I came across a review of the YA/children’s book Countdown by Deborah Wiles, calling it a documentary novel, and thought it sounded compelling, so I found it at my local library. Countdown follows a period in the fall of 1962 for 5th grader Frannie Chapman. The Cuban Missile Crisis is heating up, the US is dealing with fear of nuclear disaster (“duck and cover” is the slogan of the day), and Frannie’s home life is complicated by her mentally fragile uncle and secretive older sister who has started college and is becoming distant. Add in Frannie’s “perfect” little brother, her disciplinarian mother, her father who is often away for the military, and a best friend who becomes a back-stabber, and Frannie’s life is less than ordinary, and very real.

In spots throughout the book, Wiles has inserted lyrics, slogans, pictures, articles, etc. truly from 1962 to give you a sense of Frannie’s time and place. She paints a picture of Frannie’s neighborhood and home that is so realistic, I was not surprised to read in the afterward that she had based them on her own real life. I loved Frannie’s character, and I loved the memories it evoked in me of life in an earlier decade (for me, the 70’s – personally I wasn’t born in 1962). Frannie’s Saturday mornings are spent doing chores. Her family attends church on Sundays and she goes to Sunday school. The kids in her class walk home together to their neighborhood two blocks away. There is an abandoned quarry nearby where they play, even though they aren’t supposed to. The highlight for the class is an upcoming Halloween costume party that one of the girls is having. Frannie’s secret vice is playing her sister’s 45’s on her record player when she is not home. I ask you — does anyone still live like this anymore??

Countdown is the first in a trilogy. I hope they will all feature Frannie Chapman! I think I would find the documentary novel to be of great use in the classroom. It’s a nice way to make history come alive for young readers. My challenge with this book is where to place it — I’ve seen it as YA and as children’s. Frannie is eleven, so I’d think 4th grade readers, but the content can be used much older, in my opinion. I am curious what other readers thought.

All in all, a fine read that I enjoyed. I got mine from the “new” shelf at the library!!

I know I devote a large amount of time to cozy mysteries, as I love them so much, so I will make this one – by one of my favorite authors – quick!

I was surprised to see a new Molly Murphy mystery on the shelf at the library last week. It had come out in March. I couldn’t wait to read it, though, as it pairs Molly with master magician Harry Houdini as she is hired by his wife for the huge assignment of protecting him from suspected killers. The book starts off with a magic act gone wrong, and soon Houdini himself disappears (for real!). Molly is drawn in to the theater world of illusionists as she seeks to figure out where Harry has gone, what he might be hiding, and who’s telling the truth and who is merely hiding behind illusions. Along the way she struggles with fiance Daniel’s discomfort and disapproval of her work and the planning of their future together.

All in all, it was a fun read!

So – I just discovered Blogfest 2010, where loads of book blogs are giving away prizes!
You can find out more at:
http://ajourneyofbooks.halfzero.net

You can sign and track your progress visiting new books sites!

I am entering to win an awesome new Kindle at Bitten By Books:
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=30336

Enjoy!

A while ago, I received a copy of “Remarkable Creatures” from my friend Jennifer over at Literate Housewife -www.literatehousewife.com. I had been meaning to get to reading it, but it had languished a bit on my overstuffed bookshelves. Last week I finally got it, and I am so glad I did!

When I first heard of this story, it was explained as “two women in the 1800’s who are friends and find fossils together on a beach in England”. My first thought was “that’s it?? Sounds like a total snooze!”. However, while essentially this book is about two women (Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot) in the 1800’s who are friends and find fossils together on a beach in England, it is so much more. It is a story about friendship, about rivalry, about class, about social mores, about women’s rights. It traces two women, who, by the way are TRUE HISTORICAL CHARACTERS (somehow I had missed this fact and that always makes a huge difference to me) and how they became friends and colleagues in finding some of the most incredible fossils (and those supporting what were at that time controversial scientific theories) of the 1800’s. Along the way, they become rivals for a man’s attention and desire, struggle with the differences in their classes, and fight for women’s placement among scientist (a male dominated and controlled field at that time).

I have read all of Tracy Chevalier’s books and do love her writing which is why I was drawn to give this book a try — and I am so glad I did!

I give this book 4 1/2 Stars!

Coming up the week of September 13 is Book Blogger Appreciation Week — a week of fun for bloggers and readers hosted by My Friend Amy and a whole contingent of volunteers!

Look for it and discover new blogs to read and love!

On a recent trip to the library, I noticed “The Lost Constitution” on the shelf. Those who read me know that I love the Martin books — history mysteries as I call them — and this one continues the adventures of Peter Fallon, rare book dealer, and his spunky yet refined girlfriend, Evangeline Carrington (how’s that for a name that drips money?), as they chase down an early annotated draft of the Constitution. Typical of Martin’s books, this one juxtaposes a current day chapter with Fallon with a historical one, tracking the document through the years. Eventually the characters and plot lines converge into an all-out race to the finish (with much violence and bloodshed, I should say).

Parallel with the storyline is the integrated subplot of a congresswoman calling for gun control and trying to repeal the 2nd Amendment (right to bear arms). Both political factions are seeking the document to show what the founding fathers really intended (well – they only want it if it will support their views). I did find this aspect of the book a bit far-fetched. While I’m sure there would be a hunt for it, and a lot of money spent, the amount of murder and violence involved seemed a bit ridiculous. All for an old rough draft of the Constitution? That would sway the voting public? I don’t know – seemed too much for me to swallow.

However, that said, I do enjoy the historical fiction in these books and the modern-day tie-in. The end of this leaves us with a teaser of Fallon and Evangeline’s upcoming trip to France to find a book that will explain….well, I’ll guess we’ll find out!

I’d give this enjoyable read 4 Stars! I got mine at the library!

“Coronado” by Lehane is a collection of short stories. I was familiar with Lehane from his popular best sellers of “Mystic River”, “Shutter Island”, and “Gone Baby Gone”, but I hadn’t read any of his short stories. This book contains several short stories and one play.

I enjoyed these stories a lot. Lehane’s writing is stark and accurate. It depicts the tough side of Boston with a grittiness. The characters in these short stories stayed with me after I was done reading.

I have to say, I was most excited to read the play included, but was the most disappointed in it. It is an adaptation of his short story “Until Gwen”, which I did like. I didn’t care for the transfer to stage and for the way it was staged. However, to be fair, reading a play is far different from seeing it performed.

All in all, a fine collection of stories here by a popular writer! I got mine at the library.

A while ago I entered a contest on my blogging friend’s website: www.sheistoofondofbooks.com and won a signed copy of Oliveira’s My Name Is Mary Sutter . I was so excited since I love historical fiction and had heard good things about this novel.

My Name Is Mary Sutter tells the story of an Albany midwife who seeks to become a surgeon during the Civil War. Female surgeons were unheard of at the time and she receives rejection after rejection. Eventually she answers Dorothea Dix’s call for nurses and goes to Washington, D.C. to nurse in the famed Union Hospital. The description of the conditions of that time are both riveting and repulsive. The conditions can only be described as barbaric – yet completely accurate for that time. Mary goes on to tend wounded soldiers both on the field and off — while seeking to quiet some demons from her own past.

I really enjoyed this book. The descriptions of nursing reminded me a lot of Louisa May Alcott’s “Hospital Sketches” – a serial account she published of her nursing experiences in the Civil War (where she served, like Mary Sutter, at the Union Hospital). Disturbing, yet fascinating, it makes a reader so very thankful for how very far medicine has come in the past 150 years!!

If I had one disappointment with this book, it was with Mary herself. I found her aloof and unapproachable. She is described as plain and conventionally unattractive, but yet with a quality about her that draws men. Apparently so, as every main male character was in love with her! She was described with words like “exquisite”. Yet, she was so untouchable that I found myself not really caring about her. I wish the story had stayed from her point of view the entire time so that I could get into her head, as I felt the story started that way. I “lost” Mary part way through, and by page 300 I am sorry to admit that I was tired of her unflagging strength, courage, morale, skill, intuition, talent, and fortitude.

That said, I did enjoy this book very much and would recommend it to fans of historical fiction, particularly of the Civil War period; but be aware that there are graphic scenes dealing with medical conditions and procedures of that time. I’d be curious what other readers thought as I know it was a popular read a few months back.

Again — many thanks to my buddy Dawn at “She Is too Fond of Books” for gifting me with this beautiful signed copy that I will treasure!! 🙂

I recently went to California on vacation and brought along several books including The Cradle by Patrick Somerville. I had won this book this summer from my friends at “The Friendly Book Nook” book blog. To be honest, I had no memory of signing up for this book (but I only sign for books I know I want to read!) but I am so happy to have won it as it was the perfect plane read – short (200 pages) but satisfying!

The Cradle tells two converging stories. In the main story, Matthew Bishop searches for an antique cradle that was part of his wife’s family legacy. His wife, Marissa, is pregnant with their first child, and she will not rest until the cradle – which was taken by her mother when her mother deserted her and her father – is found. Matthew is not even sure where to start, but, as he loyally fulfills his wife’s pregnancy cravings for foods, he seeks to fulfill this craving which has become a burning need for Marissa.

At the same time, the story of Renee Owen is unfolding, ten years in the future. Renee is a children’s book author and she and her husband are preparing to send their only son off to war. Renee is keeping a secret from her past, though, and the secret is revealed as the two stories converge and intertwine.

I really enjoyed reading this novel! I’d like to thank my friends at the Friendly Book Nook for gifting me with it! 🙂

I would give this book 4 Stars!

I had missed Bowen’s “Oh Danny Boy” while I was reading the Molly Murphy mysteries and read it last week after finding it at the library. This is a quick review as I’ve already written about this series (and okay, I’m really supposed to be packing as we’re leaving on vacation today!).

“Oh Danny Boy” finds Molly’s love, Daniel Sullivan, arrested and held in The Tombs, falsely accused of taking bribes and engaging in illegal activities. Molly sets off to clear his name and set him free, while also getting entangled in horse racing, prize-fighting, and a serial killer.

I wanted to mention this book as I felt is was much less “cozy” than the previous MM books I’ve read. (SPOILER ALERT!) Molly is dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Young girls are being assaulted and mutilated. There was a lot of seediness in this book (coupled with a lot of whining by Daniel), and quite honestly it made me care for this one less than the others. However, I come to these books looking for a cozy read – not a real life one. Bowen does portray the grittiness of city life for the poor and middle class with accuracy, in my opinion. It just wasn’t what I was planning on when I took up the book!

Cozy mystery readers – let me know your thoughts! Do you like it when cozies get less cozy than expected?