Two outlaw brothers set off to gold-rush California in search of a man they're contracted to kill. But nothing's ever as easy as it seems.
Eli and Charlie Sisters are "brand-name" famous for their work; all they have to do is introduce themselves, and people blanch. But Eli has had enough, and is considering what his next life could look like: husband, shopkeep?
In the meantime, they're hunting down a man with a chemical formula that makes panning streams for gold child's play.
This is a dark comedy, that contrasts with flashes of shocking, stark violence. It's a remarkable, unforgettable novel and one of the best I've read in quite a while.
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
There There by Tommy Orange
As the Big Oakland Powwow approaches, Native Americans of all kinds begin journeys to the event. Some travel only a few blocks, some come from across the country - and many have distances to cover that can't be measured in miles.
The multiple characters of this novel have their own stories (in separate chapters) but the closer we move toward the powwow's start, the more we see the lives are blended, woven, and interconnected: the local center's janitor, the event's emcee, a kid nervous for his first participation, an alcoholic on her way back home, local thugs with a plan.
From so many character's perspectives, the book gives an interesting look at what "being native" means in the 21st Century: some feel strongly about history and culture, and others are disconnected either purposely or through no fault of their own. There are rez Indians and urban Indians, some who immerse themselves in their ancestry, and some who can't identify with it at all. And while there are many familiar characters here, none feels cliched.
The story draws you right in, but it's not a light read; there's a melancholy and an impending doom to the whole thing. It's a fantastic, gripping read.
The multiple characters of this novel have their own stories (in separate chapters) but the closer we move toward the powwow's start, the more we see the lives are blended, woven, and interconnected: the local center's janitor, the event's emcee, a kid nervous for his first participation, an alcoholic on her way back home, local thugs with a plan.
From so many character's perspectives, the book gives an interesting look at what "being native" means in the 21st Century: some feel strongly about history and culture, and others are disconnected either purposely or through no fault of their own. There are rez Indians and urban Indians, some who immerse themselves in their ancestry, and some who can't identify with it at all. And while there are many familiar characters here, none feels cliched.
The story draws you right in, but it's not a light read; there's a melancholy and an impending doom to the whole thing. It's a fantastic, gripping read.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
My Boyfriend is a Bear by Pamela Ribon and Cat Farris
Unlucky in love, on a chance hiking encounter Nora finally meets Mr. Wonderful ... except, he's an actual black bear.
Every relationship has its challenges, and this one is exactly like that. They work through the issues, work around the conflicts, and work together to make it fit. Her family is wary, and one friend disapproves while another becomes Bear's football-and-beer buddy.
This is a cute, funny, and totally relatable story (weird, right?). I want a sequel!
Every relationship has its challenges, and this one is exactly like that. They work through the issues, work around the conflicts, and work together to make it fit. Her family is wary, and one friend disapproves while another becomes Bear's football-and-beer buddy.
This is a cute, funny, and totally relatable story (weird, right?). I want a sequel!
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Catalina by Liska Jacobs
Elsa's life is a slow-speed trainwreck. She got fired after an affair with her NYC boss, so she's returned to California to spend every severance penny while popping pills, swilling drinks, and dragging everyone along for the shitshow.
I enjoyed the tension created by the band of walking disasters that includes Elsa, her ex-husband and his girlfriend, best friend Charly and her husband, and a rich asshole friend Tom who owns a boat. The gang decides to sail to Catalina for the jazz fest.
You know Elsa's going down in flames ... or can she be saved? She'll probably take somebody down with her - but who? There are several likely candidates.
It was a quick read, and highly enjoyable: A flit from drunk to stoned, from smash to crash to bellyflop.
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
Passion is at the heart of this historical novel, where a young woman chases her lover from Chile to San Francisco during the Gold Rush of 1849.
Eliza has led a pleasant but sheltered youth, an orphan taken in by a spinster British woman and her businessman brother in Valparaiso, Chile. When she falls in love with a company clerk, her future as a society lady quickly evaporates: He leaves in the madness to find California gold, and she disappears to follow in a delusion of love and lust.
Her amazing adventure is quite a story. She falls in with the wrong people - who end up being the right people - and finds a family away from home. She meets people from all countries and all walks of life, living out a journey she never could have imagined: becoming an assistant to a Chinese healer, impersonating a man, playing piano in a brothel and more. It's only when she gives up her quest that she finds that happiness has been building all along.
Eliza has led a pleasant but sheltered youth, an orphan taken in by a spinster British woman and her businessman brother in Valparaiso, Chile. When she falls in love with a company clerk, her future as a society lady quickly evaporates: He leaves in the madness to find California gold, and she disappears to follow in a delusion of love and lust.
Her amazing adventure is quite a story. She falls in with the wrong people - who end up being the right people - and finds a family away from home. She meets people from all countries and all walks of life, living out a journey she never could have imagined: becoming an assistant to a Chinese healer, impersonating a man, playing piano in a brothel and more. It's only when she gives up her quest that she finds that happiness has been building all along.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
The Most Dangerous Place on Earth by Lindsey Lee Johnson
Where, you ask, is the most dangerous place on earth? The American high school, of course.
This book is considered a novel, but it's almost a series of short stories. Perspective constantly shifts between students, and only a young, new English teacher pops up again and again with an embroiled outsider's perspective on the kids' drama.
The book takes these students from 8th grade through senior year. They study (or not), they party, they get in trouble, and they try to figure out what the world has to offer. We see their actions through the lens of other students (and their teacher), we see their roles in the social caste system, and sometimes we see things from their perspective, too - which often brings new information that alters your reaction to their behavior.
Pretty much they're all self-absorbed shits (they're teenagers - that's the default setting!). But Miss Nicholl isn't too far distanced from her own youth, and her naivety helps illustrate that maturity isn't a threshold you step over, it's more of a series of steps toward an unattainable goal.
The roiling dramas of high school is a near universal touchstone, even if you didn't grow up in this new, technological age, and this is a really, really good book full of complex characters and horrifying, realistic events.
It's being marketed as an adult novel, but it's very much like many of the young adult books being published today (I think the difference is the insertion of an adult rather than an all-teen perspective).
This book is considered a novel, but it's almost a series of short stories. Perspective constantly shifts between students, and only a young, new English teacher pops up again and again with an embroiled outsider's perspective on the kids' drama.
The book takes these students from 8th grade through senior year. They study (or not), they party, they get in trouble, and they try to figure out what the world has to offer. We see their actions through the lens of other students (and their teacher), we see their roles in the social caste system, and sometimes we see things from their perspective, too - which often brings new information that alters your reaction to their behavior.
Pretty much they're all self-absorbed shits (they're teenagers - that's the default setting!). But Miss Nicholl isn't too far distanced from her own youth, and her naivety helps illustrate that maturity isn't a threshold you step over, it's more of a series of steps toward an unattainable goal.
The roiling dramas of high school is a near universal touchstone, even if you didn't grow up in this new, technological age, and this is a really, really good book full of complex characters and horrifying, realistic events.
It's being marketed as an adult novel, but it's very much like many of the young adult books being published today (I think the difference is the insertion of an adult rather than an all-teen perspective).
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier
When her family moves to aid her little sister Maya's health, Cat is horrified to discover their new town is full of ghosts.
Telgemeier's a graphic novel rock star, and this book's been getting a lot of love. I totally understand why! The characters are rich, emotional, and very real. And the diversity of the characters isn't a plot point - it's just a given. While the main characters are in sixth grade, I think this book could be read by younger ages who were interested and engaged readers.
The book does a great job explaining Cat's fear; it also does a fabulous job explaining cystic fibrosis and Dias de los Muertos for a younger audience. And even with that much information, the story moves along nicely and keeps you interested.
Telgemeier's a graphic novel rock star, and this book's been getting a lot of love. I totally understand why! The characters are rich, emotional, and very real. And the diversity of the characters isn't a plot point - it's just a given. While the main characters are in sixth grade, I think this book could be read by younger ages who were interested and engaged readers.
The book does a great job explaining Cat's fear; it also does a fabulous job explaining cystic fibrosis and Dias de los Muertos for a younger audience. And even with that much information, the story moves along nicely and keeps you interested.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
It's not often I give up, but this is one of the big FAILS.
Perhaps I could have liked the book if it weren't for the horrible inflection and rhythm of the audiobook reader, Angela Goethals. It annoyed me from the start - her faux dramatic, hokey, hitching delivery - but I thought I could get used to it or get past it. But after 2 discs (somewhere about 2 hours of listening), I decided this was an aggravation I could do without and quit.
The book's about fake mysticism in turn-of-the-century America and a teenager's struggle to survive in a country turned upside-down by war and rampant racism. I kept waiting for the story to really grab me and ultimately I failed to find a hook.
Perhaps I could have liked the book if it weren't for the horrible inflection and rhythm of the audiobook reader, Angela Goethals. It annoyed me from the start - her faux dramatic, hokey, hitching delivery - but I thought I could get used to it or get past it. But after 2 discs (somewhere about 2 hours of listening), I decided this was an aggravation I could do without and quit.
The book's about fake mysticism in turn-of-the-century America and a teenager's struggle to survive in a country turned upside-down by war and rampant racism. I kept waiting for the story to really grab me and ultimately I failed to find a hook.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Someone like you
by Susan Mallery
In a search for downloadable books to take on vacation, I came across a Mallery title that was completely new to me. The best part is: there's also a sequel. On that note, the foreshadowing has me desperately clinging to hope that either the physical or downloadable hold for the next title will hurry up! Of course, I finished Someone Like You just before a national holiday.
Jill finds herself filing for divorce, out of a job, and back in her dreaded hometown. To top it all off, her childhood crush is also back and even more tempting than before. Too bad he's still hung up on a hands off policy where she's concerned.
Mac pretty much owes his life to Jill's father. He's also intent on fixing his relationship with his eight year old who will only eat foods that match her outfit. Jill, her clients, and her family are complications in his life.
This story will make you want to snuggle under a favorite quilt as you watch the one-time bad boy show that he's not only all grown-up, but also a very good man to boot.
In a search for downloadable books to take on vacation, I came across a Mallery title that was completely new to me. The best part is: there's also a sequel. On that note, the foreshadowing has me desperately clinging to hope that either the physical or downloadable hold for the next title will hurry up! Of course, I finished Someone Like You just before a national holiday.
Jill finds herself filing for divorce, out of a job, and back in her dreaded hometown. To top it all off, her childhood crush is also back and even more tempting than before. Too bad he's still hung up on a hands off policy where she's concerned.
Mac pretty much owes his life to Jill's father. He's also intent on fixing his relationship with his eight year old who will only eat foods that match her outfit. Jill, her clients, and her family are complications in his life.
This story will make you want to snuggle under a favorite quilt as you watch the one-time bad boy show that he's not only all grown-up, but also a very good man to boot.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir by Linda Ronstadt
Although she downplays it in her reminiscence, Linda Ronstadt's fame and that of her friends really is the history of American pop music in the 1970s and 1980s: They either were the zenith of stardom, or were reacting to it (and often in opposition to it) with their own styles and pursuits.
This is a wonderful memoir if you're a fan of music. Ronstadt talks about the importance influence of the music she heard as a child, and her evolution as an artist. While many claimed her voice was near perfect, she continually worked to hone her craft and improve her technique through new challenges and styles. I found it interesting that she was never a songwriter - always the interpreter and a collector of others' music.
But if you're looking for backstage gossip and personal revelations, you'll have to look elsewhere. While she's perfectly comfortable drawing back the curtain to reveal backstage influences and musical struggles, once she leaves "work" she's much less forthcoming. I often resorted to wikipedia for more personal background. For example: she does not talk about becoming a mother or parenthood; her children are solely mentioned in passing as inspiration for lullabies.
This is a wonderful memoir if you're a fan of music. Ronstadt talks about the importance influence of the music she heard as a child, and her evolution as an artist. While many claimed her voice was near perfect, she continually worked to hone her craft and improve her technique through new challenges and styles. I found it interesting that she was never a songwriter - always the interpreter and a collector of others' music.
But if you're looking for backstage gossip and personal revelations, you'll have to look elsewhere. While she's perfectly comfortable drawing back the curtain to reveal backstage influences and musical struggles, once she leaves "work" she's much less forthcoming. I often resorted to wikipedia for more personal background. For example: she does not talk about becoming a mother or parenthood; her children are solely mentioned in passing as inspiration for lullabies.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Three little words
by Susan Mallery
The town of Fool's Gold is still awash in romantic entanglements. For those that remember the Hendrix Family, Ford is home from his stint as a Navy SEAL. His ex-fiance's little sister, Isabel, is also back in town running the family bridal shop.
While Isabel's once unrequited crush has long since passed, she and Ford do still seem to enjoy each others' company. As can be expected, the rest of the Hendrix family is ready to see Ford and his brother, Kent settle down. Grandchildren are always nice to have. The bonus in this book is that we get to follow Kent through his foibles at wooing a war-hardened woman.
Four people each set out with goals in mind. Isabel has no intentions of staying in town long. Two have spent so much time in war zones that they've never had an opportunity to try loving. Then there is Kent; he's such a quintessential good guy that he might struggle with exciting the exotic Consuelo long term.
Depending on your mood, either Jo or Patience will be waiting with just your favorite treat when you settle into the latest Fool's Gold fantasy.
The town of Fool's Gold is still awash in romantic entanglements. For those that remember the Hendrix Family, Ford is home from his stint as a Navy SEAL. His ex-fiance's little sister, Isabel, is also back in town running the family bridal shop.
While Isabel's once unrequited crush has long since passed, she and Ford do still seem to enjoy each others' company. As can be expected, the rest of the Hendrix family is ready to see Ford and his brother, Kent settle down. Grandchildren are always nice to have. The bonus in this book is that we get to follow Kent through his foibles at wooing a war-hardened woman.
Four people each set out with goals in mind. Isabel has no intentions of staying in town long. Two have spent so much time in war zones that they've never had an opportunity to try loving. Then there is Kent; he's such a quintessential good guy that he might struggle with exciting the exotic Consuelo long term.
Depending on your mood, either Jo or Patience will be waiting with just your favorite treat when you settle into the latest Fool's Gold fantasy.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Just one kiss
by Susan Mallery
Fool's Gold, California is the kind of community that people either dream of living in, or dream of escaping. Justice Garrett had the great luck to live in this small town as a teenager. For more than a decade, he has been the kind of dreamer looking for a way back. Wait a second, yes, I did just call a special ops sniper a dreamer? He has found a way to open a business, and maybe find a level of security in life that has been missing for a long time. The question has always been, can he live in Fool's Gold without hurting Patience McGraw?
Patience has endured quite a bit in life. Both her father and husband walked out on her. She is caretaker for both her child and ailing mother. Through all her struggles, one of her most painful memories has always been the day Justice disappeared.
Both believe he isn't really husband material. The reader gets to watch as one character and then the other come to the realization that actions speak louder than words. Grab a cup of coffee from Patience's new business and settle in for a late spring Saturday morning on the front porch. Surely the people of Fool's Gold have a parade planned soon. Save your spot and savor this story.
Fool's Gold, California is the kind of community that people either dream of living in, or dream of escaping. Justice Garrett had the great luck to live in this small town as a teenager. For more than a decade, he has been the kind of dreamer looking for a way back. Wait a second, yes, I did just call a special ops sniper a dreamer? He has found a way to open a business, and maybe find a level of security in life that has been missing for a long time. The question has always been, can he live in Fool's Gold without hurting Patience McGraw?
Patience has endured quite a bit in life. Both her father and husband walked out on her. She is caretaker for both her child and ailing mother. Through all her struggles, one of her most painful memories has always been the day Justice disappeared.
Both believe he isn't really husband material. The reader gets to watch as one character and then the other come to the realization that actions speak louder than words. Grab a cup of coffee from Patience's new business and settle in for a late spring Saturday morning on the front porch. Surely the people of Fool's Gold have a parade planned soon. Save your spot and savor this story.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
