The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman

The Story Sisters: A Novel by Alice Hoffman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Story Sisters was so dark that I considered putting it down. Alice Hoffman is such an excellent writer that I was transfixed as much as I was repulsed.

The three Story sisters are so close that they invent their own world as youngsters. They have their own language and their mother feels quite left out. After a tragic event effects Elv and Claire as young girls, they grow inseparable and the third sister, Meg, feels more and more left out. Elv and Claire tell no one what happened and Elv's sense of reality blurs. Claire feels responsible but keeps Elv's secret. Elv looks for relief from her pain in sex and drugs and spirals out of control.

As you read the story, you realize that things are often not what they seem. The kid you see on the street corner, the kid that alienates himself from his family, the anti-social kid on the playground may have a reason for having changed so drastically from the kid he was a few years before. This is a difficult story to read but worth sticking with it until the end.

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Reader's Digest's Quotable Quotes

Quotable Quotes by Reader's Digest Association

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Need a quote for card? An inspiration for a bulletin board? Something to spice up your blog? Quoteable Quotes is a great little reference book. And, as the editors note - they beg to be repeated. Read, enjoy...and repeat!



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The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Stieg Larsson is really going to be missed. After finishing the series of three "Girl" books, I would really love to read more. The issue with the twin sister was not resolved and I feel that Larsson was leaving an opening for another book. Since he passed away, I guess we will never know.



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Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book is laugh out loud funny! I know that sounds a little trite but I don't usually laugh out loud while reading. I thought I had trouble taking my husband out in public but he isn't a match to Justin's dad. Justin's dad constantly embarrasses him with his salty language and vivid descriptions of bodily functions. You can tell how much his dad loves him but Justin never knows what is going to come out of his dad's mouth. Quick read. Very enjoyable. Don't miss it!



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Rewired by Larry Rosen

Rewired: Understanding the iGeneration and the Way They Learn by Larry Rosen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was right on the money - except for the stereotype that older teachers don't use technology. If you are a teacher and you need a little research to back up your innovative use of technology in the classroom, this is the book for you.



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The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book is about four Chinese women that have immigrated to America. The four women get together to share stories and to play mah jong. These women each have daughters and they share the complexities of raising children in America with Chinese family respect and morality. The daughters conversely have to fit into the American lifestyle and not offend their parents at home.

I enjoyed this story. It was well written and explained some of the struggles of immigrants fitting into the American culture.



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Mathilda Savitch by Victor Ladato

Mathida Savitch by Victor Lodato

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It is funny to say that I liked the book but it really left me unsettled. I am still debating about how to describe it.



I think most of us have a little Mathilda Savitch in us. Mathilda constantly has lots of thoughts running through her mind. The difference between her and us is that Mathilda's thoughts come out through her mouth and most of us keep them inside. Mathilda's thoughts grow and expand until they get away from her with their largeness and she doesn't recognize them anymore.



Mathilda is living in a house with her Ma and Da. Mithilda's sister died the previous year and we learn more about her sister's death as the story unfolds. Her parents are so grief stricken that they don't really seem to realize that Mathilda is still living in the same house with them. The more they ignore Mathilda, the more she acts out to get their attention.



As Mathilda investigates the circumstances of her sister's death, she tries to make sense of it. Each bit of information she gleans from her sister's room helps her understand her sister, her parents and herself better. Each step is painful and takes her further from her childhood into an adult world that she is really not ready to enter.



If you are looking for an enjoyable weekend read that will leave you uplifted and peaceful at the end, this book is not it. Mathilda takes us on an interesting journey but all loose ends are not tied up in a neat little package at the end of the story. (Sounds a little like real life, doesn't it?) On the other hand, Mathilda is an unforgetable character, the writing is excellent, and I would definitely recommend it.



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My Life in France by Julia Child

My Life in France by Julia Child


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Julia Child was an amazing woman. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Julia's road to culinary success. She and her husband Paul ended up in France through his work with the United States Infomation Service. Julia did not know how to cook at all when she married Paul. They had so many opportunities to try amazing food while they were in France. Julia wanted to try some of those recipes at home to impress her husband. Little did she know that she was on the way to a new career!

Julia describes her life in France with such vivid descriptions of France, French food and the period in the history of world events. The world was changing rapidly and not only did Julia change with it but she also documented changes through film and print. She had a facinating life.

I was impressed with Julia Child as a writer, a culinary artist, and a pioneer in the new medium of television. I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

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