The Girl She Used to Be by David Cristofano.
One woman's story of growing up in the Witness Protection Program. An enjoyable, if not very believable story. The ending was a bit week, as if the author couldn't figure out what to do with these characters to end the book.
Three stars. This is the author's first book. I expect the next one will earn more stars.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Book #14
Diary of a Fairy Godmother by Esme Raji Codell.
The story of Hunky Dory, a witch in training who ultimately decides to become a fairy godmother and use her powers for good instead of evil. Hunky battles peer pressure and rejection by her mother (a witch), but stands by her conviction to become a good witch and grant wishes instead of casting evil spells.
A bit preachy and a slow start, but ultimately an ok read, even for an adult. My daughter and I read this for the mother-daughter book club at the local public library. I had high hopes for this book having read something else by this author, so I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't as good as it should have/could have been. 3 stars.
The story of Hunky Dory, a witch in training who ultimately decides to become a fairy godmother and use her powers for good instead of evil. Hunky battles peer pressure and rejection by her mother (a witch), but stands by her conviction to become a good witch and grant wishes instead of casting evil spells.
A bit preachy and a slow start, but ultimately an ok read, even for an adult. My daughter and I read this for the mother-daughter book club at the local public library. I had high hopes for this book having read something else by this author, so I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't as good as it should have/could have been. 3 stars.
Book #13
Run for Your Life by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge.
Typical James Patterson page turner. If you've read any of his novels, you've read this one too. A detective/murder mystery. Not much else to say about it. I finished it in about 3 days. 3.5 star rating.
Typical James Patterson page turner. If you've read any of his novels, you've read this one too. A detective/murder mystery. Not much else to say about it. I finished it in about 3 days. 3.5 star rating.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Book #12
Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult.
This is, by far, the best book I've read in a long time. I am giving it my first 5-star rating.
The premise behind this story is "wrongful birth", a term I've only heard once or twice, if ever. A mother sues her ob-gyn for malpractice because the doctor didn't detect a serious birth defect before her daughter was born. The mother claims she might have aborted the fetus had she had all the facts.
Add to this the drama of small-town life where the mother and doctor are best friends, as well as the fact that their older daughters are also best friends, although the lawsuit destroys these friendships. Then, a husband who disagrees with the suit and decides to be a witness for the defense, an older daughter who develops bulimia, and the wrongfully-born child who's now a brilliant 6-year old who understands the meaning of wrongful death and quickly internalizes the message that she's not wanted.
The mother inspires both sympathy for her ceaseless struggles to raise this child and wrath for gold-digging her best friend. Early on, it's established that the mother is Catholic and never would have chosen abortion, even had she known about the girl's disease early on in the pregnancy.
Watching this family be torn apart is drama at it's best. I can only hope that in this case, fiction is stranger than fact.
This is, by far, the best book I've read in a long time. I am giving it my first 5-star rating.
The premise behind this story is "wrongful birth", a term I've only heard once or twice, if ever. A mother sues her ob-gyn for malpractice because the doctor didn't detect a serious birth defect before her daughter was born. The mother claims she might have aborted the fetus had she had all the facts.
Add to this the drama of small-town life where the mother and doctor are best friends, as well as the fact that their older daughters are also best friends, although the lawsuit destroys these friendships. Then, a husband who disagrees with the suit and decides to be a witness for the defense, an older daughter who develops bulimia, and the wrongfully-born child who's now a brilliant 6-year old who understands the meaning of wrongful death and quickly internalizes the message that she's not wanted.
The mother inspires both sympathy for her ceaseless struggles to raise this child and wrath for gold-digging her best friend. Early on, it's established that the mother is Catholic and never would have chosen abortion, even had she known about the girl's disease early on in the pregnancy.
Watching this family be torn apart is drama at it's best. I can only hope that in this case, fiction is stranger than fact.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Book #11
It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons by Franklin Habit. This was a cute little book of knitting cartoons and short essays. Not much else can be said about it. It was fun to read. It would make a nice gift for a knitting friend.
Four stars for knitters, three for non-knitters.
Four stars for knitters, three for non-knitters.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Book #10
Drunk, Divorced & Covered in Cat Hair by Laurie Perry. (aka Crazy Aunt Purl)
If I was not an avid follower of the Crazy Aunt Purl blog, I might have given this book 4 stars. However, as I have been reading it regularly for what seems like years, I was disappointed by the lack of new material. I'm giving it 3.5 stars, but anyone who doesn't already know CAP's whole story should probably add a half or even a whole star.
This story essentially covers Laurie's life from when her ex walked out until she begins finding happiness again - by herself, with her friends, with her cats, with her knitting. I was disappointed with the lack of ink her four cats (Roy, Bob, Frankie, and Soba) received. Maybe cat literature doesn't sell main stream. Laurie has a down-to-earth writing style that makes her blog (and her book) fun and easy to read. Weirdly, after all this time, I feel like I actually know her. (Note the strange way I am using her first name.)
Despite the 3.5 star rating, I recommend this book to anyone not familiar with Laurie's work.
If I was not an avid follower of the Crazy Aunt Purl blog, I might have given this book 4 stars. However, as I have been reading it regularly for what seems like years, I was disappointed by the lack of new material. I'm giving it 3.5 stars, but anyone who doesn't already know CAP's whole story should probably add a half or even a whole star.
This story essentially covers Laurie's life from when her ex walked out until she begins finding happiness again - by herself, with her friends, with her cats, with her knitting. I was disappointed with the lack of ink her four cats (Roy, Bob, Frankie, and Soba) received. Maybe cat literature doesn't sell main stream. Laurie has a down-to-earth writing style that makes her blog (and her book) fun and easy to read. Weirdly, after all this time, I feel like I actually know her. (Note the strange way I am using her first name.)
Despite the 3.5 star rating, I recommend this book to anyone not familiar with Laurie's work.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Book #9 (Audio)
Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie. Read by Susan Ericksen.
This is a cute little love story, nothing more, nothing less. It was a little, er, uncomfortable listening to some of the racier parts read aloud, so I'll recommend reading the book over listening to the audio. For the record though, the reader did a very good job.
I'll give it 3.5 stars. Add half a star if you enjoy romance novels. I didn't know it was romance - picked it in a hurry based on the photo of the dog on the cover.
This is a cute little love story, nothing more, nothing less. It was a little, er, uncomfortable listening to some of the racier parts read aloud, so I'll recommend reading the book over listening to the audio. For the record though, the reader did a very good job.
I'll give it 3.5 stars. Add half a star if you enjoy romance novels. I didn't know it was romance - picked it in a hurry based on the photo of the dog on the cover.
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