Mon Dieu. To fluctuate between my passion for the written word and my passion for the story at large is to grow accustomed to a weekly barrage of, dare I say, potential malarky. Will it be Twilight or Sartre? How can we know? L’Elégance du Herisson has the appeal of the popular and the allure of the erudite. Ooh, that sounds snotty but it is so good. It took me two … [Read more...] about “The Excellence of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery
Literature in the Lymes
Why I Read
Be warned, dear readers, you're in for a surprise this week when you click to read Jen's book review. OK, we'll spill the beans - there is no book! Yes, this week Jen analyzes why, in her opinion, she is the most voracious reader that we've ever had the pleasure to meet ... and of course, it makes fascinating reading. I thought this week might be a good time to monopolize … [Read more...] about Why I Read
‘The Story Sisters’ by Alice Hoffman
Shouldn't we all be enjoying these last, lazy hazy days of summer before school starts next week by kicking off our shoes, relaxing and doing nothing much of anything? Not our Jen. She stayed up all night reading this week's book pick - that's how compelling she found "The Story Sisters" by Alice Hoffman. Alice Hoffman is one of my most-beloved authors. She is consistently … [Read more...] about ‘The Story Sisters’ by Alice Hoffman
“Neverwhere” by Neil Gaiman
Published 08/14/09 While the cat's away, Jen will play. But Jen is a good girl, and seeing as our editor has been in London, England, for a while, Jen dutifully read a book about London in her absence. However, "Neverwhere" by Neil Gaiman is not about the London tourists see ... well, actually, it is in part, but it is the "London Below" that is gripping. Whilst our … [Read more...] about “Neverwhere” by Neil Gaiman
“Pushing Up Daisies” by Rosemary Harris
Published 08/02/09 It's summertime - it is honestly, despite the weather, and our ever optimistic Jen has a wonderful book suggestion this week for those lazy, hazy days we're spending on our beach towels ... or rather (hopefully) about to spend. It's the garden-themed mystery, "Pushing up Daisies" by Rosemary Harris Just back from a marvelous vacation where I read not a … [Read more...] about “Pushing Up Daisies” by Rosemary Harris
“Midsummer” by Marcelle Clements
This weekend it is the Midsummer Festival in Old Lyme. So why not prepare for the splendid event by reading "Midsummer" by Marcelle Clements. It might not be quite as upbeat as the festival but, as our resplendent reviewer Jen Mann concludes, it is nevertheless, "a beautiful book." This is a beautiful book. Rather depressing, but still beautiful. A group of friends rent … [Read more...] about “Midsummer” by Marcelle Clements
“Plum Spooky” by Janet Evanovich
As all her loyal readers know, Jen Mann is never late with her reviews so where, you ask, is it? Well, it did a disappearing trick and decided to explore the world of cyberspace, which segues beautifully into her book choice for this week, "Plum Spooky" by Janet Evanovich, a story about, in Jen's words, "Who stole this and kidnapped whom and shot who with what?" Stephanie … [Read more...] about “Plum Spooky” by Janet Evanovich
“Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious,Disturbing, Marvelous, and Inspiring Things I learned When I Read Every Single Word of The Bible” by David Plotz
Just when we thought we were beginning to understand the sorts of book Jen likes, she throws a curve ball with,"Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious,Disturbing, Marvelous, and Inspiring Things I learned When I Read Every Single Word of The Bible" by David Plotz. Forgive us, but it seemed appropriate to leave publication of her thoughts about reading a book about reading The Bible … [Read more...] about “Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious,Disturbing, Marvelous, and Inspiring Things I learned When I Read Every Single Word of The Bible” by David Plotz
“The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
Jen has this habit of selecting "Must Read" books and without hesitation, we join her this week in heartily recommending, "The Glass Castle," by Jeannette Walls. In terms of a real-life story of beating incedible odds told without a trace of self-pity, it is, to quote Jen, "an example to us all." If I ever meet the parents of Jeannette Walls, I am going to have a chat with … [Read more...] about “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
Why Sometimes I Don’t Read
Our Jen was—along with (in our unscientific opinion) approximately half the population of the Lymes—sick last week. We're so glad to learn that she's now recovered and here she is back again for your delight with the revealing (and riveting) antithesis to her earlier column on why she reads. Here is the companion piece to the ever-popular,” Why I Read.” It is fair to say … [Read more...] about Why Sometimes I Don’t Read
Swimming With Piranhas at Feeding Time My Life Doing Dumb Stuff by Richard Conniff
Old Lyme resident Richard Conniff lives the life of which most of us mere mortals can only dream. He travels to exotic places, meets interesting people ... and animals, writes or makes movies about them ... and on top of all that, gets paid for doing it. Jen Mann chose his most recent book as her review pick for this week. This is very amusing. I am a big fan of personal … [Read more...] about Swimming With Piranhas at Feeding Time My Life Doing Dumb Stuff by Richard Conniff
“Stern Men” by Elizabeth Gilbert
Last week, Jen read "Eat Pray Love," a personal memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert about self-discovery. This week she investigates Gilbert's first foray into fiction and comes out smiling, concluding, "Each page was a genuine pleasure." Praise doesn't come much higher than that so this novel goes straight onto our "Must Read" list. This is a really great book. It was fun. It was … [Read more...] about “Stern Men” by Elizabeth Gilbert
“Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert
Jen has reviewed one of our favorite books this week. We agree with her conclusion that "Eat Pray Love" by Liz Gilbert should be "required reading" for every woman. It is indeed a delightfully refreshing approach to self-discovery and as Jen points out, how wonderful it would be if only we could all follow it - as Liz did - in Italy, India and Bali. Whenever a lot of … [Read more...] about “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert
“Life As We Knew It” by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Jen reviews Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer this week. She wonders whether it really is "just a coincidence that these books keep throwing themselves at me." By "these books," she means books that cause you to reevaluate your life priorities and in light of the current economic situation, that's perhaps something about which we should all be thinking. Maybe it is … [Read more...] about “Life As We Knew It” by Susan Beth Pfeffer
“Odd Lot,” “Oddest Yet,” “Wicked Odd”, “Even Odder”, All by Steve Bur
Our editor has just resolved a huge mystery, namely, "Is Jen Mann real?" She had never met Ms. Mann, though every week a wonderful book review arrived from her. The two ladies have finally connected, but mysteries continue to brew in Lyme crafted by "Sinister Minister", Steve Burt, ... and Jen is right there to review them for us. Steve Burt is a piece of work. A minister … [Read more...] about “Odd Lot,” “Oddest Yet,” “Wicked Odd”, “Even Odder”, All by Steve Bur