The Chaperone

Author:  Laura Moriarty

Publisher:   Penguin Group

Kindle e-book
Rating: 3 Stars

Hmmm...The Chaperone is a difficult book to review. The first 2/3 of the book I enjoyed.  I liked the characters, but I wanted to know so much more about them.  The story begins with main character Cora making a decision to chaperone a young girl by the name of Louise Brooks.  This decision will change the path of Cora’s Midwestern lifestyle until the day she dies.  

The secondary character Louise, is based on an actual person.  She’s so intriguing I could have read a whole book about her.  This is the real Louise Brooks. Mesmerizing...

All of the characters were fascinating.  I would have like to known so much more about many of them, especially the mother of Louise.  Unfortunately this book doesn’t delve into the minor characters and or what motivates them. 

Before I read this book, I studied several reviews.  Many of the reviewers said the same thing—the book didn’t have a great ending. I agree.  It  seems as the author sped through the last forty years of the characters lives and tied everything up—The End. 

Overall, I rate this book as 3 stars.  I couldn’t put the book down, but then it fizzled. 

Rating  3 Stars

Content Rating:  Sexual content

Happy Reading,
     Susanne

A is for Alibi: Kinsey Millhone Series

 by Sue Grafton

Rating   3 stars

I’m going to write a “pixie post” on this series of books. They are frequently referred to as “alphabet novels”. The series is based on the female detective Kinsey Millhone who is an independent, quirky and often a very lucky investigator.

I have read all of them-- from A is for Alibi up to the latest release V is for Vengeance. They are good, fun reads. If you like crime/mystery novels and are looking for something easy to read then I would recommend them. (Think beach book).   

The one thing that takes some getting use to is that they are set in the 1980’s. So, no cell phones, no Internet, etc.  It took me a while to transition back to the dark ages of crime investigation. But, it also takes you back to a time when we were not always “connected” to the world. No social media for Kinsey Millhone. So, set aside your electronics and read for a while—from A to V.

▪   "A" Is for Alibi (1982)

▪   "B" Is for Burglar (1985)

▪   "C" Is for Corpse (1986)

▪   "D" Is for Deadbeat (1987)

▪   "E" Is for Evidence (1988)

▪   "F" Is for Fugitive (1989)

▪   "G" Is for Gumshoe (1990)

▪   "H" Is for Homicide (1991)

▪   "I" Is for Innocent (1992)

▪   "J" Is for Judgment (1993)

▪   "K" Is for Killer (1994)

▪   "L" Is for Lawless (1995)

▪   "M" Is for Malice (1996)

▪   "N" Is for Noose (1998)

▪   "O" Is for Outlaw (1999)

▪   "P" Is for Peril (2001)

▪   "Q" Is for Quarry (2002)

▪   "R" Is for Ricochet (2004)

▪   "S" Is for Silence (2005)

▪   "T" Is for Trespass (2007)

▪   "U" Is for Undertow (2009)

▪   "V" Is for Vengeance (2011)

Content Rating: Slight sexual content, violence.

Happy Reading, 

Susanne

The Dovekeepers

The Dovekeepers

Author:  Alice Hoffman

Publisher:   Scribner

Rating  5 Stars

I dreamed The Dovekeepers last night. It haunted my thoughts—still does. First thing this morning, I grabbed my iPad to research Alice Hoffman.  Somehow, her books have been off my radar even though she is quite prolific with twenty or more books to her credit.

The Dovekeepers is set between 70 C.E. and 77. C.E. The story follows four independent and mystical women through their struggles during the Roman siege at Masada. Each woman captivated me for various reasons. If you like tales of strong women, then you will like The Dovekeepers. However, it is literary fiction. It is not a fast read and at times can be a bit slow going, especially in the beginning. 

This historical fiction moved me deeply as I have been to Masada. The images of that massive fortress flashed before my eyes. The stark reality of this being a fiction book, but based on an historical event made it a better read. I relived the visit of the Masada experience through a new set of eyes. The brutality of the Jews and the Romans served as a reminder that this world is not any more civilized today than it was two millennia ago.

Here are a couple of my personal pictures of Masada.  It was a once in a lifetime experience. 

 The reading of The Dovekeepers enabled me to relive a place filled with history, mysticism and spirituality. 

I don't do this very often, but I actually went out and bought this book for my personal library. I loved the cover and book. It was a must have on my bookshelf. I think I am going to buy it for my mother too.   

Yes, I am giving it a 5+  star review. However, it is not “popular fiction” so it might not be to everyone’s taste. Please read the reviews on Amazon or Good Reads before you make a decision to buy.

Las Vegas Bookies Selection

We have yet to discuss this book, however, everyone wants to be at this discussion, so we’re attempting to find a month when we’ll all be there. 

Content Rating:  Sexual, violence

The Didn't Finish List 

Every so often, I don’t finish a book.  A variety of  reasons cause me to flip the book closed.  I surrender the white flag.  The reasons for giving up are very subjective to any individual.  My reasons may include any of the following:

Sad animal story

Boring plot

Predictable ending

Not enough angst = sappy

Too violent

Unbelievable characters

Poor writing

Too much description

In years past, I would finish EVERY book that I started—not anymore.  (I always hoped that the ending would justify me slogging through to The End) .  However, this world is jam packed with great books that are just waiting to be discovered and discussed.  Life's too short to read books that aren't worth my precious time. 

The following list is books that I chose not to read to the last page.  The reasons vary for each one, but rest assured I gave each book a fair chance.  Again, this list is subjective and you may find a book that you love.  If you discover one of your favorites on my “Didn’t Finish” list, let me know and I might try it again. 

• The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
• The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
• Bossypants by Tina Fey
• To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal
• Blood, Bones, & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton
• Savages by Don Winslow
• The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
• A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Don Miller
• Day After Night by Anita Diamant
• The Fruit of Stone by Mark Spragg
• Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

Happy Reading, 

Susanne 

In the Company of the Courtesan

In the Company of the Courtesan  (5 stars)

Now I want to go Venice. After listening to In the Company of the Courtesan I must see this place of unusual beauty and history.

Sarah Dunant once again hits a home run with this historical novel. The characters are unique, intriguing and believable. The description of the historical events, the artists, and the politics of the era the early 1500’s proved the diligence of research that Ms. Dunant did before writing this book.  

This tale is told from the perspective of Bucino, a dwarf, who is the best friend of Fiametta the courtesan. This twist allows the reader/listener to experience Bucino’s physical and emotional pain, but also, the strength of his character. He also inserts his ponderings on women and life. This book is character driven revolving around the friendship of Bucino and the fading beauty of Fiametta whose looks and sexuality is their financial support. Throw in a mysterious blind healer, La Draga, and you have great historical fiction with a surprise twist at the end. In addition, some of the characters are fictional, but some of them are taken straight from the annals of history which I found fascinating.

Las Vegas Bookies Selection

Our book club in general liked this selection. Here are a few of the comments:

“It was gritty.”

“I didn’t know they had hair extensions back then.”

“Didn’t you just love the characters?”  

“I didn’t want it to end.”

I listened to the audible version of this book and thoroughly enjoyed the narration. 

Book recommended if you like:

Historical Fiction with a bit of "grittiness."

Author:  Sarah Dunant

Publisher:  Books on Tape

Narrator: Stephen Howe  

Unabridged

Content Rating:  Sexual content