3 Popular Novels for 2015 that I just Couldn't Finish

It's been a long time since I had a DNF and over the last (2) months I had (3). It's not a reading funk either as I've enjoyed many other books in that same time frame. But, sadly, these 3 books that I expected to enjoy went back to the library unread. So happy I never purchased them.  Have you read them? What did I miss?

• In The Unlikely Event; Judy Blume - Based in part of the author's personal experiences, the story is set against a backdrop of family life in the 50's and 60's,  and several plane crashes in a 3-month period which rocked the town of Elizabeth, NJ. I liked the nostalgia this story stirred and really wanted to love this book but, the 3rd person POV just did not work for me.  There were too many insignificant characters and a plot that was going nowhere fast.  I tried this one in September (print) and again in October (audio), but I just couldn't get myself to care about this one enough to finish it.
• Purity; Jonathan Franzen - I've enjoyed several novels by this author in the past so was anticipated this would be another win. Sadly, the story had no real plot, and Pip, the central character was one that was easy to hate. She was one of those negative, downer personalities, that if she was someone I knew, I would go the other way if I saw her in a store. Her mother, no surprise, was equally annoying. This story was all over the place, and honestly, it was hard to believe that Franzen even wrote this one.
• City on Fire; Garth Risk Hallberg - This is the debut novel everyone has been posting about with (900+pp). I got through about 200pp and decided it just wasn't for me.  This book isn't badly written, but rather "overwritten". It felt like the author was trying to show off his elaborate vocabulary, and I grew tired of having to look up the definition of what felt like every other word.

This is Your Life Harriet Chance; Jonathan Evison

This is Your Life, Harriet Chance; Jonathan Evison

Algonquin - 2015

This is Your Life, Harriet Chance is a wonderful story told through the POV of Harriet, a 78 year old widow who had been married for 55 years.  

After her husband Bernard passes away, Harriet learns he had planned an Alaskan cruise for two. With the reservations already in place, she decides to go it alone, hoping this will be just the new start she needs in life. She takes a yogurt container with Bernard's ashes and an unopened letter from her longtime friend for company.  

The cruise, buffets, entertainment, alcohol and time for reflection on her life thus far, some good times, some sad times, and some downright bad times, all have made Harriet the woman she is today.  Her husband's imagined voice frequently appears throughout these moments of reflection.  She also gets an unexpected appearance on the cruise by her daughter who she has had an on again, off again relationship with. 

I don't want to say too much about Harriet's story, which I think will have a wide appeal, especially among women.  It covers so many issues that many women face throughout their lives, beginning with painful childhood memories, sexual harassment, abortion, drugs, infidelity, marriage and even child rearing. 

Considering the issues covered, I was pleased that I never found this story depressing, but rather touching and even funny at times.  As a wife, mother, and a woman with plenty of life experience, it was easy to find something relatable in me to Harriet as I read her story.

The story is told in short chapters with timelines for titles, beginning with her birth through the present, although the focus is mostly on the present day.  Harriet was an endearing character.  Her selfish children were another story, but they did not detract from my enjoyment of this novel.

The overall message was one of how life has a way of marching on, not always working out how we thought it would. It's about putting on our big-girl pants and learning to live with disappointment and setbacks despite it all.  There were a few really thought provoking passages, but I didn't quote them as I read them a second time I noticed that one in particular contained a spoiler.  

Add this book to your reading list if you enjoy stories about family dysfunction and lovable heroines.

5/5 stars

(review copy)

Coming Soon to a Bookstore Near You - City on Fire; Garth Risk Hallberg

I wasn't planning on reading this book, but the hype got to me.  I just downloaded the audio version from the library this morning.  Any plans to read this one ? (it's 900+ pages)

City on Fire; Garth Risk Hallberg

Knopf - October 2015

(Description)

An immersive, exuberant, boundary-vaulting novel
 
New York City, 1976. Meet Regan and William Hamilton-Sweeney, estranged heirs to one of the city’s great fortunes; Keith and Mercer, the men who, for better or worse, love them; Charlie and Samantha, two suburban teenagers seduced by downtown’s punk scene; an obsessive magazine reporter and his idealistic neighbor—and the detective trying to figure out what any of them have to do with a shooting in Central Park on New Year’s Eve. 
 
The mystery, as it reverberates through families, friendships, and the corridors of power, will open up even the loneliest-seeming corners of the crowded city. And when the blackout of July 13, 1977, plunges this world into darkness, each of these lives will be changed forever. 
 
City on Fire is an unforgettable novel about love and betrayal and forgiveness, about art and truth and rock ’n’ roll: about what people need from each other in order to live . . . and about what makes the living worth doing in the first place.

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Lake House; Kate Morton

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where I share the first paragraph sometimes two from a book I am reading or thinking about reading soon. (On chapter 4 - so far very good)

The Lake House; Kate Morton

Atria - 2015

ONE

Cornwall, August 1933

The rain was heavy now and the hem of her dress was splattered with mud.  She'd have to hide it afterwards: no one could know that she'd been out.

Clouds covered the moon, a stroke of luck she didn't deserve, and she made her way through the thick, black night as quickly as she could.  She's come earlier to dig the hole, but only now, under veil of darkness, would she finish the job.  Rain stippled the surface of the trout stream, drummed relentlessly on the earth beside it.  Something bolted through the broken nearby, but she didn't flinch, didn't stop.  She'd been in and out of the woods all her life and knew the way by heart."

What do you think -- keep reading or pass? 

(Feel free to join in this week by posting your intro below?

Sunday Blatherings and some New Kids Books

I'm loving this cool fall weather - 60's by day and 40's by night. Extra comforter on the bed and the new winter bathrobe has been purchased.

I've been in the furniture rearranging mood and while my husband was busy in the basement this morning I completely rearranged the living room. I was thinking he would hate it and so I had my "let's give it a try speech" all ready, but he loved it as much as me.  It's cozier and more sunlight comes in the 5 windows now. I also purchased some air plants and hanging glass globe terrariums for my kitchen which I love. They were so much cheaper online than in the specialty shops around here.

This weekend we did some leaf-peeping, but honestly all I need to do is walk around the neighborhood to take in the beautiful colors. We may take a ride to Vermont or New Hampshire this week, just to be sure we didn't miss anything prettier than what we've seen for foliage.

I'm reading a delightful book that I wasn't expecting to enjoy as much as I am - it's called --This is Your Life Harriet Chance; Jonathan Evison. I hope to start After You; JoJo Moyes and The Lake House; Kate Morton this week.

Candlewick Press sent my some beautiful new kids books. I can't wait to read them.

• Peppa Pig Day at the Museum
• Peg & Cat: The Race Car Problem; Jennifer Oxley
• The Little Snowplow; Laura Koehler
• (3) books by Kate DeCamillo

Have a nice week everyone.

We Were Brothers: a memoir; Barry Moser

We Were Brothers; Barry Moser
Algonquin - 2015

Every now and then I crave a good memoir, not any memoir, but I generally look for one that I can relate to, one that is apt to stick with me for one reason or another.  We Were Brothers was just such a memoir. In many ways this story reminded me of the sometimes troubled relationship of my own two older brothers who grew up in the late 40's and 50's, both were about the same ages as author and his brother Tommy.

The author and his older brother Tommy were born and raised around Chattanooga, TN, and from an early age racism was ever present in their childhood town. The KKK was in full force and the divide between blacks and whites was present everywhere. Through no fault of their own each brother was raise to believe that white people were superior to black people. In many ways their childhood, minus the racism, was typical of many siblings -- sharing a room, riding bikes and trying to avoid bullies, especially since neither boy was athletic. Both were talented artists and each had childhood afflictions that in some ways made learning and success in school a challenge. Tommy had eye issues which kept him behind a few grades in school and may have attributed to his sometimes volatile personality.  Barry was dyslexic and more laid back and, despite the issues of both brothers they attended military school even though it was only Barry who graduated.

The older the brothers got the greater the divide between them became, because of their adult views on race. While Tommy remained in Tennessee, Barry moved to New England, embarrassed at times by his brother's actions. Although both brothers had families of their own and each experienced professional successes, their views about racism couldn't have been farther apart and, as a result, their relationship turned to ice for a good many years.  Fortunately, unlike many fractured relationships that stay that way to the grave, these brothers were able to eventually come to an understanding and make their peace before it is was too late.

This memoir was short, fewer than 200 pages, and very well written with several beautiful illustrations included. I enjoyed the story of these brothers and finished their story in one seating. I think this memoir will appeal to more mature readers, especially those who have experienced strained sibling relationships in their own families.

About the Author-----BARRY MOSER was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His work is represented in the National Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Museum, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and other museums around the world. He has illustrated and/or designed over 350 books, including Moby-Dick, Frankenstein, The Divine Comedy, and the King James Bible. His edition of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland won a National Book Award. He is currently Irwin and Pauline Alper Glass Professor of Art and the printer to the college at Smith College.

4/5 stars

(eGalley)

The Beautiful Bureaucrat; Helen Phillips

The Beautiful Bureaucrat; Helen Phillips

Henry Holt & Co - 2015

When I saw that readers who enjoy Murakami and Atwood would likely enjoy this book, I knew I had to give it a try. It's a great choice for book groups with plenty to discuss.

After being out of work for way too long Joseph and Josephine, a 30-something couple move to an unnamed city from the "hinterlands" where Joseph has just found a job. Soon after Josephine is hired as an administrative assistant but, her job and the workplace is anything but ideal.

Josephine's office is a windowless, dingy pink room (9997) with bright fluorescent lighting. Her faceless, boss, known only as, "The Person with the Bad Breath" provides her with files and instructions, Strictly data entry work, file after file she dutifully enters a series of numbers from the files into a database. She is not allowed to ask questions or discuss her job with anyone. She can't even hang a calendar on her disgusting office walls.  Then there's a girl named Trishiffany who calls her JoJo and who knows way too much personal information about Josephine, information that she's pretty sure she has never shared.  It gets more creepy and bizarre from there.  

Josephine's happy that at the end of the day she at least has her husband and the latest horrible place they call home to look forward to.  However, when Joseph doesn't come home one night and then when he does return he becomes more distant, Josephine's anxiety kicks into high gear. She thought their relationship was solid and that she could count on him and they silly routines and word games.

The story is told from Josephine's POV, and although it's  a novel fewer than 200 pages, there's plenty to like about this story. A blend of real and surreal, touching and thrilling and with a good dose of dark humor, The Beautiful Bureaucrat will make you smile and make you wonder. The ending was unexpected and honestly it made me go back and read some of the story again. A good choice for book groups to consider.

4.5/5 stars

(sent by publisher)