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 Book #1 of the 1010 challenge. First book in my "Scary Fiction" category. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. Fiction, Gothic, 608 pages. Last night, I finished The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. I did it as part of the Halloween group read on the 75 challenge, but t wasn't the kind of Halloween-ish scary that I expected. I'm still going to put it in "Scary Fiction" because it was a kind of scary, I guess, just the suspense of wondering what was going to happen. (Though it was a form of mystery, it really doesn't fit the "Whodunit" category, as it was pretty obvious fairly early on who the bad guys were.) Message edited by its author, Oct 29, 2009, 7:54pm.  Book #2 of the 1010 challenge, first of the "Whodunit" category. Thou Shalt Not Grill (A Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery) by Tamar Myers. Fiction, cozy mystery, 250 pages. I always enjoy reading these mysteries, told from the point of view of Magdalena Yoder, hostess of the fictional Penn Dutch Inn of Bedford County, PA. (Perhaps it is because I live not so very far from where they are set, and so recognize the names of places that are mentioned.) The books in this series are admittedly light on plot but full of laughs (of the very silly variety). I tend to read them to "balance out' weightier or more suspenseful books read at the same time. Message edited by its author, Oct 29, 2009, 8:44am.  Book #3 of the 1010 challenge, 2nd of the "Scary Fiction" category. Fear, by L. Ron Hubbard. Fiction, horror, 188 pages. This book was on the Halloween group read list from the 75 Challenge group. I started it just to try it and see what it was about; I planned to quickly abandon it if I didn't like it. I didn't think that it would be my cup of tea. I didn't expect to like it, even though the dust jacket contained glowing recommendations from Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, and Isaac Asimov -- all favorites of mine. The writing style seemed somehow odd to me, from the start. Other than the seemingly odd style (the nature of which I can't quite put my finger on), the story seemed normal enough for the first chapter. Then it got really, really weird in a hurry. It was bizarre, it was unreal, it was madness . . . I couldn't put it down; read straight through to the end, way past midnight. I can't exactly say I enjoyed it, but I needed to see where the heck he was going with this crazy story. Then the ending really threw me for a loop, and I had to look back for a few minutes and try to re-think the story with the ending in mind. Message edited by its author, Oct 29, 2009, 8:43am.  Book #4 Ghost, by Alan Lightman. Fiction, 244 pages. This hardly fits the "Scary Fiction" category where I had pegged it, as the ghost encounter itself hardly seems scary to the reader. Indeed, the reader doesn't really get a descrption of what the man saw until about halfway through the book -- it's usually just "something" that "can't be explained," etc. But the book is still scary in a different sense, because of all the fallout of the experience, both his internal questions (he had never believed in the "supernatural" before) and the reactions of others when he shares his story. Frankly, I found much of what was described (not the ghost, but all the hubbub that followed the sighting) pretty unbelievable. But it was still a well-written book that held my attention. Not a favorite, but thought-provoking. Message edited by its author, Oct 29, 2009, 8:41am.  Book #5 The Face by Dean Koontz, Fiction, suspense/horror, 608 pages. No question that this one goes in "Scary Fiction." It gave me nightmares! It also was a very good read. The plot took some amazing twists and turns. It was really a good book. Message edited by its author, Oct 29, 2009, 8:38am.  Book #6, Easy, by Phillip DePoy (A Flap Tucker Mystery; 278 pages). (a link because the touch stone doesn't work:)http://www.librarything.com/work/373147 For the Whodunit category From my review: What do the murders of a tall, red-headed transvestite found dead inside a crude drawing of a pentagram and a couple of topless dancers found decomposing in the trunk of a Buick have in common with each other and with the disappearance of the alleged wife of Flap's friend Lenny? And was Lenny really married to the missing woman? And did she even really exist? And what, if anything, does Tibet have to do with it all? The answers to these and other pressing crime issues -- along with some laughs and a few neat plot twists -- can be found in the pages of Easy. (Note: DePoy has another, more recent series, the Fever Devlin series, which are set in rural Georgia. I like those books, too.) Message edited by its author, Nov 19, 2009, 5:17pm.  Book #7, Report from Ground Zero: The Story of the Rescue Efforts at the World Trade Center, by Dennis Smith. Non-fiction, 366 pages.I guess it's fitting that my "disaster" category should begin with this most terrible of man-made disasters in American history. From my review: It is impossible for anyone who wasn't there to really, really grasp the reality of Ground Zero on 9/11 and the days that followed. But this book gave me a clearer glimpse than I've ever had before. It takes us into the heart and soul of the disaster at Ground Zero and of those on its front lines. Recommended. My full review can be found here: http://www.librarything.com/work/55219/r... Message edited by its author, Nov 5, 2009, 3:34pm.  Book #8 Fire in the Grove: The Cocoanut Grove Tragedy and its Aftermath, by John C. Esposito. Non-fiction, 254 pages, including index.#8a (re-read) The Cocoanut Grove: Heat, Smoke, and Panic , Chapter 7 of Boston on Fire: a History of Fires and Firefighting in Boston by Stephanie Schorow. from my review of Fire in the Grove: (full review is at: http://www.librarything.com/work/2654493.... ) Obviously, this is for my disaster category. The Cocoanut Grove was considered THE place to go for nightlife in Boston. But on Saturday evening, November 28, 1942, fire flashed through the Grove. It was the deadliest fire in Boston history, killing nearly 500 people. Fire in the Grove shows us the factors which made Cocoanut Grove disaster waiting to happen . . . The writing is fairly straightforward. The author provides background on the nightclub’s history, introduces us to some of the people who were at the Grove that night, and offers a sometimes gripping account of the fire, rescue/recovery efforts, and the legal and political wrangling that followed all. For those wanting a basic narrative of the Cocoanut Grove fire and its aftermath, Fire in the Grove is more than adequate. If you want detailed documentation, however, you will probably find this book lacking. The Schorow book Boston on Fire, with its excellent chapter on the Cocoanut Grove fire, does contain both a bibliography and end notes. For a somewhat different perspective on the fire (her book tends to look at things more from the firefighters' perspective) and excellent source documentation, I recommend Boston on Fire. ETA for touchstone. Message edited by its author, Nov 9, 2009, 5:20pm.  Book #9 When Day Breaks by Mary Jane Clark. Mystery fiction, 326 pages.For the Whodunit category. From my review: Even without reading the description on the dust jacket, it's pretty obvious, from the start, who is going to get murdered in this book. Beneath her down-to-earth public facade, Constance Young is your stereotypical selfish, egotistical celebrity, and her enemies are legion -- hence, the available pool of suspects is even deeper than the swimming pool where her lifeless body is found. If Constance is a stereotype, so are many of the supects. I found this to be a fast-paced, competently-written mystery, but nothing special. Full review at: http://www.librarything.com/work/book/51... Message edited by its author, Nov 19, 2009, 5:15pm.  Book #10 Look Again by Lisa Scottoline. Fiction, 336 pages.I guess this fits the "Whodunit" category, because there was a mystery involved. I didn't like this one much. I only read it for a discussion group. review:http://www.librarything.com/work/6725660/details/52202166 That's two in a row that were disappointing. Message edited by its author, Nov 19, 2009, 5:56pm.  Book #11 The Haunted Rectory, by Katherine Valentine. Christian fiction/horror/cozy/suspense? 436 pages large print + discussion guide.) (link because touchstone failed: http://www.librarything.com/work/book/51...) This counts as book 5 in my Scary Fiction category. This was an odd one. First, to really get into this story, you need to accept the reality of "second sight," Hell, and demonic forces; and the fact that the power of God can triumph over the real, physical forces of Evil (with a capital E). I have no problem with that, but that worldview might lose some readers. Next, you have to deal with a book that tries to combine The Exorcist with a "cozy" format, and vestiges of Dan Brown -- top secret Catholic orders/organizations and the like. It didn't quite work for me. I probably wasn't the only one; the book was clearly designed to be first of a series, but no sequels have been forthcoming (as far as I can determine) since its publication in 2006. However, I did keep reading to see how it would all end. I need to think about this one before I try to write a full review. I guess this will fit in the Interesting People category:  Book # 12: Singing God's Work by Allen Bailey. 159 pages.Memoir of Allen Bailey's life and the story of the Harlem Gospel Choir, which he founded and directs. In a few words: In his own words, the story of a man raised in economic poverty in Harlem, who did many remarkable things and founded a wonderful music ministry that sings all over the world. Perhaps a bit self-promoting, with quite a bit of name-dropping, written with terrible punctuation, but a nice, uplifting story. My review: http://www.librarything.com/work/9045118... Message edited by its author, Dec 6, 2009, 10:48pm.  Book #13: Al Capone Does My Shirts, by Gennifer Choldenko. YA.This is for the "Kidstuff" Young Adult category. This story is set on Alcatraz Island in 1935, when it was common for families of prison guards and other prison employees to live on the island. Young Moose lives on the Island with his mother, father (a guard/electrician), and sister Natalie, who had special needs. Natalie is clearly autistic, but never called that in the book, as that specific diagnosis did not exist at that time. (Note: the author discusses this in her Author's Note at the end. She has dedicated the book to her sister Gina, who was diagnosed with severe autism.) Poor Moose seems to bear the brunt of all the family's problems; his mother is too focused on Natalie's needs, and his father too focused on humoring (not the right word, but I can't find the right word tonight) the mother. Add in a dictatorial warden, the warden's trouble-seeking daughter, and assorted escapades and misunderstandings, and it makes for an interesting read. My choice of this book was influenced by the fact that I met the author at a Children's Literature conference and was very impressed by her presentation. Message edited by its author, Dec 6, 2009, 10:43pm.  Book #14: Cross by James Patterson. Fiction, mystery-suspense, 293 pages. (Obtained from the public library.)What can I say? I love the Alex Cross series. Cross is just one of the neatest crime-fighting series characters I've found. The book maintains the usual level of fast-paced suspense and action. Definitely a page turner. My full review: http://www.librarything.com/work/993429/... Message edited by its author, Dec 9, 2009, 6:57pm.  Book #15: Sleep No More: Railway, Canal, & Other Stories of the Supernatural, by L.T.C. Rolt. Fiction: short/stories, ghost/horror stories, 162 pages. (Obtained through Inter-Library Loan.)For Scary Fiction category. Oooh, the perfect read for a stormy winter night! Review: http://www.librarything.com/work/8931092... Message edited by its author, Dec 12, 2009, 5:52pm.  Book #16: Nine Minutes, Twenty Seconds by Gary M. Pomerantz. Non-fiction; 287 pages. (Obtained from public library.)I thought this book was really excellent. Pomerantz made me feel like I got to know the people involved -- enough so that I shed some tears when reading about those who didn't survive. He also explained the technical side of things in plain language that I could understand. And he explored the physical and emotional aftermath of the crash for those who survived. Full Review here: http://www.librarything.com/work/72796/r... Message edited by its author, Dec 12, 2009, 5:53pm.  Book # 17: A Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger. Non-fiction, 266 pages. Purchased used 8/09 at Frogtown Books in Toledo, OH.I bought this, completely on impulse, strictly on the basis of: 1) the author: I'd just read The Perfect Storm, so Junger ruled, in my opinion. 2) the title and particularly the town involved: Belmont, Massachusetts, where I spent some time over a decade ago. 3) I got an almost mint-condition used copy of the book for $1. This is more than just a true-crime book about a murder. This is a book about race and justice and the tumult of the 1960's. I found it a very compelling read. Full review here: http://www.librarything.com/work/520493/... Message edited by its author, Dec 14, 2009, 1:59am.  Book #18: A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny (Canadian edition title: Dead Cold). Second in the Three Pines Mystery series featuring Inspector Armand Gamache. Mystery fiction, 311 pages. Purchased earlier this year, used, via Amazon.com.I love Louise Penny's Three Pines mysteries. I like the setting, the quirky characters, and the plot twists. I enjoy her literary allusions and her wry sense of humor. I like the way the reader never quite knows all that's going on -- sometimes even at the end of the last page. That "unsettled" quality that Penny leaves at the end of the book is so much like real life. I need some time to put together a full review, but my short version is that I liked it. ETA to add: Here is the link for my review: http://www.librarything.com/work/2705703... Message edited by its author, Dec 21, 2009, 8:41am.  Book #19:Tracks in the Straw: tales spun from the Manger by Ted Loder. Devotional, 174 pages. Requested and received as birthday gift, 2/09. Category: A Matter of Faith.This book is a collection of writings looking at the Christmas story from unusual points of view -- animals in the stable where Jesus was born, a maid at the Inn where there were no rooms, the Innkeeper, etc. My favorite of the lot was the one set in modern times: "Gum on the Altar," about two friends in a mental hospital at Christmas time. The previous books I've read by Ted Loder, Guerillas of Grace and My Heart in My Mouth, contained passages which spoke to me in a deep, deep way. This one really didn't. Debug test: your member name is: |
Touchstone worksTouchstone authorsAllen Bailey John Bellairs Carl Bernstein William J. Birnes Seth Cagin Gennifer Choldenko Mary Jane Clark Wilkie Collins Timothy Egan Dave Eggers John C. Esposito Shelby Foote Melissa Fay Greene FR. Dale Grubba Thomas Harris David Helvarg Susan Hill Greg Iles William James David M. Jordan Sebastian Junger Diane M. Komp Dean Koontz Anne Lamott Clarence John Laughlin Michael Lesy Ted Loder David McCullough Joe mcginnis James M. McPherson Tamar Myers Stewart O'Nan James Patterson Louise Penny Gary M. Pomerantz Kathy Reichs Brian Righi Gene Eric Salecker Gary D. Schmidt Stephanie Schorow Lisa Scottoline Kevin H. Siepel Daniel Silva Dennis Smith Kate Summerscale Bob Woodward |
