Just what was the problem?
Murmur Lee dies, but not everyone thinks it was accidental. There were hints through out the beginning of the book as to how her life may have actually ended, and it wasn't difficult to figure out, but the process of how was interesting. The story alternated between the "spirit" of Murmur and her friends.
The story is very lyrical, and the mysticism created by Murmur Lee with her potions, lotions and "witchy" ways was entertaining. Even in life Murmur seemed to float through it, creating an aura about her that drew people in.
I didn't think the story was outstanding, but I thought it offered insight as to how much we do influence people's lives ~ even when we think we don't. It was worthy of 3 stars.
I enjoyed Ms Fowler's autobiography, When Katie Wakes, and Remembering Blue has been my favorite so far by this author.
I was so surprised to see a book by Maeve Binchy when I knew she had passed away last year. She always wrote about entertaining and colorful people and this book is no exception. However the book was a little disappointing since the dialogue was sparse. It seemed to just describe each character and what happened in their life to bring them to this week in winter. More like a book report than a development of their character and personality. Tlhat being said, it was still enjoyable, just lacked the interest of her previous novels.
I loved this book! It takes place in Macau, a peninsula in China and follows a year in the life of Grace and her husband Pete. They share a sadness in their lives that Grace manages by opening a bakery. She offers coffees, teas, and macarons at the bakery. Macarons (not macaroons) are type of French cookie. Each chapter is titled with the name of a macaron and really describes a relationship Grace develops with both locals and other English speaking people who are just "passing" through this exotic area.. The characters are all very different and they are real. Things don't always work out in real life and the author writes a novel full of real life. It's a good read and I would recommend it.
Silver Linings Playbook
This book was recommended to me and I had heard good things about the movie. When I picked it up to read on vacation, I had no clue as to the plot. I finished it before I arrived at my destination! The author has an easy-to-read voice and there's an undercurrent of mystery to the narration that keeps you reading so you can find out what transpired in the past. The novel is narrated by a man who has come to reside with his parents after being discharged from a mental health facility. He gradually finds he is "missing" some of his memory but it takes a journey with a woman, who is also residing with her parents, and also fighting mental health issues to discover those missing pieces. It is captivating. I won't spoil it by explaining the title - that's the fun of reading it without prior knowledge!
I couldn't put this book down :) This book really makes you think about health care decisions now. I really felt sorry for Matt. He knew that his wife would do anything for a baby.
A wonderful tribute to the woman who allowed Marie to "follow her dreams, both personal and professional and survive the hardest of times of her life." This would be her mother, Olive Osmond. Marie called upon what she learned from her mother for raising her own 8 children. This memoir has you crying when she describes how she found out her son committed suicide and what lead up to it. This memoir has you laughing when she talks of her mother's inbility to eat food when they traveled to other countries. Great stories of life on the road and being the only girl with 8 brothers.
I'm going to Plainview, Indiana!
I loved this book! What a delightful read! Definitely a 5 star read.
I want to go down to Plainview, Indiana, walk into Earl's All-You-Can-Eat, march right on over to the table by the window, sit at the girls' end of the table, and gossip with Odette, Clarice, & Barbara Jean! I loved the sassiness of Odette, the gentleness of Barbara Jean, and the dignity of Clarice.
The author captured with his words the characters of these women, the era, and drew us into the picturesque Leaning Tree area in Plainview. He also created some eccentric characters that you loved to hate, but how could you? Their antics were funny, and I just had to shake my head! There were many times in the book I laughed out loud, sometimes to the point of tears!
This is a lovable look into the lives and extended family of these three women. There were moments of sorrow, but the poignancy in which the author shared their heartache, wasn't one of feeling sorry for them, but drawing you in and feeling empathy for them and with them. It is a fine line to create that feeling, but it was done so expertly.
I look forward to reading more from this gifted author. And did I say, "I loved this book!!"?
I thoroughly enjoyed this epic tale of the Wise men. I really felt like I knew the family! I could picture Arthur Wise as a young man and all his ambition, and then later as a crusty obnoxious old man. We are the products of our parents, and no matter what kind of parents you have, they shape you. Hilly was a man who was forever in the shadow of his father. While his father perceived him as weak, Hilly had determination ~ the determination to be autonomous from his father. As he came to terms with wealth, and what it could do, I heartily cheered for him. His unrequited love always kept you wanting him to keep trying until it was reciprocated, but also thinking because of when it was, could it be possible?
The ending of the book really threw me! What a surprise! It was very well orchestrated, and the execution flawless.
The reason I did not give this 5 stars is that a few times it got a little wordy. There were also a few prochronisms and I always find it a little disconcerting, and feel the author slipped up on his research.
I would recommend this book to others. Very good book.
In the end, KISA prevails!
I had a trying time getting through this book.
The idea was excellent, but the execution wore me out. It just kept droning on and on and on . . . I had not read the first book, just saw this at the library, read the flap, and decided it sounded good.
This was supposed to a team of the best professionals to solve a problem? I thought they were a little too emotionally involved, and every little nuance was described. The mother Amanda? I had a hard time tolerating her. Her "delicate and emotional" psyche. Oh, poor Amanda, she's going through so much, it's so difficult for her, it brings tears to my eyes. Gag me. We all tolerate stress differently, but come on, buck up.
But, wait, the KISA is here to save the day! The BG (Bad Guys) will not get away. They KISA (Knight In Shining Armour) have searched EN&C (Every Nook and Cranny) ferreting out G&E. They have tapped AED to find out who is contacting whom and what is being said. Nothing can escape KISA. The BG wouldn't dare think to tap their AED (All Electronic Devices). Besides, BG are always intimidated by KISA, especially the BBG (Big Buff Guys) who wear ILCK (If Looks Could Kill) on their face. When all is said and done, goodness wins in the land of G&E (Good and Evil), and we have a SSE (Sweet Sappy Ending).
Three strong women, but only one compelling story
Marie Nadiaye's Three Strong Women is a beautifully written and at times painful novel that includes three loosely related stories of women whose lives are fragmented because of the diasporas of Europe and Africa. The women's stories are rendered in lush, beautiful, and psychologically dense prose that throws into relief the contrasts between beauty and ugliness, strength and weakness that these women encounter.
Although I found Nadiaye's prose gorgeous and her plotlines compelling, I found myself powerfully involved in the first woman's story, which made the second two pale in comparison. Because of this, I was somewhat bored and really wanted to know more about Norah than the fragmentary version of her life encapsulated in the first part of the book gave me.
Other readers may find the other stories as powerful, or they may see the stories as tangled in a way that produces a beautiful and coherent whole, but I would have preferred an entire novel about Norah.
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