CHILDREN OF PARADISE by Fred D'Aguiar

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher.

I am a big fan of historical fiction because it always makes me want to go out and learn more about the subject represented in the book.  This particular book was a tough one as it dealt with Jonestown.  The story focuses on a mother and daughter who are part of Jones' commune.  Joyce joined the commune in the hope of a better life for herself and her daughter but, after witnessing some of the preacher's unstable behavior and practices, she is having doubts.  Her 10-yr-old daughter, Trina, has become one of the preacher's favorites and he uses her in her sermons while forcing her to participate in often dangerous demonstrations.  Tying them all together is the gorilla held captive at the commune.  Adam is a witness to everything that happens in the commune and he has a special affinity for the children in general and Trina in particular.  Following the months and days leading up to the tragedy, CHILDREN OF PARADISE offers readers a glimpse into a crumbling earthbound paradise and the people who inhabit it.

It took me awhile to get into the book but I found it captivating once I was about halfway through it. Knowing what happened at Jonestown made me want to discover the fate of Joyce and Trina even more. And it made the story that much more tragic.  I thought Adam was an interesting character to add into the mix as he serves not only as an observer but also a key player in most of the profound moments in the book. My one complaint is that D'Aguiar anthropomorphizes Adam a bit too much. It is meant to come off as magical realism but it doesn't.  It just comes off as unbelievable and over the top.  Especially at the end of the book.  Overall, it was an interesting and sad story and I would love for someone else to read it so we can discuss the very ending.  I'm still not sure what happens!

BOTTOM LINE: Recommended. An interesting look into the last tragic days at Jonestown.  The characters are fascinating even though the narrative can be frustrating at times. 

Favorite Books of 2013

My reviews aren't done but I wanted to share with you my favorite reads of 2013. My goal is always to read 52 books per year.  In 2013, I read 65. I think it is only because I was sick so much!

Here they are in no particular order:

1. THE GOLDFINCH by Donna Tartt
2. THE GOOD LUCK OF RIGHT NOW by Matthew Quick
3. THE ALL-GIRL FILLING STATION'S LAST REUNION by Fannie Flagg
4. LOST LAKE by Sarah Addison Allen
5. THE OTHER ROOM by Kim Triedman
6. GRAVITY OF BIRDS by Tracy Guzeman
7. SONGS OF WILLOW FROST by Jamie Ford
8. THE SILENT WIFE by A.S.A. Harrison
9. SEA CREATURES by Susanne Daniel
10. AMY FALLS DOWN by Jincy Willett
11. THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI by Helene Wecker

Honorable Mention goes to BELLMAN AND BLACK by Diane Setterfield.  I love Setterfield's writing style but this one was a bit frustrating in terms of the narrative.

Can't wait to see what reading THIS year brings!

A Gift for Little Readers

I work in a library and I sell Barefoot Books on the side but I am always a sucker for more books!  Several months ago, we decided to subscribe to BOBBLEDY BOOKS, a small press publisher of children's books. We are loving it!!!

The husband and wife team of Bobbledy Books create this wonderful, whimsical stories that are mailed directly to your child.  Each year-long membership gets three books, a music CD, an interactive book for your child to complete, a funky multi-sided crayon and a birthday card.  $60 seems like a lot for a membership but each book retails for $12, the CD retails for $10 and you have to factor in shipping.

The books are so clever and definitely have our whimsical sense of humor.  So far, we have gotten:

We also got a book called  THE SNOWMEN BELOW which gave you a few prompts but encouraged children to make their own story.  We mailed our finished copy of THE SNOWMEN BELOW back to Bobbledy Books and one child will have their book published! Fun!

We also enjoy reading their blog which offers lots of writing and drawing prompts for inspiration.

I highly recommend Bobbledy Book as a great subscription club for your little reader.  Who doesn't love receiving books in the mail?!

They are currently offering $5 off with coupon code HOLIDAY.

(All images borrowed from and owned by Bobbledy Books.  I received NO compensation in any form for this post.  I just love the service!)

December Read: IT'S OK NOT TO SHARE by Heather Shumaker

The last book for this year will be IT'S OK NOT TO SHARE by Heather Shumaker. This will also be the readalong for 2014 for one of my favorite blogs, NOT JUST CUTE.

I am still playing catchup with a few of the books but I hope to post a recap of our reading adventure in January!

LBC Wish List of Upcoming Titles

Here are some upcoming titles that are DEFINITELY on my radar for 2014:

1. CHAPLIN AND COMPANY by Mave Fellowes

 

2. FROG MUSIC by Emma Donoghue

3. PERFECT by Rachel Joyce

4. WHILE BEAUTY SLEPT by Elizabeth Blackwell

5. INVENTION OF WINGS by Sue Monk Kidd

November Read: RAISING SELF-RELIANT CHILDREN IN A SELF-INDULGENT WORLD by H. Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelson

Our November read seems appropriate as we move into the holiday season:

I already love Jane Nelson from her Positive Discipline books so I am looking forward to this one!

LOST LAKE by Sarah Addison Allen

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher.

Kate Pheris spent the last year in a daze after the death of her husband.  She wakes up to find that she has basically turned over control of her life and care of her daughter to her mother-in-law.  Unable to cope with doing anything else, Kate starts sorting through items in the attic in preparation for moving into her mother-in-law's house. While in the attic, Kate comes across a postcard from her Great-Aunt Eby.  Eby and her husband owned a lakeside resort called Lost Lake in Southern Georgia and Kate remembers spending her last happy Summer there.  On impulse, Kate decides to take her daughter to Lost Lake for one last happy Summer.

Eby Pim has finally decided to sell Lost Lake to a developer. Her resort is falling apart and she can't afford the upkeep.  Visitors have dropped off over the last few years and Eby has decided it is time to go out into the world again.  Once word gets out that Eby has decided to sell, longtime visitors and locals begin to show up for one last party and to let Eby know how much Lost Lake has meant to them.

In these last days at Lost Lake, Eby and Kate will find out a lot about themselves and about the many people who have been touched by this magical place.

I will admit that I am already a fan of Sarah Addison Allen. I have read all of her books. I have to say this is my favorite so far.  There is a melancholy to this book that wasn't present in Allen's other works. She still includes a touch of magical realism which I always enjoy.  Although I don't consider Allen's work to be great literature, they are perfect cozy feel-good reads. The stories are lovely and offer a nice dash of escapism. Allen also has a gift for creating compelling characters.

BOTTOM LINE: Highly recommended. This is probably Allen's best work to date.  Curl up next to the fire with this cozy read that will almost assuredly make you feel good.

MRS. POE by Lynn Cullen

Like so many others, I am a long-time fan of Poe's work. However, I know next to nothing about his personal life.  Edgar Allen Poe has been back in the public eye again thanks to tv shows like THE FOLLOWING.  So, I was intrigued when I received a copy of MRS. POE by Lynn Cullen. 

Poet and children's author Frances Sargent Osgood has been abandoned once again by her errant artist husband.  She and her children manage to find sanctuary with her friends, the Bartletts.  (of BARTLETT'S FAMILIAR QUOTATIONS fame)  Osgood struggles to make a living with her poetry but all anyone wants to read are macabre stories and poems like the ones by new sensation Edgar Allen Poe.  On a visit to a literary salon one evening, Osgood finally meets the great man in person.  Along with his young wife, Virginia.  After this initial meeting, Osgood continues to run into Poe and befriends Virginia who seems to be sickly and isolated.  The more time that Osgood spends with the Poes, the more she finds herself drawing closer to Edgar.  As their relationship deepens, Osgood starts to believe that not only does Virginia know what is going on but also they she may be trying to kill Frances. 

Based on the true story of this infamous love triangle, Cullen gives us a glimpse into the private lives of Osgood and Mr. and Mrs. Poe and speculates on the nature of the relationships between the three people. A variety of famous people show up in the story such as Samuel Morse and Herman Melville which offers a bit of fan. Overall, however, the story is dark and tragic.  I was so intrigued by this love triangle that I went and did a little more digging into their story. Once you know what really happened to everyone, the story becomes even more tragic.

I felt the story was a little slow at times and the threat of Virginia felt a little forced sometimes.  However, the relationships were really intriguing and I liked the intimate look into the private life of Poe.  It definitely got me interested in knowing more both about Poe and his wife and also about Osgood. 

BOTTOM LINE:  Recommended.  Although it can be a bit slow at times and the suspense seems a little contrived, I think readers will enjoy this look into Poe's private life as well as the recognizable cast of characters that fill the background.

October Read: PLAYFUL LEARNING: DEVELOP YOUR CHILD'S SENSE OF JOY AND WONDER by Mariah Bruehl

I'm a little behind with my reading because I had trouble getting some of the books at the library.  So, this month, we'll have something that isn't a straight read but more of a reference guide. I'm always looking for ways to encourage a love of learning in my son. I'm hoping this book could help with that.

Barefoot Books Review: LITTLE RED HEN written by Mary Finch

I have been anxiously awaiting the new Barefoot Books release of THE LITTLE RED HEN. I have always loved this story although my son has always been troubled by the ending of the traditional tale.  He would prefer that everyone become friends in the end.  In this new version of the classic tale, the animals come together in the spirit of cooperation and the naughty rooster and mice have the opportunity to mend their ways.  With gorgeous illustrations made from collage elements strung with wire, this little book is a feast for the eyes.  Kate Slater, a papercut artists, did a beautiful job!

 

 

 

The books also offers a little nod to the Farm-to-Table movement which is particularly big where I live in Northern California.  It even includes a recipe for baking your own loaf of bread! And to top it all off, the hardcover and paperback versions both come with a story CD read by Debra Messing!  The CD has two versions: one with page-turn chimes and one without.  My son loves books with CDs. He has a whole collection and will often go in his room, pick a book and put a CD on his CD player for his quiet time.  Although this book is geared to ages 3 to 7, I think it's great for any age.  The hardcover version is $16.99 and the paperback version is $9.99. You can also get the paperback without a CD for $7.99.  I'm ordering several of them for Christmas presents!

To find out more about THE LITTLE RED HEN, go here.

 (I am a Barefoot Books Ambassador but all opinions are my own.)