www.francesmayesbooks.com/books/
I imagine I was first introduced to this title like most people, by the movie staring Daine Lane. It remains a movie that leaves me enraptured with the idea of moving to Europe. Sometimes I daydream of Tuscany, but other days it's a lock in Scotland, or a cottage in the French countryside. It's a movie that leaves me jealous of Frances and her "creepy Italian trees". The book surprised me.
The movie is based on a memoir of a professor and her partner who vacation, repeatedly, in Italy and decide to look for a farm to buy. They find a run-down farm and fall in love with the property, their neighbors, the community and the lifestyle. The memoir does include friends and family visiting as well as a wedding. While the memoir lacks the dating drama, there is romance. You'll find the wall collapse scare as well as the Polish workers and snakes. What readers will find in the memoir that isn't as apparent in the movie is the recipes and discussion of food. Frances Mayes describes aspects of farming, processing, cooking and eating. She even talks about regional flavors.
If you loved the movie, you'll love the book. If you dream of extreme acts such as moving to another country, then you'll want to read this book every year or two. That's my plain.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
War for the Oaks
www.goodreads.com/book/show/70582.War_for_the_Oaks
War for the Oaks is one of my very favorite books. It's an engrossing read jam packed with eccentric and colorful characters. Musicians and fairies. Who'd have though eccentric and colorful? Shocking, I know.
It takes place in Minneapolis, MN and centers around a female singer, Eddi, her band and a phouka who dresses like Prince. I think that says it all. But if you need to know more... there's google.
War for the Oaks is one of my very favorite books. It's an engrossing read jam packed with eccentric and colorful characters. Musicians and fairies. Who'd have though eccentric and colorful? Shocking, I know.
It takes place in Minneapolis, MN and centers around a female singer, Eddi, her band and a phouka who dresses like Prince. I think that says it all. But if you need to know more... there's google.
Pale Demon
www.kimharrison.net/BookPages/PD/PD.html
I've been following the evolution of Rachel Morgan since Dead Witch Walking was released in 2004. If you've enjoyed the previous books, you'll likely enjoy this one as well. Rachel is very much Rachel. She grows and learns yet is still somehow amazed by the actions of those around her. Jenks and Ivy are back, naturally, and I find them to be more aware of the need for change and the danger Rachel finds herself one again the center of. So, little unexpected there. Or is there?
Halfway through the book, I began getting pissed with the sexual tension between Rachel and Trent. Talk about a situation that is well past it's self life. It's time that those character's either hook up or get over it. I know I'm to the point. About three quarters through, Rachel gets a bomb shell. One I'm not going to disclose here. It's an explosion I wish the author, Kim Harrison, would have introduced into the story sooner.
Overall, I found this book a pleasurable read but I am disappointed. I think this book had too many distractions from the heart of the plot. The heart of the plot being a discussion of identity, trust, and self-awareness. Tent hides his identity and trust. Ivy, though self-aware, hides herself from Rachel. Jenks, is trying to find his new identify, tries to build trust, because he is aware of his needs and fears. Rachel on the other hand, is forced into trusting, denies her identity until she's forced to acknowledge it. While I commend those ideas, I wish Ivy's bomb had happened sooner. That Trent had confided in Rachel sooner. I wish Rachel had actually answered the phone when Bys called. Poor frightened gargoyle.
I've been following the evolution of Rachel Morgan since Dead Witch Walking was released in 2004. If you've enjoyed the previous books, you'll likely enjoy this one as well. Rachel is very much Rachel. She grows and learns yet is still somehow amazed by the actions of those around her. Jenks and Ivy are back, naturally, and I find them to be more aware of the need for change and the danger Rachel finds herself one again the center of. So, little unexpected there. Or is there?
Halfway through the book, I began getting pissed with the sexual tension between Rachel and Trent. Talk about a situation that is well past it's self life. It's time that those character's either hook up or get over it. I know I'm to the point. About three quarters through, Rachel gets a bomb shell. One I'm not going to disclose here. It's an explosion I wish the author, Kim Harrison, would have introduced into the story sooner.
Overall, I found this book a pleasurable read but I am disappointed. I think this book had too many distractions from the heart of the plot. The heart of the plot being a discussion of identity, trust, and self-awareness. Tent hides his identity and trust. Ivy, though self-aware, hides herself from Rachel. Jenks, is trying to find his new identify, tries to build trust, because he is aware of his needs and fears. Rachel on the other hand, is forced into trusting, denies her identity until she's forced to acknowledge it. While I commend those ideas, I wish Ivy's bomb had happened sooner. That Trent had confided in Rachel sooner. I wish Rachel had actually answered the phone when Bys called. Poor frightened gargoyle.
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