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.

Queen Isabella

Queen Isabella: Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England, by Alison Weir; Ballantine Books, 2006

Reviewed by Alice Fraser

Queen Isabella is a compelling and accessibly written account of Isabella of France's marriage into the English royal family. Her husband, Edward II, was bisexual, launching Isabella into situations that pushed the conventional boundaries of her time. This is an interesting portrayal of a charismatic and politically astute woman, and her subsequent rise to power. Lord Jim, by Joseph Conrad, is a classic story of Jim, and his momentous personal struggle with ethics, as seen through the eyes of Captain Marlow. Although this book requires some fortitude to wade through the more viscous half of the narrative, Conrad's writing is full of brilliant descriptive passages. The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, is yet another classic book to enjoy. It is the engrossing story of Dorian Gray and his life of progressive corruption. The novel plays heavily on the themes of beauty, love, death, and morality, and ends with a gruesome twist.

A is for Alibi

A is for Alibi, by Sue Grafton; Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1982

Reviewed by Mike Hamilton

A is for Alibi is a top notch story about Kinsey Millhone, a twice-divorced private eye. Sue Grafton has created a well developed plot studded with interesting places and real characters. Another very good choice is Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach. How do you write a readable, and quite amusing book about cadavers? This author does, and makes an excellent read by taking a unique approach to issues surrounding death. For a change of pace, try C.S. Forester's The Hornblower Series. The series chronicles the career of Horatio Hornblower, from midshipman to top admiral in the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The book offers a good glimpse at life in England and other parts of the world at that time.

The Girl With No Shadow

The Girl With No Shadow, by Joanne Harris; Black Swan Publishing, 2008

Reviewed by Cathy Colson

If you enjoy modern fairy tales, read The Girl With No Shadow, the sequel to Joanne Harris' bestselling book Chocolat. The characters have evolved; the romance between Vianne and Roux continues. Do they finally get it together? This book is full of magic and chocolate, with plenty of romance and a contest of wills. Craig Lesley's River Song is the modern-day story of Indian tribes that have historically lived along the Columbia River. This book tells of the process through which they lost all but 40 acres of their ancient homeland. Friends, Lovers, Chocolate, by Alexander McCall Smith, is a very peculiar mystery. This story revolves around the recipient of a heart transplant who needs to find the family of the donor to understand his recurring nightmares. Isabel is a kick!

Comfort Food

Comfort Food, by Kate Jacobs; Putnam, 2008

Reviewed by Diane Allen

Comfort Food is a tasty novel about the competitive lives and occupations of two television cooking mavens--Augusta "Gus" Simpson, and former beauty queen Carmen Vega, who are forced to work together. This rivalry spices up the show, and a rating battle begins. Born on a Blue Day is an interesting memoir written by Daniel Tammet, an autistic savant. Tammet shares his life story, and recounts his meeting with Kim Peek, who was the inspiration behind the movie "Rainman". Tammet was also featured as "Brainman" in a BBC documentary. Hot House Flower and the 9 Plants of Desire by Margot Berwin, is an intriguing blend of botany, betrayal, strange people and exotic locations that enhance the story's magic and thriving romance.