Monthly Archives: November 2010

Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote

Posted on November 30, 2010
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Summary from GoodReads:

Holly Golightly is generally up all night drinking cocktails and breaking hearts. She hasn’t got a past. She doesn’t want to belong to anything or anyone, not even to her one-eyed rag-bag pirate of a cat. One day Holly might find somewhere she belongs.

My Review:

My first experience with Breakfast at Tiffany’s was, like I imagine mosts to be, colored with Audrey Hepburn’s charm and George Peppard’s blue eyes.  While it’s not one of my favorite movies of Hepburns (Roman Holiday holds that honor), it has it’s quirky, sweet moments and is quite the classic.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of Truman Capote’s writing, but I did expect a little more than I got, I think.  Without Hepburn there to make the story flow and to breathe life into the dialogue I found the book to be a little more.. snobbish.  Although, strip away the view and I guess that’s exactly who Holly Golightly was, a snobbish, flirtatious girl who treated people pretty abominably, when you actually think about it.

The story is only 111 pages long, and the one thing that it did have going for it was its short length.  I’m still not sure how they managed to make a 2ish hour movie out of it (which is actually longer than the time it took for me to read the book), but it does explain why the movie seems to drag in some places.  The book flows quite a bit and time did pass quickly while I was reading it.  But, overall, I think for a more charming example of the type of girl Capote portrays Holly Golightly to be.. I would suggest you look to Winifred Watson’s Delysia Lafosse from Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. She’s what the perfect written Holly Golightly would be to me, utterly charming, full of life and.. essentially, who Audrey Hepburn portrayed Holly to be on the screen.

Check out these review(s):

Reading and Ruminations

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Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb

Posted on November 29, 2010
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Reason(s) for Reading:
  • I’ve heard a lot about Wally Lamb and thought, considering the season, this would be the perfect start for December.
I  also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

It’s 1964 and ten-year-old Felix is sure of a few things: the birds and the bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this is one Christmas he’ll never forget.

LBJ and Lady Bird are in the White House, Meet the Beatles is on everyone’s turntable, and Felix Funicello (distant cousin of the iconic Annette!) is doing his best to navigate fifth grade—easier said than done when scary movies still give you nightmares and you bear a striking resemblance to a certain adorable cartoon boy.

Back in his beloved fictional town of Three Rivers, Connecticut, with a new cast of endearing characters, Wally Lamb takes his readers straight into the halls of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School—where Mother Filomina’s word is law and goody-two-shoes Rosalie Twerski is sure to be minding everyone’s business. But grammar and arithmetic move to the back burner this holiday season with the sudden arrivals of substitute teacher Madame Frechette, straight from QuÉbec, and feisty Russian student Zhenya Kabakova. While Felix learns the meaning of French kissing, cultural misunderstanding, and tableaux vivants, Wishin’ and Hopin’ barrels toward one outrageous Christmas.

From the Funicello family’s bus-station lunch counter to the elementary school playground (with an uproarious stop at the Pillsbury Bake-Off),Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a vivid slice of 1960s life, a wise and witty holiday tale that celebrates where we’ve been—and how far we’ve come.

My Review:

I really wasn’t sure how this book would go, as I had two completely different expectations from it.  I thought either it would be sappy and sweet, or it would be a book that had me laughing my butt off.  Wishin’ and Hopin’ definitely fulfilled the latter expectation and then some.

Think.. A Christmas Story mixed with the Frank’s story of growing up in Catholic Ireland.  While Felix, the ten-year-old who is telling his own story, doesn’t live in Ireland, he does live in the fantastic world of 1964 US of A – a world where Beetles, Beehive hair-do’s, Bandstand, Catholic Schools and Annette Funicello reign.

There are so many priceless moments in this book, and I don’t want to ruin them all for you, but I have to say that one of my favorite moments was an appearance made on television (which, according to the epilogue, was based on a real-life moment).  I seriously laughed until I cried and everything was written so well I could visualize it happening as I read about it.

I wasn’t alive during the 1960′s, so this story wasn’t a trip down memory lane for me.  But I’ve seen enough movies, read enough stories and talked to my folks about the 60′s enough to feel a connection with Felix’s story and to appreciate it for what it was – a funny, insightful, nostalgic look at the world through the eyes of a 10 year old.  And while things have changed today and classrooms have become completely different, there are still ten year olds out there experiencing the same wonder and living in the same innocence that Felix lived and experienced.   That’s what made this book such a beautiful start to the Christmas season, reading-wise for me.  An innocent, heart-warming story filled with charm, family and life.

About the Author

Wally Lamb’s first two novels, She’s Come Undone (Simon & Schuster/Pocket, 1992) and I Know This Much Is True(HarperCollins/ReganBooks, 1998), were # 1 New York Timesbestsellers, New York Times Notable Books of the Year, and featured titles of Oprah’s Book Club. I Know This Much Is Truewas a Book of the Month Club main selection and the June 1999 featured selection of the Bertelsman Book Club, the national book club of Germany. Between them, She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True have been translated into eighteen languages.Lamb is also the editor of the nonfiction anthologies Couldn’t Keep It to Myself: Testimonies from Our Imprisoned Sisters…

For more reviews on Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb, please follow the book tour.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from TLC Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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It’s Monday, what are you reading?

Posted on November 28, 2010
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Sheila from One Person’s Journey through a World of Books hosts this meme and I love to participate in it! Head on over and check out her blog and the great participants there.

I’ve had an incredibly busy two weeks (as I bet you all have as well!).  I missed last Monday’s post and floundered a bit, because I love having a list to stick to and to give myself goals.  So here is the last two weeks worth of reading as well as what I’ve been planning for this upcoming week.

In addition, I hope you consider joining me for my Read-Along this month.  I thought it only fitting that we tackle Dicken’s classic, A Christmas Carol.  Please consider joining up and participating in the discussion!

Books I’ve read this week (Links to reviews):

  1. One Good Knight by Mercedes Lackey
  2. Fortune’s Fool by Mercedes Lackey
  3. Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn
  4. World War Z by Max Brooks
  5. The Search for Wondla by Tony Di’Terlizzi
  6. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
  7. Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
  8. Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb
  9. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
  10. Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote

Other book reviews posted this week:

  1. Confessions of a Rebel Debutante by Anna Fields
  2. The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
  3. Mary, Mrs. A. Lincoln by Janis Cook Newman

Books to read this week:

The Last Christian by David Gregory

A Star Curiously Singing by Kerry Nietz

Mr. Toppit by Charles Elton

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Fiona by Gemma Whelan

Salting Roses by Lorelle Marinello

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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Read-Along – Part 1

Posted on November 28, 2010
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It’s that time! Time for the December Read-Along to start.  I’m determined to tackle some Dickens this year and this is the most fitting. I hope you will all join me.  As usual there will be a prize for one lucky commenter.

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5 Christmas Book Gift Ideas – Mystery Lovers

Posted on November 28, 2010
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I’m getting quite a few questions directed my way on ideas for books to give for Christmas – so I’ll be doing some regular posting on those days I don’t have  a review ready to give you all my thoughts on the perfect Christmas books for various genre lovers.  Please, feel free in the comments to request books for a certain type of person – usually I can come up with a few suggestions based off a favorite book of your recipient.

I used to be a much bigger fan of mystery than I am these days.  Today, I’m a bit more picky and the mystery’s I read have to have more substance then just a lot of “bang-bang-shoot’em-up”, as my nephew, Cole, likes to call it.  So with that said, here are my recommendations, and a list of some great books both new and old for you to consider giving to the mystery lover in your life.

The Likeness by Tana French

Series: Book 2 of the Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox mysteries

Place: Dublin, Ireland

Don’t let the fact that this is book 2 convince you not to buy it.  While the 1st book, In the Woods, was also fantastic, I think Tana blew the mystery genre out of the water with The Likeness.  Filled with twists and turns, this is one book that will take quite a bit of effort to put down.

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The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Series: None

Place: England.

Yes, this is an old story – but it’s fantastic and not a book many have read.  My first experience with this book had me shivering and staying up all ours of the night, aching to find out just what was going on.  Combine this book along with a copy of  The Moonstone and you’ll have a hit gift.

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Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben

Series: Myron Bolitar, Book 1

Place: USA

I know, I know.. this book is 15 years old, but honestly – this is one of my favorite mystery series.  It is the only one I’ve managed to keep liking over the years and I love that Coben hasn’t gone the route of Stuart Woods and James Patterson with massive amounts of violence and sex.  Plus, this will have you laughing your socks off.

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The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Series: None

Place: Spain

Many times, when a book hits the best seller list, I find myself a bit wary, thinking there is no way the book could live up to the hype I inevitably give it in my own mind.  This book lived up to the hype and more.  You either love it or hate it and this is one I absolutely loved. Forbidden romance, gothic mystery, Spain.. how can you go wrong?

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The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Series: None

Place: England

I got chills just remembering this book.  This is not a “bang-bang” mystery, but, like Shadow of the Wind, a more gothic mystery that takes its sweet time unfolding.  Filled with descriptions of a creepy castle, three bizarre sisters and a mystery between two generations this book will have your loved one snugging under a blanket and reading every opportunity they get.

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Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Posted on November 27, 2010
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Reason(s) for Reading:
  • I’ve read every Nicholas Sparks book and it seemed this one would be a good choice for my first audio book.
I  also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

My Review:

There used to be a day I’d greet each new Nicholas Sparks book with excitement and an eager desire to put everything else aside until I’d read the book in its entirety.  Then a pattern began to emerge, leading up to my current feelings of quiet acceptance that, yes – the story would be engrossing and yes, I’d cry, but there was no hurry to get through it.  This led me to the decision to listen to Safe Haven on audio during a long car trip to and from my folks house for the holiday.

In some ways, I appreciated the book more this way.  The story took longer to unfold and I felt less rushed to get to the “crying” parts of the book, but also, it showed some glaringly slow parts.  I liked the characters of Alex and Katie, but found their interaction to be a little cliche.  There were some pretty tired jokes made and the dialogue wasn’t as witty as I remembered Sparks being.. all in all it felt just a bit transparent, which disappointed me since I loved the relationship in, for example, The Notebook.

Overall, Safe Haven is a worthy addition to Sparks’ list of books, but not one of my favorites.  I wouldn’t recommend the audio, even sitting in a car for 12 hours wasn’t enough to keep my interest going at times and I found myself drifting off to sleep, or switching over to listen to music. I think I would have enjoyed the book more had I actually read it.

Check out these review(s):

Good Choice Reading

Stiletto Storytime

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 25, 2010
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Wishing you, and all of your families, a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Posted on November 24, 2010
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Reason(s) for Reading:
  • All the hype about this book being put on the chopping block inspired me to check it out.
I  also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

“Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it.”
“Okay.”
“Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?”
“Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?”

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie—she’s already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

My Review:

I can appreciate why this book is as popular as it is.   It’s a heart-rending story, filled with secrets, heart-break, lost love and self-exploration.  It’s easy to read, hard to put down and sports a very likeable character in Anna.

With all that said, I hate to say anything negative about it, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about how this story made prudish me squirm a bit.  I mean, for all of Anna and Frankie’s growth, as friends and as women, there was a lot of backsliding happening.  The lies, the deceit, the clueless parents and the rush to lose her virginity made me more than a little uncomfortable.  That said, I wouldn’t be on the bandwagon calling for the book to be banned, but I might think twice about recommending it lightly.

For a debut novel, don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful book and I think Sarah Ockler really captured some of the angst that teenagers deal with when coping with loss and grief, I just wish there would have been a little less about boys and a little more about the family/friends dynamics.

Check out these review(s):

I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read

The Story Siren

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The Search for Wondla by Tony Di’Terlizzi

Posted on November 23, 2010
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Reason(s) for Reading:
  • I enjoyed The Spiderwick Chronicles by the same author.
  • I love a good fairy tale.
I  also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

Tony DiTerlizzi’s fantastically imaginative new middle grade novel, The Search for WondLa, combines old-fashioned storytelling with a highly original twist. Eva Nine is a curious and sensitive 12-year old, who has existed only in a subterranean home called Sanctuary, cared for by a robot named Muthr. Eva’s great desire is to go aboveground, and her wish comes true, though not as she had imagined. On the surface, Eva goes in search of other humans–she has never met one–and soon meets both friend and foe. DiTerlizzi’s gorgeous black and white illustrations enhance the cinematic quality of his writing, and the book includes augmented reality maps where readers can follow Eva and her friends’s travels in 3D. A surprising conclusion to this action-packed story of friendship and belonging will leave readers clamoring for more.

My Review:

This was a fun book to read.  I love picking up a middle grade level book and finding myself lost in a fantastic tale filled with magical creatures, robots and the thrill of danger.

Eva Nine is a young, human girl being raised by Muthr, a robot, in a place called “Sanctuary”.  One day though, her world is thrown into chaos and she finds herself being tested to her limits.

The illustrations, the way each part of the story is done and the progression of the storyline kept my interest and made me sad when the book finally ended.  Do not be daunted by the size of this book, it’s easily broken up and was full of action.

If you are looking for a Christmas gift for a middle-schooler, I definitely recommend this book be put on the list.  I can’t wait until book two is released!

Check out these review(s):

Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe

Bookworming in the 21st Century

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World War Z by Max Brooks

Posted on November 22, 2010
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Reason(s) for Reading:
  • Who wouldn’t love to read a book about a good zombie war?
  • It’s gotten high praise from a friend.
I  also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

The Zombie War came unthinkably close to eradicating humanity. Max Brooks, driven by the urgency of preserving the acid-etched first-hand experiences of the survivors from those apocalyptic years, traveled across the United States of America and throughout the world, from decimated cities that once teemed with upwards of thirty million souls to the most remote and inhospitable areas of the planet. He recorded the testimony of men, women, and sometimes children who came face-to-face with the living, or at least the undead, hell of that dreadful time.World War Z is the result. Never before have we had access to a document that so powerfully conveys the depth of fear and horror, and also the ineradicable spirit of resistance, that gripped human society through the plague years.

My Review:

Well, now I know what we should do to prevent a zombie war from happening.

This was an.. unexpected type of story.  I’d heard from a friend that this book was fun to read, but I think I was thinking of it more along the  lines of a Pride and Prejudice and Zombies type of book, a kind of tongue-in-cheek war novel.  What I got was along the lines of.. a documentary, with fake interviews that felt real, a scenario that was both fascinating and filled with horror, and a story that just kept gaining momentum.

Max Brooks writes World War Z without it seeming full of gimmicks and, while reading through some of the reviews on the book, I noticed that there were a few comments about how all of the interviews sounded the same.  In a way, they were – at the beginning of the book the narrator speaks to how he’s writing the book with the emotions that his employer won’t allow in their report.  He’s documenting, editing and compiling on his own and the end result is a product that, ultimately, is written by one man and influenced by those he interviewed.  Was this meant to be a serious piece of news? Not at all.  But it was close enough to give the illusion of that, and that’s what I really enjoyed about the book.

Fantastic read – highly recommended for those who enjoy war stories and are looking for something just a bit different.

Check out these review(s):

Life & Times of a “New” New Yorker

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