Scent of the Missing by Susannah Charleson
The kind folks at FSB sent me a copy of this non-fiction, and with a face like that on the front, how could you resist? :-)
But as soon as I cracked open the pages, I discovered I really, truly loved this book.
True, I'm a puppy owner and an avid reader, so it was going to be a home run when you combine the true story of Susannah and her search-and-rescue dog Puzzle with Susannah's evocative prose and easy storytelling.
I was afraid this would be a retelling of the disaster-of-the-day in every chapter, but Susannah focuses so much more on her relationship and training with Puzzle, the amazing people and animals who are UNPAID and spend so much of their own time rescuing others, as well as on some of the successes of the dogs (finding lost elderly) as well as the tragedies (searching for human remains from the shuttle Columbia).
Susannah's storytelling is just wonderful, and her writing flows so easily - I can absolutely see Puzzle (her beautiful Golden) loping through the woods, all the other SAR dogs in training, as well as her growing brood of dogs at home.
This is a easy, interesting, fantastic read that makes you truly appreciate the altruism of these people and their amazing dogs. Highly recommended - especially for dog lovers!
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Book Review: Every Last One
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
I'll admit, I've never read a Quindlen novel, despite hearing nothing but positive reviews about her novels, so when my friend Nat recommended this one, I thought I would give it a whirl.
By reading the blurb describing the book, you know that there are twin boys - one of whom is manic depressive - and a daughter and husband in Mary Beth's life, and that something "catastrophic" is going to happen. That's it - from there, you jump into page one and start reading.
So, for the first two thirds of the novel, the reader is simply braced for disaster and heartache in this otherwise normal family. Will it be the son going mad? Adultery? A pregnancy? A suicide? What? You keep reading, getting more and more tense, until....
Well, until.
I won't give away the major event of the book, but suffice to say I didn't see it coming, and that Quindlen's handling of Mary Beth's orbit - both before and after - is wonderful. Great writing, tense story, but a well written one. I won't say I *enjoyed* it necessarily, but only because it's not a book to enjoy, but rather one to appreciate it, and that I did.
I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.
I'll admit, I've never read a Quindlen novel, despite hearing nothing but positive reviews about her novels, so when my friend Nat recommended this one, I thought I would give it a whirl.
By reading the blurb describing the book, you know that there are twin boys - one of whom is manic depressive - and a daughter and husband in Mary Beth's life, and that something "catastrophic" is going to happen. That's it - from there, you jump into page one and start reading.
So, for the first two thirds of the novel, the reader is simply braced for disaster and heartache in this otherwise normal family. Will it be the son going mad? Adultery? A pregnancy? A suicide? What? You keep reading, getting more and more tense, until....
Well, until.
I won't give away the major event of the book, but suffice to say I didn't see it coming, and that Quindlen's handling of Mary Beth's orbit - both before and after - is wonderful. Great writing, tense story, but a well written one. I won't say I *enjoyed* it necessarily, but only because it's not a book to enjoy, but rather one to appreciate it, and that I did.
I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.
Latest Reads
I have been criminally slow in reading lately, but here's a few reviews of the latest titles...
So Cold the River by Michael Koryta
I've been a fan of every mystery novel written by Bloomingtonian Koryta, so when I saw he had a new one, set in French Lick no less, I was eager to get my hands on a copy.
This title was, um, weird. A mystery bottle, human possession, tornadoes, gunplay, mineral water and the West Baden hotels was just a bit of a muddled, strange story.
It was easy to read, and had Koryta's easy prose and occasional wit, but overall, I found myself as cold as the river when I was done. Just an odd book...not what I was expecting...
Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey
Just a quick reread as a reminder...
The Pallbearers by Stephen J. Cannell
I'm a big fan of Cannell's "Shane Scully" series, and this is the latest entry - this time featuring a suicide that is not what it seems, a group of former foster kids with a lot of scars, a bit of surfing, and of course, the usual LAPD drama and gunplay. Another fun entry - and a great listen, narrated by Scott Brick.
Insatiable by Meg Cabot
Anything that combines vampires, Meg Cabot, a juicy cover and a lot of humor is going to rank high with me, and this adult title did! Meena Harper is just a run of the mill NYC girl, working for a soap opera when she is thrust into one of her own - with the prince of darkness. A light, funny, fresh take on the vampire genre - love it!
I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.
So Cold the River by Michael Koryta
I've been a fan of every mystery novel written by Bloomingtonian Koryta, so when I saw he had a new one, set in French Lick no less, I was eager to get my hands on a copy.
This title was, um, weird. A mystery bottle, human possession, tornadoes, gunplay, mineral water and the West Baden hotels was just a bit of a muddled, strange story.
It was easy to read, and had Koryta's easy prose and occasional wit, but overall, I found myself as cold as the river when I was done. Just an odd book...not what I was expecting...
Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey
Just a quick reread as a reminder...
The Pallbearers by Stephen J. Cannell
I'm a big fan of Cannell's "Shane Scully" series, and this is the latest entry - this time featuring a suicide that is not what it seems, a group of former foster kids with a lot of scars, a bit of surfing, and of course, the usual LAPD drama and gunplay. Another fun entry - and a great listen, narrated by Scott Brick.
Insatiable by Meg Cabot
Anything that combines vampires, Meg Cabot, a juicy cover and a lot of humor is going to rank high with me, and this adult title did! Meena Harper is just a run of the mill NYC girl, working for a soap opera when she is thrust into one of her own - with the prince of darkness. A light, funny, fresh take on the vampire genre - love it!
I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.
ALA in DC
Last weekend, my colleague Judy and I traveled to Washington DC to attend the American Library Association's annual conference. What I remember most from DC was the 256875 pounds of books we lugged around, the HEAT and HUMIDITY, and the great setting - visiting monuments, memorials and fountains. We had a great time! Yay ALA!
What we saw and did...
The National Cathedral was definitely a highlight for us both...so beautiful inside and out...
We had a great lunch in Chinatown one day...
Laughed like idiots at the Book Cart Drill Team World Championships...
We tackled the Exhibits Hall day after day, loading up on books and freebies and talking to vendors...
Saw the Lincoln Memorial...
Had quiet contemplation at the World War II Memorial (though in fact, Marine One flew over as we sat there)...
Waved to the President...
Visited the Capitol Building...
We walked through the lovely FDR Memorial...
We walked over the Jefferson Memorial as dusk was falling...
Thanks, Washington DC!
We had a great time! Thanks, ALA!
What we saw and did...
The National Cathedral was definitely a highlight for us both...so beautiful inside and out...
We had a great lunch in Chinatown one day...
Laughed like idiots at the Book Cart Drill Team World Championships...
We tackled the Exhibits Hall day after day, loading up on books and freebies and talking to vendors...
Saw the Lincoln Memorial...
Had quiet contemplation at the World War II Memorial (though in fact, Marine One flew over as we sat there)...
Waved to the President...
Visited the Capitol Building...
We walked through the lovely FDR Memorial...
We walked over the Jefferson Memorial as dusk was falling...
Thanks, Washington DC!
We had a great time! Thanks, ALA!
Book-Go-Round
I've been turning a lot of pages lately, wracking up reads and need to get some reviews down here in the blog, so let's get started!
My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares
Despite having just read a "one person remembers the past and one doesn't but they're soulmates" story, I was eager to read this new adult novel from Brashares (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants). I still like the premise, and I thought this was enjoyable enough, but towards the end it seemed very YA-omigod-Edward-Cullen-and-I-are-soulmates-4ever, if you know what I mean. An interesting premise, and Brashares left it wide open for a sequel...
Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
I'm finally all caught up in the Sookie Stackhouse universe! I'm so on Team Eric. ;-)
Born in Fire by Nora Roberts
You know I love me some Nora Roberts trilogies, and this is a good one to listen to - takes place in Ireland, interesting characters with interesting professions, and a good ole romance. I dig. :-)
Born in Ice by Nora Roberts
The second in the trilogy, and again, love the setting and the characters. Such easy, pleasant books to listen to...
Husband and Wife by Leah Stewart
I adored Stewart's first novel (The Myth of You and Me) so I dove into this one eagerly, hoping to devour it in an afternoon (which I did). Sarah's husband confesses that he has an affair, and Sarah is thrown into a maelstrom of emotion in which is examines in minute detail every aspect of their family (including a toddler) and marriage. Stewart's writing and insight sometimes makes me feel small or too stupid to grasp, but by the end, I found myself vaguely annoyed at the self-centered and egomaniacal behavior of Sarah - but that may be what was intended. Not as good as Myth, but I'm glad I read it...
Angelology by Danielle Trussoni
Everyone says angels are the new vampires, and I really, really wanted to love this novel, but when it started feeling like homework from college and I was hating every word, I closed the book for good. Ugh.
The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne
I actually really enjoyed this novel, in which a 20-something girl returns to her childhood home (a finishing school), only to find the school bankrupt and out of date. She turns classes on manners and table arrangements into modern classes like how to eat sushi and how to pose for the paparazzi. A fun, breezy, easy read with a lot of heart!
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
This is very much a character novel, but with one shocking act of violence smack in the middle that will take the reader by surprise and change the whole dynamic of the story. Quindlen's writing is gentle and readable, and this was a great character study. Worth the time...
Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
Of course it's silly and unrealistic and hilarious and full of explosions, drama, and Joe-versus-Ranger. What's not to like? A fun diversion for an hour or two....
There ya have it!
I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.
My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares
Despite having just read a "one person remembers the past and one doesn't but they're soulmates" story, I was eager to read this new adult novel from Brashares (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants). I still like the premise, and I thought this was enjoyable enough, but towards the end it seemed very YA-omigod-Edward-Cullen-and-I-are-soulmates-4ever, if you know what I mean. An interesting premise, and Brashares left it wide open for a sequel...
Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
I'm finally all caught up in the Sookie Stackhouse universe! I'm so on Team Eric. ;-)
Born in Fire by Nora Roberts
You know I love me some Nora Roberts trilogies, and this is a good one to listen to - takes place in Ireland, interesting characters with interesting professions, and a good ole romance. I dig. :-)
Born in Ice by Nora Roberts
The second in the trilogy, and again, love the setting and the characters. Such easy, pleasant books to listen to...
Husband and Wife by Leah Stewart
I adored Stewart's first novel (The Myth of You and Me) so I dove into this one eagerly, hoping to devour it in an afternoon (which I did). Sarah's husband confesses that he has an affair, and Sarah is thrown into a maelstrom of emotion in which is examines in minute detail every aspect of their family (including a toddler) and marriage. Stewart's writing and insight sometimes makes me feel small or too stupid to grasp, but by the end, I found myself vaguely annoyed at the self-centered and egomaniacal behavior of Sarah - but that may be what was intended. Not as good as Myth, but I'm glad I read it...
Angelology by Danielle Trussoni
Everyone says angels are the new vampires, and I really, really wanted to love this novel, but when it started feeling like homework from college and I was hating every word, I closed the book for good. Ugh.
The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne
I actually really enjoyed this novel, in which a 20-something girl returns to her childhood home (a finishing school), only to find the school bankrupt and out of date. She turns classes on manners and table arrangements into modern classes like how to eat sushi and how to pose for the paparazzi. A fun, breezy, easy read with a lot of heart!
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
This is very much a character novel, but with one shocking act of violence smack in the middle that will take the reader by surprise and change the whole dynamic of the story. Quindlen's writing is gentle and readable, and this was a great character study. Worth the time...
Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
Of course it's silly and unrealistic and hilarious and full of explosions, drama, and Joe-versus-Ranger. What's not to like? A fun diversion for an hour or two....
There ya have it!
I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.
Good Signage
I was going back through my Flickr photostream to find a particular photo, and ran across this one I took a couple of years ago.
Mum and I were driving past a DQ in Kentucky during a roadtrip, hopeful of getting an ice cream cone, when we discovered that the building had been completely gutted by a fire.
I thought this signage was spectacular:
Now that's taking a bad situation and making light of it. Gotta appreciate good signage. :-)
Mum and I were driving past a DQ in Kentucky during a roadtrip, hopeful of getting an ice cream cone, when we discovered that the building had been completely gutted by a fire.
I thought this signage was spectacular:
Now that's taking a bad situation and making light of it. Gotta appreciate good signage. :-)
Book Review: Shoot to Thrill
Video book review of Shoot to Thrill by P.J. Tracy:
I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.
I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.
