How Do I
Karen G.'s Picks
|
Parker, Robert The Professional Mystery |
| Robert Parker’s The Professional certainly isn’t the best Spenser novel I've read (Early Autumn wins that vote). However, it is definitely an improvement over many of the recent offerings from Parker. In The Professional, Spenser is asked to take on an unusual case: four young women married to wealthy older men are being blackmailed because of their extramarital relations. As an added twist, the blackmailer is actually the charming man with whom all four were romantically involved. As Spenser begins to investigate this crime, a more serious matter — murder — soon unfolds as part of the drama. Supported by series regulars Hawk and Susan, Spenser uncovers the truth while maintaining his signature moral code and conduct. While a quick read — the book has big print and extraneous blank spaces on the pages — The Professional is an exciting and intelligent 38th addition to Parker’s popular series. Recommended November 2009 |
|
|
Gillies, Isabel Happens Every Day Nonfiction Memoir |
| A man leaves his wife and children to be with another
woman. As the author of this memoir reminds us, it “happens every
day.” However, Gillies bypasses tired clichés with a rich retelling
of her failed marriage. Skillfully weaving stories of her childhood
with present day happenings, she gives the reader a real sense of
what she felt and experienced during her husband’s infidelity. This
candid look at the end of a marriage manages to be both heartbreaking
and humorous. Recommended September 2009 |
|
|
Shaffer, Mary Ann and Annie Barrows The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Fiction |
| Thank you Joey, Koula and Gwen for recommending this book
-- I loved it! It’s a story told entirely in letters, which at first
was a little off-putting for me. However, because of all the positive
comments, I plunged forward. The story is set in post-WWII England
and focuses on the correspondence between a young London writer and
a group of people who live on the formerly German-occupied Guernsey
Island. Through the entertaining and enlightening letters, the characters
truly come to life. I enjoyed learning about what life was like for
the residents of the island during this difficult time in history. Recommended July 2009 |
|
|
Lippman, Laura Life Sentences Mystery |
| After reading three great reviews for Life Sentences
by Laura Lippman, I decided to give it a try. The novel centers on
Cassandra Fallows, a Baltimore writer whose memoirs have been wildly
popular. After an unsuccessful foray into fiction, she searches her
past for more writing material, ultimately deciding on the story of
a former classmate who was imprisoned for refusing to tell the whereabouts
of her child. As Cassandra interviews other classmates, she learns
that her perception of events might not be quite accurate. Be forewarned:
If you like all the loose ends tied up neatly by the conclusion of
the book, you may be disappointed. After finishing the book, I searched
through it to see if I missed something. Despite this, the book features
vivid characters, and the story is unique and compelling. I would
definitely read another book by this author. Recommended June 2009 |
|
|
Scottoline, Lisa Look Again Fiction |
| Journalist Ellen Gleeson happens to glance at a “Have
you seen this child?” postcard as she gathers her mail — and notices
the striking resemblance to her adopted 3-year-old son. So begins
this rollercoaster suspense story that had me hooked from the start.
Ellen grapples with issues of personal responsibility and the true
meaning of motherhood while she struggles to do the right thing for
her son. Kirkus Review, Publishers Weekly and Library
Journal all gave this book a starred review, and I wholeheartedly
agree. Recommended May 2009 |
|
|
Scottoline, Lisa Lady Killer Mystery |
| A co-worker suggested that I try a Lisa Scottoline book,
and I’m sure glad I did! Scottoline writes stand alone novels as well
as a series about a group of female lawyers in Philadelphia. I have
read four of the latter, of which my favorite is Lady Killer.
This story focuses on Mary DiNunzio, one of the associates in the
law firm. She gets an urgent visit from her high school nemesis, Trish,
who pleads for protection from an abusive boyfriend. When the boyfriend
is murdered, Mary’s investigations lead her back to her past, and
the memories and people who remain there. Mary’s traditional Italian
Catholic family lends some lighter moments to this legal mystery that
will keep the reader guessing until the end. Recommended January 2009 |
|
|
Yearwood, Trisha with Gwen Yearwood and Beth Yearwood Bernard; foreword
by Garth Brooks. Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen: Recipes From My Family To Yours Nonfiction |
| Trisha Yearwood has had over 17 years of success in the
country music world and has sold millions of country singles and albums.
Now, she turns her attention to writing a cookbook along with her
mother and sister that features old-fashioned Southern recipes. I
tried six different recipes from the book and am happy to report that
they were all delicious. I haven’t had pineapple upside down cake
in years, and it was just as good as I remembered. The vegetable dishes
as well as the blueberry muffins were quick and tasty. The chicken
pie was pure comfort food and the stuffed pork chops were a big hit.
I would warn others to stock up on plenty of cream and buttermilk;
you will need these items to complete many of the recipes. Also, it
may be important to note: most of these calorie-laden Southern treats
are not for those watching their weight! Recommended November 2008 |
|
|
Coben, Harlan Hold Tight Fiction |
| Don’t open this book unless you have a few hours to spare.
Once you start reading this action-packed thriller, you won’t be able
to stop! A murder kicks off the action, but then a swift turn of events
leads to a seemingly unrelated story about parents of a troubled teenager.
Other characters and plots are introduced until the reader is left
slightly dizzy, wondering how they can all possibly fit together.
But rest assured—they all do, in a very satisfying conclusion. Recommended September 2008 |
|
|
Weiner, Jennifer Certain Girls Fiction |
| Currently, there are 174 people in the Allegheny County
library system waiting for Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner.
I would certainly suggest getting on that list! This is a great book—the
kind you never want to put down. A sequel to Weiner’s earlier Good
in Bed, the story centers on Cannie Shapiro, a 42-year-old married
writer and her now 12-year-old daughter Joy. While planning Joy’s
bat mitzvah, Cannie tackles some common mother-daughter squabbles
over the dress and the after-party. With Joy’s perspective in alternating
chapters, though, the story takes on a more complex tone dealing with
family secrets. Finally, a heartbreaking turn of events turns Certain
Girls into an uplifting tale of motherhood, love, and growing
up. Recommended August 2008 |
|
|
Christie, Agatha At Bertram’s Hotel Mystery |
| In the past few years, many of the Agatha Christie classics
have been rebound in sturdy hardcover. This makes it a perfect time
to revisit the best selling fiction writer of all time, whose mystery
novels have sold over two billion copies. One of the best selections
is At Bertram’s Hotel, featuring Miss Jane Marple. While
vacationing at a classic hotel, she notices that the staff is perhaps
a little too perfect and accommodating. When a man is murdered, Miss
Marple, utilizing her acute listening skills and ability to disappear
in the background, helps the police uncover the truth. I read this
book for the first time many years ago, but still thoroughly enjoyed
it the second time through. Recommended May 2008 |
|
|
Moe, John Conservatize Me : How I Tried to Become a Righty with the Help of Richard Nixon, Sean Hannity, Toby Keith & Beef Jerky Nonfiction |
| If your political leanings are to the left, and you enjoy
a good laugh, give Conservatize Me : How I Tried to Become a Righty
with the Help of Richard Nixon, Sean Hannity, Toby Keith & Beef Jerky
a try. The author, an NPR contributor from Seattle, develops a plan
to spend thirty days immersing himself in the conservative culture.
He adds some Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood to his iPod and boycotts
NPR. He forgoes The New York Times and instead gets all of
his information from Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. He dons a new wardrobe
which includes NASCAR gear and a very expensive suit. On a more serious
note, he travels around the country meeting a variety of people whom
he hopes will give him the conservative perspective. One memorable
visit is with the mayor of Rexberg, Idaho, the legendary city that
had the highest percentage of votes for George W. Bush in 2004 (92%).
Moe tours the Reagan and Nixon visitor centers and attends an evangelical
Christian church service. While the conclusions of the book are somewhat
weak, his experiences are completely entertaining. Recommended January 2008 |
|
|
Fallon, Jane Getting Rid of Matthew Fiction |
| Getting Rid of Matthew has all the ingredients
for a perfect romantic comedy film. Helen is tired of the limited
time she has with her older married lover and demands that he make
a choice between his wife and her. When he surprisingly chooses her,
Helen soon comes to realize that a terrible mistake was made and tries
to "get rid of Matthew." After turning herself into a very unattractive
roommate doesn't motivate Matthew to leave, she resorts to more outlandish
and comical attempts. Helen invents a second identity as Eleanor and
then befriends Matthew's wife for the purpose of bringing the married
couple back together. And of course she meets a wonderful guy while
under her Eleanor guise, which throws even more complications into
her plan. A great ending tops off this funny and touching novel. Recommended January 2008 |
|
|
Christie, Agatha Listerdale Mystery and Eleven Other Stories Mystery Audio Book |
| Listerdale Mystery and Eleven Other Stories,
read by Hugh Fraser of the PBS series "Agatha Christie's Poirot",
includes 12 unabridged stories that are each about a half hour long:
perfect for the daily commute. Fraser, who has read numerous other
Christie novels, has a relaxing voice and makes the stories easy to
understand and enjoy. One highlight of the collection is, "Jane in
Search of a Job". In the story, a young English woman applies for
a job and gets mixed up in international intrigue. "Philomel Cottage"
is another interesting tale, in which a new wife discovers some suspicious
secrets about her husband and questions if he can be trusted. In "Listerdale
Mystery," a widow wonders why she is able to rent a charming cottage
at such a low price. A downfall of Fraser's reading is his tendency
to use the same voice for all of the non-English characters. This
does not detract from the quality of the short stories which are well
worth the listen. Recommended by Karen G., November 2007 |
|
|
Dexter, Colin The Remorseful Day Mysteries |
| This is the final book of 13 in the Inspector Morse collection.
Newcomers to the series should definitely begin with the first one,
Last Bus to Woodstock, and continue reading through the series
in order. While the criminal investigations are unique in each book,
the characters of Inspector Morse and his sidekick Sergeant Lewis
are wonderfully developed as the series progresses. The Remorseful
Day showcases the unsolved murder case of Yvonne Harrison, which
inexplicably leads to a more complex crime after the case is assigned
to the brilliant but unwilling Morse. While the mystery has many surprising
twists and is quite entertaining by itself, the book soon becomes
even more of a gem. The reader is given a closer glimpse into the
life of the lover of opera music, difficult crossword puzzles, and
fine ale - Morse himself. I would highly recommend this to mystery
fans. Recommended by Karen G., May 2007 |
|
|
Clark, Mindy Starns Blind Dates Can Be Murder Mysteries |
| This combination of chick lit, Christian fiction, and
mystery makes for a story that is difficult to put down. The novel
centers on Jo Tulip, a delightful 25-year-old who writes a newspaper
column about housekeeping that is quite reminiscent of "Hints from
Heloise." While researching a dating service for her employer,
she stumbles into a kidnapping plot that puts her life into danger.
Jo must cope with the aftermath of the crime while grappling with
her feelings for her best friend, Danny. There is also an interesting
supporting character named Lettie, who struggles between her life
of crime and her blossoming friendship with Jo and her religious friends.
This is volume two in the "Smart Chick Mystery" series; I will definitely
be reading the others. Recommended by Karen G., April 2007 |
|
|
Spoto, Donald Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn Nonfiction |
| Audrey Hepburn was born into a wealthy family in Belgium
in 1929. Her father left the family when she was six, and because
of the current political climate in Europe, her mother decided to
seek refuge for the family in the Netherlands with her parents. However,
Hepburn's sheltered life of school and ballet lessons changed quickly
when the Netherlands came under Nazi control in 1940. For the next
five years, her family endured great anxiety about future military
attacks, strict food and heat rations, and daily fears about their
Jewish neighbors. After the war ended, Hepburn continued with her
ballet lessons and began acting in small plays throughout Europe.
She attracted some attention in America and was soon on Broadway playing
the lead in Gigi. At the age of 22, she won the coveted role
of a princess in Roman Holiday, which earned her the Academy
Award for Best Actress. She then went on to star in such classics
as Sabrina (in which she was paid a paltry $3,000, compared
to co-star Humphrey Bogart's $200,000), Funny Face, The Nun's Story,
Breakfast at Tiffany's, and My Fair Lady. She married twice,
had two sons, and spent a great deal of her later years in Europe,
only occasionally coming to America to continue her film career. Towards
the very end of her life, she devoted countless hours to the UNICEF
organization acting as their spokesperson and logging thousands of
miles to visit children in Africa and South America. Donald Spoto,
who has written many biographies including ones on Ingrid Bergman,
Alfred Hitchcock and Princess Diana, does a wonderful job of portraying
Hepburn's professional accomplishments while also giving the reader
the chance to know the person behind the famous face. This is a highly
readable biography of a fascinating woman. Recommended by Karen G., February 2007 |
|
|
Jill Watts Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood Biography |
| Hattie McDaniel gained worldwide recognition in 1939
when she became the first African American to win an Academy Award
for her role as Mammy in Gone
With The Wind. Her success however, was a two-edged sword. The
Black community expected her to use her newfound notoriety to expand
opportunities for African Americans, while the studio heads continued
to offer her acting roles portraying maids and cooks. She made some
enemies by accepting the movie offers and was famously quoted as saying,
"I'd rather play a maid than be one". An entertaining and informative
look at the Hollywood system. Recommended by Karen G., January 2006 |
|
|
Eyman, Scott Lion of Hollywood: The Life and Legend of Louis B. Mayer Biography |
| The MGM studio in the 1930's and 1940's was the largest
and most prestigious in Hollywood. Most of the major stars of the
time including Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Jeannette
MacDonald, Spencer Tracy, Greta Garbo, Esther Williams, and Myrna
Loy were contracted to MGM. At the head of the company from 1924-1951
was Louis B. Mayer. Much has been written about Mayer's tyrannical ways. While not glossing over his negative attributes, this biography also shows his loyalty to relatives and long term employees, almost perfect business sense, and great love of movies. His personal life is explored here beginning with his humble upbringing in Canada and continuing through his two marriages and many affairs. Mayer's relationship with his daughters is especially emphasized. Recommended by Karen G., August 2005 |
|
