Title: I’d Know You Anywhere: A Novel
Author: Laura Lippman
Pages: 384
Bookworm: I finally finished our book last night. It was down to the wire this time! Ready to discuss?
Bookworm: Well, I have to say I didn't like it that much. The novel never really seemed to pick up steam, I never felt held in suspense and I felt the ending was anticlimactic. I like her writing but I didn't think that her plot was developed enough. What did you think?
Me: I liked it. And was actually really interested to see what would happen when they came face to face. And I liked that Walter at least owned up to two more crimes. And I'm glad Eliza didn't save him.I HATED, HATED, HATED the character of Barbara LaFortuny. She was horrible. Not one of my favorite books. I wouldn't rave about it or anything. But it was decent.I think the weirdest thing was that I never connected to any of the characters in the story. It was like reading behind the scenes of a newspaper article. No emotion. Or connection. I don't feel like I knew them.
Bookworm: I agree with the hate you felt towards Barbara. I didn't like her either. I thought who she became after her own attack was an odd outcome of what she had suffered through. I would think that being knifed would make you a little softer, more grateful for life. She just seemed more cynical.I connected a bit with Eliza, or maybe I wanted to but never felt like I could. I didn't feel like the characters were developed well enough on an emotional level. I wish the author would have gotten into the day she was returned home, the family's reaction to her return, how she became relatively well adjusted. I guess I yearned for more emotion.It's not a book I would recommend to others, but it wasn't bad; just unimpressive.There were some interesting lines in there, like the one about the state killing the Walter that no longer existed. That made me think about the death penalty for a while.What about you? Did this book make you think about anything in particular, such as the death penalty?
Me: I agree the author could have put in a lot more detail and emotion. Like I wonder how Eliza was traumatized but still able to end up with a great husband like Peter, and great kids. Even a little bit about her going through therapy or something. One of the big things I thought about was forgiveness and the nature of it. It's such a big concept and one I struggle with. I have a really hard time forgiving people. I tend to hold on to hurts for a long time. I wonder if Eliza was able to forgive Walter truly. And if she was ever able to forgive herself. What did you think of the death penalty? In general? And in the case of Walter? Weirdly I never understood why Walter did what he did. Maybe that's more true to real life.
Bookworm: I am against the death penalty, though I can certainly understand those who are for it. I just see it as yet another murder being committed. However, I think prisons really need to be reformed so that it may possibly deter people from making bad choices. No TV, no higher learning, no options to buy fast food- a lot tougher, basically. In the case of Walter this is still my opinion. I, like you, never fully understood why Walter did what he did, and I liked that. As you said, it felt closer to real life.
Me: What did you think about the relationship between Walter and Eliza? Too friendly?
Bookworm: Um, I'm not sure. I think the friendliness (though I'm not sure if that's the right word for how I saw their relationship) speaks to the level of control he had over her and the odd relationship she developed with him when she could have escaped multiple times. I have never understood Stockholm syndrome. What did you think about it?
Me: It was so strange. She seemed to like him too much. I can see why the author character (sorry, I forgot his character name and I turned the book back into the library), said that something more was going on. I think she was too eager to please people. And she and Walter formed almost a strange friendship. It created a Stockholm syndrome.
My final verdict: 2 out of 5 stars
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Book of the Month
Title: A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father
Author: Augusten Burroughs
Pages: 256
I can’t believe December and Christmas is here and upon us already. Bring on the stress and the food! As you know, each month it gets harder and harder to pick my book. Sometimes, I pick a book inspired by the holiday of that month. Sometimes I just pick the “it” book of the moment; you know, the one everyone’s talking about. Sometimes I pick something by a favorite author or just something I am looking forward to reading. This month’s pick I think takes all these ideas and rolls them into one. Not only have I read Augusten Burroughs before and enjoyed him but I have been looking for just the right book of his to read next. Plus whenever I mention that I love David Sedaris, Augusten Burroughs comes up. It seems like a book that has been staring at me but that no one I know has read. And when I think Christmas I think of families and their relationships. And the relationship between father and son is one that has always fascinated me. It seems like this relationship above all others shapes the son. It’s the one relationship on which the most hangs. And in this book Burroughs takes a look at his life with his own father. Burroughs brings us behind the curtain and down the rabbit hole. It may not make for light fluffy reading but I for one can’t wait to sink my teeth into this one. Give it a try and hopefully you will be reading my thoughts on it soon.
Author: Augusten Burroughs
Pages: 256
I can’t believe December and Christmas is here and upon us already. Bring on the stress and the food! As you know, each month it gets harder and harder to pick my book. Sometimes, I pick a book inspired by the holiday of that month. Sometimes I just pick the “it” book of the moment; you know, the one everyone’s talking about. Sometimes I pick something by a favorite author or just something I am looking forward to reading. This month’s pick I think takes all these ideas and rolls them into one. Not only have I read Augusten Burroughs before and enjoyed him but I have been looking for just the right book of his to read next. Plus whenever I mention that I love David Sedaris, Augusten Burroughs comes up. It seems like a book that has been staring at me but that no one I know has read. And when I think Christmas I think of families and their relationships. And the relationship between father and son is one that has always fascinated me. It seems like this relationship above all others shapes the son. It’s the one relationship on which the most hangs. And in this book Burroughs takes a look at his life with his own father. Burroughs brings us behind the curtain and down the rabbit hole. It may not make for light fluffy reading but I for one can’t wait to sink my teeth into this one. Give it a try and hopefully you will be reading my thoughts on it soon.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Dark Half
Title: The Dark Half
Author: Stephen King
Pages: 496
A Book Club Discussion: (SPOILERS)
Bookworm:
First, what did you think of the book over all? I know that you've read King before, but what did you think about his writing style? Also, King referred to the duality that exists within writers. What is your opinion in regard to that?
Me:
I really liked it over all. EXCEPT....I felt like I had a better ending in my own head than the book had. (P.S. This is one of my main King complaints...he never gets the ending quite right for me) But I love the way King writes his characters. That's something he excels in. And I usually fall in love with the people that live between his pages. Writers ARE two people. At least I think I am. There's the world you really live in and the world you create in your head. While I come up with some questions it's your turn to answer.
Me:
As a first time King reader, what did you think? Would you read anything by him again? Was it too scary? Or too gory?
Bookworm:
I liked the book very much with the exception of the ending. I would have liked a bit more follow through on that. But I was happy that everyone made it out alive (the exception being Stark and his victims of course) because I did fall in love with his characters. In this regard, he reminds me very much of Dean Koontz. I agree with the duality of a writer, though I have trouble sometimes trying to keep myself out of my characters. As for his writing style, I don't like the amount of cussing but even that I could deal with. He is crass at times and that really turns me off. He definitely isn't too gory for me, and this book wasn't scary at all so yes, I would read another book of his.
Me:
How would you have ended the book? Before William and Wendy were born, Liz was pregnant with and lost a set of twins, does this mean that the cycle could continue? Does each twin have it's own ghost twin?
Bookworm:
For an ending I like something very tidy. I would have liked to see Alan, Thad and Liz 3 months later enjoying coffee together, watching the twins play. I really wanted to know that Alan got over blaming Thad. As for having a ghost twin, I don't quite know. I think Thad's situation was different from other similar situations in that he was a writer. I think the duality of a writer's personality actually had more to do with the creation of Stark than the fact that Thad was his twin. What do you think? And did you have a favorite quote or part of the book? I did. My favorite quote: "...writers INVITE ghosts, maybe; along with actors and artists, they are the only totally accepted mediums of our society. They make worlds that never were, populate them with people who never existed, and then invite us to join them in their fantasies. And we do, don't we? Yes. We PAY to do it."
Me:
My ending would have been Thad using his writing to vanquish Stark. And then fast forward to Thad having a best selling book on his own and living happily with Liz and Wendy and William. Sadly I read online that in King's book "Bag of Bones", it is revealed that Thad committed suicide. Knowing that, does it change your perception of Thad or the book?I think King is saying being a writer is almost the same as a ghost twin. Two people in one body. The duality of man. Favorite Quotes: I wrote down a couple. But I will only list my top two."When you put a bunch of English teachers together with an almost unlimited supply of booze, you could burn down a weekend." (Pg 88-24)"Thad closed the eyes God had put in his face and opened the one God had put in his mind, the eye which persisted in seeing even the things he didn't want to look at." Pg. 157
Me:
Many of Stephen King's characters are writers including: Thad (The Dark Half), Ben Mears (Salem's Lot), Paul Sheldon (Misery), Mike Noonan (Bag of Bones), Scott Landon (Lisey's Story), William Denbrough (It), Jack Torrance (The Shining), and Roberta (Bobbi) Anderson (Tommyknockers). Why is that?
Bookworm:
I'm so sad to hear about Thad killing himself!!!!!!!! Hell yes it changes my perception of the book though it shouldn't since it doesn't actually occur in this novel. I have to say I like the story a little less. What about you? Does it change your perception of Thad or the book? To answer your question about so many characters being writer's I'm guessing that it has to do with writing what you know. I know I find myself writing characters who are writers or in some way related to writing (editor, literary agent). I also find that I write many of my female characters as I am. What's your take on that?
Me:
Poor Thad! I feel so bad for him. And it opens up so many questions. Why did he do what he did? Was it because of a failing relationship with Liz? Was he afraid of himself? Did he feel George returning? I think King writes about writers mostly because it's a subject he knows well. But I also think that he chooses writers because of a writers mind. A writer would much more easily believe the weird things happening (ghosts, monsters, witches, etc), because they have the kind of mind that is more open to possibility and uses more imagination.
Bookworm:
Have you read bag of bones? I kind of want to now just to follow up with Thad.
Me:
Yes, I have read Bag of Bones. And I remember not caring for it very much. Probably not worth reading it just for follow up on Thad. Especially since it's probably just a passing sentence and we already know what it says. If you read another King, please read The Green Mile.
Final Thoughts:
This was not my most favorite King novel. Not by a long shot. But it was decent and entertaining. And I loved Thad and George. I have to give this one 2 and a half stars.
Author: Stephen King
Pages: 496
A Book Club Discussion: (SPOILERS)
Bookworm:
First, what did you think of the book over all? I know that you've read King before, but what did you think about his writing style? Also, King referred to the duality that exists within writers. What is your opinion in regard to that?
Me:
I really liked it over all. EXCEPT....I felt like I had a better ending in my own head than the book had. (P.S. This is one of my main King complaints...he never gets the ending quite right for me) But I love the way King writes his characters. That's something he excels in. And I usually fall in love with the people that live between his pages. Writers ARE two people. At least I think I am. There's the world you really live in and the world you create in your head. While I come up with some questions it's your turn to answer.
Me:
As a first time King reader, what did you think? Would you read anything by him again? Was it too scary? Or too gory?
Bookworm:
I liked the book very much with the exception of the ending. I would have liked a bit more follow through on that. But I was happy that everyone made it out alive (the exception being Stark and his victims of course) because I did fall in love with his characters. In this regard, he reminds me very much of Dean Koontz. I agree with the duality of a writer, though I have trouble sometimes trying to keep myself out of my characters. As for his writing style, I don't like the amount of cussing but even that I could deal with. He is crass at times and that really turns me off. He definitely isn't too gory for me, and this book wasn't scary at all so yes, I would read another book of his.
Me:
How would you have ended the book? Before William and Wendy were born, Liz was pregnant with and lost a set of twins, does this mean that the cycle could continue? Does each twin have it's own ghost twin?
Bookworm:
For an ending I like something very tidy. I would have liked to see Alan, Thad and Liz 3 months later enjoying coffee together, watching the twins play. I really wanted to know that Alan got over blaming Thad. As for having a ghost twin, I don't quite know. I think Thad's situation was different from other similar situations in that he was a writer. I think the duality of a writer's personality actually had more to do with the creation of Stark than the fact that Thad was his twin. What do you think? And did you have a favorite quote or part of the book? I did. My favorite quote: "...writers INVITE ghosts, maybe; along with actors and artists, they are the only totally accepted mediums of our society. They make worlds that never were, populate them with people who never existed, and then invite us to join them in their fantasies. And we do, don't we? Yes. We PAY to do it."
Me:
My ending would have been Thad using his writing to vanquish Stark. And then fast forward to Thad having a best selling book on his own and living happily with Liz and Wendy and William. Sadly I read online that in King's book "Bag of Bones", it is revealed that Thad committed suicide. Knowing that, does it change your perception of Thad or the book?I think King is saying being a writer is almost the same as a ghost twin. Two people in one body. The duality of man. Favorite Quotes: I wrote down a couple. But I will only list my top two."When you put a bunch of English teachers together with an almost unlimited supply of booze, you could burn down a weekend." (Pg 88-24)"Thad closed the eyes God had put in his face and opened the one God had put in his mind, the eye which persisted in seeing even the things he didn't want to look at." Pg. 157
Me:
Many of Stephen King's characters are writers including: Thad (The Dark Half), Ben Mears (Salem's Lot), Paul Sheldon (Misery), Mike Noonan (Bag of Bones), Scott Landon (Lisey's Story), William Denbrough (It), Jack Torrance (The Shining), and Roberta (Bobbi) Anderson (Tommyknockers). Why is that?
Bookworm:
I'm so sad to hear about Thad killing himself!!!!!!!! Hell yes it changes my perception of the book though it shouldn't since it doesn't actually occur in this novel. I have to say I like the story a little less. What about you? Does it change your perception of Thad or the book? To answer your question about so many characters being writer's I'm guessing that it has to do with writing what you know. I know I find myself writing characters who are writers or in some way related to writing (editor, literary agent). I also find that I write many of my female characters as I am. What's your take on that?
Me:
Poor Thad! I feel so bad for him. And it opens up so many questions. Why did he do what he did? Was it because of a failing relationship with Liz? Was he afraid of himself? Did he feel George returning? I think King writes about writers mostly because it's a subject he knows well. But I also think that he chooses writers because of a writers mind. A writer would much more easily believe the weird things happening (ghosts, monsters, witches, etc), because they have the kind of mind that is more open to possibility and uses more imagination.
Bookworm:
Have you read bag of bones? I kind of want to now just to follow up with Thad.
Me:
Yes, I have read Bag of Bones. And I remember not caring for it very much. Probably not worth reading it just for follow up on Thad. Especially since it's probably just a passing sentence and we already know what it says. If you read another King, please read The Green Mile.
Final Thoughts:
This was not my most favorite King novel. Not by a long shot. But it was decent and entertaining. And I loved Thad and George. I have to give this one 2 and a half stars.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Last Time I Saw You
Title: The Last Time I Saw You
Author: Elizabeth Berg
Pages: 288
Our book club discussion:
Me:
So what did you think of "The Last Time I saw You"? Favorite Characters? And/or moments?
Bookworm:
Overall, I thought the book was okay. In the beginning I couldn't stand her writing style- it seemed choppy. The only characters I liked were Mary Alice, Lester and Candy. I couldn't stand Dorothy and her friends, and I couldn't sympathize with Pete at all. He never seemed truely sorry. I think the last chapter would have to be the best part of the book for me. I liked seeing how it all ended up. Other than that, my feeling toward the book is pretty mediocre. What did you think? What were your favorite parts/characters?
Me:
Haha...it's scary how much we think alike. I thought this book was just "ok"; not great and not horrible. My favorites were definitely Mary Alice and Lester. My most favorite part of the whole book was the table o' truth. Although I doubt anything like that could happen in real life, I thought it was a great idea and I know I wanted to sit there and listen in. It did make me reflect back on my own high school days. In the story, Dorothy had a high school crush on Pete Decker, who was your Pete Decker?
Bookworm:
I liked the idea of the table of truth but found it hard to relate to on some subjects because of the age difference. Overall, her story rang true to me- I'm guessing a reunion would be one huge mean-spirited gossip-fest. As for my Pete Decker, it would have had to have been John Doe!!!! He looked like Keanu Reeves and was just a pleasure to look at. Then I finally talked to him and it shattered the fantasy. Every other word was f#%* and someone told me he was a drug dealer. Did you have a Pete Decker before Mr X? Would you ever read any of her books again?
Me:
Would you ever go to one of our high school reunions? Hmmm....was there life before Mr. X? Hahaha. I had a couple of crushes. Let me go home and consult my year book. The big one I remember is that I liked a boy in middle school (who then ended up at high school) and he was blonde and popular and out of my league. He wasn't very nice to me. But now, I don't even really remember his name. Andy maybe? LoL.
Bookworm:
I might someday. Would you?
Me:
At this moment, probably not. But you know what they say, "Never Say Never". In the book, there is a lot of discussion about change. How have you changed since high school? Do you think people basically remain the same? If people change, do we accept the change or see them as they were? And did your life turn out how you thought?
Bookworm:
Dang, you ask great questions! I have changed alot since high school, I think. I'm less self-centered. In high school I had such a hard time at home that my emotions were all I ever thought of. Now, I think I'm a better person. I think people do basically stay the same unless one seeks counseling. I found that I changed drastically after that!! Seeing change in others can be hard, because of initial impressions. And finally, no, my life has not turned out the way that I thought. I always believed I would have at least 3 kids by the time I was 30. Considering I 'm 29 for only 24 more days, I don't see that happening. Your turn to answer all your fabulous questions!
Me:
Did my life turn out how I thought? Yes and No. I accomplished some things that I wanted to by now, like the dream of owning my own home, and becoming Mrs. X by marrying the love of my life. BUT I was also supposed to be a high school English teacher who also happened to be a best selling novelist. No way did I think that I would be a 30 year old receptionist. Do people change? They can! But it takes a lot of hard work. If people change, do we accept the change? Not right away. I think we are always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maybe if you spend some time with that person and witness the change, then you come to see it and accept it. Have I changed? I don't know have I? In a lot of ways I feel exactly the same. I think the biggest change is that now I'm not afraid to be different or nerdy or even disagree with a friend. Like in high school I would NEVER have admitted to reading and loving the Harry Potter series because I would have been afraid of what others thought of me. Now, I could care less. I like it and it makes me happy. I'm becoming more me. I'm letting out the stuff I used to hide. I'm still working on it but it's better than it was in high school.
Bookworm:
I think we've all changed (for the better I hope) since breaking free from the confines of high school. Maybe change isn't the best word for it. I like the way you stated it- I'm becoming more me. Brilliant! And by the way, it's not too late to write your novel :)
Final thoughts:
Pretty Medicore! 2 out of 5 stars.
Author: Elizabeth Berg
Pages: 288
Our book club discussion:
Me:
So what did you think of "The Last Time I saw You"? Favorite Characters? And/or moments?
Bookworm:
Overall, I thought the book was okay. In the beginning I couldn't stand her writing style- it seemed choppy. The only characters I liked were Mary Alice, Lester and Candy. I couldn't stand Dorothy and her friends, and I couldn't sympathize with Pete at all. He never seemed truely sorry. I think the last chapter would have to be the best part of the book for me. I liked seeing how it all ended up. Other than that, my feeling toward the book is pretty mediocre. What did you think? What were your favorite parts/characters?
Me:
Haha...it's scary how much we think alike. I thought this book was just "ok"; not great and not horrible. My favorites were definitely Mary Alice and Lester. My most favorite part of the whole book was the table o' truth. Although I doubt anything like that could happen in real life, I thought it was a great idea and I know I wanted to sit there and listen in. It did make me reflect back on my own high school days. In the story, Dorothy had a high school crush on Pete Decker, who was your Pete Decker?
Bookworm:
I liked the idea of the table of truth but found it hard to relate to on some subjects because of the age difference. Overall, her story rang true to me- I'm guessing a reunion would be one huge mean-spirited gossip-fest. As for my Pete Decker, it would have had to have been John Doe!!!! He looked like Keanu Reeves and was just a pleasure to look at. Then I finally talked to him and it shattered the fantasy. Every other word was f#%* and someone told me he was a drug dealer. Did you have a Pete Decker before Mr X? Would you ever read any of her books again?
Me:
Would you ever go to one of our high school reunions? Hmmm....was there life before Mr. X? Hahaha. I had a couple of crushes. Let me go home and consult my year book. The big one I remember is that I liked a boy in middle school (who then ended up at high school) and he was blonde and popular and out of my league. He wasn't very nice to me. But now, I don't even really remember his name. Andy maybe? LoL.
Bookworm:
I might someday. Would you?
Me:
At this moment, probably not. But you know what they say, "Never Say Never". In the book, there is a lot of discussion about change. How have you changed since high school? Do you think people basically remain the same? If people change, do we accept the change or see them as they were? And did your life turn out how you thought?
Bookworm:
Dang, you ask great questions! I have changed alot since high school, I think. I'm less self-centered. In high school I had such a hard time at home that my emotions were all I ever thought of. Now, I think I'm a better person. I think people do basically stay the same unless one seeks counseling. I found that I changed drastically after that!! Seeing change in others can be hard, because of initial impressions. And finally, no, my life has not turned out the way that I thought. I always believed I would have at least 3 kids by the time I was 30. Considering I 'm 29 for only 24 more days, I don't see that happening. Your turn to answer all your fabulous questions!
Me:
Did my life turn out how I thought? Yes and No. I accomplished some things that I wanted to by now, like the dream of owning my own home, and becoming Mrs. X by marrying the love of my life. BUT I was also supposed to be a high school English teacher who also happened to be a best selling novelist. No way did I think that I would be a 30 year old receptionist. Do people change? They can! But it takes a lot of hard work. If people change, do we accept the change? Not right away. I think we are always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maybe if you spend some time with that person and witness the change, then you come to see it and accept it. Have I changed? I don't know have I? In a lot of ways I feel exactly the same. I think the biggest change is that now I'm not afraid to be different or nerdy or even disagree with a friend. Like in high school I would NEVER have admitted to reading and loving the Harry Potter series because I would have been afraid of what others thought of me. Now, I could care less. I like it and it makes me happy. I'm becoming more me. I'm letting out the stuff I used to hide. I'm still working on it but it's better than it was in high school.
Bookworm:
I think we've all changed (for the better I hope) since breaking free from the confines of high school. Maybe change isn't the best word for it. I like the way you stated it- I'm becoming more me. Brilliant! And by the way, it's not too late to write your novel :)
Final thoughts:
Pretty Medicore! 2 out of 5 stars.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Book of the Month
November? What happened to October? Well my friends, I have been a bad, bad blogger! I kept putting it off and putting it off and before I knew it October 2010 was gone and November was here. (Note to self: Stop procrastinating!) Well in October, my book club selection was “The Dark Half” by Stephen King (review coming soon!) The main character in that book, like many of King’s characters, and like King himself, is a writer. And it got me thinking about my own writing. I even had an idea for a story! My first story idea in five years! Talk about writer’s block. Actually, it’s just because I’m incredibly shy about letting people inside my head. I’m always worried that I’m not good enough. So for this month’s book of the month, I picked “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King himself. Which is part biography and part handbook. And I know that I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I hope I can get it soon and begin my own writing journey.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
White Oleander
Title: White Oleander
Author: Janet Finch
Pages: 480
SPOILERS……….
Astrid Magnussen is the daughter of the deadly and beautiful poet Ingrid Magnussen. And when Ingrid begins dating Barry Kolker, all of their lives will change forever. And as a result, Ingrid will end being sentenced to life in prison and Astrid will be forced into the child service system. Her first home is with Starr, an ex-drinker and ex-stripper that has been saved by Jesus. Also in the household are Starr’s real children Davy and Carolee; two other foster children named Owen and Peter; and Ray (or Uncle Ray), Starr’s carpenter boyfriend who is also already married. In Starr’s household, Astrid begins to learn about religion, as she is baptized into the Truth Assembly of Christ, and she begins to learn about nature, stars, trails, rabbits, and snakes from Davy. But it’s Ray, she’s most attracted to. And eventually the two begin a sexual relationship. As the relationship between Ray and Astrid grows, the relationship between Starr and Ray begins to deteriorate, so much so that Starr begins drinking again. And with her drinking Carolee decides to leave for good and Starr has a confrontation with Davy that results in a broken arm. Things continue to spiral and get worse until one night when Starr and Ray are having a loud argument, Starr storms into Astrid’s room and shoots her. Astrid is saved by Davy, who calls 911 and allows her to be taken into the hospital. After a few weeks stay in the hospital, Astrid is sent to her next home with the Turlock’s. This time Astrid meets Marvel and Ed Turlock and their two small children Caitlin and Justin. But it’s not long until she discovers her true purpose in the Turlock household, babysitter, pot scrubber, laundry maid, and beautician. And then Astrid befriends the rich beautiful black neighbor Olivia Johnstone. Immediately Astrid feels a connection to Olivia and sets out to befriend her. Only to learn the Olivia is also a prostitute. Soon Astrid begins drinking, and using drugs and even indulging in sexual acts for favors. One night Astrid sneaks out of the Turlock home in an attempt to visit Olivia, which results in a dog attack. The dog attack once again lands Astrid in the hospital with scars on her face and arms. And Marvel starts to become suspicious of Astrid’s behavior. One day without warning Marvel calls child services and has Astrid picked up from school and returned into the system. And that is when Astrid comes to live with Amelia Ramos, who has other foster daughters already including Kiki, Lina, Silvana, Micaela, and Nidia. To celebrate her arrival the entire clan has a giant meal. But the happiness is cut short, when the next morning Astrid discovers the fridge padlocked shut. And the entire house of foster girls go hungry all time. So Astrid steals food out of trash cans and does anything she can to survive all the while trying to reach child services and ask for new placement. It’s not until case worker Joan Peeler arrives that Astrid is finally able to leave Amelia’s house. And this will lead to Astrid’s happiest time. Joan places her with Claire Richards, a former actress and her film maker husband Ron. At first, it is just Claire and Astrid. They ate out of fast food cartons, told stories, thumbed through photo albums, listened to Opera’s, attended art museums, watched movies, and really formed a friendship and a love for one another. And Astrid flourishes, getting good grades and attending art classes all while planning a future in college. But when Ron would arrive home, Claire would become another person, only to be left crushed and devastated when he had to leave again. It is this weakness which Ingrid exploits. And Claire eventually takes a bottle of pills and commits suicide, leaving Astrid alone and heartbroken. And Astrid just stops trying. This leads into a placement in the MacLaren Children’s Center (aka Mac). Life at Mac would be the worst it’s ever been. Astrid is constantly beat up by the other girls, who are threatened that their boyfriends will find Astrid more beautiful. So Astrid chops off all her hair. She shuts her self off and she shuts down. It is during this time that she meets, Paul Trout. Paul Trout is also a foster child in Mac, and he is also an artist like Astrid. Eventually Paul is able to get Astrid to talk and the two become close friends and kindred spirits. Until the day Rena Grushenka arrives and Astrid is placed for her final time. Rena also has two other foster girls; Nikki, a rock and roll singer, and Yvonne a pregnant teen who must give up her baby for adoption. Rena teaches them all the importance of money. The dig through other people’s trash and sell anything they can to survive. Rena has the girls set up to do art projects that they can also sell. Meanwhile Astrid begins to dabble in drugs and sex with Sergei, Rena’s boyfriend. During this time a new lawyer appears on the scene for Astrid’s mom. The lawyer and Ingrid think that Ingrid can be released from prison with the help of Astrid’s testimony. Astrid finally agrees to testify but only if she can meet with her mother first and get some questions answered. So Astrid and Ingrid meet in the prison to talk about Astrid’s father and how Ingrid left Astrid for a whole year when she was a baby. Astrid explains to her mother how much she has poisoned her life. She wishes for Ingrid to choose between the corrupt Astrid, by having her lie in court or for having Astrid whole again. In the end, Ingrid chooses to not have Astrid lie for her. At the end of the book, Astrid is leaving in Germany with Paul and both are artists. Astrid is working on pieces about her life, which she puts into suitcases. Paul brings home an American newspaper one day and Astrid discovers that her mother has been released from prison and is now living in California. Astrid contemplates returning back to her former life with her mother but decides that while she may always fantasize about a life with her mother, she is no longer that person, she is now what she has become and a family with Paul.
Final thoughts:
Sad. And I lost a little interest after Claire died.
Book VS. Movie: The movie is great but left out Astrid’s time with the Turlocks and with Amelia.
3 stars out of 5.
Author: Janet Finch
Pages: 480
SPOILERS……….
Astrid Magnussen is the daughter of the deadly and beautiful poet Ingrid Magnussen. And when Ingrid begins dating Barry Kolker, all of their lives will change forever. And as a result, Ingrid will end being sentenced to life in prison and Astrid will be forced into the child service system. Her first home is with Starr, an ex-drinker and ex-stripper that has been saved by Jesus. Also in the household are Starr’s real children Davy and Carolee; two other foster children named Owen and Peter; and Ray (or Uncle Ray), Starr’s carpenter boyfriend who is also already married. In Starr’s household, Astrid begins to learn about religion, as she is baptized into the Truth Assembly of Christ, and she begins to learn about nature, stars, trails, rabbits, and snakes from Davy. But it’s Ray, she’s most attracted to. And eventually the two begin a sexual relationship. As the relationship between Ray and Astrid grows, the relationship between Starr and Ray begins to deteriorate, so much so that Starr begins drinking again. And with her drinking Carolee decides to leave for good and Starr has a confrontation with Davy that results in a broken arm. Things continue to spiral and get worse until one night when Starr and Ray are having a loud argument, Starr storms into Astrid’s room and shoots her. Astrid is saved by Davy, who calls 911 and allows her to be taken into the hospital. After a few weeks stay in the hospital, Astrid is sent to her next home with the Turlock’s. This time Astrid meets Marvel and Ed Turlock and their two small children Caitlin and Justin. But it’s not long until she discovers her true purpose in the Turlock household, babysitter, pot scrubber, laundry maid, and beautician. And then Astrid befriends the rich beautiful black neighbor Olivia Johnstone. Immediately Astrid feels a connection to Olivia and sets out to befriend her. Only to learn the Olivia is also a prostitute. Soon Astrid begins drinking, and using drugs and even indulging in sexual acts for favors. One night Astrid sneaks out of the Turlock home in an attempt to visit Olivia, which results in a dog attack. The dog attack once again lands Astrid in the hospital with scars on her face and arms. And Marvel starts to become suspicious of Astrid’s behavior. One day without warning Marvel calls child services and has Astrid picked up from school and returned into the system. And that is when Astrid comes to live with Amelia Ramos, who has other foster daughters already including Kiki, Lina, Silvana, Micaela, and Nidia. To celebrate her arrival the entire clan has a giant meal. But the happiness is cut short, when the next morning Astrid discovers the fridge padlocked shut. And the entire house of foster girls go hungry all time. So Astrid steals food out of trash cans and does anything she can to survive all the while trying to reach child services and ask for new placement. It’s not until case worker Joan Peeler arrives that Astrid is finally able to leave Amelia’s house. And this will lead to Astrid’s happiest time. Joan places her with Claire Richards, a former actress and her film maker husband Ron. At first, it is just Claire and Astrid. They ate out of fast food cartons, told stories, thumbed through photo albums, listened to Opera’s, attended art museums, watched movies, and really formed a friendship and a love for one another. And Astrid flourishes, getting good grades and attending art classes all while planning a future in college. But when Ron would arrive home, Claire would become another person, only to be left crushed and devastated when he had to leave again. It is this weakness which Ingrid exploits. And Claire eventually takes a bottle of pills and commits suicide, leaving Astrid alone and heartbroken. And Astrid just stops trying. This leads into a placement in the MacLaren Children’s Center (aka Mac). Life at Mac would be the worst it’s ever been. Astrid is constantly beat up by the other girls, who are threatened that their boyfriends will find Astrid more beautiful. So Astrid chops off all her hair. She shuts her self off and she shuts down. It is during this time that she meets, Paul Trout. Paul Trout is also a foster child in Mac, and he is also an artist like Astrid. Eventually Paul is able to get Astrid to talk and the two become close friends and kindred spirits. Until the day Rena Grushenka arrives and Astrid is placed for her final time. Rena also has two other foster girls; Nikki, a rock and roll singer, and Yvonne a pregnant teen who must give up her baby for adoption. Rena teaches them all the importance of money. The dig through other people’s trash and sell anything they can to survive. Rena has the girls set up to do art projects that they can also sell. Meanwhile Astrid begins to dabble in drugs and sex with Sergei, Rena’s boyfriend. During this time a new lawyer appears on the scene for Astrid’s mom. The lawyer and Ingrid think that Ingrid can be released from prison with the help of Astrid’s testimony. Astrid finally agrees to testify but only if she can meet with her mother first and get some questions answered. So Astrid and Ingrid meet in the prison to talk about Astrid’s father and how Ingrid left Astrid for a whole year when she was a baby. Astrid explains to her mother how much she has poisoned her life. She wishes for Ingrid to choose between the corrupt Astrid, by having her lie in court or for having Astrid whole again. In the end, Ingrid chooses to not have Astrid lie for her. At the end of the book, Astrid is leaving in Germany with Paul and both are artists. Astrid is working on pieces about her life, which she puts into suitcases. Paul brings home an American newspaper one day and Astrid discovers that her mother has been released from prison and is now living in California. Astrid contemplates returning back to her former life with her mother but decides that while she may always fantasize about a life with her mother, she is no longer that person, she is now what she has become and a family with Paul.
Final thoughts:
Sad. And I lost a little interest after Claire died.
Book VS. Movie: The movie is great but left out Astrid’s time with the Turlocks and with Amelia.
3 stars out of 5.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Living Dead in Dallas
Title: Living Dead In Dallas
Author: Charlaine Harris
Subtitles” “A Sookie Stackhouse Novel” or “Southern Vampire Mysteries”
AKA: HBO’s True Blood: Season 2
Pages: 291
Confession time: I read this AFTER I had already seen HBO’s True Blood Season 2, so it may be nearly impossible for me to separate the two.
SPOILERS!!!!
Telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse knew falling in love with vampire Bill Compton, would be dangerous. But what she couldn’t have known was that by loving Bill a whole door of the supernatural would be opened and her life would never be the same. So when a dead body turns up in the back of detective Andy Bellefleur’s car in the parking lot of Merlotte’s, it’s just the beginning for Sookie. Who is then called upon to by Eric Northman to investigate the case of missing vampire in Dallas Texas. But in route Sookie is attacked by a maenad who has message for Eric. Upon arrival in Dallas, Bill and Sookie turn their attention to The Fellowship of the Sun, a religious organization of anti-vampire politics. So Sookie and Hugo (the human lover of a Dallas vampire) decide to go undercover at the Dallas church in an attempt to find vampires Godfrey and Farrell for Eric. But upon arrival at the church, Sookie is discovered as a spy and locked in the church basement, where she discovers Godfrey and Farrell are also being kept. When her jailer attempts to rape her, Sookie escapes the basement and then with the help of a werewolf/shapeshifter named Luna, escapes the church. The next day Sookie travels back to the church where she stays with Godfrey as he “meets the sun”. That night The Fellowship of the Sun attack the vampires Dallas lair and many humans are killed. In the explosion Eric is hit by a bullet which he convinces Sookie must be sucked out. Sookie agrees and accidentally ingests some of Eric’s blood, which will forge a connection between the two. Sookie, angered travels back to her home to try and help Andy Bellefleur solve the murder case there. Only to discover there may be a sex ring in town. Since she is still mad at Bill during this time, she invites Eric to go to the sex party with her to try and fish out the killer. During the party, the maenad arrives and kills all the responsible humans and then disappears into the woods. Eric and Bill burn the house to cover the evidence and glamour the remaining humans so that they have no memory of the sex party. And Bill and Sookie are reunited.
TV VS. BOOOK
Some differences: Where’s Jessica? Tara is just introduced in this book, whereas on tv she has been Sookie’s best friend for years. Jason is hardly mentioned in the book. Where’s Luna in the tv show? Godfrey’s name is changed to Godric and the tv show does not let us know that he is a child molester. Unlike the show, Godric is not mentioned as Eric’s maker, nor does it seem that the two have any prior relationship. In the book, Lafayette dies. Unlike the television show, there is no mention of the drug V. Unlike the show, we have yet to meet Bill’s maker. The Queen of Louisiana makes the show, but not the novel. The book features way less maenad story line and gives the maenad a different name. In the book Sam is having a sexual relationship with the maenad, in the show the maenad wants to kill Sam and Sam is having a relationship with another shapeshifter.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I think I still enjoy the HBO version better. But it’s a solid and entertaining book. 3 out of 5 stars.
Author: Charlaine Harris
Subtitles” “A Sookie Stackhouse Novel” or “Southern Vampire Mysteries”
AKA: HBO’s True Blood: Season 2
Pages: 291
Confession time: I read this AFTER I had already seen HBO’s True Blood Season 2, so it may be nearly impossible for me to separate the two.
SPOILERS!!!!
Telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse knew falling in love with vampire Bill Compton, would be dangerous. But what she couldn’t have known was that by loving Bill a whole door of the supernatural would be opened and her life would never be the same. So when a dead body turns up in the back of detective Andy Bellefleur’s car in the parking lot of Merlotte’s, it’s just the beginning for Sookie. Who is then called upon to by Eric Northman to investigate the case of missing vampire in Dallas Texas. But in route Sookie is attacked by a maenad who has message for Eric. Upon arrival in Dallas, Bill and Sookie turn their attention to The Fellowship of the Sun, a religious organization of anti-vampire politics. So Sookie and Hugo (the human lover of a Dallas vampire) decide to go undercover at the Dallas church in an attempt to find vampires Godfrey and Farrell for Eric. But upon arrival at the church, Sookie is discovered as a spy and locked in the church basement, where she discovers Godfrey and Farrell are also being kept. When her jailer attempts to rape her, Sookie escapes the basement and then with the help of a werewolf/shapeshifter named Luna, escapes the church. The next day Sookie travels back to the church where she stays with Godfrey as he “meets the sun”. That night The Fellowship of the Sun attack the vampires Dallas lair and many humans are killed. In the explosion Eric is hit by a bullet which he convinces Sookie must be sucked out. Sookie agrees and accidentally ingests some of Eric’s blood, which will forge a connection between the two. Sookie, angered travels back to her home to try and help Andy Bellefleur solve the murder case there. Only to discover there may be a sex ring in town. Since she is still mad at Bill during this time, she invites Eric to go to the sex party with her to try and fish out the killer. During the party, the maenad arrives and kills all the responsible humans and then disappears into the woods. Eric and Bill burn the house to cover the evidence and glamour the remaining humans so that they have no memory of the sex party. And Bill and Sookie are reunited.
TV VS. BOOOK
Some differences: Where’s Jessica? Tara is just introduced in this book, whereas on tv she has been Sookie’s best friend for years. Jason is hardly mentioned in the book. Where’s Luna in the tv show? Godfrey’s name is changed to Godric and the tv show does not let us know that he is a child molester. Unlike the show, Godric is not mentioned as Eric’s maker, nor does it seem that the two have any prior relationship. In the book, Lafayette dies. Unlike the television show, there is no mention of the drug V. Unlike the show, we have yet to meet Bill’s maker. The Queen of Louisiana makes the show, but not the novel. The book features way less maenad story line and gives the maenad a different name. In the book Sam is having a sexual relationship with the maenad, in the show the maenad wants to kill Sam and Sam is having a relationship with another shapeshifter.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I think I still enjoy the HBO version better. But it’s a solid and entertaining book. 3 out of 5 stars.
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