Reviews coming soon! This page is a work in progress that I’ve only just started.

The Chicken Chronicles by Jennifer Mervine

Having a bunch of chickens in my backyard has always been a dream of mine — now it’s also a nightmare. Who knew flightless birds could be such sexual deviants? Not that it’s acceptable among birds of flight, or anything. Anyway, this fabulous blog-to-book adaptation of Jennifer Mervine’s experiences herding chickens is not to be missed. She has impeccable comedic timing, a unique perspective on life, and a cogent writing style. As she depicts the days in the lives of chickens and their lovers, their wannabe lovers, and their “oh no, anyone but him” lovers, we also see a woman with genuine warmth and compassion struggling to make sense of the crazy world we all share. Her husband and son periodically make appearances in this book, but the chickens steel the show — as they should. For anyone thinking of establishing their own suburban chicken coop, pay heed to the wit and wisdom between the covers in this book. Chicken farming isn’t for the feint of heart.

The Moskowitz Code by Joel Bresler

I’ve read every book Joel Bresler has ever published. And that’s not because he sends me chocolate—Mr. Bresler has never sent me chocolate. I read them because I know what I’m going to get: a very funny, beautifully written, borderline silly tale that will make me glad I read it when I’m done. So when I first opened THE MOSKOWITZ CODE, I had set the bar to pretty high standards on what to expect. Now I am delighted to admit, I’m not disappointed.

In THE MOSKOWITZ CODE, Bresler plops us into the life of Myron—Mike—Moskowitz. Mike is a typical human cog in a typical corporate wheel, plugging along in his typical suburban life. He’s no one in particular, yet is everyone at the same time. But when his doctor makes a typo on Mike’s permanent medical record, his life becomes anything but typical. The side effect of that little slip is that Mike loses his identity in the cyber world. In a sense he is permanently free to do as he pleases. Be the man he always wanted to be. Do the things he wanted to do. He could even get a Harley and ride off into the sunset if he wants. But is that what he wants? You’ll have to read it to find out.

The thing is, though, that you don’t read a Bresler book just for the story. You can and you’ll get a good story. But you read it because of the pleasure you get with his word play. He has a lyrical ear—if a writer can have that—for how to pace words and find the perfect expressions. Couple that gift with an encyclopedic knowledge of literary and musical pop culture and add on perfect comedic timing and you get a simply delicious read. THE MOSKOWITZ CODE is one of those rare, inimitable finds that is a true joy to read on every level.

Worth Lying For by Lisa Cheney and Lisa Craig

This book is a great read. It has heart and humor, style and substance. Mary is such a realistic character, I feel like I know her. She’s funny, witty and perfectly flawed, like the rest of us. The book starts out with her feeling stuck, as many of us moms have felt at one time or another, in a mundane, routine life. So stuck, that she impulsively does something that’s completely out of character and then for the rest of the book, she must find a way to reconcile her actions, fix the problem she’s created, and still juggle her life as mom, wife, friend, and receptionist at I-Did-A-Rod auto repair. Throughout it all she grows and in the end, finds a way to have a more fulfilling and fun life.

 

 

 

A Copenhagen Affair by Amulya Amadi

This is a typical “women’s fiction” story about a woman finding herself somewhere around the age of 40. However Malladi makes it stand out from the norm by having her heroine living in a foreign land, among people who look the opposite of her. The book also is unique in that the heroine is fighting depression caused from what she refers to as a “nervous breakdown.” For the most part, it’s an enjoyable read. Malladi’s clear and precise depiction of Copenhagen now has me wanting to go there (in the summer, of course) and she does a beautiful job of detailing life in the modern day. I love her splattering art and architecture throughout the novel, giving it more depth. Unfortunately, for me, I found the majority of the side characters a bit flat and 2-dimensional–they could have been fleshed out better–and frankly, with a few of them their appearances in the book felt contrived. And I’m really disappointed in the ending–things seemed to come together much too easily and cleanly for it to feel satisfying. Up until the ending, though, it’s quite an enjoyable read.

 

The Hippopotamus

 

 

Kin We’re Not Related To by Wanda Argersinger

I bought this from Wanda Argersinger’s website after reading her fabulous blog. Wanda is beyond hilarious and her writing buddy for this book, Jody Worsham, seems to be equally funny. Together the two authors created a set of Southern sisters who, in an epistolary novel, face the daunting task of dealing with their family via letters (Mable “hasn’t mastered the I-phone or the U-phone yet” so I guess it’s not surprise she can’t do that electronic mail thingy).

Mable had left town to pursue a career with a future while Maybelle stayed in their hometown to pursue a future in general. Although geographically separated, the sisters do their best to wrangle their kinsfolk together to witness their parents renew their wedding vows on their anniversary — or possibly have an officially sanctioned wedding for the first time. The book is a hilarious Southern romp complete with names even Faulkner would appreciate, gossipy townsfolk, floozy in-laws and moonshine.

 

Shillelagh Law by Joseph Ferguson

Some collections of short stories you read through, one after the other. You like some, others you don’t. Then, when you’re done, you set it on your bookshelf and don’t touch it again. Other collections, though, aren’t quite so easily dismissed. And Joe Ferguson’s “Shillelagh Law” falls in that latter category.

As the description states: it is an eclectic collection stories. What ties them all together is Ferguson’s ability to get inside the reader and make him or her feel what the characters feel. Whether the story is about a young boy dealing with the frightening aspect of liking a girl (who might like him) for the first time or about a punch-drunk adult, there’s no casual reading here that’s easily forgotten. You are taken along for the ride as if you were experiencing the story as a character in it and you remember each one as your own memory.

And that is the gift of Ferguson. He doesn’t just write stories. His word play is powerful and sneaky. Like a skilled seducer, he entices you into the worlds he builds on the page without you realizing it. The next thing you know, your heart is racing in anticipation or you’re laughing as if you’re “in” on the joke. It’s masterful writing.

The true beauty of the book, though, is you don’t just set it on a shelf when you’re done. You keep it handy because when you’re relaxing with a cocktail on a summer evening with nothing to do, you know there’s a story in there you’d like to re-live. Or when you want a quick adventure that feels like you’re going down memory lane with a good friend, you pick up the book knowing just the right story is in that book. Yes, you should always have it near by. .

Nits

I was torn between giving this book four or five stars. Harris is, without a doubt, a 5-star writer. She has a true gift for characterization, description, scene setting and for inserting the reader so thoroughly into the story you almost feel as if you’re reading your own memoir. She has a delightfully witty style and a seemingly unlimited imagination when it comes to creating metaphors. Her approach to subject matter are intriguing, fresh and insightful.

The story is a masterful depiction of not just DC society but of probably most suburban societies in America. The motivating forces behind the characters are all very believable. I feel as if I know some of the people I read on the pages, even though I’ve never lived in DC. The choice of using a critter that is equally despised and feared by all to expose the weaknesses of her characters was perfect. As the lice spreads throughout all levels of society, we see how the flaws the characters have become greater and more difficult for them to hide and deal with properly.

So why only four stars and not five? Two reasons, and they are probably very personal and only applicable to me. One: the book was missing a few pieces to the plot arc that at the end, left me a little unsatisfied by the story structure. For example, there was no true climax to the story. Two: none of the characters were very likable. I like to be able to root for at least one character and hope for him or her to attain whatever goal that person is going for. Frankly, I didn’t want any of them to find happiness. I was missing a hero in the story.

However, I was so blown away by Harris’ writing that had to keep turning the pages. She is just a joy to read.

Cancer Vixen