one book leads to another
The Hopefuls isn't groundbreaking, breathtaking or earth shattering. It's not complex or literary, nor is it twisty or chilling. That being said, here's what it is: an endearing, meandering, laugh-out-loud funny novel that follows a young couple (Beth and Matt), their new best friends (Jimmy and Ash) and another satellite couple (Colleen and Bruce) over … Continue reading The Hopefuls
Once upon a time I lived on Florida's Space Coast and used to drive State Road 3 from the edge of Kennedy Space Center to Merritt Island, where I worked. This was a year or so before 9-11; post attack they closed it to people driving through. It's a country-ish two-lane road with some businesses … Continue reading The Highway
Weather by Jenny Offill is another "New Books shelf" gem. Browsing the new books at the library is always fun because you never know what you'll come across. The trick is to look at everything not just your usual call numbers. Oh and you can do this virtually - our county library site has a … Continue reading Heavy Weather
If you're a Tom Ripley fan, that charming psychopath created by Patricia Highsmith, you'll get the nod in Emily Gray Tedrowe's title. The Talented Mr. Ripley, Highsmith's 1955 thriller, is on another level and the movie was pretty good, too. Matt Damon in particular was creepily perfect and a perfect creep in the role. The … Continue reading The Talented Miss Farwell
Dear Child by Romy Hausmann is a hell of a ride. I almost put it down a quarter way through, because it’s a pretty sad premise. But I wanted to know what happened, so on I read. The power of a good story… I’m glad I did. This thriller / mystery, translated from German, is … Continue reading Buckle Up
I finished reading Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Underground Railroad, a few days ago. While I've made some notes for a review, I need to sit with it some more. The novel is that good. Whitehead is that good. Certain books are so steeped in reality that I feel a little guilty enjoying them. … Continue reading Two novels, two Pulitzers, too good to ignore
How do you read? Do you skim over some sentences, not seeing each individual word but getting the gist just the same? Do you read slowly, "hearing" each word in your head? I admit I do both. For certain authors I force myself to slow down and take in every word, to hear every inflection … Continue reading Savor a good book lately?
