The Princess Bride by S. Morgenstern abridged by William Goldman

I was excited about this book. I've loved the movie since I was a child, love to watch it still with my daughters. But I was dissappointed. Not disappointed enough to close it and put it away. I loved the story enough that I was determined to get through all of William Goldman's excerpts to get back to the story. I think, it must be the format he wrote it in. He just threw in his own paragraphs, stopping the story and explaining about this or about that. I was very interested in what he had to say but I didn't want to necessarily stop the story to read it, sometimes for 5 pages or so. I would have enjoyed reading it at the end of the book. And in the last excerpt I have to agree with Stephen King, Goldman did botch it up. I didn't want to read Goldman's thoughts every few pages, I wanted to read a crisply edited Morgenstern story. I wanted to be enchanted in the tale of true love and high adventure. Not stop every heartbeat to learn about Goldman's battle getting this published. I'm just...disappointed. It makes me want to edit it myself. But Morgenstern is priceless and I did enjoy his story, ever so much more than the movie. My advice is, if you read this book ignore the italicized Goldman, ignore it until the very end. Then go back and read what Goldman had to say once you've enjoyed your adventure. I still give it three stars because in this book is my only access to the original Morgenstern tale. And I'm assuming because of the Morgenstern Estate's dissapointment in William Goldman we will never see Buttercup's Baby, at least not any time soon.

J.L.Wills

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore Illustrated by Douglas Gorsline

This is a sacred treasure for me. I had the same print of this story when I was a child and the illlustrations are nostalgic. In fact I kept this book all these years, it's nearly as old as I am...but certainly I don't smell of attic and cardboard boxes. Some of you may know how my little sweet dog, Trixy, loves books as much as I do. Oh yes, especially the old smelly ones. She has devoured many of my sacred texts. Last year she got my copy of The Night Before Christmas, not just a little bit, it was torn and chewed every page. And I was devastated. No doubt I am fanatic over my books, I wasn't surprised at my easy tears and neither was my husband. That was a quiet day, every one gave me my space. So you can only imagine my delight at finding this in print again! I swear an opera singer was holding out a high F when my eyes laid on this little book. It took all I had not to shed a tear right there in the book store.

I gave it as a gift to my eldest daughter, she remembered my grief over losing my copy, and when she opened it she smiled the most beautiful smile and held it to her heart like it was the best thing I had ever given her.

This little $3.99 book is our best treasure of this Christmas 2008.

J.L.Wills

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

I love a good tragedy. And though this story is tragic, it is so real, so palpable that you are immediately drawn in. The verse is exquisite, sometimes unbearably so and you seem to choke on your heartbeat. The movie gave quite a different version, it appealed more to the popular romance. But Maugham didn't write this as a romance, it was a brave thing to write a novel like this, it debunks the popular romance. And that is exactly why it is a masterpiece in my eyes.

A truly lovely read; majestic, poignant, and eternal.

J.L.Wills

Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi

Yes, it was fabulous. Tony DiTerlizzi is the owner of the fascinating imagination that brought us the Spiderwick Chronicles co-authored with Holly Black. Here he goes solo, and what a beautiful melody it is. I just love this little story and I know my dragon-loving daughter will find it perfect. A good moral story for kids, a brave story for kids and such a reminder for adults about how important it is to be open-minded, to listen to our children's tender hearts once in a while, to let go of "grown-up" reality and just maybe, step out on a thin wavering limb to reach that moist juicy apple...the sweetnes of life.

I recommend this to all ages, all genders. I truly enjoyed it. DiTerlizzi has scripted his name onto my all-time fav' authors list.

J.L.Wills

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

A great book. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The characters and the plot really smoothed out in this last book of the series. The descriptions of Bella's life "after" were the best descriptions Meyer has put into the series. And the "change" redeemed some of those weak qualities in Bella that, in the previous two books, were grating on my nerves. Bella suddenly had more resolve, more direction, more intention, she finally gives up hanging onto Jacob! I truly enjoyed this book as well as the first. Meyer wrapped it all up very cleverly. You end it with satisfaction, and almost...just nearly, feeling more powerful yourself, a bit magical. Though Meyer was not consistent through this series in putting out great literature, I do agree with the critics: she has a lot of potental.

J.L.Wills

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

This is a masterpiece. Tragically enchanting, Frank writes this from the viewpoint of himself as a child growing up into young adulthood. The poverty is wrenching, it took me a while to read this book because the sadness can become so intense that you just must turn away from it for some lighter reading every now and then. It is eye opening, and it is painful to open pampered eyes. Even poverty in America in the 21st century is pampered. But how could we ever see, or know that, if we don't stretch open those slitted, peaceful eyes. When you are finished with the book you are flooded with guilt, seeing that Frank McCourt did not suffer because of poverty, that starvation was commonplace and it never crossed his mind that this poverty would prevent him from success. You will struggle with him through hunger and disease and when he makes it back to America you will simply be as happy as he is, anticipating a whole new world.

Five stars.

J.L.Wills

Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer

I seem to just flip right through these books. They have a powerful plot, engaging still. But, this being the third book, I'm still disappointed at the character development, and the descriptions. Bella is not a strong character, she's swayed by every little whim of the people around her, in the end she does stick to her original desires but, she has a way of hanging on to the wrong things. She simply can't let go at the right time. For me, this is a huge character flaw and it bothers me. It's not what I want my girls to think is normal, or heroine-like at all. Bella is not a perfect character, but I can think of many imperfect characters that were still strong and made you love them with their many flaws: Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind and Jane Eyre in Charlotte Bronte's novel. Two completely flawed characters, yet powerful role models for young women. They were dignified and gutsy. I find Bella's inability to let go of Jake when she's ready to take Edward back...slouchy. And it makes things messy. Of course Edward remains the perfect gentleman, and I read lightning fast just to get to the next glimpse of him. But this book of the series falls considerably to a two stars. I hope the next is far better.

J.L.Wills

New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

I want my own vampire, I have to admit that. This was an emotionally painful book though, but aren't all second books in a series? I guess I should have expected it. There was so much less of Edward and truly Bella doesn't hold as much interest for me which is mainly the fault of Robert Pattinson (the hotty that plays Edward on screen) but also the fault of her character. As a mother of two daughters I'm not sure Bella is a good role model. Her lacking self-confidence, her avoidance of her deepest feelings, her insincerity with her friends concerns me. It's not what I'm trying to develop in my girls. And still my disappointment at reading the words velvet, stone and marble at least every ten pages through a 500+ page book did put a damper on my hopes for the author. It wasn't enough to stop me though, the plot is intriguing, and at one point I started to just interject my own adjectives to get through it, i.e. rich, silky, tranquil, fluid, glacial, piercing, chilled...because I think these books could've been so much greater if more time and care had been spent in the sentences and paragraphs. Though this still will not be shelved with my all time classic favorites, it is a good book, and it will be shelved. With all of it's flaws it still keeps me peeping out my curtains, hoping to see a beautiful face there that's desperately in love with me.

J.L.Wills

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

I read this book nearly nonstop through 498 pages and finished in a day and a half. I enjoyed every moment of it. Let me tell you first that this is not a great piece of literature. Meyer was repetitive with her description so much that I fear the next books will wane on my nerves and not be nearly as enjoyable, I do hope she comes up with something better than "stone cold skin." The plot was not clever nor brilliant but it did stay edgy and surprising. The characters are enchanting...but, something is lacking there. There just wasn't much character development. I would have enjoyed to delve more into the darkness, sadness and aloofness of Edward before he became so lighthearted with his love for Bella, it would have given me more joy to see the transformation more clearly. The book was written in first person, which is easier to do for a new writer, but this is where we were hindered at really seeing that development in Edward, or any of the other characters...if they changed at all which I'm not sure of. Regardless, I give the book four stars. What woman doesn't love to read about such a fairytale perfect, strong, protective, radiant, intelligent, and self-restrained man. It's simplicity makes it a fast and enjoyable read. It's sexual tension is just sizzling. This book is hot, hot enough to fade away it's imperfections and keep you stalking along with vampires, thirstily lapping up every drop of blood.

J.L.Wills

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

This is an endearing little book. It is enchanting and edgy at the same time. It's a good story with mystery, sensuous prose, and turns that surprise you. I enjoyed reading it all the way through. There is a sequel out now, The Girl with no Shadow, but...can't say I'm that hooked to follow a sequel. It was great for what it is, a short novel.

jlw

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I told myself when I started this blog I would blog not just the books I loved but also those I didn't necessarily vibe with.

Honestly, I could not finish this book. I cannot, absolutely cannot read about child sexual abuse in the context it was written here. Beware, it's not even a good read.

jlw

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Ken Follet is a thriller writer, this is not his usual forte, and he has made the jump to historical fiction with enough gusto to span the great lakes. This book is monumental in my eyes. It touches on the history of England and goes into detail on the architectural history of the 12th century. Really it's not boring though! The characters are appealing, even the malicient ones. The novel spans three generations but in the end you feel appeasement and justice for all of them, even the ones you loved and buried. This clever, intricate novel takes endurance. Nine hundred and seventy-three pages and truly not a moment of boredom for me. I love architecture and history, so even the lengthy details on the cathedral building fascinated me. This goes right up onto my classical case (If I can fit it on there.) Oh, I know it has only recently been written, but there is something about certain books that I can feel is not just another flash-by, overnighter. This book is a legend, no matter how recently it was written, and Ken Follet has made his way into my absolute favs list.

Miss Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pies by Mark Moulton and The Littlest Pumpkin by R.A. Herman

These are my two all time favorite Halloween books to read with the kids. The Littlest Pumpkin is adorable and I just can't say anymore because it will spoil the whole thing, you just must read it yourself.

And Miss Fiona is a wonder, the kids love the rhyming poetry and the mesh of all things Halloween. The pictures are beautiful and the story is great. My two number one picks for this Halloween to read.

jlw

Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey

If you haven't noticed I seem to be in the mood for nature books lately. I actually read this a while back but found it when putting up my other books into my science section. I am so fond of this book that I had to pull it out, adore it's pictures and read a few paragraphs. If you don't like science, this would not be the book for you. It is very scientific but to those that have a heart for our world's most magestic animals it reads like a novel. Truly, the courage it was written with, the courage that Dian held within her breast every morning and lived it to the fullest, is encouraging to me. This is a respected read, no one can walk away from it's truth and not feel the same pang of sadness that Dian lived her life to solve. And even today, the Dian Fossey foundation is working miracles for these creatures despite the continued war and poaching and infringment on environment. My daughter was so inspired by this story as I relayed it to her that she adopted an infant gorilla with her birthday money. Truly inspiring, truly sad, and truly the truth.

Robbing the Bees by Holley Bishop

As Michael Pollan says, this book is a "delicious reading experience." I loved every moment. Who knew of all the remedies and healing power of such a sweet product made by such a short lived insect. If you don't before you read it, then surely when you are finished reading this book you will respect the bee like Mother Nature's own daughter.

But it's not just a boring informative narrative, it really is an up close look at the beekeeper and the bees themselves. And when you are done you just must, must, must order some Tupelo honey and languish in it's slow stickiness all over your favorite bread.

jlw

Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

This book is truly an adventure. Great for dog lovers, great for animal lovers, great for any naturalist. Adventures like this, written first-hand, have so much knowledge to share and are so exciting that you don't even realize how much wiser you become as you tag along with the author into a world hardly explored and so misunderstood. I'm sure that this will get a reread from me and I encourage every one to read this who has a dog, it is a beautiful picture of their primal heritage.

jlw

Be The Pack Leader by Cesar Millan

I recently added a puppy to my pack of two children, two dogs, and a husband. And just when I thought I was going to loose my mind I found the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic. So, I'm won over, I have the books, I have the Illusion Collar, and I have every episode on DVR. Not because it looks easy but because it brings balance to our pack, even with the kids and husband. Cesar's philosophy is primal and natural and it really works, really works. It's not a method of training that will get you crowd pleasing results. It's a way of life, a mentality, that brings harmony and balance to a home. I'm not a pro yet, but at least I'm beginning to recognize my own faults and work on them to bring my pack up to the highest level of pack harmony I can. Because ultimately, I'm the one that needs training, the others will naturally fall into place as they see me as a calm-assertive pack leader. This is a must read for dog owners, especially of multiple dogs.

jlw

Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson

Oh this is a perfect October book. I just love October weather and this book gathers all of that snuggle up close to me feeling. Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman are masters at their work. We have all of the Bear books and my daughters just loves Bear, he's an integral part of their love for reading, and an integral part of exploring their own emotions. Of all the October books, this is by far the best. Buy it today, snuggle up with your little bear, and make your children fall in love with reading.
jlw

The First Dog by Jan Brett

This book made the fav list. My youngest daughter found this at the Big Read in St.Louis for $1, and I praised her for finding one of those great classical books by Jan Brett. But then we read it and I wanted to cry inside. It just hits a dog lover right in the heart. We have read it at least three times a week since we brought it home. It just goes to show that the best books sometimes are cheap and used, and even a seven-year old can find them.

jlw

German Shepherds for Dummies by D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D.

I have recently brought home a German Shepherd puppy. And like anything I adventure into, I have to read about it. And I'm so glad I did. As a dog owner all my life I have always tended toward the small/medium gentle dogs. If we had a large dog, he lived outside and roamed the country-side as he wished. But now I live in town, and I want a German Shepherd in my house to alert me and protect me and my children. To keep a German Shepherd happy you have to understand the breed. Without giving him work to do, he will make his own work and destroy your house and your happiness. This book enlightened me to the heritage that my puppy has, his history, his inbred desires and is a tool for me to keep my GSD fulfilled, happy, and obedient. Regardless of the humiliation of actually buying a "Dummy" book for the first time, I am impressed, I am knowledgeable now and I am thankfull that I grabbed this book and read it front to back and then a few places over again. I recommend reading up on any breed of dog that you decide to bring home and the "for Dummies" series covers many of them.

jlw

The Bearded Dragon Manual by Phillippe de Vosjoli

Loved this book. Everything I need to know about a bearded dragon is referenced in this book. I have reread it's pages frequently and it has prepared me well for beardie ownership. For anyone looking to get a beardie this is a must read, they have special needs that many pet shops are not going to go into detail with you when you leave the store. Not following diet and light needs could be tortuous to your beardie, resulting in pain and often death. During my bearded dragon research I also found a great website, the owner of the site has gone to great lengths to make a diet chart that is extremely handy. http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/ is launched by a dragon owner who made those very mistakes but learned from them and now shares her story and her research. I recommend exploration of the site and intense study of this manual before ownership of a dragon. With ownership comes responsibility and when you are responsible to your pets, you truly enjoy them fully.

jlw

The Leopard Gecko Manual by Philippe de Vosjoli

This is probably the best up to date literature available for the leopard gecko. It brings together the expertise of breeders and veterinary science and gives a well rounded education on caring for your own leopard gecko. This delicate lizard should not be an impulse buy and I recommend that this manual be read before anyone brings home a leopard gecko. They aren't just like any other gecko and to be a responsible pet owner, this is a must read.

jlw

Remedies for Vertigo by Walter Bargen

This is one of my few signed books. And I went through the trouble of getting it signed because the author is the first named poet laurette from Missouri. And this collection of poems is just as special to me. Walter has a "fire-light story" way about him, makes you want to cuddle up and read it at night, just before drifting off. He holds a good deal of philosophy in his work but so comfortingly discloses his philosophy that even if you don't quite catch the larger message you enjoy it all along the way besides. Walter Bargen is a good poet because first he is simply a great writer, secondly he is earthy and imaginative. I'm on a scout to collect his out of print works. A great read, beautiful poetry. Five Stars.

jlw

The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie

It's hard to explain this book. I find the words of Lisa Shea nearly perfect, found on the back cover..."A prodigious fever dream of a book..." And it is such a story that would unfold in some sort of tortured fever sleep. Let me begin by saying it is some of the most beautiful prose I have ever read. Truly the words sway in and out of eachother like a spring breeze through a blooming dogwood. The words themselves enchant you, enough that you don't mind being completely confused by the tangled story line or the characters that go by a minimum of five different names. In my harshest opinion I think the story had too many main characters with too many names, it went off on different tangents so often that it may take you seven pages to finish one scene. And because of the overload of characters, I found myself unattached to them all. I really had no stake in them, I didn't care what their outcome was as long as I could keep myself together long enough to make it to the end and complete this fevered adventure I had begun. All this considered, I did finish it! It was the prose that kept me involved, very beautiful, very practised and proficient. But once finished there was no feeling of completion or triumph, it was just finally over. Three stars.

jlw

Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell

This is one of the best historical novels I have ever read. It makes history so relevant for our times and for this war we find ourselves in. I never knew how Iraq came to be and I never understood fully why the middle east affects so much of our economy. But with this great little novel I learned these things without realizing it, which is the mark of a good historical novel. I groped the pages following Agnes Shanklin on her journey through life and love and her adventure to Egypt (oh how I love a good adventure.) Without realizing it, my eyes had opened to so much more policy than I understood before. I feel gratified by the story, I feel wiser for the insight, and I feel a bit dusty and sunburned from the desert adventure. A great book! Wish I could meet the author and get it signed! Or even greater, I wish I could take the adventure to Egypt myself!

Marvellous!

jlw

Allen Tate: Collected Poems 1919-1976

I'm not actually finished reading this but I might as well write my review because I'm not sure when, if ever, I will finish this book. Not to say it is bad, it's just...intelligent and really written in an american language that I was not around for, so it is hard for me to follow the thinking. Allen Tate was brilliant, let me just say. A very schooled boy from the south that watched his country collapse after the civil war and felt so collapsed himself that he wrote, profoundly. And those words should be read by all of us. We should remember the greif of our country, we should hold to it like our own rich history. Americans today are so NOW, so caught up in what is happening now that we lose pieces of our heritage with each generation. I am determined to remember what I was not there for, to remember for my ancestor's sake, to know better who I am and what pieces our society gingerly together.
This is a book that avid readers, poets, and historians should all have on their shelf. Reading this is like finding an old mortise key while digging in your garden.

jlw

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

This book I picked up at one of those tables just by the checkout. You know, the "gotta get rid of it, now it's cheap" pile. But it was an Agatha Christie and how can you go wrong with her? So I paid like four bucks for this little masterpiece and enjoyed every night of reading it. It was fun and clever and I haven't cracked an Agatha Christie case yet before learning the end. Go ahead, try for yourself!

THE PEOPLE LOOK LIKE FLOWERS AT LAST by Charles Bukowski

This is my second attempt at tackling modern poetry. And I have to say that I am impressed, shocked and at the same time not so surprised. These are the ramblings of an old man, which I particularly enjoy. Wars, whores, and living alone, Charles Bukowski was not afraid of himself, he was not ashamed to simply be who he was. His poetry is his heart, his self. He doesn't try to impress with big words or long narratives that exemplify intelligence. He just simply is. And I simply enjoyed it.

But be forewarned, Charles can be pessimistic to the point of unbearable. I kept plenty of lighthearted material close by for those times when I just had to roll my eyes and gently lay down this sad book and grab up something to make me smile. Though I'm not as down-hearted a soul as Bukowski I respect and admire his work and enjoy it all the same.

jlw

The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coehlo

This is a tale. Just like any Paulo Coehlo novel, a really good tale. It is as deep as the blue on it's cover. I might be partial here in this review. First, I am a Coehlo fan, second I have been searching out certain forgotten and ancient pieces of worship, something I am driven to do, for nearly three years. This book happened to be one of the links in bringing understanding to some of the misatched pieces of information I have, like many other books have been. I loved the main character, I loved the plot, and though the ending is given away in the first chapter, still I loved the ending and found it surprising. After reading this it has taken me awhile to pick up a new novel, it leaves so much on your mind, so much to sort out that you can't really just pick up the next thing. Really a good story, heartfelt, motivates you to search out your own spirit and what connects you to it with out lectures and sermons and a map that says there is only one way. There is a lot of liberation in this book, it is bound to rub off on it's reader.

jlw

The Best American Poetry 2007

This is a clever collection of poetry gathered together by Heather McHugh and David Lehman. I mostly enjoyed it but must admit that some of these poems had me feeling very small and unsure if I knew what poetry was at all. But others took me to a place in the poets soul that I was glad I went to, wishing I could snap a few pictures like a bubbly tourist. Some of my favorite poems in this collection: Where He Found Himself by Stephen Dunn, Language Police Report by Denise Duhammel, What Every Soldier Should Know by Brian Turner, and The Home of the Brave by Joe Wenderoth. There were others that I enjoyed but too many to mention in my small paragraph here. Point being: they are all American and I see it as a beautiful collection of our varied differences, highlighting that year in history, taking us to a history not written in books but only written in that fleeting moment of time, shedding light on that passable soul of America. Even when I didn't understand the poem, I enjoyed it. So I highly recommend a pick up of this book. If only to get you out of your box.


jlw

The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson

This is a good book. Creatively written in letters from Olivia Hunt to the people she loves, she hates, and the people she works with. The Characters are colorful and lead colorful lives and remain true to themselves. I enjoyed the varied back drops in this story - Rome, Spain, California, New York. And I especially like the fact that the main character, Olivia, is a Hollywood Producer, an industry I know nothing about. The other big thing in this book is the devastating sickness of her sister. Being in health care myself put me at a disadvantage here. Elisabeth's research on the subject was pretty good but the few places where she made a mistake, on obvious mistake to me, was quite a turn off. However, the story was great and if you have no idea what a Hickman is then you will have no problem enjoying this book.


jlw

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

I had to buy the book, he's making history right now. But I have to be honest about my review. I couldn't finish it. Not to say that other people won't enjoy it, you may find yourself completely engrossed in it. The title lured me in, this moment in the campaign lured me in and as quickly as it lured me in I was turned off and filing this on a book shelf. He's an amazing speaker, but he's a complete political writer. After half of the first chapter (fifteen or so pages of name dropping and politic theories and how he came to his position) I flipped back to the ninth chapter about his family and enjoyed that...well, tolerably. The book is closed, not to say that the man himself is not amazing but that it's just not my cup of tea. In fact, since I like tea so well, I would have to say that this is more like a cup of barley juice rather than tea at all.
One thing I must add to argue with certain rumors spread about him, he loves his mama and much of what he bases his platform on are the hardships he watched his mama strive through.


jlw

The Gathering by Anne Enright

Haunting. A completely brittle and open look at grief. Anne Enright requires her reader to have vision, not to take all things literally but to step into memories knowing that memories can be misconstrued because of the love you have for people and because of perception. This story's main character, Veronica Hegarty, is trapped in a world of losing a beloved brother, Laim, and of trying to understand her patchwork family. She struggles with how to just simply be after living with piles and piles of years' worth of confusion that seems to all rise to the surface with Liam's body, floating there, obvious amidst the beauty of the water. There is no romance in this novel. There is no comforting warm firelight at the end. This book is a majestic weave of pain and love, a poetic interlude between the fate of birth and death. Profound...

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

This is a lovely tale. It's full of grit and honor, and what a man will do to prove himself, even if only to himself. Hemingway has a simple way of putting you right into the action. This entire story had me tugging along on that fishing line right along with the old man. The ending is absolutely beautiful, though it is full of sorrow it illuminates the resiliency of humankind. For those of you new to literature I recommend this book, it is an easy read, it's short and poignant. And it is one of Hemingway's best novella's. This book was as deeply enjoyed by me as the deep waters it adventures out into.

jlw

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

Travel to India, a beautiful torn place, and follow the lives of beautiful and torn people. Every novel is an escape but this one...I had to catch myself and remember that I wasn't really there. Kiran has magically penned a story that opens a door to her world. Feeling the hopes and fears of another culture paints a better picture than years of study. Kiran reveals the different pains of her people...sending family to America for betterment, coming back home to war, hating your own culture, loving your own culture, falling in love with someone, coming out of love into hate for someone, living in India but refusing to become India, fighting for an India you may lose but can't live without. I'm not sure if she could have covered anything more. And she painted it all so well that you never feel overwhelmed with the distress of too many characters. This wonderful book should be read by all Americans...Let's remember how not very different we are from each other though we exist on opposite ends of the earth and let us honor those differences we do have.


jlw

Avalon by Anya Seton.....Katherine by Anya Seton

I've finally finished it, my travels from England to Iceland and then to the even colder Greenland. I've sailed with Erik the Red and watched in horror as King Edward was assassinated. It truly is an adventure. Like other Anya Seton novels, it follows true history and is painted beautifully with Anya's insight into the ancient people she writes about and the period culture.
But there was something lacking in this novel that is found profusely in her novel Katherine...Rarely did I feel sympathy for Merewyn. I was not close enough to her thoughts, I didn't feel her heartbeat faster nor did I feel her satisfactions. Though the novel is written well and enjoyable, I think it lacked zoom in on the main character. Yet, because of the emotional detachment it is not a book that creates stress for the main heroine. This makes it an easy read. I still give it four stars! Just knowing that Anya Seton traveled all these places herself, dug up the historical facts, and weaved together a well put story gives this novel well-deserved respect. Yet, because I rave so much over Katherine, I'm adding another review to this post.

Just look at this face! I fell in love with the book before I ever opened it up!
This is the first Anya Seton book that fell into my hands. Surprisingly it was written before Avalon. One would think that as time goes on an author would get better...but possibly Anya wrote this when she was younger and therefore more passionate. And "passionate" is exactly what the whole of this novel is based on. It satisfies the romantic early on, which is good for a novel of 500 pages. AND it's full of intimacy through the middle. I can't give away the ending but...it really does justice to the turmoil that you experience with Katherine throughout her lifetime. This book will get a reread...It is the highest honor that I give to a book. It was so worth my time that it will be picked up again and each page adorned with my eyes and painted to life by my heart. Where five is the highest - Six Stars!


jlw

Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

Santa brought this to my eight year old daughter. She is enthralled by it. I've never seen her carry a book around with her so much. She takes it to bed, she takes it to school. She even has a following of "field guide owner wannabe's" amongst her friends. The book itself is rich in art and imaginative descriptions, some in cursive. My child who usually shies away from reading anything too hard has dove head first into these pages. Every new discovery she makes she wants to discuss together before bed, and this enthusiasm has lasted greater than twenty days! Not only does it give her energy to learn new things, but it promotes creativity - she draws up her own creatures and envisions their habits. For anyone who is wrapped up in the Spiderwick Chronicles, this book makes a great addition to the fantastical world we love to jump into with Tony and Holly.


jlw

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell

This book made it to my all time favorite list. I have a weakness for stories of imperfect, sometimes a little psychotic, families and their mishaps. But this book in it's entirety was no where near a mishap. Elegant and mysterious, you will twist your own thoughts of love around and around, unsure of what is right or wrong while you travel through the lives of Esme and Iris. The beginning is entrancing, the middle enriching, and the ending completely a surprise! Rarely do I get a surprise ending anymore, you learn to read these out in a story, but this novel left my jaw hanging wide open and my eyes bugged out, wishing I could turn around and talk to someone about it right then. It was an ending I didn't know I wanted. But of course it was ten thirty at night and my husband was snoring :) If you are not a big reader, but feel like you want to get into books...start with this one. If you are an avid reader and want adventure and surprise...Maggie O'Farrell has written you a masterpiece.

jlw

When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe

This is a rare find. Written by a Filipino about the Philippines during World War II. It really has no competition. The author collected most of her information from her father, friends and family. She delicately weaved in some of the tales she was told as a child about spirituality and ghosts and old beliefs into the elaborate threads of the Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, American and Arabian influence of the Philippine culture.
Besides all that, it is an intricate story. Tess has you wrapped up in every character, breathing with them, bleating out their painful story. Not only does she give us insight into the politics of the warring countries but insight into the pain of humanity and it's struggle to beat the odds. I realized while reading this that a culture so different, really is not so different from me.

jlw

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Sarah Addison Allen's debut mainstream novel. Rich in down home comforts with glittering threads of mysticism. I enjoyed it as much as Tyler Hughes enjoyed the meals brought to him by Claire. The characters are colorful and weaved together thoughtfully. I happen to be a lover of old homes and so this book struck a special note with me. It leaves out the deeper undercurrent that I usually crave in a novel, and though she tapped on deeper humanity I always felt it was just that...a tap. Yet, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Cheerful, it is like a sweet sugary apple cobbler: it doesn't leave you feeling any wiser but it sure is satisfying to the taste buds.

Sarah's new book Sugar Queen will be coming out May2008.

jlw

Who put the B in the Ballyhoo by Caryln Beccia

As soon as I lifted this book from it's neatly arranged pile at Barnes and Noble I fell in love. It's full of color and wonder that immediately brings out that child smile inside. I had to get it for my girls! No question! Their eyes had circus stars shining in them as we enjoyed the pictures as much as the circus advertisements. And there is reading that the adult can enjoy on each page about interesting circus history and facts. I happened to find this just before our trip to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, which was an invaluable cherished time for me and my kids. But this wonderful little book takes you to a circus that only exists now between the covers of books. I'm so glad to say that I've been there...won't you go too?

jlw

Is that Better?

testing testing 123