June is a popular month for new releases. So popular, in fact, that I had a hard time picking just a few to highlight. There are just too many great new reads this summer for me to decide. After much agonizing, I managed to pick out five June highlights to share with you. Here they are, in order of their release date. Pack up the kids, grab a book, and hit the beach!
June 1: Medusa by Clive Cussler
In the latest NUMA Files novel, Kurt Austin must stop a virus from destroying the earth. The Blue Medusa jellyfish may hold the key to stopping this epidemic, but the scientists conducting the research keep dying. Austin and his partner must deal with not just the virus, but the Chinese triad behind the outbreak. Austin may not be Dirk Pitt, but he and Zavala do make for an entertaining pair.
June 8: Relentless by Dean Koontz
Relentless promises to deliver another winning thriller from Koontz, if you can call complete paranoia “thrilling.” Meet Cubby, a man with a picturesque family and successful career as an author. His life is charmed, or at least was, until Shearman Waxx writes a vicious critique of Cubby’s newest book for a leading newspaper. A seemingly innocent encounter between the two men soon escalates into unimaginable terror for Cubby as he struggles to deal with Waxx, who is a complete sociopath. Read this one with the lights on!
June 15: The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
A young mother disappears from her home, with her four-year-old daughter the only witness. Her husband seems more intent to destroy the evidence than assist with the investigation. Time is running out for Detective Warren as she digs under the surface of this seemingly perfect family in an attempt to find the missing woman. The Neighbor is a fast-paced thriller reminding readers that things are not always what they seem.
June 22: Roses and Thorns by Bret Michaels
Alright, I admit it. I love Bret Michaels. I love his band, Poison, I love his solo career, and I love Rock of Love on VH1. Roses and Thorns is Bret’s autobiography, following the rock icon/reality TV star from the creation of Poison through the partying and conflicts with other band members to an accident that left him in the hospital with a broken nose, teeth, fingers, ribs, and jaw. He also details his comeback, solo career, and quest for love on VH1. Fights, love, drama, and rock ‘n’ roll…who says nonfiction is boring?
June 29: Swimsuit by James Patterson
Everything James Patterson writes is an instant bestseller. Fans of his thrillers can expect shocking plot twists and chilling conclusions in Swimsuit that have become classic Patterson. When a supermodel disappears from a photo shoot in Hawaii, her parents travel to the island to investigate, never imagining the horrors they would encounter. Reporter Ben Hawkins is presented with an impossible-to-resist deal with the devil as he investigates the kidnapping in hopes of getting an idea for his next bestseller. As always, Patterson knows how to make our hearts pound and our imaginations wander.
Honorable Mentions:
Watch the shelves for these other hot June releases:
June 1:
Skin Trade: Laurel K. Hamilton
Matters of the Heart: Danielle Steele
Undead and Unwelcome: MaryJanice Davidson
June 8:
Roadside Crosses: Jeffery Deaver
Apocalypse 2012: Gary Jennings
Secret Sentry: The Untold Story of the National Security Agency: Matthew Aid
June 15:
Along for the Ride: Sarah Dessen
Dune Road: Jane Green
L.A. Candy: Lauren Conrad
June 22:
Fixer Upper: Mary Kay Andrews
Prism: Faye Kellerman
Finger Lickin’ Fifteen: Janet Evanovich
June 29:
Any Minute: Joyce Meyer
Apostle: Brad Thor
Return to Sullivan’s Island: Dorothea Benton Frank
--Jenn C
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Unforgettable Lexi
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
Congratulations, Lexi Smart: you now have everything you’ve ever wanted. All of the things you hated about your life have magically disappeared overnight. You’re rich. You’re married to a gorgeous man (who's also rich). Your thankless job as an associate junior sales manager has transformed into a corporate management position, and you now have your own personal assistant. You have sleek hair, straight teeth (goodbye, Snaggletooth!), and a toned body that would make Jessica Simpson jealous. Life seems perfect. Now if only you could remember how you got there!
The last thing Lexi knew about her life was that she was having the worst night ever. She was standing on a street corner in the pouring rain, with discount half-size-too-small boots pinching her toes to the point of blinding agony, with her friends caterwauling a dubious rendition of “It’s Raining Men” behind her. Her father had just passed away. Loser Dave had stood her up (again) after promising to meet her at ten. Her hair was frizzy, her teeth were crooked, and (according to her) she was overweight. As she tried to hail a cab home, she slipped in the rain and hit her head on the ground. Suddenly, she's waking up in a hospital bed, it’s three years later, and she's been transformed into....well, into someone who carries a Louis Vuitton purse and has perfectly manicured nails.
As Lexi attempts to meld herself into a life she knows nothing about while struggling to remember how she got there, she begins to realize that her life is not as charmed as it appears. Her best friends will barely speak to her anymore, her colleagues call her “the Cobra,” and everyone (including the irritatingly cute architect with a huge secret) keeps pestering her to remember places, people, and things she is not familiar with.
As the threads of Lexi’s seemingly charmed life start to unravel and reveal its underlying ugliness, she starts to realize that some things are more important than a fancy car and perfect hair. After all, what’s the point of having disco lighting in your loft if your best friend isn’t there to have a dance party with you? She starts to miss her old life, where at least she felt like herself. Memories or not, is it too late to turn things around?
Sophie Kinsella lures readers in with an insatiably devilish wit and then hooks them with her irresistibly charming characters. Lexi’s situation and struggles are relatable to readers who've ever been unhappy with their job, their appearance, or their life. Allow yourself to laugh with Lexi, feel her frustration, and empathize with her situation as she tries to set things right. Remember Me? is an unforgettable blend of mystery, romance, and real-life.
--Jenn C.
Congratulations, Lexi Smart: you now have everything you’ve ever wanted. All of the things you hated about your life have magically disappeared overnight. You’re rich. You’re married to a gorgeous man (who's also rich). Your thankless job as an associate junior sales manager has transformed into a corporate management position, and you now have your own personal assistant. You have sleek hair, straight teeth (goodbye, Snaggletooth!), and a toned body that would make Jessica Simpson jealous. Life seems perfect. Now if only you could remember how you got there!
The last thing Lexi knew about her life was that she was having the worst night ever. She was standing on a street corner in the pouring rain, with discount half-size-too-small boots pinching her toes to the point of blinding agony, with her friends caterwauling a dubious rendition of “It’s Raining Men” behind her. Her father had just passed away. Loser Dave had stood her up (again) after promising to meet her at ten. Her hair was frizzy, her teeth were crooked, and (according to her) she was overweight. As she tried to hail a cab home, she slipped in the rain and hit her head on the ground. Suddenly, she's waking up in a hospital bed, it’s three years later, and she's been transformed into....well, into someone who carries a Louis Vuitton purse and has perfectly manicured nails.
As Lexi attempts to meld herself into a life she knows nothing about while struggling to remember how she got there, she begins to realize that her life is not as charmed as it appears. Her best friends will barely speak to her anymore, her colleagues call her “the Cobra,” and everyone (including the irritatingly cute architect with a huge secret) keeps pestering her to remember places, people, and things she is not familiar with.
As the threads of Lexi’s seemingly charmed life start to unravel and reveal its underlying ugliness, she starts to realize that some things are more important than a fancy car and perfect hair. After all, what’s the point of having disco lighting in your loft if your best friend isn’t there to have a dance party with you? She starts to miss her old life, where at least she felt like herself. Memories or not, is it too late to turn things around?
Sophie Kinsella lures readers in with an insatiably devilish wit and then hooks them with her irresistibly charming characters. Lexi’s situation and struggles are relatable to readers who've ever been unhappy with their job, their appearance, or their life. Allow yourself to laugh with Lexi, feel her frustration, and empathize with her situation as she tries to set things right. Remember Me? is an unforgettable blend of mystery, romance, and real-life.
--Jenn C.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Doctor is In
“Put this book down. Right now. Do not buy it. Stop Reading. Now. Why are you still reading this? Okay. I warned you.”
Straight from these opening words, it’s clear that Denis Leary’s Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid is not meant for the light of heart. He makes it quite clear that no matter who you are, this book will probably offend you. It's tactless. It's uncensored. It's also absolutely hysterical. Why We Suck is 240 pages of pure comedic ingenuity. “Doctor” Denis Leary expresses his opinion on what’s wrong with America these days – and how to fix it. No one and nothing is safe from his scrutiny - from Angelina Jolie to ice cream to Ritalin.
Part memoir, part self-help, and part rant, Why We Suck declares an all-out war on pop culture, politics, and cats. Yes, cats. Of his cat, Leary says, “I don’t trust him as far as I could throw him - which wouldn’t be very far since he’s the size of a fat raccoon on steroids. He’s the Roger Clemens of catball.” Fans of Leary’s stand-up comedy know that he is not one to sugar-coat his opinions. He thinks that kids these days are spoiled and overmedicated and that Oprah is “the cure for what ails America.” Every opinion Leary has is somehow expressed between the covers of Why We Suck, and the end result is an instant satirical classic.
If you’re a fan of heavy sarcasm and political humor, and don’t mind occasionally vulgar language, then you’ll probably enjoy this book. Just don’t take it too seriously, or you’re likely to end up on the phone with your lawyer. Or, a psychiatrist. :-)
--Jenn C.
Straight from these opening words, it’s clear that Denis Leary’s Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid is not meant for the light of heart. He makes it quite clear that no matter who you are, this book will probably offend you. It's tactless. It's uncensored. It's also absolutely hysterical. Why We Suck is 240 pages of pure comedic ingenuity. “Doctor” Denis Leary expresses his opinion on what’s wrong with America these days – and how to fix it. No one and nothing is safe from his scrutiny - from Angelina Jolie to ice cream to Ritalin.
Part memoir, part self-help, and part rant, Why We Suck declares an all-out war on pop culture, politics, and cats. Yes, cats. Of his cat, Leary says, “I don’t trust him as far as I could throw him - which wouldn’t be very far since he’s the size of a fat raccoon on steroids. He’s the Roger Clemens of catball.” Fans of Leary’s stand-up comedy know that he is not one to sugar-coat his opinions. He thinks that kids these days are spoiled and overmedicated and that Oprah is “the cure for what ails America.” Every opinion Leary has is somehow expressed between the covers of Why We Suck, and the end result is an instant satirical classic.
If you’re a fan of heavy sarcasm and political humor, and don’t mind occasionally vulgar language, then you’ll probably enjoy this book. Just don’t take it too seriously, or you’re likely to end up on the phone with your lawyer. Or, a psychiatrist. :-)
--Jenn C.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Intrigue in Elizabethan England
The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory is the author’s take on what happened while Mary, Queen of Scots was a “guest” in England from 1568-1587. After a failed uprising in May 1568, Mary fled to England seeking protection from her cousin Queen Elizabeth I. Instead, Elizabeth had her arrested and imprisoned.
The book begins when George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and his wife, Bess of Hardwick, agree to take on Queen Mary as a “guest” in their home at Tutbury Castle during her stay in England. They believe this privilege will gain them favor at Elizabeth’s court. However, Elizabeth and her advisors cannot decide quite what to do with Mary, and the “visit” goes on longer than George or Bess ever thought it would.
Queen Elizabeth’s advisors know England cannot support Mary retaking the Scottish throne; if she succeeds, Scottish lords - and some English ones - will support her claim to the throne of England. She remains a “guest,” moving with the family to their different homes.
Early on, Bess is assured that she and her husband will be reimbursed for the cost of keeping Mary with them. As time goes on and there’s no repayment, she begins to wonder if she will ever see the money again. Mary still insists on being treated as a queen and having her entourage with her at all times, which causes a strain on Bess and George’s finances. Will housing all these people bankrupt Bess and George?
The financial strain is unbearable for Bess, who is a self-made woman. She grew up with next to nothing and, through her first three marriages, amassed a small fortune of her own. Bess is the one who keeps the books for all of the property she and her husband own, so she knows better than he how Mary’s stay is hurting them. George becomes so smitten with Mary that he does not care about the finances; he thinks she should have whatever she desires and whatever will make her the happiest.
Queen Elizabeth’s chief advisor William Cecil and his large group of spies are concerned with gathering information about Mary: whom she sees, what she does, who writes to her, whom she writes to, and more. They hope that her activities and whom she socializes with will show that, even from within the borders of England, Mary is plotting with the Scots to overthrow Elizabeth and take the throne. Bess is Cecil’s informant in her household, which upsets the besotted George when he finds out.
Even though I knew how Mary’s part of the story would end, I read to see how she’d react to being imprisoned while being referred to as a guest. I read to learn how hosting Mary would affect Bess and George, personally, financially, as well as how it would affect their relationship with each other. For me, this is proof of Gregory’s abilities as a storyteller.
Gregory’s knowledge about the Tudors in general, and the research she conducts for on each story’s specific subject, make all of her novels historically accurate, as well as good reads. Of course she takes liberties with some parts of her novels, such as conversations between characters; it’s not possible to know exactly what was said between Mary and Bess during Mary’s stay. Gregory’s knowledge of the Tudors also earned her a spot as the Tudor expert on a show called Time Team, a British show about archeological digs in England.
I recommend this book for anyone looking to enjoy a good historical novel about Mary, Queen of Scots and Tudor England.
--Erika E.
The book begins when George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and his wife, Bess of Hardwick, agree to take on Queen Mary as a “guest” in their home at Tutbury Castle during her stay in England. They believe this privilege will gain them favor at Elizabeth’s court. However, Elizabeth and her advisors cannot decide quite what to do with Mary, and the “visit” goes on longer than George or Bess ever thought it would.
Queen Elizabeth’s advisors know England cannot support Mary retaking the Scottish throne; if she succeeds, Scottish lords - and some English ones - will support her claim to the throne of England. She remains a “guest,” moving with the family to their different homes.
Early on, Bess is assured that she and her husband will be reimbursed for the cost of keeping Mary with them. As time goes on and there’s no repayment, she begins to wonder if she will ever see the money again. Mary still insists on being treated as a queen and having her entourage with her at all times, which causes a strain on Bess and George’s finances. Will housing all these people bankrupt Bess and George?
The financial strain is unbearable for Bess, who is a self-made woman. She grew up with next to nothing and, through her first three marriages, amassed a small fortune of her own. Bess is the one who keeps the books for all of the property she and her husband own, so she knows better than he how Mary’s stay is hurting them. George becomes so smitten with Mary that he does not care about the finances; he thinks she should have whatever she desires and whatever will make her the happiest.
Queen Elizabeth’s chief advisor William Cecil and his large group of spies are concerned with gathering information about Mary: whom she sees, what she does, who writes to her, whom she writes to, and more. They hope that her activities and whom she socializes with will show that, even from within the borders of England, Mary is plotting with the Scots to overthrow Elizabeth and take the throne. Bess is Cecil’s informant in her household, which upsets the besotted George when he finds out.
Even though I knew how Mary’s part of the story would end, I read to see how she’d react to being imprisoned while being referred to as a guest. I read to learn how hosting Mary would affect Bess and George, personally, financially, as well as how it would affect their relationship with each other. For me, this is proof of Gregory’s abilities as a storyteller.
Gregory’s knowledge about the Tudors in general, and the research she conducts for on each story’s specific subject, make all of her novels historically accurate, as well as good reads. Of course she takes liberties with some parts of her novels, such as conversations between characters; it’s not possible to know exactly what was said between Mary and Bess during Mary’s stay. Gregory’s knowledge of the Tudors also earned her a spot as the Tudor expert on a show called Time Team, a British show about archeological digs in England.
I recommend this book for anyone looking to enjoy a good historical novel about Mary, Queen of Scots and Tudor England.
--Erika E.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Super Short Story Collection
The Darker Mask: Heroes from the Shadows A collection of short stories, edited by Gary Phillips and Christopher Chambers
As a kid, I grew up loving superheroes and wanted to be one myself. If only I could get bit by a mutant spider or be dosed by gamma rays! Alas, I never became Spider Man or the Incredible Hulk. That didn’t put an end to my insatiable need to read about the do-gooder’s fight against evil. As I got older and realized that situations aren’t always black and white, I came to appreciate the dark hero, like Batman, who deals with inner struggles while trying to right the wrongs of his world. In The Darker Mask: Heroes from the Shadows, the protagonists would make Batman look like a saint.
The collection starts out strong with "Dream Knights," the story of two ordinary, underemployed people, Cassandra and Saddiq, who take on different personas when they fall asleep. Evil beings called Watchers feed on and amplify the negative thoughts and emotions of people from the real world. The more people act out on these thoughts, the stronger the watchers become in both the real and dream world. Cassandra and Saddiq transform into special warriors when they sleep with the ability to fight the watchers in the dream world, thus lessening their influence on the other side. But as they become better warriors on the other side, their waking selves suffer the consequences.
If you believe in karma and enjoy a little vengeance now and then, you’ll like "The Strega’s Last Dance." Angela Sandrini is the most prized Strega in New York City in 1949. She is a marriage counselor, nurse and witch all in one. She has seen much in her long life and has suffered a great deal. Much of this suffering was due to the local gangster, Bruno Maltano. Every business enterprise pays Bruno for the privilege of being in his neighborhood. As a result, he has made many enemies. The one person he doesn’t extort is the Strega. He needs her to find out who is going to make a move on his territory. But Bruno doesn’t realize that the Strega has been waiting for him for many years, and could be the one enemy he cannot defeat.
"The Henchmen" is a satirical look at the superhero versus super villain motif that makes you wonder, “Who are the real heroes?” JobPower is a temp agency that operates out of a tractor trailer. They don’t fill jobs for secretaries and office workers; instead they hire henchmen to tag along with super villains on mostly poorly thought out crime sprees or political crusades. The henchmen are underpaid, have no insurance and often suffer bodily harm at the hands of Night Mare, the local hero. Taurrance Green is one of the henchmen down on his luck until one day his true gifts shine through, and he finds himself in charge of a small army after their leader is killed. In many ways he becomes more of a hero than Night Mare could ever be.
I hope I have given you a taste of the kinds of adventure you’ll find in this unique collection of stories. If you like urban fiction and don’t mind a little strong language and violence, check it out.
--Mike N.
As a kid, I grew up loving superheroes and wanted to be one myself. If only I could get bit by a mutant spider or be dosed by gamma rays! Alas, I never became Spider Man or the Incredible Hulk. That didn’t put an end to my insatiable need to read about the do-gooder’s fight against evil. As I got older and realized that situations aren’t always black and white, I came to appreciate the dark hero, like Batman, who deals with inner struggles while trying to right the wrongs of his world. In The Darker Mask: Heroes from the Shadows, the protagonists would make Batman look like a saint.
The collection starts out strong with "Dream Knights," the story of two ordinary, underemployed people, Cassandra and Saddiq, who take on different personas when they fall asleep. Evil beings called Watchers feed on and amplify the negative thoughts and emotions of people from the real world. The more people act out on these thoughts, the stronger the watchers become in both the real and dream world. Cassandra and Saddiq transform into special warriors when they sleep with the ability to fight the watchers in the dream world, thus lessening their influence on the other side. But as they become better warriors on the other side, their waking selves suffer the consequences.
If you believe in karma and enjoy a little vengeance now and then, you’ll like "The Strega’s Last Dance." Angela Sandrini is the most prized Strega in New York City in 1949. She is a marriage counselor, nurse and witch all in one. She has seen much in her long life and has suffered a great deal. Much of this suffering was due to the local gangster, Bruno Maltano. Every business enterprise pays Bruno for the privilege of being in his neighborhood. As a result, he has made many enemies. The one person he doesn’t extort is the Strega. He needs her to find out who is going to make a move on his territory. But Bruno doesn’t realize that the Strega has been waiting for him for many years, and could be the one enemy he cannot defeat.
"The Henchmen" is a satirical look at the superhero versus super villain motif that makes you wonder, “Who are the real heroes?” JobPower is a temp agency that operates out of a tractor trailer. They don’t fill jobs for secretaries and office workers; instead they hire henchmen to tag along with super villains on mostly poorly thought out crime sprees or political crusades. The henchmen are underpaid, have no insurance and often suffer bodily harm at the hands of Night Mare, the local hero. Taurrance Green is one of the henchmen down on his luck until one day his true gifts shine through, and he finds himself in charge of a small army after their leader is killed. In many ways he becomes more of a hero than Night Mare could ever be.
I hope I have given you a taste of the kinds of adventure you’ll find in this unique collection of stories. If you like urban fiction and don’t mind a little strong language and violence, check it out.
--Mike N.
Friday, May 8, 2009
New Release: The Help
In The Help, a first novel by Kathryn Stockett, it is the 1960s and Jackson, Mississippi is still in the grip of racial segregation. White women trust their black housemaids with the children but not with the family silver, and the black maids are more afraid of the wrath of the society matrons than of the KKK. The two main items on the Jackson Junior League’s agenda are sending food to the starving children of Africa and promoting the Home Help Sanitation Initiative to encourage homeowners to build a separate bathroom for the maid.
Skeeter Phelan sees the irony of the situation, though she doesn’t claim an interest in civil rights or political affairs. But when Skeeter returns from college and finds that her family’s maid and her longtime confidante, Constantine, has disappeared under mysterious circumstances, she starts asking questions that could permanently disrupt the social status quo. She’s just trying to find out what happened to Constantine, while dodging her mother’s criticism and working on her fledgling writing career. But the only writing job she can get is a domestic advice column in the local paper, so she turns to her friend’s maid, Aibileen, for advice about rust stains, silver polish, and laundry.
Aibileen has raised seventeen white children in her career as a maid, but since her own son died in an accident at the sawmill where he worked, she has begun to chafe under the pressure of racial inequality. She is willing to answer Miz Skeeter’s questions about household maintenance, but she refuses to talk about Constantine — and when Skeeter gets a daring idea for a book about the life of a Mississippi housemaid, Aibileen realizes that telling the truth could be a matter of life and death.
Aibileen’s best friend, Minny, doesn’t know how not to tell the truth, and her opinions are about to spell the death of her employment options. She has gotten on the bad side of Hilly Holbrook, queen bee of the Jackson social set, and if word gets out about the Terrible Awful she committed against the all-powerful Hilly, losing another job will be the least of Minny's troubles.
As the civil rights movement heats up, a New York editor agrees to read the book that Skeeter has written with Aibileen, Minny, and several other maids. The stories they tell are about a complex relationship of both love and hate, trust and fear, interdependence and inequality. If anyone figures out the anonymous work is really about Jackson — well, none of them wants to think about what might happen then. The women have a plan to keep their big secret, with the unwitting help of the fearsome Miss Hilly, but the book will change all their lives.
This book is excellent—complex, detailed, engaging, and well-written. The author captures the individual characters’ voices with amazing understanding. A topic like segregation is easily turned into a lecture or a horror story, but The Help shows the full range of emotion — love, friendship, humor, petty squabbles, worries about money or boyfriends or what Mama might say. It gives a rare and insightful view of segregation and racial conflict from the inside, from the personal perspective of seemingly minor players in the larger drama.
And if literary characters can be judged by God, I’m pretty sure Hilly Holbrook is going to hell.
--Tiffany H.
Skeeter Phelan sees the irony of the situation, though she doesn’t claim an interest in civil rights or political affairs. But when Skeeter returns from college and finds that her family’s maid and her longtime confidante, Constantine, has disappeared under mysterious circumstances, she starts asking questions that could permanently disrupt the social status quo. She’s just trying to find out what happened to Constantine, while dodging her mother’s criticism and working on her fledgling writing career. But the only writing job she can get is a domestic advice column in the local paper, so she turns to her friend’s maid, Aibileen, for advice about rust stains, silver polish, and laundry.
Aibileen has raised seventeen white children in her career as a maid, but since her own son died in an accident at the sawmill where he worked, she has begun to chafe under the pressure of racial inequality. She is willing to answer Miz Skeeter’s questions about household maintenance, but she refuses to talk about Constantine — and when Skeeter gets a daring idea for a book about the life of a Mississippi housemaid, Aibileen realizes that telling the truth could be a matter of life and death.
Aibileen’s best friend, Minny, doesn’t know how not to tell the truth, and her opinions are about to spell the death of her employment options. She has gotten on the bad side of Hilly Holbrook, queen bee of the Jackson social set, and if word gets out about the Terrible Awful she committed against the all-powerful Hilly, losing another job will be the least of Minny's troubles.
As the civil rights movement heats up, a New York editor agrees to read the book that Skeeter has written with Aibileen, Minny, and several other maids. The stories they tell are about a complex relationship of both love and hate, trust and fear, interdependence and inequality. If anyone figures out the anonymous work is really about Jackson — well, none of them wants to think about what might happen then. The women have a plan to keep their big secret, with the unwitting help of the fearsome Miss Hilly, but the book will change all their lives.
This book is excellent—complex, detailed, engaging, and well-written. The author captures the individual characters’ voices with amazing understanding. A topic like segregation is easily turned into a lecture or a horror story, but The Help shows the full range of emotion — love, friendship, humor, petty squabbles, worries about money or boyfriends or what Mama might say. It gives a rare and insightful view of segregation and racial conflict from the inside, from the personal perspective of seemingly minor players in the larger drama.
And if literary characters can be judged by God, I’m pretty sure Hilly Holbrook is going to hell.
--Tiffany H.
Books into Movies - Summer 2009
Screenwriters have been adapting books into movies since Georges Méliès used Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon as a source for the first science-fiction film, A Trip to the Moon, in 1902 (included in the bonus features on this DVD). Over a hundred years later, they’re still at it. This summer promises some real treats for book lovers who enjoy a good flick.
The summer action starts off with a bang when Angels & Demons (watch the trailer) opens May 15. Robert Langdon chases the Illuminati across Rome, in an attempt to derail a plot against the Catholic Church. Tom Hanks returns as the intrepid investigator, although I understand the filmmakers wisely decided to do away with the goofy hairdo he sported in The Da Vinci Code.
Next on track is a remake of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, (watch the trailer) which opens June 12. It’s the third film version of John Godey’s 1973 thriller about the hijacking of a New York City subway train; this time around it stars Denzel Washington and John Travolta, along with a couple of my favorite character actors, Luis Gúzman and John Turturro. All aboard!
Switching gears and slowing down, Michelle Pfeiffer stars in the film version of Chéri, opening in limited release on June 26. Beautiful but aging Léa is asked to see to the worldly education of the son of an old friend. It’s been described as the story of a relationship between a boy who won’t grow up and a woman who can’t stay young. From what I saw in the trailer, the film looks gorgeous – exactly the kind of movie you want to come downtown to see at the Cameo!
Also opening on the 26th: Abigail Breslin stars in My Sister’s Keeper (watch the trailer), the adaptation of Jodi Picoult’s novel about a girl with a very sick older sister. Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric play the parents, with Sofia Vassilieva as the sister, Kate. This movie should be popular with all the book clubs that read and enjoyed the book – remember to bring a box of tissues when you go to see it.
I Love You, Beth Cooper (watch the trailer) is based on Larry Doyle’s novel about what happens when a shy high-school valedictorian throws caution to the winds and tells the cheerleader he adores how he feels – during the graduation ceremony. Hilarity and complications ensue. This teen-geek rom-com opens July 10, and it’s directed by Chris Columbus, who helmed the first two Harry Potter movies.
Speaking of the Boy Wizard, all good Muggles know to keep their date books open for July 15, the day that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (watch the trailer) opens. In this, the penultimate installation of the series, Harry and Professor Dumbledore prepare for the battle they know is coming against Voldemort. If any book-movie is guaranteed money in the bank this summer, it’s got to be this one.
More fantasy is in store on August 14, with the opening of The Time Traveler’s Wife (no trailer available yet). A blend of science fiction and romance, but not quite either of these things, it’s the story of Clare and her husband Henry, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder that causes him to jump from one time period to another. This is another book club favorite whose arrival has been eagerly anticipated by the many loyal fans of the book. Hey – Eric Bana plays Henry, a librarian. What’s not to like?
The summer closes with a tasty morsel of a movie, Julie & Julia (watch the trailer), which is based on not one, not two, but three books. The title comes from Julie Powell’s account of how she spent a year preparing (or trying to prepare!) every recipe in Julia Child’s breakthrough work, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Interspersed with Julie’s struggle to find herself in haute cuisine is the story of how a nice lady from America became an internationally known chef and television star; material for this came from Mrs. Child’s memoir My Life in France. Amy Adams stars as Julie, while Meryl Streep positively channels Julia. Think of this film as a scrumptious dessert for summer’s end – Bon Appétit!
--Nora
The summer action starts off with a bang when Angels & Demons (watch the trailer) opens May 15. Robert Langdon chases the Illuminati across Rome, in an attempt to derail a plot against the Catholic Church. Tom Hanks returns as the intrepid investigator, although I understand the filmmakers wisely decided to do away with the goofy hairdo he sported in The Da Vinci Code.
Next on track is a remake of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, (watch the trailer) which opens June 12. It’s the third film version of John Godey’s 1973 thriller about the hijacking of a New York City subway train; this time around it stars Denzel Washington and John Travolta, along with a couple of my favorite character actors, Luis Gúzman and John Turturro. All aboard!
Switching gears and slowing down, Michelle Pfeiffer stars in the film version of Chéri, opening in limited release on June 26. Beautiful but aging Léa is asked to see to the worldly education of the son of an old friend. It’s been described as the story of a relationship between a boy who won’t grow up and a woman who can’t stay young. From what I saw in the trailer, the film looks gorgeous – exactly the kind of movie you want to come downtown to see at the Cameo!
Also opening on the 26th: Abigail Breslin stars in My Sister’s Keeper (watch the trailer), the adaptation of Jodi Picoult’s novel about a girl with a very sick older sister. Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric play the parents, with Sofia Vassilieva as the sister, Kate. This movie should be popular with all the book clubs that read and enjoyed the book – remember to bring a box of tissues when you go to see it.
I Love You, Beth Cooper (watch the trailer) is based on Larry Doyle’s novel about what happens when a shy high-school valedictorian throws caution to the winds and tells the cheerleader he adores how he feels – during the graduation ceremony. Hilarity and complications ensue. This teen-geek rom-com opens July 10, and it’s directed by Chris Columbus, who helmed the first two Harry Potter movies.
Speaking of the Boy Wizard, all good Muggles know to keep their date books open for July 15, the day that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (watch the trailer) opens. In this, the penultimate installation of the series, Harry and Professor Dumbledore prepare for the battle they know is coming against Voldemort. If any book-movie is guaranteed money in the bank this summer, it’s got to be this one.
More fantasy is in store on August 14, with the opening of The Time Traveler’s Wife (no trailer available yet). A blend of science fiction and romance, but not quite either of these things, it’s the story of Clare and her husband Henry, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder that causes him to jump from one time period to another. This is another book club favorite whose arrival has been eagerly anticipated by the many loyal fans of the book. Hey – Eric Bana plays Henry, a librarian. What’s not to like?
The summer closes with a tasty morsel of a movie, Julie & Julia (watch the trailer), which is based on not one, not two, but three books. The title comes from Julie Powell’s account of how she spent a year preparing (or trying to prepare!) every recipe in Julia Child’s breakthrough work, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Interspersed with Julie’s struggle to find herself in haute cuisine is the story of how a nice lady from America became an internationally known chef and television star; material for this came from Mrs. Child’s memoir My Life in France. Amy Adams stars as Julie, while Meryl Streep positively channels Julia. Think of this film as a scrumptious dessert for summer’s end – Bon Appétit!
--Nora
Thursday, May 7, 2009
What I'm Reading: Michael Robotham
I just finished reading Michael Robotham’s newest novel, Shatter. This is Robotham’s fourth book, and the third to feature clinical psychologist, Joe O’Loughlin. O’Loughlin is a fascinating character, a skilled therapist with an uncanny ability to read people and discern their motives. Oh, and he has Parkinson’s Disease. “Parkinson’s is not incurable,” he says. “There is a cure; they just haven’t found it yet.” Robotham’s novels are complex and sharply plotted, resulting in thoughtful and subtle thrillers with credible three-dimensional characters.
The first book in the series is called Suspect, and in this book, Joe himself is the suspect when he is arrested for murder by London homicide inspector Vincent Ruiz. This is also when he is diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Joe is eventually cleared of the murder, and he and Ruiz become friends and collaborators.
The second book is called Lost, and in it, Detective Ruiz is hauled out of the Thames with a bullet wound in his leg and no memory of how it got there or the week preceding the shooting. He contacts Joe to help him reconstruct the missing pieces of his memory, and is aided by his partner, Alisha Barba, a young Sikh woman.
The third book is The Night Ferry, and it features Ali (recovering from an injury sustained in Lost) and her partner, Detective Inspector Vincent Ruiz. In this story, an old college friend of Ali’s contacts her, claiming that she’s in trouble and needs Ali’s help. Before the visibly pregnant friend can explain, she and her husband are killed in a hit-and-run, then it’s discovered that the pregnancy was faked. Ali and Ruiz end up in Amsterdam, on the trail of an international baby-selling conspiracy.
In "Shatter," Joe is back, and he and his family have moved to Somerset. Joe is teaching part-time at the University of Bath when he’s asked to help talk a potential suicide out of jumping. He fails, but then discovers that the “suicide” is not what it seems. Joe enlists the help of the now-retired Vincent Ruiz, and they go up against a twisted, ex-military interrogator who uses psychological techniques to destroy people.
--Sana M
The first book in the series is called Suspect, and in this book, Joe himself is the suspect when he is arrested for murder by London homicide inspector Vincent Ruiz. This is also when he is diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Joe is eventually cleared of the murder, and he and Ruiz become friends and collaborators.
The second book is called Lost, and in it, Detective Ruiz is hauled out of the Thames with a bullet wound in his leg and no memory of how it got there or the week preceding the shooting. He contacts Joe to help him reconstruct the missing pieces of his memory, and is aided by his partner, Alisha Barba, a young Sikh woman.
The third book is The Night Ferry, and it features Ali (recovering from an injury sustained in Lost) and her partner, Detective Inspector Vincent Ruiz. In this story, an old college friend of Ali’s contacts her, claiming that she’s in trouble and needs Ali’s help. Before the visibly pregnant friend can explain, she and her husband are killed in a hit-and-run, then it’s discovered that the pregnancy was faked. Ali and Ruiz end up in Amsterdam, on the trail of an international baby-selling conspiracy.
In "Shatter," Joe is back, and he and his family have moved to Somerset. Joe is teaching part-time at the University of Bath when he’s asked to help talk a potential suicide out of jumping. He fails, but then discovers that the “suicide” is not what it seems. Joe enlists the help of the now-retired Vincent Ruiz, and they go up against a twisted, ex-military interrogator who uses psychological techniques to destroy people.
--Sana M
Monday, May 4, 2009
J.K. Rowling...in Giant Lego Form
Okay, now this is just awesome. J.K. Rowling, author of the wickedly popular Harry Potter series, has recently received the double honor of having been named the "ultimate hero" of the last ten years AND being immortalized by 48,000 Legos that create a mosaic portrait of the author. Yep, that's right. Legos. Legoland Windsor conducted this study of 700 children under 14, and constructed the enormous mosaic of the winner. (If you haven't already seen this, you can here).
As a librarian, my reaction to Rowling topping the list (beating out Zac Efron and yes, even Obama) was a mix of jubilant relief (Hooray! Kids still read!) and smug satisfaction (See?? Kids still read!) We often hear people say that the internet, television, and video games are replacing books as entertainment for children. With so many electronic gadgets available, kids simply don't want to read anymore. This poll, along with the wildfire success of Rowling's books, proves that an engaging story is still capable of capturing young readers. I have faith in the future generation of readers...even if they did vote Joe Jonas into the top ten. =)
(On a completely unrelated note: Forget leaving your hand prints outside of Mann's Chinese Theater: there is nothing cooler than having your portrait constructed out of Legos, and displayed outside of a theme park. Nothing.)
-Jenn C.
As a librarian, my reaction to Rowling topping the list (beating out Zac Efron and yes, even Obama) was a mix of jubilant relief (Hooray! Kids still read!) and smug satisfaction (See?? Kids still read!) We often hear people say that the internet, television, and video games are replacing books as entertainment for children. With so many electronic gadgets available, kids simply don't want to read anymore. This poll, along with the wildfire success of Rowling's books, proves that an engaging story is still capable of capturing young readers. I have faith in the future generation of readers...even if they did vote Joe Jonas into the top ten. =)
(On a completely unrelated note: Forget leaving your hand prints outside of Mann's Chinese Theater: there is nothing cooler than having your portrait constructed out of Legos, and displayed outside of a theme park. Nothing.)
-Jenn C.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Military SF, anybody?
Imagine a world plagued by war and a global pandemic, then throw in a climate crisis that threatens to destroy Earth's crops, leading to mass starvation and more war. The only thing missing is a financial crisis, and all of this is beginning to sound eerily familiar, isn't it? Well, not quite - at least not in the hands of John Ringo, 82nd Airborne alumnus and author of The Last Centurion.
The book's narrator, known only as Bandit Six, tells the story of what happens when the world starts to fall apart in the very near future. As the real action begins, he and his platoon find themselves in the Middle East, deep in enemy territory, and they've got to find a way out, back to what's left of the United States. But before that happens, we get a primer from Bandit Six on current events. He has nothing good to say about most of the people in charge, from the President on down to the battalion commander - and the annoying thing is, most of the time, he's right. A fortuitous combination of education and experience has placed him in the right place at just the right time; like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Bandit Six is our only hope.
Sure, the book's riddled with cliches, and it's one of the most politically incorrect novels I've read in a while, and most of the characters are one- or two-dimensional at most, and following Army jargon can be confusing to the uninitiated, but the conversational tone of the writing and Ringo's innate storytelling abilities make up for some of these potential flaws. It's easy to picture Bandit Six eased back in his desk chair, feet propped up on a battered government-issue metal desk, with a cup of too-strong coffee in his hand, spinning yarns about his exploits in the desert and explaining how he saved the world almost single-handed.
Ringo isn't shy about using Bandit Six as a mouthpiece for his opinions on climate change, the green movement, current political figures, and other sacred cows. If you've got a high tolerance for polemic in your fiction, and you enjoy a rousing - if highly improbable - story about a group of warriors who embody the motto "Adapt, improvise, and overcome," you may enjoy reading The Last Centurion.
--Nora
The book's narrator, known only as Bandit Six, tells the story of what happens when the world starts to fall apart in the very near future. As the real action begins, he and his platoon find themselves in the Middle East, deep in enemy territory, and they've got to find a way out, back to what's left of the United States. But before that happens, we get a primer from Bandit Six on current events. He has nothing good to say about most of the people in charge, from the President on down to the battalion commander - and the annoying thing is, most of the time, he's right. A fortuitous combination of education and experience has placed him in the right place at just the right time; like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Bandit Six is our only hope.
Sure, the book's riddled with cliches, and it's one of the most politically incorrect novels I've read in a while, and most of the characters are one- or two-dimensional at most, and following Army jargon can be confusing to the uninitiated, but the conversational tone of the writing and Ringo's innate storytelling abilities make up for some of these potential flaws. It's easy to picture Bandit Six eased back in his desk chair, feet propped up on a battered government-issue metal desk, with a cup of too-strong coffee in his hand, spinning yarns about his exploits in the desert and explaining how he saved the world almost single-handed.
Ringo isn't shy about using Bandit Six as a mouthpiece for his opinions on climate change, the green movement, current political figures, and other sacred cows. If you've got a high tolerance for polemic in your fiction, and you enjoy a rousing - if highly improbable - story about a group of warriors who embody the motto "Adapt, improvise, and overcome," you may enjoy reading The Last Centurion.
--Nora
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