Title: Boozehound: On the Trail of the Rare, the Obscure, and the Overrated in Spirits
Author: Jason Wilson
ISBN: 9781580082884
Pages: 240
Release Date: September 21, 2010
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Genre: Non-Fiction, Essays
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

In this search for the rare and obscure in liquor, Jason Wilson tries to raise awareness about spirits.  He travels near and far, commenting on the spirit culture (or lack thereof) in America.

Review:

Jason Wilson’s book has just one goal: to raise the awareness of liquors and spirits in the United States.  In a culture that seems to worship at the altar of the Cosmopolitan and Appletini, Wilson’s message is simple: there is something better out there.  As an avid fan of craft beer, I don’t usually have much time or an inclination to drink too many cocktails, but I’m always interested in reading about culture, so I thought this book might be interesting.

Boozehound is many things in one: a travelogue, a lesson, a social commentary, and a a feast for the senses.  Wilson writes in an engaging manner as he travels around the world seeking out rare spirits.  Along the way, he tells the reader the history and evolution of the particular liquor.  It’s a great structure, and serves to keep the reader entertained while also teaching them something.  At the end of each chapter, the book also has drink recipes.  They certainly look interesting, and I enjoyed browsing through them, but I highly doubt I will ever make any of them.  The ingredients are often obscure, and I don’t fancy spending that much money on making a cocktail.

Wilson doesn’t hide his disdain for certain fads in the liquor market.  The one he focuses on the most in Boozehound is that of flavored vodkas.  I found myself chuckling out loud as he railed on against this phenomenon.  He makes some very good points about their ridiculousness (and about vodka in general).  It’s clear Wilson seeks out genuine spirits with a history behind them, so it’s very interesting to see what he chooses and why.

Though I’m not a big cocktail drinker (and won’t be one, even after reading this book), I did enjoy Boozehound.  It’s always interesting to read about the nuances of a different culture, and I enjoyed Wilson’s enthusiasm for spirits.  If you have a liquor lover in your life, this book would make an excellent gift.

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The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar deals with many timely topics, some of which I haven’t covered in our discussions so far.  This is a catch-all post to discuss those issues, as well as whatever might be lingering on your mind about the book.  Feel free to answer any, or all, of the questions in the comments, or share your own thoughts on things we haven’t talked about.

1. Kavita is a lesbian, but has hidden her sexual identity from those closest to her because her country’s views on homosexuality are harsh.  Why does Kavita believe her personal struggle is less important than the socialist causes she used to protest for?
2. Iqbal is perhaps the most complicated character in the book.  It’s true he’s been through horrors, but do they justify what he’s done to the women in his life?  What were your feelings on him?
3. “In the end, what matters is what remains.”  This is a lingering theme in the book - what does it mean to you?
4. Why did Thrity Umrigar choose to end the book where she did - on the flight to see Armaiti, rather than her death?  Did Umrigar want to keep their friendship alive for the reader, through the end of the book and beyond?

Please feel free to answer any or all of these questions in your comments, as well as expound on your thoughts about the book as a whole.  If you’re new to this readalong and would like more information or to see the rest of the discussion posts, please visit my landing page for The World We Found discussion.

Thanks for participating, and I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves!

Title: If Jack’s In Love
Author: Stephen Wetta
ISBN: 9780399157523
Pages: 368
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Publisher: Putnam/Amy Einhorn Books
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

The year is 1967 and Jack Witcher is twelve years old.  His family is the one in the neighborhood that everyone gossips about and avoids.  His father is an alcoholic who can’t seem to hold a job, while Jack’s brother, Stan, is a bully with no conscience.  Jack is in love with Myra, but she won’t acknowledge him, and it doesn’t help that Stan goes after Myra’s brother at every turn.  Jack makes friends with Mr. Gladstein, the Jewish man that owns the jewelry shop, and they work together to win Myra’s heart for Jack.

Review:s

If Jack’s in Love is a portrait of small town American in 1967.  Jack enjoys freedoms that most children today only dream of - he spends time on his own, unsupervised, away from home.  He plays in the woods behind his house, dreaming about the girl he loves.  It seems like such a simple, idealistic existence, that is, until the reader considers Jack’s family.  Jack’s father and brother are very alike.  They are terrifying, and Jack lives in fear of upsetting or disappointing them.  They throw a wrench into Jack’s desires and underline his fears.

Wetta captures Jack beautifully in If Jack’s in Love.  His angst, his confusion at being on the cusp of manhood - he is a pre-teen portrayed incredibly realistically.  He is genuine, and his words come from the heart.  Readers will fall in love with Jack, and hope that he will find some happiness; their hearts will ache for him as he endures taunts at the hands of his father and brother.  Jack yearns for a different life, one in which he and Myra can be openly in love; it seems like such a simple thing, yet for Jack, it is immensely complicated.

This is a novel that really defies traditional genres.  It’s about a twelve-year-old, yet in no way is this a middle grade novel, aimed at younger readers.  Though Jack is still a child, the depth and character in his voice will appeal to adults.  If Jack’s in Love has been billed as a murder mystery, but even that doesn’t really truly characterize this complicated novel.  That does play into the book, yes, but it’s not in any way what the book is about.  At its core, this book is about Jack’s coming of age, his realizations about what adulthood really means.

This was a charming and funny novel that captures small town life perfectly.  Every neighborhood had a family like the Witchers, and everyone will see something of themselves in Jack.  It’s a novel with broad appeal and is thoroughly enjoyable.  I look forward to seeing what Stephen Wetta does next.

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Title: Affairs of Steak
Author: Julie Hyzy
ISBN: 9780425245835
Pages: 304
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: Publicist
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

White House Chef Ollie Paras is back, and this time, her life is in danger.  After discovering the body of the First Lady’s Chief of Staff, Ollie finds herself once again in the middle of a murder investigation.  To make things worse, Peter Sargeant, the White House Sensitivity Director with whom Ollie does not see eye to eye, was with her when she discovered the body, and now they must work together to figure out who wants them dead and why.

Review:

In the fifth installment of the White House Chef mysteries (after Buffalo West Wing), Ollie Paras is back and dealing with a whole new set of challenges.  The new murder has thrown Ollie for a loop, and while she does do her best to stay out of it, she can’t help but exercise her natural curiosity and ask questions of those around her.  The involvement of Sargeant makes the matter even more complicated.  He’s done nothing but make Ollie’s life at the White House miserable, yet she goes out of her way to help him more than once.  It shows her integrity, and I’m really looking forward to seeing if a friendship might develop between these two in future installments.

Ollie is a great character, as ever, and Hyzy manages to develop her even more in Affairs of Steak.  This is quite a feat, considering this is the fifth book in the series.  Her love life begins to move in a new (though not unexpected) direction.  The reader is allowed more into Ollie’s personal life, as the bulk of the novel takes place outside Ollie’s White House kitchen.  This may disappoint some readers, as it doesn’t involve nearly as much food as previous books in the series, but I found this change refreshing.  It’s important to keep series novels fresh and differentiate them from one another, and Julie Hyzy does that very well in her White House Chef series.

A gripping plot, a wonderful main character, and a glorious setting - what more could a reader want from a novel?  This entire series is a delight, and if you haven’t given it a chance, I highly recommend you pick up the first book, State of the Onion.  If you’re a fan of the series, don’t hesitate to pick up Affairs of Steak; you’ll be thrilled to find it holds its own against the rest of the books in the series.

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Waterfall at Milford Sound, New Zealand

Welcome to the readalong and book club discussion of The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar.  Today we are discussing the themes of money and its relationship to power and respect, as presented in the novel as a whole. 

In The World We Found, the theme of money and its relationship to power and respect seems omnipresent.  While Laleh and Adish are wealthy, Iqbal and Nishta are poor.  Iqbal firmly believes that money buys respect, and he is treated badly because he has little.

1. Sometimes Iqbal believes he is treated badly because he’s Muslim; at other times, he blames his lack of money.  Is he right on either of these accounts, or both?
2. Armaiti tells Laleh that she’s leaving India because she’s tired of feeling guilty when she spends money.  Adish thinks Laleh is ashamed by her wealthy lifestyle.  Why is this the case?
3. Money didn’t matter when this group was in college, yet now it is so important.  Why does Iqbal say “he had been deluded by all the bullshit talk of comradeship and equality”?  Is that true, or was it something more?
4. Iqbal insults Armaiti for having married a rich American, saying that he won’t mourn her passing.  Why does Armaiti’s cancer matter less to Iqbal than Umar, who is a post office worker and has lung cancer?  Why does he disdain those who have money, yet seem jealous of Adish’s good fortunes?
5. Iqbal thinks money solves all problems, and in the end, it looks as though he’s right.  The policemen listen to Adish because he has money and the power to do something for them and Iqbal doesn’t.  What does it cost Adish to take advantage of this, and what does it do to Iqbal? In the end, Adish thinks he can make amends by offering Iqbal a job.  What does this say about Adish?  Was Iqbal right all along?

Please feel free to answer any or all of these questions in your comments, as well as expound on your thoughts about money in the book.  If you’re new to this readalong and would like more information or to see the rest of the discussion posts, please visit my landing page for The World We Found discussion.  Please be sure to check back on Thursday, when we’ll wrap up our discussion.

Title: Sarah’s Key
Author: Tatiana de Rosnay
ISBN: 9780312370848
Pages: 320
Release Date: September 30, 2009 
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: SheKnows Book Club
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Julia Jarmond is an American journalist living in Paris with her husband and daughter.  When she is given an assignment to write about the 60th anniversary of the French roundup of the Jews, she is shocked that she’s never heard of this event.  As she investigates the atrocities committed by the French police, she discovers a personal connection (through her husband’s family) to one of the Jewish children.  Despite her in-laws’ protestations, Julia becomes to determined to understand what happened to this little girl, Sarah.

Review:

Sarah’s Key is a novel that most people are familiar with.  It caused a sensation when it was published, and even has been turned into a movie.  Despite many glowing reviews, I never had the urge to pick it up for some reason.  Perhaps it was a fear of what high expectations have done to so many books I have read, but I avoided the novel.  But eventually I decided that I needed to read this book that so many people were raving about, and after finishing it, I understand their sentiments.

Julia is an appealing woman.  She’s a wife and mother, devoted to her daughter, but not able to understand the rift that exists with her husband.  In some ways, her devotion to her work is her way of avoiding the problems that she doesn’t want to face in her marriage.  However, as Julia begins to dig deeper into this tragic period in history, a subject that the French try to avoid, she is singularly driven to understand. 

Guilt plays a large role in Sarah’s Key.  It’s part of what motivates Julia, her personal guilt and shame that she had no idea this horrible crime against humanity had occurred.  Everyone is aware of the Nazi treatment of the Jews, but to know that her beloved France was complicit, had done their own roundup, murdering women and children - it’s a difficult thing to swallow, and even moreso to not have been aware of it before her assignment.  De Rosnay handles this question well, as Julia’s shame will likely mirror that of the reader, as they explore this difficult topic.

The story of Sarah’s Key is told in two different narratives, the voice of Julia and that of Sarah.  De Rosnay writes Sarah convincingly, portraying a child who is forced to grow up in a matter of weeks.  The transformation in Sarah’s voice, from an innocent child to a hard-edged adult-before-her-time is heartbreaking.  What this little girl is forced to endure is difficult, and De Rosnay writes it very well.  Sarah’s voice works well alternating with Julia’s, though it becomes Julia’s job to tell Sarah’s story towards the end of the book.  While Julia’s questions about her marriage and search for an identity are interesting, her narrative pales in comparison to the gravity of Sarah’s story.

Sarah’s Key is an excellent novel with many thought provoking questions.  Despite the difficult subject matter, it is easy to read.  Readers will get lost in the story as they race to discover what happened to Sarah.  It’s a well thought out and beautifully told story, and I’m glad I finally gave it a chance.

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Title: A Red Herring Without Mustard
Author: Alan Bradley
ISBN: 9780385342322
Pages: 416
Release Date: February 8, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genre: Mystery
Source: Curled Up with a Good Book
Rating:4  out of 5

Summary:

In this third installment of the Flavia de Luce series, the eleven-year-old chemist-turned-amateur sleuth is back again in all her glory.  This time, Flavia has her fortune told by a Gypsy woman, then invites the woman to park her caravan near Buckshaw, the crumbling de Luce family home.  When Flavia returns to check on the gypsy, she finds her attacked and unconscious, almost dead, which starts Flavia on another quest to solve a mystery.

Review:

Flavia de Luce is a heroine who engenders strong opinions.  Those who enjoy these books absolutely adore the resolute and crafty eleven-year-old.  They appreciate her ingenuity and utter lack of fear in delving into the deepest and darkest mysteries.  But those that don’t find her charming really can’t stand her.  They find her overly precocious and unbelievable, and don’t find Bradley’s books appealing.  I am in the former camp.  I love Flavia and look forward to her adventures, and therefore was excited to read A Red Herring Without Mustard.

In this novel, Flavia is as meddlesome as ever.  She’s witty and irrepressible, vowing to get to the bottom of the mystery and finding herself embroiled in the middle of it every step of the way.  Her relationship with her sisters continues to be adversarial, and it would be nice in future books if Flavia worked towards détente.  They can only torture one another for so long before that begins to grate, and happily, Flavia seems to have taken the first steps towards that in A Red Herring Without Mustard.  Flavia is a delight to read about, and, as always, the secondary cast of characters is well developed and happily eccentric.

The plot of A Red Herring Without Mustard ties in many different threads from smaller storylines through the novel.  The central mystery is the attack on the gypsy woman, but this leads Flavia places she never would have imagined.  From exploring the death of an infant years before to discovering the inner workings of a cult and finding out whether it has a presence in her town of Bishop’s Lacey, Bradley keeps Flavia extremely busy in this novel.  The storyline of Flavia’s father’s increasing desperation in order to keep his family in their home, while subtle, is exceptionally well done.  All in all, the novel keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end with its intricate plot.

These are not novels you necessarily need to read in order.  All have the same basic premise and there are no spoilers or overarching mysteries from one book to another.  It would be quite easy to start with A Red Herring Without Mustard, though this has a more complex plot than the previous two novels.  If you haven’t given Flavia a try yet, pick up one of these books at your earliest convenience.  You’ll discover your opinion on her quickly, and I hope you find yourself as charmed by Flavia de Luce as I am.

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Good morning everyone! Today, I am continuing a weekend of relaxation.  For the past month and a half, things have been slightly insane.  I’ve been in constant catch-up mode, continuously falling behind because of the holidays, travel, and other craziness.  I’m really glad to have a quiet few weeks up ahead, as I need some time to read and de-stress.  Reading is how I decompress, so when I don’t have time to do it, I have trouble relaxing!

For those of you who have been overwhelmed by the number of posts on my blog for the last two weeks, I have to apologize.  If you haven’t been overwhelmed, I’m impressed because I certainly have been!  There’s been a lot going on, and while I love it, this will be the last week of the Thrity Umrigar discussion, so please hang in there if you’re displeased.

I have a new writing gig at the SheKnows Book Lounge, where I have a few weekly and monthly columns, so I will be linking to those every Sunday.  For the SheKnows Red Hot Book of the Week, I wrote about MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche.  For some must-reads, I picked Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, and Miracle Beach by Erin Celello.  I will also be participating in the SheKnows Book Club - this month’s read is Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.

As you’ve probably see, it was pretty busy here on the blog this week.  We discussed Religion and Repression and Control from The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar.  I also had a new New Zealand picture up for Wordless Wednesday.  Last week, I posted my Top Books of 2011 (Non-Fiction) list. I do intend to do the fiction list eventually, I just haven’t gotten there quite yet!

Reviews posted this week:

Title: Invictus: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation
Author: John Carlin
ISBN: 9780143117155
Pages: 288
Release Date: November 18, 2009
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Non-Fiction, History
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Nelson Mandela is a living legend, the man who is credited with shepherding South Africa through its difficult transition from apartheid to democracy.  Many say that the only reason the country did not erupt into a bloody and devastating civil war is because of Mandela’s leadership.  In Invictus, John Carlin examines the turbulent period in South African history through the prism of rugby.

Review:

Invictus, starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, has quickly become one of my favorite movies, so when I found out it was based on a book, I was curious.  After all, it’s easy to tell that the movie’s story has been simplified in order to be understood, so I wanted to know what really happened during the 1995 World Cup.  Did Mandela actually play that big of a role?  I am also ashamedly not well versed in recent South African history, so I was curious about the larger politics surrounding the event.  Just how bad were race relations at the time?

John Carlin answered all my questions and more in his book Invictus: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation (originally published as Playing the Enemy).  What both surprised and delighted me about this book was that it was about so much more than the Rugby World Cup.  While that subject takes up the bulk of the movie, it doesn’t even come into play until the last fourth of Carlin’s book.  Instead, Carlin briefs the reader on Mandela’s life and helps the reader understand how he became such an integral player in South African politics.  The book begins with Mandela’s release from prison and shows how Mandela managed to work his way up to guiding and leading his country.

Carlin also puts a human face on Nelson Mandela.  Mandela is such an extraordinary person, capable of forgiveness and understanding beyond most bounds.  It’s the reason he was able to keep the peace, that he didn’t try to punish or exact revenge.  He demonstrated amazing compassion, as well as an exceptional shrewdness for the game of politics.  However, he is just a man, and Carlin makes sure the reader knows this.  Carlin doesn’t try to deify Mandela; he just shows what an amazing feat he accomplished.

I was amazed at how engaging Invictus was.  It’s fast paced and easy to read, unlike most history books.  Carlin has a great writing style and he keeps the tension and narrative suspense heightened through the story.  Even though you know what is eventually going to happen, Carlin makes sure you are hooked from beginning to end.  This is a great little primer on recent South African history; whether you know the country intimately or, like me, are sad to say you know little about it beyond Mandela and apartheid, this is a book I highly recommend.

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Title: Deeper Than the Dead
Author: Tami Hoag
ISBN: 9780525951308
Pages: 432
Release Date: December 29, 2009
Publisher: Dutton
Genre: Crime Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

It’s 1984 in California, and when four children come across the body of a woman in the woods, the community is shocked.  Their teacher, Anne Navarre, takes it upon herself to ensure that the children suffer no lasting damage from the encounter.  Vince Leone, an FBI agent with a trauma in his recent past, comes to town in order to help with the investigation.

Review:

Deeper Than the Dead is a grisly crime fiction novel with a twist - because it takes place in 1984, the authorities don’t have the vast technological resources of our contemporary crime labs.  DNA profiling? Fingerprint databases?  These weren’t available in 1984, and as a result, this is a completely different kind of investigation.  Vince Leone must rely on his instincts and the untested art of criminal profiling to catch this twisted killer.

Anne Navarre is a great character, especially because it is clear how much she cares for her students.  She knows that Dennis is a school bully, and that he is the reason the children came upon the body - he was chasing young Tommy and Wendy through the woods.  However, this does not stifle her compassion for Dennis.  She realizes that he likely has a difficult home life, and even after his actions turn to the despicable, she wants nothing more than to help him.  She refuses to give up, even when those around her tell her it’s too late for Dennis.

The mystery in Deeper Than the Dead is well-written and takes the reader on many twists and turns.  By the end of the book, it’s pretty clear who the murderer is, and though it takes the characters more time than the reader to figure that out, it never becomes frustrating.  The descriptions are definitely a bit gruesome, so if you shy away from that in your reading, I’d pass on this book, or at least plan on skimming those sections.

This is a great start to a new series.  The well developed character and unique time period set it apart from similar offerings.  If you’re looking for an easy and engaging read after a long day at work, this is a perfect novel to pick up.

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