I am a stay-at-home mother of two whose passion (besides my family) is books. I am an avid reader who enjoys all types of books, although I mainly read fiction. In addition to books, I also love to crochet, knit, scrapbook and cook! Contact me: bookingmama@gmail.com
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These are a few pictures from last night. For some weird reason, our community always trick-or-treats on the Thursday before Halloween! My kids had a wonderful time, even though it was absolutely freezing. My little guy made it about 70 minutes before he came home and helped me pass out candy. My daughter always goes the entire two hour period and came home with her record number of candy pieces ever -- 231. She was on a major mission to "beat" last year.
I don't know if any of you noticed, but my son dressed up as a UPS man! He decided on this costume way back in July and I couldn't change his mind. I guess he was heavily influenced by the number of times the UPS man visits our house each week. Instead of using a pumpkin to collect his candy, I cut a hole into a box I received from Miriam at Hachette Book Group. He kept saying that he was bringing his mommy a box of books. He was definitely a big hit!
Summary: From one of the most consistently astute and engaging social commentators of our day comes another look at the tough and tender women of New York City--this time, through the lens of where they live.
One Fifth Avenue, the Art Deco beauty towering over one of Manhattan’s oldest and most historically hip neighborhoods, is a one-of-a-kind address, the sort of building you have to earn your way into--one way or another. For the women in Candace Bushnell’s new novel, One Fifth Avenue, this edifice is essential to the lives they’ve carefully established--or hope to establish. From the hedge fund king’s wife to the aging gossip columnist to the free-spirited actress (a recent refugee from L.A.), each person’s game plan for a rich life comes together under the soaring roof of this landmark building.
Acutely observed and mercilessly witty, One Fifth Avenue is a modern-day story of old and new money, that same combustible mix that Edith Wharton mastered in her novels about New York’s Gilded Age and F. Scott Fitzgerald illuminated in his Jazz Age tales. Many decades later, Bushnell’s New Yorkers suffer the same passions as those fictional Manhattanites from eras past: They thirst for power, for social prominence, and for marriages that are successful--at least to the public eye. But Bushnell is an original, and One Fifth Avenue is so fresh that it reads as if sexual politics, real estate theft, and fortunes lost in a day have never happened before.
From Sex and the City through four successive novels, Bushnell has revealed a gift for tapping into the zeitgeist of any New York minute and, as one critic put it, staying uncannily “just the slightest bit ahead of the curve.” And with each book, she has deepened her range, but with a light touch that makes her complex literary accomplishments look easy. Her stories progress so nimbly and ring so true that it can seem as if anyone might write them--when, in fact, no one writes novels quite like Candace Bushnell. Fortunately for us, with One Fifth Avenue, she has done it again. -- Every Woman's Voice
I was so excited to receive a copy of ONE FIFTH AVENUE by Candace Bushnell a few weeks ago. I've never read any of her books before, but I'm certainly familiar with the television shows and movie based on her books. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from her latest novel, but I figured this book would be light, fun read at the very least. I was pleasantly surprised that ONE FIFTH AVENUE was a very enjoyable read, and that it did actually have some depth!
It's no secret that Candace Bushnell "knows" New York society, and ONE FIFTH AVENUE is a wonderful glimpse at the occupants of an apartment building on One Fifth Avenue. I almost felt like I was a "fly on the wall" in their apartments; and I even felt like a bit of a voyeur into their private lives; however, I think that's what made this book so special. Ms. Bushnell does a great job of describing the building and the people who live in it -- all of the characters in this novel are very unique and interesting, and the apartment building actually becomes a character in its own right.
I liked that I could just sit back and read this book and enjoy the stories of the rich and famous (and the rich and famous wannabes.) Many of the characters seemed like they were fresh out of today's New York society pages; and I thought it was so funny how eccentric some of them were. There were a lot of characters in this novel, but I enjoyed following their lives and I never had any problem keeping them straight. I especially appreciated how Ms. Bushnell introduced all of the characters and their particular "issues." And, I thought she did a terrific job of weaving together their lives and showing how they continually interacted with each other.
I could so see ONE FIFTH AVENUE as a movie (or even a television series.) Considering Ms. Bushnell's past record, I won't be surprised to see it on the big screen in a few years. The book (or movie) will appeal to a lot of people because there is almost something for everyone. Many people will be drawn to this story because it does give a look into a life that they can only dream of. There are many fascinating characters who are both shallow and striving to grab that next brass ring that make this story fun; however, I found myself enjoying the characters who actually learned lessons about themselves by the end of the novel. As I finished this book, I was left with the positive message that so many of the characters realized what was really important in lives (instead of money, success and fame.) I was so happy that this book was deeper than what I was expecting, and it did actually have some substance.
If you'd like to learn more about ONE FIFTH AVENUE, check out this video!
Summary: Being a Greek god is not all it once was. Yes, the twelve gods of Olympus are alive and well in the twenty-first century, but they are crammed together in a London townhouse-and none too happy about it. And they've had to get day jobs: Artemis as a dog-walker, Apollo as a TV psychic, Aphrodite as a phone sex operator, Dionysus as a DJ.
Even more disturbingly, their powers are waning, and even turning mortals into trees--a favorite pastime of Apollo's--is sapping their vital reserves of strength.
Soon, what begins as a minor squabble between Aphrodite and Apollo escalates into an epic battle of wills. Two perplexed humans, Alice and Neil, who are caught in the crossfire, must fear not only for their own lives, but for the survival of humankind. Nothing less than a true act of heroism is needed-but can these two decidedly ordinary people replicate the feats of the mythical heroes and save the world? -- Back Bay Books
I think this book looks terrific; and I think it's such a unique idea! Thanks to Valerie from Hachette Book Group USA, I have up to five copies of GODS BEHAVING BADLY by Marie Phillips to share! I am going to giveaway one copy for every 15 entries I receive (up to five copies.) For one chance, all you have to do is leave a comment telling me why you want to win a copy of this book! If you'd like two chances, just blog about this contest with a link back to this post!
This giveaway will be open until Friday, November 21st at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winner the following day! This contest is open to U.S. mailing addresses only -- no P.O. boxes. Good Luck!
Summary: Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft. This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.
Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier. She paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution. -- Hachette Book Group
I have been seeing quite a few positive reviews of THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER by Kathleen Kent, and I knew it sounded like a book that was "right up my alley." I usually enjoy historical fiction books, but I am especially drawn to books about the Salem Witch Trials. I can't exactly say why, but I am just amazed that something like this was ever allowed to happen. When Miriam from Hachette Book Group mentioned that she was hosting a BlogTalk Radio show with the author, I started the book immediately (it gave me the kick in the rear that I needed.) I am so glad that I did -- THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER lived up to the hype, and the radio show was very interesting too (you'll definitely want to listen to it.)
If you like historical fiction books, you're going to want to check out THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER. I thought the historical aspects of the book were very interesting, but Ms. Kent also developed wonderful and memorable characters. For some reason, I just love reading a great book and learning a thing or two too! I think this book captured the essence of this time period perfectly.
What I really thought made this book so special was that the author chose for Martha's young daughter Sarah to tell this story (I thought it was interesting that Ms. Kent initially wrote this book in Martha's voice.) I loved that this story was told through the eyes of a child because it showed so clearly how devastating this time period was. Sarah was a strong-willed and very intelligent child who often times had issues with both of her parents -- she was more like her mother than she realized. As the story progresses, Sarah is forced to grow up in so any ways; and she eventually begins to appreciate her family's relationships for what they were. I thought the author did a wonderful job of developing Sarah's character -- some of the most beautifully written (and difficult to read) parts were when Sarah was in prison and dealing with her guilt.
This book is not a light read! It is incredibly sad for so many reasons -- one being that it describes the horrendous things that happened to Martha and her family. I thought the author did a wonderful job incorporating her research on the trials and the prisons with the imprisonment of Martha and her family. I especially loved how she showed the reader not only the characters' physical pain, but also how these events affected them mentally and spiritually. I was so deeply disturbed with how the Witch Trials devastated so many families and resulted in the loss of innocence for so many children.
Not only was this book extremely interesting, but it was also very well-written. THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER is Ms. Kent's first novel, and I can tell that it was a labor of love. It's obvious from the start that she did a huge amount of research -- this book was full of so much historical information about Puritans and the Salem Witch Trials. I find it so fascinating that Ms. Kent is a 10th generation descendant of Martha Carrier. She became very interested in this time period as a child when she heard her family discussing the witch trials; and as a result, she began thoroughly researching these events -- you can read more about her history here. I believe that her personal link to this time period and her desire to tell her relatives' story made her words (and this story) especially meaningful.
THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER would make a most excellent book club selection! I'm thinking of recommending it to my own group since I know we'd all love the book. There are so many issues to discuss, but I think it would be wonderful to just delve into the characters' personalities and stories. There are discussion questions available that I thought were very good too.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot to announce the winner! Congratulations to tammy. Please e-mail me with your name and address so I can forward it to Hachette as soon as possible!
Summary: Theodore Mead Fegley has always been the smartest person he knows. By age 12, he was in high school, and by 15 he was attending a top-ranking university. And now, at the tender age of 18, he's on the verge of proving the Riemann Hypothesis, a mathematical equation that has mystified academics for almost 150 years. But only days before graduation, Mead suddenly packs his bags and flees home to rural Illinois. What has caused him to flee remains a mystery to all but Mead and a classmate whose quest for success has turned into a dangerous obsession.
At home, Mead finds little solace. His past ghosts haunt him; his parents don't understand the agony his genius has caused him, nor his desire to be a normal kid, and his dreams seem crushed forever. He embarks on a new life's journey -- learning the family business of selling furniture and embalming the dead--that disappoints and surprises all who knew him as "the young Fegley genius."
Equal parts academic thriller and poignant coming-of-age story, LIFE AFTER GENIUS follows the remarkable journey of a young man who must discover that the heart may know what the head hasn't yet learned. -- Grand Central Publishing
A few months back, Miriam from Hachette Book Group USA sent me an ARC of LIFE AFTER GENIUS by M. Ann Jacoby. I loved the cover and thought the premise of the novel sounded terrific, but the book unfortunately got buried in my TBR pile. It wasn't until Miriam announced that LIFE AFTER GENIUS was going to be the October selection for the Early Birds Blog Tour that I finally got around to reading the book. I was caught up in story from the first few pages of the novel, and I was captivated by his Mead's predicament.
I was very impressed with Ms. Jacoby's writing style as well as her ability to tell a story. This book was her first, yet I have a feeling that we'll be hearing a great deal more of her in the future. I found the book to be very fast-paced, and I couldn't put it down. The author had a way of drawing you into Mead's life, and I definitely felt a great deal of compassion towards him. In addition, she also told the story by alternating between "present day" and flashing back to Mead's time at the university. I thought it was extremely effective how Ms. Jacoby hinted at events in Mead's life and the reader didn't fully understand them until a chapter or two later. In addition, I loved how she kept a huge part of the story a mystery until the end of the book. I was extremely curious about what occurred back at the university that made Mead leave just a few days before graduation; and I couldn't read fast enough to learn the reason.
The character of Mead will remain in my thoughts for a long time -- I just found him to be extremely memorable. I think his character captured the essence of what it means to be an outsider and truly want to be "normal." As if it wasn't difficult enough to be a math genius and head off to college at 16, but he also felt like he didn't fit in anywhere. He was the victim of bullying when he was younger, as well as pressured by the expectations his over-bearing mother. In addition, he was living with so much guilt over the loss of his cousin (and maybe his closest friend.) For all of these reasons and more, he was just so desperate to have a friend; and this desperation eventually led to his downfall. I found his eventual understanding of not only himself, but also his family and friends, to be very moving.
While I did find this story to be tragic, I was impressed with how Ms. Jacoby was also able to infuse so much humor into the novel. Just by the nature of Mead's character, there was plenty of material for some lighter moments in this story. I thought there was a wonderful balance of funny and serious moments to make this book very entertaining. I do think it would make for a very interesting discussion at your next book club meeting. I couldn't find discussion questions at this time, but if I do, I'll make sure to post them!
I received so much insight into LIFE AFTER GENIUS after watching this video of Ms. Jacoby. I found it fascinating that this novel was based on her father who actually was a math genius and went away to college at 16. She admits that her father wasn't much of a talker, and she didn't really feel that she knew him very well. I thought is was funny that her friends thought her first drafts of the novel (which stayed true to her real father) didn't seem believable!
I know so many of you would really enjoy this novel, and that's why I'm so excited to announce that I have one copy to giveaway! (If you think you might be interested, you can read an excerpt here.)Please leave a comment with your e-mail address if you'd like to win this book. If you'd want to double your chances, please blog about this contest with a link back to this post. The contest will be open until Tuesday, November 11th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winner on Wednesday, the 12th. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. or Canada mailing addresses only! Good luck!
Summary: In Wambaugh's gripping new book about life in the country's most sensational police force, the beloved Oracle has been replaced by thin-lipped Sgt. Treacle, but the setting is the same - Hollywood: "America's nut capital" - and some favorite personalities are still around.
When Nate and Bix Rumstead (a supposedly upstanding cop with serious sobriety issues) find themselves caught up with bombshell Margot Aziz, they think they're just having some fun. But in Hollywood, nothing is ever what it seems. To them, Margot is a harmless socialite, stuck in the middle of an ugly divorce from the nefarious bar-owner, Ali Aziz. What Nate and Bix don't know is that Margot's no helpless victim: she's setting them both up so that she can get away with the perfect murder - and still stand to inherit her ex-husbands's ill-won fortune. What SHE doesn't know is that Aziz has replaced her sleeping pills with a poison. And then there's Leonard Stillwater, a small time tweaker whose connection to Aziz is about to shoot him into the big leagues...
Complete with scams, cokeheads, petty (and some not so petty) crimes, HOLLYWOOD CROWS offers the very best of Wambaugh: impeccable plotting, acerbic humor, and plenty of flawed but lovable characters. -- josephwambaugh.net
I am thrilled to be giving away up to five copies of HOLLYWOOD CROWS by Joseph Wambaugh courtesy of Hachette Book Group USA. I have to admit that I haven't read this book yet, but I've read most of Wambaugh's earlier books and I loved them. In fact, in a recent BlogTalk Radio show, author Michael Connelly credits Joseph Wambaugh's characters as inspiration for his Harry Bosch character.
Here's the drill: For every 15 comments I receive, I will give away another book -- if I get 75 or more, I will give away five books! Leave a comment telling me if you've ever read any of Joseph Wambaugh's books for one entry. If you'd like to double your chances, just blog about this contest with a link back to this post. This contest will run until Sunday, November 9th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winner the following day. Good luck!
Summary: A little girl imagines what her day would be like if she were Madam President. There would be executive orders to give, babies to kiss, tuna casseroles to veto (or VETO!)…and so much more! Not to mention that recess would definitely require more security.
With deadpan wit and hilarious illustrations, best-selling picture book creator Lane Smith introduces readers to an unforgettable new character. -- Hyperion Books for Children
With all of the talk about the presidential election in the news, I thought MADAM PRESIDENT by Lane Smith would be a wonderful book to read to my children. Even though the book is geared for four to eight year olds, my nine year old daughter is very interested in politics and loves to read with her brother and me. Of course, my four year old son just loves to read anything and "blog" about it!
We all absolutely loved this book (especially me!) This is one of those great children's books that appeal to parents and kids of all ages. My nine year old enjoyed the story and the play on words -- like Secretary of Treasury (with a picture of a piggy bank) and Secretary of Interior (with a picture of a human body.) My son absolutely adored the wonderful illustrations and the humor. And, I don't know what I liked better -- the story or the illustrations! Either way, we were all very entertained by MADAM PRESIDENT and found ourselves giggling while I read it.
MADAM PRESIDENT is the story of a young girl who imagines what her life would be like if she were the President of the United States. She basically takes you through a day in her life and explains the various responsibilities she would have if she were president. Even the most normal things in her life (like eating breakfast and arriving at school) would take on an entirely new meaning. I enjoyed how she had to "be a diplomat," "tackle press conferences gracefully," and "keep the peace;" and I especially liked how she chose to end her day.
When I went to the Hyperion Books for Children website, I was extremely impressed with the information they had for MADAM PRESIDENT! Not only did they have the usual information like praise for the book and an author biography, but they had a great teacher's guide. I found this teacher's guide to be a terrific resource that complements the book. It's set up in the format of a MADAM PRESIDENT Event Kit; and it includes some Diplomacy Role Play questions, a Presidential To-Do List, and a worksheet that allows children to make up their own cabinet. There is also a presidential word search and a design your own flag page. I think children (and teachers) would have a blast reading this book and using these supplemental exercises!
I can't make it any clearer how much we all loved MADAM PRESIDENT! It's a fabulous book for children and parents alike, especially during this election season!
Summary: More than ever, we live in a time of great change around the world. And as history unfolds, the cultures of the West and the Middle East have—and will continue—to collide until understanding or critical mass is reached. Sourcebooks, Inc. is proud to present a microcosm of this struggle, with a valuable new perspective, contained within the journey of Dr. Qanta Ahmed.
IN THE LAND OF INVISIBLE WOMEN is the story of a western-trained Muslim female doctor (Ahmed) who spent two years working in the top hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. What began as a job initiated by a visa problem, quickly became a struggle and search for self empowerment, freedom and the right to follow her own truth.
Dr. Ahmed’s memoir is a fascinating and revelatory window into an enigmatic world. Like Azar Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran, Dr. Ahmed provides a telling picture of what daily life is truly like in the Saudi Kingdom. She describes:
- How physicians trained by Jewish doctors in the United States applauded and cheered when hijacked planes destroyed the Twin Towers on 9/11 - How men and women find marriage partners in a society that allows no dating and physical contact, and where they flee to have affairs - How Saudi women who are supported by advanced thinking parents and who must wear abbayas with their bodies fully encased are able to defy the Saudi's oppressive rules and mores to become physicians - How she worked side-by-side with Wahabi scholars and physicians who seemed to shun her even in clinical contact - Why the religious police are so threatening and dangerous - How a father grieves - Her encounters with sexism, racism, anti-Semitism, sycophancy
Dr. Ahmed also evokes moments where she finds tenderness and true beauty in areas where she least expects it; at the tattered, curled edges of extremism. The last leg of her journey takes readers inside the Hajj, as she journeys to Mecca with 2.5 million other Muslims to perform the sacred duty incumbent upon every able-bodied Muslim in his or her lifetime.
In the Land of Invisible Women is a fascinating look inside a culture that has become so relevant to our own. -- Sourcebooks
Dr. Qanta Ahmed, author of IN THE LAND OF INVISIBLE WOMEN and nationally respected physician, is quickly approaching bestseller status and, to keep the ball rolling, Sourcebooks has partnered with LibraryThing.com to put together an electronic giveaway of 2,500 ebook downloads of her memoir about being a female physician in the Saudi Kingdom. Hers is a fantastic story (currently outselling both INFIDEL and READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN.)
From October 27th – 31st, her book will be available for download to any LibraryThing member (membership is free) and it will be followed up a week later (Nov. 10th) with two weeks of author chat—meaning that every week-night for two weeks, readers can post questions for Dr. Ahmed on the LibraryThing website which she will then attempt to answer.
I haven't had the opportunity to read IN THE LAND OF INVISIBLE WOMEN yet, but the buzz surrounding this book is that it is very good. BookList, ForeWord and Publishers Weekly have all given this book great advanced reviews; and Kirkus gave it a starred review. I strongly recommend trying to download the e-book and participating in the author chat. It sounds like the book and the discussion with the author are going to be fascinating.
I just happen to have two copies (the actual book, not an e-book) of IN THE LAND OF INVISIBLE WOMEN available to giveaway! If you are interested, please leave a comment (with your e-mail address) telling me what's your favorite memoir. If you'd like to double your chances, blog about this contest with a link back to this post. The contest will be open until Friday, November 7th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winners on the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. or Canada mailing addresses only! Good Luck!
Summary: The Magic Bed-Knob and Bonfires and Broomsticks in one volume. These are the exploits of the three Wilson children; Miss Price, the apprentice witch; and the flying bed. A tale of a witch-in-training and trouble of the most unforgettable kind. -- Harcourt
Yesterday, our Mother Daughter Book Club met to discuss BED-KNOB AND BROOMSTICK by Mary Norton. I was a little concerned about the length of the book and some of the dated references, but most of the girls agreed that it was a very enjoyable book. The book was actually made up of two separate stories with the same characters but that take place a few years apart. My daughter and I both thought that the first story (The Magic Bed-Knob) was better, but I'm not sure that everyone felt the same way.
The girls came very prepared and discussed the book entirely by themselves. They are really proud of themselves for acting like the moms do at their book club meetings! As usual, they discussed their favorite parts of the book; and they also talked about where they would have chosen to "travel" to. Many of the girls chose Hawaii (we aren't raising any dummies), and two of the girls mentioned that they thought it would be interesting to go back to Revolutionary War times. One of the girls thought it would be good if she could go back to the time of the Depression and try to give the people some food and money -- isn't that sweet?
For our next meeting, we will be reading THE TIGER RISING by Kate DiCamillo. I am very excited to read a book by Ms. DiCamillo because my daughter loves everything she's read by her. I think THE TIGER RISING looks like a wonderful read, and I'm hoping that the girls all enjoy it!
Well there are certainly a lot of you who are interested in learning more about Boundtrack and winning a copy of THE SPACE BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER by Jean Reynolds Page! There was a huge response to this contest. Thanks to all of your comments, I am giving away 10 copies of the book (courtesy of Harper Collins.)
I am so excited to have Michelle Moran, author of NEFERTITI and THE HERETIC QUEEN, stopping by today to talk about her new book. I absolutely loved THE HERETIC QUEEN (you can read my review here), and I think the guest post she wrote about "history's surprises" is just fantastic. In addition, Ms. Moran sent me a Q&A that I also found very interesting. Without further ado, I'd like to welcome Michelle Moran to Booking Mama!
First of all, thank you very much for having me here! When you first asked me to write a guest post, I knew immediately what I wanted to talk about. History’s surprises. I don’t mean the small surprises an author uncovers during the lengthy process of researching for an historical novel, such as the fact that the Romans liked to eat a fish sauce called garum which was made from fermented fish. Ugh. No, I mean the large surprises which alter the way we think about an ancient civilization and humanity.
The Heretic Queen is the story of Nefertari and her transformation from an orphaned and unwanted princess to one of the most powerful queens of ancient Egypt. She married Ramesses II and possibly lived through the most famous exodus in history. I assumed that when I began my research I would discover that Ramesses was tall, dark and handsome (not unlike the drool-worthy Yule Brenner in The Ten Commandments). And I imagined that he would have been victorious in every battle, given his long reign of more than thirty years and his triumphant-sounding title, Ramesses the Great. But neither of these assumptions turned out to be true.
My first surprise came when I first visited the Hall of Mummies in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Contrary to every single media portrayal of Ramesses and every movie ever made, it turns out the Pharaoh was not tall, dark and handsome as I had expected, but tall, light and red-headed (which was just as fine, by me)! When his mummy was recovered in 1881, Egyptologists were able to determine that he had once stood five feet seven inches tall, had flaming red hair, and a distinctive nose that his sons would inherit. There were those who contended that his mummy had red hair because of burial dyes or henna, but French scientists laid these theories to rest after a microscopic analysis of the roots conclusively proved he was a red-head like Set, the Egyptian god of chaos. As I peered through the heavy glass which separated myself from the a man commonly referred to as the greatest Pharaoh of ancient Egypt, my pre-conceived notions of Ramesses II fell away. I knew that the oldest mummy ever discovered in Egypt had had red hair, but to see red hair on a mummy in person was something else entirely.
My second surprise came as I was attempting to piece together what kind of man Ramesses II had been. I assumed, given his lengthy reign, that he must have been a great warrior who was level-headed in battle and revered as a soldier. Pharaohs who were inept at waging war didn’t tend to have very lengthy reigns. There were always people on the horizon – Hyksos, Hittites, Mitanni – who wanted Egypt for themselves, not to mention internal enemies who would have loved to usurp the throne. But while researching Ramesses’s foreign policy, a very different man began to emerge. One who was young, rash, and sometimes foolish. His most famous battle—the Battle of Kadesh—ended not in victory, but in a humiliating truce after he charged into combat strategically unprepared and very nearly lost the entire kingdom of Egypt. In images from his temple in Abu Simbel, he can be seen racing into this war on his chariot, his horse’s reins tied around his waist as he smites the Hittites in what he depicted as a glorious triumph. Nefertari is believed to have accompanied him into this famous battle, along with one of his other wives. First, I had to ask myself, what sort of man brings his wives to war? Clearly, one who was completely confident of his own success. Secondly, I had to wonder what this battle said about Ramesses’s character.
Rather than being a methodical planner, Ramesses was clearly the type of Pharaoh who was swayed – at least on the battlefield – by his passions. However, his signing of a truce with the Hittites seemed significant to me for two reasons. One, it showed that he could be humble and accept a stalemate (whereas other Pharaohs might have tried to attack the Hittites the next season until a definitive conqueror was declared). And two, it showed that he could think outside the box. Ramesses’s Treaty of Kadesh is the earliest copy of a treaty that has ever been found. When archaeologists discovered the tablet it was written in both Egyptian and Akkadian. It details the terms of peace, extradition policies and mutual-aid clauses between Ramesses’s kingdom of Egypt and the powerful kingdom of Hatti. Today, the original treaty, written in cuneiform and discovered in Hattusas, is displayed in the United Nations building in New York to serve as a reminder of the rewards of diplomacy. For me, it also serves as a reminder that Ramesses was not just a young, rash warrior, but a shrewd politician.
There were other surprises as well; about the personal history of my narrator Nefertari, the Exodus, and even the Babylonian legends which bear a striking resemblance to Moses’s story in the Bible. Researching history always comes with revelations, and it’s one of the greatest rewards of being an historical fiction author. There’s nothing I like better than being surprised and having my preconceptions crumble, because if I’m surprised, it’s likely that the reader will be surprised as well.
Q&A (awesome questions, but not mine!) Q: When your debut novel, Nefertiti, was released last year, you spoke about how the inspiration to write it came while you were on an archaeological dig. Was there a different inspiration behind The Heretic Queen, or was it a natural progression from where the first book left off?
A: In many ways, The Heretic Queen is a natural progression from my debut novel Nefertiti. The sequel picks up the plot after the brief interceding reign of Tutankhamun. The narrator is orphaned Nefertari, who suffers terribly because of her relationship to the reviled “Heretic Queen”. Despite the Heretic Queen’s death a generation prior, Nefertari is still tainted by her relationship to her aunt, Queen Nefertiti, and when young Ramesses falls in love and wishes to marry her, it is a struggle not just against an angry court, but against the wishes of a rebellious people.
But perhaps I would never have chosen to write on Nefertari at all if I hadn’t taken a trip to Egypt and seen her magnificent tomb. At one time, visiting her tomb was practically free, but today, a trip underground to see one of the most magnificent places on earth can cost upwards of five thousand dollars (yes, you read that right). If you want to share the cost and go with a group, the cost lowers to the bargain-basement price of about three thousand. As a guide told us of the phenomenal price, I looked at my husband, and he looked at me. We had flown more than seven thousand miles, suffered the indignities of having to wear the same clothes for three days because of lost luggage… and really, what were the possibilities of our ever returning to Egypt again? There was only one choice. We paid the outrageous price, and I have never forgotten the experience.
While breathing in some of the most expensive air in the world (I figured it was about $20 a gulp), I saw a tomb that wasn’t just fit for a queen, but a goddess. In fact, Nefertari was only one of two (possibly three) queens ever deified in her lifetime, and as I gazed at the vibrant images on her tomb – jackals and bulls, cobras and gods - I knew that this wasn’t just any woman, but a woman who had been loved fiercely when she was alive. Because I am a sucker for romances, particularly if those romances actually happened, I immediately wanted to know more about Nefertari and Ramesses the Great. So my next stop was the Hall of Mummies at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. There, resting beneath a heavy arc of glass, was the great Pharaoh himself. For a ninety-something year old man, he didn’t look too bad. His short red hair was combed back neatly and his face seemed strangely peaceful in its three thousand year repose. I tried to imagine him as he’d been when he was young – strong, athletic, frighteningly rash and incredibly romantic. Buildings and poetry remain today as testaments to Ramesses’s softer side, and in one of Ramesses’s more famous poems he calls Nefertari “the one for whom the sun shines.” His poetry to her can be found from Luxor to Abu Simbel, and it was my visit to Abu Simbel (where Ramesses built a temple for Nefertari) where I finally decided that I had to tell their story.
Q: Did you read a lot of historical fiction set in ancient Egypt before writing Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen?
A: Actually, no. I never read Egyptian fiction before publishing Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen partly because it didn’t appeal to me (ironic, I know). A great deal of fiction set in ancient Egypt feels “heavy”. The dialogue seems stilted because the author is attempting to make it sound old (which seems silly, since the dialogue isn’t going to be accurate anyway. Firstly, we don’t know what rhythm or cadence the ancient Egyptians used, and secondly, they didn’t speak English!). Also, a lot of fiction set in places like Rome and Egypt focuses on the lives of men. The books are filled with war or male-dominated politics, and that’s simply not what I’m interested in.
I want to know about women’s lives. That’s not to say there aren’t any politics in my novel. Harem politics could be just as heated and dangerous as politics in the Audience Chamber. And that’s also not to say that there aren’t any battles. After all, Ramesses took his principal wives with him to war. But I want to hear about the experience of everyday life and war from the women. What was it like for them? What did they see, and hear, and do? So that’s one reason I didn’t read Egyptian fiction before writing my own. However, my primary reason had to do with my own writing and research. I didn’t want to be influenced by another author’s take on events or their approach to the ancient world.
But now that I’m finished writing on ancient Egypt and my next book will explore Imperial Rome, I’m eager to start looking for Egyptian fiction with strong female leads. Any suggestions are welcome!
Q: What would you like people to take away from your books after reading them? A: I’d like readers to feel that if a time machine were to suddenly appear and whisk them away to ancient Egypt, they wouldn’t be totally lost. They would recognize the traditions, the gods and goddesses, and know what to expect in Pharaoh Ramesses’s court. I have tried my best to make the writing accessible to a modern audience. That means not dating the dialogue, or using too many long and unwieldy Egyptian names, or overdoing it with ancient Egyptian terms. Hopefully, by doing this, readers will come away with the sense of not only having been there for a little while, but of relating to the Egyptians. Because for all of the technological, medical and philosophical changes the world has undergone in the past three thousand years, people have remained the same. They had the same desires and fears in ancient Egypt that we have today, and I hope that readers can come away with an understanding of that.
Q: I saw on your website that you travel extensively. Do these travels influence your writing?
A: Yes! Traveling has a huge impact on my writing. I’m currently writing an article for Solander Magazine which addresses the issue of whether or not travel is essential for the historical fiction author. While I don’t think it’s essential, I do think it’s incredibly helpful. Here’s an excerpt from the article, which will come out in November.
“Before I began writing my second novel The Heretic Queen, I took a trip to Egypt to see for myself the magnificent temple of Abu Simbel. One of the many building projects undertaken during the reign of Ramesses the Great, the temple façade is carved with statues of both Ramesses II and his beloved Nefertari. Twice a year a thin beam of sunlight crosses the temple to illuminate three of four statues sitting in a darkened sanctuary. The only statue the sun doesn’t strike is that of Ptah, the god of darkness. I had timed my trip in order to see this bi-annual spectacle, and with hundreds of other visitors I watched as the sun struck the statues of Amun-Re, Ramesses II and Ra-Harakhty in turn. It was an almost mystical moment, made even more poignant by the fact that the narrator of the novel I was preparing to write would have witnessed the same event more than two thousand years ago. When I returned to America, I immediately began work on my second book, outlining the scene where Ramesses II takes Nefertari to his newly built temple in order to watch this special event. Did any of thewonderment I felt standing in Abu Simbel translate to the pages of my book? I hope so.”
Q: Do you have plans for your next book, and will it be set in ancient Egypt?
A: My third novel will be Cleopatra’s Daughter, which will be released September 15, 2009. The book will follow the incredible life of Cleopatra's surviving children with Marc Antony -- twins, named Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene, and a younger son named Ptolemy. All three were taken to Rome and paraded through the streets, then sent off to be raised by Octavia (the wife whom Marc Antony left for Cleopatra). Raised in one of the most fascinating courts of all time, Cleopatra's children would have met Ovid, Seneca, Vitruvius (who inspired the Vitruvian man), Agrippa (who built the Pantheon), Herod, his sister Salome, the poets Virgil, Horace, Maecenas and so many others.
Thank you so much for having me here!
I can't express how much I enjoyed THE HERETIC QUEEN! Ms. Moran is definitely on my list of favorite (and must-read) authors now! In keeping with the theme of surprises, I am thrilled to announce that Ms. Moran offered to giveaway two signed copies of THE HERETIC QUEEN! All you have to do is leave a comment (with your e-mail address) saying why you enjoy historical fiction books. If you'd like to double your chances, please blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post. The contest will be open until November 14th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the two winners on Saturday, November 15th. This contest is open to those of you with United States addresses only. Good luck!
I am so excited to announce that Miriam from Hachette Book Group USA is hosting another BlogTalk Radio Show on Wedneday, October 29th at 1:00 p.m. EST. I had a terrific time participating in the last one with Michael Connelly, and I'm really looking forward to being part of this one too.
Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft. This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.
Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier. She paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution. -- Hachette Book Group USA
Even if you haven't read THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER yet, I'm sure you will still thoroughly enjoy the radio show. I always think it's interesting to hear an author's perspective on their work. You can read a little more about Ms. Kent and her fascinating family history here. In addition, you can read an excerpt of the book or even watch this video.
The always generous Miriam has offered to give a copy of THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER to one of my readers. Please leave a comment with your e-mail address if you are interested. If you'd like to double your chances, blog about this radio show with a link back to this post. The contest will be open until Wednesday, October 29th after the radio show. This contest is open to U.S. mailing addresses only. Good luck and I hope to "hear" you there!
Summary: In ancient Egypt, a forgotten princess must overcome her family’s past and remake history.
The winds of change are blowing through Thebes. A devastating palace fire has killed the Eighteenth Dynasty’s royal family—all with the exception of Nefertari, the niece of the reviled former queen, Nefertiti. The girl’s deceased family has been branded as heretical, and no one in Egypt will speak their names. A relic of a previous reign, Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace. But this changes when she is taken under the wing of the Pharaoh’s aunt, then brought to the Temple of Hathor, where she is educated in a manner befitting a future queen.
Soon Nefertari catches the eye of the Crown Prince, and despite her family’s history, they fall in love and wish to marry. Yet all of Egypt opposes this union between the rising star of a new dynasty and the fading star of an old, heretical one. While political adversity sets the country on edge, Nefertari becomes the wife of Ramesses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful Pharaoh in Egypt, he is also the man who must confront the most famous exodus in history.
Sweeping in scope and meticulous in detail, The Heretic Queen is a novel of passion and power, heartbreak and redemption. -- Crown
When Michelle Moran contacted me about reading her latest novel THE HERETIC QUEEN, I almost did a little "happy dance." Every single review I have read about THE HERETIC QUEEN AND NEFERTITI has been extremely positive! And one of my good friends has been raving about NEFERTITI for months and recommending it to everyone (you can read her review here.) In fact, she likes it so much that she has selected it for the next time she hosts our book club in February. I can't wait to read it (but I do have to wait a little closer to our meeting so it's fresh) and discuss it with everyone. In addition, Ms. Moran will be joining us via telephone to talk about her book so it should be an extra-special meeting.
THE HERETIC QUEEN was a fabulous book -- one of my favorites this year! I was a little worried about reading it before I read NEFERTITI since there are many references to that novel; but I can assure you that it absolutely isn't necessary to read them in order and it didn't take away from my enjoyment (and understanding) of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Nefertari, and I thought Ms. Moran did an incredible job of bringing her to life.
Historical Egypt has always fascinated me ever since I did a report on King Tut back in grade school. I am absolutely amazed by this society and its accomplishments, so I couldn't wait to read a novel that takes place during this time period. I have always thought it would be extremely difficult to write a novel based on real historic figures; however, it was evident to me from the start that Ms. Moran did a ton of research on this subject matter. I thought she did a terrific job of merging together the facts about these characters and this period in history with the fictional elements that made it a great story. I especially liked how she explained the fact versus fiction in the Historical Note section of the book.
This book definitely appealed to me, and I can't rave enough about how good I thought this book was. I was hooked from the first few pages and couldn't put the book down. I loved the character of Nefertari, and I enjoyed seeing her mature throughout the novel. At the beginning of the novel, my heart went out to this young, orphaned girl. She was facing so much adversity and could have easily given up on her dreams; however because of her love for Ramesses the Great, as well as her desire to preserve her family's name, she never gave up and constantly fought for her place in history. In some ways, this book was a beautiful coming-of-age tale of a young girl.
THE HERETIC QUEEN also had many memorable characters besides Nefertari. Ramesses the Great was depicted a great leader who was loved by his people, and also as a man who was very much in love with Nefertari. Ramesses was definitely not without flaws and he did face many trying times as a leader, but I thought Ms. Moran captured the complex nature of this character extremely well. I also found it extremely interesting to learn that he was responsible for the first international peace treaty. In addition, Nefertari's nurse Merit, her teacher Paser, and her mentor Woserit were three people who were always there for Nefertari and helped her mature into the woman and Queen she eventually became. Of course, there were a fair share of "bad guys" in this novel too who challenged Nefertari at every turn and made things interesting.
Ms. Moran really understands the value of bloggers, so she holds an especially dear place in my heart! She has a wonderful website filled with so much valuable information; and she even has a special section just for bloggers -- this is awesome because it has all of the information bloggers need on one page with links. While you are visiting her website, you can also read an excerpt of THE HERETIC QUEEN and check out the historical information section. I found this information and the pictures fascinating, and they really helped complement the novel -- you can learn about Heretic Queen Facts, Ancient Egypt, Nefertari's Family and Ramesses's Family. Don't forget to visit her Fun Stuff section too where you can win monthly contests.
I loved THE HERETIC QUEEN, and I can't wait to read NEFERTITI in the very near future! If you enjoy historical fiction, then you just have to read these novels -- you won't be disappointed. Make sure you visit tomorrow because Michelle Moran will be stopping by! And you never know what "surprises" you might find!
Summary: In 1963 rural Georgia, with the Vietnam War cranking up, pregnant seventeen-year-old Adie Jenkins discovers the diary of pregnant seventeen-year-old Tempe Jordan, a slave girl, begun as the Civil War was winding down. Adie is haunted by the memory of her dead sister; Tempe is overcome with grief over the sale of her three children sired by her master. Adie — married to Buck, her baby's skirt-chasing father — is unprepared for marriage and motherhood. She spends her days with her new baby, Grace Annie. Buck spends his with the conniving daughter of the man he works for.
Adie welcomes the friendship of midwife Willa Mae Satterfield. Having grown close to her after Grace Annie's birth, Adie confides that her baby sister, Annie, survived choking on a jelly bean only to down in Cold Rock River a few months later. Willa Mae replies, "My two little chillins Georgia and Calvin drowns in that river, too." What she won't say is how and why.
Adie takes refuge in Tempe's journal. It tells an amazing tale, but the further she reads, the more questions the diary raises in her mind. After "the freedom" comes, Tempe sets out to find her lost children and meets Tom Barber, another freed slave. Tom and Tempe marry and have one daughter, Heart. When Tom is killed in a drunken brawl, Tempe takes Heart and settles on a small patch of land in North Georgia. There, Heart blossoms, eventually marrying and giving birth to Georgia and Calvin. Adie is filled with questions: Could Willa Mae be Heart? How — and why — did the children die? And is it possible that the man who now owns the house in which she lives is Willa Mae's grandson?
As Cold Rock River rushes to its surprising, shocking ending, questions of family, race, love, loss, and longing are loosed from the mysterious secrets that have been kept for too long. And the depth of the connection between the two women united by place and separated by race — and a century — is revealed. -- Cumberland House
A few months ago, I read and reviewed a book by Jackie Lee Miles called DIVORCING DWAYNE. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and thought it was a hoot! So when the opportunity came up for me to read another one of Ms. Miles' novels COLD ROCK RIVER, I couldn't wait. While DIVORCING DWAYNE was more of a light Southern read, I would classify COLD ROCK RIVER as having a much more serious subject matter, but still very much a Southern book.
While I read COLD ROCK RIVER, I did see a little bit of the DIVORCING DWAYNE Jackie Lee Miles shining through. The characters, while not as outrageous, still had their fair share of quirks and funny moments. I especially noticed some similarities in the Southern dialogue and basic reflections on life. But that's pretty much where the similarities ended between the two books. COLD ROCK RIVER dealt with a much heavier subject matter -- a young girl whose life and her family were drastically changed for the worse after a horrendous accident.
The story is told through the voice of Adie who blames herself for the death of her younger sister. She is obviously dealing with a lot of grief and pain, but I found her to be just a wonderful, lovable character. Despite all of her heartaches and disappointments in life, her inner strength was so strong. You couldn't help but root for her and hope she would somehow find happiness. Many of the people in Adie's life were also terrific characters. By the end of the book, I absolutely adored Adie's mother and I thought her insights into life and people were incredibly profound. I also loved Adie's new friends, Margaret Mary and Murphy. Both were very special people whom Adie learned to love and depend on.
Not only did I love the story of Adie, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the side story about the newly freed slave Tempe. When Adie moves to a new town, she becomes friends with an elderly black woman named Willa Mae. When Adie is in labor with her first child, Willa Mae begins reading Tempe's journal to her to help her get through the pains. Adie immediately becomes enthralled with Tempe's story; and she realizes that both she and Tempe are continually troubled by events that occurred in their past -- Adie for losing her sister and Tempe for losing her children.
So far, I have enjoyed both of Ms. Miles' books that I've read -- I'm beginning to see a pattern here. I now consider myself a fan of Ms. Miles! I would love to read Ms. Miles' other Southern fiction novel ROSEFLOWER CREEK which is a story told through the eyes of a young girl who tries to "fix" her very messed up stepfather. There are also two more of the DWAYNE series that look hilarious too!
I really, really liked this book and read it in just a day -- I didn't want to put it down. I was immediately drawn into Adie's story and just loved her character. I loved how the characters were definitely flawed and very human. I think this book would make a perfect selection for a lot of book clubs. The novel has wonderful characters, a great storyline and is very easy to read. There is a reading guide in the back of the book as well as loads of delicious recipes, an interview with the author, and questions answered by the author.
I just found out about a wonderful opportunity from M.J. Rose that I want to share. From now until October 31st, you can download her novel THE REINCARNATIONIST for free. THE REINCARNATIONIST was chosen by BookSense as one of 2007's six best suspense novels. My book club read THE REINCARNATIONIST earlier this year, and we thoroughly enjoyed it (you can read my review here.) We were even lucky enough to have Ms. Rose join us via phone for during our meeting.
The sequel to THE REINCARNATIONIST, THE MEMORIST, is coming out next week; and I can't wait to read it. THE MEMORIST has already received starred reviews in Publisher's Weekly and Library Journal so I know it's going to be good.
Yesterday, I had the privilege of being part of a BlogTalk Radio Show with Michael Connelly. This half hour show was hosted by Little Brown/Hachette Book Group USA; and I got to ask the first question! I can't tell you how excited (and nervous) I was because Michael Connelly is one of my all-time favorite authors -- he's like a rock star to me.
He was extremely nice and thoroughly answered all of our questions. I asked him some questions about his writing process -- does he know the entire plot before you begin writing and does he write using an outline? He answered that he does not use an outline because it would be "like a boss." He thinks that the way he writes is more risky (he once wasted six weeks of writing), but he feels it's much more fulfilling to write this way. He also told us that he starts a novel with two things -- an A and a Z -- the start (or the crime) and the resolution (whodunnit.)
I also got to ask him about his favorite authors/favorite books. He gave quite a few names, but the main three writers that inspired his mystery novels are: Raymond Chandler, Ross McDonald, and Joseph Wambaugh. Chandler was an early inspiration because he wrote about characters who are outsiders; and then Wambaugh was an ex-cop who wrote about solving mysteries from the cop viewpoint or the inside. As a result, Mr. Connelly wanted to create a character (Harry Bosch) who was an "outsider with an insider job."
And finally, I asked how long it took him to write THE BRASS VERDICT. He answered that this book was his longest novel to date at around 120,000 words (his usual books are about 100,000 words.) In addition, he spent about 15-16 months working on this story whereas his usual time is about 11-12 months (except for his first book which took three years.)
One thing I particularly enjoyed about the chat was his explanation of why he dedicated one of his books to the librarian who introduced him to TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I also found it very interesting that he told us that "he writes for one person only -- himself." We also got a sneak preview into his next novel THE SCARECROW which comes out in May. You can listen to the entire radio show here!
I will be reading his newest novel THE BRASS VERDICT in the very near future, and I'll let you know what I think of it. If past history is any indication, I'm sure I will love it!
Summary: A talented woman becomes entranced with a mega-wealthy family in a story about a mysterious love with two faces; the battle to stay relevant in the post-literate world; a shocking betrayal that exposes the past of characters "rotten with secrets"; and, finally, the passion to reclaim old dreams. This genre-bending novel mixes heartbreak, Gothic atmospherics, and a satire of New York's high-stakes players.
Conscience Point is about Madeleine Shaye, a beautiful over-achiever with a dual career as concert pianist and TV arts correspondent; her adored college-age daughter, adopted as an infant under murky circumstances; and a blissful relationship with editor Nick Ashcroft, scion of an uber-rich family (whose sister earlier played a decisive role in Maddy's young life). Then it all unravels. Maddy loses her footing in a late-90's marketplace skewed toward youth and pop culture. Her daughter announces she's leaving college to work in Guatemala, hinting darkly at mysterious trouble. And Maddy discovers that Nick has betrayed her in a way she could never have imagined. Her tough resilience, ability to love and sacrifice while making moral choices informs the emotional center of this novel.
The intimate drama of a family shadowed by the past, Conscience Point captures the struggles of accomplished baby boomers (and NY social circle insiders) and scrambling to re-invent themselves and stay afloat in the post-literate age (says Maddy, "I won't move over till I fall over"); offers smart, enlightening observations, information and descriptions of the world of music; lampoons the elitist NY artsy community; satisfies our prurient hunger to eavesdrop on and judge the almost too decadent, consequence-free lives of the mega-rich. Set in part at Conscience Point, Nick's crumbling family estate, this genre-bending novel also draws on gothic conventions as it uncovers dark secrets while at the same time it plumbs a touchingly human nostalgia for the sort of youthful passion that is seldom equaled in later life. -- Unbridled Books
Once again I have to thank my friends at Unbridled Books for sending me a beautifully written novel. This time it was CONSCIENCE POINT by Erica Abeel. I have to admit that I probably wouldn't have picked up this novel on my own, but I'm very glad that I finally got around to reading it. This book was one that held my interest and definitely kept me guessing (and thinking) until the very end.
Reading CONSCIENCE POINT was way out of my normal confort zone, and I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this novel. The plot sounded interesting enough, but the first few chapters were kind of difficult for me to get through. I had to re-read many of the sentences because I wasn't "getting" a lot of the author's references. Once I got past that and starting really understanding the characters, I began to appreciate the author's beautiful writing style. I'm not sure that this would be a problem for most readers -- I'm just not that familiar with the New York art and social scene.
What I enjoyed the most about this novel was the mystery aspect of it. From the start, it was apparent that there were some mysterious circumstances surrounding the parents of Maddy's adopted daughter. As the book goes on, the reader eventually learns who her mother is; however, even that doesn't even appear to be certain. I loved how this storyline had so many twists and turns. At some points in the book, I was absolutely shocked and couldn't put the book down until I felt like some of the issues were "resolved." I was definitely kept guessing right up until the end, and I continued to think about this story even after I finished the novel.
I am not familiar with any of Ms. Abeel's other novels (CONSCIENCE POINT is her fifth), but I was blown away by her amazing prose. While I wasn't that familiar with the New York art or social scenes, her descriptions were so detailed and rich that I had no problems picturing them. From the French countryside, to the family estate, to the concert piano scenes, Ms. Abeel made all of them come to life in this novel. I loved how her writing was so smart and funny. Her observations about New York society life were often times hilarious.
I especially appreciated how the author was able to develop the characters so well. Even if I didn't really like some of the characters, I still understood them and the reasons behind their actions. Many of the characters in this novel are extremely memorable and will stay with the reader for quite awhile. I also liked how Ms. Abeel presented this story and thought it was extremely effective. This novel is very well-told and unfolds perfectly as the narrative goes back and forth between the past and present day.
This book has a little something for everyone -- romance, mystery, intrigue, secrets, high society, and even dreams; and as a result, I think it would make for a wonderful book club selection. There is just so much to talk about this novel, and there might even be some issues that will cause member to disagree (not in a bad way, but in a "expand your horizons" kind of way.) After reading this novel, with all of its crazy twists and turns, and with all the heartache and sadness, I think what I was most left with was the realization that it's never to late to realize your dreams.
I am just so honored that Kim Powers, author of CAPOTE IN KANSAS, has agreed to visit Booking Mama with a wonderful (and very heartfelt) guest post. Mr. Powers is currently a writer/producer at ABC's Primetime Live and has won both Emmy and Peabody awards for his work on 9/11 at Good Morning America. He has also written a memoir THE HISTORY OF SWIMMING which has been very critically acclaimed (and I'm dying to read.) I think Mr. Powers is a incredibly gifted writer (you can read my review of CAPOTE IN KANSAS); and I was just blown away with what he wrote for my blog.
Oh, good. Diane Sawyer’s still on the jury orientation video, telling us it’s our civic obligation. It’s one of my favorite parts of jury duty, next to the part where the badly costumed extras are thrown in the river to pay for their crimes, in “olden days.” I’m sitting in a crummy Manhattan court room waiting to be called as a juror, and cursing myself for not stopping at Starbucks on my way in. I can already tell it’s going to be a long day. The video must have been shot in the 80s; Diane’s got big shoulder pads and a Mary Lou Retton hairdo. I can’t wait to get back to the office and tell her they’re still using it, and that she should demand an update. I work with her in my day job as a writer for ABC’s Primetime and 20/20. Away from jury duty (and the 80s), her everyday outfit is a pair of black sweatpants, a man’s oversized blue work shirt, and a zippered fleece vest, whatever the weather. Footwear alternates between crocs and running shoes. She comes to the office with her comfy clothes on, her heavy camera makeup from Good Morning America the only sign that she was just on TV for two hours.
She’s almost the best writer I know, and certainly has the best memory. She can ad-lib a long intro on camera, and then remember it word for word for a second take. I started writing for her (not that she needs much help) when I began as a writer at Good Morning America over ten years ago. I hadn’t gone to journalism school (“J-School” in the parlance) like most of the other writers, but I assumed honesty was a journalist’s responsibility over everything else. So when my first assignment turned out to be an introduction to Eddie Murphy, how was I to know this wasn’t what they had in mind: “Even though his last several movies haven’t done very well, he keeps trying, and we’re happy to welcome him today.” The head writer, whom I’d hoped to impress – I was desperate for the job—said, “I know it’s your first day here, but do you want to return for a second?” After that, I learned very fast, much of it at Diane’s red pencil. The other day, when we were racking our brains for the perfect one-word description of a young Obama – having dismissed student, scholar, campus leader, community activist—I suddenly thought of “trailblazer.” Diane thought it was perfect, and it was as if the teacher had given me an A plus.
But remember how I said she’s almost the best writer I know? The best writer I know you’ve probably never heard of, even the best read among you. I consider him one of my best friends, even though we’ve never met. His name is David Crader, although he also goes by the numbers he has to wear everyday on his shirt, while serving a 12 year sentence in a Texas prison. In fact, we jokingly refer to him as my “Pen Pal.” (He started it, not me. He let me know that it was okay to joke, and laugh, that’s how he survived those unsurvivable years. Maybe that’s why I’m thinking of him now, as I sit here waiting my turn in this hall of justice, which I don’t think was served in his case.)
We “met” when he sent me a fan letter about my first book, a memoir about a time when my twin brother Tim went missing, called The History of Swimming. The book did well, thanks in part to a blurb Diane graciously wrote for it, and a segment on Good Morning America. I don’t think David had seen the GMA segment, although he does get to watch TV. American Idol is a favorite, he tells me, with the “guys.” David had read about my book in some magazine, and had his devoted mother order it for him from Amazon. (Prisoners are only allowed books from the “outside world” if they come packaged from Amazon or a large company; they’re not allowed to receive hard covers from friends in the mail – for fear a weapon could be secreted inside.)
David had to type that first letter on what was little more than a toy typewriter, mail it to his sister Debra, then have her RE-type and email it to me, since David doesn’t have access to a computer. He began by telling me of a mistake I had made in the book: it wasn’t the Pointer Sisters who sang “We Are Family,” but Sister Sledge. I knew then that I had a live one. He then proceeded to explain the Federal I. D. number I might have noticed, that he had to include as part of the letter, and his “crime”: complicated, but essentially dispensing prescriptions without a license, and doing what he could to keep a thread-bare AIDS resource center in Texas afloat. Life-saving medicine that was left over when someone died was then given to others, who couldn’t afford any medicine at all. He was offered a plea deal to serve one year, if he’d just say he was guilty. He refused, because he didn’t think he WAS guilty. (Of the letter of the law, yes; of the spirit of the law, no. That’s my opinion, not his. He hasn’t tried to proselytize, or excuse what he did.) A homophobic, AIDS-phobic Texas judge sentenced him to the maximum time in a federal prison, 12 years, without possibility of parole. (I’m from Texas – a “fallen Texan,” as I now describe myself-- and feel I’ve earned the right to criticize a judge in my home state.) David had a special understanding of The History of Swimming, which goes on to recount how my two brothers both died of AIDS. He’d been there, seen that.
You’d think David would be bitter, and while I’ve read moments of near-despair in his meaty, magnificent letters, “bitter” isn’t a quality I’ve ever seen. (Me, I’m bitter if the Duane Reade down the street is out of coffee Haagen-Daz.) His letters are funnier than anything I’ve ever come up with, even on my best class-clown days. His wonderment at the small things in life—from the little kittens outside the prison, to cornbread with dinner--is a revelation. When his father died recently, and he wasn’t allowed to go to the funeral—he got the news in his one weekly 15-minute phone call-- he gave me a lesson in grace and forgiveness more meaningful than anything I learned in eighteen years at North Baptist Church in McKinney, Texas. When he wrote about his scandalous affair with his female high school librarian, it was more moving and erotic than anything Philip Roth has ever come up with. When I sent him a draft of my newest book, that I had just turned into my agent, he gave me better notes than any editor I’ve ever worked with. Most tellingly, when a friend wrote and asked if he ever regretted what he did, he said no, and shared his rationale for that with his big group of friends in one of his monthly letters. That’s the only time I almost got angry at him, because I’m so blind with rage at his sentence and the injustice of it. One day, I hope to help him collect those letters and assemble them into a book. It should be required reading, for anyone who wants to learn how to be a better person.
A sidebar to my friendship with David is my friendship with his sister, Debra, our “go-between.” She is a pistol, with a big heart and bigger hair-do, my kind of gal. She and her mother recently moved to Truth or Consequences, NM, just to be closer to David. David and Debra should have their own show on Bravo, or at least local access. They’re a hoot together. She inserts her thoughts on the letters she still has to send out for him. At this point, I could have David mail the letters directly to me, but then I’d miss our “three-ways,” as I call them. Debra recently wrote me about a trouble-plagued car trip she and her 75 year old mother took to visit David, and it sounded like an outtake from Thelma and Louise.
I am happy to call them two of my best friends, and it all came from getting a fan letter. Now I’M the one who’s the fan.
P.S. I got sprung from jury duty, after only four short hours. Over a hundred of us were called before a judge, who outlined the case we might sit on: a Mobster accused of killing six people. The trial would take a month. The judge then told any of us who felt we couldn’t serve to leave. Nearly everyone did. I wonder why? Now THAT’S the justice system at work!
I want to extend a huge thanks to Mr. Powers for sharing this story with us. After reading it, I'm sure you can tell what a gifted writer he is. Make sure you check out his books THE HISTORY OF SWIMMING and CAPOTE IN KANSAS!
Summary: Truman Capote and Harper Lee were children when they met. Twenty-five years later, Capote had taken New York's literary world by storm, while Lee struggled to put pen to paper and sweat out the story of her childhood in the same city. They would reunite in the desolate plains of Kansas to create In Cold Blood. And they would start talk of an even greater mystery: What happened between them — and who really wrote To Kill a Mockingbird? How did two innocents from a backwoods Southern town achieve such fame, and why did they stop speaking to one another? Kim Powers has conjured a death-bed confession from Capote, in which he picks up the phone to Harper Lee one last time to tell her is being haunted — a tale she doesn't believe, until she is forced to. What do the ghosts of the Clutters want, as they appear one by one to confess their secrets and their anger to the most unlikely mediums of Capote and Lee? Capote in Kansas is an unforgettable "what might have been" — a fantasia of ghosts seeking resolve and revenge, and memories and regret for a past that was, that will never be again. -- Carroll and Graf
I can't remember where I first saw the novel CAPOTE IN KANSAS by Kim Powers, but I do know that I added it to my "Must-Read" list. I even exchanged an e-mail or two with the author because I was just fascinated by the idea for this book. So a few months ago when I saw the announcement by TLC Book Tours that they were hosting a blog tour for CAPOTE IN KANSAS, I was just thrilled. I knew I had to be part of it. (Thank goodness, I was selected to participate!)
Two of my all-time favorite books are IN COLD BLOOD by Truman Capote and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee. I read both of them when I was in high school, and I have continued to read them throughout my adulthood. They are just so good! It wasn't until fairly recently that I learned that Capote and Lee were childhood friends. I also just found out that Ms. Lee was with Mr. Capote in Kansas when he was researching the murders for his book IN COLD BLOOD. I have to admit that I don't know much about the lives of either author, but I am fascinated by their ties.
Mr. Powers' CAPOTE IN KANSAS is a fictional account of what happens when the ghosts of the murdered farm family begin to visit Mr. Capote and Ms. Lee. The cover of the book states that this is "A Ghost Story," but I thought there was so much more to this book than that. I wouldn't consider myself a big fan of ghost stories, but I thoroughly enjoyed this novel (even with the appearance of a few ghosts.) If I'm being totally honest, I'm not even sure that I interpreted the ghosts in this story to be "real." Both Capote and Lee were definitely affected by the time they spent in Kansas researching IN COLD BLOOD, and I think times like this stay with you the rest of your life. I think we all have our share of "ghosts" from our past that continue to "haunt" us -- you can interpret it however you see fit.
What I loved about this novel was Mr. Powers' ability to develop such wonderful and memorable characters. Because the characters in this book are very famous and well-known figures, I think taking on a fictional account of their lives would be extremely difficult because the reader already has so many preconceived notions (especially with all the recent movies about Capote's life.) I especially loved getting an inside view in Ms. Lee's personality since I wasn't as familiar with her (and she is one of my all-time favorite authors.) This book definitely piqued my curiosity about these two amazing writers, and I am anxious to read some non-fiction books about them now.
I think most people know that Truman Capote was a larger than life person, and Mr. Powers created a character that totally fit with my image of him. Towards the end of Capote's life, he evidently was drinking a great deal as well as taking some drugs. He was also a very complex, troubled man who was looking back over his life (and I have to wonder if he wasn't having some regrets.) I'm sure that his substance abuse issues could explain away his ghost sightings, but it's definitely something for the reader to ponder. Another thing that I found fascinating was how Mr. Powers' chose to incorporate Capote's artistic "snake boxes" as well as his fascination with snakes into the story. I thought the author did an extremely good job with merging fact and fiction!
Some of my favorite parts of the story were about Harper Lee and her sister. Since I know almost nothing about Lee, I was fascinated by anything and everything about her (even if the book was fiction.) Like tons of other readers, I have always been disappointed that Ms. Lee never wrote another book after TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Mr. Powers helped to explain the not only some of the "whys" behind this mystery, but also proposed another idea -- some have claimed that Capote actually wrote Lee's amazing work (please, say it isn't so!)
Another great (and real) character in this story was Capote's housekeeper Myrtle. I thought she was a terrific character, and many of her scenes with Capote provided some humor into the book. Even though a few of them were rather far-fetched, I still enjoyed them and found myself laughing at the absurdity of Capote's life. I loved the relationship that Powers' created between Myrtle and Capote, and I was saddened that she actually was ill and died before Capote.
I really enjoyed this book, and I have found myself thinking about it a great deal even after I finished it. (Isn't that usually a sign of a really good book?) I do think this book would make for an excellent book club discussion, especially if there are some fans of either TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD or IN COLD BLOOD! My book club actually read TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD a few years ago, so I'll see what they think about giving CAPOTE IN KANSAS a try. There is a reading guide available with some very thought-provoking questions.
I'm afraid that this review only skimmed the surface of this novel. CAPOTE IN KANSAS is a very deep novel with many layers and recurring themes. If you are like me and love these authors, I strongly suggest reading this novel! It is a beautiful story of a childhood friendship gone bad. There are just so many interesting concepts to think about -- redemption, forgiveness, regret, etc. This book is not only entertaining, but it will definitely make you think too!
If you want to see what some other readers are saying about CAPOTE IN KANSAS, you can check out the rest of Kim Powers’ TLC Book Tours' TOUR STOPS:
Summary: Author Sally Lee celebrates writing and illustrating her twentieth children’s book about teamwork and creativity in “The Tutu Ballet."
Lee’s “The Tutu Ballet” tells the story of a Ms. Berry’s ballet class and her students; a rabbit, fox, bear, and a mouse. Even though the students try very hard to please, they tend to revert to their not so perfect favorite ballet positions. Not sure what to do, Ms. Berry, the dance teacher (a deer), decides to incorporate all the ballet positions of her students to make a one-of-a-kind ballet performance for all the enjoy -- Press Release/Lee Publishing
A few months ago, I reviewed an adorable children's book called THE RABBIT AND THE SNOWMAN, written and illustrated by Sally Lee. When I saw that she has another book out called THE TUTU BALLET, I definitely wanted to take a look at it. Once again, Ms. Lee did not disappoint. I actually thing I enjoyed THE TUTU BALLET even more that THE RABBIT AND THE SNOWMAN.
The book is wonderful for the preschooler in your life. I read it to my four year old son and he really enjoyed it (once he got past calling it a girl book!) He especially liked how one of the characters liked to jump around and did the best jumps across the stage -- he thought that was really funny. I liked the overall message that the book conveyed: that although each animal had one ballet step that they loved to do and were very good at doing; when all the animals came together and performed their specialty, the recital ended up being wonderful. In these times, where so many of our children (and adults) are focused on me-me-me, it was nice to see this message of teamwork. I also thought it was nice to show that everyone has something that they do well -- each animal had a particular ballet step that they excelled at.
I think what I love most about Ms. Lee's books are her beautiful illustrations. Each page is filled with bright (yet soft) colors and lots of things for little ones to look at. There are only a few words or sentences on each page so the book can keep the attention of even the most "busy" kids. I just loved all the pictures in THE TUTU BALLET. I'm kind of a sucker for ballet, tutus, and cute animals so I found this book to be absolutely precious.
Ms. Lee has written and self-published 20 children's books -- you can read more about her in this article from MIT Tech Talk. I was impressed to find out that she has written a ten book series of children's books about a hearing impaired rabbit named Lucy. (Ms. Lee is actually deaf in one ear.) I absolutely adore her stories and especially her illustrations, and my kids do to. Her books are available for purchase at Amazon.
Recently, I learned about a wonderful new website called GiftLit. GiftLit is an online retailer of monthly gifts of books sold in 3, 6 and 12-month subscriptions for children, teens, adults and families. The books are chosen by a unique advisory board of literary experts and are grouped into convenient collections by recipient (e.g. women, men, couples), by interest (e.g. history, fantasy, food & wine), and by age (for children’s books). Subscriptions can be customized by the purchaser or the recipient. I don't know why somebody didn't think of this sooner! I received a 3-month subscription of Favorites for Women, and I absolutely love it!
A few days ago, I got a notification that that I would receiving a gift of three months of books beginning in October. I also received a set of customized bookplates that I can affix to each monthly book. A few days later, my first book arrived -- THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY. It came wrapped up as a beautiful red package with a large white ribbon around it. I couldn't wait to open it!
I am so excited that I will receive two more books in the next two months. The initial card I received doesn't mention the names of the books, so these books could come as a surprise to the recipient. Or, he/she has the option to enter their gift code and see what other books are scheduled to come. Since I didn't really want to receive the November selection, I was able to enter my gift code and select any other book GiftLit offered! Either the gift-giver or the recipient has the ability to change the selections -- I think that feature is just awesome.
Another great thing about GiftLit is that they also give back to organizations that foster a love of reading. Through their Program, they donate a portion of their revenue to schools, libraries and organizations that promote literacy. Here's how the program works: · Any qualified library, school, or organization that promotes reading can sign up to participate · Each GiftLit Partner is will be given a partner code to track designated purchases. · Partners receive GiftLit brochures printed with their partner code for distribution within their community. Brochures explain how customers can designate their purchase by entering the partner code during checkout. · Partners earn up to 15 percent on qualifying revenue for purchases tagged with their partner code. · GiftLit sends quarterly payments to partners.
As the holidays approach, I think GiftLit is a perfect gift for anyone on your gift list -- grandparents, parents, friends, babysitters, kids, etc. GiftLit can even work with you to build a corporate gift program that meets your specific needs. I know I love to give the gift of books, but I'm sometimes afraid of buying books that they've either already read or have no interest in. GiftLit takes all of that into account -- they really have thought of everything! Books make a wonderful gift, and I know I was thrilled to receive a beautifully wrapped book this week. Take a look at GiftLit -- I'm pretty sure that you will be as impressed as I am!
Summary: Elle's living the dream-but is it her dream or his?
Elle loves life in Beaufort, South Carolina-lazy summer days on the sand bar, coastal bonfires, and dinners with friends sharing a lifetime of memories. And she's found her niche as the owner of a successful art gallery too. Life is good.
Then the dynamic pastor of her small town church sweeps her off her feet. She's never known a man like Jeremiah-one who breathes in confidence and exhales all doubt. When he proposes in the setting sunlight, Elle hands him her heart on a silver platter.
But Jeremiah's just accepted a large pastorate in a different state. If she's serious about their relationship, Elle will take "the call," too, leaving behind the people and place she loves so dearly. Elle's friendship with her new tenant, widower Heath McCord, and his young daughter make things even more complicated.
Is love transferable across the miles? And can you take it with you when you go? -- Thomas Nelson
As some of you might know, I recently started reading some novels with a Christian message. So far, I've really enjoyed them. I can now add another one to my growing list: LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE by Rachel Hauck. This book is considered "a heartwarming romance" -- definitely not my usual fare, but I really liked this story. Sometimes it's just nice to read a light book that makes you feel happy.
Elle pretty much has the perfect life. She is head over heels in love with her pastor Jeremiah and has agreed to marry him. She is also a successful owner of her own art gallery; and she is surrounded by her wonderful family and friends. However, things begin to change when Jeremiah accepts a job in Texas without discussing it with Elle. She is forced to decide if she wants to leave her hometown and family, sell her art gallery and follow "the call" with her new husband. Elle begins to question her new life and it's pretty clear to the reader that Jeremiah isn't the man that Elle thought he was. When Jeremiah decides to break off the engagement just weeks before the wedding, Elle's life is turned upside down. It isn't until Elle becomes friends with Heath, a widower and father who rents her house, that Elle begins to realize that life does go on.
I thoroughly enjoyed Elle's story; and I found the basic premise of LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE very interesting. However, what I most liked about this book were the characters in it. I absolutely adored Elle, but there were so many other terrific (and memorable) people in her life that added to this story. Elle was such a down-to-earth and very real woman to me. Despite her setbacks, she still managed to stay true to herself while also keeping a sense of humor. I enjoyed seeing Elle discover the power of prayer and learn to listen for God's word. I guess you could say that I liked being along on her spiritual journey.
In addition to Elle, I found myself really liking Heath, a widower and father who rents out Elle's home. Like Elle, he had been through difficult times and was searching for some peace and contentment. The two find that they have much in common, and Elle ends up falling for him. (I think many readers will also fall for Heath--- he's handsome and pretty much an ideal guy.) I also adored the character of Anna, an older woman who became Elle's spiritual advisor. I thought Ms. Hauck did an excellent job of showing how Elle grew closer to God with the help of a wonderful mentor like Anna.
Finally, I loved Elle's family and friends. Elle's parents seemed to be such loving and supportive people. And, Elle's sister Julianne was a "character" in her own right. Like Elle, she was dealing with her own issues; and I liked how she had to come to terms with her secrets by the end of this novel. Elle is the one of six girls in the Garvey family, so there are a lot of opportunity for stories about sibling rivalry as well as sisterly love. Ms. Hauck pretty much has unlimited stories that she can write about these girls. And since I now consider myself a fan of hers, I hope she continues to write more books about the Garveys.
A minor character is this book was Caroline, Elle's best friend who lives in Spain. While LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE tells Elle's story, Ms. Hauck's earlier novel SWEET CAROLINE tells Caroline's story. (Of course, I am dying to read this book now!) While many of the characters appear in both books, you don't have to read them in order to appreciate the stories -- LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE definitely stands on its own.
I still consider myself a newbie to Christian literature, but I appreciated how well Ms. Hauck incorporated these messages into LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE. The wonder of God and the power of prayer themes were prevalent in this book, yet I didn't find them forced down my throat. I liked seeing Elle mature spiritually, and I felt good after finishing this novel. In summary, I enjoyed the novel because of the characters and the story; but I certainly felt the Christian message made the book extra-special.
Check out this awesome book trailer video:
You can win a copy of LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE by leaving a comment on Ms. Hauck's blog tour post. While you're there, you can also see the schedule for this blog tour.
About Ms. Hauck: Rachel Hauck is the author of ten, going on eleven novels, and has recently become an "acclaimed" author. (Yeah, funny how that happened. Some dude found her lottery stub stuck to the bottom of his shoe and tried to "acclaim" her. But her husband refused to pay out.)
Since then, she's gone on to become a best selling author of Sweet Caroline.
Living in central Florida with her husband of sixteen and a half years, one sweet little dog and one ornery cat, Rachel is a graduate of Ohio State University and a huge Buckeye football fan. One day she hopes to stand on the sidelines next to Coach Tressel as a famed, acclaimed best selling OSU alumni, beloved for her work in literature and letters. (She's written at least a couple hundred letters in her life time.)
Her current release, LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE (July 2008, Thomas Nelson) is set in the South Carolina lowcountry, and earned 4.5 Stars and Top Pick from Romantic Times Book Club.
Look for her next release next spring, THE SWEET BY AND BY the first book in the Born To Fly series with award winning country artist, Sara Evans.
Of the writing journey, Rachel says, "I'm humbled by the amazing things God is doing in my life. I love what I do, and am so privileged to work with Thomas Nelson fiction and am excited to see what God has in store for all of His authors and writers. Just keep praying and writing!"
Dewey at The Hidden Side of the Leaf is giving away another box of books from Hachette Book Group! This time she's giving away ten spooky books just in time for Halloween. I would love to win this contest, but I'm sharing it with all of you for more entries -- talk about a trade-off.
Summary: Whether you're an old hand or you've never hosted a dinner party in your life, you can wow your friends and have a terrific time putting together a superb evening. Hostess extraordinaire Patricia Mendez guides you every step of the way, so you can let go of worry and stress.
All your questions, from what to serve to what to do, are clearly answered. You get everything you need for a talk-of-the-town party, included:
- 13 Complete Menus with delicious recipes and easy instructions - Full Color Photographs - Ideas for music, activities, drinks, along with themes for popular occasions - Practical Advice and useful party etiquette - 13 Checklists to ease you step-by-step through every phase of planning, preparation, and presentation - Confidence so you and your guests enjoy your at-home entertaining to the fullest!
Even if your party's on Saturday night and it's already Wednesday, you can pull it off with ease and grace -- once you know Patricia's secrets. -- book cover
I love cookbooks! So when the opportunity came my way to take a look at EASY ENTERTAINING FOR BEGINNERS by Patricia Mendez, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I read cookbooks all the time for fun (not necessarily so I can cook more!) I love reading the recipes and looking at pictures of the finished products. This book definitely met (and even exceeded) my expectations -- this cookbook was wonderful!
I kind of like to cook (when I don't have to), but when it comes to having people over and actually entertaining, I get extremely nervous. I love planning the "party" and the menu, but the implementation of my ideas is what gets me worked up. This book is perfect for me. There are 12 chapters with 13 party ideas that include everything from children's birthday parties, to a romantic dinner for two, to a Thanksgiving meal. I think this book just about covers any entertaining situation.
I love how this book is organized. It actually makes entertaining look easy! Each chapter begins with terrific hostess advice followed by a menu (including drinks and music suggestions.) Then, it lists all of the recipes with detailed and easy-to-follow directions. Finally (and this might just be my favorite part,) there is a step-by-step checklist. This checklist gives the hostess a detailed break down of what needs to be done to prepare for the party weeks before, days before, minutes before, and even during the party. I'm pretty sure that even the most inexperienced or nervous hostess could throw a successful party with this book.
This book is not only wonderful for beginner hostesses, but I also think that even the most comfortable hostesses would enjoy EASY ENTERTAINING FOR BEGINNERS. Most of the recipes are quick and easy, and what hostess doesn't want to make things a little easier on herself! Plus, I think everyone will find the ideas for the parties very creative no matter how many successful parties they've thrown. I've just noticed that I keep using the word hostess -- this book is actually great for men too. Ms. Mendez included a few chapters that pertain especially to them including a Guys' Night Out section.
I thought I would mention the chapter that I liked the most (or even the recipes that I thought were the most yummy), but I couldn't just mention a few. I loved a lot of the appetizer-type recipes because I tend to make those a lot, but the beverage ones were terrific too. Maybe it's because we're closing in on the holidays, but I thought the Thanksgiving recipes looked delicious (and easy) and the Christmas Season Social ones were great too. While there weren't pictures in each chapter, the middle of the book does contain colored pictures of all the recipes.
Ms. Mendez has a wonderful website for the book. There are party ideas as well as some quick and easy recipes. In addition, you can sign up for a free Entertaining 101 e-newsletter and get a copy of Party Etiquette 101. Ms. Mendez also has a blog where she provides useful entertaining tips.
This book would make a great gift for anyone, but I think it would be especially perfect for brides-to-be or anyone who is starting out on their own. This is a book that you should definitely keep in mind for gift-giving this holiday season. You might even want to get a copy for yourself too!
I hinted about this a few days ago and now it's here. I had such an overwhelming response to my SARAH'S KEYgiveaway that St. Martin's Press has graciously offered to giveaway another five copies!!! I am so excited!!! I loved this book so much and can't wait to share it with you. You can read a summary of the book as well as my glowing review here.
I just found out a few days ago that Target Bookmarked has selected SARAH'S KEY as its latest Club Pick. I'm sure that many book clubs are going to be discussing this book in the next few months.
If you would like to be entered to win a copy of SARAH'S KEY, please leave me a comment with your e-mail address. As usual if you'd like to double your chances, blog about this contest with a link back to this post. The contest will be open until October 31st at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winners on November 1st. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. mailing addresses only. Good luck!
Summary: Cat's Eye is the story of Elaine Risley, a controversial painter who returns to Toronto, the city of her youth, for a retrospective of her art. Engulfed by vivid images of the past, she reminisces about a trio of girls who initiated her into the fierce politics of childhood and its secret world of friendship, longing, and betrayal. Elaine must come to terms with her own identity as a daughter, a lover, an artist, and a woman--but above all she must seek release from her haunting memories. Disturbing, hilarious, and compassionate, Cat's Eye is a breathtaking novel of a woman grappling with the tangled knot of her life. -- Anchor Books
Last night we met to discuss CAT'S EYE by Margaret Atwood. We pretty much agreed that it was a very difficult book to read, especially for those of us with young girls. The subject matter of bullying and the effect it had on the main character was at times very disturbing. CAT'S EYE was a little more intense than most of our book club selections; however, I think it made for a very interesting discussion.
For the past few months, we have had some difficulties staying on track with our book club discussion. This month, however, we were able to talk about CAT'S EYE for quite a long time. Not only did we discuss most of the reading guide questions, but each of us came across some particulars that we wanted to run by the rest of the members. I thought it was fascinating to hear how everyone interpreted this novel.
CAT'S EYE is just so rich and deep on many levels. Of course, Margaret Atwood is an amazingly gifted writer, and her prose is always beautiful and vivid. I don't know much about Ms. Atwood, but I did find it very interesting that CAT'S EYE is considered her most autobiographical novel. I thought it was wonderful how she told the story and tied the past and present events together. In addition, there was also much symbolism and many recurring themes that ran throughout this novel, and there were all just so well done. We all agreed, without a doubt, that while we didn't "love" the book; we definitely appreciated it.
For November, we will be reading THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I have been dying to read this book for awhile since I've heard so many wonderful things about it (and now I have a really good reason.) We rarely pick books that are only out in hardcover, but this one just sounds too good to wait for.
Summary: “ I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.” January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb….
As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways. -- The Dial Press
About a month ago, I read THE LOST DIARY OF DON JUAN by Douglas Carlton Abrams. I knew little, if anything, about Don Juan; however, I really enjoyed how the author chose to portray him -- you can read my review here. I am so grateful that Mr. Carlton Abrams is joining me today at Booking Mama with this great guest post. You will get some insight into another side of Don Juan -- the one who appears in the pages of THE LOST DIARY OF DON JUAN.
Was Don Juan truly nothing more than a rapist and a villain? You would certainly think so, judging by how he has been portrayed over the centuries.
From his inception, Don Juan has been depicted as a libidinous scoundrel, capable of rape, misogyny, and even murder. When Tirsode Molina first created the character of Don Juan in the early seventeenth century, he did so as a warning against the dangers of rampant male sexuality and the galanteadores, who were seducing the women of the time. Later, in Mozart and DaPonte's opera Don Giovanni, Don Juan rapes a woman and kills her father almost before the curtain even rises.
But would Don Juan have been capable of feeling and doing much more? Male desire can be villainous and overpowering, but it is also multi-dimensional, ranging anywhere from heroic passion to caring tenderness. Any man long rumored to be the world's greatest lover would certainly have understood these subtler aspects of desire, as well as the unspoken needs of the women he loved.
It is this side of Don Juan's story that motivated me to write The Lost Diary of Don Juan. I wanted to explore the true nature of love and passion by creating a more complex Don Juan than the one we usually meet. His previous incarnations in plays, novels, and films have only allowed us to see the man from a distance, and we have judged him accordingly. Reading about his life in the form of an historical diary set in Golden Age Sevilla lets us go further into the body, mind, and heart of the man himself. What we find there is far more than an indifferent playboy, but rather a man for whom romance was elevated into an art form, a Casanova with a calling.
This is a Don Juan worthy of far more than mere lust and villainy, a man capable of forming deep and complex relationships with women. This 16th century Don Juan is worth recovering for the 21st century, if only to provide balance in a culture that all too often forgets the true complexity and mystery of desire.
I am very excited to have a copy of THE LOST DIARY OF DON JUAN to share with one of you! Please leave a comment with your e-mail address after this post. If you want to double your chances, blog about this post with a link back here. The contest is open until Friday, October 24th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winner the following day. Unfortunately, this contest is only open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses. Good luck!
A few months ago, I read and reviewed a wonderful book called THE SPACE BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER by Jean Reynolds Page. I mentioned in my review that I thought the section in the back of the book where Ms. Page created a list of songs that "fit" her novel was very interesting. Well she's taken it one step further now and created a concept called Boundtrack®. I just love that name!
From the press release: SEATTLE – (July 24, 2008) – Jean Reynolds Page, author of the recently published novel THE SPACE BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER (Avon A, an imprint of HarperCollins), has introduced the innovative concept of a Boundtrack®, a playlist of songs, much like a movie soundtrack, to complement her novel. Page believes that her readers will have the opportunity to gain an even better understanding of the characters through music that inspired her during the writing of the book. The idea of a Boundtrack® originated with the material included in the supplemental pages that followed THE SPACE BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER. The notion of providing a list of songs to accompany the narrative came to Page one afternoon while she was listening to music as a way of fleshing out the emotional lives of the characters.
“The songs helped me then and still help me to define the essential selves of the people who populate my imagination and, eventually, my books,” noted Page. “I thought it might be fun to share my own working soundtrack for the characters in THE SPACE BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER. In the Avon A+ section of the novel, I follow each song with a brief explanation of how the music brought me closer to each character.”
On Pages’ website, http://www.jeanreynoldspage.com/, readers are able to view the Boundtrack® and purchase individual songs or the entire mix by linking to iTunes. The inclusion of song suggestions not only offers a more in-depth level of reading but also a way to get in touch with the storyline from a variety of senses beyond the literary aspect of traditional reading. For example, in THE SPACE BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER, Page selected James Taylor’s “You Can Close Your Eyes” as the character Holli’s, theme song. When asked why she chose this song, she suggested that to her, the author, the song represents an ‘adult lullaby’ that holds within the lyrics -- and within Taylor’s soothing vocals -- all the comfort that a parent would want to offer when her nearly-grown child is in trouble. Hearing this explanation, the reader/listener is able to better understand the depth of the character and perhaps gain better insight into where Page is taking the narrative.
Critics are raving about both Page’s work and the music she is associating with her characters. Woman’s Day selected THE SPACE BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER as one of seven “juicy” beach reads in its Best-of-Summer issue, and The Seattle Post-Intelligencer found Page’s inclusion of music in the supplemental pages of the novel “intriguing”.
“The Boundtrack® opens up another way of listening to what you are reading,” added Page. “After all, it seems that in today’s world, when music accompanies everything from movies to baseball games, there is an opportunity here to enhance the reading experience, as well.” Jean Reynolds Page is the author of two earlier novels, A BLESSED EVENT and ACCIDENTAL HAPPINESS. Her next book, which is scheduled for publication with Avon A/HarperCollins next year, will also include a Boundtrack® in the supplemental pages.
I am so excited about the Boundtrack® concept and how it enhances THE SPACE BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER. I think many of you will agree with me and think this is a terrific book, especially when you can "listen" to the songs that inspired it. If you'd like to get a sneak preview of THE SPACE BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER, you can read up to 20% of the book here (including the list of songs and the explanation behind them.)
The wonderful people at Harper Collins have graciously offered to giveaway up to ten -- yes, ten -- copies of THE SPACE BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER. All you have to do is leave a comment with your e-mail address. If you'd like to receive two entries, just blog about Boundtrack® and this contest with a link back to this post. To make things a little more interesting, I will be giving away a book for every ten entries that I receive. For example, if I get 40 entries, there will be four books given out; 80 entries - 80 books, and so on. The contest will be open until Sunday, October 26th at 11:59 p.m. I will announce the winner on the following Monday. Unfortunately, this giveaway is open to U.S. mailing addresses only.
Wow! Once again, you guys just amaze me with your interest in THE UNCOMMON READER by Alan Bennett. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I know the winners will too. I was so excited that I received enough entries to give away all five copies of this book!
I still have one more giveaway going on right now for I LIKE YOU by Amy Sedaris, so be sure to sign up! I promise that I will be having some more awesome giveaways in the very near future.
JACK IN THE BOX by Art Spiegelman (the Pulitzer Prize winner for MAUS) Summary: Jack just got a new toy, and it’s full of surprises. Each time the box pops open, there’s a new and bigger surprise. Is it a silly toy, a scary toy...or something else entirely?With a limited vocabulary and unlimited imagination, Art Spiegelman applies his out-of-the-box thinking to a book that has all the surprise and bounce of a Jack-in-the-box.
Summary: Stinky is a monster who loves pickles and possums but is terrified of people. When a new kid enters his swamp, this adorable little monster comes up with all sorts of crazy plans to scare him away. But Stinky quickly learns to conquer his fear, as he realizes that bats, rats, and toads aren’t the only friends you can find in the swamp.
This hilarious and heart-warming story by ferociously talented newcomer Eleanor Davis proves that even monsters can make new friends…warts and all!
MO AND JO FIGHTING TOGETHER FOREVER by Dean Haspiel and Jay LynchSummary: MONA AND JOEY CAN'T STOP FIGHTING! When the Mighty Mojo decides to give his powerful costume to them, these argumentative twins fight so much they rip it in half. Now each one is only half as strong! Can Mo and Jo find a way to combine their powers, fight the evil Saw-Jaw and save their town?
Two master cartoonists, writer Jay Lynch and artist Dean Haspiel, create a loving, tongue-in-cheek superhero tale where the kids’ biggest battle is just learning to get along.
When I was recently contacted about TOON BOOKS, a line of comic books that help kids learn to read, I knew I was interested. I have a son who is four and very interested in books and learning how to read (wonder where he got that?) My initial thought, without even seeing the books, was that this is a wonderful concept! Comic books have lots of detailed pictures with few words -- just like an early reader book. I also thought that boys might be attracted to comic books and these types of stories.
After reading these books quite a few times, I can now say that I LOVE THESE BOOKS! And not only am I huge fan, but my son thinks these are terrific books too. The pictures are colorful and full of action so there's a lot for him to look at. In addition, these books have simple words and easy-to-read dialogue. He wants to look at them (and have me read them) over and over again. What amazes me even more is that he fully grasped all of the stories. When I asked him some questions about the stories (even a few days later), he could tell me details that I even forgot.
I was fortunate enough to receive three books from the Fall 2008 Line -- JACK AND THE BOX, STINKY, and MO and JO. All three of these books were hardcover and just the right length for kids learning to read. I liked that two of the books were even divided into very small chapters so as not to intimidate an early reader. All of the story lines were geared to young children and filled with lots of humor! There were even a few good lessons thrown in! I thought they were just perfect.
There are three other TOON BOOKS that I have to get my hands on! I am certain that my son will love all of these too. It's clear to me that books like these will definitely encourage kids to read (even the most reluctant ones.) If you have a young child who is ready to read, you have to take a look at this series!
And the winner of SARAH'S KEY by Tatiana de Rosnay is...Carrie K! I hope you will appreciate this book as much as I did! Please e-mail me with your name and address so I can send the book right out to you.
I am completely and utterly amazed by the number of comments I received for this giveaway! It was by far the "biggest" contest that I've hosted so far. I think even Ms. de Rosnay was impressed (she left me a comment and made my day!)
If you didn't win, don't despair. I still have some other terrific contests going on right now:
I'd like to welcome back my good friend and fellow book clubber Melissa. Last month, the Preschool Moms Book Club had the pleasure of talking with Leslie Kagen, author of WHISTLING IN THE DARK (my review) and LAND OF A HUNDRED WONDERS. You can read more about our meeting and discussion with Ms. Kagen here. We actually read WHISTLING IN THE DARK for our monthly selection, but a few of us read LAND OF A HUNDRED WONDERS too. We agreed that it was another wonderful book by Ms. Kagen. Melissa enjoyed it so much that she volunteered to write a review.
Summary: The summer Gibby McGraw catches her big break, the cicadas are humming, and it’s so warm even the frogs are sweating. Brain damaged after a tragic car accident that took both her parents, Gibby is now NQR (Not Quite Right), a real challenge for a fledgling newspaper reporter. Especially when she stumbles upon the dead body of the next governor of Kentucky, Buster Malloy.
Armed with her trusty blue spiral note-book, Gibby figures that solving the murder might be her best chance to prove to everyone that she can become Quite Right again. But she gets more than she bargained for when she uncovers a world of corruption, racism, and family secrets in small town Cray Ridge. Lucky for her, she’s also about to discover that some things are far more important than all the brains in the world, and that miracles occur in the most unexpected moments. -- NAL/Penguin
I love Leslie Kagen! She is one of my favorite new authors. I loved Whistling in the Dark and I absolutely adored Land of a Hundred Wonders. This book is charming, compelling, funny and heart-breaking all at the same time. Kagen masterfully writes with a cadence that is just the right pace for a good read, and one that you can’t put down.
One of the things that I like most about Ms. Kagen’s books is that she literally breathes life into her characters. You’ll find yourself thinking about them as if they are real. Here are a few of my favorites from Hundred Wonders. There is Gibby, the story’s heroine who is NQR (Not Quite Right), as a result of a car accident that claimed both of her parents. She has determined and set herself on a course that will help her become QR (Quite Right) in order to ease her deceased Mama’s worries over her in the beyond. There is Grampa, a tough and gritty old-timer with a big heart. As Gibby’s guardian, he is determined to protect her, even if it means not realizing his own heart’s desire. Then there is Billy, a Vietnam War veteran who has his own demons to contend with. Is he simply a loyal family friend who wants to make sure no one takes advantage of NQR Gibby, or is there more to his feelings? The one who probably charmed me the most was Clever, Gibby’s most devoted best friend. She’s had her fair share of knocks growing up with a less-than-perfect mother who always seemed more interested in men and good times. And, although she’s a little rough around the edges, she’ll do anything to help Gibby realize her goal -- if she can stay out of trouble, that is. These are just a few. Hundred Wonders offers up a plethora of memorable and colorful characters who are weaved seamlessly into the narrative – they’re not just there for candy-coating.
Set in a small town in Kentucky in the 1970’s, Gibby sets out to solve a mystery when she discovers the dead body of politician Buster Malloy. Along the way she must deal with the unwanted advances of Sneaky Tim Ray Holloway, one of those characters you love to hate. Gibby also grapples with the tensions brewing between her African American friends and the white folks of the community. In Gibby’s mind, it’s easy: why can’t everyone just be friends? To top it all off, she finds out her unemployed and unmarried best friend Clever is pregnant. Undaunted by all of these complications, and with the help of a few good friends, Gibby launches and steadfastly maintains her investigation into Buster Malloy’s death. Written in Gibby’s voice, the reader is made to experience some of Gibby’s confusions and befuddlements right along with her. At first, I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this, but Kagen makes it work.
At the heart of this poignant and humorous story is the idea that what makes up the best of the human spirit is not necessarily brains and intellect, but love and forgiveness. For me, Land of a Hundred Wonders is a book about redemption and hope. This is a wonderful pick for any book club and I highly recommend it. I can’t wait for Ms. Kagen’s next novel!
Once again, a big thanks goes out to Melissa for this awesome review! She has a few more reviews in the works, so we'll be hearing from her again very soon.
Summary: From moving to a new house to making new friends and preparing for high school, life for the new girl in town can be unsettling. But thirteen year-old Courtney is unprepared for how creepy life in Murmur, Massachusetts turns out to be. Her ivy-covered house overlooking the antiquated cemetery next door is one thing, but Courtney finds herself thrust into a full-fledged haunted adventure after meeting Christian and Margaret Geyer, a strange father and daughter with unfinished family business. The body of their ancestor, Prudence, has gone missing from beneath her ivy-carved tombstone and must be returned to its final resting place in order to break the spell that looms over Courtney’s house. To add to the suspense and help solve the mystery, authentic documents and photographs are set at the beginning of each chapter pertaining to Murmur, Courtney’s house, and the infamous cemetery. Will Courtney uncover the secret lurking within the dark, dank underbelly of her ivy-covered basement? -- Running Press/The Perseus Book Group
A few weeks ago, I heard about the book CREEPERS by Joanne Dahme from Cindy at the Mother Daughter Book Club. I immediately requested a copy because I am always on the lookout for potential discussion books for our Mother-Daughter Book Club. I had a feeling that this book about ghosts might be a little too old for our girls, but I figured that it wouldn't be too long until they were ready to read it. Plus, I was in the mood for a little ghost story considering that Halloween is drawing near.
After reading CREEPERS, I would say that this book is perfect for middle school or junior high aged kids. It is a fairly quick read, and I think it will capture a child's interest right away. I loved the character of Courtney, and I think many children will relate to her. She is a very bright and inquisitive young girl who knows that something isn't quite right about her new friends, Margaret and Christian. As the new girl in town in the middle of the summer (with not much to do), she throws herself into helping her friends uncover the secret of her ivy-covered basement. I enjoyed that the book was written in Courtney's voice. I think the reader really gets to understand Courtney, and it's exciting to see the mystery through her eyes.
This book definitely held my interest. I had a hard time putting the book down because I was so curious about the secrets of Prudence and the witch. I wouldn't say that this book was downright scary, and I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't give my daughter nightmares; but it was "creepy." (I mean that in a very good way.) I think kids will love the suspense of the story, the family secrets, and the mysterious characters.
The book does contain some picture, newspaper clippings, letters, journal entries, etc. that really added to my enjoyment of the novel. I think the visuals helped to set the tone and give some additional insight into the text of the story. The cover of the book is also beautiful. There is a lighter green ivy plant on the cover, but there is also a less obvious textured, shiny ivy plant too (hidden you might say.) In addition, many of the pages within the book have green ivy crawling across the pages. Ivy was a huge part of this story -- in essence, it became another character; and I thought the use of the ivy artwork really enhanced the book and its ivy theme.
CREEPERS did keep me guessing right until the end. I'm not sure that everything I wanted to know about the story was fully resolved, but I think that's one of the main reasons that I enjoyed this book so much. There are definitely lots of things to think about and different ways to interpret the ending. I think these questions that remained in my mind would make for a very interesting discussion at a future mother-daughter book club!
Running Press/The Perseus Book Groups have graciously offered to giveaway fifteen copies of CREEPERS! If you would like to receive a copy, please e-mail geri(dot)ditella(at)perseusbooks(dot)com with “Creepers – complimentary copy" in the subject line. Make sure that you include that you heard about this contest from "Booking Mama" as well your name and mailing address. The first fifteen who respond will receive a free book -- so hurry!
P.S. - The contest is officially closed! All fifteen books have been claimed!
Summary: I LIKE YOU is an "entertaining guide to entertaining" and includes recipes, complete meal plans, decorating suggestions, music choices, conversational ice-breakers, and hospitality tips to create the perfect evening at home. The book has scrapbook feel, including color as well as black and white photos, illustrations, and craft patterns. Whether it's an intimate night for two or a ladies' luncheon for twenty, Sedaris offers her own advice to make guests feel welcome and the host look good. I LIKE YOU is the essential handbook for full-scale entertaining the Sedaris way.
The inspiration for I LIKE YOU comes from Sedaris's own domestic expertise. A notorious baker and cook, her famous cheese balls can be bought at Gourmet Garage and her cupcakes at Joe Coffee in New York City. Sedaris covers all aspects of home entertaining. Sample chapters include: A Greek Dinner Date; Grieving; Entertaining Children; A Rich Uncle Comes to Visit; Baby Shower; The Elderly; Cooking for Oneself; Picnic; and a variety of courtships, such as dating a hunter, a dieter, or an alcoholic. All chapters contain tips, hits and misses, and end with a critical evaluation of the event or a letter from a guest. -- Warner Books Press Release
I was very excited when I received a copy of Amy Sedaris'I LIKE YOU: HOSPITALITY UNDER THE INFLUENCE from Hachette Book Group USA. I LOVE cookbooks! It's not that I cook a lot, but I do love looking through cookbooks (especially ones with lots of pictures.) And, I LIKE YOU is a really big cookbook (over 300 pages) filled with tons of pictures. I couldn't wait to sit down with a cup of coffee and look at all the recipes!
I remember awhile back when I saw Amy Sedaris on The Martha Stewart Show promoting her cookbook; and I thought she was a hoot! I had a feeling that her cookbook wouldn't be like any other cookbook that I own. Well after reading through this book, I can now say for sure that this is nothing like any other cookbook that I've ever seen. There are lots of recipes, but this book is so much more than just a normal cookbook. This book is a very entertaining (and often times, outrageous) cookbook!
If you're not familiar with Amy Sedaris, you should really check out her website. I think she is a riot! This book captures Ms. Sedaris' hilarious personality perfectly. I had so much fun reading this book, and I found myself laughing out loud many times. I also love how there is just so much happening on each page. You could read this book over and over again and still find new things to laugh at. While much of this book is truly "out-there" and wacky, there are actually some great entertaining tips and recipes mixed in.
Not only is this book chock full of recipes that are actually do-able, but it also has lots of helpful entertaining hostess tips (as only Ms. Sedaris can give.) There are lots and lots of pictures -- some are of the recipes, buts many are of "decorating ideas" and "crafts." Ms. Sedaris even says that, "This book is so visual, a monkey could enjoy it." You can read an excerpt of her cookbook here. And you can even see some of the sample recipes here.
The paperback version of I LIKE YOU will be available on October 22nd; and I am so happy to say that I have up to five copies of I LIKE YOU to share with you. For every fifteen comments that I get, I will give away one book -- that means if I get 30 comments, I will giveaway two; 45 comments, three books, etc. up to five books. Please leave a comment with your e-mail address for one entry. If you would like to be entered two times, blog about this contest with a link back to this post. I will continue to receive entries until Friday, October 17th at 11:59 p.m. EST; and I will announce the winner(s) on October 18th. Unfortunately, this contest is open to US mailing addresses only. A big thanks to Hachette Book Group USA for offering this giveaway.
Summary: With his personal life at a bit of a cross-roads, Boston attorney Brady Coyne finds his own past coming back to haunt his professional life when his ex-girlfriend Alex Sinclair turns up looking for a lawyer to represent her brother. Augustine Sinclair was a notable photo-journalist, happily married to his high-school sweetheart with two small children – until he returned from a stint a freelancer photographer in Iraq missing a hand and suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – now he’s lost his career, his peace of mind and his family. Brady is brought in to help him handle the divorce so that he does lose any more but before they get very far, the photographer is found dead in his rented apartment, an apparent suicide.
But something isn’t right about the suicide – the details are just a bit off – and Brady starts to think that his client has been murdered, the suicide staged. With very little to go on and with nearly everyone wanting to quickly close the books on a case that has all the classic indications of suicide, Brady soon finds himself in the midst of one of the most dangerous situations of his entire life, facing people who will stop at nothing to keep from being exposed. -- St. Martin's Minotaur
I received HELL BENT by William G. Tapply as part of the Library Thing Early Reviewers' Program. I probably wouldn't have picked up this book on my own since I'm not reading a lot of mystery/suspense books right now; however, I am happy to say that I really enjoyed this book. The book was a very quick read, mainly because the plot draws the reader in right from the start and the story keeps moving at a very fast pace.
I think one of the main reasons that I liked this book was the Brady Coyne character. Brady Coyne is a Boston lawyer who agrees to take on the divorce case of his ex-girlfriend's brother. I found Brady to be extremely likable and quite human considering he is a lawyer (just kidding -- some of my best friends are lawyers!) I especially liked that the author allowed the reader into Brady's personal life and shared Brady's feelings about his ex-girlfriends.
Mr. Tapply did a terrific job of setting up the story for the reader, both in regards to Brady's character as well as the mystery aspect. As I read this book, I knew there was going to be some sort of mystery, but it wasn't until about half way through the book, that a "crime" was actually committed -- Brady's client was found dead by an apparent suicide. Brady's ex-girlfriend is sure that her brother didn't kill himself (despite all the evidence that shows he did); and Brady promises to try to find out the truth. The second half of the book details Brady's investigation and his final resolution of the crime. I was so drawn into the novel by this point that I couldn't put it down.
While I did predict that Brady's client would "kill" himself, I wasn't able to figure out who the murderer was. I can't say that I was shocked by who committed the crime, but it's always easy to say that after the fact. In addition even after I knew whodunnit, I was still totally wrong about the motive for the murder. I love a book that keeps me guessing, and that's probably one of the main reasons that I enjoyed this book so much.
In addition to the murder mystery aspect of the novel, I also liked following Brady's personal life and his romantic interests. Since I found myself liking the character of Brady, I was rooting for him to find a good woman and some happiness. I also enjoyed the side story about an elderly couple who had retained Brady's services to help them recover damages from their moving company. Their story provided some humor into the novel as well as a happy, feel-good ending.
HELL BENT is the 24th novel by Mr. Tapply with the character of Brady Coyne. I don't know where I've been for the last 24 years, but I was not familiar with this author or this series. While there were references to some things that happened in Brady's past, this book definitely stands on its own. It's probably not realistic for me to say that I'm going to go back and read the first 23, but I have a feeling that I'd really enjoy them. Let's put it this way, I will certainly be on the lookout for any books in the Brady Coyne series!
A big thanks goes out to St. Martin's Minotaur and Library Thing Early Reviewers' Program for the opportunity to read and review HELL BENT.
Summary: As if being 12 3/4 isn’t bad enough, Vanessa Rothrock’s mother is running for president and it’s ruining her life. Isn’t it enough that her enormous feet trip her up all the time, even on stage during the school spelling bee? Isn’t it enough that Reginald Trumball, love of Vanessa’s pathetic life, read her personal and private list of deficiencies to some boy she doesn’t even know? And that the Boob Fairy hasn’t visited her even once?! Doesn’t Mom realize that Vanessa needs her more than the rest of the country? More importantly, doesn’t she realize that she may be in grave danger? Vanessa's receiving threatening notes at school–notes that imply some psycho has it out for her mother at the Democratic National Convention. Vanessa might be the only person who can save her. But does she have the courage to do what that requires? -- Delacorte Press
I caught wind AS IF BEING 12 3/4 ISN'T BAD ENOUGH, MY MOTHER IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT by Donna Gephart a few months ago, and I thought it looked awesome. I even wrote it down so I could remember to read it when my daughter got a little older. So I was just thrilled when I was contacted a few weeks ago and asked to review the book for my blog.
I absolutely loved this book, and I think young girls everywhere should read it. I haven't read much juvenile fiction since I was a kid, but now that my daughter is getting older I know I will be starting again. I forgot how wonderful these books about teenage girls can be! I think it's terrific that there are books like this one out there that can make kids feel that they are not alone with their concerns. And since this book was absolutely hilarious, I love how it can make girls feel "normal" (and maybe even allow them laugh about some their insecurities!)
I can't rave enough about AS IF BEING 12 3/4...! This book dealt with so many issues that are pertinent to today's young girls -- mother/daughter relationships, single parenting, working mothers, crushes, embarrassing moments, and normal teenage insecurities. I think most girls will relate to at least a few of these topics. Not only do I appreciate how Ms. Gephart handled all of these topics in this book, but the storyline is also very interesting. By having Vanessa's mom run for president, the reader gets some insight into the presidential campaign and election process -- and it's in a very fun way, not like a boring history class!
While I did find this book hilarious and I can admit that I laughed out loud many times, I was also touched by Vanessa's story. Vanessa was a very sensitive young woman who was dealing with a lot of changes. Pre-teen and early teen-age years are difficult in the best of times, but Vanessa had a lot more to deal with than the average young girl. Not only was her mom away campaigning, but Vanessa was also coming to terms with losing her father. In addition, she was filled with the normal teenage insecurities; but on top of that, she had to handle one huge insecurity -- fearing for her mother's life. I love how the author was able to balance the book between being entertaining and addressing deeper, more serious issues.
AS IF BEING 12 3/4... is Ms. Gephart's first novel. If this book is any indication, I think she will be a "player" in juvenile fiction. I loved the character of Vanessa, and I thought the author developed her extremely well. Vanessa was a very realistic (and bright) young woman who had many of the same insecurities that I remember having as an early teenager -- except hers were magnified because her mother was in the spotlight. Ms. Gephart chose to write the novel in Vanessa's voice; and I think without a doubt that she captured the essence of a teenage girl!
If you'd like to learn a little more about Ms. Gephart and her book, she a terrific website as well as a blog. I had a great time playing around on her website. There is an excerpt of the story as well as presidential puzzles and trivia associated with the book. You will no doubt get an idea of Ms. Gephart's amazing sense of humor!
My daughter, who recently turned 9 years old, loved this book too! She actually read this book before I did -- I probably shouldn't have let her do that! She devoured it in two days. That's quite a feat considering it is 227 pages, and she's in school and lots of after-school activities. She carried this book everywhere with her. After I completed the book, I was pretty sure that she didn't understand every aspect of the book; and that's probably a good thing. There were a few things in this book that were geared towards girls a little older than 9 -- interest in boys, the "Boob Fairy," and spelling words that included a female body part. I thought all of these references were appropriate and well-done (and very, very funny), but there were way above my daughter's head. She was actually a little young for this book and didn't fully appreciate the trials and tribulations of a 12 year old Vanessa. She (like her father) is a political junkie, and she was more interested in learning what is involved in running for president. I am definitely going to have her re-read this book in a few years because I know she will love it for a whole bunch of different reasons!
Booking Daughter's Thoughts: Wow! I had the best time reading AS IF BEING 12 3/4 ISN'T BAD ENOUGH, MY MOTHER IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT! My favorite part of the book was when I found out that Vanessa's mother had a very good chance of winning the nomination. I thought it was really good every time she made a speech and tried to get closer to her dream.
I learned about what was happening during an election. I didn't know that an election has so many parts. Since the election is soon, I know some of the steps and I'll understand what is happening.
Summary: A deliciously funny novella that celebrates the pleasure of reading. When the Queen in pursuit of her wandering corgis stumbles upon a mobile library she feels duty bound to borrow a book. Aided by Norman, a young man from the palace kitchen who frequents the library, Bennett describes the Queen’s transformation as she discovers the liberating pleasures of the written word. With the poignant and mischievous wit of The History Boys, England’s best loved author revels in the power of literature to change even the most uncommon reader’s life. -- Picador
Last April, I read THE UNCOMMON READER by Alan Bennett as one of my books for The Novella Challenge. I thought this book was wonderful (and very funny) -- you can read my review here. This book is now available in trade paperback; and trust me, it's just adorable. I am thrilled to announce that I have up to 5 copies (courtesy of Picador) to share with you!
I will definitely give one book away no matter how many entries I get; but for every additional 15 entries, I will give another one away. For instance if I get 15 entries, there will be two books available. If I get 30, I will give away three copies; and so on! I've never tried this before, so I think it will be interesting!
If you'd like to win a copy of THE UNCOMMON READER, please leave a comment with your e-mail address. As usual if you want to double your chances, blog about this contest with a link back to this post. The contest will be open until Sunday, October 12th at 11:59 p.m.; and the winners will be announced on Monday, Octobr 13th. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. mailing addresses only. Good luck!
Summary: Love and hope transcend all boundaries when a boy and a dragonfly meet. An impossible encounter? Lea journeys through a beautiful garden to discover the boy’s secret. As she follows his clues, Lea meets people who need her help. And at the end, the unexpected secret is revealed. Discover the power of boundless love in this heartfelt story of friendship, family, and remembrance. Beautifully illustrated, The Dragonfly Secret gently encourages children and adults to explore life’s infinite possibilities. Because of it, readers may look at nature in an entirely new light.
The Dragonfly Secret is a heartwarming story for family members who have lost a loved one. -- Feather Rock Books
I always jump at the chance to read and review children's books, especially children's picture books. I spend a lot of time reading and then blogging about books; and my children love to help. Every time I read a new book to my four year old son, he asks if he can blog about it! So I was very excited when I was asked to read THE DRAGONFLY SECRET, written by Clea and John Adams and illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson. This book was written for families and uses the wonders of nature to show how people love and remember their relatives.
When I opened this book, my first impression was that it was so beautiful! The illustrations are just incredibly bright and vivid. Each page was filled with gorgeous pictures of nature --butterflies, dragonflies, and lots of trees and flowers. Not only was I blown away by the beauty of this book, but my kids were equally enthralled. My little guy was fascinated with the pictures, and they kept his attention while I read the story.
I really enjoyed THE DRAGONFLY SECRET, and I thought it was a very heart-warming and moving story. I was drawn into the story of a young boy who enlists the help of Lea, a beautiful dragonfly. After a day of playing together, the boy decides to include Lea in on his secret -- he asks her to return to the garden the following day and do three things. Without fully understanding the boy's request, Lea agrees to help her new friend.
At this point, my kids and I were definitely hooked and very curious about the boy's secret. As the boy gave Lea two of the clues, my son really enjoyed "helping" Lea the dragonfly find the items she was she was looking for. As we continued to read, I started to see where the book was going. Of course, my kids didn't have any idea. As the secret was revealed at the end of the story, I found myself deeply affected by the book's ultimate message. I appreciated how the authors tied together the beauty and miracle of nature with the endurance of ever-lasting love. As a parent, I found comfort in this book; and I can understand how this story would help people to cope with loss.
As much as I appreciated the beauty and message of this story, I do think it's important for me to share my children's reaction to the book. My four year old son said that he loved it. This book is geared towards ages 8 to adult, so I didn't really expect him to understand it. He just enjoyed reading it with his sister and me and looking at the colorful pictures. My nine year old daughter, who is pretty bright, said that she enjoyed the book too. However, when I started to discuss it with her, it became clear pretty quickly that she didn't comprehend the story and its message. Even after I explained it to her, she was still very confused. Now maybe she's just not perceptive, but I think this book is much more appropriate for older children and adults than younger kids.
The DRAGONFLY SECRET is a companion book to THE DRAGONFLY DOOR, a story for children coping with loss and change. This book was extremely well received. Some of the awards it won include: Winner of 2008 Benjamin Franklin Award/Cover-Design - Children's; Winner of 2008 Evelyn Thurman Young Readers Book Award; Finalist 2008 Benjamin Franklin Award/Parenting Family Issues; Finalist 2007 Midwest Independent Publishers/Illustration; Finalist 2007 National Best Books/Children's Picturebook; and Nominee for Church and Synagogue Library Associations' 2008 Rodda Book Award. I have not read THE DRAGONFLY DOOR yet, but I hope to read it very soon!
I think THE DRAGONFLY SECRET is truly a gorgeous book in so many ways, from the illustrations to the message about boundless love. I highly recommend it for those children and adults who are trying to find some peace of mind after dealing with a loss of a loved one. I think it's a wonderful book for parents to read with their children to help give hope in times of grief.
Summary: Jane, a loving mother of two, has drowned her toddler son and is charged with his murder in this powerful examination of love, loss, and family legacy. When a prosecutor decides Jane’s husband Tom is partially to blame for the death and charges him with “failure to protect,” Tom’s attorney proposes a radical defense. He plans to create reasonable doubt about his client’s alleged guilt by showing that Jane’s genealogy is the cause of her violence, and that she inherited her latent violence in the same way she might inherit a talent for music or a predisposition to disease. -- Kunati Books
Over the past few months, I have seen JANEOLOGY by Karen Harrington reviewed on various blogs. Most of the reviews were very positive, and I thought the premise of the book sounded very interesting -- I added it to my "Need to Read" list. Much to my surprise (and pleasure), Ms. Harrington contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I would like to read her novel. Of course, I agreed -- how could I say no?
I found this book to be intriguing! I read it very quickly (it was a relatively short book at 246 pages), but I think the main reason was that the author did a very good job of telling the story and luring me in right from the start. Of course, I am still amazed anytime I hear a story about a mother killing her own children. So a book that tries to explain a mother's mental condition definitely interested me. However, I was even more fascinated by the effects of the crime on Tom, Jane's husband.
On one hand, I was shocked that our legal system could charge the husband/father with a crime for basically "not stopping" his wife from killing her children. But, on the other hand, how could you live with someone and have no idea what anguish your wife was feeling? I'm not exactly sure what I thought about Tom, but I know that I did feel so much pity for him for losing his child (and for all intents and purposes his wife.) I think Ms. Harrington did an excellent job of developing Tom's characters and the guilt he was dealing with over his wife's crime.
I guess this book is technically considered a legal thriller, but there really is so much more to it. I thought it was more of a novel about family dynamics with lots of psychological insight thrown in. There was also a psychic/paranormal aspect to this story. One of Jane's relatives was able to "see the past" by touching some items that were found in an old trunk. Usually, I'm not a huge fan of paranormal books; however, I had no problems "accepting" it in this book and I actually thought it moved the story along rather well.
Ms. Harrington has a wonderful website devoted to her books as well her own blog. In addition to JANEOLOGY, she has also written a children's book that looks adorable. It's called THERE'S A DOG IN MY DOORWAY, and it was written for Dr. Laura Schlessinger's Foundation "My Stuff Bags." Ms. Harrington has been recognized by the Hemingway Short Story Competition and the Texas Film Institute. I thoroughly enjoyed her story as well as her writing style, and I look forward to her future novels.
One thing that I liked about the website was the section on "About JANEOLOGY." There is a brief summary of the book, but there is also a genealogy chart of Jane's family. Since the book goes back in time and tells the story of many of Jane's relatives, I found this graph to be very helpful. I also found Ms. Harrington's story behind her novel to be fascinating! Because the author never knew any of her grandparents, she was extremely curious about her ancestors. Her curiosity about her past , as well as her research on her ancestors, was what inspired her to write this book.
This book definitely made me think -- a lot! And, I'm pretty sure that's what Ms. Harrington intended to do with this book. As I learned more about Jane's upbringing as well as her ancestors, I did find myself feeling sorry for her on more than one occasion. I can never excuse a mother for killing her own children. But I did find myself questioning whether she was "programmed" by both her upbringing and her genes to have a predisposition to this type of irrational behavior. That brings to mind another issue for me -- if certain people are predisposed to commit these horrendous crimes (for whatever reason), how can some of them overcome this type of behavior? There are certainly lots of "normal" individuals in our society who have had awful childhoods (as well as relatives with questionable personalities) who don't kill their children.
This book definitely will cause readers to examine their own ideas about the nature vs. nurture debate. As a result, I think it would make an excellent book club discussion book! I'm sure that everyone who reads this book will have some interesting ideas about Jane and her crime. It would also be very interesting to hear what they think about Tom's role in the crime. I'm guessing JANEOLOGY would make for a very exciting (albeit controversial) discussion!
Please e-mail me with your addresses so we can get those books out to you right away. A huge thanks goes out to Hachette Book Group USA for providing the books for this giveaway.
Make sure you check out the great giveaways that I have going on right now for SARAH'S KEY and HANNAH'S DREAM.
I am so happy to have Diane Hammond, author of HANNAH'S DREAM stopping by Booking Mama today. I absolutely adored her latest book (you can read my review here), and I found myself falling in love with her characters, especially Hannah the elephant. I think her guest post will give you a little insight into the background of her novel. I found it very interesting, and I'm sure you will too.
When a Killer Whale Becomes an Asian Elephant
If you have children of almost any age, you’ve probably seen the movie Free Willy. For those few who haven’t, the film is about a captive killer whale named Willy that’s set free by a brave young boy. Willy was played by Keiko (pronounced kay-koh), a killer whale not nearly so lucky. Once wild, by the time the movie was filmed he was living in a cramped, hot pool at an amusement park in Mexico City, where he was more than a ton underweight and suffered from a chronic, stress-related papilloma virus that gave him clusters of skin lesions. He couldn’t have been less like the glossy creature that made his leap to freedom over a stone jetty. (An insider’s note here: Keiko didn’t make that leap, or appear in any other scenes that were shot outside of his pool. Those starred a life-size, neoprene-clad model fondly named Fake-o.)
But luck can change. The amusement park owners sought out animal welfare activists who formed the Free Willy Keiko Foundation and built a rehabilitation facility for Keiko at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. He was moved there in 1996 and, as befits a movie star, became an overnight media darling. Even better, he got well.
As his press secretary, I had a seat front and center for the amazing early months of Keiko’s rehabilitation. His keepers spent hours each day swimming with him in a pool so cold that without a wetsuit or survival gear you’d lose consciousness from hypothermia in less than thirty minutes. Rain or shine, summer or winter, day in and day out, this handful of young men and women petted him, nursed him, played tag with him, spent holidays with him, and came up with creative ways to bring his mind as well as his body back to health. By the time Keiko left Oregon for the North Atlantic in 1998, he was a masterpiece of buff muscle and hearty vitality.
I had always assumed that I’d write about what I’d seen and learned in those two remarkable years—especially about the bond that developed between Keiko and his staff. And I tried. But it quickly became clear that I had neither the distance nor the objectivity that the story required. I moved on to write my second novel, Homesick Creek, instead. But in 2002 I went back to thinking about Keiko all over again.
My husband Nolan Harvey, who had directed the killer whale’s rehabilitation, suggested that it might help if I transferred what I knew and had experienced to a member of another species. Why not make that animal an elephant—another huge and broadly charismatic species?
Because, I said, I know absolutely nothing about elephants.
Maybe so, but you’re a fast learner.
I wasn’t convinced, but I let Nolan introduce me to a couple of keepers at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, who were willing to help me learn my way around an Asian elephant.
Even among zoo keepers, elephant keepers are a breed apart, and not just because the animals in their care can—and sometimes do—kill them without notice, intent or provocation. Elephant keepers work with these enormous, powerful animals day in and day out because there’s a quality, they say—call it a presence, an intelligence, a soul—that sets elephants apart.
Keiko’s keepers said the same thing about him.
Maybe, I thought, I can do this.
So at the hands of excellent teachers, I learned about protective versus free contact (working with an animal from behind a barrier versus moving unprotected within the same physical space); about elephant body language; about what pleases them and hurts them and what problems are common among elephants at zoos, especially the older and second-rate ones.
I was hooked. Now all I needed was a story, which I failed to find until one day, by pure kismet, I stumbled upon television footage of a man named Solomon James, Jr., who was unshackling for the last time an Asian elephant he had taken care of for twenty-two years. He had just transported her from her small zoo to the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee. He was struggling to maintain his composure as he unchained her for the very last time. Theirs was obviously a strong bond, the details of which I could only imagine. In fact, I did imagine them, through characters Samson Brown and Hannah. They became the centerpiece of my third novel, Hannah’s Dream, which tells the story of what can happen when incredible animals find homes in the hearts of incredible people.
It is a love story.
I hope between my review and Ms. Hammond's guest post that you will be enticed to read HANNAH'S DREAM -- it really is a beautiful novel. I am thrilled that I have three signed copies of HANNAH'S DREAM (courtesy of Harper Collins) to share with you! Please leave a comment with your e-mail address if you are interested. If you'd like to double your chances, blog about this post with a link back here. The contest will be open until October 10th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winners on Saturday, October 11th. Unfortunately, this contest is only open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses.
Summary: An elephant never forgets . . . but can she dream?
For forty-one years, Samson Brown has been caring for Hannah, the lone elephant at the down-at-the-heels Max L. Biedelman Zoo. Having vowed not to retire until an equally loving and devoted caretaker is found to replace him, Sam rejoices when smart, compassionate Neva Wilson is hired as the new elephant keeper. But Neva quickly discovers what Sam already knows: that despite their loving care, Hannah is isolated from other elephants and her feet are nearly ruined from standing on hard concrete all day. Using her contacts in the zookeeping world, Neva and Sam hatch a plan to send Hannah to an elephant sanctuary—just as the zoo's angry, unhappy director launches an aggressive revitalization campaign that spotlights Hannah as the star attraction, inextricably tying Hannah's future to the fate of the Max L. Biedelman Zoo.
A charming, poignant, and captivating novel certain to enthrall readers of Water for Elephants, Diane Hammond's Hannah's Dream is a beautifully told tale rich in heart, humor, and intelligence. -- Harper Collins
When Diane Hammond author of HANNAH'S DREAM contacted me about reading her book, the title of her e-mail read "An Elephant Love Story." I have to admit that I was intrigued, but I wasn't sure how a book could be about an elephant and her keeper could really be called "a love story." Well after devouring this book, I agree that it is the perfect description because HANNAH'S DREAM was above all else "a love story." This book is one of my favorite books of 2008 -- I absolutely adored it!
I think Ms. Hammond did a marvelous job with the characters in this story. Although this book did have many characters, I really think I got to know (and understand) almost all of them -- even the "bad guy" character. My book club would laugh because I'm always pretty critical of characters and their actions; however, there were just so many incredible (and likable) characters in this story. Sam and Hannah were my two favorite characters, but I also really liked Neva, the new zookeeper, and Truman, an office worker at the zoo. While these characters acted more in a supporting role to the story, I still felt like they were very well developed. In addition, Sam's wife Corinna was a terrific, somewhat complex character who had lost all faith in God after the loss of her daughter. Finally, one other character worth mentioning was Max Biedelman the original zoo owner. Max appeared in this story by way of Sam's flashbacks. She was quite an interesting character and way ahead of her time.
I think what I loved the most about this book was how the author chose to portray so many of the relationships in this story. It goes without saying that Sam and Hannah the elephant had a beautiful friendship, and I loved that seeing inside their symbiotic relationship. Another wonderful relationship was between Sam and his wife Corinna. Even though they had faced the awful loss of their daughter, they still managed to have a beautiful marriage -- one filled with mutual respect and admiration. Their loss was the reason that Sam (and Corinna) developed their relationship with Hannah -- in essence, Hannah became their child. I also liked seeing the relationship between Truman and Neva start to bloom. There were just so many examples of love between people (and animals) within the pages of this book.
I can't remember the last time an ending of a book touched me like this one did. I was reading this book while my daughter was at school and my son was napping. I sat on my couch and just sobbed! I mean mascara was running down my face. You know -- that ugly cry! And, I definitely don't want to scare you away by making you think the book was tragically sad. In actuality HANNAH'S DREAM is a beautiful story, very uplifting and also filled with some humorous moments, but I cried all the same. I am going to warn you that this book is a tear-jerker; and evidently I'm not alone. Ms. Hammond told me that the criers are outnumbering the stoics by a 10-1 ratio.
Overall, this book was about love -- love between a man and an elephant, love between a husband and wife, love between a man and a woman, and love between fathers and sons. In addition, I thought this book was about learning how to love and accept yourself. It's hard to argue with messages like that, but I also enjoyed how the author showed what the power of love is capable of accomplishing. I found it very uplifting in this book that when people joined forces in the name of love and friendship, they could do anything.
In case you were wondering, I'm not the only one who thinks HANNAH'S DREAM is a marvelous book. The novel is an Indie Next Notable Pick for October, and it received a starred review in Booklist. Booklist declared that HANNAH'S DREAM is: “Irresistibly touching, delectably uplifting, Hammond’s understated yet gargantuan tale of devotion and commitment poignantly proves that love does indeed come in all shapes and sizes.”
There is no doubt in my mind that Ms. Hammond is a wonderful writer. Not only did she write a beautiful story, but she also created some characters that are very, very special. HANNAH'S DREAM is the first novel that I've read by Ms. Hammond, but I think I'm going to have to read her first two -- GOING TO BEND and HOMESICK CREEK. Both of these novels are critically acclaimed too! In addition to being a writer, Ms. Hammond has a very interesting bio. If you'd like you learn a little more about Ms. Hammond, there is a video interview with her here.
I would love for my book club to read HANNAH'S DREAM for a future book club pick. I think this book appeals to a huge audience; and I'm pretty sure that a lot of book clubs will be reading it in the near future. If you'd like to read an excerpt of the book, click here. There is also a terrific reading guide available. I don't think your book club will be lacking for things to talk about. There are so many themes running through this novel including love, forgiveness, friendship, commitment, dreams, hope, etc. which are just perfect for a heart-to-heart discussion. And if you really want a memorable book club meeting, Ms. Hammond makes herself available for author chats!
Make sure you visit tomorrow because Ms. Hammond will be visiting Booking Mama with her own guest post. And, there might also be something else worth stopping for!
Summary: Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten year-old girl, is brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family's apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours.Paris, May 2002: On Vel’ d’Hiv’s 60th anniversary, journalist Julia Jarmond is asked to write an article about this black day in France's past. Through her contemporary investigation, she stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to Sarah. Julia finds herself compelled to retrace the girl's ordeal, from that terrible term in the Veld'Hiv', to the camps, and beyond. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own place in France, and to reevaluate her marriage and her life. Tatiana deRosnay offers us a brilliantly subtle, compelling portrait of France under occupation and reveals the taboos and silence that surround this painful episode. -- St. Martin's Griffin
I am so embarrassed to say that SARAH'S KEY by Tatiana deRosnay has sitting in my TBR pile for over a month. When Sarah from St. Martin's Press asked me if I was interested in reading this novel, I knew it sounded like a book that I would love. I have always been fascinated with books about World War II, especially ones that deal with the Holocaust. Unfortunately this ARC (along with the giveaway copy) got buried, and I kind of forgot about them! What a huge mistake because I thought this book was very, very good. This just further proves what I already know -- too many great books and not enough time to read them all.
I really appreciated how the author went back and forth between Julia's life in the present and Sarah's past -- it was an extremely smooth transition for me. I also felt that she did an incredible job of weaving together the two stories. From the very first page, I was drawn into these characters' lives, and I had to know what happened to them (especially Sarah.) It is very clear to me that Ms. deRosnay did a huge amount of research while writing this novel. If you would like to learn more about that time in history, you can read this very interesting historical perspective. In addition, there is also a fascinating Q&A with the author where you can learn more about the background of this book.
This book also had quite a few surprises in it which kept the reader guessing. Most of the characters were living with some type of secret; and I thoroughly enjoyed how Ms. deRosnay "unlocked" each of these secrets. I thought she did an amazing job of tying together the stories and developing the symbolism of the key throughout the novel. I was extremely impressed with Ms. deRosnay's plot as well as her writing style.
This book would make for an amazing book club selection! There is a wonderful reading guide available to keep your discussion on track. There are so many important themes to discuss and analyze; and I know it would be very interesting to hear everyone's ideas about the book. I'm sure that my book club would enjoy learning about this historic event, while also appreciating the beauty of the novel. I realize that SARAH'S KEY was released yesterday, and I'm a little late with this giveaway; however, I do have an ARC of this book that I'd love to give to one lucky reader. If you'd like to win a copy of this beautiful book, please leave a comment with your e-mail after this post. As usual, you can blog about the contest with a link back to this post to double your chances. The contest will be open until Saturday, October 11th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winner on the following day. This giveaway is only open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses. Good luck!
If you have written a review of a book that I have reviewed on Booking Mama, please leave me a link to your post in the comments section of my review. I will add your name (with a link) to the bottom of my review post.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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