Tuesday, January 31, 2017

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intro - The Fifth Floor; Julie Oleszek


Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph, maybe two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon.


The Fifth Floor; Julie Oleszek
Mockingbird Publishing - 2015

One

"The first doctor my mother drags me to is a tall, thin man. He seems to think his direct approach will intimidate me, and maybe it would if I cared, but I don't.  I follow him into his office, leaving my mother staring at my back from the waiting room.  He climbs behind his enormous desk piled with papers and files of patients and motions me to sit in one of the winged-back chairs opposite him in front of his desk.  I sit and he stares.

'Stand up and turn around,' he says with as little compassion as he can gather."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.


Saturday, January 28, 2017

Week in Review - W/E - 1/28/2017

This was a great reading week for me; the lousy weather we had for a few days helped me stay in and read more  I finished (3) books - mini reviews below.   I also got to yoga 3x again this week, met my son for lunch, (stayed away from my daughter and her flu-infected family) and attended my monthly book group meeting.  I'm also planning a Vermont getaway -- always a fun place to travel to (no snowstorms please).

Here are the books I read:

Hospital Hill; Katherine Anderson
2016

Hospital Hill appealed to me because although it's a work of fiction (mystery), the setting is real. Northampton (Lunatic) State Hospital was opened in 1858, as the third hospital in Massachusetts for the insane.  It was located about 20 miles from the town where I grew up. Deinstitutionalization began in 1978, a slow process, but, the hospital finally closed for good in 1993.  All of the buildings were leveled in 2007-2008 and the site is now called, The Villages at Hospital Hill, a very cool residential community, walkable to Smith College.

In this mystery Valerie Martin is a state hospital employee who once worked at Northampton Hospital but, transferred to another state facility a number of years earlier.  Now, nearing retirement, she is encouraged to come back to Northampton by her former boss to work on a cataloging records project involving former patients who were at the hospital while Valerie had worked there.  As she begins the project she notices an odd pattern of reported suicides of young female patients, her mind reflects back and she begins to sense that something sinister may have behind the deaths of these individuals.  

This was a pretty simplistic mystery and a very quick read but, the real enjoyment was in the atmospheric feel of this old asylum traveling the halls and isolated rooms as I read. It was great fun to have referenced many of the places, restaurants and places that I know well.  This was a fun, non-stop,  3-hour read. I enjoyed the book but the lack proofreading and the many typos spoiled it a bit. (3.5/5 stars)

Second Hand; Michael Zadoorian
Dell - 2000

Richard Satoria is the 30-something proprietor of Satoria Junk outside of Detroit, Michigan. Although Richard knows the difference between "junk" and "coveted finds", he's not so experienced when it comes to the opposite sex.  He meets Theresa, who comes to his store and soon the two soon begin a relationship -- each have plenty of baggage they are dealing with. Richard's mother has just died and he and his sister are cleaning out the family home which leads to new revelations about their parents. Theresa is haunted by the memories of all of the animals she has had to euthanize at her job at the animal shelter.

This book is well written, I enjoyed the interesting finds he scoffs up in his travels and the memories that are triggered as he begins the clean-out process of his parent's home.  Teresa was a bit of a mess and I didn't appreciate all the sad details that will upset animal lovers as I read this book.  One in particular made me almost close the book for good.  

BEWARE ----One scene a woman brings her 5 - year old white cat to the shelter because he keeps getting fur on her sofa -- Can you imagine this??  This excerpt - brought me to tears -- I know it's fiction but still.

"I do it practically every day. Why is this one any different? I don't know. It's just that some of them affect you more than others. Like people.......The only time he really calmed down was right before. I held him for a while. He was such a sweetheart. I gave him some hotdog and he was purring. He seemed happy to be held............He knew. Right before I gave him the shot he turned and looked at me. I thought, He knows I'm going to kill him. Then he touched my hand with his paw. It was like he forgave me. He was purring when I killed him."

(3.5/5 stars) - I would have rated this much higher were it not for the animal shelter passages.

Simon & Schuster - 2015

This story is bused on the true story of Rachel Pomie Petit Pissarro and set on the island of St. Thomas in the 19th century. Rachel Pomie is a young Jewish girl with big dreams who hopes to move to Paris someday. Instead those plans are dashed when she instead finds herself in an arranged marriage with a man 30 years older than her. Issac Petit is a widower with (3) children, but, Rachel dutifully fulfills her role as wife number 2 and together they have 3 more children -- and then he dies, leaving her with his business, which she knows nothing about,  and 6 children.  

When Issac's young nephew arrives from Paris to help Rachel sort out the business left by her husband, there is an immediate attraction, union and more children, including one who becomes the famous Impressionist, Camille Pissarro.

Beautiful descriptive writing, you could practically smell the flora and ocean breezes. With themes of love, friendship, religious intolerance and racism, there was plenty to discuss at my book group meeting this week.  Rachel was a strong woman, finely drawn character. Like most every Hoffman novel there is some magical realism. This one has the ghost of Issac's first wife, a turtle-girl and talking parrots but, it worked well.  There are a number of inter-related characters in this novel and I almost didn't finish this one but, I'm glad I did.  Everyone in my book group enjoyed this one (very unusual). (4/5 stars)

Current Reads




  • (still reading & creepy) The Beautiful Dead; Belinda Bauer (Atlantic Monthly Press) - 2017
  • (next up) The Fifth Floor; Julie Oleszek (2015)
  • (next up) Excellent Women; Barbara Pym







  • We saw Bridge of Spies (2015) on Showtime this week but, had originally seen it on the big screen when first released. As good the second time around, who doesn't love a movie starring Tom Hanks?  A true-life espionage which takes place during the Cold War.

    Have a Great Weekend All

    Tuesday, January 24, 2017

    First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Second Hand; Michael Zadoorian



    Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph, maybe two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon.  This week's selection is the debut novel of Michael Zadoorian, the author of the Leisure Seeker which I reviewed last week.

    Second Hand; Michael Zadoorian
    Dell Trade - 2000

    Part 1
    Junk

    "When I die, I will leave nothing but junk.  If I went to my house, to my estate sale, after I died, I would buy everything.  Of course, since I bought it all in the first place, that shouldn't be much of a surprise.  Yet even if I wasn't me, I would buy it all.  There are others that would do the same.  People come to my house and are amazed by my junk, covet my junk.  But those people are junkers.  When people who aren't junkers come to my house, they laugh at my things.  Or they say my house is creepy because everything in it was owned by people who are now dead. I tell them, They're not all dead. Some are in nursing homes."


    Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

    Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.






    Saturday, January 21, 2017

    Week in Review - W/E -1/21/2017

    It's been a decent week weather-wise here in New England, most days it reached the 40's which is great for this time of year.  Although I made it to yoga 3x again this week, I haven't been walking or doing cardio exercise. Our fitness center closed its doors at the end of December and since I took a fall on black ice a few weeks ago, I'm not crazy about walking outdoors right now.

    My reading has slowed since last year, I normally read or listen to (3) books a week but, this year I'm reading about 1-2/per week max. I need to get back to audios as I haven't listened to any in 2017, although yesterday, I picked up (2) when I visited a new library in a few towns over.

    This week I finished, The Leisure Seeker; Michael Zadoorian and really enjoyed it: it's funny, tender and sad all in one.  I'm also reading, The Marriage of Opposites, Alice Hoffman, for my book group meeting next week. It started off great but, now 1/2 way through I seem to be losing interest (we shall see).

    The Leisure Seeker; Michael Zadoorian
    William Morrow - 2009
    (soon to be a movie)

    One

    MICHIGAN

    "We are tourists.

    I've recently come to terms with this.  My husband and I were never the kind who traveled to expand our minds. We traveled to have fun--Weeki Wachee, Gatlinburg, South of the Border, Lake George, Rock City, Wall Drug.  We have seen swimming pigs and horses, a Russian Palace covered with corn, young girls underwater drinking Pepsi-Cola from the seven-ounce bottle, London Bridge in the middle of a desert, a cycling cockatoo riding a tightrope."

    (MY THOUGHTS) - John and Ella are a sweet senior couple who have been married 60 years and have enjoyed traveling in their RV "The Leisure Seeker" much of their married lives.  Both Ella and John have health issues and against their children's wishes they decide to embark on one final RV journey from Michigan to Disneyland in CA.  

    A fantastic story, sometimes funny, sometimes tender, sometimes sad. John and Ella are terrific characters that felt like family by the time I finished the book.  This book is well written and immediately hooked me.  I saw the ending coming but, that did not spoil my enjoyment in the least.  The Leisure Seeker is a book that addresses the issues many of us try to avoid as we age or see our parents age. (5/5 stars)

    Current Reads -



    We went to see Manchester By the Sea this week and wow, did this movie move me.  Such a sad but realistic story about how our lives can change us forever in the blink of an eye.

    Lee (Casey Affleck) is a handyman at an apartment complex who returns home to "Manchester-By-the Sea, a quaint seaside town, when he learns that his brother has had a heart attack and soon after passes away, leaving behind a high school aged son.  Through a series of flashbacks, we learn why Lee's return to Manchester By the Sea is so difficult for him. He's forced to relive a tragedy from his past in addition to dealing with the final arrangements for his brother.  The acting is wonderful and I can't stop thinking about the movie even though the ending was a bit disappointing (abrupt). I'm hoping this one will win some awards.  (BE SURE TO SEE IT)

    .
    Have a Good Weekend Everyone

    Tuesday, January 17, 2017

    First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Leisure Seeker; Michael Zadoorian



    Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph, maybe two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon.  

    This week's book has been on my shelf since 2009. It's a soon to be a movie (2017) starring Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren. The story is about an elderly couple seeking one last adventure.


    The Leisure Seeker; Michael Zadoorian
    William Morrow - 2009

    One

    MICHIGAN

    "We are tourists.

    I've recently come to terms with this.  My husband and I were never the kind who traveled to expand our minds. We traveled to have fun--Weeki Wachee, Gatlinburg, South of the Border, Lake George, Rock City, Wall Drug.  We have seen swimming pigs and horses, a Russian Palace covered with corn, young girls underwater drinking Pepsi-Cola from the seven-ounce bottle, London Bridge in the middle of a desert, a cycling cockatoo riding a tightrope."

    Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

    Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.





    Saturday, January 14, 2017

    Books Read - Week in Review - W/E - 1/14/2017

    This has been a somewhat lazy week for me and, I only read (1) book but, it was a good one.  I did watch (2) movies : Love the Coopers (2015), Diane Keaton, John Goodman and Steve Martin but, although parts were fun, I didn't love it .  I also watched, Postcards From the Edge (1990): Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine which I'd seen before and enjoyed.  We also O.D'd on Sopranos episodes, Season 3.  

    I did get out to yoga class 3x and, I also caught up with (2) high school friends for lunch - always fun to catch up and chat about past and present.

    Book Read

    On Turpentine Lane; Elinor Lipman
    Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - 2017

    1.
    What Possessed Me?

    "IF I HADN'T BEEN NAIVE and recklessly trusting, would I ever have purchased number 10 Turpentine Lane, a chronic headache masquerading as a charming bungalow?  'Best value in town,' said the ad, which was true, if judging by the price tag alone.  I paid almost nothing by today's standards, attributing the bargain to my mother's hunch that the previous owner had succumbed while in residence.  Not so off-putting, I rationalized; don't most people die at home?  On moving day my next-door neighbor brought me a welcome loaf of banana bread along with the truth about my seller. A suicide attempt...sleeping pills...she's saved them up till she had enough, poor thing. And who could blame her? 'Strong as an ox,' she added. 'But a whole bottle?' She tapped the side of her head."

    (My Thoughts) I've enjoyed many of Elinor Lipman's earlier novels, The Inn at Lake Devine, was an all time favorite, but, I must say, On Turpentine Lane, runs a close second -- such a fun read.  Our protagonist, Faith Frankel has a so-so job in the Development Department of a private day school that she had attended.  Her boyfriend Stuart, is a loser who has taken advantage of her and is now off on a cross country walk to find himself.  Before leaving he gives Faith a piece of red-string (a symbol of his commitment to her). He also asks for her credit card to help with expenses. Meanwhile, Faith has purchased a rock bottom priced 2-bedroom - 1 - bath, bungalow, "On Turpentine Lane", unaware of the houses history and that the police will soon be knocking on her door.  life is interesting for Faith; she has a charming new office mate named Nick, a meddling mother, a father who is having a mid-life crisis,  a bachelor brother and added to the mix are a few other quirky characters that together make this story shine. Lipman's sharp dialogue and insight into the human psyche made this novel such a treat. (4.5 stars - be sure to try it)

    Have a Great Weekend!

    Tuesday, January 10, 2017

    First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - On Turpentine Lane; Elinor LIpman


    Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph, maybe two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon.  This week's book is a soon to be released novel by a favorite author: Elinor Lipman.

    On Turpentine Lane; Elinor Lipman
    Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - 2017

    1.
    What Possessed Me?

    "IF I HADN'T BEEN NAIVE and recklessly trusting, would I ever have purchased number 10 Turpentine Lane, a chronic headache masquerading as a charming bungalow?  'Best value in town,' said the ad, which was true, if judging by the price tag alone.  I paid almost nothing by today's standards, attributing the bargain to my mother's hunch that the previous owner had succumbed while in residence.  Not so off-putting, I rationalized; don't most people die at home?  On moving day my next-door neighbor brought me a welcome loaf of banana bread along with the truth about my seller. A suicide attempt...sleeping pills...she's saved them up till she had enough, poor thing. And who could blame her? 'Strong as an ox,' she added. 'But a whole bottle?' She tapped the side of her head."


    Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

    Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.





    Saturday, January 7, 2017

    Books Read - Week in Review - W/E 1/7/2017

    In 2016 I struggled to review every book that I read and, as a result I felt like I didn't give my reviews my best effort. After seeing Kathy's new format for 2017, I decided to give this weekly update, with mini reviews, idea a try.  I'll still be posting my weekly, First Chapter link up every Tuesday as well.

    The first week of the new year found us eating out plenty thanks to several wonderful and appreciated gift cards from family.  We also received movie gift cards and got to see (2) newly released movies (both wonderful).


    "Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in."

    This movie was powerful and emotional and sure to win awards.  The story tales place in the 50's and early 60's and deals with prejudice, the wounds inflicted by those who raised us and the sacrifices people make on behalf of others. It's obvious that this movie was meant to be a play as there are very few scene changes: One house, front porch, back yard and kitchen and dining room scenes for the most part and, there is a small cast of characters.  Denzel Washington's performance was outstanding. (BE SURE TO SEE IT)




    A wonderful, feel good movie about three brilliant African American women who were instrumental in helping to launch our space program. 1961, Jim Crow era, it wasn't easy for them but, these feisty women persevered and showed the white men just what they were capable of.  One of the best movies I have seen, rated PG. Be sure to take your young daughters to see this movie. You don't often see a movie where the audience cheers several times throughout the movie.  It's a movie that demonstrates that girls/women, regardless or their skin color can do anything they set their mind to. (BE SURE TO SEE IT)


    Books I've Been Reading

    Pantheon Books - 2013


    First Paragraph ---
    "The fog was thick when I left my bedsit and ventured out alone into the barren and murky city.  I was heading for what used to be called a crematorium and these days is known as a funeral parlor.  I had received notice instructing me to arrive by 9:00 a.m., because my cremation was scheduled for 9:30."

    (My Thoughts) I actually started this book the end of 2016 but just finished it this past week.  I had some trouble with this book which I'm assuming was due to the translation (Chinese to English). The story begins at the end and goes back over a seven day period. A middle aged man, Yang Fei dies and receives a notice instructing him to show up for his own cremation. He washes, dresses and shows up for the event but, he fears no one will show up for his funereal because he's divorced and has no children.   When it's his turn for the cremation, he leaves and decides to search for his adoptive father who he assumes has died as well.  ver the next seven days he meets the ghosts of others who have passed away, eventually circling back and meeting his father.  This story wasn't all that long and at times had a feel of the way H. Murakami writes. This took me longer than normal to read and, I'm glad I gave it a try but, it was challenging and is just not a book that will appeal to every reader. (3.5 stars) 

    NYRB Classics - 2015


    First Paragraph --
    "It was the spring of the last year that Matthew reached twelve that I first became aware of Chocky.  Late April, I think, or possibly early May; anyway I am sure it was the spring because on that Saturday afternoon I was out in the garden shed unenthusiastically oiling the mower for labours to come when I heard Matthew's voice speaking close outside the window.  It surprised me; I had had no idea he was anywhere about until I heard him say, on a note of distinct irritation and apropos, apparently, of nothing:


             'I don't know why. It's just the way things are.'

    (My thoughts) -- When I saw that the intro for this book was written by Margaret Atwood, I had to try this book. Fewer than 200 pages, Chocky,  is a story about an adopted, twelve year old boy named Matthew Gore who lives in London and has an imaginary friend. When his parents become concerned they seek help and we learn that Chocky is an alien who has come to explore earth to see whether it's habitable.  Matthew and Chocky have a unique relationship and, the questions posed by Chocky are deep, interesting and worth pondering.  The story made me think about the environment and why we do some of the things we do. Narrated from the POV of Matthew's concerned father, it's an original and optimistic story that was very different from what I tend to generally read. It made me curious enough to take a peek at other books by this author. (4.5 stars)

    New Books
    (sent to me by publishers)


    Enjoy your weekend everyone!

    Tuesday, January 3, 2017

    First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Chocky, John Wyndham


    Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two of a book that I'm reading or will be reading soon.

    NYRB Classics - 2015

    One

    "It was the spring of the last year that Matthew reached twelve that I first became aware of Chocky.  Late April, I think, or possibly early May; anyway I am sure it was the spring because on that Saturday afternoon I was out in the garden shed unenthusiastically oiling the mower for labours to come when I heard Matthew's voice speaking close outside the window.  It surprised me; I had had no idea he was anywhere about until I heard him say, on a note of distinct irritation and apropos, apparently, of nothing:


             'I don't know why. It's just the way things are.'


    Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

    Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.




    Sunday, January 1, 2017

    Happy New Year and First Book of the New Year



    It's been 8 and a half years since I began blogging and since that time a lot has happened. I've lost another brother (2006 and 2009), moved, changed jobs, retired, saw my son and daughter marry and welcomed the birth of (3) adorable granddaughters.  I often find myself busier in retirement than I was when I worked full-time, so in 2017 you may see fewer posts from me, but I'll still be reading!


    Sheila @ Book Journey is once again is encouraging bloggers to post their First Book of the New Year.  Pop over and check out all those who are participating. My first book of 2017 choice is a book that I purchased a few years ago and finally decided to try:


    My choice is a New York Review Book Classic called Chocky by John Wyndham.

    (Description)

    It’s not terribly unusual for a boy to have an imaginary friend, but Matthew’s parents have to agree that his—nicknamed Chocky—is anything but ordinary. Why, Chocky demands to know, are there twenty-four hours in a day? Why are there two sexes? Why can’t Matthew solve his math homework using a logical system like binary code? When the questions Chocky asks become too advanced and, frankly, too odd for teachers to answer, Matthew’s  parents start to wonder if Chocky might be something far stranger than a figment of their son’s imagination. 

    Chocky, the last novel Wyndham published during his life, is a playful investigation of what being human is all about, delving into such matters as child-rearing, marriage, learning, artistic inspiration—and ending with a surprising and impassioned plea for better human stewardship of the earth.

    Happy New Year and Happy Reading Friends!