Water, Stone, Heart and Best Intentions

Water, Stone, Heart by Will North
This was a highly anticipated novel (at least by this reader). North’s first entry entitled “The Long Walk Home” was a wonderful foray into a gentle romance. His descriptions were on point and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

I was very disappointed in this second attempt. The writing did not draw me in. I was lukewarm about what had happened thus far in the story and truth be told I have a stack waiting for me in the next room. I did not get beyond Chapter 3. I put the book down. Perhaps another visit at a later date.



Best Intentions by Emily Listfield

This is the story of Lisa Barkley, a seemingly with it professional in a promising career, happily married, the mother of two girls and moving quite nicely in the six figure track.
So what’s to write about you ask?

Well Lisa and her husband are struggling financially, Lisa overhears a whispered telephone message, four college friends meet over dinner, a rekindled love affair begins and Lisa begins to doubt the sanctity of her marriage, the permanency of her career and looks to others to confirm her doubts. The unraveling commences.

I really liked this author’s previous work, Waiting to Surface, this one-not so much.

Ladybookbug!

Finger-lickin Fifteen and Brooklyn

Finger Lickin fifteen by Janet Evanovich

“Laugh—I’m telling yah”… Ms. Evanovich has not let her readers down. She’s written another great saga in the Stephanie Plum Series.

Enter Lula who is being chased by some mob figures because she witnesses a murder. Shots are fired, a fire-bomb is hurled, a fireman enters her love life and Lula comes to live with Stephanie.

Enter Ranger, owner of Rangeman (a high-tech security firm). Someone is hitting some of Ranger’s best clients and walking away with the goods. Ranger thinks it’s an inside job and he hires Stephanie to work inside the firm to find out what’s going on.

There are some steamy scenes with Stephanie and Ranger per usual and some not-so-romantic scenarios with Morelli.

Grandma is here up to her usual antics and joining with Lula to participate in a barbeque contest.

All in all--this is a laugh out loud romp.


Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

I enjoyed this book. I chose it because I liked the cover and it conveyed to me a simpler time. The story takes place just after WWII, a time which is not completely foreign to me as my parents were young people at that time and they often reminisced about big bands, soda fountains, parties and fun.

Eilis Lacey comes to America from a small Irish town. Her sister and mother encourage her to seek her fortune in another country with the help of a parish priest. Toibin’s writing is right on the mark and you find yourself thinking you are standing right next to Eilis on her journey.

If I had a shade of disappointment it was with the ending….I might have liked a different one. But it does beg for more of the story and perhaps that is the point.

Ladybookbug!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The time is 1962. The place is Jackson, Mississippi. Aibileen, Constantine, Minny, Pascagoula and others are the help AND Skeeter Phelan (daughter of a cotton farmer aka plantation owner is a writer extraordinaire.

Skeeter Phelan decides to embark on a project where she will interview the colored maids in her town. They will share their stories. Both she and the interviewees will remain anonymous.

This is the story of a courageous young woman who recognizes that there are voices that need to be heard. It is also the story of courageous black women who stand up for themselves and speak of their joys and sorrows. These are the voices of the oppressed, of the overworked, and underpaid.

I lived through the time this story takes place. However, I was insulated from what was happening in the Deep South. My only exposure to the deliberate delineation of blacks and whites was during a visit. At that time I was made acutely aware of separate bathrooms, water fountains and housing. I found it to be disturbing and remember asking my parents why. Their answer was “that’s just the way they do things down here.”

This is a wonderfully written book. From the beginning I found myself immersed in each character’s story. I know I have said it before but- I could not put this book down. As the writer leads us deeper and deeper into the lives of the characters, I had to read on. My disappointment came when the story ended.

Please read this book and please send me your comments.

Ladybookbug!

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

I seldom say this but----this is a must read! Of course I am a bit biased having read all of this author’s previous work and having seen all of the movies that were made from his books.

The premise of the book is that the author has been asked to give the eulogy for his former Rabbi. The man is not dying yet and the author is a bit confused as to why he was chosen for the task. He meets with the Rabbi over a period of years and gets to know him and we, the readers, get to know him as well. In addition, we are introduced to Pastor Covington, a preacher in the poor section of Detroit. The two men have some common bonds and Mr. Albom shows us what they are by relating stories about each.

This book is filled with anecdotes that are keepers. I found myself reading portions of the book out loud to family and friends because the stories were too precious to keep to oneself.

If you are looking for something uplifting and concise, read this latest entry from Mitch Albom.

Ladybookbug!