Readers' Corner
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Book Reviews
Mary’s Guide To Books
* Not good
** Okay
*** Good
**** Very Good
***** Excellent
The Body in the ... by Katherine Hall Page (Attic, Library, and Ivy) ***
M PAG
Page has a series of mysteries featuring caterer Faith Fairchild. She’s the daughter of a minister and ends up marrying a minister, but she’s also from New York City, so she’s not your typical minister’s wife. For one thing, she’s always investigating murders. Her family lives in the quiet town of Aleford, full of small town gossip. This series also features recipes for some of the dishes Faith makes. I would recommend this series to mystery lovers who don’t like a lot of suspense and gore and want to curl up with a book and a cup of cocoa.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini **** FIC HOS
The Kite Runner has been widely read and even made into a movie. If you have not already read this book, pick it up now! More and more interest is in the Middle East and Central Asia. This book begins in Afghanistan with Amir, the son of a wealthy man, whose best friend, Hassan, is the son of his servant. Class and ethnicity divide their worlds, and when the Soviets overrun Afghanistan, Amir and his father flee to the United States. This story is moving and often sad, but in the end Amir finds redemption. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the other side of the world and likes redemptions stories.
I Am America (and so can you!) by Stephen Colbert *****
818.607 COL
Colbert has written one of the funniest books I have ever read. If you are at all offended by this book, you are taking it too seriously because he goes out of his way to make fun of everyone and everything, including himself. The footnotes and sidebars are some of the funniest parts, and I especially liked the tirade against people who check the book out from the library rather than buy it at the store. I have never watched The Colbert Report, and I still thought this was funny, so don’t let that stop you from picking it up. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a sense of humor.
The United States of Europe by T.R. Reid *** 327.7304 REI
The United States of Europe talks about the unification of Europe and its transformation into a powerful rival to the United States of America. The European Union has enough power behind it to stop an American corporation from purchasing a rival corporation, even though the American government allows it. It’s interesting to see how Europe views Americans and how Americans have largely ignored the growing power of Europe. I would recommend this book to those who want to gain a greater perspective of the world.
The Good Thief’s Guide to Amsterdam by Chris Ewan **** M EWA
Charlie Howard is a novelist who supplements his income as a thief, a very good thief. While living in Amsterdam, Charlie is doing research for his new book, and an American contacts him to steal two ceramic monkeys. Both jobs must be done while the American is having dinner with the two men. The details of Charlie’s thievery are engrossing, and soon he finds himself embroiled in a much bigger conspiracy than he’d realized. It may seem strange to be cheering for a thief, but he’s very likable and very good at what he does. I would recommend this book to someone who likes to read about really good hiding places and picking locks.
Extracurricular Activities by Maggie Barbieri *** M BAR
This is Barbieri’s second book to feature college professor Alison Bergeron after Murder 101. Alison just can’t seem to get away from the mob, specifically mob boss Peter Miceli. She helped to solve the murder of Peter Miceli’s daughter in the last book, and now he seems to have a little crush on her. What better way to say I love you than to deliver your ex-husband’s corpse to your kitchen? Though it seems like a mob hit, did Peter really kill Alison’s ex-husband? In comes the attractive detective Bobby Crawford to make things even more complicated. Alison likes to get into a little trouble when she’s playing detective, like getting shot and arrested. I would recommend this mystery series to those who like a little romance thrown in with fast-paced action.
Miss Julia Strikes Back by Ann B. Ross *** FIC ROS
Miss Julia has her own series as a nosy upper class Southern belle from North Carolina. In this book, a jewel thief strikes her home while she is out and steals her precious wedding rings. Soon enough, Miss Julia is in pursuit of the dangerous gang of thieves in Florida with the help of an alcoholic private detective. Miss Julia doesn’t really detect so much as luck into everything. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes funny and interesting characters more than plot.
A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George ***** M GEO
This book is the first in the Inspector Lynley series. George does a superb job of writing interesting characters with detailed histories in addition to the main mystery plot. You end up wanting to know more about Inspector Thomas Lynley and Sergeant Barbara Havers in addition to getting the next piece of the puzzle. In this book, a young woman confesses to murdering her father saying, “I did it. I’m not sorry.” Then she says nothing more until the end of the book. The details can be a little graphic, so if you are squeamish, this may not be the series for you. I would recommend this series to anyone who loves good writing and good mysteries. This series has been made into a TV series airing on PBS, but the TV series is only loosely based on the books.
Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett **** FIC PRA
Pratchett writes humorous fantasy novels, and most of them take place on Discworld. In this book, Polly cross-dresses to join the army of her country, Borogravia. The Borogravians have been fighting wars for many years, and most of the young men have already been recruited or are dead. In the small regiment Polly marches along with a vampire, an Igor, a troll, and a few other young men who are suspiciously young and clean shaven. Hilarity ensues as the regiment blunders its way to success. I would recommend this book, and the rest of the Discworld series, to anyone who likes stories about imaginary worlds with a good dose of humor.
A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam *** FIC ANA
This book takes place in Bangladesh in the 1970s during the tumultuous period of revolution. Bangladesh is still East Pakistan, but university students like Sohail and Maya are fighting for autonomy. Their mother, Rehana, was widowed when they were young and nearly lost them forever because she didn’t have the money to bribe the judge in charge of her case. Now that they are in danger again, she does anything to help her children escape the invading army. This touching story highlights the injustice suffered by Bengalis and especially Hindus living in Bangladesh at the time. Note that there are descriptions of torture that are not for everyone. I would recommend this book to those who are interested in different cultures and want to read about the strength of a mother.
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella **** FIC KIN
Lexi Smart does not have a great life. Her boyfriend stood her up, she was overlooked for a bonus, and her father just died. While trying to hail a taxi, she slips and hits her head, waking in a hospital. Only it’s three years later. She wasn’t in a coma. She just can’t remember the last three years in which she got married to a millionaire, became the director in her department, and became a gorgeous Armani-wearing professional. It seems like the perfect life, but things just won’t click into place. Kinsella writes pure chick lit. I would recommend this book to women who like to read about women finding their way through work, romance, and family.
Turning Tables by Heather and Rose MacDowell *** FIC MAC
Erin Edwards has just started her new job as a waitress at the ultra chic Roulette after having been let go from her marketing job. What does a marketing director know about waitressing? It turns out Erin has a hard journey to make before she decides what to do with her career. The stories about difficult customers are funny and ring true. Erin also has romance problems to deal with on top of everything else. This book will make you want to leave your waiter or waitress a big tip the next time you eat out. I would recommend this book to lovers of restaurant stories and chick lit.
The Great Warming by Brian Fagan **** 904.5 FAG
Fagan writes about the Medieval Warm Period from roughly 900-1200 and how climate change affected different regions of the world. For example, in Europe, the farmers enjoyed better crops, leading to more food surpluses and the growth of cities. In Asia, Africa, and the Americas, however, drought was a serious problem that contributed to the collapse of empires. In the final chapter, Fagan talks about how current climate change may lead to similar problems in the near future but with a far greater impact because of increased population densities in arid and semi-arid lands. I would recommend this to amateur scientists and anyone concerned with climate change.
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin *****
371.822 MOR
Greg Mortenson is a truly amazing person. After a failed attempt to climb the second highest mountain in the world, K2, he accidentally wandered into the village of Korphe in rural northern Pakistan, which starts him on a new mission to build schools and other projects across northern Pakistan. This is the story of his life and his mission to help those who are living in poverty in a politically unstable country. His work is especially geared at educating women, who would not have any education at all. The story of the three cups of tea is that the first time you have tea with someone, you are a stranger. The second time you have tea with someone, you are the honored guest. The third cup of tea makes you family. Mortenson learns many wonderful lessons from the people he meets, showing him that even people with no electricity and no education have their own kind of wisdom. This is a book that everyone should read for its uplifting message but also to become aware of what is happening on the other side of the world. Mortenson is proof that one man really can make a difference. I would recommend this book to everyone. Three Cups of Tea is the next One Library, One Book selection for the Park Forest Public Library. Start reading now!
