Poppy Done to Death (Aurora Teagarden Series)
By Charlaine Harris
Fiction-Mystery
$7.99 Kindle www.amazon.com
Released May 20, 2009
"Poppy" is the last novel in the "Aurora Teagarden" series and by far the most underwhelming. Which is saying a lot considering these books are pretty simple to begin with. Harris stuck to her tried and true formula for this book so there are no fresh surprises.
"Poppy" follows Aurora Teagarden as she tries to solve the murder mystery of her sister-in-law, Poppy. Was she murdered by her husband, one of her numerous lovers or one of their scorned wives?
Teagarden is continuing her relationship with writer Robin Crusoe that was renewed in the last book. Her step-brother Philip makes an appearance and Roe has once again found herself dealing closely with ex and police chief Arthur Smith.
I do not want to go into too much detail as far as the plot so as not to give any spoilers but the mysteries in this book reminded me of a "Maury" episode. Who my baby daddy?
This story goes "pfftttt" and loses steam and Harris throws in too many plot twists and turns that never develop. This is the end of the series and I was left with several unanswered questions!
Researching time lines for the publishing date of this book, I realized Harris was probably writing the first book in what is now known as the "True Blood' series. Those books rock! So I will forgive her if she dropped the ball on this- she was distracted with "fangtasticness".
Recommend it: I wouldn't, unless, like me, you read it because you have read all of the other books in the series or because you are a die-hard Charlaine Harris fan.
But: No Butts.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Rising Tides by Nora Roberts
Rising Tides
By Nora Roberts
Published August 1, 1998
Fiction/Romance
$7.99 Kindle www.amazon.com
Book 2 of 5 in "The Chesapeake Bay" Series
"Rising Tides" begins where the first book, "Sea Swept" left off. Anna and Cam are newlyweds on honeymoon and the other brothers are looking after the newest brother, Seth, and the building of their first sail boat from their fledgling boat company. This book focuses particularly on Ethan Quinn and his relationship with Grace Monroe. Each book in the saga covers a Brother Quinn and they are written in the order that each Quinn was adopted by Ray and Stella Quinn.
Ethan Quinn, the oldest of the brothers, shares his adopted fathers love for fishing and the Bay.
He operates his own commercial fishing boat. He has the toughest childhood of any of the brothers and Nora Roberts goes into great detail about the child abuse that Seth suffered at the hands of his birth mother. This topic is not new for Roberts; she writes often of adults who have been abused; physically, emotionally, and sexually, as children. She also writes quite often about adoption. Most notably writing as J.D. Robb in the Eve Dallas "In Death" series.
Grace Monroe, a single mother to Aubrey, was introduced to us in the first book. As a reader; it was obvious that there was chemistry between Ethan and Grace. In this book, the storyline just builds on that blossoming romance.
The storyline of Seth and the Quinn families struggle to adopt him continues in this story too. The battle with Seth's birth mother isn't mentioned much though, and there is no conclusion to this storyline. Three more books to see this resolved seems to be a a little much.I think this could be wrapped as a whole in the next book. I can't imagine what book 4 and 5 cover.
On positive note, the novels do a really good job about showing the impact that child abuse has on it's grown victims and the effect it has on their family and relationships.
Over all, "Rising Tides" is a sweet, simple romance. I enjoyed the first book more though. I feel like Ethan and Grace's story was neatly tied up but it didn't give me enough details. Did they get married? Where did they decide to live? His house or her house? Does Grace continue working three jobs?
I personally like my characters a little more rough and rebellious. I found Ethan and Grace too sweet and meek. Even their love scenes were tame!
Recommend it: If you have read the first and want to see it through to book 5, then yes. If you want a super sweet romance, then yes!
But: If you are looking for spice, adventure, or mystery- don't bother.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Quotes from "The Help"
The quotes are copied the way they were written in the book-true to the dialect and grammar that Kathryn Stockett used.
"Change begins with a whisper."
"We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought."
"And I swear I see, down inside, the woman she gone grow up to be. A flash from the future. She is tall and straight. She is proud. She got a better haircut. And she is remembering the words I put in her head. Remembering as a full grown woman."
"You is kind. You is smart. You is important."
"I know something about you and don't you forget that.....and from what I hear, they's a lot of time to write a lot a letters in jail...time to write to ever person in Jackson the truth about you. Plenty a time and the paper is free....."
I must say my favorite line is the one above ".....Plenty of time and the paper is free..." Such a bad-ass threat. Love it. Spoken in the book by Aibileen to Hilly.
"Change begins with a whisper."
"We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought."
"And I swear I see, down inside, the woman she gone grow up to be. A flash from the future. She is tall and straight. She is proud. She got a better haircut. And she is remembering the words I put in her head. Remembering as a full grown woman."
"You is kind. You is smart. You is important."
"I know something about you and don't you forget that.....and from what I hear, they's a lot of time to write a lot a letters in jail...time to write to ever person in Jackson the truth about you. Plenty a time and the paper is free....."
I must say my favorite line is the one above ".....Plenty of time and the paper is free..." Such a bad-ass threat. Love it. Spoken in the book by Aibileen to Hilly.
Sex and the City...ugh
I'm on page 28 of "Sex and the City" by Candace Bushnell. It's horrible so far. It's not the SATC from t.v. that I know and love. We will see how much further I read.....
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
WOW! WOW! WOW! Loved this book! You have to be living in a cave if you haven't heard of this book. Thanks to a recent big motion picture release based on the novel-it's everywhere. I first heard of this book after it was recommended to me by a fellow book clubber. I put it on my wish list and then the movie came out and everyone was talking about it. I had procrastinated long enough-it was time to read "The Help".
Let me say I haven't been this excited after reading a book since "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. I know-I love a lot of books but not all of them make me want to call someone up and make them listen to me wax poetic about a novel!
"The Help" is Stockett's first novel. Really? Wow-what next? Excellent writing-great plot and pace. I really don't have any complaints about this book except that the dialect was distracting in the beginning. The more absorbed you become in the story though, the less you notice. Also there were two minor story lines that I felt really just kind of distracted you from the main plot. Miss Celia, an alcoholic loner who married a local and is physically unable to have kids and Stuart Wentworth, Miss Skeeter's one time love. He is a governor's son and disappears and reappears quite often throughout the book. Sometimes I tolerate the loose end story lines if everything is tied up nice and neat in the end. Not really the case here, but I think Stockett could take those two fading story lines and write two more novels- they really had that much promise.
"The Help" is set in the rural south of the 1960's. A tumultuous time in history to say the least. Jackson, Mississippi- one of the last holds of racial segregation, is the home of maids Abileen, Minny and the white women they work for. Enter in Miss Skeeter, a young college grad hoping to become a great writer. A crazy idea is concocted to write a story of the maids in town and their experiences working for the white families; dictated by the maids to Miss Skeeter.
The books covers a time in our history where MLK Jr. and Kennedy were trying to lead a country in the fight against racial discrimination and women everywhere were about to march for equality. Stockett really creates a historically accurate novel that makes you genuinely feel you're sitting on a porch in Mississippi in "100 degree heat with 99 percent humidity".
The heart of this book though is the coming together of women despite their differences; the color of their skin, the amount of money in their bank account and their social status in the community. The women who are so ordinary and yet create a heroic effort to erase the lines of racism and equality.
When Kathryn Stockett was asked what this book is about, she stated the point of the book (which is also a line in the novel) is this : "We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought." Well said. The question that arises from this book- "Are we born to be racist or is it learned?" made me think of a recent sight I witnessed. After reading this book I was at work (daycare) watching over sleeping little two and three year old kids. They cuddle unknowingly close to each other. Limbs tangled, shoes and socks piled together. Little blond heads against little brown heads.In the time that this book took place; this would have been forbidden. I had to smile at those sleeping little kids. Stockett wrote a joyful, painful book that is meant to make you a little uncomfortable and have you cheering out loud.
Recommend: Yes! Read this book. And if you enjoy it- take the time to read "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker.
But: None!!
Bonus: A movie based on the novel.
Let me say I haven't been this excited after reading a book since "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. I know-I love a lot of books but not all of them make me want to call someone up and make them listen to me wax poetic about a novel!
"The Help" is Stockett's first novel. Really? Wow-what next? Excellent writing-great plot and pace. I really don't have any complaints about this book except that the dialect was distracting in the beginning. The more absorbed you become in the story though, the less you notice. Also there were two minor story lines that I felt really just kind of distracted you from the main plot. Miss Celia, an alcoholic loner who married a local and is physically unable to have kids and Stuart Wentworth, Miss Skeeter's one time love. He is a governor's son and disappears and reappears quite often throughout the book. Sometimes I tolerate the loose end story lines if everything is tied up nice and neat in the end. Not really the case here, but I think Stockett could take those two fading story lines and write two more novels- they really had that much promise.
"The Help" is set in the rural south of the 1960's. A tumultuous time in history to say the least. Jackson, Mississippi- one of the last holds of racial segregation, is the home of maids Abileen, Minny and the white women they work for. Enter in Miss Skeeter, a young college grad hoping to become a great writer. A crazy idea is concocted to write a story of the maids in town and their experiences working for the white families; dictated by the maids to Miss Skeeter.
The books covers a time in our history where MLK Jr. and Kennedy were trying to lead a country in the fight against racial discrimination and women everywhere were about to march for equality. Stockett really creates a historically accurate novel that makes you genuinely feel you're sitting on a porch in Mississippi in "100 degree heat with 99 percent humidity".
The heart of this book though is the coming together of women despite their differences; the color of their skin, the amount of money in their bank account and their social status in the community. The women who are so ordinary and yet create a heroic effort to erase the lines of racism and equality.
When Kathryn Stockett was asked what this book is about, she stated the point of the book (which is also a line in the novel) is this : "We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought." Well said. The question that arises from this book- "Are we born to be racist or is it learned?" made me think of a recent sight I witnessed. After reading this book I was at work (daycare) watching over sleeping little two and three year old kids. They cuddle unknowingly close to each other. Limbs tangled, shoes and socks piled together. Little blond heads against little brown heads.In the time that this book took place; this would have been forbidden. I had to smile at those sleeping little kids. Stockett wrote a joyful, painful book that is meant to make you a little uncomfortable and have you cheering out loud.
Recommend: Yes! Read this book. And if you enjoy it- take the time to read "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker.
But: None!!
Bonus: A movie based on the novel.
Pittsburgh Carnegie Library-Main Branch
My family and I went to Pittsburgh this past weekend and paid a visit to the Carnegie Museum of History and Art. AMAZING!
Attached to that collection of buildings is the main branch of the Carnegie Library-free to the people since 1895. Standing in the main room of the dinosaur display, I looked up at a wall of windows- four floors. In each of the windows were rows and rows of bookshelves.
Sigh.....The Carnegie Library is a fusion of old world meets modern. Imported marble floors meet a trendy cafe bookstore and teen area.Brass doorknobs are flanked by hightech key fob entries. You cannot enter the library from the museum (unless authorized personnel) but it is a public library and since it is affiliated with Carnegie University, it houses a world class collection on every subject you could imagine!
I think I found paradise:)E-books and instant gratification are terrific but give me the smell of old books and the sounds of a whispering library any day!
Attached to that collection of buildings is the main branch of the Carnegie Library-free to the people since 1895. Standing in the main room of the dinosaur display, I looked up at a wall of windows- four floors. In each of the windows were rows and rows of bookshelves.
Sigh.....The Carnegie Library is a fusion of old world meets modern. Imported marble floors meet a trendy cafe bookstore and teen area.Brass doorknobs are flanked by hightech key fob entries. You cannot enter the library from the museum (unless authorized personnel) but it is a public library and since it is affiliated with Carnegie University, it houses a world class collection on every subject you could imagine!
I think I found paradise:)E-books and instant gratification are terrific but give me the smell of old books and the sounds of a whispering library any day!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Things I"ve Learned About My Kindle
A couple of little things I've discovered recently about my Kindle.
I actually was able to buy more physical hard copy books with my money than if I would have bought e-books for my reader. On Amazon.com. And with free shipping. Hmmmm-keep that in mind if you order a book and you aren't in a hurry or particular about the format.
When you are surfing for books on your WI-FI enabled Kindle- take the time to check out all the extras. Many of the available extras are compiled and submitted by the amazon.com community and contain spoilers. You can choose to keep the spoilers "hidden".
Each book varies on what the "extras" are and some are only available after you purchase the book for your Kindle. Most though, seem to have the following:If the book is part of a series. A list of the main characters.
Memorable quotes.
"Ridiculously Simplified Synopses". Read these just because they are funny.
A summary-very good-especially if you don't have time to read my blog;)
Settings and Important Places. Glossary. Organizations mentioned/featured in the book. Awards the book received. Themes and symbolism. Authors and Contributors.
First Edition. Kinda cool-you can see when it's been published abroad.
Classification. Subjects covered. The first sentence.
Notes for parents.Love this- it tells you if it's Adult Content. Be warned though; this is submitted by the amazon.com community.It's subjective.
Similar books by other authors. And finally books that may have been mentioned in said book:)
I actually was able to buy more physical hard copy books with my money than if I would have bought e-books for my reader. On Amazon.com. And with free shipping. Hmmmm-keep that in mind if you order a book and you aren't in a hurry or particular about the format.
When you are surfing for books on your WI-FI enabled Kindle- take the time to check out all the extras. Many of the available extras are compiled and submitted by the amazon.com community and contain spoilers. You can choose to keep the spoilers "hidden".
Each book varies on what the "extras" are and some are only available after you purchase the book for your Kindle. Most though, seem to have the following:If the book is part of a series. A list of the main characters.
Memorable quotes.
"Ridiculously Simplified Synopses". Read these just because they are funny.
A summary-very good-especially if you don't have time to read my blog;)
Settings and Important Places. Glossary. Organizations mentioned/featured in the book. Awards the book received. Themes and symbolism. Authors and Contributors.
First Edition. Kinda cool-you can see when it's been published abroad.
Classification. Subjects covered. The first sentence.
Notes for parents.Love this- it tells you if it's Adult Content. Be warned though; this is submitted by the amazon.com community.It's subjective.
Similar books by other authors. And finally books that may have been mentioned in said book:)
A Discovery of Witches
A Discovery of Witches
By Deborah Harkness
Fiction
Released February 8, 2011
$14.99 Kindle www.amazon.com
This book has been rockin' out the best sellers list for months! Curious about all the hype and being a fan of the whole vampire/supernatural trend- I figured I had to check this book out. Bleck. I didn't like it. If you enjoyed the "Outlander" series, or "Lasher" by Anne Rice; especially because of the history-then this book is perfect for you. It has time travel and historical details with a supernatural twist.
The story centers around Diana Bishop, a very powerful witch from a long line of witches. Diana is a professor who ignores her destiny and power. She discovers a very important book that holds a powerful key for all supernatural creatures. Enter in Matthew Clairmont, a prestigious, well-known professor who also happens to be a vampire. Clairmont and Bishop fall in love. Inter-species relationships are forbidden in the supe world but that doesn't stop these two crazy kids from being together. The story takes place in modern times and yet Matthew is a caveman when it comes to women and their roles. Ugh. A war is brewing in the world of vampires, witches, demons and all other creatures. Fighting for the control of the "book" and their relationship, Diana and Matthew decide to stay safe the best thing for them to do is travel back in time.
I found the book toooooooooo long. The plot is slowwwwwwww moving and not only is there a lot of history but very detailed scientific junk that I have no interest in. There really wasn't any great action or huge climax to the story, either. Some of the traveling they did was totally unbelievable. And a witch and vampire who practice yoga? As if! Harkness skimmed over the scenes that seemed to have potential - only to devote more time to big, outdated words and terminology. No supernatural sex. Yawn. And too much hemming and hawing between characters. I almost feel like Harkness was overwhelmed by the potential of this story and where it could go. She lost her writing in the details. She lost the story while trying to focus on the description and history. All the things she got wrong were the same things Gabaldon got right in "Outlander". The things that made me want to keep reading. And Ann Rice gives really good sex to her historical, supernatural books. This book needed a little of that kind of Rice spice!
Finally, the title, "A Discovery of Witches"???? I don't get it. I felt like there was no discovery of anything. All the creatures know about each other and Diana knew all along she was a witch and that she came from a long line of witches. Skip this one even if it's in the box of free stuff at the yard sale.
Recommend it: No.
But: Only if you really enjoy historical fiction. It's more history than witches versus vampires.
Bonus: This book is the first of three novels in the "All Souls Trilogy".
Monday, September 5, 2011
Quotes from "Things I Want My Daughters To Know"
"Motherhood offers the best, most exquisite moments of my life. But every single one has been paid for."
"Our job has as parents is to give our children 2 things: Roots and wings. The simple things and the extraordinary things."
You make new rules for the people you love. They aren't subject to the same judgement criteria you reserved for the rest of the world. In some ways you are easier on them, and in others, much harder."
"For no other reason than I love him wholly I am here. For this one night at least the world has shrunk to a boyish breast on which my head, brilliant and exhausted, rests, and can know of nothing more complete. I am as far beyond doubt as the sun. I am as far beyond doubt as is possible."
"You don't love your stepchildren when you get them. You want to, because you love their mother and she loves them...you grow on each other gradually. Sometimes like roses; sometimes like mold."
"and the greatest of these is love. Please know that you had mine; unconditional, and powerful, and awesome. So strong that I cannot believe it will die with me. I want to imagine it as a living thing that goes beyond my body, and my death, as a vine that has grown and wound its way through the very cores of all of you and cannot be uprooted or destroyed, but rather will hold you up erect when everything else is crumbling and withering inside of you."
"Our job has as parents is to give our children 2 things: Roots and wings. The simple things and the extraordinary things."
You make new rules for the people you love. They aren't subject to the same judgement criteria you reserved for the rest of the world. In some ways you are easier on them, and in others, much harder."
"For no other reason than I love him wholly I am here. For this one night at least the world has shrunk to a boyish breast on which my head, brilliant and exhausted, rests, and can know of nothing more complete. I am as far beyond doubt as the sun. I am as far beyond doubt as is possible."
"You don't love your stepchildren when you get them. You want to, because you love their mother and she loves them...you grow on each other gradually. Sometimes like roses; sometimes like mold."
"and the greatest of these is love. Please know that you had mine; unconditional, and powerful, and awesome. So strong that I cannot believe it will die with me. I want to imagine it as a living thing that goes beyond my body, and my death, as a vine that has grown and wound its way through the very cores of all of you and cannot be uprooted or destroyed, but rather will hold you up erect when everything else is crumbling and withering inside of you."
Things I Want My Daughters To Know
Things I Want My Daughters To Know
By Elizabeth Noble
Fiction/Drama
Released March 17, 2009
$22.95 or $9.99 Kindle www.amazon.com
Thanks to the women in book club who picked this book! I was hesitant to read this one. It wasn't my normal go-to romance and the premise, "How do you cope in a world without your mother?" seemed downright depressing! I checked it out of the library and gave myself a pep talk, "Sometimes we do it for the team, Ronda! Maybe it will be the best book ever, Ronda! Maybe you can fake it at the meeting and just nod your head in agreement with whatever anyone has to say...."
Sigh. I started in with a mental agreement to myself, that if it was truly horrible, I would stop reading and ban all future book club choices;) Thank goodness, the book was wonderful!
The protagonist (hero or lead) is Barbara, a mother of four daughters, and a woman battling terminal cancer. She decides to write a letter to each daughter as well as leaving a journal she has kept. The letters and journal become a history; lessons in life, advice for the future and one woman's confessional not just to her children but her husband as well.
Barbara remarried a wonderful, younger man named Mark. He took on the large task of raising Barbara's three daughters as well as their own little girl. Lisa, the oldest, has a fear of commitment. Jennifer, next in line, is extremely uptight. She is stuck in a unhappy and childless marriage and her misery makes her the least likeable character. Amanda, a free spirited, irresponsible sibling. She can't deal with her mother's illness so instead travels abroad for much of her mothers illness. Finally, the youngest, step sister Hanna. She is teenage girl struggling to deal with the loss of her mom at a time in her life when she needs a mom the most.
I completely related with the characters in the novel. I come from a family of many women. Several aunts, two sisters, two daughters, and three nieces. I also have a wonderful stepfather who had to navigate through all these women. From poopie diapers to puberty to marriage.
"Things I Want my Daughters To Know" holds great humor and love. Barbara's family makes me see my family. The struggles of her daughters makes me feel the struggles of my own children. The relationships between the sisters, their failures and successes, all made me think of my own sisters.
I loved that in this book I could see each character not just as the title they were given (mother, daughter, sister ) but the individual story each woman presented. Especially Barbara. It was wonderful to see her not just as the matriarch of the family, not just as a women dying of cancer, but as a woman. All imperfections and love and ugliness, passion, and secrets, and parts of her life that had absolutely nothing to do with her kids. And that was important. We all become so absorbed that sometimes we forget there are other lives that exist outside of ours. Events that happen without us. Barbara's journal held secrets that devastated her daughters. Maybe she was cowardly to confess in a journal but it makes you realize that love, while being wonderfully powerful, also motivates us to sometimes make the wrong choices.
If the books would have just been the harrowing goodbyes of mother and daughters, it would have been unbearable.
But this story about death is so full of life with all of it's twists and turns.
I was thrown off a few times by the dialect and lingo of the books (set in Great Britain) but the story is so well written that the distractions were minor.
I look forward to reading more books by Noble and I'm happy that my first book club title was so enjoyable!
Recommend: Yes.
But: It might cause you to shed a few tears, or make a long-distance call to a special woman in your life.
Side note: Shortly after I read this book, I went to a my daughter's school play. My mother met me there and we proudly watched my daughter perform. After the show we walked out to our cars and my mom gave her usual goodbye, "Love you-Bye!" and I replied the same. I thought nothing of it, as my mom and I always end our conversations and visits the same way. A woman came up to me, though, and said, "I heard what you and your mom just said to each other. How lucky you are to be able to say those words ....I wish I could still do that with my mom...."
That pretty much sums up how I feel about this book. I'm so grateful I get to hear my mom's voice and say those words to her.
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