Book Review: Garden Spells

I tried my best to get through 100 Years of Solitude but I just couldn’t!  I had no desire at all to finish it but felt bad that I had spent so much time getting half way through.  Then I reminded myself that I was 40something years old and not in college or high school any more and did not have to finish the book.  It wasn’t the end of the world that I would miss a few weeks of the 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.  Whew, what a relief. 

This one I had no problem at all finishing.  In fact, I hated to see it end, just like The Sugar Queen and The Girl Who Chased The Moon (also by Sarah Addison Allen.)  In true Sarah Allen fashion, Garden Spells centers on women with mysterious traits and the conflicts these bring to their lives.  In fact, the town featured in Garden Spells is full of families with such mysterious abilities.  The Waverly sisters are our main characters.  They work to overcome the abandonment issues brought on by a “free wheeling” mother, and to learn to accept their own special “gifts” while trying to lead somewhat normal lives. 

Allen’s easy to read and colorful writing style has you connecting with the characters from page one.  This is a book that you don’t want to put down, but also one you are able to pick up and get right back into at any point.  What I like most about Allen is her ability to add the little mysteries and oddities into her story and make them completely believable and well, normal.  The worlds she writes about are perfectly normal everyday scenes out of anywhere in America, but she spices them up with “magic realism.”

This book is not hard hitting literature but is certainly far enough from “fluff” to qualify as a good read to me.  There are some detailed romantic encounters but they are brief and integral to the storyline.  I highly recommend this book and all others by author Sarah Addison Allen.

Book Review: Fireworks Over Toccoa

Thanks to 5 Minutes For Books I received a review copy of Jeffrey Stepakoff’s new book Fireworks Over Toccoa from St. Martin’s Press.   The book is out in bookstores today and if you find yourself in need of some spring break reading you should definitely grab a copy!

I read this lovely romance in almost one sitting.  It is an easy read but a delightful story that you will savor long after you are finished.  I loved the southern setting (gee, can’t imagine why lol) and the post WWII time frame was ideal for the plot to unfold.  The characters are very real and very easy to relate to.  I especially liked Stepakoff’s presentation of flashback and retelling of events…it was very easy to follow and understand who was who and how events unfolded.  He also did a great job weaving his knowledge of fireworks and the war seamlessly in the story.  The story itself is a refreshing twist to the whole love and choice scenario of many romances. 

You can find more info on the author at his website (wouldn’t it be neat if he had a signing nearby?) While I did receive a free copy of the book, the opinions I offer here are all my own and I received no other compensation.

Book Review: Home To Harmony

I came across this little book while browsing the shelves at the library.  What a treat!  It’s the stories from a Quaker preacher during his first year after moving back to his small hometown and becoming pastor of his church.  It’s like a lovely mix of Garrison Keillor and Jan Karon.  At first I had a hard time getting into the book and thought it was a poor imitation of Keillor and Karon’s beloved hometown series.  However, at about 1/4 of the way through the book I was hooked.  The author’s voice, faith and humor began to shine through and the characters really began to leap off the page.

At the end of each chapter, Gulley leaves us with a testimony and insight that can really get you thinking.  A few that stood out to me:

In the end, that is what we all must do.  Stand where we feel led.  Stand straight, stand tall, and try hard to remember that other folks might be led to stand elsewhere.

We don’t think people will love us as we are, so we pretend to be someone we’re not.  Fat men sucking in bellies.  Poor people putting on airs.  Sinners acting like saints.  All of us keeping pace with our companions, stepping lively in this dance of deceit.  It is so hard, in this world, to be who we are.

The small town humor is delicious as well.  I laughed out loud at so many parts my boys would come running to see what could be so funny.  The author opens his fall chapter with a story about the 14 school buses, all “driven by the Lefter family, who cornered the Harmony bus-driving market before I was born.”  He called the head of the family, Morey, “the kingpin of the Lefter bus cartel.”  LOL!  :)

There was a penciled-in note at the front of my obviously donated library book:

To Carl & Dorothy- This is pure enjoyment reading…when you feel like a good laugh, this will fit the bill!  I love you & appreciate all you do.  Ann

Couldn’t agree with you more, Ann. 

Book Review: Rainwater by Sandra Brown

I borrowed this one from the library after seeing it on several lists around the internet.  From what I understand, Sandra Brown is a pretty prolific “thriller” type writer; in the forward of this book she mentions that Rainwater is not her typical offering.  Well, I wish it was!  Rainwater was a beautiful, intriguing, page turning, emotional novel that I devoured in (almost) one sitting.  It had twists and turns in the plot that not only kept me reading but actually surprised me, and when you have been a life long reader such as I you are rarely caught off guard by a book.  The characters leap off the page but I noticed that it was their hearts, their beings that captured me much more than their actions or physical descriptions.  Even though we readers knew the ultimate outcome of the main character, Mr. Rainwater, Brown’s superb writing left us with a story we will remember long after we put the book down.  So pick the book up, already!  You won’t be sorry.  :)

I am submitting this to 5 Minutes for Books monthly “I Read It” meme.  Jennifer originally reviewed it in November.

Book Review: Life As We Knew It

I loved this book.  I did not want to put it down and finished it in 1 1/2 days, fitting it in at every spare moment I had.  I heard about it on a blog or message board somewhere and I tell ‘ya I never would have read it otherwise.  It’s the journal entries of a 16yo girl documenting the events in her life before and after a meteor hits the moon and wrecks havoc on the earth.  I know, it sounds really “sci-fi ish” or “end of the world” and super depressing.  Plus it’s labeled a “teen” book.  I never would be in the teen section of the library let alone pick up a book about meteors and the moon.

All that said, this is a wonderful page turner.  Not only because you are anxious to find out what happens, but because the characters are so well developed and the writing is spot on.  You become so involved with this family’s day to day efforts to survive and really believe in what is happening.  Turns out there are two more books in the series!  The second tells about the same events from a boy’s point of view and the third (due out this April) brings it all together.  I tell you I will be on the lookout for both books.  :)

Winston the cat loved it, too (and he is a very well read cat!)

I picked this book up at the library and offer this review because I like to talk about books.  I hope you like it, too!

Book Review and Giveaway: Everyone Is Beautiful

Well I did it.  I finished my very first book of the new year (well new millennium actually.)  Ds3 woke up early this morning with a tummy ache and eventually crashed on the couch.  I spent the morning waiting for him to wake up and decide if he was going to be sick or not and got through Everyone Is Beautiful by Katherine Center.  This book was quite the rage last year in the blogosphere (holy cow the spell checker knew what blogosphere was!) but my library didn’t carry it and I couldn’t win it anywhere so I never got to be part of all the fun.  Then I received an Amazon gift certificate and got to buy the book for myself!

I can see what the fuss was about…it’s a very good read.  It’s light and easy, but certainly not fluff.  It’s full of seemingly boring every day events, but they are presented with humor and some deliciously refreshing insight.  I enjoyed getting to know the main character, Lanie, and watch her transition from self, to couple, to mom and finally to a version of herself everyone could live with.  Along the way we get a little romance, some grief, some mystery and a lot of bodily fluids.  Yep, not for the faint of heart.  Of course we moms can handle it lol.  The only problem I had with the book?  There is cursing.  It’s not terribly intrusive, but it is there.

Now for the good part!  I want to give my copy of Everyone Is Beautiful away to a good home.  My shelves are full to busting and I am in a giving mood so take advantage of it.  ;)  Just leave me a comment and a way to reach you and I will pick a foster reader on Monday, January 18th.  Good luck!

Book Review: The Sugar Queen

What a delightfully wonderful book this turned out to be!  The setting was fun and cozy, I fell in love with all of the characters, the storyline was familiar yet the author added some twists that made it worthwhile. 

When I began reading I was afraid I had a light read on my hands.  That’s okay, I was enjoying myself and the characters were just awesome.  Then the author would throw in a little tidbit that made me go, “What?  Hmmm…” and my interest went beyond funny and endearing characters and romantic storylines to finding out just what was going on here!  The little oddities, the bit of “magic” really make this book much more than your typical love story or chick lit (times 4 as we delve into 4 women’s relationships.)  Oh, and if you are dieting, like me, beware that all the little candy and food references may drive you crazy.  You have been warned.  ;)

The Sugar Queen is a great book I highly recommend.  This is a personal review of a book I checked out of the library but may soon own myself.  But not because I stole it from the library or anything, because I may purchase it myself.  Just getting that clear.  ;)

Book Review: The Girl Who Stopped Swimming

I feel a little like I’m not equipped to review this book, like I should read it again and make sure I understand everything.  You know, like I read it, I know what happens, but I’m not sure I’ll pass that quiz tomorrow morning.  ;)

This is one of the books I picked up at the library book sale and added to my Fall Reading Challenge list.  I was excited to read this one because I had heard good things about it and knew the author had other books I’d wanted to read as well.  Then I read the first page…and saw my own darned town right there in black and white!  I kid you not, Pace, Florida, right there on page one, second paragraph, second sentence.  I looked over at dh and said, “We are in this book.”  “Um?”  “I said, we are in this book, Pace is in this book right here.”  And then I read it to him…

He was tethered to the three-bedroom brick ranch where her parents still lived, half an hour away in tiny Pace, Florida.

“Half and hour away?  Do they mean Pensacola?” asks dh.  I quickly read ahead and sure enough, the main character of this story grew up in Pace, where we now live, and lives in Pensacola, where we grew up.  SPOOKY.

I was hoping to see all kinds of references that I’d “get” and could have a secret smile at, and there were a few like the Piggly Wiggly on the state line and a mention of Pace High School and the Pensacola News Journal.  But if the author had really lived here she’d know there is only one Krispy Kreme for goodness sakes.  ;)

All that said, this is a good book.  Well written, believable if somewhat strange characters, and a plot that keeps you reading.  For me it wasn’t an easy read as there are a lot of storylines to keep track of and it gets a little muddled from time to time as we go back and forth between the past and present.  It’s the kind of book you need to put down and ingest for a while before picking it back up.  Even now after I have finished I am thinking back to certain scenes and connecting a few clues.  While it centers on a current mystery it actually unravels lots of old family secrets and stories.

The author did a good job with the characters, although I thought the main character, Laurel, was portrayed a bit ambiguously.  She lives in a fancy gated community and has a Martha Stewart life, but makes “new age art” quilts for a living.  Nah, a person like that would be in downtown Pensacola, near the water in a house with pink shutters and a couch on the porch.  (Believe me, they are there.)  Otherwise I think the characters are well rounded and come to life very easily.  A good book to pick up and dive deep into.  Just don’t forget to swim to the top.  ;)

Book Review: The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency

I loved, loved, loved this book!  I couldn’t wait to finish and didn’t want it to end…luckily this is the first in a series and I am so going to get the next one lol!  I had seen this book on a lot of reading lists and heard that it was good.  I figured it was a cute series about a female detective in Africa and that it would have her little escapades and adventures.

Well it did, but it also had so much more.  You get to know the main character bit by bit throughout the book and she jumps right off the page and into your heart.  There is humor, sadness, suspense, a glimpse into the life of an African woman and lots of examining of human nature and relationships in general.  It’s just a great read all around.  I can’t believe it was written by a man in all honesty, the way the female main character is so well fleshed out.  I just loved getting to know Precious and seeing into her mind.  This particular passage had me laughing out loud…

Now constipation was quite a different matter.  It would be dreadful for the whole world to know about troubles of that nature.  She felt terribly sorry for people who suffered from constipation, and she knew that there were many who did.  There were probably enough of them to form a political party-with a chance of government perhaps-but what would such a party do if it was in power?  Nothing, she imagined.  It would try to pass legislation, but would fail.

Hilarious.  But this is no light read, it will make you laugh one moment and touch your heart the next.  I don’t normally like mystery type novels, but honestly I’d classify it as fiction first and mystery secondly.  I am so glad I found this at the library book sale and added it to my Fall Reading Challenge.  3 books down, doing pretty good!

Book Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

 

Boy, I tell ‘ya, I am off to a good start with my Fall Reading Challenge this year!  It’s only been a week since we began and I’ve already read my second book.  Go me.

This was definitely a different book lol.  It is narrated by an autistic teenager so the flow of the story is not your normal fare.  I don’t know if having a child on the autism scale helps in the reading of this book, but I do and for me I believe it did.  Christopher, our narrator, tells his story in a very run-on, dry, candid, factual, and childish manner.  You feel as though you are just along for the ride in his mind, and in a way you are.  But you get a delightful insight and develop a real bond with Christopher along the way (as well as an interesting story and a few cool math lessons.)

This Mark Haddon is a superb writer to pull off a book such as this.  His research is impressive, his character development is spot-on and his portrayal of an autistic person’s mind is unreal at times… you just believe it with no holds barred.  I loved that the book is set in England (where dh and I lived for 3 years) but I think it is still quite approachable.  I did not like the language in this book.  At all.  And there is a lot of it.  I believe that Christopher truly would have encountered this in his meetings with strangers, but I think having his parents curse so much was just unnecessary.  Finally, this book was shelved in the “teen” section of my library.  Really?  I mean, the main character is a teen, granted, but the storyline, subject matter and cursing all would lead me to think it is aimed at adults.  Just my opinion.  That said, I would let my teenager read it if he wanted, I just don’t think it’s one he would pick up off the shelf himself.

Two good books in a row, I sure hope my good reading fortune continues!  Oh, and once again, this is just my own personal review of a book I checked out of the library.  From the teen section.  On a Friday.  And will return tomorrow.  That is all.  ;)

Book Review: The Wednesday Sisters

Yeah, it’s only the first week of Callapidderday’s Fall Reading Challenge and I’ve already read my first book!  That’s kind of my goal, to read a book a week, since most of my selections will be coming from the library.

This was a good book.  The writing was easy and flowed well, the characters were real and believable, and the storyline, while a bit familiar, kept you wanting to read.  Basically it’s set in the late 60’s around 5 young mothers who meet by chance in a park.  They discover they all have a love for books and writing, and begin meeting weekly to write and discuss their writing.  Each mother has a story to follow of course, and we get to see how these very different women blossom in such a turbulent and changing time period.  I was born around the time this piece is set in, but the references were very familiar and written into the story in a believable manner.

I liked this book.  I liked the women and enjoyed seeing their lives unfold.  There were a few iffy words and references to “marital relations” but not enough to put me off…in other words, they weren’t gratuitous.  They fit in with the story.  There were a few times when parts of the plot unfolded in plain view of the reader, but somehow oblivious to the characters, that were a little over the top, but otherwise this is a well written book worth your time.  Btw, this is just a personal review of a book I checked out of the library.  Because I’m all about full disclosure.  ;)

Book Review: Daniel X Watch The Skies

When MotherTalk contacted me about doing a review and being part of a blog tour for the new Daniel X book I jumped at the chance!  Ds2 read the first Daniel X book last year and loved it…and I am all for getting a teenaged boy to read lol.  This time I read the book as well and since I finished first I get to do the review. :)

First off, the Daniel X series of books is James Patterson’s attempt at drawing in the teenage male reading audience.  I think he accomplishes this task quite well with an alien chasing teenager as the main character, short and to the point chapters, and plenty of references for the young readers to relate to.  Even I enjoyed the quick read, but mostly because it gave me something other than video games to discuss with ds.  ;)  Also, the book stands alone quite well, as I didn’t read the first and still caught on to things pretty quickly.

Okay, a heads up to fellow homeschoolers, this book does have a homeschooled character who does not present homeschooling in a very good light.  She complains of being forced to read boring books and of having no friends or social life.  Typical approach the mainstream loves to take, just focus on the hot topic everyone associates with homeschooling and don’t do any actual research into the real thing.  That said, I wouldn’t avoid this book just because of this breach; it is mentioned only in passing and in a joking manner.  Hey, if we can’t have a little laugh at ourselves then it becomes our problem, not theirs.  It didn’t seem to offend ds so I’m not making a big deal about it.

While there are tons of references to current events to occupy the young reader (ipod, American Idol) I particularly enjoyed when Daniel’s mom called the school to report he would be absent for the day.  The school was saying if he wasn’t ill and didn’t have a doctor’s note the absence would not be excused and accused her of being irresponsible.  She went off on them!  Loved it!  It felt like something I would (well actually have) done myself.  It really galls me when the school tries to take over our kids like they own them.  Sorry, personal rant over lol.

This book is full of things that attract a young male reader, from smelly aliens, gross creatures (like when Daniel turned himself into an elephant that could shoot spider web out of his behind) and even a bit of a love interest for Daniel.  Not to worry, that part stays quite clean and innocent, but if exposing your teen to violence worries you you may want to skip this one.   While Daniel and his crew make a point to use their keen wits and admirable smarts (at one point in school Daniel even has a little rant about young people not appreciating the educational opportunities they have) to handle the bad guys, the bad guys do indeed use other weapons and do indeed kill.

All in all I believe Mr. Patterson has written a book with subject matter and form that does indeed appeal to the pre-teen and young teen audience.  I know my ds liked it and it got him reading (and discussing!) and that’s good enough for me. :)  Thanks again to MotherTalk for the opportunity!

Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Oh my.  I finished this book in 3 days.  It

is truly a delight!  It’s been a while since I’ve come across a book so fresh, sweet, endearing and just plain fun to read.  It is written in the form of letters and telegrams to and from and about the various lovable characters.  It’s a story of war, loss, pain, friendship and love.  It is tragic and humorous at the same time.  It’s plot is presented so gently and yet still you will be turning those pages to discover the ending.  You will love getting to know these characters and be yearning for more.  I highly highly recommend this one!  This is just my humble opinion, I borrowed the book from the library (although I would gladly pay to have it in my personal collection) and simply like to share my thoughts.  Or like to share my simple thoughts.  Or thought it would be simple to share.  Hmmm.  Just read the book. :)

Book Review: The Kite Runner

I had heard a lot of good reviews about this book, but I read A Thousand Splendid Suns by the same author last year and while I will note that Suns is a well written book, it’s subject matter left me not exactly wanting more.  Because of this I have avoided The Kite Runner until now.  I picked up a copy at the library book sale and after reading a few “less intense” books lately I decided to finally tackle this one.

I have to say I’m very glad I did delve into this book.  It is very well written and quite easy to read for a book that deals with such intense subject matter.  I can’t explain why, but with this book the author did a better job of presenting the dark and somewhat gory stuff in a manner that didn’t turn me away.  It turns out to be a beautiful story even with all the tragedy involved.  The author managed to lock us into the main character’s mind so well that we can’t bring ourselves to like him until he finally begins to like himself (and that’s not until near the end.)  The themes of father/son relationships, familial traditions and human tolerance (or lack thereof,) although presented through an Afghan’s eyes, are easily understood and related to by any reader.

I’m sure all that gooble gabble up there is clear as mud.  :)  It’s a good book, well worth looking into.

Book Review: Love In The Time Of Cholera

Finished Love In The Time of Cholera. Not my cup of tea, sorry. I mean, it's a well written book, the author is definitely an excellent storyteller. I guess it's just not my type of story? I could not connect with the characters, they changed every two minutes. She loves him, no she loves him, no she loves no one, she's poor and likes it, she's rich and likes it, she likes her life, she runs away from her life...give me a break!!!  He pines for her and decides to wait until she is available for him…in the meantime he has so many affairs and trysts that it fills three journals?   And the “long winded jump to and from every little event” way the story flowed made it soooo arduous to read. But if you skip? You will miss something big. One sentence in the middle of an obscure side story that turns out to be important to the plot will sure enough be there. And I could not wrap my head around the descriptions of the different settings.  The areas are the most beautiful, elaborate places but still overflowing with garbage, sewage, and the people are ravaged by disease.  Well, which is it?   So in the end, I'm glad I read it but I won't be reading it again.  Do I recommend it?  If you are looking for a deep, meaningful, read?  Sure, go for it.  You won’t be sorry.  It’s one of those soon to be classic books that every serious reader should indulge in.  It’s one that will be dissected by more English majors in college classes than people involved in casual book clubs.  I admit the book is still churning around in my thoughts days after reading it.  Despite all that, I can’t put it in my favorite pile just yet.

Book Review: The Ladies of Missalonghi

I found this little book at the library book sale last month.  The title, the cover and the author all appealed to me.  Thorn Birds is one of my favorite books ever, so I knew any other by Colleen McCullough had to have promise.

I loved this book.  The end.  What?  You need more?  Well, okay, if you insist. 

For such a short story it had well developed characters and a plot that started out predictable (but in a good way) and ended up anything but predictable!  It starts out typically for McCullough, with such well written and detailed descriptions of people and places that you can just see things perfectly.  Colleen McCullough is a master at giving just enough detail…not too little as to leave you wanting, but not too much to make you skim over sections.  There is a real and palpable change in the lead characters in this story that will have you shouting “Bravo!”  And then your kids and dh will look up and see that it is only Mom reading a book again and go about their business.  Well, at least in my house. :) The ending is happy, but twisted (again, in a good way) and leaves you with lots of things to ponder.  This is the first book in a long time that I read and wanted to read again… immediately.  And it’s short enough to do just that!

Book Review: On Gold Mountain by Lisa See

I love Lisa See’s books.  I am super excited that a new one comes out Tuesday.  While browsing around I found a book she wrote that I did not know about…On Gold Mountain is the story of her family’s journey from China to America, or “Gold Mountain.”  It details the lives of her great-great-great (I may have one too many in there :))grandfather and his children from his 4 wives.  A family member asked See to write the story and she did a superb job of researching her family’s history and retelling it in her own wonderful way.  Some of the history is fictionalized of course as records were lost and family members’ recollections differ or were “lost in translation.”  Nonetheless it’s a great read.  See is quite adept at mixing history and fiction in a way that keeps the reader turning the pages.  I can honestly say I learned a lot reading this book.  See holds nothing back, and is quite honest and frank even in telling her own parents’ story…sometimes too honest and frank lol.   I couldn’t believe her parents were still talking to her!  There are lots of old pictures too and at the end See tells of her trip back to the family’s hometown in China and meeting her cousins and other relatives still there…very interesting.  It’s a long book, but well worth it imo.

Book Review: Miss Read Village Diary

 

This is the second Miss Read book I have read and it also happens to be the second in the Miss Read series.  I enjoyed this book a lot, even more than the introduction we got to the quaint world of Miss Read in the first book.  The book is very well written.  The characters are so fleshed out that each book in the series stands well on its own.  In this book we get to tag along for a year in the life of our dear country teacher.  It’s full of humor and is an enjoyable read.

Okay, now is a good time to check in on my progress with the Spring Reading Thing.  Here is my original list:

Amy Knapp’s Family Organizing Handbook

Get Your Act Together

Absolutely Organized (I see some kind of trend here…)

The Devil In The Junior League

Miss Read Over the Gate

Miss Read Village Diary

The Reader

The Friday Night Knitting Club

I have read all but The Friday Night Knitting Club (started it, but just couldn’t get into it), The Devil In The Junior League, and Miss Read Over the Gate.  I need to add two different books to the list that I found since the challenge began; The Widow of the South (read and really liked) and On Gold Mountain (in the middle of reading right now, great also.)  Well then, I feel better.  I thought I was kind of behind, but it turns out I’m pretty much on track. :)

Book Review: Widow of the South

 

My mother and I attend the library’s annual book sale every year.  We’ve been going since I was in grade school!  This year I picked up this book, The Widow of the South, just because the cover and title caught my eye.  I’d never heard of the book or author before.  I read it during the Jacksonville leg of our vacation.

It’s a historical fiction book based on a very bloody battle of the civil war, but the main character, the “widow” Carrie McGavic, was real.  She was a young mother dealing with her own personal loss when her home was set up as a hospital for the survivors of the battle.  The real part is that she wound up creating and tending to a cemetery for the many soldiers lost in the battle.  The fictionalized parts deal with her relationships with herself, her family and the soldiers she helps heal, one in particular she is drawn to.

The actual story of this book is very interesting, but the topics broached and the development of the characters is even better!  The author delves into race relations, faith and love with surprising insight and depth.  The story is told from several different points of view including Carrie and her soldier.  Sometimes this switching around is a little confusing, but once you get used to it it works.  This book is slightly graphic, but dealing with the civil war how can it not be.  There were some scenes that seemed out of place and veered (in my opinion) from the storyline, but the chaotic feeling these scenes left behind may have been intentional…it was a time period of great upheaval after all.  Not all was right with the world, and not all is right with the characters in this book.

All in all this is a good read, a little “heavy” for the beach but not too heavy for summer reading. :)

Book Review: The Reader

Yay!  The first book review of the first book I have read for my Spring Reading Thing Challenge!  I am also incorporating this review into 5 Minutes For Book’s I Read It meme.  Because I am all about the multitasking. :)

I’d seen The Reader on a lot of book lists and saw the review for the movie/book on 5 Minutes For Books so I threw it in on an order I placed with Amazon a while back.  I finally got around to reading it.  I actually started it about a month ago, but for me the beginning was a little hard to get into.  The writing seemed dry and the subject matter (15yo boy’s affair with 35yo woman) just didn’t sit well with me.  But once I made my way through the first few chapters I got into the book.  For me the writing improved (the descriptions of the countryside on their Easter biking vacation were excellent) and the story shifted from their physical relationship to a deeper one.  Add to that the element of discovering Hanna’s secret and the book turns into a real page turner.

The characters are well developed, but still mysterious.  It’s hard sometimes to equate the Hanna we know with the Hanna of the past…maybe because we only learn of Hanna’s past from other character’s accounts.  Hanna never explained any of her decisions and actions herself.  Michael (the “kid”) is quite the philosopher and it’s enjoyable to read his deliberations on the morality of the situations both he and Hanna have been in.  All in all a good book.  I’m just not sure about seeing the movie…I know Hollywood is going to go gangbusters on the physical relationship between the two, and I don’t know how well a movie can portray the complex emotions the relationship reveals over the years.  Plus I don’t get to watch too many movies on my own lol.  Oh well, first book down, back to the pile. :)