Review: A Cold Day for Murer by Dana Stabenow

Things I liked about this book: The Aleut culture; Alaska; Mutt; the characters' struggle with "Outside" life perks they want vs keeping their heritage & culture alive

Things I could do without from this book: Kate's forced anger & masculinity--I think she could just be herself, her struggles and challenges as they are. Much of her character seemed like an angry man in prison too long. I wanted to like her, but I thought she might take me down if I did. That's how it seemed with the men who loved her in spite of her too. She could tear them apart. They were afraid of her, but wanted her.  ??

Mystery solved in the end. I expect if I read another Kate Shugak tale, I may see more maturity in her character. I'm just not compelled to make it a priority. 2.5 stars is all this gets from me

Review: In Search of Bisco

This poignant reminder of how poorly African Americans were treated and viewed in the "Deep South" at the dawn of the Civil Rights movement affected me deeply. I am a Caucasian female, born in the '60's, in northern Michigan, so far removed from the heart of the racial tension and tribulation. I read with renewed shock, the true accounts Mr. Caldwell got first hand from white and black folks alike. I am angry at the awful attitudes and behavior of the majority of white folks. It hurts me to think they really thought and acted that way toward anyone of color. When he interviewed black people throughout his book, the themes of kindness first, and giving despite poverty emerged. Statements such as "the only real difference I see between me and the white man, is the color of my skin" were repeated by blacks in Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Mr. Caldwell did no sugar coating in any of his accounts. He really was only looking for a boyhood friend named "Bisco". He found instead, some of the worst racists in the form of "fine upstanding white citizens" that I think could ever be found. He was called a n-lover more than once. He knew white racists were so closed to change, and the truth about race not making someone less than human. He knew change was coming, in a slow,heating volcanic motion. God bless you Erskine Caldwell for your words--true,beautiful and painful as they were to this reader.   

rating:  *****

Coming Soon

Coming soon...

Recently, I revived this blog because I enjoy reading & reviewing so much. 2nd, I signed up for NetGalley. I just found out I was approved to read 2 new ARC's!!  I am very excited to post that I will be reading/reviewing the following titles:

                

Thank you so much to the authors & publishing companies for trusting this newbie reviewer! I look forward to reading and reviewing your work! CD

Book Review--Garden Spells by Sara Addison Allen

What a delightful read!  A light story with themes of bringing family together; intuition; following your heart; and a little bit of magic in the mix. The Waverly family is known in their small town for being "odd" . They all seem to have uncanny ability to "know" things--each in an individual way. I felt as if I knew these characters and they were my neighbors and friends. The book stopped short of being sappy or too romantic. It is chick-lit. Well written, intelligent,draws you in kind of chick-lit.  Written in 2007, just sitting on my local library's shelf waiting for me to discover. 5/5 stars! Ms. Allen, I will certainly seek out more from you!