The Greatest Game Ever Played

The Greatest Game Ever Played, by Mark Frost; Hyperion Publishers, 2005

Reviewed by Vivian Chapin

The Greatest Game Ever Played is a highly recommended story of Francis Ouimet, a former caddy who rose to become the first amateur to win the U.S. Open golf tournament--at age 20. Ouiment grew up poor, across the street from the "blue-blooded" country club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Despite his father's disapproval, Ouiment taught himself to play golf. Author Frost jumps between the story of Ouiment and British golf champion Harry Vardon, who came from a similar background, yet also rose to become a golfing great. Ouiment's and Vardon's golfing duel at the 1913 U.S. Open provides this book an exciting climax. Nancy Marie Brown's The Far Traveller is an intriguing story about Gudrid, a Viking woman who sailed from her homeland (Norway) to the far reaches of the West and the Middle East, hundreds of years before Columbus and other European voyagers did. Recent archaeological findings support this fascinating book. Also, try the Devil's Brood, by Sharon Kay Penman. This is a well-written novel of the last days of Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their dysfunctional family.

Cutting for Stone

Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese; Vintage Publishing, 2010

Reviewed by Macy Mullarky

I highly recommend Cutting for Stone, a complicated story of twin boys who live very different lives, but share a common heritage. This is a far-sweeping novel that moves from India to Ethiopia to an inner-city hospital in New York City over decades and generations. Sister Mary Joseph Praise, a devout young nun, leaves the south Indian state of Kerala in 1947 for a missionary post in Yemen. During the arduous sea voyage, she saves the life of an English doctor bound for Ethiopia, who becomes a key player in her destiny when they meet up again at Missing Hospital in Addis Ababa. Seven years later, Sister Praise dies giving birth to twin boys: Shiva and Marion, the latter narrating his own and his brothers story. I also recommend Hilary Spurling's nonfiction book Pearl Buck in China: Journey to the Good Earth, which is a fascinating accounting of Pearl Buck's life, with an emphasis on her early years. Buck had a harsh childhood which affected her future writings. Another great read is Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, by Helen Simonson. This is a charming story of a cross-cultural relationship between a middle-aged Englishman and a Pakistani woman.

Sanctuary

Sanctuary, by Beverly and David Lewis; Bethany House Publishers, 2007

Reviewed by Stephanie Boyles

Sanctuary is an exciting mystery/romance about the problem of keeping secrets, and how they can catch up to you. The Lewis' heroine, Melissa James, seeks sanctuary (rest and safety) in Amish country, dreading the secret that defines her life. Author Beverly Lewis (co-writing with her husband David) has tweaked her trademark style with a refreshing edge of suspense, plot twists, and has carefully sidestepped the 'fairy tale ending'. I recommend the book. Nicholas Sparks' True Believer, and his sequel At First Sight--are quite interesting, and in my opinion--should be read together. The story and main character reminded me of the lead character (Patrick Jane) on the TV show The Mentalist, using science and logic to disprove amazing claims. It tells of the journey of New York Jeremy, discovering love and what to believe in a small North Carolina town. Here's another recommendation in the "Sparks Mode"--Dear John is the story revolving around the young love between a girl and a soldier. Will their love survive (or not) the separation caused by 9/11, and his deployment during the Iraq War? Will she wait for him?

House As A Mirror of Self

House As A Mirror of Self, by Clare Cooper Marcus; Nicolas-Hays, Inc. Publishing, 2006

Reviewed by Jim Buckham

I recommend this enlightening examination of self through insights of our housing choices. Author Marcus presents an eye-opening study of peoples emotional ties to their houses, apartments, cottages, trailers and other types of dwellings. What, exactly, makes a house a home? House As A Mirror of Self includes many interviews of people in their domestic settings over a 10 year period. They show how their dwellings generally reflects their emotional ties with other people, and may even be substitutes for close or strained relationships--even unresolved issues from childhood. I will never look at a house in the same way! On the other hand, I found Anita Amirrezyani's Blood of Flowers was unfortunately disappointing. The time frame of the story was fascinating, but the story itself was otherwise lacking. If you are looking for fascinating insights to the past, present and future, try Wisdomkeepters: Meeting with Native Spritual Elders, by Steve Wall and Harvey Arden. It demonstrates how we mourn lost opportunities while retaining hope as we move forward.

Saltwater Taffy

Saltwater Taffy, by Eric Delabarre; Seven Publishing, 2011

Reviewed by Bob Gray

When I heard that the recently released book Saltwater Taffy by Eric Delabarre is about the adventures of young teenagers and takes place in Port Townsend, I quickly ordered four copies for our teenage grandchildren.

Much to my surprise, when I started reading the book to make sure that it was suitable for our grandchildren, I couldn’t put it down. It was terrific! It’s about teenage friends on a treasury hunt encountering unusual characters and fun locations in and around Port Townsend.

While the book is also described as containing poignant life lessons for the five young friends, I found that the lessons were wonderful reminders for readers of all ages.

I highly recommend this book for the young readers in our lives and if you can borrow it before they pass it around to all of their friends, you will also very much enjoy this treasure hunting adventure.

One last note, we are very fortunate that this book takes place in our wonderful hometown and that a film of the book will be made here in 2012. This should help attract many visitors to Port Townsend with great economic benefits. This book and film should add to Port Townsend’s wonderful literary as well as film history. It’s very exciting.

Family Album

Family Album, by Penelope Lively; Viking Adult Publishing, 2009

Reviewed by Sarah Fairbank

Penelope Lively's Family Album features a large, lively family with some secrets. The main character wants a blissful childhood for her six children--a real "old fashioned" family life. But there are cracks in the facade. The father is distant, and the mother has inexplicable emotional outbursts. All is not well. The now-grown children have tried their best to maintain the ''blissful" illusion--each at a cost--with lingering effects on their adult lives. I found this novel less convincing/compelling than many others the author has written. But the book's family was definitely amusing; with dysfunctional, interesting characters. The Sunday Philosophy Club, by Alexander McCall Smith, features Isabel Dalhousie, an editor for a philosophical magazine. Isabel writes long passages about ethics, death and suicide. There are four other fun characters, including a housekeeper, fox, a girlfriend/niece and a young man she has the hots for. I found the nonfiction book Derek Jarmen's Garden to be very beautiful and moving. This is the story of a young filmmaker/artist with AIDS who purchases a fisherman's cottage in Dungeness, Kent, in England--a location that has the least rainfall and the longest growing season in Britain. This journal is full of plant choices, garden images, and moving stories. It is a joy to read and learn from.

Worst Case

Worst Case, by James Patterson; Grand Central Publishing, 2010

Reviewed by Tina Lakenes

Author Patterson chooses an unlikely character as his serial killer in Worst Case: Francis X. Mooney, a 'do-gooder' lawyer who believes in changing the world for the better. He believes in rescuing people from poverty, donating to humanitarian causes, and increasing social equality. Mooney kidnaps wealthy young adults, then kills them when they are not socially aware. Detective Bennet teams up with FBI agent Emily Parker--an 'abduction specialist' to catch the killer. Jen Lancaster, author of Such a Pretty Face, her personal experiences in weight loss in with a fictional character. Jen's main character has tried many different directions--Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, surgery and hiring personal trainers. Does she finally find a comfortable 'success'? Yes. At what cost? This book covers a plethora of weight loss and health issues, and is not for the faint of heart. The Search by Nora Roberts is an intriguing yarn about a woman ("Fiona") who is the 'escaped' near-victim of a serial killer. That situation may be harrowing enough, but Fiona is now targeted by another serial killer who is taking revenge for the capture of the original killer.

Night Fall

Night Fall, by Nelson DeMille; Grand Central Publishing, 2007

Reviewed by H. Payson

Now here is a book that's well worth reading. In my opinion, Night Fall is DeMille's best, from beginning to end--and what a satisfying ending it has. Conspiracy theorists will love it. The book's premise is controversial, concerning an investigation of the July 1996 crash of flight TWA 800, a Boeing 747 bound for Paris which exploded off the Atlantic coast of Long Island, killing all 230 passengers and crew members. There are 200 eyewitnesses who swear they saw a missile lift into the clear night sky and bring down the airplane, a charge dismissed by the CIA as an optical illusion. DeMille's fictional detective tracks down the facts and the witnesses, culminating in a climax that is truly thought provoking. For a change of pace, try Dear Money, by Martha McPhee. Every author or wannabe writer needs to read this book. It's not often you can get a dual perspective from a single character. Juli Zeh's murky In Free Fall, is a wonderful, scientific murder yarn, set in Eastern Europe is a very different detective story. Highly recommended.

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.