The Ladies Auxiliary, Tova Mirvis: 4 Stars

So, I loved the writing style of this book. It really was quite refreshing, and the story itself was interesting. I grew slightly tired of the food descriptions, but I also understand that much of the Orthodox Jewish religion deals with restrictions on foods and appropriate eating. Many of the insights into this community were very beautifully described and made me feel a bond with this community in how their religion helps to define them. It gave me a renewed feeling of calm and peace about my own beliefs in that we're all just trying to be better people in our own way.

Sometimes my views about things make me feel like I might not be living my religion in the "right" way, but it's all I know how to do or be. I like the invigorated rejuvenation that the book brings to light and think it's nice to have this type of injection into our system every couple of years. I like how religion isn't portrayed as stale and constrictive, and I am constantly amazed at how, living in such a free land, we can sometimes be made to feel silly for the things that help shape who we are.

The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories, Agatha Christie: 4 Stars

As charming as ever, Ms Christie gives us some quick refreshing stories that really make us reevaluate how astute we might really be. I love her quick twists and her seemingly dodgy way of providing details. All the short stories in this book contain interesting outlooks on people and motives. I'm always surprised by what motivates people. I am so naive sometimes still, and I love being that way :)

Hang In There (i.e. The Upcoming Reading List)

OK ... I know I haven't been reading stellar literature lately (or even great paperbacks) so just to show you I sometimes read good things, I thought I'd give you a quick taste for some of the upcoming books:

The Path to Power -- Margaret Thatcher
The Blind Assassin -- Margaret Atwood
The Writer's Diary -- Virginia Woolf
An Interview with a Vampire -- Anne Rice
Walden and other Writings -- Thoreau
Honeymoon with My Brother -- Franz Someone I Just Heard About
How the World Makes Love -- Franz Again
House Thinking ....

I'm hoping this gets you back in the mode to check it out every once in awhile.

Cheerio!
tt

Murder on the Gravy Train, Phyllis Richman: 1 Star

I know, I know. I suffered through another one of her dull books. You knew the outcome from page 12 if not before. Same as before - enough about food that my appetite was sufficiently killed for the next week, and I have in no way been tempted by any of the descriptions within the pages. I already had it checked out of the library, and I feel bad for bringing back books that I never read because I wasted my time and possibly someone else's by even checking it out in the first place. I boared my way through it, but it was not pleasurable. Sometimes, reading can be so demanding on me. *Sigh* Please don't bother suffering through book 2.

I heard there was a book 3 ... not even going there.

The Butler Did It, Phyllis Richman: 1 Star

Good grief. Maybe it takes a special person to suffer through loads and loads of descriptions of food, and I just might not be that person, but I probably should have skipped through half the book instead of suffering though (and I'm a fast reader). You get bogged down in tedious self-indulging chapters where nothing is progressing except food induced comas (and i wasn't even eating at the time). I was just so bored by the effort spent on some of the restaurant "knowitall" non-advice that I almost couldn't finish the book.

Snore.

Since You're Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash, Dixie Cash: 1 Star

Cute book. I actually laughed out loud at one part, but this is no Stephanie Plum. Mystery, Romance, and Hair Styling. This seems to be the backbone of almost every chick lit book I've read this summer. Seriously! Is that all we seem to like? Where's the grit, truth, and reality -- it's hard shizput being a girl, not this fruify stuff they seem to make it. I'm sure we all seem like we're these strong, tough women. It's the false image most men seem to get stuck in their heads. I was a strong woman - a woman that shows weakness is out. Good Grief!! We all have weaknesses -- just love us for those and love us for our strengths.

____________End of Rant______________________

Key Trilogy, Nora Roberts: 2 Stars

This is a trilogy that I would have loved to get into -- Three "chosen" humans on a quest to find the three keys and release the god-king's daughters from a prison. Nice thought, but even after three books, I have to say that the characters weren't well developed, the dialogue was not engaging, and the storyline was too blase. The premise itself would make a great movie, and if she would have put more stock into it, she might have made a decent fantasy series out of it all.

Book 1: Key of Light
Book 2: Key of Knowledge
Book 3: Key of Valor.

First off, for dedicating a book to each of the leading ladies, only the middle character (Dana) kept her flow throughout the series. Malory (from Book One)just got cheesier and cheesier and lost a lot of her identity as the books went on. She had to give up the idea of being a painter at the end of the book in order to receive her key, and by so doing seemed to give up her personality and herself.

Zoe (Book Three) started off as a witty, charismatic woman who lost all of that with the exception of one or two lines from her own novel. She seemed like a completely different person from Books 1 & 2 than she did in Book 3.

If you like your stories neat and tidy and hopelessly happy, these three books are great for you (although honestly, the dialogue needs help -- big time!!). Now, time for some M&Ms.