BOOKS: Holiday Wish List 2014!!

Once again it is time for Auntie Pattie Clause to come to your aid with last minute Christmas gift ideas.

Mike Greenberg’s ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR really surprised me. Men might be more familiar with Greenie as a sports analyst, but this is not a book about sports. It is a sensitive story of three women who face the challenge of cancer.  *Very readable and relatable.

Sue Monk Kidd gives a well crafted story of real historical figures mixed with characters who might have been involved with them in THE INVENTION OF WINGS. *Good coverage of some little known people who made a difference in our history.

Kurt Vonnegut is such an American treasure that any book of his, not previously read, would make a great gift. His LOOK AT THE BIRDIE is new, but for someone who has not read him, WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE is a good introduction. *Comments on life that still make sense.

John Green may be considered a teen author, but he is worth looking at no matter what your age. Any of his books would make a terrific gift. *Not just for the youth market.

Greg Iles has started his new trilogy with NATCHEZ BURNING, I personally was counting on the next book for Christmas, but it looks as if I will have to wait. Some of his books stand alone and some, as NATCHEZ BURNING, deal with Penn Cage and his family. Watch, if reading series in order makes a difference to you. *One of my favorite authors.

Judy Coopey has also started a trilogy with THE FURNACE. Again any of her books would be appreciated. I really loved her REDFIELD FARM. *A not-just-for-women author.

Bentley Little can be counted on for terrifying novels. THE COLLECTION is the most nightmare producing collection of stories I have ever read. *Bram Stoker Award winner-and deservedly so.

Oh, and gift cards are always safe and a treat for the bookaholics in your life.

PS, let me know if you get a book that you loved and we can share it. I am always looking for that “new “ author.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Kwanzaa!

Shalom!

Merry Christmas!

And may the Gifts

of the Spirit be yours in 2014!

BOOKS: Christmas Wish List 2013

Once again it is time for Santy Patty to help you with your last moment gift shopping...at least for the readers on your list. Some of these books I have already reviewed, but either I want to jog your memory or make you aware of more recent publications. So, here are my personal picks for your consideration.

I have been waiting for Greg Isles to release THE BONE TREE. His books are not really series even though some characters are recurring, but THE DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL finished on a cliff hanger; then Isles was in a serious accident and it seemed to take ages before his next book. Well, now we know that THE BONE TREE is available. He is one of my favorite authors and for the reader who has not tried him, I recommend THE BLACK CROSS, a gritty Second World War story, or BLOOD MEMORY. This is an author who does not depend on a formula. Each book is unique and a genuine page turner.

Twisted Seth Grahame-Smith, author of ABRAHAM LINCOLN, VAMPIRE KILLER, has a new release just in time for Christmas titled UNHOLY NIGHT, a story dealing with the three wise men as we have never seen them. If your list includes very twisted people, you can not go wrong with Grahame-Smith.

David Baldacci can be counted on for a fast moving action book. My favorite is still ABSOLUTE POWER, but for a change of pace, his tender WISH YOU WELL is a more gentle read. His newest best seller is KING AND MAXWELL. I have not read this yet, but probably will.

Lani Dianne Rich says that she does funny books for women or maybe books for funny women (or men). I enjoyed her THE FORTUNE QUILT and will be looking for more by her. Her books are light but with a twist. WISH YOU WERE HERE sounds good.

Right now I am reading THE COLLECTION by Bentley Little. It is a collection of very short, short stories and they are intense enough that I read several, put the book down and go do something normal before I pick it up again. His THE MAILMAN was the book that started me on this “thinking man’s horror” author.

Two women’s authors who are always a sure thing are Nora Roberts and Mary Balogh. Balogh writes fun, historical romances set in Regency England. I loved her quintet about the Huxtable family, but have had trouble finding the final installment, A SECRET AFFAIR. It is needed to pull the other four books together. ( Was that hint subtle enough?)

Nora Roberts needs no explanation. She creates extremely enjoyable characters whether she is writing basic romance novels, page turning suspense books or futuristic “detective” stories under the pen-name of J. D. Robb. She is extremely prolific, so there is always something new and popular from her. Personally I wait until a series has been published in its entirety before I start reading them. I hate waiting several months to see what is happening.

The movie version of Markus Zusak’s THE BOOK THEIF has been released. After reading the reviews of the movie, I will pass on the movie. This is one of my all time favorite books (it is ranked next to TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD on my list) and I refuse to see Hollywood butcher it. Although this is considered a “youth” book, it would be an excellent gift for anyone. Zusak is a brilliant author. I have his WHEN DOGS CRY on my want-to-read list.

This has been a good year for reading. I hope that at least one of my blogs has intrigued you enough to try an author that you had not thought about before. If nothing else, I hope that you found something to entertain you. I love hearing from you. So please let me know if you agree ,or not, with me. Controversy can be fun!

BOOKS: Annual Christmas List

Yes, boys and girls it is once again time for Auntie Santa to help you with your Christmas gift giving and to get a hint or two in for Auntie Santa herself. Starting with the young, especially the young in heart-- I find that some of the best books published are in this group:

THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak is still on my favorite- of- all -time list. No matter for what the age, this book is brilliant.

I really enjoyed THE HUNGER GAMES series by Susanne Collins. These books have actually been out for some time, but if not already read, a good choice for the futuristic fan.

Our granddaughter has asked for LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green. She has never led me wrong and from the reviews, this does sound good. Maybe she will loan me her copy.

I personally am excited that Justin Cronin’s follow-up to THE PASSAGE is out, and on the best- seller lists. The title is THE TWELVE and I am going to be checking under the tree for this one with my name on the tag.

Again for the reader who enjoys something different consider WORLD WAR Z by Max Brooks. Max is the son of Mel Brooks, so you know to expect something unusual. It has been around for some time, but I see that The New York Times has it on one of their list. It is definitely different!

For history buffs the selection is always rich. My husband read Bill O’Reilly’s KILLING LINCOLN and enjoyed it. He had been warned that the author may have taken some liberties with the facts.

Laura Hillenbrand’s UNBROKEN is the true story of a prisoner of war during the Second World War. I really got caught up in this one.

From the earliest days of our country comes UNWISE PASSIONS by Alan Pell Crawford. Taking his facts from letters and diaries, this book gave me a new understanding of some of our founding fathers. This was a fascinating read even for those of us who are more interested in characters than history.

Two “just good reads” were David E. Hinton’s KINGS OF COLORADO and Emma Donoghue’s ROOM. I loved both of these although they are very different. Either would be appreciated by the readers on your list.

A specialized book on my list would be I HAD BRAIN SURGERY, WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE? by Suzy Becker. This would be a good “up-lifter” for the reader going through any type of health problem. It is funny-- odd, but funny.

Remember the classics still work; after all, they ARE classics. With all of the publicity for the movie LES MISERABLES, and the local high school doing their production of it, it might be a good idea to go back to read the original by Victor Hugo. It has lasted over time for a reason.

The choices are so plentiful, but I am taking too much space. So, that leaves me with just enough time to mention four of my favorite authors and a bit of advice; try them. Greg Iles. I am waiting for him to recover from his accident and get done with his Penn Cage series.

Sharon Sala. Her books are sometimes OK and sometimes terrific. The terrific are worth waiting for.

Margaret Coel. If modern day Native American mysteries are of interest, give her a try. I cannot understand why she is not on every reading list.

Judy Coopey. Her third book will be out in January, but REDFIELD FARM and WATERPROOF are good choices.

My sincere wish for all of us is that we spend Christmas Day with a new book that we can NOT put down long enough to open the rest of our gifts.

THEATER: The Richest Man In The Valley

Faith United Methodist Church in Bellefonte was the location of the area’s annual Christmas Dinner Theatre.  I attended last Friday and was very impressed by the amount of people involved, for the meal, in the audience, and in the production.

This year’s production was THE RICHEST MAN IN THE VALLEY and it was obviously a work of love by a large group of local residents. The work that went in to the creation of the set was impressive. The sanctuary had been transformed to the living quarters of a wealthy family, including a working staircase to the upper level. A second set consisting of a room in another house was cleverly “hidden” behind a screen above the main set.

Drew Baker, Co-Director and Actor

The large cast was a talented mix of area residents. It was fun to spot familiar faces in speaking roles as well as the party guests -which acted as the chorus.
[Image] Drew Baker, co-director and actor
It seems unfair to single any one person out, but Ralph Stone’s voice was impressive and I was very touched by the scene between him and young Emma Holderman. I wish I could have captured that visual for you.

Drew Baker, one of the directors, was called upon at the last moment to fill an important role. He handled it like a pro and during his closing number, I saw several people with tears on their cheeks.

Before the show, the church provided an excellent meal. Members acted as hosts and hostesses and everyone was made to feel welcome. It created a warm, party atmosphere. It was interesting how many people came up to us to explain that it was a “poor man’s meal” and that in the past the food had been more elegant. Lucky any poor man who was fed as well as we were Friday night. The desserts alone filled a room. Personal note: Whoever made the rhubarb pie, thank you.

This is what Christmas should be about: a gathering of a community to celebrate the birth of a baby who changed the world.