Big Girl, Small Town
by Michelle Gallen
Okay in a Pinch (10/23/2020)
This book is essentially a play-by-play of a week in the protagonist's life. A 27-year old Irish woman, she lives with her mother and works at a Fish and Chip shop. There is a little background of the character - family involvement in the IRA, missing father, recently murdered grandmother. You expect some kind of story involving one or both of these facts, but there's not much. There's a funeral, the police are investigating. The reading of the will contains a surprise, which seems to be the climax of the book, after which one expects some character development, some increase in tension in the story. Don't count on it. One thing you can count on is an overabundance of detail regarding Magella's daily ablutions, bathroom breaks at work and the occasional 'quickie'. what I did enjoy was the local patois, though there were times when I would have appreciated a glossary. Recommended perhaps if you have nothing better to read.
With or Without You: A Novel
by Caroline Leavitt
Okay but predictable (5/6/2020)
What can I say - I didn't care for this book. I only finished it so I could review it. There were some parts that held my interest, but not for long. Just less than half-way through, I was able to predict the remainder of the story arc, though not all the details.
I found the writing to be sloppy at times, just okay the rest of the time. Often scenes went on and on, saying or showing the same thing, just in different words. Much of the important action in the second half of the book was the result of convenient coincidences.
I'm sure that some (probably less critical than myself) people will enjoy the book, but I can't recommend it.
The Paris Hours: A Novel
by Alex George
Highly Recommend (2/29/2020)
I really enjoyed this book. It drew me in right from the start, with it's mysterious, moody first pages. I liked how the author used the time of day to echo the moods of the first few chapters (or maybe it was the other way around) - from somber to joyous as night fell and then moved to dawn.
Each character's story was told between present and past views, giving us a glimpse more into their lives with every chapter.
There were some parts that were hard to read, as the author did not shy away from harsh realities. I look forward to reading more from Alex George.
Meet Me at the Museum
by Anne Youngson
Not Sorry I Read it (5/6/2018)
I have to say, if I hadn't agreed to review this book, I wouldn't have read beyond 20 pages. Though the epistolary style is not my favorite, I have enjoyed other books written this way.
Waiting at the Museum has as it's premise a backstory that just barely serves to give the characters reasons to begin writing to each other, though it is loneliness that keeps the correspondence going. Unfortunately, the author continues with this story(discovery of the Tollund Man) though it does nothing for the plot.
The book gets better as the letters get more personal and we begin to see the characters more fully. There is the occasional profound observation or compelling question. Also, a telling of the Ragman story serves as an allegory for the book - the characters are sharing pieces of each other which fill a need in each.
Eventually the letters begin to sound more and more like love letters, though towards the end the male writer pre-emptively denies such love. the end came across as a bit flat, which disappointed me, as a good ending will often change my opinion of an entire book.
The Wives of Henry Oades: A Novel
by Johanna Moran
Mediocre Read (12/3/2009)
"Wives" is an interesting and different story, and all the more intriguing being based on real people.
Unfortunately, I found the writing to be just average - no memorable passages here- and the characters somewhat one dimensional. There is very little range of emotion shown, and motives aren't always clear. We don't really get to know the characters very well, beyond their devotion to one another.
There are some interesting dramas in the story, the abduction, the search, the trials for bigamy. But all were merely sketched out. I would have liked more about the family's life with the Maori, for instance. And the end was a let down - everything is resolved, but it ended abruptly as if in the middle of a paragraph.
This is a book I might suggest picking up at a used book sale or borrowing from your library, but certainly not one I would pay $5 or more for.
The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel
by Maureen Lindley
Intriguing character, engaging story (8/17/2009)
I enjoyed the story of Eastern Jewel. I had never heard of this person before, but knowing that she was real, even if all the events and emotions may not have been, made it all the more interesting.
It is told in very simple, straightforward prose. At first I found the style to be a little jarring, but at some point I realized that it was the voice of the character - detached, unemotional. She was simple recounting her history truthfully, with no apology.
The glimpses into various other cultures added another layer of interest for me, and while I wouldn't rave about this book, I did find it totally engrossing.
An Edible History of Humanity
by Tom Standage
Good Book, but Rather Dry (3/10/2009)
This book traces the connection between food and the rise of civilization, establishment of cities, the beginning of slavery, horticulture and mechanization – among many other things. Indeed, it seems from reading this book that it is food that is actually the root of all evil.
It is rather dry reading, if you are a history buff you would probably enjoy it. I chose to read it because I am interested in all aspects of food, but found it less interesting as I went on.
The Sweet In Between: A Novel
by Sheri Reynolds
Sweet Read (9/9/2008)
While I wouldn't put this book on my list of top best books I've read, I did enjoy it. It reminded me a lot of "Member of the Wedding" by Carson McCullers. The problem with that comparison is that I had no trouble believing the narrator in Wedding was 12 years old, whereas I had a hard time for much of this book remembering that this narrator was supposed to be 17.
Oh well. I finally found some justification for her naivety and other behaviors, and was then able to go on reading with no distractions. In all, I found it a good character study, with characters you want to know. It's a slim book, an easy read.
The Post-Birthday World
by Lionel Shriver
Not for Everybody (3/7/2008)
I barely got through 3 chapters of this book before deciding it wasn't for me. I just didn't buy the protaganist's actions, nor her husband's. It was a book I was doubtful of from the beginning, but I saw it at my library and decided to give it a try. In my opinion, its not worth your time.
The Marriage of True Minds
by Stephen Evans
Light Humor (2/7/2008)
This was a quick read. A humorous, well-told story that moves along quickly. At times it bordered on the ridiculous, but as the antagonist is supposed to be crazy, I just shrugged it off. I think this is what is called a "summer read" or a beach book. I enjoyed it overall.
Cheating at Canasta: Stories: Stories
by William Trevor
Beautiful Prose (11/14/2007)
Short stories are not usually my cup of tea, and after reading the first two in this book, I thought maybe this wasn't the book for me.
But as I read on, I changed my mind. The prose alone are enough reason to read it - the writing just flows beautifully. The author paints you a picture of place and time, and does a good job of showing who his characters are.
Most of the stories are more vignettes - no beginning and no end. Sort of a "slice of life". All of them leave you thinking.
This is not a book for someone who wants a simple plot, with a definite beginning, a predictable center and a satisfying ending. This is for the reader who prefers to savor each word, and think about what he or she just read when the book has been put down.
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life
by Barbara Kingsolver
Enjoyable read, with reservations (10/10/2007)
I was attracted to this book as a kindred spirit (of sorts) to the author. I have been growing much of my own food (plant-based, anyway) as I could for many years. I prefer to eat seasonal foods, and buy locally produced items whenever available.
So I was a little disappointed when I first began reading, as much of the first chapter or two is taken up by the author's berating us all for our ignorance and our eating habits, as well as a lot of good, but unfortunately not new to me, information on our food supply.
Thankfully though, I hung in there, and found it to be an enjoyable read overall. I was looking forward to hear someone else's experiences in the garden and the kitchen, and that I did get.
I found myself skipping some parts, the description of the poultry slaughtering for example. The book also includes sidebars written by her husband, which were mainly summaries of reports one may have already read elsewhere; and essays written by her daughter, Camille. I didn't find these entries of interest, and so skipped them as well.
If you enjoy reading about food and or gardening, or you have been having second thoughts about your grocery habits lately, then I recommend this book.
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