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.

View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

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.


View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

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':] .

View all my reviews

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.


View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews