#28 The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O'Neill

# 28 The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O’Neill

Let me be honest, dear reader. I struggled with this book.  Like you, I read the synopsis on the cover; seek out reviews from reader friends and let reviews in magazines like Oprah guide my purchases. I thought this book was sure to be a winner and maybe for someone else it will be but alas, for me it was a hard slog.  

One thing that drew me to the novel was the setting. Occurring in Montreal at the turn of last century it gives wonderful insight into the time period and the harsh realities of the Depression.   The Lonely Hearts Hotel is the tale of two children who are abandoned in a Montreal orphanage during the harsh winter of 1914. As they grow, they are discovered to be child prodigies. Rose is a natural comic and dancer while Pierrot is a gifted pianist. To help raise funds for the orphanage, the children travel around the city giving concerts for the rich.  As they grow, their connection to each other deepens as their performances expand and they fall madly in love.  Torn apart as teenagers, they each must find their own way in the unforgiving city pursuing dreams they once shared. After years apart they are reunited and must re-discover each other while they conspire to make their childhood dreams a reality.   

While I liked the idea of the story I had a hard time getting hooked and realized that I was struggling with the style of writing.  I can’t say that I’ve experienced this all that often.  The Hobbit is one of the few books that come to mind where I’ve had a similar experience. Every few years I try reading it again because it’s a classic and I feel honor bound to keep trying. I still haven’t managed to finish it so sadly there is no way I could even try the other books in the Ring series. If you are a die-hard Tolkien fan, please accept my sincere apology. All I can say is that I’ll keep trying!  

Through this experience I’ve learned a lesson about book buying: check multiple sources. I admittedly got sucked in by the hype that surrounded this book and the over-the-top reviews on the jacket that elevated the novel into the realms of new classic creating expectations that were, for me, not realized. I failed to have personal conversations with others that have read it and as a result it took me too long to read and even longer to write this blog.  Again, dear reader, I offer my apologies.  I’m sure there are readers who will undoubtedly love this book and think me mad.  To those people I can only say “happy reading!” To those who choose to bypass this book, please consider adding my own novel “Erosion” to your must-read list. 

Once again, I apologize for this lack lustre review but I cannot in good conscience say I enjoyed a book when I did not.  Gotta love free speech! Until next time…have you read a book today?

Julie  

#27 The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

#27 The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

Have you ever found yourself gravitating toward the same topic over and over again? Well, dear reader, it seems I keep picking up novels that take place during wartime and this novel, which is filled with period detail and rich in intrigue, will keep you riveted.

The Alice Network begins with Charlie St. Claire. Unwed and pregnant, her mother is taking her to Switzerland to have her ‘little problem’ taken care of.  While travelling, we learn about Charlie’s desire to find her French cousin Rose who has gone missing during the war.  When they reach London, Charlie escapes from her mother and follows the only clue she has: an address which leads her to a miserable, old woman named Eve who, despite being drunk and dangerous, may be able to help Charlie in her search.  

The story unfolds between the two women in alternating chapters and time periods.  As Eve and Charlie travel the countryside of France, we learn of Eve’s desire as a young woman to serve in the war and of her recruitment into a spy network, of her service to her country and the horrible things she witnessed under German occupation. Young Eve immerses herself in her role as waitress in a French restaurant where German officers gather, listening closely for information that could help the resistance. When she finds herself the subject of the owners’ attention, Eve must decide how far she is willing to go in the name of her country. 

While she actively engages in the search for Rose, Eve is seeking to bury the ghosts that haunt her while Charlie must find her voice and her place in the world. As the women travel across France following clues that could only bring heartbreak, an unlikely bond develops between them. It is one of the many relationships woven throughout the story that drive the events and choices of the characters involved giving them dimension and depth. 

This is a riveting tale of redemption and betrayal.  It is a well-researched book that highlights women’s roles during wartime and the sacrifices made that go beyond sending their men off to war never to be seen again. It runs the gamut of human emotions that will captivate you entirely so that you won’t be able to put it down. Until next time…have you read a book today?

Julie

#26 Seven Stones to Stand or Fall by Diana Gabaldon

#26 Seven Stones to Stand or Fall by Diana Gabaldon

The most recent release by Diana Gabaldon is a series of short stories written during various periods of her writing career.  For those of you familiar with her Outlander series, each story in this compilation is based on the characters from her larger novels; each story revealing a little more background on the characters and their life and times. On page xiii of the Introduction, the author provides a detailed listing showing the sequence of each short story, novel or novella not in terms of when they were written but from the perspective of the story line. If I ever get around to re-reading all of them, it would be great to read them in this order.   

If you are new to the series, know that the short stories in Seven Stones are designed as stand-alone stories and are not dependant on having read the rest of the larger novels.  And because they are short stories, you can read one before bed and not be kept up wondering what happens next.  The first story Virgins is set in 1740 which actually predates the first novel Outlander.  You may want to begin with this story then move into the first novel followed by the stories, novels and novellas as listed in the Introduction mentioned above. 

For those of you who have not taken the time to read the Outlander series I ask you this one simple question: What are you waiting for? I know they are rather large (weighing in around 3lbs each) so I understand how the sheer size of the books may have put you off reading them. If this is the case, you are missing out on the wonderful story of Jamie and Claire Fraser, born in different centuries, brought together through the boundaries of time. You will be taken on a wild journey through the wilds of 18^th century Scotland and France as well as post WWII. It is history wrapped up in an amazing love story complete with sword fights, brothels and men in kilts. What’s not to like? Until next time…have you read a book today?

Julie

#25 The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer

#25 The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer

If you’re the kind of reader that only reads the latest and greatest, then dear reader, this blog is likely not for you. While I do keep an eye out for new releases and have read and reviewed a few since beginning this blog, I tend to roam the book store rather aimlessly carrying my phone so that I can check my “books that I’ll buy someday” list.  I’ve been compiling this list for some time and so it is rather extensive. Yet every time I go book hunting I come home with random books that aren’t on my list and have simply spoken to me by way of interesting title or cover and then piqued my interest with the synopsis.  I located this book in the discount section and after forking over my $5 and reading it over the course of a few days, I recognized it as a book that I would have paid more for.

The year is 1985 and Greta is mourning the loss of her twin brother Felix. Sadly in her grief, she neglects her partner Nathan of ten years. Rather than being patient and accepting of her grief, he takes a lover and when Greta discovers his betrayal she spirals further into the darkness. After months of therapy without any improvement, Greta turns to electroconvulsive therapy which leaves her disoriented and contemplating visions of an old-fashioned world which she assumes are memories being sparked by the treatment. Her last thought before drifting off to sleep is wishing that her brother’s death had never happened.  Upon waking, she discovers it is 1918 and all the characters of her life are there; her eccentric Aunt Ruth, Nathan who is her husband in this life and has gone off to war, as well as her beloved brother Felix.  With each treatment the time Greta lives in changes too (the next treatment takes Greta to 1941 and then back to her own time). When modern Greta realizes that the other Greta’s are travelling as well, she realizes that they must help each other make changes in each others lives and learn the lessons needed for survival before the final treatment is complete or risk being trapped in a different time and different life forever.

There is such sadness in each Greta as they struggle with the boundaries, the rules and the questions of her time and yet there is also much hope.  We see how each of the Greta’s life and times shape who they are as women as do the characters that share her lives, each varied and flawed providing new insight and meaning for the travelling trio. This is an elegant book, written with rich and varied characters’ that plays on your emotions, pulling you into their lives and demanding you to think about the paths not taken. 

In addition to a wonderful storyline there are some very deep truths scattered throughout this book. One that resonated deeply with me appeared on p. 39:

“There is a truth that everyone knows but you. Each of us has it; no one is immune. Not a secret, not a scandal, but something simple and obvious to everyone else.  It can be as simple as losing weight, or as difficult as leaving a husband. How awful, to sense that everyone knows the thing that would change your life, and yet no one is friend enough to tell you? You are left to guess it all by yourself. Until the moment comes when it reveals itself to you, and of course this revelation always comes a moment too late.”

This hit very close to home for me, making me stop and reflect before moving on.  Each Greta has a different perspective on the others’ lives because of her own perspective and it is also true that people in our lives see clearly what it is we cannot see, because of their distance, knowledge and perspective. I wasn’t expecting to find hidden wisdom yet there it was, staring me in the face, daring me to recognize it and connect it to my own life.  And, dear reader isn’t that one of the many joys of reading? To be able to relate to characters or situations, find similarities and make connections, to expand our thinking, to see a life so different from our own and admire or empathize with it? 

We all have our own reasons for reading, for choosing the books that we do and whatever your reasons, I’m just happy that you are taking time for yourself. There’s nothing like a good book, a glass/cup of _____ (insert your beverage of choice!) to bring a little peace and balance to your life. Until next time…have your read book today?

Julie

#24 The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

#24 The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

What first drew me to this book was the cover. How adorable is this dog with his racing goggles and jaunty red scarf blowing in the breeze? 

As soon as I opened the novel and was introduced to an aging Enzo the dog acting as narrator, I knew this was going to be a different sort of book. Looking back on his life, Enzo wants to imprint on his soul everything he’s learned about life through his copious hours of TV viewing and his interactions with his people so that when he is reincarnated as a man, he’ll know how to live a good life (something he learned on a show about dogs in Mongolia which makes me ask: how much television does your dog watch and are you making sure he’s watching quality programming?). 

Enzo shares his life as a puppy on a beautiful farm run by terrible people and how Denny, his human rescues him. Denny introduces Enzo to his passion; car racing and together the two watch many races tucked away in their bachelor pad discussing turns and techniques, with Enzo soaking up as much information as he can.  Things take a drastic turn when Denny meets Eve and the family dynamic changes. Plenty of laughs are to be had as Enzo describes nighttime activities among other things. Our dogs really do see everything! 

Denny’s life changes dramatically when Eve dies and her awful parents sue Denny for custody of his daughter. I was not expecting this development and what follows captured my attention and my heart.  Through his love for his daughter and his trusty friend, Enzo, Denny must wade through his grief over losing not only his wife but his daughter and somehow find a way to fight for what he knows to be right. In the end, it is Enzo that saves the day and I balled like a baby when he finally succumbs to old-age. 

This book is truly a delight, filled with many unexpected insights often made by Enzo as he watches his people and I find myself looking at my own furry friend with fresh eyes. What I didn’t expect and was delighted by were the parallels drawn between driving and living life. Most notably this: the visible becomes the inevitable or in Denny’s driver-speak ~ the car goes where the eyes go. Such deep truths! 

From driving lessons to life lessons, this book is a wonderfully story told with heart and emotion, and all through the eyes of a dog! Until next time…have you read book today?

Julie

#23 Left Bank by Kate Muir

#23 Left Bank by Kate Muir

One thing everyone who knows me knows about me is that I have a deep love and longing of all things Paris. So anytime I find myself in a book store and stumble upon a book that is French inspired, I can’t help but pick it up and have a look, ever hopeful that I can get lost in a version of a fictional Paris when I am unable to visit the City of Lights myself.

The Left Bank follows the shallow and self-centered, unhappily married power couple Oliver and Madison Malin. Madison is an American beauty from Texas who has spent years ridding herself of any trace of her roots in favor of french refinement, becoming fluent in French by living and working as an actress in Paris.  Oliver is from a once-titled family and is a modern philosopher using his charm and good looks to his advantage, often hosting discussions in Parisian cafes on topics of the day while using his position and public image to engage in dalliances with whoever catches his eye. While on a family outing at an amusement park they begin yet another fight in front of their young daughter who decides she’s had enough and disappears.  While they frantically search for her and in the days following the disappearance, Madison has deep insights into her character, her role as a mother, her feelings about her daughter as well as her feelings towards her cheating husband. She is forced to decide what kind of person and mother she wants to be all the while worried that her living and lifestyle may be threatened if she is no longer attached publically to Oliver.  

As I was getting to know this couple, I couldn’t help but despise them.  They are simply not very likeable people. But as they become immersed in every parent’s worst nightmare, new layers of these characters are exposed; their emotions are raw and their interactions are real and I couldn’t help but sympathize with them. Ok, I’ll be honest. As a mother, I could sympathize with Madison.  Oliver strikes me as the type of man who looks good on the outside and says all the right things but never manages to evolve beyond a slime ball and sadly, that is part of his charm.  

This book is filled with little cafes, wine, delicious food and scenic streets which speak to my very soul. It also captures what the French are famous for: elegance and pretentiousness mixed with haughtiness and love affairs. It was a quick read but long enough to transport me briefly to la ville de ma coeur.  Until next time…have you read a book today?

Julie

#22 The Lake House by Kate Morton

#22 The Lake House by Kate Morton

Dearest Reader,

I must begin by informing you that I am, unapologetically, a fan of Kate Morton. I have read her other novels and have thoroughly enjoyed them: from the descriptions of secret gardens and old ruins in England to how she weaves a mystery together, often spanning generations, and how she shifts with finesse through past and present. 

In 1933, Alice Edevane is the daughter of a privileged family who own a country estate deep in the heart of England. As the story unfolds, we learn of her parents past: her father’s service in the war and subsequent shell shock; her mother’s upbringing and their courtship, all which inform future events.  

As a budding young novelist, Alice develops a crush on Ben Munro, a drifter hired by the Edevane family to tend to the gardens. After her baby brother and Ben go missing the night of a grand party, Alice feels guilty because she shared with Ben a story idea with striking similarities to baby Theo’s abduction and she suspects Ben is the culprit. Keeping quiet about her suspicions, Theo’s disappearance is never solved and the family, who abandon the property shortly thereafter, are destroyed. Decades later Sadie, a police detective on sabbatical in the country, discovers the abandoned property while wandering the country lanes and stumbles upon the still unsolved mystery of Theo’s disappearance. Still tormented by a case that she’s escaped from, Sadie distracts herself with the hunt for clues in the long forgotten mystery finally uncovering the truth behind Theo’s disappearance and sheds light on Alice’s misconceptions which have burdened her thoughts and her life since. 

The Lake House is a suspenseful and intricately woven mystery which is expertly unfolded by the author. Ms. Morton creates vivid imagery of long ago days and the lives of the privileged English, their secrets and shame wrapped in a captivating plot and driven to an unpredictable conclusion. Like I said, I love Kate Morton’s writing and I know that this book will immediately draw you in as it did me and keep you intrigued well past the time you should turn out your light! Until next time…have you read a book today?

Julie