I’ve always been fascinated by ‘insider’ accounts of life in the White House and have been enticed by these supposedly nonfiction accounts, starting with Upstairs at the White House: My Life With the First Ladies by J.B. West, in 1973. So I couldn’t resist First Family Detail by Ronald Kessler who claims insider access to members of the Secret Service staff. At first, it seemed believable, but as the narrative continued, it seemed obvious to me that Kessler has an obvious political bias. I wasn’t sure which stories were really true, and am surprised that the sensational accounts have not been widely publicized. My advice…not really worth the time…
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes was the the local book club selection. I would definitely classify it as ‘chick lit’. You’ve probably heard the plot line: young female caretaker falls in love with handsome quadreplegic who has been injured in a tragic accident. Of course, it adds to the ‘suspense’ that the helpless victim has tons of money, and the beautiful caretaker is charged with trying to persuade him not to commit suicide (which he had previously scheduled via a death with dignity movement). This kind of story emotionally engages a lot of readers (and moviegoers), but I did not find it as engaging as the rest of the group members. Most of the group members loved it, and that’s what is so interesting about books…many different opinions and something to appeal to everyone!
The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder was the November discussion title for our library discussions. The discussions were very lively and ‘in depth’. Although not an easy book to read, each discussion participant had some interesting insights to share. The story is a timeless in its never ending search for meaning in life, with the inevitable conclusion that all we really ‘have’ is love.
Perfection by Julie Metz is not a new book. (I am reading my way through some of the books I have on shelves around my home). It is a memoir which opens with the sudden death of a young suburban man in 2002 of a pulmonary embolism. His distraught young wife is coping with shock, grief, and caring for their six year old daughter. As she moves throught the grieving period, it becomes evident that her friends and family have been shielding her from discovering that her beloved Henry had been carrying on affairs–a particularly torrid one with a neighbor and ‘friend’! It is like watching the approach of a freight train, as Julie describes what she now realizes she had failed to see. Not a pleasant story, but I felt I had to finish it and saw that Julie and her daughter came through the experience. I was surprised that the author revealed so much of her personal self.
Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian by Avi Steinberg is about a writer and former orthodox Jew who is gets a job as the librarian of Suffolk county prison. He is a young man who has no ‘experience’ of prison and many mistake him for a young volunteer. Steinberg recounts his experience with humor and poignancy. I had enjoyed Orange Is The New Black by Piper Kiernan much more than the tv show. This account was similar but is from the point of view of a prison employee with admirable intentions (he even led writing groups with prisoners) but who runs up against the bureaucracy of the prison system, and the nature of those behind bars–so much mental illness! He has many descriptive stories about the prisoners and their communication system which uses ‘kites’ (letters left inside books) in the prison library as a means of corresponding with other prisoners. It’s an entertaining and enlightening expose.
In Lila, Marilynne Robinson returns to the town of Gilead and continues the story of the widower and minister, John Ames. Neglected as a toddler, Lila was rescued by an itinerant woman who kept Lila safe in a hardscrabble existence. Lila became a homeless wanderer. When she happens upon Gilead and and the gentle Christian views of John Ames, her life is about to change. This is a poignant and hauntingly beautiful work. I’m seeing it on several reviewer and critics’ lists as their favorite book of 2014.
How to Be a Good Wife by Emma Chapman is a thriller which I think could be described as noir. There is a mystery, but I found the eerie circumstances of a long married woman who is remembering her past as a captured young girl to be disturbing. I didn’t like the subject matter or the ending. This was Chapman’s first novel. Chapman writes well, but I found it difficult to read because of the topic.
When I chose The Christmas Train by David Baldacci for the library December title for discussion, I had no idea what to expect. I enjoyed it a lot, and those who attended the meetings, liked it, as well. We had soup and a potluck meal at both meetings, and attendees seemed to enjoy telling their memories of travels by train. It was fun to read and discuss a ‘lighter’ book for a change. It is a departure from Baldacci’s usual fare. One person who had traveled to San Francisco by train said that Baldacci’s description of the accommodations on board almost exactly matched what she remembered.
Sins of the Fathers by Shawn Lawrence Otto is a thriller which begins in Minneapolis and moves on to a native American reservation in northern Minnesota. The plot line involves predatory banking and issues of native American gambling rights and gambling addiction. The characters are well developed and the tension builds to a thrilling conclusion, which is not all that it seems. The timely topic of racism is involved in the story, as well. An interesting read set in the Midwest.
The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg is a delightful romp which starts in Alabama and winds up with a reunion in Pulaski, WI! Picked as the December selection by one of the members of the local book club, it combines a comic mystery with true facts about WASPs (Womens Airforce Service Pilots) the first women who flew military aircraft and were instrumental at the start of WWII. The program was disbanded after two years. There is a strong connection with Wisconsin, and it is a very entertaining story.
Tradition of Deceit by Kathleen Ernst is the fifth in Ernst’s Chloe Ellefson mystery series. This one takes place in Minneapolis and Milwaukee. Chloe is off to Minneapolis to help her friend with a proposal for a restoration project. Meanwhile, boyfriend Roelke’s best friend is murdered in Milwaukee. There is a murder and accompanying mystery in Minneapolis, as well. I enjoyed seeing what is happening with Chloe and Roelke. Both settings are somewhat familiar to me, so I enjoyed ‘picturing’ the events. The plot was quite complicated, and the book was enjoyable, but maybe needed a little more editing. Regardless, Ernst tells a great story!
Happy Holidays to All!
bibliomaven 