I know, it's hard to think about autumn when we're heading into the dog days of summer, but a librarian always thinks ahead! So if you happen to be longing for cooler nights and a book to keep you company, here are a few to look forward to.
Sea Prayer, by Khaled Hosseini. The new work from the author who brought you The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, Sea Prayer is short but powerful, Hosseini's response to the refugee crisis. Told in the form of an illustrated letter, from father to son, it is the eve of their journey and a reflection on their life, a hope for their future, the danger that lies between them and freedom. It also vividly renders their history in Syria and their home before it became a war zone.
Button Man, by Andrew Gross. Gross, whose novels have recently taken a historical turn with excellent results, here brings his legion of fans a new novel that is equal parts historical thriller and family saga. It's the 1920s and Morris, Sol, and Harry Rabishevsky are growing up poor and rough on the Lower East Side until the death of their father forces them into fending for themselves and providing for their large family. Each of the boys finds a different path: Morris quits school to work in a garment factory, Sol studies to become an accountant, and Harry falls in with a tough crowd. Morris rises quickly and Sol joins him in the factory, but Harry becomes entangled in organized crime and won't be lured away. But when the mob set their sites on the garment workers union, a showdown will pit brother against brother. Jeffrey Archer fans might want to take a gander, too.
Transcription, by Kate Atkinson. New historical fiction from the bestselling author of Life After Life. In 1940, Juliet Armstrong is eighteen when she is recruited, reluctantly, into the world of espionage. Working for an obscure branch of MI5, she finds her work alternately tedious and terrifying. By the time the war ends, Juliet figures that she may leave the past behind her. Ten years later, however, her career as a BBC producer is threatened when figures from her past reappear. The war now is different, as is the battlefield, but the threat is no less real. This is right at the top of my to-read list next month.
Flight or Fright, by Stephen King and Bev Vincent. Stephen King hates to fly, and now he and co-editor Bev Vincent bring you an anthology of stories about just what can go wrong at cruising altitude. The compilation includes new works by King himself and son Joe Hill, as well as classic tales from legends like Ray Bradbury and Roald Dahl. Perfect for readers who like a good scare!
Showing posts with label horror. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horror. Show all posts
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
What I've Been Reading: July 2018
I realize I say this every summer, but I love these long, light evenings, perfect for lounging with a good book. And I've been reading up a storm, in my usual array of different genres.
Calypso, by David Sedaris. Sedaris's new collection of cheerfully misanthropic essays, mostly autobiographical, was thoroughly entertaining. While slightly more maudlin and less raucously absurd than some of his previous work, his reflections on aging, middle age, and mortality are both wryly funny and thought provoking. Don't misunderstand me: I still laughed until my sides ached. But this collection is simply more reflective and thoughtful in some ways than his past work. I can never get enough. The audiobook, read by the author, is a stellar performance.
Only Human, by Sylvain Neuvel. Third in Neuvel's brilliant Themis Files series. As a child, Rose Franklin found a giant metal hand near her home in South Dakota. As an adult, she became a scientist who studied the hand and found the other pieces of the giant robot, assembling it and the team who would pilot Themis. She and her team used Themis to protect Earth from geopolitical conflict and an alien invasion. Now, returning to Earth after ten years on Themis's home planet, Rose finds her old alliances in shambles and the planet itself on the verge of collapse. Even as her oldest friends turn against one another, Rose must piece together the fragments of the Earth Defense Corps or all of her work will have been for nothing. This science fiction series reads more like psychological suspense, full of puzzles and twists--I love it.
Eleanor & Hick, by Susan Quinn. Having recently read Amy Bloom's fascinating latest novel, White Houses, about the relationship between AP reporter Lorena Hickock and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, of course I wanted to know more. Quinn's book briefly covers the vastly different childhoods of these two unlikely friends, and then moves on to their enduring relationship which spanned more than thirty years. These two fiercely compassionate women spurred each other on to right wrongs during their turbulent lifetimes, and held each other up through private hardships. Quinn's work was masterful, and I greatly enjoyed this in audiobook format.
Set This House in Order, by Matt Ruff. I revisited this old favorite, which I had read more than a decade ago. Andy Gage was born in 1965 and was murdered not long after by his stepfather. Only, it was Andy's soul which was murdered, and it shattered into over a hundred pieces, many of which became souls in their own rights. Now, together, these souls run Andy's body and struggle to coexist in his head. Andy's new coworker, Penny, is also a multiple, only not all of Penny's souls know that the others exist. It's only in helping Penny's souls to work together that the two discover a terrible secret that Andy has been hiding...from himself. Truly fascinating stuff.
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova. Genova, who writes about characters with neurological disorders (Left Neglected, Every Note Played, etc.), writes here about Harvard professor of cognitive psychology Alice Howland. She's esteemed in her field, has written a text book, is married to another Harvard professor and scientist. And then she starts to become increasingly forgetful, missing a conference where she was meant to be a speaker, losing track of her lectures during classes. When the diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's turns her world upside down, Alice must choose how to make the best use of her time while she is still herself. A fast and compelling read which made for excellent discussion in my book club. This is also available in Large Print and audiobook. It has also been made into an award-winning film starring Julianne Moore.
The Uncoupling, by Meg Wolitzer. Wolitzer (The Interestings, The Female Persuasion) is adept at giving readers a fresh lens through which to look at different issues. When the new drama teacher at Stellar Plains High School chooses "Lysistrata" for the annual school play (the comedy by Aristophanes in which women stop having sex with men in order to stop a war), a strange effect falls over the community--the women lose interest in sex, for reasons they don't understand. Even more confused and upset are their husbands, boyfriends, and lovers. The result is that these couples must all reflect on their shared histories without sex in the picture, with a variety of outcomes. Unusual but enlightening. Also available as an audiobook.
Bring Me Back, by B.A. Paris. Finn and Layla, young and in love, are on vacation when Layla disappears. Authorities are alerted, and while Finn is the original suspect in her disappearance, he is eventually cleared. Layla never resurfaces. A decade later, Finn has started to finally move on. He's moved out of the cottage that he and Layla shared, though he cannot bring himself to sell it. He's engaged...to Layla's sister, Ellen. Then Finn get's a call from an old neighbor, a man who swears he's seen Layla near the old cottage. Long-lost items from Layla's past begin to appear out of nowhere. And then someone emails Finn...claiming to be Layla herself. An absolutely gripping novel from the author of Behind Closed Doors.
Also available in Large Print and audio.
Caged, by Ellison Cooper. This debut thriller had me on the edge of my seat, and I could not put it down. You can read my original review here.
The Supernatural Enhancements, by Edgar Cantero. Told in a series of letters, journal entries, and transcripts, Cantero's debut begins months after the last of the Wells sons jumped out of his bedroom window to his death. His heir, a long-distant cousin from across the Atlantic, arrives with his sidekick/bodyguard, Niamh, a young mute teen with a punk hairstyle. They're excited about their change of fortune, and the rumors that the mansion is haunted are just an added bonus. Until, that is, they start to dig into the house's mysterious past and find that ghosts are just the beginning. Ambitious and ultimately very rewarding. His sophomore novel, Meddling Kids, is still my favorite to date, though his new novel due out today, This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us, may change that--we'll see!
1Q84, by Haruki Murakami. It's 1984 in Tokyo and Aomame, following the advice of a taxi driver, begins to notice the puzzling anomalies in the world around her. She realizes that she has entered an alternate, parallel existence, one that she calls 1Q84, a world that bears a question. Meanwhile, aspiring writer Tengo takes on a ghostwriting project despite some deep misgivings. It is only as their two stories converge over the course of this single year that we learn just how deeply these two strangers are connected. Also available in audiobook.
Suicide Club, by Rachel Heng. Lea Kirino is a "Lifer". Her genetic makeup has given her the opportunity to live forever, if she does everything just right. Lea is an overachiever--she's risen steadily through the ranks as a trader for the New York exchange, where they now trade organs and upgrades instead of stocks. She has a beautiful apartment and a fiance who rivals her own genetic perfection. With the right balance of calibrated nutrition, low-impact conditioning and systematic upgrades, she just might live forever. Of course, the flip side of this is that she cannot die--death is not just taboo in this culture, but illegal. Then she finds she has a connection to the Suicide Club, a group of people who reject the societal drive for immortality. There lies the choice: live forever by the governmental regime, or go rogue and have a shorter life knowing the only family she has left. Heng's debut is catalogued as science fiction, but is more psychological, and philosophical, thriller than anything else. Totally engrossing and ultimately brilliant.
The Kiss Quotient, by Helen Hoang. Stella, at thirty, loves her work developing algorithms that predict customer purchases. For her, math is the one thing that unites everything in the world, and she revels in the logic of it. She has more money than she needs, and no social life. Definitely no boyfriend, despite her mother's repeated attempts to set Stella up with suitable bachelors--Stella's mother wants grandbabies, now. It might have something to do with Stella's seeing French kissing as akin to pilot fish cleaning a shark's teeth. She applies logic to her quandary and decides she needs lessons in relationships, from a profession. The escort she hires, Michael, agrees to go along and help her check off the boxes for the list she has compiled--he can't afford not to. And he realizes that Stella has Asperger's, which will make his approach that much more complicated. But when their partnership starts to make sense, can a real relationship follow? I have to say that this debut was one of the most surprisingly emotional novels I've read in some time. For what looks like it might be a bit of fluff, the author's deft hand with a variety of subject matters (Asperger's, cultural clashes, relationship pitfalls) and her beautifully drawn characters made this one of my favorite reads of late.
Calypso, by David Sedaris. Sedaris's new collection of cheerfully misanthropic essays, mostly autobiographical, was thoroughly entertaining. While slightly more maudlin and less raucously absurd than some of his previous work, his reflections on aging, middle age, and mortality are both wryly funny and thought provoking. Don't misunderstand me: I still laughed until my sides ached. But this collection is simply more reflective and thoughtful in some ways than his past work. I can never get enough. The audiobook, read by the author, is a stellar performance.
Only Human, by Sylvain Neuvel. Third in Neuvel's brilliant Themis Files series. As a child, Rose Franklin found a giant metal hand near her home in South Dakota. As an adult, she became a scientist who studied the hand and found the other pieces of the giant robot, assembling it and the team who would pilot Themis. She and her team used Themis to protect Earth from geopolitical conflict and an alien invasion. Now, returning to Earth after ten years on Themis's home planet, Rose finds her old alliances in shambles and the planet itself on the verge of collapse. Even as her oldest friends turn against one another, Rose must piece together the fragments of the Earth Defense Corps or all of her work will have been for nothing. This science fiction series reads more like psychological suspense, full of puzzles and twists--I love it.
Eleanor & Hick, by Susan Quinn. Having recently read Amy Bloom's fascinating latest novel, White Houses, about the relationship between AP reporter Lorena Hickock and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, of course I wanted to know more. Quinn's book briefly covers the vastly different childhoods of these two unlikely friends, and then moves on to their enduring relationship which spanned more than thirty years. These two fiercely compassionate women spurred each other on to right wrongs during their turbulent lifetimes, and held each other up through private hardships. Quinn's work was masterful, and I greatly enjoyed this in audiobook format.
Set This House in Order, by Matt Ruff. I revisited this old favorite, which I had read more than a decade ago. Andy Gage was born in 1965 and was murdered not long after by his stepfather. Only, it was Andy's soul which was murdered, and it shattered into over a hundred pieces, many of which became souls in their own rights. Now, together, these souls run Andy's body and struggle to coexist in his head. Andy's new coworker, Penny, is also a multiple, only not all of Penny's souls know that the others exist. It's only in helping Penny's souls to work together that the two discover a terrible secret that Andy has been hiding...from himself. Truly fascinating stuff.
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova. Genova, who writes about characters with neurological disorders (Left Neglected, Every Note Played, etc.), writes here about Harvard professor of cognitive psychology Alice Howland. She's esteemed in her field, has written a text book, is married to another Harvard professor and scientist. And then she starts to become increasingly forgetful, missing a conference where she was meant to be a speaker, losing track of her lectures during classes. When the diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's turns her world upside down, Alice must choose how to make the best use of her time while she is still herself. A fast and compelling read which made for excellent discussion in my book club. This is also available in Large Print and audiobook. It has also been made into an award-winning film starring Julianne Moore.
The Uncoupling, by Meg Wolitzer. Wolitzer (The Interestings, The Female Persuasion) is adept at giving readers a fresh lens through which to look at different issues. When the new drama teacher at Stellar Plains High School chooses "Lysistrata" for the annual school play (the comedy by Aristophanes in which women stop having sex with men in order to stop a war), a strange effect falls over the community--the women lose interest in sex, for reasons they don't understand. Even more confused and upset are their husbands, boyfriends, and lovers. The result is that these couples must all reflect on their shared histories without sex in the picture, with a variety of outcomes. Unusual but enlightening. Also available as an audiobook.
Bring Me Back, by B.A. Paris. Finn and Layla, young and in love, are on vacation when Layla disappears. Authorities are alerted, and while Finn is the original suspect in her disappearance, he is eventually cleared. Layla never resurfaces. A decade later, Finn has started to finally move on. He's moved out of the cottage that he and Layla shared, though he cannot bring himself to sell it. He's engaged...to Layla's sister, Ellen. Then Finn get's a call from an old neighbor, a man who swears he's seen Layla near the old cottage. Long-lost items from Layla's past begin to appear out of nowhere. And then someone emails Finn...claiming to be Layla herself. An absolutely gripping novel from the author of Behind Closed Doors.
Also available in Large Print and audio.
Caged, by Ellison Cooper. This debut thriller had me on the edge of my seat, and I could not put it down. You can read my original review here.
The Supernatural Enhancements, by Edgar Cantero. Told in a series of letters, journal entries, and transcripts, Cantero's debut begins months after the last of the Wells sons jumped out of his bedroom window to his death. His heir, a long-distant cousin from across the Atlantic, arrives with his sidekick/bodyguard, Niamh, a young mute teen with a punk hairstyle. They're excited about their change of fortune, and the rumors that the mansion is haunted are just an added bonus. Until, that is, they start to dig into the house's mysterious past and find that ghosts are just the beginning. Ambitious and ultimately very rewarding. His sophomore novel, Meddling Kids, is still my favorite to date, though his new novel due out today, This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us, may change that--we'll see!
1Q84, by Haruki Murakami. It's 1984 in Tokyo and Aomame, following the advice of a taxi driver, begins to notice the puzzling anomalies in the world around her. She realizes that she has entered an alternate, parallel existence, one that she calls 1Q84, a world that bears a question. Meanwhile, aspiring writer Tengo takes on a ghostwriting project despite some deep misgivings. It is only as their two stories converge over the course of this single year that we learn just how deeply these two strangers are connected. Also available in audiobook.
Suicide Club, by Rachel Heng. Lea Kirino is a "Lifer". Her genetic makeup has given her the opportunity to live forever, if she does everything just right. Lea is an overachiever--she's risen steadily through the ranks as a trader for the New York exchange, where they now trade organs and upgrades instead of stocks. She has a beautiful apartment and a fiance who rivals her own genetic perfection. With the right balance of calibrated nutrition, low-impact conditioning and systematic upgrades, she just might live forever. Of course, the flip side of this is that she cannot die--death is not just taboo in this culture, but illegal. Then she finds she has a connection to the Suicide Club, a group of people who reject the societal drive for immortality. There lies the choice: live forever by the governmental regime, or go rogue and have a shorter life knowing the only family she has left. Heng's debut is catalogued as science fiction, but is more psychological, and philosophical, thriller than anything else. Totally engrossing and ultimately brilliant.
The Kiss Quotient, by Helen Hoang. Stella, at thirty, loves her work developing algorithms that predict customer purchases. For her, math is the one thing that unites everything in the world, and she revels in the logic of it. She has more money than she needs, and no social life. Definitely no boyfriend, despite her mother's repeated attempts to set Stella up with suitable bachelors--Stella's mother wants grandbabies, now. It might have something to do with Stella's seeing French kissing as akin to pilot fish cleaning a shark's teeth. She applies logic to her quandary and decides she needs lessons in relationships, from a profession. The escort she hires, Michael, agrees to go along and help her check off the boxes for the list she has compiled--he can't afford not to. And he realizes that Stella has Asperger's, which will make his approach that much more complicated. But when their partnership starts to make sense, can a real relationship follow? I have to say that this debut was one of the most surprisingly emotional novels I've read in some time. For what looks like it might be a bit of fluff, the author's deft hand with a variety of subject matters (Asperger's, cultural clashes, relationship pitfalls) and her beautifully drawn characters made this one of my favorite reads of late.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
What I've Been Reading: June 2018
Sometimes I'm lucky enough to get a really good run of fast, compelling reads that I whip through each of them in just a few days. It's rare that I get an entire month full of just such books, but when it does? Well, then I get what follows.
A Summer in Sonoma, by Robyn Carr. Originally published in 2010 and re-released this summer, this tale of four friends who help each other through crises is classic Carr. Cassie has terrible taste in men, until she becomes friends with a guy who helped he when she was in trouble. Too bad he's completely unsuitable... Beth, a doctor whose body is betraying her for a second time, is trying to go it alone. Good friends don't let that sort of thing happen, though. Marty's husband is taking her for granted, and Marty has reached her breaking point. And Julie, married and a mother just out of high school, is struggling to keep her family together. Friends are always there to help one another through...at least when Robyn Carr is writing, anyway. Excellent easy beach reading.
Close Enough to Touch, by Colleen Oakley. After ten years in solitude, tragedy finally forces Jubilee Jenkins out her front door and into the world. She's not an ordinary librarian. She's a woman with an extremely rare allergy--the touch of another human could kill her. Eric Keegan has troubles of his own. He's left behind his ex-wife and daughter while he takes a temporary work assignment hours away, but he's trying to raise his adopted son, the child of his deceased best friend. Endearing and heartfelt, this tale of two people who want what's just out of reach is a compelling read. Highly recommended, especially for fans of JoJo Moyes and Liane Moriarty.
The Female Persuasion, by Meg Wolitzer. Wolitzer (The Uncoupling, The Interestings, etc.) is a favorite of mine, so when I got my copy of her latest novel, I couldn't stop myself from reading it in the span of two days. Greer Kadetsky is a shy college freshman trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation when she meets feminist icon Faith Frank after a presentation at her university. This chance encounter draws Greer into a life she'd never dared imagine for herself, and further from her high school boyfriend, Cory, whose own life has derailed due to family tragedy. With overarching themes of honesty, loyalty, and admiration, this was a powerful, character-driven story. Excellent. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
White Houses, by Amy Bloom. Bloom (Lucky Us, Away, etc.) is one of my favorite writers--her style is spare, the books seeming deceptively short, but each word is so artfully chosen that a reader is immersed with just a few short phrases. Here, she explores the openly secret relationship between prominent female reporter Lorena "Hick" Hickock and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. After taking a job with the administration and moving into the White House, Hick is not only close to Eleanor, but she also develops an admiring understanding with Franklin, whose own lovers are also an open secret. Fascinating, beautiful, and told with a deft hand. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Favorite Sister, by Jessica Knoll. Knoll's 2016 debut, Luckiest Girl Alive, was a staff favorite here at the library, so we've been eager to see how her sophomore effort holds up. The good news? It's just as scathing and savagely funny as her first. The cast and crew of reality TV show Goal Diggers are gearing up for a fifth season, and while some of their onscreen alliances are scripted, they're even more cut-throat in their personal lives. Every one of them has secrets, and some are worth dying...or killing...to keep. Fan favorite Brett is perfectly at ease on camera, but her personal life is a disaster that's getting worse on the daily. Her sister and business partner Kelly, a single mom, is hopeful she'll get cast in the new season and finally move out of her sister's shadow. Stephanie, the veteran, had a bestselling debut novel, but her second and third have been lackluster, and she's desperate for her memoir to hit big to reestablish her relevance and her brand. But is that going to be her downfall? Bold, wry, and witty, this is a tale that highlights just what it takes, and what it can cost, to be successful. Also available in Audio.
The Mars Room, by Rachel Kushner. Kushner's gritty latest finds Romy Hall in 2003, serving two consecutive life sentences in Stanville Women's Correctional Facility deep in California's Central Valley. She's been severed from the outside world, from the San Francisco of her youth and from her young son, Jackson. Inside, there is a new world to learn and navigate, that of hustling to survive, the absurdities of institutional living, and casual violence. While not for the faint of heart, this is a novel full of brilliantly diverse stories interwoven into a mesmerizing tale. Also available in Audio.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara. The Golden State Killer was an elusive rapist turned murderer who terrorized California in the late 1970s and early 1980s before, it seems, going dormant, leaving over fifty unsolved cases and ten dead in his wake. Thirty years later, true crime journalist Michelle McNamara, creator of TrueCrimeDiary.com, pored over police reports and interviewed victims and neighbors, determined to identify the unknown perpetrator. This is her work, culled in parts from her notes, unfinished at the time of her untimely death. Note: this helped reignite interest in these cases, and the GSK was caught in April 2018. Compulsively readable and fascinating. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. Eleanor Oliphant has a flat and a job. She struggles with appropriate social interactions and her weeks are governed by a schedule that includes weekly phone calls with her mother and weekends dulled by vodka. It's only when she meets new coworker Raymond, and they together help Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, that Eleanor's careful routines begin to change. It's only as each of these lonely souls open up to one another that Eleanor finally begins to work out that she's only been existing, and that connecting with others is part of really living. Funny and thoughtful and absolutely perfect--I highly recommend it, and the audiobook is particularly exceptional. Oh, and this has been optioned for film with Reese Witherspoon attached to produce, so expect Eleanor Oliphant to be a household name in the future. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
How to Walk Away, by Katherine Center. For those who love heartfelt novels about overcoming obstacles, like Me Before You, Center's new novel is an absolute must-read. I can't tell you the last time I so much wanted to see a character come out on top after adversity. Margaret Jacobsen is on the cusp of all of her happily-ever-afters. She's got her dream job lined up. She's getting engaged. Then in an instant, Margaret must learn to start over. Nothing can ever be the same, but as the old falls away, new relationships are built. Old hurts can be healed, but some things must be let go before we can move on. I loved this book and these characters and I recommend it very, very highly.
Shelter in Place, by Nora Roberts. In the span of eight minutes, the normal evening at the Down East Mall in Portland, Maine is shattered. That's how long it takes from the first shot fired to the last of three rampaging teen shooters to be taken down. The survivors, in their grief and shock, do their best to cope in the aftermath. For the young waiter on break, it is the impetus to enroll in the police academy. For the first person to call 9-1-1, it becomes a wellspring of creative inspiration as she uses art to work through her grief. But for one individual, the evening was unfinished. For the mastermind behind the three shooters, the survivors are simply new targets. And those who remain must work to stop it before they're in the cross-hairs. A little different for Roberts, but excellent reading. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Outsider, by Stephen King. King, who has shifted in recent outings to more suspense with a supernatural twist (what I'm saying here is, if you think his work is too scary for you, try the new stuff), brings readers a new fight between good and evil. When a crime is committed in a small community, people are shocked and appalled. When the apparent perpetrator turns out to be well-loved teacher and Little League coach Terry Maitland, there is outrage and fury. Before his day in court can happen, however, Maitland is killed--but the investigation has only just begun. Because there's no way Maitland could have done it, not only because it was so uncharacteristic, but because he was in a different part of the state, on television, with witnesses, at the time the crime was committed. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Don't let the page-length put you off, because this is a fast, gripping read. Just a helpful hint from your friendly librarian, though--if you haven't read King's recent Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch), you might want to read that first, as one of the key characters in said trilogy makes an important appearance in The Outsider.
Waking Gods, by Sylvain Neuvel. Second in Neuvel's spellbindingly unique Themis Files, following his debut, Sleeping Giants (2016). As a girl, Rose Franklin accidentally discovered a giant metal hand buried in the earth. As an adult, she has devoted her life to the study of the hand, and of the other pieces that fit together with it. Why was this giant robot disassembled, the pieces scattered across the planet? With every answer comes more questions. The situation grows dire when a second robot appears on Earth, only to attack. Then, more robots, each appearing in highly populated areas. If their intent is malicious, can they be stopped? No sophomore slump here, this is both action-packed suspense and thought-provoking philosophy wrapped up in an incredibly fast read. I'd recommend this for fans of Andy Weir's The Martian or Ernest Cline's Ready Player One.
Have a safe and happy 4th!
A Summer in Sonoma, by Robyn Carr. Originally published in 2010 and re-released this summer, this tale of four friends who help each other through crises is classic Carr. Cassie has terrible taste in men, until she becomes friends with a guy who helped he when she was in trouble. Too bad he's completely unsuitable... Beth, a doctor whose body is betraying her for a second time, is trying to go it alone. Good friends don't let that sort of thing happen, though. Marty's husband is taking her for granted, and Marty has reached her breaking point. And Julie, married and a mother just out of high school, is struggling to keep her family together. Friends are always there to help one another through...at least when Robyn Carr is writing, anyway. Excellent easy beach reading.
Close Enough to Touch, by Colleen Oakley. After ten years in solitude, tragedy finally forces Jubilee Jenkins out her front door and into the world. She's not an ordinary librarian. She's a woman with an extremely rare allergy--the touch of another human could kill her. Eric Keegan has troubles of his own. He's left behind his ex-wife and daughter while he takes a temporary work assignment hours away, but he's trying to raise his adopted son, the child of his deceased best friend. Endearing and heartfelt, this tale of two people who want what's just out of reach is a compelling read. Highly recommended, especially for fans of JoJo Moyes and Liane Moriarty.
The Female Persuasion, by Meg Wolitzer. Wolitzer (The Uncoupling, The Interestings, etc.) is a favorite of mine, so when I got my copy of her latest novel, I couldn't stop myself from reading it in the span of two days. Greer Kadetsky is a shy college freshman trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation when she meets feminist icon Faith Frank after a presentation at her university. This chance encounter draws Greer into a life she'd never dared imagine for herself, and further from her high school boyfriend, Cory, whose own life has derailed due to family tragedy. With overarching themes of honesty, loyalty, and admiration, this was a powerful, character-driven story. Excellent. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
White Houses, by Amy Bloom. Bloom (Lucky Us, Away, etc.) is one of my favorite writers--her style is spare, the books seeming deceptively short, but each word is so artfully chosen that a reader is immersed with just a few short phrases. Here, she explores the openly secret relationship between prominent female reporter Lorena "Hick" Hickock and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. After taking a job with the administration and moving into the White House, Hick is not only close to Eleanor, but she also develops an admiring understanding with Franklin, whose own lovers are also an open secret. Fascinating, beautiful, and told with a deft hand. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Favorite Sister, by Jessica Knoll. Knoll's 2016 debut, Luckiest Girl Alive, was a staff favorite here at the library, so we've been eager to see how her sophomore effort holds up. The good news? It's just as scathing and savagely funny as her first. The cast and crew of reality TV show Goal Diggers are gearing up for a fifth season, and while some of their onscreen alliances are scripted, they're even more cut-throat in their personal lives. Every one of them has secrets, and some are worth dying...or killing...to keep. Fan favorite Brett is perfectly at ease on camera, but her personal life is a disaster that's getting worse on the daily. Her sister and business partner Kelly, a single mom, is hopeful she'll get cast in the new season and finally move out of her sister's shadow. Stephanie, the veteran, had a bestselling debut novel, but her second and third have been lackluster, and she's desperate for her memoir to hit big to reestablish her relevance and her brand. But is that going to be her downfall? Bold, wry, and witty, this is a tale that highlights just what it takes, and what it can cost, to be successful. Also available in Audio.
The Mars Room, by Rachel Kushner. Kushner's gritty latest finds Romy Hall in 2003, serving two consecutive life sentences in Stanville Women's Correctional Facility deep in California's Central Valley. She's been severed from the outside world, from the San Francisco of her youth and from her young son, Jackson. Inside, there is a new world to learn and navigate, that of hustling to survive, the absurdities of institutional living, and casual violence. While not for the faint of heart, this is a novel full of brilliantly diverse stories interwoven into a mesmerizing tale. Also available in Audio.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara. The Golden State Killer was an elusive rapist turned murderer who terrorized California in the late 1970s and early 1980s before, it seems, going dormant, leaving over fifty unsolved cases and ten dead in his wake. Thirty years later, true crime journalist Michelle McNamara, creator of TrueCrimeDiary.com, pored over police reports and interviewed victims and neighbors, determined to identify the unknown perpetrator. This is her work, culled in parts from her notes, unfinished at the time of her untimely death. Note: this helped reignite interest in these cases, and the GSK was caught in April 2018. Compulsively readable and fascinating. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. Eleanor Oliphant has a flat and a job. She struggles with appropriate social interactions and her weeks are governed by a schedule that includes weekly phone calls with her mother and weekends dulled by vodka. It's only when she meets new coworker Raymond, and they together help Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, that Eleanor's careful routines begin to change. It's only as each of these lonely souls open up to one another that Eleanor finally begins to work out that she's only been existing, and that connecting with others is part of really living. Funny and thoughtful and absolutely perfect--I highly recommend it, and the audiobook is particularly exceptional. Oh, and this has been optioned for film with Reese Witherspoon attached to produce, so expect Eleanor Oliphant to be a household name in the future. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
How to Walk Away, by Katherine Center. For those who love heartfelt novels about overcoming obstacles, like Me Before You, Center's new novel is an absolute must-read. I can't tell you the last time I so much wanted to see a character come out on top after adversity. Margaret Jacobsen is on the cusp of all of her happily-ever-afters. She's got her dream job lined up. She's getting engaged. Then in an instant, Margaret must learn to start over. Nothing can ever be the same, but as the old falls away, new relationships are built. Old hurts can be healed, but some things must be let go before we can move on. I loved this book and these characters and I recommend it very, very highly.
Shelter in Place, by Nora Roberts. In the span of eight minutes, the normal evening at the Down East Mall in Portland, Maine is shattered. That's how long it takes from the first shot fired to the last of three rampaging teen shooters to be taken down. The survivors, in their grief and shock, do their best to cope in the aftermath. For the young waiter on break, it is the impetus to enroll in the police academy. For the first person to call 9-1-1, it becomes a wellspring of creative inspiration as she uses art to work through her grief. But for one individual, the evening was unfinished. For the mastermind behind the three shooters, the survivors are simply new targets. And those who remain must work to stop it before they're in the cross-hairs. A little different for Roberts, but excellent reading. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Outsider, by Stephen King. King, who has shifted in recent outings to more suspense with a supernatural twist (what I'm saying here is, if you think his work is too scary for you, try the new stuff), brings readers a new fight between good and evil. When a crime is committed in a small community, people are shocked and appalled. When the apparent perpetrator turns out to be well-loved teacher and Little League coach Terry Maitland, there is outrage and fury. Before his day in court can happen, however, Maitland is killed--but the investigation has only just begun. Because there's no way Maitland could have done it, not only because it was so uncharacteristic, but because he was in a different part of the state, on television, with witnesses, at the time the crime was committed. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Don't let the page-length put you off, because this is a fast, gripping read. Just a helpful hint from your friendly librarian, though--if you haven't read King's recent Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch), you might want to read that first, as one of the key characters in said trilogy makes an important appearance in The Outsider.
Waking Gods, by Sylvain Neuvel. Second in Neuvel's spellbindingly unique Themis Files, following his debut, Sleeping Giants (2016). As a girl, Rose Franklin accidentally discovered a giant metal hand buried in the earth. As an adult, she has devoted her life to the study of the hand, and of the other pieces that fit together with it. Why was this giant robot disassembled, the pieces scattered across the planet? With every answer comes more questions. The situation grows dire when a second robot appears on Earth, only to attack. Then, more robots, each appearing in highly populated areas. If their intent is malicious, can they be stopped? No sophomore slump here, this is both action-packed suspense and thought-provoking philosophy wrapped up in an incredibly fast read. I'd recommend this for fans of Andy Weir's The Martian or Ernest Cline's Ready Player One.
Have a safe and happy 4th!
Thursday, November 30, 2017
What I've Been Reading: November 2017
Readers, it was good while it lasted. I'd been running ahead of the game for my 2017 reading challenge (you can follow along with me on GoodReads.com, if you fancy). But recently, with the holiday, a new fascination with podcasts (Lore is my current obsession, but I've also been listening to The Black Tapes, The Bright Sessions, and Alice Isn't Dead, all of which I highly recommend) which have replaced my normal audiobooks while I commute, and a number of hit-or-miss attempts at getting into new books... Well, I've fallen behind a bit, and my reading list for November feels a little pitiful compared to my usual. Ah well, in any case, here's what I've been reading...
Sleeping Beauties, by Stephen King & Owen King. This first father/son King collaboration is an eerie, chilling tale. The women of the world are falling asleep only to begin to hibernate, shrouded in cocoons. Attempts to wake the women result in...dangerous consequences. After a few days, even the last few holdouts are dropping off, leaving the men to fend for themselves. But what is actually happening to the women as they sleep? And what has caused the phenomenon? And finally, what of the rumors of a woman at the Dooling Women's Prison who can sleep and wake again without any of the effects of the Aurora phenomenon? Fascinating and goosebump-inducing.
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore, by Matthew J. Sullivan. The dynamite debut was one of the most compelling, surprising novels I've read in some time. Lydia Smith works as a bookseller, a custodian both of the written word and also the Book Frogs, the lost and lonely regulars who are a fixture of the shop. When one of the Book Frogs, a troubled young man named Joey, commits suicide in the bookstore just before closing one night, he leaves Lydia (his favorite of the staff) with a clue as to what might have prompted his early exit. The clue is a picture of Lydia as a child, and the past it brings back is fraught with long-suppressed memories of a trauma that made national headlines. Lydia is left with only one choice: to finally deal with the demons of her past in hopes of finding an answer to Joey's troubling end. I loved the language, the pacing, the story--this novel was perfection.
The Last Mrs. Parrish, by Liv Constantine. Like twisted psychological thrillers that keep you guessing every step of the way? Me, too! In which case, this needs to be on your list of books to read ASAP. Amber Pearson knows exactly what she wants and will do anything and everything to get it. The problem? She wants someone else's life, specifically that of Daphne Parrish, the perfect wife, perfect mother, and perfect socialite of the elite Bishops Harbor, CT. The best part of the package, though, is Daphne's devastatingly handsome (and super-rich) husband, Jackson. Amber begins to insinuate herself into the Parrish's life, preying on Daphne's sympathy and graciousness, soon becoming her most trusted confidante. But everyone has secrets, even the most perfect of people, which may just ruin everything for Amber. This was a great page-turner, it kept me guessing right to the end--very satisfying!
The Double Bind, by Christopher Bohjalian. This is my book club's selection for our December meeting. A single encounter can change a person's life, for good or ill. For Laurel Eastbrook, a violent attack during a bike ride along rural roads during her college years is such a defining moment. She goes on to become a social worker, working with the homeless, and retreats into her photography. Then she meets Bobbie Crocker, a homeless man with a history of mental illness and a box of photos he won't let anyone else see. When Bobbie dies, Laurel discovers a secret that takes her far from her small, safe lift. Speaking of twists? This is masterfully plotted.
Sleeping Beauties, by Stephen King & Owen King. This first father/son King collaboration is an eerie, chilling tale. The women of the world are falling asleep only to begin to hibernate, shrouded in cocoons. Attempts to wake the women result in...dangerous consequences. After a few days, even the last few holdouts are dropping off, leaving the men to fend for themselves. But what is actually happening to the women as they sleep? And what has caused the phenomenon? And finally, what of the rumors of a woman at the Dooling Women's Prison who can sleep and wake again without any of the effects of the Aurora phenomenon? Fascinating and goosebump-inducing.
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore, by Matthew J. Sullivan. The dynamite debut was one of the most compelling, surprising novels I've read in some time. Lydia Smith works as a bookseller, a custodian both of the written word and also the Book Frogs, the lost and lonely regulars who are a fixture of the shop. When one of the Book Frogs, a troubled young man named Joey, commits suicide in the bookstore just before closing one night, he leaves Lydia (his favorite of the staff) with a clue as to what might have prompted his early exit. The clue is a picture of Lydia as a child, and the past it brings back is fraught with long-suppressed memories of a trauma that made national headlines. Lydia is left with only one choice: to finally deal with the demons of her past in hopes of finding an answer to Joey's troubling end. I loved the language, the pacing, the story--this novel was perfection.
The Last Mrs. Parrish, by Liv Constantine. Like twisted psychological thrillers that keep you guessing every step of the way? Me, too! In which case, this needs to be on your list of books to read ASAP. Amber Pearson knows exactly what she wants and will do anything and everything to get it. The problem? She wants someone else's life, specifically that of Daphne Parrish, the perfect wife, perfect mother, and perfect socialite of the elite Bishops Harbor, CT. The best part of the package, though, is Daphne's devastatingly handsome (and super-rich) husband, Jackson. Amber begins to insinuate herself into the Parrish's life, preying on Daphne's sympathy and graciousness, soon becoming her most trusted confidante. But everyone has secrets, even the most perfect of people, which may just ruin everything for Amber. This was a great page-turner, it kept me guessing right to the end--very satisfying!
The Double Bind, by Christopher Bohjalian. This is my book club's selection for our December meeting. A single encounter can change a person's life, for good or ill. For Laurel Eastbrook, a violent attack during a bike ride along rural roads during her college years is such a defining moment. She goes on to become a social worker, working with the homeless, and retreats into her photography. Then she meets Bobbie Crocker, a homeless man with a history of mental illness and a box of photos he won't let anyone else see. When Bobbie dies, Laurel discovers a secret that takes her far from her small, safe lift. Speaking of twists? This is masterfully plotted.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Reading Ahead: June 2016, part 2
There are lots of different way to look at summer reads. Some like the lightest, easiest, fluffiest reads possible. And some take advantage of the longer days to scare themselves silly before darkness falls. If you fall into the latter category, here are some reads for you coming up next month. Fall into the former category? Stick with me--I've got suggestions for you coming next week.
Dishonorable Intentions, by Stuart Woods. Stone Barrington’s latest lady friend is full of surprises, both good
and ill. A sensual woman with unexpected desires, Stone finds her
revelations in the boudoir extremely agreeable. But on the other hand,
she also has some unfinished business with a temperamental man who
believes Stone is an intolerable obstacle in the way of his goals. In
a cat-and-mouse game that trails from sun-drenched Bel-Air to a
peaceful European estate and gorgeous Santa Fe, Stone and his friend
remain just one step ahead of their opponent. But their pursuer is not a
man who can stand to be thwarted, and tensions are mounting . . . and
may soon reach the boiling point.
Ink and Bone, by Lisa Unger. Twenty-year-old Finley Montgomery is rarely alone. Visited by people
whom others can't see and haunted by prophetic dreams, she has never
been able to control or understand the things that happen to her. When
Finley's abilities start to become too strong for her to handle, she turns to the only person she knows who can help
her: her grandmother Eloise Montgomery, a renowned psychic living in The
Hollows, New York.
Merri Gleason is a woman at the end of her
tether after a ten-month-long search for her missing daughter, Abbey.
With almost every hope exhausted, she resorts to hiring Jones Cooper, a
detective who sometimes works with psychic Eloise Montgomery. Merri's
not a believer, but she's just desperate enough to go down that road,
praying that she's not too late. Time, she knows, is running out.
As
a harsh white winter moves into The Hollows, Finley and Eloise are
drawn into the investigation, which proves to have much more at stake
than even the fate of a missing girl.
End of Watch, by Stephen King. Less scary than his usual fare, this third in King's Bill Hodges trilogy (after Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers, both of which I really enjoyed) finds the diabolical “Mercedes Killer” driving his enemies to suicide,
and if Bill Hodges and Holly Gibney don’t figure out a way to stop him,
they’ll be victims themselves. In Room 217 of the Lakes Region Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, something unspeakable
has awakened. Brady Hartsfield, perpetrator of the
Mercedes Massacre, where eight people were killed and many more were
badly injured, has been in the clinic for five years in a vegetative
state. According to his doctors, anything approaching a complete
recovery is unlikely. But behind the drool and stare, Brady is awake,
and in possession of deadly new powers that allow him to wreak
unimaginable havoc without ever leaving his hospital room. Definitely more thriller than horror, this will still keep you on the edge of your seat--I've got my copy reserved. Do you?
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Can't Keep It To Myself: The Girl With All the Gifts
It's that time of year when I, for one, like to read something guaranteed to scare me into staying up late with the lights on. If you're like me, you might consider picking up what I've just finished: The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey. This came out in 2014, and while it was on my radar, it somehow didn't make it into my hands until a friend reminded me of it last month. I'm glad she did, because it is one of the most interesting, yet terrifying novels I've read in recent memory.
Melanie is a very special girl. Dr Caldwell calls her "our little genius." Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh. She is among some very gifted children, but some gifts are more curse than blessing. And sometimes humans are more terrifying than than monsters.
I'm recommending this in particular to fans of shows like Z-Nation or The Walking Dead, and books like World War Z (also a movie with Brad Pitt) and The Strain. I read it in two days, because I couldn't sleep until I found out what happened. Very highly recommended for those who feel the need for a good scare.
In need of another good, scary read? Stop by the library between now and Halloween--we have a large display of horror novels for your terrified pleasure, classics to modern scare-masters. Or check out some of my past lists of creepy recommendations!
Melanie is a very special girl. Dr Caldwell calls her "our little genius." Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh. She is among some very gifted children, but some gifts are more curse than blessing. And sometimes humans are more terrifying than than monsters.
I'm recommending this in particular to fans of shows like Z-Nation or The Walking Dead, and books like World War Z (also a movie with Brad Pitt) and The Strain. I read it in two days, because I couldn't sleep until I found out what happened. Very highly recommended for those who feel the need for a good scare.
In need of another good, scary read? Stop by the library between now and Halloween--we have a large display of horror novels for your terrified pleasure, classics to modern scare-masters. Or check out some of my past lists of creepy recommendations!
Thursday, July 2, 2015
What I've Been Reading: June 2015
Wow, it feels like June started with a bang and ended with a whimper, as I look back over what I've read this past month. It started strong, and then suddenly I was at the end of the month and it felt like I hadn't read much at all. Oh well. There's always next month!
Little Beach Street Bakery, by Jenny Colgan. I've mentioned Jenny Colgan before--I really enjoy her books (Sweetshop of Dreams, Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe, etc.). They're sweet, light, funny stories about women finding their way through the unexpected and making the best of dubious circumstances. This latest is just as lovely. In the wake of heartbreak, Polly finds herself both jobless and homeless. She cannot fathom imposing on friends or her mum, she can't find a job in her field in the city, and she can't afford to stay where she is. What she finds is an abandoned shop with a small flat above it in a sleepy, seaside resort town. As a distraction, Polly begins making bread, which immediately wins over most of her neighbors--the only bakery in town ships in its limited variety, and is not particularly popular. That's just the beginning of Polly's life transformation in her new home. I adore Colgan's relatable characters and thoughtful stories--her novels are perfect for beach reading.
Nightmares & Dreamscapes, by Stephen King. Here we find a rarity in my reading list--a re-read. In fact, I think this might be the third or even fourth time I've re-read this collection of short stories and essays. In truth, it's a re-listen. The audiobook has some incredible readers, like Tim Curry, Rob Lowe, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Bates, Matthew Broderick, Gary Sinise, and the author himself, just to name a few. One of my very favorites is the first story, Dolan's Cadillac, brilliantly read by Rob Lowe. Another is a non-fiction piece originally written by King for the New Yorker, called Head Down, about the Bangor West Little League team (King's son Owen was on the team, as was the eventual MLB pitcher, Matt Kinney) which won the Maine State Little League Championships and went on to play in the Eastern Regional Championships, only to be beaten in the second round. There is a story for every reader in this collection, and it remains a favorite of mine.
The Miniaturist, by Jessie Burton. On a brisk autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt. But her new home, while splendorous, is not welcoming. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office—leaving Nella alone with his sister, the sharp-tongued and forbidding Marin.
But Nella’s world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist—an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways. It is through the artisan's uncanny gifts that Nella begins to unravel the tangled web of secrets closely kept by her new family, and some secrets would be better left uncovered. Beautifully detailed, deeply engrossing--this is a must for readers who enjoy Tracy Chevalier, Emma Donoghue, or Sarah Dunant.
Second Life, by S.J. Watson. Watson's 2011 novel, Before I Go To Sleep (now a film starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth) was a favorite among library staff and patrons, leaving readers eager for more. Four long years later, Watson returned with his sophomore effort, and readers are devouring it. I managed to snag a copy for myself and read it in a weekend. When Julia learns that her wayward younger sister has been murdered, she must figure out why--but to do this, she must first piece together her sister's life, which is foreign to Julia. What she never expected was to fall down the rabbit hole of an online dating site her sister frequented, or to meet someone to whom she is immediately attracted, or to jeopardize her marriage and family in order to pursue this new attraction. In the process of unraveling her sister's secret life, Julia may just lose everything she holds dear. This is a page-turner right up to the very end, full of the twists and turns that made Watson's first book such a hit. Definitely something suspense readers should pick up this summer.
Finders Keepers, by Stephen King. Sequel to King's 2014 novel, Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers starts out decades earlier, as three men rob and kill a reclusive author who has not published in more than twenty years, despite the author's trilogy of Jimmy Gold novels being considered modern classics. What only one of the thieves, Morris, realizes is that the author's safe holds not just cash and notebooks, but notebooks containing unpublished stories and novels featuring the iconic Jimmy Gold. Notebooks which would be worth millions. Morris takes out his competition for the score, stashes it, and is promptly imprisoned for unrelated crimes. Fast forward thirty-five years, and Morris is out of prison at long last, only to find that someone has made off with the cash and the notebooks in his absence. He'll find them, and he'll make them pay. Nothing will stop him until he has his revenge. It'll be up to the unlikely trio of heroes from the first novel, Holly, Jerome and Bill to help the target of Morris's deadly vengeance. This series reads like traditional thrillers so far, so if you think King's work is too scary for you, you might give these a try. I read this in a day and a half; I couldn't help myself.
The Engagements, by J. Courtney Sullivan. Sullivan, bestselling author of 2011's Maine, returned in 2013 with The Engagements (People Magazine voted it one of the Top 10 books of the year), a novel told in alternating stories about four couples linked over several decades by a single diamond ring, and the woman who launched the most famous diamond campaign in the world. Frances Gerety, the real pioneering ad woman who coined the famous slogan “A Diamond is Forever” for De Beers in 1947, which has since been called the best advertising slogan of the 20th century. Interestingly enough, Gerety herself never married. Evelyn has been married to her husband for forty years, but their son’s messy divorce has put them at rare odds; James, a beleaguered paramedic, has spent most of his marriage haunted by his wife’s family’s expectations; Delphine has thrown caution to the wind and left a peaceful French life for an exciting but rocky romance in America; and Kate, partnered with Dan for a decade, has seen every kind of wedding and has vowed never, ever, to have one of her own. As the stories connect to each other and to Frances’s legacy in surprising ways, The Engagements explores the complicated ins and outs of relationships, then, now, and forever. This is my book club's selection for our July meeting, and it has been a delightful and absorbing read. This would definitely make a great book to throw in your beach or vacation bag.
Have a happy and safe holiday weekend, and I'll be back next week to share some of the books that publishers have saved for your August enjoyment.
Little Beach Street Bakery, by Jenny Colgan. I've mentioned Jenny Colgan before--I really enjoy her books (Sweetshop of Dreams, Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe, etc.). They're sweet, light, funny stories about women finding their way through the unexpected and making the best of dubious circumstances. This latest is just as lovely. In the wake of heartbreak, Polly finds herself both jobless and homeless. She cannot fathom imposing on friends or her mum, she can't find a job in her field in the city, and she can't afford to stay where she is. What she finds is an abandoned shop with a small flat above it in a sleepy, seaside resort town. As a distraction, Polly begins making bread, which immediately wins over most of her neighbors--the only bakery in town ships in its limited variety, and is not particularly popular. That's just the beginning of Polly's life transformation in her new home. I adore Colgan's relatable characters and thoughtful stories--her novels are perfect for beach reading.
Nightmares & Dreamscapes, by Stephen King. Here we find a rarity in my reading list--a re-read. In fact, I think this might be the third or even fourth time I've re-read this collection of short stories and essays. In truth, it's a re-listen. The audiobook has some incredible readers, like Tim Curry, Rob Lowe, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Bates, Matthew Broderick, Gary Sinise, and the author himself, just to name a few. One of my very favorites is the first story, Dolan's Cadillac, brilliantly read by Rob Lowe. Another is a non-fiction piece originally written by King for the New Yorker, called Head Down, about the Bangor West Little League team (King's son Owen was on the team, as was the eventual MLB pitcher, Matt Kinney) which won the Maine State Little League Championships and went on to play in the Eastern Regional Championships, only to be beaten in the second round. There is a story for every reader in this collection, and it remains a favorite of mine.
The Miniaturist, by Jessie Burton. On a brisk autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt. But her new home, while splendorous, is not welcoming. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office—leaving Nella alone with his sister, the sharp-tongued and forbidding Marin.
But Nella’s world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist—an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways. It is through the artisan's uncanny gifts that Nella begins to unravel the tangled web of secrets closely kept by her new family, and some secrets would be better left uncovered. Beautifully detailed, deeply engrossing--this is a must for readers who enjoy Tracy Chevalier, Emma Donoghue, or Sarah Dunant.
Second Life, by S.J. Watson. Watson's 2011 novel, Before I Go To Sleep (now a film starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth) was a favorite among library staff and patrons, leaving readers eager for more. Four long years later, Watson returned with his sophomore effort, and readers are devouring it. I managed to snag a copy for myself and read it in a weekend. When Julia learns that her wayward younger sister has been murdered, she must figure out why--but to do this, she must first piece together her sister's life, which is foreign to Julia. What she never expected was to fall down the rabbit hole of an online dating site her sister frequented, or to meet someone to whom she is immediately attracted, or to jeopardize her marriage and family in order to pursue this new attraction. In the process of unraveling her sister's secret life, Julia may just lose everything she holds dear. This is a page-turner right up to the very end, full of the twists and turns that made Watson's first book such a hit. Definitely something suspense readers should pick up this summer.
Finders Keepers, by Stephen King. Sequel to King's 2014 novel, Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers starts out decades earlier, as three men rob and kill a reclusive author who has not published in more than twenty years, despite the author's trilogy of Jimmy Gold novels being considered modern classics. What only one of the thieves, Morris, realizes is that the author's safe holds not just cash and notebooks, but notebooks containing unpublished stories and novels featuring the iconic Jimmy Gold. Notebooks which would be worth millions. Morris takes out his competition for the score, stashes it, and is promptly imprisoned for unrelated crimes. Fast forward thirty-five years, and Morris is out of prison at long last, only to find that someone has made off with the cash and the notebooks in his absence. He'll find them, and he'll make them pay. Nothing will stop him until he has his revenge. It'll be up to the unlikely trio of heroes from the first novel, Holly, Jerome and Bill to help the target of Morris's deadly vengeance. This series reads like traditional thrillers so far, so if you think King's work is too scary for you, you might give these a try. I read this in a day and a half; I couldn't help myself.
The Engagements, by J. Courtney Sullivan. Sullivan, bestselling author of 2011's Maine, returned in 2013 with The Engagements (People Magazine voted it one of the Top 10 books of the year), a novel told in alternating stories about four couples linked over several decades by a single diamond ring, and the woman who launched the most famous diamond campaign in the world. Frances Gerety, the real pioneering ad woman who coined the famous slogan “A Diamond is Forever” for De Beers in 1947, which has since been called the best advertising slogan of the 20th century. Interestingly enough, Gerety herself never married. Evelyn has been married to her husband for forty years, but their son’s messy divorce has put them at rare odds; James, a beleaguered paramedic, has spent most of his marriage haunted by his wife’s family’s expectations; Delphine has thrown caution to the wind and left a peaceful French life for an exciting but rocky romance in America; and Kate, partnered with Dan for a decade, has seen every kind of wedding and has vowed never, ever, to have one of her own. As the stories connect to each other and to Frances’s legacy in surprising ways, The Engagements explores the complicated ins and outs of relationships, then, now, and forever. This is my book club's selection for our July meeting, and it has been a delightful and absorbing read. This would definitely make a great book to throw in your beach or vacation bag.
Have a happy and safe holiday weekend, and I'll be back next week to share some of the books that publishers have saved for your August enjoyment.
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