Jen Mann is taking a well-deserved vacation this week. Actually, being the dedicated individual that she is, she tried to email in her review but was beaten by a computer malfunction. So, we're delighted to welcome our friend David Holahan as her stand-in and he offers a wonderful commentary on, "Dating Jesus. A Story of Fundamentalism, Feminism, and the American Girl," … [Read more...] about “Dating Jesus: A Story of Fundamentalism, Feminism, and the American Girl” by Susan Campbell
Literature in the Lymes
“The Ghost In Love” by Jonathan Carroll
"The Ghost in Love" by Jonathan Carroll is an astonishing book. Our book reviewer Jan Mann, variously describes it as "weird" and a "whirlwind of a book," but also finds it raises some theological questions "that have stumped mankind for ages." As always, Jen has us intrigued. As soon as I am done writing this review I am going to go pick up as many of Jonathan Carroll’s … [Read more...] about “The Ghost In Love” by Jonathan Carroll
“A Cup of Tea” by Amy Ephron
Jen's book choice this week is, "A Cup of Tea" by Amy Ephron and Jen sensibly suggests it's a book well worth reading with one, but does venture to warn, "... enjoy drinking it cold, since you will be too engaged to remember it's there." So we're definitely off to the library for this one, a story of a chance meeting with extraordinary consequences. What a talented family. … [Read more...] about “A Cup of Tea” by Amy Ephron
“The Shack” by William P. Young
Jen takes us to "The Shack" this week and deep into a world of theological and idealogical questioning intertwined with a quest for a peace. Her review of William P. Young's recent novel is insightful, inspiring and intriguing, or to put it another way, we can't wait to snuggle up with this book (and its seasonally-appropriate cover) in front of a roaring fire. This is … [Read more...] about “The Shack” by William P. Young
“A World Made by Hand” by James Howard Kunstler
After the briefest of breaks, our beloved Jen is back and, never one to ease us in gently, she throws us headlong into the new year with a book that makes you sit straight up in your chair and say, "Wow." James Howard Kunstler's, "A World Made by Hand" is a sort of "back to the future" book in revese ... if that makes any sense, and we, like Jen, are hooked. I now feel a … [Read more...] about “A World Made by Hand” by James Howard Kunstler
“The Confessions of Max Tivoli” by Andrew Sean Greer
We're sure panic is imminent since we're three days late with Jen Mann's book review. Blame the weather, the holidays, but whatever you do, do not blame Jen - she's a constant in a sea of change and is never late. Her book choice this week is "The Confessions of Max Tivoli" by Andrew Sean Greer. I try to write on these pages about books that have meant something to me and … [Read more...] about “The Confessions of Max Tivoli” by Andrew Sean Greer
“The Shadow of Reichenbach Falls” by John R. King
This week Jen dives (appropriately) into "The Shadow of Reichenbach Falls" - the same falls into which Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty plunged subsequent to hand-to-hand combat at their top in Conan Doyle's "The Final Problem." To Jen's discerning approval, John R. King resolves the mystery of the two gentlemen previously presumed dead from the fall. Without my … [Read more...] about “The Shadow of Reichenbach Falls” by John R. King
“Julie & Julia. 365 days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen” By Julie Powell
Never fear, Jen is here, and if you are in need of last-minute inspiration for the perfect gift for anyone from your closest friend to the mother- (or even father-) in-law, consider Jen's book choice for this week. It's the excellent, "Julie & Julia," which documents Julie Powell's decision to cook in one year all 524 french recipes in Julia Child's seminal culinary … [Read more...] about “Julie & Julia. 365 days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen” By Julie Powell
“The Host” by Stephanie Meyer
After a brief Thanksgiving break, our much-missed Jen is back - and with a vengeance. As always she challenges us to think outside the box, and this time to consider, "What makes us human and how it can not be taken for granted." Her book choice this week is another Stephenenie Meyer selection, but this time one written for adults, namely, "The Host." Before you start … [Read more...] about “The Host” by Stephanie Meyer
“Little House in the Big Woods” by Laura Ingalls Wilder
It's cold. We are in a recession. We are at war and many, many people are out of work and scared. I thought it would be a good time to read some books that remind us of how strong people can be. How hard they will work and how little they really need to survive. My children are all sick in bed today. No leaving the house for chores. No selfish activities. I tucked them … [Read more...] about “Little House in the Big Woods” by Laura Ingalls Wilder
“Cooked” by Jeff Henderson
Mr. Henderson is the executive chef at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. He is supremely talented, motivated and a shining example of mind over matter. The matter being a ghetto upbringing in California. Before he wowed critics with his innovative cooking, he was cooking something else and somewhere else. He sold drugs on the streets of San Diego and Los Angeles until he was … [Read more...] about “Cooked” by Jeff Henderson
“Swannsong” by Ann Blair Kloman
A serendipitous encounter placed this book in my lap. It is, I believe, the first book in what I hope will be a series of murder mysteries set on the perfectly picturesque coast of Maine. My fondness for this genre obviously precedes me and I am happy to say that, with a few tweaks, this will be a great series. The protagonist is supposedly a young, blind horticulturist, who … [Read more...] about “Swannsong” by Ann Blair Kloman
“Wicked” and “Son of a Witch” by Gregory Maguire
What is scary right now is how cold my coffee is, but, in honor of Halloween, I’ll tell you about something else interesting and scary. Gregory Maguire’s books, "Wicked," and its sequel, "Son of A Witch." (Isn’t that just the best name for a sequel?) Luckily, the name is wonderful because the first book is by far the best. However, anyone who remembers watching, "The … [Read more...] about “Wicked” and “Son of a Witch” by Gregory Maguire
“The Lady and the the Unicorn” by Tracy Chevalier
Good easy read. Lots of fun without lots of meat. Blah blah blah. I am being diplomatic. The book was good and I enjoyed reading it, but I suppose I was missing more seriousness. Coming from me this sounds ludicrous, I know, but it can not be helped. The famous tapestries of The Lady and The Unicorn are worthy of more. Tracy Chevalier does a wonderful job giving us an … [Read more...] about “The Lady and the the Unicorn” by Tracy Chevalier
“The Professor and the Madman” by Simon Winchester
If you like words (as we all now know, I do*) hold on to your horses. More fun than the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) online; an entire book of bombastic pontification. Well, the review is at least. Simon Winchester takes a fabulous subject and tells a marvelous story. The OED began its current incarnation, as the literary analog to the great masterpieces of … [Read more...] about “The Professor and the Madman” by Simon Winchester