Right Ho, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
This book is my first foray into the world of PG Wodehouse, and it won't be my last. Right Ho, Jeeves, written in 1934, is the first sequel to Thank You, Jeeves. In total, 11 Jeeves & Wooster novels were written from 1934 to 1974 as well as numerous short stories.
Jeeves is the personal valet of Bertram Wooster, a rich London socialite. Wooster is good-hearted, but can be clueless and somewhat exasperating at times. Wooster has a k…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:38pm —
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Harris and Me by Gary Paulsen
rating: 3 of 5 stars
I loved How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulsen last year. I actually laughed out loud when I read it, so I was happy to mooch another Paulsen book.
I read most of this today at the pool. The story follows an 11-year old boy who is sent to live with distant relatives for the summer to escape his alcoholic parents. He becomes fast friends with his 9-year old cousin, Harris, and the two spend the summer on the farm concocting amazing ad…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:37pm —
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The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Widow of the South is a historical fiction novel set around the Battle of Franklin near the end of the Civil War. Much of the novel is grounded in historical fact--the house, the "widow" Carrie McGavock, the slave Mariah, the battle. As such, Robert Hicks spares no detail in taking the reader to the battle, in all of its grotesque and sobering glory.
The book is a good reminder about what happened here, on U.S. soil, and how crue…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:37pm —
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The English American: A Novel by Alison Larkin
rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pippa Dunn was adopted at birth by British parents. The catch is that her biological parents are American, and at the age of 28 Pippa decides she needs to know more about her genetic roots. Of course, while she's finding out about herself, Pippa is also making some decisions about love.
I love that Larkin's personal life parallels Pippa's life. She was also raised by British parents who adopted her from America at birth. You…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:36pm —
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Othello by William Shakespeare
rating: 3 of 5 stars
I haven't read Shakespeare since high school--sad but true. I'm glad that Corinne's book group decided to read Shakespeare though, because I think it is good for me to get out of my comfort zone every once in awhile, especially reading a tragedy!
Iago is Othello's right hand man, and is jealous that he was passed up for promotion by Cassio. Iago decides to get back at Othello by making him believe that Othello's new wife, Desdemona, is havin…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:36pm —
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Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man: A Novel Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man: A Novel by Fannie Flagg
My review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man is a coming-of-age story set in Mississippi in the 1950s. The story is told in diary entries (which I love) and follows Daisy from age 11 until after she finishes high school. Daisy is a spunky character who has to put up with a completely dysfunctional family, including an alcoholic father. There are all kinds of interesting characters invol…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:36pm —
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Comfort Food Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
My review
rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Gus Simpson is turning 50, has two 20-something daughters, and her own cooking show which is experiencing a ratings slump. The story revolves around her need to heal from tragedy, develop better relationships with her children, and define who she is and what she wants out of the rest of her life....with a little romance thrown in the side.
One problem I had with The Friday Night Knitting Club is that there were too many…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:35pm —
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What Love Is What Love Is by Carol Lynn Pearson
My review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
Throughout the ages, songs have been sung and books and poetry have been written about what love is. What makes this book unique is the poignancy in the words of the fable and the gorgeous illustrations. Very short (32 pages) and inspirational. Pick it up if you have a chance.
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:34pm —
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I was so excited to read this, and I got it done in just over 24 hours. The story alternates between Jennifer and Henry. Jennifer, a 30-something mom, is at a crisis point in her life when Henry, a store greeter, steps in to help her. Henry has also been through tough times. An immigrant from Costa Rica, Henry has had to start his life from nothing.
I'm being intentionally vague about the plot, only because I love how the story unfolds between the two voices. It is an inspirational story becaus…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:34pm —
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So Brave, Young and Handsome: A Novel by Leif Enger
My review
rating: 2 of 5 stars
I really wanted to like this book. I just really didn't. It has nothing to do with Leif Enger as a writer. His elegant prose is just stunning. I just really didn't like the story.
The novel follows the travels of two men from Minnesota via Texas and then onto to California in the early 1900s. Monte is trying to escape his troubles since he has a wife and kid, and he's been lying to them for five years about writ…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:33pm —
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The Good Earth (Enriched Classics) The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
rating: 5 of 5 stars
This modern classic was my book club's choice for June, and I have to say I am a huge fan. Granted, my expectations were a little tempered by the book's description, but I was hooked from the first page and enjoyed every word.
Seriously, even starting to describe the plot is probably guaranteed to turn you off, but just trust me on this one--it's really good. The Good Earth is the story of Wang Lung, a far…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:32pm —
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A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian : A Novel A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian : A Novel by Marina Lewycka
My review
rating: 3 of 5 stars
I liked the first 100 pages and the last 100 pages. Buuuut, the middle 100 pages notsomuch.
The novel is set in northern England and follows an 80-something naturalized Ukrainian widower who wants to marry a 30-something buxom Ukrainian in need of a visa. The story is narrated by the younger of the two daughters of the widower as she tries to u…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:32pm —
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Here's the most interesting part of this book:
Lily Koppel was a gossip columnist for the New York Times when she found the red leather diary in a dumpster outside her building. She decided to track down the owner, who miraculously was 90 years old and still alive.
Here's the rest of the book:
The owner of the diary, Florence Wolfson, grew up among the Manhattan elite in the '20s and '30s. For Florence, life was all about art, plays, music, literature, and sexual experimentation with both men a…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:31pm —
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I cried.
A lot.
(Highly recommended.)
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:31pm —
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This book was touted as being science fiction for those who don't do science fiction. And, that includes me. In short, I liked it. It wasn't love for me, but I honestly liked it.
It took me about 30-60 pages to figure out what the heck was going on. But, my husband, the scifi/fantasy guy told me to keep at it, and I'm glad I did. The story is set in Arizona as aliens have invaded the planet and taken over the bodies of humans. Melanie Stryder refuses to leave her host, Wanda, and the two become…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:30pm —
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I read this for my online book group in May. It's one of those books I wouldn't have picked up myself, but I'm kind of glad I read it. It certainly isn't one of my favorite books by any means, but I learned some things, so that makes it worthwhile.
Susan Orlean uses the story of John Laroche, a Floridian orchid grower who has been charged with stealing orchids out of a state park, as a framework for her book. The book, to me, is more about the uniqueness of Florida--the land, the people, the fl…
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Added by Tricia on July 23, 2008 at 9:30pm —
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I thought this was
a great article and just wanted to pass it along....
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Added by Tricia on May 28, 2008 at 5:10pm —
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I've actually delayed writing about this book for a few days so I could let it settle. And, I'm not very settled still.
I liked the premise of the book--two middle-aged women facing various health, religious, marriage, and family crises becoming friends amidst the backdrop of their shared Jewish faith in Cape Ann. I was totally into the book until about 3/4 the way through and then Diamant lost me. Of course, by then I had to finish. But, I remember thinking, "There is not enough book left to r…
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Added by Tricia on May 10, 2008 at 8:44pm —
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This gem of a book is 533 pages long. I told Dan he needed to read it, and that it only takes an hour or two and he looked at me like I was INSANE. I don't actually read that fast, but this novel is told in both pictures and words. If you haven't read a graphic novel yet, this is a great one to try first.
You will find it in the juvenile section of the library. If I hadn't looked it up, I would say this book would be great starting around 5th grade--Publisher's Weekly says ages 9-12.
I don't w…
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Added by Tricia on May 10, 2008 at 8:44pm —
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I've got a thing for books written in journal form and books that are historical fiction to boot. While this book does not come close to supplanting my favorite of this style, These is My Words, I did enjoy it quite a bit.
I'm kind of surprised I decided to pick this book up. I read Fergus' Wild Girl last year and wasn't particularly enthralled. It took me months to finish Wild Girl, and I think I only did because I actually purchased the book and felt some sort of obligation to see it through.…
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Added by Tricia on May 10, 2008 at 8:43pm —
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