"9 1/2 Narrow"

Upon receipt of “9 ½ Narrow” by Patricia Morrisroe, I made a mental note to take greater care when clicking my way through Goodreads and Library Thing’s Early Reviewers.  Everything from the cover to the synopsis made me want to pretend I never received this.  As a middle-aged man with a strong dislike for exposed feet and a shoe collection that includes exactly two pair of New Balance running shoes, I could not imagine making much progress with this thing.  Wow, was I wrong!  I couldn’t put this book down, finishing the whole thing in two evenings.

This is a very funny first-class autobiographical effort.  Yes, the author uses shoes, especially early in the book, as a connecting thread through her life story, but not in a way that overwhelms her very well written personal story and alienates crabby old men like me.  The Sopranos is an organized crime story that is really about family, and this is a shoe story that is really about family.  The central interaction is between the author and her mother, and while abrasive on the surface, was always tender and loving in a modern sort of way.  After finishing the book I wondered if the author would have portrayed her mother in quite the same way had she still been alive.  I believe the answer is yes, only based on the way her sister Emily is depicted, probably deservedly so.

Despite all the foreign-to-me shoe terminology and designers, I was envious of the life of travel and interesting relationships.  This is the best memoir of its type that I have read since Jeanette Walls’ “The Glass Castle.”  Thank you for sending me a copy!!

"Trespassers"

You never know exactly what to expect upon receipt of the latest First Reads offering from Goodreads.  If unfamiliar with the author or the title I often begin with low expectations, as was the case with "Trespassers" from Todd and Tim Wynn.  This book was far from a disappointment - engaging plot, well drawn characters, and excellent prose combined to make this a surprising "must read" for 2015.  Set on some version of a familiar Earth, we are drawn into a tale of intrigue, love and suspense as members of the Limestone Deposit Survey Group face off with aliens on a murky mission, and a federal agent out to expose them all.  At times hilarious, and at others emotional, this book is always intelligent and fast paced. My only disappointment was learning that a sequel is not imminent!  In any case I definitely want to read more from these brothers, whatever the story.

"The Paragraph Ranch"

"The Paragraph Ranch" by Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon was a bit of a crazy ride for me.  The entire reading experience started poorly upon notification that I was receiving an electronic copy.  Since I don't and won't do e-readers, I was forced to print a copy.  For me, most of the story was predictable and simplistic, and the only real attempt to develop a character was with the central figure, Dee.  I typically wouldn't even attempt to finish something like this, but I couldn't put it down because of G.H. Templeton storyline,  I was initially annoyed by the writing advice at the beginning of each chapter, but as I came to appreciate the borderline brilliant mystery surrounding Dee's research subject, I was also able to accept that device.  Two authors usually makes me cringe, as their efforts are often apparent, and I wonder if that's the case in this book.  Parts of it were almost literary in quality, and parts sleep inducing.  In the end the Dee research angle kept me engaged and warranted a higher rating than otherwise.

"Life Drawing"

 “Life Drawing” by Robin Black, is a book I came across accidentally while visiting and then clicking through the website of a small New England independent bookstore.  I bought the book online and then let it gather dust for a few months in my “to read” pile – until this week.  I believe Matthew Thomas’ “We Are Not Ourselves” is the best book I’ve read in a decade, but this one comes in a close second.  Black’s debut novel is a beautifully written tale, weaving themes of loss and betrayal, isolation versus confrontation, forgiveness and deceit, as it details the fragile marriage of Augusta (Gus) and Owen.

Gus, the artist, and Owen, the author, both struggle personally and professionally to deal with her previous relationship infidelity.  They establish a fragile peace that limits their creativity and forbids any growth or repair for their marriage.  The book offers many glimpses into the ways couples settle into places that are neither happy nor comfortable:

"By forty, is there anyone who hasn't had to recognize that happiness, as understood by youth, is illusory? That the best one can hope for is an absence of too many tragedies and that the road through the inevitable grief be, if not smooth, then steady? Daily life was a pale gray thing, it seemed, and to expect otherwise was to be a fool - at best."

What peace they have is almost immediately disturbed by a new neighbor, and ultimately her daughter and ex-husband.  Nothing ends well for anyone. 

If I had any criticism it would be way Black seems to condemn Owen for his inability to forgive and trust Gus after the betrayal, a path we eventually see Owen was wise for following.

Loved the book and the author’s style so much I tracked down a previous collection of short stories on eBay.  Now I need to find that independent bookseller again and mine for more gems like this one!

"The Patriot Threat"

Thank you to the Goodreads First Reads program for a copy of Steve Berry’s latest thriller, “The Patriot Threat”.  I admit to being a huge fan of Berry’s early work, but I have passed on the last couple installments due to issues that are almost entirely absent in this latest book. 

Berry weaves a fascinating, detailed and well-written tale, occasionally utilizing original source materials, to connect the present day United States with its Revolutionary and Gilded Age past.  Secret documents stolen by former Treasury Secretary, Andrew Mellon, and presented in code to his nemesis, President Franklin Roosevelt, threaten to surface and destroy the modern American economy.  Berry calls on reliable Cotton Malone, Stephanie Nelle, and an assorted cast of characters to thwart attempts by a North Korean exile and the Chinese government to reach the secret first.

I was particularly drawn to the stories of the Haym Solomon debt and potential problems with the ratification of the 16^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  I found myself putting the book down repeatedly to Google these topics as they were developed, and was shocked to learn how real these issues were, or maybe still are!

Berry also excels when discussing the oppressive nature of North Korea, specifically the infamous prison camps designed to eliminate enemies and opposition for multiple generations.  Tragic beyond words.

The greatest difficulty for many authors is the ability to provide a satisfactory ending to a book.  I can enjoy the first ninety percent of a Steve Berry book, totally enveloped by his narrative, and then want to throw the book across the room after reading the last few chapters.  In this case, the never-ending fight/chase scenes at the conclusion were mercifully brief.   I believe people are drawn to these books because of the connection to real historical events and the often convincing alternate realities presented by Berry.  No one wants to read forty pages of silly chase scenes contrived to provide us a “thrilling” finale.  STICK TO THE STORY!!!

All that said, I could not put this book down and absolutely loved it.  This is the best Steve Berry book in a while, and I highly recommend it to other readers.  Five stars in its genre.

 

 

"This is the Life"

“This is the Life” by Alex Shearer arrived the other day via the Goodreads First Reads program, and I was immediately leery due to the “The Fault in our Stars” comparison on the back cover.  My fear of more John Green-like drivel was almost instantly quelled, however, and I found this to be an absolutely wonderful, heartwarming, and often hilarious novel.

Set in Australia, this is the story of two brothers dealing with loss.  Cancer stricken Louis must deal with the loss of his memory, his health, his identity, his freedom, and ultimately his life.  His unnamed narrator brother comes from the United Kingdom to aid Louis through his final weeks and deals with the loss of his brother while reliving often uncomfortable memories from their past.

While this was an “easy read” – two sittings for me - I hesitate to use the phrase as too many do so derisively.  This was an easy read because the story was so tight and well written that I couldn’t put it down.  The author weaves an increasingly sad narrative with introspective musings on loss and the meaning of existence.

One set of passages particularly resonated with me and precipitated a wonderful discussion with my wife and youngest daughter about the value of shared memories:

“The rest of it was all in my head – once shared memories that I now shared with no one…There was nobody left to know.  There was no other witness to all those ordinary, familiar, banal, dramatic, mundane, extraordinary, devastating events…And so it must be with all lives, and all those who survive for a while longer.  All our importances that mean so little to others – and all their recollections, so similar to our own, and yet which barely touch us, except in their evocation.”

 This is a substantial and sad novel of loyalty, family and loss, not to be so easily dismissed or (hopefully) lumped together with the works of John Green.  I highly recommend this book and intend to search out some of Mr. Shearer’s earlier works that somehow escaped me.

"Exam Room Confidential: The Wellborne Files"

I really enjoyed reading this debut novel from Dr. Siegel.  I was interested in the characters and the well-developed plot, but fascinated by the insider view of doctors and hospitals.  If half of what Dr. Siegel discusses in this “behind the curtain” novel is true, I will never look at the medical profession the same way again!  Some readers might be turned off by the heavy use of medical terminology, but I found it informative and well-explained.  The author is at his best when discussing the many daily conflicts of a physician and excels during extended debates of these issues.  On the down side, I found the timeline a little confusing in places after the first few chapters, and the attempts at realistic dialogue a bit forced and preachy at times.  Overall a very worthwhile read.  I look forward to the next installment of “Exam Room Confidential”.