REVIEW - The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C. W. Gortner

Title: The Confessions of Catherine de Medici

Author: C. W. Gortner

No. of Pages: 397

First Released: 2010

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books): "'The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess.'

So reveals Catherine de Medici in this brilliantly imagined novel about one of history’s most powerful and controversial women. To some she was the ruthless queen who led France into an era of savage violence. To others she was the passionate savior of the French monarchy. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner brings Catherine to life in her own voice, allowing us to enter into the intimate world of a woman whose determination to protect her family’s throne and realm plunged her into a lethal struggle for power.

 The last legitimate descendant of the illustrious Medici line, Catherine suffers the expulsion of her family from her native Florence and narrowly escapes death at the hands of an enraged mob. While still a teenager, she is betrothed to Henri, son of François I of France, and sent from Italy to an unfamiliar realm where she is overshadowed and humiliated by her husband’s lifelong mistress. Ever resilient, Catherine strives to create a role for herself through her patronage of the famous clairvoyant Nostradamus and her own innate gift as a seer. But in her fortieth year, Catherine is widowed, left alone with six young children as regent of a kingdom torn apart by religious discord and the ambitions of a treacherous nobility.

Relying on her tenacity, wit, and uncanny gift for compromise, Catherine seizes power, intent on securing the throne for her sons. She allies herself with the enigmatic Protestant leader Coligny, with whom she shares an intimate secret, and implacably carves a path toward peace, unaware that her own dark fate looms before her—a fate that, if she is to save France, will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, her reputation, and the passion of her embattled heart. "


Comments and Critique: The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is a fantastic example of historical fiction. Lush backdrops, details so clear and precise that the images all but leap off the page, a notorious yet mysterious historical figure, a very tumultuous time period - these all combine perfectly to present Catherine's story as it has never before been told. While still fiction, Gortner does an amazing job of presenting her story with plausibility so that a reader is left questioning whether this were truly the way the events did happen and whether the history books have been wrong for so many years.

Presented in history books as a power-hungry, cold, cruel tyrant devoted to the dark arts, Gortner's Catherine is sympathetic and all-too-human. She understands too clearly the politics and intrigue that are a necessary part of living as among royalty and knows that her options are very, very limited. Catherine does nothing more than make any sacrifice necessary for the future of her children. Her intentions are clear and never waver, but the perception of those intentions, and consequently her actions, are what cause her to be viewed by royalty and peasants alike with suspicion and dread.

While focusing on Catherine's story, Gortner also presents life in France during the 16th Century in all its tumultous glory. Life was not easy for royalty and peasantry alike. Everyone had to watch their backs and concern themselves with being reported as a heretic. The constant battle between Catholics and Protestants is reminiscent of the Crusades and even today's more modern wars in which there is no such thing as compromise. It is unfortunate reminder that the more things change, the more things stay the same.

Another interesting aspect of the story is the stark picture of life at the royal court. One had to manuever through the adultery, intrigue, political backstabbing and all other manner of unsavory behavior while presenting to the public the ability to rise above all that. One could never let down one's guard or believe for a moment that one was safe from the political machinations, greed, and scramble for power that was normal for court life. It had to be an exhausting way of life, as Catherine learned at an early age. Life at court is not the life of privilege one might expect.

Gortner's realistic descriptions and attention to detail makes it very easy for a reader to imagine living in France while forcing the reader to decide whether Catherine's actions are justified. The first-person narrative lends an intimacy that also helps the reader truly feel almost communal with Catherine. The effect is a breathtaking blast to the past, one that is filled with enough intrigue and tension to keep any reader on the edge of his or her seat. The Confessions of Catherine de Medici brings history alive.

Thank you to Suzi from Whimpulsive for sending me a copy of this wonderful novel!

REVIEW - The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks

Title:  The Widow of the South

Author:  Robert Hicks

Total Hours:  15

Narrators:  Paul Boehmer, Lorna Raver, Stephen Hoye and Scott Brick

First Released:  2005

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books): "In 1894 Carrie McGavock is an old woman who has only her former slave to keep her company...and the almost 1,500 soldiers buried in her backyard. Years before, rather than let someone plow over the field where these young men had been buried, Carrie dug them up and reburied them in her own personal cemetery. Now, as she walks the rows of the dead, an old soldier appears. It is the man she met on the day of the battle that changed everything. The man who came to her house as a wounded soldier and left with her heart. He asks if the cemetery has room for one more."

Comments and Critique:  The Widow of the South is a novel that sneaks up on the reader.  The juxtaposition of narrators is unsettling.  Just when the reader feels comfortable with the direction of the novel, the shift in narration forces the reader to pay closer attention and reevaluate the knowledge already gleaned from the other perspectives.  However, before one realizes it, the story meshes in a way that melts the heart while causing one to rethink previously told stories about the South during the Civil War.  In other words, the forced attention and extra work are well worth the efforts for the pagentry and beauty behind Mr. Hicks' words.

Make no mistake, The Widow of the South is not all beauty.  Mr. Hicks presents an unflinching account of battle and its aftermath, from the battlefield to the hospital and life as an amputee.  The stories are told with stark honesty, not romanticizing the battle or post-battle life in any way.  The straightforward delivery, while rather gruesome in its descriptions, adds realism, and yet poignancy, to horrible situations.  The Widow of the South demolishes every romantic ideal about the Civil War and creates a new picture for the reader - one that truly reflects that "war is hell."

Just as the story unfolds one scene, one narrator at a time, Carrie McGavock grows and develops page after page until she represents a true steel magnolia, for which the South is so famous.  Beset by grief and depression, the Carrie in the beginning of the novel is not the same Carrie McGavock at the end of the novel.  As we see how the soldiers fare after the battle, we also see Carrie use her grief to help care for the soldiers directly under her care and later for all soldiers of the battle.  She rediscovers what love means, what duty means, but more importantly, who she is and her unwavering values.  The self-discovery and journey Carrie travels through the novel to become the ultimate Widow of the South is made precious by the backdrop of the political and social climate she faces. 

Zachariah Cashwell is worth mentioning as an excellent foil for Carrie, as he is the one to force her to reevaluate her life to date and what she means to do with her future.  He does not coddle her or treat her with the social propriety that is her due.  Rather, in Carrie, he eventually recognizes the fact that she is as injured as he is, albeit her injuries are more subtle and well-hidden.  Together, they are able to heal each other's physical and spiritual wounds, finding a love so sweet and special that it endures across the decades. 

Yet, this is not a love story between a man and a woman.  The Widow of the South is ultimately a love story between those that are lost and those that are left behind.  It is a reminder that one should never forget another's sacrifice. 

As previously mentioned, this is by no means an easy story.  The all-too-realistic descriptions of battle and surgery can leave a reader squeamish.  Also, Carrie's narration reflects her mental state.  When she is depressed and completely upset, her narration reflects her unrest.  As Carrie grows in determination and gathers the cloak of responsibility closer to her, her narration takes on a much more focused aspect.  Still, it is not easy wading through her muddled perspective.

I did struggle with the novel in the beginning, especially with the multiple narrators and not having the visual cues to remind me who was speaking.  As I mentioned, Carrie was particularly difficult to decipher as to her meaning, and it took me a bit longer than I would have expected to be able to determine that she was clinically depressed.  Eventually, I came to enjoy the different narrators.  Each person lent its own uniqueness to each character, and I particularly enjoyed the care each narrator took to authenticate his or her character's voice.  I'm not certain I would have cared about each character as much had I read the book versus listened to it on audio.  In this particular instance, the audio version highlighted the internal struggles of each character, making the story that much more forceful.

In the end, this is a lovely story that sheds light on a Civil War battle that does not get much attention.  Its exploration of life beyond the battle, as told from the various perspectives, creates a crystal-clear picture that the battle did not end after the soldiers stopped fighting.  Mr. Hicks presents his details with sharp focus, holding nothing back, and the story is better for this brutal honesty.  I would definitely recommend this novel to any historical fiction lovers out there!

Mr. FTC, I borrowed this from the library!

Food for Thought (and a plea for help) - The Power of Social Media

Social media has single-handedly changed the way companies do business.  This statement cannot be refuted.  One look at the publishing industry, and one quickly realizes just how true this is.  Never before have publishers, publicists, book sellers and readers been able to interact on such a personal level.  Huge things are in store the book industry thanks to Twitter, Facebook and other social media tools, without a doubt.

What is unclear is how social media will impact other businesses.  Companies that sell directly to consumers are at a distinct advantage because they can use social media to target the consumers directly.  However, what about those businesses that sell only to other businesses?  How can they use social media to improve their market presence? 

This is the question many companies, including my own, face today.  We all recognize the power of the Internet and the growing influence of social media.  What we do not know is how to harness this power to benefit our company.  If a company makes one component of a product and only sells those components to other manufacturing companies, how should that company use social media?   Is it even worth it?  Is social media only limited to business-to-consumer transactions?

So, I throw these question out to my fellow bloggers, as you are all among some of the most creative people with whom I have ever had the pleasure to interact.  If you are working in a similar business-to-business environment, how do you envision the use of social media helping your company?  If you are not, do you have any suggestions or ideas on how companies of this ilk can proceed? 

REVIEW - Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy

Title:  Jude the Obscure

Author:  Thomas Hardy

No. of Pages:  438

First Released:  1895

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):  "Jude Fawley, poor and working-class, longs to study at the University of Christminster, but his ambitions to go to university are thwarted by class prejudice and his entrapment in a loveless marriage. He falls in love with his unconventional cousin, Sue Bridehead, and their refusal to marry when free to do so confirms their rejection of and by the world around them. The shocking fate that overtakes them is an indictment of a rigid and uncaring society."

Comments and Critique:  I thought I loved Thomas Hardy.  He has a way with words that places the reader at the scene and brings those scenes to life for any modern reader.  However, after careful reflection, I am not too certain I stand by my conviction that I like Thomas Hardy.  See, he's too depressing.  Most of his characters are put into unfortunate situations, find their way out for a bit and then end up worse than when the reader is first introduced to them.  This holds true with Tess of the D'Urbervilles and holds true with Jude the Obscure as well.

With Jude, Hardy presents the dreamer beset by reality.  This is a clear sign that not all will bode well for dear Jude.  As this is a general theme in Hardy's works, one has to wonder that Hardy just did not like those who dreamt of a better life and sought ways to improve themselves.  It is such a negative attitude as well as the exact opposite of the American dream.

One cannot mention Jude the Obscure without mentioning marriage, as this is where the novel gets all of its tension, which drives the plot forward.  As it is believed that Jude the Obscure is relatively autobiographical, make no mistake that Hardy does not have a very positive view of the status of marriage.  His is rather a very modern point of view in a Victorian era that is not ready for such ideas.  The idea of marriage is a continual issue for Sue, which is where the reader can see the biggest conflict.  In Sue, Hardy presents the dichotomy between individual values (no marriage) and society's values (marriage required).  According to Hardy, one cannot coexist with the other, and a person must choose between either set of values.  However, to choose against society requires a thick skin and a level of patience and/or ignorance of society's scorn - neither of which could be used to describe Sue.  As for the institution itself, Hardy still is rather pessimistic.  At one point in time, the narrator mentions that a truly married couple did not act affectionate but rather should yell and argue and throw furniture at each other.  Both Sue and Jude marry people that repulse them, yet their love for each other is not allowed to flourish because it is not contained within the institution of marriage.  The message the reader cannot help but take away from these occurrences is that love has no place in marriage.  Interesting, no?

Hardy's discussion of children is just as depressing.  There is much talk about whether children would be better off never having been born if they are to be born into a poor family.

"'I think that whenever children be born that are not wanted they should be killed directly, before their souls come to 'em, and not allowed to grow big and walk about!'" (pg. 355)  

This begs the question whether Hardy is trying to tell us that Jude was essentially doomed to a life of suffering from the moment he was born.  Either way, it is a powerful statement, about an issue that has been an ongoing, and passionate debate for years. 

All of these issues leads to a very dark, morose novel.  I struggled to get behind the characters, as Sue drove me insane with her waffling and inability to make a decision and stick with it, and Jude was not forceful enough.  I kept waiting for the moment for Jude to stand up for his beliefs and his happiness.  Rather, he sits back and accepts everything that happens to him, without making an effort to change it for his own benefit.  It wasn't that Jude lacked backbone; he just lacked a desire to stand and fight.  I remained disappointed with Jude and distracted by Sue throughout the novel, even while I kept hoping that either character would change.  Neither one did.

Overall, I cannot say that I truly enjoyed Jude the Obscure, but I did glean a bit more about life in Victorian England for the desolate and downtrodden.  Having to leave one town for another when the work ran out, having to past muster with a potential landlord just to rent a room, living in such small towns that were geographically close together so that gossip easily spread from one village to another - it was a rough life, one that requires spirit, drive, and an unwillingness to succumb to the pressures of life.  Unfortunately, neither Sue nor Jude had any one of those characteristics, and therein lies my issue.  I would have appreciated more character growth from both main characters.  I feel like I should not have supported the two minor characters more than I did the two main ones, but as they showed the most gumption, they earned my admiration.  Hardy is a must-read for any classic lover only because he portrays various milieu of English life with precision.  It isn't the happiest of pictures most times, but as a learning experience for an understanding of English life outside what is taught in history books, he is one of the best. 

Mr. FTC, I purchased this with my own money!

REVIEW - The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Title:  The Iron Daughter

Author:  Julie Kagawa

No. of Pages:  304


First Released:  August 1, 2010

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):  "Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey--ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart."

Comments and Critique: Walt Disney has done a disservice to faeries everywhere. Through his movies, he has made them out to be helpful, fun-loving creatures. Whenever I read a novel involving fae, I constantly have to remember that these are not the Disney fairies but are something completely different. The Iron Daughter does an excellent job of reminding me just how dangerous, how volatile they truly are.

The Iron Daughter picks up where The Iron King and Winter's Passage end. However, as someone who has read neither of those, The Iron Daughter does a decent job of standing on its own merits. While there are obviously some relationships and story lines that I completely missed, I was able to pick up enough of the key points to help me stay engaged in the story. Billed as a young adult fantasy/romance, I get the distinct impression that it is a tad more adult than other similar fare. The danger is more viable, more realistic than other YA fantasy/romance novels. Not only are the Unseelie dangerous, but Meghan's own Seelie are just as dangerous. This all combines to create tension and an undercurrent of danger that never dissipates. It is unsettling to the reader and yet very compelling.

The heart of the story revolves around Meghan, Ash, and Puck. Meghan is not your typical teen heroine. Rather, she is strong, confident, relatively fearless with a strong moral compass. She knows her own mind and is not afraid to make the tough decisions necessary for survival. Puck, to me, is the goofy best friend, a la Sixteen Candles, while Ash is dangerous but oh-so sexy. Puck is completely selfless and ready to do anything for Meghan, while Ash is definitely bound by his position. However, I do not get the same connection, the same magnetism between Puck and Meghan as I do between Ash and Meghan. To me, I do not doubt Ash's love for Meghan. It is all-encompassing, all-consuming. I do not get the same love vibe from Puck. I suspect that I would feel otherwise had I read The Iron King.

The Iron fey are obviously not a problem that are going to go away in one or two books. Ms. Kagawa does a tremendous job of hinting at certain mysteries to be resolved, the promise of which heightens the anticipation of the third novel in the series. She also leaves the story with an amazing cliffhanger, making the time between this release date and the next one seem interminable.

Overall, I was highly impressed with The Iron Daughter and am now firmly in the Team Ash camp. Fans of The Iron King will obviously enjoy the tension between Ash, Puck and Meghan. Even those, like me, who failed to read the first book will enjoy the foray into Fae. The details, descriptions and unease generated by the tension makes for a fascinating place to visit!


Thank you to NetGalley for my free e-reader copy!

A Bit of Me(me) - July 24, 2010

Looking for a way to learn a bit more about fellow book bloggers outside of their interest in books, Danielle of There's a Book created this meme.  It is a fun way to step away from the books and share a quirky fact about you with others, all while promoting community! 

This week's question:

Tell everyone a bit about your very best quality or talent!

First of all, I hate to talk about my qualities.  I can talk about books all day long.  I can help others talk about themselves, but I cannot talk about my best attributes.  It drives my boss nuts!  I asked my husband to help me with this.  All I got was that I'm angry all the time (he picked a bad moment to avoid answering my question as I really was not feeling the greatest).  So, since I am "forced" to talk about my best quality, and have no major talents unless you count my organization skills as Jim suggested, I will pick my sense of responsibility as my very best quality. 

It is my greatest quality and my largest downfall - well, that and my perfectionism but that's a whole other story.  Simply put, I stand by my word.  If I tell you I am going to do something, I will do it.  I stress about meeting promised deadlines, whether it is for work, for family, for friends.  If I am late on anything, I feel like I failed.  A promise to do anything is something I take very, very seriously.  Yes, sometimes I regret making a promise, and it takes everything I have to attend to whatever that is, but I still get it done.  That's my way.  It's not a bad quality to have, and based on most of my co-workers, it is a rather rare quality these days.

My answer is rather boring, and I wish I had a fantastic talent I could share with everyone. I'm curious how others would answer this question. What is your best quality or talent?

REVIEW - Muffins and Mayhem by Suzanne Beecher

Title:  Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life

Author:  Suzanne Beecher

No. of Pages:  233

First Released:  June 2010

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books): "Suzanne Beecher's happy, loving voice has brought more than 350,000 people to her online book club at DearReader.com, where her daily column offers her candid, thought-provoking reflections on life, inspiring countless readers to look at their ordinary lives in a new way. By turns funny and poignant, Suzanne is the reassuring friend across the kitchen table with a refreshing, jaunty attitude about life, even in the face of whatever difficulties it may bring.

Suzanne has had her own share of troubles to overcome. Left home alone at an early age, she struggled with difficult and distant parents, dealt with heartbreak, became a hard-working single mom, and overcame two substance addictions and a physical impairment. But along the way, she found comfort in baking and sharing food with her friends and family. She learned to take the good with the bad, and her life is now inspiring proof that faith and persistence are the keys to success."

Comments and Critique:  Known for her columns, one chapter into Muffins and Mayhem and the reader gets a clear understanding why Ms. Beecher is so popular.  Her personality leaps off of the page, reaching out to readers of every age, shape, and size, and making Muffins and Mayhem a true pleasure to read.

Ms. Beecher has such a refreshing outlook on life.  Her success is definitely attributable to her ability to take chances and constantly try new things.  The reader cannot help but pick up at least some life lessons because Ms. Beecher's "make lemonade out of lemons" approach to life is so infectious.

Being the columnist that she is, I could not help but think feel that at times, I was reading nothing but a collection of her columns.  She bounces from stories to vignettes and back to longer, more complete stories.  The reader never knows what the chapter will hold or how it will be structured.  For me, this was one of the detractions from the overall memoir.  I personally would have preferred a more cohesive structure rather than the hops and skips throughout time.

One cannot finish a review of Muffins and Mayhem without discussing the recipes.  Oh my, the recipes!  They are, hands down, some of the best I've read in a memoir.  I absolutely cannot wait to try them.  They cover all meals and cooking abilities from breakfast cinnamon rolls (I see a weekend brunch with those) to full-course ethnic dinners like Beef and Broccoli.  Ms. Beecher's directions are simple to follow and specific, making them a delightful addition to the book.

In all, I found Ms. Beecher's stroll down memory lane delightful and fun.  She has an amusing, irreverent quality about her that makes her seem more real and approachable.  Ms. Beecher is like the quirky best friend of the family that you are always happy to see at family events.  The reader will delight in her recipes, her memories of childhood, the challenges she has overcome as an adult, and her continued success.  At 233 pages, Muffins and Mayhem is a quick read, made even shorter by her conversational writing style and the short vignettes scattered throughout the pages.  If you are looking for a fun and engaging memoir this summer, Muffins and Mayhem fits the bill.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for my review copy!

Food for Thought - Emotional Reading

I've been reading quite a few memoirs, murder mysteries, psychological thrillers and the like.  I've enjoyed almost every one of them as they have all given me much food for thought, demanding that I ponder their messages , their themes long after I finish reading them.  However, they have also left me in quite the state of melancholy. 

It started with little things - an inability or lack of desire to write reviews, a lack of interest in pretty much anything but reading - and moved on to bigger things - withdrawal from family and friends, a general malaise, lack of interest in anything online.  It is now to the point where it is all I can do to not lock myself in my house, unplug my phone and computer, and hide from the world.

I was having a conversation the other day about how reading a particular book was causing one friend's bad mood.  Every day there is someone on Twitter declaring that he or she needs to switch to a different genre for whatever reason.  Noticing this phenomenon has me thinking (obviously).  Is emotional involvement in a novel a bad thing? 

I'm positive that it is not the authors' intentions to cause that.  They have a story to tell and hope they entertain their readers in the telling.  More importantly, I know this will pass.  I need to switch up my genre of book to something light-hearted and fun, fantastical but not overly dramatic.   Still, here I am, wondering what is wrong with me and realizing that I have read some very depressing, intense novels over the past month. 

I imagine as an author impacting the readers' emotions is a good thing because it means that one has written characters with whom readers can empathize and champion.  This keeps readers engaged and clamoring for more, does it not?  However, when does it go too far?  

How do others do it?  How does one prevent oneself from becoming emotionally invested in novels, to the point where it impacts how one interacts with others in real life?  Or is a problem that is unique to me? 

Let's open this up for discussion!  Have you ever gotten depressed over a novel or succession of novels?  How do you avoid the emotional pratfalls of reading?

TLC Book Tours presents The Murderer's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers

Title:  The Murderer's Daughters

Author:  Randy Susan Meyers

No. of Pages:  310

First Released:  January 2010

Synopsis (Courtesy of TLC Book Tours): "Lulu and Merry’s childhood was never ideal, but on the day before Lulu’s tenth birthday their father drives them into a nightmare. He’s always hungered for the love of the girl’s self-obsessed mother. After she throws him out, their troubles turn deadly.

Lulu’s mother warned her to never let him in, but when he shows up, he’s impossible to ignore. He bullies his way past ten-year-old Lulu, who obeys her father’s instructions to open the door, then listens in horror as her parents struggle. She runs for help and discovers upon her return that he’s murdered her mother, stabbed her sister, and tried to kill himself.

For thirty years, the sisters try to make sense of what happened. Their imprisoned father is a specter in both their lives, shadowing every choice they make. Though one spends her life pretending he’s dead, while the other feels compelled to help him, both fear that someday their imprisoned father’s attempts to win parole may meet success.

The Murderer's Daughters is narrated in turn by Merry and Lulu. The book follows the sisters as children, as young women, and as adults, always asking how far forgiveness can stretch, while exploring sibling loyalty, the aftermath of family violence, and the reality of redemption."

Comments and Critique:  One could categorize The Murderer's Daughters as a drama, but that seems to ignore the nuances behind the story.   Rather, The Murderer's Daughters crosses from a drama into a psychological study on the impact of tragedy and its ripple effect.  Sharply written and emotionally evocative, Ms. Meyers is not afraid to discuss a situation that occurs far too often and is ignored by society just as much.  It is a great reminder that suffering does not end when the physical wounds heal.

At its heart, The Murderer's Daughters discusses the age-old debate of nature versus nurture and child-rearing.  In fact, it raises many questions about Merry's and Lulu's fates and the journeys through childhood and beyond.  Were the girls ultimately better off without both parents or were they doomed to a life filled with drama and pain from the start?  Would they have each recovered from the trauma better if they had been allowed to go their separate ways?   Is it fair to put the burden of familial responsibility on children? 

Not only does Ms. Meyers present discussion points about child-rearing, she raises questions about what it means to be a parent.  Is it a title that is earned or granted upon birth?  What right does a father or mother have to demand affection and attention when said parent has done something so despicable that it changes his or her child's life forever?

Tragic and intense, The Murderer's Daughters will leave readers questioning everything they know about parenting and what it means to be a family.  Its portrayal of the murder and the emotional aftermath is haunting yet lyrical, demanding the reader to continue with the story.  In Merry and Lulu, Ms. Meyers created two characters about whom it is easy to empathize, involving the reader emotionally.  The entire Zachariah family is one that lingers well after the last page is read.  Not an easy read at times, The Murderer's Daughters is well worth the time and effort.

For more reviews and reflections on The Murderer's Daughters, please check out these other tour hosts!

• The Lost Entwife
• Life in the Thumb
• The Little Reader

• Tuesday, July 27th: Til We Read Again
• Wednesday, July 28th: A Few More Pages
• Thursday, July 29th: Booksie’s Blog
• Monday, August 2nd: Wordsmithonia
• Tuesday, August 3rd: Lit and Life
• Wednesday, August 4th: Knowing the Difference
• Thursday, August 5th: Staircase Wit

REVIEW - F*** It by John C. Parkin

Title:  F**k It: The Ultimate Spiritual Way

Author:  John C. Parkin

No. of Pages:  224

First Released: July 2010

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):  "To say F**k It feels good. To stop struggling and finally do what you wish . . . to ignore what everyone is telling you and just go your own way . . . feels really great. In this inspiring and humorous book, John C. Parkin suggests that saying F**k It is the perfect Western expression of the Eastern spiritual concept of letting go, giving up, and finding real freedom by realizing that things don't matter so much (if at all). It's a spiritual way that doesn't require chanting, meditating, or wearing sandals. And it's the very power of this modern-day profanity that makes it perfect for shaking us Westerners out of the stress and anxiety that dominate our daily lives. So, find out how to say F**k It to all your problems and concerns. Say F**k It to all the shoulds in your life, and finally do what you want--no matter what other people think."

Comments and Critique:  I love snark, also called sarcasm.  I tend to use it frequently, much to everyone else's chagrin.  When I saw this title on NetGalley, I thought I would be getting a wonderfully funny, irreverent book with a tongue-in-cheek presentation of philosophy.  In a way, F*** It: The Ultimate Spiritual Way is indeed that but so much more.

Touted as akin to Taoism and other spiritual beliefs, the main premise of the F**k It: The Ultimate Spiritual Way philosophy is letting go.  Indeed, there is merit in this idea of letting go and the freedom one uses the phrase.    According to Mr. Parkin, "The one thing you'll always do when you really say, 'F*** It' is relax" and "problems can't exist in the face of total relaxation" (p. 88-89).  Mr. Parkin wants us to say the phrase to everything we do because it releases us from attaching too much meaning, too much pressure, too many expectations to everything we do.  If one sits and thinks about it, and considers all the times where one has flung up his or her hands and declared "f*** it!", Mr. Parkin is indeed on to something.

At first glance, it may appear that Mr. Parkin is attempting to tell the reader to ignore the laws and values of society, to just do his or her own thing.  However, that is not true.  Rather, Mr. Parkin is attempting to help the reader free him/herself from all the obligations and to allow one to enjoy everything has to offer.  In essence, life is too short to stress about anything at all.  Say "F*** it" (and truly mean it) and that stress disappears.  It is not a giving up but a relaxation of one's expectations of one's job, society, and of life. 

Parkin makes an excellent argument about his new philosophy.  He uses children as a metaphor for life.  Children notice every small detail and revel in them.  They truly stop and take time to smell the roses.  Somewhere along the way, they forget to relax and enjoy the details and get wrapped up in the big picture.  As a result, they stop relaxing and stop enjoying life.  Again, Mr. Parkin circles back to the idea of relaxation and letting going of meaning.  Letting go of meaning is letting go of pressure and stress, which will in turn bring more good things to you.  It's very Tao-esque, is it not?

Unfortunately, what starts out as tongue-in-cheek good fun takes a turn for the serious when Mr.Parkin starts exploring the idea of chi and forms.  As soon as he moves on to this idea of movement and releasing chi, the book loses some of its charms.  It is such a juxtaposition that it undoes any of the learnings from the previous first-half of the novel.  I personally enjoyed the irreverence and humor of the first half of the book and  felt a bit like Mr. Parkin began to take himself too seriously.  He has some great ideas and provides plenty of food for thought, and I personally wish he would have left the forms and chi discussion alone. 

I chose this novel on a whim and am glad I read it.  I know that his ideas have some value because I have personally felt how calming it is to say "F*** it" in certain situations.  It does release tension and stress and helps me focus my energies on more important things, i.e. things under my direct control.  Those easily offended by profanity should not read this book, although I suspect that the title alone is enough of a deterrent in that aspect.  Those who are willing to step out of the philosophical box will enjoy Mr. Parkin's ideas or at least come away with food for thought.  In the end, F*** It: The Ultimate Spiritual Way may not be prize-winning literature, but it is enjoyable and worth the read for its fresh approach to life and all its demands.

Thank you to NetGalley for my free e-reader review copy!!

The Summer Salon - July 19, 2010

I've decided that I am going to rename The Sunday Salon to The Summer Salon.  The more relaxed name fits for this time of year, does it not?  (It also  gives me the freedom to write a recap of my week whenever I decide to get back online.) 

No posts again this weekend, you say?  That's right.  When it came down to choosing to turn on my laptop or opening a book, or even getting out a cross-stitch project that I promised to a friend back in January, this weekend I choose everything but turning on my laptop.  It isn't so much that I don't want to check e-mail or visit my blogging friends.  I still do, but my desire to visit and check on what everyone else is doing was much less than my desire to read or work on that project.  Maybe it is the lack of time I have thanks to the Game On Diet's restrictive seven-plus hours of sleep.  Maybe it is just my mind's way of saying that I need a break.  Who knows?  I am going to embrace this impulse and will catch up with everyone when I can!

So, what kept me so busy this week?  The kids came back early due to an unfortunate disciplinary issue at my parents' house that required them to drive six hours to drop them off and then head back home.  We kept a pretty tight leash on the kids after that, figuring that Connor, as the perpetrator, did not deserve any sort of treat or anything fun.  Friday night was the night they were originally supposed to come home, so that is when we lifted the "fun" ban and let loose. 
Boy did we ever!  A night of beach volleyball followed by a day at the lake, by Saturday night we were all exhausted.  The lake was rough, thanks to wind and general busyness, which meant that I got sicker than a dog.  We've been on the boat several times this summer, but I got so queasy, so nauseous that I had difficulties truly enjoying myself.  I was better in the water, so I spent a lot of time swimming and floating.  Unfortunately, even that got old after a while.  Sadly, if I close my eyes, I can still feel the motion of the waves.  Ugh. 

Sunday, which I was hoping was going to be a day of recovery, turned out to be family "clean the basement" day.  It turns out that my brother-in-law and his entire family - all nine of them - will be staying with us for a few days at the end of July.  In order to make room for them all, it required a massive revamp of our basement, as it has not been cleaned out in four years.  We are not pack rats, so this involved throwing away a ton of stuff that had piled up, as well as the creation of a good-sized Goodwill pile.  Our garbage men will not be fond of us on garbage day.  Next weekend's project?  The garage!  (We will be tackling the smaller projects, i.e. paint touch-ups, during the week.)

Week one of Game On Diet is over!  I did amazingly well - three pounds lost overall.  After a few rough days of water retention and general sugar withdrawal, I feel fantastic.  In fact, as much as I was looking forward to my day off of following the diet (Saturday), what food I did eat left me feeling bloated and icky.  Granted, that could have been the aftereffects of seasickness, so who knows?  I find myself craving all that water and drinking more than the minimum.  I look forward to my 20-minutes (or more) of exercise, and I especially enjoy the five meals.  I am almost never hungry but never uncomfortably full.  The sleep rule is a bit of a pain, but I find myself more alert without the need for a nap in the afternoon.  I can't argue with the results either.  Bring on week two!

I hope everyone is enjoying summer as much as I am!  I have been reading like crazy and will definitely break last year's record of 84 books read in a year.  I am currently working through Captivity by Deborah Noyes, The White Queen by Philippa Gregory, The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham, and on audio, The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - all of which are fantastic reads so far.  I love summer!

REVIEW - Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

Title:  Heart of the Matter

Author:  Emily Giffin

Length of Audio: 10 hours 18 minutes

Narrator:  Cynthia Nixon

First Released:  May 2010

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):  "Tessa Russo is the mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Despite her own mother's warnings, Tessa has recently given up her career to focus on her family and the pursuit of domestic happiness. From the outside, she seems destined to live a charmed life. Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie--a boy who has never known his father. After too many disappointments, she has given up on romance--and even to some degree, friendships--believing that it is always safer not to expect too much. Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, the two have relatively little in common aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined. In alternating, pitch-perfect points of view, Emily Giffin creates a moving, luminous story of good people caught in untenable circumstances. Each being tested in ways they never thought possible. Each questioning everything they once believed. And each ultimately discovering what truly matters most."

Comments and Critique:  Before I continue, I will confess that I did not read the synopsis very well before I purchased this book.  This is one instance where marketing and buzz completely influenced my purchase.  Had I been paying closer attention, this would have been a book for which I would have thought twice before paying money for it.  I might have been willing to read it or listen to it for free, but even then, the topic is one about which I have very strong feelings, so I tend to avoid books with this theme of adultery.  I am not the target audience of this book and will most likely be in the minority for opinions and feedback. 

To put it bluntly, I did not like this book at all.  The narrator did not help.  I adore Cynthia Nixon and have since she was the maid in Amadeus.  She was one of the reasons why I chose this audio book over thousands of others.  Imagine my disappointment when her voice grated on my nerves and she wrung emotion out of every single sentence, even where none existed.  As a narrator, she had a way of trailing off at the ends of sentences, as if to soften the blow of the words, that quickly grew annoying.  Had there been another narrator, one who could tell the story without adding extraneous emotion, this might have been a decent audio.  Unfortunately, while Cynthia Nixon may be a decent actress, she is not meant to be a narrator for audio books.

Another large failure of the book was my reaction to Tessa, Valerie, and Nick.  I felt no real sympathy for any of them and often found myself wanting to slap them upside the head for their inability to remove the blinders.  I was particularly discouraged by Ms. Giffin's portrayal of Tessa as a stay-at-home mom and Valerie as a single mother.  Both characters are presented as caricatures with dangerous messages.  Tessa finds herself lost and unhappy as a stay-at-home mom and reflects on how much she enjoyed working.  Valerie is so focused on her job and her son that she fails to establish healthy, normal relationships with other adults.  Both of them support and feed into the social competition to  attend the right school, have the best decorations, be the perfect mother, be the perfect hostess, and so forth.  It is disconcerting to see this represented in print because it a) is not an accurate portrayal of a majority of society and b) involves social norms that do more harm than good.

I was completely disgusted by the selfishness of each character.  Each acted according to his or her own wishes and failed to consider the consequences.  However, each parent managed to scold his or her child(ren) at one point in the novel for the very same behavior.  I often felt that the children acted more like adults than their parents did, as at least they were willing to take responsibility for their actions.  The adults did not. 

As for the adultery, this is what sent me through the roof.  Hour after hour of justification, turning a blind eye, and other excuses for adultery literally turned my stomach.  I felt that Ms. Giffin was putting the onus for the adultery on the wife, as if it was her fault her husband strayed.  Maybe my picture of adultery is too black and white, but this was truly one area of the novel that upset me to my core.  At one point in time, I questioned whether Ms. Giffin were actually defending adultery, and that is, unfortunately, my personal moral line in the sand.   Call me naive, call me old-fashioned, but I cannot condone adultery, and this is why I had such issues with Heart of the Matter.

Thankfully, Heart of the Matter ended on a much better note than I expected.  For myself, I cannot help being disappointed; I had such high hopes for the novel but feel like I am letting down Ms. Giffin for not having the "correct" reaction.  All I can do is chalk this one up to a massive learning experience and move on from there.

I purchased this audio book with my own money from Audible.com. 

I'm curious if others have experienced this.  What books have absolutely made your blood boil and stomach churn in disgust and anger at what was occurring?  Have you ever chosen a book you realized almost halfway through that you should not have chosen it at all? 

Food for Thought: Development

As many of you know, I take great care to attend to my professional development.  I've attended training programs and networking sessions.  I received my MBA and CMA.  I have taken all sorts of personality assessments.  All of this was done with the hope that I would not only build my resume but understand who I am, my likes and dislikes, and my strengths and weaknesses in an effort to make sure that I continue to find jobs that utilize my strengths while minimizing my weaknesses and that focuses on areas I enjoy so that I can grow as a person and as an employee.

Sitting in one such training session a few weeks ago, I started thinking about blogging development.  How does one develop and grow as a blogger?  More importantly, should we develop and grow as a blogger?  This lead to a slew of questions.

Is it necessary?  Does it occur over time?  What would such development look like?  Does it happen naturally through discussions and interactions, through continuous writing and reviewing?  Does it require more forethought and deliberate planning? 

What would one hope to accomplish by undertaking it?  Does such development connote the end of blogging as a hobby and the start of more earnest, more professional blogging?  Can hobby bloggers still develop and hone their craft? 

(I have learned through my personality assessments that I tend to question everything and am constantly learning to seek answers to those questions.)

I am going to wait to answer these questions myself, but I am curious what others think about development and its place in the blogging world.  Does it belong?  What are your thoughts?

REVIEW - Come Closer by Sara Gran

Title:  Come Closer

Author:  Sara Gran

No. of Pages: 168

First Released:  2003

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):  "Amanda is happily married to Ed, works as an architect, and likes her life. But disturbances begin to upset her. Odd noises haunt their apartment. She suffers occasional blackouts, yet there is no medical explanation. She and her husband have petty squabbles; Ed seems less than lovable.

The image of a beautiful woman out of her past invades Amanda's dreams. Instead of a book she had ordered by mail, she receives Demon Possession Past and Present. Soon after, Amanda accidentally burns her husband with a cigarette. Something seemed to take over. She begins to study the book on possession.

Does everything that has happened have a rational explanation? Are the coincidences that have occurred just that? Or has she been possessed by a female demon known to students of the Kabbalah as Naamah?

Comments and Critique:  Classified as part thriller and part horror, Come Closer is an enjoyable read for lovers of those particular genres.  At 168 pages, it isn't going to take long to read, but the action starts on page one and does not let up until the last sentence.  It is an intense psychological thrill ride that has one questioning what it means to be happy or insane, self-possessed or demon-possessed.

Amanda is discontent with her life, which is a huge reason (in my opinion) why certain events unfold as they do.  She has changed everything for her husband and is ultimately not acting in accordance with her true self on a day-to-day basis.  Because of her unconscious chafing at her life, the reader has sympathy for Amanda even as her actions and certain events spiral out of control  One might argue then that possession is a metaphor for freedom - freedom from her self-imposed restraints she added to her life when she chose to settle down with her husband, freedom to be who she was truly meant to be,

The topic of possession is, in itself, quite interesting.  Is it a metaphor for freedom, for insanity, for obsession, for the loss of control, or for all of the above?  One could also argue that demonic possession is a real event.  Regardless of one's beliefs, what occurs to Amanda creates some interesting questions.  Just how far should loved ones go to saving someone from a downward spiral, for whatever reason?  Do we fight it?  Do we give up or give in to one's demands?  Do we sit and watch it happened without batting an eye? 

I cannot remember who reviewed this book initially that had me list it on my Wish List, but I definitely owe that person a note of thanks!  Surprisingly difficult to find, Come Closer is delightfully creepy, engaging, extremely well-written, and surprisingly humorous.  One would not think that the descent into madness could be funny, but Ms. Gran confirms that a story can be horrifying and funny at the same time.  It is a combination that works well, making Come Closer a quick and compelling read at the same time providing food for thought on relationships and one's obligations in those relationships.  Come Closer works because of these compelling questions and the hint of the macabre.  This would make for an excellent read during Halloween!

I am happy to report that this book cost me nothing because I borrowed it from the library!

REVIEW - The Lovers by Vendela Vida

Title:  The Lovers

Author:  Vendela Vida

No. of Pages:  225

First Published:  June 2010

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):  "Twenty-eight years ago, Peter and Yvonne honeymooned in the beautiful coastal village of Datça, Turkey. Now Yvonne is a widow, her twin children grown. Hoping to immerse herself in memories of a happier time — as well as sand and sea— Yvonne returns to Datça. But her plans for a restorative week in Turkey are quickly complicated. Instead of comforting her, her memories begin to trouble her. Her vacation rental's landlord and his bold, intriguing wife — who share a curious marital arrangement — become constant uninvited visitors, in and out of the house.

Overwhelmed by the past and unexpectedly dislocated by the environment, Yvonne clings to a newfound friendship with Ahmet, a local boy who makes his living as a shell collector. With Ahmet as her guide, Yvonne gains new insight into the lives of her own adult children, and she finally begins to enjoy the shimmering sea and relaxed pace of the Turkish coast. But a devastating accident upends her delicate peace and throws her life into chaos — and her sense of self into turmoil."

Comments and Critique:  What to say about The Lovers?  It has been several weeks now, and I am still uncertain how I feel about it.  If I am honest with myself, I think the true answer is that I just don't get it. 

I feel that the story that exists is not the one I was expecting.  Rather than being about lovers, as the title would suggest, it is more about what Yvonne finding herself, examining her relationships with her family and with herself.  The trip to Turkey, rather than idyllic, is flawed as the town is not what she remembers, the people and her side trips are not what she expects.  However, there is a beauty behind or in spite of those flaws, albeit one that is stark rather than picturesque. 

Either because of my confusion or causing my confusion, The Lovers raises many questions with little in the way of answers.  Why the title?  Who are "The Lovers"?  Are we ever truthful with others or even ourselves about our relationships?  Is it a self-defense mechanism or something else?  Does it take others to help us see the truth or can we find the truth on our own?  I still have no idea on any of these. 

If the definition of a good book is one that causes the reader to question the message and lesson of a novel weeks after finishing, then The Lovers meet the mark.  If not, then I may need to do some soul searching of my own because I remain confused by what Ms. Vida shares with us.  My expectations were so far left of what actually occurs that I cannot help but feel more than slightly disappointed at the difference.  I know others have and will continue to rave about The Lovers.  As for my opinion, I wanted to like it more than I did.  Unfortunately, this all combines into a book that it just not for me - too esoteric and confusing with a title that has very little to do with the novel itself. 

Thank you to Ecco and Greg Mortimer for the opportunity to review this book!

If you have read The Lovers, do you have the answers to some of my questions?  I would love to discuss the novel with someone to help me shed some light on just what happened!! 

The Monday Salon - July 12, 2010

Summer - It is that time of the year that requires being outside, basking in the sun, playing in the water, picnics, cookouts, get-togethers.  Of course, this also means that it requires less time online.  This is what has been occurring for me over the past month or so.  Jim and I have been enjoying our new boat, spending time with friends, working outside and just relaxing each weekend to the neglect of my blog and online friends.  I am not going to apologize for it because I am thoroughly enjoying myself.  Rather, this is more my way of stating that I am no longer going to fight the siren's call of summer and embrace my weekends offline even more.  This will be especially important when the kids come back home (on Friday).  I hope that each of you is enjoying the summer weather as much as we are!

So, what have I been doing with my time this weekend?  Boating, visiting with family (Jim's sister, brother-in-law, and two college-aged nieces), visiting with friends, watching the World Cup, and reading.  The weather finally cooled off a bit to make going outside tolerable, especially when going outside involves sitting lakeside.  I love when Jim's sister and her family comes to visit.  We always have a wonderful time, and this weekend was no exception.  I love soccer, and there is a part of me that is disappointed that the World Cup is now over.  Part of my feelings may be due to the fact that I realized that Connor will have finished his freshman year of high school the next time the World Cup plays.  Dang.  Part of me will miss the excitement and fever pitch of the fans.  (I also think I will miss the vuvuzelas; they would make for a great instrument to use to wake up the kids when they refuse to get out of bed in the morning!)  I loved being a part of something that excites the entire world, not just the U.S.  Hopefully, during the next four years, the U.S. spectators can learn more about the game and appreciate it a bit more rather than look down their noses at a sport they do not quite understand.

Another major part of the weekend was preparing for my participation in the Game On Diet.  Competing with four other women, the game starts today.  I had to read the book, buy the food, figure out my one bad and one good habit, prepare to drink all that water, and mentally gear myself up for what I hope will be a life-changing event.  At weigh-in today, I topped out at a weight that I have not seen since I was pregnant, and I swear that will be the LAST time I see that weight on my scale.  I realize that I have slipped into the overweight category for the first time ever.  I am done making excuses ("but I do not eat poorly" or my personal favorite "the last time I exercised hard for any length of time, I gained weight so what's the point?") and am going to embrace the healthy habits.  My goal is to play the game with my online friends and then coerce talk my husband into playing a game, then some friends of ours to play the game.  The longer I can continue it, the better it is for everyone involved.  So, Game On!

A Bit of Me(me) - July 10, 2010

Started by Danielle at There's a Book, this weekly meme creates an opportunity for bloggers to put themselves out there and help readers get to know them outside of the bookish community.  In Danielle's own words,

"We all leave our footprint on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is."

Posted each Saturday, Danielle dives into what makes us tick individually - our likes, dislikes, pictures, dreams, and so forth.  It is a great way to step back from books and remind each other what truly makes us tick.  I highly recommend you check out her post and the other meme participants!

This week's question:

What is one thing you are really NOT good at?

One thing?  I could name several and not even delve past the surface.  I think the one thing I am horrible at is chit-chatting.  I struggle to make small talk, especially in settings where I don't know anyone.  Even when I do know someone fairly well, I find it difficult to light on topics that can initiate a conversation.   I don't feel comfortable doing it, and it is something I do not enjoy either.  This means that in unfamiliar situations, I am as silent as a clam and come across as the most uppity, snobbish person.  I'm not (or I think I'm not).  I just have no idea what to say to a bunch of strangers.  This can definitely be an issue in the business world and has meant I have not had certain opportunities come my way because of it.  At this point in time, all I can say is that I do try, but even my best effort is not as good as someone else's initial attempt.  Chit-chatting is just one skill that I have failed to learn.

What about you?  What are you not good at?

Cross another challenge off the list!!

I'm done with another challenge!!  To be honest, I thought this would be the first challenge I would finish because I have an avowed book buying addiction.  The fact that it took me longer than six months is rather surprising, but it could be viewed as a good sign.  It could mean that I am receiving more review copies.  Either way, I have enough books to ensure that I could complete this challenge several times over.  I'm stopping at twelve books and moving on to my remaining few challenges.  Here's the official list of books that fit the requirements of having been purchased and read in 2010:

• 1. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
• 2. When Washington Was in Vogue by Edward Christopher Williams
• 3. Dune by Frank Herbert
• 4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
• 5. Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner
• 6. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• 7. Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
• 8. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• 9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• 10. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
• 11. The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen
• 12. 31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan