TGIF: Better Late Than Never

I spoke too soon last Friday. Friday evening two more books arrived in the mail and so I decided to add them to this week's Mailbox Monday mailbag.

Bait by Nick Brownlee ~ My friend Valentina sent me this debut crime fiction novel set in Kenya.

Inspector Singh Investigates: A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder by Shamini Flint ~ Another generous gift from my friend Valentina. I cannot thank her enough.

Breathing Out the Ghost by Kirk Curnutt ~ I was lucky enough to win a copy of this much raved about novel through a contest hosted by Serena at Savvy Verse & Wit. Thank you to Serena and the author.

Slumdog Millionaire (aka Q&A) by Vikas Swarup ~ With all the movie buzz in the air, I could not help but to order a copy of this one.

Bronx Justice by Joseph Teller ~ Lori of Lori's Reading Corner was kind enough to send me a copy of Joseph Teller's latest. Thank you for your kindness, Lori.

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews ~ Just because it sounded good.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson ~ My blogger friends have been more than generous with me lately, and I cannot thank Melody from Melody's Reading Corner enough for sending me a copy of this one.

Kitty Raises Hell by Carrie Vaughn ~ When I heard that Hachette Book Group was having book tour for one of my guilty pleasure series, I immediately signed up to review the up and coming latest in this paranormal series.

Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips ~ I could not pass up entering a contest for this witty book. Many thanks to Anna from Diary of an Eccentric for hosting the giveaway.

The Burglar in the Closet by Lawrence Block ~ My husband is a fan of the author, and enjoyed the first book in the series (which I got him for Christmas), and I couldn't resist getting him the second one as well. I can't always buy books just for me, after all. We won't talk about the fact that I plan to read the series someday myself.

The Sins of the Fathers by Lawrence Block ~ Another book I ordered for my husband. Really. I was not thinking of myself at all.

The Vagrants by Yiyun Li ~ Sometimes an unexpected surprise comes in the mail, and, from the looks of it, this is one I will enjoy quite a bit.

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1. I'd really like a foot massage right now.

2. S**t is the word you'd most often hear me say if I stubbed my toe.

3. Possession is a very uncomfortable state to be in. I mean, imagine having someone else controlling your body against your wishes.

4. Johnny Depp makes an excellent Captain Jack Sparrow.

5. Marshmallows and fire go together like cocoa mix and hot water.

6. Sometimes I can go on and on about something when I am excited.

7. And as for the weekend, tomorrow my plans include going to see Phantom of the Opera in Los Angeles and Sunday, I want to listen to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack over and over, spend time reading, and catch up on this past week's television shows (fortunately there are only two I'm watching).

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Tamara from Books by TJBaff an Jan from Jan in Edmonds gifted me with the "Your Blog is Fabulous Award" this week. Thank you so much, Tamara! I think you are pretty fabulous yourself.

The Rules:

Write 5 things that you are addicted to and tag 5 other people.

My Addictions:

Books ~ Did you really think this wouldn't top my list? Whether it is reading them, buying them, organizing them, or being surrounded by them, I can't seem to get enough of them.

E-mail ~ I check my e-mail several times a day, including first thing in the morning when I get up. Those e-mails telling me you left comments on my blog are especially nice.

Television shows on DVD ~ This is the best way to watch television, if you ask me. No commercials, no wait for the next episode, and I can watch as many or as few episodes as I want when I want. I've been able to go back and watch shows I missed the first time around or catch shows that were not available to me in the first place.

Minesweeper ~ My husband urged me to cop to this little addiction. Once I start playing, I can play for hours if I let myself.

Clock Gazing ~ When I decide to turn out my light and go to sleep, I look to see what time it is. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I check the clock. When I wake up (if my alarm isn't set), I immediately check the time. I am constantly checking my watch or the clock to see what time it is during the day as well.

I am going to do what I often do and avoid tagging specific bloggers. Every one of the blogs I follow is fabulous and worthy of this award. If you want to play along, please do and let me know.

The Day of Sixes

Dynamic Uno has tagged me with a photo tag recently, and I thought this would be the perfect time to play along.

Rules to the 6th Picture Meme:

1. Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.
2. Go to the 6th Folder, then pick the 6th picture in that folder.
3. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture.

I remember the last time I was tagged for this one how complicated it became. When I open my pictures file, I only have four files. Each of those files contains a number of files, however. I decided to choose file 3 for the sake of this exercise and then picked up where the rules left off after that.

Once upon a time there was a dog named Riley. He had many books.
[Taken quite awhile ago, not sure when.]

Last week I was also tagged for the Happy Things Meme by Jen, Yvonne and Sandy.

Rules to the 6 Things that Make Me Happy Meme:

1. Link to the person who has tagged you.
2. Write down six things that make you happy (I am stealing Nymeth's idea and sticking to 6 bookish things that make me happy).

1. A book that sweeps me off my feet and makes me lose all sense of time.
2. News that a favorite author has a new book coming out.
3. Discovering new authors that I know instantly will be counted among my favorites.
4. Coming across a sentence or paragraph that stays with me even after I've reached the end of the book.
5. Finding quiet time to read.
6. A book that makes me exclaim, "Wow!"

I am not going to tag anyone for either of these memes, but if you want to play along, I hope you will. Be sure and let me know!

Review: Zoo Station by David Downing

There were two hours left of 1938. [First Sentence]

Zoo Station by David Downing
Soho, 2007
Crime Fiction (S/T); 293 pgs

Reason for Reading: I liked the sound of this book, not to mention the time period appealed to me.

Challenge Commitment Fulfilled: 1st in a Series Challenge, ARC Challenge, New Authors Challenge, War Through the Generations: WWII Challenge

Comments: Set in 1939 Germany, Zoo Station is a novel of intrigue and suspense. Germany is in a powerful position, the threat of war is in the air and the rest of the world is waiting anxiously to see what direction Adolf Hitler will take the country next. The government has taken control of many facets of German life, controlling the media, dealing swiftly with those who might disagree or cause trouble for the Fuhrer’s plans, and persecuting the Jews and other people who do not fit into the acceptable norm established by the Nazi party. The atmosphere in Germany is tense.

Journalist John Russell has been around the block. His goal at this point is to stay in Germany as long as he can in order to be close to his son and his German girlfriend. With Hitler’s regime tightening its hold on the media and information being allowed out of the country, John Russell must make a difficult decision. A former active communist, born to a British father and an American mother, Russell soon discovers that he is in a convenient position; convenient, that is, to the British and Soviet governments. Both sides know he has no love for the Hitler regime and understand his reasons for wanting to stay in Germany for as long as he can. Russell would make a great covert agent, a source of information. Needing to stay on the Nazi’s good side in order to stay in the country and keep his journalist accreditations while at the same time not being able to sit by without doing something to right the injustices he encounters, however, small, Russell finds the idea of being an informant very tempting. And it could prove useful for his own purposes.

John Russell is a man of integrity. He walks a thin line throughout the novel, appeasing the Nazis so as not to compromise his position and risk losing his family. He worries that he is compromising his own values, but then would he have been in a position to help those he was able to reach out to? It’s a difficult dilemma. John Russell is an admirable character, flawed, and yet someone who the reader can easily cheer for.

Author David Downing notes at the beginning of the book that he aimed for historical accuracy, and it comes through in his writing. He weaves history with the plot and characters seamlessly, whether it is the plot by the government to kill the mentally ill children or rid the country of its Jewish population, stripping them of their rights, forcing them to live in poverty, beating them, imprisoning them, and accusing them of false crimes in order to persecute them even further. The historical setting and true life situations only add to the suspense of the novel, creating an added tension to events as they unfold.

Zoo Station is a powerful and compelling novel. Set in the pre-World War II era, readers are taken deep into the heart of Germany during a pivotal moment in history and are treated to an entertaining and yet thought provoking novel. Fortunately for readers, author David Downing has more in store for John Russell.

Originally published on Curled Up With A Good Book at www.curledup.com. © Wendy Runyon, 2009.

Rating: (Very Good)

Monday At the Movies

Monday's Movie is hosted by Sher over at A Novel Menagerie each Monday.


Movie: Gran Torino
Genre: Crime Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Directed By: Clint Eastwood
Writers: Nick Schenk & Dave Johannson

Gran Torino wasn't at the top of my list of movies to see, but the visiting in-laws were eager to see it, and so off we went to the theater. Two friends enjoyed a debate over the merits of the film earlier this month, one outright dismissing it because of the foul language and frequent ethnic slurs and jokes. The other was able to look beyond that, and appreciate the movie on a deeper level. Gran Torino is one of those movies that needs to be taken in context of the time period and the life situations of the characters. It is not your typical shoot 'em up movie. It tackles serious issues dealing with cultural and generational differences and similarities, as well as crime in urban areas.

Clint Eastwood's character, Walt Kowalski, is a Korean War Veteran. He is stubborn and curmudgeonly, set in his ways. He keeps everyone at a distance, including his sons. Walt becomes unwittingly involved with the Hmong family that has just moved in next door when a gang tries to encourage the teenage neighbor boy to join them. Despite his contrary nature, Walt finds himself drawn to the family next door and their problems become his own.

Walt is a complex character. He is not instantly likable, but it is clear that he has built a protective shell around himself. The past haunts him and he has a good heart. While it took me a while to warm up to Walt, I immediately liked Sue Lor, played by Ahney Her. She was smart and undeterred by Walt's frequent attempts to push her away. Another favorite character was Father Janovich, the young priest played by Christopher Carley. Initially I thought he would be an annoying character but was soon impressed with his persistence and openness to hear Walt out.

I expected a slightly different ending, but was pleased at the direction the movie turned in the end. I have heard some say the ending was unrealistic, but I disagree. I felt it was quite fitting when all was said and done. I especially liked the added touch at the very end, Clint Eastwood singing the closing song, Gran Torino, a song he wrote along side his son, Kyle Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, and Michael Stevens.

As an aside, I may have to go back and watch it again just to count the number of times Clint Eastwood grunts and growls in the movie. Don't get me wrong; it fit his character, but I found it amusing just the same.

Rating: 3.5 Bags of Popcorn


Movie: Defiance
Genre: Drama, War
MPAA Rating: R
Directed By: Edward Zwick
Writers: Clayton Frohman & Edward Zwick (screenplay); Nechama Tec (book)

I knew I wanted to see this film the first time I saw a trailer for it. Defiance is based on the true story of the Bielski brothers, who helped organize refugees and fight the Nazis in an effort to rescue fellow Jews during World War II. The four brothers played by Daniel Craig, Liev Schrieber, Jamie Bell and George MacKay, had only each other when they fled to the forest of eastern Europe in hopes of avoiding death at the hands of the Nazis. They never anticipated that they would be joined by several other Jews who were also fleeing for their lives.

Daniel Craig's character, Tuvia, steps in as leader, the refugees build a hidden community in the forest, determined to survive. Meanwhile, Zus Bielski (Liev Schreiber) is determined to fight against the Nazis, and he and several other strong and able refugees join him in the fight alongside the Soviet soldiers in exchange for supplies and protection of the Jewish camp. Fending off starvation and struggling to survive the freezing winter, the refugees have much to contend with, not to mention the threat of the encroaching German army.

One thousand two hundred refugees walked out of that forest alive when the war was over, thanks in part to the efforts of the Bielski brothers. The story itself is a powerful one, one of courage and hope against the odds. The refugees faced many hardships in their struggle to survive. They also faced moral dilemmas, learning from their mistakes. And yet I was left feeling Defiance could have been much more than what it was. I was underwhelmed. I do not think that the movie went deep enough. It only seemed to touch the surface.

Rating: 3.5 Bags of Popcorn

Sunday Salon: A Reading Retrospective

It is the memory that enables a person to gather roses in January. ~ Unknown

January 2004 got off to a rocky start. My workload at the office suddenly doubled, and two people I cared about were facing life and death health issues. One would not make it to the end of the month. I took solace in my books.

My ever supportive and loving husband granted my single book wish the Christmas before with the promise of a copy of Sara Nelson's So Many Books, So Little Time: A Year of Passionate Reading upon its release. It was the first book I read in 2004, and it earned my top rating.

. . . Someone in one of my online book groups said that this is the type of book any reader can write. Although I disagree that just anyone would be able to write so well, I do agree that Ms. Nelson touches on points that many book lovers can relate to. In this book, the author sets out to read a book a week and journal her experiences as she goes. It is not a book of reviews but is a book about how her life is impacted by the books she reads and vice versa. Ms. Nelson is witty and knows her subject matter very well . . . [excerpt from reading journal, January 2004]

Five years later, I remember little details about the book that I would have thought long forgotten by now. It is definitely one of those books that has stayed with me over the years.

That January I read my first review book--and, oh, was I ever nervous! I was one of 20 people selected to preview a book for Bookreporter.com. It was really an informal deal. All I had to do was write a brief summary of my impressions of the book and submit it to Bookreporter.com where it would be posted on their website. The book was called The Last Goodbye by Reed Arvin. In my journal I wrote: "His style reminded me of the old black and white movies . . ." I liked the book enough to add another of the author's books to my TBR collection.

I would fall head over heels for Tess Gerritsen's Harvest and Susan R. Sloan's Act of God that month; one a medical thriller dealing with organ stealing and the other a legal thriller touching on the controversial topic of abortion. January 2004 would also be the beginning of my love affair with P.D. James. She quickly became a favorite mystery author of mine after I finished reading Cover Her Face. P.D. James is gifted at drawing out her characters.

The less memorable books I read that month included Juno and Juliet by Julian Gough and Paragon Walk by Anne Perry, both of which I enjoyed at the time of reading. My only slight about Julian Gough's novel was a portion of the ending that left me dissatisfied.

I ended the month with Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie. It is a book that still resonates with me today.

Two Chinese city boys, guilty of being the sons of doctors, are sent to a mountain village for re-education in the early 1970’s during Mao’s Cultural Revolution. There, the two best friends meet a beautiful girl who is the tailor’s daughter, discover a stash of Western books, and learn about love and life. How interesting, I thought, that these two boys, nearly men, were sent to the mountains to be cleansed of their intellectual ideas and backgrounds, to make them more like the peasants they were living among in the village, and yet it is they, with the outlawed books and “intellect,” that had a larger impact on the culture around them. Something as simple as a story from a book holds much power even in the subtlest of ways. This book was surprisingly light and easy to read. The author used humor throughout the book and his characters were sympathetic and extremely likeable. [journal entry, January 2004]

My reading that month five years ago took me all over the world and put me in numerous situations. My own stressors faded into the background for a brief while and brought me much needed relief.

January 2009 is nearly at an end, can you believe it? I am only a little farther along in The Woman in White than I was at this time last week (so much for finishing it this weekend). Company kept me away from the book last weekend, and my attention was not on books most of the rest of the week, admittedly. When I was reading, I was lost in a memoir called Walking Through Walls by Philip Smith. It reminds me a bit of Augusten Burroughs' Running With Scissors, another eccentric childhood story that both fascinates and amuses me while at the same time dredging up feelings of sadness and sympathy.

This week I will be posting my thoughts on recent movies I have seen along with my review of Zoo Station by David Downing. I hope you will stop in and say hello. Happy Reading!

Week in Review:
Interview with author Diana Spechler
Review of Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
The Year of Readers
Bookish Chatter

[Note: It is very difficult to type with a kitten laying across my arms.]