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!