Let's review...'Handle with Care' by Jodi Picoult

I'm a huge fan of Jodi Picoult. One of my favorite books is "My Sister's Keeper." I once covered an event she was reading at and stood a foot away from her - don't ask me why I didn't go and introduce myself...I suppose I was a little shy.

I have, however, been disappointed by some of her most recent books including "Nineteen Minutes" and "Change of Heart." Sometimes, specifically in "Change of Heart," Picoult delves into a particular issue or moral dilemma a little too deeply - leaving her characters and the readers on the sidelines.

"Handle with Care" reminded me of "My Sister's Keeper" in many ways - only infinitely more sad. Like "My Sister's Keeper" the story was very character driven, while including a medical problem and a moral quest.

The moral question in this book was centered around a "wrongful birth" law suit. The plantiff, Charlotte O'Keefe, sued her OBGYN, who also happened to be her best friend, for not diagnosing her daughter Willow's "brittle bone" disease at her 18 week sonogram. The crux of the lawsuit being if she had known about the genetic defect early on, she may have chosen to abort the fetus.

What I liked about this book was that it was character driven - and not only about the moral issue. I didn't want to put the book down, even when I found myself getting into a funk because it is really the saddest story.

And with all that sadness, you'd think there may be a happy ending coming. And you'd be wrong. I won't tell you what happens - I'll just tell you to be prepared with a box of tissues or something to throw at the wall when you're done.

I don't know where this book rates on my scale...I'm still mulling it over. I know many people were unhappy with the ending of "My Sister's Keeper." I, however, wasn't one of them. I thought that the way "My Sister's Keeper" ended was the only way it could end. I don't know if I feel the same way about "Handle with Care." I guess I'll get back to you.

On to the next book...

Let's review...three books to cap off my summer of reading

Having gone back to work recently, I haven't had time to update the blog with the new books I've read...but don't you worry, I haven't stopped reading.

Recently, I finished Sophie Kinsella's new novel, "Twenties Girl." Kinsella is probably best known for her Shopaholic series. Being a shopaholic myself, those are some of my most favorite books. Kinsella has a unique voice that carries through all her novels. I have read every book she's published under this pen name (her real name is Madeline Wickham - but the books published under that name aren't nearly as good) and I have enjoyed them all.

"Twenties Girl" is a sort of ghost story. Main character Lara Lington finds herself at the funeral of a great aunt she's never met...only she can see the dead aunt who appears to her as a girl in her 20s. The dead great aunt is searching for a necklace that she can't rest in piece without. What follows is a funny tale about the search for the necklace and Lington's search for herself. I highly recommend it.

I also read recently "The Third Angel" by Alice Hoffman. I know I've mentioned Hoffman before. She's an author whose books I always look forward to reading. This novel was also a bit of a ghost story. A lot of it centers on an old hotel in London that has a ghost who comes back every night at 10:30 p.m. and relives some horrible experience. This ghost and all the characters are connected in a six degrees of separation kind of way.

From a writing perspective, it's pretty amazing she was able to tie all the characters together in such interesting ways and most of the ties are not revealed until near the end of the book. From a reading perspective, you'll be wondering what's going on and what the "horrible" incident was with the ghost. It turns out to not really be THAT horrible...but it's interesting nonetheless.

Earlier this week I finished "The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs. This is a book that was published in 2007. Every time I was at the bookstore, I would find myself picking it up but never purchasing it. It was only after my friend Amanda read the book and recommended it to me, that I finally bought a copy.

I have to say it wasn't what I expected. First, it was sad...Steel Magnolia's sad. Second, it was good but I found myself skimming through a lot of it, looking to get to the meatier parts of the story. The writing wasn't really tight and I found that she waxed poetic A LOT prompting the skimming. She has since written a sequel to the book, "Knit Two." But I don't think I'll be reading that one. I just wasn't captivated enough with the first one to follow these characters on.

I started the new Nora Roberts book "Black Hills" the other night. Nora Roberts is my guilty pleasure. I'm not a huge fan of romance novels anymore but Roberts' writing is always tight, fresh and captivating. She is the first author who made me laugh out loud at something she had written.

Then it's on to Jane Green's new novel, "Dune Road." After that, who knows what the bookstore will bring me? Well, actually I have a list...it's posted on the left. Take a look at the books I'm looking forward to this year.

Let's review...'Best Friends Forever' by Jennifer Weiner

Being laid off has its perks. I've had plenty of pool time this summer...and plenty of reading time. Of course, my husband is growing more concerned by the day. I've already read most of my new books and I think he's concerned I'm going to send us to the poor house with weekly trips to the bookstore. I haven't yet joined the library. I like to own the books, stare at them in my bookcase and imagine them in my own "library" someday. My husband likes to imagine them in the trash, I'm sure.

I think all told I have read at least 10 books in the past month and a half. Last night I finished "Best Friends Forever" by Jennifer Weiner. I am a big fan of hers. I have read almost every book she's written. Being that there are only seven of them, it hasn't been a hard feat. I like her writing style and find her books entertaining.

"Best Friends Forever" was cute and had its moments but I found the plot a little outlandish. And I have a very large imagination. I usually don't have a problem with outlandish plots. But even this plot got on my nerves. I just kept asking myself, "Why? Why? Why?"

The book centers on Addie Downs and her best friend Valerie Adler. The two friends have a falling out in high school but reconnect after a high school reunion when Adler appears at her friend's door for help. What follows is the part I find unrealistic.

Adler thinks she has "killed" a fellow high school classmate, who she is angry with because of a past event, when she struck him with her car. Only she didn't hit him that hard and when she and Downs go back to the scene of the "crime," he isn't there. Do dead bodies walk away, I ask you? Only in "Weekend at Bernie's."

So of course the two would decide to hightail it out of town because they think they might be found out. It's just logic, don’t you know.

I found myself getting angry at the book and the characters...asking them, "Why? why? why?" are they being so stupid! It annoyed me to no end. As did the incessant whining from Downs about her being VERY overweight in high school (she claims at one point to have tipped the scales over 350 pounds). Perhaps she shouldn't have binge ate in the middle of the night, every night! I hate whining characters.

This is definitely something you can wait to read until it comes out in paperback...or check it out from the library. A place I plan to visit one day...maybe...we'll see...not sure I'll have time...

Let's review...'The Girl Who Played With Fire' by Stieg Larsson

I stayed up late last night to finish "The Girl Who Played With Fire" by Stieg Larsson. I couldn't wait to find out the ending...there had been so many unexpected twists and turns...I was riveted.

And then just as I reached page 503 at midnight, I was greeted with a cliffhanger. A cliffhanger!!!!! I can't say for sure but there may have been swear words involved as I walked around the apartment getting ready for bed.

"The Girl Who Played With Fire" is the second in a three part series. The first book, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," was released last year. Amazon states that the third and last book, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest," will be released on Oct. 31. However, the official Web site of Stieg Larsson has a date of January 2010. Oh, please let it be Oct. 31. I don't think I can wait until January to find out what happens.

If you're unfamiliar with Stieg Larsson and his series...allow me to introduce you. Stieg Larsson was a Swedish author who died unexpectedly shortly after delivering these three manuscripts. It's very sad that these are the only three works we'll ever see from him. Larsson was a great writer who had a gift for storytelling.

The books follow journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who is part owner of a magazine called Millennium. In both books he becomes involved in criminal investigations. Trouble definitely seems to follow him. His sidekick in the first book, Lisbeth Salander, is one of the main characters in the second book. She is feisty, aloof, smart, interesting...she is unlike any character I have read before. And she has a history... a mysterious history that keeps you guessing until the end of the second book.

These books are definitely a bit racey with its content. A LOT of discussion about sex crimes, sex trading, prostitution, incest...etc. So if these subjects make you uncomfortable, you might want to pick up something else to read.

But if you're game, check them out.

Let's review...'The Sugar Queen' by Sarah Addison Allen

One of my favorite things to do is to spend a couple hours at the bookstore and just browse. Usually, I'm not looking for a specific book. I'm searching for a something I've never heard of, by an author I've never heard of - a diamond in the rough.

I love discovering new writers. I have no patience whatsoever so I can't exactly be expected to wait until my favorite authors release their next books. Instead I fill the in between time with little known writers and their books, hoping that they will join my favorites list.

This is precisely why I love Barnes and Noble. If you weren't already aware, B&N has a Discover New Writers section. I have found many a good book and great author there. I highly recommend you peruse the section the next time you find yourself in B&N.

In addition to the DNW section, B&N also has a number of tables set up with different genres of books that stand out among the rest. There's so much to stop and look at...it's like being in a candy store. And you know how I love chocolate!

On a table display in B&N is where I found "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen. I had never heard of her or her book before. But the cover spoke to me. Yes, I'm serious.

Peppermint patties run across the top of the cover and in the center is a girl sitting (in the snow maybe?) holding a peppermint patty. Sold!

This sweet little book follows main character Josey Cirrini, a Southern belle, who feels she needs to hide her love of sweets and only do her mother's bidding. Until she finds a fairy godmother of sorts in her closet. And then everything changes.

In the vein of Alice Hoffman, Allen interweaves magic and reality in this cute story about finding yourself and embracing who you are. If you're a Hoffman fan, you'll love this book. And, incidentally if you haven't read an Alice Hoffman book, you really should pick one up. I recommend "The Probable Future." It's one of my favorites.

Speaking of favorites, many authors on my list have come out with new books this summer...but the hard part is choosing which one to read first. eeney, meeney, miney, moe...

Let's review...'Real Murders' by Charlaine Harris

When I was younger every Saturday my father would take me to Spags in Shrewsbury. If you're not from around the Worcester area where Spags is a legend, picture Building 19 meets Home Depot meets BJs. It was the kind of place where you could get name brand items super on sale but you had to bring your own bag - or find a box lying around.

I would always spend most of my time in the book section at Spags searching for mysteries written by Christopher Pike, RL Stine or Agatha Christie. Nancy Drew and the Hardy boys were also a favorite of mine. There was something about these "who-done-it" novels that really drew me in. As you might have guessed I also really enjoyed playing Clue! (And still do in case anyone else is game).

When I found "Real Murders" by Charlaine Harris in Barnes and Noble the other day, I was reminded of those books from my childhood. I was hoping that "Real Murders" would be a similar novel and take me back to those days when I would read a 200-300 page book in a couple of hours while PBS cooking shows (who doesn't love to watch Yan Can Cook???) played in the background on the television.

I was not disappointed.

"Real Murders," the first in a series called the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, is a fun little book anyone could breeze through in a couple of hours. I wasn't sure if at the end of the book I would want to read more in the series but I find myself wanting to know what happens to main character Aurora Teagarden. What other kind of shenanigans does she get herself into?

And I have to say I didn't even suspect who the killer was - which is a sign of a good mystery indeed.

The writing isn't tight. Harris makes many faux pas' which I was strictly told never to do in my creative writing classes. But that's Ok because I wasn't reading "Real Murders" for the best piece of literature ever created. I wanted a little fun and a little intrigue. And that's what I got.

Now, if I could only figure out...was it Mr. Green in the library with the candlestick? Or Professor Plum in the billiard room with the rope?

Let's review...'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak

There is only one book I have read where the writing was so beautiful that I devoured every word, every sentence. I didn't skim. I didn't breeze through passages. I soaked up every word. And when the story was over, I immediately wanted to reread it. That book was "Shopgirl" by Steve Martin.

That was until I read "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak.

"The Book Thief" is unique. It's honest. It's powerful. It is a great piece of writing.

Narrated by death, the book takes place in Nazi Germany at the beginning of World War II. It follows one specific girl, the book thief, who death has taken notice of...but not for the reason you might think.

I love death as the narrator. I think it was a stroke of genius for Zusak. Death is harsh and lovely all at the same time. He sees things and humans in a way we can't really understand. And it's fascinating.

In Liesel Meminger, a.k.a. the book thief, we're introduced to a girl who struggles to read but becomes determined to learn. And the stolen books offer Meminger a chance to do just that. Her thievery is interwoven with the rise and fall of Hitler and her struggle to understand just who and what the fuhrer is.

"The Book Thief" is a wonderful hidden gem that was first published in 2005. I can't believe I didn't hear about it back then. But I am glad I found it. While it was written for teens, this book spans the age gap and will consume anyone who reads it.

I highly, highly recommend this book to all those who love words and books. But you'll have to go out and get your own copy.

I'll be over here, rereading mine.

Let's review...'Julie & Julia' by Julie Powell

I have an inner fat girl. Her name is "Rachel" and she demands to be fed every couple of hours. Most of my friends have met "Rachel." I doubt they like her very much. She's moody, she's mean...she wants food and she wants it now. Needless to say, my inner fat girl was very excited to discover "Julie & Julia" by Julie Powell, a memoir that chronicles Julie Powell on her quest to cook all of Julia Child's 524 recipes from "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" in one year. She decides to write a blog about her experience resulting in fame, fortune and a book deal.

Having gotten into cooking a few years ago, I was intrigued by this daunting task. I think the most challenging thing I have attempted (and succeeded at) so far is perfecting the cream/cheese sauces, which require making a roux first. Those damn roux's can be quite tricky. But I have never attempted, say, cooking a chicken liver or hacking into a lobster while it's still alive. Thankfully, Powell has done this for me and I can simply read about the horrific experience and not have to duplicate it.

I wish I had known about Powell's blog while she was in the midst of her project. I would have enjoyed following along. But the book is a very satisfying read. I particularly enjoyed the excerpts from letters written by Paul Child to his brother regarding his wife Julia. As my grandmother would say, "she's such a card."

As, I came to the end of the book last night, I found myself relating to Powell quite a lot. In a way, it's very fitting that I read this book just four days before my 30th birthday. Powell starts the project because she's turning 30 and feels like there's something missing in her life. Her career is non-existent, she's married to her high school sweetheart and lives in (from the sounds of it) a pretty run down apartment in Queens. She's looking for something more, something challenging.

I find myself at a similar crossroads after having been laid off recently from my job as executive editor of a group of weekly newspapers. Ten years ago my goal was to be the owner/publisher of a newspaper. With the changes in the industry, that goal is no longer viable. So, where there used to be a clear path, there is now a vast openness. And I, for the first time in probably 15 years, have no idea what it will be filled with - which is both exciting and terrifying.

So I guess I'm looking for a project similar to Powell's that will make the future clearer. But I know that whatever I find will not involve extracting bone marrow from a cow's limb. My stomach could never handle it. Hat's off to Powell for braving the variety of recipes in "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." "Rachel" loves food but I don't think I could convince her to eat aspic, which is some sort of gelatinous...yucky...well, you get the idea.

Powell's next installment is titled "Cleaving: A story of marriage, meat and obsession." I think I'm going to have to sit this one out. I enjoy visiting the butcher for a nice cut of meat but I don't want to know how it gets from the farm to my table. Poor "Rachel" would never eat again. And then we'd all be in trouble!

Life can be so unfair...unless you're a celebrity

It's finally happened. I've been watching, waiting, anticipating this moment for a month. And now it's here. People Magazine is reporting Lauren Conrad's book "L.A. Candy" has hit the NY Times Bestseller list. Yes, the girl from "The Hills" television show on MTV, who is famous for...well, existing really, has made it onto the most coveted list in the world. Cue jealousy, rage and envy.

Life can be oh so unfair when you're not a celebrity. Because without the hit TV show, Conrad would never have been offered a book deal. Is she a writer? Has she studied writing? I'm not completely sure what the answers to those questions are but I'm leaning towards no. And without a fanbase, no one would have bought her book because quite honestly, it's not good. Not good at all. Now, full disclosure, I have not read the entire book, I've merely read an excerpt. However, that was enough for me.

Kirkus gave it a horrible review and no one else seems to have bothered to review it all all, which speaks volumes. Yet somehow, it has appeared on The List. I know. It boggles the mind. It just goes to show you, if you're considered a celebrity you're almost a shoe-in to make The List. Forget talent. All you need is to become overexposed. Perez Hilton, Paris Hilton, Madonna...those are just a few who have received book deals simply based on their fame. Not their talent. Who knows if they even wrote the books themselves?

Jealous much, you might be thinking. Umm, yeah! I've been writing for years, made a career out of it and I'm sure when I do write that book I'm always talking and thinking about, it won't land on the bestseller list my first try. It may take five or six times or I may never make it at all.

And the kicker is I suppose I could be included as part of her fanbase (I admit begrudgingly). I would have bought Conrad's book if it was even marginally good. But I have standards where my reading material is concerned.

What? People Magazine is a fine, upstanding publication. Really.

Choosing a good book

I love summer. Yes, yes, I know. Who doesn't love summer? But I really love summer. In the winter, I hibernate. It's cold, it's dark, it's wet - it's like a really creepy basement. And who wants to spend time in one of those? My husband and I have a long standing joke that I am solar powered. When there's lots of sun, I'm full of energy. The minute that sun starts to set, I literally start to power down. You can see it happening.

So, when that perfect summer day appears - warm weather, about 80 degrees; sunny, cloudless skies; my butt plopped firmly in a lounge chair on the beach - there's nothing I want more than to become immersed in a good book.

I read a variety of books. I enjoy fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, travel writing (check out J. Maarten Troost if you haven't already), young adult....and Harry Potter! Yes, Harry gets his own category. (Side bar: I am counting the days until the next movie is released next week)

Now, how I choose this good book is another story. It's going to sound quite odd but I believe there is a "right time" to read a particular book. When I'm looking for something to read, I will sit in front of my bookcase, take out some of the new books I haven't read yet and skim the first page of each. Whichever one captivates me or intrigues me in that moment, is the one I'll go with. I have books I bought five years ago that I haven't read yet. My husband always laughs and asks me if I'm ever going to get around to reading them.

Absolutely, I say.

It's just not the right time yet.