by David Whitehouse
Malcolm Ede was never a normal kid. His behavior didn’t always make life easy for his family, especially his younger brother. But nothing prepares Mal’s family for what he decides to do on his 25th birthday—stay in bed. Indefinitely.
What follows is his brother’s account of life before and after that fateful decision. Most graphic and frightening is Mal’s weight gain after he takes to bed. At a hundred stone, Mal becomes one with the mattress. Eww!
Engaging and strange.
10/18/12
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Lord of the Flies
by William Golding
Our tale begins with a group of British schoolboys on a deserted island. Their plane has crashed, and no adults appear to have survived the wreck.
Initially, the boys seem to cope well: they choose a leader, establish rules, build shelter and a fire, and find food. But the good times don’t last long. The boys quickly devolve into savages and expose their true natures.
Kind of dull, but it is a “classic” novel with an oft alluded to plot and theme. I can now say that I have read it.
10/16/12
Our tale begins with a group of British schoolboys on a deserted island. Their plane has crashed, and no adults appear to have survived the wreck.
Initially, the boys seem to cope well: they choose a leader, establish rules, build shelter and a fire, and find food. But the good times don’t last long. The boys quickly devolve into savages and expose their true natures.
Kind of dull, but it is a “classic” novel with an oft alluded to plot and theme. I can now say that I have read it.
10/16/12
The Sleepy Hollow Family Almanac
by Kris D'Agostino
Calvin Moretti is a jerk. And a slacker. And the narrator of our story.
In a nutshell: Calvin has dropped out of grad school and moved back home. Not only does he despise his job at a preschool for autistic children, he also despises his home life. His father is unemployed, ill, and depressed; his teen sister is pregnant; and his mother is deathly afraid of foreclosure. And, strangely, his successful brother is living at home in order to help the family. It is all very strange and disturbing.
The big question is: will Cal ever grow up? And can his family survive all of the craziness currently plaguing them?
Engaging, but not good enough to recommend to anyone.
10/15/12
Calvin Moretti is a jerk. And a slacker. And the narrator of our story.
In a nutshell: Calvin has dropped out of grad school and moved back home. Not only does he despise his job at a preschool for autistic children, he also despises his home life. His father is unemployed, ill, and depressed; his teen sister is pregnant; and his mother is deathly afraid of foreclosure. And, strangely, his successful brother is living at home in order to help the family. It is all very strange and disturbing.
The big question is: will Cal ever grow up? And can his family survive all of the craziness currently plaguing them?
Engaging, but not good enough to recommend to anyone.
10/15/12
The Espressologist
by Kristina Springer
17-year-old barista Jane Turner likes to keep things interesting at Wired Joe’s. Lately, she’s been keeping a notebook of coffee drinks and the customers who choose them. It’s almost a psychology sort of thing, and Jane refers to her new “study” as espressology.
Espressology becomes more than a pastime when Jane uses it to match one customer with another. Suddenly, there’s more to this espressology than she thought!
If you’d like a little love with your latte, spend an hour or two reading The Espressologist. It’s a frothy good read!
10/13/12
17-year-old barista Jane Turner likes to keep things interesting at Wired Joe’s. Lately, she’s been keeping a notebook of coffee drinks and the customers who choose them. It’s almost a psychology sort of thing, and Jane refers to her new “study” as espressology.
Espressology becomes more than a pastime when Jane uses it to match one customer with another. Suddenly, there’s more to this espressology than she thought!
If you’d like a little love with your latte, spend an hour or two reading The Espressologist. It’s a frothy good read!
10/13/12
Friday, October 12, 2012
When in Doubt, Add Butter
by Beth Harbison
I’m not going to lie: I picked this book because it has cupcakes on the cover. Surprisingly, this novel has nothing to do with cupcakes or baking.
Gemma Craig is 37 years old and still single. And that’s the way she likes it. She has her own business; she is a personal chef. As we read along, we meet her different clients (different for each day of the week) and sort of get a sense of Gemma’s cooking style and/or philosophy.
A one-night stand, an amorous client, and an unfortunate incident with a peacock lead to messiness in Gemma’s life, both personal and professional. Can she straighten out her life and keep doing what she loves?
I’m not quite sure how I would rate this novel. I read it quickly and enjoyed certain aspects of the novel. Unfortunately, the writing is uneven, and the tone changes abruptly within the narrative. One thing I know for sure: I would not recommend this to someone attracted to the overly cute cover.
10/12/12
I’m not going to lie: I picked this book because it has cupcakes on the cover. Surprisingly, this novel has nothing to do with cupcakes or baking.
Gemma Craig is 37 years old and still single. And that’s the way she likes it. She has her own business; she is a personal chef. As we read along, we meet her different clients (different for each day of the week) and sort of get a sense of Gemma’s cooking style and/or philosophy.
A one-night stand, an amorous client, and an unfortunate incident with a peacock lead to messiness in Gemma’s life, both personal and professional. Can she straighten out her life and keep doing what she loves?
I’m not quite sure how I would rate this novel. I read it quickly and enjoyed certain aspects of the novel. Unfortunately, the writing is uneven, and the tone changes abruptly within the narrative. One thing I know for sure: I would not recommend this to someone attracted to the overly cute cover.
10/12/12
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
by Siddhartha Mukerjee
The subtitle of this massive tome says it all: a biography of cancer. Mukerjee’s research begins with early cases of cancer and doctors and researchers trying to figure out what cancer is. The volume ends with information about cancer drugs and the latest discoveries in cancer research.
Cancer, as a disease, is baffling. Mukerjee guides the reader through years of research and discovery. Highlights include: the discovery of the link between smoking and lung cancer, the origin of Pap smears, and the breakthrough idea of prevention/origin of mammography. The author takes the reader through the evolution of radiation, chemo, and cancer surgery. Above all things, Mukerjee clearly explains the long and difficult struggle to understand and cure this deadly disease.
I enjoyed reading this, though it took me a long time. I could only read so much in one sitting, especially when the writing is quite scientific. This is an excellent read for anyone who has ever wondered, “When will they find a cure for cancer?”
10/11/12
The subtitle of this massive tome says it all: a biography of cancer. Mukerjee’s research begins with early cases of cancer and doctors and researchers trying to figure out what cancer is. The volume ends with information about cancer drugs and the latest discoveries in cancer research.
Cancer, as a disease, is baffling. Mukerjee guides the reader through years of research and discovery. Highlights include: the discovery of the link between smoking and lung cancer, the origin of Pap smears, and the breakthrough idea of prevention/origin of mammography. The author takes the reader through the evolution of radiation, chemo, and cancer surgery. Above all things, Mukerjee clearly explains the long and difficult struggle to understand and cure this deadly disease.
I enjoyed reading this, though it took me a long time. I could only read so much in one sitting, especially when the writing is quite scientific. This is an excellent read for anyone who has ever wondered, “When will they find a cure for cancer?”
10/11/12
Skating Shoes
by Noel Streatfield
After a long illness leaves Harriet Johnson weak and listless, her doctor prescribes ice skating to rebuild the strength in her legs. Unsure of skating, Harriet changes her mind when she meets Lalla Moore at the rink. Lalla is adorable, fun, and an accomplished skater. Their friendship grows and blossoms on the ice. The girls are good for each other.
But our story takes a turn when Harriet turns out to have more promise as a skater. Can the girls stay friends with such competition between them? Or will the skating that brought them together also tear them apart?
Read and find out!
This is a charming story, though I’m not sure that today’s girls would love it. It is sort of old-fashioned.
10/9/12
After a long illness leaves Harriet Johnson weak and listless, her doctor prescribes ice skating to rebuild the strength in her legs. Unsure of skating, Harriet changes her mind when she meets Lalla Moore at the rink. Lalla is adorable, fun, and an accomplished skater. Their friendship grows and blossoms on the ice. The girls are good for each other.
But our story takes a turn when Harriet turns out to have more promise as a skater. Can the girls stay friends with such competition between them? Or will the skating that brought them together also tear them apart?
Read and find out!
This is a charming story, though I’m not sure that today’s girls would love it. It is sort of old-fashioned.
10/9/12
Kindness Goes Unpunished
by Craig Johnson
When Sheriff Walt Longmire visits his daughter, Cady, in Philadelphia, he is dragged into a tangled web of crime, including murder.
It all begins when Cady is pushed down a set of stairs and winds up in the hospital. Walt teams up with the Philly PD to find the culprit and soon finds himself helping them solve a bunch of crimes.
Though it doesn’t take place in Wyoming, this is still a worthwhile entry in the series.
10/7/12
When Sheriff Walt Longmire visits his daughter, Cady, in Philadelphia, he is dragged into a tangled web of crime, including murder.
It all begins when Cady is pushed down a set of stairs and winds up in the hospital. Walt teams up with the Philly PD to find the culprit and soon finds himself helping them solve a bunch of crimes.
Though it doesn’t take place in Wyoming, this is still a worthwhile entry in the series.
10/7/12
Alice in Bed
by Cathleen Schine
College sophomore Alice Brody is in bed, and she does not know why. The pain came on suddenly one night, and now the young woman cannot walk.
The first half of the novel covers Alice’s mystery illness (which is never fully explained) and focuses on her visitors—family, doctors, and other healers. The second half of the novel focuses on her recovery—a series of successful operations and her recuperation.
Strangely appealing.
10/5/12
College sophomore Alice Brody is in bed, and she does not know why. The pain came on suddenly one night, and now the young woman cannot walk.
The first half of the novel covers Alice’s mystery illness (which is never fully explained) and focuses on her visitors—family, doctors, and other healers. The second half of the novel focuses on her recovery—a series of successful operations and her recuperation.
Strangely appealing.
10/5/12
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Love and Other Impossible Pursuits
by Ayelet Waldman
Being a stepmom is difficult; being a stepmom after losing a child is nearly impossible. Such is the premise of Waldman’s wonderful and brutally honest novel.
Emilia Greenleaf is not the perfect stepmom. She is filled with grief for the loss of her baby, Isabel, and everyone expects her to go on as though nothing ever happened. Well, she can’t. She never could abide her stepson, William, who is five years old and a know-it-all. And she really cannot stand William’s mother, Carolyn, who clearly hates Emilia for wrecking her marriage.
On top of everything, Emilia is honest about her feelings. She thinks that William’s so-called lactose intolerance is bullsh*t, and she says so. She thinks that her husband, Jack, ought to recognize and punish his son’s bad behavior, and she says so. And she is very alone for being so open with her feelings. Of course, her honesty is about to cost her everything.
How can she save her marriage? How can she be a better stepmom? How can she heal after the loss of her infant? She’ll need a little help from her nemesis, William. And she’ll realize that she really does love that boy, more than anyone will ever know.
I loved the honesty of Emilia. Her character is a real person with real feelings. She is not ugly or unlikable; she is merely truthful.
10/3/12
Being a stepmom is difficult; being a stepmom after losing a child is nearly impossible. Such is the premise of Waldman’s wonderful and brutally honest novel.
Emilia Greenleaf is not the perfect stepmom. She is filled with grief for the loss of her baby, Isabel, and everyone expects her to go on as though nothing ever happened. Well, she can’t. She never could abide her stepson, William, who is five years old and a know-it-all. And she really cannot stand William’s mother, Carolyn, who clearly hates Emilia for wrecking her marriage.
On top of everything, Emilia is honest about her feelings. She thinks that William’s so-called lactose intolerance is bullsh*t, and she says so. She thinks that her husband, Jack, ought to recognize and punish his son’s bad behavior, and she says so. And she is very alone for being so open with her feelings. Of course, her honesty is about to cost her everything.
How can she save her marriage? How can she be a better stepmom? How can she heal after the loss of her infant? She’ll need a little help from her nemesis, William. And she’ll realize that she really does love that boy, more than anyone will ever know.
I loved the honesty of Emilia. Her character is a real person with real feelings. She is not ugly or unlikable; she is merely truthful.
10/3/12
The Selection
by Kiera Cass
35 girls. 1 crown. The competition of a lifetime.
(from cover)
Yes, folks, it’s The Bachelor for young adults. Of course, it takes place in the future, in a dystopic America.
America Singer is selected to compete for Prince Maxon’s hand in marriage. The Selection is a blessing and curse for the young woman. It is an opportunity to improve her station in life. But it is a competition for marriage, and America already has a loved one, Aspen.
Ah, the clichéd love triangle! What will be the next trend in YA lit? Cuz this one’s wearing a little thin.
Still, if you enjoy watching The Bachelor (and I do), you will enjoy reading The Selection.
10/2/12
35 girls. 1 crown. The competition of a lifetime.
(from cover)
Yes, folks, it’s The Bachelor for young adults. Of course, it takes place in the future, in a dystopic America.
America Singer is selected to compete for Prince Maxon’s hand in marriage. The Selection is a blessing and curse for the young woman. It is an opportunity to improve her station in life. But it is a competition for marriage, and America already has a loved one, Aspen.
Ah, the clichéd love triangle! What will be the next trend in YA lit? Cuz this one’s wearing a little thin.
Still, if you enjoy watching The Bachelor (and I do), you will enjoy reading The Selection.
10/2/12
School of Night
by Deborah Harkness
The disappointing sequel to A Discovery of Witches, School of Night is a long and torturous tale of Diana and Matthew walking through time. I refuse to go into much detail!
In a nutshell: The couple travels back in time to find the enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782. That’s it.
This was really tough to read, which surprised me. A Discovery of Witches was so engrossing. To me, this was the author’s way of displaying her knowledge of history. With this sequel, Harkness has proven that she cannot craft a sequel worthy of the bestselling A Discovery of Witches. Too bad!
10/1/12
The disappointing sequel to A Discovery of Witches, School of Night is a long and torturous tale of Diana and Matthew walking through time. I refuse to go into much detail!
In a nutshell: The couple travels back in time to find the enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782. That’s it.
This was really tough to read, which surprised me. A Discovery of Witches was so engrossing. To me, this was the author’s way of displaying her knowledge of history. With this sequel, Harkness has proven that she cannot craft a sequel worthy of the bestselling A Discovery of Witches. Too bad!
10/1/12
The Quincunx
by Charles Palliser
| I’m still not sure how I feel about this novel. I chose this title because it has been touted as Dickensian. To me, it is a parody of Dickens and not a very funny one. Briefly: our protagonist, John, stands to inherit an estate. The inheritance is not so straightforward. A court case to rival Jarndyce v Jarndyce, several potential heirs, and a series of improbable misfortunes stand in the way of John’s inheritance. Oh my! So many characters, so many missteps, and so many pages! I can’t believe that I read the whole thing! 9/29/12 |
Skulduggery Pleasant
by Derek Landy
On my birthday (September 22), Entertainment Weekly chose Skulduggery Pleasant as the “Weekend Book Pick.” Having enjoyed the previous weekend’s pick (Relic), I had high hopes for this one. Wrong!
One word: awful.
9/23/12
On my birthday (September 22), Entertainment Weekly chose Skulduggery Pleasant as the “Weekend Book Pick.” Having enjoyed the previous weekend’s pick (Relic), I had high hopes for this one. Wrong!
One word: awful.
9/23/12
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