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Eat, Pray, Love

by Elizabeth Gilbert, 2006

She goes through a divorce – “I don’t want to be married anymore.” And then a broken heart with David. So she decides to spend a year in Italy, India, and Indonesia (Bali). Italy = pursuit of pleasure – food and the language but mostly all about her. India – Ashram – yoga – finding God. Beginning of book – “And while I do love that great teacher of Peace who was called Jesus … I can’t swallow that one fixed rule of Christianity insisting that Christ is the only path to God.” That’s my problem with this woman – she gets to travel, getting paid for it (to write this book), thinking she’s all messed up because she doesn’t want to be married, so divorces, loves David but it’s a rotten love affair, gets to take a year off to recover. It’s all about her and her misguided search for life’s answers because she can’t accept Jesus. She thinks she found God but I’m afraid she found the Devil instead – all of her chanting and meditations, the four brothers, etc. But she’ll keep insisting she has finally found peace and love and God. Yucch! I thought it would be more about travel in those places but it’s mostly all about her and her psychological state at the time. Over and over and over again. Finally, in Bali, the pace picks up and we get more of a glimpse of Bali – what a beautiful island! There she fall in love with Felipe, a Brazilian ex-pat, 52 years old (she’s only 35 when writing this book). Really, he loves her, adores her, and wins her over.

This book has been on the bestseller’s list for months. I don’t understand, we don’t want to encourage her. She’s just a narcissistic, spoiled brat.

The Red Tent

by Anita Diamant, 2007

Story of Dinah, only totally different from the Bible, only the names are the same. Dinah is not raped. Her brothers murder her beloved. She flees to Egypt, mostly about women having periods, babies. Most men are despicable. A few are wonderful. The God of Jacob is only Jacob’s God. Mush about other gods and idols. I prefer the Bible. Not at all respectful of God or His people.

Jackdaws

by Ken Follett, 2002

Page-turner, heart-pounding, couldn’t put down. WWII – 6 women recruited to blow up telephone operation in St. Cecile, France. German interrogator, Dieter Franck, almost catches them but Flick (main female) outsmarted him. What a fantastic book! A little too x-rated in parts – not necessary – but, Oh My, what an exciting tale! LOVED IT!!!

The Street of a Thousand Blossoms

by Gail Tsukiyama, 2008

Japan – 1930s to 1960s

Two brothers, Hiroshi and Kenji, cared for by grandparents because parents drowned. Through WWII, Hiroshi became a Sumo wrestler, grand champion. Kenji became a mask-maker for the Noh Theatre. Both married, both lost wives. Hiroshi lost Aki – suicide – never overcame the guilt of her mother’s death in firestorm during WWII. Kenji lost Mika in a train wreck. Hiroshi also lost a son 4 months old – dies in his sleep. Aki’s sister, Haru, was always there for them. She cared for Hiroshi’s daughter, Takara, born after his son. Aki was afraid she would also die so wouldn’t care for her. Haru tried to help her out of her depression and almost had when a boiler exploded and brought back all the fear and guilt of her mother’s death.

Very interesting, sad, beautiful book. Akira-sensei, the mask maker who trained Kenji – was also a big part of the book. He should have stayed and tried to love Emiko and her daughter, Kiyo, in the village in the mountains, Aio. But for some reason, he couldn’t, and he left them but always, always missed them.

Grandmother – Obachan. Grandfather – Ojichan. Beautiful, poignant journey into Japan.

Jane and the Unpleasantness of Scargrave Manor

by Stephanie Barron, 1996

(I was confused at first because of “Editor’s Foreword” – Did Jane Austen write it or Stephanie Barron?)

LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Jane goes to the Scargrave Manor for her friend Isobel, newly married to the Earl. He gets murdered by Barbadoe’s nuts, then Marguerite, Isobel’s maid, gets murdered. Everyone has possibilities. You really think it is Lord Harold Trowbridge, but he ends up the good guy. It was Madame Delahoursaye.

Googled Stephanie Barron. She wrote the books using all her research and Jane Austen’s letters to set the stage.

In A Far Country

by John Taliaferro, 2006

“The True Story of a Mission, a Marriage, a Murder, and the Remarkable Reindeer Rescue of 1898.” Full of history of the Lopps, Tom & Ellen, who start a mission in Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, in 1890. Lots of info on whaling, reindeer, natives in Alaska.Very, very interesting. What incredible hardships – Ellen had 6 children in Alaska all without a doctor’s help – by herself mainly. Hardy, strong folk! Good people!

Starship Troopers

by Robert Heinlein, 1959

Very interesting – fight bugs – but first joins up – goes through boot camp – does “drops” – He’s M.I. – Mobile Infantry. Then does O.C.S.

Most interesting part was the boot camp, especially about juvenile delinquents in 20th century. Because we don’t publicly shame them as youth – rub their noses in it – and we didn’t spank them in schools or at home, “pre-scientific pseudo-psychological nonsense” – that caused our parks and streets to be places of danger. We raised up juvenile delinquents and they became adult criminals just because we refused to punish them – spank them – when they first misbehaved – in Chapter 8.

Also, only those with military service could vote.

The Bonesetter’s Daughter

by Amy Tan, 2003

WONDERFUL!!! Ruth-modern day San Francisco and her mother, LuLing and her mother, “Precious Auntie.” LuLing’s mother, “Precious Auntie,” who lost her fiance and father on the same day because of the evil Chang family. When LuLing is to marry a Chang, Precious Auntie killed herself which saved LuLing from making a big mistake-marrying a Chang. But the Chang family ends up owning the ink company and marrying GaoLing-LuLing’s “sister.” Gao Ling eventually escapes him – the Chang – and comes to the orphanage where LuLing lives and has married the love of her life, KaiJing. He is executed by the Japanese. LuLing and GaoLing eventually come to America, marry brothers. Luling’s husband gets hit by a car and dies. LuLing raises Ruth on her own. Writes down the story of her life in Chinese when she feels her memory going. Ruth finally has it translated by Mr. Tang and knows and understands her mom. Wonderful ending! Ruth and Art marry, LuLing and Mr. Tang in love. “Buddhaful.” LuLing could not remember her mother’s real name until Mr. Tang shows them an oracle bone in the museum. Then she remembers: “Gu” LiuXin Gu.

The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax

by Dorothy Gilman, 1970

Laurie recommended. Great, fun book. Wonderful characters and action-packed spy story set in Turkey. Emily Pollifax, elderly lady, works for CIA. Goes to Turkey to rescue an old CIA agent, Magda, and ends up exposing a traitor, Dr. Belleaux, and boosting the courage and confidence of a young Englishman, Colin (whose sister she sat next to on the plane to Istanbul).

The Shell Seekers

by Rosamunde Pilcher, 1987

Story of Penelope and her three children, Olivia, Nancy, Noel, and their lives. Penelope’s Dad, Lawrence Stern, was a painter and The Shell Seekers was one of his paintings – three children on the beach. Penelope joined WREN and met Ambrose got pregnant – married – went home to Cornwall – Porthkerris. Ambrose went to war. He was a jerk. Sophia and Lawrence and Penelope, along with Doris and her 2 boys, live together during the war. Then, Sophia died. (Sophia was Penelope’s mom, much younger than Lawrence Stern. She went to London and was killed in the bombings.) Penelope ad Doris became very close. Penelope has a little girl, Nancy. Then meets Richard Lomax, a young marine, her true love. He dies at D-Day. Penelope eventually goes back to London and lives with Ambrose. Not a good guy. They have 2 more children, Olivia, and then Noel. Ambrose cheats and gambles, eventually leaves Penelope. She’s glad. Olivia is her favorite. Olivia takes a year off to stay in Ibiza with Cosmo. Penelope comes and visits her for a month, along with Cosmo’s daughter, Antonia. Olivia goes back to London after a year. Penelope has a heart attack. Cosmo dies. Antonia comes to live with Penelope and falls in love with Danus, the gardener. Noel and Nancy, all they want is for their mother to sell all her Lawrence Stern paintings so they can have the money. Penelope goes to Cornwall for a week with Danus and Antonia because her children didn’t want to. After they get back, she dies of a heart attack.

A Passage to India

by E.M. Forster, 1924

Hard to follow, hard to understand, but it was about India under British rule (yet another book in that time period!) Main characters: Dr. Aziz, Fielding, Heaslop, Mrs. Moore, Adela Quested, and many of Dr. Aziz’s Indian friends. Everything okay until Aziz takes Mrs. Moore and Miss Quested to Marabar Caves, near Chandrapore, and Miss Quested gets separated and someone attacks her in one of the caves. She blames it on Aziz. He goes to prison. Finally, at trial, Miss Quested admits she has no idea who followed her into the cave and Aziz gets out of prison. Fielding was his English supporter and friend through all but it was never the same. Very poetic, hard to follow writing.

Death in Kashmir

by M.M. Kaye, 1984

(Adam home this day for Thanksgiving!)

Not as good as her other books but still good. Janet Rushton is murdered on ski slopes of Kashmir. Sarah Parrish gets involved in the mystery. Ends up being Hugo – dear old Hugo! He is going to kill Sarah on the houseboat on Lake Dal but Charles saves the day. (Hugo wanted Kashmir to become Communist so Russia would have an easy access to Afghanistan and/or India later on. He was against his own country, Britain.)

Things Fall Apart

by Chinua Achebe, 1958

A story about tribal Africa (Nigeria) and Okonkwo, a warrior, ashamed of his lazy father, mean & angry, and his “clan.” Many superstitions and gods, rules, etc., for living. Grow yams. Missionaries come – His son Nwoye converts. Bad ending – 2nd missionary not good. Okonkwo wants to destroy them all but others won’t. He kills one and then hangs himself. The End.

Foundation’s Edge

by Isaac Asimov, 1982

Fell in love with Trevize. He and Pelorat get exiled and they get a super spaceship. They try to find Earth – Find Gaia in the Sayshell sector. The 1st and 2nd Foundation follow him. Gaia lets Trevize decide who wins. He chooses Gaia. Gaia represented by Bliss, Novi, and Dom. 1st Foundation – Mayor Branno, 2nd Foundation – Gendibal. This was my favorite Foundation book.

Second Foundation

by Isaac Asimov, 1953

First half: The 2nd Foundation defeats the Mule

Second half: The First Foundation thinks they defeated the 2nd Foundation – Arkady was programmed on Trantor as a baby so her encephelograph didn’t show she was controlled so her Dad, Dr. Darrell, didn’t think she was. But in reality, the 2nd Foundation planned it all – so the First Foundation would go back on Seldon Plan.

Foundation and Empire

by Isaac Asimov, 1952

Really good! Magnifico, the clown, is the Mule! Defeats the Foundation by his ability to control men’s emotions. Almost gets Mis to discover the location of the 2nd Foundation but Bayta figures it out that the Clown is the Mule and kills Mis before he can tell. Mule loves Bayta because she truly liked him all on her own. She and Toran, her husband, were his friends – the Mule never controlled her (Bayta’s) emotions. He doesn’t kill them in the end.

Morality for Beautiful Girls

by Alexander McCall Smith, 2001

More #1 Ladies Detective Agency – My favorite so far! #3

Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is depressed. Mma Ramotswe gets him to the orphanage where he is well taken care of. Mma Ramotswe solves the mystery of the brother poisoning – not killed just sick – it was the cook, not the wife – he did not want to be a cook, he wanted to be with cattle. Mma Makutsi gets promoted to Asst Manager of the garage and turns it and the 2 apprentices around – they become very hard workers and lots of business. Mma Makutsi earns the detective agency 2000 pula when she solves the question of who is the most deserving girl to win a beauty pageant.

The Rapture of Canaan

by Sheri Reynolds, 1995

Grandpa Herman’s Church of Fire & Brimstone & God’s Almighty Baptizing Wind – he rules his extended family – makes the sermons and the rules and punishment for sinning, like living in a cellar for 40 days, sleeping in a grave overnight, getting dunked. Ninah & James are prayer partners. Ninah gets pregnant, James drowns himself. Ninah’s baby is born with hands together as if praying. Ninah cuts them apart, changes others, frees them. (Strange, strange book.)

Wild Mountain Thyme

by Rosamunde Pilcher, 1978

What a great book! Victoria, Oliver, & Thomas go to Benchoile in Scotland-meet the Dunbeath’s Roddy, John – John & Victoria end up together at the end, Oliver a playwright – but oh – what a jerk! Stole Thomas from the Archer’s, hooks back up with Victoria – leaves them both. Roddy’s stable house burns – John saves Thomas, loves Victoria. (I can’t remember ANY of this story on 4/5/2020. I’m typing just what my book report back in 2007 said.)