My Own Little Book Corner

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout It's hard to start describing this book. It is actually a collection of short stories set in the town of Crosby, Maine. Through most of the stories Olive Kitteridge makes an appearance in some way - even if as just a mention. Through these snapshots we get a picture of the how others view Olive and eventually as she views herself. She is an interesting character and through out the book she reminded me of different people I know. But this book is about more than Olive. In one of the chapters an observation is made about seeing the houses around us and not really knowing what kind of life people have. To me this book is a glimpse into many lives. It is a somewhat sad story in that so many of the glimpses are of the things that are wrong in their lives. Even when I was beginning to feel a little cheery half-way through reading Winter Concert, that story took a turn. This story offered many different perspectives on people and events in life and i

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak This is a Young Adult book that I really enjoyed. Things begin getting weird when a young taxi driver becomes a hero by foiling a bank robbery. After that event, he recieves 3 playing cards that each have an address. The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff An interesting story that jumps between the 19th century and modern day with two stories of wife number 19 - one married to Brigham Young and the other to a modern day polygamist. My impression is that the bulk of the book is set in the late 1800's and since I like historical fiction, I enjoyed greatly. Left for Dead:My Journey Home from Everest by Beck Weathers Not exactly what I expected. I thought it was going to be more about the experience on Everest. Instead it is more a story of his life and marriage. It was ok - but nothing spectacular. A below average read in my eyes. Welcome to the Great Mysterious by Lorna Landvik I really enjoyed this book. It is a story of twin sisters - grown - whose

A Song I Knew by Heart by Bret Lott An "OK" book. I expected much more of a book based on the story of Ruth. The storyline was a little weak in areas and while the story of love and forgiveness is definitely a good one, this book just didn't deliver as well as I expected it to. One L by Scott Turow While this book is old - published in 1977 - I still found Mr. Turow's reflections of his first year as a law student very interesting. I know part of the reason is that in the late 70's/early 80's I worked with 2 people who were also attending law school. It brought back memories of what they were going through. It would be interesting to read a more current book written by a 1L to see how much things have changed over the years. Sutter's Cross by W. Dale Cramer I like Mr. Cramer's books. This one did not disappoint. A story of family, greed and miracles. Another one worth reading. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah A really good book! It was one of those s

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks A very good book. The book in the title is a rare Haggadah. The people in the title are those who owned the book or had some other connection to the book over the 300+ year history. This is a very well written story that brought to life the many persecutions that people have gone through because of their beliefs. A nice work of historic fiction. The Known World by Edward P Jones I stuck with this but don't know why. A depressing, story that was a drudgery to read. We Are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg I enjoyed this story. There were just enough twists to it to keep it interesting and a little less predictible. I felt like I knew the characters and that's always important to me for enjoying a story. The story also gives you things to think about as far as stereotypes and prejudices. A good one. She Got Up Off the Couch:And Other Heroic Acts from Moreland, Indiana by Haven Kimmel A continuation of Ms Kimmel's memoir. Interesting

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

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

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

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

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

I'm so far behind on my reviews. What follows is abbreviated reviews of some of the books I've read this year. On this list my top 3 would be - Three Junes, Same Kind of Different as Me, and A Thousand Splendid Suns Three Junes by Julia Glass I wasn't sure about this book when I first started it, but found myself drawn to the story and the people. It is about family and the expectations they put on each other and on themselves, and about love and basically just surviving life. Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier This is an easy read that is best described as a story. I found nothing deep in it or any layers, but did enjoy the word picture it presented. It is set in Holland and I could picture the life and the world that the characters inhabited. Another decent book. Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore A true story that is a tribute to a woman who saw people through the eyes of God. She lived a life of grace and service that reflected God&#

Everything Must Go by Elizabeth Flock A story about a family affected by a terrible tragedy. The story is more about the paths that their life's take following the tragedy and the dynamics that follow. It is a depressing story and I still haven't decided if I'm glad I read it or not. The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson I like Ms Jackson's books - this being the third of hers I read. When I started this one I wasn't so sure, but as I got into it and the characters developed, I found myself drawn in. I was a little disappointed in the ending - too much like a movie ending for me. But well worth the read. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch I must of been the last person on the face of the earth to know about this book. It was a Christmas gift from my good friend, June, and I hadn't heard of it before receiving it. I expected this to be a little depressing, but it really was full of positivity. In some ways it was a little too "surface level"

I read too many books since my last review, so here's what I've read - American Bee:The National Spelling Bee and the Culture of Word Nerds by James Maguire - Don't waste your time There's No Toilet Paper on the Road Less Traveled by Doug Lansky - An entertaining compilation of travel stories Portrait of a Killer Jack the Ripper Case Closed by Patricia Cornwell In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols Enduring Love by Ian McEwan - Check this one out Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich by Mark Kriegel - Another one worth the read. Especially if you like basketball, but even if you don't it's a good life story. While I was Gone by Sue Miller Who Stole the Funny? A Novel of Hollywood by Robby Benson - You should put this high on your to be read list. The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney by Randy Singer - Another good one. Well written and a good story. Turn Away Thy Son: Little Rock Crisis that Shock the Nation" by Elizabeth Jacoway - If you like history t