Monday, January 10, 2011

The Babysitter's Code by Laura Lippman

I have never read anything by Laura Lippman before this.  In fact, I wrote her off as one of "those authors".  You know, the formulaic, blockbuster, fluff, author.  She may be that as I can't judge from one short story but I did enjoy 'The Babysitter's Code.'

Terri Snyder is a very "in demand" babysitter and she knows all of the written and unwritten rules of babysitting.  Never open any unopened food, never eat the last of something, and never show your gluttony.

"Once when she was at the Morrows’ house, she discovered a four-pound can of pistachio nuts and got a little carried away. And while the canister was so large that it provided cover for her gluttony, the shells in the trash can left no doubt as to how much she had eaten. To conceal the grossness of her appetite, she packed those shells in her knapsack and the pockets of her ski jacket. Riding home in the front seat of Ed Morrow’s Jeep Cherokee, she realized she was rattling softly, but Mr. Morrow seemed to think it was the car’s heater. The next time she babysat for the Morrows, she found another canister of pistachios, a sure sign of trust."
 Terry felt it was also okay to snoop as long as she put everything back exactly as it was.  She never found anything shocking, until one day while in Mrs. Morrow's lingerie drawer.

The tension in this story works really well as does the plot.  It may be a bit of a fluff piece or as I like to say, palate cleanser, but I really enjoyed it.  You can read it at Fifty-Two Stories, here.

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story review. Come join in the fun!

Posted by Teddy Rose at 12:01 AM 6 comments  

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Friday, January 7, 2011

On Vacation

I'm Leaving very early tomorrow, Saturday.  Hubby and I are off to see my dear BIL in California.  Were driving, so we can stop at all of our favorite spots along the way.  Our first stop is a Powell's Book store in Portland, Oregon.  I'll be sometime on Sunday, January 16th.  I will have limited internet / computer use while I'm away.

Posted by Teddy Rose at 10:20 PM 4 comments  

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Broom of the System by David Foster Wallace


I finished listening to the audio version of this book a couple of months ago but have been putting off writing my review of it.  The plot is so scattered that I can't even begin to tell it with my own words without making it sound even more scattered than it is.  So, I'm going to cheat and use the book description from Good Reads:
Published when Wallace was just twenty-four years old, The Broom of the System stunned critics and marked the emergence of an extraordinary new talent. At the center of this outlandishly funny, fiercely intelligent novel is the bewitching heroine, Lenore Stonecipher Beadsman. The year is 1990 and the place is a slightly altered Cleveland, Ohio. Lenore's great-grandmother has disappeared with twenty-five other inmates of the Shaker Heights Nursing Home. Her beau, and boss, Rick Vigorous, is insanely jealous, and her cockatiel, Vlad the Impaler, has suddenly started spouting a mixture of psycho- babble, Auden, and the King James Bible. Ingenious and entertaining, this debut from one of the most innovative writers of his generation brilliantly explores the paradoxes of language, storytelling, and reality.
All the characters in this book seemed to all have serious issues and in need of therapy.  In fact, the main character, Lenore Beadsman did go to therapy, the same therapist that her boyfriend Rick Vigorous went to.  It turned out the therapist discussed Lenore with Rick which is totally against doctor/ patient confidentiality.  Not to mention that this therapist was so "out there" that he was in need of some serious counseling and probably meds as well.  LOL!
As I said above, this book went all over the map, in terms of plot.  So thick with multiple and sub-plots that it was difficult to follow at times.  However, it was so absurd that it was laugh out loud funny.  I listen to it in my car and noticed people staring at me at stop lights, because I was laughing, at times with tears in my eyes.  It had a "grown up" humor to it, surprising to me when I found out that Wallace was just 24 years old when he wrote it.
Although I do prefer a book with a concrete plot that I can follow.   I did enjoy this book at times.  It is full of vivid and quirky characters.  It was that and the humor,  that kept me listening to all 14 discs  audiobook.    Although, I may not have endured if I knew how it was to end.  Not only a disappointment but totally incomprehensible!  Perhaps I would have understood more of if I had read it?  Somehow I doubt it though.
2.5/5
Thanks to Anna Balasi of Hachette Book Group for this audiobook.
Also reviewed by:
A Bookworm's World
Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World
 Did you review this book?  If so, leave the link in the comments and I will post it here.

Posted by Teddy Rose at 3:46 PM 4 comments  

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Monday, January 3, 2011

The Queen of Last Hopes by Susan Higginbotham


Last year I finally read my first Susan Higginbotham novel, The Stolen Crown and was hooked.  I was anxiously awaiting her latest novel, The Queen of Last Hopes and was lucky enough to receive a review copy.  I was not disappointed.

This book is all about the controversial,  Margaret of Anjou, Queen of England, for a time anyway.  She was sent from her native France to marry King Henry VI.  The alliance was to help bring peace between the two countries but it did not.

I took many years for Margaret to become pregnant and she was destined to only have one child.  When Edward was born, King Henry was in a stupor, totally unresponsive.  He eventually came out of it and proudly met his son.  However, there were many months before he recovered and Richard, the Duke of York, decided he should be in charge.  Margaret tried to become Regent until her husband was well again but failed and Richard succeeded.

Even when King Henry is well again, Richard of York has plans to take over.  Thus began the turbulent, War of the Roses.  Richard accused Margaret of having an affair and therefore, Edward was a bastard so could never be king.  There was no proof of course, just speculation, but enough to raise doubts of England.  Enough to help raise an army against the Lancaster king. 

Many battles happened back and forth.  Sometimes Henry was King but and Margaret Queen but for long periods, not.  It was not decided until the final battle between the Yorks and the Lancasters, with many dead or put to death.

I have read other books that take place during the War of the Roses.  Susan Higgnbotham shows Margaret in a more favourable light. 

I liked how she had dates displayed at the beginning of each chapter with little, if any "flashbacks", which can cause confusion.  Each chapter had a different narrator and was in the title of each chapter.  It made it easy to follow along and see history unfold from many perspectives.

Some of the war scenes got to be a bit repetitious for me but were necessary for historical accuracy.  That is my only complaint but I cannot call it a flaw.  I loved Higginbotham's author Note at the back explaining what happened to the remaining main characters, such as Margaret, herself and what parts of the book were completely imagined by her.  However, she did stick to historical fact throughout, with just a few events here and there to spice it up.

4.5/5

Please join me at So Many Precious Books on January 27th in welcoming Susan Higganbothom.  She will be telling us even more about Margaret of Anjou.

Thanks to Beth Pehlke of Sourcebooks for the review copy of this book.

Also reviewed by:

Historical-Fiction

The Burton Review 

Did you review this book?  Please leave the link in the comments and I will link it here.



Posted by Teddy Rose at 11:14 PM 0 comments  

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Sunday, January 2, 2011

A City of Churches by Donald Barthelme

Prester is a small town known for it`s churches.  It is a peculiar little town as the main character, Cecelia figures out fast.  

Cecelia has come the to set up a car renal business but first she needs to find a place to live.  The town`s real estate agent, Mr. Philips, take her around town to help her find a place.  It turns out, the only buildings in town are churches.

"The mouths of all the churches were gaping open. Inside, lights could be seen dimly. "I can go up to a hundred and ten," Cecelia said. "Do you have any buildings here that are not churches?" "None," said Mr. Phillips. "Of course, many of our fine church structures also do double duty as something else." He indicated a handsome Georgian façade. "That one," he said, "houses the United Methodist and the Board of Education. The one next to it, which is the Antioch Pentecostal, has the barbershop."

The first room Mr. Philips shows Cecelia is a room with 4 church bells hanging in the middle of it.  Cecelia asks if the ring.


"Three times a day," Mr. Phillips said, smiling. "Morning, noon, and night. Of course when they're rung you have to be pretty quick at getting out of the way. You get hit in the head by one of these babies and that's all she wrote."

As I read the story I got a very creepy feeling about the town.  By the end, I saw I had more cause than I thought.  This is an extremely well written story and I really enjoyed it!  Highly recommended!  You can read it here.


Also reviewed by:
Lakeside Musing


If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story review. Come join in the fun!

Posted by Teddy Rose at 11:16 PM 5 comments  

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Maibox Monday

MailBox Monday now has it's very own blog, Mailbox Monday.  It is also on tour and is being hosted by Rose City Reader  in January.  

I had quite the score this time around!  Here`s what I received last week:

 I won this book from Katie of The Romantic Type Blog. Thanks so much Katie and Hachette Book Group!

 Thanks to Rebecca Brown of The Cadence Group!

Thanks to Bethie Pehlke of Sourcebooks!
Thanks to Sourcebooks to their special giveaway of this e-book!


 








Sourcebooks also had a awesome giveaway of their Jane Austen e-books.  Thanks so much!  I received the following:

















Posted by Teddy Rose at 10:24 PM 12 comments  

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Giveaway: The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent- Audiobook

Thanks to Anna Balasi of Hachette Book Group, I am giving away up to 2 copies of this unabridged audiobook.

Book Description:

In the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts, Martha Allen works as a servant in her cousin's household, taking charge and locking wills with everyone. Thomas Carrier labors for the family and is known both for his immense strength and size and mysterious past. The two begin a courtship that suits their independent natures, with Thomas slowly revealing the story of his part in the English Civil War. But in the rugged new world they inhabit, danger is ever present, whether it be from the assassins sent from London to kill the executioner of Charles I or the wolves-in many forms-who hunt for blood. A love story and a tale of courage, The Wolves of Andover confirms Kathleen Kent's ability to craft powerful stories of family from colonial history.

The number of entrants to this giveaway will determine how many copies of this book I will giveaway:

1-10 entrants= 1
11-20 or more entrants = 2

To Enter:
Leave a comment with your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries:  (please leave a separate comment for each, for instance you you are a follower, leave 3 comments that you are a follower).

+3 Old or new follower of this blog.
+3 Old or new follower on Twitter ().
+3 Be my friend on Facebook (Teddy Rose).
+3 "Like" the post about this giveaway on Facebook
+3 Be my friend on Goodreads (Teddy).
+3 for Joining my Books Won Reading Challenge (be sure to follow the rules and then let me know you joined here.)
+1 for each comment on a book review I have done. (Be sure to tell me which ones).
+1 for clicking to give free food at The Animal Rescue Site (tell me you did it).( Up to 1 time per day)
+1 for clicking to give free books at The Literacy Site (tell me you did it). ( Up to 1 time per day)

That's 21 or more possible entries!

Sorry, the giveaway is only open US and Canadian residents only.
The winner’s mailing address: NO P.O.Boxes.
Only one entry per household/IP address
 
Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the book.

This giveaway will end on Sunday, January 16th, 11:59 P.M. E.S.T. The winners will be notified by email. Winners must respond within TWO days or will be disqualified.

 


Posted by Teddy Rose at 9:24 PM 129 comments  

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Giveaway: RESCUE by Anita Shreve-Audiobook

Thanks to Anna Balasi of Hachette Book Group, I am giving away up to 2 copies of this unabridged audiobook.

Book Description:

A rookie paramedic pulls a young woman alive from her totaled car, a first rescue that begins a lifelong tangle of love and wreckage. Sheila Arsenault is a gorgeous enigma--streetwise and tough-talking, with haunted eyes, fierce desires, and a never-look-back determination. Peter Webster, as straight an arrow as they come, falls for her instantly and entirely. Soon Sheila and Peter are embroiled in an intense love affair, married, and parents to a baby daughter. Like the crash that brought them together, it all happened so fast.  

The number of entrants to this giveaway will determine how many copies of this book I will giveaway:

1-10 entrants= 1
11-20 or more entrants = 2

To Enter:
Leave a comment with your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries:  (please leave a separate comment for each, for instance you you are a follower, leave 3 comments that you are a follower).

+3 Old or new follower of this blog.
+3 Old or new follower on Twitter ().
+3 Be my friend on Facebook (Teddy Rose).
+3 "Like" the post about this giveaway on Facebook
+3 Be my friend on Goodreads (Teddy).
+3 for Joining my Books Won Reading Challenge (be sure to follow the rules and then let me know you joined here.)
+1 for each comment on a book review I have done. (Be sure to tell me which ones).
+1 for clicking to give free food at The Animal Rescue Site (tell me you did it).( Up to 1 time per day)
+1 for clicking to give free books at The Literacy Site (tell me you did it). ( Up to 1 time per day)

That's 21 or more possible entries!

Sorry, the giveaway is only open US and Canadian residents only.
The winner’s mailing address: NO P.O.Boxes.
Only one entry per household/IP address
 
Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the book.

This giveaway will end on Sunday, January 16th, 11:59 P.M. E.S.T. The winners will be notified by email. Winners must respond within TWO days or will be disqualified.


Posted by Teddy Rose at 9:14 PM 116 comments  

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Winners: LOVE, HONOR, AND BETRAY By Kimberla Lawson Roby

Thanks again to Anna Balasi of Hachette Books for making this giveaway possible.

The Winners are:

Spynaert
R.L
Diana

Congratulations! I emailed all 3 of  you. Please respond with your shipping address within 2 days to claim your prize.


Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:26 PM 1 comments  

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Historical Fiction Challenge 2011


January 1-December 31, 2011

I am really cutting down on the number of challenges I am doing in 2011 in an effort to have more time to actually read, rather than blog.  However, I can`t pass up this challenge.  First of all, we are hosting it this year over at Historical Tapestry and second of all, I read lots of historical.

The Levels are:
  1. Severe Bookaholism: 20 books
  2. Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books
  3. Struggling the Addiction: 10 books
  4. Daring & Curious: 5 books
  5. Out of My Comfort Zone: 2 books
I did 20 books last year but this year I am going to shoot for 15, in an effort to expand my reading repertoire. 

My Progress:


Posted by Teddy Rose at 5:00 PM 0 comments  

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