Three Rivers Reads

The Illumination by Kevin Brockmeier

2012-01-18T08:18:00.000-08:00

One Friday evening, the Illumination happened. People's wounds, injuries or pain began emitting a light - from the slightest dull twinge to the bright blinding light of life slipping away - no one was immune.

The book follows several very different people, who, on the surface, have nothing in common, but all share both the pain that seems to be the constant human condition as well as the desire for connection, no matter how fleeting. The story centers around a diary in which a wife recorded the little love notes she received daily from her husband. The book travels from person to person, affecting each one in a slightly different way.

This is a quiet little book that can be difficult to read, as each character struggles with their own very personal pain. Underneath it all, however, is that pull to reach out to others, resulting in an ultimately hopeful story.

February Book Clubs

2012-01-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

We're looking forward to some excellent reading for the month of February!

Three Rivers Book Club

Meets Wednesday, February 1st at the Arrowhead Community Center in Channahon at 7 p.m. We will be reading The Paris Wife by Paula McClain.

Bookies Book Club

Meets Saturday, February 11th at the Minooka Village Hall at 10 a.m. We will be discussing Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden and Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. No need to read both if you are pressed for time!

We hope to see you for one of our lively discussions!

Chill Out @ Your Library!

2012-01-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

With the recent turn of wintery weather, it's the perfect time to settle in with a good read - why not reward yourself and enter our winter reading program? The program is for Three Rivers Library Card holders ages 12 and up.

Keep track of your winter reading online and be automatically notified when reading goals are reached or your name is drawn for a raffle prize. You will receive a packet of hot chocolate for signing up for the program and the first 65 people to read 5 books* will receive a special prize!

There will also be random drawings and a grand prize "Booklovers Basket" drawn at the end of the program. So the more you read, the better chance you have of winning!

*Only book, audio-books or e-books count towards your goal.

Looking for a Solid Mystery Series?

2012-01-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

Try "Sworn to Silence" by Linda Castillo. Since a serial killer stopped terrorizing local citizens in the 1990's, nothing much happens in the rural burg of Painters Mill, Ohio, which is just how Chief Kate Burkholder likes it. After years of experience in the more urban setting of Columbus, Ohio, she jumped at the chance to become the police chief of her hometown. Her past as a member of the local Amish community has given her a unique perspective and ability to act as a go-between between the private Amish community and the "English."

When one of her officers responds to a "loose cattle" call and instead finds the nude body of a young woman in the snow, Kate's peaceful existence comes to an abrupt halt. Not only is the murder reminiscent of the serial killings that took place in the '90's, but it brings Kate's history crashing back to her, including a secret that she, her brother and sister have kept all these years. When the town calls in outside help, Kate is resistant, fearing her secret will be exposed after 16 years, but as bodies continue to turn up, she must face her fear in order to solve the gruesome crimes.

John Tomasetti has been to hell, and does not seem to want to leave. Since losing his partner and family a few years earlier, his life has continued in a downward spiral, thanks to his steady diet of booze and painkillers. When he is assigned to work on the Painters Mill murders, he knows it is his last chance. Can Kate overcome her fear and mistrust to work with Tomasetti?

This is the first book of three so far featuring Chief Kate Burkholder, and I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of John Tomasetti as well. Despite the Amish connection, this is definitely NOT a cozy mystery - the grisly details, salty language and sexual situations and references are not for the faint of heart. Kate is a great heroine - strong yet vulnerable, principled yet hesitant, and damaged yet hopeful. I look forward to seeing more from this series. Fans of this book may also like Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series or Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series.

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

2012-01-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

Silas "32" Jones is the constable of a tiny town in rural Mississippi. His childhood friend, Larry Ott, still lives in the house he grew up in and "operates" his father's automotive business - a business that hasn't had a customer in years, as Larry has long lived under suspicion in the disappearance of a local girl when he was a teenager.

When a similar crime takes place, Larry is at the center of suspicion when he himself is the victim of a violent crime. Silas reluctantly gets involved, knowing that Larry is innocent of the crime. As Silas digs deeper into the crime wave hitting his tiny community, he starts letting go of his own secrets - secrets that provide important details in the girl's disappearance so many years ago.

Franklin has written a quiet and thoughtful southern novel that studies friendship, secrets and justice. The majority of the characters are not all that likable overall, which made for a rather slow read for me. However, the interest in the crimes and hope for reconciliation kept me reading until the end.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

2011-12-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

Set in the not-too-distant future (the year 2044,) Cline's dystopian yet hopeful tale is a fun, thought-provoking and clever story.

Orphaned high school senior Wade Watts lives in the "stacks" - giant stacks of trailers piled on top of one another - with his aunt and several others just outside of Oklahoma City. In an effort to escape his bleak reality, he spends his days logged into the virtual world, "OASIS," where he has created an alternative identity and also where he attends school. When not attending his online classes or hanging out in a chat room with his best friend, he devotes his time to pursuing the ultimate gaming challenge - OASIS creator James Halliday's complex multi-layered puzzle, the winner of which will receive Halliday's fortune.

When Wade solves the first puzzle, he (or his avatar, Parzival,) is suddenly thrust into the limelight, triggering untold fame and infamy, as he becomes the main target for the evil corporation, IOI, who employ thousands in the hopes of solving the puzzle (and gaining the fortune and power) first. The floodgates are then open, as Wade's best friend, online crush, and brothers from Japan also solve the first puzzle, soon to be followed by the IOI bots (i.e. "Sixers.") It isn't long before the Sixers have the advantage, and are the closest to solving the final puzzle.

Can Wade and his friends outsmart and defeat the Sixers? Or will they all go down in fiery defeat? Will Wade ever be able to function in reality, instead of just online?

Cline's love of pop culture shines through in this endearingly geeky homage to the 1980's. There are so many layers to this story, it has the potential to appeal to a wide audience. Rumors indicate that a movie is already in the works!

The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans

2011-12-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

Looking for a light, gentle romantic read with a social conscience? Richard Paul Evans might be just what you are looking for.

Christine is stunned when her fiance, Martin, calls off their wedding (that she has planned in a bridezilla-like fashion) one week before hand. Her best friend, Jessica, in an effort to pull Christine out of her deep depression, signs them up for a volunteer trip to Peru, where they will put in time at an orphanage.

Paul, the director of the orphanage, an American ex-pat who also happens to be a doctor, has some baggage of his own to deal with. However, when he first lays eyes on Christine, he is transfixed by her. Although their time together is brief, the adventures they encounter in the jungles of South America allow them to get to know each other fairly well - enough to know that they both will have some tough questions to answer about their future at the close of the trip.

Ultimately, this is a romance, which guarantees a happy ending. Not even the appearance of Martin towards the end of the story can thwart the budding romance between Paul and Christine. Will they remain in Peru, working at the orphanage together? Or will they come back to the U.S. to live happily ever after?

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

2011-12-21T16:18:00.000-08:00

John Grisham, best known for his legal thrillers, has strayed outside his normal genre on several occasions, and met with success each time. He has written Playing for Pizza, Bleachers, and this title, Skipping Christmas, all of which are beyond the scope of his usual fare.

Skipping Christmas details the story of the Kranks, a suburban family who decide to buck the yearly holiday traditions of overspending, overdoing and overstressing in favor of taking a luxury vacation. Their grown daughter has joined the Peace Corps, so will not be home for Christmas, giving Luther and Nora the perfect opportunity to escape. What Luther, who is the catalyst behind the plan, does not anticipate is the reaction of his neighbors, coworkers and friends who consider the Krank's antics high treason. When Luther and Nora discover that their daughter is coming home for Christmas after all, will they choose to stick with their master plan? Or will they manage to pull together a Christmas to remember?

While this is a nice, quick read for this busy time of year, the story lacks any real oomph. Luther is rather unlikable; Nora is much more sympathetic, so the reader wants things to work out for her sake. That being said, this might be just the sentimental light story that will make readers happy this time of year.

Soccer Mom= Demon Hunter?

2011-11-01T13:14:00.001-07:00

I grabbed a book randomly from the shelves because I was out of books. The book I grabbed was called California Demon by Julie Kenner. This was a fun read, although not comical. The main character is Kate Connor, a demon hunter that recently came out of retirement. The tricky part is Kate's family knows nothing about her new job, which makes it a little tricky. Add to the mix a two year old, a 14 year old daughter, a husband about to announce his candidacy for District Attorney and a retired demon hunter named Eddie. I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read, which is the 2nd book in the series.

The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian

2011-10-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

Chip Linton had a good life - a successful airline pilot at a northeastern airline with a loving, successful wife and happy 10-year old twin daughters. One day a flock of unlucky geese change all that. As his plane's engines die as they suck in a flock of geese, he is calm, focused, and chooses to emergency land the plane on nearby Lake Champlain, fully anticipating a Sully Sullenberg moment. Luck, however, is not on his side, and his plane's wing catches a wave, causing the initially-smooth landing to morph into a careening, plane-breaking disaster in which 39 passengers are killed.

Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Chip and his family relocate to a small, quiet New Hampshire town to aid in his recovery. While he and his family, wife Emily and daughters Hallie and Garnet settle in, many of the townspeople seem to take an unnatural interest in the girls. As Chip deals with some ghosts of his own from his crash, Emily attempts to keep a hold on working, the girls, their strange new home with a creepy history, and Chip's apparent downward spiral into insanity.

Bohjalian does a masterful job of creating a sense of dread with this story. As Emily struggles between needing the support of her new friends and a growing feeling of unease with their ways, she also remains unaware of Chip's close calls with causing physical pain to her and their children as the paranormal forces sink their claws deeper and deeper into him. As the group of herbalists surrounding Emily and the girls seem to grow more and more bizarre and malevolent with their rituals, Emily's maternal instincts kick in...but is it too late? Creepy mulit-dimensional novel with a dark, harsh ending.

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

2011-10-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

This time of year is perfect for curling up with a hot mug of tea and a truly terrifying ghost story. Heart-Shaped Box fits the bill nicely. Jude Coyne is an aging rock and roll star with a taste for the morbid - so when he is tipped off about a "ghost" that inhabits a recently deceased man's suit for sale on an internet auction site, he can't resist. The suit arrives - in a black, heart-shaped box - a few days later. Jude, his live-in girlfriend, Georgia, and his personal assistant, Danny have no idea what is in store for them.

The ghost wastes no time making himself known to the inhabitants of the house, not only making personal appearances, but also infiltrating the dreams of the occupants of the house, as well as transmitting his voice over the radio and TV. Jude, a wee bit disturbed by all of this undead activity in his home, discovers that the dead man just happens to be the stepfather of his previous girlfriend, who committed suicide when their relationship ended. Presumably, the ghost has come back with the intention of enacting revenge on Jude - by goading Jude into killing not only himself, but also anyone who tries to help him.

As Jude and Georgia attempt to outlast the ghost, Jude is also trying to outrun his dying father, a cold and abusive man, who is on his deathbed in rural Louisiana, and who he has not seen in over 30 years. As Jude and Georgia flee his farm in an effort to solve their ghostly predicament, they grow closer to figuring out a way to not only outsmart their ghost, but also determine what really happened to Jude's former flame. Through this all, Jude learns to grow up and see what is really important in his life...but is it too late?

I really enjoyed this book, I thought the ending was surprisingly upbeat considering the subject matter. If you enjoy feeling the hair stand up on the back of your neck, give this one a try. It is interesting to note that the author, Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. He seems to have the same gift for story telling that his father does.

The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin by Joe McGinniss

2011-10-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Regardless of your political perspective, I believe just about everyone can agree that Sarah Palin is a very provocative - yet mostly irrelevant - figure on our current national radar. Joe McGinniss had planned on spending the summer of 2010 in Alaska conducting research and interviews on a book about Palin. By sheer luck, he was offered the opportunity to rent the home right next door to the Palin's.

While much was made of this "stalking" behavior by Palin and the media, it was really a non-event. McGinniss stuck to his promise to not spy or creep out the neighbors, living quietly next door, leaving often to meet up with other Alaskans or travel to other locations to do research. What results is an interesting read that I had difficulty putting down.

It seems that most people have already formed an opinion of Palin and I'm not sure this book will change anyone's mind - those who like her will call this book "gossip," while those who are not fans will say, "I knew it!" One thing I know for sure - I would love to sit down for a cup of coffee with Joe McGinniss to hear his impressions of Alaska and the people who live there.

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

2011-10-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

Brunonia Barry has, in her first novel, written an ambitious tale of family, tradition, mental illness, witches, romance, and just about anything else you can think of. The end result, for the members of our Three Rivers Book Club, ranged from something that people "loved," "hated," or, were "thoroughly confused by."

Towner Whitney, living in California where she house sits and reads screenplays, returns to her hometown of Salem Massachusetts when she learns that her beloved "Aunt" Eva has gone missing. Towner has a complicated relationship with her relatives there - her mother, May, her brother, Beezer and her Aunt Emma and Uncle Cal. We learn that Towner (whose real name is "Sophya,") also had a twin sister who committed suicide while still in her teens.
Towner comes from a long line of lace readers, including Eva - who can divine the future by reading the patterns in lace - but chooses not to utilize her gift, as disastrous things have happened when she has. However, the similarities between lace reading and Towner's life are always there, haunting her.

This is not a book to be read quickly or lightly. There is so much to like about this book - Salem, Massachusetts as a setting is a character in its own right. I will not spoil the ending here, but only say that I felt as if I needed to read the entire book again as the (surprise)ending was revealed. The book shifts around from first person to third person - be warned that when in first person, the perspectives are not entirely reliable - and was a little clunky to read. If you enjoy books with a historical or paranormal slant, give this one a try.

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

2011-10-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

When nervous flyer Emma Corrigan is on a turbulent flight, she unwittingly spills embarassing details about her life to the handsome American sitting next to her, thinking either she would never see him again or they were going to die in a fiery crash. When he turns up the next day as the owner of the company she works for, she is completely floored.

As her boss, Jack Harper continues to show an interest in Emma's life, seemingly tormenting her with the (mostly) little white lies that she has based her life on, and as she responds to his interest, she begins to live a more honest, less duplicitous existence, beginning with splitting up with her seemingly "perfect" boyfriend and dating Jack.

While this chick lit tale is as formulaic as they come, Emma and Jack are both very likable characters - Emma is sweet, her little lies are things many of us can relate to, and very funny. Of course, Jack is ruggedly handsome, very sexy and also very droll. This quick read is a fun book with a satisfying ending just perfect if you are looking for a little pick-me-up!

The White Devil by Justin Evans

2011-10-07T13:34:00.000-07:00

Looking for a creepy ghost story to get you in the Halloween spirit? Look no further than Evans' second book, The White Devil.

Andrew Taylor, a 17 year-old American, is enrolled in the prestigious Harrow School of London after he is expelled from his elite prep school in the U.S. for drug abuse. Shortly after his arrival at the school, Andrew witnesses the murder of one of his peers by a sickly and odd-looking fellow. The murderer is not located, and as strange situations seem to follow Andrew, he becomes an object of scrutiny, particularly after his past comes to light.

Renowned poet and cynical alcoholic Piers Fawkes is the unlikely housemaster of Andrew's dorm and also writer and director of a play that features Lord Byron, one of Harrow's more famous alumni. Andrew, who bears an uncanny resemblace to Byron, is cast in the lead role, and Fawkes finds himself drawn to the young man.

Evans has crafted a spooky and well-written story, with elements of history, poetry, paranormal and romance all wrapped up in one tragic, ghostly tale.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2011-10-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

Liesel Meminger has just watched her little brother death and burial in a strange town when her mother deposits her with her new foster parents in the small town of Molching, Germany and disappears. Needless to say, Liesel has some trouble adjusting to all the changes in her 9-year-old life, waking up every night in her new home with a nightmare. Luckily, her new Papa, Hans Hubermann, is a gentle, kind man, who takes Liesel under his wing, sitting up with her every night when she has her nightmares, eventually using this time to teach the illiterate child to read. His wife, Rosa, is rough around the edges, and while Liesel grows to love her as well, she is closest to her Papa.

Liesel, the Book Thief, stole her first book at her brother's burial - The Gravedigger's Handbook - when it fell out of the grave digger's pocket. Hans teaches her to read with this book and doesn't ask too many questions when she comes home with other books, but reads them along with her. Words become of utmost importance and comfort in Liesel's life.

Growing up in wartime Germany, Liesel is witness to many acts of cruelty, but also acts of great courage and kindness. Her neighbor, best friend, and co-conspirator, Rudy, is her loyal companion and continuously demonstrates his willingness to to anything for her. Zusak shines the light on the other side of Nazi Germany - not everyone was a goose-stepping idiot, there were plenty of good-hearted folks living within the regime.

The tale is narrated by Death himself, who is quite taken by Liesel the first time he meets her, when he collects her brother's soul. Through his telling, occasional asides and foreshadowing, we get to know and love Liesel (and sort of get a kick out of Death.) The writing in this book is absolutely lovely in its imagery, language, and style. Zusak has written an unforgettable book about the Holocaust, about life, about love and friendship, and also about death. Who could resist a book where books are so crucial to the story line? This book is actually marketed towards Young Adults; however, it is a wonderful read for adults and older teens alike. Do yourself a favor, stick with the beginning which can be a little daunting to get into, have the tissues handy, and dive right in to this book. You'll be glad you did.

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

2011-10-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

Silas "32" Jones and Larry Ott were friends once upon a time, growing up in rural Mississippi. Larry was a quiet, nerdy white kid who loved to read; Silas, an African American was a star baseball player at the local high school. One night, both of their lives changed forever when a girl that Larry had taken on a date disappeared, never to be seen or heard from again. Although Larry was never charged with a crime, he was ostracized by his community, where he lived a solitary life with only one friend - the strange and troublesome Wallace Stringfellow. Although Silas escaped the area for several years following the girl's disappearance, he ends up back in town as the constable.

When another young woman goes missing, Larry is immediately under suspicion, and when he is almost fatally attacked, everyone (but Silas) assumes he had it coming. Silas does a little investigating on his own, knowing that Larry is not a murderer, as Silas has a little secret from that night long ago...

This is a quiet novel with memorable characters and enough intrigue to keep me interested. Overall, there were more questions left unanswered than answered - the author did offer some quick and dirty explanations behind some of the mysteries; however the final result, although satisfying, felt a little rough around the edges.

Long Drive Home by Will Allison

2011-09-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

Will Allison's second book, after his debut What You Have Left details the catastrophic effects one small split-second decision can have on life.

Written in part as a letter to the main character's daughter, the book centers around Glen, an accountant who works from home and serves as his six year-old daughter's primary caregiver while his wife, Liz commutes to the city for her job as a banker. During a routine drive home from school, Glen, with daughter Sara in the backseat, pretends that he is going to turn in front of a reckless driver, causing an accident with fatal results. When he realizes no one else witnessed the accident, he quickly fashions a version of the truth that absolved him from all guilt.

Things quickly spiral out of control as Glen perpetuates the lie with his wife, his daughter, a police detective, even the victim's mother leading to unintended consequences that Glen never imagined.

This psychological drama builds tension effectively, demonstrating how such a simple act can lead to devastating results, causing the reader to ponder the significance of other small acts - how close have we all been to being in Glen's shoes? This is a short, but definitely thought-provoking novel. If you are looking for an uplifting story, however, this one is not for you!

Nerd Alert! Simon Pegg's Autobiography

2011-09-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

Even if you are not a fan of Simon Pegg, chances are you've seen in him in one of his movies - Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Run Fatboy, Run and, most recently, Paul. As a particular fan of his work, I was super-excited to see that he had written an auto-biography, but hesitant because the vast majority of biographies that I have read usually turn me off of that person. Happily, this is not one of those. Pegg has written a poignant, sweet, and funny tale of his life thus far.

Born into a middle-class family in western England, Pegg's mother was an amateur actress and his father a musician, so his creative apple didn't fall far from the tree. Growing up in the 1970's and 80's, he details his triumphs and tragedies, first loves and bromances, and throughout it all his adoration of science fiction and other nerdy pursuits. He even includes the autobiography he WISHED he could write, interspersed with the factual accounts, detailing his superhero-like prowess, rugged handsomeness and robotic sidekick.

I don't believe this book will broaden Pegg's appeal beyond those who are already fans - but if you are interested in reading more about him and his background, give this bio a try.

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

2011-08-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

This story of whimsy, friendship and secrets is a perfect read to cozy up to this fall. Set in Walls of Water, North Carolina, the book is based around the seemingly different lives of Willa Jackson and Paxton Osgood. Willa was the quiet prankster in high school, who only returned to her hometown following the death of her father and after the demise of her marriage; Paxton, of the prominent Osgood family, is a community leader who still lives with her parents and is spearheading the renovation of an old, decrepit mansion that at one time belonged to Willa's ancestors.

When a skeleton is unearthed under the peach tree on the renovation site, Paxton and Willa unwillingly come together to solve a mystery that involves both of their grandmothers, who, were the best of friends at one time until a change in fortune that saw Willa's grandmother going to work for the Osgoods as a maid. While both grandmothers are still living, Willa's suffers from dementia and Paxton's from sassiness that make it difficult for the women to string together the events that led to the mysterious skeleton.

Sarah Addison Allen writes an enchanting tale that has a little something for everyone - romance, intrigue, humor, history, murder - even ghosts. Small town history and secrets are always a hit with me...and, as always, if you are a sucker for a happy ending, you will enjoy this latest offering from Allen.

Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell

2011-08-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

I've said it before and I will say it again: I cannot get enough of this author! In this particular book, her most recent, she takes on the history of Hawaii from it's first known contact with white men through the annexation of Hawaii as a United States territory. Part of Vowell's brilliance lies in her ability to take a topic that I never realized I was interested in and present it in a fun yet educational manner.

Focusing primarily on the effect that New England missionaries and their prodigies had on the islands and their people, Vowell examines the implications of the culture clashes on both the ancient and contemporary Hawaii. Her irreverent style of writing and ability to see beyond the black and white history in order to present a subject through her very unique perspective are gifts that not many non-fiction writers possess. If you are even a little bit interested in history, Hawaii, or just looking for a quick way to feel smarter, give Sarah Vowell a try.

Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos

2011-08-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

The Jones siblings have had a unique upbringing - growing up in a very small town in Nebraska which still retained the strong Welsh traditions of its ancestors - not to mention the fact that their mother was carried away by a tornado and never found. Larken, the oldest has grown up to be an art professor who uses food to build a wall between herself and others; Gaelen is a handsome weather man whose hobby is women; and Bonnie, the youngest has remained in tiny Emlyn Springs working a series of odd (and often unsuccessful) jobs.

When they are called back home following the lightning-strike death of their father, they are forced to come to terms with each other, with their past and most importantly with their future. As they circle together around their common-law stepmother, Viney, they must grapple with their demons before they can move on with their lives.

This family drama is chock full of description and has a little bit of everything going on - dead ancestors, tornadoes (not just one, TWO tornadoes,) adultery, miracles, and even murder. It is a dense and ambitious book - perhaps a bit too ambitious for some light summer reading! The town is a character in its own right, and a tiny bit creepy one at that. Anyone who enjoys family dramas mixed with some ethereal story lines should enjoy this book.

Breaking Night by Liz Murray

2011-07-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

Author Liz Murray is an amazing individual - emerging from extreme poverty and a situation most would consider hopeless, she has pulled herself up and out of a vicious cycle into a life meaningful not only to her, but to countless others worldwide.

Her story was first told via the Lifetime movie, "Homeless to Harvard," so the reader may already have a general idea of what she has endured in her young life. However, the book takes a much more in-depth look at the numerous issues Liz and her sister Lisa dealt with as children and young adults. The book is stuffed full of just about any dysfunction a person can think of - drug abuse, homelessness, child molestation, etc. - and is very difficult to read much of the time, especially when you consider that you are reading about a child that is going through all of these things.

Ultimately (and obviously) Liz breaks free from the restraints that have been placed upon her, goes back to high school and is accepted into Harvard. The rest, they say, is history. In Liz Murray's case however, it is history in the making. This is an inspirational story of forgivesness, strength, survival and overcoming. Stick with this one, it is worth the while!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2011-07-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

This is a little book with a great big title and an even bigger heart. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is an unusual tale, told in the form of correspondence between numerous characters.

Juliet Ashton, who writes a human interest column in World War II London, is looking for a new project. The war is over, London is beginning to rebuild, and her column is played out. One day, out of the blue, she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams, a resident of the isle of Guernsey, who spotted Juliet's name in a book. Juliet becomes intrigued by Dawsey's mention of the "Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," which was formed in order to prevent the members (who were violating curfew) from being arrested by the German soldiers who had taken over the island. She asks Dawsey to have anyone interested from the society write to her as well, in the hopes of doing an article on them.

Well, write to her they did - enthralling Juliet with life on the island and tales of coexisting with the German soldiers. Eventually, Juliet decides to visit Guernsey, despite the fervent wishes of her current suitor, the rich and powerful Mark Reynolds, who is looking to solidify their relationship. Will Guernsey spell the end of Juliet and Mark's relationship? Will the island and its people be everything Juliet hoped it would be? Will Juliet's career plans pan out as she hoped? Read this lively little book to find out the answers - you won't be disappointed!

August Book Clubs!

2011-07-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

Our Summer Book Club's next meeting will be Wednesday, August 3rd at 7 p.m. We will be meeting at the Arrowhead Community Center in Channahon, and will be discussing Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos. No registration is required - we'd love to see you there!

Bookies Book Club will be meeting Saturday, August 13th at 10 a.m. at the Minooka Village Hall. Books to be discussed are The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen and The Language of Secrets by Dianne Dixon. Again, no need to register!

All titles are available for checkout at the library!

The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

2011-07-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

Retired teacher Martha lives a solitary, yet she believes, fulfilling life on the farm that she shared with her now-deceased husband. One night, during a wicked storm, her life is altered forever when an odd couple show up on her porch, looking for shelter not only from the storm - but also from the "school" officials from where they had escaped from.

Lynnie and Homan are not only running to hide themselves - but also to hide a newborn baby to which Lynnie had given birth. When the couple is discovered, Buddy escapes into the storm, but Lynnie is taken back into custody, but not before hiding her baby in Martha's attic, hoping that Martha will shelter and care for her until they can be reunited. As Lynnie, who is developmentally disabled, is returned to the School for the Incurable and Feebleminded and Homan, who is hearing impaired, fends for himself in the world, Martha takes little Julia under her wing, becoming a refugee herself as she keeps her promise to Lynnie to hide her baby from the authorities.

This is a story of love, hope and loyalty that spans the ages. It is lovingly written and one of those books I just did not want to put down! Lynnie, Homan and Martha, among others, are such lovable and wonderful characters, you will root for them until the very satisfying conclusion.

Daughters of the Revolution by Carolyn Cooke

2011-06-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

This slim novel takes place during a pivotal time in American history for women's rights and equality - the late 1960's through the 1980's. While the novel jumps around quite a bit, it centers on an exclusive yet struggling New England boys-only prep school and its old-school headmaster.

The headmaster, Goddard Byrd, (who likes to be called "God,")has repeatedly stated that females will be admitted to his school over his dead body, something that anticlimactically comes to pass when a clerical error makes way for Carole Faust to enter the school. Rather than attempting to assimilate to the school and its expectations, Carole challenges God and the rules as often as she can. As EV Hellman and her mother struggle following the untimely death of their dad/husband, a Goode School alumnus, they find themselves also uniquely tied to both the school and its headmaster, not to mention Carole Faust.

This book is not only an interesting microcosm of what went on in the larger world during the unrest of the 60's and 70's, it can easily be applied to the economic conditions in our country today. It is a witty, well-written and thought-provoking story, and one that we can all relate to on one level or another.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter: Kim Edwards

2011-06-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

The Memory Keeper's Daughter begins in 1964 with two of the main characters, David and Norah Henry, having their first child. Caused by a combination of inclement weather and an unavailable doctor, David, an orthopedic surgeon, is forced to deliver his own, healthy son. However, when his wife unexpectantly delivers a second baby, David immediately recognizes that his son's twin has Down's Syndrome and makes a difficult decision that changes the course of his, Norah's, and their son's lives. Feeling he is saving his wife the heartache of raising, and quite possibly burying a child with Down's Syndrome, he tells his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby to a home. He tells his wife that their daughter died. Upon seeing the home, Caroline is unable to leave the child. She keeps and raises her as her own daughter, partly out of the desire to finally start her own family and partly out of her secret love for David.

The story spans from 1964 to 1988 and readers watch as the two children grow up separately and experience the damage that lies, loss, and anger to do to the two separate famililes, so silently bound together. At the end, the readers see both the healing power and the realities of redemptive love and forgiveness.

The concept of the book is what drew me to it. This is a plot different from any I have read before. The presentation, however, is not entirely impressive. Although the characters and relationships are very well-developed, the story drags between long sections divided among the two families. The characters almost seem too well-developed, the familial issues being drilled over and over into readers' heads. Long story short (no pun intended), the story is compelling and well-told, but the author probably could have made her point and a more succinct book in about 75 less pages.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

2011-06-23T12:06:00.000-07:00

Vampires and Witches and Daemon's...oh my! In this imaginative debut novel from non-fiction author Harkness, we are introduced to Diana Bishop, a Yale historian who is a visiting scholar at Oxford University in England, studying ancient alchemy. Oh, and she is also a non-practicing witch, last in the line of a powerful family of witches. In the course of her research she unknowingly calls up a bewitched manuscript, which turns her non-magical life on its ear.

One of the creatures who is drawn to both Diana and this manuscript is Matthew Clairmont, a smoldering yet ice-cold vampire who immediately stakes his claim on the witch, monitors her activities and defends her from the onslaught of magical activity that she has unwillingly instigated. As daemons, witches and other vampires descend upon Oxford, Matthew moves in closer and closer to Diana until their attraction to one another cannot be denied. Not only has the manuscript stirred things up, the burgeoning relationship between a witch and a vampire has also brought further unwanted attention to Diana. Finally, with her life in danger for reasons she does not understand, she takes refuge first at Matthew's ancestral home in France, then back in her upstate New York hometown with her quirky aunt and her partner.

This book is kind of like "Twilight" for grown-ups. It is smartly written, with references to all types of historical figures and works of literature. It is a very dense book - it took me what seemed like forever to finish it - but I enjoyed the journey. If you've read Elizabeth Kostova's "The Historian" this book was highly reminiscent. Best of all, if you enjoy this book and want more (the author does leave one hanging!) she is working on the sequel right now!

The Tower, the Zoo and the Tortoise by Julia Stuart

2011-06-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

Beefeater Balthazar Jones was struggling along living in the Tower of London with his wife while working as a Yeoman Warder in the Queen's service. Since the untimely death of their son, he and his wife, Hebe, have drifted through life and further apart. When he is offered the newly recreated position of "Keeper of the Wild Menagerie," - caretaker of the various animals that have been gifted to the queen over time - he reluctantly agrees despite the fact his only qualification for the job is the fact that he is the most recent caretaker for an ancient tortoise named Mrs. Cook.

As the animals are moved in, Balthazar learns to care for and understand them, and they bring him comfort (particularly the bearded pig,)as his personal life continues to disintegrate. Along the way the reader becomes acquainted with the other cast of characters that reside within the tower walls, in addition to those who Hebe encounters on a daily basis.

This is a quietly sweet and funny tale - there is heartbreak, joy, mirth, triumph and even ghosts. Anyone who enjoys British history or quirky characters will enjoy this unusual book.

July Book Clubs

2011-06-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

What: Summer Book Club
When: Wednesday, July 6th
Where: Arrowhead Community Center, Channahon
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Discussing: The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard

What: Bookies Book Club
When: Saturday, July 9th
Where: Minooka Village Hall
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Discussing: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Breaking Night by Liz Murray

As always the books are available at the library! Hope to see you there!

June Book Clubs!

2011-05-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Join us for our our Book Clubs meeting in June!

Our Summer Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, June 1st, at 7:00 p.m. at the Arrowhead Community Center in Channahon. Our book for discussion will be "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen Simonson.

Bookies Book Club will be meeting on Saturday, June 11th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Minooka Village Hall. Our books for discussion will be "Time of My Life" by Allison Winn Scotch and "You Don't Look Like Anyone I Know" by Heather Sellers.

Copies of all books are available at both library locations. Hope to see you there!

Promise Me by Nancy G. Brinker

2011-05-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

Many of us have heard of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to the issue of breast cancer, but have you ever wondered who Susan G. Komen actually was? This book, penned by Susan's sister, Nancy, provides insight to Susan's life, which ended much too soon, and the events that have transpired since.

Nancy and Susan were brought up in a loving, upper middle-class home in what Brinker calls "the land of milk and honey," or as the rest of the world calls it, Peoria, Illinois. Their mother always stressed the importance of charity, and that one person can make a difference, lessons both girls took to heart as they grew up and made their way into the world. When Susan, a young mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, it was not something that was discussed in polite company, treatment options were limited in her hometown, and, ultimately she passed away of the disease at the age of 36.

Watching her sister and best friend go through a slow and agonizing death, Nancy promised her sister that she would do what she could to improve the lot of other women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, in the hopes that they would not have to suffer as much as Susan. Now living in Dallas, Nancy uses her marketing background and wealthy social connections to build a movement that not only brought breast cancer to the forefront of the public conscience, it has raised millions upon millions of dollars to go towards researching a cure.

This book is a powerful testament to the power of the people - particularly in light of the fact that Nancy herself is a breast cancer survivor. There are several tales of other women's battles with the disease that are very poignant and moving. While the end of the book is too much about Nancy and less about her mission, this is still a worthwhile and important read for anyone who has dealt with breast cancer or is just interested in women's issues.

Audio Book Review by Jennifer

2011-05-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag: Audio-CD

While running away from the class bully and his toady, 5th graders Tommy Crane & Wendy Morgan stumble literally into a dead body, a half-buried woman, with her eyes and mouth glued shut. Their teacher, Anne Navarre, is also pulled into the series of frightening events as she tries to help her students deal with finding a body, the escalating bullying from Dennis Farman, who happens to be the son of a police officer, the possibility of a serial killer hunting young women in the small town, her relationship with her father and a new romance on the horizon. Tony Mendez, one of the local detectives, calls in FBI agent Vince Leone, a pioneer in profiling which is still a newer technique in 1985.

After another woman goes missing and everyone circles around and around the small group of local suspects, mostly including the parents of the children who discovered the first body. As a thriller, this book really does pull you in. As I listened, I could not decide for sure who the killer was. Red herrings are thrown out every time you decide on a definite suspect. I was intrigued by most of the main characters, with few exceptions, even the suspects are likeable. A few of the characters feel as if they are just there to ‘be there’, but most of them are filled out enough to be believable. One of the most interesting things about this book is the point of view from the children’s eyes, the inner workings of their families from the inside, rather than the public face, the ‘perfect family’.
I often found myself sitting in my car in my driveway, listening to the last bit of chapter, only to find the next part just as exciting and then having to force myself to stop listening. This is not a read for everyone, though. There are some graphic descriptions and foul language. A few of the loose ends are not wrapped up as neatly as I would have liked, but on the plus side, there is a sequel, so perhaps they will be wrapped up there! The next book in this series is Secrets to the Grave.

Bookies on Saturday!!!

2011-05-10T12:42:00.001-07:00

Please join us at the Minooka Village Hall on Saturday, May 14th to discuss Catfish and Mandala by Andrew X. Pham and Promise Me by Nancy Brinker. We will meet at 10:00 a.m.

Our books for June, which will be available at the meeting are You Don't Look Like Anyone I Know by Heather Sellers and The Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch.

Hope to see you there!

Summer Book Club Debuts This Week!

2011-05-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Three Rivers Library and Channahon Park District are partnering to bring an additional book club to our community. We will meet for the first time on Wednesday, May 4th, at 7 p.m. at the Arrowhead Community Center in Channahon.

We will be discussing the book Annabel by Kathleen Winter and will be passing out the book for our next discussion, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson to anyone with a valid library card.

If you are not able to make it but would still like to read the book for June, you may stop by either of our locations and pick up a copy at your convenience. We look forward to seeing you there!

I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuilaish

2011-04-28T16:46:00.000-07:00

"Our politicians bicker about who said what and who will recognize whom and then change their minds when a new slate of officials is eleted. All this while babies die from malnutrition, mothers bleed to death in childbirth, and an old lady with cancer is held up at the Erez Crossing because someone is trying to teach someone else a lesson." (126)

Izzeldin Abuelaish's memoir is passionately written but dense, especially for someone like me, who is not deeply educated in the conflicts between Palestine and Israel. Abuelaish makes a sincere effort to educate the reader on issues of Israeli-Palestinian conflict but comes off dry and mainly informative at times.

More specifically, though, he writes about the plight of the people living in the Gaza Strip. People who do not have access to running water every day, enough food to feed their families, adequate medical care or even the freedom to leave the strip of their own accord. He uses his own family as an example of the suffering, most notably through the description of the deaths of his three daughters and niece from an Israeli bombing.

Through his explanation of life and events in the Gaza Strip, he does make the human aspect of the issue shine despite the slow political explanations, which, I think, is the main point of the book. His plight does not have so much to do with the religious or political issues but the human aspect asserting that we are all, innately, the same...human. We all, at our core, have the same wants, needs, and desires and should treat one another with this understanding and respect. Hate and revenge only beget more hate and revenge and accomplish nothing aside from tearing families apart and hurting people.

"Judging others without knowing anything about them is what causes tension, apprehension, distrust, and prejudice. This is a big mistake. We need to be open-minded enough to want to get to know each other...By knowing one another on a personal level, we can begin to respect each other's differences, but more important, we can begin to see how truly similar we are." (229)

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

2011-04-26T16:35:00.001-07:00

With the movie version of this book being released soon, I thought it was time for me to delve into a little chick lit reading to determine how it might stack up with the film.

Something Borrowed follow the basic Chick Lit formula - single, professional woman suffering from relationship troubles. The woman in question, Rachel, is turning 30. Rather than the husband and children she anticipated having by this stage in her life, she remains not only single, but with no contenders on the horizon. This all changes, however, when she and her best friend's fiance take a little detour after her 30th birthday party, ending up in a very compromising position.

While she realizes that Dex is a great guy and one of her very good friends, she does not even consider the possiblity that he might be seriously interested in her - plus, after all, he is engaged to her best friend, the gorgeous Darcy. When she discovers that Dex does have feelings for her, she realizes that she reciprocates those feelings, and they begin a romantic relationship in spite of Dex and Darcy's continued engagement. How will this situation be resolved? Will Dex follow his heart and choose Rachel? Will Darcy discover the illicit relationship? Will Rachel ever find happiness? Anyone who has read any kind of Chick Lit probably knows the answer to those questions, but it's still worth the quick read to find out!

Fancy Pants by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

2011-04-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

This is not your typical romance novel, although the "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back" element is certainly there. Our main characters, Francesca Day and Dallie Beaudine, are like oil and vinegar, or so it seems at first. Francesca, or Fancy Pants as Dallie "fondly" calls her, a member of the British upper class finds herself down on her luck. She heads to America for a great opportunity that turns out not to be so great and results in Franny walking down the road in a Scarlett O'Hara dress. Enter Dallie, a not-quite-professional golfer, and his caddy Skeet who stop to pick Franny up and give her a ride. These characters are richly developed and very likeable. It's not the "fast read" of a typical romance, but well worth the investment of time to get these characters.

The best thing is, if you like Dallie and Franny, they make cameo appearances in Lady Be Good by the same author.

Little Princes by Conor Grennan

2011-04-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

I was a bit skeptical when I picked up this book - it immediately made me think of Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea - but any concerns that I had were washed away as I lost myself in Grennan's tale of love, perseverance, heartbreak and self-discovery in Nepal.

When Conor Grennan decided to leave his job to travel around the world, he felt a little self-indulgent, so he made arrangements to volunteer at an orphanage in Nepal for a couple of months at the start of his trip. Plus, being a young single man, he figured the ladies would swoon over his obvious selflessness and sensitivity. He had no idea that his experiences in Nepal would be a life-changing event.

What Conor discovers during his brief stay in Nepal is that he cannot stay away. He returns a year later and becomes even more involved in the lives of the "orphans," who he discovers are not actually orphans. He discovers that they are the victims of a child trafficker and most, if not all, of their parents might still be alive. This leads him on an unlikely and unforgettable adventure into the Himalayas in search of the parents of the children.

What I like about this book is that it is so eminently readable. Grennan is a likable and self-effacing character, and his story is so inspirational. While there might be other more well-known stories of white-man-does-good-in-third-world-country, this one about reuniting families against near-impossible odds will stay with me. It truly demonstrates how one person, armed with a goal, good intentions and a heart can accomplish miracles.

More Books Into Movies

2011-04-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

Some great books are being features as movie releases during the month of April - here is a sampling:

"Soul Surfer" starring AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid. Based on the book of the same title by Bethany Hamilton and Rick Bundschuh with Sheryl Berk. True inspirational story of a young woman who survived a shark attack. Rated PG.

"The Conspirator" starring James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Kevin Kline, Evan Rachel Wood and Tom Wilkinson. Thriller based on "The Assassin's Accomplice: Mary Surratt and the Plot to Kill Abraham Lincoln," by Kate Clifford Larson. Rated PG-13.

"Game of Thrones" starring Sean Bean, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey and Mark Addy. This HBO series is based on the book series, "A Song of Ice and Fire," by George R.R. Martin. Not rated.

"Water for Elephants" starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson and Christopher Waltz. From the book of the same title - and also one of my all-time favorites, by Sara Gruen. PG-13.

Ape House by Sara Gruen - Book on CD!

2011-04-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

This book certainly wasn’t anything that I normally would have picked up. The cover is a little bland, mostly blue sky and trees, although at the bottom there is a fence of sorts and a tiny monkey-like face is peeking over. I didn’t see the monkey face at all when I picked up this book on CD from the library. I was simply looking for something to listen to right away since I had finished my previous book. I don’t usually care much for ‘chick lit’ type books, which is what I judged this to be simply by the cover. I was wrong. Ape House was so much more. As the book went on, I became more and more involved in the story until I felt like I was waiting on the edge of my seat for the next climax in the story.

Isabel Duncan is an ape researcher in Kansas who has been working with a group of Bonobos (small chimps), teaching them American Sign Language. She is engaged to Peter, director of the Great Apes Language Lab where the Bonobos are being studied. Later, we learn that Peter is a cad and there is a break up (thankfully, Peter is not a very interesting character, at least until later on, although he never really ‘fills out’ much). John Thigpen is a newspaper reporter who has just met the apes and interviewed Isabel. He's married to Amanda. She's a failing novelist who has written one book that didn't do very well. Amanda starts out as a very interesting character, yet soon becomes an annoyance with her extreme self-conscious behavior that, for me, took away from the heart of the story nearly every time she appeared after her initial introduction.

The ape lab gets blown up. The Bonobos escape and it is unknown what exactly has happened to them. Isabel is badly hurt and requires reconstructive surgery. Meanwhile, John is reassigned to another story, while his arch-nemesis, a female reporter named Cat, steals the ape story out from under him. The apes are sold to a porn producer to be used in a reality TV show called Ape House.

John and Isabel individually move all over the place, at times annoyingly close to reconnecting. Amanda moves to L.A. to work as a script writer, while John is assigned to ‘Urban Warrior’ column, which provides a few laughs for the listener. Isabel is glued to the TV watching the apes and trying to figure out how to get them back. Eventually John relocates to L.A. to be closer to Amanda and takes a job with a tabloid that reassigns him to the ape story, which has since become the center of attention everywhere due to the apes nonstop sexual antics right on television (for bonobos, this is natural.)

It takes Isabel & John a long time to reconnect with each other, but when they finally do, the story (finally) kicks it up a notch. The last section of the story moves fast and the anticipation is high. I was very satisfied with the ending, although I wish that there had been more with the apes overall. That was the part I most enjoyed listening to, the apes interacting with each other and with the few humans around them. As I was writing, I realized that this book is by the same author as Water for Elephants, which I loved, of course! It is nice to see an author follow up a great book with another. Sarah Gruen knows how to write a realistic voice for animals. It doesn’t seem fake or Disney-fied when the animals ‘talk’ in her stories. It makes you look differently at your own pets or animals you see at the zoo, to wonder what they are thinking and feeling, even more than you normally would. Because I didn’t think this book was one I would like, judging by the cover only, I didn’t pay any attention to the author. Just goes to show that the old idiom of ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ is true!

This Mystery Series Has It All!

2011-04-08T13:53:00.000-07:00

If you haven't read Julia Spencer-Fleming's excellent Rev. Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series, this is definitely one not to miss! The seventh book of the series, One Was a Soldier, is due out April 12th - but, don't start with this one. This is a series you definitely want to read in order.

Set in the fictional Adirondack village Miller's Kill, New York, Clare first comes to town as the new Episcopalian minister in the first book of the series, In the Bleak Midwinter. Here she is introduced to the sheriff, Russ. Clare is not your typical minister - not only is she a female, she is also a tough-as-nails former Army helicopter pilot. Russ, also a former army soldier, is the wizened married lawman of his hometown.

The two first come together to solve the mystery of an abandoned baby that is left at Clare's church, become friends who share a growing attraction to one another, and become a formidable team in solving the rash of crimes that go on in their little community. One aspect of the series that is very interesting is the different perspectives the two main characters come from in investigating the crimes - Clare from a sociological perspective, and Russ from a law enforcement perspective. Despite the fact that Clare is a reverend, this is not a cozy mystery series.

Here are the books in order:

1. In the Bleak Midwinter
2. A Fountain Filled with Blood
3. Out of the Deep I Cry
4. To Darkness and to Death
5. All Mortal Flesh
6. I Shall Not Want
7. One Was a Soldier

Annabel

2011-04-04T12:30:00.000-07:00

I love reading new authors! Kathleen Winter has become my new favorite with her book, Annabel. The story takes place in Labrador in the late 1960's. Wayne is born into a world were the roles of men and women are clearly defined. Unfortunately, the little baby is born as a hermaphrodite. His father, Treadway and a doctor decide the baby should be raised as a boy named Wayne. Wayne's mother, Jacinta mourns the daughter that she wanted, while Treadway attempts to teach Wayne all that a father should teach his son. As Wayne grows up he knows that he is more feminine than masculine and is accepting of that fact. Jacinta recognizes this and quietly nurtures Wayne's feminine side, Annabel.

This is a wonderful story of personal growth for all of the characters. It is a story of acceptance and unconditional love!

House of Prayer No. 2

2011-04-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Mark Richard gives us a thoughtful and provoking gaze into his spiritual awakening in his memoir, House of Prayer No. 2.

Born with a physical ailment in his hips, Richard is operated on and bedridden frequently during childhood, only to be told that he will be wheelchair-bound by the age of 30. Written in second person, you immediately feel as withdrawn and disconnected with the people around him as Richard does growing as a "special" child in the South.

In the book, Richard takes us along on his life journey while he experiences the horrors of the Children's Hospital he is operated in and dabbles in a multitude of occupations on his way to becoming a writer and, lastly, finding God. We are with him as he searches for meaning in his life as a deckhand, photographer and journalist (along with a slew of other jobs). We travel with him as he stands up to his abusive father in protection of his mother and sister. And we celebrate with him as he achieves his dream of becoming a writer, builds a life with his wife and sons, and achieves some spiritual clarity, realizing his call in life.

Oddly enough, the second person writing that makes us feel so disconnected in the beginning of the book ends up making us feel the complete opposite by the end of the book. As Richard finds more clarity and meaning in his life, it seems we, as the readers, develop a closeness with the meaningful people and events in his life. Richard's writing is warm in some places and witty in others, making the overall experience of reading his life an enjoyable one.

*NEW* Book Club

2011-03-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

Three Rivers Library and the Channahon Park District are collaborating to bring a new book discussion group to the Chanooka area! We will be reading works of fiction and meeting once a month to discuss. Here are the details:

What: Book Discussion Group
When: First Wednesday of the month, May through August
Where: Arrowhead Community Center, Channahon
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Books: May 4th - Annabel by Kathleen Winter
June 1st - Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
July 6th - The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard
August 3rd - Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos

Books will be available for checkout at the meetings for everyone with a valid library card – prior to the May 4th gathering, please stop by either the Channahon or Minooka library to pick up a copy of Annabel. For more information, please call Laurie at (815) 467-1600.

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

2011-03-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

Moloka'i is the poignant tale of a young girl who is diagnosed with leprosy in the late 1800's, and sent to the leper colony on the island of Moloka'i, in the Hawaiian islands. Rachel Kalama is the baby of her close knit family. Growing up in Honolulu, the world is her playground, until one day an odd wound is discovered on her leg - her mother is able to keep it covered up, and warns the children not to tell anyone about it. One day, Rachel and her sister Sarah get into a knock-down, drag 'em out fight, and Sarah calls Rachel a "dirty leper" during the midst of it. The health inspector is waiting for Rachel when she gets home. She is removed from her family and taken to a hospital for testing, ultimately ending up at the leper colony on Moloka'i, far removed from friends and family.

Due to the extreme toll leprosy seemed to take on the Hawaiian natives and the lack of knowledge of communicable diseases, the Moloka'i settlement was created so that lepers would not be spreading their illness to others. What was not taken into account was the effect this isolation had on the patients' emotional and mental well-being. Despite the fact Rachel's uncle and girlfriend were already living on the island, Rachel had to move into a boarding school for girls, run by nuns. Here, Rachel grows into a young woman, forging relationships with both other patients and nuns that will span a lifetime. The book follows the course of her life - her loves, her losses, her triumphs and her defeats. Despite being banished to a remote island due to her illness, Rachel manages to live a full and satisfying life.

I do not want to give too much away, as I want you to fall in love with Rachel yourself, as I did. She is a strong and incorrigible spirit who fights for what and who she believes in. Despite being handed the equivalent of a death sentence when banished to Moloka'i, Rachel chooses life and love over death and misery. She refuses to be defined by her illness. Not only was Rachel's tale inspiring, the story of Moloka'i - a real place - was also intriguing. This book is a fine work of historical fiction, mixing just the right amount of fact with fiction, and I look forward to reading Brennert's latest, Honolulu.

Sarah Vowell - The Barnes & Noble Review

2011-03-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Sarah Vowell is one of my favorite non-fiction authors. Her books cover American history, politics and culture, but with her unique brand of observation and humor, are anything but dusty and dull.

Her newest effort, Unfamiliar Fishes, which details the United States' annexation of Hawaii, has just been released (and is available through Three Rivers Library.) Here is a short review of her new book, as well as a few of Sarah's favorite go-to books.

Sarah Vowell - The Barnes & Noble Review

Sarah was also interviewed by Jon Stewart this week on The Daily Show:

The Daily Show - Sarah Vowell
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

April Bookies Book Club

2011-03-25T07:37:00.000-07:00
With April finally just around the corner - my, it's been a long winter - we can finally emerge from hibernation and look forward to warmer days ahead. Please join us for our April Book Club, where we will discuss Moloka'i by Alan Brennert and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. Both books are available at the Minooka Library.

Bookies will meet on Saturday, April 9th @ 10:00 a.m. at the Minooka Village Hall. Hope to see you there!

Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell

2011-03-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

Sarah Vowell is a history nerd, and proud of it. Her fascination with the premature deaths of three American presidents who have been assassinated is the topic of this 2006 book and, despite what you might be thinking about such a topic, is incredibly both informative and entertaining!

Vowell has the unique gift of being able to bring the reader into the scene as she hunts down the well-known and not-so-well-known sites where grisly presidential history has taken place. Her road trip (ironic because she herself does not drive and she must entice her friends to take her,) takes her all over the U.S. in search of a piece of presidential assassination pie.

Her ability to put a human face on not only Lincoln, but the lesser-known James Garfield and William McKinley (I've learned much about both,) is a testament to her ability as a writer. Her irreverent sense of humor, wry observations and talent in interacting with and interpreting the events of our past ensure that the reader will enjoy every minute of this educational and interesting book.

The Night Season by Chelsea Cain

2011-03-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

Chelsea Cain's latest entry, her fourth, in the Archie Sheridan detective series does not disappoint. With serial killer Gretchen Lowell behind bars once again, Archie has slowly begun the physical and emotional healing process, and is back on the job at the Portland, Oregon Police Department with reporter Susan Ward at his side.

The city is undergoing the worst flooding it has seen in decades, and several people have drowned as a result - until the medical examiner discovers that the deaths were actually the result of a mysterious toxin only found in a rare type of octupus. The authorities are baffled by the clues they have to work with, until even one of their own falls victim to the serial toxin.

As Archie and his team tirelessly follow any and all leads, they are in a race against time as Portland's flooded streets become more and more dangerous and their colleague struggles to hang on. Will they be able to locate the source of the poisonous octopus and stop the killer before he strikes again? Will Susan piece together the historical clues from the vanished community of Vanport, washed away 50 years earlier in an earlier flood?

Chelsea Cain does a marvelous job in her first book where Gretchen Lowell is not a major player - she nicely ties in the historical back story with the contemporary crises. As always, her books are so well written, she keeps the action humming right along, and in this case, two mysteries are solved by the end of the book while the friendship between Archie and Susan deepens.

March Books Into Movies

2011-03-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

This month sees a plethora of movies being released that are based on literary works. Here is a taste of what to expect - just remember the old adage, "Never judge a book by its movie!"

"The Adjustment Bureau" starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Suspenseful flick based on the short story "The Adjustment Team," by Philip K. Dick. Rated PG-13.

"Beastly" starring Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgeons, Mary-Kate Olsen and Neil Patrick Harris. This modern-day fairytale is based on the book of the same name by Alex Finn. Rated PG-13.

"Jane Eyre" This new version of the classic gothic romance stars Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, and the always excellent Judi Dench. From the book by Charlotte Bronte. Rated PG-13.

"Kill the Irishman" Based on the true story of Danny Green, an Irish mobster in 1970's Cleveland. Starring Ray Stevenson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken. Based on the book, TO KILL THE IRISHMAN: The War That Crippled the Mafia by Rick Porrello. Rated R.

"Mars Needs Moms" featuring Joan Cusack and Dan Fogler. Digital 3-D based on MARS NEEDS MOMS! by Berkeley Breathed. Rated PG.

"Little Red Riding Hood" starring Amanda Seyfried and Gary Oldman in this dark retelling of the classic fairytale. Rated PG-13.

"Limitless" starring the always scrumptious Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish and Robert De Niro. This thriller is based on the book THE DARK FIELDS by Alan Glynn and is rated PG-13.

"The Lincoln Lawyer" boasts a star-studded cast, including Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei and Ryan Phillippe. This legal thriller is based on the novel by the same name by best-selling author Michael Connelly. Rated R.

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules" is the second movie based on the super-popular children's series by Jeff Kinney. Zachary Gordon, Steve Zahn and Rachael Harris all return for more wimpy fun! Rated PG.

Bookies Book Club!

2011-03-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

Bookies will be meeting Saturday, March 19th at the Minooka Village Hall from 10-12 p.m. We will be discussing The History of Love by Nicole Krauss and Henry's Sisters by Cathy Lamb.

As an extra special treat, we will be speaking with Cathy Lamb by phone during our discussion! As always, copies of our next books will be available for pickup. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Suck on This Year by Denis Leary

2011-01-11T13:28:00.000-08:00

Chances are, if you are a Denis Leary fan, you will enjoy this book. It basically is a compilation of his "best" tweets of 2010, so if you follow him on Twitter or Facebook, you've probably already read most of these. If not, many of Leary's usual targets make an appearance, such as the Catholic Church, Lindsey Lohan, Sarah Palin, etc.

That being said, this is a book of Twitter updates - so 140 characters or less - with one update per page (@ 112 pages,) equals a really, really super fast read! Leary himself calls this more of a pamphlet than an actual book. If you are looking for something that will make you laugh, think and maybe get a little angry that you can read in about 10 or 15 minutes, this is the book for you! A percentage of monies from the purchase of this book goes to the Leary Firefighters Foundation as well.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

2011-01-09T12:53:00.000-08:00

Ishmael Beah was a 12-year old boy growing up in his village in Sierra Leone when his world was shattered forever by civil war. After fleeing the area for safer ground, he and a group of boys his age survived by roaming the countryside under the radar of both the rebel front and the army, while scavenging or stealing whatever food they could. Eventually, his luck runs out and he is "recruited" by the army, where he is drugged, brainwashed, and molded into a trained killer.

The life Ishmael leads as a soldier is difficult to read about, especially knowing that he is a young boy perpetrating and witnessing unspeakable horrors on other human beings. He is a leader among his peers and gains his lieutenant's attention with both his soldiering abilities and his love of Shakespeare. At the age of 15, he and a handful of his compatriots are removed from the front and taken to a rehab center sponsored by UNICEF, where he eventually overcomes his drug addiction, begins the healing process and is welcomed into his uncle's home as a son. When he is selected to travel to New York for a United Nations conference on children and war, it is a trip that again changes his life.

This book, while heartbreaking, is an important and eye-opening look at the realities of life for children and families around the world. Ishmael was so fortunate - many of his friends returned to the war after rehab because they had nowhere else to go. While this is a book about war and the damage it causes, it is also a testament to love and hope of a better way. This is a book I would highly recommend to both adults and high school students - it is a story that will stay with them long after they have finished reading.

The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright

2010-12-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

I consider myself to be a fast reader - that is, I can speed through most books at a decent pace while still comprehending what it is that I am reading. Rarely, if ever, have I made it through a book as quickly as I did The Wednesday Letters, which, at the very least, was a mercifully quick read. The speed at which I was able to read, however is indicative of the overall depth of both the story and characters.

The premise of this book is sweet and promising - a husband and wife pass away together, drawing their three grown children back home. As the children deal with the loss of their parents, they discover boxes and boxes of letters that their father wrote to their mother every - wait for it - Wednesday - during their life together. Together, the kids discover a family secret that none of them could have guessed. Amazingly, the plot surrounding the devastating revelations and sub-plots are all neatly wrapped up on one whirlwind weekend of mourning.

I do not want to include any spoilers in case anyone would like to give this book a try - to be fair, it did receive a positive review from Publishers Weekly, and lots of people on Amazon reviewed it glowingly as well. From my perspective, this book was offensive to women, overly didactic, and completely lacking in any sort of character development or logical plot evolution. I would be interested in hearing other reader's takes on this particular title, however, and am REALLY looking forward to our book club discussion on it!

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

2010-12-03T10:57:00.000-08:00

Like so many women of a certain age, one of my favorite books growing up was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Jo March was and always will be a heroine of mine, and Louisa and Jo, in my mind, were one and the same.

Author Kelly O'Connor McNees, also a fan of Little Women and Louisa May Alcott, took the opportunity to do some research and create a fictionalized account of one of Louisa's summers of which little to no documentation survives. We were fortunate enough to have Ms. McNees join us at the Minooka Branch, where she provided a reading from the book, answered questions from the audience and signed copies of her book.

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott takes place during the summer that Alcott's family spent in Walpole, New Hampshire, when Louisa was 22 years old. During the course of the summer, in this fictionalized account of her life, Louisa falls in love. McNees deftly weaves her story in with fact, producing a hopeful yet very human heroine. This is a bittersweet and nostalgic book that I would highly recommend to any fans of Alcott, historical fiction or romance.

Check out the very wonderful and lovely Kelly O'Connor McNees at her website as well:

http://kellyoconnormcnees.com/

The Immmortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

2010-12-03T10:02:00.000-08:00

Recently recognized as one of the best books of the year by Amazon.com, Oprah, NPR, and the New York Times, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, will take you on a journey that fascinate, infuriate and educate.

Henrietta Lacks tragically lost her life at the hands of an aggressive cervical cancer back in 1951, made even more tragic by the fact that she was the mother to five young children at the time. What no one in her family knew then, or for the next 20 years, is that doctors harvested some of her cancer cells while she was still alive (without her knowledge or consent,) and these cells have been crucial to breakthroughs in medical science ever since - in curing polio, studying how cancer grows, learning how viruses spread, just to name a few applications - Henrietta's cells even went into space.

While Henrietta's cells continued to multiply, her family floundered. Struggling to get by, often ironically lacking basic medical coverage, her family continues to have trust issues with medical facilities and personnel. While Henrietta's cells have generated billions of dollars for some, none of this has gone to her family. Not only is this book an amazing story of human life and incredible science, it also addresses the ethical and moral issues surrounding our bodies and ownership of such.

Author Rebecca Skloot, who spent ten years writing this book and gaining the Lacks' family's trust, does an amazing job of combining the scientific with the personal. This is narrative non-fiction at its best.

Book Clubs!

2010-11-20T10:10:00.000-08:00

Looking for a book discussion group?

We currently have 2 at the Three Rivers Library! The Read a Movie Book Club meets the last Wednesday of the month at the Minooka Branch building, and Bookies Book Club, held in conjunction with the Village of Minooka, meets the second Saturday of the month at Minooka Village Hall.

We'd love to see you at our next meeting!

*Please note the next Read a Movie Book Club will meet January 26, 2011

My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

2010-11-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

Ann Brashares continues to jump successfully from teen to adult fiction in her second adult book, “My Name is Memory.” A mix of romance and fantasy takes readers on a journey across centuries and past lives. Daniel is one of a few people in the world who remembers his past lives, no matter the body he is born into. We hear a firsthand account of Daniel’s journey from sixth-century Africa through eighth-century Turkey to WWI, in almost a detached way, except when it comes to Lucy.
Readers meet Lucy as Daniel pursues her in present day, trying to get her to remember who he is and their lives together. Readers are able to see Daniel’s view of their star-crossed love story as it has developed over time, but Lucy (also known as Sophia in the past) never remembers. Though scared by Daniel’s seemingly insane claims about their lives, prompting Daniel to leave her alone, Lucy slowly and eventually discovers the truth. As the mysteries are unraveled, going back and forth between their two viewpoints, another element of danger in the form of a murderous soul threatens to ruin their current reunion.

I most enjoyed the element of fantasy of this book, which has never been explored thoroughly in the past, shedding a different light on the idea of reincarnation. Brashares does changing viewpoints and romance well, developing characters to care about and a romance to root for. While the book becomes sluggish at some points, the adventure and suspense Brasheres leads up to is worth the wait. “My Name is Memory” is an intriguing start to Brashares' planned trilogy.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

2010-10-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

Every year during Banned Books Week, I make sure and read at least one book that has been challenged or banned...BECAUSE I CAN! This year one of the books I chose was Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Although the book has been around for quite a while (it was first published in 1999,) it made the news this year after a gentleman in Missouri referred to it in an editorial as "soft pornography," and Ms. Anderson's publishing company took out a full page ad in the New York Times to defend their author and the book.

We meet Melinda, a high school freshman, at the beginning of the school year. She is clearly depressed, refuses to talk to anyone (including her parents) unless absolutely necessary, and not only does she NOT have any friends, she has people who hate her so much they torment her. We see the world through Melinda's eyes and it is not a pretty - or safe - place to be.

As the school year continues, we see some small signs of life in Melinda - although she is barely coping, she finds an outlet in her art class. She continues to exist on the fringe of school society as additional clues are presented as to what prompted Melinda to go from a popular and bright student to one who tries to disappear into herself.

Without providing any spoilers, this book is a sensitive and realistic journey into the mind of someone who has been deeply injured. Yet, in spite of the damage, she perseveres. This book deals with heavy subject matter, but one that BOTH teenage boys and girls, sadly, need to be aware. This was Anderson's first novel and it was nominated for a National Book Award. I look forward to reading more of this author.

Bookies Book Club!

2010-09-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

What: Bookies Book Club

When: Saturday, October 9th

10:00 a.m.

Where: Minooka Village Hall Community Room

What We're Discussing: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Second Glance by Jodi Picoult

Hope to see you there!

Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie

2010-09-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

Andie Miller has had 10 years to get over her divorce and her ex-husband, and now that she's getting ready to remarry, she is ready to put the past behind her. While visiting her ex to wrap up some final details, he asks her one last favor - to take over supervision of two orphans in a creepy haunted manor in a remote corner of the world - for which she will be paid enough money to begin her new life debt-free.

When Andie arrives at the home, she is greeted with open hostility by the housekeeper, Mrs. Crumb, and stony indifference by the two children: 12 year-old Carter and 8 year-old Alice. As Andie sets about debunking the ghosts that she keeps hearing about, getting through to the children and getting the house in order, she begins noticing some odd occurrences and strange characters hanging around the house.

The longer Andie spends at the house, the more determined she is to protect and stay with the children, and the more she starts believing in ghosts. Will she be able to protect the children from the malevolent spirits she has seen? Can she convince the children to leave the only home they have known? Will she marry her fiance and live happily ever after?

Jennifer Crusie has penned a spooky and fun story complete with romance, terror, humor and intrigue. Gothic chick lit! While it gets a little messy towards the end with a sudden storm of characters and plot lines, overall, it is still a quick and satisfying easy read.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

2010-09-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Hunger Games is an annual event in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem, one that is required viewing for all inhabitants of the 12 districts of the nation. Each district randomly selects a male and female young adult to represent them in the "game," a brutal contest in which the last person surviving wins. The games were created as a means for the "Capitol" to remind its citizens of their ultimate power and control after an uprising which led to the demise of the area formerly known as District 13.

When Katniss Everdeen's younger sister, Prim, is selected to represent District 12 in the annual game, Katniss wastes no time in volunteering to take her place, knowing this will most likely lead to her own death in the arena. Her participation in the game, along with fellow District 12 participant, Peeta, has repercussions which no one could have predicted.

This three-part series by Suzanne Collins (Underland Chronicles series) is written for a young adult audience; however, the themes, pace, plot and characters ensure this is a worthy read for adults as well. Suspense, danger, and romance all intertwine in this well-written and cleverly done series. These books are page-turners that will keep the readers engaged from the get-go. In fact, Collins is so adept at ending each chapter with a cliffhanger, it is nearly impossible to put the books down.

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

2010-09-09T15:24:00.000-07:00

Growing up, Justin Halpern remembered his father as being a blunt and intimidating figure in his life. Always consistently honest, his father never held back in letting his family know just what was on his mind at any given time. When Halpern suddenly finds himself moving back home at the age of 28, he has the opportunity to view his dad's wisdom from a whole new perspective - and with a fresh sense of appreciation.

With the help of his family and friends, the author set about collecting some of the wit and witticisms of his father over the years, and created a Twitter page to share them with others. What started off as a 140-character-or-less series of tributes to his father evolved into a book deal, and now, a television show.

This is a quick and entertaining read that is also surprisingly sweet. If crass language is a concern, this probably is not the book for you - although language is a problem, something with the word, "Sh*t" in the title is most likely not a serious consideration anyway. The quotes, while liberally peppered with expletives, are both hilarious and honest. In the end, the short vignettes and quotes paint a picture of a dedicated father whose love for his family is both touching and fierce.

To follow Justin Halpern on Twitter, go to: http://twitter.com/Shitmydadsays

The Blessings of the Animals by Katrina Kittle

2010-09-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

Camden Anderson has a pretty good life. She's a successful veterinarian, her husband owns and runs a popular restaurant, and they have a high-school age daughter who is smart, loving and responsible. Sure, her marriage has its share of rough patches, but whose doesn't? When she returns one day from a particularly nasty humane society rescue, Cami is completely blindsided by the fact her husband has left her.

Shattered by her sudden life change, Cami struggles to come to terms with the reality of her life, finding solidarity and companionship with an abused horse that she is boarding. Her friends, family and menagerie of pets support her and provide her with all kinds of distractions as she slowly begins the healing process. Cami's strength and ability to forge ahead yet still retain her vulnerability make her a very likable and real character.

This is a lovely story of love, friendship, camaraderie and forgiveness. The majority of the book is told from Cami's point of view, with just a few chapters from some of the other characters, which was interesting. I really appreciated the chapter that was from Cami's husband's perspective - it made him much more of a sympathetic character. This was a very engrossing story, with interesting characters and a plot that isn't rushed and doesn't gloss over the mess of relationships. I plan on checking out additional titles by this author.

He's a Tall, Cool One

2010-09-03T14:20:00.000-07:00

I admit, I am a little biased when it comes to Anthony Bourdain - I love his "No Reservations" television show and have read all of his nonfiction. I find him to be incredibly intelligent, surprisingly insightful and deliriously funny in his writing.

His latest, Medium Raw, picks up where Kitchen Confidential left off - except with an older, wiser and maybe slightly-less confrontational author. Bourdain has definitely matured through the years and this is evident especially when comparing these two books together. His chapter that he dedicates to his daughter is so surprisingly sweet yet still incredibly funny. The initial chapter, in which he so lovingly and carefully describes a secret feast featuring an illegal dish is quite unforgettable .

As someone who is NOT a foodie - I do not watch the Food Network, nor do I care about celebrity chefs in general - it surprised me that I find such appeal in Bourdain's work. Anyone who appreciates good writing, interesting characters and does not mind consistently salty language might find a new author to follow in Anthony Bourdain.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

2010-08-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

With the recent release of the movie "Eat, Pray, Love," based on the book of the same name, I felt the need to revisit the 2006 bestseller by Elizabeth Gilbert to see if I had a different opinion a second time around. Sadly, I did not. If anything I found the book more irritating this time around.

I really love the idea of this book - solitary woman picks herself up after a difficult divorce, travels the world over to find herself, and, whoops, falls in love along the way - what's not to like? Well, for one thing, I was hoping for more of a travelogue - how the places and people she visits transform her life and vice versa. Instead it was more of, "look at me in Italy, in India, in Bali." The author seems unable, or unwilling, to look outside of her own narrow view of things long enough to grasp that there are people around her with far greater problems than hers.

Gilbert's journey also lacks credibility, as she is paid a healthy advance to write the story of her travels before she even embarks. Maybe I am a little jealous, but the fact that she's getting paid for all of this self-discovery prior to it even happening sort of sullies the integrity of her story.

I mostly dislike the book because it seems like such a wasted opportunity - Gilbert had a chance to be a heroine and an inspiration to not only women everywhere but anyone who has hit a point in their life where they do not know what direction to go. Rather than using this time to grow as a person and enrich her life and the lives of those around her, she instead chooses to focus more and more on herself and how those around her might assist her in achieving even greater levels of self-involvement.

Overall, despite my negative experience with this particular book, I would still recommend people give it a try - readers I have spoken with have either loved it or hated it, you might be the one who loves it.

Interesting Perspective...

2010-08-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

from two of my favorite authors. See what Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Weiner have to say on the role sexism plays in contemporary author recognition. What do you think?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-pinter/jodi-picoult-jennifer-weiner-franzen_b_693143.html

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

2010-08-08T11:11:00.000-07:00
Setterfield introduces us to Margaret Lea, a biographer and daughter of a London rare bookstore owner. Asked to compose the biography of the dying famous author, Vida Winters, Margaret travels to the novelist’s Yorkshire home to decide if Miss Winters will give her the truth, having fabricated the facts of her life on many occasions. Margaret is not only swept up in the unraveling story of the author, but must also face her own demons as the account brings up painful memories from her own past.

As Miss Winters tells her story, we learn of the Angelfield family, focusing on the attractive Isabelle and her brother Charlie. As Charlie forms an unnatural obsession with his sister, Isabelle goes away and marries, only to return shortly after the death of her husband with twin babies on the way. Adeline and Emmeline are born, and are strongly bonded by wickedness and their secret twin language. As Isabelle is put away in a mental institution and Charlie shuts himself off from the world, a governess is brought in to run the house and control the twins, especially the willful Emmeline. Margaret is drawn deeper into the tale of these girls as she learns about the experimental separation of the twins, a ghost, more than one attempt at murder, a baby and abandonment, and a tragic fire. In Margaret’s determination to verify Miss Winters’ story, she meet Aurelius, who has a story of his own to tell, which connects him with the Angelfield family. The twist in the end of Miss Winters’ story will make readers gasp, as they find out her place in the devastating tale.

Setterfield's book, a Jane Eyre apparent, is written in Gothic Style, complete with mysterious secrets, ghosts and shocking revelations. Even with the slow beginning, the book soon picks up and becomes a hard to put down story. Readers will want to know the answers to the many mysteries Margaret herself is trying to figure out and understand about Miss Winters' past. As she investigates the facts of Miss Winters' story, Margaret and the readers slowly begin to figure out the missing pieces of the intricate and marvelous story of Vida Winters. Setterfield's tale is richly detailed, enjoyable and suspenseful, as she mesmerized me with her dual story of the Angelfield family and Margaret Lea. I was drawn in by the mystery and rich storytelling of this unique tale. A great read!

The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World.

2010-08-02T09:45:00.000-07:00

When three friends who are up-and-coming young professionals in New York City wonder if the corporate fast lane is all it's cracked up to be, they decide there is only one way to find out. Leaving their jobs, their boyfriends and their lives behind, Holly, Amanda and Jen embark on a year-long adventure around the world.

After carefully researching and budgeting, the women begin their quest in South America. From there, they head to various locations in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Some aspects of the trip have been pre-arranged, such as relief work in Africa or studying at an ashram in India, but in between, the women leave themselves open to itinerary changes in an effort to broaden their experiences as much as possible.

As an armchair traveler, I loved reading about the different locations and cultures that the friends visited. Each of the women have a background in journalism, so they each took turns writing their experiences - although I did not really relate personally with any of the authors, the different perspectives were really interesting. This book is both a fascinating travelogue and a study in friendship.

Bookies Book Club

2010-07-31T10:36:00.000-07:00

What: Bookies Book Club
When: Saturday, August 14th
10:00 a.m.
Where: Lion's Park, Minooka
Small Pavilion
Discussing: Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
P.S., I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

Please join us!

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

2010-07-29T09:39:00.001-07:00

Looking for a quick and thrilling read this summer? Give Still Missing by Chevy Stevens a try.

Annie O'Sullivan has a fulfilling life - she is a successful real estate agent, has wonderful friends and adores her boyfriend. She owns a beautiful Victorian home on Vancouver Island which she shares with her loyal dog. Life as she knows it is changed forever when she is abducted from a real estate open house that she is hosting. When she comes to, she discovers she is being held in a tiny cabin that is completely closed off from the rest of the world. Her captor, whom she refers to as, "The Freak," is creepily in control, from the clothes she wears to when she uses the bathroom. His expectations of Annie as his submissive "wife" are quietly terrifying and cringe-inducing. Annie is a fighter, however, and soon learns to read The Freak in an effort to not only stay alive, but also try and get an edge on him.

The book opens with Annie's first meeting with her therapist after the abduction, so right away it is clear that she has survived her ordeal. Told through a series of conversations with her therapist, her story draws the reader in, as she shares her shocking and heartbreaking experiences with The Freak. As she struggles to rebuild her life post-trauma, she also deals with some additional loose ends of her case that result in a stunning conclusion, yet hopeful conclusion. I highly recommend this book!

Rereading Old Favorites

2010-07-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had the experience of reading a book, absolutely loving it, then returning later to read it again, and wonder what you were thinking the first time around? Happily, I did not have that experience with the book, Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen.

One of the selections for this month's Bookies Book Club, Water for Elephants is a romantic story full of intrigue, danger, and circus characters...and who can resist a circus? Told in the form of flashbacks, 90 year old Jacob Jankowski, now a resident of an assisted living facility, recalls his unlikely stint as a vet for a traveling circus during the summer of 1931.

Reeling following the unexpected deaths of his family, Jacob is unable to complete his final exams to obtain his ivy league veterinarian degree and decides to hop a train to escape the nightmare his life had become. As luck would have it, the train he just happened to catch was the Benzini Bros. circus train, and they were thrilled to have a young almost-vet willing to join their crew. Jacob is quickly indoctrinated into the circus, and is soon liked and trusted by both the performers and the working men - no easy feat. When he meets the beautiful Marlena, who just happens to be married to his sometimes charming, sometimes scary boss, he is lost. Rosie the elephant eventually joins the menagerie and Jacob falls for her as well. When the circus owner's unethical practices come back to haunt him, Jacob's life suddenly turns in a whole new direction.

This book is an engrossing and beautifully told story. Gruen has done her research and captures the feel of the traveling circus marvelously. The characters, including Rosie the elephant are multi-dimensional and real. My absolute favorite thing about this book, however is the ending - without including any spoilers, let's just say that I am a sucker for a happy ending, no matter how twisted that might be. A wonderful read that is also being made into a movie of the same title, starring Robert Pattinson as Jacob and Reese Witherspoon as Marlena. It's hard to imagine the movie living up to the book, but I am willing to give it a shot!

Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake

2010-07-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

Set in the 1890's, this story features Lady Sydney Hathwell, who travels from England to America to meet a potential groom. Lady Sydney quickly decides they are not suited to each other. Mr. Hume doesn't care though so Lady Sydney decides to go and meet her American Uncle. The only problem is that when she contacts him, Uncle Fuller mistakenly thinks Sydney is a nephew.

What's a girl with no other options to do? Put on a pair of britches and travel out west to her Uncle's ranch. Some people see right through her masquerade. Some don't which leads to some great adventures, seeing life through the eyes of an almost "man", since Sydney is not quite 18.

This Christian fiction mixes just the right amount of humor, romance and adventure to satisfy a wide variety of readers.

All Over the Map by Laura Fraser

2010-06-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can see by the topic of books I've been reading that I am due for a vacation! My latest is titled, All Over the Map, written by Laura Fraser. She authored an earlier book called, An Italian Affair, which I would recommend reading prior to this one, but it's certainly not mandatory. In the earlier book, Fraser details her post-divorce relationship with a Paris professor, providing the reader a window into her broken heart and slowly-healing self image. It is a lovely little book.

Her latest autobiographical tale begins as she awaits the professor's company in Mexico on yet another romantic travel adventure. When he arrives, he shares some news with her that will end their relationship as she knows it. She leaves Mexico with renewed determination to find love, companionship and security. She undertakes this new mission the only way she knows how - by succumbing to her desire to travel, explore new places and meet new people.

It is on one of these adventures that she unexpectedly becomes a victim - something that shatters her confidence and steals the magic of travel from her. Will she ever be able to recover her love of travel and the nerve to wander on her own? Will she find the love and/or home she is searching for? Fraser is a gifted writer with a wonderful sense of humor. This book is great for any one who seeks love, adventure, and dreams of far off places. Think Eat, Pray, Love but way less self-absorption. Also check out Fraser's website at: http://www.laurafraser.com/

The Kindness of Strangers

2010-06-21T15:25:00.000-07:00

For those of you armchair travelers out there, this is a lovely little book of vignettes, each by a different writer, detailing their widespread and varied travel stories. The vast majority of them are tales of, well, the kindness of strangers.

One of my favorite aspects of traveling to new places is the shared human experiences that occur. It is easy to recognize differences with other cultures; however put me in that culture, and, every time, I am reminded that we have more in common than I could ever imagine. This book is a celebration of interactions, of generosity, and of love. It is especially inspiring to read at a time when more and more polarizing events seem to be taking place in our current affairs. For anyone who dreams of connecting with others and visiting distant lands, this book is a quick but satisfying read.

Play Dead by Ryan Brown

2010-06-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Texas high school football meets zombies in this fun and fast-paced debut from Ryan Brown (son of best-selling author Sandra.)

Cole Logan is not your typical high school quarterback - with a reputation as a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, he is known to test the limits of his coach. When he is brutally attacked by members of the rival team the morning of the big game, he fights for the right to still play. When the coach refuses, Cole walks out on his team. When a stunt perpetrated by the rivals goes horribly wrong, the entire team and coaching staff perishes, except for the head coach. Cole, who witnessed the accident and attempted to rescue his teammates, feels responsible and, along with the coach's pretty and smart daughter, seeks revenge.

While neither zombies nor football are something I would normally seek to read about, I really enjoyed this book. The dialogue is snappy, the plot is outrageous, the bad guys are just so, so bad, there is a romantic sideline, and the whole book is just funny. For those looking for a quick, light and fun read for the summer and who are not bothered by the undead, sexual situations or crude language, this just might fit the bill.

Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines

2010-06-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

In Maines' debut novel, she dreams of a marvelous world where cosmetics giant Carrie Mae not only employs women to sell makeup, but also operates a top-secret arm that works undercover to empower and fight for women's rights around the world. Not only do they hand pick women for this duty, they also outfit them with the most fabulous accessories: poisonous breath spray; blush brush knives; and, tracking device earrings, to name a few.

Nikki Lanier, educated as a linguist but struggling to find gainful employment, falls into the Carrie Mae company at the prodding of her overly-involved mother, and is quickly recruited by one of the upper management of the top-secret portion of the company. Lacking a better option, she undergoes rigorous training in preparation for her first mission - locating and rescuing a missing activist in Thailand. Teamed with an older and much more experienced partner, Nikki is thrown into the world of human trafficking and soon is not sure who she can trust. While the ending of the book is a bit clunky between characters, gadgets and plot, overall this is an entertaining twist on the chick lit genre.

Horns by Joe Hill

2010-06-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

Joe Hill, author of Heart-Shaped Box, and son of horror legend Stephen King, continues to solidify his place among up-and-coming writers with his most recent work, Horns.

Ig Perrish awakens one morning with the mother of all hangovers...not to mention the horns growing out of his head. As he attempts to move through his day, he begins to realize that people aren't as freaked out by the horns as he thinks they should be. Plus, they tell him things that they normally would not tell anyone - secret, dark desires - then cannot remember the conversation or even that they spoke with him. In one such conversation, Ig's brother Terry reveals the who the killer of Ig's former girlfriend is, a crime that the community assumes was committed by Ig. Ig, with horns humming, decides to use his new power to trap the real killer.

Hill continues honing his storytelling abilities in this entertaining and thought-provoking read. He tackles age-old topics such as good vs. evil, what awaits in the afterlife, and what are people really thinking behind their public facades? Is forgiveness always an option? To learn more about this book and Joe Hill, see the widget below.

Horns Widget

2010-06-04T08:03:00.001-07:00

Every Last One by Anna Quindlen

2010-05-19T11:10:00.000-07:00

Mary Beth Latham has a good life. Married with three teenage children, she devotes herself to her family, yet still manages to run a landscaping business on the side. Each of her kids requires something different of her - eighteen year-old Ruby is independent and creative, ready to move on to college; the twins, Max and Alex, are fraternal in every way. Max is quiet and a loner; Alex is a star athlete and popular. Despite all the different needs, schedules and lives, Mary Beth manages to create a happy and secure home for her family.

One night, Mary Beth's world is shattered by one violent, tragic act. As she struggles to recover, she must rediscover what she holds dear while dealing with her staggering loss. While this is a difficult book to read at times, it is also beautifully written. Quindlen is amazing at writing real women characters and relationships. While ultimately an uplifting story, it is a long hard road for both Mary Beth and the reader to reach that point of hopefulness at the end of the book.

Bookies Book Club!

2010-05-11T15:37:00.001-07:00
Join the village of Minooka and Three Rivers Public Library
for our monthly book discussion club! We meet the 2nd Saturday of the month, at 10:00, at Bean Encounters
in Minooka. For the June meeting, we will be discussing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson, Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and Lion's Heat by Lora Leigh. See you June 12th!

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

2010-05-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

This book is written from a unique and frightening perspective - that of an Alzheimer's patient. Author Genova, a first time novelist, holds a PhD. in neuroscience and is active with the National Alzheimer's Association, lending an air of credibility to her work.

Alice Howland has it all - she is a busy, brilliant lecturer and Harvard professor, married to an equally brilliant man. Her three grown children have all turned out healthy and are pursuing dreams of their own. Alice has begun to notice little annoyances, such as not being able to locate her glasses or forgetting appointments, which she feels are easily explained away by menopause. When she becomes disoriented when out for a run one day, she decides to visit the doctor just in case. At age 50, Alice is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease.

As the book progresses, so does the disease. We feel Alice's descent into the unknown, as her husband and children try to cope with this stranger in their lives. This is a difficult book to read, not only for the sadness factor, but also because so many of us can relate to the early symptoms of the disease. Have some kleenex on hand to read this one!

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

2010-04-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

Jodi Picoult continues her run of timely issue-based narratives with this story of a young man with Asperger's syndrome, who must challenge society's perception of him when he is accused of a heinous crime.

Emma Hunt has her hands full - a single mom with two teenage boys who works from home, she also has the added pressure of maintaining a solid and predictable routine for her older son, Jacob, who has Asperger's syndrome. Although incredibly intelligent, Jacob has a difficult time communicating with others and picking up on social clues. He also is prone to throw a tantrum when his regular routine is disrupted. His younger brother, Theo, although also very intelligent, is floundering through his formative years while Jacob saps most of their mother's energy and time.

When tragedy strikes Jacob's social skills tutor, he finds himself in some serious trouble. Is Jacob guilty of a crime other than landing on the autism spectrum? Will his newbie attorney be able to understand and work with his "quirks?" Will this fragile family be able to weather the situation or will they crack under the pressure? Picoult handles the familial relationships with grace and her characters, as always, are perfectly drawn as imperfect humans.

Bound To Shadows by Keri Arthur

2010-04-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

This is the 8th book in the Riley Jenson Guardian series. Riley, part vampire and part werewolf is smart, sassy and tough. She is a guardian for the nonhuman population, which is like a police officer for humans. In this book, she has to hunt down a killer who is beheading their victims. She also has to deal with her werewolf soulmate, Kye, who Riley hates plus keep her jealous vampire boyfriend happy. This book definitely has a twist at the end that was totally unexpected. So, if you like a paranormal romance that is suspenseful, who-done-it kind of book which includes some hot and spicy encounters, give Keri Arthur's Guardian series a try.

Something whimsical

2010-04-27T11:16:00.000-07:00
Looking for something fun to read? Try Shanna Swedson's series: Enchanted Inc, Once Upon Stilettos, Damsel Under Stress and Don't Hex With Texas

These three titles feature Katie Chandler, a small town girl from Texas now living in New York. Katie was warned that strange people live in New York City but she seems to run into the strangest, like a flying gargoyle, mischievous fairies and a very powerful bad wizard. The weird thing is no one else seems to give these people a second glance. That's when Katie finds out she have a very powerful gift, the ability to see through the disguises the magic world wears to blend in and appear normal to humans.

When Katie accepts a job working for MSI Inc. life as she knows it will never be the same. These easy to read books are a little bit fantasy, a little bit romance and a whole lot of fun!

Let me know how you enjoy them!
Mary S.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2010-04-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

I really must thank the "Bookies" book club for selecting this book to read for the April discussion - otherwise I might never have read it. I had read the reviews, knew it was a popular choice for readers of all types, but the description just did not do it for me. Once I started, however, I was hooked.

Told from the perspectives of three different women, The Help takes place in Jackson Mississippi in the 1960's, when the winds of change are just beginning to blow and civil rights are moving to the forefront of the American conscience. Aibileen is an older, wiser black woman who has spent her life raising her employer's white children. She is strong, faithful and intelligent. Her best friend is Minny, younger, spirited, and has a reputation for being mouthy and difficult (among her white employers.) Skeeter is a member of the white gentry, who grew up on a cotton plantation and was raised by her mother's black servant, Constantine, and whose friends are now hiring "help" of their own. The three women take turns narrating the story, as they become tied together in a manner that none of them could have anticipated.

A few readers I know had a difficult time getting into the story; once they made it through the first few chapters, they were invested. This is a powerful story of love, courage, empowerment, sisterhood and survival. This is a great read for a book club or just for your own enjoyment. It is hard to believe that this is Kathryn Stockett's first novel - I cannot wait for her next offering!

Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

2010-04-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

I first heard of this book while listening to a speaker talk about the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois and my first thought was that sounds ridiculous! The author, Seth Grahame-Smith, claims that the idea came to him while he was in a bookstore, looking around at what people were reading. He noticed a display on Lincoln, and another on the Twilight series and the idea just clicked. He said it was his "chocolate and peanut butter" moment.

I have to admit I was skeptical when I first picked up the book. I've only read one other book that he had written, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and thought it was okay but not that great. I've enjoyed reading some of the vampire series that are available and I love historical fiction, so I thought I'd at least take this one home and look at it! I was really surprised that I really enjoyed this book! Grahame-Smith takes the things we know about Lincoln's life and introduces vampires in a totally believable way... if you believe in vampires that is! His stories and the use of photos in the book made me run to my computer and check to see what actually happened. I would recommend this book to any reader who likes to read horror and/or historical fiction.

Staff Picks! Staff Picks!

2010-03-30T17:22:00.001-07:00

Here are a few titles that have been recently recommended by the fine readers on staff at the Three Rivers Public Library District:

Tell No One by Harlen Coben - Eight years ago, Dr. David Beck's wife, Elizabeth was kidnapped and killed while they were on their honeymoon - so why suddenly is he receiving emails that could only be from her? With the cops now breathing down his neck, how can he prove his innocence and figure out the mystery at hand? A suspenseful read.

Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman - What I enjoyed about this book was the "what would I do" question. Jorie and her husband have what appears to be a storybook marriage. They are loved by townspeople and one of those families you can count on for anything. Then comes a knock on the door that changes their lives forever. What would you do? Could you stand by your man?

Sweethearts Knitting Club by Lori Wilde - This is a romance about a small town and high school sweethearts meeting up again after the bad boy goes to jail and ends up the sheriff of the town is not as good as every one believed he was.

A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel - Essays from novelist Kimmel on her unusual childhood growing up in a tiny town in Indiana. This book is funny and touching, and reminds me of my own childhood here in Minooka!

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - Circus animals, romance, unforgettable characters (including an elephant!) and a memerizing plot make this book one to savor. Best of all, it has one of the best endings to a story I have ever read!

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

2010-03-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

Chelsea Handler, known for her E! network television show, Chelsea Lately, had produced another book detailing her irreverent take on life. Following her successful My Horizontal Life and Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, her new title takes off where the others left off.

In this particular book, Chelsea seems to have settled down quite a bit - she has a steady boyfriend (who is the president of the E! Entertainment Network) and even shows her softer side when she decides to adopt a dog. Her family plays a central role in many of the exploits as well. The conversations that take place between herself, her siblings and their father are particularly memorable. Despite the relative calmness of her escapades, she is still hilarious...if you like her sort of humor in the first place. If you find her a bit too much on television, this book might not be for you. However, if you are looking for a few laughs, don't mind salty language or sarcasm, give this one a try.

Happiness Key by Emilie Richards

2010-03-12T14:26:00.000-08:00

Tracy DeLoche wasn't looking for a fresh start when she headed for Happiness Key, Florida, after her divorce. Hoping to remove the tenants and sell the property as quickly as possible, she certainly did not want to plant any roots in the area. However, when one of her tenants passes away soon after her arrival, she becomes far more involved in her tenants' lives than she ever planned, and in the process, learns to open up and live again herself.

This book has a little bit of everything in it - romance, mystery, humor, suspense - which all wraps up with my personal favorite - a happy ending! The main characters all come from very different backgrounds, which leads to tension among the neighbors at first, but they all learn to overcome and get along in spite of this. Overall, this is a story of friendship and sisterhood, but all of the side plots help add some pizazz and keep the book moving along.

If you enjoy this book, I would recommend Emilie Richards' earlier work, particularly her Donoghue sisters books, The Parting Glass and Whiskey Island.

Wealth Watchers by Alice Wood

2010-03-12T11:27:00.001-08:00

After a freak brain injury caused author Alice Wood to have to relearn many basic skills, personal accounting among them, she developed this personal finance system based on the principles of the Weight Watchers healthy living program. Because I am very familiar with the Weight Watchers philosophy, and can always use some financial guidance, I thought this book sounded very intriguing.

For those of you not familiar with the basic tenets of the Weight Watchers program, it basically assigns point values to foods, based on its calories, fat, fiber, etc. Each person has so many points that they can use on a daily basis, so they must budget their points to ensure they have enough quality meals to get them through the day. Wealth Watchers works much the same way, except instead of points, individuals work out what their "DDI" - (daily disposable income) is and attempt to stay within these guidelines to maintain good financial health. If they want something above and beyond the daily DDI, they must save for it.

Wood's book does a good job of laying out the basic tenets of the program, and includes some background information on how she ended up needing the program in the first place. Roughly half the book is a space for journaling your finances, so the book itself is a quick read. As with the Weight Watchers program, this book provides the tools for financial health; it is up to the reader to utilize them! I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a technique to get their financial lives in order - this book provides a simple solution for a complicated issue.

Prospect Park West by Amy Sohn

2010-03-08T15:32:00.000-08:00

Amy Sohn, a former editor for New York magazine, has authored a book that is pop-cultural, name-dropping and offers a scathing portrayal of urban mommies in a trendy Brooklyn neighborhood.

While there are all kinds of plotlines going on here, there is not a whole lot of substance to the book, so it moves along very quickly. Prospect Park West follows four well-to-do mothers and their sometimes intersecting dramas which unfold on the playgrounds and local food coop. I did not find any of the main characters, all women and mothers, either very likable or sympathetic, and that is a problem for me in reading fiction - I need someone to root for! The descriptions of the neighborhood and lifestyles are interesting but not enough to rescue the book as a whole.

On the other hand, if you are looking for something light and fluffy to read, this might be just what you are looking for. Personally, I would prefer something with a little more humor and more fleshed-out characters. While there are all kinds of plotlines going on here, there is not a whole lot of substance, so the book moves along very quickly. Fans of Sex in the City, The Devil Wears Prada or Nanny Diaries may enjoy this dishy novel.