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!)