Hello All,
I'm excited to tell you about a wonderfully exotic book that Harper was kind enough to send me for review. It's The Oracle of Stamboul by Michael David Lukas, and for me, it was a "once upon a time" book.
Once upon a time, a baby girl was born in a land far away, and a flock of special birds heralded her arrival, and went with her wherever she went. For a long time, Eleanora Cohen (for that was her name) lived with her father, who traveled quite a bit, and her stepmother. Eleanora was a very intelligent girl, and remembered everything she was told, and many things that she read. Her father taught her to read at an early age, and she could not get enough of books. Her stepmother stopped Eleanora's reading when she disobeyed and read when she was supposed to be doing housework.
One day, Eleanora's father told her he would be going away on a business trip to Stamboul, a large city that she had heard about her whole life, and her father would be gone for a month. Rather than stay with her stepmother, Eleanora decided to stow away among her father's traveling things, and reveal herself when they reached Stamboul. And this was just the beginning of an adventure that would include the elegant city of Stamboul, living in the beautiful home of her father's business partner, espionage, a sultan, political intrigue, and the possibility of an unexpected future.
The Oracle of Stamboul was nothing like I anticipated, based on the original summary I read, and it is a beautiful story that I'm glad I had the opportunity to read.
Happy Reading,
Patti
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Happy Anniversary Huntington Woods Public Library!
Hello All!
I want to wish a Happy 50th Anniversary to the Huntington Woods Library (http://www.huntington-woods.lib.mi.us/). This was my home away from home for over 10 years of my life, and started me on my career in librarianship.
My family moved to Huntington Woods in the summer of 1973, when I was 9 and going into the fourth grade. Soon after we moved in, I found out the library was in walking and/or biking distance (4 blocks) with no "busy" streets to cross--I could go by myself or with my sister! This changed my life--I could go almost anytime, and though I don't remember the amount of books I could take out, it was enough to make me happy. I also don't remember participating in any other activities than the summer reading program, but that was enough.
Two weeks after I turned 16, in August 1980, I was hired by the Huntington Woods Library as a page, to shelve the books, among other tasks. I was a page for four years, and then, while in college, I became a circulation clerk. I did that for three years.
To name drop, I worked for Virginia Platter at the beginning, then for Shelley Gach Droz and with Elizabeth Levin Gulick for the last several years I was there.
I left the Huntington Woods Library in spring 1987, to embark on several job and career adventures that did not end up being as steady and as much like "home" as the library.
I saw the light in spring 1990, quit my job at that time, and by fall I was enrolled at Wayne State University in their Library Science Program. I could not escape the fate that was probably decided at 16, quite possibly as early as when I was 9. I became a librarian.
I have since worked at the Romeo District Library in Washington, MI for 14 years (http://www.libcoop.net/romeo/), and now with the Pima County Public Library in Tucson, AZ for over two years (http://www.library.pima.gov/). I have worked with all ages of patrons, and I am still one of those librarians who love to read and talk about books with people more than anything.
Happy Anniversary to Huntington Woods Library, and best wishes for the next 50 years!!!
Happy Reading!
Patti (Cheney) O'Brien
I want to wish a Happy 50th Anniversary to the Huntington Woods Library (http://www.huntington-woods.lib.mi.us/). This was my home away from home for over 10 years of my life, and started me on my career in librarianship.
My family moved to Huntington Woods in the summer of 1973, when I was 9 and going into the fourth grade. Soon after we moved in, I found out the library was in walking and/or biking distance (4 blocks) with no "busy" streets to cross--I could go by myself or with my sister! This changed my life--I could go almost anytime, and though I don't remember the amount of books I could take out, it was enough to make me happy. I also don't remember participating in any other activities than the summer reading program, but that was enough.
Two weeks after I turned 16, in August 1980, I was hired by the Huntington Woods Library as a page, to shelve the books, among other tasks. I was a page for four years, and then, while in college, I became a circulation clerk. I did that for three years.
To name drop, I worked for Virginia Platter at the beginning, then for Shelley Gach Droz and with Elizabeth Levin Gulick for the last several years I was there.
I left the Huntington Woods Library in spring 1987, to embark on several job and career adventures that did not end up being as steady and as much like "home" as the library.
I saw the light in spring 1990, quit my job at that time, and by fall I was enrolled at Wayne State University in their Library Science Program. I could not escape the fate that was probably decided at 16, quite possibly as early as when I was 9. I became a librarian.
I have since worked at the Romeo District Library in Washington, MI for 14 years (http://www.libcoop.net/romeo/), and now with the Pima County Public Library in Tucson, AZ for over two years (http://www.library.pima.gov/). I have worked with all ages of patrons, and I am still one of those librarians who love to read and talk about books with people more than anything.
Happy Anniversary to Huntington Woods Library, and best wishes for the next 50 years!!!
Happy Reading!
Patti (Cheney) O'Brien
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate
Hello All,
Gallery Books graciously sent me an advance reading copy of The Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate for review. I enjoyed it, and if I didn't need my sunshine & warmth so much, Maine might be on the list of places to move to.
Holly Maguire spent her summers with her Italian grandmother, Camilla Constantina, who owned Camilla's Cucinottta, and told fortunes to locals and tourist alike. Camilla also taught cooking classes. After one more terrible break-up, Holly moves to her grandmother's, just prior to Camilla's death.
Holly tries to pick up the pieces of her life with Camilla's recipes and cooking school, even though Holly does not quite have the natural knack of cooking that Camilla had. Holly puts a lot of focus and energy into learning the recipes and begins to teach the classes, learning from her students as they learn from her. She also has the opportunity to cater, and while this situation presents its own challenges, Holly is able to add this to her new life.
The Love Goddess' Cooking School is a lovely story, with tributes to the past, to Maine and to learning from others as one gets to know oneself. Recommended.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Gallery Books graciously sent me an advance reading copy of The Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate for review. I enjoyed it, and if I didn't need my sunshine & warmth so much, Maine might be on the list of places to move to.
Holly Maguire spent her summers with her Italian grandmother, Camilla Constantina, who owned Camilla's Cucinottta, and told fortunes to locals and tourist alike. Camilla also taught cooking classes. After one more terrible break-up, Holly moves to her grandmother's, just prior to Camilla's death.
Holly tries to pick up the pieces of her life with Camilla's recipes and cooking school, even though Holly does not quite have the natural knack of cooking that Camilla had. Holly puts a lot of focus and energy into learning the recipes and begins to teach the classes, learning from her students as they learn from her. She also has the opportunity to cater, and while this situation presents its own challenges, Holly is able to add this to her new life.
The Love Goddess' Cooking School is a lovely story, with tributes to the past, to Maine and to learning from others as one gets to know oneself. Recommended.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Friday, October 29, 2010
Magician's Muse by Linda Joy Singleton
Hello All,
Linda Joy Singleton was kind enough to offer copies of her newest book, Magician's Muse, to young adult librarians on the YALSA-BK listserv, and I was one of the lucky recipients.
Magician's Muse is about a young woman who is a seer--she can see things that are going to happen, but was persecuted for it at her previous high school. Since then, Sabine has been living with equally talented grandmother, who welcomes and acknowledges Sabine's gifts. In this book, Sabine sees her ex-boyfriend, a magician, being held prisoner at a remote location, surrounded by men in formal attire, including capes. Despite warnings and concerns of her current boyfriend and friends, she goes off to investigate and see if she can help him. The muse part of the title and plot are about a failed woman magician from the past who claims to be helping a woman magician in the present become part of the magician's world, which in this book, belongs to men. Sabine has to go up against evil magicians and an angry ghost in order to set things right.
When Ms. Singleton sent me her book for review, she didn't know I was the kind of person who would feel I needed to read the previous 5 in this series. I wasn't sure either, but I read the first in the series, Don't Die Dragonfly, and was hooked--I had to read all of them to read Magician's Muse. The Seer is one of the best young adult series I've read in a long time, and with its tight story arc and sequence, I am so glad I didn't have to wait six months to a year between each book! I loved the characters, especially those who become close to Sabine and support her. And the stories kept me turning the pages in each book.
Not only do I recommend Magician's Muse, the final chapter of this series, but I recommend the whole Seer series! Enjoy!
The Seer series is: 1) Don't Die Dragonfly, 2) Last Dance, 3) Witch Ball, 4) Sword Play, 5) Fatal Charm and 6) Magician's Muse
Happy Reading!
Patti
Linda Joy Singleton was kind enough to offer copies of her newest book, Magician's Muse, to young adult librarians on the YALSA-BK listserv, and I was one of the lucky recipients.
Magician's Muse is about a young woman who is a seer--she can see things that are going to happen, but was persecuted for it at her previous high school. Since then, Sabine has been living with equally talented grandmother, who welcomes and acknowledges Sabine's gifts. In this book, Sabine sees her ex-boyfriend, a magician, being held prisoner at a remote location, surrounded by men in formal attire, including capes. Despite warnings and concerns of her current boyfriend and friends, she goes off to investigate and see if she can help him. The muse part of the title and plot are about a failed woman magician from the past who claims to be helping a woman magician in the present become part of the magician's world, which in this book, belongs to men. Sabine has to go up against evil magicians and an angry ghost in order to set things right.
When Ms. Singleton sent me her book for review, she didn't know I was the kind of person who would feel I needed to read the previous 5 in this series. I wasn't sure either, but I read the first in the series, Don't Die Dragonfly, and was hooked--I had to read all of them to read Magician's Muse. The Seer is one of the best young adult series I've read in a long time, and with its tight story arc and sequence, I am so glad I didn't have to wait six months to a year between each book! I loved the characters, especially those who become close to Sabine and support her. And the stories kept me turning the pages in each book.
Not only do I recommend Magician's Muse, the final chapter of this series, but I recommend the whole Seer series! Enjoy!
The Seer series is: 1) Don't Die Dragonfly, 2) Last Dance, 3) Witch Ball, 4) Sword Play, 5) Fatal Charm and 6) Magician's Muse
Happy Reading!
Patti
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Q & A with Reed Farrel Coleman
Hello All!
I am thrilled to share with all of you a question-&-answer session I had with author Reed Farrel Coleman. I have had several opportunities to meet and talk with Reed at various conventions over the years, and look forward to seeing him at Poisoned Pen on October 20 to get my new copy of his latest book, Innocent Monster.
Without further ado:
"I read about 2-3 years worth of your columns in Crimespree, one of your short stories, two of your Moe Prager books, one book you wrote under the pen name of Tony Spinosa, and I own the book that you edited, Hard-boiled Brooklyn. Of all the hats mentioned above, which do you, or did you, enjoy the most?
The one you didn’t mention: poet. I started writing it when I was 12 and published it on and off for years. I have taken it back up again and am now a co-editor of The Lineup, a journal featuring poems on crime.
Why did you write several books under the name Tony Spinosa?
It’s a long boring contractual thing, but I figured since I had to do it I might as well have some fun with it. I don’t think you’ll be seeing any new novels from Tony, but an occasional short story might pop up.
How did the concept of co-authoring a book with Ken Bruen (Tower) come about? How did you like this particular process of writing?
Tower was Ken’s idea and he invited me along for the ride…and what a ride it was. The process on the book was the most difficult thing I ever went through as an author and it was the best. It made me stretch like crazy and question my talents and skills and my sanity. I am much the better writer for it.
What’s your favorite piece of writing that you’ve had published? (I know, it’s like naming a favorite child - feel free to name 2 or 3 favorites).
In sixth grade I wrote a story called “Hector the Garbage Collector” that I thought was the coolest thing ever. My poem “Commentary, Sorry” I’ve always been particularly fond of. As to novels … Let’s go with Innocent Monster.
I understand that you are a teacher at Hofstra University. How did this come about, and what do you like about it?
About five years ago they asked me to be the dinner speaker at the banquet commemorating the end of their summer workshop program. They liked my speech so much, they asked if I might like to teach a class the following year. I’ve been teaching a summer class there ever since. I like teaching and I think I’m good at it, but I’d rather be writing.
Questions I borrowed from the online newsletter Shelf Awareness: a) what was your favorite book as a child? and b) what book are you an evangelist for?
a. Honestly, as a child I didn’t have a favorite book. As a young teen I loved 1984.
b. That’s easy: Adult- Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell, YA: King Dork by Frank Portman
What are you reading right now?
Gone ‘Til November by Wallace Stroby
I got the impression from one of your columns that you don’t like blogging - if true, why?
I understand why people do it. I’m glad people do it. Thank you for inviting me to your blog, by the way - I very much appreciate the generosity. I just don’t get why writers do it. The energy they use for blogging takes away from the energy they would use for their real work. Besides, I have no great urge to share details of my everyday life. What I want to express, I express in my work. What I want to say, I say to the people I want to say it to.
What do you think of the other aspects of social media that are now common marketing tools - namely Facebook and Twitter?
If I had my druthers, I might do Facebook, but not Twitter. It just cuts against who I am. But the reality of the world and the marketplace are such that I do both. It’s funny that you call it social media, but both you and I use the word market. Again, I don’t judge people who do it gladly for doing it. I just wish I could focus my energies on my work. I think this makes for a fascinating discussion which I will probably take up from time to time in my Crimespree column. Thanks for being a faithful reader of the column. It’s fun to write.
Tell us about your series with Moe Prager, and the latest in that series, the new book Innocent Monster.
Innocent Monster is the sixth installment in the Moe Prager series. It deals with Moe, now in his early 60s, taking on the case of a kidnapped 11-year-old art prodigy named Sashi Bluntstone. It’s three weeks after she’s gone missing, but Moe is desperate to solve the case and thereby repair his ruined relationship with his daughter Sarah. Moe expects only tragedy, but is dogged in his pursuit through the underbelly of the New York art scene. As always, Moe finds much more than he set out looking for.
The series is a different take on the usual PI protagonist. Moe is for the most part a happily married family man with a stable business and a normal social life. He’s an ex-cop who never made detective and it is the urge to prove himself that drives him at first. But he inevitably falls into the abyss of dark secrets and cover-ups, some of which he is complicit in prolonging. As William Faulkner once said, “The past is never dead. It isn’t even past.” And each Moe book proves his point.
* * *
Reed Farrel Coleman has published eleven novels—two under his pen name Tony Spinosa—in three series, and the stand-alone Tower co-written with award-winning Irish author Ken Bruen. He’s won the Shamus Award for Best Novel of the Year three times, won the Barry and Anthony, and twice been nominated for the Edgar. He is a co-editor of The Lineup and was the editor of the anthology Hard Boiled Brooklyn. You can reach Reed on his website, Facebook, or Twitter."
Thank you so much to Reed for his time and answers and to Sara J. Henry for putting this together! This was an honor and a thrill for me and my blog.
Happy Reading!
Patti
The photo on the left is from Reed's website, and the one the right was taken with my camera of Reed and me at Bouchercon 2009.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Good Enough to Eat by Stacey Ballis
Hello All,
I received Good Enough to Eat by Stacey Ballis at a very appropriate time in my life. The main character Melanie Hoffman has just gotten divorced, and so have I--different circumstances, but both Melanie and I have gone through big and interesting changes as a result.
Melanie has achieved what so many women work at and obsess over--she lost over 100 pounds and has gotten herself to a healthy weight. She has also changed jobs, from being a lawyer to owning a small gourmet take-out cafe called Dining by Design. The food she offers is healthy, calorie conscious and good. The good marriage Melanie thought she had is not, and she is blind-sided by the fact that her husband leaves her for an overweight woman.
Good Enough to Eat starts each chapter with descriptions of comfort foods, or remembered foods from Melanie's childhood, and then moves on to what is triggering the want of comfort. Melanie learns so much in this book, with the occasional two steps back that happens to everyone going through a life change like a divorce. She strengthens her current friendships, opens her own door and cafe to a young woman in her own transition, and develops new relationships, including a new man in her life.
I thought this book was on track as far as someone going through a divorce, and also learning to accept herself and her imperfections as she grows into her new life. I liked the ending too.
Highly recommended, and I'm glad that Melissa Broder (Penguin Group) and serendipty sent this book to me at this time. For those who want to know, yes, recipes are included.
Happy Reading,
Patti
Disclaimer: The only compensation this reviewer received was a copy of this book for review
I received Good Enough to Eat by Stacey Ballis at a very appropriate time in my life. The main character Melanie Hoffman has just gotten divorced, and so have I--different circumstances, but both Melanie and I have gone through big and interesting changes as a result.
Melanie has achieved what so many women work at and obsess over--she lost over 100 pounds and has gotten herself to a healthy weight. She has also changed jobs, from being a lawyer to owning a small gourmet take-out cafe called Dining by Design. The food she offers is healthy, calorie conscious and good. The good marriage Melanie thought she had is not, and she is blind-sided by the fact that her husband leaves her for an overweight woman.
Good Enough to Eat starts each chapter with descriptions of comfort foods, or remembered foods from Melanie's childhood, and then moves on to what is triggering the want of comfort. Melanie learns so much in this book, with the occasional two steps back that happens to everyone going through a life change like a divorce. She strengthens her current friendships, opens her own door and cafe to a young woman in her own transition, and develops new relationships, including a new man in her life.
I thought this book was on track as far as someone going through a divorce, and also learning to accept herself and her imperfections as she grows into her new life. I liked the ending too.
Highly recommended, and I'm glad that Melissa Broder (Penguin Group) and serendipty sent this book to me at this time. For those who want to know, yes, recipes are included.
Happy Reading,
Patti
Disclaimer: The only compensation this reviewer received was a copy of this book for review
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Hello All,
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.
Yes, I'm adding my voice to the many who will be blogging and otherwise voicing their opinions about this young adult novel. Mockingjay is the best of The Hunger Games trilogy, in my opinion. It heads in a different direction than the other books, namely, there is not a competition called The Hunger Games in it.
Katniss has been reunited with her family and best friend Gale in a neighboring district to her own, as hers has been annihilated. She is disoriented at the beginning of this novel, based on injuries incurred at the end of the last novel (very important--read this trilogy IN ORDER), and the hits just keep on coming. Katniss is used as a hero, and a pawn by several political viewpoints; she realizes this, and tries to keep herself centered throughout the political posturing that goes on. She definitely is a rebel against The Capitol, but she has her own ideas of how she wants to resolve some of the problems. Unfortunately, most of them she is not able to implement; she is forced to follow the goals and ideas of others.
Peeta has been held in The Capitol since the end of their last Hunger Games, and is also being used as a pawn against Katniss. He is mentally tortured into believing that Katniss is his enemy, and once they are reunited, it takes quite a bit of time and help for Peeta to begin to believe he can trust Katniss.
Towards the end of the book, Katniss, Peeta and Gale are among those sent on a mission to attack the Capitol; Katniss's own personal mission is to kill President Snow, but during this mission, amazing things happen, including several very good twists.
Saying much more would give away the end, but I'm happy with Katniss's choice of life partners, and I'm glad the end is honest with how Katniss lives with everything she's been through. Mockinjay brings the trilogy to a well-thought out closure
Happy Reading,
Patti
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.
Yes, I'm adding my voice to the many who will be blogging and otherwise voicing their opinions about this young adult novel. Mockingjay is the best of The Hunger Games trilogy, in my opinion. It heads in a different direction than the other books, namely, there is not a competition called The Hunger Games in it.
Katniss has been reunited with her family and best friend Gale in a neighboring district to her own, as hers has been annihilated. She is disoriented at the beginning of this novel, based on injuries incurred at the end of the last novel (very important--read this trilogy IN ORDER), and the hits just keep on coming. Katniss is used as a hero, and a pawn by several political viewpoints; she realizes this, and tries to keep herself centered throughout the political posturing that goes on. She definitely is a rebel against The Capitol, but she has her own ideas of how she wants to resolve some of the problems. Unfortunately, most of them she is not able to implement; she is forced to follow the goals and ideas of others.
Peeta has been held in The Capitol since the end of their last Hunger Games, and is also being used as a pawn against Katniss. He is mentally tortured into believing that Katniss is his enemy, and once they are reunited, it takes quite a bit of time and help for Peeta to begin to believe he can trust Katniss.
Towards the end of the book, Katniss, Peeta and Gale are among those sent on a mission to attack the Capitol; Katniss's own personal mission is to kill President Snow, but during this mission, amazing things happen, including several very good twists.
Saying much more would give away the end, but I'm happy with Katniss's choice of life partners, and I'm glad the end is honest with how Katniss lives with everything she's been through. Mockinjay brings the trilogy to a well-thought out closure
Happy Reading,
Patti
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