The Submission by Amy Waldman

This book has been on my To Be Read list for a really long time and I finally stopped putting it off. I thought that the story line sounded so intriguing and I kept putting it off because I didn't want to be disappointed. The Submission is the story of an architect who submits a design to be considered for the 9/11 Memorial. His entry is entitled "The Garden". A jury, comprised of local politicians, art critics and family members is created to select the winning Memorial design. All entries are anonymous until selection. Upon choosing " The Garden" for the 9/11 Memorial, the jury discovers that the architect behind the design is a Muslim. The story is about many kinds of submissions. The entry itself - the Garden - sounds like everything one would imagine a Memorial to be - a place for reflection, remembrance and healing. It is also the story of Mohammed Khan, the architect, who submits himself to public scrutiny after his design is selected. There are several characters who accept public review and rebuke of their opinions about The Garden and it's designer. It's an interesting question - should a American citizen - who happens to be a Muslim - be allowed to create the Memorial for the victims of that awful day. I'm sure you can imagine what happens in the course of the book - the public outcry both in support and opposition to the selection of The Garden. In the end though, I found it hard to connect to any of the characters. Mohammed Khan was difficult to get to know, being alien and somewhat reclusive. Claire, the widow on the jury, at first supports and even actively advocates for the Garden. The story is a reflection of the inner struggles that people face between doing what they know to be right and their inner fears and bigotry. Many of the characters, from the mayor's man who tries to "solve" the problem to the members of "Save America from Islam" seem like trite literary devices to proves the author's point. What started out with such high hopes, did in fact end in disappointment.

Still Alice

This boook has been on my TBR list for a while. I actually got it confused with another book about memory loss called "What Alice Forgot". I still haven't read that book, but this book was very interesting.
It is the story of Alice, a very accomplished professional woman, wife and mother of three. Alice teaches linguistics and psychology at Harvard University before she is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease.
The book takes you on a journey for the early days of Alice's diagnosis to the later stages of her disease. It is the heroic story of how one woman atttempts to cope with the loss of her memories. It is heart wrenching and sad, yet also inspiring. It really makes you think about quality of life and puts into perspective all the things that Alzheimer patients and their families deal with every day. A very good read.

Lone Wolf

This was the latest book that I read for one of the book clubs that I belong to. I love Jodi Picoult, but I would be the first one to say that some of her books are better than others. ( I loved 19 Minutes & Salem Falls not so much Song of the Humpback or Picture Perfect).
At any rate, this book is her latest and I have to say that I enjoyed it. It's very different. The story of a father who is largely estranged from his family and then finds the decisions about his life quite literally to be in their hands. As usual, Picoult does a great job of taking a very timely and sensitive issue and shining many different lights upon the subject.
I also love wolves and found the main character very interesting in that he is a person who studies wolves and lives among them, much like Jane Goodall. I have heard some critics say that the sections of the book that discuss the wolves were not realistic, but not being an expert, I found them to be believable and engaging. It was interesting how Picoult used the characters interactions with the wolves to give insight into his own troubled family. If you enjoy Picoult and like this type of book ( one based on a timely controversy) then this book is worth checking out.

Wizard's First Rule

My husband and I started watching Legend of the Seeker on Netflix. I had not realized that this was a series based on a book. My usual philosophy is that I believe a person should always read the book first. So I started this, the first in the series of 11 books.

Wizard's Rule is very slow to start. VERY S----L----O-----W. But once the action starts happening, it all happens rapidly. Richard Cypher, otherwise known as The Seeker, is a very admirable character. He is loving and compassionate with a strong sense of justice and a willingness to help those in trouble. All perfect qualities for a Seeker of Truth.

I think one of my favorite characters in the book was Deena, a Mord-Sith who is sent by the villian Darken Rahl to "train" the Seeker. I won't give away why she is one of my favorite characters, or what I find admirable about her, in case any sci-fi fans out there want to give this one a try. Remember, you will be about ten chapters in before it gets lively....

2012 - the year of mediocrity?

Well, so far, at any rate. Now that I am not working on my master's degree, I am finally getting to do more reading. Sadly though, so far this year hasn't had a lot to offer. Or maybe I'm just making some bad literary choices. It could have to do with the fact that at least one of the books I read was a free Friday download. But so was Game of Thrones and I love that!
So here are this year's latest:



I enjoy a good Nicholas Sparks novel as much as the next person, but for the most part, this wasn't it. Amanda and Owen were teenagers when they fell in love. Star crossed lovers. When a mutual friend dies, he requests that Amanda and Dawson return to their home town for his funeral. While the novel has it's warm plot twists, like Tuck's garden, it just isn't enough to overcome the trite, formulaic feel. Unless you are a huge Nicholas Sparks fan, I wouldn't recommend reading this one. Best of Me is definitately not Sparks' best offering.



This was a free Friday downloaded. I guess I should have known better, but the cover was appealing enough. It started out in an intriguing way and then quickly devolved into the every day minutae of a person who has their identity stolen. In some ways, the loss of her identity does help Alice change certain aspects of her life that she has been longing to change but has been hesitant too. Still the idea that a person could be grateful to the individual who essentially ruined her life, and desire to maintain a friendship with that person was a little far fetched as far as I am concerned.

War Horse by Michael Marpurgo

Last year I had several students - boys - who loved to read about history. I saw the previews for this at the movies and I realized that it was based on a book. Stories about animals always really choke me up, but I knew that I had to read this book.

I'm SO glad that I did!!! I love horses and if for no other reason, this book is a wonderful horse story. That said, it is also so much more than that! It's a story of love, trust, friendship, courage and loyalty. The personification used by the author for the horse, Joey, represents the best in all of us and all we hope to be. It reminded me much of the timeless classic, Black Beauty, but of course, more from a boys perspective. Like Black Beauty, it is told from the perspective of the horse, Joey. It is a brilliant story but if you read it ( and I highly recommend that you do!) better have the tissues handy! Joey and all the characters of this treasure are unforgettable.

I recommend this for readers of all ages, especially those with an interest in history. Great book for boys!

2011 - A Book List

This is simply a list of books that I read in 2010. Reviews on those not already commented upon previously to follow. Here there are, in no particular order:
1. Citizen Washington by William Martin
2. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
3. Game of Thrones - GRR Martin
4. Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire
5. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
6. Please Stop Laughing at me by Jodi Blanco
7.Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
8. Crossed by Ally Condie
9. The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
10. The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood
11.Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by tom Franklin
12. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
13. Room by Emma Donoghue
14. Winter Garden by Kristin hannah
15. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
16. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
17. The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
18. Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
19. Start with Why by Simon Sinek
20. the Iron King by Julie Kagawa
21. A Feast for Crows by GRR Martin
22. A Storm of Swords GRR Martin
23. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
24. A Clash of Kings by GRR Martin
25. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
26. Juliet by Anne Fortier
27. Beastly by Alex Flinn
28. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
29. Love Walked In by marisa de los Santos
30. Matched by Ally Conde
31. The Women by T.C. Boyle
32. Murphy's Boy
33. The Night Strangers
34. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
35. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
36. One More Day by David Nichols
37. Witch and Wizard by james patterson
38. Nose Down, Eyes Up by Merrill Markoe
39. A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
40. Shutter Island