A Man Called Ové by Swedish author Fredrik Backman is a delightfully charming read because I am married to an Ove and know many others. I know the worA Man Called Ové by Swedish author Fredrik Backman is a delightfully charming read because I am married to an Ove and know many others. I know the world is full of such men; perhaps all older men when we think about it. This book is full of universal truths about all of us; the cranks, ignoramuses, bleeding hearts, know it all’s, the self-indulgent, bunglers, and our friends, whether we recognize them or not. Ove’s wife has died, the only person who understands and loves him, who struggles to find a way to end it all. Instead, all the aforementioned make it impossible in a most humorous heartwarming adventure – even a stray cat, who all interfere in the life of a cantankerous old man. You will of course grin to yourself, laugh out loud, tear up, cry, and roll your eyes like Ove does because you will know every single person in this book! You will have to read the book to see if Ove finds a way… A five star must read....more
And the beat goes on … Plainsong defines as monophonic medieval ‘work of the people’ church music, without strict meter, traditionally sung without acAnd the beat goes on … Plainsong defines as monophonic medieval ‘work of the people’ church music, without strict meter, traditionally sung without accompaniment, is an apt title for the lives of the people in Holt, a small, rural town on the unforgiving lands on the High Plains of eastern Colorado.
The characters include a high school teacher raising his two young sons alone, a tossed away pregnant teen who is totally alone, two elderly bachelor brothers who have known only ranching and raising cows. This simply written, poignant novel quietly draws you into a world of real everyday struggles of survival, people working together to make their town into a generous, compassionate and caring town, with the positive rhythms of life that we all seek, right along with all the trouble makers who try their best to make life painful and impossible.
What I really admired about this book was the simple, common simplicity that unsentimentally demonstrates how to leave wreckage and build a stronger life. As one reviewer stated: “A loud noise resonates from this quiet novel … a deep language, like the rumble before an earthquake.” (Susan Reynolds, Las Angeles Times).
The final message I received is that ‘the beat goes on’ … making you realize this is life for all of us, no matter what. Plainsong is a book worth reading to feed your soul. ...more
I will forever remember the enchanting phrase, "The Cemetery of Forgotten Books" that drew me immediately and deeply into this outstanding novel, introducing me to an author I knew nothing about. ...more
National Bestseller, Cutting for Stone, a debut novel (2009) by Abraham Verghese, who is a doctor, was a tantalizing read. While it is historical fictNational Bestseller, Cutting for Stone, a debut novel (2009) by Abraham Verghese, who is a doctor, was a tantalizing read. While it is historical fiction, it was well researched, beautifully written with compassion to a reader of subjects unfamiliar; Ethiopia, poverty, revolution, Carmelite Nuns, Hospitals, orphaned conjoined twin brothers, detailed medical knowledge, all entangled in an engrossing world of mighty characters at every end of the spectrum. Wow!
Who cannot love or admire a doctor who knows intimately the workings of both the human body while also possessing near perfect knowledge of the soul of our hearts? Author Dr. Verghese weaves a mighty tale of human existence and how we all get through this life as best we are each able; whether life is a brief or a lengthy one: Whether we are critics or admirers, it is an unforgettable book showing how we each come away with different rewards attuned to our own needs to be critics or praisers. I thank my daughter for sending me a gift called ‘Cutting for Stone’! ...more
The Great Alone, by Kristin Hannah, as a first Hannah book for this reader, about a POW Viet Nam Veteran, Ernt, with loving wife, Cora, and a coming-oThe Great Alone, by Kristin Hannah, as a first Hannah book for this reader, about a POW Viet Nam Veteran, Ernt, with loving wife, Cora, and a coming-of-age daughter, Leni, who move to Alaska, each trying to come to terms with their own life demons, their places in life, each trying to find a happy, peaceful life TO SAVE THEIR FAMILY UNIT, is a thought-provoking book, taking this retired military family reader several months to consider before reviewing.
The Great Alone is well written with excellent, clear character development, is a mentally hard read to realize the plight of our veterans who have been ignored in every war, not just Viet Nam; how it affects family, friends, community and a seemingly uncaring nation. Hannah’s exciting scenes are vivid leaving you with a clear understanding of each character’s plight, with where each is heading: And the reader’s constant hope for positive outcomes, while knowing some demons are insurmountable for many, but also conquerable for some if we are able to face those life demons and life’s tragedies.
The Great Alone, aptly titled, set in Alaska (that we all know is the last place to escape society’s demons) will make you mad, make you cry, might make you pray for our veterans and their families, along with making you desire a world that can step back from all wars. A good 5 star must read. ...more
Historical fiction, All the Light We Cannot See, beautifully written by Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Doerr left me with much sorrow for the human conHistorical fiction, All the Light We Cannot See, beautifully written by Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Doerr left me with much sorrow for the human condition. The setting is WWII, Germany & France with interesting characters, all of whom could not be what they could have been, due to the war. In spite of the currently popular short chapter style, in places I had to make myself continue to read; I liked the short chapters with alternating characters and locations; In other places I couldn’t wait to continue. Doerr’s masterful character development, life details, settings – all of it so clearly presented that, yes, it’s sometimes very hard to swallow – that is the intent I believe. Most definitely Doerr controls your emotions with realities of life. An incredible book that I hope is read by all, but especially by young people, who do not really know about WWII and the effects on humanity – it is a must read to learn that there is much light we cannot (or will refuse?) to see. A valuable asset to the literary world; Beautiful, profound, suspenseful, heartbreaking, scary, and oh, so real. ...more
Retirement Homes are Murder, the first in the Geezer-Lit series by Mike Belfeler, a murder mystery, is a fun, fast, easy read; a good break from heaviRetirement Homes are Murder, the first in the Geezer-Lit series by Mike Belfeler, a murder mystery, is a fun, fast, easy read; a good break from heavier cerebrial reads. If you are a geezer with any of the conditions most geezers know well, then you will get a good laugh from this relatable book. Geezer conditions are covered in this fun book; dementia, incontinence, physical ailments, life idiosyncrasies worsened by old age, are all covered with loving humor. I believe this is Mr. Belfeler’s first book so I am very forgiving of all criticisms – I will read another of his many books; perhaps Murder on the Switzerland Trail since it is in my backyard. I liked that there were teenagers in this book, along with his underlying empathy and clear understanding of all people, whatever their condition. The stage is also set for Paul Jacobson's further adventures....more
Book 5,’ Valley of Vengeance’ by Franklin Horton focuses on Alice’s continuing journey through Virginia in our collapsed, disintegrating world broughtBook 5,’ Valley of Vengeance’ by Franklin Horton focuses on Alice’s continuing journey through Virginia in our collapsed, disintegrating world brought about by the mass destruction of our infrastructure by ISIS. We learn of Alice’s ‘hard life lessons’; facing harsh realities as she, all alone, seeks to survive; emotionally, physically, with what happens to our psyches. Horton does a good job making us understand that community, friends, family, and perhaps even our nation, are most important if we are to survive. We learn reconnecting has great value for all. I have loved this series. ‘Don’t forget your go-bags’! ...more
Franklin Horton keeps us reading ever faster/longer so we can find answers to our many questions of a fallen modern world where we are never safe, havFranklin Horton keeps us reading ever faster/longer so we can find answers to our many questions of a fallen modern world where we are never safe, having to depend on our wits to survive; just to eat, just to protect ourselves, just to outsmart ‘the others’ and just to try to find any semblance of normalcy, where none exists. Are you up to it? This #4 “No Time for Mourning” series continues to thrill, perhaps making you think a little harder to be more prepared about adventures that could well come your way – perhaps tomorrow, perhaps in the future and hopefully never. I have to reread this series since I have loved it so much. ...more
In the 3rd book of the Borrowed World Series, The Legion of Despair, Franklin Horton continues the saga of our main characters with their efforts to gIn the 3rd book of the Borrowed World Series, The Legion of Despair, Franklin Horton continues the saga of our main characters with their efforts to get home to safety of loved ones as violence and devastation continues growing across the country getting much worse. Our main characters are choosing different paths of salvation for themselves along with seemingly sound plans going awry. We meet new characters in this book who can be evil or good; maybe both. Our main characters have to deal with not only individual plights but also the government, local law, and well-armed vigilante groups who are all out for their own self-preservation in a collapsed world. One reads faster, faster, faster unable to put the book down because it is all so real in our modern progressive world. Not wanting to be a spoiler, just read this series! In order! I couldn’t read fast enough! The Borrowed World (five book series) by Franklin Horton, are fast, easy to read adventures, one novel leading right to the next was a delightful change of pace. This series at least makes one think about being a semi-prepper as not such a bad idea. Have a go-bag and a plan, or even several plans. ...more
My first foray into the apocalyptic genre was very exciting, thrilling and welcome to me as Franklin Horton hooked me immediately with the entirely plMy first foray into the apocalyptic genre was very exciting, thrilling and welcome to me as Franklin Horton hooked me immediately with the entirely plausible situation of being far away from home at a business conference, an ISIS attack, with far reaching consequences, when infrastructure is destroyed. No power, no gas, food shortages, no medicine, no medical care, road blocks, no working cars, with bad people, facing the same situation, all trying to get back to families or home to cope with a long siege. I couldn’t read fast enough! The Borrowed World (five book series) by Franklin Horton, are fast, easy to read adventures, one novel leading right to the next was a delightful change of pace. This series at least makes one think about being a semi-prepper as not such a bad idea. Have a go-bag and a plan, or even several plans.
These books could have benefitted from better incidental editing, although it didn’t bother this reader, it did bother some who then didn’t want to continue reading in spite of my recommendation. I thoroughly enjoyed these five entertaining books. ...more
My first foray into the apocalyptic genre was very exciting, thrilling and welcome to me as Franklin Horton hooked me immediately with the entirely pl My first foray into the apocalyptic genre was very exciting, thrilling and welcome to me as Franklin Horton hooked me immediately with the entirely plausible situation of being far away from home at a business conference, an ISIS attack, with far reaching consequences, when infrastructure is destroyed. No power, no gas, food shortages, no medicine, no medical care, road blocks, no working cars, with bad people, facing the same situation, all trying to get back to families or home to cope with a long siege. I couldn’t read fast enough! The Borrowed World (five book series) by Franklin Horton, are fast, easy to read adventures, one novel leading right to the next was a delightful change of pace. This series at least makes one think about being a semi-prepper as not such a bad idea. Have a go-bag and a plan, or even several plans.
These books could have benefitted from better incidental editing, although it didn’t bother this reader, it did bother some who then didn’t want to continue reading in spite of my recommendation. I thoroughly enjoyed these five entertaining books. ...more
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