700 Sundays, by Billy Crystal

August 20, 20096 Comments

Finished 8-18-09, rating 4/5, memoir, pub. 2005

Now you can’t pick the family that you’re born into. That’s just the roll of the dice. It’s just luck. But if I could pick these people, I would pick them over and over again because they were lunatics. Fun lunatics. What a crazy group of people, and great characters too. It was like the Star Wars bar, but everybody had accents.

Chapter 2

Actor and comedian Billy Crystals writes a touching memoir of the 700 Sundays that he had with his father before before his death when Billy was 15. Although this is a tribute to his parents, it is also a celebration of his family. He has an impressive and accomplished extended family and his love for them is evident on every page.

His family owned Commodore Music Shop in midtown Manhattan and because of the connections made there Billy grew up surrounded by artists. He included snapshots of these meetings and relationships. My favorite may have been when the great Billie Holiday took him to see his first movie and he watched Shane sitting on her lap. These stories added to the book, but were not the focus.

One page I was laughing out loud as he discovered his newfound manhood and on the next I was in tears as I read about the last time Billy saw his father. There was humor (most of it successful), but it really reached out and touched my heart as I raced to the end.

I will admit that there were several chapters at the beginning that I found boring, but the second half of the book made up for it. A man who loves and appreciates his family, like Billy, is one to admire.

It is relatively short and includes photos of the people he’s writing about. He also performed this book on Broadway in a one man show and I wish I’d had the chance to see it. I highly recommend this memoir of his memories with his father and mother.

Pride & Prejudice, by Jane Austen

August 19, 2009August 19, 200917 Comments

Finished 8-17-09, rating 4.5/5, classic fiction, pub. 1813

“Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation, and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.”

Charlotte to Elizabeth, Chapter 6

There are five Bennet daughters to be married off and their mother holds this responsibility tightly to her aggrieved chest. The eldest, Jane, is a beauty and she finds herself drawn to the agreeable and rich Mr. Bingley. Our heroine, Elizabeth, is next in line, but with no immediate prospects past her cousin, the silly Mr. Collins. Elizabeth does lock horns with Bingley’s friend Mr. Darcy and takes great delight in teasing him. The three youngest daughters and their mother lack propriety and there is little hope for an advantageous match for the three of them.

There are so many complex characters in this novel and I loved them all. I admit that I did not immediately love Elizabeth, but she grew on me rather quickly. She made fast judgements, but was not above admitting miscalculations. And Mr. Darcy, well, what’s not to love really? A smart, handsome, and wealthy gentleman who would move Heaven and earth to make me happy? Sign me up! I loved Mr. Bennet’s partiality toward Elizabeth, especially when her mother so completely undervalued her. And Lady Catherine was a great haughty antagonist.

This is a 19th century English classic. It takes aim at the aristocracy and the many social customs of the day. Were that to be all that it was it would be a classic, but what makes it so well-beloved is how well it has aged. I loved the characters and the plot was fantastic. There was a beautiful progression and the longer I read the faster the pages turned.

I’ve seen the BBC miniseries (Hello, Colin Firth!) and the more recent one with Keira Knightly as Elizabeth and enjoyed them both. Now after reading the book I think I might need watch the BBC version again. This is the first Austen book I’ve read and I loved it. The only thing keeping it from a perfect 5 is that just before the halfway mark it did drag a little for me, but that is a small complaint. I’m only sorry it has taken me so long to read it!

Wheel of Stacy Quiz – more hints

August 17, 2009August 24, 200911 Comments

This is a list of a few of the books that have made their way onto my TBR shelves this summer. Can you identify them just by the few letters I’ve given you? Just like those contestants on The Wheel of Fortune 🙂 Leave a comment with the # and answer.

1. The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand – Debbie

2. The Widow‘s Season by Laura Brodie – Heather

3. The Innocent Man by John Grisham

4. The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler – Heather & Michael

5. April & Oliver by Tess Callahan – Kathy

6. The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

7. Off Season by Anne River Siddons – Heather

8. The Memory Keeper‘s Daughter byKim Edwards – Thoughts of Joy

9. The Time Traveller‘s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger – Nikola

10. Digging To America by Anne Tyler – jb

The Carriage House, by Carla Neggers

August 14, 20096 Comments

Finished 8-10-09, rating 3/5, romantic suspense, pub. 2001

This is Book 1 in the Texas Rangers 4 book series.

“I can sell it.”

“Who would buy it? It’s run-down. It’s on the flipping historic register. It’s on a minuscule lot. And, I might add–” She swiveled around in her expensive ergonomic chair, zeroing in on her office mate and friend with those piercing green eyes. “I might add that the place is haunted.”

“That’s just a rumor.”

Chapter 1

Tess Haviland is in her 30’s, owns her own graphic design business and is single and childless, much to the disappointment of her dad. As payment for her services, the eccentric Ike Grantham gives her an old carriage house on Boston’s North Shore, a place that has special memories for Tess. Soon after gifting her with the house Ike disappears and Tess puts off doing anything with the house. Now a year later she receives a tax bill and decides to go out to the house to see if she wants to keep it.

Once she arrives at the dilapidated carriage house she is appalled at the condition and the renovations that are necessary. On her first night there she meets the neighbors, sexy Andrew Thorne, his princess daughter Dolly, and the skeleton she finds in the dirt basement. Spooked and scared, Tess doesn’t call the police right away and this is where the story really begins.

The characters were all enjoyable, if not memorable. The story was fast paced and although you knew who did it relatively early on there was some confusion thrown in to keep you reading. I really liked the secondary characters. Andrew’s cousin Harley Beckett was an original and Tess’s dad and godfather were loving manly men and it was easy to forgive their chauvinistic ways.

To be fair, I should say that I started this on the plane last week and the fact that it kept my attention at all is an endorsement. I could be the world’s worst flier. So, it did keep my interest for pages at a time and this is all I could have hoped for on the plane.

Finger Lickin’ Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

August 11, 2009August 11, 200910 Comments

Finished 8-6-09, rating 3/5, fiction, pub. 2009

Book 15 in the Stephanie Plum series

I’d been hoping to find my apartment dark and deserted. I loved Ranger’s apartment, but it wasn’t home. Looking up at my windows, I wasn’t sure that was home, either. I’m in limbo, I thought. My whole friggin’ life is in limbo.

Chapter 12

Stephanie Plum is back for another round as a Trenton bounty hunter. She is single again, after having a fight with Morelli about peanut butter and Ranger is looking as yummy as ever. Lula witnesses a beheading and is being hunted by murderers, albeit bad ones. Lula and Grandma Mazur are entering a cooking contest and many mishaps ensue. And Stephanie’s mom has decided to fix her up with men she meets in the supermarket.

I’ll start with the things I liked. Evanovich knows how to write funny books. The scene with Stephanie in the hot dog costume had me laughing out loud. And even though the book does not wrap it up with a bow it does seem like Stephanie has made a choice between her two hot men. Of course, that does not mean that she will do anything about it, which moves us right into my dislikes.

I chose the quote from the book because that is how I feel about this series. I’m all for zany and funny and ridiculous things that would never happen in real life, but after 15+ books there needs to be some growth. Stephanie has lost some appeal for me because she complains about her lot in life, seems unhappy with her job, apartment… but she never actually does anything about it. She never seems to make any choices.

As for the actual story itself, I did find it funny in parts, but the emphasis on juvenile humor -farts, big penises, diarrhea- did get a little tiresome.

I know I’ve read lots of good reviews for this one, but it was just more of the same for me and I want something new and fresh or some growth for Stephanie. So, I’m really going to do it this time, I’m taking my name off the Stephanie Plum holds at the library.

Sliver of Truth, by Lisa Unger

August 6, 20095 Comments

Finished 8-4-09, rating 4/5, fiction, pub. 2007

There’s always a cost for denial. How high a cost depends largely on the importance of the truth being ignored…What I’m saying is that our actions, our choices have consequences that are sometimes impossible to predict. But when our actions and choices are based on fear and denial…well, nothing good can come of that. Ever. I had learned this the hard way. Was still learning.

Chapter 5

This is the sequel to Beautiful Lies and I think you need to read Beautiful Lies first. Not just because I always have to read books in the order they were intended, but because this book will make a whole lot more sense if you do. As a matter of fact, if you haven’t read BL, add it to your TBR list and skip this review until after you’ve read it.

Ridley Jones is back to her normal routine a year after her world fell apart. Her relationship with her parents is strained, as is life with her boyfriend Jake. She is still working as a freelance journalist in New York City, but her life takes another dramatic turn as the FBI show her photos that seem to prove that her biological father, Uncle Max, is still alive and being hunted for his crimes. Being used as bait does not sit well with Ridley and lots of bad choices are made.

I love the rambling first person narrative of Ridley. It draws me in and makes me care. Ridley is a complete mess, but one with courage and heart. She makes lots of bad choices and has questionable taste in men, but I am always rooting for her. She is wonderfully flawed.

I didn’t love this as much as I did Beautiful Lies, but it was a solidly entertaining follow up. Some of the story and inner dialogue felt a touch repetitive, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying Ridley’s journey.

The Second Son, by Charles Sailor

August 5, 2009February 23, 201422 Comments

Finished 7-31-09, rating 3.5/5, fiction, pub. 1979

“I see the blood, officer. But this body’s healing.”

The cops looked at one another and then moved in for a closer look at Carlos’s stomach. A large purple bruise spread across the skin, but the wound was closed.

“See?” said the examining paremedic. “Nothing.”

The team leader looked at Joseph, who stared blankly at Carlos. “You saw it! Tell them!”

“Yes, it was there when I…” Joseph stopped and the officer finished the sentence for him.

“When you put your hand on it.” The officer looked scared. He stepped back from Joseph and asked, slowly. “What’d you do anyway? What are you–some kind of magician?”

Chapter 8

Joseph Turner is a n ordinary man working construction on high-rise buildings in Manhattan. One day, while saving his friend, he falls 24 stories. Joseph walks away without a scratch much to the surprise of the onlookers on the street and he becomes a media sensation. Just as the attention starts to die down Joseph feels compelled to run into a burning building after the firemen have pulled out to rescue two children. All three are completely unharmed. Then he heals a gunshot wound and the world takes notice. Politicians and church leaders all clamor to gain the support of the cult hero and one organization takes proactive measures by kidnapping him.

I loved the premise. Who is Joseph Turner and what was happening to him? Was it real or all a dream? Joseph was a great hero – strong of heart and mind, generous, open, kind, and non-judgemental. I really wanted to know what would become of him.

But, as much as I liked the premise and first half of the book, I was equally disappointed with the rest. It became so glaringly obvious in its intent that it turned me off. It became very heavy handed and the author’s problem with religion and authority was on display.

I thought the first half was original and fresh and the perfect set-up. I was caught up in the excitement and the questions, but the second half was all over the place. It completely lost its focus with its wide range of politics, hit men, the Catholic Church, healings, betrayals, the message of personal healing. It lost the heart of Joseph’s story, which is what I cared about.

It was a good book and I gave it an extra half a point for originality. This book was loaned to me by a friend who told me I had to read it. I’m glad I did.

Teaser Tuesday – the funny thing is…

August 4, 2009September 30, 200918 Comments

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) . Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The fact is, I’d rather write a book than read a book. It’s like reading, only you get paid for it. Otherwise, it has all the same elements. I don’t know what’s on the next page. It’s suspenseful, yet I can control where it goes. It’s like interactive reading. Besides, I’ve already read books. A lot of them. Well, definitely more than seven.

the funny thing is…by Ellen Degeneres, page 2

I was flipping through a few books to see what I was going to take when we go to Vail on Saturday and this one made the cut.

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

August 2, 2009August 2, 200911 Comments

Finished 7-31-09, rating 4/5, fiction classic, pub. 1843

“Bah!” said Scrooge, “Humbug!”

He had so heated himself with rapid walking in the fog and frost. this nephew of Scrooge’s, that he was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled, and his breath smoked again.

“Christmas a humbug, uncle!” said Scrooge’s nephew. “You don’t mean that, I’m sure.”

“I do,” said Scrooge. “Merry Christmas! what right have you to be merry? what reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.”

“Come, then,” returned the nephew gaily. “What right have you to be morose? You’re rich enough.”

Scrooge having no better answer ready on the spur of the moment, said, “Bah!” again; and followed it up with a “Humbug.”

Stave I

Ebenezer Scrooge is synonymous with old, mean miser. He cares more about money than people and he makes no apologies for it. Then he is visited by the ghost of Marley and his world turns upside down. During that fateful Christmas Eve, he was visited by three more spirits -past, present, and future. These visions of what was, is, and may yet be leave Scrooge a changed man.

I do not know how I have made it 37 years without ever reading this slight classic novel or seeing any of the movies (if I don’t count the Jim Carrey one). Actually, I never needed to because our culture has so blended this tale into it’s Christmas fabric that we all know about Scrooge and his cautionary tale.

My husband and I read this aloud to each other over a few weeks time and while some of the language made it challenging, the Bah! Humbugs! at the beginning and the Whoops! at the end made the reading fun. It was a challenge to see who could read it with more flourish. I think Jason won.

We both really liked this book. Jason liked seeing a changed man at the end and my favorite part was Marleys’s appearance as the door knocker. It was a fun read (even in July!) and I’m glad I finally read this novel, my first experience with Dickens. I enjoyed the writing so much that I am looking forward to reading more of his books. I’ve had a few on my shelves for years, just sitting there intimidating me. No more!

Free Books for August

August 1, 2009August 1, 20095 Comments

Leave a comment, tell me which book you want and I’ll get the book to you for FREE either by mail or personally if I’ll see you soon. The first one to request each book wins. Once you’ve ‘won’ the book I can get your shipping address if I need it. Also, you can come back and get a free book every month if you want. free books aug 09

1. Destiny Unleashed by Sherryl Woods – paperback has been read a few times. Romance. B&N review here. for Linda B

2. The Harvest by Scott Nicholson – paperback read once. Horror. B&N review here. for Alexa

3. The Essential Keats selected by Philip Levine – small hardcover, never been read. Amazon review here. for gautami

4. Strangers From a Different Shore : A History of Asian Americans by Ronald Takaki – brand new trade paperback (won it in a bundle). B&N review here. for Staci

As always, Happy Reading!

Stacy's Books

books, movies, and boy

Tag: Books