Interesting retelling of the Snow White story, set in Depression-era Appalachia.
I also read recently by this author: Curse of the Thirteenth Fey
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Snow in Summer
Youth Fiction by Jane Yolen.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Interesting retelling of the Snow White story, set in Depression-era Appalachia.
Interesting retelling of the Snow White story, set in Depression-era Appalachia.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
January First
Subititled: "A Child's Descent into Madness and Her Father's Struggle to Save Her"
Nonfiction by Michael Schofield.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
As if you couldn't tell from the subtitle, this is a book about a SCARY subject.
"A Child's Descent into Madness." Wow.
January, the little girl who is the subject of this book, was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age six. AGE SIX!!! And this is her father's story of a parent's worst nightmare.
It scared to poo-poo out of me, but I couldn't put it down either.
Thanks to Deb at A Bookish Libraria for the recommendation. Click here to read her review of this book, which is WAY superior to mine.
Nonfiction by Michael Schofield.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
As if you couldn't tell from the subtitle, this is a book about a SCARY subject.
"A Child's Descent into Madness." Wow.
January, the little girl who is the subject of this book, was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age six. AGE SIX!!! And this is her father's story of a parent's worst nightmare.
It scared to poo-poo out of me, but I couldn't put it down either.
Thanks to Deb at A Bookish Libraria for the recommendation. Click here to read her review of this book, which is WAY superior to mine.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Why Have Kids?
Subtitled: A New Mom Explores the Truth About Parenting and Happiness
Nonfiction by Jessica Valenti
Why indeed? I got this book just for the title.
It was kind of a case for NOT having kids. I think they convinced me!
Wait... too late...
It was kind of a case for NOT having kids. I think they convinced me!
Wait... too late...
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
The Middlesteins
Fiction by Jami Attenberg.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
A story about a fiftyish woman whose obsession with food is killing her, this book had believable and complex characters, but not super-likable ones.
I may be biased on this, but the fat-shaming was a little too heavy in this story for my taste. The author seemed to be trying to present a balanced view of this family but had trouble concealing her contempt for them, especially the ones with eating disorders.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
A story about a fiftyish woman whose obsession with food is killing her, this book had believable and complex characters, but not super-likable ones.
I may be biased on this, but the fat-shaming was a little too heavy in this story for my taste. The author seemed to be trying to present a balanced view of this family but had trouble concealing her contempt for them, especially the ones with eating disorders.
Friday, October 18, 2013
The Color of Water
Subtitled: A Black Man's Tribute to his White Mother
Nonfiction by James McBride.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
I chose this book because it was on my daughter's reading list for 11th grade English.
It's a really good memoir. I recommend it.
Nonfiction by James McBride.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
I chose this book because it was on my daughter's reading list for 11th grade English.
It's a really good memoir. I recommend it.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Replay
Fiction by Ken Grimwood.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
What if you had your life to live over again? That might be cool, right?
What if it happened over and over?
That's the premise of this book. It was really interesting.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
What if you had your life to live over again? That might be cool, right?
What if it happened over and over?
That's the premise of this book. It was really interesting.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Where'd You Go, Bernadette?
Fiction by Maria Semple.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
This was a good book, but a little strange. I ended up liking it a lot, but had trouble getting into it at the beginning.
Other books I've read by this author: This One is Mine
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
This was a good book, but a little strange. I ended up liking it a lot, but had trouble getting into it at the beginning.
Other books I've read by this author: This One is Mine
Friday, October 11, 2013
What the Nanny Saw
Fiction by Fiona Neill.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Interesting story about a nanny in the home of a wealthy British family accused of insider trading.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Interesting story about a nanny in the home of a wealthy British family accused of insider trading.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Curse of the Thirteenth Fey
Youth Fiction by Jane Yolen.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
A retelling of Sleeping Beauty, this was a good fantasy story.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
A retelling of Sleeping Beauty, this was a good fantasy story.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Deeply Odd
Fiction by Dean Koontz.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
This book was okay, but not nearly as good as the first Odd Thomas book. Like not even close. It might be time to let this character go, Dean. Sorry.
Other books I've recently read by this author: Life Expectancy, 77 Shadow Street, Odd Apocalypse
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
This book was okay, but not nearly as good as the first Odd Thomas book. Like not even close. It might be time to let this character go, Dean. Sorry.
Other books I've recently read by this author: Life Expectancy, 77 Shadow Street, Odd Apocalypse
Thursday, October 3, 2013
The Cuckoo's Calling
Fiction by Robert Galbraith.
(Who is actually J.K. Rowling, apparently.)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Really good mystery story. I'd say it's as good as Agatha Christie, only with a liberal sprinkling of the "f" word. Which Mrs. Christie never used, of course. Since they didn't have that word in the twenties. (Or did they? Probably they just didn't feel the need to use it every five minutes like people do now.)
I'm pleased to see J.K. Rowling took my advice (see my post about The Casual Vacancy) and put this story under a pseudonym, as it is DECIDEDLY not like Harry Potter. Unfortunately, until it was "leaked" that Mr. Galbraith and Ms. Rowling were one and the same, no one was buying the book.
Now there's a waiting list a mile long at my local library.
Still, the book is great, whether you know who the author is or not.
(Who is actually J.K. Rowling, apparently.)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Really good mystery story. I'd say it's as good as Agatha Christie, only with a liberal sprinkling of the "f" word. Which Mrs. Christie never used, of course. Since they didn't have that word in the twenties. (Or did they? Probably they just didn't feel the need to use it every five minutes like people do now.)
I'm pleased to see J.K. Rowling took my advice (see my post about The Casual Vacancy) and put this story under a pseudonym, as it is DECIDEDLY not like Harry Potter. Unfortunately, until it was "leaked" that Mr. Galbraith and Ms. Rowling were one and the same, no one was buying the book.
Now there's a waiting list a mile long at my local library.
Still, the book is great, whether you know who the author is or not.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
How to be an American Housewife
Fiction by Margaret Dilloway.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Really great story about a Japanese woman who marries an American serviceman after the second world war.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Really great story about a Japanese woman who marries an American serviceman after the second world war.