Why, Donna, WHY?

I'm not going to post the cover of The Little Friend by Donna Tartt. It's CREEPY. So creepy that after I bought the book at a library book sale, I couldn't bring myself to read it for months because of the cover: all black, with a cutout of a baby doll's eyes. And there isn't even really a doll mentioned in the book! When I finally did read it, I kept it face down at all times when I wasn't reading it.

The Little Friend is a Southern gothic novel that takes place over a summer. (In that respect, I was thrilled to read it; I love reading books set in the same season.) I have to admire how completely Tartt switched from the New England/ivy league college setting of her first book, The Secret History, to the completely rural, class-conscious atmosphere of a small town in Mississippi. And her narrators switched gender, age and worldviews.

So the basic plot is this: 9-year-old Robin was found hung in his backyard; no one knows who did it. Twelve years later, Robin's sister Harriet decides she's going to find his murderer. And then she becomes involved with a certain trashy family and snakes and wow, Harriet's life is crazy and odd and gothic.

Tartt is a detailed writer and this book is certainly character-driven. (In my opinion, too character-driven. You get to know SOOO many people far too well.) Harriet is a fascinating character that's not entirely sympathetic. But that's okay, because otherwise she wouldn't have accomplished what she did. As for plot, well, random things happen. Like poisonous snakes nearly killing people. Looking back on it all, my main problem is that I didn't end the book feeling resolved on anything.

Here's my main issue and it's a bit of a spoiler: THE ENDING IS AWFUL. There's no resolution. None. Every single plot line is left open: Harriet's parents, what will happen to Danny and Harriet, the murder.....GAHHHH. Donna, you strung me along for 600+ pages; I WANT ANSWERS. I know, I know; life isn't pretty and full of answers but fiction isn't real life.

I just want to talk to someone else who read this book. Help me move on and resolve my issues...

Rating: 6/10 (more like a 8.5 for writing but a 5 for plot because I'm still so bitter)

An Explemary Novel as to Why You Shouldn't Run Away

Back in August, I read Lois Lowry's The Willoughbys. It had a hilarious appendix with descriptions about various books her book had satirized. One such book was Toby Tyler: or: Ten Weeks with a Circus by James Otis, or as I prefer to call it An Explemary Novel as to Why You Shouldn't Run Away From Home.

The plot is a little boy's fantasy come true: Toby Tyler runs away from his "mean" uncle and joins a circus. However, circus life isn't all it's cracked up to be. Toby's boss is harsh and whips Toby and yells at him when he doesn't sell enough lemonade. Toby makes a friend, though, in Mr. Stubbs aka a bad monkey. (I think he's a naughty monkey--he throws away Toby's money and tears up all their food when they're running away for the second time.) So Toby's unhappy, wishes he had never run away and spends his free time plotting to run home. After numerous trials, Toby finally does run away, where he is utterly forgiven. (And on a side note, Uncle Daniel asks Toby to stay with him until he DIES--but in a "oh, Toby, you're like my son; I love you; stay with me" kind of way.)

Classic stuff, indeed.

Rating: 7/10

It seduced me

Carol Goodman's The Seduction of Water sucked me in within the first few pages. The story's atmosphere, the lyrical quality of the writing, the simple story that slowly expands...I'm not sure what it is, but I just really, really like Goodman's writing. Her books are the sort that I'd be proud to be caught reading, one that I'd recommend to my mom.

The plot goes along these lines: Iris Greenfeder is in her mid-30s. She's a teacher, sometimes writer and almost has her Ph.D.--she just needs to write her disseration. Actually, everything in her life is an "almost." She has a boyfriend (of 10 years) but they have no plans to marry. She's a writer, with just a few publications. Basically, she hasn't accomplished all that much. While thinking about her mother, a famous writer herself, Iris writes a small story that ends up spinning itself into a book offer. All she has to do is go back to her childhood home--a hotel in the Catskill Mountains--and solve a few mysteries.

The story is a bit slow in parts but that allows you to savor it, too. It's a mystery but the action doesn't pick up until the last third of the book or so. However, compared to The Night Villa, there was more romance. I really liked the male lead--from the first instance of his mention, I was hoping he'd be involved in the book. (And I may have peeked ahead just to see if he was.)

Basically, I'm a Carol Goodman fangirl. And I've yet to read her most popular book, The Lake of Dead Languages. So perhaps the best is yet to come...

Rating: 9/10

A whole book

My library finally had Andrea Beaty's Cicada Summer in. As I've mentioned, I read the first 138 pages when it suddenly jumped back to page 110. It was a random binding error and I'm happy to have read the whole book now.

So now that I've read the WHOLE book, I can give my opinion! First of all, one thought I kept on having was that this book could've been a much longer novel. I really could've seen it being stretched into a 300-page YA novel. I would've liked that.

I don't want to give away too much of the plot but here's a little summary: Lily, at age 11, is completely silent. Everyone thinks she's brain-damaged, but as you read, you realize there's a reason why she's silent. Lily is accepting of her quiet, silent life until Tinny comes to town. Tinny is slightly older than Lily but far more experienced in life. Tinny suspects Lily is hiding something--but then again, Lily knows Tinny is, too. The girls force each other to expose truth, bringing healing and hope and new lives.

I liked Cicada Summer. I wish I would've re-read all of it; that way I could've enjoyed the ending even more. A decent part of the book was done via flashbacks, which added to the story, revealing little by little. The language in the story was lovely and well-done. (And the cover is gorgeous, too.) The story is set somewhere in the Midwest, I don't remember where, but the setting is tangible--the heat, the cornfields, the farmlands. It's definitely a good summer read for children and adults.

Rating: 8/10

Another first

This must be my week of first reads of authors I've heard so much about, because I finished Tamora Pierce's Trickster's Choice this morning.

The story is a fantasy. Aly, the daughter of a spy and a warrior (both of whom are nobles), is kidnapped and sold as a slave to another noble family in a different land. Aly plots her escape but before she can enact her plans, fate intervenes in the form of a god. The trickster god (his name is very Greek-ish and I can't remember how to spell it right) makes a wager with her that will last just one summer; being a bold, smart girl, she accepts. Aly puts to use all she's learned from her warrior mother and spy father to keep the wager...and to keep alive.

The book is related to Pierce's earlier works, The Song of the Lioness quartet, which actually follows Aly's mother. So...there was a fair amount that zipped over my head, simply because I didn't know the backplot. I hate when that happens, but I admit, it's my own fault for not looking into the series more before I dived in.

Still, the story was well-written, interesting, fleshed-out characters and all in all a great YA read.

Rating: 7.5/10

They won

I've thoroughly enjoyed watching the US men's volleyball team play...and win gold! Great job, gentlemen. Sean didn't play too much, but did do an excellent job subbing in to serve. In honor of the team, my hottie today is a guy who did get to play a lot: Rich Lambourne, the libero.

There may be better photos of him out there but all I could find were mainly action shots like this one. Rich is #5.

They are excited to be winners! Yay! Anyway, thanks to him, I now know what a libero is (a defensive and passing specialist who wears a different colored jersey).

So until 2010 (when hopefully my old roommate and I will be there in person), farewell to the Olympics--it's been so nice spending wayyyyy too much time with you every day.

Go U-S-A

I am so enjoying my DVR--I've been able to thoroughly enjoy USA Men's Volleyball...EXCEPT when the match GOES OVER the recording time limit. Arghghghghhhh. Anyway, they won and are going to the finals! Yay! Go Sean and the rest of the boys!

Sometimes the ball comes at the guys so hard that it knocks them over--and some of those guys are like 6'9". Wow. Imagine what it'd do to me--I'm 17 inches shorter!

Nerves = Reading

I'm waiting to hear back about two jobs and the suspense has been eating away at me for the last week. In order to distract myself, I've been watching a lot of Olympics (go men's volleyball!) and reading constantly.

Here's what I've read since Monday:

The Dead Sea Cipher by Elizabeth Peters -- A stand-alone mystery featuring biblical archeology, spies, romance and classic Peters writing. It was fun, easy reading and suited my mood perfectly. I like that I can trust Peters for a good vintage read.

Rating: 8/10

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry -- This book for children (but probably appreciated more by parents) pokes fun at all sorts of classic clichés--nannies, orphans, abandoned babies, missing heirs...you get the idea. It was thoroughly enjoyable.

Lowry added a darling (silly word, I know, but it is darling!) glossary and a bibliography of books she satirized at the end. Here's her description of Toby Tyler; Or, Ten Weeks With The Circus by James Otis: "An orphan named Toby runs away and joins the circus, but it is not a happy experience. His employer is a villian named Mr. Lord. The only one who loves him is a monkey. But the monkey dies." I've never heard of this book, but I want to read it!

Rating: 8.5/10

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle -- It features twin sisters who practice magic. The girls are living in pre-Victorian England and are, of course, wealthy. They are about to go into their first season when their governess is kidnapped. They plot to rescue her but titled gentry, pretty dresses and society distract them. To be honest, this book didn't do that much for me...familiar plots, silly love problems, etc. It's definitely a YA book.

Rating: 7/10

Volleyball awesomeness

Isn't it sad how you can forget happy memories? This week, while watching the Olympics, I was reminded of a happy college memory.

For some reason, my friends and I watched the 2005 NCAA National Men's Volleyball Finals. Why? I have no idea other than it was on ESPN and had tons of good-looking athletic men playing. My favorite athlete was Sean Rooney from Pepperdine. His skill helped Pepperdine win the league...and my heart. Just kidding. Anyway, somehow I had forgotten about him for the last three years--until I saw him play for Team USA Men's Volleyball in the Olympics. I was shocked--how had I FORGOTTEN about Sean?!? So to make it up, I've watched all the USA men's volleyball matches for far (admittedly fastforwarding until Sean plays). Sean now has a "gimpy knee" according to a newscaster, but whatever, he's still amazing. Go #2!!

Haven't the Olympics been awesome so far? I'm fortunate enough to live far north enough to get the Canadian channel (CBC) so I've been able to enjoy more than just NBC and USA's coverage. I've been loving my DVR, too....and I've watched more TV this week than in the last two months combined. Yikes.

Sorry America

Alright, my hottie of the week isn't American. (Sorry, America; I will be cheering for other countries during the Olympics.) It's Bulgarian Jordan Jovtchev, who I remember from the 2004 Olympics.

I couldn't find a better photo of him; most of them involve him in some weird gymnastic position. Jordan is 35 and will retire after this Olympics--he's been in six Olympics. I'm impressed.

Sweet summer

Confession: the main reason I picked up The Penderwicks is the book cover. This photo doesn't do it justice; the yellow and blues are so pretty in real life.
Doesn't it look like an excellent summer read? As the cover states, it's a summer vacation story featuring four sisters, their neighbor, a dog, a teenage gardner and two bunnies.

If I had children, I would make them read this book. It follows a familiar story: an unhappy, lonely boy finds adventure/happiness/courage because of the friendship of four sisters. Jeanne Birdsall does a great job of making the four Penderwick sisters unique. It was funny, cute and evokes a child's summer perfectly.

The book is Birdsall's first novel but it won 10 awards (very impressive!). Her second book is The Penderwicks on Gardam Street.

Rating: 9/10

Again with the kick

As I am on my Elizabeth Peters kick, I picked up The Seventh Sinner, which introduces her character Jacqueline Kirby. I'm not sure if it was meant to be the first book in the series, as most of the action is told through another character's eyes.

One aspect that I definitely noticed about the book is that it's very of its era--the 1970s. There were references to "the fuzz," hippies, beads, the rebellious youth, etc.

The setting is Rome: seven students at an art and archeology school are living up their time abroad. Jean, the main character, literally runs into librarian Jacqueline Kirby. Jean and her fellow students rather adopt Jacqueline--a mother in her mid-40s--because she's witty, intelligent and has great legs.

The group is rather forced into a murder mystery with Jacqueline surreptitiously taking the lead. An interesting story follows.

I think it's one of Peters' earlier works and it lacks the strength of some of her later writing. Still, it's a fun summer read that made me want to go abroad.

Rating: 7/10

Canoer

Hottie Monday: Olympic version! Only three weeks away until the Olympics start. Yay!

So here's Scott Parsons, the hottie athlete of the week. He's a canoer/kayaker. I bet he's strong. I'll cheer for you in August, Scott!

Hottie Monday, Olympic Version

Breaux Greer is my Olympian hottie of the week, mostly because of his hair and his name. Yay for unique names and mohawks. He's a javelin thrower. Rock on, Breaux.

Oh my, Martha

I've been reading Zemindar all week long...it's a really lengthy book. It's all about India and Sepoy rebellions. Go history.

I also request Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook from the library. Oh. My. Word. It is amazing. I think my mouth was open the entire time I was paging through it. (Pretty baked goods photos and awesome recipes tend to amaze me.) I'll be attempting my first recipe today. If the baked goods turn out anything like their photos, I will buy this book.

Today is my local library's booksale--I am excited! Yay for cheap books! I'll let you know what I pick up.

Lastly, and this is sad, I only have three discs left in the last season of Veronica Mars. In case you haven't figured this out, I really like this show. The ending of that series will be a sad day for me. I'll probably need a bowl of my Ben and Jerry's Phish Food--or a Coca-Cola. Both are excellent comforters. Good thing Burn Notice just started up again...and Psych starts next week. I will need distractions for my sorrow.

happy monday

It's Hottie Monday...and yes, it's the Olympian version. Aaron Peirsol is today's hottie.

As is well documented, I don't normally go for blonds, but this guy seems really nice. I've been watching the Olympic Trials and the newcasters have been gushing over Aaron. He's on my list of athletes to cheer on in August.

kicky

I get on reading kicks where I devour every book a specific author has written. This usually happens in the summer, particularly back when I was in college.

One summer it was Elinor Lipman (amazing writer!). One spring/summer it was Georgette Heyer. This past year or so I've read most, if not all, of Helen Fielding, Mary Stewart, M. M. Kaye and Stephenie Meyer's works.

This is definitely an Elizabeth Peters summer. I've realized I don't like her writing as Barbara Michaels, but really, really like her EP novels.

The Camelot Caper was her latest work I read. It features John Smythe from the Vicky Bliss series--but this one actually was written first. To be honest, Smythe or "Cousin John" in this book, stole the book. He upstaged the hero, even though he was one of the bad guys. I can see why Peters liked him so much that she brought him into another series. Camelot features art thievery, romance and plenty of action. It's definitely fun summer reading.

Rating:8/10

Anyway, this is the perfect time for me to devour all of Peters' books, especially her Vicky Bliss series, as there's a new Vicky Bliss book out this summer (the first one in a decade!). From what the publisher has said, it's the last one, too. The Laughter of Dead Kings will be out August 26, published by Harper Collins.

oooh yeah

I am irrationally excited for the Olympics. I will probably feature an Olympian from now until September--NBC.com has tons of athlete profiles.

This is soccer player Patrick Ianni, who I feel like I've met, for some bizarre reason.



Go USA!

pantsy pants

I had a nice fluffy read with Cathy Marie Hake's inspirational (aka Christian) novel Fancy Pants.

Lady Sydney Hathwell is fleeing a jerk who wants to marry her. She runs off to Texas to her uncle--except her uncle thinks she's a boy. And he makes some random statement about "no women." So, of course, she has to dress up and act like a boy!

To be honest, that was the most entertaining part. Her uncle's ranch manager (or whatever the right term is) tries to make Syd "Fancy Pants" Hathwell into a man...and kind of succeeds. Of course, her secret is revealed, leaving to tension, love, etc.

It's a light, quick read. The characters are fine; no one is annoying. Their faith is real and not drapped into the story. The only issue I had with the book is the jerk who wants to marry Sydney. He's part of the climax...but the solution to the problem he presents is so dumb. I actually wondered if I missed a few pages (I didn't).

It's summertime; you deserve light reading!

Rating: 7/10

for a change...

I'm breaking the mold and featuring a hott blond tonight! It's summertime, so let's break out the sunshine.

It's Paul Walker, who starred in one of the worst Christmas movies I've ever seen: Noel. You'll feel depressed, alone and very unjolly after watching it. Even Paul--as an abusive cop!--couldn't save the show.

However, just looking at this poster of him once left me giggling so hard that I couldn't speak or breathe:

Even surrounded by Disney dogs, you're still hott, Paul.