Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet

Claude and Camille: A Novel of Monet, by Stephanie Cowell; Crown Publishing, 2010

Reviewed by Chris Loechel

Claude and Camille is an excellent story told in retrospect by Claude Monet in his 70's, centering on Monet's infatuation with Camille Doncieux, who was first glimpsed at a train station en route to Paris. Monet tracks her down months later, and convinces her to become his model, and eventually his lover. Camille's family strongly objects to her affair with the 'starving artist', just as Monet's father objects to his son's career. The couple finds solace in the company of Monet’s fellow aspiring painters: Renoir, Pissaro and more. You become totally immersed in the loves and lives of the Impressionists and the lifestyle of nineteenth-century Paris. I also recommend The Swan Thieves: A Novel, by Elizabeth Kostova. This book is very different than her previous novel "The Historian", but is a terrifically interwoven story about a psychiatrist and his mindset after he stabs a famous painting. Be sure to read the reliably good Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer. This is a delightful story composed of letters written during World War II in Britain. It makes you want to go meet all of the characters involved, and visit the memorable settings on the Isle of Guernsey.

Mindless Eating

Mindless Eating, by Brian Wansink, Ph.D; Bantam Publishing, 2010

Reviewed by Tina Lakenes

Ah...it's a New Year, and many of us are making resolutions for weight loss--again. If you are seriously trying, I recommend Dr. Wansink's book Mindless Eating. This is not so much a diet book, but a book that offers suggestions for being more mindful of what you are eating. Nutritional science and marketing professor Wansink explores some of the psychological aspects of overeating to explain why we in fact consume more than we believe we do. The author finds the greatest value in retraining one's mind and its perceptions by devices such as making sure one's plate contains at least half vegetables or salad. He suggests that a dieter will automatically eat less in social situations by being the last to start eating and the first to finish. He assesses the dangers of food shopping in bulk-portion stores, where shoppers are encouraged to overindulge. For a change of pace, try The Girl Who Played with Fire, the late Stieg Larsson's intriguing sequel to "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". This story deals with Sweden's sex slave trade, and explains more about the main character's tragic childhood, and the ongoing search for her as a murder suspect. For a romantic departure, try HRH, by Danielle Steele. Princess Christinna meets and falls in love with an American doctor while volunteering for the Red Cross in East Africa. Trouble ensues when she is not allowed to marry him--a commoner.

The Anthologist

The Anthologist: A Novel, by Nicholson Baker; Simon & Schuster Publishing, 2010

Reviewed by Nancy Shepley

I recommend Baker's The Anthologist, a hilarious account of a "poet" who is trying to write an introduction to his anthology of poems. The main character, Paul Crowder, is a failure at life, who has lost the two things that he values most--his girlfriend, and his ability to write. He stumbles through his woeful personal life, credit card debt, frequent finger injuries, and skewed and sordid views of poets and poetry. Colm Toibin's The Blackwater Lightship is the account of an Irish family coming to terms with the death of a son, and a brother dying of AIDS. These tragic losses helps to heal divisions and misunderstandings among the various family members. In a different direction, try The Quick and the Dead, by Joy Williams. This novel centers on the friendship between three young women, their various attitudes and adventures taken singly, and together.

The Sugar Camp Quilt

The Sugar Camp Quilt, by Jennifer Chiaverini; Simon & Schuster Publishing, 2006

Reviewed by Martha "Marty" Richards

The Sugar Camp Quilt is a fine historical fiction novel, set in Creek's Crossing, Pennsylvania in the years prior to the Civil War. Author Chiaverini's seventh book in the "Elm Creek Quilt" series centers on the operation of the Underground Railroad, and the use of quilts as "markers" to show the way to freedom. I enjoyed the wonderful characters and the storyline. Ann Hood's The Knitting Circle has very compelling characterizations of a group of women (and two men) who knit to deal with loss, grief and healing. I also enjoyed Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout. This very well written series of short vignettes feature a central character--Olive Kitteridge--who is often brash, outspoken, yet strangely sympathetic as she injects herself into daily life in a small East Coast community.

My Own Country

My Own Country: A Doctor's Story, by Dr. Abraham Verghese; Phoenix Publishing, 1995

Reviewed by Mary Grace Swift

I am recommending two books here by Dr. Abraham Verghese. They are both excellent, but My Own Country: A Doctor's Story, is a standout for it's masterful prose. Dr. Verghese has the eye, ear and the voice of a novelist, and the compassion of a healer recounting his experiences as the doctor from Africa who comes to the U.S. to do battle with AIDS in east Tennessee. In the course of the book, he has to come to term with a new country, his failing marriage, and dealing with infectious diseases, including the growing 'plague' that becomes known as AIDS. I also highly recommend Dr. Verghese's novel Cutting for Stone, focussing on twin boys, their adoptive parents, and their life's journey from India, to Africa, and to the U.S. Another recommendation is The Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession, by Susan Orlean. This nonfiction book is a John McPhee-ish account of Florida, orchids, and people with a passion for these exotic plants.

Liquor: A Novel

Liquor: A Novel, by Poppy Z. Brite; Three Rivers Press, 2004

Reviewed by Peter Gritt

Cult horror novelist Poppy Z. Brite's book Liquor: A Novel, features the experiences and many obstacles facing two young men--"foodies"--who attempt to open a gourmet restaurant in New Orleans. The restaurant's entire menu features alcohol in one form or another, blending culinary passion with Big Easy politics and lots of intrigue. If you are an artist-at-heart, and love to dabble in oil pastels, take a look at Oil Pastel, by Ken Leslie. This is a very informative book for beginners and experienced artists alike, offering plenty of good tips in the use of this medium. Author Paul Theroux serves up another great travelogue--this time in Kawloon Tong, which involves the Chinese takeover of Hong Kong. I have read all of Theroux's books in our library, and truly appreciate his "non-sugar coated" approach to travel.

Working The Sea

Working the Sea: Misadventures, Ghost Stories and Life Lessons from a Maine Lobsterman, Wendell Seavey; North Atlantic Books, 2005

Reviewed by Jim Tolpin

I enjoyed Wendell Seavey's Working the Sea, a lively portrait of an old-school Maine lobsterman. The story covers his life, and his transition from an unquestioning harvester to environmental activist. And what a life...from a two-room schoolhouse to college; from boatyards to back alleys; from strikes to plenty of soul searching. Here is a humble fisherman who has evolved into a great storyteller. Another fine book of the sea is Jack London's The Sea Wolf. London's classic novel is set aboard a sealing schooner in the early 1900's, as seen through the eyes of a young, intelligent, but naive "landlubber". This is a great coming-of-age story. I also enjoyed The Wayfinders, by Wade Davis. This is an eye-opening, insightful investigation into the lives of Third World people who are confronted with profound globalism and exploitation.

In Working the Sea, Wendell Seavey paints a lively portrait of life both off and on the shores of Maine. Journeying from a two-room schoolhouse to the College of the Atlantic, from boatyards to back alleys, and from labor strikes to soul-searching road trips, he is accompanied by not just fisherman, but by professors, psychiatrists, and environmentalists. A man of humor and humility, open to both nature and the supernatural, Wendell Seavey is living proof that fishermen are indeed the best storytellers.

Tailspin

Talespin, by Catherine Coulter; Putnam Adult Publishing, 2008

Reviewed by Cathy Parkman

If you're looking for a good book full of thrills, chills, political intrigue and a little romance, try Catherine Coulter's Talespin. Yeah...it is relatively mindless, but it kept me pageturning at the beach. The heroine is on the run, and heading for refuge in a remote area when she witnesses a plane crash. An interesting variety of good, bad and demented characters flesh out the intrigue. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (yes--a very short name) is an interesting story about a teenage girl traveling alone--and unchaperoned--on a transatlantic voyage in 1832. Charlotte's adventures and experiences aboard the ship have a profound impact on the rest of her life. Another enjoyable novel of adventure (add place and love to the mix) is The Hungry Tide, by Amitav Ghosh, set in the Sundarban archipelago--coastal islands off India. A female American biologist studies rare and endangered river dolphins has a life entwined with local tradition/culture, tides, weather and men.

The Horse Boy

The Horse Boy, by Rupert Isaacson; Little, Brown & Company Publishing, 2009

Reviewed by Tyler Buckham

Rupert Isaacson's The Horse Boy is the story of a father who takes his wife--a psychology professor--and young son on a quest to Mongolia, in hopes of healing his son's autism. Their real journey through Mongolia is full of intense challenges, and amazing rewards. Their last-ditch effort against the child's autism leads the parents to shamans, and the somewhat unorthodox therapy found in the repetitive rocking from horseback riding. I also enjoyed Changes, by Jim Butcher, a delicious, fast-paced blend of humor, horror, action and emotion. The stakes are always high, the plot twists surprising, and the language is a delight. Tana French's Faithful Place is a very well-written novel about an Irish undercover policeman who visits the dysfunctional family he had left 22 years earlier. Tensions run high as he tries to find answers to an unsolved death.

The Piano Shop on the Left Bank

The Piano Shop on the Left Bank, by Thad Carhart; Random House Publishing, 2002

Reviewed by Jim Tolpin

I enjoyed The Piano Shop on the Left Bank, by Thad Carhart, a witty and fascinating autobiographical story of an expatriate American in Paris, who discovers his way back to the piano--his childhood passion. In the process of his rediscovery, he learns French customs, new skills in playing the piano, and the intriguing history and inner workings of the instrument. Ian Oughtred's A Life in Wooden Boats offers an enjoyably deep look into the life (personal and professional) of an influential, contemporary designer of small rowing and sailing craft, who specializes in adapting pricey boat designs of the rich and famous into those for more "financially challenged" amateurs. I also enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle, a pleasing "coming of age" story for people of all ages. I consider it a "breakout of the mold" type of book. One quotable take-away was: "You're given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself."

Time for Tea: Tea & Conversation with 13 English Women

Time for Tea: Tea and Conversation with 13 English Women, by Michele Rivers; Crown Publishing, 1995

Reviewed by Lauren Brown

I found Michele Rivers' nonfiction book Timefor Tea: Tea and Conversation with 13 English Women to be surprisingly engaging, with unique explanations of why English society has so steadfastly preserved its teatime traditions. Rivers offers a series of candid interviews from the thirteen women of various backgrounds, who range in age from six to eighty. There are lots of tempting recipes to try too. Another interesting nonfiction book (with sometimes excessive detail) is James Herriot: The Life of a Country Vet, by Graham Lord. This book was published shortly before Herriot's son wrote his father's biography, and offered a lot of information about Herriot that I hadn't known before. I also enjoyed A Highland Christmas, by M.C. Beaton. This was the first book I'd read by this author, and offered an inviting introduction to the cozy village world of Scottish Constable Hamish MacBeth.

The Day the Red Baron Died

The Day the Red Baron Died, by Dale M. Titler; Walker & Company Publishing, 1970

Reviewed by Karen Hamilton

For those readers interested in World War I intrigue, try Dale Titler's book The Day the Red Baron Died. This "oldie" book offers plenty of background about the notorious flying ace Baron Manfred von Richthofen, his many victims, and definitive proof about what ended his reign of terror in the skies during the Great War. We now know who--and what--was responsible for his demise. In another "historic" vein, I enjoyed Wallis and Edward--Letters 1931-1937, edited by Michael Bloch. This book provides the details of before, during and after the British abdication crisis, as expressed by the two major participants. For something closer to home, try A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson. Bill and a companion rediscover America on the historic Appalachian Trail, encountering struggles and plenty of natural beauty along the way.

The Secret Scripture

The Secret Scripture, by Sebastian Barry; Penguin Books, 2009

Reviewed by a library patron
I highly recommend The Secret Scripture, a deeply sad story...with a (mostly) happy ending. You just can't beat the Irish for individual human 'experience' and writing quality. Sebastian Barry, a contemporary Irish writer, uses two contradictory narratives against each other in an attempt to solve the mystery of a 100-year-old Roseanne McNulty, a mental patient locked up for decades in an asylum in western Ireland. Mystery, corruption, tragedy, emotion--this book has it all. I also recommend Richard Yates' Revolutionary Road. This novel has a difficult subject matter, but is well worth the read. It has excellent development of the characters through their various responses to a profound and sudden tragedy. On the flip side, I cannot recommend All Other Nights, by Dara Horn. All in all, I found this book somewhat disappointing. The use of a race and religion through a Jewish-American viewpoint during the Civil War seemed like an interesting premise, but the novel turned out to be nothing special.

A Lost Lady

A Lost Lady, by Willa Cather; Book Jungle Publishing, 2009

Reviewed by Stephanie Achten

I'm exploring three 'classics' here from two very different genres, starting with (my) highly recommended novel A Lost Lady, by Willa Cather, first published in 1923. Cather's story is set in Nebraska, and features Marian Forrester, a classy older woman adored by the book's young, innocent male narrator. His lifelong friendship with Marian evolves, exposing her life's reality that causes her to slip from her "pedestal". I decided to explore another Willa Cather novel, O Pioneers--the story of a Swedish immigrant family, enduring hardship and heartache while trying to tame the prairielands of Nebraska during the late 19th century. For a real "classic" change of pace, I read Thomas Harris' The Silence of the Lambs. Clarice Starling, an FBI agent-in-training is working against the clock to try and stop a serial killer who is preying upon young women.

The Husband

The Husband, by Dean Koontz; Bantam Publishing, 2007

Reviewed by Joi Reed

Be sure to tighten your seatbelts with this one! Don't miss Dean Koontz's The Husband, a hard driving thriller about an ordinary gardener who evolves into a ruthless avenger as he tries to save his kidnapped and ransomed wife. Mitch Rafferty leads a mundane life, caring for rich people's gardens. This existence radically changes when deadly serious kidnappers demand $2 million for the return of his wife. But how can a gardener come up with that amount of cash? If your literary taste includes British whodunits, try And Justice, There Is None, by Deborah Crombie. This is excellent Brit mystery writing, with a superb narrator. Loved it! For a very different change of pace, consider Brokeback Mountain, by acclaimed author Annie Proulx. This story revolves around the tumultuous lives of two young men who fell in sex/love one summer in the wild backcountry of Montana. Read the book...see the movie.

The Beach House

The Beach House, by Jane Green; Plume Publishing, 2009

Reviewed by Christie Johnson

Set in Nantucket, The Beach House is the story of a financially-strapped widow and the home she turns into a bed-and-breakfast. Her paying summer guests are a wide spectrum of flawed, fragile personalities weathering love's turmoils, all hoping to capture a relaxing, renewing experience at the seashore. Keeping with the "sea" theme, I took a literary voyage with Robert Parker's Sea Change is this author's typical style of murder mystery, set in New England and Florida, featuring flashy seacraft and high society. If you're looking for a 'candy bar' of a book, try Full House, by Janet Evanovich. This is true summer reading, written in her 'Stephanie Plum' style, but it features a different cast of loopy characters.

The Outsider

The Outsider, by Penelope Williamson; Simon and Schuster, 1996

Reviewed by Kathleen Hawn

This cover art made Penelope Williamson's book look like a schmaltzy romance on the outside, but inside was one the best books I've read in a very long time. Set in 1887 Montana, The Outsider is a compelling novel of intolerance, mayhem, faith, and self-determination, seasoned with a good splash of passion. Mix rigid, sheep-raising Amish with amoral gunslingers (or "shootists"), conniving cattle ranchers and their minions, and you'll have a tasty stew of complex characters. Read the book, then see the movie. I also recommend The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman, by Nancy Marie Brown. I've always been intrigued by the Vikings, but this well-documented tale--with recent evidence (in 2005) of Gudrid's existence and influence, gave me a much better understanding of this brazen Norse culture. For a real change of pace, try World Made By Hand, by James Howard Kunstler. Set in America's near future, in a world of post-Peak Oil, post-pandemics and technology's collapse, this novel is filled with intriguing, earthy characters who are determined to survive and rebuild a sense of hope and community, even in the midst of societal chaos and despair. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel to this book, which will be available in September 2010.

Nineteen Minutes

Nineteen Minutes, by Jodi Picoult; Washington Square Press Publishing, 2008

Reviewed by Sally Lovell

I recommend Nineteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult's riveting tale about a long-bullied teenager who eventually snaps, and takes out his revenge by killing ten people in his high school. Flashbacks reveal how years of persistent bullying eventually leads the teen into a world of violent computer games and dark emotions, which manifest in tragedy. Sharyn McCrumb's mystery If I'd Killed Him When I Met Him is a good pageturner with lots of clever, funny dialogue. This story offers a medley of marriage-and-divorce scenarios, and amusing commentary on romantic relationships. If you're looking for true-life stories of contemporary senior citizens (age 70 and older) in America, take a look at Coming of Age, by Studs Terkel. This book is created from interviews, but the interviewer's questions are omitted. This technique produced choppy storytelling, but offered very interesting "nuggets" here and there.

My Abandonment

My Abandonment, by Peter Rock; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, 2009

Reviewed by Jennifer Nielsen

I highly recommend My Abandonment--Peter Rock's insightful and engaging novel. This is the first book I've read in which the main characters are a homeless father and daughter. The two have created an elaborate, functioning shelter in a cave, and make occasional, wary ventures into the 'civilized' world. But one small mistake turns their makeshift existence upside down. I also enjoyed J.R. Moehringer's Tender Bar, an interesting memoir about a boy growing up with an eccentric (but loveable) family and group of friends in Manhasset, New York, near where my husband grew up in Port Washington on Long Island. If you are looking for another engaging, interesting (however depressing) read, try The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. This novel of World War II Germany is focused on a foster child, Liesel, from the point-of-view of "Death".

The Likeness

The Likeness, by Tana French; Penguin Publishing, 2009

Reviewed by Allison Danner

A detective goes undercover with a very unique identity--as a murder victim. Cassie, the detective, is a virtual twin to the body of a young woman found in the ruins of an old stone cottage near Dublin. Posing as the injured (but alive) college student, Cassie is able to solve the mystery of the woman's death. The Likeness is one of the best books I have read recently. Kathy Reich's Death du Jour is an interesting story with a main character who solves murder mysteries in Quebec and South Carolina. Interesting information about a nun and a cult is revealed. A man is convicted for a murder he didn't commit in Jeffrey Archer's novel A Prisoner of Birth. The wrongly accused man works to prove that he is innocent, and also seeks revenge in the process.

City of Thieves

City of Thieves, by David Benioff; Viking Publishing, 2009

Reviewed by Heidi Kane

Two unlikely companions join forces toward two common goals--survival during the siege of Leningrad during World War II, and the search for eggs among the starving populace. City of Thieves is a compelling (and sometimes humorous) novel centering on a naive 17-year-old who was caught looting a German paratrooper's corpse. Lev, and his acquaintance Kolya, are spared from execution on the condition that they acquire a dozen eggs for the colonel's daughter's wedding cake. Bestselling author James Patterson's novel Sail centers on a mother's last-ditch effort to bring her dysfunctional family back together. However, her well- meaning interactions go terribly wrong. Everything that can happen, does. On the lighter side, you might take a look at Julie Kenner's book Aphrodite's Kiss, who's central character gains the chance to become a superhero, with the ability to fly and have x-ray vision. These new skills might come in handy, but would they become a blessing, or a curse? If given the choice between having super powers, or giving them up for true love, what would you choose?

Terminal Freeze

Terminal Freeze, by Lincoln Child; Doubleday Publishing, 2009.

Reviewed by Chris Little

Quite frankly, Terminal Freeze was outside of my normal reading comfort zone, with it's terrifying creature/monster, an isolated Arctic location, and a mostly clueless cast of characters. However, author Lincoln Child has created a riveting thriller with a pervasive mood of chaos and fear, that made for a great escape book to begin the summer. James Grippando's Intent to Kill is another great summer vacation book. It is well-written, with no heavy thinking required. It's a fairly lightweight read, with an entertaining and plausible storyline. For a dramatic change of mood, try Ten Degrees of Reckoning, by Hester Rumberg, a heartwrenching story of loss, courage, and survival on the sea. In 1993, a freighter altered its course slightly and tragically ended the young Sleavin family's three year round-the-world sailing trip. Keep the Kleenexes close by...

The Great Gamble

The Great Gamble, by Gregory Feifer; HarperCollins Publishing, 2009.

Reviewed by Jeff Youde

Former Moscow NPR correspondant Gregory Feifer offers this very interesting, retrospective critique on the Soviet Union's invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, based on first hand accounts. In The Great Gamble, Feifer points out the parallels between the ill-fated 1980's Soviet intrusion into that country, and the present American involvement, which (he feels) is undermined by our entanglement in the second front--Iraq. I also enjoyed In A Sunburned Country by travel writer Bill Bryson, offering a humorous, sometimes whimsical take on one man's travels across the vast Australian continent. For something closer to home, the Cascade Alpine Guide: Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass, by iconoclastic climber Fred Beckey, will offer our region's wanderers lots of details about various high country routes. This book is a Northwest classic.

The Chase

The Chase, by Clive Cussler. Berkley Publishing, 2008

Reviewed by Kathi Johnson

For this adventure, author Clive Cussler sets his usual characters and storylines (NUMA, Dirk Pitt, etc.) aside, introducing detective Isaac Bell to solve the mystery. The Chase involves the 1950 reappearance (literally) of a submerged, circa 1906 steam locomotive, prompting the reinvestigation of a ruthless bank robber who left a trail of murdered witnesses during his two-year crime spree. In a different direction, I found Mercedes Lackey's book Fairy Godmother to be an interesting perspective on the 'occupation' of--yes--fairy godmother. The main character must do her utmost to preserve Tradition, but chooses to bend the rules a bit to explore romance--a choice that isn't allowed in the job description. I also read 3:16, by Max Lucado. This is an in-depth look at each word and phrase in this famous Biblical verse from John. It makes you think again about what it says and means, no matter how well you think you know it.

The Book Thief

The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. Alfred A. Knopf Publishing, 2007.

Reviewed by Patron

Death narrates this story of Liesel, a young girl in Germany, just prior to, and during World War II. Liesel has tragically lost her father, mother and brother, and ends up in foster care with a colorful working-class family on Himmel (Heaven) Street, on the outskirts of Munich. The Book Thief was a very moving book--I cried while reading it. I also enjoyed The Renegades: A Charlie Hood Novel, a fine murder mystery by T. Jefferson Parker. The main character (Charlie Hood) must prove that the police can be dishonest too. In a similar vein, Easy Prey is an entertaining Lucas Davenport murder mystery by author John Sandford. Davenport solves the mystery of a top model's death, which is complicated by several more murders before the end of the book.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, by Alexander McCall Smith. Anchor Publishing; 2009

Reviewed by Diane Allen

Precious Ramotswe, my favorite female detective in Botswana, continues to use her special people skills to close a case in Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, Alexander McCall Smith's 10th novel featuring this main character. Precious unravels problems involving deliberate sabotage in a talented local soccer team. I also enjoyed The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday, another novel by Alexander McCall Smith. This book features philosopher Isabel Dalhousie, who investigates a doctor accused of fraud. Elizabeth vonArnim's classic novel Enchanted April is a delightful story about four women who go to Italy for a special holiday. They start out as strangers, but become good friends. (This book was made into a movie, which is now available on DVD at our Library.)

Low Country

Low Country, by Anne Rivers Siddons. Harper Collins Publishing, 1998.

Reviewed by Sally Lovell

I recommend Low Country. Anne Rivers Siddon's story is more than just a tale about a family or a marriage. It is more about the development of environmentally sensitive areas, and its effects on wildlife habitats, communities, and human relationships, particularly those of Caroline, the main character. I also enjoyed the book The Alibi, by Sandra Brown. The main character in this story faces intriguing ethical issues. There is also a mystery surrounding the motives of the woman who has the "alibi". Dream Country, by Luanne Rice, is a good story which focusses on parents and their young children, and the trauma they all feel when separated prematurely. This book also includes wonderful descriptions of Western landscapes.

Loving Frank

Loving Frank, by Nancy Horan; Ballantine Books, 2008

Reviewed by Sharon Hoyer

Nancy Horan's first novel, Loving Frank, is a disturbing, fictionalized memoir of Mamah Borthwick Cheney, best known as the woman who wrecked Frank Lloyd Wright's first marriage during the early 1900's. Despite the title, this is not a romance, but is more of a deep exploration of the emotional stress of love affairs and divorce, especially when scandals become the stuff of headlines. Gina Barreca's It's Not That I'm Bitter, is kind of cute, kind of funny, sometimes deep, but...overall a bit disappointing while it presents little stories of life in our times. In a similar vein of life issues--but with a very different presentation--I highly recommend My Grandfather's Blessing, by Naomi Remen. There is so much wisdom and beauty in this book. WONDERFUL!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford; Ballantine Books, 2009

Reviewed by Claudia B. Wagner

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is a moving story of generations; Henry, a Chinese boy, whose sweetheart--a Japanese girl--is relocated to an internment camp in 1942, and Henry's son, Marty, who helps him revisit those memories and put them to rest. It illustrates life and bittersweet first love during the early years of World War II in Seattle, Washington. Good reading for Northwesterners. Penelope Lively's Passing On is an understated, literate and enjoyable read of cross-generational influences. The main characters, Helen and Edward, have buried their domineering mother, and now begin to understand themselves and to live life more fully. I also enjoyed Under A Flaming Sky; The Great Hinckley Firestorm of 1894, by Daniel James Brown. This book is derived from eyewitness accounts and government documents of a range fire (combined with dry forests and drought) which took hundreds of lives, including the author's great grandfather. Of special interest--my own grandmother and great-grandparents survived this tragic event.

Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science

Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science, by Atul Gawande; Picador, 2008

Reviewed by Cheryl Maglosky

Dr. Gawande's outstanding book Complications" A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science is full of anecdotes, insights and perspectives on the medical system from an insider. The author's honesty and revelations are appreciated, and serve to demystify and humanize doctors and their work. Dr. Gwande is brutally honest about his mistakes and the limits of medicine, and takes you through the thought processes of physicians when making life-altering decisions. He also raises ethical questions you won't often hear discussed. Unaccustomed Earth, by Jhumpa Lahiri, is a re-read for me. Indulging in a 'second course' of this book gave me the opportunity to return to the exquisitely rendered places, the cultures, and characters in these short stories, and was no less rich an experience than the first visit. Despite (and because of) not being able to travel at the moment, I picked up Gutsy Women: More Travel Tips and Wisdom for the Road, by Marybeth Bond. I was pleasantly surprised to find this book full of fresh perspectives, insights, and unexpected information and suggestions for traveling women.

Dark Places

Dark Places: A Novel, by Gillian Flynn; Shaye Areheart Books, 2009

Reviewed by a Patron

I recommend Gillian Flynn's latest novel Dark Places, a very well-written story that is as good as her first book, Sharp Objects. Out of financial desperation, the selfish, hardened main character, Libby, becomes involved with a strange secret society which forces her to reexamine a past family tragedy. The book is full of extremely unlikeable characters, and shows the fallibility of traumatic memory. Leonard Downie Jr.'s The Rules of the Game seems too close to the real machinations of U.S. politics to be an enjoyable read. This author is a former executive editor of the Washington Post, so he knows Washington D.C. intrigue firsthand. On a lighter note, Valerie Laken's Dream House was easy to read. This book is full of psychological intrigue surrounding a couple's purchase of a dilapidated house that only one of them wants, and the resulting, irrevocable changes in their lives.

Sex, Death & Oysters

Sex, Death & Oysters, by Robb Walsh; Counterpoint Publishing, 2007

Reviewed by Lauren Brown

Restaurant critic and author Robb Walsh presents Sex, Death & Oysters, a surprisingly enjoyable tour of oyster geography, history and culture. Walsh's five year quest for the perfect oyster takes him on far-flung culinary journeys through North America, Ireland, England and France. Lots of oyster facts, recipes and humor, as well as suggestions on the best beverages to accompany your meal. Ben Yagoda's intriguing nonfiction book, The Sound on the Page: Great Writers Talk About Style and Voice in Writing, is an eye-opening exploration of writing and choices, going beyond mechanical competence to the territory of Art. If you're looking for a good story to read for content (not style), try A Breath of Snow & Ashes, by Diana Gabaldon. This novel (also audiobook) is a part of an extensive saga, but it was enjoyable on it's own (after a bit of acclimation!)

The Glister

The Glister, by John Burnside; Nan A. Talese Publishing, 2009

Reviewed by Paul Rogland

I highly recommend reading The Glister, a very well-written "horror light" story set in the coastal village of Innertown. Burnside's engaging novel revolves around the mysterious disappearances of five teenagers, and the ensuing coverup. It is a cautionary tale that illustrates how greed and an indifference to suffering are the real horrors of modern life. Chuck Palahniuk's Pygmy is the story of young North Korean terrorists who are embedded in a small American town with plans to wreak havoc in the United States. Despite the subject matter, the book has humor and a strong undercurrent of timely truth. I also read As Time Goes By, by Abigail Trafford. This book takes a look at various types of relationships that retirement-age people have, and how they have been altered from traditional patterns. Of interest, but not recommended as an "engaging read".

The Seven Daughters of Eve

The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry, by Bryan Sykes; W. W. Norton & Company, 2001

Reviewed by J. Anne Holman

Now here is a true scientific mystery, marvelously written by the man who did much of the original work on decoding mitochondrial DNA. The Seven Daughters of Eve describes how genetic evidence from all humans tested (so far) can be traced from seven major groups that originated from one woman. With a subject matter that could have been dry and dull, this book is well written and clearly explained, and the British humor kept me laughing. Gina Kolata's Flu is an exhausting review of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. Kolata's journalistic background comes through the story in careful reporting of the names, title and qualifications of the people searching for the origins of this deadly illness. As a scientific report, it was very complete; as a flowing story, it began to drag. By midway, I'd had enough of The Flu, and the politics that surrounded it. As a change of pace, I read Broccoli and Other Tales of Food and Love. Here's yet another take on food, memories, longing, loneliness, and being lost in foreign lands. This story is blended together with words and images that held my attention and stirred my memories. Good, deep humor was generously sprinkled on top.

Beach Girls

Beach Girls, by Luanne Rice; Bantam Books, 2004

Reviewed by Carole L. Huelsberg

Luanne Rice's Beach Girls is the story of three youths whose growth and sturdy bond endures life's challenges, strengthening their friendships over the years. This book is more sentimental and less suspenseful than Rice's previous novels. In a different direction, I suggest reading The Ultimate Gift, a novel by Jim Stoval. The main character--Jason--is given lessons about living a meaningful life, which are the prerequisites to meet the requirements of his multi-billionaire great uncle's will. Mark Spragg's An Unfinished Life is the story of three generations caught in dysfunctional, broken family relationships. The ten-year-old girl initiates the healing between her mother and her estranged grandfather, gradually easing the pain caused by poor choices in her mother's past relationships.

Stones From The River

Stones From the River, by Ursula Hegi; Simon and Schuster, 1995

Reviewed by Amy Heath

An Oprah Book Club choice, Stones From the River is a vivid picture of small-town life in Germany between World War I and II. Author Hegi tells her tale from a female dwarf's perspective, examining the human spirit, particularly in the face of fear. Order, obedience, conformity and rigid class differences are forced on the community through ideology and religion. Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love is the author's effort to restore her emotional health. Gilbert eats her way through Italy, while fulfilling her strong desire to learn Italian. She then prays/meditates her way through India, ending up in a loving relationship in Indonesia. She shares wonderful insights and techniques along the way, seasoned with great humor. I also recommend Labyrinth, by Kate Mosse. This tale suggests parallels between the present and the past, set in the southwestern region of France. It is a Holy Grail story with an interesting twist. (For more information on this topic, readers might want to also read Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Baigent, Leigh and Lincoln for supplemental information about this region and its history.)

The Tribe of Tiger

The Tribe of Tiger: Cats and their Culture, by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas; Simon and Schuster, 1994.

Reviewed by Kathryn Holmes

Elizabeth Marshall Thomas' book The Tribe of Tiger: Cats and their Culture offers insightful observations of the social lives of domestic and wild cats, from lap loving tabbies to lions and tigers. Of special interest are the descriptions of the author's time spent in African bush country with prides of lions and native tribesmen. I also recommend the book Tricky Business, by Dave Barry, which is a light, humorous story of characters aboard a Florida gambling ship, whose lives change quickly when a gangland doublecross and robbery extinguish the fun. There is more than meets the eye in The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I want to read this one a second time to absorb the wisdom that lies at the conversational crossroads between a Buddhist monk and an American psychiatrist.

Murder on K Street

Murder on K Street, by Margaret Truman. Ballantine Books; 2007.

Reviewed by Linnea Patrick

In Murder on K Street, Margaret Truman explores the world of the power brokers, lobbyists and influence peddlers in our nation's capital. This book is the last--her 23rd--book in Truman's "Capital Crimes" series. The story revolves around a Maryland prosecutor who helps to find the killer of a U.S. Senator's wife. The quest is personal, since the Senator was the prosecutor's closest friend in college. Bestselling fiction writer John Grisham presents The Last Juror, a story about a 23 year old small town newspaper publisher in Mississippi who covers a murder trial. As the trial progresses, the jurors are murdered, one by one. Michael Connelly's mystery novel, The Narrows, is the story of a female FBI agent and an unemployed Los Angeles cop who team up to track down a serial killer. They discover the killer is a former FBI agent who is stalking and killing his former proteges.