It is reassuring ,but at the same time, a little bit weird, to know that some of my favorite writers continue to write after death.
First, Tom Clancy kept us on the edge of our seats with his Jack Ryan series starting with The Hunt for Red October. Throughout the 80's and 90's, Clancy kept up with the international war on terror. Even President Reagan was a big fan. After his untimely death, Clancy's novels continue to appear on the bestseller list, in bookstores and library shelves. True, we are into a new generation of operatives, but the message is the same. Don't mess with the USA.
Stieg Larsson'strilogy The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was one of the most unusual books I have ever read. It took several attempt to start, but I loved it. Larsson died under suspicious circumstances and now David Lagercrantz has continued the series with The Girl in the Spider's Web. I just started it, but I will need to give it some time.
Mystery writer Tony Hillerman whose books take place on the Navajo reservation writes some of the best American detective stories mixing Navajo religion and traditions with police work. After Tony passed on, his daughter Anne Hillerman took up the mantle to rave reviews.
Finally, Vince Flynn died of cancer last year and I thought I had seen the last of Mitch Rapp. But happily, I unpacked the latest Vince Flynn novel written by Kyle Mills. The Survivor just hit the shelves, and the reviews have been glowing.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Books to travel by
I like to list things by three so here we go.
By now, most of you have seen the film version of Bill Bryson's Walk in the Woods. If you haven't, take the time to watch the movie or better yet, read the book. It is a hilarious tale of two middle aged men who endeavor to hike the Appalachian Trail with little training, little preparation and the wrong gear. The book gives new meaning to the Boy Scout motto "Be prepared."
Tom Ryan's Following Atticus is a heart-warming story of a man and his dog. Tom Ryan, living a lonely life in Newburyport, MA adopts a miniature schnauzer whom he names Atticus Finch. After a series of disappointments, depression and health issues, Tom and Atticus decide to hike some of the higher peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Whether you are a nature lover, a dog lover or in need of an inspirational story, Following Atticus is for you. It reinforces the saying for rescue animals, "who resscued whom?"
Finally, Rinker Buck, an accomplished journalist brings us The Oregon Trail. In the vein of Walk in the Woods, Rinker and his brother, again two middle aged men, get the bright idea of reenacting the Oregon in a wagon pulled by mules. Once again, we meet two people who are not completely prepared for the journey. The mules are the real heroes. However, Buck is an excellent writer and he brings new insight into American history and the journeys of the pioneers who crossed America in wagons, on foot or on horseback. Sometimes, funny, sometimes touching, this book, this book is a really good read for anyone looking for the offbeat adventure.
Happy Reading!
By now, most of you have seen the film version of Bill Bryson's Walk in the Woods. If you haven't, take the time to watch the movie or better yet, read the book. It is a hilarious tale of two middle aged men who endeavor to hike the Appalachian Trail with little training, little preparation and the wrong gear. The book gives new meaning to the Boy Scout motto "Be prepared."
Tom Ryan's Following Atticus is a heart-warming story of a man and his dog. Tom Ryan, living a lonely life in Newburyport, MA adopts a miniature schnauzer whom he names Atticus Finch. After a series of disappointments, depression and health issues, Tom and Atticus decide to hike some of the higher peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Whether you are a nature lover, a dog lover or in need of an inspirational story, Following Atticus is for you. It reinforces the saying for rescue animals, "who resscued whom?"
Finally, Rinker Buck, an accomplished journalist brings us The Oregon Trail. In the vein of Walk in the Woods, Rinker and his brother, again two middle aged men, get the bright idea of reenacting the Oregon in a wagon pulled by mules. Once again, we meet two people who are not completely prepared for the journey. The mules are the real heroes. However, Buck is an excellent writer and he brings new insight into American history and the journeys of the pioneers who crossed America in wagons, on foot or on horseback. Sometimes, funny, sometimes touching, this book, this book is a really good read for anyone looking for the offbeat adventure.
Happy Reading!
Saturday, October 10, 2015
I have committed the cardinal sin of bloggers. That is, I have neglected my blog for months. In my defense, I have been spending time with some of my other avocations, notably, I have indulged my preoccupation with 18th century America by giving tours at the American Independence Museum in Exeter, NH. My children have also kept me busy with their comings and goings during the summer.
However, I am back and ready to rock. One of my local interests here at the beautiful NH Seacoast is the wonderful Tuck Museum, home to the Hampton Historical Society. The society very graciously invited me to lead book discussions on books with topics in history. Last November, on Veterans Day, we did the very emotional Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Last month, we did Dead Wake by Erik Larsen. For those of you who have not read it, I highly recommend this narrative of the sinking of the Lusitania. Like me, you will be astounded by all your misconceptions of World War I from high school history. We had a very lively discussion fueled by scones and clotted cream. In January, we will be discussing Joseph Ellis' The Quartet which is the story of America's second revolution in which the Founding Fathers needed to construct a government and persuade the individual states to ratify the Constitution. It is a fascinating work describing the back room wheeling and dealing that took place.
We almost did not make it as a united country!
Happy Reading and I hope to see some of you in January!
However, I am back and ready to rock. One of my local interests here at the beautiful NH Seacoast is the wonderful Tuck Museum, home to the Hampton Historical Society. The society very graciously invited me to lead book discussions on books with topics in history. Last November, on Veterans Day, we did the very emotional Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Last month, we did Dead Wake by Erik Larsen. For those of you who have not read it, I highly recommend this narrative of the sinking of the Lusitania. Like me, you will be astounded by all your misconceptions of World War I from high school history. We had a very lively discussion fueled by scones and clotted cream. In January, we will be discussing Joseph Ellis' The Quartet which is the story of America's second revolution in which the Founding Fathers needed to construct a government and persuade the individual states to ratify the Constitution. It is a fascinating work describing the back room wheeling and dealing that took place.
We almost did not make it as a united country!
Happy Reading and I hope to see some of you in January!
Monday, March 16, 2015
Time for New Life and Birth
After enduring a record-setting New England winter, we are all looking forward to Spring, which means new life on many levels.
Midwifery would be a possible topic for book groups who make their selections based on a theme.
Start with Anita Diament's 2007 best seller The Red Tent, an historical fiction based on women of the Bible. The emphasis is not on religion, but on women's issues such as sisterhood in a man's world, and, of course birth.
Chris Bohalian's jaw-dropping Midwives debuted in 1998 and was an Oprah Choice. Even on a second or third reading, I hold my breath at the conclusion of this book.
Patricia Harmon who is a Certified Nurse Midwife brings us two newer books set in Depression-era West Virginia. Her first one, The Midwife of Hope River (2012) is a interesting narrative of birth and death during the 1920's and 30's when life was challenging throughout the country, but nowhere more so than the coal mines of West Virginia. She also brings in some lively descriptions of the American labor movement, the American Socialist movement and views of Pittsburgh during the 1920's.
Harmon's newest novel The Reluctant Midwife (2015)is a sequel which takes us back to Hope River. Public Health Nurse Becky Myers is called upon to assist her friend local midwife Patience Murphy in delivering babies. Nurse Myers is also called upon to provide medical care in a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp, giving us a rare glimpse into this episode in American history. both books a eminently readable and bring the reader into a time and place long gone.
Enjoy!
Midwifery would be a possible topic for book groups who make their selections based on a theme.
Start with Anita Diament's 2007 best seller The Red Tent, an historical fiction based on women of the Bible. The emphasis is not on religion, but on women's issues such as sisterhood in a man's world, and, of course birth.
Chris Bohalian's jaw-dropping Midwives debuted in 1998 and was an Oprah Choice. Even on a second or third reading, I hold my breath at the conclusion of this book.
Patricia Harmon who is a Certified Nurse Midwife brings us two newer books set in Depression-era West Virginia. Her first one, The Midwife of Hope River (2012) is a interesting narrative of birth and death during the 1920's and 30's when life was challenging throughout the country, but nowhere more so than the coal mines of West Virginia. She also brings in some lively descriptions of the American labor movement, the American Socialist movement and views of Pittsburgh during the 1920's.
Harmon's newest novel The Reluctant Midwife (2015)is a sequel which takes us back to Hope River. Public Health Nurse Becky Myers is called upon to assist her friend local midwife Patience Murphy in delivering babies. Nurse Myers is also called upon to provide medical care in a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp, giving us a rare glimpse into this episode in American history. both books a eminently readable and bring the reader into a time and place long gone.
Enjoy!
Monday, February 2, 2015
Three Heart Warming Stories
Just in time for Valentine's Day, here are three heart warming stories to take the chill off a New England winter.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevon.
A.J. Fikry, owner of Island Books, has had a sad life. His wife has died. He is subject to seizures. As the owner on an independent bookstore, he is experiencing sluggish sales. Lastly, his personal volume of Edgar Allen Poe's rare poetry has been stolen. However, A. J.'s life is about to be turned upside down. A mysterious package arrives in his bookstore giving him a second chance at life and love. For book lovers everywhere, this gently story of second chances will bring a smile to your face and tear to your eye. As the sign on A.J.'s bookstore says, "No man is an island; every book is a world."
The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe by Alexander McCall Smith
In Gabarone, Botswana, Precious Ramotswe, the owner of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, has soled many crimes in her career. However, her latest case, that of a woman who has no memory, may be her most challenging. In addition, the redoubtable Grace Makutsi has decided to open a restaurant, a business about which she knows nothing. Mma Ramotswe's husband, the reliable and honorable Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, owner of the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, has the unenviable task of laying off one of his mechanics due to the economic slowdown. It is up to Mma Ramotswwe and her friend, Mma Potokwane, the formidable matron of the Orphan Farm, to see that justice is served and the balance of life is restored.
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
In The Rosie Project, brilliant genetics professor Don Tillman found the love of his life, Rosie Jarman,a woman with whom he is completely incompatible. In this charming sequel, Don and Rosie are living in New York and find out that "they" are unexpectedly pregnant. Balancing the needs of each other, research, careers, medical studies, impending baby and friends might be too much stress for Don and Rosie's marriage. Don and Rosie discover for themselves that love cannot always be expressed in a spread sheet. Fans of "The big Bang Theory" will delight in this tale of geeks, love and compatibility.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Still alive and reading
Wow! I have been really negligent about posting my reading lists. The holidays kept me busy.
However, I have all sorts of books to recommend,
I finally got my hands on Anthony Doerr's All the Light we Cannot See which is a fabulous read. If you liked The Monuments Men or The Book Thief, you can add this one to your list. If you did not read either of those selections, add this one to your list. It is a touching story of a father's love for his blind daughter. He creates a model of their town so that she can navigate her way safely. He also harbors a secret which could prove deadly to both father and daughter. Across Europe in Germany, a young boy who is a prodigy in math and electronics listens to a faraway radio broadcast from France. The boy, unfortunately, get swept up in the Nazi war machine. Doer brings these two characters together in a heart-wrenching climax.
Give yourself some time to read this book. There is a great deal of science in the story, algebra, electronics, marine biology and engineering.
However, I have all sorts of books to recommend,
I finally got my hands on Anthony Doerr's All the Light we Cannot See which is a fabulous read. If you liked The Monuments Men or The Book Thief, you can add this one to your list. If you did not read either of those selections, add this one to your list. It is a touching story of a father's love for his blind daughter. He creates a model of their town so that she can navigate her way safely. He also harbors a secret which could prove deadly to both father and daughter. Across Europe in Germany, a young boy who is a prodigy in math and electronics listens to a faraway radio broadcast from France. The boy, unfortunately, get swept up in the Nazi war machine. Doer brings these two characters together in a heart-wrenching climax.
Give yourself some time to read this book. There is a great deal of science in the story, algebra, electronics, marine biology and engineering.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Art Imitates Life
With all due respect to two of my favorite authors, the late Tom Clancy and Daniel Silva, I am noticing an unsettling pattern. Tom Clancy's last novel, Command Authority co-authored with Mark Greaney is a Clancy blockbuster with weapons, action, espionage, and human drama. It links now President Jack Ryan with his son Jack Jr. when a current nasty situation has its roots in Ryan's past.
It is a great read with lots of detail about weapons systems (OK We paid for this stuff with our tax dollars. We might as well be familiar with them) and enough action to leave you breathless. The setting is Ukraine with Russia's current incursion into Crimea. The scary part part is how plausible the plot is!
Next, Daniel Silva does a similar plot line with his spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon in The Heist.
Again, it is a great read with lots of action. The setting is present day Syria with its current destabilization and refugee situation. Once again, it is a great read, but a little too close to reality for comfort.
It is a great read with lots of detail about weapons systems (OK We paid for this stuff with our tax dollars. We might as well be familiar with them) and enough action to leave you breathless. The setting is Ukraine with Russia's current incursion into Crimea. The scary part part is how plausible the plot is!
Next, Daniel Silva does a similar plot line with his spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon in The Heist.
Again, it is a great read with lots of action. The setting is present day Syria with its current destabilization and refugee situation. Once again, it is a great read, but a little too close to reality for comfort.
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