The Bee-Loud Glade by Steve Himmer

Rating:  3.8

Finch is a lackadaisical cubicle worker until he gets laid off and meets the eccentric billionaire Mr. Crane.  Mr. Crane hires Finch to live the life of a hermit/monk in his garden.

This quirky book is very original and also quiet and understated.  Not much happens at all and some may call it boring but, for me, it was enjoyable.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

My rating;  4.5

This is a light cute story of Don Tillman, a professor of genetics, who is an extreme/cliche example of Asperger's.  Don decides to find a wife and has a very specific idea of what he is looking for.  He embarks on The Wife Project.  When he meets Rose, she is the opposite of everything he thought he wanted - a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.   This sweet story entertained me all the way through and was the perfect thing to capture my overworked exhausted brain.

It is free through your library or $1.99 for the Kindle version through Amazon.

Songs of Willow Frost by Jaime Ford

My Rating:  1.6

This book was very poor writing, the characters had no development (they were all good or all bad) and it felt cheezy.  It was one cliche after another.  Although I enjoyed the author's previous book, The Hotel On The Corner of Bitter and Sweet, I would not recommend this book.  Many reviewers said they found this book sad or depressing but I couldn't get involved enough to feel anything.

The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff

My rating:  3.2

Marta survives a prison camp in WWII and is rescued by a soldier, Paul, that she conveniently crosses paths with many times. While this book had potential, I don't feel it was as good as The Kommandant's Girl. I didn't feel for any of the characters and, there were a lot of unrealistic moments. There were a lot of cliches, Simon is all bad and unlikeable, Marta is strong yet mousy and weak, etc. It seemed promising but, the book never really took off for me and felt much lighter than the first book did.

When God Was A Rabbit by Sarah Winman

My rating:  3.2

This book instantly pulled me in and I devoured the first few chapters. The eccentric girl and the relationship with her brother combine with Winman's writing were magical and frequently had me chuckling out loud.  Then, after the first few chapters, it lost me.  For the rest of of the book, it waxed and waned.  While Winman's writing remained lyrical throughout, it was also was in need of some editing as it was verbose. I feel that maybe she also bit off too much in the scope.  It was still a very entertaining read but, not a recommend.

Goat Mountain by David Vann

My rating:  3.8

An unnamed 11 year old boy is the narrator in this bleak but gripping novel.  In 1978, the 11 yo boy, his grandfather, father and neighbor set out to go hunting on their 640 acre property.  The first kill is human.  This is so dark/stark that I am not recommending this book but, have to say that the writing was beautiful and artistic.  If you want a dark read, this would be a good book.

The Medea Complex by Rachel Florence Roberts

My Rating:  4.8

If this wasn't an amazing enough book, then I find out that it is based on a true story.  Wow.  This historical fiction set in the 1900's and opens with Lady Anne believing she has been kidnapped, only to find out she is in a mental institution.  Don't read too much about this book but, if you are at all interested, watch the book trailer.   Amidst the many twists and turns it also delves into the approach to mental illness in that era.  A quick easy read that had me coming back for more.  I could see that this would make a great book club discussion.

This is from the website:

A deep and riveting psychological thriller set within an historical context, packed full of twists and turns, The Medea Complex explores the nature of the human psyche: what possesses us, drives us, and how love, passion, and hope for the future can drive us to insanity.

NPR's Best Books of 2013

It's out!  NPRs Best Books of 2013.  I can't wait to scour through this list, find out which I have read and which ones I want to add to my queue.  I need more hours in my day!!!!  http://apps.npr.org/best-books-2013

The Bells by Richard Harvell

My rating:  4.8

Moses is born in a belfry and raised by his deaf mute mother who rings the bells in the bell tower.  Contrary to expectations, this doesn't make him deaf but rather he develops a sensitive ear and an exquisite singing voice.  This historical fiction is based on the 18th century Opera Singer and the struggles he went through in his life.  Not only is the story awe inspiring but, the writing makes Moses, and all the characters, come to life.  Very well told and such an enjoyable read/listen.

 

I never would have read this book were it not for Marlene's recommendation so, thank you so much!

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

My rating:  4.8

From the opening chapter, this book grabbed me.  It flashes between 2007 and 2003 with Catherine Bailey as the central character.   In 2003 she was in a relationship with Lee.  In 2008 she is living on her own with an upstairs flatmate named Stuart.  These two men are very different - and so is Catherine.  In the 4 years Haynes unfolds what happened to make her such a different person and you completely understand how she got to where she is. 

I can see why this was UK's Best Book of the Year in 2011 and the film rights have already been sold.  It is harsh and gripping and worth the read.  Warning, this book captures violent abuse, extreme OCD will have you on the edge of your seat.  

The Bride's Farewell by Meg Rosoff

My Rating: 3.3

Where to start. This is a mid-19th century novel that, on first glance, doesn't warrant your time.   Then, as you read further, you discover that Pel is more than a run-away bride that you can slot into the conventional format.  Yes, at times this feels formula but, it is so much more than that.  It has depth and so much more than a typical romance.  If you like young adult novels, there are a lot of layers here.  Not Rosoff's best work but still entertaining.

 

The Death of Sweet Mister by Daniel Woodrell

My rating: 4.2 

How to capture my feelings about this book. Yowza. Uncomfortable. Dysfunctional. Awkward. Disturbing. Those things are true but, that also makes me realize that this is an amazing bit of writing. I felt for the characters and got pulled into their lives. Wow. To make me squirm and feel so uncomfortable takes a very talented author. I can't recommend such an uncomfortable book so, you will have to decide if this is right for you.

 

Incantation by Alice Hoffman

My Rating:  3.8

Incantation is the story of Spanish Jews having to lead double lives as Catholics during the Spanish Inquisition. When Estrella discovers that her family, whom she thought was Catholic, are truly Jews she confronts a world she never imagined. This is a beautiful poetic telling of a horrific story.

Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden

My Rating:  4.8

This book is about a Cree boy who is raised by his Auntie in the wilderness and taught to live off the land.  He develops a close friendship with another Cree boy.  When they are of age, the two of them enlist and become snipers in the killing fields of Ypres in WWI.  This is a brutal yet beautifully well told story.  This captures so much - the brutality of war, the beauty of the wilderness, the Native American life and so much more that I am not eloquent enough to capture.  AMAZING writing and this will be in my 'best of' for this year.

When & Where Do You Read?

I rarely sit down for long periods of time to read.  A 'long time' for me would be 30 minutes.  I typically sit down for 10 minutes and then get up and do dishes or some other task, then sit and read again for a few more minutes before I am off doing something else.  This may come from the fact that, as a child, most of my reading was done while I walked home from school - I would take a few steps, stop and read, take a few more steps.  My mother always wondered why it took me so long to walk home those couple of blocks!

At night, I do enjoy curling up with my book in bed and reading for 10 or 20 minutes before I fall asleep.  I also get in a lot of reading on planes.  Recently, a girlfriend shared that she used to read ALL day from when she got up until she went to bed.  How decadent!  It is rare that I sit and read for much more than 10 or 15 minutes at one time.  How about you?  Comment below and let me know where you like to read and for how long.