Blog Category: Book Sketches
Posted by JGranatino on Wed, Dec 05
Elizabeth Berg has written a lovely sequel to her bestselling novel, The Story of Arthur Truluv. In the little town of Mason, Missouri, Lucille Howard has begun teaching baking classes to her enthusiastic followers. Her following has become so popular that she hires a newcomer, Iris, to be her assistant. Every night Lucille falls asleep hoping to dream of her lost love, Frank, but recently – to her irritation – an angel of death keeps appearing in her dreams and she keeps sending him...
Posted by JGranatino on Mon, Dec 03
Imagine an America in which women have been limited to speaking only 100 hundred words per day; otherwise the “bracelet” counter sends a jolt of electricity strong enough to scar. Even female children are subjected to this in a male-dominated society ruled by a crazed pastor and his flock, known as “The Pure”. Dr. Jean McLellan, a former eminent neuroscientist, has been released from her bonds because the president’s brother has suffered an injury to the brain which requires a serum she and her...
Posted by JGranatino on Mon, Nov 26
Local author and poet Peter Johnson has created a new collection of prose poetry, Old Man Howling at the Moon, which he describes as "complaints". Several pieces have previously appeared in literary magazines, and Peter seamlessly blends them with new poems infused with irony and humor. He portrays the milestones of life such as "Good Old Days" to "The One That Got Away" to "Last Will and Testament" with wit and, at times, veiled anger. His poetry reflects a man’s life, his role as...
Posted by JGranatino on Tue, Nov 20
Hugh McElroy has been called to negotiate a hostage situation at a local women’s reproductive health clinic where shots have already been fired. A SWAT team is ready to storm the gates, but Hugh has a particular reason for not wanting to chance any more casualties…his daughter is inside. The shooter has a “divine” purpose for murder relating to his own daughter’s decision to abort her pregnancy. Picoult progresses her story by counting the hours backward to the clinic’s early morning opening....
Posted by JGranatino on Mon, Nov 19
Joanna Gaines, former co-star of HGTV’s Fixer Upper and lead designer/co-owner of Magnolia Homes construction business with husband Chip, has plenty of good advice on making a living space truly one’s own. Her aim in writing the book was to “empower and motivate” readers “to create a home that communicates the soul and substance of the people who live within its walls." For Gaines, “it’s about story”: being surrounded by meaningful and memorable items that you and your family love,...
Posted by JGranatino on Wed, Nov 14
In the summer of 1922, young Paulien Mertens is alone and on the run after her fiancé, George Everard, has run off with millions invested in a bogus business venture. Believing she had knowledge of his schemes, her family has cut ties with her and she is in fear of being arrested. Her background and expertise in Post-Impressionist art will get her a position in an art gallery, but she will have to reinvent herself to disguise her past. As Vivienne Gregsby, she is offered a job with a wealthy...
Posted by JGranatino on Tue, Nov 06
Ella Longfield is traveling on a train bound to London and observes two teenage girls board, and soon they are seated with two young men carrying black garbage bags. She overhears the men flirting with the girls as well as their admission that they just got released from prison. Ella becomes concerned for the girls' welfare and considers alerting the police or even trying to figure out how to contact their families in this small community. But after overhearing something else, she decides not...
Posted by JGranatino on Fri, Nov 02
Ludwig ("Lale") Sokolov was sent to Auschwitz-Berkinau in April of 1942, and after his facility with languages was apparent he was set to work as a "Tatowierer" for the Nazis tattooing numbers on new arrivals at the camps. Shortly thereafter, he met Gita, another prisoner who worked in the administration building. Doing whatever they could to survive, Lale and Gita helped other prisoners by smuggling food and medicine, all the while realizing they could be killed at any moment by the guards. As...
Posted by JGranatino on Mon, Aug 27
In his preface, author Macdonald himself gives the best description of this book’s content: “This is a book about truth, not lies, although much of it is concerned with how truth can be used just like lies.” Stressing the complexity of his topic, he explores the different kinds of “truth” – partial, subjective, artificial, and unknown – discussing and giving many examples of competing truths, misuse of statistics and numbers, the critical importance of context and naming, and deceptive...
Posted by JGranatino on Mon, Aug 27
This book recounts informal conversations between three long-time friends staying together in a small house in the forest of the Dordogne. Coming from very different paths, they are united in their desire to offer helpful guideposts for life’s journey, sharing their own experiences with candor and humor. Their relaxed but deeply insightful discussions cover topics such as life’s aspirations, learning to listen, insights into the body and the emotional life, the mystery of suffering, forgiveness...
