How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto
by Eric Asimov
A Love Affair With Wine (8/26/2012)
The title of Eric Asimov's How to Love Wine may be somewhat misleading, as people who already love wine would likely enjoy this book, but may shy away from the title. I suggest as a title A Love Affair With Wine as more appropriate to the relationship the author has had with wine throughout his life. As with many love affairs, there are peaks and valleys. The book is an easy read and thoroughly enjoyable. Speaking from the point of view of a "wine loving" family, we subscribe to many of the same tenets as Mr. Asimov, particularly in drinking what you love, but not feeling bad about the lack of embrace for that Cabernet which received 97 points on the Wine Spectator scale. One never really knows a wine until it is opened, allowed to breathe, and then paired with fresh, simply prepared food. Threaded throughout his education of wine, is Mr. Asimov's personal story of how he came to be the Chief Wine Critic ( and the only one!) for the New York Times from his roots growing up on Long Island. He teaches the reader to let go of intimidation and to just dive into the wine experience, to try different wines, to be adventurous, and to relish the experience. I felt that Mr. Asimov might approve of the experience my family recently enjoyed this summer: a sunset picnic by a beloved lake where we drank a fabulous champagne ( J Vineyard Cuvee 20..a bargain at $25 a bottle) served in plastic cups! The champagne was bright and crisp, the company excellent, the experience unforgettable.
Enjoy this book, like a fine wine.
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake: A Memoir
by Anna Quindlen
Anna Quindlen's best yet... (4/13/2012)
In "lots of candles, plenty of cake" Anna Quindlen is writing about my life and I trust the lives of many more baby boomers. For me, this is her best yet. Anna and I are close in age and the experiences she explores in this book are those that parallel those of my own and my contemporaries, which makes the writing that much richer and meaningful. I found myself cheering out loud or agreeing with a particular statement, writing comments in the margin. She writes about love and loss and how we are shaped by our experiences, moving forward from the age of sixty and beyond. She talks about the importance of girlfriends as we age, about hoping to to have those vivid memories to relish, and wanting to walk through the house of her own life until life is done. Isn't that what we all want? Any new book by Anna Quindlen is a treat, but this one is especially lovely.
Arcadia: A Novel
by Lauren Groff
Arcadia (12/12/2011)
This type of novel is not one which I usually read. I requested a copy as I was (and am) a huge fan of The Monsters of Templeton. (I have history with that area which may have further endeared me to the story.) Having loved her previous book, I approached Arcadia with great anticipation. The story of Bit and the family in the commune reads as both true and imagined. I found the writing beautiful, unexpected and lyrical. The language paints a picture for the story. I was drawn to Bit, who didn't speak as a young child, was small, and appeared to march to a different drummer.
Among a few concerns with the story, I was less than enthralled by the character of Handy. I felt him to be weak and annoying. He was supposed to be the leader of this commune whose inhabitants were largely left to fend for themselves, and in my opinion, did anything but lead. While the writing was indeed lyrical and poetic, I have to say the lack of quotation marks was problematic for me, as a reader.
An interesting read, but no Monsters of Templeton.
Defending Jacob: A Novel
by William Landay
Defending Jacob...Be Afraid.... (10/26/2011)
Prepare to be hooked from the first pages! Defending Jacob is the best kind of thriller..subtle at first, but then you are along for the ride! A seemingly traditional, ordinary family living their lives and then exposed by a series of events unfolding transforming this "ordinary" family into one exposed through the media and the judicial process. The fright comes from the impact on this "ordinary" family. As a reader, you can't help but think..could this happen to me and mine? Chilling...and highly recommended.
Folly Beach: A Lowcountry Tale
by Dorothea Benton Frank
Folly Beach (6/21/2011)
Folly Beach is a good summer read. This was my first experience with this author, and would certainly give another book by Ms. Benton a try. Cate becomes a widow and faces a plethora of challenges at the very beginning of the story, way more than is believable. However, these are what leads her to Folly Beach to stay in the Porgy House now owned by her eccentric aunt, who is, in my opinion, the most believable character in the book. Cate begins to reevaluate her life, and at the same time, is haunted by the former residents of the house, the Heywards who were intimates of George Gershwin and responsible for Porgy and Bess. Cate's story and that of the Heywards are presented in alternating chapters. As a reader, I was somewhat distracted by the "play" format which introduced each Heyward chapter, and thought it wasn't needed. All in all, tuck it into your beach bag and kick back on Folly Beach.
A Lesson in Secrets: A Maisie Dobbs Novel
by Jacqueline Winspear
A Cup of Tea, a Tapestry and Maisie Dobbs... (3/10/2011)
To quote our Maisie Dobbs...."She often thought of the early stages of an investigation as something akin to working a tapestry.." Picture the development and working of a tapestry and seeing meticulous labor and utmost care going into creating an important work of art. What a wonderful metaphor for a Maisie Dobbs novel! Maisie is an accomplished, capable investigator who is conducting intelligence work for the Crown. Maisie secures a job as an instructor at St. Francis College and in her undercover role, investigates the murder of Dr. Grenville Liddicote, principal of the school. This is classic Winspear at her best..peeling back the layers of the investigation with the professionalism and class expected of the time period.
Having read only two Maisie Dobbs' novels in the past, it was refreshing and welcoming to revisit Maisie and look ahead to more. It should be noted that enough information is included in each novel that each can be appreciated as a stand alone piece of work. A highly regarded addition to the series, A Lesson in Secrets will be read in one sitting.
The Girl in the Green Raincoat: A Novel
by Laura Lippman
Girl in the Green Raincoat (12/8/2010)
Having never read a Tess Monaghan novel before (where have I been??) I will be back for more! I felt like I was out there on that porch with Tess, in this twist of Rear Window. The story pulled you right in but it is the cadence of the language that keeps you engaged. Each chapter appears to be a mini layer all its own, stories within the main story that added to the plot. Just wonderful.
Stash
by David Matthew Klein
So many layers... (5/5/2010)
An upper middle class woman makes a decision that significantly changes the course of her life, as her husband confronts issues that have far reaching effects within his business and family. While the story definitely held my interest, it was often difficult to keep track of the many characters introduced along the way. Still a very compelling read!
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