The Bone Bed (A Scarpetta Novel #20) by Patricia Cornwell October 16, 2012 Putman Adult, 480 Pages Spoiler Alert - Please note that I've included a lot of detail here. While I don't tell you who the bad guy is I may tell you more about the story than you're ready to hear before you've had a chance to read it yourself. What It's All About A woman has vanished while digging a dinosaur bone bed in the remote wilderness of Canada. Somehow, the only evidence has made its way to the inbox of Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta, over two thousand miles away in Boston. She has no idea why. But as events unfold with alarming speed, Scarpetta begins to suspect that the paleontologist’s disappearance is connected to a series of crimes much closer to home: a gruesome murder, inexplicable tortures, and trace evidence from the last living creatures of the dinosaur age. When she turns to those around her, Scarpetta finds that the danger and suspicion have penetrated even her closest circles. Her niece Lucy speaks in riddles. Her lead investigator, Pete Marino, and FBI forensic psychologist and husband, Benton Wesley, have secrets of their own. Feeling alone and betrayed, Scarpetta is tempted by someone from her past as she tracks a killer both cunning and cruel. (from the book jacket) My History with Dr. Scarpetta I have known Dr. Kay Scarpetta for years. She has always been one of my favorite literary characters and I have a tremendous amount of respect for her. When we met I was impressed with her style, character and personality. It was the early 90s and she was a woman in a position of tremendous power (Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Virginia) in a field that was dominated by men. Additionally, forensic science and investigation was entering a new era through the use of DNA profiling and advances in computer technology. Dr. Scarpetta was on the cutting edge using all the latest resources to discover how people came to be in her morgue. Along the way there were frightening and bizarre encounters with killers who ranged from charming to horrifying. Through it all she remained poised and in control using her intelligence, experience and insight to bring the criminals to justice. I've gotten to know her family as well. Her niece Lucy has gone from a distant and troubled teen to a brilliant computer programer, pilot and entrepreneur. I've been with her when she was single, in various relationships and when she and her husband Benton got together. When she thought he died and when he came back to life after being in the witness protection program. I've watched her long time partner Marino's career change from police detective, to special investigator, working for Lucy and now working for Dr. Scarpetta at the CFC. She has always been the glue that held them all together. Every time a new book came out I would rush to the library for my copy. I couldn't wait to see what grizzly, fascinating, surprising adventure was in store. Unfortunately it seems like the elements that originally drew me in are no longer the focus of her books. Instead of maturing into her role and settling into her life she has become anxious and self conscious, questioning many things both personal and professional. Also, the stories have become more about her relationships than about murder and science. It has left me wondering if after 20 books it might be time to retire? My overall reaction to her last few has been disappointment, but because we've known each other for so long I felt obligated to give this one a try. Reading the Book Keeping an open mind I grabbed my notebook and dug into the Bone Yard. I made notes at each sitting. Here's a look at what impacted me the most. The inside book cover is (supposed to be) a teaser to spark your interest and give a brief overview of the story. This one says, ''events unfold at alarming speed" yet it takes more than 100 pages for the first body to be recovered. What's alarming to me is the dreadful amount of detail about Dr. Scarpetta's insecurities and how the hot young men she finds herself working with make her feel. She seems to be questioning everything. Next is the encounter with the leather back sea turtle that may be the oldest living creature on Earth. On it's own that is an extraordinary event. But, I'm supposed to believe that it just happened to be swimming around in Boston Harbor where it some how managed to get itself wrapped up with a dead body. It seems too far fetched that there is a prehistoric sea creature discovered on the very same day that Dr. Scarpetta receives a cryptic message about a paleontologist digging for dinosaur bones in Canada that has gone missing. Honestly I just don't buy it. There is a tedious amount of detail surrounding this body recovery that I hoped would be important later. If it was, I must have missed it. Once the first body is recovered the story rapidly picks up. And while I appreciate that we humans are capable of accomplishing a tremendous amount in a short period of time, what Dr. Scarpetta does in 48 hours seems possible only if you are a super hero. Which I'm pretty sure she's not. I debated the importance of including the list of activities here. In the end I think it helps to illustrate my point that things might be getting out of hand. Here area the activities that I made note of. Dr. Scarpetta is involved in each one, and they take place over a period of 48 hours.
Looking at the list I'm overwhelmed. I'm exhausted just thinking about it! I wonder how she was able to get to so many places while navigating the congested Boston roadways. She must know short cuts. Perhaps I'm making too big of a deal about it. Maybe I should accept the fact that people in books are different from real people and they can do anything the author wants them to do. I'm willing to concede a little. As I got into the second half of the book there was more of the sciencey investigative work that I'm fond of. There are several parts of the story (the turtle, Marino, Lucy, and the killers identity) that never worked out in a way that I was satisfied with, and it makes me wonder about our future. Do I need to resign myself to this older, questioning Dr. Scarpetta? Can I be satisfied knowing that her books are likely to focus on her personal relationships instead of forensics, criminology and scientific investigations? Maybe it's time for us to part ways. Or maybe take a break. We've had a good run and I hate the idea of saying goodbye forever, but I don't know if we're compatible anymore. I'll have to give it some thought. The good news is I have until the next book to decide.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing part of your day with me. One of the great things about books is we all respond to them differently. Everyone has an opinion and there is no right or wrong. I'd love to hear what you thought of this book, and invite you to share your views in the comment section. Wishing you all the happiness words can bring! Robin B.
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How I Came to Sparkle Again by Kaya McLaren St. Martin's Press October 2, 2012; 352 Pages Set in a Colorado ski town, Kaya McLaren's How I Came To Sparkle Again is a remarkable breakout novel that chronicles three people and their journey from loss to love; heartbreak to hope Jill Anthony spent her young adulthood in the ski town of Sparkle, Colorado. But more than a decade has passed since she left when, only weeks after a very late miscarriage, she finds her husband in bed with another woman, she flees Austin, Texas for the town she knows: Sparkle. Lisa Carlucci wakes up one morning after another night of meaningless sex, looks in the mirror and realizes that she no longer wants to treat her body like a Holiday Inn. She’s going to hold out for love. The only problem is, love might come in the form of her ski bum best friend, who lives next door with his ski bum friends in a trailer known as “the Kennel.” Cassie Jones, at age ten, has lost her mother to cancer and no longer believes in anything anymore. She knows her father is desperately worried about her, and she constantly looks for messages from her deceased mother through the heart-shaped rocks they once collected in the streams and hills of Sparkle. Three people at the crossroads of heartbreak and healing. Three lives that will be changed one winter in Sparkle. One tender, funny, tear-jerking novel you won’t soon forget. (from Amazon.com) I'm not even sure where to begin with this one. And not for the reasons you might think. The truth is that while I was expecting to enjoy this book (based on the superficial reasons of how much I like the jacket art and the inside cover description) I was not expecting it to have such an impact one me. One that it indeed moved me to tears. Three times - at least. I don't ski. I've never (thankfully) personally suffered any serious medical traumas. I've known heartache, but not the kind these women have experienced, and at age 10 my biggest worry was if I'd be able to watch the Donnie and Marie show each week. (That's the Osmond's for you young folks!) Yet these characters spoke to me. They reached out and pulled me into their world and didn't let go until the very last page. A a rule I will read an average length novel in a week. This one took just a few days. I was so captivated by their individual stories and their relationships with each other that I could never find a good place to stop. And what about the tears?!? I'm not usually an emotional reader and it's a fairly rare occasion that words will make me cry. Imagine my surprise when it happened over and over again!! And not just for sad things. There were happy tears too! I suppose we might say that I was having "one of those days" and chalk it up to that, but I'm more inclined to say that it was good story telling that brought on the water works. I tried to think of which part of the story I liked the most. Or which of the characters I found the most interesting, but I can't describe this book that way. To me it feels more like an ensemble story. There are main players, but the supporting characters are interesting and important tie the whole thing together. I did get a kick out of "the Kennel" and the guys that live there. Each of them has a dog named after a beer which makes perfect sense to this somehow charming group of guys. As you can tell, I really liked this book. I'm sure that it's not for all of you, and that's okay. We're all drawn to different things at different points in time. For me, this one just hit the mark. I can imagine this story happening. I have known most of these people, and I can see myself working at the library in Sparkle (I'm sure they have one even though it's not mentioned!). I suppose I would call it chick-lit even though I'm not really a fan of that label, I'm sure that others would put it in that category. And I can't think of any other authors to compare Ms. McLaren too except may Sophie Kinsella or Lisa Kleypas (sort of)... No matter what category it falls under this one gets 4 big stars (out of 5) from me. If it sounds like something you might like, please give it a try and come back and tell me what you think. I'd love to know if it was just a fluke thing or if hits anyone else like it did me! We have one copy at the library, but we can always get you a copy if ours is out (or you can request it on CW/MARS).
Thanks so much for stopping by! Please - go ahead an leave a comment ~ I love hearing from you! Wishing you all the happiness words can bring! Robin B. Crewel (Crewel World) by Gennifer Albin Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) Ages 12 and up October 16, 2012; 368 pages What a tangled world she weaves... For generations, Spinsters have been called by Arras’s Manipulation Services to work the looms and determine what people eat, where they live, how many children they have, and even when they die. Gifted with the rare ability to weave time with matter, Adelice is exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But once you become a Spinster, there is no turning back. Now caught in a web of lies and intrigue, Adelice must decide who to trust: her kind mentor, Enora; the handsome and mysterious valet Jost; or the charismatic Guild ambassador Cormac Patton. They each have secrets, but Adelice is about to unravel the deadliest one of all, a sinister truth that could destroy reality as she knows it. In a powerful and original debut about a world where the Guild decides everything, one extraordinary girl dares to defy the power of men and the boundaries of love. (Book description from Amazon.com) Two Reviews, Two Perspectives - One Book I'm pleased to bring you the first of what I hope will be many guest reviews. Sharing her thoughts on this new YA novel is Naomi C. Naomi is an avid reader, a huge fan of dystopian fiction, and a teenager - making her the target audience for this book. I am also an avid reader but have only just begun to dabble in dystopia and of course I haven't been a teen for a few years (ok, lots of years...). I thought that it would be interesting to see how the book impacted each of us. Let's take a look. Naomi Says: Crewel is about a world called Arras, which strives and goes on living due to the weavings and threads of time. All food, weather and even when babies come or when people die is decided by the Spinsters. Spinsters are the girls who are picked out from all the other girls their age when they become 16. Only a few of these girls have the Calling, or the ability to weave the fabrics of time. They are trained and given special ranks when they arrive at the Guild of Twelve, the empowering and frightening government, and only a handful - not usually more than 3 or so - will actually become Spinsters. But, the few that do are given their ranks and jobs. Whether they are weaving food for proportions, weather or the horrifying injustice of ripping (ending someone's thread or pure life), they are basically controlling the world, but they are also controlled by those higher up the ranking scale. In Crewel, Adelice has to battle her way through life as a Spinster. She's probably the only girl who doesn't want to (and her family doesn't want her to) be a Spinster. You never get to see home again, even if it does give you more freedom and beauty in a world where women are regarded as lesser and children of the opposite sex don't meet until after Spinster training when the Courtship Appointments begin. She must find allies in a new world where her greatest enemy, Maela, is in a higher position, for now. Bit there's still her special talent that no one else knows about, until her mentor Enora catches her doing it. Does Adelice really have the power to be a Creweler? And what does that even mean? Crewel was an amazingly awesome book. I couldn't put it down. It is full of adventure and excitement and a battle of mind. Adelice is the perfect character for this book because she brings out the way people on Earth would feel about her conflicts. I would recommend this book for teens. It's a bit ruthless for younger ages, and adults might get board with it, but some grown ups would definitely enjoy it. Robin Says: It was Naomi's mom who suggested that I give this book a try. Not because of the genre, but because of the weaving aspect and how that might appeal to my fiber obsession. First of all I was entranced by the cover. The art work is simply stunning. Next, the cover description drew me in. The idea that everything in the world is literally woven together across the lines of time fascinated me and I just had to see where the author was going to take this idea. In the beginning I did struggle with some of the terminology, and I wasn't sure exactly when or where the world of Arras existed. As I read on things became more clear. I found that if I just let go and allowed the story to happen instead of trying to define the facts I was able to understand what was going on. I also had to stop applying my knowledge of crewel (the needle work) which is more like embroidery that's done on top of fabric that has already been woven. Then I really started to enjoy the adventure. Adelice has the makings of a good heroine. In the beginning she is naive and gullible. Having been protected and taught by her parents to conceal her true nature it makes sense that she is tentative when thrust into the life of a Spinster. (Another word I had trouble with since I kept envisioning unmarried little old ladies with lots of cats...) It doesn't take long for her to realize that things are not as they seem, and that the Guild is as powerful and evil as her parents had feared. If she is to survive she must learn quickly who to trust, and how to use the unique spinning power she has. I found that I was intrigued by the descriptions of the weave. How the strands of time run on way and everything - all the necessities (food, clothing, shelter, weather) and even life itself, are woven across it. In my head I could visualize the looms as the author described them. I could image what it would be like to hold the shimmering threads that pulse with energy between my fingers. And how each of these threads that are so fragile and vulnerable on their own become strong and stable when worked together to create the fabric. The weave is quite complex and for me, is one of the best parts (it could even be called a character) in the book. I also enjoyed Loricel, the Creweler who is one of the strongest (and oldest) females characters. I was completely taken in by this book. I found myself absorbed into the world of Arras reading late into the night to find out what the Guild had in store for Adelice and if the weave itself would survive. There's good and evil, young love, time travel, illusions, corrupt government, friendships, alliances and one girl who has the power to effect it all. I knew this was part of a series when I started, and the ending ensures that I will read book two as soon as it's available so I can find out what happens next! Together we say: Crewel gets two thumbs up from both of us. There are different things that appealed to each of us, but overall the story telling is well done and that's what's important no matter how old you are! I'd like to thank Naomi for sharing her review with us. If any of you are interested in being a guest reviewer please let me know. I'd love to hear your ideas. You can leave me a note in the comment section, use the form on the About Me page or send me an email. Don't be shy!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Go ahead an leave a comment ~ I love hearing from you! Wishing you all the happiness words can bring! Robin # 20 in the Faith Fairchild Mystery series The Body in the Boudoir by Katherine Hall Page Hardcover: 272 pages Publisher: William Morrow (May 1, 2012) Original Review: June 25, 2012 on Crochet Nirvana In the twentieth installment of the Faith Fairchild Mystery series we find out how the heroine met and married her husband, Tom Fairchild. It’s 1990 and Faith Sibley is the owner of an up and coming catering company, Have Faith, in New York City. The daughter (and grand-daughter) of a preacher, she has sworn to leave parish life behind for good. While catering a wedding, Faith unexpectedly meets Tom (a Reverend!) and it’s love at first sight for both of them. A whirl wind romance leads to wedding plans for the happy couple. However it’s not all flowers and gift registries. As the planning progresses, the mysteries unfold. Faith’s new employee Francesca has a secret. Her sister Hope is experiencing strange phone calls and trouble with clients at her high powered job on Wall Street. When Faith visits her Uncle’s Long Island estate where the wedding will take place a pile of falling bricks narrowly misses her. And then there is the body in the boudoir. All of these pieces should work together to tell a love story speckled with mystery and intrigue. But for me it never comes together. I enjoyed learning about Faith, Tom and their families. They’re funny and quirky and I remember them from other books. Faith is spunky and smart and I can see how the 1990’s version has grown into the character who I like traveling and solving mysteries with. And I could feel the chemistry between Faith and Tom that is evident in the other books in the series that I’ve read. The love story worked for me. The mystery did not. There are sub plots (Francesca and Hope) that have little relevance to the rest of the story, and I don’t think they add anything entertaining or important. If I’m honest, it feels like the body in the boudoir was only included because we expect Faith to solve a murder. Overall I’m disappointed with this offering. I haven’t read all of the other 19 in the series, but the few that I have were woven together in a more interesting fashion that formed a more entertaining story. If you’re a fan I say to go ahead and give it a read for the love story and family history. If you’re new to Faith Fairchild Mysteries, I recommend choosing another title. The Body in the Ivy and The Body in the Gazebo are two that hit the mark. Here's a look at what some other readers have to say... 5.0 out of 5 stars - A book with lots of fun! I have been reading K H Page's book since the beginning. The Faith Fairchild's mysteries have been becoming rather tedious...and Page's writing and story line rather trite. Read more. Published 18 days ago by louise 4.0 out of 5 stars Not Katherine"s Best, But Enjoyable None the Less I've read every one of Page's Faith Fairchild mysteries and look forward to indulging in each one. the Body in the Boudoir is a "flashback" story, returning to New York and... Read more Published 3 months ago by Sara A. Clarke 3.0 out of 5 stars Liberal minister I have read all of the mysteries written by Katherine Hall Page and like them all. I liked this one too although I was a little surprised that a minister and his fiancee would... Read more Published 3 months ago by JoAnne Leboeuf Coakley 3.0 out of 5 stars I particularly liked the setting and the catering storyline Katherine Hall Page writes the Faith Fairchild series, combining mystery with food. Her 20th book and the first one I have read is The Body in the Boudoir, which begins with Faith... Read more Published 3 months ago by Diane 2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing I was very disappointed in this latest novel. I have totally enjoyed all of the previous novels by Katherine Hall Page. Read more Published 4 months ago by irisheyes What do you think? Have you ever read any of these mysteries? The reviews show a wide range of opinions and I'd love to have you share yours here! Not interested in this type of book? Let me know what you do like. Or, share a recommendations with me, I'm always looking for new books to try! Thanks so much for stopping by! Please go ahead and leave a comment ~ I love hearing from you. Wishing you all the happiness words can bring! Robin Click to: read more Book Reviews; go to the Athol Public Library; or visit Crochet Nirvana! Waking the Witch (Women of the Otherworld, Book 11) by Kelley Armstrong Penguin Audio July 26, 2011; 9 hours 31 minutes (unabridged) Narrated by: Johanna Parker First Edition Print Dutton Publishing July 27, 2010; 320 Pages Women of the Otherworld is a fantasy series by Canadian author Kelley Armstrong. The books feature werewolves, witches, necromancers, sorcerers, and vampires struggling to fit as "normal" in today's world. The series also includes novellas and short stories which are published online and are available here for free! Waking the Witch is book 11 in the series. The story's narrator Savannah Levine is a terrifyingly powerful young witch who has never been able to resist the chance to throw her magical weight around. But at 21 she knows she needs to grow up and prove to her guardians, Paige and Lucas, that she can be a responsible member of their supernatural detective agency. So she jumps at the chance to fly solo, investigating the mysterious deaths of three young women in a nearby factory town as a favour to one of the agency’s associates. At first glance, the murders look garden-variety human, but on closer inspection signs point to otherworldly stakes. Soon Savannah is in over her head. She’s run off the road and nearly killed, haunted by a mystery stalker, and freaked out when the brother of one of the dead women is murdered when he tries to investigate the crime. To complicate things, something weird is happening to her powers. Pitted against shamans, demons, a voodoo-inflected cult and garden-variety goons, Savannah has to fight to ensure her first case isn’t her last. And she also has to ask for help, perhaps the hardest lesson she’s ever had to learn. (Description taken from the author's web-site) I listen to books on CD in my kitchen. While I cook and clean I enjoy having someone read to me. Often the books that I listen to are not the same kind that I read. I'm not sure of the reason, but there you have it. So how did I come to choose the 11th book in a series that I've never heard of as my latest kitchen story? I suppose I can blame it on working at the library. Here's how it happened. It was the end of the day at the end of the week and I realized that I didn't have anything to listen to over the weekend. Quickly scanning the cart with the last few things that had been returned I spotted Waking the Witch. Halloween was approaching and I was in the middle of The Witch's Daughter so it seemed a reasonable choice. After all if I didn't like it I could bring it back on Monday. As I started listening to disc one, the story captured my attention right away with it's description of the scene of a murder told through the eyes of the victim's young daughter. (You can listen to a clip below). I enjoy a good mystery so things were off to a positive start. The main character, Savannah, is a motor cycle riding toughy who can take care of herself - at least that's what she wants people to believe. I found her to be a bit abrasive, but it may be that's part of the image she's projecting in order to protect herself. I was disappointed in Savannah's use of her powers. For a "terrifyingly powerful witch" she heavily relies on the "knock back spell" and throwing "energy balls" at people. So much so that I thought she was a novice and those were the only spells she knew. Being that this was Savannah's first solo case she was determined to do it all by herself, and she put herself into some dangerous situations as a result. She also seems to relate to the young girl we met in the opening. Her willingness to protect the underdog and challenge authority smooths those rough edges and makes her much more endearing. The story itself is a pretty good mystery. There are several potential bad guys and the underlying reasons for the murders are woven throughout book, becoming clear as it comes to it's conclusion. While the book is able to stand alone, I was definitely at a disadvantage for not knowing any of the characters and their back stories. And I suppose I would have enjoyed it more if I knew about the supernatural elements that were probably introduced in the beginning of the series. I give Waking the Witch 3 out of 5 stars. I'm not mad about any of the characters, and wasn't drawn in enough to want to learn more about the Women of the Underworld, but that's just me. After doing some research for this review I learned how popular the author and the series are. If witches, werewolves, demons, and vampires are your thing than this one is for you, but I'd say start with book one so you get the whole story. Here's what a hand full of readers from Amazon had to say... 5.0 out of 5 stars - Great Waking the Witch like many other books by kelly armstrong was great, i like how the book ended cant wait till read the next. Published 9 days ago by Supernatural. 4.0 out of 5 stars - Savannah grows up and faces the truth CLIFFHANGER ENDING !!!!!!!!!!!! ARGUH NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO ! it was so intense, it was just almost there and then it hit the fan and .......the end. Read more. Published 1 month ago by YodaWay. 5.0 out of 5 stars - Love Kelley Armstrong's books! Have not completed this book yet but off to a great start...hard to put down! Love this entire series and book 11 is no exception. Read more. Published 3 months ago by Mimi. 4.0 out of 5 stars - Small town, big problems Oh the shock. I must confess that I'd never before read a novel by Kelley Armstrong. Though I'd heard about her often and saw her books on the shelves, I just never got around to... Read more. Published 4 months ago by VampireNovelFan. 3.0 out of 5 stars - Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live If you followed the Women of the Otherworld series, you will be familiar with the witch Savannah Levine, daughter of a dark witch and ruthless sorcerer. Read more. Published 6 months ago by Emma Meade.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Please go ahead and leave a comment ~ I love hearing from you. Wishing you all the happiness words can bring! Robin Cast On, Kill Off by Maggie Sefton June 2012 - Berkley Publishing / Penguin Group Original Review Date: July 18, 2012 I really wanted to like this book. I tried really hard, but it just fell short for me. The gang at House of Lambspun are excited to be planning a wedding for one of their regulars. All the events have been organized, menus are finalized and the ladies are putting the finishing touches on the shawls they're knitting to go with their bridesmaids dresses. Everything is perfect until Zoe, the seamstress making the gowns turns up dead. Who would want to murder the dressmaker? Everything points to her abusive, alcoholic husband.Or is it her sister Vera who steps up and takes care of finishing sewing the gowns and slips easily into running the shop. Then there's Leann who publicly accused Zoe of stealing her (award winning) wedding gown design. There are plenty of suspects for amateur sleuth Kelly to ponder. All while balancing her flourishing accounting career, rekindling her love life, playing softball, knitting the shawl, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. (They're all very busy people!) So why didn't I like this book? Because of the dialog. It's stiff and proper and way to formal for a group of young friends hanging out at the yarn store, or at dinner, or driving in the car. It made the characters all feel flat and phony. I just didn't believe anything that they told me. It was like a poorly acted Sunday movie - you know the kind I mean. I know there are those of you who will enjoy this book so I won't tell you who did it. Sadly, as much as I love fiber arts this one has way too many dropped stitches for me! Here's what a few reviewers from Amazon had to say: 1.0 out of 5 stars "sporty car. . .nosed into traffic. . .sly smile.. .set down her... As did most of the other reviewers, I was able to quickly figure out the identity of the perp. Monotonous, repetitive dialogue, repetitive coffee references, repetitive sly smiles. Read more Published 2 months ago by KCG 2.0 out of 5 stars No More Coffee!!!! I have enjoyed all this series books but am very tired of the excessive coffee addiction statements. Read more Published 2 months ago by Denise Sanders 1.0 out of 5 stars agree I agree with 'my two cents' . Not only are they predictable, the have become laborious to read. Six pages describing a volleyball game? Really? Read more Published 2 months ago by anon. 1.0 out of 5 stars Easy to see whodunit! You don't even need to be good at guessing to know who was the murderer, as it is pretty obvious by page 50. Read more Published 2 months ago by Miss Marple Not 3.0 out of 5 stars Typical Maggie Sefton I have read all the books I this series because I am an avid knitter and enjoy fiber cozies. This one is very typical in the series. Read more Published 3 months ago by K. Sullivan Click to: read more Book Reviews; go to the Athol Public Library; or visit Crochet Nirvana! Thanks so much for stopping by! Go ahead an leave a comment ~ I love hearing from you. Wishing you all the happiness words can bring! Robin Can it happen to us?? The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick Blue Sky Press March 1, 2012; 224 Pages Reviewed: October 18, 2012 "Nobody around here reads anymore, Why bother, when you can just use a mindprobe needle and shoot all the images and excitement right into your brain? I've heard of books, but they were long before I was born. In the backtimes, before the Big Shake, when everything was supposedly perfect and everybody lived rich." These are the words of Spaz, a teenager living, rather surviving in the Urb. A desolate wasteland ruled by gangs who control everything. Where you live, what you eat, what you do - everything. Everything except Eden. Eden is as close to perfect as you can get in the post-bigshake world. But the only people who inhabit Eden are the Proovs - that's short for genetically improved human. Spaz earns his keep working for the leader of his section of the Urb. When he gets an order to rob a gummy (an old man) named Ryter, Spaz doesn't think twice. What he doesn't know is that his life - and life for everyone in the Urb is never going to be the same. A series of events finds Spaz, Ryter, an orphan called little face and a Proov named Lanaya on a mission to first see - then save Spaz's little sister Bean. As they search for a solution it becomes clear that a much larger task is at hand. What starts as a trip across the Urb becomes a journey that will change their world! Okay, I'll admit this is way outside of my normal reading box. It's Young Adult Science Fiction. But after I commented to a patron how much I loved A Wrinkle in Time (which she and her son were reading) she asked if I'd ever read this book. Learning that I hadn't she encouraged me to give it a try. She seemed to think that as a librarian and book lover I should have this one under my belt. And of course she was right. While the writing is a bit well, young, the story isn't it. The world that Philbrick has created is scary and real. It seems plausible that this could happen. In his characters we see the best of humanity under the worst conditions. This unlikely group faces adversity, clings to hope and questions authority. It's a story that makes you stop and think and at any level in any genre that is what makes a good book. And while I don't know that it'll make my all time favorite list I am glad I read it, and I would suggest that it be included as one of those books we all should read. Who knows when we might one day find ourselves experiencing our own big shake. Because just moments before I sat down to write this review, right here in central Massachusetts we had an earth quake that was strong enough to shake our house and everything in it - even waking my sleeping husband - now tell me that's not a little bit scary?! Click to: read more Book Reviews; go to the Athol Public Library; or visit Crochet Nirvana! Thanks so much for stopping by! Go ahead an leave a comment ~ I love hearing from you Wishing you all the happiness words can bring! Robin The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston Thomas Dunne Books January 18, 2011; 320 Pages "My name is Elizabeth Anne Hawkesmith, and my age is three hundred and eighty-four years. Each new settlement asks for a new journal, and so this Book of Shadows begins...." In the spring of 1628 young Bess Hawkesmith learns that decisions made in desperation carry consequences that last a life-time, even if that means forever. The plague has taken the lives of her father, brother and sister. When Bess falls ill her mother does the only thing she can to save her daughter. She turns to the warlock Gideon Masters, and makes a deal that will cost her her life. Once known as a talented healer she is accused of witchcraft by townsfolk who refuse to believe that Bess' miraculous recovery was the result of her skills alone. Unable to deny the accusation she meets her fate on the Hanging Tree, but not before making Bess promise that she will seek protection from the only one with the power to save her - Gideon. Under his guidance Bess learns to master the Craft, awakening powers she didn't know she had while also making her immortal. When the people of town turn their aggressions on Bess she realizes that she must escape - from the Hanging Tree and from Gideon and a his dangerous black magic. She couldn't know that he will pursue her through time, determined to possess her and the power they could produce together. In present day England Elizabeth finds herself settled into a quite life. Alone she tends her gardens, and sells herbs and oils at the local market. Her solitary life is abruptly disrupted when a teenage girl called Tegan begins hanging around. Against her instincts Elizabeth takes pleasure in her company and her perceptive nature. Soon she begins teaching the ways of the hedge witch. Tegan is an eager pupil, and Elizabeth uses tales of long ago to school her in what it's like to be a witch, and how she came to be who she is today. But what of Gideon? Has he finally given up or is he just patiently waiting for an opportunity to capture Elizabeth and make her his own?? It seemed fitting to read a book about witches this Halloween. I was drawn into this story right off the bat, although I did struggle a bit with the prologue. I filled it away with the hopes that it would make sense by end (it did, mostly...). There was an easy flow between the past and present as I got to know Elizabeth and Tegan. The stories from the past were interesting little vignettes that were unique on their own, but fit together to create a picture of who present day Elizabeth really is. There is a fair amount of "magic speak" that was foreign to me. Even thought I didn't understand the exact language (or words) I was able to glean enough of their meaning from the context. I suppose that's to be expected in a book about witches and magic. There are scenes of pretty graphic violence and the descriptions of some of the evil elements and even Gideon himself are quite vivid, resulting in some intense imagery. I can imagine the special effects for a movie version would be very frightening indeed! I moved quickly through the book and in no time found myself nearing the end. I had in mind how I thought things might turn out, and I saw the potential for a variety of scenarios. And while I won't tell you how it all ended, I will tell you that I was disappointed. I felt gypped. It almost seems like Ms. Brackston just wanted to be done, and went with the most cliche ending while of course leaving plenty of threads that could be picked up in a sequel. In summary I'd say it was a good book with some interesting bits of history mixed with a few different relationships, dappled with magic and wrapped up with a predictable bow. Not bad for a seasonal selection, but I won't be going out of my way to read book two should it appear! |
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