Irish Archaeology

I love this topic.  I've recently read two fiction books involving archaeology in Ireland.

The Crossing Places by Elly Giffith

I really like the main character is this book, Ruth Galloway.  She's a bit overweight with unruly hair and a realistic sense of herself.  I'm tired of reading books about pretty people and especially pretty people who don't think they're pretty.  So I was pleased she wasn't a beauty.  She is taken from her job at the university to determine whether a body found in the marshes near her home is ancient or possibly the remains of a girl who disappeared years ago.

Ruth is drawn into the mystery of the missing girl with Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson.  They make a good team.  The mystery allows us to learn about Ruth's past as a college student and professor.  I enjoyed the book.  The characters make some decision I wasn't happy with and the ending has a surprise that will take the series in a very different direction than I pictured.  Despite this, I would recommended it and those interested in Ireland or archaeology should enjoy the Ruth Galloway Series.


Haunted Ground by Erin Hart
American Nora Gavin is taking a break from her professorship.  She is lecturing in Ireland on ways to preserve ancient evidence especially that found in the bogs.  When a head is found in a local bog, she joins the team led by Irish archaeologist Cormac Macguire to study the head.  A nearby resident, Hugh Osborne, comes to the scene wondering if the body found belongs to his wife who disappeared with their child two years ago.

As the head is studied, Osborne hires Macguire to perform an archaeological survey on his property so he can build on the land.  Macquire asked Gavin to help him.  Gavin wants to discover what happened to Osborne's wife.  She is haunted by the head who looked very similar to her sister who was murdered; and Gavin believes her sister's husband was the one who killed her.  She goes back in forth in her suspicions of Osborne in the disappearance of his wife and child.

I found it a bit hard to like the Osborne family and care about what happened to Hugh Osborne's wife, but the story was interesting.  It served as a good plot to get Macguire and Gavin together so that we can enjoy more archaeological forensic mysteries investigated by this duo.

The Book is the Real Deal!

     This book wasn't what I was expecting but it was quite good.  I would recommend it to pretty much... everyone.  The story is Budo's, Max's imaginary friend.  Budo is six-years-old which is ancient for an imaginary friend.  Budo helps Max, who seems to have autism though his parents are really sure what's going on with him.  Budo spends a lot of time worrying about the day when Max will forget about him and he will not exist anymore.  Max ends up in trouble and Budo needs to find a way to help him, but what if helping Max will mean the end to Budo?  I enjoyed the idea of a story from the viewpoint of an imaginary friend.  (Arna you will always be in my heart.)  And I enjoyed the autism angle in the story as well.  Even though the mystery may seems pulled from a TV crime show (perhaps on purpose) I cared enough about the characters and wondered how in the world things would work out that I was very anxious to keep reading the book and to finish it.  I liked this book.  I'm very glad the author wrote it.
     One small qualm I have with the book happens when the story talks about teachers who really teach (the good ones) and teachers who just play school (the bad ones).  The comment is made that teachers who use charts and sticker sheets just pretend to teach school.  As many times as I've seen those types of things work for kids, most on the autism spectrum, I don't think that was an accurate statement to include in the book especially when one of the main characters has autism. 
     But I really loved that The Tale of Despereaux is mentioned.  And I love on page 253, when  Budo talks about how brave he thinks Max is because kids make fun of him, people try to change him, everyone tries to make him into a normal boy but no one treats him like a normal boy.  It was really touching for me thinking about my own boy.  Then he sums it up with this (I hope I don't get in trouble for quoting this), "But you have to be the bravest person in the world to go out every day, being yourself when no one likes who you are."  I can relate to that.  And I wish I was braver.  And I very much admire my sons.

This Book is a Winner

Gold by Chris Cleave

Zoe, Kate, and Jack all meet at the age of 19 at a tryout for spots on Britain's elite cycling circuit with the goal of winning Olympic gold.  But when the Athens Olympics come around, Kate is at home with her daughter while Zoe and Jack race for gold in Athen's velodrome.  The three are still racing and still trying to balance rivalry and friendship two years before the Olympic Games in London.  Love and friendship are never simple, but the relationship Zoe and Kate have reaches some extremely complex emotions and lessons in love.

As you would expect, Cleave has written a fantastic poignant story.  He leaps about in time, but never loses his reader.  And this makes the stories much better than telling the tale chronologically. The story moved me and made me think.

I really enjoyed the cycling aspect of this story.  However, it is never really technical and I don't think there is any loss of enjoyment reading this book if you've never seen indoor cycling or even if you've never ridden a bike.  I highly recommend this book.

Austen + James=Great Story

Death Comes to Pemberley by P. D. James

I liked this book.  I think James did an excellent job of writing in the Austen style.  The characters stay true to who they were formed by Austen to be, but the mystery spun by James is adds a wonderful component to Pemberley.  Probably, my favorite part of this book, was actually the Epilogue.  Darcy and Elizabeth spend time sharing with each other, the thoughts they were having during their unorthodox courtship.  I liked hearing the gaps filled in.

Curiosity Killed the Cat?

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

This is a really interesting book, especially if you know about autism.  Mark Haddon worked with people with autism and you can tell.  He is spot on with his main character and narrator, Christopher, an autistic 15-year-old.  Christopher is being raised by his father after his mother's death.  His teacher helps him navigate the world, but he is on his own when the killing of a neighbor's dog sets him on a search for the truth.  It's intended target is adults, but some teens may also be moved by the book.  It does contain rough language and hard realities that I wouldn't recommend for any of the teenagers I know, but perhaps others.

I think I mostly enjoyed this book because I deal with autism every day. I laughed and cried throughout the story. It is an interesting story, a short read, and definitely worth checking out.

What's All the Hype About The Help?

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I liked The Help, but I didn't think it was fantastic.  There are lots of other books I've read that I liked a lot more and that moved me much more than this book did. 

It is a good book, and I liked it, but I didn't love it.  In the beginning of the book, I kept thinking "They don't want "the help" to go to the bathroom in their house but they're okay with "the help" raising their children and cooking their food!?  And then, to think that really was how much of the relationships between them were like, I'm flabbergasted.  Even before you get to the idiocy of racism, they already have no logic.  The lack of logic in people disgusts me. 

Anyway, it's a good book.  If you have a book you really want to read, be sure to read that book before you read The Help.  And then try to get around to reading The Help.  I really wish I could remember more detail of The Secret Life of Bees by Susan Monk Kidd because I'd like to compare them.  I really loved The Secret Life of Bees.

It'll Heal What Ails You, Laddie

An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor

I've been wanting to read this book for a long time, and I'm so glad I finally did.  One person at the store where I work said it's like James Herriot's book except with people as patients.  I think that's pretty close.  It's simply a story, and I loved that.  Dr. Barry Laverty has just graduated from medical school.  We join him on his way to Ballybucklebo (a fictional city in Northern Ireland) to answer a job notice.  He meets his possible employer, Dr. Fingal O'Reilly, literally throwing a patient out the door.  With this auspicious start, Barry questions if he should accept a position here, yet he does need a job.  We get to see Barry grow as a doctor, a partner, and a person.  It's a heart-warming ride with the beauty of Ireland as it's backdrop.  I hoped there would be a strong Catholic character.  There wasn't one in this first book though religion is not let completely out of the book. (You couldn't have anything close to a realistic book taking place in Northern Ireland without some religion.)  Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this book immensely.  There are several more in this series which I highly recommend.  [Interestingly, this book is available as a Mass Market.]

Next But Not Last, Last But Not Least

I've been reading lots of sequels lately.  I don't think there much point in posting about other books in a series if I've already posted about the first book.  I have thoroughly enjoyed all the series I've been reading.

I finished the Leviathan trilogy.  It gets better as it goes.  Since I listened to the first book on audio, I missed out on the books' beautiful illustrations by Keith Thompson.  Though it was good on audio, don't forget to look at the artwork in the book!!  Scott Westerfeld (the author) has many other good books.  One of his most popular series is the Uglies Series.

I read the second in the Miss Dido Kent Series.  It's called A Gentleman of Fortune, Or the Suspicions of Miss Dido Kent.  It's just as good as the first if not better.  The third book, A Woman of Consequence, Or the Investigations of Miss Dido Kent, is due out April 10, 2012.

I've also been reading more in the Sister Frevisse Series.  They have all been fabulous.

An Interesting Book, I Swear

Blood Oath (Nathaniel Cade Series #1) by Christopher Farnsworth

Booker...
In this story, there are worse evils threatening our country than terrorists and biological weapons.  And, for over a century, the President of the United States has had a vampire protect us from this evil.
This vampire is Nathaniel Cade; he is forced by a blood oath to always and completely follow the presidents' commands. 

Blood Oath is a legal/government thriller with some sci-fi mixed in.  A fair part of this book is spent helping us learn about the characters we'll be involved with as is usual for the first book in a series.  I think the author does a good job of keeping this interesting by using flashbacks and a mix of story lines.  There is also enough left out to leave us wanting to know more.  I thought the idea of the president having a vampire who helps him protect the country was such an intriguing idea.  The plot is interesting with a few unexpected turns (unexpected by me at least).

I was excited to read this book.  I think I had very high hopes.  I did like the book, but I didn't absolutely love it liked I hoped.  I think it is very similar to a lot of the bestsellers out there by Patterson, Griffin, Clancy, Cussler, and the like.  So there's a few swear words, no biggie.  I guess I had a little problem with the woman putting up with rough sex to get what she wanted.  But at the same time, I don't think that's uncommon in most books of this type and it's not a big part of the book.

I came to like the main characters and the relationship between Cade and Zach.  When I began this book, I did not know it was going to be a series, but I think I will read the next one, The President's Vampire, which just came out this April.  Blood Oath was a good story with interesting likable characters that leave you asking questions you're looking forward to being answered.

Two Books from Down South that Will Bring Your Spirits Up High

SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT by Beth Hoffman
SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd

These are wonderful stories.  Critics claimed Saving CeeCee Honeycutt  to be a cross between The Secret Life of Bees and The Help (by Kathryn Stockett).  This time, I agree with them.  I loved The Secret Life of Bees!  I have not yet read The Help.  (I know it's really really good and I need to read it.  It's on my list.) 

I can say of both Saving CeeCee Honeycutt and The Secret Life of Bees that they are about a young girl in a bad situation who finds comfort and love from a Southern black woman.  They are both engaging and uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable.  When you need a good story that's not heavy and will leave you happy, pick up either one of these books. 

In The Secret Life of Bees, South Carolinan Lily Melissa Owens has lost her mother and lives in misery with her father.  Rosaleen, who cooks and cleans in the house, acts as a stand-in mother for Lily.  But, they a forced to flee and go to Rosaleen's relations to live.  With these caring women and the new culture she comes to love, Lily begins to heal.

In Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, Cecelia Rose Honeycutt has not yet lost her mother to death, but she has lost her to mental illness, forced to be the caretaker for her mother while her father disengages from the family.  Eventually, CeeCee goes to live with relatives in Savannah, Georgia.  Her Aunt Tootie's cook, Oletta, brings CeeCee love and wisdom and helps her mend the cracks in her heart.

I read the Life of Bees many years ago when it first came out, so I don't remember it with the detailed recall I have of Saving CeeCee, which I just finished today, but I think Secret Life of Bees is a little more serious/darker than Saving CeeCee.  But I liked them both.  I love books that are great stories and leave me happy!!

                         

Cat's Got my Tongue

CAT'S CRADLE by Kurt Vonnegut

Booker...

I read this book because it was the monthly selection for the science fiction book group at my local Barnes and Noble.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to go to the meeting because my child with high-functioning autism had a major meltdown on a bike ride and as things went, I couldn't get to the meeting.  I was disappointed because I really wanted to hear what others thought of it and what they took away from it.  I needed help on this one.

I hadn't read any books by Kurt Vonnegut before so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I do think I liked the book.  It was so strange, it's hard for me to decide if I liked it or not.  I really don't know what to say about it.

The narrator of story tells of his experience researching a biography about a (fictional) scientist who invented the atomic bomb.  He finally finds and interviews his three children--all of whom have very odd characteristics.  As the story goes along, you also learn of a new religion Bokotanism, that was made up by a guy and everyone seems to know he made it up, he admits he made it up, it doesn't seem to make sense, but people observe it anyway.  I didn't really understand that part.  I think I'm a fairly intelligent person, but I just didn't get it.  Maybe because I am religious or because I'm too literal...I don't know.

The story also serves as a bit of a parody of nuclear proliferation, but I don't want to give away how that comes about in the story.

The book is an extremely fast read.  (Most chapters are not longer than four pages, with lots of white space.)  So, give it a try.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

All Hail Shannon Hale

THE GOOSE GIRL by Shannon Hale

Booker...

I haven't read a book by Shannon Hale that I didn't like.  I loved her extrapolation of the Grimm's fairy tale, The Goose Girl.  It's one of their more gruesome tales, and I was intrigued when I saw Hale's teen book, The Goose Girl.  I wondered what kind of a story someone could make from that tale.  Hale does a great job of seamlessly including so much of the true tale into her story and yet creates a brand new and satisfying story.  Hale's story has such likeable characters and equally devious villains.  There is adventure, self-discovery, a budding romance, and characters choosing to do what is morally right.  What more could you want?  Maybe a few more like this one?  Well, Hale supplies that, too.  There is now a series based on the characters and kingdom from the The Goose Girl.  The second book in the Books of Bayern Series, Enna Burning is quite a bit darker than The Goose Girl, but still and interesting tale.  River Secrets is the third book.  I love Razo, who is the main character in this book--another great story.  I have yet to read Forest Born, the fourth book focusing on Razo's sister.  

    

Hale earned a Newbery Honor Award for Princess Academy.  I also enjoyed this book.  The people on Mount Eskel work tirelessly, but live in relative poverty compared to most citizens in the kingdom.  Things change on Mount Eskel when it is announced that the prince's new wife will be found among the eligible ladies of Mount Eskel.  Miri and many others are forced to attend the princess academy (usually a formality in most provinces but desperately needed to prepare Mount Eskel girls for the role of princess).  Miri faces difficult challenges including a tyrannical headmistress, shunning from her peers, and determining her own heart.  This book also includes more of the speaking-with-nature theme found in the Books of Bayern.

Hale has another teen book which is a retelling or expansion of the tale A Book of a Thousand Days.  I have not read this teen book, but I know it is about a princess who is a tower and afraid to meet her suitors, so she insists her maid/lady-in-waiting impersonate her before a suitor with unforeseen consequences.  Shannon Hale has also written a new series of graphic novels about Rapunzel and some women's fiction books.  Austenland is one of them.  It is pictured above.  Clicking on any of the pictures will take you to a description and place to order the book if you'd like to find out more.

Regina Doman Can Really Retell a Fairy Tale

SHADOW OF THE BEAR     and       BLACK AS NIGHT    by Regina Doman

Booker...
A friend of mine knew I loved retold fairy tales, so she recommended this book series to me.  I am so glad she did; I LOVE these books!!  I have only read the first two in this series.  (Regina Doman has two other retold fairy tales, Midnight Dancers and Alex O'Donnell and the 40 Cyber Thieves.)

Shadow of the Bear is a retelling of the Grimms' fairytale Snow White and Rose Red.  In the Grimm tale, a widow and her two daughters are visited by a bear, who is actually a prince.  In Regina Doman's retelling, Bear enters the lives of the Blanche, Rose, and their mother by accident, but soon becomes a regular visitor.  Blanche is unsure of this possible drug dealer, but the girls enjoy their evenings discussing classic literature and poetry with Bear.  But Blanche feels sure Bear has something black in his past.  Shopping the thrift stores for a prom dress for Rose, the girls spy Bear with an expensive Chalice at an antique dealer.  There investigation leads to a kidnappings and near death.  Though things are not what they seemed, a prince may still hide under a Bear's skin.

In Black as Night, Bear has gone on a trip to Europe while Blanche is working as a hostess at a banquet hall to pay for nursing classes at the community college.  Blanche has also been volunteering at the nursing home and visiting the sick and elderly.  Blanche goes into hiding and her family finds out she has been accussed of embezalment and drug dealing.  Bear wonders if people from his past have put Blanche in harms way, and if she is even still alive.  We know Blanche is safe with seven friars.  But Blanche isn't sharing any information with the friars, not even her real name.  Blanche isn't sure if people are really out to get her or if she's going crazy.  Can the seven friars keep her safe?  Will her prince come through?  Will she make it on her own? 

Lots of thought provoking action and suspense await readers in both of these books.  I thought the stories were excellent.  These are teen level books.  In Shadow of the Bear, Rose puts herself in a bad situation with a boy and has to escape out a bathroom window.  The evening discussion of poetry may be a little hard to follow for younger readers.  I thought it was refreshing and opened my eyes to some things I went and looked up to read.  I am extremely eager to read the third book.  Many characters in these books are Catholic; however, I don't think these books are exclusively for Catholics.  There's no sermonizing or anything in the stories that would turn-off non-Catholics or even non-religous readers. 

You can purchase this series for a discoutned price at  http://www.fiatcatholicbooks.com/  There is also a link at the top of this website.