Sisterland: A Novel Curtis Sittenfeld Audiobook read by Rebecca Lowman Random House (June 2013), Hardcover (ISBN 1400068312 / 9781400068319) Fiction, 416 pages Source: Purchased audiobook (Random House Audio, 2013; ISBN 9780307736611) Reason for reading: Personal (audio recommended by Beth Fish Reads) Opening lines: “The shaking started around three in the morning, and it happened that I was already awake because I’d nursed Owen at two and then, instead of going back to sleep, I’d lain […]
Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas John Scalzi (Twitter) (Facebook) (Goodreads) Audiobook read by Wil Wheaton (Twitter) (Facebook) (Tumblr) Tor Books (2012), hardcover (ISBN 0765316994 / 9780765316998) Science fiction/satire, 320 pages Source:* Purchased audiobook (Audible Frontiers, 2012: ASIN B0088U1CCO) Reason for reading: Personal *I received an ARC of Redshirts, signed by the author, at Book Expo America 2012–and I’ll be keeping that, even though I decided to listen to the novel instead of reading it. […]
The Age of Miracles Karen Thompson Walker (Facebook) (Twitter) Random House (2012), Hardcover (ISBN 0812992970 / 9780812992977) Fiction, 288 pages Source: Purchased e-book (eISBN 9780679644385) Reason for reading: Personal Opening lines: “We didn’t notice right away. We couldn’t feel it. “We did not sense, at first, the extra time, bulging from the smooth edge of each day like a tumor blooming beneath skin. “We were distracted, back then, by weather and war. We had no […]
The Virgin Cure: A Novel Ami McKay (Facebook) (Twitter) (Pinterest) Harper Perennial (July 2013), trade paper (ISBN 0061140341 / 9780061140341) Fiction (historical), 352 pages Source: Hardcover provided by publisher Reason for reading: TLC Book Tour (to support the paperback edition) Opening lines: “I am Moth, a girl from the lowest part of Chrystie Street, born to a slum-house mystic and the man who broke her heart. “My father ran off when I was three years […]
The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story Lily Koppel (Twitter) (Facebook) Audiobook read by Orlagh Cassidy (IMDb) (Facebook) (Twitter) Grand Central Publishing (June 2013), Hardcover (ISBN 1455503258 / 9781455503254) Nonfiction (history/biography), 288 pages Source: purchased audiobook (Hachette Audio, 2013, ISBN 9781619696464; Audible ASIN B00CS9KH0O) Reason for reading: Personal Opening lines (Author’s Note): “To be an astronaut wife meant tea with Jackie Kennedy, high-society galas, and instant celebrity. It meant smiling perfectly after a makeover by […]
The Exiles: A Novel Allison Lynn (Twitter) Little A / New Harvest (July 2013), Hardcover (ISBN 054410210X / 9780544102101) Fiction, 336 pages Source: ARC from publisher Reason for reading: TLC Book Tour Opening lines: “Nate Bedecker stumbled as he stepped out of the Jeep. He briefly, embarrassingly (though no one was looking–he’d checked with a quick sweep of his eyes) tripped over the reedy patch of grass that bulged above the Newport curb. Three hours […]
The Firebird Susanna Kearsley (Facebook) (Twitter) Sourcebooks Landmark (2013), Paperback original (ISBN 140227663X / 9781402276637) Fiction, 544 pages Source: Publisher Reason for Reading: She Reads Book Club selection Opening lines: “He sent his mind in search of me that morning. “I was on the Tube, a half a minute out of Holland Park and in that muzzy not-awake-yet state that always bridged the time between my breakfast cup of coffee and the one that I’d […]
Maine J. Courtney Sullivan (Facebook) (Twitter) Vintage (2012), Paperback (ISBN 0307742210 / 9780307742216) Fiction, 528 pages Source: Purchased Reason for reading: Personal, vacation Opening lines: “Alice decided to take a break from packing. She lit a cigarette, leaning back in one of the wicker chairs that were always slightly damp from the sea breeze. She glanced around at the cardboard boxes filled with her family’s belongings, each glass and salt shaker and picture frame wrapped […]
What Changes Everything Masha Hamilton Unbridled Books (June 2013), hardcover (ISBN 1609530918 / 9781609530914) Fiction, 288 pages Source: ARC from publisher Reason for reading: Intended for review in Shelf Awareness for Readers, but didn’t make the deadline Excerpt: “In the narrow strand of space between the first piece of information and all the rest, thoughts rushed through Clarissa that could not be said aloud, not then, probably not ever. They came like the violent Nor’easters […]
Someday, Someday, Maybe: A Novel Lauren Graham (Twitter) (Fan site) (IMDb) Ballantine Books (April 2013), Hardcover (ISBN 0385367473 / 9780345532749) Fiction, 352 pages Source: Purchased audiobook (Random House Audio, April 2013, ISBN 9780385367486; Audible ASIN B00B3Y1B5U) Reason for reading: Personal Opening lines: “’Begin whenever you’re ready,’ comes the voice from the back of the house. “Oh, I’m ready. “After all, I’ve prepared for this day for years: The Day of the Most Important Audition of […]
Much Ado About Nothing official movie website Comedy, 2013 (rated PG-13) Starring: Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Clark Gregg, Reed Diamond, Fran Kranz, Jillian Morgese Written by: William Shakespeare Directed by: Joss Whedon Plot synopsis: Leonato (Clark Gregg), the governor of Messina, is visited by his friend Don Pedro (Reed Diamond) who is returning from a victorious campaign against his rebellious brother Don John (Sean Maher). Accompanying Don Pedro are two of his officers: Benedick (Alexis […]
Despite being told for years that we really needed to watch Arrested Development, and even being given the first season of the show on DVD as a Christmas gift one year, we didn’t take the bait until about a year ago–six years after its last episode aired. We never did get around to those DVDs, but my stepdaughter Kate shepherded us through the full run of the series on Netflix. Although this show lacks most of […]
