The Boy on the Bus by Deborah Schupack: What is frustrating is that this novel was full of potential, and Deborah Schupack demonstrates an obvious literary talent. Yet I finished the book very dissatisfied with it. Not only has Meg not learned anything new, but neither had I.
The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde: The Big Over Easy is silly, entertaining, and unlike any murder mystery you've read before. Whether you enjoy reading humor or mystery, Jasper Fforde can satisfy both tastes with this novel. If you enjoy them both, especially if they're done over the top, then The Big Over Easy is right up your alley. Just go along for the ride with Jack Spratt and Mary Mary and be prepared for non-stop plot twists and a fairy tale ending. Oh, did I mention the beanstalk?
Arthur & George by Julian Barnes: Arthur & George succeeds on many levels. Besides the unfolding of the lives of these two men and the depiction of England a century ago, Julian Barnes touches on timeless themes. George's conviction based on circumstantial evidence is chilling when it is shown how any behavioral trait can be used to explain criminal intent or guilt. George was convicted more for who he was than any evidence that pointed to his guilt. Arthur struggles with love and responsibility. Julian Barnes ties it all together, weaving their stories within the confines of the era and the universal challenges of life, love, and family. It's an engrossing story, expertly told, and enthused with the idea that with men like Arthur Conan Doyle, some of the miscarriages of life can be undone.
The Crazy School by Cornelia Read: Cornelia Read is an exceptional writer. Her mix of characters, both students and staff, all come across as believable with their mixture of defiance, cynicism, hope, and murderous intent. Her dialogue between Madeline and the other characters rings true and carries much of the humor and insights. Madeline's interaction with her troubled and troublesome students makes you wish she was one of your teachers, and ultimately, the students become the people she can trust the most. You won't find a suspenseful thriller in The Crazy School, but I get the sense that's not the main purpose of the novel. Like most successful mystery novels, the characters and their drama carry the story, and Cornelia Read gives us the entertaining gift of Madeline Dare. The Crazy School is a wonderful novel and I'm eager to read whatever Cornelia Read has to offer next.
Bangkok 8 by John Burdett: John Burdett has perfectly captured a sense of place that is so ultimately foreign to most of us and made it seem familiar. Even his mixture of different ethnicities, Thai, Khmer, Karen, Lao, Chinese, Russian, Burmese, and Siberian, gives this novel a feeling of the larger world outside the U.S. that we consistently ignore. Sonchai Jitpleecheep is our travel guide, daring us to think differently and inviting us to enjoy his home. Feel free to lose yourself within Bangkok 8 and enjoy your visit abroad. It's time well-spent. Bangkok 8 is one of those novels you finish with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart for a story, and a place, that is well told and satisfying.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: The chapters in The Da Vinci Code are short, usually not more than a couple pages. Most of them end with a cliffhanger that immediately catapults you into the next chapter. So grab this book, sit back, and prepare to be entertained and educated. It's well-written, it's intelligent, and best of all, it's fun.
The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster: This is not a "feel good" book and it's not a story that will keep you turning pages to see what happens next. If you want a book to challenge your thoughts and emotions and perspective on life, then I can recommend it highly. Just don't think you'll put it down with a satisfied smile on your face.
Bay of Souls by Robert Stone: If you read this book just following the storyline, this novel will frustrate you. If you keep peeling back the layers, more ideas bubble forth, some like little quick jabs to your mind. You can choose to wander aimlessly through this book, or you can put your soul on the line and dive in deeper into the Bay of Souls.
Annette Lybacki hopes that you found this piece helpful and invites you to read her articles on The 411 on Annuity Loans for some Hints and Tips on Annuity Loans.
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