I absolutely love reading culinary mysteries. Once upon a time, I didn't even know there was such a thing. Imagine my surprise the first time I opened one of my beloved mysteries and found RECIPES in it! I love mysteries. I've always loved mysteries ever since I read my first Encyclopedia Brown! lol And I love collecting recipes. I don't cook a whole lot, but I love collecting those recipes! I think it was a Diane Davidson Mott book. Don't quote me on it! Thereafter, I sought out all her books and started noting other books that would have recipes - books that would have food in the title. Then I started looking up other authors that would have books with recipes. I didn't know that there would be a whole genre of culinary mysteries. Ingenious! lol Joanne Fluke was one of those authors that I have discovered. Love her! Probaby because she has recipes. Not that I make any of them. Anyway, Joanne Fluke is the author of the Hannah Swenson mysteries. I have since read ALL her books.
Hannah Swenson is a owner of the Cookie Jar and has a penchant for finding dead bodies. In Carrot Cake Murder, a murder puts a damper on her partner's big family reunion. A long lost uncle, who apparently was not sorely missed, meets his demise while eating Hannah's carrot cake. Hannah is called upon to help solve the murder before it totally ruins the reunion. There are a bunch of suspects, of course. Those who were jilted by him, those who gyped by him, those who hated him when he left town thirty years before. Hannah solves the mystery with the help of her sisters, Andrea and Michelle, and boyfriend, Norman. One of her boyfriends, anyway. Hannah is caught between the affections of two men, Norman and Mike. Joanne Fluke throws us for a loop when at the end of the book, yet another man, a former flame, enters the picture.
Speaking of too many men, this is an seemingly unending love triangle - what is it now? a rectangle? - is a bit ridiculous. I was reminded of this as I read reviews complaining about it. Readers were having difficulty believing that this woman was able to have these two men vying for her love, and apparently get along so well. I guess I can see their point. Hmmm... I guess I'd say I'm rooting for Norman. He's my kind of guy.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Foul Play by Janet Evanovich
Aah... my feel good books... lol Janet Evanovich is one of the those authors who I turn to when I just want to read for the sake of reading, to enjoy reading and not have to think at all. Foul Play, along with a host of other funny romances, has been re-released under Janet Evanovich's name. It was originally published under a pen name - which I cannot remember. Foul Play is a fun light read. Most of Janet Evanovich's books are. And Foul Play does not disappoint.
In Foul Play, Amy aka Lulu the Clown just lost her job as a children's television host to a rooster! As she is fuming, she catches the eye of the local hottie and good guy veternarian, Jake. Jake offers her a job as a receptionist and a soft spot in his heart. When the job stealing rooster is brought to Jake's office and suddenly disappears overnight, Amy is under suspicion and tailed by reporters. While they are playing detective, Jake romances Amy.
I was a little confused at the end where Amy suddenly feels the need to run away. And ends up being a weather girl, no less. It didn't make sense.
But Janet Evanovich never fails in her entertainment value. =)
In Foul Play, Amy aka Lulu the Clown just lost her job as a children's television host to a rooster! As she is fuming, she catches the eye of the local hottie and good guy veternarian, Jake. Jake offers her a job as a receptionist and a soft spot in his heart. When the job stealing rooster is brought to Jake's office and suddenly disappears overnight, Amy is under suspicion and tailed by reporters. While they are playing detective, Jake romances Amy.
I was a little confused at the end where Amy suddenly feels the need to run away. And ends up being a weather girl, no less. It didn't make sense.
But Janet Evanovich never fails in her entertainment value. =)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
I had trouble with the ending. I understand that we didn't want to Wanderer to die. Of course not. I generally am not fond of having the main character die for whatever reason. Not after you've gotten to know them. But to take over another body just didn't seem right to me. It was just extending a wrong. The humans hated the souls because the souls took over their planet but yet, in this instance it was okay because they wanted it this time? Doesn't work with me. I was very uncomfortable with the idea.
As good as these souls were supposed to be, I would hope that they would eventually see that it was wrong to take over the human race or any race for that matter. But it was very different when they took over in the other planets. The Flowers, Spiders, etc didn't have a problem with begin taken over. Humans did. Okay, I didn't really know that but those "species" were vegetation or animals. Not people with intelligence and free will.
Could souls and humans co-exist? Yes. But at what cost? Someone would have to give up their body.
Jeb's and Jamie's intial reactions were believable. Jeb's kindness goes in line with his taking in all these strangers into his "home." I felt Jamie's quick love was just his love for his sister. I also felt that because Jamie was so young, he was more resilient and acceptable than the adults; therefore more able to accept Wanderer. I had a tough time with Jared's reactions. No matter if a soul had taken over Melanie's body, I just don't understand how he could have attacked her. It was still Melanie's body no matter what. He could have hated her, but to strike her just seemed wrong. How could you hit the woman you love even if it wasn't her inside anymore??
Despite being The Host touted as Stephenie Meyer's first adult book, I still felt like it was a YA book. It was the style of writing, her style of writing that made me think that. I think that Stephenie Meyer should stick to her YA genre where she really captures her audience.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Queen of Babble In the Big City by Meg Cabot
Another frivolous, fluff book by Meg Cabot, that you just can't help reading. lol This is a follow up to Queen of Babble where we first meet Lizzie. Lizzie earns her name honestly.
In the Queen of Babble in the Big City, Lizzie is now living with her "prince" of a boyfriend, Luke in New York City. She also makes headway in her career of rehabilitating vintage wedding gowns while also working as a receptionist at a prestigious law firm.
These two worlds collide when Lizzie inadvertently befriends a client of the firm while trying to help her with her wedding gown. The publicity that Lizzie brings to the firm that is known for their discretion costs Lizzie her job. Lizzie also realizes that the fantasy future she has in her head will not come to fruition as Luke gets her a sewing machine, of all things, for their first Christmas together and as they spend New Year's Eve on two different continents.
Lizzie learns to stand up for herself and gets herself her dream job and learns the man she is meant to be with is not who she thinks it is supposed to be.
In the Queen of Babble in the Big City, Lizzie is now living with her "prince" of a boyfriend, Luke in New York City. She also makes headway in her career of rehabilitating vintage wedding gowns while also working as a receptionist at a prestigious law firm.
These two worlds collide when Lizzie inadvertently befriends a client of the firm while trying to help her with her wedding gown. The publicity that Lizzie brings to the firm that is known for their discretion costs Lizzie her job. Lizzie also realizes that the fantasy future she has in her head will not come to fruition as Luke gets her a sewing machine, of all things, for their first Christmas together and as they spend New Year's Eve on two different continents.
Lizzie learns to stand up for herself and gets herself her dream job and learns the man she is meant to be with is not who she thinks it is supposed to be.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus
One Thousand White Women was a book club selection for BBC. It wasn't quite what I expected. I guess I wasn't sure I would like the book. I was open to anything. I enjoyed the book much better than I thought I would.
One Thousand White Women is based on a historical event where there was an attempt at negotiations between the Native Americans and the United States. The Native Americans came up with a proposal asking for one thousand white women for brides in exchange for one thousand horses. The Native Americans considered this a viable possibility because in their culture, babies are considered a member of their mother's tribe. Therefore, any babies that resulted would be assimilated into Caucasian culture, or so they thought. This proposal was met with outrage by the American public. However, in One Thousand White Women, Fergus suggests as the premise of his story that this plan was secretly given a go ahead.
One Thousand White Women was written in journal form. It is supposedly the journal of May Dodd who was against her will placed in an asylum by her parents. She volunteers for the bride program just to get her freedom. She is joined by a number of other brides who come from various backgrounds, asylums, prisons, poor and differing backgrounds. On their way to Cheyenne tribe of Little Wolf, there are a number of stops at forts. At one of which we meet Captain Bourke who May Dodd really bonded with. Their "friendship" leads to a one night affair the night before the brides join their new family. The Cheyenne men pick their brides and Little Wolf, the chief of the tribe, selects May. The women learn the way of the Cheyenne as they teach them Christian ways. We follow as the women bond with their new families and with each other.
One Thousand White Women is based on a historical event where there was an attempt at negotiations between the Native Americans and the United States. The Native Americans came up with a proposal asking for one thousand white women for brides in exchange for one thousand horses. The Native Americans considered this a viable possibility because in their culture, babies are considered a member of their mother's tribe. Therefore, any babies that resulted would be assimilated into Caucasian culture, or so they thought. This proposal was met with outrage by the American public. However, in One Thousand White Women, Fergus suggests as the premise of his story that this plan was secretly given a go ahead.
One Thousand White Women was written in journal form. It is supposedly the journal of May Dodd who was against her will placed in an asylum by her parents. She volunteers for the bride program just to get her freedom. She is joined by a number of other brides who come from various backgrounds, asylums, prisons, poor and differing backgrounds. On their way to Cheyenne tribe of Little Wolf, there are a number of stops at forts. At one of which we meet Captain Bourke who May Dodd really bonded with. Their "friendship" leads to a one night affair the night before the brides join their new family. The Cheyenne men pick their brides and Little Wolf, the chief of the tribe, selects May. The women learn the way of the Cheyenne as they teach them Christian ways. We follow as the women bond with their new families and with each other.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: a fable by John Boyne
Wow. What a book. I picked up this book because it was a BBC book club selection. I had no idea what it was about. I was pleasantly surprised when I picked it up from the library that it was a Young Adult book. I thought 'okay, it will be an easy book to read.' I was wrong. Well, yes, it was a simple book to read wordwise, but the subject matter was not. I did what I usually do and read the book flap. But the book flap said nothing. Yes, nothing. What was written was that it was intentional not to give a summary of the book. That should have told me something. So I started reading the unknown.
It begins with a little boy named Bruno. While things were told from an 8 yr old's perspective, meaning a child's point of view, I was able to quickly deduce when the story took place and what it was about. I guessed that the 'Fury' he was referring to was the Fuhrer and where he lived 'Out With' was Auschwitz. The story was about Nazi Germany, Hitler and Auschwitz. Not exactly a pleasant storyline. I knew it was going somewhere, I just didn't know where.
I kept thinking that Bruno's father was a good man. That he had to be because Bruno was a good boy, at least I was under the impression he was. I don't know why I thought Bruno was a good boy, but he just had to be. Besides throughout the story, Bruno did appear to be a good boy. But if I really had to think about it, the Fuhrer would hardly promote someone to be the Commandant of Auschwitz unless he was very capable and aligned with his vision - Nazi Germany vision which I equate with not good. I kept on thinking that Bruno's father was just a good man who fell into the Nazi army. But Bruno's memories of conversations between his grandparents and his father give hints as to what a patriot Bruno's father is. Also things that were said to Lieutenent Kotler about his father leaving Germany also hinted to Brunos' father's loyalty to the German cause. And comments to Bruno about how wrongs are being righted with the Germans in reference to the concentration camps definitely did not make him sound like a good guy anymore.
To Bruno's father's credit, Bruno was not aware of what Auschwitz really was about. Perhaps he wanted Bruno oblivious and innocent or assumed Bruno knew that Jews were the "scum of the earth." Bruno was just a spoiled little boy who just wanted to be a little boy. And living right next to a concentration camp is not the life for a little boy. Therefore, when Bruno made friends with Schmael, the boy in the striped pajamas, Bruno didn't realize that he had done anything wrong. Bruno had the wits not to tell anyone in his family. Although in the end, that was not the wisest idea.
I just don't understand why punish the little boy who actually done the right thing. Why not punish the adults? My jaw dropped when I realized what had happened. It's not like the parents, or rather the father really knew what happened. I mean, I guess, he could have probably deduced what had happened, but he would never have concrete proof. It was all circumstantial. The clothes by the fence. The gap in the fence. I thought that when Bruno donned the striped pajamas, he would be trapped with the other Jews and not be allowed to go back home, that no one would listen to the fact that he was indeed German. I never, never thought that he would inadvertantly be trapped in a group headed for the gas chamber....
I just realized that you have to know some background before reading this book to make an impact. I think it would be a really great book when learning about the Holocaust and Nazi Germany. I will definitely keep this book in mind for T when the time comes.
It begins with a little boy named Bruno. While things were told from an 8 yr old's perspective, meaning a child's point of view, I was able to quickly deduce when the story took place and what it was about. I guessed that the 'Fury' he was referring to was the Fuhrer and where he lived 'Out With' was Auschwitz. The story was about Nazi Germany, Hitler and Auschwitz. Not exactly a pleasant storyline. I knew it was going somewhere, I just didn't know where.
I kept thinking that Bruno's father was a good man. That he had to be because Bruno was a good boy, at least I was under the impression he was. I don't know why I thought Bruno was a good boy, but he just had to be. Besides throughout the story, Bruno did appear to be a good boy. But if I really had to think about it, the Fuhrer would hardly promote someone to be the Commandant of Auschwitz unless he was very capable and aligned with his vision - Nazi Germany vision which I equate with not good. I kept on thinking that Bruno's father was just a good man who fell into the Nazi army. But Bruno's memories of conversations between his grandparents and his father give hints as to what a patriot Bruno's father is. Also things that were said to Lieutenent Kotler about his father leaving Germany also hinted to Brunos' father's loyalty to the German cause. And comments to Bruno about how wrongs are being righted with the Germans in reference to the concentration camps definitely did not make him sound like a good guy anymore.
To Bruno's father's credit, Bruno was not aware of what Auschwitz really was about. Perhaps he wanted Bruno oblivious and innocent or assumed Bruno knew that Jews were the "scum of the earth." Bruno was just a spoiled little boy who just wanted to be a little boy. And living right next to a concentration camp is not the life for a little boy. Therefore, when Bruno made friends with Schmael, the boy in the striped pajamas, Bruno didn't realize that he had done anything wrong. Bruno had the wits not to tell anyone in his family. Although in the end, that was not the wisest idea.
I just don't understand why punish the little boy who actually done the right thing. Why not punish the adults? My jaw dropped when I realized what had happened. It's not like the parents, or rather the father really knew what happened. I mean, I guess, he could have probably deduced what had happened, but he would never have concrete proof. It was all circumstantial. The clothes by the fence. The gap in the fence. I thought that when Bruno donned the striped pajamas, he would be trapped with the other Jews and not be allowed to go back home, that no one would listen to the fact that he was indeed German. I never, never thought that he would inadvertantly be trapped in a group headed for the gas chamber....
I just realized that you have to know some background before reading this book to make an impact. I think it would be a really great book when learning about the Holocaust and Nazi Germany. I will definitely keep this book in mind for T when the time comes.
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
Okay, this was one weird book. I guess I had expectations going into this book. I've read comments about people laughing out and peeing in their pants. I just didn't get it. And was not laughing out loud. I must be lacking a funny bone. I chuckled once and maybe smiled another time. Not my idea of hilarious, but it will still go under my comedy genre.
I am trying to figure out why this guy is so popular. If these books are memoirs and these are actually "stories" from his life, I do not see what is worthwhile about his life to write about. I guess what he has going for him is that he is a good writer? Because he makes himself sound like a degenerate.
I am trying to figure out why this guy is so popular. If these books are memoirs and these are actually "stories" from his life, I do not see what is worthwhile about his life to write about. I guess what he has going for him is that he is a good writer? Because he makes himself sound like a degenerate.
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