HOW TO BE AN AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE (MARGARET DILLOWAY)

How To Be An American Housewife is a beautiful Japanese/American story of a family who fell out of favour with some relatives in Japan. For forty-years, Taro and his older sister, Shoko did not speak or communicate in any way. Shoko married an American Navyman in Japan and then moved to America with her husband, Craig after the falling out. Shoko had two children: Mike and Sue.

The story is rich with historical information and we visit some places such as: Nagaski, Kumamoto (to see the famous Kumamoto Castle), Peace Park, Uwajiima, Suizenji Jojuen Park, and Kyushu to name a few.

Shoko had planned to go to Japan to find her younger brother, Taro but she became too ill with heart problems to go, so she asked her daughter, Sue to go in her place. Sue and her 12-year-old daughter, Helena flew to Japan to begin their two week journey.

This novel is life affirming, poignant, and proves that no matter the distance we live from someone, or the number of years that we've passed without speaking, there is always room for forgiveness and redemption.

This would be a great book for anyone!

March 13, 2011

SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT (BETH HOFFMAN)

Oh, I absolutely LOVED this novel!! For a debut novel it really belongs up there with the seasoned author's. Beth Hoffman's first novel is adorable, sweet, tear-jerking, heart-tugging, wise, and speaks to the wonderful hospitality, eqtiquette and good manners of people in the South.

The characters are so well developed in this novel. You will absolutely love: CeeCee, Tootie, Oletta and Mrs. Odell. However, the relationship that CeeCee and Oletta carve out is unbelievable. Just their relationship alone will make you laugh and make you cry. Aunt Tootie's kindness toward CeeCee is overwhelming, I wish she'd adopt me!

You'll love the crazy neighbours, especially Ms. Hobbs and Ms. Goodpepper who don't get along with one another at all and you'll laugh your head off at one scene that takes place in Ms. Hobb's backyard one dark night with CeeCee and Ms. Goodpepper, unbeknownst to Ms. Hobbs, are witnessing moment-by-moment. And you'll be shocked and laugh at what they pull at an elegant afternoon garden party for CeeCee.

All in all this is one of the best books I've read this year and I'd recommend that everyone pick this one up, you won't be disappointed!! This is definitely going on my permanent bookshelf.

March 12, 2011

WRECKER (SUMMER WOOD)

Wrecker is the story of a little three-year-old boy who was abandoned by his mother after she was sent to jail with a 30 year sentence. He was raised by three very different women: Melody, Ruth and Willow. Melody was his "mother" and the other two were helpful in supporting her but they often clashed on certain issues when it came to Wrecker.

Motherhood is a 'loosely' used term here as it was such a different environment that Wrecker was raised in, a very unique spin on the term 'family'. The novel will pull at your heartstrings and keep you reading throughout the night.

March 11, 2011

THE TOWER, THE ZOO, AND THE TORTOISE (JULIA STUART)

The engrossing story of a Beefeater, otherwise known as Yeoman Warder Balthazar Jones. He lives in the Tower of London with his wife Hebe but they are grieving over Milo, the son the lost and their own marriage which is falling apart. The other occupants of the Tower include: a prize-winning Priest who secretly writes pornography under an alias, another Beefeater 'Ravenmaster' who is cheating on his wife, and Mrs. Cook, a 181 year old tortoise. There are other animals living there and they often present with challenges for the Beefeaters, like when a special Etruscan shrew dies, and they tell people it's hibernating!

Balthazar Jones is a complicated man, obsessed with weather and actively collects rain. It is an odd hobby for sure but it's part of how he deals with the loss of his son. It is the very unique details that make the characters of this story come alive.

Julia Stuart has written a fun book that is both serious at times yet laugh-out-loud funny at others. Anyone who picks up this book is in for the long haul!!

March 9, 2011

THE CASE OF THE MISSING SERVANT (TARQUIN HALL)

Private Investigator Vish Puri is also the managing director of 'Most Private Investigators Ltd. A well respected and honest public litagator has been accused of killing Mary, his maidservant. Vish must also investigate a second case involving a potential bridegroom.

Vish's character is perfect, all but his immense fear of flying. Luckily for Vish, he has a team of operatives that support him, especially his Mommy who conducts her own investigation.

There are actually three mysteries in the story and each is well done. Tarquin Hall's writing is first class. Tarquin spent many years in India so he knows and understands the country and it's people well.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book that kept me turning page after page. I kept telling myself that once I got to the end of the chapter I'd go to bed. Well, I didn't. Once I'd read the first page of the next chapter then I'd have to read the whole thing!

March 8, 2011

KABUL BEAUTY SCHOOL (DEBORAH RODRIGUEZ)

Deborah Rodriguez was a hairdresser from Michigan with a degree in cosmetology who decided to move to Afghanistan and teach the women of Kabul how to be beauticians. As she was working out the details of how her hairdressing school would be run, she heard of Mary MacMakin who had already dedicated herself to the women of Aghanistan and was in the process of working on the Kabul Beauty School. Debbie quickly joined forces with Mary and became the first teacher to teach the first class in 2003.

During her years in Kabul she befriended a lot of the women from her classes who themselves went on to teach as well. Her friendships with these women meant a lot as the majority were victims of terrible beatings by their husbands and they were frightened and lacking self-confidence. By educating them Debbie had empowered these women and given them the knowledge and courage to begin working as hairdressers and they often made more money than their spouses.

Kabul Beauty School was a book I couldn't put down and it will provide you with a pleasurable read and a longing to have Debbie as your friend.

March 6, 2011

THE SOUND OF A WILD SNAIL EATING (ELISABETH TOVA BAILEY)

Elisabeth Tova Bailey is bedridden with a mysterious disease that has left her paralyzed, but she finds meaning in her life through observing a small woodland snail. The snail served as her entertainment, her connection to a world beyond her own suffering, and gave her hope and strength to carry on and wait for her health to improve. Being bedridden, she is cut-off from the world and lives like a "hermit" just like her snail.

Ms. Bailey does not complain about her illness, her time is better spent being curious about her snail and marvelling at how resilient it is. By watching so intently and being a studious pupil, Bailey tells us she wants to fight her illness but that wouldn't have been possible without her snail.

The latter part of the book read more like a textbook on snails and other mollusks, and I would have liked to hear more of Bailey's life and her thoughts about her illness.

There is one line in the book that I will quote here because I find it is so very, very true. "Illness isolates; the isolated become invisible; the invisible become forgotten."

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating is a wonderful story and not at all like your usual memoir. I think anyone who reads this will love it!!