CANNERY ROW

CANNERY ROW by John Steinbeck

From the book flap:

Unburdened by the material necessities of the more fortunate, the denizens of Cannery Row discover rewards unknown in more traditional society.  Henry the painter sorts through junk lots for pieces of wood to incorporate into the boat he is building, while the girls from Dora Flood's bordello venture out now and then to enjoy a bit of sunshine.  Lee Chong stocks his grocery with almost anything a man could want, and Doc, a young marine biologist who ministers to sick puppies and unhappy souls, unexpectedly finds true love.  Cannery Ros is just a few blocks long, but the story it harbors is suffused with warmth, understanding, and a great fund of human values.

What a great little book!  Steinbeck has such a way with words.  There are entire chapters comprised of nothing but descriptive passages.  Here's one sentence that shows his mastery of words:

Cats drip over the fences and slither like syrup over the ground to look for fish heads.

The characters in this book are so well drawn and real.  Here he's talking about a man named Hazel:

Hazel's mind was like wandering alone in a deserted museum.  Hazel's mind was choked with uncatalogued exhibits.  He never forgot anything but he never bothered to arrange his memories.  Everything was thrown together like fishing tackle in the bottom of a rowboat, hooks and sinkers and line and lures and gaffs all snarled up.

I have another book here, SWEET THURSDAY, which is also set around Cannery Row - I can't wait to read that one.

SYSTEM RESTORE IS MY BEST FRIEND

I had a little scare yesterday morning when I turned on the computer.  I had done an update the night before.  When I started up in the morning, it seemed to take a long time to boot.  OK, probably finishing the update.  But then it said "Preparing Desktop."  That's new.

Then all of a sudden, I got a brand new desktop.  New background, bigger icons, and most of mine were missing.  Uh oh.  I opened a few programs - no information of mine was there.  All my banking records - gone.  Documents, pictures - gone.  Programs - gone.

After a minute or two of panic, I remembered System Restore.  I took it back to just before the update.  When it came back - the same "new" desktop and missing information.  I had to do another restore to a few days earlier, and finally everything was back to normal.

Someone suggested an online backup source, and I signed up right away.  I don't need computer problems, thank you very much.  I have enough other problems to get me through the day!

When I shut down the computer last night, there was the notice that an update was ready to be installed.  No way!  Not gonna get this ol' gal twice!

DEADLY HARVEST

DEADLY HARVEST by Leonard Goldberg, MD, was read for the 2010 Medical Mystery Madness Challenge.

From the book jacket:

A leading forensic pathologist at a major Los Angeles hospital, Joanna Blalock's professional cool is tested to the limit with her younger sister Kate is brought back from an archaeological dig in a coma and placed in the ICU.  She and her entire team have caught a virulent, Ebola-type virus, and most of them are already dead.  For the first time in her career, Joanna's medical expertise is useless, and she must helplessly stand by as Kate's health declines and her liver begins to fail.  The only hope is a transplant, but waiting lists are long and good matches hard to find.


In desperation Joanna turns to a legal, for-profit company that has a remarkable record of locating excellent organ donors from around the world - at a price.  To raise the money Joanna drains her savings, mortgages her condo, and even accepts a generous loan from her ex-lover, homicide detective Jake Sinclair.  But while focusing on her own impending tragedy, Joanna doesn't realize that she's walking right into another kind of nightmare.  It doesn't occur to her that the company selling organs is too good, too successful at always coming up with the perfect transplant just in the nick of time.


Only after Joanna is in deep, too deep, with her sister's life hanging by a thread, does it dawn on her that something horrific is going on - and that purchasing an organ will make her an accomplice.  For now that she knows the donor "source," Joanna realizes that her life, too, is on the line.  Those dedicated to saving lives are now out to destroy hers.

I liked this book.  Fast paced and full of mystery.  The story wasn't just about a transplant for Joanna's sister. There were a couple of murders, surrogate mothers, and money-hungry heirs included.

I had never heard of this book or author before.  I picked it up at a book sale.  Published in 1997, it's part of a series with Joanna Blalock as the main character.  I'm going to have to try to find more.

ON FOLLY BEACH

ON FOLLY BEACH by Karen White

From the back of the book:

Folly Beach, South Carolina, has survived despite hurricanes and war.  But it's the personal battles of Folly Beach's residents that have left the most scars, and they are why a young widow has been beckoned there to heal her own.


To most people, Folly Beach is simply the last barrier island before reaching the great Atlantic.  To some, it's a sanctuary for lost souls, which is why Emmy Hamilton's mother encourages her to buy the local bookstore, Folly's Finds, hoping it will distract Emmy from the loss of her husband.


Emmy is at first resistant.  So much has changed.  But after finding love letters and an image of a beautiful bottle tree in a box of used books from Folly's Finds, she decides to take the plunge.  But the seller insists on one condition:  Emmy must allow Lulu, the late owner's difficult sister, to continue selling her bottle trees from the store's backyard.


For the most part, Emmy ignores Lulu, and sifts through the love letters.  But the more she discovers about the letters, the more she understands Lulu.  As details of a possible murder and a mysterious disappearance during World War II are revealed, the two women discover that circumstances beyond their control, sixty years apart, have brought them together, on Folly Beach.  And it is here that their war-ravaged hearts can find hope for a second chance.

Loved this book!  The story shifts between present day with Emmy and early World War II times with Lulu as a child.  The stories, both past and present, are centered around Lulu's older sister, Maggie.  Other characters central to the war-time story are Cat, Maggie's cousin, and Peter, who was involved with both women and was somewhat of a mystery.  While learning the story of Maggie, Cat, Lulu and Peter, Emmy also learns some valuable lessons about herself.

I've read other books by Ms. White and enjoyed them.  This book, I think, ranks as her best so far.  Learning something new about World War II was an added bonus.  This book would make a perfect "beach read" for this summer.

BACK TO THE REAL WORLD

My vacation was great, but now it's back to the real world.  I came home to an empty refrigerator, so I spent an hour or so early this morning in WalMart, filling about 10 bags and emptying my wallet.  At least we now have some food to eat.

I gained weight during the trip - ate too much and drank too little - so now I'm having to work at getting it off again.  I bought plenty of fresh fruit and stayed away from sweets.  And plenty of Crystal Light decaf tea - that's one thing I'll drink by the pitcherful.

I'm back to bowling this afternoon and cards on Friday.  Slowly I'll get back in the groove.

Dom and I are going to go down to Orlando for a couple of days in early December.  And we might toss in a couple of days up in West Virginia if we can work out a good time - we can even take Maggie with us.

But for now, real life awaits.

SEEING STARS

SEEING STARS by Diane Hammond

From the back of the book:

Ruth Rabinowitz believes.  She believes that her daughter, Bethany, is a terrific little actress, so they have come to Hollywood, where dreams come true.  Ruth's husband and Bethany's father, who thinks their quest for stardom is delusional, has been left behind in Seattle.


Joining Bethany Rabinowitz in Hollywoood's often toxic waters are fellow child actors Quinn Reilly, who has been cast adrift by his family and excels only on Hollywood sets; beautiful Allison Addison, who is misled by her powerful need for love; and Laurel Buehl, who brings a desperate secret to LA that makes the stakes impossibly high.  As talent managers, agents, coaches, directors, and teachers nurture - and feed on - their ambitions, stars will be made, hearts will be broken, children will grow up, and dreams will both be realized and die.

Loved this book!  It gives a good look into the life of aspiring young actors and all they must do to get even the smallest part in a show, commercial or movie.  But the book is mainly about the dreams of these children and their families.  Who wants the fame - the child or the parents?  Is fame what they are really looking for, or is it acceptance and love?  What happens when the goals aren't realized?  When is enough enough?  Who decides?  And then what?

The characters in the book are so real.  You can feel their joy and frustrations.  Life is tough and these children, and their families, have to be just as tough.

This book is a keeper!

HOME AGAIN

Back home again!  It was a long trip but oh so worth it!

That's me, brother Paul and sister Anne, taken at my sister-in-law Joann's sister Jane's house in Eustis (could you follow that?)  We were at Jane's on Sunday night and Monday, then Anne and Sy came up for me.  We had a huge dinner and a birthday cake for Anne - Tuesday was her 80th birthday.

On Tuesday, Anne and I had lunch with 2 of her dearest friends, Betty and Virginia.  They've been friends for over 40 years.  Then a quiet evening at home with Anne and Sy.

On Wednesday morning, Paul and Joann picked me up and we drove down to Boca Raton to visit our brother Danny, nephew Jake and niece Jessica and her gorgeous baby Jolee.  We spent the afternoon shopping, then had dinner at a great Mexican place.  We drove over to the beach so we could stick our feet in the water - a first for Jolee.

Paul, Danny and Jake

Jess and sweet little Jolee

On Thursday, we drove back to Anne and Sy's house for lunch, and then we met Jane and her family for dinner at a Brazilian steak house.  Quite an experience.  Paul and Joann headed back to Jane's and I stayed again with Anne.  Friday was a quiet day - Anne, Sy and I went out for a quick dinner.  Then time to pack and get ready to head home Saturday morning.

We all went back to Jane's early because Dan's wife Sheila and son Sean were there - they had been at a baseball tournament in Myrtle Beach and were on their way home.  I hadn't seen Sean in 5 years - he's really growing up.

Sean, Sheila and Sy

We left Eustis around 8:30 and drove up to Cumming.  We hit no traffic until about 90 minutes from home, below Atlanta, where we hit a solid wall of cars barely moving for about a half-hour or so.  We finally pulled into my driveway around 6:00.  Out for an anniversary dinner for Paul and Joann, then home to get some sleep.  They left around 8:00 this morning, and should be pulling into their home in West Virginia any time now.

Thank you so much, Joann and Paul, for allowing me to come along with you on the 2010 Epic Sibling Tour!

THE EPIC SIBLING VACATION

No computer for a week!  I'll probably have withdrawal symptoms!

I'm leaving today for what my sister-in-law Joann calls The Epic Sibling Vacation.  Paul and Joann, who live in West Virginia, are on the road.  They left WV on Friday and got to Augusta, GA yesterday to spend the day and night with Joann's brother Mark.  This morning, they're moving again.  Heading out of Augusta, on the road toward Atlanta.

They're picking me up in a few hours - we meeting them at a restaurant for breakfast - and the three of us are headed down to Florida.  Dom is staying at home with Maggie.

First stop will be at Joann's sister Jane's house in Eustis.  We'll spend tonight there, then on Monday we'll hook up with our sister Anne and brother-in-law Sy.  I'll be staying with Anne and Sy on Monday and Tuesday night, while Paul and Joann stay with Jane.

Wednesday morning, we're headed down to Boca Raton to see our brother Danny and his children and new granddaughter.  We'll stay there on Wednesday night, then return to Orlando (Anne and Sy) on Thursday.  On Friday, it's back to Jane's for the night, then we'll leave Florida on Saturday morning.  Paul and Joann will be staying with us on Saturday night, then head back to WV Sunday morning.

I'm not taking my laptop with me and I plan to stay away from computers while we're gone.  I just want to concentrate on family - not FarmVille!

"See" you next week!

THIS WILL BE A FUN DAY!

Not really!

I've been up since 5 a.m. and have already finished the laundry.  Just need to fold a few pieces and put them away.  Now I'm getting ready to start some straightening, dusting and vacuuming.  Also need to clean the bathrooms and mop the kitchen floor.

I'm having cards here tomorrow so that gave me a real incentive to clean!  Plus, I'm going to Florida on Sunday for a week and I don't like coming home to a dirty house.  Of course, Dom will still be here so I don't know how clean the house will be when I get back!

OK, off the computer and back to cleaning!

WHITER THAN SNOW

WHITER THAN SNOW by Sandra Dallas was sent to me by the publisher for review and was read for the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2010.

From the book jacket:

On a spring afternoon in 1920, Swandyke - a small town near Colorado's Tenmile Range - is changed forever.  Just moments after four o'clock, a large split of snow separates from Jubilee Mountain high above the tiny hamlet and hurtles down the rocky slope, enveloping everything in its path.


Meet the residents whose lives this tragedy touches:  Lucy and Dolly Patch, two sisters long estranged by a shocking betrayal.  Joe Cobb, Swandyke's only black resident, whose love for his daughter forces him to flee Alabama.  Then there's Grace Foote, who hides secrets and scandal that belie her genteel facade.  And Minder Evans, a Civil War veteran who considers cowardice his greatest sin.  Finally, there's Essie Snowball, born Esther Schnable to conservative Jewish parents but who now works as a prostitute and hides her child's parentage from the world.


Fate, chance, and perhaps divine providence all collide in the everyday lives of these people.  And ultimately, no one is without sin, no one's soul is whiter than snow, ad no one is without the need for forgiveness.


A quintessential American voice and a writer of exquisite historical detail, Sandra Dallas illuminates the resilience of the human spirit in her newest novel.

I've read quite a few of Ms. Dallas' novels - in fact, I just finished one a week or so ago - and have enjoyed them.  I think this is the best one I have read.

In the first chapter, the reader is told that nine children will be caught in the avalanche and that only four will survive.  The book then tells the stories of the families of these nine children.  All through the book I wondered which children would survive.  I felt a closeness to all the families and didn't want any of them to lose a child.  I liked the way in which Ms. Dallas gave something back to those who lose a child.

This book will be a keeper.

TOO MUCH FARMVILLE??

They know me so well!

(Click to get a clearer view)

WATERMARK

WATERMARK by Vanitha Sankaran was read for the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2010.

From the back of the book:

The daughter of a papermaker in a small French village in the year 1320 - mute from birth and forced to shun normal society - young Auda finds solace and escape in the wonder of the written word.  Believed to be cursed by those who embrace ignorance and superstition, Auda's very survival is a testament to the strength of her spirit.  But this is an age of Inquisition and intolerance, when difference and defiance are punishable "sins" and new ideas are considered damnable heresy.  When darkness descends upon her world, Auda - newly grown to womanhood - is forced to flee, setting off a remarkable quest to discover love and a new sense of self ... and to reclaim her heritage and the small glory of her father's art.

I first heard about this book by reading a few reviews on different blogs.  Everyone raved about this book and how great it was.  Not me.

I just didn't get it.  I guess I didn't understand the story, not knowing anything about French history and the Inquisition.  I didn't like the story, I didn't like the manner in which the book was written.  I didn't like the characters.  I didn't even like the cover of the book.

Why I even finished reading it is a mystery to me.  It's going back to the library tomorrow.  I'm glad I didn't buy it.

SHOOT TO THRILL

SHOOT TO THRILL by P. J. Tracy

From the book jacket:

It's eighty-five degrees in the shade when Minneapolis detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth pull into the MPD parking garage.  They're driving a tricked-out Caddy, repossessed from a low-level drug dealer.  It's not a Beemer or a Mercedes but it's got GPS, air-conditioning, and power seats with more positions than the Kama Sutra.


Things are heating up inside the station-house, too.  The bomb squad's off to investigate another suspicious package at the mall, and kids are beating the crap out of one another and posting it on YouTube.  And before Magozzi and Rolseth can wish for a straight-on homicide, the call comes in:  a floater.


Soon they're humping it along a derelict stretch of the Mississippi River, beyond the green places where families picnic and admire the views.  They can see her - she looks like a bride in her white formal gown - facedown, dead in the water.  And so it begins.


Across town, Grace McBride's Monkeewrench crew - the computer geeks who. after making a fortune on games, are now helping the cops with anticrime software - have been recruited by the FBI to investigate a series of murder videos posted on the Web.  It's not long before Magozzi, Rolseth, and Monkeewrench discover the frightening link between the unlucky bride and the latest, most horrific use of the Internet to date. Using their skills to scour the Net in search of the perpetrator, the team must race against the clock to stop a killer in his tracks.

About 7 years ago, I found a book on my shelf titled MONKEEWRENCH.  I think I got the book off a clearance rack somewhere.  Anyway, it sat for a while until I suggested it to an online book-club as a selection.  We gave it a try, and as I remember, we all really enjoyed it.  Since then, I've read the next 3 books in the series.

It's been a couple of years since the last book was published, and I had waited anxiously for this one.  It didn't let me down!  Full of action with murders taking place across the country, then being posted on YouTube for all to see.  The Monkeewrench crew was called in to bend the rules a little and try to link these murders.  A couple of red herrings were thrown in for fun along with a frantic race at the end of the book.

P. J. Tracy is actually a mother-daughter team, one living in Minnesota and one in California.  I can just imagine their long-distance phone bills when they're writing a book!  Start reading this series in order, with MONKEEWRENCH first.  Fun books!

LITTLE BEE

LITTLE BEE by Chris Cleave

From the back of the book:

This is the story of two women.  Their lives collide one fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice, the kind of choice we hope you never have to face.  Two years later, they meet again - the story starts there ...


Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it.  When you do, please don't tell them what happens.  The magic is in how the story unfolds.

This little blurb made me want to read the book.  I had to find out what happened when the two women first met.  I'll just say, it wasn't anything that I had imagined.

Overall, I thought the book was just OK.  It was narrated in alternate chapters by Sarah and Little Bee.  I liked Bee but didn't care much for Sarah until near the end of the book.  The ending was left up in the air and unfinished.  Maybe if I had cared more about all the characters, I wouldn't have minded that type of ending.  Since I didn't like most of them, I wanted their stories to be over so I wouldn't have to wonder what happened to them.

Definitely not on my list of top ten books of the year.

MAY BOOKS

Wow - it's June already!  This year is flying by.  May was a good reading month for me.  I managed to read 12 books, even with a trip to Savannah that included absolutely no reading time.

Here's what I read in May:

THE LAST SURGEON by Michael Palmer (2010 Pub Challenge and 2010 Medical Mystery Madness Challenge)

THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU by Elizabeth Berg (2010 Pub Challenge)

THE KITCHEN HOUSE by Kathleen Grissom

WHISTLIN' DIXIE IN A NOR'EASTER by Lisa Patton

THE WIFE'S TALE by Lori Lansens (2010 Pub Challenge)

HANNAH'S LIST by Debbie Macomber (2010 Pub Challenge)

HOW HIGH THE MOON by Sandra Kring (2010 Pub Challenge)

HOLD UP THE SKY by Patricia Sprinkle (2010 Pub Challenge)

THE MIDDLE PLACE by Kelly Corrigan (real-life book club)

PRAYERS FOR SALE by Sandra Dallas

THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE by Mary Higgins Clark (2010 Pub Challenge)

MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL by John Berendt (re-read)

I closed out 3 challenges - The Irish Reading Challenge, the New York Challenge, and the 2010 Pub Challenge - even though I'll probably read more books that would qualify for each one during the rest of the year.

My favorite books - HOW HIGH THE MOON and THE WIFE'S TALE

How was your May reading?