Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a fun book. I utterly enjoyed it, but.....it is a YA fluffy romance that I wouldn't want *my* YA to read (language & morals) Great character development, realistic dialogue.

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by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Between Gray and Black" might be a better title for this novel which explores an unfathomably dark period of history seldom talked about, let alone taught in public school history classes, i.e. Stalin & the Soviet Regime's murder of 43,000,000 citizens and foreigners.*(see below)
This is the story of a 15 year old girl and her family's arrest and their dehumanizing deportation, along with thousands of their countrymen, in train boxcars to slave camps throughout Russia, China, and finally to Siberia, from which she does not emerge until 10+ years later. Despite the brutality of their experiences this story is about Lithuanians, people with a beautiful capacity to love. It teaches kindness despite an atmosphere of cruelty. The author does a good job of persuading the reader that LOVE is the most powerful weapon. Read this book and ask yourself, "Would I survive?"

*R. J. Rummel, Professor Emeritus at the University of Hawaii, estimates the true number of deaths attributable to Joseph Stalin. He is the author of Death by Government>/u<, and his website provides the evidence in detail for what he writes. For more information on the death toll from communism, see The Red Plague.

According to Rummel the usual figure of 20 million dead is almost certainly too low and might require an increase of 50 percent or so, as the debit balance of the Stalin regime for twenty-three years! He says,
". . . 20 million does not include camp deaths after 1950, and before 1936; executions 1939-53; the vast deportation of the people of captive nations into the camps, and their deaths 1939-1953; the massive deportation within the Soviet Union of minorities 1941-1944; and their deaths; and those the Soviet Red Army and secret police executed throughout Eastern Europe after their conquest during 1944-1945 is omitted. Moreover, omitted is the deadly Ukrainian famine Stalin purposely imposed on the region and that killed 5 million in 1932-1934.

I did a comprehensive overview of available estimates . . . and wrote a book, Lethal Politics, on Soviet democide to provide understanding and context for my figures. I calculate that the Communist regime, 1917-1987, murdered about 62,000,000 people, around 55,000,000 of them citizens (see Table 1.1 for a periodization of the deaths).

As for Stalin, when the holes in Conquest’s estimates are filled in, I calculate that Stalin murdered about 43,000,000 citizens and foreigners, over twice Conquest’s total. Therefore, the usual estimate of 20 million killed in Soviet democide is far off for the Soviet Union per se, and even less than half of the total Stalin alone murdered."

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Folly Beach by Dorothea Benton Frank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The cheesy dialogue combined with the "woman-loses-everything, moves back home to a simple-life-on-the-beach" story is totally rescued by an alternate storyline which makes this book worth reading. Said story is about real life playwrights Dorothy and DuBose Heyward, who together wrote the play "Porgy," & years later collaborated with George Gershwin on the large musical production of "Porgy and Bess." Gershwin, who usually gets all the kudos for the musical was merely the composer. DuBose, a poet, wrote the lyrics, while Dorothy was the unacknowledged real author and playwright. I enjoyed the easy-going South Carolina setting, was annoyed by the corny romance-novel theme, and fascinated by the history.

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Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the best books I have read this year. Non-fiction, but I was hooked from the beginning as if it were a best-selling novel. Moves rapidly. I couldn't put down this audio version, read by the author, whose eye-opening account of growing up Islam has put her on their most-wanted-dead list and necessitates her now living under 24 hour armed guard, moving constantly to keep from being found by her pursuers. She tells of her childhood & growing up years in Somalia, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya, about her father, who was/is a man of significant importance in both his country and his faith, and about her own struggles with, & devotion to Islam. After an arranged marriage to a devout Canadian Muslim, with whom she had only mail correspondence & never met until days prior to her marriage, she flees to Germany & then the Netherlands where she obtains a degree in political science & becomes a member of Parliament. Her story has been told on major news networks and talk shows. I highly recommend the audio version...you will be awed as you listen to her tell her story in her own words and beautiful voice.

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check out my old blog: http://www.planthetrip.com/lindasnook/ If I could copy & paste the posts and photos here, I would, but yo no sé cómo...........

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Recognizable Gaiman: weird, inventive, creepy, creative fantasy. This is an entertaining sequel to American Gods, which I thoroughly disliked, but I did not realize it until I was well into the audio version, performed by British stand-up comedian Lenny Henry whose deep rich voice and character comedy is absolutely perfect for this novel. It's clever, it's funny, it draws on a lot of African/Caribbean mythology, specifically that of the trickster spider god Anansi (introduced in American Gods). Henry's voices are brilliant (especially the old Caribbean women) and he had me literally smiling nearly all the way through the story. Actually, if it weren't for the audio I'd have to say that I probably would only give this novel 1 star. Book is way too long imho. Gaiman is a fine story teller, but his tales are all the same. I'd like to see him apply his talents to a new repertoire /genre of stories.

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The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely loved this unique, delightfully sweet, face-paced novel! The author does an exceptional job of capturing the mind of a quirky, analytical, brilliant man with Asperger's Syndrome. He totally lacks insight to sarcasm, is literal, guileless, and honest to a fault. There are several screwball laugh-out-loud moments, as well as some touching, thought-provoking scenes. The book makes you feel like there is somebody out there for everybody, no matter how weird or different you are. This is a book about choosing to look at our blind spots and address them. It is also about how love and commitment are a choice. The author originally wrote this wonderfully clever novel as a screenplay and has sold the screen rights, so hopefully it will soon be made into a movie.

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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a magically written, unusual, whimsical, and engrossing tale. I listened to the audio version and it is wonderful - made me feel like I was right there in the story. I was sorry when it was over and want to go back to that magic circus.

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Some Girls, Some Hats and Hitler: A True Love Story Rediscovered by Trudi Kanter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An interesting true account of a woman who escaped from Austria just after Hitler's invasion, but not particularly well written. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a memoir/journal, not written by an accomplished novelist. l found it difficult to really identify with the characters, especially the author who was a bit vain and too self congratulatory for my taste. I would like to have read more about the girls & the hat factory.

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The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting concept and character but predictable plot with poor resolution. This is recommended YA fiction, targeting middle school, but the vocabulary used is quite advanced and beginning on page 3 there are references to prostitution and alcoholism that don't seem to fit that reading level. Enola Holmes is not a Flavia de Luce.

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Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Poor grammar. Boringly predictable plot. Unbelievable and annoying characters. Tedious detail with no imagination. Unnatural, repetitive dialogue. An unfinished ending in order to get you to read the next book in the series, which I will never do. Poor writing and story construction. Since this is on NY Times Bestseller list I'm really concerned about my fellow American readers. The book is a bust, but there are some good recipes.

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In Sunlight and in Shadow by Mark Helprin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Helprin’s writing is lyrical, lush, metaphorical, and the imagery throughout is wonderful. The plot is strong, and it delivers the right level of emotional payoff at the end. But it gets bogged down with monologues that are inflated and unrealistic and there’s a whole looong interlude spent on Harry's flashbacks to his wartime experiences which was too much. If the 700 pages were edited to 500 I would give it 5 stars. Still, the story and the characters still remain with me 4 weeks after reading it and I'm hoping it will be made into a movie.

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Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this YA fiction about two 16 yr old misfits: Park, the weird, overly sensitive, slight Asian kid who is near bottom on the social ladder, and chubby Eleanor with red hair, glasses, & an appalling wardrobe, who is the new girl and thus the new target for ridicule and mean spirited jokes. Setting 1986, Nebraska. A wonderful cast of characters used to tell a compelling, emotionally charged story that. Genius writing, killer dialog. Rowell does an excellent job of being brutally honest with some delicate subjects with being explicit. Outstanding audio narration. Be prepared for some crude teen language in first chapter, but not representative of entire book and nothing you wouldn't hear at the back of any school bus.


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The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thoroughly delightful light reading with quirky, loveable characters! This was especially enjoyable because it is a tribute to the WASP of WWII, Women Airforce Service Pilots, first women in history to fly America's military aircraft.
Always an enjoyable read, Fanny Flagg is one of my favorite authors. I like how she subtly weaves personalities from her previous stories into each new book. I listened to audio book, narrated by author...very good.

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The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An exceptional read. This is a masterpiece, a wonderful, mesmerizing book about the lives of four strong Jewish women, each with different backgrounds, powerful personalities, anddistinct stories of there own. Their histories collided when destiny/circumstances found them living at he Jewish stronghold, Masada, during the last and final siege by the Romans. According to the historian, Josephus, two of these women and five children survived the horrendous event.

I agree with Janet, a goodreads reviewer who said the following: Words can be spoken or written. This book did for me what I love about books---it used the written word to create a world for me as real as the one I'm living in now.

On Oct 03, 2011, Another goodreads reviewer, Jennifer Rayment, wrote such an excellent review that I am quoting it in entirety here:

The Good Stuff

* I wish I had the words to express how wonderful this book is. I will be honest if Simon and Schuster hadn't sent it to me for review, I probably wouldn't have picked it up and let me tell you that would have been a shame. This book is haunting and sad but yet so full of hope and of the resilience of the human spirit
* Beautiful raw and honest story and just so god-damned emotional to read
* Exceptionally real and strong female characters
* History written so it comes alive and you learn so much without feeling like you are getting a history lesson
* The faults/flaws of the characters are not hidden and you see how they change and grow over the course of the story
* Emotionally raw by the end of the story and had to go hug my children before I could go to bed
* Obviously thoroughly researched and you feel the authors passion for the subject matter as it never comes across as dull
* I would be shocked if this doesn't get made into a movie or a mini series
* Further Reading at the end of the book is appreciated for those like me who will want to find out more of the history
* Very wise and thought provoking
* A wonderful book for various discussions about faith, forgiveness, compassion, woman's rights etc
* Why are you still reading my review -- get thee to a book store now and buy it -- hello what are you waiting for

The Not so Good Stuff

* Could have been perfect with a some stronger editing. There is some obvious repetition that should have been caught and it would have made it a truly brilliant novel.
* I was forced to stay up till a 1am to finish this and the last 15 pages or so I could barely read with the tears falling down. Alice you owe me some coffee and Kleenex & an apology to my kids for mommy being cranky from lack of sleep

What I Learned

* Man it really sucked to be a women in ancient times, we are so lucky in this day and age to be treated, for the most part, as the equals that we are (still so far to go)
* Now I really already know this, but lets just put this out again -- the persecution of Jews over and over again just completely baffles me. They truly are one of the most formidable, strong and resilient race the world has ever seen.
* Tons of fascinating information about 70-75 CE

Who should/shouldn't read

* Will be buying a copy for my niece, sister and sister in laws for Christmas because I don't want to lend them MY copy and risk the chance of one of them --- "misplacing it" LOL
* Those who enjoy a nice light read, would probably not want to pick one up. It is quite intense and detailed
* Thinking those of Roman descent might be a little put off
* A must have for public libraries

I listened to the audio version, which is very well done with four different women doing the narrative reading of the four main characters. If it were possible I would give this book 6 stars. It is among the best books I've read in a long time and touched me deeply.


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Inés of My Soul by Isabel Allende
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book did not captivate me the way Allende's other books did. Historically, very little is known about Inés Suarez, the lone woman who left Spain for Peru with the conquistadores in the 1500's, eventually becoming one of the conquerors of Chile and wife of the Royal Governor. Allende did a wonderful job of shaping Inés's voice; transforming her from the almost anonymous historical figure she is into a passionate, admirable woman whose words and actions matter in the grand scheme of things. Doña Inés played a major role in establishing Santiago, the first Chilean colony, while also ensuring the safety of its people during countless wars and skirmishes with the Mapuche Indians. A large portion of the book is one massacre after another including historically accurate details of the hideous dehumanizing tortures and terrible executions practiced by both the Mapuche and the Spaniards. It grew tedious.

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The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life by Terryl L. Givens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a highlighter, a book I will remember, quote, recommend, and reread. It is a rational theology, an ongoing narrative of logistical conclusions providing a concise explanation of how Mormonism's view of God and Jesus Christ differs from mainstream view . . . and why it matters.

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The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A very good book, with great writing and a gripping story line. The fairy tale quality makes it markedly different from so much of modern fiction. It gripped me from the start, BUT then I got bogged down and found myself skimming through about 300 pages which add nothing redeeming to this potential 5 star work. It would have benefited by having length and excess detail edited/removed. I was so happy to finally get to the conclusion. Result: 1 star docked from my rating. Another 1 star docked because it is dark and seedy...drugs, underworld, gambling, child neglect, violence, prostitution. The author is gifted, and she did not win the Pulitzer for nothing, however, I am surprised by it and all the rave reviews.


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We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Don't miss this fun, quirky, mysterious, intelligent, heart-wrenching and humane novel. It is captivating from beginning to end with intriguing characters, a clever plot full of continuous surprises, and beautiful prose. I believe I've read all of Fowler's works, including the science fiction short stories (next to dystopian, my least favorite genre), all of them good, with each new work even better than the last. I do hope she keeps writing! This is superb and among my favorite reads in past 12 months.

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Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brilliantly written book about a pathetic, easily manipulated, naive yet honorable man whose admirable moral courage leads him to make consistently poor choices in ever increasing bleak circumstances. This is a titanic novel, full of allusion and metaphor, rife with biblical references, and nods to Hardy's literary ancestors, Milton, Wordsworth, and Shelley. To quote goodreads reviewer christopher-h, "Modernization has come and displaced the old world romanticism of Jude Fawley and Thomas Hardy. Jude-the-Dreamer and Jude-the-Idealist have no place in this new order, because to transcend to his ideals means that he must die as Keats and Shelley so eloquently discovered." Modernization, indeed! This novel of Hardy's was banned from libraries and schools for years….best banned book ever. It could be a disappointing, depressing read for many; one reviewer said, "read this if you're looking for the final push toward suicide." Yet the dilemma is eternal, and the writing is superb! I am and always will be a Thomas Hardy fan. Jude's story has become, in a very real sense Hardy's modern retelling of the Book of Job. [Note the word play too -- the "J" from 'Jude' and the "Ob" from 'Obscure':] .

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This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Very funny book with memorable crazy but believable down-to-earth characters. Excellent writing..if you can ignore the bad language and almost complete lack of respect for traditional values and uplifting moral standards, which cost 2 stars on my rating.


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The Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not her best book. It is an uncomplicated, "sweet" but unlikely story with unlikely characters and unlikely resolutions. It is a message of hope, but it drags a little. I like Irene Hunt's books but this one disappointed.

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A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beautiful prose. Interesting story with a somewhat sad yet acceptable conclusion, believable characters, some excellent humor. I was continually reminded of Mary Doria Russell's A Thread of Grace, likely because the setting for both novels is a long journey, about same time period, and both beautifully written. Too dang long…Audio version (24 discs…31 hours) is well done, however I would *not* have read all 860 ponderous pages….too many books, too little time. This is 2nd book I have read by Mark Helprin both of which would benefit from serious editing for length. I would like to see a screenplay written and produced for this.

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Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

768 pages of creativity run amok. Part 1 is lovely. Most of Part 2 could be sacked with little being lost. I like the politics, the explanation of justice, the imagery, but the story keeps getting sidetracked with additional characters, endless detail and descriptions, and words, words, words. This is a romance lost in in a jungle of words.

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Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2 stars? 4 stars? I didn't really like this, but the author gets high marks for a compelling read which I couldn't put down and at the same time wished would end. There is drama, but it is not entertaining, not instructive or cautionary (no lesson to be learned), not uplifting or inspiring, has no humor, it doesn't even offer an escape. Crude sophomoric language & descriptions. Still… it had me hooked in a voyeuristic way from the beginning. This is a portrait of a sociopath and the dissolution of a marriage. I have known both. I was disappointed with the lack lustre yet realistic ending in which the antagonist wins. It left me feeling yuk. yuck. & was responsible for a bad night of restless sleep.
I listened to the audio version which is superbly done.
a few favorite quotes:
“There's a difference between really loving someone and loving the idea of her.” - true
“Friends see most of each other’s flaws. Spouses see every awful last bit.” - truer still
“My mother had always told her kids: if you're about to do something, and you want to know if it's a bad idea, imagine seeing it printed in the paper for all the world to see.” -I'm going to tell my seminary students that one.

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Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fast paced, family mystery storyline that hooked me from the first read/listen (audio book). The writing is skilled and is loaded with twists and turns, which Archer does better than most, but it does not approach fine literature. It is narrated first person by the 5 main characters with each of their unique viewpoints.
Kudos to Jeffry Archer for always creating an interesting tale, with sympathetic characters, that is difficult to put down…all this with no foul language or gratuitous descriptive sex. I have read several of his novels and will read the sequel to this.
Warning: the end of the novel is a cliff hanger and what happens next is told in at least two sequels.


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The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Delightful book! I loved the main character Flavia, a quirky precocious 11 year old, and will definitely read more in the series. It is a real authorial feat to make a murder mystery so light-hearted and humorous.

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The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Faulkner: You know it is going to be depressing, tragic. You can also count on it being real with characters you have known or recognized at some point in your life. Benjy, a nonjudgmental, personally involved narrator, gives a fractured portrayal of a deteriorating fractured family. I read this because it was the only one of his books I had not read and it was on my bucket list. Counted as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, I reveled in Faulkner's mastery of language and characterization, his humor, and his heart wrenching empathy, the talents that made it a classic, nevertheless I did not love it.

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The Gulag Archipelago: 1918-1956 by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this at least 35 years ago, and it still at the top of my best books I've ever read list. Solzhenitsyn wrote a riveting tale which deals with his arrest for daring to present a differing view from Russia's prevailing totalitarian regime and his subsequent incarceration in the vast Soviet prison system. Despite the heavy subject matter - the stark chaotic realities of life (and death) in Stalin's Russia and the suffering of the inmates in the Gulag's deplorable prisons - the book is highly readable. Solzhenitsyn's first hand account reads more like a novel than an autobiography. He was able to outlive the rotten system that persecuted him and drove him into prison and exile, and finally wrote about his vindicating return to his homeland. It is an eye opening, poignant, and touching tale which should be read by anyone who thinks government (the State) exists to protect its citizens.

Favorite quotes:

“Bless you prison, bless you for being in my life. For there, lying upon the rotting prison straw, I came to realize that the object of life is not prosperity as we are made to believe, but the maturity of the human soul.”

"the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts. ...And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?"

“Every man always has handy a dozen glib little reasons why he is right not to sacrifice himself.”

“It is unthinkable in the twentieth century to fail to distinguish between what constitutes an abominable atrocity that must be prosecuted and what constitutes that "past" which "ought not to be stirred up.”

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A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was deeply moved by this story and am impressed by Mary Doria Russell's ability as an author. She has created characters that one can't help but love and care about. Favorite quote, and summation of the book's message ....“No matter how dark the tapestry God weaves for us, there's always a thread of grace.”
This is a beautiful but painful book that will stay with me for a long while.
more favorite quotes:
“God save us from idealists! They dream of a world without injustice, and what crime won't they commit to get it! I swear, Mirella, I'll settle for a world with good manners.”
“The world is filled with unreasonable hate. What's wrong with unreasonable love?”
“I suppose I should warn you, Padre. In the absence of male supervision, my mother has become a revolutionary." ~Renzo Leoni”

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don't even like sci-fi dystopian novels, am not a gamer, geek, or techie. I was too busy being a mom to 5 kids in the 80's to be little more than worried about the influence of its pop culture. I was not only terrible at Mario but I could see no point in wasting my time as it made me tense and jittery. Now as a grandma I have even stronger feelings about online gaming and its violent, addictive qualities. All that being said, I REALLY liked this crazy book about an unattractive, overweight male teen who barely has a life outside of gaming. I don't think it is very well written, but due to the compulsive nature of my reading it, in the end I decided it doesn't matter, because I liked it.
I agree with another reviewer who pointed out that the book looks at how we deal with the online "friends" we've never actually met and how certain segments of society wall themselves off from the real world living almost exclusively in a virtual world.
It is a fun, escapist read, a blend of "tech version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," The Matrix, and The Hunger Games. I predict a sequel and a movie adaptation.
I listened to the audio version which is exceptionally well done. I don't think I would have enjoyed text version as well. I knocked off a point for crude language and mediocre writing.


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A Thousand Suns by Jim Haberkorn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh man, this was an excellent read and I can't believe I didn't rate and review it 8 months ago when I read it….undoubtedly because I was in the process of moving (twice) to new homes and a new town. One does not often read a second book by a new author that is as good as the first book, but that is certainly the case here.
In fact, this book was even better than Haberkorn's first book, which I also rated 5 stars. I'm hoping there will be a third novel! If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller that is hard to put down and which also has some truly wonderful humor, look no further. His characters are well drawn and believable, the settings varied and descriptive, the story exciting, and the writing is superb. I especially give it kudos for being a squeaky clean read, proof that such a thing is possible even in gritty modern spy novels. Yay!

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And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Almost 5 stars. This was difficult to follow at first, perhaps because I listened to audio version (?), and it was a few chapters before I really got into it but then I couldn't put it down and truly I didn't want it to end. It is a beautifully told tale with many people and their individual stories and how after 60 years they meld into a satisfying conclusion. The book really touched me. Did not feel it was quite as good as Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, but will likely appeal to readers who did not enjoy those books due to the darkness in both, but although much of the book deals with Afghanistan and its people the storyline and overall theme of this book is completely different, more positive and heart warming.

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