You've GOTTA read this!

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (2011)

2012-01-30T07:00:00.136-05:00

To answer the first and most important question...no, I have not read the book. It probably would have helped to negotiate the intricate plot and subtle nuances, but I just couldn't wait. I've been nervously, anxiously checking my Flixter app for the exact day this movie would come to Orlando.

This had fun written all over it. Let's start with the director, Tomas Alfredson. This is his first blockbuster film, but probably earned his wings with his lesser-known but most excellent Swedish version of "Let the Right One In". Throw that one on your Netflix Queue if you haven't already.

The actors. A whole stew of hotties that can act their little heads off. Gary Oldman, of course, who isn't prettied up here but that is beside the point. Even as greasy Sirius Black he was hot. Colin Firth - no words necessary. Tom Hardy, the man with the bod and lips. And a couple of fairly unknown actors that have something special...Mark Strong and Benedict Cumberbatch. If you see the movie, just trust me and keep your eye on these two. Call me superficial, but I'd have been plenty happy if they'd all just stood up there on the screen and smiled, danced a two-step and read the phonebook.

But they didn't. They all played an important part in executing an extremely smart movie about espionage, skullduggery, murder and mayhem in the Cold War. (The key word here is "smart". I love a good, twisty plot that challenges my brain cells, but unless you have read the book, this is going to feel like a two- or three-time rewatch kind of movie to really GET it.)

The most important thing to know is this. Some British Intelligence spy business has gone very wrong in Budapest, and one of their own is taken down. The head of the BI, Control (John Hurt) suspects there is a mole within the four members of the upper echelon of the organization. Control retires, and forces his best agent, Smiley, (Gary Oldman) to step down with him. The government asks Smiley to try to quietly determine who of the four individuals is the secret Soviet spy.

From there it gets a little convoluted. My advice is just to go with it. Get the important facts straight in your head, and save the details for a later viewing. The ultimate evil-doer will be made clear in the end. Then go read a detailed summary, read the book, whatever, and watch it again.

The pacing was fast and sharp - never a dull moment. The acting is superb. It was almost overwhelming to have so much talent in one place. I think what I loved most was the way it ended...with a rendition of the French song "La Mer" performed by Julio Iglesias, playing while a whole string of powerful events take place. No dialogue, just violence, heartbreak, and bittersweet triumph while this gorgeous, groovy song is playing. Wow.

Sunday Salon: Ramping Up

2012-01-29T07:30:00.000-05:00

What a great week it's been! I can honestly say for the first time in a long time that the past seven days have been NORMAL! Sure I've done my share of running around, supporting the kids in their various extracurricular activities, having my body abused by Andre, a meeting here and an appointment there. But I could actually breathe, take time for a prayer group, do some proper meal planning, and go for a walk or two. It feels good.

But in reference to this week's post title, things ARE ramping up in several areas of my life. In two weeks, my daughter will be going through her confirmation. Preparing for this has required attendance to 8 classes that happen every Thursday night, and it will be a blessing to reclaim those evenings again. On top of this ongoing project, my daughter has also progressed to her next official level of horseback riding. Now comes cantering and jumping (gulp).

After that is finished, my daughter has expressed her desire to volunteer at an animal shelter in order to get her community service hours for high school. Until she turns 15, however, a parent must volunteer with her. You see where this headed, don't you? Our training begins on February 18th, and after a few weeks of shadowing other seasoned veterans, we will have to put in our hours. Yes it is one more "thing" we will have to do in a week's time, but I'm secretly looking forward to this because I do love animals. The biggest issue will be not coming home with all of them.

We are also preparing feverishly for our annual Adult Literacy League "Reading Between the Wines" event on March 1st. I am in full tilt mode for collecting signed books for the auction. I am THRILLED that Wendy Wax has agreed to donate a package consisting not only of her signed books but the chance to win your name in her next book! Also the lovely authors of the Southern Belle View (Lisa Wingate, Beth Webb Hart, Marybeth Whalen, Rachel Hauck and Shellie Rushing Tomlinson) have all agreed to donate their signed books with some really adorable Belle goodies. If any of you locals are interested in attending our event, which will feature Lisa See as our guest author, check out our site here.

I have turned one eyeball to the UCF Book Festival on March 31st as well. We have so many excellent authors showing up for this one, but hello! Joshilyn Jackson?! You know, the author who is way at the top of my list? Because I have read every one of her books? I may have to take a Prozac to keep myself calm. Starting on Friday, February 24, and every Friday through the end of March, I will review a book from a visiting author. Stay tuned!

I've had a pretty good reading week as a result of all this wonderful normalcy. On audio, I finished "The Zookeeper's Wife" by Diane Ackerman, as well as "This Beautiful Life" by Helen Schulman (both for book clubs). I have just started "Perfect" by Ellen Hopkins (a UCF Book Festival author) and am LOVING IT.

In print I am *this* close to finishing "The Baker's Wife" by Sarah McCoy, and I'll just tell you that I love this book. LOVE IT. I know, a lot of reading love going on this week. After I finish it today, I am looking forward to reading Maus I and II graphic novels, then binging on Sarah Pekkanen.

I suppose I have bored you to death at this point. I'm feeling chatty. Hope you all have a wonderful, blessed Sunday!

Wants and Needs - Jan/Feb Bookmarks

2012-01-27T07:00:00.136-05:00

Back again with a nice long list of wants and needs from the latest edition of Bookmarks magazine (and ongoing and highly appreciated Christmas gift from my parents each year). Fate has a way of noticing which books I mark, it seems, because a number of them have thrown themselves in my path.

The first bit of excitement when I opened the pages was a feature on Haruki Murakami. Hey what do you know! One of my goals this year was to read his work (my first will probably be "Kafka on the Shore") so it was a treat to learn a little more about the man.

Here are a whole long list of my Needs:

1. A Thousand Lives: The Untold Story of Hope, Deception, and Survival at Jamestown - Julia Scheeres

Nothing feeds my mind more than getting an insight to why ordinary people do horrific things, which is why I so love true crime. To that end, I also enjoy learning why ordinary people become followers of something so outlandish like a cult. I got this book at SIBA, so it is waiting anxiously on my bookshelves to be read.

2. Agent 6 - Tom Rob Smith

I've read both of Tom Rob Smith's books in the series prior to this one. Child 44 I loved. The Secret Speech not so much. I am willing to give Smith another go however, because I love the protagonist Leo Demidov, who survived Stalinist Russia and is now involved in a Cold War-era conspiracy. I'm on hold at the library for this audio.

3. Believing the Lie - Elizabeth George

George has been working on this series, involving one Inspector Lynley, for ages. In fact, this is installment number 17. I joined the ranks about four installments ago and have loved every one of them. I don't even really care what the topic of the book is, I just know I'll love it. And from my lips to Penguin Audio's ears! I received this in the mail from them just last week. Narrated by Davina Porter! Totally made my day.

4. Perfect - Ellen Hopkins

One of my goals for 2012 was to read more free verse novels, and this was at the top of the list. Apparently it is a companion novel to "Impulse" which I must get my hands on as well. The book addresses troublesome teen issues, such as drugs, ambition, eating disorders, the works. Those who have read it love it. The audio landed in my lap recently, loaned to me by Heather.

5. The Affair - Lee Child

You would think by the 16th installment of the Jack Reacher series (and I have read them all), they would start to get stale. Well, I can feel staleness in the horizon if something doesn't change, but apparently Child has dodged that bullet for the moment by taking us back through time to when Reacher was fresh out of the military and taking on his last assignment with the Pentagon. Hmmm, insight into the elusive Reacher? Love it. I just wish the library would get on with it and get it on audio...

And then there are a few wants as well:

1. The Odds - Stewart O'Nan

This past year, I read my first O'Nan called "Emily, Alone". It was not my favorite book for lack of plot, but O'Nan does have beautiful writing and a huge fan base. Therefore, I'll be giving him another try with this one. In his latest, he writes about a couple on the brink of divorce that takes a second honeymoon to Niagara Falls to give it one more shot.

2. The Scorpio Races - Maggie Stiefvater

Young adult dystopia, love story, flesh-eating water horses. And because Jill loved it.

3. The Cat's Table - Michael Ondaatje

I'm strangely drawn to this one, yet know very little about it. Ondaatje's claim to fame is winning the Booker for "The English Patient", but this novel has been universally praised for it's themes...coming-of-age, morality, physical danger. An 11 year-old leaves Sri Lanka on a three-week trip on an ocean liner to meet his mother in England. And as they say, it isn't about the destination, but the journey as the young man encounters all walks of life. Hmmm...

Anya's Ghost - Vera Brosgol

2012-01-26T07:00:00.121-05:00

All Anya has ever wanted was a good friend.

High school can be pretty hard for a girl who has an immigrant past, whose mother embarrasses her, who has a body image problem, and whose dream guy is in love with the school hottie. But when Anya falls into a well while walking through the park, everything changes.

The well contains a skeleton of a young girl. The ghost of the girl, named Emily, has been waiting for someone to find her since 1918, when she was killed. And now someone has.

Emily attaches herself to Anya and becomes her best friend. She helps Anya with her tests, she gives her fashion advice, and encourages her to go after the boy of her dreams.

Emily tells Anya a sad story about a lost love and her untimely and unsolved murder. But when Anya begins to research the crime in an attempt to solve it, she soon suspects Emily may not have been completely honest. Once that cat is out of the bag, things begin to turn sinister.

My thoughts: I truly enjoyed this book for many reasons. First, this ill-intentioned ghost was so much fun in a creepy kind of way - sort of how you feel when you read Neil Gaiman. (Brosgol was a storyboard artist for Coraline, so it all makes sense.) Brosgol does a great job in transforming the image of a sweet, victimized girl to one with a terrifying glint in her eye. It was totally Fatal Attraction-esque.

There are also good lessons here, such as respecting your parents, loving your body the way it is, and learning that the cute boy in school may not be all that nice. Which makes this a perfect read for girls in the 12-14 age range. This is an excellent debut from a talented artist...I look forward to her future work! I want to thank Heather for the Christmas gift! Lastly, I will leave you with a very cute book trailer...

4 out of 5 stars

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Krakow #2

2012-01-25T07:05:00.003-05:00

Wander down any side street in Krakow and you will find quaint little apartments and restaurants. It is the perfect place to put on your walking shoes and explore.

State of Wonder - Ann Patchett (Audio)

2012-01-24T07:00:00.206-05:00

Years ago, a friend of mine recommended I read Ann Patchett's "Bel Canto". I never really took her seriously and blew it off for whatever I was into at the time. When Patchett then released "State of Wonder" in 2011, and it got better than average reviews (some complained of it being a little slow in the middle), I decided it was time to give her a try. And if it WAS slow in the middle, audio would get me through it.

I went into it knowing very little, only that it had to do with an eccentric scientist having "gone rogue" in the Amazon. Hmmm, whispers of "Heart of Darkness" or "Apolcalypse Now". That was all I really needed to know.

Synopsis: Dr. Marina Singh is a middle-aged research scientist who works for a pharmaceutical company that is financially supporting a cutting edge drug development project in the Amazon jungle. Marina's old mentor, Dr. Annick Swenson, has been working on this project for years, but is completely unreachable, having disappeared under the radar and apparently gone native. Marina's colleague was sent down recently to determine the project's status but died of an unidentified fever. Marina has now been asked to travel to this foreign land, locate the rogue doctor in the wild, determine when the project will be complete (thus possibly making millions for her company) and bring back the effects of her deceased colleague. Marina couldn't be more horrified at the prospect.

Once Marina arrives, however, she is drawn into a land that could just as well have been a different plant. She encounters vigilant hippies whose sole purpose is to protect the whereabouts of Dr. Swenson, a deaf boy whom she wants to adopt as her own, man-eating snakes, a group of natives that love to do her hair, and poison arrow-wielding cannibals. She also finds her mentor to be a force of nature, demanding and unyielding, sacrificing her life and career for the sake of a drug that could change the world.

Strangely, in the Amazon, Marina begins to make peace with the phantoms that have haunted her for years. In fact, she believes that she may never be the same again.

My thoughts: Chalk it up to a phenomenal audio production, or Patchett's beautiful writing, or the subject matter, but this book blew me away. I was never bored, but really the opposite. I was mesmerized.

I was completely fascinated with everything about this tribe in the Amazon...their unique biology (won't say any more), the magical vegetation, and their customs. I felt like I was right in there with Marina, battling the insects and the snakes.

The characters in the story were as equally as fascinating. I wouldn't go so far as to say I loved them. They were quirky and unique, Patchett unapologetic in creating their frailties. Dr. Swenson was the dominant personality throughout, however, both when she is absent and present. You have heard she is crazy, and when you meet her you know she is a few cards short of a deck, but only until you see the level of her dedication to the cause do you stand back (way back) and admire her begrudgingly. Sort of like one of my old bosses.

Some of the scenes bordered on surreal! Whether it be assisting in a native birth up in a tree hut, or a huge snake (python? boa constrictor? I don't remember, but something bad) almost killing a boy, or a few other things that shall remain unspoiled, I just kept shaking my head and wondering "what the hell"???

There has been some controversy over the ending Patchett chose for us. When I was discussing it with Heather, I was really foggy on the whole thing. (I must have been anticipating my next audio "11/22/63"). It did not end the way I expected or wanted, and honestly it felt a little too tidy for me. But I won't let it diminish the overall wonder I felt at completion.

A few words about the audio production: Our narrator for "State of Wonder" was Hope Davis, who is best known for her acting work in the movies. She was truly everything you would want in a narrator. Her pace was perfect, she displayed a wide range of accents, sexes and ages, and was extremely pleasant to listen to. Apparently everyone else thought so too, because the audio book has garnered a list of awards and a spot on the year-end best of lists.

4.5 out of 5 stars

House (1977)

2012-01-23T07:00:00.069-05:00

As most of you may know, my sister is to movies the way I am to books. She watches four to six movies a week, and travels to the Vancouver Film Festival each year (this year she saw 66 movies in two weeks - OMG). She has a blog and writes for an online mag. So when she meanders down from Minneapolis to visit us, I know she is going to bring something...interesting...to watch.

Our first "Kathie movie" was one that was a Japanese film made in 1977 and has been deemed a "masterpiece of le cinema du WTF!?", "Carrie raised to the seventh power", and "Suspiria spiraling ever upward into some psychedelic seventh heaven". Alrighty then.

The director Obayashi, aided by his 11 year-old daughter Chigumi, has created something almost indescribable. A mixture of horror, surrealism, camp, and bizarre goofiness, it is hard to decide whether you should laugh, scream or just be annoyed. This one is for open minds and eclectic tastes.

At its core, the premise is terrifying. Seven teenage girls decide to vacation with one girl's spinster aunt who lives in a remote house. One by one, the girls start disappearing, and it becomes apparent that the aunt (and perhaps the white fluffy pet cat) is in fact a demon spirit.

The effects are cheesy, the backdrops obviously fake, but when a possessed piano eats one girl limb by limb, or another girl finds her schoolmate's head in a well, or their favorite handsome teacher is transformed into a man-sized bunch of bananas, you know you ain't in Kansas anymore.

Better yet? It is on Blu-Ray, and available on Netflix. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

The Angel of Death

2012-01-22T07:50:00.000-05:00

Happy happy morning my friends! I'm pleased to announce that life has calmed down to a dull roar this week, and was able to get myself a little more in order. Only one doctor appointment, one meeting and two worker guy appointments...not bad.

The kids had Monday off from school so the three of us went to Andre the Angel of Death (formerly known as the uber-trainer) for our dose of pain. Then once my husband returned home early from work, we went to the movies...the boys going to see "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" and my daughter and I seeing "The Devil Inside".

Speaking of the Angel of Death, (a name which Andre has acquired since he told me I shouldn't drink wine or eat cheese) he has been doing his job three days a week in getting me in shape. I have a long way to go, but have already lost 9 pounds and I feel great. I'd feel a whole lot greater if I I could have a glass of wine or two, though.

I got some other exciting news this week. I was contacted by a local author who is the chairperson for this year's Sleuthfest, a conference for mystery writers, which will be held in Orlando on March 1 - 4, 2012. She has invited me to sit on a panel called "Reviewing the Reviewers". I'm a little nervous about it, but at the same time, what other genre is closer to my heart than mystery? Totally cool.

I've really been in a mucky, sludgy place with my reading and blogging lately. You know I love to have a little bit of cushion in prescheduled posts, and those are dwindling away while I run around not reading. I'm going to try to pull myself out of this mess, but if things don't pick up soon, I will be forced to take a blogging break in order to get myself back on track. I refuse to chase posts everyday.

On that note, what have I been up to with my reading? I've been floundering in print, but this week was able to finish Taylor Polites' "The Rebel Wife" (Taylor rocks) and the hilarious graphic novel "What I Hate from A to Z" by Roz Chast (a recommendation from Jenners). Now I'm getting somewhere! I will be starting "The Baker's Wife" by Sarah McCoy today.

On audio, I was able to finish "Lunatics" by Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel. It was officially the goofiest, most insane thing I've ever listened to. Probably best consumed in small doses. Then I started "The Zookeeper's Wife" by Diane Ackerman for the Heathrow Literary Society, and should have it wrapped up in the next couple of days. Fascinating story, not so exciting narrator. Also, because I could only find it on MP3, I am listening to "The Dovekeepers" by Alice Hoffman in the car. I'm loving the narrator and the story, but I fear that I will not finish the 19 hour journey before my Skype book club meets. But I'll do my best.

Today we will be churching and horsing, and other than that, probably nothing of consequence. I love days like this. Hope you all have a good one. For those of you in 75% of the country with foul weather, I am sorry. 75 degrees in January is sort of getting old too (hee hee).

Best Friends, Occasional Enemies - Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella (Audio)

2012-01-20T07:09:00.099-05:00

I'm back again with another addition to the Solid Gold Reviewer program from Audio Jukebox. I was drawn to select this title because I am always interested in how other people navigate successfully through the mother/daughter minefield with their relationship intact! My daughter is nearly 14, so I realize I have just entered the Danger Zone.

Lisa Scottoline is a successful author of legal thrillers, and her daughter is a young adult who has not only contributed with her mother on a weekly column in the Philadelphia Inquirer called "Chick Wit", but has written two essay collections with her.

The book alternates back and forth between essays written by Lisa or Francesca on topics that aren't necessarily those of the published and famous, but are completely familiar to you and I. None of them have much of a point, beyond a recounting of their daily trials and tribulations that affect us all. Hating duvet covers (I'm with you girl), wondering which is worse - a mouse problem or the exterminator, the dating scene, and the joy and sorrow of owning a pet.

My opinion: This really was a sweet book written by two women that obviously adore each other and rely upon each other for support. Some of the stories made me chuckle, and some made me very sad. Either way, it was nice to know that two published, successful women have the same issues that we do. I think if I met them, I would like them. I would comment that the book has very little to do with navigating that mother/daughter minefield I was talking about, and more about life.

Unfortunately, however, I don't think the audio forum is the way to experience this book. In my world, I plug in and go...sometimes all day, sometimes for an hour, but usually for longer periods of time. These short little vignettes are meant to be read in short doses. A few before bedtime, a few while waiting at the doctor's office, a couple while waiting for your water to heat up for a cup of tea. As a result, I started to get anxious when listening after awhile, and needed something more.

Both authors actually narrated their own work, and they had very pleasant reading voices, so this was not the issue.

My best advice would be...if you are in the mood for something light, and female issue-driven, buy the book and put it on your nightstand. It will serve you well!

2.5 out of 5 stars

Never Knowing - Chevy Stevens (Audio)

2012-01-19T07:06:00.165-05:00

There has been buzz about Chevy Stevens ever since her debut novel, "Still Missing" was first published. Deemed a taught and mental thriller, all the reviews I ever read said it was near impossible to put down. Shame on me for allowing not one but TWO copies sit on my shelves unread.

I was pretty happy when Stevens' second novel, "Never Knowing", was selected for Heathrow Literary Society's January read. The member who nominated the book said she read both books in two days. A very high recommendation indeed! Around the holidays, with all the chaos, this is just what I needed.

Synopsis: Sara Gallagher has always been curious about her birth parents. With two siblings born naturally to her parents after her adoption, she has always felt left out, less loved. As an adult, however, she has a daughter of her own, and is engaged to be married in just a few months to a man who deeply loves her. Life is good.

To get some closure before starting her new life, Sara decides to hire an investigator to find her birth mother. When the research uncovers the fact that not only was her mother the sole survivor of a serial murderer, but that Sara was a product of rape from that incident, all hell breaks loose. The serial murderer "John" is still out there, and soon learns he has a daughter. He contacts Sara and tries to form a relationship with her. This could be an opportunity for the police to finally catch the most wanted man in Canadian history, but things are a bit more complicated for Sara.

She is worried she might have inherited her father's temper. But she is strangely drawn to him. But he is dangerous. And he could hurt her loved ones. And what about that handsome police officer to whom she has grown close throughout the investigation? Will her happy, normal life ever again be within her reach?

My thoughts: Overall, I thought this was a decent thriller. While there was some action, it was more heavily focused on the complicated, mental underpinnings of being stalked by a paternal serial murderer. I suspect our book club will enjoy untangling all of the rat's nest of emotions addressed here...fear, betrayal, horror, fascination, morbid curiosity, forbidden sexual attraction, the power of maternal instinct, courage...it's all in there.

On the other hand, there were aspects of this story that drove me mad. A great deal of time was spent immersed in the protagonist's inability to make a damned decision. Will she help the police catch her father and defy her fiancé and family, or turn her back on her social responsibility? She waffled at least four times. In reality, yeah, I can understand this confusion. But for purposes of plot, it did not inspire my investment in Sara, and grew old fast. Two waffles would have been enough.

I also thought there were some missed opportunities in the lack of development of the relationship between Sara and her birth mother. It was a very large, loose thread. In fact, there were loose threads everywhere you turned, the focus primarily resting on the father/daughter interaction. What about her adoptive parents, her father's anger and her mother's illness, her dead ex-husband. I'm sure this was by design, but it left me wanting.

A word about the audio production: Nine out of ten times, an audio can make a good book better, but not in this case. The narrator, Carrington MacDuffie, was not a new voice for me. I'd listened to her in "The Little Giant of Aberdeen County" and thought she did a wonderful job. In this case, however, her depiction of Sara did not help matters. Her inflections were forced and insincere (the only comparison I can make is to Shirley Temple, which is cute in a little girl in the 1930's who dances and sings, but doesn't work in this case). About two discs into the audiobook, I began the terrible process of trying to separate the words and plot from what I was hearing in my ears.

3 out of 5 stars

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Krakow #1

2012-01-18T07:00:00.025-05:00

One of the main highlights of Krakow Poland, besides the Wawel Castle, is the Wawel Cathedral. Two cathedrals once stood in its place, the first constructed in the 11th century and the second in the 12th century, both destroyed by fire. The current one that stands was built in the 14th century, and is an almost overwhelming display of marble, gold and Renaissance architecture.

Within its walls (no photography allowed) is the tomb of nearly every important figure in Polish history...kings, queens, war heroes, and even the Polish President that died in an airplane crash in 2010. It is a humbling experience to walk past all these gilded tombs.

You may climb the steps to the bell tower, where you can touch this 28,000 pound bell for good luck. Nope, you can't ring it. It takes 12 people to do that.

Dog On It - Spencer Quinn

2012-01-17T07:03:00.117-05:00

Every time I visit Sandmeyer's Bookstore in Chicago, I have a ball talking to the owner, Ellen, and letting her recommend her favorite books to me. The two of us move through the store, pointing out this or that with commentary, and every shelf or two I grab something. On my last visit, she pointed to this book and said "Oh this one is hilarious! It is a mystery narrated by a dog." My first reaction was to repel in horror. Another "Racing in the Rain" to rip my heart out! Ellen assured me that no, the dog does not die. The dog will make you laugh.

As it turns out, this is the first of a series of four books that involve Chet and his P.I. master Bernie.

Synopsis: Chet and Bernie are a team, through thick and thin. Bernie is a recently divorced, down-on-his-luck private eye who is struggling to make ends meet. Chet is his dog who brings lots of skills to the relationship. He is an (almost) certified K-9 dog, a great jumper, loves to ride shotgun in Bernie's beat-up old Porsche, and is Bernie's biggest fan.

One day Bernie is approached by a distressed woman whose 15 year-old daughter has gone missing. After a short period of time, Bernie is reassured that the girl has been located in Las Vegas and will be coming home soon, but something doesn't feel right. Too much trouble has been happening to Bernie and Chet in the form of the girl's smarmy real estate father and some Russian mobsters. The Bernie/Chet team is like a dog with a bone (ha) and refuses to rest until the details are nailed down and the girl is home safe.

My thoughts: Ellen was right, this book was hilarious. The entire story is narrated by Chet. So we only know what Chet hears in conversations around him or what Bernie tells him. Sometimes Chet will take a nap, go to the groomer's, or get lost in a rawhide chew, and in those cases, we might miss out on a few things. Which is part of the fun. The dog has a great attitude, ready to bite the leg of a bad guy, responds to anyone who will scratch behind his ears or give him treats, and is a loyal friend.

The mystery at hand is not all that complicated, with Russian mobsters being almost stereotypical antagonists, but that is not why we are here. We are here because in the first 30 pages we fall in love with Chet. He makes you want a dog just like him because he is funny and cool and unashamed of his doggy impulses. It is obvious to me that the author knows his canines well. Will this clever hook in telling a cozy mystery get old? Well, the pressure is on Quinn's shoulders.

Without a doubt I will be reading the rest of the series, to see if he is up to the challenge!

4 out of 5 stars

The Artist (2011)

2012-01-16T07:13:00.132-05:00

Six months ago, if you had asked me if I were interested in seeing a silent black and white film...a NEW film...I would have turned you down. I mean really? In the days of big budget, special effects and CGI, who would even have the guts to make such a thing anyway?

Michel Hazanavicious, backed by the Weinstein Company, that's who. And it appears that the director's boldness has paid off in spades. Jean Dujardin has already won the Best Actor Award in Cannes, where it premiered, and has been nominated for six Golden Globes in 2011, the most any one movie received.

Dujardin plays George Valentin, a successful but self-absorbed silent movie star who runs into a Hollywood hopeful Peppy Miller (played by an ebullient Berenice Bejo), making a random but fated connection.

As Peppy earns her way into the movies through her dancing and contagious smile, and starts to climb her way to stardom through the emergence of sound film, George becomes a has-been and loses everything he owns. That connection between the two actors is never broken though, and in a melodramatic and heart-warming climax, this one will leave you with a great big grin on your face knowing you have just witnessed something special.

It was amazing to me how much you can understand from good acting and facial expressions, devoid of words. After perhaps 10 minutes of hearing nothing but music, I completely forgot this was a silent film and was swept away by the romance and nostalgia of it all. George was dashing, Peppy was gorgeous (she absolutely LIGHTS up the screen), and to add flavor there was even a loyal little Jack Russell terror and a devoted chauffeur (James Cromwell). We even were treated with a little John Goodman as the studio director.

I was also impressed with the director's clever slight-of-hand at using sound within the movie to symbolize the materialization of "talkies". I won't go into the details, but was delighted with this creative little twist.

Also contrary to everything modern cinema is about, the movie only ran an hour and 40 minutes. Perfect. Admittedly, it has its share of predictability, in keeping with silent movies of the 1920's (thinking of the woman tied up on the train tracks only to be saved at the last minute by her knight in shining armor) but that is exactly why you will leave the theater smiling. This is what movies used to be about.

The rating is PG-13 for one fun bird-flipping scene, some alcohol consumption and a threat of violence. My kids (aged 13 and 12) loved it. The release of The Artist has been limited thus far (only shown for one week at our only indie theater), but when it gets multiple Oscar nominations (and I promise you it will) there may be a chance for a wider audience to experience this magical film.

Sunday Salon: Coming up for air

2012-01-15T07:35:00.105-05:00

Good morning everyone! I will just warn you...I have had "one of those weeks". A Sandy Week. I never mean to overwhelm you or sound like I am whining or bragging or anything like that. I have no intentions of reciting my week for any reason except just to take a personal inventory of WHY I didn't get a damn thing done. Makes me feel better.

As I told you last week, my sister was visiting so that contributed to the busy-ness, but can't really blame her for the overall chaos. I drug that poor girl around with me everywhere I went. I took her to my workout classes with Andre on Monday and Wednesday morning (I also worked out Thursday morning, but she was doing her best downward dogs with my mom). I took her to my book club meeting Monday night (discussing "Before I Go To Sleep" by S.J. Watson) and my Heathrow Literary Society on Tuesday (discussing "Never Knowing" by Chevy Stevens). No she didn't read the books but who cares. We watched movies almost every night that we were home. We cooked. We went to see "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy", which was very good. We visited my friend Craig's wine store to do some birthday shopping for my husband.

I had a walking date with a good friend on Tuesday so we could catch up on our lives. I had an Adult Literacy League meeting on Wednesday night - the event is coming up on March 1st, so everything has kicked into high gear. We celebrated my husband's actual birthday Thursday night. I went on a field trip with about 150 4th, 5th and 6th graders to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure all day Friday. And in between all that, my daughter had her horseback riding lessons, her weekly Confirmation class, and the kids had their own workout sessions with Andre as well. Thank God I have my parents down here to help shuttle.

I also took my husband to the Magnolia golf course at Disney yesterday for 18 holes for his birthday.

I don't mind saying that I'm tired.

So I guess it should come as no shock that I read virtually NOTHING this week. I tried really hard to get into "The History of History" but it is a dense book and it was going nowhere. I will just have to come back to it later. So I turned to a new book that I got from Kenneth Dixon (I have read and reviewed two of his previous books, which are always quirky and fun). His new book, entitled "The Photo Album", is only 125 pages long, and I'm on page 50. This is as good as it is going to get folks. Until I can get my life back in order. After I knock that one out, I am going to settle in with Taylor Polites "The Rebel Wife" which was one I got at SIBA and has been getting some serious accolades. I don't mind saying that the SIBA bloggers fell in love with Taylor when we met him. Then I think I will having a Sarah Pekkanen fest after that.

On audio, I did slightly better. Only because I squeezed in a day of housecleaning on Wednesday. I finished "11/22/63" by Stephen King, and if I said I loved it last week, well now we are talking stratospheric, emotional, put-it-on-my-favorite-of-all-time love. I was vacuuming and sobbing (sweeping and weeping?) when I wrapped that one up. After that, nothing is going to measure up I am afraid. I did want to allow time for some Penguin Audios, since they have been sending me some great selections, so I started a short one called "Lunatics" written and narrated by Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel. It is really an insane thing, this audio. I am speechless.

Today we are scheduled for church, horseback riding lessons, and a track banquet in the evening. The kids don't have school on Monday, so once the three of us work on our fitness in the morning with Andre, we will see if anything else gets accomplished. Maybe a nap?

The Future of Us - Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

2012-01-13T07:00:00.114-05:00

At SIBA this year, there was a session where each of the publishers were allowed one minute to stand up and promote the upcoming books they were excited about. And Penguin talked about this one. I couldn't help but get excited too, and snatched up a review copy. Listen to the premise, and I bet you'll have the same reaction:

Synopsis: Josh and Emma have been best friends and next-door neighbors for their entire lives. That is, until six months ago, when Josh made his true, more romantic feelings known to Emma and scared her off. Things do seem to be thawing a bit, and Josh decides to let Emma borrow an AOL download disc for her new computer. It is 1996, and home computers and AOL are all the rage.

Strangely, when they install it, there is a link to something called Facebook. The kids are stymied when they open it and see their lives, 15 years in the future. At first it seems like a hoax, but they soon are convinced this is something bigger. Emma is horrified by her "husband" and the life she seems to have. Josh, however, is thrilled to see that he is married to the high school hottie. They also find that when they make certain "tweaks", their future changes...break a vase, get in a fight, or just make up your mind you will or will not ever make a certain decision. The two teenagers become obsessed with their future, and wonder if their lives will ever be the same (or sane) again.

My thoughts: Penguin YA has cleverly partnered two of their hottest authors Jay Asher (Thirteen Reasons Why) and Carolyn Mackler (The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things) to create a very thought-provoking and sweet love story that is bound to hit a note with the Facebook generation.

I love that Asher and Mackler don't get caught up in the "why" of the story. They are having a little magical fun that gives the reader some food for thought. Do you really want to know what lies in your future, or would it just drive you crazy and make you second guess every move you make? They also weave in some typical teen themes...crushes on unattainables, dealing with family issues, and friendship.

The story was very predictable, but it didn't lessen my enjoyment of it. The prose makes for a quick, fun read. I would offer a word of caution to parents of tween-aged kids...the book does make reference to teen pregnancy, use of condoms, and contained some scenes of heavy make-out sessions, so use your judgement for anyone under 13 or 14.

3.5 out of 5 stars

In the Garden of Beasts - Erik Larson (Audio)

2012-01-12T07:02:00.212-05:00

Back before I started blogging, I experienced something that has only happened to me a handful of times in my reading life. I was completely swept away - consumed, even - by a novel. That novel was "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson. It delved into the history of Chicago architecture, the 1893 World Fair, and a serial killer that was picking off young women who had come to the city to take advantage of job opportunities. You couldn't have found a book more suited to my tastes, and will forever be in my top ten books ever.

On paper, "In the Garden of Beasts" should have had the same effect. Erik Larson writing about an insider's view in 1933 Berlin, as Hitler was circling the wagons? I almost jumped out of my skin when I first read about it. It made my "Wants and Needs" list. I barged into line for the audio at my library. It had my name aaaaaaaallll over it.

Synopsis: In 1933, a stodgy and humble professor from Chicago, William E. Dodd, was chosen to be the first US ambassador to Hitler's Germany. The fact that he was far from the first choice because all previous candidates had declined the assignment should have been his first warning. Nevertheless, armed with his shield of high morals, his wife, son and promiscuous daughter Martha, he sailed off to Germany determined to make a difference.

Almost immediately upon arriving, Dodd knew this was not the Germany he remembered from an earlier time. Jews (and even a few Americans) were being attacked in the streets, Hitler was talking about building the "New Germany", and nobody paid attention to the earnest but bumbling ambassador. He couldn't have been less equipped to manage the momentum building under his nose.

On the other hand, vivacious Martha was star-struck by the Nazi power, and slept her way through Berlin, the notches in her belt including a Gestapo commandant and a Soviet spy. One of Hitler's men even tries to set her up with the Fuhrer himself.

As the Dodds' time in Germany comes to a close, one of the most notorious signs of Hitler's rise in power occurs...the "Night of the Long Knives", when the Gestapo launches a massive preemptive strike against all of the Third Reich's enemies by invading their homes and executing their entire families.

My thoughts: I find it amazing to actually see, from an American's point of view, what Berlin was like six long years before the invasion of Poland. Hitler's master plan was one that did not happen overnight, but was strategically and methodically planned. The signs were there long before he set up the death camps. Unfortunately, the people that could have made a difference either were afraid to say something or wrote him off as a goofball.

Nobody loves this stuff more than I do. But I can't recommend this book. And it breaks my heart.

There are literally hundreds of names and facts, almost too broad in scope. Too many to inspire any solid foundation upon which the reader may invest.  None of the characters are likable.  Dodd was weak and his daughter was a floozy.  US politicians turned their backs on Dodd's warnings, instead focusing on how much they disliked Dodd. It all felt like a big ugly mess.  Does that make for good reading?  Perhaps, but the focus of the mess (how Hitler was allowed to grow into a monster, unchecked) strayed off-course, and more than once settled instead on Martha's sexcapades and Dodd's inadequacies. It left me feeling irritated and confused. And bored.

A word about the audio production: It would be easy to blame the audio. If you did, you would be half right, the audio did play a part in my unhappiness. The narrator, Stephen Hoye, was not the right voice for the job. He does a decent job at talking murder and mayhem in the Michael Harvey series, but he lacks the dynamics to hold your attention for 13 hours when historical fact is the main entree. About halfway through, I began to do something I call "separating myself from the audio", and try to imagine reading the words. I'm just not sure if reading this information would have made it any more palatable.

When I look through the reviews on Amazon and other websites, I see that my opinion is not one that is shared by many people, and you need to know that. Is it possible that the panache of Larson and WWII combined have clouded judgements? I'm just asking...

2.5 out of 5 stars

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Wroclaw #7

2012-01-11T07:00:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite little treasures in Wroclaw is the Hala Stulecia (translated as Centennial Hall), formerly called Hala Ludowa. It was constructed in 1911, while under the German Empire, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many great speakers have taken the stage at this hall, and even just as recently as a few months ago, a European financial forum was held here.

Surrounding the hall is a gorgeous park, Japanese gardens, a big needle (pictured above...have no idea it's purpose), and a giant, 300-jet fountain that performs to music. We escaped to this area several times on our trip to have a drink or some ice cream and make use of the rare and valuable wireless Internet.

Joy For Beginners - Erica Bauermeister

2012-01-10T07:00:00.110-05:00

In 2009, I accidentally stumbled upon Erica Bauermeister's "School of Essential Ingredients" on audio. Nothing could have prepared me for the delight, THE JOY, of that book. It left two distinct impressions with me when I finished it...the author knows food and the sensual art of cooking, and she knows the heart of a woman.

Now she is back again with more joy, both for beginners and her repeat customers. I was resolute in my mission to wait for the audio. But I saw this book at the Borders close-out sale, and I grabbed it. I couldn't resist. I needed some joy in my holiday season.

Synopsis: Kate has just emerged from years of battling breast cancer, victorious and ready to embrace life again. Her daughter has challenged her to take a white-water rafting tour in the Grand Canyon...something that is WAY outside Kate's comfort zone. At an intimate dinner party with her five best girlfriends, Kate agrees to face her fear...IF the other five women agree to face their own fears by accepting a mission of Kate's choosing.

So we get to know each woman, and the struggles they have been through. Motherhood, divorce, widowhood, alienation from family, as well as watching their friend fend off death. They all have baggage, and Kate knows just the thing to help them heal. Whether it be getting rid of an ex-husband's books, baking bread, or getting a tattoo, the women each go through a period of rediscovery and rebuilding.

My thoughts: Well, that little statement I made about the food and the heart of a woman? Ms. Bauermeister has done it again. She is witty and warm; she makes my heart soar. She gets it.

When she talks about kneading and baking bread, I felt almost intoxicated:

Daria lay next to Henry in his bed, inhaling the smell of baking bread that filled the house, the man beside her. Warm sugar, fields in the summer, the slight sharpness of wine. She wondered if anyone had ever made a perfume that was the essence of bread, but even then, how could you get it to cover one person so evenly, to sink into hair, hands, the warm expanse of a chest?
Or what it feels like to be firmly implanted in middle age:

The cold reality of it had struck her, as if, perched on the crest of a roller coaster, the rest of the ride was suddenly, irreversibly clear. On the way up, the vista had been infinite, the time to look about sometimes agonizingly long; now there was only the certain and dispassionate knowledge that there was one set of rails on which to travel, the ending immutable and about to begin. It didn't matter that the rest of the trip might take twenty, even thirty years to complete; the angle of the ride had changed.
But probably the very best scene of the book is when Kate, after kicking those rapids to the curb, "leaned over, kissed Robin's cheek and leaped off the rock, a howl of joy flying in the air". It makes me cry just typing it.

If you are in the mood for a celebration of life, women and bread, you must give yourself the gift of sinking into this book. Trust me, you will thank me.

5 out of 5 stars

A few bookish goals for 2012

2012-01-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

I'm always in awe of the bloggers that run their blog like a business. They accomplish so much...features, interviews, giveaways. They are always dreaming up something new, they work their social media, and are constantly improving their game.

Me? Not so much. I'd love to have that kind of attitude, but I burned out years ago in the corporate world in the high-achieving category. Therefore, I am the blog sloth. (Haha! I kind of like that term!)

But I do always think about what I am doing at the end of every year. I am generally satisfied with my schedule throughout the week. In my case, three book reviews (really not reviews though...maybe rambling would be a better term), something relating to movies on Monday, a picture on Wednesday, and my Sunday Salon. I take Saturdays off.

I will continue to heavily screen review copies, and join few challenges. Fun = good. Stress = bad.

As far as what I want to read though, here are some ideas:

1. Read more free verse. This was WAAAAY outside my comfort zone in 2011, but I have found that I love it. For all of you that are scared, trust me and just try it ONCE. Two titles that I have jotted down are "Perfect" by Ellen Hopkins, and "I Heart You, You Haunt Me" by Lisa Schroeder.

2. Read more graphic novels. Again, a genre that was off the path for me a couple of years ago. Now I can't get enough. Seriously. My library seems to be lacking. I'm going to put my miner's cap on and go digging one of these days.

3. Immerse myself in the wonders of Simon Vance and Robin Sachs. For those of you who don't recognize these names, they are the audiobook voices that will reduce you to a puddle of mush. More digging at the library.

4. Re-reads. Something I very rarely do. Specifically, I want to read "Smilla's Sense of Snow" by Peter Hoeg, "Beach Music" by Pat Conroy, and Stephen King's collection of short stories "Night Shift". These are all books I remember fondly. I want to see if they hold up.

5. Author projects:

Karen White - Tradd Street series, because I feel left out.
John Green - I think I have them all, between my daughter and I.
Haruki Murakami - I will start with "Kafka on the Shore" and proceed further if I am moved.
Sarah Pekkanen - If you follow her on Twitter, you will fall in love with her. The fact that everyone loves her books, and that she wrote them in Chuck E. Cheese because she has three boys? Can't resist.
Kate Atkinson - I need more literary mysteries in my life, and I loved "Case Histories".
Lisa See - Because she is coming to Orlando in March!

I am sure in 10 minutes I will read one of your posts and come up with more things I want to do, but these are ones that have been brewing for a couple of weeks. Any other suggestions or comments?

Sunday Salon: Sore muscles and a visitor from the north

2012-01-08T07:00:00.091-05:00

Good morning all! How are we doing this morning? Earlier this week, we had a blast of cold but now it is back to gorgeous weather in the mid-70's. Winter schminter. This is why people migrate down here.

It seems when I am dieting, that is all I can focus on. I love food, so when I am deprived of it, life takes on a different meaning. It is literally ALL I CAN THINK OF!!!! Not to mention my three-times-a-week with the uber-trainer Andre, who seems to desire only to make me feel pain. I hope it pays off. But this entire week, I've been walking like I've been riding a horse, and have floppy useless arms.

On Thursday, the kids went back to school, which was a very good thing. They were getting bored and whiny, and on my last nerve. I was able to fully clean my house in peace. Then on Friday, my sister Kathie came to visit from Minnesota. She brings with her fun, off-beat movies, and hardcore pot sticker-making skillz. I'll be dragging her to Andre on Monday morning so someone else can feel my pain, and maybe even to my two book club meetings next week. It is great to have her here.

Last night we all went out to one of our favorite restaurants these days called "Enzo's" to celebrate my husband's birthday. Happy birthday honey! I had to restrain myself from completely pigging out, but boy was it tasty.

As far as reading, I'm going to just lay it out. I'm a loser. I am the world's slowest reader, and I am getting frustrated. If my life ever calms down (ha) then maybe I'll build up some momentum. As it is, I have to be trapped on a plane to experience any productivity. Anyway, I did finish "Unsaid" by Neil Abramson, and it was just a beautiful book. I cried, but nobody is shocked by that one. And I've just started "The History of History" by Ida Hattemer-Higgins, which has come highly recommended by Jackie. I'm three pages into it (loser, loser).

I'm still working my way through the audio of Uncle Stevie's "11/22/63". When the kids are home, I am very rarely plugged in, so this was my issue. Now I should be able to finish it up by mid-next week. I am on disc 24 of 30, and I think it is safe to say that this is going to be one of my top reads of the year. Holy moly I love this book. Stevie has my number.

Today we are scheduled for church, horseback riding lessons, a movie perhaps, and steaks on the grill. It doesn't get any better! Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Before I Go To Sleep - S.J. Watson (Audio)

2012-01-06T07:00:00.113-05:00

I've been eye-balling this book for some time now. This whole mystery-slash-memory loss sub-genre has really taken over lately, and of course in my mind everything leads back to a favorite movie of mine "Memento". (If you've not seen it, you must. It is a serious brain-twister.  Don't drink while you watch it by the way, or you will be very cornfused.)

So then my friend Marianne recommended reading this for our January Books, Babes and Bordeaux book club.  She said is was wild and woolly and easy to read. Which is a good thing if you are attempting to survive the holidays.

Synopsis: Christine wakes every day to a strange bed, a strange man lying beside her, and a strange woman in the mirror. Her husband explains that she suffered traumatic head injuries in an accident that causes all of her short-term memory to be erased every time she goes to sleep.  Does she have friends? Does she have children? Does she have a job?

Christine receives a call from a doctor that appears to be working with her to regain some of her memory. He has encouraged her to keep a diary, so as she learns things about herself, she can write them down and use it to recall important details. She begins to suspect something is wrong when she finds a note in her diary that says she should not trust her husband.  Christine must figure out whether she is delusional, or whether there is a reason to be scared for her life.

My thoughts: I guess when Lionel Shriver and Dennis Lehane blurb a book, and it is compared to "Memento", you expect it to be a book destined to be on your best of lists.  Unfortunately, while this book was entertaining, it was disappointing.

The premise is creepy. Every day you wake up remembering nothing? Slowly, Christine starts to attempt to piece together her life and keep track of it in her journal. Things don't add up. There are twists, some expected, some not. A couple of times, the rug was pulled out from under me. There were some other twists that I saw coming a mile away. Overall, though, it was a real mind-bender.

From an author's perspective, this was a writing minefield. There were literally thousands of facts that could trip you up. All I wanted to do, subconsciously, is poke holes in it.  It was really hard for me to relax and enjoy the ride.

After awhile, I did get weary. Losing her memory every night, waking up and discovering things written in the diary. Does she love her husband? Does she trust him?  It began to get repetitive in the middle of the book, before things ramped up at the end. The ending also felt very tidy, where everything is 'splained, like a Scooby Doo mystery. Jenners and I discussed this via e-mail, and she actually offered an alternate ending that would have knocked me right down on my hiney. That Jenners is clever, she is.

Bottom line? A good entertaining mystery, but not a great one.

A few words about the audio production: Our narrator for this book was Orlagh Cassidy, who is a new voice for me. She has a beautiful, lilting British accent and was pleasant to listen to. She expressed genuine emotion and was a very believable victim.

3 out of 5 stars

Green River Killer: A True Detective Story - Jeff Jensen and Jonathan Case

2012-01-05T07:00:00.164-05:00

I've always had a morbid fascination with true crime. In my pre-blogging days, I read everything ever written by Ann Rule, who dominates the genre. Many of her books kept me awake at night, but two that stood out were "The Stranger Beside Me" (about Ted Bundy, and insanely enough, Rule actually KNEW Bundy and worked with him, so that gave the story an eerie twist) and "Green River, Running Red" about Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer.

It is hard not to wonder how on earth a dumpy little man could have killed an estimated 71 women over two decades before he was caught. He probably slipped by the authorities for longer than expected because he targeted prostitutes. For the scariest up-close look at the face of evil, you should read Rule's book.  She leaves no fact undisturbed, and additionally explores the efforts of the homicide detectives that ultimately brought him down.

It was no wonder, then, that my antennae twitched when I read Swapna and Candace's reviews of a graphic novel that explores the hunt and capture of Gary Ridgway.

Synopsis:   If you read Entertainment Weekly, you may recognize the name Jeff Jensen as one of their senior writers. What you may not know is that his father spent most of his career as a police officer chasing down the Green River Killer. Jeff teams up with illustrator Jonathan Case to bring this tragic story to life from the perspective of Jeff's father Tom and his fellow King County homicide detectives.

With the smooth and perfectly-paced transition back and forth in time over 19 years, almost like a movie, the authors place the readers in the shoes of Tom Jensen. We experience the frustration, the endless hours, the countless bodies, the desperate faces of the victims' families. We see the capture and interrogation of Ridgway, and then go back in time to see all of the steps and broken hearts and dreams it took to get there.

My thoughts: Despite the fact that I thought I knew everything there was to know about this case, I could not put this book down. It brought this sensationalized story down to a personal level. For example, I found it touching that a picture of Jeff Jensen, in a school production of "The Impossible Dream", was what inspired his father to never give up.  When you integrate that with the stark and chilling black and white illustrations, you have an undeniable combination.

Normally, in a review of a graphic novel, I include pictures. I had to resist in this case. Some of them were disturbing, and probably not suited for everyone. Even though I was well aware of the crimes committed upon these women, it is jarring to see it on the page.

I also appreciated that Jensen, per his father's strict request, did not exploit the victims of their families in the telling of this story.  It was handled with respect for their grief.

For anyone that enjoys graphic novels as well as true crime, this is one you won't want to miss.

4 out of 5 stars

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Wroclaw #6

2012-01-04T07:00:00.002-05:00

On one of our days trips from Wroclaw, we traveled a couple of hours to Gory Stolowe, or the Tabletop Mountains. The hike was rigorous, but the reward was worth it...this beautiful view. Poland has gorgeous countryside and can get mountainous as you travel towards the Czech Republic. You will never go hungry though. Even in the remote outreaches, there is always a little old lady in a hut ready to sell you homemade cheese or a drink.

My Soul To Take - Yrsa Sigurdardottir

2012-01-03T07:00:00.162-05:00

A long time ago, way before blogging, my sister recommended a book to me. My sister isn't a big reader, but when she dips into a book, it is usually quality. She highly encouraged me to read "Smilla's Sense of Snow" by Peter Hoeg, a dark and twisted thriller set in Copenhagen and Greenland. It blew me away...the characters, the desolate atmosphere. I might not feel the same way if I read the book now, but I've never been able to shake my fascination with mysteries that take place in these types of climates.

A couple of years ago, I was meandering through my favorite little bookstore in Chicago, Sandmeyer's, when this book caught my eye. A murder mystery that is described as "a novel of Iceland"??? I impulsively bought it, not realizing it is the second book in a series. (You would think I did this on purpose, wouldn't you?) But in the 80 degree Florida winter weather, I needed something to chill me out and trick myself into thinking I'm cold.

Synopsis: Thora Gudmundsdottir has been called out to a recently-built new age health resort to resolve some legal concerns by its eccentric owner. He (and most of the surrounding townspeople) believe that the grounds are haunted, and wants to press charges against the previous owners, believing they pulled a fast one when selling it to him. While Thora is visiting, the body of a woman is found on a nearby beach, raped and brutally murdered, with pins stuck in her feet. Soon, another body is found, this time a man, kicked to death by a horse. Some disturbing facts indicate this was not an accident.

Thora's client is at the top of the suspect list, so with the help of her boyfriend, Thora begins to do some sleuthing to try to figure out what is going on. What she finds is a twisted tale that started back during WWII and involves Nazis, a forgotten little girl, and madness.  It is up to Thora to try to connect the past with the present, and understand why she keeps hearing the cry of a baby outside her window.

My thoughts: Let me start with the positive.  Predictably, I was immediately taken with the bleak landscape of this rural, oceanside resort. It's lonesome beaches, it's barns and old farmhouses full of secrets. It is exactly where you want to be when there are murders to be solved.

And what horrifying murders.  Sigurdardottir knows how to do a number on your appetite, with shocking and vivid descriptions of the worst possible crimes.  I might even say creative. The mystery was complex and difficult to figure out, but aggravated by some trickery that I did not appreciate. Let me explain.

The author had red herrings all over the story. I'm OK with that...Nesbo is the red herring king after all.  But when one suspicious character makes a vague comment to himself about getting the blood off a blunt object, or another potential evil-doer tells herself with glee that "the bitch is dead", it borders on hokey and intentionally underhanded.

I also did not warm up to Thora. She seemed bland and bumbling. She makes some poor choices in her Keystone Cop-ish "investigation", and she didn't come across as very sharp when she was interviewing people. I guess I had a hard time imagining that she would be able to solve a complicated murder case before the police would. If I am going to follow a series, I need some quirks, some hutzpa, some wild hairs, and some cleverness. I need someone like Keye Street or Harry Hole if I am going to stay engaged.

So will I pick up another book from this series? Maybe. You would have to do a bang-up job of convincing me...

2.5 out of 5 stars

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

2012-01-02T07:00:00.046-05:00

Attention all you Tom Cruise haters! Set aside your harsh feelings for the couch-jumping Scientologist, and treat yourself to one of the biggest surprises of this movie-going season.

Not that the first three movies in this franchise were chopped liver. They were pretty darned good. Cruise has always played a solid role as Agent Ethan Hunt, with perfect timing, performing his own stunts, wielding some really cool gadgets, masks and his well-toned middle-aged pecs. Remember that famous scene from the first movie when he is suspended from the ceiling by wires while doing some computer hackery? The movies are the essence of coolness.  Perfect for a weekend watch-a-thon.

But the fourth installment is by far the coolest, most adrenaline-pumped, most toe-curling.

In the opening sequence, Ethan is busted out of a Russian prison (why is he in there?  we will find out later) to be given a special mission...retrieve nuclear launch codes that have been stolen by a doomsday wack-job (played by Michael Nyqvist of the Swedish Girl With the Dragon Tattoo). Only before said codes are safely in the hands of the good guys, the Kremlin is blown to pieces and Ethan's band of agents, the IMF, is blamed. The President of the US invokes Ghost Protocol, and the IMF is disavowed, leaving Ethan's team high and dry.  On their own, they must restore their good name and prevent a nuclear holocaust.

Not only does Cruise entertain, but he has a strong cast to back him up. Strangely, Nyqvist makes a pretty decent evil dude. He has transformed his gentle and womanizing nature in Tattoo to a facade of ice and derangement. Cruise's IMF team is made up of Jeremy Rinner (The Hurt Locker) and the sexy badass Paula Patton (Hitch), as well as Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) for humor relief.

The action never stops. We're not just talking fast car chases and shooting and running around, but hovering body suits, nuclear missles hurtling towards San Francisco, an exploding Kremlin and the one that I witnessed peeking through my fingers...climbing up the outside of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world that resides in Dubai. On the 130th floor. With these (unreliable) little sticky gloves. Mother Mary, it made me nauseous.

It is notable that this movie was directed by Brad Bird (Ratatouille, The Incredibles, Up), and this was his first non-animated gig. I think he has proven himself with this endeavor.

My only complaint was that the ending was a wee bit too happy and cheesy, with everyone joking and feeling good about life. Still, it is a good thing that Bird kept morale high. We want these guys to choose to accept another mission.

Sunday Salon: The one where I implode from happiness

2012-01-01T07:43:00.112-05:00

Hey friends! Long time, no see! At least here at the Salon. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, and got everything they wanted. Ultimately, I had intended this post to be an accounting of all of my New Year's literary goals, but I can't restrain myself. I had to share. Goals, schmoals. I'll talk about them some other time. I have to show you what Santa brought, and talk about what I've been reading (or not).

So first, Precious #1. My husband, my parents and a family friend (my stand-in Grandma) all chipped in to give me a place to put my books. Or at least get them off the floor. These gorgeous bookcases came from IKEA believe it or not. They weighed a million pounds, but Santa got them in his car, carried them into the house, and assembled. Although I caught a nasty flu bug on Christmas evening, I mustered all of my energy to move my floor books to a better place. Ahhh. I almost want to weep.

Precious #2, from my husband. After three years with a beloved little HP netbook that crashed with a simple video, I received a brand new 11 inch Macbook Air. Oh, it is just an amazing thing. It is so thin and light and blasts all over the Internet at the speed of sound. I was a teeny bit scared making the transition from Windows to Mac, but it was actually seamless. For those of you who are Mac people, you may be rolling your eyes at me, but you understand.

So what have I been up to? Well, not a whole lot of reading really. I tried, but all that shopping and cooking and gifting and fluing took up all my time. I did finish "Dog On It", a cozy mystery narrated by the most awesome dog. This is a series, and I can't wait to read more. I also read the graphic novel "Anya's Ghost", a gift from Heather, and loved that. Now I am working on "Unsaid" by Neil Abramson, about a female vet who has died, but has yet to pass into the afterlife because of unresolved issues with the animals she cared for in life. I know, why not just rip my heart out and stomp on it, but this author made an impression on me at SIBA this year.

My audio activity has been almost nil, but I did start Stephen King's 11/22/63. I'm only on disc 5 (out of 30) but it has been gripping from the first word. Jill and I are reading this together, so prepare for some dueling reviews when we both finish.

We brought in the new year last night with our New England friends, lobster, steamers, chowda, high cholesterol and laughs. So! The diet has officially started in earnest. I've banned butter and carbs from the house and I have a trainer that has accepted the mission to make a silk purse from a sow's ear. Or whatever that saying is.

Hope you all are relaxed and recovering nicely from your celebrations over the last week. What are you up to today?

13 rue Therese - Elena Mauli Shapiro

2011-12-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

I received this book at SIBA 2010, with the explanation that it was different and creative. I'm always interested in anything with that description. The the reviews started coming in...Booking Mama, Devourer of Books, Beth Fish Reads.  A year later (because that is just the kind of girl I am) I decide it might be the perfect thing to read for the readathon.

Now for the synopsis. I almost copied and pasted the publisher's summary, but I'm going to tackle it.

Synopsis: In a Paris office, a young clerk named Josianne has in her possession a memory box full of things that represent the life of Louise Brunet, a spitfire of a woman who lived between WWI and WWII. As she has done previous times, she places the box in a file cabinet, waiting to entrance the next young man with its secrets and charms.

That man would be the young and handsome historian, Trevor Stratton. He finds the box, and becomes obsessed with this woman Louise, imagining her life from the treasures she has left behind. The lines between fact and fantasy, and the past and present blur, and before long Trevor isn't sure what year it is, and whether he is in love with Louise, or young Josianne.

My thoughts: When I started this book, I was totally charmed. The pages have photos of the actual items in Louise's memory box (which actually DID come from a memory box obtained by the author from an upstairs neighbor who passed away). I guess I've come to find that I like pictures.  They tell a story that goes beyond the word.

The character of Louise kept me on my toes, but I wasn't sure I liked her. Having lost her true love, who died in the war, she is married to a kind man who is in business with her father.  Louise is bored though, and goes looking for action with a neighbor. She is full of energy, and opinions, and seemed pretty selfish.

And I become confused. Was this story about Louise just in Trevor's mind? Did he time travel? Is he insane? By the end, I really had no idea what was going on.  It was wispy and magical, but if I had to explain it to someone, I couldn't.

There is also quite a bit of sex in the story. Whether it was real or not, I gave up guessing. But the descriptions are graphic. Like Jackie Collins graphic.

I loved the imagery of Paris during Louise's life. The grief and guilt that accompanies war, the joys found in music and friends, and the person one becomes when at war. But the story itself went from something clever and charming to an ambiguous tale of (maybe) a lurid affair and a spoiled unmoored woman who is unhappy with her comfortable life in Paris.

I am definitely in the minority on this one, and if you want to hear from a few bloggers that loved the book, please take a look a those I've linked at the beginning of the review. I'm going to hang on to the book and perhaps read it again, when I am less distracted. My best advice, if you are interested in reading this, would be to familiarize yourself with the plot, and read it when you can offer your undivided attention.

3 out of 5 stars

The Hunchback of Neiman Marcus - Sonya Sones

2011-12-29T07:00:00.120-05:00

Normally, I tend to avoid books that have hats and shoes and thong underwear on the cover. Nothing screams vapid chick-lit like shoes and thongs. So we tip our hat yet again to the power of the blogger recommendation, because if it weren't for the TOTALLY GLOWING reviews of Bermudaonion and At Home With Books, this book would not have graced my threshold. That probably makes me sound snobbish.  This whole experience has made me rethink my attitude towards shoes and thongs.

Synopsis: Holly is a writer of poetry. She is turning 50 soon.  Her only child, Samantha, is preparing to leave for college in the near future.  Her mother, who lives on the other side of the US, is starting to fail. She can't stand to look at herself in the dressing room mirrors. She thinks her husband might be cheating on her with another mom, who happens to be buff. She has writer's block and her publicist is nagging her. The checkout boy at the supermarket just gave her a senior discount.

In refreshing and creative free verse, we are privy to Holly's trials and tribulations as a woman in transition.  A woman of the sandwich generation. A woman with hot flashes. It is a diary with a cadence and flow, with a BFF's candor and humor that reassures us that we are not alone.

My thoughts: Sometimes, you find a book that speaks to you. Whether it is a book about grieving when you have lost someone special, a deliciously creepy tale on a rainy night, a book about the building of a medieval English cathedral when you are traveling in England, or a love story when you meet The One.

Or when you read this book when you are feeling fat and unappreciated by your children. It is synchronicity.

And it is laugh-out-loud FUNNY. Sonya has a way with words, verbalizing things that were just on the tip of your tongue.  And don't let the "free verse" thing freak you out.  What I am finding is that even though I am poetry-illiterate, I really love this style of writing. I have to share a couple of passages with you, and you will see what I mean:
Shift Happens
On what day,
at what hour,
at which tell-me-it-ain't-so moment

did you finally come
to the blow-to-the-solar-plexus realization
that your daughter had switched over

from being so proud of you
that she actually wanted to bring you in
for show-and-tell,

to being so humiliated
by everything you say or do
or even think about doing

that she is
no longer willing
to be seen in public with you?

(Unless,
of course,
you offer to take her shopping.)

Nostalgia
All of us
were young once.

And for each of us
there was a certain afternoon

An afternoon when we were
as beautiful as we'd ever been,

as beautiful
as we'd ever get -

and not one of us
knew that it was happening.

All of us
are older now.

And for each of us
there will be a certain afternoon.

An afternoon
when we will pass by a mirror

and see that the last bit of youthful beauty
has fluttered from our faces.

And on that afternoon,
our hearts and our minds

will finally be old enough
and wise enough -

not to give
a flying f**k.

OK, sorry that was long. But how can you not love this woman? Please get this, please read this, and be charmed off your feet by it.

5 out of 5 stars

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Wroclaw #5

2011-12-28T07:07:00.029-05:00

Photo credit: Atlasobscura.com

If my family were to rank the coolest thing we saw on this trip to Poland, it would be this - Kaplica Czaszek, or Chapel of the Skulls. For all you plague lovers out there, this is going to blow your mind.

In honor of Cholera and other plague victims, as well as various skirmishes, a priest built this chapel out of their bones in 1776. In the chapel itself, there are 3,000 souls represented. In a crypt below the chapel (which we were able to peek into), another 21,000 skeletons reside. It is truly a creepy creepy thing. We were not able to take photos inside (I wanted to try surreptitiously with my iPhone, but a scary nun was eye-balling us) so I have used one I got from the Internet.

Wonderstruck - Brian Selznick

2011-12-27T07:00:00.104-05:00

I was first introduced to Brian Selznick's work when I read "The Invention of Hugo Cabret"...a part graphic novel, part written story about an orphan living in 1930's Paris, exploring the magic of old movies and an automaton. Even though the book was written for 9 year olds, it captured my imagination and made me feel like a kid. That is the beauty of Selznick...he brings a child-like delight to his work.

When I heard he had a new book coming out in the same type of format, I really didn't care what it was about. I knew I had to have it. Never mind that Scholastic protected copies of this book at SIBA like the freaking Crown Jewels. I discovered a tiny little indie bookstore in the small town of Apalachicola, FL over Thanksgiving, and begged my husband to buy this book for me. I read it that very night.

Synopsis: Born deaf in one ear, Ben has always wondered about his father. His mother won't talk about him, and becomes sad when Ben approaches the subject. When Ben's mother dies, Ben finds a clue about his missing father, and is immediately struck deaf in his other ear by a lightning strike. Despite his disability, he sets out for New York City to find him.

In a separate storyline 50 years earlier, we meet Rose, who is a deaf girl obsessed with scrapbooking pictures of a glamorous actress, and sets off into New York City to find her.

Across the decades, Ben and Rose are pulled together by their deafness, and the hidden treasures in the American Museum of Natural History. As Ben and Rose navigate through a hearing world, they discover secrets about the museum, themselves, and each other.

My thoughts: Selznick has done it once again. With a childish wonder, he stumbles onto topics or places, in this case the Deaf and the American Museum of Natural History, and he weaves that into a magical story that will entrance people of all ages.

I'm not an art critic, so it is hard for me to verbalize how his illustrations mesmerize. I think it is the facial expressions that do it. He captures the glint of an eye, the lift of an eyebrow, or the hint of a smile that tells a story all on its own.

Like Hugo, when you see this book, you will probably gasp at its phone book-ish size. Don't let that bother you...I read this book in three or four hours, all the while smiling at how it made me feel.

I never thought Selznick would be able to match Hugo, but he has. Just like its title, "Wonderstruck" is indeed a wonder.

5 out of 5 stars

A Holiday Break

2011-12-23T07:00:00.029-05:00

My cats and my family are stealing my internets for the next four days. I shall be baking, reading, shopping, eating, watching movies, and generally spending time with my loved ones. It's what the holidays are all about!

OK, I might find time to write a couple of reviews, but you shall not see my face online. I also have a project...to come up with some New Year's goals for reading, which I will share on my January 1st Sunday Salon.

I hope all of you, my friends, have a wonderful Christmas!

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

2011-12-22T07:06:00.104-05:00

It all happened over a game of Words With Friends at 6:00am on December 20th. My friend Marianne and I were engaging in our daily routine of WWF when I sent her a message and said something like "I so want to see The Dragon Tattoo, but shoot, we have the kids' Christmas program tonight". One thing led to another, and plans were hatched for the two of us and my mom to run over to see this long-awaited movie at 9:00pm, after our little angels had blessed us with their sweet holiday singing voices.

We were all excited, but a little fearful. After all, the Hollywood version of this internationally best-selling book had huge shoes to fill. While not widely screened, the three of us had all seen the Swedish version, and loved it. It wasn't perfect...why do directors feel the need to MESS with the story details? But the complicated, multi-threaded plot was easy enough to follow, and Noomi Repace was a stunning embodiment of Lisbeth.

*****

As we were leaving the theater, the three of us all agreed that this version wasn't quite as good. Here are a few of our takeaways:

The issue of casting rested solely on the shoulders of Rooney Mara.  I think David Fincher, the director, took a chance on her. She was fairly unknown up to this point, and had never had a major role that pushed her acting limits.  And she took Lisbeth and ran with her.  I had no complaints. She was quirky and angry and badass, but Fincher's Lisbeth had a few moments of softness to her, and I liked that.

As I said before, this movie has three or four complicated plot threads running through it, and it takes a deft hand at screenwriting to navigate "the unread" through the paces. From the very beginning, this movie felt jerky and manic and extremely hard to understand. I've read these books, and seen the Swedish movies, and I couldn't quite follow it. Some of the dialogue was mumbled, and while I am all for the "show not tell" mantra, I think the average viewer required a little more explanation than we got.

And there is the messing with the facts again. I really don't know why they must do this.  They didn't change the spirit of the movie, though, so I guess I need to get over the fact that they will always need to tweak and put their own mark on the thing.

One thing that I must mention, and it is the thing that still lingers in my mind hours after seeing the movie. And that is the opening credits. I've never seen anything quite like it. Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) and Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeah) have created a delightfully insane rendition of Led Zeppelin's "The Immigrant Song", which alone is pretty mind-blowing. But they married this music up with an artistic video sequence that, according to Fincher, is intended to depict "the primordial tar pit of (Lisbeth's) subconscious." Yeah, so I dare you to watch this in Dolby Surround on the big screen and not sit there with your mouth hanging open, whispering to yourself, "What. The. Hell."

Pretty wicked, right?
I would encourage everyone to see this movie. It is solid. Just keep your expectations in check if you have seen the original. And if you haven't read the book (really?), then bring along your patience and make peace with the fact that you may need to watch it twice to understand it.

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Wroclaw #4

2011-12-21T07:00:00.003-05:00

Funky artistic thingy on the side of a building in downtown Wroclaw.

The Best of 2011 - Books

2011-12-20T07:00:00.164-05:00

So! Onto my favorite books this year where I actually had to use my eyes.

Keep in mind that the books I'm listing weren't necessarily published in 2011, I just stumbled upon them in 2011.

I find this list very interesting and fairly representative of the crazy array of genres I read this year. I might also add this has something to do with the fact that I gave up nearly all ARCs and tours (a few squeaked through) and challenges. I basically read whatever the hell I wanted. And this is what I got...awesomeness.

Again, in no particular order:

1. The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick. This book may be for kids 9 and up, but it seems to collect fans of every age. Part novel part storybook, this classic inspired my imagination by introducing both a famous maker of old black and white movies and the amazing invention of the automaton. While it is as big as a doorstop, you will be able to read it in a few hours, and I might guess your jaw will be hanging open from cover to cover.

2. Outlaw - Warren Kiefer. I read this book for CB James' Western Month, but it was actually a re-read from my pre-blogging days. And despite what you might think, this is not a book for men! Our protagonist is a morally ambiguous but charismatic guy who escorts us through the Wild West at the turn of the century and beyond. It is gripping and completely un-putdownable.

3. Cutting For Stone - Abraham Verghese. If I analyzed all the elements of a successful Sandy book, this one would not have qualified. Orphans in Africa, raised by doctors, becoming doctors themselves, their destinies shaped by seemingly unimportant events. The description didn't do anything for me, and I only read it because of book club. But Verghese's writing pulled me in from the beginning, the characters capturing my heart.

4. The Doomsday Book - Connie Willis. Time travel and The Plague! Great characters! A pace of plot that your little eyes can barely keep up with! Read it so you can gush with the rest of us!

5. The Fates Will Find Their Way - Hannah Pittard. On the surface, this is a story about a girl who goes missing. Beneath the surface, it is about a community (mostly the girl's male classmates) and how they deal with her loss, and how they deal with growing up. It is unique for it's collective first person prose, and it won me over with all the familiar high school-isms that I completely related to. People were hot and cold on this book, but I loved it.

6. What Alice Forgot - Liane Moriarty. When a middle-aged mother bonks her head and forgets the last ten years of her life, she is forced to examine how her life has deteriorated from her more earnest and innocent days of a decade prior. This touching, extremely easy-to-read book gave me alot to think about.

7. This Is Where I Leave You - Jonathan Tropper. There seems to have been a surge of books about men bumbling through a life crisis with humor and humility. This one caused belly laughs and spitting of drinks and some touching reflections on family. I'm anxious to see how this one turns out on film.

8. Let the Right One In - John Ajvide Lindqvist. I thought I was over vampires, but Lindqvist takes them to a whole new level, weaving in coming-of-age and bullying to make an unforgettable story. And some really horrifying, toe-curling business with acid.

9. Exposed - Kimberly Marcus. This was my first experience with free verse, and no wonder I totally fell in love with this form of prose. The story is a riveting one about one young high school girl and a tragedy that explodes around her. Do yourself a huge favor, and set aside a couple of hours one day to appreciate this one.

10. ALL THINGS NESBO! I'm not going to list all my reviews here, but was the year of the Nesbo. I read all of his translated books (except his latest "The Leopard") and became completely addicted to this drunken but dogged Norwegian police officer. It was certainly the highlight of 2011!

There you have it, the fruits of my labor. Have you read any of these, and what did you think? My wish for 2012 is that I can continue to resist commitment and forge my own reading destiny!

The Best of 2011 - Audiobooks

2011-12-19T07:00:00.183-05:00

I love all the year-end "Best of" lists, but boy are they hard to compile! Especially when you've had a reading year like mine. I was digging around in dark corners last year looking for forgotten gems. This year it was a matter of paring them down.

Call it laziness, but I'm only going to have two "Best of" categories this year: Audio and Print. In the past, I have had categories of Non-Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, and Audio (and probably could have even done a Graphic Novel category) but enough is enough.

I'm not necessarily listing every one of my 5 star reads, but the best of the 5 star reads. That is how my year went, amazingly. Also, to put this all into perspective, I listened to 63 audios this year. I picked my top 9. Why not 10? I don't know.  This list felt right.

With audio, it bears mentioning that this is a package deal. Would the book have been 5 star if I had read it in print? Maybe, maybe not. The combination of an amazing story and an amazing narrator is really what we are talking about here. And all of these stopped me cold, brought me to my knees, made my heart soar, made me giggle out loud with delight, and every other emotion possible. So without further ado, here they are, in no specific order:

1. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter - Tom Franklin (narrated by Kevin Kenerly). A delicious, Southern gothic literary mystery that addresses family, prejudice, and friendship, sweetened by Kenerly's smooth easy drawl.

2. A Visit From the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan (narrated by Roxana Ortega). Probably the most challenging audio this year, this non-linear puzzle of characters in the music business was creative enough to make my brain buzz. And if you ever doubted that a chapter written in Power Point could be translated to audio, you need to give this baby a shot. Just to hear it for yourself.

3. Revolution - Jennifer Connelly (narrated by Emily Janice Card and Emma Bering). This is a story that involves the French Revolution, time travel, and modern music, all mixed up in a way that made my heart swoon. I don't know that reading it would have been quite the experience this was in the capable hands of Emily Janice Card, a new favorite narrator of mine.

4. The House of Tomorrow - Peter Bognanni (narrated by Lloyd James). More bizarre combinations. A geodesic dome, an angry teen with a recent heart transplant, the love of music, and boys coming of age. Sounds strange, but in the hands of Bognanni (and the pitch-perfect voice of Lloyd James) this was a masterpiece, and it charmed the hell out of me.

5. Bossypants - Tina Fey (narrated by Tina Fey). Not your typical celebrity memoir.  You would expect no less from Fey than to laugh until your stomach hurts, but what surprises is her candor and wisdom when it comes to working mothers in a man's world.

6. Faith - Jennifer Haigh (narrated by Therese Plummer). A Boston priest accused of molesting a child is not a new topic, but a very unpleasant one, which is why many might avoid this book. It is intensely thought-provoking when you get all sides of the story though, and there is a blurred line between good and bad, right and wrong, innocent and guilty. This is one that is still on my mind five months later, not necessarily for the narrator (who was good) but for the moral questions and conflicting emotions it dug up in my soul.

7. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger (narrated by William Hope and Laurel Lefkow). If asked my top 10 books EVER, this one would be on it. It absolutely blew me away, both in its cleverness and it's level of emotion. I can summon goosebumps and tears AT WILL just thinking about it. (It doesn't count if you have seen the movie.)

8. Ready Player One - Ernest Cline (narrated by Wil Wheaton). For me, this audio was a crazy blast of geek euphoria, brought to life by the coolest dude EVAH. Vintage video games? War Games, Monty Python and John Hughes movies? Rush's 2112? I had a huge, goofy grin on my face the entire time I was listening to Wheaton in my ear. That is my language baby.

9. Unbroken - Laura Hildenbrand (narrated by Edward Herrman). There are some amazing true stories out there, but I'm pretty sure none can top this one. In a pure, unadulterated tale of the strength of the human spirit, Louis Zamperini goes from Olympic runner, to a bombadier lost at sea, to a POW camp prisoner, to a man who embraces life and forgiveness. It isn't so much about the writing or the narration here, but the story of the man.

Tomorrow, I will bring forth my best print reading for 2011. Until then...

Sunday Salon: Mer-men, Disney and Stephen King

2011-12-18T08:13:00.000-05:00

Good morning my long lost friends! I feel I have been neglecting you this past week. I will make it up to you with a lot of blabbing. If I look back at the last six days, I was literally out of the house for four of them...finishing holiday shopping, meeting friends, exchanging gifts, all that stuff. I also had a Christmas party with my golf league that included a Yankee swap with ornaments (why do we always fight over the shirtless mer-man?).

And the cherry on top of this whirlwind week was yesterday...taking my son and three of his friends to Disney for 12 hours to celebrate his belated birthday.  Actually, before you feel bad for me, it was a pretty pleasant day. These were four really good kids. I turned them loose on the long lines and sat in various shady spots and listened to my audio book.  At the end of the day, only my feet were complaining. (Off the subject...I am completely offended that we wore shorts to the park A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS! If it weren't for all the gorgeous decorating and lights, I'd think it was April or May.)

I'm slowly getting caught up on my review-writing. I've resolved to write at least one a day until I'm caught up.  Right now I only have three more to write.  That will be a little holiday gift to myself...it sure feels good when I'm not behind!

I've been fairly unproductive in the word-reading business this week. No wonder! I did finish "The Future of Us" by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler, and found it sweet and comforting. I then started a book I got in Chicago called "Dog On It" by Spencer Quinn, which is a cozy mystery narrated by a dog. The dog doesn't die, I have been told, so it's OK. I might be 50 pages into it. I just need a chance to sit down and dig into it - it's cute.

On audio I finally finished "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson. I just shake my head. That review is going to be tough to write. I had such high hopes.  Compliments of the long lines at Disney, I was also able to finish "Never Knowing" by Chevy Stevens for my Heathrow Literary Society next month. Another tough one. I will have to try to separate my feelings between the story and the narrator, but both were an issue. I have just started a book written by Lisa Scottoline and her daughter Franscesca called "Best Friends, Occasional Enemies" as part of the Solid Gold Reviewer program.

The big news is that according to my library, the new Stephen King audio book is IN TRANSIT TO MY HOUSE!!!! Bring it on baby.

Today, my daughter has horseback riding lessons, and I have pimped my husband out to set up risers at the school to earn us better seats for the Christmas program next Tuesday. I'm hoping that maybe my husband and I will get a chance to go out bookshelf shopping later (!!!).

I will be taking a little blogging break December 22nd through the 26th, because let's face it - who is going to be reading blogs? Even now I am hearing crickets chirping. I need the rest anyway.  Tomorrow and Tuesday I will be posting my best of lists...hope you aren't overloaded on them yet! I wish you all a very restful Sunday!

Monsters of Men - Patrick Ness (Audio)

2011-12-16T07:00:00.166-05:00

...and on to the final installment of The Chaos Walking Trilogy. If you dare start the series, you will have no other choice than to finish it.  With many other trilogies, the plot often fizzles out and loses steam and focus as it progresses. This is not the case here. In fact, the tension brews to the exploding point, almost to the extent that you can feel the damn book (or audio) vibrating in your hand.

Synopsis: So war it is. The situation in the New World has escalated to the point of no return, it seems. Mayor Prentiss has proven himself a tyrant, willing to kill anyone that gets in the way of his desire to rule the world. He does have a soft spot for Todd, though, in his yearning for a perfect son. As in Book Two, it is in Todd's voice that we get a glimpse into Prentiss's murderous tendencies that are masked by his smooth talk and mastery of mind control.

Mistress Coyle and her revolutionaries continue to practice acts of terrorism to make her mark and prevent Prentiss from rising to power. Viola, as well as a couple of newcomers from her homeland, are protected under her wing.  It is in Viola's voice we understand that an opposition to a tyrannical leader is not always the better option.

A third voice is introduced in this book...that of a survivor of the Spackle genocide, #1017. The Spackle have their own grievances, including the treatment of their people and the invasion of their home. They will not go down without a fight.

Some tough decisions need to be made, forcing Todd and Viola to grow up overnight and become leaders.  Who is the right person to follow - Prentiss or Coyle?  Is it even possible that either of them will be an advocate for peace? Which side can really be trusted to keep their word? Is it better to kill thousands to save the one you love?

My thoughts: This journey exhausted and thrilled me. Because each book really just dangles at each conclusion, without a definitive break, it really is just one long story with never-ceasing action, maiming, murdering, double-crossing, and manipulation. There are times when I rolled my eyes at the hyperactivity (a little worried we'd lose our YA audience if we took a breather?), but I still loved this series.

Of all three books, this one was the heaviest in terms of moral issues and intensity. I loved the introduction of the third narrator, and his character development. I also enjoyed seeing both Todd and Viola mature in their leadership roles in the community. Did I think perhaps they were a little too mature for their 13 or 14 years? Realistically yes, but I was willing to suspend my belief because I liked them and believed in them.

Mayor Prentiss is a guy you just love to hate. (I can't wait to see who is cast as this character in the movie.) He is a complete, fully-developed narcissist that wants the world to bow at his feet. For a brief moment, I felt a tiny bit of sympathy for him when he got all man-crushy on Todd, but that didn't last long.

I wouldn't be right with myself if I didn't make a comment about my emotions at the end.  First of all, I was ENRAGED (I sent Rhapsody Jill an e-mail with all kinds of bad words) at some really emotionally manipulative chain-yanking in a scene near the end. It cheapened things for me, and I was not happy. I was only sated by the fact that Ness did not take the easy road in his conclusion. No happily-ever-after with white horses and rainbows, and I was OK with that.

A word about the audio production: Brilliant. Our voice for Todd, Nick Podehl, was back again with a performance that held onto Todd's innocence and backwoods charm but had grown stronger and more sure of himself. Angela Dawe was the narrator for Viola, and I loved her work as well. She has a great cadence to her voice that was youthful but assured and natural. I've never listened to her before, but I noticed she narrated "Still Missing" by Chevy Stevens, so I'm going to try to get my hands on that. Rounding out our narrators is MacLeod Andrews as #1017. His voice was a bit stiff and robotic, but was a perfect depiction of a Spackle. This was most definitely a trifecta of narration.

4 out of 5 stars

Series as a whole: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Ask and the Answer - Patrick Ness

2011-12-15T07:00:00.036-05:00

Thirty seconds after I finished the first installment of The Chaos Walking Trilogy "The Knife of Never Letting Go", I zoomed over to my mobile Overdrive to download the audio version of "The Ask and Answer" (my library didn't have the disc version).  This was serious business now. The first installment left you hanging in mid-breathe, and I was a crazed, addicted fiend that needed my next fix.

But wait. The library SAID they had it on Overdrive, but it wasn't there. I made a call to the library. Oops, they say, looks like they don't have it anymore. Voice trembling, I ask if they can get the audio on loan from another library. No, they say, after budget cuts, they no longer support inter-library loans. OMG. OMG. OMG. So in desperation I broke my rule of sticking with all audio for a series, and I downloaded the Overdrive e-book on my phone. I read the whole thing on my phone. In three days. All 536 pages.

I will try to be as non-spoilery as possible here, but just the nature of talking about a sequel is a spoiler in itself.

Synopsis:  Todd and Viola believe they are escaping to a safe town called Haven, only to find it overrun by none other than Mayor Prentiss. He has appointed himself President, has imprisoned the townsfolk that make trouble for him, banished the women to the outskirts of town, and is holding the aboriginal alien species in work camps. Todd and Viola are separated as a result, but determined to reunite.

Mayor Prentiss grows in power with the building of an army (called "the Ask") and development of his mind controls, and is all narrated by Todd.  A group of revolutionaries, mostly women (called "the Answer"), decide to rebel by committing terrorist acts. The actions of this group are narrated by Viola, who has joined them out of necessity to survive. Jumping into the fray as a third combative force are the Spackle, who can no longer stand back and watch their people die at the hands of humans. Will there be anybody left when Viola's settlers arrive in the New World months from now?

My thoughts: There was much to love in this second installment. As much as I enjoyed "The Knife of Never Letting Go", and as much as I believe that most series blow their wad in the first book, this one just got better.

I loved the addition of Viola as a first person narrator (in the first book we only heard from Todd). She has a compelling voice, one that is passionate, earnest and determined despite her terror. The separation of her and Todd was palpable. I could feel their frustration and angst and need to be near each other, and their belief that they would do anything to protect each other. It was very sweet in a fierce kind of way.

I also got wrapped up in a number of emotional issues that were addressed in this novel. Big Issues. The struggle of the enslaved Spackle. The desperate longing for Mayor Prentiss's son to live up to his father's expectations.  And the precious talking horse Angharrad. These animals, I swear.

But the biggest smack in the face was the morality of war. It is obvious from the beginning that Mayor Prentiss is evil - that is a no-brainer. So initially, the reader will applaud the efforts of The Ask to resist him, and blow up a few of his soldiers. But soon, you see that both sides are vicious and blood-thirsty.  The Spackle have been used and abused in their native land, so they have a right to be mad. But then they come blasting with their fire sticks that burn everything in sight.  So who is the good guy here? Who is right? Are any of them good, or just variations of the same brand of greed and anger? This is a book that makes you go "hmmm".

I will admit that I came out of the last book with some baggage. Ness left us with a cliff-hanger and he murders kind people - important people! I did not trust him, and was scared to death of who was going to get the ax. I have to admit that I'm in the camp that applauds an author that throws important characters under the bus, but with Ness it is extreme. I did not cry in this book, but felt the shock waves when characters were being picked off. (Truthfully, I was terrified for the end of the third book. But I'll talk about that tomorrow.)

And yes, this book ends (again) with the story hanging off the edge of a chasm, perfectly constructed for maximum anguish for those who had to wait for the third book to be published. You'll want to have the third and final novel "Monsters of Men" nearby. Luckily, I already had it loaded on my iPod. Stay tuned for that review tomorrow...

4.5 out of 5 stars

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Wroclaw #3

2011-12-14T07:00:00.003-05:00

This was another chamber within the Wroclaw University, which was used for lectures, speeches and various musical events. Can you imagine attending a lecture in this room? With all the distractions? It was breath-taking. It would be perfect for a wedding, but I'm not sure if that is allowed. This room was located very close to the University Church and decorated in the same Baroque style. I'm having a hard time finding information about this room, but I have to imagine it was built about the same time as the church (late 1600's).

The Stranger You Seek - Amanda Kyle Williams (Audio)

2011-12-13T07:00:00.147-05:00

I'm always on the lookout for a great murder mystery series. I love them...they are my brain candy.  But more often than not, I find a whole bunch of blood and guts, but nothing really distinctive to help make it memorable. I have been reading books from this genre for 20 years, so it is really tough for authors to have a hook that works for me.

But hark! Two respected bloggers, Swapna and Caite, made a fuss over Amanda Kyle Williams and the first book in her new series, "The Stranger You Seek".  What is this? New series? Great protagonist? They were effusive enough to inspire me to order it on audio from my library.

Synopsis: Keye Street is a divorced Southern Belle, an adopted Chinese-American, a recovering alcoholic, and because of the drinking problem, an ex-FBI profiler. She currently works as a private investigator and bond enforcer to make ends meet, loves shoes and Krispy Kremes, and is apt to grab her crotch and offer a rude sentiment (or offer tampons) to any man giving her shit.

Street has been called into help with a particularly disturbing serial murder case by her best friend and Atlanta Police Department lieutenant Aaron Rauser. The killer is not only leaving horribly gruesome crime scenes, he or she is messing with the cops and the press by sending taunting letters and e-mails. It also appears that based on the killer's modus operandi, a number of unsolved murders from years prior may be the same handiwork. In the dense, oppressive Georgia heat, Street must unravel motivations and psychoses to help solve the crime without losing herself in the process.

My thoughts: Holy cow this was a fun ride. This book had the perfect combination of elements to entertain even the most critical murder mystery lover.

The mystery itself was not all that difficult to figure out, if you are adept at these things. The first time I "met" the character that was to be the killer, and I heard the description of the person, I knew who it was. But Williams kept it vague, making the reader even question whether the evil-doer was male or female. It was good fun, and I had a ball following the plot all the way through to the end. There are plenty of red herrings in there just to keep you guessing.

There was a love interest thread, and that was completely satisfying.  I know Williams doesn't want her street cred tarnished with me telling you she has a soft side, so I reassure you that it isn't overwhelming. A romantic I am not. But I completely bought into everything going on here in the love department. (And want more. Now.)

Completing the whole multi-dimensional package, we also get to see Street chase down the occasional bail skip (a thinking woman's Stephanie Plum if you will), find a missing cow, and even get a glimpse of a few same sex relationships.

But really, details. The main attraction here is Street. She is so lovable, yet so flawed. She sucks at managing her personal life but is so good at her profession.  She is a tiny little Southern Belle that can take down a 250 pound convict. I couldn't get enough of her, and she is the reason that you will not be able to forget this book after you have finished it.

A few words about the audio production: This audio is narrated by Anne Marie Lee, who has also narrated a number of Lisa Gardner and Lisa Unger novels (which I listened to frequently before blogging), as well as "Maine" by Courtney Sullivan. Anne Marie has a very girlish lilt to her voice, and has an excellent southern accent. She initially seemed perhaps a little too girlish for Keye, but she soon showed her mettle by blasting through the most hard core scenes, and she became the essence of Keye. I hope she comes back for future installments!

4.5 out of 5 stars

Sunday Salon: Baby It's Cold Outside!

2011-12-11T07:00:00.079-05:00

And I'm not talking about Florida...it is like a balmy spring day down there. My husband and I took a quick trip with some work colleagues to Chicago. Talk about a shock to the system! We got a little dusting of snow when we arrived, and temps that maxed out in the 20's (and the teens at night).  While I was packing for the trip and worrying about how I was going to keep warm, I discovered my 25 year-old purple wool Limited coat I bought in 1988. I cut out the football sized shoulder pads and away I went. Who knows why I held onto this thing all these years, but it served me well in the tundra.

The cold hasn't stopped our fun...we have shopped until we dropped. I was thrilled to go by my beloved Sandmeyer's Bookstore, where I go every time I am in town. The owner and I feel like fast friends and always have fun talking shop. I love to let her walk me around and hand-sell me books, and this time I came away with "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach, "Headhunters" by Jo Nesbo, "Dog On It" by Spencer Quinn, and "The Outlaw Album" by Daniel Woodrell. Good thing I have room in my luggage!

Before we left home, though, I attended our December Heathrow Literary Society meeting, which included a discussion about "Room" and a holiday book swap. In the swap, I ended up with "The Birth of Venus" by Sarah Dunant. Has anyone read this? Let me know what you thought! As far as our discussion of "Room", 99% of the group loved it. One woman thought it was just OK, and one gentleman flat out hated it (and got so passionate he had to interrupt my love fest). But it takes all kinds of opinions to fuel a book club.

I had a meeting for our Adult Literacy League, preparing for our Reading Between the Wines event in March.   You will be hearing more and more about this event as the time draws near, but in the meantime, I really need to read some Lisa See to prepare for her visit.

I received my Secret Santa package from Erica at The Book Cellar, a YA blogger in Boston. OMG, guys, she has RABBITS! Can't let my daughter see that. Erica sent me "Tipping the Velvet" by Sarah Waters, one of my favorite authors EVAH (and is the only book I haven't read by her). And she also sent me the coolest book light, that opens up like a robotic arm. Sorry I don't have pictures, but I zipped out of town before I took one.

In print this week, I finished "Joy For Beginners" by Erica Bauermeister, who is a joy herself. She has such a way with expressing the senses. I have so much serious love for this author. I just started a book I got from SIBA, "The Future of Us" by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler. The book is about a couple of kids who log into AOL in 1996, and stumble upon their older selves on Facebook 15 years later. I'm intrigued!

On audio, I started "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson. I am struggling desperately to get through this, which is distressing for me. I loved "The Devil in the White City", in fact it would probably be one of my top reads ever.  In this book, though, there are many names and facts, and I just can't stay engaged. I am just a little over halfway through, and I'm invested to finish, but in the end I'll probably decide this book isn't suited for audio.

Today we fly back home, and rescue my poor parents from kid duties. I can think of a dozen things that might transpire once we get there...shopping, a movie, pedicure, homework, etc. It probably isn't going to be relaxing, but I don't think that will happen until...January?

Feed - M.T. Anderson (Audio)

2011-12-09T07:04:00.171-05:00

I'd been hearing about the wonders of "Feed" by Mira Grant on audio forever. (This is the book about zombies and bloggers and stuff.) My library didn't have it, unfortunately. But there is always confusion about which "Feed" someone is talking about. There was some feedish discussion at a recent book club meeting, and Heather (Book Addiction) said "Oh, Sandy, you must listen to the M.T. Anderson "Feed"!". Bonus? It was only five discs long.

Synopsis: We find ourselves in a dystopian society, where the earth has been rendered a wasteland without plants or trees, the moon has been developed as a vacation destination, and our primary purpose on earth is consumption. Tiny computer chips have been implanted under the skin that allows controlled "feeds", or commercials to invade your every thought and affect your spending habits (which are analyzed and manipulated). In addition, the chip can be used to have one-on-one or community chats, and Internet-like information can be accessed, all through your mind. Fashion trends change from hour to hour, and self-inflicted weeping skin lesions become de rigueur.

Titus is your typical high school teenager...vapid, inarticulate, often bored, and self-absorbed.  On one mission with his friends in search of fun, in a dance club on the moon, he meets a beautiful girl, Violet, with whom he strikes up a conversation.  While at the club, though, a hacker taps into their feeds, and they must be hospitalized in order to reboot and remove all traces of the hacker's virus. It is only later that Titus and Violet realize that the attack may have had a more pervasive effect on Violet's system, and the repercussions of their dependence on the feed hit home.

Part dystopian world-building, part teen love story, part cautionary tale, part satire, "Feed" has a virtual banquet of food-for-thought. Is our reliance on media and the cyber world a step in this direction?

My thoughts: Put bluntly, I thought it was brilliant. No wonder this eerie little piece of fiction won too many awards to list.  (I've counted 14 but there may be more.)

I was immediately mesmerized by the world that Anderson has built for us, but at the same time, I was repulsed by it. The focus on immediate gratification. The disfiguring one's own body because someone says it is the cool thing to do (sound familiar?). Teenagers that have been completely dumbed down and turned into consumer-centric drones. If I took the time to stop and ponder, I was repulsed because it isn't so far from reality.  Are we really that bad?

But while Anderson is sending all kinds of messages, he doesn't take himself too seriously either. When one teen girl convinces another teen girl that her latest lesion, a recent purchase to impress her boyfriend and which is huge and is leaking viscera, sets off her eyes, you have to laugh.

I found myself extremely frustrated with Titus at times. He could be such a freaking teenage boy! He avoids the difficult scenarios and unpleasant conversations, and would prefer to get wasted than face reality. Which I am sure was Anderson's point. I'm wondering if the young adult readers, to whom this book is targeted, are getting it?

A word of warning. There are numerous curse words (if you were thinking about handing this over to your kids) and there are also many many slang terms. While slang can really get on my nerves, it didn't bother me so much here because it didn't seem forced, but a part of their vocabulary. But it is something you must get used to.

A word about the audio production:  If you are on the fence in deciding whether or not to read this book, I would highly recommend you try the audio. The narrator, David Aaron Baker (narrator of the Dean Koontz Odd Thomas books) is the perfect voice of a lazy male teenager. What makes this audio production so unique, though, is that you get a taste of a real feed, aka commercials, with singing, lingos, music, the whole bit, that is rattling around in people's heads.  Also, when people are having a mental one-on-one chat, there is a slight echo, which is a great effect. This creativity makes listening not just a passive activity, but an experience.

4.5 out of 5 stars

The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness (Audio)

2011-12-08T07:03:00.239-05:00

There are a number of bloggers who have forever claimed that The Chaos Walking Trilogy was better than its more publicized colleagues (The Hunger Games, for example). Jill, Ana, Trisha, Raych...all friends whose opinions I trust. They spoke of love, of obsession, of tears. I was overwhelmed with it all and I ran away.

But then I picked up this first installment at the 2010 SIBA convention. So what was my problem? The size of the books (this one is nearly 500 pages long)? The three-book commitment? Laziness?  Then I heard it was being made into a movie. Then I found the first and third installment on audio at the library. And I decided to go for it. Praise the Lord, Patrick Ness and talking dogs.

Synopsis:  Prentisstown is a farming village occupied only by men, located in the New World. The women all died years ago, killed by a virus contracted from the native species that inhabited the planet before man colonized it. Likewise, this same virus made all men's private thoughts available to each other (called Noise), and have enabled animals to talk.

Todd Hewitt lives in Prentisstown, and will be the last boy in town to turn 13 and officially become a man. He is a simple sheltered boy, fairly uneducated because Mayor Prentiss burned all the books and declared schooling unnecessary. Todd has lived his life believing a number of truths, including the cause of his parents' deaths when he was young, that the natives, called Spackle, were the enemy but are now all gone, and that Prentisstown is the only settlement in the New World.

Until one day, when he meets a human that omits no Noise. Viola. A girl. He is suddenly urged by his adoptive father to run away from Prentisstown with Viola and his loyal dog Manchee, as fast as he can to a safe place, away from the villagers. It is a matter of life and death. And all the truths upon which Todd has always relied, are shattered.

My thoughts: I'm not sure where to begin with this one, except to tell you that all the hype for this book is very warranted. Jesus wept, people, and so did I.

There are so many intricately developed issues buzzing around your head, they overwhelm your senses. Invasion of a native population, hatred between species, communication (open, closed or managed for ill gain), death of all women, the hypocrisy of the religious, the kindness of strangers, the confusion of young love, and *gulp* the unconditional love of a dog.

But don't let all that scare you off. In fact, the world that Ness has built for you will make your mind buzz with possibilities and potential.  And Todd and Viola and Manchee are precious and earnest and untainted, and you YEARN for their well-being. The plot is fast-paced and full of terror and anguish. (Unless you are dead, the anguish will level you. I'm telling you so you can plan ahead.)

And right when you get to the precipice of Something Bigger...Ness ends the book. A bit of a cheap trick if you ask me, and manipulative. If I'd have read this when it first published, I would have been pretty upset. I also was slightly irritated at a Michael Meyers-esque character that just WOULD NOT DIE. It was almost laughable. All lesser quibbles than the whole of the thing though.

The good news is that if you are reading these books now, you can plow through them one after the other.  I'm warning you, for the sake of your sanity, have "The Ask and the Answer" at the ready, as soon as you finish this one.

A few words about the audio production: The narrator for this audio book (and for the entire series) is Nick Podehl, a new voice for me, but one that has made a positive first impression. He was able to convey Todd's innocence, his frustration and fear, as well as speak for Viola, a few evil guys, and best of all, the animals, especially Manchee. Not everyone can talk like a dog might sound if barking out words, but this guy does a superb Manchee and I love him for it.

4 out of 5 stars

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Wroclaw #2

2011-12-07T07:00:00.007-05:00

This is a shot of a small prayer vestibule in the University Church in Wroclaw, Poland. (More pictures of the church were featured last week.)

The Redeemer - Jo Nesbo

2011-12-06T07:00:00.108-05:00

OK, I think we have established that Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series is my new all-time favorite. I'm even willing to FORGIVE the translators for doing their work out of order, thus particularly spoiling this book for me. (The translation work is phenomenal.)  Even though I knew a couple people were going to die in this installment, I had to complete my task of reading all the episodes, which have accumulated as follows:

The Redbreast
Nemesis
The Devil's Star
The Redeemer
The Snowman
The Leopard

There are two novels prior to "The Redbreast", but they have not yet been translated (and may never be, so don't hold your breath or wait for this to happen). Each book, in theory, is able to stand on its own, but I wouldn't recommend it. There are consistent characters, there is a history of tragedies that make Harry the man he is. So what is that dashing, damaged man up to this time?

Synopsis: Twelve years ago, in a Salvation Army summer camp in Norway, there was a brutal rape of a 14 year-old girl. We don't know the victim, and we don't know the perpetrator.  We also learn about a young Croatian boy who commits acts of treachery and has earned the title "the little redeemer". These two facts simmer over the years and bubble up to give us the latest Harry Hole investigation.

In the present, a Salvation Army soldier is executed in public at close range. Soon after, an attempt is made on the victim's brother's life, closely followed by an increasing body count, all which seem to be related. Harry is assigned to this investigation with his partner Halversen and forensics superstar Beate. Their digging takes them to Croatia, through the upper administration of the Salvation Army, and to that night 12 years ago at the summer camp. As Harry's retired boss advises, "follow the money".

My thoughts:  Like all Harry Hole mysteries, there is never one simple plot thread, but many. In fact, if you aren't careful, you will find yourself completely lost in the woods, a mile from civilization, marveling at how Nesbo does this to you again and again. I've probably said this before, but best not even try to figure it out. You will just get confused. Just go with it.

Nesbo seems to enjoy picking inanimate objects and creating new phobias for them. He has demonized elevators, water beds, and snowmen. Now he has caused me to cringe at my vacuum cleaner (well, yeah, that goes without saying, but now even more than ever). Is Nesbo married? I'm thinking that his significant other must have had some input about creating a fear of a vacuum.

And even though in many ways, critical events were spoiled by reading the books out of order, I still very much enjoyed this journey with Harry. He continues to become more and more untethered by his demons, and is an increasingly cocky smartass with authority, but he is also an admirable dog with a bone, and refuses to give up on the most cut and dried cases. He is annoying and lovable and dear, and the perfect protagonist to carry the series.

So. One more book to go, and I believe, for the first time ever, I am reading it in order.  I can't wait.

4.5 out of 5 stars

The Descendants (2011)

2011-12-05T07:00:00.131-05:00

If you read my post yesterday, you will remember that I said I was going to stay home and do bookish things. News flash...I did not. Instead I did a little shopping, lunch and a movie with my parents. I was all jacked up because I thought "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" was out, but unfortunately I am a week early. The only other movie that I deemed worth our time and money was The Descendants.

The Descendants has gotten a serious amount of Oscar Buzz in just about every major category. This is going to be THE movie to see over the next few months, with good reason. Plus, let's face it. What on earth could be bad when it involves Hawaii and George Clooney?

Matthew King (Clooney) is a dispirited, over-worked real estate attorney whose marriage was starting to fall apart when his wife was in a boating accident and rendered comatose. They have two daughters, one 17 and one 10, both with various emotional issues due to their mother's illness. King attempts to deal with his two children who, for all intents and purposes, are strangers to him, and in the process learns that his wife may have been unfaithful. King takes his children (and a stoner boyfriend) to Kauai to track down the rat bastard that was sleeping with his wife, and in return gets a little more than he expects.

At the same time, King and his dozens of cousins, all descendants of royalty in Hawaii, must decide whether or not to sell 24,000 acres of prime island real estate that will make them all rich beyond their dreams.

If you think I have just gone and spoiled the whole movie for you, please know that there is so much more going on here than what I have described. This movie is full of some really big issues, all so emotionally-wrought and heart-breakingly real that by the ending credits, my stomach hurt from the clenching.

So it isn't all shits and giggles here. But it is some really fine acting, not only from Clooney, who may well nab a prize in the Best Actor category, but from Shailene Woodley in her first full-length movie role. It may not be the best film to see if you are feeling particularly fragile (especially since they are showing the trailer to Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close prior, Lord help me). And there is a warm little surge of hope at the end.

Which, to me, was so typical of Alexander Payne. I absolutely loved his directorial work in Sideways. And while there is a significant dose of anguish in that movie, you also laugh, and there is that last scene that I will never forget. One that makes you nod your head and say "OK, the tormented guy now gets how to live. There is peace". Payne has brought those same emotions to this movie as well.

Lastly, there is Hawaii. Beautiful, exotic, lush Hawaii, with its haunting music and loud shirts. It was a dichotomy...all this suffering with a backdrop of natural beauty. It went a little way to soothe my ragged soul.

Well, a movie reviewer I am not, but I hope I adequately expressed what a gem of a movie this is. Strengthen yourself, and go see it. And prepared to be touched.

Sunday Salon: My Favorite Time of Year

2011-12-04T07:23:00.001-05:00

Good morning my friends!  Many of you commented that I sounded very relaxed last weekend after my week in St. George. I was! For about 24 hours. Then my husband left for business trips for the week, my kids had activities four out of the five days during the week, and I launched into holiday decorating and shopping. Ack!

But it is my favorite time of the year. Once the tree and the lights were finally up, I felt a small sense of zen.

I supported the nation's economy on Cyber-Monday by doing every bit of ordering I could online. Hey, if there is free shipping, I'm there. I do not like getting into games of chicken for parking spots at the mall.

I shipped off my box 'o goodies for the Book Blogger Holiday Swap.  Isn't it so much fun? Then you get to see all the posts of what people received. I get so excited over the whole thing.

Also next week, one of my book clubs not only is going to discuss "Room", but will also bring a wrapped book and do a pirate exchange, Yankee exchange, or whatever other term (they are usually non-PC terms) you want to call it.

For the first time in ages, I played some golf on Thursday, and had the best score I've had in probably a year. Damn that felt good!

I suppose this weekend will go down as one of the busiest EVER. Friday night, after my son's basketball tryouts, we went out with some friends for a special 4 course dinner thing we got at an auction. So good! Saturday my daughter had to take an entrance exam for the high school she is going to attend (!?), then both kids had an 8 hour final track meet for the season. But of course my husband's Christmas party was last night too, so children had to be shuffled. Today, my daughter has an all-day Confirmation retreat, and my husband and son are going to a Father/Son football game in Tampa to see the Bucs. I have no idea what I'm going to do. Something bookish I predict. Something relaxing? We'll see if my guilt will allow me.

I finished up a couple of books this week in print. I wrapped up "My Soul To Take" by Yrsa Sigurdardottir, which was entertaining but had some issues. Then from the library I received the graphic novel "The Green River Killer: A True Detective Story" by Jeff Jensen and Jonathan Case, which was excellent. A total geek fest for me, since I love both true crime and graphic novels. Now I am working my way through "Joy for Beginners" by Erica Bauermeister (whom I fell in love with when I read "The School of Essential Ingredients").

On audio, I wrapped up Patrick Ness's "Monsters of Men", and am grieving now on how I'm going to write the reviews for this trilogy. I am now very very close (less than a disc left) to finishing "Before I Go To Sleep" by S.J. Watson. This is a selection for January for Books, Babes and Bordeaux. Pretty creepy, pretty twisty.

Hope you all have a nice Sunday, whatever is on your agenda!

Kitchen Express - Mark Bittman

2011-12-02T07:03:00.068-05:00

I am a sucker for cookbooks, especially when they say on their cover "dishes you can make in 20 minutes or less". Sold! I used to be an intense cook who used many ingredients and put time into my meals. In the last few years, since my kids have gotten busier, I am all about crock pots and simplicity. When I saw this one reviewed by Julie at Booking Mama, I immediately ordered from the library.

This cookbook is just a tad different than what you may be used to, in a good way. The recipes are separated by seasons, which is helpful when you are buying your fresh fruits and vegetables. Beyond that, Bittman's approach to cooking is pretty loose. He guides you in general directions, but does not provide measurements unless they are critical to the dish. This allows you to experiment and replace ingredients for families with PICKY EATERS. (I won't mention any names.)

But if you are the type of cook that likes to know how many teaspoons of parsley and tablespoons of olive oil? This approach might be frustrating to you. There are also NO PICTURES. I love pictures. But I was able to forgive that omission because instead we get 404 recipes that you can whip out on the busiest evenings. I had my way with this cookbook. Here are a few recipes we tried and loved:

Pan-Seared Fish with Spicy Lime Butter
Stir together about a half stick of softened butter, a finely chopped shallot, the zest of a lime and a good squeeze of the juice, a minced red chile, and a pinch or two of salt. Pat any type of fish fillets dry, season with salt, and cook them quickly in a tablespoon each of olive oil and butter. Turn the fish once and cook until golden and cook through, about five minutes. Serve the fillets with a generous spoonful of the compound butter on top.

My comments: I didn't have a chile, so I put in chile flakes. I also dredged my fish in flour, just to give it some texture. But that lime butter is to die for. You could put it on almost anything and it would make the anything better.

Sesame-Glazed Grilled Chicken
Heat the grill or grill pan. Pound chicken breasts to a quarter-inch thickness. Mix together minced garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and cayenne to make a thin paste. Brush on the chicken and grill or broil until cooked through, turning once, about five minutes. Lightly toast sesame seeds in a dry pan until just starting to color. Sprinkle the chicken with sesame seeds and garnish with chopped scallion.

My notes: My marinade was definitely thinner than a paste, because I was just pouring stuff in the bowl. Didn't matter. I actually reserved some of the liquid and tossed it with angel hair pasta, and I heard no complaints.

Pasta Carbonara
Boil and salt water for pasta, and cook it. Meanwhile, cut a quarter pound of pancetta into small pieces and fry in a bit of olive oil until golden. In a bowl large enough to hold the pasta, beat together three eggs, a half cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and the meat. Drain pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. Toss the pasta quickly with the egg mixture to combine (the heat from the pasta will cook the eggs). Add a few tablespoons of pasta water if needed to moisten. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with chopped parsley and more Parmesan.

My notes: One time I used prosciutto, and another time I used bacon, in place of the pancetta. In any case, this dish was a huge hit in our house. Decadent and delicious.

Do you see how simple these recipes are? In just a few sentences and a few ingredients, you've got dinner. While I hesitate to buy cookbooks because I don't have alot of room for them, this one may be a keeper.

Wants and Needs (Bookmarks November/December)

2011-12-01T07:00:00.141-05:00

I'm back again, with the latest installment of Bookmarks, which for me is like the arrival of that toy catalog right around Christmas-time when I was a kid. I pore through each entry, make notations and scribbles, and try to figure out how in the heck I'm going to get them all read.

One thing I'd like to point out here. Most of the books I am listing below I already knew about - many of them have been reviewed and scooped by my friends. Bookmarks is just a reminder for me to get in the game and read them. Or at the very least, just talk about them so I don't feel so bad about getting to them in a year or two.

So here are my NEEDS:

11/22/63 - Stephen King: Uncle Stevie imagines what life would have been like had JFK not been assassinated. In this little tale of alternate reality, a high school teacher travels back in time to try to alter historical events. And without even looking I know this thing is probably a thousand pages, so I am going to try to get to it on audio.

Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson: Predictable selection, I know, but why not? I love biographies, and when one presents itself that claims to be an uninhibited exploration of everything that made this man tick? I must know these things. Again, I'm just guessing this is a chunkster (how could it not be?) so I'm targeting it for audio.

The Leopard - Jo Nesbo: Our beloved and tormented Harry Hole finds himself in Hong Kong, having fallen to the lure of opium and gambling. He is called back home, though, despite his past transgressions, to once again save the day. And this is a little bit of a cheat, because I already do have this book on my nightstand. I just can't help waving it around and letting everyone know that they need to get on this bandwagon quickly, because this is already the sixth translated installment.

Wonderstruck - Brian Selznick: And we thought that "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" was the greatest thing since sliced bread? Apparently this one rivals its mastery, because Bookmarks has given it 4.5 stars, which almost never happens. We have a story of a deaf boy, a young girl from 50 years in the past, magically come together at the American Museum of Natural History. Told in words and drawings, like Hugo, I must have this now. Scholastic was kind enough to keep the damn thing taped up on the display at SIBA, so I couldn't even touch it. I'm still a little sore about that.

Here are some of my WANTS:

The Art of Fielding - Chad Harbach: Although I like baseball well enough, I'm told that this book is good even if you don't know what a seven inning stretch is. Described as a novel that mixes Moby Dick with baseball, this book is more a study of three-dimensional characters that you won't forget in the near future.

Birds of Paradise - Diana Abu-Jaber: This one is also another cheat, because I have this book. I not only received it, signed, from SIBA, but I met the author at a luncheon where the authors took turns coming to your table to talk about their books. Diana came with her own bottle of wine and shared (a girl after my own heart) and was funny and easy-going and made her novel, about a family left in ruins after their 13-year-old ran away, a must-read. Bookmarks just reminded me that I need to delegate this one to the nightstand.

The Cider House Rules - John Irving: Don't judge me. I've only read one John Irving novel (Last Night in Twisted River) and I was underwhelmed. I know that he has some amazing books though, and this one was featured in an article that highlights books about careers. I'm thinking I need to make a project of Irving some day, starting with this book, and continuing with "The World According to Garp" and "A Prayer for Owen Meany".

The Most Dangerous Thing - Laura Lippman: I have resisted reading Lippman's Tess Monaghan series because there are so many books and I like to start at the beginning and read them all. Intimidating. But a stand alone? I can do that. This one has something to do with secrets, relationships from childhood to adulthood, destroyed innocence and such. I know that I'm in good hands with whatever she writes.

Any opinions on any of these? I always need help with prioritization!

Not So Wordless Wednesay: Wroclaw #1

2011-11-30T07:00:00.017-05:00

I am always amazed at how I've been traveling to Wroclaw, Poland, with my husband since 1992, and we still find things I have not seen. On this trip, we visited a number of architectural wonders hidden within the University of Wroclaw, including this Jesuitical church built in 1689. You would never know what was about to hit you in the face from the outside, but you step in, and you are immediately awash with all of the Late Baroque intensity. I found it humorous to hear, during the tour, that the Jesuits actually ran out of money while building this church, and were disappointed that they had to scale back!? As it stands, it is sensory overload.

Emily, Alone - Stewart O' Nan (Audio)

2011-11-29T07:00:00.151-05:00

If you want to meet a band of loyal, take-a-bullet-for-their-author fans, go on to Twitter or Facebook, or even stand on the street, and yell "STEWART O' NAN" at the top of your lungs and see what happens.  This man has got his people. He has written some scarey stuff, some literary family drama, and even wrote a book about the Red Sox with Stephen King. There has been so much love swelling from social media and the blogs on this guy, I felt like I was missing out on the fun. I hate missing out! I hopped on over to my library website, and found they had "Emily, Alone" on audio, so I snapped it up.

"Emily, Alone" is actually a sequel to "Wish You Were Here", a novel about Emily Maxwell trying to hold her family together after the death of her husband. It is unfortunate that I didn't read that one first, but I was assured by Beth Fish Reads and Lakeside Musing that the novel would still stand on its own.

Synopsis: It has been years since Emily's husband died, and still the 80 year-old widow is struggling to navigate through her life alone. She has her aging dog Rufus and her sister-in-law to keep her company, but she wrestles with loneliness, the friends that keep dying, her progressing frailty, her middle-aged children that have their own life and demons to battle, and settling her affairs before she dies.

Sometimes she is shocked by her independence...like going out and buying a new car with good gas mileage! Or putting her dog on a diet and whipping him back into shape. Or maintaining her garden. At the same time, she is frustrated with her own weakness of pining away for her kids and grandkids calls and thank you letters and visits. Or needing to ask for help from the neighbor when the sidewalks get snowy.

At it's heart, "Emily, Alone" is a character study that focuses on the dignity and indignity of aging, in a tone that is deeply emotional but realistic and unflinching.

My thoughts: I'm not a huge fan of character studies, I'm finding. I need some kind of plot, some climax in which to work towards in a story. This book was perhaps a wee bit too gentle for me to call a favorite, but I did sincerely enjoy it.

I adored Emily. She reminded me of my grandmother. Feisty, no-nonsense, with an attitude of "I'll be damned if I let my age prevent me from doing something". And even though I'm 35 years away from being in her position, I was right there with her in spirit. I became profoundly melancholy observing life pass her by, her kids and grandkids moving through their lives with little regard for her.  O' Nan, who is only a handful of years older than I, somehow "got" it, which I consider amazing.

While I would not consider this an uplifting story, it does have moments of hope. Emily is doing her thing, trying to keep her family together, and living her life to its fullest. Or at least as full as she is physically able.  O' Nan has also set up the ending to lead into another installment.

A word about the audio production: Our narrator was Andrea Gallo, who was new to me, but has narrated many other books, including ones by Debbie Macomber and Temple Grandin.  She portrayed Emily, in her spunk and frustrations, perfectly.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Hugo (2011)

2011-11-28T07:00:00.014-05:00

There weren't too many movies coming out this holiday season that I was more excited for than Hugo. After all, the book was spectacular...a story told with both words and stunning illustrations, with the ability to enchant everyone from the ages of 9 to 99. My big concern was whether even the great Martin Scorcese was up to the challenge of sustaining the magic that was created by Brian Selznick.

Two things made my spirits rise. First, my sister, an indie movie critic, loved it. She is not a huge fan of the big-budget box office blowouts, so this was huge. Roger Ebert loved it too. So yesterday, the kids and my parents went to see it.

You can't argue with the cast, with Asa Butterfield (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) as Hugo, Chloe Moretz (Let Me In, Kick-Ass) as Isabelle, Ben Kingsley (no explanation necessary) as Georges Melies, and Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat) as the Station Inspector. Even greats like Christopher Lee and Jude Law had bit parts that supported the film. (Correct me if I am wrong, but methinks I spied Johnny Depp as a street musician. He is the producer after all.)

I won't talk too much about the plot. If you are interested, here is my review of the book. Suffice it to say that the screenplay stayed very true to the book. I didn't see a thing out of place. In fact, it was like the pictures on the page came to life, which made me extremely happy. This book does not deserve to be sliced and diced and abbreviated.

Scorcese also gifted us the sensory experience of 1930's Paris...the lights, the music, the fashion, the food. Oh, it was intoxicating! But that was just the beginning of the fun. The love of books, the love and preservation of old film, and the automaton! Ever since I first read the book, I've been obsessed with this mechanical cyborg-looking thing that mysteriously draws pictures, writes poems, and seems like it is half-human. I've watched the You Tube videos. I drug my kids willy-nilly through the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia to see the one that inspired Selznick. The automaton created here was gorgeous.

We debated whether to see the movie in 3D or not. My sister said she didn't think it was necessary. Plus, it costs about a mortgage payment to take a family to see a 3D movie these days. But in the end, we went for it. I knew that Scorcese did film this specifically for the 3D experience, not with gimmicky tricks, but for the effect of full-immersion. As a result, I wasn't just watching this film, I was IN it. I was IN the clock tower, or running through the streets of Paris dodging pedestrians, or standing outside with snow falling on me. I would highly recommend spending the extra money for the 3D experience.

Sunday Salon: I left my heart in St. George

2011-11-27T07:07:00.002-05:00

Actually, my heart was still there from when we went three years ago, but I left it again this time. It has set up permanent residence. As we drove away, I had a gigantic lump in my throat. I love this little island so much. I know we'll be back, but I will miss it. Even my husband commented on the drive home that with every visit, we love it just a little bit more.

I love how the kids discard their electronics and their addictions to the movie theaters and the malls, and head to the beach to go for a run or walk, throw a football, or build a fiefdom in the sand. Our rental house is within walking distance of the handful of businesses on the island, such as the local fisherman selling his hours-old shrimp or oysters, or the spice shop that bakes fresh bread on the hour and holds wine tastings. We had our own wine tastings overlooking the ocean each evening at sunset.

A new activity for the Nawrots this year was to rent bicycles and explore the island. We thought we'd seen everything over the past 7 visits and 12 years, but on a bike, so much more is accessible. On one adventure, we found a hidden little bird estuary on the Apalachicola Bay.

Typical for my daughter, the cat whisperer, we attracted a hungry and homeless but very sociable cat within 15 minutes of our arrival. We fed him shrimp and scallops and cat treats and he hung out with us like he belonged. It broke my heart to leave him but we SO did not need a sixth cat personality in this family.

Because this trip was all about spending time with family, I didn't do as much audio listening as I thought I would. (Really, I should know better by now!) I got through about half of Patrick Ness's "Monsters of Men", which is really good and I'm totally twitchy to finish it. Soon!

In print, I finished "The Hunchback of Neiman Marcus" by Sonya Sones and LOVED it. Then I read Brian Selznick's "Wonderstruck" in an evening, because his books are just that way. Magical. I am about 2/3 of the way through Yrsa Sigurdardottir's "My Soul To Take", an Icelandic murder mystery. Having fallen in love years ago with "Smilla's Sense of Snow" and the whole atmosphere of Iceland, I grabbed this. Can't tell you yet if it is working for me though. I have mixed feelings.

I am hoping that today I will accomplish two things: putting up my inside Christmas decorations, AND seeing Hugo at the theaters. My sister loved it (not something that happens often with big budget mass-marketed flicks) and so did Ebert. The kids and I have all read the book and seen the automaton at the Franklin Institute, so it should be extra special! You'll know whether or not we saw the movie if you see a review of it tomorrow!

Hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing Thanksgiving weekend!

Warm Bodies - Isaac Marion (Audio)

2011-11-25T07:00:00.115-05:00

I am told that zombies are the new rage, replacing vampires and werewolves on the list of hot monsters. According to the video games my son owns, this would make sense. It is all about slaying the zombies.  All the fuss on TV and at the movies would support this as well.  (Did you see Zombieland? Holy cow, was that movie FUN!) I wasn't too sure, though, about a zombie love story. Which is what this is. All the other paranormal goons are in love, though, so why not zombies? They need love too.

I started this audio with my cynical hat on, and not exactly an open mind. But I was in the hands of Kevin Kenerly (the amazing narrator behind "Crooked Letter Crooked Letter") so I figured I could handle anything with him in my ears.

Synopsis: R is one of thousands of zombies that walk the earth at some point in the future when everything has gone to hell in a handbasket...climate meltdown, financial meltdown, and a strange virus that has turned much of the world's population into blood-thirsty eaters of flesh and brains.

R is cool though.  He loves music. He longs for companionship. Even though he can only utter simple grunts and a few words, and remembers nothing about his human life, he longs for more. And he gets it when he eats the brains of a young male victim. Suddenly, he is filled with the victim's memories, including those of his beautiful girlfriend Julie. R finds Julie, whisks her off to his hideout, and befriends her.

Is it possible for the undead and a human to have a relationship? Humans are trained to kill zombies, and zombies instinctively eat humans. In a twisted tale of an apocalyptic Romeo & Juliet, R and Julie are about to find out.

My thoughts: This was one bizarre adventure, let me tell you. It was graphic (brains and dead people smells?), it was creative, it was endearing. Even a little bit funny. It is hard to even describe my emotions really. I liked R...he was kinda sweet and earnest and cool, for a member of the walking dead anyway. But then the visual of he and Julie, like, being a couple? Completely disgusted me.

I laughed out loud.  Zombies making derogatory comments about the drudgery of marriage? Or Julie putting makeup on R to smuggle him into a human-occupied area? What the hell! I can't say that the story completely blew my mind, but I was very much entertained.

A few words about the audio production: My biggest thrill with this whole experience was the narration performed by Kevin Kenerly. I believe the man performs in Shakespearean theater, but then turns around and narrates, to perfection, a Southern gothic literary thriller? Then gurgles and grunts zombie-talk? Really?  That is one versatile and talented guy. If you like audio books, you need to make a point to track him down.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T07:18:00.010-05:00

May each and every one of you have an amazing feast today!

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Osada #3

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of the accommodations at Osada. Each guest has the choice of renting half of this bungalow, or the whole thing. I'm not sure how many of these little huts they have on property, but you could have one heck of a class reunion there if you wanted. When we were visiting, there was a large wedding party on property. It was very charming (I wanted to put flowers in my hair and run through the fields) but with all the modern conveniences like Wi-fi!

The End of the Affair - Graham Greene

2011-11-22T07:00:00.101-05:00

I have had this book on my TBR list FOREVER. I heard all about the emotion, the tears, the heart-warming plot. I was disappointed that my library did not have the audio. When I was up in Boston this past September, I took the opportunity to purchase the book, and because it was less than 200 pages, decided to read it for the October readathon.

Big mistake. Haven't I learned that sometimes the shortest books pack the biggest punch? It took something like 9 hours to read 160 some odd pages. And by the end I was getting irritated. So I don't know how fair this review will be. Let's see how it goes.

Synopsis: In London, during WWII, a novelist named Maurice Bendrix engages in an affair with a married woman, Sarah Miles. Sarah is bored with her proper, fuddy-duddy husband, and finds the missing passion in Maurice. The affair endures a number of fights and jealousy, some sneaking and near-misses with Sarah's husband, but their passion never ceases. During one illicit afternoon, however, as Maurice leaves the bedroom to investigate a noise, he is crushed by a door in a bombing. Thinking Maurice dead, Sarah vows to God that she will give up the affair and dedicate her life to Him if He lets Maurice live. When Maurice wakes up after only being knocked unconscious, Sarah believes it is a miracle and vows to keep her word.

Years later, Maurice still grieves over the loss of his true love, but begins to develop a close friendship with Sarah's husband. It is only when he gets his hands on Sarah's diary does he fully appreciate the sacrifices made and the extent of Sarah's feelings.

In this powerful yet reflective novel, Greene explores themes of love and loathing of self, love of others, love of God, and of sacrifice.

My thoughts: In many ways, this book was masterful. In so few pages, there were many complicated emotions and themes. I was touched by the immense love between Maurice and Sarah, although it is not immediately obvious. In my mind, I figured this was all about the sex. Not until later do we understand the depths of the emotion.

I was also impressed with Sarah, who had so few scruples that she cheated on her husband, SOMETIMES WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS IN THE NEXT ROOM, yet ultimately remained true to her impulsive promise to God, even at the expense of the only man she ever really loved.

I was entranced with the friendship between Sarah's husband and Maurice. It was precious that they both found common ground in their love for one woman. Maybe a little weird, but precious.

And yes, the whole thing was heart-breaking. I felt like a large animal was sitting on my chest for most of the book. This book was heavy, heavy, heavy. Not what you would want for a readathon.

I had some complaints. I felt that the repeated harping on self-hate and the role of God in Maurice's situation was so heavy-handed. Around the 8th or 10th time these topics were addressed, ruminated over, and dwelled upon, over and over again, it grew very old with me. I really got the point after the first or second time it was discussed! Perhaps if I had read this over a period of a week, in small doses, I wouldn't have been so overwhelming. Under the circumstances, I can't say I loved this book.

I do intend to watch the movie (movies?). I think this is a perfect book for film, and I believe I will find it much more enjoyable. Does anyone have any advice on whether I should see the 1955 version or the 1999 version?

3 out of 5 stars

Zombieland (2009)

2011-11-21T07:04:00.109-05:00

When this movie was at the theaters, it slipped by right under my radar. But recently, my son has been into slaying zombies on his video games (he has informed me that he has over 40 different games that feature them), and pop culture would indicate that they are the next hot paranormal creature, ousting vampires and werewolves for top billing. So one night we decided to watch this on Netflix streaming. Were we in for a surprise.

Are you cool with gore and really bad language? Good, then you are going to love this movie. Am I a bad mother for allowing my son to watch it? Yes, probably. But this was right up his alley. He already has been informed of the "bad words" and is threatened within an inch of his life for using them.

This is not a serious movie really. It is insanely over-the-top with regards to undead flesh-eaters chasing and eating live humans, and can be very disgusting, but throughout the entire flick, we were laughing until our stomachs hurt.

Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) is a studious young college student who is just a dude trying to survive the zombie apocalypse. He has made it thus far by following 30 important survival rules which include Cardio (to effectively outrun them), The Double Tap (two shots to the head just to make sure), Always Look in the Back Seat, or Avoid Public Restrooms.

On his way to Ohio to see if his parents are still alive, he runs across a Twinkie-obsessed redneck Floridian named Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), who helps him in the struggle. Later they happen upon a beautiful young woman and her "little sister" (Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin), and the four head out to LA where they hear there is a zombie-free amusement park. There is alot of shooting, zombie-slaying, some furtive glancing between Stone and Eisenberg, and its all just a madcap bunch of fun.

The highlight of the movie for me was when the four survivors break into Bill Murray's house in LA and find him there, disguised as a zombie, hiding out and drinking his stash of expensive wine. Most wacky. Scene. Ever. In the best possible way.

If this type of sick and twisted humor is something you enjoy, you must rent it immediately. In the event of a zombie attack, you will be prepared and capable of saving yourself.

Sunday Salon: Ahhhhhhh

2011-11-20T07:13:00.000-05:00

Praise the Lord, someone finally hit the off button. We attended a track meet yesterday, then headed up here to our heaven on earth for the week, St. George Island. I'm hoping to do some chilling out, some reading, some wine consumption, shopping, napping and MAYBE a little review-writing.

Over the years, we have been to this island, located in the panhandle of Florida off the coast of Apalachicola, probably more than a half dozen times. Four of those times have been at Thanksgiving, breaking the stereotype of turkey day by celebrating with the crash of waves as background noise. Every time we cross the long bridge to this strip of land with a bunch of houses on stilts, my heart sings. But it has been three years since our last visit. The last time we were here, I had just started my blog and was fretting the entire week over a post I was writing for James (Ready When You Are, C.B.) on Larousse Gastronomique.

I turn into a different (better) person when I'm here.

Up until Saturday, I was busy with dentist appointments, horseback riding lessons, packing for our trip, and hosting our Books, Babes and Bordeaux book club (discussing "Unbroken"). I was so preoccupied though, not only with our upcoming trip and getting the hell out of Dodge, but with my most excellent reading adventures.

I finished the audio of "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness (the first installment of the Chaos Walking trilogy).  I became totally obsessed with it. So I attempted to get the second installment "The Ask and the Answer" on audio, but no go. I downloaded it via Overdrive on my phone as an e-book and read it in only a few days, despite the fact it is a looong book. I've now just started "Monsters of Men" on audio. I'm going to knock this one out here on my vacation. What a series.

I also listened to "The Stranger You Seek" by Amanda Kyle Williams, which was insanely fun.  The murder mystery was very satisfying but the real treat here was the protagonist, a Chinese-American, recovering alcoholic, crotch-grabbing, ass-kicking woman worthy of your attention. I cannot WAIT to write this review.

I'm now reading, in print, "The Hunchback of Neiman Marcus", a testament to all of us near-menopausal wives who are grieving over our lost younger bodies, our children who are embarrassed to be seen with us, and are contemplating our aging parents. This is a fast read, and highly entertaining, written in verse form. I should have it knocked out today.

Even though I'm on vacation, I can't promise I'll be around 100% of the time. I'll do my best. What are you all up to today?

Love At First Bark - Julie Klam

2011-11-18T07:00:00.098-05:00

My first instinct when I see a cute dog on the front cover of any book is to run like heck in the opposite direction. I really have too much baggage to handle a dying animal, which is usually what happens in these books. But I was reassured that this was a collection of stories that offered hope, so I tentatively poked my nose in.

I'd heard of Julie Klam through many reviews of her first book "You Had Me At Woof", which features an adorable, googy-eyed Boston Terrier on the front cover. In this book, Julie learns many life lessons, including the pursuit of happiness, from her dogs. I never got around to reading this book, but I can totally back her up on this theme.

So what is Julie up to now? All kinds of good.

Synopsis: Now married with a daughter and an apartment full of dogs, Julie shares three personal stories of dog rescue.

In the first story, Julie and her husband find a home for a pit bull that had been left chained to a light pole. In the process of their unified mission, they rediscover each other after years of going in opposite directions.

In My Darling Clementine, Julie agrees to foster a dog with an uncontrollable poopy problem, but with a sweet temperament. She learns that sometimes the ones that nobody else wants are the best pets, and that unconditional love goes both ways.

In the last story, There is a Dog House in New Orleans, Julie and her husband get involved in the rescue of a feral dog that had gotten a jar stuck on its head while they were there on vacation.

My thoughts: I am pleased to inform you I didn't cry once while reading this book! While Julie offers heart-breaking stories about dogs that have been abused or neglected, which is hard to stomach, she also negates the ugliness with all the kind souls that care for the unwanted (including herself).

Julie reminds us that there are lessons in every overwhelming challenge, hidden blessings waiting to help you see the bigger picture. Whether we are talking about animals, children, spouses, or life in general, opening your heart and giving of yourself can save your soul.

I also liked Julie's literary voice, which is very down-to-earth and casual. You can easily envision her as your next door neighbor or colleague at work (one with a huge heart of gold). Plus, she isn't some crazy dog lady (she might admit to that though!)...she is gorgeous, she is honest, and is even hip to using social media like Twitter and Facebook to get the word about about dogs in need. The world could use more Julie Klams.

Now I want a dog. Again.

4 out of 5 stars

Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand (Audio)

2011-11-17T07:00:00.234-05:00

I think most of you know I love WWII novels, particularly ones depicting true stories. So why did it take me so long to read this one? Well, the book, which I got at SIBA in 2010, was a little chunky-looking. Then I heard that the audio was good, so I put my name on the waiting list at the library and it took me over four months to get it. All decent excuses, I guess. But shame on me that it took Books, Babes and Bordeaux to force me to read it. Ultimately, this will be one of the best books I've read all year.

Synopsis: Louis Zamperini didn't start out his life looking like someone who would eventually be one of America's great heroes. As a youth, he was troubled, leading the life of a petty thief and vandal. But when his older brother encouraged him to join the high school track team, Louis found a positive outlet for all that energy. Truly a talented runner, Louis went on to be one of the youngest long-distance Olympic athletes at the time, and competed in the 1936 Berlin games. He went from miscreant to a hometown star, and his family was proud. This alone would have been a compelling story.

Louis then enlisted in the Air Force in WWII, and was deployed to Hawaii as a bombardier. In May 1943, his plane went down in the Pacific, killing 8 of the 11 crew members. For 47 days, the three survivors lived on a raft, drinking rainwater and eating birds and fish, despite the elements, aggressive, circling sharks, and Japanese planes that attempted to shoot them. One of the men eventually died, and Louis and his pilot were then picked up by Japanese soldiers, and imprisoned in a POW camp.

For two and a half years, the men were held prisoner in conditions barely survivable...they were starved, forced to work 18 hours a day, and dehumanized.  Probably the worst aspect of their years in the camp, however, was the camp's leader, named "The Bird", who was one of the war's most unbalanced, sadistic tormentors. After Louis was liberated by the Americans, he suffered extreme PTSD and alcoholism, with The Bird haunting his dreams. It was only when Louis discovered Billy Graham did he embrace Christianity and forgive those who had harmed him. He went on to become an inspirational speaker and an advocate for troubled boys. He is alive today at the age of 94.

My thoughts: I am not normally in the habit of going into such detail on a book's plot. I like to keep it short and to the point. But what part of this man's life do you leave out?  Any one facet of Louis's life would be biography-worthy, but in aggregate it is almost beyond comprehension. It made me close my eyes and PRAY that this wasn't another example of embellished bullshittery like "A Million Little Pieces" or "Three Cups of Tea". Based on what I've Googled (and I would encourage you to do this...it is a treasure trove of articles, pictures and videos) it appears to be authentic.

A couple of themes really hit me hard.  First, Louis makes a statement that he would have rather gone back to the raft, where he had to deal with sharks, the elements, and reliance on mother nature for food, than to stay in the POW camps. He states that dehumanization will break a person long before starvation and isolation. I'm sure this explains why his soul suffered long after the war because of the atrocities committed by The Bird. But it is a thought-provoking dictum on human nature.

Secondly, Louis's return to Jesus Christ, after his tormented struggles with depression, alcoholism and anger, was devastatingly heart-rending for me. This transformation saved Louis's marriage and his life. Forgiveness is a miraculous healer of souls. Lest you think this story turns into a preachy God lesson, please know that it is subtle and a small part of the overall story. It was just that part that brought me to tears.

I did bristle at a couple of statements made by Hillenbrand, that were brought to my attention in Marie's review. Particularly, statistics are quoted that imply Japanese prison camps were deadlier for Americans than the Fascist camps. Perhaps they were - I am sure she can account for her numbers.  But to me it minimized the horrors wrought on humanity by the Nazis and Soviets, and thought it was in poor taste.

Beyond this complaint, however, I would recommend this book to anyone. It is truly a testament to the human spirit.

A word about the audio production: Our narrator for this audio was Edward Herrman, a gentleman who has significant experience in the business but is a new voice for me.  While his vocalizations were not all that dramatic, he was pleasant to listen to and soundly delivered the goods.

5 out of 5 stars

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Osada #2

2011-11-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

Osada, our little retreat in the middle of nowhere Poland, had alot going for it. You'd never get bored there, I'm certain. This was one option for entertainment...a four seater bicycle. I'd never seen such a thing. If we would have had more time, this activity would have been on my list.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs

2011-11-15T07:00:00.137-05:00

I have to hand it to Random Riggs. He found a hook, and he used it well. If you have been around the blogs, or walked through Barnes and Noble or even Target, or read Entertainment Weekly, you may have been sucked in, like me, to this book with the creepy pictures. Vintage photographs of children that cannot necessarily be explained (floating figures, nightmarish clown children), or at the most mundane level, photos that seem to have a story behind it.

Turns out, these pictures are real, collected by Riggs and others, and inspired the seed of a story in Riggs' mind. It could have been a dismal failure...one of those great concepts that never got off the ground.

But not this time. Riggs made it work, even to the point where he attracted the attention of the movie studios. Miss Peregrine is headed for Hollywood in 2013.

Synopsis: Jacob has always had a strong bond with his grandfather, who, over the years, has entertained him with crazy stories (and pictures) of kids who floated, were invisible, and had two mouths. Kids who, he said, were his childhood friends in an orphanage on a small island near Wales, where he lived throughout WWII. Jacob has always assumed these tales to be fanciful. But when the grandfather tragically dies, his last words to Jacob are a request to go back to that island and the orphanage to learn the truth.

So Jacob and his father travel to this island where there is no electricity, only generators, one phone, and one dilapidated, bombed-out orphanage. Initially perplexed by what he could learn in such an ill-gotten place, Jacob soon discovers something very old and very dangerous that not only killed his grandfather, but could put his life in jeopardy as well.

My thoughts: I guess I expected what everyone else expected...spooky pictures = spooky story.  Hidden behind these pictures was an unbelievably clever world consisting of evil creatures, time travel, and an island, unblemished by modern conveniences, that comes to life on the page. There is also a coming-of-age thing going on as well, which adds a dash of sweetness and charm. Frankly I was completely disarmed by everything this book had to offer.

Also, superficially, but important to those who love paper and ink in all its forms, is what lies on the page. Not only are we treated to the photos, but there are hand-written drawings, colored pages, scrolly-scripty designs at the bottom of every page, and heavy paper stock upon which it is printed. This is a sensory experience. So don't buy it on your e-reader.

The world that is created here could send this book into a sci-fi category, but don't let that scare you off. I don't consider myself to be a big fan of the genre, but I never gave this a thought as I was immersed in the adventure. The book is also categorized as YA, and I would let my kids read it. There was some language, but nothing too shocking. Despite genre niches, however, it rises above them all to be enjoyed by everyone.

As you turn the last page, you might smell an overwhelming whiff of sequel set-up, but Riggs is confessing to nothing. I'm keeping my eyeball on him though...

4.5 out of 5 stars

Holiday Movies That Have My Heart Racing...

2011-11-14T07:07:00.001-05:00

Inspired while writing my review for "Warm Bodies", a zombie love story, I was all set to talk about how much I love the movie "Zombieland" this morning. Until I got my Entertainment Weekly Saturday. Change of plans. This issue is all about the amazing holiday movies set to bombard us with excellence. Please let me share my excitement with you.

November 23 - Hugo (Rated PG). Adapted from "The Invention of Hugo Cabret", one of the best kids' novels EVAH, and directed by Martin Scorcese, I pray the movie will live up to expectations. I'm scared, but I will take my chances. Filmed in 3D.

November 25 - The Artist (Rated PG-13). This black-and-white silent film has stunned audiences everywhere, and has HUGE Oscar buzz. I can't say I would have originally picked it as something I'd want to see, but after hearing my sister talk about it as THE movie to see this season, and after reading about it in EW, I am there.

December 9 - Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (Rated R). Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy. Need I say more?

December 9 - We Need To Talk About Kevin (Rated R). Heart-breaking, gut-wrenching, but insanely compulsive book has come back to haunt our dreams in film format. I'll just have to make sure I take my Prozac first.

December 21 - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Rated G). Just kidding. The director has already said he didn't expect Oscar nominations because there was "too much anal rape". So there you go. There is no way I will be able to resist the pull to see this and compare it to the Swedish version.

December 25 - Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Not Yet Rated.) Takes some cojones and confidence to release a movie on Christmas. Who's up for opening the gifts on Christmas Eve and seeing this on Christmas? I might consider it.

Other movies that may get my business:
November 16 - The Descendants (Rated R). Only because it has big Oscar buzz, and because of George Clooney.

December 30 - The Iron Lady (Rated PG-13). Again, Oscar buzz, and Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher.

January 27 - One for the Money (Rated PG-13). Really unsure about the casting of Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum, but who doesn't love this series?

So do any of these get you excited? Are there any movies on your list that I have missed?

Sunday Salon: T minus 7

2011-11-13T07:00:00.050-05:00

In a small burst of optimism last week, I declared that after coming back from our Washington DC field trip, life would calm down. I'm just not going to say that again. Cause it ain't happening. I've decided I'm just going to close my eyes and hold on to something sturdy each week, and squeak by from vacation to vacation. In this case, we are counting down...seven days until we go to St. George Island for Thanksgiving Week!!! So next Sunday Salon, I'm going to be in a better state of mind.

Anyway, a quick rundown on the week. Husband and son sick for a couple of days.  Got my hair blonded. A couple of doctor appointments. The first of many meetings for my daughter's confirmation process. Making pierogies and a hunters stew in advance for a Polish night for our friends (that we hosted last night and have a couple times a year).  Fundraiser golf tournament on Friday with my husband. Track meet all day Saturday, followed by that Polish dinner party. Busy busy.

Another thing that took a bit of my time this week was working on my Christmas cards. You may remember me talking about this last year. I make a promise to myself each year that these things are going to be done and sent out the day after Thanksgiving. This includes a letter and photo of the kids. It takes an obnoxious amount of time, but I feel like it is worth getting this task out of the way so I can sail through the Christmas season with a little less stress.

And I realized last week that I didn't even tell you of my reading activities!  Over the last week and a half, I made my way through Jo Nesbo's "The Redeemer", a long but very satisfying murdery, juicy piece of fun. Enjoyable, even though I knew who was going to die because I read the damn books out of order again. I then started reading "Liesl and Po" by Lauren Oliver, which was recommended to me by my evil twin Jill. I'm early into that one, but I know I will enjoy it because I have loved Oliver's other books ("Before I Fall" and "Delirium").

On audio, I finished "Emily Alone" by Stewart O' Nan on my DC trip.  Then I quickly blasted through M.T. Anderson's "Feed" (not to be confused with the Mira Grant one), and that was really something amazing from an audio perspective. I'll talk more about that when I review it. I am now about 80% of the way through "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness, and it has consumed me. Not just consumed me, but chewed me up and spit me out. Nobody warned me. Or maybe I just didn't pay attention. Holy cow. These last two audio books of mine are perfect specimens of an audio being more than an audio. They are experiences. More publishers should take their lead.

I'm still not totally caught up on my review-writing, but I think I might be down to three or four, so I'm hoping to pound those out next week.  I have been having a hard time finding a muse to write, but I find that if I just sit my butt down and tell myself I have to start, it usually flows from that point on.

I am having serious yearning for downtime, and actual SITTING perhaps, while we are on vacation. Just to sit. Take a nap. Listen to the waves. Drink a glass of wine at 4pm. Read when I want. Take long walks. Ahhh. I can feel my cellular structure starting to morph and change already.

On that note, I'm going to bid you a wonderful, restful Sunday. Adieu my friends.

Model Home - Eric Puchner (Audio)

2011-11-11T07:00:00.085-05:00

I first heard about this book through Ti at Book Chatter. She is so convincing, that girl.  She stated that she wanted everyone to read this book, for its heartbreaking and hopeful qualities. I ordered the audio from my library and away I went. I'm not sure I loved it quite as much as Ti, but was swept away by this family's story nevertheless.

Synopsis: With stars and dollar signs in his eyes, Warren Ziller uproots his wife and three kids from Wisconsin to Palos Verdes, California to make his millions in real estate. Unfortunately, Warren's get-rich-quick scheme isn't working out, and has secretly piddled his life savings away.

We also hear from each member of the Ziller family, and get their perspective on life in California. Each have their own issues and hang-ups, each contribute to the overall dysfunction. When tragedy strikes, in a cruel and senseless turn of events, it is the final straw that sends the family over the edge into the abyss.

My thoughts: When Ti described this story as heartbreaking, she picked the right word. My heart just kept sinking with every disc I listened to - could this family ever catch a break? Sprinkled into the general misery were brief moments of familial love and connectedness, but it wasn't enough to act as the glue to hold things together.

Towards the end of the story, I saw small signs of hope that things could possibly improve, but that definitive leap is left to the imagination of the reader.  Do I believe that life eventually turned a corner for the Ziller family? Yes, I have to believe that, otherwise this story would have been unbearable.

A word about the audio production: The narrator of this audio book, David Colacci, is a veteran in the business. I don't believe I've ever heard him, but it was only a matter of time because he has many many titles to his credit. He was pleasant to listen to, and handled accents, male and female voices expertly.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Enron - Lucy Prebble (Audio)

2011-11-10T07:00:00.124-05:00

This audiobook was my very first opportunity to be a "Solid Gold Reviewer" through Audiobook Jukebox. Doesn't that sound cool? Makes me want to put on my gold lame jumpsuit and do a dance for you. I had originally requested to review this audio because I've always been fascinated with the disaster that was Enron, being someone intimately familiar with the slippery slope of corporate greed. I loved the documentary "The Smartest Guys in the Room", and I'm always open to learn more.

But this was not at all what I was expecting. In my fully-realized audio world, I have never listened to a theater production, but that is what this was. I was taken aback at first, but then became invested. Let me tell you a little about what you should expect to hear:

Synopsis: Lucy Prebble is a young (only 30), edgy, British playwright who has constructed a stage production of the Enron scandal that originally debuted in London to sold-out crowds. It came over the pond to Broadway a year later, only to be slammed by the New York Times and quickly shut down. Nevertheless, it went on to earn various awards, and has now been performed by the L.A. Theater Works in front of a live audience and made into an audio book.

From a layman's viewpoint, Prebble has taken all the complicated details of Enron's failings (mark-to-market accounting, market trading and hedging, playing the shell game with debt, and manipulating Wall Street for the best stock ratings), and making it understandable to everyone. And at the same time, making it entertaining and amusing. And shocking. At one point, Prebble uses the analogy of Raptors, hiding in Enron's basement, cared for by the CFO, eating the dollar bills that are the company's debt. They are hungry, they want fed, and eventually they escape because Raptors ultimately cannot be contained.

For an hour and a half, at the hands of a full cast, prepare yourself for a crash course in all things corrupt. Prepare for the ultimate cautionary tale of bad karma (or Raptors) biting you in the ass. Prepare to be entertained.

My thoughts: As I said before, I was taken aback when I first started listening to this production. It was unnerving to be LISTENING to a stage production, but unable to see it. The actors were doing things, and I could only guess by their words what was occurring. (Well, there was one scene where two employees of Enron were getting it on at the office at night...I didn't need to see that!)

But like all things audio, I did get used to it, and I began to enjoy it. I thought Prebble's interpretation of the Enron scandal was clever and nicely boiled down to the pertinent facts. While I did laugh out loud on many occasions, Prebble was able to instill moments of levity, which I thought was only appropriate. Many people lost their life savings because of these pompous, narcissistic goons, and should be appreciated.

A quick word of caution - foul language ahoy. Don't listen when your kids are in the car.

I've read that the L.A. Theater Works produces other audios of the classics like Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare, and Chekov. Since I would consider this experience a success, I'll look forward to experimenting with this format more often.

4 out of 5 stars

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Osada #1

2011-11-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

After we had wrapped things up in Sopot and Gdansk, and before we drove to my in-laws in Southwestern Poland, my husband had to make a "quick" stop at a manufacturing plant for a business meeting. His plan was to have his meeting, then scoot on down the road to his parents, which was going to be a full day of driving. I've known Polish people for a long time, and I knew that this meeting would NOT be quick, and I didn't want to be driving at night, so we decided to stay overnight at a place called "Osada".

This place was in the middle of nowhere, but was a real treasure. You stayed in a thatched-roof house all to yourself, there was a restaurant, a store, hiking trails, a lake, and the real highlight for my kids...animals. Horses, dogs, peacocks, wild boar, and bunnies. Here is a picture of one handsome fellow, who my daughter wanted for herself. Over the next three weeks, I will share more pictures of Osada.

The Night Strangers - Chris Bohjalian

2011-11-08T07:00:00.127-05:00

Anyone who says book bloggers don't sell books or have an influence needs to read this post. Because before I read Jenn's review and Ti's review of this book, I was happily nestled amongst my SIBA books and Jill's Nesbo books, with literally months of uninterrupted fun at the ready. But...I just couldn't resist this one. These two reviews were like double dog dares, and I whipped out my Kindle, bought it and started the story that is sure to be deemed for eternity as "the book that turn you off of air travel".

Synopsis: Chip Linton's life was irreversibly damaged the day a flock of geese flew into the engines of his commercial jet, causing him to attempt a water landing that killed thirty-nine of his passengers. No Sully Sullenberger this time. PTSD symptoms in the form of nightmares and phantom pains force he, his wife Emily and twin daughters to move from Pennsylvania to rural New Hampshire to regain their lives and sanity.

Except they don't find sanity, but an evil that begins to invade every aspect of their existence. The townspeople seem to have a cultish fetish about gardening and have taken an unhealthy interest in the girls.  Their old Victorian home has a bloody past with a small wooden door in the basement, bolted shut.  And Chip is being visited by his dead passengers, who come with a list of requests.

My thoughts: For those that have heard that the airplane crash scene was brutal (which not only haunts the beginning of the book but is pervasive throughout), they heard right. Bohjalian did his research because this was some graphic business, and one that will probably never ever quite be exorcised from my mind. Just, reader beware.

Beyond that bit of unpleasantness, the story was deliciously creepy. Ghosts, and weird townsfolk and twins and basements with dirt floors. The supernatural and the real collide, and both gave me the heebie jeebies.  This was the stuff that fueled many a Stephen King novel, and its a good reliable recipe. And Bohjalian has the writing skills to pull it off. I'm being intentionally vague here, because you need to let this story invade your skull like it did mine, spoiler-free, but there were scenes, people. Ones beyond the plane crash, that made the hairs stand up on my arms and made me fear sleep.

I've seen some people question the ending, it's tone and direction.  I loved it. It isn't what you would want necessarily, but it is appropriately chilling and twisted and something you will carry around with you for days.

4.5 out of 5 (Half point taken off for making me afraid to fly)

Footloose (2011)

2011-11-07T07:00:00.074-05:00

If you were "of age" in the '80's, then you probably were a fan of the Kevin Bacon Footloose. Teenage rebellion, the dancing, the music. It was AWESOME. I think I saw it in the theaters at least three of four times, but I specifically remember going with a group of girls in my shorthand class, with our teacher (she was young and cool...Ms. Bantz). We were so jacked up at the end of the movie, we went out driving around trying to find a high school dance to crash. Our needs were not met, and went home unrequited. (*sigh* those were the days)

Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I am an apostle of the original version, so I was nervous about seeing the remake.  This, my friends, felt like a set up for failure.  But my daughter, who is 13, really wanted to see it (my son wouldn't have any part of it because he heard rumors there was hip-hop music and turned up his nose - he is a rock 'n roller).

Well, as much as I hate to say it, it wasn't bad.  Some things were changed, but for the most part, the screenplay stayed true to the spirit of the story. Bad boy from out-of-town, rebellious daughter of local minister trying to stake her claim after the death of her older brother, goobery but lovable sidekicks, an angry ex-boyfriend, lots of dancing, lots of drama, lots of teens versus adults. Even some of the lines were word-for-word.

But it was modernized too. The teenagers were more "seasoned" (aren't they all?). The dancing was definitely...dirtier? There was a lot more skin. And yes, the rumors were true, there was some hip hop, but also some country, as well as the pop stuff. It was a nice mixture, and addressed various ethnicities, which we didn't get in the first movie. They played music from the original Footloose and had some new material of their own.

The dancing got you pumped up, Ren and Ariel were adorable, and there were some good messages. The cast is relatively unknown, except for Andie MacDowell and Dennis Quaid, who played Ariel's parents, but they all did their job. If you are an avid fan of the Kevin Bacon version, I maintain that you will not be disappointed.

Sunday Salon: Another Mission Accomplished

2011-11-06T09:20:00.000-05:00

Good morning long lost friends! I am thrilled to be back in the comfort of my own home, where I'm allowed to sit and rest my weary bones. The kids and I just got back at midnight last night (hence the late posting) from our field trip to Washington DC, Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Philadelphia. It was a great trip...we had gorgeous weather, albeit a little cold but I'm not complaining. But at this point I'm feeling like I need to trade in my feet and get new ones. Thank God for the perfect timing of fall-back Sunday!

Before I talk about our trip though, a few words about the earlier part of the week. My son's football team had an incredible experience playing at the Citrus Bowl, but unfortunately they lost. It was a bittersweet way to end the season, but these guys will never forget it. (Plus, there is always next year!) Monday was Halloween, and I'm sad to say that my kids were just not that into it this year. It could be overload of schedule, or it could be their age. They put about 10 minutes of thought into their costumes, then after a lackluster round of candy-gathering, they gave it all up to other kids. ???? Perhaps next year we will stay home and watch scary movies.

I had a book club meeting on Tuesday to discuss "Middlesex". What is not to love? Next month we will be discussing "Room" and will also be doing a fun book exchange.

The kids and I actually went on the Washington DC field trip last year, so we did have some overlap on activities from year to year, but for the most part, we saw many new things. In DC, we visited the Newseum (a relatively new museum dedicated to the history of journalism and news), the Smithsonian Museum of American History, the National Archives, the Capitol, the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials. Our favorite by far was the Newseum. They had a collection of newspaper articles from the very first printed newspaper through today, a wall of 9/11 headlines from all over the world, and all of the Pulitzer photographs. Had to drag the kids out of there.

We had walking tours of the Jamestown settlement, Williamsburg and Mount Vernon. We had these tours last year but it was in torrential rain, so this time we were actually able to enjoy ourselves. We also had an after-dinner story-telling session outside around the fire in Williamsburg, but my daughter and I surreptitiously crept out to do a little more shopping at those cute little shops. Williamsburg and Mount Vernon are totally charming and gorgeous with the fall foliage. I could go back to either of those places again and again.

Our last day was spent in Philadelphia visiting the National Constitution Center, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the Franklin Institute. My ears perked up when I heard we were going to the Franklin Institute because I knew that they exhibited THE Mallairdet automaton that inspired Brian Selznick's in "The Invention of Hugo Cabret". We didn't have near enough time at this completely cool museum, but I drug my kids in a beeline (as they rolled their eyes) to see the automaton:

Next year's field trip will be to Boston, and I'm really hoping that my son and I (daughter will be off to high school) will be able to participate. You want to hear what the teacher is working on for 2013? Rome!

Today I'm just attempting to unpack my suitcase, go to a high school open house for my daughter, get my son's hair cut, and take my daughter to horseback riding lessons. I'm hoping that for the next couple of weeks I will be able to chill out and get some things done before we head out for the beach for Thanksgiving.

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, helped for some of you by the fall-back time change!

Ready Player One - Ernest Cline (Audio)

2011-11-04T07:00:00.177-04:00

I'm probably repeating things you have already heard if I tell you that this should have been the last book I would have fallen in love with. Classified as sci-fi dystopian about a video game? Really? But hey, EW put it on its Must List. People who were not even children of the '80's, people who were not even gamers, LOVED this book.

And as always with me, the final straw. A narrator for the audio that is hard to resist - Wil Wheaton. Come to mama. I was told by those in the know that the audio was the way to go.

That is nice rhyme.

This puppy rocked my ever-lovin' geeky 1980's mall hair heart.

Synopsis: It is 2044, and the world has gone to hell in a handbasket, as it is wont to do in dystopia. There has been an economic implosion and an energy crisis that has left most Americans struggling, if not for OASIS, a massive online world where people can socialize, attend school, and earn a living, without ever leaving their living room.

OASIS was the brainchild of two eccentric and antisocial entrepreneurs, one of whom has recently died of cancer. An apostle of all things '80's, James Halliday has left his legacy of a gazillion dollars to the one person who can follow a series of clues and challenges within OASIS, testing their knowledge of '80's pop culture, and win the "game".

Enter Wade Watts, an over-weight, acne-pocked, orphaned teenager who prefers to spend all of his time in OASIS, where he is the savvy and buff "Parzival". He has dedicated his life to studying James Halliday and is an adept gamer, so why not give this challenge a go? It sure would be nice to have food to eat and a place to live that didn't involve his abusive aunt and her various boyfriends.

The only trouble is that everyone else wants to win too, and the race is on. Not all the participants are reclusive teenagers. Some are ruthless members of a conglomerate that owns half the world already, and will stop at nothing, even murder, to win.

My thoughts: Ernest Cline, I AM YOUR TARGET READER! I graduated from high school in 1984. I spent weekends with my sister and BFF in the arcades playing Pac Man, Tempest, Dig Dug, Burger Time, Q-Bert, and Gallaga. Hell, my husband and I still have an old Nintendo. I listened to Rush (especially 2112), with my impressionable mind being blown away with this whole story-on-an-album idea. I loved the classic movies like War Games, Back to the Future and Ferris Bueller.  Additionally, I am now the mother of a gamer son, who amazes me on a daily basis when he tells me about the things he does in his games...his gates, easter eggs, and missions.

So the fact that all of this '80's culture that I lived through (and the geekdom that occurs upstairs in my household now) is this book's anchor? Almost an out-of-body experience for me. I was giddy.

But you really don't even have to know the '80's intimately, you don't have to be into gaming, or be a teenager, or even LIKE Sci-fi. We have a likable, underdog protagonist, a treasure hunt, lots of action, a mentor that is half Steve Jobs and half Willy Wonka, and a world that is really...not too far from what we have now.

This was an example of a brilliant mind that knows no boundaries, turned loose on the page. Ernest Cline let it rip and we are the beneficiaries. Thank you Ernest Cline, you will be a the top of my love list for 2012.

A word about the audio production: Audio book producers, take note please. This is an example of PERFECTLY CASTING A BOOK. If I looked the whole world over, there would not be a more suitable person to narrate this book than Wil Wheaton. Wheaton embodied Wade - his youthfulness, his enthusiasm, his self-deprecation. I've noticed that he has narrated other books, and I'm going to make it my mission to seek him out.

5 out of 5 stars