Madeleine's Book and Photo Blog

UNDRESS ME IN THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN by Susan Jane Gilman

2010-02-25T09:58:00.001-05:00

Review Copy from Hachette Books, thank-you Miriam

*****

Synopsis:
In 1986, Susan Jane Gilman and a classmate embarked on a bold trek around the globe starting in the People's Republic of China. At that point, China had been open to independent backpackers for roughly ten minutes. Armed only with the collected works of Nietzsche and Linda Goodman's Love Signs, the two friends plunged into the dusty streets of Shanghai. Unsurprisingly, they quickly found themselves in over their heads--hungry, disoriented, stripped of everything familiar, and under constant government surveillance. Soon, they began to unravel--one physically, the other psychologically. As their journey became increasingly harrowing, they found themselves facing crises that Susan didn't think they'd survive. But by summoning strengths she never knew she had--and with help from unexpected friends--the two travelers found their way out of a Chinese heart of darkness.

My View
I loved this nonfiction, having traveled far from home starting at the age of 18 I could identify with Susan and Clair's wish to travel the world by backpack. Their enthusiasm is typical to their young age, just out of college, wanting to see the world before settling down.
I do not want to give the story away, this is a story worth reading. It is also a cautionary tale.
The end was a real surprise and I cheered for Susan...you will have to read the book to know why, she deserves all my respect.
Do not miss reading UNDRESS ME IN THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN

FRIDAY FILL~INS

2010-02-19T10:24:00.000-05:00

1. Johnny Weir is fashion style on skates
2. Skating is what I enjoy most at the 2010 Olympics.
3. And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud wasn't living
4. Go with it if you get an urge
5. Having sweet dreams helps make the bumps (hills, mountains, summits *.*) of life easier to manage
6. What does it take for a problem I am facing to resolve itself ?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to believe me...REST, tomorrow my plans include more rest and Sunday, I want to take my dogs for a long walk!

FRIDAY FILL~INS

2010-02-11T18:54:00.001-05:00

1. Pickles, ice cream and potato chips used to be a former boyfriend's favorite treat. I know *.*

2. After playing in the snow, I like to cuddle up with a book, blanket, and real hot chocolate at home.

3. The snow is wonderful and plentiful this year in Virginia.

4. Beauty and chaos exist in nature.

5. It's 5:16 PM; that means for me, time to relax with a book before taking Oliver and Dexter out for a walk .

6. Street vendors selling roasted chestnuts are hard to find in my town (used to love eating them in winter).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching a dvd, tomorrow my plans include catching up on reading and Sunday, I want to enjoy the day eating chocolate!

LONE STAR LEGEND by Gwendolyn Zepeda

2010-01-25T17:37:00.015-05:00

Reviewed for Hachette Book Group

Thank-you Miriam

Synopsis:

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Original edition (January 25, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446539600
ISBN-13: 978-0446539609

When Sandy Saavedra lands her dream job with the popular website ¡Latino Now!, she can't wait to write hard-hitting pieces to combat all those stupid Latino stereotypes. While visions of Pulitzers dance in her head, her editor in chief is suddenly laid off, replaced by the infamous Dolores Villanueva O'Sullivan. Dolores has one mission: make ¡Latino Now! an internet phenomenon, no matter how many pandering puff pieces she has to pack onto its pages. Sandy doesn't see how she can keep this job without losing her soul, especially when she's sent to Middle-of-Nowhere Texas to investigate the dumbest legend her people ever created, the Chupacabra. She fears she's about to fail an assignment-and lose her job-until she meets Tío Jaime, a grandfatherly hermit who might be crazy, or might be the best thing that ever happened to Sandy's career.

My View:

This novel is my first experience with a blogging theme, which made it a different and interesting read. Sandy is a likable character, young and dedicated to becoming an honest, first class journalist…When management turns over, Sandy finds herself at her desk working to come up with gossip like columns of the questionable kind for a Web Blog named “Nacho Papi”. Between chapters she blogs as so many of us do, under the pseudo “Modern TragyComedy” which allows her to vent her frustration of which she has plenty.

This is a funny light novel, for me a little on the youngish side yet very entertaining full of lively, quirky characters.
This is my first novel by Gwendolyn Zepeda who also wrote “HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM”

Check here for twitter and here for the author's Blog

SEARCHING FOR TINA TURNER by Jacqueline E. Luckett

2010-01-19T14:57:00.024-05:00

Reviewed for Hachette Book Group

Thank-you Miriam

Synopsis

On the surface, Lena Spencer appears to have it all. She and her wealthy husband Randall have two wonderful children, and they live a life of luxury. In reality, however, Lena finds that happiness is elusive. Randall is emotionally distant, her son has developed a drug habit, and her daughter is disgusted by her mother's "overbearing behavior." When Randall decides that he's had enough of marriage counseling, he offers his wife an ultimatum: "Be grateful for all I've done for you or leave." Lena, realizing that money can't solve her problems and that her husband is no longer the man she married, decides to choose the latter. Drawing strength from Tina Turner's life story, SEARCHING FOR TINA TURNER is Lena's struggle to find herself after 25 years of being a wife and mother.

My View
I enjoyed this novel a lot. Jacqueline E. Luckett is a talented writer, her prose flows easily from beginning to end. Many of us may recognize ourselves through her protagonist Lena, her emotions leading to and following her divorce at a time in life when women do not fare as well as men of the same age. There was a bonus for me, Lena spends some time in an area in France which happens to be my home and her research is superb, I felt like I was there. This is a refreshing novel I highly recommend. There is wisdom and hope to be found. I will "definitely" read her upcoming novel. Wonderful beginning Jacqueline E Luckett!!!

THE SWAN THIEVES by Elizabeth Kostova

2009-12-28T14:35:00.003-05:00

Thank you Miriam for this Arc copy

Hardcover: 576 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (January 12, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0316065781

Synopsis:
Psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe, devoted to his profession and the painting hobby he loves, has a solitary but ordered life. When renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes his patient, Marlow finds that order destroyed. Desperate to understand the secret that torments the genius, he embarks on a journey that leads him into the lives of the women closest to Oliver and a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism.

Kostova's masterful new novel travels from American cities to the coast of Normandy, from the late 19th century to the late 20th, from young love to last love. THE SWAN THIEVES is a story of obsession, history's losses, and the power of art to preserve human hope.

My view
This is my first read by Elizabeth Kostova I have yet to read THE HISTORIAN. Her second novel reads like a mystery with a romantic twist which takes us from 1999 to 1879 France. Throughout the distance of a century, lives intertwine and a mystery unravels which will have you guess to the end. Although art is a predominant factor the characters come through strong and vibrant throughout the novel.

I liked this book a lot.

The ending had me intrigued,

Mr. Wiggles first photo

2009-11-30T16:39:00.002-05:00

Say hi to Mr. Wiggles 4 month old Yorkie male a friend gave me today.

Oliver is being real good, teaches the little guy where to eat, the right steps to take to my place, it's so cute.

WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED, THE AMAZING JOURNEY OF AMERICAN WOMEN FROM 1960 TO THE PRESENT by Gail Collins

2009-11-20T12:06:00.004-05:00

Thank-you Valerie
Hachette Book Group

Hardcover: 480 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (October 14, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316059544

Synopsis:

"Gail Collins's When Everything Changed points out what the women on "Mad Men" know: that period in our history was less enjoyable for the ladies.... The early pages of Ms. Collins's book are peppered with accounts of incidents so outrageous they almost seem like jokes....but Ms. Collins underlines the serious consequences of such risible moments by including the stories of individual women-from overworked housewives to marginalized politicians-whose lives were cramped and deformed by the culture's low opinion of their capabilities.... Ms. Collins reminds us of how many aspects of our lives were affected by the battles these women fought. And even readers who lived through this era may be surprised to discover how much they never knew, or have forgotten...Among the impressive features of Ms. Collins's book is her genial, fair-minded sympathy, her refusal to smirk at the excesses of the most radical '70s feminists or at the stance of women, among them Phyllis Schlafly, who counseled their sisters to stay home where they belonged. This evenhandedness seems all the more admirable later in the book, when she considers the significance of Hillary Rodham Clinton's and Sarah Palin's roles in the 2008 presidential election."

My thoughts:

I arrived in the United States in August of 1966 in the middle of the worst airline strike (I was 7 month pregnant and needed to arrive in California before the deadline which forbid women to fly pregnant after 7 month). I was unaware or naive to many of women's limitations at my arrival. My husband, an American citizen changed this for me quickly. He became a man I did not know as soon as we landed at JFK by threatening me not to speak, lest I should embarrass him (I had a rather strong French accent), and a list of things "women do not do in my country... I remember this as being very hard on me. Basically, I had to obey my husband from now on after a life of freedom in my country as a woman. I eventually divorced this man in 1972.

Gail Collins, book "WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED..." was a real wake-up call to what had happened to me so long ago and finally made so much sense. I remember everything mentioned in this great book. I became a feminist and was liberated from some awful male abuse. Betty Friedan's book "THE FEMININE MYSTIC " mentions:

"The feminin mystic has succeeded in burying milions of American women alive. There is no way for these women to break out of their comfortable concentration camps except by finally put forth an effort that human effort which reaches beyond biology, beyond the narrow walls of home , to help shape the future."

This statement by Betty Friedan might sound radical today, when women have so many more choices as mothers and in the workplace, even so, we women still have a ways to go. I remember being smothered into a life which was expected of me as a mother and woman and reinforced by men, be it a husband, boss, doctors etc...Personally I believe my 3 boys did not profit from this confinement their mother was expected to live in. I noticed how much happier they where when I broke those rules, dated, traveled et... and had a babysitter to watch them.

"WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED..." needs to be a must read by young women and men, learn their mother's history, understand that not so long ago life wasn't easy for those mothers, and women in general. Men should read it to learn from it and perhaps be surprised at the disrespect we women received. Yet for whatever reason there is a feeling in me that men still have a ways to go. If women do not stand up and continue to stand up for our rights we will stay where we are today. Throughout the book the disrespect women in the '60, '70, 80, '90 where subjected to is shocking...and I know it is still going on today, if more discretely, after all women have recourse to Sexual Harassment laws today, which in my days in 1966 did not exist at all.

I would like to see this book as a must read be it in High school or College level

OLIVER

2009-11-14T09:17:00.000-05:00

Oliver enjoying a walk

OLIVER'S NEWEST GIRLFRIEND "ASHLEY"

2009-11-14T09:10:00.001-05:00

My friend, Nicole's beautiful new baby girl "ASHLEY"

CHILDREN OF DUST by Ali Eteraz

2009-11-11T13:12:00.002-05:00

*****

Thank-you Julie Harabedian, FSB Associates

for this copy

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: HarperOne; 1st edition (October 13, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061567086
ISBN-13: 978-0061567087

THE WASHINGTON POST:

Ali Eteraz has been a devout Muslim, a disillusioned skeptic and everything in between. Throughout his meandering spiritual journey, his faith has given him great pride and contentedness but has also been a source of deep shame, anger and frustration. This emotional struggle is the backdrop for his memoir, "Children of Dust," which chronicles his childhood in Pakistan, his family's immigration to the United States and finally his return to Asia as an adult. Eteraz grew up attending a madrassa in rural Pakistan, where he spent his days memorizing the Koran and enduring harsh beatings for his mistakes. When his family relocated to Alabama during his adolescence, he struggled to fit in with his peers while adhering to the strict religious practices his family enforced. "I was too embarrassed to admit to non-Muslims that it was Islam -- archaic, anachronistic, exotic Islam -- that controlled me," Eteraz writes. "Admitting that would lead me to be viewed as an outsider -- and I wanted nothing more than to be American." From there, you might say Eteraz got religious whiplash: He describes periods of intense absorption in the dutiful practice of Islam, followed by phases of doubt and cynicism. In particular, he deeply questioned his faith after a harrowing trip to Pakistan, where he narrowly escaped being killed by fellow Muslims who suspected he was a U.S. agent. Finally, the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks changed his worldview definitively. "I felt an unbridgeable distance from those militants across the globe that I'd long ago felt drawn to and then, more recently, had felt pity for," he writes. Amid all the soul-searching, Eteraz manages to amusingly describe his teenage antics and poke some fun at himself for all the superficial ways he tried to make friends envy him for his piety. These honest details make his story even more compelling.

My View:

Ali Eteraz takes us on a journey from his birth to today and what a journey it is! Ali's parents and relatives, Pakistani Muslim fundamentalists expect their son, "Abir ul Islam", translated Perfume of Islam to literally spread their fundamentalist faith across Islam.

To prepare their son for such an endeavor, they enroll Abir ul Islam into a school called "madrassa", where he learns to memorize the Koran by rote not understanding the meaning of the words. Each word pronounced is a breath of God, so meaning is not necessary. I was shocked by the brutality employed to keep students on the straight and narrow during classes.

Ali Eteraz ( the author will change names while progressing with his journey towards a peaceful Islam . Ali Eteraz is his name these days.) reveals Islamic traditions with which I was unaccustomed , some quite serious, others humorous.

I can imagine how difficult it must have been for Ali to fit into an American high school, dating, even holding hands with a girl being forbidden to him. We watch him struggle with this serious issue as a teen with hormones rampant as any teenager. Yet as the years go by all the many forbidden temptations ordered by Islam guide the author to reflect on a truth which leads to peace, which he still pursues.

I recommend this memoir to anyone who wishes to see peace in this world, for all countries, religions. Ali Eteraz is a unique voice searching for this precious peace and I wish him all the luck he will need.

I hope the end of this memoir will be as much a surprise to those who read "CHILDREN OF DUST" as it was to me.

SPOONER by Pete Dexter

2009-11-02T14:19:00.004-05:00

Thank-you to Hachette Book Group for this review copy

Thanks Miriam

THE WASHINGTON POST:

From The Washington Post's Book World/washingtonpost.com Reviewed by Carolyn See Full disclosure: I was on the judging committee when Pete Dexter won the National Book Award for his amazing novel of American racism and mayhem, "Paris Trout." That book is among this country's very best, I believe, and I remain one of his most devoted fans. His is a voice like no other, though James Ellroy and Elmore Leonard may be counted among his distant literary cousins. What Dexter does is to marry the use of the most frightening violence with the loftiest of artistic goals; we are forced to look at our country through a film of fresh blood. This is not a literary conceit on the part of the author; it has to do with his real life. In 1981, when he was a hard-boiled columnist for a Philadelphia newspaper, he wrote a piece that enraged members of a very tough neighborhood. He -- rather unwisely -- went to that neighborhood, either to confront or to explain, and was beaten within the proverbial inch of his life. He carries the scars and afflictions from that encounter to this day. His obsession with violence is honestly come by, and all his novels are stamped by it. In "Spooner," his autobiographical new novel, Dexter takes a look at himself, implicitly admitting that he's a little on the high-strung side, to put it mildly. He attempts -- if I read him correctly -- to answer the question: What makes a person turn out to be like Pete Dexter? It's a hard question for a person trained as a journalist who's used to looking outward, or for a man of action who prefers boxing to many other pastimes. How do you look inside and come up with an answer that makes sense? (The project must have been hard. The author writes that the book went 31/2 years beyond its publication deadline. "When you come across sentences you particularly don't like, keep in mind that I probably didn't like them either.") Nevertheless, here's a novel that's different from anything Dexter has written before. His namesake, Spooner, born in 1956, comes second in a cluster of four siblings. His mother is a martyr whose family lost its fortune in the Great Depression, and his father died too young for Spooner to know him. Most of the first 50 pages are given over to describing the back story of a paragon -- the saintly man who became Spooner's stepfather -- who makes a hardscrabble living for his new family as a teacher in the hardscrabble town of Milledgeville, Ga., all the while bearing ill-concealed dismay and sometimes contempt from Spooner's mother. (The town of Milledgeville is real; Dexter speaks in an interview of his first conscious memories being from that place, and also says that the African American section of that town served as the background for "Paris Trout.") The young Spooner is a nut case, pure and simple, getting into one crazy scrape after another, most notably breaking into the homes of neighbors, peeing into the shoes of the men of the house, then putting those shoes into the families' refrigerators. He engineers car wrecks, climbs on every roof, gets into all the trouble he possibly can -- in marked contrast to his three siblings, who succeed in every way. Flash forward to Spooner as a young adult, first in Florida, then in Pennsylvania. He works himself up from crashing poverty to a position as a noted newspaper columnist. Then comes the infamous "God's Pocket" episode (here the neighborhood is called Devil's Pocket, as is the actual Philadelphia area where that novel was set), where almost every bone in his body is twisted or broken by a gang of irate thugs. He is married by then, and just as tough -- and irrational? -- as they come, until he's felled by this attack. Spooner moves to Whidbey Island, off the Pacific Northwest coast, where he continues work as a novelist. (The story remains unnervingly autobiographical. There is a Dr. Ploof, for instance, who in real life is a dentist on that island.) Combative as ever, Spooner finds himself locked in battle with a next-door neighbor. Bulldozers are involved. And that wonderful stepfather, whose separate life the author has followed all along, takes sick and dies, honorably cared for by Spooner, who is still not sure about having lived up to his mentor's shining example of compassion, industry, learning and love. This is strange material for a man who wrote unsparingly of the grossness of smallpox in "Deadwood," the merciless rape and destruction of a little girl in "Paris Trout" and the eating of raw flamingos in "Train." It's new ground and a new tone. Jocose, ironic, even cheery. (The author's photo shows the man smiling!) Dexter seems to look at this life as something of a tall tale, and he's right -- there are sentences that don't seem to be exactly his. The book has a Mark Twain feel to it: Of journalists, Spooner remarks: "Some of them drank too much after work and threatened to write books," and the ghost of Hemingway creeps in during the Devil's Pocket debacle: "It was surprising to him how good it felt, knowing he was not about to be shot." There are other quite goofy surprises -- Spooner appears on the same dais with Margaret Truman, an event that must have happened to Dexter but, one hopes, without quite the chaos described here. That story is a lovely paean to crazy old ladies and their book clubs everywhere. So, this book is different! Not exactly what Pete Dexter usually writes, but madly interesting in what it sets out to do. I freely admit to a bias: As far as I'm concerned, Dexter can do no wrong.

My View:

I know...the synopsis above is a bit long, however I thought it important. SPOONER by Pete Dexter is a much different novel than some of you might expect of Pete Dexter. I love this novel/disguised memoir

I also need to mention: I absolutely love this book and wish there was more of "Spooner". I happened to live in Philadelphia in the '70 and do remember Pete Dexter as a columnist, I also remember an incident which took place in upscale Rittenhouse Square which the author mentions, and the incident in "Devil's Pocket" not that I hung out anywhere close to this place and of course the shooting of mobster Angelo Bruno. My boyfriend at the time and I had just finished savoring a great Italian dinner in south Philly when, on our way home we passed the scene of the crime with Angelo Bruno still in his car, slumped over the steering wheel. People gathered like at an exciting event, children rode their bikes, it was all very festive . In short, Pete Dexter took me back to my time in Philly and did it so well, through Part 4 I was in Philly!

Of course this is only one part of this great book which I assume is sort of a memoir. I am the mother of 3 boys, and aware what boys can get into, I had to laugh at some of Spooner's growing up antics, granted they where at times outrageous yet it showed great inventiveness. There is no time to become bored reading this novel/memoir, it kept my attention from beginning to end.

You will love Calmer Ottosson, Spooner's step dad, a great gentle character we meet for the first time before his court martial for an incident which held me in stitches.

This my first introduction to Pete Dexter the writer althoug I read his columns. I need to remedy this quickly. I am going to put "PARIS TROUT" and "PAPER TRAILS" on my reading list. I understand from reading the synopsis, his previous novels aren't humorous, still as a writer Pete Dexter intrigues me to read him.

Excerpt:

For the first time in his life Spooner found himself content to be where he was, also over time this would come at a price, the earliest sign being that sometimes he would catch some glimps of Mrs. Spooner and the baby together and find himself barely able to move, at the fear of losing what he had. The truth was Spooner wasn't wired much for getting what he wanted, and had never given a thought to protecting what he had, in fact had never considered that any of it could be protected or even that it was in his hands. Until the woman came along, and then the baby, he had always taken it for granted that anything that fell into his lap would also fall through his lap sooner or later"

OLIVER makes an appearance

2009-10-25T11:34:00.000-04:00

FALL PICTURES October 25th '09

2009-10-25T11:29:00.001-04:00

FRIDAY FLL~INS

2009-10-23T11:04:00.002-04:00

1. The crickets sing, it must be getting cold, I do not hear them chirping anymore, mating season must be over.

2. It is such a great pleasure to have reconnected with you, Nicole, my dear childhood friend. Wherever you are is never to far.

3. I want to get far away from ~~the~~ my ex and all this court drama .

4.My life was perfect, and the perfect man love me * . * : this was a dream.

5. But as for me I am happy in general.

6. Monaco ist truly a beautiful little country and even so I come from there, I am here to stay in te United States

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watch a movie, tomorrow my plans include trying to participate in the "READ-A-THON, I do not know if I will make it all the way through, some friends are coming over, I'll try and Sunday, I want to SLEEP if I do succeed in participating, it is a great way to raise a little money towards a worthy cause.

A SUNDAY ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY VISITING FRIENDS

2009-10-18T11:32:00.002-04:00

A little pet goat "Blondie"

Part of the Chesapeake Bay

I wanted to hop in and swim, didn't bring my swimsuit :(

The begining of fall

SEX, DRUGS AND GEFILTE FISH edited by Shana Liebman

2009-10-16T10:50:00.005-04:00

*****

Reviewed for HACHETTE BOOK GROUP

Thank-you Brianna

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 26, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0446504629

This book is an ADULT read

Synopsis:

Liebman, arts editor of the hip Jewish lifestyle magazine Heeb, introduces a refreshing set of essays that reveal an array of both ordinary and extraordinary modern-day Jewish experiences. Arranged by theme (sex, drugs, work, youth, family, body and soul), these four dozen essays—the products of a Heeb storytelling performance series—explore the humorous, scandalous and often sentimental moments in life. Rebecca Addelman re-evaluates the college summer she spent in Israel getting naked with another kibbutz volunteer and a middle-aged Israeli. Andy Borowitz conveys the irony of a Jewish Harvard graduate (himself) writing a hip-hop sitcom for Will Smith: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Most outstanding is Eric Weingrad's account of spying his loathed Hebrew school teacher naked during a Sabbath night spent at her house. The contributors—musicians, actors, comedians and writers—will be familiar to many. Full of wit, irony, heartbreak and vindication, these essays will undoubtedly please those in search of an honest but creative look at Jewish life and its many trials.

My view:

My first thought was, please have a sense of humor : "Do not let the cover influence you in a negative way". I love the cover, but then again I have a sense of humor and understood I had to delve further to see what was to be found beyond and am I glad I did.

Understand : I am born a strict Catholic, you know: go to church under threat by parents ( usually, no dating the coming week if I did not go, if you know me, I went ). 12 years of education by nuns...slept in a convent 5 days a week and went home on week-ends...if I was good and made the marks, nothing under a B. Ok you get it, threats and tons of guilt.

So when I started to read this hillarious book of story telling I kept refering to the back pages labled "Contributors" to make sure this was as advertised "A brave new generation of Jewish story tellers", I was under the impression story after story to be back home with my parents, brothers and friends....Finally I came to a sentence which enlightened me :

From: Lesbians at Temple by Lisa Kron of Broadway fame:

(One time I asked my friend Moises why people talk about Catholic guilt and Jewish Guilt like they're the same thing. I said "It doesn't feel the same to me but I can't figure it out". And he said, "Okay, here's the difference: Jewish guilt is that you feel like it's your job to save the world and you just haven't done enough. And Catholic guilt is that you just shouldn't be here at all"

So this is why I was confused, Catholics and Jews share this awful responsibility, which seems to follow us through life "GUILT"

Like I mentionned above, the cover represents more of a rebellious picture than what you will find inside this story telling book. You do not have to be a Jew or a Catholic to laugh out loud, it might help a little but in the end those are true stories those many authors are just yearning to tell and if you are human they will have you muse over a time in your own life.It is a great feeling to know we can all identify with one another regardless what religion, believes we hold dear.

My advice? GO OUT AND BUY THIS BOOK! you will not regret it, and do get back to me and tell me which story you remember most or touched you most.
My favorites are many but those touched me:

BENZOS AND BREAST CANCER by Stephanie Green ( Her upcoming book is CANCER IS THE NEW BLACK" )

OUT OF THE BAG by Noah Tarnow
His story had me laughing so hard, if you love cats, it's a must read!

GRANMA BETTY by Liz Feldman
Sweet

The truth is, I liked them all, some touched me more than others but all where absolutely great.

A CHANGE IN ALTITUDE by Anita Shreve

2009-10-08T11:41:00.014-04:00

***3/4

Reviewed for Hachette Book Group

Thank-you Miriam

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (September 22, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316020702

Synopsis

Margaret and Patrick have been married just a few months when they set off on what they hope will be a great adventure-a year living in Kenya. Margaret quickly realizes there is a great deal she doesn't know about the complex mores of her new home, and about her own husband.

A British couple invites the newlyweds to join on a climbing expedition to Mount Kenya, and they eagerly agree. But during their harrowing ascent, a horrific accident occurs. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Margaret struggles to understand what happened on the mountain and how these events have transformed her and her marriage, perhaps forever.

A Change in Altitude illuminates the inner landscape of a couple, the irrevocable impact of tragedy, and the elusive nature of forgiveness. With stunning language and striking emotional intensity, Anita Shreve transports us to the exotic panoramas of Africa and into the core of our most intimate relationships

My View:

Having read every book written by Anita Shreve, I have my favorite and not so favorite.
With A CHANGE IN ALTITUDE the author choses a different style than found in her previous novels. There are three parts to this novel. Part one had me hooked, it was what I expected of Anita Shreve. The short crisp sentences which bring us ever so gently to a climax, in this case a tragic accident.

Part two takes us away from her usual style. If you like a lush description of Africa, Kenya in this case you will like this novel. The human factor Anita Shreve is so well known for is still there, the complicated transition which takes us from an early marriage to a more settled life between a husband and wife, men and women who enter those lives, disturbing their idea of marriage is all there to be found. Except somewhat lost in a travel log type of narration for which I did not care much.

The protagonist Margaret, a photojournalist through who's eyes we vew this novel is a newly married American woman on her first trip to Africa, accompanied by her husband Patrick an equatorial physician.
Very quickly their lives will change, an accident for which there might or might not be blame.
I found Margaret a little anoying never quite figuring her out to be good wife to Patrick or not. Patrick on the other hand becomes quite an annoying individual as the novel progresses.

Part three takes us back to the style I like in her novels and we are in for a cliff hanger.....

I rate this novel a 3 3/4 only because of some lengthy passages in part two which might be interesting to some readers. I would rather read a shorter novel who's thread is not interrupted.

THE WOMAN WHO NAMED GOD

2009-10-02T12:30:00.008-04:00

*****
Thanks to Hachette Book Group

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (July 28, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 031611474X

Charlotte Gordon offers a unique look at the Old Testament relationships between and among Abraham; his wife, Sarah; and his mistress, Hagar. Gordon approaches the biblical text as a literary study as opposed to a literal divine revelation. With no theological ax to grind, she draws upon the work of theologians, scholars, archaeologists, and historians to unpack a widely misunderstood and misinterpreted saga. Most interesting is her focus on the exiled, shamed, and shadowed Hagar, whom Gordon elevates to a mystic and prophet. Gordon ultimately shows that these biblical characters are complex and multilayered; they behave, in short, like human beings who wrestle with foibles, passions, and jealousies. Most important, the story speaks to the 21st century and its marital ambivalence, dysfunctional family systems, pervasive divorce, as well as to 9/11, the so-called "Axis of Evil," and West Bank unrest. The author's vision is that the retelling of this ancient tale might awaken the world to redemption. The sons of Hagar and Sarah, after all, came together in peace at their father Abraham's funeral. General readers with even a casual interest in religion and its impact on history, as well as on current events, will appreciate the lens through which the author peers.

I grew up in a strict Catholic family and was schooled by Dominicant nuns, so The New Testament was the Book I was raised on. Over the years I did learn more about the Bible.

In the Catholic Faith "The Crusades" is one of the first lessons we learn, in my case anyhow. I had a real problem with the nuns who held this war as a holy war with saints etc...the West went of to the Near East to kill nonbelievers, so they decided...

By reading Charlotte Gorden's dissertation about the birth of three nations I learned facts I did not know in such debth, which brings me to Abraham and his relationship with God. We are all Gods Children, fathered through Abraham and his wife Sarah and Hagar. The Bible is clear about this but the interpretation isn't always. Over the years be it Jews, Christians or Muslims, each added their interpretation of the original text, and have disagreed ever since...

"THE WOMAN WHO NAMED GOD" tries to make us understand whatever religion we happen to be born in we are through God and Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, Isaac and Ishmael all Gods children Muslims, Jews or Christians.

This is a well researched book, it is more a dissertation or thesis. You will find a bibliography and excellent research notes. It is not meant to be a Chrstian book as some reviewers thought and seemed insulted. The author makes this clear, she is adressing the world 4000 years ago and today. I think everyone who reads this book will retain something , which is good.

FRIDAY FILL~INS

2009-09-18T07:51:00.002-04:00

1. My car allows me to reach civilisation .

2. Fall is coming up next such a colorful season.

3. Lately, things seem to slow down a little, fall is upon us.

4. Inside a book is one of my favorite 'hiding' places :D.

5. What happened to all the heat, yea...cooler weather is upon us.

6. A trip up the coast in the near future is not impossible!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include do not know yet and Sunday, I want to read and relax!

INGENIOUS PAIN by Andrew Miller

2009-09-17T20:23:00.005-04:00

*****
" R.I.P. CHALLENGE "

"What does the world need most--a good, ordinary man, or one who is outstanding, albeit with a heart of ice?" This is the question at the heart of Andrew Miller's first novel, Ingenious Pain, a book set during the 18th-century Age of Enlightenment. The outstanding man in question is James Dyer, an English freak of nature who, since birth, has been impervious to physical pain. Not only does he feel no pain, but he recovers from all injuries in record time. By turns a shill for a quack pain- reliever at county fairs, an object of study by a wealthy collector of human oddities, and, eventually, a surgeon, James Dyer--and through him the reader--gains exposure to a panoply of 18th-century philosophical thought, medical practice, historic events, and larger-than-life rogues and heroes, both fictional and real. As a surgeon, James Dyer excels, and his inability to feel--whether physical pain himself or empathy for others--seems only to enhance his skill with a knife. James slices and dices and cures without a scintilla of compassion while his reputation grows, until at last he arrives in Russia and the mystery of his unusual quality is resolved. Miller navigates his complicated story and exotic locales with unswerving confidence, bolstered, no doubt, by thorough research. James Dyer is not a character who invites love, but his adventures make for intelligent, deeply pleasurable reading.

My View:
This novel had my attention from begining to end. It is a brilliant tale taking place in 18th century England. Part Gothic, history, psychology and magic.

We are taken from England to Paris, Norway and finaly Russia at it's most splendid.

However this story has a very dark side. We witness a rape, from which a child is born without the knowlege of pain, physical pain. Once grown the protagonist James Dyer becomes a cold blooded human being without physical or emotional pain, the question this novel seems to ask of us is, do we need pain in our life to feel empathy which makes us ultimatly human? Is to much empathy destructive to us? Towards the ending of the story, James Dyer, having gained the knowlege of pain, late in life, seems to answer this question.

This is a must read book, There is magic or maybe a better word for the 18th century would be sorcery through a character named Mary, brought back from a Russian forest to England. I have one small disappointment and this is; I would have liked to see Mary and James Dyer further developped, yet the author Andrew Miller left enough hints for us to know what happened and perhaps it is better left as is.

This is just an all around fantastic novel! A great writer.

A BUTTERFLY ENJOYING SOME NECTAR

2009-09-14T13:17:00.002-04:00

A BUMBLEBEE FEEDING OF NECTAR

2009-09-14T13:12:00.004-04:00

A gentle bumblebee

THE LIFE OF HUNGER by Amelie Nothomb

2009-09-13T13:15:00.006-04:00

*****

Synopsis: In a wistful, tough, funny, clever, and characteristically odd memoir-cum-novel, Amelie Nothomb casts herself as hunger: hunger for experience, hunger for life, hunger for sweetness and, in what is the book's nucleus, hunger for hunger (the period during which she was afflicted by acute anorexia). The daughter of a Belgian diplomat, Amelie had an itinerant childhood, ranging from Tokyo to Peking and Paris to New York by way of Bangladesh. Recounting these formative journeys right up to her return to Japan in 1989, and the Kobe earthquake, The Life of Hunger is an extraordinary examination of the self, and perhaps Amelie's most mature and moving work to date.

Excerpt:

...'In Vanuatu, there is food everywhere. We never had to produce it. We hold out our two hands and a coconut falls into one, into the other one bunch of bananas. We walk into the sea to cool ourselves down, and cannot help collecting excellent, shellfish, sea urchins, crabs and delicate fish. We go for a walk into the forest, where there are to many birds: we are forced to do them the favour of removing their surplus eggs from their nests, and sometimes wringing the neck of one of these feathered creatures, which don't even run away from us. Female warthogs have to much milk, for they to are overfed and beg us to milk them to ease their discomfort; they utter shrill cries that cease only when we yield to their plea.'

...For a few minutes he said nothing. Then after a while, he added:

'It's terrible'...You can't imagine what it's like!

My review:

This novel by Amelie Nothomb is indeed more mature and rather different from her usual creation. Also it does I believe addresses her life. If you read as many of her novels as I have, you begin to notice her childhood emerging, and staying faithful novel to novel.

I enjoyed THE LIFE OF HUNGER immensely. If you have never read her, do read this book.

The above excerpt addresses her believe that if you are satieded in all aspects of life you become unproductive. The 'hunger' for life is what drives us to search, in Amelie's case "sweets" which her mother forbids, at least at an early age. Her unique style makes this novel a serious and fun read.

SIMPLE RECIPES by Madeleine Thien

2009-09-13T09:40:00.017-04:00

*****

Dysfunction and despair are the themes of this graceful debut collection, in which the protagonists describe their struggles to overcome pain caused by family or poor circumstances. The young female narrator of the title story remembers the moment her immigrant family fell apart: when her older, better assimilated brother was savagely beaten by their father after a confrontation between the two. The girl realizes that this act of "violence will turn all my love to shame and grief." "Alchemy" is a chilling, suspenseful story of disloyalty between family and best friends, in which two teenage girls must confront a sickening truth. In "House," 10-year-old Lorraine and her older sister, Kathleen, loiter in front of their former home in hopes of reuniting with the alcoholic mother who abandoned them. Miriam, the narrator of "A Map of the City," is alternately frustrated and saddened by her immigrant father's inability to make a living and allows his hurt to become her own. As powerful as most of the stories are, they sometimes suffer from the obviousness of their metaphors: the title story invokes worn-out descriptions of rice preparation; "Alchemy" features caged rabbits that don't run away when freed. Still, the simplicity of Thien's narration belies the complexity of her themes. She is a writer to watch.

From "A MAP OF THE CITY"

...In the years after I left home, I used to glimpse my parents in unexpected places. I would see the two of them in the Safeway, my mother standing patiently by while my father weight oranges in his hands, feeling for signs of imperfection. I would see them on the opposite sidewalk, blurred and old, traffic streaming between us. During these sightings, I never felt the urge to join them, I only wanted to remain where I was and watch while they negotiated their way through the aisles, their bodies slow with old age. Of course it was never them.

My view:

I am usually not a short story reader, I prefer a novella to a short story. Madeleine Thien's SIMPLE RECIPES has been sitting on my TBR for ever, so the other day I picked up her book ad started reading, forcing myself to read one new book followed by a older book. Well......I just loved each and every short story in her book.

"SIMPLE RECIPES" some of my own memories came back vividly, the love of my father towards me, and his irritation with my older brother whom I love dearly. This always tore me up, I loved both equally and sometimes came to my brothers defence against my dad. Madeleine Thien's short story touched me deeply, as if she understood what I had and still felt. Isn't this one reason among others why we love books so much? They speak to us, explain our lives, relieve the loneliness of certain situations.

"FOUR DAYS FROM OREGON" deals with a young mother who decides she married the wrong man. Two sisters rebel when she leaves her husband and home, taking her daughters along into a new relationship. The author succeeds beautifully in letting us evolve with this family which ends up happily.

"ALCHEMY" a young girl spends many nights sleeping over at her friend Paula's home even so she has a wonderful family. This is a touching story which takes an unexpected turn when Paula is the one who wants her friend to sleep over. Here the author addresses a delicate situation with much care. I loved each and every story,

"Dispatch"

"House" which is so touching written with her pen.

"Bullet Train"

"A map of the city".

I put "CERTAINTY:A NOVEL" on my amazon wish list, this is her first full length novel. If her short stories are an example, her novel should be a great and gentle read.