Debbie's Reading

The Good Wife, by Stewart O'Nan

Patty and Tommy are expecting their first child when Tommy is arrested for robbery and murder in the second degree. The Good Wife was not what I expected it be. In my opinion, it's not a page-turner; yet, I was compelled to finish it, to find out what happens to Patty. This is the first novel I've read by Stewart ONan, and his writing is pleasant. His introspective is accurate. The Good Wife provides more insight into how families are treated within the penal system than courtroom drama, but mostly it's a story about Patty, Tommy, their son and how they cope with life while Tommy is in jail.

The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
	The Shadow of the Wind is a book about a book. It's an interesting concept and a bestseller in Spain. I would recommend this novel to everyone, especially if you enjoy books. The setting is Barcelona in the 1950s, the characters are colorful. There's mystery, adventure, tragedy, and love: something for everyone. The Shadow of the Wind begins when Daniel Sempere is allowed to select a book from The Cemetery of Forgotten Books. His selection, The Shadow of the Wind, begins his quest to find out more information about the mysterious author of the book, Julian Carax. Daniel delves deep into the author's life and discovers that Carax's books are nearly impossible to find. Rumor has it that a dark figure with a limp has bought every available copy of Carax's books. It is hinted that the copies have been burnt and the man with the limp goes by the name of Lain Coubert, a character right out of The Shadow of the Wind. The Shadow of the Wind is a well written novel, most certainly a great 19th century novel. I'd like to say more about this superbly entertaining book, but don't want to give away any of the plot. Please check it out.
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The Breakdown Lane, by Jacquelyn Mitchard

In The Breakdown Lane, Mitchard touches on subject matter not usually found in fiction booksMS (multiple sclerosis). The books main character, Julieanne, faces some big challenges. Her first is when Leo, her husband, becomes disinterested in the life that they created together, which includes their three children. Or maybe disinterested is not the right word: Leo is ready to make some changes in his life that are disagreeable with his wife.

Julieanne's second challenge is when she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Julie writes an advice column for the Sheboygan, Wis. local newspaper. At periods during her illness, Gabe and Julies friend take over Julies writing. Its interesting to read the differences between Julies responses and Gabes. Most chapters narrated by Gabe begin with a Dear Julie letter and response.

These characters are realistic and Mitchard has a way with her characters that can make you strongly like or dislike themyoull have your favorite character and your less desirable character. The Breakdown Lane is the second book by Jacquelyn Mitchard that Ive read. Twelve Times Blessed was the first, and another good read. If you like your endings happy, Mitchard is the author for you.

The Confessions of Max Tivoli, by Andrew Sean Greer
	In a totally unique form of time travel, Max Tivoli ages backward. Max is born in 1871, looking like a 70 year old man, and with the brain of an infant. He eventually ages to 11 with the mind of a 60-year-old. This distinct feature of the book allows the author three chances for Max to win the attention of Alice Levy, the love of his life: once as a father figure, then as a husband and finally as a son. The Confessions of Max Tivoli takes the form of a love story and begins when Max is 53 years old and meets Alice, who is a teenager. In an odd twist, Max is seduced by Alice's mom, but their relationship ends when Max is found kissing Alice. Years later Max meets Alice again and she does not recognize him. Max uses this to his advantage and makes himself out to be someone he is not, and marries Alice. Max's quote at the beginning of the book, "we are each the love of someone's life," is the foundation of the book. Max doesn't always follow his parents' advice "to be what they think you are." But Max's lifelong friend in the novel, Hughie, knows Max's secret and stays by Max throughout. It is for Hughie that Max confesses.
Also available on CD.
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The Kite Runner, by Kahled Hosseini
	It's hard to believe that this Book Group favorite is a first novel by an author/practicing physician of internal medicine. The setting of The Kite Runner is mostly Afghanistan before the Russian occupation. Amir and Hassan are motherless boys that grow up in the same house. Amir, the son of Baba, and Hassan, the son of Baba's servant, grow up like brothers. Amir tells the story, beginning with growing up in Kabul, moving to America with Baba before the Russian occupation and returning to Kabul during the emergence of Taliban. Amir yearns for his father's affection and achieves this when he wins a kite flying competition with the help of Hassan, but Amir loses something just as valuable at the same tim--his friendship with Hassan. Amir and his father move to California to escape the politics of Afghan. After receiving a request from his father's partner Amir returns to Afghanistan. His father's partner knows the true story of Amir's childhood. Amir, appearing as a coward in the beginning of the novel, turns out to be a hero in the end, and more like his father than he could ever imagine. The Kite Runner is a book about friendship, betrayal, love, fathers and sons amidst a background warm and rich with Afghan culture. Read and discuss it with your book group.
	Also available in Large Print and Audio (Cassette)

Family History, by Dani Shapiro
	As a mother, I found this book to be heart-wrenching. It truly is a parent's worst nightmare--what happens to your family when your child heads down a path you didn't want to know existed? The novel goes back and forth in time from the present to the past, so it takes patience to find out exactly what went wrong and when. But that makes the book absolutely suspenseful. As a reader, it's difficult not to read the last page to find out what happens. The Jensen characters are: Ned, husband and father, Rachel, wife and mother, Kate, their oldest daughter, and Joshua, their younger son. Several other smaller, less prominent characters include: in-laws, friends, and doctors. Without giving away the entire plot...Ned and Rachel meet in college and trade in their carefree life in New York for quiet family life in Massachusetts where Ned's parents live. After their daughter Kate is born they are the model for a perfect family. Then Joshua is born thirteen years later. Whether it is the addition of a sibling or some other teenage stage, Kate's personality changes require professional help and begin the downward spiral for the Jensen's.
	Also available on Audio CD.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, by Mark Haddon
	Fifteen-year-old Christopher is the narrator of this curious book. Christopher has Asperger's Syndrome, which means that he is extremely intelligent, but lacking social graces. Wellington, Christopher's neighbors dead dog, is discovered by Christopher, who is accused of murdering Wellington. Like his hero Sherlock Holmes, Christopher likes to solve mysteries and so he sets out to solve the mystery of Wellington's death. Eventually Wellington's murderer is discovered and the steps leading up to his clues provide insight into Christopher's own family life. The journey along the way provides the reader with some of Christopher's quirks, like not being able to eat yellow or brown foods, screaming when someone touches him and the fact that seeing four yellow cars in a row will guarantee a black day. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a short, sweet, and refreshing book with many drawings and illustrations to help readers understand Christopher's point of view.
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The Mermaid Chair, by Sue Monk Kidd

I am probably the only person who did not like The Secret Life of Bees. Yet, a marvelous review and a new book by bestselling author, Sue Monk Kidd compelled me to read Kidd's newes--The Mermaid Chair. I'm glad that I did; The Mermaid Chair was fabulous.

Jessie, the main character, returns to her childhood home in Egret Island after learning that her mother chopped off her finger with a cleaver. This provides Jessie with an opportunity to experience some time away from her psychiatrist husband, Hugh, and also introduces her to Brother Thomas, a neighboring Monk. As the story unravels, details about Jessie's childhood and secrets her mother kept hidden are unveiled, providing the reader with a beautifully written novel.

At the center of the island's history is the Mermaid Chair, which is an actual chair in the novel and represents the role of mysticism and legend in this book. Kidd tackles themes, like love, betrayal, grief and forgiveness, which compel readers to think about whether or not moral issues can be viewed in black and white.

The Mermaid Chair is entirely different than The Secret Life of Bees. Perhaps this is why I enjoyed it so much.

Vanishing Acts, Jodi Picoult
	Jodi Picoult's newest novel, Vanishing Acts, is a beautifully written novel, from not one, but five character perspectives. Picoult's writing draws in the reader immediately and never lets go until the very last page. Vanishing Acts is Delia's story, and occasionally flashes back to her childhood based on current events in her life. Delia was kidnapped by her father when she was six years old. She learns about this twenty-six years later when her father is arrested for the kidnapping. Vanishing Acts explores how life might not turn out the way we imagined it; how doing the right thing could turn out to be the wrong thing, and how the memory we thought had vanished could return as a threat. Picoult writes about family situations so realistically, you feel like you know the characters. This novel has everything from magic to current events. Vanishing Acts is one of those books that will make you want to read everything ever written by Picoult.
	Also available on audio casette

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