Jan. 1, 2014

Several books piling up on my list to talk about:

Ten Little New Yorkers by Kinky Friedman well what to say.  He is Kinky.  The solution did flit across my mind early on, but I didn't believe it.  This kind of reading is for sheer escape, of course.  Fun and jokes.

Just One Evil Act by Elizabeth George follows Barbara Havers, whose emotionality, to tell the truth, I'm getting tired of.  Some of the possible consequences and issues from the book previous didn't get dealt with even in this lengthy narrative, but I sure do think George is a great storyteller.  Lots of twists and turns in this one!

Make up your mind, Elizabeth, about Helen's death.  No, it is too late.  I remembered the circumstances and wondered, Is Lynley getting old?  Is he losing it?

When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams is a poetic if often annoying bunch of reflections.  This is the first book I have read by her, so maybe I don't have the backlog of associations I need to make me care.  Plus as a writer she is awfully self-protective.  If you are going to hint around, never forget that our imaginations can be much more powerful for ill than clearly stated truth.

The image inspiring this book is wonderful and powerful, but long before I finished this work of words I was wondering if she made it up.  I guess it all hinges on - but no, I wouldn't want to ruin it for you!

I agree with Williams on one point, though.  The song of the hermit thrush rules!

 Candy Freak is a cross between an information dispersal and a confessional by Steve Almond.  I almost didn't read it, because who needs an inducement to eat more candy?

The book has entertainment value much higher than the value of the wares it describes, if our Christmas book club party featuring some of the highlighted bars is any indication.  In fact, this book is one of those cases in which the fantasy outplays the reality.

Maybe not for Steve Almond, though.  He brags (or confesses) at the very outset of this romp that he has not gone a day of his life without eating at least one piece of candy.

Obviously a fresh palate is a thing unknown to him.

How about having your name inspire you more in the direction of nuts than than of sugar, Steve?

Silly me.  I am altogether too literal.

This book is candy for your mind.  Read it for Easter!

This article has been viewed 1652 times.