Author: Anne Perry
Published: 2004
Genre: Christmas Mystery Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
The Dreghorn family is gathering for an anticipated reunion in the Lake District of England. The blissful tranquility of the snowbound estate, however, is soon shattered by what appears to be an accidental death. The victim’s distraught wife, Antonia, summons her godfather, distinguished mathematician and inventor Henry Rathbone–one of the most beloved characters from Perry’s bestselling William Monk series. But questions about the tragic event turn into whispers of murder, sending shock waves among members of the Dreghorn clan, who haven’t seen each other in ten years.
Now Rathbone must put his analytical and creative capacities to the test as he assumes the role of an amateur investigator. But while searching for clues and mulling over potential motives, he cannot help but wonder: Will another poor soul meet the same untimely end–and be silenced like the night?
Review
A thought-proking mystery about one person--and his family's--sense of integrity.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
A Christmas Journey
Author: Anne Perry
Published: 2004
Genre: Christmas Fiction
Rating: 3
Summary
It’s Christmas and the Berkshire countryside lies wrapped in winter chill. But the well-born guests who have gathered at Applecross for a delicious weekend of innocent intrigue and passionate romance are warmed by roaring fires and candlelight, holly and mistletoe, good wine and gorgeously wrapped gifts. It’s scarcely the setting for misfortune, and no one–not even that clever young aristocrat and budding sleuth Vespasia Cumming-Gould–anticipates the tragedy that is to darken this light-hearted holiday house party. But soon one young woman lies dead, a suicide, and another is ostracized, held partly responsible for the shocking turn of events.
To expiate her guilt, Gwendolen Kilmuir sets out for the Scottish Highlands, hoping to explain to the dead girl’s mother the circumstances surrounding the sorrowful act–and to bring her back to England for the funeral. Gwendolen’s sole companion on this nightmarish journey is Vespasia. As Vespasia learns more about the victim and the ugly forces that shaped her desperate deed, she understands the heartbreaking truth of the tragedy.
Review
A short story set at Christmas time about repentance and forgiveness. It ended a bit abruptly.
Notes
This is the first in a series of stand-alone Christmas novellas written by Perry.
Published: 2004
Genre: Christmas Fiction
Rating: 3
Summary
It’s Christmas and the Berkshire countryside lies wrapped in winter chill. But the well-born guests who have gathered at Applecross for a delicious weekend of innocent intrigue and passionate romance are warmed by roaring fires and candlelight, holly and mistletoe, good wine and gorgeously wrapped gifts. It’s scarcely the setting for misfortune, and no one–not even that clever young aristocrat and budding sleuth Vespasia Cumming-Gould–anticipates the tragedy that is to darken this light-hearted holiday house party. But soon one young woman lies dead, a suicide, and another is ostracized, held partly responsible for the shocking turn of events.
To expiate her guilt, Gwendolen Kilmuir sets out for the Scottish Highlands, hoping to explain to the dead girl’s mother the circumstances surrounding the sorrowful act–and to bring her back to England for the funeral. Gwendolen’s sole companion on this nightmarish journey is Vespasia. As Vespasia learns more about the victim and the ugly forces that shaped her desperate deed, she understands the heartbreaking truth of the tragedy.
Review
A short story set at Christmas time about repentance and forgiveness. It ended a bit abruptly.
Notes
This is the first in a series of stand-alone Christmas novellas written by Perry.
A Christmas Odyssey
Author: Anne Perry
Published: 2010
Genre: Christmas Mystery Fiction
Rating: 3
Summary
Ten days before Christmas, as an icy wind cuts through London, wealthy James Wentworth feels not joy but grief. His reckless son, Lucien, has been lured into a deadly world of drugs and wild passion. Wentworth’s only hope, he believes, is his old friend Henry Rathbone, who volunteers to search for the prodigal son. Rathbone knows nothing of the sensation-obsessed underworld where Lucien now dwells, but he acquires two unexpected new companions who do: Squeaky Robinson, a reformed brothel-keeper who now works in Hester Monk’s medical clinic, and Crow, a mysterious slum doctor who turns no one away, however undeserving.
Slowly this odd trio gathers clues—about Lucien’s mad infatuation with a beautiful woman named Sadie, and about Shadwell, the ruthless man who owns her and, like the Devil, never lets go of one of his own. Rathbone, Squeaky, and Crow even welcome into their little band a most valuable recruit: young Bessie, a teenager whose courage holds fast even in the depths of the slum. And so they set forth on their odyssey into London’s dark streets, on a mission whose outcome they cannot begin to guess.
Review
A somewhat dark and disturbing Christmas story--one which drags you through the vilest and most depraved parts of Victorian London in search of redemtion and salvation of one man. The character of Henry is fascinating and noble (if a bit naive). And Squeaky's perspective lends an intriguing depth to the story. But this is not a "happy, feel good" Christmas read.
Published: 2010
Genre: Christmas Mystery Fiction
Rating: 3
Summary
Ten days before Christmas, as an icy wind cuts through London, wealthy James Wentworth feels not joy but grief. His reckless son, Lucien, has been lured into a deadly world of drugs and wild passion. Wentworth’s only hope, he believes, is his old friend Henry Rathbone, who volunteers to search for the prodigal son. Rathbone knows nothing of the sensation-obsessed underworld where Lucien now dwells, but he acquires two unexpected new companions who do: Squeaky Robinson, a reformed brothel-keeper who now works in Hester Monk’s medical clinic, and Crow, a mysterious slum doctor who turns no one away, however undeserving.
Slowly this odd trio gathers clues—about Lucien’s mad infatuation with a beautiful woman named Sadie, and about Shadwell, the ruthless man who owns her and, like the Devil, never lets go of one of his own. Rathbone, Squeaky, and Crow even welcome into their little band a most valuable recruit: young Bessie, a teenager whose courage holds fast even in the depths of the slum. And so they set forth on their odyssey into London’s dark streets, on a mission whose outcome they cannot begin to guess.
Review
A somewhat dark and disturbing Christmas story--one which drags you through the vilest and most depraved parts of Victorian London in search of redemtion and salvation of one man. The character of Henry is fascinating and noble (if a bit naive). And Squeaky's perspective lends an intriguing depth to the story. But this is not a "happy, feel good" Christmas read.
The Walnut Tree
Author: Charles Todd
Published: 2012
Genre: Chrismas Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
In 1914, while visiting her friend Madeleine in France, Lady Elspeth Douglas's life is thrown into chaos when war breaks out and the Germans quickly overrun Belgium, threatening France. Having just agreed to marry Alain, Madeleine's dashing brother, Lady Elspeth watches him leave to join his unit, and then she sets out for England, only to find herself trapped on the French coast.
Elspeth decides to make herself useful, carrying water to weary soldiers near the Front. It is an act of charity that almost gets her killed when enemy shells begin to explode around her. To her rescue comes Captain Peter Gilchrist, who pulls her away from the battle and leads her to safety. But before they can properly say good-bye, Elspeth and Peter are separated.
Back in London, surrounded by familiar comforts, Elspeth is haunted by the horrors she witnessed in France. She also cannot forget the gallant Peter Gilchrist, even though she has promised herself to Alain. Transformed by her experience, Elspeth enrolls in a nursing course. It is a daring move, made without the consent of Elspeth's guardian, her cousin Kenneth, a high-handed man with rigid notions of class and femininity.
Yet Elspeth Douglas is determined to return to the battlefields of France to do her part . . . and to find the man she has no right to love, no matter how far Cousin Kenneth may go to stop her. But before she can set things right with Alain, he goes missing and then Peter is gravely wounded. In a world full of terror and uncertainty, can the sweetness of love survive or will Elspeth's troubled heart become another casualty of this terrible war?
Review
A sweet love story set against the difficult backdrop of war. A nice read at Christmastime.
Notes
This is a companion book to the Bess Crawford series. Bess makes a cameo appearance in this one. But you do not need to read any of the Bess Crawford books to be able to enjoy this one.
Published: 2012
Genre: Chrismas Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
In 1914, while visiting her friend Madeleine in France, Lady Elspeth Douglas's life is thrown into chaos when war breaks out and the Germans quickly overrun Belgium, threatening France. Having just agreed to marry Alain, Madeleine's dashing brother, Lady Elspeth watches him leave to join his unit, and then she sets out for England, only to find herself trapped on the French coast.
Elspeth decides to make herself useful, carrying water to weary soldiers near the Front. It is an act of charity that almost gets her killed when enemy shells begin to explode around her. To her rescue comes Captain Peter Gilchrist, who pulls her away from the battle and leads her to safety. But before they can properly say good-bye, Elspeth and Peter are separated.
Back in London, surrounded by familiar comforts, Elspeth is haunted by the horrors she witnessed in France. She also cannot forget the gallant Peter Gilchrist, even though she has promised herself to Alain. Transformed by her experience, Elspeth enrolls in a nursing course. It is a daring move, made without the consent of Elspeth's guardian, her cousin Kenneth, a high-handed man with rigid notions of class and femininity.
Yet Elspeth Douglas is determined to return to the battlefields of France to do her part . . . and to find the man she has no right to love, no matter how far Cousin Kenneth may go to stop her. But before she can set things right with Alain, he goes missing and then Peter is gravely wounded. In a world full of terror and uncertainty, can the sweetness of love survive or will Elspeth's troubled heart become another casualty of this terrible war?
Review
A sweet love story set against the difficult backdrop of war. A nice read at Christmastime.
Notes
This is a companion book to the Bess Crawford series. Bess makes a cameo appearance in this one. But you do not need to read any of the Bess Crawford books to be able to enjoy this one.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Okay for Now
Author: Gary D., Schmidt
Published: 2011
Genre: YA Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Okay For Now explores a seemingly improbable alliance between new outsider in town Doug Swieteck and Lil Spicer, the savvy spitfire daughter of his deli owner boss. With her challenging assistance, Doug discovers new sides of himself. Along the way, he also readjusts his relationship with his abusive father, his school peers, and his older brother, a newly returned war victim of Vietnam.
Review
A compelling but sometimes challenging read becasue of the anguish the reader feels for the main character. A tasteful and age-appropriate handling of difficult abuse, bullying, and prejudice issues. Some delightful characters, great commentary on small-town living, and fun plot twists.
Published: 2011
Genre: YA Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Okay For Now explores a seemingly improbable alliance between new outsider in town Doug Swieteck and Lil Spicer, the savvy spitfire daughter of his deli owner boss. With her challenging assistance, Doug discovers new sides of himself. Along the way, he also readjusts his relationship with his abusive father, his school peers, and his older brother, a newly returned war victim of Vietnam.
Review
A compelling but sometimes challenging read becasue of the anguish the reader feels for the main character. A tasteful and age-appropriate handling of difficult abuse, bullying, and prejudice issues. Some delightful characters, great commentary on small-town living, and fun plot twists.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society
Author: Beth Pattillo
Published: 2008
Genre: Fiction, Christian Lit
Rating: 3
Summary
On the third Friday of each month, Eugenie, Ruth, Esther, Merry, and Camille meet at the Sweetgum Christian Church to enjoy the two things that connect them: a love of knitting and a passion for books. Their camaraderie remains unthreatened until Eugenie, the town librarian, introduces an angry teenager into their midst. Eugenie also gives them a new reading list: the classic novels of girlhood that young Hannah has never read.
With each click of their needles, the ladies of the Knit Lit Society unravel their secrets: A shadow from Eugenie’s past haunts the controlled order of her life. Merry’s perfect little family is growing again–but will she continue to feel her identity slip away? Camille dreams of leaving town but is bound by ties of love. And the sisters, Ruth and Esther, must confront a lie they have lived with for over thirty years. As Hannah is reluctantly stitched into their lives, the women discover the possibility that even in sleepy Sweetgum, Tennessee, they can still be the heroines of their own stories
Review
A light read that deals with heavy topics. The characters are well-defined, the problems they face realistic, and the story lines interesting.
Notes
There is a sequel: The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love. The sequel is more sappy. And the Pride and Prejudice copy-cat story line is stale.
Published: 2008
Genre: Fiction, Christian Lit
Rating: 3
Summary
On the third Friday of each month, Eugenie, Ruth, Esther, Merry, and Camille meet at the Sweetgum Christian Church to enjoy the two things that connect them: a love of knitting and a passion for books. Their camaraderie remains unthreatened until Eugenie, the town librarian, introduces an angry teenager into their midst. Eugenie also gives them a new reading list: the classic novels of girlhood that young Hannah has never read.
With each click of their needles, the ladies of the Knit Lit Society unravel their secrets: A shadow from Eugenie’s past haunts the controlled order of her life. Merry’s perfect little family is growing again–but will she continue to feel her identity slip away? Camille dreams of leaving town but is bound by ties of love. And the sisters, Ruth and Esther, must confront a lie they have lived with for over thirty years. As Hannah is reluctantly stitched into their lives, the women discover the possibility that even in sleepy Sweetgum, Tennessee, they can still be the heroines of their own stories
Review
A light read that deals with heavy topics. The characters are well-defined, the problems they face realistic, and the story lines interesting.
Notes
There is a sequel: The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love. The sequel is more sappy. And the Pride and Prejudice copy-cat story line is stale.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Tallgrass
Author: Sandra Dallas
Published: 2007
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
During World War II, a family finds life turned upside down when the government opens a Japanese internment camp in their small Colorado town. After a young girl is murdered, all eyes (and suspicions) turn to the newcomers, the interlopers, the strangers. This is Tallgrass as Rennie Stroud has never seen it before. She has just turned thirteen and, until this time, life has pretty much been what her father told her it should be: predictable and fair. But now the winds of change are coming and, with them, a shift in her perspective. And Rennie will discover secrets that can destroy even the most sacred things.
Part thriller, part historical novel, Tallgrass is a riveting exploration of the darkest--and best--parts of the human heart.
Review
A delightful read. Great characters (both good and bad), an intriguing mystery, and a well-crafted historical backdrop. Choosing a 13-year-old narrator was masterful: a perfect way to unravel the story.
Published: 2007
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
During World War II, a family finds life turned upside down when the government opens a Japanese internment camp in their small Colorado town. After a young girl is murdered, all eyes (and suspicions) turn to the newcomers, the interlopers, the strangers. This is Tallgrass as Rennie Stroud has never seen it before. She has just turned thirteen and, until this time, life has pretty much been what her father told her it should be: predictable and fair. But now the winds of change are coming and, with them, a shift in her perspective. And Rennie will discover secrets that can destroy even the most sacred things.
Part thriller, part historical novel, Tallgrass is a riveting exploration of the darkest--and best--parts of the human heart.
Review
A delightful read. Great characters (both good and bad), an intriguing mystery, and a well-crafted historical backdrop. Choosing a 13-year-old narrator was masterful: a perfect way to unravel the story.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
My Grandfather's Blessings : Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging
Author: Rachel Naomi Remen
Published: 2001
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 3
Summary
Cancer physician and master storyteller Rachel Naomi Remen uses her luminous stories to remind us of the power of our kindness and the joy of being alive. Dr. Remen's grandfather, an orthodox rabbi and scholar of the Kabbalah, saw life as a web of connection and knew that everyone belonged to him, and that he belonged to everyone. He taught her that blessing one another is what fills our emptiness, heals our loneliness, and connects us more deeply to life.
Life has given us many more blessings than we have allowed ourselves to receive. My Grandfather's Blessings is about how we can recognize and receive our blessings and bless the life in others. Serving others heals us. Through our service we will discover our own wholeness and the way to restore hidden wholeness in the world.
Review
This book was not as moving or life-changing as I hoped it to be. The references to the author's grandfather's teachings were interesting--but the title is misleading. She only refers to her grandfather (who died when she was seven) occassionally through the book. The stories shared about the learnings of cancer patients during their counseling sessions were interesting. But the author's own perpectives were sometime too mythical and metaphysical for me. And while the author's teachings are valuable, she easily could have condensed her message into about half of its length.
Published: 2001
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 3
Summary
Cancer physician and master storyteller Rachel Naomi Remen uses her luminous stories to remind us of the power of our kindness and the joy of being alive. Dr. Remen's grandfather, an orthodox rabbi and scholar of the Kabbalah, saw life as a web of connection and knew that everyone belonged to him, and that he belonged to everyone. He taught her that blessing one another is what fills our emptiness, heals our loneliness, and connects us more deeply to life.
Life has given us many more blessings than we have allowed ourselves to receive. My Grandfather's Blessings is about how we can recognize and receive our blessings and bless the life in others. Serving others heals us. Through our service we will discover our own wholeness and the way to restore hidden wholeness in the world.
Review
This book was not as moving or life-changing as I hoped it to be. The references to the author's grandfather's teachings were interesting--but the title is misleading. She only refers to her grandfather (who died when she was seven) occassionally through the book. The stories shared about the learnings of cancer patients during their counseling sessions were interesting. But the author's own perpectives were sometime too mythical and metaphysical for me. And while the author's teachings are valuable, she easily could have condensed her message into about half of its length.
Monday, October 29, 2012
The End of Your Life Book Club
Author: Will Schwalbe
Published: 2012
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 4.5
Summary
“What are you reading?”
That’s the question Will Schwalbe asks his mother, Mary Anne, as they sit in the waiting room of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In 2007, Mary Anne returned from a humanitarian trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan suffering from what her doctors believed was a rare type of hepatitis. Months later she was diagnosed with a form of advanced pancreatic cancer, which is almost always fatal, often in six months or less.
This is the inspiring true story of a son and his mother, who start a “book club” that brings them together as her life comes to a close. Over the next two years, Will and Mary Anne carry on conversations that are both wide-ranging and deeply personal, prompted by an eclectic array of books and a shared passion for reading. Their list jumps from classic to popular, from poetry to mysteries, from fantastic to spiritual. The issues they discuss include questions of faith and courage as well as everyday topics such as expressing gratitude and learning to listen. Throughout, they are constantly reminded of the power of books to comfort us, astonish us, teach us, and tell us what we need to do with our lives and in the world. Reading isn’t the opposite of doing; it’s the opposite of dying.
Review
A compelling, thought-provoking memoir of the on-going book-reading discussions between the author and his mother in the last two years of her life. The author beautifully describes his mother's personality and characteristics by sharing experiences and stories. I finished the book feeling as though I was better for having vicariously known her.
Notes
This book was close to life-changing for me. It lead me to ponder what type of legacy I want to leave behind when I die? And--unfortunately--it also left me with a whole list of books to add to my "to read" list....
Published: 2012
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 4.5
Summary
“What are you reading?”
That’s the question Will Schwalbe asks his mother, Mary Anne, as they sit in the waiting room of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In 2007, Mary Anne returned from a humanitarian trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan suffering from what her doctors believed was a rare type of hepatitis. Months later she was diagnosed with a form of advanced pancreatic cancer, which is almost always fatal, often in six months or less.
This is the inspiring true story of a son and his mother, who start a “book club” that brings them together as her life comes to a close. Over the next two years, Will and Mary Anne carry on conversations that are both wide-ranging and deeply personal, prompted by an eclectic array of books and a shared passion for reading. Their list jumps from classic to popular, from poetry to mysteries, from fantastic to spiritual. The issues they discuss include questions of faith and courage as well as everyday topics such as expressing gratitude and learning to listen. Throughout, they are constantly reminded of the power of books to comfort us, astonish us, teach us, and tell us what we need to do with our lives and in the world. Reading isn’t the opposite of doing; it’s the opposite of dying.
Review
A compelling, thought-provoking memoir of the on-going book-reading discussions between the author and his mother in the last two years of her life. The author beautifully describes his mother's personality and characteristics by sharing experiences and stories. I finished the book feeling as though I was better for having vicariously known her.
Notes
This book was close to life-changing for me. It lead me to ponder what type of legacy I want to leave behind when I die? And--unfortunately--it also left me with a whole list of books to add to my "to read" list....
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The Shoemaker's Wife
Author: Adriana Trigiani
Published: 2012
Genre: Fictionalized Memoir/Biography
Rating: 4
Summary
The majestic and haunting beauty of the Italian Alps is the setting of the first meeting of Enza, a practical beauty, and Ciro, a strapping mountain boy, who meet as teenagers, despite growing up in villages just a few miles apart. At the turn of the last century, when Ciro catches the local priest in a scandal, he is banished from his village and sent to hide in America as an apprentice to a shoemaker in Little Italy. Without explanation, he leaves a bereft Enza behind. Soon, Enza's family faces disaster and she, too, is forced to go to America with her father to secure their future.
Unbeknownst to one another, they both build fledgling lives in America; Ciro masters shoemaking and Enza takes a factory job in Hoboken until fate intervenes and reunites them. But it is too late: Ciro has volunteered to serve in World War I and Enza, determined to forge a life without him, begins her impressive career as a seamstress at the Metropolitan Opera House that will sweep her into the glamorous salons of Manhattan and into the life of the international singing sensation, Enrico Caruso.
From the stately mansions of Carnegie Hill, to the cobblestone streets of Little Italy, over the perilous cliffs of northern Italy, to the white-capped lakes of northern Minnesota, these star-crossed lovers meet and separate, until, finally, the power of their love changes both of their lives forever.
Review
A well-written fictionalized version of the author's grandparent's love story. The settings (Italy, New Jersey, New York, Minnesota) were interesting and the characters were fully developed and engaging. My only complaint is that it was a little long.
Published: 2012
Genre: Fictionalized Memoir/Biography
Rating: 4
Summary
The majestic and haunting beauty of the Italian Alps is the setting of the first meeting of Enza, a practical beauty, and Ciro, a strapping mountain boy, who meet as teenagers, despite growing up in villages just a few miles apart. At the turn of the last century, when Ciro catches the local priest in a scandal, he is banished from his village and sent to hide in America as an apprentice to a shoemaker in Little Italy. Without explanation, he leaves a bereft Enza behind. Soon, Enza's family faces disaster and she, too, is forced to go to America with her father to secure their future.
Unbeknownst to one another, they both build fledgling lives in America; Ciro masters shoemaking and Enza takes a factory job in Hoboken until fate intervenes and reunites them. But it is too late: Ciro has volunteered to serve in World War I and Enza, determined to forge a life without him, begins her impressive career as a seamstress at the Metropolitan Opera House that will sweep her into the glamorous salons of Manhattan and into the life of the international singing sensation, Enrico Caruso.
From the stately mansions of Carnegie Hill, to the cobblestone streets of Little Italy, over the perilous cliffs of northern Italy, to the white-capped lakes of northern Minnesota, these star-crossed lovers meet and separate, until, finally, the power of their love changes both of their lives forever.
Review
A well-written fictionalized version of the author's grandparent's love story. The settings (Italy, New Jersey, New York, Minnesota) were interesting and the characters were fully developed and engaging. My only complaint is that it was a little long.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Wonderland Creek
Author: Lynn Austin
Published: 2011
Genre: Christian Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Alice Grace Ripley lives in a dream world, her nose stuck in a book. But the happily-ever-after life she's planned on suddenly falls apart when her boyfriend, Gordon, breaks up with her, accusing her of living in a world of fiction instead of the real world. Then to top it off, Alice loses her beloved job at the library because of cutbacks due to the Great Depression.
Fleeing small-town gossip, Alice heads to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to deliver five boxes of donated books to a library in the tiny coal-mining village of Acorn. Dropped off by her relatives, Alice volunteers to stay for two weeks to help the librarian, Leslie McDougal.
But the librarian turns out to be far different than she anticipated--not to mention the four lady librarians who travel to the remote homes to deliver the much-desired books. When Alice is trapped in Acorn against her will, she soon finds that real-life adventure and mystery--and especially romance--are far better than her humble dreams could have imagined.
Review
A fun journey. Although the character development is predictable, some of the plot events are not. Recommended for anyone who loves books and reading.
Published: 2011
Genre: Christian Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Alice Grace Ripley lives in a dream world, her nose stuck in a book. But the happily-ever-after life she's planned on suddenly falls apart when her boyfriend, Gordon, breaks up with her, accusing her of living in a world of fiction instead of the real world. Then to top it off, Alice loses her beloved job at the library because of cutbacks due to the Great Depression.
Fleeing small-town gossip, Alice heads to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to deliver five boxes of donated books to a library in the tiny coal-mining village of Acorn. Dropped off by her relatives, Alice volunteers to stay for two weeks to help the librarian, Leslie McDougal.
But the librarian turns out to be far different than she anticipated--not to mention the four lady librarians who travel to the remote homes to deliver the much-desired books. When Alice is trapped in Acorn against her will, she soon finds that real-life adventure and mystery--and especially romance--are far better than her humble dreams could have imagined.
Review
A fun journey. Although the character development is predictable, some of the plot events are not. Recommended for anyone who loves books and reading.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men
Author: Leonard Sax
Published: 2007
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Something scary is happening to boys today. From kindergarten to college, they are less resilient and less ambitious than they were a mere twenty years ago. As for young men, it turns out the film Failure to Launch is not far from the truth. Fully one-third of men ages 22-34 are still living at home with their parents--about a 100 percent increase in the past twenty years. Boys nationwide are increasingly dropping out of school; fewer are going to college; and for the first time in American history, women are outnumbering men at undergraduate institutions three to two.
Parents, teachers, and mental health professionals are worried about boys. But until now, no one has come up with good reasons for their decline--and, more important, with workable solutions to reverse this troubling trend. Now, family physician and research psychologist Dr. Leonard Sax delves into the scientific literature and draws on his vast clinical experience to propose an entirely original view of why boys and young men are failing in school and at home. He argues that a combination of social, cultural, and biological factors is creating an environment that is literally toxic to boys, ranging from environmental estrogens to the over-prescription of ADHD drugs. And he presents practical solutions--from new ways of controlling boys’ use of video games to innovative (and workable) education reforms.
Review
A must-read for anyone raising boys in our society...or who knows any young man who falls into the category of "drifting." Well-written and easily understandable. I couldn't put it down.
My one complaint is with the "solutions." While Sax offers some good ideas of what to do to help younger boys and teenagers avoid falling into the "drifting" category, there was very little direction on what to do to help the 20-somethings who have already "drifted" find motivation and drive.
Published: 2007
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Something scary is happening to boys today. From kindergarten to college, they are less resilient and less ambitious than they were a mere twenty years ago. As for young men, it turns out the film Failure to Launch is not far from the truth. Fully one-third of men ages 22-34 are still living at home with their parents--about a 100 percent increase in the past twenty years. Boys nationwide are increasingly dropping out of school; fewer are going to college; and for the first time in American history, women are outnumbering men at undergraduate institutions three to two.
Parents, teachers, and mental health professionals are worried about boys. But until now, no one has come up with good reasons for their decline--and, more important, with workable solutions to reverse this troubling trend. Now, family physician and research psychologist Dr. Leonard Sax delves into the scientific literature and draws on his vast clinical experience to propose an entirely original view of why boys and young men are failing in school and at home. He argues that a combination of social, cultural, and biological factors is creating an environment that is literally toxic to boys, ranging from environmental estrogens to the over-prescription of ADHD drugs. And he presents practical solutions--from new ways of controlling boys’ use of video games to innovative (and workable) education reforms.
Review
A must-read for anyone raising boys in our society...or who knows any young man who falls into the category of "drifting." Well-written and easily understandable. I couldn't put it down.
My one complaint is with the "solutions." While Sax offers some good ideas of what to do to help younger boys and teenagers avoid falling into the "drifting" category, there was very little direction on what to do to help the 20-somethings who have already "drifted" find motivation and drive.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Let's Roll!: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage
Author: Lisa Beamer, Ken Abraham
Published: 2002
Genre: Narrative nonfiction
Rating: 2.5
Summary
A moving, behind-the-scenes story of United Flight 93 hero Todd Beamer as told by his wife Lisa. A message of character, courage, and undeniable faith in the face of horrifying tragedy. This work encourages anyone who reads it to live "real" life "right now" . . . and to have confidence and hope for the future.
Reivew
This really is about ordinary people, which sometimes didn't make for compelling reading. But their devotion and religious foundation was inspiring. And the actions of ordinary people in an extremely extraordinary situation were an amazing reminder of what a difference just a few people can make.
Notes
I completed reading this on 9/11--which was a good way to personally reflect on the experiences of 11 years ago.
Published: 2002
Genre: Narrative nonfiction
Rating: 2.5
Summary
A moving, behind-the-scenes story of United Flight 93 hero Todd Beamer as told by his wife Lisa. A message of character, courage, and undeniable faith in the face of horrifying tragedy. This work encourages anyone who reads it to live "real" life "right now" . . . and to have confidence and hope for the future.
Reivew
This really is about ordinary people, which sometimes didn't make for compelling reading. But their devotion and religious foundation was inspiring. And the actions of ordinary people in an extremely extraordinary situation were an amazing reminder of what a difference just a few people can make.
Notes
I completed reading this on 9/11--which was a good way to personally reflect on the experiences of 11 years ago.
A Hundred Flowers
Author: Gail Tsukiyama
Published: 2012
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
China, 1957. Chairman Mao has declared a new openness in society: “Let a hundred flowers bloom; let a hundred schools of thought contend.” Many intellectuals fear it is only a trick, and Kai Ying’s husband, Sheng, a teacher, has promised not to jeopardize their safety or that of their young son, Tao. But one July morning, just before his sixth birthday, Tao watches helplessly as Sheng is dragged away for writing a letter criticizing the Communist Party and sent to a labor camp for “reeducation.”
A year later, still missing his father desperately, Tao climbs to the top of the hundred-year-old kapok tree in front of their home, wanting to see the mountain peaks in the distance. But Tao slips and tumbles thirty feet to the courtyard below, badly breaking his leg.
As Kai Ying struggles to hold her small family together in the face of this shattering reminder of her husband’s absence, other members of the household must face their own guilty secrets and strive to find peace in a world where the old sense of order is falling.
Review
A well-crafted, story about struggles during the Cultural Revolution. The characters are flawed but empathetic, and the plot is unique.
Published: 2012
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
China, 1957. Chairman Mao has declared a new openness in society: “Let a hundred flowers bloom; let a hundred schools of thought contend.” Many intellectuals fear it is only a trick, and Kai Ying’s husband, Sheng, a teacher, has promised not to jeopardize their safety or that of their young son, Tao. But one July morning, just before his sixth birthday, Tao watches helplessly as Sheng is dragged away for writing a letter criticizing the Communist Party and sent to a labor camp for “reeducation.”
A year later, still missing his father desperately, Tao climbs to the top of the hundred-year-old kapok tree in front of their home, wanting to see the mountain peaks in the distance. But Tao slips and tumbles thirty feet to the courtyard below, badly breaking his leg.
As Kai Ying struggles to hold her small family together in the face of this shattering reminder of her husband’s absence, other members of the household must face their own guilty secrets and strive to find peace in a world where the old sense of order is falling.
Review
A well-crafted, story about struggles during the Cultural Revolution. The characters are flawed but empathetic, and the plot is unique.
The Secret Piano: From Mao's Labor Camps to Bach's Goldberg Variations
Author: Zhu Xiao-Mei (Ellen Hinsey, Translator)
Published: 2012
Genre: Autobiography
Rating: 4
Summary
Zhu Xiao-Mei was three years old when she saw her first piano, a cherished instrument introduced into her family's Beijing home by her mother. Soon after, she began to play, developing quickly into a prodigy who immersed herself in the work of such classical masters as Bach and Brahms. Her astonishing proficiency earned her a spot at the Beijing Conservatory at the tender age of eleven, where she began laying the foundation for a promising career as a concert pianist.
But in 1966, with the onset of the Cultural Revolution, life as she knew it ended abruptly. The Communist Party's campaign against culture forced the closure of art schools and resulted in the deportation of countless Chinese, including Xiao-Mei and her entire family. She spent five years in a work camp in Inner Mongolia, suffering under abysmal living conditions and a brutal brainwashing campaign. Yet through it all, Xiao-Mei kept her dream alive, drawing on the power of music to sustain her courage.
Review
An amazing journey of clinging to and eventually developing a musical gift despite unbelievably challenging circumstances. A fascinating, educational, inspiring, and exceptionally well-translated read.
Published: 2012
Genre: Autobiography
Rating: 4
Summary
Zhu Xiao-Mei was three years old when she saw her first piano, a cherished instrument introduced into her family's Beijing home by her mother. Soon after, she began to play, developing quickly into a prodigy who immersed herself in the work of such classical masters as Bach and Brahms. Her astonishing proficiency earned her a spot at the Beijing Conservatory at the tender age of eleven, where she began laying the foundation for a promising career as a concert pianist.
But in 1966, with the onset of the Cultural Revolution, life as she knew it ended abruptly. The Communist Party's campaign against culture forced the closure of art schools and resulted in the deportation of countless Chinese, including Xiao-Mei and her entire family. She spent five years in a work camp in Inner Mongolia, suffering under abysmal living conditions and a brutal brainwashing campaign. Yet through it all, Xiao-Mei kept her dream alive, drawing on the power of music to sustain her courage.
Review
An amazing journey of clinging to and eventually developing a musical gift despite unbelievably challenging circumstances. A fascinating, educational, inspiring, and exceptionally well-translated read.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Brave New World
Author: Aldous Huxley
Published: 1932
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Far in the future, the World Controllers have finally created the ideal society. In laboratories worldwide, genetic science has brought the human race to perfection. From the Alpha-Plus mandarin class to the Epsilon-Minus Semi-Morons, designed to perform menial tasks, man is bred and educated to be blissfully content with his pre-destined role.
But, in the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre, Bernard Marx is unhappy. Harbouring an unnatural desire for solitude, feeling only distaste for the endless pleasures of compulsory promiscuity, Bernard has an ill-defined longing to break free. A visit to one of the few remaining Savage Reservations where the old, imperfect life still continues, may be the cure for his distress….
Review
A fascinating look at "the future" from 1932. Great social commentary on individualism, freedom, perfectionism, drug abuse, and many other social ills. The ending was abrupt but predictable.
Published: 1932
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Far in the future, the World Controllers have finally created the ideal society. In laboratories worldwide, genetic science has brought the human race to perfection. From the Alpha-Plus mandarin class to the Epsilon-Minus Semi-Morons, designed to perform menial tasks, man is bred and educated to be blissfully content with his pre-destined role.
But, in the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre, Bernard Marx is unhappy. Harbouring an unnatural desire for solitude, feeling only distaste for the endless pleasures of compulsory promiscuity, Bernard has an ill-defined longing to break free. A visit to one of the few remaining Savage Reservations where the old, imperfect life still continues, may be the cure for his distress….
Review
A fascinating look at "the future" from 1932. Great social commentary on individualism, freedom, perfectionism, drug abuse, and many other social ills. The ending was abrupt but predictable.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
The Whistling Season
Author: Ivan Doig
Published: 2006
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Summary
Can't cook but doesn't bite." So begins the newspaper ad offering the services of an "A-1 housekeeper, sound morals, exceptional disposition" that draws the hungry attention of widower Oliver Milliron in the fall of 1909. And so begins the unforgettable season that deposits the noncooking, nonbiting, ever-whistling Rose Llewellyn and her font-of-knowledge brother, Morris Morgan, in Marias Coulee. When the schoolmarm runs off with an itinerant preacher, Morris is pressed into service, setting the stage for the "several kinds of education"--none of them of the textbook variety--Morris and Rose will bring to Oliver, his three sons, and the rambunctious students in the region's one-room schoolhouse.
Review
Told through the eye of the exceptionally intelligent oldest son of a Montana dry farmer. The action--while not fast-paced--is well-crafted and appropriately reflects the pace of life at the time. The unique setting is engaging; the characters well-developed and interesting. Nice prose. A great read.
Published: 2006
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Summary
Can't cook but doesn't bite." So begins the newspaper ad offering the services of an "A-1 housekeeper, sound morals, exceptional disposition" that draws the hungry attention of widower Oliver Milliron in the fall of 1909. And so begins the unforgettable season that deposits the noncooking, nonbiting, ever-whistling Rose Llewellyn and her font-of-knowledge brother, Morris Morgan, in Marias Coulee. When the schoolmarm runs off with an itinerant preacher, Morris is pressed into service, setting the stage for the "several kinds of education"--none of them of the textbook variety--Morris and Rose will bring to Oliver, his three sons, and the rambunctious students in the region's one-room schoolhouse.
Review
Told through the eye of the exceptionally intelligent oldest son of a Montana dry farmer. The action--while not fast-paced--is well-crafted and appropriately reflects the pace of life at the time. The unique setting is engaging; the characters well-developed and interesting. Nice prose. A great read.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
The Flight of Gemma Hardy
Author: Margot Livesey
Published: 2012
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Fate has not been kind to Gemma Hardy. Orphaned by the age of ten, neglected by a bitter and cruel aunt, sent to a boarding school where she is both servant and student, young Gemma seems destined for a life of hardship and loneliness. Yet her bright spirit burns strong. Fiercely intelligent, singularly determined, Gemma overcomes each challenge and setback, growing stronger and more certain of her path. Now an independent young woman with dreams of the future, she accepts a position as an au pair on the remote and beautiful Orkney Islands. But Gemma's biggest trial is about to begin . . . a journey of passion and betrayal, secrets and lies, redemption and discovery that will lead her to a life she's never dreamed.
A captivating tale, set in Scotland in the early 1960s, that is both an homage and a modern variation on the enduring classic, Jane Eyre.
Review
This work is well-written and nicely crafted. Although it mirrors Jane Eyre in many way, it is not so predictable as to be unengaging. The more recent setting and the variations that creates provide a sense of uniqueness. The main character is sympathetic, naive, strong-willed, and a survivor.
Notes
This book made me want to re-visit Jane Eyre. A re-read may be emminent.
Published: 2012
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Fate has not been kind to Gemma Hardy. Orphaned by the age of ten, neglected by a bitter and cruel aunt, sent to a boarding school where she is both servant and student, young Gemma seems destined for a life of hardship and loneliness. Yet her bright spirit burns strong. Fiercely intelligent, singularly determined, Gemma overcomes each challenge and setback, growing stronger and more certain of her path. Now an independent young woman with dreams of the future, she accepts a position as an au pair on the remote and beautiful Orkney Islands. But Gemma's biggest trial is about to begin . . . a journey of passion and betrayal, secrets and lies, redemption and discovery that will lead her to a life she's never dreamed.
A captivating tale, set in Scotland in the early 1960s, that is both an homage and a modern variation on the enduring classic, Jane Eyre.
Review
This work is well-written and nicely crafted. Although it mirrors Jane Eyre in many way, it is not so predictable as to be unengaging. The more recent setting and the variations that creates provide a sense of uniqueness. The main character is sympathetic, naive, strong-willed, and a survivor.
Notes
This book made me want to re-visit Jane Eyre. A re-read may be emminent.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
A Death at Pemberley
Author: P D James
Published:
Genres: Mystery, Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
It is 1803, six years since Elizabeth and Darcy embarked on their life together at Pemberley, Darcy’s magnificent estate. Their peaceful, orderly world seems almost unassailable. Elizabeth has found her footing as the chatelaine of the great house. They have two fine sons, Fitzwilliam and Charles. Elizabeth’s sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live nearby; her father visits often; there is optimistic talk about the prospects of marriage for Darcy’s sister Georgiana. And preparations are under way for their much-anticipated annual autumn ball.
Then, on the eve of the ball, the patrician idyll is shattered. A coach careens up the drive carrying Lydia, Elizabeth’s disgraced sister, who with her husband, the very dubious Wickham, has been banned from Pemberley. She stumbles out of the carriage, hysterical, shrieking that Wickham has been murdered. With shocking suddenness, Pemberley is plunged into a frightening mystery.
Review
An interesting read for Austen fans who also enjoy a good mystery. The author's protrayl of Austen characters was interesting, if not always believable. The mystery was simple and somewhat predictable. But still a fun foray into an intriguing concept: Mr. and Mrs. Darcy being involved in a murder investigation.
Published:
Genres: Mystery, Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
It is 1803, six years since Elizabeth and Darcy embarked on their life together at Pemberley, Darcy’s magnificent estate. Their peaceful, orderly world seems almost unassailable. Elizabeth has found her footing as the chatelaine of the great house. They have two fine sons, Fitzwilliam and Charles. Elizabeth’s sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live nearby; her father visits often; there is optimistic talk about the prospects of marriage for Darcy’s sister Georgiana. And preparations are under way for their much-anticipated annual autumn ball.
Then, on the eve of the ball, the patrician idyll is shattered. A coach careens up the drive carrying Lydia, Elizabeth’s disgraced sister, who with her husband, the very dubious Wickham, has been banned from Pemberley. She stumbles out of the carriage, hysterical, shrieking that Wickham has been murdered. With shocking suddenness, Pemberley is plunged into a frightening mystery.
Review
An interesting read for Austen fans who also enjoy a good mystery. The author's protrayl of Austen characters was interesting, if not always believable. The mystery was simple and somewhat predictable. But still a fun foray into an intriguing concept: Mr. and Mrs. Darcy being involved in a murder investigation.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Peach Keeper
Author: Sarah Addison Allen
Published: 2012
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
It’s the dubious distinction of thirty-year-old Willa Jackson to hail from a fine old Southern family of means that met with financial ruin generations ago. The Blue Ridge Madam—built by Willa’s great-great-grandfather during Walls of Water’s heyday, and once the town’s grandest home—has stood for years as a lonely monument to misfortune and scandal. And Willa herself has long strived to build a life beyond the brooding Jackson family shadow. No easy task in a town shaped by years of tradition and the well-marked boundaries of the haves and have-nots.
But Willa has lately learned that an old classmate—socialite do-gooder Paxton Osgood—of the very prominent Osgood family, has restored the Blue Ridge Madam to her former glory, with plans to open a top-flight inn. Maybe, at last, the troubled past can be laid to rest while something new and wonderful rises from its ashes. But what rises instead is a skeleton, found buried beneath the property’s lone peach tree, and certain to drag up dire consequences along with it.
Review
An easy summer read. The characters were interesting but not terribly memorable. The ending was a bit predictable. The inclusion of the chapter at the end telling "what really happened" was awkward; I with the author had used another device to access that information. Or perhaps even left the reader without all the answers.
Notes
I recommend this book hesitantly. There were a few sensual scenes that were borderline uncomfortable--but then the author pulled back from being too graphic.
Published: 2012
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
It’s the dubious distinction of thirty-year-old Willa Jackson to hail from a fine old Southern family of means that met with financial ruin generations ago. The Blue Ridge Madam—built by Willa’s great-great-grandfather during Walls of Water’s heyday, and once the town’s grandest home—has stood for years as a lonely monument to misfortune and scandal. And Willa herself has long strived to build a life beyond the brooding Jackson family shadow. No easy task in a town shaped by years of tradition and the well-marked boundaries of the haves and have-nots.
But Willa has lately learned that an old classmate—socialite do-gooder Paxton Osgood—of the very prominent Osgood family, has restored the Blue Ridge Madam to her former glory, with plans to open a top-flight inn. Maybe, at last, the troubled past can be laid to rest while something new and wonderful rises from its ashes. But what rises instead is a skeleton, found buried beneath the property’s lone peach tree, and certain to drag up dire consequences along with it.
Review
An easy summer read. The characters were interesting but not terribly memorable. The ending was a bit predictable. The inclusion of the chapter at the end telling "what really happened" was awkward; I with the author had used another device to access that information. Or perhaps even left the reader without all the answers.
Notes
I recommend this book hesitantly. There were a few sensual scenes that were borderline uncomfortable--but then the author pulled back from being too graphic.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Chesapeake
Author: James A. Michener
Published: 1978
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Summary
A 400-year saga of America's great bay and its Eastern Shore. Cheasapeake sweeps readers from the unspoiled world of the Native Americans to the voyages of Captain John Smith, the Revolutionary War, and right up to modern times. Michener follows multiple family lines as they interact, conflict, and intermarry over the generations.
Review
A great historical fiction work about the area around Chesapeake Bay. As is usually the case with Michener, at 1001 pages it is an investment. But this one is well worth it. I enjoyed the earlier characters more that the modern-day ones. My only complaint is that the language from the characters in the last few decades of the book becomes expletive-filled.
Published: 1978
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Summary
A 400-year saga of America's great bay and its Eastern Shore. Cheasapeake sweeps readers from the unspoiled world of the Native Americans to the voyages of Captain John Smith, the Revolutionary War, and right up to modern times. Michener follows multiple family lines as they interact, conflict, and intermarry over the generations.
Review
A great historical fiction work about the area around Chesapeake Bay. As is usually the case with Michener, at 1001 pages it is an investment. But this one is well worth it. I enjoyed the earlier characters more that the modern-day ones. My only complaint is that the language from the characters in the last few decades of the book becomes expletive-filled.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Year of Wonders
Author: Geraldine Brooks
Published: 2001
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
This gripping historical novel is based on the true story of Eyam, the "Plague Village", in the rugged mountain spine of England. In 1666, a tainted bolt of cloth from London carries bubonic infection to this isolated settlement of shepherds and lead miners. A visionary young preacher convinces the villagers to seal themselves off in a deadly quarantine to prevent the spread of disease. The story is told through the eyes of eighteen-year-old Anna Frith, the vicar's maid, as she confronts the loss of her family, the disintegration of her community, and the lure of a dangerous and illicit love. As the death toll rises and people turn from prayers and herbal cures to sorcery and murderous witch-hunting, Anna emerges as an unlikely and courageous heroine in the village's desperate fight to save itself.
Review
A fascinating speculation on a real historical event. The characters are well-developed, the grief is palpable, the challenges are tragic, and the evolution of the heroine is masterful. A well-written work and engaging work.
Notes
Some of the character are crude and there are a number of vulgar situations. I recommend this work with that cautionary note.
Published: 2001
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
This gripping historical novel is based on the true story of Eyam, the "Plague Village", in the rugged mountain spine of England. In 1666, a tainted bolt of cloth from London carries bubonic infection to this isolated settlement of shepherds and lead miners. A visionary young preacher convinces the villagers to seal themselves off in a deadly quarantine to prevent the spread of disease. The story is told through the eyes of eighteen-year-old Anna Frith, the vicar's maid, as she confronts the loss of her family, the disintegration of her community, and the lure of a dangerous and illicit love. As the death toll rises and people turn from prayers and herbal cures to sorcery and murderous witch-hunting, Anna emerges as an unlikely and courageous heroine in the village's desperate fight to save itself.
Review
A fascinating speculation on a real historical event. The characters are well-developed, the grief is palpable, the challenges are tragic, and the evolution of the heroine is masterful. A well-written work and engaging work.
Notes
Some of the character are crude and there are a number of vulgar situations. I recommend this work with that cautionary note.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Author: John Grisham
Published: 2010
Genre: YA Fiction (Mid to Late Elementary)
Rating: 4
Summary
In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he’s only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he’s one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk—and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom. But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much—maybe too much—he is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth. The stakes are high, but Theo won’t stop until justice is served.
Review
A great YA fiction--a compelling story, an appropriate level of information for the audience, and a positive roll model of parenting. I would highly recommend this one for kids. (I read it out loud to my seven-year-old, and he loved it.)
Notes
There are currently three books in the Theo Boone series--and all three have been equally enjoyable.
Published: 2010
Genre: YA Fiction (Mid to Late Elementary)
Rating: 4
Summary
In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he’s only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he’s one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk—and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom. But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much—maybe too much—he is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth. The stakes are high, but Theo won’t stop until justice is served.
Review
A great YA fiction--a compelling story, an appropriate level of information for the audience, and a positive roll model of parenting. I would highly recommend this one for kids. (I read it out loud to my seven-year-old, and he loved it.)
Notes
There are currently three books in the Theo Boone series--and all three have been equally enjoyable.
Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls
Author: Mary Pipher
Published: 1994
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Everybody who has survived adolescence knows what a scary, tumultuous, exciting time it is. But if we use memories of our experiences to guide our understanding of what today's girls are living through, we make a serious mistake. Our daughters are living in a new world. Teenage girls today are having a harder time than ever before because of higher levels of violence and sexism. The current crises of adolescence - frequent suicide attempts, dropping out of school and running away from home, teenage pregnancies in unprecedented numbers, and an epidemic of eating disorders - are caused not so much by "dysfunctional families" or incorrect messages from parents as by our media-saturated, lookist, girl-destroying culture.
Today's teenagers face serious pressures at an earlier age than that at which teenagers in the past did. As they encounter situations that are simply too complex for them to handle, their self-esteem crumbles. The dangers young women face today can jeopardize their futures. It is critical that we understand the circumstances and take measures to correct them. We need to make that precious age of experimentation safe for adolescent girls.
Review
Published: 1994
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Everybody who has survived adolescence knows what a scary, tumultuous, exciting time it is. But if we use memories of our experiences to guide our understanding of what today's girls are living through, we make a serious mistake. Our daughters are living in a new world. Teenage girls today are having a harder time than ever before because of higher levels of violence and sexism. The current crises of adolescence - frequent suicide attempts, dropping out of school and running away from home, teenage pregnancies in unprecedented numbers, and an epidemic of eating disorders - are caused not so much by "dysfunctional families" or incorrect messages from parents as by our media-saturated, lookist, girl-destroying culture.
Today's teenagers face serious pressures at an earlier age than that at which teenagers in the past did. As they encounter situations that are simply too complex for them to handle, their self-esteem crumbles. The dangers young women face today can jeopardize their futures. It is critical that we understand the circumstances and take measures to correct them. We need to make that precious age of experimentation safe for adolescent girls.
Review
Monday, April 23, 2012
When Crickets Cry
Author: Charles Martin
Published: 2006
Genre: Christian Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. But the little girl's pretty yellow dress can't quite hide the ugly scar on her chest.
Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he's restoring at a nearby lake. The stranger understands more about the scar than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives.
Before it's over, they'll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry . . . and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.
Review
An emotional ride: grab a stack of kleenexes if you read this one. The story is engaging but overly sentimental. The author purposely leaves out important details at the beginning in order to "surprise" you later on. This is understandable...but a bit annoying. The message is uplifting but overemphasized. The incredibly detailed descriptions of the physical heart and associated surgeries demonstrates the author's thorough research--but become a bit tedious for the reader.
Published: 2006
Genre: Christian Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. But the little girl's pretty yellow dress can't quite hide the ugly scar on her chest.
Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he's restoring at a nearby lake. The stranger understands more about the scar than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives.
Before it's over, they'll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry . . . and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.
Review
An emotional ride: grab a stack of kleenexes if you read this one. The story is engaging but overly sentimental. The author purposely leaves out important details at the beginning in order to "surprise" you later on. This is understandable...but a bit annoying. The message is uplifting but overemphasized. The incredibly detailed descriptions of the physical heart and associated surgeries demonstrates the author's thorough research--but become a bit tedious for the reader.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The Woman in White
Author: Wilkie Collins
Published: 1860
Genres: Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 4.5
Summary
The Woman in White is a Victorian melodrama concerning a mysterious woman in white who bears an uncanny resemblance to the fiancee of Lord Glyde, a sophisticated fortune hunter. First published as a serial between 1859 and 1860, this chronicle of evil, suspense, and villainy is believed to be the first English novel to deal with crime detection.
Review
Great Victorian literature--part mystery, part love story, part adventure. The constant changing of narrative voices helps to move the typically, long-winded Victorian story along at a good pace. The characterizations challenge some of the Victorian hero/heroine stereotypes: a charming, dynamic villian; a heroine with a strong intellect, beautiful figure, and unattractive face.
Notes
This book was a good reminder of why I love Victorian literature so much!
Published: 1860
Genres: Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 4.5
Summary
The Woman in White is a Victorian melodrama concerning a mysterious woman in white who bears an uncanny resemblance to the fiancee of Lord Glyde, a sophisticated fortune hunter. First published as a serial between 1859 and 1860, this chronicle of evil, suspense, and villainy is believed to be the first English novel to deal with crime detection.
Review
Great Victorian literature--part mystery, part love story, part adventure. The constant changing of narrative voices helps to move the typically, long-winded Victorian story along at a good pace. The characterizations challenge some of the Victorian hero/heroine stereotypes: a charming, dynamic villian; a heroine with a strong intellect, beautiful figure, and unattractive face.
Notes
This book was a good reminder of why I love Victorian literature so much!
Friday, March 30, 2012
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
Author: Candice Millard
Published: 2009
Genre: Narrative Non-fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
After his humiliating election defeat in 1912, Roosevelt set his sights on the most punishing physical challenge he could find: the first descent of an unmapped, rapids-choked tributary of the Amazon. Together with his son Kermit and Brazil’s most famous explorer, Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon, Roosevelt accomplished a feat so great that many at the time refused to believe it. In the process, he changed the map of the western hemisphere forever.
Along the way, Roosevelt and his men faced an unbelievable series of hardships, losing their canoes and supplies to punishing whitewater rapids, and enduring starvation, Indian attack, disease, drowning, and a murder within their own ranks. Three men died, and Roosevelt was brought to the brink of suicide. The River of Doubt brings alive these extraordinary events in a powerful nonfiction narrative thriller that happens to feature one of the most famous Americans who ever lived.
Review
A fascinating story and a great way to read history. Overall well-written and engaging--but the author takes a few liberties that are inappropriate in non-fiction. (For example, how does she know what the natives who were never seen by Roosevelt's party were thinking and feeling?)
Published: 2009
Genre: Narrative Non-fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
After his humiliating election defeat in 1912, Roosevelt set his sights on the most punishing physical challenge he could find: the first descent of an unmapped, rapids-choked tributary of the Amazon. Together with his son Kermit and Brazil’s most famous explorer, Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon, Roosevelt accomplished a feat so great that many at the time refused to believe it. In the process, he changed the map of the western hemisphere forever.
Along the way, Roosevelt and his men faced an unbelievable series of hardships, losing their canoes and supplies to punishing whitewater rapids, and enduring starvation, Indian attack, disease, drowning, and a murder within their own ranks. Three men died, and Roosevelt was brought to the brink of suicide. The River of Doubt brings alive these extraordinary events in a powerful nonfiction narrative thriller that happens to feature one of the most famous Americans who ever lived.
Review
A fascinating story and a great way to read history. Overall well-written and engaging--but the author takes a few liberties that are inappropriate in non-fiction. (For example, how does she know what the natives who were never seen by Roosevelt's party were thinking and feeling?)
The Murder Stone
Author: Charles Todd
Published: 2003
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 3.5
Summary
The Great War is still raging in the autumn of 1916, when Francesca Hatton’s beloved grandfather dies on the family estate in England’s isolated Exe Valley. Grieving for the man who raised her, Francesca is stunned to find an unsigned letter among his effects, cursing the Hattons and their descendants. Now a stranger has shown up on her doorstep, accusing her grandfather of being a murderer.
Ex-soldier Richard Leighton blames Francis Hatton for the death of his mother, who vanished nearly a quarter of a century earlier. Her body was never found, only a shawl stained with her blood. And Leighton is not the only one with a claim on Francesca’s grandfather. On the day of his funeral, unexpected visitors arrive with the mourners, and Francesca is besieged by charges of Hatton’s vicious dealings. Yet there is also a shy young woman who praises his secret generosity.
Was Hatton the loving, caring protector his granddaughter always believed him to be? Or a vindictive, secretive man who cultivated dangerous enemies? Francesca sets out in pursuit of the truth—and into the sights of someone determined to exact a revenge long overdue.
Review
An interesting and unique mystery. The plot keeps twisting and turning in some unpredictable ways. I found Francesca aloof, unsympathetic, and not clearly defined emotionally. The ending was both pleasantly unexpected and disappointingly too abrupt. Not all the loose ends are resolved (which is not uncommon with Todd). But overall a worthwhile read.
Published: 2003
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 3.5
Summary
The Great War is still raging in the autumn of 1916, when Francesca Hatton’s beloved grandfather dies on the family estate in England’s isolated Exe Valley. Grieving for the man who raised her, Francesca is stunned to find an unsigned letter among his effects, cursing the Hattons and their descendants. Now a stranger has shown up on her doorstep, accusing her grandfather of being a murderer.
Ex-soldier Richard Leighton blames Francis Hatton for the death of his mother, who vanished nearly a quarter of a century earlier. Her body was never found, only a shawl stained with her blood. And Leighton is not the only one with a claim on Francesca’s grandfather. On the day of his funeral, unexpected visitors arrive with the mourners, and Francesca is besieged by charges of Hatton’s vicious dealings. Yet there is also a shy young woman who praises his secret generosity.
Was Hatton the loving, caring protector his granddaughter always believed him to be? Or a vindictive, secretive man who cultivated dangerous enemies? Francesca sets out in pursuit of the truth—and into the sights of someone determined to exact a revenge long overdue.
Review
An interesting and unique mystery. The plot keeps twisting and turning in some unpredictable ways. I found Francesca aloof, unsympathetic, and not clearly defined emotionally. The ending was both pleasantly unexpected and disappointingly too abrupt. Not all the loose ends are resolved (which is not uncommon with Todd). But overall a worthwhile read.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Author: E.L. Konigsburg
Published: 1967
Genre: YA Fiction (mid to late elementary)
Rating: 4
Summary
When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn’t just want to run from somewhere, she wants to run to somewhere — to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and, preferably, elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing her younger brother Jamie has money and thus can help her with a serious cash-flow problem, she invites him along.
Once settled into the museum, Claudia and Jamie find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the museum purchased at auction for a bargain price of $225. The statue is possibly an early work of the Renaissance master, Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn’t it? Claudia is determined to find out.
Her quest leads her to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue, and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself.
Review
A cute, fun, and easy read with a good twist at the end.
Published: 1967
Genre: YA Fiction (mid to late elementary)
Rating: 4
Summary
When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn’t just want to run from somewhere, she wants to run to somewhere — to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and, preferably, elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing her younger brother Jamie has money and thus can help her with a serious cash-flow problem, she invites him along.
Once settled into the museum, Claudia and Jamie find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the museum purchased at auction for a bargain price of $225. The statue is possibly an early work of the Renaissance master, Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn’t it? Claudia is determined to find out.
Her quest leads her to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue, and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself.
Review
A cute, fun, and easy read with a good twist at the end.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Author: Doris Kearns Goodwin
Published: 2005
Genre: Narrative Non-fiction
Rating: 5
Summary
On May 18, 1860, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham Lincoln waited in their hometowns for the results from the Republican National Convention in Chicago. When Lincoln emerged as the victor, his rivals were dismayed and angry.
Throughout the turbulent 1850s, each had energetically sought the presidency as the conflict over slavery was leading inexorably to secession and civil war. That Lincoln succeeded, Goodwin demonstrates, was the result of a character that had been forged by experiences that raised him above his more privileged and accomplished rivals. He won because he possessed an extraordinary ability to put himself in the place of other men, to experience what they were feeling, to understand their motives and desires. It was this capacity that enabled Lincoln as president to bring his disgruntled opponents together, create the most unusual cabinet in history, and marshal their talents to the task of preserving the Union and winning the war.
Review
757 pages and two years later, I finally finished this book. It was amazing! What an incredible leadership style Lincoln had. Don't let my slowness fool you: the book is actually written in an easy narrative, nonfiction style and is quite accessible (despite its daunting length). I would highly recommend it!
Published: 2005
Genre: Narrative Non-fiction
Rating: 5
Summary
On May 18, 1860, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham Lincoln waited in their hometowns for the results from the Republican National Convention in Chicago. When Lincoln emerged as the victor, his rivals were dismayed and angry.
Throughout the turbulent 1850s, each had energetically sought the presidency as the conflict over slavery was leading inexorably to secession and civil war. That Lincoln succeeded, Goodwin demonstrates, was the result of a character that had been forged by experiences that raised him above his more privileged and accomplished rivals. He won because he possessed an extraordinary ability to put himself in the place of other men, to experience what they were feeling, to understand their motives and desires. It was this capacity that enabled Lincoln as president to bring his disgruntled opponents together, create the most unusual cabinet in history, and marshal their talents to the task of preserving the Union and winning the war.
Review
757 pages and two years later, I finally finished this book. It was amazing! What an incredible leadership style Lincoln had. Don't let my slowness fool you: the book is actually written in an easy narrative, nonfiction style and is quite accessible (despite its daunting length). I would highly recommend it!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Blind Justice
Author: Bruce Alexander
Published: 1995
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 4.5
Summary
When 13-year-old Jeremy Proctor is arrested for a crime he did not commit, he is saved by the wisdom and compassion of Sir John Fielding. The boy rewards Fielding by becoming his "eyes", and the two begin a career of solving some of London's most wicked games.
Review
The first in a murder mystery series set in the late 1700s in London. The storyline was interesting and the potential for character development intruging. Although you know where things will end up, there are a few details that don't get filled in until the end.
Notes
There are eleven books in this mystery series--each as engaging and intriguing as the next. The author creates nice character development as the series evolves, and the plots become less predictable and more creative. Blind Justice has some occasional bad language; as the series progresses, that seems to lessen. Murder in Grub Street (book 2) contains some very graphic murder scenes.
Published: 1995
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 4.5
Summary
When 13-year-old Jeremy Proctor is arrested for a crime he did not commit, he is saved by the wisdom and compassion of Sir John Fielding. The boy rewards Fielding by becoming his "eyes", and the two begin a career of solving some of London's most wicked games.
Review
The first in a murder mystery series set in the late 1700s in London. The storyline was interesting and the potential for character development intruging. Although you know where things will end up, there are a few details that don't get filled in until the end.
Notes
There are eleven books in this mystery series--each as engaging and intriguing as the next. The author creates nice character development as the series evolves, and the plots become less predictable and more creative. Blind Justice has some occasional bad language; as the series progresses, that seems to lessen. Murder in Grub Street (book 2) contains some very graphic murder scenes.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Foul Play
Author: Betsy Brannon Greene
Published: 2004
Genres: LDS fiction (action, romance)
Rating: 2.5
Summary
Atlanta is buzzing with excitement over the formation of a glamorous new enterprise that promises huge rewards to those at the top. Billie Murphy, a public relations representative and parttime fiction writer, has been watching from the sidelines. But not for long. Soon forces beyond her control will draw her into a deadly game of fraud and deceit initiated by those who will stop at nothing--even murder--to win. To survive, Billie must trust a man whose reassuring exterior hides a devastating past. But time is running out. . . .
Review
This was cheesy romance with unbelievable plot twists and stilted writing. But it was a clean and easy read: perfect for a weekend escape or some light Valentine's Day reading.
Published: 2004
Genres: LDS fiction (action, romance)
Rating: 2.5
Summary
Atlanta is buzzing with excitement over the formation of a glamorous new enterprise that promises huge rewards to those at the top. Billie Murphy, a public relations representative and parttime fiction writer, has been watching from the sidelines. But not for long. Soon forces beyond her control will draw her into a deadly game of fraud and deceit initiated by those who will stop at nothing--even murder--to win. To survive, Billie must trust a man whose reassuring exterior hides a devastating past. But time is running out. . . .
Review
This was cheesy romance with unbelievable plot twists and stilted writing. But it was a clean and easy read: perfect for a weekend escape or some light Valentine's Day reading.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Miracles of Santo Fico
Author: D.L. Smith
Published: 2003
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
After twenty years, Leo Pizzola has come back to the Tuscan village of Santo Fico, still single and still looking for a way to get rich. The town is as poor as it was when Leo left, yet some things have changed. Of Leo's childhood companions, only little Guido, whom everyone calls "Topo," embraces him. His best friend is long dead. The woman he once adored refuses to talk to him. And, worst of all, the kindly old town priest seems to have lost his faith. Perhaps what Santo Fico needs is a miracle--even if Leo and Topo have to manufacture one themselves. Now, as one botched scheme after another unravels, something completely unexpected happens, and wonders indeed begin to transform this Italian town, including the greatest miracle of all....
Review
This debut novel has great voice, interesting characters, a unique setting, and an intriguing plot. Although it starts a little ploddingly, it is well worth the journey.
Published: 2003
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
After twenty years, Leo Pizzola has come back to the Tuscan village of Santo Fico, still single and still looking for a way to get rich. The town is as poor as it was when Leo left, yet some things have changed. Of Leo's childhood companions, only little Guido, whom everyone calls "Topo," embraces him. His best friend is long dead. The woman he once adored refuses to talk to him. And, worst of all, the kindly old town priest seems to have lost his faith. Perhaps what Santo Fico needs is a miracle--even if Leo and Topo have to manufacture one themselves. Now, as one botched scheme after another unravels, something completely unexpected happens, and wonders indeed begin to transform this Italian town, including the greatest miracle of all....
Review
This debut novel has great voice, interesting characters, a unique setting, and an intriguing plot. Although it starts a little ploddingly, it is well worth the journey.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Sunday Philosophy Club
Author: Alexander McCall Smith
Published: 2005
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Isabel, the editor of the Review of Applied Ethics and an occasional detective, has been accused of getting involved in problems that are, quite frankly, none of her business. For instance, Isabel is attending a concert in the Usher Hall when she witnesses a man fall from the upper balcony. Isabel can’t help wondering whether it was the result of mischance or mischief. Against the best advice of her no-nonsense housekeeper Grace, her bassoon playing friend Jamie, and even her romantically challenged niece Cat, she is morally bound to solve this case. Complete with wonderful Edinburgh atmosphere and characters straight out of a Robert Burns poem, The Sunday Philosophy Club is a delightful treat from one of our most beloved authors.
Review
As is often the case with McCall Smith's works, the characters are unique, a bit quirkly, and often simultaneously annoying and likeable. For example, Isabel has a tendancy to ponder and muse about ethical issues. She sometimes over-thinks situations, and she can be a busybody. And yet she is also very generous, kind, and charitable.
Notes
This is the first book in a series. Currently there are a total of eight, and all are equally delightful, sometimes unpredictable, and full of interesting characters.
Published: 2005
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
Isabel, the editor of the Review of Applied Ethics and an occasional detective, has been accused of getting involved in problems that are, quite frankly, none of her business. For instance, Isabel is attending a concert in the Usher Hall when she witnesses a man fall from the upper balcony. Isabel can’t help wondering whether it was the result of mischance or mischief. Against the best advice of her no-nonsense housekeeper Grace, her bassoon playing friend Jamie, and even her romantically challenged niece Cat, she is morally bound to solve this case. Complete with wonderful Edinburgh atmosphere and characters straight out of a Robert Burns poem, The Sunday Philosophy Club is a delightful treat from one of our most beloved authors.
Review
As is often the case with McCall Smith's works, the characters are unique, a bit quirkly, and often simultaneously annoying and likeable. For example, Isabel has a tendancy to ponder and muse about ethical issues. She sometimes over-thinks situations, and she can be a busybody. And yet she is also very generous, kind, and charitable.
Notes
This is the first book in a series. Currently there are a total of eight, and all are equally delightful, sometimes unpredictable, and full of interesting characters.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Little Women
Author: Louisa May Alcott
Published: 1868
Genres: YA, Classics
Rating: 2.5
Summary
Meet the March sisters: the talented and tomboyish Jo, the beautiful Meg, the frail Beth, and the spoiled Amy, as they pass through the years between girlhood and womanhood. A lively portrait of growing up in the 19th century with lasting vitality and enduring charm.
Review
Perhaps better to discover this one as a youth? I found neither "lasting vitality" nor "enduring charm" in this read. The plot was dull, the pace slow, the teachings pendantic, and the characters mildly annoying.
Notes
One of the few times I preferred a movie version (Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder; 1994) to the original book. Meg in particular is much more palatable in the movie.
Published: 1868
Genres: YA, Classics
Rating: 2.5
Summary
Meet the March sisters: the talented and tomboyish Jo, the beautiful Meg, the frail Beth, and the spoiled Amy, as they pass through the years between girlhood and womanhood. A lively portrait of growing up in the 19th century with lasting vitality and enduring charm.
Review
Perhaps better to discover this one as a youth? I found neither "lasting vitality" nor "enduring charm" in this read. The plot was dull, the pace slow, the teachings pendantic, and the characters mildly annoying.
Notes
One of the few times I preferred a movie version (Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder; 1994) to the original book. Meg in particular is much more palatable in the movie.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Cartels and Combinations
Author: Mike McPheters
Published: 2010
Genres: LDS Fiction; Action/Adventure
Rating: 2.5
Summary
The harrowing account of a Mexican-American family caught in the crossfire between the Vultures, a dangerous drug cartel, and US Homeland Security. Based on a true story, Cartels and Combinations proves the reality of latter-day evil and how we can find protection and peace in heeding the words of ancient and modern prophets and apostles alike.
Review
I appriciated the author's efforts to tell a clean adventure story. But his political agenda and flat characters detracted significantly from that effort.
Published: 2010
Genres: LDS Fiction; Action/Adventure
Rating: 2.5
Summary
The harrowing account of a Mexican-American family caught in the crossfire between the Vultures, a dangerous drug cartel, and US Homeland Security. Based on a true story, Cartels and Combinations proves the reality of latter-day evil and how we can find protection and peace in heeding the words of ancient and modern prophets and apostles alike.
Review
I appriciated the author's efforts to tell a clean adventure story. But his political agenda and flat characters detracted significantly from that effort.
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