2011 - 4th Quarter TBR Shelf

Now that the 4th quarter of 2011 is upon us, I felt it was more important for me to end 2011 by reading some books that really called out to me for one reason or another.  I tried to keep in mind the fact that I'm trying to complete and/or make progress on several challenges, and have been reading about 8 or 9 books a month lately.  I came up with a list of 20 books, hopefully that will allow me the freedom of adding a few unplanned ones to this list as well.

All of my selections are in my possession now, except for The Marriage Plot, which releases on October 11th.  So here's what books called out to me for my year end TBR choices:

Would you please tell me which ones you may have read and enjoyed?  How about the ones to read and didn't enjoy?  (Thanks for humoring me)

TBR Shelf - October - December 2011

Anatomy of a Disappearance: A Novel

by Hisham Matar

Awkward Family Pet Photos

by Mike Bender

Cold Spring Harbor

by Richard Yates

Cross Currents

by John Shors

Darkness, My Old Friend

by Lisa Unger

Darkside: A Novel

by Belinda Bauer

The Days of Abandonment

by Elena Ferrante

Don't Breathe a Word

by Jennifer McMahon

Everything Beautiful Began After

by Simon Van Booy

First day of the Rest of My Life

by Cathy Lamb

Ghost Lights: A Novel

by Lydia Millet

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

by Stieg Larsson

Heft

by Liz Moore

The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine

by Alina Bronsky

The Language of Flowers

by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

The Marriage Plot: A Novel

by Jeffrey Eugenides

Northwest Corner

by John Burnham Schwartz

Rules of Civility

by Amor Towles

A Trick of the Light

by Louise Penny

The White Woman on the Green Bicycle

by Monique Roffey

170 - The Christmas Cookie Club; Ann Pearlman

(Prologue)...."I AM THE HEAD COOKIE bitch and this is my party. The Christmas Cookie Club is always on the first Monday of December. Mark it on your calendar. Twelve of us gather, and thirteen dozen cookies wrapped in packages. Home-made, of course.  We bring a dish to pass around and a bottle of wine".......

The Christmas Cookie Club, is a tradition started some sixteen years earlier.  Marnie (the head cookie bitch) and eleven of her closest friends, have kept this tradition going. The friends share how they met, their joys, their struggles, their disappointments, and more. They laugh together and cry together. Their stories are told in twelve alternating chapters, each of which includes a tasty sounding Christmas cookie recipe for readers to try.

My Thoughts: Certainly the message in this story is not a new one: close friends help each other through tough times, and are there to share the good times as well.  Personally, I've read a few too many stories about friendship over the years.  None of the characters were memorable or even the least bit endearing.  I did enjoy the recipes, and I do see how some readers who enjoy light fiction, might think this was a great holiday read.  For me, there just wasn't enough depth to the story, and you never really get to know any of the women.  I understand that CBS Films has picked up the movie rights, and a sequel to this book is in the works as well.  If you are looking for a quick, light holiday read, and enjoy stories about friendship, give this one a try.

(This book was sent to me for review by Simon and Schuster).

169 - The Recipe Club: A Tale of Love and Friendship; Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkle

After falling in love with Julie and Julia, I was thrilled to have received a copy of : The Recipe Club: A Tale of Love and Friendship. (This book was received from Caitlin Price at FSB Associates).

(about the book--from amazon.com)

Lilly and Val are lifelong friends, united as much by their differences as by their similarities. Lilly, dramatic and confident, lives in the shadow of her beautiful, wayward mother and craves the attention of her distant, disapproving father. Val, shy and idealistic—and surprisingly ambitious—struggles with her desire to break free from her demanding housebound mother and a father whose dreams never seem to come true.

In childhood, “LillyPad” and “Valpal” vow to form an exclusive two-person club. Throughout the decades they write intimate letters in which they share hopes, fears, deepest secrets—and recipes, from Lilly’s “Lovelorn Lasagna” to Valerie’s “Forgiveness Tapenade.” Readers can cook along as the girls travel through time, facing the challenges of independence; the joys and heartbreaks of first love; and the emotional complexities of family relationships, identity, mortality, and goals deferred.
But no matter what different paths they take or what misunderstandings threaten to break them apart, Lilly and Val always find their way back together through their Recipe Club . . . until the fateful day when an act of kindness becomes an unforgivable betrayal.

Now, decades later, while trying to recapture the trust they’ve lost, Lilly and Val reunite once more—only to uncover a shocking secret. Will it destroy their friendship, or bring them ever closer?

My Thoughts:  I generally like epistolary style novels, and I thought this book was very good. I enjoyed the friendship aspect of the story of these gals, polar opposites, who began as pen pals, writing letters, and exchanging recipes at an early age. As the girls entered adulthood, letters turned into emails, and the carefree life and secrets of childhood, became real life problems and stresses of adulthood. I also enjoyed the way some 80 recipes were included, along with photos and illustrations.  I actually tried the Starry Night Scampi and the Stuffed Peppers (which we enjoyed), and hope to try the Peanut Butter Blondie bars soon too.  If you are looking for something more in a novel than a story about the trials and tribulations of friendship, then this book may be worth a try.

RECOMMENDED

166 - Haunted Island: True Ghost Stories from Martha's Vineyard; Holly Nadler

I've owned this book for quite a while, but I'm not a big fan of short stories so it has sat on my shelf for a while. The book features true, short, ghost stories which take place on Martha's Vineyard.  The author, Holly Nadler, known as the ghost lady of Martha's Vineyard, has won attention for her collections of ghostly accounts on the island. The island that is home to many of the the rich and famous.

Probably the story I liked best featured The Secret Staircase. Mysterious Room #8 at a haunted inn was only accessible by a cramped hidden staircase. Strange events have been reported and recorded, including the disappearance of one guest.  The Cat at the Funeral was another one that held my interest, as well as one where a spirit was reported to have prayed in French. This collection of true ghost stories might be better enjoyed by fans of YA books.

161 - Gift From the Sea; Anne Morrow Lindbergh

First written in 1955, this book was written on a brief solo vacation by the author. Amazingly the author used the imagery of shells as a symbol of the different stages in a woman's life.  The author composed some meditations for the various stages of life: youth, aging, love, marriage, solitude, peace and contentment.  Especially memorable was a section of "simplifying one's life", and to take to to reconcile our personal needs without feeling guilty about doing something for us. 

For those of you who are not familiar with this lovely book, the author was a mother, and wife to pilot Charles Lindbergh. Although the book was first written some 55 years ago, the message is still important to today's modern woman  It is important to finds personal fulfillment  in life. You must find the right balance and inner peace within yourself, before you can share those qualities with others.

This little gem of a book should be read by every woman trying who tires to do everything for everyone. This is my second time reading this book. Highly Recommended

158 - Baking Cakes in Kigali; Gail Parkin

Baking Cakes in Kigali, by Gaile Parkin, is a touching debut novel which takes place in present day Rwanda.

Angel Tugazara makes a living as a baker, selling beautiful cakes from her home.  In an area where AIDS and genocide have taken so many lives, sometimes, as Angel states, it is hard to find a reason for people to celebrate with a special cake.

Even Angel and her husband, Pius, have experienced the pain of loss. They are raising their five orphaned grandchildren. Still Angel has a special way of helping her customers to work through their sadness in any way she can; she even does a bit of matchmaking. In the process, Angel's customers  help her to deal with her own demons, and to find some peace in her life.

My thoughts: A very good debut novel, featuring a colorful cast of likable characters, with stories that will make you laugh, and maybe even cry. There is a story to be told by each of the customers that Angel prepares her lovely cakes for.  Although the story does acknowledge the the reality of Rwanda's past, it is also a story of hope which shows the reader how really resilient the human spirit can be, in spite of the hardships that may come our way.  RECOMMENDED

      (Review Copy received from Delacorte Press/ Shelf Awareness)

141 - Bird in Hand; Christina Baker Kline

Bird in Hand, by Christina Baker Kline tells the story of four New Yorker's who have been friends for over ten years. On the surface they seem like the perfect foursome, but all that soon will change.

Alison is a soft-spoken, devoted wife and mother of two. One dark, rainy night she is involved in a car accident, after she attended a party for her friend Claire. The accident was not Alison's fault, the other car ran a stop sign, but Claire had a few drinks, and a young child in the other car was killed. Alison is filled with guilt and depressed as well.

Charlie, Alison's husband is a cheater; he is having an affair with Claire, Alison's friend, and tends to blame his wife for issues instead of accepting any responsibility.

Claire is a writer; she is selfish and seeks attention. She and her husband Ben has issues too. Ben is a brillant architect, a very sweet man who wants to be a father.

The story is told in alternating chapters from each character's perspective. The characters are very well-developed, and engages the reader as a result. While the ending is somewhat predictable, the way the story was plotted made it work. I felt it was a story that most thirty-something couples could relate to: the compromises young couples face in life, that restless feeling of "is this all there is", regrets of past choices, to have children or not, etc. etc. Honestly, as a baby boomer, I did not expect to enjoy this story, yet I did. Give it a try...Recommended.

(Thanks William Morrow for sending this my way).

128 - Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously; Julie Powell

This is a combination review of the book that follows along with the movie, and the movie.

Julie and; Julia was so entertaining. Julie is a woman who is about to turn 30. She and her husband have just moved to a tiny, cramped apartment in Queens, NY above a pizza shop. She works full time at a just so so government job, and is unsure what to do with her life. Julie does love to eat, she loves to cook, so she comes up with an idea to cook every single recipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking cookbook. She plans to do this all in one year and there are over 500 recipes. Every day she blogs about her cooking experience, and soon she becomes quite popular out there in cyberspace.She becomes totally obsessed with her project, and fortunately for her she has a supportive husband on her cheering squad.

If you see the movie, I think you will agree the Meryl Streep was just fabulous as Julia Child. She sounded just like her, and she too had a supportive husband like Julie, who encouraged her to pursue her interest in cooking, even though she was in her 40's when she did.

It was amazing how they combined Julie Powell's story with Julia Child's : My Life in Paris story. Laugh out loud moments you will want to experience again and again.

Had I just read the book (Julie Powell's true story) and not seen the movie, I might have been a little less enthusiastic with this review. Julie, was a bit of a whiner, or to me, that is how she came across. This was one feel good story/movie, that I will be talking about every opportunity I get. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

RATING - 5/5; Completed - 8/18/09; My Stacks

125 - The Day the Falls Stood Still; Cathy Marie Buchanan

It's the early 1900's and the Heath family had enjoyed a life of comfort. Mr. Heath held an important job with The Niagara Power Company, the family was highly regarded, and Bess, the younger daughter, attended the prestigious Loretto Academy, until her father was fired from her job. When Mr Heath loses his job, he starts staying out late and drinking. Mrs. Heath's friends begin avoiding her, and she is humiliated by the gossip she is hearing. To provided some income for her family, she begins sewing dresses for other women in the community. When tragedy strikes, every ones life is forever changed.

By a chance meeting, enters Tom Cole, a handsome riverman to whom Bess is immediately attracted. The attraction is mutual, but her family objects, as he "is not from their world". Tom's grandfather, Fergus Cole, in the mid-1800's lived a life full of daring river rescues. Tom follows in his grandfather's footsteps, and is somewhat of a local hero because of his devotion to the Niagara Falls River. He has performed many brave rescues himself. Toms commitment to his ideals, and his belief about the harm that is being done by the introduction of hydro-electric power in the area, makes Tom unpopular. He is seen as a threat by the power companies involved who want to harness the power from the falls for the own purpose.

The Day the Falls Stood Still is an amazing debut novel, steeped with historical detail about the Niagara Falls hydroelectric project. Included in the novel are newspaper articles, and illustrations which really add even more interest to this already terrific story. It is also a love story: Bess and Tom's story. Bess and her amazing strength, and devotion to husband and family, and Tom, his love for his wife, family and the river that is in his blood, and his conflict about right and wrong.

This novel is based in part on a real life Niagara riverman: William "Red" Hill. Although this novel got a bit bogged down at the start, it fully redeemed itself. It made for a novel, I would not have wanted to miss. RECOMMENDED.

(Release date - August 25, 2009)

RATING - 4.5/5 ; COMPLETED - 8/13/09; My review Copy

124 - The Idea of Love; Louise Dean

Okay I admit it, it was the lovely cover art that attracted me to this book; it's spectacular.

In The Idea of Love, two couples on the surface seem to be living to good life in Provence. They enjoy the fun, the sun, and sometimes the alcohol a bit too much. Underneath the surface, their life is less than happy.

Richard is a self-centered pharmaceutical sales representative, who is headed for Africa to introduce anti-depressant drugs to this virgin market. He leaves his beautiful but somewhat distant wife Valerie in Provence. Also headed for Africa is Richard's neighbor, Rachel who has big dreams of helping the less fortunate by starting an orphanage in Africa. Rachel, leaves her cheating husband Jeff, home in Provence and goes off alone.

When Richard later returns to Provence, he finds his wife has taken off with Jeff, and Rachel has decided to go back to London with her daughter. Richard then begins a downward spiral into mental illness, and ironically will be prescribed the very drugs he spent years legally pushing.

I found The Idea of Love to be full of self-absorbed, highly unlikable characters. The writing although good, was not a style that I enjoyed. All in all this book, despite its pretty cover, was somewhat disappointing.

RATING - 3/5; COMPLETED - 8/11/09; My Stacks (review)

122 - Firefly Cloak; Sheri Reynolds

Sheri Reynolds totally blew me away several years ago when I read her fantastic book, and Oprah pick, The Rapture of Canaan. Anyone who has not read this book, MUST give it a try. So since I had another book on my shelf by this author for a few years, I thought it was time to try Firefly Cloak.

In Firefly Cloak, Tessa Lee is just eight years old when she and her four year old brother Travis are abandoned by their mother Sheila. Sheila leaves the children at a campground, when she decides to skip town with her boyfriend. In the morning, Tessa realizes her mother is gone, and all that remains are some of the children's clothes, and Sheila's "firefly cloak", which becomes Tessa's only link to her mother. When Tessa notices a telephone number written in black marker on her brother's back, she calls the number and finds out it belongs to their grandmother Lil.

After connecting with their grandmother, who takes the children in, the story jumps ahead seven years to a point in time, where the reader learns that the grandfather (Lil's husband) has died, and so has Travis. Not much else is said about what happened. When Tessa, now almost 16, learns that her mother is living just two hours away, she takes off to see her to tell her that Travis died. When she finds, Sheila, recognizes her voice, even though she is much skinnier, Sheila denies being Tessa's mother. Sheila is involved in the world of drugs and alcohol. Through flashbacks, the reader gets bits and pieces of the life of Sheila.

While I love coming of age stories and stories of dysfunctional childhoods, something missed the mark with this story. Although the story was good enough, I could not help but be disappointed by the way it failed to measure it to The Rapture of Canaan. I still recommend that if you like stories with elements of abandonment, loss, addiction, forgiveness and redemption, you just may want to try this one for yourself.

RATING - 3.5/5; COMPLETED - 8/10/09; My Stacks

121 - Song of Renewal; Emily Sue Harvey

In The Song of Renewal, by Emily Sue Harvey, Liza and Garrison Wakefield seem to be the perfect couple. Garrison is a talented graphic artist, and Liza is a stay-at-home mom. Liza is active in the community and a patron of the arts. Each of them had other dreams for themselves -- Liza wanted to be a ballet dancer, and Garrison wanted to become an accomplished artist. Instead, they married, gave up those dreams, and had a child. Now their life revolves around their 16 year old, gifted daughter Angel. She is beautiful, and a gifted dancer.
Life is good for the Wakefields until one rainy night when Liza allows Angel to go to a concert with him boyfriend Troy. Garrison had already told Angel that she could not go. There is a car accident, and the comes that dreaded knock at the door, the one most parents of teenagers have feared at one time or another. The couple is told that their daughter is in critical condition and in a coma, and that Troy was killed instantly.
This life changing event tests the Wakefield's already shaky marriage even more. Liza begins to question herself, and play the "what if" game, after she went against her husband's wishes that fateful night. The couple retreats to separate rooms, pursues separate interests. Liza pursues her ballet, and Garrison his painting. However, peace, and acceptance only seem to come when the two of them are together by their daughter's bedside.
Song of Renewal is certainly an inspirational story of faith, hope and renewal. The cover art is gorgeous. A very short book, fewer than 150 pages, that did send a powerful message. Personally, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of any surprise element whatsoever.


RATING - 4/5; COMPLETED - 8/8/09; My Stacks (review copy)

119 - The Promise of Wolves; Dorothy Hearst

What is "The Promise of the Wolf"?

• Never consort with humans
• Never kill a human unprovoked
• Never allow a mixed-blood wolf to live

Set some 14,000 years ago, and told from the wolves point of view, Kaala, is a young wolf who struggles from birth.

Born of mixed-breed, her father unknown, according to the wolf covenant she should not be allowed to live. Her life is spared by the "greatwolves", because Kaala has a crescent moon on her chest. According to legend, the crescent moon marking could bring good luck (or bad luck) to her pack, but this will not be known until she is full grown.

Kaala struggles to be accepted by even her own kind, after her mother is banished from the pack. Kaala has another strike against her as well; she becomes almost fascinated by humans, after she saves a human girl from drowning---"Never consort with humans".

The Promise of Wolves was an ambitious debut novel; the first of a planned trilogy: The Wolf Chronicles. The author did her homework as far as researching wolves behavior both inside and outside of the pack. The relationships between the wolves, as well as between the human characters, and wolf characters and other living creatures was touching. The book also sent an important message: Kaala was spared because she had a purpose: a job to do--that job was to watch over the humans, so that they would not destroy the world by losing touch with nature.

Honestly, I was not sure that this book would be something I would enjoy, but I was wrong. I read it slowly, the writing was beautiful, and it really gave me a lot to think about.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

RATING - 4.5/5; Completed - 8/4/09; My Stacks
(Thank you Simon & Schuster)

116 - The House on Sugar Beach; Helene Cooper

The House on Sugar Beach, is a thought provoking memoir about an African childhood in Liberia.

Helene Cooper was born to a wealthy, and politically powerful Liberian family. Her family were descendants of freed American slaves. Her mother's ancestor, Elija Johnson actually founded Libiera. When her ancestors were given a choice: Africa or America --they chose Africa. According to Helene, "Because of that choice, I would not grow up 150 years later as an American black girl, weighed down by racial stereotypes about welfare queens".

There were basically two classes of people in Liberia --Congo people - the newcomers who were upper middle class, buying up all the property, and then there were the Country people --Liberians--the have nots. The family moved to Sugar Beach, into a remote, twenty-two room mansion overlooking the Atlantic ocean, when she was young. There they lived a life of luxury.

Helene was just nine years old when the family took in Eunice, an eleven year old Bassa tribe girl as a playmate for Helene and her sister. It was common practice for Congo people to adopt tribe people. Eunice and Helene became very close.

In April of 1980 however, the world as the Cooper's knew it changed forever. During a coup, the President of Liberia was killed, as was the Cooper's cousin, who was a foreign minister, as well as many other government officers. When Mrs Cooper was gang raped by intruders, she and the girls were able to flee the country for America.

Helene and her sister were schooled in the US. They lived at different times with both of their parents. Helene pursued a career in journalism and worked in Rhode Island for the Providence Journal, and later secured high profile positions with the Wall Street Journal and New York Times.

In 2003, while on assignment in Iraq, Helene Cooper narrowly escaped death. Upon her return she was determined to return to her native Liberia to find Eunice who had been left behind.

The House on Sugar Beach was one of the best written memoirs I have read in a long time. A powerful, honest, first-person account that revealed both the class differences, and the turmoil of war in a way I've never read about previously. Such a personal story, almost perfect in every way. The only thing the story was missing was an epilogue, to let the reader know what has happened since Helene's visit to Liberia in 2003, as I felt a few questions that I had were unanswered. Other than that, this is a highly recommended memoir.

(Thank you Simon & Schuster for sending this book to me).

Rating - 4.5/5 stars; Completed 7/29/09; REVIEW

113 - The Calligrapher's Daughter; Eugenia Kim

The Calligrapher's Daughter is a beautiful story inspired by the life of the author's mother. The story is meticulously researched, and so very touching. I thought the cover was so lovely too.

Najin Han is born in the early 20th century to a very strict Korean family. Her father Han, is a proud man. He is an artist: "calligrapher" and an activist as well. Japan occupies Korea at the time of Najin's birth, and the political climate only worsens. Najin's father wants her to marry into an aristocratic family at age 14, but her mother wants more for her.

Najin is sent off by her mother to serve in the king's court. There she becomes more refined, Continuing her education, she later becomes a teacher, and marries. When she cannot get a visa, her new husband of only one day, goes to America without her. The two are separated for over 10 years.

Najin narrates the story which spans some 30 years. A coming of age story, a riches to rags story, an unforgetable family saga with characters that will stick with you long after the final page has been turned. Even though a work of fiction, I feel that I have developed much more of an appreciation for what these people have been through. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

RATING - 5/5; Completed 7/22/09; Review Book

110 - When the Sun Goes Down; Betty Breuhaus

When I was asked to read and review this book, my response was "sure--cool cover". While some people might shy away from books about planning your own funeral, I thought hey if we made out our wills, why not read this book. I've already accepted the fact I'm not living forever.

In When the Sun Goes Down, the author offers thought provoking suggestions in planning the celebration of your life. From traditions services to some creative, unique events which I never thought about, the options out there are too many too mention in this review.

The book is only 160 pages (12 chapters), however, almost every page contains helpful information on this subject people don't seem to openly discuss. The topics covered are:

1. Benefits of a Funeral
2. Funeral Homes
3. Disposition of the Body
4. Cemeteries
5. Type of Service
6. Fundamentals
7. Service Basics
8. Service Enhancements
9. Service Accessories
10. After Party
11. Obituaries
12. Ethical Wills

Also included are references and a Personal Funeral Planner. A serious topic, but not too dark, the book also includes some illustrations and epitaphs of the monuments of some well known people.
Certainly, not a book everyone will move to the top of their wish list, but a well done reference guide that will help people who enjoy taking control, to have a say in their final celebration.
RATING - 4/5; COMPLETED - 7/20/09; My Stacks (Review Book)

107 - The God of War; Marisa Silver

Okay first off, I can't hold back any longer: I LOVED this book!!! I was not sure I would, when I looked at the cover and read the title but, "don't judge a book by its cover"---trust me on this one, and the story is not about war either.
The God of War, by Marisa Silver is actually a coming of age story. It is one of those rare gems that I did not want to put down once I started it, and, when I turned the final page (just 271), I had wished it was longer.
The story takes place in 1978, and is narrated by twelve (almost 13) year old Ares (God of War - Greek Mythology), Ramirez. Ares, lives with his unconventional mother Laurel in a run down trailer in a remote desert community near San Diego. Laurel loves the Salton Sea (actually a polluted lake near San Diego). She tells her twelve year old son she wants to be buried there and her ashes spread into the sea. Laurel does not trust: government, corporations or schools, and she has even warned her son, Ares about religion. The boys are pretty much free to do as they please while their mother works or spends time with the latest man in her life. Still there is no doubt Laurel loves her sons.
Ares is a sensitive but conflicted boy who feels responsible for his brother Malcolm. Ares had dropped his brother Malcolm when he was just one year old. For six years he has lived with guilt as a result of that accident.
Malcolm is almost seven year old now and appears mentally disabled: he cannot speak, reacts inappropriately, acts out in school, and cannot read or write. When Malcolm bites his teacher, it seems to be the final straw for him in a regular classroom. However, Mrs Poole, the school librarian agrees to work with Malcolm at her home on a weekly basis.
Ares visits Mrs. Poole's home while she is working with his brother, and seems to enjoy being there. The stability of a seemingly normal home appeals to Ares, but The Pooles have problems of their own -- Kevin is a troubled foster son who has been in and out of residential treatment facilities. Ares and Kevin begin to spend time together when tragedy strikes.
The God of War is an intense story with memorable but flawed characters that most readers will not easily forget. One of the best coming of age stories that I've read in years. I look forward to reading more books by this talented author. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for sending this wonderful book my way!
RATING - 5/5; COMPLETED - 7/15/09; REVIEW

106 - The Magicians; Lev Grossman

In Lev Grossman's The Magicians, Quentin Coldwater is a high school senior, a genius with his whole future ahead of him. Quentin is also a bit of a nerd. He enjoys fantasy novels, especially the Christopher Plover series which is set in the magical place called Fillroy. By escaping into fantasy, Quentin finds that it helps to ease his real world disappointments: boredom and Julia not loving him.
On his way to an interview for admittance to Princeton, Quention finds the interviewer dead, and himself with an envelope bearing his name. Inside the envelope is a manuscript titled: The Magicians; Book Six; Fillroy and Further, but there are only five books in the series. He is also led to a mysterious place, and soon finds that he has been admitted to Brakebills College for Magic Pedagogy in upstate New York. At Brakebills he finds he excels and he quickly advances through the ranks. At Barkebills he also experiences the extracurricular activities that most college students do: alcohol, drugs, sex and love. He even becomes a "certified sorcerer genius".
After graduation, in Manhattan, Quentin finds that magic has not brought him the happiness he thought it would. Not even a "magically augmented investing plan that yields a regular allowance for all newly minted magicians who need it". But soon, Quentin and his friends learn that Fillroy is real, but not the magical place he read about. Instead, it turns out to be a dangerous place where power seems to come at a terrible price.
The Magicians was a great story, and the writing style was fabulous. I am not someone who gravitates to the fantasy genre, so since I enjoyed this story as much as I did, I believe fantasy fans should really love this book. It felt like an adult version of Narnia. Don't Miss It!
RATING - 5/5 ; Completed - 7/13/09; Review Copy

104 - A Happy Marriage; Rafael Yglesias

The story A Happy Marriage begins in the 1970's when Enrique Sabas meets Margaret Cohen, who becomes his future wife. The two come from different backgrounds, but despite that, there is an immediate attraction.
Told in alternating chapters, it is a poignant story. It covers their dating tears, their marriage and other import events in their lives, which includes touching and compassionate detail about Margaret's battle with cancer, her ultimate demise and her husband's devotion to her throughout.
It was not a perfect marriage, there were disappointments and financial challenges along the way, but it was portrayed as a "happy Marriage" which seemed to grow deeper when the reality set in for Enrique that her would indeed be losing his wife to this dreaded disease.
Throughout the novel there was this amazing use of foreshadowing which I found very effective. The characters were real, and developed in a way that will stay with me for a long time to come. I found it particularly touching when Enrique was making final arrangements for Margaret's death, and although there were many passages I had to stop and reread a second time, this one left me teary eyed, (as it reminded me of something my mother did when I cared for her as she was dying).......
"She wants to go in oblivious peace, he thought, looking down at the profile that appeared on the sheet's edge. That morning an alert Margaret had announced that she completed her last chore, choosing her burial clothes. He understood now that when she has asked to go to her grave wearing the earrings he bought her for her birthday, she meant that to be her goodbye to him, her last words of approval and gratitude. She had spoken and he did not answer."
A deep, passionate love story of a marriage through sickness and in health. Although this one is a work of fiction, the story was inspired by the author's relationship with his wife Margaret who passed away in 2004. The author was a high school drop out who published his first novel in 1972 at the age of 17. He is the author of nine books. RECOMMENDED
RATING - 4.5/5 ; COMPLETED - 7/9/09; REVIEW BOOK

101 - So Happy Together; Maryann McFadden

So Happy Together
Hyperion; Pub. Date. July 7, 2009

Claire Nobel is a 46 year old single mother and history teacher who is close to early retirement. Claire thinks she may finally be able to start enjoying her life. Having spent the last several years working hard, and caring for her elderly parents (her father has Parkinson's disease), her parents have seemed to settled into new accommodations that will require less of Claire. She is planning to pursue her interest in photography for the summer on Cape Cod, and, she is even planning for her fall wedding to Rick Saunders. Just as everything seems to be falling into place, Claire finds herself being stretched even further.

Claire’s adult daughter, Amy, comes home after being away for several years. Claire and her daughter have had a tenuous relationship in the past, and now additional strains are put on their relationship. Amy is single, pregnant, and soon she surprises her mother as she gives birth to a baby girl. Claire finds that her life is not her life at all, in reality she is part of what is now referred to as the "sandwich generation”. She soon learns that even the best laid plans do not always work out as we dreamed they might.

From New Jersey, to the beautiful dunes of Provincetown, MA, Maryann McFadden weaves together a tender tale of three generations of women. Many middle age women will be able to relate to this tender tale. The writing style really appealed to me, and the cover art was just gorgeous. So Happy Together was an enjoyable summertime read. Unfortunately, in real life most stories that we hear about the “sandwich generation”, do not have a story book ending like this one did. If you are looking for an enjoyable beach read, give this one a try.

I’d also like to recommend Maryann McFadden’s earlier book: The Richest Season which I really enjoyed and review in 2008. My review to The Richest Season can be found here.

RATING – 4/5 - COMPLETED – 7/6/09

Where From: My Stacks Review