Saturday, March 31, 2012

The Sense of an Ending

The Sense of an Ending  By Julian Barnes     English author Julian Barnes travels into the mind of Anthony Webster, a divorced, retired gentleman in his mid sixties living outside London. Tony, as his friends call him has led a most simple, quite ordinary life. He is contacted by means of a small sum of money left to him by the death of a mother of an ex girlfriend. This leads Tony to revisit his youth and adolescence, his college years and every basic decision he has made since that time. Tony questions his actions, his motives and ultimately his own memory of these events in search of the truth. He discovers the memory of events are yours alone. We all remember the same happenings very differently and that discovery can be life changing. This short descriptive novel is comparative to reading a memoir only it is a fictional character born in the authors mind, or is it? Concise, interesting read, not to get lost in the story as much as the thoughts it leaves you with afterwards.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades Darker  By E.L. James     Christian and Anastasia continue on with their erotic, complicated and mysterious relationship. They are slowly falling in love and as things between them become more serious they stumble upon various bumps in the road with ex girlfriends, new jobs and cross over to a deeper understanding of their wants and needs. Again, could not read this fast enough, yet did not want it to end. Whatever magic E.L. James has with her words, it is priceless. Enjoy and hold on for book #3!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The Lake of Dreams

The Lake of Dreams By Kim Edwards    Lucy Jarrett revisits her childhood hometown called Lake of Dreams in Upstate New York. She is in between jobs and has been traveling the globe working as a hydrologist for the past decade. Revisiting this small town where the lives of her mother and brother have moved on since the death of her father brings back haunting memories and regrets. Lucy discovers a past in her family tree she knew nothing about and details that could greatly affect the future of everyone and everything she loves. Her boyfriend Yoshi is due to arrive any day, her brothers girlfriend is secretly pregnant and her highschool sweetheart still holds an old flame for her heart. Kim Edwards weaves together a beautiful story about family with a mysterious twist. The likeable characters are a pleasure to follow throughout their journey. It does not hold the power of The Memory Keepers Daughter but is a good read all the same.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Fifty Shades of Grey

Fifty Shades of Grey  By E.L. James   Anastasia Steele, a 21 year old incredibly innocent college student meets Christian Grey, a local good looking, successful business man while interviewing him for the university magazine. As so begins her education in relationships, sex and the human condition. At first I had no interest whatsoever in reading this book but after several friends insisted, I relented. From the moment I began reading about Ana and Christian, I could not put this book down. (REALLY!) It may not be for everyone but all I can recommend is that you read the first and see if you enjoy it as much as I did. Will no doubt read the second in the trilogy and post asap. I cannot write much more as this blog is PG rated! (HA!)

Thursday, March 8, 2012

An Available Man

An Available Man     By Hilma Wolitzer   Edward Schuyler is a widowed biology teacher living in NJ. He is reserved and kind and  mourning the loss of his beloved Bee. Their grown children observe his loneliness and place a dating ad in the back of a magazine. Edward begins a ride on a rollercoaster of emotions to get back in the dating world in his mid 60's. Dating after death is not what he expected at this point in his life and neither are the teen like feelings that arise with attraction, chemistry and sexual feelings that having been deeply hidden for some time. This story is sweet, funny and witty and an absolute pleasure read. Starting out thinking I did not relate in any way turned into smiles and laughter and hope. Hope for all of us to continue throughout our lives to find love and appreciate its beauty.