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Showing posts from August, 2009

2009 Book Reviews #7

The Office of Desire by Martha Moody This is an interesting story that covers many layers and types of desire and what happens when you give into it and also when you don't. It is set in a small doctor's office that has 5 employees, each with their own desires whether for love, money, faith, happiness, etc. It is interesting how each one deals with the desire and in the end you see the right and the wrong choices. A well written story. The Broker by John Grisham I guess I'm taking a little step back in time reading a John Grisham novel that harkens back to the first type novels that he authored. While it was an interesting book, it was also a little confusing to me. It took me a while to understand how the broker was being set up and why. If you like Grisham though, you'll like this one. It's his standard fare, set in a foreign country with just enough suspense to make you think you know where it's going, but maybe not. Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell What a di

2009 Book Reviews #6

A Father's Story by Lionel Dahmer I think it's normal to view any event from the stage of life you are in. As I've gotten older, I view most events as a parent so it was interesting to read a book about a real life horror story written from a dad's perspective. I did feel at times like Mr. Dahmer was over analyzing events that happened in his son's young life. But then I also think that would be the normal thing to do - to look back for signs of what was to come and to try to figure out if there was anyway that it could have been avoided. He makes no excuses for his sons behavior, and in the end seems still as confused by it as most of us are. An interesting book. Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman The story of a woman who almost stumbles into a nomadic life. Ms Gelman finds herself in a marriage that is crumbling so she suggests a separation. To her surprise, not only is her husband in favor of it, but he thinks it should be for a longer amount of time

2009 Book Reviews #5

Stop Dressing Your Six Year Old Like a Skank by Celia Riverbark This was a great book to read while working out. I laughed - probably because I could relate to so much of what she wrote. Very entertaining! The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton This was an ok book. It was interesting, but at the same time I found it to be fairly predictable. Ms Hamilton does a good job of describing the land and the people in a way that made you really see it in your mind. It is interesting to realize that there is a real Camel Bookmobile and it makes the story even more believable. Forgive Me by Amanda Ward This was an interesting story. It is a story full of plot twists and set in both America and Cape Town. At times it was hard to get into. Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas This is the story of a town that finds itself hosting a Japanese internment camp and the effect it has on the different citizens - most of whom are very prejudice towards the Japanese. A very good book. Levi's Will by W. Dale C

2009 Book Reviews #4

I'm way behind on my reviews so these will be short and sweet - or not so sweet depending on the book. Born Standing Up: A Comics Life by Steve Martin A interesting read. I was in college when I first heard of Steve Martin. In fact, Arkansas Tech was on his college tour - yes the balloon animals, dart through the head, etc. Saw it all. Not only is this story interesting because of it being Steve Martin's story, it is also interesting to read about the people that have been in and out of his life. Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir Powerful story written from the heart. It's sad to realize what is going on in different parts of the world. What to Keep by Rachel Cline A well written story. This covers parts of 3 different decades in Denny's life beginning with the distant, somewhat neglectful childhood thourgh adulthood as a successful playwriter. So Brave, Young and Handsome by Leif Enger A cowboy adventure story. The narrator is a p

2009 Book Reviews #3

Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress This is the second Mark Childress book I've read and it wasn't as funny as One Mississippi, but it does have the same dark comedy. I never saw the movie but can see how it would transfer to film well. The story is about a woman who basically gets fed up with her husband who is stiffling her acting career, kills him, but can't completely let him go. While all that is going on, there is a civil rights uprising in the city she left behind. A very entertaining book that is thought provoking in it's own way. When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan by Peggy Noonan Reading this made me long for the days when Reagan was president. I know he didn't do everything right, but I do believe he was a man of character and morals who would seek God's guidance above all else. This should be required reading for all to see how America can be if we have the right leadership. The Dead Don't Dance by Charles Martin Another great nov