The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman is a prequel to Practical Magic, which I haven't read yet. Hoffman is a prolific writer and a couple of my favorites are The Dovekeepers and The Museum of Extraordinary Things. In this novel we meet the Owens' siblings, Franny Jet and Vincent, all with unique magical gifts but cursed with great tragedy if they fall in love.
Set against the backdrop of NYC in the sixties, Hoffman is a wonderful storyteller; she has created great characters and woven historical fiction with magical realism to create a truly fantastic read. I was completely swept away and didn't want this book to end. I'm looking forward to reading Practical Magic and catching up with the next generation of the Owen's family.
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
One Part Woman
One Part Woman by Perumal Murugan is written in Tamil and was hugely popular in India. Now translated into English, I feel all the richer for having been able to read it.
Set in rural South India, a loving couple Kali and Ponna are unable to have children. This is an unacceptable situation in their village and they are treated with disdain by everyone, family included. Murugan wonderfully portrays this struggle in an otherwise happy marriage. After praying and making offerings to every conceivable God, their family hatches a plan that could divide them.
A beautifully written, sad and important book.
Set in rural South India, a loving couple Kali and Ponna are unable to have children. This is an unacceptable situation in their village and they are treated with disdain by everyone, family included. Murugan wonderfully portrays this struggle in an otherwise happy marriage. After praying and making offerings to every conceivable God, their family hatches a plan that could divide them.
A beautifully written, sad and important book.
All the Birds in the Sky
All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders is a hard novel to describe, part fantasy, part sci-fi, part love story, part mystery; sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. However, Anders is a truly original voice and one to watch in my opinion.
An ancient society of witches led by the powerful young witch Patricia, who talks to birds and trees, battles a high tech group of scientists led by young brilliant Laurence, who have known each other since they were kids and also happen to be in love. The book is filled with humor and sadness and big ideas about the end of the world. It also addresses the very real challenge of growing up different in a world that doesn't always recognize what is special.
An uneven, yet fascinating and enjoyable read.
An ancient society of witches led by the powerful young witch Patricia, who talks to birds and trees, battles a high tech group of scientists led by young brilliant Laurence, who have known each other since they were kids and also happen to be in love. The book is filled with humor and sadness and big ideas about the end of the world. It also addresses the very real challenge of growing up different in a world that doesn't always recognize what is special.
An uneven, yet fascinating and enjoyable read.
The Golden State
The Golden State by Lydia Kiesling takes place in a little known part of Northern California in the fictional high desert town of Altavista. A young mom, Daphne, leaves her stable job in San Fransisco with her toddler to spend 10 days in her grandparents empty house that now belongs to her. Meanwhile, her husband is stuck in Turkey due to a "click of the mouse" error that wont let him back in the country.
We follow Daphne on a near breakdown as Kiesling addresses the strains of early motherhood, isolation, exhaustion, as well as family dynamics, racism, and a growing political divide even in a state as liberal and progressive as California. A well written, powerful and timely read.
We follow Daphne on a near breakdown as Kiesling addresses the strains of early motherhood, isolation, exhaustion, as well as family dynamics, racism, and a growing political divide even in a state as liberal and progressive as California. A well written, powerful and timely read.
Friday, March 15, 2019
The Genuine Stories
The Genuine Stories is a novel by Susan Smith Daniels. These linked together stories moving back in forth in time to tell the story of Genuine Eriksson and her unique healing abilities that fist showed up when she was a child.
Each story can stand alone, but taken together they paint a portrait of a truly original character. Enjoyable and well written, a small book that makes you believe that anything is possible
Each story can stand alone, but taken together they paint a portrait of a truly original character. Enjoyable and well written, a small book that makes you believe that anything is possible
Sunday, March 10, 2019
The Emissary
The Emissary by Yoko Tawada is a slim little surrealist novel set in Japan after an imaginary apocalypse. Old people live forever, but young people are born sick, barely able to walk as children, and aging each year. Everything is turned on its head.
At the heart of the story is young optimistic Mumei living with his constantly worrying great-grandfather Yoshiro. At times funny, at times sad, always full of heart. A witty, original read, not for everyone.
At the heart of the story is young optimistic Mumei living with his constantly worrying great-grandfather Yoshiro. At times funny, at times sad, always full of heart. A witty, original read, not for everyone.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
The Library Book
The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a fantastic story about Public Libraries. This is a non-fiction book about the fire that destroyed the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986, yet it reads like a mystery or a detective story, uncovering the truth bit by bit.
Written as only Susan Orlean could, this is a love song to Libraries, an ode to our last free public community spaces that do so much more than just check out books! It made me want to go back to school to become a librarian. Highly recommended.
Written as only Susan Orlean could, this is a love song to Libraries, an ode to our last free public community spaces that do so much more than just check out books! It made me want to go back to school to become a librarian. Highly recommended.
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