A Gentleman's Guide to Graceful Living: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)In A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO GRACEFUL LIVING, Michael Dahlie presents us with a rather unique central character by the name of Arthur Camden. Arthur sounds perfect on paper. He is from old money. He has had many things handed to him, and lives what looks like an enviable lifestyle. Inherited wealth which allows him to be a member of New York society, nice homes, expensive clothes, the ability to dine in the best restaurants and to travel wherever he pleases. On the surface, Arthur seems very, very lucky.
However, Arthur's life is in crisis. His wife wants to divorce him for reasons he does not quite understand. He's ruined the family business and a vicious relative treats him with contempt in front of his son. His inherited membership in the very exclusive fly-fishing club called Maidenhead Grange is terminated because he broke an important rule of the club and ended up causing a fire. There are more than a couple of situations that turn out to be completely hilarious! Truth is, Arthur does not understand how any of these things happened. He always meant well and tried to do the correct thing and play by the rules. He searches his mind and memory to try to discern how all of the events came about, but again, he's not always sure how he could have done anything differently, but he wants to change.
In spite of the fact that Arthur does blunder along through life, it's true that he's a nice guy and means well. The real indication of a good story is when the reader personally cares what happens to the characters. With each page, I was cheering for Arthur and hoping against hope that he would not do what I could sense might be coming along in the next paragraph. The author takes the reader into the unforgettable life of a man who does his best to always be a gentleman. I believe that I have met an Arthur or two before in my life, but thanks to Michael Dahlie, now I may understand them a little better!
A very pleasurable read!


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Sims Review

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(More customer reviews)It is the near future, and there have been amazing advances in genetics research. Through gene therapy, many diseases have been cured. The SimGen Corporation has now created a transgenic species called sims, part chimpanzee and part human, that are used as slave labor. Suddenly a group of sims working as caddies at a golf club want to unionize. They hire lawyer Patrick Sullivan to represent them, and he begins to ponder whether sims are entitled to human rights. He soon meets activist Romy Cadman and a mysterious masked man, simply called Zero, who are on a crusade to destroy SimGen and stop the creation of sims. While the three of them try to protect the sims, they come close to uncovering a sinister secret in SimGen, and the company will stop at nothing to deter them.
The reader is treated to a fascinating peek into a possible future for genetics research. This hypothetical forecast is not so far-fetched, however scary and unethical it might be. Transgenic animals, in which human genetic material is inserted into animal DNA, are already being created today for the benefit of humanity. Transgenic cows have been developed, and they have human proteins in their milk, such as insulin, that can be used by the pharmaceutical industry to treat human disease. Pigs with human DNA are being developed with the goal of future use in organ transplants. This novel carries genetic experimentation forward to a next logical step: transgenic primates. Where would such creatures stand in society? Would they be considered people or animals?
"Sims" was originally written as a series of novellas, but the story holds together seamlessly as a novel. Although very different from F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack novels, it is an excellent science thriller. At times the story line is a bit formulaic, a la Robin Cook, with an evil corporation twisting medical procedures for its own unspeakable ends and ruthlessly destroying those who stand in its path. But it touches on a fascinating subject, is fast-paced, and is full of edge-of-your-seat suspense. The ending has a surprising twist. I recommend this book not only as a riveting read but also as food for thought on the ethics of genetic manipulation.
Eileen Rieback

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The Jekyl Island Club Review

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(More customer reviews)Many Georgians and many tourists enjoy the recreation and relaxation of Jekyll Island, one of the jewels of Georgia's "Golden Isles." One of the attractions for visitors to the Island is staying at, or visiting, the restored hotel, The Jekyll Island Club, and touring the "cottages" built by the millionaires who originally developed the island more than one hundred years ago. In The Jekyl Island Club, Brent Monahan takes us back to the time when J. P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, and other tycoons and robber barons vacationed in splendor, and ran their little island as part of their fiefdoms. When one of the guests on the island is found dead from a gunshot, however, they have to acknowledge the local authority, at least enough to have the Brunswick sheriff make official their idea of what happened.Enter John Le Brun, high sheriff of Brunswick and a person with good reason to hold a grudge against the captains of industry who occupy what was formerly his home. Le Brun has his own problems, including a brand new chief deputy who recently returned home is disgrace from Philadelphia and is the son of the local judge. The judge is not a fan of the sheriff's, and is totally in the pocket of the Jekyl Island Club membership. In launching his investigation Le Brun must face the disdain, if not enmity, of club members and some of their staff; concerns about the loyalty of his own deputy; his own feelings; and his sense of justice. The pressure is on, in part because President McKinley is soon to visit the Island, traveling over from Thomasville where he is vacationing at the vacation home of his advisor, Ohio Senator Hanna, to meet with the some of the millionaires and House Speaker Reed, a guest of Morgan's. President McKinley's visit actually happened, and Monahan uses that historical fact and the residual glamor of the Jekyl Island Club, to fashion a neat little mystery. In an afterword Monahan also notes that before and after the millionaires' ownership, Jekyll was spelled with two "l's." While it was their private preserve, there was only one. While this book is not a great mystery, it is a solid one. The greatest charm, however, is in its bringing to life the era of conspicuous opulence and filling out the pictures today's visitors to Jekyll Island have in their imaginations.

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Keeper of the Grail (The Youngest Templar, Book 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)Gold Star Award Winner!
KEEPER OF THE GRAIL is the beginning of a new series by Michael P. Spradlin. Readers might think that an adventure set in 1191 A.D. would be dry, historical reading, but in this case those readers would be totally wrong. Tristan's adventures are anything but dry. Though they may be historical at times, they are packed with one exciting event after another.
An orphan raised by a group of monks, Tristan never knew his parents or anything of his history. Now he is faced with taking his vows and remaining at the monastery forever or finding his true calling elsewhere. The decision is made for him one day with the arrival of a group of men on horseback.
A regiment of the Knights of the Templar come to the monastery seeking a place to rest themselves and their horses. Tristan is sent to the stables to tend to the horses and that task turns his life upside down. One of the knights, Sir Thomas, approaches Tristan with an offer. He has recently lost his personal squire and is in search of a replacement. Seeing how skillfully Tristan handles the horses, he invites the boy to join the regiment.
Although Tristan is reluctant to leave the monks and the only place he has ever called home, he recognizes this as the chance of a lifetime and accepts the position. Suddenly he finds himself headed off with some of the world's most famous knights to fight in the Crusades.
Imagine the excitement of a young boy actually meeting the king, King Richard the Lionheart, and learning that he is about to join him in battle. What follows takes Tristan from England to the Holy Land into a battle to save the city of Acre. There are bloody battles with plenty of flying arrows and clashing broadswords as the knights attempt to defend the King's lands. In the middle of all the fighting, Tristan is shocked to discover he is being given the responsibility of guarding the most valuable item imaginable - the Holy Grail.
THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR series is sure to grab the attention of middle grade and teen readers. They will speed through this first book and be anxiously awaiting the second, due out next fall.
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

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A Time to Speak Review

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(More customer reviews)Jeanne Manning has compiled hundreds of participant interviews and letters involving men and women of many nationalities, on both sides of the conflict, front-line and home-front, officers and enlisted personnel, refugees, partisans--all with fascinating stories to tell. A Time to Speak is an impressive record of human experience. Want the real flavor of those years?Here it is. H.G. Eldridge Boulder, Colorado

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A compilation of interviews, letters and personal diairies which reveal global perspectives of events in World War II

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Alternatives to Sex: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been meaning to read Stephen McCauley (the author of "The Object of My Affections") for years. Happily, "Alternatives to Sex" has proven a great place to start. A social commentary and observational portrait of a forty-something gay man, this is the sort of novel once referred to as a comedy of manners.
At forty-four William Collins has discovered that his well appointed life, though expertly decorated and certainly clean (he's an obsessive compulsive), is both sterile and empty. William seems emotionally adrift, looking for sex in all the wrong places when what he's obviously seeking is love and companionship. He resolves to give up anonymous sex and focus on his professional and spiritual lives.
As a real estate agent William is a bust in a booming market. However, it is through his Boston real estate office that we meet most of the characters that populate McCauley's wonderfully inventive narrative. Most notably we meet Edward, a flight attendant prone to panic attacks since 9/11, who finds that unrequited love truly is a bore, and though he's got it pretty bad, he's ready to give up all hope that his friendship with William will ever blossom. So, though love may be just around the corner, our hero is just myopic enough that he has to walk around the block a dozen times before he stumbles upon it. It is to the author's credit that we as readers don't mind taking the walk with these characters, and hoping that William will open his eyes to the happiness right in front of him.
"Alternatives to Sex" is most decidedly an entertainment, the kind of novel Mrs. Smiley (from "Cold Comfort Farm") might refer to as amusing and diverting, so good it has inspired me to look for other books by McCauley. I can't think of higher praise than that.

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Notes Left Behind Review

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(More customer reviews)Sadly, this is a true story of a sweet little girl, Elena Desserich, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the tender age of 5. Her parents, Brooke and Keith Desserich wanted to document the next 135 days for their younger daughter Grace as she was too young to really understand what was going on at the time. They published it on the web for their family to read but soon thousands of strangers were writing them, expressing their sympathy. Keith, the father, is a natural writer and did most of the chronicling. It is unfortunate that they had to learn some valuable life lessons in such a hard, cruel way but I am thankful that they have decided to share the wisdom they have gained with us : "We all waste our time and our lives when we should aspire to do more. What we all wouldn't do for just one more day when it comes to an end. The loss of a child represents every lesson we should learn and every moment we should cherish. But instead, we follow the foolish, ignore the clock and cry victim when consequences fall. Yet these children get no such warning. Elena was never foolish, never ignored the clock, and she is in batter for her life. She becomes a lesson for us all." It is no surprised that I shed many a tears reading this beautifully written journal. No parent should have to bear the pain that Elena's parents were forced to bear. We, not just parents, but as human beings, often take life for granted. Reading this book will help you to realize that every moment, even if you are having a bad day, is a GIFT and should be cherished. It will help you to slow down, look around, and if you have children, to see them, not as a duty, but as a gift to be cherished every single moment of the day.
I do want to address the "spiritual" aspect that another review mentioned. I, too, am a Christian but found it "truthful" and "honest" for Keith to admit that he does not and never will understand why this happened to his daughter. And I don't think it is fair of us, blessed with our healthy children, to tell him to go seek a spirtual answer. This is his story and as such, his feelings are valid and don't need to be further explained to us.

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The Autobiography of God: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)I recommend this book to any serious reader who is interested in God, Judaism, the nature of good and evil, and who enjoys having the top of his or her head blown off (metaphorically speaking). Julius Lester's astonishing novel begins a little slow, but hold on tight, because things happen in this book that are both completely outrageous and completely acceptable. I guess it makes sense to call it magical realism, since the parts of this book that are the most magical and amazing are entirely plausible, practical, and real. His voice will be familiar to readers of his other work for adults and children: long talky "spoken" sentences breaking in every once in a while, metaphors nobody else dares to use, dead people who talk and who make good sense, and God not only as a writer, but as a writer fighting, over millenia, the frustration of wanting somebody, *somebody,* to think his stuff is worth reading. I am not going to give away the best parts of this book, but the crazier this book gets, the better it gets, and it gets very crazy indeed. Bravo.

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Medjugorje the Message (Christian Classics) Review

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(More customer reviews)Not being a terribly religious person when I read this book, I was almost embarassed to buy it but I'm glad I did. It truly got me to thinking about what is possible in this world and if I believe in Mary, why not be open to the possibility that she is still here with us, warning us to be faithful as she did at Fatima? A very objective book, about the author's travels to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia prior to the Bosnian war. It'll definitely make you think.

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The Good Neighbor: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)I've read all of William Kowalski's novels since he immediately became one of my favorite contemporary American authors with his stunning debut, "Eddie's Bastard".
"The Good Neighbor" is a surprisingly accomplished and mature work for an author of Kowalski's still young age and marks a departure point for him. While his earlier books seem written from overpowering talent and passion, "The Good Neighbor" is clearly the work of an author who has grown into conscious mastery of his craft. While his prose is as expressive and flows as effortlessly as ever, "The Good Neighbor's" plot is masterfully constructed, and every element of the story falls into place with the precision of a Swiss clockwork. The characters are alive and drawn with astounding psychological accuracy, particularly Francie, the unlikely hero of the novel. Kowalski is not preoccupied with the fleeting moments of pop-culture. Instead he is an author of substance, concerned with the humanity of his characters in which we all recognize ourselves. In the case of "the Good Neighbor" is Francie Hart's courageous and inspiring story of self-discovery that will leave no one untouched.

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The Six Rules of Maybe Review

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(More customer reviews)Scarlet is used to keeping people close and helping them with their problems. Whether it's the depressed teenage girl across the street or her gullible next door neighbors involved with an internet scam, she is the one always helping them out. But when her older sister Juliet comes home pregnant with her new husband Hayden, the problems Scarlet encounters--like her uncertainty at Juliet being a good mother, her frustrations with her mother, and her attraction to Hayden--might be a little too much to handle. Now for the first time, Scarlet will have to take a step back and learn to solve her own problems, and let those she loves do the same.
The Six Rules of Maybe is a beautiful and insightful novel. Scarlet's story and her struggle to deal with all of the issues that are unfolding around her not only mold her into a stronger and better person, but also open her eyes to her own nature, and her mother's and sister's, and the underlying cause for the way she and her mother cling to those they love, and Juliet pushes so many people away. Scarlet's attraction to Hayden also adds a very interesting and complicated twist to the story, and though it is warranted and understood, it is like watching a car wreck unfold--you know there will be a collision, and things could get quite messy, but you need to see it through in order to see just how many pieces there will be left to pick up at the end.
It is through these revelations and events that each of the Ellis women ultimately learn that life is complicated and messy, and not everything can be fixed immediately (or ignored)--sometimes you have to let go and let others stand on their own, and sometimes you need to reach out for help. With a smart, sensitive, and modern voice, Caletti has created in The Six Rules of Maybe a strong and lovely book about forgiveness, trust, responsibility, and growing up.

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Vox (The Edge Chronicles, Book 6) Review

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(More customer reviews)Relatively young Librarian Knight Rook Barkwater flying the Stormhornet completes his aerial patrol of the Edge that overlooks the Edgewater River. He begins to head back to the library to report the usual strange lights in the sky and mutants in Screetown, but observes columns of Shrykes on Great Mire Road as if the aviary creatures were preparing for war. However before he attains the haven of the Library, he hears a roaring noise and suddenly Stormhornet spins out of control. He crashes in Screetown where his escape fails and he becomes a prisoner.
He is taken to the sunken Palace of the Statues, home or prison depending on one's view of the fallen tyrant Vox Verlix. Though exiled and not remotely like the greatest librarian of all times, Vox remains a force to be reckoned with albeit no one believes that. He warns his former compatriots that a storm is coming, but will they listen to an insane fallen one? Though Rook believes him having observed the lucid moments of his "host", what can he do even if he manages to escape being somewhat a novice.
Fans of Potter will enjoy the Edge Chronicles; especially the books containing the adventures of Rook (see LAST OF THE SKYPIRATES). Rook is a terrific lead character who holds the tale in focus, but Vox is the fascinating one as the audience will wonder whether he warns out of duty or spite. Though this tale can stand alone, most fans will find it even better by reading at least beforehand LAST OF THE SKYPIRATES to gain a better understanding of motives and how far Rook has come. Still this is a fine edge of the seat young adult fantasy thriller.
Harriet Klausner


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The Judging Eye (The Aspect-Emperor) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is really a 3.5 stars. Good read with excellent pacing and storyline. The part I disliked was the wordiness of it and every person involved in the story had to explain everything they saw with too much detail. If you're trying to make a point, I understand. It seems to me that the author wanted too many people in the book to be special, so instead of Sentry Guard A seeing a "rock" as a rock, it was "A wonderful conglomeration of minerals formed into this amazing, hand sized object with all the colors of wonder jammed packed into it!".
Maybe that's too harsh, but I definitely got tired of reading about every single little thing from everyone's perspective.
Also, if you've read it, there is an incident with the youngest prince where he gets away with something big and nobody has a guess. The unlikeliness of it, plus the clues (a small child can't reach very high up) which would add up to the size of the culprit, plus the highly analytical people there who would figure it out quickly. That part seemed very out of place for Scott's writing. Rushed, even.
The running battle near the end is also goofy compared to earlier writings. Before, the author wrote more realistically with fighting, that one man would have trouble against two or more, except our local superman :)
This particular scene has anyone with any backstory (like a horror movie, you can pick out who lives and dies early on) able to take down 20 opponents with no problem. Too far into hollywood's "I'll wait my turn for you to kick my butt" bad guys.
Anyway, a good story by far, but it feels like the author is diverging from his earlier writing style. The first 3 books seem more subtle with coincidence playing a hand, which makes sense. This book seems to wave the plot in your face repeatedly and everything working out perfect for some and hollywood movie like for others.

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Witch Hunt: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)Others have compared it to "The Day of the Jackal" and I would have to agree. Not one of Rankin's "Edinburgh" series, this was originally written under a pseudonym (Jack Harvey) and is a Special Services thriller. It begins with a bang -- literally -- off the coast of England -- a mysterious woman is coming into the country, and she's not exactly arriving at Heathrow. Through the plodding work of people who read newspapers carefully, and keep records of odd things that happen, a couple of branches of counter-terrorism/counter-espionage units suspect that a well-known paid assassin -- known to be responsible for some political assassinations -- has entered the country. The assassin is known as the Witch -- and she's a beautiful woman who uses sexuality and an ability to change her appearance to her advantage. One of the people involved in the hunt is a recent retiree, who has a serious grudge against the Witch, and knows a lot about how she functions because he's been trying to catch her for so long. Several junior members of these agencies -- both British and French -- are part of the team that follow up on a number of clues that may or may not lead to the Witch. There's a big summit of world leaders in London in a few days, and everyone is anxious to catch the Witch before the conference.
The action moves quickly in this procedural thriller -- you realize how little the anti-terrorist forces have to work with, and how much is a matter of perceptiveness and making the most of the little you have. This is the first of a three part series, and I intend to go on and read the next two.

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Practically Perfect: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)I always enjoy reading Katie Fforde. All of her titles are amongst my keepers to reread at leisure.
PRACTICALLY PERFECT has a very talented young heroine and mixes her struggles to renovate a a listed cottage with her feelings for two very different men. The story line also weaves in the difficulties of rehoming retired greyhounds and daily life in a small village.
I don't like to give too much away for those who haven't read PRACTICALLY PERFECT, but, as in all good chic-lit novels, there are issues beyond romance including friendships and family.
Katie Fforde writes stand-alone books, each having different themes and new characters. And each is well worth reading. Her female characters, regardless of age, remind of friends in England, the stories are told with humor. Each book leaves me satisfied and hoping there will be a new Katie Fforde out one out soon.

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Point of Honor: The Continuing Exploits of Lt. Peter Wake United States Navy (The Honor Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have to admit that, as an Englishman, the American Civil War is something of a mystery to me. Until I read this book, the second in the series, the fact that some of the War was fought around the coast of Florida was a detail completely unknown to me (and even some of my Floridian friends).
So if US history is so alien to me, why did I enjoy this book so much? Quite simply, because Macomber writes with atmosphere. I challenge you all to read this book and deny you didn't feel like you were there. The words of description transpose so easily into the imagination that you can see, hear and even smell the adventures of Captain Peter Wake.
Of particular interest, keenly captured by the author, is the relationship between Wake and his crew - the educated man and the old sea dogs.
Buy this book and sail back in time to experience life aboard the schooner St James and experience the adventures of its Captain and crew. If you don't find your sea legs after this, you probably never will!

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Magic Street Review

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(More customer reviews)As a Card fan for over 20 years, I always get his newest work as soon as the ink is dry. While I must say it's refreshing that he finally wrote a book that's not part of a series (at least I hope it's not), this novel struck me as a good idea that he labored at too long and tried too hard to button up. At times the dialogue is cheesy indeed, and I think he overdoes the attempts to make the sentences sound African-American, until it seems forced, as if he never wants the reader to forget that the characters are black.
Still, this is Card, and he keeps the story interesting enough to carry you through to the end--but I found myself hoping it would end sooner than it did. The character development was good as it usually is with Card, but the story was a bit slow getting started and overall it wasn't the usual "I can't put it down" kind of read I've come to expect from this author.
After turning the final page and closing the book, it all seemed just a bit offputting--like something was missing but I couldn't figure out what it was. Since I bought the book I'll leave it in my library, but I'm certainly in no rush to read it again soon.

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