This novel by Garth Stein is a heartfelt, touching, sweet and funny story as told from the perspective of the family dog, Enzo. The story is tragic, beautiful, at times humorous, but always real. It is full of hope, love and family and was an enjoyable read from start to finish.
Enzo's human best friend, Denny, is a race car driver. He lives, breathes, eats and sleeps racing and tells Enzo all about it. As a result, Enzo is quite schooled in the art of racing. Enzo is Denny's best companion, but as Denny matures, gets married and eventually has a child, Enzo learns the true meaning of family. He senses things before they happen, but without the proper makings of the human mouth he has no way to tell his family of the upcoming changes they will all face, or to tell his Denny of the people who are working against him. Enzo knows that in his next life, he will become human, for he is so close to being human already.
This book was incredible. Anyone who has ever loved a dog or, for that matter, known anyone else who has ever loved a dog, will love this book. The bond between Enzo and his family is the truest form of love. Enzo is the type of character that will imprint on the reader's soul. Denny's character never gives up, even in the face of despair. This book is rich with humanity and is one that will have the reader thinking of it long after turning the last page. I highly recommend it.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Weddings Can Be Murder
Weddings Can Be Murder by Christie Craig is a simple, cheesy romance that is disguised as a mystery. It was a "Free Fridays" selection for my nook, which is why I read it. I am glad that it was free.
The main character in this book is planning her wedding. When her wedding planner is murdered, while she is there, she and a PI are thrown together to try to solve the mystery of who killed the wedding planner. The characters are one dimensional, the plot is weak, the situations used to throw these two characters together are unbelievable, and the research into the background of any of it is non-existent. I guess that is what one should expect out of a simple romance novel. It was supposed to be funny, but I didn't find it so.
Every once in a while, I am in the mood for a romance, total escapism literature (if it can be called that); a book that does not require my brain to work while reading. This fit that bill, but was unsatisfying none the less.
Happy Reading!
The main character in this book is planning her wedding. When her wedding planner is murdered, while she is there, she and a PI are thrown together to try to solve the mystery of who killed the wedding planner. The characters are one dimensional, the plot is weak, the situations used to throw these two characters together are unbelievable, and the research into the background of any of it is non-existent. I guess that is what one should expect out of a simple romance novel. It was supposed to be funny, but I didn't find it so.
Every once in a while, I am in the mood for a romance, total escapism literature (if it can be called that); a book that does not require my brain to work while reading. This fit that bill, but was unsatisfying none the less.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Missing Pieces
Missing Pieces by Joy Fielding is a psychological suspense novel about how far a mother will go to protect her family. This book was a page turner, full of suspense and I could identify with the main character. It was a fast paced, quick and enjoyable read.
Kate Sinclair is a family therapist. But what does a family therapist do when her own family starts to fall apart? Kate has a teenage daughter who is turning into a monster, a husband who instead of helping with the kids when tensions rise, removes himself further into his golf game, a sister who makes one bad choice after another and a mother who is in failing health. She has to handle it all on top of her career. When her sister decides that she is going to marry a convicted serial killer, Kate's family is in real peril.
I immediately identified with Kate, and found it refreshing to read about a middle aged woman facing the issues of raising her family and helping her ailing mother. This book was suspenseful, but at the same time it carried a message about the resiliency of family and specifically the strength that one mother/wife/sister/daughter found within herself to overcome the difficulties and dangers she faced. The reader watches her struggle to make the best decisions, to not walk down the easier path, and to do everything in her power to pull her family back together. The characters were well developed and it truly was a page turner that keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of her seat.
I would recommend this book to those who like thrillers, but also to those who don't because I don't think you have to enjoy that genre to enjoy this book. I think anyone who thinks thrillers are not her cup of tea would be surprised by this book. An satisfying read all the way around.
Happy Reading!
Kate Sinclair is a family therapist. But what does a family therapist do when her own family starts to fall apart? Kate has a teenage daughter who is turning into a monster, a husband who instead of helping with the kids when tensions rise, removes himself further into his golf game, a sister who makes one bad choice after another and a mother who is in failing health. She has to handle it all on top of her career. When her sister decides that she is going to marry a convicted serial killer, Kate's family is in real peril.
I immediately identified with Kate, and found it refreshing to read about a middle aged woman facing the issues of raising her family and helping her ailing mother. This book was suspenseful, but at the same time it carried a message about the resiliency of family and specifically the strength that one mother/wife/sister/daughter found within herself to overcome the difficulties and dangers she faced. The reader watches her struggle to make the best decisions, to not walk down the easier path, and to do everything in her power to pull her family back together. The characters were well developed and it truly was a page turner that keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of her seat.
I would recommend this book to those who like thrillers, but also to those who don't because I don't think you have to enjoy that genre to enjoy this book. I think anyone who thinks thrillers are not her cup of tea would be surprised by this book. An satisfying read all the way around.
Happy Reading!
Millie's Fling
Millie's Fling was a silly romance by Jill Mansell. I had not read any other Jill Mansell books. After reading The Book Thief, I needed something light, escapist and silly. Millie's Fling was a "free Fridays" selection for my nook, and I thought it would fit the bill.
Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. It was simple, silly, fluffy, etc. But it didn't satisfy whatever it was that I was craving after the heavy tone of The Book Thief, but then again because I loved The Book Thief so much, maybe this book was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The book is about two girls who live together. One is in a long distance relationship, and misunderstandings ensue almost breaking the couple up. The other, Millie, has recently been dumped and swears off men. But then she finds a wallet, prank calls the owner and ends up meeting him and liking the guy. Of course, his wife died recently so he isn't interested in a romance. They hang out as friends and it turns into more. Misunderstandings ensue...You get the idea.
The characters were barely likable (the main characters lie on a regular basis), the plot was barely there, the dialogue was forced. The romance was okay, but this storyline has been done so many times before that if you are going to use it, you better make it new. And Mansell just didn't.
It was quick, it was easy. It was sold as being funny but really wasn't. If you like simple romances set in England, maybe this would be for you. I have not sworn off Jill Mansell, but don't know that I will ever seek out her books either.
Happy Reading!
Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. It was simple, silly, fluffy, etc. But it didn't satisfy whatever it was that I was craving after the heavy tone of The Book Thief, but then again because I loved The Book Thief so much, maybe this book was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The book is about two girls who live together. One is in a long distance relationship, and misunderstandings ensue almost breaking the couple up. The other, Millie, has recently been dumped and swears off men. But then she finds a wallet, prank calls the owner and ends up meeting him and liking the guy. Of course, his wife died recently so he isn't interested in a romance. They hang out as friends and it turns into more. Misunderstandings ensue...You get the idea.
The characters were barely likable (the main characters lie on a regular basis), the plot was barely there, the dialogue was forced. The romance was okay, but this storyline has been done so many times before that if you are going to use it, you better make it new. And Mansell just didn't.
It was quick, it was easy. It was sold as being funny but really wasn't. If you like simple romances set in England, maybe this would be for you. I have not sworn off Jill Mansell, but don't know that I will ever seek out her books either.
Happy Reading!
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Book Thief
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is one of the best books I have ever read. This novel gripped me from the start and has yet to let me go. The characters are unforgettable, and the story is at once heart breaking, humbling, humorous and even life changing.
The book is set in Germany during Hitler's reign. The main character is a little girl named Liesel who has lost her family. On her journey to her new home where she will be cared for by a foster family, she steals her first book. Even though she cannot yet read, she realizes the power of words. The story is told by one of the most interesting narrators I have ever come across, Death. As Death goes about his work, and he is very busy during those years in Germany, he tells Liesel's tale and a bit of his own. Liesel adapts to her new life, learns how to read, continues to steal books and uses those words during times of crisis.
The cast of characters in this book have imprinted on my soul. Rudy, Liesel's best friend, Hans and Rosa, Liesel's foster parents, Max, the Jewish man Liesel's family hides in their basement, and Death himself. They each teach the reader about humanity. There are real heroes in these pages, characters who faced such peril and rose above, characters who put their lives on the line to help another human being. Even Death, who took such care with the souls that were his charge.
The author uses words very powerfully in this book, so fitting for a book about the power of words. It is itself a work of art. The subject matter is so heavy, but there is humor thrown in at just the right moment to lighten that heavy load. Zusak is an artist with the English language. This is a book that everyone should read. I will never forget these characters and this story will remain with me always.
Happy Reading!
The book is set in Germany during Hitler's reign. The main character is a little girl named Liesel who has lost her family. On her journey to her new home where she will be cared for by a foster family, she steals her first book. Even though she cannot yet read, she realizes the power of words. The story is told by one of the most interesting narrators I have ever come across, Death. As Death goes about his work, and he is very busy during those years in Germany, he tells Liesel's tale and a bit of his own. Liesel adapts to her new life, learns how to read, continues to steal books and uses those words during times of crisis.
The cast of characters in this book have imprinted on my soul. Rudy, Liesel's best friend, Hans and Rosa, Liesel's foster parents, Max, the Jewish man Liesel's family hides in their basement, and Death himself. They each teach the reader about humanity. There are real heroes in these pages, characters who faced such peril and rose above, characters who put their lives on the line to help another human being. Even Death, who took such care with the souls that were his charge.
The author uses words very powerfully in this book, so fitting for a book about the power of words. It is itself a work of art. The subject matter is so heavy, but there is humor thrown in at just the right moment to lighten that heavy load. Zusak is an artist with the English language. This is a book that everyone should read. I will never forget these characters and this story will remain with me always.
Happy Reading!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Sizzling Sixteen/Smokin' Seventeen
I placed these two together because I read Sizzling Sixteen last year, but wanted to read it again before diving into Smokin' Seventeen, the latest Stephanie Plum novel from Janet Evanovich. Of course, I loved Sizzling Sixteen, and Smokin' Seventeen did not disappoint! I love love love this series. SPOILER ALERT!! Don't read further if you don't want to know some general things that happen in this book!
For readers of the Stephanie Plum novels, Smokin' Seventeen is definitely smokin'. Stephanie's place of employment is undergoing construction, since in the previous novel it burned to the ground. So the bail bonds office is being run out of an RV owned my Mooner. Lula & Stephanie are off on numerous hilarious adventures to capture skips and try to bring home the bacon. Grandma Mazur is up to her usual coffin lid lifting tricks, and Vinnie is his weasely self. All the while, Stephanie is trying to sort things out in her love life. She and her long time on again off again boyfriend Joe Morrelli are in a strange arrangement that Stephanie gets more and more comfortable with, as she delves into her attraction to Ranger. For fans of the tension between Morrelli & Stephanie and Ranger & Stephanie, this book does not disappoint. However, I think the "Babes" out there will enjoy this one a little more than the "Cupcakes"!
This book did make me a little uncomfortable with where Janet Evanovich took Stephanie's character. It was sort of a little icky how easily Stephanie when from one man to the other, and something that Stephanie was never able to do before. This time she does it with seemingly little guilt. That was not quite true to character for Stephanie. But as a "Babe" myself, I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed Stephanie's guilt free escapades. And although Janet Evanovich claims that she has no intention of wrapping up this series ( at the thought!!), this felt like it was a prelude to an ending. It felt like this was a novel that would set the stage for the beginning of the end. Combine that with the fact that the eighteenth novel in the series comes out this fall, rather than the typical late June release date, and this reader is shaking in her purple pumps that the series might end soon.
For fans of Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum this is a MUST read. Not the funniest, but one that furthers Stephanie's relationships a bit and certainly has plenty of action in it.
Happy Reading!
For readers of the Stephanie Plum novels, Smokin' Seventeen is definitely smokin'. Stephanie's place of employment is undergoing construction, since in the previous novel it burned to the ground. So the bail bonds office is being run out of an RV owned my Mooner. Lula & Stephanie are off on numerous hilarious adventures to capture skips and try to bring home the bacon. Grandma Mazur is up to her usual coffin lid lifting tricks, and Vinnie is his weasely self. All the while, Stephanie is trying to sort things out in her love life. She and her long time on again off again boyfriend Joe Morrelli are in a strange arrangement that Stephanie gets more and more comfortable with, as she delves into her attraction to Ranger. For fans of the tension between Morrelli & Stephanie and Ranger & Stephanie, this book does not disappoint. However, I think the "Babes" out there will enjoy this one a little more than the "Cupcakes"!
This book did make me a little uncomfortable with where Janet Evanovich took Stephanie's character. It was sort of a little icky how easily Stephanie when from one man to the other, and something that Stephanie was never able to do before. This time she does it with seemingly little guilt. That was not quite true to character for Stephanie. But as a "Babe" myself, I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed Stephanie's guilt free escapades. And although Janet Evanovich claims that she has no intention of wrapping up this series (
For fans of Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum this is a MUST read. Not the funniest, but one that furthers Stephanie's relationships a bit and certainly has plenty of action in it.
Happy Reading!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Cold Service
Cold Service is one of Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels. This is the first book that I have read of Robert B. Parker's so I was not up on the series. The novel worked okay as a stand alone, but I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous novels in the series.
Spenser is a private detective, who owns his own business. In this novel, his best friend, Hawk, is exacting revenge on some bad people who almost killed him, and did kill someone who was under his protection. Spenser always has his best friend's back, so they go about their investigation and revenge plot together. There is plenty of action, but the revenge plot is not well explained. It is a complicated plot, and rather than tell the reader about it, the details of the plan are glossed over and the novel is wrapped up quite quickly and succinctly. I kept thinking that maybe I had missed something, but I went back through the book and I hadn't missed anything. The author just chose not to include those details. Personally, I felt those details would have further the story a little more smoothly.
For action and suspense, the novel works. I just wish the author had given me a little more detail. The relationships between the characters work as well, although there is a language between Spenser and Hawk that is so personal, I felt left out. That being said, Parker is able to deliver a magnitude of feeling with just a few words and the reader is quite aware of the bond between these two men. Maybe long time readers of the series would understand their language better than I did. I would only recommend this one if you are a fan of Robert B. Parker, and have read the other novels in this series.
Happy Reading!
Spenser is a private detective, who owns his own business. In this novel, his best friend, Hawk, is exacting revenge on some bad people who almost killed him, and did kill someone who was under his protection. Spenser always has his best friend's back, so they go about their investigation and revenge plot together. There is plenty of action, but the revenge plot is not well explained. It is a complicated plot, and rather than tell the reader about it, the details of the plan are glossed over and the novel is wrapped up quite quickly and succinctly. I kept thinking that maybe I had missed something, but I went back through the book and I hadn't missed anything. The author just chose not to include those details. Personally, I felt those details would have further the story a little more smoothly.
For action and suspense, the novel works. I just wish the author had given me a little more detail. The relationships between the characters work as well, although there is a language between Spenser and Hawk that is so personal, I felt left out. That being said, Parker is able to deliver a magnitude of feeling with just a few words and the reader is quite aware of the bond between these two men. Maybe long time readers of the series would understand their language better than I did. I would only recommend this one if you are a fan of Robert B. Parker, and have read the other novels in this series.
Happy Reading!
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