Welcome to a Reader's Reverie

Welcome to A Reader’s Reverie

So glad you stopped by to visit A Reader’s Reverie. This blog was created with the intent of giving readers insight into books. To give a prospective reader an idea if they want to spend their hard earned money or precious time. As book aficionados know, some books are hits and some are misses. So as you reflect on each book review, remember that book reviews are very subjective to the individual reader.

 I currently belong to a book club that carefully considerers the reviews for each book we select. Our book club, The Las Vegas Bookies, choose one book a month to read and discuss. Our selections vary from classics, to popular fiction, to non-fiction, to literary, and even includes a bit of chick-lit. I am going to post a review on each book we have read. We have been together for 5 years, so that’s a lot of books to review. However, my plans are to review one of our book club selections on every other post until I have caught up on The Las Vegas Bookies picks.

                                                                                                                        

I am a voracious reader, (frenetic might be a better word), and I will write about the current book that I have finished or chose not to finish. I'm going to be honest about what's good or not so good within the pages.   

The power of the story constitutes life. The popular phrase, “Everyone has one good book in them” is true. Someone might not be able to write it down and get it published, but everyone has a memorable life story. We share in the community of this frazzled world by hearing stories. And what better way to escape the hassles and doldrums of our daily lives than by reading someone else’s tale—fiction or non-fiction.

                                                                                                                                      

Finally, I am going to place a content rating much like they do for the movies. I read ALL types of books, but I understand the hesitancy for some to read books that contain language, violence or sexual content. I would like to provide this as a service to help those who choose not to read certain types of books.    

I hope this blog inspires you to read books that you might not have ever considered. Now go cozy up with a book and enter into a world that will be different, yet alike, from your own.

Happy Reading,

Susanne

Sutton

Sutton

By J. R. Moehringer

Sutton came highly recommended by Pauline Hubert from Book Movement.  I had never heard of the author, J.R. Moehringer before this. I researched him and found that two of his other books had high reviews. So, I purchased Sutton and read through it quickly.  

It’s written as a fictionalized biography of the famous bank robber Willie Sutton. Although famous, (or should I say infamous), I had no idea who he was prior to reading this book. (He predated me by a few decades.)  This book enlightened me on bank robberies, prisons and escapees in American history.

This book contains a story within a story. It’s easy to follow the different story lines because of the font difference. I definitely enjoyed the history told by Willie Sutton over the proposed “current” storyline. And I must say that the ending of Sutton made me scratch my head a bit—a little confusing.  Overall, I liked it—liked it enough that I purchased A Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer.  

Rating:   3 1/2 Star

Read Sutton if you like:

·      Fictional biographies    

·      Crime fiction

·      1920-1940’s books

Favorite Quote:

“A book is the only real escape from this fallen world. Aside from death.”

Content Rating:  None

Happy Reading,

     Susanne

Las Vegas Bookies Selections for 2012

The end of 2012 is just around the corner and so ends another fun year with The Las Vegas Bookies.  As I reviewed the list from this year, I thought we didn't choose the best books.  We tried to please everyone with each month's selection and ended up with many so-so books as far as discussions went.

We had several chats about choosing books for 2013 and I think that our choices will be better.  We want to read books that have a moral angst to them.  A "what would you do?" type of book.   Fun, fluffy books are just not good for book club discussions we've discovered.

Plus, we're going to add 2 or 3 more Bookies.  We think that it will help during the times when a few of us are out-of-town. Hopefully, it will add some juice to discussions too!

So for now take a browse through our 2012 selections.  Also, let me know if there is a must read for 2013.  So far we have Gone Girl and The Dovekeepers.  Our intentions are to choose six months of books in advance.

The picture is of the Las Vegas Bookies in their "ugly Christmas vests."

Anyway, here's the 2012 list and verdicts.

Las Vegas Bookies Book Selections 2012

Title                                        Author                                                           Verdict

Art of Racing in the Rain        Garth Stein                                                      Good

March                                     Geraldine Brooks                                            Great

Next to Love                           Ellen Feldman                                                 Ugh

We Were the Mulvaney’s       Joyce Carol Oates                                           Good

Sarah’s Key                            Tatiana de Rosnay                                          Great

Before I go to Sleep                S.J. Watson                                                     Good

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn     Betty Smith                                                    Great

Peace Like a River                   Lei Enger                                                         Great

In the Company of the Courtesan      Sarah Dunant                                      Good

Off the Grid                            P.J. Tracy                                                       So-so

Philanthropist’s Danse           Paul Wornham                                                Great

The Red Book                         Deborah Kogan                                               Ugh

Happy Reading in 2013,

Susanne

The End of Your Life Book Club

The End of Your Life Book Club

By Will Schwalbe

Rating:  3 Stars

How often do you ask someone, “What are you reading?”   This question usually prompts a long and satisfying conversation. It allows book aficionados to hear about new books. It reminds us to dig deep at the library for books once popular, but now sit as unchecked wallflowers.

“What are you reading?” This question is the launching point for The End of Your Life Book Club. It’s the story of an adult son and his dying mother who inadvertently begin a “book club of two” as she travels through the ordeal of cancer and chemotherapy—ultimately knowing the pancreatic cancer is terminal.

The End of Your Life Book Club is not depressing. It delves into the family relationships, but more importantly, it excavates a list of books for the reader to discover. After finishing The End of Your Life Book Club, I created a list of some of the books referenced for future reading.

My mother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, read the book. She stated it reminded her of us.  Awww…….  I went right out and purchased her one of the primary books discussed in the book, Daily Strengths for Daily Needs by Mary Wilder Tileston. 

I believe this book is worthy of your time and money.  Let me know your thoughts if you decide to cozy up with this one.  

Read The End of Your Life Book Club if you like:

·      Recommendations for good books     

·      Interpersonal relationships

·      True stories

Favorite Quote:

“Still one thing I learned from Mom is this:  Reading isn’t the opposite of doing; it’s the opposite of dying. I will never be able to read my mother’s favorite books without thinking of her—when I pass them on and recommend them, I’ll know that some of what made her goes with them.” By Will Schwalbe

Content Rating:  None

Happy Reading,

Susanne

Las Vegas Bookies Selections for 2011

As I looked back at 2011 for the Las Vegas Bookies selections I discovered that we chose slightly older books.  Almost all of them worthy of discussing.  

I think my favorite book of the this group was The Kitchen House.  Followed closely by The Paris Wife and Tortilla Curtain.  

The Handmaid's Tale was a dystopian book--very different from what I usually read. (Think The Hunger Games for adults).  However, I'm glad I read it.  It would never have been a book that I picked for myself.  But because it was a book club choice, I read and enjoyed it.  Plus the club discussion revved up a notch with it--stimulating discussion.  That being said, not everyone agreed they liked it.  A movie was made of The Handmaid's Tale, but I was never able to locate a copy.  If by chance you have it...can I borrow it? 

Well, this post catches up the The Las Vegas Bookies Club selections.  In just a couple of days, I will post the 2012 picks.  We have book club this week with our Christmas party.  It's my favorite party of the year.   Books, friends, wine, food, and Christmas, what could get any better? 

Title                                        Author                                                                         Verdict

Loved Walked In                     Marisa De Los Santos                                                 Good

My Sister’s Keeper                Jodi Picoult                                                                    Great

Tortilla Curtain                       T.C. Boyle                                                                   Great

The Handmaid’s Tale             Margaret Atwood                                                        Great

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

                                               Mary Ann Shaffer                                                       Great

The Paris Wife                        Paula McLain                                                             Great

The Other Wes Moore           Wes Moore                                                                  Good

The Kitchen House                 Kathleen Grissom                                                      Great

State of Wonder                      Ann Patchett                                                              Good

Moloka’i                                 Alan Brennert                                                            Good

Hope your week is filled with overflowing words on pages of great books.


Happy Reading,