Tag: reading

What I’m Reading Now: Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

Book: Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

Fiction/Nonfiction: Fiction

Author: Kathleen Rooney

Have I Read This Author Before: No

One Sentence Summary: On New Years Eve, 1984, 85 year old Lillian Boxfish takes a walk in her hometown of Manhattan, encountering many people, having adventures, and recalling her long, successful career as an advertising woman for Macys, in a male dominated industry, and her sometimes challenging life as a wife, mother and divorcee

Best Thing About the Book: She is a very compelling character with lots of confidence and grit, making this a fun, easy story to read

Worst Thing About the Book: There wasn’t really a plot, just some meanderings and musings. I’ve been reading mostly thrillers, so this wasn’t a “I can’t wait to find out what happens” suspense book

What I Learned: A lot of interesting facts about life in the 1920s and 30s: During prohibition, it was possible to get a prescription for a pint of liquor “for medicinal purposes only.” Also, when the Empire State Building first opened in 1931, during the depression, much of its office space remained unrented, so it became known as “The Empty State Building.”

The Bottom Line: A very enjoyable read with a most interesting, adventurous character with a well-lived life, and nice descriptions of NYC

Would I Read This Author Again: Yes

Next Book to be Read by This Author: From Dust to Stardust

What I’m Reading Now: The Stranger

Book: The Stranger

Author: Harlan Coben

Fiction/Nonfiction: Fiction

Have I Read This Author Before: Yes

One Sentence Summary: A stranger approaches various, unrelated strangers across the country and tells them secrets about the people in their lives that will change their world forever

Best Thing About the Book: This was very different from the previous Harlan Coben books I’ve read in the past; less blood and murder, but creepier in its highly personal nature

Worst Thing About the Book: Some of the conversations are frustratingly circular (Her: “Do you know who she is, yes or no?” Him: “I think I do.” Her: “Who is She?” Him: “You don’t know?”)

Did it Make Me Want to Keep Reading: Yes

What I Learned: I read the acknowledgements at the back of the book, which I never do, and learned that Harlan Coben accepts donations from individuals to use their names in his books, and then donates that money to charity; very cool!

The Bottom Line: Definitely a page turner as various, seemingly unconnected plot lines start to come together in typical Coben fashion with plenty of surprises

Will I Read This Author Again: Yes

Next Book to be Read by This Author: Play Dead

What I’m Reading Now-Robinson Crusoe

Book: Robinson Crusoe

Fiction/Nonfiction: Fiction (Loosely based on a real event)

Author: Daniel Defoe

Have I read the Author Before: No

One Sentence Summary: A man is shipwrecked on a deserted island for 28 years and survives by learning how to hunt, farm and manufacture everything he needs before getting rescued

Best Thing About the Book: Robinson Crusoe was written in 1719 so I was worried about following the language, geography, references to unknown things; it reads like a diary and while a little mundane in spots, I found it to be a great story that did read pretty easily

Worst Thing About the Book: some long descriptions regarding directions around the island and when in a canoe; pretty much impossible to picture the paths taken and relative locations of different things

Did it Make Me Want to Keep Reading: Yes, I was anxious to find out what happens

What I Learned: Many things about how to survive with minimal provisions and tools; I hope I never have to exercise those skills!

The Bottom Line: Thought to be one of the first “novels” and reputed to be second only to the Bible in the number of translations, it was an interesting story that I’ve heard references from for years ( I was anxiously awaiting the arrival in the story of Friday!) and I’m glad to have read it

Would I Read This Author Again: Yes

Next to Read by This Author: Moll Flanders

What I’m Reading Now: K is For Killer

Title: K is For Killer

Author: Sue Grafton

Fiction/Nonfiction: Fiction

Have I read this Author Before: Yes; the Alphabet Series A-J

One sentence Summary: Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone is hired by the mother of a girl who died about a year before and whose badly decomposed body was ruled an accidental death but her mother suspects murder.

Best Thing about the Book: The series is an entertaining, easy read; While the lead character, Kinsey is somewhat predictable after reading A -J in the series, we always learn something new about her character and I like the references back to incidents that happened in prior books.

Worst Thing about the Book: I’m never able to solve the mystery, but usually it’s because critical pieces of information are withheld until the end.

Did it Make me Want to Keep Reading: Yes, Grafton writes well and offers characters with a lot of physical description. These books are an quick read and you will want to keep going until you know the resolution.

What I Learned: Some of the details of what happens at a water treatment plant.

The Bottom Line: This series is entertaining, and I always look forward to the next mystery.

Would I read this Author Again: Yes

Next Book to Read by This Author: L is for Lawless (of course)