Waiting on Wednesday; The Metropolis Case; Matthew Gallaway

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that highlights books that haven’t yet been released. Here's my pick:

The Metropolis Case; Matthew Gallaway

Debut Novel

Dec. 28, 2010 - Crown Publishing

You know how I love awesome covers - well this one looks fabulous. MUM still seems to be the word as to what this novel is about, but I did find this awesome BOOK TRAILER video. This is one book, I'd love to get a review copy of.

What's your pick this week?

Wordless Wednesday

Rae

 yup...just (3) legs

Just a proud Grandmother here!

118 - The Heights; Peter Hedges

The Heights by Peter Hedges is the story of  Kate and Tim  Welch, and their life in the Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.  Tim's a history teacher at Montague Academy, an elite private school and Katie is a  stay-at-home mom; together they live in cramped apartment with two young sons.  It's not easy existing on a teacher's salary for the couple. In fact it appears this couple is the only middle class couple still living in The Heights. Despite this their life seems relatively content.

All that changes when. the wealthy and married, Anna Brody moves into a brownstone nearby. Suddenly the Welches are invited into that world of privilege, and everything changes. Kate is offered a high-powered job, which she accepts and Tim stays home with the boys to work on his long neglected dissertation.  It is about at this point when the story stopped working for me. although there were funny parts, for me it just seemed to get a little too silly, and cliched.

The story is told in alternating chapters by Kate and Tim, and a few minor characters. I did not care about the characters, many of whom were yuppie-ish and self indulgent, and others who were just plain whiny or unlikable. The audio book readers (the author was one) were fine, but the story grated on my nerves after a while. ( I also had a review copy). This book just wasn't my cup of tea; it lacked substance.

Peter Hedges is an author and screenwriter -- What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, and About a Boy. I can see how this book too, might be adapted to the big screen down the road.

RATING - 2/5 Stars

(Library audio and review copy)

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday Mailbox Monday is being hosted by Bermudaonion for September (http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com/) What book loot arrived in your mailbox this week?
 Here's what I got:

 

 (I am looking forward to all of the above)

•  Revolution; Jennifer Donnelly (Shelf Awareness)
• Rescue; Anita Shreve (Hachette)
• Distant Hours; Kate Morton (Atria Books)

• The Fall; Del Toro and  Logan
• Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived in This House Megan Daum (win from Laurel) - sounds good!
• Vermilion Drift; Krueger (Atria Books)

I am so grateful to receive review books, but sometimes I wonder why I was selected to receive certain unsolicited books -- way outside of my favorite genres. Does this happen to you?

Sunday Salon

 

Meet Rae

(My new 3-legged grand cat; Isn't she the sweetest thing?)

I just knew when my daughter lost her (15) year old cat last week, that she needed to get another cat. She has been very sad since the loss of Stella. The other cat Buddy has been a bit depressed as well, looking around for his pal Stella.  My daughter was, I am convinced,put on this earth to help those in need. Her past actions have proven that. So I knew when she got a new pet from the shelter, it would be one that needed a bit more than just a home. 

Rae, the kitten was born with a deformed leg, so when she was spayed, they amputated it, feeling that since she was so young she could easily get use to life with just (3) functioning legs.  So out of more than 50, perfectly normal and healthy cats and kittens to choose from -- Rae won out.  And, to tell you the truth - I think it was a win-win for both of them.

This weekend there were a few fall festivals going on within (15 - 20) minutes of us. Why are they always on the same weekend?  Both of the festivals had book sales, as well as craft booths, food booths and loads of fun and games for kids as well. 

The weather was picture-perfect, low to mid 70's, an it was great fun to just walk around and browse.  After getting rid of about (80) books last week and another (15) went bye bye this week, I was much more cautious with what I picked up. I only spent $3.50 for: Of Mice and Men; John Steinbeck,  The Russian Debutant's Handbook; Gary Shteyngart, author of Super Sad True Love Story: A Novel (2010) and I also got John Grisham's Ford County: Stories (unabridged audio version).  I also got (2) pairs of gorgeous handmade earrings. My husband got himself a homemade apple pie for $6.00 -- see how our priorities differ...LOL

I just started the MOST AMAZING debut novel, I gasp as I read each word of this marvelous book. I plan to read this one in short spurts, as I do not want this one to end. It might very well end up being my favorite book of 2010 (based on the first 50 pages). Does anyone know the book I am referring to?

It's The Bells, by Richard Harvell.

Enjoy your day everyone!

117 - Fall of Giants; Ken Follett

I've been on a bit of a Ken Follett roll, having just recently completed Pillars of the Earth, which I LOVED. So needless to say, I was thrilled to be able to read and review, Follett's new, Book One of the new Century Trilogy, Fall of Giants debuts on September 28th. What did I think? It is wonderful!

Book One spans a period of about 14 years, beginning in 1911 and covering the period before, during and after World War I. In this installment, five families: American, German, Russian, English and Welsh, all related in some way, must endure the effects of both the First World War and the Russian Revolution.  Without going into all the characters (I think I counted 12), or the entire plot of this mammoth work, I'll just mention a few of the key players. There is Billy Williams who is just 13 when he is off working in the mining pits of Wales. Grigori and Lev Peshkov are orphaned Russian brothers, whose lives take dramatically different paths in life. There's the Fitzherberts who are wealthy aristocrats, and Lady Maud, finds herself falling in love with a Russian spy. Ethel, (Billy's sister) is the housekeeper for the wealthy Fitzherberts, challenging class distinction by having an affair with the earl for who she works. Gus Dewar is an American Law student, and son of a US Senator who finds himself in the War Room of Woodrow Wilson's cabinet.

I'm extremely happy I didn't let the nearly 1,000 pages of this novel deter me. The pages practically turned themselves, and I was not disappointed. The review copy had a lengthy list of the cast of characters which was very helpful to refer back to. I am sure the finished copy will have something similar as well. There is a lot to take in with this novel, but I especially enjoyed reading about the underdogs of this novel: servants, miners, factory workers, and peasants alike. Class distinction is vividly portrayed. I thought all the info on WWI was interesting, and a lot to take in, as I am very rusty on this time in history. I liked that the author used some actual historical names in Fall of Giants: President Woodrow Wilson, Winston Churchill, Kaiser Wilhelm, Lenin and Trotsky. By doing this, it made the story all the more engrossing and realistic. Another sweeping Follett epic, set in another place and another time - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This novel's release date is September 28, 2010. This book would be a great choice as an eBook selection for those who have an eReader. It can be tiring on the hands if you read and hold the 3+ inch thick book for long periods. DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

RATING - 5/5 - Review Copy

116 - I Love My Dad; Anna Walker

I am always on the lookout for adorable children's books, and did I find a cute one at the library recently. I Love My Dad, by Anna Walker is such a sweet book.  In this story Ollie, the adorable zebra, his dog Fred, and Ollie's Dad love being together. Ollie likes to help his Dad paint the fence; they love banana bread, climbing in trees and playing hide and seek. Ollie especially loves when his Dad give him a piggyback ride to bed. 

The story is told in simple rhyme, and the size is great for toddlers to tote around too. The author, Anna Walker has illustrated this book, and it's perfect. Simple scenes in colored ink on white make the striped zebras pop, and vivid accent colors, like a red slide, red bicycle and colorful birds in the trees provide excellent contrast.

This book would make a sweet gift for from child to Dad for birthdays, Father's Day etc. RECOMMENDED

4.5/5 Stars - Library Book