The Budda in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

I stumbled across this and thought that it might be interesting.  It is an historical fiction novel that begins in the early 1900's with Japanese women coming over to marry Japanese men.  Their hope is to find the land of plenty and an easy life.  It is not what they find at all.  Most of them were lied to as to what their lot was going to be.  This book generically follows many woman through marriage, work, birth, children and eventually the sending out to camps.  It is a part of history that I do not know much about and find rather fascinating.  Finishing up the book Otsuka leaves you with the feeling of wondering where they all went.  What happened to them?  Where were they and what was next?  A very interesting book that was laid out in a manor that had you feeling like you were in the brains of all of these women and were just as overwhelmed as they were. (NOOK)

1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

You just have to love all of these Christmas stories!  This was a little different because as much as it was based around one person, the whole town was affected.  Beth had had ten puppies dropped off at her back door and needed to get rid of them.  Throughout the book different families took them and you learned a little about them and the romance that was part of their life story.  Beth's daughters during all of this were trying to  have their parents get back together.  This story demonstrated how much we can touch peoples lives and bring joy to people through simple acts.  It is something that you want to remember and try to carry on with your own life. (NOOK)

A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Another nice Christmas story.  It is about a girl with three very protective older brothers. She ended up pregnant and wanted to beat her brothers to the parents of the father of her baby, she did not want them to make a scene.  It takes her on a journey in which she meets wonderful people in a wonderful town and is taken care of.  It renewed her faith in people and in the season.  It was a wonderful tale that paralleled the Biblical story and really did make you feel that special wonder of the season. (NOOK)

A Christmas Guest by Anne Perry

I do love Christmas stories, but this one did not really do it for me.  It was a trudge to get through and really the only thing that made it a Christmas story was that it took place at Christmas time.  Mrs. Ellison is an old woman who is not a happy woman and gets handed off to relatives that she really does not like for Christmas.  Another guest comes to the house who ends up dying.  Mrs. Ellison ends up getting to the bottom of it all and does become a bit nicer in the end.  Needless to say, it was not one of my more favorite Christmas books.

Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear

This is the second book in the Maisie Dobbs series and I just loved it.  She gets a case from a gentleman in which his daughter has run away and he wants her back.  The story has many layers and a few different stories within.  I love how Maisie Dobbs wants to know more than just the surface, she wants to know why people do what they do, what drives them.  She is not satisfied until she feels she has uncovered every stone and worked every angle.  Her assistant is wonderful and adds lots of color to the story and also goes through some changes, thankfully for the better.  Maisie also continues to grow herself and become more comfortable in her skin and where he life is taking her.  Jacqueline Winspear does a beautiful job weaving these stories together and giving you depth into the characters and their lives.  It is wonderful to get lost in this world for a while and I can't wait to continue on with the series.

Coming Home for Christmas by Fern Michaels

This was a book of three short stories.  The first two were really good and the third one was just so-so.  They all dealt with people during the Christmas season who were facing some trial in their life and were just not sure how things would turn out.  Of course, with a little drama, in the end all was well.  I like reading stories like these because they make you think about the possibilities and what can happen.  It makes you remember that there are nice people out there.  I know that it is all fiction that I'm reading, but I can take some of that feeling and try to pass it along  to others, and I think that is a pretty good thing, especially around the holidays. (NOOK)

The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber

This is the kind of Christmas story I like.  It was fun to read and had a great ending.  It was about a girl who could not find the perfect man and was told about a matchmaker.  This matchmaker left a lot to be desired but said he would take her on but she had to do three things before she could meet her match.  She stuck it out through everything and ended up meeting her match, but it was not who you would have thought.  She learned a lot about herself and really grew and that made the story all the better.

A Very Holly Christmas by Sheila Robert

Sub-title: An Exclusive Short Story - The title sounded fun and cherry for Christmas but the story itself left a lot to be desired.  The town name was Holly and it was about the wife of a man who had lost his job in downsizing and was now a writer.  She sneaked a peak at something he was writing and took it all the wrong way.  Again, I do not see why some people feel the need to self-publish!!  It was free, but that was asking too much.(NOOK)

A Christmas Carol for Modern Times by Clare Tanner

This time of year I love to read Christmas stories.  Ones that make you feel all warm and good inside.  Well, this one was awful!!  It was a short story about a banker who was visited by all of the ghosts and what he took away from it was ridiculous.  I got it for free and it was not even worth that.  Not everyone should be allowed to self-publish. (NOOK)

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

She is such an awesome author.  This is a Chinese historical fiction and I could not put it down.  It follows two sisters from well to do Shanghai across the ocean to San Francisco and all of the trials and tribulations they encounter.  They forever remain the best of friends but are tested over the years.  What they sacrificed for each other and their country and families was tremendous.  See is an amazing storyteller and has never disappointed me.  I cannot wait to get my hands on another one of her books. (NOOK)

Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl

Subtitle: Growing up at the Table -- She is a great writer and I don't think that I will ever complain about the food I grew up with again.  Her mother was a manic depressive and you never knew what was going to hit the table.  Reichl had some other wonderful people in her life that introduced her to different foods and ways of cooking and over the years she found that it was a wonderful way to express herself and feel good about things.  Her curiosity of foods and the ability to just jump in also aided in her wonderful food experiments.  This book gave a great insight into her growing up and interest in food.  Another book that she wrote, Garlic and Sapphires, is about her being a food critic and her experiences doing that.  It is also a great book.  Some of the lengths that she went through were quite amazing!!  Great author!

Still Life with Crows by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Amazing book.  I really did have a hard time putting it down.  It was not good bed time reading, and probably not something to read around Halloween either.  Strange killings are happening in a sleepy town in Kansas and, of course, Pendergast gets involved with the whole thing, offering his insights and ticking off some of the locals.  So far, I think this has been my favorite in the series.  There were times that I wanted to turn my head away from what I was reading because it was so gruesome.  The writing was wonderful.  Preston and Child know how to weave a tale and just suck you in.  You keep learning more about Pendergast as the stories continue and their character development, at times, I feel is brilliant.  It keeps making you want to come back to more and more.

Love Comes Softy by Janette Oke

I read this to my mother-in-law over the past several days.  She has had a hard time concentrating to read on her own, so I read it to her.  It was a very enjoyable book and very descriptive.  There were many scenes that I could easily picture and see happening.  Many times we both were laughing about what was going on.  Many times my mother-in-law was laughing before I got to it because she knew it was coming!!!  The story is about a woman, Marty, who goes out west with her husband and he dies in an accident.  Right after this happens a gentleman, Clark, approaches her and says that he is alone with his little girl who needs a mama and maybe they can get married and then Marty would have a place to stay and his daughter would have a mama.  She was angry about the whole thing, but did it anyway.  The trials and tribulations were many and much growing for all parties occurred.  It was a wonderful story with much to contemplate and think about with your own life too.

Nanny McPhee and The Big Bang by Emma Thompson

This was quite fun.  It went back and forth - every other chapter - with one about Thompson's feelings and thoughts while filming the movie and the other telling the story.  If you have never seen a Nanny McPhee movie, you must.  They are great fun.  I have always enjoyed Thompson as an actor and it was nice to see her point of view while filming.  She is quite funny and this was a nice easy read that was very enjoyable. (NOOK)

Good Things-Living Simply Isn't Simple by Mia King

What a fun and lighthearted book.  Deidre has it all.  Her own TV show and a life style that she loves.  She also has a wonderful apartment that she is sharing with a life long friend.  Then, in one fell swoop, it is taken away from her.  Now she had to re-group and figure out what to do.  She had no clue as to where to start and what she would do next.  She ended up in a cute little town in the middle of no where and her life started to turn around.  Things kept getting better and better and her life was going to be going in a completely different direction than what she would have thought.  I really enjoyed it, a fast and easy read, nice and light and it made me laugh.  I look forward to reading more of her books!

While I Was Gone by Sue Miller

I am not sure how I feel about this book.  I was about a woman who kind of ran away from her life and lived a double life in another city with another name and another back story.  She learned more about herself and who she was and what she wanted, but told many lies along the way.  Going forward in time she is married with a family and good business.  Someone from her past shows up again and makes things confusing for her and her family, creating much stress.  The book flowed nicely and the characters were well developed and had depth.  Some things were predictable, but not to the point to make it not worth reading.  At times I just found it unsettling, and I am not sure if it is on a moral level or and ethical level when it comes to lying about your past to make yourself into someone you are not and what do you really gain by it all.  I would like to read more of Miller's books to see if they are all like this and if I feel the same way. 

The Pawn by James Stevens

What a great thriller.  Lots of twists and turns that keep you jumping all the time.  An agent, Patrick, gets pulled into a case at a time that may not have been best for him or his family.  A couple of  really sick and twisted guys take there way with women for different reasons and it was interesting how they knew each other and ended up playing off of each other.  There was much history for the characters that was all tied together beautifully by Stevens.  The depth of the story and the characters flowed very well together and makes me anxious to read more.  This is the first in a series!!

Leaving Before It's Over:A Novel by Jean Reynolds Page

We all make choices in our lives.  For Roy Vines his choice in being with the woman he loved meant giving up his family and all that went with it.  When his wife became ill he needed to go back to his family to ask for help.  From there all the past hurts, lies and misinformation started to come back to the surface.  Those things you just can't shove under a carpet.  The character development was done very well and you could feel for all of the characters.  You could sense those that cared and those that just wanted to come out ahead.  Much growing up occurred for the young and old and you felt all the better for it.  Page did a wonderful job meshing two different lives together and making you feel for both and glad that the good did prevail.(NOOK)

One Summer by David Baldacci

This was a beautiful story, yet hard to read.  A man is on his death bed and then even more tragedy happens.  There are three young children having to deal with very grown up situations.  You add in having a teenager and young children, moving to someplace you don't know, not knowing how to be a father and it makes for a very emotional story.  Baldacci does a great weaving a tale and making you a part of it.  I was reading most of this at work and had a hard time keeping things in.  It truly is a must read, but make sure you have some tissues. (NOOK)

Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr

I love how she tells a story.  I always feel a part of it.  The town, Virgin River, continues to have its characters and troubles.  A few new people in town learn quickly how close everyone is and that it is really a big old family.  The beloved doctor dies, which leaves a hole, but quickly gets filled by another that is going to add a lot of interesting drama to the town.  The people in the book feel like they are your friends and that you could just sit down with them and share.  The characters stretch their boundaries, learn about trust and really try to do things better.  A wonderful book that I am glad continues so I can continue to learn more about these folks and be a part of their lives, if just for a short time.

The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

These men sure do know how to weave a tale.  The characters have such depth, you get pulled into the story and really don't want it to end.  This took place in and around New York City and delved back into the old museum and 'freak show' kinds of places, Cabinets of Curiosities.  Some bones were uncovered which then led to gruesome deaths and twisted stories and someone who may have discovered a way to prolong life.  Some people were trying to cover things up, some people thought they knew it all, yet it was Pendergast that just held things together and made things work in the end.  The one thing that always gets me with these books is that I think I have figured out who the 'bad guy' is and it is never that person.  There are several more books in this series and I am looking forward to making my way through them and seeing what else these authors can toss out at us. (NOOK)

Fifty Shades Freed by E.L.James

This rounded out the series very well.  I did not feel disappointed when I finished and felt that there had been a lot of growth and depth in all of the characters.  Of course there was some conflict.  Christian is always overprotective and Ana liked to push his buttons.  As he became more comfortable with her and truly believed that she would not leave him things got better and he opened up more and more.  Yes, there were still the erotica parts, but it was truly turning into a slightly more traditional relationship.  James did a beautiful job with the characters and made you feel for them.  She created much depth and concern that made me really want to follow through and see how the characters would work things out.  These books may not be for everyone, but they were very well written and I look forward to reading more of her work. (NOOK)

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L.James

There was a lot more character development and depth in this, the second book in the series.  Christen Grey is learning that he wants more from Ana than a Dominant/Submissive relationship and is trying to figure out how this can work.  Ana is still trying to take in all of Gray and work her way down this road as well.  The relationship deepens, yet there are things that Grey is having a hard time letting go of from his past.  There was still enough erotica to keep you going, but much more substance to the story line.  I enjoyed this a lot and could not wait to get into the third one, which I am reading now!! (NOOK)

Reliquary by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

This book really pulled me along.  You know how there are some books out there that are easy to put down and others that are not, well this one made me want to keep on reading.  There is another outbreak of killings in an odd way that needs to be investigated in New York City.  Characters from 'Relic' returned and worked well in trying to figure these new murders out.  They had grown a lot from their experiences and it was put together well.  Either I am getting used to the gruesomeness, or it just was not as bad in this book and I wanted to know more about these interesting beings that lived under the city.  Reading about the 'city' under the city was amazing and was used beautifully in this book.  Preston and Child write very well together and there was not a dull moment throughout.  I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series and see what else they can do. (NOOK)

Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

An interesting read and truly not for everyone.  It starts off with Anastasia going to interview a very wealthy man for the college paper.  It turns into a whirl wind adventure into a relationship that is not just holding hands, going out to dinner and the gentle kiss.  It is erotica and there is the Dominant/Submissive relationship.  I really enjoyed the story and was shocked at some of the things that were done and experienced.  I am just a regular gal in a regular relationship and was taken aback by what some people like to do.  With all of that said I cannot wait to get into the next novel in this very steamy trilogy! (NOOK)

Relic by Douglas J. Preston and Lincoln Child

A co-worker said that I just had to read this book and then every other one in the series.  He is totally hooked on the series.  Well, I think I can say that I am too!!  Preston and Child write beautifully together and keep you going though out the whole book.  There is a bit of gore, which at first I was not happy about, but once you get going you want to know what is doing this and why and where is it hiding.  The mystery that unfolds is amazing and you just get pulled along.  The story covers many years and a few continents and ends in a museum.  All I can say is that if you get the chance to read this, take it.  I am looking forward to diving into the next book in the series!! (NOOK)

Jumper: A Novel by Steven Gould

What an interesting book.  A little on the sci-fi side and a little on the mystery side.  It is about this kid who finds out that he can teleport himself.  He came from an abusive home and was able to get away from it.  From there he bounces around the world exploring and learning new things.  There are some tragic things that happen to him and he takes on some terrorists.  It is all quite interesting and there are more books in the series.  At times the flow was not super, but the content made up for it. (NOOK)

The Stolen Crown by Susan Higginbotham

I am a sucker for historical fiction.  This one got me a little with all of the people and who they belonged to and at what times.  It takes place while King Edward IV is reigning and all the twists and turns of his marriage and who is in alliance with each other.  It fascinates me how quickly loyalties change and how quick those in power could judge and kill.  There was such a tremendous amount of violence during that time and it was so visceral.  I think that I enjoyed the fictional part more than the historical just because there were so many kings and queens and dukes and duchesses, it was very hard to keep straight and Higginbotham seemed to include everyone.  Because of that I am not sure if I will be seeking out more of her books.  If you can get past all of the names, the story was great. (NOOK)

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

This was a collection of eight stories.  The last three were tied together.  There was only one that I did not really like, I just felt very unsettled and uncomfortable with how it ended.  I was drawn into these stories and really felt a part of what was going on.  The subjects of families and friends and time passing were relevant, it made me not want the stories to end.  Lahiri wrote beautifully and it felt like she was talking just to you.  Her style was free flowing and never felt contrived or disjointed.  I am looking forward to finding more of her books and being drawn into her world.

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

I saw the movie first.  I am always skeptical about books turned into movies, so reading this now I was not sure what to expect.  I was happy that the movie really did follow the book.  A boy gets sick on the way home and a woman takes care of him.  This leads to a relationship through some of his teen years and then abruptly ends.  The next time he sees her he is in college and she is at trial for things done during the war.  The characters are very well developed and move through time in a way that you don't feel like you miss anything.  It is hard during the trial to think of things that happened in Germany and you question your knowledge and thoughts on that time period.  I am glad that I took the time to read the book, it gives you a deeper connection to the story over the movie.

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

This was a wonderful story about a girl, her imaginary friend and growing up.  The only time that Jane spends time with her mother is on Sunday afternoons, the rest of the time she is left to her own devices.  We go from little girl Jane to grown up Jane and she is still trying to live up to her mother.  One thing happens to her that she thought was never possible and it leads her down a wonderful road of discovery and freedom.  This has your wonderful, happy ending and I would not have wanted it any other way. (NOOK)

The Other Woman by Jane Green

What a funny book, and at times quite sad and whiny.  It is about a girl who meets a boy and they are going to get married.  She thinks she is marrying into this wonderful family, she never really had a cohesive one herself.  Well, his mother is one that just wants to take control of it all and Ellie is the perfect people pleaser.  Unfortunately she takes it out on Dan all the time who just does not want to get in between his mother and her.  At times I can feel for Ellie and at other times I wish she would just grow up.  It was a fun and easy read and I do look forward to reading more of Green's books.

The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid

This was a freebie I picked up and I am glad that I did.  It took me a few chapters to get into it and then I really had a hard time putting it down.  There are two stories going on and they are woven together beautifully.  The basis of the story is about a woman, Jane, who is a Wordsworth's scholar and has a theory about a lost manuscript.  A body shows up in a peat bog that spurns on her theory and an amazing tale rolls out from there.  There is mystery and death, conspiracy and revelation and a book that is hard to let go. 

Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon

From the title I was not sure what to expect.  Then when I started reading I was really not sure what to expect.  The basis of the story is about a woman who has not had good luck at love and her friend tries to help.  They bring to life a Greek god-like man who should take care of her every desire.  Well, Grace, the main character, was going to have nothing of that and really got to know Julian, the Greek god-like man.  Through out the book you learn about both of them along with some Greek mythology.  It was a fun book and there was a light erotica feel at times but nothing that would really make you blush.  There was substance and fun and it was a great escape from anything and everything. (NOOK)

Summer Harbor by Susan Wilson

This was your typical beach read.  It was a story about a woman who did not want to confront her past and had been able to escape it for 18 years.  Then her parents decide the beach home needs to be sold and they are not well enough to do it, so she needs to take care of it.  The past gets dredged up, she runs into an old friend and her son brings up many questions that she just does not want to answer but has to confront which makes it hard for her to move forward.  Once you were part way through it was quite predictable.  I was not disappointed with how it ended, I would not have expected it any other way.  A great easy read to just fall into.

Sympathy for the Devil by Jerrilyn Farmer

A mystery that takes you right into Hollywood and all the crazy behaviors.  A party is being catered and the host dies.  There are many ways things could go because of bad history, crazy family and an old curse that had been put on the land.  The caterer gets involved in trying to figure out who killed the host because her co-worker is accused of killing him.  She finds out way more about some of the crazy things that happen in Hollywood than anyone would really need to know.  Farmer wove a good tale, but it was easy to put down.  There were a few different story lines and they worked well throughout the story and I did not feel that things did not flow well it just was not super exciting.

Invisible by Lorena McCourtney

This is the type of mystery that makes you chuckle and wonder if your own grandmother would do what Ivy Malone does.  She is just a LOL -little old lady - that gets involved in trying to figure out some criminal activity going on in her little town.  The people that she meets and some of the predicaments that she gets into just made me smile.  It is a Christan Mystery, which through me off a bit, but seeing this LOL put her faith in God and have Him help her through some of her tough spots endeared her to me even more.  She tries to embrace life as much as possible yet maintain her integrity.  If I did not already have an awesome grandma I would want Ivy Malone on my side!!

The Giver by Lois Lowry

When I finished this I really could not believe that it was a children's book.  The themes and ideas were very mature, in my opinion.  It is about a community where things are the same.  There is no individuality and decisions are made by the elders.  Then a boy is assigned his job and he learns about this sameness and really feels that much of it is wrong.  He feels people are missing out on so much because a select few want them to only see a little.  The Elders don't want pain and suffering and questions, they want calm and level.  It was a bit disturbing and reminded me of something that Orwell would have written.  If I would let a child read this I would be reading it with them and having discussions because I don't think it is something they should read on their own. (NOOK)

A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett

I am really getting into Follett's books.  He tells such a great story and pulls you in so you feel like you are right there.  This is about a coal miner in Scotland who learns that he can be free from this even though the mine owner thinks otherwise.  It is also about a privileged woman who learns about some of these injustices and tries to do something about it even though it is looked down upon.  The book follows them the England and then over to Virginia.  The strength and courage shown by the main characters and what they were willing to do for what they thought was right made you root for them.  Follett has a way of really making you think about the time period he is writing about and just does an awesome job. (NOOK)

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen

Subtitle: A Memoir of Going Home -- I am not sure how I felt about this book.  Janzen had left her family and went out on her own and got away from the Mennonites.  Through a divorce and accident she went home for some comfort and healing.  I learned a bit about the Mennonites, yet there are many variations.  Janzen has a good sense of humor and some of her stories were quite good.  Overall though, it was just a series of things that happened in her life that were not all that spectacular.

Violets are Blue by James Patterson

I have never been one to go for Patterson's books, but this one landed in my lap and I am glad that it did.  It was about a detective called in by the FBI to help solve a case.  The thing was, there was a whole other story underneath.  I am sure if I had read some of the previous books I would have been more invested, but it sure took me along.  While they are trying to solve murders that are happening all across the country the detective is being haunted by a crazy man.  How Patterson wove the two stories together was wonderful and even though I had not read his other books I did not feel in the dark about much.  A great book and I will be keeping Patterson in my sights.

Albatross by Deborah Scaling Kelty with Meg Noonan

Subtitle: The true story of a woman's survival at sea -- This was probably not a book I should have been reading as we were expecting very high winds in a very bumpy anchorage without much protection.  With that said, it was a very good book and we did fine during our windy conditions for two days.  She had been away from the water for a bit and was ready to crew for someone and head south.  She found a boat that fit that for her, but through a series of very, very unfortunate events things went terribly wrong.  The captain was questionable and some of the crew he took on even more so.  If she had gone with her gut feeling she probably would have gotten off the boat.  The terrible tragedy was that the boat sunk in a terrible storm and only two of the five crew survived.  She did a beautiful job retelling the story and I cannot even imagine what it was like and applaud her in her ability to tell the story and go sailing again.

Murder of a Small-Town Honey by Denise Swanson

This was a very fun little mystery.  A woman moves back home after trying to escape the place for more than twelve years.  There is not a dull moment when she gets there.  People don't let her forget her past and have a hard time seeing her as she is today.  The star of the parade gets murdered and she finds her.  A few more deaths occur and she is always there.  Her brother is accused, which he denies.  People through out the town are woven together by the events and things that you thought were benign have huge implications.  It was just a fun, easy book to read and I hope I can find more of her books.

No Defense by Kate Wilhelm

What do you do when there really seems to be no evidence that can help your case?  A man has died and everything points to his wife.  She is adamant that she did not do it.  Cryptic clues had been left and the lawyers had to dig through years and years of information that did not seem to have anything to do with his death.  As they dug into the histories of people who had been involved with this mans life more things start to come to life.  There were many twists and turns and things that took me by surprise.  One thing that is true is that you can't escape history, it can come back and bite you in the butt.

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

She has a way of telling a story that leaves you either in tears or really questioning what you believe and your own thought process.  A girl needs a heart.  A guy wants to give her his heart.  He is in jail.  This guy was the murderer of the girls father and step sister.  What do you do?  Can you separate the emotion from the physical need of a heart?  Do you let your daughter die because you can't get over the fact of the circumstances that have brought you to this point?  There was much emotional struggle not only for the parent but the lawyers involved and everyone that was touched by these events.  It really gives you something to think about that you may not ever be faced with. (NOOK)

Simple Genius by David Baldacci

He writes very interesting stories that revolve around some form of government happening.  This was about a compound that had a bunch of geniuses trying to figure out something that would change the world.  Then people started to get murdered and strange things were happening at night.  There was a military base across the river that had strange planes and things going on under the cover of darkness.  The detectives called in each had their own stories that worked well through out and with each other that added some depth to the overall picture.  The end did surprise me.  I really could not figure it all out, as much as I tried.  There was much cover up and half truths that I don't feel were far from what really happens and it makes you wonder how far some of this is from the truth.

Wild Oranges by Joseph Hergesheimer

Very strange little story.  A man is on a ship and drops his anchor near an island and goes ashore.  There are some run down buildings and also some signs of life.  He does end up meeting some people, a woman that grabs his fancy and some skittish gentlemen.  The woman starts to relax around him and wants to go sailing.  There is an undercurrent of fear through out the story and a feeling of danger and suspicion.  Over all I found it very unsettling with an ending that felt strange and right at the same time. (NOOK)

A Brief Conversation with my Hair by Russell Bradbury-Carlin

I am not really sure what to say about this one.  The guy is a comedian, I think.  He writes various things dealing with parenting and child rearing to fictional what-if stories with fictional characters like Darth Vader.  I did chuckle a few times but I felt most of his stuff was a bit off the wall.  It was not my kind of humor, if that is what this was supposed to be.

Sweetgrass by Mary Alice Monroe

As I read this I had a nagging feeling that I had read it before.  I am still not sure, but it was a very enjoyable book.  It takes place in South Carolina on the coast.  It is dealing with an old plantation trying to deal with the current times.  It also deals with the family that has been there for generations and how they have changed and have not always seen things the way they really are.  Watching the characters grow and come to a place of recognition within themselves was done beautifully by Monroe.  She gave you just enough to keep reading and made it worth your while.  It was a very touching story that I think many can relate to, especially when it comes to communication and the love of the land.  I was left wanting more and at the same time satisfied with what I got.

Idyll Banter by Chris Bohjalian

This was a compilation of articles that he had written for a few newspapers.  They are all focused on his quiet, and sometimes not so quiet, life in Lincoln, VT.  They touch on many different facets of life and show you how some small towns do work.  You will laugh and get tears in your eyes, at least I did.  He shared how complex simple life could be, and at the same time how rewarding these adventures turn out to be.  The honesty and humor pull you in and if you have never experienced small town life, this is a good piece to show you a cross section of how it can actually be. 

700 Sundays by Billy Crystal

I love to watch Crystal in movies and on TV and reading him is just as good.  While I am reading I can hear him and see his face and it is just like he is having a conversation with you.  I learned a lot about this man and am amazed at his background and the family history that he has.  He did loose his father at a young age, but some of the connections that were made truly lead him on the path he has been on.  I was not sure what to expect and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It only took me a day to read, so make sure you take some time to get this book.  You won't regret it. (NOOK)

Shelter Mountain by Robyn Carr

I was needing an easy read and her books are great.  There is some romance and mystery and a little tension to mix things up.  This book was about a woman who shows up in town with her child and you know that things are not going well with the whole situation.  You see characters grow and interpersonal relationships take on a life of their own.  Carr does a great job just taking you along for the ride.  I am always looking for her books and can't wait to see what she can show us next.  She is just one of those authors that is easy to read and love.

If You Ask Me by Betty White

What a fun, short book.  She touched on many things that have happened to her during her life.  Some of the TV shows, people she has done things with, and of course the animals.  At times this all felt a little disjointed, but her humor and the way she looks at life is refreshing.  This was a great way to get to know a little more about her and get some good laughs in at the same time. (NOOK)

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

What a great book!!  I know many people who have read it and loved it and was so glad to finally get my hands on it.  The story is about the maids to the white people in Mississippi.  You know that it is fiction, but also know that much of what is said is not far from the truth.  A woman in the story wants to tell maids stories, in their own words.  At first the maids were very reluctant, but then there tunes changed, in part because of some of the things that were happening.  Stockett wove this novel just beautifully.  I had a hard time putting it down.  I was pulled in and felt for all of the characters.  I laughed out loud and shook my head, not only at funny things but at how things were done and perceived.  I grew up in the north in a very white state.  It is so far outside my realm of comprehension of some of the things that have occurred in the south.  Living in North Carolina opened my eyes a bit, but this was fascinating and frustrating for me at the same time.  I can't say enough about this book.  I do know that a movie has been made, but I am not sure I want to see it.  I like what I have in my mind and am not sure I want to see someone elses interpretation. (NOOK)

Cape Cod by Henry David Thoreau

I seem to be drawn, at times, to books about the sea and nature.  I was able to get this on my NOOK and it took me a while to get through it.  He and a friend walked Cape Cod all the way to Provincetown.  He talks about the winds and the sand and how unforgiving it can be.  There were many ship wrecks in this area and I found it fascinating how the people living there survived off these wrecks.  They would gather the lumber, sails and even salvage plants and fruit trees.  You had to be a certain type of person to survive on the Cape back in the 1800's.  He gave a lot of history about the area and how things came to be.  It was interesting, but I am really not a good history person.  What grabbed me the most was his descriptions.  He was able to make things so vivid I could feel myself walking along the beach or through the towns or the beach grass.  The colors were vibrant and fresh.  He gave a really good picture of how things were back then and I am very thankful that he did.

Faux Finished by Peg Marberg

This was an interesting little mystery.  Part way through I figured out that this was part of a series and was not the first book, but I did not feel like I had lost a lot when it came to the characters.  It was kind of slow moving and was not very exciting.  The character development was good but I never had any feelings towards any of them.  In some books you really become invested in a character or a cause and that never happened for me.  I guess what I am saying is that this helped pass the time but I will not be searching for this author to be passing any more time.

To build a fire by Jack London

Terry had read this when he was a kid and it really stuck with him.  I was able to find it and we read it together. This was a short story about a man and his dog in the Yukon who were trying to get to camp.  He had underestimated how cold it really was.  He was doing fine until he went through some ice and got wet up to his knees and had to start a fire.  He had a great fire but built it in the wrong place.  Needless to say he could not get a fire going again.  London pulled you in with his descriptions, images and emotions and you could feel the cold just seeping into your own bones.  I found this in PDF form on line and I highly recommend that you find this a read it.  It will not take you more that 45 minutes, but it will stay with you a long time.  (NOOK)