Now and Then Robert B. Parker

My aunt Nanette told me she liked this book. I had never read anything by this prolific author, but I liked it too. (I read it on an airplane to Pasadena from Sacramento and it was great company.) It reminds me of the Janet Evanovich books a little, in that the main character uses friends who are outside the law to solve cases. I'll pick out another one!

No Country For Old Men Cormac McCarthy

I didn't really read the book. I went to the Coen Brothers movie with my mother, husband, and daughter and son in law, who went to the USC film school, and now works for Disney; he suggested the movie. It is almost as relentlessly grim as The Road, but in this case it is beautifully acted, and the cinematography is wonderful also. The reviewer in the Pasadena Star News said he was going to rush out and buy the book, because he didn't understand the "epilog" at the end. Tommy Lee Jones is talking about hanging up his badge, and feeling that his father will be waiting for him; maybe a positive note.
I am not going to read the book, but I think there were a number of questions. I am glad there were five of us, so we could debrief afterwords. The movie is violent. Very, very violent. When I went to church on Sunday, the sermon was on forgiveness, and the priest discussed the death penalty. If ever there was someone who should be considered for the death penalty, the deranged, psychopathic killer in this movie would qualify. On the other hand, this is not a movie one will easily forget.

The Suspect John Lescroart

One thing I learned is how to pronounce the man's name. Less Kwah. The author lives in Davis, California, and this book was chosen as Sacramento's One City One Story for this year. I have read several books by this author, and was familiar with some of the characters, although this book focuses on a lady who had not been a main character before. This is a legal thriller, and it is an easy, fun read. Perhaps though the author was chosen for the bulk of his work; he spoke at the Tsakopolis Library Galleria in October, but I missed it.
If I put this novel up against Pasadena's choices, which include Mark Saltzman's the Soloist, or The Kite Runner, I am not as impressed, but still it is an enjoyable thriller.

The Glass Castle Jeanette Walls

This was on the short list for the NAICUSE book club, and I think it is the one they picked to discuss at the summer meeting. I think it is a true story, or based on one. It is the story of four children being raised by an alcoholic father and an artist mother. The book jacket notes that this book joins the company of authors like Frank McCourt, who have been able to transform their sad memories into fine art. The details of this little girls life, as they move from place to place just ahead of the law, are wonderfully clear and engaging. The book starts with her description of seeing her mother as a street person, and her struggles in dealing a person who seems happy not to be dealt with.

Playing For Pizza John Grisham

I understand my uncle Tom just finished this book. I like Grisham, and this one is a departure from the courtroom novels, that is very interesting. It was an impulse buy for me at the airport; an American football star, beginning a downhill, goes to play in Parma, Italy. Lots of interesting sport info, and a good story. OK, Uncle Tom, what did you think?

Dead Heat Dick and Felix Francis

Dick Francis is a bazillion years old, and I understand this book is his first in eight years. But he is a prolific author. Usually he writes murder mysteries with an English racing/jockey theme. This time he is a chef, but cooking for a racing event in this novel. There is a love story, and interesting mentions of the London Symphony, viola music, and Gordon Ramsey. And lots of local color. I like Francis' writing, fast, but compelling reading.

Marley and Me Paul Grogan

I guess this book has been around for a while, but I just found it. Anyone who has, or has ever had, a dog will love this one.It reminded me of dogs I have been personally acquainted with. (It was on the short list for the Naicuse Book Club, but not their final choice. They pick great ones.)

Tales From the Teachers Lounge by Robert Wilder

I picked this one up because as a retired tgeacher, I thought I would recognize people I know. At first I thought the humor was heavy-handed, way too many adjectives, and a little self-conscious. But I have to admit it was laugh-out-loud funny in many places. I loved the creative writing workshop at the end. I'm going to give it to my teacher book club friends.

Shattered Dreams Irene Spencer

Shattered Dreams is the autobiography of a woman in a "plural marriage." It is a fascinating story of a woman who finally found the stregnth to leave her "marriage" after thirteen children in fourteen pregnancies. She was the second of ten wives. There are vivid descriptions of her life in the community in Mexico, where the families moved to escape the laws in America. I believe she has been interviewed on Oprah, but I didn't see it. This one really was hard to put down; one of those windows into a world you never knew anything about.

The Road Carmac McCarthy

I think this may have been the most relentlessly depressing book I have read in a long time. One of the book jacket reviews said you couldn't put it down because you felt that if you did the boy and his father would die. I'm not sure I agree, but I guess I agree with another statement; " it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and best we are capable of-two people alive in total devastation." It haunts you.

The Thunderbolt Kid Bill Bryson

The Thunderbolt Kid is something baby boomers will recognize. The author also wrote A Walk in the Woods, and the same great, sometimes hilarious, descriptive writing is found in both books. This one is the description of a boy growing up in the 1950's in Des Moines, Iowa. That's all I'm going to say, because I don't want to stop you from reading it. I liked it a lot.

My Grandfather's Son; Clarence Thomas

My husband travels a lot and picked Clarence Thomas' autobiography on CD to listen to in the car. There are nine CD's, but it is a fascinating story, and read by Clarence Thomas himself; he has a wonderful voice. He chronicals his life growing up in the deep South, but it is also the story of Black history in America, and the political/racial history of America from the 1950's to today. Granted it is HIS story, but he appears to be an honest, proud man. There are unanswered questions-the big one for me is why did Anita Hill do what she did?

Pontoon, Garrison Keiller

I just finished reading Pontoon, by Garrison Keiller. This is an odd, funny book that includes a cancelled wedding and a funeral with a parasailer who drops the green bowling ball with the ashes of the dead into the lake, but after an accident with the boatful of Danish ministers, the parasailer ends up in the raspberry bushes, minus all his clothes. The boat sinks, but it's only four feet of water, and Raoul ends up with the bowling ball, as well he should.
So what do you think? Do I have a future in the book review field? Does it make you want to run out and purchase your copy of Pontoon?
My mother thinks I made this all up, but I swear! And I didn't even tell her about the green sequened dress, or the flying Elvis.
The book is terrific!

Searching For Self

This is a test. I am setting up a new blog. I will try to remember my information.