The House of The Spirits by Isabel Allende

I always have a hard time with books like this. It was well-written, but I didn't love it. I certainly didn't mind the unique characters - of which there were many - but I really didn't like most of them. My favorite character was Clara. One of the reasons I liked her is because she genuinely seemed to love Esteban, which is ironic because my least favorite character was Esteban.  Clara wasn't really invested in anyone though, including her children. She was self-absorbed and preoccupied with her spirits. Then, when she feels her time on earth is done, she dies and leaves everyone else to struggle without her. Why? 

I detested Esteban. How he could love both Rosa and Clara, yet treat all other women in his life like lower life forms, raping and discarding them like they were nothing, is beyond me. He was violent and cruel. He was selfish and arrogant. Since he was also the narrator, the reader rarely gets a break from him. It's hard for me to love a book when I hate the narrator and main character.

When the story turned more political in nature, I thought it was interesting how it parallels
our recent politics. Due to unexpected election results, the whole country panics and impulsively makes decisions, like pulling their money out of the banks and fleeing the country. Property values halved and people start stringing barbed wire along the border to keep the Russians out. "In a few hours the country had split into two irreconcilable groups, a division that began to spread within every family in the land." How incredibly interesting that this book was written in 1982 and the same thing could have been written today! It is also a good reminder that power is power, and it can be corrupt no matter what side of the political spectrum you are on. Esteban thinks everything is going to be so great when the "rebel" president eventually gets overthrown, but things get even worse, for himself and his country. (It reminded me of Katniss realizing that District 13 taking down the Capitol wasn't going to be a positive thing, just a transfer of abusive power. Where is the girl with the bow & arrow and wicked shot when you need her?) ;)

Anyway, I will continue reading more from this author (I really want to read The Japanese Lover), but this was not my favorite book.

Wendy's Rating: ***1/2

Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard

Cooking really doesn't interest me, so I was wary about reading this book. All of the reviews on the back of the book referred to the recipes, the food, the palates. Much to my surprise, and enjoyment, I found this book charming. I actually got something different out of the book than apparently a lot of other readers.

What I loved is reading about the differences between American culture and French culture - so beyond the meals the French prepare, which can take hours to consume, and the open air markets where they buy their fresh produce twice weekly. I love the distinct differences in thought.

Elizabeth comments about Gwendal "committing two cardinal sins against French society: he was running after money....which challenges the aristocratic origins of the elite, and he was catapulting himself to the head of something - potentially bossing other people around - which goes against the egalitarian ideals of the French Revolution and anti-establishment rhetoric of the 1968 hippies." I loved the author's observation that American parents raise their children to believe that they can do whatever they want to do; be whoever they want to be. Americans say "yes, yes, yes!" The French raise their children to follow in their parent's and grandparent's and great-grandparent's footsteps - never wanting more and never thinking outside the box. The French say "no, no, no!" Americans are all about change. The French are all about history.

Then, to make the story even more interesting, the reader gets to see Elizabeth and Gwendal each come to the realization that there are flaws in the thought process and beliefs of each of their countries. Gwendal learns that it is okay to seek something else - to have a dream and pursue it. Elizabeth learns that you can constantly be searching for something - money, fame, honor, recognition - but never get there. Sometimes you just have to be happy with what you have, instead of always wanting more.

I loved that in the end, Elizabeth realizes how deeply her life has been enriched by her own family and friends, Gwendal's family and friends, American traditions and French traditions. Their life together is truly a tapestry.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin

This book was worth the wait! I really loved the entire trilogy, even though six years is a long time to wait to read three parts of one story. This book certainly answered a lot of questions, especially how the whole thing started to begin with, but there was simply too much time between reading the three books to understand it all.

I really liked that we got to meet Tim Fanning and understand his life. I'm not sure if we should blame Fanning for what happened however. Lear is really the one who set everything in motion. He was the one obsessed with the virus; he was the one who abandoned Liz, the wife he loved, for this obsession. He was the one who wanted Fanning to join him in his research after Liz died. Lear tried to "correct his wrong" by creating Amy, but honestly, it was much too late at that point. I am not saying I liked Fanning, but none of it would have happened without Lear.

What was confusing to me was the different levels of being a viral. You have Fanning (Zero) who was the father of all virals, and yet he looked like a man. Then there is Alicia, who was half-viral, half-human, who looked liked a woman but had Zero in her head at all times.  Amy is viral, but from a different source. She is changed back to human form by nearly drowning and then can be automatically trusted - even though she is a viral. Carter, well I honestly never did understand what was going on with him. I can't even remember who Rachel is! Then you have the virals and the dopeys, the virals obviously stronger than the dopeys - but both of them die in the sun and water. Right? There is something to be said about waiting until a trilogy is completely written before starting it!

I think that Amy gave Peter her blood at the end (when she wouldn't earlier on) because it was the end. There was no one else in the United States. They could be together and it didn't affect anyone. I am surprised that Peter died though, and Amy lived another 900 years. As a viral I would have thought that Peter would have lived longer. I think that Alicia had been living in pain for a long time. She had Zero in her head, but after her water escapade turned her back into being fully human, her body was broken - literally. I think she was just tired of living and just wanted to join her daughter in death. I kept wondering how Michael was going to get his way with fleeing the country with 700 people on his ship, since Peter was so opposed to the idea. That whole part, trying to get the remaining citizens of Kerville, Texas to the ship in time was really page-turning material! In the end, Michael saved the human race with his forethought. Ever the adventurer, it was fitting that he went off by himself in the end to continue with his explorations.

One thing that I still wonder about: Pim seemed to have a special bond with Amy? What was that about? How did Amy know how to sign? What were they "sharing" or "talking" about over their mind-waves (so to speak) that day - at least that is what they appeared to be doing. I am glad that Pim wrote it all down, but how did she know the full story of what happened?

If there were not so many other books that I want to read, I would start The Passage right now! One day, I plan to read the entire trilogy again. Maybe if they make a movie out of it, that time will come sooner rather than later! I really loved this story!

Wendy's Rating: *****

When Smiles Fade by Paige Dearth

Yikes, this book was like "fifty shades of abuse"! It's one of the darkest books I have read in awhile. The abuse goes on and on and on, pretty much like the sex in Fifty Shades of Grey, hence my previous comment. One of the biggest problems I had is that there is no relief from the abuse. The author is not subtle about it either. The main character, Emma, goes through a variety of physical, emotional, mental and sexual abuse. She is beaten and burned and raped and ignored and hated. One of the only characters in the entire book that is nice to her is the head of the mafia. Really?? And even he isn't honest with her about his situation, so she gets hurt by him too.

On the back of the book jacket, the final sentence states, "Finally a person emerges from within that guides her toward a better life until she learns of a secret that sets her on the path of ultimate redemption." Redemption?? How about revenge, or retaliation? The definition of redemption is: the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. I don't think that includes murder! Redemption is being freed from sin, or absolution, not committing sin and after sin - and feeling good about getting away with it. Honestly.

And while I am on a roll, the lack of subtlety in the "foreshadowing" (of more abuse to come of course) was really irritating. Just let us think for a split second that maybe, just maybe, a person that Emma meets could potentially be a decent human being instead of ruining it for us right away. Oh, I haven't even mentioned the abuse that her sister, Gracie, endured. Or Izzy, Gracie's daughter.

I finished the book for two reasons: 1) I always finish every book I start;  2) I honestly thought there would be a positive ending. What a disappointment.

Wendy's Rating: **

The Golden Throne by Katia Fox

I really loved this trilogy. Each of the three books could easily stand on their own, but I think reading them in order added depth to the story as a whole. I thought it was interesting to read the same story (generally) from two perspectives. As much as Guillaume and Ellen loved each other - they honestly had relatively minimal shared history. So even though their story is a "love story" in and of itself, I am really happy that they each loved and married someone else that loved them back. I really admired Guillaume for staying faithful to Isabelle, because I am guessing that knighthood and faithfulness to a spouse didn't really go hand-in-hand back then, especially since it took him a really long time to understand how much he loved Isabelle!

It was interesting to have insight into Guillaume's thoughts and feelings - especially when it clarified how different his actual thoughts/feelings were vs. what Ellen was thinking they were! Ellen completely misread his feelings about their son, which I was relieved about. Every book had a character I hated, although they were different characters in each book. So, even though the same characters were in each book, I found myself only hating the character that was despicable to the main character of the particular book. Do you get that? I guess we all go through life being affected differently by the people around us - even all the people we have in common.

I would not have wanted to live in this time! I also wouldn't have wanted to be a part of the royal family or serve the royal family. They are quick to judge and quick to kill off the people in their way! Guillaume definitely walked a fine line with almost every king he served during his lifetime. Too stressful.  They all seemed so arrogant, paranoid and self-indulgent. It's great that Guillaume could remain a man of honor despite serving so many kings.

So, we learned about being a sword smith, a falconer and a knight. Very useful in current day. Ha, Ha!! Seriously, I thought these books were well researched and well written. I enjoyed each and every story very much!

Wendy's Rating: *****

A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

I honestly thought I would like this book more than I did. Four major things bothered me about it. First of all, the writing style. For the first third of the book especially, it really distracted and annoyed me. It just read so "flighty" and uninvested. The more I read though, the more I got interested in each character's personal stories - the ones that were actually told. That's not to say that I liked the personal stories though! What an odd family.

Secondly, Abby. I did NOT predict her storyline to end the way it did. What an odd plot twist. Everything came across as just so unemotional. Abby wanted goodbyes. She wanted the chance to say her goodbyes. She wanted for her and Red to die at the same time - like on a plane that was going down so that they would have a chance to trade last words. For someone who loved her husband, dogs, children so much - for someone who adopted a child who needed a home - for someone who brought other needy people into her home - her demise did not do her justice.

Thirdly, Denny drove me crazy. I tried really hard to understand him and accept him as the black sheep of the family. He really just came across as self-centered. He seemed to have an ulterior motive for everything, so he could not be trusted. I was impressed that he cooked, cleaned and sewed though, so there is that. We know next to nothing about him - even at the end when he apparently gets back together with Allie. Who the heck is Allie? Did I miss something?? And then, the real kicker is when the young boy sitting next to Denny on the bus is sobbing (at the end), and after acknowleding to himself that the boy might be asking for help, he pretends not to notice. Ugh. Double ugh.

Finally, Junior and Linnie Mae. Good grief. What kind of marriage is that?? Junior didn't even like Linnie Mae, much less love her. What a pitiful life for both of them. Reading their story honestly just disturbed me.

So, the spool of blue thread. I guess this is in reference to the blue thread that Denny uses to repair the dashiki that Red wore to his wedding to Abby - and her funeral. They were married for 48 years, so their marriage was significant - and their love for each other was real. So was this the "thread" that held this family together? Not sure if this title represents anything more than Red's love for Abby. I am open to hear thoughts on this though! 

Wendy's Rating: ***

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

This book is Paul Kalanithi's memoir.  It's a tragedy that someone so brilliant, a neurosurgeon who had an avid interest in neuroscience and also wanted to be writer, could die from cancer at such a young age. I keep thinking about all of the lives he could have saved had he lived and how much research on the brain he could have accomplished. Who knows what discoveries he could have made. Yet, when someone asked him if he ever thought "why me?", his response was "why not me?". 

Specialists, like neurosurgeons, can often be arrogant - and some definitely have minimal "bedside manner" skills. Paul wrote about some of his early arrogance and lack of emotional investment when dealing with patients and their families. What I loved about Paul is how early in his career he understood the importance of taking time with patients and their families to explain the choices and the potential consequences of each choice as they made their decisions about the viability of  brain surgery. Sometimes the negative consequences definitely outweigh the possible positive results, especially depending on what part of the brain is being operated on. He was also able to converge science with faith. He found the central values of Christianity, sacrifice, redemption and forgiveness, compelling. He believed the main message of Jesus is that mercy trumps justice every time. Reading about how he, a man of science, could also return to his faith during his residency certainly made me respect him as a man and a doctor all the more.

Another comment he made really impacted me. He was asked if it would be more painful to die knowing that he would be leaving a child behind, along with his wife, rather than just his wife. Paul's response was that he hoped so. His focus always seemed to be on the positive. Having a child would be so wonderful that it didn't matter to him that it would be more difficult to leave a child behind - a child so young that she will never know her father.

Another thing that was astounding to me is how he went back to surgery when he was in so much pain. He just persevered as long as he possibly could. I would guess the majority of people would not return to work at all, or check things off their "bucket list", but Paul decides to go back to work and finish up his residency. 

I really liked this book - and although Paul didn't get to finish it, I think the book feels complete. It's nice that his wife wrote the epilogue. Their daughter, Cady, should be very proud of her father and all he brought to others during his too-short time on earth.

Wendy's Rating: *****