Thursday, October 22, 2009

The Lemon Tree

The Lemon Tree.  By Sandy Tolan           Whether I enjoyed this book is not important. Whether the author was fair in his interpretation is only my opinion. What is vital is that I read this book. The Lemon Tree is an education for the heart and mind. The story begins in 1936 when Bashirs muslim family builds a beautiful stone house in Ramla, Palestine and plants a fragrant lemon tree in the yard. In 1948 when war changes everyones lives and borders, Dalia's jewish family moves into this empty house. The Lemon Tree is a symbol of all the families that work hard to have a home and safe haven for their children. It is the story of the most unlikely friendship between Dalia and Bashir. It touches on the most contraversial issue of modern day middle east politics that started a long long time ago. Who does this belong to? Who does any land belong to? Who is most hurt, most right, most wrong. To put yourself in someone elses shoes for just a moment, it doesn't right the wrongs, just put the arguments aside and face the people.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Her Fearful Symmetry


BOO! Do you believe? In ghosts? As the weather changes and pumpkin is in the air, it is the ideal time to read this new novel by Audrey Niffenegger. Her first book, The Time Travelers Wife was a huge success. This author may be the only one who could lead a non believer down the path of ghosts! She creates the elusive world of Valentina and Julia Poole. Identical twins growing up in Lake Forest Illinois. The twins are inseparable and when they inherit a London apartment from their estranged Aunt Elspeth, they jump at the chance to go on an adventure. The apartment complex is adjacent to a famous cemetery and the two gentlemen that live in the apartments above take your imagination on a wild ride. Robert, previously the aunt's younger lover is a historian of the cemetery. Martin is a crossword puzzle maker, a linguist and suffers from an extreme case of OCD, agoraphobia and other phobias that make his life reclusive and lonley. The twins befriend both of them and begin to explore London. The authors descriptions of characters and place is so intense the reader cannot help but create the scenes as they are read. If you are in the mood for an otherworldly, noone really knows the truth, just the slightest bit creepy journey then you should read Her Fearful Symmetry ... and have a ghostly Halloween! Of course, if this ever comes to the big screen Keira Knightley could definitely play the twins and perhaps Meryl Streep should play Elspeth.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Thanks for the Memories

Thanks for the Memories   By Cecelia Ahern    "A" if for adorable. There is just no other way to explain this vivacious, smart, witty, funny, sincere, author who book after book takes me away to fairytale land!  In this story Joyce Conway is in a terrible accident and gets a blood transfusion. Justin Hitchcock has just donated blood for the first time. Joyce begins to have strange visions and thoughts, kind of like memories. You get the idea! This is a happy romantic story set in the most quaint, Ireland (as are all her stories!). The characters are completely loveable and if you haven't read any of her books yet, get started, they are terrific!