Advance Reader Books I’ve read this year …
I’ve been on a roll with Advance Reader Copies of books that came out this year. After a full year of NOTHING, I’ve gotten one almost every month. I thought I’d list the books and my reviews for those who are interested.
February 2010
All God’s Creatures by Carolyn McSparren.
“As a convincing fictional memoir, this book succeeded (not that this was the intention of the author – but it was completely my experience). The stories of animal care were enjoyable, but even more so was the character development of Maggie and Eli, Morgan and all the other friends and family that populate this novel. Along the way Ms. McSparren explores the complicated relationships that mothers and daughters have. One of the most poignant parts of the novel for me was the conversation Maggie has with her son. She has a guilty feeling that she failed her family, even as she was succeeding as a well respected and accomplished veterinarian. Her son, Nathan, gives her a completely different view of their family life and his mother’s role in their lives. It brought tears to my eyes to see the love and pride that Nathan had for his mother. A very enjoyable read.”
March 2010
God of the Hive by Laurie R. King.
“Ms. King’s mysteries are well-crafted and intelligent, and this latest offering is no exception. Russell and Holmes find themselves on the run and burdened with the unfamiliar weight of family concerns. Politics plays a huge part in this adventure, and questions of power and accountability are explored. Holmes’ brother, Mycroft, is a major character in this installment, and Ms. King gives us some glimpses into his thinking and history. There is also some nice advancement of the personal story of Russell and Holmes. Very enjoyable and entertaining novel.” I love Ms. King’s Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Her writing is literate, interesting, and non-formulaic.
April 2010
The Goddess of Fried Okra by Jean Brashear.
“How I enjoyed watching Eudora find a new family in midst of her grief for the death of her sister. Like so many of us, she has an idea in her mind of what she needs to come to terms with her loss, but the solution comes in a very different form and it takes awhile for her to recognize. I loved the recurring images of strong women that Eudora recalls as she deals with difficult situations – and that in the end she recognizes herself as one of those strong women. I liked Eudora and was sad when her story came to a close.”
May 2010
Blame by Michelle Huneven.
“Ms. Huneven puts her main character, Patsy, in an untenable situation – arrested for the deaths of a mother and daughter that she hit while driving drunk. What follows in the novel are Patsy’s ways of trying to make her life something meaningful to make up for this horrific fact. The novel covers a large chunk of time – practically a lifetime – which I really appreciated, as it gave me a chance to see how Patsy’s choices play out, for good and bad, over the course of her life. I liked Ms. Huneven’s depictions of the various characters – they are all flawed but very human and real. The ending of the book puts a twist in the tale and presents a whole new set of questions – and calls to mind the questions that most humans face: what if life events had played out in some different manner – then how would my life have turned out? I really enjoyed how Ms. Huneven explores these issues.”
June 2010
I was supposed to receive Some Like it Cold which is a surfing memoir. So far, I haven’t seen it. Still holding out hopes.
July 2010
Bird in Hand by Christina Baker Kline.
“Here’s a new book just coming out. Ms. Kline does some interesting things with this story – she sets up a catalyst, but it has little to do with the story. She tells a story mostly chronologically, yet she has this backward moving story set against it, illuminating the present. She tells an all-to-common tale of infidelity with the stereotypical participant – the best friend, and then has the ability to show grace without wrapping everyone up in a “everything is so much better” blanket. Each of the protagonists is left with loss, but also there is some undefinable gain – although the lovers seem to lose more, somehow. I liked the story better than I thought I would half way through. I also liked the subtle poking Ms. Kline does as the bookselling process – the building of buzz, and being at the mercy of popular whim.”
August 2010
An Amish Christmas by Cynthia Keller.
Just arrived yesterday. I’m hoping to have it read by the end of next week. It is a slim little paperback and is marketed to the Christian fiction market so I’m hopeful that it will be both enjoyable and quick!