Dangerous Neighbors - Beth Kephart

There is nothing but love for Beth Kephart in my book blog circles, and I had always wanted to make her novels a project some day. That day came for me this past spring, when I was fortunate enough to review "The Heart is Not a Size". It was a beautiful introduction to her work, and gave me a craving for more. Ask and ye shall receive, says Nicole @ Linus's Blanket, and I was offered the chance to review Beth's latest, Dangerous Neighbors.

Plot summary:

The story takes place in an amazing setting... the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial fair. 17 year-old Katherine has recently lost her twin Anna to a tragic accident. Anna was her best friend, her other half of self, and losing her has knocked Katherine's world off its axis. As Katherine relives the last summer of Anna's life in her mind, and grieving over all the mistakes she may have made in their relationship, she stumbles through the magical, transformed streets of Philadelphia wondering if she can go on living. Despite her crisis of the soul, life places a number of carefully disguised blessings in Katherine's path that will challenge her to re-evaluate the downward spiral that she has allowed her life to become.

My thoughts:

This is only my second Beth Kephart book, and therefore still do not have a good sense of her literary depth and breadth. Still, I was nearly giddy with how completely unexpected I found the plot. Similar to "The Heart is Not a Size", Beth's gentleness of spirit was very much present, as well as her pitch-perfect voice of a teenage girl. But what is this?! The Philadelphia Centennial celebration, the symbol of a world that was changing and expanding and moving forward, was an inspired choice for the setting of this story. To match this historically rich event with the tale of a girl who, more than anything, wanted to prevent change, worked brilliantly.

Beth's claim to fame is her poetic prose, and there is no shortage of it here. I like to mark memorable passages as I'm reading, but I might as well have marked the entire book. Just to give you a flavor of the writing in this book, here is a taste:

The organ doesn't sing, it exhales - filling the volume of the Main Exhibition Hall with elaborate moans and peeps. The sound works like a hand in water, sending pulse waves through the minnows below, or at least that is how Katherine, from her perch, has come to see this crowd: as scales and fins, pooling and scattering.


You will find the plot to move at a restrained pace, and the events and the dialogue to be more inward and reflective. Is this typical for the author? I'm not sure, but was a completely different tempo than "The Heart is Not a Size", and was probably another reason why I found myself so surprised. Despite the slower pace, I flew through all 165 pages of it in one sitting, and then afterwards wished I had taken more time to soak in all the beautiful words and imagery.

For die-hard Beth Kephart fans, I am about to state the obvious. While her novels are officially classified as Young Adult, they transcend the genre and would appeal to just about anyone. In other words, I would comfortably loan the book to both my mother and my 12 year-old daughter.

Beth Kephart's blog can be found here. Do yourself a huge favor and check it out...it is just as entertaining as her books!


Have you read any of Beth Kephart's novels? If so, which is your favorite?


4.5 out of 5 stars

The Stand Volume 3: Soul Survivors

Just in case you were on vacation and missed my previous posts on the most blow-your-mind graphic novels, I will get you up to speed. Stephen King and the creative folks at Marvel have teamed up to transform one of the most epic apocalyptic novels, The Stand, into graphic novel form. At this stage, only three volumes have been published, out of six in total. I have them ALL in my hot little hands (evil cackle). Here are my reviews of Volume 1: Captain Trips and Volume 2: American Nightmares.

The various groups of survivors all continue to trek westward looking for Mother Abigail. Nick adopts Tom Cullen as a companion, Larry meets Nadine and Joe, and the Stu/Frannie/Harold/Glenn gang pick up stragglers as well. The focus of this volume is the history of Mother Abigail, the increasing tension between Frannie, Stu and Harold, and the growing presence of characters that clearly fall on the side of good or evil.

The visuals, as usual, are stunning. Here are a few:

Nick and Tom Cullen.


























Mother Abigail, awaiting the coming storm.


























The wild boy Joe, threatening Larry.


Volume 4, we are told in the bonus section at the end of the book, is called "Hardcases" (I'm thinking we will learn more about The Walking Dude's evil minions?). And as in previous books, we are treated to another illustration 101, an explanation of coloring from one of the artists, Laura Martin.

By now, you probably can guess that I will be collecting the entire series. It doesn't get much geekier for me, folks.

5 out of 5 stars

So Cold the River - Michael Koryta

When I discovered that "So Cold the River" was a mystery/thriller that took place at the West Baden Resort in French Lick, Indiana, I cast all caution and reading commitments to the wind, ran out and bought the hard cover book. This NEVER happens in my life. OK, I had a coupon, but unless a book is given to me gratis for a review, hard covers are saved for library rentals. Why was I worked into a lather? Because I visited this resort last fall, and it blew. my. mind. I even published a post about it, I was so utterly breathless over this resort that absolutely DID NOT BELONG in a small, southern Indiana town. It was like finding the crown jewels in a (charming yet modest) pile of chicken feed.

Eric Shaw, a down-and-out film maker living in Chicago, is approached by a beautiful young woman to make a documentary of her father-in-law, Campbell Bradford's, life. Because Campbell is approaching death and unable to communicate, Eric has very little to go on, except that the old man spent his childhood in French Lick, Indiana. The young woman also hands him an old bottle of mineral water taken from that town's springs, and has been in Campbell's possession for his entire adult life.



So Eric head's down to French Lick to stay at one of it's two famous hotels, the West Baden Springs Resort. The hotel, with its restored dome and rich history, immediately entrances Eric. Since I'd been there, I knew exactly how he felt.







Entrance to West Baden Resort, which is described in detail in this book.


















The infamous dome. You can see the balconies that overlook the enclosed area, similar to the one where Eric stayed.




But soon Eric is distracted from the hotel's beauty and observes another side to the area, and begins to have visions of a buried evil that threatens to resurface and destroy everyone in its path. And that old bottle of water...why is the surface of the bottle always so cold? Strangely, this water seems to have more going on than just the purported healing qualities.

You know when they say that the location of a novel (or movie) can act as another character? This is one of those times, whether you have visited the resort or not. Koryta grew up near French Lick, and felt his writer's muse stir when a local businessman renovated both historic hotels to their original grandeur. His description of the grounds and the hotel, and its history, is complete, and you will feel like you have heard your own footsteps echo under the giant dome.

Some of the characters I thoroughly enjoyed, particularly the elderly but spirited Anne McKinney, the town historian and weather-watcher, who goes to the resort's bar for her daily tipple. I also liked Kellen Cage, a lively African-American student at Indiana University who was writing his thesis on the history of blacks in the area, and attempts to assist Eric in unearthing information about Campbell Bradford. On the other hand, Josiah Bradford, a descendant of Campbell, was a little bit of a parody of an angry southern boy. And our protagonist, Eric Shaw, seemed to be overly obsessed with his failures in life, even a tad whiny.

The story delves into the paranormal, which is something I was not expecting. At times, it seemed slightly outlandish, and I had to let go of all the practical little voices inside my head. Once I gave myself permission to go with it, it sucked me in. Ghosts, murders, secrets, and vengeful demons abound, and while I couldn't take it too seriously, the whole gothic feel to the whole story, interspersed with real history, was incredibly riveting.

Overall, I am thrilled to have read it. And now I want to go back...

4 out of 5 stars

The Stand Volume 2: American Nightmares

Here is the hard, cold truth...once you start this series, you won't be able to stop. The concept of Stephen King's The Stand is compelling enough - a super flu wipes out 99% of the earth's population, leaving only the good and the evil to fight it out to determine who will rule the world. The words themselves are graphic and frightening, but seeing the reality of it spring to life in graphic novel form is a whole different animal.

It started with Volume 1: Captain Trips, which was a birthday prezzie from The Bumbles. I promptly ordered the next two volumes, which are the only ones available at this point.

Pretty much the entire population has died of the flu at this point. The wagons begin circling, and the line between the good and evil has been clearly drawn. Everyone begins to have dreams of The Walking Dude (the devil or a high level minion) and of a little old black woman living in the cornfields of Nebraska named Mother Abigail. Stu escapes from the CDC in Vermont, and meets up with Glen Bateman, his dog Kojak, Fran and Harold (and oh I wish I could find a picture of Harold...he is just repulsive), Nick leaves his post as the jailer of Shoyo, Arkansas and heads for Mother Abigail. We meet the Trashcan Man (no doubt who's side HE will be on):

And also catch up with Lloyd Henreid, the miscreant trapped in an Arizona prison, starving and going a little insane:

Probably one of the most vivid scenes in this volume is also one of the most vivid in the printed book, and that is Larry Underwood's trek through the Lincoln Tunnel. You know, the long, dark tunnel full of dead people?






















Like Volume 1, the plot in Volume 2 is very true to the original story, as far as I can remember. As with the book, once the virus has done its horrific damage, the pace starts to slow a little, and our characters begin to trudge down the road of no return. The scenes are no less shocking, however, and the artists are clearly enjoying themselves.

It appears that the artists have decided to give us little bonuses with each volume. In this one, in addition to offering different cover variants, they explain how inking and shading is used to create mood and texture. They also stress the importance of making particular scenes (New York for example) authentic. It is almost more awesomeness than one fangirl of Stephen Kind can handle. Stay tuned next week for Volume 3...

5 out of 5 stars

The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women & a Forty Year Friendship - Jeffrey Zaslow

When I graduated from high school, I ran like hell. Call it a rebellious "I need to broaden my horizons beyond this one-horse town" kinda thing, but I thought I knew it all in my ignorant youth. In the 25 years since my graduation, I've always gone back to visit my parents but never stayed in touch with my friends. Until recently. I think with age, we begin to turn inwards, and appreciate our own history and the paths we have taken that have made who we are today.

There were about a dozen of us that formed a morphing and versatile group of friends. We were in sports together, we traded boyfriends, we patted each other's backs when we had our hearts broken. But when we left Seeger High School, we all went in different directions. Some married and had children right away, some never left Warren County, some went out of state and never came back, some went a little bit crazy. Only when Facebook came in the picture did a group of us become reaquainted, and realized that the differences we felt when we were 18 didn't matter anymore. Four of us found in each other common ground, a safe haven of women who understood each other's frailties and knew each other's skeletons, and loved each other anyway. For this reason, I was drawn to the story of The Girls From Ames.

This is a powerful story of a group of 11 girls, many of whom were friends from their youngest years, growing up in Ames, Iowa. They were a tight clique who often dressed alike and inspired a few enemies who envied their relationships. In pictures, the girls were always squished together, appearing to be one mass of arms and legs, whether they were 15 or 40.

Through the author, a Wall Street Journal columnist, we are provided in-depth backgrounds on four of the women, and various personality traits and escapades of the other seven, along with pictures of them as children, graduating seniors, and as adults. The girls share their memories...the cornfield keg parties, the boyfriends, the influence of pop culture (particularly the 80's), their high school jobs. Their group wasn't always perfect. They could be mean, even to each other, but they managed to to forgive and stay close.

But instead of running away, like I did, these girls stayed in touch over the years, with reunions of their own on a regular basis. They were there for each other when they each got married (once is still single), when one died in a tragic accident, when they had children, when they lost children, when two of them got cancer, when one of them divorced. It is an undeniable support system of women who know each other before they became mothers and wives. This is a feeling that I understand now more than ever, and that I treasure.

I can't say the book is outstandingly written, nor is it satisfyingly complete. There are some girls in the group for which we are given very little information, and I'm assuming this has something to do with their need for privacy. So the information can feel one-sided at times. Nevertheless, the story is heartening and presented many parallels to my life that made their stories mine. It also just reinforces the power, beauty and the near-religious experience of a girlfriend, and that you need it in your life like air and water.

4 out of 5 stars

One Day - David Nicholls (Kindle)

I have mentioned in the past (specifically with Marisa de los Santos' books) the desire to wrap myself up in a story as if it were a favorite comfy blanky. Some books provoke this feeling - they are somehow familiar, and warm, and so enjoyable you don't want them to end. I'm planting my flag on another.

I know I'll sound trite by saying this (and I'm certainly not the first to say it), but the plot is somewhat reminiscent of When Harry Met Sally. A man and a woman with a friendship that spans decades of lovers, career changes, successes and heartbreaks, an accidental sexual encounter or two with each other, and the knowledge that they absolutely MUST end up together. Throw in some clever British wit. Stir in a little "Same Time Next Year" (great movie, trust me if you haven't seen it, Google it). One Day is the result.

The book follows Emma and Dexter from the day after their college graduation (where they had a one-night tryst but recognized in each other a best friend) through the next twenty years of their lives. Each chapter provides a snapshot of each year on July 15th (St. Swithin's Day). There is an ebb and flow cycle between them...relationships come and go, careers come and go, they each struggle through various crises in their lives, but their friendship endures. We pray for the day they allow themselves to freely fall in love with each other.

I've heard people speak unkindly about this novel, and that breaks my heart. Does it have to end predictably? Does it have to be the second coming of literature? It is so refreshingly human. We love Emma and Dexter, for all their faults, whether it is Emma's fear of chasing her dreams or Dexter's self-absorbed tendency to indulge in drink and women. We know they are good people, and we love who they are when they are together. The dialogue is also very clever and snappy, and at times laugh-out-loud hilarious. From there, we wander into weepy and reflective territory. But above all, this is a testament to friendship, about believing in each other no matter how many bad mistakes are made, no matter how obnoxious the behaviour, no matter how weak the will.

The story begs for the silver screen, and someone in Hollywood has obliged. Slated for a third quarter 2011 release, it will star Anne Hathaway (not a fan, sorry) and Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe). I've found a picture of Hathaway on the set of the movie. What do you think? Time will tell if they'll get it right, but if they don't, this will be a massively missed opportunity. In the meantime, readers, friends, read this book. Now.












5 out of 5 stars

Rules of the Lake - Irene Ziegler

Back at the beginning of the summer, I reviewed Irene Ziegler's new release "Ashes to Water", a mysterature that was drenched in old Florida atmosphere. I experienced something close to love at first sight with the story's protagonist, Annie Bartlett, a damaged woman with a strong sense of justice. While the book stood on its own, I knew that Ziegler had written a prequel, entitled "Rules of the Lake", that delved into Annie's childhood and the ghosts she acquired as a result. I knew I HAD to read this - I needed insight into Annie's psyche. Before I was able to use my birthday money to buy it though, Ziegler sent me a copy (thank you!). I squirreled it into my bags for my trip to Indiana. I might just miss my southern, humid, bug-infested home, after all!

"Rules of the Lake" is a collection of separate events in Annie's life that define her...her parents' unhappy marriage, her father's abusive personality, her mother's suicide, her fascination with mermaids (we have them in Weeki Wachee, you know), her molestation from a neighbor, her relationship with her troubled older sister, and her love of water and the lake in her backyard.

Again, Ziegler has hit the nail on the head in creating an essence of old Florida, and blends it with the nostalgic, bittersweet childhood of a young girl. (A young girl that comes back as an adult in "Ashes to Water" and kicks a little butt, which is oh so satisfying.) If you can't afford to go plodding around in untouched, backwater Florida, then this is the next best thing.

I am also compelled to take a slight, superficial detour. Guys, this book cover! I've uploaded an extra large version so you can see. I can't stop staring at the blending of the colors, and the mesmerizing representation of the unseen, non-Disney Florida. If I could frame it and hang it on my wall, I would. The signature says "Vige", but I can't seem to find any information on the artist. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

If you want to take a trip to the unspoiled South, without the strife of heat and mosquitoes and tourists, this is your best bet. You will thank me later!

4 out of 5 stars

Cape Seduction - Anne Carter (Kindle)

When it comes to magnificent structures, lighthouses have got it all...they are majestic, historic, mysterious, and romantic. Solitary protectors, beacons of hope. That is why I'm so enchanted with them, and what originally drew me to Pam Ripling (pen-named Anne Carter). Pam loves her lighthouses, and began weaving them into her writing projects with Point Surrender, a story of love, ghosts, and a lighthouse.

Rebecca Burke is a successful photojournalist with her sights set on featuring the crumbling and decaying Dragon Rock Lighthouse in an upcoming publication. It is surrounded with a colorful and mysterious past...it was the location of a 1940's romance thriller film called "Cape Seduction", which starred an promising actress named Darla Foster. Strangely, it was soon after the shooting of the film that Darla was last seen alive.

Matt Farralone is the handsome lawyer who represents the current owner of the lighthouse (and friends with Amy and Case from Point Surrender, who make a cameo appearance). Matt is charged with ensuring no one sets foot near the property, which inspires Rebecca to cook up a crazy scheme to bamboozle him. What she didn't count on was actually LIKING the guy (but let's face it, we the readers can see it coming a mile away!). She also didn't count on the paranormal-like visions of a beautiful, young, dark-haired woman who seems to be compelling her to get inside that lighthouse at all costs.

We are transported back and forth through time, from the current day with Rebecca and Matt, to 1948, when the movie Cape Seduction was being filmed. Darla's slightly kooky but childlike presence, her ambitious desire to become a star, and her fateful relationship with her dashing co-star Jordan Kent is slowly revealed to us. And all the while, there is an ominous undercurrent - we know things are going to go well for this misguided but charming young woman.

Reading a paranormal romance is a real departure from my typical fare, but it was pure enjoyment! The paranormal aspects are subtle - just enough to give you a little tingle. The romance isn't too sweet, but with lots of chemistry. I will warn you that the romantic plot is predictable and full of outlandish coincidences, worthy of an eye-roll and some out-loud commentary. This didn't deter me nearly as much as it should have though, because the characters were interesting and likable. The real star of the show here, and the reason why I continue to think about this novel long after I've finished, is the lighthouse.

The Dragon Rock Lighthouse was inspired by the real-life St. George Reef Lighthouse in Northern California. The lighthouse sits on a reef six miles from the coast, built in the late 1800's, and is only accessible by helicopter. (This is the only off-shore lighthouse in the world with public access. You can visit via helicopter for $195pp.) You can only imagine the misadventure that could occur in such a location, with its isolation and exposure to the crashing waves. The atmosphere doesn't get any more tangible and more memorable.

If I didn't know better, I'd think that the ghost of Darla was beckoning me to visit.



4 out of 5 stars

The Nobodies Album - Carolyn Parkhurst (Kindle)

Do you ever look back at your life and how you lived it, and wish you had made better decisions? Do you wish you could have a "do over"?

Octavia Frost, a successful author, widow, and mother to her estranged adult son Milo, is living her life in a sea of regret. Years ago, a tragic event claims the life of Octavia's husband and daughter, leaving mother and son to wallow in survivor's guilt. Octavia throws her energy into a career as a novelist, projecting the hell of her life into a long line of dark novels that are semi-autobiographical. After four years of alienation with Milo, she decides that her next literary project will be to re-write the endings of all of her books, a subconscious attempt at setting things right.

On her way to turning in her manuscript of this project (entitled "The Nobodies Album"), she learns that her son, now a front man for a popular band, has been accused of murdering his girlfriend. She races cross country to offer her support, not knowing if it will be accepted. She also embarks on a journey to discover the truth behind the murder charges, the pursuit of forgiveness, the exploration of self, and the quest to heal the decades-old wounds between mother and son.

At this point, you may be muttering to yourself "yeah, yeah, family tragedy, dysfunction, angst, blah, blah, blah". Wouldn't blame you. Haven't we heard this all before a thousand times? Yes, but not quite in a package such as this. I love clever and unique, and this is so very much clever and unique. Let me try to explain.

First, the writing is stellar. It is smart, insightful, and real. The voice effectively communicates to us through tone and inference that this is a woman who is sharp but tired, who is living with loss, who is feeling her middle-age, who recognizes her faults, and misses her son.

The book moves back and forth between Octavia's present involvement with her son and his predicament, and excerpts from The Nobodies Album. As Octavia attempts to find a toehold in her son's chaotic situation, we intermittently get a peek into her mental state in her novels' original endings, and where she wants to be through her revised endings. I don't believe many authors could pull off such a subtle but impactful study of the human spirit, contained in such a clever package.

Layered in between all of this awesomeness are two mysteries. What really happened to Octavia's husband and daughter? And who really killed Milo's girlfriend? The answer to the first question shook me to the core, and came just a leeeeeetle bit too close for comfort. I had to get up and walk that one off. The answer to the second question is not an obvious one, and has a respectable and satisfying conclusion.

Most importantly, at the heart of the book you will find the soul of a mother who loves her baby...a fierce protector, flawed but good intentions, and a desperation for love.

I, along with half of the book blogging universe I think, was persuaded to read this book by Jen of Devourer of Books. You can read her most excellent review here.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Unaccustomed Earth - Jhumpa Lahiri

After reading the beautiful "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri last summer, I was smitten. I'd never been a big fan of the short-story, but this was unlike anything I'd ever read before in my life - a study of the human condition presented with elegance and grace. I was almost overwhelmed for Lahiri that this debut effort was awarded the Pulitzer. How on earth do you top that? With "Unaccustomed Earth", that's how.

It is clear to me, however, after reading "Unaccustomed Earth", Lahiri is not a one-hit wonder. In this second collection of short stories, she has tapped into the source of what made Maladies so magical. These stories focus on the complications of mixed race marriages (Bengali and Caucasian), finding the balance between old world and new, the difficult journey of marriage itself, coping with the death of a loved one, and inter-relationships between man, wife, mother, daughter, father, son, lovers and friends. The nuances are subtle, and are full of so much beauty and grace, it is breath-taking. Whether you are Indian or not, the emotions addressed here are those of each and every one of us. I feel like I am being pithy and vague, but few words can really do her work justice.

A grown Bengali women is pleasantly surprised to find common ground with her widowed father who had been emotionally distant throughout her childhood. A married couple get away for the weekend to attend the wedding of a friend, and are forced to face jealousies and "life after kids". Siblings grow distant when the brother falls victim to alcoholism, and attempt to reconcile with potentially disastrous consequences. A young man watches helplessly when his roommate and secret crush endures a dysfunctional love affair.

But the piece de resistance is a three-chapter story about Hema and Kaushik, two young people who enter and leave each other's lives multiple times. Hema narrates one chapter when they are in their teens. Kaushik narrates the second chapter when he is in college. And they both narrate the third, when they are adults. Each time their lives intersect, their fates are irreversibly altered. You finish this set of stories feeling like you, too, have had your set of literary standards altered.

If your hesitation with short-stories is that you feel short-changed on character development, look no further. Lahiri's stories are between thirty and fifty pages long - longer than the average short story. In addition, Lahiri is very efficient with her words, so almost immediately you are drawn into these characters' lives. I've read three hundred page books that give you less. Do I wish the stories were full-length books? Yes and no. You fall in love with some of the characters, and don't want to let them go, but some things are better left where they stand. Just like with the end of Gone With the Wind, I'd rather think about the possibilities than have reality muck it all up.

I'd be hard-pressed to choose my favorite Lahiri novel. You aren't going to go wrong with either one. If you haven't yet experienced the gift of Lahiri's writing, I must implore you to put her on your list of things to read soon.

5 out of 5 stars

The Monster of Florence - Douglas Preston & Mario Spezi

One of my favorite sayings is "you can't make this ____ up". (insert expletive) That is probably why I am so taken with true crime - it IS stranger than fiction. And my husband knows his wife, because he came home from one of his business trips with this book in his hand, which he purchased for me when spending idle time in an airport bookstore. Good job, honey.

Douglas Preston never imagined what lie in wait for him in Florence, Italy when he moved his family there to write one of his murder mysteries. But when he discovered that his rental home was located near the site of a grisly 1980's murder, one of a series in fact, he was distracted. Upon befriending journalist Mario Spezi, who covered the slayings of 7 "lover's lane" couples that occurred over a ten year time period, he was hooked. His focus was officially diverted.

The first half of the book is the serial murder case as described by Spezi. And it is something more unbelievable than the most deranged murder thriller you've ever read. An elusive individual (or possibly more than one?) creeps up to couples parked in their car for a little romance, shoots the male execution-style, and butchers the woman with a knife, removing various female parts as a souvenir. Often the crime occurs during a full moon, and goes through cycles of frequency and then periods of silence. Forensic evidence is abundant, but due to a seemingly bumbling police department, crime scenes are never protected, and much of the evidence is never collected. In fact, the police investigation is more of a witch-hunt based on rumors and speculation. Many different individuals are arrested and imprisoned over the years (mobsters, old men, sufferers of dementia), but each time a new murder occurs, the investigation is knocked back to square one. Pursuit of the killer occurs for twenty years after the last crime, but the murders are never solved.

The second half of the book begins when Preston shows up in Florence and begins to poke around. His interest in the case is fueled by Spezi's passion to get to the bottom of a mystery that has been mishandled from the very beginning. Spezi and Preston interview suspects, unearth documents, and believe they have a very good idea of who the murderer actually is, but can't prove it. Unfortunately, the police take great offense - how DARE they second guess authority??? - and soon become the enemy.

You see, according to a local member of Florence's society and friend of Preston's, Italy represents a community with a permanent climate of witch-hunting. An answer MUST be found, public opinion must be upheld, and everyone has the potential to be a suspicious character, no matter if they are truly guilty or not. As pot-stirrers, Preston and Spezi threaten to upset their apple cart, so authorities construct a story that places the two writers at the center of controversy. Spezi is imprisoned (later to be released but with a ruined reputation) and Preston is run out of Italy and told to never return.

It would probably be fair to say that this book has a little bit of an identity crisis. Both identities make very good reading, don't get me wrong. The serial murder mystery is terrifying, heightened by the raw viciousness of the crime, and the fact that the perpetrator was never caught. The idiotic state of the police and the justice system in Italy is shocking and maddening, and makes me never want to step foot in that country ever. God forbid you are in the same building at the same time a crime is committed, and you have a funny look on your face when you are questioned. You just might find yourself in an Italian prison forever.

So is it a true crime murder mystery? An expose? A rant? Yes to all. Nevertheless, it is gripping, easy to read, and, if you don't mind your questions being unanswered, something any true crime fan will immensely enjoy. It left me with one lingering thought.

There is more than one monster in Florence.

4 out of 5 stars

A Hundred Feet Over Hell - Jim Hooper

Last fall, months before I signed up for the 2010 Vietnam Reading Challenge, my husband attended a weekend retreat, where he met a gentleman who was a Vietnam Veteran. When my husband mentioned that I was a book blogger, the gentleman immediately recommended that I read and review "A Hundred Feet Over Hell" and declared it to be one of the best Vietnam books he'd ever read. Recommendations don't come any higher than this.

The book's message was in good hands. The author is a seasoned war correspondent whose brother, Bill, served in Vietnam as a "Catkiller" pilot in the 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company. Bill and his merry band of "Myth Makers" had the role of flying flimsy little single-engine Cessnas, that could barely exceed speeds of a passenger car, to seek out the positions of the enemy, provide assistance to troops in peril, and engage in combat if necessary.

I've ridden in one of these airplanes; my dad owned and flew one on the farm in the '70's. These are little more than motorized tin cans with some wings and plastic windows. The very idea that these pilots would fly into some of the most hostile terrain in the war, scribbling radio frequencies and coordinates with wax pencils on the windows, communicating with troops under fire and ground control, in zero-visibility weather, literally hanging out of their windows shooting weapons and throwing grenades, all at only hundreds of feet above the ground in mountainous territory and with plumes of napalm exploding around them...it is terrifying. These boys had nerves of steel.

When Jim Hooper began to help his brother compile his thoughts about his experiences in Nam, he located some of his brother's platoon mates and found them eager to share their memories as well. As horrific as the war was, it seems that they were not only adrenaline junkies, feeding off the constant thrill of near-death experiences, but also felt the camaraderie and the bond of a unified cause to be unparalleled in life. The result was something more than just a book. It is a real-time narrative, with all of the players taking turns, jumping in with their contribution to the story. I would liken this reading experience to transporting yourself back in time, into the cockpit, re-living some of their most memorable missions.

We get to know the pilot's personalities, their quirks, their strengths and weaknesses. Because of the intense pressure experienced in the air, these boys had to blow off steam through drinking, fart humor, poker, and practical jokes that were nearly as dangerous as combat. Bless Hooper, because he includes pictures - I love pictures - so the reality of their brave, handsome faces are etched in your mind. Hooper's last gift to us is the epilogue, letting us know what happened to the boys after the war. (I get the sense that many of the pilots continued to seek that same adrenaline rush once they had returned stateside.)

For those who decide to read this, I will mention that you may have some initial issues in reading some of the dialogue. It is snappy and filled with pilot and war lingo. There is a helpful glossary in the back to help you wade through, but this was a drag on my momentum, so I just went for it. No, I didn't know what a Kit Carson scout was, or a Delta-1, but I got the idea.

Often, you will hear that "The Things They Carried" is the quintessential Vietnam novel. In many ways I would agree - it is an everyman's story of the war on the ground. I would argue that "A Hundred Feet Over Hell" should carry just as much gravitas, only from the perspective of the sky and with a grittier voice.

5 out of 5 stars

The Things They Carried - Tim O'Brien (Kindle)

While I have read dozens of books on World War II, I have very little experience with those written about Vietnam. So when I heard over and over again that Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried” is considered the quintessential Vietnam novel, so much that the 20th anniversary of its publication was recently celebrated, I had no way to personally confirm or deny. All I knew is that it stunned me. I have never read a war novel quite like this one.

Because my husband’s family is from Poland, we are emotionally immersed in the WWII history. But Vietnam? My father was excused from the draft because my mom was pregnant with me. Nobody in my family had any connection with this war. However, my husband and I have a very close friend who did fight in Nam as a Marine, and every time we get together with him and his wife, I am reminded of this fact. He carries his Vietnam experiences with him, inside his heart, every day of his life. He guards them closely, even with his most intimate friends, but I see it all there right beneath the surface. Maybe reading this book would help me understand.

I believe this novel has served several important purposes for O’Brien, who fought in Vietnam. First and foremost, I believe this was the ultimate therapy for him – a way to tell the TRUTH about what really happened over there. He writes honestly and with candor about his emotional and physical reaction to being drafted…something he had never told anyone and which caused him great embarrassment. He writes about his most nightmarish experiences, getting them out of his dreams and down on paper, with the hope perhaps that in the daylight, it will lose some of its power over his psyche. He admits to a childish feud he had with another soldier, an act of revenge that was fueled by an anger he couldn’t control.

But beyond exorcising his personal demons, more importantly O’Brien also gives a voice to every soldier who fought in Vietnam. He explains WHY soldiers had to treat death as a joke. Why imagination was a killer. Why most war stories were 90% baloney. He reveals, via a devastating story of one of his friends, how incredibly hard it was for some to return to the US and resume a normal life. Who did they have to talk to? Who would understand?

It was not easy to read this book. I would need to set it down and walk away often, and nearly dread picking it back up again. But once I did, I was riveted. It was a strange mixture of emotions. The writing is easy, open, but insightful and introspective. His stories are vivid and often disturbing. But you do walk away with a better appreciation for the horrors of this war, from one soldier’s perspective which I am sure mirrors many. I tried to imagine what it would be like to read this book as a veteran and could never come to a conclusion. Would I be angry? Would I feel validated? Would it bring it all back to me? It would be impossible for me to say.

And what about the things they carried? What does the title of the book mean? “The things they carried were largely determined by necessity.” Pocket knives, can openers, lighters, water. “What they carried was partly a function of rank, partly of field specialty.” Maps, radios, binoculars, weapons. “What they carried varied by mission.” Mosquito netting, machetes, tarps, mine detectors. “They all carried ghosts.” Pictures, Bibles, a girlfriend’s pantyhose. “The things they carried were determined to some extent by superstition.” A good luck pebble, a rabbit’s foot, a shrunken thumb. “For the most part, they carried themselves with poise, a kind of dignity.” Not all things carried were tangible, but spiritual.

“…for all the ambiguities of Vietnam, all the mysteries and unknowns, there was at least the single abiding certainty that they would never be at a loss for things to carry.”

5 out of 5 stars

101 Things I Learned in Film School - Neil Landau and Matthew Frederick

If you are a follower of You've GOTTA Read This, then you know I am a lover of more than books...I also love my movies. I don't claim to be an expert (like my film critic sister, who has seen more movies than just about anyone I know), but I like them and I watch them. I have opinions. I pay attention to plot, dialogue, soundtracks, setting, and I hate predictability. You can't win me over with car chases and explosions, or when the guy gets the girl in the end. It really isn't so different from books, is it?

So anyway, I was thrilled when I won a giveaway from the lovely Trisha (eclectic/eccentric) entitled "101 Things I Learned in Film School". It is possible that someone like my sister would know all of this already, but I might just learn something! I found the book on my doorstep when arrived home from my trip out west, and even though it was close to midnight, I had to start reading it that very moment.

It is one of those books you could keep in the bathroom (truly no offense) because you can easily pick it up and read a few pages at a time. It provides all kinds of insight to movies, from the development of plot, casting, budgeting, etc. I found it truly fascinating, to the point where during the next movie I watched (Disturbia), I was viewing with a whole new perspective. But more than that, it also dawned on me that many of the insights also applied to novels as well. Here are some things that caught my eye:

* A flawed protagonist is more compelling than a perfect protagonist. Absolutely! Perfect is not realistic. I want to see moral struggles, the fighting of demons, and bad decisions.

* Practice perfect pitch. There is a whole list of things to keep in mind if you pitching a movie to a director (how to get to the point quickly and succinctly). I suppose this would come in handy if you have a movie idea you are trying to sell. But what about book reviews? Seems these tips would work there as well.

* Act 2 is where poorly structured film goes to die. I bet we all could come up with a nice, healthy list of books that died somewhere in the middle.

* Make setting a character. I've always said that using setting in a book is an opportunity to make a good book great. Those are the books you don't forget.

* Make the conflict existential. In other words, midpoint through the story, an unexpected curve or reversal of fortune deepens the conflict and provokes a dilemma, causing the protagonist to evolve. Fingersmith, anyone?

* Dig deeper. Good movies are about simple things explored with depth, nuance, and attention to detail and meaning. Clutter confuses. Do fewer things, but do them better. Hallelujah! This was exactly my frustration with the last Harlan Coban book I read.

* Film, novel, television or stage? How often have we talked about books that worked on film, and ones that fell flat. This page offers advice on what works where.

* A movie is a novel turned inside out. Cool idea, huh? Novels describe inner motives and emotions and leaves it to the reader to formulate a mental picture of the physical world. Movies depict the visible and implies the unseen. Thereby making an adapted screenplay a tricky inversion.

* If you want to write, read. If you want to make films, see films. Makes all kind of sense. I believe this was the sage advice given by Stephen King to a group of writers.

* Deus ex machina. Literally, "god from the machine", refers to any plot contrivance that miraculously emerges to resolve a dilemma. (Which disappoints viewers, and I daresay readers, every time.) We want our protagonists to solve their own problems and become empowered, not to have the answers plop in their laps. I see this all the time in books. Nice to know the official name!

Well, you get the point. This is a treasure trove of little gems that give me just enough information to be dangerous! For anyone who likes a good movie now and again, you are going to enjoy this one.

4 out of 5 stars

Columbine - Dave Cullen (Kindle)

There are a handful of events in our lives that we use to mark time. When JFK was shot, when Lennon was shot, 9/11...and Columbine. We will forever remember where we were and what we were doing the moment we heard the news. I was on an out-of-town job, pregnant with my son and a toddler at home when I saw the bloody, hysterical students running out of their school, when I saw Patrick Ireland fall out of that window. I was devastated; I was terrified. How could two boys go so wrong? How could I raise two children into a world like this?

I've read two other works of fiction that heavily reference Columbine - We Need to Talk About Kevin (Lionel Shriver) and The Hour I First Believed (Wally Lamb). And while I am a true crime junkie, I still hesitated to read this one. Could I handle the truth? Ten years later, my heart still hurts. Eventually, the need to understand won out over my fears.

I don't think I need to say much about what happened. April 20, 1999, two troubled boys, an arsenal of weapons, and a grand master plan to kill hundreds at their school. Ultimately, 13 were killed and dozens injured, some permanently. Their plan ultimately (thankfully) fell short because their home-made bombs failed to detonate. At the end of the spree they killed themselves, but they left behind notes, diagrams, journals and videos to paint a very specific picture for the public. They had nothing to hide. They were proud.

Cullen has done an exemplary job of collecting the facts. He has accumulated hundreds of hours of interviews, read the police documents, read newspaper articles, read Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold's journals, and viewed the "Basement Tapes". It was his mission to set the record straight on the facts, as they had been skewed by the police department and the media from the second the first shot was fired. It was also his mission to better understand the why, through the help of the FBI clinical psychologist and Columbine investigator Dwayne Fuselier.

The facts were heartbreaking. Prepare yourself for some disturbing reading while Cullen recounts the actual shooting at the school. The students who were shot, killed, but left uncovered on the sidewalk for 28 hours. The teacher who bled to death because the SWAT team did not want to risk entry. The ultimate blood-bath in the library.

The facts are perplexing. The boys came from respectable, middle-class families, who may have been out of touch and allowed too much unsupervised free time, but were loving caring parents. Both boys were exceptionally bright.

The facts were twisted. The boys did not target the jocks. They were not part of the Trench Coat Mafia. They were not influenced by Marilyn Manson, they were not "goth", they were not loners.

But the warning signs were there. The boys started getting into minor mischief that escalated into vandalism, theft,building bombs, and eventually were arrested. They wrote essays that fixated on murder and violence. A search warrant, which would have uncovered their arsenal, was written but never filed.
Did it happen because of bullying, as many claimed? Fuselier does not believe so. In fact, he has declared Harris to be a full-blown psychopath...a kid who hated the world. Eric killed to demonstrate his superiority and to enjoy it. Klebold adversely was a depressive...he hated himself. He followed Harris as a way to end his misery.

It is mind-boggling to imagine the volume of data that Cullen had to assimilate to tell the story. But he has, and has done it well. He jumps back and forth between the event and its aftershock, and the background of Harris and Klebold leading up to the event. He examines the effect of the event on the community, on the survivors and where they are now, the lawsuits, the role of religion in the healing, the myths, the cover-ups, the steps taken to reopen the school...it is all here. It is the most complete true crime novel I've ever read, all written in an easy-to-read prose.

It is also important to emphasize that this is not an attempt to sensationalize the tragedy. It is tactful and factual - a real testament to the victims. A must-read.

5 out of 5 stars

The Singer's Gun - Emily St. John Mandel (Kindle)

It has been over two weeks since I've read The Singer's Gun. Generally, within a few days of reading a book, I become inspired
to write a review, but not this time. The book almost defies description. But the review must be written, so at this stage, I have to just dive in and go for it. Hope it works out.

Anton Waker has gone missing, much to the irritation of the police force, who suspect him of human trafficking and selling illegal social security numbers. His parents are distraught. Is he dead? Is he gallivanting throughout Europe? A seemingly straight-forward mystery is underfoot.

We flashback, and are introduced to Anton months earlier. He works for a prestigious consulting firm, is a Harvard graduate, is engaged to a famous cellist, and has a close, slightly flirtatious relationship with his lovely secretary. Mandel peels back a layer of the onion, and reveals a few more facts...Anton's illegal family business, a fiance that keeps cancelling the wedding, a vicious and money-hungry cousin, a falsified college degree. We squirm. Another layer is peeled back, and we see a secretary blackmailed to spy on Anton, a life unraveling, and a tortured man wanting and attempting to live a clean life. We read even faster.

We travel from New York, to the frozen tundra in the far reaches of Canada, to a tiny, beautiful island off the coast of Italy. There is a gun. There is one last deal to make. The tension continues to build, and we are hooked.

For those looking for an action-packed thriller, you may be disappointed. Instead, Mandel has delivered more of a restrained, literary mystery that builds slowly and subtly, that pulls the reader quickly into a noirish tale of lost souls. The characters are flawed but endearing...Anton even loves and misses his adoring, one-eyed cat, which pretty much sealed the deal for me. Inequities are present and don't resolve themselves. People die. The ending is wide open. The story is enigmatic.

I read the book in one sitting, and folks, this rarely happens. If my description above appeals to your senses, add it to your list quickly.

4.5 out of 5 stars

The Stand Volume 1: Captain Trips - Stephen King

How do I love the Bumbles? Let me count the ways. Well, I'd like to, but there isn't enough time in the day. But one of the many cool things about Molly and Andy is that they are out there, always with an eye open for interesting "stuff"...articles, products, books. Occasionally, they find "stuff" that they think I will like, and they shoot me an e-mail. It has run the gamut...jokes, Christmas ornaments, websites...you name it. But imagine my eyes popping out of my skull when they sent me the link to Amazon, featuring The Stand in graphic novel form! Published by Marvel, the vision is ultimately six hardback volumes, one for each of the stages of this apocalyptic story. The Bumbles know how much I love The Stand. I believe it to be King's finest work - a classic. I flipped out. I HAD to have it. But Molly beat me to the punch - she sent me volume 1 for my birthday!

Based on the information I could dig up, Stephen King himself approached Marvel and asked them if they would be interested in the project (yeah right, like they wouldn't be interested). From that point, the creative team was chosen. All members of the team allowed themselves to be inspired by the original story and the descriptions of each of the characters, and seem to have effectively blocked out any influence by the casting in the movie. This book and its images stand (ha) on their own.

At the end of Volume 1, we are privy to the sketchbook, including character studies with commentary on "birthing" Randall Flagg, Frannie, Larry Underwood, Nick Andros, Trashcan Man and Stu Redman. You can tell that the artists "get" King. The characters jump off the page, grab you and force to look. Visual candy is what this is.

As you can see from the pictures, this graphic novel is in every way graphic. The illustrations are dark and almost feral in nature. They are twisted and insane, and I love it! I love insane. If you scare easily, you might end up seeing some of these visuals in your nightmares. (Bear in mind that this first installment is about the spread of the flu-like virus that kills 98% of humanity in a sea of phlegm and mucus. I won't show those pictures here.)






















The novel is very true to the original story. Obviously there had to be some serious editing, but the meat is all there. The introduction of the core players and their individual circumstances, the spread of the virus, the mountains of bodies, the dreams of a cornfield, the attempt at government control, the CDC. And the Walking Dude. The Walking Dude is SO menacing, he makes your skin crawl.

Just this year, I've come to appreciate the beauty and genius of the graphic novel. So I'm probably not qualified to say this. But this is what GRAPHIC is all about, baby.

Volume 1 (Captain Trips) and Volume 2 (American Nightmares) are both currently available. The third volume (Soul Survivors) should be out sometime this month. I shall be back with more, friends.

5 out of 5 stars

Ashes to Water - Irene Ziegler

Back in early May, I forced myself to look in the mirror and admit I had painted myself into a corner with reading commitments. Review copies, challenges, I have them coming out of my ears. I hate to fail at anything, so right then and there, I pledged that I would get caught up, and would not accept any review copies until I'd accomplished my task.

Then here comes Ms. Irene Ziegler, who sends me an e-mail "pitching a platypus". A what? Her latest book, she tells me, is a mysterary. A little of this a little of that, like a platypus. She tells me she grew up in Florida (in Deland actually, which is just north of Orlando), has Polish ancestry, and her books have very little in common with Nicholas Sparks. So obviously she did her homework, and has a hilarious sense of humor. This wasn't the half of it...you should check out her blog! Not only does she have a resume that includes novels, voiceovers and acting, this lady is a piece of work! How could I say no? You're right, I couldn't. Irene did mention she was out of actual ARCs, but still I did a double-take when her package arrived, all 400 pages on copy paper! Ack! But it didn't even matter. It was all good.

The story centers on Annie Bartlett, a girl forever damaged by her mother's suicide when Annie was a little girl. So damaged, in fact, that even as an adult, she still "sees" her mother and has two-way conversations with her. Despite this little wrinkle in her mental health, she has moved away from home, met a wonderful man, and has established a successful photography career. But when she receives word that her estranged father has been murdered, she must return to her childhood home to face a few demons, maybe at the expense of her comfortable life.

The childhood home being Deleon Florida, which, for all intents and purposes, is Ziegler's Deland. It is your typical small town full of personalities, all of them in each other's business and carrying around grudges and hidden agendas. Annie soon discovers that her father's accused murderer, his girlfriend, may actually be innocent, but nobody seems to care, including the town judge and the accused's lawyer (Annie's high school sweetheart). Add to that little pot of trouble a series of suspicious fires, Annie's older drug-addicted sex-addicted sister, unresolved guilt over Annie's feud with her father, and a growing body count.

There is something very atmospheric about small towns in Florida. If you have spent any amount of time in them, you know what I mean. They are maddening, they are charming, you hate them when you are in them, but miss them when you are not. I find myself generally smitten with authors that effectively integrate this atmosphere into their stories (which Ziegler does). Does this mean it wouldn't have the same impact if you live in Wisconsin? I don't know...I always loved stories set in New Orleans, and I don't live there. But with novels that utilize this atmosphere properly, you feel like you've been there. Ticket to anywhere. It's cool.

Ziegler has constructed a platypus, for sure. The writing is respectable, with a touch of humor that you would expect from the author, knowing what you know. There are relationship issues going in ten different directions, the protagonist is likable, there is a mystery or two, and some skulduggery. The ultimate evil-doer was impossible to guess, although the big reveal felt a little hokey. The pages turn quickly, even if they are unbound (ha!). I might have liked it if an important character had been thrown under the bus (I like that kind of moxie), but the plots weren't completely buttoned up either, which is a bonus. Do I smell a series here?

I did discover that Ziegler wrote a prequel to Ashes to Water, called Rules of the Lake. (I hate it when this happens!) However, I never felt like I was missing out on anything by not having read it. There is ample background provided on Annie and her family, enough to allow us to appreciate the nuances of the interrelationships. But I guess I know what MY next purchase is going to be...

4 out of 5 stars

Belong To Me - Marisa de los Santos (audio)

I have to make you laugh. OK, so you may remember me babbling and gushing amidst a Sunday Salon or two about the perfectness of Belong To Me on audio. I was closing in on the end today, so before my sweaty five mile walk, I wanted to be sure I had the latest Elizabeth George thriller, This Body of Death, loaded and ready to go in case I finished mid-journey. I deleted all but the last disc of Belong To Me as well, just to clean things up. The iPod was synched and I was ready to go. To my horror, I realized about 2.5 miles into my walk, that there were not 12 discs to this book, but 13, and had deleted THE ENDING!!!! So I started This Body of Death, but my heart wasn't into it. I was crushed. Luckily, I also had the printed version of Belong To Me at home, so I stormed in from my walk, smelling like a camel, grabbed the book, laid down on the floor right then and there, and finished it. The day was saved. This novel was THAT good.

The book starts out 2 1/2 years after the end of Love Walked In, with Cornelia, Tao and Clare. Boy did I miss those guys. Cornelia and Tao have moved to the burbs, and Cornelia is attempting to make some new friends, but failing miserably. Leading the charge in her misery is Piper, the neighborhood b*tch...perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect kids, and a derision for anything or anybody that doesn't conform to her perfect world. Cornelia does meet and make friends with Lake, a single mom with a 14-year-old son, Dev, who is just about as lovable and charming as Clare. In fact, when Clare comes to visit Cornelia and Tao over Thanksgiving, cupid strikes the two precocious teenagers, and a connection is made.

But obviously, that is just the tip of the iceberg. There is the issue with Dev's paternity, and his emotional and physical pursuit to unearth the truth. There is Piper's life, spent supporting her best friend as she battles cancer. There is Cornelia's quest to find a friend, and to have a baby. There are real-life, devastating issues in there. It is rare that an audio will bring tears to my eyes, but this one did.

The book is narrated in several different voices...Dev, Piper, and Cornelia of course. Santos has a special gift of bringing characters to life, making them so human, so raw, so flawed, so memorable, so endearing. You wish you had these people in your life. One unique twist to this story is Piper's perspective. In any other book, she would be the token antagonist, there to absorb our ire. But with Santos, we see behind the manicured exterior and learn to love her.

The narrator in this audio book is the same one that annoyed me at the beginning of Love Walked In. Only this time, I get it. I get Cornelia, I get the narrator, and I love it all. I wouldn't have another narrator.

I suppose Santos' novels would be considered "women's fiction", a genre I enjoy. But I almost feel that minimizes her gift. She is the proverbial cherry on top of the banana split, the extra 20% of cacao in your chocolate souffle, the decoder pen in your box of Lucky Charms. She just has that extra little something that takes a story from good to great, and makes it stand out above the rest. I won't be forgetting Love Walked In or Belong To Me for a very long time.

5 out of 5 stars