lit*chick

Short & Sweet Reviews

 
The Heroine's Bookshelf by Erin Blakemore - I loved the idea of this book and the layout (each chapter focuses on a specific character's strengths i.e. Simplicity = Laura Ingalls, Fight = Scarlett O'Hara, Ambition = Jo March) was clever. And I liked the reading suggestions at the end of each chapter. Both the authors and the charaters they created are subject to adoration. While I liked it okay, it didn't live up to my expectations - it was a little too over the top with girl power for my taste. And I don't necessarily agree each example necessarily fits the heroine model, particularly the real life ones. It didn't help that I spilled milk on it and as a result it stinks. ;)

 

 

What Alice Knew by Alice Marantz Cohen - This is one of those cool insert a real life author into a novel books, but this time  it's Henry James and his siblings working with Scotland Yard to solve the Jack the Ripper crimes. It is gruesome in parts (hello, Jack the Ripper) but it is a fabulous imagining of what may have been. Combining true parts of both the investigation and the lives of the James' family  - bedridden sharp as a tack sister Alice, cerebral brother William, and snobbish Henry - I believed it and was completey engrossed. If you are a fan of  literary mysteries, this will hit the spot.

 

The Tin Ticket: The Heroic Journey of Australia's Convict Women by Deborah J. Swiss - When non-fiction reads like fiction, I'm hooked. This story follows young Agnes and Janet through their Dickens-esque existence on the streets of Glasgow during the early 1800s. Convicted of petty theft, they, along with thousands of other "criminals" are deported to the new colony Van Diemen's Land (Australia). It is a riveting look at history and how women subjected to the harshest conditions survived with dignity intact.

 

The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan - Newly reissued from the 1995 original by Penguin Books, this combines all the cultural, spiritual and familial elements her readers have come to expect.  While I am not typically drawn to stories with an emphasis on eastern mysticism/reincarnation, it was craftily woven into the story and provided an interesting twist.  I presumed Tan's writing would be more intricate, but this one reminded me of lighter fiction I recently read involving ghosts and a whiny female character. That said, I still liked it and flew through it in almost one sittting.

 

Emily Hudson by Melissa Jones - another novelization of author Henry James. Emily Hudson is sent to live with her cousins, ruled harshly by her uncle, she bonds most with her cousin William(modeled after James).  Partially told in letters, the first half of the book was promising. Emily had spirit and spunk, but after a broken engagement begins to depend heavily on William. The second half didn't quite match the first, Emily is lost with none of her former vigor and it became rather maudlin. I just didn't completely buy it. But if you are still interested, I'd be happy to send it along.

 

Getting In by Karen Stabiner - You know how I love to read about the world of college admissions. This was a fast read, a highly amusing story with LOTS of characters. It follows a group of high school seniors, their parents, and their college counselor through the school year.  I knew I was going to like it in the first chapter when a parent waiting in Starbucks for her daughter to finish taking the SATs passes judgment on the barista, then finds out he went to Yale and freaks out. It raises some interesting points subtlety through use of humor, one of my favorite elements in literature. I enjoyed it thoroughly, despite getting lost in character overload.

 

The Mighty Queens of Freeville by Amy Dickinson - I hadn't read a memoir in a while and this one was nice and gentle. Not quite what I expected - I thought there would be more anecdotes about Dickinson's extended family, but it was more about her journey as a single parent. She has an easy conversational style and it was an engaging read. Another one, I'd be happy to send to an interested reader.

 

Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women by Harriet Reisen -  An absolutely thorough study, painstakingly researched by Alcott expert Reisen. If you are expecting romantic notions of this writer's life, you may be disappointed, but the realities of her daily life and intense struggles are told in fascinating detail. Because of the depth of information, it took me a few weeks of occasional reading to finish but I learned a lot about one of my favorite authors. And I'm considering adding Eight Cousins to the Classics ReadaLong.

It was never my intention to bundle these reviews, but when you fall as far behind as I am (and write slowly), plans must be revised for sanity. And I figured it was better to honor my commitments quickly rather than extend them any further into the new year. Apologies to my friendly neighborhood publicists for the lack of prime blogging real estate. If you have any questions about these titles, or have read them and would like to share your thoughts I'd love to talk more.

The End.

 

 

 

 

Favorite Reads of 2010

While I have you all thinking about books and lists and what not I thought I'd insert my best of 2010.

Even though we are all aflutter with newness I'd like to slip in this quick look back. In the midst of compiling I noticed I didn't review most of these titles. This is a tendency I discovered with many of my favorite reads from years past. I find it difficult to put into words all the emotions I have about certain books. Also, I don't want to give anthing away, however small - much of the time the magic of a treasured story comes from how it unfolds before you. And sometimes it's nice just to say I really liked this, you should read it.

   

1. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson - third and final book in the series. Not a series that can be read out of order. The best series finale I've read - satisfying without being predictable. Action and intrigue without being or frivolous. Good stuff. And maybe the least violent of the three?

2. Bloodrootby Amy Greene - after seeing friend on Goodreads rave about it, read right away. It has that gothic southern darkness I so enjoy.  The other thing I find appealing is while the characters are usually suffering though intense hardship, they are not to be pitied. Rather, there is room for redemption. This just came out in paperback so you are without excuse.

3. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt  by Beth Hoffman - another southern fiction, not quite as dark. More on the quirky, eccentric side since the heroine is a young girl. She is abandoned by a crazy mother sent south to live with her aunt.  All kinds of tensions swirl around while CeeCee tries to find her place in the world. It helps too that author Beth Hoffman is kind and gracious with talent aplenty. Hooray.

4. Indiana by N.C. Weyl - I rarely if ever read self-published novels. But this story of Sam, a minister's daughter growing up in the 30s admidst issues of class and race, drew me from the first page. Told from multiple viewpoints it was beyond nice to finally see a pastor portrayed as wise and heroic ala Atticus Finch. A solid story well done.

5. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonsen - This is one title that comes to mind immediately as a universal recommendation. Major Pettigrew likes things a certain way and tries to uphold tradition wherever possible. But his friendship with neighborhood grocer Mrs. Ali opens his eyes and his heart to letting a little bit of new into his life.

6. A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse trans by Alison Anderson - My late addition to the list. Two book lovers open a specialty bookstore that only has "good novels". There is a secret group of people selecting these titles and a few of them have come under attack.  A fascinating look at what makes good books good, who should choose what other people read, and what happens when you try to sell good taste. It isn't a perfect story, but I think it is wonderful for all the questions it stirs up.

7. Every Last One by Anna Quindlen -  Quindlen's talent is in lulling you gently into a suburban stupor and then socking you in the gut. I bought what she was selling hook, line, and sinker. But it isn't great only because it surprised me, it is great because she writes real life with nod your head believability and painful truth.

8. Starting from Scratch by Susan Gilbert Collins - a sleeper title, a sweet story. When her mother dies, Olivia, fresh from defending her thesis, returns home. She grieves and cooks and uncovers some secrets. I thought it was gentle and lovely.

9. The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin - While everyone was oohing and aahing over The Passage, I was getting lost in this earlier work. It was a great summer read - an intricate drama set around a Maine fishing camp, the owners and their wealthy client over the course of several decades.  It reminded me of Wallace Stegner who tells stories of quiet yet murky living so well.

OR skipping all the above:

I really liked these, you should read them. ;)

What were your favorites last year?

The End.

P.S. The My Antonia discussion remains open below. :)

Review: The Doctor and the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell

  The Doctor & the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell, 432 pages. Available in hardcover from Pamela Dorman Books.

Description:

It is 1903. Dr. Ravell is a young Harvard-educated obstetrician with a growing reputation for helping couples conceive. He has treated women from all walks of Boston society, but when Ravell meets Erika - an opera singer whose beauty is surpassed only by her spellbinding voice - he knows their doctor-patient relationship will be like none he has ever had.

 After struggling for years to become pregnant, Erika believes there is no hope. Her mind is made up: she will leave her prominent Bostonian husband to pursue her career in Italy, a plan both unconventional and risky. But becoming Ravell's patient will change her life in ways she never could have imagined.

 In my glorious run of historical fiction this year, The Doctor and the Diva didn't cross the finish line.  Set between three fabulous locales: Boston, Trinidad, and Italy, all vividly described, it was the characters who were found lacking. Not because diva Erika abandoned her long coveted child in order to pursue her dream. While obviously selfish and heartwrenching, it was expected. But the romance/love story seemed to come from nowhere. And I never understood or didn't make the required leap from their professional relationship to one of all consuming love. Considering unrelenting passion is the foundation here, that connection is necessary.  Unfortunately, neither the Doctor or the Diva were very likable people, together or apart.

What came as a surprise was learning infertility treatments are not a modern day innovation.    Apparently doctors were experimenting with varying methods around the turn of the century. As another item of interest, the author was inspired by events that occurred in her ex-husband's family. This provided a rich background to an otherwise unbelievable story, however lackluster characters overshadowed the real drama.

Despite my feelings about Dr. Ravell and Erika, I remained curious and engaged through the final page. I just plain didn't like it.

More reviews:

Carolyn See for the Washington Post

Booking Mama

Thank you to Viking Books for the review copy.

The End.

Review: Up from the Blue by Susan Henderson

Up from the Blue by Susan Henderson, 317 pages. Available now in paperback from Harper Collins.

from the backcover:

Tillie Harris's life is in disarray - her husband is away on business, the boxes in her new home aren't unpacked, and the telephone isn't even connected yet. Though she's not due for another month, sudden labor pains force Tille to reach out to her estranged father for help, a choice that means facing the painful memories she's been running from since she was a little girl.

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It is no secret that I am drawn to stories with a hint of darkness. Unexpected hardship in the course of ordinary living, particularly featuring a child as main character. Sometimes I find them predictable, but not in the case of Up from the Blue. We follow Tillie and her family - military father, older brother, and erratic mother - as they move across the country and settle outside of Washington DC in the mid 1970s. Susan Henderson beautifully captures the perspective of 8 year old Tille amidst the confusing and cruel worlds of home and school.  Well constructed - without the constant alternating between past and present - this is one that caused a sharp intake of breath, yet remain grounded in reality. It is a testament to Henderson's skill that each of the characters are vivid and vulnerable, and provide the reader opportunities for mercy and outrage in equal measure.

My first response to this book was that it "feels" like great southern fiction, without the southern part. The chilling aspects of Tillie's story merge with rich characterizations and a bittersweetness that are hallmarks of southern literature. Up from the Blue is worth seeking out and adding to your pile, it is on my list of favorites for sure.

Author Susan Henderson can be found at www.litpark.com. And on twitter: @litpark.

Thank you yet again to the lovely ladies at TLC Book Tours for the review copy. To follow the blog tour for Up from the Blue, click here.

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Review: Room by Emma Donoghue

  Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue, 336 pages. Available in hardcover from Little,Brown and Company.

At this point I'm not sure I can add anything useful to the buzz surrounding this one.  Here's my brief take on Room:

• If you already know what it's about and think it won't be compelling - you're wrong.
• If you think it is a gimmick and a hot mess of one - wrong again.
• If you think the subject matter is too intense - for some perhaps, but it is handled with subtlety.

There are a million ways this story could have gone all wrong, but the talented Emma Donoghue got it just right. Tightly focused and wonderfully creative, this is a story of survival, fortitude, and mother love. I think it deserves all the hype. And when you are done I'd love to know your reaction to it.

While I'm tempted to link to a bunch of reviews, trailers, etc. - I think the less you know the better. Sorry for the secrecy, you'll just have to trust me.

(But if you want to work a little for it...I highly recommend Ron Charles' Washington Post and Aimee Bender's NY Times reviews neither of which are spoiler-free. Also see Emma Donoghue's website.)

Thank you to Crazy Book Tours for the review copy.

The End.

10 on Tuesday: Fall Funk

1. I'm in a bit of a funk. Former house related - I miss it.

2. I think one way to overcome it would be a little scrapbooking. Definitely more constructive and healthier than say, baking something with lots of chocolate.

3. Went to Hershey Park last weekend. And ran into several people we know - isn't it weird to see familiar faces far from home?  One of the families we stumbled upon were our favorite neighbors. Actually ran into them while making a  pre road trip bagels & coffee run and realized we were both headed to the same place. It was good to hang out with them again. Sigh.

4. Loving the blog Small Notebook. Manageable and usable advice kindly given for living with less. I'm particularly fond of this post:   How To Make Things Harder and Do Nothing. Scary when it seems a stranger is privy to your inner workings.

5. I fawned over the latest John Derian goodies at Target yesterday. Specifically school/office supplies (like I need those).Oh my.

6. Finished this:  Room by Emma Donoghue - currently shortlisted for the Booker Prize, definitely getting a lot of hype. After a few days of sitting with my thoughts on this one...it's a stunner. But not in a cheap thrill kind of way. Powerful and brilliant and masterfully done. Skip reading too many descriptions and try to read it straight through (it's hard to put down).

7. Almost finished with  What Alice Knew by Paula Marantz Cohen - historical fiction/mystery. Good stuff.

8. Here's our girlie... waiting and watching for her brothers.

9. Visited Lower School Chapel today - the 3rd grade (our Caleb)- performing Noah's Ark. Kids singing in bathrobes with stuffed animals can brighten any morning.

10. What do you do when you are feeling blue?

The End.

Review: Strangers at the Feast by Jennifer Vanderbes

Strangers at the Feast by Jennifer Vanderbes, 334 pages. Available in hardcover from Scribner.

On Thanksgiving Day 2007, as the country teeters on the brink of a recession, three generations of the Olson family gather. Eleanor and Gavin worry about their daughter, a single academic, and her newly adopted Indian child, and about their son, who has been caught in the imploding real-estate bubble. While the Olsons navigate the tensions and secrets that mark their relationships, seventeen-year-old Kijo Jackson and his best friend Spider set out from the nearby housing projects on a mysterious job. A series of tragic events bring these two worlds ever closer, exposing the dangerously thin line between suburban privilege and urban poverty, and culminating in a crime that will change everyone's life.

Family drama ala Zoe Heller with an element of wry darkness ala Ian McEwan. Ah, the characters, not quite sympathetic but recognizable... their constant striving, efforts, achievements, manueverings, and disappointments are not new but Vanderbes manages to present The Olsons freshly scrubbed and ready for the spotlight.

While Kijo and Spider don't get equal attention, their story is equally powerful. And the way these two stories collide may seem predictable but the twist left me stunned.

The buildup is neatly crafted - with well placed insights and a few revelations where you start to think you can figure out what is going to happen. But you can't. Not really.  When the boom is  finally lowered, my stomach dropped - breath held. It is a thing of beauty. What I find most provacative are the vapid, yet well meaning Olsons and the sense that the outcome is less of a tragedy and more of a comeuppance. Which may be the point of this of-the-moment fable.

Strangers at the Feast is easily readable, setting a trap that ensnares the reader through the final page. Kudos to author Jennifer Vanderbes for this smart tale that I'm still thinking about a month later.

Thank you to Scribner for the review copy.

The End.

Review: The Blind Contessa's New Machine by Carey Wallace

The Blind Contessa's New Machine by Carey Wallace, 224 pages. Available in hardcover from Pamela Dorman Books.

In the early 1800s, a young Italian contessa, Carolina Fantoni, realizes she is going blind shortly before she marries the town's most sought-after bachelor. Her parents don't believe her, nor does her fiancé. The only one who understands is the eccentric local inventor and her longtime companion, Turri. When her eyesight dims forever, Carolina can no longer see her beloved lake or the rich hues of her own dresses. But as darkness erases her world, she discovers one place she can still see-in her dreams. Carolina creates a vivid dreaming life, in which she can not only see, but also fly, exploring lands she had never known.

Desperate to communicate with Carolina, Turri invents a peculiar machine for her: the world's first typewriter. His gift ignites a passionate love affair that will change both of their lives forever.

Based on the true story of a nineteenth-century inventor and his innovative contraption, The Blind Contessa's New Machine is an enchanting confection of love and the triumph of the imagination.

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This slight volume contained all the beauty and elegance inside that you would expect from the gorgeous cover.  I was completely and immediately lulled by the dreamy, lyrical prose from the first line (and the second).

"On the day Contessa Carolina Fantoni was married, only one other living person knew that she was going blind, and he was not her groom.

This was not becuase she had failed to warn them." (p.1)

The lush setting almost becomes a character as Carolina's vision is replaced by the vision of her mind's eye. Somehow new author Carey Wallace has captured for the reader what it feels like to be Carolina. It is a difficult thing to write so grandly yet with restraint, and there is a perfect balance here. Rarely have I been curious to listen to an audiobook, but it seems to me the words would be so full and glorious spoken aloud.

After reading another historical fiction recently that was not nearly as well done, I can't help but be reminded once again that less is more. The Blind Contessa's New Machine is not unwieldy as the title suggests. Rather, a simple love story that is both rich and spare - a sweet little treasure of a book. Savor and enjoy it.

Many thanks to Penguin for the review copy.

The End.

 

Trish's Review: Simply From Scratch by Alicia Bessette

Simply from Scratch: A Novel by Alicia Bessette, 313 pages. Available now in hardcover from Dutton Adult.

Zell Carmichael is a young widow grieving for her husband Nick, who was killed in post Katrina New Orleans.  She spends her days alone in her apartment wearing her husband’s camouflage apron and speaking “pirate-speak” to her Greyhound, Ahab.  When a minor baking incident forces Zell to evacuate her home she meets her nine-year old neighbor, Ingrid - a smart, lonely girl who believes that T.V. celebrity chef Polly Pinch is her mother. Ingrid's obsession spurs Zell to enter Polly Pinch's baking contest. More than just baking, Simply from Scratch deals with grief, healing and the unexpected relationships people form.

When Lit *Chick asked me to review this book I had high expectations. I was intrigued by the title, insert description and cover (I know, I know!).  For some reason I was expecting something similar to one of my favorite books, Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos. (Her endorsement may have been the culprit. - Mel) Unfortunately, Simply from Scratch fell short. I felt the reader was falsely led by the characters to believe there was some big secret surrounding Nick’s death. I was waiting for a big reveal that never came.  Also, as a foodie, I was slightly disappointed with the lack of baking and preparing for the competition. Lastly, I felt that one major character that “disappears” mid book was unnecessary and made the story change for me. (I won’t elaborate because this could be a spoiler.)  On the positive side, I enjoyed the growing relationship between Zell and Ingrid and how they were unexpectedly helping each other with their own sadness. I would give this book 3 stars.

Check out the author's website: http://www.aliciabessette.com - if you're interested the first chapter is available to read.

Melanie adds: I too thought this would be a fun, light, foodie read and was intrigued by the post-Katrina storyline.  There wasn't much baking (although a recipe is included) and I had a hard time connecting with Zell.  The mystery surrounding Nick's death was clunkyand as Trish mentioned the reaction to the "missing" character didn't ring true. I couldn't help but grin during the scene with the baby bouncing on grandpa's knee to the rhyme "Trot Trot to Boston" - we have done it with all our littles. I get a  soft spot for stories that contain a familiar element, especially one so special and specific.  The strength of Simply from Scratch is in exploring the idea of grief in community - how sorrow affects many, not just the person closest to it. Still an enjoyable read, and with adjusted expectations, worth a look.

Many thanks to Dutton Publicity for a review copy.

Review- Admission: A Novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Admission: A Novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz, 464 pages. Available now in paperback from Grand Central Publishing.

from the back cover:

For years, thirty-eight-year-old Portia Nathan has hidden behind her busy- and sometimes punishing- career as a Princeton University admissions officer and her less than passionate relationship. Then suddenly, the piece of her past that she has tried so hard to bury resurfaces, catapulting her on an extraordinary journey of the heart that challenges everything she ever thought she believed. Soon, just as Portia must decide on the fates of thousands of bright students regarding their admission to Princeton, so too must she confront the life-altering decision she made long ago.

Maybe it is because I have a fascination with Princeton or maybe I'm just curious about the college application and selection process (looking ahead five years). Not that Admission in any way encourages Ivy League applications, in fact it is a bit of a cautionary tale. Only an insider could have the knowledge necessary to write this type of book, but in order for it to be done well, respect for the job is also essential. The author skillfully handles this combination of reverence and reality without it seeming like a cheesy expose, and manages to weave a compelling character in its midst. 

"Admissions work is something people just find they're good at. Or they don't. Or they may be good at it, but they discover it's very difficult for them emotionally. It does affect you. You're very aware of what's out there, and the stress these kids are under. And they're very deserving. You want to say yes to them all, but you can't. People either make their peace with that or they need to do something else." (p.105)

Portia was restrained yet still likable as she struggled to balance her work and keep her past a secret. Ms. Korelitz reveals the somewhat predictable secret in flashbacks that also serve to give more of Portia's background, yet still keeps the outcome fresh. I liked Portia's wit and intelligence and appreciated her reserve as it contrasted with her unraveling as the story progressed.

I must admit one of my favorite parts of the book were  the fictional essay excerpts that began each chapter. It certainly gave an added dimension to understanding Portia's work as well as being entertaining.

"Hello admissions officer! I'm sure you are tired from reading all these essays! Take a break, have some coffee. I'll be right here when you get back." (p.251)

Even though I figured out the secret and had suspicions about where the story would lead, I was still riveted - a testament to Korelitz's storytelling ability. The combination of setting and character proved to be a winner. And reading about college admissions stirred up those memorable emotions of dread and excitement that surround this rite of passage.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the review copy. For more about the author, visit her website: http://www.jeanhanffkorelitz.com

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