I fell in love with Palisades Park!
I loved this book! 5 Stars +
Alan Brennert does an expert job at taking us to Palisades Park. As the story unfolded, he graphically describes the sights, sounds, and even the smells! I felt as though I was transported through time. Having grown up in an era where carnivals traveled through small towns and one got a glimpse into that magical and mystical world, it was reminiscent of childhood memories. I felt like I could go through the gate at Palisades and find my way to the pool, and my nose would then lead me to the delicious smells of the Saratoga Fries.
I enjoyed the characters and thought they were very realistic.
At the end of the book was the Author's Note. I wish it had been at the beginning of the book! It was very informative, and the author clearly did his homework.
With that said ~ one of my pet peeves are prochronisms. Although minor, for me they are distracting. One was a "carton" of milk in the 40's ~ milk was still in glass bottles, and the other, a "bottle" of water in the early 70's ~ bottled water wasn't around (unless it was a thermos or glass). But, this is just my little idiosyncrasy!
I would highly recommend this book. Mr. Brennert is an excellent author.
In the immortal words of Chuck Barris, "Last night I took a walk in the park, A swingin' place called Palisades Park... I fell in love, down at Palisades Park."
What is love, and how long do we hang on?
4 Stars!
I really enjoyed this book and the writing style of the author. I thought her characters were well developed and believeable, although I did not care for Claire's husband ~ then again ~ I don't think many women would! May be good looking on the inside, but not so good on the inside.
Alternating between the early 1900's and 1960, and the lives of Vivien and Claire, their stories are told. Today psychologists/counselors would have a field day with them! So many issues! But in that time period their repressed opinions, feelings, desires (sexual or otherwise) were the norm, their lifestyles were what they were.
It was not until almost the end of the book that the connection between the two women became known. I thought the author pulled it all together very nicely.
I was troubled by the repression of both women, and how difficult lives must have been back then because of it, but it was a man's world ~ his opinion dominated. But again, it was the norm for that time period.
Thank goodness, as the saying goes, "We've come a long way baby".
Dysfunctionality at it's best!
I will admit, I could not finish this book. I read half of it, and just didn't see the point in finishing a book I did not like at all.
The plot was slow moving, and the author segued into the trite dialog and musings of the Burgess siblings, spouses, or whomever else. A lot of meandering nonsense.
I found the dialog amongst and between the so-called educated Burgess siblings as juvenile. A grown, successful (maybe in his arrogant and inflated ego) attorney calling his younger brother names? "Hey, knucklehead" in a crowded bar? If he is so famous and well thought of, that wouldn't raise some eyebrows? Or better yet, "an incompetent f***ing mental case"?
All three of the siblings were cold and didn't seem to have any redeeming qualities in them. Granted, their childhood did not seem to be filled with warmth, but that isn't an excuse for the detachment and abrasive behavior exhibited towards each other, or other family members.
I think this (is another) book that had the potential to address a political hot button, but fell short. But again, I didn't finish the book. I was disappointed that when the opportunity arose, in the book, that the author could have given more insight into the understanding of the Somali people and culture. She evidently researched it before writing the book, or then again, maybe not.
For all the hype this book has gotten, I think it fell flat.
I will not be recommending this book, and being generous for giving it one star.
He made a promise, but was it time to break it?
It's been a while since I've read Harlan Coben. I enjoy his work and his writing style, how it flows and doesn't go off on tangents or segue into something else (that really is irrelevant to the story). I like the little quips he puts in and makes you laugh. I enjoyed his friendly banter with his secretary.
This was just a little to contrite. Maybe I don't have enough skepticism in me to think that everything and everyone is somehow involved in such an intricate plan, and that no one can be trusted.
I'm all about cheering for the good guy, but sometimes Coben is just a little too over the top with his characters ~ always able to outsmart the bad guy ~ he is able to really mess up the bad guy, but he remains "tough" enough to keep on ~ and always gets his man in the end, when no one else can. Just a few times I'd like the "hero" to screw up and make a mistake.
I do like that his books are fast moving and keep you turning the pages. I also appreciate the fact that his (good guy) characters have a higher moral ground. In this day and age it seems that there are so many gray areas, and his characters do struggle with right/wrong/gray issues, and I like that his characters always seem to choose the high road.
When I want to read a fast paced, feel good because the good guy gets the bad guy, Harlan Coben is the man!
We had our second prize drawing today for the two $50 gift cards. There were more than 440 eligible reviews from 99 readers representing 29 InfoSoup Libraries! This afternoon staff at the Outagamie Waupaca Library System used a computer program to randomly select two of the reviews. And the winners are:
Read more»Eat Your Way Through the Seasons with The Feast Nearby
After losing her job and getting a divorce, Mather moves into a tiny cottage on a small lake in Michigan with her dog and parrot. The book chronicles her journey of trying to support herself on just $40 a week, mostly by buying and bartering for local foods and services. Each chapter ends with a collection of recipes made with foods of the season. As the year comes to a close, Mather's spirit is opening up to a world that isn't so alone but, instead, is one that is filled with laughter, friendship and the kindness of neighbors.
Homebaked Story of Family, Love, and Loss
Ramona Gallagher never expected to have a teenage girl staying with her after her own daughter rushes to be with her recently injured military husband. Katie is thirteen and has lived a difficult life-both of herparents are soldiers and her mom came back from the war with a drug dependency she just can't shake, which led to a divorce and several stints in rehab. Katie is afraid to rely on anyone until Ramona opens her heart and her home to the troubled teenager. Ramona knows a lot about trust issues-she was pregnant at fifteen and felt lost in the world, until her aunt Poppy introduced her to the magic of baking. While neither Katie or Ramona was prepared for what life has thrown at them, they somehow manage to come together in a wonderful story about love, loss, growing up, and the magic recipe we all have inside of our kitchens-and inside of ourselves.
An author of articles noted in the National Geographic, and the New Yorker Magazines. While also the author of an awarded winning book "Mr. America. He resides in New York with his family. I read the book "Turn Right at Machu Picchu" which was the first literary piece I have read from this author.
For the past week, I spent my evenings traveling to Peru through the book Mr. Adams wrote. It was my first visit to this country while my first time I read a book that actually let me go along on an exploration of a lost civilization. The book came alive for me with the detailed writing not only of the land, but also of the companions that took part in various aspects of having this adventure come alive.
I appreciated the map at the beginning of the book as Peru is a country unknown to me. The glossary also assisted with the read as I found it handing in a quick look-up. The photographs brought the written word to life.
Read more»Post-apocalyptic thrill ride
In a secret military lab, a virus that promises immortality has backfired to create twelve monsters that break free to infect and devour any human or animal in their path. In the same lab, one little girl has also been infected, and she holds the key to saving the world. This unusual, complex thriller interweaves a diverse cast of characters as they fight and navigate a post-virus world in order to save themselves and all of mankind. The Passage is the first in a trilogy that tells a strange and riveting tale that I could not put down.
Fascinating and eye-opening read for everyone
Facebook's COO, Sheryl Sandberg, writes a data- and anecdote-packed plea for why and how women should "lean in" to their careers, and go for positions of leadership in whatever industry they work. It is a sometimes depressing, sometimes encouraging account of the very real internal and external obstacles women still face as they advance in their education and careers, and earn greater power and responsibility. From demanding that girls obey the rules much more than boys, to the perception that females in leaderhsip positions are less likeable (the niceness gap) than men who behave exactly as they do, women face the often-unconscious biases of men and other women alike. Sandberg considers these and many other biases, and offers very practical advice and encouragement on how to successfully deal with them. Hand-in-hand with the encouragement to women, she equally encourages men to lean in to home and family life, become true partners on that front, and cites compelling research showing wives, husbands, and children all experience more harmony and happiness when men do lean in on the home front. The book is a quick and interesting read, with data woven into story after fascinating story of hers and others' experiences and solutions. If I were queen, I'd make Lean In required reading for everyone!
