The view from Mount Joy, by Lorna Landvik

The view from Mount Joy, by Lorna Landvik

Landvik's main character is a teenage boy, quite a change from her woman-centered novels, but this one works too. Joe works part-time in a grocery store and lusts after the luscious Kristi. By the end of the story, Joe's love of people and quirky contests have made him very successful, while Kristi becomes an evangelist.

Watchman, by Ian Rankin

This is an early Rankin, without his main character John Rebus. Miles Flint is a government spy who unravels a complex skein of events while hunting a terrorist; the trail leads close to home, even to his wife, before the mystery is solved. I love the way Rankin writes!

Little face, by Sophie Hannah

Imagine yourself a new mother with a two-week-old baby, going out for the first time and leaving the baby in charge of your husband - and when you return, he's asleep, the front door is open, and a different baby is in your baby's crib.
This is a great story, but very poorly written. Skip right to the end and save yourself some frustration.

Bones to ashes, by Kathy Reichs

Bones to ashes, by Kathy Reichs

Temperence Brennan, the forensic anthropologist, is in Montreal when an old friend from her childhood, who disappeared suddenly, comes back into her life. Don’t read this while you’re eating. Reichs goes into as much detail as Cornwell does when describing dead bodies; not very appetizing, but fascinating.

Every grain of rice

Every grain of rice: portraits of Maui’s Japanese community, by Rita Goldman

My friend Rita moved to Hawaii when she was thirty. This wonderful book gives us a view of an immigrant society who has shaped Maui in many different ways. The photographs provided by the Japanese people help to bring the words to life. Great job, Rita!

The race

The race, by Richard North Patterson

It’s election season, and Corey Grace, a prisoner of war survivor from the Gulf War, has emerged as a front-runner. Includes all the sordid messiness behind a campaign, as well as the reason why good people want to serve.

Home to Holly Springs

Home to Holly Springs, by Jan Karon

Labeled “the first of the Father Tim novels,” this is the story of Father Tim Kavanagh returning to his hometown. Lots of surprises here. His wife stays home with a broken ankle, so it’s just Tim and the dog, Barnabas. We learn about Tim’s mother, his father, his best friend, his first girlfriend, and more. If this is the new Mitford series, bring it on!

The kindness of strangers, by Katrina Kittle

The kindness of strangers, by Katrina Kittle

I hated the blurb for this book. The main character, a young boy, “has survived a terrible tragedy, leaving him without a family.” The truth is, his parents molested him as part of a ring of pedophiles and he misses his mom terribly when she is arrested. Why wouldn’t the publisher say that on the jacket? The whole message of the book is, don’t let this be a secret any longer!! OK, rant over, this is a great story and you will be cheering for this little boy as he journeys towards wholeness with another family. You’ve heard it before: most child molesters are family members, neighbors, and trusted adults.

While you're waiting for Keith Richards' autobiography...

Wonderful tonight, by Pattie Boyd

George Harrison’s ex-wife, Eric Clapton’s ex-wife. From the woman who inspired “Layla,” “Something in the way she moves,” “Bell-bottom blues,” and others, I expected more than superficial fluff, but it’s all froth.

Clapton, the autobiography, by Eric Clapton

A remarkably honest and humble look at himself, with only a few bits about how he plays guitar. Clapton talks about his addictions and his shortcomings, ending with his now mellow life with his wife and children. Rare glimpse into a real person.

Slowhand, by Eric Clapton

I have this recording on a long-playing album, so borrowed via inter-library loan the CD. Much to my delight, the CD was sent inside the original album jacket sleeve! This is Eric at his best, from bouncy “Lay Down Sally” to pensive “Wonderful Tonight.” Very enjoyable soundtrack while reading his biography (above).

Ronnie, by Ronnie Wood

After reading Clapton and Pattie Boyd’s biographies, it was great fun to read the tale of two Ronnies – the loveable, carefree, “blending styles is my forte” guitar player, and the drunk. Clapton’s biography is more in depth about his alcoholism. Although Woody is enjoying his sobriety too, it’s not his passion, and he talks about missing the blurred rock and roll lifestyle. Having always enjoyed Ron’s guitar playing, I was slightly miffed to read him disparage his own talents. According to him, he provided the studio and other players just dropped by; he and Keith have developed the art of weaving, which seems to be Ron playing off Keith. There’s a reason the others all want you in the band, Ron, and it’s not just your happy-go-lucky personality. Great gossip about Rod Stewart, Elton John, and the capers and hijinks of rock and roll touring.

The worst thing I’ve done, by Ursula Hegi

The worst thing I’ve done, by Ursula Hegi

Starts out with Annie driving late at night, listening to talk radio. Then we discover that her husband, Mason, has killed himself, leaving her with their best friend and a seven-year-old. I liked seeing the layers peel off of this story.

You’ve been warned, by James Patterson

You’ve been warned, by James Patterson

No thought at all was put into the writing of this. The writers were obviously trying to make up the plot as they went along. A complete waste of time. You’ve been warned!

Lead us into temptation, by James B. Twitchell

Lead us into temptation, by James B. Twitchell

A powerful look at why we are consumers, and what commercial products and their lure mean to us as a society. “Born to shop” is not just a motto; it’s a basis for American lifestyle choices. Twitchell has researched how shopping makes us feel, and how that relates to being part of the group, being safe, and being treated deferentially. I especially enjoyed reading about how people like Tommy Hilfiger scope out what’s happening “on the street” by sending teens out with videocams (cell phones) to report back. Just a reminder: you can relieve stress, be part of the group that you feel closest to, leave with a pile of things that excite and delight you, and not spend a dime by visiting the library to “shop.”