A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen

A Complaint Free World is a book about one man's mission to stop complaining and how that mission started with a grass roots movement from his church to the world.   Will Bowen begins with a challenge to stop complaining.  He uses one of those rubber bracelets that usually have some kind of "Support the ___" meaning.  Every time he complained, he had to switch the bracelet to the other hand as a reminder. The experience was challenging and the author discovered he complained more than he'd ever thought possible.

The goal was 21 days. Once the 21 days were up, he was allowed to remove the bracelet.  Although the movement is connected to religion, it seems valid to the non-religious as well.  While I'm not planning to wear one of those purple rubber bracelets EVER, I'm planning to look for a beaded bracelet that is a little less faddish and more like the hippy girl I am.

Either way, I complain at times and I can attest to the alteration of mood that complaining can bring.  I do believe that this book could change a person's life.  If your outlook on life is dismal or critical, maybe trying out A Complaint Free World (and working through the program) would be just the thing. And if you buy something like a beaded bracelet to remind yourself, no one else will ever know about your personal journey.

The Three Kitties That Saved My Life by Michael Meyer

The Three Kitties That Saved My Life is a memoir about the author's loss of his first wife and the subsequent grief he felt. He takes the reader on a journey through that grief to the other side where three kitties await. The story begins on a heart-wrenching note with Ciba, Meyer's first wife.

He introduces her with his own memories of when they first met. The story fast-forwards to a dream trip to Ireland. After returning home, Ciba falls ill. She battles cancer and goes into remission followed by a surprising devastation. The first chapters will grip your heart and give you a new appreciation for your loved ones. Much of the book's middle is devoted to the introduction of the three kitties and is full of awareness and appreciation of life.

Michael Meyer is the first indie author I've selected for this blog. I have other indie authors in the wings, whose books I enjoy, but this one was especially touching and was a great blog introduction to the indie movement.

 

The Winter Prince by Cheryl Sawyer

This book was primarily a historical fiction, although the plot had some threads of romance. The story follows the life of Mary Richmond, whose marriage to the Duke of Richmond and closeness to the king give her a unique position to influence events. I enjoyed the rich description and attention to detail that Cheryl Sawyer gives her setting without in any way diminishing the storyline or characters.

The story follows war with King Charles and his parliament.  I found the book to be extremely heart wrenching and well-worth the read for the emotional tug between Mary and Rupert, a man with whom she is in love. She is already married in a time when divorce was rare.

I hate giving spoilers and will go out of my way to avoid it. To speak to the thing that bothered me about this book, I would have to give information about the ending. There was a scene between the characters that seemed out of character and out-right wrong to me, but to tell you why would be a huge spoiler.  So, I can’t tell you. Suffice it to say, I wasn’t crazy about the way the book ended. 

I love the way Cheryl writes. I am actively looking for more of her books, and while I did hope for a better resolution, the book was worth reading.

Haunted by Heather Graham

It's sometimes hard to branch out. We all have our favorite authors, favorite genres. I'm no different. But since starting this blog, I realized that I owe it to my audience to try new things and look through the general section of the library a bit more often.

In keeping with that idea, I discovered a wonderful author who I might have missed otherwise. Heather Graham writes ghost stories. And while I love scary stories, I've not read an actual ghost story for a long time. Haunted is a wonderful blend of haunted house and mystery and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Darcy is a paranormal investigator whose gift came after her close friend died in a car accident. The story takes some interesting twists and turns. While I thought I had the 'bad' guy pegged about half-way through, there were enough red herrings that I wasn't 100% sure until the end.

 

The Guardian by Jane Hamilton

The Guardian is an all-time favorite of mine, and a book that I re-read every few years because Jane Hamilton’s characters are so absolutely wonderful and the way she tugs you into the story is masterful

The story opens with Tabris, a Guardian angel tried in Heaven’s court.  Flanked by two archangels, he stands on trial for the ultimate crime. Part of the mystery of the story is finding out exactly what Tabris did, because nothing is said directly about the crime throughout the beginning of the book although many hints are laid out.  All of the angels are horrified and treat him with distance, some with disrespect.

God has given Tabris a second chance. Tabris is sent to help another angel, Rachmiel, guard his child. The other angel is polite but doesn’t completely trust Tabris, but then Tabris doesn’t completely trust himself either.

The Guardian is a unique, heart-wrenching story. If you like fantasies and have gotten bored with the current selection, try this one.  In my opinion, Jane Hamilton writes the characters in The Guardian with as much skill as Patricia Briggs did in Moon Called.

Let me give you fair warning.  This is a Christian book and as such will contain reference to Christian beliefs.  That said, this book is truly a hidden gem.

Black Beauty by Anne Sewell

I hadn't read Black Beauty in decades and decided to revisit the story. When Anna Sewell wrote this novel, horses were everywhere and many were mistreated. Parts of the novel come across as a societal statement, although she no doubt had good cause to share what she knew.

Black Beauty follows a horse from birth and a happy childhood to harsh conditions as a work horse during the 1800's. Sewell seems particularly adept at creating a wonderful story from Beauty's viewpoint. The story begins with Beauty's life as a foal in a squire's pasture, able to roam and living a carefree existence. As time passes, the horse is sold again and again with each circumstance leading to ever more difficult and unhealthy working conditions.

Sewell is able to personalize Black Beauty and create such interesting circumstances that the 'life of a horse' actually turns out to be very interesting. This book fascinated me as a youngster. I was around ten when I read it and at that age really didn't notice how many times Sewell went off on a tangent talking about the ills of working a horse on Sunday, or using an uncomfortable rein or bit, or decrying animal abuse. These parts come off a bit preachy. Even so, I found the book much as I remembered it.

Last Night's Scandal by Loretta Chase

I feel like I should apologize for adding yet another Regency Romance to the Bookish Souls blog, but I couldn't resist. Last Night's Scandal has a tongue-in-cheek humor that sets it apart from other Regency books and I found it a lot of fun to read.

The novel begins with a letter from Olivia to her dearest friend, Lisle. The letter is filled with capitalization and underlining and cross-outs at key points. The author uses the letters as a clever way to bring Olivia's independent and witty side out.  Lisle has been her friend from childhood and has spent the past several years in Egypt. His parents want him home and when he finally returns home for a visit, cut him off and demand he restore an old castle passed on by a cousin.

What makes this story so much fun is there is never a question that Olivia and Lisle like each other. After all, they have been friends for quite some time.  It's just that they've never looked at one another in that way. And when they do, it's a rather daunting prospect on both sides.  I love Olivia. She's a great foil for Lisle who has his own unique personality.

While the author did use the words "Mine", at least the heroine didn't say please and Lisle never growled.  A great regency and worth a look.

Roses of the West by Anne Seagraves

I've been studying the Civil War and old west history for a novel I'm in the middle of writing.  I discovered this book and picked it up on a whim. I'm not a typically enthusiastic autobiographical reader, but I must say Roses of the West is a fascinating read.

Anne Seagraves tells the stories of a number of women who became famous in their own right during the 1800's. From an opera singer to ranchers and runaway slaves, the stories are gripping.  As autobiographies go, this is an excellent one. Anne has a storyteller's gift and while the events are non-fiction, Anne makes you care about the people whose lives were affected by the times they lived in.

Sometimes in my own comfortable existence, I forget how hard life once was for the early settlers. Many versions are somewhat sanitized or written in a generalized manner. Roses of the West had details that made me feel that I understood the problems these women faced and how they survived.

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque with translation by A.W. Wheen

It is my firm belief that any proponent of war and any person willing to declare war should first be put into the most dangerous engagement they would consign to someone else. All Quiet on the Western Front is as close as I've ever gotten to war and as close as I ever want to be to such a thing. While I have long been a pacifist, it is the men like Erich Remarque who have lived it and suffered from it who truly can demonstrate how horrible a thing it really is.   

All Quiet on the Western Front is not a book for the faint of heart. It follows a young soldier through the trenches of World War I, fighting on German side of the war. The book engages the reader from the start with vivid descriptions and a narration that brings the soldier's hopes and fears close to the reader. If you've never read All Quiet On the Western Front, I think you'll find it a hard but worthwhile read.

 I can't do the book justice with just a blog entry...here is an excerpt:  

The young recruits of course know none of these things. They get killed simply because they hardly can tell shrapnel from high-explosive, they are mown down because they are listening anxiously to the roar of the big coal-boxes falling in the rear, and miss the light, piping whistle of the low spreading daisy-cutters. They flock together like sheep instead of scattering, and even the wounded are shot down like hares by the airmen.  

Their pale turnip faces, their pitiful clenched hands, the fine courage of these poor devils, the desperate charges and attacks made by the poor brave wretches, who are so terrified that they dare not cry out, but with battered chests, with torn bellies, arms and legs only whimper softly for their mothers and cease as soon as one looks at them. 

Their sharp, downy dead faces have the awful expressionlessness of dead children. 

It brings a lump into the throat to see how they go over and run and fall. A man would like to spank them, they are so stupid and to take them by the arm and lead them away from here where they have no business to be.

Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson

As an author my strength is writing, so I picked up Guerrilla Marketing at the library with the hope of finding something that will set me on the right track of building a marketing campaign for novels.  Small business owners would do well to read it.  I found that some of the advice didn't apply but could see its usefulness to brick and mortar businesses.

In gleaning the information, this was the advice that seemed most appropriate to an artistic or creative business with regard to marketing.

1) Have a great product.

If you are going to pay for advertising, the author suggests having a great product. Otherwise, the marketing campaigns will only lead to a quicker downfall when people try it and realize they don't like it and spread the word. 

2) Stick with the plan.

When creating a marketing plan, the author suggests thinking the strategy through completely and then tying all advertising into that strategy without wavering. He said that many times when stores don't see immediate results, they pull the campaign and end up losing their investment.

3) Be consistent.

When trying to decide what kind of marketing to use, Levinson advised consistency. If your budget is $300, don't spend it on a one-shot ad. Instead, spread it across several smaller ads that are consistently reaching the audience. People are inundated by ads and rarely pay attention to the first, second, or even the third advertisement, but if a business continues a regular campaign, eventually it will sink in.

4) There are two types of advertising, the ads to draw new customers and the ones to remind current customers of new products or releases. Guerrilla Marketing recommends a tight focus on current customers. If you're sacrificing old customers for new, it's bad business. It takes 6 times the effort to entice a new customer than to keep a current one.

Those were the most applicable sections to me, but there were plenty more suggestions that would be more appropriate for a small store.

Shock by Robin Cook

In writing this blog, I've been encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones and try some genres that they may not typically read. In keeping with my own advice, I picked up a medical thriller. Now, honestly, I don't read in the thriller genre much. I've tried Tom Clancy and just didn't get into his books enough to take them home with me.

While looking for something outside my normal reading scope, I discovered Robin Cook. Shock is the story of two women who donate eggs in return for thousands of dollars. Although they signed a confidentiality contract, they become curious about the outcome of their eggs and whether any children had been born. With a decision to do some investigating, the women go undercover into the facility. What they find does indeed shock them and puts their lives in danger.

There were one or two moments in the story that stretched the imagination, but overall, the story was interesting enough that I was able to overlook them. Robin Cook's style is easy to read and his incorporation of medical knowledge made for a unique thriller.

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Winter of Magic’s Return by Pamela F. Service

This is a post-apocalyptic tale written before they were in style (published in 1985).  The book is about a trio of children living at a school, one is an orphan and has become a ward of the schoo

Five hundred years after a nuclear holocaust, the world is cold and cloudy year round. Strange animals mutated from the years of nuclear winter roam the Earth. The school is safe, but Wellington, Heather, and Earl take flight from the school when a couple comes to the school to claim Earl.

The couple claim to be his relatives but he knows they aren’t. Nightmares plague him and he’s lost his memory, but he knows not to trust them. 

Expect a few surprises if you’re never read the story or heard the spoilers.  It is unique enough to make for a very good read. 

Promise of Pleasure by Cheryl Holt

Cheryl Holt is one of my favorite regency romance writers.  Lately I've read a lot of regencies, so there will probably be a higher percentage of blogs on the subject than in a few years when my interests have changed. Promise of Pleasure is about a young woman who lives a less than perfect life with her step-mother and half-sisters. Her step-mother is interested in titled gentleman for her daughter Felicity and hopes to make a match with Jordan Winthrop, heir to the Earl of Sunderland.

In the meantime, Mary has taken an elixir from a peddler who promises that one drink in the presence of her true love and he will be hers. Everything goes wrong when Jordan blocks the man Mary has targeted just moments after she drinks the potion and she sees him instead.

What I love about Promise of Pleasure is the combination of humorous scenes with some heart-touching sorrowful moments when it seems that the story will end badly.  I truly love reading Cheryl Holt. If you enjoy romances and have somehow missed Cheryl Holt, I highly recommend her.

Fit for Life by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond

 This is a book on eating and detoxification. As expected, the gist of the book is that fruits and vegetables are good, while dairy and meat are more questionable, but the authors make a program that allows for everything healthy. (Colas and refined white sugar are definitely out).

The authors also make note of things that I haven’t heard elsewhere. For example, fruit should be eaten before meals, never with or after . The reasoning is that the fruit will have to wait while the heavier food digests and will rot as it passes through turning the whole meal toxic.

According to the book, for breakfast, have as much fruit and in any variety as you like. If you need something heavier to fill up before lunch, the authors suggest bananas. After lunch or dinner, wait three hours before eating fruit again.

Limit dairy products, refined sugars, flour, and heavy meats. 

All of it has been said before, but the authors make some good points that you might not hear in another healthy lifestyle book. Also, the back is filled with recipes and food combining suggestions.

For my part, I’ve cut junk food sugar nearly completely out, eating sweets only on holidays. Sugar is addictive. I know because it was an incredibly hard thing to do and I ended up bribing myself to get through the first two months.

It seems the book is now split between the two authors. The link to Amazon below is the book I have.

A Drowned Maiden's Hair

I had a few arguments with myself as to whether to post this book or not.  Frankly, I was disappointed because somehow I thought I was going to be reading a paranormal story.  But in the end, I do think it is a well-told story for the young adult market.

As with many YA novels, the story opens with a girl living in an orphanage whose life is harsh because she speaks her mind and is not considered pretty. She has been punished by being locked in the outhouse with the spiders and smells.  She bravely sings the Battle Hymn of the Republic to prove she's not afraid.

While she is singing, one of a trio of sisters looking for a girl to adopt hears her and decides that she is the one. From here we take a sharp turn because the sisters are hiding Maud and have plans to make her a part of a clandestine activity to fleece others. 

She then must decide whether a lie is worth the love she wants from the sisters.

Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop PG-13

Perusing the shelves at the library, I overlooked this book on at least four occasions before finally deciding to read it.  For me, the turn off was the use of names like Lucivar & Daemon. But I did eventually read the book and discovered that I like Anne Bishop novels. 

Bishop has an ability to write characters that come alive off the page. The first book in a trilogy, Daughter of the Blood is about two brothers of a long-lived race who have been tormented and enslaved by the current queen & witch in Terreille.  They are in the room serving lords and ladies when a broken witch tells of the coming of the Queen of the Dark Realm.

The Queen of Darkness turns out to be a true heroine and a compassionate person. While none of the main characters are tame, in the moral code of right and wrong, they actually represent good. The whole realm is dark, and the brothers murder in self-defense. The enemy of the brothers and the coming queen is a pair of deranged women whose power enslaves the brothers for hundreds of years.

One of my favorite elements of the book is the introduction of the kindred.  They are animals with the power to communicate and provide comic relief and joy to the story. I'm not one to like incredibly dark topics, and this book does deal with some very harsh topics and sensitive issues including rape which would not be suitable for a younger audience. This is probably the darkest book I've read that I can say I liked reading.

Life’s That Way: A Memoir by Jim Beaver

Jim Beaver is an actor who has played the rolls of prospector on Deadwood and a demon hunter on Supernatural among others.  When I stumbled across his book at the library I picked it up to flip a few pages. For me to pick up a book is not unusual.  I’ve perused the aisles of biographies and promptly put back dozens of books. Usually it’s more of a walk-through on my way to another shelf. But this one captured my interest and I found myself immediately drawn into the story.

Jim tells the story of his wife’s battle with cancer. He shares some very deep and personal moments.  Let me warn you in advance, have a box of tissues on hand because you’ll probably start crying. And you’ll no doubt cry through more than one chapter.  It’s basically the story of what happened, how they discovered her cancer, his and his family’s reactions to it, and how it affected the family.

This is a true story and it will make you cry. A book totally outside my normal genre-reading, I found myself completely engaged. A page-turning memoir…I really never would have expected it.  So here it is, by Jim Beaver… Life’s That Way: A Memoir.

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is famed for the Chronicles of Narnia, which is one of my favorite series, although I'm afraid I might have outgrown them.   Till We Have Faces is a more mature book and a powerful story.

The story is a retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth from the perspective of the half-sister who was blamed in the myth as a jealous woman who disliked Psyche and set her up. In this first-person tale, Orual justifies her actions to the gods and explains her side. The result is a fascinating and unique story.

What I enjoy the most about Till We Have Faces is that Orual's character is so very likeable even with her flaws. She is told she is ugly as a child, but she is able to put up a good argument that she truly loves her sister who is beautiful. The beginning of the book is spent on Orual and Psyche's childhood and their teacher, the Fox, and how Psyche came to be sacrificed to Cupid. I don't like to give away endings, so I'll leave it there.

An elegant story with a strong emotional thread, this is a wonderful book.

The Monster at the end of this Book by Jon Stone

I've been remiss in the picture book category and thought it might be time to mention the single best picture book ever written. The Monster at the end of this Book might be for kids, but it's the kind of book that an adult can enjoy reading to the little ones.

It's clever and funny and what I would call a page turner for children.  I suppose if picture books were categorized, this would be a mystery.   I loved it when I was little and I have the feeling in a hundred years, it will still be in print.




 

Phule's Company by Robert Aspirin

Let me first say that I enjoy all of Robert Aspirin's books. He cracks me up. I enjoy the Myth Series and may at some point do a post on that, but even as a Robert Aspirin fan, I stumbled onto Phule's Company several years after it was first released.

 In Phule's Company, a lieutenant is punished with the command of a company of men who have been shuffled off to the most undesirable placement in the legion, Haskin's Planet. The captain and colonel gave the command of the company of "losers and problem cases" to the lieutenant who is the wealthy son of the owner of Phule-Proof Munitions, hoping to entice him to resign. He happily accepts the promotion.

But Phule didn't know he was supposed to fail. And he didn't do things the way everyone expected. With plenty of laughs along the way, Phule finds the special abilities his troops possess and teaches them a new way of looking at things. They learn to work together and when problems come, surprise everyone with their success. A fun and entertaining read. One I can highly recommend.

The Weekend Novelist Rewrites the Novel: A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfecting Your Work by Robert J. Ray

I'm rather picky when it comes to books on writing. I've read magazines, books, and articles and a great many rely on the same cliched advice. And I think, "Yeah, I've seen this before." The Weekend Novelist Rewrites the Novel takes a refreshing step toward practical advice in editing work and provides unique tools in revising a novel. (The author looks at content editing rather than copy editing. His book covers the larger scope.)

The book goes into detail on how to plan subplots, how to organize scenes, building tension, and fixing scenes.  He suggests spreadsheeting to help clarify holes and places to expand.  I've used techniques from this book on multiple occasions even when I was stuck in the writing phase.  There are side bars with tips, checklists, and several examples of the grids he uses.

As books on writing go, this is one of the best.

The Manhattan Hunt Club by John Saul

John Saul knows how to write a chilling book.  The Manhattan Hunt Club opens with a brutal attack on a woman.  The man who tried to help her, Jeff Converse, was falsely accused and is wrongly convicted.  His sentence is light, only nine months. On his way to Riker’s Island, the van Jeff is riding in is hit and someone pulls him out of the van and sends him into the tunnels.

Jeff is then shoved into a cell with a serial killing crazy who doesn’t remember his killings.  Meanwhile his father and girlfriend, neither believing the official story of his death, join forces to try to find him. Taking place in the subterranean world of New York City, the effect is a cold and dark world. Jeff and Jagger, the serial killer, are told that they are going to be in a hunt...as prey. If they can get to the surface, they will live.

The odds are stacked against them. And the hunters are coming.

The Manhattan Hunt Club touches on an interesting array of themes and politics, from the homeless (or houseless) to vigilante justice. But it’s done with such finesse that the themes don’t overshadow the entertainment value the book has to offer. 

The idea might be familiar, but the treatment is unique.  Somewhere between mystery and horror, The Manhattan Hunt Club is a great read!

(Links will take you off site to Amazon...)

Sarah and the Lost Friendship by Margaret Epp

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but when I wanted to share this book with my niece, instead of just shipping it to her, I bought a copy. (It's out of print, but I found a used one in good condition.) I couldn't bear to part with it because I enjoyed it so much as a child.

This book has a lot in common with The Little House on the Prairie Series and Anne of Green Gables. (At some point, I have no doubt I'll be discussing them, but this is a book that didn't have the popularity and might have gone unnoticed.)

The story is about a ten year old girl in 1926 when people still had milk delivered and rode horse and buggies. The theme centers around a fight Sarah has with her best friend.  Sarah's sister marries her best friend's brother and now Sarah feels jealous.

I've always loved stories where the heroine has an injury or falls ill and that happens in this book. She feels sick to start but it gets worse as she is milking the cow. I think that's probably the reason I like Sarah and the Lost Friendship so much. Please note, the book does reference Christian beliefs and values, but the storyline is intact. If you have a young reader who enjoys the horse and buggy days, Sarah and the Lost Friendship is a great choice.

Until I Die Again by Jaime Rush/Tina Wainscott

(I'm actually reviewing On the Way to Heaven re-released as Until I Die Again by Jaime Rush/Tina Wainscott)

This is the single best romance that I have ever read.  And I’ve read A LOT!  This has every element of a successful love story with a beloved hero and heroine moving in different directions and lots of tension, but there is the added element of intrigue and danger, not to mention the touch of paranormal that makes this book soar into the stratosphere.

Tina Wainscott was ahead of her time with this release.  A Golden Heart Award winner, Wainscott should have hit New York Times bestseller list with On the Way to Heaven.  It’s just that good.

The book opens with the heroine Chris Copestakes driving across a bridge when a semi blocks her way, driving her off the road and plunging her down. She hears voices in the emergency room, blanks out again and then is drifting up and away.  She argues that she hasn’t done enough, that there are still things she wants to do. She is given a second chance, but her old body is broken.  The last thing the voice tells her is to ‘find his heart’.

The opening is powerful enough, but the rest of the story is a  rocket-ride to the finish. The story has enough emotional hooks that I have re-read it at least three times. (Tina Wainscott is another author that I will only read on weekends to preserve my sleep schedule.)

This is a ‘desert island’ book.  If I could only take one romance with me, this would be it.

Reviewer’s Note:

(I own the original version On the Way to Heaven and do not know the difference in the releases, having only read the original. I’ve read most of Wainscott/Rush’s books and trust the re-release to be just as good.)

 Ebook Version           Print Version

All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum

It's been almost two decades since All I Really Need to Know came out. For that upcoming generation who might have missed it (or those of you older folks who somehow managed to pass it by), All I Really Need to Know is a humorous look at life with all of its foibles and follies.

Sometimes editors and agents will talk about an author's 'voice' or style. I believe that Robert Fulghum's greatest gift is that voice. He draws you into his book with a storyteller's invitation and warms you in the laughter of his words.   His humor, sometimes self-deprecating, has a truth that seems to ring in a person's soul with clarity and conviction and of course, chuckling. 

I've picked up more than a few so-called funny books with authors who are ready to show the world their version of truth.  A few I found dark or crass and well, not terribly funny. Some just seemed to blather on without anything to say.  But Fulghum is funny and his humor is intelligent. When he ventures into dark places, he brings a nightlight and a teddy bear (or at least a singing bird), and he makes a person feel better for having read his work.

And that's really something.  So for those of you who missed it, I strongly recommend with my biggest blogger stamp of approval, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.

How Much for Just the Planet? By John M. Ford

It’s almost embarrassing to admit, but somewhere in my dark history I was once a trekkie, and I have the books to prove it! There were some decent writers in the Trek universe back in the day (maybe still are, but I’ve moved on since).

I enjoyed The Great Starship Race by Diane Carey and may even write about that one in a few years when I’m ready to mention my 2nd favorite Star Trek book. But for now, let’s talk about the best. How Much for Just the Planet? What I love about this book is the humor. It’s just funny. It has a vaudeville tongue-in-cheek type of appeal that had me actually laughing. And let me tell you, there are only a few books that I’ve had that kind of reaction to, and I read a few books a week.

As usual, the Federation needs dilithium crystals. And an abundance is found on a tiny out-of-the-way planet which, surprise, the Klingons have found as well. Now the fun begins. Because the two groups are ready to compete for the lucre. What they don’t realize is that the people of Direidi are full of pranks and will lead them all on a merry chase.

It’s true that only a Trek fan will really understand the nuances, but if you’ve ever loved Star Trek and missed this book, it’s well-worth the read. (Even if the show looks totally cheesy in retrospect…and I’m sorry to say it does.)

The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon

Several years back a friend told me about this book urgently suggesting I read it.  I'm easily turned off by strange words in both titles and first paragraphs and while I wrote down the title, I didn't jump all over finding it.  Well, I was lucky my friend was persistent (with the urgency of a Firefly fan) because I eventually picked it up at the library.  And then, I loved it so much, I bought my own copy. And then for good measure, I bought a couple copies for family members.

What makes The Deed of Paksenarrion so great?  In my opinion, it is the ONLY novel to ever give J.R.R. Tolkien a run for his money in the fantasy genre.  It doesn't have the "Bestseller" moniker printed across the cover, so I can only assume that people saw the title and said 'meh'. Don't let the title fool you, it is an epic fantasy so vivid and detailed and huge in scope that it is truly worthy to be compared to the master of fantasy himself.

The novel follows the story of a young woman, Paks who is betrothed to a pig farmer. She has other ideas and runs away from home to join a mercenary company. But her longing is to be greater than a mercenary and to fight for good the way the heroes of her grandfather's time did takes her down a path no one would expect.

What begins as a soldier's story quickly evolves into an epic tale of good and evil, right and wrong, as Paks leaves the mercenary company and shows gifts that may indicate she has been chosen by the gods for some purpose. As with all great books, Elizabeth Moon gives Paks some crushing defeats and major disappointments. Those painful moments define her character and make the moments of victory so much the sweeter.

Moon deftly weaves the story of Paks and brings a rich tapestry of event and emotion to the story.  The story seems larger than its genre to me. I believe that it would be enjoyable to some who don't regularly read fantasy in the same way that The Lord of the Rings is.

You'll hear me say on this blog. "This is a book I've re-read."  When I say that  it shows a truly special story because with the thousands of books left to read, I only revisit the very best, the ones that have tugged on my heart or my imagination. So far, I'm up to at least four readings of The Deed of Paksenarrion. I consider it a top ten in favorite books.





 

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Free on Kindle)

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic that stands on its own in terms of entertainment value and thought.  I hadn't actually read the book until a group of fellow writers got together and we started talking about books.   When we had finished, I had a list of thirty books with this classic on the list. And it is a wonderful book. 

The novel follows an aristocratic fellow whose name is Dorian Gray.  He is a vibrant, youthful fellow who exudes charm and grace.   After his portrait is painted, we follow Dorian's path through life.  He debauches himself and lives only for personal pleasure.  No matter what excesses he indulges in, he remains the same beautiful person he always had been, charming and youthful.

But his picture changes.  As time passes, the painting begins to reflect the evils he has committed, showing Dorian's true nature on the canvas. 

While The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic, it is an interesting read and well worth picking up.  I noticed that there is a free Kindle version available...


****Free Kindle Version**** (at time of blog posting)
Paperback version

The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

Some of the books in McCaffrey’s Pern novels are hit or miss. I absolutely love the second and third in the series, Dragonquest and The White Dragon.  Let me give you a warning up front.  DO NOT START WITH THE PROLOGUE.  Yes, it’s at the front of the book, but quite frankly, it’s boring and unnecessary and enough to drive a reader far far from the books.  Just read the whole series and skip to the first chapter of each book when you see the words “Prologue”.  And if you’re browsing the “Look inside This Book” part of Amazon, let me tell you, the first chapter is MUCH better than the summary, so just go there to get a sample.

The Dragon books (and there are a lot) are centered around a planet called Pern where parasitic thread falls from the sky and where it touches, it burrows into the ground destroying everything in its path.  The dragons chew firestone and destroy the thread with flame. They are telepathically bonded to their riders and if a rider loses a dragon, it’s like losing a part of himself.

The premise is interesting and the story-telling exquisite.  My favorite characters, Jaxom and Ruth, start a very interesting storyline in Dragonquest, when Jaxom is on the hatching grounds and sees an egg that isn’t cracking.  Everyone else is leaving and ignoring the hatchling as a lost cause. Against all rules of conduct and expectation, Jaxom jumps into the pit and breaks the egg so the little dragon can come out.

Ruth, a male dragon, becomes bonded to Jaxom, but he is unique, half the size of a normal dragon and white. The dragon is not expected to survive.  The plot is complex enough that this telling is just one tiny piece of the book.  I also love the character Brekke and her part in Dragonquest.  

If you’re looking for a master of fantasy and somehow missed the Pern series, The Dragonriders of Pern are a great read!

The Bedwyn Saga by Mary Balogh

I love historical romance, specifically the regency period. This is a series of books all related to the Bedwyn family. Slightly Married, Slightly Wicked, Slightly Scandalous, Slightly Tempted, Slightly Sinful and Slightly Dangerous.

What I love about Mary Balogh is that when she writes a romance, the characters come alive. I was doing a reading blitz of my library's historical romances last spring and many of the stories faded within a day or so of reading them. The Slightly series was the best that I had read in an incredibly long string of regency romances. 

The series spans the romances of all of the Bedwyn family brothers and sisters. The plots of each are unique, although true to romance, there are always the angsty separations, etc.  My favorite character is Wulf Bedwyn, a man who came early into his inheritance and must act as patriarch to the family, approving his sibling's partners. Throughout the series he comes across as cold and gruff with glimmers of emotion at poignant moments. I read through the books and realized that I REALLY wanted to hear his story.

Although it was the book I most looked forward to reading, my actual favorites were with Alleyne, Slighty Sinful and Aidan, Slightly Married, Wulf's two brothers.

I heartily recommend reading these books in order. While most romances are truly stand alone, the characters intertwine.  I read the first book out of order, but I'm really glad that I read Wulf's story last because after so long watching a fellow who seems set apart and even lonely in his ivory tower, it was great getting to that moment.

Hello from Heaven by Bill and Judy Guggenheim

Hello from Heaven is an inspirational book that records stories from families who have seen loved ones after death. What I like about the stories is that the authors weed out situations where the family contacted a medium. These are just stories of visitations or events that naturally occurred and seemed to point to contact from beyond.

The chapters are separated by the type of contact. Fragrances, dreams, full appearances, etc. The people in these stories come from all walks of life and every age.

Here's an excerpt...  

The night my father died, I was lying in bed and lo and behold, I sensed his presence. He said, "Hi, honey." I said, "Daddy, you're okay!" He said, "Honey, there is nothing to it. Dying is as easy as falling off a log." I was so overcome I really didn't know what to say.

Hello from Heaven is full of first person stories just like the excerpted paragraph above.  I found it a very interesting book.

Under the Dome by Stephen King (PG for gore, etc)

Stephen King is a prolific writer. It’s easy to get lost in the reading list of Stephen King novels. Which is the best? Which one should I pick up? At a certain point, maybe you thought, “Well, I've read Carrie, Christine, & Cujo, so I’ve got the best ones covered.”

Let me recommend a book called Under the Dome. Under the Dome is a chilling look at human behavior, a Lord of the Flies for adults. The town wakes up on a typical morning. But life will take a unique and unexpected turn for these people. An invisible dome is placed over the small Maine town. From the beginning this creates all kinds of problems, some disastrous and graphic, others stemming from what would be expected of this kind of situation such as people panicking over food, water, and energy shortages.

True to King’s imagination, the novel has some truly horrific moments and the body count is high. I haven’t always liked Stephen King’s protagonists, and I haven't liked all of his books. Sometimes it almost seems like he appreciates the anti-hero more than a hero. But Under the Dome has some truly likeable characters interspersed with the heinous, evil, and sometimes bumbling and the story itself is very compelling.

King has a way of ratcheting up the tension. Things go from bad to worse and a few of the townsfolk turn out to be sociopathic in nature (no surprise in a King book), which of course adds some great twists and turns to the story. Amidst the tragedy and fear, greed and corruption, are some heroes who struggle to keep the town going. If you’re looking for a complex story and want some people to root for, let me recommend Under the Dome.

The Long Road Home by Mary Alice Monroe

I'm not typically a mainstream literary fiction reader.  I like dragons or werewolves, ghosts or spooks, a historical period piece, or a mystery with enough of a puzzle that makes me wonder where the author is going. In short The Long Road Home is not my normal read.  But I picked it up and found from beginning to end that I truly enjoyed the book.

The story opens with a widow whose husband committed suicide while in desperate financial straits. His widow, Nora, fights to save a piece of property on a Vermont mountainside. Everyone thinks she's not the type to work a farm and don't expect much from her. She's out to prove them wrong. She has to. She has no where else to go.

Nora gets help from a farm-hand working the neighbor's farm. He agrees to help, repairing her house before winter sets in and teaching her the care of animals. They slowly fall in love.  Of course, love is never a straightforward and easy thing in a book, but some surprises should be opened by the reader. Suffice it to say, that Mary Alice Monroe knows how to keep a reader's attention. The Long Road Home is worth a look.

  

Readers Digest Illustrated Reverse Dictionary

I can hear the groans from miles away! A review on a dictionary? What is this girl thinking? Well, I sometimes need to know things but I'm not exactly sure where to start. Granted, the Reverse Dictionary was way cooler before the advent of the internet. But even now, it's still very handy.

For example, if I'm trying to think of a ballet term, a type of cake, parts of a castle, or types of fabric, it's all in there. There's even a picture of an internal combustion engine complete with associated parts labeled. In short, it's a writer's dream.I've got the 1990 version, so it's old, but most of what I'm looking up isn't dated. I used it once to look for all of the types of pastries.

There's a two page side-bar on clothes. If I need a worsted trench coat, I can use the word Burberry. A monk's sleeveless cloak is called a scapular. Now, I may never need to know these things, but then again, maybe one day I'll be looking for a very specific word. And when I do, this is where I'll look.

I'm very fond of this dictionary. The Oxford does a fine dictionary and I know I've got a Webster's around here and they're great for spelling or figuring out the exact definition of a word, but the Reverse Dictionary is more than a dictionary. And if you need to find the perfect word to describe a color or clothing or architecture, then this is the book for you.
 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Let me invite you to step away from your preferred genre, whether it be romance or a good mystery, a well-written mainstream literary novel or a thriller. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut, reading the same genre over and over. And when we do that, we miss some really fantastic books.

Now those who read in the science fiction genre already know about The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Why? Because it's one of the best books written and perhaps the best sci-fi novel ever. The movies and television shows don't even come close to the real experience of reading this book. First of all, Douglas Adams is funny. And not just a little bit. With sarcastic wit and off-the-wall characters (and situations), he manages to capture humanity and the foibles of life effortlessly. This is another favorite that I can read again and again.

The book starts with Arthur Dent who is trying to stop his house from being destroyed by workers who want to build a highway through it. Little does he realize that in space, a group of ships is ready to destroy the Earth for the same reason. Fortunately, his friend Ford Prefect has stopped in and together they hitch a ride off the planet. I can't do the plot justice because there is humor laced throughout.

All you readers out there who have missed out on The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, let me urge you to go check it out at the library and find out what you're missing. (And you might look for The Restaurant at the End of the Universe while you're there.

Archangel by Sharon Shinn

I picked this book up at the library and started reading it at night, thinking to go a few chapters. At 5:00 the next morning, I was finished. First, let me say that this is not a Christian book, although there is a strong connection with borrowing of Christian names and themes, nor is it truly a science fiction book, although the setting follows science fiction rules. This is a romance with a fantasy backdrop. And it's a good one.

Gabriel is destined to be an Archangel and leader of the people. Some of his choices are made by an oracle, including the most important one. He tells Gabriel who to marry. Given her name and a general place to find her, Gabriel will know her from an embedded crystal (tracking chip) that will react when in her presence, but he has to find her within six months before singing the Gloria, a song both the archangel-elect and his angelica must sing together.

Not happy about having a farmer's daughter selected for him, Gabriel sets out to find her. Although he has six months, his first lead takes him to a destroyed village. Finding her is hard enough, but he then has to convince her to be his wife.

Gabriel and is bride-to-be don't get along. The angels are at the top of society and Rachel is close to the bottom. And the Archangel currently in power isn't ready to give it up, which makes for an exciting read all the way to the finish. The novel is complex with many layers to the world and relationships. But the truest description is that it is a love story.

The Tao of Watercolor by Jeanne Carbonetti

If there is a single watercolor painter I admire more than any other, it's Jeanne Carbonetti. Her paintings are both detailed and playful and she uses the watercolor form to the fullest.

 The Tao of Watercolor is a unique approach to the watercolor medium. There are a dozen books out there demonstrating heavily inked lines and a tightly controlled painting style.  Jeanne Carbonetti takes the opposite end of the spectrum using splattering, washes, and technique to the fullest while maintaining an impressionist and detailed feel that proves her mastery in the medium.

The book as titled, combines painting with spiritual lessons. Carbonetti says, "The meaning of the Tao, to me, is the essence of life. It is the meaning behind all meanings, and the One Truth that is the ground of our being." Chapters in the book are Introduction: Beginner's Mind, Centering, Balance, Deliberateness, Playfulness, Flow, The Tao of Tools, Effortless Effort, and Conclusion: The Practice of Painting.

Although the cover art drew me to the book, in flipping through pages, I discovered a wealth of knowledge packaged in an interesting format.  The reading is in a conversational style that I find easy to read.  Many technique books are somewhat wooden and boring, but Carbonetti is able to instill curiosity and interest in a subject difficult to cover while presenting a unique style of painting that is a lot of fun.

For those of you who are watercolorists, this is a must-read. 


(Links will take you off-site.)



Student Grade
(Professional grade watercolors typically have more pigment.)

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

I am very finicky about urban fantasy.  I've started a few only to find the characters a bit too snotty for my taste and the sequences didn't always make sense. I've put down at least two authors in the genre without finishing their books.  I don't mind a tough, kick-butt heroine, but I'd like her to have some feeling or emotion other than anger and cocky self-assurance.

In this genre, there are a few authors that stand out like beacons on a hillside.  Patricia Briggs outshines them all.  Moon Called  is the first in a series about Mercy Thompson, a skinwalker (of the good sort) who turns into a coyote.  Her neighbors are a pack of werewolves, and she rather enjoys tormenting their pack leader, even if it is hazardous to her health.

What I love about Moon Called (and the subsequent books in the series) is that first and foremost, I love Mercy Thompson.  She has some fun quirks.  Instead of wearing a cross into a meeting with vampires, she wears a little lamb. Why?  Because the cross is a symbol of death while the lamb is a symbol of life. A small thing, but it adds depth.

She is a kick-butt heroine, but she also gets scared and cares about people, which gets her into lots of trouble with vampires, fae, and other troublesome monsters. Usually when Mercy is in danger, she put herself there to protect someone else.   Now that's someone I can root for.

I would caution that while Mooncalled is PG, this series is PG-13.  The book Iron Kissed, third in the series, deals with incredibly heavy issues that have been handled very adeptly but are not suitable for the younger ones. It is part of what gives this series such power.

Better start this series on a weekend or you'll be losing sleep!

(These links will take you off site for purchase)

A Revisit to Louisa May Alcott: Eight Cousins

If I were to mention Louisa May Alcott's name, the reading world would say Little Women. Somewhere along the way the gem Eight Cousins has been lost.

Eight Cousins is a great story for young teens.  With a gentler reading experience than Little Women, the book has a similar feel to Anne of Green Gables, the Little House books, and The Secret Princess.  

Eight Cousins follows a young teenage girl in her adventures.  Orphaned and brought to live with her uncle and several aunts, Rose is a pale, shy girl who is living in the age of bustles and corsets.  It was a time when girls weren't allowed to play.

Her uncle has decidedly different views on how a child should be treated.  He makes a deal with the aunts that they will do things his way for a period of time and review later. He is convinced his Rose will be healthier and happier for the changes. Things go great for a while, but his plans go awry and he finds himself worried that he made a mistake.

Rose is gentle and sweet with a strong compassion for others.  Her cousins are all boys and their antics make for an interesting read. Two of the cousins become ill.  (I don't want to ruin the story by giving too much away.), but the story has plenty to keep it going.

Eight Cousins is one of Alcott's finest and in my opinion as worthy a read as Little Women.


Here are a couple of links...(They will take you off the blog.)

Introduction and Privacy Policy

There are thousands and thousands of books out there in the world.  I've read a lot of them, but there are so many more to read.  Bookish Souls is intended to be a review blog with a daily book or series of books featured.

The content will be eclectic and not given to 'latest' but to 'favorite'.  It seems that the book reviewing industry only cares about new and upcoming books.  As more and more books enter the publishing stream, old favorites can be lost.

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