Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna ClarkeMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oh my. If you hanker for the stuff of Faerie and magic this volume is a must read. I remember it being made much of on NPR when it was first published and has been on my "to read" list ever since (some 10 years, I regret to say). I finally launched into the audio edition (which is wonderfully performed). This reads more like a documentary (complete with a plethora of footnotes) along the lines of "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Laks" by Rebecca Skloot (which is indeed documentary in the real sense). In other words, informative while at the same time unfolding a fascinating story.
Set in a parallel world so like ours that it could almost be mistaken as England during and following the Napoleonic wars, you will be caught up in the turmoil that dealing in magic can create. You will come to know the magicians named in the title and others besides. You will form opinions about Lady Pole, the Man with the Thistle-down hair, Stephen Black and others.
Woot!woot! A BBC mini-series is announced! Plus new-line cinema may someday make a film. Can't wait!!!!
I began reading this years ago, so to have read it now has gotten it off my "want to read" list, finally!
More Things In Heaven and Earth by Jeff HighMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Luke, freshly graduated from medical school, accepts a position in a remote Tennessee community although he would prefer to immerse himself in research. This likable young man gets off on the wrong foot, committing a series of laughable blunders. Matters become increasingly serious as he become immersed in his work and new relationships.
On one hand the story reminded me of "It's a Wonderful Life", showing the impact we have on the lives of those around us. On the other hand it reminded me of the Miss Read novels about Thrush Green.
There is a short book discussion guide included and a teaser from the next Watervalley story. I could picture this as a movie or a television series. Lots of material potential.
The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan BradleyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This sixth Flavia installment is entirely different in texture and tone than the preceding five murder mysteries. In this story Flavia examines the inner landscape of herself and her family as they come to terms, each in their own way, with a terrible loss.
This story moved much slower for me than the others, which was okay because I enjoy Flavia any way she is served up. There were fewer cultural references in this story. Instead there was a surprising turn to the world outside Buckshaw. Will stories about precocious Flavia continue beyond her twelfth birthday? The author has nudged open yet another door. Hooray!
I highly recommend the audio versions of these books. The reader, Jayne Entwistle, is superb.
Inferno by Dan BrownMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Oh my. Dan Brown takes on over-population in this fourth "Robert Langdon" installment which s t r u g g l e s with novel-meets-travel log-meets-college lecture. This will definitely be improved in film format.
On the flip side of Brown's coin is this argument (can be viewed in this hour-long video link): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZeyY...
First Love and Forever by Anita StansfieldMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Our heroine, Emily, is a devout "Mormon" and having made all her choices for the 'right' reasons finds herself miserable in a loveless marriage. It seems everything has gone wrong -- she married a 'returned missionary' who she dated in high school when he was a handsome charismatic football star, having refused a proposal from a college boyfriend who was not a member of her church. Now her husband is 'inactive' in the church, works long hours, is distant from her and their children, and scrutinizes her spending with a magnifying glass. She tries to be the perfect housewife and has encouraged them to avail themselves of counseling to no affect.
Now after a chance meeting with her college boyfriend who is now a successful author Emily finds herself tempted to leave her husband. Again she aligns her choices with her faith and... the plot thickens.
This heavy/light story is romance candy for the "LDS" audience.
The Dead Fathers Club by Matt HaigMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Somehow this title crossed my radar and for some reason I gave it a go and have to say I'm glad. Matt Haig has a wonderful writer's voice.
The story is a middle-grade boy's experience with losing his father to a tragic accident, being socially side-lined at school, and adjusting to his mother's recovery journey.
There are plenty of connections to Shakespeare's HAMLET...
His ghost father wants him to avenge his death by murdering his uncle who caused the accident (says Dead Dad) and it must be done before Dead Dad's birthday or he will suffer The Terrors for Eternity. And so forth (lest I give way to "spoilers").
In a way this story is similar to the Flavia de Luce novels by C. Alan Bradley (which I love).
There is some "language" but it doesn't detract from the story at all.
Wild Designs by Katie FfordeMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
From this first sentence: 'Mum,' said a voice, reproachful yet forgiving. 'Have you been drinking orange juice straight out of the carton again?' I knew this was going to be a fun read.
Althea is middle aged and a little overweight, has three teenage children, is a single divorced mother, and is about to lose her job. She is very likable and tries to make the best of things. She's cheerful but not perfect. There are some hilarious encounters and a whole lot of misunderstandings.
About half-way through the book I figured out this was a PRIDE AND PREJUDICE for middle-age women. Two thirds of the way through the book the big "Darcy" kiss replete with bells and whistles happens. But tension keeps building right up to the very end.
Here are some random notes I made... (mostly vocabulary to look up, but also places to google)
p.5 Cotswold hills Severn Vale
p.68 'grasp the nettle' (a phrase my dad shared with me)
p.83 recherche`
p.113 propinquity
p.117 Whinging Pommish
p.193 voluptuary
p.208 asperity
p.222 maquillage
p.245 Tyrolean
and then it occurred to me to jot down British'isms with my best guess as the the American counter-part
poppers=snaps
tip=dump
removal people=movers
portakabin=storage unit
Oz=Australia
offload=dump
Ta=thanks
knackered=worn out or bushed
navvy=sailor
pushchairs=strollers
cashpoint machine=ATM
petrol=gas
indicated=signaled
bugger= ???
The Dress Shop of Dreams by Menna van PraagMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Charming. Take eight persons with various forms of not fully engaging with life for various reasons, or not, and wake them up (so to speak) and watch them bumble their way through assumptions that nearly throw their lives completely off course and end with a Shakespearean comedy finale`. Voila`! The Dress Shop of Dreams. P.S. I want one of those dresses!
More about the author, etc. here: http://www.mennavanpraag.com/
post script: there are three unnecessary "f-bombs" towards the end of the book. Really too bad as this prevents me from whole-heartedly recommending this to friends.
Thank You, Jeeves by P.G. WodehouseMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I had no idea that the Jeeves novels were every bit as fun as the television episodes -- and even more so! Rollicking fun from start to finish.
Delicious! by Ruth ReichlMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Deliciously Delightful!
A dream job as a writer at a cooking magazine, an almost supernatural palate, the New York City food scene, a historical mansion with secrets, a mystery, romance, all wrapped up in a Cinderella package -- what's not to like here?
All loose ends are neatly tied up at the end AND you finally get that recipe that is featured in the book's first chapter. Can't wait to try it.
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