The Queen of the Big Time

The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Adriana Trigiani can write, especially about Italian Americans and their colorful culture. This was a very enjoyable book that leaves you with the understanding of the importance of living your life to the fullest and appreciating the love all around you, instead of longing for what you don't have. This is a happy, uplifting, all ends well story.

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The Winner by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do like reading Baldacci's mysteries. This has a unique fast-paced plot, with lots of twists and turns, and his characters are well developed. Each time I read one of his books I'm impressed with how different they are from each other and I wonder how he comes up with such varying scenarios and interesting characters. He is a very talented writer. There is no bad language and although there is a sex scene it's nothing compared toKen Follett or other popular mystery writers.

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Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun, "enchanting," YA read, a retelling of "Cinderella" with a twist on the importance of agency, and an explanation of life before the traditional fairytale. There are a few holes in the story and unanswered questions, but overall a delightful read.

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Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The story is trite, unrealistic, cliched, formulaic, overdone, and one dimensional, nevertheless I did keep reading wanting to find out what happened next. It deals with the stereotypical choice of women of the 60's and 70's: career vs. family, but overall it is supposed to be a story about a wonderful and enduring friendship. Yet as one reader succinctly commented, "in reality it's a long, depressing narrative of a profoundly abusive relationship. The fact that neither of these women seem to have any other friends is a clue to their unhealthy dependency on each other." I would not want a young person to read it because it treats getting high on pot, alcohol consumption and sex outside of marriage as the norm and no-big-deal.
If you liked Beaches you'll probably love this. Overall, it lacked that something that makes me know that I'ma better person for having read it. Oh, and did I mention, it's way too long.




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