This is why I love historical fiction, two stories bleeding together to make a real conection to the characters, place and during a tragic true time. This is why I love historical fiction, two stories bleeding together to make a real conection to the characters, place and during a tragic true time. This is a family torn by WWI and religous discrimination in Ireland and their story that felt sharp and went straight to my heart. I love strong characters that emerge with a chip on their shoulder like I found Eileen to be, a passionate, sharp tounged, born and breed Irish Catholic in a setting of uprising. She has lost everything she holds dearest to her and is in a battle of her life to put all the pieces back together again. Her dream to put her family back together in the yellow house seems to be illusive and impossible but she is an O'Neill warrior in a fight for her freedom. Great read, I could not put down! I will be reading more form this author!...more
An endearing look into every mothers hopes and fears in raising children. This is Kelly Corrigan's letter to her two girls Georgia and Claire after suAn endearing look into every mothers hopes and fears in raising children. This is Kelly Corrigan's letter to her two girls Georgia and Claire after surviving breast cancer. It really lives up to the title and gave me a lift and reassurance as a mother I may not always do everything right but I do everything I do because I care so much for the two blessings in my life. I enjoyed Corrigan's since of humor, heart and her honesty about her outburst moments. This is a short little purse size novel that can be read in an hour only 83 pages. It was a sweet little book of mommy moments....more
A charming story set in the northern foothills of the Appalachians in the 1920's. The focus around the Crestmont Inn it's staff and owners. This is a A charming story set in the northern foothills of the Appalachians in the 1920's. The focus around the Crestmont Inn it's staff and owners. This is a comforting read that brings the walls of the prestigious Crestmont to life with carefully crafted attention to details of the place and time. Eagles Mere lake sounds like a one of a kind place being a mountain top lake surrounded by peace and beauty, a real dreamers paradise. I would love to enjoy it. It well have to go on my list of places to see before I die. The love of the beloved bed and breakfast just shines from Holly Weiss she gave it a soul. ...more
A punch with an alarming wake up call, very authentic with a real current edge. YOU is a story told entirely in second person, surprisingly this worksA punch with an alarming wake up call, very authentic with a real current edge. YOU is a story told entirely in second person, surprisingly this works and could only be told in this fashion for it to come across and give the message straight to YOU! I'm not usually a fan of this style of writing but it won me over. There are some powerful life lessons to be learned though Kyle Chase a 15 year old slacker who is unmotivated and seems to think he cares much about nothing. He is an example showing YOU that your whole life is a chain of choices, your choices and YOU don't have control over everything, but YOU can control how YOU react. I see this as a book that will be getting much recognition and praise. I was lucky enough to win my copy of this gem from Goodreads first reads. ...more
Really looked forward to the final installment of the hunger Games and I enjoyed the series like a cult follower! But all that said, this last one felReally looked forward to the final installment of the hunger Games and I enjoyed the series like a cult follower! But all that said, this last one fell flat for me. It was a darker jaded inner struggle as Katness is at her best and worst pulled to her limits and emerging as a strong character but floating through the motions like a haunted victom after too much war and loss. ...more
With this enticing title I had to read this book! I found it very fascinating and my nose was twitching to sniff out the devious murderer. It was a raWith this enticing title I had to read this book! I found it very fascinating and my nose was twitching to sniff out the devious murderer. It was a rare book to read a medieval crime thriller that really brought the twelfth century to vivid life. I actually enjoyed learning the forensic skills Adelia knew yet she was so cunning to find the perverse cruel killer through clues from the victoms deaths. I have a new appreciation for skills of forensics at a time when there was no modern technology that we now see on shows like CSI. I learned more in depth about the superstitions of the times when women were percived witches if they studied or knew anything about science. I also enjoyed the split levels of the story weaved throughout racial, religious faith and a touch of romance all told with brilliant personalities shinning through. So many twists and turns that were unexpected and at times shocking. Not may stories am I this excited to say decomposition fascinated me! ...more
Spectacular follow up to The Bronze Horseman. This had me fully entertained, I think I experienced every human emotion within it's 559 pages. WonderfuSpectacular follow up to The Bronze Horseman. This had me fully entertained, I think I experienced every human emotion within it's 559 pages. Wonderful touches of humor, at the edge of my seat with action and swooning with a tested tormented romance reminiscent of War and Peace, Thorn Birds or Gone with the Wind. The last 100 pages went by in a whirlwind. With well researched historical details into the gritty life of Russian soldier. I felt like I was on a heart stopping journey through tender personal despair to unrelenting madness of foreign affairs. It is Thrilling, touching and an unforgettable novel. I would recommend to WWII buffs and any glutton for a beautiful sweep you off your feet romance....more
The beginning of this story really had me riveted. It was suspenseful with the diabolical scheme that as a reader had me captivated and on edge. Then The beginning of this story really had me riveted. It was suspenseful with the diabolical scheme that as a reader had me captivated and on edge. Then things slowed to a rebuilding phase and showed the damage the toll of events brought on. I felt for all the characters and learned new aspects of psychological issues like phobias holding CeeCee prisoner. This ultimately crippled young Corinne with co-dependency and even worse phobias as she matured. I liked how it showed all sides of this family and how they got to a place of healing after a huge web of lies are released. It got a bit more predictable towards the end but still a good book. I really liked seeing the personal ways that family values still held and showed me that even good people in certain circumstances can make a horrible choice under pressure, but still be a good person. I can really admire Chamberlain for putting so much of herself into the characters from her psychotherapy background to the feeling of living day to day with rheumatoid arthritis. She dug deep and made me learn a few new things to strengthen myself as well. ...more
Thrirteen reasons why you should read this book 1) Amazing characterization 2) Powerful voice 3) Suspenseful twists 4) Sensitive subjects written well 5) CThrirteen reasons why you should read this book 1) Amazing characterization 2) Powerful voice 3) Suspenseful twists 4) Sensitive subjects written well 5) Clever layered writting 6) Edgy 7) Unique alternating narration 8) Raw brilliance 9) Revealing look into cause & effect 10)Makes you think 11)Painfully honest......moving 13)What can you do? Find out where to begin.
I can't say any book has provoked me as much as this has in a long while. This isn't a book to take lightly it deals with strong subject matter suicide, rape, death, drinking and depression. I would love to get an audio copy of this book this would be a perfect sit back and just listen story. It will rattle you....more
An extraordinary novel I will never forget. So much beauty and innocence captured in moments so tender, sensual and heartwrenchingly devastating. Is oAn extraordinary novel I will never forget. So much beauty and innocence captured in moments so tender, sensual and heartwrenchingly devastating. Is one of my favorite historical romances of all time. I well always highly recommend and reread for years to come. On July 22, 1941 Tatiana is 17 and a carefree and sunny girl. Unknowing her future or her destiny she meets Alexander a courageous officer in the Red army with a dangerous secret, they fall into a hopeless impossible love. She soon finds out he is also the object of her beloved sister Dasha's affection's. Thrown into a charade that brings her a mix of suffering and stolen moments of bliss. This same day the annonucement that Hitler's armies have attacked Russia on an unstoppable quest to the eventual seige of Leningrad that lasted 872 days causing unparalleled famine with relentless bombing. things get from bad to worse during a merciless winter of 42. Tatiana is forced to grow up quickly being the youngest and smallest in her family she has no rights or little to no value to them. Although she is ever resourceful and provides and gives all she can of herself to her unthankful family that all live in a communal apartment of two little rooms. With disruptions of water, energy, and supplies, the Metanova family is tormented and threatened through starvation, loss, and desperation. She grows into a woman and a heroin that is unforgettable. I was so compelled I simply couldn't get anything done until I knew how this ended. Now I suffer as I wait looking for the next book! I apologize now to my own family cause clean laundry may be at a trickle till I read every last word of their story....more
My first Markus Zusak and certainly not my last. A very clever, unique and endearing story. I really loved all the characters in this story. Ed, the mMy first Markus Zusak and certainly not my last. A very clever, unique and endearing story. I really loved all the characters in this story. Ed, the main character is an underage cabdriver, terrible card player and even worse with the ladies, he is not living life to any potential and gets thrown into a series of life changing events after he helps stop a bank robber. He becomes deliver of messages with clues he has to solve written on four ace playing cards. He has to figure out what each person needs delivered some with his life at stake. I adored his faithful companion, The Doorman an old stinky dog that loves a cup of joe with Ed in their shack every morning. Marv, childhood mate that won't spend a dime of his money and drives the worst junker of a car that gets pushed about as much as it gets drove. Richie, who lives at home still and is lazy and unmotivated. Ed is hopelessly in love with but is just friends with Audrey, who has new boyfriends all the time and doesn't want to ever fall in love. Through Ed the most unlikely of heros, I received a beautiful message that teaches anyone that everyone can live beyond what we think we are capable of....more
Had me at the first line. "There are gods in Alabama: Jack Daniel's, high school quarterbacks, trucks, big tits, and also Jesus." Now I tell you my eyHad me at the first line. "There are gods in Alabama: Jack Daniel's, high school quarterbacks, trucks, big tits, and also Jesus." Now I tell you my eyebrows shot up thinking now this is gonna be a bumpy ride straight into the modern dirty south.....oh yeah! blended with vibrant humor, a whodunit and unexpected twists of fate. I really laughed out loud with delight at Jackson's witty flare for language and natural fresh dialoge, she has a serious tallent that well have me collecting all her other books. I really liked how this had so much under the hood. covered abuse, racism, mental illness, murder, religion, forgivness, redemption and the twisted relationships among a dysfunctional Southern family and the women who are the treads that hold that dixie flag a waving!...more
We have all heard stories of abuse and how it ends. This may start to come across as a quirky read because of the humor but Backseat Saints brings abuWe have all heard stories of abuse and how it ends. This may start to come across as a quirky read because of the humor but Backseat Saints brings abuse, abandonment, alcoholisum, and absolution together with a pragmatic understanding through a realistic yet unpredictable, spitfire of a southern Alabaman woman on the edge. I had several moments where I thought this could all tick into a explosive time bomb ready to blow into one hot mess and scatter like cheep tacky lawn art. But I really found myself rooting for the main character and loved the suspense throughout. Keeps you on the tip of your seat.
I love Jacksons prose she has a way with words thats charming and entertaining all on its own. I did just read "Gods in Alabama" and this book takes a minor character from it and intermingles the stories so you get to see each in a new light. This novel brings Rose May Lolley into the forefront. Who I didn't honestly feel for much just pittied in the first book to doing a switcheroo on me and really liking her! You could read these in any order but I did read them back to back while everything was fresh in my mind. Was a unique twist for me and I really enjoyed it.
I loved the cover of this book and admit I was under a hypnotic daze of cover lust. As I read on I came to my own realization that it was symbolic and perfectly simple. The main character Rose(AKA) Ro(AKA) Ivy made the three parts it takes to weave into one. All three where deep inside Rose and made her whole, beautiful and strong enough to confront her life full of demons. Sometimes when life makes changes or new decisions are made, we cut away the ugly burden we carried for far to long. I took away the lesson that battling with forgivness can be the hardest part of life but the peace it brings is worth every bit of the struggle....more
Zany, dark and bitchy goth edge made me think of that movie The Heathers but with the youthful cartoonish cover and fancy pages thoughout it worries mZany, dark and bitchy goth edge made me think of that movie The Heathers but with the youthful cartoonish cover and fancy pages thoughout it worries me that this is to geared to younger readers that shouldn't read that much ugly. I read this with my 12 year old daughter and I think some nastiness were over her head thank goodness!! I read moments of clever writting and witty quotes but the main character's growth took to long for me and I was dissapointed that her whole life based only about fitting in to be popular and get attention by her elusive crush so this overshadowed the sparkling begining of death by gummy bear. I would think a person would be more well rounded and think of their family or at least miss them a little if they passed on?!?! ...more
What a dizzying, creepy, trippy maze! Once I accepted the lingo of the Gladers I really enjoyed this intense fury of a journey. It really bought back What a dizzying, creepy, trippy maze! Once I accepted the lingo of the Gladers I really enjoyed this intense fury of a journey. It really bought back memories for me of Lord of the Flies (The whole pecking order of authority). This story really grabbed me after Thomas met up with his first griver then at each turn of this riddling maze I just had this icy hesitation. Each chapter grew into a crescendo that made it the ultimate page turner. It really kept me guessing and made me very anxious to read the follow up in the series. I think YA that like fast pace distopian style rise against "The Man" books well love this. There are disturbing, frightening and many violent parts so use caution reading to young children....more
I read this over Mother's Day weekend and found it the perfect read for this occasion. It's very challenging to write a review about a story of biblicI read this over Mother's Day weekend and found it the perfect read for this occasion. It's very challenging to write a review about a story of biblical historical fiction. The key word is this is a work of "fiction" if you are a connservative on biblical inaccuracies I would caution you before reading because this is a loosley baised family saga told thru the point of views of one of Jacob's enemies, a little known minor character, his only daughter Dihah. Men are viewed in a shamful light through much of her story as well as her family. We follow her life from birth to her death and all the stages of womanhood. Her struggles, passions, friendships, beleifs, rage, depression, pain and her chance at finding happiness. Diamant weaves a story of women and their bond in a time and place in history that is so vastly differnt from our modern world but intrigued me. I wish we celebrated a women's coming of age with some kind of passage in our culture(without a goddess worship for me, thanks) I enjoyed the stories within the story and thought the red tent where women go when they reach womanhood(menstration)and share there lives apart from the men during their moon cycle all together was very bonding and nurturing. They also give birth in the tent away from men and helped eachother through. I really liked the detailed history of midwifery in the story it was very interesting and full of trials. This book was simply written and touching have tissues handy. It's a story that well forever linger with me. It gets you thinking and proud to be a woman....more
In the land of far away exotic Malaysia lives the beloved and hated Indian Rice mother named Lakshmi seeming IMO to be some sort of human deity. strugIn the land of far away exotic Malaysia lives the beloved and hated Indian Rice mother named Lakshmi seeming IMO to be some sort of human deity. struggling to raise a family trying to be protective but losing the grip on her her inner demons. Her family fights an unyelding curse she refuses to believe. Through unrelenting frustrations, failures, tragic loss and horrible atrocities from the Japanese brutality during WWII you would think that if any of them survived it, they could face anything together. But with the unthinkable, the link is broken and their scars are too deep to bear.
This is an engrossing epic family story, spanning over 80 years. I adored the richly woven traditional folklore and evocative symbolism of spiders and birds, honestly I am still trying to wrap my head around it all. This story felt like a real tale told from generation to generation as a trail of secrets, dreams and wisdom to solve the family puzzle and to find a place of healing. We get the privilage of reading this mythical private journey. I devoured the mysterious Eastern magic, how often do you get a story with a character like a snake charmer? I found myself disappearing fully into each character as they switched narration from chapter to chapter. I felt determined to find a cure to their sorrows. Full of vivid, raw, cruel and tragic accounts mixed with some unspeakable horrors that will make this novel unforgettably haunting. I think if you loved A Thousand Splendid Suns I think you would really appreciate this story....more
A Charming little book made of 20 years of correspondence between an American writter, a British bookseller, and staff that branches lovely friendshipA Charming little book made of 20 years of correspondence between an American writter, a British bookseller, and staff that branches lovely friendships sparked around the love of collecting and reading beautiful books. This little gem was little but dynamic to me in so many ways. I to correspond though online to many of my fellow book lovers (Thank godness for Goodreads!!!) I also would wish to meet them someday and believe me there was a tear to two shed over this bittersweet story. A must for book club readers and book lovers. ...more
I love seeing what Sarah Addison Allen has conjured up next. This is my favorite of her novels so far. They are all enchanting with sparkle, charm andI love seeing what Sarah Addison Allen has conjured up next. This is my favorite of her novels so far. They are all enchanting with sparkle, charm and pizzazz that prickle my senses. This story had vibrant lovable characters and lovely and wounderously strange secrets. I felt like I was doing some light detective work putting the pieces all together as the labyrinth of the story untangled. Allens books just cast a spell over me, I feel a little hollow having to wait for another one of her books to be released. Hope to hear some news about it before the next full moon.
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