The Silent Land

The Silent Land by Graham Joyce

Amazon description:

“When Jake and Zoe are buried under a flash avalanche while skiing in the French Pyrenees, they miraculously dig their way out from under the snow—only to discover the world they knew has been overtaken by an eerie and absolute silence. With their phones cut off, and the village evacuated of every living soul, the young married couple begin to witness strange, unsettling events neither one can ignore. And as the days wear on, they are forced to confront frightening possibilities as they attempt to survive and escape the silent land they now inhabit.”

My thoughts:

Was this supposed to be suspenseful? If so, it failed because I knew what was going on almost immediately. One good thing is that there are some thought provoking questions raised, however not enough to keep me engaged thoughout. This would be better cut down into a short story.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this.

882 1/2 Amazing Answers To Your Questions About the Titanic

882  ½ Amazing Answers To Your Questions About the Titanic by Hugh Brewster

Another historical read recommendation.

A concise book about the Titanic tragedy, good for the person just learning about this historical event or the child studying the tragedy.

A History of the Breast

A History of the Breast by Marilyn Yalom

Amazon Description:

“In this provocative, pioneering, and wholly engrossing cultural history, noted scholar Marilyn Yalom explores twenty-five thousand years of ideas, images, and perceptions of the female breast--in religion, psychology, politics, society, and the arts.Through the centuries, the breast has been laden with hugely powerful and contradictory meanings. There is the "good breast" of reverence and life, the breast that nourishes infants and entire communities, as depicted in ancient idols, fifteenth-century Italian Madonnas, and representations of equality in the French Revolution. Then there is the "bad breast" of Ezekiel's wanton harlots, Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth, and the torpedo-breasted dominatrix, symbolizing enticement and aggression. Yalom examines these contradictions--and illuminates the implications behind them.A fascinating, astute, and richly allusive journey from Paleolithic goddesses to modern day feminists, A History of the Breast is full of insight and surprises. As Yalom says, "I intend to make you think about women's breasts as you never have before." In this, she succeeds brilliantly.”

My thoughts:
I have some breasts. Why not read a history of them? Interesting book for the history buff or the breast fan.

Nicholas and Alexandra

Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie

Amazon Description:
“The story of the love that ended an empire. In this commanding book, Pulitzer Prize–winning author Robert K. Massie sweeps readers back to the extraordinary world of Imperial Russia to tell the story of the Romanovs’ lives: Nicholas’s political naïveté, Alexandra’s obsession with the corrupt mystic Rasputin, and little Alexis’s brave struggle with hemophilia. Against a lavish backdrop of luxury and intrigue, Massie unfolds a powerful drama of passion and history—the story of a doomed empire and the death-marked royals who watched it crumble.”

My thoughts:
Simply amazing. Massie is a master of the historical.

Russian history is rich and intriguing. Nicholas was the last Tsar of Russia. He and his family are brought to life on the page. Although this is nonfiction, it reads like a novel.  

I started the book, knowing how it would end, but I was still emotionally impacted. Such an awful fate for this family; haunting. I will continue to read about the Romanov dynasty. After this particular book was published more information was revealed during the fall of Communism. Massie has a follow up with “The Romanov’s: The Final Chapter.”

A definite recommend for the historical reader.

Stiff

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

Amazon Description:

“Stiff is an oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. For two thousand years, cadavers—some willingly, some unwittingly—have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. They've tested France's first guillotines, ridden the NASA Space Shuttle, been crucified in a Parisian laboratory to test the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, and helped solve the mystery of TWA Flight 800. For every new surgical procedure, from heart transplants to gender reassignment surgery, cadavers have been there alongside surgeons, making history in their quiet way. In this fascinating, ennobling account, Mary Roach visits the good deeds of cadavers over the centuries—from the anatomy labs and human-sourced pharmacies of medieval and nineteenth-century Europe to a human decay research facility in Tennessee, to a plastic surgery practice lab, to a Scandinavian funeral directors' conference on human composting. In her droll, inimitable voice, Roach tells the engrossing story of our bodies when we are no longer with them.”

My thoughts:
I found this book to be very interesting and informative. I love to learn and this book was a brand new field for me. Roach explores the role of cadavers in science and the cycles that your body goes through following death. A bit creepy at times, but I couldn't stop reading.

A recommend for the science reader or the very curious.

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

In my effort to re-read classics, to my delight, To Kill a Mockingbird came up next on the reading list. I had fallen in love with this story as a child, and I find that I love it even more as an adult.

The first time I read this book I was around 10 years old. I was just learning about racial tensions and realizing that not everyone has good intentions in life. This book stirred within me feelings of discomfort, resentment, sadness and ultimately hope; hope that I would encounter more people in life with a strong sense of ethics, than people without. That is what makes this book a classic. The ability for the reader to live within the pages.

This seems to be a simple story, about a family in a small Southern town, but it is interwoven with strong issues of morality and character. Harper Lee is an elegant, beautiful storyteller. Narrator, Scout, is perfectly crafted. And Atticus Finch has become one of the most well known characters in American literature—he teaches respect and ethics to his children. What is more important?

I can’t wait to share this book with my own children, when they are ready to experience it!

Prague Winter

Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War by Madeline Albright

This is a compelling story, told by a remarkable woman. When I began to read, I was expecting a memoir that would touch briefly on World War II. However, Albright delivers a detailed history of the war, told from the perspective of Czechoslovakia. Her family history is woven into that history, which makes it more personal and compelling.

A unique historical perspective, I recommend for any history reader.

The China Study

The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health by T. Colin Campbell

Campbell provides a well-researched, daunting portrait of health in America. Two-thirds of adults are obese in the U.S. An increased number of children are being diagnosed with obesity and diabetes. These are facts.

The rate of health decline is staggering. Campbell correlates today’s nutrition to heart disease, diabetes and cancer. He also delves into the politics of the food industry.

The food industry is incredibly broken. When the US is so affluent why is it one of the sickest countries with the worst health care?

From a personal perspective, I love food. Once you delve into the food industry and your eyes are opened to what is going on it makes it so hard. What are we supposed to eat? After learning more about the ties of nutrition to disease I have cleaned up my eating habits considerably, I now think of everything I'm eating. But, I will admit, I still have a long way to go.

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely

Amazon Description:
“Why do our headaches persist after we take a one-cent aspirin but disappear when we take a fifty-cent aspirin? Why do we splurge on a lavish meal but cut coupons to save twenty-five cents on a can of soup?"

"When it comes to making decisions in our lives, we think we’re making smart, rational choices. But are we? In this newly revised and expanded edition of the groundbreaking New York Times bestseller, Dan Ariely refutes the common assumption that we behave in fundamentally rational ways. From drinking coffee to losing weight, from buying a car to choosing a romantic partner, we consistently overpay, underestimate, and procrastinate. Yet these misguided behaviors are neither random nor senseless. They're systematic and predictable—making us predictably irrational.”

My thoughts:
Very interesting socioeconomic theories from Mr. Ariely. If you have never studied the social side of economics, this book is a good introduction. The world is not as simple as many want to make it.

Thought provoking and enjoyable.

The Informant

The Informant by James Grippando

Grippando is one of my favorite suspense authors. He creates compelling characters and thrilling plots.

This is his second novel. FBI Agent Victoria Santos is investigating a serial killer. Someone is playing a game with reporter Mike Posten, predicting when the next killing will take place. The FBI and the reporter join forces to try and stop the murders.

The story moves fast and the suspense level stays high. I highly recommend Grippando to all suspense/police drama readers.

Reckless

Reckless by Anne Stuart

Stuart is a new romance author for me. This is one of her books within the series “House of Rohan.”

Adrian Rohan is a reckless man. He spends time seducing beautiful women and then running away from them. Enter Charlotte Spenser. She is a quiet, contained woman, not interested in passion. She has been intrigued by Rohan since she first saw him, but she isn’t sure why.

I found myself drawn to the characters. This is a typical plot—the bad boy vs. the plain, boring woman. But Stuart did it justice by making it dark, with enthralling detail and good characters. I love a dark plot done well.

Mindless, but enjoyable!

36 Hours

The New York Times 36 Hours: 150 Weekends in the USA and Canada

This book is full of interesting and informative travel articles previously published in the New York Times. Geared toward the short-term traveler (long weekend, hence the 36 hours).

This book would make a great gift for the travel enthusiast.

Reviving Ophelia

Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls by Mary Pipher

Amazon Description:
"As a therapist, Mary Pipher was becoming frustrated with the growing problems among adolescent girls. Why were so many of them turning to therapy in the first place? Why had these lovely and promising human beings fallen prey to depression, eating disorders, suicide attempts, and crushingly low self-esteem? The answer hit a nerve with Pipher, with parents, and with the girls themselves. Crashing and burning in a “developmental Bermuda Triangle,” they were coming of age in a media-saturated culture preoccupied with unrealistic ideals of beauty and images of dehumanized sex, a culture rife with addictions and sexually transmitted diseases. They were losing their resiliency and optimism in a “girl-poisoning” culture that propagated values at odds with those necessary to survive.   Told in the brave, fearless, and honest voices of the girls themselves who are emerging from the chaos of adolescence, Reviving Ophelia is a call to arms, offering important tactics, empathy, and strength, and urging a change where young hearts can flourish again, and rediscover and reengage their sense of self.

My Thoughts:
Pipher offers an interesting insight into young girls. A good read for parents of tween daughters.

The Mysterious Stranger

The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain

Who can argue Mark Twain’s literary genius? He was a versatile author, whose talent is evident in every piece of his work.

The Mysterious Stranger was published after Twain’s death. It is a very heavy tale, examining the nature of morality and belief.

This book shows the deeper side of Twain. A recommend for the serious reader.

Ain't She Sweet

Ain’t She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

First, there is never a good excuse to use the word “ain’t.” Huge pet peeve of mine!! Yuck.

Aside from the cheap title, Phillips is, as always, phenomenal. Emotional and engaging, this is yet another gem.

Sugar Beth Carey comes back to her home town broke and desperate. Her reputation as the town mean girl is still alive and her enemies are waiting to enjoy her misfortune.

One of those enemies—Colin, is the most determined to see Sugar Beth destroyed and humiliated. He is living in her family’s old mansion and hires her to be his maid.

Funny and sweet, all romance readers should be familiar with Susan Elizabeth Phillips!

Plain Truth

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

My opinion of Picoult's work varies. I like her style and her ability to draw controversial, complex characters. I don't always like her execution. She tends to throw a lot of weighty topics into her books and then fails to do them justice.

This book merges the story of Katie, a young Amish woman and Ellie, an ambitious attorney. Katie's baby is found dead in a barn and she is subsequently charged with murder. Ellie must defend her, despite her misgivings about her client's way of life and of her very innocence.

I loved exploring the life of those who live "plain." The Amish lifestyle has always been intriguing to me.

I didn't like Ellie's character or, honestly, much about the plot.

If you like Picoult, you will probably like this one. I wanted it to go deeper and was disappointed.

Rules of Prey

Rules of Prey by John Sandford

John Sandford is a talented suspense writer. He is a regular member of my favorites list.

Rules of Prey is the first in the Lucas Davenport series. Davenport is a well developed character. He has some realistic flaws, which make him more intriguing. At first I was hesitant to like him, but by the end I was sold on the series.

Detective drama, mystery, suspense...if you like these genres this series is for you.

Mystery

Mystery by Jonathan Kellerman

I am very impressed with the Kellerman family! Jonathan, his wife Faye and their son Jesse are all amazing authors.

This particular book is in the Alex Delaware series. I didn’t realize I was in the middle of a series, so I need to go back to the beginning.

I recommend any of these three authors for the mystery/suspense reader.

Time to Run

Time to Run by Marliss Melton

Description from Amazon:

"On the run from her controlling husband, Sara Garret has discovered she's got a spine of steel - and she'll do anything to protect her son. Now the person she must turn to is another man. But this SEAL, with his Harley and ponytail, is no knight in shining armour."

 

My thoughts:

I enjoy Melton's writing style. This is a decent romantic suspense.