Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

As I was reading the reviews of the book Brooklyn by Colm Toibin I decided that this should be a nice easy read so I ordered it from Better World Books. I loved the details of the setting but not sure what I missed in the reviews. All the reviews talked of a nice young girl moving from Ireland to Brooklyn and back again but what they did not mention is that while in the US she meets and marries an Italian man and when she goes back home she falls in love with a local Irishman. Now I did still find the story very easy as there was really no conflict or tension at all and I really feel the story needed it.
2 Stars

Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War by Tony Horwitz

I love the history surrounding the Civil War so when I picked up Tony Horwitz’s Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War I honestly thought I was getting a collection of stories and letters that had been found. Little did I know it was about the attitudes that people of the South still have towards the war. This was very interestingly serious book which raised amazing viewpoints.

5 Stars

The Queen of Water by Laura Resau

The Queen of Water is a heart wrenching tale by Laura Resau. The main character, Virginia, was born in a large but underprivileged family in an Andean mountain village in Ecuador. Society is divided sharply between the working native Indian people and the governing descendants of Spanish conquerors. At age 7, Virginia is sold to be a servant to a wealthy family. For eight years she endures her enslavement which includes malevolence and thrashings but she is determined to make something better of her life.
5 ++++ Stars as the story of tragedy and triumph will stay with you and you will feel the need to recommend it over and over.

Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman

I have read and loved many of Alice Hoffman’s books but Blue Diary is a definite exception. The writing is definitely well done and the concept is soundly thought out but I think that I have a problem with the fact that a person who is a rapist can just turn their life completely around and become the hero of the story. This is the first time I have really done this usually I like or dislike a book. I don’t have to like the content to determine a book is well written so it gets 4 stars.

4 Stars

Blood Red by Heather Graham

My Mom dropped off Blood Red by Heather Graham and it is exactly what I would pick up for myself. Three friends are in New Orleans for a bachelorette weekend and they become involved in Vampire intrigue. A Vampire decides they are his prey and pursuits them almost succeeding in killing them but a vampire hunter (who I imagine as looking like Danny Pino) saves them. At first the women don't believe his stories of vampires but then they see the evidence with their own eyes.
5 Stars

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

I picked up The Woman in Black when I saw Daniel Radcliff was going to be starring in the movie. Normally I hate any type of horror story but I loved this book. This was so much more than a horror story there as suspense around every corner. Again I am concerned with their being enough content material for a full length movie so I will probably wait until it comes on TV but the book is great.
5 Stars

Kissng Cousins by A.M. Gray

Another outstanding short story by A.M.Gray!! It is exactly what the title states. The groom is one cousin and a bridesmaid the other. I love the "achilles thong" reference!!

5 Stars