Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Wicked Business



Lizzie just wants to be normal.  Unfornately she isn't.  Lizzie has special powers that she doesn't quite understand but, other people want it.  With the help of her beach bum guardian angel, Diesal, she just might be able to help save the world from a mysterious man named Wulf.  This is a really cute and fun, fast, easy book to read.  Janet Evanovich has done it again and it looks like this is going to become an ongoing series.  I really enjoyed this book.
                                                                             

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

Here is the saga of one Lexi Baill, a child bought up in the foster system, whose mother was really no mother at all. Lexi gets a break when she is taken in by her Aunt Eva, whom she didn't know existed.On her first day of high school Lexi meets, first Zach Farraday and then Mia Farraday. Mia becomes her immediate and much loved friend. Zach is the twin of Mia and tries to ignore his feelings for Lexi out of respect for his fragile sister. By the times they are seniors in high school, Zach and Lexi have become a couple. The three teens are best buds.
This is where the story takes a turn for the worse. Just a few days before graduation, the three go to a party where Zach and Mia get drunk and Lexi has also consumed. Zach was supposed to have been the designated driver, but Lexi decided to drive because she is the least inebriated of the trio. They are only a mile away from home, but the accident happens. The result is injuries all around and death for Mia.
Next we find Lexi in prison having been found guilty by the courts. While in jail she learns she is pregnant with Zach's baby. This story is wrought with misfortune for the young Lexi Baill. The end of the story is a culmination of the relationships between the Farraday family, Lexi , and the child Gracie.
The story hits hard on the disparity of the social classes, the tragedy of alcohol abuse, and the grief of losing a loved one. A lot of sad situations and quite depressing much of the time. Another tear jerker from Kristin Hannah.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

How It All Began by Penelope Lively

Imagine a mother gets mugged on a London street, which happens to Charlotte Rainsford.  Wonder as to what will be the ripple effects of this attack?  Lively compares this with the "Butterfly Effect."  Besides Charlotte, more people are subsequently affected.
One of the subplots is that of Charlotte's daughter Rose and Anton, the immigrant that Charlotte is tutoring English.  It keeps me guessing how their friendship would unfold despite knowing that is is futile.  I enjoyed this novel for its unconventional ending.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Undiscovered Country by Lin Enger

I listened to this book on CD and enjoyed the narration and plot.  Jesse is ready to tell his younger brother, Magnus, the truth about his father's death ten years ago by writing a manuscript.  When Jesse was 17, hunting deer from a blind in the Minnesota woods, he hears a gunshot.  He finds his father dead in the woods.  The death is judged a suicide but Jesse, who was very close to his father, does not believe his father would kill himself.  Jesse's mother sinks into depression and Jesse seeks to figure out who shot his father.  He believes it is his father's brother Clay, who had dated his mother in the past, and devises a trap to establish his guilt.  Spurred on by supposed visitations by his father's ghost (though this could be just tricks of the mind) he looks for revenge.  Jesse is dealing with very adult issues which are further complicated by his girlfriend with her own difficult family problems.  A suspenseful book, there are questions whether Jesse's suspicions are correct and the choices he will make.

Monday, June 4, 2012

The Fiddler By Beverly Lewis

Beverly Lewis was one of, if not the first writer of Christian Amish Fiction. I think she remains one of the best.  Her stories seem well thought out and believable. In The Fiddler a chance encounter between "Englisher" Amelia Devries and Amish, Michael Hostetler start them down the road of change. Although they both are attracted to each other are their differences to big to overcome?  Another good read from Beverly Lewis.  I look forward to the second book in this series.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Killing Lincoln by: Bill O'Reilly

This book logically starts with  the end of the Civil War, and the culmination of Lincoln's assassination by Booth (I didn't realize the two events were so close in proximity to each other.  I really need to get a better grip on my history). Likewise, I knew the general circumstances of the assassination  meaning Fords Theatre, shot by Booth and the manhunt, but the detail was fascinating.  I had no idea the extent of the conspiracy for example, the attack on Seward that coincided with Lincoln's not the extent of Booth's intense hatred of the President.  The details that were presented in this book really made me stop and think of thing how they were then and how we live our lives today.  The fact that if you wanted to have an audience with the President you could just camp out on the White House floor was mind boggling to me.  Also the lack of personal protection for the president is so different today.  I enjoyed the personal side of Lincoln that was portrayed as well in this book.