These was a sweet story of two families who meet when they are both waiting at the Baltimore airport to receive their new adopted daughters from KoreaThese was a sweet story of two families who meet when they are both waiting at the Baltimore airport to receive their new adopted daughters from Korea. Their lives become intertwined; the story follows the first few years of the relationship. It wasn't particularly deep, but there was some complexity to some of the characters, Maryam in particular, that I enjoyed....more
This book was described as Heinlein for Heinlein lovers. I haven't read any Heinlein since I was a teenager, about 36 years. I loved, at that time, "SThis book was described as Heinlein for Heinlein lovers. I haven't read any Heinlein since I was a teenager, about 36 years. I loved, at that time, "Stranger in a Strange Land" and "I Will Fear No Evil". This book definitely takes me back to that time, the style of his writing, the heavy emphasis on sex and double entendre. I prefer more science in my sci-fi, and more realistic dialogue, but Heinlein is worth reading if only because he influenced so many of the awesome writers who followed. There are many great quotes that you might recognize from his work also. When I read sci-fi, I often see quotes on the book cover from literary critics saying that the author is "an heir to Heinlein" or something like that. I suppose you could say that of all sci-fi writers, but only because he came earlier. I think very few of them write even slightly like Heinlein, with the exception maybe of Spider Robinson, who I adore, but I think he is so much better than Heinlein ever was....more
I read this book on audio -- the Irish accents were lovely. This was a greatly woven story of the intertwined lives of Billy Lynch and his Irish familI read this book on audio -- the Irish accents were lovely. This was a greatly woven story of the intertwined lives of Billy Lynch and his Irish family in New York. Good character development, plot complexity.
The story is a tale of love found, love lost, and of the close ties of family. Billy's story is sad, yet I kept feeling that he should have been able to get past the loss and disappointment at some point. But as many family members point out, alcoholism runs in their family. Making the story more complicated is the critical lie told to Billy, with the best of intentions, by his cousin Dennis. I wondered how differently the loss would have felt if the truth had been told?
I just finished listening to this audiobook on my way to work this morning. I originally picked this book out of a travelling bookcrossing box of audiI just finished listening to this audiobook on my way to work this morning. I originally picked this book out of a travelling bookcrossing box of audio casettes. I'd never heard of it. I was initially drawn to the fact that Tim Curry was doing the reading, and I know how awesome and talented he is. But the story itself, while not my usual fare, was so fun and improbable, I really enjoyed it. The ending left me with a silly grin on my face. And now I've added to my list of life goals to find out what truffles taste like, because I really don't think I've ever had one. ...more
This is one of the zaniest stories I have ever read. I listened to it on audio -- the reader was Artie Johnson of Laugh-In fame. The main problem I haThis is one of the zaniest stories I have ever read. I listened to it on audio -- the reader was Artie Johnson of Laugh-In fame. The main problem I had with the reading was that it sounded to my ears like most of the characters had northeastern accents, when the story took place in New Orleans. Maybe I'm mistaken, because there were some southern accents also, or maybe the folks I'm thinking of were transplants. (Update: I'm told that this accent thing, which sounds like NY, is real and exists in some parts of New Orleans...) Anyway, if you're looking for a totally madcap story, this is it. Not really my usual cup of tea, but pretty entertaining.
Funny, until this book came my way last month, I'd never heard of it, but it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and PEN/Faulkner Award (1981). ...more
I think this is an interesting book and very well written, I just couldn't follow it. I read it on audio, and I think I may try it again on paper.I think this is an interesting book and very well written, I just couldn't follow it. I read it on audio, and I think I may try it again on paper....more
Recently received this book on a bookray through Bookcrossing. It's erotica written by women, for women. I enjoyed the first two stories, but gave up Recently received this book on a bookray through Bookcrossing. It's erotica written by women, for women. I enjoyed the first two stories, but gave up on the 3rd one. ...more
This gorgeous coming-of-age story is set on a farm in northern Wisconsin. Edgar lives with his parents, and they breed and train dogs. One of my favorThis gorgeous coming-of-age story is set on a farm in northern Wisconsin. Edgar lives with his parents, and they breed and train dogs. One of my favorite characters in the book was Almondine, the family's pet dog. She had a very special bond with Edgar, and a few chapters were told from her viewpoint. Somehow it didn't seem hokey or strange. I was fascinated by all of the details of the training of Sawtelle dogs and the genetic records kept by the family. Some people thought it was a slog, but I love that stuff. The dogs were some of the best characters. A long lost uncle, Claude, the father's brother, shows up after being away for many years, and everything seems to go wrong from that point on. I found it almost unbelievable that Edgar's mom couldn't see through Claude.
I especially liked the section of the story that focused on Edgar's travels with three of the dogs as companions. Edgar's pain at being around the farm and seeing Claude spending time with his mom was really palpable. The ending, of course, is not to many people's liking, but some stories just have to end like that. I highly recommend this book -- it was one of the best I read in 2009 and has proven to be one of those that comes back to mind often....more
Sad and sweet story of a youngish couple with two small daughters. The husband has an accident and ends up in a coma. I liked the voice of Lainey, theSad and sweet story of a youngish couple with two small daughters. The husband has an accident and ends up in a coma. I liked the voice of Lainey, the wife, and the sequences that told the story of Jay while in the coma were interesting....more
This book just arrived on a Bookcrossing bookray -- I'm starting to read it today.This book just arrived on a Bookcrossing bookray -- I'm starting to read it today....more
I listened to this book on audio. It was the sad yet uplifting story of Myra, a woman in her early 50's, unmarried, a nurse doing home health. She's aI listened to this book on audio. It was the sad yet uplifting story of Myra, a woman in her early 50's, unmarried, a nurse doing home health. She's always been a bit of a loner, never quite fit in or had large groups of friends. She's always been insecure about her appearance and so not really pursued close relationships with men, and also (I don't know why) doesn't seem to have much in the way of female friends either. Life is pretty lonely except for her dog and her patients. Then she gets a new patient who is someone she knew from high school (the popular heartthrob), and he's dying from a brain tumor. This story focuses on that time period and the relationship that develops between them....more
I just finished reading this story of the clash of cultures on different planets. With the advent of the technology for people to travel instantaneousI just finished reading this story of the clash of cultures on different planets. With the advent of the technology for people to travel instantaneously from one planet to another, an effort begins to reintegrate all of the far-flung human colonies into a connected human culture.
Giraut and two friends go from their home on Nou Occitan to Caledony, where they encounter a vastly different and repressive culture. Giraut's character develops and grows over time as he meets new people in incorporates new points of view, just as he is bringing some of his own view to his new friends on Caledony.
This was an engaging story. I had previous really enjoyed another book from John Barnes -- "Mother of Storms". ...more
This is not rocket science, but is a very well-written book for folks who need to understand the basics about how to manage their money. Very easy andThis is not rocket science, but is a very well-written book for folks who need to understand the basics about how to manage their money. Very easy and quick read since it is written as a story....more
This is maybe a book that not everyone would appreciate fully. I think it speaks very much to mothers, to women over 30 or 40, maybe to writers. The mThis is maybe a book that not everyone would appreciate fully. I think it speaks very much to mothers, to women over 30 or 40, maybe to writers. The main character, Reta Winters, is the mother of three teenage girls, one in college. She experiences a very sad and disturbing period of time with one of the daughters (no spoilers here!) that I think many mothers could relate to, even if, like me, they have sons rather than daughters, or even their children are not at this particular age. I found it particularly interesting to know, while reading this book, that the author had terminal breast cancer as she was writing it. Possibly much of the sadness and despair she was describing about Reta's daughter may have been very similar to what she was feeling about her own situation. Beautifully written, I found many phrases in the story that I wanted to capture and remember....more
I lost this book halfway through it, on an international flight. Although it's not particularly deep, it was interesting -- I liked the main characterI lost this book halfway through it, on an international flight. Although it's not particularly deep, it was interesting -- I liked the main character. May eventually pick up another copy so I can finish it....more
This was a totally fun story. I read it on vacation in Florida last week. It is written as an ongoing journal by Candy Smith-Foster of her experiencesThis was a totally fun story. I read it on vacation in Florida last week. It is written as an ongoing journal by Candy Smith-Foster of her experiences after a bionuclear war that destroys nearly everyone. It sounds really depressing, but it's surprisingly up-beat and exciting. Candy is a great character, maybe one of the best teen characters in sci-fi.
The thing that cracked me up is that Spider Robinson was quoted on the cover as comparing this author's work with that of Heinlein's, but I found this book completely reminiscent of something Spider Robinson would have written. Anyway, that makes it well worth reading!
