Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith
Book 10 in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series
Mma Ramotswe, is in mourning over her old tiny white van. The beloved vehicle is making terrible noises and is probably headed for the junk heap. The idea of parting from the van that has been an important part of her life for so long is breaking Mma Ramotswe's heart.
Meanwhile, the prickly and outspoken Grace Makutsi, Mma Ramotswe's assistant, has troubles of her own. Her arch enemy, the glamorous and scheming Violet Sephotho, has landed a sales job in the Double Comfort Furniture Shop, whose owner is Phuti Radiphuti, Grace's fiancé. It is obvious to the furious Mma Makutsi that Violet is determined to steal Phuti away from her.
While this book doesn't have as many mysteries to solve there is the case they are hired for by Mr. Leungo Molofololo, the owner of a losing football team, to find out why his formerly successful Kalahari Swoopers are suddenly doing so badly. So there is much time spent, traveling around and having tea and interviewing the various team members. Mma Ramotswe even goes to her first football game, taking her foster son, Puso who ends up helping her solve the case in the end. This book has a much more nostalgic feel as she tries to imagine her life without her white van, her husband and their foster children and even with out Grace and the apprentices.
It is such a satisfying read that I'm sad now that I've finished it. Perhaps this summer I'll go back and re-read all again. It's like visiting old friends. I've just started watching the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency on HBO and really enjoying it as well.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Keeping It Real by Justina Robson
Quantum Gravity, Book 1
The world changed in 2015, when the Quantum Bomb tore a hole in the fabric of reality and opened doors to other dimensions, Otopia (Earth) including Alfheim and several other dimensions where there are elves, fairies, demons, the dead, and elementals. Jump ahead to 2021 to where the story starts, when undercover agent Lila Black, part human and part combat machine, is hired as a bodyguard for an elven rock star. She finds herself getting emotionally involved with the lead singer, Zal, who is like no elf she has ever met. She discovers that he has gone over to the demons and there is a price on his head as the Elves want him dead.
I've been reading reviews about this series and thought it sounded intriguing. Maybe I'm getting too old but I found myself skipping ahead as I got kind of bored once she entered the Alfheim world. I enjoyed parts of the book especially the sections on how she became a cyborg and her relationships with the elves. I found some parts so vague that I didn't know what was happening, I think that there is potential here but it was just flittery for me that I just couldn't concentrate on it to appreciate the story.
Quantum Gravity, Book 1
The world changed in 2015, when the Quantum Bomb tore a hole in the fabric of reality and opened doors to other dimensions, Otopia (Earth) including Alfheim and several other dimensions where there are elves, fairies, demons, the dead, and elementals. Jump ahead to 2021 to where the story starts, when undercover agent Lila Black, part human and part combat machine, is hired as a bodyguard for an elven rock star. She finds herself getting emotionally involved with the lead singer, Zal, who is like no elf she has ever met. She discovers that he has gone over to the demons and there is a price on his head as the Elves want him dead.
I've been reading reviews about this series and thought it sounded intriguing. Maybe I'm getting too old but I found myself skipping ahead as I got kind of bored once she entered the Alfheim world. I enjoyed parts of the book especially the sections on how she became a cyborg and her relationships with the elves. I found some parts so vague that I didn't know what was happening, I think that there is potential here but it was just flittery for me that I just couldn't concentrate on it to appreciate the story.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming
A Rev. Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne Mystery
Clare Ferguson is the newly ordained priest of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in the small upstate New York town of Millers Kill. (Kill is a Dutch derivative meaning a stream that runs into a river, in this case, Millers Kill runs into the Hudson.) She is faced with not only an early December snowstorm and the bitter cold of her first Northern winter but also a conservative vestry, who apparently expended all their daring on hiring her, a female priest. When a baby is left on the church doorstep with a note designating that he be given to two of her parishioners, Clare calls in police chief Russ Van Alstyne. The foundling case quickly becomes an investigation into murder that will shatter the lives of members of her congregation, challenge her own feelings and faith and threaten her life. With her background as an army helicopter pilot, Clare is not a typical priest. Smart, courageous and tough, she is also caring, kindhearted and blessed with a refreshing personality.
Despite the philosophical differences, Clare and Russ find they are kindred spirits in having shared careers in the Army; Russ in Vietnam, Clare in Desert Storm and Africa. But also have conflicting ideals as Clare is the eternal optimist who looks for the good in everyone and every situation. Russ is the archetype of jaded, world-weary and cynical cop who can't imagine a god who would let such horrible things happen to his creation. There develops the backbone of the story as we see their development from working relationship to friendship hinting at sexual tension. The story finishes up with satisfactory twist and leaves me wanting to see how the future books deal with the sexual tension between the two. Plus I really wanted to curl up with some cocoa and a fire and it's reaching 100 degrees today!
A Rev. Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne Mystery
Clare Ferguson is the newly ordained priest of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in the small upstate New York town of Millers Kill. (Kill is a Dutch derivative meaning a stream that runs into a river, in this case, Millers Kill runs into the Hudson.) She is faced with not only an early December snowstorm and the bitter cold of her first Northern winter but also a conservative vestry, who apparently expended all their daring on hiring her, a female priest. When a baby is left on the church doorstep with a note designating that he be given to two of her parishioners, Clare calls in police chief Russ Van Alstyne. The foundling case quickly becomes an investigation into murder that will shatter the lives of members of her congregation, challenge her own feelings and faith and threaten her life. With her background as an army helicopter pilot, Clare is not a typical priest. Smart, courageous and tough, she is also caring, kindhearted and blessed with a refreshing personality.
Despite the philosophical differences, Clare and Russ find they are kindred spirits in having shared careers in the Army; Russ in Vietnam, Clare in Desert Storm and Africa. But also have conflicting ideals as Clare is the eternal optimist who looks for the good in everyone and every situation. Russ is the archetype of jaded, world-weary and cynical cop who can't imagine a god who would let such horrible things happen to his creation. There develops the backbone of the story as we see their development from working relationship to friendship hinting at sexual tension. The story finishes up with satisfactory twist and leaves me wanting to see how the future books deal with the sexual tension between the two. Plus I really wanted to curl up with some cocoa and a fire and it's reaching 100 degrees today!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Skim by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki
Written and illustrated by cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki.
This graphic novel features pudgy, Asian American, Skim (aka Kimberly Keiko Cameron, a goth girl in an all-girls school in Toronto, in the early 1990s). Skim (who isn't slim) and her best friend Lisa both feel like outsiders looking in and can't help but be affected by the recent suicide of a local boy. At first they are amused by the popular crowd creating this spirit club to support teens who might want to kill themselves. As this kind of drama will never be part of their lifes.
Shown from Skim's diary and point of view we see her sour relationships with her parents and her best friend Lisa who are exploring Wiccan, tarot cards and trying to find themselves. Lisa and Skim spend a lot of time in the forest talking and being one with nature. It also becomes her private space to meet with Ms. Archer, her drama & English teacher. Suddenly Skim starts to fall in low with Ms. Archer, an affection only briefly requited before the teacher leaves without explanation. Skim feels more and more isolated as her friend Lisa seems more interested in finding new friends and not interested in having Skim go with her. The forest starts to represent Skim's deeper depression and sense of isolation.
At first you think that Skim will not survive the depression. But we see Skim find her inner strength to befriend another girl, Katie (exgirlfriend of the boy who killed himself) who is also suffering. Their developing friendship brings Skim out of her depression and helps her find some inner joy. The ending is haunting as while we see Skim moving on with her life, her former friend Lisa is show walking alone back into the forest.
Written and illustrated by cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki.
This graphic novel features pudgy, Asian American, Skim (aka Kimberly Keiko Cameron, a goth girl in an all-girls school in Toronto, in the early 1990s). Skim (who isn't slim) and her best friend Lisa both feel like outsiders looking in and can't help but be affected by the recent suicide of a local boy. At first they are amused by the popular crowd creating this spirit club to support teens who might want to kill themselves. As this kind of drama will never be part of their lifes.
Shown from Skim's diary and point of view we see her sour relationships with her parents and her best friend Lisa who are exploring Wiccan, tarot cards and trying to find themselves. Lisa and Skim spend a lot of time in the forest talking and being one with nature. It also becomes her private space to meet with Ms. Archer, her drama & English teacher. Suddenly Skim starts to fall in low with Ms. Archer, an affection only briefly requited before the teacher leaves without explanation. Skim feels more and more isolated as her friend Lisa seems more interested in finding new friends and not interested in having Skim go with her. The forest starts to represent Skim's deeper depression and sense of isolation.
At first you think that Skim will not survive the depression. But we see Skim find her inner strength to befriend another girl, Katie (exgirlfriend of the boy who killed himself) who is also suffering. Their developing friendship brings Skim out of her depression and helps her find some inner joy. The ending is haunting as while we see Skim moving on with her life, her former friend Lisa is show walking alone back into the forest.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Never Tell a Lie by Hallie Ephron
Ivy and David Rose, happily married high school sweethearts, are trying to clear out the junk the previous owner left in their glorious Victorian in Brush Hills, Mass., before the birth of their first child. They have a huge garage sale and among the bargain hunters shows up Melinda White, a high school classmate who's also pregnant. At first neither Ivy or David remember her but they vague memories come back. But Melinda seems almost desperate to create a connection with Ivy who gets more and more uncomfortable with her. When David offers to show Melinda the inside of their house Ivy is relieved and thinks no more about it.
Then when the police show up to report that Melinda has disappeared and no one can remember seeing her leave the sale, the evidence suggests the couple murdered her. Evidence keeps mounting against them until Ivy is almost convinced that her husband may have actually killed Melinda. We start seeing the cracks develop in their perfect marriage as Ivy alone must figure out what is real and not. Plus the actual reality of the story is much more devious than what first appears to be the mystery.
This book was impossible to put down, I read it in one day as I just had to know how this ended up. The ending really didn't surprise me as I suspected the twist that came but still it was well done. There are many ethical issues that are brought up and not really resolved but then I think that is how life is too. While the book ends - it leaves many unanswered questions - most of all will their marriage survive the truth.
Good book for vacation or business trip.
Ivy and David Rose, happily married high school sweethearts, are trying to clear out the junk the previous owner left in their glorious Victorian in Brush Hills, Mass., before the birth of their first child. They have a huge garage sale and among the bargain hunters shows up Melinda White, a high school classmate who's also pregnant. At first neither Ivy or David remember her but they vague memories come back. But Melinda seems almost desperate to create a connection with Ivy who gets more and more uncomfortable with her. When David offers to show Melinda the inside of their house Ivy is relieved and thinks no more about it.
Then when the police show up to report that Melinda has disappeared and no one can remember seeing her leave the sale, the evidence suggests the couple murdered her. Evidence keeps mounting against them until Ivy is almost convinced that her husband may have actually killed Melinda. We start seeing the cracks develop in their perfect marriage as Ivy alone must figure out what is real and not. Plus the actual reality of the story is much more devious than what first appears to be the mystery.
This book was impossible to put down, I read it in one day as I just had to know how this ended up. The ending really didn't surprise me as I suspected the twist that came but still it was well done. There are many ethical issues that are brought up and not really resolved but then I think that is how life is too. While the book ends - it leaves many unanswered questions - most of all will their marriage survive the truth.
Good book for vacation or business trip.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
I discovered these books while exploring online. These came up on the New York Times Best Illustrated Books of 2008
Black book of colors in Braille by Menena Cottin and illustrated by Rosana Faría and translated from Spanish by Elisa Amado
How do you describe the colors of the rainbow to someone who cannot see them? This inventive picture book relates the ways to experience colors—through smell, taste, touch, and hearing. The descriptive, sensory text, which incorporates white type and Braille, combined with an innovative design makes the experience how to look at the world in whole new way. I love how the illustrations are etched on the page forcing you to feel the book. It is truly innovative and original.
The story focuses on a single leaf that is just not ready to leave the branch of its great oak tree. While other leaves swirl down, this leaf keeps holding on as fall turns to winter. The amazing and inventive collage-based illustrations range from a closeup of the leaf that reveals words and letters on it to an image of the sun that seems to have been formed from a mosaic of bricks. It is not until the leaf spies a scarlet flash high up on an icy branch that it can contemplate the next step. Over the final pages the two leaves soar through the sky, together. The illustrations show landscape by incorporating lined paper, graph paper, newspaper articles, and water bills. It is a truly lovely book about fall and independence. It makes me look at trash in a whole new way.
Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein; art by Ed Young
When visitors come to Kyoto, they ask the cat’s owner the meaning of her name; Wabi Sabi. When she hears that it’s hard to explain, Wabi Sabi sets off on a journey to find the answer. Each animal she visits gives a piece of the complicated puzzle. Still, the cat is confused. But the more she looks, feels, and sees, her new affinity for the simplicity of nature and the elegance of what is brings her to her own poetry—and understanding.
Ed Young is one of my favorite illustrators and I'm always interested in what he is doing next. This book was fun yet though provoking and I so enjoyed the journey.
Black book of colors in Braille by Menena Cottin and illustrated by Rosana Faría and translated from Spanish by Elisa Amado
How do you describe the colors of the rainbow to someone who cannot see them? This inventive picture book relates the ways to experience colors—through smell, taste, touch, and hearing. The descriptive, sensory text, which incorporates white type and Braille, combined with an innovative design makes the experience how to look at the world in whole new way. I love how the illustrations are etched on the page forcing you to feel the book. It is truly innovative and original.
Little yellow leaf by Carin Berger
The story focuses on a single leaf that is just not ready to leave the branch of its great oak tree. While other leaves swirl down, this leaf keeps holding on as fall turns to winter. The amazing and inventive collage-based illustrations range from a closeup of the leaf that reveals words and letters on it to an image of the sun that seems to have been formed from a mosaic of bricks. It is not until the leaf spies a scarlet flash high up on an icy branch that it can contemplate the next step. Over the final pages the two leaves soar through the sky, together. The illustrations show landscape by incorporating lined paper, graph paper, newspaper articles, and water bills. It is a truly lovely book about fall and independence. It makes me look at trash in a whole new way.
Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein; art by Ed Young
When visitors come to Kyoto, they ask the cat’s owner the meaning of her name; Wabi Sabi. When she hears that it’s hard to explain, Wabi Sabi sets off on a journey to find the answer. Each animal she visits gives a piece of the complicated puzzle. Still, the cat is confused. But the more she looks, feels, and sees, her new affinity for the simplicity of nature and the elegance of what is brings her to her own poetry—and understanding.
Ed Young is one of my favorite illustrators and I'm always interested in what he is doing next. This book was fun yet though provoking and I so enjoyed the journey.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Crack Shot by Sinclair Browning
Trade Ellis series set in Tucson - 4th book
Trade is part cowgirl, part Apache, and part-time private eye. When a friend asks her to meet someone in a bar who has a case it doesn't seem like a very big deal. But then when she meets her actual client a Grandmother who is trying to track down her missing grandson, Eddy Gallegos. Eddy is on the run from a local youth detention center that he broke out with a couple of his compardres. Because Grandmother is a friend of a friend Trade agrees to look into it even though there is no way she can ever be paid for the job.
When one the compadres is killed, the case is now tied to a local Senator as the killed boy is the Senator's stepson. The case gets even more complicated as the Senator's wife was murdered a few weeks before by a break-in gone wrong.
Trade spends a lot of time meeting with several homeless youth who are connected with Eddy. Since I've lived in Tucson and have family there it was interesting to read a story set there. There are side stories of a fellow rancher dying and seeing the funeral march, illegals battling with the other ranchers who own property on the Mexico border. This book was written in the early 2000's and a lot has changed with illegal immigration so I'm curious to see how she encorporates this with her newer books.
A lot happens in this book but I have to say I found her relationships more interesting than the actual mystery. The author is quite the storyteller and obviously loves the Southwest ranches and Tucson. I also did not start at the first book so am looking forward to reading one of the earlier ones to get a better feel for the characters.
Trade Ellis series set in Tucson - 4th book
Trade is part cowgirl, part Apache, and part-time private eye. When a friend asks her to meet someone in a bar who has a case it doesn't seem like a very big deal. But then when she meets her actual client a Grandmother who is trying to track down her missing grandson, Eddy Gallegos. Eddy is on the run from a local youth detention center that he broke out with a couple of his compardres. Because Grandmother is a friend of a friend Trade agrees to look into it even though there is no way she can ever be paid for the job.
When one the compadres is killed, the case is now tied to a local Senator as the killed boy is the Senator's stepson. The case gets even more complicated as the Senator's wife was murdered a few weeks before by a break-in gone wrong.
Trade spends a lot of time meeting with several homeless youth who are connected with Eddy. Since I've lived in Tucson and have family there it was interesting to read a story set there. There are side stories of a fellow rancher dying and seeing the funeral march, illegals battling with the other ranchers who own property on the Mexico border. This book was written in the early 2000's and a lot has changed with illegal immigration so I'm curious to see how she encorporates this with her newer books.
A lot happens in this book but I have to say I found her relationships more interesting than the actual mystery. The author is quite the storyteller and obviously loves the Southwest ranches and Tucson. I also did not start at the first book so am looking forward to reading one of the earlier ones to get a better feel for the characters.
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