Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2007

Genre: Mystery

My Rating: B+

Summary (from the author’s website):

Isabel Spellman, the uncompromising—okay, obstinate—twenty-eight year-old San Francisco private eye in Lisa Lutz’s riotous debut novel, THE SPELLMAN FILES has her share of problems. And those problems all happen to be named Spellman.Her parents, Albert and Olivia, co-owners of Spellman Investigations, think nothing of placing their daughter under 24-hour surveillance simply to find out if she has a new boyfriend.

David, her perfect older brother, who escaped the family business by becoming a lawyer, is hypercritical of just about everything Isabel says, wears, or does. Fourteen-year-old sister Rae lives on sugared snacks, considers recreation surveillance her favorite hobby, and believes that life is one endless opportunity for intra-familial blackmail. And good-natured Uncle Ray, a former cop and health food nut, now embraces gambling and drinking; and when he’s not in battle with his niece Rae over the whereabouts of his favorite shirt, must be rescued from “lost weekends.”

My Thoughts:

The reason I wanted to read this book was because I had a chance to meet the author at a panel discussion at the  Santa Rosa Book Fair last Fall. She was so charming and funny and a little sarcastic that she had the audience chuckling a lot.

I had a hunch the author’s personality would come through in her stories. It certainly did. In my opinion she was the main character, Izzy. I could imagine the expressions on her face and the sparkle in her eyes. On top of that, Izzy tells the story in the fiirst person, so it’s even easier to see Lisa Lutz as Izzy Spellman.

The Spellman Files is the first book in the author’s series. It was an excellent introduction to the family of investigators. I enjoyed meeting everyone and learning about Izzy’s background. It was also fun tagging along with Izzy as she followed people and conducted her investigations. There was no big mystery throughout the book. I’m assuming that will come in the next few books. If you’re looking for a fun series set all around San Francisco, check out the Spellman Files.

Full Title

Author: Sandra Newman

Publisher: Gotham, January 3, 2012

Genre: Nonfiction

Back when I was in college one of the graduation requirements was a two-semester course called Survey of Western Civilization. Although it was challenging, it remains one of my favorite college courses. It covered the major written works in philosophy and literature from the 1500s to the twentieth century.

I kept all those books for years after college, intending to go back and reread them. But after graduation I began focusing on career, then family, and more career events, and I never got back to them. The closest I got to those classics was when my two oldest children went to St. Johns College, a four-year program in the Great Books.

And now along comes this book: The Western Lit Survival Guide: An Irreverent Guide to the Classics,  from Homer to Faulkner by Sandra Newman. This light-hearted and educational tome has me saying to myself, “What are you waiting for?” These retirement years are the perfect time. My brain hasn’t turned to mush; it’s filled with a lifetime of experiences and thoughts – just right for the classics.

The suthor, Sandra Newman, is . . . .

on a mission to restore the West’s great works to their rightful place (they were intended to be entertaining!), Sandra Newman has produced a reading guide like no other. Beginning with Greek and Roman literature, she takes readers through hilarious detours and captivating historical tidbits on the road to Modernism. Along the way, we find parallels between Rabelais and South Park, Jane Austen and Sex and the City, Jonathan Swift and Jon Stewart, uncovering the original humor and riskiness that propelled great authors to celebrity.

There are several things I like about The Western Lit Survival Kit.

• It’s written intelligently but in a way that makes the reader believe the classics are not impossible.
• The summaries about the time period. They give the reader an overlook at what was going on and why a particular literary work is important.
• Sidebars throughout the chapters are fun “by the ways.”
• The author offers a rating system for each classic. It’s a three-point system of 1 to 10. They look at Importance, Accessibility, and Fun. (Pride and Prejudice: 10-10-10)
• I liked the two timelines in the back of the book. They make nice lists: Books To Read and a Check-Off list

The use of humor is widespread throughout the book. (It’s subtitled “An Irreverent Guide.”) The first few chapters were a bit over the top that they actually seemed silly. After those beginning chapters, however, the humor levels out. The author is, after all, a professor. Her knowledge shines through in the book. She’s a great salesperson for the classics.

I usually donate my review books to the library or library book sale. Not this one. I’m hanging on to it as a great reference book. The publisher is offering one copy as a GIVEAWAY to any US resident reading this blog. In the comments, please tell me if you are interested in winning a copy. I’ll use Random.org to pick the winner and let you know who that is on January 26th.

Thanks to the publisher for my copy of the book and to TLC Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of it all. To see other stops on the book tour, visit the schedule here: TLC Book Tours

Author

Publisher: Tyndale House, 2011

Genre: Nonfiction/Memoir

My Rating: B+

It’s my opinion that most of us who read books featuring the Amish are fascinated by the simple and wholesome life-style. While living in Indiana I passed their farms and buggies and shopped with them at quilt and fabric stores. I have no desire to turn them into caricatures, but I am curious about them.

I have thought about what it must be like for a child born into the Amish environment. That’s why I eagerly read this new piece of nonfiction, Growing Up Amish. I figured the Old Order Amish life must be filled with lots of negative rules. It is. Here are some:

• Local transportation is by horse and buggy only. No cars allowed.
• No electricity is allowed in the house or outbuildings.
• Women must wear long, loose, hand-made dresses and keep their hair covered.
• Men may not wear belts and married men must wear flowing beards, but no mustaches.
• No phones in the house. Some groups allow a small phone “house” out on the road for emergencies.

I was feeling sympathy for the children. No Sesame Street or other educational TV, no bikes or video games or computers, i.e., things our children take for granted. But the author said his childhood was anything but boring. Actually, he talked of the ideal environment of being able to roam freely over the fields, in the woods, by the pond, and so forth.

It was not until young Ira Wagler was in fourth grade that he began to have problems. His tale of nasty bullying by the older boys brought lots of concern. Then in his early teens the preachers (and his dad) began to make new rules that made life even less enjoyable. For example, a favorite pass-time was playing volleyball. The games between boys and girls was forbidden. (They thought it would cause lustful thoughts.)

By the time the author was 17, he was ready to leave. But the problem was, if he left the Amish life and it’s religious environment, he must also leave behind his family. He wanted his freedom, but not at the expense of the people he loved.

This was an in-depth and emotional look at the Amish life-style. I felt my heart wrench many times for the author and his family and friends. He was very open and honest about his family and his situation. At times I wanted more from a female’s perspective, but of course, this was Ira Wagler’s story to tell.

It will change the way I think about the Amish and my thoughts while reading future Amish novels. The most positive thing I can say about my reaction to Growing Up Amish is that the Amish became human for me. Yes, from the outside their simple life looks idyllic, but they are not perfect. If you are a memoir fan, I suggest adding this one to your list.

Check your local library or your local bookstore for copies of this book. Growing Up Amishis also available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

Author

Publisher: Zondervan, October 1, 2011

Genre: Amish, Mystery

My Rating: B+

I like to read an occasional Amish novel, although lately I’m on an Amish roll. They are usually a good clean, non-complicated story with a background of faith.

Falling to Pieces is all of that and then some. There are some differences in this novel that I really like. For one thing, this story is shared by an Amish woman and an “Englischer”. It’s aim is not to show one culture as being better or worse than the other.

It’s set in a place I’ve visited several times, Shipshewana in northern Indiana. The story begins when Callie, a widow, comes to town from Houston. She has just inherited a quilt shop. She has a business background but knows nothing about quilting.

Deborah is a wife, and mother of five children. She and her family are Amish, living a couple of miles outside of town. Deborah and two of her friends are expert quilters. All three women depend on money from the sale of their quilts to help with important expenses. In the past the quilts were sold at the quilt shop but the shop has been closed since the death of the owner.

When Deborah learns the new owner is in town she packs up four of their best quilts in her buggy and heads into town. Deborah persuades Callie to open the quilt shop by convincing her that a thriving shop will sell better than an abandoned business. In addition, Deborah wants Callie to sell their quilts on “ippy”. What she means is eBay. It’s a risk, but Callie is willing to give it a try.

Gradually, Deborah and Callie form a good partnership/friendship. And then the editor of the local newspaper is murdered. He had written a scathing editorial charging Callie with selling out the Amish quilters on the internet. Callie, with Deborah’s help, discovers proof that will exonerate her. When she gets to the newspaper office she discovers the editor is dead. The chief suspect is Callie.

There’s a lot of depth to this story. I liked the combination of a murder mystery within an Amish novel. There are a host of well-developed characters, plus a very sweet dog. Although this book came from a Christian publisher, there is no preaching in the book. It’s a very subtle message.

I did have one minor complaint with the story. I thought it took too long to establish the story at the beginning. I was a third of the way through the book before the murder victim and the police detective were introduced. That may be me and my impatience. Once it got going, the story really took off.

This is book number one in Vannetta Chapman’s Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. Her second book, A Perfect Square, will be out next March. It’s another mystery featuring Callie and Deborah. I’m looking forward to it. For more about Vannetta Chapman visit her website here: Vannetta Chapman

Check your local library or your local bookstore for copies of this book. Falling to Piecesis also available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

There were times, however, when I found myself standing still listening to the story. It was that engrossing and now you can count me in as one of the newest Harlan Coben fans.

Drop Shot is Coben’s second book featuring Myron Bolitar, a sports agent/lawyer/detective. The story is focused around professional tennis players as Myron is the agent for one of the top young players. While at the U.S. Open a young, former tennis star is murdered as she was attempting to reach Myron.

The police suspect that Myron’s client, Duane, was involved. Myron knows that’s impossible since Duane was playing tennis in front of thousands at the time. Myron feels his client isn’t telling him everything so he starts digging into his client’s background. This leads Myron into conflicts with all sorts of unsavory characters – mobsters, a senator, and high-placed businessmen.

I thought Myron’s best friend was an excellent character. Windsor Lockwood is pure upper-crust but also skilled at martial arts. The two of them together are a good duo – clever and witty.

There were a couple of mistakes in the book, such as referring to a former murder as a shooting when it had been a stabbing. Also I thought the story dragged a couple of times. But overall, it was such a fun story to listen to, thanks to Jonathan Marosz, the audiobook reader.

Thank you to Stacy at Stacy’s Books and others who introduced me to Harlan Coben. You can be sure I’ll read more. I checked my copy out from the library. Check for this book at your local library or local bookstore. Drop Shot  is also available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

Publisher: Delacorte Press, 2007

In The Fifth Witness, we find that Mickey has been helping clients with foreclosures. He’s been somewhat successful, and business is brisk in this economy. His first foreclosure client has even organized a group of other people who’ve been through foreclosures. The group protested several times in front of her mortgage bank. The bank wasn’t happy and they issued a restraining order against her. And then, the mortgage banker is killed. Of course, Mickey’s client is accused of murder.

As in all of Connelly’s books there are plenty of surprises. For me, the definition of “fifth witness” was a surprise, one that was interesting. I also did not see the ending in advance. I won’t spoil it for you. I’ll just say it was not what I expected. I felt like Connelly was making a subtle announcement about future Mickey Haller books.

While The Fifth Witness was very good, i liked Lincoln Lawyer better. It was a lot edgier – more like what you’d expect on the streets of Los Angeles.

I read this book via an audiobook. It was narrated by Peter Giles. I would have preferred Matthew McConnaghey’s voice in my ears, but Giles did a convincing job. I’m linking this post to Sound Bytes at Jen’s Devourer of Books. It’s a weekly spotlight on audiobooks. Click the button to go visit.

Check your local library and your local bookstore for copies of this book. The Fifth Witness is also available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

Published by Little, Brown, and Company, 2011   /   My Rating: B

Author

Publisher: Grand Central, 2011

Genre: Women’s Literature

Format: Hard Cover

Source: The publisher for TLC Book Tours

I’ve read two of Connie Briscoe’s previous books, Sisters and Lovers and Sisters and Husbands (link to my review). I thoroughly enjoyed both. Ms. Briscoe brings to life characters that are original and believable. They have flaws, and do stupid things – just like real people. In this new book, Money Can’t Buy Love,  she created a character I didn’t like. Lenora, the main character, is a disaster waiting to happen. Let me share the summary with you first:

Summary from the publisher:

Lenora Stone used to say if she didn’t have bad luck, she wouldn’t have any luck at all. At age thirty-eight, instead of socializing with Baltimore’s A-list, she photographs them for Baltimore Scene, a glossy magazine filled with beautiful people who, unlike Lenora, never have to worry about car trouble and overdue bills. As much as she’d love to slam the door on her overbearing boss, quitting isn’t an option. Lately even things with her boyfriend Gerald haven’t been right.

But what Lenora doesn’t know is that her luck is about to change…

Just when she thinks things can’t get worse, Lenora wins the jackpot in the Maryland lottery. In a heartbeat, all her dreams become possible. She quits her job and indulges her every desire—starting with a shiny, silver BMW and a million-dollar mansion. But in Lenora’s lavish new world, all that glitters definitely isn’t gold. Her old friend’s are concerned about her sudden changes, and Ray, a sexy, young landscaper Lenora covered for the magazine is looking for more than a purely professional relationship.

As her life starts to come together, the things Lenora holds dear begin to fall apart. Has her world really changed for the better, or does fortune come with a heavy price?

My thoughts:

Connie Briscoe did it again. She created a main character that did so many stupid things she definitely felt real. Lenora’s behavior was similar to people I’ve known, and honestly, some of my own behavior traits. However, in Money Can’t Buy Love, the main character was one I couldn’t love. She did almost everything wrong. She was getting some good advice from other people in the story as well as from me as I was reading along. My mantra while reading was, “I can’t believe you did that. Girl, that is so stupid!” (Of course, she paid no attention to me.)

Although Lenora was not a character I could love, she was interesting to follow. And, even though the book wasn’t a fun read, it was so compelling. I couldn’t stop reading. Who doesn’t fantasize about winning the lottery and then plot out what to do with all that money? I have. I’m also curious about what happens to the people who win. That was my curiosity going into the book.

One of the main questions the book tries to answer is this: Which is more important – love or money? I thought the author handled that subject quite well without giving a difinitive answer. There are lots of other questions raised that I think this story would make for an good book club discussion, especially for a woman’s group.

Thanks so much to TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to read Connie Briscoe’s latest novel. If you like the sound of this book, check your local library or local bookstore. Money Can’t Buy Loveis also available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

For the rest of the stops on this book tour, check TLC’s schedule here: Money Can’t Buy Love Tour

In the past few years there’s been a resurgence in these mobile culinary establishments, and not just in Portland. They’re all over the country, but primarily in larger cities. The resurgence is due in part to the economy and in part because of the desire of talented young chefs to prove themselves. An average new restaurant takes time and upwards of $200,000 plus to get started. A food truck takes $20,000 to $30,000.

Ever since that first tour in Portland, I’ve been paying attention to the food trucks I see in various places. And then Candice tipped me off to a new book on the subject. It’s Food Trucks: Dispatches and Recipes From the Best Kitchens on Wheels (Ten Speed Press, 2011)

Author Heather Shouse spent a year traveling the United States researching the topic of mobile food purveyors. She was looking for innovation and high quality food that didn’t require a giant kitchen and a huge staff. The result of her research is this book. (Wouldn’t you have loved a job like that?)

The book is organized by region and by city. Ms. Shouse gave a good overview of each area. She then spent time talking about the best food trucks she found. For each food truck she told the history of the owners and how they came to establish their business. She also talked about the special food prepared and there is often a recipe from the owner. Also included is where you can usually find that food truck, plus their Twitter account and/or website. There are plenty of colorful pictures and drawings throughout.

I spent most of my time in the sections on the West Coast because that’s where I am. But, for those of you in other parts of the country, you should know there are good food trucks in the Midwest, the South, and in the East Coast. I certainly want to check them all out.

The food? You’re going to find dishes from all cuisines. It seems to be an international menu as these bright young chefs ply their skills to create new dishes. The hottest food truck in LA is one that combines Mexican and Korean foods. These new businesses know their food has to be special if they are going to get customers back on a regular basis. And that’s good for those of us who love to try new dishes.

Give Food Trucks by Heather Shouse a try if you’re looking for a new food adventure.

I found my copy at the library. Check also your local bookstore. Food Trucksis available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

This post is linked to Weekend Cooking, a weekly feature at Beth Fish Reads. Click the button below and it will take you there.

Author

Publisher: Originally published in the UK by Collins Crime Club, 1936/ Cover on the left is a copy of the original dust jacket

My Rating: B+

Summary:  Amy Leatheran is a nurse. She’s just finished a job in Baghdad but, before she can return to London, she secures another position. This time it’s at Tell Yarimjah, an archeological dig outside Bagdad. She’s to help care for Louise Leidner, the wife of the chief archeologist.

Louise Leidner has “fancies” which means she’s afraid of unknown things. She’s also been receiving threatening letters. It’s no surprise when she is the one murdered. It is obvious that the murderer is one on the members of the archeological team. The question is: Which one?

The local police begin their investigation but the police captain invites Hercule Poirot to also help out. (He just happens to be traveling through Baghdad.) Poirot in turn calls upon Nurse Amy to be his assistant. Poirot believes nurses are good observers and so make good witnesses. She’s the one who narrates the story.

My Thoughts:  While reading this story I caught Agatha Christie’s fascination with archeology. This was a fairly new world to her. She’d accompanied her new husband, Max Mallowan, to one of the most famous digs in Iraq where he was assistant to the head archeologist. Ms. Christie based her story’s setting on that dig.

Although she was fascinated, she was not a blind observer. She saw all the details and tried to paint a realistic picture of life at the dig and in the area. She told her readers what Baghdad was like by using Nurse Amy. Here is Amy’s opinion of Baghdad, which I think is Agatha’s opinion:

“The dirt and the mess in Baghdad you wouldn’t believe – and not romantic at all like you’d think from the Arabian Nights! Of course, it’s pretty just on the river, but the town itself is just awful – and no proper shops at all.”

Agatha Christie also modeled the murdered victim after a real person on the dig — the wife of the head archeologist. The woman “was a charming, creative. but imperious woman who ruled with an iron hand her husband and all his archeological associates.” (page 123 of Gillian Giles’ Agatha Christie: The Woman and her Mysteries) Because Ms. Christie couldn’t rock the boat against the wife of her husband’s boss, she found another way to get even. I think she had great fun “killing off” the woman – only in print, of course.

Murder In Mesopotamia was a fun story to read. I liked the voice of Amy Leatheran. It was not quite so heavy-handed as some of Ms. Christie’s other narrators. This book won’t fall into my list top Christie reads, but it was still a good mystery.

Here are my challenge statistics: 24 down – 63 to go. I read this book as part of the Agatha Christie Reading Challenge. I’m reading all of her books in publication order. For more information on the challenge, visit Kerrie at Mysteries In Paradise.

Check your local library or your local bookstore for copies of this book. Murder in Mesopotamia is also available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

Author

Publisher: Doubleday, 2010

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Format:  Audiobook / Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

Source: Public Library

My Rating: B+

Susan is a successful high school principal in a small town in New England, although it hasn’t always been easy. She was kicked out of home at seventeen when she was pregnant and refused to have a abortion or marry the baby’s father.

She worked her way through college and a teaching career. A few years ago Susan was promoted to the principal’s job. Parents and the superintendent are happy with her performance.

Susan believes she has done a good job as a mom. Her daughter Lily, now seventeen, is a good student, has good values, and is very responsible.

And then – Susan learns that Lily is pregnant. A few weeks later she learns that Lily’s two best friends are also pregnant. All three girls are smart, popular, and college-bound. It doesn’t make sense. It turns out it’s all because of a pact the girls made with each other. They agree to get pregnant and raise their babies together.

When the superintendent and the school board finds out, things spiral out of control. Everyone wants to blame someone and Susan is a good target. After all, she’s the principal. In the past Susan has been able to speak honestly to students about her own experience, cautioning safe sex. Now many in town believe she set a bad example. It’s her fault and Susan’s career is in jeopardy.

The three normally responsible teenage girls didn’t bargain for all the hoopla that erupted. They didn’t think how this would effect everyone around them. The whole situation really blows up when the story hits the local newspaper and then the national media.

I’ve always enjoyed Barbara Delinsky’s stories. She usually tackles an honest issue affecting women. She gives us a look at how an issue is seen from multiple angles. In this case the story revolves around what it means to be a good, responsible mother. Do the acts of the children lead to the label of good mother or bad mother? And, what lessons can the new moms-to-be learn from this.

Barbara Delinsky usually gives us a bit of romance in her stories, as she does in this one, but not overdone. And it’s not the main plot line. Ms. Delinsky is also very respectful of the characters she presents. Most of them are more than one dimensional and I always feel they are real people.

I believe Not My Daughter was based on a real “pregnancy pact” that was in the headlines a few years back. I liked looking at the situation from the viewpoint of the various people involved.

I listened to this book on audio-cd. It was read by Cassandra Campbell who did an excellent job, with so many characters in the story. I liked the way she did the Maine accent too.

Check your local library and your local bookstore for copies of this book. Not My Daughteris also available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)