by Martha Bolton
Hennepin County Library paperback 192 pgs
genre: humor, Christian perspective on aging
Funny, but a lot of it was still too "old" for me. I like her writing style - funny but not unkind. This was a nice book to have around for a few short chapters here & there.
My FB status is a quote from the book: "Laughter is healthy. It has the power to make you forget your problems, even if only temporarily. A hearty laugh can even burn thirty-five calories! How's that for a diet plan? Do without white bread if you want; I'd rather laugh."
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Wonderland Creek
by Lynn Austin
Hennepin County Library hardcover
genre: Christian historical fiction
Fun, but very predictable. The young woman was much too namby-pamby for me, but it did make her transformation more effective. Mack was clearly going to end up with her, so Ike was a pleasant diversion. Light fun.
Young librarian loses her job during the Depression, then she loses her undertaker boyfriend because her head's in the clouds. (Or was it vice-versa - loses Gordon, then job?) Anyhow, she takes a road trip with her aunt and uncle to deliver some books in the Appalachians and ends up staying. She is drawn into the poverty, feuds, and lives of the people in the little town and along the trails.
Some of the library / book stuff was delightful. Good discussion at book club!
Just saw an old unpublished post of this book:
by Lynn Austin
Hennepin COunty LIbrary hardcover 385 pages
genre: historical Christian fiction
No time!
Librarian / Great Depression / goes to Appalachia w/ bks she collected
Mack. Lillie. packhorses. coal scandal book
Ike
love
Hennepin County Library hardcover
genre: Christian historical fiction
Fun, but very predictable. The young woman was much too namby-pamby for me, but it did make her transformation more effective. Mack was clearly going to end up with her, so Ike was a pleasant diversion. Light fun.
Young librarian loses her job during the Depression, then she loses her undertaker boyfriend because her head's in the clouds. (Or was it vice-versa - loses Gordon, then job?) Anyhow, she takes a road trip with her aunt and uncle to deliver some books in the Appalachians and ends up staying. She is drawn into the poverty, feuds, and lives of the people in the little town and along the trails.
Some of the library / book stuff was delightful. Good discussion at book club!
Just saw an old unpublished post of this book:
by Lynn Austin
Hennepin COunty LIbrary hardcover 385 pages
genre: historical Christian fiction
No time!
Librarian / Great Depression / goes to Appalachia w/ bks she collected
Mack. Lillie. packhorses. coal scandal book
Ike
love
Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer
by John Grisham
PRMS hardcover 263 pages
genre: YA detective
Disappointing. After hearing so many rave reviews, I decided to read it myself (and be ready for our Monday staff book club - ANY Grisham novel). To be safe, I'm trying to get through Pelican Brief before tomorrow afternoon. Much better writing!
I'm not sure which middle schoolers Grisham hangs around, or who his target audience was, but I can't see many of my eighth graders buying into Teddy's reality. The courtroom stuff just doesn't hold that much interest, and Teddy's personal life reads more like fifth grade.
Ah well. Now I know how (and to whom) to booktalk this one.
PRMS hardcover 263 pages
genre: YA detective
Disappointing. After hearing so many rave reviews, I decided to read it myself (and be ready for our Monday staff book club - ANY Grisham novel). To be safe, I'm trying to get through Pelican Brief before tomorrow afternoon. Much better writing!
I'm not sure which middle schoolers Grisham hangs around, or who his target audience was, but I can't see many of my eighth graders buying into Teddy's reality. The courtroom stuff just doesn't hold that much interest, and Teddy's personal life reads more like fifth grade.
Ah well. Now I know how (and to whom) to booktalk this one.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Savvy
by Ingrid Law
PRMS hardcover 342 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age, fantasy
Mibs (Mississippi) Beaumont is eager for her 13th birthday. Besides becoming a teenager, she will learn what her savvy (special magical gift) is. Her older brothers Rocket and Fish have powers affecting electricity and water, respectively. But when their father is in a serious car accident just two days before her birthday, Mibs, Fish, and younger brother Samson end up in the clutches of Miss Rosemary, the preacher's wife.
A student implored me to read this book and I finally gave in. I'm so glad I did! Though it didn't catch my interest in the first few chapters, Law has done a wonderful job of looking at the intricacies of people and their relationships. And she has done it in a way that will attract many young readers. This book was delightful and I look forward to booktalking it with kids!
PRMS hardcover 342 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age, fantasy
Mibs (Mississippi) Beaumont is eager for her 13th birthday. Besides becoming a teenager, she will learn what her savvy (special magical gift) is. Her older brothers Rocket and Fish have powers affecting electricity and water, respectively. But when their father is in a serious car accident just two days before her birthday, Mibs, Fish, and younger brother Samson end up in the clutches of Miss Rosemary, the preacher's wife.
A student implored me to read this book and I finally gave in. I'm so glad I did! Though it didn't catch my interest in the first few chapters, Law has done a wonderful job of looking at the intricacies of people and their relationships. And she has done it in a way that will attract many young readers. This book was delightful and I look forward to booktalking it with kids!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Shipwrecked!
by Rhoda Blumberg
PRMS hardcover 77 pages
genre: NF, biography
Mary Verbick recommended this book, subtitled "The true adventures of a Japanese boy." Fascinating story of Manjiro and the closed culture of 1850s Japan. He was fishing with some other villagers when a storm blew up and stranded them on an island. After months of surviving on seaweed and albatross, they were rescued by a Dutch ship and brought to Hawaii. Manjiro's personal story from poor fisherman to Samurai is amazing! (And this story made me realize how little I know about other countries' history.)
PRMS hardcover 77 pages
genre: NF, biography
Mary Verbick recommended this book, subtitled "The true adventures of a Japanese boy." Fascinating story of Manjiro and the closed culture of 1850s Japan. He was fishing with some other villagers when a storm blew up and stranded them on an island. After months of surviving on seaweed and albatross, they were rescued by a Dutch ship and brought to Hawaii. Manjiro's personal story from poor fisherman to Samurai is amazing! (And this story made me realize how little I know about other countries' history.)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead
PRMS paperback 197 pages
genre: YA time travel, relationships
Set in 1979 New York, Miranda's story confused me a bit the first half of the book. I wasn't sure who she was addressing the story to, who the letters were from, etc. When I read a review that said this story dealt with time travel, it clicked. It helps that I've read A Wrinkle in Time, which is heavily referenced in this book.
My sixth grade Quest club will be reading this next, so I'm going to try to "set" the story for them.
PRMS paperback 197 pages
genre: YA time travel, relationships
Set in 1979 New York, Miranda's story confused me a bit the first half of the book. I wasn't sure who she was addressing the story to, who the letters were from, etc. When I read a review that said this story dealt with time travel, it clicked. It helps that I've read A Wrinkle in Time, which is heavily referenced in this book.
My sixth grade Quest club will be reading this next, so I'm going to try to "set" the story for them.
Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jamie Ford
Hennepin County Library paperback 285 pages
genre: historical fiction
Alternating between 1942 and 1986, we learn about Chinese American Henry and his life in Seattle during the evacuation of Japanese Americans to internment camps. Henry has befriended Keiko, although his father is super-nationalistic and perceives all Japanese as the enemy. In the 1980s, Henry is recently widowed and trying to be a different father to his son Marty than his own father was for him. Communication is tough!
This was a beautiful book, full of lovely and interesting characters. Black saxophonist Sydney and tough cook Mrs. Beatty were both integral to Henry's story. The relationship between him and Keiko developed so beautifully and innocently . . . his father's treachery broke my heart. The jazz music scene was also painted well. Wonderful story!
Hennepin County Library paperback 285 pages
genre: historical fiction
Alternating between 1942 and 1986, we learn about Chinese American Henry and his life in Seattle during the evacuation of Japanese Americans to internment camps. Henry has befriended Keiko, although his father is super-nationalistic and perceives all Japanese as the enemy. In the 1980s, Henry is recently widowed and trying to be a different father to his son Marty than his own father was for him. Communication is tough!
This was a beautiful book, full of lovely and interesting characters. Black saxophonist Sydney and tough cook Mrs. Beatty were both integral to Henry's story. The relationship between him and Keiko developed so beautifully and innocently . . . his father's treachery broke my heart. The jazz music scene was also painted well. Wonderful story!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Lola and the Boy Next Door
by Stephanie Perkins
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 7 discs
read by Shannon McManus
genre: YA romance, relationships
Delores prefers to be called Lola, has two dads (Nathan and Andy) for parents, dresses outlandishly, and has a 22-year-old rocker boyfriend named Max. Into this mix, her next door neighbors move back in after two years away. Calliope Bell is a world-class figure skater and snob. Her twin brother Cricket broke Lola's heart and she has spent two years hating him. But hatred is not the feeling he evokes . . .
I enjoyed this book a lot. Lola is too immature in terms of communication and relationships, but the attraction between her and Cricket builds slowly and powerfully. Her relationship with Max seems unlikely and the breakup scene was less horrible than I anticipated. Overall, a very interesting story.
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 7 discs
read by Shannon McManus
genre: YA romance, relationships
Delores prefers to be called Lola, has two dads (Nathan and Andy) for parents, dresses outlandishly, and has a 22-year-old rocker boyfriend named Max. Into this mix, her next door neighbors move back in after two years away. Calliope Bell is a world-class figure skater and snob. Her twin brother Cricket broke Lola's heart and she has spent two years hating him. But hatred is not the feeling he evokes . . .
I enjoyed this book a lot. Lola is too immature in terms of communication and relationships, but the attraction between her and Cricket builds slowly and powerfully. Her relationship with Max seems unlikely and the breakup scene was less horrible than I anticipated. Overall, a very interesting story.
Monday, January 02, 2012
The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It
by Lisa Shanahan
PRMS hardcover 295 pages
genre: YA contemporary fiction with some romance, problems, and humor
Liked: Raven, Gemma Stone's growing self-awareness, "chucking a birkett," and so many parts of this delightful story!
Disliked: not much . . . . The author didn't include a glossary (as in the Louise Rennison books about Georgia Nicholson - almost as funny as the books themselves!). Some of her Australian slang left me really confused. I still don't know what the "tip" was . . . a dump?
PRMS hardcover 295 pages
genre: YA contemporary fiction with some romance, problems, and humor
Liked: Raven, Gemma Stone's growing self-awareness, "chucking a birkett," and so many parts of this delightful story!
Disliked: not much . . . . The author didn't include a glossary (as in the Louise Rennison books about Georgia Nicholson - almost as funny as the books themselves!). Some of her Australian slang left me really confused. I still don't know what the "tip" was . . . a dump?
A Whole Nother Story
"As told by (the one and only) Dr. Cuthbert Soup
April's copy, paperback, 264 pages
genre: YA humor, adventure, mystery
Liked: some of the clever wordplay (like Jough Psmythe for "Joe Smith"), the nuttiness of some of the characters
Disliked: the "talking directly to the audience" writing style (though April must LOVE this; this is the second book she's recommended in this style), the stupidity of the villains, the ridiculousness of Mr. Cheeseman's plan to get the time travel machine working and to get his wife back, etc.
I just didn't care for this and have no desire to read the second book.
April's copy, paperback, 264 pages
genre: YA humor, adventure, mystery
Liked: some of the clever wordplay (like Jough Psmythe for "Joe Smith"), the nuttiness of some of the characters
Disliked: the "talking directly to the audience" writing style (though April must LOVE this; this is the second book she's recommended in this style), the stupidity of the villains, the ridiculousness of Mr. Cheeseman's plan to get the time travel machine working and to get his wife back, etc.
I just didn't care for this and have no desire to read the second book.
I Am Number Four
by Pittacus Lore (pseudonym for the two co-authors . . . )
PRMS hardcover 440 pages
genre: SciFi adventure
I finally read this! Wonderful book - I can watch the movie now. And get my hands on the second book. Alex read it, too. This one might be worth purchasing a personal copy of . . .
Number Four is from the planet Lorien. Fifteen children and their guardians left the planet before it was completely destroyed by the Mogadorians. The children are being killed one at a time, and "John" knows he is next.
I can't adequately blog about this right now - distracted and not feeling the writing "thing." This book is very engaging! It is one of those titles that works for both teens and adults. Looking forward to reading the next one!
PRMS hardcover 440 pages
genre: SciFi adventure
I finally read this! Wonderful book - I can watch the movie now. And get my hands on the second book. Alex read it, too. This one might be worth purchasing a personal copy of . . .
Number Four is from the planet Lorien. Fifteen children and their guardians left the planet before it was completely destroyed by the Mogadorians. The children are being killed one at a time, and "John" knows he is next.
I can't adequately blog about this right now - distracted and not feeling the writing "thing." This book is very engaging! It is one of those titles that works for both teens and adults. Looking forward to reading the next one!
Beast
by Donna Jo Napoli
PRMS paperback 260 pages
genre: fairy tale redux
Beauty and the Beast as told by the Beast's perspective. Interesting take on the tale, but I found the first half to be too slow. It will be interesting to see how many of my 8th grade book club kids can get through it. Prince Orasmyn (through language professor Napoli's lens) spends many chapters teaching us about Islam and Persian culture. His reason for becoming a lion is unusual . . . it didn't seem to fit with the traditional tale I'm familiar with. What was he supposed to do about the camel sacrifice? It's not quite the same as the arrogant youth situation.
Anyhow, I put lots of post-its in with talking points. Overall, this didn't do much for me. I liked Chou Chou, the pet fox.
Added 1/17/12 upon post-it removal:
pg. 5 "So many new words! Author's purpose?"
pg. 21 in response to "Fasting is difficult. But that's what makes it worth doing. Discipline, self-restraint, generosity toward those who truly lack the necessities of life - that's what fasting is about." I wrote "For me, it's about obedience to God."
pg. 65 - "Sex." (I'm assuming this scene is why it wasn't being used with sixth graders. My 8th graders didn't think it was "that bad," though. Orasmyn as a lion has sex with two lionesses.)
pg. 69 - "lions feeding. Gross" extremely graphic and disgusting. Visceral.
pg. 99 - "What else could he have done to communicate?" As Orasmyn leaves his parents sleeping in his room.
pg. 115 - "Learning by observation." as he watches the other lions to figure things out.
pg. 140 - "Closer to traditional tale" he has found an abandoned castle to stay in."
pg. 146 - "love of books & language (heart)" Orasmyn as a lion is using the castle's library to explore ideas and retain the vestiges of his humanity
pg. 150 - "color blindness. knowing what's lost."
pg. 164 - "My favorite chapter so far! (Because of familiarity?)" at the end of ch. 14
pg. 198 - "What?! Why does she say this?" in response to the woman saying "I am neither thief, nor seductress." . . . why did she say this to a lion who just attacked the little fox she was caring for?
pg. 216 - "religious teachings"
pg. 239 - "A Muslim lion converting a Christian woman?"
pg. 248 - "Chou Chou is a wonderful character! Light, positive"
pg. 251 - "Book is almost over & Belle isn't even back yet."
pg. 255 - "Seriously? That's how it ends? Is he naked or clothed?"
pg. 260 - "Interesting recommednation. Benefits of studying languages." on author's note afterword. I hadn't realized that she was a linguistics professor, but it makes sense.
Only two of my eighth graders finished the book! The discussion was pretty limited.
PRMS paperback 260 pages
genre: fairy tale redux
Beauty and the Beast as told by the Beast's perspective. Interesting take on the tale, but I found the first half to be too slow. It will be interesting to see how many of my 8th grade book club kids can get through it. Prince Orasmyn (through language professor Napoli's lens) spends many chapters teaching us about Islam and Persian culture. His reason for becoming a lion is unusual . . . it didn't seem to fit with the traditional tale I'm familiar with. What was he supposed to do about the camel sacrifice? It's not quite the same as the arrogant youth situation.
Anyhow, I put lots of post-its in with talking points. Overall, this didn't do much for me. I liked Chou Chou, the pet fox.
Added 1/17/12 upon post-it removal:
pg. 5 "So many new words! Author's purpose?"
pg. 21 in response to "Fasting is difficult. But that's what makes it worth doing. Discipline, self-restraint, generosity toward those who truly lack the necessities of life - that's what fasting is about." I wrote "For me, it's about obedience to God."
pg. 65 - "Sex." (I'm assuming this scene is why it wasn't being used with sixth graders. My 8th graders didn't think it was "that bad," though. Orasmyn as a lion has sex with two lionesses.)
pg. 69 - "lions feeding. Gross" extremely graphic and disgusting. Visceral.
pg. 99 - "What else could he have done to communicate?" As Orasmyn leaves his parents sleeping in his room.
pg. 115 - "Learning by observation." as he watches the other lions to figure things out.
pg. 140 - "Closer to traditional tale" he has found an abandoned castle to stay in."
pg. 146 - "love of books & language (heart)" Orasmyn as a lion is using the castle's library to explore ideas and retain the vestiges of his humanity
pg. 150 - "color blindness. knowing what's lost."
pg. 164 - "My favorite chapter so far! (Because of familiarity?)" at the end of ch. 14
pg. 198 - "What?! Why does she say this?" in response to the woman saying "I am neither thief, nor seductress." . . . why did she say this to a lion who just attacked the little fox she was caring for?
pg. 216 - "religious teachings"
pg. 239 - "A Muslim lion converting a Christian woman?"
pg. 248 - "Chou Chou is a wonderful character! Light, positive"
pg. 251 - "Book is almost over & Belle isn't even back yet."
pg. 255 - "Seriously? That's how it ends? Is he naked or clothed?"
pg. 260 - "Interesting recommednation. Benefits of studying languages." on author's note afterword. I hadn't realized that she was a linguistics professor, but it makes sense.
Only two of my eighth graders finished the book! The discussion was pretty limited.
Slumdog Millionaire
by Vikas Swarup
(originally published as Q&A)
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 10:45
read by Christopher Simpson
genre: realistic fiction, India
Oh my. This book was amazing and horrifying. Each time I read a book set in India, I'm taken aback by the commonplace cruelty, greed, lying, etc. Police brutality and government corruption seem to be the norm. Mary Verbick said she wishes she hadn't seen the movie because it was so disturbingly graphic. I'm very glad to have read the book, but I have no desire to see the movie.
Ram Mohammad Thomas has won the top prize (a billion rupees) on a quiz show. He is pulled from his bed, taken to prison, and tortured to confess that he cheated. The show's producers do not have the money to pay him and they do not understand how an uneducated man could have answered all the questions correctly. Just in the nick of time, a female lawyer shows up and takes Ram to find out the truth. As he shares his personal story in the order that illuminates his correct answers on the show, we get to know this extraordinary young man.
Not only was the story amazing, but this reader is the BEST I've EVER listened to!!! He created a huge cast of characters in an extremely believable manner - male and female, many different Indians, Australians, British, etc. This is the first time I've thought I ought to search out books by the reader (rather than author or theme). Absolutely delightful!
new entry
on 12.26.12 after re-listening. I'm adding the below after my third time listening to this story! What a well-woven story within a story. It's still intense and somewhat dark, but just amazing to listen to. ***Spoiler alerts below!*** And I've probably misspelled the character names horribly!>
Themes - mother (his recurring dream / image / mother with baby), homosexuality (Armand Ali, Father John, and Gupta at the juvenile home), alcohol (Chantaram, Black Label, whiskey, tending bar, drunkards telling truth, . . . ).
Smita - I love her!
"lahk" = 100,000
Q and A:
1. Betrayal - the movie with Armand Ali
2. INRI - Father Tim, no clue what FBI stood for
3. Pluto - Chantaram, his daughter, the kitten astronomy
4. blind poet / Krishna
5. PNG (persona non grata) - Australian spy
6. Haiti / voodoo - drunkard's story - Port Louis, Port Arthur, Port au Prince, Port Adelaide
7. Colt - revolver, train rider / bandit
8. (500K) highest honor in Indian military - time in the bunker, their local hero
9. (1 million) cricket /contract . . . time with assassin / substitution of Bollywood producer for Mammon
10. (10 million) Nilima Kumari - Tragedy Queen, national award 1985
11. (100 million) Shakespeare - "lifeboat" - called the guy whose son had rabies / Shankar - cerebral palsy? Swapna Davie / Nita - prostitute / Agra - tour guide
12. (1 billion) question on father of princess of Taj Mahal fame . . . since he knew it, new question on ??? (I don't remember!)
Timeline (rough):
infancy to age 8? / Father Tim
childhood / juvenile home, Saleem
12ish - Mammon, beggars, evil
Nilima Kumari (actress) - worked as house servant until she died
Chole with Saleem next? Chantaram / the bunker ???
ran from chole after Chantaram went through the railing - to Taylors?
Taylors / Australian family - got paid!
train ride / robbery / dead Dakote
Agra - tour guide - Shankar / Nita
back to Mumbai - the assassin? or maybe this was earlier
working as a waiter / bartender at Jimmy's
(originally published as Q&A)
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 10:45
read by Christopher Simpson
genre: realistic fiction, India
Oh my. This book was amazing and horrifying. Each time I read a book set in India, I'm taken aback by the commonplace cruelty, greed, lying, etc. Police brutality and government corruption seem to be the norm. Mary Verbick said she wishes she hadn't seen the movie because it was so disturbingly graphic. I'm very glad to have read the book, but I have no desire to see the movie.
Ram Mohammad Thomas has won the top prize (a billion rupees) on a quiz show. He is pulled from his bed, taken to prison, and tortured to confess that he cheated. The show's producers do not have the money to pay him and they do not understand how an uneducated man could have answered all the questions correctly. Just in the nick of time, a female lawyer shows up and takes Ram to find out the truth. As he shares his personal story in the order that illuminates his correct answers on the show, we get to know this extraordinary young man.
Not only was the story amazing, but this reader is the BEST I've EVER listened to!!! He created a huge cast of characters in an extremely believable manner - male and female, many different Indians, Australians, British, etc. This is the first time I've thought I ought to search out books by the reader (rather than author or theme). Absolutely delightful!
on 12.26.12 after re-listening. I'm adding the below after my third time listening to this story! What a well-woven story within a story. It's still intense and somewhat dark, but just amazing to listen to. ***Spoiler alerts below!*** And I've probably misspelled the character names horribly!>
Themes - mother (his recurring dream / image / mother with baby), homosexuality (Armand Ali, Father John, and Gupta at the juvenile home), alcohol (Chantaram, Black Label, whiskey, tending bar, drunkards telling truth, . . . ).
Smita - I love her!
"lahk" = 100,000
Q and A:
1. Betrayal - the movie with Armand Ali
2. INRI - Father Tim, no clue what FBI stood for
3. Pluto - Chantaram, his daughter, the kitten astronomy
4. blind poet / Krishna
5. PNG (persona non grata) - Australian spy
6. Haiti / voodoo - drunkard's story - Port Louis, Port Arthur, Port au Prince, Port Adelaide
7. Colt - revolver, train rider / bandit
8. (500K) highest honor in Indian military - time in the bunker, their local hero
9. (1 million) cricket /contract . . . time with assassin / substitution of Bollywood producer for Mammon
10. (10 million) Nilima Kumari - Tragedy Queen, national award 1985
11. (100 million) Shakespeare - "lifeboat" - called the guy whose son had rabies / Shankar - cerebral palsy? Swapna Davie / Nita - prostitute / Agra - tour guide
12. (1 billion) question on father of princess of Taj Mahal fame . . . since he knew it, new question on ??? (I don't remember!)
Timeline (rough):
infancy to age 8? / Father Tim
childhood / juvenile home, Saleem
12ish - Mammon, beggars, evil
Nilima Kumari (actress) - worked as house servant until she died
Chole with Saleem next? Chantaram / the bunker ???
ran from chole after Chantaram went through the railing - to Taylors?
Taylors / Australian family - got paid!
train ride / robbery / dead Dakote
Agra - tour guide - Shankar / Nita
back to Mumbai - the assassin? or maybe this was earlier
working as a waiter / bartender at Jimmy's
Jane Austen Ruined My Life
by Beth Patillo
Hennepin County Library paperback 270 pages
genre: contemporary fiction
I can't in good conscience call this a "romance," though main character Emma is most definitely a romantic person!
Since I'm blogging quite a few weeks after having actually read this book, here's what I grabbed off Amazon: "English professor Emma Grant has always done everything just the way her minister father told her she should -- a respectable marriage, a teaching job at a good college, and plans for the requisite two children. Life was prodigiously good, as her favorite author Jane Austen might say, until the day Emma finds her husband in bed with another woman. Suddenly, all her romantic notions a la Austen are exposed for the foolish dreams they are.Denied tenure in the wake of the scandal and left penniless by the ensuing divorce, Emma packs up what few worldly possessions she has left and heads to England on a quest to find the missing letters of Jane Austen. Locating the elusive letters, however, isn't as straightforward as Emma hoped. The owner of the letters proves coy about her prize possessions, sending Emma on a series of Austen-related tasks that bring her closer and closer to the truth, but the sudden reappearance of Emma's first love makes everything more complicated."
I liked it a lot. Jodi Prip recommended it to me. Emma, Adam, Mrs. Parrot, Edward, and of course, Jane Austen's "secret" letters made this a wonderful book for someone who enjoys Austen's work. In fact, this made me want to re-read Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. It also made me curious to know more about Austen and her family, especially sister Cassandra.
Hennepin County Library paperback 270 pages
genre: contemporary fiction
I can't in good conscience call this a "romance," though main character Emma is most definitely a romantic person!
Since I'm blogging quite a few weeks after having actually read this book, here's what I grabbed off Amazon: "English professor Emma Grant has always done everything just the way her minister father told her she should -- a respectable marriage, a teaching job at a good college, and plans for the requisite two children. Life was prodigiously good, as her favorite author Jane Austen might say, until the day Emma finds her husband in bed with another woman. Suddenly, all her romantic notions a la Austen are exposed for the foolish dreams they are.Denied tenure in the wake of the scandal and left penniless by the ensuing divorce, Emma packs up what few worldly possessions she has left and heads to England on a quest to find the missing letters of Jane Austen. Locating the elusive letters, however, isn't as straightforward as Emma hoped. The owner of the letters proves coy about her prize possessions, sending Emma on a series of Austen-related tasks that bring her closer and closer to the truth, but the sudden reappearance of Emma's first love makes everything more complicated."
I liked it a lot. Jodi Prip recommended it to me. Emma, Adam, Mrs. Parrot, Edward, and of course, Jane Austen's "secret" letters made this a wonderful book for someone who enjoys Austen's work. In fact, this made me want to re-read Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. It also made me curious to know more about Austen and her family, especially sister Cassandra.
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