A colleague visiting me in Chicago was reading this book, and finished it while she was here. So she gave it to me, and I was instantly hooked! I knew the bare details of the story about Frank's love affair, and that he left his wife and six children for this woman. And that the woman died in a tragic fire in their Wisconsin home. But I didn't know anything about the woman, Mamah Borthwick Cheney. Her story is amazing, and their love story is sad, and complicated, and human. This author found the voices of these people at the beginning of the 20th century, and made them come alive - they moved off the paper and into my living room. I hope the author explores other topics with as much compassion and energy, I would eagerly read them!
04/29/2012
The Tourist by Olen Steinhauer
This book was recommended to me by Dave, who had it recommended to him by a colleague. A very entertaining thriller! A deeper, more complex story than the usual thriller; it was not really about the typical spy moves, it was about a family man trying to maintain his family amidst the intrigue and deceptions of the spy world. I plan to read more about the trials and tribulations of Milo Weaver in the future! And the fact that Milo's wife, Tina is a librarian, is awesome! One of my favorite quotes, ""Librarians." Grainger sniffed at the travelers. "You should've listened to me. There are absolutely no odds in marrying smart women.""
Nightwatch by Sergei Lukyanenko
This book was given to me a few years ago and sat on a shelf all this time. I picked it up because I wanted escapist fiction, and this filled the bill! A fabulous story! I am hell-bent on reading the three additional stories that round out this series. All though it is purportedly about Others, like vampires, werewolves, witches, etc., it really is about the simple choice of good or evil. And how each choice of good or evil has ripple effects throughout your life and your community. A deceptively brilliant story!
The Outlander by Gil Adamson
I picked up this book at an airport bookstore and enjoyed the first part of the story. But about midway through I became bored; and stopped reading the book. I finally picked it up again to finish it. At the end of the book there was an interview with the author talking about the development of the book; that was a more engaging story for me!
Tales of a Sixth-Grade Muppet by Kirk Scroggs
A very sweet and entertaining story from someone who obviously adores The Muppets! Sixth grader Danvers Blickensderfer becomes a Muppet one night, and that is a dream come true from him! The story details all his adventures now that he is a Muppet; and what I really enjoy is that the goal of the story is NOT for him to become human. Quite the unexpected twist! I hope to read more of Danvers tales in the future!
My Life as a Book, and My Life as a Stuntboy by Janet Tashjiam
Cartoons by Jake Tashjian
These books are delightful! The stories are interesting, sweet, and entertaining! I also believe they are spot on about the thoughts, behaviors, and activities of young people. And the cartoons are fabulous! I really like the inside joke that the main character, Derek Fallon, doesn't like reading, and yet this is a book. And one of my favorite quotes from the book is "If they give their permission, I'll even promise to grow up and become a librarian - that's how much I want to be in this movie." I am a librarian!
Also, I am enchanted by the fact that the author invited her son to do the drawings, they make a wonderful combination! I hope they chronicle many more of Derek's adventures!
Fables: Rose Red, Fables: Super Team by Bill Willingham, etc.
This is volume 15 and 16 in the Fable series, and both were entertaining and lively, as expected of this series! I have not been as enamored of the current main story as I was of the first one, this one didn't seem as compelling or threatening to the beloved fable characters. But the way the story was wrapped up was elegant and unexpected! I am curious as to what can come next!
Chicagoland Detective Agency: The Night of the Living Dogs by Trina Robbins
This is the third book in this graphic novel series. I very much like the stories and pictures of this series, they are fresh and fun! And they inspire me to think about stretching my creative muscles with writing and drawing, and collaborting with other writers and illustrators. I hope this creative team of Trina Robbins and Tyler Page keep the stories coming!
The Calder Game by Blue Balliett
This is the third book featuring the three children, Calder Pillay, Petra Andalee, and Tommy Segovia. This one wasn't about a mystery that they encounter, but there is a problem/challenge that has to be solved. And it is a big one! And while that is the overarching arc it is also a story about intellectual curiosity and using common sense in a crisis, loyalty and friendship, and openness to new ideas. I like the way the children are growing, and their interactions with the adults in their lives, their teacher, their neighbor, are genuine and real to me!
01/26/2012
In the Woods, and The Likeness by Tara French
These books were recommended by another librarian, a friend of a friend, who I met for lunch to help network with. Eventually the conversation turned to books, and she recommended these stories by an Irish female author. The arc connecting these two books is that the main characters work in the Dublin murder squad, but each book focuses on a different member of the squad. And although there is a mystery to be solved, the mystery merely serves as a reflection of the protaganist's own life, doubts, and sins. It is a really great plot device! I look forward to reading more from Tara French in the future!
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