In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote

January 28, 2010January 28, 201025 Comments

Finished 1-26-10, rating 4/5, true crime literature, pub. 1965

In 1959 in a small Kansas town the Clutters still living in Holcomb were brutally murdered and the murderers got away without a trace. The community was in a panic. Was it one of their own who had murdered this upstanding family and, if so, why? The last one to see the family alive was the boyfriend of teenager Nancy and he took a lie detector test to clear him. As the months went by the town was still rattled by the unsolved murders. At the same time we were taken on a journey with the killers, Hickock and Smith, as their preparations and escape became clear, it was still uncertain what the motive might have been.

This true crime literature reads just like a novel and I love Capote’s style. I didn’t know much about this story before I read it, just some sort of vague memory of a family getting murdered, and the outcome of the book is told right upfront. But, that doesn’t take away from the story. It took me back to the 50’s in Kansas and a simpler way of life, where 12 year olds drove cars on old country roads and when murders happen every neighbor close enough to get there traipsed through the crime scene. The alternating storylines and different time frames kept the story moving along at a good pace. The sense of the setting was so real. I felt the remoteness of the Kansas farm and the loneliness of the road as Hickock and Smith tried to find the a place worth stopping for.

I liked it a lot and loved Capote’s writing, but I didn’t love the book. By jumping from character to character I wasn’t really attached to any one of them, so I felt a bit detached from the whole thing. And the end dragged on a bit for me because the motive was unsatisfying and because of the focus on the killers. Capote almost seemed to have sympathy for them and while I didn’t mind it, I didn’t really understand it.

I admit that I prefer The Executioner’s Song by Norman Mailer to this one (different story, but considered true crime literature). Yes it’s three times as long, but I got more understanding out of it and was ultimately more satisfied. Of course, true crime isn’t my first or even fifth choice for reading pleasure, so I’m not the target audience.

I’m glad I read it because it is a part of pop culture and I and I do plan on watching the film.

This is from my personal library and cheerfully chosen for me by Kathy, Marie, JoAnn, Molly, Sandee, Piroska, and Wendy. Here’s what they had to say…

“Capote invented a new genre with this one.” Kathy

“A classic true-crime.” Piroska

“An all time classic.” Molly

“A true classic.” JoAnn

“A true classic! Read it!” Marie

Digital Fortress, by Dan Brown

January 27, 201013 Comments

Finished 1-20-10, rating 4/5, thriller, pub. 1998

It is said that in death, all things become clear; Ensei Tankado now knew it was true. As he clutched his chest and fell to the ground in pain, he realized the horror of his mistake.

first sentences of book

Susan is head of the Cryptology department at the NSA and very good at her job. David, her fiancé, is a well-respected professor and foreign-language specialist. The search is on for a hidden code that, if not found, will reveal all the secrets of the United States government to everyone that has internet access. Susan is working at NSA headquarters in Maryland, trying to track down the programmer holding NSA hostage and David is sent to Spain to recover the code from a dead man. Of course, it could not be that easy and both are faced with danger and deception.

This book is fast read. It’s over 400 pages, but it will keep you reading, much like the other Dan Brown books I’ve read. Alternating between the cerebral NSA code breakers and the action packed race to find a ring in Spain before the killer just behind you, worked and the tension was palpable. It did get a bit melodramatic for me at the end, but that didn’t stop me from flipping the pages as fast as I could.

I recommend this for Dan Brown fans, thriller fans, and those who love technology and code breaking.

This book is from my personal library and was recommended by Melody, Molly, Virginie, and Jason. Here’s Molly had to say…”Very different from Dan Brown’s usual religious symbolism. I liked this one very much because it was not what I had become accustomed to from him. Guilty pleasure.”

Common Thread Quiz

January 26, 2010January 30, 201031 Comments

What is the common denominator in these book (and one movie) combinations? Tell me the number and what you think the five books have in common, Go ahead and take a guess – you could be right! If you are the first to get it right you will earn an extra entry in both of the giveaways I have going on right now.

1.Set in Kansas (Candice)

2.Main characters named Jack (Nise)

3.Books made into movies starring John Cusack (Mark)

4.Published after author’s death (Hannah)

5.Magical Realism (Mary)

6.Pirates! (Hannah)

7.Authors born in Ohio (Susan)

8.First published in 1926 (Em)

9.2009 RITA award winners (Mark)

10.One degree of Kevin Bacon (Mark)

My Reread Project

January 24, 201011 Comments

I rarely read books twice. As a teen I would read my favorites until they fell apart, but then I discovered there was a whole world of books I could love and stopped visiting my favorite characters. When I posted my Favorite Movies list last year one of the ‘rules’ I made for myself was that I had to have seen the movie twice, how else was I to be a judge of it? Maybe when I watched Rosemary’s Baby the first time I only liked it because I was watching it in the dark, alone, at 1 am? Or The Breakfast Club only worked if I was watching as a teen? I actually watched one movie on my list to do a review and decided it wasn’t a favorite after all.

What does this have to do with rereading books? Well, what I get out of a book is based on many things, not the least of which is what was going on in my life when I read it. So, maybe if I read it five years later and I’m happier, sadder, more stressed out, whatever, I might have a completely different opinion of the book. So, last year I decided to commit to rereading at least one book from my Favorite Books list every year. Yes, if I only read one a year it will take me 100 years, so it is obviously not a perfect plan, but quite a few of the books on the list I have read more than once already.

I hadn’t decided which I was going to reread this year when I got an email from Brenda Joyce announcing that there would be a 9th book in the Deadly series out next year. My decision was made. I LOVE this series. It is classified as romance, but there is always some mystery involved and I just can’t get enough of Francesca. So, I’ll be reading the first eight books, one a week, until I’ve made it through. Every Sunday, for the next two months, spend a little time with me, Francesca and her life in 1902 New York City.

This is part of the email from Brenda Joyce and I want to share it with you because it applies to so many of our favorite authors.

I would love to write 3 more Deadlies. Mira is interested, but it will depend on 2 factors. First, the level of enthusiasm in the coming six months when they try to “sell in” the books to the accounts (stores), and in 2011, the actual sales. I have no control over this; publishing is in a much greater, deeper recession than the overall economy. Books are only published when a publisher is actually willing to pay to do so! If Mira won’t publish these books, because of lack of sales, neither will anyone else. I want to be very clear. It is REALLY scary out there. Like all of you, I am interested in continuing to have a job. I cannot write 3 more titles if no one will publish them!

You can help! Give a friend an old, used book and get her hooked. Pitch the series to everyone, chat about it online in chat rooms and on reader websites. And of course, run out to buy those books when they go on sale!

I’m doing my part for the Deadly series because I love it, but we can all do this for our favorite authors and series. As book bloggers many of us receive free books and it’s great, but if we’re not buying the books, who is? So, don’t forget to sometimes shell out a little money to support your favorite authors. I ordered the two books of this series I didn’t already own and can’t wait to delve back in to Francesca’s story!

10 in ’10 with Shirley Tallman

January 22, 20109 Comments

Last fall I read Murder on Nob Hill and The Russian Hill Murders and fell in love with the independent and spirited Sarah Woolson. The next book in this historical mystery series is on its way to me as I type 🙂 So, I was very excited when I contacted author Shirley Tallman and she agreed to answer a few questions.

I recommend visiting her website where you will find access to her blog, books, and contests. This month she’s giving away an Amazon gift card and next month she’ll be giving away signed hardcover copy of one of her books EVERY DAY!

On to the questions…

1. I love Sarah Woolson. She’s smart, independent, and brave. What or who was the inspiration for this wonderful character or did she just show up on your screen one day?

Actually, Sarah’s character had been growing and developing in my mind for quite some time before I started MURDER ON NOB HILL, the first book in the Sarah Woolson Historical Mystery Series. To me Sarah embodies all the qualities I most admire in a heroine: intelligence, determination, fair-mindedness, empathy, honesty and, above all, courage. In order for a woman to square up against the chauvinism rampant in 1880’s society, she would have had to possess all of these virtues — in spades! Yet despite her feisty independence, she also possesses a quiet vulnerability and sensitivity that makes us sympathize with the many obstacles she must face, and root for her to come out victorious in the end.

2. Historic San Francisco is such a wonderful setting for this series. What was it about San Francisco that made you want to explore its history in a series?

Several things led me to choose San Francisco as the setting for my novels. Of course the fact that I was raised in San Francisco was largely responsible. Fortunately, at the time I was growing up it was still fairly safe for a young girl to travel practically anywhere in the city by bus or cable car. My friends and I loved to ride our bikes through Golden Gate Park, visiting museums and the California Academy of Sciences, then continue riding down to the beach where we’d go ice skating, to Playland at the Beach, or to the Cliff House (the setting for book number four in the series). With my family I attended live theater and plays downtown, shopped along brightly decorated Maiden Lane at Christmas, and window shopped on Market Street. I think I fell in love with San Francisco before I even learned to read, and once I could, I would literally bury myself in books to learn more about its fascinating history. I don’t remember considering any other locale for my mysteries.

3. You also write screenplays. How is that experience different than writing novels?

It’s completely different! For one thing, writing a novel is usually a solitary effort; for better or for worse, the author pretty much controls her story and her characters. Writing a screenplay is anything but a solitary endeavor. In Hollywood everyone seems to want a piece of the pie, and to satisfy their own egos. Perhaps a better way to put it would be to say everyone from the producer(s) (often there’s more than just one producer), director and even the actors want to have a say in the final product — which frequently forces the screenwriter to veer off into vastly different directions. Of course when the writer attempts to please one of the producers/directors/actors, she’s sure to offend the rest of the players. To put it in a nutshell, the finished screenplay sometimes bears little resemblance to the writer’s first draft!

4. Can you tell us a little about how you were first published?

Once upon a time, my best friend and I (both mothers of small children) decided to write a book. Today we look back on the experience as having proven the old saying that, “Ignorance is bliss!” Having absolutely no idea as to the impossibility of the task, we blithely sent out the completed manuscript to at least fifty publishing houses, papering our laundry-room walls (yes, that’s where we did a good portion of our writing!) with rejection slips. Finally, one brilliant and perceptive publisher (at least that’s how we like to remember him), bought our book, PLEASE STAND BY — YOUR MOTHER’S MISSING, and released it in hardcover to an unsuspecting public. To his surprise, I’m sure, the book sold rather better than he suspected, and our careers were launched. Okay, maybe they weren’t launched right away, but we were certain we were on the right tract. As it turned out, my friend went on to write award-winning stage plays, while I helped feed my growing family by penning Harlequin/Silhouette contemporary romances. Later on, we joined up again to successfully write and sell movies to ABC, NBC and CBS.

5. Who are some of your favorite mystery writers?

There are so many it’s hard to list them. Certainly Agatha Christie introduced me to the magic of mysteries as a child. As a teen, I added science fiction to my favorites, then mystery masters such as Anne Perry, Elizabeth Peters, Ngaio Marsh, Robert Bernard and Ellis Peters.

6. What’s the last book you read?

I just finished reading Maeve Binchey’s novel, HEART AND SOUL, and Dean Koontz’s FOREVER ODD. Plus, of course, a steady stream of research books for my own novels, but I don’t necessarily count those as leisure reading.

7. What is your favorite non-reading and writing hobby?

I’m a Gemini, so I have a lot of hobbies. I love to bike ride and snow ski, do yoga, knit and crochet, and go to the movies. I admit I’m addicted to several TV series, including TRUE BLOOD, THE CLOSER, MONK, CSI (all three), HEROES, PBS MYSTERIES, HOUSE and THE BIG BANG THEORY.

8. I love quotes. Do you have a favorite?

I think my favorite quote is: “All things are possible to one who believes.” (Saint Bernard of Clairvaux – letters)

9. If you were trapped in the life of one fictional character who would you choose?

I know I’m prejudiced, but actually I’d choose the life of my own heroine, Sarah Woolson. As I said earlier, she embodies so many qualities that I admire in a woman. Beyond that, her life is never dull!

10. And finally, what are you working on now?

I’m working on book #5 in the Sarah Woolson series, tentatively titled, DEATH ON TELEGRAPH HILL.

Thank you so much for stopping by, Shirley!

Garden Spells, by Sarah Addison Allen

January 21, 2010July 5, 201022 Comments

Finished 1-12-09, rating 4.75/5, fiction, pub. 2007

She’d learned the hard way to avoid hiring anyone local if she could help it. Most of them expected to learn something magic or, at the very least, get to the apple tree in the backyard, hoping to find out if the local legend was true, that its apples would tell them what the biggest event in their lives would be.

Chapter 1

Claire Waverly and her sister Sydney, were part of the Waverly’s of Bascom, North Carolina. The family that was just a bit off, strange, and they had that magic apple tree in the back yard. Claire stayed in the family home after her mother and grandmother died, but Sydney had escaped to New York and beyond as soon as she could. The sisters had never been close, so when Sydney returned to Bascom with her 5 year old daughter in tow, Claire was surprised.

Claire’s gift was affecting people’s mood and feelings through food. The garden was always in bloom, even if she had to put up with the trouble-making apple tree. Sydney had spent most of her life denying her Waverly roots, but even she found her special gift when she returned home. The only other family still around was a great-aunt who had the gift of giving people, even complete strangers, trinkets that they would soon need.

I loved this book. Loved it. It had romance, charm, and drama. The relationship between the sisters was compelling and the magical elements made it very light and fun. The reason that drew Sydney back to Bascom was a shadow hovering over the Waverlys and it provided a grounding effect for this magical story. I was drawn into their world and didn’t want to leave.

In my first two years of blogging I gave out a total of five 5 star ratings. This was very, very close, but I’m giving out my first 4.75 rating. I think this means that I’m going to have a year of reading great books 🙂

This came from my personal library and I want to thank Debbie, Mary, Amanda, Allesandra, Soft Drink, Bonnie, and Melissa for recommending it. Here’s what they had to say…

“Easy read, nice story.” Debbie

“I loved this short novel and will probably read anything the author writes.” Mary

“Magical realism. A bit of fluff.” Allesandra

“Spellbinding story with a twist of magic, loved it.” Bonnie

“You’ll like it.” Amanda

“Cute magical realism story.” Soft Drink

The Book of Unholy Mischief, by Elle Newmark

January 20, 2010January 20, 201018 Comments

Finished audio 1-12-10, rating 3.5/5, fiction. pub. 2008

Luciano is a penniless orphan living on the streets of 1498 Venice, Italy. He has a pet cat, a friend Marco, and an unrequited love named Francesca. One day he is plucked off the street by the head chef at Doges Palace and given a place to sleep, food to eat and a job in the kitchen. He is grateful to the chef, Maestro Ferrero, and resists pleas from Marco to steal and search for clues to a sought after book of alchemy. Everyone n Venice is looking for this book that contains the secrets of wealth, health and long life and there are some who think maestro might know about it.

Maestro Ferrero can alter the emotions and moods of the people who eat his beautiful and exotic dishes. By watching the head chef, Luciano yearns to become a master chef and learn to use food as his maestro does. Maestro takes Luciano under his wing and trust is built, only Marco wants to destroy that loyalty to find the book and tempts Luciano at every turn.

I love Venice and this book took me back to the palace, canals, gondolas, and food. I really felt transported, even if this takes place in 1498 and we were there in 2008 (a few photos here). I think Newmark captures the atmosphere perfectly and her descriptions of the fine food made me want to study cooking myself. The story itself was good. There were many twists and turns and I never knew what was going to happen next, so it was a success. I thought the ending was okay, but not great. I will read anything that takes me back to Venice and this didn’t disappoint. A very fine debut novel.

I borrowed this audio book from the library.

The Husband, by Dean Koontz

January 16, 2010January 13, 201015 Comments

Finished 1-9-09, rating 3.5/5, fiction, pub. 2006

The kidnapper said, “Just so you’ll know we’re serious…”

After a silence, Mitch asked. “What?”

“See that guy across the street?”

Mitch turned and saw a single pedestrian, the man walking the slow dog. They had progressed half a block.

The sunny day had a porcelain glaze. Rifle fire shattered the stillness, and the dogwalker went down, shot in the head.

Chapter 1

Mitch is a landscaper with his own small business and a wife he loves. He is a content man until he receives a phone call that his wife has been kidnapped and he must come up with a $2 million ransom in three days or she’s dead. Mitch is at a loss and as the hours tick by it becomes clear that the kidnappers have set him up in case anything goes wrong. When Mitch approaches his older brother, Anson, things begin to get complicated and Mitch is scared for more than Holly’s life, he’s terrified for his own. Mitch’s life becomes clear as the nightmare continues and he finds himself turning into a person he scarcely knows. How far will he go to rescue the love of his life and will it be enough?

Mitch has some of the strangest parents I’ve read about and they were fascinating. As was his brother Anson. They may have been my favorite parts of the book. The story moved along at breakneck speed and I was interested, but not involved. Mitch as the modest every man was compelling, but I guess the story felt like it’s been told before and I was expecting more from Koontz. It was good, but not great. Thriller lovers will be happy.

This was from my personal library and I want to thank Debbie, Marce, and Jason for choosing it for me. Here’s what Debbie had to say… “I’ve heard really good things about it and love his books.”

10 in ’10 with Beth Hoffman with giveaway

January 15, 2010January 14, 201017 Comments

Photo of Beth Hoffman Beth Hoffman is an interior designer turned writer and with her debut novel being chosen as the first book for Sam’s Club book club it seems she made the right choice to turn to writing. Beth grew up in northeast Ohio, not far from where I live and she is just as sweet in person as a person can be. Read yesterday’s post about meeting her. By leaving a comment there or here you will be entered to win a copy of Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt.

And now on to what you are really interested in…

1. You and CeeCee both grew up not far from where I live. What’s the best thing about growing up in northeast Ohio?

The absolute best thing was the early years of life I spent living on my grandparent’s farm. To this day, there’s nothing that takes me back to fond Ohio memories more than smell of freshly cut hay and the rumbling sound of a tractor’s engine. I loved the change of seasons, too. And as tough as Ohio winters were, they were beautiful. The Metropolitan Park system is outstanding, and I enjoyed exploring the endless hiking trails as a kid. Whenever I go back to Ohio, I try to save some time to visit Squires Castle and walk the paths. Ohio is wonderful horse country too, and there was nothing like saddling up and going for a long ride through the countless trails that are so easily accessible. I miss that so much.

2. I’ve read that Aunt Tootie is based one of your own aunts. What was it about her that made her such a great character?

When I was nine years old, I went to visit my Great Aunt Mildred Caldwell who lived in Danville, Kentucky. And it was culture shock of the best kind. There I was, a shy little farm girl suddenly in the midst of a world I could have never imagined. I was in awestruck by the beautiful old homes, the towering trees, and the lush flower gardens, and, I was enthralled by the Southern dialect. My great aunt was an accomplished, highly educated woman who had strong values and a generous heart. And, oh, was she ever witty.

She was always busy with charity work and was known to step in when someone was in need. My great aunt treated everyone, and I mean everyone, with kindness. Her domestic help adored her, and she them. She was so charming—a true Southern lady. To this day I’ve never met anyone more gracious, and I suspect I never will. I was impressed by how she used and enjoyed the things she had; even her finest heirloom china was used for evening meals. As far as I could tell, nothing in her home was off limits or saved for that one special occasion. To my great aunt’s way of thinking, every day was a celebration, and it was called LIFE. That has been her legacy to me.

3. I gave this book 5 stars and am impressed that it is your first book. How much time passed from conception to publication?

I’m so glad you loved CeeCee’s story, thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. So much so that I was really saddened when I typed THE END. The manuscript took four years total—the last nine months of which were spent on intense, and sometimes brutal, editing.

4. You had a successful career as an interior designer before switching to writing. How has your life changed since making the leap?

I’m calmer and much more grounded. Perhaps the most interesting thing I’ve noticed is that I’m more wide awake to the simple things in life—the things that bring me the greatest joy: my animals, watching the birds, walking in nature, and having the time to really listen to a friend in need. While I loved my design career, I was so buried in work for such a long period of time that I lost the wider vision and appreciation of life that I once had. It might sound strange, but I regained much of my childlike delight in people and everyday life when I threw my briefcase in the trash, kicked of my high-heels, and began to write.

5. What was your favorite childhood book?

Hmmm, that’s a real toss-up. I loved STUART LITTLE and THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS equally.

6. What’s the last book you read?

THIS I BELIEVE – The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women

7. What’s your favorite non-reading and writing hobby?

Animal rescue, gardening (I’m crazy for peonies), and laughing with girlfriends! I’m a stay-at-home kind of person, and I truly enjoy the simpler things. In the warmer months my husband and I will pack a picnic, drive to General James Taylor Park, which overlooks the Ohio River, and play gin rummy while watching the barges go by. To me, that’s living.

8. I love quotes. Do you have a favorite?

Yes! And it’s from Richard Bach’s book ILLUSIONS: “There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts.”

9. Who would you choose if you were trapped in the life of one fictional character?

This is going to seem odd, I’m sure, but I’d pick Thelma Rae Goodpepper. I adore her. As eccentric as she is, Thelma Rae succeeded in creating a magical, if offbeat, world for herself—she is a true free spirit.

10. And finally, what are you working on now?

I thought I knew, but it’s dramatically changed over the past few weeks. Though I have ideas, and more characters have stepped from my imagination, I suspect I won’t know for certain what my next novel will be until I complete my book tour. I’ll be traveling quite extensively for the next several months, and I find it hard to do much writing when I’m on the road. I miss it something fierce, and I’m eager to hit the keyboard again.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Beth! Visit her website for more info and event dates.

Currrent Giveaways

January 14, 2010February 1, 20104 Comments

You must go to the individual posts to enter. I will draw for a winner on Feb. 1. Watch this space because there is a chance I’ll have one more free book to offer by Feb. 1. Participate in my weekly quizzes for extra entries for both books (Quiz 1) (Quiz 2) (Quiz 3).

a beautiful debut novel. Enter to win here.

from the author of Girl with a Pearl Earring. Enter to win here.

Stacy's Books

books, movies, and boy

Tag: Books