Summer and the City

Summer and the City  By Candace Bushnell     Sequel to The Carrie Diaries and Prequel to Sex and The City, another adorable, light funny read starring our beloved Carrie Bradshaw living out her dream summer in NYC. The story illustrates how she meets Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte and grows her passion and desire to become a successful writer living in New York. It is hard to read without picturing Sarah Jessica as a teenager bumbling around NY in her vintage clothes and bouncy curls. This is a perfect beach read, light funny and enjoyable. I don't know if I just like pretending its 1984 or I truly just miss my all time favorite series but this one is a must for my fellow SATC fans!! (If you haven't read The Carrie Diaries, read that one first!) BTW, the CW channel is currently working on The Carrie Diaries series for tv. Hmmmm not sure about that one ....

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs  By Walter Isaacson    Biography of Steve Jobs and Apple Inc. Steve Jobs was adopted at a very young age to a kind, hardworking, honest couple who desperately wanted a child. They were wonderful parents and Steve had an idyllic childhood, but the idea of abandonment stuck with Jobs and became his life long thorn in his side, either by choice, by excuse or a biological connection that cannot be severed. His journey was a search for purity, artistry, control, enlightenment and invention but never really happiness. He desperately wanted to contribute to and change the world with computers. Jobs was known to be cruel and incredibly difficult to work with and for but he continued to get products made that ultimately did change the entire industry. He was more artist and inventor than scientist or engineer but highly regarded both fields. Jobs expected nothing less than perfection from everyone in his life, both at work and at home. This biography was well organized, easy to read and filled with interesting characters and in depth explanations of the entire field. For anyone interested in business, technology and our recent history of both, its a must read. There are many lessons to be learned.

Veil of Roses

Veil of Roses By Laura Fitzgerald    Tami has always dreamed of freedom. She is 27 and living in Tehran with her parents teaching at a religious girls school. As the restrictions feel tighter and tighter and marriage is imminent, Tami falls into a depression. Her parents last hope is a 3 month visa they have miraculously obtained for Tami to visit her married sister in the U.S. Tami has 3 months to find a suitable husband which would allow her to remain in America. This story brings to life the very issues displayed daily on the nightly news. The younger educated generation is desperately seeking freedom, equality and democracy in their homelands. The characters are likeable and this is an easy summer read that should not be missed. Something as simple as reading a book, is a freedom some humans do not have.

The Kitchen House

The Kitchen House By Kathleen Grissom   One of the best historical fiction novels I have read in a long time. Lavinia is a young Irish girl on a ship in the late 1700's on her way to America. Her parents do not survive the journey and she finds herself as an indentured servant to the very kind captain of the ship. Back at his plantation she is torn between her caregivers, the slaves whom she works besides, and her easy acceptance to the big house, because her skin is white. "Abinia" as they pronounce her name, is later taken to a relative of the captain in Williamsburg where she is educated and grows into a refined young woman but she dreams of going back to her family that raised her.  When she finally makes it back she cannot tolerate the slavery she now understands and fights to change these sad circumstances and be with her family. This story is filled with love, friendship, family, loyalty and history. A great summer read. Well written, easy and finally, a book I could not put down!

Definitely Not Mr. Darcy

Definitely Not Mr. Darcy  By Karen Doornebos  Modern twist on a Jane Austen romance. A modern day girl from Chicago named Chloe is chosen to be in a tv production she believes will be a documentary where the characters live for three weeks in 1812. The winner walks away with $100,000. Chloe is a huge Jane Austen fanatic but when arriving at the set in Englands glorious countryside she learns this is a love match reality show. Chloe puts her best foot forward for the money and the man in perfect 1812 style. Adorable, funny, romantic, easy read. Perfect for a sparkling summer day!

The Unexpected Son

The Unexpected Son  By Shobhan Bantwal    Vinita is an extremely intelligent polite behaved girl attending college in her home town in India. For the very first time in her life she breaks the rules and changes her life and her families destiny forever. Thirty years later Vinita receives a letter at her quiet home in New Jersey and all of her secrets and misgivings come back to turn her life upside down. Vinita is a strong, independent woman and a most likeable character. The novel takes place in a colorful town where the sights and sounds and smells come to life as the authors beautiful descriptions take us on a faraway journey. Highly recommend this excellent read.

Fifty Shades Freed

Fifty Shades Freed By EL James   The delicious romantic erotic saga with Ana and Christian continues. So that this review is not a spoiler I will cut to the chase. I surprised myself by loving all three books. They were enjoyable and different. I loved the characters and do not think there can ever be a movie as exciting and detailed as these stories. I thought I would be upset when they were over and saved #3 for months! It was just as good as the others but even with all the criticisms I heard regarding this author I thought she brought closure to the story. Number Three was enough for that saga and storyline and I can only hope she puts out some more books in the future. I think a new genre for a certain demographic has been tapped and all the haters do not have to partake if they need to weigh the literary skills against pure enjoyment. If you haven't ventured there yet, start with #1 and give it a try. Great summer reads, all three.

Wild

Wild By Cheryl Strayed   This memoir is the journey of a young women who is sad and lost and finds herself in her mid twenties on an adventure of a lifetime. After losing her mother to a horrible battle with cancer, Cheryl finds has a series of bad relationships, menial jobs and city after city she is still unhappy. She stumbles quite by chance upon a book detailing the hikes of the infamous PCT, Pacific Crest Trail. Having never been much of a hiker Cheryl finds herself drawn to this idea and challenge. She decides to set her goals and hike the majority of the trail. She prepares herself to journey this solo hike starting near Mexico through to Oregon. This honest account of this often dangerous and always difficult adventure is an interesting and intense read. She finds out more about herself and her life than she ever imagined. Cheryl reaches to the very deepest parts of herself and her determination to begin again. Highly recommend this read, hiker or not, its enjoyable, easy and a great summer get away.

Unorthodox

Unorthodox By Deborah Feldman    This fascinating, heartfelt memoir is written by a young woman who grew up in a Satmar community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY.  It is an ultra ashkenazi hasidic community that is a small, private, Jewish group living by very strict religious laws. They speak Yiddish, separate men and women completely and educate by their own guidelines. Deborah is raised by her grandparents, who have her live by their unbending rules but love her and want the best life they feel they can give her. From a very young age this intelligent, independent girl can only wonder what life would be like outside of Williamsburg. She sneaks books from the public library. Reads and writes in English and dreams of a bigger, fuller life. Deborah is later married to a stranger set by a matchmaker at 17 yrs old. This is the beginning of a new life and the end of another. This memoir is an enjoyable, easy, must read. Are we the people we are told to be from birth or must we give in and lead the life we believe we were meant to live even if it hurts those who love us?

The Dovekeepers

The Dovekeepers By Alice Hoffman       In 70 C.E. when the Romans stormed Jerusalem, 900 Jewish people fled to a mountaintop called Masada. It was the palace for King Herod 100 years earlier. A city made of stone with provisions to house and feed an enormous amount of people. They lived there peacefully for 4 years until the enemy finally overtook them. This novel portrays the lives of four women who are brave, intelligent, faithful and most importantly, hopeful. Masada is one of the most exciting Jewish stories to survive. It still stands, and many many artifacts exist to collaborate the facts of its amazing history. I appreciate the beautiful strong women and historical value but the writing dragged slowly at times. Certain themes were repeated over and over again. Like The Red Tent, this is an intriguing period to imagine and learn about but admittedly, I was ready for this book to be over. With a story that good I usually don't want it to end.

Caleb's Crossing

Caleb's Crossing By Geraldine Brooks      Bethia is a 12 year old girl living on an island, known today as Martha's Vineyard.  It is the mid 1600's. (Think Scarlett Letter!) Her father is a minister and her grandfather the founder of this small enclave they call Great Harbour. Bethia is educated solely by listening to her brothers lessons because at this time females were thought not necessary to be educated as to anything but bible. Bethia is a quick learner in greek, latin, hebrew, reading and writing. She is also a lover of nature and one day while exploring the island she befriends a Native American Indian that she names Caleb. She begins to teach Caleb all that she has learned and he teaches her the native ways of the island. Their secret friendship remains for years until one day things change on the island and Caleb is brought to come and live with the settlers. He too is a brilliant learner and makes his way to Harvard College as the very first Native American to graduate (true!). This story is about friendship, loyalty, learning and love. Historical fiction is amazing, it is a great way to enjoy learning about a time period while immersed in a story that is both tragically real and fictionalized. At first the reader must get used to a rather difficult prose but it quickly becomes clear as to the direction of the story. These loveable characters leave the reader wanting more! Highly recommend this most unique story.

The Flight of Gemma Hardy

The Flight of Gemma Hardy By Margot Livesey   Gemma Hardy was born in Iceland to loving parents. When she was three years old, her parents died and Gemma's life as she knew it did too. She was taken to Scotland and raised by her warm and generous uncle, until his untimely death. At 10 years old Gemma is left in the world to live with her cruel aunt and unruly cousins who despise her and do whatever they can to make her feel unwelcome. Gemma is sent to a boarding school, where although extremely bright, she is put to work and treated as a maid. Gemma learns very young how to fend for herself and begins to plan her uncertain future.  She is a wonderful character and while the reader cheers for Gemma the whole way through it is hard to know what the next twist and turn will be. The reader can merely contemplate the question of life: What do we truly need to be happy? It may begin with food and shelter to survive but friendship and love is equally vital. Highly recommend this wonderful novel. A great summer read!!

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother  By Amy Chua   Memoir following the family life of Amy Chua. Amy, her husband Jed and two daughters, Sophia and Lula live in New Haven CT. Amy and Jed both teach law at Yale. Their daughters are being raised by Amy's method of The Chinese Mother way. From the beginning, Amy instills the strong beliefs regarding education, discipline, respect and time management that she herself followed throughout her childhood. Success, self confidence and most importantly opportunity were at her doorstep because of these attributes. Hard work, being the best, determination and competition are what she believes is the Chinese Mother path to freedom, which is really about having a multitude of life choices because of your achievements. Her constant comparisons to the Western way of parenting (these terms are loosely used) are generally accurate. Sometimes her methods are successful and sometimes disastrous. This memoir is an interesting, witty and honest account of one parents extreme methods to give her children the very best she has to offer. It astounds me that she later received an enormous amount of criticisms and ridicule after her story was published. I found it both enlightening and entertaining and that has nothing to do with what I believe are the correct or best methods. If we stop looking at all sides of the coin our learning and evolution cease to exist. Highly recommend this memoir, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank  By Nathan Englander  Eight short stories. Jewish threads running through them. The title story was my favorite. Friends since childhood, two women (with their husbands) get reacquainted 20 years later. One couple is extremely religious and has been living in Israel. Their vivid childhood memories still hold them together, yet their present lives are nothing alike. After tiptoeing around the delicate wall built around them, these two old friends find they are not so different after all. These stories are short so if time is an issue its much easier to read but when the story is good enough to capture the reader, they end too abruptly. I found the other seven stories have superb writing but filled with dark humor, mysterious endings and somewhat depressing themes. I am quite certain some people (perhaps fans of Foer, Franzen and Chabon) would like this very much.

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven  By Susan Gilman   Susie and Claire have just graduated from Brown University. Filled with young ambition, wonderment and an all knowing Ivy League education, they decide over some pancakes at IHOP to circumnavigate the globe. They begin their journey flying to Hong Kong and make their way to The People's Republic of China. It is 1986, tourism in China is extremely limited and monitored and Claire and Susie wonder every day if they have made the right decision or a big mistake. The backpacker mantra seems to be the dirtier, hungrier and more you "rough it" the truer the nature of the journey. Both girls experience severe stomach illness, homesickness and general malaise. Unfortunately Claires' symptoms seem to get worse instead of better. She begins to isolate herself, show signs of paranoia and completely shut herself off from Susie. Susie has to take control of this adventure and guide them both to safety. This memoir is well written, witty and interesting. I highly recommend this read to all of those who have traveled or ever dreamed of doing so.

Still Life With Husband

Still Life With Husband By Lauren Fox      Emily and Kevin have been a couple for 9 years, married for 5. Turning thirty, Kevin is ready to start a family and move to the suburbs. Emily is not. A story about love, friendship and betrayal. The writing is witty and funny and the story flowed easily. Emily meets a handsome man in a coffee shop and decides to not tell him she is married and continue into the unknown. Unfortunately after reading Fifty Shades, WE WANT MORE, (there isn't much more) and frankly I was not completely in love with Emily (a little annoying). Her husband sounds so incredibly boring its hard to feel sorry for him except that lying is bad bad bad and exhausting to boot. All in all, I do recommend this book and enjoyed this writer as long as she doesn't go completely chick lit.

Jane and The Canterbury Tale

Jane and The Canterbury Tale  By Stephanie Barron        Through the character of Jane Austen, Stephanie Barron brings us back to the year 1813, to the small village of Godmersham outside of London. Jane is visiting her brother Edward who is a businessman and magistrate of the village. They are attending a wedding at a neighbors castle when the brides supposedly long dead husband is found murdered on a path near Edwards estate. To complicate matters each suspect has a solid alibi. As Edward continues the investigation with Janes assistance, the brides maid is found lifeless in the fields. The mystery intensifies. The twists and turns in the familiar Austen voice is clear and immensely entertaining. This book is one of a series for Jane Austen lovers and those who enjoy a clever, witty mystery.

A Secret Kept

A Secret Kept    By Tatiana De Rosnay    Antoine and Melanie are siblings in their early forties. They have led a life of privilege in Paris and although they have been afforded all the luxuries a prestigious wealthy family possess, they have also lived with a cold hearted father and early loss of their beautiful loving mother. Antoine surprises Melanie for her 40th birthday with a weekend to an island they frequented as small children. An accident occurs and through Melanies recovery a family secret surfaces that will change their lives forever. Thoroughly enjoyed this authors insightful writing, daily Paris life, mid life crises and challenge of familial relationships. It is not Sarahs Key but a good, solid read with extremely likeable characters.

Once We Were Brothers

Once We Were Brothers  By Ronald Balson    Ben Soloman grew up in a small town in Poland in the 1930's. His generous loving parents often helped less fortunate families. Otto Piatek's parents could not afford to care for him and the Solomans raised him as part of the family for his formative years. When Poland was invaded by the Nazi's life changed for all the people and worst off for the Jewish families. Otto went to work for the Germans as he was not Jewish and he initially thought it would help the Solomans. Life took Ben and Otto in opposite directions and very different lives. Throughout WWII, through death and marriage and loss. So much loss. Many years later in Chicago Ben is an older man at the end of his life. He believes he recognizes Otto as a prominent businessman, but this cannot be. Once We Were Brothers is a compelling novel about family, friendship, and faith. It flashes back to the past with accuracy and surmounts to an unexpected suspenseful story that cannot be put down. The historical portions were fascinating, although fiction, they were well researched and the characters extremely loveable. Highly recommend this read.

History of a Pleasure Seeker

History of a Pleasure Seeker  By Richard Mason    Piet Barol is a highly educated young man in the very early 1900's, living in Leiden. His French, singing instructor mother whom he was very close has passed away. His father is a joyless University employee and Piet is determined to find a new rich life in the world. His mother taught him all the finer pleasures of life as defined in food, music, art and language. Combined with his extraordinary good looks and easy disposition, Piet finds work as a tutor in one of the wealthiest homes in Amsterdam. He becomes mentor to a troubled 10 year old boy and lover to a rather cold and neglected wife of his employer. Reading this story accomplishes what an excellent writer sets out to do. For a few days I was in Amsterdam over a hundred years ago and was able to envision the dress, the homes, the food and the romance of that period. Highly recommend this timeless read about class, determination, love and of course, pleasure.