My List For The 2012 TBR Pile Challenge

I've run out of space for my books so this challenge seems like the right choice. Roof Beam Reader has inspired me to pick 12 books that have been on my shelf (or floor) for at least a year and published before 2011. Here's my list so far. Are any of these titles on your TBR list?

1. Still Life by Louise Penny
2. The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl
3. The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett
4. The Fat Mat, A Tale of North Pole Noir by Ken Harmon
5. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
6. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
7. The Blue Boy by Rakesh Satyal
8. The Little Book by Selden Edwards
9. Imaginative Qualities of Actual Things by Gilbert Sorrentino
10. The Tower, The Zoo and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart
11. The Singer's Gun by Emily St. John Mandel
12. Hemingway Deadlights by Michael Atkinson

Sign up closes in just a few hours. I'm running to meet a deadline. That's been my story in 2011!

Ivan and Misha by Michael Alenyikov: Free Book

There have been many thought provoking and insightful reviews written this month on the TLC book tour of Ivan and Misha by Michael Alenyikov. Many have called it a top ten read of the year. I agree.

Sally's review from Bibrary Book Lust is a favorite, "it's like a Russian nesting doll, with stories inside stories, each of them revealing something grander, but demanding a greater share of attention to appreciate what you’ve found."

How can I top that? This is a problem when you're at the end of the tour of a popular book and trying to think of a new twist that has yet to be mentioned.

I will say this...

If you'd like a chance to win my gently used book, leave a comment with your email address. I'll pick a winner on October 8 for Yom Kippur. And if you live outside of the USA, you can enter too.

The only reason I'm letting it leave my shelf is because I received a PDF copy from TLC Book Tours. (The
E-book is not available yet and I hope it will be soon).

Back to the story, Alenyikov writes with passion and heartfelt honesty. After losing two parents recently I could relate to the sons' relationship with their father and his to them. Alenyikov brilliantly shows both sides. For me the father's story was my personal favorite.

I'm still trying to figure out the last story. It's hard to read about dying with AIDS. I need more time to digest and let it sink in. The other reviewers are ahead of me on this one. Who is Vinnie?

Response from Author: Michael was kind enough to write to me today about the last short story. "It's the only story I wrote independently of the others...(and)...the first story I wrote when I started writing fiction in mid-life. An author shouldn't have to explain."


My Comment: I agree with you Michael. It's like asking a painter to explain the art he/she has created. 


Response from Michael: 

"Just to clarify: What I meant about an author not needing to clarify his/her work  is that I tried hard not to confuse the  reader, needlessly. And if readers are confused then I wonder if I did a good job guiding them along. That last story was asking more from readers: to make a leap to a narrator who was a very minor character in earlier stories.

I actually had two other stories I cut at the last minute because while they were quite good I decided it was asking too much of the readers (one story was about a gay Swiss UN Peacekeeper in East Timor and Bosnia -- and I introduced a half-brother to Ivan and Misha about whom they knew nothing.)

The larger question of what does a work mean, what should it mean, is hard for an author and I leave that up to the readers. As the author my deepest feeling is that these are characters, emotions, events, thoughts, sentences I've lived with for many years.  I'm always surprised at what readers pick up on, feel most strongly about, etc. I think when we see authors on TV talking about their work they've kind of rehearsed lines that make it seem as if the author had those themes in mind all along, when in fact, a good deal of the time when writing one is quite in the dark about the impact of one's words, one's characters."

My Comment: Thanks Michael for your thoughtful discussion. I don't think I was in the right place emotionally for the last chapter. And because of this, I missed a key element. I understood the story was from an earlier time and remembered that Kevin was Misha's former lover.

This collection of stories of two fraternal twins, both gay, who move to New York with their father from Kiev is one I'll come back to. Stay tuned.

My thanks to TLC for the complimentary copy and including me on this tour.

The Upright Piano Player by David Abbott: Book Review

Do you think someone in their late 50's or early 60's is elderly? Keep in mind that I'm 54 when you answer this loaded question.

Here's why I ask.

I'm reading reviews for this book that describe the lead character as "old." It caused me pause and I looked in the mirror. I'm just a few years younger than Henry who is the protagonist in The Upright Piano Player. And I have gray hair too, but damn I feel young. Others may not think so at first glance.

There are many generations in this book but the central characters are prime time. I was hooked immediately. The book could have been a melodramatic soap opera with its many tragedies, instead it became a rich character study for me and contemporary British writing at its best.

Henry's world is turned upside down when he's asked to leave the company he founded. Through flashbacks we learn about Henry while watching him chart his present course. The author moves brilliantly between time periods with ease, even if his characters do not.

We see people close to Henry die. Torn relationships over the past are worked through. Henry becomes a victim and stalked by someone much younger. He's sometimes understood but not always.

I'm reminded that 50 plus looks old when you're young, but once you've arrived at this point in your life it doesn't feel that long ago when looking back. Scary, huh?

I left a comment on Dan's Journal and received a complimentary copy of this book. 

The Upright Piano Player by David Abbott was first published in Great Britain in 2010; my version is the first American edition by Doubleday. ISBN 9780385534420, 264 pages.

Saturday Snapshot: Shaka For Books

Rob Meets Hawaii Book Blog

At the start of summer I attended my first book festival. That's the good news. The bad is that I could only squeeze in about two hours. I was doing writing projects for clients in Honolulu the same weekend as the Hawaii Book and Music Festival.

My two hour visit gave me a chance to hear Roseanne Barr speak, the last 15 minutes anyway, and mystery writer Douglas Corleone.

I also had the opportunity to meet my first book bloggers. Misty and Alex were there from Hawaii Book Blog. I loved their "Shaka For Books" t-shirt and bought one on their website. It's become THE shirt when I volunteer at our library book sales.

Now that summer is almost over, although living on Kauai feels like it's endless, I'm looking forward to fall celebrations. I'm heading to the North Shore for a swim at Hanalei today and plan some downtime to relax and maybe write a book review.

How are you spending Labor Day weekend?

Saturday Snapshot is hosted weekly by Alyce from At Home With Books.

The Blue Moon Cafe by Rick Reed: Book Review

"Tearing. The man doesn't even have time to scream."

I usually don't read books about people getting ripped apart and things that go bump in the night. So it's interesting to me that I ended up reading (and liking) The Blue Moon Cafe.

This story about werewolves causing havoc in Seattle's gay community offered suspense and even romance. The good looking men between its cover were caught in a love triangle with bite.

I found myself tapping my Nook screen as fast as possible to see what happened next. Sometimes it was because of the passion between Thad and his mysterious hunk named Sam. Other times it was the suspense of the attack that kept me on edge. Especially when characters I had grown to like found themselves about to be shredded.

When I was working on this review yesterday, I was going to tell you that I handled the violence okay. But last night I got up in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep, sat down with a bowl of my homemade granola, and could have sworn something was lurking outside in the darkness.

Creepy, huh? Thanks to Rick Reed I may be looking over my shoulder for awhile.

With its high intensity scenes and strong characters, prepare to rip into The Blue Moon Cafe and howl.

The Blue Moon Cafe, by Rick Reed, received the 2010 Rainbow Award for Book Of The Year. Published by Amber Allure. Visit the author's website at Rick R. Reed. I'm participating in the GLBT Challenge for 2011. The Blue Moon Cafe has graphic violence and sexual scenes between men.

Sunday Salon with The Upright Piano Player

Every so often I take my books and head up to the North Shore of Kauai for a weekend away. Since I live upcountry Kauai, the chance to be next to the beach is a treat for this candy corn loving guy.

Last year I brought The Brontes Went To Woolworths with me. Some of you may remember my difficulty getting into this quirky story. Once I did, I loved it.

This time I came with my brand new Nook. I know. I said I would never buy one. But I did. And I like it.

I also packed a book I just won, The Upright Piano Player by David Abbott. When I opened it and smelled the fresh paper and heard the sound of a new spine cracking, it was like falling in love again. This experience is something that the Nook can't duplicate.

Yesterday I had the luxury of reading The Upright Piano Player in one day. While not really a beach read, the story captivated me. There's also a bookstore woven into the plot although it isn't mentioned often. Here's a quote you may like from page 222:

"Between a book's covers there may be passion, bile, mayhem, or murder, but in the quiet spaces where it awaits its fate (either acceptance or indifference) all is calm."

I feel a review coming this week. Watch for it. Right now I'm going to make coffee with my hand roasted beans and sit outside where a glorious rainbow appears over the ocean.

What are your Sunday plans?

A Sportscaster's Guide to Watching Football: Book Review

Do you remember that old Rock Hudson movie, Man's Favorite Sport? Rock plays an author who is an authority on the sport of fishing. The problem is that his character doesn't know how to fish.

Now it's my turn. I don't understand football even though my friends think I do.

In high school it was assumed that we all knew how to play. I remember running around the field in P.E. without having a clue what I was doing or who to tackle. Yes, I found myself on the ground a lot looking up at the sky. This was the pre-Internet 1970's when there was no Google to help or lifeline to call.

Now many years later, and with gray hair that just happened over time, I've decided to correct this deficiency. My goal this fall is to (a) understand the game of football and (b) develop a vocabulary to engage in meaningful dialogue when I find myself watching the sport with friends. This will replace the smile and nod of head.

Author Mark Oristano to my rescue. His (autographed) book, A Sportscaster's Guide to Watching Football, arrived last night and I read it immediately. Right from the start it felt approachable at only 146 pages. This is the book for the novice wanting to understand the game.

Oristano is passionate about football and tackles the topic with an entertaining narrative. He scored a touchdown in my opinion. (See, the vocabulary is already working).

Sprinkled throughout the book are "Cool Things To Say During a Game." And the Ultimate cool thing that ends the book (no spoiler alert!). Here's one example. When someone is frustrated by an incomplete pass I can smile knowingly and say, "I'll have to wait for the films." I love it.

There are also 12 "Time Outs" with interesting side notes. My favorite is the first one about Mike Ditka. He went up to the Ref when a penalty was called against the Cowboys, and calmly asked if the guy was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. After the man said, "No," Ditka replied, "Good" and then screamed,"because that was the worst g--d---- call I've seen in my entire %#*#  football career!"

This fall when football season comes around, I'm going to be ready.

A Sportscaster's Guide to Watching Football by Mark Oristano. Copyright 2009. Synergy Books. ISBN 978-0-9821601-1-4.

Scalping the Red Rocks: Book Review

When I was reading Scalping the Red Rocks by Greg Lilly, I enjoyed not only the murder mystery but also the relationship between two men, Derek and Topher.

Gay alert! Yes, we're talking gay murder mystery here. Instead of taking us into the bedroom of these two men, however, the focus is on their emotional connection. Another word might be romance.

I also liked how being gay was not the focus of the book. It seemed normal and accepted behavior which it should be.

Of course the setting is Sedona which has a liberal and new age feel. I've been there and have seen its beauty. It's not hard to imagine what would happen if a big development like the one Lilly writes about, might ruin the view and community for locals. With so much disapproval by community members, it might lead to, yes, m-u-r-d-e-r.

But scalped? This is my first mystery where the dead guy ends up with a final hairdo.

Derek is the new guy in town (an outsider) and wants to solve the mystery of his real estate agent's death. Actually, it's his Aunt's agent. Derek is there to help her relocate. The dead guy had ties to the development, as does Derek, so he has a personal stake in solving the crime. Plus, Derek is the one who found the body.

Lilly writes a good mystery. The ending surprised me. And about that relationship between Derek and Topher? Well, you'll have to read the book and see for yourself if something develops between them.

What's the most unusual death you've read in a mystery?

(Scalping the Red Rocks by Greg Lilly, copyright 2010, Cherokee McGhee, ISBN 9780979969461). I'm linking this review to the GLBT 2011 Reading Challenge.

Saturday Snapshot for May 7

I'm starting my return to book blogging with Saturday Snapshot. This is a weekly event hosted by Alyce from At Home With Books. I took this photo several weeks ago on Easter Sunday. When I posted it on Facebook, a friend said it looked like the head of a giant shark coming out of the water.

The views are spectacular as you walk along the ancient Makawehi Lithified Cliffs to Mahaulapu Beach. We live about 15 minutes from the trailhead which begins at Shipwreck Beach on Kauai.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who didn't delete me during my blogging hiatus. It's just been a difficult time but things are going better. Our Auntie passed away at the end of February. She lived with us on Hospice for most of last year before going to long term care. After her death we felt out of balance and put all our energy into work. Now that life is returning to normal, my reading is picking up again. Reviews are coming!

You Don't Love This Man: A Book Review

You Don't Love This Man
by Dan DeWeese

Harper Perennial, Copyright 2011
336 pages, ISBN 9780061992322

Rob's Rating: 5/5

Quote from book: "The illusion of a wedding's uniqueness is probably as false as the illusion of a marriage's permanence..."

From the book jacket: "A Novel About Fatherhood, Marriage and Bank Robbery."

It takes a great writer to turn every day life into a fine novel. DeWeese artfully captured the dance we do around relationships in his book, You Don't Love This Man. Interwoven into his writing are beautifully written observations of his characters and their innermost feelings.

I wasn't hooked at first. But sometimes when I stick with a book, I find that a strong connection is formed. For this to happen I need to identify positively with the characters. I also liked that I did not always understand what was happening. It kept me reading to see each character revealed like a piece of clay formed into a work of art.

You Don't Love This Man reminded me of something I read several years ago, The Weekend by Peter Cameron. The similarity between the two is how each novel focused on a point in time and an event that brought its characters together.

The protagonist in You Don't Love This Man is a middle aged guy named Paul. Written from a man's perspective, Paul feels like every man. A unique soul who often goes unnoticed. He's trying to understand the people around him and how he fits into each life. In the end he starts to understand himself better while questioning the choices he's made.

The characters are finely woven together in a complex connection of relationships on the wedding day of Paul's daugher. DeWeese develops each person with grace. I couldn't put the book down after the first chapter. It's a winner. If you've been around the block a few times with some bumps and bruises, consider adding You Don't Love This Man to your collection.

For more information, visit the author's website. My thanks to Trish at TLC Book Tours for a chance to read and review "You Don't Love This Man." Due to unexpected life events, my review is a week late. For the list of all tour stops, visit TLC Book Tours.

Sunday Salon: Lemon Pie and Murder

This week's winner of a $10 Gift Card to Mystery Lovers Bookshop is Ricki from Reading Challenged. There's still time to enter next week's drawing. MLB offers free shipping too with $10 minimum orders.

Update from last week: I told you about the lemon meringue pie Jeff was making for me and my new bed and breakfast. Well, I took my first reservation today for the beginning of March. And that pie was fantastic. The crust perfection. He served it on a plate that belonged to my mom. I think the plate even predates me.

Book News: I'm finishing up Paige Shelton's sequel to Farm Fresh Murder. She was kind enough to send an ARC of Fruit of All Evil to me. It's scheduled for release on March 1. I'm loving it. Can't wait to post the review. But first I have a long overdue review of One Man's Paradise by Douglas Corleone to publish.

Borders Leaving Kauai: This is bad when you live on an island. My closest bookstore will be Honolulu which requires an airline flight. I'm saddened by the news of lost jobs and a community gathering place. People have started a "Save Borders Kauai" Facebook page but I doubt it will have much impact. Did any of you get hit with a Borders closure?

Lots of writing this week: Mostly for business. I have some good client prospects and need to submit four proposals by Tuesday. Look for book reviews later in the week.

Triumph of the City: Book Review

Triumph of the City
by Edward Glaeser

Penguin Press, Copyright 2011
338 pages, ISBN 9781594202773

Rob's Rating: 4/5

Quote from Book: "Great cities are not static, they constantly change and take the world along with them."

This is the first time I've been asked to review a book written by a Harvard professor. And when you consider where I live, I may seem like an odd choice for a book about cities.

According to author Edward Glaeser "...Americans should live in denser, more urban environments."

I'm the opposite by choosing to live on an island considered to be one of the world's most isolated. I feel like a rebel after reading this book. And if I agree with Glaeser, I should feel guilty at the same time. 

Even though Glaeser makes a strong case for cities, I'm not moving. And yet, I've always been attracted to them. In truth, I love New York.

Glaeser's writing provokes thought and controversy depending on your beliefs. He excels at analyzing the great cities of the world including their history and challenges. Glaser provides research and insight on how to make our cities better and stronger. His work serves as a blueprint for the future. Skyscrapers are not an endangered species in Glaeser's world.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from Triumph of the City:

"An open city can't exist in a closed nation." (page 251)

"There is no such thing as a successful city without human capital." (page 223)

"Information technology is changing the world, making it more idea intensive, better connected and ultimately more urban." (page 37) 

"Poverty often shows that a city is functioning well." (page 257)

Environmentalists may cringe a few times while reading Glaeser's work. Actually, the author suggests that they "...toss copies of this book into the recycling bin."

I won't even mention his take on Thoreau. Okay, I will because it's just too good: " a somewhat underemployed Harvard graduate," and "Thoreau's walk in the woods did much more for his soul than for the woods themselves."

Glaeser is biased towards cities. And I'm biased towards small towns. But I like to be challenged and Glaeser succeeded.

My thanks to Trish at TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to host. Visit the TLC website for a list of blogs participating. For more information on Dr. Edward Glaeser, read his bio on Wikipedia.