I did not feel as though I could consider myself well-read unless I had read this book, which people rave about. I read it, but I did not enjoy it. I chuckled a few times, but Bridget's life of drinking, dieting, and searching for a man, day after day and page after page, is not the sort of life I'd like to read about. Maybe I am missing something, but it just wasn't for me. Honestly, I couldn't wait for it to be over.
Consider yourself warned.
-Dodie
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
#38: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
We Were Liars is a book recommended to me by a middle school english teacher. It is a Young Adult novel, but I would suggest no one younger than a high school freshman read this one as there are references made that some would prefer middle schoolers not know about.
With that being said, as an adult, I was almost bored with the book (and the story of Cadence and her wealthy family as they vacation on their private island off of Martha's Vineyard each summer) until I realized that something eerie was going on, that something was not quite right, and I needed to keep reading to find out what it was. Oh yeah, it was something eerie all right. And while I won't ruin the story for you here, it's a good one. A real page turner by the end.
And, in the end, We Were Liars made me afraid of the power of our children in the same way that The Casual Vacancy, by JK Rowling, made me afraid of your children because the children got mad at the grown-ups and exacted a revenge no one saw coming. I have since stepped lightly around my teenagers, not that I am letting them rule the house, but I now realize how much power these days children really do have to make adult lives miserable should you cross them.
Of course, as with all good tales, when a bad deed happens, people must pay in some way and I do feel The Liars, as Cadence calls herself and her friends/family Gat, Mirren, and Johnny, paid a steep price for their actions. They may have been trying to solve a family problem, but in the end they created more problems than they solved. Is it a warning for teenagers to be careful what they do? To be careful that while you think you can solve the problems of the world, you can't always? That while you think you are adults you really aren't? Yes. I think that's exactly what this book warns.
It's also a fierce reminder that what we see isn't always the truth. And that many of us are Liars.
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
With that being said, as an adult, I was almost bored with the book (and the story of Cadence and her wealthy family as they vacation on their private island off of Martha's Vineyard each summer) until I realized that something eerie was going on, that something was not quite right, and I needed to keep reading to find out what it was. Oh yeah, it was something eerie all right. And while I won't ruin the story for you here, it's a good one. A real page turner by the end.
And, in the end, We Were Liars made me afraid of the power of our children in the same way that The Casual Vacancy, by JK Rowling, made me afraid of your children because the children got mad at the grown-ups and exacted a revenge no one saw coming. I have since stepped lightly around my teenagers, not that I am letting them rule the house, but I now realize how much power these days children really do have to make adult lives miserable should you cross them.
Of course, as with all good tales, when a bad deed happens, people must pay in some way and I do feel The Liars, as Cadence calls herself and her friends/family Gat, Mirren, and Johnny, paid a steep price for their actions. They may have been trying to solve a family problem, but in the end they created more problems than they solved. Is it a warning for teenagers to be careful what they do? To be careful that while you think you can solve the problems of the world, you can't always? That while you think you are adults you really aren't? Yes. I think that's exactly what this book warns.
It's also a fierce reminder that what we see isn't always the truth. And that many of us are Liars.
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
#37: The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman
I heard about this book on John Oliver's political TV show on HBO. He linked it to a discussion he had one evening about Donald Trump. He said, basically, that Donald Trump's candidacy was similar to Judson Moon's (the main character in the book) candidacy. Except that instead of being 70, Judson moon was 12 (at which point her made some snarky comment about Trump often acting like he's 12). I was intrigued to read this book to discover what Oliver was talking about. I was further intrigued when I couldn't get the book on Amazon right away because it was sold out. It made me wonder if I was not alone in checking on the book as I listened to John Oliver talk about the novel.
As I read The Kid Who Ran for President, I marked passages that reminded me of the currently presidential race. I marked 16 different scenes in the 150 page book that reminded me of our current race for the White House. (Note: this book was written in 1996) Mostly the passages reminded me of Trump, as Oliver noted in his show, but some could've been about Hillary, too. Or really any other candidate.
I think this is a good book to read with older elementary aged kids before a presidential election, so I am passing this off to my friend who teaches 5th graders, but I think older students, like my daughter who is taking AP Government this year, could read it and find the irony and humor in it that I picked up on as an adult reader.
John Oliver suggested that Trump follow suit, and like Judson Moon renounce his candidacy. I hope Trump wasn't watching that night. I need him to win and to move into the White House. Of course, that means Oliver didn't realize there is a sequel to this book: The Kid Who Became President. Oliver says Moon reminds him of Trump. In this case, I hope Oliver is spot on right.
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
As I read The Kid Who Ran for President, I marked passages that reminded me of the currently presidential race. I marked 16 different scenes in the 150 page book that reminded me of our current race for the White House. (Note: this book was written in 1996) Mostly the passages reminded me of Trump, as Oliver noted in his show, but some could've been about Hillary, too. Or really any other candidate.
I think this is a good book to read with older elementary aged kids before a presidential election, so I am passing this off to my friend who teaches 5th graders, but I think older students, like my daughter who is taking AP Government this year, could read it and find the irony and humor in it that I picked up on as an adult reader.
John Oliver suggested that Trump follow suit, and like Judson Moon renounce his candidacy. I hope Trump wasn't watching that night. I need him to win and to move into the White House. Of course, that means Oliver didn't realize there is a sequel to this book: The Kid Who Became President. Oliver says Moon reminds him of Trump. In this case, I hope Oliver is spot on right.
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
#36: The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck
I love reading books about weddings. Maybe it's because I am a girl. Maybe it's because my wedding was simple and economical and I like to read about extravagant over the top weddings. Maybe it's because I am a hopeless romantic. Whatever the reason, I love a good wedding story and The Wedding Dress is a good wedding story.
If you like reading books about weddings, the story of Charlotte, a bridal gown retailer, who waffles about her own engagement and then finds a very mysterious wedding gown (mysterious as in Traveling Pants mysterious), will warm your heart, as it reminds you that some things in life are just meant to be.
This is a beautiful story!
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
If you like reading books about weddings, the story of Charlotte, a bridal gown retailer, who waffles about her own engagement and then finds a very mysterious wedding gown (mysterious as in Traveling Pants mysterious), will warm your heart, as it reminds you that some things in life are just meant to be.
This is a beautiful story!
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
#35: Wilde Lake by Laura Lippman
I heard about Wilde Lake from the author's mouth--literally. Lippman spoke about her book at the Junior League book and author event I attended back in May. She had a remarkable way of speaking about her book, giving only the slightest hints at actions and events, enticing us all into reading the book and finding out what really happened all those years ago on Wilde Lake. Well...I am certainly not going to spoil it for you here, but I will give you some inside information about the book so you can decide if it's worth your time to read the book.
Cutting to the chase, Wilde Lake is a suspenseful, murder mystery. I don't typically read this genre, but Lippman sells her book well and I was anxious to read it. It's told by Lu, Luisa Brant, the newly elected state's attorney of Howard County, Maryland. She tells the story in alternating chapters: one chapter is her present day story and the next is a chapter detailing her memories from the past. When you combine events of the past with events of the present, you get the full story of what happened one night on Wilde Lake involving her bother, his friends, and a girl. It takes a current murder case that Lu is working on for her to truly understand events that took place 30 years before.
It's a cleverly told story but it's hard to read at times. Or at least it was for me. There's a reason I don't typically read these sorts of books--I don't like to read about what I can see in brutal detail on the news each night. However, this was a superbly written story so I don't blame Lippman for gory details.
If you are fans of Patricia Cornwell, or even John Grisham, you'd like this one. Come to think of it, I should save it for my in-laws. They love these sorts of books!
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
Cutting to the chase, Wilde Lake is a suspenseful, murder mystery. I don't typically read this genre, but Lippman sells her book well and I was anxious to read it. It's told by Lu, Luisa Brant, the newly elected state's attorney of Howard County, Maryland. She tells the story in alternating chapters: one chapter is her present day story and the next is a chapter detailing her memories from the past. When you combine events of the past with events of the present, you get the full story of what happened one night on Wilde Lake involving her bother, his friends, and a girl. It takes a current murder case that Lu is working on for her to truly understand events that took place 30 years before.
It's a cleverly told story but it's hard to read at times. Or at least it was for me. There's a reason I don't typically read these sorts of books--I don't like to read about what I can see in brutal detail on the news each night. However, this was a superbly written story so I don't blame Lippman for gory details.
If you are fans of Patricia Cornwell, or even John Grisham, you'd like this one. Come to think of it, I should save it for my in-laws. They love these sorts of books!
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
#34: Saving Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyla
It wasn't long ago that I blogged about the first two Mr. Terupt books in this trilogy. I loved them and was couldn't wait for the third to arrive (in paperback) and to find out how the story ends.
As with the first two, Saving Mr. Terupt didn't disappoint. It was a great story. But I will say this about books two and three...I see them less and less as books appropriate for elementary school kids. The first one was written about Fifth graders so I see no reason why Fifth graders can't read and appreciate the book. But in the next two, the kids move on to middle school and with middle school students come middle school issues, and words, and actions which leads me to suggest that the second and third books should be reserved for middle school kids (or adults who just like to stay on top of children's literature).
Aside from that, the quality of literature is still top-notch as Buyla continues his ingenious way of writing from the perspective of the students and creating a persona in Mr. Terupt who is created from other people's perceptions and accounts. It's rather clever, I think.
I want to thank Meghan for telling me about this amazing series of books. They are incredible! Could there be more in the works? Mr. Buyea, I'd read them all--eighth grade through graduation. If you write them, I will read them! And I feel certain that I am not the only one who feels this way!
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
As with the first two, Saving Mr. Terupt didn't disappoint. It was a great story. But I will say this about books two and three...I see them less and less as books appropriate for elementary school kids. The first one was written about Fifth graders so I see no reason why Fifth graders can't read and appreciate the book. But in the next two, the kids move on to middle school and with middle school students come middle school issues, and words, and actions which leads me to suggest that the second and third books should be reserved for middle school kids (or adults who just like to stay on top of children's literature).
Aside from that, the quality of literature is still top-notch as Buyla continues his ingenious way of writing from the perspective of the students and creating a persona in Mr. Terupt who is created from other people's perceptions and accounts. It's rather clever, I think.
I want to thank Meghan for telling me about this amazing series of books. They are incredible! Could there be more in the works? Mr. Buyea, I'd read them all--eighth grade through graduation. If you write them, I will read them! And I feel certain that I am not the only one who feels this way!
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
#33: Sweet Tomorrows by Debbie Macomber
Sweet Tomorrows is the latest book in the Rose Harbor series written by romance novelist Debbie Macomber. The series was started in response to readers who were saddened that Macomber had finished her Cedar Cove series and who longed to hear more about the residents of Cedar Cove. Macomber then created Jo Marie Rose, owner and proprietor of the Rose Harbor Inn, a place where people come to find solace and to get questions answered. Not that Jo Marie promises any of this to her guests, there's just something special about the Rose Harbor Inn and people leave feeling comforted and ready to head back to life.
This installation of the series focuses on Jo Marie herself (she isn't typically a main character in the books) and a guest named Emily. Jo Marie is waiting to hear about her love, Mark Taylor, as he participates in a top secret military mission overseas. Emily is trying to figure out her life after two broken engagements. Both women learn not only to rely on each other for support but also to help each other as they both search for answers as they try to move forward with their lives.
I love this series of books. I was skeptical at first because the entire story line of this new series seemed to be so depressing. It's not. The stories are actually quite heartwarming and inspirational.
I just don't like having to wait an entire year before getting the next part of the story! :( It's always worth the wait in the end, but the waiting is never any fun!
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
This installation of the series focuses on Jo Marie herself (she isn't typically a main character in the books) and a guest named Emily. Jo Marie is waiting to hear about her love, Mark Taylor, as he participates in a top secret military mission overseas. Emily is trying to figure out her life after two broken engagements. Both women learn not only to rely on each other for support but also to help each other as they both search for answers as they try to move forward with their lives.
I love this series of books. I was skeptical at first because the entire story line of this new series seemed to be so depressing. It's not. The stories are actually quite heartwarming and inspirational.
I just don't like having to wait an entire year before getting the next part of the story! :( It's always worth the wait in the end, but the waiting is never any fun!
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
#32: The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee
Thank heavens for my iPhone! I was on the train to Rome when I finished my last book and did not have another, as I did not want to lug a bunch of heavy books around with me from city to city across Italy (although I was totally willing to lug new leather handbags--priorities, you know). So thank heavens for my iPhone and the wireless in the hotel. I was able to access my Nook account and I pulled up The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society and was no longer book deprived! Hooray!
I started this book over a year ago and just never finished for whatever reason, but this ended up being a good book to read while traveling. It was easy to read and to follow the plot, the characters (there are a lot) were easy to remember and hilarious, and the chapters weren't too long so it was easy to read little snippets here and there.
It doesn't take long to realize that this book had to be written in the middle of the scrapbooking craze of the late 1990's/early 2000's as everyone in the book has discovered scrapping and are making a scrapbook for every little thing. As a scrapper myself (well...sort of...I haven't made a page in years but I totally should as Emily is still waiting for me to finish her elementary school book) it was cute to remember how excited I was at first to record every little memory.
What struck me as the best aspect of this novel was how real it is. Avalon is a quaint little town with real people who have troubles, arguments, struggles and disappointments as well as miracles, celebrations, and good times. Sometimes we read to escape real life but sometimes it nice to read and to find that we are not alone in our daily life struggles and challenges. It's reassuring.
This is a great story and I am glad that I picked it up and finished it.
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
I started this book over a year ago and just never finished for whatever reason, but this ended up being a good book to read while traveling. It was easy to read and to follow the plot, the characters (there are a lot) were easy to remember and hilarious, and the chapters weren't too long so it was easy to read little snippets here and there.
It doesn't take long to realize that this book had to be written in the middle of the scrapbooking craze of the late 1990's/early 2000's as everyone in the book has discovered scrapping and are making a scrapbook for every little thing. As a scrapper myself (well...sort of...I haven't made a page in years but I totally should as Emily is still waiting for me to finish her elementary school book) it was cute to remember how excited I was at first to record every little memory.
What struck me as the best aspect of this novel was how real it is. Avalon is a quaint little town with real people who have troubles, arguments, struggles and disappointments as well as miracles, celebrations, and good times. Sometimes we read to escape real life but sometimes it nice to read and to find that we are not alone in our daily life struggles and challenges. It's reassuring.
This is a great story and I am glad that I picked it up and finished it.
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
Friday, September 2, 2016
#31: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
I brought The Light Between Oceans with me on our recent trip to Italy, to read on the plane and on train trips between cities. I never counted on not being able to put this book down once I started reading and that I would finish it way before our 10 hour plane ride home, leaving me with only a e-book on my phone to read on the trip home (every book lovers' nightmare).
The story is about Tom and Isabel, a couple who live on an isolated island off the coast of Australia, as Tom is the light keeper on Janus Rock. They both love where they live, no matter how remote or frequently visited by others, and are excited to find out that they are expecting a baby. However, as miscarriage after miscarriage devastates this young couple, they both become sadder and sadder and question their life on the island. But one day Tom finds a boat, washed ashore, that contains a dead man and a small baby girl: alive, hungry, and crying. What happens next forms the plot of this story and I don't dare give it away.
What I will say is that I could not imagine facing the choices this family has to face--it was heart breaking. I finished the book on the train from Florence to Rome and I am fairly positive there is an Italian mother with two daughters who sat with me that day that are still telling their friends and family about the crazy American woman who was bawling her eyes out in the seat next to/across from them. I can't wait to see the movie but know I will be bawling there too. Maybe it will be a sunny day when I see the movie and I can wear my sunglasses home to hide my red, puffy eyes.
This one should be on your list of must-reads. It's a phenomenal story.
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
The story is about Tom and Isabel, a couple who live on an isolated island off the coast of Australia, as Tom is the light keeper on Janus Rock. They both love where they live, no matter how remote or frequently visited by others, and are excited to find out that they are expecting a baby. However, as miscarriage after miscarriage devastates this young couple, they both become sadder and sadder and question their life on the island. But one day Tom finds a boat, washed ashore, that contains a dead man and a small baby girl: alive, hungry, and crying. What happens next forms the plot of this story and I don't dare give it away.
What I will say is that I could not imagine facing the choices this family has to face--it was heart breaking. I finished the book on the train from Florence to Rome and I am fairly positive there is an Italian mother with two daughters who sat with me that day that are still telling their friends and family about the crazy American woman who was bawling her eyes out in the seat next to/across from them. I can't wait to see the movie but know I will be bawling there too. Maybe it will be a sunny day when I see the movie and I can wear my sunglasses home to hide my red, puffy eyes.
This one should be on your list of must-reads. It's a phenomenal story.
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
#30: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Rowling, Tiffany, and Thorne
This newest Harry Potter story is a must-read for any self-respecting Harry Potter fan. It answers the question "What happens next?" (well...next as in next after 19 years have gone by) for the main characters and their new families. The story focuses primarily on Albus, Harry's youngest boy, and it centers on his actions resulting from the pressure he feels because he is Harry's child and Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore's namesake. This "story" is actually the rehearsal script for the play currently being produced and performed in London, so I found it to be a quicker read than any of the other seven books that were typically filled with lengthy descriptions and copious details. I really enjoyed this glimpse into the life of my favorites: Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and Harry. I just wish there were more--I'd read them all and I am sure that I am not alone!
I am also secretly hoping we can get tickets too see this play (done in two acts over two different nights) when we travel to London next summer. I'd be overjoyed to see this!
If you like Harry, you MUST read this one!
Happy reading, everyone!
:)Dodie
I am also secretly hoping we can get tickets too see this play (done in two acts over two different nights) when we travel to London next summer. I'd be overjoyed to see this!
If you like Harry, you MUST read this one!
Happy reading, everyone!
:)Dodie
#29: Happy Wives Club by Fawn Weaver
OK. So I feel as though this choice of book, without explanation, could cause speculation and conversation among those of you who actually read my blog. As a result, you are getting a brief explanation of this choice of reading material.
I ran across The Happy Wives Club (yes...this is an actual club that you can join online) in an article about marriage that I was reading on Pinterest. (Please note: I am happily married and I feel that the key to staying this way is to keep marriage a priority, so I read a lot about ways to keep things "good.") The idea of a world-wide "club" of women, all dedicated to their marriages and to giving marriage a good reputation was exciting for me. So I joined the club and made my commitment to "changing the tone about marriage" and I ordered Fawn's book from Amazon, ready to learn the great secrets of happy marriages around the world.
Fawn's book is a summary of her travels around the world as she interviews long-time married women and uncovers the secrets of a happy marriage. Sounds great! But, what the book really is is Fawn's travel journal. I got more details about the places she visited and foods she ate than the secrets of happily married women. The reason for that is that there is really only one secret: mutual respect among partners. I heard this chapter after chapter, country after country, and while it was great that there IS a key to a long lasting and happy marriage, I didn't need an entire book to learn that. She could've written a concise paragraph on her Happy Wives Club website. But, that wouldn't have covered the cost of her traveling, of course. Sales from her book, I am certain, did.
The idea for the book is a good one, and even though I was expecting something more profound, it was a cute book to read in terms of learning about different countries (because I did--this was a very detailed travel journal) and it was reassuring that I had stayed married for 22 years because I believe Rob and I need to be respectful of one another, our dreams, and our interests.
I still believe in the premise of The Happy Wives Club and am proud to be a member.
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
I ran across The Happy Wives Club (yes...this is an actual club that you can join online) in an article about marriage that I was reading on Pinterest. (Please note: I am happily married and I feel that the key to staying this way is to keep marriage a priority, so I read a lot about ways to keep things "good.") The idea of a world-wide "club" of women, all dedicated to their marriages and to giving marriage a good reputation was exciting for me. So I joined the club and made my commitment to "changing the tone about marriage" and I ordered Fawn's book from Amazon, ready to learn the great secrets of happy marriages around the world.
Fawn's book is a summary of her travels around the world as she interviews long-time married women and uncovers the secrets of a happy marriage. Sounds great! But, what the book really is is Fawn's travel journal. I got more details about the places she visited and foods she ate than the secrets of happily married women. The reason for that is that there is really only one secret: mutual respect among partners. I heard this chapter after chapter, country after country, and while it was great that there IS a key to a long lasting and happy marriage, I didn't need an entire book to learn that. She could've written a concise paragraph on her Happy Wives Club website. But, that wouldn't have covered the cost of her traveling, of course. Sales from her book, I am certain, did.
The idea for the book is a good one, and even though I was expecting something more profound, it was a cute book to read in terms of learning about different countries (because I did--this was a very detailed travel journal) and it was reassuring that I had stayed married for 22 years because I believe Rob and I need to be respectful of one another, our dreams, and our interests.
I still believe in the premise of The Happy Wives Club and am proud to be a member.
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
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