Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Where Is Your Bookmark? (09/30/2014)

Saturday afternoon after a busy morning, I settled in on the glider on my back porch and read a little as Mouse played at her water and sand table. Not much reading actually got done, as you can imagine. Three year olds like attention. Plus, there was a not to be missed tea party. Still, it was a nice way to spend the afternoon. Sunday we went to a local museum to check out the dinosaur eggs. It was not much of a museum, truth be told, and was rather disappointing. They had a Biblical Garden that we strolled through that has clearly seen better days. Mouse seemed to enjoy herself, just the same. The weather was perfect for being out and about.

It is hard to believe today is the last day of September. The month always flies by for me. Mouse is already talking nonstop about Halloween. We put up some of the decorations around the house this past weekend. Mouse wants to be a princess this year, and I have a feeling there will be no last minute changes like there were last year. Luckily, we still have last years dress which still fits her. One less expense to worry about. Somehow we have ended up with at least three or four crown choices. I am not sure where they all came from . . .

I finished reading A Penny for a Hangman by Tom Savage this weekend. I enjoyed the thriller, and look forward to sharing my thoughts with you in a couple weeks.

Yesterday I began reading Fingersmith by Sarah Waters for the read-a-long hosted by Literate Housewife this coming month. Set in Victorian England, Fingersmith is the story of orphan Sue Trinder, who becomes a maid for a wealthy heiress in a plot to steal her fortune. I fell right into the novel and am enjoying it so far. I am excited to finally be reading something by the well-liked Sarah Waters. At various points in the past, I have had plans to read The Little Stranger and Night Watch, but it just never worked out. Not yet, anyway.

What are you reading at the moment? Is it something you would recommend?

Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea hosts

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where

participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a

book they are reading or thinking about reading soon.

The first paragraph of my current book, Fingersmith by Sarah Waters:

My name, in those days, was Susan Trinder. People called me Sue. I know the year I was born in, but for many years, I did not know the date, and took my birthday at Christmas. I believe I am an orphan. My mother I know is dead. But I never saw her, she was nothing to me. I was Mrs Sucksby's child, if I was anyone's; and for father I had Mr Ibbs, who kept the locksmith's shop, at Lant Street, in the Borough, near to the Thames.

Would you continue reading?

© 2014, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Bookish Thoughts: If I Stay by Gayle Foreman

Everyone thinks it was because of the snow. ~ Opening to If I Stay

If I Stay by Gayle Foreman

Dutton Juvenile, 2001

Fiction (YA); 201 pgs

When I first saw the movie trailer for If I Stay, I dismissed it as one I did not need to see. It looked like it would be heartbreaking, not to mention another teenage romance, one in a long string that has made it to theaters in recent years. And yet, for some reason, I found myself buying a copy of the e-book one day and with days to spare before the movie's release, I read it.

Mia is a truly gifted musician, a trait that seems to be passed on down through her family genes. She has a true aptitude for playing the cello and those around her know it. Music is what first brings Mia and Adam together, but it also may be what tears them apart. His dreams taking him in one direction and hers in another. Then one fateful day, Mia and her family are in a terrible car accident in which Mia must make an even bigger decision, one of life and death.

Mia has the perfect family. It was hard not to fall in love with them and want to be a part of their family the more I read about them. They support and encourage each other's dreams. They have fun together and truly love one another. Mia's Adam seems perfect too--he is attentive and thoughtful.

Told from the perspective of Mia as she stands over her body, remembering her life and weighing whether life is worth returning to or if peace lies with death, makes this both a heartbreaking and inspiring story. It would be unfair to say this is a love story between a boy and a girl. It is also a love story between a girl and her family.

The author, Gayle Foreman, takes a tragic and deeply sad story and tells it in such a way that brought tears to my eyes and also made me smile often. If I Stay is a reminder of how fragile life is, but also of how great life can be.

I had every intention of seeing the movie soon after reading the book, but then Mouse and I both got sick, company was in from out of town, and then we went out of town . . . Suddenly when I had the opportunity to go see it in the theater, I decided against it (I saw The Guardians of the Galaxy instead). Maybe I will catch the movie when it comes out on Netflix or cable. For now, I'm content with having just read the book. I'm not even sure I want to read the sequel, as much as I liked this book. I have heard it is really good too. This just seems like one of those books that is fine on its own. I don't need to know what happens next.

Rating:

(Very Good)

You can learn more about Gayle Foreman and her books on the author's website.

Source: I purchased an e-copy of the book for my own reading pleasure.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Mouse's Corner: Library Favorites

Fire Engine for Ruthie by Lesléa Newman, Illustrated by Cyd Moore

Clarion Books, 2004

Fiction (Children's); 32 pgs

I think I loved this book more than my daughter did, although she did enjoy the story. It's just that my daughter is very much a girl who loves dolls and dress up and tea parties. She also enjoys playing with fire engines and trains too though, so she does not quite understand why anyone would not want to play with them ALL.

Fire Engine for Ruthie is about a little girl who is visiting her grandmother. Her grandmother has such wonderful plans for the two of them, only Ruthie, on a walk with her grandmother, sees a neighbor boy, Brian, playing with a fire truck. She plays at home with her grandmother, only she'd much rather be playing with the fire truck. On and on it goes until one day the grandmother asks Ruthie what she wants to do. Ruthie asks if she can play with Brian--and off they go.

What I liked about this story most is that it shows a girl who doesn't necessarily like to play designated girl games or with girl oriented toys. It's okay for a girl to want to play with trucks and motorcycles and trains! And some do. I like that Ruthie doesn't fit into that stereotype of a girly girl--and I think a lot of other girls (and boys) would be able to relate to Ruthie's character.

I especially loved the way Ruthie turned her grandmother's games of dress up and dolls and the tea party into a game she could enjoy--even if it wasn't what the grandmother had envisioned. It showed imagination and outside the box thinking.

I admit I wish the book ended sooner than it did. At the risk of spoiling the book, the grandmother at the end takes Ruthie to the store to buy the toys Ruthie wants. I would rather the book have ended a couple pages earlier--with the grandmother playing with Ruthie and the neighbor boy. I think the message would have been just as powerful.

The illustrations are eye catching, not to mention well done. Mouse loved picking out various details on the pages.

Fire Engine for Ruthie is a fun story, one I think will especially appeal to young children who don't always (or at all) fit into stereotypical behavior when it comes to play.

To learn more about author Lesléa Newman and her work, please visit her website.
To learn more about illustrator Cyd Moore and his work, please visit his website.

Source: We read this book at the public library.

Chalk by Bill Thomson

Two Lions, 2010

Fiction; 40 pgs

Mouse and I are of the same mind when it comes to Bill Thomson's Chalk. It's is one of our favorites. After the first couple readings of this one at the library, Mouse begged her dad and I to buy it for her. We haven't yet, but we did check it out of the library.

The illustrations are amazing. They are very detailed and realistic. I like that the children are of different races. Most of all, I love the story this book tells--all without words. It's the story of three children who are walking in the rain. They come across a gift bag full of chalk, hanging from the mouth of a dinosaur at the park. Each of the children takes a piece of chalk and draws a different picture. The first girl draws the sun--and magically, the sun raises from the ground and into the sky, chasing away the rain clouds. The second girl draws butterflies and soon the children are surrounded by the beautiful butterflies. The boy decide to draw a dinosaur who comes to life--and scares them, forcing them to hide in the park.

It's a beautiful story about the magic of our imaginations and problem solving. Mouse enjoys telling her dad and I the story just as much as we enjoy telling it to her. I can't recommend this book enough.

To learn more about author Bill Thomson and his work, please visit his website.

Source: We checked this book out from our local public library (after reading it a few times at the actual library)

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Thursday, September 25, 2014

Bookish Thoughts: A Matter of Mercy by Lynne Hugo

The dune fence between their house and the beach still tilted toward the water. ~ Opening of A Matter of Mercy

A Matter of Mercy by Lynne Hugo

Blank Slate Press, 2014

Fiction; 278 pgs

From the Publisher:

Caroline Marcum thought she’d escaped the great mistake of her life by leaving Wellfleet harbor, but is forced to face it when she returns, reluctantly, to care for her dying mother. Ridley Neal put his past-and his prison term-behind him to return home to take over his father’s oyster and clam beds. Casual acquaintances long ago, when a nor’easter hits the coast, Rid and Caroline’s lives intersect once again. When Rid and two other sea farmers are sued by the wealthy owners of vacation homes who want to shut them down, and Caroline accidentally meets the person she most wronged, they each must learn to trust-and love. Inspired by a 1996 lawsuit, A Matter of Mercy is a riveting novel about treasuring the traditional way of life in the shallows of beautiful Cape Cod bay by discovering where forgiveness ends. And where it begins.

A Matter of Mercy appealed to me on several levels, including the fact that it is based on an actual lawsuit in which local aquaculturists were sued by wealthy homeowners over the land they farmed. I knew nothing about aquaculture or the lawsuit before reading this book, but I was curious, nonetheless. I have a soft spot in my heart for the underdog, and it seemed to me that the aquaculturists were just that. I was also drawn to this book because of Caroline Marcum and her troubles. I enjoy books about redemption, especially when it comes to finding a way to forgive oneself.

Lynne Hugo has written a multi-layered novel full of complexity. I was instantly drawn into Caroline's story as she cares for her dying mother. It isn't easy to say goodbye, especially to the person who you feel you most need in the world.

Years ago, Caroline made a horrific mistake that has continued to haunt her--and it rears up to slap her in the face one day when she visits the library. Caroline goes about looking for some sign that her mistake has been forgiven, but what it does is only bring up more grief for all parties involved.

Ridley and Caroline are drawn together because of a storm. For Caroline, life is already complicated. For Ridley, they are about to become so. Ridley has long since come to terms with his past, finding hope and a future in aquaculture. The lawsuit could take away everything Ridley loves and has worked hard for. He doesn't have time for a seemingly needy woman who just might be the enemy too--after all, she's one of the homeowners living on the beach too. Misunderstanding after misunderstanding ensue. It isn't until Ridley discovers that Caroline's home is being vandalized and her life threatened that they are able to set aside their differences and really talk.

The characters are rough around the edges, and not without their faults. I loved that about them. Caroline and Ridley's relationship is a bumpy and awkward one. I liked Ridley for his strong work ethic and loyalty to his friends. I could really appreciate Caroline's desire to help and learn as much as she could about aquaculture. The other characters in the novel are also well developed, including Theresa who, as a mother, my heart ached for. In her shoes, I imagine I would have a hard time of it too, especially where Caroline is concerned.

The setting of the novel is such an important part of the book and the author really made Wellfleet and its surrounding towns in Massachusetts come to life. I loved her descriptions of the area, including the weather the characters encountered. It brought the book even more alive for me. It is obvious the author did her homework in learning about the aquaculturists and exactly what it is they do. I came to really care for their plight and hope they would come out on top.

A Matter of Mercy is full of emotion, both grief and angst. It is also a book about forgiveness and letting go. This is not a fast paced novel, but it is engrossing. I connected with the characters and their stories. I wanted so much for them to find peace and hope in the end. I am curious to know what else Lynne Hugo has written and will be reading more by her in the future.

Rating:

(Very Good)

To learn more about Lynne Hugo and her books, please visit the author's website.

I hope you will check out what others had to say about A Matter of Mercy on the TLC Book Tours route!

Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour. The publisher provided me with an e-copy for review.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Bookish Thoughts: Confessions by Kanae Minato

Once you finish your milk, put the carton back in the box. ~ Opening of Confessions

Confessions (Kokuhaku) by Kanae Minato

(translated by Stephen Snyder)

Mulholland Books, 2008

Crime Fiction; 240 pgs

I first heard mention of this book via the publisher's Facebook page. I generally get my recommendations from fellow book bloggers and readers, but occasionally a publisher's announcement will catch my attention like this one did. Confessions by Japanese crime fiction author Kanae Minato sounded perfect for both A More Diverse Universe and the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril Challenge. And while I tend to take comparisons of books to other well known books with a grain of salt (okay, so maybe a shaker full), I was still curious about Confessions when it was compared to Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

I hesitate to post the synopsis of this book because it really is one that is best read with little knowledge of what to expect. But then, even I was surprised having read what the book was about. As a result, my review will be rather vague.

Confessions by Kanae Minato opens with teacher, Yuko Morguchi, lecturing her students, telling them the story about why she has decided to resign, about the death of her four year old daughter, and how she believes it was murder. Each chapter is narrated by a different character, each one providing a new layer to the story.

The characters are not especially likable. In many ways, this book is more like a horror story--seeing just how cruel people, especially the young, can be in certain circumstances. Even so, I loved this book. If I had any negative thoughts about it, it would be about the ending, but that would be nit-picky and completely a personal preference. Given the nature of the book and its contents, the ending fit. I found the book to be very dark and intense and impossible to put down. At the risk of spoiling anything with a vague statement: the twists were enough to make me say, "Oh my gosh!" a couple times. At least.

Described by some as a book that delves into the subculture of Japanese youth, it really can be applied to American culture as well. The book offers a character study of the dark side of human nature from multiple perspectives, including possible causes. Guilt, jealousy, despair, anger and exhilaration are just a few of the emotions touched upon throughout the novel. The story told in Confessions also demonstrates how one action or thought can lead to another, setting off a chain reaction. For every action, there is a consequence.

This is not a book for everyone. The stark writing style and dark themes will put off some. Still, I found it a fascinating read, one I will not soon forget.

Confessions has been made into a short film, which I would like to see at some point.

Rating:

(Very Good +)

Source: I purchased an e-copy of this book for my own reading pleasure (and realized days later I had a review copy from Netfix. Go figure. I guess I really really wanted to read this book!).