Review: Love and Other Consolation Prizes

Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

They say "don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened", but that is very hard. I was sucked into the book and could NOT let go. Ernest is a character you fall in love with the second he appears. You want to hug him in the first chapter. Then when he goes to America you want to hug him again. The World's Fair will make your mouth drop because of the things Ernest experiences there and how a simple fair will change the course of his life forever. He will meet Fahn and Maisie in this new life and form bonds that will take him to the "present" day portion of the novel which is the early 60's. He will never break the bond form with these 2 little girls.

What I took away....Jamie can take dark places in the world and explain how it was and show that there can be good in unpleasant things. What Jamie does with his pen is explore good and ugly and takes the reader right with him. I have a couple of reasons why he is my favorite present day author.
1. He introduces me to parts of America (Seattle past) I didn't know existed, but I should have.
2. He makes me care about his characters and ache when they hurt and rejoice when they prosper.

Today begins the day that I start longing for his next book. Thank you Jamie.

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Review: Lafayette in the Somewhat United States

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was a tad apprehensive about reading this book.
1. I had never read anything by the author
2. The cover didn't thrill me
3. I like Lafayette and wanted to keep liking him.

I am happy to say that the first 2 on my list didn't matter because from the first page, I was captivated. The author wove history around modern day experiences and places. She very successfully connected the past with the present and took a road trip in the process. What a brilliant move!

She is correct that most folks don't know about Lafayette. Don't realize how vital he and his friends were to America gaining independence, but this book could help them understand where all the Lafayette Square are Lafayette Drives across got their name.

That brings me to #3 on my list. I still like the Marquis de Lafayette. I like him a lot and I am so grateful to him and all his friend's sacrifices so we could become a nation.

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Review: The Magnolia Story

The Magnolia Story by Chip Gaines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is very fast. Only took a couple of hours to finish. It's told in the he/she type of banter that they employ on the show. While I have only watched the show a few times, I respect them and what they do. I applaud them for being so honest in their book and working their way up to where they are today. Taking chances and trusting God. I am all about that, so I respect them more.

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Review: The Hollywood Daughter

The Hollywood Daughter by Kate Alcott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have never been a huge fan of Ingrid Bergman, but I knew enough to have a background on the character written in this book, but I don't think it's necessary to have any background at all. Most of the story centers on Jesse (Jessica) Malloy and her family, who are devout Catholics and their religion plays a big part in the events that shape their family dynamics. Jesse's dad is Ingrid's publicist so you see quite a bit of Ingrid as Mr. Malloy is working to make Ingrid a MASSIVE star....until Ingrid falls in love. Once that happens everything changes for all the Malloy's.

Personally, I enjoyed the book and had a hard time putting it down. I do enjoy most book with an early Hollywood story woven through the mix.

My only disappointment was that I knew enough of Ingrid's story to know why her career took a turn here in America and I expected the Hollywood daughter to be HER daughter, not her PR guys daughter. I wasn't expecting it this way.

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Review: Americanos, Apple Pies, and Art Thieves

Americanos, Apple Pies, and Art Thieves by Harper Lin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Harper's books never fail to entertain me. This one was right up my alley...an Americano and an art show. Fran and Matt have developed the cutest little relationship, mischief happens and Fran is right there in the middle of it all. As usual, there are extra characters you like, you don't like and some you hate and just when you think you know where the story is going....there's a twist!



Ms. Lin's characters have really grown over the course of this series and I really like all of them. If you haven't read this series, pick up book one and get started! It would be a wonderful day to spend a rainy afternoon, a day at the beach or commute time.

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Review: Goodnight From London

Goodnight From London by Jennifer Robson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW!! I have been waiting to read this because I needed the ebook since I didn't want to mess up my autographed copy. It was well worth the wait. Once I opened the ebook I devoured the text. It was a wonderful journey. We met Ruby who seems like an incredible girl that has some deep secrets. Her secrets will be revealed and she will fall for a man that also has deep secrets. Ms. Robson writes the most perfect books for me, there is some romance, but not trashy and the books are FULL of history from the early 20th century wars. This one will focus on WWII, you will actually be right in the middle of the blitz in London.

I simply adore this book.

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Review: The Road Taken

The Road Taken by Rona Jaffe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was FANTASTIC! From the second I started it, I had NO desire to put it down and was sad that I could not just sit down and devour it from start to finish.

The book opens with a little girl (born 1900) experiencing the death of her mother. Throughout the book we follow this little girl and her siblings as they grow up, have children and grandchildren, through wars, peace time, famine, sickness, health, differences and similarities, love and hate....and a century.

A fabulous journey....I really didn't want to end.

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