Astray

Astray By Emma Donoghue   After loving the novel "Room" last year (if you haven't read it, a must!) I decided to try a new collection of short stories by Ms. Donoghue. These short stories were various types of people in the midst of traveling, to find gold, a new home, the truth or peace at the end of life. These stories varied throughout history from the mid 1600's to 1960's. Short stories are tough for me personally because just when I am getting involved, it ends. I loved that following each story Ms. Donoghue briefly details the source of the story and at the very end of the book, surmises the entire account. An excellent collection and easy to read. If you enjoy historical fiction and short stories, this one is for you!

Gone Girl

Gone Girl  By Gillian Flynn  Amazing Amy is amazing; a clever beautiful, sophisticated girl, madly in love with Nick. They marry and are the ideal New York couple. Young, eager, happy and having the time of their life. Until they are not. Their lives change dramatically when they move back to Nicks small home town. Their lives unravel even more rapidly when one day, the day of Nick and Amy's 5th wedding anniversary, Amy is missing. And then their story really begins. This novel is told from 2 points of view. One chapter Amy, the next Nick. It is truly amazing how two people can see one story in two totally different ways. I rarely read mysteries of any sort. I could not put this one down. A must read.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao  By Junot Diaz    Oscar Wao is a teenager growing up in Paterson New Jersey with his outrageous, beautiful, intelligent sister, his completely off the wall but hard working intermittently very ill mother and again out of jail tio (uncle). Oscar is obese, science fiction obsessed, extremely girl crazy, brilliant writer and wordsmith. This family is originally from the Dominican Republic of which the past history, superstitions and cultures remain a stronghold within them all, whether they like it or not. The Brief Wondrous Life takes the reader on a journey backwards and forwards in Oscars life. Back to his ancestors tortured by Trujillo and his present search for acceptance, friendship, sex and love. Oscar is unquestionably a remarkable and likeable character. This author is no doubt full of talent, humor and a prose all his own. I enjoyed the DR history and spanglish very much but this story is at times hard to follow. It is not newly published but something I always wanted to read and although at times I was pushing myself to continue, there is no doubt I will read other works by this author and for me, that is the point.

Some Girls Some Hats and Hitler

Some Girls Some Hats and Hitler  By Trudi Kanter      A beautiful, poetic memoir of a young gorgeous woman living in Vienna in 1938. Trudi is a stylish, sharp hat designer with her own successful boutique. She is in love with Walter and her intelligent, kind parents live nearby. They live an exciting yet simple life in a lively city that is filled with art and culture and romance. Through the eyes of this young woman we read of the destruction of this life, of this city and all Trudi knows and loves as Vienna is taken over by the Germans. The people of Vienna lose their freedom and livelihoods very quickly. Fear is instilled seemingly overnight. But Trudi is not in denial and she quickly uses her wit, her charm and her instincts to guide her family out of their beloved city. This is a unique memoir of a time when Trudi is recalling not only the terror but the details of her young life, love and passions. Trudi is amazed people are still wearing hats at a time such as this.

The Tea Rose

The Tea Rose  By Jennifer Donnelly     In the year 1888 Fiona Finnegan is 18 years old. She and her family live in Whitechapel, a town in the east end of London. Their lives are not easy, they struggle to make ends meet and sometimes don't have enough to eat, but their home is filled with love, support and dreams. Joe Bristow, Fiona's childhood sweetheart holds their tin that is filled with all their savings and all their hopes to someday have their very own shop. What sounds like a most simple story develops into a lengthy tale of love, trust, mystery, friendship and lots of tea. The reader holds on to the characters, both loveable and adventurous as it twists and turns through a decade of their lives. Although by the end the story is mostly predictable, the writing is easy and enjoyable and I highly recommend this novel. Note: It is lengthy, start when you have an ample amount of time!

Seating Arrangements

Seating Arrangements By Maggie Shipstead      A wedding weekend meticulously planned by the Van Meter family. No detail left unattended. But this is no ordinary wedding. Daphne and Greyson are to be married on the small vacation island of Waskeke. The one hitch of this perfect hitch is the rush before the baby is born. Daphne is pregnant. And in this world of perfect table settings and lots of cocktails her saving grace is that they are a perfect match and very much in love. The chaos that ensues around the happy couple are predictable and hilarious with the island celebration  bringing the two families together. Throw in some beautiful bridesmaids, a father of the bride who openly lusts one of them, a groom with three brothers and a whale found dead on the beach and there is quite a party weekend to be had by all. Highly recommend this light, funny, easy read about social ladders, weddings and family. This author is terrific at character building. You feel like you know them from somewhere, maybe you do?

In the Shadow of the Banyan

In the Shadow of the Banyan  By Vaddey Ratner    Raami is a 7 year old girl in 1975, when the Khmer Rouge revolted and took over Cambodia. The uprisings, massacres, violence, and starvation were ongoing for four years. Raami's family was torn apart. They lost everything, everyone and every way of life as they knew it. They had been a peaceful, spiritual, loving family and its these memories that keep Raami alive, believing and even when all odds are against her survival, holding on to a bit of hope. This novel, based on the authors own life history is moving and honest in ways very few people can describe. I was both on the edge of my seat wondering what the outcome would be and in tears as Raami has to accept things most adults, let alone a small child could endure. This novel and the writing are stupendous. I have learned and loved these characters and their story will always be in my heart.

Paris in Love

Paris in Love  By Eloisa James     This memoir is the year Eloisa James, her husband Allesandro and 2 children stopped "merely existing" in a suburb of New Jersey, by taking a sabbatical and moving to Paris for one year of French living in one of the most exciting cities in the world. It is written almost as a diary, partially a blog as it occurred and I could not put it down. Paris in Love is a witty, loving, honest, funny, charming and delicious (oh, the foods they eat!!) adventure! Ms. James continues to write (when she is not eating at a scrumptious cafe), she explores the most unique museums large and small, and takes care of her family, all while learning the most important lesson of life, to LIVE it!! I give her an A+.

The People of Forever are Not Afraid

The People of Forever are Not Afraid By Shani Boianjiu    Three Israeli women growing up in a small dusty town in Israel become of age to do their service in the Israeli army. This novel follows them through their posts and affairs for the next few years and a few past army service. This story had interesting characters and excellent writing but it was very hard to follow. Extremely confusing. Time jumps forward and back so often it is hard to know when the episode is taking place and just as mysterious as to whom it is focusing on. The girls are brash and have absolutely no drive or goals. I was very much looking forward to a more realistic episode of time spent in the army from a women's point of view. I found this story so bizarre and highly unrealistic. I was disappointed but am hopeful this author will continue to write and learn to focus more because the words and wit are most surely within her.

Dreaming in English

Dreaming in English By Laura Fitzgerald 

Ike and Tami, young, newly married and very much in love. Their world is complicated, Tami, visiting from Iran, needs her residency status to stay in America. Ike's parents are against this rushed, seemingly fixed marriage of convenience and Tami's former matches are angry she hasn't chosen them. This beautiful story is about love, friendship, family and freedom. It focuses on the many difficult issues of cultures clashing and fitting family traditions into modern day lifestyles. Most importantly the challenge of understanding the gift of freedom by birth and helping others that are striving to attain it. This novel is a continuation of Veil of Roses, which introduced us to these beautiful characters. You do not have to read it to enjoy Dreaming in English but why wouldn't you???!!!! Both excellent, enjoy and happy reading!!

Beautiful Ruins

Beautiful Ruins By Jess Walter    Dee is an up and coming actress in 1962, small town girl with her first big break, a minor role in Cleopatra, starring Liz Taylor and Richard Burton being filmed in Italy. Michael Deane is the crazed producer that will do anything to get the job done, Pasquale is a good looking, young, Italian man from a small coastal town that befriends Dee and is sucked up into the drama that is Hollywood. These are just a few of the characters that flash throughout the pages of this novel of love, friendship and betrayal. Flashing between 1962 to the present the reader is not always certain who is being described or when its taking place. The writing is excellent and there is that special something that makes one continue onto the next chapter. Unfortunately, it also contains that rush to the finish to summarize all that has happened (in a long story) into one tidy ending and perhaps leaves the reader wondering if it even really matters since none of the characters are very likeable to begin with. Not a bad read but hard to recommend.

The Age of Miracles

The Age of Miracles By Karen Thompson Walker    To a sixth grade girl, the world and its inhabitants (especially boys) are already a mystery. When the earth begins to slow, the days get longer, the nights get colder. At first its by minutes, then days, then weeks. Light and dark take on new meaning. Eating, sleeping, our most basic functions. This story is told by Julia, an only child living with her parents in Southern California when the slowing begins. People do not function well off the clock but real time becomes impossible as the days stretch and scientists argue over cause, effect and the future of our planet. The government tries to keep order, how quickly chaos can begin. How quickly people, once neighbors, once friends can turn on each other. Survival is a tricky thing. The story is narrated by Julia, and she is still just a 12 year old waiting for Seth, her crush, to speak to her at the bus stop. This incredibly unique, well told story was an amazing read. It is almost unimaginable that this is Ms. Walkers first novel, WOW! Highly recommend.

Defending Jacob

Defending Jacob By William Landay   Andy Barber is the Assistant DA in a suburb of Boston.  He has just taken on the murder case of a teenager in his small town. Near his home, near his sons school. Shockingly, the evidence mounts against his own teenage son, Jacob. He and his wife Laurie turn their lives upside down to protect their son, defend Jacobs case and save their family. This is a suspenseful thriller that cannot be put down. It twists and turns with every chapter. The characters are surprisingly real and likeable. Highly recommend this read, excellent murder mystery (and I hardly EVER read mysteries!)

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry By Rachel Joyce   Harold Fry is a common man. A man that has lived his life hiding from love and happiness. One day he receives a letter from a co-worker some twenty years past. She was a friend, Queenie Henessey, that he never said a proper goodbye to and now she was dying of cancer. As Harold walks to the mailbox in his small English town, he hesitates before putting the letter in the mailbox. It is at that moment he decides to save his friend and bring her hope. He starts the long journey of walking across England to see Queenie and implores her to wait! Harold's pilgrimage shocks his wife and wins the heart of every person he shares his story with along the way. His story becomes bigger than himself and so begins Harold's personal journey into his memories and his future. Rachel Joyce is a beautiful writer. This novel is recommended if you desire a slow gaze into a simple truthful sad heart.

Left Neglected. By Lisa Genova  Sarah Nickerson is a mother of three small children and lives in a suburb of Boston. She and her husband Bob both have stressful power positions with big companies. They  juggle and multitask the day away, never a moment to spare (or enjoy) because there are just not enough hours in the day. This all seems commonplace, until Sarah is in a horrible car accident. She sustains traumatic head injury to the right part of her brain and a syndrome called Left Neglect. Sarahs life will never be exactly the same again but for every tough physical stride she makes, her life lessons trail right along with her. Sarah begins to realize that less can be more and time really is money but most importantly to celebrate how lucky she is instead of focusing on the struggle. Like the fabulous book, Still Alice, author Lisa Genova, once again brings these characters straight into our hearts where they will most likely remain long after the last page is read. Highly recommend this interesting, warm, heartfelt account of this startling syndrome.

The Romance Reader

The Romance Reader By Pearl Abraham   This novel is told by Rachel Benjamin. It is the mid 1970's. She is one of seven children growing up just outside NYC in a chassidic family. She is the eldest, the most rebellious and most curious. She loves her family dearly and shares all her dreams with her sister Leah. But Rachel admits "This is why people shouldn't read." She and Leah read voraciously. They steal, borrow and secretly obtain a library card. They live in worlds outside of their own through these books. In their community this is not allowed. They are not to read English books and admire the lives of non Jews. But they do. And as Rachel approaches 17, the age where girls are matched and married off to start their own families, she questions everything she is intended to be and loses herself in the process. These feisty spirited girls are enjoyable characters and this novel is a pleasure to read. The girls remain in the readers mind long after the book ends. Highly recommend.

A Hologram for the King

A Hologram for the King     By Dave Eggers      This novel is the story of Alan Clay. In his mid fifties, a has been as far as his career as sales/consultant is concerned and continuously depressed. He has one last chance, an opportunity to travel with a small IT team to Saudia Arabia and attempt to get the contract for the telecommunications in a new city being built by King Abdullah. It is a very simple quiet story of a man who is lost at mid life. There is a small desire and chance he can climb his way back to self satisfaction and pay back his many debts both financially and emotionally. There is another part of Alan that seems ready to give up completely. Life in Saudi Arabia and the characters he meets there are unique in every respect. The writing is excellent. It is easy to visualize each detail of Alans often bumbled adventures. I cannot say it was a life changing read but I thoroughly enjoyed this writer and would definitely recommend this novel.

The Hypnotist's Love Story

The Hypnotist's Love Story By Liane Moriarty     Ellen is a hypnotherapist that runs a small successful practice out of the beachfront cottage she inherited from her beloved grandparents. She is in her mid thirties and has been through the gamut of unsatisfying romantic relationships. When Ellen meets Patrick her entire life changes. He is a widow with a beautiful, 8 yr old son named Jack and wants all the same things that Ellen is searching for. Except for one rather large detail, Patrick is being stalked by his ex-girlfriend for the last 3 years. And now she is onto them! Ellen is a likeable character, the authors Austrailian word choice is both smooth and witty. The hypnotist details are extremely interesting as is the look at the stalkers side of the story. For as crazy as she seems, it doesn't appear far fetched or even fair. This contemporary love story/mild thriller is a good, easy, enjoyable read that I highly recommend.

The After Wife

The After Wife  By Gigi Levangie Grazer     I am still laughing and smiling from this delightful book that I didn't think I would read and was sure I would not enjoy. HOW WRONG I WAS!! Hannah and John live in Santa Monica CA. They live a romantic, idyllic life with a beautiful 3 yr old daughter. They have unique careers and a cast of bizarre friends and neighbors. Sadly, after four blissful years, Hannah finds herself a widow, alone, grief stricken and unemployed as a single mother. Her Grief Team, as she calls them, try to help Hannah get back on her feet and on with her life. As another twist Hannah begins to communicate with the deceased. This author takes a look at a sad situation and although there is real compassion for her characters, the story is a satire of LA life, an exaggeration (I hope!?#) of the women who live in NOMO (North of Montana) their crazy lifestyles and values that start and finish with a good latte. Easy fun read, could not put down, perfect for the beach!

Gold

Gold By Chris Cleave   Tom has coached Zoe and Kate since they were 19, in world class indoor cycling. The girls are like daughters to him. They race and train in London. Now at 32 years old, the excitement is growing as the 2012 London Olympics approach. Zoe and Kate are like sisters and they are tough competitors as well. They are similar in their love and passion for cycling and complete opposites in matters of the heart. Jack, also an Olympic cyclist, is married to Kate and they have a child named Sophie. The friendship, love, loyalty and trust that these five characters share bring this Olympic story to life. If you liked Little Bee, you will also enjoy Gold as Chris Cleave again brings a quirky cast into your imagination with excellent writing, wit and passion.