The Elizabeth Papers by Jenetta James

“Finis.”

I read the last line, sighed happily and mentally hugged the digital book to my heart (It’s a true downfall of e-readers, they just don’t snuggle like paper does).

This novel flipped between excerpts from Mrs. Darcy’s diary (yes, that Pride and Prejudice Mrs. Darcy) and the 2014 hunt for the lost diary. On the surface that sounds like it could be, well, boring.

It wasn’t.

The chapters switched between time frames in a way that I was never lost in one time yearning for another. I loved the romance, (of the happy sighing kind) and the hard to put down suspense of it all (I know, lost document suspense, believe it!). My only regret is that e-readers just don’t accept hugs like paperbacks do.

Would I recommend it? I have already told everyone who’s been willing to sit and listen that they should read this and you should too! If you’ve ever shown even a passing interest in Pride and Prejudice, historical fiction, sweet romance, contemporary drama or detective stories, try this book! I absolutely loved it and have moved the authors other book to the top of my “to be read” list!

Rosie's Book Review team 1

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I discovered this book because I’m a proud member of Rosie’s Book Review Team!

The Pickpocket by Celine Jeanjean

Sep21

Perhaps you’ve read The Bloodless Assassin or The Black Orchid (I know I told you should!). If you have, you’ll already know the main character Rory. But if you haven’t, this truly is (and believe me I’m picky about such things) a stand alone novella about Rory’s life as a young street urchin.

If you’ve read the others in this series you’ll get treated to flashes of insight into what makes Rory tick and fun glimpses of supporting characters as they were years before we really “meet” them.

If you are a new reader you’ll be presented with a page turning story (I read it in one sitting) of a hungry street urchin turned pickpocket. Complete with loss, hard times, friendships and the character depth and growth I’m beginning to happily expect from Celine Jeanjean’s writing. And, you’ll be introduced to the city of Damsport. A city that comes with such depth and detail it gives all of the books an unbelievably firm sense of place and seems to be a character in it’s own right.

Would I recommend it? Was it not yet obvious? Yes! If you haven’t been sure The Viper and Urchin is the right series for you, try this one first! It’s short, it’s minimally steampunk-y (in case that scares you off) and it’s an all around great read. Just don’t yell at me when you are downloading the rest of the series onto your e-reader in the middle of the night!

September’s Book at the Door giveaway is still open! Don’t forget to put your name in the hat for the chance to win a paperback book and first line artwork! Book at the Door: September Giveaway

Beloved by Toni Morrison and August Book at the Door Winner

Aug29

And the winner is… I won a Book at the Door with Behind the Willows

sitaranair95!

Her very own copy of Beloved by Toni Morrison, as well as a print of this first line art work by Abbie of Sidereal Catalyst, will soon be finding it’s way overseas to her!

“124 was spiteful.”

This was the first beautiful book about ugly things I ever read.

I love it for the way it takes the lives of escaped and freed slaves and tells their horrifying stories in a cadence that is lyrical and in words that are part poetry. And I will always love it as the first real “adult” book that I was able to see that the phrases and words often had meaning far beyond the lines on the paper.

Stories are told to be remembered, even the ones, especially the ones, that are hard to hear. In the twenty years since I first read this book, phrases have popped into my mind from time to time, lyrical, beautiful phrases of terrible things.

This is a story to be remembered.

Would I recommend it? Yes. I know it was made into a movie many years ago, I’ve never seen it but I did just watch the trailer. Don’t do that. Don’t watch the trailer. Don’t see the movie. At least not until after you’ve read the book. And if you have already seen the movie, (it has been out for almost 20 years) read the book anyway. Movies can’t do beautiful-ugly the same way books can.

The Book at the Door winner was chosen using a random number generator from http://www.random.org

Artists of all kinds (Yes, you photographers and you who says you can’t draw and you who just wants to practice hand lettering and you who is selling paintings online and…all of you!) if you are interested in providing a small piece of work that includes a first sentence I would love to hear from you!

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

The Sports Gene by David Epstein

Aug3

Fair warning, it’s happened again.

I read a book that I found so interesting I can’t help but randomly throw it into conversations. Luckily for me, with the Olympics coming up, I have plenty of opportunity to chime in with random tidbits of information.

The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance

It just sounds fascinating doesn’t it?

No?

Okay…

Even if you aren’t like me, someone whose life long athleticism and latent biology background get all tingly at the title of this book, I still urge you to try it.

Then, when the Olympics are on, you can say things like, “Ahh, I knew he was a swimmer, that long torso just gave it away.”and “Did you know it’s not about height of basketball players as much as how far they can reach?” Then once you’ve hooked people you can expound on double muscle genes in Belgian Blue Cattle and why the runners from Kenya are again sweeping the podium.

Would I recommend it? Yes. It’s time for the Olympics! Get in the spirit of things! (And it should be noted that even the person in my book club who admitted to having very low expectations of this book, said she was happily surprised with how much she enjoyed it.)

Sack Nasty by Ra Avis and July Book at the Door Winner

Jul29

And the winner is… I won a Book at the Door with Behind the Willows

… A Mouse!

She correctly identified this month’s book as Sack Nasty by Ra Avis and will have a copy of the book and the first line art mailed to her. What a lucky mouse!

As a Book at the Door feature I, of course, recommend you read this book too. And, as always, I believe you can use the first line to get a feel for what’s in store for you.

“They say she is property.”

“They say she is property.” starts this compilation of poems.

That’s not just any run of the mill first line. That’s a sentence that demands your attention. That’s the kind of beginning that can give a person chills. Those are the kind of words that once they have your attention may not be kind to you. And that’s the kind of thought that betrays a glimmer of hope hiding behind it.

Which is all exactly what you should expect when reading these stories from the author’s time in prison.

Attention grabbing, powerful poems that wring your heart, make you consider things that you, perhaps, wish not to, and show some of the darkest sides of human nature right along side the light. And that is why, when asked…

…Would I recommend it? The answer is – Yes.

Once you have read these poems, or perhaps even before, check out The Women’s Prison Book Project because, sometimes, there are little things we can do to make a difference.

The Book at the Door winner was chosen using a random number generator from http://www.random.org

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen and Book At The Door Winner

Jun30

The June winner of the Book at the Door giveaway is…

I won a Book at the Door with Behind the Willows

Phrogmom!

Phrogmom will get this book sent in the mail to her…

… as well as this artwork containing the first sentence of Garden Spells created for us by Mr. Tookles!

“Every smiley moon, without fail, Claire dreamed of her childhood.”

Congratulations Phrogmom and thanks again Mr. Tookles!

This is an older book but I read it for the first time in September when I posted this review. I still love it, I still tell people about it and I still think you all should read it!

I fell in love with this book.

I had grand plans for a review that would talk about magic and fantasy and why you shouldn’t flinch from a book that includes either one. I was going to link to an awesome post (Thoughts on Pratchett) and it was going to be epic and amazing.

But then, instead of sitting down and writing all that, I spent my time telling people about it. Solicited and unsolicited, at family gatherings and in e-mails at foolish times of the night I told everyone the same thing.

There is magic in this book, but just the perfect amount. The amount that brings extra vividness to a story about family. It’s beautiful writing and you’ve got to read it.

And, really, that’s all that needs to be said.

Would I recommend it? Yes! And then I’d recommend First Frost and The Sugar Queen and all the rest of her books! (But Garden Spells and it’s sequel First Frost are still my favorite.)

Book at the Door winner was chosen using a random number generator from http://www.random.org

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Monkfish Maggie and the Bungalow Stairs by CatchphraseDan and Berg Norcross

Jun29

Me: “… The End.”

Clara (6): “Can you read it again?”

I read this aloud to all three of my girls: ages 9, 6 and 4. The lack of princesses and other glittery creatures meant the four year old was only listening so she could put off bedtime. My nine year old was convinced it was too scary, but in the words of my six year old, “It’s not scary, it’s exciting!” It was also funny (at least I thought it was funny) and I’m pretty sure my nine year old would have thought it was funny but she was too busy avoiding us in case it was scary and then demanding a run down of everything that happened because she really wanted to know even though she couldn’t quite admit that she really wanted to know. (Insert eye rolling mother and indignant child noises here.)

Would Ivy (9) recommend it? “I would recommend it because I think it’s like an imaginary story and people who like fiction and magic would like it.” (Ha! I knew she liked it!)

Would Clara (6) recommend it? “Yes, I already tried to tell my friend about it… because it’s really funny!”

Would Jane (4) recommend it? “No. Cause I think it’s too boring.” (Sorry guys, you needed more sparkle to get this little girl’s attention!)

Would I recommend it? I would! All my girls listened to the story, even if some were more spell bound than others, and I loved the humor. Lines like, “Before you ask, a dictionary is a large dusty book that people kept around before the internet was invented” made me giggle louder than my kids.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I discovered this book because I’m a proud member of Rosie’s Book Review Team!

Madam Tulip by David Ahern

Jun23

There is a frog on the cover of this book and it’s pretty. And so I decided that I needed to read this book. (I’m pretty sure that’s what you call successful cover art!)

Would I recommend it? Maybe you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover but you sure can choose one. Frog loving isn’t even required to enjoy this book! I mean, you should love frogs anyway but amphibian love is unnecessary to appreciate a book with a main character who, rather accidentally, gets caught up in the world of celebrities when she decides to become a fortune teller. Unfortunately, as she soon finds out, there are some seriously shady sides to a few of those celebrities. The action is fast, the humor is constant and frogs are discussed. But it wasn’t the frogs that have me recommending this book, it’s the just slightly over the top characters and the just a little bit crazy plot. Something about the tiny bit of excess in both turns this from just another female lead action book to a book that you really need to bring along next time you hit the beach!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I discovered this book because I’m a proud member of Rosie’s Book Review Team!

Book at the Door: June Giveaway

Jun20

I’ve got a great book.

Would you like it? Book at the Door

Not only do I have here a great hardcover book that I recently fell head over heels for, but it begins with this magical first line:

“Every smiley moon, without fail, Claire dreamed of her childhood.”

One of my favorite parts about this particular book is that it contains a hint of magic. Just enough to bring a little extra vividness to a beautiful family story without delving too far into the fantastical. Now, just look at that piece done by the talented Mr Tookles. Doesn’t it capture the feeling perfectly!?!

Do you know Mr Tookles? Well, actually Mr. Tookles is a green robot bank owned by the woman behind this magical painting, a 33 year old Dutch-Surinamese-Indian woman who says it’ll be alright if we call her Madhawi today. (Pronounced as ma-the-we.)

You can see more of her amazing work on her new website mrtookles.com. Madhawi’s website is still pretty new but I’m sure it will fill up fast because, as she says, ” I started drawing from a very young age and never really stopped. Creating to me is just as necessary as eating and breathing.”

If you’d like this magical combo (A print of this first line art and the book) to show up on your doorstep, just leave me a comment! Let me know what book it is I’m giving away this month (go ahead use the google magic) or let me know your favorite magical book, and I’ll enter you in the drawing!

Don’t forget to pay Madhawi a visit! Tell her about your favorite shoes and robots (she loves those) and say “Hi!” from me! (Psst! You can find her on Instagram too! https://www.instagram.com/mr.tookles/)

Contest will be open through June 28th.

Winner will have the honor of receiving a quality print of Madhawi’s artwork in the mail as well as the book.

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Old Coot books by Jerry Johnson

Jun8

Father’s day is coming. I can tell because advertisements everywhere have been telling me how I should get the fathers in my life a bit of golfing paraphernalia, a new watch and a jersey from their favorite sports team. Or in some cases, terrible combinations of the three.

I don’t know about the dads in your life but if I gave mine any of the above items there would be some serious raised eyebrows and they’d probably preemptively cancel Christmas.

If the fathers in your life are anything like the ones in mine –

The kind who would rather hike through fields and woods all day than play a round of golf.

The kind who you’ve heard argue the merits of their choice of hunting rifle far more often than defend their favorite sports team.

The kind that are more likely to wear a beat up orange outfit as they follow their dog through the field than strap on a fancy watch.

– Then I’m here to save your Father’s Day.

Jerry Johnson (a self proclaimed Old Coot and curmudgeon) blogs at Dispatch from a Northern Town and has collected many of his essays on hunting, bird dogs and commentary on life in the North Country into a series of Old Coot books.

Of course, if your father is a father like the described father, there is a chance that he’s got his own Old Coot stubborn curmudgeonly ways and would balk when presented with a single random essay from this collection.

Don’t let that stop you, if he’s not the kind of dad to be interested in the Science and Art of Rifelry (Old Coots Never Forget) maybe he’s the type who would enjoy an essay on snowshoeing (Crazy Old Coot).
Jerry won my readership with an essay on the difference between hunters and shooters (Old Coots Never Forget) and his dog stories, that often leave me in tears, like Molly’s Grouse (Coot Stews.) Perhaps the effects of Ethanol on the country side (Coot Stews) will get your Dad excited or maybe he would rather appreciate the joys of making firewood (Crazy Old Coot).

And everyone, who’s ever hunted over a dog (and quite a few of those who never have) will love the story of a Bad Day at Crane Creek (Old Coots Never Forget).

Would I recommend these? These are not the books to give your golf loving, tv watching, man cave living dad. Save these books for those of us who love to follow a dog through the field and live part of our life in the outdoors. We are the ones who will appreciate them.

Many of the essays can be read right on Dispatches from A Northern Town and I encourage you to go read a few and see what you think before you go pick up a book (or three) for your favorite outdoor dad (or mom, or uncle, or son, or yourself…). Sure, you could read online or get a copy for your Kindle… but buy a book. Those of us who are slowly making our way to Old Coot status aren’t quite ready to give up the feel of a good book in the hand.