Showing posts with label WW Norton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WW Norton. Show all posts

Friday, May 21, 2021

Book Review - Cold Caller; Jason Starr

 

TITLE/AUTHORCold Caller; Jason Starr

PUBLISHER:  WW Norton

YEAR PUBLISHED: 1998 

GENRE: Fiction / Noir Crime

FORMAT:  eBook LENGTH:  292 pp

SOURCE:  purchased

SETTING(s):  New York City

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:  A dark, twisted roller coaster ride and certainly a story you will not easily forget.

BRIEF REVIEW:   Bill Moss was once a VP of an ad agency but, now he works as a telemarketer at ACA, a call center in New York City.  It's a horrible company that engages in racially discriminatory practices by paying larger commissions to white employees and wrongly laying off a higher percentage of black employees to avoid paying out their commissions. Bill hates his job and feels under appreciated and has plans of quitting his job. He has convinced his weak, gullible, girlfriend Julie to move back to Seattle with him where he's convinced he can get a top level management job.  The very next day, after Julie reluctantly resigns from her high level position,  Bill gets promoted to Assistant to the President at ACA.  Of course, his promotion is built on a lie he told because, that's what Bill does but, that lie will come back to bite him. Bill lies a lot, he cheats a lot and he makes his girlfriend believe that she is paranoid and has an explosive temper at times as well.  Bill is a sociopath, Bill is delusional, Bill may be a psychopath and as the story progresses, Bill can add murderer to the list. 

Bill is a character that is easy to detest but, he's like a car wreck that once you start reading about him and all of his antics and just how his warped mind works you won't be able to turn away or stop reading.   

This is the author's first novel and although the writing isn't exceptional, the story is very addictive, shocking and easily readable and, it very much satisfied my warped sense of humor.  The story is dark but you will find it hard to resist chuckling or at least scratching your head in amazement at times and,  I also loved the ending as well.  I got the idea to try this one as it was mentioned in Peter Swanson's book, Eight Perfect Murders, a book that I loved.  Touted as one of the top 10 noir crime novels of all time and an international best seller,  the Kindle version is available for just $1.99, in case I've made you curious.  I'm definitely planning on checking out what else the author has out.

RATING:  4.5/5  

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Cold Caller; Jason Starr

 

Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, now hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews
Each week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book they are reading or plan to read soon.

 
                                                                     Cold Caller; Jason Starr
                                                                        WW Norton - 1998

ONE

"ON MOST DAYS, I wouldn't have said anything.  Like the typical New Yorker, I'd have given her a couple of dirty looks, maybe grunted a little, and minded my own business.  But that morning was different. Maybe things were already building up in my life, pushing me to the brink.  Or maybe I was just having a bad day. I'd have a fight with my girlfriend the night before and she'd left for work that morning without saying goodbye."

I plan on starting this one today, it was mentioned as one of the great murder mysteries in Peter Swanson's book, Eight Perfect Murders.  What do you think - read more or pass?

Monday, April 5, 2021

Book Review - Strangers on a Train; Patricia Highsmith

 


TITLE/AUTHOR:  Strangers on a Train; Patricia Highsmith

PUBLISHER: Blackstone Audio and WW Norton

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2021 (print ed. - originally 1950) (audio-2015)

GENRE: Fiction / Mystery / Psychological Thriller

FORMAT:  Audio/Print Combo Read /LENGTH: 301 pages (audio-9 hrs. 41 min.)

SOURCE: Amazon Vine and Library Download

SETTING(s):  NY, CT, DC


ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:  A  conversation between two men on a train (one a drunken psychopath) leads to murder.

BRIEF REVIEW:  In this story two men who have never met before are riding the same train. One man, Guy Haines is a decent man with a cheating wife named Miriam.  Guy is in the process of a divorce yet has a promising career and is involved with a nice woman named Ann.  The other guy is Charles Anthony Bruno is a lazy drunk from a rich family who can't wait for his father to die so he can inherit some money.  Bruno has a few too many drinks on the train and strikes up a conversation with Guy.  While Guy is just trying to mind his own business, he does tell Bruno a little too much info about his soon to be ex-wife.  The two part ways but before too long Miriam is dead - strangled and now Bruno is looking for Guy to help him out by getting rid of his father.  Unfortunately, Bruno is a psychopath that will stop at nothing to see that the rest of his plan is executed.

This was tense and sometimes disturbing story that pulled me in immediately.  I love deeply flawed characters and that combined with intense drama was a great combination.  It's one of this stories that shows readers what can happen when people become crippled by their own fears and guilt.

Although I saw the (1951) movie adaptation some years ago, I had never read the book until now.  I was so impressed that this book was Patricia Highsmith's debut novel (1950).  This was a combo print and audio read. The audio is read by Bronson Pinchot who did a fabulous job. Of course, now I want to see the movie again soon.

RATING:  4/5 stars

Saturday, February 6, 2021

Book Review - Will the Cat Eat My Eyeballs: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death; Caitlin Doughty

 

TITLE/AUTHOR:  Will the Cat Eat My Eyeballs: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death; Caitlin Doughty

PUBLISHER: W.W. Norton

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2019

GENRE:  Non Fiction / Self Help

FORMAT:  PP/LENGTH: 222 pp.

SOURCE:  Library

SETTING(s):  n/a


ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:  A mortician answers kids questions about death and dead bodies,  some serious and some strange.


BRIEF REVIEW:  Caitlin Doughty is a mortician who has written several books on the topic of death. One of her books Smoke Gets in Your Eyes was one I read previously and felt was really well done.  Will the Cat Eat My Eyeballs? ,  is question #1 in this book of 33 questions about death. Here are a few of the other curious and sometimes quirky questions children have asked: #8, How Does a Whole Body Fit into a Tiny Box After Cremation?, #15, What if they Make a Mistake and Bury Me When I'm Just in a Coma? #16, What Would Happen If I Died on a Plane?, #20, Can Everyone Fit into a Casket, What if They are Really Tall? #23, What Happens When a Cemetery is Full of Bodies and You Can't Add Any More?, #24, Is it True Once People See a White Light They are Dying?  #27, Can You Describe the Smell of a Dead Body? #28 What Happens to Soldiers who Die Far Away in Battle and Their Bodies are Never Found? #29, Can I Be Buried in the Same Grave as My Hamster (or pet)? #33, At Grandma's Wake She was Wrapped in Plastic Under Her Blouse, Why Would They Do That?

Each question posed has an interesting illustration on one page (done by Dianne Ruz) as well as a detailed answer to each question on the page(s) which follows.  Personally, I found most of the questions in this book to be quite interesting but, I couldn't imagine sharing the book or reading it to or with a child under the age of 12.  There is a lot of information to process about death and what happens to the body when we die along. There is also a good amount of scientific information making this much more appropriate for mature teens and adults.  I thought the answers, infused with humor at times,  were mostly informative, concise and respectful.  Definitely not a book for everyone but, I was happy to have read it.

RATING: 4/5 stars

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Will the Cat Eat My Eyeballs?, Caitlin Doughty


Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, now hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book ReviewsEach week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book they are reading or that they plan to read soon.

                                 Will the Cat Eat My Eyeballs? Big Questions From Tiny Mortals About Death

                                                      Caitlin Doughty - WW Norton - 2019

When I die, will the cat eat my eyeballs?


"No, your cat won't eat you eyeballs. Not right away, at least.

Don't worry, Snickers McMuffin hasn't been biding his time, glaring at you from behind the couch, waiting for you to take your last breath to be all, "Spartans! Tonight, we dine in hell!"

For hours, even days, after your death, Snickers will expect you to rise from the dead and fill his normal food bowl with his normal food.  He won't be diving straight for the human flesh. But a cat has got to eat, and you are the person who feeds him. This is the cat-human compact.  Death doesn't free you from performing your contractual obligations.  If you have a heart attack in your living room and no one finds you before you miss your coffee date with Sheila next Thursday, a hungry and impatient Snickers McMuffin may abandon his empty food bowl and come check out what your corpse has to offer.

I was a huge fan of mortician, Caitlin Doughty's first book, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes so when I read she had a couple other books, I wanted to give them a try. I started this one yesterday and it's so very interesting but funny at times as well.  There are 33 short chapters all beginning with a fun illustration and a question that has been asked about death by children.

What do you think? Read more or pass?

Friday, July 12, 2019

As We Are Now; May Sarton


AUTHOR:  May Sarton
PUBLISHER:  WW Norton
PUB. YEAR: 1973
SETTING: New England
FORMAT:  - print/library (133 pp)
RATING - 5/5

I recently read about this book from JoAnn@ Lakeside Musing and, I'm so happy I decided to read it.

It's not that often that I've read a book written from the perspective of a senior citizen, especially one in failing health.  Such is the case of Caroline (Caro) Spencer.

Caro is 76 years old, a quiet, intelligent and sensitive woman. She never married and spent 40 years as a teacher.  When she suffers a heart attack, she's no longer able to navigate the stairs in her home and briefly moves in with her older brother John, 80, and his much younger wife, Ginny.  Soon after this brief stay, her brother drops her off at Twin Elms, a rural nursing home over 100 miles from where she once lived. He's not sure what to say so he remains quiet and quickly leaves.

She tries to make the best of her situation. Caro is happy to have her own room with a nice view, as well as some music and poetry. She begins journaling as a way to preserve her failing memory. Some days she begins to doubt those memories. She calls her journal, "The Book of the Dead", as when someone discovers it, she knows that she will be dead. 

On the days she sits outside, she pretends to be on vacation enjoying the scenery. She enjoys the times the resident cat, sneaks into her room for a visit.  She wonders where her brother John has been, he hadn't visited since he dropped her off. When he does eventually show up (4 weeks after he left her there) he only stays for fifteen minutes and once again remains quiet.

What is not so pleasant about life at Twin Elms are the mother and daughter team that runs the home: Harriet and Rose. They seem to find a way to show their disapproval of things the residents do by withholding privileges or occasional niceties. Like in childhood, she's sent to bed without supper because of a tantrum. Deep down she is bitter and angry.

So if this sounds like a downer of a story, it is, but, it is also seemed so honest and so beautiful. It's only 133 pages, and I loved it so much. It was written more like a journal with the first person narrative.  Highly recommended.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - As We Are Now; May Sarton



On Tuesday, Vicki, ( I’d Rather Be At The Beach hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where  readers post the opening paragraph (or 2 ) of a book they are reading or that they plan to read. 

As We Are Now; May Sarton
WW Norton - 1973

"I am not mad, only old.  I make this statement to give me courage.  To give you an idea what I mean by courage, suffice it to say that it has taken two weeks for me to obtain this notebook and a pen.  I am in a concentration camp for the old, a place where people dump their parents or relatives exactly as though it were an ash can.

My brother, John, brought me here two weeks ago. Of course I knew from the beginning that living with him would never work.  I had to close my own house after the heart attack (the stairs were too much for me).  John is four years older than I am and married to a much younger woman after Elizabeth, his first wife, died.  Ginny never liked me.  I make her feel inferior and I cannot help it.  John is a reader and always has been. So am I.  John is interested in politics. So am I. Ginny's only interests appear to be malicious gossip, bridge, and trying out new recipes. Unfortunately she is not a born cook.  I find the above paragraph extremely boing and it has been a very great effort to set it down.  No one wants to look hard at disagreeable things. I am not alone in that."

I learned about this book after JoAnn @ Lakeside Musing blogged about it.  I love the writing even though the story seems like a rather sad one.

Read more or pass?

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Mama's Last Hug; Frans de Waal



AUTHOR:  Frans de Waal
PUBLISHER:  WW Norton
PUB. YEAR: 2019
SETTING:  Netherlands
FORMAT:  - print/library
RATING - 4.5/5

For some 40 years the author has studied animal behavior and emotions. In his latest book, Mama's Last Hug were are introduced to a Mama, a 59 year old matriarch chimp who was dying. Mama and biologist Jan van Hooff had formed a bond over the years so he decided to visit her for one last time before her death. Mama's keen facial recognition and happiness at seeing Jan's face resulted in smiles, and her patting his neck repeatedly in a hug, much as we'd see in human to human interactions.  The interaction between Mama and Jan were filmed and went viral evidencing that humans are not the only ones capable of expressing emotion.

After Mama's death, her adopted daughter Geisha stood vigil and would not leave Mama even for food, demonstrating the animals are also capable of grieving.  Grieving in animals does require an attachment so when a pet dies, others animals may not appear to miss the deceased unless they were bonded. This is true of cats, dogs and even elephants as well.

Another chimp has lost her babies several times over due to insufficient lactation. When her babies, failing to thrive, had died, the chimp went into a severe depression, screaming, refusing food and rubbing eyes with its fists.

There was such a wealth of information in this book. Well researched, moving and even funny at times; there are even some illustrations throughout the book.  The subjects researched were not just chimps and bonobos but, birds, rats, dogs, horses and elephants as well.  I was fascinated by this book and found myself reading it very slowing, so that this one would stick with me for sometime. Animal lovers should give this one a try.

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Mama's Last Hug; Frans De Waal



Each Tuesday, Vicki, from I’d Rather Be At The Beach hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where  readers post the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book they are reading or that they plan to read. 

W.W. Norton and Company - 2019

1.

Mama's Last Hug
An Ape Matriarch's Farewell

"One month before Mama turned fifty-nine and two months before Jan van Hooff's eightieth birthday, these two elderly hominids had an emotional reunion.  Mama, emaciated and near death, was among the world's oldest zoo chimpanzees. Jan with his white hair standing out against a bright red rain jacket, is the biology professor who supervised my dissertation long ago.  The two of them had known each other for over forty years."

I love animals and this seemed right up my alley.  Does it interest you?


Sunday, March 24, 2019

Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love and Food; Ann Hood


AUTHOR:  Ann Hood
PUBLISHER:  W.W. Norton
PUB. YEAR: 2019
SETTING:  mostly Rhode Island
FORMAT:  -  print - library ( 229 pp)
RATING: 4.5/5

Part memoir, part culinary delight, author Ann Hood shares, in essay format, tidbits about her life, growing up in Rhode Island in an Italian family and the loves in her life.

In adulthood, the former airline stewardess and author moved some 14 times in 15 years yet describes herself as a "nester." To her it was important to always create a sense of home wherever she lived. Through heartaches and loss: the death of her 5 year old daughter, Grace, her brother and an aunt, as well as, through divorce and remarriage, it was cooking and creating that has sustained her through her grief.

Each essay in this book takes the reader back to a particular place and time in the author's life where food and meal prep was a comfort to her - recipes included.

The recipes are mostly comforting fare, definitely not for the heath conscious as they are often cholesterol raising ingredients, heavy in fats and sugar. I smiled when she stated the American Cheese was a favorite of hers (ugh) and that Thomas' English muffins were the superior brand (my favorite).

I really enjoyed this foodie memoir, the perfect book to enjoy on a rainy day or when you are feeling in a reflective mood.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love and Food; Ann Hood


Each Tuesday, Vicki, from I’d Rather Be At The Beach hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where  readers post the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book that they are reading or plan to read. 


W.W. Norton and Company - 2018


Introduction

"I grew up eating. A lot.  As the great food writer M.F.K. Fisher said, First we eat, then we do everything else.  That describes my childhood home.  In my mind, my Italian grandmother, Mama Rose, was always cooking.  We lived with her in the house she moved to with her parents when they came from Conca Della Compania, a small, mountainous town an hour and a world away from Naples, Italy, to West Warwick, Rhode Island.  When I was young, Mama Rose and her mother Nonna, kept an enormous garden in the backyard, and they would sit on summer afternoons and snap the ends off string beans (served cold with garlic and mint), press tomatoes into sauce, pickle red and green peppers for the Christmas antipasto.  We had fruit trees -- Seckel pear, cherry, apple, fig--and blueberry and raspberry bushes.  They raised rabbits and chickens too. More than once a beloved white bunny -- Snowball, Snowflake, Snowy -- disappeared from its cage only for us to have funny-tasting chicken that night at dinner."

What do you think - read more or pass?

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Morningstar; Ann Hood



Each Tuesday, Vicki, from I’d Rather Be At The Beach hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where  readers post the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book that they are reading or plan to read. (This week's pick is another one by one of my favorite author's.)

Morningstar: Growing Up With Books; Ann Hood
W.W. Norton & Co. & Highbridge Audio - 2017

Introduction

Growing Up With Books

"WHEN I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD, FOR REASONS NO  ONE in my family could explain, I picked up my older brother Skip's reading books and I read it.  This was in 1959 or 1960, but I can still remember staring at that page and reading the words Look! Look! In that instant, all of my cells seemed to settle into place and I had one thought: I want to live inside a book."

What do you think of the intro from this memoir? I'm listening to the audio and really enjoying it as we learn so much about the books that she loved and, the books that made her want to become a writer as well as other personal information.


Sunday, February 11, 2018

Week in Review - 2/11/2018

This has been a tough week for us.  My husband's birthday celebration was not meant to be. Wednesday we had a snowstorm, Thursday and Friday brought some funky stomach bug for me and a granddaughter and then yesterday and today the birthday boy himself is feeling lousy.  This bug hit me hard and I can't ever remember having such a violent stomach bug as this one. Even today I'm not back 100 percent and living on tea and toast. (I did lose 4.5 lbs. very quickly though with no effort) Today we'll be taking it easy.

This week I finished 2 books and both were very good.



William Morrow (2018)

Anna Fox worked as a child psychologist but now spends her days inside her $3,000,000 Manhattan brownstone, afraid to go outside. She watches movies, visits internet chat rooms for agoraphobics, over medicates, drinks too much and she spies on her new neighbors in the building across the street. Anna was once married to Ed and together had a daughter Olivia, but now she lives alone. One day she thinks she's witnessed a horrible crime, but then she is an unreliable narrator, so did something awful really happen or did she imagine it?

This book started out kind of slow for me, but gradually the tension and excitement builds. I figured out part some of the twists but not all.  Overall, an enjoyable read that made me want to watch  lots of old movies once again.

Rating 4/5 stars

Jessica Bruder (2017) W.W. Norton

Nomadland looks at the growing trend of unemployed, uninsured, often older individuals (baby boomers ages 55-75), some who are too young to collect social security benefits but, also find themselves cash strapped and unable to afford housing and food.  These nomads "workampers" are leaving behind the towns they've called home, the homes that are now worth less than what they still owe on them for seasonal employment wherever they can find work.

The work is hard, hours are long and pay is low but, they take what they can find and begin living a lifestyle on wheels be it by RV, van or camper. Some of these individuals have made bad choices in life,  but many have lost everything through no fault of their own. Instead of enjoying life in their 60's and 70's, they find their savings depleted, social security benefits inadequate and are being forced to work long hours to simply survive.

A well-written and researched book yet a sobering and depressing read as well. I read this book in one sitting and as a baby boomer, it was quite an eye-opener.

Rating 4.5/5 stars

New Books Arrivals - Kiddo Pleasers
Thanks to Candlewick Press




Movies Watched this Week

As I read The Woman in the Window this week, there were several references to old movies and the movie Gaslight so I just had to see it. What and excellent movie from (1944); loved that it was in black and white. Murder at 1600 (1997) was chosen for the cast Wesley Snipes and Diane Lane. The movie was okay but not exceptional. I think that movie was based on a book by Margaret Truman.

Hope all of you had a good week and may this coming week be even better.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Catching Up - 3 mini book reviews and Movies too

With Thanksgiving festivities coming up this week and my book reviews being placed on the back burner, I thought I'd try and play catch up!

Television and going to the movies has kept us busy. We've been binge watching The Good Doctor on ABC (love this new series - all caught up) and Curb Your Enthusiasm -(on season 5) Larry David is a genius!  (It feels so good to laugh hysterically again) I can't believe we are just watching this now.

First we saw (2) new movies this week - Wonder (OMG - it's wonderful - 9/10 stars) and Murder on the Orient Express (have never read the book so the ending was a huge surprise - 6.5/10 stars).














As far as reading, it's still happening, just at a slower pace.  2017 will be my lowest # of books read in about 10 years, but I'm still hoping to come close to 90 books by the end of the year. I'm actually much happier that this year wasn't all about books and blogging - life is good.

Here's what I finished recently:


 Ties; Domenico Starnone
Europa Editions (2017)


Ties,  was a powerful story of what was "once" a happy marriage. It's a story that's compelling yet familiar.  Aldo leaves his wife and two children for a much younger woman.  At home, Vanda, the wife he left, begins to fall apart but, eventually manages to pick up the pieces and move on.

The story is more of a novella, approximately, 150 pages but, it packs a punch.  The writing is excellent: the story of a fractured family told in parts, and, how a destructive relationship affected each of them. First we hear Vanda's POV after Aldo leaves her, then Aldo's POV, many years later and the the POV of the two children (now adults).

The story reminded my of Elena Ferrante's Days of Abandonment, and, I later read that this author is Ferrante's (AKA Anita Raja) husband. Powerful themes, love, betrayal and guilt and, a wonderful intro and translation from the Italian by author Jhumpa Lahari.

5/5 stars - try it!














Unraveling Oliver; Liz Nugent
Gallery/Scout Press - 2017

From the shocking first paragraph of this book --

"I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her.  She just lay on the floor, holding her jaw. Staring at me. Silent.  She didn't even seem surprised."

While some readers might have closed this book, never to return, after reading that opening paragraph, I was immediately pulled into this story, curious to learn what made this sociopath/wife beater tick.  As it turns out this was not the first time that Oliver hit his wife but, it was the first time to cause brain damage. What happened in Oliver's past to make him act the way he did?

The story is mostly about Oliver, told through various voices and POVs - relative, former friends and acquaintances throughout his life, leading up to the brutal attack.  I found the story engaging but, was left a bit disappointed by the fact that Alice's story, before the assault, is never really told.  I was still happy that I gave this debut novel a try.

4/5 stars














Midwinter Break; Bernard MacLaverty
W.W. Norton - 2017

I don't think there are enough books written these days about older married couples, perhaps because it doesn't always make for as exciting of a story when we read about affairs and relationships that are falling apart.  This story, while not exciting had many tender moments and even occasional humor that made me happy I gave it a try.

Stella is a retired English teacher who likes to people and doing crosswords to keep her mind sharp..  Gerry, her husband, likes architecture, music and looks forward to a nightcap, sometimes drinking a bit more than he should.  Having to guess their ages, I'd have to say late 60s to early 70s.

The couple is on a 4-day holiday to Amsterdam and during their time there the reader not only gets to enjoy some armchair travel but, they also get a bird's eye view of the fissures within their long term relationship, and an examination if the marriage is worth saving. Not terribly exciting reading but, a tender story that many couples might be able to relate to.

4/5 stars

I also had (2) DNF in the past few months: 

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me; Sherman Alexie - a memoir that started out rather depressing and had an incident of animal abuse that made me stop reading.


 Forest Dark; Nicole Krause - Start out strong but quickly lost my interest - confusing story and just felt frustrated after the 15% point on my Kindle.


Hope everyone is having a good weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Midwinter Break; Bernard MacLaverty


Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph, maybe two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon.  (There seem very few novels these days with seniors as main characters so I decided to give this one a try).




Midwinter Break; Bernard MacLaverty
W.W. Norton - 2017

In the bathroom Stella was getting ready for bed.  Gerry Had left the shaving mirror at the magnifying face and she was examining her eyebrows.  She licked the tip of her index finger and smoothed both of them.  Then turned to her eyelids.  She was sick of it all -- the circles of cotton wool, the boiled and sterilized water in the saucer, the ointments, the waste bin full of cotton buds."

Does this intro make you curious for more?

Please feel free to join in each Tuesday with your own "First Chapter, First Paragraph Intro" by linking your post from the book you are reading below. 




Friday, November 11, 2016

The Book That Matters Most; Ann Hood

W.W. Norton Co - 2016

Ann Hood's latest novel was an enjoyable story about mothers, daughters and the ups and downs of life.

Ava Tucker is a 40-something French professor in Providence, Rhode Island. Her 25 year marriage has fallen apart and, for the first time in decades she finds herself alone.  Her grown son is in Africa and daughter Maggie is studying abroad in Florence, Italy (so Ava thinks), however, Maggie's life abroad is in turmoil.

To help deal with her loneliness, Ava's friend Cate encourages her to join her book group. For the coming year each of the (12) participates selects the one "book that mattered most" to them. Ava's choice is a relatively unknown, out of print selection about a grieving mother who has lost a child. Ava lost both her mother and a younger sister when she was a child. 

Without giving away too much of the story, I'll just say I really enjoyed this story and the way the author drew me in early on. I loved that the story started out in RI, a place where the streets and references were familiar to me.  The story then travels to Italy and Paris which was also a treat to read about. I liked most of the characters that she introduced and the fact the story has a bit of a mystery going on as well.  Readers who want to settle into an easy flowing story about life, love, loss and family should enjoy this one.  I think this book would be a great book club discussion choice as well.

4.5/5 stars
(eGalley)

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Book That Matters Most; Ann Hood


Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two, from a book I'm reading or will be reading soon. 
W.W. Norton Company - 2016


PART ONE

DECEMBER

Ava

"Ava saw it as soon as she turned the corner.  She stopped, squinting as if that would change what she was looking at.  It was a week before Christmas on Weybosset Street in downtown Providence.  The Christmas lights already shone, even at five o'clock, because the day was so dark and gray.  The air had that festive holiday feeling that came from people bustling about with oversized shopping bags, cold air, tired decorations, a guy selling Christmas trees on the corner.

But Ava felt anything but festive."


Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.





Sunday, October 9, 2016

Sunday Blatherings


It's beginning to look a little more like fall here but, the foliage is kind of late this year. I'm loving the 60 degree temps and cool nights.  Hope to get in a fall trip to Cape Cod this month. There is nothing like visiting seaside towns once the tourists have gone home.


I'm someone who has never enjoyed exercise (even grade school gym) but, I've always wanted to try Yoga.  Last month I started going to yoga 3 mornings a week and am loving it.  I can't believe I found some exercise I love.  I started out in a regular class (not gentle yoga) but, only found 2 positions that are a little tougher for me so I'm very pleased.  Do any of you do yoga?

READING


  • The Heavens May Fall; Allen Eskens - fantastic mystery finished this week (review next week)
  • Leave Me; Gayle Forman - now reading (I'm enjoying this one but, the protagonist is annoying. She should be feeling grateful but she's bitchy instead IMO)


NEW BOOK ARRIVALS





POLITICAL HUMOR



Have a great week!