Locke & Key

The other day I received an email from the local public library announcing some of the new titles in their collection. As I was reading through the list, one of the titles caught my eye - Locke & Key: Alpha & Omega by Joe Hill. In the back of my head, I knew the author's name, but I couldn't recall any other titles. Since I could not remember how I knew this author's name, I Googled him, of course. Then it hit me. I knew the name because I read an article about him and his family last summer from The New York Times. Joe Hill is the son of Stephen and Tabitha King. If you are a fan of King's it is a must read article.

When I began to read the recommendation post, I realized, not only was this a book in a series, but it was the last book in a series. Which, if you read my last post, you will remember I like to begin reading a series once it has ended so I don't have to wait for the next book. I love anticipation (that is why Thursday is my favorite day of the week - it is all about the anticipation of Friday), but I don't want to wait too long, especially for an author to finish writing an entire book!

Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft
by Joe Hill
illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez

Any way, once I finished reading the email, I went immediately to the online catalog and placed the books on hold - yes all six volumes. I was able to get Volumes 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6 almost immediately. As soon as I got home I started reading the first book Welcome to Lovecraft. Not long after I started reading, I had to leave. So like I always do, I carried the book with me. Once I arrived at my destination, I had some free time, so I continued to read. I got through half of the book before it was actually time for me to get to my appointment. It took a great deal of self control to wait until I got home that evening to finish the book. As soon as I got home though, I sat down and finished it.

Wow! What a great story. I was hooked from the very beginning, even though it was a little difficult for me to follow at first. You see, this is not just any book. This is a graphic novel, which makes it even better, in my opinion because you have the illustrator's images to carry you through the story. Gabriel Rodriguez does a fantastic job of creating a haunting scene that perfectly encompasses Hill's dialogue.

I have read a few graphic novels over the years. I can't say they are my favorite. I was not a big comic book reader as a child. I will, however, say I was grabbed by the action immediately and did not want to put the book down. Now my biggest problem is the second book is still on hold. So, NOW I have to WAIT for the next book. It is driving me crazy!!! I hope it comes in soon. I must find out what happens to the Locke family.

UPDATE...

I finally got the text (and email) from the public library letting me know Volume 2 was ready for me to pick up. I couldn't get to the library quick enough. I spent the weekend with the Locke family and their twisted key adventures. Wow, what a trip. Like I said before the story grabbed me from the start and would not let me go. I was (an remain) fascinated by the variety of magical keys found by the Locke children (Giant key, Head key, Omega key, Shadow key, Mending key, just to name a few). I love the imagination Mr. Hill used in creating each of the keys and the wonderful background story of the keys which is first revealed in Volume 5 - Clockwork. I don't want to give any of the story line away because it is just so wonderful.

If you like Stephen King, you will LOVE his son. The mystery, plot twists, gore, and humor are combined to make a great series. I have to say I was very sad to see the series end. I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel series and look forward to reading more from the Hill & Rodriguez team.

Rizzoli (and Isles) ... the Beginning

So, if you read my previous post you know I started reading a Rizzoli & Isles book which just happened to be out of order. My CDO (I have to have it in order!!!) did not kick in while reading this book because I was so caught up in the story. However, once I finished reading The Silent Girl, I had to go back and start at the beginning. The Rizzoli & Isles series began when Tess Gerritsen wrote The Surgeon, written in 2001. Actually it would have just been Rizzoli at the time. Dr. Maura Isles is not introduced in this book. In fact, Jane does not play a huge roll in this book. If you are a fan of the television series on TNT, some of the events in The Surgeon have played out in earlier seasons of the show.

The Surgeon
by Tess Gerritsen

Since I had seen the episodes based somewhat on this book, I was not surprised by some of the events. However, I was not disappointed by this fact. Like all books, the writing was so much better than watching it on television. Don't get me wrong, Angie Harmon does a fabulous job portraying Jane Rizzoli (even if the character described in the book sounds nothing like the beautiful Texas native). My adrenaline for the characters was racing so much while reading the end of the book, I hardly knew the pages were flying by so quickly. Tami Hoag, on the cover of the book, appropriately states, "Grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go" (which is very ironic, once you have read the book).

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely read more of the books in this series (in order). Since the Season 4 finale aired Wednesday night, I'm not sure if I should go right into the next book in the series, or wait a little while. I don't want to read them so fast I finish the entire series and then have to wait! That would be horrible. I guess now you know why I choose to wait for some series to end. I'm not a very patient person when it comes to my reading habits.

Silent Girl ~ Journey into Chinese fables and the Monkey King

If you have been following me for some time, you will already know I love mysteries and thrillers. I loved Dexter Morgan (from Jeff Lindsay's great series about a serial killer) before Michael C. Hall brought him to life on television. Unfortunately I can't say the same for Tess Gerritsen's characters Rizzoli and Isles. My husband and I love to watch the series where the characters are portrayed by Angie Harmon (Jane Rizzoli) and Sasha Alexander (Maura Isles). I met Ms. Gerritsen during the summer of 2005 when we were both attending the American Library Association's Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois. We briefly chatted together while waiting for my mother to make her way to our location in order to meet one of her favorite authors.

I have to admit, I did not read the book right away. I have a very difficult time reading autographed books. I am always worried something will happen to this prized possession and I would be simply devastated. So fast forward a number of years ~ about five years. It was only then I picked up one of Ms. Gerritsen's books because I heard the television series was going to be premiering during the summer. I wanted to have a head's up on these two characters. Did I start with the first book in the series? Of course not, that would be too logical! I started with book number eight in the series, Ice Cold. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and the characters so I knew instantly I would love the series, which we are advid watchers.

Now, life and other books have followed. I don't know why I did not pick up another Gerritsen book until this week, but that is exactly what happened. Did I pick up book number one...no. Again I went with a newer title, not the latest, but number ten in the series (currently there are twelve books), The Silent Girl.

The Silent Girl
by Tess Gerritsen

The book was inspired by Ms. Gerritsen's mother's telling of Chinese fables, specifically the main character in Wu Cheng'en's Journey to the West, Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King. The book opens in San Francisco where a young girl is being observed by an unknown narrator. We then move forward seven years when we are introduced to a nineteen year old mystery in Boston's Chinatown, the incident at the Red Phoenix, by a young man telling ghost stories to tourists. The characters in the book are centered around the victim's family members and those involved in the almost two decades old investigation. The thrill and mystery remains exciting through the entire read. I thought I had the storyline figured out, but was delighted by the twist Ms. Gerritsen inserted to keep her readers on their toes. I had to make myself to go to bed without finishing the book last night, but picked it up and completed it as quickly as I could today. I have already checked out the first book in the series, The Surgeon. It is my understanding that although it is the first in the series, the television series is actually based more on the second book in the series, The Apprentice. I'm sure I will read it as well. I'm hooked now Ms. Gerritsen. Way to add more books to the list of books I will never finish before I die. Well played.

Comparing original to new...Rebecca v. Alena

When I was in high school I actually listened to my father (who was also my high school librarian) one day when he recommended the book Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I fell in love with du Maurier's book immediately. In fact, I loved it so very much I became penpals with the author. The most pressing question I had for her was the protagonist's first name. As I read I was constantly watching for her name to be mentioned. She was always referred to as "the second Mrs. de Winter". I sent my letter to Ms. du Maurier asking if the second Mrs. de Winter was actually a Rebecca as well. Her response ~ she had never really considered it and could never come up with a name that suited her for the heroine. She also felt the character did not need a name since she was narrating the story. After reading Alena, I believed Ms. Pastan had overlooked this major characteristic of Rebecca by naming the narrator in her book Cara, which truly confused me since I had read in a number of places, "our heroine - who remains nameless, like the heroine of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca."  However upon writing to the author (very much like my relationship with Ms. Du Maurier, but with e-mail) I learned the word cara is Italian for "dear" or "darling". I am so glad I contacted Ms. Pastan in order to clear up my confusion because it struck such a chord in me when I first read the word.

Alena
written by Rachel Pastan

Almost thirty years after reading it for the first time, Rebecca remains my second favorite book, the first being Gone with the Wind. When my husband came across Alena on his recent trip to Philadelphia during the American Library Association's Midwinter Conference he immediately grabbed a copy and had it autographed by the author (Yes, I do have an amazing husband!) I started reading it as soon as I finished the book I was in the middle of when he returned. I was so excited, but a little concerned because how could anyone actually try to mirror a classic?

So, I'm not going to say it surpasses Rebecca, but Ms. Pastan did an interesting job of thinking outside the box when she outlined the story. One has to remember the definition of homage - "something that shows respect or attests to the worth or influence of another - tribute". I have to say the author does this very well.

A number of variations and similarities in the books can be made.

• For instance, the protagonist, a curatorial assistant at the Midwestern Museum of Art, travels with Louise Haynes, the curator, to Venice for the Biennale in Alena. Where the main character in Rebecca travels to Monte Carlo as a paid companion to Mrs. Edythe Van Hopper. 
• When Ms. Pastan's character meets Bernard Augustin they explore art together, while in du Maurier's classic the protagonist creates art - her drawings as she sits overlooking the Mediterranean while Maximilian (Maxim) de Winter courts her. 
• Alena's heroine and Bernard do not have a romantic relationship. She becomes the curator for Bernard's Nauquasset Contemporary Museum a "very small...vanity museum", known as the Nauk. As is obvious in the character's name, the "second Mrs. de Winter" and Maxim do have a romantic relationship. Following a two week courtship the main character marries Mr. de Winter and they travel to Manderley.
• Agnes, the business manager at the Nauk, is a great parallel character to Rebecca's Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper at Manderley. Both charcters remain extremely loyal to the main character's predecessor in each book, undermining and subtly suggesting each could never truly fill the shoes of Alena or Rebecca.
• Another great parallel is a short scence, which might be overlooked by some readers is the visit Barbara (Bernard's sister) and Alena's heroine go on to meet Willa Somerset, referred to as "Aunt Willa" although I could not find any reference to an actual family connection. She not only serves on the museum's board, but also donated the land on which it sits. Rebecca's heroine travels with Beatrice (Maxim's sister) to visit Gran, their ailing grandmother. Both of these senior characters become disoriented during the visit, asking for Alena and Rebecca, respectively.

I will not ruin the storyline of Alena for those of you who will want to pick this book up to read. Like Rebecca there is mystery to Alena's death. Some reviewers have been extremely harsh with their comparisons of the two books. I will simply say Ms. Pastan has truly created an homage to Rebecca in the truest sense of the word. She has created her own story in which similarities can be seen throughout. I would recommend Alena, not only for the resemblance to one of my favorite books, but also because it is a delightful read. I'm sure those who love Rebecca will be see many instances of equivalence, however Alena can stand on its own merits as a rainy day, weekend, or beach book.

Top Down: A Novel of the Kennedy Assassination

Top Down: a Novel of the Kennedy Assassination
by Jim Lehrer

I was going to start this post by saying, "I'm not sure where my interest verging on obsession to the Kennedy assassination came from.", but that would be a lie. As far back as I can remember my father talked about November 22, 1963. At the time of the assassination my parents were attending North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) in Denton, about 40 miles north of Dallas. They did not travel into Dallas that fateful day. They did, however, drive into Irving to visit my maternal grandmother the following Sunday. This visit was particularly memorable because Oswald had just been shot by Jack Ruby and the news had just been released surrounding Lee Harvey Oswald's connection to Irving (where his wife Marina lived with her friend Ruth Paine). Evidently they ran up onto her front porch and started banging on the door, which scared my grandmother terribly.

I was not born at the time of the Kennedy assassination, but living my entire life in Dallas County, it is difficult not to know at least a little about the assassination. I was always fascinated by the triple underpass and the School Book Depository.

Top Down is another book hoping to achieve notoriety by being published in the year of the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination. I have to say this book did not follow the path I thought it was going to based on the blurb. I'm not sure I agree with the statement, "a page-turning historical novel with the beating heart of a thriller," but it was a good read. Of all the fictional accounts of the assassination I have to say, Stephen King's 11/22/63 (even with all of the geographical mistakes) is still one of the best I've read. It better fulfilled my desire to know, "What if?".

Lehrer pulls from his own experience as a journalist covering Kennedy's visit to Dallas, but I wanted more. When the question is posed in the blurb, "...will it also change the course of history?" I assumed (my mistake because we all know what happens when we assume!) there would be more speculation as to what would have happened if the bubble top had remained on the limousine that doomed Thursday. I believe the storyline could have been better developed and not cut so short (the entire book is less than 190 pages). I liked the book and I would recommend it to others who are interested in this topic, but I would not add it to my must read book.

The next Kennedy related book on my list is Frame 232 by Wil Mara.

Leaving Nelson - update

In July I wrote about a wonderful book written by Kim Moss I had the privilege to preview. I excited to announce the book will be available for everyone to read later this year. You can read more about the author on her website, connect with her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter. She is a fabulous author, a phenomenal teacher, but most importantly she is an amazing friend. I am so excited for her, but also for you because soon you will be able to read the first book in the trilogy about Bailey Baxter and her family. Here's to the start of something wonderful for you Kim!

NEW Update to the Update!!

Kim's book was released TODAY (3/18/14) on Amazon. Be one of the very first to read this wonderful new book by an extraordinary writer.

My Absence

I want to apologize for not posting reviews for such a long period of time. My excuse, I have been very ill. I did, however continue to read, of course. I just will not be posting reviews of all of the books.

Here are the books I read while I was out of commission.

Gone
by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

Left for Dead
by J.A. Jance

Merry Christmas, Alex Cross
by James Patterson

The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green

My Cousin Rachel
by Daphne Du Maurier

The Goldfinch: a novel
by Donna Tartt

Second Honeymoon
by James Patterson

 So, you can see that I continued with my passion for reading for these oh so many months. I will probably go back and write a few words about some of these books, because in all truthfulness they deserve it. I am currently writing a review on the latest book I finished reading Alena by Rachel Pastan, but I have a question for the author prior to posting my review. I want to make sure the information I publish is accurate.

Keep reading, because you know I will!