her green case, full of mementoes. When someone steals Winnie’s case, she takes an emotional journey through her past. We learn that Winnie was the daughter of a doting father and a mentally unstable mother. After her mother’s death, she moves in with her grandfather, and then later her great aunt. She eventually ends up at the home of a brother and sister who convince Winnie that she’s a clairvoyant. It’s this part of Winnie’s journey that offers a moment of stability for her before more heartbreak sets in. As you watch Winnie move from place to place, it’s sad to see her never have a place to call home. Everything was temporary in Winnie’s world.

Remember Me is a story that should be read by those who like a story’s complexities and learning about the characters slowly. Azzopardi packs an emotional punch, once you sit back and reflect on all of the pieces she presents about her characters. Once you do, you are left with a novel about how loneliness and detachment can plague a human’s soul. ( )

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

Sun, 02 May 2010 12:08:19 GMT

The Postmistress
By Sarah Blake
Completed April 30, 2010

What happens when a message is not delivered – when a postmistress doesn’t deliver a letter or a reporter doesn’t tell a story? What if this letter or story contains the last words of the dead? Does it make it easier for loved ones to not read or hear these words? Or does the dead have a right to the last word?

Sarah Blake explores the spoken and written word in her compelling book, The Postmistress. The story focuses on the lives of three American women: Emma, the pregnant wife of a doctor tending to patients in London during the Blitz; Iris, the postmistress of a rural town where Emma lives; and Frankie, an American reporter broadcasting stories from London about the atrocities of the Blitz. While the United States had not entered World War II officially, the war’s effects had already befallen these women.

It’s Emma’s husband, Will, who brings these women together. Prior to his departure to London, he left a letter with Iris, asking her to deliver it to Emma should he die overseas. Then, while staying in a bomb shelter, Will meets Frankie and talks at length about his wife. After emerging from the bomb shelter, Will dies in the most ordinary of ways – a car accident – and Frankie is with him as he dies. In his pocket, Frankie find his last letter to Emma . Frankie keeps the letter but couldn’t mail it before embarking on her next assignment – to record the stories of Jewish refugees on trains en route to the Portuguese coast. As Frankie travels from train to train, Will’s letter stays in her pocket, a burning reminder of message she has not delivered.

The train stories were heart-breaking: Families trying to stay together; people avoiding slaughter; men and woman trying to remain hopeful despite the reality of their situation. This is where Blake shines, bringing every character to life, from Emma, Iris and Frankie, to the Jewish refugee who only occupies a page or two. Blake slights no one in her story. Though their time on the page might be short, these characters’ impact stays with you well beyond the last chapter.

The Postmistress is a bloodless war story that conjures powerful reactions to the characters who grace the book’s pages. Ultimately, it’s the story about hope, the effects of the war on civilians and the power of the written and spoken word. True to its theme, The Postmistress is as powerful as the messages entrusted to Iris and Frankie – a novel this reader won’t soon forget. Five stars.

Grease Town by Ann Towell

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:45:19 GMT

Grease Town
By Ann Towell
Completed April 18, 2010

Grease Town by Ann Towell tells the story of Titus Sullivan, a 12-year-old meek child who decided to escape his overhearing aunt and stowaway on his brother’s wagon to Oil Springs, the first oil boom town in Canada. Titus was sheltered and impressionable, and his journey and time in Oil Springs showed him that real life was full of hard knocks and injustices. It’s Titus’ responses to these hard times that showed his true character – one of courage and fairness. His development from a boy in a shell to a young man branching out was a delight to read.

The crux of the novel is Titus’s befriending of Moses – a young black boy whose family escaped from slavery. Moses and his family worked on the oil rigs for less wages than their white counterparts. Some of the white workers took advantage of this discrepancy, accusing the black laborers of unfairly stealing “their” work. This discontent eventually led to a riot and the burning of many black workers’ houses, including Moses’ family. Titus witnessed the destruction first hand, and despite his normally introverted manner, Titus knew he had to do the right thing. He alone could offer justice to the black workers who lost everything. Indeed, sometimes the hardest thing to do is the right thing.

Grease Town is written for a younger audience (ages 10-14), and it is an ideal book for this age group. The story teaches important lessons about right and wrong, and the deeply entrenched racial issues that still plague our country. Adult readers could enjoy Grease Town too - it’s a quick but engaging historical read for all ages. 4 stars.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:11:36 GMT

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder
By Rebecca Wells
Completed April 17, 2010

Calla Lily Ponder knew she had a gift with her hands - she wanted to use them to caress people's troubles away. With dreams of becoming a beautician like her mother, Calla grew up in 1960's Louisiana. With the social unrest ripping through the Southern U.S. during this time, people's troubles were larger than Calla's hands. Her coming of age tale is the heart of Rebecca Wells' latest book, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder.

Through Calla's eyes, the reader learns about La Luna, Louisiana, a small town that is a bit like any other, with colorful characters, landmarks and societal goings-on. Calla witnesses racial discrimination and experiences her first love. But when heartbreak takes its course, Calla leaves her beloved hometown and moves to New Orleans. There, the reader is treated to this bigger-than-life city through the wonderment of a young woman. Calla experiences loss and heartbreak, but she always returns to love.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder was a nice, light read - more suited for the poolside or the beach - definitely not a deeply intellectual novel. Wells' writing style was easy though her depictions of the American South seemed a bit stereotypical. Still, if you like escapist fiction or chick lit, Calla Lily is worth a read.

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I read The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder for TLC Book Tours. Please check out the other blogs who are participating in this tour. The tour ends Thursday, May 13.

I also wrote an article about this blog tour for my St. Petersburg Book Examiner page. Please check it out!

Readathon Update - And Then a Nap

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:36:14 GMT

It's about 10:30 here, and I plan on taking a nap before reading again. But before I do, here is an update:

Total pages - 85
Total time - 115 minutes (1 hour, 25 minutes)

Bringing my readathon totals to:
200 pages
266 minutes (4 hours, 26 minutes)

Off to rest my eyes!

Readathon Survey

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:56:28 GMT

Time for a mid-readathon survey. Check out the others' answers too!

1. What are you reading right now?
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

2. How many books have you read so far?
One

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
Finishing Wolf Hall

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?
I did laundry in advance!

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
A ton of interruptions, including my son's football game and a needed nap. You gotta go with the flow.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
My lack of performance!

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
None - everything is so organized!

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
I am a reader. I would take a harder look at my schedule, possibly postponing the start time until after the kids' sports events are over.

9. Are you getting tired yet?
No, thanks for the nap, I am pretty energetic!

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?
I am a newbie so I have no tips but are open to others' suggestions!