Adult Fiction
Relax with a great book - A single thread by Marie Bostwick
by Cyndi Paxton Johnson
I stumbled upon a fantastic book last week – a single thread by Marie Boswick. The novel gets my Quick Read Recommendation based on the following points:
1. It doesn’t make me work. I read a LOT of non-fiction for work. For pleasure, I prefer to quickly lose myself in the pages.
2. I identify with the characters. No gun-toting, psychotic gals living to ride on the back of some guy’s Harley and get revenge on the cheerleader that dissed her a million years ago.
3. The main character is a woman at a cross-road who decides to risk all and follow her dream.
4. Emphasizes the complexity and beauty of female friendship.
5. Talks about real issues, such as breast cancer.
6. Has a touch of romance – without bodice ripping or millionaires who save the day.
7. Teaches me something new – in this book I learn about quilt making!
8. The book inspires me to try something new, to follow my dreams and to value the people in my life!
Meet Local Author Terry L. White
Cambridge author Terry L. White offers the newly published Chesapeake Heritage series: four novels set on the Eastern Shore and based on the area's history from first colonization until the end of the Civil War. The books feature the women of one family and the action takes place on one plantation near the fictional town of Somerset. The novels: Chesapeake Harvest, Chesapeake Legacy, Chesapeake Destiny and Chesapeake Visions are available at Amazon.com, Bay Country Shop on US 50 and from the author at terrylwhite@verizon.net.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultra-Violent Zombie Mayhem!
I have a confession to make: I have never read a Jane Austen book to the end. Believe me, I have tried. I feel I owe it to the world of literature that I love so much to not just ‘get through it’, but to actually enjoy reading it, too. I know the stories of Austen, especially when they are reimagined in modern cinema. For example, one of my favorite 90’s movies is “Clueless” which is loosely based on Austen’s “Emma”. (“What-ev-er!“)The book and movie “Bridget Jones Diary” is based on “Pride and Prejudice”; the sequel to this smash success (both book and movie) was titled “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason” and was based on “Persuasion”. I have seen the mini-series “Pride and Prejudice” as well as the more recent movie starring Kiera Knightley, and I dragged my boyfriend to the theater to see “Becoming Jane”, a biopic starring Anne Hathaway. I love Jane Austen’s stories, I just could not get through one of her books. Well, not until the zombies came, anyway. . .
“Mr. Collins tells me that you are schooled in the deadly arts, Miss Bennet.”
“I am, though not to half the level of proficiency your Ladyship has attained.”
“Oh! Then — some time or other I shall be happy to see you spar with one of my ninjas.
Are you sisters likewise trained?”
“They are.”
When asked what inspired him to re-write the Austen’s famous love story, Smith replied, “I just thought it’d be really funny to desecrate a classic work.” He seems like one of the geniuses with an off-beat, dark sense of humor that I’d love to meet sometime, if only to pick his brain. (Sorry, couldn’t resist the zombie pun.) Ever true to the modern literary discussion circle, Smith includes thoughtful questions for discussion at the end of the novel, such as:
Book Review: "Fearless"
by Larry Johnson
The new offering by prolific author Max Lucado is in a word - Courageous! Max approaches a common malady with the wit, insight, and biblical base that readers have come to expect. In Fearless, the subject of fear is dissected and analyzed, and the cure concocted and applied from the author of authors - Jesus. He takes fear after common fear and brings the reader to the answer for that particular phobia in the pages of the Bible.
I was absolutely thrilled with this book. I didn't even realize how timely it is. I personally found myself dealing with some fears that I wouldn't have even characterized as fears! Time and time again, I found the answer in the Word of God!
I was especially pleased that the follower of Christ wasn't painted as having a "No Fear" sign on their back. He addressed fears for believers and non-believers alike! As Max says, "Don't Christ-followers enjoy a calendar full of Caribbean cruises? No!"
Fears are not drowned in the lake of psychology or positive thinking, they are put in the perspective of a holy, loving God who has the answers for our lives. Today. Now. The book is inspirational and practical and so relevant to the world in which we live. I hope that it is read by many and that each is pointed to the Savior who is it's hero!
Book Review: The Lovely Bones
by Erin Mawn
I was introduced to this book by one of my students while I was teaching literary terms. I was discussing the different points of view that literature has and when I was discussing the idea of the omniscient narrator, one of my students asked “Like in “The Lovely Bones”?” . Not having read the book myself, I asked her to explain the story to me. My student went on to explain that the story is being seen, literally from above, by the narrator of the story. However, “The Lovely Bones” differs from the usual type of omniscient narrator because unlike the majority of them, who are unnamed and who never reveal HOW they know the story or how they are significant to the story in any way, this dilemma is cleared up on the very first page of the novel:
“My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.”
MURDER IN GREENSBORO Book Discussion & Signing
Author Judy RevealMURDER IN GREENSBORO
Greensboro, MD – Just as the lazy days of summer draw on, murder most foul hits the streets of this small picturesque town, as local author Judy Reveal prepares for a book discussion and signing of her latest mystery, The Music Room. Set in Greensboro, this novel revolves around a violent death and mysterious disappearance that occurred seven decades earlier. With the death of the last member of the Tinker family, old ghosts resurface and dead bodies fall out of doors and windows.
On Thursday, August 6, 2009, 7 p.m. at the Greensboro Library, Cedar and Church Streets, Greensboro Maryland, Reveal will discuss the challenges that writers face in the ever changing world of publishing. She will share how her stories come to life and answer questions about the writing process. The program is sponsored by the Caroline County Friends of the Library (FOTL). Reveal will have the first and second installments in her mystery series as well as her recent nonfiction book, Around Greensboro available for sale. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the books will go to FOTL.
Adult Fiction: The Miracles of Prato
Adult Fiction:
The Miracles of Prato by Laurie Albanese & Laura Morowitz (Hardcover, $24.00)
The Miracles of Prato is set in Italy in the mid-fourteenth century. It is a story of passion and art, of scandal and the power of the Roman Catholic Church. Young Lucrezia Butti is sent to a nunnery following the death and disgrace of her father, a silk merchant. Here she must come to terms with her new life: a life of simplicity and daily routine rather than the life of riches and romance of which she had dreamed.
Lucrezia’s path crosses that of Fra Filippo Lippi, a genius with canvas. The two find themselves swept up in passion for their God and for one another. Lippi’s extravagances also find him at the mercy of some unscrupulous men. It is a tale of intrigue and of love, set beautifully against the backdrop of art and the power of the church.
Reviewed by:
Peggy Neviaser and Aly Valentine, Proprietors
Harrison Street Books
27 South Harrison Street
Easton, MD 21601
ph - 410.819.0000
http:www.harrisonstreetbooks.com
Hours: Mon.- Sat. 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Review by: Cyndi Paxton Johnson
The Mysterious Benedict Society
by Trenton Lee Stewart
ISBN 13:978-0-316-05777-6
Reminds me of:
Harry Potter series Charlie Bone series Spiderwick series“Are you a gifted child, looking for special opportunities?” When this ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. But only four very special children will succeed and begin a very secret mission at the Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.
This book grabbed my attention immediately, and soon ensnared my 10 year old daughter, as well. The characters are delightful, the suspense builds without graphic violence, and the plot continued to surprise me throughout the book. The four main characters, two boys and two girls, are smart and gifted in very different ways, and therefore respond differently to the various situations. I enjoyed the demonstration that there are many ways to be smart.
A delightful read, I highly recommend this book!
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