Kamryn and Adele were best friends from the day they met in college. But when Adele slept with Kamryn's fiance, Kamryn walked away from both of them. After years of silence Adele is trying to get back in touch with Kamryn. She is dying and wants her old best friend to adopt her five year old daughter. Dorothy Koomson's novel, My Best Friend's Girl is a thought provoking novel about how far we would go for those who have hurt us, and the extraodinary bond between Kamryn and this amazing five year old girl.
Kamyrn's life focused around work and Kamryn. She is not prepared to take on the responsibilities and sacrifices that motherhood entails. She loves this little girl with her whole heart and is trying her best to make good decisions for her. But being thrown into motherhood with such little notice is destroying her life. She is forced to make sacrifices and gut wrenching decisions that are best for the child who is now in her care and looking to her for guidance and shelter. That part of the novel was touching and believable.
Unfortunately, I feel that the auther fell flat when dealing with the romance she tries to create for the main character. Kamryn is forced to reunite with her ex-fiance and it stirs up old feelings for both of them. In addition, there is a romance with someone from Kamryn's office. The office romance is completely unbelievable and lacks chemistry and tension.
Not sure if I would recommend this one. I think that the author should have stuck to the issues of mothering an orphan, and balancing career and family. That part of the book was sweet and touching. The romance part of the story did not strike a chord with me and so I believe the novel lost some of its charm.
Happy Reading!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Life Expectancy
Dean Koontz delivers a thrilling, yet fun, novel in Life Expectancy. This is a story about the extraordinary events that occur on very specific dates in one man's life, as predicted by his grandfather. Jimmy Tock enters the world at the very same time his grandfather leaves it. Before his death, Jimmy's grandfather predicts five dark days that will occur in his life. The story weaves the reader through these dark days, and as anyone who reads Dean Koontz knows, the story is a page turner.
The best thing about this novel is how loveable the characters are. Jimmy Tock is a great guy. He is funny, smart, loving, loyal...and his family is just as loveable. His grandmother and his parents become very real to the reader. His parents are loving and kind, and his grandmother is a hoot. The family dynamic is wonderful.
I can't say too much about the dark days, because it may give too much away. However, I can say that each event shapes Jimmy's life, and even though they are difficult, scary, dangerous events, somehow Jimmy is better off for having gone through them.
Sometimes Dean Koontz is too wordy and too descriptive and turns off the reader. This book did not do that and I highly recommend it. Light and fun, dark and scary all at the same time, with characters you wish you could meet in person. How did Koontz pull that off? You have to read this book to find out.
Happy Reading!
The best thing about this novel is how loveable the characters are. Jimmy Tock is a great guy. He is funny, smart, loving, loyal...and his family is just as loveable. His grandmother and his parents become very real to the reader. His parents are loving and kind, and his grandmother is a hoot. The family dynamic is wonderful.
I can't say too much about the dark days, because it may give too much away. However, I can say that each event shapes Jimmy's life, and even though they are difficult, scary, dangerous events, somehow Jimmy is better off for having gone through them.
Sometimes Dean Koontz is too wordy and too descriptive and turns off the reader. This book did not do that and I highly recommend it. Light and fun, dark and scary all at the same time, with characters you wish you could meet in person. How did Koontz pull that off? You have to read this book to find out.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Art of Racing in the Rain
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!
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)