"The Curse of Crow Hollow" by Billy Coffey

My personal rule of starting a new novel is 100 pages.  I'll give any book 100 pages before making the decision on whether to continue and spend the investment of my reading capital.  Sometimes I give it up, if the book fails to draw me in, or I find it just not my thing.   Stephen King's "The Tommyknockers" - gave up.  "Deadwood" by Pete Dexter, a tremendously popular book by fans and critics - the pacing was all off for me, and I couldn't finish.  "Lamb", by Christopher Moore, again, a majorly popular writer - I didn't make it to word one on page 101.  And others, usually horror novels by lesser known authors, have been stricken by the 100 page rule.

You can see where this is going.  "House of Leaves", reviewed previously, made it well past the 100-page test.  "The Curse of Crow Hollow" didn't.

The first 50 pages of "The Curse of Crow Hollow" were fine, were engaging if not gripping, and set the stage for what was potentially a good October supernatural read.  A small group of teenagers in rural, southern Crow Hollow, instead of going to a party in the usual teen spot in Harper's Field went to The Mines, the legendary, haunted, forbidden place where teens in a horror story always go.  Terror starts when a stolen diamond bracelet is re-stolen, and cloven hoofprints seared into the hard ground, up and down trees, and ending then re-emerging across a pond lead to the bracelet at the remote cabin of the local rumored witch.  The teens encounter the witch herself, and hear the raging roars and growls of something, presumably the owner of the cloven hooves, locked inside the shed.  The teens escape, but not without terrifying consequence.

Sounds good so far.  Teens in trouble.  A witch.  A Jersey Devil-like thing imprisoned and controlled by the witch.  Promising.

The next 50 pages though, for me, didn't resonate.  The focus shifted to the parents and other adults in Crow Hollow, their reactions to the returns of the teens, and bits and pieces of backstory.  The story moved along slowly, losing the tension that had been established earlier.  Perhaps this was foundation-building for a terrific story - I'll never know.  Disinterest took hold, and I set the book aside.

The story was written partly in the usual omniscient third-person narrative, but also partly in first-person, Crow Hollow-resident storyteller point of view.  These styles wove in and out too seamlessly, and it was distracting to me as a reader.  The lack of consistent voice was ultimately what led me to give up and move on to another selection.

Billy Coffey has many fans, based on reviews on Amazon, and "The Curse of Crow Hollow" has many positive reviews.  It may be a perfect tale for many readers out there.  And, with Pete Dexter and Stephen King, Billy Coffey has fine company as an author whose one book just didn't strike a positive chord with me.  "The Curse of Crow Hollow" might be a great selection for you, but for me, it wasn't.

The publisher provided an ARC of "The Curse of Crow Hollow" for review purposes.

Ronda Rousey: "My Fight Your Fight"

Ronda Rousey's "My Fight Your Fight" hit the bookshelves with impeccable timing, just as her fame and popularity attained new heights and reached audiences well beyond the usual UFC/MMA crowd.  Like myself, to be sure.  The stories of Rousey's bouts ending in mere seconds (12 seconds?!!?! How is that even possible?) reached the mainstream, and her combination of good looks, toughness, athleticism, and entertainment marketing converged during her book tour.  I happened upon her book tour scheduled stop in Kansas City just a few days prior to the event, and decided to attend and check out the Rousey-pandemonium first hand.  So, my two sons and I went to see and meet Ronda in person.

The book signing was crowded and as raucous as a book-signing can be, though nothing got out of control, thanks to police presence as well as Rousey's entourage.  Quickly the "no pictures from the stage" rule dissolved away, through the crowd still moved through the book queue quickly.  Ronda shook hands, posed, and spoke to each person coming through the line.  It was a great event.  Capping the event was Ronda coming down from the stage to greet a wheelchair-bound special needs fan.  She spent a few minutes talking to the the young man, who was ecstatic to be able to meet and share some time with the Champ.

Enough about the booksigning - how about the book?  "My Fight Your Fight" is a very good sports memoir/autobiography.  Ms. Rousey describes her youth, including the tragic death-by-suicide of her fathter, and her subsequent rise through the USA Judo ranks, culminating in two Olympic games.  Her story continues on to her few amateur MMA bouts, and then her turning pro in the UFC, through her current status as the undisputed most popular athlete in the ranks.

As a framework, each chapter begins with a few paragraphs about achievement, hard work, no-pain-no-gain, stuggles-bearing-success, and the like.  This framework does provide an effective motivational thread through the book, but overall does not add significant interest.  It's OK, but that's it.  

Ronda's insight and story about her years in the world of Olympic-caliber judo, though, are fascinating.  The struggles with coaching, the terrifying (to me) methods of weight-cutting, and the minimal support from the governing association are eye-opening and superbly interesting parts of this sports auto-bio.  The reader gets a close sense of what it takes in terms of day-to-day and also months-long efforts to reach the peak of the sport.

What also works in "My Fight Your Fight" are Ronda's descriptions of her bouts and opponents.  She gives us detailed insights into the athletes that she has fought, and move-by-move accounts of the fights.  I found myself going to Youtube to watch the fights after reading her detailed descriptions, which always include her recollections of her thoughts during the matches.  These chapters were the best of the book.

Der Bingle recommends "My Fight Your Fight".

"House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski

"House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski was originally published in 2000, and it was at least a couple years later that I read about it, and purchased my own copy after being very intrigued about the reviews and descriptions of the book.  It's been sitting on my bookshelf ever since, waiting for the right time to open it and begin the daunting project of reading.  At over 700 pages, it would seem to be a novel that would take quite a bit of time to finish.  And, flipping through the pages and seeing its structure adds the 'project' qualifier to the reading experience.  Every October I try to dive into books and stories of horror and the macabre, being with the spirit of the Halloween season, and so this year with October approaching, I decided to start "House of Leaves".  If I didn't like it, I'd concede and not make the presumably weeks-long investment in finishing, having given it my best shot before moving on.

One week and 709 pages later, I have finished "House of Leaves".

This novel was intriguing, scary, gripping, tedious, challenging, and a total trip of a reading experience.  It's unlike any other book I've ever read, and it will be for you as well, should you decide to take it on.

"House of Leaves" is about a house that is bigger on the inside than the outside.  (Not really like a Tardis, no...).  But not really.  It's about a movie that may or may not exist about a house that is bigger on the inside than the outside.  But, it's really about a blind man's excruciatingly-detailed analysis of the movie that may or may not exist, written as he lived inside a barricaded room, because of the movie that may or may not exist.  Er, not really.  It's about the narrator, Johnny Truant, finding the blind man's (Zampano is his name) manuscript about the movie about the house, and his descent into madness while reading and annotating Zampano's pages.  Sort of.  Ultimately it's about all of these things, and perhaps more, or perhaps less.

The book is recursive to a degree.  There are John Barth-ian elements of a book within a book, or maybe a book that is self-aware.  The book itself draws the reader in to the plot in many creative and very satisfying ways.  You will feel claustrophobic, you will experience an escape along with the characters, you will feel the influence of the house and all of its terrifying peculiarities.

Whew.

The core of the book, the story of the house and its endlessness (frequently compared to the classic labyrinth), was the most satisfying element of the novel.  An extra quarter-inch inside the house revealed concurrently with a suddenly discovered new room gets your attention.  A hallway that shouldn't exist but takes 5 1/2 minutes to traverse grabs you.  A door leading to an endless(?) spiral staircase sucks you in for good.  This central story is as good and scary as any other classic tale of horror.  It's what kept me going.

Less interesting to me was Johnny Truant's story, woven in through extended footnotes until several chapters at the end.  Although, I'm sure that Johnny's story was the actual central theme, it still didn't hold my attention as much, and I found myself working through his notes just to get back to the story of the house.

Every reader of "House of Leaves" is likely to have a different experience.  It's a masterwork of vision by the author, and makes the reader a true participant in the story as no other.

There are many different editions of "House of Leaves".  Fonts, color, and printing abnormalities are essential to the story, as you'll see in the following pictures.  The first two are representative of my edition.  The third is from a more deluxe edition, with additional colors and crazy printing.

"House of Leaves" is an adventure.  Its 709 pages went by much faster than I ever imagined they could.  If you're up for a challenge, check it out.

Rapid Review: "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel

After three previously published crime/mystery novels, author Emily St. John Mandel branched into futurist/sci-fi/post-apocalyptic genre with "Station Eleven", her breakout novel.  "Station Eleven" made the short list for numerous awards, winning several along the way.

Although the story of Earth post-decimation by killer virus has been visited many times by many authors, few have tackled it as well as Ms, Mandel.  In her version, Earth's population has been all but eradicated by the Georgian Flu, leaving only a few survivors who, via cautious wandering and/or quarantine areas have clustered together.  No explanation is given for the new virus, nor is any needed.  Dwelling too much on the science of virology, immunity, and cures can take away from the core of the plot.  Kudos to Ms Mandel for avoiding the unnecessary.

"Station Eleven" threads together multiple stories and timelines, from the origination of the outbreak and the central characters' introductions, to the future where a band of artists travel the land keeping the spirit of humanity alive through productions of Shakespeare's plays.  Another group of survivors has stayed in a quarantined airport terminal for years, hanging on to their sense of being and community be any means possible.

"Station Eleven" deservedly earned all the praise it has received.  It is a refreshing take on the post-killer-virus world, with true heart and soul at its core.  Interestingly, even though "Station Eleven" has been a best seller and multiple award winner, it wasn't until Spring of 2015 during her book tour that Ms. Mandel was able to quit her day job as an executive administrator and devote herself completely to writing.  She announced this during her stop in Kansas City - no more making travel arrangements for her company while she was on book tour.

For a unique and fascinating divergence into a new genre, try "Station Eleven".

"Tenth of December" by George Sauders

I was not familiar with George Saunders until reading "Gumption" by Nick Offerman (previously reviewed in this blog).  Mr. Offerman described George Saunders as one of America's best writers, and perhaps the funniest author of our literary age.  So, I had to give George Saunders a try.  "Tenth of December", Saunders' most recent collection of stories, was my initiation.

From the first few paragraphs (actually, it was the second) of the first story "Victory Lap", I was hooked.  Funny?  Absolutely.  Unpredictable?  Assuredly.  Creative?  Boundlessly.  Every story in this collection has moments of complete hilarity - you find yourself chuckling at a phrase or a thought from one of Saunders' characters.

Somewhere around the third or fourth story I realized that the stories seemed kin in spirit to David Sedaris' work.  I had not yet discovered the interview of George Saunders by David Sedaris to finish out the book.  Obviously others have recognized them both as twin rulers of American Satire.

Highlights?  Heck, every story in the book is a highlight.  "Sticks" totally cracked me up, especially one sentence in particular containing the word "glee" (I don't dare quote the sentence in this review - it would ruin the experience for the reader).  "Escape from Spiderhead" was a bizarre dive into pharma-tech that bordered on sci-fi.  "The Semplica Girl Diaries" was a long 'what-the-heck?' journey through the plot as told be a wanna-be journaling dad.

"Tenth of December" is an outstanding collection of stories that entertains from the first through the last.

"Revival" by Stephen King

I've been reading Stephen King since I was 18 - that would be since 1982, if anyone is counting.  To me,  Mr. King's work has gone through phases over the years.  I loved his early work - "The Dead Zone", "The Shining", "Carrie", "Firestarter", and of course "The Stand" (one of very few books I've read twice).  Then came "Cujo", "Christine", and others from that timeframe that didn't seem to be of the same quality.  Was he trying too hard?  Stretching thin ideas into 400+ pages?   Some of the work of the next period were, for me, unmemorable ("The Talisman", co-authored with Peter Straub) or unfinishable ("The Tommyknockers").

Over the years I kept reading Stephen King's work here and there.  I always enjoyed his story collections.  Several books were great reads for 80% of the book, followed by a flat ending ("It", "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon", "Needful Things").  Some works were good.  Many are still on my shelf still to be read.

With "Doctor Sleep" in 2014, Stephen King returned to top form.  Revisiting the story started decades earlier in "The Shining", "Doctor Sleep" was tight, tense, exciting, and a perfect continuation of the original.  It was hard to put down each night until I finished it.  A great return to form.  But I'm not here to talk about "Doctor Sleep".

"Revival", also released in 2014, is, in my opinion, one of Mr. King's best works, a top 10 selection alongside "The Stand" and "Salem's Lot".   "Revival" spans many years in the life of Jamie Morton and his relationship with enigmatic preacher Charles Jacobs, who conducts bizarre experiments with electricity.  Jacobs' and Morton's paths cross many times through the years, from the earliest when Jacobs comes to town as a local church minister, through a renewal encounter on the carnival circuit, to Jacobs' later years as a television evangelist.

There are two points I want to make about "Revival".  First, the plot is exceptional.  It is fast-paced, it is engaging, it is full of points that make you think you know what is coming next, only to be taken a different direction.  It's a superb, great story.  Second - this is the scariest plot climax King has ever written.  No details from this reviewer - no spoilers - but the unveiling of the secret behind Jacobs' electricity is the most terrifying imagery ever to come from Mr. King.  It ranks alongside Bram Stoker's description of Count Dracula scaling down the side of the castle tower,

"Revival" is one of King's, heck, Top 5, maybe Top 3.  Get it, read it, get scared.

Review: "The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell

One the the joys of reading a fine, layered, complex book like "The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell is the experience of the revealing of the plot, discovering and understanding the connections that the author has skillfully created, culminating in the finale and resolution.  The resolution may be satisfying, tragic, or sometimes even left to the imagination of the reader ala T.C. Boyle's "The Tortilla Curtain", but the author in complete harmony with the story creates a perfect resolution for the reader after a sometimes long literary expedition.

One of the difficulties of reviewing a book with a complex plot filled with moments of enlightenment along the, in the case of "The Bone Clocks", 624-page journey, is not revealing plot points that will harm the experience for other readers.  In other words, no spoilers.  But, challenge accepted, so here goes.

"The Bone Clocks" is the story of the life of Holly Sykes, a teenaged runaway following a breakup with her boyfriend.  Holly hears voices and has brief encounters with who she calls "The Radio People", and experiences time losses - she suddenly realizes that she has completely lost hours of her life with not a shred of recollection as to what happened.  During the several days where she has run away, her little brother Jacko, who is smart and wise beyond his years, disappears without a trace.  Foul play is suspected, the assumed crime remains unsolved, but Jacko's disappearance continues to haunt Holly.

Unexplainable experiences follow Holly as she grows - visits from the mysterious Immaculee Constantin, a psychic experience involving Holly's daughter Aoife, and practically Whovian time anomalies.  Holly's place in an extra-natural world becomes clear as the story progresses toward a bleak but superbly satisfying conclusion.

Ultimately, "The Bone Clocks" is superb.  The tale is long out of necessity.  There are times during the diligently-paced first half of the book where you are wondering when the story's pace will quicken.  At the end, you realize that everything, every element, is deliberate and important.  If it wasn't over 600 pages I would read it again to pick up on intricacies that I missed the first time through.

The final section of the book, titled "Sheep's Head", referring to Holly Sykes' town of residence, in addition to a perfect closure to Holly's story, doubles as a powerful message about our Earth and our lack of stewardship, our dependence on technology, and a chilling too-possible future state.

Author David Mitchell, of "Cloud Atlas" fame and also translator of the amazing "The Reason I Jump", has delivered a gripping, complex novel blending the real with the paranormal for those who are ready for a challenging and satisfying reading experience.

Rapid Review: "Prince Lestat" by Anne Rice

"Prince Lestat" is the latest in Anne Rice's acclaimed Vampire Chronicles series which began with "Interview with the Vampire" so many years ago.  "Prince Lestat" returns to the story of our blood-drinking hero Lestat de Lioncourt as he, the elders of the world's vampires, and some newer blood fend off a threat called "The Voice" (which has nothing to do with Adam Levine or Blake Shelton).  Nearly every blood-drinker from every previous story in the series appears in "Prince Lestat" as well as some new, modern, tech-savvy characters.

"Prince Lestat" is for the fans of the series (of which I am one), and it works well. The storyline around "The Voice" and the revelation about its identity move fast through multiple plot threads, culminating in an exciting climax and denouement.   I loved reacquainting myself with some old vampiric friends, and meeting some new additions to the cast of the undead.

A couple of the sub-threads didn't work well for me, and one in particular seemed to have some timeline issues that didn't jive.  But this is a minor quibble.  If you're a fan of Ms. Rice and the Vampire Chronicles, you'll like "Prince Lestat".  I only hope that Lestat comes to visit us on a few more occasions before he goes into the Earth for the last time.

A quick note about Ms. Rice:  I got to meet her briefly at a book signing a few years ago, and I had my (then) 4 year old daughter with me.  Anne Rice was about the nicest author I've ever met!  She spent several minutes talking to my daughter and asking her all about the toy stuffed lion she was carrying with her.  It was great!

"Prince Lestat" on Amazon

Book Review: "Gumption"by Nick Offerman

Damn you, Nick Offerman, damn you!

<sigh>

Nick Offerman, best known by some as surly local government antithetical perma-worker Ron Swanson on the most excellent television program "Parks and Recreation", and best known by others as a woodworker and proprietor of the Offerman Woodshop, is also a damned fine author.  An author who giggles quite a lot at book readings.

"Gumption",  Mr. Offerman's second book following "Paddle Your Own Canoe", is an exploration of 21 great Americans who, according to Nick, have an unshakable work ethic, a desire to succeed, and have achieved greatness through their accomplishments, either on on the grande scale end of the spectrum ala George Washington, or at the niche end, such as master tool maker Thomas Lie-Nielsen.  All of the Americans profiled are, in their own way, tough sumbitches.  Even the ladies.  Yes, even Yoko Ono.  (When you read Mr. Offerman's description of Yoko's toughness, you will look at her in a new light - guaranteed).

"Gumption" is divided into three sections "Freemasons", "Idealists", and "Makers".  The "Freemasons" section includes George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Frederick Douglass. The Douglass chapter was very educational and enlightening for me, especially the story of how Douglass taught himself to read when it was illegal for him to do so.

While "Freemasons" was good, it was in "Idealists" that Mr. Offerman really hit his stride, especially the contemporary Americans whom he was able to meet and interview in person.  There's a definite fanboy aspect to some of his selections for the book (a fact that Nick freely admits), especially author Wendell Berry.  Yes, there is a chapter about Wendell Berry, the off-the-grid Kentuckian/farmer who writes about life in fictional Port William.  There is a chapter, and then there are mentions and stories about Wendell Berry in every other chapter in the book, practically.  Mr. Offerman's obsession with the man and love of his work is apparent.

"Gumption" continues into "Makers", including the aforementioned Thomas Lie-Nielsen, founder of Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco fame, boatwright Nat Benjamin, American Comedic Goddess Carol Burnett, and artiste Laurie Anderson.  Mr. Offerman's passion for the works produced by these folks flows through his work.  Giddiness drips from the pages.

The chapters are not merely biographical sketches of his subjects.  Mr. Offerman offers plenty of humor, and plenty of his own opinions on topics such as religion, marriage equality, equal pay for women, and many more.  It's an amazingly readable and enjoyable book cover to cover.

So, why am I damning Nick Offerman?  Since reading "Gumption" (and getting to meet and briefly chat with him during his book signing), I have had to add several of Wendell Berry's books to my personal (overflowing) library.  And I want to go check out Wilco.  And I want to track down Laurie Anderson's work (I'm not unfamiliar - dug her back in my college days).  And I want to binge-watch Carol Burnett on Youtube (Carol was a staple of Saturday night TV in my house when I was growing up).  And, yeah, I need to binge-watch "Parks and Recreation" too.  Thanks to Nick Offerman, I'l be spending money on more books and music that will take up room in my house.  Damn.

"Gumption" is one of the best books of the year.  Superbly entertaining, and you will learn a lot about many great Americans.

Amazon link

"Gumption" was purchased by the reviewer.

Book Review: "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

"Between the World and Me"by Ta-Nehisi Coates was released early, in July instead of October 2015.  The continuing string of tragic events in our country, including the death in Coates' native Baltimore of Freddie Gray and the Charleston, S.C. murders and subsequent public discourse over the Confederate Flag were likely the factors that led to the decision to the early release of the book. I personally care not why the decision was made to release early, I am simply glad that this physically small but socially and emotionally huge book is now ready for the hands and eyes of readers.

Mr. Coates, in a series of essays written for his young son, tells his story of inhabiting a black body in today's America.  This not a book of perspective, or point-of-view.  Those are observational.  "Between the World and Me" is experiential, it is the life Mt. Coates has led, with struggles, with opportunities, with successes, and with living with the seemingly daily news of racial violence.

We hear how the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and, most predominately, Prince Jones, have affected Coates.  We learn how the decision not to prosecute the police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown affected his son as a flashpoint, a moment of clear understanding about the realities of life in a black body.

Coates states that race comes from racism, that racism is not the child of race.  He quotes the Confederate States Vice-President: "Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid , its corner-stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition."   (Remember, this book was written prior to the Charleston murders.)  His point is clear - the roots of racism are deep, and the timeline is long.

I have read "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl, an account of his experiences as a prisoner in a WWII concentration camp, many times, each time finding new meaning in his words.  I believe that "Between the World and Me" is such a book, one that requires multiple readings over the course of time.  Mr. Coates' words can open up powerful self-reflection and lead to a greater, deeper understanding of the times we live in, and the times we have come from.

"Between the World and Me" gets my highest recommendation.

Speigel & Grau, an imprint of Random House, provided an Advanced Reader's Edition for purposes of review.

Amazon link to "Between the World and Me"

Ta-Nehisi Coates writing in "The Atlantic" link

"Man's Search for Meaning"by Viktor Frankl Amazon link

Book Review: "Top Down" by Jim Lehrer

"Top Down" is PBS News Legend Jim Lehrer's 21st novel.  21!  In addition to being a driving force behind one of the most respected broadcast news programs in history, moderator of many presidential debates, and collector of bus-related memorabilia, Jim Lehrer is also an author of 21 novels (plus 2 autobiographies/memoirs and a non-fiction look at the presidential debates "Tension City").

"Top Down" is the story of newsman Jack Gilmore (who seems quite similar to a certain Mr. Lehrer), a reporter sent to cover President Kennedy's arrival in Dallas on the day of his assassination in 1963.  Gilmore, chatting with Secret Service Agent Van Walters, asks whether the bubble top on the presidential limousine will be on or off for the motorcade.  Agent Walters, after a check of the downtown weather, orders it taken off, as the rain has cleared.  This act sets in motion a cycle of guilt-induced physical and mental illness in Agent Walters, as he believes that his order allowed the assassination of the President.

"Top Down" is the story of Agent Walters' daughter Marti engaging Gilmore to help her father.  Together, they probe whether the order to remove the bubble top had a material impact on the tragic outcome that day in Dallas.  Would the bubble top have prevented the assassination?  Did Gilmore's question to Walters actually lead to the order?  What would have happened if the top had been in place?  An intriguing and important sub-thread throughout the novel is one of journalistic integrity.  Gilmore struggles with his job as an up-and-coming newspaperman to tell this important story with his promise to Marti Walters to stay "off the record".  Mr. Lehrer's own sense of integrity is the lifeblood of this vein of the plot.

Jim Lehrer succeeds once again in writing a very approachable and fascinating novel.  He is an outstanding story teller, with comfortable phrasing and style that make the book a complete pleasure to read.  Upping the ante with "Top Down"is the autobiographical aspect,which Mr. Lehrer describes in the Author's Note, in that he himself was in a similar position and asked a similar question about the bubble top to a Secret Service agent in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

"Top Down" is a very enjoyable book.  If you read it and like it, and it's your first Jim Lehrer novel, I encourage you to treat yourself to his other works, especially "The Special Prisoner", "The Last Debate", "The Phony Marine", and the One-Eyed Mack series.

Amazon link for "Top Down"

This book was purchased by the reviewer.

Book Review: "Hand to Mouth - Living in Bootstrap America"

Originally posted Feb. 21, 2015 here at Merry & Bright!

While reading "Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America" by Linda Tirado (G.P. Putnam's Sons [Penguin]), many descriptors will come to mind.  Enlightment.  Victim.  Attitude.  Understanding.  Perspective.  Anger.  Introspective.  And, the most interesting part is that at times you will apply these to author Tirado and her chronicled experiences, and at other times you will turn the mirror on yourself.

Tirado explains in raw, clear, and unsettling terms what it's like to be poor in America.  She has an admittedly bad attitude at times, fueled by how she believes others, mainly "the rich", see the poor.  To Tirado, the rich believe that the poor are lazy, make terrible decisions, and are themselves the main reasons that they can't escape poverty.  Through her narrative about trying to hold down multiple jobs, obtain survival-level, absolute necessity-only healthcare, and find affordable transportation and clothing, not to mention feeding self and family, Tirado explains why the poor can't escape being poor.

Tirado doesn't claim to be an angel or a saint.  She has anger.  She doesn't help her own situation at times.  But, it is clear that she is far from lazy.  She shares terrible experiences of condescending attitudes while trying to get basic dental care and being presumed to be a meth addict.  Tirado does not want sympathy - she wants understanding.  "Hand to Mouth" will give the reader a vivid understanding of poverty.

And more - Tirado also gives us a glimpse of how she perceives the work routine of the rich.  She tells us about a new job in a typical office environment and how, in a meeting, she describes all the nothing that gets done.  From someone who has worked hard at multiple labor-intensive jobs, her most shocking insight is the waste of time in "rich" America.

You may or may not like Linda Tirado or her message after reading her powerful book.  But you will never view the working poor the same way again.

Penguin Books provided an advance reading copy of "Hand to Mouth" for review.

Book Review: "Descent" by Tim Johnston

Originally posted Feb 14, 2015 here on Merry & Bright!

On the surface, "Descent" by Tim Johnston (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill) is a mystery/thriller novel.  Set in the central Colorado Rocky Mountains, "Descent" tells the story of the abduction of Caitlin Courtland, an 18-year old out for a run in the mountains with her younger brother Sean, while marriage-reconciling parents Grant and Angela remain in their vacation cabin.  Sean is struck and injured by a driver of a modified sport utility vehicle, causing Caitlin to face the choice of staying with her brother or riding with the stranger down the mountain to where her cell phone will regain service.  Caitlin ultimately chooses to ride, and then becomes imprisoned by the driver.  Her family then must endure the ordeal of a lost child and sibling, as they spend months and years in a futile search.

"Descent" is much more than a typical mystery.  Guilt abounds through the Courtland family, each feeling that Caitlin's abduction and disappearance is somehow their own fault.  Author Johnston wraps the reader into the guilt with an intense subtlety.  Through the actions of Grant, Angela, and especially Sean, we feel their guilt rather than being told about it.  Sean is referred to as "the boy", telling us about his self-image, never allowing himself to truly grow from his 15 year old self.  Grant never leaves Colorado, even long after the official searches have ended, staying with the father of the local sheriff, Joe.  Joe's brother Billy, a black sheep character, is a conflict for the Courtlands.  Billy has run-ins with both Grant and Sean, and is a "bad man", described by Grant in a particularly tense standoff.

Mr. Johnston's skill at bringing depth to "Descent" is very admirable.  At times the cost of the depth is a story that moves at a deliberate pace,but it is well worth it.  When the story picks up the pace, you will not want to put the book down.

Many mystery stories have a point of plot convenience, where the reader must suspend disbelief momentarily and go along with an unlikely event that is there to progress the story.  There is a slight moment like this in "Descent", but Mr. Johnston addresses this with great skill.  The story flows amazingly from that point forward, and any "Oh, really?" thoughts a reader may have are quickly erased.

"Descent" is a fine, gripping, and involved novel, and an excellent choice for a Wintertime read.

Book Review: "Cattle Kate"

Originally posted on November 12, 2014 here on Merry & Bright!

Chapter 10 of "Cattle Kate" by Jana Bommersbach, published by Poisoned Pen Press, is titled "I Wanted a Nice Christmas".  Homesteader Ella Watson relates the story of the Winter of 1886 in Wyoming Territory, one of the harshest that anyone in the W.T, as it's called by Ella, can remember.  The chapter begins with "We didn't get much of a Christmas in '86", and then tells the story of the lonely cold Christmas that year.  Ella's gift to her husband Jim is a shirt, homemade from saved fabric, and a dinner of jerky stew and a pie from "the last of my sugar...and apples I had canned".  Jim's gift to Ella - "a book of poetry printed year ago in England - it even has a royal seal, which looks very important".  Ella and Jim spend Christmas eve on the Wyoming prairie reading "The Raven", by Poe, and singing "Auld Lang Syne", a tradition carried forward from Ella's Scottish father.  How different, and pure, this life seems.

"Cattle Kate" is the story of Ella Watson, who was the only woman ever lynched for cattle rustling.  Author Jana Bommersbach has re-told this true story from the too-wild West, and gives new life to Ella Watson, whose tragic end is truly heartbreaking.  Ellen Watson was born into a Scottish-Irish family in Canada in the late 1800's.  Her father Tom led the family to re-settle as homesteaders near Lebanon, KS, traveling in a covered wagon and, basically, walking from Ontario to Kansas.  In Bommersbach's very talented hands, we hear in Ellen's voice the hardships of life as homesteaders.  Ellen, the oldest Watson child, meets, marries, and ultimately divorces in Kansas, and then sets out alone to Wyoming Territory, where 160 acres of homestead land are there for the hard-working and determined.  She drops an 'n' and is Ella Watson when she arrives in Wyoming, where she stakes a claim, meets and marries her husband Jim, and feuds with the cattlemen over land and water, with ultimately tragic results.

The first part of the book is written in Ella's voice, and paints a beautiful and descriptive picture of life in this era.  The details, like the unforgettable smells of a chicken butchering, bring this story to life.  The tragedies Ella experiences are heart-wrenching, and the ever-escalating battle with the cattlemen bring a sense of anxiety to the reader  You find yourself wanting to warn Ella and tell her to take this conflict more seriously.

The second part of the book, the aftermath of Ella's lynching, tells us how she became to be known as "Cattle Kate", a despicable cattle-rustling prostitute, all fabricated by the protective press, in the service of the cattlemen.  We learn the fate of the boys Ella was raising, the witnesses to the lynching, and the six cattle ranchers that were responsible for the crime.  While Ella's story in the first section is a historical novel, what follows is enhanced factual story-telling, and adds to the tragic injustice of the story.  "Cattle Kate", we learn, was far, far removed from the real Ella Watson.

The third and final part of the book describes the author's discovery of the facts of Ella Watson's story, and her extensive research notes.

"Cattle Kate" is a marvelous book.  The upbeat, positive nature of Ella Watson shines through in her voice, which makes her horrific end all the more emotionally burning.  My compliments to the author for being able to take us on this journey.  

On a personal note, my mother will be 95 in December, and grew up in depression-era Kansas.  Many of her experiences on the plains are similar to what Ms. Bommersbach describes, although they came 60 years later.  I'm going to pass the book on to Mom to read - I know she will enjoy it.  "Cattle Kate" is a darned good book, a perfectly executed engaging and ultimately tragic true story.  If you're looking for a Christmas present for a lover of mystery, Western, or historical fiction, "Cattle Kate" would be a great gift selection.

Poisoned Pen Press is an independent publishing company based in Scottsdale, AZ, that publishes new mystery books each month. If you're a mystery book lover, or are ready to give mystery novels a shot, check out their website.

"Cattle Kate" on Amazon

Poisoned Pen Press website

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Author Website

A copy of "Cattle Kate" was provided by Poisoned Pen Press for purposes of promotion and review.

Book Review: "Sons of Sparta"

Originally posted December 2, 2014 here at Merry & Bright!

Have a mystery book lover on your Christmas list?  If you do, "Sons of Sparta" by Jeffery Siger is sure to satisfy.  Set in the semi-anarchy zone of The Mani region of Greece, "Sons of Sparta" features wild and crazy Greeks, murders, age old vendettas, deeply serious family bonds, Ukrainians, and a hot, sexy, and desperate illegal immigrant waitress.  All of this is wrapped into a murder story involving the family of the main character, Detective Yiannis Kouros.  After Yiannis' uncle is murdered right before making a business deal to sell off part of the family's land, a move not popular with the entire family, Detective Kouros and Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis must move quickly to solve the crime.

"Sons of Sparta" has all the elements of a rapid-firing murder mystery - multiple bodies, suspects and motives galore, red herrings, hot trails, cold finishes, and an absolutely splendid ending.  This is author Siger's sixth book in his mystery series featuring Inspector Kaldis.  He paints a vivid picture of Greek living and dying, with history and culture throughout.  The Greek spin on the classic mystery genre is a welcome addition to the mystery canon.  

"Sons of Sparta" is published by Poisoned Pen Press.  Please visit their website for more information about their many other splendid mystery books.

Poisoned Pen Press provided a preview copy of "Sons of Sparta" for promotional and review consideration.

Poisoned Pen Press website

"Sons of Sparta" on Amazon

Welcome to Der Bingle Books!

Hello!  Welcome to Der Bingle Books!  This blog is a spin-off from Merry and Bright!, my Christmas Music blog, which also serves as a place to review and (occasionally) share non-Christmas music.  In mid-2014 I started posting a few book reviews to Merry and Bright!, but I have decided to bring this blog space to life as a place for the book reviews.  Here, you'll find reviews of everything I've read.  Some long, full reviews and others may be short summaries and impressions.  The books that I review may be old or they may be new.  A good book lasts a long time, and a great book lasts forever, so you'll see some of each out here.

You may also see contributions from the friends of Der Bingle.  I'm hoping I can convince some dear friends to submit their thoughts for posting.

The first few posts here will be cross-posts from earlier reviews on Merry and Bright, just to get things started.

Thanks for visiting!