Favorite Books of 2016

• Books Read in 2016 - 126 -  (14) of these were non fiction (6) children's books and (32) were audio books. 
• Approximately 50% of the books read were sent to me by publishers as either eGalleys, eAudios or ARCs and, another 40% were library books.  The remaining 10% were books that I purchased at one time or another.

Favorite Books of 2016
(in no particular order)

1. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things; Bryn Greenwood
2. My Name is Lucy Barton; Elizabeth Strout
3. Under the Influence; Joyce Maynard 
4. Looking Back: A Chronicle of Growing Up Old in the Sixties; Joyce Maynard  (nonfiction)
5. The Heavens May Fall; Allen Eskens
6. Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair that Shaped a First Lady (NF); Susan Quinn (nonfiction)
7. When Breath Becomes Air; Paul Kalanithi (nonfiction)
8. Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter; Kate Clifford Larson (nonfiction)
9. The Notorious RBG; Cameron & Knizhnik (nonfiction)
10. My Sunshine Away; M.O. Walsh

The Christmas Town, Donna Van Liere

The Christmas Town; Donna VanLiere

St. Martin's Press - 2016

I've always enjoyed Donna VanLiere's Christmas novels and, this years story, The Christmas Town, proved to be another feel good read.

Lauren Gabriel is 20 years old and had spent most of her childhood in foster homes. She always hoped her mother would come back into her life.  She's longed for a real family.  One day on her way home from her job she witnesses an accident in the town of Grandon and she soon finds herself a part of the close-knit community and the holiday spirit of what the season is really all about.

There are several wonderful characters in this story that are slowly woven together.  Each one plays a part in making this particular Christmas special for Lauren. My favorite was young Ben, a bagger at the grocery store who slipped special notes into the bags of customer's who looked like they were in need of an uplifting message. I loved the ways the characters found ways to make each day special for those who had seemed to lose their faith in mankind. The Christmas Town was a heartwarming story for this time of year.

4/5 stars
(review copy)

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Seventh Day; Yu Hua

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two of a book that I'm reading or will be reading soon. This one has been on my Kindle since 2013.

The Seventh Day; Yu Hua

Pantheon Books - 2013

The First Day

"The fog was thick when I left my bedsit and ventured out alone into the barren and murky city.  I was heading for what used to be called a crematorium and these days is known as a funeral parlor.  I had received notice instructing me to arrive by 9:00 a.m., because my cremation was scheduled for 9:30."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas

Wishing all of you who celebrate a very Happy Hanukkah and/or a very Merry Christmas.  (We celebrate both).

The Sleepwalker; Chris Bohjalian

 The Sleepwalker; Chris Bohjalian

Doubleday - January 2017

I had a hard time reviewing this book because I expected to love this book, the author is a favorite of mine, but that just didn't happen.

Set in rural Vermont the Ahlberg family is in turmoil when the mother, Annalee, goes missing.  Annalen is a sleepwalker and this condition has resulted in her doing some dangerous and crazy things in the past, but this is the first time she has gone missing.  There is some fear that she might have fallen in the near by river when a piece of her nightshirt is found on a tree branch.

Annalen's husband Warren is a college professor and he hasn't been much comfort to his daughters Paige and Lianna.  Warren drinks a bit too much at times and is harboring some guilt as his wife only sleepwalks when he is away at night and, on the night of her disappearance he was away at a conference. Younger daughter Paige is12 years old, she copes by looking for clues along the riverbank as she searches for her mother.  Older daughter Lianna drops out of college to keep the home running smoothly while her father works and or travels.  Gavin is a handsome police detective who seems to know a lot about Annalee; he too, coincidently, is a sleepwalker.  Lianna finds herself attracted to the detective and is obsessed with finding out what he knows about her mother.

Part mystery, part contemporary fiction, there is quite a bit of detail shared about sleepwalking (parasomnia) which I thought was pretty interesting and well researched.  The story is narrated by older daughter, Lianna and, the author makes her as well as the other characters fairly interesting.  I struggled with this book until the point when we learn what really happened to Annalee, after that  the pace and intensity seemed to pickup.  The ending, although surprising, was unable to make up for the novel's slow start. 

3.5/5 stars
(eGalley)

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - A Christmas Escape; Anne Perry

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph

 or two, of a book that I'm reading or will be reading soon. It's time for some Christmas themes.

A Christmas Escape; Anne Perry

Ballantine Books - 2015

"Charles Latterly stared across the untroubled sea at the shore they were fast approaching.  The mountain rose sharply, as symmetrical and uncomplicated as a child's drawing.  The sky above was midwinter blue.  At home in England they would be expecting snow at this time in December, but here, in Sicily, the wind off the salt water was mild.  The small boat barely rocked.

He had been looking forward to this break from reality of London, work and the routine of his life, which lately had seemed more meaningless than ever.  The recent death of his wife had given him an acute feeling of loss, but not in the way he had expected.  There was no deep ache of bereavement.  It forced him to realize that perhaps he had felt alone for a long time."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below. 

The Loner; Teddy Wayne

The Loner; Teddy Wayne

Simon & Schuster - 2016

The Loner is a story that has a few of my favorite elements: coming of age story, academic setting and a quirky protagonist.

David Federman is a Harvard freshman from New Jersey who has always struggled a bit to fit in.  In high school he struggled to fit in and he's hoping for a fresh start here at Harvard.  He's quirky, however, and sees himself as superior to others (unwarranted of course) so making friends at Harvard proves difficult as well.

Early on he becomes infatuated, almost obsessed really, with Veronica a worldly, popular girl from Manhattan who resides in his dorm.  His early interest soon finds him waiting for her in places he expects her to be and even writing papers for her to get her to like. Things soon take an obsessive and dangerous turn.

David Federman is an interesting character study. He lacks empathy and self-awareness, a dangerous combination and, when the tables turn and David sees the other side of Veronica and her personal agenda, the misfit shows us just how unstable he really is.

This was a very different and unsettling story.  I felt a sense that things would go very bad very fast and they did. I liked the jarring ending as well.

4/5 stars

(eGalley)

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Sleepwalker; Chris Bohjalian

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two, of a book that I'm reading or will be reading soon.  I'm enjoying this one so far, and I'm on chapter 3.

The Sleepwalker; Chris Bohjalian

Doubleday - 2017

PART ONE

IT MAKES ALL the sense in the world. You awaken and smell smoke and see that the cat at the foot of the bed is on fire. And so you scoop him up and race to the bathroom and douse him with the tub,  You reassure him that he will be fine--he is fine--telling him that everything's okay.  You hold him firmly but gently under the faucet because you are worried about his burns.

The only thing is, you're not awake. But you're not precisely dreaming, either. After all, in the morning the sheets are wet where the cat slept when you both went back to bed, and there is fur in the tub.  There are scratch marks on your arms and the back of your hands, because the cat was justifiably resistant to the idea of a shower in the middle of the night.  And, of course, the animal was never on fire.  Northing in the house was on fire.  And you're a responsible person; you know that cats and dogs don't spontaneously combust.  But in the middle of the night, in the fidelity of that instant, you were saving the cat's life and that was all that mattered."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.

The Premonition; Chris Bohjalian

A sort prequel to The Sleepwalker, which will be released in January (Doubleday), The Premonition is a quick read, very atmospheric and a tad creepy as well.

Set in rural Vermont, Lianna Ahlberg is a high school senior when she witnesses her first "premonition".  A thunderstorm, snapping power lines, and soon two horses belonging to the new neighbors, the Holbrooks, are electrocuted.

The foreshadowing indicates the Holbrook's odd little boy, Eric, who is obsessed with all things medieval will be more developed in the next story.  The same is true for Lianna and Paige's(the younger sister), as well as Annalee, the girl's mother, who has bouts of sleepwalking when Mr. Ahlberg is away from home.  She has done some crazy and scary things in the past.

This story wraps up with a nail biting episode that made me want to continue on with The Sleepwalker immediately. Readers who enjoyed previous contemporary fiction by this author should be sure to check both books out.

4/5
(Kindle purchase)

My Own Words: Ruth Bader Ginsburg with Mary Hartnett and Wendy Williams

My Own Words: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

 with Mary Hartnett and Wendy Williams

Simon & Schuster - 2016

Born March 15, 1933, Joan Ruth Bader was the second daughter of Nathan and Celia Bader. Her older sister Marilyn died at the age of six of meningitis when "Ruth" was just 14 months old.  From an early age Ruth loved to write and, at thirteen she was the editor of her school newspaper (some of those articles are included in this bio).  She was awarded a full scholarship to Cornell where she met the love of her life Marty Ginsburg.  

A few interesting facts:

• The writer who influenced her most was Vladimir Nabokov.
• She was very close to the late Justice Anthony Scalia despite the fact their views were very different.

I love RBG and all that she has done for race and equality. I couldn't wait to read this memoir but, I was expecting more of a biographical style and that was not the case.

This book is more about her writings, briefs and Supreme Court decisions which are covered in much detail.  I learned a lot about the workings of the court selection and case processes.  In many respects this book was a collection of all of RBG's writings from the age of 13 until the present.  I do wish I listened to the audio version as there were actual transcripts of various cases.

Overall, I found this book to be very informative even though at times the material felt a tad heavy.  I guess I was expecting a more personal flair and not as much history but I do recommend this book.

4/5 stars

(library)

The First True Lie; Marina Mander

The First True Lie; Marina Mander

Hogarth - 2014

Lucas is a ten year old boy who has not had a normal childhood.  His mother has suffered from depression and other psychological issues.  There is no father in his life but, a number of men have come in and out of his mother's life.

One day Lucas is unable to wake his mother (she's dead in bed). He is afraid to tell anyone about that situation because a greater fear of his is that he will be an orphan. Days pass as his mother's body decomposes in the next room.  The food supply grows scarce but, Lucas continues to pretend all is well.  His cat Blue is the only remaining living thing in his life.

If I haven't depressed you enough, I'd like to add that this short novella (143 pages) is translated from the Italian and, I found it to be a tough read.  It's always challenging when a story is told through the eyes of a child but, because this was such a sad story it made it extra tough to read. I was also disappointed that there was no resolution to what transpired and what happened next to Lucas.

2/5 stars

(personal copy)

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Premonition; Chris Bohjalian

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two, from a book I'm reading or will be reading soon.

 (This Kindle single - (Amazon - $1.99) is a prequel to Chris B's soon to be released (Jan.10th) novel, The Sleepwalker. Doubleday-2017

"It wasn't a premonition.  That was too strong a word.

But as I stood by the side of the road and watched the power line buffeted by the great, persistent gusts from the south, I had a sense--a distinct sense--that the line was going to snap.  It was going to whip high above the wooden poles, then fall to earth, surrounded by the sparks from the nearby transformer.  There it would electrify the ground.  I was seventeen that afternoon and I saw it all in my mind: black thunderclouds rising above the fields behind the line, the corn tasseled, two Morgan horses looking wary as the walked in small circles in the fence-in meadow at the edge of the road, and the sparks as they pinwheeled like fireflies above the pavement."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Setting Free the Kites; Alex George

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two, from a book I'm reading or will be reading soon.  (I LOVED this author's last book, The Good American.)

Setting Free the Kites; Alex George

Putnam - 2017

PROLOGUE

Haverford, Maine

2016

"Nathan Tilly gave me the story I'm going to tell, but it was the old paper mill that set my memories free.

I read the report in the Haverford Gazette the previous week.  The mill had not been operational for more than fifty years, but now the land has been sold to a supermarket chain, and the old building is to be razed to make way for a customer parking lot.  The news has prompted vigorous local debate.  Some are angry that the city council has allowed part of our municipal heritage to be sold off.  Others are excited at the prospect of rest bagels. Such is progress

For myself, I'm sorry to see the old place go.  I want to pay my last respects, watch the thing go down."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing all my US readers a special Thanksgiving with those you love most.

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - I'll Take You There; Wally Lamb

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two, from a book I'm reading or will be reading soon.  

I'll Take You There; Wally Lamb

Harper - 2016

Prologue

"I turned sixty earlier this year, an age that brings deficits, of course: Creaky knees, a temporary inability to remember familiar people's names, a second colonoscopy.  But there are benefits to reaching this age, too.  One is wisdom, or so they tell me.  Another is the senior citizen discount at Dunkin' Donuts--once you survive the shock of being asked if you're eligible, pr more shockingly, the cashier's assumption you're eligible without asking. Geezerdom's got a third perk too.  Let's call it bemused appreciation for how ironic life can be.  Take, for instance, adult diapers: from Pampers we came to Depends we shall return.  Ironic, no?  It's the same with tears.  We cry easily when we're kids, not so much as grown-ups.  Then, at about the time those AARP magazines start showing up uninvited in the mailbox, the lachrymal glands come alive again.  Mine do, anyway.  I can tear up at sappy commercials, sentimental newspaper articles, Facebook posts about some family's decision to have their dog put down. And when the TV news shows one of those surprising reunions between a soldier returning from war and his kids--or her kids--man, I lose it."


Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.

Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady; Susan Quinn

Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady

Susan Quinn - (Penguin - 2016)

Although I knew Eleanor Roosevelt was a well respected and amazing woman, I had never read anything about her life before now. I devoured this book and found it to be very well written.

When FDR became president, the Roosevelt's marriage was already on shaky grounds. His mother threatened to cut ties with her son if he separated from Eleanor so the two remained married yet, in many ways they maintained separate lives. Eleanor had never wanted to assume the role as First Lady. She had a busy independent life but, her unhappiness was difficult to conceal.  FDR had several extramarital affairs before he was stricken with polio while vacationing in Maine.  The couple had six children in ten years. 

Lorena Hickok "Hick" was a reporter for the Associated Press. She later quit her job to become the reporter for the Roosevelt administration. For a number of years she had her own room next to Eleanor in the White House. The women soon became very close.  Confidants, professional advisors, friends and possibly lovers, it was not unusual for the two women to vacation together and take long weekends away.  Their relationship would span some 30 years.

Both woman had very sad childhoods and although Eleanor's family was wealthy, Hick wasn't as lucky. Her mother died when she was just 13 and her father was abusive.  She began working as a maid at the age of 14 when her stepmother kicked her out of the house.

There is so much information in this book about the accomplishments of both FDR and Eleanor that I found fascinating. The photos were wonderful as well and, although this book is 400+ pages, it was a pleasure to read and keep reading.  It's a wonderful story about a 30 year friendship that transformed two women.

The author does an impressive job chronicling not only Eleanor and Hick's relationship through excerpts from letters the two were constantly exchanging.  I felt bad about the fact Hick died several years after Eleanor and that her ashes remained unclaimed.  Her remains were eventually dumped in an unclaimed remains area of a cemetery in Rhinebeck, NY.  Fortunately, on May 10, 2000, some 32 years after her death, a simple ceremony, marker and dogwood tree were placed there and dedicated on her behalf.

5/5 stars

(sent by publisher)

Faithful; Alice Hoffman

Faithful; Alice Hoffman

Simon & Schuster - 2016

Faithful is a relatively short novel about tragedy and redemption.  To me it felt more a YA novel but, regardless it still managed to hold my interest.

Shelby Richmond and her friend Helene Boyd were making plans for college life when an automobile accident with Shelby behind the wheel changed everything for both girls.   While Shelby recovered physically, she remains guilt ridden and stuck  She can't deal with the fact that her good friend is in a coma.

At least initially Shelby doesn't feel that her life is worth living. She can't stop punishing herself and she even spends time in a psych hospital.  Once released she lives in her parents basement, rarely emerging for nearly two years until one day with the help of her friend Ben, and the power of animals to heal, she begins to come around.

Shelby's character felt very genuine as did her gradual healing.  As the title suggests, "faith" plays a significant role in the healing process.  A story of survival, I loved the way that the novel ended on an uplifting note but, I wasn't a fan of the way Hoffman used Helene's coma as a touchstone for believers in need of a miracle in their own lives to visit Helene and touch her hand with the hopes of being healed.  

It's been a while since I've read a novel by Alice Hoffman and although I had a few minor issues with this one it was still a good story.

4/5 stars

(review copy)

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption; Bryan Stevenson

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption; Bryan Stevenson

Random House Audio  - 2014

(read by author - excellent)

Just Mercy is an inspiring memoir about one man's quest to right the wrongs of a flawed justice system.

Bryan Stevenson grew up as a poor black child in Delaware. His great grandparents were slaves.  Bryan was the first in his family to attend college, eventually graduating from Harvard Laws school.  He was committed to helping the incarceration poor in both GA and AL and was co-founder of the Equal Justice Initiative.

His memoir covers many of the cases he worked on, which focused on poor minorities who were in prison for sometimes ridiculous reasons, like the woman who was in prison for stealing food to feed her children in AL. Deep seated racism seemed to be everywhere.

The focus story in this memoir involved a black man named Walter McMillan, whose affair with a white woman got him targeted as the person responsible for murdering another white woman in a laundromat. He was sentenced to death row and scheduled for execution.  Stevenson was determined to free this unjustly accused man.

Listening to the author tell his story was an eye-opener. There was plenty in this memoir that made me angry about the racism that still exists in our country.  This is such an important book. It was mind boggling to read that some 2,500 children in the US are serving sentences of life without parole in this great country of ours.  Bryan Stevenson is to be admired: a lawyer with a heart who made a difference to many.

Be sure to read this one!

5/5 stars

“Finally, I've come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to justice, the character of our society, our commitment to the rule of law, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the rich, the powerful, the privileged, and the respected among us. The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned. We are all implicated when we allow other people to be mistreated.” 

"Simply punishing the broken only ensures they remain broken and we do too. Each of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done."

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The First True Lie; Marina Mander

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two, from a book I'm reading or will be reading soon.  

The First True Lie; Marina Mander

Hogarth - 2014

Some Days

Some days I wonder: What does it mean to be a half orphan?

You can't know because you are a grown-up.

You've got parents who already seem like grandparents, a house where you're free to go into all the rooms, a car to get away in....There are so many things you can forget."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.

Commonwealth; Ann Patchett

Commonwealth, Ann Patchett

Harper - 2016

I started and stopped this book about 3 times since late summer, and finally finished it last week.  It's an excellent story but, I just had some issues with the writing style. It's a style that one reviewer describes as a "hot mess". I tend to agree.

Commonwealth, begins with a christening party in Southern, CA for Fix and Beverly Keating's second child, Franny. At the party there are far too many people, too much alcohol and an uninvited guest who works with Fix that shows up.  Before the evening is up, two families will be torn apart. 

Bert Cousins, is the uninvited guest. He's a man who can't deal with spending his weekend with his three small kids and pregnant wife.  He leaves home and shows up at the party with a bottle of gin.  Bert has always been a womanizer and at this event it's Beverly Keating who proves just too irresistible for Bert. One kiss, and a mutual instant attraction and soon two fractured families.  Bert and Beverly move from CA back to Bert's home state of VA.

The title "Commonwealth" is significant and, the story follows the children and adults of these marriages through middle and old age.  The family saga is large in scope. It's complicated, dysfunctional and even tragic. Yet, despite the sad parts, at times I found myself laughing as I read. The characters are well drawn and for the most part memorable.

The non linear writing style was hard for me to get used to. The story, although very good, kept moving from one character to another and, the constant shift in POV felt off putting after a while.  Despite my struggles with this one, I loved the way that the author chose to end this family drama.

3.5/5 stars

(eGalley)

The Book That Matters Most; Ann Hood

The Book That Matters Most; Ann Hood

W.W. Norton Co - 2016

Ann Hood's latest novel was an enjoyable story about mothers, daughters and the ups and downs of life.

Ava Tucker is a 40-something French professor in Providence, Rhode Island. Her 25 year marriage has fallen apart and, for the first time in decades she finds herself alone.  Her grown son is in Africa and daughter Maggie is studying abroad in Florence, Italy (so Ava thinks), however, Maggie's life abroad is in turmoil.

To help deal with her loneliness, Ava's friend Cate encourages her to join her book group. For the coming year each of the (12) participates selects the one "book that mattered most" to them. Ava's choice is a relatively unknown, out of print selection about a grieving mother who has lost a child. Ava lost both her mother and a younger sister when she was a child. 

Without giving away too much of the story, I'll just say I really enjoyed this story and the way the author drew me in early on. I loved that the story started out in RI, a place where the streets and references were familiar to me.  The story then travels to Italy and Paris which was also a treat to read about. I liked most of the characters that she introduced and the fact the story has a bit of a mystery going on as well.  Readers who want to settle into an easy flowing story about life, love, loss and family should enjoy this one.  I think this book would be a great book club discussion choice as well.

4.5/5 stars

(eGalley)

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Faithful; Alice Hoffman

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two, from a book I'm reading or will be reading soon.  

Faithful; Alice Hoffman

Simon & Schuster - 2016

Chapter 1

"In February, when the snow comes down hard, little globes of light are left along Route 110, on the side of the road that slopes off when a driver least expects it.  The lights are candles set inside paper bags, surrounded by sand, and they burn past midnight.  They shouldn't last for that amount of time, but that's part of the miracle.  One the second anniversary of the accident, a gang of boys creep out their windows and gather at two in the morning to see if Helene's mother, Diana Boyd, drives along the road replacing each melting pool of wax with a fresh candle.  They're hoping to reveal a con in process and dispel the myth of a miracle, but after keeping watch for a while the boys all flee.  In the early morning hours, safe in their beds, they wonder how much of the world can never be understood or explained."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.

Q is for QUIZ - feel free to play along

I haven't participated in one of these quizzes in a number of years so after seeing this on Vicki's blog I decided to give (at least part of it) a try.

Have you ever?

• Fired a Gun – no thanks, not in this lifetime
• Been Married - yes, a few times
• Fell in Love - yes, a few times
• Gone on a blind date - yes
• Skipped school - yes, senior year, a few times
• Watched someone give birth - yes, worked in a labor and delivery room years ago
• Watched someone die - yes, my mother
• Been to Canada - yes
• Ridden in an ambulance - no
• Been to Hawaii - no
• Been to Europe - yes, France & Switzerland
• Been to Las Vegas - yes
• Been to Washington, D.C. - yes
• Been to Nashville - yes, on business
• Visited Florida - many times
• Visited Mexico - yes
• Seen Grand Canton in person - no
• Flown in a helicopter - no
• Partied so hard you puked - yes decades ago
• Been on a cruise - no thanks
• Served on a jury - no
• Been in a movie - no
• Been to New York City - yes, many times
• Been to Los Angeles - no
• Played in a band - no
• Sang karaoke - no, you wouldn't want to hear me sing, trust me
• Made Prank phone calls - yes, as a kid
• Had children - yes, 2
• Had a pet - yes,  mostly cats
• Been sledding on a big hill - yes
• Been water skiing - no
• Rode on a motorcycle - no thanks
• Traveled to all 50 states - just 31
• Jumped out of a plane - another, no thanks
• Been to a drive in movie - yes
• Rode an elephant - no
• Rode a horse - no
• Been on TV - no
• Been in the newspaper - a few times
• Stayed in the hospital - yes, childbirth
• Donated blood - no
• Gotten a piercing - yes
• Gotten a tattoo - no
• Driven a stick shift - yes
• Drive over 100 MPH - no
• Been scuba diving - no
• Rode in the back of a police car - no
• Gotten a speeding ticket - yes, a few
• Lived on your own - no
• Broken a bone - no
• Gotten stitches - no
• Traveled alone - just on business

Feel free to play along!

Someone; Alice McDermott

Someone; Alice McDermott

Farrar, Straus and Giroux - 2013

Our October book group read was Someone by Alice McDermott.  We had a full house for this discussion and, for the most part everyone enjoyed this novel on some level. (I really liked it a lot - a 4.5/5 stars for me. This book had me requesting one more of McDermott's books: After This, which I hope to get to this month).

Amazon Description

An ordinary life-its sharp pains and unexpected joys, its bursts of clarity and moments of confusion-lived by an ordinary, but unforgettable woman: this is the subject of Someone, Alice McDermott's extraordinary seventh novel.

We first glimpse Marie Commeford as a child: a girl in thick glasses observing her pre-Depression world from a Brooklyn stoop. Through her first heartbreak and eventual marriage; her delicate brother's brief stint as a Catholic priest and his emotional breakdown; her career as a funeral director's "consoling angel"; the deaths of her parents and the births of her children-we follow Marie through the changing world of the twentieth century and her Irish-American enclave. Rendered with remarkable empathy and insight, Someone is a novel that speaks of life as it is daily lived, with passion and heartbreak, a crowning achievement of one of the finest American writers at work today.

Book Group Comments

• A quiet enjoyable novel, character driven, but not much action
• A couple of readers thought it was reminiscent of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
• The writing was great and so descriptive; read it in 2 sittings
• Strong brother sister bond was special
• I loved Marie the main character; she was real yet ordinary but just so likable. The story begins when Marie was 7 and follows her through the end of her life in an assisted living facility
• Marie's first boyfriend, Walter was a cad. He was no prize physically yet he broke up with her and said he was going to marry someone "prettier and whose family had more money".
• A story of life, love and heartbreak