Gwendy's Button Box

Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar Book 164 pages

From Publisher's Weekly: "It's 1974 when 12-year-old Gwendy Peterson is offered a magic box by a man named Richard Farris, whom she meets at the top of one of the cliffside Suicide Stairs in Castle Rock, Maine. Farris wears a "small neat black hat" and seems to know just who Gwendy is and what she wants. Eight buttons grace the mahogany box he offers to Gwendy, and a lever dispenses silver dollars and intricate chocolates that Farris claims will help Gwendy lose weight and escape being called "Goodyear" by her classmates. Lose weight she does, but that's not all. Wonderful things keep happening in Gwendy's life, and she's happier than she's ever been. But when she decides to press one of the buttons, the consequences are horrendous."

I enjoyed reading this book. However, it did take some adjusting to realize that it wasn't going to be scary despite its authors. It is billed as horror, but I found no horror and also not a lot of suspense. The story reads like a normal life of a young girl who turns into a young woman. The addition of the button box is what makes it slightly different. Of course this is not an original story line, but it was nicely done. The box has some profound effects on Gwendy's life, but I felt sorry for her as the bad circumstances weren't her fault. I did like Gwendy, she was doing the best she could with what she had. As is usually the case with these types of stories, she had to discover a lot of information on her own. Sometimes I find teen characters hard to read, but I applaud King and Chizmar with their writing of the protagonist. After she pressed the red button the first time and blamed herself for a tragedy, I thought that was going to be the theme for this book. I was grateful it wasn't. This was an easy read that keeps the reader engaged. Although there are some holes in the story, I still liked it. The plot of the book suggests that it should have been longer. The black button alone deserved more page time, but that's a novella for you. Throughout the story and at the end, I could not help but wonder what Gwendy's life would have been like if she had never received the button box. I wonder if that was the authors' intent. Hmmm....

The Miser of Mayfair

The Miser of Mayfair by M.C. Beaton Audiobook 5 hours Book 167 pages

Hooray another series by my favorite British author! This go around we find ourselves at the address 67 Clarges Street, which rumored to be unlucky, due to the many tragedies that seem to happen to its inhabitants. This home is a home for the London season where young ladies are presented to find husbands.The rent is quite reasonable and appeals to those who are cheap but do not want to appear so. Be that as it may, the servants of this home are hoping and praying (literally) for someone generous to be the tenant that will treat them well as they are tired of the tyrannous ways of the manager, Mr. Palmer. Roderick Sinclair's brother has died and instead of leaving him his fortune he left him his ward, a beautiful girl named Fiona. The book is a tale of the exploits of this pair as they try to get Fiona married to a rich member of the gentry, with the help of the servants of 67 Clarges Street.

Back to Society

Back to Society by M.C. Beaton Audiobook 4 hours Book 152 pages

"Life is finally looking up for the poor relations. The Prince of Wales's coat of arms gleams over the hotel entrance. All but one of the rooms are filled by the open-handed Prince Hugo and his entourage. The owners have taken on a new partner, Mr. Jason Davy, a popular actor. Even curmudgeonly Sir Philip hasn't uttered anything loathsome for days. They have finally reached a position comfortable enough to allow them to consider offers to buy the hotel. The poor relations' hard-earned success, however, is in stark contrast to the plight of their latest guest, Lady Jane Fremney. The slight, beautiful woman is the youngest daughter of the Earl of Durby and has been cast out of her family for refusing to marry the man her father has chosen. Lonely and bankrupt, Lady Jane has decided to commit suicide. But when Miss Tonks uncovers her plans, the poor relations go into action again to try and rescue Lady Jane from suicide, her father, and her intended husband." - Hoopla

I enjoyed this last book of the Poor Relation series as I did all the others. I recommend it and any other writings by M.C. Beaton. Her books are definitely some of the most devourable (is that a word?) that I have ever listened to or read.

Sweet Revenge

Sweet Revenge by Fern Michaels Book 188 pages

Sweet Revenge is the fifth book in the Sisterhood series. It is Isabelle's turn to get her revenge and right the wrongs done to her by her former employee, Rosemary. The sisters plan and plot a devious plan to vindicate Isabelle, all the while having to dodge two inexhaustible reporters.

I enjoyed this book as I do all the books in the series. As said in previous reviews the dialog is not the greatest, but the story is such that I can't put the book down. I enjoy how bold Michaels is with her writing, if there's something she wants in the story, it goes in. I feel like no punches were pulled. Perhaps it is her bold writing, with which I'm not 100% familiar, that makes me say what I say about the dialog. Be that as it may, there is still something quite amateurish about the writing style. As if the writer has promise when it comes to plot, but needs to find a voice that allows said plot to flow more easily. However, no matter the writing, this book was good and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue

Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue by M.C. Beaton Audio book 4 hours Book 152 pages

The poor relations are back in this fifth addition to the series. It is typical among the gentry to stay in a hotel and to leave without paying. Colonel Sandhurst has volunteered to retrieve the amount owed to the hotel from the latest cheapskates. While attempting to do so, he encounters, Frederica, the lovely daughter of the family (who did not stay in the hotel) and he comes up with an idea. Frederica wants to run away from home because her father is going to make her marry a beast of a man. So the Colonel figures she can take shelter at the hotel and he can get money out of her father in order to secure her safe return to him. Once again the poor relations find themselves in a difficult situation. Can they help themselves and Frederica or will her wants and desires play second fiddle to their financial troubles? Read it, listen to it, either way you won't regret it.

Sir Philip's Folly

Sir Philip's Folly by M.C. Beaton Audio book 4 hours Book 152 pages


Sir Philip's folly is actually his decision to bring in a course widow named Mary Budge whom he has taken as a lover. She is lazy, rude and has an appetite that threatens to eat the hoteliers out of house and home. And to top it off she wants to be a partner in the Poor Relation Hotel. Naturally hilarity ensues as the poor relations scheme and plot to get rid of Mrs. Budge. The solution actually comes from a young woman named Arabella Carruthers whose mother is trying to pass her daughter off as a child and herself as a young widow in order to remarry. Arabella who knows nothing of the world quickly learns a lot about life dealing with the poor relations. Will she find love or will she be forever condemned to a life of pretense with her delusional mother? The 4th book of the Poor Relation Series does not disappoint.

Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace

Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace by M.C. Beaton Audio book 4 hours Book 152 pages 

Book 3 of the Poor Relation Series was just as engaging as the last two. I suspect all these reviews are getting repetitive so I’ll try to mix things up. Having run into money troubles yet again, the poor relations must come up with money fast and turn to thievery yet again. Poor Mrs. Budley has drawn the short straw so it is her turn to rob a rich relation. Sir Phillip comes up with the idea for her to pretend to be the relative of an elderly, rich Marquess. But as it turns out the older Marquess has died and his younger, more handsome relative now resides at Warwickshire Castle. Well when a man meets a woman feelings are going to be caught. Does she get the money? Does she get the man? Read the book to find out or get the audio book read by the ever talented Davina Porter. 

Miss Tonks Turns to Crime

Miss Tonks Turns to Crime by M.C. Beaton Audiobook 4 hours Book 152 pages 

This is the second book in the Poor Relation Series and M.C. Beaton did not disappoint. The crazy antics of the poor relations were just an entertaining in this book as the last. The plot was quick and to the point with no dragging. Spinster Miss Tonks has been chosen to steal something from a rich relative so the Poor Relation Hotel may have the funds it desperately needed. Hilarity ensues. Being short, these stories pack a comedic punch and one might even say they end abruptly. As a reader I am grateful when there is another book in the series so I know I’ll be disappointed when I get to the last one. The only thing that really needs to be said about this book is that it is recommended. If you enjoy British humor (or humor period) you will enjoy this series. I definitely recommend listening to them as Davina Porter does an excellent job bringing the story to life. Thumbs up!

If Not for You

If Not for You by Debbie Macomber Book 364 pages

This is the story of Beth and Sam. Beth is a friend of Nichole, the protagonist of the book A Girl's Guide to Moving On, so if you liked that one you will like this one. Two people who couldn't be more different and yet circumstances pulled them together and they can't (or rather don't want to) pull apart. This book is a case for the old adage "opposites attract". A woman from a sheltered, gentile background meets a rough man with a chip on his shoulder and cynicism in his eyes. Filet mignon meets hamburger basically, both are good but you wouldn't normally catch them together much less going well together.

This book was typical of the author. It starts off as the two people not really caring for one another but indifference gradually morphs into attraction. The story is a nice one with a predictable ending. The characters are semi-believable and semi-lovable but not particularly enigmatic and I don't think they were written to be so. Debbie always does a good job telling a story, there are never any lulls in the middle. One guarantee is that there will be a lot of emotion and this book was no different. One can tell she really puts thought into saying "they kissed" or "she was hurt" as many different ways as is humanly possible. That in and of itself is no small task. So if you enjoy romance and take comfort in knowing how the story ends, you will enjoy If Not for You.

One Sunday at a Time

One Sunday at a Time by E.N. Joy Book 294 pages 

This is the second book in the Forever Divas Series. This story is about a friend of the first book’s protagonist. Deborah is struggling with depression, anxiety and a host of other things, but she doesn’t want anyone to know, especially not her husband. Only her husband can’t help noticing she has problems because she has so many mood swings and outright crazy behavior. Eventually it all goes wrong and the police and the hospital are needed. Will Deborah face her demons and finally let God do what He wants to do in her life or will she continue down the dangerous downward spiral of mental illness? You’ll have to read to find out.

This book was like the last one, it was fine. There was not as much agenda pushing in this as the last book, which I appreciated. The thing about reading series to me is that it usually just seems like the same book just told from a different perspective. Don’t get me wrong it can still be entertaining, it just something I notice and this series is no exception. That being said, if the author decides to continue the series it is likely that I will read the new addition.

Lady Fortescue Steps Out

Lady Fortescue Steps Out by M.C. Beaton Audiobook 4 hours Book 152 pages 

This is the first book in the Poor Relation series by one of my favorite British authors. The story is about a group of poor relations (the poor relatives of the noble and wealthy) who decide to not only live together in Lady Fortescue's expansive home, but to run it as a hotel. Which means they will be in (gasp) trade. This leads to much gossip and chest clutching but also a funny, entertaining story in the way only Beaton could tell it. It is put in the romance category, but there is more than romance that goes on. I liked the characters and the setting and the plot, I have no complaints and I do recommend it. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

When All Is Said and Prayed

When All Is Said and Prayed by E.N. Joy Book 304 pages


When All Is Said and Prayed is about Paige and her life of many ups and downs. Paige has had 2 husbands, and is now desiring a third. She has had much drama in her life which can be found in previous series written by the author. This book was fine, that's the word for it. The characters, the plot, the development, all of it was just fine. The problem I had with this book was the author's shameful agenda pushing. This book does fall into the religious category, but the religion isn't the problem. I won't go into detail about which agenda was present, just the seeming lack of author integrity. The agenda was a problem because it felt like a break from the story, which I didn't want. All I wanted was to be told what happened. Reading what was an obvious attempt to have me adopt a certain belief made me feel cheated as a reader. It felt like the author stopped the story in order to tell me what to believe about a certain topic. This experience makes me wary to try another of this author's books, but we'll see.

Copycat

Copycat by Kimberla Lawson Roby Book 181 pages

This is a book about a woman named Simone, who as a result of her troubling past, mimics the lives of certain successful people around her. This causes no end of drama and so goes the story. This book was not Roby's best, but it was still an okay read. I felt like the ending wasn't as conclusive as it could have been, there were a few too many "maybes" for my taste. I am glad it wasn't a long book because I"m not sure it would have been as easy to read as a longer book. Really the one word that comes to mind with this book is fine. The plot was fine, the characters were fine and so on. There were some page-turning moments, but I wouldn't say the whole book is that way. For me, I like when characters go to the very edge of sanity, the crazier the better. That was not the case in this book. Don't get me wrong Simone did some crazy things, but it could have been crazier. I'm from the "go big or go home" school of thought and I know Roby is capable of some very "big" writing (see Curtis Black series). I would recommend this book, but with the caveat that it isn't as dramatic as other books by this author.

Heartburn

Heartburn by Nora Ephron Audiobook 5 hours Book 179 pages

This is a story about a woman named Rachel who has just found out her husband is in love with another woman. As is typical of domestic fiction, hilarity ensues. This book is not new by any means, but I really couldn't tell from listening to it. It was narrated by the uber talented Meryl Streep, who did an amazing job. I felt like I really knew Rachel as a personal friend. I also felt like I was going through the stuff with her. I admire an author's ability to make me feel things so that I'm absorbed in the story. I liked the characters and the plot and I was a little shocked when it was over. In my opinion it could have gone on. The writing is hilarious and engaging. Rachel is a writer of cookbooks so there are also recipes in the book as well. Fir the sake of clarity I will say there was more profanity in this book than I usually like. That's my only complaint, everything else was good.

A Right to Be Hostile

A Right to Be Hostile by Aaron McGruder  Book: 255 pages

Two young black boys and their grandfather move from the South side of Chicago to the suburbs and hilarity ensues. This book had me laughing and really the only reason it's so funny is that all the leftist diatribe is coming from a school-aged boy. If these lines were spoken by a grown man this would just be a political comic, but coming from a boy of maybe 10 it is hilarious. I'm not sure why it's funny when children talk like adults, but it's a formula that works. Huey (named after Huey P. Newton of course) is a revolutionary whose goal it is to take down the capitalist, racist regime known as the American government. His views on society, entertainment and especially politics are unwavering. This comic is controversial and it's easy to see why, but it is also easy to see why it's so popular. Huey's younger brother Riley wants to be "gangsta" complete with cars, money, girls (even though he doesn't want them to touch him!), and the fear of the people around him. Grandad adds his own special quality to the picture, being a traditionalist and thinking Huey really needs to calm himself down and act like other kids his age and Riley needs to do better in school and be less disrespectful. Along the way they meet some interesting characters that also add to the humor. Caesar is my favorite, he is basically the straight-man to Huey's insanity, agreeing with him on some things but calling him insane on others. I would recommend this book for those who are not easily offended because it does have some views with which certain people would strongly disagree.  

Humans of New York: Stories

Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton 428 pages

This is a combination of several photographs and interviews done by Stanton on the streets of New York. It is mixed with happy and sad stories, funny quotes and strange ramblings. There's love, hate, grief, excitement, something for everyone.

This was an enjoyable and easy read. (1 day!) There were compelling stories combined with equally compelling photographs. Anyone who reads this book will find someone they identify with and/or someone they think is way off base and I think that is the beauty of it. It's just humans in New York. They come from all backgrounds and geographical locations. I'm glad the author chose all different kinds of people with all different kinds of views or else this would have been a one-dimensional book. It lets you know he probably encountered people with which he himself did not agree, however he put them in anyway (example atheist and Christian views). The adorable smiles of the children, the love in the eyes of the couples, the loneliness of the grieving, and the sadness of the lonely (to name a few) make for a pictorial I definitely recommend.

The Husband's Secret

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty Audiobook 13 hours Book 396 pages

This book is about a secret that deeply affects the lives of several people. Don't worry no spoilers. The secret affects Cecilia Fitzpatrick, her husband John Paul and their children. It also affects Rachel Crowley and her son Rob. This story is also about Tess O'Leary and her family's troubles. The real connector of all the characters seems to be the past. The book starts with a mysterious letter, but I can't tell you about it because it will ruin the story. Be prepared for a lot of twists and turns that seems to be characteristic of Liane Moriarty.

I enjoyed this book and can definitely call myself a fan of this author. There was never a dull moment in this story. The characters were real and easy to listen to/read. I felt everything the author wanted me to feel with these characters and this plot line. All the emotions were very real, the grief, the betrayal, the love, the guilt and so on. I was truly shocked when I found out what the secret was. There's more I want to say, but it's better if I don't'. This is what I would call a good book plain and simple and I do recommend.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple Audiobook 9 hours Book 330 pages


Bernadette is a suburban, Seattle mom whose only pleasure in life is her daughter Bee. She's a recluse who rarely leaves the house and has zero in common with the other moms. After getting straight As in school, Bee, who was promised anything she wanted in this event, decides she wants to go to Antarctica. This is Bernadette's nightmare and then a whole chain of hilarious and dramatic events follow which inevitably lead to Bernadette's disappearance and her daughter's journey to find her.

Since I listened to the audio version, I have to say this book was read very well by the narrator, Kathleen Wilhoite. The book itself was funny and Bernadette is truly a one of a kind character, however when speaking of her past the author did lay it on kind of thick. The daughter is a lovable genius but also a typical teenager in how she processes things and responds to people. The two of them make a pair that might make some mothers and daughters envious. This was an easy book to get through, the story pulled me in and I liked the characters. The middle part wasn't at all boring and the ending was satisfactory. I could see myself reading it again. I would recommend this book because it has the right amount of humor and emotion to be a good read.

Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?

Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast 228 pages

This graphic novel is about Roz and her parents. The whole thing is basically her telling us about her life with her hilarious parents from childhood all the way into adulthood. 

One of the things that struck me was how the drawing in this book was oddly spot on, her parents really did look like that. I got a real sense of the kind of person Roz was, and the kind of people her parents were. Knowing that it was all true made it enjoyable to read. I found myself being sad when her parents died and I felt her pain when they were being their usual idiosyncratic selves. Anyone who deals with parents, especially elderly ones, on a regular basis can relate to this book. It highlights the ways our parents can irk us but it also shows how much we love them despite the craziness and how much we miss it after they've gone. I would say her parents were as good as any characters that any author could make up. Her mother with her larger than life personality (not necessarily in good way) and her father and his fear of what seemed to be everything made for an enjoyable reading experience. Another great thing is that it's told in chronological order and isn't just a bunch of random experiences put in a book, it's an actual story. This felt like a friend telling another friend about life with her parents, I definitely recommend.

Pinned

Pinned by Sharon Flake 228 pages

Pinned is about two teenagers, Autumn and Adonis. Autumn is an almost illiterate wrestler who loves baking and Adonis. Adonis is a scholastically intelligent young man who has no legs. Autumn is determined to make Adonis her boyfriend, while he is determined not to be her boyfriend. Will they or won't they? This is their story.

The two main characters are enormously different, almost too different. Autumn is larger than life and Adonis keeps to himself. She loves everything and everybody, he could do without most people. I did (mostly) care about them, although I don't think they were necessarily written to be endearing, but it was hard to tell. They were very human in their flaws and desires, so I think that's what made me care about them.  Autumn basically had a good attitude but when she lost something important to her (no spoilers I promise), her sunny disposition disappeared and while her behavior shocked me, it reminded me about the volatility of the teenage attitude. Adonis was a typical intelligent introvert, but his disability added more to his character. As far as dialog goes, there were some inconsistencies, some big words Autumn sounded out and others she never even stumbled. Adonis never seemed to use contractions and that just didn't ring true, but I guess that was part of his character (I'm giving the benefit of the doubt). I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it. There are some unresolved issues that I would have liked to have seen sewn up. It was a quick read, but I think more could have been done with the story because there was some pretty deep stuff in it. I think that it would possibly make a good series, because it leaves so many questions at the end. And thinking about it now, I kind of want answers.