The Beach House

This is a great summer time beach read!

The story had depth, but easy to follow. I enjoy the multiple character and story that this book has. You learn about a lot of characters with important information, not just a bunch of fluff. I feel that Green was able to give all the readers someone that they can share their point of view with. I did not especially hate the plot twist, and I did find it a bit predictable. I would not fault the author for this, being that it is a light summer read. The description on Nantucket and the world that Nan lives in, is beautifully described. I could see all the scene's play out in my mind perfectly. The character of Nan is just perfectly written and someone who I wish would invite me for Tea or Martini's. I really would recommend this book for a light read. The reader comes away with a great out look on the future for these characters.

Read September 2009

Milk Glass Moon

What a fantastic book! This is truly the best of the series so far!

This book is spread over a number of years and shows the main characters developing and learning more about themselves and others. Ave Marie's daughter Etta is a main focus of this book. We learn so much about the mother daughter relationship. We see how important the role of each of her parents play. Adriana Trigiani takes the readers on another trip through Italy. We read about the family and their surroundings. Also the times have changed in Big Stone Gap. There is a lot going on in the lives of the characters in BSG. I really have loved this entire series and think it is beautifully written. There are many things in the series I have related to and can appreciate the details that Trigiani has give the reader in these stories. A must read!

Read August 2009

Welcome to Shirley...

Being that I lived very close (walking distance) to BNL, I found this book very relevant and well written.
McMasters explains a lot about the lab, what is done behind the thick walls and forest. I have family members who have worked there for over 20 years. Hearing her stories from her neighbors and family is very enlightening. McMasters does cut into BNL and their practices a lot. However being from the area- I believe it is more than justified or fair. Although the book is full of numbers, and scientific facts, I enjoyed the book. The author adds personal history of the founders of the town and also her own family. It was very interesting.
Anyone from the area would like the quirks of the small towns that surround the lab. I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for a story about a home town.
Read August 2009

I'm So Happy For You

So glad to be done reading this book.

It was a quick read, but not a GOOD read. It was melodramatic and just not the kind of "chick lit" that I have enjoyed in the past. The story was ok. I mean there are a lot of women out there with 'friend-enemies". However this plot was just too much. I found it to be predictable and boring. It is not something I would recommend. I read this for a light summer read for book club.

Read August 2009

Such A Pretty Fat

I feel like finally a book has been written that explains what it is like to LIKE yourself.. but maybe not the way people expect you to.
This book made me laugh out loud on multiple occasions. Jen's trials with her size an self worth are right on target for me. I think that it took a while for the book to hit on losing the weight, however when it did.. it was a quick page turner for me. I wasn't fond of the footnotes. I tend to read them first when I would turn the page. However they were funny in some instances. This is the first book I have read by Lancaster and I plan to read some more of her work.

Read August 2009

Chocolat

This was one of the strange times where I have seen the movie before I read the book. I liked the movie, yet I loved the book. I think the author, Harris, really caught me up in the 'voices' of each character.
This is the story about an outsider moving into a small town in France. The locals are curious however the town Priest is not happy about her arrival. The Priest seems to be trying (in vain) to get his parishioners to like him and come back to god. He views the woman and her child as sinners and possibly a witch. He believes that unless she is run out of town, the town will be come tarnished and indulge in immoral acts.
Vianne is a strong single mother. She is a business woman as well as a friend. The way that she is described and narrates her story through out the book you really get a sense of who she is as a person. In many ways she becomes a friend to the villagers and to the people passing through the town.
I think that the story is a quick read. I am glad I read the book after the movie. The movie is different from the book, yet both are a fun and fast story.
Read July 2009

Big Cherry Holler

We are back in the Mountains with Ave and Jack. This story takes place 8 years from the end of the last story (Big Stone Gap).

We learn even more about Ave, Jack, their families and how their marriage works and what is holding them back from happiness. This story really develops Ave into an adult woman who still has not completely 'found herself'. We learn about the dynamic of a family that is wounded and still struggling to be living in the present.

Once again the readers get to go on a journey with Ave to Italy. The way that the author, Adriana Trigiani, describes these different area's really take you deep into the countryside of Italy as well as the Mountains that Ave grew up in.

I love these books. I am a big fan of Adriana Trigiani and really appreciate her story telling abilities!

Read July 2009