While I'm not sure how I stumbled upon Matthew Pearl it was a lucky day. After reading several books by Pearl I have never been disappointed. The Technologist is no exception.
Pearl has a knack for pulling together historic facts, a mystery and a unique story line that always engages and entertains. The Technologist is set in Boston shortly after the Civil War. On the most simple level it is about the founding of MIT, the first technology school in America and a bold experiment for the time.
The mystery involves science based attacks on the city that puts the city in a panic and the survival of the school, professors and students at risk. Many of the inventions border on the "steampunk" genre that I love but are actually founded on cutting edge technology of the era.
Key characters in the book were actually associated with MIT or are a melding of several actual people. They are brave, flawed and human. After reading The Dante Club several years ago I thought Pearl could never top that feat. I stand corrected, he just keeps putting out great reads. So, don't read The Dante Club or The Technologist by Matthew Pearl. Read them both! You will be a fan.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Inferno: A Novel by Dan Brown
At long last, another Dan Brown book! I just can't get enough of Brown's intense and thrilling storytelling. I'm not alone, a friend was on vacation in Hawaii and we shared many texts before we had both completed the book.
Another plus for me is that the main historic character in this book is Dante Alighieri, as you have probably guessed from the title. The writings of Dante, places where he lived and was buried, and places linked to him all feature in this amazing mystery. Throw in travel in Europe, people who are not what them seem, a powerful private company, and the World Health Organization and the mystery becomes even more difficult to solve.
Although I have read all his work Inferno is easily my favorite Dan Brown yet. My friend, Cat, and I discussed adding Inferno to our Book Club list as there is so much to discuss. Those of you in discussion groups have probably had experiences where you loved a book but the discussion was rather flat. This won't happen if you read Inferno with a group. At the end a very interesting question is posed, one that is open ended and offers several reasonable answers.
If I was ask to choose one book that I have read in 2013 for everyone I know to read it would be Inferno. That is saying a lot because I've read some really great books this year, often feeling I didn't have enough reading hours in my days even though I listen to books while I drive.
Another plus for me is that the main historic character in this book is Dante Alighieri, as you have probably guessed from the title. The writings of Dante, places where he lived and was buried, and places linked to him all feature in this amazing mystery. Throw in travel in Europe, people who are not what them seem, a powerful private company, and the World Health Organization and the mystery becomes even more difficult to solve.
Although I have read all his work Inferno is easily my favorite Dan Brown yet. My friend, Cat, and I discussed adding Inferno to our Book Club list as there is so much to discuss. Those of you in discussion groups have probably had experiences where you loved a book but the discussion was rather flat. This won't happen if you read Inferno with a group. At the end a very interesting question is posed, one that is open ended and offers several reasonable answers.
If I was ask to choose one book that I have read in 2013 for everyone I know to read it would be Inferno. That is saying a lot because I've read some really great books this year, often feeling I didn't have enough reading hours in my days even though I listen to books while I drive.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Three Great Books by Oliver Potzsch
In April I devoured three great books by Oliver Potzsch, a German author. The series and first volume were entitled The Hangman's Daughter. The Dark Monk was the second followed by The Beggar King. The fourth book, due out in the U.S. July 16, 2013, is The Poisoned Pilgrim.
The setting is primarily in Schongau, Germany beginning in 1659. The main characters are Jakob Kuisl and his daughter Magdalena. Jakob is a hangman, an "untouchable" second class citizen with a rigorous and important job. I enjoyed learning about the day to day life of the time as well as the use of medicinal herbs common among hangmen and midwives. These books are, in fact, very intriguing mysteries. Since herbal and homemade cure or preventatives appeal to me I found myself highlighting a lot of passages in my Kindle.
This book series appealed to me on another level as well. Actual people are the key figures in the books as Oliver Potzsch is a descendant of Jakob Kuisl. Potzsch used family and public records to help flavor his books and develop his characters. I've researched a lot of family history but have not found characters as captivating as the Kusil family.
A third dimension to the books is a travelogue of sorts in the back of the books which describes the areas you can visit to day and some of the historic building that still stand from the 1600's.
All of these great attributes could not hold my attention if it were not for Potzsch's remarkable storytelling and mystery development. Grab one of these books (I would suggest The Hangman's Daughter), and maybe a nice herbal tea, then enjoy a great story. You do have time to read all three before book four is available to U.S. audiences.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Room by Emma Donoghue, June Book Club Pick
My book group read Room by Emma Donoghue for our June pick.
Although everyone agreed that this wasn't a "feel good" book it was a story that created a lot of discussion. The story is told by a five year old boy, Jack. His whole world is a small room that he shares with his mother. There are occasional visits to "Ma" by "old Nick" while Jack sleeps in the wardrobe. Jack's mother was abducted at nineteen. She has endured abuse, a stillbirth and the birth of Jack. When it is finally time to leave captivity it is Jack that must be brave and go out into a world that he thought was only a pretend world on TV.
About the time many of us began to read Room the headlines were full of the escape of a young woman and her daughter born was she was captive. Those headlines were fuel for discussion as well, many times in a position of compare and contrast.
If you are looking for a relaxing summer read with little to think or worry about Room is not your choice. I would recommend it for not only the story value but also the discussion value to any serious reader. It is fairly short and an easy read.
Although everyone agreed that this wasn't a "feel good" book it was a story that created a lot of discussion. The story is told by a five year old boy, Jack. His whole world is a small room that he shares with his mother. There are occasional visits to "Ma" by "old Nick" while Jack sleeps in the wardrobe. Jack's mother was abducted at nineteen. She has endured abuse, a stillbirth and the birth of Jack. When it is finally time to leave captivity it is Jack that must be brave and go out into a world that he thought was only a pretend world on TV.
About the time many of us began to read Room the headlines were full of the escape of a young woman and her daughter born was she was captive. Those headlines were fuel for discussion as well, many times in a position of compare and contrast.
If you are looking for a relaxing summer read with little to think or worry about Room is not your choice. I would recommend it for not only the story value but also the discussion value to any serious reader. It is fairly short and an easy read.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Angora Alibi: A Seaside Knitters Mystery
I have read many of the Seaside Knitters Mysteries and always enjoy them. Angora Alibi by Sally Goldenbaum is no exception. This is Goldenbaum's seventh Seaside Knitters Mystery.
I enjoy the characters who almost seem like friends. They live near the shore but also have lives that are busy with meetings, family and friends. Sometimes they have problems that must be thought out and solved. As a knitter I understand how the act of knitting can bind us together and allow us to settle and focus. The main characters Izzy, her Aunt Nell and Uncle Ben and friends Cas and Birdie are all giving, caring people who make any community thrive. Luckily I have never had to use knitting and my special group of friends to help me solve a murder.
Izzy and Sam were married in an earlier book, The Wedding Shawl, and are now expecting a baby. Amid the joy and the visits to the local doctor Izzy meets a kind but misguided young man who is related to the assistant at the clinic. When he is found dead Izzy and her friends know they must restore peace to their town before the baby arrives.
This series is progressive as the characters change and grow throughout the series but you can certainly read them out of order. I can be obsessive about things like that--but YOU can! What better to read than a nice mystery set along the sea this summer?
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Just Like Us: the True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming of Age in America by Helen Thorpe
Just Like Us: the True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming of Age in America by Helen Thorpe was my Book Club's May selection.
This book was an especially good choice for our group as we live in an area with a high Latino population that is struggling with how to handle immigration issues. Additionally, Thorpe is a "local" author in the sense that she now lives in Colorado. Her husband is Govener Hickenlooper, although at the time this book was written he was the Mayor of Denver and a successful businessman.
This non-fiction work shadows four girls attending the same Denver area high school from the night of their Sr. Prom through the changes that follow their graduation. All the girl's families came here from Mexico illegally. Two girls have documents and two don't although they have all grown up here and want to stay.
Sometimes you forget that this is non-fiction. For instance when a policeman is killed by an illegal immigrant who works at a resturaunt owned by Hickenlooper.
This book has many themes, growing up, identity, poverty, immigration laws, and how relationships change as we leave school for a larger, more complex world. It is an ideal candidate for a book club discussion and could be used very effectively in a high school classroom.
As a side note, I attended a talk given by Thorpe a couple of years ago. It was the most diverse audience I have ever been in for a book talk. Ages ranged from young teens to elderly. The majority of attendees were female but many men were in the audience as well. The ethnic background seemed to be almost equally split between Latino and non-Latino.
Although many of us consider summer a time for easy "beach reads" I know you will be glad you read Just Like Us this summer.
This book was an especially good choice for our group as we live in an area with a high Latino population that is struggling with how to handle immigration issues. Additionally, Thorpe is a "local" author in the sense that she now lives in Colorado. Her husband is Govener Hickenlooper, although at the time this book was written he was the Mayor of Denver and a successful businessman.
This non-fiction work shadows four girls attending the same Denver area high school from the night of their Sr. Prom through the changes that follow their graduation. All the girl's families came here from Mexico illegally. Two girls have documents and two don't although they have all grown up here and want to stay.
Sometimes you forget that this is non-fiction. For instance when a policeman is killed by an illegal immigrant who works at a resturaunt owned by Hickenlooper.
This book has many themes, growing up, identity, poverty, immigration laws, and how relationships change as we leave school for a larger, more complex world. It is an ideal candidate for a book club discussion and could be used very effectively in a high school classroom.
As a side note, I attended a talk given by Thorpe a couple of years ago. It was the most diverse audience I have ever been in for a book talk. Ages ranged from young teens to elderly. The majority of attendees were female but many men were in the audience as well. The ethnic background seemed to be almost equally split between Latino and non-Latino.
Although many of us consider summer a time for easy "beach reads" I know you will be glad you read Just Like Us this summer.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Sweet Tea Revenge
Sweet Tea Revenge by Laura Childs just came out in early March. Of course I had pre-ordered it to my Kindle since I read everything in that series; this is number fourteen.
For those of you who are new to the Tea Shop mysteries a little background information will be helpful. They are all set in Charleston, South Carolina. The main character, Theodosia, has given up a stressful professional career to open a tea shop in the historic district of Charleston. Two trusted friend/employees help her to run the shop. Haley is a young woman with an amazing talent in the kitchen with many special and unique offerings. Her soups, scones, sandwiches and candies are a mainstay of the shop as are Theodosia's gift baskets, teacup wreaths and tea beauty products. Drayton, slightly older and "fatherly" is one part master tea blender, one part tea pot and tea cup collector, and one part greeter/educator for the shop's many programs and special guests.
From Theodosia's arrival in Charleston she becomes embroiled in murders. Much to the dismay of gruff Detective Tidwell she snoops around and asks questions, usually at her own risk. However Tidwell is known to drop in for meals or tea time and listens to Theodosia's ideas while warning her to stay out of his investigations.
In Sweet Tea Revenge Delanie Dish, a local merchant and friend of Theo's is getting married to a wealthy local who owns, among other things, a Cigar Store. When the groom fails to appear at the wedding Theo checks his room and finds him dead. As bridesmaid she realizes it is her job to inform the bride and keep the guests milling about downstairs so the Tidwell can interview them upon his arrival. Drayton and Haley continue to service their delightful teas and food then go on to help, reluctantly, to solve the murder.
From Theodosia's sleuthing to Drayton's tea and teapot selections to Haley's inspired food (recipes in the back) there is much to like about this series. While I like to read books in order each of these books is stand-alone and a wonderful treat with a cup of tea! Try any of them, but be sure to read Sweet Tea Revenge.
NEXT POST: Just Like Us by Helen Thorpe
For those of you who are new to the Tea Shop mysteries a little background information will be helpful. They are all set in Charleston, South Carolina. The main character, Theodosia, has given up a stressful professional career to open a tea shop in the historic district of Charleston. Two trusted friend/employees help her to run the shop. Haley is a young woman with an amazing talent in the kitchen with many special and unique offerings. Her soups, scones, sandwiches and candies are a mainstay of the shop as are Theodosia's gift baskets, teacup wreaths and tea beauty products. Drayton, slightly older and "fatherly" is one part master tea blender, one part tea pot and tea cup collector, and one part greeter/educator for the shop's many programs and special guests.
From Theodosia's arrival in Charleston she becomes embroiled in murders. Much to the dismay of gruff Detective Tidwell she snoops around and asks questions, usually at her own risk. However Tidwell is known to drop in for meals or tea time and listens to Theodosia's ideas while warning her to stay out of his investigations.
In Sweet Tea Revenge Delanie Dish, a local merchant and friend of Theo's is getting married to a wealthy local who owns, among other things, a Cigar Store. When the groom fails to appear at the wedding Theo checks his room and finds him dead. As bridesmaid she realizes it is her job to inform the bride and keep the guests milling about downstairs so the Tidwell can interview them upon his arrival. Drayton and Haley continue to service their delightful teas and food then go on to help, reluctantly, to solve the murder.
From Theodosia's sleuthing to Drayton's tea and teapot selections to Haley's inspired food (recipes in the back) there is much to like about this series. While I like to read books in order each of these books is stand-alone and a wonderful treat with a cup of tea! Try any of them, but be sure to read Sweet Tea Revenge.
NEXT POST: Just Like Us by Helen Thorpe
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Lindsay Buroker Marathon
On a snow day from school I indulged in a marathon read to catch up (and re-read) some books by one of my favorite authors, Lindsay Buroker. She is decidedly my favorite fantasy/sci-fi/steampunk author and a new book was due to come out soon. What more incentive did I need?
Lindsay has two series The Emperor's Edge and Flash Gold. Both are highly readable very entertaining and available on my Kindle.
The Emperor's Edge saga is my favorite of the two for several reasons. I really like the characters and find all their adventures engaging. The setting also appeals to me, a world like ours in many ways although very different in others. The inclusion of magic practiced by people from some of the countries and denied and/or feared by others draws me into the story.
The final installment of this series was due in late spring so I felt it was my snowy day calling to be prepared. I read Beneath the Surface, Decrypted, Enigma, and Shadows Over Innocence all of which are quick reads, and prepared myself for reading the final volume as close to non-stop as possible. When Forged in Blood I arrived on my Kindle imagine my relief that at least one more Emperor's Edge book was yet to come. I am just not ready to end my relationship with these characters.
My one suggestion would be to not jump right in with Forged in Blood I. Take your time to read them in order and savor every moment. Although there are several titles in the series some are short stories or novellas and two of the books relate to The Emperor's Edge books and help to provide a background but and not specifically part of the series.
You might want to schedule a marathon of your own over a long weekend or a couple of short ones. The characters, amazing machines, magic and adventure will leave you wanting more. Sicarius and Amaranthe are characters I could really feel like I know as people.
Lindsay's books are available in digital formats from a variety of sources including Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and Barnes & Noble. Currently the first book, The Emperor's Edge and Shadows Over Innoccence are free downloads through a Kindle or Kindle App. One more reason to give Lindsay's books a try.
Books:
1) The Emperor's Edge
2) Dark Current
3) Deadly Games
4) Conspiracy
Enigma
Decrypted
Novellas & Shorts:
Shadows Over Innocence
Beneath the Surface
The Assassins Curse
The Ice Cracker II and Other Stories (three stories)
NEXT POST: Sweet Tea Revenge by Laura Childs
Lindsay has two series The Emperor's Edge and Flash Gold. Both are highly readable very entertaining and available on my Kindle.
The Emperor's Edge saga is my favorite of the two for several reasons. I really like the characters and find all their adventures engaging. The setting also appeals to me, a world like ours in many ways although very different in others. The inclusion of magic practiced by people from some of the countries and denied and/or feared by others draws me into the story.
The final installment of this series was due in late spring so I felt it was my snowy day calling to be prepared. I read Beneath the Surface, Decrypted, Enigma, and Shadows Over Innocence all of which are quick reads, and prepared myself for reading the final volume as close to non-stop as possible. When Forged in Blood I arrived on my Kindle imagine my relief that at least one more Emperor's Edge book was yet to come. I am just not ready to end my relationship with these characters.
My one suggestion would be to not jump right in with Forged in Blood I. Take your time to read them in order and savor every moment. Although there are several titles in the series some are short stories or novellas and two of the books relate to The Emperor's Edge books and help to provide a background but and not specifically part of the series.
You might want to schedule a marathon of your own over a long weekend or a couple of short ones. The characters, amazing machines, magic and adventure will leave you wanting more. Sicarius and Amaranthe are characters I could really feel like I know as people.
Lindsay's books are available in digital formats from a variety of sources including Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and Barnes & Noble. Currently the first book, The Emperor's Edge and Shadows Over Innoccence are free downloads through a Kindle or Kindle App. One more reason to give Lindsay's books a try.
Books:
1) The Emperor's Edge
2) Dark Current
3) Deadly Games
4) Conspiracy
Enigma
Decrypted
Novellas & Shorts:
Shadows Over Innocence
Beneath the Surface
The Assassins Curse
The Ice Cracker II and Other Stories (three stories)
NEXT POST: Sweet Tea Revenge by Laura Childs
Catching Up...
This spring has been hectic in many areas which involves a lot of driving from my rural home. The good thing is that I have had a lot of reading time thanks to my Kindle's reading mode. I like that I can listen while driving then read to myself while my husband watches TV.
In the next few days there will be many posts--I have set them on a schedule, one a day, so that you won't have such a long list that you miss some of the great books I have been enjoying.
NEXT POST: Several books by Lindsay Buroker.
In the next few days there will be many posts--I have set them on a schedule, one a day, so that you won't have such a long list that you miss some of the great books I have been enjoying.
NEXT POST: Several books by Lindsay Buroker.
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