T. Greenwood has created a heart-breaking love story that will resonate in my mind for a very, very long time. Her characters are vibrant and believabT. Greenwood has created a heart-breaking love story that will resonate in my mind for a very, very long time. Her characters are vibrant and believable in both their love and their cruelty. While it's set in the late 50s and early 60s, there are so many issues that still, sadly, stand today. This is not a typical love story, and it will make you angry, sad, joyous, confused, afraid, misty-eyed and disgusted no matter what side of the issues you identify with. I don't want to tell you more, I want you to read this book and experience the careful reveals that this author writes so very, very well. T. Greenwood just gets better and better with every book....more
More than a decade ago, Chris Bohjalian rocked my world with his book "Trans-Sister Radio". I was new to Tattered Cover and the wonderful world of mulMore than a decade ago, Chris Bohjalian rocked my world with his book "Trans-Sister Radio". I was new to Tattered Cover and the wonderful world of multistory book stores (there weren't any bookstores in my hometown in Ohio) and people who wanted to talk books (book nerd became a badge of honor and not a high school version of torture), But meeting authors was a sort of massive perk of my new trade; I was star struck. Bohjalian was my first, at TC at least, and you never forget your first. We've become friends over the years, and he has never disappointed me.
"The Light in the Ruins"is a multifaceted story about World War II set in Tuscany, where the people were first invaded by the German's and then, after many bloody fights, occupied by US and British troops. It's about what you do to survive when every aspect of your life is suddenly a tightwire act. Told in two different time periods, it's also a creepy and mind bending murder mystery. Every character is flawed in some way, making them real and memorable. Bohjalian always does impeccable research for each and every book, making the people and places come alive in a very authentic way. This is a fantastic read that I cannot champion enough....more
I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction--I think I overdosed on it in my tween and teen years. But there are a few writers working these days that I I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction--I think I overdosed on it in my tween and teen years. But there are a few writers working these days that I do pay attention to, and Kelly O'Connor McNees is one of them. I so loved her first book, The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, I could hardly wait for this new one. It entails mail order brides coming from New York City to the nearly womanless town of Destination, Nebraska in 1866. Clara Bixby, heartbroken over her baby's death and her husband leaving her, hatches this plan when she's also fired from her job as a bar maid. She sends a letter to the mayor of Destination, who answers back that his lonely male constituents are very much interested in investing in wives. This commences in a two state round up of some very, very interesting characters with everything from comedy to tragedy and everything in between. You'll love them or hate them, sometimes at the same time, but you won't forget McNees' delicious cast of characters. I know I won't....more
I've long been a fan of Bohjalian's writing. His research is always thorough and used to profound literary effect. "The Sandcastle Girls" is a one of I've long been a fan of Bohjalian's writing. His research is always thorough and used to profound literary effect. "The Sandcastle Girls" is a one of his finest, if not THE finest, display of that talent. It is perhaps, at least in part, because he has an Armenian heritage, and he's been thinking about this book for a very, very long time. This story is based on the 1915 genocide of the Armenian people in Syria--1.5 million dead. He does not sugar coat the graphic violence done to the living and the dead, nor does he flinch in describing how the few (the too few) survived. His story, the 1915 era part of it, is told through the eyes of Western aide workers as well as an Armenian engineer who lost his family, a woman who barely survived a forced and brutal march through the desert, and a small girl who witnessed the rape and beheading of both her mother and her sister. The later part of the story, set in more modern times, is told by the granddaughter of two of the earlier characters. This layered tale is a love story, a war story, a family story, a survivors story, and much, much more. It is moving, heartbreaking, and yet hopeful all at the same time. It will open eyes to a piece of history that is rarely talked about, and hopefully stir thoughts of similar atrocities still be committed around the world, perhaps leading to swifter action to end them. ...more
This is an intense novel about what the past made us, and how we go about making our own futures. It's the story a family--a distant father, an ailingThis is an intense novel about what the past made us, and how we go about making our own futures. It's the story a family--a distant father, an ailing mother, a teenage boy with a dark side, and a young girl trying to keep everything together. We move with them through time and events, and learn that the Colorado setting is as much of a character as any of the human players. A dramatic climax comes to the family, and we jump forward 15 or so years to the brother and sister, grown up and away, making up new lives for themselves. But the past isn't finished with them yet, and one must literally track the other in order to at last put the past to rest. Running along side the first family narrative is another family's drama, one of a father who made some bad mistakes but who now risks his life to correct them, fighting to keep a beautiful and nearly extinct animal, Mexican wolves, alive and in their rightful place on the earth. These two stories weave together into a nuanced cultural drama, written with a western backdrop of howling coyotes, smuggled wolves and silently watching mountain lions, poignant and memorable and the kind of book that,especially toward the end, you slow down reading because every word must be savored. This is a truly remarkable debut novel....more
I really don't do the whole Jane Austen thing, or the Sherlock Holmes thing either, so I very reluctantly agreed to be an early reader for this book. I really don't do the whole Jane Austen thing, or the Sherlock Holmes thing either, so I very reluctantly agreed to be an early reader for this book. It didn't take long for me to figure out that I would have been a fool to miss out on this book. It is absolutely delightful, with plenty of humor and mystery. It concerns the inestimable Miss Charlotte House, a brilliant woman known for her ability to help in matchmaking situations. She can quiet scandals or start them, whichever serves her purpose. Miss Jane Woodsen, a young lady in dire states after her father's death and her family's crash in wealth and status, ends up a guest of, and then an assistant to, Miss House and her investigations and machinations. It might sound like light fare, but it actually very quick witted and absorbing. This first book in a planned series involves six different "cases", leaving the investigative team, at the end of the book, planning to move back to London and take on the big city in the second novel. All in all, a very entertaining book for mystery lovers and fans of the England of the early 1800s....more
Tammy Greenwood is a master at writing riveting family drama, and this book might just be her best yet. Kurt and Elsbeth have been together forever itTammy Greenwood is a master at writing riveting family drama, and this book might just be her best yet. Kurt and Elsbeth have been together forever it seems, and they've fallen into a number of common traps--accidental pregnancy that canceled college plans, taking over Kurt's family business after his brother was driven out of town, his mother died and his father became ill. The recession and a refinanced mortgage that now involved a huge balloon payment made things that much worse. Then there was Trevor--always a difficult child, and now that he's a teenager, and 6'2", the problems seem to be worse. What his parents don't understand is that he was only defending himself from some major bullies at school who were making his life a living hell. Little 6 year old Grace is the light of everyone's life. But the problems mount, and everyone tries to cope. Kurt picks up a second job, Elsbeth shoplifts compulsively as a way to deal with an ever present feeling of wanting, and Trevor picks up a camera to find a new way to see the world.
In a parallel story, there is the story of Crystal, a high school senior in the same town who has just given birth to a baby that she was forced to give up for adoption. She's struggling with what everyone else wants her to do and what she wants for herself.
Lack of communication and too many assumptions by too many people brings both stories to a literally explosive conclusion in this tightly woven, complex and completely absorbing drama. If you are like me, after reading the first two pages, you will not be able to put this amazing book down.
My personal harbinger of summer landed on my desk recently--Claire Cook's latest book "Wallflower in Bloom". Cook's strength is writing about women whMy personal harbinger of summer landed on my desk recently--Claire Cook's latest book "Wallflower in Bloom". Cook's strength is writing about women who, for one reason or another, are reinventing themselves. Humor is another of her great strengths, so her stories will first make you laugh, and then make you think "I could do something like that". It's no wonder she has legions of friends/fans who think of her like a sister.
This time around, she introduces us to Deirdre, who works as a personal assistant for her motivational speaker/musician guru-esque and very charismatic older brother, constantly on the go and with no life of her own--she just makes his life seamless and smooth. The resentment about this has been growing for years, but overflows after an argument with her brother over a friend of his (who just happened to kiss her) and the news from her on again/off again boyfriend of ten years that he's getting married because his current girlfriend is pregnant. So one night she mixes herself up a blender full of Ben&Jerry's and vodka and signs on to her brother's social media sites (which she takes care of for him) and asks all of his fans to support her as a last minute replacement on Dancing With The Stars. And they do.
This book is completely hilarious and pretty much impossible to put down once Deirdre starts her training. In between the slapstick, there are gentle touches on body image, weight, confidence, family and more. Once again, Cook tells it like so many women know it (only with more laughs), and this book will delight her fans, and no doubt earn her some more. ...more
Ellis's life is all about accidents. He works as a forensic reconstructionist, examining the engineering of auto accidents. It's analytical and straigEllis's life is all about accidents. He works as a forensic reconstructionist, examining the engineering of auto accidents. It's analytical and straight forward, the numbers tell the tale. But there are other accidents in his life that he just doesn't have the equations for, and they haunt him. It began with his half-brother's death in a fiery crash that he witnessed, and then an accident of his own, and the "accident" of falling into an affair with his bosses wife. After his boss finds out about his affair, the man disappears and Ellis goes on a very strange quest, accident site after accident site, looking for him, leading himself into grief and guilt fueled madness that sends him, and the readers, down a twisted path to a very unclear enlightenment. The writing is brilliant, with more twists and hairpin turns than any mountain pass might have. This book is well worth the literary ride....more
I've been reading Bohjalian's books for years now, and they are always well worth the time to curl up and enjoy them. But with this new one, for the fI've been reading Bohjalian's books for years now, and they are always well worth the time to curl up and enjoy them. But with this new one, for the first time ever, he managed to kind of creep me out. This one is about a plane crash, which broke the spirit of the surviving captain, and a coven of witches with a need for twins. The captain has twin 10 year old daughters. There's a bit of Stephen King's "Shining" influencing the plot as well. Mix all of that in a cauldron with a bunch of the "herbs" that are being grown in the towns plethora of greenhouses and you get one heck of a story, right down to the unexpected ending (or at least I thought so). Bohjalian has a great talent for bringing small New England towns alive, even when they are filled with the dead. This is a great read....more
It's been awhile since I took the time to read some paranormal romance, but this was a nice juicy one to jump back into the genre. This is a tale of aIt's been awhile since I took the time to read some paranormal romance, but this was a nice juicy one to jump back into the genre. This is a tale of angels and demons in part and complete. It's about honor, passion, and doing what is right even when it seems you are going to lose the fight. There is enough harrowing action and simmering sexuality to keep the pages turning themselves. All in all, this is a fine first novel for a brand new author. Hopefully there will be many more....more
This is the story of 32 inch tall Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump Stratton Magri. A little lady who lived a very, very large life. Most folks know her as MrThis is the story of 32 inch tall Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump Stratton Magri. A little lady who lived a very, very large life. Most folks know her as Mrs. Tom Thumb. She was a school teacher, world traveler, seasoned performer, the darling of many a royal court and American presidents, a sharp business woman, and a very unhappy soul. Her's is a fascinating story told with compassion by Benjamin, who throws in tidbits of history throughout the book that help the reader to understand the amazingly changing world that "The Little Queen of Beauty" ruled over. This book transports you to a time and a place so vivid that, sometimes, when glancing up from the page, you are surprised to see modern things around you. I cannot urge you strongly enough to come dive into Vinnie's world--it's one heck of a ride! ...more
Claire Cook is back with another gift for beach readers and book clubs everywhere--Best Staged Plans. This is a fun romp involving a woman trying to gClaire Cook is back with another gift for beach readers and book clubs everywhere--Best Staged Plans. This is a fun romp involving a woman trying to get her nest emptied and sold so that she and her husband can start their next stage of life (whatever that may be). Unfortunately, the son in the basement and the husband on the tennis court aren't really helping with the project. Sandy is a professional home stager (the person who pretties up a home to help it sell), but she just can't get her own house in order. So, when a big hotel job comes up for her in Atlanta, she's off on a plane, issuing ultimatum's to her husband about finishing the house while she's gone, or else. She's looking forward to spending time with her newly married daughter in Atlanta--who in fact will be leaving for a month's training for her job, leaving Sandy awkwardly alone with her new son-in-law. The icing on the cake is her client for the hotel project is her best friends boyfriend--who seems to be cheating on her friend. Mix in a homeless woman, a whole lot of shopping and several "assembled" meals and you'll find fun, heart and hilarity from cover to cover. This is yet another winner for Cook, most certainly. ...more
"What happens to us in the future? Do we become assholes or something?" --Marty McFly, 1985
Sirota starts out his book with this quote, and it's a fitti"What happens to us in the future? Do we become assholes or something?" --Marty McFly, 1985
Sirota starts out his book with this quote, and it's a fitting one. Because, yeah, Marty, we kind of did. But we have a defense--we've been deliberately programed from pretty much the womb on up. "We" meaning those of us who grew up in the late 70's through the early 90's, the 50/40/30 Somethings who are the workforce and "tastemakers"(some of the time at least). In a country where more than half of the population has been born since 1979, you'd think our 80's childhood would be a faded memory. But a monster was created back then, a seemingly immortal wizard who practices virulent narcissism and continues to lure people into the Cult of Personality that began with Michael Jordan as the faceman and Nike as its booming voice, but has become legion-- all those folks who believe in "Just do it" somewhere deep in their questionably existent souls. Either we are the uberman or we worship and obey the uberman without much questioning or thought. Some of it was backlash against the Vietnam War. Some of it was greed, a grasping for money or power. Some of it was improved technology and communication advances. But the vast majority of it was planned, "sculpted" as Sirota says frequently throughout the book. Page after page he points out how even the simple, "innocent" things like children's toys and sit-coms from our childhood shape who we are and what we do each and every day NOW--agendas and machinations lurk within the video and movie screen, propaganda abounds. You've got to hand it to Sirota for dishing these dark tales out in an engaging, often funny manner, getting us to laugh before we cringe. He's a part of this generation, he admits it fully. But he also gives us a way to peek behind the curtain to see exactly what the man behind it is doing, and thus we can never go back to blissful ignorance again. I highly urge everyone, regardless of generational identity or political leaning, to read this book because it's going to be talked about A LOT come Spring, and the conversation promises to be something you don't want to miss....more
This is the second book in Armstrong's new series centered on former Army sniper Mercy Gunderson's life back on the South Dakota family ranch. In this This is the second book in Armstrong's new series centered on former Army sniper Mercy Gunderson's life back on the South Dakota family ranch. In this one, Mercy has stopped drinking by becoming the bartender, which also helps keep her out of the way of her grieving sister and her frustrated brother-in-law. But it doesn't keep her from finding a dead body in the bar parking lot. Nor does it keep her from running against her secret lover Sheriff Dawson, even though she's about as unlikely a politician as you could possibly imagine. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep any mystery lover happy, and plenty of laughs to go with the rough stuff. Mercy Gunderson get's my vote when it comes to entertaining mysteries! ...more
When Ben Bailey went outside to enjoy the first snowfall and fetch the paper, he found a dying young man. He had no idea that this would be the catalyWhen Ben Bailey went outside to enjoy the first snowfall and fetch the paper, he found a dying young man. He had no idea that this would be the catalyst for him to look into himself to find out who he was and what he really wanted to do with his life. His planned future becomes uncertain as he finds himself more and more enmeshed in helping the beautiful sister of the man prove that this was a homicide and a hate crime. As he gets closer to the answers, he moves further and further away from the man he was, but circumstances make it difficult to be the man he wants to be. This is an aching tale of what we owe to the people in our lives, what we owe to ourselves, and the cost of the compromises we make. ...more
When Darin Strauss was 18 years old, he was in an car accident that resulted in the death of a bicyclist. Darin was the driver, and the victim was oneWhen Darin Strauss was 18 years old, he was in an car accident that resulted in the death of a bicyclist. Darin was the driver, and the victim was one of his high school classmates. This was one month before graduation.
This is a book about survivors' guilt that has haunted him for, literally, half of his life. Though he was cleared of wrong doing, he's always felt guilty, always carried the responsibility for someone else's death with him. Her ghost has haunted him in very real ways--everything he has achieved came with the sidecar thought that "and she didn't get to do this, have this, see this, be this."
This is a brutally honest and unflinching book that Strauss originally wrote for himself ("because I deal with things by writing about them"), and then a friend talked him into submitting a version to NPR's "This American Life". The response to that piece was overwhelming. McSweeney's Books picked up the book, which will be out Sept 1, 2010. I like a line from Kelly Corrigan's review of the book the best: "This might be the bravest book you will ever read." She's right....more
This is the second installment in the Starvation Lake mysteries, and it's even better than the first. Small town newspaperman Gus Carpenter is back anThis is the second installment in the Starvation Lake mysteries, and it's even better than the first. Small town newspaperman Gus Carpenter is back and once again investigating something the townsfolk would rather he not. Gracie McBride, a malcontent for most of her rough youth, had left Starvation Lake years ago, but then came back, a quiet loner who lived on the fringes of the local community. Then one cold morning after a terrible snow storm, she was found hanging from what the locals call "The Shoe Tree"--a huge tree that decades of teenagers have been hanging tied together shoes to announce their 'coupledom'. Local law enforcement call it a suicide, but things just don't add up for Gus. There are no cars or car tracks in the deep snow. No ladder to climb the tree with. And no reason other than a rejection letter from an employer. Gus risks everything, including his life, to dig into the mystery, and uncovers a far bigger and deeply sinister story that involves not only Gracie but the entire town and it's economic survival. Once again Gruley keeps the pace fast and the clues coming until the surprising end. Though it's set in mounds of Michigan snow, this is one hot summer read....more
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