KindleKaper's 50 State Book Challenge

This is a cool challenge! I'm going to start it with books I've read since January 2010 and as far as a deadline...whenever! :D



create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide

List of States:

1. Alabama- Callings by David M. Oser
2. Alaska- Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
3. Arizona-
4. Arkansas- Backwoods Genius by Julia Scully
5. California- Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by
Laura Hillenbrand, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail by Cheryl Strayed, Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
6. Colorado- The Poet by Michael Connelly, The Stand by Stephen King (also in Nevada, Texas, Maine and New York)
7. Connecticut-
8. Delaware-
9. Florida- Swamplandia! by Karen Russell, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
10. Georgia-
11. Hawaii- Fluke, Or I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings by Christopher Moore, Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
12. Idaho-
13. Illinios- Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Greene, Storm Front (Book 1 of the Dresden Files) by Jim Butcher, Fool Moon (Book 2 of the Dresden Files) by Jim Butcher
14. Indiana- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
15. Iowa- The House of Tomorrow by Peter Bognanni
16. Kansas- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard
17. Kentucky-
18. Louisiana-
19. Maine- 11/22/63 by Stephen King , Carrie by Stephen King, The Stand by Stephen King (also in Nevada, Texas, Colorado and New York)
20. Maryland- The Racketeer by John Grisham (also in Virginia and Washington, DC)
21. Massachusetts- The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent, Defending Jacob by William Landay
22. Michigan- Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines
23. Minnesota- Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
24. Mississippi- The Help by Kathryn Stockett
25. Missouri- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
26. Montana- Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore
27. Nebraska-
28. Nevada- The Stand by Stephen King (also in Maine, Texas, Colorado and New York)
29. New Hampshire- Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
30. New Jersey- The Armageddon Rag by George R.R. Martin (also in New Mexico and several other states)
31. New Mexico- The Armageddon Rag by George R.R. Martin (also in New Jersey and several other states)
32. New York- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Showstopper by Abigail Pogrebin, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye, The Angel's Kiss - A Melody Malone Story by Melody Malone (a Doctor Who story), The Stand by Stephen King (also in Nevada, Texas, Maine and Colorado)
33. North Carolina- Joyland by Stephen King
34. North Dakota- The Round House by Louise Erdrich
35. Ohio-
36. Oklahoma-
37. Oregon- The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt, First to Find by Morgan C. Talbot, Death Will Attend by Morgan C. Talbot
38. Pennsylvania-
39. Rhode Island- Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gifts of an Ordinary Cat by David Dosa
40. South Carolina-
41. South Dakota-
42. Tennessee-
43. Texas- The Stand by Stephen King (also in Nevada, Colorado, Maine and New York), Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
44. Utah- A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
45. Vermont- Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
46. Virginia- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom, The Racketeer by John Grisham (also in Maryland and Washington, DC
47. Washington- Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
48. West Virginia-
49. Wisconsin-
50. Wyoming-

Bonus - District of Columbia and other US Territories:

1. District of Columbia - The Racketeer by John Grisham (also in Maryland and Virginia

2. Puerto Rico

3. Guam

4. American Samoa

5. The US Virgin Islands

6. The Northern Mariana Islands

Book: Fluke, Or I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings by Christopher Moore
State: Hawaii



Now that I’ve read five of Christopher Moore’s books since discovering him about eight months ago, can I call myself a Moore groupie? :)

When I first saw this title – Fluke, Or I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings – I thought this might be a whales-are-communicating-with-the-mother-ship knockoff of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home…or perhaps a whaley version of Douglas Adams’ So Long and Thanks for all the Fish. I was wrong though…Christopher Moore ended up creating an original story combining some factual info about cetacean research with an incredibly imaginative fantasy world peppered with his typically fascinating and very funny characters unlike any I’ve met anywhere else in literature.

…and I even learned some very interesting “facts” about the anatomy of the male right whale…and who knew that all killer whales are really named Kevin and that most of them “are just four tons of doofus dressed up like a police car.” ;)

I really had a great time reading this one and Christopher Moore remains in the top of my favorite author list, especially when it comes to bizarre humor/fantasy!

Book: Chocolate Chip Cookie Mysteries by Joanne Fluke
State: Minnesota



It’s funny how we discover writers and books sometimes. For instance, I was googling up Christopher Moore’s Fluke after I read it, and the name Joanne Fluke kept appearing. No, Joanne Fluke is not a whale or even a reasonable facsimile thereof, but a clever mystery writer who has written a series of mysteries revolving around an unlikely amateur detective/entrepreneur/baker extraordinaire….so I decided to give the first book in the series, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, a try.

Hannah Swenson decides to leave college when her father died so she could help out her family in the seemingly crime-free small town of Lake Eden, Minnesota. She then uses both her baking talents and her entrepreneurial spirit to establish the very popular Cookie Jar Bakery/Café. Little did she know that she would also become an “undercover agent” for her brother-in-law/police officer when a murder takes place right outside her bakery…and a darn good one at that!

This was a light, fast book to read and it was fun solving the murder mystery with this most improbable of crime solvers! …and she never could have done it without those delicious cookies, the recipes for which are included throughout the book (Mmmmm…Chocolate Chip Crunch Cookies, Regency Ginger Crisps, Pecan Chews, Black and Whites, Chocolate-Covered Cherry Delights, Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies & Lovely Lemon Bar Cookies!) I have to admit, the book made me hungry for something sweet… ;)

Book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
State: New York (Long Island, "East Egg" & "West Egg")



Although I first read by The Great Gatsby back in my junior year in high school (1984…gulp!!), I decided to revisit this classic American novel after my daughter, who is now a HS junior herself, also read it. Her questions and thoughts about Nick, Gatsby, Daisy and Tom inspired me!

Re-reading books that we were required to read in school is a great experience. Not only does it refresh those stories buried in the library of our brains, but it also gives us a different perspective than we may have had as 16, 17 & 18 year olds. Our life experiences often lead us to delve into a piece of literature on a whole new level. As I read Gatsby this time around, I have a more life experience when it comes to striving for that elusive American Dream and have seen those in the “valley of ashes” who are endlessly struggling to no avail while the proverbial East Eggers continue to remain on the top. I have also seen the Nick Caraways who reject hypocritical materialism and forge their own way in the world. Definitely adds to my admiration for the themes presented by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

There’s also a nostalgic aspect to this story and that revolves around the fact that I was born on Long Island and lived there until 2005. Granted, I did not grow up on either the East or the West Egg (I’m a South Shore girl), but I am very familiar with those communities, and as a former LIRR commuter, I have a pretty good image of the “Valley of Ashes.” I also waxed nostalgic as Fitzgerald’s poetic prose gently described that Long Island summer weather, which remains the same even in the 21st century (with the air conditioning, of course ;)).

WhileThe Great Gatsby is most certainly a period piece reflecting the historical, political, economic & social forces of the 1920s, the ideas of an unattainable American Dream, social stratification, and the emptiness of loveless materialism are all topics that can be applied to our 21st century world.

Book: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
State: Virginia



This is such a wonderful book that combines amazing science, medical ethics, important social issues and the overall triumph of the human spirit in the face of what seems like overwhelming challenges.

When I first saw this book, I knew nothing about HeLa, let alone the woman who can be thanked for HeLa - Henrietta Lacks. That being the case, I feared that it would only deal with the unsuccessful and sad battle one woman fought against cervical cancer. I was, however, proved wrong as I read an incredible account of the life of the woman whose cancer cells have survived, multiplied and provided the keys to many medical advances and continue to answer a multitude of research questions. I also learned a great deal about the fascinating (and sometimes strange in a science-fictiony sort of way) history of cellular research, gaining an understanding of how social issues such as racism played a role in this history.

I really think that Rebbecca Skloot did an amazing job not only researching all of this on an academic level and presenting it in a way that science layfolk like myself can understand it all, but she does such honor to Henrietta Lacks as a woman and to her descendants. I especially liked reading about the times she spent with Henrietta's daughter, Deborah Lacks, who wanted so badly to "know" her mother and to understand the contributions Henrietta made to science. A highly recommended read!!

I love your map!
I really liked The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and I'm currently reading Fool by Moore. I didn't realize he had written something set in Hawaii -- Fluke -- just got back from a week in Kaua'i and we saw dozens of whales in six days! I think I'll check out the book.

I really liked Fool...Christopher Moore is so creative! I hear that he finished his next book and is just waiting on a publication date. Wonder where that one will be set :)

Book: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
State: Illinois



I really enjoyed reading this piece of Bizarro American history, which of course includes vampires and vampire hunters at its center!

Believe it or not, this is the first vampire book I've read since the whole vampire literary craze began. Sparkly vegetarian vampires just never appealed to me and has sort of turned me off to the whole blood-sucking thing. However, this one caught my attention, and it really was entertaining and well-written. The author very effectively intertwined history with vampire mythology to create a story that seemed frighteningly real...filling-in-the-blanks of American history...getting the reader to say "Ohhhhhh! Of course!!! Now it all makes sense!" Lol! :)

Can't wait to read Pride, Prejudice and Zombies now.

Book: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
State: California



I am proud to say that this is my first finished read of 2011! Since I started this book last week, I have been obsessed with the life of the absolutely incredible Louie Zamperini. Laura Hillenbrand's engrossing style of writing, combined with an amazing tale of Olympic running, being lost at sea, WWII Japanese POW camps atrocities, PTSD, and ultimate redemption makes this book almost impossible to put down!

Book: Swamplandia! by Karen Russell
State: Florida



What an incredible book!

Set in the gator-wrestling theme park attraction run by a pseudo-Native American “tribe," the unusual cast of characters, some surreal forays into the world of ghosts & the occult and a misleading cartoonish book cover might lead some to believe that this is yet another example of paranormal bizarre fiction, Florida-style. The story, however, is so much more than this, though…

The plot itself revolves around the children of Hilola & Chief Bigtree, proprietors of Swamplandia!, the gator-wrestling attraction located in the Thousand Islands of the Florida Everglades. After the death of their mother, the central attraction at Swamplandia!, each of the children experiences his/her own coming-of-age-battle-against-inner-demons in a very unique way, while coping with the ongoing grief resulting from the loss of their mother. Much of the story is told from the point of view of 12-year-old Ava Bigtree, through whose eyes we see the emotional & physical downfall of her family, as well as the dramatic release of her own childish perceptions of the world. Karen Russell is an amazing writer in that she really uses her words to get into Ava’s head, leading the reader along the same path toward maturity that the young girl experiences, making her a truly empathetic character.

This is a creative, engrossing and very moving tale of loss, growth and family ties like nothing I’ve read before and I hope to see more from Karen Russell in the future!

Book: A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
State: Utah



Although Sherlock Holmes has been an integral part of our literary consciousness & pop culture since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle first created the character. I have not read any of the books until now. Inspired by the wonderful BBC series, "Sherlock "starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, I decided to read to the book that introduces us to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. Really enjoyed it too. Sherlock Holmes, through the eyes of Doctor Watson, is such an awesomingly eccentric, irritating and brilliant detective who has a most fascinating method of solving difficult crimes and I was surprised that this story even took me to the early days of the Church of Latter Day Saints in Utah....I never realized that the crimes solved by Holmes & Watson took the reader beyond the UK. It's interesting to see how an author from the UK in 1887 viewed America & Mormonism, a religion steeped in American tradition...not to mention the controversy that it created.

The first episode of the BBC series, by the way, was called "A Study in Pink" and although he plot has been re-vamped for a 21st century audience, co-creators Steven Moffat & Mark Gatiss do a wonderful job keeping many of the details true to the original plot...it was fun seeing that as I read the original 1887 publication. Looking forward to reading more of these mysteries!

Book: Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
State: Alaska (This story is actually set in a number of locations worldwide, but it begins and ends in Alaska)



Disclaimer: This book is not for the technologically-paranoid being that, according to this story, our electronics are becoming independent thinkers, deeming us obsolete and are planning to (and on their way in succeeding to…) kill us all. Aaaaaaah!! ;) That being said, I found this book engrossingly entertaining in a Spielberg-esque way (which is convenient since Stephen Spielberg will be producing the movie to be released in 2013).

The message of this book is not new – there have been a number of other works of science fiction that deal with idea of technology & science outgrowing & overpowering its human creators (from Frankenstein to Terminator and beyond!). However, in his debut piece of fiction, Daniel H. Wilson creatively touches on such a theme in an action-packed story about a Robot vs. Human war. The story begins at the end of the war, with some of the survivors finding a black box in which all the memories of the war are stored. Each chapter represents one of these digitally stored memories, from the perspective of different individuals involved worldwide. Even though the chapters sometimes read like independent stories revolving around a central theme, it all ties together in a smooth yet powerful way at the end.

Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced and thought-provoking read recommended for the sci fi fans out there!

Book: The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard
State: Kansas



Although I originally expected this to be primarily a crime thriller, to me it was more a story of family tragedy, for both the Linder and the Crosby family, as it reveals itself over 20-plus year time period. For me, the crime thriller aspect was resolved in my mind to early in the book, although it was interesting to see how the details of this story ultimately panned out.

It was the way that Ms. Pickard used the natural environment & weather in rural Kansas metaphorically to express fear, doom and ultimate peace of spirit that really kept my attention. Underlying themes such as familial bonds, murder, revenge and the always timely discussion about the fairness of the American justice system are woven into the story and also give the reader something to think about.

Book: The House of Tomorrow by Peter Bognanni
Category: Iowa



This is a strange yet oddly real and touching story that explores coming-of-age in a non-traditional family environment, friendship and familial bonds against all odds.

Through first-person narration, we get to know Sebastian Prendergrast, who was orphaned very young and has since been raised by Nana, his off-beat grandmother who lives in a geodesic dome home in Iowa and is a die-hard adherent to the philosophy of R. Buckminster Fuller. When Nana has a stroke, Sebastian is thrust into the world beyond his Geodesic Dome Home where he truly learns the meaning of friendship when he meets Jared Whitcomb, a teenage heart transplant recipient. Together, the two social outcasts learn to face both their present and their future through, of all things, their own punk rock band!

This is truly a unique story that is wonderfully weird, funny, bittersweet and uplifting…a great debut novel!

Book: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
State: Mississippi



It took me way too long to pick this one up and I am so glad I finally did! The Help has been crowned as the modern day version of To Kill a Mockingbird and I can certainly see how that’s true as this is an effective indictment of racism and segregation in America during the early 1960s, when the Civil Right movement was in full bloom. As we delve into the lives of domestic help in Jackson, MS through the eyes of three incredible women, we not only explore racial relationships, but we also probe the strength of the feminine spirit in the face of domestic abuse, lost love, sickness and death. The three main point-of-view characters – Abilene, Minnie (whose chocolate pie you just may want to avoid! ;-) ) and Skeeter- lead the reader through some horrific situations with compassion, humor and, most of all, courage, proving that things can change when action is taken.

This is also an excellent piece of historical fiction in its portrayal of everyday life in the early 1960s. While the racism that prevailed was ever-present throughout the story, I thought it was cool to read about JFK, MLK, the newly formed zip code system, pop culture references like "My Favorite Martian" and even the wonderment experienced by a family who just installed their first air conditioning unit on a hot day in Mississippi.

A beautifully touching and inspiring tale which reminds us of the common bonds amongst humanity as a whole! I’ve heard such good things about the movie, and now I’m looking forward to seeing it.

The following is the review of the movie as compared to the book, which I've also posted on "Rotten Tomatoes":

In the past two weeks, I have finally had the opportunity to both read The Help, written by Kathryn Stockett, and see its cinematic counterpart, and I am so glad I did! While there are a number of differences between the book and the movie, the overall story remained the same. In both cases, The Help, which has been crowned as a modern day equivalent of To Kill a Mockingbird, is a powerful indictment of racism and segregation in America during the early 1960s, when the Civil Right movement was in full bloom. As we delve into the lives of the domestic help in Jackson, Mississippi through the eyes of three incredible women, we not only explore racial relationships, but we also probe the strength of the feminine spirit in the face of domestic abuse, lost love, sickness and death.

In the book, we get to experience these themes through the first person point-of-view of Aibileen Clark, Minnie Jackson and Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelps, and as a result we really get to know what’s going on in their heads as they courageously endeavor to tell their stories in the hopes of creating a better life for themselves. The narration of the movie is in Aibileen’s voice, which I suppose simplifies things in terms of cinematic production. Viola Davis does a wonderful job with this although I really would have loved to hear more from Minnie and Skeeter. I felt like that there was so much more depth to both of them in the book that is missed in the movie itself.

There are two specific areas that were altered in the movie that really stuck with me. The first and most important is the growing relationship between Aibileen and little Mae Mobley Leefolt. Aibileen has been acting as “Mama” to little Mae Mobley since the day she was born and her real mother, Elizabeth Leefolt, just couldn’t allow her maternal instinct to flow. When we first meet Mae Mobley, she is two years old and going through the arduous process of potty training. As she grows into a preschooler and a big sister herself, Mae Mobley learns from Aibleen her own sense of self worth and how to combat the racism she hears from the grownup world she encounters. This to me is so central to the story, yet it is not developed to its full extent in the movie as the adorable little actress (Emma Henry), understandably, does not age throughout the course of the movie. I can see why this would be a difficult theme to develop due to the age of the actress, however, I wonder if more about this could have been included in the narration.

The Minnie Jackson-Celia Foote relationship was also better developed in the book. I really thought the way that Minnie had to find out about Celia’s failed pregnancies and her initial (albeit erroneous) discovery that Celia was an alcoholic all added to the important bond that developed between the two women (We find out that Celia is pregnant when we first meet her in the movie) …and, although I know cuts have to be made somewhere, I really think that the scene with the naked, unknown pervert would have shown how Minnie really learned about Celia’s inner courage in the movie.

Overall, however, the movie did a great job portraying the era through the cars, the décor and the way the characters dressed. One secondary aspect of the book that I really enjoyed was the depiction of everyday life in the early 1960s. While the racism that prevailed was ever-present throughout the story, I enjoyed reading about JFK, MLK, the newly formed zip code system, pop culture references like "My Favorite Martian" and even the wonderment experienced by a family who just installed their first air conditioning unit on a hot day in Mississippi. Although all of this couldn’t be incorporated into the movie specifically, I really got a feel for the era through many excellent visual references.

The acting itself was amazing! While of course Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer were excellent in their roles of Aibileen and Minnie, my nomination goes to Bryce Dallas Howard (who I just realized is Ron Howard’s daughter) for outstanding performance as the despicable Hilly Holbrook. This was exactly how I imagined Hilly as I read the book and I thought she did a fantastic job in getting the audience to truly dislike the character and cheer as she ate Minnie Jackson’s infamous chocolate pie. I hope she gets a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the role!
Overall, this is beautifully touching and inspiring tale which reminds us of the common bonds amongst humanity as a whole and I highly recommend that you either read the book or see the movie…or, better yet, do both!

Book: Storm Front (Book 1 of the Dresden Files) by Jim Butcher
State: Illinois



I have been wanting to "meet" Harry Dresden for a while now and I'm glad I finally picked up the first of the Dresden file stories. After all, I like crime thrillers and I like fantasies dealing with the magic and supernatural as a whole, so the mixture of the two was lots of fun!

In this book, the reader is introduced to Harry Dresden, a private investigator/wizard who is often hired by the Chicago police department to consult on those supernatural matters that are beyond the scope of normal investigation. Combine that with the Mafia, sex, pizza-loving faeries, toad-like demons, a White Council of Wizards, dark magic and even giant killer scorpions, all experienced via a fast-paced first person narration, and you've got yourself a great read. I will definitely be reading more of Jim Butcher's novels when I want a fun, fast read.

Book: 11/22/63 by Stephen King
State: Maine (This book takes the reader from Maine to Florida to Texas and then back to Maine)



There was a time when an 800+ page book may have intimidated me, leading me to assume that I would be inundated with irrelevant details & boring description. While this may still be true in some cases, 2011 has been a landmark literary year for me with the likes George R.R. Martin & the great Stephen King changing my mind. Details? Yes! Description? Absolutely! But both of these authors have the uncanny ability to make me want to hang onto every word, knowing that somehow things will eventually tie together in intriguing and often surprising ways. This is certainly the case in 11/22/63!

This is definitely one of my favorites of the year! The basic premise of time travel back to a watershed moment in American history was what first attracted me to this book. Time travel and its potential consequence is one of my favorite sci fi themes & I like the way King incorporated the concept of the Butterfly Effect into the story. I also was fascinated by the portrayal of Cold War America in the years between 1958-1962, and not just the far-reaching political and social happenings, but also the everyday lives of country folk and city folk alike.

Beyond the obvious historical fiction/sci fi elements of this intricately woven tale, however, King really moved and surprised me as he delved into themes such as the impact of individual decisions & actions as well as the power of love....and through his main character, Jake Epping, he really defines the meaning of a hero! Loved it...I'm just wondering if there will be a movie and who will play Jake, Sadie, etc......

Book: The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
State: Oregon (California too...)



This month it was my turn to recommend a book for book club and I wanted to choose something a little different so one I heard about this comic noire-style Western and how it appeals to those who generally do not read Westerns, I decided that The Sisters Brothers would be a fun option. I can’t compare it to other westerns, because I honestly can’t think of the last western I’ve read, but I can say it that it was a very interesting approach to the historical events surrounding the Gold Rush as seen through the eyes of an assassin with a developing conscience.

This a strange yet fun and sickly comic story about Eli and Charlie Sisters, outlaw assassins who have been hired to kill Hermann Warm, an eccentric yet brilliant gold prospector. Rather than a romanticized version of the glory of the Old West, Eli tells the tale of this quest from his point of view, delving into his somewhat bizarre experiences with fellow outlaws, wayward cowboys, eccentric prospectors, lovingly vengeful whores, raiding Indians and even the miracle of dental hygiene…I found myself laughing at the most surprisingly unlikely scenes.

I read somewhere that this book had a “Kill Bill” quality to it and I definitely felt that…as a matter of fact, I felt that if this was ever produced on the Big Screen, it has Quentin Tarantino written all over it!

Book: Showstopper by Abigail Pogrebin
State: New York



Growing up on Long Island with parents who introduced me to the awesomeness of Broadway at a very young age, I really enjoyed reading this Kindle Single about the anatomy of the rise and fall of this short-lived musical. It was especially cool since, although I did not get to see any of its few performances (It would have been neat to see a young Jason Alexander in action!), I remember going to the theater quite often at the time this one was on Broadway.

Abigail Pogrebin's memoir goes beyond the interesting events surrounding this production; it is inspiring in its message about not passing up on opportunities because you never know what the future brings...and it gets the reader to ponder ways to return to the magical enthusiasm of youth.

Book: Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
State: Vermont (also in Massachusetts)



Wow...I never heard of left (unilateral) neglect and reading about Sarah's case of this after her traumatic brain injury really got me thinking of what like would be like after losing awareness of everything to my left. Lisa Genova did a wonderful job capturing the inner emotions of Sarah as she works towards adaptation, recovery and acceptance of this condition.

In addition to being a story about this debilitating medical condition, this is also the story of a Type A Harvard MBA business woman who is forced to re-evaluate her priorities in life. During her physical rehabilitation, she redefines her family relationships in a very touching way and even helps them "rehabilitate" their own self-images. A great story of a struggle overcome, acceptance, forgiveness and love!

Now I'd like to read Lisa Genova's first book - Still Alice.

Book: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
State: Florida (Well, that's where it starts out anyway!)



I'm always a fan of time travel-type books, especially when they include magical creatures and creepy monsters, so right there this book really grabbed me! This is a very creative story about time loops, "peculiar" folks and heroic young people who are willing to do what needs to be done to save both their own world and others like it. The creepy photographs also add a really cool dimension to this story and I am looking forward to Ransom Riggs' sequel.

I am also enjoying Ransom Riggs' blog at http://www.ransomriggs.com/...

Book: Defending Jacob by William Landay
State: Massachusetts



It's been a while since I read a crime drama, so this one was a special treat! A very well-written first-person story of a father who will defend his son, who has been accused of murder, no matter what. This story went beyond the standard law-and-order style court drama (although there was plenty of this as well)... it is really about how a family and a community reacts to the accusations that accompany a heinous crime. Mr. Landay really delves into Andy Barber's thoughts about his own family's past, his love for his son and his feelings about the justice system as a whole, while at the same time incorporating some fascinating information about criminal psychology & forensics within the subtext of the story.

This is one of those "I-can't-put-it-down" types of books that will keep the reader on edge until the very last page!

Book: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
State: Washington (Seattle)



I graduated from high school in 1985 and was a freshman in college in 1986....and all I remember of computers from that time were network word processors and maybe some remote talk about the up-and-coming Compuserve. Online grief counseling and computer searches for long lost friends were for the most part the stuff of science fiction back then. ...and Brandon Bruce Lee was still alive and kicking (pun intended), at least until 1993! Historical fiction should accurately depict the era being subtracted from the authenticity of the setting.

That being said, I did appreciate reading about this disturbing aspect of American History - the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. It's important to remember embarrassingly ethnocentric "moments" in our history so they are not repeated. The Romeo-and-Juliet/West-Side-Story aspect of the story was predictably sweet & Henry's growing relationship with his son after Ethel's death was touching, but my favorite relationship was the truly color-blind friendship that between Henry and Sheldon, his saxophone-playing friend. If it were not for some of the historical inaccuracies, I think this would be a great story to read in a middle school/high school English or History class.

Book: The Poet by Michael Connelly
State: Denver, Colorado (This book is epic in that it spans the USA, from Denver, Colorado, to Washington D.C., to Florida, to California...but it starts out in Colorado and this is where the main character, Jack McEvoy, started out)



I recently discovered this book while browsing the book shelves at a nearby bookstore and the title combined with Stephen King's rave review in the Forward caught my attention.

This is actually a book that has been around for a while, originally published in 1997. This makes for a nostalgic walk down technological memory lane as both criminals & law enforcement utilize the then state-of-the-art dial-up internet connection, fax machines, and the budding digital camera. Although the 1990s technology may seem dated by today's standards when it comes to solving a series of horrible crimes, I still found this crime thriller, starring reporter Jack McEvoy, enjoyably intriguing with the suspenseful twists & turns keeping me on the edge of my seat up until the very end.

Book: Carrie by Stephen King
State: Maine



So, if you've ever considered bullying the outcast kid or not telling your teenage daughter what to expect when she officially hits puberty, this is the book that will change your mind forever! ;)

I saw the movie starring Sissy Spacek as Carrie many years ago, but since this was Stephen King's first published novel, I really wanted to actually read it. ...and as is the case with so many books-that-have-been-turned-into-movies, the book is so much better due the details provided, and the terrifying emotions evoked. I loved the way King alternated his writing styles, mixing third-person narrative with excerpts from legal depositions and first-person witness accounts, thus giving the reader opportunity to greater understand the events and psychology that led up to a nightmarish Prom Night in a small town in Maine.

Book: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
State: New York



I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster while I read this book. There were times when I just couldn't decide if I loved it or hated it, especially at the beginning when I was trying to understand the mindset of the three point-of-view characters, Oskar, Grandma & Grandpa. Once I was accustomed to each of their voices, the clues to the plot itself started to become apparent and I really became engrossed.

This story is both EXTREMELY sad and INCREDIBLY optimistic. I felt myself moved to tears as the story dealt with tragically violent deaths which resulted from World War II and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. These events forever linked together the characters in the books and they also encouraged both Oskar and Thomas Schell, Sr. to grow in positive yet unusual ways.

Since I read this one for my book club, I came across a helpful book discussion guide at http://www.rtlibrary.org/extremelyloud.pdf.

Book: Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, Book 2 by Jim Butcher
State: Illinois (particularly Chicago)



Wow! I never realized there was so much to know about the while werewolves! Very cool. Another fast-paced fantasy/crime thriller smack-dab in the midst of contemporary Chicago...a Chicago where the supernatural exists in all realms of life, from the criminal underworld to the police department to the FBI.

This time Harry Dresden, private investigator/seemingly average dude/powerful wizard, is tasked with sifting through the many varieties of werewolves that apparently run rampant in the Windy City, to see which ones are responsible for the ensuing mayhem & murder.

While I really enjoyed Book 1 of this series, this second installment of the Dresden Files was even better - an awesome beach read for fantasy fans!

Book: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
State: California (Minnesota and Oregon too!)



As an avid day-hiker on rustic wilderness trails, I always have a strong admiration for anyone who can complete a long thru hike on such trails as the PCT & AT. So I really admire Cheryl Strayed's ability to complete her hike, despite the fact that, in terms of hiking/backpacking expertise, she was a complete novice (so much so that I sometimes felt that one could create an effective "what-not-to-do-on-a-thru-hike" checklist while reading this memoir).

This memoir goes beyond the trials & tribulations of thru-hiking the PCT...it also addresses the healing nature of wilderness exertion & solitude. The author needed to come to grips with her life while grieving her mother's death and the subsequent disintegration of her family. It was a difficult road for Cheryl, filled with sexual promiscuity & drug use...until she found herself on the PCT, re-focusing her energy on the trail ahead.

This was indeed a quick read, although I still found myself skimming over some of the repetitive details as well as some of the forays into her own past. I personally feel that Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods, detailing his thru-hiking experience on the Appalachian Trail provided a more thorough, less emotional perspective on such a hike. However, as a nature-loving geocacher who has day-hiked on both the AT & the Florida Trail, I enjoyed having my eyes opened to the PCT, a trail system about which I know little, via this memoir.

Book: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
State: Indianapolis, Indiana



One of my favorite literary quotes is Shakespeare's "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,/ But in ourselves." I've always thought of these as words to live by...but this book gives a new twist to this quote, showing how, at times, specifically when it comes to terminal illness, the fault indeed lies in our stars, or in the case of the likes of Hazel, Augustus & Isaac, our biological makeup.

To be honest, I really didn't know if I'd be able to give this book a high rating...heck, I didn't even think I'd be able to finish it at first as I generally have a hard time reading about terminally ill patients, let alone cancer-ridden teenagers. However, 16-year-old protagonist Hazel agrees that "Cancer Books Suck!" and as a result this became so much more than a cancer story. Instead it's a tale about teenagers who, while dealing with their illness, experience a beautiful star-crossed love affair and subsequently "live" to a greater extent with their limited mortality than many healthy adults ever live. Hazel Grace is a quietly heroic character, who faces her life and relationships intelligently & loyally...and while the obvious (no spoilers) brought me to mournful tears, her ultimate interaction with her parents added those truly bittersweet tears to the emotional mix.

Since I read this book for my Book Club, I came across some great reviews/discussion questions to share with my club...so I will also share them here:

'The Fault In Our Stars': Love In A Time Of Cancer

Lit Lovers: Fault in Our Stars (Green) - Discussion Questions

Reading Chapter One of The Fault in Our Stars

Chapter TWO of The Fault in Our Stars

The Topic of Cancer By LEV GROSSMAN

Book: The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye
State:New York City, New York (The Five Points)



A fascinating combination of historical fiction about gritty mid-nineteen century NYC and crime thriller!

Based in the Big Apple at the inception of the NYPD, this is the story of bartender-turned Copper Star-turned the first NYPD detective Timothy Wilde and his pursuit of a mass murderer of children. This is actually a pretty complex crime thriller, with a realistic portrayal of the issues surrounding the formation of law enforcement in New York at a time when Americans still feared the development of a standing army along with the influx of Irish Catholic immigrants. Once I got past the linguistic-style of the prose (especially "Flash"), which appropriately reflected the speaking style of the day, I enjoyed the story and I like the way it leaves it open for another Timothy Wilde adventure.

Book:The Angel's Kiss - A Melody Malone Story by Melody Malone (a Doctor Who story)
State: New York, New York



Hello Sweetie!

My husband surprised me this morning by having this delivered directly to my Kindle and it only took one sitting to read the whole story. At first I thought I would be reading a retelling of the final story of Amy and Rory, but I was pleasantly surprised that this was a unique Melody Malone detective tale, with a Weeping Angel lurking behind the scenes. A fun, quick read told in River Song's voice (which I could hear in my head the whole time) for Whovians!

Book: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
State: Virginia



I have read many slave narratives and pieces of fiction from this era and I even took a course called "Literature of American Slavery", and while I've read ones written from the perspective of both slave and slave owner's wife, this is the first time I have read one from the point of view of a white indentured servant from Ireland. This created a uniquely powerful portrayal of an era combined with high drama surrounding slavery, the tragic results of child abuse, rape and incest and even commentary about the treatment of the mentally ill during the mid-19th century. I particularly enjoyed the way Ms. Grissom alternated between Lavinia's and Belle's first-person narrative, showing the same world from the perspective of a white indentured servant and an African-American slave...highly powerful and addictive reading!

Book : Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
State: Hawaii



Although there were times when the narrative diverted from the main story more than I would have liked, and sometimes the description was somewhat belabored, overall I really enjoyed reading this tale, which not only provided a powerful commentary on the tragic results of ignorance about & fear of contagious disease, but is also full of Hawaiian history and folklore.

Central to this story is Rachel, a young Hawaiian girl diagnosed with leprosy and subsequently exiled to the leper colony on Molokai. We join Rachel on her life journey as she experiences the pain of illness, alienation from her family, friendships, love, loss and ultimate redemption, while, at the same time providing a glimpse of the treatment of those afflicted from the perspective of the caregivers on the island as well. The sharp contrasts between the beauty of the natural landscape and what was then an incurable & disfiguring disease that the author made throughout the narrative are extremely powerful and I really enjoyed the way the changes in technology (from the phonograph and camera, to motion pictures,the automobile and airplane), as seen through the eyes of the residents of Molokai, was incorporated into the story.

Educational, highly readable, disturbing, bittersweet and inspirational - all qualities of a great piece of historical fiction!

Book: Backwoods Genius by Julia Scully
State: Arkansas



There are airplane books...and now there are exercise bike/elliptical books. Kindle Singles fit the latter category perfectly, and this short memoir is a perfect example.

This is really three tales in one:

1 - The story of Mike Disfarmer, one of those photographers whose photographs of real people gained fame post-mortem;

2 - The story of the persistent individual who did not give up on Mike Disfarmer and was responsible for promoting his photography; and

3 - The story of those residents of Heber Springs, Arkansas who were photographed by Mike Disfarmer during the era leading up to and including World War II.

I enjoyed all three of these aspects of this memoir, although I really would have liked to see a few more of the photographs discussed included throughout the book. They are incredibly soul-searching images of the Ozark "Everyman" (and "Everywoman").

Hello, I have just started a thread here too, and yours is one that inspires me.
Great reviews, and comprehensive coverage of the states! I am still slotting my books in, but hope to select future reading based on which states I need to fill in.

Love your review/story of the Great Gatsby, I need to re-read that too, as high school was my last time (1990? ish?) *gulp* indeed

Hi Megan! I'm so glad that my thread has inspired you! I loved re-reading The Great Gatsby...it's one of those books that has such an enduring message!

Book: The Stand by Stephen King
States: Since this is such an epic novel, that spans the entire nation, I chose four of the main settings to include in this challenge:

* Las Vegas, Nevada - Randall Flagg's stronghold
* Boulder, Colorado - The Free Zone
* Texas - Where the Superflu first started and Stu Redman's home state
* New York - This is where Larry Underwood is originally from and where he starts his post-apocalyptic journey toward personal redemption
* Maine - Fran Goldsmith's home state



WARNING: READING THIS BOOK MAY INCREASE YOUR LEVELS OF HYPOCHONDRIA! IF YOU GET THE SNIFFLES WHILE READING THIS, DO NOT ASSUME YOU HAVE THE SUPERFLU! :P

But seriously, this has been on my to-read list for a long time, but the length of the 1988 updated version of "The Stand" has been a deterrent ...but after my husband kept telling me how much I would appreciate this book, especially after "meeting" Randall Flagg in the Dark Tower series, I decided to finally conquer this 1472-page Stephen King masterpiece. Despite the fact that at times I felt that this version is a bit TOO extended with unnecessary description, I found myself engrossed in this brilliant piece of post-apocalyptic fiction peppered with unlikely heroes as well as frightening villains.

This time "the end of the world as we know it", orchestrated by none other than the "Man in Black", results as incurable contagion infects the population, leading to widespread death and destruction. This is one of Stephen King's scariest stories that I have read so far because the "monsters" are real. With biological warfare a genuine possibility and new strains of disease constantly evolving, the idea of an incurable plague wiping out an entire population really doesn't seem so far-fetched. ...and then there's human nature itself...in "The Stand", King makes some interesting speculations about how a post-apocalyptic society would regroup and rebuild after such a devastating catastrophe.

Book: Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines
State: Michigan (Upper Peninsula, Detroit, etc)



I've always believed that books are magical, with their metaphorical ability to transcend space, time and reality. Well, Jim C. Hines really takes this literally in the first book of this series, in which stories actually contain magical powers that can be harnessed via libriomancy.

Isaac Vainio reminds me of a Harry-Dresden-Wannabe in the World of Libriomancy. Except instead of Bob the Skull, he has Lena the Dryad, who really adds a whole other dimension to the term "fantasy" when it comes to her role in this story! ;) Overall, I found the story, which seemed to read like a YA book in my opinion, cute and kind of entertaining, even if some of the action got a bit outrageous (i.e. - automatons on the moon, and such!) .

Book: The Racketeer by John Grisham
States: Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Washington D.C.



Reading Grisham brings back memories of riding the Long Island Railroad to work in NYC back in the early 1990s...that's when I first found myself reading The Firm and particularly appreciating it as I was working as a paralegal at a high profile Wall Street law firm at the time. I probably read 3 or 4 of his other early books during that commute as well. Ahhh...memories! ;)

In any case, its been quite a while since my last Grisham read (probably Rainmaker was my last one), so I figured I was due for another one. ...And with the exception of The Firm and maybe Pelican Brief, The Racketeer definitely goes to the top of the list.

The first half of the book was good...once again we get a Grisham-esque view of the legal system, this time from the perspective of a white collar convict within the prison system. However, the plot really thickens in the second half of the book as we really get to know what Malcom Bannister is all about....innocent victim, guilty- as-charged, star witness or anti-hero? An exciting, fast read with edge-of-your-seat suspenseful action and vivid description...could make a great movie if done correctly!

One of the librarians brought Libriomancer to our local library association's book brag today. She brought it because it featured a librarian, but she admitted that she had been disappointed in the book.

Book: Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
State: California



Awesome!

I read one or two Koontz books a number of years ago, and I remember really liking them. So I really don't know what took me so long to pick up another one of his tales...in any case, I'm glad Odd Thomas was the one I read first!

OK, so it's really no spoiler to say that like the boy in "The Sixth Sense", Odd Thomas sees dead people. The main difference is that he does something about it...something besides talking to them in many cases. I would best define this novel as a paranormal crime thriller, starring a damaged, sad, sweet, unintentionally funny and powerful short-order fry cook who aspires to possibly work in the tire business. Love the way Koontz weaves Odd's life story into the exciting and fast-moving plot.

I definitely plan to continue with the series.

Book: The Armageddon Rag by George R.R. Martin
States: New Jersey, New Mexico (not to mention other states such as New York, California, Illinois, etc.)



This is my first GRRM book outside of the Song of Ice and Fire Series (which, in my opinion, is one of the greatest fantasy series I have read so far!). But while I am waiting for Mr. Martin and his “elves” to finish “Winds of Winter” (or even to get beyond that elusive “page 37”…;)), I decided to read some of his earlier fiction. I discovered this 1983 book while browsing the book shelves at Barnes and Noble…I know this is going to sound very “non-intellectual” but what initially got my attention was the psychedelically groovy cover art on the new release of the book (…and then of course the fascinating plot synopsis really got me to add this to my to-read list ;) ).

The hardest part about reading a book by an author who is in the midst of writing his fantasy series masterpiece to which I am addicted, is being objective when reviewing his other books. So I went into “The Armageddon Rag” with an open-mind, especially knowing that this particular work didn’t get the acclaim GRRM had hoped for when it was published in 1983. The important thing to realize is that while this is most definitely alternate history with a number of fantastical elements included in it, this is not a book where you will find Starks, Targaryens or Lannisters battling for the Iron Throne. However there is still a battle for a new world going on…the new world that was sought by the 1960s Counterculture as expressed through music and revolution.

The way I see it, there are several themes to this story:

1- The Baby Boomers, their role in the 1960s Counterculture and how their live changed by the early 1980s
2- A coming-of-middle-age story of one of these Baby Boomers, writer/journalist Sandy Blair, who goes out on a quest to solve a crime while reconnecting with old friends as well as his youthful ideals
3- An exploration of how music is an expression of an era…and how it can inspire protest and change.

I can definitely see how Martin has gotten better as he’s gotten older and I found many parts of the book repetitive (for instance, the StephenKing-esque dream sequences and the number of times Sandy had to retell his life story). However, I could definitely see elements of the GRRM I know and love today here. His vivid description enabled me to envision the story clearly, while his historical research was thorough and he really got me “believing” the alternate reality aspect to Sandy Blair’s world. Since it was actually written in the 1980s, we see references which were contemporary then, retro now – digital watches, cassette decks in the cars, the Fonz – which brought back memories of my own youth. …and the way Tolkien was incorporated in the story really foreshadows future Martin books.

Book: First to Find by Morgan C. Talbot
State: Oregon



I have been an avid geocacher for almost 10 years, so this is a review coming from someone who knows…I really enjoyed it and as a Geocacher, I give this a 5-star review!

I won’t go into a whole description of Geocaching for Muggles who Read ;) - if you want to learn more about it, visit www.geocaching.com. …but I thought it was really cool how the author combined her own passion for Geocaching into a well-written geo-sleuthing tale. This is definitely an engrossing read, with two very colorful main characters, Margarita and Bindi, that incorporates and gives a suspenseful twist to FTFs, puzzle caches, travel bugs, and Geocaching events and geo-camaraderie!

Just to show the authenticity of the Geocaching aspect of this story, I was talking to my husband (who is the other half of my caching team, M&M Melted) about fictional Geocachers, caches & geo-events, assuming he knew I was talking about this piece of fiction. Well, I guess I should have clarified that since, apparently, he cannot read my mind :D , because he was really getting confused, trying to figure out who and what I was talking about. I guess it just sounded like any normal geocachey conversation that we so often have, with all its fun and drama! Ha ha!

Book: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
State: Texas



3.5 stars - I hovered between 3 and 4 stars, so I gave it 3.5 stars because I felt it could have been a bit shorter and that each of these chapters might read better as individual blog entries. So 3.5 stars would be about right. ____________________________________________________

Since April begin's with April Fool's Day, our April book club genre is humor...and we chose this book as our Book of the Month.

This is the autobiographical memoirs of Internet Blogging Sensation Jenny Lawson (aka "The Bloggess" - http://thebloggess.com/), who makes me think of a Texan "Lucy" (as in "I Love Lucy")on crack! :P The Bloggess addresses the roles that poverty, a crazily dysfunctional upbringing, mental disorders, miscarriages, physical illness, love, loss and even taxidermy (???) had on turning her into the woman she is today...but she does this by infusing humor into her stream-of-consciousness coversational narrative, which makes her very VERY human. There were those moments, however, that her stream-of-consciousness talk had so many non-sequiturs that I had to re-read to figure out how I got "from here to there."

I did like the bonus chapter added at the end of the paperback, because the author chronicles her Book Tour, and we get a glimpse into her fan base and the influence she has had on them. As I was reading that section, Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" rang through my head...I think that this is a memoir that appeals to the Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters in all of us.

*******************************************
Note to reader: If you've never seen the movie Bambi, BEWARE THE SPOILERS!
Note to self after reading this book: Never EVER have Acupuncture!!

;)

Book: Death Will Attend: Book 2 in the Caching Out Series (Volume 2) by Morgan C. Talbot
State: Oregon



Another fun read for Geocachers!

This is a great second installment in the geocaching detective adventures of Margarita and her sidekick Bindi, which give a whole new meaning to the expression "Dancing with Death!"

The setting of this one is an old hotel where a Geocaching Event/Masquerade Ball is attracting geocachers from far and wide. The intrigue of the Bonney House itself gives the novel a Gothic twist and the complex whodunnit plot twists that includes lively characters make me think Agatha Christy.

We also get to delve further into Margarita's. and Drew's background as some of their secrets are exposed. I'm looking forward to learning more about Bindi's past in future books.

Book: Joyland by Stephen King
State: North Carolina



So now Stephen King can write detective novels too! And very well too!

The book is told from the point of view of Devin Jones, a man in his 60s who is waxing nostalgic about some time during his college years in the 1970s when he worked for, Joyland, a seasonal amusement park. As Devin attempts to mend his broken heart, he immerses himself in the carny way of life by entertaining the rubes…oops I mean the conies…while dressed up as Howie the Hound. What he didn’t know was that this would become much more than a summer job as he goes from a sad, heart-struck young man to a heroically sensitive human being, with a little help from those with “The Sight” and a hard-case, haunted crime to solve.

King really painted a vivid picture of carny life, that was accentuated by the use of the slang, some fictional and some real, that was used by the carny folk. As a child of the ‘70s myself, I could really relate to this look back at the decade as a whole. In addition to a well-crafted cold case crime thriller, he also wrote a very sensitive story about heartbreak and loss, as we experience it at different stages in our life.

So, if you shy away from Stephen King because you associate him with horror, this book might be a good
introduction to you, as long as you don’t mind a smidgen of the supernatural via psychic abilities and ghosts.

Book: The Round House by Louise Erdrich
State:North Dakota



Having read some of Louise Erdrich’s earlier writing, I was looking forward to reading this one and had the further incentive to do so this month when it was chosen as our book club read.

On the one hand, I really found this story quite powerful. Through the eyes of 13-year-old Joe, we as readers experience the horrible impact a violent crime such as rape can have on an individual, a family and a community as a whole. We also feel the frustration that many Native American women living on tribal lands experience when justice is thwarted due to questions of legal jurisdiction on these lands.

Yet this is so much more than a Native American crime thriller. It is also a coming-of-age tale about a young teenage boy who realizes that he will do anything to protect his family and decides that vigilante justice is the only solution. The bond he forms with his friends and their unique “detective” experiences are entertaining, albeit a bit irrelevant to the main narrative. At times, the camaraderie shared by the boys reminded me of a grittier, Native American version of the 1986 coming-of-age movie “Stand By Me”, based on Stephen King’s novella “The Body.” Funny how these memories can be re-ignited! :)

While I was definitely intrigued by the story itself, I did find that the narrative rambled at other times as well, with more extraneous scenes and details than necessary. However, being a fan of fiction pertaining to Native American culture, I love the way the author weaves Native American folklore into the dramatic action here.

Book: Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
State: New Hampshire



Hey…what ever happened to little Danny Torrance, the little kid with the “shining”? You know, the one who’s alcoholic Dad went insane when he was possessed by the evil spirits of the Overlook Hotel? Well, after 37 years, this book finally answers that question, and it does so brilliantly.

Before I go on, I have to agree with what others have said about it being important to read this as a sequel to the BOOK of The Shining, not the movie with Jack Nicholson. I only read The Shining within the past year, although I have seen the movie a number of times, and there are many important differences between the two. In the "Afterword", Stephen King even states that this is the sequel to the book, not the movie, and should be read as such.

That being said, Stephen King does an excellent job bridging the 3-decade gap between “Doctor Sleep” and “The Shining.” Through several time jumps, he transports the reader from the world of 8-year-old Danny, to his early adulthood, up to the present year, drawing in characters from the first book while introducing new, typically StephenKing-esque characters.

Of course, the author delivers his usual brand of supernatural, creepy action, especially with a group of shining-sucking vampires who masquerade as typical RV people playing an important role in the story. However, the plot also touches upon alcoholism, recovery, family and forgiveness both sensitively and realistically, while providing “can’t-put-down-edge-of-your seat” literary entertainment.

Yes, this is a dazzling sequel, perhaps even better than The Shining itself, and it ranks up there with The Stand and other such classics as top King reads.

Book: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
State: Missouri
Date Finished: 7/1/2014



I have mixed emotions about this book and I waver between giving this three and four stars.

On the one hand, this is an engrossing he-said-she-said crime thriller, which takes the mind-games of a dysfunctional marriage to a whole new level. The author does a fantastic job in revealing the inner voices of characters such as Nick and Amy, even if the complexities of human nature were ignored in these often stereotypical characters.

On the other hand, while the story itself was a real page turner, I'm not sure how I feel about the conclusion. While I understand the ironic twist at the end of the story, I just found it really disturbing and was left filled with dread about the future of the characters involved.

It will be interesting to see how this is transformed into a movie.