Charlie St. Cloud

Charlie St. Cloud  By Ben Sherwood     Sweet story about love, life, death and a little bit of magic.  Charlie and Sam are brothers. Sam idolizes and adores his big brother. Sadly, a tragic accident claims Sams life and Charlie feels responsible and cheated. He lives in an isolated world where he can grieve in his own way and hang on to the special relationship he had with Sam. In a small Massachusetts town Charlie's life consists of his job at the cemetery and the memory of Sam, until he meets Tess and falls in love for the first time. This book is an  pleasant read, characters are likable and easy to imagine. Didn't see the movie, story reads a little like a Nicholas Sparks novel, which I wouldn't normally read but also reminds me just a little of the magical stories by Cecelia Ahern (PS I Love You) which I adore.

All Over the Map

All Over the Map  By Laura Fraser    Over forty, funny, smart woman works as a travel writer. Laura lives in San Franscisco and travels the world to exotic exciting locations to write magazine articles. She is multilingual, loves meeting new people and enjoys tasting interesting cuisine. Post divorce and turning forty she can no longer bare the thought of being alone and never having children as she grows older. Travel is her job and her escape. If you enjoyed Eat Pray Love, this memoir is comparable, perhaps better written. The reader must be able to tolerate incessant whining and complaining and just enjoy the beautiful detailed trips and witty commentary.

The Irresistible Henry House

The Irresistible Henry House  By Lisa Grunwald     It is 1946 and Martha Gaines runs a home economics program at a prestigious college. Commonly in the early 1900's to the late 1960's womens studies programs at university included a practice house, where female students would learn to properly run a house, perform wifely duties, and care for a baby. In this novel a different infant from a local orphanage is raised for 2 years in the practice house. This baby is loved and cared for by multiple mothers and the strict rules of Martha Gaines. When Henry is brought to the house Martha finds herself falling madly in love with him as a she has never before. She decides to continue to raise Henry past the 2 year mark for the reminder of his childhood. Henry is a charming, smart funny remarkable young man that is deeply affected by his multiple practice mothers. He has trouble finding his freedom and true love. He cannot define his needs or which path his life should take. Henry mistakes Martha's love for selfish need and cannot appreciate all she has given of herself. Very unique story, likable intriguing characters. A highly recommended read.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time  By Mark Haddon   One of the most unique stories I have ever read. The story is narrated by Christopher Boone, an autistic 15 year old living with his father outside of London. He is brilliant in maths and science but incapable of small abilities, like being touched or eating anything the color yellow. He has a pet rat named Toby and a very strict routine which he is comfortable following. One day he discovers his neighbors dog, Wellington, murdered in the garden. So begins his Sherlock Holmes routine (he loves "logical" mysteries) in deciphering the clues that may lead to find the culprit. Christopher is remarkably humorous and loving. His simple, straightforward, honest emotions and logical mind leads the reader to reexamine the world and the truth.

Life and Death on the Loxahatchee

Life and Death on the Loxahatchee  By James Snyder    Vince "Trapper" Nelson lived in the Jupiter area from the early 1930's until his death in 1968. He was a real life tarzan and dazzled friends and visitors with his charm, knowledge, movie star good looks and connection with nature. In 1932 there were approximately 250 people living in this area of Florida. The people were struggling during this post depression time but Trapper loved nature,  animals, and life on the Loxahatchee River. It was a quieter time and populated rather quickly in the later years. This book details exactly what life in the Jupiter/Tequesta area was and what it has come to be in the present day. There's a tremendous amount of history in this area. Easy, enjoyable read. If you like history and especially for our locals, its a must read for summer!

The Invisible Wall

The Invisible Wall  By Harry Bernstein    The year is 1910, Harry is a young boy growing up in a small mill town in England. One side of the street is Jewish, the other Christian. They are all poor.They all struggle, war is approaching, they dream of America. There is an invisible wall. This beautifully written memoir details his family, with 6 children and a street full of characters. A lot has changed in the world and in other ways human nature has not evolved at all. Harry began writing this memoir at 93, published at 96. He is currently 100 and works on another. Enjoy this historical journey that is not to be missed.

The Beach Read of the Summer! The Carrie Diaries

The Carrie Diaries   By Candace Bushnell   This young adult book backtracks to Carrie Bradshaw's life in highschool. Growing up in a small town a few hours outside NYC, Carrie trudges through her senior year and all the trials and tribulations that say "All American Small Town USA." Friends, boyfriends, betrayl and her desire to become a writer. Interestingly, since we know little of Carrie's life prior to NYC from watching the show, this book perfectly characterizes the Carrie we have grown to love over the years. Personally, as a SATC fan, Carrie is SJP and the reader, just like the television viewer feels as if they know her intimately. For those that enjoy the show, there is no question you must read this book, only takes about a day.

Dreaming in Hindi

Dreaming in Hindi  By Katherine Russell Rich     Memoir of a year journey to study Hindi in Udaipur, India. Katherine is a writer/editor in New York City. She is divorced, 45 years old and has battled cancer for the last 10 years. Something is missing. Her life feels narrow. She needs "something" and has an indescribable passion for wanting to learn Hindi.  Katherine loses her job at a magazine and even though most people around her criticize, she welcomes an opportunity to live in India and study Hindi for a year. People are perplexed by her decision or as she truthfully admits "just jealous!"

This experience has extreme highs and depressing lows. It is a journey to acquire a new language and a new perspective on life, on people. Katherine's journey is detailed in an honest open manner, she is direct and witty. Interspersed is an enormous amount of scientific study she has acquired through research and interviews and attached to her own experience. The actual neuroscience of second language versus native tongue, along with how our brains learn, store and use this information.

Certainly worth the read, simultaneously informative and heartfelt. If you are multilingual or wish to be, whatever language your dreams are in, open your eyes and ears, its a big world out there.

My Name is Memory

My Name is Memory    By Ann Brashares    Not qute time traveling, Daniel's experiences are closer to what we think of as past life experiences. Daniel Grey believes most souls have many lives but very few remember them the way he does. He remembers it every detail. He loves a woman named Sophia through all of time, all of his lives he is searching for his one true love. He can stare deeply into someones eyes and recognize their true soul, recognize who they once may have been. Some lives he finds Sophia and some he does not. Sometimes they are the wrong ages in the wrong places. Finally he meets Lucy (Sophia) well over a thousand years later and it is finally their time to be together, or is it?

A unique love story, throw in a bit of history, culture and language, sit back and enjoy this beautiful story of love, trust, friendship and most of all, life.

Grounded

Grounded  By Seth Stevenson   D.C. writer and his girlfriend Rebecca circumnavigate the globe without flying. At first it seems a testimony to old fashioned romantic travel. Interacting with actual people, eating and staying in offbeat places one would have never found. The author mentions the difficulty flying post 9/11 plus the movements by environmental groups. The stress discomfort and uncomfortable seating adds to Seth's resolve to cross all longitudinal lines and the equator without flying. It is harder than it seems due to timing and some far out places that don't have much ground transport. Grounded is an exciting adventure taken by a smart young couple (who surprisingly and pleasantly get along throughout the travel turmoil) and learn a lot about their lives and themselves along the way.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

The Elegance of the Hedgehog  By Muriel Barbery  Renee Michel is a 54 yr old concierge in a luxury building in Paris. She grew up in poverty with little education, little nurturing and rarely a loving relationship. She is a secret autodidact and finds comfort in learning, art, music, and philosophy. One of the tenants is a 12 yr old girl named Paloma Josse. She is brilliant beyond comprehension and also hides this intellect to keep herself distant from any attention. She can see intense detail in people and the world itself. She has decided she may have to kill herself because the world will continue to be cruel. These 2 ladies form an unlikely friendship. Elegance is translated from French. The characters are lovable and this simplistic story is packed with lifes most important lessons.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest   By Stieg Larsson    The last of the trilogy murder mystery. Starting with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and then The Girl Who Played with Fire, all written by Swedish author Stieg Larsson, who unfortunately passed away before he could enjoy the success of this nail biting series taking place in modern day Sweden. Once again, Lisbeth Salander is the main character, she is a withdrawn, brilliant girl whose expertise as a hacker has both gotten her in trouble and solved many problems. Mikael Blomkvist is again her friend, journalist that cracks wide open a story of foreign affairs, cover ups, murder and intrigue. It is filled with suspense until the bitter end. The characters are many, names hard to pronounce (as it is translated), it is detail heavy and it is long. That being said, if you read the first two, it is a must read for summer!

My Life in France

My Life in France  By Julia Child       Delicious, detailed, adventurous account of the lives of Julia and Paul Child. Through Julia's unique voice and words, and her nephews pen, the reader is immersed in the culinary world of Europe post WWII, their travels living abroad, interesting companions and beautiful marriage. Their support and love for each other is unending for their entire lives and Pauls black and white photographs scattered throughout the book lend a charming glimpse through history. A simpler time, a couple that found fame and fortune much later in life than one would expect, and a woman that changed the way people cook and eat the world over. Wonderfully written, easy to follow, makes the reader hunger for more.

The Last War

The Last War  By Ana Menendez     The narrator of the story is a photo journalist that travels with her writer husband, Brando, around the world chasing the latest war story. Always living on the edge, near the greatest danger. Their own suffering is a sort of sacrifice as if they too were in a war. Brando has traveled to Iraq and the narrator, his wife, whom he calls Tunes, is waiting for her papers to arrive to join him.  She stays in their apartment in Istanbul waiting, and falls into a melancholy. She receives a mysterious letter detailing the facts of her husbands supposed love affair with another woman. She reignites a friendship with an old journalist friend that she suspects may have written the letter. This novel is loosely based on Ana Menendez's life experience. It is a poetic, sad and heartbreaking peek into a marriage.

Let the Great World Spin

Let the Great World Spin   By Colum McCann.  New York City, 1974. A group of mothers from all walks of life grieve together for the loss of their sons that died in Vietnam, Prostitutes roam the streets and a Irish monk named Corrigan tries to befriend and help them, there is a terrible car accident, Phillip Petit walks a tightrope at 110 stories between the newly built World Trade Centers. If the world is spinning, NYC is at the center of it all. An immense variety of people in a busy city that never sleeps. At first this book appears to be a collection of short stories and it is pleasantly surprising for the reader to find the connections between them all.  The characters are unique and likable. They are honest and intense. The tightrope walker is the only non fiction part of the book. It is very interesting to read that thread of truth weaving together the fictional characters. Colum McCann is a fantastic writer and this novel is definitely one that an avid reader should not miss.

What Happened to Anna K.?

What happened to Anna K.?  By Irina Reyn     The story revolves around a community of Russian and Bukharian Jews living in the different boroughs of New York. They generally live, work and marry within their community to retain as much of their cultural traditions as possible. Anna K. is described in detail as a beautiful, artistic soul that struggles to find an ideal place in the world. She craves love, romance of an old fashioned kind and to inspire a writer to fulfill greatness. Katia, another main character is Anna's beautiful, younger cousin, also searching for love, marriage, family etc. Anna is tormented by what she believes her destiny must be and Katia, who has always idolized Anna is devastated when Anna begins a sordid relationship with her ex love. The book is interesting from a cultural viewpoint, their lives are somewhat mysterious to the typical American. The reader wants to care about Anna but her selfishness, conceit and neediness keep us from ever truly rooting for her. Katia is much more likable and the men in the story are also quite interesting to follow. Definitely different and a worthwhile read.

Mountain of Crumbs

Mountain of Crumbs  By Elena Gorokhova.  Interesting memoir of a woman that grew up in the Soviet Union during the 1970's. The author describes what everyday life is like in a cold cold Leningrad. Elena had an affinity with the English language from a young age and was determined to learn English and teach others. It seems the more english she learns, the more westernized her mind becomes and she gradually cannot find happiness in the limiting, restrictive world in which she lives. The basic elements of communism that she was taught from a young age start to seem less vital and unfair. Elena cannot grasp the benefit of the struggle of the people. She begins the search for something more in her life. Informative, honest, sweet and witty writing. Really enjoyed the journey through Elena's life.

Cutting for Stone

Cutting For Stone  By Abraham Verghese    Riveting tale of identical twin boys named Shira and Marion, growing up in Ethiopia during the 1960's. Their adoptive parents are Hema and Ghosh, two charming Indian doctors working at a Mission hospital, practicing a kind of tropical medicine that we in the United States (for all our complaining) have never seen. Their past, history and present lead them through turmoil, love, politics, friendship and deep sadness, all the while remaining just "boys" trying to find their way. Both brilliant with an unquestioned future in medicine, is what always draws them together and ultimately pulls them apart. Great characters, interesting setting and historical backdrop in both politics and medicine. Its a long book but most definitely worth the read!

Open

Open  By Andre Agassi     Open is exactly as the title depicts. Andre Agassi, famed, successful, beloved tennis star opens his heart and soul to the world. The reader does not need to be a tennis fan to enjoy this incredible account of life as a child prodigy, early professional tennis champion. I, for one, know nothing about tennis and adored this easy to follow autobiography of Andre's life, according to Andre. As a young child growing up in Las Vegas Andre Agassi finds himself under the thumb of his demanding, perfectionist, overachieving father. He is sent away to the infamous Bollitierri Academy in Florida and drops out of school by the 9th grade, a regret he is constantly at odds with throughout the book. He goes on to have a rollercoaster career filled with emotions the public rarely gets to hear about. His friends and family support and love him but it is not easy. It is never easy, and maybe that makes you stronger but it also wears you down way too fast. His honesty is humbling and one could only imagine how exhausting putting this autobiography together must have been. Kudos to Mr. Agassi, his loving family and fans that will always remember the good old days with him.

The Septembers of Shiraz

The Septembers of Shiraz   By Dalia Sofer     The Amin family waited too long. The story takes place in Iran, early 1980's. After the air was filled with angst and most families able to, arranged to leave, the Amin family chose to stay, chose to hope, that the new regime would work itself out. That the new government would be okay. Violence became imminent. Laws changed overnight and Isaac Amin, his wife Farnaz and daughter Shirin are caught between two worlds. As a wealthy jewish jeweler, Isaac is frowned upon by the government. His westernized lifestyle is condemned and he is arrested on suspicion of being a spy for Israel. The two themes of focus in this story are family and things. When your life is at risk, your family's well being, can you walk away from everything you have, everything you worked for all your life, all the "things" you think make you who you are. But what good are any of these things if you are dead? The values have to be recalculated when everything is taken but you have your loved ones. Lessons to be learned from this captivating and thoughtful story. Excellent writing, a must read.