Water For Elephants: Mystery and Mayhem at the Circus
Posted by Cami Eslick on
September 2, 2008
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
PLOT
The circus comes to town right next door to 93 year old Jacob Jankowski’s nursing home setting off a string of memories. When Jacob was 21 his parents were killed in a car accident and he ended up running off and joining the circus. Jacob’s memories give the readers a behind-the-scenes peek at the greatest show on earth. Like any workplace the circus Jacob works for is full of politics, a pecking order, backstabbing and fighting. When Jacob falls in love with his boss’s wife, he learns that the circus he joins has dark secrets.
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This is the first book I’ve ever read that involves the circus. It is not the circus I remember going to. Gruen does a great job researching the circuses that travelled the country on trains back in the 1920’s and 1930’s. This story has great twists and turns and chracters to root for. Guren does a great job describing the acts, I was able to picture the acts in my mind easily. Although the story has some dark parts, it is a fun book to read.
No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series: International Fun
Posted by Cami Eslick on
July 27, 2008
No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith
PLOT
There are currently 9 books in this delightful series set in the African country of Botswana. In the first book, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Precious Ramotswe inherited a large sum of money when her father passes away. Mma Ramotswe using her inheritance and armed with a book on private detection, she opens The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Each book in the series is filled with intriguing mysteries Mma Ramotswe is hired to solve. Along the way we see her personal life grow as her business prospers. And each book offers a uniquie look at the culture and way of life in Botswana.
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This is a fun series. it is great to have a woman as the lead character, and she’s a detective as well. Mr. Smith was born in Africa and lived in Botswana so he has first hand knowledge of the culture he incorporates into the story. The stories are fun, the other characters are great and every book will give you something to chuckle about and something to think about.
The Kalahari Typing School for Men
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
The Ultimate Reading Quest and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
Posted by Cami Eslick on
July 21, 2008
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John Le Carre
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is one of the books listed in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. It is not a book I would have ever picked up on my own but now I can cross it off my list and continue on with my quest.
PLOT
The main character, Alec Leamas is an agent for the British version of the CIA. In the book they refer to it as the Circus. He was in charge of agents in East Berlin spying on the Praesidium during the cold war. It is now the early 1960s and Leamas’ entire team has been killed by the enemy. After years of service he is tired of the job and ready to call it quits, when he is offered one last job. It’s a job he cannot refuse and so he sets out to accomplish what, for him, will be his crowning achievement without blowing his cover.
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I like suspense, but I’ve never really been into spy novels. The writing in this is kind of dry, but the plot is superb. It has everything I would expect from a spy novel, and keeps you guessing until the very end. It also seems very real life; I could almost believe I was reading a true account and not fiction. I highly recommend this book.
Good In Bed:Fun and Witty
Posted by Cami Eslick on
July 18, 2008
Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner
PLOT
The story begins when self-described plus size woman, Cannie Shapiro discovers her ex-boyfriend (they are on a break) has gotten a job writing the column “Good In Bed” in a woman’s magazine. His first article is entitled “Loving a Larger Woman” where he describes his relationship with Cannie. This article sends Cannie on a journey that will bring her some of the best, and worst, experiences. With humor and wit, Cannie reflects on her past and present to find herself and try to find happiness.
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Cannie is a smart and funny character which makes this really fun to read. The story really is about self-acceptance. Cannie is such a real character that you can relate to what she is going through. I often felt like I was seeing myself in Cannie. I was completely engrossed in the story and had to force myself to put the book down and do other things. This is a light easy read and will have you laughing out loud in spots and reaching for the Kleenex in others. Snuggle up in a comfy chair and enjoy the ride with Cannie.
Seize the Night: You Won’t Want to Put it Down
Posted by Cami Eslick on
July 16, 2008
Seize the Night by Dean Koontz
PLOT
In a small California town children have begun to disappear in the night. Christopher Snow begins to investigate the disappearances when the son of his childhood sweetheart goes missing. Christopher has a rare genetic disorder which makes him sensitive to light so he is in his element in the darkness. He heads to a nearby military base, Fort Wyvern, which he believes is the cause of not only the disappearances, but of other strange events that have begun to occur around town. Christopher is familiar with Fort Wyvern and aware it houses deep secrets due to the research conducted there. As he sets out to find the children he discovers that saving them is not enough; he has to save the town as well.
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This was the first ever Dean Koontz book I read and I have been hooked on him ever since. Seize the Night is a major page turner; I could barely put the book down. The plot is so unique and takes twists I never saw coming. I would not recommend reading it late at night for two reasons: First it’s scary. Not in that classic horror movie way but in that the minute you close your eyes you will start to wonder… and then your imagination will take over. Second, you won’t want to put it down and go to sleep, which can be a problem for some. Just make sure that when you start reading it you carve out plenty of time because you won’t want to put it down.
