American Sniper

Another book done!  I just finished American Sniper by Chris Kyle - non fiction and autobiographical as the cover says.  

This book gives you a new perspective of the war in Iraq....and the life of a Navy Seal. Its a great, quick read that makes you think about what you hear on the news and media.  Chemical weapons in Iraq? Yes....never reported because???? Well the stuff came from western allies....

Getting an honest peek into a seals life was really interesting.  It's a huge sacrifice for them and their family - patents, siblings, children.  It also offers a unique perspective of someone trained to kill and kill a lot.  How do you stop doing that when its time to move on? 

As you know Chris' story ended well up until this past February where he was shot and killed at a Texas gun range by an ex-military guy suffering from PTSD.  Worth the read??? Definitely :) 

Unbroken - another must read

I'm not a huge non-fiction fan, but for some reason I've read 2 in a row and started another last night.  This book was good...it was great!

Unbroken is written by the same author that wrote Seabiscuit, so if you're a fan of that piece of work, you're sure to be a fan of this one. Hillenbrand takes you through the courageous story of L. Zamperini, an Italian American slated to become a famous Olympic runner but is drafted during WWII as a bombardier.

The book starts at the beginning of Louie's life to give you a background into his character, personality, and perseverance...all setting the stage for the trials and tribulations he will endure over 3 periods as a Japanese POW.

Louie's story is riveting. It took me about 1 1/2 days to finish 398 pages.  If you're not familiar with the story, the book cover and synopsis gives it away - yes Louie survives, but how long does he suffer, how does he suffer, and how he manages is remarkable.  If you're at all spiritual, you'll enjoy the end of the book a lot.  The last 10 pages or so were really touching.  They made me think..... I walked away from the book in amazement.

Kitchen House by K. Grissom

Stress...anticipation...sadness...and more stress.  These are the words I can use to describe my feelings as I read this book.  The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom details the life of Lavinia - a young, freckle faced/red headed - Irish orphan who becomes an indentured servant on a southern plantation.  Taken in by the owner's slaves, Lavinia is raised to help in the big house.  As the book unfolds we watch her struggle between "family" and her "place in society." 

This book was passed on to me by a friend and it took me a little while to get into it.  I started the book - got a few pages in and left it by the wayside.  Well I decided to pick it back up the other night and I'm glad I did.  It was a fast read - probably about 2 1/2 days...I couldn't put it down because I HAD to know what happens.  I realized at the end how stressed out I felt while reading the story.  There are times where it just gets pretty intense while you're rooting for your favorite characters. 

So if you're looking for an easy but drama filled read - The Kitchen House will not let you down.

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro's 3rd book - The Remains of the Day

I just finished another of Ishiguro's books yesterday. This book is set in post World War England. The story is told through our main character Mr. Stevens, an English estate butler.

This story like others of Ishigruo is told in 1st person narrative, in a diary style fashion. This book was also adapted into a movie during 1993 staring Anthony Hopkins. Will I add it to my netflix - maybe...we'll see.

The book deals solely with Mr. Stevens and his relationship with his current and previous employer - what he went through, what makes a good butler, as well as his relationship with Ms. Keaton, later married and known as Mrs. Benn.

Was I enthralled with this book? Sorta. I know it was a popular book, but I wasn't drawn into the story or any of the characters for that matter. Stevens definitely comes across as the stereotypical upper class English butler - well mannered, discreet, and without any sense of humor. And I think that contributes to the "dryness" of the story. I do like one part of the story in which Stevens talks about what remains of the day....how most people look forward to the end of the day. And rather than spend time on regrets and what could have been - but be thankful and take advantage of what time remains in the day. I guess that then carries on into our lives right? Stop worrying about those things that cannot be changed, but be thankful for the time you have left...and make up for it there. Well thats what I took away from it anyway.

So should you read the book to find out more about Mr. Stevens and his life? It can be a good read, its short 176 pages so give it a try if you're looking for something quick and easy. Then as always let me know what you thought. Since we no longer have our online book club, its the only way to discuss the books we read together.

Until next time, I found this appropriate - "All changes are more or less tinged with melancholy, for what we are leaving behind is a part of ourselves." Amelia Barr

Another book down....

I just finished reading Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro which is now a movie staring Kiera Knightly. I haven't watched the movie yet but it's being added to my Netflix here shortly.

Never Let Me Go delves into the world of 3 main characters Ruth, Kathy, and Tommy as they nagivate their way through Hailsham - a seemingly pleasant English boarding school. Odd though that you never hear about the 3 character's past - family, parents, siblings, etc. Nor do the students ever leave for holiday break...so you wonder what is the deal? Throughout the first part of the book you hear various hints about whats going on in terms of "donations, carers, etc." What does it all add up to?

Its not long - maybe after the first 50 pages where you know this has got to be about cloning. You're not sure how it works, why or how its happening BUT you're definitely intrigued. I had to get to the end to find out what was going on, what happens to our main characters, and what exactly is Hailsham?

If the e-bookclub were going still, I'd definitely recommend this as a read. It will spark up great conversation about your beliefs, how you feel about the characters, and speculating on all those unanswered questions:

• Who received the donations?
• When is it decided that a person goes from a carer to a donor?
• Why didn't the donors ever try to get out of it?

I'd go into it more but as you know - I like to leave it up to you to learn more. The book is written from our main character's (Kathy) point of view. I've read some other reviews on the book and how some were put off by the writing style; however, I think it draws you into the story...makes you sympathize with the characters and their plight. After all they're just people who learn, live, and fall in love like anyone else....

The Flirt - K. Tessaro

The Flirt by Kathleen Tessaro - an easy but entertaining read...

On loan from a friend this summer, I read The Flirt. Intrigued by the plot it was the first of three Tessaro books I read whilst basking in the OC sand and sun. Well not so much sand and sun....but it sounds good right?!

The story is set in London, England where we meet Mr. Hughie Venerable Smythe, a handsome BUT out of work actor that charms his way from lunch to lunch. In a twist of fate Hughie responds to an intriguing job ad that thrusts him into the world of professional flirting. Yes, that's right - people, mostly husbands purchasing the services of professional flirts to keep their wives happy.

I have to be the first to admit - the business plan though not savvy in our current economic condition could have once been a viable enterprise. The book is cute and like I said easy to read....but very entertaining. The ending is a bit cliche if you ask me but ITS CUTE. So if you want to find out what happens....well pick up the book in a store near you (And that means Barnes and Nobles nowadays).

The Last Summer (of You and Me) - Ann Brashares

This is a book about growing up, learning to love yourself, learning to love others, and how to forgive. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Riley, Alice (sisters), and Paul have been best friends their entire lives. Their respective families summer on Fire Island every year away from the hustle and bustle of the big city NYC.

Now they're all in their 20's spending one last hurrah on the island together before they officially venture into adulthood on different paths while trying to keep their relationships intact. Riley, steadfast and unchanging is still a lifeguard at the beach while Paul and Alice find themselves torn by feelings that have always shadowed their friendship. Where do they go without betraying Riley and endangering their friendship forever?

Then an unexpected illness sends the family back to NYC, Paul is left heart broken and angry on the ferry dock plunging in for the ceremonious dive as Alice walks away from their romance without reason. What happens next, you'll have to read it for yourself!

I'm a sap for a romance novel...and as soon as Brashares created the romance between Paul and Alice I was hooked. Paul is wealthy, sexy, and emotionally handicapped from the death of his father, his unstable mother, and the endless legal battles between his mother and paternal grandparents. Paul has always found his anchor in Riley and Alice - they are literally his best friends and the family he's ever had. But now in his mid 20's he allows Alice to become something more, something he's not sure he's ready for. The transformation is heart wrenching and the love scenes are steamy :) How could a girl not love Paulo by the end of this novel!?

I hope Brashares writes a follow up...in the meantime I've heard Warner Brothers bought the rights for the movie. The sucker in me rates this 4 stars...I was completely enthralled despite the slow beginning.

Light on Snow - Anita Shreve

I just finished a short and easy read by Anita Shreve- Light on Snow. The story is centered around Robert and 12 year old Nicky (Nicole) who live off the beaten path in more ways than one. While venturing on their evening walk, Nicky and her father discover a new born baby abandoned in the woods near their home.

The rescuing of baby Doris dredges up their own personal tragedy as Nicky and her father face the 2 year anniversary of her mother and baby sister Clara. Through flashbacks we learn of Nicky's mother and sister, her family life pre and post tragedy. While trying to deal with their emotions separately, Nicky and Rob receive an unexpected visitor in Charlotte, the mother who left her baby to die in the woods.

So that's the basic synopsis...it was a decent story, easy to read. But on another level, it didn't rouse the emotions in me that I'd expect from such an unsettling topic. The only time I felt really moved was Charlotte's visit to the 'scene of the crime' in the woods. Through Nicky's eyes I could see and feel the grief for myself. The descriptions were vivid and full of emotion. But other than that, I wasn't moved by the story. One could argue that was sorta the point, but to that I say...you can describe grief and loneliness in a multitude of ways that reach your reader.

The relationship between Rob and Nicky was so complicated, and then throw Charlotte in the mix - Shreve just scratched the surface and before you know it the book has come to an abrupt end. What happens to Rob, Nicky, Charlotte, and Baby Doris? She seems to foreshadow that Baby Doris will find a good home...but what about the rest of 'em? We're simply left wondering.

Two stars.....

What's up next you wonder? The Last Summer of You and Me by Ann Brashares. (Author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants)

Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt

Angela's Ashes a memoir by Frank McCourt is about his family and personal experiences from early adolescence until he is 19.

We first meet Frank and his family in New York...struggling to make ends meet. After a family crisis they all return to Limerick Ireland, (his mother's home town) for better job prospects; however, his father is unable to collect money from his previous military service nor can he get a job since the townsfolk don't look very kindly on those from northern Ireland. And the family continues to struggle.

As we travel through Frank's life we find nothing but extreme poverty, hardship, sorrow, hope and disappointment. If it isn't their father losing every job he gets, then he's spending all the dole (welfare) money at the pub. I was so mad at Malachy (the father)...yes, he was an alcoholic and had a problem BUT he obviously loved his children. How hard is it to give them SOME of the money for food. And then after he ships off to England, in sum they receive 3 shillings....and that's it! Pitiful excuse for a man...c'mon the kids are wearing rags, living in a flooded apartment, and eat nothing but BREAD all day. Unforgiveable.

Of course we see Frank develop into a young teen, eventually working enough to save money, feed himself, and get his family back under one roof. Obviously I'm skipping a lot of the details in order to avoid spoiling the book for you...but there are rays of light and endearing moments throughout the book. Without the love and companionship of his brothers and mom, I'm not sure how one would have survived.

It is a Pulitzer Prize winner, and was also developed into a movie...you may find the book slow at times but stick with it. It's a good story that reminds you just how lucky and fortunate you really are.

Note: Author also wrote a follow up titled 'Tis.

Auschwitz: True Tales from a Grotesque Land by Sarah Nomber-Przytyk

Today I wandered through the library looking for books to read. After buying a few books from the library bookstore I ended up in the non-fiction section surrounded by books on the Holocaust. Yes, I've seen Schindler's List, Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The Pianist, and other movies/shows about the Hitler and his heinous crimes. But I guess after reading Sarah's Key, a work of fiction - I thought why not read something true.

So I checked out two books: Angela's Ashes and Auschwitz. Though terribly sad, I found Auschwitz by Sara Normberg gave me insight into the plight of the thousands of Jews in this horrid German camp. Telling her own story, Sara takes the reader into the hierarchy of prisoners within the camp. I had an image of all these people in a similar situation - looking to one another for comfort..knowing they all shared the same fate. But alas, that's not how it was. Even within the concentration camp there was a hierarchy based upon what 'type of Jew' you were. For instance, a German Jew felt that they would be spared because they were of course "German" or the Hungarian Jews who were looked down upon by others simply because of where they came from.

Then there were the Jews who worked for the Germans as nurses, aides, couriers, etc. These Jews were well fed, slept in the best quarters (by concentration camp standards), and had access to liberties not available to those housed in the main barracks. This group was made up of those who could 'organize' - meaning they could move themselves into better positions within the camp. Maybe what was most surprising is that some of the punishment and death was handed out by a fellow Jewish prisoner.

I liked that this book educated me on the inner workings of the Nazi concentration camps; however, the book is still incredibly sad. Horror upon horror is described - from the killing of new born babies, burning of children, gassing, killing of over 20,000 people in a day, experiments performed on prisoners, etc. etc. etc. Can I recommend it as a read - not sure, its just so sad. If you're interested in learning more about the Jewish plight during the Holocaust from a unique perspective I think its definitely worth looking into. Keep in mind this book only delves into the woman's side of the camp...but its definitely a humbling read.

For now, I leave with you a quote from Albert Einstein that's definitely appropriate for the subject matter.

"A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." Albert Einstein

The Lovely Bones - A. Sebold

I just read The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, which is now a feature film starring Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, and Saoirse Ronan.

In the book we meet Susie Salmon, murdered at 14. Susie lives in her version of Heaven along with Holly, a young girl she met in the afterlife. The two girls end up 'roommates'.

From Heaven Susie watches her family - she lives vicariously through her sister, watches over her mom and dad, and keeps tabs on the lives of her friends - Ruth and Ray as well as her killer. Her constant "presence" in each of their lives affects each person in different ways, but none of them are really able to move past Susie's death.
- Abigail Salmon runs away hoping to forget the tragedy and family
- Jack Salmon is broken by her death and becomes obsessed with finding the killer
- Lindsey Salmon grows up known as "the girl whose sister was murdered"
- Buck Salmon grows up too quickly in the shadow of a broken home
- Grandma Lynn in the absence of a mother, becomes the family's pillar of strength
- Ruth and Ray become good friends through Susie's death - holding vigils and sharing memories of her

Though very dark and sad, I enjoyed this book. It felt honest because there wasn't the "happily ever after" ending. I don't want to give away what happens but Sebold does end the novel on a note of optimism for the Salmon family; however, for the most of the book there's just overwhelming sadness. For days after reading this book, I couldn't lift the fog that settled over me - I had to read a couple books with happy endings for a quick pick me up :) There was only one part - Susie and Ruth's swap that didn't fit the story well, but I could appreciate a 'final hurrah'. So what's the verdict?

I do recommend the book...just not around the holidays. It's really rather depressing.

What I Thought I Knew - Alice Eve Cohen

Imagine this...
- You're unable to have children so you adopted
- You're on hormone therapy yourself
- You have a higher chance of cancer due to hormones taken by your mother during her pregnancy
- You have have two uterus(es)
- Your mother died of cancer
- You find out you're in early menopause

That is the author's story. She was a DES baby...this means while her mother was pregnant she took a synthetic hormone (Diethylstilbestrol) which was thought to be safe. Well it wasn't and many of these babies were found to have a higher risk for cancer, ectopic pregnancies, and transsexualism. So after years of trying, Alice and her then husband adopt Julia....fast forward some years.
Alice is now happily engaged to Michael - a fellow free lance artist who is about 10 years younger than her. Around this time Alice begins to feel "strange" - meaning that she has an abnormal lump on her stomach, her breasts are tender, she has an increased need to urinate, and she's very lethargic. After consulting various different specialists and gynocologists, Alice learns she has muscle tone loss, an overactive bladder, and possibly cancer (the lump on her lower abdomen). In order to more accurately detect the cancer or tumor, Alice is sent in for a scan - where she learns that she is 6 months pregnant!

She's in her 40's with a VERY high risk pregnancy. For the past 6 months she has had no prenatal care and exposed the baby to multiple medical procedures, hormones, and alcohol. Not to mention, Alice has crappy insurance and almost no one will accept her as a patient!!! So now she must struggle with the idea - keep the baby or abort at 6 months?

She decides to have the baby...and learns that she is going to have a boy. After genetic testing, they find that the baby actually has XX chromosomes...so its either going to be a transgendered boy OR be a lesbian female athlete....so now she wonders "Do I put the baby up for adoption".....Alice is having the baby she always wanted at a time when she doesn't...on top of that she has a million other things to worry about - bleeding to death, premature labor, transgendered issues, exposure to cancer, etc. Most mothers just have to hope for a happy and healthy baby.

This book is a quick and easy read. It's an interesting story that makes you wonder - what would you do in a similar situation? How would it feel to be misdiagnosed for 6 months and be medically unable to terminate a problematic pregnancy? Not having children - I can say that I wasn't able to relate to her situation much, but it does make you wonder "What would you do?"

Dear John - N. Sparks

In Sparks' novel we meet John Tyree, a homegrown North Carolina boy whose enlisted in the army after finding himself on the fast track to nowhere after high school. Home on leave for a few weeks in the summer, John meets Savannah Lynn Curtis. Savannah is a college student working Habitat for Humanity during her summer vacation. She has a strong Christian foundation, beautiful, smart, and an all around good girl. Of course the two fall madly in love with one another. With Savannah's help John sees his father's quirkiness in a whole new light. Ultimately, he and his father enjoy a relationship that neither of them thought possible.

Fast forward a bit - John returns to Germany while Savannah returns to school. The two countdown to John's tour of duty overseas and his eventual release from the Army; however, in the aftermath of September 11th John decides to reenlist to serve in the war everyone will soon know as Operation Iraqi Freedom. While this will prolong John's time overseas Savannah is understanding and willing to make it work.

While fighting in Iraq John receives the goodbye letter from Savannah - she's met someone else, fallen in love, and moving on. With nothing to go home to John re-ups for another tour in Iraq....but returns home briefly due to the death of his father. While back in NC, John visits Savannah to find that not only has she married, but she's dealing with problems of her own. So do we get our happy ending here in this Sparks novel? Well not exactly. In the end - everyone is happy but it's not tied up in a pretty red bow like some of his other stories.

The book had enough in it to keep my attention and though it was an easy read...the story wasn't complex and neither were the characters. It was a breath of fresh air to find a Sparks story where the story doesn't have the ultimate warm fuzzy feeling at the end, but in the end it wasn't a show stopper. I've been reading a lot of his novels lately...mostly because they're easy reads and they're decent stories. This novel is also being turned into a movie to be released some time in 2010. My recommendation - pass on this one for now unless you're hard pressed for a book to read.

I'm picking up "What I Thought I Knew" today....Happy Reading!!!

At First Sight - N. Sparks

At First Sight is a follow up to Sparks' "True Believer".
In True Believer, Jeremy Marsh is a scientific/paranormal debunker who went to investigate the eerie lights of the Boone Creek cemetery in NC. While investigating the lights Jeremy falls madly in love with Lexie Darnell (the town librarian).

The last time we saw Jeremy Marsh we learned that he is moving from NYC in exchange for the small town of Boone Creek and he's going to be a father. As Jeremy adjusts to his life in the small southern town he is plagued by the inability to write while second guessing his relationship with Lexie.

In this book Jeremy and Lexie are preparing for the arrival of their first child, buying a home, and planning a wedding. The stresses of life are overwhelming Jeremy and putting a major strain on his ability to write. It doesn't help when mysterious emails arrive casting doubts on his relationship with Lexie; Jeremy begins to wonder is the child really his, how much does he and Lexie really know about one another, and what other secrets is Lexie keeping??

In At First Sight love does conquer all, but it definitely doesn't offer the typical Sparks ending (Boy meets girl and lives happily ever after). We learned a lot about Lexie and Jeremy in True Believer and in this follow up book you watch them move onto the next big adventure together. I think between the two books you really become attached to the central characters and you want Jeremy and Lexie's relationship to work out; I guess it's almost something you expect. So, in the end, I think the twist will be a bit surprising but very touching. I had to hold back my tears a couple times...

Happy Reading!

The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown

The much anticipated follow up to the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons....THE LOST SYMBOL.

Our favorite symbologist Robert Langdon is back. Upon being summoned by his mentor Peter Solomon to Washington DC to deliver a speech last minute, Robert finds himself in the middle of a terrible kidnap, murder, mystery plot surrounding one of the oldest and most secretive groups in the world - The Free Masons.

In this novel we learn about symbology and it's importance in Washington DC architecture as well as to this country's founding fathers. As Robert begins to unravel the mystery set before him, we're pulled into the deepest secrets of free masonry and it's highest degree along with their most highly guarded secret.

At first I wondered what is really going on here. First we meet the mysterious tattoo'd man with his wealth, secrets, and makeup...I wasn't quite sure what was going on. As the story picks up we follow the plot to save Peter while we also watch Katherine desperately try to save both herself and her work.

If you were enthralled by the complexity of the Da Vinci Code or Angels and Demons then you'll be stumped here in The Lost Symbol as well. Running around DC after Masonic secrets and theoretical pyramids - throw in the whole issue of who can be trusted and of course a madman to rival Silas of Da Vinci and you have your the Dan Brown suspense mystery you love so well. I enjoyed the book but I think the ending let me down...to the point where I say it's simply okay. Yes, it was riveting BUT....in the end it wasn't as profound as the "Holy Grail" reveal. Even after our plot and subplot resolution, the last few chapters seemed to build even more supsense as we wait for Katherine and Robert to open a door for one last surprise.

And as I read those last few pages I did find myself a tad bit disappointed. Though the main plot resolution wasn't what I expected it to be; I could live with it. However, after the FINAL reveal...I was disappointed. But this is a best seller and the meat of it has enough to keep your mind spinning!

Happy Reading....

The Rescue - N.Sparks

The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks details the trials and tribulations of Denise Holden...giving up teaching, struggling as a waitress in a small town, moving into a run down home - all in order to dedicate her time to her young son Kyle. Kyle has trouble learning and in particular he does not speak. The book opens with Denise and Kyle driving back from one of his many Dr.'s appointments in a terrible storm. After narrowly hitting a deer, Denise loses control of her car and crashes into the dense and marshy forest. After losing consciousness, Denise realizes Kyle has wandered off. Her only hope is the stranger who found her - volunteer fireman Taylor McAden. As Denise is whisked from the scene in an ambulance, Taylor and a small group of local fireman search the marsh amidst one of the worst storms in NC history.

So what happens? Of course Taylor finds Kyle...and falls in love with Denise BUT OF COURSE - Taylor's past makes him unwilling to allow himself to be loved.

In true fashion, Nicholas Sparks writes in the back drop of a slow North Carolina town. Do we get the happy ending...Yes.
But was the story touching, riveting, or profound? Not really. I read the book mostly becuase it was based upon Nick's own family experience with his own challenged son.

I read the book in one day...it was short, easy and entertaining read. At least Nick has always been able to keep my attention regardless of how little attachment I have to the story or characters. So if you're looking for a great read - Pass. If you just want something with a little drama, suspense, mystery, and a love story with a happy ending...then give it a go!

Happy Reading.

Up on deck:
- N. Sparks Dear John
- N. Sparks At First Sight
- D. Brown The Lost Symbol

The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCullough

The Thorn Birds was written by Collen McCullough in the late 1970's and was later adapted into a tv series. The book is nearly 700 pages detailing love, life, and tragedies of the Cleary family. Though you meet many Cleary family members and characters throughout the book, the main characters include:

- Fee Cleary: the family matriach
- Meggie Cleary: the only daughter amongst the Cleary family
- Ralph de Bricassart: Catholic priest
and later you meet
- Justine O'Neil: Meggie's oldest child and only daughter

We follow the Cleary family from their humble beginnings on a small farm in New Zealand - to inheriting the largest property in Australia - Drogheda. Though men are obviously more important to society and the Cleary's, the real story is about the women.

We watch Fee struggle with various losses in her life - the loss of her husband, Frank, and Stu. She has an iron clad personality; showing little emotion towards almost all her family members.
Then you have Meggie who falls in love with Ralph, but marries another man since Ralph won't leave the cloth. Again, another Cleary woman who has to deal with loss and struggle. She has no idea how to love her daughter or talk to her own mother.
And finally there's Justine, who like the other Cleary women keeps her emotions in check. As an actress she can hide herself behind a character - always keeping her distance from any type of emotional attachment.

There is a lot of hardship, tragedy, and death in this book. Some of the deaths surprised me and made me sad; however, I was never really too attached to any character. Though its a nice story - it definitely felt a bit dated to me. Though the ending isn't tragic, I guess I always hoped that somehow Meggie and Ralph would find a way...but alas it wasn't meant to be. But I think the true importance of the book is about love and family - and finding your own way.

So what's the significance of the title? Well there's a poignant story in the book about a thorn bird - "a legend, about a bird that sings just once in its life. From the moment it leaves its nest, it searches for a thorn tree... and never rests until it's found one. And then it sings... more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. And singing, it impales itself on the longest, sharpest thorn. But, as it dies, it rises above its own agony, to outsing the lark and the nightingale. The thorn bird pays its life for just one song, but the whole world stills to listen, and God in his heaven smiles."

Could any character be classified as a thorn bird? I think yes - Dane (Meggie's son), and maybe each of the Cleary women. In their old age they are able to rise above their own agony to find a relationship with one another at last.
Would I recommend this book? Probably not, but I'm glad I read it nonetheless.

Her Fearful Symmetry - A. Niffenegger

Another one down - after reading Time Traveler's Wife, I figured I'd have to read Her Fearful Symmetry by Ms. Niffenegger.

This book follows the life of identical twins Valentina and Julie as they inherit their dead Aunt Elspeth's London flat and money. Upon learning of their inheritance you find that there is some sort of history between Aunt Elspeth and their mother. The will stipulates that the twins MUST live in the apartment for at least 1 year before they can sell it, and that their parents (Jack and Edie) can never set foot in the flat. So what's the bad blood for - no one really knows BUT you do learn that Elspeth and Edie are also identical twins. So why haven't they seen or spoken to one another in almost 20 years?

So the twins embark on their journey to London - move into the flat and meet their neighbors: Martin and Robert.

Martin - he's an obsessive compulsive whose wife has left him since she can no longer live with the madness.

Robert - he's the young lover of Elspeth, working on his thesis while providing tours of the cemetery across the street.

As time passes the twins acclimate themselves to London but at the same time grow apart. Valentina wants to become her own person, go to school, and wear black...but Julie is the stronger personality and Valentina simply never stands up for herself. So what happens? Valentina comes up with the craziest plan to free herself from the bondage of "twin-ness". Does it work out - well read it for yourself.

What did I think about the book? I'm on the fence. It definitely kept me interested because I wanted to know 1) What is this family secret and 2) Is Valentina's plan really going to work? I did get answers to both questions so that's a plus!

However, I was dismayed at the direction that Niffenegger decided to take with Robert. At one point in the book he is VERY mad at Elspeth and says "I will never forgive you". But apparently he does and goes on to live his life with the Elspeth.

You see, something happens between Elspeth and Valentina and I didn't think Robert would be willing to overlook Elspeth's actions. But he does!!!

In the end Niffenegger sorta fixes it. She makes it apparent that Robert is bothered by Elspeth. BUT still - I was really mad at how it all went down and though the book doesn't say Elspeth did it on purpose....it was DEFINITELY on purpose. Something about the last quarter of the book left me with bad feelings.

So should you read it? Pick it up....If the mystery surrounding the story is enough to keep your attention then keep reading. But come back and let me know how you felt at the end.

Happy reading!

Three Weeks w/ My Brother - N. Sparks

For whatever reason - when I read an author's books and find them relatively entertaining....I end up having to read just about everything that he/she has written. It's just one of my odd habits.
So as you can see (if you've been reading previous posts) I've read quite a few Nicholas Sparks books here recently. And in a previous blog I ranted on how he wrote the same love story over and over....man and woman meet, fall in love, problem arises, situation resolved, and everyone lives happily ever after.

Well I decided I'd pick up his memoir, co-written by his brother. The book came about because Nicholas receives a brochure advertising the trip of a lifetime. You'd visit all various iconic spots around the world: Easter Island, Machu Picchu, Malta, Cuzco, Cambodia, Taj Mahal, Guatemala, etc. in only 3 weeks. So Nicholas ends up on the trip of a lifetime with his brother Micah. Dispersed amongst the story of their adventure and personal pictures you learn about the history of these two men. Their story is both tragic and uplifting - what would it be like to be the last 2 surviving members of your family? At times I felt like their history surreal - but we all know that some families are just marked with a lot of tragedy.

In this book you also learn that some of Nicholas' more famous books were inspired by people in his family. For instance, "A Walk to Remember" was inspired by his little sister. Though you might not enjoy his works of fiction, I think everyone would enjoy his memoir. It's a fantastic portrayl of family, love, tradition, struggle, and hope. I found myself crying in at least 2 different places.

True Believer - N. Sparks

I just finished reading Nicholas Sparks' True Believers. It's a book about Jeremy Marsh - a sci fi writer and debunker of the supernatural. He's a New York native and divorcee whose not only smart but incredibly charming and handsome.

Jeremy receives a letter requesting he visit Boone Creek, NC in order to debunk the ghostly lights in the local cemetery. Amongst the small town charm and southern hospitality Jeremy finds himself falling in love with local girl and librarian - Lexie. It's a witty and complicated courtship that leaves the reader saying "don't be so hard-headed"!!!

I've always said I'm a sucker for a good love story - and though I've read only one other novel by Mr. Sparks I agree with someone who said something to the effect - "his books are the same....two people fall in love but can't be together and then somehow in the end they find a way to be together"(LOL). Sometimes you can be in the mood for a romance story you know that's not going to break your heart - and for that we can rely upon Nicholas Sparks.

So if you're a sucker for a love story (like me) and you don't want to be left emotioanally sad and drained then I think you'd be in the mood for something from his long list of love stories. True Believers is a short read and being from the south myself, it was particularly nice to read.