Rona Jaffe is a critically acclaimed author, but The Room-mating Season was my first exposure to her. This coming of age novel was interesting, sometimes a bit uncomfortable and thought provoking. I believe the author's purpose may have been to give a commentary on society as it unfolded for three women from their early 20s in the 1960s into the new millennium when they are turning 60.
In New York in the 1960s (much like today I would imagine), it was difficult for a young woman to live alone. She needed roommates in order to be able to afford an apartment. Leigh (receptionist with higher aspirations at a talent agency) and Cady (prep school teacher) are college friends that decide they will find two other roommates and rent a one bedroom, one bath brownstone. They place an ad and find Vanessa (stewardess), whom they both agree is perfect. As a last resort, because no one else panned out, they accept Susan to be the fourth girl. Cady, Leigh and Vanessa get along great, but Susan never quite fits in. Eventually, the girls grow and move on except that a tragedy links them forever. The novel follows their paths for 40 years until they are in their 60s, and their lives unfold in different ways based on the choices they made in their 20s.
At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this story. The beginning was a bit slow, and these women were a little reminiscent of "mean girls" - a tad bratty, cliquish and shallow. Eventually, enough of their story interested me that I wanted to find out where their lives would lead. It was hard to feel a connection to them though, as each of them made such selfish decisions with no regard to anyone else's feelings. Each of them has affairs with married men, or cheats on their spouse regularly, and that was hard for me to get past. Even so, I found the novel compelling. I wanted to find out the ramifications of these decisions and how the story would play out and I finished it quickly. I still find the characters a bit shallow and selfish, but that doesn't make them dull. It just kept me from rooting for them.
I would give this a recommend for those that have the time and are looking for something a little different to read. This is one that would be fun to have a conversation about, like a bad reality show, but it won't make my favorites list or be a book that I revisit.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Code Blue
Code Blue is the first book in the Prescription for Trouble series by Richard Mabry, M.D. The novel is marketed as a medical thriller, but I found it to be more main stream mystery with a doctor as the main character. Keeping that in mind, the book was satisfying.
After a bad relationship ends, Dr. Cathy Sewell moves back to her home town in Texas to start over and find some peace. But the problem with small towns is that everyone knows your business. Before she even has a chance to get settled, it appears that someone may be out to get her. During this page turning mystery, she reconnects with some old friends, finds herself up against the hospital board and the defendant in a malpractice suit, desperately tries to get a family practice up and running, and discovers things about her family that she didn't know. She doesn't know who or why, but someone is out to get her.
This novel was suspenseful enough to keep me turning the pages and was a fast read. I found the writing to be okay, but nothing fantastic. Sometimes the writing was a bit reminiscent of a bad romance novel, where important plot elements have to be repeated multiple times for the reader just to make sure the point gets across. There was a bit of romance thrown in and the novel could also be considered Christian fiction. Neither of those elements take over the main plot of the story though. Two bits of knowledge the reader should keep in mind if considering this book: it is not a medical thriller (if you are thinking you want something like Robin Cook, this isn't it); and, beware when reading the reviews for the book that some reviewers find the Christian element problematic however, this reader did not feel that it was too much or "too preachy".
Overall it kept me interested, and I am satisfied because it was a free Fridays nook book. I am not sure I will pay money for the other books in the series, especially after realizing that the next book does not contain the same characters.
Happy Reading!
After a bad relationship ends, Dr. Cathy Sewell moves back to her home town in Texas to start over and find some peace. But the problem with small towns is that everyone knows your business. Before she even has a chance to get settled, it appears that someone may be out to get her. During this page turning mystery, she reconnects with some old friends, finds herself up against the hospital board and the defendant in a malpractice suit, desperately tries to get a family practice up and running, and discovers things about her family that she didn't know. She doesn't know who or why, but someone is out to get her.
This novel was suspenseful enough to keep me turning the pages and was a fast read. I found the writing to be okay, but nothing fantastic. Sometimes the writing was a bit reminiscent of a bad romance novel, where important plot elements have to be repeated multiple times for the reader just to make sure the point gets across. There was a bit of romance thrown in and the novel could also be considered Christian fiction. Neither of those elements take over the main plot of the story though. Two bits of knowledge the reader should keep in mind if considering this book: it is not a medical thriller (if you are thinking you want something like Robin Cook, this isn't it); and, beware when reading the reviews for the book that some reviewers find the Christian element problematic however, this reader did not feel that it was too much or "too preachy".
Overall it kept me interested, and I am satisfied because it was a free Fridays nook book. I am not sure I will pay money for the other books in the series, especially after realizing that the next book does not contain the same characters.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
On the Street Where You Live
On the Street Where You Live is a murder/mystery by Mary Higgins Clark. If you are familiar with Higgins Clark's work, you know that she is quite an accomplished mystery author. She is very adept at drawing the reader in and keeping you guessing until the very end. This novel was no different.
Emily is a defense attorney just coming off of a big case, having been the victim of a stalker and out of a nasty divorce. She decides to buy a second home in Spring Lake, NJ, a quaint town on the Jersey shore and spend some time there before beginning a new job. The home she buys was owned by her family a century ago. Her ancestor mysteriously disappeared and shortly after the family sold the home and moved. Emily wants to lovingly restore the home to its original glory. Unfortunately, as the back yard is being excavated for a pool (part of the previous owner's plans) skeletal remains are found. So begins a string of discoveries of murders that seem to tie into several disappearances from 100 years ago, including Emily's ancestor's disappearance.
Early in the book, the reader is introduced to many characters. So many that it can be a bit difficult to keep up. But once the reader gets them all straight, a possible suspect seems to emerge. Except that in the next chapter another suspect emerges, and then another. Higgins Clark is excellent and letting the reader believe that they have figured it out, only to give them another possibility. In addition, there is a subplot that evolves as Emily's stalker seemingly returns...But the police thought they had her stalker locked up.
I have to admit, early on I thought I knew who the madman was. But as the book moved along, I second and third guessed myself. The author easily pulled me along on her twists and turns, had me suspecting everyone and rooting for the police to catch their perp and had me mourning those that got in the way of the murderer. Excellently written to connect the past and the present, this novel was a pleasure to get lost in and a great mystery as you truly do not know "who done it" until the end. My only negative observation is that it felt like Emily's back story (the nasty divorce, stalker and big case) could have been delved into deeper. Her character could have been further developed if more detail was given about her past. We are only given bits and pieces and I honestly thought that maybe her character had been in a previous novel and I was just missing something. From what I can tell though, that is not the case. Even so, if you like mystery I would recommend this one.
Happy Reading!
Emily is a defense attorney just coming off of a big case, having been the victim of a stalker and out of a nasty divorce. She decides to buy a second home in Spring Lake, NJ, a quaint town on the Jersey shore and spend some time there before beginning a new job. The home she buys was owned by her family a century ago. Her ancestor mysteriously disappeared and shortly after the family sold the home and moved. Emily wants to lovingly restore the home to its original glory. Unfortunately, as the back yard is being excavated for a pool (part of the previous owner's plans) skeletal remains are found. So begins a string of discoveries of murders that seem to tie into several disappearances from 100 years ago, including Emily's ancestor's disappearance.
Early in the book, the reader is introduced to many characters. So many that it can be a bit difficult to keep up. But once the reader gets them all straight, a possible suspect seems to emerge. Except that in the next chapter another suspect emerges, and then another. Higgins Clark is excellent and letting the reader believe that they have figured it out, only to give them another possibility. In addition, there is a subplot that evolves as Emily's stalker seemingly returns...But the police thought they had her stalker locked up.
I have to admit, early on I thought I knew who the madman was. But as the book moved along, I second and third guessed myself. The author easily pulled me along on her twists and turns, had me suspecting everyone and rooting for the police to catch their perp and had me mourning those that got in the way of the murderer. Excellently written to connect the past and the present, this novel was a pleasure to get lost in and a great mystery as you truly do not know "who done it" until the end. My only negative observation is that it felt like Emily's back story (the nasty divorce, stalker and big case) could have been delved into deeper. Her character could have been further developed if more detail was given about her past. We are only given bits and pieces and I honestly thought that maybe her character had been in a previous novel and I was just missing something. From what I can tell though, that is not the case. Even so, if you like mystery I would recommend this one.
Happy Reading!
Monday, January 13, 2014
Lone Wolf
Jodi Piccoult's novels never fail to make the reader think: What would I do? Her novel Lone Wolf is no exception. Heart breaking, captivating, informative and thought provoking, this novel is not one that will leave you quickly.
After a car accident leaves their father in a vegetative state, Edward and Cara must make decisions for their father's care. But they believe he would want two completely different things. Edward has been living in another country for the past six years and has had no contact with his father. Cara has been living with her father, but is only 17 so, legally she doesn't have the right to make decisions for him. They both are keeping secrets that they think will tear them apart. Their situation is pretty unique, as is the man whose medical care is in question, though and the decision on who has the best ability to make medical decisions for Luke Warren is left to the state and a judge.
Luke Warren is an expert in wolf behavior and even left his family for a period of time to live with a wild pack of wolves. Throughout this novel, you are given the story from the perspective of Edward and Cara, but also of their mother Georgie and her husband Joe, and even of Luke Warren. Each of Luke's chapters are a look into the dynamics in a wolf pack and they each relate back to the family that could be torn apart by this tragedy. Expertly written, so that you not only learn quite a bit about wolves but you also find yourself sympathetic with all of the characters regardless of their flaws, this novel hooks you from the beginning. I found myself changing my mind about who I thought was 'right' twice while reading the book, and even ended up feeling sympathy for Luke Warren even if in the beginning of the novel I didn't agree with choices that he had made.
Definitely worth your time, as I have found Jodi Piccoult to be every time I have read one of her novels.
Happy Reading!
After a car accident leaves their father in a vegetative state, Edward and Cara must make decisions for their father's care. But they believe he would want two completely different things. Edward has been living in another country for the past six years and has had no contact with his father. Cara has been living with her father, but is only 17 so, legally she doesn't have the right to make decisions for him. They both are keeping secrets that they think will tear them apart. Their situation is pretty unique, as is the man whose medical care is in question, though and the decision on who has the best ability to make medical decisions for Luke Warren is left to the state and a judge.
Luke Warren is an expert in wolf behavior and even left his family for a period of time to live with a wild pack of wolves. Throughout this novel, you are given the story from the perspective of Edward and Cara, but also of their mother Georgie and her husband Joe, and even of Luke Warren. Each of Luke's chapters are a look into the dynamics in a wolf pack and they each relate back to the family that could be torn apart by this tragedy. Expertly written, so that you not only learn quite a bit about wolves but you also find yourself sympathetic with all of the characters regardless of their flaws, this novel hooks you from the beginning. I found myself changing my mind about who I thought was 'right' twice while reading the book, and even ended up feeling sympathy for Luke Warren even if in the beginning of the novel I didn't agree with choices that he had made.
Definitely worth your time, as I have found Jodi Piccoult to be every time I have read one of her novels.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Exclusively Yours
Exclusively Yours is a contemporary romance by Shannon Stacey. It was a pretty predictable, if not formulaic romance. Enjoyable, with enough sexual tension but not too many gratuitous, cheesy romantic scenes. Beware that this story is one in a series, with all novels being stand alone and each about a different character that appears in the other books.
The main characters were high school sweethearts. But she didn't want to stay in the little New England town that they were from and he couldn't leave his family. So she leaves, attends college and becomes a successful career woman as a journalist for a popular entertainment magazine. He stays and finds quite a bit of success of his own writing best selling thrillers. Her next assignment, the one that could land her a big promotion, is to interview the elusive author that used to be her high school sweetheart. He sees this as a way to get closure. The two of them must navigate the reemergence of old feelings while camping for two weeks with his family, some of whom do not have the most welcoming attitude toward the old flame who broke his heart.
Typical romance? Yes. But there was not the typical 'misunderstanding' plot point that can be quite frustrating in novels of this nature. This was a good escapism book, a fast read and enjoyable. I am not sure that I will seek out the other books related to these characters though.
Another word of caution: This novel is sold as an eBook with the number of pages listed as 700+ however, on my device (nook) each page turn equaled 3 pages. Many of the readers' reviews for the book spoke about what a great deal it was for 700+ pages. Not that it really bothered me, but be warned this book is not that long. It is more like 250 - 300 pages.
Happy Reading!
The main characters were high school sweethearts. But she didn't want to stay in the little New England town that they were from and he couldn't leave his family. So she leaves, attends college and becomes a successful career woman as a journalist for a popular entertainment magazine. He stays and finds quite a bit of success of his own writing best selling thrillers. Her next assignment, the one that could land her a big promotion, is to interview the elusive author that used to be her high school sweetheart. He sees this as a way to get closure. The two of them must navigate the reemergence of old feelings while camping for two weeks with his family, some of whom do not have the most welcoming attitude toward the old flame who broke his heart.
Typical romance? Yes. But there was not the typical 'misunderstanding' plot point that can be quite frustrating in novels of this nature. This was a good escapism book, a fast read and enjoyable. I am not sure that I will seek out the other books related to these characters though.
Another word of caution: This novel is sold as an eBook with the number of pages listed as 700+ however, on my device (nook) each page turn equaled 3 pages. Many of the readers' reviews for the book spoke about what a great deal it was for 700+ pages. Not that it really bothered me, but be warned this book is not that long. It is more like 250 - 300 pages.
Happy Reading!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Year in Review: 2013
2013 has come to a close, so it is time for a "Year in Review" post. Forty-five books this year! I think that might be a new personal best - an average of 3.75 books per month. I guess with the youngest in first grade and my Dad on the mend and more independent, I have had more time to read this year. Yay me!
Of those 45, several stand out. As always, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series (Notorious Nineteen & Takedown Twenty) top the list. In addition, The Last Noel was one of my favorites. I thoroughly enjoyed the otherworldly vampire huntress series and the spinoffs by Jeanine Frost, which includes 14 books on the list below. The series by Lou Aronica (Blue & Until Again) were also wonderful books. I would also highly recommend the novel Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and her other novels (Sharp Objects & Dark Places) for excellent thriller/mystery reads. Inferno, which was the latest installment in Dan Brown's Robert Langdon (Da Vinci Code) series was also a good mystery read.
As I read over the list below, there are so many that I would recommend that it would actually be easier to list the books I would not recommend. I think that makes 2013 a pretty good year! Happy Reading!
Of those 45, several stand out. As always, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series (Notorious Nineteen & Takedown Twenty) top the list. In addition, The Last Noel was one of my favorites. I thoroughly enjoyed the otherworldly vampire huntress series and the spinoffs by Jeanine Frost, which includes 14 books on the list below. The series by Lou Aronica (Blue & Until Again) were also wonderful books. I would also highly recommend the novel Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and her other novels (Sharp Objects & Dark Places) for excellent thriller/mystery reads. Inferno, which was the latest installment in Dan Brown's Robert Langdon (Da Vinci Code) series was also a good mystery read.
As I read over the list below, there are so many that I would recommend that it would actually be easier to list the books I would not recommend. I think that makes 2013 a pretty good year! Happy Reading!
Books Read in 2013
Deadly Sanctuary
Devil's Cradle
The Last Noel
Cold Mountain (Book Club)
Halfway to the Grave
One Foot in the Grave
Happily Never After
At Grave's End
Devil to Pay
Destined for an Early Grave
Magic Graves
First Drop of Crimson
Eternal Kiss of Darkness
This Side of the Grave
One Grave at a Time
The Bite Before Christmas
Once Burned
The Glass Case
Of Love and Evil
Pets in a Pickle
The Ten Year Nap
Twice Tempted
Caught Up in Us
A Time to Love
Relentless
Spinning
Protector
Gone Girl
Sharp Objects
Dark Places
Shelter Me
Echoes
The Heist
Inferno (Book Club)
Silent Witness
A Texan's Promise
And When She Was Good
Until Again
Blue
The Liberation of Alice Love
Pros & Cons
The Book of Love (Book Club)
The Next Best Thing
Notorious Nineteen
Takedown Twenty
Devil to Pay
Destined for an Early Grave
Magic Graves
First Drop of Crimson
Eternal Kiss of Darkness
This Side of the Grave
One Grave at a Time
The Bite Before Christmas
Once Burned
The Glass Case
Of Love and Evil
Pets in a Pickle
The Ten Year Nap
Twice Tempted
Caught Up in Us
A Time to Love
Relentless
Spinning
Protector
Gone Girl
Sharp Objects
Dark Places
Shelter Me
Echoes
The Heist
Inferno (Book Club)
Silent Witness
A Texan's Promise
And When She Was Good
Until Again
Blue
The Liberation of Alice Love
Pros & Cons
The Book of Love (Book Club)
The Next Best Thing
Notorious Nineteen
Takedown Twenty
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