April 16, 2008
Looking for a Good Book?
I discovered Mary Doria Russell about 3 years ago with the publication of her third novel, A Thread of Grace. The story of Italian Jews during World War II in Italy, this book is historical fiction at its best--rich plot and characterization coupled with solid historical research. I learned so much and was moved along by the strength of the story and those who feature in it. Russell, a paleoanthropologist, brings a scientist's level of detail to her work, creating scenes that stay with you long after you finish reading the book. Russell's latest work, Dreamers of the Day, tells the story of a midwestern American woman nearing 40 who, after surviving the Great Influenza of 1918 and the tragic loss of her immediate family, embarks on a life-changing trip to the Middle East. We meet Winston and Clementine Churchill and T.E. Lawrence (aka Lawrence of Arabia), and witness first-hand the origins of today's Middle East. Ms. Russell's first two books, The Sparrow and Children of God, are both works of science fiction.
Posted by JudyS at 11:32 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 15, 2008
So blown away
At any given moment in time, I'm usually reading a non-fiction book (or two or three). It's my thing. I love reading about new perspectives on true-life occurances. If I were stranded on a deserted island and I had to choose whether to bring a fiction or non-fiction book, the answer would be as clear to me as whether to choose between brussels sprouts and a scoop of mint-chocolate chip ice cream. (Uh, hello, it's mint, it's chocolate, it's heaven!) On my reading list right now are In Defense of Food, Reality Show, The Geography of Bliss, and The Punch. All excellent.
Then I heard about a debut novel called Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. I had met the author briefly at a Library conference while she was signing advanced copies of her book. The premise sounded interesting, but I reminded myself that the book was fiction. Not my thing. I'd have to deeply consider any time I'd have to give up to read fiction instead of my beloved non-fiction books. I'm being serious!
Then, a few weeks ago, Jen raved about the book, and I thought to myself, well, Jen's word is as good as gold (platinum, really!), so maybe I should give this a try. I did, and...honestly, if I never read another book again, my life will still be complete.
It would be impossible for me to list all of the reasons why I love this novel. All I can say is, and take it from a non-fiction reader, this book is what I'd choose to bring along on a deserted island. Forget the mint-chocolate chip. All I would need is my copy of Mudbound.
Posted by EricaB at 06:51 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
April 03, 2008
A stunning novel makes its way to the small screen
On Saturday, April 12th at 9pm, Lifetime will be airing a made-for-tv version of The Memory Keeper's Daughter, a haunting novel about the repercussions of a split-second decision made with the best of intentions but resulting in destructive consequences. The book, partly a commentary on the stigma of disability in American society, combines the struggles of loss and regret with hope and the search for salvation, and it is a constant Staff Recommends pick. With the movie's all-star cast that includes Dermot Mulroney, Gretchen Mol, and Emily Watson, you won't be sorry to stay in on a Saturday night.
Posted by EricaB at 04:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 06, 2008
A Tale of Two Perfumes
Perfume ---
The very word evokes mystery, Cleopatra, sophistication. I think of an elegant woman in a long black gown, as in John Singer Sargent’s Portrait of Madam X or of Audrey Hepburn.
I have absolutely adored perfume since I was little – my mother smelled of L’Air du Temps. For my 16th birthday I insisted on Mitsouko by Guerlain – thinking of that now embarrasses me, I don’t know why my parents gave in. I was much too young to wear such a perfume. I wanted to be sophisticated and thought the perfume would make it so. That’s what perfumes do – tell the world who you are or who you would like to be.
Because of that I found Chandler Burr’s book The Perfect Scent: A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York absolutely fascinating. He follows the creation of two perfumes, Hermes’ Un Jardin sur le Nil and Coty’s Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely, from inception to packaged product.
Burr, who started as an economics and science writer, and is now a perfume reviewer for the New York Times, is able to make even the chemical formulas interesting. But the book is more than chemical formulas – it is full of amusing stories and a private insight into an industry.
Posted by BarbaraM at 01:34 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
February 27, 2008
"Don't Judge a Book by its Cover"
Meg Cabot adds a third book to her fluffy chick-lit series about a 'big' blonde former pop-star turned college administrative assistant whose seemingly empty head is filled with non-sequitors that lead her straight to the finish line to solve the murder mysteries before anyone else does. This series is Nancy Drew meets Britney Spears after she's lost all her fame and fortune (and gone soft.) And, she gets the guy. What more could you want?!
Posted by Kim at 11:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 25, 2007
Thanks, Danny.
It all started when I came across Oh Danny Boy on the Express Book Display: an irresistible title to one whose interest is sparked by all things Irish. I discovered that Danny was the fifth in a series of mysteries by British-born author Rhys Bowen. (Ms. Bowen nows lives in San Francisco.) The series features a 20-something Irish female private investigator named Molly Murphy. As is usual when I discover a book part way through a series, I went back to the beginning and started with the first book, Murphy's Law, and made my way through Death of Riley, For the Love of Mike, and In Like Flynn. I was then ready for Oh Danny Boy. The heroine of this series, Molly Malone, is a modern woman who struggles to be taken seriously as a female PI in turn-of-the-century New York City. Having fled Ireland to escape a troubled past, Molly is never sure whom to trust and whom to turn to when in need. In Dublin''s Fair City, the most recent entry in the series, was published this year and features Molly's return to her homeland on the trail of an Irish-American actor's long-lost younger sister.
Besides the Molly Murphy series, Danny led me to another, even more enjoyable series by the same author: the Constable Evans series, which features an appealing young policeman named Evan Evans who lives and works in the small North Wales village of Llanfair. The series opens with Evans Above, and continues with Evan Help Us, Evanly Choirs, and others. Among the delightful characters we come to know are schoolteacher Bronwen Price, Evan's love interest; Betsy, the flirtatious barmaid who has her eyes set on Evan; and the battling wives of the two local ministers, Mrs. Powell Jones and Mrs. Parry Davies. If you like Miss Marple's neighbors, you'll find their literary descendants among the quaint denizens of Llanfair.
Looking for a new mystery series? I recommend Rhys Bowen and these two series for undemanding, cozy reads. And stay tuned for a review of Her Royal Spyness, the first book in Ms. Bowen's third and newest series, featuring British royal-turned detective Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie.
Posted by JudyS at 03:08 PM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2007
Is Romance dead?
Say it ain't so! The romance genre has certainly taken a hit with yesterday's untimely demise of Kathleen Woodiwiss, one of the greatest romance novelists of my time, and some might say, all time. Certainly her novels spanned the globe and a few centuries.
I remember exactly where I was and how old I was when I read my first Woodiwiss novel, The Flame and the Flower. Although I have not read her most recent books, I will certainly be watching for the publication of her last book, Everlasting, due out in late October.
A guilty pleasure, she will be sorely missed.
Posted by Kim at 04:14 PM | Comments (0)