Halfway House

Has it really been 7 months since I posted anything? No wonder my friend keeps reminding me I need to update my site. A lot of books have passed my way in these past few months so I guess I should get rolling.

Recently I finished reading a book Halfway House by Katherine Noel. This novel followed a family who had the perfect life and then---. Their daughter, who of course is a perfect student and the fastest swimmer in the state, has a psychotic breakdown during a swim meet. As her father runs out of the stands to dive in and drag her off of the bottom of the pool, you see the beginnings of the unraveling of the family.

Many people may say "oh I know what will happen now the daughter will end up in a psychiatric hospital and the family blames themselves and fall apart." One of the things I liked about this book was that the mother, father and brother did not blame themselves. They realized that the daughters breakdown was out of their control. The problem each one faces is that they are not becoming who they thought they would be. As the family moves forward and tries to figure out how to make themselves over, the daughter is in and out of hospitals also trying to figure out what comes next.

I think that this book really makes you think about your everyday life and how you would react if life took a turn for the worst. I also think that it discussed how to have hope for the future. Take a look at this book when you have a chance.

Heaven

Ever wonder what heaven would be like? Fannie Flagg's latest book Can't Wait to get to Heaven takes a stab at describing what it would be like. Elner Shimfissle is the matriarch of Elmwood Springs, Missouri. People in the town seek her our for advice and good conversation. So when word gets out that Elner has died, due to being stung by a nest full of wasps causing her to fall off the ladder she was using to pick figs with, the town feels lost. The population of Elmwood Springs begins the process of saying goodbye to a dear friend. Elner does indeed go to heaven and while she is sharing some cake with her old friend she is told that she needs to go back. Disappointed Elner comes back to life. Needless to say there is a lot of confusion over this, as well as some near heartattacks by the doctor and family members who were standing around her when this happened.

Fannie Flagg, who is also the author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (which was also developed into a movie), describes heaven as being more than just a white light. It is the place you call home. The streets and houses look the same and all of your friends who have passed on before you are there to greet you.

Ms Flagg's Elmwood Springs could be any small town. What makes it different are the cast of characters that live there. I enjoyed this book. Having grown up in a small town I can relate to how things are done. If you are in the mood to spend an easy easy spring day with the folks of Elmwood Springs, stop by your local library and pick up a copy of this book.

Murder Beneath the Covers

This mystery book (which is part of a series) was a hoot. Helen is a woman on the run. Once an executive in a large company she is now working only dead end jobs that pay under the table. Why? Her ex husband is looking for her because he wants his alimony. Yep you got it he was a stay at home house husband who got caught with the "other woman" but still insisted that he should be entitled to half of her salary. So half of nothing is still half right?

In this book Helen is working in a bookstore named Page Turners bookstore. The bookstore has its' regulars (almost like the TV show Cheers). The owner of the bookstore Page Turner III is not the best business man and the store is faltering. Besides being lousy at business he is also not a nice person. So when he turns up dead the list of suspects is longer than Santa's nice list. What ensues next is murder and mayhem. If you would like a nice fast moving book you should try this one. Elaine Viets is the author and if you like this character there are more books in the series to consider.

New Years Resolution

I am not going to lie I love reading. Books have always been my magic place. Getting lost in a good book (or even a mediocre one) is my favorite thing to do. There is one problem with this, however and that is we live in a small apartment and well I think you can understand my problem. So this year I have decided to make a New Years resolution. I will have to read 2 books before I will be able to buy another book. Lets see how long I can keep this resolution before I cave in.

If you have not yet visited the "Dear Reader" site, that has a link on my blog, you should try it out. I have found several new authors that I probably never would have known about. Take a chance and see what you can find.

Can it really be 2007

I can't believe that it is 2007! Where has the time gone? Since my last post I have continued to read, but just been a little (a lot) lax in posting information. From Thanksgiving to New Years I usually dig into my Christmas collections. I am a real sucker for everything Christmas.

One book this season in particular"Slay Ride" by Chris Grabenstein was almost more than I could take. Several times I decided I couldn't continue to read it but curiosity got the best of me and I kept going. An ex KGB killer, Nicoli was on the loose in New Jersey and out to get revenge on anyone that he thought might be out to get him (which was just about everyone).

The hero of our story was a FBI agent, nicknamed St. Chris, who was trying to track the killer down. Through many hair raising chases and near misses we really hope that Chris will arrive before it is too late. The body count in this novel is high and the suspense is sometimes unbearable. I would recommend that if you want to read a novel that will keep you interested this one should be on your list.

Happy New Year!!

Too many books so little time

I found yet another new author who has gotten my attention (thank you to the "Dear Reader" website). I of course share this with my reading buddies at work. One of my friends said "please stop." It seems that she likes most of the authors that I have recommended, but when she likes an author she begins a quest to read everything that they have ever written. I admit I used to be the same way. I learned very quickly though that it is better to just read the latest books and not try to back track or you will make yourself crazy. I like to discover new voices so I have to admit that I do read some peculiar books from time to time.

One such series is the Left Behind series. Some one assured me that these were the greatest books that ever existed. I decided to try them. I travel a lot for my job and decided that this would be a good airplane read. That was mistake number one. The first book in the series is about the rapture. All innocents are suddenly taken from the earth. Of course the book takes place on a plane where people start disappearing leaving only their clothes as evidence that they were ever here. The books are well written. Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins have done their research. However on this 6 hour plane ride I did feel myself constantly checking to make sure my seat mates remained in tact. I would eventually like to read the rest of the series, I think!

Otherwise known as-----

You have to love authors who want to write in different genres by taking on another name. Nora Roberts, best known for her romantic novels, also writes mysteries under the name of JD Robb. I was never sure why authors feel the need to do that, but I suppose it is a way of getting into the mood. Well what ever Nora alias JD is doing it works. I recently finished the book "Origin in Death". This book will keep you on the edge of your seats until the end. A famous plastic surgeon is killed and his secret of creating designer children comes to light. It becomes a race for Eve Dallas to discover who the killer is and exactly what is going on. This case drudges up Eve's ghosts and she finds herself having to make sure that she is not confusing today and yesterday. Oh and her husband of 1 year decides to invite all of his family from the motherland, Ireland, for Thanksgiving. So will she make it in time to carve the turkey? I think you should read it to see. Eve may become another person you want to spend time with.

Page turner and how!

I recently read a book entitled Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. It is one of the best books I have read in a longtime. I was on vacation and literally could not put it down. I seemed to breeze through the 432 page novel in no time. The book opens with the birth of a baby boy to Katie, an unwed Amish girl, in a barn. The baby is found dead and Katie cannot remember anything about being pregnant or giving birth.

Ellie, a lawyer, returning to town to visit her aunt, hoping to find a break from her hectic schedule and to do a little self evaluation, gets drawn into this case. You will find yourself riding an emotional roller coaster while reading the book and stopping to think when you reach the surprise ending.

Jodi Picoult is a very gifted writer and has many other novels that will keep you involved from the very beginning. Her willingness to take on topics that are controversial (such as My Sisters Keeper) draw you in and keep you reading until the very end. I suggest you give Ms Picoult a try. I promise you will not be disappointed.