The Elm at the Edge of the Earth by Robert D. Hale

It has been a few years since I read this book so I actually had to read a synopsis to remember the details. But what I do remember is what a great story it is and how often, even years later, scenes from it will pop into my head and make me wonder.
David is a young boy who is sent to a country institution while his mother is seriously ill. There he makes friends with the inmates, each a little stranger than the last. But his best friend is Rose, a woman convicted of killing her husband with a butcher knife. Throughout his stay David and the reader, learn from his friends about the intricacies of life through humor and heartbreak.
You may have some trouble finding the book, because it's no longer in print and a lot of libraries don't have it (Amazon does have some copies for sale). However, it is worth whatever searching you have to do.

How Green Was My Valley

Set in a Welsch coal mining village, this book is a poetic and nostalgic coming-of-age story. I loved the beautiful language of the book, although it took me a little while to get used to the unusual dialogue. I loved the protagonist, Huw Morgan, who has a very unique and strong voice. He describes his large family, the valley they live in, the community and society they share, so vividly and with such integrity, you feel as if you are seated around the hearth and walking the hills with him. At times it was painful to read of the difficult life the coal miners lived, but I loved to read of the strong community ties, respect for family and God, and just the basic integrity and decency of the characters.

Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginnining, by Lemony Snicket and read by Tim Curry

This is a two-for-one recommendation. One for the book, one for the audiobook recording. Last year my family became a little addicted to audio books after we listened to all of the Harry Potter series read by the award-winning narrator, Jim Dale (maybe this is a three-for-one recommendation as I highly recommend the narration performance in this series too). Ever since, we've had to have something to listen to when in the car driving around, and we've been through a handful of books now.

No matter how great the book, we've learned a lot about the importance of a good narrator. And so I have to get the word out there about Tim Curry and his reading for the Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I should say upfront that I think that I've had a crush on Tim Curry ever since I his performance opposite Carol Burnett and Bernadette Peters in Annie, and then I can't even tell you how many times I've seen the movie Clue, but all that bias aside, he's still a really fabulous narrator and our whole family has been enjoying his performance of this very clever series. In fact, we've been spellbound.


Caveat: for whatever reason, books #3, 4, & 5 are narrated by the author and not Tim Curry. As talented as the author was in forming these characters and putting their adventures together, not to mention, introducing all sorts of advanced vocabulary words in a really fun and disarming way, he is a pretty lousy narrator. Actually, my kids haven't complained about it very much because the story is still so fun--it's me who was so disappointed. Still, if you've got a long drive ahead, check your local library for the set.

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

This is a beautiful book for lots of reasons. First, the writing is tremendous and the stories and characters are rich and compelling. And second, the author's own story is also just as compelling and interesting.

The book is made of two short novellas both taking place in June 1940, the first about Parisians fleeing the city on the eve of the German invasion; the second in a small French town during the German occupation and is about the fraternization of the French townspeople and the German soldiers stationed there. The book was intended to be a suite, much like a symphony taking place with multiple acts, but with some variations on a theme with an ensemble of characters that are intertwined and overlapping throughout the different acts. The author intended the book to have five acts total, but was only able to complete these first two.

The author, who was born a Russian Jew and immigrated to Paris at 18yrs old, converted to Catholicism, but was repeatedly denied French citizenship. She was writing this while in hiding in France in 1940, but was turned over by the French and taken to Auschwitz where she died later that year. Her manuscript was saved by her 10 year old daughter thinking it was a journal. 50 years later it was published in France and became an instant best-seller.

Even considered "unfinished" as far as the overall work is concerned, I felt that the two novellas still felt complete as works on their own.

p.s. It makes a great Book Group book, not only because of the amount of information available for discussion, but also if you have a ward that reads only books with a PG rating.

Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

Whew, I will never ever ever ever ever ever eat fast food again, and if you love fast food and don't want to give it up don't read this book.  Okay, this book was totally fascinating.  It was kind of long and I thought it would take me a few weeks to plow through, but it read very easily and was very interesting.  It has loads of information in it.  One of the most interesting parts of the book was the history of fast food and Ray Kroc (McD's founder) and Walt Disney.  The book covers the history of the industries involved with fast food, the workers, the meatpackers, the processors, the ranchers, e coli, advertising to children, and much more.  It has some truly important things to say and will definitely raise the bar on your social awareness.  I really do recommend this book to anyone.  

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

This book is written for kids grades 5-8 but I thought it was hilarious. There was so much buzz about it at the last book fair that when I saw it at Costco - I decided to pick one up for my kids. When I had a couple of minutes I sat down to peruse the book. Before I knew it, I was loving the story and totally laughing out loud!

Greg Heffley is a middle school student trying to learn the ropes of fitting in, looking cool, and how to avoid as much schoolwork as possible. He keeps this "dairy" of his experiences that are so familiar and crazy at the same time. Having been through middle school made it even more recognizable and funny. I was wondering if my 4th grader would understand some of the humor but she is enjoying it so far. This is worth reading! It is such a quick and easy read (could easily be read in one evening) - and will give some good laughs. I guess there is a sequel already out that is supposed to be great and another one expected in the future. I also found a website for the book here.

Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris

I remembered this book yesterday when I heard the author interviewed on The Diane Rheam show on NPR.  This is a twisty, turny, crazy book.  It is about an old, well established boys school in England and how it is sabotaged.  It is dark at times and will surprise you several times.  The author also wrote Chocolat which I would love to read.  My sister hated the book, but I found it intriguing, so I guess it isn't for everyone.

The Unquiet Nisei by Diana Meyers Bahr

A Nisei is a second generation Japanese American and this book draws on a collection of oral histories of an incredible woman, Sue Kunitomi Embrey and her friends and family. In 1942 Sue, along with nearly 120,000 other people of japanese anscestry, was removed from the West Coast to what were called "relocation centers". Sue's experiances in this internment camp transform her into a life long activist speaking out against racism, prejudice, and moral injustice her entire life. Sue did all this in the face of great hostility from both Japanese Americans and mainstream communities. She worked tirelessly for more than three decades to make her particular internment camp a historic site as well as gain congressional acknowledgement and a presidential apology for those she suffered with as well as to remind us of what can happen in war time chaos so that it will not happen again.

This story is absolutely inspiring. Sue did what she felt was right and became an activist in a time when there were few voices for those who were considered less than, and in direct opposition to her upbringing and japanese culture.

Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy

"At age nine, Lucy Grealy was diagnosed with a potentially terminal cancer. When she returned to school with a third of her jaw removed, she faced the cruel taunts of classmates. In this strikingly candid memoir, Grealy tells her story of great suffering and remarkable strength without sentimentality and with considerable wit. Vividly portraying the pain of peer rejection and the guilty pleasure of wanting to be special, Grealy captures with unique insight what it is like as a child and young adult to be torn between two warring impulses: to feel that more than anything else we want to be loved for who we are, while wishing desperately and secretly to be perfect." (Amazon)

The book was originally published in 1994 but in 2003, author Ann Patchett who was Lucy Grealy's best friend added an afterward. She wrote that Grealy wanted to be recognized for the quality of her writing and not just for the emotional impact of her experience. I thought that the writing was excellent and the story was powerful.

I am currently reading, Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett which is sort of a companion novel to Autobiography of a Face. Patchett give many insights into her friendship with Grealy.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

I know this is a fairly widely read book, but I wanted to post about it anyway.  This is the true story of an amazing man, Greg Mortenson.  After an unsuccesful attempt at summiting k2 in Northern Pakistan, Greg wanders into the little village of Korphe, where the good people take him in.  He feels indebted to the village and when he sees that the girls have to sit outside for their school vows to return to the village to build a school.  So begins his life mission of forming family-like relationships with the tribes of Afgahanistan and Northern Pakistan, people who have little to no education and have been ignored by their governments, building schools, and fighting terrorism and ignorance in the only way possible: through education and friendship.  It is a great and inspiring story.  People that see a need and fulfill it and make a huge difference by following their gut really inspire me.  

The Lost by Daniel Mendlesohn

The Lost begins as the story of a boy , Daniel Mendlesohn,who grew up in a family haunted by the disappearance of six relatives during the Holocaust—a subject that captured his imagination from childhood. Decades later, motivated by the discovery of letters written to his grandfather in 1939 by this lost great-uncle, Daniel Mendelsohn sets out to find the remaining eyewitnesses to his relatives' fates. This journey eventually takes him to a dozen countries on four continents, and forces him to confront the discrepancies between the histories we live and the stories we tell. And it leads him back to the small Ukrainian town where his family's story began, and where the answer to the mystery is found.Moving between past and present, inter-weaving his world wide journey with childhood memories of a now-lost generation of immigrant Jews and ruminations on biblical texts and Jewish history Daniel Mendlesohn has written a masterpiece! At times suspenseful this deeply personal story is always poignant. I felt immediately inspired to do some genealogy and document some of my own families stories. This was really inspiring and beautiful.

The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther

This book is a portrait of betrayal and retribution set against a backdrop of Iran's tumultuous history, dramatic landscapes, and cultural beauty. The story begins on a blustery day in London, when Maryam Mazar's dark secrets and troubled past surface violently with tragic consequences for her pregnant daughter, Sara. Burdened by guilt, Maryam leaves her comfortable English home for the remote village in Iran where she was raised and disowned by her father. When Sara decides to follow her, she learns the price that her mother had to pay for her freedom and of the love she left behind.
The Saffron Kitchen is about the connection between mothers and daughters, roots and exile, our first love and the power of family bonds.Of course its also a political story, full of grief, turmoil and misunderstandings between continents.
This book is rich in emotion and written so well that these people become real. At times I wanted to shake them and ask what the heck they were doing! Good read.

Geisha, A Life by Mineko Iwasaki

Iwasaki was one of several geisha author Arthur Golden interviewed while researching his novel Memoirs of a Geisha. According to Iwasaki, she agreed to speak with Golden on the condition that her involvement would be kept confidential, but Golden revealed her identity by mentioning her name in the book's acknowledgments, as well as several national interviews. After Memoirs was published, Iwasaki received criticism and even death threats for violating the traditional geisha code of silence.Iwasaki felt betrayed by Golden's use of information she considered confidential, as well as the way he twisted reality, and denounced Memoirs of a Geisha as being an inaccurate depiction of the life of a geiko. Iwasaki was particularly offended by the novel's portrayal of geiko engaging in ritualized prostitution. For example, in the novel the main character Sayuri's virginity (called mizuage in the novel) is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Iwasaki stated that not only did this never happen to her, but that no such custom existed at all in Gion. Part of Iwasaki's displeasure with Memoirs may also have been because the character Sayuri seems obviously modeled on Iwasaki, with many of the book's main characters and events having parallels in Iwasaki's life. These people and experiences are often portrayed negatively in Memoirs, even when their real-life counterparts were positive for Iwasaki.
Iwasaki sued Golden for breach of contract and defamation of character in 2001. The lawsuit was settled out of court in February 2003.

After the publication of Memoirs of a Geisha, Iwasaki decided to write her real autobiography, contrasting with the fiction of Golden's book. Her book, co-authored by Rande Brown and published as Geisha, A Life in the US and Geisha of Gion in the UK, detailed her experiences before, during and after her time as a geiko to the outside world. It became a worldwide bestseller.

Mineko left home to begin studying traditional Japanese dance at the Iwasaki okiya (geisha house) in the Gion district of Kyoto when she was only five years old. She was legally adopted by the okiya's owner, Madame Oima, and took on the family name Iwasaki. She had been chosen as the house's atotori, or heir. When Madame Oima became too old to run the business any longer, it would be Mineko's job to take over. Mineko became a maiko (apprentice geiko) at age 15. By age 21 she had earned a reputation as Japan's best dancer and maiko.

I absolutely loved this book! When I was in Japan I picked up some of the feeling of respect and awe for these women and their lifestyle and was so excited to find a book which acurately depicts it. Another strong woman who yet remains obedient in the confines of her culture.

The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan

For three and a half centuries, the Taj Mahal has haunted our imaginations. It is a tomb built by a grieving king of the Mughal Empire (1526-1858) in India in memory of his beloved wife.
But it was this woman's aunt, an empress in her own right, who was the most powerful queen of that dynasty. The Twentieth Wife is the story of this Empress Nur Jahan.

She is one of India's most controversial empresses. Her brilliance and determination trumped myriad obstacles and helped shape the course of the Mughal Empire.

Although a work of fiction, The Twentieth Wife is rooted in historical fact and detail culled from accounts of seventeenth-century travelers to Emperor Jahangir's court and the memoirs of the Mughal kings.

The sequel, titled The Feast of Roses (Atria Books, May 2003) tells the story of Mehrunnisa's life as Empress. She rules in Jahangir's name for the next seventeen years, and in doing so, shapes the destiny of the empire. In a time when women were never seen and rarely heard, Mehrunnisa has coins minted in her name, owns ships that ply the Arabian sea routes, and commissions many of the gardens and tombs that still stand in India today.

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read. It is written beautifully and absolutely transports you. I was craving some saag paneer and naan for weeks afterward! I loved that she was a strong individual and yet still obedient to the confines of her culture, a balance I am always trying to find. I have not read the sequel yet but will post when I do.

The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas

Most have heard the story of how Roman soldiers killed Jesus, and gambled for his robe. This book tells the story of the soldier in charge of the crucifixion who also wins the robe. The affect that this experience has on his life is profound, and leads him on a quest to learn for himself the truth about Jesus. This book really gave me a different perspective on the well know stories of the life of Jesus. It is also a great story of personal change and faith. Plus you get a lot of adventure and some romance thrown in too.
Douglas wrote another book called Magnificent Obsession. This book is similar and has some strong Christian themes. However, it is more of a tale of one man's search for happiness, than strictly religion. Both books are incredibly well written combining great stories with thought provoking ideas.

Devil in the White City By Erik Larson

Their fates were linked by the magical Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, nicknamed the “White City” for its majestic beauty. Architect Daniel Burnham built it; serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes used it to lure victims to his World’s Fair Hotel, designed for murder. Both men left behind them a powerful legacy, one of brilliance and energy, the other of sorrow and darkness.

Here, then, is your ticket to the greatest fair in history—a place where incredible dreams came to life alongside darkest nightmares.

Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Erik Larson's spellbinding bestseller intertwines the true tale of two men--the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World's Fair, striving to secure America's place in the world; and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death. Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling, Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction. ( Excerpts from the Devil in the White city website)

I loved this book. Two story's play out every other chapter and I found both fascinating.

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

In this ambitious debut novel, fact and fiction blend together brilliantly. While scholars have largely relegated Mamah to a footnote in the life of America’s greatest architect, author Nancy Horan gives full weight to their dramatic love story and illuminates Cheney’s profound influence on Wright. 



Drawing on years of research, Horan weaves little-known facts into a compelling narrative, vividly portraying the conflicts and struggles of a woman forced to choose between the roles of mother, wife, lover, and intellectual. Horan’s Mamah is a woman seeking to find her own place, her own creative calling in the world. Mamah’s is an unforgettable journey marked by choices that reshape her notions of love and responsibility, leading inexorably ultimately lead to this novel’s stunning conclusion. 


"Well, I must agree that Loving Frank is an excellent choice for a book club. I could talk about this book for a couple of weeks! I disliked the main characters from the start of the book. Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah were two very selfish people! Having said that...I couldn't put the book down. The writing is wonderful and the ending hit me right between the eyes. My husband is a huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright's work and I caught him scanning the book several times. :o) I am researching non-fiction books on Wright's personal life. Thank you for sending the book. I know my book club will be reading this one!"
—Glenda Spivey, Prima Divas, Tupelo, MS

Robert Twombly, author, description of Mamah: "She was a noble woman who valued her freedom more than motherhood, wifehood, or chastity, and who had the courage to live by her convictions." Frank Lloyd Wright: An Interpretive Biography, page 136.
(Excerpts from the Loving Frank website)
I loved this book even though the main character was selfish in my opinion. It is an interesting story that lots of people do not know.