Sunday, December 30, 2012

These is My Words

These is My Words By Nancy E. Turner     The Prine family is traveling west on a wagon train in the Arizona Territories in 1881. Life is hard. They work day and night to merely survive, they struggle to eat, sleep and stay safe and healthy. Sarah is a young girl that begins to keep a journal practicing the bit of reading and writing that her papa taught her and most girls/women have not learned. She is tough and smart and brave and the reader is enamored with Sarah immediately. As she grows up begins the saga of her life, her deep romantic love with Captain Elliot and the family she raises. This book is Little House on the Prairie for adults, it is a time that is both hard to imagine, yet not that long ago. The characters are wonderful and remain with the reader long after the book is over. Could not put this one down. Enjoy!!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Almost Single

Almost Single By Advaita Kala     Aisha is a 30 yr old woman living in New Delhi and working as a  guest relations manager in an upscale hotel. She and her two girlfriends are too "old" by India standards to still be single and they try in every way possible to overcome this circumstance. Call it Sex and The City in New Delhi, Aisha is definitely Carrie, loving her friends and freedom, getting herself into ridiculous situations and always landing on her pedicured feet. This is a light, fun read and I thoroughly enjoyed this break from reality.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie  By Ayana Mathis    Hattie Shepherd moves with her family from Georgia to Philadelphia during the 1920's. They immediately encounter a new world where they can hold their heads high and walk on the sidewalk past a white person without stepping into the street. But life is not so easy for Hattie, although beautiful and smart Hattie marries August who becomes the great love and the disappointment of her life. She has many children, struggles through their illnesses, poverty and August's constant philandering yet her will to survive is as strong as her intense sadness. This novel is almost like 12 short stories connected through Hattie. The characters are intense and the writing is extraordinary leaving the reader to imagine every detail. The only downside is the inexplicable sadness of Hattie, that is so strong it has a life of its own. The glimpse of mental illness is heartbreaking and appears hereditary throughout this powerful novel. There is no doubt that the characters will linger in your heart and imagination long after the last page. Highly recommend this authors first novel.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Sweet Life in Paris

The Sweet Life in Paris By David Lebovitz      Sweet memoir of this pastry chef/authors life changing move from San Francisco to Paris. This funny, witty, honest story details the ins and outs of what day to day life feels like in Paris for an American. David is both an outsider and insider when it comes to his foodability. He loves everything french and everything that is delicious. He learns you can definitely win them over with kindness, if not awesome brownies and ice cream! This glimpse into the authors daily life is very entertaining and a delicious read, recipes included!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Secret Daughter

Secret Daughter By Shilpi Somaya Gowda     A couple in a small village in India cannot afford to raise their baby girl, the father, as is customary, longs only for a son. Krishnan and Somer, two doctors in America try and try to have a child but to no avail, Somer continues to miscarry. These lives cross paths over and over again. This novel speaks of love, marriage, family, loyalty and hope. It is a simple, almost predictable story but the author creates these intense, loveable characters and touches on the most common threads of humanity that we all face, every day. While reading this story the tastes, sights and sounds of India come alive and days after finishing, these characters remain in my thoughts. This is a most enjoyable read and it is highly recommended!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Paris A Love Story

Paris A Love Story By Kati Marton   This memoir reflects the life of Kati Marton, journalist, novelist, mother, daughter and wife. She has lived an exciting life as she traveled the world, spoke multiple languages and was married to both Peter Jennings, renowned newsanchor and Richard Holbrooke, beloved American diplomat. All of this, combined with living in the romantic exciting city of Paris (at multiple times in her life) would have seemed a perfect read except; the author has used this memoir as her therapy after the devastating loss of her second husband Richard Holbrooke and it its thoroughly depressing. In addition, it is equally sad that Ms. Marton who is no doubt extremely successful and accomplished in every way, contemplates the majority of her choices through her relationships with these famous and complicated men in her life. Maybe this is more common than not but I was uninspired by this story.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

The Baker's Wife

The Baker's Wife  By Erin Healy      Audrey senses peoples emotions. She can feel their pain, their illness and their sadness. It is random and when Audrey deciphers whose feelings she is emulating, she aims to help them, to soothe them and share their pain. When she does, hers subsides as well. Audreys family life is in turmoil. Her husband has lost his job as pastor and they are struggling to start a new business, a bakery. Their teenage son has troubles of his own and then there is a mysterious accident and Audrey has to use her faith and intuition to save the people she loves. This unique story captured my imagination with many twists and turns. I really enjoyed this mystery filled with the power of the mind and the heart. Highly recommend this intriguing read.