You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #45

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

 But you can like one cover version better than another...

US/Canadian cover

UK cover

I've been waiting for the release of The Bone Tree by Greg Iles since I turned the last pages of the first book, Natchez Burning, in this trilogy. (April 21 for NA) The US/Canadian cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right.  I'm torn this week. The UK cover is quite dramatic with the tagline, the chains and the font. The US cover evokes the southern setting - and the ominous tree. Hmm, US for me this week. Is The Bone Tree a book you plan to read? Which cover do you prefer?
 You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a
 regular Saturday feature on A Bookworm's World.

The Wild Truth - Carine McCandless

I read John Krakauer's book Into the Wild back in 1996. I remember being unable to put the book down and that my emotions were all over the place. And yes, I cried in the final pages. But throughout it all was the question - why? When Sean Penn made a movie of the same name, I decided not to see it. After all, I knew how it ended right?

But although the ending is known, perhaps not so much for the beginning. And the answer to that question - why?

Twenty two years after Chris McCandless starved to death alone in an old bus in Alaska, his sister Carine McCandless has decided to provide some answers to that question - why - in her new book The Wild Truth.

I chose to listen to this book as it was McCandless herself who read it. I find hearing the words spoken out loud from the person who lived it is powerful. Carine's story is by turns horrifying and heartbreaking. It is a story of secrets and domestic violence.

And here's my dilemma. Yes, the book reveals what life was like for children in this home. And, yes I can see why Chris left to find his own peace. I appreciate Carine's candor in finally exposing the secrets her family held. So, although the book's main premise is to shed light on Chris's past and  on his choices, the book is really about Carine.

And I enjoyed listening to it. I appreciate the candor and honesty of exposing one's self and life to the world. But a wee part of me wonders why Carine continued to have contact with her parents over the next twenty years - asking for financial assistance, trying to mediate their fights and hoping for a breakthrough. Some pretty horrific stuff is described as happening with her parents and Chris's leaving makes sense. And I know  - 'walk a mile....' but I am a loss as to why Carine continued to interact with what are described as thoroughly toxic and dysfunctional parents. Still, I found The Wild Truth a compelling listen, no matter the focus.

From an interview with Outside magazine: Carine - "The book is about Chris, but it’s more of a survival story. The best way I can help people learn from Chris and our experiences and our childhood is to show them directly how I learned from Chris and how I learned from our family’s dysfunction, how I survived. So I utilize myself in both positive and self-deprecating ways. I can’t criticize other people for not learning from mistakes if I don’t acknowledge my own mistakes and what I learned. This book very much goes into all of that." Read an excerpt of The Wild Truth.

Over the Counter #253

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner. This seems to happen to me fairly often....lunch was on my mind.....

First up is You Gotta Eat Here Too! by James Catucci and Michael Vlessides.

From the publisher, Harper Collins Canada:

"More great joints and recipes from the hit Food Network series!

You Gotta Eat Here Too! showcases the great joints and legendary local restaurants that many of us have never heard of. You’ll discover the most delicious, mouth-watering food in Canada and meet the colourful characters that have turned these places into neighbourhood institutions. And you’ll visit some of the country’s best eateries—so get ready for a coast-to-coast road trip with outrageously good food, from the best Caribbean food in the Yukon to pulled-moose sandwiches in Labrador and much, much more." (And there's some fairly close to me!)

And if you don't want to eat out, how about brown bagging it? Find some new ideas in Love Your Lunchbox: 101 recipes to liven up lunchtime by James Ramsden.

From the publisher:

"Save money and eat more healthily with 101 recipes to replace the daily purchased sandwich, drink, and snack.There is a new trend toward lunch boxes as people are cutting back on daily spending, trying to eat more healthily, and aspiring to use things up, creating less waste. Fitting perfectly into this trend, this cookbook is a creative, inspiring source of lunch box recipes and ideas for urbanites, with quirky, original yet practical ideas. Each of the 101 recipes are healthier and cost less than the average café-bought sandwich and drink. As well as recipes for eating straight out of the box, there are ideas for utilizing the office kettle, toaster, or microwave to finish off. From super noodles with tofu and lemongrass, to smoked mackerel salad, there are ideas for winter warmers, light summer lunches, and delicious snacks as well as recipes for the budget conscious. Includes dual measurements."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

The Devil You Know - Elisabeth de Mariaffi

The Devil You Know is Elisabeth de Mariaffi's first novel. Her previous short story collection was longlisted for the Giller Prize.

de Mariaffi sets her book in 1993 Toronto. Paul Bernardo has just been arrested and young reporter Evie Jones has been assigned to the story. It's suspected that Bernardo is also the Scarborough rapist that terrorized Toronto women in the late eighties before moving on to murder.

Evie's childhood friend Lianne was also abducted when the girls were young, with her body found eleven days later. This past event is never far from Evie's mind and colours much of her present. When she looks out her apartment window one night and sees a hooded man standing on the fire escape staring back, her anxiety levels ratchet even higher. As she continues to investigate Lianne's death, she finds disturbing connections to her own life. But is she really seeing someone or imagining it?  Are those footsteps someone behind her? Did she leave her door unlocked? Is there someone else in the room with her? de Mariaffi does a great job ratcheting up the tension with seemingly innocent sounds and innocuous actions taking on sinister tones and meaning.

Evie was a difficult character for me. Although I knew I should feel some greater sense of sympathy or empathy for her, she made me angry with her careless actions. Some of her decisions seem at great odds with her mental state and fears - especially in the last few chapters. I did enjoy the voice of reason from David, Evie's friend. David's father was especially creepy.

de Mariaffi does capture time and place extremely well. She herself grew up in Toronto during this time period. And de Mariaffi's best childhood friend Sharin' Morningstar Keenan was indeed murdered. And this is where I start having a problem with the book.  I'm old enough to remember these crimes, the warnings and the increased dangers associated with being a woman in Toronto at that time. But I also remember the victims of Bernardo's crimes. de Mariaffi uses those facts and names in her book. The murder and possible suspect of Lianne's killing is also drawn from Keenan's case. I can't imagine the families of Leslie Mahaffy, Kristen French or Allison Parrot need reminders of their daughters deaths used in a fictional work.

de Marriaffi's blending of fact and fiction just didn't work for me. Inserting her own character and her experience into borrowed real life situations seems a bit too easy. Can I also mention that Charles Manson also figures in a plot that stretched incredulity to the breaking point by the end. I found de Mariaffi's exclusion of quotation marks and one person point of view narrative annoying. Overall, this was a miss for me and just didn't live up to the publisher's blurbs "In the vein of Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects". If you're so inclined - here's a link to an excerpt of The Devil You Know.

The Long and Faraway Gone - Lou Berney

I listened to Lou Berney's second book, Whiplash River a few years ago. (my review) I remember I really enjoyed the characters, the plot and the dialogue - well, yes - everything!

I was eager to read his newly released third book, The Long and Faraway Gone .

Summer of 1968. Oklahoma City. Six employees of a small movie theatre are brutally executed. Inexplicably, the seventh staff member is spared. That same summer, a teenage girl disappears from the state fair - her body is never found.

Twenty five years later, Genevieve's sister Julianna is still pursuing the case and looking for her sister on her own. The lone survivor of the movie theatre killings is now a private investigator who has renamed himself Wyatt.

Initially, it was the mysteries in the The Long and Faraway Gone that intrigued me - why was Wyatt spared? Did Genevieve leave town on her own or was she taken? Yes, those questions are the basis of Berney's plot, but it is the exploration of the past and the search for those answers that was the standout for this reader.

I mentioned that the characters and dialogue captured me in a previous book of Berneys. The same is true in The Long and Faraway Gone. From the opening pages, I was drawn in to Berney's story. His prose are easy,engaging and definitely entertaining. Berney has a quirky sense of humour, but is just as adept in bringing the poignant moments to the page as well. Loss on many levels for almost every character is a theme running throughout the book. There are many supporting characters that were fully fleshed out. I really enjoyed Candace - a woman who inherits a bar in Oklahoma City that ties into the past as well. I almost wish I knew what life held for her 'after'.

Berney himself lives and works in Oklahoma City. His first hand knowledge shows in the descriptions of time and place.

The final whodunit reveals are really good, but the journey there is even better. I'll be watching for Berney's next book.  Read an excerpt of The Long and Faraway Gone.  (and one last note - I really liked this cover!)

"Lou Berney is an accomplished writer, teacher, and liar who has written feature screenplays and created TV pilots for Warner Brothers, Paramount, Focus Features, ABC, and Fox, among others. His short fiction has appeared in the New Yorker, Ploughshares, the Pushcart Prize anthology, and other publications. His first novel, Gutshot Straight, was named one of the ten best debut crime novels of the year by Booklist and nominated for a Barry Award. Find out more about Lou at his website, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter."

See what others on the TLC book tour thought. Full schedule can be found here.

Giveaway - The Turnip Princess and Other Newly Discovered Fairy Tales

Here's a great giveaway today for you, courtesy of Penguin Classics - The Turnip Princess and Other Newly Discovered Fairy Tales by Franz Xaver von Schonwerth, edited by Erika Eichenseer, who discovered the tales, translated by Maria Tatar, a Harvard folklore scholar and illustrated by Engelbert Suss.

From the publisher:

"With THE TURNIP PRINCESS, the holy trinity of fairy tales—the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, and Hans Christian Andersen—becomes a quartet. In the 1850s, Franz Xaver von Schönwerth traversed the forests, lowlands, and mountains of northern Bavaria to record fairy tales, gaining the admiration of even the Brothers Grimm. Most of Schönwerth’s work was lost—until a few years ago, when Erika Eichenseer uncovered thirty boxes of manuscripts in a German municipal archive.

Now, for the first time, Schönwerth’s lost fairy tales are available in English. Violent, dark, and full of action, and upending the relationship between damsels in distress and their dragon-slaying heroes, they bring us closer than ever to the unadorned oral tradition in which fairy tales are rooted, revolutionizing our understanding of a hallowed genre."

Violent, dark, and full of action, and upending the relationship between damsels in distress and their dragon-slaying heroes, Schönwerth’s fairy tales as collected in THE TURNIP PRINCESS bring us closer than ever to the unadorned oral tradition in which fairy tales are rooted, revolutionizing our understanding of a hallowed genre."

Fairy tale fans, simply leave a comment with the name of your favorite fairy tale to be entered. Open to US only, no PO boxes please. Ends March 7/15.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #44

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true. 

But you can like one cover version better than another...

US/Canadian cover

Laura Lippman's newest book, Hush Hush, releases soon and is on my TBR list. The US/Canadian cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. It's interesting that a child's shoe(s) appears on both covers. I'm going to call it a tie for me this week. The tag line on the UK version gives you an idea of the plot. But the US version lets us know that it's a Tess novel. (Yay!) Is Hush Hush a book you plan to read? Which cover do you prefer?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular Saturday feature
 on A Bookworm's World

Film on Friday # 33 - Gone Girl

Gillian Flynn's novel Gone Girl is one of the twistiest thrillers I've ever read. When I heard there was a movie being made, I got excited....and then nervous. How would the book translate to the big screen? Would they 'adapt' from the book? Or would it stay true to Flynn's premise. I always worried that a loved book will be ruined for me by a bad adaptation. Well, with one thing and another, I never did get to the theatre to see it. But the reviews were fantastic!

Gone Girl is newly released on Blu-ray from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, so I finally sat down to watch it last weekend. O.M.G. I loved it!!! All the worries about ruining the book were put to rest - Gillian Flynn actually wrote the screenplay! And director David Fincher nails it.

For those of you who haven't read the book or seen the movie (and you really should) here's a quick synopsis. On the morning of their fifth anniversary, Nick Dunne's wife Amy cannot be found. When signs of violence are found, a massive Find Amy campaign is mounted in addition to the police investigation. And of course, Nick becomes a suspect. He swears he's innocent and that he's being set-up.....

Great casting! Ben Affleck plays his part well - his attitude, demeanor and actions change quickly depending on who he's with - and he's believable. What persona is the truth? The supporting cast is just as stellar. Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris always turn in great performances. I really enjoyed Carrie Coon as Nick's sister and Kim Dickens as the detective looking into Amy's disappearance. But Rosamund Pike as Amy stole the show for me. She was the perfect choice - she too is a chameleon changing with whatever situation she's in or who she's 'performing' for. And does it all with a smile on her face....that doesn't reach her eyes......

What a fantastically devious cat and mouse game. The viewer is pulled in one direction and then abruptly the rug is pulled out from underneath you - and the game changes - and then changes again. Absolutely, positively recommended! Gone Girl is one of the few movies I would watch again. Watch the trailer below and you'll see what I mean.....

The Blu-ray includes a director's commentary and an 'Amazing Amy Tattletale' book - a delightful little book that is so wrong - and so right for the movie.

Over the Counter #252

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner?  The similar colours on these two covers caught my eye - that and the baking....

First up is Josey Baker Bread: Get Baking Make  Great Bread Be Happy.

From the publisher, Chronicle Books:

"This is the first true entry-level bread-baking cookbook, from Josey Baker (that’s his real name!), a former science teacher turned San Francisco baking sensation. Josey Baker Bread combines step-by-step lessons with more than 100 photographs, offering easy-to-follow guidance for aspiring bakers. Recipes start with the basic formula for making bread— requiring little more than flour, water, time, and a pan—and build in depth and detail as the user progresses to more complex loaves, including Josey’s cult favorite Dark Mountain Rye. With chapters dedicated to pizza, pocketbreads, and treats, Josey’s playful, encouraging tone makes for a fun read full of great advice for bakers of all levels.
Recipes include: Your First Loaf of Bread, Your First Sourdough Loaf, Seed Feast, Dark Mountain Rye Plus pizzas, pocketbreads, cookies, and more!"

Next up is Honey and Oats: Everyday Favorites Baked with Whole Grains and Natural Sweeteners by Jennifer Katzinger.

From the publisher, Sasquatch Books:

"This whole grain, low-sugar baking book is filled with 75 recipes for light, moist, and flavorful cakes, pies, scones, cookies, muffins, bars, and breads proves that baking with healthy ingredients doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or texture. Author Jennifer Katzinger created these classic baked-good recipes replacing sugar with honey, coconut palm sugar, maple syrup, and Sucanat; she uses oats and whole grains, such as teff, kamut, spelt, buckwheat, einkorn, barley, and whole-wheat flour to make delicious and more nutritious baked treats. For those who aren’t quite ready to go “all the way,” this book also provides recipe adaptations that incorporate some whole grains into their favorite baked goods. Katzinger also includes some gluten-free options."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Little Black Lies - Sandra Block

Little Black Lies is Sandra Block's debut novel.

Zoe Goldman is a resident on the psychiatric ward of a Buffalo hospital. Balancing her work and personal life becomes even more challenging for Dr. Goldman when a difficult patient is assigned to her. This woman killed her mother as a teenager. Her case spurs Zoe to again try to piece together memories from her own past. She's adopted, has ADHD, fragmented nightmares and more. And the only woman who may have the key to unlock the past is succumbing to dementia.....

Block has crafted a calculated suspense novel with an eye for the finish line - and the final twist. I must admit the twist was a good one. But careful readers will suss out the reveal before the final chapters. Although I did, it didn't detract from my finishing or enjoying the rest of the book to confirm my suspicions. Some plot points do seem quite coincidental though, as do some actions and omissions on Zoe's part in investigating her past.

A love interest does add a nice side plot to a novel. Block includes two for Zoe - one (Mike) absolutely works. I really still can't figure out Jean-Luc's yes/no/maybe so inclusion in the story - it seemed extraneous to me.

Block is herself a doctor and the medical jargon (prescriptions) procedures, (hypnosis, therapy. etc.) diagnoses and treatment of mental illness absolutely reflect her 'insider' knowledge.

Those looking for a entertaining, light suspense novel will find it in Little Black Lies. Try it now - read an excerpt of Little Black Lies.  Sandra Block is working on the second Zoe Goldman book. You can find Sandra Block on Facebook as well as on Twitter.

A Memory of Violets - Hazel Gaynor

It's been bitterly cold in my neck of the woods this past week. Which is okay if I don't have to venture out - I am more than happy to curl up in my chair with a good story and look out at the snow!

This weekend found me curled up with Hazel Gaynor's newest novel, A Memory of Violets.

A Memory of Violets is a historical piece set in a time frame I enjoy - actually two time frames - 1876 and 1912 England.

1876. Florrie, her younger sister Rosie and their mother are flower sellers on the mean streets of London. When their mother dies, eight year old Florrie attempts to look after her blind sister. But the fates have different plans....Rosie disappears in the blink of an eye....and Florrie desperately searches for her.

1912. Tilly Harper accepts a housekeeping position at the Training Home for Watercress and Flower Girls. It's a home for crippled, orphaned destitute flower girls saved from those same mean streets. When Tilly goes to unpack her clothes into the wardrobe, she finds an old wooden box, a journal and many pressed flowers.

Now, as readers, we're privy to both past and present as the chapters alternate. We can easily see the connections even as Tilly reads her way through the past. Knowing the outcome early on (although Gaynor threw in an extra serendipitous connection I didn't see coming) did not detract from my enjoyment of this historical piece at all. I was quite fascinated with the main premise of Gaynor's novel and found myself on the Internet looking up this up. On finishing the novel and reading the author's notes, I found that Gaynor had based her novel on what I had discovered. John Groom did indeed open a flower girl mission in the setting described. Many of the details of Gaynor's story pay homage to Groom.

A Memory of Violets is a gentle, sentimental, heartwarming read, comforting in its sedate pacing. Love, family and friends lost and found, all wrapped in the fragrance of flowers - and a wee bit of magic.  Read an excerpt of A Memory of Violets.


In addition to writing historical fiction, |Gaynor also writes a popular guest blog, Carry on Writing, for national Irish writing website writing.ie, where she shares her thoughts and experiences of the writing process, and also offer tips and advice. Originally from Yorkshire, England, Gaynor now lives in Ireland with her husband, two young children and an accident-prone cat. You can keep up with Hazel Gaynor on Facebook, as well as on Twitter. See what others on the TLC book tour thought. Full schedule can be found here.

Find out about DKfindout! (and a giveaway!)

I love helping kids at the library find a book to explore a topic that's grabbed their interest or information to finish up that project for school.

I always present a variety of books for them to choose from, but invariably they end up going home with a book from DK - Dorling Kindersley. (And if I'm asked - yes, they are my choice as well) Great up to date information well presented with lots of pictures.

Well, DK has taken things a (fantastic!) step further - they've got a great new online site called DKfindout. It's an exciting new online learning resource for kids, parents, teachers and educators of all kinds.

"Nearly two years in the making, DKfindout is a global education website that brings together DK's unrivaled collection of amazing images and expertly researched text to create a safe - and useful - online learning environment!

Catering to visual learners of all ages, this amazing free website allows people to create their own journey of discovery and learn remarkable facts along the way. It's accessible on all devices, iPad, phone, laptop and computer - and best of - it's free!"

DK would love to hear what you think about DKfindout. Check it out and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below to win a DKfindout tote bag. You can also let DK know what you think by tweeting #dkfindout on Twitter or on the DKCanada Facebook page. Ends Feb 28/15 Canadian peeps only for this one.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner - The Book of Life Blu-ray Combo

The randomly chosen lucky winner of a copy of The Book of Life on Blu-ray courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is:

TammyKD!

Congratulations! I've contacted you for your mailing address. Please respond with 48 hours. After that time, a new winner will be chosen. Keep your eye on the sidebar for other great giveaways!

Giveaway winners!

The randomly chosen winner of a copy of Hell and Good Company by Richard Rhodes , courtesy of Simon and Schuster is:

TechEditor

And the winner of a copy of God's Bankers by Gerald Posner, also courtesy of Simon and Schuster is:

KAS

Congratulations! I've contacted you for your mailing addresses. Please respond within 48 hours. Keep your eye on the sidebar for other great giveaways!

You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover #43

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true. 

 But you can like one cover version better than another...

US/Canadian cover

UK cover

The Stranger by Harlan Coben is on my must read list! (It releases March 24) The US/Canadian cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. It's not much of a contest for me this week. I like the boldness of the US cover and the little houses with the letters in the are a nice little scary touch. The UK cover is just too washed out, but the tagline is good. Is The Stranger book you plan to read? 

Which cover do you prefer?  

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular Saturday feature on A Bookworm's World.

A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman

I first tried reading A Man Called Ove from  Swedish author Fredrik Backman.

Ove is the perfect archetype for the word 'curmudgeon'. Everything is Ove's world is black and white, right and wrong. Rules are meant to be followed, signs are meant to be obeyed and Ove will let you know if you don't.

I read the first bit and actually felt quite sad. I didn't want to listen to a litany of complaints. (I have to listen to a few people like this at work - why bring it home?) I just thought this wasn't a book for me. But then I started hearing how much everyone loved it - and the library ordered the audio version - so I thought I would give it another go by listening. And am I ever glad I did!

The story came alive for me with George Newbern's reading. He captured the mental image I had created for Ove, but also gave him a humanity beyond the grousing. Ove's wife Sonia died four years ago and Ove has now decided that life is not worth living - suicide is on his list of things to do that day. Until a new, noisy family moves in next door. Of course they don't know how to back in a trailer. Ove will show them how to do it right. Suicide goes on the list for tomorrow. But then there's one more thing that Ove needs to oversee - and then another....

I can't believe I almost missed this wonderful tale! Backman is a gifted storyteller - I became completely invested in this little corner of the world, cheering on Ove as he rediscovers life - with a side of grumpy. If you liked The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, you will enjoy A Man Called Ove. Read an excerpt or listen to an excerpt.

Over the Counter #251

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? This week's it's time for a manicure!

First up Homemade Nail Polish: Create Unique Colors and Designs For Eye-Catching Nails By Allison Rose Spiekermann

From the publisher, Ulysses Press:

"Colorful, daring nail art is today’s hottest fashion trend, popping up in chic fashion spreads and on celebs walking the red carpet. But store-bought polishes aimed at appealing to the masses are generally uninspiring in hue and appearance. Homemade Nail Polish shows you how to create your own signature polishes using readily available tools and materials.

Whether you are looking to match your nails with a specific dress or just have fun playing with shades and hues, this unique guide is the key to stunning original nail art design and featuring one-of-a-kind colors. With step-by-step instructions, detailed photos, and recipes for dozens of different polishes—including cremes, shimmers, glitters, and more—Homemade Nail Polish will have you whipping up ahead-of-the-curve colors in no time.

From safe handling guidelines and a detailed explanation of each ingredient’s function to tips on bottling, labeling, and naming original creations, everything is right here for making polishes for personal use or as thoughtful handmade gifts. A section on tricks for expert application, easy removal, and drop-dead gorgeous nail design takes custom-made manicuring to a new level of self-expression."

Next up is 500 Nail Designs by Chelsea Franklin.

From the publisher, Fair Winds Press:

"500 Nail Designs is a collection of gorgeous, inspired nail looks. You'll find hundreds of dramatic nail art designs from multi-colored graphic patterns, to plays of textures and finish. Want super glossy nails for the beach? How about accent glitters for a night out? Get rockin' with the rough crackle look, or just go natural with a sexy, simple matte finish. There are also dozens of thematic designs such as red and green Christmas ornament designed nails, fancy floral patterns for spring, or tie-dye for summer. Take with you to the salon, share with your friends, or use the photos to create your own ideas. 500 Nail Designs is the ultimate nail art inspirational sourcebook for fashionistas. With a quick lesson for the perfect manicure, you'll be able to recreate these looks in a snap! Simply swap out different polish colors or textures, or add and subtract elements to get any style you see!"

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Hunting Shadows - Charles Todd

I absolutely love Charles Todd's Bess Crawford series, but funnily enough I've only read one or two of the Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries. And I'm not sure why, as I really enjoyed Hunting Shadows, the 16th entry in this series.

Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard is called in by the local constabulary when they are stymied by not one, but two murders - both perpetrated by a sniper. The two victims are completely disparate and it's up to Rutledge to find the common denominator - and the killer.

Todd writes wonderful historical mysteries - the times, the social customs and mores, the language and more are just lovely to immerse yourself in. It's a gentler time, but it's also coloured by the aftermath of World War 1. (Hunting Shadows is set in 1920)  Shell shock (what we now call PTSD) plays a part in both the plot and with our main character. Rutledge often converses with Hamish, a dead soldier from Rutledge's past.

I enjoyed and savoured the slow building of the case. Finding clues, conducting interviews, visiting scenes - it's all done in a measured manner that is just a treat to read. Yes, it's a murder mystery, but it's such a rich, atmospheric read on top of that. There's so much detail in Todd's prose, bringing the time period, the settings and the supporting cast to life.

The final whodunit is a satisfying end to some excellent plotting - one a reader will not guess beforehand. Definitely recommended. Read an excerpt of Hunting Shadows.

Those who enjoy British settings and authors will be surprised to discover that Charles Todd is actually an American mother/son writing duo. You can keep up with Charles Todd on Facebook.

See what others on the TLC book tour thought. Full schedule can be found her. 

The Forgetting Place - John Burley

I read John Burley's fiction debut, The Absence of Mercy, last year and quite enjoyed it. (my review)  I was eager to read his just released second novel, The Forgetting Place.

Psychiatrist Dr. Lise Shields has worked at Menaker State Hospital - a facility for the criminally insane for five years. She's a conscientious, caring doctor concerned for her patients' welfare.

Her supervisor assigns her to a new patient named Jason, who has arrived with no paperwork and no history. When she questions the supervisor, she is told to just proceed, that there will be no forthcoming file. But how can that be? Who is this man? Why is he at Menaker? And who is the man suddenly watching Lise's apartment and following her?  When the FBI approach her with a tale of a terrorist bombing plot and a murder, she finally has some pieces of Jason's history at last. But can she believe or trust them? When her own life is put in danger, she has no choice.....

I'm deliberately going to be a bit oblique with this review. If you haven't yet read the book, you might want to skip this altogether.

I must admit to feeling more than a little annoyed with Lise for the first half of the book - her morning routines, her acceptance of her supervisor's edict and the FBI's information without taking it a step further and looking into it herself. She wasn't a protagonist I believed in or wanted to get behind. Things do pick up in the second half of the book and I started to have suspicions that my mental list of frustrating actions and questionable plot points were actually part of the bigger plot picture. Chapters from both Lise's and Jason's past give the reader additional information to support those initial suspicions.

With the final 'reveal' in the last part of the book, all suddenly made sense - and my suspicions were confirmed.  I did flip back to the beginning to reread the first few chapters with a different eye and view. Readers who don't persevere through those initial chapters would miss a nice little twist.

Burley himself is a doctor and The Forgetting Place benefits from his 'insider' knowledge. Burley handles the topic of mental illness with a deft hand and insight. Read an excerpt of The Forgetting Place.

"John Burley attended medical school in Chicago and completed his residency in emergency medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He currently serves as an emergency medicine physician in Northern California, where he lives with his wife and daughter, and their Great Dane and English bulldog." You can find John Burley on Twitter as well as on Facebook.


See what others on the TLC book tour thought. Full schedule can be found here.

Definitely not a book review!

Today I thought I would show you another quilt I recently finished. This was was started knowing my first grandchild would arrive in January. Mom and Dad decided not to find out if it would be he or she arriving. Well, I have the most adorable grandson you've ever seen!

 


And needless to say, I am behind in reading.....

Winner - The Price of Blood

The randomly chosen winner of a copy of The Price of Blood by Patrica Bracewell, courtesy of Viking Books is:

Linda!

Congratulations! I've contacted you by email for your mailing address. Please respond within 48 hours. After that time a new winner will be chosen. Keep your eye on the sidebar for other great giveaways!

Winner - Unbecoming - Rebecca Scherm

And the randomly chosen winner of a copy of Unbecoming by Rebecca Scherm, courtesy of Viking Books is:

Margie!

Congratulations! I've contacted you for your mailing address. Please respond within 48 hours, after that time a new winner will be chosen. Keep your eye on the sidebar for other great giveaways!

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #42

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

 But you can like one cover version better than another...

US cover

UK cover

Her by Harriet Lane is on my (teetering) TBR pile. The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. It's interesting that both covers are a bold, solid colour that definitely says suspense or thriller. I like the red of the US cover better better, but I like the tag line on the UK cover - it gives you an idea of what the book is about. Which cover do you prefer? Is Her a book you've read or plan to read?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular Saturday feature on
A Bookworm's World.

Over the Counter #250

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? Well, we had cats a couple of weeks ago - so this week things are going to the dogs...

First up is Ask Anna by Dean Koontz.

From the publisher, Hachette Book Group:

"Dean Koontz is one of the world's biggest selling authors. Anna Koontz is Dean's remarkable dog who is poised to follow in her dad's footsteps with her first advice book for canines. She will soon become canine columnist to the world!

With her superior intellect, sharp wit, a warm and fuzzy heart, Anna Koontz debuts her talent as an advice columnist in her seminal work Ask Anna: Advice for the Furry and Forlorn. Some of her best advice: take time daily for ball-chasing and belly rubs - the keys (along with sausages) to true canine joy.

Learn more about the problems that plague Anna's clients and be inspired by how she counsels them. Also delight in Dean's just slightly skewed perspective on the importance of dogs throughout history. Without their advice, we humans would be in even worse trouble than we are today. They're heaven-sent (what is dog spelled backwards?!)"

Next up is Dog Shaming by Pascal Lemire. (Now, my library doesn't own this one, but I think we should - Lemire is Canadian)

From the publisher, PenguinRandomHouse:

"Based on the runaway web phenomenon (www.dogshaming.com), Dog Shaming features the most hilarious, most shameful, and never-before-seen doggie misdeeds.

Our dogs are our best friends. They are always happy to see us. They comfort us in our times of need. They also eat our shoes, stain our carpets, and embarrass us in front of our guests.

Dog owners everywhere have found their outlet in Dog Shaming, where they can confess their dogs' biggest (and often grossest!) sins, which turn out to be recognizably universal—complete with snapshots of ridiculously cute but shamed pups who don't seem capable of humping humans, pooping on pillows, or snagging steak straight from a grill. So share in the shaming and laugh through your frustration as Dog Shaming reminds us that unconditional love goes both ways."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

One Step Too Far - Tina Seskis

One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis is another first novel that's been getting lots of press lately. And it's my favourite genre -  psychological suspense.

Emily seems to have found happiness with her husband Ben, their solid careers and lovely home. Emily's childhood was somewhat unsettled - her father was a philanderer and her mother seemed simply overwhelmed. Emily is a twin and her sister Caroline was a difficult child - and an even more difficult adult. So, what would make Emily walk away from everything she had ever hoped to have?

 "It's funny how easy it , when it really comes down to it, to get up from your life and begin a new one."

Seskis takes us along with Emily (now calling herself Cat) as she starts her new life. But she also slowly (and maddeningly - in a good way) fills in what has led to Emily taking such a drastic step. It was impossible not to keep reading 'just one more chapter' before turning off the light for the night. But, it is not only through Emily's eyes and memories that the pieces are filled in. Ben, Caroline, Emily's parents and Cat's new friend Angel all have chapters and voices of their own. These supporting character's chapters are quite involved and at times, I wondered about the amount of detail given. It was only after I finished the book and was thinking about the title, that I thought it fit - each and every player in the story makes a decision that crosses a line and takes things one step too far. Seskis mixes narratives and timelines - the reader needs to be on their toes. I quite liked the unpredictability of it all.

But why, why, why is what kept me turning pages. I desperately wanted to know the reasons behind Emily's running.

I don't want to give anything away, so suffice to say Seskis pulls a literary sleight of hand that is masterful. I found myself back at the beginning just to see where the wool was pulled over my eyes.

After that spectacular reveal though, I did think that the part four ending that Seskis wrote took things just a step too far as well. It seemed to be overkill and the same sleight of hand language seemed too obvious.

I did really enjoy One Step Too Far and it's definitely a recommended read for those who love psychological suspense. Read an excerpt of One Step Too Far. 


"Tina Seskis lives in North London with her husband and son, and tries to write 2,000 words a day on her latest novel (working title The One). You can follow her daily tribulations with writing, dogs, mice, moths etc on Twitter at @tinaseskis or on her Facebook page."

See what others on the TLC book tour thought. Full schedule can be found here. Check out the book trailer too!

Giveaway - Hell and Good Company - Richard Rhodes

Here's a book for you history buffs out there.  Richard Rhodes' latest book, Hell and Good Company, is newly released and thanks to Simon and Schuster, I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader.

From the publisher:

"From the Pulitzer Prize–winning and bestselling author of The Making of the Atomic Bomb—the remarkable story of the Spanish Civil War through the eyes of the reporters, writers, artists, doctors, and nurses who witnessed it. The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) inspired and haunted an extraordinary number of exceptional artists and writers, including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Martha Gellhorn, Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, and John Dos Passos. The idealism of the cause—defending democracy from fascism at a time when Europe was darkening toward another world war—and the brutality of the conflict drew from them some of their best work: Guernica, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Homage to Catalonia, The Spanish Earth.

The war spurred breakthroughs in military and medical technology as well. New aircraft, new weapons, new tactics and strategy all emerged in the intense Spanish conflict. Indiscriminate destruction raining from the sky became a dreaded reality for the first time. Progress also arose from the horror: the doctors and nurses who volunteered to serve with the Spanish defenders devised major advances in battlefield surgery and front-line blood transfusion. In those ways, and in many others, the Spanish Civil War served as a test bed for World War II, and for the entire twentieth century.

From the life of John James Audubon to the invention of the atomic bomb, readers have long relied on Richard Rhodes to explain, distill, and dramatize crucial moments in history. Now, he takes us into battlefields and bomb shelters, into the studios of artists, into the crowded wards of war hospitals, and into the hearts and minds of a rich cast of characters to show how the ideological, aesthetic, and technological developments that emerged in Spain changed the world forever."

Sound like a book you'd enjoy? Simply leave a comment to be entered. Open to US only, no PO boxes please. Ends Feb 14/15.

Giveaway - God's Bankers - Gerald Posner

Here's a giveaway for the non fiction fans out there. God's Bankers: A History of Money and Power at the Vatican by Gerald Posner is newly realeased and thanks to Simon and Schuster, I have a copy to giveaway to one randomly chosen reader.

From the publisher:

"A deeply reported, fast-paced exposé of the money and the cardinals-turned-financiers at the heart of the Vatican—the world’s biggest, most powerful religious institution—from an acclaimed journalist with “exhaustive research techniques” (The New York Times).

From a master chronicler of legal and financial misconduct, a magnificent investigation nine years in the making, this book traces the political intrigue and inner workings of the Catholic Church. Decidedly not about faith, belief in God, or religious doctrine, this book is about the church’s accumulation of wealth and its byzantine entanglements with financial markets across the world.

Told through 200 years of prelates, bishops, cardinals, and the Popes who oversee it all, Gerald Posner uncovers an eyebrow-raising account of money and power in perhaps the most influential organization in the history of the world. God’s Bankers has it all: a rare exposé and an astounding saga marked by poisoned business titans, murdered prosecutors, mysterious deaths of private investigators, and questionable suicides; a carnival of characters from Popes and cardinals, financiers and mobsters, kings and prime ministers; and a set of moral and political circumstances that clarify not only the church’s aims and ambitions, but reflect the larger dilemmas of the world’s more recent history. And Posner even looks to the future to surmise if Pope Francis can succeed where all his predecessors failed: to overcome the resistance to change in the Vatican’s Machiavellian inner court and to rein in the excesses of its seemingly uncontrollable financial quagmire. Part thriller, part financial tell-all, this book shows with extraordinary precision how the Vatican has evolved from a foundation of faith to a corporation of extreme wealth and power."

Sound like a book you'd like to own? I have a copy to giveaway to a randomly chosen winner. Simply leave a comment to be entered. Open to US only, no PO boxes please.  Ends Feb 14/15.

Winner - Plus One - Christopher Noxon

And the randomly chosen winner of a copy of Plus One by Christopher Noxon, is:

BermudaOnion!

Congratulations! I've contacted you by email for your mailing address. Please respond within 48 hours. After that time a new winner will be chosen. Keep your eye on the sidebar for other great giveaways!