Once in a Lifetime by Cathy Kelly
If I haven’t already mentioned it, Cathy Kelly’s books are some of the best amongst the chick lit category. This one has some great storylines, delving into grief and double lives and mystical experiences. Somehow her books never feel trashy although they hardly fall into the literature category. I always enjoy them and this one was great !
Second Glance by Jodi Picoult
Jodi Piccoult’s books are usually pretty interesting – they touch on unusual subjects. In this case, the subject matter deals with ghosts and a man’s belief that he is immortal, as well grief. The story moves quickly, the characters are appealing and I felt empathy with the characters. The subject matter was tolerable but didn’t engage me the way some of the other books have. Nonetheless, Picoult’s books are always good.
Testimony by Anita Shreve
Anite Shreve’s books are reliably good and usually work on a premise based in deceit. In this case, there is a sex scandal at a high school which impacts all those involved. The story is told as if to a reporter, with each character having their own chapter/s. Otehr chapters follow a more descriptive style as is usual in a novel. It works well and makes for a gripping story with well developed characters and relationships.
When You Are Engulfed in Flames
This is the first David Sedaris book I have read – his style is one of short essays in a sort of memoir style that all link together with a rough theme. I really like his style even though some of the essays seem a little irrelevant – they are amusing and I enjoyed reading the book.
Lost in the Forest by Sue Miller
A man dies and the repercussions are felt throughout his family. The story is a solid one and the characters are well developed with several strong sideline characters as well. There is a hint of detachment so that I never felt fully captured by any one character but overall it was very readable and enjoyable.
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
Wally Lamb’s books are notoriously epic in their manner and this is no exception. Thankfully they are also relatively easy to read and generally very engrossing. Again, this is not exception. Centred around the tragedy of the Columbine high school massacre and interspersed with real names, dates and facts, it is difficult to believe it is fiction at times. There is a sort of alter ego to the story, wherein the main character finds out about his past through a legacy of paperwork left behind by his aunt. At first, this aspect of the story was engaging, but towards the end of the story, I found myself skipping over sections of letters and diary entries. That can really be my only criticism. Like all of Lamb’s books, the story is somewhat unsettling and uncomfortable and has a suitably tragic ending, but is nonetheless satisfying.
The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert wrote Eat, Pray, Love which is one of my recent favourites, although somehow I have not reviewed it yet .. This is a totally different book. Its a sort of biography of Eustace Conway. I had never heard of him but apparently he’s well known for trying to live a natural life, in the woods, killing and growing his own foods, making his own clothes etc. The book is well worth a read and it has that environmental message that you are sort of compelled to contemplate when reading. Conway’s story is an interesting one, and there are little insights into Glibert’s life and thoughts along the way as well. It does make you realise that no-one is perfect, everyone has their issues and we have have our burdens to carry. Some people just try harder.
The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells.
Rebecca Wells is the author of the Ya-Ya books. I did like those books but I can’t say I loved them. They seemed a bit disconnected from my reality. This one is too but somehow it spoke to me more. I loved it. It made me contemplate the way I live my life, in the context of how Calla does. She lives such an authentic life (to borrow from Oprah) and she is so true and open and honest. That is something I need to work on and this book was a timely reminder. Its also a good balance of drama, personal insight and life lessons with believable characters and charming scenery.
Waterfall Of Thought 