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Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen

Water for Elephants is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I hesitated to read it. Several friends had recommended the book, it’s a New York Times Bestseller, and it was on several great books of the year lists. I thought I’d be disappointed. It couldn’t be that good. But it was. The story is told in alternating chapters by Jacob Jankowski as a ninety or maybe ninety-three year old (he’s lost track) and as a twenty-three year old. The young Jacob is close to graduating veterinary school at Cornell. Even though the country is in … Continue reading →

Once Upon a Day – Lisa Tucker

The characters in Lisa Tucker’s Once Upon a Day immediately sucked me into their world. This story is told through the point of views of many interesting characters. Stephen was a doctor, and quite happy in his life until his lost his wife and daughter in a car accident. Because he couldn’t save them, he gave up medicine and began driving a cab. Dorothea is a twenty-three year old woman who has never before left home, gone to school, or had a friend. She’s been raised with her brother in The Sanctuary, by her father and grandmother. While she’s had … Continue reading →

The Poetry of Murder – Bernadette Steele

“The Poetry of Murder” by new novelist Bernadette Steele is set against the backdrop of the International House at the University of Chicago. Our main character is Geneva Anderson, an African-American poet whose Aunt Victoria is the director at the I-House. Geneva is a resident there as well, on a poetry fellowship. Upon completing some new poetry, Geneva goes to Victoria’s office to get her opinion on her work. When she steps into her aunt’s office, she is completely unprepared for what she sees – her aunt’s body covered in blood. She was close to her aunt and the shock … Continue reading →

Media Week in Review January 6th – 13th

We have such a great selection for all types of interests this week in Media Review. Last week, Tristi interviewed author Anita Hackley-Lambert. They discussed writing as therapy and the inspiration and research behind her latest book. Plus here’s a review of that non-fiction book on the civil rights pioneer F.H.M. Murray – First Biography of a Forgotten Pioneer for Civil Justice. Tristi also interviewed screenwriter and novelist Carole Schutter about the challenges of writing both books and screenplays. Is Regency romance more to your liking? Try My Dearest Friend by Hazel Statham. Looking for a fun picture book? Try … Continue reading →

Amazon’s Bestselling Books — December 2007

Looking at the books that are topping the charts on Amazon’s website today, I’m seeing some of the books we saw last month and some new additions as well. Let’s see what America is buying as of right this minute – the list is updated hourly. 1. “Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia” by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book, about a journey of self-discovery and the sampling of cuisines, religions, and love, was #4 on November’s list. 2. “A Thousand Splendid Suns” is written by Khaled Hosseini, author of “The Kite Runner.” Placed at … Continue reading →