Friday, August 30, 2013

A Thousand Pardons by Jonathan Dee


Ben and Helen’s marriage is falling apart. A weekly visit to a marriage counselor only makes things worse.  When Ben, filled with despair, makes a series of reckless decisions, he disgraces himself and destroys his family’s comfortable upper middle class life. Ben disappears into rehab and jail, leaving Helen to deal with the resulting shame and financial problems. She puts their house on the market and moves with her pre-teen daughter to New York City. Despite little work experience, she lands a job with a small public relations firm and proves to be gifted at crisis management.  Her advice, no matter who the client is or what offense has been committed or even if the accusation is true or false, is to make a sincere apology. This strategy always works and the reputation of the restaurant, politician, or grocery store is salvaged. Helen parlays this success into a job with a larger, more prestigious firm. Her job becomes a career but, as the job becomes more demanding, her relationship with her daughter deteriorates. Ben meanwhile returns to the home he had rejected. He secretly reconnects with his daughter through text messaging and hopes to build a semblance of the life he had once so thoroughly rejected. However, the sincere apology does not work as well on Helen as an insincere one does on the general public. She is too angry, the hurt is too personal. Unless she can overcome her resentment, the family will remain torn. A Thousand Pardons demonstrates that it can be harder to accept an apology than make one. 

Those following the Ryan Braun case/ situation may find this to be an interesting spin on apologies and public relations. Check out A Thousand Pardons at the library!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Alex by Pierre Lemaitre


Alex by French author Pierre Lemaitre will be published in September by MacLehose, and imprint of Quercus Books.  What's so special about Quercus?  They were the lucky publishing group who snagged Stieg Larsson's wildly popular Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium) trilogy.  Quercus is again hoping to strike crime fiction gold with Lemaitre's newest novel.  

There are a few similarities between Larsson's Lisbeth Salander and Lemaitre's Alex Prevost. Both are strong, vibrant characters who are stuck in rather unfortunate situations.  And like Dragon Tattoo, Alex has another main character who is trying to solve a crime/mystery; in this case, police Commandant Camille Verhoeven.  But the similarities pretty much end there.

Camille has worked for the brigade criminelle for years and there is only one kind of case he won't work: kidnappings.  It isn't any wonder, considering his wife (who was eight months pregnant) was abducted on her way to the hospital and later found murdered.  But Camille's boss has forced him to be the lead investigator on a new case which involves, of course, a kidnapped young woman.  The Commandant tries his best to ignore his emotions and does what he can to try to find missing Alex Prevost.

Alex was out for a night of shopping and dinner when she was pummeled by a very large man, tossed into a van and taken to a secret location.  When she wakes, the man forces her into a rough wooden crate and suspends her from the ceiling of what appears to be a warehouse.  After who knows how many days, Alex realizes that the water and dog kibble the man has been feeding her daily, was not to keep her alive but to attract a horde of rats that live in the building.  More terrifying than being eaten alive by rats, however, is the fact that the crate is too small for Alex to even stretch out and, being a nurse, she knows her muscles are beginning to deteriorate.  

Camille is working with a very small pile of evidence.  There was witness who saw the woman get thrown into a van, there is a little bit of vomit on the street and not much else.  Camille knows that the more hours that pass, the less likely they are to find their victim alive.  After a stroke of luck identifying the van that the criminal used, the police now know who they are looking for.  When they find the man, he throws himself off a bridge into oncoming traffic rather than tell the police who Alex is or where he has hidden her. Back to square one and the clock continues ticking.  More investigation into the kidnapper leads to the discovery that the man's son went missing year or so ago.  When they go to ask questions at the former home of the son's girlfriend, they discover the son's body.  Is Alex really just the victim of a kidnapping or is she a murderer?  By the time Camille and his men have discovered the warehouse where Alex was taken, she has managed to escape.

This book is full of twists and turns and is a fascinating detective story.  A word of warning, however for the folks who were put off by the sexual violence in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo- this also appears in Alex.  But it is a thriller that will keep you guessing.  A thriller that might just answer the question: is there a worse way to die than being eaten alive by rats?  

Alex by Pierre Lemaitre is available everywhere September 3rd.



Friday, August 23, 2013

Death of a Dyer by Eleanor Kuhns



The sequel to A Simple Murder finds the main character, Will Rees, back on his farm in Maine. From the previous novel, Will is still working on reconciling with his son, David, and sorting out his feelings for Lydia, a woman from a Shaker community.  Will also has to deal with his need to travel and was born under “a traveling quilt.” His farm and hometown hold good and bad memories for him. When he is back, his boyhood friend is murdered. The son of the murdered man is under suspicion and the widow asks Will to investigate the matter. The author evokes the setting of post-Revolutionary War America and the hardships and joys of that time. Will Rees is a strong, morally upright man trying to navigate his time and character that I hope will continue. Though it is a sequel, this novel can also be enjoyed without reading the prior book.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear




In this first of many Maisie Dobbs mysteries a seemingly open and shut infidelity case leads the private investigator to more questions than answers.  Maisie looks into a place called The Retreat where severely injured soldiers form the Great War live out their lives with others who understand what they have been through.  Their savings are pooled and used to pay for the community.  This case brings up memories for Maisie from her own time serving as a nurse in the Great War and her backstory is gone over in detail.  You’ll love the smart, independent, and very intuitive Maisie Dobbs and be happy to know she has many more adventures.  Checkout Maisie Dobbs@ thelibrary!

Friday, August 16, 2013

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling



Disagreeable people often make the most interesting characters in a book. J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy has so many disagreeable characters she has created a real page-turner, despite a mundane sounding plot concerning an election for a village council. Only Barry Fairbrother, who suddenly dies at the very beginning of the book, seemed to be decent and sincere. The others either seethe with anger and resentment or smugly bask in unwarranted self-esteem. Mr. Fairbrother’s sudden death creates a vacancy on the Pagford Village Council. He had grown up poor and worked his way into the middle class without forgetting his roots.  As a member of the council, he was the strongest supporter of the public housing complex called The Fields where the poorest Pagford citizens live. After his death, several people announce their intention to run for the vacant seat but none have his leadership abilities or empathy for the residents of The Fields. Gossip, lies and dirty tricks undermine the campaigns and reputations of several candidates as well as some of the current council members. Hostility to the public housing residents is the single issue driving the election. Many of the residents of The Fields, particularly the Wheedon family, have so many problems they cannot make an effort to even appear to be the “deserving poor.” But in Pagford, all the citizens have faults and weaknesses. Moral superiority and decency does not necessarily come with education, money or class. 

Check out The Casual Vacancy @ the library! (Perhaps while waiting for your hold on The Cuckoo's Calling!)

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Faren Joy Fowler



Rosemary Cooke spent the first five years of her life joined at the hip with her beloved sister Fern.  One day, Rosemary is sent away to her grandparent's house for three weeks only to be returned to a different house with no explanation. But as distressing as this might be for a five-year-old, the worst is yet to come:  Rosemary cannot find Fern anywhere.  What happened to her sister?  Why will no one in her family speak Fern's name?  Why is her older brother so angry all the time?  The once motor-mouthed child withdraws deeper and deeper into herself as her family begins to self-destruct around her.

Fast forward almost ten years and we find Rosemary in college at the University of California, Davis.  She hasn't thought about Fern in ages.  She barely even thinks about her brother Lowell who disappeared at the age of 18 and became what amounts to a domestic terrorist.  Rosemary is pulled into the path of an unusual girl named Harlow and suddenly many things from her past return to her all at once.  Will she be able to find any answers about Fern?  Will Lowell return even for the briefest of moments? Karen Joy Fowler's We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is an interesting look at the institution of family, scientific experimentation and self identity.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

20 Questions with Author Andrea Lochen: the Final Installment

       

Today's the day! Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library TONIGHT Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you dear patrons to get to know her a bit.  Today marks our final 2 questions!


      Q. 19: The chicken or the egg?  
    
      Definitely the chicken (but don’t ask me why)!

      Q. 20: Do you dream up your characters or are they based on real people?  

      There are definitely qualities of people I know (including myself) in all of my characters.  (Truthfully, there’s probably a little piece of me in every character I write.)  But it’s not a perfect one to one ratio, where someone could say, “Oh, clearly that character is based on So-and-So.”  The traits get redistributed and blended with behaviors and quirks I’ve also invented.


We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase this evening at the reading.  Join us at 7 PM in the Constitution Room!


Monday, August 12, 2013

20 Questions with Author Andrea Lochen: Questions 17 & 18


Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library on Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you dear patrons to get to know her a bit. I will be posting two of her responses each weekday until her visit on the 13th.  


      Q. 17: What would you say was the most memorable moment you’ve had while meeting another author? 

      As a student at the University of Wisconsin, I had a workshop with Lorrie Moore and I was totally star-struck.  She’s not only a phenomenal writer, she’s also an incredible, charismatic teacher. 


      Q. 18:Who is your favorite fictional character?  

      Emma Woodhouse.  Jane Austen once said of her that she was the heroine “no one but myself will much like.”  But I disagree, because I adore Emma; she’s so delightfully flawed and everything she does is in earnest.    


     We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase at the reading.  Join us tomorrow for our final questions with Andrea!

Friday, August 9, 2013

20 Questions with Author Andrea Lochen: Questions 15 & 16



Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library on Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you dear patrons to get to know her a bit. I will be posting two of her responses each weekday until her visit on the 13th.


      Q. 15: If you could change one thing that happened to you yesterday, what would it be?  
      
      This is kind of silly, but I wish I had remembered to bring a 20% off coupon to Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  I always get them in the mail and never use them, but the one time I went and bought something there, I didn’t have one with me!


       Q. 16: Do you have a phobia?  Bugs? Snakes? Fire? Elevators?  

      Weirdly, I have a phobia of jellyfish even though I’ve never actually been stung by one.  I’m hoping to keep it that way!  


      We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase at the reading.  Join us next time for more questions with Andrea!  

Thursday, August 8, 2013

20 Questions with Author Andrea Lochen: Questions 13 & 14


        Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library on Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you, dear patrons, to get to know her a bit.  I will be posting two of her responses each weekday until her visit on the 13th.


Q. 13: Could you share an embarrassing writer's moment with us?

I've been fortunate not to have any embarrassing "writer's moments" yet.  But ask me some other time about embarrassing "teacher's moments."  I have a whole bunch of those!

Q. 14: Favorite guilty pleasure movie? Definition:  a guilty pleasure movie is a movie that you would never ever claim to be one of your favorites but you always watch it if you discover it while flipping channels.  

True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis—hilarious!


We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase at the reading.  Join us next time for more questions with Andrea!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

20 Questions with Author Andrea Lochen: Questions 11 & 12



Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library on Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you dear patrons to get to know her a bit. I will be posting two of her responses each weekday until her visit on the 13th.  


      Q. 11: What did you learn from writing this book?  
      
      It sounds cliché, but the old adage, “nothing worthwhile comes easy” is definitely true.  Writing and revising a book for publication is definitely a journey that requires a lot of perseverance. 


     Q. 12:  Do you ever get road rage?  If so, what is your biggest driving pet peeve? 
      
     I’m a fairly calm driver so long as no one tries to hit me!



We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase at the reading.  Join us next time for more questions with Andrea!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

20 Questions with Author Andrea Lochen: Questions 9 & 10


Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library on Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you dear patrons to get to know her a bit. I will be posting two of her responses each weekday until her visit on the 13th.  


    Q. 9:  What do you consider your biggest failure?  
    
     Losing touch with some of my childhood friends.  Like my main character, Olive, I regret not nurturing some of the important relationships in my life, and I wish I could go back and change that.  

     Q. 10: Early Bird or Night Owl? 
     
     Early Bird, although in terms of writing, afternoons are when I tend to really hit my stride.  


We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase at the reading.  Join us tomorrow for more questions for Andrea!

Monday, August 5, 2013

20 Questions with author Andrea Lochen: Questions 7 & 8



Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library on Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you dear patrons to get to know her a bit. I will be posting two of her responses each weekday until her visit on the 13th.   


Q 6: What was your experience with libraries while you were growing up?
  
Ah, such happy memories!  Every week, my family would go to the library and check out a huge stack of children’s books to read together.  I still love reading aloud and being read aloud to. 

      
Q 7: Favorite karaoke song? 

Journey “Don’t Stop Believin’ ”


We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase at the reading.  Join us next time for more questions with Andrea!

Friday, August 2, 2013

20 Questions with author Andrea Lochen: Questions 5 & 6





Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library on Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you dear patrons to get to know her a bit. I will be posting two of her responses each weekday until her visit on the 13th.  

Q 5: Did you write a lot as a kid?  If so, what was one of your crazier ideas for a story?

I’ve been writing since I was eight years old, and I loved mysteries and scary stories, so I had a lot of crazy ideas.  One of my favorite stories I wrote is about a girl tracking down and saving the Easter bunny after he is “rabbit-napped.”


Q 6: Have you ever not been able to finish reading a book?  If so, what was it?  

By nature, I’m not a novel-quitter, because I like to give books a fair chance, but there are so many amazing ones out there, that if I’m really not enjoying a book, I’ll stop midway.  I can’t think of any books I’ve given up on recently though.  


We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase at the reading.  Join us next week for more questions for Andrea!

The Repeat Year by Andrea Lochen


How would you like to repeat a year?  What would you do differently if you had the chance?  Well the main character in this novel, Olive gets that chance.  Olive Watson is 25 years old and works as a nurse in a hospital.  She wakes up on New Year’s Day 2011, a year that she has already lived.   She realizes that she is able to change her future and learn from the mistakes that she made in 2011.  She also comes across another “repeater” who is also reliving this year, and the two of them are able to share this struggle together.

The author, Andrea Lochen, currently lives in Milwaukee with her husband.  This novel has various references to Wisconsin, such as the Wisconsin weather or the Brewers baseball team.  So if you live in Wisconsin this story will make you feel right at home.  “The Repeat Year” is a must read.   I usually take weeks to read a book but this one I was able to read in three days because it truly kept my attention and I could not put it down.  It is a page turner that is beautifully written.  As a reader you become a part of Olive’s subconscious as she struggles with her choices of her previous year and tries to change the year she is reliving.  There are also many life struggles that Olive is going through that many readers may relate to.  Andrea did an amazing job creating characters that I wanted to root for.  Anyone who would love to relive a time in their life would truly enjoy reading this book.  

Check out The Repeat Year @ the library! And stop by the West Allis Public Library of August 13th at 7 PM to meet the author! For more details, check out the library calendar.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

20 Questions with author Andrea Lochen: Questions 3 & 4

Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library on Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you dear patrons to get to know her a bit. I will be posting two of her responses each weekday until her visit on the 13th.


Q. 3: Are there any occupational hazards to being a novelist?  
    
      There are definitely highs and lows. Some days (when the writing comes easily, when you get good reviews, etc.) you’re on top of the world; other days (when you’d rather do absolutely anything but write or your book gets criticized, etc.), you feel like staying in bed.  So it’s really important to enjoy the good moments!

      Q. 4: Dogs or cats?  
   
     I love both!  My dog, Maddy, is the best of both worlds, a cat-like dog.  As a Bichon Shih Tzu mix (her breed is called a “teddy bear”), she’s cuddly and the perfect size for your lap, but she also loves to play and be taken for walks.



We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase at the reading.  Join us tomorrow for more questions for Andrea!