I’ve set up a new domain for Novels Now that reviews new book releases. I hope you’ll check it out. We have 10 reviewers who have reviewed over 180 different books published in 2008, and we’ll be doing the same in 2009. [CLOSED] I’m also having a giveaway there for an autographed copy of Tomato Girl by Jayne Pupek. There are a few restrictions in that you must not have read the book yet, you must also try to read and review it for your blog within 6 months, and the giveaway is restricted to North America. Whether or not you enter, I do hope you stop by and check out the new site.
I woke up to our first snow (that stuck) today! I’m probably one of the few people who love snow. I don’t like driving in it, but otherwise I love to curl up by the fireplace and read where I can also look out my window and see snow all around. My son and I (who were both born in December) wonder if the winter babies happen to love snow and/or the cold more. My other son and husband (both born in June) are averse to any kind of cold. Does that hold true for your family? I’d love to know!
Have a great rest of the weekend! I’ll be watching the Broncos later, and I hope I won’t be disappointed…
I pressed my hands to my heart. I felt dizzy again, as I always do when I step out of the shadow world of pointless watching and waiting and come face-to-face with reality. How much simpler reality is!
I can’t quite figure out if I like Sandor Marai’s novels or not. Earlier this year, I read Embers, and I also rated it 3.5/5. I thought parts of it were beautifully written, while other parts dragged. The monologues in that book went on and on and on… Also, the translation was from Hungarian to German to English, and I think something was definitely ‘lost in translation.’ Anyway, although I rated Esther’s Inheritance the same, I do believe I prefer it slightly. The translation of Esther is directly from the original Hungarian.
Just as in Embers, the crux of the novel is a confrontation. Esther is in her mid 40’s and lives only with a female relative. It seems that she (and much of her family) have been ripped off (in the nicest way possible) by Lajos the Liar. Now, several years later, he’s come back to visit, and we get the expected confrontation between them.
We hear the details of their past, learn about misunderstandings and miscommunications, and wonder if Esther is being suckered again by his charms or if Lajos really has some legitimate excuses. Just as in Embers, the ending didn’t quite satisfy, but I’ve begun to realize that maybe that was the point of both stories after all.
1939 [2008 for the English translation], 148 pp. (3.5/5)
Hans van den Broek and his wife Rachel are living and dealing with post-9/11 New York City. Hans is a banker and originally from the Netherlands, while Rachel is a British attorney. Rachel believes New York has become too unsafe and leaves for London, taking the couple’s son with them.
With his new-found spare time, Hans spends more time playing cricket in the park and meets a Trinidadian named Chuck Ramkissoon. Chuck has some big dreams and schemes involving the sport of cricket and brings Hans along for the ride. The question is whether Ramkissoon’s dealing are on the up and up. Hans begins spending more and more time with Chuck while also travelling back and forth from London so he can see his son.
Some have compared this book to The Great Gatsby, and while it does have a little of that ‘vibe,’ I don’t think the book really merits that comparison. The real question of the book is whether or not Hans is a reliable or an unreliable narrator. If he’s reliable, I don’t think I really got the point of the book. If he’s unreliable, it certainly makes the novel more interesting with all the ramifications of what that might involve. I wasn’t really clued in to the fact that he might be unreliable until I looked at some other reviews of the book.
Discussing and discovering the truth of the reliability of Hans’ narration would really make this novel a good choice for a book group. Too bad I can’t tell you more. Come back and email me if you end up reading the book, I’d like to hear your thoughts!
Tomato Girl is a heartbreaking novel of love, desire, and madness.
Ellie is in love with her father Rupert and just adores him. She loves spending time with him — especially when she can help him in the store he manages. Not only does Ellie’s father takes care of her when her mother is unable to, he also manages and cares for Ellie’s mother when she is in one of her ‘moods.’
Although Rupert loves his daughter dearly, he is also falling in love with the girl who brings in the tomatoes at his store. This has severe repercussions for everyone involved, not only leaving poor Ellie caught in the middle but also worsening her mother’s mental condition.
Pupek manages to make us sympathize with all the characters involved and thankfully, also provides other characters for Ellie to lean on in a difficult situation. Her best friend Mary, a concerned teacher, and a loving black couple all do their best to support Ellie. Tomato Girl really makes one realize there are consequences to every personal decision, and that all our choices will affect our family members as well.
While I liked the book, there is a magical element to the book at the end that I didn’t care for, and I sometimes felt Ellie’s voice was too old for 11, and sometimes I thought she seemed too young for that age. These are minor criticisms, though, and Jayne Pupek is certainly a promising new novelist.
CLOSED If you’d like a copy of this book, just go to Novels Now, where I am giving away an autographed copy. All I ask is that you haven’t read the book yet, and that you’ll make an effort to read and review it on your blog in the next 6 months.
I love Thanksgiving! I was a little sad last night as it was just going to be the 4 of us. All of my side of the family is in Denver this weekend, and my husband’s side of the family is in northern Kentucky. We couldn’t travel anywhere as my son has basketball practice over the weekend and also because of the distances (8 hours and 11 hours away).
BUT, this morning and afternoon I’m happy. The family woke up to the yummy smells of pumpkin pies cooking and shortly thereafter, the turkey. My husband and sons went out for a bit, and when they came back, they said the house smelled sooooo good. It does. Truth be told, I don’t really like cooking, but I love cooking Thanksgiving dinner. This is usually what we have:
turkey (of course)
stuffing
sweet potato casserole
mashed potatoes
green bean casserole
bread rolls
pumpkin pies
Sometimes I make cranberry salad, sometimes not. If we celebrate with others, I’ll make pecan pies as well. Sometimes I’ll have a few other items, but the above are our “must haves” for the holiday. The three men of the house will drink milk, while I’ll have a little PInot Noir. Sometimes we’ll watch football, other times a movie, and at least one of us will have a small nap after the dinner. We also have a tradition where we watch the TV version (edited) of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
There is a lot to be thankful for. All of us and our extended families are in good health, and my husband has a good job. My kids are healthy and happy and go to a great school. We live in a country that has challenges but ultimately is a great place to live.
I truly thank God for all of His blessings, and I also thank you for being a stimulating, vibrant community that I am proud to be part of.
Blessings to you and your families, and if you celebrate this wonderful holiday, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I got the entire Twilight collection in hardback for a little over $8.00.
How? In my email this morning was a coupon for 40% off one item if I used my B&N Mastercard. That brought the price down to about $33. Then I used a $25 B&N gift card that I got as credit for using my B&N credit card. One percent of all my purchases are considered points, and then when I get 2500 points, I get a $25 gift card. I use this credit card for everything (but then I pay it off every month).
Total price including tax and free shipping: $8.25.
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. (Psalm 145:18-19, ESV)
I’ve set up a new domain for Novels Now that reviews new book releases. I hope you’ll check it out. We have 10 reviewers who have reviewed over 180 different books published in 2008, and we’ll be doing the same in 2009. [CLOSED] I’m also having a giveaway there for an autographed copy of Tomato Girl by Jayne Pupek. There are a few restrictions in that you must not have read the book yet, you must also try to read and review it for your blog within 6 months, and the giveaway is restricted to North America. Whether or not you enter, I do hope you stop by and check out the new site.
Have a great rest of the weekend! I’ll be watching the Broncos later, and I hope I won’t be disappointed…
Hans van den Broek and his wife Rachel are living and dealing with post-9/11 New York City. Hans is a banker and originally from the Netherlands, while Rachel is a British attorney. Rachel believes New York has become too unsafe and leaves for London, taking the couple’s son with them.
Tomato Girl is a heartbreaking novel of love, desire, and madness.
I love Thanksgiving! I was a little sad last night as it was just going to be the 4 of us. All of my side of the family is in Denver this weekend, and my husband’s side of the family is in northern Kentucky. We couldn’t travel anywhere as my son has basketball practice over the weekend and also because of the distances (8 hours and 11 hours away).
I got the entire Twilight collection in hardback for a little over $8.00.
