Shalee’s Diner

Apr 10th, 2007 by Shalee

In case you hadn’t heard about the Spring Reading Thing 2007 challenge, I highly suggest you get your cursor on over to Katrina’s at Callipidder Days to find out more about it. You’ll find over 200 bloggers who have committed to reading something this spring. Your list can be as few as one or as many as you deem doable for you. The point is to get reading!

You don’t have to review your books, but I like to do it because I know there are other readers who value my most astute and scholarly opinions about books. Okay, so we know that’s not the case… Let’s just say that it gives me a reason to post and leave it at that, shall we?

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards was an intriguing tale of one man’s desire to withhold pain from his family and one woman’s charge to right a wrong.

In 1964, Dr. David Henry, upon delivering his twins – one healthy son and one Down’s syndrome daughter, sent his daughter away to an institution, thinking that she hadn’t a chance to live. Recalling first hand the grief and pain endured by his parents who lost a child, he solely thought of the welfare of his wife and the avoidance of loving a child only to lose her in a couple of years. When his wife awoke from delivery, David told his wife that they had twins, but the daughter did not survive.

The nurse assisting with the late night delivery and in charge of taking the girl to the mental ward decided that she could not, in good conscience, leave the girl in such a dreary and mal-conditioned place. She determined to bring the girl up as her own, so she left everything behind and started over in a new city with a new daughter that no one else wanted, save her.

The story continued over the decades, showing how that one instant decision made on a wintery night affected the lives of so many involved. Grief for a daughter never known, questions for a sister who died on the day he was born, a weary heart over a unchangable decision, and love and hardship to raise a girl against the prejudices of society are viewed throughout the novel. Every life and relationship was altered one way or the other on that fateful night.

The debut novel was explosive and emotional, weaving the reader through waves of anger, frustration, laughter, tears and hope. The author had a good grasp on leading the reader from one situation to the next without allowing them to wallow too long in them. Edwards was able to make the readers feel for the characters and still have hope for them. I would definitely recommend this book, and I’ll be looking forward to the next showing from her.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is another debut novel, this one being a novel of gothic suspence and mystery. What would you do it you were a reclusive, unknown daughter of an antiquarian bookseller who just received an invitation from the most famous writer in the world, asking you to write her autobiography – a past that she had purposely obscured and riddled with falsehoods to keep every other reporter in a quandry?

So began the story of Margaret Lea and her quest to find the truth from the master of storytelling, Vida Winter.

I want not to give away anything from this spell-binding book; therefore, I shall just tell you to get this book and read it. Seriously, it was a page-turning, a thought-stealing magical journey through the past of Miss Winter and her tumultuously odd family. And even I, sleuth and twist-guesser extraorindaire did not discover or imagine the ending. I do not think you shall be dissatisfied at all when you are at the book’s end.

Lastly, there is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. What shall I say about this book… Let me just put it this way: Do not read this book unless you are married and have your husband around to satisfy your *ahem* needs… several times over. Good night nurse! Why didn’t anybody warn me about this book!!! Well, it got my blood running, so it had to be good for me somehow… it was quite aerobic in that sense. The story (yes, there actually was one!) was entertaining and lively and filled with wit and humor, but really, it was just something to have between the sex scenes. But I’ll give Gabaldon one thing about her novel: all the bedding is between one husband and one wife – who are married to each other. It wasn’t with several characters and adulterous left and right. That was a surprise… I mean other than all the sex itself.

(Now you watch, there’s going to be a run on that Outlander book starting today…)

That’s it for the reading so far. I’m in the middle of The Boleyn Inheritance, Dune, Eldest, and my selected Bible reading (and a couple of other books not on the list… come on! I had to read them! They forced me at gunpoint…) So I should be able to have another recap for you shortly.

Until then, go vote and then riddle me this: what are you reading that you think I should check out too?

Posted in Books

21 Responses to “Spring Reading Thing 2007”

on 10 Apr 2007 at 4:33 pm1Nise'

Great Reviews! Is that why I love Outlander (the entire series) so well all that s*e*x*? I haven’t read it in a couple of years, maybe I should get that one out! LOL. I am so excited because The Memory Keepers Daugher and The Thriteenth Tale are on my TBR list after the Spring Reading Thing is completed. I am in the middle of reading Jane Eyre and just picked up The Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice. The best book I have read of the six I have fnished so far for the challange has been Marley and Me.
on 10 Apr 2007 at 4:34 pm2Nise'

Sorry that my spelling was so atrocious. I type faster than I can think!
on 10 Apr 2007 at 4:37 pm3Jeana

Oh you crack me up! And I bet I know which books your hubby will be getting you come your birthday…

Someone–and by someone I mean Chilihead–said that Memory Keeper’s Daughter was okay but the same concept as Jewel and Jewel was much better. Would you agree?
on 10 Apr 2007 at 4:40 pm4Joyful Days

Shalee, Shalee, Shalee…I do value your most astute and scholarly opinions about books. So now…I have two more books that I want to add to my already bulging list. Sigh.

And Outlander…well that was my next read and you are telling me I have to wait until I get home from this weekend’s trip–’coz that certainly doesn’t sound like a book I can take to Momma’s house. Whew. And my hubby ain’t coming with me.

Want to hear what you think of Dune because I am a Herbert freak. I read the series every other year. Really a freak.

In the middle of The Age of Innocence. I’ve done some other reviews and this one will probably be up right after I get home. If I can tear myself away from Outlander.
on 10 Apr 2007 at 4:47 pm5Shalee

Nise’: I’ll pick up Marly and Me sometime soon.

Jeana: I’ve not read Jewel yet, so I can’t answer that one.

Joyful: I loved Age of Innocent. Dune has been a bit of a trudge as of yet, but I’ll prevail! (I anticipated really liking it so we’ll see where I end up soon enough.) And DON’T read Outlander until you’re home! Momma may have said there would be days as such, but it’s better when you can have a man to handle it with you…
on 10 Apr 2007 at 5:34 pm6Deena

Oh. My. Word.
More books to read…and no, I’m not reading Outlander (I have to stay away from books like that—way too visual!) Shalee, I could recommend some titles to you, but I don’t think comments are allowed to be THAT long LOL!! Check out The Bookshelf for my recommended reads…’nuff said!
on 10 Apr 2007 at 6:35 pm7PEZmama

Riddle you nothing. I am currently reading “White Swans” by Jung Chang. It’s a memoir that the back cover describes thusly: “the story of three generations in twentieth-century China, it is an engrossing record of Mao’s impact on China, an unusual window on the female experience in the modern world, and an inspiring tale of courage and love.” So far, I say “it’s good.”

I don’t usually read two books at the same time, but the one I have on deck is “The Divine Conspiracy” by Dallas Willard who “wants a fresh hearing for Jesus, offering a revolutionary way for Christians to experience God vividly today.” I can’t wait to read it.

After that, I have no idea what I will read. But, given that these are both 400+ pages, I won’t be needing anything for a while… you could probably read them twice before I got one finished! (Post a review if you do, okay?)
on 10 Apr 2007 at 6:44 pm8Barb

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter was one of the best books I read this past winter. And boy, Outlander sure sounds interesting. Ahem indeed.
on 10 Apr 2007 at 6:49 pm9Katrina

Glad you loved The Thirteenth Tale. I did too — couldn’t put it down. And I appreciate your thoughts on Memory Keeper’s Daughter. That’s one of those that I’ve been curious about but just haven’t picked up yet.
on 10 Apr 2007 at 7:27 pm10Kelli in the Mirror

You know there are five books in the Outlander series, right? And they’re all that good. I think what I liked about them is that it is always between Claire and Jamie and they’re married and so in love with each other. I often skip sex scenes in typical novels because they’re predictable, stupid, or have no emotion behind them. These books aren’t like that.
on 10 Apr 2007 at 7:37 pm114andcounting

I read the Memory Keeper’s Daughter and thought it was a good book, but that the ending was not satisfactory. Kind of a cop-out in my opinion, if I remember correctly.
I will get to the other two books later. My list keeps growing while my time to read keeps slipping away.
I’m reading a Johnny Cash biography that is okay, but not great.
on 10 Apr 2007 at 8:11 pm12Beck

*Orders Outlander.*
on 10 Apr 2007 at 9:24 pm13Barb

Hi Shalee, *smirk*

I’ve enjoyed our little email chat this afternoon. And I’m especially proud to tell you that no one, not even you, gets away with double-dog daring me to do something. So let me just say that when I read your review of Outlander, my glasses fogged up. Yes ma’am, even this middle-aged woman can overheat a little at the thought of a book like that but only because it’s all between a husband and wife, of course. Ahem.

I WILL be finding that book.

Wedding.

Wedding, wedding.

LOL
on 10 Apr 2007 at 10:10 pm14Stacey

I’m really not sure how you keep up with them all Shalee! I wish I could just get through one book right now. Maybe this summer after the baby gets here I’ll be able to make a little more time… who am I kidding?? I want to check those ones out though!
on 10 Apr 2007 at 10:28 pm15Denise

Thanks for the reviews, the books sound really good.
on 10 Apr 2007 at 10:42 pm16Susanne

I just finished Memory Keeper’s Daughter and will review it this week. Right now I’m finishing up Graced Based Parenting. I am so not as good with reading non-fiction as I am with reading fiction. But so far it’s been really good. My next book is a Christian suspense by Brandilynn Collins.

I have no idea how you juggle that many fiction books at one time. How do you keep the stories straight and connect with the characters. Yoy, I’d be sooo confused!
on 11 Apr 2007 at 1:32 am17Jenny in Ca

I enjoyed the 13th tale, I couldn’t put it down-and like you I couldn’t figure out what was really going on, which I loved…I hate it when I figure out a book too soon.
on 11 Apr 2007 at 3:26 pm18Karen

I just added Memory Keeper’s Daughter to my list of books I want to read. The Thirteenth Tale was an interesting read. I liked it, but didn’t love it.
on 11 Apr 2007 at 9:16 pm19Karen

Enjoyed your book reviews! “Memory Keepers Daughter” was one of my favorite recent reads, too. I’ve had “Outlander” on my shelf for months — hmmm, I’ll just have to pull that one out and give it a try. One of my favorite authors is Sandra Dallas. Her books are all very different from one another — I especially enjoyed “The Diary of Maddie Spencer” and “The Chile Queen.”

Happy reading!
on 17 Apr 2007 at 8:47 pm20Becky

I came over from the Spring Reading Challenge, Shalee. What can I suggest for your reading enjoyment? Tough question because I haven’t read the books on your list which makes me suspect we might like different kinds of books. My fav is Christian fantasy. In that vein, I’d recommend any of Karen Hancock’s books and newly released Legend of the Firefish by George Bryan Polivka.

Rebecca LuElla Miller
on 18 Apr 2007 at 3:10 am21Melzie

oh I love me some Outlander I named my poodle Fraser! But I got rid of him. I’ve read and reread them several times. Since you like lengthy tomes I recommend The Clan of the Cave Bear series by Jean Auel. The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue is a total shocker at how good I found it The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio by Terry Ryan, a must read. xoxo melzie

Spring Reading Thing 2007

21 Responses to “Spring Reading Thing 2007”

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