Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Stunning Debute Novel by Carol Rifka Brunt
Tell the Wolves I'm Home is one of those books where you just fall in love with the characters it contains. It ends and you want to know more about them, more of their past and what becomes of them. The story is set in the late 1980's at the height of the AIDS epidemic. It was a time when very little was known and ignorance surrounded almost everyone from the people who had it to those who were scared of it to the doctors trying to treat it. Fourteen year old June was about to lose her Uncle Finn, her best friend and the person she most admired. Finn was a successful artist living in New York and gave June an excuse to just be herself however awkward that may be. When her Uncle dies she is broken. Then at the funeral she see's a strange man trying to get her attention. A very unlikely friendship comes of out of the promises made to a dead man, a friendship that will change June forever and her family forever. The beautiful part about this book is that although it is primarily about June the surrounding cast of family is equally as compelling, from her torn mother to her detached sister you get thrown into the whole mess and love/hate each and everyone of them. It is a heartbreaking story that you are swallowed by and at the end you will want to know more of each of them. I will be waiting for this author to publish another book, she is going on my list!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Beauty builds Le Cirque des Reves
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Night Circus is a difficult book to talk about, a difficult book to describe. It is a book that is like nothing else out there. I have tried to explain it to several people and often come up short. It is a story of a magical competition where two young magicians must battle to the death. There can only be one winner. There are no wands, no good against evil, no one you want to win or lose. Although Celia and Marco's story is a compelling one the real star is Morgenstern herself. Not since the pages of Harry Potter have I read a world that I could see so clearly in my mind. She builds piece by piece, word by word Le Cirque des Reves, a circus like none you could ever imagine. If this were a real place I would book a flight. She is the architect of beauty, imagination and the characters that lie within the pages. They mesh so well that you forget you aren't actually there, you forget you are reading a book, and that is the real magic. I warn you, don't put this book down for too long for if you do small pieces drop away from the amazing architecture set before you, you lose some of the magic. This is truly a beautifully written book and it is a place you want to escape to.
Night Circus is a difficult book to talk about, a difficult book to describe. It is a book that is like nothing else out there. I have tried to explain it to several people and often come up short. It is a story of a magical competition where two young magicians must battle to the death. There can only be one winner. There are no wands, no good against evil, no one you want to win or lose. Although Celia and Marco's story is a compelling one the real star is Morgenstern herself. Not since the pages of Harry Potter have I read a world that I could see so clearly in my mind. She builds piece by piece, word by word Le Cirque des Reves, a circus like none you could ever imagine. If this were a real place I would book a flight. She is the architect of beauty, imagination and the characters that lie within the pages. They mesh so well that you forget you aren't actually there, you forget you are reading a book, and that is the real magic. I warn you, don't put this book down for too long for if you do small pieces drop away from the amazing architecture set before you, you lose some of the magic. This is truly a beautifully written book and it is a place you want to escape to.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Have You Ever Loved a Dog? Paul Auster Has
Timbuktu - Paul Auster
If you have ever had dog and loved it you should read this short masterpiece by Paul Auster. A typical dog story this is not, it is no Marley, it is not fluffy and it is not lighthearted. It is the story of Willy (a homeless man) and his best friend Mr. Bones (a dog). Willy is a strange man who is nearing the end of his life and Mr. Bones knows it. How do we know the dog is aware Willy is dying, because the book is from Mr. Bones perspective. It is a beautiful display of their relationship and the strange and heartwarming things he does for and says to his dog. This is a story for readers who know the unbreakable bond that exists between a dog and owner. It is insightful and heartbreaking. And I am in no way above admitting I sobbed like a baby at the end. This little book is not one that you'll soon forget, it sticks with you in your bones.
If you have ever had dog and loved it you should read this short masterpiece by Paul Auster. A typical dog story this is not, it is no Marley, it is not fluffy and it is not lighthearted. It is the story of Willy (a homeless man) and his best friend Mr. Bones (a dog). Willy is a strange man who is nearing the end of his life and Mr. Bones knows it. How do we know the dog is aware Willy is dying, because the book is from Mr. Bones perspective. It is a beautiful display of their relationship and the strange and heartwarming things he does for and says to his dog. This is a story for readers who know the unbreakable bond that exists between a dog and owner. It is insightful and heartbreaking. And I am in no way above admitting I sobbed like a baby at the end. This little book is not one that you'll soon forget, it sticks with you in your bones.
"Gone Girl" - Pick it up Immediately
"Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn
"Love is the world's infinite mutability; lies, hatred, murder even, are all knit up in it; it is the inevitable blossoming of it's opposites, a magnificent rose smelling faintly of blood." - Tony Kushner The Illusion
Usually I hate when authors start out their novels with quotes. It presumes their intelligence is greater than yours and makes them seem as though they are showing off. But in this case it is a true preamble and a bit of a teaser to what you're about to read. Now this is a tricky one to write about because I want to give nothing away. I want you to read it and be as surprised and disturbed as I was, I won't steal that from you cause that's the fun.
I spent the entire first half of the book thinking I had the plot nailed and then Flynn turned me on my head. So with very few details I'll try my best to suck you in. Amy and Nick Dunne, a young couple, successful, seemingly happy and about to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. Amy goes missing and is presumed dead signs of struggle are all over. The question is who is to blame. Doesn't sound super thrilling but Flynn tells the story through dueling perspectives alternating between Nick and the journal entries of his missing wife. It keeps the story fresh and more anticipation builds as you learn more of Nicks current life and more detail of their shared past. You turn the page and you hit part 2 . . . . . and everything changes and you won't be able to put it down.
"Love is the world's infinite mutability; lies, hatred, murder even, are all knit up in it; it is the inevitable blossoming of it's opposites, a magnificent rose smelling faintly of blood." - Tony Kushner The Illusion
Usually I hate when authors start out their novels with quotes. It presumes their intelligence is greater than yours and makes them seem as though they are showing off. But in this case it is a true preamble and a bit of a teaser to what you're about to read. Now this is a tricky one to write about because I want to give nothing away. I want you to read it and be as surprised and disturbed as I was, I won't steal that from you cause that's the fun.
I spent the entire first half of the book thinking I had the plot nailed and then Flynn turned me on my head. So with very few details I'll try my best to suck you in. Amy and Nick Dunne, a young couple, successful, seemingly happy and about to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. Amy goes missing and is presumed dead signs of struggle are all over. The question is who is to blame. Doesn't sound super thrilling but Flynn tells the story through dueling perspectives alternating between Nick and the journal entries of his missing wife. It keeps the story fresh and more anticipation builds as you learn more of Nicks current life and more detail of their shared past. You turn the page and you hit part 2 . . . . . and everything changes and you won't be able to put it down.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Not New, Not Fiction but as moving as a book can get
"Columbine" by David Cullen
I reviewed this book several years ago when it first came out, so I'm poaching my old blog and giving you an oldie but goodie. I normally don't read nonfiction books maybe once or twice a year I'll give one a go, but usually find they fall flat and I struggle to turn the pages. This book proved me wrong, it has become one of the most enthralling books I've ever read. and here's why. . . .
Cullen could have easily made this a book bashing the killers and presenting a one sided story. He spent years crafting this book and his efforts get you into the minds of the two boys who created this now iconic event. You get thrown into the minds of the boys after Cullen spent years pouring over their journals and websites as well as interviewing countless people. The fact that it took him 10 years to write this book can give you a sense of security that you are reading something that is well researched and factual but here's the kicker. . . it doesn't read like non fiction, you can't stop turning the pages and you already know how it ends.
The two boys responsible for this tragedy, Eric and Dylan, are chronicled over the pages of the book, from the first weapon purchased to the wool they both pulled over the eyes of their family and friends. Before reading this I could only think, how could these parents not have seen what was going on? Now I realize the true sociopath that Eric was. He was popular, did okay in school, had friends and a part time job. He was just like scads of other high school students. Dylan, on the other hand seemed to be a lonely kid who yearned for acceptance and he unfortunately found that with Eric. Dylan was smart, had a crush on a girl, wrote a journal, all seemingly normal teenage ups and downs, until it went tragic.
Cullen also gives you accounts of what happened on the inside that day. His countless interviews with survivors (teachers and students alike) provided a candid and horrifying portrait of what it must have felt like to have your school under siege by two of it's own students. The accounts are touching and paint the picture well of those students and teachers who risked their own lives more than once to help save others. At times I had to put it down while reading accounts of some of these kids held hostage, the shooter coming directly at them, hiding as best they could and watching their friends get murdered. This is not an easy book to read.
After finishing I realized they were lucky to have had so many survive this slaughter. If plans would have unfolded as Eric and Dylan wanted there would have been no one left. They intended to blow up the main exit of the school so that when they started shooting and kids started to flee to the exits they would blow up right at the moment they may have felt a little safer. The bombs were faulty, but that didn't slow them down.
This is one of the best non fiction books I've ever read. It was engaging and horrifying and despite the fact I knew how it ended I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I warn you though, there are some graphic scenes and if you don't have the stomach to read violence they you may want to let this one pass. If you can stomach it you will agree it's one of the most compelling books you'll ever read.
Book Store Dork Gives it 5 stars out of 5!
I reviewed this book several years ago when it first came out, so I'm poaching my old blog and giving you an oldie but goodie. I normally don't read nonfiction books maybe once or twice a year I'll give one a go, but usually find they fall flat and I struggle to turn the pages. This book proved me wrong, it has become one of the most enthralling books I've ever read. and here's why. . . .
Cullen could have easily made this a book bashing the killers and presenting a one sided story. He spent years crafting this book and his efforts get you into the minds of the two boys who created this now iconic event. You get thrown into the minds of the boys after Cullen spent years pouring over their journals and websites as well as interviewing countless people. The fact that it took him 10 years to write this book can give you a sense of security that you are reading something that is well researched and factual but here's the kicker. . . it doesn't read like non fiction, you can't stop turning the pages and you already know how it ends.
The two boys responsible for this tragedy, Eric and Dylan, are chronicled over the pages of the book, from the first weapon purchased to the wool they both pulled over the eyes of their family and friends. Before reading this I could only think, how could these parents not have seen what was going on? Now I realize the true sociopath that Eric was. He was popular, did okay in school, had friends and a part time job. He was just like scads of other high school students. Dylan, on the other hand seemed to be a lonely kid who yearned for acceptance and he unfortunately found that with Eric. Dylan was smart, had a crush on a girl, wrote a journal, all seemingly normal teenage ups and downs, until it went tragic.
Cullen also gives you accounts of what happened on the inside that day. His countless interviews with survivors (teachers and students alike) provided a candid and horrifying portrait of what it must have felt like to have your school under siege by two of it's own students. The accounts are touching and paint the picture well of those students and teachers who risked their own lives more than once to help save others. At times I had to put it down while reading accounts of some of these kids held hostage, the shooter coming directly at them, hiding as best they could and watching their friends get murdered. This is not an easy book to read.
After finishing I realized they were lucky to have had so many survive this slaughter. If plans would have unfolded as Eric and Dylan wanted there would have been no one left. They intended to blow up the main exit of the school so that when they started shooting and kids started to flee to the exits they would blow up right at the moment they may have felt a little safer. The bombs were faulty, but that didn't slow them down.
This is one of the best non fiction books I've ever read. It was engaging and horrifying and despite the fact I knew how it ended I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I warn you though, there are some graphic scenes and if you don't have the stomach to read violence they you may want to let this one pass. If you can stomach it you will agree it's one of the most compelling books you'll ever read.
Book Store Dork Gives it 5 stars out of 5!
"The Mists of Avalon"- Marion Zimmer Bradley
I am a self proclaimed book dork but I am not one who usually wanders down the aisles of Science Fiction and Fantasy. I have always had an unhealthy love of the legend of King Arthur and that is the section where they hide all the good stuff. The lore of magic, Merlin, King Arthur and pagan rituals has always got me going where lit is concerned so down into the foreign territory of Science fiction I went. I was rewarded for my bravery and found one of my top 5 favorite books of all times. I read "The Mists of Avalon" for the first time 15 or so years ago and every couple of years since. If you actually go to a bookstore and not download it you will see why this is not an easy feat, it's almost 1000 pages and looks about as intimidating as "Anna Karenina". It's just plain huge but worth every single hour you are curled up with it. So the housework doesn't get done or the kids don't get a bath, they'll still be dirty tomorrow cause you just have to keep reading. It really is that good.
What sets this version of King Arthur's life apart is that it's not just about him, he's a sidebar in this one for quite a while. It starts from the perspective of his mother and her first husband (not Arthur's father). The narration switches to his half sister Morgana and stays with her for the rest of the story. Most other lore portrays Morgana as evil, dark and deceitful, and the witch that ruined it all. This story does not. Don't mistake me, she is no angel but is seen in a different light. Bradley does presume some knowledge of the legend by the reader but in this day and age if you're not sure who someone is, just google it and you'll be right back into the swing of the book.
If as a kid you were amazed by the sword in the stone or Merlin you will love this grown up, well written and engaging story. My husband even liked it and we don't share any other books in common except Harry Potter!
What sets this version of King Arthur's life apart is that it's not just about him, he's a sidebar in this one for quite a while. It starts from the perspective of his mother and her first husband (not Arthur's father). The narration switches to his half sister Morgana and stays with her for the rest of the story. Most other lore portrays Morgana as evil, dark and deceitful, and the witch that ruined it all. This story does not. Don't mistake me, she is no angel but is seen in a different light. Bradley does presume some knowledge of the legend by the reader but in this day and age if you're not sure who someone is, just google it and you'll be right back into the swing of the book.
If as a kid you were amazed by the sword in the stone or Merlin you will love this grown up, well written and engaging story. My husband even liked it and we don't share any other books in common except Harry Potter!
Book Store Dork has arrived
Why hello there. Looking for something good or possibly bad to read? I can actually help with that. I have been a reader my whole life. I started just like any other girl with "The Babysitters Club" and "Sweet valley High", don't worry my tastes have evolved since then. My love of books forced me to study Lit in college and eventually I became a manager of a bookstore. For the past 11 years I have surrounded my self with shelf after shelf of some wonderful books and some awful ones too and quite frankly sometimes the bad ones are just as fantastic as the great ones. I had a teen book blog where I would also review and recommend some grown up books too, but my brother has become insistent that I start doing this so he and several of his friends know what to read. So Joe, this blogs for you:) I hope you enjoy or hate the books I may recommend. If there is something you want me to read send me a message or comment and I'll give it a go.
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